A Clue Saga

INT. Blackwell grange - upstairs hall - midnight
DR. HUGH BLACK, MRS. BLANCHE WHITE, and MR. REGINALD ASH all stand outside the MASTER BEDROOM doors. They are whispering in a small huddle.
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
(shakily)
"She's dead... there's no doubt of it..."
DR. HUGH BLACK
(holding his forehead)
"She could've slipped and fell in the rain on her way back to the servant's quarters."
MR. ASH shakes his head in disagreement.
MR. REGINALD ASH
"She always goes out the backdoor to check the clothesline."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
(nervously)
"Something isn't right."
2.
MR. REGINALD ASH
"The only outsider that is close to her is Mr. Green. He's a known killer."
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Thallo wouldn't hurt Olga. Thallo only hurts people if they get in the way of his business."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Who's to say she didn't?"
DR. HUGH BLACK
"I'll go get Sergeant Gray."
MRS. WHITE frowns.
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Why?"
DR. HUGH BLACK
"To help us deal with the body. We have to report it as an accident."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"We have to?"
DR. HUGH BLACK
(firmly)
"Yes."
MRS. WHITE looks down at the carpet.
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"And if it wasn't an accident?"
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Mrs. White, the only thing you need to worry about is the fact that you will be taking over as full-time cook until I hire a new cook."
MR. ASH and MRS. WHITE look at each other with worry.
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Sir, if Rose has discovered...
MRS. BLANCHE WHITE
"Enough, Reggie. I think Dr. Black understands exactly what is going on..."
3.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM approaches the trio from around the corner of the UPSTAIRS HALLWAY.
PROFESSOR VICTor PLUM
(out of breath)
"We need to talk."
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Yes, we do! Where the hell have you been?"
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Ben escaped."
DR. BLACK, MRS. WHITE, and MR. ASH are silent.
PROF. PLUM puts on hand on his hip, wiping his damp hair out of his eyes with his other hand.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Did you hear me? Ben got out of the crypt. He's running loose through the grounds and woods."
DR. BLACK holds up his palm to stop his brother from talking.
DR. HUGH BLACK
(firmly)
"Just shut up."
MR. ASH wraps his arm around MRS. WHITE's shoulder protectively.
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Go check on Rose."
MRS. WHITE nods, hurrying off down the UPSTAIRS HALLWAY.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Hugh?"
DR. BLACK turns to face the doors of the MASTER BEDROOM.
4.
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Mr. Ash, I believe we both know what happened to Frau Bloom?"
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Yes."
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Get Sergeant Gray and Colonel Mustard. Lock all windows and bar all the doors. Make sure all the guns are present and accounted for. Give them to the guests with the best aim."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Arming the guests? Is that the best idea? He's a homicidal maniac, but he's outside in this thunderstorm. He's probably hiding in a mossy river bank howling at the spiders and centipedes."
DR. HUGH BLACK
"From your own experience, tell me: would you prefer to be unarmed when he finds you?"
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"He isn't going to find me."
PROF. PLUM walks past DR. BLACK towards the top of the HALL's sweeping staircases. He glances down into the HALL but walks past and begins to climb the next flight of stairs to the third floor.
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Mr. Ash, go get Sergeant Gray. I need to explain everything to Brenda."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Good luck, sir."
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Yeah..."
DR. BLACK opens the double doors to the MASTER BEDROOM and steps inside.
INT. BLACKWELL GRANGE - MASTER BEDROOM - conTINUOUS
DR. BLACK pulls the doors closed behind him as he enters.
5.
MISS BRENDA DOVE is kneeling on the bed in a long, white night gown. Her long, blonde hair is down.
DR. HUGH BLACK
(smiling)
"Look at you."
MISS DOVE does not respond. Her face is sad, defeated, and frozen.
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Fortunately, for you..."
(grabbing his coat)
"Tonight is not the night."
MISS DOVE looks up at him with confusion.
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Frau Bloom is dead."
MISS DOVE looks down at the carpet quickly.
DR. HUGH BLACK
"My brother escaped from his confinement."
MISS DOVE looks up at him with wide eyes. Her lips part as if she is going to speak... but no words come out of her mouth.
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Let me repaint the seriousness of this scenario."
(getting close)
"My brother, the homicidal maniac: Ben Black, has escaped from his five decade long prison. He has killed Frau Bloom. He is still at large."
MISS DOVE composes herself and stands up from the bed.
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Get dressed. Stay in the nursery with Nurse Silver and Fivel."
6.
MISS DOVE nods silently.
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Are you going to say anything?"
MISS DOVE closes her eyes and shakes her head no. Tears begin to fall from her eyes.
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Get dressed. Quickly."
DR. BLACK slips on his coat and leaves the room.
MISS DOVE sniffles and wipes her eyes. She walks over to the bed and lifts up a decorative pillow. Underneath it, the Dagger stares back up at her.
INT. BLACKWELL GRANGE - blue guest room - meanwhile
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK sits on the foot of the bed and takes her long, dangling earrings off. She tosses them beside her. The tall mirror in the corner reflects the flash of lightning outside the window.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(to herself)
"Another stormy Connecticut night."
MRS. PEACOCK kicks off her high heels and begins to work off her dark blue nylons.
There is a knock on her door.
7.
MRS. PEACOCK holds her breath, staring at the door-handle. Time stands still as she contemplates turning off the lamp.
A second knock at the door prompts her to stand up. She tosses the nylons to the corner by the mirror. She crosses the room and opens the door a tiny bit.
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE is standing in the hallway.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(with spite)
"What do you want?"
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"I wanted to see how you are settling in."
MRS. PEACOCK scoffs, opening the door and allowing him to step inside.
M. BRUNETTE closes the door gently behind him.
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"Typical dinner at Blackwell Grange. Something dramatic brought everything to a crashing halt."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"Dr. Orchid seems like a confident woman with a good head on her shoulders."
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"I think Dr. Black has certainly met his match."
MRS. PEACOCK crosses her arms.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"I'm not in the mood for observational chit-chat. What do you want, Alphonse? You know I hate it when people beat around the bush."
8.
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"What are you intentions?"
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"My intentions?"
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"It's not unreasonable for anyone to be curious. You avoid Blackwell Grange, Pratton, and anyone associated with Dr. Black for twenty years. Invitations, Christmas Cards, sympathy cards... You've ignored them all. Why did you decide to accept now?"
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(depressed)
"Because my life is over, Alphonse. Marcus was the last man for me..."
M. BRUNETTE pulls the light blue armchair away from the wall and sits beside the bed. He pats the bed for MRS. PEACOCK to sit on.
MRS. PEACOCK nods and sits down on the bed.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"Why did you kill him, Alphonse?"
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"Patricia, I didn't kill Senator Peacock."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(through tears)
"Bullshit. You killed every single one of my husbands."
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
(defensively)
"I only killed them because you begged me to!"
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(grinding her teeth)
"I never asked you to do anything!"
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"Bullshit? Bullshit! 'Ernest touched Vivienne. He's beating me and touching Vivienne.' Does that sound familiar?"
9.
MRS. PEACOCK covers her ears.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"Stop! I won't let you twist the truth of my past against me to justify the hell you've put me through! Police... lawyers... I haven't been able to mourn the only husband that I actually loved because I'm called 'the black widow' in every newspaper from here to Europe! I lost Arlington Hall. I've lost everything."
MRS. PEACOCK wipes her eyes and sniffles. She straightens her posture, looking down on M. BRUNETTE with a stiff lip.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"You sealed my fate and you have the audacity to come in here to ask me what my intentions are? I've come here to die, Alphonse. It's over for me. I don't have a life left to live. I thought I'd throw myself off the train before we got here. I thought I'd have to excuse myself before dinner and take every pill in the bathroom. If I made it that far, surely someone would humiliate me over dinner and push me over the edge. But even standing there in front of Dr. Orchid as she taunted me for my history with wealthy bachelors..."
M. BRUNETTE hushes her, standing up from the chair. He begins to pace around the room.
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
(holding his forehead)
"Jesus Christ, you are not going to kill yourself. I'm not going to sit here and let you do that."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(closing her eyes)
"I've missed every opportunity so far. I don't think you have much to worry about."
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"Patricia... what happened to you? You used to be so full of life before all of this...
(MORE)
10.
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE (CONT'D)
before love crept into your mind and took control. Love has hurt you and changed you."
MRS. PEACOCK laughs. She closes her eyes tightly and tears fall out.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"I gave my whole heart away to Hugh Black. And when we lost those babies... there was nothing left. I never saved any love for myself... I just gave it all away. To Hugh... To Vivienne... I always gave my heart to people that didn't want it."
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"Patricia, love isn't for everyone. Look at me? Love has never shined in my direction and yet I find my own joys out of life."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"I have no life, Alphonse. I have nothing but memories..."
(she shutters)
"And all of those memories are filled with shame and regret. I'd rather forget them, but that is impossible because they keep coming back up. They keep haunting me. I can't escape from them!"
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"Then confront them. Address them head on. You are bleeding on people who didn't cut you, Patricia. You need to heal those wounds and pick yourself back up."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"I'm not blind to the way you feel about me."
MRS. PEACOCK crosses her arms over her chest.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"I know you've loved me every since I was in Hugh's arms. I know that given the chance you'd hold me in your arms and love me right now."
M. BRUNETTE looks at her with longing in his eyes.
11.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"I will never love you, Alphonse. You've brought me nothing but war."
M. BRUNETTE looks down at his feet.
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"Then I am sorry. That is the last thing I wanted."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"Let me die."
M. BRUNETTE closes his eyes.
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"I won't allow that."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"Then I'll take you with me if I have to. I've never killed before. But I think I have what it takes."
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"You don't."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"Is that a challenge?"
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"Chin up, Patricia. Things are changing around here. You could be in a position of great inheritance."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(intrigued)
"What do you mean?"
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"Hugh Black hasn't updated his will since you were his muse. He hasn't has a serious relationship since you. You are still the beneficiary to his will. He is planning on changing the will to benefit Miss Dove and Fivel when he sees his lawyer at the garden party... but in the meantime, you are the heir until John Boddy turns eighteen."
MRS. PEACOCK looks over at M. BRUNETTE with wide, alarmed eyes.
12.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"John turns eighteen this winter."
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"Yes, but it is spring. Hugh Black and John Boddy have a lot of enemies."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"What are you saying?"
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"You know what I'm saying."
MRS. PEACOCK stands up quickly and walks over to the mirror in the corner.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"No... you can't."
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"Just say the word, and once again, I will make all of your troubles go away."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(breathing heavily)
"This... this is a trick. Just like you do every time."
MRS. PEACOCK turns around and points an accusing finger at M. BRUNETTE.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"You twist my words around and get me all emotional and then offer a solution to my problems."
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
(hushing her)
"Shhh. All you have to do is say yes."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"No! I don't want your help. I want you to leave me alone."
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
(indicating around him)
"This can all be yours. Forever."
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
(cringing)
"Stop it! Please stop!"
13.
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
"Two bullets. Bang, bang. Everyone thinks a thief broke in during a busy party. The police will turn their noses to this place if given the easier way out."
MRS. PEACOCK rushes over to the door and opens it. She points for M. BRUNETTE to leave.
MRS. PATRICIA PEACOCK
"Get out!"
MONSIEUR ALPHONSE BRUNETTE
(complying)
"Think it over. Don't do anything irresponsible. I don't want to take a trip to Pratton Memorial tonight."
INT. BLACKWELL GRANGE - RED GUEST ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET sits at the mahogany vanity, completely naked. She brushing her hair, staring aimlessly into her own eyes in the mirror's reflection. Behind her, MR. EDWARD CLAY is sitting on the edge of the bed taking off his shirt. He tosses his shirt in a pile with his shoes, socks, and pants.
MR. CLAY comes behind her and runs his hands along her shoulders. He notices the distant look on her face.
MR. EDWARD CLAY
(concerned)
"Hey? Are you okay?"
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(quietly)
"I'm trying to pretend everything is alright. I'm trying to enjoy the luxuries of this place, but after Arlington Hall..."
14.
MISS SCARLET looks down and drops the brush on the vanity's surface. She starts pulling hair pins out of her hair, covering the tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(choking up)
"... it just reminded me about all the husbands Patricia had before we lived with the Senator for seven years. We used to move in and out of houses, mansions, penthouses, yachts every year or two. Sometimes it was even less than a year. Sometimes we'd move in with a new boyfriend for a few weeks between husbands..."
MR. EDWARD CLAY
"Vivienne, I'm so sorry."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"I can't pretend like nothing happened on that train. Standing there, being given a tour by the butler... I just wanted to scream."
MR. CLAY closes his eyes.
MR. EDWARD CLAY
"We're fine. We made it. We're alive."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
(sobbing)
"I don't feel alive."
MISS SCARLET stands up from the vanity, unable to face MR. CLAY. She walks over to her suitcase on top of the dresser. She takes out a red dressing gown and slips into it. She ties it around her waste and slowly turns back to MR. CLAY.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"I'm sorry. I need to go get a glass of water from the kitchen."
MR. EDWARD CLAY
"I'll go with you."
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"No, it's fine. I'll only be a moment. I just need to calm down."
MR. CLAY quickly slips his pants back on.
15.
MR. EDWARD CLAY
"Vivienne, wait."
MISS SCARLET stops at the bedroom door and turns around to face him.
MISS VIVIENNE SCARLET
"What?"
MR. EDWARD CLAY
"I love you."
INT. BLACKWELL GRANGE - UPSTAIRS HALL - CONTINUOUS
MR. ASH knocks firmly on SERGEANT BENJAMIN GRAY's bedroom door. After a moment, SGT. GRAY opens the door. YVETTE is in the room with him. She is pulling up her low-cut top.
MR. REGINALD ASH
(clearing his throat)
"There has been a situation."
YVETTE looks concerned in the background.
YVETTE
"Is everything alright?"
MR. REGINALD ASH
"I'm afraid not. Go find Mrs. White, she will fill you in... I would rather not be the one."
YVETTE looks at SGT. GRAY with concern.
MR. REGINALD ASH
"You should find Mrs. White in Madame Rose's bedroom. That's where she was heading.'
YVETTE nods and walks by SGT. GRAY on her way out of his bedroom. She hurries along down the hallway. Thunder and lightning frighten her, urging her to run awkwardly in her high heels.
16.
SGT. GRAY steps out into the UPSTAIRS HALL and leans in closely to MR. ASH.
SERGEANT BENJAMIN GRAY
(worried)
"How bad is it?"
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Frau Bloom is dead. Ben Black escaped from the crypts. We think he did it."
SGT. GRAY blinks rapidly.
SERGEANT BENJAMIN GRAY
"Well shit. How many people know about this?"
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Dr. Black, Mrs. White, Professor Plum. Possibly Nurse Silver. Mrs. White will likely tell Madame Rose and Yvette. Frau Bloom is still floating in the swimming pool as we speak."
SERGEANT BENJAMIN GRAY
"Are we playing this off as an accident?"
MR. REGINALD ASH
"I think we have to."
SERGEANT BENJAMIN GRAY
(sighing deeply)
"This is gonna cost Dr. Black."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"That is between the two of you."
SERGEANT BENJAMIN GRAY
"I already hate the type of morally complicated work I've gotten myself into... but covering up a murder. I'm not too happy with how casual this family is about that."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"They less you know, the happier you'll stay."
SERGEANT BENJAMIN GRAY
"There is no possibility that someone else had it out for Bloom?"
17.
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Benjamin, really? Who would want to kill the cook?"
SGT. GRAY blinks rapidly again.
SERGEANT BENJAMIN GRAY
"Shit. I guess we should get her out of the swimming pool."
MR. REGINALD ASH
"How exactly do we go about doing that?"
SERGEANT BENJAMIN GRAY
"Point me in the direction of Colonel Mustard's bedroom."
INT. BLACKWELL GRANGE - ATTIC - mEANWHILE
DR. BLACK walks up the staircase cautiously. He is holding a flashlight steadily, pointing it at every shadow and corner. Lightning flashes through the gables. Rain is leaking through the roof into tin pails.
DR. BLACK shines his flashlight at an old upright piano, a wedding dress on a mannequin, and a large wooden trunk.
DR. HUGH BLACK
"I know how you think, Victor. Stop hiding from me."
There is no response in the damp, musky attic.
DR. BLACK shines his flashlight over the sheet-covered sofas, chairs, tables.
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Victor, we can talk about this."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM'S voice
"How could you possibly think I wouldn't find out the truth?"
18.
DR. BLACK cannot pinpoint where the voice came from. He points his flashlight up at the rafters, down the rows and rows of boxes. He comes to the very front of the attic to a locked door with a bookcase pushed overlapping it.
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Come out and talk to me, Victor."
PROF. PLUM steps out of the shadows near the staircase on the opposite end of the ATTIC.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"How long did you think you could keep it from me, really?"
DR. HUGH BLACK
(truthfully)
"I don't know. I told myself that you either figured it out years and years ago, or you were too self-absorbed to ask questions."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"I found out after a year. I never asked questions before that because I truly thought you murdered our father."
DR. HUGH BLACK
"We don't hurt family... even if family hurts us in return."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"You told everyone our father died. You kept him prisoner in the attic. That is no different than keeping Ben in the crypts. My god, what have we become?"
DR. HUGH BLACK
(shrugging; carefree)
"Evil gets what evil deserves."
19.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"And where do you expect you'll be locked up?"
DR. HUGH BLACK
"I'll die first. I won't become anyone's prisoner."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
(angrily)
"My father is alive, rotting away behind that door."
DR. HUGH BLACK
"He is fed daily. I'm sure you've tracked that by now."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Do all the servants know? Nurse Silver, I mean."
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Only Mrs. White, Mr. Ash, Rusty, and Frau Bloom are involved. They are paid a stipend to stay quiet. Yvette and Nurse Silver are too fragile to carry weighted truths."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Weighted truths? Is that what you call lies and secrets?"
DR. HUGH BLACK
"You're the black sheep, Victor. The bastard half-brother from a different mother. I'm sorry that we didn't keep you informed, but you'll have to believe me when I tell you - I genuinely forget that you are part of this family and not just an extended house guest."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"I've talked to father."
DR. BLACK laughs with annoyance.
DR. HUGH BLACK
"No you haven't. I keep close tabs monitoring him."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Personally? Or do you have Mr. Ash do it for you?"
20.
DR. BLACK frowns.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
(confidently)
"Because Mr. Ash and I have become rather close. The man has ended up owing me a thing or two."
(sighing)
"Are you so full of yourself that you can't even consider the fact that someone would keep something a secret behind your back?"
DR. HUGH BLACK
(growing angry)
"If you truly have talked with father, then you'll know his mind is mush. He's nothing but a few frail thoughts. He's pretty much dead already."
A slow, smirk grows over PROF. PLUM's face.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Yes, that was your plan."
DR. HUGH BLACK
(growling)
"Careful, Victor..."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Once I found out about him, I replaced the serum that you were using to weaken our father and speed up his death. For the past six years Mrs. White and Mr. Ash have been giving him nutrients and vitamins through a syringe."
DR. BLACK clenches his jaw and fists tightly.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Father is stronger than ever and well aware of every thing you are doing wrong here. In fact, he just might make a special appearance at our annual garden party."
DR. BLACK is panting and snarling through his nose and mouth.
21.
DR. HUGH BLACK
(enraged)
"I will kill every last one of you - string each one of you up in every window and door frame. I will burn this place to the ground with you inside of it. I will not be tested, I will not be crossed!"
DR. BLACK charges forward towards PROF. PLUM, swinging the flashlight as a bludgeoning weapon.
PROF. PLUM dodges DR. BLACK and pushes a stack of boxes in his way. The mannequin in the wedding dress crashes to the floor, tearing.
DR. BLACK throws the flashlight forcefully, hitting PROF. PLUM on the shoulder.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
(rubbing his shoulder)
"Son of a bitch! That hurt!"
DR. BLACK scrambles over the boxes, grabbing at PROF. PLUM with a homicidal maniac.
PROF. PLUM takes one solid swing at DR. BLACK - punching him square in the nose.
DR. BLACK stands down, holding his nose with one hand and holding the other up at PROF. PLUM.
DR. HUGH BLACK
(panting)
"I'll fucking kill you!"
PROF. PLUM rolls his sleeves up and adjusts his glasses.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
(composing himself)
"It wasn't until I talked to father that we figured out what really happened to poor Ben. You had fun torturing him. You didn't test on him with positive intentions like I am... like father wanted."
DR. BLACK pants, out of breath. He looking down at the blood on his palm from his nosebleed.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"It's over, Hugh. Everyone is going to know the truth sooner or later.
(MORE)
22.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM (CONT'D)
Tell them the truth and earn their forgiveness. Don't be the man that told the truth after he was caught."
DR. BLACK looks down at the floor.
DR. HUGH BLACK
"It's not that simple."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"You are going to lose either way. Why not be in charge of how you go out?"
DR. BLACK shakes his head in disagreement, growing angry again.
DR. HUGH BLACK
"You're wrong. There is still a way to keep everyone from finding out the truth. We can kill them both. Our brother and our father. Once and for all. No more lies. They are dead for real. It's all over."
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
"Listen to yourself, Hugh..."
PROF. PLUM walks down the attic stairs.
PROFESSOR VICTOR PLUM
(calling back to him)
"It's over, Hugh..."
DR. BLACK falls to his knees.
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Father, I know you can hear me."
GRAVELLY ELDERLY VOICE
"Are you praying, or talking to me?"
DR. HUGH BLACK
"Maybe both..."
GRAVELLY ELDERLY VOICE
"You've made a mess of things."
DR. HUGH BLACK
"I have..."
23.
GRAVELLY ELDERLY VOICE
"John could've done a better job despite his youth."
DR. HUGH BLACK
"He's so much stronger than me. Just like Margaret."
DR. BLACK walks over to the locked door and puts his hand against the wood.
DR. HUGH BLACK
"I'm a broken man... out of hope... out of luck... out of time..."
SIR BENEDICT BLACK the fourth
"These are the final hours of my imprisonment. Soon I will be free and roaming these halls once more. I will be cleared of all charges and exonerated for the murders you framed me for. The evidence that connects you to Monte Carlo has been planted. Copies have been made and distributed."
These words fall heavy of DR. BLACK's ears.
SIR BENEDICT BLACK THE FOURTH
"This is my parting advise to you - don't go to Paris, don't go to Tangiers, don't even try Rangoon or Australia. You need to get to Russia and start a humble, fresh life. You need to pack a small bag and leave right now. Do not hesitate."
DR. HUGH BLACK
"I will not abandon my mansion."
SIR BENEDICT BLACK THE FOURTH
"Then you will die here tonight."
INT. BLACKWELL GRANGE - YELLOW BEDROOM - ConTINUOUS
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD opens the door to his bedroom while drying off his hair with a linen towel. MR. ASH and SGT. GRAY are darkening his doorstep.
24.
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD'
(irritated)
"Gentlemen, what could I possibly be needed for at this hour?"
MR. ASH looks at SGT. GRAY, who is waiting for the butler to speak first.
MR. ASH
(nervously)
"Colonel, we... um... well, you see there's been a situation downstairs."
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
(impatiently)
"If you bastards don't get to the bloody point I'm going to punch a hole in this wall."
MR. ASH
"Frau Bloom is dead. We think she slipped and fell. Little accident."
(pause)
"Anyway, we need your help retrieving her from the center of the swimming pool."
COL. MUSTARD rubs his eyes very hard.
COLONEL MICHAEL MUSTARD
"Fuck off."
COL. MUSTARD slams the door in their faces.
MR. REGINALD ASH
"Do you think he thinks we were joking? Should I knock again?"
SERGEANT BENJAMIN GRAY
"I think we need to get Monsieur Brunette or Dr. Black."
25.
INT. BLACKWELL GRANGE - NURSERY - MOMENTS LATER
MISS DOVE throws open the door to the NURSERY and enters with shaking, trembling hands. FIVEL sits up from his bed, alarmed.
FIVEL
"Mother, what's wrong?"
MISS BRENDA DOVE
(apprehensive)
"We have to leave. We have to get out of here."
FIVEL, stepping out of bed.
FIVEL
"What's happening? What's going on?"
MISS BRENDA DOVE
"Get dressed, darling. We're taking the car from the garage and we're getting on a train."
FIVEL
"Are we going back to Africa?"
MISS BRENDA DOVE
(smiling)
"No, we're getting far away from the life we've known for so long. We are going to start a real life - a true life. You and me, before it's too late."
FIVEL rushes to change from pajamas to street clothing.
MISS DOVE smiles, sighing with relief. She closes her eyes and holds her head.
26.
MISS BRENDA DOVE
(to herself; aloud)
"Mother is going to try to hunt me down, but she's not going to win. Not this time. I won't be a pawn in her game."
FIVEL sits on the edge of his bed and fumbles to quickly put on his shoes.
MISS BRENDA DOVE
"Hurry, if Hugh finds out he'll try to stop..."
MISS DOVE winces in pain and grabs her stomach with both hands.
FIVEL
(frightened)
"Mother?"
MISS BRENDA DOVE
"It's nothing. Hurry, grab your coat."
MISS DOVE reaches to put her arm around FIVEL. The two cross to the door of the NURSERY.
As soon as MISS DOVE reaches the doorknob, she collapses to the floor.
FIVEL
(screaming)
"Mother!"
MISS DOVE writhes in pain on the floor, grabbing her stomach.
MISS BRENDA DOVE
(screaming in pain)
"Get help! Get Nurse Silver!"
FIVEL rushes out of the room, shaking, and trembling.
MISS DOVE convulses and writhes helplessly on the floor of the NURSERY. Lightning floods the room with a brilliant flash as MISS DOVE stops moving.
Her hands roll limply off of her stomach.
END OF EPISODE #9