A Clue Saga

ex

EXT. BLACKWELL GRANGE - COURTYARD - AFTERNOON
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET stands before P.I. RAYMOND COAL and P.I. ALLEN SEPIA. The smoke from P.I. COAL's cigarette reaches MISS SCARLET's face, causing her eyelids to flutter protectively. A single crow caws from the top of the GAZEBO.
P.I. SEPIA holds a notebook in his left hand and a pen in his right hand. He keeps his eyes steadily focused on MISS SCARLET's nervous face, trembling arms, and fidgeting hands.
MISS SCARLET keeps crossing and uncrossing her arms, picking at her fingernails, and pulling her hair back.
P.I. COAL’s dark, beady eyes take in every movement, twitch, and mannerism from MISS SCARLET. P.I. COAL notices her diamond necklace - drawn to the unique style.
MISS SCARLET immediately senses the strictness and competence of the investigators before her — in contrast to the less-than-routine methods used at AQUATINE VISTAS.
P.I. COAL flicks his cigarette to the driveway and puts it out under the toe of his shoe. Nearly instantly, he takes out a paper cigarette box. He places a fresh cigarette between his lips and a spare one behind his ear. He offers one to MISS SCARLET.
MISS SCARLET wants the cigarette badly, yet casually shrugs as she accepts it.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"If you insist."
MISS SCARLET places it between her lips and leans forward as P.I. COAL strikes a match. He lights his own cigarette and then shakes the flame out, flicking the match at the driveway. The match lands beside P.I. COAL's cigarette butt.
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
(looking down)
"Strange, isn't it?"
2.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(confused)
"What is?"
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"How two small things -- as insignificant as a cigarette butt and a wooden match, can be a footprint to prove that I was really here."
P.I. COAL smirks cleverly as he turns back to P.I. SEPIA.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(smiling awkwardly)
"I'm sorry, I don't follow."
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"Insignificant things can be left behind without a second thought."
MISS SCARLET's eyes go back and forth between P.I. COAL and P.I. SEPIA.
P.I. SEPIA makes note of this.
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"You were onboard a train with Patricia Peacock, Edward Clay, and this man --"
P.I. COAL holds up the photograph of MR. GUS LIVERWURST.
MISS SCARLET's face turns pale. The panic in her eyes is not lost on P.I. COAL or P.I. SEPIA.
P.I. COAL produces a folded sheet of paper with a list of the train passengers. He unfolds it in MISS SCARLET's face. Her name has been circled in blue ink.
P.I. ALLEN SEPIA
"There is no point in denying that you were there. By your reaction, I take it you remember Mr. Liverwurst."
MISS SCARLET swallows hard, gasping at the air like a dying fish. She closes her eyes and holds out her hands defensively.
P.I. SEPIA immediately looks at her hands and fingernails as she holds them out.
3.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"He was harassing my stepmother. He was making a scene. He... made another verbal attack towards me and Edward during the train ride."
P.I. ALLEN SEPIA
"Where did this verbal attack occur."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(quickly)
"In the hallway of the first class private compartments."
P.I. ALLEN SEPIA
"Mr. Liverwurst is believed to have slipped between and underneath the train."
P.I. COAL holds up a second photograph -- this one showing the broken, bloody, wooden boards of narrow gap between the train cars.
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"As you can see, he went into the opening for the railroad coupling, broke the wooden safe-guard with his weight, and was pulled underneath."
P.I. COAL watches MISS SCARLET's eye twitch as he describes the details of MR. LIVERWURST's final moments.
P.I. SEPIA takes his eyes down to his notebook as he speaks.
P.I. ALLEN SEPIA
"Eye witnesses saw a blonde woman and an athletic blond man standing in the separation between the first and second class passenger cars. Mr. Liverwurst suffered a broken nose and fingernail scratches to his face and neck."
P.I. SEPIA takes his eyes back down to MISS SCARLET's fingernails.
MISS SCARLET turns to face P.I. COAL with trembling lips, hands, and knees. She begins to pick at her fingernails once more. She doesn't notice as the cigarette falls from her trembling lips. It makes a light trail of smoke on the way down to the surface of the driveway.
4.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(quickly, impulsively)
"It was Edward -- he got in an altercation with this horrible man. It wasn't his fault. The man made sexual remarks and tried to throw Edward off the train. Edward managed to regain his footing and we tried to get away from him or get help from a steward... But then man lunged forward and fell..."
P.I. ALLEN SEPIA
(skeptically)
"But unfortunately, Edward Clay is the only one who can corroborate this?"
P.I. COAL holds up the palm of his hand to P.I. SEPIA's face. He takes three long pulls on his cigarette and exhales a cloud of smoke.
P.I. SEPIA narrows his eyes and furrows his brow, annoyed by P.I. COAL's interruption and the smoke in his eyes. P.I. SEPIA can already sense his role in this investigation is merely note-taker and driver.
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"Allen, will you give Miss Scarlet and I a moment alone. I think there is some truth to her story."
P.I. SEPIA rolls his eyes and turns away. He walk towards the car with a frustrated sigh.
P.I. COAL offers MISS SCARLET to sit down on the front steps. MISS SCARLET politely declines. P.I. COAL leans against the concrete balustrade.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"You believe me, don't you?"
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"Oh yes. It is a very good story... under the right context."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(confused)
"Context?"
MISS SCARLET does not like the tone in P.I. COAL's voice or the fact that he sent P.I. SEPIA away. P.I. COAL flicks away his second cigarette and takes the third from behind his ear.
5.
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"I don't think we need to disrespect the dead with this. Edward Clay's name would surely be in the newspapers. Gus Liverwurst's family is loud, crass, and obnoxious."
MISS SCARLET's eyes begin to water up. She is sleep deprived, extremely depressed, uncomfortable with P.I. COAL, and concerned for her safety and freedom.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"What happens now, then? Am I arrested for involvement?"
P.I. COAL steps closer to her and takes the cigarette from his lips, turns it around, and places in her lips.
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"I have a better story. I did a little research on your stepmother, Patricia Peacock. Though, there was a time when she was Patricia Scarlet -- and married to your father."
MISS SCARLET's eyes turn from sadness to hurt-anger. She spits out the cigarette and wipes her mouth.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(shaking her head)
"What does that have to do with anything that happened on that train?"
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"Forgive me for bringing up a sensitive topic, it's just..."
P.I. COAL's voice trails off as he turns his head to make sure P.I. SEPIA is across the property by the FRONT GATES.
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"She clearly killed her husbands. I was close with Senator Peacock and he was certain of it too. Then shortly after he brings up his suspicions to me, he dies. She basically confirmed it."
MISS SCARLET is shaking with anger, fear, and adrenaline.
6.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(barely audible)
"I don't want to talk about Patricia!"
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"She needs to fall for this. You need to agree to let us write your statement in a way that allows us to incriminate Patricia once and for all. Judge Mauve can fuck herself. An exoneration is the most transparent sign of corruption."
MISS SCARLET takes in the sudden realization that MRS. PEACOCK's legal problems will never be behind them.
MISS SCARLET looks up at P.I. COAL and the fire in his eyes. She tightens her lips and pushes her shoulders back. She runs her fingers through her hair, loosening the styled curls.
MISS SCARLET takes a deep breath as a tear falls from her face. She looks down at the cigarette butt and the burned match on the driveway beside her unfinished cigarette - still smoking.
MISS SCARLET takes her eyes from the driveway back to P.I. COAL. A small breeze picks up.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(coarsely)
"Edward Clay strangled that man, and forced him down onto the coupling. He held his foot on his chest and kept him there until he was too tired to fight back. We watched as that man's face beat against the gravel and wood over and over again. Flesh, teeth, blood... Edward Clay murdered him and then he was murdered by Ava Silver."
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"Is that how you want to play this? Is this the hill you want to die on?"
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"Yes."
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
"Then I hope you've picked out the flowers."
7.
MISS SCARLET turns away from P.I. COAL and walks up the stone steps to BLACKWELL GRANGE. She opens the double doors and glances back at P.I. COAL.
P.I. RAYMOND COAL
(shrugging)
"So be it."
Int. Pratton police department - forest’s office - CONTINUOUS
COMMISSIONER RANDALL FOREST enters the room, flicking on the murky light. He looks around at the stained, old, yellow walls as he crosses over to the blinds and pulls them open.
Sunlight interrupts the dust in the room. The blinds are larger than the window itself. The small window is narrow and nailed shut.
COMM. FOREST sits seat behind his bulky metal desk with a grunt and popping knees. He picks up several pieces of mail and sifts through them with disinterest.
COMM. FOREST turns his attention to an open document regarding OLIVIA RAVEN-GREEN's upcoming trial. He begins to rub his temples as rapid knocking from his door fills the small room.
Commissioner randall forest
(grumpily)
"Come in."
MISS ANGIE ECRU enters with a serious look on her face and a yellow manila envelope.
8.
Miss angie ecru
"I was told to make sure you got this as soon as you got to work this morning."
(checking the clock)
"You're late."
COMMISSIONER RANDALL FOREST
"My garden hose busted. The water sprinkler wasn't running and the driveway flooded. Had to stop by Copper's and pick up a new one."
MISS ECRU drops the manila envelope on the metal desk in front of COMM. FOREST.
COMM. FOREST picks up a brass letter opener and begins to slice open the envelope.
COMMISSIONER RANDALL FOREST
”Who gave it to you?”
MISS ANGIE ECRU
”Mr. Alabaster“
(pausing)
“The old shopkeeper.”
COMMISSIONER RANDALL FOREST
"Really? I just saw him on the way back from Copper's. He didn't say anything to me."
COMM. FOREST’s jaw tenses as he reads the contents of the envelope.
MISS ANGIE ECRU
"Are you alright?"
COMMISSIONER RANDALL FOREST
"Thank you, Miss Ecru. You can go."
MISS ANGIE ECRU
"Let me know if you need anything."
MISS ECRU leaves the room. The door creaks and shuts loudly.
On the desk in front of COMM. FOREST there is a white piece of paper with newspaper, magazine, and catalogue cut out letters.
9.
<<The Pratton Police Department will pay for their injustice. Rushing the execution of Ava Silver, Olivia Green's hasty incarceration, Randall Forest's mother, and much more. It ends now.>>
COMMISSIONER RANDALL FOREST
(to himself)
"There's only one person in town with that many letters and punctuation marks at their disposal."
Int. Blackwell grange - library - continuous
MISS ADELAIDE GRAY is sprawled out over the arm of the chaise lounge like a house cat in a window sill. She is looking through a jewelry catalogue. LORD ALFRED GRAY enters the LIBRARY, relieved to have finally found his daughter.
10.
LORD ALFRED GRAY
"I've been looking everywhere for you."
Miss adelaide gray
"I went out for brunch with Vivienne."
LORD ALFRED GRAY
"Scarlet?"
MISS ADELAIDE GRAY
(nodding)
"Yes."
MISS GRAY holds up the catalogue for her father.
MISS ADELAIDE GRAY
"What do you think of the diamond bracelet?"
LORD ALFRED GRAY
(dismissively)
"You hardly ever wear bracelets."
MISS ADELAIDE GRAY
"Yes but the women would covet it... I could always use it for favors and leverage."
LORD GRAY looks at the bracelet and the enormous price tag for several minutes.
LORD ALFRED GRAY
"A gift like this would require a favor in return."
MISS GRAY closes the catalogue.
MISS ADELAIDE GRAY
"You said you were looking everywhere for me? What exactly did you need? I’m trying to relax."
LORD GRAY inhales deeply and puts his hands behind his back --- pacing the room like a lion in a cage.
LORD ALFRED GRAY
"Since the idea of favors and leverage came up, it has me thinking..."
MISS GRAY rolls her eyes and reopens the catalogue.
11.
MISS ADELAIDE GRAY
"Just tell me what you need and what I get out of it."
LORD ALFRED GRAY
"John Boddy needs to be persuaded into doing what is best for Black-Gray Pharmaceuticals. Benedict and I have been resorting to threats and violence."
(pausing)
"Perhaps you can offer him something sweet? Something more pleasurable. A treat for making all of the right decisions without any fuss."
MISS ADELAIDE GRAY
(laughing)
"You want me to spread my legs for the seventeen year old benefactor?"
(turning up her nose)
"He has terribly greasy hair."
LORD ALFRED GRAY
"You will get the bracelet, new furs..."
MISS GRAY cuts him off.
MISS ADELAIDE GRAY
"And what happens if the lonely little orphan falls in love with me and tries to make me Mrs. Boddy."
LORD ALFRED GRAY
"We will cross that bridge when we get to it. I'm certain it would be a good thing for our family and the company if that transpired."
MISS ADELAIDE GRAY
"I'll do a lot of things for money and power, but I won’t be married off like some royal breeding princess."
LORD ALFRED GRAY
”Addie, we nearly are royalty. If your sole purpose in life is to be the bridge between our family and the Black-Boddy family, then you will be the best goddamn breeding princess there ever was.
(MORE)
12.
LORD ALFRED GRAY (CONT'D)
Or you can sit here looking at pictures, fantasizing about riches, complaining about how boring and miserable everyone else is.”
MISS GRAY opens her mouth to protest, but LORD GRAY continues.
Lord ALFRED GRAY
”I’m offering you the easy life. A free ticket to riches and wealth - for my only daughter. Being the wife of John Boddy would promise you diamonds, feasts, champagne, servants, vacations, drawers of jewels, and wardrobes of clothes. You'd plan parties, go on yachts, stay in the finest hotels, eat in the most expensive restaurants. All you have to do is lie on your back and pop out a couple kids.”
MISS GRAY turns her eyes back down to the jewelry catalogue.
MiSS ADELAIDE GRAY
”I’ll have think about it.”
LORD ALFRED GRAY
"Of course. It's a big decision. But ultimately, I think you will find comfort and joy in the ease that comes from pleasuring a young heir-to-be."
MISS ADELAIDE GRAY
"Is the inheritance truly going to John Boddy? I've heard rumors that the will may be contested..."
LORD ALFRED GRAY
"John Boddy will be the owner of Blackwell Grange. Victory comes in stages. Not every defeat is an accident -- these things have to be calculated carefully."
MISS ADELAIDE GRAY
"What does mother have to say about all of this?"
LORD ALFRED GRAY
"I haven't told her. It doesn't concern her."
13.
LORD GRAY smiles and walks over to the large table. He picks up a bottle of cologne and spritzes his collar. He then turns to the scotch decanter and opens he. He brings it to his nose and sniffs it.
MiSS ADELAIDE GRAY
”Having a drink?”
LORD ALFRED GRAY
”Not yet.”
Int. Blackwell grange - hall - conTINUOUS
MISS SCARLET closes the front doors. She leans her back against them and begins to breathe in and out rapidly. Her eyes dart back and forth from the tapestries to the oil paintings of Black-Boddy ancestors.
All of the eyes in the paintings seem to follow her with looks of shame and scorn.
MiSS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(panicking)
”What did I just do?”
MISS SCARLET glances towards the open LOUNGE door to see MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK sitting on the sofa with her foot up and an icepack on it. MRS. BLANCHE WHITE is handing her some pain pills and a glass of water.
MISS SCARLET takes a deep breath, and walks into the LOUNGE.
14.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"Did those investigators get what they wanted from you?"
MISS SCARLET doesn't respond. She stands, breathing uneasily in the doorway.
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Gracious! You look as if you've seen a ghost."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"Mrs. White, can I have a moment alone with my stepmother?"
MRS. WHITE pats MRS. PEACOCK on the shoulder.
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Of course. You let me know if you need more pain pills."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"Leave the bottle."
MRS. WHITE shrugs and leaves the bottle on the coffee table. She exits the LOUNGE.
MISS SCARLET slows sits down in the chair across from the couch MRS. PEACOCK is on.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"What is it, Vivienne? I'm in a lot of pain."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"I just thought you should know..."
(pausing)
"The investigators asked me to throw you under the train and have you taken back to court. They seem to think Judge Mauve's exoneration was extremely transparent."
MRS. PEACOCK's eyes fall to the pink carpet.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(sadly)
"Oh, I see."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"I told them Edward was responsible for that man on the train's death."
15.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(shocked)
"You what?"
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"They were fighting and the man slipped... then they tried to make me pin it all on you... so I told them Edward strangled him and pushed him down..."
MISS SCARLET's hands begin shaking.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(angrily)
"What the fuck is wrong with you? How could you betray Edward like that?"
(holding up her hands)
"Never mind, that's a stupid question. We all know how quickly you move on from one man to the next."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"Excuse me? How many husbands are you on?"
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"You had your eyes on Greyson the night Edward's heart stopped beating."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"You were having sex with Edward and then you had sex with Greyson."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"Edward was a mistake I made. My marriage was suffering, that is none of your business! Greyson was free game. I'm a single widow."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"I wasn't trying to have sex with Greyson."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"No, but you proved something that you prove time and time again. You cannot go one day without some man at your side. Romantic or not, you need to drag someone along to carry your problems with you."
16.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"I'm done, Patricia. I'm fucking done. You aren't my mother anymore. You never really were. I don't want to see you and I don't want to talk to you ever again. When we pass in the hallways, look away, because I will be."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(through tears)
"Fine. That's perfectly fine. I have a real daughter now."
MISS SCARLET stands up and storms out of the LOUNGE.
MRS. PEACOCK bursts into tears and immediately reaches for the bottle of pain pills. She pours three into her palm and puts them in her mouth. She brings the glass of water to her lips and swallows.
EXT. BLACKWELL GrANGE - PASTURE - CONTINUOUS
MISS AMELIA PEACH is alone brushing a horse. She finishes by patting the horse on the head lovingly. She removes the saddle and places it over the fence. She begins to clean and scrub at the dirt in the details.
MISS PEACH steps away from the freshly cleaned saddle and admires her work. She turns to the full bucket of water and picks up it. She carries it over to the metal trough. She freshens the horse's drinking water and begins to walk over to the hay when-
MISS PEACH notices MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE disguised as CAPTAIN CHERRYWOOD on the edge of the pasture leaning against the fence.
17.
MISS PEACH crosses the pasture, dropping the empty metal water bucket at the trough. She reaches the fence and crosses her arms protectively.
MISS AMELIA PEACH
"What are you doin' here?"
Captain MAVERICK cherrywood
"You need to be out of here before the garden party. You know that, right?"
MISS AMELIA PEACH
"I like Mrs. Peacock. She's a wonderful mother figure. I think I could grow to love her."
CAPTAIN MAVERICK CHERRYWOOD
"Sometimes staying away is best for the people we love."
EXT. brownstones townhouses - orchid’s DRIVEWAY - cONTINUOUS
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM walks down Cypress Avenue with a pipe hanging out of his mouth. He stops in front of the townhouse with LABORERS moving furniture inside. DR. ANDREA ORCHID carries a cardboard box marked ‘fragile‘ from a large white van.
Dr. Andrea orchid
”Did you have a change of heart so soon, Professor?”
18.
Professor victor plum
(defensively)
”What? No, no, not at all. I was just out for a little stroll.”
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
”So everything is all patched up with your father?”
PROF. PLUM takes his pipe from his mouth and dumps the ashy contents into the street
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
”I need some space from him. I think I’ll pay a visit to Frau Grau’s boarding house.”
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
(narrowing her eyes)
”You willingly chose to leave Blackwell Grange?”
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
(defensively)
“It is only temporary. Like I said, I need space.”
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
”Well, you won’t be getting any space at Frau Grau’s. Trust me, I considered staying there until I saw how unfortunate the building was.“
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
”I’ve survived worse.”
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
”Do you have any money? You aren’t getting money from Hugh anymore.”
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
”I still receive a sizable sum from an estranged relative on my mother’s side. I can make due.”
PROF. PLUM opens his nearly empty tobacco tin and begins to pack his pipe.
DR. ORCHID goes into the back of the van and retrieves an open box. A glass beaker can be seen poking out from the top.
19.
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
”As you know, my offer still stands. And I could always use an extra pair of hands with my plants and tonics.”
(pausing)
”Would you at least like to see the inside of my new home? You can compare it to the roaches and rodents you’ve find underneath the piss-yellow mattresses at Grau’s boarding house.”
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
”I’ve been in these townhouses before. I believe a game night was hosted at the one on the end over there. The Burgundy's used to throw some elegant and refined parties.”
PROF. PLUM motions to the end of the row of townhouses.
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
”Then you’ll remember how spacious the bedrooms were.”
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
”Not all game nights end in the bedroom. As I said they were classy. A dignified, old-fashioned couple.”
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
”I hope you have a good day, Professor. Please take some time to consider the ease of getting married for the benefits.”
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
”That’s an old rich man’s game.”
PROF. PLUM lights his pipe and continues walking down Cypress Avenue. DR. ORCHID inhales deeply as the cloud of smoke reaches her nostrils.
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
”I always loved the smell of pipe-smoke. Lord Lavender used to smoke vanilla as well. It would be nice to have in the house...”
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
(dismissing her)
”Good day, Dr. Orchid.”
20.
PROF. PLUM continues to walk away.
INT. SLATE-GREY HOME - LIVING ROOM - COnTINUOUS
MR. GRAHAM SLATE-GREY lets MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK into the room. MR. SLATE-GREY motions for the cigar box by the fireplace. MR. MEADOW-BROOK opens the box but is disappointed by the selection and does not take one.
MR. GRAHAM SLATE-GREY
"I'm sorry for the suddenness of my telephone call. I needed to speak with you as soon as possible."
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"It's fine. I appreciate your urgency."
(pausing uneasily)
"I assume this is a critical financial matter."
MR. GRAHAM SLATE-GREY
"No, Miles. I'm afraid not."
MR. MEADOW-BROOK relaxes his shoulders.
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"Well, if my money isn't in jeopardy, then what the devil is going on? I was at the country club with my boy."
MR. MEADOW-BROOK straightens his tie, huffing in annoyance.
MR. GRAHAM SLATE-GREY
"Miles, we've been friends for a long time."
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"Spare me the bullshit. What is going on, Graham?"
21.
Mr. GRAHAM SLATE-GREY
"Well, I'm not sure how exactly to go about saying this. Christa and I found out about the girl in your attic."
MR. MEADOW-BROOK stares at MR. SLATE-GREY without any emotion or reaction whatsoever.
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
(unfazed)
"Well, that is unfortunate that you found out."
MR. SLATE-GREY's hands are trembling.
MR. GRAHAM SLATE-GREY
"Look, I can't imagine what you and Jane have gone through, protecting that secret..."
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"I think you can. We all have secrets, Graham."
MR. SLATE-GREY's brow furrows.
MR. GRAHAM SLATE-GREY
"Miles?"
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"How do you suppose everyone in town will react when they find out the mixed race couple has a gay son?"
MR. SLATE-GREY stands up defensively. MR. MEADOW-BROOK laughs and crosses his arms.
MR. GRAHAM SLATE-GREY
"Malcolm and Jake are together. Your son and my son..."
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"Malcolm is being handled with as we speak. He isn't going to be seeing Jake anymore. Make sure you keep control over your son."
MR. SLATE-GREY watches as MR. MEADOW-BROOK walks over to the front door and opens it.
22.
MR. MILES MEADOW-BROOK
"Oh, and Graham..."
(pausing)
"If you breathe a word of my daughter to anyone, you'll be shunned by the mayor and the housewives of Pratton. Your wife's business will fall and slowly people will find a new accountant to go to. You and your son will starve and your wife will whore herself for a warm meal. Do not test me."
INT. HOTEL O'RANGE - OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
MR. IGOR O'RANGE sits behind a large mahogany desk on a high floor of HOTEL O'RANGE. The city sparkles and shimmers outside the windows behind the desk. MR. O'RANGE holds a telephone to his ear. He is tapping his fingers anxiously against the surface of the desk.
MR. IGOr O'RANGE
"Reverend Green? Yes this is Mr. O'Range."
(pause)
"I'm doing well since we spoke in Pratton. Yes, I've made peace with Thallo. Reverend, I need you to do me a favor."
(pause)
"I need you to send a message along to Dr. Raven. There are some very important insurance issues that need to be dealt with immediately. He needs to come back to the hotel at once."
MR. O'RANGE hangs up the telephone and takes a deep inhale. He spins his chair around and looks over at the window and out onto the New York City skyline before him. The water from the harbor reflects onto the pavement and buildings below.
23.
INT. BLACKWELL GRANGE - DINING ROOM - SEVERAL MINUTES LATER
DR. WALTER RAVEN enters the DINING ROOM to see COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD, MRS. WHITE, SIR BENEDICT BLACK, and MADAME ROSE around the table working on a large jig-saw puzzle.
‌DR. WALTER RAVEN
(clearing his throat)
"I'm afraid I'm going to be heading out. I have to head back to New York City on business."
COL. MUSTARD doesn't look up from the puzzle - trying to find a place to put the corner piece he's found.
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"Won't you at least stay for supper?"
MRS. WHITE fits four floral pieces together.
‌DR. WALTER RAVEN
"I'm afraid not. It's quite urgent."
SIR BENEDICT looks up from the puzzle, eyeing DR. RAVEN with suspicion.
SIR BENEDICT BLACK
"Are you sure you need to leave now? Lord Gray and I were making some serious progress with the next phase of BGP."
‌DR. WALTER RAVEN
"I'm afraid I'll have to be kept in the loop over telephone. There is a few valuables in my suite that need a more suitable home."
DR. RAVEN exits the DINING ROOM as suddenly and hastily as he entered.
24.
MADAME ROSE BLACK
"He isn't someone to be trusted."
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"Who, Dr. Raven?"
MADAME ROSE BLACK
"Yes."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"He can be annoying, but he isn't a malicious man."
MADAME ROSE BLACK
"I'm more than certain he's the one who murdered Hugh."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Dr. Raven? That's ridiculous?"
SIR BENEDICT BLACK
"What makes you think that, Rose?"
MME ROSE looks down at the puzzle pieces before her.
MADAME ROSE BLACK
(shrugging it off)
"Oh, nothing. Just a speculation."
SIR BENEDICT BLACK
"I mean the police were not entirely convinced Nurse Silver killed Hugh..."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Do we really have to bring all of this up again? We were so frightened that night. There is no need to relive it."
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"I remember Dr. Raven and Dr. Orchid acting quite odd in the ballroom after everyone regrouped before the police arrived."
MADAME ROSE BLACK
"Yes, but was that before or after John went down to confront Hugh?"
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
(thinking)
"I can't quite remember..."
25.
MRs. BLANCHE WHITE
"Then there is no use going into the details of that night. Everyone needs to accept what happened even if it doesn't make sense to us. Nurse Silver confessed. There's nothing more to it..."
Everyone notices how defensive MRS. WHITE has become.
MRS. WHITE notices the tension in the room and slowly stands up.
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"I'm going to start some tea."
SIR BENEDICT BLACK
"Yes, that would be nice."
MRS. WHITE exits the DINING ROOM.
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"What the hell is she hiding?"
MME ROSE and SIR BENEDICT look down at the puzzle before them.
INT. FRAU GRAU'S BOARDING HOUSE - LOBBY - CONTINUOUS
PROF. PLUM looks around at the rough room surrounding him. The wallpaper is peeling, the floor is uneven and loose, the WOMAN behind the front desk is disheveled, scrawny, and sniffling through a very drippy, congested nose. A centipede scurries up the wall out of a crack near the fireplace. The WOMAN behind the desk stands up and swats the centipede with a fireplace shovel. It splatters on the plaster wall. The woman is FRAU FRITZI GRAU.
FRAU FRiTZI gRAU
(sniffling)
"Hallo, guten tag. Can I hilfe you?"
26.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Uh, yes. I'm interested in long-term board."
FRAU GRAU pulls out a form and begins to write the date.
FRAU FRITZI GRAU
"Name?"
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Victor Plum."
FRAU GRAU stops writing and looks up at him.
FRAU FRITZI GRAU
"I'm sorry, Mr. Plum. Wir können dich nicht beherbergen. You can't stay here."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"I-I don't understand."
FRAU FRITZI GRAU
"Mein Gott, everyone knows about what happened underneath Blackwell Grange in the mausoleum."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
(loosening his bowtie)
"What happened in the crypt was because of my corrupt, now-dead brother Hugh Black."
FRAU FRITZI GRAU
(shaking her head)
"That's not what the newspapers say."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
(getting angry)
"Well, forget the bloody newspapers."
FRAU FRITZI GRAU
(shrugging)
"I will not let my good reputation be tarnished because of your sins. You cannot stay here."
PROF. PLUM clenches his fists and looks around at the disgusting room.
27.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Good reputation? I... I don't have time for this. Have a good day, Frau Grau."
FRAU FRITZI GRAU
(disinterested)
"Auf wiedersehen."
INT. DAILY ECHO - OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
COMM. FOREST enters the main OFFICE by slamming the door open loudly. MS. KIMBERLY MANGO stands up from behind her desk.
MS. KIMBERLY MANGO
"Commissioner?"
COMM. FOREST walks straight towards MS. MANGO with a tight jaw and anger in his eyes. MS. MANGO panics and tries to look around for an escape.
MS. MANGO pushes her office chair between herself and COMM. FOREST as he approaches.
COMM. FOREST smacks the chair out of the way and grabs MS. MANGO by the throat. He pushes her back against a support pillar behind her desk. MS. MANGO whimpers as COMM. FOREST grips grows tighter around her neck.
COMMISSIONER RANDALL FOREST
"The threats stop. The games stop. I'm not someone you want to fuck with."
COMM. FOREST releases his grip on MS. MANGO's throat. MS. MANGO dramatically drops to the floor as she gasps for air. TWO JOURNALIST and a SECRETARY rush over to help her off the floor.
COMM. FOREST exits through the doors he slammed open.
28.
EXT. BROWNSTONES TOWNHOUSES - ORCHID’S DRIVEWAY - CONTINUOUS
PROF. PLUM approaches DR. ORCHID as the last moving truck pulls out of the driveway. PROF. PLUM's head is hanging low in defeat. DR. ORCHID smirks at his low confidence.
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
"My goodness, don't your legs ever get tired?"
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"I've given your proposition a second thought?"
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
"No rooms available?"
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"When Mary and Joseph were turned away at the inn, a great story began. What help do you need with your plants and tonics?"
DR. ORCHID motions for the front door.
DR. ANDREA ORCHID
"Let me pour you a drink."
INT. MEADOW-BROOK HOME - MASTER BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK pours herself a tall glass of chardonnay. She brings the glass to her lips and inhales the aroma deeply. She downs the entire glass in three quick gulps.
29.
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK crosses her bedroom to the red-hot iron sitting on her dressing table plugged into the wall. Smoke is beginning to form off of the bottom of the iron. Wind chimes toll gently outside the bedroom window.
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK takes a deep, shaky breath and reaches for the iron. She unplugs it from the wall and exits her bedroom.
INT. MEADOW-BROOK HOME - MALCOLM'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
MALCOLM MEADOW-BROOK sits on his bed circling sections out of his history book with a pencil.
With a loud-
CLACK
The bedroom door is suddenly opened.
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK stands in the doorway with the iron in her hand. MALCOLM drops his history book and stands up.
MRS. JANE mEADOW-BROOK
(calmly)
"Roll up your sleeve."
MALCOLM
"Mom! What the hell?"
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
(firmly)
"Roll up your sleeve!"
30.
MALCOLM
(desperately)
"Dad! Dad, help!"
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"Your father isn't home. He's dealing with the fact that you told your boyfriend about Mercy."
MALCOLM doesn't respond.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"Oh yes, we know about everything you've done to us. The way you have risked our family. They debauchery that you and the Slate-Grey boy have indulged in. Now it's time to pay the price..."
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK lunges forward and grabs MALCOLM by his blond hair. She forces him down on the bed, carelessly burning his right hand as she struggles to hold him down and roll up the right sleeve of his shirt.
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK leans all her weight onto her son's back and sits on his legs. She pulls up his right sleeve and looks down at the tattoo on his bicep.
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK looks down at the skull with the dagger pieced through it. His skin is pale in contrast to the dark ink.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"I assume you got this because of all the pain you feel inside. The stabbing of that dagger really means the world that doesn't understand you and hurts you for being yourself. Well, I understand you. I understand you, Malcolm."
(pausing)
"I just don't care."
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK presses the iron onto the tattoo.
MALCOLM screams in agony, his voice cracking and breaking. MALCOLM can hear the sounds of MERCY screaming from the ATTIC as he screams. His brow becomes sweaty and the pain overwhelms him. MALCOLM gives up and passes out.
MRS. MEADOW-BROOK peels the iron slowly back, taking a great bit of flesh with it. She leaves her son passed out on the bed.
31.
MRS. JANE MEADOW-BROOK
"One day you'll thank me for this."
INT. BLACKWELL GRANGE - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
MISS SCARLET races through the upstairs hallway, tears falling from her face.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"What have I done? I... I... betrayed him..."
MISS SCARLET stops as she reaches MASTER BODDY's bedroom door. She stops as she reaches for the door handle.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"I don't need someone to carry my problems... Patricia is wrong..."
MISS SCARLET turns away and stares down the dark, endless hallway. She feels the emptiness and loneliness set into her heart.
MISS SCARLET tearfully turns back to MASTER BODDY's door and turns the handle.
INT. BLACKWELL GRANGE - MASTER BODDY's SUITE - COnTINUOUS
MISS SCARLET enters to see-
32.
MISS ADELAIDE GREY in bed with MASTER JOHN BODDY. MISS GREY is riding on top of him. MASTER BODDY's moans imply he is close to... or is already climaxing.
END OF EPISODE 34