"i dont deserve to be banned. granted, i do say gay shit, and make gay posts, but still."
-SiG
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| TIME IS BACK WITH A SCREENPLAY: The Imperfect Crime | | | Author: | | | IP: | cache-rhXXXX | | Date: | 10/28/03 07:10 | | Game Type: | Other | | Labels: | none | | Report Rating: , # of Ratings: 2, Max: 6, Min: 4
Lifetime Rating for TIME is not on YOUR SIDE: 5.6667 |   | The Imperfect Crime
(The outside of a house at night time, with a metal gate at the right leading to the backyard. Two men dressed in completely black clothes are seen.)
JONAS
I think this is the address, number 26 on Maple Valley road. Is that right?
JOSH
How should I know? You’re the one who organized this.
JONAS
You have the map!
JOSH
But you were supposed to memorize the address.
JONAS
Okay, forget it. I’m pretty damn sure this is the place so let’s get to work. Do you have the keys?
JOSH
Yes, I have the keys to his house. I got them from my last visit here. I’ll unlock the door.
JONAS
Good, hurry up I’m freezing out here.
(JOSH struggles with the lock, unable to get it open)
JOSH
(Angry, throwing the keys on the ground) It won’t open! This is the wrong house, you dolt! The whole plan is ruined because you can’t remember a damn address.
JONAS
NO! This is the right address I am god damn sure of it. (Picks up the keys and tries to open the door for himself) Why won’t these stupid things work? Wait a minute! (Examines the keys closer) It says “Summer House” on these keys! You imbecile! No wonder they won’t work, they aren’t even supposed to be used on this house!
JOSH
I know because it’s the wrong house!
JONAS
(Throws the keys at JOSH, yelling) No it isn’t! These keys are for his summerhouse! The same house he is supposed to be at right now!
JOSH
Wait a minute, if we have these, and he’s driving to his summerhouse then he’s going to have trouble getting into the summerhouse, isn’t he?
JONAS
Yes! Yes he is! You are such an idiot. Now how are we going to get inside the house?
JOSH
We can get in through the backyard, maybe he left one of the doors or windows open there. I’ll get the gate.
(Both run to the gate and JOSH attempts to open it. It, too, is locked.)
JONAS
Perfect, just perfect. Well, let’s go. Maybe we can do it next year when you grow enough of a brain to figure out what the difference between a summerhouse and a regular house is.
JOSH
No, no, we are going to do it now. There’s a latch at the other side of this gate that I can unlock and open the gate for you if I get there. I can climb over this just give me a boost.
(Boosts JOSH up with his hands. JOSH stands up on JONAS’ hands and then falls)
JONAS
(Screams in pain and clasps his ankle) Damn it, my ankle, you broke it or something! You stupid idiot!
(Dave enters stage from the left, looking confused but somewhat joyful)
DAVE
(Laughing) How could I possibly have left them behind?
JOSH
(Whispering) What in God’s name is he doing here?
JONAS
He probably got to the summerhouse, realized he forgot the keys and drove back here to get them, and where are those keys anyway? I don’t have them.
JOSH
Last thing I remember is you throwing them at me and---
(JOSH is cut off by the sound of DAVE screaming as he slipped on the keys in the darkness. The screams end with a loud thud.)
JONAS
(Still clutching his ankle) What the hell happened?
(JOSH slowly walks over to DAVE and sees he isn’t moving.)
JOSH
I think he slipped on those keys and he’s unconscious! Good Lord, what are we going to do?
JONAS
Well that was lucky. You grab the keys to the house from his pocket and go inside and get the necklace. I’ll drag myself to the car.
JOSH
(Shocked) What? We can’t just leave him here! He could be seriously hurt!
JONAS
Oh shut up! He’ll be fine, besides he got what he deserved. Go get the necklace it should be in his room.
JOSH
Jonas, Dave is my friend! I can’t just leave him here to die!
JONAS
He’s my friend too but he’s also a no good thief. Besides, he won’t die, he’ll wake up in a few hours good as new.
JOSH
(Frantic) He won’t be fine unless we get him to a hospital!
JONAS
(Yelling) What are we going to do? Call the police and say we were trying to rob his house and then he came and slipped on his own keys that we stole and now is in a coma?
JOSH
But we have to do something!
JONAS
All right, fine. Get the keys and go upstairs and get the necklace. Once we are both in the car driving away I will call the police and tell them I saw him lying there as I drove by. Okay?
JOSH
(Calming down) Okay...okay...
(JOSH reaches into DAVE’s pocket and grabs the keys. He unlocks the front door and quickly runs upstairs. JONAS gets up and starts limping towards DAVE)
JONAS
He’s fine, I know he is.
(JONAS puts his ear against DAVE’s chest. A look of astonishment is seen on his face)
Oh my god...
(JONAS puts his finger against DAVE’s palm to feel a pulse. JOSH is seen running outside the house with a necklace in his hand.)
(Horrified) Josh! Red alert! Dave is dead! We have to get out of here right now!
JOSH
(Drops the necklace and falls to his knees) What? Oh my god! We killed Dave! We have to call the police!
JONAS
Why? So we can get arrested for murder? We have to get out of here now, leave Dave and forget about him! Take the necklace!
JOSH
(Panicking) What about the keys? What do I do with the keys?
JONAS
Take them! Take everything! We can’t leave any evidence behind damn it! This town has one of the best detectives in the business. Leave anything behind and we’re screwed!
(JOSH grabs the summerhouse keys and runs. In such a panic, he trips and falls, breaking his tooth and causing himself to bleed.)
Imbecile! (Picks up the tooth and wipes up the blood with his shirt) This is exactly the kind of stuff we can’t leave behind! Don’t bleed anymore let’s get to the car and get out of here!
(Both JONAS and JOSH run off out of sight)
(Both JONAS and JOSH are seen in a small, dirty and unclean apartment with a couch as the only piece of furniture in the center.)
JONAS
That was too close, but thank god we got out with the necklace. (Sits down on the couch) Ah, thank god, I need to get off my damn ankle for awhile.
JOSH
(Stuttering) How-how-how can you th-think of the necklace at a time like this? We killed Dave!
JONAS
I’m pretty sure he killed himself. Clumsy fool. And besides, how are they going to know we had anything to do with it? We’re fine, stop worrying.
JOSH
I don’t care if we’re caught or not! I ca-ca-can’t live with this on my conscious! The guilt is unbearable.
JONAS
Oh Lord, here we go with the guilt trips. Why does this always happen with people? They agree to do something they know is “morally wrong” and then right after it’s done they suddenly feel this “powerful feeling” called guilt that makes them regret what they did? Enough with it just suppress your emotions.
JOSH
I agreed to steal the necklace because he stole it from you! I never agreed to kill him!
JONAS
Yeah, that really wasn’t supposed to happen, but now that I’m back away from the body I feel at ease. Some things end of differently from when they started, Josh. Remember that time I started mowing that guy’s lawn and ended up stealing his sundial?
JOSH
Shut up! Stealing and murdering are two very different things. I really can’t live with this on my conscious; I’m calling the cops. (Picks up the phone)
JONAS
Whoa, uh, no you are not. (Takes the phone out of his hands and hangs it up). There is no way I’m letting you turn us in and ruin my damn life because Dave was too careless to look out for some keys.
JOSH
But we put the keys there! It was our fault. If we never went there he would still be alive right now!
JONAS
Oh please, Josh, everybody indirectly kills people every single day. Like, if I was to put a knife on a bench, and then some maniac comes over and takes the knife and kills a guy with it, does that make me a murderer?
JOSH
No, that would make the maniac the murderer... but that doesn’t really relate to this situation!
JONAS
Sure it does! Explain to me why it’s different!
JOSH
Because there wasn’t a guy who took the keys and stabbed him with it! Dave slipped and died on the keys and it’s our fault.
JONAS
Hey, we didn’t force him to slip on those keys. It was his fault. Not ours. Now don’t you dare go do anything stupid like call the police.
JOSH
If it is not our fault why do you care if I call the police or not?
JONAS
Because...juries these days...they’ll convict just about anybody. Listen, don’t call the damn police!
JOSH
I can’t live with the guilt of killing one of my good friends. I have to get this off my mind!
JONAS
If you do we will go to jail damn it! Think about what you’re doing! What if you just got drunk instead? It’s good for forgetting your troubles.
JOSH
I’m calling them and you can’t stop me! (Grabs the phone)
JONAS
(Slams it back down) You be careful, Josh!
JOSH
Stop trying to stop me. You can’t, I don’t care what happens this guilt is just too much for me to handle! (Picks up the phone again and begins to dial)
JONAS
(Yanks the cord out of the wall) I didn’t want it to come to this, Josh, but you leave me no damn choice. (Takes some tape out of a drawer) We can do this the easy way or we can do it the hard way.
JOSH
(Backing into a corner) Jonas, don’t do this. I swear to God that you’ll regret it. I’ll scream for help!
JONAS
(Slams JOSH against the wall and begins to tape up his arms around his back like handcuffs, and tapes his mouth shut and his ankles together) There, good luck screaming now.
(Josh speaks but is completely muffled and incoherent)
Shut up. I didn’t want to do this but you left me no damn choice. I won’t have you interfere. Now I’m going to go return this necklace to its rightful owner. I trust she will be quite pleased.
(JONAS leaves the apartment, leaving JOSH alone all tied up in a corner.)
(Back at the scene of the crime, DAVE’s house, and his body still in the walkway. A policeman and Detective John Bronka are standing near the body.)
BRONKA
Hm. Who reported the body?
POLICEMAN
Well, it’s not exactly hidden. The neighbors did.
BRONKA
What do you mean the neighbors? Which one?
POLICEMAN
(Points off to the right) They did. The Swansons. John Swanson to be exact. Said he was driving to work while he just looked to the right and saw him. Shocked him half to death he says, but he seems fine. He’s over there if you want to talk to him.
BRONKA
I see. I will want to talk with him. Who is the body? Not a John Doe I assume.
POLICEMAN
Nah, John Swanson knows who he is. Told me, name is David Kasteal. He says he was good friends with him.
BRONKA
Doesn’t seem like much of a good friend.
POLICEMAN
Why not?
BRONKA
He wouldn’t need to get into his car and start driving to work in order to look over and see his “good friend” was a corpse. He should be able to see him right as he left the front door.
(Policeman is silent)
You’re going to need to get the stretcher and bring this body over to the coroner. I need a cause and approximate time of death. But before you do I want to get collect some clues.
(Kneels down at the body and takes a piece of hair with his tweezers, a fragment of tooth, and swabs the pool of blood around both DAVE’s head and the fragment of tooth.)
Okay, I think I have enough. (looks at DAVE’s open front door). That door open when you got here? Or did you contaminate my crime scene?
POLICEMAN
No sir, the door was open when we got here. I didn’t touch anything.
BRONKA
Good. I’ll have to check inside his house later. More clues could be inside. For now I’m taking this stuff back to the lab. You take the body back to the coroner. I’ll be back here soon. I need to question John Swanson.
POLICEMAN
Yes sir.
(The Body is carried away by two policemen on a stretcher and BRONKA takes his bag of evidence and walks off)
(The scene opens up in the Coroner’s office with the body on a stretcher. The Coroner and Bronka are seen there)
BRONKA
Hello, Coroner. You have the body I see. When did it arrive?
CORONER
Actually I just got it about five minutes ago. Just getting ready to examine it.
BRONKA
Ah, well may I observe?
CORONER
Certainly. Being alone with all these dead bodies all day isn’t very healthy.
BRONKA
That’s true.
CORONER
Hm. who is he?
BRONKA
Goes by the name of David Kasteal. Found him lying on the walkway outside his house.
CORONER
A tile walkway?
BRONKA
I think so.
CORONER
Well that would explain the small bits of tile I am finding in his hair. (Feels his head) Hm, I am feeling a big wound on the back of his head. This might be the cause of death. I’ll need to shave the hair off to make sure.
BRONKA
That’s fine. Is there anything else about the body you can tell me?
CORONER
Well his toenails have a large amount of sand in them. Might have been at a beach at some point.
BRONKA
Any self-defense marks?
CORONER
Not that I can see. Evidence points to a surprise attack thus far. Someone just stabbed him in the back of the head maybe. I don’t know; I’ll have to get back to you on the details. (He sets to work off in the distance)
BRONKA
All right. But I will be back later.
(BRONKA attempts to leave the room when a forensic scientist by the name of Crestan comes in)
CRESTAN
Detective Bronka, I have the results for the DNA testing.
BRONKA
All right, but in the future you really shouldn’t be going into the Coroner’s lab---
CORONER
Oh I don’t mind detective. I need all the living company I can get to keep from going weird, you know? (Begins shaving David’s head)
BRONKA
Um...Right. Anyway, what are the test results then?
CRESTAN
Well the blood around his head was no surprise, David’s blood. However the blood you found around the tooth wasn’t his blood. Although I have nothing to match it up with except for the hair you found. The DNA of them match, and the blood is XX.
BRONKA
XX?
CORONER
Means its female blood, detective. You should know these things.
BRONKA
Human blood, yes?
CRESTAN
Of course.
BRONKA
Okay, so we are looking for a female with a chipped tooth.
CRESTAN
Yeah, that’s all I have to give you for now.
CORONER
Detective, I found a huge chunk of pointed tile in the back of his head. My theory is some woman that had a beef with him stabbed this guy in the back of the head by surprise.
(The scene opens up in a very affluent mansion, main hall. JONAS and a strange man in a black tuxedo is in the room)
TUX
So, you have come.
JONAS
Obviously I’m here. Um... who are you?
TUX
My identity is not important. You can call me Tux if I must have a name in your presence. I trust you have brought the item?
JONAS
Of course, I am not one to not follow up on my word. (Dangles the necklace in front of Tux)
TUX
Hm, it looks like the one. Is it?
JONAS
As far as I can tell.
TUX
(Gazes at it) Ah, so beautiful, so genuine. Where did you find it?
JONAS
David Kasteal had it in his room. We robbed him and got it back for Clare, um, where is she anyway?
TUX
David Kasteal had it? ... Very interesting. I suppose that was to be expected.
JONAS
Yeah, it would be, Clare said he had it. I didn’t feel right about robbing a friend like that ... or any of the other unpleasantness with him ... but she said the reward would be quite extraordinary.
TUX
Oh indeed it will, but you must not feel bad about robbing from David. Do you know why he stole the necklace from Clare?
JONAS
No, can’t say that I do. She didn’t fill me in on any details like that.
TUX
Ah ... well she doesn’t fill me in on any details either. Hahaha! But that is her most valuable possession, you know. She would really like to ... have it back.
JONAS
Good, she will pay me a handsome sum then.
TUX
Yes she will. Um, you are completely ignorant of the situation here, are you not?
JONAS
Yeah whatever, I don’t even care that much, I just want to give her the necklace and get my reward and get out of here. I have something waiting at home I need to take care of.
TUX
(sighs of relief) Oh, yes yes, you shall get your reward soon enough. Give me the necklace. (reaches for it)
JONAS
(Pulls it away) Whoa, uh, I don’t think so. I’d like to see Clare first. I don’t even know who you are and I really don’t think I can trust you with her most valuable possession, as you yourself said, “Tux”.
TUX
I am her butler, Jonas. She is upstairs and is quite ill, she said for me to make the transaction for her.
JONAS
I want to see her. You aren’t getting the necklace until I see her and my reward.
TUX
Not as stupid as I thought you would be. (Pulls out a revolver and aims it at JONAS) Hands up, drop the necklace. No one gets hurt.
JONAS
(Puts his hands in the air and drops the necklace) Who the hell are you? What did you do with Clare?
TUX
(Snatches the necklace, still aiming at his chest) Relax. She is fine, she is our leader.
JONAS
Leader? What the hell are you talking about?
TUX
She certainly doesn’t fill you in on any details does she? We are a part of an ancient cult known as the Marloquis. Clare has been the cult leader for quite some time, but now she and all of us finally get to see our sacrafices and turmoils transformed into pure power. David didn’t steal the necklace, we planted it in his room. We knew you would be greedy enough to go and steal it for us! And now we have all the human components needed for our ritual. The Thief, The Accomplice, and the Robbed.
JONAS
What the hell are you talking about? You’re insane! Let me out of here!
TUX
You’re not going anywhere. We need you, Jonas. We need you plenty.
(Scene opens up in a room with a table in the middle with two chairs on opposite ends. BRONKA is on the left and JOHN is on the right. POLICEMAN is standing in the corner)
JOHN
What are you accusing me of?
BRONKA
I’m not accusing you of anything, Mr. Swanson. I just want to get the story straight.
JOHN
I already straightened it for you. I was all ready for work when I walked out of the house and I saw him lying there! So I ran back in and called 911.
POLICEMAN
Wait a minute, you told me you were driving to work when you saw him!
BRONKA
(Takes out a file and looks at it) That’s right. You did say that.
JOHN
Well I must’ve made a mistake all right? I don’t quite remember what happened exactly, I was shell-shocked! I saw a good friend of mine dead in a pool of blood!
BRONKA
(Steps out of his chair and looks to the left) You don’t even need to get out of the house to see the body. Look, you can see where it was right out that window. (They look) Are you sure you weren’t in the house when you saw him dead? Or are you too “shell-shocked” to remember that as well?
JOHN
I . . . don’t know.
BRONKA
John, how was your relationship with the victim? I know you were supposedly friends but---
JOHN
What do you mean “supposedly”? I told you we were friends. No doubt about that.
BRONKA
Did you have any fights with him about anything?
JOHN
No!
BRONKA
All right. All right. (Reads the file more) You have a wife . . . and a daughter? True?
JOHN
Yes it’s true. How is it relevant?
BRONKA
Yeah, I’m going to need hair samples from both of them. And a quick look at their teeth.
JOHN
(Furious) What? You’re accusing my family of murder? What basis are you claiming this on?!
BRONKA
It is customary. If you comply and you are innocent this will rule you out and we will not bother you anymore. I strongly urge you to comply.
JOHN
Get out!
BRONKA
This is making you look more guilty, Mr. Swanson.
JOHN
MORE guilty?! What have I done to look guilty at all?
BRONKA
Conflicting statements and extreme anger and rejection when asked for something that would clear you and assure you of your innocence. If you are innocent, that is.
JOHN
(Calming down) Fine, fine, if it will prove my family’s innocence. But as long as they say it’s okay and all you can do is cut one hair from them and look in their mouth. Nothing else!
BRONKA
I wouldn’t dream of doing anything else. If they truly are innocent the evidence will prove it. Where are they?
JOHN
The living room. (points off stage)
BRONKA
(To the Policeman) Wait here.
(Another Policeman runs in through the door)
POLICEMAN2
(out of breath)Where’s the detective?
POLICEMAN
In the living room getting evidence. What do you want?
POLICEMAN2
Very important pictures (breathing) was told to find him.
BRONKA
I got the hair. No signs of any chipped teeth. (Notices the second policeman) What are you doing here?
POLICEMAN2
Look, these (hands pictures to BRONKA)
BRONKA
What the hell? What are these pictures of?
POLICEMAN2
(Regaining air) David Kasteal’s room. Ransacked. And look at this! (points to the picture)
BRONKA
Looks like some kind of sign. A cult sign perhaps?
POLICEMAN2
It could be, I---
JOHN
Look, you guys have what you need. Can you take it outside?
BRONKA
Oh . . . of course. (All three begin to leave) I’ll have to look at his room closer later. We should get back to the lab for now.
(Scene opens up in a dungeon-like room. Jonas is seen in a jail cell and a man in a cloak is next to him with a large pitchfork.)
CULTIST
(Jabbing him with the blunt end of his fork through the bars) Try to steal your way out of this one, thief!
JONAS
(Sighing) Can you at least tell me what you plan on doing with me?
CULTIST
We need you for our ritual, thief.
JONAS
And what will this ritual do, exactly?
CULTIST
Make the Marloquis the most powerful beings on Earth!
JONAS
Can you be a little more specific than that?
CULTIST
Clare will become so powerful, yes she will, and she will make all sorts of demands.
JONAS
What proof do you have that this stupid plan will work anyway?
CULTIST
It is not stupid, mortal! (Jabs JONAS in a very hard manner, causing him to fall to his knees)
JONAS
(Wheezing) You know you’re not exactly immortal yourself there...
CULTIST
I will be! We all will be! After the ritual!
JONAS
I’m almost scared to ask, but what exactly is going to be going on in this ritual?
CULTIST
It’s going to be a blood bath!
JONAS
Literally or figuratively?
CULTIST
SILENCE! The leader comes!
JONAS
Well it’s about time---Augh! (Is jabbed by the pitchfork)
(Clare walks in from the right dressed in a bulky red suit of armor)
CLARE
You may stand down number 46. I’ll take over from here.
CULTIST
Yes, your unholiness. (Cultist walks off)
CLARE
How nice to see you again, Jonas. You did a good job.
JONAS
Clare I though we were through with this cult crap! You said you would disband it if I said I wouldn’t go along with you!
CLARE
I lied.
JONAS
Obviously. Now let me out of here now and I promise I won’t tell anyone about your you and your insane zealots you call a cult.
CLARE
Don’t worry. Follow my orders exactly and I shall free you when the ritual is done. Your life is not needed, just your blood.
JONAS
You aren’t taking any of my blood. Let me out now!
CLARE
Or else what, Jonas?
JONAS
Or else...I will...dedicate my life to religion! Haha! What will your fellow cultists think when they find out their leader’s brother is a priest?
CLARE
All our blood ties will be lost in the ritual, Jonas. I will be reborn again as a new being. A new, immortal, powerful being and I will---
JONAS
Shut the hell up! This is all crazy! No blood drinking or organ eating or god knows what else you do in here is going to change you into anything other than the monster you already are, which is an ambitious freak who longs for power and control that she can’t possibly ever have! If you want power so much why didn’t you take a job in politics? It definitely isn’t as evil and wrong as this!
CLARE
(Takes a sword out of her scabbard and places it against the bars) Jonas, for now you are my brother and I don’t wish to harm you, but if you speak anymore ill of my cult I shall make sure your die in the most gruesome and agonizing way possible for you. And believe me, Jonas, I know what way that is.
JONAS
(Looks at the blade and seems fearful for the first time) All right, Clare, I shall aid your all-powerful cult if you promise to spare my life.
CLARE
Good. (Puts the sword away) I need to know where the other component is.
JONAS
What are you talking about?
CLARE
Don’t be daft. Tell me where he is. Where is Josh?
JONAS
Josh is in my apartment. He’s kind of tied up...
CLARE
Okay, Jonas. I know where that is. You wouldn’t lie to me would you?
JONAS
Of course not, Clare.
CLARE
I hope not. If you do, the consequences will be painful.
(Scene opens up in front of David Kasteal’s house. A man in a cloak is seen at the front door, fidgeting. The Policeman and BRONKA walk on stage)
BRONKA
(To policeman) So you say the---(To the man in the cloak) Um, excuse me, what are you doing?
CULTIST
The robbed lives here, correct?
BRONKA
The robbed? What are you talking about?
CULTIST
The one who was robbed. He lives here, no?
BRONKA
There wasn’t any robbery here, at least none I’m aware of.
CULTIST
Oh, one was robbed. One was robbed indeed.
BRONKA
Who was robbed? David Kasteal?
CULTIST
Does he live here?
BRONKA
He did.
CULTIST
Where is he now?
BRONKA
He’s dead.
CULTIST
The robbed died?
BRONKA
Why are you calling him the robbed?
CULTIST
He was robbed.
BRONKA
Robbed of what?
CULTIST
Her necklace.
BRONKA
David is a “he”.
CULTIST
It wasn’t his.
BRONKA
(To Policeman) I don’t know what the hell’s going on here.
POLICEMAN
(Whispers something into Bronka’s ear)
BRONKA
Uh, sir, are you from a cult?
CULTIST
Yes, mortal, the Marloquis.
BRONKA
(Takes out a photo from his folder) Is this the, uh, symbol of the Marloquis? (Shows it to him)
CULTIST
Yes, yes, it is. I know that symbol very well, it is ours indeed.
BRONKA
All right, I’m going to have to ask you to come with us.
CULTIST
Will you take me to the robbed?
BRONKA
(Confused) Uh, yeah, yes we will.
CULTIST
I come then. I must return the robbed to the master.
(Scene quickly changes to a small room in the Police station with a table with the cultist on one end and Bronka and the Policeman on the other)
BRONKA
Okay, so, what is your name?
CULTIST
Number 21.
BRONKA
...Okay. 21, do you know David Kasteal?
CULTIST
He lived there, yes?
BRONKA
Yes, before he was murdered.
CULTIST
Then he must be the robbed, yes, we need him for the ritual. Where is he?
BRONKA
He’s in the morgue, um, what “ritual” are you talking about?
CULTIST
Ritual that makes the Marloquis very strong, yes mortal, where is the morgue?
BRONKA
21, did you or another member of your cult kill Davi—erm, “The robbed”?
CULTIST
Oh no, wretch, very suprising news, he was not suppose to die. Not for the ritual. But I think it will still work, yes. Where is the morgue?
BRONKA
Tell me more about this ritual. Are you planning on, uh, killing people in it?
CULTIST
Yes, three mortals must die for the leader to ascend to the greater power. But, one component already died, apparently, yes.
BRONKA
Oh, god. Okay, 21, listen carefully. Are the other two...mortals dead yet?
CULTIST
No, but they will die.
BRONKA
Okay, 21, I am offering you full immunity in exchange for the whereabouts of the other two people. Where are they?
CULTIST
We already have one, the other is waiting for us, yes.
BRONKA
Who? Where?
CULTIST
The thief is at the leader’s mansion, yes, but the accomplice is at Jonas’ apartment. She sent me to find the robbed, two others to find the accomplice.
BRONKA
Where is the leader’s mansion?
CULTIST
No, no! No, mortal! The leader told us to keep her identity and location a secret! Specifically, yes!
BRONKA
Okay, um, where is Jonas’ apartment?
CULTIST
Apartment 5A in the apartment building on 65th street, the leader told us.
BRONKA
All right. (To Policeman) We got to make sure they don’t kill anybody. I’m going to the apartment and taking some reinforcements with me. You get this guy in a cell. I need to ask him more questions later. Maybe we can get there before the cult does, I hope we do.
CULTIST
What? No, no, you cannot disrupt the ceremony! The leader would not want that! Stop, mortal! This is not allowed!
(Bronka runs off, Policeman takes Cultist’s arms and puts handcuffs on them and walks him off stage.)
No, no, she will be very mad at me!
(The scene changes to the apartment of Jonas and Josh. Josh is seen still tied up in on the right side. A small section of the hallway can be seen at the left. Two cultists are seen coming up this hallway.)
CULTIST#1
I think this is the address, number 5A on 65th street. Is that right?
CULTIST#2
Yes, yes, the leader said so.
CULTIST#1
Okay, let’s get to work capturing the mortal. (Tries to turn knob) Do you have the keys?
CULTIST#2
No, no, master told us to get the keys from the landlord.
LANDLORD
Hey, you two cloak guys, I saw you come up here but I don’t know you. What are you doing here?
(Cultists stare at him blankly)
Well?
CULTIST#1
We’re here to take the Accomplice away.
CULTIST#2
Yes...the Accomplice must be...taken.
LANDLORD
What...What accomplice?
CULTIST#1
To the crime.
CULTIST#2
Yes, to the crime.
LANDLORD
What crime?
CULTISTS (in unison)
Robbery!
LANDLORD
I didn’t do anything, guys! It wasn’t even my idea. Really! It was all my brother’s idea and---What do you want? I’ll do anything! Don’t turn me in!
CULTIST#2
Keys. We want keys!
LANDLORD
Here! Here! (Throws the keys he has at the cultists) Just don’t tell anyone about the burglary, it’s just our little secret okay? I don’t know how you found out but please, you scratch my back and I scratch yours! (Nervous laughter)
(Cultists stare blankly)
I gotta go, so uh, see you later. You can keep the keys if you want I get extras, uh, bye! (runs off)
CULTIST#1
How did that mortal know about the robbery?
CULTIST#2
No matter, we must get the Accomplice. (unlocks door and opens it. They walk in).
CULTIST#2
Look! The Accomplice!
CULTIST#1
(Takes tape off of Josh’s mouth; Josh screams extremely loudly, inaudibly:) Are you the Accomplice?
(Screams continue)
(Slightly louder) Are you the Accomplice?
(Screams continue, LANDLORD runs up the stairs)
LANDLORD
What the hell is going on here---(sees cultists as they stare back at him) Oh, uh, I mean, just uh, going back downstairs. Carry on! (runs off)
(Josh stops screaming, seemingly out of breath)
JOSH
HELP ME! (tries to scream but isn’t very loud)
CULTIST#1
Are you the Accomplice?
JOSH
(Attempting to get up, but can’t because of the binding) Need to call the police! Call the police! They’re needed! They’re needed!
CULTIST#1
Are you the Accomplice to the Thief who stole from the Robbed?
JOSH
Help me! Help me! Call the police! (Falls on side) I’m dizzy. Very dizzy, I haven’t eaten or drank for God knows how long. C-c-c-CALL THE POLICE!
(Voices heard from off stage)
LANDLORD
Ahhh! Who told you? The cloaked guys?
BRONKA
The cloaked guys! Where are they?
LANDLORD
Upstairs with some tied up guy screaming like hell! There in Jonas’ apartment, but I don’t know any of them!
BRONKA
Ok let’s go! Upstairs now!
(Bronka and 4 other Policemen run up the stairs and into the apartment. They pull out their handguns and aim at the cultists)
All right you cultist bastards! It’s over. This is one component you aren’t taking back with you. Relinquish the component!
CULTISTS
He said he was a component!
JOSH
(Delirious) The police are here!
BRONKA
What’s your name?
JOSH
I’m Josh, policeman!
BRONKA
Okay Josh, we are the good guys and we are going to take you to ---
JOSH
Tell the police I’m ready to confess!
CULTIST#1
Take the component away through the window!
JOSH
To the heinous crime of MURDER
(Cultist#2 takes JOSH in a fireman’s carry and begins to attempt to climb out through a window at the right side of the stage)
JOSH
Good! Take me away, policeman! Take me away to the courts so justice can be done and my guilty conscience can be cleansed! Ugh..(Appears to pass out)
BRONKA
STOP OR I’LL SHOOT!
(Cultist#1 draws a blade from his pocket and begins to walk slowly towards the policemen, in the line of fire between the guns and Cultist#2)
Cultist, what are you doing?
CULTIST#1
(Continues to walk slowly towards them) I offer my flesh life as a sacrifice to the Marloquis.
BRONKA
Stop walking and drop your weapon, now! You don’t want to die this way.
CULTIST#1
Strength is in the unholy ghost! Weakness is in the flesh!
POLICEMAN
Damn it! He’s getting away with the guy!
BRONKA
Guns on the armed one. Stay on the armed one.
(At this point Cultist#2 and JOSH have left the building through the window)
CULTIST#1
(Now at point blank range to BRONKA, turns around to see window empty, turns back) The ritual will go on. My sacrifice shall not be in vain. (Raises knife) Free me from the body of the flesh or I shall do it myself!
(Police remain motionless with guns pointed at the Cultist)
I give my life for the leader! Clare—er, um, the leader of the Marloquis! (Stabs himself in the chest and falls to the ground)
(Bronka falls to his knees, dropping his handgun)
BRONKA
Oh God, I can’t believe I let them take him away. I handled that situation like...like... SHIT! I PLAYED RIGHT INTO THEIR HANDS. This is exactly what they wanted! Now they got Josh and God only knows what sick things they’ll do to him! (feels the cloak of the dead Cultist) Clare...He said Clare...
(BRONKA’S cell phone rings. He waits until the third ring to answer it)
(Sullen) Bronka.
CRESTAN (on phone)
Somebody stole a cadaver from the morgue!
BRONKA
Oh my God, which one? David Kasteal?
CRESTAN
Yeah, how did you know?
BRONKA
DAMN IT! Now those sick bastards have all the components they need for their ritual. They’re going to kill the two other components if I don’t stop them!
CRESTAN
What the hell are—
BRONKA
Wait a minute! Shut up! (Pauses for a few seconds)Crestan, On estimate how many rich people live in this town?
CRESTAN
Bronka you’re scaring me...
BRONKA
Answer me!
CRESTAN
I don’t know...you could probably count them on two hands.
BRONKA
EXACTLY! Crestan. I need you to check all the affluent people in this town. There must be a list somewhere. I mean people who own mansions. If you find someone with the name of “Clare” you call me, okay? Okay?
CRESTAN
Yes sir. (hangs up)
POLICEMAN
Sir, what are you trying to do?
BRONKA
I know two things about this leader. The leader lives in a mansion, and his or her name is Clare.
POLICEMAN
With all due respect I don’t really think you should rely on what a crazy nutjob said right before killing himself.
BRONKA
I can’t tell you how many cases I know about that were opened wide because of one person’s mistake or slip of the tongue. I think we can get the location. We must get back to the lab and put everything else on hold. We have some lives to save and a cult to disband.
(Scene opens up again in the Dungeon-like room with Jonas in the cell and the Coroner is seen coming on from the left pushing a stretcher with David’s body on it towards Clare on the right)
CORONER
This doesn’t look like any laboratory I’ve ever seen. Where are all the scientists and forensic instruments?
CLARE
They’re in the next room. I’ll just take the cadaver now and get to work solving the crime.
CORONER
You never actually explained to me why the case was transferred to begin with. (Notices Jonas in the cell) Is he, uh, suppose to be there?
CLARE
Yes, yes, he is. He’s a, uh, scientific experiment who volunteered under his own free will. Am I right, the—uh, Jonas?
JONAS
No. That’s not right at all. Let me out of here damn it!
CLARE
The drugs we’re experimenting on him must have fogged his memory. Okay, so no using that drug on anyone else! Thank you for testing it, Jonas. Okay, I’ll just take the cadaver now. (Starts pulling the stretcher to the right)
CORONER
Oh, that makes sense. But why was the case transferred?
JONAS
It wasn’t! She’s tricking you, you senile old fool!
CLARE
(Blows a whistle) Okay, that’s enough out of you, Jonas. The drugs have made you delirious. (To the Coroner) This case is too tough for your anti-crime division. Ours is a lot better so it was transferred here for us to work on. Now if you don’t mind (shooing him off).
(A cultist runs on from the right)
CULTIST
You called your unholiness?
CLARE
Yes, take the scientific experiment to the scientific discovery room.
(Cultist stares blankly at Clare)
CORONER
Did he just call you ‘your unholiness’? And why is he dressed in a cloak? This is one weird lab you got here.
CLARE
Uh...just put him in the cell. (Points at the coroner)
(Cultist grabs both of the Coroner’s arms and puts them behind his back as he takes them to Jonas’ cell.)
CORONER
Whoa, whoa, I don’t remember volunteering for anything here!
CULTIST
(Unlocks cell and throws Coroner in, locks again) Anything else, your unholiness?
CLARE
Not here, go back and prepare the ritual ceremony. (To self) Where the hell are number 3 and 4 with the Accomplice?
JONAS
(To Coroner) She’s a sheltered ignorant fool who thinks that something she read in a book written by even more sheltered ignorant fools than her will make her some kind of powerful demon and rule the world.
CLARE
Shut the hell up, thief. You never thought any of my ideas were good!
JONAS
That’s because none of them were ever good! Remember when you tried to hot-wire dad’s car so you could drive to Rachel’s party? Oh yeah, that plan was good. Got you into the emergency room after you got electrocuted.
CLARE
Shut up! Shut up! Don’t regale me of tales concerning my horrid adolescent youth! I’ve risen above that!
JONAS
Oh the hell you have. (To Coroner) One time she tried to sneak into an R rated movie and she tripped on the foot of one of the movie employees and started screaming! They threw her out right after!
CORONER
(Laughing) Oh, that is good. I haven’t seen many R rated movies in awhile. My job as a coroner is very stressful, very disgusting. I’d say it was R rated itself! (Continues Laughing)
CLARE
(Putting her hands over her ears) SHUT UP SHUT UP! (Runs off to the right)
JONAS
(Watches her running off stage) What does a coroner do anyway?
CORONER
Oh I work with dead bodies. Find out the cause of death, any clues that may help solve the case. Very interesting work, anyway, what experiments are they going to do on us?
JONAS
(Raises an eyebrow) I suppose working with all those dead bodies all the time has made you so senile.
CORONER
That’s what I was trying to tell Bronka! I don’t get out much. Or talk to many people. Or do anything with anyone who is living outside of work. Other than this. This is pretty cool! You know, it reminds me of the time I—
(Interrupted by the sound of a door opening and Number 4 coming in with Josh passed out over his shoulder.)
Oh dear. Another dead body. When will people learn that murder is not the answer? Off to the morgue with it I suppose. (To the cultist) I can find out the cause of death of the body if you let me out!
CULTIST
Where is the leader, mortals?
CORONER
Mortals?
JONAS
Is that Josh?
CULTIST
Where is the leader?
CORONER
I suppose you mean the head of the crime lab. She went over there. (Points to the right, Cultist takes Josh’s body there).
JONAS
You don’t honestly think this is a crime lab do you?
CORONER
Well it’s not a normal crime lab but I don’t think a prestige and honorable detective like the one they call ‘the leader’ would lie to me about this place would you?
JONAS
Good God I think it’s about time they lay you off.
CORONER
But they haven’t practiced a single experiment on me yet!
(Another Cultist is seen walking in from the left)
CULTIST
(Notices the Coroner) What the hell are you doing here?
CORONER
Don’t mind me, I’m just a body that they shall test drugs on. I’m a pioneer for the medical profession!
CULTIST
Uh...huh. (To Jonas) And you?
JONAS
What are you, a new recruit? I’m the thief you morons keep babbling about.
CULTIST
Oh. Okay, well where is Clare?
JONAS
That’s the first time I’ve heard you zealots talk about her with her real name. She’s to the right. (Cultist walks off)
CORONER
You’re a thief? Oh my god! I should have known. I was so blind. This isn’t a crime lab! It’s a prison!
JONAS
(Shakes his head) Why am I always destined to be surrounded by idiots?
CORONER
What did I do? I did nothing wrong! Nothing! Don’t I have the right to a fair trial? Where the hell is my trial? (Shakes the bars) This is unconstitutional!
JONAS
You got that right.
(Three Cultists, the first carrying Josh, the second with the stretcher with David on it, and Clare come back onto the stage from the right)
CLARE
Finally! All three mortal components are here. Do we have the necklace?
SECOND CULTIST
Yes, your unholiness. (Takes it out and shows it to her)
CLARE
Okay, good. (Notices Josh) Just but the Accomplice over in that corner for now. (Cultist drops Josh in the corner). Okay...let’s see...(takes out a book and leafs through it, begins pacing while reading) Get the three components...extract blood from gaping wound made by golden dagger...(Yelling off stage) How’s that golden dagger coming?
CULTIST VOICE
It is nearing completion!
JONAS
A golden dagger? Good luck cutting anything with a golden dagger. It’s the softest metal!
CLARE
Shut up Jonas I didn’t write this thing! (waves book at him) At least it makes more sense than any of your college essays! All of which were denied! (To self) Okay, okay, calm down...demonic transformation is upon me...must cleanse and purge my mind of all mortal emotions and thoughts. (Continues reading) Poor blood of all three components into a goblet, stir for 5 minutes and boil over fire for 10-15 minutes. Have high cultists...high cultists? I don’t have any high Cultists. (Looks behind her) You three. What are your names?
FIRST CULTIST
Number 4
SECOND CULTIST
Number 17
THIRD CULTIST
Uh...number...34.
CLARE
Good. Good, I like those numbers. Okay, you three are officially the High Cultists 1, 2, and 3.
FIRST AND SECOND CULTIST IN UNISON
(Get on their knees and begin praising her) Thank you, your unholiness.
THIRD CULTIST
Yeah, thanks.
CLARE
Yeah, yeah, get up. We have work to do. (Closes book) Let’s get started. Bring the dagger forth!
JONAS
(To Coroner) I love how she uses words like “forth” to make her seem more medieval. Don’t you?
CORONER
Let me out of here! I deserve a fair trial!
CLARE
Will you two shut up? (To self) Purge mind, cleanse thoughts...
(Cultist brings to the room a deformed golden dagger from the right)
CULTIST
Here is the dagger, leader.
CLARE
(Picks up the dagger and looks at it) Well it’ll have to do.
JONAS
What a lousy dagger!
CLARE
I am not listening to you. Now where is the goblet?
(Cultists stare blankly)
You don’t have a goblet? Damn it! (Pause) Does anyone have any cups?
CORONER
I got a cup, but in exchange I want a trial! (Takes out a small paper cup)
CLARE
Fine, you’ll get your damn trial after the ritual. (Grabs the cup through the bars)
JONAS
This is going great, sister!
CLARE
Don’t call me that! All right now who wants to be cut first? The dead one? The passed out one? Or the one that won’t shut up?!
(Everyone is silent for awhile)
CORONER
I’m pretty sure cutting prisoners, dead or alive, is illegal.
JONAS
Yeah, it’s also illegal to...you know...imprison people.
CORONER
Now, Jonas, imprisoning the infringers of the law is perfectly legal as long as the prison has consent from a court which I assume they have for you but not for me so let me have my trial!
CLARE
If you people in the cell won’t shut up I swear to God I’ll murder each and every one of you! (Walks towards Josh) All right I’m going to start with the passed out one. Which is it? The Accomplice? Oh, it doesn’t matter. (Jabs Josh with the dagger)
JOSH
(Wakes up suddenly and throws the dagger out of her hands, gets up and runs around frantically) AHH! AHH! AHH! AHH! AHH!
CLARE
SUBDUE HIM!
(High Cultist 1 and 2 grab Josh’s arm and chest and pin him to the ground.)
Keep him there. (Picks up dagger) God, this dagger really sucks. Okay, lift up his shirt. Maybe it can cut skin better than fabric. (High cultist 1 does so) Cutting it no—hey, what the hell is this. (looks closer) This guy is wearing a bra! (Lifts up pants slightly) Oh my god! It’s a woman! (The cultists get off of her and back away, Josh stands up)
JONAS
What? A woman? That can’t be Josh!
CLARE
Well whoever it is it’s a damn woman!
JOSH
No, no no, I am a man! Man!
CLARE
What the hell do you mean man? I saw what was under those clothes you’re a woman! And you totally ruined my ritual being one!
(High Cultist 3 runs off to the left)
CORONER
I don’t see what’s so bad about having another woman in this room.
CLARE
Well, Coroner, it means that we can’t do the ritual. (Opens book) It says right here all components must be male! We’re already stretching the rules of the ritual enough by having one guy dead and using some cheap paper cup instead of a goblet! (Hurls the dagger to the ground and falls to her knees) The months of planning ruined! All because of you! (points at Josh) What the hell is wrong with you?
JONAS
How can someone as sick as you ask another person what’s wrong with them? Anyway, you obviously have the wrong person because Josh is a man!
JOSH
Yes, yes, Jonas is right, I am a man! See? He said so.
JONAS
How did you know my name, transvestite? I...oh...you must be Josh then. Why the hell are you dressing as a man? I feel so cheated!
CORONER
I imagine it’s from some kind of psychological trauma. Now will someone tell me when my court date is?
JOSH
Trauma...I had a miscarriage. Couldn’t cope with the loss...couldn’t cope with being myself anymore—(falls to the ground, burying face in hands, quietly sobbing)
CLARE
(Takes out her steel sword from her scabbard) Shut up! Everything’s ruined! I have nothing more to lose! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill all of you!
JONAS
Whoa, settle down there, Clare. You don’t want to dig your grave any deeper.
CLARE
(To High Cultist 1) Unlock the cell. (Cultist does nothing) Unlock the damn cell! Unlock it! (Still nothing) What? Have you lost faith?! (Cultists slowly nod their heads) Unlock the damn gate or I’ll slit your throat!
(Cultist runs over and does so, quickly backing off. Clare runs into the cell, takes Jonas out and, holding his collar, puts the sword to his throat)
JONAS
Don’t do it, Clare! How can you kill your own brother?
(Clare raises sword up, High Cultist 3 comes back in from the right)
HIGH CULTIST 3
(Takes out a radio) Swarm! Swarm!
(Four Policeman come in with their guns pointed at Clare. High Cultist 3 drops his cloak to reveal he is Bronka. Clare takes Jonas and puts his arm around him, knife still at his throat. Everyone else besides the Coroner puts their hands in the air)
CLARE
Damn it! I expected this to happen but not before I was transformed into a more powerful demonic being! How the hell did you find me?
BRONKA
Your cultists leaked some pretty important information. You’re the only Clare in town that owns a mansion. Now put the knife down. Put it down. (Slowly walks towards Clare)
CLARE
(In a whiny, almost begging tone of voice) No! No! (Backing away)
BRONKA
Put it down...put it down. (Continues walking forward)
CLARE
No...no...no...
BRONKA
Put it do—ahh!
(Bronka slips on the golden dagger, falling on his back. Clare, in such a panic slits Jonas’ throat almost unintentionally, The four policemen shoot and kill Clare shortly after.)
(At the top of his lungs, holding the syllable for quite some time) NOOO!
(Black out)
(Scene changes to the crime lab several days later, it’s morning and the lighting should show this)
CRESTAN
Good morning, detective.
BRONKA
Morning. (Pours some coffee from the machine and starts drinking)
CRESTAN
The DNA tests came back. The hair and the tooth and the blood all belonged to Josh, the transvestite. He killed David.
BRONKA
I know it. He confessed two days ago. Seemed very eager to. The guilt must have been eating away at him. That girl has some serious problems.
(Coroner comes running in from the left)
CORONER
Breaking news in the case, detective!
BRONKA
What? What is it?
CORONER
I found out the cause of death of the two bodies! Jonas died from a slit throat and Clare died from a shot to the head!
BRONKA
(Raises an eyebrow) Thanks, coroner. (Drinks again) Just wish I got there before Jonas died. Can’t stand to see innocent people go like that.
CRESTAN
What about all those cultists? Must’ve been at least 30 of them.
BRONKA
57 to be exact. I have no idea what’ll happen to them. Probably go to some mental institution.
(An awkward silence)
CRESTAN
New tie? Never seen you wear a jet black one before.
BRONKA
It’s new. Bought yesterday. I buy myself something after every case.
CRESTAN
Why a tie? Why black?
BRONKA
(Pats Crestan on the shoulder) Like the case, Crestan. Like the case. (Walks off)
*CURTAIN*
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