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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