THE THING.doc

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ALL SCRIPTS

"THE THING"

Screenplay by

Bill Lancaster

Based on the story

"WHO GOES THERE"

by

John W. Campbell. Jr.

SECOND DRAFT

arch ! #$%#

CAST

MACREADY

&'. Helicopter pilot. Li(es chess. Hates

the cold. The pay

is )ood.

GARRY

!*. The station mana)er. Sti++. E,-army

o++icer. Wears a

hand)n.

CHILDS

&&. Si,-+or. T/o-+i+ty. Blac(. 0

mechanic. Can be 1olly.

Bt don2t mess.

BLAIR

'3. Sensiti4e. Intelli)ent. 5nassmin).

0n assistant

biolo)ist.

DR. COPPER

!'. 6ro+essional. 0 decent man. 0 )ooddoctor.

PALMER

78. Second strin) chopper pilot. Crac(

mechanic. Lon) hair.

Sli)ht si,ties acid dama)e.

NAULS

77. The coo(. Bri)ht. Blac(. Irre4erent.

Bt (indhearted.

9oller s(ates.

NORRIS!!. Stoc(y. 9))ed loo(in). 0

)eophysicist. 0n incipient

heart condition.

http://www.imsdb.com/all%20scripts

http://www.imsdb.com/all%20scripts



BENNINGS

&%. 0 meteorolo)ist. :ti+l. 0n old

pro.

CLARK

7!. The do) handler. Li(es it here. Goodat his 1ob.

SANCHEZ

7#. The radio operator. Hates it here.

Losy at his 1ob.

In the /inter o+ #$%7 these men /ere

commissioned by the

5nited States National Science

;ondation to )ather data

concernin) the physical and natral

sciences on the continent

o+ 0ntarctica.

THE MAIN COMPOUND OF U.S.

OUTPOST #31

The interior is a cramped and ne4er

endin) ma<e o+ hall/ays

passa)e/ays and doors /hich connect the

many rooms and

compartments /ithin the compond.

Strdy bt pre+abricated

materials ha4e been sed in its

constrction.

There is a laboratory. 0n in+irmary. 0

(itchen and mess hall.

0 commnications room and sleepin)

=arters. >ther cbicles

are +or stora)e and spplies.

The most spacios area o+ the bildin)

and the main center

o+ acti4ity is the 9ec 9oom. >+ the

many entrance /ays to

this room can be seen the small /or(

chambers /ith their

sophisticated compters and otherscienti+ic e=ipment.

The belo/ =arter hoses the )enerator

and still other

compartments +or stora)e.

0 lon) nder)rond tnnel connects the

main compond to the

do) (ennel.

FADE IN:

A STARRY BLACKNESS

;rom ot o+ the billions the smallest

o+ spec(s dri4es slo/ly



+or/ard. It closes? )ettin) lar)er? its

+eatres becomin)

more identi+iable@ a 4essel. ;lip-

+loppin)? ot o+ control.

Its stern roarin) /ith +lame. It passes?

its ble +ire sr)in)

into the screen.

"THE THING"

0 thnderin)...

FADE TO:

BLIND AND FERAL WHITENESS

...Glacial desert... )sts o+ sno/...

sperimpose@

ANTARCTICA 198

WINTER

A SOUND

Lod and strident. 0 helicopter strea(s

across +rame. It

tra4els precariosly close to the

)rond? its chassis battered

and s/ayed by the /ind.

INT. COPTER

9ed dials beam on the +aces o+ t/o men.

>ne carries a ri+le

and searches the hori<on /ith

binoclars. The other pilots.

Their n(empt +aces their bla<in) eyes

notate a /ildness.

They bar( at each other in some

Scandina4ian ton)e. T/o men

ar)in) li(e mad and desperate children.

The man /ith the binoclars si)hts

somethin).

E!T. HORIZON BINOCULARS PO$ A DOG

It trns and snarls at the cra+t some

+i+teen hndred yards

to its rear. Then /hirls and )allops

o++. 0 )n blast (ic(s

p sno/ at its heels.

INT. COPTER

0nother blast o+ ri+le +ire as the man

ta(es isse /ith his

prey. The pilot slams a +ist into his)nman +riend and

implores +or better aim. The cra+t

s/oops lo/er and the en)ine



is pt into +ll throttle.

E!T. HILL THE DOG

rnnin) +e4erishly p and o4er a hill o+

ice. 0 /eather-

beaten /ooden si)n stic(s p on theother side@

U.S. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

OUTPOST #31

0 ri+le blast (ic(s p more sno/.

E!T. COMPOUND OF U.S. OUTPOST #31

0 lar)e almost sno/-co4ered bildin).

Not +ar +rom that a

tall meteorolo)ical balloon to/er.

0 scatterin) o+ se4eral small shac(s at

4aryin) distances

+rom the main compond. The smaller

ho4els are connected by

/ooden plan(ed /al(/ays and steadyin)

ropes. lticolored

pennants stic( pt o+ the sno/ mar(in)

path/ays and directions

to otdoor e,periments.

0 tractor and t/o helicopters sit idle

co4ered /ith monds

o+ continosly montin) sno/.

TWO MEN% NORRIS AND BENNINGS

standin) some thirty yards +rom the main

bildin) are in the

process o+ lettin) p a lar)e red

balloon. Childs a he+ty

blac( man is t/enty yards a/ay

tin(erin) /ith a sno/mobile.

Their beards are ca(ed /ith ice. It is

/inter and it is harsh.

The +aint sond o+ the copter trnstheir attention.

THE COPTER

+lyin) e4er lo/er no/. The man /ith the

)n leans dan)erosly

otside and +ires a/ay at the do) as it

nears the otpost.

THE MEN

otside the compond loo( to one

another incredlos.

THE COPTER



mch too lo/ no/ and chastised by the

/ind attempts a hi)h-

speed landin) directly on the heels o+

the sprintin) do).

It bonces 4iolently on the hard-pac(ed

sr+ace.

>nce. T/ice. 6assin) the do).

0 third bonce sends it s(iddin). It

+lips? its blades

snappin) o++ li(e toothpic(s. It lands

belly-p sondless

e,cept +or the /hine o+ its en)ine.

The man /ith the )n rolls ot be+ore

the e,plosion.

INT. MAIN COMPOUND

The hal+ a do<en men playin) cards

monitorin) e=ipment

listenin) to msic -- sprin) to their

+eet startled.

E!T. COMPOUND

The do) reaches Norris and Bennin)s as

they a/(/ardly /ade

thro)h the sno/ to/ard the do/ned

copter.

THE SUR$I$OR

o+ the crash his eyes cra<ed /ith

determination str))les

to his +eet. Heedless o+ his companion

he doble-times his

/ay to the men and the do). He reloads

his )n and bello/s

in his Scandina4ian ton)e.

Norris and Bennin)s ha4e no idea /hat he

is sayin).

The sr4i4or /a4es his arms as i+shootin) them o++ screamin)

as he does so? his +ace no/ ca(ed /ith

blood.

The t/o men are be/ildered. The do)

1mps p lic(in) and

pa/in) them implorin) +or sa+ety.

BlamAA The 4isitor +ires. The men 1mp

bac( in disbelie+.

NORRIS

What the +...

BlamA BlamA The cra<ed 4isitor screams

and +ires as he stal(s



a+ter them. His contenance abla<e mad.

Ice and sno/ (ic(

p abot the terri+ied 0mericans. 0

bllet smac(s into the

do)2s hip sendin) it s(iddin) and

ho/lin) in pain.

Childs the blac( man by the sno/mobile

ta(es co4er di4in)

behind his machine.

Bennin)s is hit. Norris plls dra)s him

bac( to/ard the

compond. The do) cra/ls alon) beside

them.

The intrder is relentless in his

assail. He rns screamin)

+irin) screamin) reloadin) and +irin).

INT. COMPOUND

Total con+sion. Some /atch helplessly

thro)h the small

+o))ed-p and translcent /indo/s.

>thers try to mobili<e

)rabbin) +or their hea4y 1ac(ets.

CLOSE ON A .3&' MAGNUM

as it e++iciently brea(s thro)h a

/indo/pane and into the

cold. 0 steady hand )rips it +irmly.

THE SCANDINA$IAN

)ettin) closer. ablamA Sddenly his

head 1er(s bac(. He

+alls to his (nees and then +ace do/n

into the sno/.

NORRIS AND BENNINGS

stare blan(ly bt relie4edly at the

+allen man. The do)

/himpers in pain.

CHILDS

po(es his head ot +rom nder the

sno/mobile.

INT. MAIN COMPOUND REC ROOM

The rmblin) o+ 4oices +ades. The men

ad1st their eyes to

station mana)er Garry as he e,tracts

his )n +rom the bro(en

/indo/ relie4es it o+ its spent shelland pts it a/ay.



CUT TO:

E!T. BURNING COPTER

Se4eral men spray sno/ on the brnin)

/rec(a)e. There is no

hope +or the pilot.

CUT TO:

INT. COMPOUND

CLOSE ON THE PALLID FACE OF THE

SCANDINA$IAN INTRUDER

0 neat rond hole is set in the middle

o+ his +orehead.

Station mana)er Garry holds p somethin)a(in to an I:.

GARRY

Nor/e)ian... Jans Bolen.

;chs a yon) and sensiti4e-loo(in)

biolo)ist stands closest

to the lar)e area map o+ 0ntarctica.

Se4eral men sit and

stand arond 4ie/in) the body that lies

on t/o bro)ht-

to)ether card-tables.

FUCHS

Gotta be +rom the Nor/e)ian

camp.

GARRY

Ho/ +ar2s that

FUCHS

2Bot ei)hty (ilos soth/est.

GARRY

Dsrprised

That +ar

Garry directs his attention to Childs

the lar)e blac( man

/ho had been /or(in) on the sno/mobile.

Ne,t to him sits

Norris the r))ed-loo(in) +ortyish

)eophysicist /ho /as

one o+ the men bein) shot at.

GARRY

Fo catch anythin) he /as

sayin)

CHILDS

0m I startin) to loo(

Nor/e)ian to



yo B/ana

Garry motions in=irin)ly to Norris.

NORRIS

Feah. I ca)ht that he /anted

thebetter part o+ my ass to come

apart.

INT. INFIRMARY

:r. Cooper mid-+orties /or(s on the

otstretched le) o+

Bennin)s the meteorolo)ist. Clar( the

do) handler is

mendin) the hip o+ the /onded do) o++

in the corner.

Bennin)s lets ot /ith an och.

DR. COPPER

:on2t "och" me. T/o stitches.

It

1st )ra<ed yo.

He helps a sha(en Bennin)s p o++ the

table.

BENNINGS

What in the hell /ere they

doin)...

;lyin) that lo/... shootin) ata

do)... at s...

DR. COPPER

Stir cra<y. Cabin +e4er... Who

(no/s.

The do) yelps and /himpers as Clar(

tries to calm him.

CLARK

I2ll be here a /hile. Shell2s

prettydeep.

INT. RADIO ROOM

Blair senior biolo)ist +i+ty baldin)

leans a)ainst the

entrance door.

He loo(s on as the yon) bored-loo(in)

radio operator

Sanche< attends to his e=ipment.

Brsts o+ static.

SANCHEZ

It2s no )o.



BLAIR

Well )et to somebody.

0nybody. We24e

)ot to report this mess.

SANCHEZ

Loo( I ha4en2t been able toreach

shit in t/o /ee(s. :obt i+

anybody2s

tal(ed to anybody on the /hole

continent.

INT. HALLWAY

Nals the coo( )lides alon) on his

roller sta(es do/n one

o+ the many narro/ hall/ays that connect

the 4arios

compartments o+ the main compond. He isblac( a little

mischie4os abot t/enty-t/o.

He comes to a +lashy s(iddin) stop at

one o+ the entrances

to the rec room area /here the men are

)athered /ith the

dead Nor/e)ian.

NAULS

aybe /e at /ar /ith Nor/ay.

6almer a spacy t/enty-se4en year oldno4ice pilot and

mechanic )rins as he li)hts a 1oint. He

directs a remar( to

station mana)er Garry.

PALMER

Was /onderin) /hen "El

Capitan" /as

)oin) to )et a chance to se

his pop

)n.

Garry reb(es him /ith a stern loo( andthen trns to ;chs.

GARRY

Ho/ lon) ha4e they been

stationed

there

;chs lea+in) thro)h a pile o+ papers.

FUCHS

Says here abot ei)ht /ee(s.

:r. Copper enters the room. Bennin)slimpin) a+ter him

sli)htly.



GARRY

Dsha(in) his head

That2s not eno)h time +or

)ys to

)o bon(ers.

NAULS Bllshit B/ana s/eetheart.

;i4e

mintes is eno)h to pt a man

o4er

do/n here.

PALMER

:amn strai)ht.

NAULS

I mean 6almer been the /ay he

is

since the +irst day.

6almer smiles and +lips the coo( the

bird.

GARRY

Ho/ many in their party

FUCHS

Dre+errin)

Started /ith si,. There2d be

+or

others le+t.

DR. COPPER

Ho/ do yo (no/

The men2s attention trn to Copper.

DR. COPPER

...Gys as cra<y as that cold

ha4e

done a lot o+ dama)e to their

o/n

be+ore they )ot to s.

GARRY Nothin) /e can do abot that.

DR. COPPER

Fes there is. I2d li(e to )o

p.

GARRY

In this /eather

DR. COPPER

Dtrns to

Bennin)s

BENNINGS

Winds are )oin) to let p a

tad



ne,t cople o+ hors.

GARRY

0 tad

BENNINGS

Can2t condone it mysel+. Btit is a

short hal. Hor there hor

bac(.

Garry still does not mch li(e the idea.

6almer ta(es another

hit o++ his 1oint.

PALMER

Shit :oc I2ll )i4e yo the

li+t

i+...

GARRY

;or)et it 6almer. :oc yo2re

a

pain in the ass.

GARRY

Dtrns

Norris )o )et ac9eady.

Sli)ht la)hter +rom some o+ the men.

NORRIS

D)rins ac9eady ain2t )oin) no/here.

Bn(ered

in till sprin).

GARRY

Jst )o )et him.

NORRIS

Dstands

0ny/ay he2s probably ripped.

E!T. U.S. OUTPOST #31

Norris bndled in his si,ty-+i4e ponds

o+ clothin) e,its

the main compond. He /al(s the pre+ab

/ooden plan(s p the

precipice? his destination is someone a

hndred yards p the

slope -- to a shac(. He )rabs onto the

steadyin) ropes and

plls himsel+ a)ainst the /ind and

blo/in) sleet.

INT. MACREADYS SHACK CLOSE ON ICE

CUBES

bein) dmped into a )lass +ollo/ed by

the porin) o+ /his(ey.



0n electronic oice is heard.

$OICE

Bishop to (ni)ht +or.

ac9eady ta(es a sip o+ his drin(? ma(es

his /ay o4er to hiselectronic chess )ame. 0 lar)e e,ican

sombrero han)s on his

bac(. He is tall? abot thirty-+i4e. His

shac( is sparse bt

n(empt. 0 +e/ center+olds on the /all

are interspersed by

an occasional poster o+ some

editerranean or Soth 0merican

paradise.

The chess )ame is o+ lar)er than normal

si<e. The pieces

mo4e atomatically /ith the press o+ abtton. He sits do/n

and chc(les o4er his opponent2s bad

mo4e.

MACREADY

6oor little son o+ a bitch.

Fo2re

startin) to lose it aren2t

yo

He con+idently taps ot his mo4e. His

companion2s response

is immediate.

$OICE

6a/n ta(es =een at (ni)ht

+or.

ac9eady2s )rin slo/ly +ades as he

e,amines the board. There

is a pondin) at his door. ac9eady

broods +or a bit heedless

o+ his 4isitor and ma(es his ne,t mo4e.

$OICE

9oo( to (ni)ht si,. Chec(.

ore impatient pondin). ac9eady )lares

at his opponent +or

a beat. He bends +or/ard opens p a

+lap containin) the

chess )ame2s circitry and pors in his

drin(. There enses

a snappin) poppin) sond as smo(e and

spar(s rise +rom the

machine? +ollo/ed by a +lsh o+ chess

)ibberish.

ac9eady )ets p +rom his seat mmblin)on his /ay to the

door.



MACREADY

...Cheatin) bastard...

He opens the door. Norris steps in

+ollo/ed by a +lrry o+

sno/ and /ind.

NORRIS

Fo 1er(in) o++ or 1st

pissed

MACREADY

We )ot any more o+ those

electronic

chess thin)s do/n in spply

NORRIS

Get yor )ear on.

MACREADY What +or

E!T. OUTPOST

>ne o+ the )ronded choppers is bein)

readied +or ta(e-o++.

Childs holds a h)e indstrial torch to

the en)ine /armin)

it p.

INT. MAIN COMPOUND CORRIDOR

Garry Bennin)s :r. Copper 6almer andac9eady /ind their

/ay thro)h the slender corridors on

their /ay to the chopper.

:r. Copper carries a satchel o+ medicine

spplies. ac9eady

)oin) o4er his +li)ht chart loo(s mad

as hell. :ialo)e

o4erlaps.

MACREADY

...Cra<iness... This

is )oddamn insane...

GARRY

...it

the )ripin)

ac9eady. Sooner yo2re

there --

sooner yo2re

bac(.

MACREADY

It2s a)ainst re)lations to )o

pthis time o+ yearA

DR. COPPER



Scre/ re)lationsA ;or )ys

cold

be cra/lin) arond on their

bellies

ot thereA

MACREADY So I don2t /ant to end p

cra/lin)

arond /ith them /hen /e )o

do/n.

GARRY

Loo( i+ yo2re )oin) to (eep

bitchin) ac9eady -- 6almer2s

o++ered

to ta(e him p...

MACREADY

What are yo tal(in)A He2shad t/o

months trainin) in those

choppersA

PALMER

Dde+iant

;orA

MACREADY

Dto Bennin)s

What is it ot there any/ay

;orty-

+i4e (nots

BENNINGS

Si,teen.

MACREADY

Ddis)sted

0nd the horse yo rode in on.

Si,teen

+or ho/ lon)A Fo can2t

predict

this time o+ year...

INT.( E!T. CHOPPER

:r. Copper sits ne,t to ac9eady /ho is

at the controls.

ac9eady ti)htens the strin) o+ his

sombrero arond his nec(

and starts p its cho(in) en)ine.

ac9eady +i)hts 4iolently /ith the

controls as he str))les

to )et the cra+t into the air. It

+inally ri)hts itsel+ and

mo4es p and o++ into the )rey-/hites(y.

INT. MAIN COMPOUND



0 cople o+ the men min)le in the area.

Clar( the do)

handler loo(s ot the /indo/.

CLARK

ac2s really ta(in) it phh

The do) a lar)e banda)e on his hip

/ades thro)h the room.

5nder tables. 6ast men2s le)s. It

hobbles sli)htly. No one

ta(es notice.

CUT TO:

E!T. THE CHOPPER

mo4es o4er a rid)e o+ ice. Colmns o+

smo(e can be seen risin)

ominosly +rom a =arter mile o++.

INT. CHOPPER POINT OF $IEW

0s they near the smo(e looms thic(er. 0

blac( tar-li(e

)sh? billo/in) p into the )rey s(y

+rom the /hiteness belo/.

E!T. NORWEGIAN CAMP

Smo(e climbs p/ard in the +.). ac9eady

sets his cra+t do/n.

6ll bac( to re4eal the camp itsel+@

resemblin) the a+termath

o+ a /estern +ort sac(ed and ra4a)ed by

Indians.

Small +ires and debris are stre/n

e4ery/here. The pre+ab

0dministration Bildin) e,poses )apin)

holes. Smo(e rises

+rom the almost entirely sno/-bried

onset hts. Emberss/irl in e4ery direction.

INT. CHOPPER

The t/o men loo( at each other in

silence. They )et ot.

CLOSE ON A LARGE% MAKESHIFT FUNERAL PYRE

smolderin) to a close. 0 hastily

concei4ed crematorim. Wood

boo(s +rnitre tires anythin) that

/ill brn has beenmi,ed to)ether /ith the charred remains

o+ se4eral do)s and

the body o+ a man.



Crios monds o+ a melted and blac(ened

)oo are heaped /ithin

the mess.

0 small can o+ )asoline lies nearby. 0

lar)e oil drm not+ar o++.

MACREADY AND COPPER

their +aces ashen as they ta(e in this

)rotes=e si)ht.

ac9eady trns to 4ie/ the Nor/e)ian

compond. He then

e,chan)es a loo( /ith Copper. ac9eady

heads bac( to/ard the

chopper.

THE CHOPPER

ac9eady nhin)es the shot)n that is

latched to the panel

behind the seats.

E!T. THE MAIN BUILDING THE DOOR

ac9eady and :r. Copper stand hesitantly

amidst the /isps o+

sno/ and embers. ac9eady tries the

door. It is nloc(ed. He

slo/ly pshes it open /ith his )n. 0crea(in). 0 lon) pitch-

blac( corridor. Copper shines a

+lashli)ht.

DR. COPPER

0nybody thereA

No ans/er. Jst /ind. They e,chan)e a

loo( and enter.

INT. NARROW CORRIDOR

The t/o men mo4e slo/ly. It is dan( andcold. Their breath

bleatin) li(e e,hast. 0 so+t steady

/ind ho/ls o4erhead.

The +lashli)ht is not mch help.

;rther do/n they hear a +aint hissin)

sond. 0s they )et

closer it more resembles static. The

+lashli)ht +inds a door

at the end o+ the corridor. The

sptterin) static comes +rom

/ithin.

The +ace o+ the door has been shredded.

0n a, stic(s ot

+rom its middle. ac9eady /renches ot



the a,. There is blood

on it. The men ac(no/led)e this +or a

beat.

ac9eady tries the (nob. It opens

sli)htly. Somethin) is

bloc(in) it +rom the other side.

MACREADY

0nybody in thereA

Nothin).

DR. COPPER

We2re 0mericansA

Nothin).

MACREADY

Come to help yoAA

ac9eady pshes a)ainst the door.

MACREADY

Gi4e me a hand.

They psh sho4e )rnt. The door )i4es

a bit. ;inally more.

It /idens eno)h +or ac9eady to see

that a lar)e compter-

li(e machine is bloc(in) their path.

ac9eady /ed)es in and

shines the +lashli)ht.

It is the commnications room. Holes in

its roo+ ha4e allo/ed

in the +ree<in) cold. The +lashli)ht

e,poses the bac( o+ the

radio chair. >ne more nd)e allo/s them

into the room.

0 beat as they catch their breath.

ac9eady spots a Coleman

lantern. He li)hts it /ith a match.

Holds it p. The bri)hter

li)ht e,poses the top o+ a man2s headsittin) in the radio

chair.

MACREADY

Hey S/eden...A Fo o(ay

The chair roc(s sli)htly /ith the )entle

bree<e. They inch

closer. 0 yard +rom the chair ac9eady

stops the :octor.

He po(es his )n at the chair2s bac(.

MACREADY S/edenA

:r. Copper spots somethin). ;rom the



man2s /rist on the

armrest he +ollo/s a lon) yarn-thic(

red line endin) in

a pool o+ +ro<en blood on the +loor.

The t/o men step arond the chair. The

Nor/e)ian stares pin blanched death. 0 )apin) blac( hole

+or a moth.

His throat and /rists slit. 0n old-

+ashioned strai)ht ra<or

in his lap.

ac9eady trns o++ the hissin) radio

and marches to the

other door. It is loc(ed and barricaded.

DR. COPPER

Dmore to himsel+ y God /hat in hell happened

here

MACREADY

Come on Copper.

The t/o men +ree a machine-li(e obstacle

+rom the other e,it.

ac9eady opens a loc( and pshes the

door open.

ore blac(ness. Stron)er /ind. Copper

holds the lantern hi)has they ma(e their /ay do/n a ro/ o+

/ooden steps and into a

ca4ernos nder)rond case/ay.

MACREADY

Hey S/edenAAA

DR. COPPER

Dirritated

They2re not S/edish )oddamn

it

they2re Nor/e)ian ac9e --

WhapAA Somethin) slaps into the :octor2s

+ace +rom the

dar(ness. The lantern crashes to the

)rond. The :octor

stmbles +alls. ac9eady )rabs the

+lashli)ht and /hirls in

di++erent directions. 0 pantin) beat.

Silence.

:r. Copper holds p /hat hit him. 0

thic( center+old b++eted

by the /ind. ac9eady ta(es it.

MACREADY

Nor/e)ian o+ the onth :oc.

Harmless.



ac9eady poc(ets it +or +rther 4ie/in).

INT. THE NARROWEST OF CORRIDORS

The spportin) beams ha4e lon) since

bc(led and crac(ed+rom the constantly mo4in) ice

nderneath. The e4idence o+

+ire has +rther /ea(ened the

+ondations. The /ood crea(s

o4erhead. Bits o+ ice and silt tric(le

do/n.

The t/o men /al( hnched catios.

ac9eady )in)erly tries

to ma(e his /ay arond a bro(en and

smolderin) beam. He

brshes it )ently sendin) a sho/er o+

debris +rom the ya/nin)roo+.

The t/o men /ait ntil it sbsides and

then mo4es on.

;rther do/n. ac9eady2s (nee bmps into

somethin) alon) the

/all casin) him to stmble sli)htly.

He shines his li)ht

on it.

0n arm is stic(in) ot o+ a steel door

abot three +eet o++the )rond. The door has been slammed

sht. The arm pinned

its +ist still )rippin) a small /eldin)

torch.

The +lame lon) since )one ot.

MACREADY

D/incin)

Holy shit...

He tries the door. 5nloc(ed. It opens.

The arm drops to the)rond. It has been se4ered by the +orce

o+ the slam.

Its o/ner is no/here to be seen.

ac9eady sic(ened co)hs. :r. Copper

mmbles.

DR. COPPER

Christ...

They step o4er the arm and into another

slim passa)e/ay.

o4in) alon) they come to rest in +ront

o+ a door /ith



Nor/e)ian letterin) on it.

ac9eady pshes it open /ith his +oot.

:o<ens o+ papers +ly

abot +lailed by the holes in the

onset ht-style roo+.

The place is a /rec(. They enter.ac9eady sr4eyin) the

small room /ith his +lashli)ht.

DR. COPPER

...Laboratory.

Bro(en bea(ers test tbes a microscope

are illminated.

ac9eady notices a 4ideo camera.

MACREADY

6ortable 4ideo nit.

Copper ma(es his /ay o4er to the main

/or( table. He sh++les

thro)h papers )lancin) at the /ritin).

MACREADY

0nythin)

DR. COPPER

0ll in Nor/e)ian.

:r. Copper bends do/n and be)ins

)atherin) the papers stre/nabot the room.

MACREADY

What are yo doin)

DR. COPPER

Cold be important /or(. i)ht

as

/ell brin) it bac(.

MACREADY

It2s )ettin) late. Hrry it.

I2m)oin) to chec( the last +e/

rooms.

He e,its. 0mon)st the rbble :r. Copper

+inds a poc(et tape

recorder and se4eral cassettes. He

selects a tape and is

abot to pop it in /hen he senses

somethin) to his rear. He

trns. Loo(s. 0 beat. Nothin).

INT. HALLWAY

ac9eady sho4es himsel+ into another

room.



INT. ROOM

:ebris and /ood +lsh do/n on him. The

recedin) ceilin) had

been bloc(in) the door +rom abo4e. He

brshes his coat and

shines the li)ht p/ards.

The ceilin) is a shambles. He then

shines the li)ht deeper

into the room.

INT. NORWEGIAN LAB

:r. Copper is playin) the small tape

recorder. 0 casal

Nor/e)ian 4oice drones on as i+ ma(in)

notes. He +ast

+or/ards. The same casal drone.

MACREADY )O.S.*

Copper come hereAA

INT. ROOM

:r. Copper enters s=ee<in) in thro)h

the door. The /ood

crac(s o4erhead. ore debris comes

+allin) do/n.

MACREADY

Care+l. It2s abot to )o.

Copper dsts himsel+. ac9eady stands

be+ore a h)e bloc( o+

ice. ;i+teen +eet lon). Si, +eet /ide.

;or +eet tall.

It has partially melted bt its tha/in)

process has been

stopped by the no/ +ree<in) temperatres

/ithin the otpost.

Its one crios +eatre@ the middle has

been tha/ed and

scooped ot. Gi4in) it the appearance o+a lar)e bathtb.

The t/o men stdy it ncomprehendin)ly.

ac9eady2s )a<e trns to a lar)e metal

cabinet at his le+t.

He mo4es +or a closer loo(. Se4eral

photo)raphs are pasted

to its door. Small snapshots o+ the

Nor/e)ians at /or( and

play.

He tries to open it. Stc(. The

partially ca4ed-in ceilin)is sli)htly bloc(in) the top o+ the

door. He tries a)ain

care+l not to dislod)e the /ood and



plaster abo4e. Bits o+

dst +loat do/n.

DR. COPPER

Watch it.

His )rip is too stron). It )i4essddenly ne,pectedly. The

lar)e metal door +lies open.

Lar)e chn(s splash +rom the ceilin).

They come thmpin) to

the +loor behind and in +ront o+ the

open cabinet door.

ac9eady co)hs and /a4es a/ay the dst.

He peers inside.

Nothin) mch. Some empty shel4es. Some

small scienti+ic )ear.

His +lashli)ht then locates a lar)ephoto)raph taped to the

inside o+ the cabinet door.

It is a pictre o+ +i4e Nor/e)ians arm

in arm all smiles

toastin) each other. They are on either

side o+ the +ro<en

bloc( o+ ice pride+lly displayin) it

+or the camera. The

bloc( loo(s mch thic(er. Its interior

opa=e.

ac9eady loo(s to the bloc( o+ ice andthen bac( to the

photo)raph. He ntapes it poc(ets it

and shts the door.

0n armless corpse s/in)s into his +ace

+rom behind the closin)

door. :islod)ed +rom the ceilin) the

body and ac9eady )o

crashin) to the +loor.

CUT TO:

INT. U.S. OUTPOST RECREATION ROOM

The lod beat o+ Warren e4on2s son)

"The Were/ol4es o+

London" can be heard thro)hot the

compond. The room is

empty. Close on a 4ideo pon) )ame its

ball o+ li)ht la<ily

tra4elin) bac( and +orth. The do) its

tail /a))in) its

banda)e on /al(s by.

INT. KITCHEN

e4on2s record is blastin) +rom Nals2

stereo. He s(ates



+rom the bi) /al(-in +ree<er and pln(s

do/n a lar)e side o+

bee+ on the /ood-cttin) table to tha/.

He s(ates +rom pot

to pan (eepin) time /ith his sonds.

He smells. Tastes. 0dds a littlesomethin) here a toch

there. He clearly en1oys his /or(.

Station ana)er Garry stops past the

open door.

GARRY

Trn that crap do/n Nals.

Fo can

hear it all o4er the campA

NAULS

>i B/ana. Can do.

He s(ates o4er and trns it do/n bt

not mch.

INT. COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

Garry enters and sees that Sanche< has

nodded o++ in +ront

o+ his recei4er. His head)ear is still

on. Garry /al(s o4er

and trns p the 4olme the static

1oltin) Sanche< a/a(e.

SANCHEZ

Hey man...A

GARRY

Fo reach anybody yet

SANCHEZ

We2re a thosand miles +rom

anybody

else man. It2s )oin) to )et a

hell

o+ a lot /orse be+ore it )ets

better.

GARRY

Well stic( to it.

INT. COMPOUND CORRIDOR

0n empty hall/ay. Lar)er than most.

:oors to se4eral sleepin)

=arters on either side. The do) slo/ly

/al(s thro)h.

>ne o+ the doors is open p ahead o+ his

le+t. The do) stopsin +ront o+ it and loo(s in. Someone is

inside.



Inside the small cbicle a sli)ht

portion o+ a man2s bac(

can be seen as he sits bent o4er a

chair? his lar)e shado/

displayed on the /all.

Bac( in the corridor. The do) loo(s pthe hall once and

casally to the other end. No one. He

enters the room. The

sond o+ a man2s 4oice too indistinct

to tell /hose mmbles@

MANS $OICE

Hello boy.

0 beat.

The sond o+ a )lass brea(in). 0 m++led

sc++lin). The dooris slammed sht +rom the inside. 0nd

then silence.

CUT TO:

E!T. COMPOUND

;chs the yon) biolo)ist is +inishin)

p his daily 1o)

arond the compond. He stops at the end

o+ a lon) onset

ht almost completely bried in thesno/. The ht is +i+ty

yards lon) and connects to the main

compond. He enters a

tnnel +rom a latch door p top.

INT. TUNNEL

He 1o)s do/n the steps passin) the

nder)rond do) (ennel

and trots to/ard the compond thro)h

the lon) narro/ tnnel.

He passes and /a4es to Clar( /ho rolls

alon) a /heelbarro/o+ do) +ood.

CLARK

opens the door to the small (ennel and

ser4es p the dinner.

The do)s abot se4en o+ them yelp and

bar( ea)erly.

INT. UNDERGROUND PASSAGEWAY

near the +el spply bladders. >lder and

more ric(ety thanthe =arters abo4e.

Childs /alt<es thro)h hmmin) a bi)



smile on his +ace.

He stops at a door /ith si, loc(s on it.

:i++erent (inds.

Combination loc(s (ey loc(s etc. He

opens each oneseparately.

INT. STORAGE ROOM

Inside are se4eral mari1ana plants. Sn

lamps beam do/n on

them. Childs inspects them /ith a /ide

)rin.

CHILDS

Ho/ my brothers and sister

doin)

today :oin2 +ine.

He mo4es o4er to a tape dec( selects a

cassette )rins bac(

at the plants and trns it on.

CHILDS

What say to some nice 0l Green

+or

my babies hh

He /aters them care+lly as 0l Green

sin)s so+tly. He hears

a pantin) and trns arond to see thedo). His banda)e is

)one.

CHILDS

What yo... Fo )et the hell

on ot

o+ here.

The do) is shooed o++. Childs trns bac(

)rmblin).

CHILDS

...Comin2 in here... )oin2 torinate

on my babies.

INT. MAIN COMPOUND HALLWAY

Blair passin) thro)h holdin) a chart

and carryin) a rac(

o+ test tbes notices a lar)e banda)e

on the +loor. He pic(s

it p in=irin)ly. It is man)led and

shredded.

INT. GENERATOR ROOM

6almer /or(s on the )enerator. He hears

the sond o+



approachin) propeller blades +rom

otside. 0nd then the sond

o+ his tool bo, crashin) to the +loor.

He trns to see /hat

cased the rc(s.

The do) /ho has entered the shed has1mped on the /or(

table and pended the tool bo, on its

ea)erness to loo( ot

o+ the abo4e /indo/. 6almer crses nder

his breath and calls

ot.

PALMER

Clar(A Will yo (ennel this

)oddamn

do)

Dban)s /rench a)ainst

pipe Hey Clar(A

THE DOG

It pa/s at the /indo/ and /atches as the

chopper carryin)

ac9eady and :r. Copper +i)hts a)ainst

the ne/ly arri4ed

hea4y /inds and lands sa+ely.

INT. STATION MANAGER GARRYS +UARTERS

Garry ac9eady :r. Copper NorrisBennin)s Blair and his

assistant ;chs are present. The small

Nor/e)ian 4ideo

nit has been set p and its contents

are bein) 4ie/ed on a

T screen. Grainy home mo4ie-ish no

sond.

The proceedin)s are )rim.

Shots o+ the Nor/e)ian2s at /or(. >thers

o+ them playin)

soccer on ice. Generally the +oota)e isa prosaic record o+

their day-to-day li+e.

Norris sh++les the bndle o+ notes :r.

Copper bro)ht bac(

/ith him.

NORRIS

...Seems they /ere spendin) a

lot o+

time at a place +or miles

northeast

o+ their camp.

GARRY

What /ere they in4ol4ed in



ac9eady /or(in) on the 4ideo machine

ans/ers.

MACREADY

Little ice core drillin)...

someseismolo)y... )laciolo)y...

same old

shit /e do.

The present +oota)e is a shot o+ them

all na(ed and probably

drn( holdin) a si)n across their

/aists as they stand

otdoors in sper-+ree<in) /eather.

BENNINGS

Ho/ mch more o+ this crap is

there

DR. COPPER

0bot nine more hors.

BENNINGS

We can2t learn anythin) +rom

this.

DR. COPPER

6robably ri)ht.

ac9eady trns on the li)ht and shts

o++ the 4ideo machine.He then slides the portable tape dec(

across the table to

:r. Copper. They e,chan)e a loo(.

DR. COPPER

ac9eady and I /ere listenin)

to

some o+ these cassettes on the

/ay

bac(.

Dsomberly

Li(e yo )entlemen to hear it.

0 Nor/e)ian 4oice drones on calmly

ma(in) 4erbal notes.

Norris shr)s.

BENNINGS

What do yo /ant +rom s

MACREADY

D+lat

Jst listen.

:r. Copper +ast +or/ards. The calm 4oicecontines. 0nd then

a lod blast +ollo/ed by pondin). The

sonds o+ con+sion.



oices. Lod. ;renetic. en2s +eet

rnnin) p and do/n /ooden

+loorboards. 0 )r)lin). 0 hissin).

Screams. 0nd then a screechin). ore

blasts mi,ed /ith the

din o+ /ild carna)e-/ro)ht cries. 0ndthen more screechin).

0 screechin) nli(e anythin) these men

ha4e e4er heard.

The men loo( +rom one another in silence

as they listen.

:r. Copper trns it o++.

DR. COPPER

Goes on li(e that =ite

a/hile.

Dbeat What do yo )entlemen ma(e o+

it

GARRY

Cold be anythin)... en in

isolation... some bee+ that

sno/balled... )ot ot o+

hand...

NORRIS

aybe the /hole camp )ot

bent...

Somethin) they ate. What abot+ood

poisonin) :oc

:r. Copper taps the tape dec( pensi4ely.

DR. COPPER

aybe.

He )lances at ac9eady and then bac( to

the others.

DR. COPPER

There2s somethin) else /e /antyo

to see.

INT. INFIRMARY

:r. Copper and ac9eady be)in dmpin)

the hea4y contents o+

a lar)e plastic trash ba) onto the slab.

DR. COPPER

We +ond this.

:isplayed on the slab is /hat appears tobe the corpse o+ a

man. Badly charred. What is le+t o+ the

trosers and shoes



o+ the bottom torso are ripped and

split as i+ his le)s and

+eet had brst +rom the inside. His

pper body is an almost

ndecipherable )narled mass o+

protoplasmic msh.

The head is stran)ely dis+i)red and

loo(s lar)er than normal.

It is sitated not on its sholders bt

near the abdomen.

Tendon-li(e appenda)es are /rapped

arond the carcass and

stic(in) p and ot in odd postres. >ne

is /rapped arond

the body2s le+t le).

The shirt has been ripped and lies

shredded in the tar-li(e

mess.

The men )rimace.

DR. COPPER

I (no/ he2s pretty badly

brned...

bt cold +ire ha4e done this

Blair sic(ened bt +ascinated po(es at

the tendon-li(e

thin)s and the tarry )oo.

DR. COPPER Blair I2d li(e yo and ;chs

to

help me /ith atopsies on this

one

and the one Garry shot this

mornin).

INT. REC ROOM LATER CLOSE ON A TABLE

HOCKEY GAME

;oosball. Nals and Clar( are )oin) at

it hot and hea4y.

Sanche< sits o++ in a corner thmbin)

thro)h an old isse

o+ 6hotoplay.

Bennin)s Norris and Garry are en)a)ed

in a card )ame.

Bennin)s is abot to play a card /hen he

+eels somethin)

nder the table. He loo(s. It is the

do).

BENNINGS

Clar( /ill yo pt this mtt/ith

the others /here he belon)A



INT. LAB

lar)er than most o+ the other rooms and

/ell-e=ipped.

:r. Copper is per+ormin) an atopsy on

the Nor/e)ian intrder(illed early that mornin).

Blair sits o4er his microscope /hile

;chs prepares slides.

The other body is draped /ith a sheet

/aitin) its trn. :r.

Copper plls o++ his )lo4es.

DR. COPPER

Nothin) /ron) /ith this one.

6hysiolo)ically any/ay.

Dto Blair

;ind anythin) to,ic

BLAIR

No dr)s... alcohol. Nothin).

INT. TUNNEL

Clar( leads the do) thro)h the lon)

cold tnnel to/ard the

(ennel. 0 ne/ dressin) has been placed

on its hip.

He nlatches the door to the (ennel and

leads him in.

INT. KENNEL

0bot t/enty +eet lon) +i4e +eet /ide.

6oorly lit.

Cramped /ith do)s. Some o+ them

sleepin). >thers pacin) arond

and crios )reet their ne/ companion

sni++in) pantin)

and rbbin) p a)ainst him. Clar( pats

the do) and se4eral

others then lea4es latchin) the doorbehind him.

INT. SLEEPING CUBICLE

Childs lies in his cot /atchin) a small

tele4ision. The sho/

is a tape o+ an 0merican T )ame sho/.

He has seen this one

too many times e,tracts the cassette

and in1ects another

)ame sho/.

6almer is stretched ot in the othercot readin) a comic

boo( and smo(in) a 1oint. Childs bec(ons

+or it and ta(es a



hit.

INT. PUB

0 small area 1st o++ the rec room. Set

p li(e a bar.

ac9eady is alone loo(in) o4er the rest

o+ the 4ideotapes

+rom the Nor/e)ian otpost. ndane to

esoteric chores o+

0ntarctic camp li+e. He loo(s bored.

INT. LAB

Blair ho4erin) o4er the microscope

lays in a slide +ocses

and motions +or :r. Copper to ta(e a

loo(.

Copper is con+sed as he e,amines. He

shr)s.

DR. COPPER

I don2t nderstand.

;chs ta(es the opportnity to loo(.

Blair mo4es o4er to the

dis+i)red corpse and indicates one o+

the +ibros tendon-

li(e appenda)es.

BLAIR It2s tisse +rom one o+ these

sine/y

rods.

;chs is be+ddled as he e,amines.

FUCHS

What in the /orld (ind o+ cell

strctre is this

BLAIR

That2s the point.

DR. COPPER

Dtired

I don2t )et yo Blair.

BLAIR

I2m not sre it is any (ind o+

cell

strctre. Biolo)ically

spea(in).

DR. COPPER

Dsi)hin)

This really isn2t my +ieldBlair.

Let2s /rap +or the day.



:r. Copper ndoes his lab coat and lays

it o4er a chair as

he e,its. Blair stares do/n ominosly at

the mtilated body.

E!T. COMPOUND NIGHT

0 steady stream o+ sleet ponds the

compond and small

srrondin) shac(s.

INT. REC ROOM

acant. The /all cloc( reads +or-

thirty.

INT. HALLWAY

Sleepin) cbicles on either side. The

sond o+ snorin).

INT. PUB

Bleary-eyed ac9eady is in the process

o+ blo/in) p some

stran)e in+latable ob1ect. 0s he p++s

a/ay he still (eeps

an eye on the Nor/e)ian 4ideo tapes. His

balloon be)ins to

ta(e shape. It blossoms into a li+e-si<e

replica o+ a +ll-

breasted /oman. Somethin) on the tape

catches his eye. Here/inds then starts it +or/ard a)ain.

The screen sho/s the Nor/e)ians on the

sr+ace o+ /hat appears

to be an enormos +lat )lacier. They

are spread ot on the

ice arond a lar)e odd o4al shape? their

arms otstretched.

It +ades to blac( and then a Nor/e)ian

comes on m))in)

childishly in +ront o+ the camera

apparently =ite pleased/ith somethin).

The tape +ades to blac( a)ain and the

pictre reappears.

This time they ha4e mar(ed o++ the lar)e

o4al area /ith +la)

stic(s.

Closer shots sho/ three o+ the men

di))in) a deep hole into

the ice. There is a small patch o+

somethin) dar( and metallicat the bottom.

ac9eady leans +or/ard intri)ed.



The men are no/ sin(in) somethin) deep

into the ice at 4arios

points arond the mar(in)s. ac9eady

s=ints and mmbles to

himsel+.

MACREADY

:ecanite... Thermite

char)es...

The tape 1mp cts a)ain sho/in) a lon)

shot o+ the mar(in)s.

No Nor/e)ian in si)ht. 0n e,plosion

(ic(s p the ice. 0 beat

as the ice sprays to the )rond. Then

the camera appears to

sha(e as the )rond beneath it =i4ers.

0nother immense e,plosion +ollo/s. 0nearth=a(e-li(e +orce

thro/s the camera to the )rond.

MACREADY

What in...

The tape contines distorted

n4ie/able. 0 distinct crac(

in the lens. ac9eady lets )o o+ his

companion and =ic(ly

re/inds. The de+latin) manne=in is sent

sptterin) arond

the room.

INT. KENNEL NIGHT

ost o+ the do)s are sleepin) or

lon)in). The ne/ do) /atches

them calmly silently.

He ta(es se4eral steps to/ards a )rop

o+ abot +i4e do)s

and sits pri)ht. Completely still. He

stares at them. 0

beat. The do)s are a/are o+ somethin).

They be)in to seem abit con+sed ncom+ortable.

The ne/ do) contines to stare. Sittin)

ri)idly nnatrally

still. His eyes dead lsterless blac(

spheres.

Be/ildered a +e/ do)s start to pace. 0s

i+ sensin) somethin)@

a portent. 0 dan)er. Bt so odd. They

be)in a so+t prrin)

)ro/l.

The ne/ do) remains a state. The

)ro/lin) bilds. ore do)s

be)in to pace. Ner4osly. ;aster



encirclin).

Emittin) hisses snarls. The lac( o+

response dri4in) them

into a +ren<y.

Bar(s. Gro/ls. ore +renetic pacin). Thedin escalatin).

Three do)s start to close in on the

stran)er.

They attac(.

THE SHADOW OF THE NEW DOG

a)ainst the (ennel /all. The shado/

sddenly lrches p/ard

seemin) lar)er.

The (ennel roars.

INT. PUB

ac9eady is still )oin) o4er bits o+ the

same +oota)e

+ascinated. He hears the +ar-o++ clamor

o+ the do)s.

INT. NAULS +UARTERS

He too bothered by the noise tosses

and trns in his sleep.

INT. CLARKS +UARTERS

Clar( snores. ac9eady has entered.

MACREADY

Clar(.

No response. ac9eady nd)es him. Clar(

rolls a/ay annoyed.

ac9eady pinches his snorin) nose

cttin) o++ the air.

Clar( sits p )ro))y.

MACREADY

:o)to/n2s )oin) nts. Ta(e

care o+

it.

INT. TUNNEL

Clar( sleepy irritated ma(es his /ay

do/n the +ree<in)

corridor. The /ind so)hin) lodly

o4erhead.

CLARK



reaches the (ennel door. The sa4a)e

otporin) o+ noise +rom

/ithin ba++les and an)ers him. He

nlatches the door.

CLARK

What2s )ot into...

Smac(A Jst as he opens the door t/o

do)s as i+ 1ettisoned

+rom a cannon (noc( him o++ his +eet.

Gro/ls bar(s snarls.

0nd a screechin) +rom /ithin.

INT. KITCHEN

ac9eady is +etchin) himsel+ a beer. The

sond o+ the +ar-

o++ screechin). He +ree<es. 0 beat. He

trns and sprints.

HIS BEER CAN

as it smashes the )lass o+ the +ire

alarm. He plls the le4er.

INT. TUNNEL

The alarm is blarin) thro)hot the

camp. ac9eady Garry

Norris rn thro)h the narro/ tnnel led

by Clar(.

ac9eady carries a shot)n. Garry hal+-

dressed has his

.!!. Clar( a +ire a,.

CLARK

I don2t (no/ /hat the hell2s

in there

bt it2s /eird and pissed o++

/hate4er it is.

INT. HALLWAY

Chaos. en hal+-na(ed bonce +romtheir cbicle.

6llin) on their pants di))in) into

shoes.

INT. CHILDS CUBICLE

Childs is )rapplin) /ith his belt

bc(le.

CHILDS

ac /ants the /hatA

BENNINGS

Dat the door/ay

That2s /hat he said. No/A



o4eA

Bennin)s is o++.

INT. TUNNEL

as the men approach the loc(ed (enneldoor. The t/o do)s

thro/n into Clar( bac( +erociosly and

scratch at the door

tryin) to )et bac( in. >ne is badly

bloodied.

The +i)ht inside ra)es on. ac9eady and

Clar( brace themsel4es

by the narro/ door. Norris and Garry

hold bac( the t/o

hysterical do)s. Clar( ndoes the latch

and he and ac9eady

enter the (ennel.

The li)ht has been bro(en and it is

pitch blac(. ac9eady

snaps on his +lashli)ht. Norris and

Garry can2t contain their

animals and the do)s brst into the

room. They smash into

ac9eady and send him spra/lin). Total

con+sion@ the do)s?

the men? the screechin)? the blac(ness.

CLARK

ac /here are yo

ac9eady )ropes +or his +lashli)ht and

ri)hts himsel+. He

+inds Clar(. Then shines it arond the

cramped room tryin)

to )et his bearin)s.

The li)ht +inds a mass o+ do)s in a /ild

melee in the corner.

Bar(in) mi,ed /ith hissin) a )r)lin)

a screechin).

:o)s bein) hrled abot and then

char)in) bac( into the +ray

/ith a 4en)eance.

The +lashli)ht illminates parts o+ some

"thin)." 0 do).

Bt not =ite. Impossible to tell. It

str))les po/er+lly.

Garry po(es his head into the blac(ness.

GARRY

What2s )oin) on damn it

ac9eady aims his shot)n at the entire

pac(.



MACREADY

I2m )oin) to shoot.

CLARK

NoA WaitAA

Clar( /ades into the pac( )rabs at

do)s2 hides and thro/s

them bac(. He then /ields his a, into

the +ray choppin) and

hac(in) a/ay at the )r)lin) hissin)

silhoette.

;rom ot o+ no/here a lar)e bristly

arachnid-li(e le)

sprin)s p and /raps arond Clar(2s a,.

It sends Clar(

smashin) 4iolently into the /all.

OUTSIDE

ore men rnnin) nearin) the (ennel.

Se4eral s=ee<in) in

/ith Garry tryin) to )et a loo(.

INSIDE

ac9eady +ires se4eral ronds. 0 do) is

+ln) at him (noc(in)

him and his +lashli)ht once more to the

)rond.

Garry s=ee<es in and be)ins blastin)

a/ay in the direction

o+ the hissin) and screechin). 0 do) is

hit. ac9eady cra/ls

+or his +lashli)ht.

MACREADY

Clar( Where are yo Clar(A

Blam. Blam. Garry contines +irin) at

the silhoette.

INT. TUNNEL

Childs h++in) and p++in) l)s the

h)e indstrial torch

to/ard the cro/ded (ennel door/ay.

CHILDS

What2s happenin)

MACREADY )O.S.*

Childs yo )ot the torch Fo

)et

yor ass in hereAA

INT. KENNEL

Childs scrnches in disoriented by the



blac(ness and bmps

into Garry (noc(in) him o++ balance.

CHILDS

Where are yo

ac9eady si)nals /ith his +lashli)ht andthen points it at

the )atherin) o+ snarlin) do)s.

MACREADY

Torch it o4er thereA

CHILDS

The do)s

MACREADY

Scre/ the do)sAA Torch itAA

Childs lets loose /ith a brst o+ ble+lame. 0 me/in) a

screechin).

6art o+ the (ennel starts to brn.

GARRY

Dpanic

We2re on +ireA

MACREADY

:on2t let p ChildsA

GARRY Dto otside

E,tin)ishers.

Childs mo4es closer continin) his

assalt on the hissin)

)r)lin) presence.

en char)e into the room and be)in

sprayin) do)s and brnin)

/alls. :o)s and men cho(e and co)h

amidst the smo(e and

CO.

The screechin) lessens. The hissin) and

)r)lin) +ade. Childs

trns o++ his torch.

CUT TO:

INT. REC ROOM NE!T MORNING

Those o+ the men that ha4e )athered

e,hibit a pale and =iet

neasiness.

Blair in silent a/e stands o4er the

badly brned corpses

o+ t/o interloc(in) do)s that lie



be+ore him on a table.

They are connected as i+ they /ere one

animal. Tho)h the

one /earin) the remnants o+ Clar(2s

banda)e is mch lar)er

and appears less do)-li(e. Its entiretorso is crac(ed and

peeled as i+ its innards /ere tryin) to

brst ot.

>dd appenda)es recoiled and /ithered by

the +lame are

/rapped )rotes=ely abot both bodies.

Clar( his eyes set in )lassy stare

sits in shoc(. Nals

com+orts him. Childs stands nearby

smo(in) a 1oint and starin)

at the +loor.

Blair trans+i,ed contines ho4erin)

o4er the nited

cada4ers. Wei)hin). Thin(in). 0 4ery

/orried loo( on his

+ace.

The dead bodies o+ t/o other do)s +rom

the (ennel are not

+ar o++.

INT. INFIRMARY

;chs is attendin) to the shredded

bodies o+ three other

badly /onded do)s.

INT. REC ROOM

Nals pats Clar( on the sholder and

)rins tryin) to pic(

p his spirits.

NAULS

It2s o(ay no/ man. It2s dead.

It2so4er.

Dbeat

Fo see.

Clar( trns to him /ith a childli(e

smile.

CLARK

I (no/. r. Childs (illed it.

I sa/.

NAULS

9i)ht man. 9i)ht.

INT. SMALL WORKROOM



Norris is )oin) thro)h some maps.

ac9eady is bent o4er his

sholder. Norris +inds the one he2s

loo(in) +or.

NORRIS

Here. This is /here they /erespendin)

most o+ their time.

Bennin)s po(es his head in the room.

BENNINGS

6retty nasty ot ac. Thirty-

+i4e

(nots.

MACREADY

Scre/ it I2m )oin) p any/ay.

INT. MAIN COMPOUND MORNING

Station ana)er Garry has 1oined Blair

by the stc(-to)ether

bodies. Blair motions to the banda)e.

BLAIR

Was that do) the Nor/e)ian

do)

GARRY

I 1st can2t comprehend any o+

this.It /as 1st a do).

CHILDS

De4enly

"t/eren2t no do) B/ana.

BLAIR

That tape ac9eady sho/ed s

this

mornin)...

GARRY

Coldn2t ma(e mch o+ itmysel+.

BLAIR

I24e as(ed him to try and

locate the

site. >(ay /ith yo

GARRY

Sre. Fo thin( there2s a

connection

BLAIR

aybe.

E!T. CHOPPER



hi)h abo4e the 0ntarctic e,panse.

INT. CHOPPER

ac9eady pilots. Fon) 6almer and Norris

are /ith him.

It is clear bt the /inds are

troblesome. The ride is a

sha(y one. Norris re+ers to their map.

He points.

NORRIS

>ne o+ their sites /old be

directly

o4er here.

They aim +or a lar)e montainos /all.

0s they )o p and

o4er... they see@

FLAT% GLACIAL E!PANSE

>n the sr+ace an enormos blac(ened

o4al shape.

INT. U.S. OUTPOST #31 LAB

0ll the bodies o+ the do)s ha4e been

bro)ht in. ;chs stands

by as Blair stdies thro)h his

microscope.

INSERT A MICROSCOPIC SAMPLING

o+ t/o cells. They appear to be mch

di++erent +rom each

other. They are 1oined at the ends bt

are completin) the

process o+ brea(in) o++ +rom each other.

ON BLAIR

0 distrbed loo( on his +ace. He chec(s

his /atch as i+

timin) the procedre.

E!T. GLACIER TRACKING WITH MACREADY%

NORRIS AND PALMER

as they /al( alon) the ice. They come to

a stop at the ed)e

o+ a sharp drop.

6ll bac( to re4eal -- the massi4e blac(

hole abot +i+teen

+eet beneath the ice. Charred )narled

and man)led metal are

all that is le+t o+ /hat /as once anenormos sphere.

ac9eady2s and Norris2 eyes meet each



other in silence.

6almer is in a/e.

PALMER

Wo/...

ac9eady +inds a brst thermite

canister. He and Norris climb

do/n.

They mo4e alon) amon)st the /rec(.

0lmost e4erythin) bt the

s(eletal sperstrctre has

disinte)rated into a +ine ashy

po/der.

Norris di)s +or ice samples at the

perimeter o+ the /rec(a)e

/hile ac9eady bro/ses thro)h thecenter.

6almer contines to mar4el as he /al(s

arond the o4al

atop the ice.

ac9eady retrns and (neels do/n ne,t to

Norris as the latter

e,amines a piece o+ metal.

NORRIS

a)nesim o+ some type... or

some(ind o+ stran)e alloy.

Dloo(s ot at debris

in dis)st

0nd those poor dmb bastards

had to

)o and blo/ the hell ot o+

it.

MACREADY

So /hat do yo ma(e o+ it

NORRIS

Fo (no/ damn /ell /hat /eboth ma(e

o+ it.

MACREADY

No chance it cold ha4e been

some

ne/ (ind o+ test cra+t

Norris sha(es his head no.

NORRIS

Seismic acti4ity has been

pshin)this are p +rom /ay do/n +or

a lon)

time...



Dholds p ice sample

...This ice it /as bried

in...

It2s o4er a hndred thosand

years

old.

6almer calls ot /a4in) them o4er.

E!T. GLACIER

The t/o men 1oin 6almer abot +i+ty

yards +rom the o4al.

0 lar)e rectan)lar chn( has been ct

ot o+ the ice. It is

+i+teen +eet lon) si, +eet /ide and

ei)ht +eet deep.

ac9eady (neels do/n to obser4e. 0 beat.

0 )st o+ /ind pic(s p the sno/ at

their +eet.

CUT TO:

INT. REC ROOM NIGHT

;ascinated a +e/ o+ the men are

re4ie/in) the Nor/e)ian

4ideo tapes o+ the +indin) o+ the

mysterios cra+t.

ac9eady sits =ietly by his chess set

contemplatin) a lar)e

)lass o+ Scotch. Clar( less interested

than the others is

+lippin) thro)h the Nor/e)ian ndie

ma)a<ine.

Blair loo(in) /orried sits o++ in a

corner ponderin) the

photo o+ the bloc( o+ ice and +in)erin)

a piece o+ crmbled-

p metal bro)ht bac( +rom the site.

Childs 4ie/in) the tapes can2t =ite

belie4e it all.

CHILDS

>(ay no/ ac rn this by me

a)ain.

Thosands o+ years a)o this

roc(et

ship crashes ri)ht... 0nd

the...

ac9eady is not listenin).

CHILDS

ac9eadyA



MACREADY

Loo( I2m 1st )essin)...

CHILDS

Well )o on.

INT. KITCHEN

Nals abot to prepare dinner sco/ls

as he rmma)es thro)h

his many cabinets.

NAULS

Where2s that bi) ol2 steel pot

o+

mineA :amnA

He trns to e,amine the cabinets abo4e

the lar)e sto4e. Hespots somethin) in the nearby (itchen

trash can.

:is)sted he plls ot a torn and

shredded pair o+ lon)

1ohns.

INT. REC ROOM

ac9eady theori<es.

MACREADY

...So it crashes and this)y

/hoe4er he is )ets thro/n

ot or

/al(s ot and ends p

+ree<in).

CHILDS

I 1st can2t belie4e this

4oodoo

bllshit. Fo belie4e this

4oodoo

bllshit Blair

Blair says nothin) lost in tho)ht.

6almer stoned a 1oint dan)lin) +rom

his moth is searchin)

+or in+ormation thro)h stac(s o+ old

isses o+ The National

En=irer and The Star.

PALMER

Dramblin)

Happens all the time man.

They2re

+allin) ot o+ the s(ies li(e+lies.

Go4ernment (no/s all abot

it...



Chariots o+ the Gods man...

They

practically o/n Soth 0merica.

I

mean they ta)ht the Incas

e4erythin)

they (ne/...

CHILDS

Cool it 6almerAA

6almer sha(es a ma)a<ine at him

adamantly.

PALMER

9ead 4on :ani(enA Ha4e yo

read 4on

:ani(en Get yor +acts

strai)htA

Clar( mar4els at a particlar photo.

CLARK

Jess /hy /old those )ys

e4er

/ant to lea4e Nor/ay...

Nals s(ates into the room. He sha(es

the crmpled-p pair

o+ lon) 1ohns in his +ist.

NAULS

Which one yo mthers beentossin)

his dirty nder/ear in the

(itchen

trashA

He +lin)s it across the room. It lands

on ac9eady2s chess

set.

NAULS

I /ant my (itchen clean. Germ

+reeA

Nals spins on his s(ates and storms

o++. ac9eady +etches

the stran)ely shredded nder/ear and

rolls it p /hile Childs

paces.

CHILDS

So ac9eady come on no/.

These

Nor/e)ian ddes come by...

+ind him

and di) him p...

ac9eady tosses the ball o+ cloth across

the room into a

trash bin.



MACREADY

Feah they di) him p and cart

him

bac(. He )ets tha/ed ot

/a(es p

and scares the shit ot o+them. 0nd

they )et into one hell o+ a

bra/l...

CHILDS

No/ ho/2s this mother+c(er

/a(e p

a+ter thosands o+ years in

the ice

hh

MACREADY

Dannoyed I don2t (no/ ho/. Becase he2s

di++erent than /e are. Becase

he2s

a space )y. What do yo /ant

+rom

me any/ay. Go as( Blair.

CHILDS

Fo by any o+ this Blair

0 beat as Blair stares strai)ht ahead

trans+i,ed. He spea(s

so+tly to no one particlar.

BLAIR

It /as here... )ot to that

do)... It

/as here in this camp...

The men ta(e in his )ra4e contenance.

GARRY

So... So /hat It2s o4er

/ith.

Blair trns to them. 0 pase. The mensearch his +ace.

BENNINGS

Ded)y

Well isn2t it

INT. LAB CLOSE ON A SHEET

as Blair rips it o++ e,posin) the

tan)led mess o+ interloc(in)

do)s.

6ll bac(. 0ll the men ha4e )athered.Some o+ the men settle

into chairs others stand.



BLAIR

Whate4er that Nor/e)ian do)

/as...

It... It /as capable o+

chan)in) its

+orm...

Dindicates their do) .../hen it attac(ed or do)...

it

someho/ /as able to di)est...

or...

absorb it... and in the

process shaped

its o/n cells to imitate or

do)2s

cells e,actly...

Dholds p )ooey do)

le)

...This +or instance isn2t do)

atall -- it2s imitation... We

)ot to

it be+ore it had time to

+inish or...

NAULS

;inish /hat

BLAIR

...I thin( the /hole process

/old

ha4e ta(en an hor... maybe

more.0nd then I sppose both /old

ha4e

chan)ed bac( to do) +orm.

PALMER

Well that Thin) in the ice

sre

/eren2t no do).

BLAIR

Dimpatient

>+ corse not... Bt /hate4er

it /asre4i4ed it... Well The Thin)

/as

probably disoriented... and

reali<ed

it coldn2t sr4i4e +or lon)

in or

atmosphere... Bt bein) the

incredibly

adaptable creatre it /as...

it tried

to become somethin) that

cold...

Be+ore the Nor/e)ians (illedit...

it someho/ )ot to this do).



CLARK

What do yo mean ")ot" to the

do)

BLAIR

It /as a li+e +orm that /as

able toimitate and reprodce

/hate4er it

ate or absorbed cell +or

cell.

Silence.

BLAIR

The concept is sta))erin). I

(no/...

I... I don2t +lly nderstand

it

mysel+.

CHILDS

Ds(eptically points

Fo2re sayin)... that bi)

mther in

the ice became the do).

BLAIR

Dnoddin)

I thin( /e2re tal(in) abot an

or)anism... that cold imitate

other

li+e +orms... per+ectly... Itcold

ha4e )one on and on... It

cold ha4e

become one do)... It cold

ha4e become

as many do)s as it /anted to

-- and

/ithot losin) any o+ its

ori)inal

mass...

NORRIS

Fo been into Childs2 /eedBlair

Blair slams his +ist on the slab.

BLAIR

Loo( I (no/ it2s hard to

belie4e...

GARRY

Dbrea(in) in

So /hat2s or problem

BLAIR Well... there2s still some

cell

acti4ity... it2s not entirely



dead

yet.

Se4eral o+ the men nearest the carcasses

1mp bac( (noc(in)

o4er a chair.

CUT TO:

E!T. COMPOUND NIGHT CLOSE ON THE DOG

CARCASSES

lyin) on the sno/. Splash. They are

bein) soa(ed /ith

)asoline.

FUCHS )O.S.*

Din 4iolent

protestation Fo can2t do thisA Fo can2t

brn

these remains...

6ll bac(. ;chs is beside himsel+.

Childs has the lar)e

torch. ac9eady empties another can on

the bodies. :r. Copper

stands nearby.

MACREADY

0nd the horse yo rode in on

;chs. Dto Childs

Li)ht it p.

Childs li)hts the tip. ;chs ma(es a

determined mo4e +or the

torch.

FUCHS

Well I2m not )oin) to let

this

happen...

Childs str))les /ith him +or a beat andthen +lin)s him to

the )rond. :r. Copper )rabs him

pre4entin) him +rom )ettin)

bac( p.

Childs splays the remains /ith a 1et o+

+lame. ;chs sha(es

his head in +rstration and dis)st.

FUCHS

I 1st can2t belie4e it...

We2re

)oin) to )o do/n as thebi))est bnch

o+ assholes in history...



MACREADY

;c( history. 0t least /e2re

)oin)

to li4e to be an old bnch o+

assholes.

CUT TO:

INT. KENNEL NIGHT

The ni)ht +eedin). Clar( dishes ot the

+ood. Blair is ta(in)

blood samples +rom the remainin) three

do)s.

BLAIR

Dperple,ed bothered

Clar( did yo notice anythin)

stran)eabot that do) Jst anythin)

at

all 0ny little thin)

CLARK

No. Jst that he reco4ered

real

=ic(... That ni)ht /hen I

+ond him

in the rec room he had

already

scraped o++ his banda)e.

Be+ore Ipt him /ith the others I

redressed

his /ond and noticed it had

healed

p real )ood...

0 beat as Blair stares at Clar(.

BLAIR

That ni)ht

CLARK

Dpets do) 4i)orosly Feah.

BLAIR

What /as he doin) in the rec

room

CLARK

Well a+ter I /or(ed on him --

tho)ht

I2d let him rest. Le+t the

room +or

a bit. When I came bac( he

/as )one.

BLAIR

Well /here /as he Where did



he )o

CLARK

:on2t (no/. Loo(ed +or him +or

a

bit... coldn2t +ind him.

BLAIR

Da lon) beat

Fo2re sayin) he /asn2t pt

into the

(ennel ntil the ni)ht

Clar( seems neasy nder Blair2s intense

)a<e.

CLARK

Well... yeah.

Blair stands his eyes still )led toClar(.

BLAIR

Ho/ lon) /ere yo /ith the

do) 0lone

I mean

CLARK

0h... He /as hrt bad. Bllet

nic(ed

an artery... I don2t (no/...

0n

hor... hor and a hal+...

Blair2s eyes )la<e as i+ in re4elation.

CLARK

What the hell yo loo(in) at

me li(e

that +or

BLAIR

Nothin). Nothin) at all.

He bac(s ot o+ the (ennel.

INT. HALLWAY COMPOUND

Irritated distressed station mana)er

Garry mo4es bris(ly

do/n the hall. Blair /orried and pale

tries to (eep p

/ith him.

BLAIR

...It cold ha4e )otten to

somebody...

GARRY 0nybody sic(

BLAIR



No I... I don2t mean

in+ection...

or disease...

Garry stops at the entrance to the

commnications room.

GARRY

0ny lc( yet

Sanche< shr)s.

SANCHEZ

Cople seconds o+ an 0r)entine

disco

station.

GARRY

Well stic( /ith it. I /ant

yo atit rond the cloc(. We )ot to

)et

help in here...

BLAIR

Dalarm

No... No yo can2t let anyone

in

here... That do) /as all o4er

this

camp...

Bennin)s interrpts enterin) thehall/ay re+errin) to his

meteorolo)ical chart.

BENNINGS

Dto Garry

Tra4el-/ise tomorro/ may be

o(ay.

Bt a+ter that some pretty

nasty

northeasterly shit2s comin)

in.

FUCHS ...Goddamn +ools...

The men otside come stompin) thro)h

the hall/ay.

BLAIR

Dpleadin)

Listen to me Garry. 6lease...

GARRY

Dto ac9eady

I+ the /eather clears eno)h

be+ore/e reach anybody -- I2m

sendin) yo

and :oc p to acrdo...



BLAIR

NoA Fo can2t let people

lea4e...

MACREADY I ain2t

)oin) any/here in

anythin)

o4er +orty (nots

Garry...

GARRY

Dsnappin)

The hell yo /on2t ac9eadyA

BLAIR

:on2t yo nderstandA That

Thin)didn2t /ant to become a do)...

GARRY

D+ed p

:amn yo BlairA Fo24e

already )ot

e4erybody hal+-hysterical

arond

here.

BLAIR

Fo can2t let anybody lea4eA

GARRY

I24e )ot si, dead Nor/e)ians

on my

hands a brned p +lyin)

sacer

and /e24e 1st destroyed the

scienti+ic +ind o+ the

centry. No/

+c( o++A

Close on Blair ashen-+aced +allin)

silent. 0s i+ in a da<e

he /atches the men as they contine tocon4erse. Sspicios

+ri)htened.

CUT TO:

E!T. COMPOUND NIGHT

6itch blac( e,cept +or the barest o+

li)htin) /hich otlines

the bildin). Wind. The s/irl o+ ice.

INT. MACREADYS CABIN NIGHT

;ar a/ay +rom the others ac9eady sits

in his little ho4el



pttin) the +inal scre/ into his mended

chess set.

>n the other side o+ the set his bsty

in+latable companion

has been propped p in a chair. His

sombrero han)s do/n herbac( (eepin) her in place. Ha/aiian

msic plays +rom his

tape dec(.

MACREADY

0ll set.

He pts do/n his scre/dri4er holds p

his )lass and o++ers

a toast /ith a bi) )rin.

MACREADY

To s.

He clin(s the drin( he has made +or her

that rests on her

side o+ the board. He sips. He trns on

the machine and ma(es

his +irst mo4e.

MACREADY

No/ )o easy on me Esperan<a.

I2m

1st a be)inner.

The set ans/ers +or Esperan<a.

CHESS $OICE

9oo( ta(es bishop at een

+or --

9oo( ta(e pa/n at een t/o --

9oo(

ta(es een at een one --

Chec(mate.

MACREADY

0/ shit.

He +lips open the circitry panel indis)st. He tosses his

scre/dri4er on the board and )rabs his

drin( do/nin) it.

MACREADY

Sorry hon.

He reaches inside his ice bc(et. Empty.

MACREADY

Ne4er any damn ice arond

here...

E!T. MACREADYS CABIN NIGHT

ac9eady e,its. He s/ac(s at a nearby



ban( o+ ice /ith a

small ice pic(.

MACREADY

No/ in e,ico... Tahiti...

They )ot

ice... They )ot ice comin) oto+

their ears.

The sond o+ a clan(in). He trns his

attention. etal a)ainst

metal. Stran)e. ac9eady listens. It

appears to be comin)

+rom +ar o++ belo/ near the camp.

MACREADY

as he ma(es his /ay do/n /ith the aid o+

the steadyin) ropes.The clan(in) loder no/. He senses the

direction.

MACREADY

at the bottom near the main compond.

The sond has stopped.

He loo(s arond in the near blac(ness.

0 beat.

THE CHOPPERS

sittin) idle in the dar(. ac9eadyapproaches. The door to

one o+ the coc(pits is sli)htly a1ar. He

opens it catiosly.

INT. CHOPPER

ac9eady slips in. He trns on a

+lashli)ht. The controls

ha4e been man)led. Beaten /ith somethin)

hea4y. Ban)AA

ac9eady startled trns. Li(e the

sond o+ a )n. Comin)

+rom the main compond.

INT. COMPOUND MAIN ENTRANCE

Con+sion. Shots. ac9eady enters. He

)rabs 6almer as he

and Bennin)s rsh by.

MACREADY

What2s...

PALMER

Blair. He2s )one berser(.

BENNINGS

He2s in the radio room. Got a

)n.



Beat on Sanche< somethin)

+ierce.

HALLWAY RADIO ROOM ENTRANCE

The men are on either side o+ the open

radio room door/ay.

Garry pee(s his head in. 0 )nshot blast

+orces him bac(.

RADIO ROOM

Sanche< lies on the +loor )roanin).

Blair holds the )n on

the door. He /ields a +ire a, /ith the

other hand and smashes

do/n on the radio.

BLAIR 0nybody inter+eres I2ll (illA

Nobody2s )ettin) in or ot o+

this

camp...

HALLWAY

ac9eady has 1oined the others.

MACREADY

He smashed one o+ the choppers

p

)ood. Childs )o chec( theother one

and the tractor.

Childs is o++.

RADIO ROOM

Blair crnches the a, do/n once a)ain

/hile (eepin) an eye

on the door.

BLAIR

...Fo thin( I2m cra<y ;ineAost

o+ yo don2t (no/ /hat2s )oin)

on --

bt I2m damn /ell sre some o+

yo

doA

Dcrnch

BACK TO HALLWAY

NORRIS

The bac( /indo/. 0 cople o+

s coldmaybe srprise him.

MACREADY



Too damn dan)eros.

BACK TO RADIO ROOM

BLAIR

...Fo thin( this Thin) /ants

tobecome an animal :o)s can2t

ma(e it

#333 miles to the sea. No s(a

)lls

to imitate this time o+

year... No

pen)ins this +ar inland...

:on2t

yo nderstandA It /anted to

become

sA

He brin)s the a, do/n hard on the radio.

BACK TO HALLWAY

Childs rns p ot o+ breath.

CHILDS

He )ot both choppers and the

tractor... I don2t (no/ ho/

bad yet.

Garry readies his lar)e .&'8 a)nm.

MACREADY No /ait a minte.

Dto Norris

The +se bo,.

Norris doble-times do/n the hall.

ac9eady trns the corner and into the

rec room. He )rabs

one o+ the thic( card tables.

ac9eady retrns /ith the table to the

hall/ay.

BLAIR

...Can2t yo see... I+ one

cell o+

this Thin) )ot ot it cold

imitate

e4ery li4in) thin) on Earth.

Nothin)

cold stop itA Nothin)A

MACREADY

Dhmorin)

Loo( Blair maybe yo2re ri)ht

abotthis. Bt /e24e )ot to be

rational.

We24e )ot to tal( this o4er.



I2m

narmed and I2m comin) in.

BLAIR

No yo2re notA I don2t trst

any o+

yoA

NORRIS

reaches the +se bo,. He opens it.

HALLWAY

ac9eady readies the table li(e a

shield.

MACREADY

I+ yo2re ri)ht /e24e all )ot

tostic( to)ether.

The li)hts )o ot. ac9eady char)es into

the blac( room.

Blair +ires. ac9eady barrels into him

(noc(in) him to the

)rond. He pmmels him /ith a ri)ht hand

and mana)es to

control the )n.

The others di4e in and pile on.

CUT TO:

E!T. COMPOUND

Hea4ily-clothed ac9eady ;chs and :r.

Copper help a da<ed

Blair to a toolshed some se4enty-+i4e

yards +rom the main

compond.

INT. TOOLSHED

ore spacios than ac9eady2s. ery

li4able. T/o /indo/s.

Blair has been placed on the cot. :r.

Copper in1ects him

/ith a sedati4e.

BLAIR

Why am I here

DR. COPPER

It2s +or yor o/n protection

Blair.

MACREADY

0nd mainly ors.



E!T. SHACK

;chs and ac9eady nail boards o4er the

/indo/s.

MACREADY

Lea4e a bit o+ an openin) sohe can

see ot.

Blair2s droopy-eyed hea4ily dr))ed

+eatres loom p at

ac9eady thro)h the /indo/.

MACREADY

Ho/ yo doin2 old boy

BLAIR

Dso+tly

I don2t (no/ /ho to trst.

MACREADY

Dhmorin)

no/ /hat yo mean Blair.

Trst is

a to)h thin) to come by these

days.

Jst trst in the Lord.

BLAIR

Dbeat

Watch Clar(.

MACREADY

What

BLAIR

Watch him close. 0s( him /hy

he didn2t

(ennel the do).

Blair2s +ace disappears +rom the /indo/.

CUT TO:

E!T. COMPOUND DAY

Harsh and )rey. Gettin) 4ery dar( as

/inter ta(es a stron)er

hold. Bennin)s is dmpin) the trash in a

lar)e hole in the

sno/ /hich acts as the trash dmp.

Bennin)s +inishes and dra)s the empty

bins past 6almer and

Childs /ho are +i,in) the /onded

choppers.

INT. RADIO ROOM

The radio loo(s a mess. Norris and



Sanche< a banda)e /rapped

arond his head e,amines the dama)e. He

is in pain and still

loo(s a little )ro))y.

SANCHEZ

I2ll see /hat I can do. Btthey

didn2t teach me mch abot

+i,in)

these thin)s.

Norris smiles and pats him com+ortin)ly.

NORRIS

They didn2t teach yo mch

abot

/or(in) them either.

INT. MESS HALL MORNING

CLOSE ON A BUFFET OF EGGS% BACON% TOAST%

ETC.

6ll bac(. The men help themsel4es. It

is a cramped elon)ated

room.

:r. Copper approaches Nals and hands

him a capsle.

DR. COPPER

6t this in Blair2s 1icebe+ore yo

ta(e him his tray.

Clar( comes rnnin) into the room

pallid ot o+ breath.

The men trn to loo(.

CLARK

The do)s...

CUT TO:

INT. THE KENNEL

Empty. Clar( and Garry e,amine the latch

o+ the (ennel door.

GARRY

:oesn2t loo( bro(en.

CLARK

No. :oor /as /ide open. I (no/

I

latched it.

E!T. COMPOUND ABO$E THE UNDERGROUND

KENNEL



CL>SE >N THE :>GS2 T90CS in the sno/.

They lead +rom the

(ennel2s open stair/ell and ot onto the

ice. 0ll the men

ha4e )athered.

CLARK 0ll three o+ them too( o++.

ac9eady is /ritin) do/n /hat appears to

be a list on a pad.

DR. COPPER

Ho/ lon) do yo sppose

they24e been

)one

CLARK

I ha4en2t seen them since

their last+eedin). Cold be as mch as

t/enty-

+or hors.

MACREADY

They coldn2t ha4e )otten that

+ar

in this /eather.

Garry and se4eral others trn to

ac9eady =i<<ically.

GARRY Fo2re not thin(in) o+ )oin)

a+ter

them are yo

MACREADY

I am )oin) a+ter them.

NORRIS

What in the hell +or E4en i+

Blair2s

ri)ht -- they2ll 1st die ot

there.

No +ood. They2re o4er athosand

miles +rom anythin).

PALMER

Chopper aren2t )oin) to be

ready +or

days.

ac9eady hands his list to Bennin)s.

MACREADY

Get these thin)s ot o+ spply

andmeet me o4er by the

sno/mobiles.



GARRY

Fo2re not )oin) to catch them

in

one o+ those /ith the start

they

)ot.

MACREADY

6almer ho/ lon) /old it ta(e

yo

to strap those bi) +or-

cylinder

carbretors on

PALMER

D)rins

>h I )ot yo. Not too lon).

MACREADY

Then )et a mo4e on. Childscome

/ith me.

He pts his arm arond Childs and plls

him alon). The others

/atch them /al( o++ a little

be/ildered.

GARRY

Dshotin) a+ter them

Besides /hat are yo )oin) to

do

/hen yo catch p to them

Bennin)s is readin) ac9eady2s list.

BENNINGS

Holy shit.

Dhands list to Garry

Whate4er he2s )oin) to do he

ain2t

+c(in) arond.

E!T. OUTDOOR WORK AREA CLOSE ON THE

BARREL

o+ the lar)e torch. 0 +ierce stream o+

+lame brsts +rom its

no<<le.

6ll bac(. The stream has shot ot some

+i+teen +eet.

Childs has been modi+yin) it.

CHILDS

I can )et maybe another +i4e

or si,

+eet ot o+ it.

MACREADY

That2s )ood eno)h.



CLOSE ON PALMER

as he /or(s on the sno/mobiles. Into

+rame rolls a /heelbarro/

on sleds. 0 bo, mar(ed :FN0ITE is its

most prominent article.6ll bac(. Bennin)s reads o++ the list

o+ spplies.

BENNINGS

0ll ri)ht... Bo, o+

dynamite... bo,

o+ thermite... three

shot)ns... bo,

o+ +lares... t/o +lare )ns...

thirty

cans )asoline... and a case o+

alcohol.

MACREADY

Let2s load 2em.

E!T. ANTARCTICA ICESCAPE

The t/o 4ehicles rip across the hard

+lat ice bolstered by

the added horsepo/er. They +ollo/ the

still 4isible do) trac(s

in the sno/.

CUT TO:

THE SUN

slidin) across the hori<on si)nalin)

midday. The sno/mobiles

/hoosh past. Bennin)s dri4es the one

loaded /ith spplies.

ac9eady and Childs doble p on the

other.

CUT TO:

MACREADY

steadyin) his binoclars /hile Childs

dri4es spots somethin)

p ahead. The 4ehicles slo/ do/n and

come to a halt. Somethin)

lies 1st ahead o+ them in the

/hiteness in the middle o+

the do) trac(s.

THE MEN

(neel do/n by the "somethin)." It is thehal+-eaten remains

o+ a do). Its hind le)s and lo/er

stomach pic(ed clean. Its



ripped hide +lappin) in the /ind. Its

top hal+ missin).

CHILDS

What is it

ac9eady +ollo/s the line o+ continin)do) trac(s.

MACREADY

aybe dinner.

BENNINGS

:o)s don2t eat each other.

MACREADY

Dbeat

I (no/.

CHILDS Where2s the other hal+

MACREADY

6robably the ne,t meal.

ac9eady mo4es to the sno/mobile and

)rabs a t/o-)allon can

o+ )asoline. He trns to Bennin)s.

MACREADY

Where these trac(s headed

BENNINGS No/here... Jst strai)ht to

the ocean.

0 beat as ac9eady ta(es this in. He

pors the )as o4er the

remains and sets it a+lame.

MACREADY

Let2s mo4e.

Childs and Bennin)s are not that an,ios

to contine.

CHILDS

They cold be hors ahead o+

s

ac.

BENNINGS

Gonna )et dar( soon too.

Spposed

to be +i+ty belo/ toni)ht.

ac9eady )ets on and re4s p the en)ine.

MACREADY Trn bac( i+ yo /ant.

Childs and Bennin)s retrn shr)s.



CUT TO:

THE SUN

ma(in) its last pass rollin) o++ thehori<on. >nly a sli)ht

oran)e he le+t.

CUT TO:

THE SNOWMOBILES

mo4e slo/er positioned on either side

o+ the trac(s. The

trac(s abrptly chan)e direction. The

men come to a stop.

It is mch colder no/. Their beards a

mas( o+ /hite po/der.

ac9eady sr4eys the ne/ direction. They

are headed to/ard a

+ar-o++ rid)e o+ bl++s. Lar)e

/inds/ept monds o+ ice.

CUT TO:

THE SNOWMOBILES

as they mo4e thro)h a 4alley o+ ne/ly-

+ormed dnes and tall

ice cli++s. The last o+ the sn

obscred the headlamps are

trned on and pointed at the trac(s.

The men loo( behind in +ront and +rom

side to side as

they proceed catiosly thro)h the

ma<e. 5p ahead ac9eady

spots@

A DOG

It sits its bac( to them nconcerned

heedless o+ their

arri4al. It is mnchin) on the other

hal+ o+ the do) carcass.

The men stop their machines some t/enty

yards +rom it. They

are hemmed in at the 4alley2s narro/est

point.

Childs carryin) the torch and

ac9eady armed /ith athermite bomb /ade a/(/ardly bt

care+lly to/ard the animal

in their sno/shoes. Bennin)s stands bac(



by the sno/mobiles.

Childs and ac9eady spread ot some

do<en +eet +rom the do).

It contines to pay them no mind

content to che/ its +ood.

CHILDS

Where2s the other one

Bennin)s sr4eys the tops o+ the sno/

bl++s that encircle

them /ith his +lashli)ht.

MACREADY

Dto do)

Where2s yor bddy boy Hh

No response. ac9eady searches the near

4icinity /ith hisli)ht. 0ll three are )ro/in) neasy.

MACREADY

Let that thin) +ly Childs.

:on2t

let p ntil he2s ash.

Childs trns on the )as and li)hts the

tip.

Bennin)s is still /atchin) the bl++s.

Somethin) +rom beneath

the sno/ reaches p and )rabs his +eet.He is ripped bac(

do/n thro)h the hard sno/ in one

incredibly po/er+l motion.

He screams his head the only thin)

stic(in) ot o+ the ice.

Childs and ac9eady trn con+sed

nable to see anythin)

be Bennin)s2 screamin) head. They rsh

to/ard him.

ac9eady stmbles.

The sond o+ a snappin) a crac(lin) to

ac9eady2s rear.

He +ree<es? trns bac( to the do). Its

bac( is still to him?

its coat o+ hair stic(in) p li(e that

o+ a porcpine. It

snarls? its +ace trns slo/ly to/ard

him.

Its s(in splittin)? its moth rippin)

open /ildly.

MACREADY

ChildsAA



Childs stops con+sed as to /ho to help

+irst. He notices

the do) hnched and ready to sprin). He

steps bac( to/ard

ac9eady. The do)Thin) leaps +or

ac9eady? an incredible

1mp o+ some t/enty +eet.

Childs lets loose a blast hittin) the

do) in midair? the

+orce o+ the spray (noc(in) it bac( and

tmblin) to the ice

in +lames.

ac9eady thro/s his thermite canister.

It dischar)es and

en)l+s the screechin) animal in +ire.

BENNINGS

ho/lin) in pain. The ice nderneath him

thrashes 4iolently.

Childs and ac9eady stand by helplessly

nable to see /hat

has him or /hat action to ta(e. Childs

mo4es closer to help.

MACREADY

Dplls him bac(

Stay bac(AA

Bennin)s2 head disappears /ith a sdden

1er( thro)h theice. The ice contines to rmble li(e

boilin) /ater mo4in)

in di++erent directions. 6art o+

Bennin)s2 body pops p in a

di++erent area and is 1st as =ic(ly

plled bac( do/n.

ac9eady and Childs /atch on in

+rstration and an)er.

CHILDS

What /e )oin) to doA

MACREADY

Ho/ the +c( do I (no/A

Bennin)s2 head and sholders then

sr+ace near one o+ the

sno/mobiles. Somethin) has him. 5nclear

as to /hat. The 1o/ls

o+ a do). Bt h)e. Bennin)s2 hea4y

clothin) be)ins to rip

tear as i+ his s(in nderneath /as

bl)in) ot. The 1o/ls

seem to be absorbin) his head.

ac9eady rns +or the sno/mobile.

MACREADY



Torch themAA

CHILDS

Bt...

MACREADY

He2s )one alreadyA :o itA

Childs blasts a/ay. The ice be)ins to

melt as Bennin)s and

/hate4er has him catch +ire. 0

screechin).

ac9eady )rabs cans o+ )as +rom the

sno/mobiles. Sddenly a

steel-li(e arachnid-shaped arm shoots

ot in pain and /ith

incredible +orce pierces the +iber)lass

chassis o+ the

sno/mobile. ac9eady is (noc(ed bac(. Hereco4ers and dmps

cans o+ )asoline on the /rithin) mess.

He di4es and rolls a/ay +rom the ln)in)

appenda)e.

He and Childs /atch on as Bennin)s and

The Thin) roar in

+lame. Behind them the other do)Thin)

contines to brn.

The screechin) me/in) and )r)lin)

/ails on all abot them.

They loo( to each other in disbelie+

their +aces illminated

by the +lic(erin) +lames. The strident

sonds be)innin) to

sbside.

THE SUN

Its slim oran)e arc sets si)nalin) the

start o+ the ernal

E=ino,. 0nd the be)innin) o+ si, months

o+ dar(ness.

CUT TO:

INT. COMPOUND REC ROOM

The men are interro)atin) Clar(. He is

+ra<<led and de+ensi4e.

CLARK

...I2m tellin) yo I don2t

remember

lea4in) the (ennel

nlatched...

Childs is holdin) the indstrial torch

directly in his +ace.



CHILDS

BllshitA Fo le+t it open so

they

cold )et otA

E!T. TRASH DUMP

ac9eady /aist-deep in trash and sno/

searches +or

somethin).

INT. REC ROOM

The interro)ation contines.

CLARK

...Wold I e4en ha4e told yo

they

/ere )one i+ I had anythin) tohide

GARRY

Bt /hy didn2t yo (ennel that

do)

ri)ht a/ay

CLARK

I told yo I coldn2t +ind...

Dpshes torch a/ay

...)et that ot o+ my +ace.

Childs )rabs him by the collar and ripshim o++ his chair.

CHILDS

:on2t yo be tellin) me...

Nals steps bet/een them.

NAULS

Dto Childs

Li)hten yor load sc(er. Fo

ain2t

the 1d)e and e,ectioner

arondhereA

CHILDS

Who yo tryin) to protect

mther+c(er I2m tellin) yo

this

S.>.B. cold be one o+ them.

Garry brea(s it p pllin) them apart.

ac9eady enters +rom

the otside. 0 bndle is tc(ed nder

his arm.

GARRY

Hold on damn it. We2re

)ettin)



no/here... I+ this bit o+

Blair2s

abot absorbin) and imitatin)

is

tre... then that do) cold

ha4e

)otten to anybody.

DR. COPPER

0nd i+ it )ot to Clar(...

Clar( cold

ha4e )otten to anybody.

ac9eady mo4es o4er to the table.

DR. COPPER

Theoretically any o+ s cold

be

/hate4er the hell this thin)

is.

Norris sha(es his head rbbin) his

chest in sli)ht

discom+ort.

NORRIS

It2s 1st too damn /ild -- I

can2t

belie4e it.

ac9eady pshes his sombrero bac( o4er

his head.

MACREADY

Well yo can belie4e it no/.

He drops the bndle he had been holdin)

on the table bet/een

the men. It is the shredded pair o+ lon)

1ohns.

MACREADY

Nals +ond this yesterday.

It2s

ripped 1st li(e the clothin)

on theNor/e)ian /e bro)ht bac(. The

same

thin) /as happenin) to

Bennin)s2

clothes /hen it )ot to him.

Seems

these Thin)s don2t imitate

clothes.

Jst +lesh and bone.

The men loo( +rom one another. Silence.

ac9eady pic(s it p

and e,amines the label.

MACREADY

Si<e lar)e.



D)rins

What do yo /ear Clar(

Clar( ste/s.

CLARK

So /hat

NORRIS

I /ear a si<e lar)e too.

MACREADY

So do I. So do most o+ s.

The neasiness in the room )ro/s.

MACREADY

:obt i+ it )ot to more than

one or

t/o o+ s. Bt it )ot tosomeone.

Dbeat

Somebody in this room ain2t

/hat he

appears to be.

0 pase as all eyes tra4el +rom man to

man.

SANCHEZ

Dscared

Well /hat /e )oin) to do

Norris trns to :r. Copper and ;chs.

NORRIS

Can there be... some (ind o+

test

To +ind ot /ho2s /hat

DR. COPPER

0 serm test possibly.

FUCHS

9i)ht. Why not

GARRY

What2s that

DR. COPPER

It2s a simple blood typin)

test.

This Thin)2s blood chemistry

is

di++erent than ors. Basically

/e

mi, someone2s blood /ith

ncontaminated hman blood. I+

/edon2t )et the proper serm

reaction --

then that person isn2t hman.



CHILDS

Whose ncontaminated blood /e

)oin)

to se

DR. COPPER We24e )ot blood plasma in

stora)e.

GARRY

Ho/ lon) /ill it ta(e yo to

prepare

this

DR. COPPER

0 cople o+ hors.

GARRY

Well )et to it.

Garry nhin)es a (ey +rom his belt and

hands it to :r.

Copper. :r. Copper and ;chs head +or

the in+irmary.

PALMER

Ho/2s that Thin) )et to the

do)s I

tho)h /e stopped it in time.

MACREADY

Copper thin(s they s/allo/edpieces

o+ it drin) the +i)ht.

PALMER

0nd that /as eno)h

DR. COPPER )O.S.*

Garry. The rest o+ yoA Come

hereA

INT. INFIRMARY

The men rsh in. ;chs and Copper standby the open plasma

stora)e re+ri)erator. The inside is a

mess o+ dried blood.

The bladders ha4e been ripped open.

Copper is )hastly pale.

DR. COPPER

Somebody )ot to the blood...

sabota)ed

it.

NAULS

>h my God.

0 horri+ied silence.



MACREADY

Was it bro(en into

FUCHS

No. Somebody opened it. Closed

it.

0nd then loc(ed it.

Sanche< t/itches terri+ied.

MACREADY

Well /ho2s )ot access to it

DR. COPPER

I )ess I2m the only one.

GARRY

0nd I24e )ot the only (ey.

Se4eral pairs o+ eyes trn to Garry.

MACREADY

Wold that test ha4e /or(ed

DR. COPPER

I thin( so.

NORRIS

Somebody else sre as hell

tho)ht

so.

MACREADY Who else cold ha4e sed that

(ey

GARRY

0h... no one... I )i4e it to

Copper

/hen he needs it...

MACREADY

Cold anyone ha4e )otten it

+rom

yo

DR. COPPER

I don2t see ho/... /hen I2m

+inished

I retrn it ri)ht a/ay.

NORRIS

When /as the last time yo

sed it

DR. COPPER

Dneasy

0 day or so a)o... I )ess.

Garry senses the ner4os and in=irin)

eyes on him.



GARRY

I sppose... /ell it2s

possible

someone mi)ht ha4e li+ted it

+rom

me. Bt...

CHILDS

That (ey rin) o+ yors is

al/ays

hoo(ed to yor belt. No/ ho/

cold

somebody )et to it /ithot yo

(no/in)

GARRY

Dpset +lstered

Loo( I ha4en2t been near

that...

that re+ri)erator.

Silence as the men contine to stare.

Sanche< is perspirin).

GARRY

Copper2s the only one /ho has

any

bsiness /ith it.

The eyes shi+t +rom Garry to Copper.

DR. COPPER

No/... /ait a second Garryyo24e

been in here on se4eral

occasions...

FUCHS

0nd the :oc tho)ht o+ the

test.

CHILDS

Dan)er

So /hatA Is that spposed to

lea4e

him in the clearA BllshitA

Sanche< bolts ot the door. Stnned +or

a beat the others

chase a+ter him.

GARRY

Hey Sanche<A

SANCHEZ

in terror rns at top speed thro)h the

narro/ corridors.

>penin) and shttin) doors. The others

are in prsit.



They shot +or him to stop.

CUT TO:

SANCHEZ

as he reaches a small armory. 0 )lass

case set into the /all.

0 hal+ do<en rarely sed )ns are

inside. He tries the handle.

Loc(ed.

He hears the clamor o+ +eet and 4oices

as the others are

nearin). He brea(s the )lass and )rabs a

shot)n. Then a bo,

o+ shells. He +rantically tries to load

bt is too ner4os.

The others arri4e at the end o+ the

hall/ay. Garry plls his

hand)n and points.

GARRY

6t that do/nA

SANCHEZ

Dtremblin)

No.

GARRY

I2ll pt this ri)ht thro)hyor

head.

No one dobts Garry2s sincerity.

SANCHEZ

Fo )ys )oin) to let him )i4e

orders

I mean he cold be one o+

those

Thin)s.

The other re)ard Garry tensely. No oneobli4ios to the +act

that Sanche< 1st mi)ht be ri)ht.

MACREADY

Dcalm

6t it a/ay Sanche<. Jst pt

it

a/ay.

Still tremblin) he tosses the shells

bac( into the bro(en

case leans the )n a)ainst the /all and

be)ins to sob.

Nals s(ates o4er to com+ort him.



The men /atch as Garry lo/ers his )n.

He trns to them.

GARRY

I don2t (no/ abot Copper. Bt

I

didn2t )o near that plasma... Dbeat

Bt I )ess yo2ll all rest

easier

i+ someone else is in char)e.

He hands his )n to Norris.

GARRY

Can2t see anyone ob1ectin) to

yo

Norris.

NORRIS Sorry )entlemen...

Drbs chest

...:on2t thin( I2d be p to

it.

Ha4en2t been +eelin) /ell

lately.

Childs )oes +or the )n.

CHILDS

I2ll ta(e it...

ac9eady beats him to it.

MACREADY

aybe it shold be someone a

bit

more e4en-tempered Childs.

Childs )lares.

MACREADY

Dto others

...0ny ob1ections

9o4in) eyes pass abot the hall/ay.Nobody is sre /ho to

trst. ac9eady seems as )ood as any.

INT. REC ROOM

The men ha4e )athered to discss plans.

;rti4e and

ntrst/orthy )lances are passed arond

the room.

MACREADY

...;rom /hat /e (no/ this

Thin) li(esto )o one on one. So /e stic(

to)ether

as mch as possible. In t/o2s



and

three2s.

Childs points to Garry :r. Copper and

Clar(.

CHILDS What do /e do abot those

three

MACREADY

We )ot morphine don2t /e.

;chs nods.

MACREADY

Well /e (eep them loaded.

Stash

them here in the rec room and

/atch2em t/enty-+or hors.

PALMER

Dears per( p

orphine Fo (no/ I /as

pretty close

to that do) too.

6almer is i)nored.

NORRIS

We shold sleep in shi+ts.

MACREADY

9i)ht. Hal+ o+ s a/a(e at all

times.

SANCHEZ

Ho/ /e )oin) to try and +ind

ot

/ho2s... yo (no/ /ho2s /ho

MACREADY

Dto ;chs

Can yo thin( o+ any other

tests

FUCHS

I2ll try. I cold sre se

Copper2s

help tho)h.

CHILDS

Fo can ei)hty-si, that

tho)ht ri)ht

no/ man.

:r. Copper eyes his accser solemnly.

MACREADY

0lso... When this Thin)

trns... it



trns slo/ly at +irst. I thin(

/e

can handle it in that state.

Bt i+

it e4er )ot to +ll po/er...

+rom

/hat I sa/ o+ that Nor/e)iancamp...

/ell I 1st don2t (no/... It

/old

probably ta(e it an hor or

more to

)et li(e that. So no matter

/hat

anybody2s doin) /e all retrn

to

this room e4ery t/enty

mintes.

0nybody )one lon)er than

that...anybody tryin) to lea4e... /e

(ill

2em.

CUT TO:

E!T. COMPOUND DARKNESS

It is the dead o+ /inter. Si, months o+

dar(ness ahead. 6almer

+i)hts the cold as he /or(s dismantlin)

the en)ine o+ thehelicopter.

He +ro/ns searchin) +or somethin).

PALMER

Dmmbles

Where2s that ma)neto Can2t

+ind a

darn thin) arond here any

more.

INT. REC ROOM

Copper Clar( and Garry sit moodily

to)ether on a coch.

Norris a/(/ardly prepares to )i4e them

their in1ections.

He is ne/ at this. Childs stands )ard

/ith his torch.

:r. Copper o++ers to help.

DR. COPPER

I2ll do it. Fo2re )oin) tobrea(

the needle in my arm.



CHILDS

No :oc. He2s doin) a real

+ine 1ob.

E!T. COMPOUND

ac9eady and Sanche< are +ora)in)thro)h the trash dmp.

MACREADY

Loo( +or shoes too. 0nd

brned cloth.

INT. RADIO ROOM

Norris has be)n dismantlin) the radio.

He rbs at his chest

as he disen)a)es the headset.

INT. HALLWAY

;ollo/in) Nals as he s(ates thro)h the

labyrinth.

Chec(in) /aste bins. 6asin) to loo(

behind shel4es and any

obscre hidin) place.

ac9eady passes him comin) the other

/ay.

NAULS

That thin)2s too smart to behidin)

any more o+ its clothes

ac9eady.

MACREADY

Jst (eep loo(in).

INT. LAB

;chs is porin) o4er a boo(. Se4eral

others lie open on his

des(.

ac9eady po(es his head in the lab.

MACREADY

Ho/2s it )oin)

FUCHS

Nothin) yet. Bt ac9eady

I24e

been thin(in)... I+ or do)s

chan)ed

by s/allo/in) parts o+ that

other

one... We better see to itthat

e4eryone prepares their o/n

+ood and



/e eat ot o+ cans.

MACREADY

Gotchya.

E!T. COMPOUND

0 siren )oes o++ si)nalin) the end o+ a

t/enty-minte period.

Sanche< plls himsel+ ot o+ the trash

dmp.

6almer carries a lar)e part o+ a

helicopter en)ine to/ard

the compond.

INT. COMPOUND

The hall/ay near the spply stora)e

cbicle. ac9eady holdsthe door open as 6almer ma(es his /ay to

him l))in) the

hea4y helicopter part.

Childs passes by +rom the other

direction.

PALMER

Childs /here2s that ma)neto

+rom

Chopper >ne

CHILDS 0in2t it there

He passes by.

PALMER

No it ain2t there. Wold I be

as(in)

i+ it /ere there

MACREADY

o4e it 6almer.

INT. SUPPLY STORAGE ROOM

6almer sets do/n the hea4y part. Norris

+ollo/s him inside

/ith a bndle o+ radio )ear. They mo4e

bac( ot into the

hall/ay. ac9eady loc(s the door behind

them.

HALLWAY

The three mo4e do/n the hall to/ard

their appointed rende<4os

at the rec room.

MACREADY

Dto 6almer



Start ta(in) apart those

sno/mobiles

ne,t hh

INT. KITCHEN

Cramped. Se4eral o+ the men arepreparin) their +ood.

>penin) cans. Heatin) them in pots.

E!T. COMPOUND

Nals /earily approaches Blair2s tool

shed /ith a tray o+

+ood. He hears a pondin) +rom /ithin.

NAULS

I )ot yor )oodies sperdde.

He pee(s in thro)h the openin) in the

boarded-p /indo/.

Blair is nailin) himsel+ in +rom the

inside. He loo(s pretty

cra<ed.

NAULS

What yo doin2

BLAIR

Nobody2s )ettin) in here. Fo

cantell them all thatA

NAULS

Well /ho the hell yo thin(

/ants

to )et in there /ith yo

Nals slides the tray in the slot. It is

immediately sho4ed

bac( ot and topples onto the ice. Some

o+ the +ood has

splashed on Nals2 hea4y coat.

NAULS

No/ /hy2d yo )o and...

BLAIR

0nd I don2t /ant any more +ood

/ith

sedati4es in it. I (no/ /hat

yo2re

p to. :on2t thin( I don2t.

0nd i+

anyone tries to )et in here --

I24e

)ot rope. I2ll han) mysel+be+ore it

)ets to me.



NAULS

Fo promise

Nals pic(s p the tray heads bac(

mmblin).

NAULS Cra<y /hite scientist

mother+c(er...

E!T. COMPOUND

6almer /or(s on the sno/mobile. Sanche<

resmes searchin)

thro)h the trash.

INT. BALLOON TOWER

ac9eady slashes into the h)e

nin+lated /eather balloonsrenderin) them seless. Tan(s o+ helim

and hydro)en are

stac(ed nearby.

INT. KITCHEN

Nals does the dishes. His cassette

plays in the b.).

INT. REC ROOM

Childs contines )ardin) the three men.

CLARK

Gotta )o to the can Childs.

Childs +ollo/s him to the other end o+

the room.

CHILDS

Be =ic(.

Clar( /al(s to the head. Childs mo4es

bac( to the middle o+

the room. 0s the )ard he is mch more

4lnerable in thisposition. Bein) split bet/een his

prisoners.

The li)hts be)in to +lic(er. The so+t

prr o+ the )enerator

be)ins to +ade.

CHILDS

>h no.

The li)hts )o ot. Nals calls +rom the

(itchen.

NAULS )O.S.*

ChildsA That a +se



CHILDS

No. The )enerator. Fo )ot the

a,iliary bo, 1st o++ the

(itchen.

Get to it.

D+mblin) arond

Where2s the damn +lashli)ht Dcallin) ot

Fo +ellas o(ay o4er there

:r. Copper )i))les in the dar(.

CHILDS

Ct that ot Copper.

Dbeat

Nals What2s ta(in) yoA

NAULS )O.S.*

I2m /or(in) itA Nothin)2s

happenin)A

CHILDS

That2s impossible manA >(ay

Clar(

ot o+ the 1ohn /here I can

see yoA

NAULS )O.S.*

It2s shorted ot or somethin)A

CHILDS

Dshotin)

Clar( yo come on ot hereAA

Childs li)hts the tip o+ his torch

allo/in) him a stron)

candleli)ht. Garry is no lon)er in the

room.

CHILDS

Where2s... Where2s Garry

:r. Copper loo(s nmbly at the empty

seat ne,t to him. Childs

+inds the portable siren and blares it.

E!T. COMPOUND

ac9eady 6almer and Sanche< heed the

call and head +or the

compond.

INT. REC ROOM

Childs 1er(s his head arond in

di++erent directions.

CHILDS

Where are yo Garry :on2tyo mo4e

an inch Copper.

Dshots



Nals brin) me a )oddamn

+lashli)htA

INT. KITCHEN

6itch blac(.

NAULS

Somebody2s ta(en it. I can2t

+ind

itA

CHILDS )O.S.*

Clar( yo /ant me to come in

a+ter

yoA

INT. HALLWAY

ac9eady Sanche< and 6almer come in+rom the otside.

They bmp into each other tryin) to )et

their bearin)s +rom

the lac( o+ li)ht. 6almer the only one

/ho seems to ha4e

one trns on his +lashli)ht.

MACREADY

Dshotin)

What2s happenedA

NORRIS )O.S.* ac9eady that yo

MACREADY

FeahA

NORRIS )O.S.*

It2s the )enerator I thin(A No

po/er.

MACREADY

Dto 6almer

Well let2s )et do/n there.

CHILDS )O.S.*

ac9eadyA

MACREADY

What

CHILDS )O.S.*

Garry2s missin)A

MACREADY

Dto sel+

>h shitA

Dshots Well han) onA

CHILDS )O.S.*



Gee than(sA

INT. GENERATOR ROOM

6almer and ac9eady stmblin) do/n the

stairs. ac9eady trns

arond loo(s.

MACREADY

Where2s Sanche<

Both loo( arond. Sanche< is )one.

6almer2s li)ht +inds the

motionless )enerator. He e,amines it.

PALMER

The +el pmp... it2s )one...

D+rantic

Fo24e )ot to )et p to

spply ca.I+ /e don2t )et this thin)

started

soon it2ll +ree<e on s and

/e2ll

ne4er )et it )oin).

ac9eady dashes pstairs into the

dar(ness.

INT. HALLWAY

The lab door is opened. ;chs holdin) a

small candle /al(sot. 0s he passes the sholder o+ a man

sprin)s into +rame.

INT. GENERATOR ROOM

6almer is +e4erishly /or(in) nderneath

the )enerator on his

bac(.

INT. REC ROOM

The temperatre contines to drop

rapidly. Childs s/atshimsel+ to (eep /arm /hile still

(eepin) an eye on :r. Copper

and the rest o+ the room.

INT. HALLWAY

ac9eady rshes ot o+ the spply room

/ith a +el pmp

bmps into somebody.

MACREADY

Who... Who is that

The silhoette mo4es on do/n the

hall/ay.



MACREADY

Sanche<... Hey /ho...

PALMER )O.S.*

ac /here the hell is that

pmpAA

CUT TO:

INT. GENERATOR ROOM

ac9eady holds the +lashli)ht +or

6almer. Their breath p++s

o+ /hite smo(e.

PALMER

Somebody de+initely messed

/ith it.

MACREADY

We )oin) to ma(e it

PALMER

Hope so. 0nother ten +i+teen

mintes.

What I don2t )et is...

The sond o+ a screechin). ;rom

some/here in the compond.

The t/o men2s +aces loc(ed in +ear.

CUT TO:

INT. REC ROOM

The )enerator has been repaired? the

li)hts /ithin the

compond are bac( on.

Grim and tense. E4eryone is present bt

;chs. Eyes +lit

+rom man to man. 6almer Nals and

Sanche< are spread ot

abot the room (eepin) as mch distanceas possible +rom

the rest.

Norris and Childs are tyin) the :octor

Clar( and Garry to

the coch. ac9eady prepares se4eral

ma(eshi+t blo/torches

as he (neels on the )rond.

SANCHEZ

Where /ere the +lashli)hts

MACREADY Scre/ the +lashli)hts. Where

the

hell /ere yo



PALMER

Tons o+ st++2s been missin)

arond

here. a)netos cables

/ire...

NAULS

itchen thin)s too...

MACREADY

0nybody see ;chs... or hear

him...

Hh

No ans/er as the men2s +aces roam the

room. Childs )lares at

Garry as he be)ins to tie him in.

CHILDS Where2d yo )o

Garry2s )ro))y +eatres stare blan(ly.

CHILDS

I said /here Where2d yo )oA

GARRY

Was dar(... +ind a li)ht...

CHILDS

Fo lyin) bastard...

Garry str))les to his +eet a++ronted.

GARRY

Dslrrin)

I rather don2t li(e yor

tone...

He )rabs Childs by the collar.

CHILDS

Fo sit bac( do/n...

Childs /hales on him /ith a ri)ht hand.Both )o tmblin)

o4er the coch. ac9eady and Norris di4e

in brea(in) it p.

NORRIS

Eno)h...

ac9eady +rios plls Childs a/ay.

Norris breathin) hea4ily +rom the

acti4ity massa)es his

chest. The stron) stormy /inds o4erhead

batter the roo+in).ac9eady )lances p. He and Childs

release each other.



MACREADY

That storm2s )oin) to start

rippin)

any minte -- so /e don2t ha4e

mch

time.

He thrsts one o+ the blo/torches hard

into Childs2 stomach.

MACREADY

We24e )ot to +ind ;chs. When

/e

+ind him -- /e (ill him.

SANCHEZ

Why

MACREADY

I+ he2s one o+ those Thin)s/e24e

)ot to )et to him be+ore he

chan)es...

Nals yo and Childs and I2ll

chec(

the otside shac(s...

He tosses torches to Sanche< and 6almer.

MACREADY

Sanche< yo and 6almer search

the

inside...

PALMER

I ain2t )oin) /ith Sanche<.

Sanche< snaps his head to/ard 6almer.

6almer loo(s at the

others.

PALMER

I ain2t )oin) /ith him. I2ll

)o /ith

Childs...

SANCHEZ

Well scre/ yo manA

PALMER

I ain2t )oin) /ith yoA

CHILDS

Well /ho says I /ant yo

)oin) /ith

meA

MACREADY

Ct the bllshit... >(aySanche<

yo come /ith s. Norris...

yo stay



here...

Dre+ers to tied-p

men

0ny o+ them mo4e -- yo +ry

2em. 0nd

i+ yo hear anythin) anythin)

atall yo let loose the siren.

We all

meet bac( here in t/enty

mintes

re)ardless.

Da beat

0nd e4erybody /atch /hoe4er

yo2re

/ith. 9eal close.

The men sr4ey each other.

MACREADY Let2s mo4e.

CUT TO:

E!T. COMPOUND NIGHT

ac9eady and Nals /earin) their

sno/shoes and sin) +lares

+or li)ht pll themsel4es alon) the

steadyin) rope that

leads to Blair2s shed. They are care+l

to (eep an eye oneach other as they mo4e alon).

Sanche< heads o++ in the direction o+

another shac(.

CUT TO:

INT. COMPOUND HALLWAY

>ne o+ the many doors crea( open. Childs

and 6almer stealthily

mo4e into the ne,t corridor. 6almer+alls a +e/ steps behind.

PALMER

What2d /e e4er do to these

Thin)s

any/ay...

Childs +ree<es and snaps his head arond

+acin) 6almer. 0

beat.

PALMER

What

CHILDS

:on2t /al( behind me.



0nother beat.

PALMER

9i)ht.

He mo4es to the other side o+ the /allparallel /ith Childs.

They contine on s(immin) alon) the

sides o+ the corridor

in plain 4ie/ o+ one another.

CUT TO:

E!T. COMPOUND

Nals and ac9eady arri4e at Blair2s

shac(. They peer in

thro)h the spaces bet/een the boards.

0 /ea( li)ht brns as Blair is seated

eatin) ot o+ a can. 0

han)man2s noose dan)les +rom the ceilin)

nearby.

MACREADY

Hey BlairAA

Blair 1mps in +ear spillin) his can.

MACREADY

Has ;chs been ot here

Blair approaches the boarded-p /indo/.

He loo(s ha))ard and

a+raid.

BLAIR

I24e chan)ed my mind... I2d...

I2d

li(e to come bac( inside... I

don2t

/ant to stay ot here any

more...

;nny thin)s... I hear +nnythin)s

ot here.

MACREADY

Ha4e yo come across ;chs

BLAIR

;chs... No it2s not

;chs... Fo

mst let me bac( in... I /on2t

harm

anyone... I promise...

MACREADY

We2ll see...



He and Nals trd)es o++. Blair shots

a+ter them.

BLAIR

I promiseA I2m mch better

no/A I2ll

be )oodAA I2m all betterAA:on2t

lea4e me hereAA

INT. REC ROOM

Norris contines his /atch on the

sedated trio. He an,iosly

tries to (eep an eye on the 4arios

entrances behind and in

+ront o+ him. He rbs his chest in pain.

DR. COPPER

I2m )ettin) /orried abot yo.Fo

o)ht to ha4e a chec(p.

NORRIS

Let2s 1st not )et /orried

abot

anythin) 1st no/.

DR. COPPER

Dya/nin)

0+ter all this mess then.

NORRIS Dnoddin)

0+ter all this mess.

E!T. COMPOUND THE SLOPE TO MACREADYS

SHACK

The /inds are thic( and 4icios no/.

ac9eady and Nals pll

themsel4es alon) the rope +i)htin) their

/ay p the slope. 0

4iolent )st sends ac9eady2s body

hori<ontal bt still

han)in) onto the rope. The /ind slapshim bac( do/n. His

+lare and torch tmble bac( to/ard

Nals.

Nals sa4es the torch +rom rollin) do/n

the hill.

ac9eady lyin) 4lnerable /atches

Nals pll his /ay to/ard

him. He tenses. Nals reaches him. 0

beat. He hands bac( his

torch. 9elie4ed ac9eady plls himsel+

pri)ht.

INT. COMPOUND KITCHEN CLOSE ON THICK

POWER CABLES



that line the /all. They ha4e been torn

apart. Childs and

6almer e,amine.

PALMER

0,iliary li)ht cables...Been ct.

CHILDS

Ct bllshit. Been plled

apart.

E!T. MACREADYS SHACK

as they reach the top. The remainin)

+lare their only li)ht.

ery dar(. They stand on either side o+

the door. ac9eady

sho4es it open. 6itch blac( inside.ac9eady +lips the li)ht

s/itch. :oesn2t /or(.

INT. SHACK

They enter. Hnched. Torches ready. The

place is a mess. The

/inds as stron) as on the otside.

The sin)le +lare illminatin) the

ceilin). 0lmost all o+ the

corr)ated steel roo+in) is )one. 0s i+

ripped o++.

NAULS

Dshotin) to be heard

Where2s the roo+A

ac9eady stares p incredlos as they

ad4ance thro)h the

room.

NAULS

This storm do that

MACREADY Dshotin)

Coldn2t be possible. st

ha4e

/ei)hted a ton and a hal+...

Nals (ic(s o4er a chair. 0 na(ed

+leshy ob1ect bonds hi)h

into the air. Nals thrsts ot his

torch catchin) the

breasts o+ the in+latable /oman. She

pops and is sc(ed ot

thro)h the hole in the roo+.

Nals tries to catch his breath.

NAULS



Goddamn /hite /omen.

INT. COMPOUND

5nder)rond ric(ety corridor. 6almer

stands by as Childs

ndoes the many loc(s to the room thathoses his plants.

>ne by one. 6almer t/ists his head in

e4ery /hich direction.

Ner4os.

Childs plls open the hea4y door. 0

+lsh o+ sno/ and /ind

psh them bac(. They /ed)e their bodies

at the entrance to

the li)htless room.

CHILDS y babies.

They enter. The li)ht +rom the hall

e,poses the completely

smashed-in /indo/ hi)h abo4e the plants.

The plants loo(

+ro<en.

PALMER

Somebody bro(e in.

CHILDS

No/ /ho2d )o and do...

Saddened an)ry Childs )oes to chec(

the dama)e to his

plants. 6almer his +ace set in horror

yan(s him bac(.

PALMER

ChildsAA

CHILDS

Let )o o+ me...

PALMER :on2t )et near 2em. The

plantsA

They2re ali4e. Those thin)s

can

imitate anythin)...

CHILDS

What2s it )oin) to do bein) a

plant

6almer readies his small torch.

PALMER We )ot to brn 2em.

CHILDS



No/ hold on yo dmb...

6almer sprays them /ith +lame. Childs

pshes him to the

)rond and tries to s/at ot the +ire.

CHILDS Fo stpid sono+a...

6almer his moth a)ape /ith terror

screams and points to

the closin) door to their rear. Childs

/hirls.

FUCHS

>ne arm otstretched s/in)s into 4ie/.

0n a, embedded deep

into his chest pins his +ro<en body to

the inside o+ thedoor.

INT. REC ROOM

Norris startled by the scream trns on

the siren.

CUT TO:

INT. PLANT ROOM

Sanche< has 1oined Childs and 6almer.The body o+ ;chs is

still pinned to the door. Sanche< tries

to /rench the a,

loose. It is too deeply embedded and

/on2t bd)e.

SANCHEZ

Whoe4er pt this thro)h

him...

Sanche< obser4es Childs2 hl(in) +rame

and adds pointedly@

SANCHEZ

...is one bad-ass and stron)

mther.

CHILDS

No one2s that stron) boyA

INT. PASSAGEWAY

Trac(in) /ith the three men. >penin) and

closin) doors as

they ma(e their /ay bac( to the rec

room. They (eep theirdistance +rom each other /atchin) each

other /hile they

/al(.



PALMER

Why didn2t it imitate ;chs

Isn2t

that its nmber -- to )et more

recrits.

CHILDS

Wasn2t eno)h time. Generator

/as

ot /hat... Thirty mintes.

Ta(es

the bastards an hor maybe

t/o to

absorb somebody.

SANCHEZ

Why ;chs

CHILDS He /as /or(in) on a test.

;chs mst

ha4e been onto somethin).

These

bastards )ot scared and )ot

rid o+

him.

Dsddenly reali<in)

...Hey... Where2s...

CUT TO:

INT. COMPOUND CLOSE ON PALMERS FACE

shotin) do/n a passa)e/ay.

PALMER

ac9eadyAA

CLOSE ON CHILDS

bello/in).

CHILDS

NalsAA ac9eadyAA

E!T. COMPOUND

0 stron) dri+t/ind streams sno/ across

the )rond obscrin)

e4erythin) bt the 4ery top o+ the

bildin)s.

The siren screams.

INT. REC ROOM

9i)id immobile +aces. Listenin) to thestorm o4erhead.

CHILDS



Ho/ lon) they been ot no/

NORRIS

;orty... ;orty-+i4e mintes.

Silence as the neasy eyes measre one

another.

CHILDS

We better start closin) o++

the

otside hatch/ays.

$ARIOUS ANGLES OF THE COMPOUND

Childs Sanche< and 6almer -- closin)

o++ and boltin) the

entrances to the camp.

NORRIS )O.S.* 0ll o+ yoA Come hereA

INT. COMPOUND MAIN HALLWAY POINT OF

$IEW THE MEN

Thro)h the +o))ed-p /indo/s a +i)re

can be seen

approachin) the main compond. It plls

and dra)s its /ay

alon) the )ide rope +i)htin) the )ale

+orce /inds.

CUT TO:

THE MEN

/eapons in hand hddle at the main

door/ay. They nbolt it.

Sleet and hail send Nals rollin) in

+rom the otside. The

men +orce the door bac( and loc( it.

The /eary Nals (neels on the +loor and

)asps +or air.

The others srrond him.

PALMER

Where2s ac9eady

Nals /ei)hs each o+ them ominosly

/hile di))in) do/n

nderneath his hea4y 1ac(et.

NAULS

Ct him loose o+ the line p

by his

shac(.

CHILDS

Ct him loose



NAULS

When /e /ere p po(in) arond

his

place... I +ond this...

He plls ot a thic( bndle o+ hea4yclothin). It is mtilated

and partially brned. He holds ot the

1ac(et to sho/ the

inside collar.

Close on name ta) -- it reads@ 9.J.

0C9E0:F The men as

they e,amine in a hsh.

NAULS

...It /as stashed in his old

coal

+rnace... /ind mst ha4edislod)ed

it... I don2t thin( he sa/ me

+ind

it.

The men contine to e,amine in 4arios

states o+ disbelie+.

NAULS

...ade sre I )ot ahead o+

him on

the to/line on the /ay bac(...

cthim loose.

SANCHEZ

Dincredlos

ac9eady...

NAULS

He2s one o+ them.

SANCHEZ

Dscared

When do yo thin( it )ot to

him

PALMER

Cold ha4e been anytime.

0ny/here.

CHILDS

Dto Nals sspicios

I+ it did )et to him.

NAULS

Loo( man...

PALMER When the li)hts /ent ot...

NORRIS



Wold ha4e been a per+ect

time...

PALMER

9i)ht. Garry /as missin)...

Dpointedly

...0nd Sanche<...

SANCHEZ

D)oes +or him

;c( yo 6almer.

Childs and Norris separate them.

NORRIS

This is 1st /hat it /ants...

to pit

s a)ainst each other.

0 pondin) at the door sends the men1er(in) bac(/ard.

Nals scampers to his +eet. They tense.

MACREADY )O.S.*

>pen pA

No ans/er as the men srrond the door

their /eapons ready.

;ear.

MACREADY )O.S.*

...Hey somebodyA >pen pit2s me

ac9eady...

Dstill nothin)

...Come on damn it... The

to/line

snapped. Been cra/lin) arond

li(e a

seal ot here...

NAULS

Dharsh /hisper

BllshitA He2s )ot to (no/

damn /ellI ct itA

The men (eep their 4oices lo/.

PALMER

Let2s open it.

CHILDS

Hell no.

ore pondin).

SANCHEZ Dsha(in)

Fo thin( he2s chan)ed into

one o+



those Thin)s

NORRIS

He hasn2t had eno)h time.

CHILDS

...Nothin) hman cold ha4emade it

bac( here in this /eather

/ithot a

)ideline...

MACREADY )O.S.*

...Where is e4erybodyA I2m

hal+

+rostbitA

PALMER

Let2s open it. No/...

CHILDS

Ded)y hostile

Why yo so damn an,ios to let

him

in here...

PALMER

Dsli)htly tremblin)

He2s so close. aybe or best

chance

to blo/ him a/ay.

CHILDS No. Jst let him +ree<e ot

there.

SANCHEZ

D4oice crac(in)

What i+ /e2re /ron) abot him

CHILDS

Then /e2re /ron).

The m++led brea(in) o+ a /indo/ do/n

the hall. The men trn.

PALMER

The spply /indo/A

SANCHEZ

Dterror

What /e )oin) to...

NORRIS

0ll ri)ht... all ri)ht...

/e24e )ot

no choice no/...

INT. SUPPLY ROOM

6itch blac(. ac9eady2s 4oice is heard

crsin) as he appears



to be stmblin) arond loo(in) +or a

li)ht s/itch. He

responds to the m++led 4oices at the

door.

MACREADY

What2s )oin) on ot there

HALLWAY

6almer stands by as Childs tries the

(nob. Loc(ed.

CHILDS

:amn it he2s )ot the (eys.

Childs rips a nearby +ire a, o++ the

/all and be)ins hac(in)

a/ay at the door.

INT. SUPPLY ROOM

MACREADY

What are yo doin)

CHILDS )O.S.*

Fo2re a dead man ac9eady --

or a

dead /hate4er the hell yo

areA

ac9eady be)ins to rmma)e thro)h the

spplies in thedar(ness.

CHILDS )O.S.*

We +ond yor clothes -- the

ones

yo tried to brn.

MACREADY

What clothes

CHILDS )O.S.*

Fo been made ac9eady.

Childs chops a/ay. ac9eady desperately

contines rmma)in)

thro)h the spplies.

MACREADY

Someone2s tryin) to mar( me

yo

bastard... tryin) to +rame me.

HALLWAY

Childs cations to 6almer as he prepares

+or one last blo/.

CHILDS

o4e in slo/ no/.



Crnch. The door )i4es. The men mo4e in.

Their blo/ torches

ready. They +ree<e.

ac9eady stands be+ore them holdin) a

li)hted +lare. Hishair and clothin) are co4ered /ith sno/?

his chee(s and nose

blac(ened by +rostbite. Tc(ed nder his

arm is an entire

bo, o+ dynamite. He holds the +lare

dan)erosly close to the

open bo,.

MACREADY

0nyone messes /ith me -- the

/hole

camp )oes.

He appears to mean it. They don2t seem

an,ios to test him.

MACREADY

6t those torches on the +loor

and

bac( o++.

They do. He +ollo/s them ot into the

hall.

HALLWAY

The men step bac(/ards care+lly.

MACREADY

...bac( /ay o++.

They heed retreatin) +rther do/n the

hall. ac9eady )lances

behind him.

MACREADY

...Where2s the rest...

Nals and Norris /ho ha4e silentlycrept in thro)h the

spply /indo/ come +lyin) thro)h the

hac(ed-p door and

barrel into ac9eady. Both )oin)

strai)ht +or the +lare.

ac9eady spins Nals o++ and rips into

Norris sendin) him

crashin) 4iolently into the /all. Nals

tac(les ac9eady2s

le)s pllin) him to the +loor.

The others rsh him. ac9eady still incontrol o+ the

dynamite and +lare bello/@



MACREADY

So help me I mean itAA

They s(id to a halt. Nals cra/ls a/ay

=ic(ly.

NAULS It2s cool man. We ain2t near

yo

man... Stay cool...

PALMER

Feah man really. Jst rela,.

MACREADY

0nybody toches me... /e )o.

Norris lyin) on the +loor co)hs as i+

)aspin) +or breath.

He =i4ers +or a moment and then isstill. Nals cra/ls o4er

to him and sha(es him. 0 beat.

NAULS

I don2t thin( he2s breathin).

Nals listens to Norris2 chest. ac9eady

stands.

MACREADY

Go ntie the :oc. Get him in

here.

Brin) the others too... D)rins menacin)ly

;rom no/ on no one )ets ot o+

my

si)ht.

CUT TO:

INT. INFIRMARY

Norris2 body is plopped on the

e,amination table. Copper

stmbles and is steadied by some o+ themen. ac9eady

contines to (eep his distance.

Copper places an o,y)en mas( o4er

Norris2 +ace. He then rips

open his shirt.

MACREADY

So yo s/eethearts had

yorsel4es a

little trial. I 1st may ha4e

to

(ill yo on )eneral principleNals.

Copper be)ins s/athin) Norris2 chest



/ith a )elatin sbstance.

MACREADY

...E4er occr to the 1ry that

anybody

cold ha4e )otten to some o+

myclothes and stc( them p...

CHILDS

We ain2t byin) that.

DR. COPPER

:amn it =it the bic(erin)

and )i4e

me a hand. Wheel that

+ibrillator

o4er here.

Sanche< pshes o4er the portable+ibrillator. Copper climbs

p on the table and straddles Norris2

chest.

5nnoticed Clar( pa/s the contents o+

the instrment tray

behind his bac(.

DR. COPPER

6almer trn on that o,y)en

and hold

the mas( o4er his +ace...

Childs)rab his sholders.

They do so. Copper holds electrical

pron)s o4er Norris2 chest.

CHILDS

Dto ac9eady

threatenin)

Fo2re )oin) to ha4e to sleep

sometime.

DR. COPPER

iet do/n... Dto Sanche<

...trn that thin) on.

Sanche< depresses the "on" btton.

DR. COPPER

No/ hold him.

MACREADY

I2m a real li)ht sleeper

Childs...

DR. COPPER Eno)h ac9eadyA

:r. Copper presses the pron)s onto



Norris2 chest and shoots

a bolt o+ crrent. Norris2 body hea4es

p/ard. 0 sli)ht

crac(lin) sond and an odd chirp thro)h

the o,y)en mas(.

DR. COPPER 0)ain... ore crrent this

time

Sanche<...

B<<<. Se4eral more 1olts +rom the

pron)s. Clar(2s hand has

+ond a scalpel. He )ently li+ts it ot

brin)in) it to his

side.

MACREADY

0nd i+ anyone tries to /a(e

me...

DR. COPPER

:amn yo ac9eadyA

Norris2 body be)ins bondin) p. ore

crac(lin) and poppin).

His chest be)ins to brea( p and spread.

The mas( pops o++ --

a hideos me/in) escapin) +rom Norris2

distorted moth.

The men 1mp bac( incredlos. :r.

Copper scrambles o++ hischest and +lops to the +loor.

SANCHEZ

God... /hat...

They /atch on in stnned horror as The

Thin) that /as Norris

be)ins to chan)e to spread a/(/ardly on

the slab.

Its clothes tearin). 0 shoe splits in

hal+ and +alls to the

+loor e,posin) the be)innin)s o+ atalon.

ac9eady char)es to/ard it shooin) the

men o++.

MACREADY

Get ot o+ the /ayAA

He nloads /ith a stream o+ +lame. The

body /rithes in pain

belchin) and hissin). The slab catches

+ire. It str))les

ln)es +or the +loor strai)htens pand mo4es a +e/ +eet.

0 blac( and yello/ sbstance rips



thro)h its trosers and

s=irts to the +loor. Norris2 body

collapses on the

+ibrillatin) machine in +lames.

E,tin)ishers are ripped

+rom the /alls and pt to /or(.

ac9eady /atches the smo(in) particles

o+ oo<e in +ascination

as they t/itch and me/ on the +loor.

Within seconds the +ire is ot. The men

stand arond in a/e

as they loo( pon The Thin) that /as

once Norris.

ac9eady contines to obser4e the small

particles. Their

tiny s=eals abatin) into silence.

INT. REC ROOM

ac9eady still carryin) the indstrial

torch has mane4ered

all the men into the room. He holds

Garry2s .!!. He has

ntaped the e,plosi4es +rom his chest

and laid them on the

nearby table ne,t to t/o more bo,es o+

dynamite.

CLARK

What yo )ot in mindac9eady

MACREADY

0 little test.

PALMER

What (ind o+ test

MACREADY

I2m sre a lot o+ yo already

(no/.

He tosses a ream o+ steel cable and somerope to 6almer.

MACREADY

6almer yo and Copper tie

e4eryone

do/n. 9eal ti)ht.

CHILDS

What +or

MACREADY

;or yor health.

GARRY

Dto others

Let2s rsh him. He2s not )oin)



to

blo/ s all p.

MACREADY

:amn i+ I /on2t.

CHILDS Da beat

Fo ain2t tyin) me p.

MACREADY

Then I2ll ha4e to (ill yo.

CHILDS

Then (ill me.

ac9eady points the .!! at Childs2 head.

MACREADY

I mean it.

ac9eady coc(s his )n. Childs holds his

)rond.

CHILDS

I )ess yo do.

0 beat. Clar( sprin)s +or ac9eady.

Scalpel raised.

ac9eady spins and +ires three shots

point-blan( the +orces

o+ the char)es sendin) Clar( +lyin)bac(/ards. The others

themsel4es abot to ponce stop -- as

ac9eady /hirls the

torch and )n bac( to/ard them.

CUT TO:

THE MEN

bein) tied secrely to coches and

chairs.

MACREADY

Tie p Clar( too.

PALMER

Dbemsed

He2s dead.

MACREADY

Norris loo(ed pretty dead

himsel+.

Bllets don2t (ill these

Thin)s.

ac9eady trns on a Bnsen brner /hile

he cts the rbber

co4erin) o++ an electrical cord



e,posin) the copper /ire.

0ll the /hile he (eeps his eye on the

men.

CHILDS

Dmtterin) We shold ha4e 1mped his ass.

MACREADY

No/ Copper yo tie 6almer p.

Copper starts to tie 6almer to the small

coch ne,t to Childs

and Garry.

MACREADY

We2re )oin) to dra/ a little

bit o+

e4erybody2s blood.

NAULS

What are yo )oin) to do

:rin( it

MACREADY

Watchin) Norris in there...

)a4e me

the idea that maybe e4ery part

o+

yo bastards is a /hole. E4ery

piece

o+ yo is sel+-s++icient ananimal

nto itsel+. When a man bleeds

it2s

1st tisse. Bt blood +rom

one o+

yo Thin)s /on2t obey. It2s a

ne/ly

+ormed indi4idal /ith a

bilt-in

desire to protect its o/n

li+e. When

attac(ed yor blood /ill try

andsr4i4e -- and cra/l a/ay +rom

a hot

needle say.

CUT TO:

SANCHEZ

)rimacin) as :r. Copper pinches a

scalpel to his thmb and

collects a small portion o+ his blood in

a dish.

0ll the men ha4e been tied p. 6almer

Childs and Garry on



the small coch. The others incldin)

the li+eless corpse

o+ Clar( in chairs.

Copper retrns the plate to the table

and sets it do/n in

line /ith the other plates o+ blood thathe has collected.

The names o+ each man ha4e been

scribbled onto the plates.

ac9eady slides the :octor a +resh

plate.

MACREADY

No/ yo.

Copper cts his thmb his blood

dribbles onto the plate.

He stands ner4osly +or a beat.

MACREADY

Slide it bac( here.

Copper pshes it to/ard ac9eady.

MACREADY

No/ step /ay bac(.

Copper steps bac(/ard moistre

be)innin) to collect on hisbro/. ac9eady be)ins to heat the copper

/ire o4er the Bnsen

brner.

The men /atch intently. The /ire be)ins

to )lo/. ac9eady

points the torch directly at the :octor.

Both o+ them

perspirin). ac9eady li+ts the )lo/in)

/ire +rom the +lame.

The :octor is dead still. ac9eady

slo/ly toches the /ire

to the :octor2s plate. 0 so+t hiss.

ac9eady heats it a)ain and tries once

more. The same so+t

hiss. ac9eady and the :octor both let

ot a si)h.

MACREADY

I )ess yo2re o(ay.

DR. COPPER

Dsha(en +acetios

Than( yo.

MACREADY

I didn2t thin( yo2d se that

+ibrillator on Norris i+ yo



/ere

one o+ them.

He hands Copper the torch.

MACREADY

Watch them.

He cts himsel+ /ith the scalpel and

be)ins collectin) his

o/n blood.

MACREADY

No/ I2ll sho/ yo /hat I

already

(no/.

He heats the /ire and pts it to his

plate. The same harmless

hissin). 0ll eyes contine to /atch ashe tries a)ain. The

same reslt. Childs mmbles.

CHILDS

Load o+ bllshit.

MACREADY

We2ll see. Let2s try Clar(.

He heats the /ire and lays it in Clar(2s

dish. The hissin).

CHILDS So Clar( /as hman hh

ac9eady nods.

CHILDS

So that ma(e yo a mrderer.

ac9eady )lances o4er the )rop.

MACREADY

6almer no/.

He sets 6almer2s plate in +ront o+ himand heats the /ire.

GARRY

6re nonsense. This /on2t

pro4e a

damn thin).

MACREADY

Tho)ht yo2d +eel that /ay

Garry.

Fo /ere the only one /ho

cold ha4e

)otten to that blood plasma... Dplacin) the /ire in

6almer2s dish

.../e2ll do yo last...



ScreechAAA The blood ho/ls tryin) to

cra/l o++ the plate.

6almer bolts +or/ard /ith incredible

+orce racin) +or

ac9eady? his +ace splittin)? his mothroarin) -- dra))in)

the coch Childs and Garry /ith him. He

smashes into ac9eady

(noc(in) him o4er the table.

MACREADY

CopperAA

It2s all happened too +ast. Copper tries

to )et o++ a brst

o+ +lame. The e4er-chan)in) 6almer

brea(s his bonds and leaps

on the :octor.

The others sit helpless str))lin) at

their bindin)s.

ac9eady di4es on 6almer2s bac( and the

three )o rollin) to

the +loor. Screechin). Crac(lin).

ac9eady ponds 4iciosly

at 6almer2s head. 0 po/er+l shirt-

splittin) arm sends him

s(iddin) across the +loor.

Copper momentarily has control o+ thetorch. Jst as he

positions it 6almer2s moth splits +rom

his chin to his

+orehead and en)l+s the entirety o+ the

:octor2s head.

The bi) torch slaps a)ainst the /all.

6almer bonds to his

+eet /rappin) his arms arond the

dan)lin) str))lin) body

o+ :r. Copper.

The men are screamin) hysterically.ac9eady tries to +ire

p the brised torch. Bsted. Won2t

/or(.

;rstrated he char)es p behind 6almer

and be)ins hammerin)

the thic( steel instrment o4er his

head.

The shirt o+ 6almer2s bac( erpts in

ac9eady2s +ace.

Splittin) and rippin) /ildly e,posin)the be)innin)s o+ yet

another ori+ice. 0 blac(ened iron-

stron) ton)e ln)es



ot/ard. Stnned ac9eady mana)es to

elde it di4in) +or

the top o+ the table by the bo,es o+

dynamite.

ac9eady li)hts the +se o+ a thic( roll

and bonds +rom thetable. 6almer a/(/ardly spins in

circles s/in)in) the

:octor2s body li(e a propeller blade

str))lin) to (eep on

balance as he ad4ances on ac9eady. The

second ori+ice

spittin) and snarlin) as it contines to

ta(e +orm.

ac9eady /aits ntil 6almer2s bac( spins

arond +acin) him.

>nly t/o yards a/ay ac9eady +lin)s his

lit roll into thee4er-e4ol4in) second moth and leaps

onto the coch co4erin)

Childs and Garry /ith his body.

0 m++led boom as the s/allo/ed

e,plosi4e i)nites +rom deep

/ithin 6almer and sends his +lesh

splatterin) all o4er the

room. ac9eady rolls a/ay +rom Childs

and Garry as +ast as

he can.

CUT TO:

MACREADY

perspirin) pro+sely his hand tremblin)

sli)htly prepares

to contine the test. He heats the /ire.

The men are porin) s/eat /hite-

(nc(led.

>ne o+ the smaller torches is pointed at

Nals. He closeshis eyes. ac9eady places the heated

/ire into his plate.

Hiss. ac9eady e,hales. Nals opens his

eyes.

ac9eady nties Nals /ith one hand

/hile the torch stays

)led to the others.

ac9eady heats the /ire once a)ain. Both

he and Nals ha4e

torches aimed at Sanche<. Sanche< is

near tears.

The /ire is dipped into the plate...

Hisssss.



Sanche< brea(s do/n and sobs.

CHILDS

sits stoicly /hile he /atches the

preparations +or his trn.

CHILDS

Let2s do it B/ana.

Nals and Sanche< ta(e aim +i4e yards

a/ay. ;ierce

determined. The /ire comes o++ the +lame

into the plate...

the harmless hissin).

The mscles in Childs2 +ace melt into a

si)h.

CHILDS

tha+...

ALL EYES

snap to/ards station mana)er Garry.

Childs sddenly reali<in)

/ho he is sittin) ne,t to s=irms.

CHILDS

Get me... )et me the hell a/ay

+rom...

ct me loose damn itA

Nals rips a/ay his bindin)s. The other

t/o stand )ard.

Childs scrambles o++ the coch and onto

the +loor.

GARRY

stares )rimly ahead. Childs soa(s his

clothin) /ith a can o+

)asoline. He is then srronded. The

room tenses adrenalinpmps breathin) halts.

The brner. The torches. The /ire. The

plate. Garry2s +ace.

Hisssss.

ac9eady tries a)ain. Hiss. The men

breathe. Their torches

are lo/ered. Nals thro/s his on the

+loor.

Sanche< and Childs +lop do/n in chairs.ac9eady /ipes his

+ace.



0 lon) silence. Sanche< /eeps =ietly

/ith relie+.

GARRY

I (no/ yo )entlemen ha4e been

thro)h

a lot. Bt /hen yo +ind thetime...

I2d rather not spend the rest

o+ the

/inter tied to this coch.

0 beat. Childs starts to )i))le. The

strain on ac9eady2s

1a/ be)ins to lessen. Garry sits

catatonic. Nals sco/ls at

Childs2 ncontrollable la)hter.

The in+ectios raspin) cases ac9eady a

sli)ht smile as heloo(s p ta(in) com+ort in the sond o+

the ra)in) 0ntarctic

/ind 4ibratin) the roo+. Nals ntyin)

Garry )rmbles at

Childs.

NAULS

Sht the damn hell p.

Childs /ipes his eyes and )rins o4er

to/ard ac9eady. His

smile +ades ac9eady is no/ stone-

+aced. Childs2 )rin )oesstale in sdden reali<ation.

MACREADY

Dalmost a /hisper

Blair...

E!T. COMPOUND NIGHT

The /ind rmbles. The storm is at its

pea(. ac9eady Childs

and Nals )ided by their +lares pll

themsel4es alon) the

steadyin) rope headed +or Blair2sshac(.

BLAIRS SHACK

The door is /ide open. They pase by the

entrance tryin) to

balance a)ainst the /ind. They enter.

INT. BLAIRS SHACK

Empty. 0 +e/ o+ the +loorboards are

loosened. They pll them

p. They stare do/n into a lar)e holebeneath the plan(in).

Somethin) is do/n there. They pll p

more boards.



The hole is some +i+teen +eet deep. Its

dimensions are the

same as the shac(. Its space is almost

completely ta(en p

by some stran)e metallic ob1ect.

Crdely +ashioned a patch/or( 1ob bt

streamlined.

Sheets o+ corr)ated steel are 4isible?

bt ct apart and

/elded into the desired shapes. The

ob1ect appears to be

n+inished.

NAULS

What is it

MACREADY E4erythin) that2s been

missin).

CHILDS

Spaceship o+ some (ind.

MACREADY

Smart S.>.B. He pt it

to)ether piece

by piece.

NAULS

Where /as he tryin) to )o

MACREADY

0nyplace bt here.

ac9eady plls ot a do<en ti)htly

/rapped stic(s o+ dynamite.

MACREADY

Bt he ain2t )oin) to ma(e it.

;ar o++ amidst the ho/lin) )ale -- the

screechin). The men

1mp. ac9eady li)hts the +se as theyma(e it to the e,it.

He tosses it in.

E!T. COMPOUND ALONG THE ROPE

The e,plosion echoes behind them. The

men pll alon). Their

heads 1er( in circles searchin) into

the blac(ness.

Some t/enty yards to their rear

somethin) s/ooshes do/n

se4erin) the line. The /ind sends themen tmblin) alon) the

ice. Childs loosens the line and is

blo/n a/ay rollin) ot



o+ si)ht.

ac9eady and Nals ha4e lost their

torches. They pll

+e4erishly alon) the )rond tryin) to

ma(e it to the compond.

The screechin) closes in behind them.

ac9eady loses his

)rip on the rope and is blo/n to/ard the

main bildin).

He cra/ls alon) loo(in) +or an openin).

Nals slides near the otside entrance

to the do) (ennel.

He climbs do/n thro)h the open

stair/ell.

INT. PLANT ROOM

ac9eady has +ond the bro(en /indo/. He

rolls thro)h it

landin) on the +ro<en plants belo/.

Somethin) smashes at the

)lass abo4e his head tryin) to )et in.

He sprints +or the

door. ;chs2 +ro<en body is still pinned

to it /ith the a,.

ac9eady )rapples /ith the sti++ torso

/hich bloc(s the (nob.

He +inally )ets it open and lets himsel+

ot slammin) and

loc(in) the door +rom the hall. ;chs2

body s/in)s eerily

bac( and +orth.

INT. HALLWAY

ac9eady char)es p the stairs +rom the

plant room. He <ooms

do/n the t/istin) corridors openin) and

closin) doors. He

ronds a bend and crashes into Nalscomin) the other /ay.

CUT TO:

INT. REC ROOM CLOSE ON SANCHEZ

porin) )asoline into empty bottles

preparin) oloto4

coc(tails.

Garry is connectin) an electrical

de4ice@ /ires attached tot/o portable )enerators. ac9eady

appears to be in1ectin)

somethin) into empty contact capsles.



The men /or(

+e4erishly.

Nals rshes in /ith another bo, o+

dynamite.

NAULS What abot Childs

MACREADY

;or)et abot Childs. He2s

o4er.

Nals be)ins cttin) the /ic(s o++ the

dynamite.

GARRY

a(e 2em short. They2ll )o o++

=ic(er

i+ /e need to se them.

The /ind belts into the roo+in)

o4erhead. Garry sets the

/irin) to the main door/ay. ac9eady

be)ins bloc(in) o++ one

o+ the other entrances /ith a lar)e

compter.

SANCHEZ

What i+ it doesn2t come

MACREADY

It2ll come. It needs s. We2rethe

only thin) le+t to imitate...

Dto Sanche<

Gi4e me a hand.

They bloc( o++ a door /ith t/o hea4y

electrical )ames.

MACREADY

Dto Sanche<

Fo and Nals )ot to bloc( o++

the

/est side bn(s the mess halland

the (itchen.

NAULS

Dprotest

Fo cra<y He mi)ht be inside

already

MACREADY

Chance /e )ot to ta(e. We )ot

to

+orce him to come do/n the

east sideto the door /e )ot ri))ed.

Nals starts lacin) his s(ates.



SANCHEZ

He mi)ht 1st /ait s ot.

MACREADY

I2m )oin) to blo/ the

)enerator /henyo )et bac(. He2ll ha4e to

come +or

s -- or +ree<e.

ac9eady +rther barricades the door

/ith small coch.

MACREADY

We24e )ot portable heaters --

/e2ll

last lon)er.

Sanche< and Nals start to lea4e.

MACREADY

...Hold it.

He dispenses the capsles.

MACREADY

Sodim cyanide. We place them

bet/een

or chee(s and )ms... This

Thin)

can2t imitate anythin) that2s

dead.

0 )rim silence.

MACREADY

I+ it )ets a hold o+ yo --

bite

do/n... They2re spposed to be

+ast

and painless... No/ mo4e.

CUT TO:

INT. CORRIDOR

Sanche< and Nals inch their /ay

thro)h.

INT. REC ROOM

ac9eady rips linen soa(s the strips in

)as and st++s

them in the oloto4 bottles. Garry tests

the crrent on the

door. 6oppin) spar(s smo(e.

MACREADY

Loo(s )ood.



GARRY

>ne thosand 4olts. Shold be

eno)h.

INT. KITCHEN

Nals pshes a sto4e rein+orcin) aloc(ed door. ;i4e yards

a/ay Sanche< mane4ers the re+ri)erator

in +ront o+ another

otlet.

Sanche< hears a =iet prrin) bbblin)

sond. He trns to

Nals.

SANCHEZ

Fo hear that

NAULS Hear /hat

0 blarin). They /hip their attention to

stereo spea(ers on

either side o+ the (itchen. 9oc( msic

screams ot. Top

4olme.

INT. REC ROOM

The same lod msic. ac9eady and Garry

loo( to the three

spea(ers attached to the /alls. ac9eadyyells his

incomprehension to Garry. Garry tries to

respond. Their 4oices

dro/ned ot.

INT. HALLWAY

Empty. 0nother o+ the stereo spea(ers

that line the /alls

thnders.

INT. KITCHEN

Nals in sdden reali<ation screams

o4er the din and points

bac( in the direction they came.

NAULS

It2s )ot into the pbA It2s

trned

on the stereoA

SANCHEZ

WhatA

NAULS It2s in bet/een s and themAA

Ho/ /e

)oin) to )et bac(A



SANCHEZ

I can2t hear yo.

INT. REC ROOM

ac9eady crsin) rips the spea(ers o++the /all.

MACREADY

What are they doin) ot

thereA

The msic is no/ sbded /ithin the

room bt contines

boomin) thro)hot the camp. Nals2

scream can be barely

heard.

GARRY What2s he sayin)

INT. KITCHEN NAULS

at the top o+ his ln)s...

NAULS

ac9eadyA We been ct o++AA

0 sharp red talon-li(e +in)ernail

pierces the top o+ the

door abo4e Nals2 head. It sa/s

do/n/ard =ic(ly.

Blac( )oo drips thro)h the slit. The

sa/in) obscred by the

msic.

Sanche< eyes bl)in) points. Nals

trns. 0 cla/ rips

thro)h the /ood. Nals di4es to the

+loor.

In the opposite direction behind

Sanche< another arm splits

thro)h the door and the re+ri)eratore,tends itsel+ +i4e

+eet and yan(s Sanche< bac( as i+ he

/ere a pppet.

Sanche< str))les loo(in) implorin)ly

at Nals. He bites

do/n on his capsle. Nals ta(es o++

li(e a speed s(ater.

INT. REC ROOM

The sond o+ the screechin) o4er the

msic.

MACREADY

Got to )et to the )enerator.



He opens the door. Loo(s do/n the hall.

No one. The spea(ers --

blarin) msic.

NAULS

+ll speed do/n the ma<e. Le+t. 9i)ht.

Totally rec(less. He

hits a strai)hta/ay.

SANCHEZS BODY

+rom ot o+ no/here blasts thro)h the

hall/ay /all directly

in Nals2 path. 0 thic( arm pins the

body to the other side.

5nable to stop Nals s(ids ot o+

control ban)in) into the

sides o+ the /all his cyanide capsle+lyin) ot o+ his

moth.

Whate4er the rest o+ it is it starts to

crmble thro)h the

/all. Nals di4es o4er the arm

somersalts to his +eet and

ta(es o++.

INT. MAIN HALL

ac9eady rnnin) spots Nals careenin)

ot o+ a trnheadin) to/ard him.

NAULS

Get bac(AA

MACREADY

The )eneratorA

NAULS

Scre/ the )eneratorAA

Nals bla<es by him. ac9eady hears the

snarls and screechesheadin) his /ay. He strea(s a+ter Nals.

INT. REC ROOM

They ma(e it in. Loc( the door...

ac9eady tries to catch

his breath. Nals sha(es pants.

NAULS

Got Sanche<... World War Three

/oldn2t mess /ith this

+c(er...

Can )o thro)h /alls... 0ndit2s

li(e all o4er the place...



MACREADY

Calm do/n and )et in yor

position.

NAULS

6osition my ass...

Garry +iddles /ith the t/o )enerators.

GARRY

I2m )oin) to bmp this p

mch as I

can.

NAULS

Bolder :am mi)ht do it.

The lod msic in the compond is trned

o++. ac9eady shts

o++ the li)hts. The men spread ot.Silence.

CUT TO:

INT. REC ROOM

The men /atch all the doors. :ead

silence. :ar(. Whispers.

GARRY

Ho/ lon)2s it been

MACREADY

Little o4er t/o hors.

NAULS

aybe it ain2t comin).

MACREADY

Then /e )o a+ter him.

NAULS

Bet the last place yo e4er

)o.

The sond o+ a door openin) and closin).

;ar o++.

0nother crea(in) door is opened. 0

rstlin). Still +ar o++.

ac9eady and Nals spread +rther apart.

The so+t bbblin) coolin) sond. 0

sli)ht scratch at the

door. Garry2s hand ti)htens arond the

)enerator s/itches.

The scratchin) )ets more prononced.

ac9eady cations Garry/ith a /hisper.

MACREADY



Wait...

The door be)ins to pond +rom the

otside. Nals and ac9eady

li)ht t/o coc(tails each.

The door booms. The room2s +ondationssha(e. The ceilin)

=i4ers. The )as bombs are coc(ed.

;rom the roo+ The Thin) roars do/n into

their midst.

Stnned the men stmble bac(. ac9eady

thro/s his )as bomb.

Nals the same.

;or a moment it stands silhoetted in

+lame. Enormos.

Grotes=e.

Garry bolts +or the main door. The

Thin)2s ton)e spirals

+rom his moth and spears him. The )ood

t/o-thirds o+ its

body +ollo/s its ton)e and en)l+s

Garry by the door.

0nother le) slaps Nals to the )rond.

ac9eady dod)es still

another appenda)e di4es on the

)enerators and thro/s thes/itch.

The crrent rips thro)h the door. Garry

dies instantly.

>ne o+ The Thin)2s talons still ca)ht

in the door sends

it /rithin) in pain. It literally rips

the door +rom its

latchin)s and ponds it to the )rond

tryin) to sha(e it

loose. Nals hobbles scrambles ot o+

the openin).

ac9eady di4es thro)h the /indo/ and

ot into the storm.

CUT TO:

INT. COMPOUND HALL

The distant sond o+ a motor. Nals

battered and bloodied

his le) apparently bro(en cra/ls alon)

the )rond. 0nothersond a bbblin) and )r)lin) is heard

/ell to his rear.

Bt closin).



The terror +orces him to dra) +aster

obli4ios to the pain.

He reaches the bathroom stall. Cra/ls

in. Loc(s it. The

)r)lin) nears. Leanin) on the toiletseat he loo(s abot

himsel+ +rantically.

The 6resence pases at the door. 0

scratchin). Nals pa/s

rips at a crac(ed and /eathered slab o+

/ood cttin) his

+in)ers as he tries to brea( it o++ the

sidin).

0 stron) blo/ be)ins to breach the stall

door. Nals +inally

nhin)es the piece o+ /ood brin)s the1a))ed end to one

side o+ his throat and rips...

INT. LAB WALL

The motori<ed rmblin) nears. The /all

seems to e,plode. The

tractor barrels into the lab. Its

enormos sho4el scooper

tearin) hal+ the room to shreds.

ac9eady dri4es. His eyes )lint li(e a

/ild man2s? he loo(sstar( ra4in) mad.

His +rostbite no/ in an ad4anced sta)e

resembles blac( /ar

paint. He clenches a stic( o+ dynamite

bet/een his teeth

li(e a bccaneer2s ctlass. T/o lar)e

compressed air tan(s

ha4e been tied to)ether at the top and

are draped arond his

nec(. They are mar(ed -- HF:9>GEN.

They are sed +or the /eather balloons.

He plls the tractor to a stop yan(s

the stic( +rom his

moth )rins and bello/s.

MACREADY

>(ay creepA Jst yo and me

no/A Be

on yor toesA We2re )oin) to

do a

little remodelin)A

ac9eady )ns it thro)h the ne,t /alland into the in+irmary.

edical e=ipment )oes +lyin). The

machine is po/er+l? the



pre+abricated /alls bc(lin) nder its

+orce.

INT. COMPOUND

0 trail o+ 4iscos yello/ oo<e leads

arond a bend.

Boom.

ac9eady rams into the mess hall

s/eepin) a/ay tables

chairs. He sin)s ot lod the lyrics o+

some e,ican son).

0ll the /hile he (eeps his eyes on

e4erythin).

Thro)h the (itchen. The +ondation is

crmblin). He sin)s

on.

NARROW PASSAGEWAY

Gr)lin) and hissin). 0 taloned arm

slin(s arond a corner

in retreat.

MACREADY )O.S.*

Chime in i+ yo (no/ that

/ords old

boy.

MACREADY

plo/s thro)h se4eral more rooms be+ore

endin) p in the pb

area. He bac(s it p and retrie4es a

bottle o+ li=or +rom

the bar.

MACREADY

Fo li(e /his(ey Come on

1oin me

+or a drin(. Be )ood +or yo.

Gro/

+an)s on yor chest.

He ta(es a drin( and rams thro)h

another /all.

INT. REC ROOM

The tractor bla<es into the rec room.

ac9eady par(s it

directly in +ront o+ the hole in the

roo+ created by The

Thin) /hen it srprised them earlier.

MACREADY :amn it ran ot o+ )as.

He plls o++ the hea4y hydro)en tan(s



and drapes them o4er

the tractor. 0s he tal(s his eyes mo4e

li(e a ha/( passin)

+rom roo+ to door/ays to rbble.

Wind and ice bristle thro)h the )apin)

holes stin)in)ac9eady /ith the cold. He /inces at his

mittenless blac(ened

+in)ers.

MACREADY

S/eetheart it2s )oin) to )et

mi)hty

cold in here soon... Fo

better ma(e

yor mo4e... I mean hell I2m

only

one person...

He ta(es a s/i) +rom his bottle.

MACREADY

I (no/ yo2re b))ed becase

/e rined

yor trip ri)ht Spi++y

little toy

yo had there.

0 sli)ht tremor per(s his eyes and ears.

He loo(s p thro)h

the hole then arond. He li)hts a

li)hter and cps it inhis hand near the stic( o+ dynamite in

his lap.

MACREADY

Bt yor real han) p is yor

loo(s...

0 stron)er tremor. The adrenalin pmps.

MACREADY

D/ants him bad

0tta boy. I (no/ yo2re

arond.

The +loor sha(es. ac9eady stands his

head /hirlin) arond

the room.

MACREADY

Come on sc(er.

The tractor inches p o++ the )rond.

ac9eady +alls +or/ard

and loo(s strai)ht do/n thro)h the

chassis and into the

4ile and )rinnin) +ace belo/. 0 cla/+lashes p splittin)

the steerin) /heel bt missin) his +ace.



He depresses the i)nition boltin) the

tractor ten +eet.

He 1mps han)in) onto the ed)e o+ the

hole in the ceilin).

The Thin)2s +ace and arms brst thro)h

the metal platin) o+the tractor. The reachin) cla/s 1st

miss him as he plls

himsel+ thro)h.

E!T. ROOF

He li)hts his +se drops in the stic(

trns and rns.

Hal+ o+ The Thin)2s )rotes=e and

an)lar torso bolts p

thro)h the hole ho/lin) in +ry. 0n

appenda)e sprin)sot/ard and /inds arond ac9eady2s

1ac(et hissin) li(e

acid into the +abric.

0n immense e,plosion. The hydro)en tan(s

send a /hite +ireball

+i+ty +eet into the s(y. The Thin)2s

body disinte)ratin)

almost immediately.

The +orce o+ the blast s/eeps ac9eady

o++ the roo+. He and

the se4ered appenda)e crash to the hardice in +lames. He

rolls o4er and o4er tryin) to smother

the +ire and tear o++

the insidios limb.

CUT TO:

INT. CAMP

0 rin. >ne hal+ o+ it brnt almost to

the )rond.

ac9eady /ears a thic( blan(et /hich

co4ers him li(e a shrod

+rom his sholders to the +loor.

He /al(s bent o4er and in mch pain

tryin) to blnt patches

o+ +ire /ith an e,tin)isher. It is

+tile. He )i4es p.

CUT TO:

INT. PUB AREA

ostly ntoched by the +ire bt li(e

most o+ the rest o+



the camp e,posed to the otside. The

storm has settled

considerably.

CLOSE ON MACREADY

li)htin) a ci)ar. His hands are hea4ily/rapped. He pors

himsel+ a drin(.

0 p++y /hite hand missin) t/o +in)ers

enters the +rame

and /hirls a startled ac9eady arond.

It is Childs.

White and blac( blotches co4er his

+rostbitten +ace.

CHILDS

:id yo (ill it

He loo(s as /ea( as ac9eady. 0 beat.

MACREADY

I thin( so.

CHILDS

What do yo mean "yo thin(

so"

Both men spea( )ardedly and stare at

each other sspiciosly.

MACREADY

Feah. I )ot it.

Dre+ers to Childs2

condition

6retty mean +rostbite.

Childs steps bac( (eepin) his distance.

He indicates his

p++y /hite hand.

CHILDS

It2ll trn blac( a)ain soon

eno)h.Then I )ess I2ll be losin)

the /hole

thin)...

Dre+ers to +eet

...Thin( my toes are already

)one.

ac9eady carryin) the bottle and )lass

limps o4er and sits

do/n behind a )amin) table. There is a

chess set and se4eral

dec(s o+ cards. The t/o men contine to

eye each other.

CHILDS

So yo2re the only one /ho



made it.

ac9eady be)ins settin) p a non-

electronic chessboard.

MACREADY

Not the only one.

CHILDS

The +ire2s )ot the temperatre

/ay

p all o4er camp... /on2t last

lon)

tho)h.

MACREADY

Neither /ill /e.

CHILDS

aybe /e shold try and +i,the

radio... try and )et some

help.

MACREADY

aybe /e sholdn2t.

CHILDS

Then /e2ll ne4er ma(e it.

ac9eady p++s on his ci)ar. He re4eals

a small blo/torch

+rom nder the table and places it

beside him on top.

MACREADY

aybe /e sholdn2t ma(e it.

CHILDS

Dbeat

I+ yo2re /orried abot

anythin)

let2s ta(e that blood test o+

yors.

MACREADY

I+ /e24e )ot any srprises +or

each

other -- /e sholdn2t be in

any

condition to do anythin) abot

it.

Dbeat

Fo play chess

They re)ard each other +or a moment.

Childs pain+lly sits

do/n across +rom ac9eady.

CHILDS

I )ess I2ll be learnin).



ac9eady )rins and hands the bottle to

Childs. Childs smiles

bac( and ta(es a healthy s/i).

E!T. COMPOUND NIGHT

The +ires smolder on. Bri)ht embersdance in the blac(ness --

pshed by the so)hin) /ind.

FADE OUT:

THE END

Thing, The

Writers : John W. Campbell Jr. Bill

Lancaster

Genres : Action Horror Sci-

Fi Thriller

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