Murder and Subsequent Assassination
by
Leon Tchaikovsky
When a pregnant virgin is murdered, events just get weirder. EXT. SKY ABOVE PLEASANT PASTURES BAY - NIGHTFALL
An eagle flies over Pleasant Pastures Bay towards Pleasant Pasture Dock. The leaves of trees are changing color for the Fall. The bay is pleasant and calm.
FBI Special Agent SIMON SIMON speaks.
SIMON (V.0.)
I feel my body as one with the eagle. We are two souls on a journey neither fully understands, yet together we know what must be done.
ext. pleasant pastures dock- continuous
The eagle lands next to a hose attached to a car exhaust. The eagle nudges the hose. The other end of the hose falls out of a window. The car is full of gas exhaust.
EXT. J EDGAR HOOVER BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
The J. Edgar Hoover Building is shown at nightfall. Someone has spray-painted the entrance sign reading “J. Edgar Hoover Justice Department Building” with an “In” before “Justice”.
INT. SPECIAL AGENTS OFFICES - J. EDGAR HOOVER BUILDING -
CONTINUOUS
Simon Simon, a handsome 23 year old, lies on the ground. His dress shirt is torn as Special Agent FABIAN LAGRANGE briskly applies chest compressions. A crowd of co-workers gather around. ALLISON WEATHERS, a secretary, cries.
FABIAN
God, no.
Simon briskly sits up.
The crowd is silent and does not react.
SIMON
I know what I must do.
EXT. PLEASANT PASTURES COUNTY SHERIFF BUILDING
The building is three quarters painted with an obvious break in the painting. One Sheriff’s patrol car sits with its hood open and steam coming out. Another Sheriff’s patrol car is on a jack with a missing tire.
INT. PLEASANT PASTURES COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT OFFICE -
EVENING
Simon walks around the empty office. He observes posters reading “NO LOUD TALKING / YOUR NEIGHBORS MAY BE SLEEPING / Courtesy Pleasant Pastures County Sheriff Department” and ‘KEEP OUR PAVED PARKING LOT CLEAN / USE TRASH CANS / Courtesy of the Pleasant Pastures County Sheriff Department”)
The flushing noise from a toilet occurs. A banging water pipe noise follows.
Sheriff KEITH OVERJOHN, a 25 year in a Sheriff’s uniform, walks from the bathroom.
KEITH
Why, Simon Simon, you left the excitement of Federal work
and here you are. I knew it would be weeks before Big
Brother could expend anyone to interfere in our local
affairs. Never expect to see you here like this.
SIMON
I haven’t seen you since graduation. You stole a Sheriff’s
car that night, and now you are the Sheriff.
KETIH
Technically, it was my daddy’s car.
SIMON
You always hated your father. Yet you followed in his
footsteps and became Sheriff.
KEITH
I beat him in the election.
SIMON
You really did hate him.
KEITH
I taught him something about elections. Let’s say the car
isn’t the only thing I stole from him.
SIMON
Anyway, to be fair, I wasn’t originally expecting to be
here
under these circumstances.
KEITH
It’s a shame, Aileen Farmer committing suicide. Don’t
know why the FBI is going to be getting involved.
SIMON
Alvin Farmer requested Federal assistance. He is an
advisor to Cabinet members.
KEITH
He is a major campaign contributor to Senators.
SIMON
Alvin Farmer believes it is murder.
KEITH
All the evidence points to suicide.
SIMON
I often find the solution to the most complex of cases is
an easy solution.
KEITH
Right now the easiest solution is it was a suicide.
SIMON
I am convinced his daughter was murdered.
KEITH
So Alvin has the political pull to bring in the FBI. Alvin
Farmer never did trust me.
SIMON
That is why I am here to protect you. As for Alvin,
you did steal his truck and resell the goods.
KEITH
That was some mighty fine valium his company makes.
SIMON
Makes me think there is something in the water here.
KEITH
I am sorry Aileen died. You two were sort of an item, as
much as a virgin should be an item.
SIMON
She headed the Virgin Promises program at the Church. But,
yes, she was the girl next door and we were friends since
toddlers. We slept in the same crib together as babies.
KEITH
Making you the only man she ever slept with. Which
is why I am glad for your help. I can’t comprehend someone
like that. I never wanted to have anything to do with any
woman who can’t give me something in return.
Keith opens a drawer. He pulls out a bumper sticker. The bumper sticker reads “Re-Elect Keith Overjohn JUNIOR (not senile Senior) Sheriff”. Keith hands it towards Simon.
SIMON
Sorry, you know I can’t touch that.
ext. pleasant pastures cemetery - night
Simon walks around a newly dug grave with a newly constructed headstone reading “Aileen Farmer / A Loving Sister and Devoted Daughter” with many floral arrangements.
The ghost of AILENN FARMER, a beautiful 25 year old, appears.
SIMON
Aileen!
AILEEN
I always knew we would see each other again.
SIMON
Although not these circumstances.
AILEEN
This is fine as long as it brings us together. Yet I
am worried.
SIMON
Worried?
AILEEN
What is your purpose?
SIMON
Justice.
AILEEN
Ah, yes. You were destined to a G man from childhood.
What good is justice? Nothing changes that I am
already dead.
SIMON
I seek justice for the living.
AILEEN
What if the truth only brings harm to the living?
SIMON
The living will learn the truth.
AILEEN
The justice might only be for you.
SIMON
Is that not enough, after how much we cared for each
other?
AILEEN
That is for you to answer. For us, there is a
different question.
EXT. SAMUEL CHEN’S HOUSE - DAY
The house is an upper middle class log cabin house with a porch. A is parked with one tire on the porch. The front door is open.
A sleeping dog wags its tail but does not move as Simon and Keith walk past.
INT. SAMUEL CHEN’S LIVING ROOM - DAY
Simon and Keith, wearing his Sheriff’s uniform walk through an open door into the living room of SAMUEL CHEN, a late 20s man. Samuel is asleep surrounded by drug needles, bags of cocaine, and bongs. Simon picks up a bag of cocaine.
SIMON
You gonna bust Sammy?
KEITH
Nah, the county needs its Coroner.
Keith places the bag of cocaine into a pants pocket.
KEITH
Besides, I sold him most of this stuff.
Keith gently kicks Samuel with his foot.
Samuel is groggy and slowly is waking up.
SAMUEL
What?
KEITH
We need your official report on the Alison Farmer
death.
SAMUEL
Yes, I received the autopsy results.
Samuel shuffles through a stack of papers. Some joints fall out from the papers.
SAMUEL
The party told me being Coroner would at most be work
once after four years. This is only four months and
already you are giving me paperwork. I should have
supported your father. Then I could still be
sleeping.
Samuel picks up some papers.
SAMUEL
I have ruled the death of Aileen Fisher as homicide.
KEITH
Homicide?
SIMON
I told you it was homicide.
SAMUEL
Granted, the official cause of death is asphyxiation
from gas fumes from a car exhaust into her
automobile.
KEITH
Sounds like suicide to me.
SIMON
There was no suicide note.
SAMUEL
Lab results indicate she was so full of valium that
she was unconscious at least four hours
prior to her death. Since the stamp on the entrance
of her car into the parking area indicates her car
arrived two hours prior to her death, I conclude
someone drove her to the site of her
death and then attached the hose that killed her.
SIMON
It looks like there is going to be lots of paperwork.
EXT. FARMER MANSION - DAY
The Farmer Mansion casts an eery grey feeling. The grounds of weeping willows intensive the eternal somber mood.
INT. FARMER MANSION - DAY
Simon and Keith gasp at the eloquence of the Farmer mansion.
KEITH
You should have married her. Who cares about
virginity when the final reward is so good?
ALVIN FARMER, wearing expensive business clothes, walks down a stairways. Alvin walks towards Keith and Simon.
ALVIN
The attentiveness of the criminal justice
machinations is regarded with swelter and profound
admiration.
KEITH
Huh?
SIMON
Mr. Farmer is glad to see you.
KEITH
(whispers to Simon)
I take it back. That bitch wasn’t worth this.
ALVIN
My null hypothesis has consistently concluded with 95
percent certainty that Aileen was a victim of
homicidal activities.
KEITH
What made you sure?
ALVIN
Doth the wind not comprehend the air? Does not a
father not know his own daughter?
KEITH
Many daughters keep secrets from their parents.
ALVIN
But not their killers. That is a secret a daughter
consolidates in dialogue with a father.
KEITH
Then who killed Aileen?
ALVIN
Well, I don’t actually know. She was murdered before
she could notify me regaridng her mortal predicament.
Awkward how that precipitates.Yet I conclusively, within 95 percent certainty, cognizant she was murdered.
KEITH
Do you have any evidence?
ALVIN
Is not the grief of a father who has lost his only
daughter to the clutches of agents of Hades enough
for you, the deliverer of criminal justice
retribution to whom I delivered substantial campaign
contributions?
KEITH
Even so, the judicial system does require evidence,
as well as the name of a suspect.
ALVIN
Ah, yes, a suspect. I guess retribution requires a
villain for the administration of retribution.
KEITH
Who do you suspect murdered Aileen?
ALVIN
That is the purview of my betrothed.
(shouting to the upstairs living areas)
Beatrice, it would be illuminating if you would
present yourself to the investigator of criminal
justice.
(whispering to Keith)
It is my admonishment that my spouse has suffered
emotional trauma to the death of our daughter. You
need to partake of sufficient forewarning to her
generally unique traumatic response.
BEATRICE FARMER, a buxom and attractive woman in her late 40s, walks down the stairwell. She is nude. She is near collapse and is held by WADSWORTH FARMER, her 19 year old son.
Wadsworth helps Beatrice sit in a chair.
WADSWORTH
Hi, I’m her son, Wadsworth. My mother is
slightly under the weather. Please forgive
her appearance as clothing appears to agitate
her.
Keith whisper to Simon.
KEITH
I wish my wife had the condition.
BEATRICE
I beg your pardon for my ghastly appearance. I was
not expecting company and have not yet been able to
wash my hair, but with the grief over the murder of
my daughter.
KEITH
Why are you certain Aileen was murdered?
Beatrice sobs uncontrollably.
BEATRICE
A mother knows these things.
KEITH
Do you suspect anyone?
BEATRICE
Henry Orville.
KEITH
Why Henry Orville?
Beatrice stops sobbing. She looks seriously towards Keith.
BEATRICE
A mother knows these things.
INT. HENRY ORVILLE’S APARTMENT - DAY
Keith and Simon enter an open door. The apartment has numerous posters and paintings depicting images of death and suffering.
KEITH
Henry Orville? Your door is open.
Keith and Simon view some depraved art work.
KEITH
This is the type guy Aileen was
into?
Keith looks at a picture of people carving and eating other
people.
KEITH
Maybe you dodged a bullet.
The sounds of a muffled voice are heard from the next room.
Keith and Simon run towards the sound.
INT. HENRY ORVILLE’S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUD
Keith and Simon find KEITH ORVILLE, a 25 year old male with dyed black hair, tied and gagged to a chair.
Keith removes the gap. Keith begins untying Henry.
KEITH
Mr. Orville, are you alright?
HENRY
I was until you came busting in.
Do I bust in on your bondage time?
Keith appears confused.
KEITH
Ahh..I don’t have bondage time.
HENRY
You should. You tie yourself in
paperwork when ropes are more fun.
KEITH
You weren’t robbed?
HENRY
No, I paid extra for this.
Keith finished untying Henry. He drops the ropes in confusion.
KEITH
I am here to ask you some questions
about Aileen Farmer.
HENRY
I’d like to confess to murdering Aileen Farmer.
Keith smiles at Simon.
KEITH
This was easy.
Keith looks towards Henry.
KEITH
Why did you kill Aileen Farmer?
HENRY
Oh, I only want to confess to her
murder. I didn’t kill her.
KEITH
I don’t understand.
HENRY
I would prefer if you would beat a
confession out of me, but I can prove
I didn’t kill Aileen.
KEITH
How can you do that?
HENRY]
The day she died, I was several
time zones away at a taping of the
Tonight Show. You can ever see me
shaking hands with Jay Leno.
KEITH
I’ll check your alibi.
HENRY
You’ll love the opening monologue.
KEITH
How long were you and Aileen dating?
HENRY
Thirteen months.
KEITH
Would it be fair to describe your
relationship as sexual?
HENRY
Sexual? As in intercourse? I should
say not.
KEITH
Then how would you say it?
HENRY
Just the usual, restaurants, walks
on the beach, then she would tie me
up and burn me with wax. I guess that
could be called sexual.
KEITH
But no intercourse?
HENRY
Of course not, silly. I had Aileen
pummel my penis so it doesn’t work.
KEITH
Of course, silly me.
HENRY
Aileen was a defender of virginity.
I received a Medal of Honor in that
battle.
KEITH
Who do you think killed her?
HENRY
I don’t know. Probably her new boyfriend.
KEITH
Who was that?
HENRY
She wouldn’t say. I wanted her to hurt me,
but not like that.
KEITH
What did she say about this new boyfriend?
HENRY
Nothing. All she said was she had to devote
all to him and she could never see me again.
KEITH
If you think of anything else, let us know.
HENRY
See, I had motive. I wanted her dead for
leaving me. Please, beat a confession out
of me, I deserve it.
KEITH
I’m leaving now.
HENRY
POLICE BRUTALITY! POLICE BRUTALITY!
THEY WON’T BEAT ME!
ITN. KEITH’S SHERIFF’S OFFICE - DAY
Keith sits in his chair throwing a stress ball into the air.
Simon paces around the room.
KEITH
The boyfriend was perfect. It’s always
a husband or boyfriend. He was crazy
enough to do it. He even confessed,
Keith is angry and throw the stress ball against the wall.
KEITH
What are odds the perfect suspect has an
alibi verified on national television?
Samuel enters. Samuel is smoking a marijuana cigarette.
SAMUEL
Hey, I have some news on the Aileen
Farmer autopsy. I got some DNA results.
KEITH
DNA?
SAMUEL
Oh, didn’t I tell you? Your
virgin queen was pregnant.
ALVIN
No, and something like that is
kind of important.
SAMUEL
Here is the odd thing. The DNA
can’t find the father.
ALVIN
What do you mean?
SAMUEL
The fetus. It matched Aileen as
both the mother and the father.
Samuel takes a long drag on his joint.
SAMUEL
Isn’t that crazy?
EXT. OUTSIDE SHERIFF’S OFFICE - TWILIGHT
Simon walks around deep in thought.
A shadowy figure appears from the woods next to the Sheriff’s office. As it gets closer, Simon sees it is Aileen’s ghost.
AILEEN
There is more concern about my
welfare after I died than when I
was alive.
SIMON
They found the fetus.
AILEEN
If things had been different,
it could have been yours.
SIMON
Life has a cruel tendency to
interfere with life.
AILEEN
As does death.
SIMON
They’re a bit slow, but they are
going to find your killer.
AILEEN
I hope they don’t.
Aileen turns towards the forest. She walks away from Simon,
Aileen stops. She turns around to face Simon.
AILEEN
I couldn’t control my life when I
was alive. I can’t expect to do
so in death.
INT. FARRANCONIA’S LIVING ROOM - DAY
FARRANCONIA WILSON, a 25 year old with pulled back hair and a long dress, kneels on the floor praying to a circle of candles. Her room is decorated with religious crosses and burning
candles.
Simon and Keith stand patiently behind her.
FARRANCONIA
Amalanacomniacramon...
Keith nudges Simon.
KEITH
She’s speaking in tongues.
Farranconia is disturbed by this sound interruption.
FARRANCONIA
Auugggh! Now where was I...
Iacromonextasias...
KEITH
Sorry, to interrupt, hope you
pick up from “extasias”. I need
to ask you questions.
FARRANCONIA
And I need to see to it that dark
forces do not rule the Earth.
KEITH
Well, it seems a dark force has
already murdered your best friend.
FARRANCONIA
Don’t you think I already know that?
KEITH
You are Farranconia Wilson, correct?
FARRANCONIA
Yes.
KEITH
How would you describe your
relationship with Aileen Farmer?
FARRANCONIA
We were lovers.
KEITH
Say again?
FARRANCONIA
Right before she died, she broke
up with that weasel boyfriend of
hers, and she became all mine!
KEITH
Were you aware Aileen was pregnant?
FARRANCONIA
Very much so. The child was mine.
Keith shrugs disbelief towards Simon.
KEITH
You saying you were the father?
FARRANCONIA
Of course not. That would be
ridiculous.
KEITH
Then who was the father?
FARRANCONIA
God was the father.
Keith stumbles for words.
KEITH
Of course. That wouldn’t be
ridiculous.
FARRANCONIA
Aileen was going to deliver a
virgin birth, and we were going
to raise the child together.
KEITH
So your relationship with Aileen
Farmer was not sexual?
FARRANCONIA
Oh, we had oral sex all the time.
KETIH
Do you know anyone who may have
wanted to harm Aileen?
FARRANCONIA
Certainly. I know who killed her.
KEITH
Who?
FARRANCONIA
The devil.
KEITH
Might you think of anyone else?
FARRANCONIA
I forgot to say my prayers that
day. The devil saw to it that our
child would never be born.
KEITH
Can you think of anyone on Earth
who may have had a grudge with Aileen
Farmer?
FARRANCONIA
Oh, the devil walks on this Earth.
EXT. THE FARMER MANSION - TWILIGHT
Much of the lawn has been unattended as weeds have shot up. A bright red rose grown in the midst of the weeds.
INT. THE FARMER MANSION - CONTINUOUS
Wadsworth guides Keith inside the main room. Simon follows them.
WADSWOTH
I am sorry that my mother is unable
to speak with you. She is getting better.
She almost put shoe on this morning.
KEITH
I had a few more questions. I was
wondering if the family knew who that
father of Aileen’s baby was.
Wadsworth turns white. He appears faint and collapses, grabbing onto the air of a chair to keep from falling. He sits in the chair.
WADSWORTH
Aileen was....pregnant?
KEITH
Why, yes. I am sorry. I
presumed the family knew.
Wadsworth holds back tears. Wadsworth takes a deep breath and creates a normal face.
WADSWORTH
Why, no, I didn’t know.
KEITH
Do you know if she had any
male companions, other than
Henry Orville?
WADSWORTH
I should think Henry was more than
enough for my sister.
KEITH
We are not convinced Henry was the
father. Do you have any idea who
could have father is?
WADSWORTH
How would I know?
BEATRICE (O.S.)
I know who the father is.
Beatrice enters the room. She is naked.
KEITH
Mrs. Farmer, you look...never mind.
BEATRICE
Why have you not arrested that ghastly
Henry Orville?
KEITH
He has an alibi for the murder.
BEATRICE
Murderers always do, don’t they?
KEITH
We are wondering who got Aileen
pregnant. We don’t hold Henry high
on that list, either.
BEATRICE
I don’t see what one has to do with
the other.
KEITH
It could give us a motive.
BEATRICE
Aileen was our town’s leading statue
of virginity. I don’t see how destroying
her reputation with that pregnancy
nonsense is of anyone’s concern.
KEITH
M’am, we want to find your daughter’s
murderer.
BEATRICE
That won’t bring her back. I am here
to defend her from character assassination.
KEITH
You said you know who the father is.
BEATRICE
I did.
KEITH
Then who is the father?
BEATICE.
God impregnated my daughter.
Beatrice holds her head high.
BEATRICE (continued)
It was the will and power of
God that planted a child inside
my virgin daughter.
