Another Shade of Black - SimplyScripts
Another Shade of Black
Une Antre Ombre de Noir
An Original Screenplay
By
Jacob Ruby
© 2006 November Wind Productions
Episode 1
–Fading Memories-
-Black Screen-
We hear a tip-tap of rain falling on glass before we hear the gruff voice of a MAN over take it.
MAN
(V.O)
People are always telling me I have a bad memory, maybe it’s because I don’t want to remember my past, maybe it’s because I haven’t yet found a memory worth saving. (Long Beat) Perhaps tonight I’ll find it.
-Fade In-
INT.CAR-NIGHT
We are looking out the front windshield, the wipers periodically emerge from the bottom and obstruct our view, the man is sitting in the drivers seat smoking and observing the police outside of the house, they work frantically putting danger tape around the house were a murder has taken place.
MAN
(V.O)
My names John Riley, this was the start of it all, the end of my career, the end of my life. I was the sap assigned to this case, this murder that took place tonight; a call was place only a few hours ago by the victim’s wife. I pray for a suicide.
John pulls out a notepad and begins to write in it.
JOHN
Carrying around a notepad is important to any detective, but especially to one that is always forgetting even the simplest of details.
John steps out of the car and drops his cigarette
He walks slowly toward the house but suddenly stops bends down to the ground and picks up a shard of glass.
JOHN
(V.O)
GLASS?
John pulls out a plastic baggy and puts the tiny shard in it. He then continues towards the house.
OFFICER
(Half yell)
Can I help you sir
John flashes his badge
JOHN
(Half yell)
Detective John Riley, I understand there’s been a murder
OFFICER
(Half yell)
Yes, Right this way Sir
The officer guides him through the front door
INT.HOUSE
They shake out the wetness; John pulls out his note pad
OFFICER
Sir?
John doesn’t acknowledge and continues to write
JOHN
(V.O)
Locks intact…No windows broke…No signs of forced entry. Windows…Windows…What am I forgetting…something…about windows
OFFICER
Sir?
JOHN
Yes, Sorry…Just something I need to do or I forget everything…If I lose this all is lost.
OFFICER
Yes well as you may know a 911 emergency call was placed around midnight by the victims wife, she was panicked only saying “he’s trying to kill me”, “he’s trying to kill me”
JOHN
Self defense?
OFFICER
It’s a possibility but not likely
JOHN
Why not?
OFFICER
No evidence of a struggle, besides one knocked over lamp, the house is in perfect condition. And also how the victim was killed…
JOHN
What?
OFFICER
Well you better take a look for yourself.
INT. BEDROOM
Inside of the room there is a knocked over lap that is still on, creating an ominous lighting effect within the room. The Body lays face down on the ground. There are two other officers studying the body
OFFICER 2
Mr. David Jones, 46 year old white male – His wife’s name May Jones 44 year old white female… both with clean records…just everyday average people.
JOHN
And just an everyday average murder? (beat) We’ll find out
OFFICER
As you can see the hands are stabbed with a knife, possibly for some symbolic purpose, this of course was most likely done after death, the only gunshot is in the back just below the right shoulder.
OFFICER 2
We believe this was a crime of passion
JOHN
(chuckle)
Really
OFFICER 2
Yeah why
JOHN
Well if it was a crime of passion and not premeditated it’s the cleanest I’ve seen. No signs of struggle, no excess bullets, hardly any blood…No I believe this person knew exactly what they were doing. Why do you say it was a crime of passion?
OFFICER 2
The only suspect we have is a colleague of his; she says they were lovers. Also his wedding band is missing we believe the murderer took it.
JOHN
What about his wife, where is she?
The two officers look at each other
OFFICER
She’s missing
-Cut To-
EXT.ROAD
We see John’s car pass us quickly
INT.CAR
JOHN
(V.O)
Things weren’t adding up, the officers were right, everything committed to evidence points to a crime of passion, but why did the victims wife call saying “he is trying to kill me”, it obviously could have been a cover up considering she was missing, this makes her the prime suspect, no this was much to clean of a job in my opinion, there was something else going on here and I was going to figure out what it was.
EXT.ROAD-NIGHT
We see John’s car again pass us quickly before
–Cutting to-
INT.INTERROGATION ROOM
John steps slow but forceful and takes a seat, across from him sits a very attractive lady. John takes his time, he pulls out his note pad opens it and gets ready to write.
JOHN
There was a murder tonight
ATTRACTIVE LADY
So I hear
JOHN
You wouldn’t know anything about that though, right?
ATTRACTIVE LADY
You got a cigarette?
JOHN
Yeah sure
John taps the bottom of the pack and holds the pack to her so she can pull one out.
JOHN
Now, do you know anything or not?
ATTRACTIVE LADY
(Smiles)
You got a light?
John lights the cig
JOHN
Answer the question Miss. Vickers
MISS. VICKERS
From what I’ve heard, it sounds like a jealous wife killed her cheating husband. Poetic Justice if you ask me
JOHN
Cheating with you as I understand it
ATTRACTIVE LADY
Yes once or twice, nothing that could be called love
JOHN
Sometimes all it takes is one look.
MISS. VICKERS
So it isn’t true all you coppers are hard nose realist, with no ideals
JOHN
After being in this line of work for so long ideals are the only thing that keeps me going- Now Miss. Vickers where were you tonight around 11:00
MISS. VICKERS
Taking a shower, I’m staying at the California Hotel on 6th street, my apartment building is being fumigated for pests until tomorrow.
JOHN
I see, having car troubles as well?
MISS VICKERS
Yeah, but how did you know?
JOHN
It looks as though you got a bit of motor oil on you coat.
MISS VICKER
Oh, you’re very observant Mr. Riley
JOHN
Well I would hope so Miss it’s…
MISS. VICKERS
But of course, it’s your job
JOHN
Yes, well I think I’ve heard enough, your obviously just any innocent bystander in this investigation, I’d like to thank you for your time Miss. Vickers.
MISS. VICKERS
It’s been a pleasure Mr. Riley
JOHN
I have your phone number incase I need to ask any more questions.
MISS. VICKERS
I’ll be looking forward to your call.
-Cut to-
John walking down hallway, getting in to car, driving
INT.CAR
JOHN
(V.O)
Of course I knew better, She played off the interview way to cool, her whole tone was cold, as cold as that investigation scene, she was a shade of black just a bit to dark, It wouldn’t be long before I get the tap on her- but first it was time to get to the bar and review what had.
INT.BAR
John sits down at the bar orders a drink and observes the others there, musing over that night. We focus in on a woman crying.
JOHN
(V.O)
Because I’m always forgetting I have found that not many women want to be around a person that is always forgetting their name. But it doesn’t make me feel to bad because I will soon forget and make a new friend.
We look back at the woman crying
JOHN
(V.O)
She can feel my glare but is resisting to look back; she doesn’t want her heart broken again- well not so soon. If she looks back maybe I’ll go over, everybody needs a shoulder to cry on, especially in a town like this.
We move through the bar, we get close to the crying woman and see her look back at John, we then turn to a booth were a man sits smoking and waiting.
MAN
(V.O)
My names Frank Mars, tonight must be my hundredth time on the job, a job as simple as waiting for a package at the specified location, Here, and delivering it to another (beat) and would you believe I’m making 2,000 or more bones for a job so simple… sure I’ve run into my share of trouble but in this line of work if you don’t see any snags in the follow through within your 4th time delivering get ready for the 5th cause your well over due.
Frank looks over at John who is now sitting with the crying woman, John puts some money on the table and they leave together.
FRANK
(V.O)
I have listened to this song a million times, it always comes on when I’m here, I look over at the jukebox, it’s always the same fox of a dame playing it too, I tell my self one day when I’m not on the job I’ll have complement her on her taste in music and buy her a drink, but sometimes she’s not always here so I throw in a quarter for good ol’ Frank and the jukebox girl, I listen and then I sit down a while and wait for the drop off.
-Cut to-
EXT.BAR
We see John and the woman leave in John’s car while another comes in to view.
-Cut to-
INT.BAR
A figure limps through the front door; He looks over at Frank and approaches.
FRANK
Joey? Joey what’s the matter?
Joey thumps down across from him and lays the briefcase he was carrying on the table.
FRANK
My God you’re bleeding
JOEY
(Breaths heavily)
Oh…don’t worry about that I…I was delivering…
FRANK
Joe lets get you to a hospital
JOEY
No…There’s no time…Get the package to…quick
FRANK
The package will get there
Frank continually looks toward to jukebox girl as if she will ease his pain somehow.
FRANK
But you need help
JOEY
Just go I’ll stay here awhile
(Lets out a sigh)
FRANK
Joey, Joey!
FRANK
(V.O)
Joey was dead and I had no idea who it was that shot him, what I could be sure of was some one wanted this package and was ready to kill for it. Fear suddenly set in, What if Joey was followed, the goons that did this to him could be right outside, I couldn’t take the chance to move him to my car or they might spot me, I’d have to take the back way out. You did good Joey, you did real good, but now it’s my turn…I’m almost looking forward to running into the guys that did this to you, if I do I’ll make sure they pay.
-Cut to-
INT.CAR
JOHN
Where was it you said you lived?
Beat
JOHN
I’m sorry you’ll have to forgive me; my memory is like a black hole. Don’t take it personally but after tonight I most likely won’t even remember you. So where was it you said you lived?
CRYING WOMAN
I never told you
JOHN
Oh, well then it’s not just me
Beat
CRYING WOMAN
I was feeling lonely tonight, it’s not like me to just get in a car with a stranger, I guess I did because… well I guess I’ll trade vulnerability just to be with someone right now.
JOHN
There’s nothing to worry about Miss, I’m a detective
CRYING WOMAN
A Detective, that makes me feel better
JOHN
So where can I take you
CRYING WOMAN
(Whispers)
Take me with you
JOHN
Hmmm?
CRYING WOMAN
Take me with you please, I don’t want to be alone tonight.
Beat- John looks over at her
JOHN
Sure thing kid, sure thing
-Cut to-
EXT.CAR
We see the car pass by the camera and off into black of the night.
-Cut to-
Frank leaving from the back of the bar
We see him jack a car near by and drive off.
-Cut to-
INT. CAR
Frank looks in the rear view mirror and sees headlights, a follow
FRANK
(V.O)
The Sons of Bitch’s found me, the way I saw it was I could settle this now or I could settle it when I got to the drop off, either way they were going to pay for what they did to Joey.
-Cut to-
EXT.CAR
Frank pulls over to the side of the road
-Cut back-
INT.CAR
Frank looks at the headlights pull real close behind him. He sees the driver and the passenger in the mirror now, the driver puts a cell phone to his ear a second later Franks phone rings. Frank looks over at the bloody handle of the briefcase and picks up the phone.
VOICE
Just get out nice and slow and we’ll make a deal for the package, we are willing to pay a grand for every minute it’s been in your possession.
FRANK
(V.O)
That’s 30 grand, a real sweet deal and probably one I would have taken if the bastards hadn’t shot Joey, but no amount of money changes that now. They were going to pay alright.
FRANK
Sounds good, I’m coming out
-Cut to-
EXT.CAR
The two in the car get out and stand side by side waiting for Frank, Frank waits a Beat steps out of the car and immediately pulls out two pistols from each pocket shooting at both of the men he hits both in the chest as they pull out there guns, one of them gets a couple of shots off and they drop. LS of Frank hunched over in the view of the headlights, Beat, Frank grabs for his chest we see blood run down his hand onto his gun. He falls to the ground.
FRANK
(V.O)
No…they got me…I can’t die here…there’s something I need to do before I go.
(Lets out a sigh)
-Fade out-
-Fade In-
INT. JOHN’S APARTMENT
John and the crying woman come in, she sits on the couch.
JOHN
Is there something I can get you, some water, tea?
CRYING WOMAN
Maybe something stronger?
JOHN
Sure
John goes into the kitchen and prepares the drinks
We cut back to the woman and can see that she is palming something but we can’t see what it is.
JOHN
(To himself)
What was her name, come on John.
(Half yell)
ummm…miss would you like ice
CRYING WOMAN
(yells back)
Oh, Yes, thank you
JOHN
(Half yell)
I’m sorry, you’ll have to forgive me I forgot your name.
CRYING WOMAN
(yell back)
Oh, I don’t think I ever gave it, its May, May Jones
JOHN
(To himself)
May Jones…May Jones…sounds familiar but she said she never gave it.
We look back at May and focus in on what she was palming in her hand, she opens her hand to reveal a wedding band, we zoom into it getting closer and closer.
-Dissolve-
EXT. PARKING LOT/BAR
We see a LS of a figure stumbling towards us
-Dissolve-
We see the man is Frank; he staggers inside the bar and makes his way over to the Jukebox where his girl is.
JUKEBOX GIRL
You ok Mister
FRANK
Play it, play that song one more time.
We see a close up of a quarter drop into the slot, dissolve to various close ups of the Jukebox, dissolve to close up of Frank he puts a cigarette in his mouth and lights it.
We then pan out to Frank sitting at the booth across from a now very pale Joey, Frank closes his eyes.
FRANK
(V.O)
I got em for you Joey, I got em real good, to bad about my situation though, never getting a chance to talk to that girl, she seemed like a real sweet kid to, well at least I made it to listen to our song one last time, this one goes out to you Joey, good ol’ Frank, and the Jukebox girl.
-Fade out-
END EPISODE 1
NEXT EPISODE- NONE OF THAT JAZZ
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