A Clue Saga

INT. ALABASTER's ANTIQUEs - MORNING
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE enters the store smoking a cigarette. The bell rings above the door as it closes behind him.
An ELDERLY MAN behind the counter looks up at him as he enters. His nametag reads: 'ALABASTER'.
MR. MASON ALABASTER
"Morning. Looking for anything specific? We have just 'bout everything."
M. BRUNETTE pays no attention to the man, grabbing a thick leather coat from a coat rack as he walks down the aisles and aisles of antiques that have been long-forgotten.
M. BRUNETTE then grabs a very yellowed judicial wig as he passes by several long women's wigs - shaking his head at them.
MR. ALABASTER watches M. BRUNETTE intently as he moves on to the next area of the shop, snatching a large pirate hat from the top of an old wardrobe.
MR. MASON ALABASTER
"Can I help you, sir?"
M. BRUNETTE continues to ignore the old man, sifting through a jewelry box. He quickly spotting a monocle and pops it into his left eye.
He hurries over to the counter with his haul, dropping the load before MR. ALABASTER.
MR. MASON ALABASTER
(raising an eyebrow)
"Will that be all?"
M. BRUNETTE takes out a wad of money and tosses it at the old man.
M. BRUNETTE the proceeds to put on the wig, hat, and coat.
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"That should cover it."
MR. ALABASTER counts the sizeable sum with eager, excited eyes.
2.
MR. MASON ALABASTER
"Who are you?"
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"Call me Cherrywood. Captain Maverick Allister Cherrywood."
INT. SILVER HOME - early morning
MRS. FRANCINE SILVER sits on her sofa with a closed Bible in her lap. There are two cups of tea on the coffee table in front of her. MS. KIMBERLY MANGO sits across from her with an open notebook in her lap.
MS. KIMBERLY MANGO
"Being a well-noted member of the community, the town is all asking the same question. How are you doing, Mrs. Silver?"
MRS. SILVER takes a deep breath in.
MRS. FRANCINE SILVER
"It has been hard. I keep praying to Jesus for strength and God for understanding. I know all things are in His great plan... but sometimes I just don't understand."
MS. KIMBERLY MANGO
"It must be difficult: struggling spiritually with Reverend Sycamore retiring last month."
MRS. FRANCINE SILVER
"Yes, it has been very difficult. For the past week, I've been struggling to care for my grandson. Fivel is such a sweet boy, but he's troubled. He was raised without the Lord. His adoptive mother was caught up in troubling ways. I'm to understand there was a lot of abuse and violence he was subjected to."
3.
MS. KIMBERLY MANGO
(sympathetically)
"It is hard to treat a child with a innocence they deserve after it is lost."
MRS. FRANCINE SILVER
"It really is, Ms. Mango. Every day is an uphill battle. Loving that boy is the only way I can love my daughter anymore."
MS. KIMBERLY MANGO
"You were at your daughter's execution. Word around town is that you couldn't bring yourself to watch."
MRS. FRANCINE SILVER
"It was all too sudden. I barely had time to process that she was a murderess... let alone that she confessed and was being sentenced to death for what she did."
MS. KIMBERLY MANGO
"What are your thoughts on Blackwell Grange itself?"
MRS. FRANCINE SILVER
"It should be boarded up and left to rot. That place has brought this town nothing but horror stories and fear."
MS. KIMBERLY MANGO
"My thoughts, exactly. Mrs. Silver, it is my sole intention to give you exactly what you want. I want everyone in that place locked away. I want every secret harbored to be laid out for everyone to see. I want that place to go down in history as the place where evil lived."
MRS. FRANCINE SILVER
"I'll pray for you, Ms. Mango. I hope you are successful in bringing that place to the earth."
4.
INT. BLACKWELL GRANGE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE stands at the sink, washing her hands. MR. REGINALD ASH enters from the hall with a long, discontented sigh.
MR. ASH sees the emptied herb jars and herbs laying in random bowls.
MR. REGINALD ASH
"A bit of spring cleaning?"
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"It's been a week, Reggie. It feels like a lifetime has gone by..."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"And you've spent the whole time scrubbing this place from top to bottom."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"I can't stop thinking about the police digging around in all the drawers and herbs. I ought to throw them all out and start over, but we don't have time for that..."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"I could swing by the grocery store, if you really need me to."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Add it to the list of things already weighing down on your mind."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Oh, before I forget... Mr. Meadow-Brook is stopping by to go over the arrangements for the will reading."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Is it really necessary to read the will immediately after the wake. It seems in poor taste."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"It's the only thing people have been talking about for days. We best get it over with."
5.
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"I'm just not ready to go through it all."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"I'm not sure anyone is. Have you seen Master Boddy?"
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"No. I've been... occupied."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Well he's been stoned or drunk every day since they hung Nurse Silver."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"You're complaining to the wrong person. I was so heavily sedated for five years I forgot about Benjamin's childhood..."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"How are things going for him?"
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Better. He talks to me. He still seems distant. He's worried that when his father gets here things are going to go through the roof."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Lord Gray can be a lot to handle."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Sir Benedict plans on overturning the will and reinstating himself as head of the house."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"The new will is written in Miss Dove and Fivel's favor. The old will is written in Master Boddy's favor."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
(groaning)
"And the one before that is in Mrs. Peacock's favor."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Miss Dove and Fivel are out of the picture."
6.
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"I think it's safe to say Mrs. Peacock holds no real claim."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"She's a fighter. She's got nothing left to lose."
MRS. WHITE groans.
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"God, could you imagine? Working for that bitch?"
MRS. WHITE and MR. ASH both laugh.
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Either way, we are going to need some help."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"What do you mean?"
MR. REGINALD ASH
"We're down two staff members."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Yes, but now that Rusty is back home, he can help out."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Rusty is an old man. He has his hands full with the grounds keeping."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
(sighing)
"I suppose..."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"We need to grovel to who ever winds up in charge of Blackwell Grange. That way we can get a cook and parlor maid hired."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"The guests haven't been fond of my cooking."
MR. ASH groans.
MR. REGINALD ASH
"At least you are trying your best."
7.
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD enters the KITCHEN through the backdoor. He is holding a SHOTGUN in one hand and a dead ring-necked pheasant in the other.
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Michael Mustard! What on earth have you brought into my kitchen?"
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"We'll be having pheasant for breakfast."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"That's a nice fat one! Good show, Colonel!"
COL. MUSTARD gives a joking courtly bow as he plops the dead bird down onto the wooden table in the center of the room.
MRS. WHITE turns up her nose in disgust as she examines the bullet wound, plucking the feathers around it.
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Really, Michael? A shotgun slug? Couldn't you have at least used the rifle? You shredded the good meat."
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"We aren't starving in the jungle. Cut them thin. Get everyone a taste. Let them fill up on eggs, toast, and vegetables."
MR. ASH pulls COL. MUSTARD aside.
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Have you spoken to Mr. Green yet?"
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"I haven't been to visit him."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Are you going to?"
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"Eh... yes. I'll get to it. After the wake and the funeral. I'll get to it."
COL. MUSTARD exits the KITCHEN into the HALL.
8.
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"What was all that about?"
MR. REGINALD ASH
"That? Oh, nothing. I just asked Colonel Mustard for a little favor, that's all."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"I heard you mention Mr. Green."
MRS. WHITE begins to pluck the feathers rapidly from the pheasant.
MRs. BLANCHE WHITE
"Have you been to see him yet about Mabel?"
MR. REGINALD ASH
"I hardly think discussing it in a jail cell is worth the risk."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Ah, but you'll risk involving the likes of Michael Mustard."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Oh, Blanche. Not this again."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"That man did little to nothing to find Margaret and Sam. Say what you will about the disrespectful way Master Boddy talks to that man, but he deserves it. He gave up too early."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"It was a confusing time, we were all there."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"No, they called off the search because they were scared off. They didn't fight back hard enough."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"And you would have fought back?"
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"If given the opportunity, there is nothing I wouldn't do to protect the innocent from the wicked."
9.
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Is that why you sat back while Yvette suffered?"
MRS. WHITE glares at MR. ASH.
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"I cared for that girl."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"You were fed up and annoyed with her right up till the moment she died. The last conversation you had with her was bitter, was it not?"
MRS. WHITE furrows her brow, opening her mouth to speak - no words come out. She closes her mouth and exits the KITCHEN, leaving MR. ASH alone.
INT. BLACKWELL GRANGE - BALLROOM - conTINUOUS
The gentle sound of a violin echoes from within the BALLROOM. MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK enters the room to see MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET sitting in a chair with a music stand in front of her.
MISS SCARLET is quickly working through a violin solo and does not notice MRS. PEACOCK standing in the doorway.
MRS. PEACOCK watches MISS SCARLET and listens to the emotion that is brought out as the instrument is used. She hears the anxiousness and sorrow behind the bow as it strikes the strings in a smooth and steady fashion. MRS. PEACOCK sighs with relaxation and listens as MISS SCARLET concludes the piece.
Mrs. Patricia peacock
"That was beautiful."
MISS SCARLET jumps, frightened by MRS. PEACOCK's voice.
Miss VIVIENNE SCARLET
"I didn't realize anyone was awake yet."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"I just came in to open up the windows. It's such a nice day. I thought the house could use a little fresh air."
10.
MRS. PEACOCK walks over to the large French doors that lead out to the ROSE GARDEN and opens them.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"Don't you just love that smell? It means summer is just around the corner."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"You seem to be in a chipper mood this morning."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"I am, Vivienne. I wanted to talk with you."
MRS. PEACOCK motions to the ottoman in the center of the room. She sits down on the edge and looks towards the open window, watching the curtains blow freely in the breeze.
MISS SCARLET sets down the violin and joins MRS. PEACOCK on the ottoman.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"What is it?"
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"I reached out to my daughter. I haven't heard back, but I want to meet her if she responds. I-I wanted to let you know."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(rolling her eyes)
"Okay? It's your life. You don't have to run every little decision by me."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"Vivienne... you're still my daughter too."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"I'm not, though. I'm Josephine Scarlet's daughter. Rose has been telling me a lot about her. Even though she's dead, there are still things she is teaching me. The stories I hear... I don't need you to worry about me anymore, Patricia. Judge Mauve got you off. You're finally free."
11.
MISS SCARLET stands up and heads toward the curtained entrance of the BALLROOM.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"Vivienne, I love you."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"You should have thought about that when you guided Edward's penis into you."
INT. BLACKWELL GRANGE - INDIGO BEDROOM - AFTERNOON
DR. WALTER RAVEN sits on the cushioned bench at the foot of his bed. He is burping excessively.
There is a rapid knock at his door.
DR. WALtEr rAvEN
(burping)
"Come in!"
DR. ANDREA ORCHID opens the door and steps into the man's room.
DR. WALTER RAVEN
(hiccupping)
"I'm sorry. The pheasant isn't sitting well."
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
"Is that what you wanted to tell me?"
DR. WALTER RAVEN
"No. I need to ask you a favor."
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
"I think you already owe me enough as it is. I put Hugh's body back in that cellar for your fat ass."
DR. WALTER RAVEN
"And I'll pay you handsomely once Benedict and I arrange what Hugh owed me. But right now my daughter's neck is on the line. They want to hang her for being an accessory to murder."
12.
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
"How am I supposed to prevent that?"
DR. WALTER RAVEN
(burping)
"I need money now. I need something to give the Commissioner so he can put off Olivia's execution. I've done everything I can using words and empty threats. He's going to hang her after the weekend if I don't figure something out."
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
"What makes you think I have the type of money to help you?"
DR. WALTER RAVEN
"You're close with Benedict. Try and persuade him to give me what Hugh owes me now. Please. My daughter's life is at stake."
Int. PRATTON POLICE DEPARTMENT - HOLDING CELLS - continuous
MR. THALLO GREEN lays back on his mattress in his CELL. He is tossing a balled up paper cup against the wall and catching it over and over again. To his right, HERR KLAUS GOLD is doing push-ups on the ground. To his left, PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM is crying miserably on the floor in the corner. Across from him, MRS. OLIVIA GREEN stares at him with puffy, red eyes.

MRS. OLIVIA GREEN
"I shouldn't be here."
MRS. GREEN stands up from her mattress and begins to pace her CELL.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
(sobbing)
"Neither should I! It wasn't my fault..."
HERR KLAUS GOLD
(panting)
"We've heard it a thousand times, Victor."
13.
HERR GOLD continues to do push-ups.
MR. THALLO GREEN
"Jesus, all of you are starting to bring me down. Have a little faith. They haven't hanged us yet. Why do you think that is? Because we haven't confessed to anything that we didn't do. Ava confessed. That's on her. God rest her soul - she should have denied it till her teeth bled."
HERR KLAUS GOLD
"I won't hang."
HERR GOLD switches to sit-ups.
MR. THALLO GREEN
"Have you got a body building contest that I need to know about?"
HERR KLAUS GOLD
"I'm not letting my body waste away in here."
MR. THALLO GREEN
"I'm just eager to get out and have some real food. And a shave. God, I could use a shave."
MR. GREEN scratches at his stubbly neck and face.
HERR KLAUS GOLD
(laughing)
"What makes you so certain you're getting out."
MR. THALLO GREEN
"My people always take care of their own. Why should this time be any different."
HERR KLAUS GOLD
"Because you are in here under suspicion of mafia involvement. How is it going to look if some random businessman shows up here with your bail bond."
MR. THALLO GREEN
"That's why it's always smart to keep the business in the family."
14.
The door to FOREST's OFFICE opens and OFFICER MOSS lets in an elderly priest.
OFFICER LEON MOSS
"Mr. Green, your uncle has paid your bail. You're free to go."
MR. THALLO GREEN
(cheerfully)
"Hey, Uncle Hosea. It's been a long time. How's the revival circuit?"
REVERNED HOSEA GREEN glares at his nephew with fire in his eyes.
EXT. PRATTON POLICE DEPARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER
MR. GREEN adjusts the tie on his pin-striped suit as he follows REV. GREEN briskly towards the black limousine at the edge of the street.

MR. GREEN eyes the limousine up and down with an excited smile.
MR. THALLO GREEN
"Escorting me away from this place in style! I like it."
REV. GREEN says nothing, opening the door for MR. GREEN.
MR. GREEN slides into the back seat to be met by the barrel of a gun to his head. A large man in a bright orange suit widens his glare at MR. GREEN. He is MR. IGOR O'RANGE.
MR. IGOR O'RANGE
"Surprised to see me?"
(to the DRIVER)
"Drive!"
MR. THALLO GREEN
"How much do I owe you?"
15.
MR. IGOR O'RANGE
"For the bail? Or altogether when I add up the money you owe me for the liquor your guy didn't move. Oh, yes. Your little twin body guards came to me after you didn't get back to them. They said you snuffed a guy for not paying and went off to Connecticut."
MR. THALLO GREEN
"Uncle Hosea?"
MR. GREEN turns to his uncle, who hasn't spoken yet.
MR. IGOR O'RANGE
"Oh, he isn't speaking to you. Yeah, he's not too happy about this new arrangement, either."
MR. THALLO GREEN
"New arrangement?"
MR. IGOR O'RANGE
"I couldn't show up in there and bail your ass out. Now your uncle has to stay in Pratton as the resident priest to avoid questions. Do you realize how much you fucked things up by getting yourself caught, Thallo?"
MR. THALLO GREEN
"I didn't exactly get caught. Inspector Brown had it out for me. He's had it out for us for years. We got history."
MR. IGOR O'RANGE
"It ends today. You don't associate yourself with people that you got history with. Okay? You understand me?"
MR. THALLO GREEN
"So what am I to do?"
MR. IGOR O'RANGE
"Whatever the fuck I tell you to do. Right now you are on some very, very thin ice.
(MORE)
16.
MR. IGOR O'RANGE (CONT'D)
If your father wasn't a man I respected, I would see how far I can get my gun down your throat before you started gagging and then I'd pull the trigger."
MR. GREEN keeps an eye on the gun waving around in his face.
MR. IGOR O'RANGE
"You are done with Blackwell Grange. You are done with Pratton. Hell, you might be better off dead."
MR. THALLO GREEN
"Where am I going, boss?"
MR. IGOR O'RANGE
(laughing)
"Don't be cute with me."
MR. O'RANGE puts his gun away.
MR. IGOR O'RANGE
"You're going back to New York City. I need you and all of your most trusted allies, go-getters, and body guards at Hotel O'Range for a very important delivery."
MR. THALLO GREEN
"What kind of delivery?"
MR. IGOR O'RANGE
"The kind of delivery that could make you rich enough to think about retiring."
MR. THALLO GREEN
"I don't think I'm the type of man who wants to slow down and retire."
MR. IGOR O'RANGE
"That's not entirely your decision, is it?"
EXT. PRATTON COMMUNITY GARDEN - Continuous
TWO WOMEN tend to their flowers in separate plots of land in the COMMUNITY GARDEN. The older woman pulls off her gloves and fixes her hat. She is MRS. HENRIETTA CANARY. The other woman is a decade younger, sporting red hair and a tight smile. She is MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK.
17.
MRS. HENRIETTA CANARY
(droning on)
"My tulips always win first place. Would you like to know why? It's all about the soil. Loose soil yields the best bulbs."
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"It's a joy to see your tulips every day."
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK turns her attention to the large, white Victorian house across the street from the COMMUNITY GARDENS.
MRS. CANARY eyes the house with envy.
MRS. HENRIETTA CANARY
(feigning interest)
"Miles must be doing well for himself."
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"Yes, even with losing Hugh Black as a client."
MRS. HENRIETTA CANARY
"Well, he gained that father, didn't he? Oh, come on! I need to hear a little gossip. It's been so quiet and lonely ever since my Harold passed. What did you hear? Is Miles taking on Benedict as a client?"
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK smiles proudly.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"Yes. And he is paying him handsomely."
MRS. HENRIETTA CANARY
"What a scoundrel! Oh, you should have seen Benedict in his younger years. That man could get any girl if he wanted to."
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"Hugh was the playboy. Benedict was loyal to Beatrice... even through death."
18.
MRS. HENRIETTA CANARY
"I can't believe that family is going through it again."
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"I'm just glad we weren't there. Miles and I were invited to go, but... something came up."
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK's voice trails off as she notices her TWO TEENAGE CHILDREN walking home from school. She waves to them.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"I should probably go."
MRS. HENRIETTA CANARY
"Yes, of course. Your children need you."
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK crosses the empty street and meets the red-haired girl and blonde boy as they reach the steps to the front porch of Victorian house.
INT. MEADOW-BROOK HALL - FOYER - CONTINUOUS
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK closes the door as MALCOLM and JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK drop their schoolbags at the door.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
(scolding)
"Pick those up! It isn't Mrs. Ho's job to clean up the house, and yet I find her cleaning after the two of your daily!"
MALCOLM begins to unbutton his shirt. JESSICA tentatively picks up her backpack, holding it in front of her chest.
MALCOLM MEADOW-BROOK
"I'm hungry."
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"We'll have supper when your father gets home."
MALCOLM kicks off his shoes in the middle of the HALLWAY near the foot of the stairs. MRS. MEADOW-BROOK clucks in disgust.
MALCOLM MEADOW-BROOK
"I'm not waiting on dad. I'm getting something to eat..."
19.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"No, you're going to wait until your father gets home!"
MALCOLM continues to walk off towards the KITCHEN.
MALCOLM MEADOW-BROOK
(shouting back)
"He always comes home late on Fridays. We're not doing this again, Jesus Christ!"
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK stands with her mouth agape.
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
(meekly)
"He's right, you know. Daddy's always home late every Friday."
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK sighs deeply, resetting her composure.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
(smiling)
"He likes to finish up his paperwork so he doesn't have to think about it over the weekend."
There is a loud THUMP from somewhere upstairs.
MALCOLM comes rushing from the KITCHEN with a half-eaten apple in his hand.
MALCOLM MEADOW-BROOK
"Was that?"
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK shuts her eyes and holds up her hand.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"Shhh!"
There is another loud THUMP.
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK opens her eyes and calmly climbs up the staircase to the second floor.
JESSICA looks over at her brother with sadness in her eyes.
MALCOLM nods reassuringly at her.
JESSICA sniffles and wipes her nose.
MALCOLM kicks his shoes out of the middle of the room. He picks up his backpack and motions for the two of them to go into the PARLOR.
20.
JESSICA opens her backpack and begins to take out her school books.
MALCOLM leans back on the sofa and continues to eat the apple.
INT. MEADOW-BROOK HALL - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK walks down the long, wall-papered hallway with one hand touching the top of the wainscoting.
She reaches the end of the HALLWAY and turns to the small, narrow door to her right. She opens it a tiny bit and looks at the dusty, narrow staircase leading to the ATTIC.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
(sternly)
"I've told you a thousand times..."
(shouting brutally)
"KEEP IT DOWN UP THERE!"
NASALLY GUTTURAL VOICE
"I want to play with my brother and sister. They just got home from school."
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"You'll see them on Sunday when we pray as a family. If you are good you may eat in the kitchen."
NASALLY GUTTURAL VOICE
"I want to show Jessie the new doll I made."
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"You can show her on Sunday. Now STAY QUIET!"
NASALLY GUTTURAL VOICE
"I'm sorry mamma. I love you mamma."
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
(closing her eyes)
"Please, just stay quiet, Mercy. Mamma has another one of her headaches."
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK shuts the door and leans against it with her back. She begins to cry.
21.
MALCOLM comes up the stairs and shakes his head in disgust as he enters his BEDROOM, slamming the door loudly behind him.
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK marches after him across the UPSTAIRS HALLWAY past the staircase.
She throws open his BEDROOM door.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"What have I told you about slamming the doors?"
MALCOLM MEADOW-BROOK
"I don't care. Get out. I'm changing clothes. Now."
MALCOLM takes off his shirt, ignoring his mother.
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK notices a small tattoo on his right bicep.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"What the hell is this?"
MALCOLM MEADOW-BROOK
"Close the door."
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK's mouth drops in shock.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"Malcolm Meadow-Brook!"
MALCOLM turns away from her as he drops his pants, picking up the folded pair from the dresser.
MALCOLM MEADOW-BROOK
"Can you leave?"
MALCOLM rolls his eyes has he puts on the pants.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"I will not! Where did you get that tattoo?"
MALCOLM ignores her shrill voice, going to his closet and selecting a new shirt.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"Malcolm! I'm talking to you! Where did you get the money to get that? Is that a skull with a dagger in it? That is morbid and unsightly!"
MALCOLM puts on the new shirt, walking towards the door of his BEDROOM.
22.
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK stands in the way, blocking him from exiting.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"When your father gets home and hears about this..."
MALCOLM MEADOW-BROOK
"After he's done fucking whores and doing coke with the other lawyers?"
MALCOLM pushes past his mother roughly.
MALCOLM MEADOW-BROOK
"You can't try to control everything! Jesus Christ, mom! Stop. Just stop..."
MALCOLM walks to the staircase and descends to the FOYER.
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK watches from the top of the stairs as MALCOLM grabs his shoes and puts them back on.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"Where are you going?"
MALCOLM MEADOW-BROOK
"Over to Jake's. His family eats at a reasonable time."
MALCOLM exits the house, slamming the front door loudly.
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK comes from the PARLOR holding a history book against her chest.
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
"Mamma?"
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
(holding her forehead)
"What is it, Jessica?"
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
"Is Mercy okay?"
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK lowers her hand from her forehead and bursts out into hysterical laughter.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"Is Mercy okay? Oh, yes. Mercy is doing just perfect. Everything is perfect at the Meadow-Brook house! Just perfect!"
23.
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK grips the stair railing tightly with both hands.
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
(worried)
"Mamma?"
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"I'm going to lie down until your father gets home. Have Mrs. Ho fix you something... I don't care anymore... Eat the whole pantry and get fat for all I care..."
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK disappears into the opposite end of the UPSTAIRS HALLWAY towards the MASTER BEDROOM.
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK stands alone at the foot of the stairs. She glances up the stairs towards the second floor and listens to the noises of the house.
She hears MRS. HO chopping onions in the KITCHEN.
She hears the wooden creak of her mother's bedframe caving in under her weight.
She hears a light tap-tap-tapping coming from the ATTIC.
JESSICA slowly climbs the staircase and turns down the UPSTAIRS HALLWAY towards the ATTIC.
JESSICA walks down the wall-papered hallway keeping her head turned over her shoulder towards the door to the MASTER BEDROOM.
JESSICA reaches the narrow, attic door, and opens it. She steps inside, closing the door behind her. She creeps slowly up the staircase where she sees the strange, ill-shapen frame of a young girl, rocking back and forth on a wooden rocking horse, in the faded light of the curtain-covered attic window.
The deformed, disfigured young girl turns to face her sister, climbing off the horse with arms extended towards her.
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
(smiling)
"Mercy."
MERCY MEADOW-BROOK smiles wide, running towards her sister for a hug. She stops short, tripping due to the ankle cuff restraining her - chained to a wooden support.
24.
MERCY MEADOW-BROOK
"Mamma says I can eat in the kitchen again if I'm good all weekend."
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
"I'll make sure Mrs. Ho makes you something special for dessert."
(whispering)
"Mamma doesn't have to know."
MERCY MEADOW-BROOK
"I made a new doll."
MERCY holds up a greasy, figure shaped out of insulation foam, tied up with bits of hair. There is torn aluminum wrapped around it like a dress.
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
"Does she have a name."
MERCY MEADOW-BROOK
"Hope. Like our sister."
(pausing)
"I miss her, Jessie. Why did she have to die?"
JESSICA lowers her head to hide the tears welling up in her eyes.
MERCY notices her sisters tears from where she sits on the ATTIC floor.
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
"I'm sorry. The dust gets in my eyes... we need to clean this place up. Open the windows, clean up the dust..."
MERCY MEADOW-BROOK
"Mamma nailed the windows shut."
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
"I'll be right back. I'm going to get a bucket and a sponge and clean off some of this..."
JESSICA motions to the ATTIC and is overwhelmed with the bleakness of it.
She turns and walks back down the narrow staircase.
25.
INT. MEADOW-BROOK HALL - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK closes the narrow ATTIC door behind her and walks towards the top of the staircase. She slowly descends into the FOYER as the doorbell rings.
JESSICA glances back up the staircase towards the MASTER BEDROOM. She slowly opens the front door.
MRS. CANARY is standing on the front porch.
MRS. HENRIETTA CANARY
"I don't mean to be a bother..."
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
"Not at all, Mrs. Canary. What can I do for you?"
MRS. HENRIETTA CANARY
"Well... I was tending to my tulips across the street and I heard some screaming. I was hoping everything was alright. Did someone get hurt? Do you need an ambulance?"
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
(caught off guard)
"Oh! N-no! My mother... she saw a rat. In the kitchen. With the cook. They both... you know... screamed. It's the fourth time this month. Rats."
MRS. HENRIETTA CANARY
"Rats? That's terrible. You should tell your father to pick up a couple of traps from Steele's Hardware. I had a rat problem in my garage a few winters back..."
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
(cutting her off)
"I'm sorry. I should be going, Mrs. Canary. Thank you for checking in."
JESSICA starts to slowly close the door on MRS. CANARY.
MRS. HENRIETTA CANARY
(offended)
"Oh! How rude! Well, do as you will."
(scoffing)
(MORE)
26.
MRS. HENRIETTA CANARY (CONT'D)
"Teenagers. They don't respect how important I think I am."
INT. MEADOW-BROOK HALL - FOYER - CONTINUOUS
JESSICA closes the door and locks it behind her. She sees MRS. MEADOW-BROOK standing at the top of the staircase.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"Who was that at the door, sweetheart?"
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
"Mrs. Canary."
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"What did she want?"
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
"Nothing."
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK tilts her head to the side.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"Nothing? She came to the door because of nothing? What did she want, Jessica?"
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK slowly begins to walk down the staircase.
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
"She... uh... She said she heard screaming."
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"Screaming? And what did you tell her?"
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
"You and Mrs. Ho saw a rat in the kitchen."
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK extends a hand to JESSICA and pats her gently on the cheek.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"Good girl."
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK walks over to the front door and pulls a slender, bamboo cane from the umbrella stand.
27.
JESSICA's eyes widen in horror.
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
(begging)
"Mamma! Don't!"
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"She will learn to behave and stay silent."
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK marches back up the staircase and turns to the ATTIC door.
JESSICA stands at the foot of the stairs staring up as she hears the solid, firm:
WHACK
WHACK
WHACK
Of the bamboo cane.
END Of EPISODE #25