THE PASSENGER (Script Version)

EXT.ROAD/ROADSIDE - NIGHT

JAMES, mid 30s, drives his car down a road while rain pours down heavily

James sees STRANGER, pulls car over and rolls down the passenger window.

JAMES: Where are you headed?

STRANGER: Anywhere but here.

JAMES: Well, hop on in. The storm's not letting up anytime soon.

The Stranger opens the door and gets in the car

INT. JAMES'S CAR - NIGHT

James and the Stranger sit in silence. James fidgets in his seat.

JAMES: So, do you have a name?

The Stranger laughs, reaching over to the radio interface and adjusting the dials.

STRANGER: Ah, that is the question, isn't it? Perhaps I am merely a figment of your imagination, a whisper in the wind. Or maybe I’m not. Maybe I’m the Devil. Wouldn’t that be something?

James fidgets, looks at the stranger as SOFT MUSIC emits from the car stereo

 JAMES: Yeah, it’s something alright. So, uh, where are you headed again?

STRANGER: Does it matter?James looks at the road ahead and then at the rearview window, his hands on the steering wheel.  

JAMES: I got to drop you off somewhere.

James grips the steering wheel, soft music still playing in the background.

James PHONE rings

James glances at the phone, sweat beginning to form on his forehead

STRANGER: (softly) You can't escape it.

James looks at the Stranger with a confused expression.

STRANGER: The past always catches up with us, no matter how far we run.

INT. JAMES'S CAR - NIGHT

James reaches for his phone, his fingers trembling. The Stranger grabs James by the wrist tightly, stopping James from picking up the phone.James shakes his arm in frustration.

JAMES: Why won't you let me answer my phone?

The Stranger looks at James and grins.

STRANGER: You don't want to know.

The Stranger releases James's wrist and leans back, the SOFT MUSIC continues to play. James hands tremble as he grips the steering wheel.James looks at the Stranger. The Strangers face a silhouette.

STRANGER: Are you an honest man, James?

James quickly looks at the Stranger.

JAMES: What? What do you mean? How do you know my name? 

STRANGER: An honest man, you know, someone on the straight arrow. One of those outstanding citizens?

The Stranger makes sudden motion causing James to flinch. The car slightly swerves into the oncoming lane.

STRANGER: Relax, James. You’re to wound up. Take it easy.The car steers back into the correct lane.

JAMES: How do you know my name?

STRANGER: I know everything about you, James.

The Stranger leans towards James.

STRANGER: You do know why this is happening, right? 

JAMES: I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.

STRANGER: Oh, but you do. You can’t escape the truth. You’re a liar, a cheat…. You deserve everything that’s coming to you.

JAMES: Please, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t done anything wrong. Please, don’t hurt me.

STRANGER: Oh, James. You brought this upon yourself. The moment you stopped the car.

James’s gripped the steering wheel, his eyes darting between the road ahead and the Stranger.Sweat drips from James’s forehead.

JAMES: Look, this must be a mistake. Please, just let me go. 

STRANGER: Do you really think it’s that easy? You think you can just brush aside your sins and walk away unscathed?

JAMES: What do you want from me?

STRANGER: I want you to suffer.

JAMES: Listen, I don’t know who you are or what you want, but I can’t keep driving like this. You’re making me feel… uneasy.

STRANGER: Uneasy? You haven’t even begun to feel uneasy, James.

EXT.ROAD- NIGHT

The car maneuvers at a steady pace along the wet road as rain continues.

INT. JAMES’S CAR-NIGHT

The stranger leans back in his seat and begins to dig through his coat’s pockets. James is looking for ahead shoulders slumped.

STRANGER: James. If you were to die today, would you be happy with the outcomes of your life?

JAMES: (voice low) What kind of question is that?

STRANGER: An honest kind, James.

JAMES: Then I’d say yes. 

STRANGER: (laughing) Then I’d say you’re full of it.The stranger drops something into James’s lap. James picks it up to reveal an old Polaroid. James examines the Polaroid. 

JAMES: Where did you get this. 

STRANGER: Found it. You’d be surprised at what people throw away.

JAMES: Is this why this is happening.

STRANGER: (Solemnly) Yes, James, it is. Tell me how does one, who lives a rich and full life with a loving family and adoring wife, just walk away from it?

JAMES: Its… complicated.

STRANGER: Guess that explains the picture huh?The stranger quickly snatches the photo from James’s hand and puts it in his coat pocket again.

STRANGER: So? Who is she?James glared at the stranger, anger flashing in his eyes.

JAMES: It’s nobody.

STRANGER: Nobody huh? Sure, don’t look that way in the photo.

JAMES: It’s none of your business buddy.

The stranger suddenly grabs James by the back of his head. A metallic CLINK is heard, and the Stranger puts a knife to James’s throat.

 STRANGER: I’ve made it my business, James, now tell me who she is, or God help you, buddy. 

The car swerves slightly a James is caught by surprise at the sudden violence. 

JAMES: (panicked) Okay. Okay, her names Hanna, we work together. Oh my God please, don’t hurt me mister.

STRANGER: See, now wasn’t that easy. 

The Stranger removes the knife from James’s throat and leans back in his seat.

JAMES: You can stop this you know? Just let me stop and you can go. Just let’s stop this ok?

STRANGER: (chuckle) there’s no stopping, James.

A large branch falls and SLAMS into the windshield causing it to CRACK horizontally. James stomps on the breaks causing the car to SKID.

STRANGER: Don’t! You can't stop!

The stranger lunges forward grappling James. James swings widely in defense. The car lurches forward picking up speed again.

STRANGER: There are consequences if you stop!

JAMES: (voice tense) Stop, you’re insane. Stop!

STRANGER: (voice cold) There’s no stopping, James.

The car speeds down the rain-soaked road, swerving dangerously from side to side. Lightning flashes, briefly illuminating road.In a moment of distraction, James fails to notice the sharp curve ahead. The car skids off the road and plunges into a deep ditch with a loud CRUNCH. James lays slumped over the steering wheel. A gash on his left side face bleeds lightly. James stirs, the SOFT MUSIC still playing on the car stereo.The passenger seat is empty, the door open.

STRANGER: (Off Camera) You can’t escape it. No matter how far you run.