EXT. BACKWOODS - CLOSE - DOG 

CAMERA LEADS as the dog SNIFFS through the woods... onto a scent.

WIDER

The Sheriff follows the dog.  Sarah (the research scientist) and Dr.
Wayne follow behind scanning the forest floor for indications of the
creature's presence.  Dr. Spitz walks behind all the others. 
Everyone is sticky with dirt and sweat.  Sarah pauses, a touch
winded.
	
			SARA
		We must have hiked ten miles
		from the road...

			SHERIFF STENNER
		We're a good thirty miles from
		town.  This is the deep backwoods.

THE DOG

pauses, SNIFFS, following a lead... picking up intensity...

RETURN

Sheriff Stenner, Sarah and Dr. Wayne hustle after the dog.  Now
trying to keep up, Spitz quickens his pace until O.S., a CRUNCHY
SQUISH beneath his shoes.  Spitz stops dead in his tracks and groans
through a grimace.  The others turn back toward him as he lifts his
show and checks the defecation stuck on the bottom.
	
			DR. WAYNE
		Is it human?

			DR. SPITZ
		Hmm.  "Is it human?"  Well,
		it doesn't look like my dog's
		or the camel's at the zoo.

			SARAH 
		How old?

Spitz flashes her an expression of stoic incredulity.

			DR. SPITZ
		I'm a neurologist.  The only
		feces I examine are my own as
		they're spinning away out of
		my life.

The Sheriff has moved back toward Spitz and takes a look.


			SHERIFF STENNER (matter-of-factly)
		Six weeks.  At least...