Copyright © 1998
This screenplay is the property of Byron Hinson. All rights
reserved. This screenplay is confidential and may not be
disclosed to or copied or reproduced in part or in whole by
any unauthorized party.
Quoting Evil -- Pilot
By Byron Hinson
Early Draft
June 21, 1998
INT. STRIP CLUB
The strip bar is large and full of a variety of men, both
young and old all sitting at tables drinking, smoking and
eyeing up the girls on stage.
On stage are two strippers, doing exactly what you would
expect in a strip joint.
INT. STRIP CLUB – BACK OF STAGE
The back of the stage is where all the girls get ready for
the show. The area is dark, short on space and foreboding. A
few small lockers are by the walls.
A young stripper about 19 years old is removing some clothes
from a locker and packing them away into a small bag. She is
sitting next to another, slightly older woman who is
chatting away.
OLDER WOMAN
I’ll be glad when I have enough money to
stop having to do this each and every
night
YOUNG WOMAN
(Continues to pack
clothes)
Well this is my last night
OLDER WOMAN
Your lucky, you have something else to
go for
YOUNG WOMAN
It’s my first acting job. I’ll probably
be back here before you know it
OLDER WOMAN
You’ll be fine
YOUNG WOMAN
Thanks Jane...Well I guess I better be
getting home
JANE
Getting a taxi?
YOUNG WOMAN
Nah...I don’t have that far to walk
The young woman closes the locker and puts the last piece of
her clothing away into her bag.
JANE
I guess I’ll see you around
YOUNG WOMAN
I’ll send you a ticket to the show
JANE
Thanks Michelle...Take care
Jane leans over and kisses Michelle on the cheek. Jane looks
weepy eyed.
MICHELLE
I’ll call you
Michelle turns around and heads for the exit.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE STRIP BAR – NIGHT
The exterior of the strip bar is covered in neon lights.
Michelle comes out of a side door and closes the door behind
her.
Michelle swings her bag over her shoulder and starts her
walk home.
EXT. STREET – NIGHT
The street is dimly lit and Michelle is the only person to
be seen. The only sound heard are Michelle’s own footsteps.
As Michelle continues to walk down the street, a garbage can
topples over quite a way behind her. Michelle is startled
and turns around fast. Michelle breathes a sigh of relief,
as a cat can be seen rummaging around the can.
Michelle turns around to continue her journey when...As she
turns around...the sight of a man standing directly in front
of her frightens her.
EXT. WOODLAND – ROADSIDE – NIGHT
A car’s headlights shine through the darkness and the rain.
The car pulls over to the side of the wooded area.
EXT. WOODLAND – RIVERSIDE
The wooded area is covered in wet leaves as rain is falling
heavily onto the ground below.
The figure of a man can be seen coming through the woods, he
is dragging a black bin bag on the ground behind him through
the mud and the leaves.
As the man reaches the banks of the river he stops and
crouches on the ground. He rips open the bag.
INT. POLICE STATION – NIGHT
Various empty desks fill the police station, it’s late and
the majority of officers are either at home or out on the
job.
Towards the far end of the room, sitting opposite each other
are two detectives, 1 Male about 30 years old, the other
Female and in her early twenties. Both of the officers are
busily working on notes.
The male detective’s name is XANDER FIELDS, unshaven and
tired looking.
The female detective is called LAUREN RICHARDS, an
intelligent looking woman who looks as if she gets deep into
her work.
Lauren puts down her pen and looks over her desk towards
Xander.
LAUREN
Almost done?
XANDER
Just about...i think I’ll leave the rest
until the morning
LAUREN
But Hathaway said he wants it in before
we leave
XANDER
Ok...Ok
LAUREN
It would be nice to wrap this case up
Xander starts to speed up his writing.
XANDER
I still can’t believe that he actually
handed you the gun
Lauren gets up from her chair and stretches out.
LAUREN
I’m obviously a woman of many charms
XANDER
Ohhhh obviously
Xander puts his pen down onto the desk and gathers up his
papers.
XANDER
Ok...I’m done
LAUREN
You’re done?
And you were going to wait until morning
just to finish that?
XANDER
(Laughs)
I’m obviously a fast worker
LAUREN
(Laughs)
Obviously
Xander stands up from his chair.
XANDER
Let’s go and hand these in to Hathaway
VOICE
No Need
The loud voice makes both Xander and Lauren turn around and
face the man who has just spoken. The man is CHIEF DETECTIVE
HATHAWAY, a well-built black man around 50 years old.
CHIEF HATHAWAY
I’ve got another job for you two...you
can leave those reports on my desk in
the morning
Xander turns to Lauren.
XANDER
I told you we should have left these
until the morning
EXT. WOODLAND
The rain continues to fall as Xander and Lauren drive up to
the roadside and park their car. The woodland area is now
brimming with police activity. The police have cordoned off
a section within the woods and a number of officers are
surveying the area.
Xander and Lauren get out of their car and walk over to the
police cordon.
EXT. WOODLAND – POLICE CORDON – RIVERSIDE – NIGHT
As Xander and Lauren reach the police cordon a young officer
greets them.
YOUNG OFFICER
Sorry sir, this is a crime scene, you
can’t go any further
Xander reaches into his long coat and pulls out his identity
badge and shows it to the officer. As Xander and Lauren show
their badges to the young officer, a more official looking
detective starts to walk towards them from behind the
cordon.
OFFICER JONES
It’s ok bill, you can let them through
INT. WOODLAND CRIME SCENE -- NIGHT
The young officer lifts up the cordon. Xander and Lauren
duck underneath it and walk into the crime scene, they stop
by the side of OFFICER NATHEN JONES.
Floodlights light up the surrounding area as a small group
of police officers scour the muddy ground for clues and
evidence.
XANDER
So what have we got then?
OFFICER JONES
The woman over there
Officer Jones points to a woman around 40-50 years old,
standing by a young policeman being interviewed.
OFFICER JONES
(Con’t)
Was out walking her dog through the
woods. The dog went off for a short run
by itself, when it returned it bought
back a little present for its owner
Both Xander and Lauren look at Officer Jones, bemused.
OFFICER JONES
Half an arm
LAUREN
Jesus...have you found anything else?
OFFICER JONES
(Pointing)
Sure...Over there...over there...down
here...you point to any spot around this
area and we’ve probably found part of a
body there
Both Xander and Lauren look sickened by the news.
XANDER
Did the witness hear anything unusual
around here?
OFFICER JONES
Nope, nothing, whoever dumped it here
was long gone
LAUREN
Any clues?
OFFICER JONES
Ahhh this place is too damn muddy to do
much searching tonight...its also close
to the river, so we’ll be searching
there soon.
XANDER
Was the victim male or female?
OFFICER JONES
It’s hard to tell there’s so many
pieces, and the heads missing. We might
have to wait for the autopsy tomorrow
before we know
XANDER
Mind if we look around?
OFFICER JONES
Be my guest...I’m up to my neck in cases
at the moment...this ones yours after
tonight
XANDER
(Sarcastic)
Thanks
Xander and Lauren start to walk away from Officer Jones.
Lauren walks over to some trees around the area the police
are searching.
Xander walks over to a policeman who is placing a piece of
evidence into a large plastic bag. Xander crouches beside
him.
XANDER
Hey
POLICEMAN
Hey...Officer Hatfield
Officer Hatfield reaches out to shake Xander’s hand. The
officer’s hands are covered in mud...he withdraws them.
OFFICER HATFIELD
Sorry
XANDER
Detective Fields...its ok...what you got
there
Xander points to the evidence bag.
OFFICER HATFIELD
It’s the left hand
XANDER
Mind if I take a look?
OFFICER HATFIELD
Fine by me
Officer Hatfield passes over the evidence bag...Xander looks
through the see-through bag and examines the fingers.
XANDER
Are those painted nails?
OFFICER HATFIELD
They are indeed
XANDER
So this hand came from a female
OFFICER HATFIELD
Or a transvestite
Xander passes back the evidence bag to the officer and gets
back to his feet.
XANDER
Have you found anything else?
OFFICER HATFIELD
Only body parts
Xander walks slowly over towards Lauren...
LAUREN
What do you make of these?
Lauren points to some marking on the tree she is standing
by. The markings are the numbers. 10.1.14.5 – 4.15.5
Xander walks up close to the tree to examine the markings.
A concerned look falls across Xander’s face.
XANDER
They’ve been freshly cut into the
bark...probably from earlier today
LAUREN
What do you think the numbers represent?
XANDER
I’ve seen this before...a few years ago.
The numbers represent their letter
equivalent
Xander gets out his notepad and pen and starts to copy down
the markings.
LAUREN
How do you mean?
XANDER
Simple...1=a, 2=b 3=c and so on.
LAUREN
Where have you seen them before?
XANDER
On another case about 5 years ago. There
was a man...a serial killer we used to
call the surgeon, he claimed about 9
victims, all women...within a 2-week
timeframe. He usually left two identical
clues behind at every crime
scene...markings like these
Xander points to the markings on the tree.
XANDER
(Con’t)
Notes on paper...nothing that would get
us any closer to capturing him until one
night a witness saw a man attack a young
girl out while she was on her way home
in her car. The witness saw the man drag
this girl into what turned out to be his
house...she called the police...
Xander closes his notepad and puts it back into his coat
pocket.
XANDER
(Con’)
When we finally arrived on the
scene...we found the girl dead...cut
up...the guy...Frank White...who did it
was still in the house and was caught
and convicted on all 9 murders. But I
never once believed he did the other
murders.
LAUREN
Why?
XANDER
The woman he killed was done in a rush,
it was messy, none of the cuts were
clean like in the other murders, the
others were done by a professional...and
the other killings were always done at
night, never in daylight like in the
Frank White case.
LAUREN
Did you explain all this to the other
officers on the case?
XANDER
(Sighing)
They never took any notice...as long as
they got all the attention and fame they
didn’t care what I thought.
LAUREN
Well what happened to the killings?
XANDER
They stopped straight after Frank was
caught...which gave even more weight
against my theory that they had the
wrong man on the other 8 charges.
LAUREN
That’s a lot of weight against them if
you ask me
XANDER
You weren’t even based here then...if
you were one of the main officers
collecting the evidence then maybe you
would think the same as me
LAUREN
Maybe
XANDER
Jane Doe
LAUREN
What?
XANDER
That’s what these markings represent
LAUREN
Well I’d guess the killer’s right seeing
he seems to have took the head with him
as a souvenir
XANDER
(Shouting)
Hatfield...can you get some photos taken
of the markings on this tree?
OFFICER HATFIELD
Sure thing
XANDER
(To Lauren)
That’s another thing...the killer always
used to take a part of the victim with
him...these parts were never found
around Frank White’s house or any
surrounding area
LAUREN
(Slight smile)
Did you check his trophy cabinet?
INT. CORONERS OFFICE – DR HASSLEBAIRN’S OFFICE – MORNING
The office of Dr Hasslebairn is a small room full of
cabinets and forensic information and posters depicting
various stages of autopsy. There is a desk in the room with
two chairs in front of it and one behind the desk.
Xander and Lauren sit on the two chairs at the front. A few
seconds later in walks Dr BRIAN HASSLEBAIRN. In his hand is
a large selection of notes and photos. He walks over to the
chair behind the desk and sits down.
DR HASSLEBAIRN
Right...I have just completed the full
autopsy on the victim...fingerprints
have been taken and we expect a full
identification of the body within the
next few hours
LAUREN
Was there anything noticeable during the
examination?
Dr Hasslebairn starts to layout some photos and notes on the
desk, while talking to Xander and Lauren he points out
various places on the autopsy photos.
DR HASSLEBAIRN
During the external examination I
noticed, what I thought at first was
just a small cut on the lower part of
the back...upon closer examination it
revealed a selection of numbers cut deep
into the skin probably with a small
penknife.
XANDER
Can I take a look?
The doctor hands over one of the photos to Xander.
LAUREN
Did you manage to find out how she died?
DR HASSLEBAIRN
It has been difficult, but despite the
lack of parts to examine above the
shoulders and the possibility that the
neck could reveal strangulation. I have
come to the conclusion that the woman
was alive while she was being
dismembered...The feet were removed
first then working the way up the body
until she died of lack of blood
XANDER
The numbers are the same as the ones at
the crime scene
Xander hands back the photo.
XANDER
I remember working with you on “The
surgeon” case about five years ago
DR HASSLEBAIRN
I remember
XANDER
Are the cuts similar to the ones that
were made on those victims?
DR HASSLEBAIRN
From what I can remember they are
similar...yes. This killer has the same
excellence at cutting up his victims as
“the surgeon” did...why?
XANDER
Just a theory...this killer has also
left two identical clues, just the same
as “the surgeon” used to.
DR HASSLEBAIRN
I know you never believed that the
police caught the right man, but if you
are trying to suggest that this is the
same killer...then that’s unlikely to go
down well at the station
LAUREN
Why?
DR HASSLEBAIRN
For starters there was a massive amount
of public interest in “the surgeon”
case, people were scared to go out at
night. If it gets out that the police
caught the wrong person and that the
killer could be on the loose
again...well you can guess what will
happen after
XANDER
Well I think we should check into it a
bit more before we go throwing this idea
around
DR HASSLEBAIRN
Right...I’ll phone your office as soon
as the identification comes through and
I’ll get the notes and photos completed
and sent over to you as soon as possible
XANDER
Ok thanks...talk to you later
INT. POLICE STATION – LATE MORNING
Xander and Lauren walk into the office and head towards
their desks
LAUREN
I’m slightly skeptical as to whether or
not we should follow up on this. Why
would this “surgeon” guy start up again
after being in hibernation for so long?
And if he got away with it after Frank
White got caught.
XANDER
He’s a serial killer...he does it for
fun...for kicks...he’s had his cooling
off period and now he wants more.
The serial killer is simply motivated to
kill; as you or I need water, the serial
killer needs to kill
Xander and Lauren reach their desks and sit down
LAUREN
I still think we need more evidence
before you start shouting your mouth off
about this
XANDER
Shouting my mouth off?
A young police officer walks over to Xander and Lauren.
OFFICER 1
I took a call for you a few moments ago
from the coroner’s office
The officer hands over a small note to Xander.
XANDER
Thanks
The officer walks away and sits back at his desk.
XANDER
The victim’s name is Michelle Brady from
the West Side of town...she had just
quit her job as a stripper to become and
actress
LAUREN
Not a lot to go on
The officer sitting at his desk picks up a photo of some
kind.
OFFICER 1
(To Xander)
Oh and before I forget
The officer gets up and carries the photo over to Xander and
Lauren.
OFFICER 1
(Con’t)
This came for you just over an hour ago
The officer hands the photo over to Xander. Xander examines
the photo and looks bewildered.
The photo is of a young woman about 30 years old. She is
just coming out of a shop.
XANDER
From who?
OFFICER 1
No idea, it was left at the front desk
with Sarah, she handed it to me to give
to you
XANDER
Ok...thanks
The officer trundles back to his desk and gets back to work.
Xander examines the photo a little more but still has a
clueless look across his face. Xander hands the photo over
to Lauren.
XANDER
Any ideas?
Just as he hands the photo over to Lauren he notices
something written on the back of the photo. The writing says
“2 Hours”, it has been written in bright red.
XANDER
What does that mean?
Xander points out the writing to Lauren.
LAUREN
I’ve no idea what that means, but I
recognize the shop
XANDER
I’ve never seen it before
LAUREN
It’s pretty close to here actually, just
a few blocks away
XANDER
We better check it out
EXT. STREET OUTSIDE SHOP
The street is a bustle with activity, mainly people
shopping, and some people just wandering.
Xander and Lauren walk down the street and stop outside the
shop, Xander carries the photo in one hand. The shop looks
run down and small but is well stocked with items for sale.
LAUREN
This is the one
Xander takes a peek inside through the doorway and at the
photo in his hand.
XANDER
Well she’s not in there
LAUREN
Well let’s go in and ask
XANDER
As long as we don’t have to buy any of
this crap to get answers
LAUREN
(Sarcasm)
Paycheck bounce this month then?
INT. SHOP
Xander and Lauren walk in through the main front entrance of
the shop and walk towards the counter where a woman is
serving a customer. Behind the counter is another door
leading to the back of the store.
The woman is about 50 years old, dressed up messily with
heavy make up on.
Xander meanders slowly through the shop while Lauren reaches
the counter first. The woman behind the counter finishes
serving the customer and turns to face Lauren.
WOMAN AT COUNTER
Hi...can I help you at all
LAUREN
I hope so...we’re with the police
department
Lauren waves her police badge in front of the woman’s eyes.
LAUREN
(Con’t)
We were wondering if you could help us
with a small enquiry that we have
WOMAN AT COUNTER
Sure...what’s the problem?
LAUREN
Could you tell me if you recognize the
woman in this photo?
Lauren looks around for Xander but can’t see him.
LAUREN
(Loud voice)
Xander
Xander comes from around the side of the store where the
magazines are kept.
XANDER
Sorry...they had playboy
Xander shows the photo to the woman behind the counter.
WOMAN AT COUNTER
(Questioning voice)
Yeah I know her...what do you want her
for?
LAUREN
We received this photo an hour or so ago
at the station and have no idea why we
got it...we just want to track her down
and see if she knows why we received it.
XANDER
She’s not in any trouble with us or
anything
WOMAN AT COUNTER
Ok...Her name’s Brenda Black
XANDER
(Smiling)
We’ll need a little bit more information
than that...is she here?
WOMAN AT COUNTER
You missed her today...her shift
finished about an hour ago and she went
back home a few minutes after
LAUREN
Well could you give us her address?
The Woman lets out a large sigh and then walks out the back
of the store.
XANDER
She’s a bundle of laughs
Lauren looks at Xander in a weird way and then smiles.
LAUREN
Playboy?
XANDER
Hey...give me a break...i was only
looking...not buying
LAUREN
Aaawww? You need me to lend you some
money?
XANDER
Are you leaving the force to take up a
career in stand up? Because I won’t
stand in your way
The woman appears from the doorway.
LAUREN
I don’t think I’m the one looking for
stand up
The Woman behind the counter hands over a crumpled piece of
notepaper with Brenda Black’s address to Lauren.
WOMAN AT COUNTER
Here you go...she lives in the house
with the bright green door...its hard
not to miss it
LAUREN
Thanks...you’ve been a great help
WOMAN AT COUNTER
(Sarcasm)
My pleasure
Xander and Lauren make their way out of the shop.
XANDER
(Dirty look at Lauren)
No...It’s been my pleasure
EXT. LONG STREET -- DAY
Xander and Lauren walk past a couple of houses on the long
street of this friendly looking neighborhood. All the houses
are neat and tidy looking and the outside grass is green.
XANDER
Village of the Damned
LAUREN
Or village of the completely sane
XANDER
50 bucks on the damned
Xander stops Lauren in her tracks.
XANDER
I guess this is the one
Xander points to a house with a bright green door. The
windows are all closed and the curtains have been pulled.
EXT. BRENDA BLACK’S HOUSE
Xander and Lauren start to walk up the path towards the
door. It is your basic everyday front door with a letterbox
at the front.
LAUREN
Nice color co-ordination
XANDER
Almost as bad as your kitchen
Xander knocks at the front door.
LAUREN
There’s nothing wrong with orange for a
kitchen
XANDER
If you say so
There is no answer. Xander leans down and looks through the
letterbox.
XANDER
(Through letterbox)
Hello...Ms Black
LAUREN
She probably went off somewhere else
after work
XANDER
Wait a second...can you hear that?
LAUREN
Hear what?
Xander stands up straight again...
XANDER
Take a listen through the letterbox
Lauren crouches down and opens up the letterbox...Classical
music can be heard playing from somewhere inside the house.
LAUREN
It’s just music Xander
XANDER
Which means she’s in
LAUREN
Not necessarily...she could have left
the house and forgotten to turn the
radio off
Lauren takes another look through the letterbox.
LAUREN
(Shouting through
letterbox)
Brenda Black...it’s the police...could
you please come to the door
Lauren closes the letterbox and gets back up. Xander
meanwhile puts his hand onto the door handle and opens the
door.
XANDER
I suppose you’ll now tell me that she
forgot to lock the door on her way out
LAUREN
It seems a friendly neighborhood...why
not?
INT. BRENDA BLACK’S HOUSE – CORRIDOR – DOORWAY
The corridor is dark as the lights in the house are all
turned off. The only light getting into this area is from
the outside where Xander and Lauren are standing.
Along the corridor is a doorway leading to another room, at
the front of the corridor is a set of stairs leading to the
second floor of the house.
XANDER
After you
Lauren enters the corridor through the front door Xander
follows close behind her. Xander flicks the light switch as
he enters the corridor, nothing happens.
XANDER
Ohhh...scary...no lights
LAUREN
(Loud voice)
Brenda...it’s the police
Lauren reaches the stairs and looks up...nothing seems to be
there...the only sound in the house is the music playing in
one of the rooms upstairs.
XANDER
(Points to stairs)
I’ll check upstairs...you check some of
these rooms
Lauren continues to walk through the corridor as Xander
walks slowly up the stairs. As Xander gets closer to the top
the stairs the music gets louder and louder. Xander puts his
hand into one of his inside jacket pockets and pulls out his
gun.
INT. BRENDA BLACK’S HOUSE – UPSTAIRS LANDING
Xander gets to the top of the stairs, this whole area is
dark. There are a couple of rooms along the upstairs landing
but Xander decides to go for the one that has the music
playing.
The room with the music playing is at the far end of the
landing. Looking from the top of the stairs the door of the
room is slightly open.
Xander walks carefully up to the door.
XANDER
Miss Black?
Gun in hand, Xander pushes open the door and walks into the
room. As the door swings open the full volume of the music
can be heard. Xander walks into the room...
INT. BRENDA BLACK’S HOUSE – BEDROOM
Xander stands staring into the room just inside the doorway,
his face is a ghostly white.
The mutilated body of Brenda Black lies on top of a long
white bed. Written on the wall behind the bed in blood are
the words “You’re late”. There is a tape player playing the
music on a dresser at the side of the bed.
XANDER
(Shouting)
Lauren...you better get up here
Xander walks around the side of the bed and examines the
tape player. The tape player is in continuos mode so the
music will repeat and repeat.
Lauren comes running into the room...as soon as she sees the
body on the bed she covers her mouth as if she were about to
be sick.
XANDER
Looks like you owe me $50
EXT. BRENDA BLACK’S HOUSE – EARLY AFTERNOON
The police have now cordoned off the house and a number of
police cars surround the area. The coroner’s car is also
parked close by. A number of onlookers talk amongst
themselves wondering just what has happened inside the
house.
Lauren is on the car radio chatting to someone. Detective
Xander and the Coroner, Dr Hasslebairn walk out of the house
together and stop on the driveway.
XANDER
Do you have any idea when this took
place?
DR HASSLEBAIRN
From the quick examination I just did,
it was most likely only a few hours ago
Xander rubs his eyes he is clearly getting tired.
DR HASSLEBAIRN
(Con’t)
The lacerations on this victim are
identical to those on the body of
Michelle Brady that you brought in
yesterday
XANDER
So it’s more than likely we have the
same killer here?
DR HASSLEBAIRN
Doesn’t take a genius to work that one
out Detective Fields
XANDER
What about the writing on the wall?...I
assume that was Brenda Black’s blood
DR HASSLEBAIRN
From the amount of blood that she lost I
would say that’s a good guess
Lauren finishes her conversation on the police radio and
walks over to Xander and Dr Hassslebairn.
DR HASSLEBAIRN
We should have more results in tomorrow
LAUREN
We’ve got a few people checking into the
history of the photo that we received.
Perhaps that might give us some leads.
XANDER
Lets hope we can come up with something
soon...So your sure that this was done
this morning and not during the night?
DR HASSLEBAIRN
Positive...there were hardly any signs
of dried blood when I arrived on the
scene...
XANDER
He’ll do this again
LAUREN
What makes you so sure?...You said that
this killer only committed these murders
at night...that idea’s already down the
pan...for all we know, this might well
be just a copycat killer who read about
the murders a few years back or a
different killer altogether
XANDER
No...It’s him...this is just a change in
the pattern...The “Surgeon” gave us the
same kind of timeframe clues on when he
was going to kill his victim. He just
never gave us a look at who they were,
like he did for us today...it’s as if he
wants us to find them first
LAUREN
Oh come on...this isn’t a game to him
XANDER
I’m serious...We got sent the photo of
the victim...he gave us 2 hours in which
to find her before he killed her.
The body of Brenda Black is carried out in a black bag by
two officers and placed into the coroner’s car.
DR HASSLEBAIRN
I’ll call you later today if anything
new comes up
Dr Hasslebairn makes his way over to his car.
LAUREN
Well we need to get back to the office
and work on some of this evidence...you
can be the one to explain your “Theory”
to Hathaway
Xander and Lauren start to walk over to their car.
XANDER
Don’t worry...i have every intention to
do so
INT. POLICE STATION – CHIEF HATHAWAY’S OFFICE
The office is spacious and filled with cabinets and shelves.
There is one main desk in the office towards the back of the
room.
Chief detective Hathaway is sitting at his desk writing when
he receives a knock at the door.
CHIEF HATHAWAY
Come in
Detective Xander opens the door and walks into the office
carrying a folder of documents and photos, he looks tired
and worried.
CHIEF HATHAWAY
Aahhh detective Fields...what can I do
for you
XANDER
I need some help from you
CHIEF HATHAWAY
You know I’ll help you anyway I can in
this case
XANDER
I would like to see evidence that was
collected in a case a few years ago
CHIEF HATHAWAY
Sure...but what does this have to do
with your current assignment?
XANDER
I believe it has everything to do with
it sir...The evidence I want to go
through is from the “Surgeon” case from
a few years ago
CHIEF HATHAWAY
For Christ sake Fields...that case is
over...done and dusted...don’t start up
on your bullshit idea that we got the
wrong man again
XANDER
It’s not bullshit sir...You know as well
as I do that a whole lot of the evidence
that put Frank White away was...how do I
say...suspect
CHIEF HATHAWAY
Frank White was picked out in a line up
by a witness...was found at the scene of
the crime...and had blood all over when
we caught him...How much more evidence
do you think we needed?
XANDER
What clues did Frank White leave behind
at the house of the woman he was
murdering?...none. Why was the body
ripped apart instead of neatly and
professional cut up like all the rest
were?
Xander is clearly getting frustrated and angry.
XANDER
Frank White wasn’t clever enough to have
committed the other murders...he had an
argument with his girlfriend and he took
his anger out on some woman he had never
met off of the street
CHIEF HATHAWAY
The case is closed Fields...If this guy
kills again, we’ll have the FBI knocking
on our doors. Now get out of my office
and find the real killer...or I’ll get
someone else to do it
Xander turns to walk out of the door. Suddenly he turns back
around and faces Hathaway. Xander throws his folder of
photos and evidence onto the desk. Photos of the victim’s
bodies and clues left by the killer scatter across the desk
in front of Hathaway
Hathaway stares down at the photos on his desk.
XANDER
(Angry)
You take a look at those and tell me
that’s not the same killer...If he kills
again...i hope those images stay with
you forever
Xander walks out of the office and slams the door hard
behind him.
Chief detective Hathaway picks up the photo of Brenda
Black’s body lying on the bed with the writing on the wall
behind, he just sits and stares at it.
INT. POLICE STATION – DESK
Lauren is sitting on top of her desk listening to the tape
that her and Xander found at the crime scene.
Xander walks into the office and removes his coat. He places
it on the chair by his desk and sits down.
XANDER
(Frustrated)
Get any news back on the prints taken
off the tape and tape player?
The music off of the tape continues to play.
LAUREN
Yeah...They all matched up to Brenda’s
XANDER
So yet again we have nothing?
He’s playing us like a fiddle
LAUREN
Something has to turn up, perhaps
forensics will come up with something
XANDER
It’s always been the same with this
guy...Everything...like the writing on
the walls, the tape, it all looks as if
its done in a rush...but its always so
damn clean we can’t get anything off of
it
The music on the tape stops...Silence...Only the winding of
the tape can be heard.
LAUREN
He’s obviously knows what he’s
doing...He takes his time planning all
this...Making sure he won’t get caught
Xander wipes his eyes, he’s tired.
XANDER
It’s so frustrating not to have anything
to follow up
LAUREN
We did all we could at the house...We
got every bit of evidence we could
XANDER
Yeah...well...it’s not enough
LAUREN
What else can we...
Before Lauren can finish what she is saying...A voice on the
tape can be heard.
Xander sits up straight and turns to Lauren.
XANDER
(Snappy)
Turn it up
VOICE ON TAPE
(Dark and Scary)
There is no happiness without tears, no
life without death, I will give you
cause to weep.
Lauren lets the tape run for a few seconds
more...Silence...Lauren rewinds the tape back and plays it
again.
VOICE ON TAPE
(Dark and Scary)
There is no happiness without tears, no
life without death, I will give you
cause to weep.
Lauren stops the tape.
LAUREN
Think that’s our man?
XANDER
Unless Mozart’s taken up quoting
evil...I would say there’s a good chance
that’s our guy
LAUREN
What did it mean?
XANDER
It’s a quote, I’ve heard before
somewhere...I think it said by Lucian
Staniak...a serial killer in Poland in
the 1960’s.
LAUREN
The Red Ripper?
XANDER
That’s the one...also known as The Red
Spider
LAUREN
Any connection between these murders and
the ones Staniak committed?
XANDER
All Staniak’s victims were women, that’s
about the only connection between the
two. Staniak killed only twice. He
revealed that both of his parents, and
his sister were killed in an automobile
accident involving a "hit-and-run"
female driver. As the woman responsible
escaped justice, Lucian decided to
administer some of his own to any woman
he found bearing a resemblance to her.
LAUREN
Well our killer can’t be using the same
motive, the last two victims didn’t look
alike
XANDER
I suppose he could have been brought up
at the time of those murders and they’ve
stuck in his mind...but its still not
much to go on, he could be just randomly
using quotes
Lauren picks up a note of paper from her desk.
LAUREN
I’ll get the tape checked out...Perhaps
we can pull something off of it.
Lauren hands over the note of paper to Xander.
LAUREN
(Con’t)
I had some guys check the photo of
Brenda Black out. They traced down the
shop that produced the film and sold the
photos.
Xander reads the address off of the note.
XANDER
Ok...I’ll give them a visit.
An officer walks into the room and gradually walks over to
Xander and Lauren.
OLDER OFFICER
We got ourselves another body.
Xander and Lauren look at each other.
TO BE CONCLUDED