Free Storm of the Century by Stephen King Page B

doesn’t know, then taps his lips with a forefinger, indicating that HATCH should keep quiet. They stop at the foot of the steps. MIKE pulls gloves out of his coat pockets and puts them on. He also takes out his own pistol. He indicates for HATCH to put on gloves, and HATCH hands him the shotgun so he can comply. MIKE takes the opportunity to double-check the safety (still on), then hands it back.

    They go up the steps and examine the walker. Then they cross the porch. They see the feet, clad in their old-lady shoes, poking out from the shadows of the hallway, and exchange a dismayed glance. They go in.

    78 INTERIOR: THE HALL OF MARTHA’S HOUSE.

    Behind them, the WEATHER LADY runs on endlessly.

    WEATHER LADY (voice)
    Conditions along the New England coast are expected to worsen dramatically toward sunset--not that our Down East friends are going to see the sun go down tonight, I’m afraid.

    We are expecting gale force winds along the Massachusetts and New Hampshire coasts, and hurricane-force wind gusts along the Maine coast and offshore islands. There’s going to be significant beach erosion, and once the snow starts to fall, amounts will increase dramatically until . . . well . . . until it’s over. At this point it is literally impossible to talk about accumulations. Let’s just say that the total fall is going to be enormous. Three feet? That’s probable. Five feet? Even that is possible. You’ll want to stay tuned for updates, and be assured we’ll break into our programming if conditions warrant doing so. Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

    The two men ignore her--they have more immediate problems. They kneel on either side of the dead woman. MIKE ANDERSON is grim--shocked, but holding it in. Already focusing on the job at hand and the ramifications to follow. HATCH, on the other hand, is close to losing it. He looks up at MIKE, face pale, eyes full of tears. He speaks in a BARE WHISPER.

HATCH
    Mike . . . oh, my God, Mike . . . she got no face left! She-MIKE reaches out and puts a gloved finger across HATCH’S lips. He inclines his head toward the SOUND of the BABBLING TV. Someone might be listening. MIKE leans toward his shaking DEPUTY over the body of the dead woman.

MIKE
    (very low)
    Are you going to be all right? Because if you’re not, I want you to hand me the twelve-gauge and go back to Robbie.

HATCH
    (low)
    I’m all right.

MIKE
    Sure?

    HATCH nods. MIKE considers him, then decides to believe him. He gets to his feet. HATCH does the same, then sways a little. He puts a hand on the wall to catch his balance, and smears some of that fine blood-spatter. He looks at his gloved hand with amazement and dismay.

    MIKE points up the hall to the living room door--and the SOUND of the TV. HATCH gathers his Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    courage and nods. Very slowly, the two men slip up the hallway. (All played for maximum suspense, of course.)

    They are three-quarters of the way up the hall when the SOUND OF THE TV ABRUPTLY CUTS
    OFF. HATCH’S shoulder brushes one of the pictures on the wall and knocks it off. MIKE catches it before it can clatter to the floor . . . mostly by good luck and fast reflexes. He and HATCH exchange a strained glance, then go on.

    79 INTERIOR: THE DOORWAY BETWEEN HALL AND LIVING ROOM.

    The two men come into the doorway. Looking at them from the living room, as we are, HATCH is on the left and MIKE on the right. They look at:

    80 INTERIOR: THE LIVING ROOM, FROM MIKE AND HATCH’S POINT OF VIEW.

    We see the BLOWN-OUT TV and MARTHA’S wing chair. Over the top of the chair, we see the top of LINOGE’S head. Very still. It’s probably a man’s head, but it’s impossible to tell if the guy is alive.

    81 INTERIOR: RESUME HALL DOORWAY, WITH MIKE AND HATCH.

    They exchange a glance, and MIKE nods them forward. CAMERA FOLLOWS as they move in on the back of the chair, very slowly.