A STAB IN THE DARK

by

ALISA

KRAVTCHIN

AND JACK

STALKER
 "A STAB IN THE DARK"

FADE IN:

INT. BASKETBALL COURT - EVENING

The scene shows the team holding the trophy after winning
the basketball match to get a picture taken. The teammates
are screaming in happiness, hugging, and cheering. The
initiator of the match gives them a check worth $10000
that will later be split among the teammates.

Camera cuts to JEAN PAUL as he is seen slinking off

somewhere directly after the picture is taken without
celebrating with his teammates. The MARSTON brothers also
disappear off to get tacos. The celebrating between all
the other teammates dies down and BRADY goes to the
changing room to use the shower.

INT. CHANGING ROOMS IN THE GYM - DUSK

Brady walks into the changing room, is met by a figure

clad in all black. The figure leaps, the pair tumble to
the ground and have a struggle, GRUNTING and WHEEZING. It
is too dark to see the outline of the figure. While
struggling, the figure takes out a knife. The figure
skillfully cuts Bradys chest and runs away as Brady
SCREAMS in agony and pain.

ARLO hearing the SCREAMS rushes into the gym and finds
Bradys dead body. Arlo SCREAMS.
CUT TO:

EXT. OUTSIDE THE GYM - MORNING OF NEXT DAY

MR. PHILLIPS
Sorry to bring you in on such
short notice. Of all the people
in this area affiliated with your
line of work, you seem to be the
one with the most amount of
experience.

FINN ATTICUS
So what do we have here Luci?
Tell me the details of the case?

LUCI WILLIAMS
Um, well from what Mr.Phillips
has given me, we seem to be
dealing with a murder.
(pause)
 The victim was found dead in the
males changing room proceeding
his win in a basketball match.
The body was found by his alleged
best friend Arlo Mayfair soon
after the attack.

FINN ATTICUS
Time and cause of death?

LUCI WILLIAMS
Time of death is stated to be
1:30 pm. The cause of death
appears to be a fatal cut through
the abdomen. The victim shortly
bled to death thereafter.

FINN ATTICUS
Is that what the autopsy revealed
or is it just the coroners
report?

LUCI WILLIAMS
Just the coroners report. The
autopsy has not been performed
yet, so we dont know any
specific details of the death.
And before you ask, it will take
a three days time before we know
the results.

FINN ATTICUS
You know me so well.

CUT TO:

INT. Art Class - Mid-Morning

Finn and Luci head to the art class where most ofthe
suspects are carving wooden sculptures with knives. After
a couple minutes of observations both of them head off to
question the suspects. As Luci goes to question TIM ZOLO,
Finn sees Arlo fidgeting as he is carving a wooden
elephant.

FINN ATTICUS
Why so nervous?
 ARLO MAYFAIR
Nothing, I-uh-Im just really bad
at carving wood.

ARLO nervously CHUCKLES.

FINN ATTICUS
You were the one to find the
body, correct?

Arlos hands are seen shaking faster.

ARLO MAYFAIR
Uh huh. Brady. And now hes gone.
(beast) Its a shame really.

FINN ATTICUS
Whys that?

ARLO MAYFAIR
Just think of all the money he
wouldve gotten! Just gone! Poof!
Now he cant share- I mean use
any of it! And being his, uhm,
best friend and all, it hurts me
the most.

FINN ATTICUS
Oh, so you were his best friend?

ARLO MAYFAIR
Yeah, Ive, uh, known Brady since
I was five.

FINN ATTICUS
So you were in close relations
with Brady, yes?

ARLO MAYFAIR
That's right. Yeah, he and I were
close. Close, that is, uh, until
a few days ago, when he told me
he wouldnt share the money with
me. We got into a pretty big
fight.

FINN ATTICUS
I see. And did this fight break
the bond you two shared.

ARLO MAYFAIR
Not enough to break our, uh,
special bond, but yeah. It hurt.
 FINN ATTICUS
(beat) Thanks for your time Arlo.

ARLO MAYFAIR
Dont mention it.

After having finished questioning the suspicious Arlo,

Finn moved onto the next suspect - CALLUM MARSTON.

FINN ATTICUS
Excuse me, may I ask you some
questions?

CALLUM MARSTON
Sure. Go ahead.

FINN ATTICUS
Where were you at the time of the
murder?

CALLUM MARSTON
I already told the authorities, I
was getting tacos with my
brother. We even have a witness,
the taco stand owner.

FINN ATTICUS
Alright, carry on.

Finn begins to walk away when he notices Callums carving.

FINN ATTICUS
Did you do that?

Finn points to intricately designed wood carving.

FINN ATTICUS
It looks very good. Excellent
job.

Finn begins to walk away, but notices that Callum is using

a different knife than everyone else.

FINN ATTICUS
Say, is that yours?

CALLUM MARSTON
This?

Callum raises his knife for Finn to see.

 CALLUM MARSTON
Yeah, my dad gave it to me. Hes
a widdler. My brother has one
too. Were learning how to
widdle.

FINN ATTICUS
Family tradition?

CALLUM MARSTON
No not at all. Right now hes
kind of sick, and we dont have
the money to bring him to a
hospital of any kind. Were kind
of filling in for him at work.
But with the check from the
basketball tournament, we can
finally get him the treatment he
needs. That's good.

FINN ATTICUS
How much money did you get,
exactly?

CALLUM MARSTON
Uhm (beat) Well, I wouldve
originally gotten about a $1,000
or so. But with Brady being,
well, gone and all, I was next in
line for the MVP award, which
gives me around $5,000. Plus the
amount of money Andrew got and
the money we earned while working
(beat) Then yeah, we well be
able to get Dad to the hospital
and have some ice cream while
we're at it.

Callum CHUCKLES with a melancholic tone while Finn is seen

sitting in deep thought.

FINN ATTICUS
Well thanks for your time. Luci,
let's hit the road.

Finn opens the door and steps out

into the hallway to discuss their
next steps in the investigation
with Luci.

LUCI WILLIAMS
But why? All the suspects are in
here.
 FINN ATTICUS
Something just isnt matching up.
I have a hunch, but (beat) I need
confirmation. And I know just the
guy.

LUCI WILLIAMS
Who?
FINN ATTICUS
The taco guy.
CUT TO:
EXT. BY THE TACO STAND - LUNCH

Luci and Finn walk towards a small yellow taco stand, with
a small Mexican man behind the stand. He is wearing a
yellow shirt labeled, Pedros Taco Stand. A name tag is
seen below it.

PEDRO SANCHEZ
Hello. Welcome to Pedros Taco
Stand. What can I get you today?

FINN ATTICUS LUCI WILLIAMS

Nothing for the time being. I would like a beef taco with
Wed actually like to ask two teaspoons of sour cream
you some- and a bit of salsa please.

PEDRO SANCHEZ
Coming right up seorita.

Pedro is seen SHUFFLING around, expertly mixing and

matching ingredients.

FINN ATTICUS
As I was saying, LUCI wed like
to ask you a couple of questions.

PEDRO SANCHEZ
Go ahead seor.

FINN ATTICUS
I hope youre aware of the events
that took place at Redwood
Secondary School last Sunday
morning?

PEDRO SANCHEZ
Si, senor. What a tragedy.
 FINN ATTICUS
(beat)Yes it is a tragedy,
but do you remember your
customers that day? There
are two in particular that I
would be interested in.
Callum and Andrew? Both
white guys, one a little
taller than the other. The
taller one also has blond
hair, while the short-
PEDRO SANCHEZ
Your taco is ready Ms. Luci.
A beef taco with two
teaspoons of sour cream and
a salsa. (beat)
Yes, I do remember. Very
white chicos. Ordered two
chicken tacos with lots of
queso and tomatoes.

LUCI WILLIAMS
Thank you Pedro, but we dont
need that information.

FINN ATTICUS
I was just wondering if you
noticed anything suspicious about
the two boys; anything out of
place?

PEDRO SANCHEZ
Ah, si I have. The short chico
ran back to school rapidamente
after his camarada ordered the
taco.
CUT TO:
EXT. OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL - MORNING OF NEXT DAY

Luci and Finn meet by the gates of the school the next day
to discuss the investigation.

LUCI WILLIAMS
So youve got it all figured out?

FINN ATTICUS
I believe so.

LUCI WILLIAMS
So taking the autopsy report from
the coroner was necessary.

FINN ATTICUS
Correct. Cmon, let's get going.
The suspects are waiting.

LUCI WILLIAMS
And the authorities!

FINN ATTICUS
You didnt have to call them.
9 .

LUCI WILLIAMS
What? They have tasers. If
anything gets out of hand,
yknow?

Finn sighs as he and Luci walk into the gates of the

school.

CUT TO:
EXT. BASKETBALL COURT - DAY

A line of police officers are near the edge of the wall,

and all the suspects (and Pedro) are sitting in a circle.

FINN ATTICUS
Gentleman, we are gathered here
today for a very simple reason:
to find out who was behind the
murder of Brady Thompson. Now,
before you any of you freak out,
I already know who did it. So
only one of you has to worry
about that. Let's begin, shall
we? Luci?

LUCI WILLIAMS
First suspect listed is none
other than Arlo Mayfair. Take it
away.

FINN ATTICUS
Ah yes. There are plenty of
reasons that YOU could be the
murderer, even factual pieces of
evidence. But luckily for you,
something didnt add up. First of
all, you did seem to really want
a good share of Brady's winning
money, and you obviously had your
friendship with him split after
the little feud you two had. But
that's the thing that stops you
from being the murderer: your
friendship with Brady. Well, that
and you are horrible with knives.
And what does the autopsy say
again?

LUCI WILLIAMS
Well, it says here that the cause
of death was a fatal slash/stab
through the abdomen which was
also perfectly straight.
10 .

FINN ATTICUS
EXACTLY. Which brings me to my
final suspects: The Marston
brothers. Or more importantly,
Andrew Marston.

CALLUM MARSTON
What? This is ridiculous!

FINN ATTICuS
Settle down, and let me explain.
Theres a whole line of police
officers behind you, with tasers
mind you. Anyway, let me begin.
First of all, you and your
brothers family is in quite a
situation isnt it? Your father
is deathly sick, your mother
works at home, and you two are
the only ones able to support
your family. Well, then what
better to get your father back
and running again; then winning
$6,000 dollars in a basketball
tournament? Only,you two wouldnt
win it. The MVP would. So what
better way to get it than taking
that MVP out, and becoming the
next in line? Also, as the
autopsy had stated, the cause of
death was a skillful cut through
the abdomen. But to do that one
would have to know his way around
a knife. And what job would be
perfect for just that? That's
right, whittling. Once your
father became sick, you and your
brother had to take his place in
the whittling business, for the
time being. And, after seeing the
excellent job Callum was doing on
his carving,I knew that he was no
slouch with a knife. At the time
I assumed Callum to be the one to
commit the MURDER, but then I
realised two vital pieces of
information. The first, was that
Andrew left the taco stand he was
at before his brother, isnt that
right Pedro?
11 .

PEDRO SANCHEZ
Si.

FINN ATTICUS
Based off of my calculations,
that wouldve given Andrew just
enough time to run back to the
school, get rid of Brady, and
flee before anyone noticed. The
other piece of information was
that the autopsy also stated that
there were signs of struggle
between the victim and his
killer. Now, if Callum wouldve
committed the murder, he wouldve
easily been able to overcome
Brady without difficulty.
However, because of Andrews
current body strength and size,
that couldn't've been the case.
Anyways, thank you all for
listening. Andrew, what would you
like to say?

Everyone is silent. Andrew shuffles around in his chair,

and suddenly gets up and runs which triggers an instant
reaction from the police. Andrew is now lying in a heap on
the floor having been tasered multiple times. Callum runs
away shocked and traumatized.

MR. PHILLIPS
Thank you so much for your help
detectives. We wouldnt be able
to do anything without your help.

FINN ATTICUS
We are always at your disposal.

LUCI WILLIAMS
Feel like Sherlock Holmes yet?

FINN ATTICUS
No, I feel like a FINN ATTICUS,
and I think that should be just
about enough.

LUCI WILLIAMS
I hear SIRENS, wanna solve
another murder?

FINN ATTICUS
Ive always liked pretty fish
ladies.
12 .

FADE OUT:

THE END