The Rule of Three States – Version 2

By
Olivia Richer
 Burton Haines:
Detective Burton Haines
Scott Tanner:
Hey Burt, I know you don’t like me calling the office, but did I
leave my foam finger from the game last night at the office?
Burton Haines:
Yh it’s here –
Scott Tanner:
*sign of relief*
Burton Haines:
It’s not staying here long… it clutters the office.
Police Officer on Walkie-Talkie:
Haines? Haines?
Burton Haines:
Yh, what?
Police officer cont.:
We got a young male found dead in his apartment, 468 Washington
Street. Some pretty weird stuff going on with this one.
Burton Haines:
Conan Ace… 25… lived by himself, found dead locked in his own
bathroom
Scott Tanner:
Who reported it?
Burton Haines:
Neighbour. (pauses) A symbol universally representing food and a
quote; “But the one who endures to the end will be saved”, Matthew
24:13.
Scott Tanner:
He must have been in there a long time … 504 hours to be exact, what
is that? Three weeks?
Burton Haines:
And a custom-made timer, very intricate, I am impressed
Clive Nolan:
Dr Nolan speaking
 Burton Haines:
Clive it’s Haines, just wondering if you’ve received the autopsy for
Conan Ace.
Clive Nolan:
Yh I got it here, he suffered extreme malnutrition, there are deems
in his lower abdomen, pale skin, so imma have to say heart attack
caused by starvation.
Burton Haines:
Any usable prints on the body?
Clive Nolan:
You think someone is responsible?
Burton Haines:
100%
Scott Tanner:
But the one who endures it…
Burton Haines:
It was a test, to see if he could survive.

- End of Act 1 –

Burton Haines:
Heya Scott, remember that case we got back in October with the
symbols-
Scott Tanner:
Oh yh… (intrigued)
Burton Haines:
I think he’s back… Marvin Cross up on White Street, he’s still alive
just got the case through
Scott Tanner:
He’s alive! We gotta question hi-
Burton Haines:
Yh I am kid, but the photos I got through are questionable, I can’t
get anything out of them.
 Scott Tanner:
I’m just round the corner, I’ll pop by… you see what you get out of
Marvin.
Burton Haines:
Marvin, I’m Detective Haines, I’ve just got a couple of questions
for you. This man did you recognise anything about him?
Marvin Cross:
(Shaken) Err… No, No I didn’t, he just looked normal, glasses,
friendly looking face, ahhh… I don’t know (panics)
Burton Haines:
It’s fine if you don’t remember completely, you’re suffering from a
mild concussion, but if there is anything else you remember-
Marvin Cross:
No, there is one thing I briefly remember… he kept talking about his
guardian angel and referencing God.
Scott Tanner:
So not much out of Marvin?
Burton Haines:
Nope which is understandable, he’s been deprived of water for 3
days, I got a brief description, and the religious references and
quote match the style of the first homicide.
Scott Tanner:
3 Weeks, 3 days, we got ourselves a guy obsessed with the number 3.
News Reporter 1:
WYNC here with your latest. A serial killer has emerged in Tribeca,
The 3 state killer is responsible for the murder of Conan Ace and
the attempted murder on Marvin Cross.
News Reporter 2:
Held Captive in your own home, left to starve.
New reporter 3:
The police aren’t doing their jobs.
News Reporter 1:
When or will this killer strike again?

- End of Act 2 -
 Clive Nolan:
It’s been a good couple of months now Burton, you should try and
move on
Burton Haines:
Clive, I know he’s still out there. I’ve looked into every possible
lead, the symbols, the quotes, everything is pointing to another
murder. See… I think he’s following the Rule of 3 States you know… 3
weeks without food, 3 days without water, 3 minutes without oxygen.
I gotta catch him before he performs the last one.
Clive Nolan:
Alright, Alright… listen… I know you’ll catch him; you always do.
Scott Tanner:
Morning Burt, whoa there’s a funky smell in here, anyway you’ve got
some mail through and there’s one here you may want to
check.(pauses)
Dear Detective Haines, I had this feeling that you’d forgot about me
so I thought I’d say hello. I admit to the killing of Conan Ace and
the attempted murder of Marvin Cross but I bet you’re wondering why.
Us humans are weak you see, when stripped of the most essential
requirements food, water, oxygen etc, only then do we become truly
grateful. So, I wanted to test humanity’s true strength and belief
in our Lord. (slight pause) It’s amazing what a pair of washing up
gloves can hide, and how such a simple disguise can be misleading.
So, as you’re aware, the police and yourself haven’t had much to go
on so, I’m going to help you out. My last murder will take place at
the World Trade Centre, you don’t know when or who. But don’t worry
Burton you’ll catch him you always do. Signed, your 3 state killer.
Scott Tanner Cont.:
Do we really trust this.. you know we’ve had people claiming their
the (sarcastically) ‘Three State Killer’ before.
Burton Haines:
How would he know all this information, besides someone’s life I
potentially at risk here Scott?
Scott Tanner:
You really must let this go soon Burt, there’s other cases we need
your help on too.
Answer machine:
2 New messages, message 1 received Monday 5:22pm
 Scott Tanner on answer machine:
Hey Burt it’s Scott. I don’t know if you’re still at the office, but
Clive wants to go visit the World Trade Centre after work you should
come with. It’ll be nice for you get out this office.
Answer machine:
Message 2 received at 7:51pm
Scott Tanner:
Hey it’s me again. Clive’s acting really weird, keeps muttering some
biblical nonsense, anyway… we are here now we’ll wait around for you
okay.
Answer machine:
No new messages