Back to the Beginning Part I

The scene opens in the passenger seat of Chuck's car. Chuck is driving, one arm on the wheel and the other resting casually on the armrest. Outside the window, small shops and residential homes fly by as Chuck zips past them.

Chuck Matthews: "It's been a long time since I've been back here. A little over eight years, actually. Damn this place has changed."

Chuck glances at a mall as he drives past it.

Chuck Matthews: "You know this used to be a city? Busy place, too. When I grew up here, this place reeked of corruption, big business, and crime rings. Now it's almost homey. Townhouses, family-owned shops? What the hell happened?"

Chuck pulls into the parking lot of a shopping complex. He gets out of the car, the cameraman close behind.

Chuck Matthews: "This is it. This filthy little cesspool of society is where I grew up."

Chuck walks into the supermarket. The man at the door greets him.

Greeter: "Good aftuh-noon, sir. What're you lookin' fer today?"

Chuck Matthews: "I'm not here for food. I'm actually looking for a place. Is it still around?"

Chuck hands the man a slip of paper with an address on it. The man appears surprised.

Greeter: "Gosh, yeah, it's still around. That ol' hag refused to sell the place. It's way out on the outskirts of town-"

Chuck interrupts.

Chuck Matthews: "Hold on. Someone still lives there?"

Greeter: "Shore does. Old Lady Matthews. Crazy bitch never comes out. Has her groceries delivr'd to her front door once a week. Kids're afraid of her. Always darin' each other to go up'n ring the doorbell or break a window or sump'n. But she pays 'er bills, so I don't bother in her affairs."

Chuck Matthews: "How long has this been going on?"

Greeter: "Oh, gosh, been like that fer...goddamn it's gotta be almost ten years now, don't it? Ever since her husband and kids got theirselves killed. Except the runt. He got away. Ran away from the town. Lotsa people think he's dead. Poor kid. Scair'd outta his mind, he was. I don' remember his name. Chandler I think."

Chuck Matthews: "Charles."

Greeter: "Tha's it! Charles. Gosh, I always wonder what happened to the kid."

Chuck Matthews: "Yeah. It's a mystery. So where's the house?"

The greeter points off to the side.

Greeter: "Aw, it's way out there. You wanna keep goin' east until you get to Silent Hollow Street. It's unpaved, cain't miss it. Anyways, that street's only purpose nowadays is to help deliv'rers get to her house. You'll know the place."

Chuck nods. He heads to the door.

Greeter: "Hey, wha's your name, sir?"

Chuck ignores him as he heads out of the shop. He gets back into the car.

Chuck Matthews: "So she's still around...I'm surprised. I guess it's time to pay dear old mum a visit. NLWF take note. You think you've been to hell and back in your life. You ain't seen nothing yet."