ST.txt

Episode #101

10/19/15
STRANGER THINGS

“Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers”
STRANGER THINGS #101 10/07/15 (YELLOW)

We HEAR A LOW-END RUMBLE.

1.

Like the GROWL OF AN UNSEEN BEAST.

Superimpose titles:
NOVEMBER 6th, 1983
HAWKINS, INDIANA
1

EXT. HAWKINS - SKY - NIGHT 1
FADE UP on the night sky.

1

Dark clouds swallow the stars.

WE TILT DOWN to find an IMPOSING BUILDING, sitting alone in a
dense woods. Superimpose titles:
HAWKINS NATIONAL LABORATORY
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
2

INT. HAWKINS LABS - SUB-LEVEL CORRIDOR

2

We are now inside the laboratory... SLOWLY CREEPING down a
long windowless corridor toward a STEEL DOOR. Fluorescent
lights flicker... a SIREN WARBLES... And we continue to HEAR
that LOW-END RUMBLE...
We DRAW CLOSER to the door... and closer... and...
WHOOM!

THE DOOR EXPLODES OPEN.

A SCIENTIST staggers out.

THE HINGES SHRIEKING.

Terrified.

He sprints down the corridor.

Running for his life.

Faster, faster, faster -3

INT. HAWKINS LABS - SUB-LEVEL CORRIDOR & ELEVATOR
He rounds a corner.

3

Up ahead: a FREIGHT ELEVATOR.

He mashes the CALL BUTTON. As he waits for the elevator to
arrive, he keeps looking back over his shoulder... down that
long corridor. Terrified.
The elevator arrives.

The doors grind vertically open.

The scientist leaps inside. He hits the button for the top
floor. As he waits for the doors to close, he hears:
A STRANGE RUMBLING NOISE.

COMING FROM ABOVE HIM.

He looks up at the ceiling.

His eyes grow wide and --

(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
3

2.

CONTINUED:

3

WATCH THROUGH THE FLICKERING LIGHTS AS THE SCIENTIST IS
SUCKED UP TOWARD THE CEILING BY SOMETHING. HIS LEGS KICK
VIOLENTLY IN MID-AIR AND HE SCREAMS IN HORROR AND THEN -The elevator doors snap shut.
4

EXT. SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT
HISS!

4

LAWN SPRINKLERS kick on.

We are now in a 1980s SUBURBAN CUL-DE-SAC.
We HEAR the VOICE OF A YOUNG BOY.

Quiet.

Calm.

Dramatic, intense.

MIKE (V.O.)
Do you hear that? Listen...
We FOCUS on a TWO-STORY HOUSE at the end of the cul-de-sac.
The mailbox reads: "THE WHEELERS."
MIKE (V.O.)
... Something is coming...
something hungry for blood...
5

INT. WHEELER HOUSE - BASEMENT - NIGHT

5

A GROUP OF BOYS, 12 years old, play DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS.
They sit around a CARD TABLE. A GRID MAP is spread out on
the table before them, along with a nearly empty pizza box,
canned Cokes, and the all-important DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS
MONSTER MANUAL.
MIKE WHEELER, 12, is the "Dungeon Master" and de facto leader
of our group.
MIKE (CONT'D)
... A shadow grows on the wall
behind you... swallowing you in
darkness... it is almost here...
The other boys lean forward.

Riveted.

We survey them:

LUCAS SINCLAIR, 12, playing as a knight. He is very small
but his loud mouth more than makes up for it.
DUSTIN HENDERSON, 12, playing as a dwarf. He is the most
fearful -- and least confident -- of our group.
WILL BYERS, 12, playing as a wizard.
gentle, delicate.

He is soft-spoken,

(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/07/15 (YELLOW)
5

3.

CONTINUED:

5
WILL
... What is it?
DUSTIN
What if it's the Demogorgon? We're
in deep shit if it's the Demogorgon -LUCAS
It's not the Demogorgon --

Mike waits for them to settle down.

Then:

MIKE
An army of Troglodytes charge into
the chamber!
He slams SIX WINGED MINIATURES onto the map.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Their tails drum the floor.
Boom! Boom!

Boom!

DUSTIN
Troglodytes?!
Toldja.
Pfff.

LUCAS
DUSTIN

Mike looks over his shoulder.

His eyes grow wide.

MIKE
Wait... do you hear that? Boom!
Boom! BOOM! That sound... it
didn't come from the Troglodytes.
No. It came from something else...
Mike slams a LARGE TWO-HEADED MONSTER MINIATURE onto the map.
MIKE (CONT'D)
THE DEMOGORGON.
The boys stare.
DUSTIN
We're in deep shit.
MIKE
Will, your action.

(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/07/15 (YELLOW)
5

4.

CONTINUED: (2)
Will swallows.

5
God, he wishes it wasn't his turn.

WILL
I -- I don't know -LUCAS
Fireball him -WILL
I'd have to roll thirteen or higher -Too risky.

DUSTIN
Cast a protection spell --

LUCAS
Don't be a wimp!

Fireball him!

DUSTIN
Protection spell -- !
MIKE
The Demogorgon is tired of your
silly human bickering. It stomps
toward you. BOOM!
LUCAS
FIREBALL HIM WILL!
MIKE
Another step. BOOM!
DUSTIN
Cast protection!
MIKE
It roars in anger -LUCAS
Fireball -- !
And -FIREBALL!

DUSTIN
Protection -MIKE
WILL

Will rolls the dice. Too hard. The dice scatters to the
other side of the basement. It lands by the basement steps.
LUCAS
What is it?!
WILL
I don't know!
(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
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5.

CONTINUED: (3)

5

DUSTIN
Is it a thirteen?
WILL
I DON'T KNOW!
The boys scramble to look at the dice when -WHOOM! The basement door swings open. The boys look up to
find KAREN WHEELER, late 30s, Mike's mom, standing at the top
of the stairs.
MIKE
Mom, we're in the middle of a
campaign -KAREN
You mean the end.
She taps her watch.
KAREN (CONT'D)
Fifteen after.
6

INT. WHEELER HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

6

Mike chases his mom up out of the basement.
MIKE
Just twenty more minutes -KAREN
It's a school night, Michael, and I
just put Holly to bed. You can
finish next weekend -MIKE
That'll ruin the flow -Michael --

KAREN

MIKE
I'm serious, Mom! It took two
weeks to plan. How was I supposed
to know it'd take ten hours -- ?
KAREN
You've been playing ten hours?
Mike's dad, TED, 45, is watching TV. Or trying to. The
signal is terrible; a snowstorm of STATIC obscures the image.
He smacks the TV.
(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
6

6.

CONTINUED:

6
MIKE
Dad, don't you think -- ?
TED
(not even listening)
I think you should listen to your
mother. DAGGUM PIECE OF JUNK!

He smacks the TV again.
7

The static flares.

INT. WHEELER HOUSE - BASEMENT - NIGHT

7

Lucas, Dustin, and Will stuff belongings into backpacks.
WILL
Does the seven count?
LUCAS
(shit)
It was a seven?
Will nods.
LUCAS (CONT'D)
Did Mike see it?
Will shakes his head.
LUCAS (CONT'D)
Then it doesn't count.
The boys zip up their backpacks and race up the stairs.
Dustin holds up the pizza box.

Still one slice left.

DUSTIN
Hey guys -- anyone want this?!
No!

LUCAS/WILL

Dustin looks back at the pizza.
8

Considers.

INT. WHEELER HOUSE - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - NIGHT

8

Dustin heads upstairs, pizza box in arms. He walks up to a
bedroom door. Through a crack in the door, he sees...
NANCY WHEELER. This is Mike's sister, 16, girl-next-door
pretty. She is on her bed in pajamas, a phone in hand,
fingers twisting its cord, slender legs kicked in the air.

(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/07/15 (YELLOW)
8

7.

CONTINUED:

8
NANCY
I know, I know, but -- I don't
think so -- yeah, he's cute, but -Barb -- BARB! -- listen to me --

Dustin waves, getting her attention.

Holds up the pizza box.

DUSTIN
Hey Nancy, there's a slice left if
you want. Pepperoni and sausage -NANCY
(into phone)
Hold on -Nancy walks over and -SHUTS THE DOOR in Dustin's face.
9

EXT./INT. WHEELER GARAGE - NIGHT
WHOOM!

9

Dustin shuts the garage door behind him.

He's in the middle of eating the last pizza slice. The other
three boys are out here already: Lucas and Will are climbing
onto their bikes; Mike is seeing them off.
DUSTIN
(talking with mouth full)
Something's wrong with your sister.
MIKE
What're you talking about?
DUSTIN
She's got a stick up her butt -LUCAS
It's 'cause she's seeing that barf
bag, Steve Harrington -DUSTIN
Yeah, she's turning into a real
jerk.
MIKE
She's always been a real jerk -Dustin climbs onto his bike.
DUSTIN
Nu-uh. She used to be cool. Like
that time she dressed up as an elf
for our Eldertree campaign -(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
9

8.

CONTINUED:

9
MIKE
Four years ago!
DUSTIN
Just sayin'.

Dustin and Lucas bike off out of the garage.
Will lingers behind a second longer.

Turns back to Mike.

WILL
... It was a seven.
What?

MIKE

WILL
The roll. It was a seven.
Demogorgon -- it got me.
(shrugs)
See you tomorrow.

The

Will smiles at Mike, then bikes away, joining the others.
BZZZZZ.

The light in the garage flicks.

Strange.

Mike switches it off and heads back inside.
10

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT

10

The boys bike home. Their handlebar lights wink in the
night. And good thing, because it's very dark out here.
Lucas peels off from the group.
LUCAS
See ya, ladies.
DUSTIN
Kiss your mom 'night for me.
Lucas flips him the bird and bikes up a driveway towards a
TWO-STORY HOUSE. It looks almost identical to Mike's.
Will and Dustin bike on in silence for a beat, then:
DUSTIN (CONT'D)
Race to my place? Winner gets a
comic?
Any comic?

WILL

(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/07/15 (YELLOW)
10

CONTINUED:

10
Yeah --

DUSTIN

Will has heard enough.

He starts pedaling.

Fast.

DUSTIN (CONT'D)

Hey!

Dustin pedals in pursuit.
11

9.

But he's already behind.

And...

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - A FEW MINUTES LATER - NIGHT

11

Will whizzes past a house at the far end of neighborhood.
He waves at Dustin.

Now fifty yards back.

WILL
I'll take your "X-Men" one-threefour!
Dustin stops.

Out-of-breath.

DUSTIN
(really bummed)
... Man.
12

EXT. FOREST ROAD - LATER - NIGHT

12

Will is now biking along an empty forest road.

All alone.

He lives much further out than the rest of his friends. It
is even darker out here and quiet; unnervingly so. Only the
SOUND of CICADAS and a gentle breeze to keep him company.
He bikes past a LARGE METAL FENCE.

A warning sign reads:

HAWKINS NATIONAL LABORATORY.
RESTRICTED AREA. NO TRESPASSING.
His bike's headlight flickers. Will looks down at it. After
a beat, the light returns to normal. He looks back up and -A TALL FIGURE STANDS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.
Will yanks the handle bars -- loses control -He veers off the road -- explodes into -13

EXT. WOODS - CONTINUOUS

13

And CRASHES. Will flies off the bike. He skids, rolls, eats
dirt. As he lies there on the ground, gasping, he hears:
STRANGE GUTTURAL SOUNDS.

COMING FROM BEHIND HIM.
(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
13

10.

CONTINUED:

13

He pushes to his feet and turns to the sound. Foliage
shudders. The SOUNDS GROW. Something is coming.
Will abandons his bike -And runs.
14

EXT. BYERS HOUSE - NIGHT

14

Will bursts out of the woods.

Up ahead: his HOUSE.

It is small, one story, lower class, falling apart.
15

INT. BYERS HOUSE - NIGHT

15

Will slams the door shut behind him and bolts the lock.
A shaggy dog, CHESTER THE MUTT, races to greet him.
WILL
JONATHAN?!

MOM?!

He checks his MOM'S BEDROOM.
No one is home.
16

MOM?!
His BROTHER'S BEDROOM.

He is all alone.

INT. BYERS HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

16

Will scrambles back to the living room window.
He cups his hands to the glass and peers out into the yard.
It is dark.

Murky.

Quiet.

A gust of wind blows and...

Day-old laundry flutters on a clothes line to REVEAL...
THAT FIGURE AGAIN. JUST STANDING THERE AMONGST THE BILLOWING
LAUNDRY. WE CAN'T MAKE OUT ANY FEATURES, BUT ITS PROPORTIONS
SEEM... OFF. ITS HEAD IS TOO LARGE. ITS ARMS ARE TOO LONG.
ITS BODY IS SWOLLEN AND BENT IN A STRANGE, TWISTED SHAPE.
Another gust of wind.

The clothes flutters again and...

The Figure is gone.
Will pales.
17

His heart in his throat.

INT. BYERS HOUSE - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER - NIGHT
Will rips the phone receiver off the kitchen wall.
911. But -It does not ring.

17
Dials

Just hums with LOW-END STATIC.
(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
17

11.

CONTINUED:

17
Hello?!

WILL
HELLO -- ?!

Will pauses. He HEARS SOMETHING on the other line. But not
a voice... it is that GUTTURAL SOUND he heard in the woods.
The pitch rises and falls, making a series of strange sounds.
Words? It is as if the figure... whoever... whatever it
is... is somehow speaking to him through the phone receiver.
Behind him, Chester begins to GROWL at the front door.
Will lowers the phone.

And looks back at the door.

A SHADOW fills the crack at the base of the door.
And then somehow, impossibly, the chain bolt begins to slide
open, as if drawn by an invisible hand. The metal SHRIEKS.
Will drops the phone and -18

EXT. BYERS HOUSE - BACK YARD - NIGHT
WHOOM!

18

Will explodes out the back screen door.

He sprints into an OLD WOODEN SHED and -19

INT. BYERS SHED - MOMENTS LATER - NIGHT
WHAM!

He slams the shed doors behind him.

His eyes dart.

19
Breathing hard.

Searching for something.

The shed is cluttered and dark, lit only by a NAKED LIGHT
BULB, hanging from the ceiling. The bulb buzzes, flickers.
At last he spots it:
AN OLD REMINGTON RIFLE.

DUSTY.

HANGING ON A WALL MOUNT.

Will yanks it down, retrieves a few AMMO SHELLS from a work
bench, and loads the rifle as fast as he can, which isn't
very fast at all; he is so scared his hands sweat and shake.
Will finishes loading the rifle. He snaps the chamber shut
and aims it at the door. The rifle trembles in his hands.
While Will keeps his eyes trained on the door, we notice a
SHADOWED FIGURE SLOWLY RISE behind him.
Will senses movement.
He just stares.

Turns.

He doesn't fire.

Paralyzed by fear.

Shock.

He fights tears.
(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)

21

13.

EXT. HOPPER'S TRAILER - MORNING

21

Hopper steps out onto a decrepit porch.
He lights up a HAND-ROLLED CIGARETTE.

Drags on it.

His trailer is perched on the shore of a lake. It's a bit
lonely out here. But damn if it isn't beautiful.
Hop rubs his arms.
22

Getting cold.

Enough beauty for now.

INT. HOPPER'S TRAILER - BATHROOM - A LITTLE LATER - MORNING
- Hopper showers.

22

So tiny in here his body barely fits.

- Hopper studies his beard in the mirror.
Doesn't.

Considers shaving.

- Hopper pops open a PLASTIC VIAL labeled "TUINAL." He
shakes out two capsules. Red and blue. Scoops a mouthful of
water. Washes them down.
23

INT. HOPPER'S TRAILER - BEDROOM - A LITTLE LATER - MORNING

23

Hopper dresses. He yanks on a pair of brown pants... a
matching brown collared shirt... a belt with a holster... a
9MM GLOCK... a gray hat... and lastly, he clips on...
A GOLD BADGE.

It reads:
HAWKINS POLICE.

CHIEF.

Behind him, the TV continues to drones...
LOCAL NEWSWOMAN (ON TV)
... In other news, it seems like
you may want to stay in tonight -or pack an umbrella. Let's go now
to everyone's favorite morning
weatherman, Charles. Charles?
Hopper heads out the door.

The trailer door RATTLES shut.

24

OMITTED

24

25

EXT. BYERS HOUSE - MORNING

25

We TILT from the darkening sky to find the Byers house. The
laundry hangs. It billows a bit in the gathering wind...
A storm is coming...
26

INT. BYERS HOUSE - KITCHEN - MORNING

26

JONATHAN BYERS, 16, Will's older brother, cooks breakfast.
(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
26

14.

CONTINUED:

26

He is lanky with long hair. Quietly handsome... but he
wouldn't believe it if you told him.
JOYCE (O.S.)
Where the hell are they?!
His mom, JOYCE BYERS, late 30s, races past, frazzled.
wears a wrinkled "Melvald General Store" uniform.
Dammit!

She

JOYCE (CONT'D)

JONATHAN
Check the couch.
Joyce does.

She finds her keys under a cushion.

Thank God.

She snatches them up, gives Jonathan a quick peck on the
cheek, and races for the door, only to pause at the last
second, realizing something. She turns back to Jonathan.
-- Will?

JOYCE
Where's Will?

JONATHAN
Sleeping, I guess.
JOYCE
You gotta make sure he's up,
Jonathan, how many times -- ?
JONATHAN
I'm making breakfast -Joyce shakes her head. Irritated.
hallway. CLAPS HER hands.

She hurries down the

JOYCE
Will -- Will come on, get up.
Joyce throws open the door to Will's room.
27

It's empty.

INT. BYERS HOUSE - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
She strides back over to Jonathan.

27

Worried now.

JOYCE
He came home last night, right?
JONATHAN
He's not in his room?
JOYCE
He come home or not?
(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
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15.

CONTINUED:

27
JONATHAN
I don't know -JOYCE
You don't know?
JONATHAN
I got back late, I was working -JOYCE
You were working?
JONATHAN
Eric asked if I could cover for
him, I said yeah; I figured we
could use the cash -JOYCE
We talked about this -- I told you
not to take shifts on nights I'm
tending, I specifically told you -JONATHAN
He was over at the Wheelers' all
day. I'm sure he just stayed over.
JOYCE
I can't believe this.
JONATHAN
I'm sorry -JOYCE
I can't believe it.

Joyce grabs the kitchen wall phone.
28

Dials a number.

INT. WHEELER HOUSE - KITCHEN - MORNING - INTERCUT
A WALL PHONE RINGS at the Wheelers.

28

It is chaos over here.

Mike is grabbing syrup from a cabinet; Nancy is eating
scrambled eggs, HOLLY, 3, is crying; Ted is watching the
morning news; and now the phone is ringing. The fucking
phone.
Karen answers.

Holly squirms in her arms.

Hello?

KAREN

JOYCE
Karen -- it's Joyce.
(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
28

16.

CONTINUED:

28
KAREN
Joyce, hi --

Behind her, Mike pours syrup onto his scrambles eggs.
NANCY
That's disgusting.
MIKE
It's good, swear.
Mike squeezes some onto Nancy's eggs.
NANCY
WHAT THE HELL MIKE?!
TED
Hey, language!
Karen puts the phone on her shoulder.

She can't hear Joyce.

KAREN
(to kids)
QUIET!
(back to phone)
I'm sorry, one of those mornings -JOYCE
Was that Will I heard back there?
Will?

KAREN
No, no -- just Michael.

JOYCE
Will didn't spend the night?
KAREN
... No. He, he left here a little
after eight.
(worried now)
He's not home?
29

INT. BYERS HOUSE - MORNING

29

Joyce tries to hide her panic.
JOYCE
(into phone)
I -- I was working late last night.
I'm sure he just left early for
school. Thanks... thanks Karen -Joyce hangs up the phone.
(CONTINUED)

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29

CONTINUED:

29

She looks scared.
30

17.

And so does Jonathan.

EXT. HAWKINS MIDDLE SCHOOL - MORNING

30

Mike, Lucas, and Dustin ride their bikes past the high
school, making their way toward Hawkins Middle School -- a
quaint one-story brick building tucked beneath a WATER TOWER.
A31

EXT. MIDDLE SCHOOL - BACK - MORNING

A31

As the boys slot their wheels into bike racks, they look
around at all the kids streaming in. Looking for Will.
MIKE
... I don't see him.

Weird.

LUCAS
I'm telling you: his mom's right,
he just went to class early again -DUSTIN
Yeah -- he's always paranoid
Gursky's gonna give him a pop quiz.
Mike nods.

Feeling better.
TROY (O.S.)
Step right up, ladies and
gentlemen! Step right up and get
your tickets for the freak show!

The boys look to find two kids, JAMES and TROY, 14, headed
toward them. Our boys don't run... they just stand there
like statues. This is clearly a regular occurrence, and this
is how they deal with it: with passivity.
Troy sizes them up.
TROY (CONT'D)
Who do you think would make more
money at a freak show: "Frogface,"
"Midnight," or "Toothless?"
JAMES
Ooof. Tough call, tough call.
(eyes Dustin)
I'd go with Toothless.
DUSTIN
My teeth are coming in, I told you
a million times, it's called
cleidocranial dysplasia --

(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/07/15 (YELLOW)
A31

18.

CONTINUED:

A31
JAMES
(mocking lisp)
I told you a million times -TROY
Do the arm thing.

Dustin hesitates.
JAMES
Do it, freak.
Dustin sighs, relents. He pulls his arms across his body.
Because Dustin has no collar bones, his arms stretch all the
way across.
The bullies share disgusted looks, shiver...
TROY
Gets me every time!

Every time!

They shove past our boys and head into the school, laughing.
LUCAS
(under breath)
Numbskulls.
MIKE
(to Dustin)
... I think it's cool. It's like a
superpower or something. Like
Mr. Fantastic.
DUSTIN
Yeah, except I can't fight evil
with it.
The boys pull on their backpacks and head to school.
31

EXT. HAWKINS HIGH SCHOOL - MORNING

31

Nancy heads into the high school.
32

INT. HIGH SCHOOL - HALLWAY - MORNING

32

Nancy wades through a bustling hallway.
BARBARA, 16, her best friend, a bit dorky, catches up.
So?

BARBARA
Did he call?

NANCY
Keep your voice down -(CONTINUED)

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32

19.

CONTINUED:

32
Did he?

BARBARA

Nancy shakes her head.

Walks up to her locker.

NANCY
I told you, it's not like that.
Barbara shoots her a look.
NANCY (CONT'D)
Okay, I mean, yes, fine, he likes
me, you know, but not like that -(lowers voice)
We just made out a couple times.
BARBARA
(mocking)
"We just made out a couple times."
Jesus, you're gonna be so cool now
it's ridiculous -NANCY
No I'm not!
BARBARA
You better still hang out with me,
that's all I'm saying. If you become
friends with Carol and Tommy H -NANCY
Gross. And I'm telling you, this
was just a one-time -(off Barbara)
-- two-time thing, alright?
Nancy silences. There is a FOLDED NOTE taped to the inside
her locker, addressed "NANCY." She opens it. It reads:
MEET ME.

BATHROOM.

Nancy looks up at Barbara.

STEVE.

Speechless.

BARBARA
You were saying?
33

INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GIRLS' BATHROOM - MORNING

33

Nancy is now full on MAKING OUT with -STEVE HARRINGTON, 17, wealthy, athletic, charm to spare.
Their make-out session gets more and more intense when --

(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
33

20.

CONTINUED:

33

THE BELL RINGS. Nancy crashes back to reality.
away from Steve. Her cheeks are flushed.

She pulls

NANCY
Okay -- I -- I have to go -STEVE
One more minute -Steve kisses her again.
Steve --

Nancy gives in for a bit, but...

NANCY

STEVE
(between kissing)
Yeah -NANCY
I really -(kiss)
-- like, seriously --(kiss)
-- have to go -She finally tears away from him.

Pulls on her backpack.

STEVE
Let's do something tonight, yeah?
NANCY
I-I can't -- I have to study.
Kaminsky's chem test --

For

STEVE
What's your GPA again? Three-pointninenineineninenine-- ?
NANCY
Kaminsky's tests are impossible -STEVE
So let me help -NANCY
You failed chem.
C-minus.

STEVE

NANCY
Oh, well, in that case...

(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/07/15 (YELLOW)
33

21.

CONTINUED: (2)

33

STEVE
So should I come over, say, eight?
NANCY
Uh, are you crazy? My mom won't
allow that, no way -STEVE
Who says she needs to "allow"
anything? I'll just climb through
your window -- she won't even know
I'm there. I'm stealthy -- like a
ninja.
NANCY
You are crazy.
STEVE
Okay, okay, forget your place -we'll just chill in my car, find a
nice quiet place to park -NANCY
Steve, I have to study -- I'm not
kidding.
STEVE
Why do you think I want it nice and
quiet?
Nancy can't help but smile.
NANCY
You're an idiot, Steve Harrington.
Nancy heads for the door.

At the last second:

NANCY (CONT'D)
I'll meet you at Dearborn and
Maple. At eight. To study.
With that -- she's out.
Steve gives a victorious karate chop!
34

EXT. HAWKINS POLICE STATION - MORNING

34

An American flag flutters on a flagpole.
We are outside the LOCAL POLICE STATION. It is quaint.
in, really quaint. If the sign out front didn't read
"POLICE", you'd probably mistake it for a gift shop.
Hopper's CHEVY BLAZER POLICE CAR pulls into the lot.

As

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)

A35

22.

INT. POLICE STATION - ENTRANCE - MORNING
Hopper lumbers inside.

A35

Smoking a cigarette.

His secretary, FLORENCE, 61, sits behind a glass partition.
FLORENCE
Good of you to show -HOPPER
Mornin' to you too, Flo.
Hopper heads straight into -35

INT. POLICE STATION - BULLPEN - MORNING

35

He makes a beeline for the coffee machine.
OFFICER CALLAHAN and OFFICER POWELL look up from a game of
five-card draw, their boots kicked up on their desks.
The mood here is casual, to say the least.
OFFICER CALLAHAN
You look like hell, Chief.
HOPPER
Your wife looked worse when I left
her.
Powell cackles at this.

Burn!

Hopper begins to make himself a cup of coffee. Florence
walks up to Hopper, yanks the cigarette out of his mouth, and
snubs it out.
FLORENCE
While you were drinking or sleeping
or whatever it is you deem so
important on Monday mornings, Phil
Larson called, said some kids stole
the gnomes out of his garden again -HOPPER
Gnomes again, huh? Yeah, tell Phil
I'll get right on that.
Hopper heads back through the bullpen with his coffee.
He's already lighting up another cigarette.
Florence nips at his heels.

(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
35

23.

CONTINUED:

35
FLORENCE
A more pressing matter -- Joyce
Byers can't find her son this
morning -HOPPER
Yeah, alright, I'll give her a
call. Just give me a minute -FLORENCE
Chief, Joyce is very upset and -HOPPER
What have we talked about? Morning
is a time for contemplation and
coffee.
FLORENCE
Chief, she's -HOPPER
Contemplation. And coffee.

Hopper heads up to the second floor.
A36

INT. POLICE STATION - UPSTAIRS - MORNING
He crashes to a stop.

Almost spilling his coffee.

A36
Shit.

REVERSE ANGLE:
Joyce is already in his office.
She looks back at him.
36

Not happy.

INT. POLICE STATION - HOPPER'S OFFICE - MORNING
WHAP! WHAP!
report.

WHAP!

36

Type-hammers slam ink onto a police

A single, ominous word forms one letter at a time: "MISSING."
Hopper looks up from the typewriter. He now has on a pair of
READING GLASSES, which lend him a more earnest look. His
desk, however, shatters the illusion: it's cluttered with
papers and mugs and candy wrappers, like the desk of a child.
Joyce paces. Dragging on a cigarette.
far out she might just fall right off.

She's on edge.

So

JOYCE
I've been waiting an hour --

(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/07/15 (YELLOW)
36

24.

CONTINUED:

36
HOPPER
And I apologize again -JOYCE
-- AN HOUR -HOPPER
I understand. But a boy his age,
most likely he's playing hookey -JOYCE
Not my Will, no. He wouldn't do
that. He's not like that -HOPPER
You never know. My mother thought
I was on the debate team, when
really I was screwing Chrissy
Carpenter in the back of my dad's
boat -JOYCE
Will's not like you. He's not like
me. He's not like most.

She's takes another drag on her cigarette.

Fights tears.

JOYCE (CONT'D)
He's got a couple of friends. But
everyone else, they -- they make
fun of him. Call him names, laugh
at him, his clothes -HOPPER
His clothes? What's wrong with his
clothes?
JOYCE
I-I don't know. Does it matter?
Maybe.

HOPPER

Joyce takes another drag.
JOYCE
Lonnie... Lonnie always said he was
queer -Is he?

HOPPER

JOYCE
He's missing. That's what he is.
(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
36

25.

CONTINUED: (2)

36

Hopper scratches his stubble.
HOPPER
You hear from Lonnie lately?
Joyce hesitates.

This is an uncomfortable subject.

JOYCE
He was in Indianapolis last I
heard. That was about a year ago.
But he's got nothing to do with
this.
Hopper rummages around his desk.

Unearths a pen and a pad.

HOPPER
What's his number?
JOYCE
I told you, he's got nothin' to do
with this -HOPPER
Kid goes missing, ninety-nine times
outta a hundred the kid's with a
parent or relative -JOYCE
What about the other time?
What?

HOPPER

JOYCE
You said "ninety-nine outta a
hundred." What about the other
time? The one.
Hopper removes his reading glasses.

Leans forward.

HOPPER
This is Hawkins, Joyce. In four
years, you know the worst thing
I've seen? You know what it was?
(beat)
When that owl attacked Eleanor
Gillepsie. Thought her hair was a
nest. I mean -- it does look like
a nest, doesn't it? All that
frizz?
Hopper chuckles at the memory.
Joyce begins to relax a little.

Trying to lighten the mood.
But only a little.
(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/19/15 (GREEN)
36

26.

CONTINUED: (3)

36

JOYCE
I'll call Lonnie. He'll talk to me
before he talks to a --- pig?
Cop.

HOPPER
JOYCE

Joyce sits down. She snuffs her cigarette in an ashtray.
Then she looks back up at Hopper. Her eyes are bloodshot.
Glassy.
JOYCE (CONT'D)
Find my son, Hop. Find him.
Hopper takes this in. All at once he feels burdened with a
responsibility he doesn't want. He finds his composure,
nudges his glasses back on his nose, and resumes typing.
Hammer type SLAMS paper.
A37

WHAP!

WHAP!

WHAP!

EXT. HAWKINS LABS - DAY

A37

Black, unmarked sedans accelerate up to the entrance.
They slam to a stop and -37
&
38

OMITTED

37
&
38

39

INT. HAWKINS LABS - CORRIDOR - DAY

39

WHAP!

WHAP!

WHAP!

Shoes drum on linoleum as...

DR. MARTIN BRENNER, 40s, leads a group of NSA AGENTS through
the corridors of the lab. Dr. Brenner wears a casual suit,
loose tie, stubble. He clearly hasn't slept in some time.
All around them -- chaos.

Scientists whipping to and fro.

SCIENTIST #1 turns to the LEAD AGENT.
SCIENTIST #1
We've evacuated the east wing -sealed it off, following quarantine
protocol -They arrive at a PLASTIC QUARANTINE DOOR.
Brenner ZIPS open the plastic door and --

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/19/15 (GREEN)

40

27.

INT. HAWKINS LABS - PREPARATION ROOM

40

A SERIES of very quick, very CLOSE SHOTS as -Dr. Brenner, Scientist #1, the agents, and a TRIO OF SOLDIERS
silently dress into HAZMAT SUITS. They secure hoods.
Gloves. Boots.
PRE-LAP: THE SOUND OF GROANING METAL.
41

INT. HAWKINS LABS - FREIGHT ELEVATOR

41

The freight elevator GROANS and SHUDDERS as it carries...
Dr. Brenner, Scientist #1, the agents, the soldiers down into
the bowels of the labs. The soldiers are armed with M16style rifles with barrel-mounted flashlights.
The Lead Agent looks up at the ceiling, uneasy, and...
42

INT. HAWKINS LABS - SUB-LEVEL CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS
WHOOM!

The elevator CRASHES to a halt.

42

The doors open.

The group exits into the dark corridor.
A43

INT. HAWKINS LABS - SUB-LEVEL CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS

A43

They retrace the path of the scientist in the opening scene.
As their flashlights sweep around, we see that a few things
have changed since our last visit: The fluorescent lights are
now completely dead. The atmosphere is dense, clouded in a
white fog... spore-like particles dance in the air... there
are cracks in the cement... It's like this place is... dying.
43

INT. HAWKINS LABS - MAIN LABORATORY
The group of men enter the lab.

43

Sweep the area.

It's a total nightmare in here. FLESHY MOLD-LIKE GROWTHS
cling to the walls, and the atmosphere is even denser, making
it difficult to see.
SCIENTIST #1
Doctor Shepherd and Doctor Braun
were over there, Doctor Wilkins and
Doctor Manning over there...
He motions at an OBSERVATION WINDOW.

(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/19/15 (GREEN)
43

28.

CONTINUED:

43
SCIENTIST #1 (CONT'D)
... myself and Doctor Brenner were
observing.

Lead Agent's flashlight cuts through fog, illuminates...
THE FAR WALL. This is the beating heart of this subterranean
nightmare. Fleshy mold-like growths smother the entire wall,
alive, wet, throbbing. In the center of this growth, there is
what appears to be a TWELVE-FOOT-DIAMETER OPENING. This is...
THE RIFT.

IT UNDULATES.

ALMOST BREATHING.

ALIVE.

HEAVY BREATHING through gas masks as our men take in this
extraordinary sight.
AGENT #1
... This is where it came from?
Dr. Brenner nods.
LEAD AGENT
(to Dr. Brenner)
And the girl...?
DR. BRENNER
She can't have gone far.
We CUT TO A WIDE SHOT of our men staring at this rift.
then, slowly, we DOLLY TOWARD...
AN UPRIGHT ISOLATION TANK.
It's filled with water.

And

It has a clear viewing window.

But no one's in there.

Not anymore.

44

OMITTED

44

45

EXT. BENNY'S BURGERS AND ICE CREAM - DAY

45

CLOSE ON: Two bare feet.

Stepping onto grass.

WIDEN TO REVEAL: A YOUNG GIRL, 12, standing outside a forest.
She makes an immediate impression on us: Her hair is buzzed
close to the scalp. Her feet are bare. Her skin is pale.
She wears a tattered white hospital gown spattered with MUD.
She is more like a wild animal than a child.
She stares at a RUN-DOWN RESTAURANT.

A sign reads:

"BENNY'S BURGERS AND ICE CREAM."
The side screen door swings open and...
(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
45

29.

CONTINUED:

45

BENNY HAMMOND, late 40s, lumbers out carrying a TRASH BAG.
He has sleeve tattoos, a greasy apron wrapped around his
waist.
The Young Girl watches him closely as...
He dumps out the trash, then heads back inside.
46

INT. BENNY'S BURGERS - STORAGE ROOM - DAY

46

The Young Girl sneaks through the side screen door.
She creeps forward into...
47

OMITTED

47

A48

INT. BENNY'S BURGERS - DINING ROOM - DAY

A48

She stops and watches very intently as, in the dining room,
Benny drops a plate of burgers and fries off at...
A table of CHAIN-SMOKING REGULARS, including one we'll get to
know as EARL.
EARL
Benny, how about Kellogg last
night? Who-ee -BENNY
Oh yeah, oh yeah -EARL
He's gonna win us the championship,
I just know -BENNY
Eh, if we hadn't traded English -EARL
Don't get me started on that, too
damn early -As their idle sports talk continues (see Appendix #2)...
48

INT. BENNY'S BURGERS - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER - DAY

48

The Young Girl sneaks into the kitchen.
She steps up to a PAN OF FRENCH FRIES. She reaches in and
picks one up. It's almost... like she's never seen a french
fry in her life.
She tries it.

Loves it.

She starts to eat more when -(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
48

30.

CONTINUED:

48
HEY -- !

BENNY

She snaps back around -Benny is headed back into the kitchen.
She grabs up the PAN OF FRENCH FIRES and sprints out of the
kitchen. She blows through the swinging doors -A49

INT. BENNY'S BURGERS - DINING ROOM

A49

... sprints through the dining room...
B49

INT. BENNY'S BURGERS - STORAGE ROOM - DAY

B49

... and races as fast as she can for the back door!
But a split second before she reaches the door -WHAAM!

Benny catches her.

The french fries go SCATTERING across the floor.
Benny whirls her around.
BENNY
Think you can steal from me, boy?
The Girl writhes in his arms, trying to tear free but -Benny holds her tight. But his expression softens as he
realizes that this is no boy at all. It's also not a girl
either, not exactly, at least not like any he has ever seen.
BENNY (CONT'D)
... What in the hell?
Finally the Girl stops struggling.
She locks eyes with Benny.

Breathing hard.

And...

49

OMITTED

49

50

INT. MIDDLE SCHOOL - MR. CLARKE'S SCIENCE CLASS - DAY

50

EEEEEEE!

A BELL BLARES and CHAOS REIGNS as...

A SWARM OF MIDDLE SCHOOLERS grab up their books and backpacks
and hurry out of class, talking loudly amongst themselves.
Their teacher, MR. CLARKE, 30s, calls after them:

(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
50

31.

CONTINUED:

50
MR. CLARKE
Remember: Finish Chapter Twelve,
and answer twelve-point-three on
the difference between an
experiment and other forms of
science investigation --

Mr. Clarke silences as he realizes he's talking to no one -everybody is gone. Well, that is, almost everybody.
MIKE (O.S.)
Did it come?
Lucas, Mike, and Dustin gather excitedly by his desk.
Mr. Clarke hesitates.

Gives the boys a sad look.

MR. CLARKE
Sorry, boys, I hate to be the
bearer of bad news, but...
(beat)
It came.
51

INT. MIDDLE SCHOOL - A.V. CLUB ROOM - DAY
The door to the A.V.

51

Club bursts open.

Our boys race inside.

Mr. Clarke follows close behind.

MR. CLARKE
The Heathkit ham shack.
a beaut?

Ain't she

A BRAND-NEW HAM RADIO sits on a desk amidst a pile of older
equipment. The boys examine it with wide, expectant eyes.
DUSTIN
I bet you can talk to New York on
this thing -MR. CLARKE
Think bigger -LUCAS
California -- ?
Bigger.
Australia?
Another nod.

MR. CLARKE
MIKE

Holllly shit.
(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
51

32.

CONTINUED:

51
LUCAS
Oh man. When Will sees this he's
going to totally lose his shit -Lucas -Sorry.

MR. CLARKE
LUCAS

The boys sits down by the radio. As Lucas starts to work the
dials, Mike grabs up the transceiver, practices:
MIKE
(bad Australian accent)
'Ello, this is Mike Wheeler,
President of Hawkins Middle A.V.
Club -Dustin takes the receiver.

His turn.

DUSTIN
(worse Australian accent)
'Ello, this is Dustin Henderson,
Secretary and Treasurer of Hawkins
Middle A.V. Club -- Do you eat
kangaroos for breakfast -- ?
A SHARP KNOCKING SOUND interrupts the fun.

Mr. Clarke turns.

The PRINCIPAL is in the doorway.
MIDDLE-SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Sorry to interrupt... but may I
borrow Michael, Lucas, and Dustin?
Chief Hopper and Officer Callahan now step into view.
Off Mike, Lucas, and Dustin, expressions darkening.
HOPPER (PRE-LAP)
... So you were... racing?
52

INT. MIDDLE SCHOOL - PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - DAY

52

Our three boys are now scrunched together on a couch.
Hopper and Callahan sit opposite.
DUSTIN
It was me and him, actually -LUCAS
My house is the first up -(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/07/15 (YELLOW)
52

33.

CONTINUED:

52
MIKE
He takes Mirkwood home -DUSTIN
We were racing on a bet and -HOPPER
Whoa, whoa, whoa. One at a time.
(points at Mike)
You. You said he takes... what?
Mirkwood.

MIKE

HOPPER
"Mirkwood?"
(to Callahan)
You ever hear of a "Mirkwood?"
OFFICER CALLAHAN
Sounds made-up.
LUCAS
It's from "Lord of the Rings" -DUSTIN
"The Hobbit" -LUCAS
It doesn't matter -- !
DUSTIN
He asked -- !
HOPPER
Hey! What'd I just say?
damn time.

One at a

He points at Mike.
You.

HOPPER (CONT'D)

MIKE
Mirkwood. It's a real road. It's
just the name that's made-up -HOPPER
What's its real name?
MIKE
I don't know. It's where
Cornwallis and Kerley meet.
(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
54

35.

CONTINUED:

54

Her gown has been replaced with a "BENNY'S BURGERS AND ICE
CREAM" T-shirt. It droops to her knees like a dress.
The Girl snatches up the burger and begin to devour it.
BENNY
Your parents forget to feed you?
The Girl doesn't respond.

Just keeps eating.

BENNY (CONT'D)
That why you ran away?
Still nothing.
BENNY (CONT'D)
They... hurt you?
Nothing.
BENNY (CONT'D)
And... you went to the hospital,
that it? But you got scared, ran
off, found your way here?
The Girl finally looks up at Benny. Has he hit close to the
mark? It seems like she is finally going to speak, but then
she returns to eating her burger.
Benny has no choice -- he yanks away the plate.
The Girl looks up at him, confused.
BENNY (CONT'D)
I'll give it back, you can have as
much as you like, maybe even some
ice cream; but first, you gotta
answer a few 'a my questions. We
got a deal?
No response.
BENNY (CONT'D)
We'll start easy. My name's Benny.
Benny Hammond.
He holds out his hand.

Wraps it around her tiny hand.

BENNY (CONT'D)
Nice to meet ya. And you are...?
Still no response. Benny sighs. He starts to withdraw his
hand when he notices a SMALL TATTOO on the inside of her
lower left wrist. It reads in simple black lettering: 011.
(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
54

36.

CONTINUED: (2)

54

"Eleven"?

BENNY (CONT'D)

The Young Girl yanks her hand away.
BENNY (CONT'D)
What's that mean?
No.

YOUNG GIRL

BENNY
Well I'll be damned. She speaks.
(beat, considers)
No? No what?
Still nothing.
BENNY (CONT'D)
Alright, guess "no" more food then.
Benny starts to walks with her plate when:
YOUNG GIRL
... Eleven.
Benny turns back around.
Eleven.

BENNY
Yeah. What's it mean?

The Young Girl points to herself.
Eleven.
55

We'll now know her as:

YOUNG GIRL/ELEVEN

INT. BENNY'S BURGERS - KITCHEN - DAY

55

CLOSE ON: A PHONE BOOK OPEN TO THE SOCIAL SERVICES PAGE.
Benny is now on a corded phone in the kitchen.

Voice hushed.

BENNY
... All I know is, poor thing's
scared to death... confused...
(beat)
I think she's been abused or
kidnapped or somethin'.
(beat)
It's 4819 Randolph Lane. Randolph,
right.
(beat, starts to spell)
R-A-N -(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
55

37.

CONTINUED:

55

As Benny continues to talk (see Appendix #3), we return to...
56

INT. BENNY'S BURGERS - DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

56

Where "Eleven" is finishing off her fries. She becomes aware
of a soft, HIGH-PITCHED NOISE. Eeeee. Eeee. Eeee. She
looks up. It's an old and rusty OSCILLATING METAL FAN. It
SQUEAKS with every turn. Eeeee. Eeee. Eeeee.
It is incessant.

Annoying.

The fan and the blades stop.
Eleven looks away.

Eleven narrows her eyes and -Like they somehow froze.

Content now.

She continues eating her fries.
57

EXT. FOREST ROAD - DAY
WHOOSH!

57

TWO POLICE CARS speed down the road.

58

OMITTED

58

59

EXT. WOODS - MIRKWOOD SHORTCUT - MINUTES LATER - DAY

59

Hopper trudges down the road, searching for signs of Will.
Behind him, we can see Callahan and Powell.

They call out:

OFFICER CALLAHAN
Will Byers?! WILL BYERS?!
WILL -- ?!

OFFICER POWELL

Hopper pulls a vial out of his pocket. Pops two more of
those red-and-blue pills. And... his eyes narrow. Noticing
something off the side of the road.
60

EXT. WOODS - DAY

60

Hopper heads into the woods.
Powell:

Calls out to Callahan and

HOPPER
Hey, I got something here.
Hop kneels down by...
WILL'S BICYCLE.

Brushes away some leaves.

Callahan and Powell race over to him.

(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
60

38.

CONTINUED:

60
OFFICER CALLAHAN
That his bike, Chief?

Hopper nods.

Notes some SCRAPED BARK.

HOPPER
Looks like he crashed.
OFFICER CALLAHAN
Maybe he got hurt in the fall.
Hopper looks back to the road.

Squints in the sun.

HOPPER
Not so hurt he couldn't make it
home. And a bike to these kids...
that's like a Cadillac. Doesn't
make sense he'd leave it out here.
(beat)
He'd walk it home.
A beat.

Then:
HOPPER (CONT'D)
He was in hurry.

A61

EXT. HAWKINS LABS - DAY

A61

ZOOM IN on a LARGE RADAR DISH.
B61

INT. HAWKINS LABS - RADIO MONITORING ROOM

B61

We SLOWLY DOLLY DOWN A LINE of a HALF-DOZEN AGENTS. They are
seated before bulky radio equipment, all wearing headphones.
As we pass each agent, we can HEAR SNIPPETS of what they're
listening to... (see Appendix #4)
PARENT VOICE
(filtered)
... going to the store...
TEACHER VOICE
(filtered)
... be home by...
OFFICE WORKER VOICE
(filtered)
... meeting with Tom in ten...
And it hits us: they're listening in on the town.

Spying.

We land on the last agent in the line.
(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
B61

39.

CONTINUED:

B61

He's listening to a familiar voice:
Lonnie.

JOYCE'S VOICE (OVER PHONE)
It's Joyce --

CYNTHIA'S VOICE (OVER PHONE)
Lonnie isn't here right now -61

INT. BYERS HOUSE - KITCHEN - AFTERNOON
Joyce is on the phone. Pacing.
cigarette. (See Appendix #5)

61

Dragging hard on a

JOYCE
Who is this? Cynthia? This is
Joyce -- Joyce, Lonnie's ex-wife.
I need to speak to him -- This is
an emergency... no, not later, now
bitch -CLICK.

The phone goes dead.

Joyce burns with anger.

IN THE LIVING ROOM, Jonathan works on a MISSING PERSON
POSTER.
JONATHAN
Mom, you need to stay calm.
I'm calm.

JOYCE

She hangs up, dials the number again.
But this time no one answers.

The phone RINGS.

It goes to message.

LONNIE'S VOICE (OVER PHONE)
(filtered)
Hey, you've reached Lonnie, I'm not
here at the moment but...
Joyce's rage rises and rises and... BEEP.

Her turn.

JOYCE
Lonnie, some teenage whore just
hung up on me. You don't call me
back in the next hour I'll report
you for not paying child support I
swear to God I will and I'll make
sure you rot in jail where you
belong -WHAM!

Joyce slams the phone down.

(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
61

40.

CONTINUED:

61
Mom.
What?

JONATHAN
JOYCE

And that's when we realize: Jonathan isn't looking at her.
He's looking out the window.
Cops.
62

JONATHAN

EXT. BYERS HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER - AFTERNOON
Joyce explodes out onto the porch.

62

Jonathan follows.

It's...

Hopper and the officers, parking in the driveway.
As Hop exits, he pulls Will's bike out of the back.
Joyce and Jonathan fight panic and -63

INT. BYERS HOUSE - VARIOUS - LATER - AFTERNOON

63

Hopper and his officers search the Byers' house.
Joyce and Jonathan trail.

On edge.

JOYCE
And it was just sitting there -- ?
Yes --

HOPPER

JOYCE
Was there any blood or -- ?
No --

HOPPER

JONATHAN
If you found his bike out there,
why're you here?
HOPPER
He's got a key to the house?
Yeah --

JONATHAN

HOPPER
So maybe he came back here.
(CONTINUED)

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63

41.

CONTINUED:

63
JOYCE
So -- what? You think I haven't
checked my own house -- ?!
HOPPER
Never said you didn't.

Hopper inspects the back door. The adjacent wall is dented,
the paint chipped. He opens the door: its handle aligns with
the damaged wall. Someone threw it open. Hard.
HOPPER (CONT'D)
This always here?
JOYCE
Probably. I got two boys.
this place --

Look at

HOPPER
But you're not sure?
Joyce hesitates.
WHIMPERING.
64

Not sure.

Suddenly they HEAR --

COMING FROM THE BACK.

EXT. BYERS HOUSE - BACK YARD - AFTERNOON

64

Hopper and Joyce step outside onto the porch.
They find Chester pacing in front of the shed.

WHIMPERING.

HOPPER
This normal?
JOYCE
Just hungry, I'm sure.

Come on...

Joyce leads Chester back to the house by his collar.

A65

But Hopper doesn't follow.

Not yet.

His eyes turn to the shed.

As...

INT. BYERS HOUSE - JONATHAN'S ROOM - DAY

A65

Callahan and Powell inspect Jonathan's room.
Jonathan watches them, arms crossed.
JONATHAN
What're you looking for exactly?
They ignore him.

Powell checks under the bed.

Nothing.
(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/07/15 (YELLOW)
A65

42.

CONTINUED:

A65

Callahan eyes an "EVIL DEAD" poster on the wall.
OFFICER CALLAHAN
What's going on there?
JONATHAN
The tree's possessed.
going inside her.

It's...

OFFICER CALLAHAN
Yeeeeeeesh.
OFFICER POWELL
Hey kid, you got some water or
juice or something? Dying here.
Jonathan nods.

Exits.

Callahan exhales.

Looks at Powell.

OFFICER CALLAHAN
You see that?
See what?

OFFICER POWELL

OFFICER CALLAHAN
Suspect number one. Am I right?
Off Powell...
65

INT. BYERS SHED - AFTERNOON
EEEEEEE.

65

Wood GROANS as...

Hopper heads into the shed.
Hop flips a light switch.

Still dark in here.

The naked light bulb hums to life.

He walks up to the rifle wall mount. The rifle is, of
course, missing. He inspects the mount. There are
fingerprints in the dust. Someone was here... recently.
BZZZZ!

THE LIGHT BULB BEGINS TO FLICKER.

Hopper turns and looks up at the light. It fluctuates,
growing bright, then dim, then bright, then dim, then -WHOOM.

THE LIGHT CUTS OUT.

LEAVING US IN DARKNESS.

WE HEAR A FAINT GUTTURAL SOUND.
Hopper looks around.

LIKE SOME KIND OF GROWL.

'The hell is that coming from?
(CONTINUED)

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65

43.

CONTINUED:

65
HOPPER
That you, buddy? You hungry?

Hop removes a flashlight from his utility belt, clicks it on,
and slowly sweeps its beam across the darkness. He makes out
nothing. But that sound, whatever the hell it is, persists.
Gets louder.

Louder.

LOUDER STILL.

And then --

The beam illuminates an APPROACHING FIGURE.
Hop reaches for his gun, but -Officer Callahan steps into the light.
You deaf?

OFFICER CALLAHAN
I've been callin' you.

Hopper looks back at the light bulb. It flickers back to
life. Returning to 48 Watts. Strange.
Hop shakes it off and -66

EXT. BYERS HOUSE - BACK YARD - AFTERNOON
Hopper strides to the Byers house.

66

Moving fast.

Callahan struggles to keep up...
OFFICER CALLAHAN
You sure you're alright, Chief?
HOPPER
I want you to call Florence, have
her get a search party together, as
many volunteers as she can muster,
flashlights too -OFFICER CALLAHAN
Think we got a problem here?
Hopper doesn't answer.
He heads inside.
67

Uncertain.

The door slaps shut.

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT 2
HISS!

A sprinkler kicks on.

67
Night in the suburbs again.

MIKE (PRE-LAP)
We should be out there right now.
We should be helping look for him.

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)

68

44.

INT. WHEELER HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

68

The Wheeler family is seated at the dining table.
A home-cooked meal is before them.
KAREN
We've been over this.
said --

But Mike isn't eating.

The chief

MIKE
I don't care what the chief said.
Michael --

KAREN

MIKE
He's not even real police, Mom. We
have to do something -- Will could
be in danger!
KAREN
More reason to stay put.
Mom --

MIKE

KAREN
End of discussion.
Mike looks away, upset. The family resumes eating in
silence. Or, rather, some of them do. Nancy just moves her
food around with a fork. Then, in as casual a tone as she
can summon:
NANCY
So... me and Barb... we're gonna
study for the chemistry test at her
house tonight. That's cool, right?
Karen looks up from her meal.
No.

KAREN
Not cool.

What?

NANCY
Why not?

KAREN
Why do you think? Am I speaking
Chinese in this house? Until we
know Will's okay, no one leaves.

(CONTINUED)

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68

45.

CONTINUED:

68
NANCY
So we're under house arrest?
KAREN
Don't be dramatic, Nancy.
NANCY
This is such bullshit!
Language!

TED

NANCY
Barb lives two minutes away, just
because Mike's friend got lost on
his way home -MIKE
This is Will's fault -- ?!
KAREN
Nancy, take that back -No!

NANCY

MIKE
You're just pissed because you
wanna hang out with Steve -Steve?

TED

KAREN
Who is Steve?
MIKE
Her new boyfriend -NANCY
YOU'RE SUCH A DOUCHE MIKE -TED
LANGUAGE!!!
Nancy shoves out of her chair.
Nancy!

KAREN
Come back!

Storms off.
NANCY!

But Nancy is already bounding up the stairs to her bedroom.
Karen wants to follow her but can't; the argument has caused
Holly to cry. Karen picks her up and rocks her in her arms.
(CONTINUED)

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68

46.

CONTINUED: (2)

68

KAREN (CONT'D)
There, there, shhhh...
TED
See, Michael: This is what happens.
MIKE
What happens when what? I'm the
only one acting normal here -- I'm
the only who cares about Will!
Ted takes a bite out of a chicken drum.
TED
That's not fair, Michael.

Chews.

We care.

Mike stares at his dad. He can't take his apathy, not
tonight. He stands up from the table and hurries off.
Holly cries louder.

Ted continues to chew.

Karen shoots daggers at him.
KAREN
I hope you're enjoying your
chicken, Ted.
She carries Holly out of the room.
69

EXT. WOODS - NIGHT

69

A constellation of flashlights glimmer in the night.
Over two dozen SEARCH AND RESCUE VOLUNTEERS are scouring the
woods for Will. They wear orange vests, grave expressions.
We FIND Hopper.

Mr. Clarke walks at his side.

MR. CLARKE
He's a good student.
Hopper turns.

Surprised this man is speaking to him.

HOPPER
What's that?
MR. CLARKE
Will. He's a good student. A
great one, actually. I can't
fathom him getting into any kind of
trouble.
Hopper nods.

Looks away.
(CONTINUED)

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69

47.

CONTINUED:

69

Mr. Clarke offers his hand.
MR. CLARKE (CONT'D)
I don't think we've met. Scott
Clarke. I teach at Hawkins Middle.
Earth and Biology -Hopper shakes his hand.

Then averts his gaze.

HOPPER
Always had a distaste for science.
MR. CLARKE
Maybe you had a bad teacher.
HOPPER
Ms. Ratliff was a nasty piece of
work.
MR. CLARKE
Ratliff? You bet. She's still
kicking around, believe it or not -HOPPER
Oh I believe it. Mummies don't
die, or so they tell me.
Mr. Clarke smiles softly.
MR. CLARKE
So you're local?
HOPPER
Class of fifty-eight.
Sixty-two.

MR. CLARKE
Just missed each other.

They walk for another beat.

Hopper seems lost in thought.

HOPPER
Sara, my daughter. Galaxies, the
universe, whatnot: She always
understood that stuff. Maybe she
got it from her mother, I dunno.
There's enough down here, I don't
need to go lookin' elsewhere.
MR. CLARKE
Your daughter. What grade is she?
Maybe I'll get her in my class.

(CONTINUED)

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69

48.

CONTINUED: (2)

69

HOPPER
She lives in the city.
mother.

With her

MR. CLARKE

Oh.

Hopper slaps Mr. Clarke on the back.
HOPPER
Thanks for coming out, teach.
Appreciate it.
Hopper picks up his pace, leaving Mr. Clarke behind.
A nearby VOLUNTEER whispers to Mr. Clarke:
VOLUNTEER
She passed a few years back.
MR. CLARKE

Sorry?
His kid.
Mr. Clarke darkens.

VOLUNTEER
He looks back at Hopper.

He is a distant silhouette now.
70

INT. WHEELER HOUSE - BASEMENT - NIGHT
The Demogorgon gazes at us.

70

Four angry eyes.

Mike is lying down by the Dungeons-and-Dragons map. He looks
worried and restless. He examines the field of miniatures.
The Troglodytes... the knight... the dwarf... and the wizard.
He picks up the wizard.
Lucas?
Lucas?
71

Studies it.

Considering.

MIKE (PRE-LAP)
It's Mike. You copy?

INT. WHEELER HOUSE - BASEMENT - MOMENTS LATER - NIGHT
Mike is now at the table.
Lucas finally answers.

71

Calling into a walkie-talkie.

His voice crackles.

LUCAS'S VOICE (OVER WALKIE)
Hey, it's Lucas.

(CONTINUED)

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71

49.

CONTINUED:

71
MIKE
I know it's you. And say "over"
when you're done talking or I don't
know you're done. Over.
I'm done.

LUCAS'S VOICE
Over.

MIKE
I'm worried about Will.
Yeah.

Over.

LUCAS'S VOICE
This is crazy. Over.

MIKE
I was thinking... Will could've
cast Protection last night. But he
didn't. He cast Fireball. Over.
LUCAS'S VOICE
What's your point? Over.
MIKE
My point is... he could've played
it safe. But he didn't. He put
himself in danger to help the
party. Over.
A very long beat.

Then:

LUCAS'S VOICE
Meet me in ten. Over and out.
72

INT. WHEELER HOUSE - BASEMENT - LATER STILL - NIGHT

72

Mike jams a few flashlights into his backpack.
73

EXT. WHEELER HOUSE - NIGHT

73

Mike wheels his bike out of the garage.
He starts down the driveway when he suddenly notices -Steve. He's attempting to climb up to Nancy's room.
locks eyes with Mike. A very awkward beat.
Steve holds up a hand.

He

Hey.

Mike just stares. Unbelievable. Then, without saying a
word, he climbs on his bike... and pedals off into the night.

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)

74

50.

INT. WHEELER HOUSE - NANCY'S ROOM - NIGHT

74

Nancy sits at her desk, morosely studying her CHEM BOOK, when
she hears a dull sound: TAP TAP TAP. She turns to find...
Steve outside her window. Nancy stares in shock, tries to
wave him away, but he just knocks again, more urgently.
Nancy hurries over and opens the window.
NANCY
(whispers urgently)
What're you doing? I told you I
have to stay in tonight -STEVE
I know, so we'll study here -NANCY
No, I told you, absolutely not, go
away -- !
STEVE
I don't want you failing tomorrow -Steve climbs in anyway...
Or tries to. His foot catches on the window frame and he
stumbles, nearly toppling over a bedside lamp. He catches
himself, turns back to Nancy, and strikes a pose.
STEVE (CONT'D)
What'd I tell you? A ninja.
Nancy shakes her head.
She shuts the window.
75

Unbelievable.
Closes the blinds.

WHOOSH!

INT. BENNY'S BURGERS - KITCHEN - NIGHT
WHOOSH!

75

Water rushes out of a faucet as Benny cleans dishes.

Eleven sits on a counter. She eats STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM out
of a pint-sized container.
BENNY
You like that ice cream, huh?
Eleven looks at him, smiles. For the first time this day,
she seems like an actual kid. Benny knocks off the faucet.
Hey.

BENNY (CONT'D)
A smile looks good on ya.
(CONTINUED)

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75

51.

CONTINUED:

75

Eleven stares at him.
A smile.

Confused.

BENNY (CONT'D)

Benny gives a big smile.

Eleven smiles back.

But her smile fades when shes hears -THE SOUND OF KNOCKING.
Eleven tenses.

Someone's at the front door.

Nervous.

BENNY (CONT'D)
Just... stay put. Whoever it is,
I'll turn 'em away, a'ight?
Eleven watches while eating ice cream as...
A76

OMITTED

A76

76

INT. BENNY'S BURGERS - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Benny lumbers to the front door.
A FRIENDLY WOMAN, 40s.

76

He swings it open to find --

She smiles.

FRIENDLY WOMAN
You must be Mr. Hammond?
BENNY
'fraid so. Also 'fraid we've
closed shop. Why don't you try
back tomorrow -Benny starts to shut the door, but the woman extends a hand.
FRIENDLY WOMAN/CONNIE
Connie Frazier. Social Services.
Benny stops.

Opens the door back up.

BENNY
Social Services.
He takes her hand.

Embarrassed.

Apologies.

His grip is firm.

BENNY (CONT'D)
Didn't think you were gonna make it
here so quick. That's a heckuva
drive.
CONNIE
Not too bad this time of night.
(CONTINUED)

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76

52.

CONTINUED:

76

Benny nods, lowers his voice.
BENNY
Listen. I still haven't told her
about you. I didn't want her
runnin' off again. She's a tad
skittish.
CONNIE
Children I work with usually are.
(smiles)
Where is she now?
BENNY
In the back. Come on.
introduce ya.

I'll

Benny turns and lumbers toward the kitchen.
BENNY (CONT'D)
Apologies again for trying to turn
you away. It's funny, your voice,
it sounded different on the phone -CONNIE
Mister Hammond?
Yeah -- ?

BENNY

As Benny turns...
Connie raises a SILENCED PISTOL and -POP! SHE SHOOTS HIM IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD. HIS BODY GOES
LIMP AND HE CRASHES TO THE GROUND WITH A HEAVY THUD.
HIS BODY TWITCHES.
A77

THEN STILLS.

HE IS DEAD.

INT. BENNY'S BURGERS - KITCHEN - NIGHT

A77

Eleven watches in wide-eyed horror. She drops the ice cream,
turns around, and sprints back thorough the kitchen.
AB77 INT. BENNY'S BURGERS - DINING ROOM

AB77

Eleven blows through the double doors as -B77

INT. BENNY'S BURGERS - DINING ROOM/KITCHEN - NIGHT
THE AGENTS we met earlier sweep into the kitchen.
They are followed closely by Dr. Brenner.

B77

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77

53.

INT. BENNY'S BURGERS - STORAGE ROOM - NIGHT
Eleven sprints for the back screen door.
a halt as --

77

But she crashes to

TWO MORE AGENTS sweep through from the back door.
She is trapped.
AS THE AGENTS RAISE ELECTRICAL SHOCK STICKS ...
WE DOLLY IN FAST ON ELEVEN -AND -A78

INT. BENNY'S BURGERS - KITCHEN - NIGHT
LOUD NOISES ECHO FROM THE STORAGE ROOM.

A78
SCREAMING.

CHAOS.

Dr. Brenner and the agents exchange looks and -AB78 INT. BENNY'S BURGERS - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

AB78

Dr. Brenner and the agents blow through the double doors and
race into -B78

INT. BENNY'S BURGERS - STORAGE ROOM - MOMENTS LATER - NIGHT B78
They find BOTH AGENTS unconscious on the ground.
Bones twisted.

C78

Heads bleeding.

EXT. BENNY'S BURGERS - BACK - NIGHT

C78

Dr. Brenner explodes out the back door.
He looks around.

Desperate.

But --

He sees only darkness.
Eleven is gone.
78

EXT. FOREST ROAD - NIGHT

78

Silence as our kids bike down "Mirkwood" road.
Mike leads the way.

He slows to stop.

Lucas and Dustin pull up beside him.
LUCAS
Why are we stopping?
Mike doesn't answer.

He just looks off into the woods.
(CONTINUED)

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78

54.

CONTINUED:

78

Dustin and Lucas follow his gaze to a find a LINE OF POLICE
TAPE, wrapped around a row of trees along the side of the road.
The reality of what happened hits our boys right here. This
isn't some make-believe D&D campaign. This is... real.
BOOM!

HEAVY RUMBLE SHATTERS THE SILENCE.

They boys look up. Sheet LIGHTNING flashes the sky,
illuminating dark STORM CLOUDS.
A PLOP OF WATER hits Dustin in the face.
Oh man.

DUSTIN
You guys feel that?

Dustin holds out a hand.

Watches water strike his palm.

It's raining.
DUSTIN (CONT'D)
Maybe we should go back.
Mike isn't listening. Or if he is, he doesn't care. He
removes a walkie from his backpack, hands it to Dustin.
MIKE
No splitting up or anything stupid
like that, but stay on channel six.
Just in case.
With that, Mike heads into the woods, ducking under the
caution tape. Lucas follows.
Dustin is now all alone.
BOOM!

Another thunder crash!
DUSTIN
Hey, guys, wait up!

It scares the shit out of him.
WAIT UP!

He races after his friends as ANOTHER BOOM rattles us and -79

INT. WHEELER HOUSE - NANCY'S ROOM - NIGHT
Steve and Nancy now sit on her bed.

79

A few feet apart.

Steve reads homemade flash cards, while Nancy answers the
questions. MUSIC PLAYS on a boombox ("Sweet Dreams" by The
Eurythmics) loud enough that their voices don't carry out of
the room...

(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
79

CONTINUED:

55.
79

STEVE
"... Which Polymers occur
naturally?"
NANCY
... Starch and cellulose.
STEVE
(yup, switches cards)
"In a molecule of CH4, the hydrogen
atoms are spatially oriented toward
the centers of a regular -- "
NANCY
Tetrahedron.
STEVE
(switches card)
Jesus, how many of these did you
make?
NANCY
You said you wanted to help!
STEVE
How 'bout this: Every time you get
something right, I have to take off
an item of clothing. Every time
you get something wrong...
Uh, pass.

NANCY

STEVE
Come on, it'll be fun -No!

NANCY

STEVE
(next card)
"During fractional distillation,
hydrocarbons are separated
according to their -- "
NANCY
Melting points.
EEEEEE!

STEVE
Boiling points.

NANCY
That's what I meant -(CONTINUED)

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79

56.

CONTINUED: (2)

79

STEVE
But it's not what you said.
He mimes unbuttoning a shirt.
NANCY

No.

NO!

No?

STEVE
You need help?

Steve pushes down on the bed, and kisses her. Soon they're
going at it, hot and heavy. After a moment of making out,
Steve begins to unbutton her top but -Nancy stops him.
NANCY
Steve, come on -What?

STEVE

NANCY
Are you crazy? My parents are here -STEVE
(looking around)
Weird. I don't see them.
Nancy slides away.
NANCY
Was this your plan all along? Get
in my room, then... get another
notch on your belt?
STEVE
What -- no! Jesus, no.
NANCY
I'm not like Laurie.
or Becky --

Or Amy.

Or --

STEVE
You mean you're not a slut.
NANCY
That's not what I'm saying.
STEVE
You're cute when you lie.

(CONTINUED)

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79

57.

CONTINUED: (3)

79

Shut up.

NANCY

Steve smiles. He picks up a Holly Hobbie doll and makes it
shake its head in disapproval, speaks in a squeaky voice:
STEVE
"Bad Steve, bad; stay away from
Miss Nancy!"
Nancy can't help but laugh.
NANCY
You're an idiot, Steve Harrington.
STEVE
You're beautiful, Nancy Wheeler.
Nancy blushes.
Steve picks up the flash cards.

Clears his throat.

And...

STEVE (CONT'D)
"Compared to the rate of inorganic
reactions, the rate of organic
reactions generally is..."
Off Nancy, falling for this guy...
80
&
81

OMITTED

80
&
81

82

INT. BYERS HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

82

Jonathan and Joyce sit around the coffee table.
They are working on the MISSING PERSONS POSTER for Will.
Bold red letters at the top read: "HAVE YOU SEEN ME?"
There is an EMPTY SPACE for a photo in the middle.
They flip through the portfolio, looking for a photo. There
are many photos of Joyce and Will, as well as the town, and
the people who live here. All artfully taken by Jonathan.
Wow.

JOYCE
Jonathan. These are great...

Jonathan doesn't say anything, embarrassed by the compliment.
She flips through more pages.

(CONTINUED)

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82

58.

CONTINUED:

82
JOYCE (CONT'D)
I've been working so much lately...
I feel like I barely know what's
going on with you anymore...

She looks up.

Notices Jonathan is fighting tears.

JOYCE (CONT'D)
What is it, baby?
Nothing.

JONATHAN

JOYCE
What is it?
Joyce takes his hand.
JONATHAN
It's just... last night... I
just... I should've been here -Joyce squeezes his hand.
JOYCE
Hey. This wasn't your fault, baby,
you hear me? You hear me?
Jonathan averts his gaze.
JOYCE (CONT'D)
He's gonna come home soon. I know
it. I know it... because I feel
him. I feel him in my heart. He's
close. He's close. You believe
me, Jonathan, right?
Jonathan finally looks at his mom.

And nods.

Joyce smiles faintly. She then returns to looking at the
pictures. She finds one of Will at the park, smiling big.
JOYCE (CONT'D)
Oh this one -- I... I always liked
this one.
She holds it up.

Jonathan smiles softly.

JONATHAN
... Me too.
An emotional beat.

Then:

The KITCHEN PHONE BLARES TO LIFE.
(CONTINUED)

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82

59.

CONTINUED: (2)

82

Joyce and Jonathan look up sharply.
A83

News.

INT. BYERS HOUSE - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER - NIGHT
Joyce grabs up the phone.

A83

Her voice tense, strained.

JOYCE
Yes -- hel-hello?
There is no answer. But she can HEAR the SOUND of LOW
BREATHING on the other end.
Lonnie...?

JOYCE (CONT'D)
Hopper...?

Still no answer.
JOYCE (CONT'D)
Who is this?
Jonathan stands up.

Getting worried now.

The SOUND OF BREATHING grows louder. It sounds... like the
breathing of a child. Joyce pales. Tears rush to her eyes.
Will?!!

JOYCE (CONT'D)
Will?!!

Jonathan races over to his mom.
JOYCE (CONT'D)
Where are you, baby?! Talk to me!
WILL?! WILL?!
But Will's breathing is now gone.
ANOTHER SOUND.

GUTTURAL.

In its place...

INHUMAN.

Shifting in pitch.

JOYCE (CONT'D)
WHO IS THIS? WHAT HAVE DONE WITH
MY BABY?! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!!
Silence.

Then --

A HIGH-PITCHED SHRIEK ERUPTS FROM THE RECEIVER.
Joyce gasps in pain and drops the phone. She looks at her
hand. Her palm is SEARED. She backs away from the phone.
Her eyes wide with dread.
Jonathan grabs up phone.

His voice shakes.

JONATHAN
Who is this?! WHO IS THIS?!
(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
A83

60.

CONTINUED:

A83

But the phone line is now dead.
Joyce slumps down to the floor.
83

And begins to sob.

EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
BOOM!

83

Another CRASH OF THUNDER.

Our boys are deep in woods.

Soaked now.

Their flashlights illuminate the rain.
Will?

MIKE
WILL???

BYERS?!

LUCAS

DUSTIN
I've got your "X-Men!" One-thirtyfour!
No response.

Only silence.

They march for a little bit longer.
DUSTIN (CONT'D)
Guys, I really think we should turn
back -LUCAS
Seriously, Dustin, if you want to
be a baby, just go home already.
DUSTIN
I'm just being realistic, Lucas -LUCAS
No, you're being a sissy -DUSTIN
You ever think Will went missing
because, you know, he ran into
someone bad? And now we're going to
the place where he was last seen,
and we don't even have weapons or
anything -MIKE
-- Dustin shut up -DUSTIN
-- I'm just sayin', does that seem
smart to you -- ?!
(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
83

61.

CONTINUED:

83
Shut up!

Dustin silences.
He's not mad.

MIKE

Everyone turns to Mike.

He's -- listening...

MIKE (CONT'D)
(low)
You guys hear that?
The boys listen.

Hear RUSTLING FOLIAGE.

Everyone tenses.

Mike slowly swings his flashlight around the dark woods.
degrees, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty -WHOOSH!

A SHADOWED FIGURE DARTS BEHIND THEM.

They whirl around.
ELEVEN.

Ten

Bald head.

Mike looks at her.

Startled.

Their flashlights illuminate --

Wild eyes.

Benny's T-shirt.

She looks at Mike.

Their gaze holds.
THUNDER BOOMS.
And...
END EPISODE

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)

Appx-2.

APPENDIX #2
(Benny & Earl Sports Talk)
A48

INT. BENNY'S BURGERS - DINING ROOM - DAY
EARL 
Benny, how about Kellogg last
night?  Who-ee --  
BENNY
Oh yeah, oh yeah -EARL
He's gonna win us the championship,
I just know -- 
BENNY
Eh, if we hadn't traded English -- 
EARL
Don't get me started on that, too
damn early -As their idle sports talk continues...
BENNY
All I'm sayin' is, I don't know
what they were thinking. George
McGinnis? 
EARL
George is family -BENNY 
This isn't about bein' sentimental -this is about wins.  
EARL
Complaining ain't gonna change a
damn thing.
BENNY 
Yeah, yeah. You want a Schlitz or
what?
EARL
You gotta ask?
END APPENDIX #2

A48

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)

Appx-3.

APPENDIX #3
(Benny's Phone Call)
55

INT. BENNY'S BURGERS - KITCHEN - DAY
Benny is now on a corded phone in the kitchen.
BENNY
... All I know is, poor thing's
scared to death... confused...
(beat)
I think she's been abused or
kidnapped or somethin'.
(beat)
It's 4819 Randolph Lane. Randolph,
right.
(beat, starts to spell)
R-A-N-D-O-L-P-H. Yeah, and that's
in Hawkins. What time you think
you can get out here?
(checks watch)
Anything else I should do or...?
Okay, okay. Uh-huh... Alright,
thank you, Connie, thank you, I
really appreciate your help on
this... Yeah, you too.
END APPENDIX #2

55
Voice hushed.

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)

Appx-4.

APPENDIX #4
(Intercepted Phone Voices)
B61

INT. HAWKINS LABS - RADIO MONITORING ROOM - DAY
... As we pass each agent, we can HEAR SNIPPETS of what
they're listening to...
PARENT VOICE
I'm going to the store now...
you want anything special? I
thought we'd have T-bones for
dinner.

Do

PARENT #2 VOICE
No, that sounds good, hon -TEACHER VOICE
The annoying part is I thought I'd
be home by six at the latest but
these after-school activities are
so poorly run...
TEACHER #2 VOICE
It's a shame you're not in charge.
TEACHER VOICE
Tell me about it.
OFFICE WORKER VOICE
I can't talk long. I have that
meeting with Tom in ten minutes...
OFFICE WORKER #2 VOICE
I agree, it's best if Allen handles
the proposal. Yeah... I like
Scott, but it's too important...
END APPENDIX #4

B61

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)

Appx-5.

APPENDIX #5
(Joyce & Cynthia's Phone Call)
61

INT. BYERS HOUSE - KITCHEN - AFTERNOON
Joyce is on the phone.
cigarette.
Lonnie.

Pacing.

61

Dragging hard on a

JOYCE
It's Joyce --

CYNTHIA'S MUFFLED VOICE (OVER PHONE)
Lonnie isn't here right now -JOYCE
Who is this?
Cynthia.
Cynthia?

CYNTHIA'S MUFFLED VOICE
JOYCE

CYNTHIA'S MUFFLED VOICE
His girlfriend. Who the hell is
this?
JOYCE
This is Joyce -Who?

CYNTHIA'S MUFFLED VOICE

JOYCE
Joyce, Lonnie's ex-wife.
speak to him --

I need to

CYNTHIA'S MUFFLED VOICE
Lonnie's not here, I told you -JOYCE
This is an emergency...
CYNTHIA'S MUFFLED VOICE
Why don't you call back later -JOYCE
No, not later, now bitch -CLICK. The phone goes dead. Joyce burns with anger. She
hangs up, dials the number again. The phone RINGS. But this
time no one answers. It goes to message.
(CONTINUED)

STRANGER THINGS #101 10/04/15 (PINK)
61

Appx-6.

CONTINUED:

61
LONNIE'S VOICE (OVER PHONE)
(filtered)
Hey, you've reached Lonnie, I'm not
here at the moment but leave a
message and I'll holler right back
at ya.

Joyce's rage rises and rises and... BEEP.

Her turn.

JOYCE
Lonnie, some teenage whore just
hung up on me. You don't call me
back in the next hour I'll report
you for not paying child support I
swear to God I will and I'll make
sure you rot in jail where you
belong -WHAM!

Joyce slams the phone down.
END APPENDIX #5