Film Noir - The Script - Final Draft

The Black Death

Draft 4

Written By

Fern Clark, Gemma Clear and Natasha Crozier

FADE IN

BEGIN TITLES

 Montage sequence of shots of things of significance later on in the film, Case files on the detective’s desk, smoking, liquor, a gun, shots through distorting glass, reflections.

END TITLES

1.   INT. DINING ROOM – NIGHT

Scene opening in an old dining room in a posh house decorated in a grand and lavish fashion. In the centre of the room there’s a dining table, around which are the characters; MRS PENELOPE HAYWORTH, COLONEL JACK HOLMES and MISS ELIZA LEIGH, the beautiful, femme fatale.

All of the guests are holding drinks, talking and laughing generally enjoying themselves until PENELOPE notices DR BLACK’s absence and breaks off mid-conversation to remark upon this.

PENELOPE

Where the devil has Dr. Black gotten to?

The guests look at each other quizzically before ELIZA rises gracefully from her chair, slinking elegantly towards the door. She opens the door slightly, holding it ajar, then turns around to face her fellow diners

ELIZA

You folks just enjoy your drinks, I’m sure he can’t have gone far.

ELIZA exits and the other guests turn back to their conversation. Seconds later a bloodcurdling scream is heard as ELIZA bursts through the door into the dining hall, shutting the door she leans against it.

ELIZA

It’s Dr. Black... He’s dead!

DISSOLVE TO:

2.   INT. DETECTIVE STEEL’S OFFICE – NIGHT

DETECTIVE STEEL is alone in his office, his blinds casting heavy shadows on the wall behind him, reviewing the case of the murder of Dr Black. As he types out his notes, he drinks from a crystal tumbler full of whiskey.

DETECTIVE STEEL (V.O.)

Detective Steel. Licence Number: 6620. Private Investigator. I am reviewing the case of Dr Black’s dinner party. The site of the murder.
A murder that made me some dough, got my partner shot and filled with lies, corruption and deception.

The Detective continues to type and go through his notes when the phone rings. He takes the call, swivelling in his chair looking pensive and with a few mumbles of agreement puts down the receiver, grabs his coat and leaves.

3. EXT. ALLEYWAY – NIGHT

The Detective is loitering under a harsh street light, awaiting the arrival of Miss Eliza Leigh. He takes a few drags of his cigarette before stubbing it out as he sees her approach.

MISS LEIGH
Evening, Detective.

DETECTIVE STEEL
Miss Leigh; why did you call me here?

MISS LEIGH

That terrible murder of Dr Black
[beat]
The poor dear, he was a close friend of mine-

DETECTIVE STEEL
(interrupting)
You were the one who found him right?

MISS LEIGH
Why yes, I excused myself for a moment and found him dead in the drawing room... It was a horrid shock-

DETECTIVE STEEL
(accusatorially)
And what exactly were you doing snooping around Dr Black's house?


MISS LEIGH
Snooping?

MISS LEIGH breaks off momentarily to give a slight, but humourless laugh

MISS LEIGH
(CONT’D)
I was looking for the rest room, his house is sooo big; it's easy for a girl to get lost.

DETECTIVE STEEL
Is there any reason you called me here tonight Miss Leigh, I am quite busy.

MISS LEIGH
Detective, you don't have any time for me? I just wanted to see if you'd found anything out yet... and a girl needs a place to feel safe for the night-

DETECTIVE STEEL
(interrupting in a bored tone)
Then I suggest staying with someone who isn't searching for a murderer.

With a final glace at MISS LEIGH, DETECTIVE STEEL moves swiftly past her leaving MISS LEIGH alone in the alleyway looking disgruntled

FADE OUT TO BLACK