Film Noir Script

FADE IN:

EXT. LOCAL PARK – LATE NIGHT

 {ESTABLISHING SHOT} DETECTIVE GILBERT stands silently over a motionless corpse by the lake, holding a lit cigarette. Adorned in a trilby hat, a long dark coat trailing to his knees and his worn out black suit which appears to have been thrown on hastily. Several police cars illuminate the twilight as DETECTIVE GILBERT watches over the lifeless husk. 

DETECTIVE GILBERT (V.O): Twelve years working in this town, you’d have thought I’d seen everything, and I nearly have, but that doesn’t change the fact that this town is shrouded in sorrows. This guy makes three now. I’m sure we can conclude that this is a homicide case.

 {OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT} Detective Gilbert’s face is shrouded in darkness by the shade of his trilby hat, however the amount of expression we’re exposed to seems stern and unmoved as he watches over the body, as if expected it to get up and walk away.

 DETECTIVE GILBERT: I can’t believe this.

 {WORMS EYE VIEW SHOT} Detective Gilbert is approached from the rear by DETECTIVE PATMORE, who has a lighter aura than Gilbert, less stern about the situation in his unprofessional posture.

 DETECTIVE PATMORE: Here already Gilbert? I guess nothing gets by you, huh?

 DETECTIVE GILBERT: I was called in, considering I’ve dealt with the last two just like this man in the last two weeks. {Gilbert sighs and rubs his eyes after staring at his cigarette.

 {TWO-SHOT/MID-SHOT} Detective Gilbert turns to Detective Patmore

 DETECTIVE PATMORE: So what d’ya think? Anything to go on?

 DETECTIVE GILBERT: Not exactly, the way he was murdered is pretty standard, but almost identical to earlier cases. All three cases show the bodies left in plain sight near local landmarks, this time being the small lake in the woods, a popular dog walking area. It’s like he’s showing off his work, it’s disgusting.

 {CLOSE UP OF PATMORE}

 DETECTIVE PATMORE: Heh, yeah we got some right sickos in this town don’t we Detective? He was just a rookie cop too, yaknow? Couple years outta school an’ everythin’. Anyway it seems we recovered some evidence from this guy.

 {CLOSE-UP OF GILBERT}

 DETECTIVE GILBERT: Is it like before?

 {SHOT-REVERSE-SHOT OF PATMORE}

 DETECTIVE PATMORE: Bingo detective, here take a look for yourself.

 {AERIAL SHOT OF DETECTIVE PATMORE} Patmore looks down and slides his hand beneath the fabrics of his long coat and his clean suit, which seems a bit more ironed than Detective Gilbert’s, it’s evident Patmore doesn’t do a lot of field work. Patmore pulls out a small pocket-sized evidence bag, sealed tightly with a beautiful ruby red ring sitting comfortably inside, as if on display.

 DETECTIVE PATMORE: It’s a ring, ruby red too. Quite a beauty, wouldn’t ya say?

 {CLOSE UP OF RING}

 DETECTIVE GILBERT: The earring, the necklace and now a ring, all ruby red. There’s no doubt now, it’s the same guy.

 {Detective Gilbert puts his hand out to the ring, gripping the evidence bag and taking it from Patmore. Gilbert holds the evidence back up to his face, examining the ring carefully with the same stern face he wore earlier}

 DETECTIVE PATMORE: Detective that’s not all.

 {OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT FROM PATMORE TO GILBERT} Detective Gilbert rises his gaze from the ring and focuses on Detective Patmore

 DETECTIVE GILBERT: Was there another ring?

 DETECTIVE PATMORE: Not exactly. There’s somethin’ funny about this one. A woman says this ring belongs to her.

 Gilbert acts astonished, letting a soft gasp which is almost inaudible

 DETECTIVE GILBERT: Is she here?

 DETECTIVE PATMORE: ‘Course Detective.

 {POINT OF VIEW SHOT FROM DETECTIVE PATMORE} Detective Patmore rises his hand and stretches his arm out across the local park, extending his finger and pointing to the police cars which illuminate the area around them.

 {CLOSE UP SHOT OF WOMAN} A woman with long straight blonde hair stands by the police cars, looking quite distraught and at a loss of breath as she makes inaudible conversation with a young cop next to her. She appears to be wearing a long cream fur coat and a quite desirable outfit. She’s obviously quite wealthy.

 DETECTIVE PATMORE: Miss Olivia Garnet, quite a sweetheart, don’tcha think?

 DETECTIVE GILBERT: You mean from the Garnet Family?

 DETECTIVE PATMORE: Right on the money, Detective.

 DETECTIVE GILBERT (V.O): The Garnet Family, the wealthiest family in the town. Olivia’s father has had quite a few run-ins with our department, so you could say I almost know him personally. Despite this I’ve never formally met the lovely darling Olivia I can’t deny her beauty, but she’s a suspect, and that’s all I can let her be.