Hangman: The Case of the Hypnotist

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to situations or persons, living or dead, is unintentional and coincidental.



HANGMAN
"The Case of the Hypnotist"



FADE IN:
INT. OUTSIDE OF HARDEN HALL NIGHT
The name of the college building is seen written beside the door as it opens. A cleaning lady (MS. SMITH) is mopping the entranceway floors as the door is opened and closed. The cleaning lady looks toward the door, but disregards it quickly as unimportant and returns to her mopping. Ms. Smith is humming Amazing Grace.

INT. HARDEN HALL DARKENED HALLWAY NIGHT
From the entranceway, a corner is turned and a darkened hallway is entered. The darkened hallway is followed until a closed door with a dim light behind it is reached.

INT. SMALL DIMLY LIT PROFESSOR’S OFFICE NIGHT
Above the closed door is the nameplate for Professor Thomas Clark. The door is slowly opened as THOMAS CLARK removes his glasses and rubs his eyes. There is a window in the office and the blinds are partially open.

THOMAS CLARK
(tired, curious) Yes, who’s there? (puts on his glasses and turns toward the door at an angle) Oh, Mr. Lockwood. A bit late to stop in to discuss your grade, isn’t it?

A gun is seen drawn from a jacket and pointed toward Clark.

THOMAS CLARK
(continuing)
(fearfully) No.

The gun is seen firing at Clark. Clark is then seen slumped over his computer keyboard. The gun is then lowered so that it is held beside a standing body.

INT. HARDEN HALL DARKENED HALLWAY NIGHT
Ms. Smith walks down the darkened hallway toward Clark’s office.

MS. SMITH
Professor Clark? Sir, are you okay?

INT. HARDEN HALL PROFESSOR CLARK’S OFFICE NIGHT

Ms. Smith reaches Clark’s office. She then looks through the open door and sees Clark slumped over his computer and sees MARTIN LOCKWOOD standing in the office holding a gun.

Ms. Smith screams.

As Martin Lockwood turns around, he has a blank expression upon his face. Martin is in no hurry nor expresses any emotion.

The gun is dropped.

INT. WELL-LIT HALLWAY OF HARDEN HALL NIGHT
Ms. Smith sits in a chair in the hallway, distraught as she tries to explain to CHIEF FRANK LENNOX what happened. Many officers are coming and going through the hall as the Chief speaks to the cleaning lady (Ms. Smith). Chief stands to speak to Officer #1 as Chief is approached. They brief conversation is somewhat whispered. Chief is holding a notepad and pen.

OFFICER #1
(showing the Chief a gun in a clear plastic bag)
We’ve got the gun dusted and sealed for evidence. There were no bullets left in it and the coroner says the victim only had one shot in him.

CHIEF LENNOX
Okay. Make sure to protect the chain of evidence. I don’t want this guy getting off on some technicality.

Officer #1 shakes his head in understanding and walks off. Chief squats down again beside the upset Ms. Smith.

CHIEF LENNOX
(continuing)
And, (clears his throat) Ms. Smith, you say that you’re certain it was (looks at his notes) Martin Lockwood that you saw in Professor Clark’s office.

MS. SMITH
(shakes her head yes) Saw him clear as day. I first saw him when he walked in the building and then in the Professor’s office. He was right there in front of me. He’s always been such a nice young man, you know. Always such a respectful boy. Why, I never would of thought he’d do something like this.

CHIEF LENNOX
Um-hum. And, is it normal for students to visit Harden Hall at this time of night?

MS. SMITH
Oh, no. I’ve worked at the university, right here in Harden Hall for ten years now. Usually, the only people I see are professors who are leaving late. Especially Professor Clark. He was always working late. He worked hard, he really did. I just don’t understand why someone would kill him. But, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a professor or a student come in this time of night. It’s usually really quiet. It’s a good time to get the mopping done. No footprints, you know.

OFFICER #2 walks up behind Chief. Officer # 2 bends and quietly speaks to Chief.

OFFICER #2
We were able to get photographs of the footprints that were left on the wet floor. Looks like an athletic shoe. Lots of tread.

MS. SMITH
That’s all he ever wore. He mentioned once that he ran, jogged, you know, every day.

CHIEF LENNOX
Did you actually see the gun go off?

MS. SMITH
No. I heard it. I heard dear Professor Clark scream. That’s when I went to check on him and saw him there, slumped over his computer and Martin standing there. (gets more upset) Oh, I’ll never forget that sound or how he looked…

CHIEF LENNOX
Yes, ma’am. (clears his throat) But, after you screamed, Lockwood just walked away.

MS. SMITH
Um-hum. He just casually walked past me and down the hall just like nothing had happened. He just had this stare in his eyes. That’s when I used the Professor’s phone to call 911.

Chief stands to speak to Officer #2 who is still standing behind him.

CHIEF LENNOX
Admin should have found Lockwood’s school records by now. Go get the address, and go pick him up.

Officer #2 walks off.

CHIEF LENNOX
(continuing)
Thank you very much, Ms. Smith. (motions for Officer #1 who is passing by to stop) This nice young man is going to make sure we have your information before you leave. Okay? (answers himself as he turns) Okay.

INT. CLARK’S OFFICE NIGHT
Chief walks in. Clark’s body is still slumped over the keyboard. CORONER WEBSTER is making notes on a chart, but looks up when Chief walks in. There is a window in the office. The room is small and holds many books and papers, but is neat.

CORONER WEBSTER
Interesting case you got here, Chief. (yawns) Do you think maybe you could convince the criminal element in this city to do all their bad deeds during office hours?

CHIEF LENNOX
(grunts) If only. (points his finger like a gun, moving to determine where the shooter would have stood.)

CORONER WEBSTER
(leans against the desk) Victim identified as Professor Thomas Clark. Been teaching psychology here at the university for over twenty years. Cause of death is one shot to chest area. Went straight through. The shot was so intense I would guesstimate that he was shot from a range of two feet or less.

CHIEF LENNOX
(sighs) Point blank.

CORONER WEBSTER
I’ll need to get him to the office for further study, but we found the bullet. One of your men bagged it already. Handgun. Small caliber. Bullet actually went in at an angle, entered the chest cavity at the front left of the body, looks like it traveled almost sideways until it exited the right side of the back of the body, and still had enough force to imbed itself in the desk.

CHIEF LENNOX
I wonder what kind of explanation this kid is going to have for this.

INT. WELL- LIT ENTRANCEWAY OF HARDEN HALL NIGHT
PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN comes in through the doors into the hallway, but is stopped by OFFICER #3 standing guard near the door. The officer puts his arm out to stop her as she comes through the door, but then lowers his arm.

OFFICER #3
I’m sorry, ma’am. This is a crime scene.

Chief Lennox comes around the corner towards the door.

CLARE BORDEN
(to Officer # 3) I’m Professor Borden, Clare Borden. I teach here in the psychology department with Professor Clark. I heard about… (sees the Chief and turns her attention to him) Sir, Sir, excuse me, could I speak to you.

Clare walks past Officer #3 toward Chief. Officer #3 follows her.

OFFICER #3
Ma’am. Ma’am.

CLARE BORDEN
(to Chief) Mr. (sees nametag) Chief Lennox. I’m Professor Clare Borden. I worked with Professor Clark. When I heard about this on the radio, I came immediately. I thought, perhaps, I could help.

CHIEF LENNOX
The radio?

OFFICER #3
Yes, Chief. Remember? The police spokesperson has already given a brief statement to the media.

CHIEF LENNOX
(frustrated) How do they find out so fast?

OFFICER #3
Police radios, sir.

Chief leads Clare to the side of the entranceway. RANDOM OFFICERS are wheeling Clark’s body away on a stretcher as Coroner Webster follows.

CHIEF LENNOX
(to Webster) We’ll need that quickly, Webster.

CLARE BORDEN
(grabs a tissue from her purse, begins to cry) Oh, who would have known. I was just having dinner with some friends from the university, other professors, and we were carpooling home when the news came over the radio. We had been together most of the night celebrating the tenure of one of our colleagues when we heard. And, they said Martin Lockwood… Oh, well I guess we should have known.

CHIEF LENNOX
Should have known?

CLARE BORDEN
Yes, well, we are the psychology department, after all. We’re supposed to recognize such signs.

CHIEF LENNOX
Such as?

CLARE BORDEN
Martin was always quiet, too quiet, and he never fit in. He tried hard, he really did, but this year he started having some problems in some of his classes. His grades had always been good, excellent, in fact. But, this term his grades were in question. Thomas had Martin in a couple of classes, neither of which was going well. Even though Thomas was Martin’s guidance counselor, Martin had come to me recently, quite upset. Professor Clark was known to be a little rough with his students from time to time. Martin was worried that Thomas was going to fail him and he’d lose his scholarship. They didn’t get along.

CHIEF LENNOX
Did they not get along badly enough for murder?

CLARE BORDEN
Well, I guess we know the answer to that question now.

CHIEF LENNOX
Did Martin ever ask to be transferred to another guidance counselor?

CLARE BORDEN
Not that I know of. But, that was Martin. Always quiet. Never wanting to make a fuss. Always wanting to take care of matters on his own.

CHIEF LENNOX
(grunts) Any idea what was bothering him?

CLARE BORDEN
Martin was a sophomore. It’s a difficult year. He had chosen his major and seemed quite interested in the subject of psychology. But, other than that, he never said. But, kids go through a lot during the college years. Broken romances, difficulty being apart from family and developing an identity of their own. It could have been anything. I’ve been teaching here for, well, almost ten years now, and I think I’ve seen it all. There’s a lot more learning that’s going on than just what happens in the classroom.

CHIEF LENNOX
Did you know of any other students that had problems with Professor Clark?

CLARE BORDEN
(looks down, hesitates before looking up) Well, Chief, I suppose under the circumstances you’ll find out on your own, though I hesitate to speak ill of the dead. Thomas taught here for over twenty years, the senior professor in the department. Anything you could ever want to know about psychology, the psychological process, theory, or scientific research, he would be able to tell you (pause) if he wanted to. He worked hard, and he expected his students to do the same. He was brilliant, always up to date on the most recent findings and current studies. There were days I thought he knew it all. And, he always tried to teach his students everything he knew about the field. And, there were days when he was willing to share that information without any hassle, particularly when he felt a student was as interested in the field as he was. But, there were other days when, well, let’s just say he could have worked on his bedside manner.

CHIEF LENNOX
So, not many people will be sorry he’s gone.

CLARE BORDEN
That may be a bit harsh, Chief Lennox. He is dead after all. He wasn’t exactly everyone’s best friend, but I didn’t know anyone who wished him dead. Well, except one. Can you tell me anything about what happened?

CHIEF LENNOX
No, Ms. Borden. Not while it’s still under investigation. But, (leads her toward the doors) if we need to speak with you again we’ll contact you here at the university.

CLARE BORDEN
The radio mentioned that there was an eyewitness to the murder.

CHIEF LENNOX
I’m not at liberty to discuss this any further, Professor. (opens the door for her) Thank you for your information.

Clare walks out the door and the Chief closes it behind her. Officer #3 is still guarding the door.

INT. OUTSIDE LANGLEY HALL NIGHT
Two squad cars and FOUR OFFICERS, INCLUDING OFFICER #1 AND OFFICER #2 pull up in front of Langley Hall (dorm). They run up to the door, quickly swing open the door, and enter.

INT. INSIDE OF LANGLEY HALL HALLWAY NIGHT
The four officers, including Officers #1 and 2 surround door number 101. Officer #1 knocks on the door three times.

OFFICER #1
(yells through the door) Martin Lockwood. Come on out.

Officer #1 raises his gun and signals to Officer #2 to kick in the door. Officer #2 then kicks in the door, the door flies open, and the four officers enter the room.

INT. LOCKWOOD’S DORM ROOM NIGHT
Officer #1 turns on the light switch, pointing his gun toward the bed where a sleeping Lockwood lies. Lockwood begins to wake up, rubbing his eyes when the light is turned on.

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
(sleepily) What’s going on? (opens his eyes and sees the officers with guns pointed at him)(scared) What’s going on?

Officer #2 and the two remaining officers begin to search the dorm room.

OFFICER #1
Get dressed, kid. (throws to him a pair of jeans hanging over the back of a chair) You’re coming down to the station.

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
(scared) Why?

OFFICER #1
You’re wanted for the murder of Thomas Clark.

Martin has an expression of confusion and fear.

INT. COUNTER INSIDE A POLICE STATION NIGHT
Three of Lockwood’s fingers are placed in ink and then placed upon a fingerprinting page.

INT. WALL INSIDE A POLICE STATION NIGHT
Lockwood stands in front of the measuring chart for mug shots. He stands facing Officer #1.

OFFICER #1 (V.O.)
Turn to the left.

Lockwood does so.
OFFICER #1 (V.O.)
(continuing)
And, the right.

Lockwood does so.

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM INSIDE POLICE STATION NIGHT
Lockwood, distraught and confused, his hands handcuffed in front of him, sits in a hardback chair beside a desk in a small empty room with a two-way mirror on one wall. There is an empty chair on the other side of the desk. The door to the room opens and Officer #2 walks in, hands a folder to the Chief, and then stands against the wall by the door. Chief is standing behind Lockwood.

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
(as the door opens) I was asleep.

CHIEF LENNOX
(looking over the folder contents) (pause) Okay. So, you say you went to bed around nine and didn’t wake up until the officers woke you up.

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
That’s right.

CHIEF LENNOX
Uh-huh. (closes the folder)

OFFICER #2
(calmly) I stayed in Langley the first year I was there. They still have that buzzer that rings at nine-thirty every night for curfew?

Chief looks at Officer #2 and then at Martin suspiciously.

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
(tired, upset, but calmly to Officer #2) Yeah. I hate that thing.

Chief looks again at Officer #2 as if to say ‘Good job.’

OFFICER #2
(small laugh) I had to leave Langley after that first year because of that buzzer. Most obnoxious sound I’ve ever heard in my life. Cheapest dorm on campus wasn’t a good enough excuse to keep me there. That thing could wake the dead.

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
It can be loud.

CHIEF LENNOX
Are you a light sleeper, Mr. Lockwood?

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
(moving his head to speak toward Chief) Yes, sir. Little noises usually wake me up. That’s why I don’t go to bed until after that buzzer sounds.

CHIEF LENNOX
But, you did tonight?

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
Yeah. I just couldn’t seem to stay awake.

CHIEF LENNOX
So, you went to bed around nine and woke up at the curfew buzzer at nine-thirty.

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
(confused) No, sir. I don’t know why I didn’t wake up. Maybe the buzzer didn’t go off or something. But, I didn’t wake up until the officers were in my room.

CHIEF LENNOX
Ever know the buzzer not to go off before?

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
No, sir.

Chief nods to Officer #2. Officer #2 nods back and then leaves the room, shutting the door behind him. Chief then sits in the second chair across the desk from Lockwood, and holds the file up so Lockwood can see it.

CHIEF LENNOX
Mr. Lockwood. Do you know what this is?

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
No, sir.

CHIEF LENNOX
(clears his throat) Well, it’s the fingerprints that were taken of your fingers earlier tonight and the fingerprints from the gun that was at the scene. They’re perfect matches, Mr. Lockwood. Would you like to explain how that happened?

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
(near tears, looking Chief in the eye honestly) I don’t know how it happened. I didn’t kill anyone. I’d never kill anybody. I’ve never been in trouble in my life. All I know is I went to bed early and I woke up with the police in my room saying I was wanted for Professor Clark’s murder.

CHIEF LENNOX
(pauses, studies Martin’s expression) Um-hum. (pause, leans back in the chair) How well did you know Professor Clark?

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
He’s been my guidance counselor for the past two years. He was my mentor; I helped him collect data for his research project last year. He was helping me figure out what area of psychology I wanted to go into after school. He even said he’d help me get into a good graduate school by writing a letter of recommendation for me.

CHIEF LENNOX
Did the two of you get along?

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
Most of the time. He was probably the toughest instructor I’ve had so far.

CHIEF LENNOX
Not an easy A, huh?

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
(small laugh) Hardly. But, when you leave his class, you know your stuff. He loved psychology and he wanted us to love it too. But, this year was harder. I’ve been studying hard, but worried that my grades in my theory classes wouldn’t be very good.

CHIEF LENNOX
Is that why you weren’t helping with any research this year?

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
What?

CHIEF LENNOX
Well, you said you helped him last year. Were your grades this year why you weren’t helping him with any research this year?

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
Oh, no. I think he was reformulating his theory and his goals. He wasn’t ready to collect data yet this year. Last year’s project, well, it was really Professor Clark’s and Professor Borden’s project. They worked on it together, trying to determine basic mind over matter, power of the brain stuff. You know, like, does a pinch to the arm hurt because it actually hurts or only because you think it’s supposed to hurt. That type of stuff. It was interesting, but they didn’t get very far before they started having problems.

CHIEF LENNOX
Meaning?

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
Last year, they were in the very beginning phases, like making certain that they were up to date on all of the research in the field. I was helping them collect all of that data, all of the findings from other projects and how the projects operated. But, the professors disagreed on how to proceed, what the goals of the research should be. So, the project ended and, as far as I know, they decided to pursue individual projects.

Officer #2 opens the door, leans in, and beckons Chief to the door with his hand.

CHIEF LENNOX
(to Lockwood) Excuse me a moment.

Chief stands, walks out the door, and Officer #2 shuts the door behind them.

INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE INTERROGATION ROOM NIGHT
Chief and Officer #2 whisper in the hallway.

OFFICER #2
Dorm leader has to log ringing that buzzer. It did go off tonight at nine-thirty sharp, as always.

CHIEF LENNOX
Just one more incriminating piece of evidence against this kid.

OFFICER #2
Did you get anything out of him?

CHIEF LENNOX
No, but the D.A.’s already given me the go ahead to charge him. I don’t really see much reason in dragging this out much longer. (perplexed) Even without a confession, we have an eyewitness.

OFFICER #2
What is it, Chief?

CHIEF LENNOX
I’ve been in this line of work for a long time. And, even with an eyewitness, either that kid is the best liar I’ve ever encountered or he’s actually telling the truth.

INT. JAIL CELL NIGHT
Lockwood enters the jail cell, escorted by Officer #1 who removes the cuffs inside the cell, and then closes the cell door. Lockwood causes no problems as he quietly sits on the metal cell bed, his head in his hands.

INT. CITY STREET MORNING
DET. HENRY DAVID and A TEENAGE BOY walk down the street. As he walks, Henry adjusts his black duster and his black fedora hat, his eyes straight ahead as the youth reads to him excitedly from a newspaper. Henry carries a black briefcase and is wearing a black suit beneath his duster.

TEENAGE BOY
(reading from the paper)…the good work by the local city police with assistance from Detective Henry David successfully caught and convicted one of the most frightening serial burglars this city has ever known. (looks to Henry) Can you believe it, Mr. Henry?

DET. HENRY DAVID
(frustrated with the boy) It’s David, Mr. David or even Detective David. Henry is my first name.

TEENAGE BOY
(from the paper, ignoring Henry) And, there’s more. It says here that the crucial piece of evidence necessary to convict was put in place, (with emphasis) once again, by the private investigator I affectionately refer to as The Hangman due to his reputation for solving cases that seem to baffle our local police. (to Henry) Can you believe it? Dude, you’re the hangman!

They stop in front of a door by which is a sign that reads: Henry David, Private Investigator.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Rubbish, I assure you. Our local police department is a fine unit, young man. Now, (he waves the end of the paper not held by the youth), you should line your birdcage with such rubbish.

TEENAGE BOY
(smiles broadly, laughs) Sure thing, Hangman. Catch you on the flip side, Mr. Henry!

The teenage boy walks off excitedly. Henry stands before the door frustrated.

DET. HENRY DAVID
(to himself) David. My last name is David.

Henry walks through the office door and then closes the door behind him.

INT. HENRY DAVID’S PI OFFICE-ENTRY ROOM MORNING
Henry walks into the office, removing his hat and duster at the door and placing them on a coat rack by the door. DEJANIRA SIPHER, his elderly aunt sits behind her desk just inside the door reading the newspaper. A simple wooden nameplate sits on her desk with her name artistically burned in to it.

DEJA SIPHER
(looks up) Have you read the paper, Henry? They’re calling you the Hangman? Isn’t that something. Barely into your forties and you’ve already made such a name for yourself!

DET. HENRY DAVID
Oh, Aunt Deja, please tell me that you haven’t been reading that rubbish. (adjusting his hat on the rack)

DEJA SIPHER
Well, of course I’m going to read anything written about you. You’re my favorite nephew!

DET. HENRY DAVID
(quietly) I’m your only nephew.

DEJA SIPHER
And, I’ve already mailed a few copies to that sister of mine so she can share the good news about her famous son!

DET. HENRY DAVID
(rolls his eyes) Oh, Aunt Deja. (walks to the desk, picks up the mail, and sorts through it) Any checks in here?

DEJA SIPHER
A couple. Enough to meet all the expenses this month, anyway. So, do you think the newspaper might do an interview with you? You know, about the cases you’ve worked on. A little extra publicity wouldn’t hurt.

DET. HENRY DAVID
I wouldn’t take them up on it if they offered, which they haven’t. Part of being a private investigator is having some sense of anonymity. (begins to walk toward his office) I don’t particularly care for being conspicuous.

DEJA SIPHER
(tugging her glasses down her nose, the chain attached to them dangling about her ears) Then, why do you insist on talking like you’re from the movies and wearing that long coat and fedora all year long like you’re Columbo or Bogie?

DET. HENRY DAVID
(turns and smiles at Deja) Because it makes me feel like a detective. (walks into his office)

DEJA SIPHER
(quietly, to herself as she picks up the mail) That would explain why you have your old aunt as your secretary and you’ve been divorced three times.

DET. HENRY DAVID (V.O.)
What?

DEJA SIPHER
Nothing, dear. Just looking through the mail.

INT. INSIDE HENRY’S PERSONAL OFFICE MORNING
Henry sits at his desk. There are rows of neatly leather-bound books on shelves covering three walls. His desk neatly organized. In the corner of the room is a game table with a puzzle-in-progress. He is reading a computer screen when Deja enters with an envelope.

DEJA SIPHER
You need to read this, Henry. It seems your presence has been requested in court next month. (hands him the envelope) It concerns the Miller murder case from last year and the attorney would like to see you to RSVP.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Aunt Deja, did you see this news story about the murder of a professor last night?

DEJA SIPHER
Well, of course, Henry. It’s all over the television.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Oh, Aunt Deja, you know I don’t watch television. It’s bad for the brain. Except for those old detective movies, that is.

DEJA SIPHER
Yes, (adjusting her glasses) well, maybe you should give it a try, dear. Anyway, they say that the cleaning lady actually saw the young man with the gun standing over the dead professor’s body.

DET. HENRY DAVID
They’re classifying it as premeditated because he took the gun into the building, meaning they think they can prove that he had plenty of time to change his mind and that he had intended to kill Professor Clark.

DEJA SIPHER
(concerned) Um, I suppose.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Oh, I know that tone.

DEJA SIPHER
Well, dear, (she sits) it just seems too clean. No, (she waves her finger in the air) I think it’s more complicated than that. If the young man intended to kill the professor, why would he do it after having passed a potential witness? (she stresses the word ‘and’ by raising a finger) And, if the young man was seen with the gun over the dead body and he knew that he had been seen at the scene of the crime, why didn’t he make some attempt to silence the witness, harm her in some way or why didn’t he leave campus, make a run for it? No, something isn’t quite right.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Well, perhaps we’ll hear about it soon. The D.A. won’t waste any time convicting this kid. Too much evidence against him. Being seen with the murder weapon standing over the dead body doesn’t leave much room for reasonable doubt.

INT. AUDITORIUM STYLE CLASSROOM DAY
Chief Lennox walks in to the classroom, sitting in a vacant seat in the back when he realizes that class is in session. The seats are mostly filled with STUDENTS. Borden is lecturing at the front of the room as she walks about the stage. NICK TALLAS has just asked a question.

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
So, yes, Nick, the answer to your question is that research has proven that hypnosis can be effective for such concerns as conquering phobias or beating that horrible little smoking habit so many of us have (pause, she smiles) if you want to stop it that is.

The students laugh.

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
(continuing)
However, and this is a big however, there are a lot of opponents to the use of hypnosis for any reason, phobias, smoking, but especially when it comes to issues such as recalling childhood memories or recalling traumatic events--sometimes the mind has buried the memory in an act of self-preservation. Because not every person is susceptible to hypnosis, many professionals believe that it’s nothing more than a self-fulfilling prophecy or, in some cases, even a dangerous tool where false memories can be planted. Some see it as nothing more than a simple con. In any case, much more research is needed in the area. (stresses ‘much’) Much more research. Until then, doubters will categorize hypnosis right alongside parapsychology and it’s study of ghosts… nothing more than a carnival trick, interesting but without substance. (she smiles) I think far too many people have been to parties where people were hypnotized so that they’d act like chickens.

The students laugh. Chief Lennox smiles, chuckling a bit. The bell then rings. The students begin to close their notebooks and texts and rise to leave. Borden speaks over the noise.

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
(continuing)
Don’t forget to read chapter six and be prepared to discuss it next class.

The students walk out of the classroom. Chief stands as some of them are leaving and makes his way towards the front of the room. Borden closes her texts and picks up her notes from the lectern. She then picks up her briefcase from against the wall and makes her way to Chief, pulling a file from her briefcase. They meet in the middle of the room.

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
Chief. (teasing) Thinking of enrolling? (hands him the file)

CHIEF LENNOX
Uh, my college days are over and I hope I never have to go through them again. I thought algebra would keep me from graduating. (opens the file and looks at it) So, this is it?

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
A copy of every record we have on Martin Lockwood: grades, attendance, financial aid, even his enrollment application. The news mentioned yesterday that he was denied bail.

CHIEF LENNOX
Um-hum. (closes the file) Witness pretty much sealed the deal. Kid’s been in a cell for two days now. If it were me, I’d be going crazy. But, he’s quiet, well-behaved, does what he’s told. He’s not been a problem at all.

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
No, I wouldn’t expect Mr. Lockwood to ever be difficult. He’s always done what he was told to do, always tried to please everyone. Sure I couldn’t talk you into enrolling, Chief? Might help you solve those tougher cases without witnesses.

CHIEF LENNOX
(mouths the word ‘no’) You mentioned in your lecture that people can forget traumatic events.

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
Yes. It’s more common than people realize. The mind is a very powerful tool, Chief. It will protect us against any memories we can’t handle.

CHIEF LENNOX
Do the memories ever come back?

Borden begins to walk toward the door; Chief walks with her.

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
Sometimes, the memories come back on their own. Other times, the memories manifest themselves in other ways, nightmares, phobias, addictive behaviors, any number of ways. Does Mr. Lockwood recall the night of the murder?

CHIEF LENNOX
(rubs his chin with his hand) He says he doesn’t.

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
Considering that you have a witness to the crime, hypnosis would probably destroy your case instead of help it. We haven’t yet been able to prove how valuable it can be.

They reach the open door.

CHIEF LENNOX
Yeah, I think you’re right about that chicken deal. If his mind has buried this memory, how long before he starts recalling it?

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
Hard to say. Could be a few days, a few weeks, in some cases a memory is buried for years, sometimes it’s never recalled at all. But, then, with a witness, I guess Mr. Lockwood’s memory won’t be a necessity to his conviction. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Chief Lennox, my office hours begin soon and we’re having a lot of students coming in to talk; they’re trying to deal with Professor Clark’s murder.

CHIEF LENNOX
Oh, yes, of course.

INT. HALLWAY OF HARDEN HALL DAY
Borden walks down the hall, away from Chief.

INT. DET. HENRY DAVID’S OFFICE-ENTRY ROOM DAY
LOLA LOCKWOOD walks quietly in through the door, seeing Deja behind the desk and speaking to her from behind the open door.

LOLA LOCKWOOD
(nearly a whisper) I wasn’t certain if I was supposed to knock or not.

DEJA SIPHER
(delightfully) Oh, honey, you don’t have to knock to come in here. (motions to her) Now, come on in here. I’m Dejanira Sipher, but my friends call me Deja. (smiles) Who are you?

LOLA LOCKWOOD
(shuts the door, smiles, relieved) Lola Lockwood. I was hoping that Mr. David would take my case.

Deja gets up, walks around to Lola, and offers her a seat. Lola then sits, holding her purse nervously in her lap.

DEJA SIPHER
(pleasantly) Would you like something to drink, Lola. We have coffee. I made it myself, so I know it’s good.

LOLA LOCKWOOD
No, thank you.

Deja pulls up a chair on the same side of the desk as Lola and sits.

DEJA SIPHER
So, can you tell me what’s troubling you, Lola?

LOLA LOCKWOOD
It’s my son, Martin Lockwood. You may have heard his name mentioned on the news lately.

Deja pulls her glasses off so that they hang about her neck.

DEJA SIPHER
Oh, dear. Well, Lola, I’m glad you’re here. You’ve come to the right place.

INT. HENRY’S PERSONAL OFFICE DAY
Henry sits at his desk, typing on his computer. Deja walks in, leading Lola along the way, ushering Lola into a chair by Henry’s desk after entering the room. Deja has a steno pad and pencil in her hand and she sits in a chair near Lola. Deja takes notes as Lola and Henry talk.

DEJA SIPHER
(to Henry) Henry. (to Lola) This is my nephew, Detective Henry David. You can trust him. (to Henry) Henry, this is Lola Lockwood. The mother of Martin Lockwood, the young man charged with the murder of the professor.

DET. HENRY DAVID
(stands, shakes Lola’s hand over his desk, then sits) Can I assume because you’re here that you don’t believe your son is guilty?

Lola looks to Deja, Deja gives Lola a nod to go ahead, and Lola then returns her gaze to Henry.

LOLA LOCKWOOD
Yes, sir. Martin has never been in any trouble. He’s always been a good son, a good student. He’s just not capable of such a horrible crime. Martin’s never hurt anyone.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Mrs. Lockwood, I’m sure you don’t think your son is capable of murder, but the evidence against him is strong. There was a witness, he was seen with the murder weapon at the scene and his fingerprints were on the gun.

LOLA LOCKWOOD
But, Martin doesn’t own a gun. He’s never even held a gun before. He detests violence. That’s why he was studying to be a psychologist. He wanted to help people, not hurt people.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Mrs. Lockwood. I don’t think it would be right to take your son’s case when there is so little room for any other theory other than that he did this.

DEJA SIPHER
(clears her throat, looks up briefly from her pad) Henry.

LOLA LOCKWOOD
Please, Mr. David, Martin and I have no where else to turn. He’s a good boy. He really is. I know. A mother knows. He just couldn’t have done this. He’s worked so hard. Why would he throw it all away? He’s been doing good, making all A’s, he’s on scholarship. He, he, he’s been volunteering at the university, helping out with research projects, whatever he could do. (laughs through teary eyes) He has even been running a lot lately, jogging, you know. He thought he might try to run a marathon in a year or so. Just a short one, mind you. (to Deja) Martin’s never been much of an athlete. He always had his head in a book. (to Henry) But, I know he didn’t murder anyone. He just couldn’t. He doesn’t have it in him. (begins to cry)

DEJA SIPHER
(pats Lola’s arm) There, there, now. (looks to Henry with disapproval)

DET. HENRY DAVID
(sighs) So, you say that your son didn’t like guns?

Deja smiles approvingly.

LOLA LOCKWOOD
That’s correct. He was afraid of them. He was always afraid of loud noises, gunshots, thunder, any sound that was loud and sudden. (chuckles) His only complaint about the university was the loud buzzer that rang at curfew each night in his dormitory. It still bothered him, but at least he knew what time to expect it. So, it wasn’t as bad as other things.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Any idea why he was afraid of loud sudden noises?

LOLA LOCKWOOD
Oh, it was from his early childhood. My husband and I had only been in this country a few years and, well, we couldn’t afford much. The neighborhood we lived in had a lot of gunfire, a lot of deaths, some accidental, some not. That’s how Martin’s father died. He was shot by stray gunfire on his way home from work. Martin was just a boy, hiding from the gunfire behind a trashcan in front of our apartment building. He saw his father die. It was his father’s dream that Martin be the first in our family to graduate from college, and Martin has worked very hard to accomplish exactly that. He wouldn’t destroy all his hard work, he wouldn’t destroy his father’s dream.

DEJA SIPHER
Lola, how was he doing in his classes?

LOLA LOCKWOOD
Oh, he was doing well, making all A’s until this term. He was struggling in some of his classes, but he was still passing. But, they worried him so, his grades. He always thought he was failing until he saw those final grades, (smiles) even in elementary school. And, he was really excited to be working with one of the professors on a research project this term. He wanted to learn everything he could.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Research?

LOLA LOCKWOOD
Yes.

DEJA SIPHER
With Professor Clark?

LOLA LOCKWOOD
No, it was another professor there.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Mrs. Lockwood. I appreciate the faith you have in your son. But, you haven’t told me anything that creates any type of question about his charge. I don’t have anything to go on.

Deja clears her throat and looks at Henry with disapproval.
Henry sighs. Lola’s gaze is cast downward, saddened.

DET. HENRY DAVID
(continuing)
So, I’ll make a rather unique deal with you. Let me look into this a little bit. If I can find any holes in his case, then I’ll take the case.

LOLA LOCKWOOD
(relieved) Oh, thank you, Mr. David.

Deja looks to Henry with a smile and an approving wink.

INT. POLICE HALLWAY OUTSIDE LENNOX’S OFFICE DAY
Henry walks down the hallway, his fedora and his overcoat on. He tips his hat to a FEMALE OFFICER who passes him.

INT. LENNOX’S OFFICE DAY
The office is fronted by a glass wall with blinds on them. The walls are decorated with medals and awards, but the office is a mess. Lennox is just sitting down to his desk with a cup of coffee that he has just spilled on some paperwork. As he blots the spill, Henry stands in the open doorway and knocks on the door. Lennox looks up.


DET. HENRY DAVID
Busy, Frank?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Henry! Or should I say Hangman! (quick laugh) Come on in. And, take off that silly hat, will you. You remind me of my father in that thing.

Henry removes his hat and coat, holding it in his hands as he looks about the messy office. He removes a box from a chair in front of Chief’s desk and places the box on the desk.

DET. HENRY DAVID
I rather like this hat.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
And, be careful with that box. It contains evidence for a case.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Shouldn’t it be in the evidence room?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
It was and (sits) it will be again. We needed to review some things for a court date we’ve got coming up. So (exhales) what’s up?

DET. HENRY DAVID
Guess. (swirls his hat around on his finger)

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Not the Lockwood kid?

Henry shakes his head yes.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(continuing)
(laughs) Henry, you’re wasting your time on this one. That case is sewed up tighter than the hem on my coat. (points to the coat rack near the door with an overcoat hanging on it)

DET. HENRY DAVID
So I’ve heard, Frank. But, you know Aunt Deja and to pacify her and satisfy a few curiosities we have, I told Mrs. Lockwood that I’d check around a bit. So, willing to share what you know with an old friend?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(leans back in his chair his arms behind his head) Well, um, murder occurred at nine-forty-five p.m. We know this because a cleaning woman, a Ms. Smith, heard the victim screams and the shot, went to check on the noise, and saw Lockwood pointing a gun at the deceased.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Kid’s statement?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(leans forward, elbows on his desk, stating facts but confused) That’s the strange part. He claims he went to bed at nine that night, earlier than usual for him, denies hearing the curfew buzzer that sounded at nine-thirty, and denies having done anything but sleep from nine until our officers woke him up in his dorm room around ten fifteen or so. (pause) We found the side door to the building closed, but there was a brick nearby with Lockwood’s prints on it that we think was used to prop open the door since it would have locked automatically at nine-thirty. Kid’s prints are on the gun. Gun matches the bullet in the victim. Kid could have made it from his dorm to the location of the murder in time. Victim’s blood was splattered on some clothes the officers found just hanging over the back of a chair in his dorm room. Everything matches up perfectly.

DET. HENRY DAVID
(leans forward, curious) But?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(pause) Henry, it’s the damn-dest thing. This kid claims he remembers nothing. Now, we come across a denial like that all the time.

DET. HENRY DAVID
But?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(leans back) Nothing. It’s nothing. There’s too much evidence against this kid for him to be innocent.

DET. HENRY DAVID
You think he’s innocent?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(stresses ‘no’) No, absolutely not. There’s just something about it that feels a little strange. I don’t think the kid is lying when he says he doesn’t remember. Oh, I don’t know. A professor from the psyc. department said that it may have been the trauma that caused the kid to forget.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Frank, don’t you think it’s a bit strange, even for an inexperienced criminal to be so careless?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
You mean leaving the weapon at the scene? No gloves? Just tossing bloody clothes over a chair like it’s nothing? Committing a crime when you know there’s a witness just down the hall. Yeah. I do. Maybe that’s what bothers me about this case. But, it really doesn’t matter. This kid murdered Professor Clark. No doubt about that. But, those sure are some interesting unanswered questions.

DET. HENRY DAVID
But, he ran from the scene?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Nope! (takes a sip of coffee) Just walked away, (pause) calmly, like nothing had happened.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Where’d the gun come from?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
No way to know. Serial number was filed off. Probably stolen. Dorm leader, Nick somebody, rooms with the kid and didn’t even know he had a gun; they’re not allowed on campus. Actually, he says Lockwood was afraid of guns. Apparently, the Lockwood kid’s rather shy so Nick had offered to take Lockwood to a skeet shooting contest, see if he might find a hobby other than studying. Lockwood went, but couldn’t stand the noise, was afraid of the guns, and left early. (exhales slowly and shakes his head) And, there’s one more thing. (leans forward again) The gun. You know and I know, that anyone who handles the gun, even if it’s the seller, they’re prints are going to be on there, even if they’re just smudges, unless the gun’s been cleaned recently. They’re just usually not on the trigger. But, this gun was perfectly clean except for the prints where Lockwood would have held the gun. It was like the gun was cleaned thoroughly before Lockwood ever handled it. And, I’m not convinced yet that he knows enough about guns to know how to do that.

INT. LANGLEY HALL ENTRANCEWAY DAY
Henry walks in the main door, stopping at a small office just off the front door. A young man is in the office (ROBERT) filing mail into mail slots marked with the room numbers on them. Henry stands in the open doorway and knocks on the door.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Excuse me, son. (he holds up his ID) Detective Henry David. I was looking to talk with Nick Tallas.

ROBERT
Oh, Nick’s doing inspections. (goes to the desk and picks up a radio) I can call him down here.

DET. HENRY DAVID
(holds up his hand) Wait one moment, there. Do you know anything about the Lockwood situation?

ROBERT
Just what I’ve read in the papers and heard around campus. It’s hard to believe. There’s a lot of rumors going ‘round, so it’s hard to tell what’s the truth. One guy told me that he heard that Martin was part of some cult, and he had to kill somebody to be considered a man. Another guy told me that Professor Clark told the university a couple of weeks ago that he was going on a leave of absence because he had terminal cancer and Martin shot him to put him out of his misery. Some religious thing. The papers said he did it over grades. I don’t know. I guess the rumors don’t change the fact that he’s dead. I never would have expected Martin to do something like that. A few other people around here, well, now that’s a different story. But, not Martin. He was a good guy, tutored a bunch of us. It’s my first year here. He was helping me with algebra. Never charged any of us a penny for it either.

DET. HENRY DAVID
How’d he earn money?

ROBERT
He worked weekends at the local library.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Does he have any mail?

ROBERT
Not today. He gets a letter from his mom each Friday. You can set your calendar by it. But, that’s usually it except for the notices everybody gets from the university. (looks at the stack of mail, pause) I just never would of thought… well, guess it doesn’t matter anymore anyway. We’re all getting through it, though. Some of us have even talked about going to visit Martin, but none of us have. Some of us who knew Professor Clark have started going to school counselors because it’s hard to pass by his office every day.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Well, I’m sure it’s hard on everyone. (begins to leave but stops when young man speaks)

ROBERT
Yeah. Well, everyone except Professor Borden. She seems to have come out of this a winner.

DET. HENRY DAVID
How so?

ROBERT
(begins sorting mail again) Oh, she had been upset all term that research money had been divided between her and Professor Clark’s research projects. Now, she gets it all. She’s already started taking on assistants to work with her.

INT. HALLWAY OF LANGLEY HALL DAY
Henry removes the tape covering Lockwood’s dorm room door and goes inside.

INT. LOCKWOOD’S DORM ROOM DAY
Henry turns on the lights and scans the room. It appears to him as a typical dorm room. He goes to Lockwood’s desk, sees a picture of Mrs. Lockwood, picks it up to look at it, then puts it down. A key with Langley Hall inscribed on it sits by the picture. He then looks at the desk calendar. On various days, in neatly printed words, are dates for tests and when papers are due. On each Saturday and Sunday, in neatly printed words and numbers, are his work hours at the library. On each day of the week prior to the murder, in messy scribbled longhand, are appointments to meet with Professor Borden at three pm. A stack of college texts sits on the corner of the desk. Henry goes to the closet and sees a primarily empty closet, a few pair of jeans and a few shirts hang neatly. One pair of casual dress loafers is neatly placed on the floor near the wall. The bed is unmade. By the bed is a bedside table with an alarm clock. Henry checks it; the alarm is set for nine-thirty pm. Henry turns around when he hears NICK TALLAS tap at the door. Nick twirls his key ring throughout the interview. Nick’s half of the room is cluttered with trophies and sports memorabilia and is rather messy. On Nick’s bedside is a first place trophy for skeet shooting which Henry picks up and studies.

NICK TALLAS
(holds up the police tape) Det. Henry? Can I come in?

Henry walks to the door, pulling the door behind him and putting the tape back into place.

INT. HALLWAY AT LANGLEY HALL DAY
Henry David and Nick Tallas are in the hallway.

DET. HENRY DAVID
It’s Det. David, Henry David. Best not. I received clearance, but you didn’t. Nick Tallas?

NICK TALLAS
Yeah.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Is there someplace we could talk?

NICK TALLAS
(laughs) If you’re looking for privacy, you’re in the wrong place. (looks both ways, the hall is empty) But, most everybody is in class right now if you want to talk here.

DET. HENRY DAVID
It works for me. Tell me all you know.

NICK TALLAS
What’s a private investigator doing on the case? You’re that guy the papers are calling the Hangman. Did Martin hire you or something?

DET. HENRY DAVID
Not exactly. Now, what do you know about Martin Lockwood and the murder?

NICK TALLAS
Not much. I was working late downstairs the night of the murder, catching up on my notes from the inspections of some of the dorm rooms. Everything was kind of quiet ‘til the cops came running through the door. They did let me go in and get a few of my things out of the room, though. I’ve been bunking with a couple other guys down the hall since then.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Don’t dorm leaders get their own room?

NICK TALLAS
Supposed to, but they overbooked or something. Anyway, it wasn’t so bad bunking with Martin. He wasn’t much fun, but he was quiet, clean.

DET. HENRY DAVID
You didn’t hear or see anything strange that night?

NICK TALLAS
No, nothing. Rang the buzzer at nine-thirty. Like I said, it was kind of quiet around here.

DET. HENRY DAVID
A dorm has a curfew?

NICK TALLAS
(laughs) It’s not really a curfew. It’s more of a notice that all the doors are being locked so that if you go out, you’ll need a key to get back in. There’s just one key, but everybody in the dorm has a copy. We’re all free to come and go as we please, and there’s no rule saying we can’t be on campus grounds after nine-thirty but the university does give us all the usual warnings, stay in well lit areas, you know the type. Apparently, they had some crime on campus a few years back and this was the result.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Do you keep any records on the buzzer?

NICK TALLAS
It’s downstairs. We have to log when we ring the buzzer, date and time, that sort of thing. The doors lock automatically when we push a button downstairs in the office.

DET. HENRY DAVID
All the doors to the building?

NICK TALLAS
Yes.

DET. HENRY DAVID
And everyone has a key? Even Mr. Lockwood?

NICK TALLAS
Sure.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Hmmm. Did you ever come across a gun during your inspections?

NICK TALLAS
Well, I can’t inspect my own room. A dorm leader from another Hall comes to do that. Keeps us honest, you know. But, inspection of this room (he points) was done a couple of days before the murder and nothing was mentioned of a gun. I was surprised to hear Martin even had one.

DET. HENRY DAVID
So, you never saw a gun either?

NICK TALLAS
(laughs) Mister, a few days ago I didn’t think you could have forced a gun into Martin’s hands. He always had a book in his hands and his nose in the book. He hated guns. Now me, I’m an avid sportsman, skeet, hunting, you name it. If you respect a weapon, you don’t have to worry about them.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Yes, I noticed your trophies.

NICK TALLAS
My dad taught me how to handle a gun, but it was Professor Borden that turned me on to shooting skeet. Took first place. Even beat her!

DET. HENRY DAVID
Professor Borden?

NICK TALLAS
Oh, yeah, she teaches in the psyc. department, just like Clark did. Borden is my guidance counselor; Clark was Martin’s.

DET. HENRY DAVID
(looking around the vacant hall) He had taught here a long time, hadn’t he?

NICK TALLAS
He even taught Professor Borden when she was a student here. Rumor ‘round campus is that they had a thing going, if you know what I mean. I doubt it, though. I don’t think he’s her type; they got along sometimes but they also argued a lot. They disagreed on a lot of issues. Professor Borden is just more open-minded to ideas, more progressive; Clark was kind of old and stuck in his ways, his ideas were too old fashioned. It’s actually better for the department that he’s gone (pause) uh, not that I wished him dead or anything. (an expression of regretting said that) But, professor Borden (excited), wow, she has ideas that could completely alter the field of psychology. If her theories can be proven (searches for words) the practice of psychology would never be the same.

DET. HENRY DAVID
(grimaces) What was Martin’s schedule like?

NICK TALLAS
Most of his free time was spent here studying until last week. Then, he was gone nearly every afternoon. We thought maybe he found himself a girlfriend or something. He never said where he was going.

DET. HENRY DAVID
One more thing. Is it usual for a male dorm to be quiet at night?

Nick gives him a confused expression.

DET. HENRY DAVID
(continuing)
You said that it was quiet the night of the murder.

NICK TALLAS
Oh, well, it’s not party central every night, but the night of the murder, yeah, it was quiet. That was Friday. The athletes in the dorm were at an away game and most of the other guys went to cheer them on. You know, guy night out, support the home team thing?

DET. HENRY DAVID
Yes, I remember.

INT. SIDE DOOR OF LANGLEY HALL DAY
Henry examines the door, opening it to see how heavy it is, seeing it if locks when closed, noticing that there is no key slot or key hole, studying the porch light above it and the security light on a pole nearby, and looking at the grass without any bricks on either side.

INT. HALL WITH JAIL CELLS ON BOTH SIDES DAY
Officer #1 and Henry walk down the hall. Henry is carrying his coat and hat.

OFFICER #1
(quietly) He’s the best inmate I’ve ever guarded. Not had a single problem out of him. A lot of these guys come in here and there’s a honeymoon period, you know, they’re nice to begin with but you just sense that they’re waiting to show their true colors and explode on you or something. So, you watch your back in here. But, this kid seems genuine. If he weren’t in here, I’d think he was the type of kid I’d want to baby-sit my kids.

INT. JAIL CELL DAY
Officer #1 opens the door and Henry walks in the cell. Lockwood is sitting on his bunk in the cell reading a psychology text but looks up when Henry enters. Officer #1 closes the cell behind him, turns around, and stands guard at the edge of the cell. Henry carries his coat and hat.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Martin Lockwood?

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
(closes his book, stands and offers his hand; Henry accepts) Yes, hello.

DET. HENRY DAVID
I’m a private investigator. Henry David. David is the last name, by the way. (they sit on the bunk, facing each other) Interesting place, a cell.

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
I’ve never seen a cell before all this happened. It’s not so bad, I guess. The people here have been nice. Of course, I’d prefer to be elsewhere.

DET. HENRY DAVID
(eyeing the text lying on the bed) Coursework?

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
Yes, sir. I didn’t want to fall behind. From what I’m told, it doesn’t matter anymore. They say there’s a strong case against me. But, I didn’t do it.

DET. HENRY DAVID
They say you can’t remember. But, if you can’t remember, Martin, how do you know you didn’t do it?

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
I’m not a murderer, Mr. David. Professor Clark was my mentor. I wanted to be like Professor Clark; I may have had some trouble with my grades this term but I felt honor and respect for the professor, not hatred. Please, Mr. David, look into this further. I would never murder Professor Clark.

DET. HENRY DAVID
What’s with all of the appointments with Professor Borden?

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
(confused) Professor Borden?

DET. HENRY DAVID
According to your calendar you had appointments with her every day last week, each one at three o’clock.

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
(confused) What are you talking about? Mr. David, I haven’t had any appointments with Professor Borden.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Mr. Lockwood, are you in the habit of writing appointments on your calendar that you don’t have? Even your roommate confirms that you were gone each day last week from approximately two-thirty to five, and you’d never say where you’d been. Now, what were the appointments for?

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
(becoming upset) Earlier in the term I was reorganizing some data for her, putting it into charts. But, I didn’t have any appointments to meet with Professor Borden last week. Ask her. She would know.

DET. HENRY DAVID
I intend to do exactly that. Now where’d you get the gun?

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
I’ve never had a gun.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Did you go straight to Harden Hall from Langley that night?

MARTIN LOCKWOOD
(head in his hands, quite upset) But, I didn’t go anywhere that night. I was asleep. I was asleep.

Henry is confused by Martin’s reaction to the questions.

INT. CHIEF LENNOX’S OFFICE DAY
Chief pours some water on a plant from a paper cup as Henry sits in a chair talking.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(quickly) Um-hum, um-hum. (takes a seat) That’s exactly what I thought about him, too. Now, how many years have we been in this business learning how to read people. That kid is not a killer, but he did it!

DET. HENRY DAVID
I have more questions now than I did when Lockwood’s mother came to see me.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Join the club.

INT. HENRY’S PERSONAL OFFICE EVENING
Henry sits at his desk studying his notes and the police reports on the case. Deja comes in, putting on her coat.

DEJA SIPHER
Still studying that case, dear?

DET. HENRY DAVID
(laying the papers down with frustration) I just can’t piece it together.

DEJA SIPHER
Well, keep trying, dear. It will come to you.

Deja goes around to Henry and kisses him on the forehead.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Alright, Aunt Dej. I know you’ve read through all of this. What do you know?

DEJA SIPHER
Oh, (she pats his head as she leaves) you just keep reading on. It will come to you.

INT. DET. HENRY DAVID’S APARTMENT KITCHEN NIGHT
Henry is at the kitchen counter, removing Chinese take-out from their boxes and putting it on a plate when the doorbell rings.

INT. DET. HENRY DAVID’S APARTMENT LIVING ROOM NIGHT
Henry answers the door. One by one, his ex-wives, MARGARET, PRISCILLA, and SYMPHONY arrive.

DET. HENRY DAVID
(after opening the door) (unimpressed) Margaret. (nearly frowning) What a surprise. (he looks toward the kitchen, knowing dinner is there)

MARGARET
(walks in, kisses Henry on the cheek) Well, well, Detective Henry David, or should I call you the Hangman? (sees the coat and hat on the rack by the door as she comes in) Still wearing that fedora and overcoat I see. (smiles) Reminds me of Bogie. (she laughs as she sits down) Any wine?

DET. HENRY DAVID
Well, Margaret, I was just about…

MARGARET
Red please. They say it’s supposed to be better for you. So, anyway, when I read that article in the paper this morning, I just had to come and see you. (begins taking her coat off as she sits)

Henry looks again toward the kitchen.

MARGARET
(continuing)
How long were we married, Henry? Four years, five years? It was so long ago, I’ve forgotten. But, never in all of the time that I’ve known you would I expect anyone to call you the Hangman. (she laughs) The Hangman? How do you think they came up with that one? (looks to Henry) Henry, dear, the wine. (leans back comfortably, grimaces as she looks around) Um, Henry, can’t say I really like what you’ve done with the place. It needs a woman’s touch.

Henry goes to the liquor cabinet and begins pouring wine.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Oh, no, that’s the last thing it needs.

MARGARET
Henry, that was always your problem. You never really realized when you were well off.

DET. HENRY DAVID
(giving her the wine) And, now it doesn’t matter whether or not I’m well off because I give it all to you and those two other women I married. (sits across from Margaret)

MARGARET
Henry, Henry, Henry (shakes her head as she drinks) It wasn’t really so bad, was it? We were just too young to be married. We didn’t know what we were doing.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Maybe.

MARGARET
I actually saw you today. I think you were too preoccupied with a door at one of the dormitories to see me. I had to get to class, so I didn’t have time to come over but I figured you must be there looking into the murder of the psychology professor, Thomas Clark.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Something like that. Did you know him?

MARGARET
(teasing) Not trying to get out of alimony, now, are you, Henry? (giggles, but becomes serious) No, not well anyway. We’d met a time or two at faculty functions, but the English building is on the other side of campus so I don’t get much of a chance to socialize with the psyc. professors. I have my hands full just trying to teach classic lit to a bunch of college kids who’d much rather see the movie. So, did you figure out anything?

DET. HENRY DAVID
Still working on it? Aunt Deja, of course, is helping.

MARGARET
Oh, Aunt Deja. I do miss her. How is she?

DET. HENRY DAVID
(smiles) Same as always, wonderful, caring, nosy as ever, and never misses a beat.

Margaret laughs as the doorbell rings. Henry goes to the door.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Excuse me a moment. (opens the door)

PRISCILLA
(lots of energy, with a French accent) Henry! (hugs him) I read about you in the paper and I had to come and see you. (sees Margaret) Why is she here? (looks to Henry) Henry? Did you go back to your first wife, Henry? (puts her hands on his cheeks) How could you do that to me, Henry, and me, your second, your favorite?

MARGARET
(stands, confused) Priscilla, how are you?

Priscilla goes to Margaret. They both sit on the couch. Henry looks again to the kitchen and sighs.

PRISCILLA
Oh, not too bad, mademoiselle. I had to come and see my Henry (puts her hand to her heart), now that’s he’s famous.

Henry is still standing by the door, confused.

DET. HENRY DAVID
I don’t ever remember having a wife with a French accent.

PRISCILLA
(without the accent, smiles) That’s because you didn’t. At the end of the week, I have an audition for a role of a French aristocrat. I’ve been practicing my accent. What do you think?

DET. HENRY DAVID
(goes to the chair) It’s, uh, believable. (begins to sit)

PRISCILLA
Henry, where’s my wine?

DET. HENRY DAVID
(stands up again) I’ll be right back. (goes to the liquor cabinet) White, please. (to Margaret, laughing) So, did you read the paper?

MARGARET
(smiles) Yes. That’s why I came too.

PRISCILLA
Hangman Henry. Who would have known? Anyway, Mr. Hangman, you’ll be happy to know that ex number two is remarrying again.

DET. HENRY DAVID
(hands her the wine) Always good news. (sits)

PRISCILLA
(to Margaret) Yeah, well, I’m hoping the third time is a charm. My second husband, Tony, I met when we were doing a stage production of Romeo and Juliet. Henry and I had already divorced by then, you know. But, I really should have considered it a bad omen to marry someone I met in a play that had a couple of suicides in it. The play ran longer than the marriage—the marriage to Tony, that is, not the marriage to Henry. Of course, Henry and I met at a play as well, but he was with the police arresting one of the costume designers for something or another. Or, maybe it was one of the prop builders. But, Tyler, my new fiancé, well, he’s the director of this new musical that’s being produced about life in the mid-west. I figure, how could I go wrong!

Doorbell rings. Henry goes to the door.

DET. HENRY DAVID
(on way to door) There’s no way.

MARGARET
(laughs) We didn’t plan it, Henry. But what are the odds?

PRISCILLA
Oh, that would be so cool. Maybe we could all go out or something.

MARGARET
(whispering kindly) Or, maybe not, dear.

DET. HENRY DAVID
(opens the door, unimpressed) Symphony. What a surprise. (looks to Margaret and Priscilla) Look, ladies, Symphony is here.

Symphony takes a couple steps inside. She leaves her coat on as Henry closes the door. They speak near the door.

SYMPHONY
Hello everyone. Henry, I just wanted to stop by and congratulate you on having gotten your name in the paper again. I read that they have a nickname for you now.

PRISCILLA
Would you like some wine, Symph?

SYMPHONY
No, thanks. (quietly but seriously, to Henry) I just wanted to give you a message. I had the strangest dream.

DET. HENRY DAVID
(frustrated) No, Symphony, not the dreams and cards again.

SYMPHONY
I know you don’t believe in all this, Henry, but just listen. The spirits have given me a message for you.

PRISCILLA
(excited) Do you read cards? Oh, will you read mine? I’m getting married again.

SYMPHONY
(to Priscilla) Congratulations. I can’t stay long, so perhaps another time. (to Henry) Something is not as it seems.

DET. HENRY DAVID
In my line of work, that’s the norm.

SYMPHONY
Yes, but more so this time. Time is of the essence now. You must see through the veil of deception or the truth will be gone forever.

DET. HENRY DAVID
What does that mean?

SYMPHONY
That’s something you have to figure out for yourself. The spirits like to speak in riddles. I have to go. I have an appointment across town. (to the ladies) It was nice to see you again Priscilla, Margaret. (to Henry) Just consider what I’ve said. (pats him on the front of the shoulder and leaves, shutting the door behind her)

PRISCILLA
(stands quickly) Oh, I’ve got to go too. I forgot that I’m supposed to meet Tyler. (kisses Henry on the cheek) Bye, Henry. See you later, Margaret. Hope you’ll both come to the wedding. (laughs as she goes through the door)

Henry looks to Margaret.

MARGARET
Does it ever worry you that I was the only normal one?

INT. STEPS IN FRONT OF HARDEN HALL DAY
Chief Lennox, Henry David, and Deja Sipher walk up the steps toward the door.

CHIEF LENNOX (V.O.)
Wanna have a little fun; good cop, bad cop?

DET. HENRY DAVID (V.O.)
How ‘bout we just ask some questions and see how it goes?

INT. HALLWAY OF HARDEN HALL DAY
RANDOM STUDENTS pass in the hall as Chief and Henry make their way to Professor Borden’s small office. They walk in when Robert walks out. Robert turns around as Borden gives him one last piece of information. Borden’s door has her office hours and class schedule posted on the door. Office hours are 2pm to 5 pm M-W-F.

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
And, this needs to get to admin to secure the research funds. I need those so we can get started. Oh, and Robert, once you get that over to admin, come on back here. I have some other errands that need to be run as well.

ROBERT
Yes, Professor. (he leaves)

INT. INSIDE PROFESSOR BORDEN’S OFFICE DAY
Chief Lennox, Henry David, and Deja Sipher are ushered into Clare Borden’s office by Clare as Robert leaves.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Professor, nice to see you again. Do you know Detective Henry David?

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
From the newspaper. (offers her hand) No, I don’t think we’ve met. Please, everyone, have a seat.

Everyone sits. Professor Borden sits behind her desk.

DET. HENRY DAVID
And, this is my aunt, Dejanira Sipher.

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
Dejanira, hello.

DEJA SIPHER
Professor.

All parties sit. Deja takes notes on a steno pad.

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
You’ve caught me at a rare spare moment. The professors here in the psych. department have been covering Professor Clark’s duties, so we’re all a bit busier than usual. (eyes Deja’s steno pad oddly)

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Did you say something about research funds? Not thinking about that chicken experiment, are you?

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
(smiles) Not the chickens, exactly. When Professor Clark died, the research funds that had gone to him were transferred to my project. It’s just a matter of paperwork. I’m not proud to say that I’ve come into those funds because of Professor Clark’s death, but I will admit that it will benefit my research.

DET. HENRY DAVID
What’s your research on?

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
Hypnosis. I’d like to be able to prove that hypnosis can be used as are other modes of therapy to teach the brain to react to stimuli in certain ways. If that can be proven, we could revolutionize how people quit smoking, lose weight, overcome trauma.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Um-hum, but first you have to overcome the chicken complex.

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
Yes, yes we do.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Is it possible to actually make people forget certain events?

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
I’d say so. How many parties or carnivals have you been to where people danced like a chicken while under hypnosis, but then claimed not to remember a thing, not even going under? And, the alternative is also possible: hypnosis can help people to remember events they’ve forgotten. Perhaps, even, our Mr. Lockwood, that is if he has actually forgotten the murder, could be helped to remember the events with the use of hypnosis. (frustrated) There are a lot of nay-sayers out there who are very closed-minded and won’t even give hypnosis an opportunity to prove itself. It’s been hard over the years to be one of the few professionals who know the power of hypnosis, but we’ve been unable to prove it in research and theory. But, now (becoming excited) now I have an opportunity to do exactly that. As any of my students can tell you, hypnosis is one of my favorite subjects. (smiles) I talk about it all the time in class.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Is it possible for someone to hypnotize their self?

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
Theories differ. Some say that it is possible. some say that people have undergone medical procedures, even surgeries, and withstood the pain through some form of self-hypnosis, but, in my professional opinion, true hypnosis would require a professional who understood how to administer and use hypnosis as a tool.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Professor, we’ve looked through Mr. Lockwood’s dorm room and we were wondering if you could tell us the reason for the appointments he had with you the week before the murder.

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
I didn’t have (looks down at her calendar) no, I didn’t have any appointments with Mr. Lockwood the week before the murder.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Are you sure? I’m sure you see a lot of students. It’s very busy here at the university. Do you think you could have met with him and it just slipped your mind?

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
No. I think I would have remembered Mr. Lockwood.

DET. HENRY DAVID
But, he did assist you from time to time with research?

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
Mr. Lockwood was very kind. He did, at times, run errands for me, help me with some data organization. He was very good with stats, charts, that sort of thing. Why the questions?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Professor, (exhales) is it possible to hypnotize someone to cause them to do something they wouldn’t normally do, like commit murder?

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
(perplexed) I don’t know any professional that would even consider doing such a thing.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
But, is it possible?

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
I suppose anything is possible given enough doing. Now, why all the questions?

DET. HENRY DAVID
The night of the murder, where were you?

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
(becoming angry) I explained that to Chief Lennox already. I was having dinner with some colleagues. We heard about the murder on the radio.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Why didn’t Professor Clark go with the rest of you? You were all from the same department. It was supposed to be a celebration. Who’s idea was it to carpool everyone that night?

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
I don’t think I like where this is going.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Would you prefer to have this talk here or downtown?

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
He was supposed to be finishing up some paperwork. He was about to take an extended medical leave, permanent actually. Cancer. Doctor had only given him a few weeks. He was trying to get class notes, grades, everything, up to date so that the rest of us could be able to pick up where he left off.

DET. HENRY DAVID
When was he due to leave?

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
He was planning to work through the weekend and then he’d be gone. This should all be in his personnel file if you need to check it out.

DET. HENRY DAVID
How long ago was he diagnosed?

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
He told me that when found out about a month ago. He told the Dean about it then, but he chose not to tell the department or his students until a couple of weeks ago.

DET. HENRY DAVID
But, he told you first?

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
It’s a rather complicated story, Detective. Thomas and I had something of a love/hate relationship. But, if you’re trying to ask if I had anything to do with his murder, the answer is no.

INT. HALLWAY OF HARDEN HALL DAY
Robert walks down the hall and walks back in to the Borden’s office.

INT. INSIDE PROFESSOR BORDEN’S OFFICE DAY
The door opens. Robert walks in unexpectedly.

ROBERT
Oh, sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt. (see Borden is angered) Are you alright, Professor Borden?

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
(frustrated) Yes, Robert, thank you. (hands him some files) Library file room. The librarian will know. And, after that, you can call it a day.

ROBERT
Okay.

Robert leaves, shutting the door behind him.

PROFESSOR CLARE BORDEN
Gentleman, I think I’ve had enough of your questions. (stands) Should you have any more questions for me, speak to my attorney.

INT. DET. HENRY DAVID’S PERSONAL OFFICE DAY
Chief and Henry sit looking over papers and reports that are on Henry’s desk as Deja walks in with a pot of coffee.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
But, how are we going to prove it? She has an alibi for the time of the murder, and hypnosis is a bit of hard defense to prove.

DEJA SIPHER
(pouring coffee into ceramic cups) Hot coffee, now, be careful.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(lifting the cup) Man, this sure beats the Styrofoam cups we’ve got at the station. (drinks) Um. And, tastes much better too. Thanks Ms. Sipher.

DEJA SIPHER
(finishing pouring, then sits with a steno pad) Well, thank you, Frank.

DET. HENRY DAVID
What about the kid’s calendar? Would that help us any? I know we’re not going to get the kid off for murder. He did it; he’ll do the time. I just want that broad to be in the cell next to him, if you know what I mean.

Deja looks at her steno pad but exhales loudly as if to get their attention. Both men look towards her.

DEJA SIPHER
Now, boys. I don’t think you’ve been looking at this quite closely enough. You’re trying to frame an innocent woman. If she had hypnotized Mr. Lockwood to kill Professor Clark, she wouldn’t have told you that a person can be hypnotized to remember events they’ve forgotten or that people can forget being hypnotized. She would have incriminated herself, given you a lead to follow. Besides, she had no reason to lie about any appointments with Mr. Lockwood the week before the murder. Three days a week, her office hours are two-to-five, a perfect explanation why she may have had an appointment with a student.

DET. HENRY DAVID
What did we miss, Aunt Deja?

DEJA SIPHER
Consider the night of the murder. According to the cleaning lady, Ms. Smith, Professor Clark had a habit of working late. He would need light to work, of course, and there was a window in his office. So, anyone who knew Professor Clark’s work habits or who simply saw the room light through the window regularly would know that Professor Clark usually worked quite late.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Um-hum.

DEJA SIPHER
Professor Borden even told you that she believes in hypnosis, that she’s researching it, talks about it all the time in class. Too much information for someone who doesn’t want you to discover a murder by hypnosis. She’d make her self the prime suspect.

DET. HENRY DAVID
And?

DEJA SIPHER
And, consider Mr. Lockwood’s calendar, appointments and due dates neatly printed except for the alleged appointments with Professor Borden, scribbled in longhand and looking as though they were written by someone in a great hurry. And, the night of the murder, Mr. Lockwood went through the side door of his dormitory, but using the front door would have been quicker. Lockwood was also taking the risk that no one would notice the side door blocked open with that brick and close it, leaving him outside without his key to the front door and no way to get back in the side door.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Well, sure, because he didn’t want anyone to know he was committing the murder.

DEJA SIPHER
But, there was hardly anyone at the dorm that night, Frank. He could have made it in and out the front door without any trouble. They were at the away game, except for Nick Tallas, the dorm leader. Nick, an avid gun user you might recall, was supposed to sound the alarm at nine-thirty, push a button and the doors were to automatically lock. Yet, according to your police reports, Frank, your officers were able to go right into Langley Hall after ten p.m. because the doors were not locked the night of the murder. And, I’d bet that the buzzer was not rung that night either. The books were doctored.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Why not ring the buzzer, lock the doors?

DEJA SIPHER
Because sounding the buzzer would have interfered with the hypnotic instruction triggered by Martin Lockwood’s alarm clock. This is a young man with classes and a part-time job. His alarm would be set early in the morning, not for nine-thirty pm like you found it, Henry. Particularly, when he’s a light sleeper and a loud buzzer goes off at nine-thirty. No, I think someone spent time training Martin Lockwood to respond to that alarm clock by waking and committing the murder of Professor Clark.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
But, why? There’s got to be a motive.

DEJA SIPHER
Henry’s notes regarding his conversation with Nick Tallas showed me that Nick had very high regard for Professor Borden’s theories, but very little regard for Professor Clark, saying, I believe, that the department would be better off with him gone? Perhaps murder wasn’t exactly the end goal, but part of a bigger plan. Perhaps Nick thought of Clark as a washed-up professor who was dying anyway—-Clark had told his students of his diagnosis, remember—-and used it as an opportunity to prove a theory, to prove the power of hypnosis. Nick was Lockwood’s roommate and Mr. Lockwood was a people pleaser who had few friends and was highly interested in psychology. He would have cooperated with Nick’s suggestion to try the hypnosis and, given the correct instructions, according to Professor Borden, would not remember any of it.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Where would Nick have learned how to do hypnosis?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Teacher always talking about it in class. I’m sure there’s been a demonstration or two. Maybe even some private coaching for a student that was such an admirer.

DET. HENRY DAVID
But, a student learning hypnosis well enough that he’d be able to hypnotize a person to murder someone? And, where did the gun come from?

DEJA SIPHER
I’m sure such an avid gun admirer as Mr. Tallas wouldn’t mind giving up just one gun in the name of research. And, he would have been in prime position to put the gun in place after the inspection but in time for the murder and to alter Mr. Lockwood’s calendar while the murder was being committed. Hum (sadly). Even in the name of research, I guess, always point the blame to someone else.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Hum. What do you think about having old Barnes, the police psychologist, hypnotize young Mr. Lockwood? See what he remembers.

DET. HENRY DAVID
(shakes his head yes) But, first, let’s go have a conversation with Nick Tallas.

INT. OUTSIDE LANGLEY HALL DAY
Chief and Henry walk into Langley Hall.

INT. INSIDE LANGLEY HALL-ENTRANCE ROOM DAY
Chief and Henry walk to the office. Robert is there, sorting mail.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Hey, uh… (struggles for name)

ROBERT
(turns around to Henry and Chief) Robert.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Yeah, sorry about that, kid. There was something I meant to ask you last time. Did you happen to see Martin Lockwood around here much the week before the murder?

ROBERT
Sometimes. He was really busy that week.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Any idea what he was doing?

ROBERT
Tutoring. Exams were coming.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Did he ever tutor Nick Tallas?

ROBERT
(laughs) Yeah, especially that week. Nick was a senior, wanted out. But, his grades last term weren’t so good and Nick told me that if he didn’t ace this term his averages wouldn’t be good enough to graduate. Martin was spending a lot of time helping Nick.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Where’s Nick now.

ROBERT
Gone. I was telling him about the two of you talking to Professor Borden and Nick got upset. Kept yelling at me, wanted to know what all of you were talking about. He didn’t like the fact that I didn’t know. He packed his bags pretty quick and ran out of here five, ten minutes ago. You may have passed him on the way in.

INT. ROAD NEAR UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS DAY
Officer #1 and #2 in one squad car pull over a black pick-up truck. The officers go up to the window as the driver, Nick Tallas, raises his hands.

INT. LOCKWOOD’S JAIL CELL DAY
DR. BARNES shakes Martin’s hand and gathers together a notepad and tape recorder, Officer #3 opens the jail cell door, Dr. Barnes leaves, and the door is closed again.

INT. CHIEF FRANK LENNOX’S PERSONAL OFFICE DAY
Dr. Barnes hands Chief a tape. Chief is standing by his desk. Henry is sitting.

DR. BARNES
I got everything you expected, Chief. I’ll have my notes to you by tomorrow evening.

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM DAY
Chief sits across from Nick Tallas, holding up a tape for Nick to see. Nick sits nervously as Chief mouths something to Nick. Nick then switches to a defeated position, slouched, his body bent over and his head down. After a brief moment, Nick shakes his head yes.

INT. INTERROGATION VIEWING ROOM DAY
Henry and Professor Borden watch Chief interview Nick.

PROFESSOR BORDEN
(quietly) I just can’t believe he would do such a thing.

DET. HENRY DAVID
Can you ever really know what someone is capable of?

THE END


written by Debra Phillips

This is a work of fiction.