A CLUE SAGA - Episode #30
int. WASHINGTON D.C. POLICE STATION - DUSK
A skinny man smokes a cigarette as he crosses off a name from a long list. His eyes are strained and tired. He grinds his jaw tightly in frustration, looking over the few names left on his list. He is PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR RAYMOND COAL.
P.I. COAL sits down behind his desk and narrows his eyes as they reach the names: Vivienne Scarlet, Edward Clay, and Patricia Peacock.
He blinks rapidly and draws hard on the cigarette. He flicks the ashes into an over-flowing ashtray on the edge of his desk.
A larger man walks over to P.I. COAL's desk. He yawns as he drops a stack of papers on the surface. He is PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR ALLEN SEPIA.
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"You've already talked to all the people aboard train from New York City?"
P.I. ALLEN SEPIA
"Everyone was fairly easy to find."
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"Anything come up?"
2.
P.I. ALLEN SEPIA
"A young man said the victim was seen arguing with people on the station platform all morning."
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"If this is really a homicide, then it could be any of the people he randomly harassed."
(pausing)
"The mother keeps calling."
P.I. ALLEN SEPIA
(rolling his eyes)
"What more could Wiltina Liverwurst possibly have to say? She calls nearly every day."
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"She's convinced her son's death wasn't a careless accident. She insists that he had a terrible temper and must have angered someone."
P.I. ALLEN SEPIA
(getting frustrated)
"Honestly, it just seems like bad luck to me. Angry men do stupid things and get hurt all the time."
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"Senator Peacock's widow was on the train."
P.I. ALLEN SEPIA
(checking his watch)
"Yeah, but she just cleared of the suspicion of his murder."
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"Conveniently, she was also present at Blackwell Grange for a weekend party where six murders took place."
P.I. ALLEN SEPIA
"You think the Peacock widow is responsible?"
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"Isn't it odd how a trail of bodies seem to always follow her?
(MORE)
3.
P.I. RAYMOND COAL (CONT'D)
James Scarlet, Ernest Zaffer, Gerald Cobalt, Edwin Spruce, Marcus Peacock, Gus Liverwurst, and the victims of Blackwell Grange."
P.I. ALLEN SEPIA
"I haven't read much on the Blackwell murders. But I thought the killer was found and hanged."
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"Yes, but the accused accomplice sits waiting for her trial - all the while claiming her innocence."
(pausing)
"There are three people left on this list in Connecticut for you to talk to. I'm going to go with you."
P.I. ALLEN SEPIA
"Why? Do we really need to go up to Connecticut? Can't we just call this an accident and tell old Mommy Liverwurst to mourn her son without calling us?"
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"We need to go talk to the people in Connecticut because one of them is dead. Edward Clay was one of the Blackwell victims. Another body left in the trail of Patricia Peacock."
P.I. ALLEN SEPIA
(annoyed)
"Jesus, Ray! She was just exonerated. Let it go. Are you sure this doesn't have to do with your loyalty to Senator Peacock?"
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
(defensively)
"Senator Peacock was a client I did a couple odd jobs for. We weren't friends."
P.I. ALLEN SEPIA
(unconvinced)
"I see."
4.
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"We're taking a train to Pratton to talk to Peacock and her stepdaughter first thing in the morning."
P.I. ALLEN SEPIA
"Try to get some sleep tonight, Ray."
P.I. COAL nods his head and picks up the telephone from the desk.
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
(into the telephone)
"Two train tickets from D.C. to Pratton."
P.I. SEPIA walks off in annoyance, scratching the back of his head.
P.I. COAL waits until P.I. SEPIA is out of sight and opens his drawer. He takes out a bottle of pills and takes four. He swallows them dry and exhales deeply.
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
(into the telephone)
"Yes, nine A.M., thank you."
P.I. COAL sets the telephone back onto the cradle as P.I. SEPIA sets back into the room.
P.I. ALLEN SEPIA
"One more thing, Ray. This is just going to be a question and wrap up thing. We aren't staying in Pratton for more than a day."
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"Of course."
P.I. SEPIA stretches his back and pops his knuckles.
P.I. ALLEN SEPIA
"Nine A.M. I heard you say? After you took the pain medication."
P.I. COAL blinks and swallows hard.
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"Nine A.M."
P.I. ALLEN SEPIA
"Question and wrap up. That's it."
5.
INT. GREYSON's car - front seat - CONTINUOUS
MISS SCARLET's eyes are focused outside on the forest passing by them. GREYSON doesn't say anything as they pass by the dead oak tree with wind chimes on the branches. MISS SCARLET notices the tree and follows it with her head as it passes behind them.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"The monument tree... you said something about the family and the dead miners. What was it you said? About the melodies..."
GREYSON
(smiling)
"Beautiful melodies can still be sung even when life has stopped."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(looking down)
"Do you still remember your sister's voice?"
GREYSON
"Of course I do. Julia and I were twins, remember? We were there for each other during every major moment of our lives... until I lost her last winter."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"I only knew Edward for... about a year. And I'm starting to forget the sound of his voice."
MISS SCARLET's voice cracks in sadness.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"No one showed up at his funeral except me. I kept thinking John might..."
6.
GREYSON
"I'm sorry."
MISS SCARLET wipes away her tears.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"It doesn't matter. It's over and done with."
GREYSON
"My day was busy, but I know tonight when I go to sleep I am going to feel better than I have in a long time."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"You really think we'll get the closure we need from saying goodbye?"
GREYSON
"I know we will, Vivienne."
INT. BLACKWELL GRANGE - STABLES - HALF AN HOUR LATER
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD opens the heavy door with one hand and a jug of moonshine in the other hand. RUSTY and MRS. BLANCHE WHITE follow behind him with cups. REVEREND HOSEA GREEN, DR. WALTER RAVEN, and DR. ANDREA ORCHID follow behind, chatting loudly.
DR. RAVEN pulls and old, wooden chair away from a table. He tests the strength of the chair before plopping all of his weight onto it. DR. ORCHID dusts off the old table and sits on the edge of it. RUSTY hands her a cup.
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
(glaring at Dr. Orchid)
"Why is she drinking with us? I thought this was for people to honor Hugh's memory."
7.
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
"I'm just here for the strong liquor. I won't disrespect the dead."
REV. GREEN sits on a bale of hay. The short neigh of a horse startles him. He takes a cup from MRS. WHITE.
COL. MUSTARD begins to pour the moonshine for the six gathered.
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"Hugh Black wasn't a perfect man. Hell, none of us are perfect. In fact, we are all far from it. Hugh took a lot of secrets to the grave - a lot of our secrets."
(staring at Dr. Orchid)
"Including the legally questionable relationship our extra guest was carrying on with Hugh's underage nephew."
DR. ORCHID raises her hand and smiles, shamelessly.
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"My way of honoring Hugh is to make an aspiring goal for my future. I think we all should set a good, clean, morally right goal and try our damnedest to achieve it."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
(nodding)
"For Hugh!"
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"Drink it all!"
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"All?"
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
"This is at least three or four shots."
RUSTY
(laughing)
"Just chug it down."
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"It's what Hugh would have wanted."
8.
Everyone raises their glasses and drinks the moonshine. The moonshine is far too strong, causing everyone to choke and cough on the first swallow... Everyone aside from Rusty - who swallows it all down like milk and honey. MRS. WHITE struggles to finish it but commits to the bottom of her cup. REV. GREEN gives up, shaking his head, shivering in disgust.
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
(staring at his glass)
"Fuck me!"
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
(catching her breath)
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!"
REVEREND HOSEA GREEN
(praying)
"Heavenly Father, please keep my head clear and level."
RUSTY begins to laugh.
RUSTY
"We're past that point, Father."
RUSTY tips REV. GREEN's cup to his lips, putting the rest of moonshine into the old priest. He coughs and sputters as he swallows.
REVEREND HOSEA GREEN
(setting his cup down)
"That's enough for me. I think I'm going to be sick."
DR. RAVEN and DR. ORCHID hold out their empty mugs for more. COL. MUSTARD eagerly pours more for the two as well as topping off his own glass. RUSTY takes another. MRS. WHITE motions for half, but COL. MUSTARD fills it tall.
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
"Just a little to sip on."
RUSTY
"We don't sip at Blackwell Grange."
RUSTY empties his cup in two swallows.
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
"Pace yourself, you may be Irish, but every body has a limit."
RUSTY
"I wanna get nice and drunk for the juicy part."
9.
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"What juicy part?"
RUSTY
"The goals are we striving to make. I figure now is as good a time as any to set them."
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
(laughing)
"I want to learn to make moonshine as strong as this!"
REVEREND HOSEA GREEN
(chuckling)
"Oh, come now. Let's try to be serious. Hmm. Let me think..."
There is a moment of silence in the STABLES.
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"I want to actually finish my memoirs. I want to get serious about writing, telling my war stories, and letting people know that it is possible to go forward in life, even when everyone lies to you and uses you for their own gain."
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
"I'd read that book."
REVEREND HOSEA GREEN
"I've always wanted a church in a small town. Somewhere to truly connect with my congregation and the community."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Is Pratton the place for you?"
REVEREND HOSEA GREEN
(without hesitation)
"No. Pratton is not somewhere I want to call home."
DR. WAlter raven
"I've always wanted to learn how to drive a car. I've only ever been driven around my whole life."
10.
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
(thinking deeply)
"I always wanted to settle down and open a little gas station."
DR. WALTER RAVEN
"Maybe I'll visit it when I learn how to drive."
DR. RAVEN laughs and laughs - cackling at his own joke.
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
"What about you, Rusty? Mrs. White?"
RUSTY
"I'd like to get the forest 'round Blackwell cleaned up. Maybe have some trails dug in."
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"That would certainly help with hunting."
RUSTY
"How about you, Blanche?"
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
(clearing her throat)
"I want to bring both of my sons together - the two I gave up for adoption."
RUSTY
(surprised)
"You are being open with this?"
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Yes. There is no reason to keep it a secret any more. Sergeant Gray is my son. And he has a twin brother out there somewhere. I had an affair with Hugh Black and he made me give them away... but I suppose I had some choice in the matter. The whole thing is so fuzzy and hard to remember..."
DR. ORCHID stands up, unsteadily from the moonshine.
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
(hesitantly)
"I... know how to find people. I can help."
11.
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Thank you, but Thallo can..."
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
(offended)
"I don't get it? Why don't you like me."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"I... don't like strangers. You are a stranger."
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
"Not anymore. It's been a week of you staring at me. Why are you so distrustful? What have I done?"
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
(going off on Dr. Orchid)
"You came into our lives as the thirty-year-old woman engaged to a seventeen year old heir. John already let it be known that you were in contact with Sir Benedict. I don't trust you. I saw you and Mr. Meadow-Brook talking at the funeral."
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
"I was talking to Mr. Meadow-Brook because I'm paying Professor Plum's bail."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Why? What do you care about Victor?"
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
"I don't know what type of legal consequences are going to lie ahead for him, but he's more useful to us back home than in there."
MRS. WHITE throws her arms up in the air, dumping her moonshine everywhere.
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"More useful? See... that's what makes me not trust you. What does that mean?"
MRS. WHITE tosses the cup to the ground. It cracks.
12.
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
"There is trouble with the will. I'm sure this is not news to any of you. It is going to take a lot of time to make Sir Benedict legally declared alive again and even more time to undoing Hugh's inheritance. Victor is Benedict's firstborn son. He may be most favorable heir."
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"So what happens now? We wait to see if John, Patricia, Victor, or Benedict are in charge?"
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
"There's always the wild card: Miss Peach, Hugh's daughter. And of course Mrs. White's twin sons."
RUSTY
"So there are seven people. Two are strangers."
REVEREND HOSEA GREEN
"So what happens now?"
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
"We wait and see what Benedict, John, and Meadow-Brook figure out."
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"In the mean time, we drink!"
MRS. WHITE crosses her arms and exits the STABLES through the open doorway.
INT. BLACKWELL GRANGE - HALL - CONTINUOUS
MASTER JOHN BODDY is showing MISS ADELAIDE GRAY the paintings of his ancestors. She is wearing a less demur outfit than she was at the funeral.
13.
MASTER JOHN BODDY
"This is Lord Benedict Black the First - my great, great, great grandfather. He built this place. These vaulted ceilings where the first stones laid. Just arches in a forest clearing. He built every room, hallway, alcove, passage, closet, stairway, nook, and cranny. This place is like a fingerprint. It is so unique and seductive. Blackwell Grange really does have a life of her own."
MISS GRAY smiles, resting her palm against the wall.
MISS ADELAIDE GRAY
"My father has always been jealous of this place. He tried to copy some details back at Greyscale Close."
MASTER JOHN BODDY
"Tell me of your hometown back in England. Timberwood Falls, is it?"
MISS ADELAIDE GRAY
(correcting him politely)
Timberwolf Commons."
MASTER JOHN BODDY
"Yes, of course. My apologies, it won't happen again."
MISS ADELAIDE GRAY
"It's a dreadfully sleepy town."
MASTER JOHN BODDY
"Pratton is boring as well. But I suppose we learn to get used to it."
MISS ADELAIDE GRAY
"Oh, I think Pratton is wonderful. You've got so many restaurants, large homes, farms. The hospital and library alone are architectural masterpieces."
MASTER JOHN BODDY
"Pratton certainly is special. I suppose our Mayor's family fortune is to thank for the bustling economy."
14.
INT. MEADOW-BROOK HOME - DINING ROOM - conTINUOUS
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK stands in front of the mirror impatiently putting in her earrings. MR. MEADOW-BROOK comes from the KITCHEN out of breath. JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK stands to the side of the room quietly.
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"Mrs. Ho said dinner is nearly ready."
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
(sarcastically)
"Good, that's one less thing to worry about."
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
(groaning)
"Oh, don't start now. The mayor and his wife are going to be here any minute."
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
(smacking the table)
"Malcolm still isn't home! What are we supposed to do? What are we going to say?"
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
(shouting)
"I don't they even remember our son. We'll just do dinner without him!"
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"He needs to be punished for not asking permission."
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"I'll talk to him when he gets home from where ever he is..."
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
"He's probably at Jake's house."
15.
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"I'll call Graham's house. Hopefully they are home from the funeral."
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"I should march over there myself and drag him to this dinner table."
As soon as MR. MEADOW-BROOK picks up the telephone - the doorbell rings. MR. MEADOW-BROOK sets it down and looks over at MRS. MEADOW-BROOK and JESSICA.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"Just answer the door! Jessica, come! Stand over here."
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK positions JESSICA in front of her, slapping her fidgeting hands as she places them behind her back. She makes her practice curtseying several times.
INT. MEADOW-BROOK HOME - FOYER - conTINUOUS
MR. MEADOW-BROOK straightens his tie, places his hand on the doorknob, takes a deep breath, and opens the front door.
The short, and stout MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE and his much younger wife SYLVIA PERWINKLE enter with loud cheers and hollering. MAYOR PERIWINKLE is wearing a bright, light blue suit coat and white pants. MRS. PERIWINKLE is dressed in a glittering, sparkling gown. Her face is tight and barely moves - due to the many beautifying surgeries.
MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE
(loud, crass)
"Miles! So glad we could do this. Did you see Hugh's waxy face in there today. Do NOT open my casket when I go! Scared the Christ outta me!"
16.
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
(shrill, nasal)
"Maxie and I were so sorry we didn't get a chance to talk to you. We had to get all the gossip as soon as the long-lost daughter showed up."
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"It did bring Hugh's service to a crashing stop."
MRS. PERIWINKLE laughs loudly, throwing her head back.
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
"I thought it was gonna be another boring old funeral that we gotta pretend to be all sad about. It was like going to church. I got so much juicy gossip. Where's Jane?"
(calling out loudly)
"Jane! Ya hiding around here?"
MR. MEADOW-BROOK motions to the DINING ROOM.
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"They're in here."
INT. MEADOW-BROOK HOME - DINING ROOM - conTINUOUS
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK nods her head politely and nudges for JESSICA to dot he curtsey.
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
(quietly to her husband)
"Oh, they're doin' a grand entrance thing."
MAYOR PERIWINKLE just waves awkwardly.
MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE
"Miles! Where are the drinks. I smell duck. That better be what is about to come out of that door."
MR. MEADOW-BROOK pulls out MRS. PERIWINKLE's chair for her. MAYOR PERIWINKLE does the same for MRS. MEADOW-BROOK and JESSICA. MR. MEADOW-BROOK leads MAYOR PERIWINKLE over to the liquor cabinet and they select a scotch and a brandy.
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
"I want a brandy."
17.
MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE
"I know you do, sweet-cheeks!"
MAYOR PERIWINKLE spanks the back of her chair and growls.
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK clears her throat.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"There is also wine. If anyone wants wine."
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
(speaking quietly)
"I want some wine."
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
(unsure what to do)
"Oh, ha-ha! Why not? Just a taste won't hurt, right?"
MRS. PERIWINKLE claps loudly and laughs in excitement.
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
"Yay!"
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"You're sure, Jane?"
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"It's just a little. My parents let my try some when I was much younger than Jessica."
JESSICA sips the wine and makes a sour face. Everyone laughs, but MRS. PERIWINKLE laughs the loudest.
MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE
"How old is little Jessie?"
JESSICA MEADOW-BROOK
(quietly)
"Fifteen."
MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE
(snort-laughing)
"Watch out, Miles! Better start picking out the guy to marry her to before someone puts a baby in that belly."
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
(joking)
"But remember, can't be you, Maxie. You're taken."
18.
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK looks at MR. MEADOW-BROOK in disgust.
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"Jessica is a well-behaved girl."
MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE
"No one's well-behaved when I'm around."
MAYOR PERIWINKLE slams down the scotch. MRS. PERIWINKLE claps her hands cheering excitedly. MR. MEADOW-BROOK smiles politely.
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"I'm sorry, I just feel odd laughing and matching your energy since we just came back from a funeral."
MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE
"Bah! Why reschedule? It's not bother to me. People die all the time. Eat, drink, be merry. Ain't that one of the things the old guy was reading about up there?"
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"You're right. We are alive and we have a lot ahead of us."
MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE
"Yes, sir! I'll drink to that. I'm going to need more in my glass, first."
MAYOR PERIWINKLE holds out his empty glass. MR. MEADOW-BROOK slides the bottle over to him.
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
"Jane, you have got to tell me all about the Daily Echo."
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"What would you like to know?"
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
"Do you ever get crazy stories that you can't post cuz they're too gross or weird?"
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"We try to publish anything we can. Bringing truth to the public, no matter how dirty."
19.
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
"I like the dirty stuff. What about crimes. You ever see a dead body?"
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"Ms. Mango handles the more... gruesome things. She's in charger of everything, and still manages to do interviews and reports. I'm just a gossip columnist."
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
"What's the grossest thing you ever saw doing your job? You ever seen a decapitated head or something?"
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK takes a long sip of her wine.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"Well, like I said. I'm just a gossip writer."
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
(unamused)
"Oh, well that's still so very interesting. When's the food gonna be ready? I'm starving."
Right on cue: MRS. HO pushes the rolling cart out the KITCHEN. MRS. PERIWINKLE claps her hands loudly and laughs in excitement.
The roast duck, orange sauce and currant gravy, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, peas, and fried egg mashed potatoes are set out on the table in silver bowls and platters. Small bowls of broth are placed in front of each person.
MRS. PERIWINKLE claps her hands excitedly as the roast duck is revealed in a cloud of steam underneath the platter lid.
MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE
(pointing at the cook)
"Where'd you pick up her!
(MORE)
20.
MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE (CONT'D)
I need to get another cook at my house. I'm getting tired of the same old recipes every week. If I have to eat boiled chicken and rice one more time, I'll get up on the table and kick every plate of chicken-fucking-rice off."
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
(laughing and clapping)
"He will. He really will."
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"We got very lucky with Ms. Ho."
MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE
"Smells delicious! I can't wait to have taste it all. Are those peas?"
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"They certainly are."
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
(tasting the broth)
"Perfect as always, Ms. Ho."
MS. HO smiles as she lays out a basket of bread and a basket of butters and jams.
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
"Is there mushrooms in this soup?"
MRS. HO nods politely.
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
(turning up her nose)
"You can take this away, honey."
MRS. HO quickly takes the broth away from MRS. PERIWINKLE places it on the serving cart. She disappears back into the KITCHEN.
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
"That stuff with the eggs looks good. I want that!"
JESSICA passes the bowl to MRS. PERIWINKLE.
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"Mayor Periwinkle, I must say..."
21.
MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE
"Call me Max. Everyone does. At least the people I eat dinner with do."
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"Max, it would be terrible of me to let this much partying and merriment go down without discussing business."
MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE
"You want me to shut down that noisy community garden out front? Say the word. The old biddy's are best off in their own yards at home anyway."
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"It's not that. It's the police department. I'm worried about Forest and Gray. I think they might be a little... too familiar with Blackwell Grange. If you know what I mean."
MR. MEADOW-BROOK fills up MAYOR PERIWINKLE'S scotch glass.
MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE
(staring at the scotch)
"I do know what you mean. Yeah, absolutely. I'll look into it. If something smelly fishy, a change of power is in order."
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"That's fantastic. We'll have cigars to celebrate."
MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE
"I love a good cigar! Sylvia does too."
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
"I can make smoke rings."
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"Say, since we're on the topic of changing power of department heads around Pratton. How do you feel about Ms. Mango being in charge of the Daily Echo."
MRS. PERIWINKLE cackles loudly.
22.
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
"Ah ha! I figured it out! He's tryin' to get his wife in charge of the whole newspaper. Sneaky, sneaky."
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
(laughing politely)
"You caught me!"
MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE
"Now that you mention it, I like that idea. It would keep everything closer. I don't like wild cards. Too risky."
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"What do you say, Jane?"
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK is barely able to hold back her bursting excitement.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"I would be more than honored and capable to run the Daily Echo. And between us, Ms. Mango is a bit obsessed with Blackwell Grange. We can't have that."
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
"I do not like that spooky place. It's such a creepy drive through the forest. And it's such a narrow road!"
MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE
"Hugh used to invite us to dinners and parties all the time."
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
"If it wasn't for the amazing food, we wouldn't have showed up."
MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE
"Or that little French maid with the tits!"
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
"Remember the oyster in my scrunch?"
MAYOR PERIWINKLE bursts out into laughter, nearly spilling his scotch all over his light blue suit.
23.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"The oyster in your what?"
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
"Hugh's cook made these fantastic oysters. I asked for all the left overs and took them all home. Then we were eating them in bed and then things got a little naughty. Well, when I woke up I found one..."
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
(interrupting Sylvia)
"Oh! No! I think it's time for Jessica to be going to her room. If we are going to be discussing... scrunch stories. Ms. Ho will bring you a plate of food."
JESSICA stands up and leaves the room.
MRS. SYLVIA PERIWINKLE
(shrugging)
"Maxie still ate it."
MR. MEADOW-BROOK gets MAYOR PERIWINKLE's attention by pouring more scotch for him.
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"You'll be discreet about this, won't you Max?"
MAYOR MAXIMILLIAN PERIWINKLE
"What? Of course! I'm a man of my word. We'll have this town running the way it always needed to be ran!"
(pausing)
"I'm ready for the duck!"
EXT. SUN HAVEN MARINA - GREYSON'S SAILBOAT - night
MISS SCARLET looks around the dark sky as she sits down on the cushioned bench. She picks up the flannel blanket on the bench and wraps it around her shoulders and the ocean's breeze cuts through her dress to her skin. She looks down at the candles in a small wooden crate. She reaches inside and picks one up, holding it to her heart, and closing her eyes. GREYSON begins to untie the anchoring rope from the boat dock.
24.
A small tug boat blows it's horn and approaches.
TUG CAPTAIN
(calling out)
"You there!"
GREYSON stops untying the rope as the TUG CAPTAIN steps out onto the dock and approaches.
DOCK WORKER
"You can't go out until the marina is given the all clear."
GREYSON
"Is it bad weather?"
DOCK WORKER
"A Royal Naval ship from Morocco is docking. We're waiting for the all-clear."
GREYSON turns and looks at the large steamship at the upper marina. He squints his eyes as he notices a man waiting at the bottom of the loading platform.
GREYSON grabs a spyglass from his sailboat and looks at the man through it.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"What is it?"
GREYSON
"Why is my dad up there?"
EXT. SUN HAVEN MARINA - UPPER MARINA - cONTINUOUS
GENERAL MARTIN UMBER stands at the bottom of the loading platform waiting patiently.
25.
DOCK WORKER
"You can't just wait around here."
GENERAL MARTIN UMBER
"I'm exactly where I need to be. Walk along."
GEN. UMBER opens his coat, revealing a gold pistol. The DOCK WORKER turns around and hurries off in the other direction.
At the top of the loading platform, three men appear. At the left is a large man with a burly red beard. He is ADMIRAL GUNTHER BLOOM. In the center, PRINCE PHILIPPE AZURE stands tall, holding an ornate cane in his right hand. There is a sabre sheathed at his hip. To the right is a tall, slender man with fiery, intense eyes and a rifle on his shoulder. He is COMMANDER KADIN SAFFRON.
COMMANDER KADIN SAFFRON
(in a deep voice)
"State your name, scarred man."
GEN. UMBER laughs.
GENERAL MARTIN UMBER
"I once stood where you are. I don't speak to you. I speak to him."
PRince philippe azure
(soft-spoken)
"You must have something to say, if you are standing her in the dark. Speak."
26.
GENERAL MARTIN UMBER
"I do. Colonel Mustard and Herr Gold are both in Pratton."
ADMIRAL KLAUS BLOOM
"We'll be taking Herr Gold back to Morocco with us. In the meantime he'll be prisoner on our ship."
PRINCE PHILIPPE AZURE
"As for the Colonel... I have different things planned."
COMMANDER KADIN SAFFRON
"If that is all, you'll be wise to move along."
PRINCE PHILIPPE AZURE
"Commander, you do not speak for me."
CDR. SAFFRON looks away from PRINCE AZURE and huffs angrily.
PRINCE PHILIPPE AZURE
"General Umber, won't you join me for the ride to Aquatine Vistas."
GENERAL MARTIN UMBER
"With all my respect, You Highness, I would rather walk barefoot through glass than share a seat with you."
PRINCE PHILIPPE AZURE
"Then it's clear we have nothing further to discuss."
GENERAL MARTIN UMBER
"Did Margaret come with you? Or did she arrive early?"
PRINCE AZURE unsheathes his SABRE and quickly slashes it in front of GEN. UMBER's throat.
PRINCE PHILIPPE AZURE
"Breathe her name again and I'll cut your jugular."
GEN. UMBER blinks slowly, unintimidated by the broad-shouldered, tall PRINCE before him.
PRINCE PHILIPPE AZURE
"Kneel and lower your eyes to my feet."
27.
GEN. UMBER blinks slowly again, staring defiantly into PRINCE AZURE's face.
PRINCE AZURE presses the sabre against the side of GEN. UMBER's neck.
PRINCE PHILIPPE AZURE
"Careful, General. I've already shown you mercy for the all the good old times we shared back in Morocco and Sumatra."
GENERAL MARTIN UMBER
"When my wife died giving birth to Greyson and Julia, I gave you my life. All I asked for in return was their health and happiness."
PRINCE PHILIPPE AZURE
"You served me well."
GENERAL MARTIN UMBER
"Innocents died for you."
PRINCE PHILIPPE AZURE
"Things got out of control, yes. But everything worked out."
GENERAL MARTIN UMBER
"And here I am. At the end of your blade once more."
PRINCE PHILIPPE AZURE
"It is time for you to kneel, General Umber."
GENERAL MARTIN UMBER
"Your Highness, you flatter yourself. I kneel for no one."
PRINCE PHILIPPE AZURE
"Then you'll suffer one more scar."
GENERAL MARTIN UMBER
"So be it."
PRINCE AZURE brings the sabre to GEN. UMBER's chin and slices from the bottom of his chin upward towards his lip.
GEN. UMBER grabs his chin and face in pain and blood seeps through his fingers.
28.
PRINCE PHILIPPE AZURE
"Next time you will kneel, or I will not spare your life. That is the last scar you will receive."
PRINCE AZURE, ADM. BLOOM, and CDR. SAFFRON pass GEN. UMBER as he uses the sleeve of his jacket to put pressure on the wound.
The DOCK WORKER watches from across the UPPER MARINA.
EXT. ATLANTIC OCEAN - gREYSON'S SAILBOAT - ten minutes later
GREYSON begins to slow down the sailboat. MISS SCARLET clutches a single candle to her chest, shivering under the blanket.
GREYSON
"I'm sorry. I just got distracted after seeing my dad up there with those men."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"I didn't know General Umber was your father."
GREYSON
"Do you know him?"
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"Not really. I've heard Colonel Mustard mention his name a few times over the past week."
GREYSON
"This should be far enough out that we can see the stars without Sun Haven's lights muting them out."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"The waves are so calm. It feels like a dream."
29.
GREYSON
"I know what you mean."
MISS SCARLET closes her eyes and inhales.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"I don't know... Maybe it's because I've been high most of the day, but I feel like I'm actually going to be okay. I'm ready."
GREYSON smiles, picking up a candle. He lights his candle and offers the flame to MISS SCARLET.
MISS SCARLET lights her candle off of GREYSON's.
GREYSON
(softly)
"And now, we just talk to them. Close your eyes and let the light of the candle warm you."
MISS SCARLET slowly shuts her eyes.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"Edward... I miss you. You were so... We had such a..."
MISS SCARLET opens her eyes. The flame flickers in the wind.
GREYSON
"What's wrong?"
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"I think Edward was a wonderful man. He was attractive. The sex was amazing. But I keep saying that I loved him and we were supposed to be so happy together... but..."
MISS SCARLET watches as the flame blows out fully in the wind.
GREYSON
(softly)
"Vivienne..."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"He had sex with my mother... my step mother."
GREYSON
"We can go back, if you want."
30.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"No. I'm good. I'm being honest. That's what this is about. Melodies can still be sung even after they're dead, right? There is no melody from him. I can't hear his voice. He wasn't the one for me. I wanted him to be, because on the outside everything was perfect. But he was cheating on me with Patricia."
MISS SCARLET closes her eyes, drops the unlit candle, and pulls the blanket tightly around her.
GREYSON blows out his candle and wraps his arms around her to comfort her.
GREYSON
"Shh. It's okay."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"No. I'm sorry. This isn't just about me. It's about Julia too."
MISS SCARLET sniffles and hugs him tightly. She brushes off his arms, composing herself.
GREYSON
(frowning)
"Vivienne..."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"No, please. You need to talk about her. Please don't make this all about me."
GREYSON takes a step back from her.
GREYSON
"No, it's..."
GREYSON sits down on the bench and grabs his head.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"Greyson?"
GREYSON
"I'm fine."
GREYSON looks up at her with a reassuring smile. He slowly, unsteadily stands up.
31.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"Are you sure? You went a little pale for a second."
GREYSON
"I think I was having an anxiety attack or something. I've never had one before."
(his nose begins to bleed)
"I was just thinking about Julia and how sudden..."
GREYSON tenses up and falls overboard. MISS SCARLET screams at the top of her lungs and rushes over to the side.
GREYSON is convulsing and thrashing, sinking.
MISS SCARLET drops the blanket and kicks off her heels. She jumps into the water and grabs his arm. She tries to bring his head above the water, but he is trashing around too violently. She loses her grip on his hand.
GREYSON continues to have a seizure in the water. He inadvertently kicks MISS SCARLET in the side of the head. MISS SCARLET grabs his hand again and deliriously tries to pull him to the boat.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(panting, shivering)
"Please, please, please."
MISS SCARLET feels his trashing arm go still. She feels the weigh of his body begin to pull her under as she realizes his head hasn't been above the surface since he kicked her head.
MISS SCARLET screams in agony as she struggles to stay above the water while holding onto him. She manages to grab onto the side of the sailboat with one arm.
MISS SCARLET realizes she can't climb up without letting go.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(screaming)
"Help! Can anyone hear me?"
MISS SCARLET lets go of the edge of the sailboat and tries to move GREYSON's head above the surface.
GREYSON's eyes are open, one eye completely red from the brain aneurysm.
MISS SCARLET begins to hyperventilate when she realizes what happened. She lets go of his body and climbs into the sailboat.
32.
She wraps the blanket around herself and watches GREYSON's body as it drifts away - bobbing under water and floating back up.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(screaming)
"Someone help me!"
END OF EPISODE #30