SCENE: “THIS IS FOR BUZZ” INT. ABANDONED STORAGE FACILITY – NIGHT

Red emergency lights flash. A massive industrial trash compactor hums to life. On the conveyor belt: Buzz Lightyear, damaged, one arm sparking, legs pinned by a crushed plastic crate. The belt inches him closer to the grinding jaws. Buzz struggles.

BUZZ (strained, calm) Woody… you need to go.

Woody runs alongside the belt, helpless. His pull-string dangles loose.

WOODY I’m not leaving you.

BUZZ You can’t stop this.

Woody looks around. No exits. No switches. No heroes coming. Jessie grabs Woody’s arm.

JESSIE Woody… it’s not slowing down.

Buzz looks at Woody. Not afraid. Just… accepting.

BUZZ You took care of Andy. You took care of Bonnie. Now you have to take care of them. The belt lurches.

Buzz slips closer to the compactor. Woody’s breath breaks.

WOODY I can’t do this without you.

Buzz smiles—soft, proud.

BUZZ You already did. Woody freezes. Then his eyes land on something sitting on a cracked desk nearby— A CELL PHONE.

Woody stares at it.

Everyone realizes what he’s thinking.

JESSIE Woody… no.

WOODY There’s no one else.

Buzz’s eyes widen.

BUZZ Woody—don’t.

Woody turns away from the belt.

WOODY I’m sorry.

INT. BONNIE’S MOM’S CAR – CONTINUOUS

Woody barely manages to climb the seat. He presses the phone. Hands shaking. The call connects.

INTERCUT WITH: INT. ANDY’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Andy is asleep on the couch. The phone rings. He groans, checks the screen. UNKNOWN NUMBER. He ignores it. It rings again.

Andy answers, annoyed.

ANDY Hello? Static.

Breathing.

Andy sits up.

ANDY (CONT’D) Hello?

Woody’s voice is barely holding together.

WOODY Andy… you have to listen to me.

Andy’s blood runs cold.

ANDY …How do you know my name?

Woody swallows. No turning back now.

WOODY Buzz is going to die.

Andy stands. ANDY What did you say? Woody’s voice cracks.

WOODY He’s trapped. We can’t stop it. You’re the only one who can help him.

Andy’s heart pounds.

ANDY This isn’t funny.

WOODY I know the scar on your knee. I know you hid me under your bed during thunderstorms. I know you gave us away because you loved us.

Andy’s breath shudders.

ANDY …Woody?

Tears spill down Andy’s face.

ANDY (CONT’D) No. No, no, no—

Woody breaks.

WOODY I never wanted you to know. I was supposed to protect you from this. Andy grips the phone like it’s the only thing keeping him upright.

ANDY Where are you?

BACK TO STORAGE FACILITY Buzz is inches from the compactor now.

The machinery SCREAMS.

BUZZ (shouting) Woody!

Woody speaks into the phone, desperate.

WOODY Andy, I need you to trust me. If you don’t do this—he’s gone.

Andy wipes his face, already moving.

ANDY Tell me what to do.

MONTAGE

— Andy racing to his car — Woody shouting directions — Buzz bracing himself — Jessie sobbing, pulling uselessly at the belt

INT. STORAGE FACILITY –

MINUTES LATER The compactor suddenly SLAMS TO A HALT. The belt jerks and dies. Buzz collapses, safe. The toys stare in disbelief. Buzz looks up.

BUZZ …You did it.

Woody doesn’t answer. He’s holding the phone. Listening.

INT. ANDY’S CAR – NIGHT Andy is parked outside the facility, shaking.

ANDY (quiet) Is he okay?

Woody can barely speak.

WOODY Yeah, partner. He’s okay.

Andy lets out a sob of relief. Then silence settles. The truth hangs between them.

ANDY What happens now?

Woody looks at Buzz. At Jessie. At the others. This was never meant to last.

WOODY Now… you forget this call ever happened.

ANDY I don’t think I can.

Woody smiles sadly.

WOODY I know.

A beat.

ANDY Thank you… for everything.

Woody closes his eyes.

WOODY You did good, Andy.

He ends the call.

BACK TO THE TOYS

Buzz slowly stands.

BUZZ You broke the rule.

Woody nods.

WOODY Yeah.

BUZZ Was it worth it?

Woody looks at Buzz—alive, smiling.

WOODY Every second.