Rocky Mountain High

Happy Saturdaze, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In the next-to-last chapter of RIDGEWAY, after shooting Dixie Mafia chief Big Boy's former employee in the head, Cate hears sirens approaching and must escape down the mountain during a sudden, violent thunderstorm ...


EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD - NIGHT
Cate walks down the hill,
boots CRUNCHING on the gravel road.

Hears a siren WHOOP-WHOOP.
Then sees red lights FLASHING.

Starts trying to RUN back up,
but quickly gets winded from
years of too many cigarettes.

She turns, RUNS into the woods --
just as a COP CAR comes
RACING up the road.

EXT. MOUNTAIN SLOPE - NIGHT
Cate DASHES across the steep hillside
through the underbrush and trees. Stops.

Catches her breath. Looks around.
Listens to the crickets CHIRPING.

She hears a twig SNAP.
WHIRLS AROUND.
Sees a FAMILY OF DEER.

Momma, Poppa and two young ones.
Staring at her.

CATE
(whispers)
Wow.

They DASH OFF into the darkness.

EXT. MOUNTAIN GORGE - NIGHT
Cate stands at the top of a gorge.
Looks down at the valley far below.

A woodpecker TAP-TAP-TAP-TAPS
like a machine gun.

CATE
SHIT.

She JUMPS, then TUMBLES
down the steep hill --

and CRACKS into a tree at the bottom.
Gets up. Brushes herself off.

Hears a low GROWL.
A GIANT BLACK BEAR
emerges from the foliage.

Flashes HUGE WHITE TEETH.
She stiffens. Shaking with fear.
This ain’t Gentle Ben.

They stare at each other a long beat.
The beast suddenly REARS UP
on its hind legs, ROARS --
and starts CHASING her.

She SCREAMS. Starts climbing
the tree like she’s on fire.

GRABS at a branch above her,
but it SNAPS off.

The beast SWIPES at her
with a meaty paw.

She tries to WHACK it with the branch,
but it GRABS it away from her. GROWLS.

She GRABS another branch.
Pulls herself up -- just as the bear
SINKS IT TEETH into her boot.
Cate CRIES OUT.

Thunder BOOMS. Lightning CRACKS.
It starts POURING RAIN.

Lightning CRACKS again, illuminating
the bear’s giant teeth and wild, red eyes.

Cate KICKS his head with her other foot,
causing him to ROAR and let go for a moment.

She reaches around.
Pulls the gun from her waistband.

SHOOTS him in the head.

BANG. BANG. BANG.
He SHRIEKS in pain.
Hits the ground with a sickening THUMP.

EXT. MOUNTAIN RIDGE ROAD - NIGHT
A POLICE SUV slowly comes down
the gravel road, search light
sweeping through the woods.
Pulls to a stop.

IN THE CAR
A pair of local COPS exchange glances.

OLDER, FAT COP
Gunshots.

YOUNGER, BEARDED COP
(points)
Came from down there.

OLDER, FAT COP
Fuck it, Rady.
We’re gonna get all wet.

RADY
Gotta dead body back there, Grab.

EXT. MOUNTAIN RIDGE ROAD - NIGHT
The cops get out. SLAM the doors.
Switch on HIGH-BEAM FLASHLIGHTS.

Start heading down the steep canyon,
sweeping big, bright beams of light
through the woods.