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Lesson 23
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LOGLINE: Brandy admits to betrayal only to find out Phillip knew about it already.
ESSENCE: Love isn’t all it seems
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INT. INTERVIEW ROOM IN PRISON – DAY
A table with three chairs sits in the middle of the room. A thin window too high to look out of. A camera in the corner.
PHILLIP, a 28 year old man, dark, Italian, handsome, looking a bit worse for wear, sits in one of the chairs.
The door opens and RAY, a slick lawyer, and BRANDY, a gorgeous woman with the air of Elizabeth Taylor walk in. They sit down opposite Phillip, who looks questioning at Brandy.
PHILLIP
Brandy, what are you doing here?
Brandy reaches across and touches his hand lightly, the lawyer motions her to stop.
BRANDY
Aren’t you happy to see me, Baby?
PHILLIP
Sorry, of course I’m happy to see you. I couldn’t stand it if you got caught up in this.
Phillip looks at her ring finger which has a ring on it.
PHILLIP (CONT’D)
You got my ring, that’s good. It belonged to my grandmother.
RAY
Okay, okay. She’s here because she has been taking interviews.
PHILLIP
Interviews?
BRANDY
You know the camera loves me.
Brandy gets up and gestures like she’s an old school star.
RAY
You need to talk to her. It’s going to be hard enough going into court.
PHILLIP
That’s my gal, you know I deserve nothing less.
Brandy bends over the table for a kiss. They lawyer stops her again.
RAY
No touching! Do you want to stay?
Brandy sits down and smiles at Phillip.
BRANDY
I’ve been thinking. A June wedding.
PHILLIP
Sounds great, if I get out of here.
BRANDY
Look, Ray is a great lawyer. He’s going to get you out. I’ve been playing up the media. Have you seen any of it?
PHILLIP
No, they can’t even give me a TV.
BRANDY
Well, it’s working. You’ll be out in a month! The thing is, Ray is not cheap. I don’t have the funds to keep paying for him.
PHILLIP
We all know I’m good for it. Not a problem.
BRANDY
Sure, but Ray still needs to pay his mortgage. That condo costs a pretty penny.
RAY
Brandy stop…
BRANDY
…and you know his what his wife is like. She is just so needy.
RAY
Brandy…
BRANDY
The guy is having problems with the IRS. Can’t we make this easier for him. Just tell me where the money is. I’ll take care of everything.
PHILLIP
Well, if things are that bad…
BRANDY
They are, Baby. We gotta help him out.
Ray looks away in horror. Phillip contemplates
PHILLIP
If it needs to be done, I trust you honey. Okay. It’s under the floorboard in the SW corner of the dinning room.
Brandy gives Phillip a Cheshire grin, then she reaches over and pulls Ray to you. She takes his face in her hands and gives him a sloppy kiss. Ray is clearly scared. Phillip is sickened.
PHILLIP (CONT’D)
So, what is this, Brandy?
BRANDY
Oh, Baby, you know I have needs. You’re done. There’s nothing left for you to offer me. Ray here, well he has the world.
PHILLIP
I don’t believe this. I covered for you! I thought that I was the reason you had to steal that money.
BRANDY
You are the reason. And you’re the solution. It was a grand setup wasn’t it.
Phillip turns toward Ray, who is still uncomfortable.
PHILLIP
I didn’t know Maggie was your wife. Last time we had beers, you were thinking of breaking up. Now she’s your wife, I’ll have to send a card.
RAY
Well, you know.
PHILLIP
And you’re in a condo now? You love that old house your dad left you! I guess your mother was right about you. He should have left it to your sister.
RAY
Uh…
PHILLIP
How could you be so stupid? If she did this to me, what will she do to you?
Brandy smacks her hand on the table.
BRANDY
Don’t you worry about Ray! I’ve got him under control. Now that I know where the money is, I don’t need you anymore.
PHILLIP
Brandy…
BRANDY
Ray will never get you out of prison. This is your new home. How do you like it?
Brandy gets up and stretches like a cat. She rubs Ray on the shoulder. Self-satisfied.
PHILLIP
I guess the wedding is off.
BRANDY
Definitely.
PHILLIP
I’ll never get married.
BRANDY
Never.
PHILLIP
I just follow in my families footsteps. My mom never got married. Her mom never got married. No wedding, no dress…no rings.
Brandy slowly loses her smile. She looks at the ring on her finger.
BRANDY
Then where did this ring come from?
PHILLIP
I did see your interviews. The police in this city know how to do their jobs.
Brandy takes the ring off and looks at it closely.
PHILLIP (CONT’D)
Yeah, it’s been recording you since the moment you put it on.
BRANDY
You’re lying.
PHILLIP
Am I? Ray, you have a choice here. The police know everything. Are you going to go down with her?
Brandy grabs Ray’s face in her hands.
BRANDY
He’s lying. I got you Babe. Don’t let him into your head.
PHILLIP
Choose soon, Ray. When they come through those doors, it’ll be over for you.
Ray removes Brandy’s hands from his face.
BRANDY
You asshole.
PHILLIP
I would hate to have Ray get caught up in your bullshit. I know what you are. It would eat me up if he made the wrong choice.
BRANDY
Ray…
A knock at the door.
PHILLIP
Times up.
FADE OUT
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Logline: Two people are caught up in an affair and murder
Essence: Two people expose their inner feelings as they confess.
Scene:
INT. POLICE DEPARTMENT – NIGHT
PHILLIP – Sophisticated man late 40’s – tall – slender – slight gray mix with his black hair – expensive suit
BRANDY – Wealthy woman late 30’s – petite – perfect brown hair – expensive dress and mink coat.
FLARETY – Man around 50 – tall – heavy set – bald – wears plain suit
A uniformed Policeman escorts Brandy into a room where Officer Flarety sits as he fills out forms at a table.
FLARETY
Come in Mrs. Wellington and have a seat.
She resists the invitation.
BRANDY
I demand to know what this is all about. Your ape here tells me you’re bringing me in for questioning. Questioning for what?
FLARETY
Sit down Mrs. Wellington and I’ll explain.
She relents and sits.
FLARETY
Mrs. Wellington, ah, I don’t know how to tell you this but we discovered your husbands body inside your beach front house about five hours ago. He had been shot several times.
Brandy looks shocked.
FLARETY
He was shot with a .38 Revolver found at the scene. We’re running ballistics to affirm it was the murder weapon but we have little doubt it was.
Brandy still in shock.
BRANDY
I can’t believe it.
FLARETY
Can you tell us your whereabouts at around 10:00 this evening?
BRANDY
I was…was giving a party. I had lots of people from the Country Club there.
FLARETY
And your husband wasn’t there?
BRANDY
No, ah he had some business to attend to.
Phillip bolts into the room.
PHILLIP
Excuse me for barging in but what is this about Henry?
BRANDY
(she stands up)
He’s been murdered.
She falls into Phillips arms as see sobs.
PHILLIP
You can’t suspect Brandy. She was with me at the party all evening. She gave me the party as sort of a tribute to my success.
FLARETY
Do you own a gun?
Phillips pauses as Brandy sits back down and dries her tears.
PHILLIP
Well, ah yes. I haven’t seen it for sometime. I’m not sure where it is.
FLARETY
We found a .38 revolver at the murder scene with serial numbers registered to you.
PHILLIP
That’s not possible. You must be mistaken.
He pauses.
PHILLIP
Come with me to my home. We can search the place together. I’m sure we’ll find.
FLARETY
Is it true you and Mrs. Wellington have been involved in an affair for some time?
PHILLIP
Of course not. Brandy and I are old friends. Nothing more.
Flarety rises from his chair as another officer enters the room and hand Flarety a report.
FLARETY
Mr. Phillip Denson, I’m arresting you for the murder of Henry Wellington. This is our ballistics report identifying your gun as the murder weapon. No fingerprints. No surprise there.
The officer in the room puts handcuffs on Phillip.
PHILLIP
I was at the party all evening. Tell them Brandy.
She thinks.
BRANDY
Didn’t you leave early?
FLARETY
What time was that?
BRANDY
It was around 10:00 wasn’t it? You were pretty drunk.
PHILLIP
I don’t know what your talking about. I was there the whole time. Ask anyone else.
They start to take him out of the room.
PHILLIP
Alright, alright. Wait just a moment.
(he pauses)
Brandy and I were having an affair. I’m sorry Brandy. I had to tell them.
(to Flarety)
I was going to break it off with her. I’m sorry Brandy. I planned to tell you in a day or so.
Brandy becomes furious. She stands up and faces him.
BRANDY
How dare you break it off! After everything I’ve done for you.
PHILLIP
Done for me? I don’t understand.
BRANDY
I gave you money, status, and I even gave you a party. But mostly, I gave you my love and this is how you repay me?
Phillip thinks a moment.
PHILLIP
Wait a minute. You left the party last night.
FLARETY
At what time was this?
PHILLIP
I’m not sure. Maybe around 10:00 or 10:30. You had to go out and get more liquor because we were out.
Brandy stands as she glares at Phillip.
BRANDY
How would you know. You were so drunk…
PHILLIP
You killed him. You found that revolver of mine in my house and used it to kill Henry.
BRANDY
(clinched teeth)
You told me you would marry me if I divorced Henry and I believed you. Henry wouldn’t give me a divorce.
PHILLIP
But to murder him and frame me?
BRANDY
I found out from Gloria you were going to break it off with me and I couldn’t stand being with Henry any longer. Yes, I killed him with your gun and I knew they would suspect you.
She glares at him.
BRANDY
The party at my home was my cover and your alibi until you told them I had left the party for a while. How could you remember? You were hammered.
The officer unlocks the handcuffs.
FLARETY
As long as I have done this job, it still intrigues me how there needs to be a motive somewhere in a murder.
He sits back down in his chair.
FLARETY
I knew about the affair. Most of the people at the party did too when we questioned them but it was too easy for me to believe Phillip would murder your husband. I also found out that Phillip and Henry were lovers as well.
Brandy looks at him in shock.
FLARETY
People at the party knew a whole lot including how drunk Phillip was. They knew more than even you Mrs. Wellington so when it didn’t add up in my head, I figured maybe I could wiggle out the truth from a scorned woman.
(he pause)
Book her.
The officer escorts Brandy out of the room.
FLARETY
She’s liable to get the death penalty.
He stands up and escorts Phillip out.
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For Karin;
The characters seem to have their characteristics. They are a nasty bunch.
I like this scene. It’s a real classic. Betrayal, mystery, surprise, reveal, secret. I think that twist with the recording was justice satisfied. I think most people like that kind of feel like in “Shawshank” and “Green Mile”.
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