Her past was a nightmare, but her future would become America’s worst reality.
Watch the original version of Monster
Prologue:
The Florida sun beats down on Aileen Wuornos as she stands at the side of the road, holding out her thumb. She’s been living on the streets for years, drifting from town to town and surviving on her wits. But today, she’s feeling particularly desperate. The only thing she wants is to get as far away from here as possible.
As she waits, a car pulls up beside her. The driver rolls down his window and offers her a ride. Something about him makes her uneasy, but she’s in no position to turn down a lift. She climbs into the car and settles back into the seat, trying to relax.
But as they drive down the deserted road, the man’s demeanor changes. He starts making lewd comments and touching her inappropriately. Aileen tries to push him away, but he’s too strong. And then he does something that sets off a rage inside her that she didn’t know she had.
Chapter 1: “The Beginning”
Aileen wakes up in a daze. She’s lying on the ground, surrounded by trees and bushes. Her head is pounding and she can’t remember how she got here. She tries to sit up, but her body feels heavy and unresponsive.
As her memory starts to return, she realizes what’s happened. She remembers the man in the car and how he forced himself on her. And then she remembers the gun she keeps hidden in her backpack.
Aileen stumbles to her feet and starts to walk, her mind consumed with fear and anger. She knows she can’t stay here – she has to get away before someone finds her.
She walks for hours, her feet aching and her stomach grumbling. The sun beats down on her relentlessly, and she feels like she’s going to collapse any moment. But she forces herself to keep going, driven by a determination she didn’t know she had.
As the sun starts to set, Aileen finds herself on the outskirts of a small town. She’s weary and disheveled, but she knows she needs to find a place to stay. She spots a cheap motel on the corner and decides to take a chance.
The motel room is small and dingy, but it’s a welcome shelter from the outside world. Aileen collapses onto the bed, feeling grateful for the chance to rest. But as she looks at the ceiling, she realizes that she can’t stay here forever.
She knows she’s in trouble. She knows that what she did was wrong. But at the same time, she can’t shake the feeling that it was justified. That she had no other choice.
Aileen drifts off to sleep, her mind racing with thoughts of what she’s done and what her future holds. She has no idea that this is just the beginning. That her life is about to take a dramatic and terrifying turn.
As she sleeps, the darkness outside grows deeper, and the shadows around her seem to stretch and twist, like fingers reaching out to grab her. But Aileen doesn’t notice. She’s too exhausted to care. All she knows is that she needs to keep moving. To keep running. To keep fighting.
For the first time in years, Aileen feels like she’s in control. Like she’s the one calling the shots. But little does she know that the universe has other plans for her. And those plans involve a path that is twisted, dark, and soaked in blood.
Chapter 2: “The Investigation Begins”
The next morning, Aileen woke up in a motel room, still shaking from the night before. She knew she had to get out of there before anyone found her. She packed up her few belongings and hit the road, doing her best to blend in with the other travelers.
But it wasn’t long before the police caught on to her trail. They started canvassing the area, showing her picture to anyone who might have seen her. Aileen knew it was only a matter of time before they caught up with her, and she started to panic.
She decided to lay low for a while, hiding out in the woods and living off whatever she could find. But it was a hard life, and she quickly realized that she couldn’t keep it up for long. She needed money, and fast.
That’s when she started to think about the men she had killed. They had all been carrying cash, and she had taken it from them. Maybe she could do it again, she thought.
So she started looking for another victim, wandering the highways and hitchhiking. She would wait for someone to pick her up, and then she would size them up, looking for signs of weakness. She would flirt with them, trying to get them to let down their guard.
And then, when the moment was right, she would strike.
It wasn’t long before she found her next victim. He was a middle-aged man in a beat-up car, and he seemed eager to pick her up. They chatted for a while as he drove, and she could sense that he was getting increasingly interested in her.
Then, out of nowhere, he made a move on her. She recoiled in horror, but he kept coming. She knew she had to do something to protect herself, to make sure he never hurt her or anyone else again.
So she grabbed the gun she had hidden in her bag and fired.
The man slumped over, his car careening off the road. Aileen didn’t even wait to see if he was dead. She grabbed his wallet and his keys and took off, leaving him to die alone on the side of the road.
It wasn’t until later that she learned the man had been a well-known local politician. The police were all over the scene, combing through the wreckage and gathering evidence. Aileen knew she had to be careful now. She couldn’t afford to make any mistakes.
For the next few days, she traveled even more cautiously, watching her back and avoiding anyone who looked like they might be a threat. She stayed off the main highways, sticking to back roads and dirt paths.
But the police were closing in. They were getting better at tracking her movements, and it was getting harder and harder for her to stay hidden. She knew it was only a matter of time before they caught up with her.
And then, one day, they did.
Aileen was walking along a deserted stretch of road, lost in thought, when she heard the sound of an engine behind her. She turned around and saw a police car approaching, its lights flashing.
She knew she had to run. She took off into the woods, the police in hot pursuit. But it was no use. They caught up with her after only a few minutes, handcuffing her and dragging her back to the car.
As they drove her away, Aileen knew her life would never be the same. She had killed again, and this time there was no going back. She had become a fugitive, a hunted woman with nowhere to turn. And she knew that the worst was yet to come.
Chapter 3: “A Confession”
Aileen Wuornos sat in the interrogation room, her hands cuffed to the table as she waited for the detectives to return. She knew that they had evidence against her, but she couldn’t bring herself to regret what she had done. She had killed a man who had raped her, and she felt that she had been left with no other choice.
The door opened, and two detectives walked in. They sat down across from her and placed a file on the table. Aileen looked at it, knowing that it contained the evidence that would seal her fate.
“Ms. Wuornos,” one of the detectives said, “we have some questions for you.”
“I know,” Aileen replied. “I’m ready to talk.”
She took a deep breath and began to describe what had happened on the night of the murder. She told the detectives about her life on the streets, how she had been forced to exchange sex for money just to survive. She talked about the man who had picked her up and how he had taken her back to his place. She described in vivid detail how he had raped her, and how she had fought back.
“I had a gun in my bag,” she said, her voice shaking slightly. “I pulled it out and I shot him. I didn’t mean to kill him, but I had to protect myself.”
The detectives listened intently, writing down everything she said. They asked her questions, pushing her to fill in the details of the story. Aileen answered them all, feeling a sense of relief as she unburdened herself.
But as the hours passed, the detectives began to notice inconsistencies in Aileen’s story. Certain details didn’t match up with the evidence they had gathered. They started to suspect that there was more to the case than just self-defense.
“Aileen,” one of the detectives said, his tone serious, “we need to know the truth. Did you plan to kill this man?”
Aileen hesitated, feeling a knot form in her stomach. She knew that if she admitted to premeditation, her chances of getting a lighter sentence would be slim. But she also knew that lying would only make things worse.
“Yes,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “I planned it.”
The detectives looked at each other, knowing that this admission could be the key to their case. They continued to question Aileen, trying to get her to reveal more about her motivations and her state of mind at the time of the murder.
As the interrogation went on, Aileen’s resolve began to crumble. She started to cry, feeling the weight of her actions bearing down on her. She realized that she had taken a human life, and that she would have to live with the consequences for the rest of her days.
Finally, after several hours of questioning, Aileen confessed to everything. She admitted that she had killed the man in cold blood, and that she had no excuse for what she had done.
The detectives thanked her for her cooperation and left the room. Aileen sat there, feeling hollow and numb. She knew that her life would never be the same again, but she also knew that she had done what she had to do. She had stood up for herself, even if it meant committing a terrible act.
As she was led away in handcuffs, Aileen couldn’t help but wonder what her future held. She knew that the road ahead would be long and difficult, but she also knew that she had the strength to face whatever came her way.
Chapter 4: “The Courtroom”
The courtroom was packed with reporters, curious onlookers, and the families of the victims. Aileen Wuornos sat nervously at the defendant’s table, her eyes darting around the room as she tried to avoid the intense stares of those present. She knew that her fate was in the hands of the jury, and she was not sure if they would believe her story.
The prosecution was trying to paint Wuornos as a cold-blooded killer, someone who had no remorse for her crimes. They argued that the evidence was stacked against her, and that she had been caught red-handed. They called a series of witnesses to the stand, each one testifying to Wuornos’ violent nature and her history of run-ins with the law.
Wuornos’ lawyer tried to argue that she was acting in self-defense when she shot the victim, and that the other murders were a result of her PTSD and delusional thinking. He called experts to the stand to testify to her mental state, and he tried to paint a sympathetic picture of Wuornos as a victim of abuse and neglect.
The trial lasted for weeks, and Wuornos was forced to relive the horrific events of her past in front of a crowded courtroom. She listened as the prosecution presented evidence against her, including the victim’s blood on her clothing and the gun that was later found in her possession.
The prosecution called one witness in particular that sent chills down Wuornos’ spine. It was a young woman who had been picked up by Wuornos on the side of the road. She testified that Wuornos had subjected her to a terrifying ordeal, holding her at gunpoint and forcing her to have sex with her. Wuornos sat in stunned silence as the witness recounted the events, unable to refute her claims.
As the trial drew to a close, both sides made their final arguments. The prosecution argued that Wuornos was a danger to society and needed to be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Wuornos’ lawyer pleaded with the jury to have mercy on his client, to take into account her troubled past and her struggles with mental illness.
The jury deliberated for hours, poring over the evidence and trying to make sense of the conflicting stories. Finally, they emerged from the deliberation room and delivered their verdict. Wuornos was found guilty on all counts and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Wuornos sat in stunned silence as the judge delivered the sentence. She had been prepared for the worst, but hearing the words spoken aloud still felt like a punch in the gut. She knew that she would never see the outside world again, that she would spend the rest of her life behind bars.
As she was led away in handcuffs, Wuornos couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if she had made different choices. If she had sought help for her mental health issues, or if she had never picked up that gun in self-defense. But it was too late for regrets now. All she could do was try to survive in a world that had turned its back on her.
Chapter 5: “Behind Bars”
Aileen sat in her cell, staring blankly at the wall. She was numb to everything around her, the walls closing in on her as she tried to come to terms with the reality of her situation. She was serving a life sentence for murder, and there was no way out.
She had lost everything. Her freedom, her identity, her sense of self. She had become just another number in the prison system, a faceless prisoner among hundreds of others. But as the days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months, Aileen started to adapt to her new life. She made some unlikely friends and enemies, and she started to find a sense of purpose in her daily routine.
Every morning, she would wake up to the sound of slamming doors and guards barking orders. She would get dressed in her orange jumpsuit and shuffle down to the cafeteria for breakfast. She would sit with her friends, a group of women who had been in prison for years, and they would exchange stories and gossip.
After breakfast, Aileen would go to work. She had a job in the laundry room, folding sheets and scrubbing stains out of uniforms. It was hard work, but it kept her busy and helped her feel like she was contributing something to society. She even started to look forward to it, the hum of the washing machines and the smell of bleach becoming comforting in their own way.
In the afternoons, Aileen would have some free time. She would read books from the prison library or write letters to her family and friends. She would work out in the yard or take a class on something like computer skills or anger management. She tried to stay busy and occupied, knowing that idle hands were dangerous in prison.
But as much as she tried to keep her mind occupied, there was always a nagging sense of dread lurking in the back of her mind. She was serving a life sentence, and there was no way out. She would never see the outside world again, never feel the sun on her face or the wind in her hair. She would spend the rest of her life in these gray walls, surrounded by murderers and thieves, trying to stay alive and sane.
Sometimes, at night, she would have dreams of escape. She would imagine herself climbing over fences and sneaking through corridors, dodging guards and slipping out into the night. But then she would wake up, the reality of her situation hitting her like a brick wall. She was trapped, caged like an animal, and there was no way out.
As the months turned into years, Aileen started to feel like she was losing herself. She had become so used to the routine and the monotony of prison life that she no longer knew who she was outside of it. She had lost touch with her family and her sense of self-worth. She had started to believe that she was nothing more than a murderer, a monster who deserved to be locked up for life.
But despite everything, there was still a spark of hope inside of her. Aileen knew that she had done something terrible, but she also knew that she had been pushed to her breaking point. She had been the victim of abuse and neglect, and she had fought back the only way she knew how. She knew that she wasn’t a monster, no matter what the rest of the world thought.
And so she clung to that hope, that sense of self-worth, like a lifeline. She worked hard in the laundry room and took classes in the hopes of one day getting a degree. She made friends and enemies, and she learned to stand up for herself in a way that she never had before. She tried to hold on to the person that she was, even as the world tried to erase her.
As she lay in bed at night, listening to the sounds of the prison around her, Aileen knew that she would never give up. She would keep fighting, keep surviving, until the day when she could finally leave these walls behind. Until the day when she could finally reclaim her life, her sense of self, and her place in the world.
Chapter 6: “A New Identity”
Aileen had been in prison for years, but she had never truly felt like she belonged there. She was a drifter, a woman who had grown up on the streets and had never had a stable home. Prison was just another form of confinement, and Aileen had always felt trapped.
But then something changed. Aileen had always been a survivor, and she started to see prison as an opportunity. With the help of a sympathetic guard, she changed her identity. She became Lee, a quiet and unassuming woman who kept to herself and tried to stay out of trouble.
Lee was a new person, a person who had a chance at a new life. She started to make friends, and for the first time in years, she felt like she was part of a community. But there was always a nagging fear in the back of her mind. What if someone found out who she really was?
One morning, Lee was sitting in the prison yard, listening to the chatter around her. She overheard two inmates talking about her case, and her heart started pounding. They didn’t know who she really was, but they were getting close. Lee started to panic. She needed to do something.
She went to her cell and sat down on her bunk, trying to think. She needed to disappear, to escape from the prison and start a new life. But how? She had no money, no contacts on the outside. She was stuck.
But then she remembered a woman she had met in prison, a woman who had connections to the outside world. Lee went to find her, and they struck a deal. The woman would help Lee escape, but in exchange, Lee would have to do something for her.
Lee didn’t ask what that something was. She didn’t want to know. All she cared about was getting out. They made a plan, and on the night of the escape, Lee was ready.
She slipped out of her cell and followed the woman through the winding corridors of the prison. They reached a door, and the woman opened it with a key she had somehow acquired. They were outside.
Lee felt the cool night air on her face, and she took a deep breath. She was free. They ran across the prison yard, dodging the guards, and made it to the fence. The woman produced a pair of wire cutters, and they began to cut through the fence.
But then they heard the alarm. The guards had discovered their escape. Lee kept cutting the fence, hoping they could make it through in time. But it was too late. The guards were closing in.
The woman took off running, and Lee followed her. They ran through the woods, trying to stay ahead of the guards. But they were no match for the dogs and the helicopters. They were caught.
Lee was brought back to prison, and she realized that her chance at a new life was gone. She had been so close, but now everything was over. She sat in her cell, feeling defeated.
But then she heard a knock on the door. It was the sympathetic guard who had helped her before. He came in and sat down across from her.
“Lee,” he said. “I heard about what happened. I’m sorry.”
Lee looked up at him, not sure what to say.
“But I want you to know,” he continued. “I still believe in you. You can still start a new life. You just have to keep trying.”
Lee felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe he was right. Maybe she could still turn her life around.
And so she started over again, building a new identity and trying to stay out of trouble. But the memory of that night, of the freedom she had tasted and lost, haunted her. She knew that she would never truly be free, not as long as she was locked up behind bars. But she kept going, kept trying, hoping that one day she would find a way to escape for good.
Chapter 7: “The Escape”
Aileen Wuornos knew that she needed to get out of prison. She had been in there for years, and it was taking a toll on her. Her time in prison had been hard, and she had been overweight, malnourished, and solitary. She had always been a loner, but the isolation of prison had been unbearable. She had made a plan – to escape and to find a way to start a new life.
Aileen was a woman of incredible strength and determination, but she was also afraid. She knew that she could be caught and that the authorities would do everything they could to keep her in prison. She didn’t care – she wanted her freedom. And so, she waited and bided her time, watching and waiting for a chance to escape.
The opportunity presented itself one day when Aileen was outside on the prison yard. She saw an opening in the fence and took her chance. Running as fast as she could, she managed to slip through the fence and was now in the surrounding woods. She ran and ran until she was exhausted, knowing that the prison guards would soon be on her tail.
For the first time in years, Aileen felt alive. She was free, and she had to stay that way. She knew that the authorities would be looking for her, and she knew that she had to be careful. She had nothing with her but the clothes on her back and the determination in her heart. She had no money, no food, and no place to go. But she wasn’t afraid – she had always been resourceful.
Aileen ran for miles, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn’t stop, even when she heard the sounds of dogs barking and men shouting. She was determined to keep going until she was too tired to run any longer. She eventually came to a deserted road, and she knew that she had to find shelter.
As she was walking down the road, her feet sore and her stomach growling, Aileen saw a car approaching. It was a young couple, and they stopped when they saw her. Aileen knew that she had to be careful – she didn’t want to attract attention. She asked the couple if they could give her a ride, and they hesitantly agreed.
The car ride was quiet, and Aileen tried to make small talk with the couple. She knew that they were scared of her, and she didn’t want to frighten them. She asked them where they were headed, and they told her that they were on vacation. They were driving to a cabin in the woods, where they planned to spend the week. Aileen knew that she needed to get away from the road as soon as possible. She didn’t want to be found.
When they arrived at the cabin, Aileen thanked the couple and quickly got out of the car. She watched as they drove away, knowing that she had to find a way to make it on her own. She decided to stay in the woods, where she would be safe. She found a cave and made it her home.
For weeks, Aileen lived in the cave, surviving on berries and small animals. She knew that she couldn’t stay there forever, but she was afraid to leave. She didn’t want to be caught. But eventually, she knew that she had to make a move.
Aileen made her way to a nearby town and tried to blend in. She had always been good at disguising herself, and she used her skills to stay unnoticed. She found odd jobs and worked hard, trying to earn enough money to start a new life. But even as she tried to make a new life for herself, she couldn’t forget her past. The authorities were still looking for her, and she knew that she could be caught at any time.
Aileen’s life as a fugitive was one of constant fear and uncertainty. She knew that she had to keep moving, keep blending in, and keep her head down. She had made a new life for herself, but she knew that it could all be taken away in an instant.
But Aileen was determined. She had come too far to give up now. She had survived prison, escaped, and started a new life. She was a survivor, and she knew that she could make it on her own. She was free – and she was going to stay that way.
Chapter 8: “Hunted”
Aileen’s heart was pounding in her chest as she ran through the woods. She ducked behind trees and boulders, trying to stay out of sight. She knew that the police were closing in on her, and she could hear the sound of their footsteps getting closer and closer.
She had been on the run for days, ever since she escaped from prison. She had managed to elude the police so far, but she knew that it was only a matter of time before they caught up to her.
As she ran, she tried to think of a way out of her predicament. She had no money, no food, and no place to go. She was starting to feel like a cornered animal, and she wondered if she would ever be able to escape.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of a helicopter overhead. She looked up and saw the searchlight scanning the ground below. She knew that they had spotted her, and she started to run faster.
She ran through a clearing and stumbled over a fallen log. She fell hard to the ground, and she felt a sharp pain in her ankle. She tried to get up, but the pain was too much. She knew that she couldn’t run any further.
She looked up and saw the police closing in on her. She knew that it was over. She closed her eyes and waited for them to take her into custody.
When she opened her eyes again, she was in a jail cell. She looked around and saw that she was alone. She knew that she was back where she started, and that there was no way out of this.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Aileen was back in prison, and she knew that she would spend the rest of her life behind bars. She had no hope, no future, and no one to turn to.
The media frenzy over her case had died down, and she was no longer a household name. But she knew that her story would live on as a cautionary tale of a woman who was pushed too far.
As she sat in her cell, she thought about all the things that had led her down this path. She thought about the abuse she had suffered as a child, the violence she had experienced as an adult, and the desperation that had driven her to kill.
She knew that she had made mistakes, and that she had hurt people. But she also knew that she was human, and that she deserved compassion and understanding.
As she thought about all of this, she realized that she was not alone. There were other women out there who had been through similar experiences, who had been pushed to the brink and had lashed out in desperation.
She knew that her story was not just about her, but about all the women who had been victimized by a society that didn’t care about them. She knew that her story had the power to change things, to make people think about the world in a different way.
And so she started to write. She wrote about her life, her struggles, and her hopes for the future. She wrote about the women who had inspired her, and the women who had suffered in silence.
She knew that her writing would never be published, that it would never be read by anyone outside of the prison walls. But that didn’t matter. What mattered was that she was finally able to express herself, to tell her story in her own words.
And as she wrote, she knew that she was no longer alone. She knew that there were other women out there, reading her words and feeling a sense of connection, a sense of shared experience.
She knew that her life would never be the same, but she also knew that she had the power to make a difference. And that was enough.
Chapter 9: “The End”
Aileen was brought back to prison, and her life was forever changed. The media circus around her case had died down, and she was left alone in her cell to face the consequences of her actions. She knew that she would never have the chance to live a normal life again, but she had come to terms with that.
As the years passed, Aileen began to reflect on the events that had led her to this point. She wrote letters to her loved ones, trying to explain what had happened and asking for forgiveness. She also wrote about her experiences in prison, about the people she had met and the things she had seen.
One day, Aileen received a letter from a young woman who had been inspired by her story. The woman had been through her own struggles and had found hope in the way Aileen had faced her demons. Aileen was surprised and touched by the letter, and she wrote back to the woman, encouraging her to keep fighting.
Over time, Aileen received more and more letters from people who had been moved by her story. Some were sympathetic, others were critical, but all of them touched her in some way. Aileen realized that in her own twisted way, she had become a role model for some people.
As she grew older, Aileen’s health began to decline. She struggled with a range of health issues, from diabetes to liver disease, and she knew that her time was running out. Despite everything, she felt a sense of peace. She had accepted her fate and had found a semblance of redemption in the letters she had received.
On October 9th, 2002, Aileen Wuornos was executed by lethal injection. She was the first woman in the United States to be put to death for her crimes. As she lay on the table, waiting for the lethal cocktail to take effect, she thought about the people who had written to her, and the impact she had had on their lives.
In the end, Aileen Wuornos was a flawed and troubled woman who committed heinous crimes. But she was also a human being who struggled with her own demons, and who found a way to make sense of her life in the face of overwhelming odds. Her story was tragic, but it was also a testament to the human capacity for survival and redemption.
As the curtain closed on her life, Aileen Wuornos knew that she would be remembered as a monster by some, and a hero by others. But she also knew that her legacy would live on, in the letters she had received, and in the minds of those who had followed her story. For better or for worse, Aileen Wuornos had left her mark on the world, and her story would never be forgotten.
Some scenes from the movie Monster written by A.I.
Scene 1
INT. ABANDONED BUILDING – NIGHT
AILEEN WUORNOS (mid-20s) is huddled in a corner of the abandoned building, clutching her backpack. She looks disheveled and scared.
A man appears from the shadows and approaches Aileen.
MAN:
Hey, you okay there?
Aileen looks up at him wearily.
AILEEN:
I’m fine.
MAN:
You look like you’ve been out here for a while. You need a ride somewhere?
Aileen hesitates for a moment before nodding.
AILEEN:
Yeah, I could use a lift.
The man offers a hand to help Aileen up, but as soon as she stands upright, he grabs her forcefully and pins her against the wall.
MAN:
You know what I want, baby. Don’t make this hard.
Aileen struggles against him, but he’s too strong. She manages to reach her backpack and pulls out a gun.
AILEEN:
Let me go or I’ll shoot.
The man laughs in her face.
MAN:
You ain’t got the balls to shoot me, sweetheart.
Aileen takes a deep breath and pulls the trigger. The man drops to the floor, dead.
Aileen stares at the body, stunned. She’s never killed before. She gathers her things and flees the scene, heart racing.
FADE TO BLACK.
Scene 2
FADE IN:
EXT. ABANDONED GAS STATION – NIGHT
Aileen, a disheveled and paranoid young woman, crouches behind a pile of discarded tires. She clutches the gun in her hand, her breathing ragged and erratic.
DETECTIVE (O.S.)
(through loudspeaker)
Aileen Wuornos, come out with your hands up. We have you surrounded.
Aileen’s eyes dart around, looking for a way out. She spots a rusted old pickup truck and makes a break for it, ducking behind it for cover.
DETECTIVE (O.S.)
We don’t want to hurt you, Aileen. Just come out peacefully.
Aileen’s mind races as she tries to come up with a plan. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, then pops up from behind the truck and squeezes off a shot.
DETECTIVE (O.S.)
(returning fire)
We have a possible shooter! Take cover!
Aileen ducks back behind the truck as bullets whiz by her head. She starts to feel like she’s trapped, with no way out.
DETECTIVE (O.S.)
(through loudspeaker)
Aileen, we know you’re scared. But you have to give yourself up. We can help you.
Aileen’s hand shakes as she grips the gun. She feels like she’s in a nightmare she can’t escape.
AILLEEN
(to herself)
I didn’t mean to…I didn’t want to…
She takes a deep breath and starts to rise up again, gun at the ready.
DETECTIVE (O.S.)
(through loudspeaker)
Put your weapon down, Aileen. This is your last chance.
Aileen hesitates, then drops the gun to the ground.
FADE TO BLACK.
Scene 3
Scene 1: INT. INTERROGATION ROOM – DAY
Detective Smith and Detective Brown are sitting across from Aileen Wuornos, who is fidgeting nervously in her chair.
DETECTIVE SMITH
So, Aileen, can you tell us again what happened the night of the murder?
AILEEN WUORNOS
(sighs) I already told you guys everything. He picked me up, we went to a secluded area, and he tried to rape me. I shot him in self-defense.
DETECTIVE BROWN
But there are some discrepancies in your story. The witness we found said she saw you arguing with the victim before he was shot.
AILEEN WUORNOS
(shrugs) We were arguing about money. I asked him for a ride and he said he’d give me some cash if I slept with him. I refused and he got angry.
DETECTIVE SMITH
(crosses his arms) It just seems odd that you would shoot him so quickly. Why not just run away?
AILEEN WUORNOS
(tears in her eyes) I didn’t know what else to do. I was scared and I didn’t want him to hurt me.
DETECTIVE BROWN
(skeptical) And you’re sure you didn’t plan this at all? We found a gun in your purse.
AILEEN WUORNOS
(shakes her head) That’s just for protection. I never intended to use it.
DETECTIVE SMITH
(sighs) Look, Aileen, we want to believe you. But the evidence just isn’t adding up. We need to know the truth.
AILEEN WUORNOS
(breaks down) I swear, I’m telling you the truth. I didn’t want to kill anyone. I just wanted to survive.
Detective Smith and Detective Brown exchange a look of sympathy, but they know they have to keep pushing for answers.
DETECTIVE BROWN
We’ll be back to talk to you again soon. In the meantime, think long and hard about what really happened that night.
The detectives exit the room, leaving Aileen to contemplate her fate.
Scene 4
INT. COURTROOM – DAY
AILEEN sits at the defense table, dressed in a suit that’s a size too big. Her eyes are downcast as the prosecution delivers their opening statement.
PROSECUTOR:
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, Aileen Wuornos is a cold-blooded killer who took the life of an innocent man. She had no reason to do what she did, other than a desire for revenge.
The camera cuts to Aileen’s face, which is a mixture of fear and anger.
AILEEN:
(angrily) That’s not true! He was going to hurt me!
The JUDGE bangs his gavel.
JUDGE:
Order in the court! Ms. Wuornos, you will have your chance to speak later.
The camera cuts to the defense table, where Aileen’s LAWYER is prepping his notes.
LAWYER:
(to Aileen) It’s okay, just let them talk for now. We’ll have our chance to fight back.
Aileen nods, but her eyes never leave the prosecutor.
The camera cuts back to the prosecutor, who continues his opening statement.
PROSECUTOR:
Aileen Wuornos had a history of violence, including assault, theft, and drug use. She was a menace to society, and she needed to be stopped.
The camera cuts to the jury, who are listening intently.
CUT TO:
INT. JURY ROOM – LATER
The camera cuts to the jury deliberation room, where the jurors are discussing the case.
JUROR 1:
I don’t know, it seems like she’s guilty to me.
JUROR 2:
Yeah, but did you hear the defense? Maybe she was really scared.
JUROR 3:
But why did she shoot him multiple times? That seems like overkill.
The camera cuts to a close-up of JUROR 4, who is thoughtful.
JUROR 4:
I don’t know, I think we need to hear more evidence. Let’s keep talking.
The camera cuts to the door, as the BAILIFF knocks.
BAILIFF:
The judge would like to see you all back in court.
The jurors file out of the room, heading back to court to hear more evidence.
FADE TO BLACK.
Scene 5
Fade In:
EXT. PRISON YARD – DAY
AILEEN WUORNOS stands with her back against the wall, scanning the prison yard, her eyes searching for a familiar face. She lights a cigarette, takes a deep drag, and exhales.
A group of inmates approach her; some offer their condolences, others jeer and taunt her. Aileen brushes them off, and moves away from the group. She spots JENNY, a young inmate, sitting alone on a bench, staring into space.
Aileen sits next to her, and they both smoke in silence. Jenny finally breaks the silence.
JENNY
“You’re Aileen, right? I heard what you did. That’s some crazy shit.”
Aileen nods, and exhales smoke.
AILEEN
“I’m not proud of what I did. But I had to do it. He was going to hurt me.”
JENNY
“I get it. I’ve seen enough shit in here. You gotta be tough to survive.”
AILEEN
“You know it. You seem like you’ve been through some shit too. What’s your story?”
Jenny hesitates, then speaks.
JENNY
“I got caught up in some shit with a gang. I was just trying to help my family. But now I’m stuck here, and they don’t give a shit about me.”
Aileen nods, and takes another drag.
AILEEN
“I know how it feels. But you gotta find a way to get through it. You gotta find something to hold onto. For me, it’s my art. I draw portraits of the people I love. It makes me feel like I’m still connected to the world outside these walls.”
Jenny looks at Aileen’s drawings. There are portraits of her victims, as well as some of her old friends and family.
JENNY
“You’re really good. You could make a living as an artist when you get out of here.”
Aileens eyes light up at the thought, but she quickly dismisses it.
AILEEN
“I doubt anyone would buy art from a convicted killer.”
JENNY
“Hey, you never know. The world is a fucked up place. Anything is possible.”
Aileen nods, and they both finish their cigarettes.
AILEEN
“Thanks for talking to me. I don’t have many friends in here.”
Jenny smiles.
JENNY
“No problem. We gotta stick together in here. We’re all we’ve got.”
Aileen stands up, and heads back to her cell, her mind racing with the possibility of a future she never thought she could have.
Fade Out.
Scene 6
INT. PRISON FACILITY – DAY
AILEEN sits in her cell, staring blankly at the wall. She looks different now, her hair is shorter, and she wears glasses. Her new identity is a far cry from the woman she used to be. Aileen’s cellmate, LANA, enters the room, carrying a tray of food.
LANA:
Hey, Aileen, you gonna eat this or what?
Aileen remains silent, lost in thought.
LANA (CONT’D):
You know, you’ve been acting weird lately. I mean, weirder than usual.
Aileen looks up at her.
AILEEN:
What do you mean?
LANA:
I mean, you’re always talking to yourself, and you’re not sleeping at night. What’s going on with you?
AILEEN:
Nothing, I’m fine.
LANA:
Come on, Aileen, you can tell me. We’re friends, right?
Aileen hesitates for a moment before deciding to confide in Lana.
AILEEN:
I just can’t shake this feeling that someone is watching me. It’s like I’m being hunted.
LANA:
Hunted? Aileen, what are you talking about?
AILEEN:
I don’t know. Maybe it’s just my imagination. But ever since that reporter started asking questions about me, I can’t help but feel like I’m in danger.
LANA:
Well, if you’re really worried, maybe you should talk to the warden. He can put you into protective custody.
Aileen considers this for a moment.
AILEEN:
Yeah, maybe you’re right. I’ll go see him tomorrow.
As Aileen finishes her food, she can’t shake the uneasy feeling that something is about to happen. Little does she know, her paranoia is justified. There are people out there who want her dead, and they’re closing in fast.
FADE OUT.
Scene 7
TITLE: MONSTER
FADE IN:
EXT. PRISON – NIGHT
Aileen Wuornos stands at the fence of the prison yard, her eyes scanning the perimeter. She sees a weak spot in the fence and braces herself.
CUT TO:
EXT. HIGHWAY – NIGHT
Aileen runs along the side of the highway, dodging cars and trucks. She looks back over her shoulder and sees the flashing lights of a police car in the distance.
CUT TO:
EXT. ABANDONED BUILDING – NIGHT
Aileen breaks into an abandoned building and looks for a place to hide. She hears the sound of footsteps outside and panics.
CUT TO:
INT. ABANDONED BUILDING – NIGHT
Aileen crouches behind a wall, holding her breath. She sees a shadow move across the wall and realizes it’s a police officer.
CUT TO:
EXT. ABANDONED BUILDING – NIGHT
Aileen sprints out of the building and runs down the street, her heart pounding in her chest. She sees an alleyway and takes a chance, rushing down it.
CUT TO:
INT. ALLEYWAY – NIGHT
Aileen hides behind a dumpster, her breathing ragged. She looks over her shoulder and sees the police officer approach.
POLICE OFFICER
(SHOUTS)
Aileen Wuornos, come out with your hands up!
Aileen considers running, but knows it’s a dead end. She takes a deep breath and steps out from behind the dumpster, her hands raised.
CUT TO:
EXT. PRISON – DAY
Aileen is led back to prison in handcuffs, her head held high. She knows she’s going to spend the rest of her life behind bars, but she’s not broken yet.
FADE OUT.
