Psycho: Sinking Marion’s Car

[DISSOLVE TO: EXT. THE SWAMP - (NIGHT). The car pulls away from a CLOSE ANGLE on the trunk and as CAMERA HOLDS we see that we are now in a swamp area. It is quiet except for the irritating noises of night insects. NORMAN stops the car at the very edge of the swamp, turns off the lights, gets out, leaving door open. He looks at the swamp, seems doubtful of its ability to swallow up the car, realizes he has no choice. He leans into the car, releases the emergency brake, starts to push. The front of the car begins to roll into the swamp. NORMAN begins to nibble on candy corn. Suddenly there is the LOW, THROBBING SOUND of a motor. NORMAN freezes, listens. The SOUND grows louder and Norman realizes it is an airplane flying overhead. The car is rolling quickly now. NORMAN jumps away, slams the door shut, stands tense.]

[CUT BACK TO: NORMAN. He looks at the car. More than two-thirds of it have already sunk into the swamp. The trunk alone seems to hold poised above the sand and slime, as if refusing to go the rest of the way. NORMAN begins to panic, he steps dangerously close, pushes with his foot. And slowly the car sinks, until finally it is gone and we hear only the gentle plop of the swamp's final gulp, and see only the small after-bubble, like a visual burp. NORMAN waits a moment, a smile on his face, then begins stamping out the tire marks, so obvious in the wet ground around the swamp. He stamps and drags his feet over the markings]