***.

A KILLER PERFORMANCE

Written by

Michael Brook
 1

1. SCENE 1
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
CU - CAMERA IS FACING A PLAY ADVERTISEMENT HAMMERED INTO A
WALL, FEATURING A WOMAN WEARING A NECKLACE. THE CAMERA
DRIFTS IN ON THE NECKLACE.
CUT TO: ACTRESS IN
DRESSING ROOM

2. SCENE 2
INT. ACTRESS' DRESSING ROOM
ECU - CAMERA IS FACING AN OLD PHOTOGRAPH FEATURING AN
ELDERLY WOMAN WEARING THE NECKLACE, WITH THE NECKLACE LAYING
IN FRONT OF THE FRAME.
The actress' hand swoops down and picks up the necklace.
CU
The actress ties the necklace around her neck. The actress
suddenly turns as the door behind her KNOCKS melodically.
CUT TO: UNDERSTUDY
PERFORMING ON-STAGE
3. SCENE 3
INT. STAGE
CU
The understudy is moving around on-stage while wearing the
necklace. The understudy comes to a resting position.
TRUCK IN ON NECKLACE
MEDIUM SHOT
The detective is watching the understudy perform then looks
down at the play advert. The detective looks back up at the
stage quizzically. The detective stands and walks past the
camera.
 CUT TO: DETECTIVE
WALKING BACKSTAGE

2
4. SCENE 4
INT. BACKSTAGE HALLWAY
MEDIUM SHOT
The detective walks down the hallway from beside the camera.
MEDIUM LONG SHOT
The detective enters the understudys dressing room. As he
enters, a distant APPLAUSE is heard and detective quickly
leaves.
MEDIUM SHOT
The detective shuts the door behind him and begins to walk
down the hallway towards the camera.
(The understudy can be
seen faintly over the
detectives shoulder,
hidden in the shadows
behind him.)
CUT TO: LONG HALLWAY
5. SCENE 5
INT. LONG HALLWAY
LONG SHOT
(Old empty shabby hallway
with a doorway down the
other end. Two hallways
converge on either side.)
The detective leans around the corner on the right, first
looking towards the camera and then turning to see the door.
The detective quickly walks towards the door.
(As the detective nears
the door, a dark
silhouette suddenly moves
across the hallway)
MEDIUM SHOT
The detective moves close to the door and notices a padlock
keeping it shut. The detective touchs the padlock, then lets
 it go. The detective moves backwards a step and a TING of
metal is heard.
CU DOWN SHOT
The detective turns around and notices a loose nail and a
slightly moved floorboard with a glint beneath it. Detective
bends down and moves the floorboard, revealing a key.
ECU

3
The detective puts his hand in the hole and takes out the
old key.
CUT TO: OLD ROOM
6. SCENE 5
INT. OLD ROOM
STRAIGHT ON WS
(The room has no lights
and is entirely black)
A metallic CLICK is heard, then the door opens.
(The detective is
silhouetted in the
doorway and the light
bleeding into the room
reveals the dead body of
the actress)
ECU
The detective suddenly turns at the sound of a melodical
knock and running footsteps behind him.
JUMP TO BLACK