Private Eye

Revision 1
By

Maria Pretzl
 Revision 1

EXT. CITY - EVENING 1

1920s city street scene

INT. 1920S OFFICE BUILDING - EVENING 2 *

A wooden office door with a large glass window. On the
window, painted in large black letters is "Jack Bogart
Private Eye
JACK V.O.
My name is Bogart, Jack Bogart.
Private eye.

INT. JACK’S OFFICE - EVENING 3

It’s a dark smoke-filled office. Slightly untidy, the blinds *

on the window are closed; the only light source comes from a *
ceiling fan, quietly humming. JACK is sitting behind his *
desk, his feet are propped up on it and his fedora covers *
his eyes. He seems to be asleep. *
*
JACK (V.O.) *
It was your typical Thursday *
evening. I was in my office working *
on some very important paperwork *
when there was a knock on the door. *
*
There is a knock on the door. Jack, startled by the knock *
wakes up and quickly collects himself. *
*
JACK *
Um, yes... Come in *
*
The door opens LANA walks in. Beautiful, she looks like she *
is upset about something, but is trying to stay calm. *
*
JACK (V.O.) *
A beautiful woman walked into my *
office. She seemed to be in great *
distress. *
*
LANA *
Oh! I am in great distress! *
*
Jack indicates to a chair in-front of his desk *
*
JACK *
Please, sit down. *
*
*
*
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: Revision 1 2.

LANA takes a seat. JACK takes out a pack of cigarettes and *

offers LANA one, she takes it. Taking out one for himself, *
he than takes out a lighter and lights hers. He then returns *
to his reclined position, his feet propped up on his desk. *
*
JACK *
(lighting his cigarette) *
So what seems to be the trouble? *
*
LANA *
A great injustice has happened to *
me! *
*
JACK *
Is your husband cheating on you? *
*
LANA *
No... *
*
Jack becomes intrigued. *
*
JACK *
Is someone blackmailing you? *
*
LANA *
No... *
*
Jack is starting to become more intrigued, he removes his *
feet from his desk and leans closer to Lana *
*
JACK *
Is someone threatening to kill you? *
*
LANA *
(visibly upset) *
No... someone has stolen my... *
*
Jack is out of his chair. *
*
JACK *
Diamonds? Rubies? Pearls? *
*
LANA *
No! My cookies! *
*
LANA breaks down, crying. JACK freezes, his eyes take a *
serious glint. *
*
JACK *
What kind? Chocolate chip? *
*
LANA nods, still sobbing. JACK looks out towards the window, *
he is lost in thought. *
*
*
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: Revision 1 3.

JACK (V.O.) *
I knew this girl was trouble the
moment she walked into my office.
Chocolate chip cookie thefts are
the worst kind of cookie thefts out
there. I had a chocolate chip
cookie case before, when I was
detective on the force...

FLASHBACK *

INT. KITCHEN - EVENING 3A

The kitchen is a mess. Chunks of cookie and cookie crumbs

are everywhere. A broken plate sits on the table next to a *
spilled glass of milk. Milk is dripping onto the floor. Cops *
and other crime scene detectives are walking around. *
JACK (V.O.) *
My partner and I thought we had it, *
all we needed to do was set a trap. *
Unfortunately the trap turned out *
to be a complete disaster. It *
nearly cost me my career. As for my *
partner... it cost him his life. *
A stretcher is being carried away, a limp hand hangs out
from beneath the sheet, YOUNG JACK watches from a distance, *
his face set in stone.

END OF FLASHBACK

INT. JACK’S OFFICE - EVENING 3B

JACK snaps back to reality. He puts on a concerned face for *

the sake of his new client. He offers her a handkerchief and
sits back down behind his desk.

JACK
I see... how diabolical... your
cookies! Just the thought of those
warm, gooey, delightfully chewy
morsels in the hands of some
crooked thief.

LANA
(Wiping her eyes)
Oh! It’s just terrible! How can I
enjoy a glass of milk without any
cookies?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: Revision 1 4.

JACK
Indeed, indeed...

JACK watches her nervously smoke her cigarette. He ponders *

whether or not he should take the case.
JACK (V.O.)
I debated if I should take the case
or not. These cases usually mean *
trouble. The death of my partner *
still haunts me. But she was very
beautiful and was in need of my
help.

LANA
Please... I really need your help.

JACK exhales one last puff of smoke and taps his cigarette *
on a full ashtray sitting on his desk.

JACK (V.O.) *
I knew I shouldn’t take this
case... but something about it
seemed different from last time. So
I sealed my fate.

JACK
I can help you... but it won’t be
cheap

LANA
I can pay
She opens her clutch and takes out a wad of bills and places
it on his desk. JACK picks them up, counts them and places *
them in his suit pocket.

JACK
I will start right away... Miss?

LANA
Lana

JACK
Lana

LANA
Thank you Mr. Bogart

JACK
You’re welcome and please call me
Jack

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: Revision 1 5.

LANA
Thank you... Jack

She puts out her cigarette, get up and leaves JACK’s office. *
JACK watches her go. *

EXT. CITY STREETS - EVENING 4

JACK is walking down the bare city streets. *

JACK (V.O.) *
Not quite sure where to start, I
paid a visit to an old associate of
mine.

JACK stops on a street corner, under a street light. Out of *

the shadows DICK appears. He is a real shady character, not *
someone you want to cross paths with. *
*
JACK (V.O.) *
A curious fellow, I met Dick while *
playing cards one night and he’s *
proven to be very handy in these *
kinds of situations. *
*
DICK *
You called, Jack? *
*
JACK *
Yes I did... what can you tell me *
about cookie thefts? *
*
DICK *
Hmmmm... Cookie thefts... sounds *
familiar but my memory is a little *
foggy *
*
JACK reaches into his pockets and pulls out a couple of *
bills and hands them to DICK who pockets them. *
*
DICK *
Ah yes, cookie thefts... there’s *
been a recent spike in those. *
There’s a rumor going around that *
it’s the work of your old *
nemesis... *
*
JACK stiffens at this piece of information, but quickly *
pushes for more information. *
*
*
*
*
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: Revision 1 6.

JACK
What can you tell me about
chocolate chip cookies?

DICK
Ah.. the small things are always
easy to forget... Usually my friend
Mr. Franklin helps me spur these
minute details...

JACK takes out a couple more bills and hands them to DICK *
who quickly pockets them.
DICK
Ah, yes... chocolate chip
cookies... those do seem to be the
most popular. But you gotta be
careful Jack. These people are
tricky, real tricky... you don’t *
want to get tangled up in their
business. But of course you already
know that...
JACK
(irritated)
Indeed... I also know that I could
always bring YOU in... *
*
DICK *
(nervously) *
Excuse me? *
*
JACK *
I’ve seen whats on those pages *
you’re always reading... *
*
DICK *
Not cool Jack... not cool *
*
JACK *
Well then... do you have any leads *
for me? *
*
DICK *
(collecting himself) *
Why yes, yes I do... *
*
He produces a list, Jack reaches out for it, but DICK pulls *
it back *
*
DICK *
Ah, ah ah... not so fast. I risked *
my life for this information.. you *
know what I want Jack... *
*
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: Revision 1 7.

JACK sighs and reaches into his trench coat again and this *
time pulls out a comic book.

DICK
AWESOME! *
*
He grabs the comic book and pushes the list into JACK’s *
hands *
*
DICK *
I haven’t ready this one yet! *
*
JACK *
Thanks for the help *
*
DICK walks away into the shadows, his nose buried in his new *
comic book, gives JACK a brief wave. JACK looks at the list. *
*
JACK (V.O.) *
Now that I had my leads, I could *
get to work. *
*
*
INT. BANK - DAY 5 *
*
Jack is interviewing a TELLER at the main counter. He shows *
her a picture of a plate of chocolate chip cookies. The *
Teller takes it, studies it, and shakes her head sliding the *
picture back to Jack. *
*
*
INT. BAKERY - DAY 6 *
*
Jack is examining the different baked goods with his *
magnifying glass, trying to find a trace of fingerprints. He *
gets a weird look from the BAKER. Jack takes note and *
indicates to the Baker that he will be watching him. The *
Baker slowly backs out of the room. *
*
*
INT. HOUSE - DAY 7 *
*
Jack is examining a batch of cookies that were out cooling *
on the counter. He carefully picks up one of the cookies and *
is about to take a sample when suddenly someone slaps his *
hand. He turns to face GRANDMOTHER, who gives him a *
disapproving look and shakes her finger at him. Disappointed *
Jack puts the cookie down and slinks out of the kitchen. *
*
*
*
*
*
*
 Revision 1 8.

INT. SPEAKEASY - EVENING 8

Jack is sitting across the table from MOBSTER BOSS. He’s
interrogating the Mobster Boss, who remains cool and
collected. Jack pulls out some of his notes and a picture of
the missing cookies. Upon glancing at the notes and the
picture Mobster boss makes a brief gesture with his fingers
and the next thing Jack knows he is picked up by THUG 1 and
THUG 2.

EXT. ALLEYWAY - EVENING 9

Jack is thrown out onto the street, his notes and picture
follow him. The door slams shut. Right before Jack picks
himself up off the ground, a car drives by through a puddle,
splashing dirty water into his face.

JACK V.O.
It was tough work, but I managed
while I still kept my pride and
dignity intact. I soon knew what I
had to do, it involved some high
risks, but I knew it was the only
way to apprehend this thief.

CUT TO: *

INT. JACK’S OFFICE- EVENING 10

JACK is looking out, between the blinds of the window. LANA *

walks in.

LANA
Have you caught the thief yet?

JACK
No, that’s why I called you.

LANA
I don’t understand

JACK
(turning to face Lana)
We need to set a trap

LANA
(gasping)
A trap? But won’t that be
dangerous?

(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: Revision 1 9.

JACK
It might be...

JACK approaches LANA and puts his hands on her arms *

JACK
It might be...But it might be the
only way to catch this criminal. If
we don’t try, cookies everywhere
will be in grave danger... *
*
JACK turns away form LANA and back to the window *
*
JACK *
(softly) *
And those who have died for the *
cause wouldn’t have died in vain *
*
LANA hold onto a chair for support, she looks like she’s *
about to faint. *
*
LANA *
People... have... died? *
*
JACK *
In the past... yes... which is why *
need to try now... *
*
LANA *
But what about you? *
*
JACK *
I’ll be fine.. It’s my job *
*
LANA *
(starting to become *
hysterical) *
I... I... don’t know *
*
JACK goes back to LANA, to tries to comfort her *
*
JACK *
Come on! Be strong for me! *
*
LANA, starting to cry, still hesitates. JACK, caught up in *
the moment, tries to calm her down. He slaps her. *
*
JACK *
DAMNIT WOMAN! Think of the COOKIES! *
*
Slightly in shock, LANA collects herself *
*
*
*
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: Revision 1 10.

LANA
(sighing) *
Alright... what do I need to do? *
*
*
INT. LANA’S KITCHEN - EVENING 11 *
*
LANA is arranging a plate of chocolate chip cookies. She *
places them carefully on a table next to a tall glass of *
milk. She leaves the room. JACK is sitting in a chair just *
around the corner. *
*
JACK (V.O.) *
The trap was set. Now all I needed *
to do was wait. *
*
The clock on the wall says 8:00. Time goes by and now the *
clock says 11:00. JACK fell asleep at his post. He suddenly *
wakes up with a start. There is a munching sound. JACK jumps *
up from the chair and rushes to the table. The cookies are *
gone and a mysterious shadow is fleeing the scene. *
*
JACK *
Stop! Thief! *
*
*
EXT. THE CHASE - VARIOUS LOCATIONS 12 *
*
JACK pursues the mysterious shadow all over town. Through *
empty streets, under bridges, through alleys, buildings and *
yards. Finally JACK corners the mysterious shadow in the *
corner of a dark alley *
*
*
EXT. ALLEYWAY - EVENING 13 *
*
JACK *
Alright! You’re cornered! Let’s see *
who you really are! *
*
JACK whips out a flashlight and shines it where the *
mysterious shadow should be. It shines on a brick wall. JACK *
slowly lowers the light until it’s almost to the ground. *
There sits a little blue teddy bear, holding a bag full of *
cookies in it’s hand. Crumbs are around it’s mouth. *
*
*
INT. JAIL - EVENING 14 *
*
The blue teddy bear is booked and put behind bars *
*
*
*
*
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: Revision 1 11.

JACK (V.O.) *
Mr. J. Twinkletoes. Small bear,
notorious cookie thief. He won’t be
stealing any more cookies in the
future.

INT. JACK’S OFFICE - EVENING 15

JACK (V.O.) *
Relieved that the death of my *
partner was finally avenged. I *
phoned Lana to tell her the news. *
She was happy to hear it. *
*
JACK is sitting behind his desk, smoking a cigarette. LANA *
is standing in front of it. *
*
LANA *
I am so happy to hear this! *
*
JACK *
I thought you would be *
*
LANA, walked around the desk and behind Jack. She puts her *
arms around him suggestively. *
*
LANA *
(in Jack’s ear) *
How will I ever thank you? *
*
JACK ponders this question. *
*
JACK *
Well there is something... *
*
*
INT. JACK’S OFFICE - EVENING 16 *
*
JACK is sitting behind his desk. He’s relaxed leaning back *
in his chair. His feet are propped up on the desk. There is *
a plate of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies sitting on his *
desk. JACK picks one up. *
*
JACK (V.O.) *
Ah, the sweet smell of success... *
*
He takes a bite of the cookie and follows it with a glass of *
milk *
*
JACK (V.O.) *
I am Jack Bogart, Private Eye. *
*
*
 Revision 1 12.

INT. 1920S OFFICE BUILDING - EVENING 17

A shot of JACK’s office door, same as the beginning. *
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