Dewey Lives

April 15, 2013, Woodsboro, California. At the Woodsboro police station, Sheriff Dewey Riley is finishing up some paperwork before ending his night. While putting his belongings away at his desk he looks over at a picture of his wife Gale and gives a light smile and chuckle. Gale is away on her book tour after covering the story of the Woodsboro massacre reboot that took place two years ago. Dewey’s concentration was suddenly broken when deputy Judy Hicks knocks on his office door and peeks her head in to check on Dewey. “Hey Sheriff” she began. “I’m gonna go pick up Wes and then I’m headed home for the night, you good?” “Sure thing, deputy.” Dewey responded. “Have a good night, Judy.” Dewey concluded. As Judy smiled at him and left the station the phone on Dewey’s desk suddenly rang.

Dewey found it strange that he would be getting a call at this time of night, considering how quiet Woodsboro normally was during these hours. After letting the phone ring three times Dewey finally picked up. “Sheriff’s Office” Dewey started. “Hi.” said a woman’s voice on the other end of the phone. “I’m looking for Sheriff Dwight Riley. My name is Deborah, I’m with Sunrise Studios in Los, Angeles.

Dewey automatically scoffed at the call behind the phone. He knew what the call was about. Dewey knew that this was another Hollywood big shot film studio calling with the intent of capitalizing off the legacy of the Woodsboro murderers that have scarred his life. “What exactly can I do for you, Ms. Deborah?” Dewey asked sarcastically. “Well I won’t take too much of your time” Deborah began. “I know you probably get tired of movie biz consultants constantly asking for your help with the newest Stab movie, but it’s that season again and our studio has me on the hunt again”.

“Well Ms. Deborah I don’t exactly play that game anymore.” Dewey started. “I tried it 13 years ago and the person who sought me out ended up being the third ghostface killer. I’m not interested in reliving that drama-rama again, sorry you wasted your time.” “Eh, it’s no problem at all.” Deborah replied. The desire to not continue further conversation surprised Dewey. “Wait! You’re not gonna continue to try to interrogate me further?” He asked curiously. “No sir, sheriff. I’m not that persistent.” she joked. “It seems like you have your mind made up. There’s no need to pester you about it any further. Like you said, you’ve been through this a million times.”

This was the first time Dewey had ever been asked about his Woodsboro experience and was not annoyed. The woman on the phone intrigued him. “What’s the matter?” Deborah asked. Nothing.” Dewey answered. “It’s just refreshing to see a Hollywood head who respects people’s privacy. I haven’t seen that much during my life.” “Well I can understand that.” Deborah rebutted. “I mean it’s night time and you’re at the station by yourself, probably in a rush to get home. Who would wanna be held up by some Hollywood pencil neck?” she joked.

“Yeah you’re right!” Dewey laughed. “I’m definitely ready to hit the sack-”. Before Dewey could finish, something Deborah said had crossed his mind. “How did you know I was at the station by myself?” He asked her suspiciously. “Well-” Deborah began “it is…kinda late” she said while stumbling on her words. Dewey was not convinced. “Also, what makes you so sure that I’m in a rush to get home?” Dewey continued suspiciously. “Well…aren’t you?” Deborah replied. Dewey smelled a rat. His mind quickly revisited the time “Roman Bridger called the Woodsboro Police Department with his voice disguised as a woman’s trying to figure out information on where he could find Sidney Prescott. When this did not work he raided the file room looking for the information himself, but was unsuccessful as Dewey had already removed the file.

Dewey hung the phone up on “Deborah” and quickly reached into his desk drawer and pulled out his gun. Dewey knew exactly what was going on. Someone was watching the station and waiting for him to leave so they could ran sack the file room looking for information. More than likely Sidney Prescott’s file. He readied the gun in front of him as he stood up out of his office chair. He aimed the gun in front of him as he slowly walked out of the office door. He pointed the gun all around the lobby of the station waiting for a moment of someone making an appearance. As Dewey continued to slowly pace around the station like a soldier awaiting combat, he neared one of the building’s side exit doors and lightly pushed it open. He looked outside in the dark Woodsboro night, but did not see anything.

As Dewey stepped back into the door with ease he turned around and found a knife hurtling towards his head. He dropped his firearm and quickly grabbed the hand of the assailant swinging at him. It was someone in the infamous ghostface costume. Dewey was holding the attacker at bay with one hand holding the knife wielding hand and the other hand was pressed against the assailant’s chest. They slammed up against a wall and then eventually a desk as the attack tried to force his knife into Dewey’s flesh. Dewey then had a thought to trip the attacker with his foot, knocking both of them off balance.

As they both fell to the floor Dewey spotted his gun and tried to crawl for it, but the suspect crawled on top of him attempting to go in for the kill. With the suspect on top of him Dewey looked the ghostface mask in the eyes thinking about all the lives that he saw this symbol take over the years. All Dewey could think about was he was not going to let himself, Sidney, Gale or anyone else be a victim of this mask ever again. Dewey swiftly kneed the suspect in the gut, forcing him to drop his knife. As the attacker tried to choke Dewey with both hands Dewey punched him in the face, knocking him over. As the assailant tried to reach for his knife Dewey kicked him in the chest and quickly ran for his gun.

When Dewey made it to his gun the masked assailant made it to his his knife, but looked up and found Dewey already had his gun pointed at him from a mere ten feet away. “It’s over, sheriff.” the ghostfaced voice taunted. “I’m gonna kill you, Sidney, Gale and anyone else on the other side of that file drawer that I want.” With his gun pointed at the suspect’s head Dewey simply uttered “Not today!”

Ghostface charged at Dewey with his knife in hand. Dewey fired one round from his gun and hit the masked assailant directly in the forehead, putting him down for good. While the suspect lay dead Dewey walked over to the lifeless body and unmasked the attacker. Once again it was a deceased young man with a bullet wound to his head who had been deceived by the mask of ghostface into thinking he could actually win. Dewey stood over the body with relief knowing that another madman was dead and all the people he cared about, himself included, still lived.

~Based on characters created by Kevin Williamson.

I had a lot of fun writing this story because Dewey Riley is my top favorite fictional character in film history. He’s my favorite hero because he is the most unlikely hero. Special Thanks to Kevin Williamson, Wes Craven and my all time favorite actor David Arquette for bringing him to life.