Ratcatcher Screenplay (Scene 3)

EXT. LUBARSKI’S BARN - NIGHT  

CASSIUS returns from the truck with an armful of metal and tools. He drops them haphazardly in the grass at his feet just as MARVIN reaches him, moving at a jog stunted by his leg. He is carrying a bag of birdseed which he also drops on the ground. 

 MARVIN

 Jerry says this is what he's probably feeding on up there. You get the Ultrasonic? 

Cassius pokes at an unusual, three-sided metal device at his feet. 

 MARVIN (CONT'D) 

All right, get to work.  

CUT TO: MONTAGE: 

-Cassius circles the outside of the barn carrying thin metal rods, searching where the wall meets the ground for any holes a rat could squeeze through. When he finds one, he sticks a rod in the ground next to it and ties a coloured ribbon to the rod.

-Marvin walks out into the fields about thirty yards behind the barn. He turns back, squinting at the barn and adjusting to improve his view overtop the stalks of wheat. 

-Cassius places traps at all of the potential exits he finds, arming them but not baiting them.

-Marvin pulls out a mini telescope from a bag at his waist. He peers through it, and we see what he sees: the back of the barn, well lit, and both sides visible enough to spot a critter escaping into the night. 

 -Cassius seals off the wall at the front of the barn with a long roll of thin wire mesh. Then he rips open the bag of birdseed and grabs a large handful. 

-Marvin lights a cigarette, waiting for Cassius to finish.

-Cassius circles the barn once more, carefully placing a small pile of birdseed on each trap. When he's done, he pulls out his phone and calls Marvin. 

END MONTAGE 

CASSIUS (O.S)

Alright, all set to go. 

INTERCUT CASSIUS IN FRONT OF THE BARN AND MARVIN BEHIND THE BARN 

MARVIN 

Ok, load up the Ultrasonic and get ready on my mark. 

Cassius picks up the metal device by a handle protruding from one side. He levels it in the direction of the barn. 

 MARVIN (CONT'D) 

Three, two, one, go. 

Cassius presses a button on the Ultrasonic. We hear nothing more than a faint, high-pitched whine, but Cassius remains focused on the barn. 

CASSIUS 

You see anything? 

MARVIN 

Nothing yet. 

We hear the sound of tiny claws scrabbling against wooden floorboards coming from inside the barn. 

 CASSIUS 

I hear him! He's moving! 

The sound continues for another few seconds, then stops. 

 CASSIUS 

Anything yet? He's stopped moving now. 

MARVIN 

Still nothing. 

CASSIUS (To himself) What the hell? 

Marvin continues to scan the barn for movement. He hesitates for a second, then tilts the telescope upwards slightly. Through his view, we see the lens shift focus from the barn walls to the roof. Everything is still for a moment, then there is a flash of movement. 

 MARVIN 

He's on the roof! 

CASSIUS 

Shit! 

Cassius looks upward just in time to see a tiny rat face peering over the edge of the barn roof. Its nose twitches once, then it leaps down onto him. Cassius screams, covering his head and running in circles, trying to shake the rat loose. 

 MARVIN 

Cassius what's going on? Can you get him? 

 We see Cassius' silhouette spinning and writhing beside the barn. 

CASSIUS (O.S.) 

He's on me! He's on me! 

MARIVN 

Shake him loose kid, shake him loose! 

We see Cassius through the telescope give one big shake, and a small object goes flying off his back. The object lands on the ground, jumps to its feet, and takes off into the wheat fields. 

 MARVIN 

Ahh, shit! 

Marvin quickly stuffs his telescope back into its bag, and takes off after it, running with a slight limp.