THE NEW DETECTIVE

Script by

Brianna Rau
FADE IN

EXT.TRAVELLING TO CRIME SCENE.CAR.MORNING 1

It is Michael Howard’s first day on the job as a crime detective. He has just been assigned to
inspect the scene of a recent murder. He is driving in his car on his way to the location. While he
is driving, he is thinking about his nervousness but excitement, as this is his first big case. A
voiceover plays over top of the scene, where Detective Howard is narrating his internal
thoughts.

Detective Howard (Voiceover)

“Well, it’s my first day on the job. I’m nervous, no doubt, yet
intrigued as well. I feel that I am well-prepared, however
unexpecting of what I’m about to witness. But I’m excited to
immerse myself, help others, and truly get to the bottom of things.”

The shot changes to a flashback of the day where Mr. Howard was assigned the job. He was
talking to his boss about his new job.

Boss, to Howard
“Ah, don’t worry nothing about it. You’ll be just fine.”

Howard (nervously)
“Are you sure? This is certainly a big responsibility for you to be
putting me in charge of. Are you confident I have the ability?”

Boss, easy-going
“Son, you’re stressing out too much about it. After a while, you’ll
become numb to all of the deaths and gore that you encounter. Just
don’t let it get to your head. You’re a detective, after all.”

The flashback fades back to the shot of Howard driving in his car. He continues his internal
narration.

Howard (Voiceover)
“I’m on my way to meet the Smyths over at Pompei Place.
Apparently there’s been a gruesome event over there. Ugh... let’s
see how this goes…”

The narration ends, and Howard slows down driving and pulls into Pompei Place. He gets out of
the car. It is a very nice location--an upscale but remote building with beautiful landscaping and
greenery surrounding it. Howard enters the building, where he meets David Smyth and his wife
Daisy. Daisy is overwhelmed with relief when Howard shows up, and she immediately rushes up
to shake his hand.

Daisy (relieved)
“Oh, Detective Howard, how thankful we are to see you.”

Howard continues to walk into the main lobby, and he takes off his coat and hangs it on a rack.
He makes eye contact with David Smyth, who is standing nearby. David smiles and nods his
head in a friendly but submissive manner. Howard approaches him and shakes his hand.

Howard (kindly)
“Mr. Smyth.”

Mr. Smyth
“Detective Howard, we’re very glad to see you.”

Daisy walks up near the two men. After the three look at each other for a second, Mr. Howard is
ready to analyze the murder scene.

Howard
“...Shall we?”

The three walk outside into the grass behind the building. After walking out a ways, they arrive
at the scene. A dead body is laying in the grass, with a pool of blood surrounding it. Several
bullet holes in the body are visible. Howard kneels down near the scene for a minute, and he
takes out a notepad and pen to start jotting down notes. He begins to interrogate the Smyths for
information.

Howard
“Do any of you know when the murder happened?”

Daisy (worried)
“Oh no, I haven’t a clue! I was notified about it quite early this
morning by David…”

Howard
“What time?”

Daisy
 “Oh, probably around 5:00! I was awoken by a phone call from
David that something had happened to Edward…”

Howard
“Edward. Is that the name of the victim?”

Daisy
“Yes.”

Howard
“Did Edward have any relations to either of you two?”

Daisy (upset)
“Yes sir… he was my younger brother.”

Howard (shocked, mysterious)

“Brother, you say…. I’m very sorry for your loss, Mrs. Smyth.”

Daisy
“Thank you, Detective….”

Daisy starts pacing and waving her hand in front of her face. She appears suddenly antsy and
stricken by the outdoor heat.

Daisy
“Oh my, I am parched. Dear, would you mind going inside briefly
and getting a drink for us all.”

She looks intently at David Smyth. He quickly complies and walks towards the building to fulfill
his wife’s request. Howard continues to analyze the body, jotting down notes in his notepad. He
continues to ask Daisy several questions.

Howard
“Do you know where your husband was this morning?”

Daisy
“He told me he had left the house very early this morning to head
to work; he has extra reports to do this week. And he said that he
was driving by when he heard gunshots, so he decided to pull in
and see what the ruckus was. Say, are you married, Mr. Howard?”
Mr Howard is thrown off by the random question, but remains professional.

Howard
“I am not, Mrs. Smyth.”

Daisy
“No need for Mrs. Smyth. Call me Daisy.”

Howard
“Well, Mrs. Daisy… do you know of anyone who may have been
up here so early in the morning?”

Daisy (ignoring question)

“You know, Detective, you’re far too phandsome to be single,
especially in this town.”

Howard (uncomfortable but professional)

“I’m afraid I wasn’t aware of that, ma’am.”

Daisy gets closer to Howard and continues her flirtatious mannerisms.

Daisy (flirtatious)
“You go to any nightclubs around here? The Ozz is one of my
personal favorites.”

Howard
“...I’m afraid I do not, ma’am. I’m not quite interested in that sort
of activity.”

Daisy (ditzy)
“Well you should be. It’s where I met David.”

Howard is clearly uncomfortable. Daisy looks up and sees her husband returning with drinks, so
she quickly stands up, brushes herself off, and regains her innocent composure. Once David
returns, Howard stands up to take a drink and talks to the two.

Howard
“Well folks, I am going to stick around here and perform my
detective duties. You guys have no need to stick around here…
unless, of course, you have any additional information that may be
of benefit to me…”
David immediately responds.

David Smyth
“Nope, I do not, Detective, besides, we should probably head out. I
got some important errands for work I have to run.”

Daisy
“Can I stay with Detective Howard, dear, while you run your
errands? I’m sure I could provide some help to him in the case…”

David (sternly)
“No, you’re coming with me. You need to help me with my
errands. You probably wouldn’t be of much help, Howard knows
what he’s doing.”

Daisy (conforming)
“Well, thank you again, Detective, for helping us. We’ll be sure to
see you around here soon.”

Howard
“No problem at all, Mrs. Smyth. You both enjoy your afternoon.”

The Smyths start to walk back toward the building. Before they do, David gives Howard another
dry stare, smile, and nod. Howard reciprocates, but is put off by both of the Smyths’ manners.
While they walk back, Daisy looks back at Howard one final time. Howard notices a glimmer of
fear in her eyes.

INT.CONVERSATION WITH SMYTHS AT LUNCH.RESTAURANT.AFTERNOON

2

Howard is at a lounge/restaurant. He has taken a break from his detective duties to grab some
lunch and a drink. While he eats, he studies his notes. Suddenly, he looks up. Daisy has walked
into the building. She is alone. She sees Howard and approaches him.

Daisy (surprised)
“Detective Howard! I wouldn’t expect to see you here.”

Howard
 “Same to you, Daisy. Where is your husband?”

Daisy speaks fast, as if she is rushing to say something. She dismisses the topic of her husband.

Daisy
“Oh, never mind my husband…. Say, detective, do you have any
plans for tomorrow evening?”

Howard (uncomfortable)
“I haven’t thought that far into the future yet, ma’am. I’m just
focused on what’s occurring today.”

Daisy (flirting, slightly seductive)

“Perhaps I can help you make a decision…”

Howard (very uncomfortable)

“... All due respect Mrs Smyth, but I don’t know what you’re
trying to set up here.”

Daisy
“I just think that some solid time alone with you would make one
heck of a night, don’t you say?”

Howard
“Listen, Daisy, I’m not looking to have an affair with a married
woman.”

Daisy (a bit irritated)

“But Detective, I’m just not sure you understand…”
Daisy looks around, as if she’s trying to find the right words to say. As she does, the door to the
lounge swings open. David Smyth is standing in the doorway. He spots Daisy and Howard, and
he walks towards them assertively.

David Smyth
“Mr. Howard. What is the world is going on here?”

Daisy (innocently)
“Oh dear, I just wanted to stop in here briefly and see if Carol
happened to be here, I know she eats lunch here quite often… but I
happened to find Mr. Howard instead! What a coincidence. I was
just thanking him again for what a great job he did today and how
 grateful we are that you’re helping us. Say, how long have you
been a detective, Mr. Howard?”

Howard is definitely confused. He has seen how flirtatious Daisy can be, but once her husband
is around, she is timid and innocent. Still, he continues to maintain his professional composure.

Howard
“Well, it’s funny you mention it. This is my actually my very first
day taking on a big crime case as such.”

Daisy (surprised, delighted)

“You’re kidding! How exciting is that! Say, detective, why don’t
you come over to our house tonight for dinner, so we can celebrate
your first day on the job. You deserve it.”

David doesn’t seem quite fond of the idea.

David
“Daisy, I thought we had plans already established for this
evening…”

Daisy (carefree)
“Oh, forget that, we need to have the Detective over in order to
celebrate his accomplishments!”

David (pressured)
“But… I have lots of work piling up that needs to get done....”
Daisy
“Oh, you can worry about that another time. I insist, we must have
Mr. Howard over tonight. Please?”

David (nicely but fakely)

“Oh, what the heck. Of course Howard can come over. Why not.”

Daisy (excited)
“Oh, thank you! We’re so excited to have you over, Detective, in
order to appreciate your accomplishments on your first day on the
job.”

Howard (slightly confused, startled)

“Well, thank you folks. I look forward to seeing you tonight.”
Howard is put off greatly by the Smyths. Their personalities are both quite strange, and Howard
is picking up that something might be wrong.

INT.DINNER PARTY DISASTER.SMYTHS’ HOUSE.EVENING 3

It is night time. Howard drives up to the Smyths’ house. He approaches the door, gives it several
knocks, and a few seconds later, Daisy opens the door excitedly and gives Howard a big hug.

Daisy
“Welcome, Mr. Howard! We’re so glad you could make it.”

Howard walks into their house. He looks around the room, paying attention to all of the
decorations and pictures that the Smyths have, including a picture of Daisy with her brother.

Howard
“Well, I have to say, you guys have a beautiful house.”

Daisy
“Aww, thank you. Don’t be afraid to make yourself at home.”

As Howard roams around the room looking at the decorations, he notices David sitting at one
of the living room chairs smoking a cigarette. Howard hasn’t talked much directly to David, so
he tries to make a small conversation.

Howard (kindly)
“Mr. Smyth… how are you this evening?”

David blows out smoke and creates eye contact with Howard. However, he says nothing. After a
few seconds, David finally responds.

David (sinister)
“Excellent.”

After this awkward encounter, Daisy calls out to her husband.

Daisy
“David, dear, I’m freezing out here. Would you mind going inside
the house and grabbing some firewood so we can start a fire out
here?
 David (stern)
“Daisy, it’s 80 degrees outside. How on earth are you cold?”

Daisy (innocently)
“I just am, dear. Please just go get some firewood and coal from
inside and burn them. I don't think there's any more out here. I’m
starting to shiver.”

David is clearly annoyed. He sighs, stands up out of his chair, and walks outside, slamming the
door behind him. Howard walks up to Daisy. She is washing off her black-stained hands in the
sink. It appears that her hands might have been dirty from burnt firewood or coal.

Howard (confused)
“Is your husband always like this?”

Daisy (ignoring his question)

“You know, detective, it means the world to me that you came here
to join us tonight. I enjoy being with you.”

Daisy walks out from behind the sink and approaches Howard seductively. Howard is clearly
uncomfortable.

Howard (worried)
“Please, Mrs. Smyth, I don’t know what you’re trying to do here.”
Daisy
“I just enjoy your company. I think you’re a great guy, Howard.
You’re smart, and respectful, and kind…”

Daisy starts to lean up towards Howard’s face, as if she’s trying to make a move. Howard
doesn’t know what is going on.

Howard (uncomfortable)
“Please, Mrs. Smyth, have some decency…”

It appears that Daisy is leaning in to kiss Howard. Instead, she puts her head next to his ear and
starts to whisper something. Her tone of voice has changed. She has abandoned her flirtatious
manner and now sounds more serious and concerned.

Daisy (solemnly)
“Detective, I need help. My husband is--”
David walks into the door. He sees Daisy and Howard leaned in together and immediately gets
angered. He shouts and cuts off Daisy.

David (angry)
“What’s going on in here?”

As David gets closer to the two, he gets more and more shocked and angry.

Daisy (abruptly)
“David, it’s not what you think!”

David
“Get your hands off her, Howard! Who do you think you are?”

Howard (worried)
“Mr. Smyth, I haven’t done a thing!”

David (angry)
“No, I know exactly what you’re doing! You’re trying to seduce
my wife, you jerk! Prick! Get your hands OFF her!”

David pulls out a gun from his belt and points it at Howard.
Howard (frightened)
“Mr. Smyth, please, have some decency! I swear I’ve done
nothing!

David
“Say one more thing, Howard, and I’ll shoot!”

Daisy (panicking)
“David, please, don’t shoot him!”

David (maliciously)
“Shut up, Daisy! I’ll kill him just as fast as I killed your brother!”

The room falls silent.

Daisy (speechless, quiet, starting to cry)

“...what?”

Howard (shouting)
 “...You killed Edward!”

David shoots Howard in the chest twice. He falls to the ground. Daisy is sobbing hysterically at
this point. She darts out of the house. David stands there, breathing heavily and taking in what
he had just done. Howard lays on the floor dead and bleeding out.

A final voiceover narrative of Howard’s voice plays over several different visuals.

Howard (Voiceover)
“And that was the conclusion of the day. It was later discovered
that Daisy was in an abusive relationship with David, and her
seductive actions had actually been her trying to call me for help
secretly without his knowing. Am I to blame for not catching it?
Well, I was a new detective, after all. All that I can say now is
that… I had little idea that my first day on the job as a detective
would also be my last.”

FADE OUT