MURDER by DECEPTION (Screenplay) WARNING: ROUGH LANGUAGE
MURDER BY DECEPTION (Screenplay) WARNING: ROUGH LANGUAGE
The excerpt of the script may be read for free below. The full script can be purchased for Kindle at amazon.com or as a hard copy directly from Gregory J. Lavelle by calling at (440) 724-4538 or emailing at . Royalties to produce the work are negotiable.
Murder by Deception is a thriller. Terri and Chelsea are twin sisters. Chelsea, who has had a checkered past, impulsively marries Dan, a man who is supposedly on his way to Harvard Law School. Dan, however, turns out to be a convicted sex offender. His entire life story is a lie and a one million dollar life insurance policy has been taken out on Chelsea. When Terri uncovers the real identity of Dan and of the purchase of the life insurance policy, she tries to warn Chelsea. Chelsea then disappears. Terri frantically tries to get the police to take her seriously, but is ignored. Finally, when evidence of murder is found in Chelsea and Dan’s home, Dan is arrested. Chelsea’s torso is discovered. Dan is released on bail and Terri must then run for her life. SPOILER ALERT: Remainder of Plot Summary at the end of the script.
SCENE 1
The scene opens on the street in a seedy section of a city. The camera focuses on a group of young, tough-looking Hispanic men playing “find the orange” on top of a table set on the street. Three cups are being manipulated, the game being to guess which cup the orange is hidden under. Money is being passed and the men are laughing. The eyes of one of the men look up and a lustful look is seen on his face. The camera swings to Terri, a professional-casual dressed slim blond woman in her early thirties who is walking toward the men. She glances at the game in progress and rolls her eyes as she passes. The men look and watch her as she passes. The camera focuses at the point of the gaze of the men, her swaying backside in her form fitting skirt. As the attention of the men is distracted, a hand swipes the orange from under the cups.
The camera focuses on Terri as she enters a seedy diner. She looks around.
The camera focuses on the COUNTERMAN, a dark-looking beefy man in early forties who walks out from behind the counter to greet TERRI.
COUNTERMAN
(in a rough, but friendly tone) You gotta be shittin’ me, Terri. You can’t honestly believe that Chelsea’s ever gonna be on time. Chelsea runs on Chelsea time ----- and Chelsea rules.
TERRI
(with a slight sigh) Yeah, I know.
COUNTERMAN
And as much as I need the business, I gotta tell you, you shouldn’t even be in this neighborhood --- You’ve been coming down here for three years meeting her and most of the times giving her money ---
Their conversation is interrupted by loud arguing in Spanish.
CUT TO THE STREET
The camera focuses on the angry face of one of the men. One cup is in the hand of the dealer. The angry man swats the other two cups and there is nothing under them. He lunges at the other man with a knife. A fight ensues with screaming in Spanish being heard.
CUT TO THE DINER
The counterman leaves Terri and heads for the door, muttering.
COUNTERMAN
(sarcastically) Great. Today we get lunch and a show.
CUT TO STREET
Two men are shown chasing a third man down the street. The table is overturned and oranges roll down the street
CUT TO DINER
COUNTERMAN
(shaking his head) Talk about idiots. They know the guy cheats and they keep playing. (pause) Almost as stupid as you expecting Chelsea to show up on time. (a long sigh) Chicken club and iced tea?
TERRI
(with a soft laugh) Yeah.
COUNTERMAN
(turns to go back to the counter, but turns around) You know, you’re gonna end up dead because of her.
TERRI
(laughing) I’m a big girl.
COUNTERMAN
Why can’t she come to see you? It’s only fair, cause you always pay.
TERRI
(not really believing what she is saying) Chelsea’d be uncomfortable in the city. And it costs money for her to come down ---
CUT TO CLOSE UP OF COUNTERMAN’S FACE
Look of disdain and disgust.
COUNTERMAN
She should spend some of her money every once in a while. Oh, she tells you she doesn’t have it, but she does. She has money for those rings on her hands and that coke up her nose.
TERRI
You don’t know that.
COUNTERMAN
You’re right, I don’t know that like I could prove it in court, but, trust me, Terri, I know that.
CUT TO TERRI
TERRI
What do you have against Chelsea?
COUNTERMAN
(walking up closer to TERRI) What do I have against Chelsea? (with sarcasm) How can I put this delicately? (leans toward Terri and in a softer voice) Chelsea is a cunt.
TERRI
(dismissing) Chelsea can be a little rough around the edges at times.
COUNTERMAN
(with an exaggerated roll of the head and eyes) Rough around the edges? Jesus, God, you gotta be kidding me. She’s bad enough when you’re around, but, holy shit, when you’re not ---
TERRI
(defensively) Chelsea’s had a tough life.
COUNTERMAN
(incredulous) She’s had a tough life? How is it that’s that not her fault? You’re identical twins. Same parents. Same genes. (sarcastic) Oh, yeah, I forgot. She’s the one who was raised by wolves.
TERRI
(softly) Well, we’re not exactlyidentical.
COUNTERMAN
(under his breath, sarcastic) Don’t I know it.
TERRI
(uncomfortable) Chelsea has a birth mark.
COUNTERMAN
(with pursed lips and a “Yeah. So?” look) BFD.
TERRI
(pressing) It’s a big port-wine stain right across her middle. Kids were so mean. They’d call her “Stainey Janey”. They’d play with me and not with her.
COUNTERMAN
(flippantly) Maybe they just recognized evil when they saw it. -- The sign of the devil. (looks up toward the door) And speak of
CUT TO CHELSEA
Chelsea walks into the diner. She looks exactly like Terri, except that her hair is a bit darker and longer. She wears too-tight jeans and a ratty black top with no midriff showing.
CHELSEA
(to COUNTERMAN) Cheeseburger platter, not burnt and not raw either. And, Hon, be a sport, use thisyear’s grease on the fries.
Counterman gets a look of disgust and walks back toward the counter.
CUT TO CLOSE UP OF CHELSEA’S FACE
Chelsea sits and leans toward Terri. She has a look of delight of her face as if she was going to burst.
TERRI
(baffled by Chelsea’s Cheshire Cat smile) What? What’s the big news?
CHELSEA
(in almost a giggle) I met a guy in Las Vegas.
TERRI
(proddingly) Yeah?
CHELSEA
(a long pause and a gleeful shake of the head) I married ‘im.
TERRI
(shocked) Married him! How long did you know him?
CHELSEA
(with a flip attitude) Just met him. Met him on Thursday. Married him on Sunday.
TERRI
Good God, Chelsea. What do you even know about this guy?
(Chelsea giggles and holds her hands about a foot and a half apart)
(aghast) God, Chelsea, that’s not a reason to marry a guy you don’t even know!
CHELSEA
(flippantly) I found what I wanted and I latched on. (makes a grabbing motion with her fist)
CUT TO FACE OF TERRI
Terri reacts to the “visual” of Chelsea grabbing the man’s penis.
CUT TO FACE OF CHELSEA
CHELSEA
(laughs, noting Terri’s reaction) No, not that, HIM. I met him and I grabbed him. Terr, he has plans. He’s got a future, not like all the other guys I seem to get stuck with. He’s going to be a lawyer. He’s going to Harvard.
TERRI
(not mean) You’re kidding me, right?
CHELSEA
(a bit offended) No, I’m not kidding. He graduated from UNLV, magna cum something and he’s going to Harvard law.
TERRI
(incredulous) Harvard law school?
CHELSEA
Yeah, he’s got some kind of scholarship ---- and the government pays a part. He was in the Navy for a while.
TERRI
How old is this guy?
CHELSEA
Twenty-eight.
TERRI
What’s his name?
CHELSEA
Dan Walker.
TERRI
So, did you check him out on the Net?
CHELSEA
No. I don’t need to know anything else.
TERRI
Jesus, Chelsea, you always check guys out. (shocked) This time, you don’t after getting a story like that from some guy at a bar in Las Vegas.
CHELSEA
It wasn’t at a bar. It was in the casino.
TERRI
(a roll of the eyes) How could you not check the guy out? You always check ‘em out.
CHELSEA
(seeming suddenly sad and vulnerable) And what’s it got me? You know I’ve never had luck with guys. They come and they promise, they get what they want and then they’re gone. --- Terri, I’m thirty-two and look at me. I’ve got nothing. I thought I was going to be an actress and what did that get me? Then I was going to settle down and get a real job and the company closes down –
TERRI
Chel, that was ten years ago. You just haven’t stuck with anything – or anybody since. God, Chelsea, who could you marry a guy and not check him out?
CHELSEA
(turnings slightly away and lowering her voice) Maybe I just don’t want to know. Maybe if this isn’t real, I just won’t care anymore – about anything. (stretches her hand across the table to Terri) Don’t you think for just this once, I’m due to get a break.
TERRI
(worried, not sincere) Yeah, yeah, I guess you are.
FADE
SCENE 2
CUT TO TERRI DRIVING AND TALKING ON HER CELL PHONE
TERRI
Guess what Chelsea did?
SCENE SHIFTS BETWEEN TERRI IN HER CAR AND DAVID, HER HUSBAND IN HIS OFFICE
David is seated at a desk in a prestigious looking office. He is in his late thirties and handsome, six feet tall with brown eyes and brown hair. He is wearing a shirt and expensive power tie.
DAVID
(listening, his face shows disbelief) Chelsea got married? (with a slight derisive laugh) Who’s the victim, Biker Bob? The tool guy?
TERRI
Dan Walker?
DAVID
Dan Walker? Who the hell is Dan Walker?
TERRI
I have no idea --- and I don’t think Chelsea does either. He’s some guy she met in Vegas. He’s supposedly going to HarvardLawSchool.
DAVID
(sarcasticly) Harvard Law? Yeah, that’s Chelsea’s type. How’d she meet him? Was he defending her for knocking over a bank?
TERRI
(a bit irked) Come on, David, maybe she got lucky this time --- (cut to David’s expression) (cut to Terri who realizes that she has give the “straight line” for a retort) I know what you’re going to say --- so don’t. Come on, be happy for her. I want to throw her a party – a wedding shower.
DAVID
Come on, Terri, get real. You throw a wedding shower before a wedding, not after. Why don’t we wait a couple of weeks and throw her a divorce shower.
TERRI
(hurt, sarcastic) Very funny.
DAVID
Besides, who would we invite. Our friends wouldn’t come. And her friends I wouldn’t want in our house.
TERRI
(with a frustrated sigh) Couldn’t we just invite them over for dinner?
DAVID
I guess.
CUT TO CHELSEA ON THE PHONE IN HER KITCHEN
Chelsea is at the kitchen counter making dinner while Dan is seated at the table. He is about five foot eight, unshaven and mousey looking. He is wearing a white t-shirt (wife-beater) and is reading a newspaper.
CHELSEA
(into phone) No, I really don’t think so. We got a lot to do; setting up the household and all. Maybe in a couple of weeks. (pauses, listening) Yeah, sure. I promise.
DAN
(looking up from his paper) Who was that?
CHELSEA
My sister. She wanted us to come over for dinner, but I didn’t think you’d want to go.
DAN
I wouldn’t mind. … Really.
CUT TO DINER
Terri is walking into the diner. She looks around for a second and laughs to herself. Counterman approaches carrying a plate and a diet coke.
TERRI
Hi. How’s it going?
COUNTERMAN
(flippantly with a laugh) Only been shot at this twice this week, so pretty good. (he sets down the plate and diet coke)
TERRI
(looking up, puzzled) What’s this?
COUNTERMAN
(with an expression of amazement) Your order. Chelsea already ordered (pauses for effect) and paid. (with more amazement) and with a tip … A goodtip. (motions toward the ladies’ room) She’s in the john. (with a chuckle) Who changed her meds?
TERRI
Her husband. She got married.
COUNTERMAN
(joking) I gottta get me some meds like that.
TERRI
No meds, really. She’s just high on love.
COUNTERMAN
No shit? Wow. What a change. She was actually nice. Not phony nice for your benefit.
TERRI
See. I kept telling you she’s not all bad.
COUNTERMAN
Hey, I hope it lasts.
Chelsea comes up to the table.
TERRI
Hi, Chel. Thanks for the lunch.
CHELSEA
(a bit embarrassed) It’s about time, isn’t it? (turns to Counterman) (good naturedly) Go ahead, tell her. It’s about time. (Counterman shrugs, laughs and walks off)
TERRI
So, how about you two meeting us for dinner Saturday night?
CHELSEA
Nah. Dan’s got to work.
TERRI
On Saturday night?!
CHELSEA
He needs to work all he can so that we can afford to move. (pause) But, don’t worry. We’ll get together before we go.
TERRI
Why are you moving?
CHELSEA
(kidding, rhetorical) Do you think Harvard is going to move to us?
TERRI
When are you moving?
CHELSEA
A couple of weeks.
TERRI
But, its June. Classes can’t be starting until around the end of August, if not later.
CHELSEA
Dan wants to get settled in early, so that we don’t have to rush. (glowing) We’re going to share this place in Connecticut with his uncle.
TERRI
(pauses, puzzled) Connecticut? Chelsea, Harvard is in Boston ---- Massachusetts.
CHELSEA
(taken aback, puzzled) Uh, well --- it’s all close up there. Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont.
FADE OUT/FADE IN TO TERRI ON HER PHONE IN THE CAR
Terri, holding her phone, bites her lip waiting for the phone to be answered.
SCENE SHIFTS BETWEEN DAVID AND TERRI
DAVID
(working at his desk, he picks up his phone) Yello. Hi. Hon. What’s up?
TERRI
There’s something wrong.
DAVID
Wrong with what?
TERRI
The Dan – Harvard story.
DAVID
Like what?
TERRI
Chel said they’re moving to Connecticut so that he can go to Harvard. Harvard is in Boston. That makes no sense.
DAVID
Where in Connecticut?
TERRI
She didn’t say. She just said that they’d be sharing a place in Connecticut with Dan’s uncle.
DAVID
(pauses to think) Well, then that does make sense. Do you know how much it costs to rent in Boston? --- A ton. If they can live cheap or free with his uncle, it would be worth an hour commute or so.
TERRI
(not convinced) It just doesn’t sound right. Why go up there now? Why just take off? ---- I don’t like it. He’s up to something.
DAVID
(laughs) Up to what? What in the hell does Chelsea have that is worth anything? She rents that hovel she lives in. Her car is worth maybe a buck and a half. Aha. I got it. He’s a world famous tupperware bandit. Come on, Terri, ditch the paranoia. There is not a dime he can get out of Chelsea.
CUT TO INSURANCE OFFICE
Chelsea and Dan are seated in front of the desk of an insurance agent. A name plate on the desk says, Bob Westbrook. Dan appears nervous, looking around the walls and back to Chelsea.
CHELSEA
(in a harsh whisper) Stop acting like you’re at a funeral. (Dan winces)
Insurance agent, Bob Westbrook enters the office and greets Dan and Chelsea who rise.
WESTBROOK
Sorry to keep you waiting. Had to take a phone call. (reaches out To shake Chelsea’s hand) How are you doing, Chelsea?
CHELSEA
Great, Uncle Bob. Uncle Bob, this is my husband, Dan.
WESTBROOK
(believing she is kidding) Husband? When did this happen?
CHELSEA
(sounding a bit giddy) Two weeks ago.
WESTBROOK
Oh? How long have you two been seeing each other?
CHELSEA
Two weeks.
WESTBROOK
(surprised, acting if he is being put on) Really?
CHELSEA
We met in Las Vegas. It was love at first sight.
WESTBROOK
(trying to be light-hearted, but still skeptical) Really. (half to himself) Huh. (to Chelsea) What brings you down to see me?
DAN
(a pause) (elbowed by Chelsea) Uh, we want to get some life insurance.
CHELSEA
Yeah.
WESTBROOK
(skeptical) Oh, very good. This is really the best time. A lot of people your age don’t think about life insurance – and then its too late. (still trying to size up the situation) Uh, there are a number of options; term – whole life. It all depends on your circumstances and needs.