Script enigma
- 1. Created using Celtx INT. NEW YORK. EASTWALD COLLEGE. CARTER AINSWORTH'S OFFICE. EVENING. The office is small and has dark wood interior. It is extremely neat and organised. CARTER (twenty-eight, tall with dark hair and light eyes, dressed in a suit) sits at his desk frowning at the papers surrounding him before looking up at the sound of knocking on his door. CARTER Come in. DETECTIVE MASON (middle aged, tall and widely built, dressed in a suit) opens the door and walks in which causes CARTER to stiffen as he organises the papers on his desk. DETECTIVE MASON Evening professor, I'm here to ask you some questions about your missing student (beat) if that's ok with you. CARTER stands and motions his arm for DETECTIVE MASON to take a seat. CARTER Of course DETECTIVE, please, take a seat. DETECTIVE MASON nods at CARTER and takes a seat on the opposite side of him. DETECTIVE MASON Thank-you. CARTER takes a seat and loosens his tie from around his neck. CARTER So DETECTIVE, how can I help? DETECTIVE MASON I just wanted to ask some questions about HARLOW'S behaviour leading up to her disappearance. CARTER nods in response with a monotonous expression on his face. DETECTIVE MASON Did you notice anything different
- 2. 2. Created using Celtx about her surrounding that time? CARTER thinks about the question and shifts in his seat as DETECTIVE MASON looks at him stoically. CARTER Now I think about it she did become more reserved during lessons. (beat) but teenagers are hard to read, especially the girls with their hormones. CARTER smirks at his own comment which causes DETECTIVE MASON to raise his eyebrows. DETECTIVE MASON I have two daughters around the same age, trust me I understand that. (beat) So there was nothing significantly out of the ordinary? CARTER Unfortunately theres nothing else I can think of that would help Detective, I wish I could do more. DETECTIVE MASON stands up and smiles at CARTER which causes CARTER to also stand. DETECTIVE MASON Well thank you for your time PROFESSOR, if something else comes to mind my number is on this card. DETECTIVE MASON hands a small card over to CARTER in which he takes with a smile. CARTER I wouldn't hesitate. DETECTIVE MASON begins to walk towards the office door and waves CARTER off before exiting. CARTER immediately slumps down into his chair with a worried expression on his face before hastily typing on his keyboard. INT. NEW YORK. MANHATTAN. LEXA'S CAR. NIGHT. BLAKE (nineteen, long brown curly hair with bright green eyes) and LEXA (nineteen, long dark hair and brown eyes) sit silently as LEXA drives into the city, LEXA turns to look at
- 3. 3. Created using Celtx BLAKE and then back to the road ahead. BLAKE stares into the distance as she fiddles with the hem of her t-shirt. EXT. NEW YORK. EASTWALD COLLEGE TRACK FIELD. DAY. FLASHBACK. The field is empty other than BLAKE and HARLOW who lay in in the middle. BLAKE and HARLOW (nineteen, tall with long blonde hair and blue eyes) lay on their backs on the grass, both looking up to the sky. BLAKE Do you want to go and catch a movie tonight? They are doing a one of viewing of the Exorcist down town. BLAKE rolls onto her side to face HARLOW and props her head up with her arm, waiting for her HARLOW'S response. HARLOW turns her head to look at BLAKE with a monotonous expression on her face. HARLOW (sigh) I can't babe, I have that contemporary art project due next week (beat) and professor Ainsworth agreed to help. BLAKE sighs at HARLOW'S words and slumps back down onto her back and continues to look up at the sky. LEXA keeps her eyes on BLAKE'S movements before diverting her eye contact with a frown. BLAKE You spend all of your free time in that classroom, I just miss you. INT. NEW YORK. MANHATTAN. LEXA'S CAR. NIGHT. BLAKE jolts as LEXA opens the car door to exit the drivers side of the car. LEXA Are you coming then? BLAKE sports a frown as she gathers her thoughts before reaching out for the handle of her door and exits the car
- 4. 4. Created using Celtx with a sigh. INT. NEW YORK. LILLIANA AND HUGH'S HOME. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. The interior is modern with wide windows, allowing the glare of the stars to filter through the grey and white room. LILLIANA (middle aged, blonde with blue eyes) anxiously places a coffee on the table in front of DETECTIVE MASON before taking a seat next to HUGH. DETECTIVE MASON reaches out and holds the coffee with both hands before looking directly at LILLIANA and then to HUGH (middle aged, light brown hair and green eyes). LILLIANA (worried) Please, just tell us whats happening! have you found her? HUGH puts his hand on LILLIANA'S leg for support and worriedly looks to DETECTIVE MASON for a response. DETECTIVE MASON gently puts his coffee on to the table and reaches into his brief case to retrieve a folder. DETECTIVE MASON I can't give you the news that you would like to hear (beat) but I think its definitely a lead to follow. DETECTIVE MASON pulls out a sheet of paper from the folder and places it in front of LILLIANA and HUGH. HUGH picks up the paper and him and LILLIANA read over it before looking back up to DETECTIVE MASON, confusion evident on both of their faces. HUGH HARLOW'S bank statement? what does this mean? DETECTIVE MASON The statement is dated the week before HARLOW went missing. There was a large sum transferred from her trust fund and then deposited. HUGH and LILLIANA look at each other with a worried expression before HUGH hands the paper back to DETECTIVE MASON.
- 5. 5. Created using Celtx LILLIANA HARLOW was given access to her trust fund on her 18th birthday, but she hadn't touched a penny of it until the date on that statement. HUGH places his hand on top of LILLIANA'S to stop her from anxiously fidgeting. HUGH DETECTIVE, what are your thoughts on the new information? DETECTIVE MASON sits up straighter in his chair and looks to both LILLIANA and HUGH. DETECTIVE MASON Who was HARLOW spending time with before her disappearance? (beat) is it possible that she could have been in money trouble with the wrong people? LILLIANA looks down at her hands and then to HUGH who is sporting a frown. LILLIANA We haven't really known our daughter for the past year. EXT. NEW YORK. MANHATTAN. THE CLUB 'SECRETS'. NIGHT. The street is busy as people stand in groups outside of the club and cars filter through the roads. BLAKE and LEXA stand awkwardly outside the entrance of the club, unsure about their plan of action. LEXA begins to walk towards the door of the club hesitantly. BLAKE runs her hand through her hair anxiously and looks at LEXA who is advancing into the entrance of the door. BLAKE Is this a good idea? (beat) what are we even hoping to achieve here? LEXA stops in her tracks and turns to look at BLAKE. LEXA HARLOW clearly sent you here for a reason, we just need to figure it out.
- 6. 6. Created using Celtx LEXA turns back around and walks into the club. BLAKE sighs with frustration and follows behind LEXA. INT. NEW YORK. MANHATTAN. THE CLUB 'SECRETS'. NIGHT. The club is dimly lit and strobe lights flash in all different colours over the dance floor. It is full with people dancing making it difficult to move. BLAKE and LEXA look into the crowd of people dancing and then back to each other. LEXA grins at BLAKE before holding up her ID card. LEXA (amused) I told you the fake ID's would work, remind me to thank Jack tomorrow. BLAKE rolls her eyes at LEXA'S enthusiastic demeanour and looks back to the crowd in front. BLAKE (sarcastic) So what now? its not like she's going to be here dancing amongst people who know that she's missing. LEXA grabs BLAKE'S hand and begins to walk through the crowd. LEXA Will you relax! lets go and ask around. BLAKE and LEXA weave their way through the crowd and both take a seat at the bar. LEXA pulls out her phone and concentrates on scrolling through her camera roll. BLAKE looks down to LEXA'S phone and then back up to her face. BLAKE (frustrated) What are you doing? is this really the time? LEXA holds her hand up towards BLAKE's face, disregarding her comment whilst still scrolling.
- 7. 7. Created using Celtx LEXA If you don't stop panicking I'll do this alone! (beat) Im trying to find a picture of Harlow. BLAKE (frustrated) Im sorry but im out of my comfort zone right now, I've never been in a club before. LEXA looks to BLAKE wish amusement on her face. LEXA You need to get out more Blake and have some fun for once in your life. BLAKE frowns at LEXA before looking down to her lap. BLAKE I'll have my fun after when I finally leave this town and the people in it. LEXA (sarcastic) Ouch, no need to be so offensive, were not all bad. LEXA looks back down at her phone, still trying to find a picture of Harlow. BLAKE Theres nothing left here for me, i'm keeping my head- LEXA Got it! Harlow manages to always disappear when pictured start to be taken. LEXA holds her phone closer to BLAKE so that she can see the picture she has chosen. BLAKE takes the phone in her hand and stares at the picture with a monotonous expression. BLAKE (emotional) We were still together when this was taken, she was so happy that day.
- 8. 8. Created using Celtx LEXA looks at BLAKES saddened expression as she continues to stare at the phone in her hand, causing her own expression to appear pained. LEXA She really loved you, you know? I never saw that same smile on her face after you guys broke up. (beat) In fact that's when she started keeping to her self. BLAKE'S expression hardens and she passes the phone back to LEXA. BLAKE Well she clearly wasn't that happy with me either, as she proved. (beat) I just wish she gave me a reason, then I probably wouldn't resent her. LEXA If you resented her then you wouldn't be here right now. BLAKE looks at LEXA in thought before getting sight of the BAR MAN walking towards them. BLAKE nods at LEXA causing her to also look towards the approaching BAR MAN. The BAR MAN stops in front of LEXA and BLAKE and looks between the two of them. BAR MAN Evening ladies, can I get you anything? LEXA Actually we were wondering if you could help us with something. The BAR MAN smirks at LEXA which causes BLAKE to scowl. BAR MAN I can try my best, what is it you need? LEXA holds out her phone with the picture of Harlow in front of the BAR MAN to which he analyses.
- 9. 9. Created using Celtx LEXA Do you recognise this girl? The BAR MAN looks up from the phone with a smile. BAR MAN Yes! I know Orion,she started coming here last summer (beat) I've only ever known her to be blonde though, she comes here most weekends. BLAKE furrows her brows in shock and looks to LEXA who has a similar expression. BLAKE turns to the BAR MAN questioningly. BLAKE (confused) Orion? The BAR MAN picks up a glass and begins wiping it out with a tea towel. BAR MAN Yeah, she's always with some upper- class douche. She always seems on edge though (beat) i thought maybe they were having a affair. LEXA and BLAKE both sit silently in shock as they try to process the information. LEXA looks to BLAKE who seems to be in a state of shock and then looks to the BAR MAN. LEXA What does this guy look like? The BAR MAN thinks about the question before slinging the tea towel over his shoulder. BAR MAN Hmm, he's around 6ft, brown hair and green eyes, always wears a pretentious suit. (beat) Oh! he has a shitty skull tattoo on his wrist. The BAR MAN looks at both LEXA and BLAKE and is confused at their shocked responses.
- 10. 10. Created using Celtx BAR MAN Why are you two so interested anyway? Are you friends of Orion? BLAKE hastily gets up from the bar stool and looks to both LEXA and the BAR MAN with a pained expression. BLAKE (upset) I-uh, I need to get out of here. BLAKE quickly begins to make a run for the exit leaving LEXA and the BAR MAN confused. LEXA also stands up from her stool. LEXA Blake! wait! LEXA begins to follow BLAKE before turning back to the BAR MAN whilst walking. LEXA I'm so sorry, thanks for your help! LEXA turns back towards BLAKE and begins to continue to follow her as the BAR MAN sports a confused expression. EXT. NEW YORK. MANHATTAN. THE CLUB 'SECRETS'. NIGHT. BLAKE exits the door of the club flustered and upset and LEXA follows shortly behind. LEXA Blake, hold up! What is it? LEXA catches up to BLAKE and grabs her shoulder in an attempt to stop her. BLAKE turns to face LEXA with tears in her eyes and shrugs LEXA'S hand off of her arm. BLAKE (angry) I'm sick of this! I'm done with trying to help her! LEXA stands calmly and steps back when she realises that BLAKE is angry.
- 11. 11. Created using Celtx LEXA What do you mean? Just calm down and we can talk about this back at my place. BLAKE's tears begin to fall down her cheeks and she frowns at LEXA'S comment. BLAKE Did you not hear what he said! HARLOW and that guy started coming here last summer! (beat) Me and Harlow were together throughout last summer Lexa! LEXA begins to take a step forward but stops when BLAKE takes a step back to avoid her. LEXA BLAKE, that doesn't mean- BLAKE I knew there was something going on with her! She became distant and i blamed myself for it! BLAKE runs her hand through her hair in frustration whilst LEXA opens her mouth to speak before closing it again. BLAKE There was someone else the whole time! How was I so stupid! LEXA steps forward and grabs BLAKE'S face with her hands so that she is looking at her. BLAKE sobs at LEXA'S touch. LEXA Blake, listen. (beat) I'm sure this isn't the way it seems, HARLOW is my best friend and she would never have done that to you! She loved you! BLAKE locks eyes with LEXA and tears continue to silently fall around her cheeks. LEXA I know that you're still in love with her, thats why you're here. (beat) Don't give up on her BLAKE, she needs you now more than ever.
- 12. 12. Created using Celtx BLAKE pulls LEXA forward and encapsulates her into a hug as her sobs become vocal. BLAKE Please, just take me home LEXA. LEXA nods at BLAKE, her own expression saddening at the sight of BLAKE upset. LEXA Yes, of course. INT. NEW YORK. EASTWALD COLLEGE. CARTER'S FINE ART CLASSROOM. DAY. The classroom is bright with ambient light filtering through the windows. The walls are plain white and every seat is occupied. BLAKE stares out of the classroom window in a daze as CARTER delivers the daily lecture. CARTER (O.S) These are your essays, read the feedback so that you can improve next time. CARTER holds up a bunch of papers to the class before slowly making his way to each student to hand them out. BLAKE continues to stare out of the window with a sad expression as CARTER approaches her seat. INT. NEW YORK. EASTWALD COLLEGE. CORRIDOR. DAY. FLASHBACK. BLAKE and HARLOW stand against BLAKE'S locker. HARLOW raises her arm to place her hand on BLAKE'S cheek and brushes her thumb over her lips. HARLOW You get prettier every time I see you. BLAKE smiles at HARLOW'S words and leans her head further into HARLOW'S palm and places a chaste kiss to the thumb resting on her lips. HARLOW'S eyes divert to somewhere behind BLAKE, causing her to turn to follow HARLOW'S line of sight. BLAKE turns back to HARLOW with confusion on her face and
- 13. 13. Created using Celtx HARLOW continues to look ahead of her. BLAKE Babe? What is it? HARLOW looks back to BLAKE after hearing her comment, worry evident on her features. HARLOW Oh, I- there's something I need to do, I'll um, see you after class? HARLOW hastily walks towards her classroom leaving a confused BLAKE in her wake. INT. NEW YORK. EASTWALD COLLEGE. CARTER'S FINE ART CLASSROOM. DAY. CARTER notices BLAKES lack of attention to the class and stops in front of her seat and looks down to her. CARTER BLAKE? BLAKE snaps out of her daze at CARTER'S words and locks eyes with him but still doesn't speak. CARTER looks at her questionigly. CARTER You didn't do too well on your essay this semester, is everything ok? CARTER reaches out to place BLAKE'S essay paper on her desk which results in his sleeve rising above his wrist. BLAKE'S lips part in shock as she stares at the skull tattoo now evident on CARTER'S wrist. CARTER notices BLAKE's sudden change in mood and kneels so that he is face level with her. CARTER (worried) BLAKE? Is every thing ok? You're concerning me. BLAKE looks up from the desk and locks eyes with CARTER, her lips part but no words come out. BLAKE begins to shake her head hastily and her brows furrow
- 14. 14. Created using Celtx in confusion. BLAKE (whispering) No, no, there's no way this is happening. CARTER Do you need me to get the nurse? Or I can call your parents if that's what you need? (beat) Come with me. CARTER reaches out his arm in effort to help guide BLAKE out of her seat. BLAKE jumps up out of her chair in order to avoid CARTER'S contact. BLAKE Don't touch me! CARTER stands back in shock at BLAKE'S response and apologetically raises his hands. CARTER Woah, ok, I'm not going to touch you, just tell me what you need. BLAKE begins to pack her stationary into her bag before slinging it over her shoulder. BLAKE I need to leave right now. BLAKE'S eyes begin to tear up as she quickly makes her way out of the classroom. CARTER stands still in shock at what just happened as he watches BLAKE exit the classroom door. INT. NEW YORK. EASTWALD COLLEGE. CORRIDOR. DAY. BLAKE runs down the college corridor in a state of shock before leaning against the lockers in order to pull her phone out of her pocket. BLAKE holds her phone to her ear and when no one picks up she slides down onto the floor a bursts into tears. BLAKE places her hands on her head and sobs to the floor before her phone begins to ring to which she quickly answers.
- 15. 15. Created using Celtx BLAKE LEXA, I- its the professor, the guy- LEXA its him! (beat) please, Im near my locker, please come. BLAKE removes the phone from her ear and drops it next to her, her breathing becoming more rapid. LEXA runs round the corner and spots BLAKE on the floor, she runs up to her a kneels down. LEXA (worried) BLAKE? What is it? what did you mean about the professor? BLAKE lets out a loud sob and LEXA uses her hand to tilt BLAKE'S head up so that she looks at her. BLAKE The guy with skull tattoo, its him- Professor CARTER, he's the guy LEXA! LEXA removes her hand from BLAKE'S chin and sports a confused frown. LEXA What? Why would you think that? BLAKE'S expression angers. BLAKE I saw it LEXA! The shitty skull tattoo on his wrist! it all makes so much sense now- him and HARLOW! Our fucking professor! LEXA This must be wrong, there's no way- BLAKE She spent all of her time in that fucking classroom with him! She told me she was failing his class but instead she was sleeping with him! BLAKE gets up onto her feet and Harlow follows her actions. LEXA I can't bring myself to believe that that is true, I know HARLOW and that
- 16. 16. Created using Celtx isn't her! BLAKE turns towards the lockers and places both of her hands on it for support. BLAKE (whispers) Yeah well, I thought I knew Harlow too, but it looks like neither of us did. LEXA reaches out for BLAKES arm against the locker. LEXA (calm) Hey, look, we will figure this out. BLAKE shrugs LEXA'S hand off of hers and begins to hastily walk towards the exit of the college. LEXA stands still in place and watches helplessly as BLAKE starts to leave. LEXA Blake wait! BLAKE No Lexa! I need to be alone. BLAKE disappears through the doors of the college leaving LEXA standing shocked, still standing against the locker.