A Clue Saga

EXT. BLACKWEll grange - morning
The early morning sun looms behind the cloud-covered sky. The grass is damp from morning dew. Fog lingers around the LAKE, creating condensation on all of BLACKWELL GRANGE's windows. The tall trees on the edge of the forest toss back and forth in the breezy spring morning air. The curtains on the upper levels of Blackwell Grange are pulled shut to allow the inhabitants to sleep in undisturbed.
INT. Blackwell grange - dining room - conTINUOUS
Dim, gray light floods into the DINING ROOM as YVETTE pulls the large, blue curtains open.
YVETTE opens the bottom cupboards on the white china hutch. She removes two CANDLESTICKS from inside, placing them on each end of the engraved wooden dining table.
2.
YVETTE smooths out the cream-colored doily in the center of the room with a long, slow sigh. She looks up at the crystal chandelier, closes her eyes, and inhales deeply. A smile comes over her face. She walks across the room to the KITCHEN and exits.
No sooner than the KITCHEN door closes, do PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM and NURSE AVA SILVER. enter from the HALL with
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
(droning on)
"... but it is all about perspective. Without it, we stand on an isolated playing field, looked down on by hundreds and thousands of judgmental, accusing eyes. But with perspective, we can see that even the flaws of my father and brother are understandable. Rather than criticize the minds of the wicked, is it not more humane to go back, remember, and relive every single day until the cause and effect are fully comprehended?"
NURSE AVA SILVER
"But fifty years in confinement. Is there any humanity left? He was a homicidal maniac as a child. A lifetime of confinement hasn't changed that. He's unloved, broken, empty..."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
(lowering his voice)
"I've cared for him. I've loved him. I've shown him what the future could be."
PROF. PLUM glances over to make sure the HALL and KITCHEN doors are closed.
3.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"I've brought Ben into the mansion before."
NURSE SILVER's eyes light up with fear.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Oh, yes. I've walked him through the Conservatory, the Billiard Room, the Library. I even let him place his ear to the Study door before to listen to Hugh's voice."
NURSE AVA SILVER
(visibly bothered)
"How often?"
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"He is the rightful heir to Blackwell Grange."
NURSE AVA SILVER
"He's a madman."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"No madder than Hugh. No madder than I."
NURSE SILVER shakes her head.
NURSE AVA SILVER
"Your father and Hugh were mad with power. Poor Ben is mad with blood-lust. You aren't like them."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
(looking into her eyes)
"I'm Sir Benedict Black's bastard child. I will never be Professor Black. I know my place in the world, but it doesn't stop the hunger. Ben was the firstborn in a long line of deteriorating minds, but I was the first-born child, bastard or not."
NURSE AVA SILVER
(hesitantly)
"You think Blackwell Grange should be yours?"
4.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Blackwell Grange is already mine, whether Hugh knows it, or is willing to accept it, or not."
NURSE AVA SILVER
"Then why is it him behind the mahogany desk in the study?"
The KITCHEN door opens and MR. REGINALD ASH enters the room. He promptly begins to set up the silver coffee set on a tray.
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Coffee, Professor? Nurse Silver?"
NURSE AVA SILVER
"No, thank you."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"I'll take a cup. Is my brother awake?"
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Dr. Black will be taking his breakfast privately with Miss Dove and Master Fivel in the Conservatory."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"In that case, I'll take two pieces of toast, gravy, two eggs, and a mandarin in my room."
PROF. PLUM stands up from the table.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Nurse Silver, would you do a small favor for me?"
NURSE SILVER looks up at PROF. PLUM with concern.
5.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Mr. Green is arriving early to drop off some liquor for Mrs. White to stock. Would you give her a hand?"
MR. REGINALD ASH
(interjecting)
"Mrs. White and I have it under control. I'm sure Miss Dove will have other things in mind for Nurse Silver."
PROF. PLUM raises an eyebrow at MR. ASH.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"I'm afraid I wasn't talking to you, Ash."
PROF. PLUM turns back to NURSE SILVER.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"That shouldn't be a problem, will it?"
NURSE AVA SILVER
"Not at all. I'll be happy to help."
MR. ASH grinds his teeth as PROF. PLUM exits through the HALL door.
Int. BLACKWELL GRANGE - CONSERVATORY - CONTINUOUS
DR. HUGH BLACK, MISS BRENDA DOVE, and FIVEL DOVE enjoy a breakfast of poached eggs and sausages beneath the exotic leaves in the glass dome above.
The sound of water bubbling from the wall fountains and fish tanks drown out the sound of forks clinking against plates. Near the table, WADSWORTH chirps and caws from his cage.
6.
FIVEL
"Why is no one talking?"
MISS DOVE sets her fork down.
MISS BRENDA DOVE
"The house is going to be filled with people over the next few weeks. It's nice to enjoy the quiet while it lasts."
FIVEL
(looking out the window)
"Is it going to rain again?"
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Unfortunately, it is. I was hoping to take one of my guests out to the tennis courts and test out his skills."
MISS BRENDA DOVE
"There will be plenty of time between now and the garden party."
DR. BLACK nods, turning back to his meal.
MISS BRENDA DOVE
"Have you started on the guest list for the garden party."
DR. BLACK drops his fork loudly. FIVEL jumps at the sudden sound.
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Fivel, finish up your eggs."
FIVEL picks at them.
FIVEL
"I'm full."
7.
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Then why don't you run outside and play before it starts to rain."
MISS DOVE stares fiercely at DR. BLACK while FIVEL gets up and exits through the back door.
There is silence, DR. BLACK stares at MISS DOVE, running his tongue along the inside of his teeth.
MISS BRENDA DOVE
"I was just..."
DR. HUGH BLACK
(cutting her off)
"I don't get it. Maybe it's the age difference, but I don't know what are the childish levels of mistrust about? Now, this attitude you carry around breakfast, lunch, and dinner... I don't know what to do Brenda. You've put me in a corner on the morning of our engagement party."
MISS BRENDA DOVE
"What are you saying?"
DR. HUGH BLACK
"I'm saying that if you don't stop acting like a spoiled brat, you are going to be on your own with that boy."
MISS BRENDA DOVE
"I thought you said you loved us."
DR. HUGH BLACK
"My free generosity only goes so far."
MISS BRENDA DOVE
(pausing)
"Is this about sex?"
DR. HUGH BLACK
"I agreed to wait until we get married, but something tells me something is going to come up that night too. And the night after, and the night after."
8.
MISS BRENDA DOVE
"Maybe I don't like to feel pressured into sex."
DR. BLACK flips the table over. Plates and cups break, unfinished eggs and sausages are flung, and MISS DOVE reels back, panting in fear.
DR. HUGH BLACK
(slowly, articulately)
"Stop meddling and start dealing with your own demons. I will love Fivel like a son, but not in the same way that I'll love the son that I put inside of you."
MISS DOVE sits in her chair, terrified by DR. BLACK’s sudden outburst. Her throat chokes up in fear.

DR. BLACK stares intently at her with fire in his eyes. His jaw is clenched tightly and his temples are pulsing.
DR. HUGH BLACK
”No one believes your story about Fivel’s conception. Not even me. Be prepared for that. Be prepared to be called a liar over and over again.”
MISS DOVE’s eyes fill with tears as DR. BLACK turns and exits the CONSERVATORY.
INT. BLACKWELL GRANGE - KITCHEN - AFTERNOON
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE, MR. ASH, NURSE SILVER, FRAU OLGA BLOOM, and YVETTE clean the KITCHEN in preparation for the party.
YVETTE sweeps the floor's dust and dirt out the open BACKDOOR with long, heavy strokes of the broom. FRAU BLOOM and MRS. WHITE sterilize the wooden cutting board and table in the center of the room with rags and sponges. MR. ASH and NURSE SILVER stock the shelves with dried herbs from an open wooden crate.
9.
YVETTE
"Miss Dove was up all last night."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
(scolding her)
"You aren't supposed to stalk the hallways after hours!"
YVETTE
(defensively)
"I wasn't! I saw her light on from the lake."
FRAU OLGA BLOOM
"What on earth were you doing out by the lake?"
MR. REGINALD ASH
”That’s what I was wondering. Since when did you start doing that?”
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"She goes there, Reggie. Ever since she was a child."
YVETTE
"I like to watch the moonlight bounce off of the water."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"How am I just learning about this?"
MRs. BLANCHE WHITE
"Because you are too busy stalking the hallways after hours."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Yes, well, if there's a fire I'll be the first to know."
MR. THALLO GREEN appears in the open BACKDOOR, startling YVETTE.
MR. THALLO GREEN
(fake knocking)
"Knock. Knock."
10.
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
(excitedly)
"T, when did you get here?"
MRS. WHITE rushes over to MR. GREEN and hugs him affectionately.
MR. REGINALD ASH
(rolling his eyes)
"Ah, the prodigal boy returns."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Did you eat yet? How is your uncle doing? Is Hosea coming to the garden party?"
MR. THALLO GREEN
(laughing)
"Slow down, Mama Blanche. Let me take my shoes and coat off before you dig on in."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
(clapping her hands)
"Oh, T, it's so good to see you."
MR. GREEN takes off his coat and hangs it on the wooden peg next to the BACKDOOR.
NURSE AVA SILVER
"Professor Plum asked me to help with the alcohol..."
MR. THALLO GREEN
"Did he? What a slimy little bastard. Sending someone else to pick up his package."
MR. GREEN goes over to his coat and reaches inside. He pauses for a moment and looks back at NURSE SILVER. When he withdraws his hand, he is holding nothing.
11.
MR. THALLO GREEN
"I changed my mind. Tell Victor if he wants his stuff, he's going to have to get it himself."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Do you need help with your bags Did you take the train? Are some of your men bringing in the liquor?"
MR. THALLO GREEN
(laughing)
"Jesus, Ma. I just got here, slow down. I'm gonna be in your hair for the next few weeks. You'll be sick of me."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"I'd never get sick of you, T. Welcome home."
Ext. Blackwell grange - ROSE GARDEN - AFTERNOON
FIVEL runs around between the shrubbery as a gentle mist begins to fall from the sky. He laughs and spins around the soggy grass with his arms stretched outwards. His curly hair is growing damp.
FIVEL's innocent joy is quickly cut short - as the boy turns around and stops with a sudden gasp.
The sudden jolt in the boy's body causes him to slip in the soggy grass and fall. FIVEL looks up fearfully at HERR GOLD.
12.
HERR KLAUS GOLD holds his finger to his lips, silencing the whimpering, frightened boy.
HERR KLAUS GOLD
"Do you know who I am? Nod your head, yes or no."
FIVEL nods yes, his lip is quivering in fear.
HERR KLAUS GOLD
"Tell your mother that I'm watching very, very closely."
HERR GOLD looks down at the child's scraped leg.
HERR KLAUS GOLD
"You're leg is bleeding. Go inside and get it looked at."
FIVEL sits frozen on the soggy lawn.
HERR GOLD snatches the boy by the arm and pulls him up to his feet, nearly dangling the boy in the air by one arm.
HERR KLAUS GOLD
"Go, now!"
FIVEL stumbles to get his balance and quickly leaves the ROSE GARDEN, rushing towards the CONSERVATORY.
ExT. WASHINGTON D.C. TRAIN STATION - AFTERNOON
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK, MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET, and MR. EDWARD CLAY stand at the side of the train station platform. A STATION ATTENDANT stows their luggage beneath the train car.
Mrs. Patricia peacock
(motioning)
”Careful with the hatbox! If a single feather is damaged, then the hat is ruined! Edward, go help the man. It will get done faster.“
13.
MR. CLAY assists the STATION ATTENDANT by handing him each of their many suitcases.
MISS SCARLET rolls her eyes as she pulls out her silver cigarette case. She lights a cigarette, exhaling the smoke into MRS. PEACOCK's general direction.
Miss vivienne scarlet
”Jesus, Patricia. Must you order everyone around?”
MRS. PEACOCK snatches the cigarette and stomps it out with the toe of her shoe.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
“I told you I didn't want you smoking those things!”
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
“I’m not a child. I’ll do as I please.”
MISS SCARLET promptly pulls another out and lights it.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
”It’s tacky and shows you are not a serious opera singer.”
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
“I highly doubt everyone in Connecticut will be as outspoken and judgmental as you are.”
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(defensively)
”I am hardly a judgmental person.”
MISS SCARLET snorts loudly followed by a sarcastic cackle.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(still laughing)
”Not only are you the most judgmental person I know, but you are also the biggest hypocrite as well. Your life is so flawed, Patricia.”
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"Stop it. Don't call me that. I'm your mother."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(angered)
"You are not my mother.
(MORE)
14.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET (CONT'D)
You are the greedy bitch who drove my father to the grave. You never loved him, you moved on with the worst possible man... all while I was grieving my father. The things he did... the things you let him do..."
MR. EDWARD CLAY
(softly; sympathetically)
"Vivienne...."
A bald MAN near the second class train car is staring at MISS SCARLET and MRS. PEACOCK.
MRS. PEACOCK looks around and realizes that the MAN is not the only one watching. PASSENGERS inside the train are peering out as well.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(embarrassed)
”Vivienne, if you are going to act like this for the entire train ride, then don’t bother getting on!”
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
”Me? I’ve done nothing. You started this whole thing over my cigarettes.”
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(shrieking loudly)
“Then do as I say and stop smoking them!”
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
”I’ve got a better idea - I’ll keep doing what the hell I want to do. I’ll just do it without you knowing. Then we can all finally enjoy a day in peace and while you spend your time finding something else to whine about or control. You're a cunt, Patricia. I didn't want to say this now, but it is time - Edward and I are moving away. I'm going to need some time before I'm ready to see you and speak to you. Consider this weekend and the garden party next week our farewell.”
15.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(shaking her head)
"I have no daughter."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(snidely)
"You never did. They all died."
MRS. PEACOCK grips her fist tightly.
MR. EDWARD CLAY
(intervening)
”Can we just try to get along and stay out of each other’s business.”
The second class MAN Laughs loudly.
Man
”Go on, let the women fight. I want to see the little bitch tear down the old one.”
MRS. PEACOCK is infuriated by both MISS SCARLET and the unpleasant MAN.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(facing the man)
”What is your name?”
The MAN crosses his arms over his chest.

MAN
”Gus Liverwurst.”
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(feigning interest)
”Charming."
(clears throat)
"Mr. Liverwurst, you don’t know who you are talking to. I would rethink your bold, crass nature.”
16.
Mr. Gus liverwurst
”I know who you are, Mrs. Peacock. Everyone here knows who you are. And we’re all thinking the same thing - there goes a murderer, walking right by.”
MRS. PEACOCK turns away from MR. LIVERWURST and takes MR. CLAY by the arm. MISS SCARLET is angered by that, pulling MR. CLAY off of MRS. PEACOCK to take her own arm.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(sighing)
”Come along, let us find our private compartment.”
MR. GUS LIVERWURST
”Run and hide while you can. Soon enough, you will face your sins.”
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
”Until then, good day.”
MRS. PEACOCK turns with her head high in the air. MISS SCARLET gives MR. LIVERWURST a snarky glare before entering the train with MR. CLAY on her arm.
MR. LIVERWURST watches them board the train, biting his lip and hatefully mumbling to himself. He looks at the second class train car adjacent to MRS. PEACOCK’s first class car. He watches MISS SCARLET and MR. CLAY sit down with MRS. PEACOCK through the window of their private compartment.
Int. BLACKWELL GRANGE - BILLIARD ROOM - CONTINUOUS
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD leans over the billiard table and aims his pool cue. He breaks the triangle of balls at the other end of the table, sending them evenly over the large table. PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM is chalking his pool cue from beside the bar.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Good break."
17.
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
(gruffly)
"Bah!"
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"You spread them all out nicely on the table."
PROF. PLUM takes his shot, splitting two balls into two corner pockets. COL. MUSTARD leans his pool cue against the bar and pours himself a shot of whiskey.
PROF. PLUM takes his second shot, pocketing another ball.
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"Remind me never to play you for money."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Angles and lines, Colonel. It's just angles and lines."
MR. GREEN enters the BILLIARD ROOM as PROF. PLUM makes splits two more balls, pocketing on one the side and one in a corner.
MR. THALLO GREEN
"Nice shot! I never thought you'd make that."
PROF. PLUM, nervous that MR. GREEN is present, moves around the other side of the billiard table.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
(soft-spoken)
"I used to keep a table in the lab. Watch this."
PROF. PLUM leans long over the table and tries a trick bumper shot but misses.
MR. THALLO GREEN
"Ah! That's too bad."
18.
MR. GREEN quickly comes around the table and slaps a firm hand down on PROF. PLUM's shoulder.
MR. THALLO GREEN
"Better luck next time."
COL. MUSTARD swallows his shot of whiskey and prepares to take his turn.
MR. THALLO GREEN
"Maybe we can postpone the game. What do you say, Mike?"
COL. MUSTARD glances at PROF. PLUM and notices the nervous look in his eye.
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
(hesitantly)
"I should be getting ready for the hunt. Hugh and I are going out to the east woods for pheasant."
MR. THALLO GREEN
"Delicious! I hope you are successful."
COL. MUSTARD takes the SHOTGUN from where it hangs above the fireplace and exits the BILLIARD ROOM.
MR. GREEN's charismatic smile instantly drops to a stern, snarl. PROF. PLUM reaches for his pool cue, but MR. GREEN pushes it to the floor.
MR. THALLO GREEN
"How are you doing, Victor?"
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Fine. Just fine."
MR. THALLO GREEN
"Yeah? Is that right?"
19.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Um... if there isn't anything else, I should be seeing Nurse Silver."
PROF. PLUM walks around the other side of the billiard table, making his way towards the door.
MR. THALLO GREEN
"She doesn't have anything for you."
MR. GREEN holds up a vial of POISON.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"You've been paid, haven't you?"
MR. GREEN sets the vial of POISON on the edge of the billiard table. He motions to it and backs up to the seating area near the windows.
MR. GREEN sits down on a leather sofa, opening his pinstriped coat to reveal his PISTOL.
PROF. PLUM slowly approaches the POISON. He picks it up carefully with two hands as if holding a precious gem.
MR. THALLO GREEN
"Essence of nightshade."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Is there anything else?"
MR. GREEN laughs, lighting a cigar.
20.
MR. THALLO GREEN
"Are you in that much of a hurry to use that stuff? What are you going to do? Did you finally decide to put Benedict out of his misery?"
PROF. PLUM shushes him, looking around to make sure the coast is clear.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Do not talk openly about him!"
MR. THALLO GREEN
"Does the fiancée not know?"
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Not even everyone on the staff knows."
MR. THALLO GREEN
"We're all damned."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"The day will come when we all regret becoming the people we've become. Today is not one of those days, Mr. Green. Why destroy, when you can create?"
MR. THALLO GREEN
"Because destroying is much easier and gets the point across much faster."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"And that is why we will never be friends. I create. You destroy."
MR. THALLO GREEN
"We'll never be friends because I'm honest to myself about who I am. You still think you are a good doctor helping create good in the world. You are a mad scientist, Victor."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"This is why I tried to send Nurse Silver to get the poison. I wanted to spend my last day alone before the house is crowded. I wanted to be with my thoughts. Now you've invaded my mind and unsettled my train of thought."
21.
MR. THALLO GREEN
(shrugging)
"I don't cater to the needs of narcissistic men."
COL. MUSTARD reenters the room.
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"Since the business deal is done and this has turned into a pissing match, do you mind if we resume our game?"
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
(startled)
"I thought you were going hunting."
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"That was the plan, but as you can see, it is raining."
Rain drizzling steadily down the windows outside.
Int. Blackwell grange - ballroom - morning
MRS. WHITE brings in a basket of wet laundry from the backdoor. DR. BLACK is sitting at the Kitchen table.
MRS. WHITE drops the basket on the table. Her hair, cap, and shoulders are damp from the rain.
DR. HUGH BLACK
”Oh, no. Where is Yvette?”
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
“She‘s been slacking off again! Last I saw her, she was smoking opium with Madame Rose.”
DR. HUGH BLACK
”I suppose that’s better than the lingering and lurking she’s been doing.”
22.
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
“I caught her using the secret passageway.”
DR. HUGH BLACK
”From the kitchen to the study? That’s unacceptable, Blanche. I’m having Rusty seal them off once he’s back.”
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
”That would be for the best.”
DR. HUGH BLACK
(changing tone)
”I was waiting in here to talk with you.”
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
”Oh?”
DR. BLACK motions for her to have a seat.
MRS. WHITE sits down slowly.
DR. HUGH BLACK
”Sergeant Gray will be keeping watch around here over the next few weeks. Keeping guests away from the crypt, the attic, the cellars.”
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
”Mr. Ash warned me.”
DR. HUGH BLACK
”Then I suppose I have nothing else.”
DR. BLACK stands up from the kitchen table and walks to the HALL door.
Dr. HUGH BLACK
”Keep up the good work, Blanche. This house couldn’t run without you.”
MRS. WHITE sighs deeply as DR. BLACK leaves the KITCHEN.
Mrs. BLANCHE WHITE
(distantly)
”I can’t do this anymore...”
23.
EXt. Blackwell grange - TERRACE - continuous
MADAME ROSE BLACK smokes opium with YVETTE under the wrought iron umbrella over a round table.
YVETTE traces her fingers over the wrought iron poppies laid into the table.
MME ROSE exhales smoke slowly, laughing and pointing to the lake.
MADAME ROSE BLACK
”The fish always dance in the drizzle.”
YVETTE
(gagging)
”I think I’m going to be sick.”
MADAME ROSE BLACK
”Let it out over the railing.”
YVETTE promptly vomits, as if on command, over the stone railing of the TERRACE.
YVETTE
”Merci. I am so sorry. That was not very ladylike.”
MADAME ROSE BLACK
”That’s quite alright, my dear. Besides, my brother doesn’t exactly have you dressing the part of a lady.”
YVETTE looks down and wipes vomit from her nearly exposed breasts.

YVETTE
“Dr. Black is a cultured man he knows that sexy girls persuade rich men to say yes to any deal.
(MORE)
24.
YVETTE (CONT'D)
I never touch them... some try to touch me... some have tried more...”
MADAME ROSE BLACK
”Has my brother ever touched you?”
YVETTE
(slowly)
”Only once. It was a long time ago. He was drunk. I doubt he even remembers it.”
MADAME ROSE BLACK
”A long time ago? You are only nineteen, Yvette. How long ago? What type of man is my brother.”
YVETTE
”I’d rather not talk about it.”
YVETTE begins to fidget nervously in her seat.
MADAME ROSE BLACK
”You’re very troubled, child.”
YVETTE
”I’m fine. I’ve just been sad lately.”
MADAME ROSE BLACK
”It is about your mother, isn’t it?”
YVETTE looks down at her feet to hide the tears in her eyes.
YVETTE
”Why is there so much evil in the world?”
MADAME ROSE BLACK
”Because the world is run by liars, cowards, and maniacs.”
YVETTE
”I want answers. I want justice.”
MADAME ROSE BLACK
”Then leave this place. Get on the next train out of town and start a new life, a better life.”
25.
YVETTE
”Blackwell Grange is the only home I’ve know.“

YVETTE looks up at MME ROSE, tears in her eyes.

YVETTE
“I keep remembering things from my childhood about my mother. But I can‘t remember anything more than bits and flashes.”
MME ROSE relights the opium pipe, inhaling deeply, holding the smoke, and exhaling with a small cough. YVETTE takes the pipe in her hands, hesitating to bring it to her lips.
MaDAME ROSE BLACK
”Just relax, inhale, close your eyes, and tell me everything you can remember.”
YVETTE inhales deeply and closes her eyes. A single tear squeezing out as she leans back in her seat.
YVETTE
”My mother is at the door. It is dark outside.”
(pause)
”A young man comes to the door. He has a mustache and a beret,.”
MME ROSE takes the opium pipe and draws the smoke in deeply.
YVETTE
”He leaves with my mother and closes the door. They left me all alone in that small apartment.“
(pause)
“That’s the last time I ever saw of her”
MME ROSE sets down the opium pipe and leans forward.
MADAME ROSE BLACK
”My sweet child, let it go. Let those bitter memories go. Let this place go. It reminds you so much of your pain.”
YVETTE
”I can’t leave.”
26.
MADAME ROSE BLACK
(desperately)
”Please, consider starting anew elsewhere.”
YVETTE
(sobbing)
”I can’t...”
MADAME ROSE BLACK
”Then we’re all damned to suffer fates worse than death.”
End of episode #4