The Penny Killer is a movie about a world-class detective along with the Chicago Police Department as they hunt down a serial killer known as "The Penny Killer" with a single motive, revenge.
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EXT. CRIME SCENE - NIGHT1.1. 00:00:08
FADE IN
We fade in on a penny, lying in the grass. The camera tilts
up to reveal a small house, at the top of a hill on the end
of a street in a suburb of Chicago about 40 yards from the
camera.
INT. CRIME SCENE - CONTINUOUS2.2. 00:00:42
We cut to a man(Edward Ferguson) in his kitchen preparing
himself a small dinner. He is working at the cooking island
in the middle of the kitchen. He hears a noise from his
left, looks over through the doorway,through the living
room, and fixes his attention on the door leading to the
covered porch. He's only distracted from his work for a
couple of seconds. He gets back to making his food.
Moments later he hears the door to his covered porch swing
open rapidly. The Killer runs in through the living room and
into the doorway of the kitchen. Edward has only enough time
to turn to face the killer before he is shot once, directly
between the eyes. He falls, landing flat on his back with a
dead THUD, almost hitting the dining room table. He is lying
parallel to the cooking island. His unmoving eyes stare
straight up and a trickle of blood leaks out of the corner
of his mouth.
The killer, concealed until now, is revealed to the audience
as he walks forward and over the body. He is wearing a ski
mask, gloves, and all black clothes. He lowers his 9mm
pistol and reaches into his pocket. He pulls out a penny,
leans over, and places it square on the corpse's forehead.
CUT TO:BLACK
INT. OFFICE - AFTERNOON, NEXT DAY3.3. 00:02:27
FADE IN
We fade in on a small office. Bookshelves, a computer, a
desk. A man (detective Stevenson) is sitting at the desk. He
is young, mid to late twenties. Short dark brown hair,
cleanly shaven. He looks distressed about the paperwork he
is going over.
The door bursts open, Stevenson looks up, startled. A young
man (Johnson) walks in with an urgent look about his face.
His arm is down by his side holding a cellphone.
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3. 2
JOHNSON
(slightly out of breath,
rushed)
Detective Stevenson, there’s been
another murder. They think it was
committed by the same man that
killed Burns on Thursday.
Stevenson shakes his head and looks down in despair.
STEVENSON
The body had a penny on its
forehead?
Johnson nods grimly as he fully enters the room and takes a
seat across from Stevenson and sits down.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
The Penny Killer, he strikes again.
JOHNSON
(chuckles, though rather
grimly)
Interesting name. Captain Thomas
says it looks like the victim was
shot with a 9mm pistol, like the
first two. He wants us to
investigate the scene.
STEVENSON
What was the victim's name?
JOHNSON
Uhh.. Edward Ferguson.
Stevenson's eyes light up.
STEVENSON
That’s exactly what I was looking
for!
JOHNSON
(he is confused by
Stevenson's sudden
enthusiasm)
What?
Stevenson looks down at his paperwork, using a pen he holds
in his hand to point off names as he reads them.
STEVENSON
All three of his murders are
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linked, the first one was your
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
partner, Andy Burns, AB, the second
was Caroline Dabney, CD, and Edward
Ferguson is EF. It’s the alphabet.
Johnson is doubtful.
JOHNSON
I noticed that too. But it seems
like such an arbitrary and useless
pattern. Also not at all hard to
figure out.
STEVENSON
I agree... But it couldn't be a
coincidence. It doesn't make sense.
JOHNSON
(as he is standing up)
If he chose such a flimsy pattern
for his murder victims then he must
not be the brightest.
STEVENSON
(as he is standing up)
You're right, he probably left some
easy evidence at the scene.
The two leave the room.
EXT. CRIME SCENE - EVENING4.4. 00:02:41
A car pulls up in the driveway of a small suburban house. A
police officer stands in the way of the front door as
Stevenson and Johnson make their way up the corroding
concrete stairs around the side of the house.
Stevenson flashes the cop his badge and says
STEVENSON
(nodding in the direction
of Johnson)
He's with me.
INT. EDWARD FERGUSON'S HOUSE5.5. 00:04:25
The Cop nods and lets them in. They enter a small living
room. A fireplace, sofas and chairs and a door leading into
a kitchen.
Captain Thomas, hearing them enter, walks out of the kitchen
to greet them.
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STEVENSON
Hello Captain.
They shake hands.
CAPT.THOMAS
I’m glad you’re here Stevenson, the
Chicago PD needs a good detective
on this case and I hear you're the
best.
Stevenson laughs humbly.
Thomas looks at Johnson.
CAPT.THOMAS (CONT'D)
Who's your friend?
STEVENSON
This is Earl Johnson, he was Andy
Burns’ partner at the Evanston
Police department. He contacted me
after the murder and asked if I
could help him try to find the guy
who shot Andy. Now it seems we’re
chasing a serial killer.
Captain Thomas nods and shakes Johnson's hand.
CAPT.THOMAS
(as he's shaking
Johnson's hand)
I'm Captain Thomas, nice to meet
you.
He then steps back to address both of them once again.
CAPT.THOMAS (CONT'D)
Yes the pennies... It's like his
signature.
STEVENSON
Do you think it means anything?
CAPT.THOMAS
That's what you're here to figure
out isn't it detective?
JOHNSON
What do you suppose the pattern in
the victims' names mean.
CAPT.THOMAS
The alphabet? It seems like such a
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trivial idea.
CAPT.THOMAS (CONT'D)
STEVENSON
It doesn't add up. It also makes me
wonder how far he'll go from
Chicago to kill someone who fits
the pattern. It's not going to be
easy to find a WX,or a YZ.
CAPT.THOMAS
That's true though all of his
killings have occurred in the
suburbs so far.
JOHNSON
Did they find any fingerprints on
the penny?
CAPT.THOMAS
No, just like the other two times.
He was probably wearing gloves, we
found no shell casings, no clear
evidence of a break-in, nothing but
the penny and the body itself.
STEVENSON
No neighbors heard anything?
CAPT.THOMAS
Must've been a silenced gun.
STEVENSON
Professional murders, amateur
pattern, it doesn't add up.
INT. KITCHEN6.6. 00:05:35
Stevenson and Johnson walk into the kitchen to investigate
the scene. The body is lying face up, perpendicular of the
door, his feet facing the left. There is a half-constructed
sandwich on the island. A cop and the coroner are in the
corner discussing something.
Stevenson stands over the body for a few seconds and looks
around the room, taking it all in so that he can make his
analysis.
He then kneels down over the body to get a closer look.
STEVENSON
He was shot once, directly between
the eyes.
He points to the clear bullet wound in the head. He stands
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back up.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
Looks like he was making dinner at
this island. Look at the half
finished sandwich.
He looks down at the body and pauses for a second. Looks
towards the living room doorway.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
Based on where he landed he
probably turned because he heard
the killer coming from that way.
Killer shot him in the head, he
fell over right there.
As he explains this, he acts out the victim's movements.
JOHNSON
So he probably came in from that
porch.
He gestures through the living room and towards the door
leading to the covered porch
STEVENSON
(in deep thought)
Right. Captain, about when did the
murder happen?
CAPT.THOMAS
The coroner says around 6 o'clock
last night based on the body's
temperature.
We can tell that Stevenson's suspicions are confirmed by the
look of achievement that appears on his face.
STEVENSON
It was raining last night. Follow
me Johnson.
They walk through the TV room and into the covered porch.
Then they proceed to go onto the outside porch. The concrete
path is covered in mud.
EXT. CRIME SCENE7.7. 00:05:46
STEVENSON
Look at all this mud; coming up
this way he must've gotten some of
it on his shoes. Then tried to get
it off before he got inside the
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house. Over here,
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
They walk into the screen porch
INT. COVERED PORCH8.8. 00:06:20
STEVENSON
Feel this floor.
As he says this he kneels down and rubs the floor of the
covered porch. Johnson does the same.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
Feels like a doormat doesn't it?
Johnson walks over to discover some mud smears.
JOHNSON
You're right! He tried to wipe his
shoes off in here.
Stevenson goes over an picks up some of the mud with his
finger.
STEVENSON
Yeah, it's fresh. He couldn't have
possibly gotten it all off of his
shoes.
JOHNSON
There must be some on the the
carpet!
STEVENSON
As well as impressions from the wet
shoes.
They walk inside to inspect the carpet.
INT. LIVING ROOM9.9. 00:06:52
Stevenson bends over to look closely at the path the killer
would've taken to get from the covered porch to the kitchen.
STEVENSON
Look, shoe impressions, work boots,
small traces of mud. Johnson, what
size shoe do you wear?
JOHNSON
Eights...why?
STEVENSON
Give me one of your shoes.
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JOHNSON
Ok...
Johnson takes off one of his shoes and hands is to
Stevenson. Stevenson compares it to the impression in the
carpet.
STEVENSON
Looks a bit bigger than yours,
maybe a nine, eight and-a-half.
JOHNSON
We've got a shoe size... That's
something. Good work Stevenson.
FADE OUT
INT. CENTRAL POLICE STATION - LATER10.10. 00:08:14
It is the central police station. Stevenson, Johnson, Thomas
and Lieutenant Markus are gathered around an empty table.
CAPT.THOMAS
Stevenson, let's review what you
found at the scene.
STEVENSON
All we were able to determine was
the killer's approximate shoe size.
CAPT.THOMAS
At least it's something.
He pauses for a moment and sighs.
CAPT.THOMAS (CONT'D)
The real mystery here is why he
would make his pattern so
transparent, so easy to decode?
STEVENSON
I don't think he did on purpose.
The only other reason that it would
be this easy to crack is if...this
is a stretch. But what if he has a
specific target that he has a
motive to kill...
Johnson picks up on Stevenson's idea.
JOHNSON
(excitedly)
Yeah, right, and whoever it is
happens to have initials that fit
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the pattern.
JOHNSON (CONT'D)
STEVENSON
Right, so the killer took his
chance and disguised his crime as a
serial killing.
They all look at Thomas for a reaction. It's a moment before
he answers.
CAPT.THOMAS
What if he already killed his
genuine target?
STEVENSON
Then we're too late. There's
nothing we can do about it. But
either way we need to find this guy
and and stop him before he hurts
any more people. Figuring out his
motive and his target will make it
easier to hunt him down, so that's
the path we should take, whether
it's too late or not.
CAPT.THOMAS
Don't just make this wild
assumption and base the rest of the
investigation off of it. We have no
defining evidence for that yet.
Though I agree it could be the
answer, this man could just be
having some sick fun and playing
the alphabet.
EXT. GREG HANSON'S HOUSE - NIGHT11.11. 00:08:21
An opening shot of the river from the backyard. We pan
around to see Greg Hanson's house. Hold for a couple
seconds. A car speeds by on the road to signify it's
existence.
INT. GREG HANSON'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS12.12. 00:08:42
Greg Hanson is lounging on his couch, watching TV. He mutes
the TV as a commercial comes on.
GREG HANSON
Jesus, I'm sick of this damn
commercial!
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He walks into the kitchen muttering angrily to get a snack
or something. He hears a car pull up outside on the street.
He stops what he's doing and listens. After a few seconds he
becomes suspicious. He hears slow footsteps near the front
door. He grabs a knife from a drawer.
He slowly and cautiously walks around towards the front
door. He waits watching the door. All of a sudden the
sliding glass door behind him swings open and the Killer
comes in wielding the 9mm pistol.
EXT. GREG HANSON'S HOUSE13.13. 00:09:04
Greg panics and runs out the front door. He runs onto the
street but gets narrowly missed by a speeding car, soon to
be followed by another. The car almost hitting him makes him
drop the knife. He decides to turn around and go down into
the backyard by the river. He sprints down the hill and into
the backyard. He runs down his yard then comes to face the
river. He turns and runs through some small pine tress into
into the next yard over. He stops to recover for a second.
Before he can blink, he turns around and is shot immediately
right between the eyes, he falls over instantly.
The killer then walks up to the body and puts a penny in the
victim's unmoving hand. He then clenches the fingers to form
a fist around the penny and pulls out duct tape to tape the
fist shut. Then the killer dumps the body in the St. Joseph
river.
EXT. CRIME SCENE NO. 2 - THE NEXT DAY14.14. 00:10:12
Stevenson's car pulls up in the driveway of the victim's
house. Him and Johnson get out and walk down the steep
driveway. Captain Thomas and Lt. Markus are standing
together in the yard a couple feet past the driveway.
Stevenson and Johnson walk up to greet them.
STEVENSON
What's the story here Captain? I
don't see a body.
CAPT.THOMAS
Exactly. This house belonged to
Greg Hanson. His body was found
washed up on the shore of Lake
Michigan. A penny was clenched in
his hand.
LT. MARKUS
The neighbor, Rachel Watson, didn't
see anything, but she called in
because she heard a gunshot around
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9:30 last night.
LT. MARKUS (CONT'D)
CAPT.THOMAS
So we assume that the killer chased
the victim into Rachel's yard, shot
him and rolled him into the river.
Then he flowed down, unseen, all
the way into the lake.
STEVENSON
Why would he throw the body in the
river?
CAPT.THOMAS
Two apparent reasons. To wash any
potential evidence off the body,
and to try to divert us and slow us
down, by sending us away from the
city.
Stevenson nods.
JOHNSON
So what's to investigate here?
CAPT.THOMAS
We want to to question the
neighbor, Rachel. Find out if
there's anything she's not telling
us. She's in the house.
He gestures up towards Greg's house.
Stevenson and Johnson walk up the stairs onto the porch and
through the sliding glass door and into the house. Ms.
Watson is seated in on the couch in front of the TV. They
walk over in front of her.
INT. GREG HANSON'S HOUSE15.15. 00:12:00
STEVENSON
Hello ma'am. Ms. Watson correct?
Ms. Watson is nervous.
RACHEL WATSON
That's correct.. Listen I--
Stevenson cuts her off by holding up a hand.
STEVENSON
This is just a formality. We're not
accusing you of anything. You're a
witness and you could be hiding
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information from us.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
Rachel nods and waits for her first question. Stevenson
pulls out his note pad and a pen.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
So, you heard a gunshot last night?
RACHEL WATSON
Right, around 9:30.
STEVENSON
How many gunshots?
RACHEL WATSON
Just one... Then a splash a few
moments later.
She seems nervous, making little eye contact and looking
around. Stevenson, stone faced with piercing eyes stares her
down for a few seconds, waiting for more.
STEVENSON
Ms. Watson I know there's more than
that, you're not telling us
something.
Rachel's getting upset quickly.
RACHEL WATSON
I've told you all I know! What do
you want from me?
STEVENSON
Information. It's a serious offense
to lie to a police officer.
She waits a couple seconds.
RACHEL WATSON
(sighing)
Ok, fine. I saw Greg get chased
down the hill and into my yard. I
saw it all. Someone shot him in the
head and rolled him into the river.
Stevenson jots down some notes in his notepad.
STEVENSON
Could you tell who it was?
RACHEL WATSON
No, it was very dark... To be
honest the reason I didn't want to
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tell you is because I feel Greg
RACHEL WATSON (CONT'D)
deserved it. He was an awful man.
His wife left him because he was
abusing her.
A short pause.
STEVENSON
That doesn't matter now. Do you
have anything else to tell us.
She pauses for a second and considers answering.
RACHEL WATSON
I saw his car.
STEVENSON
The killer's?
RACHEL WATSON
Yes, like I said, it was dark, all
I could tell is that it was a
Chevrolet. Not a truck, it was too
small. I'm sorry I'm bad with cars.
STEVENSON
You didn't catch the license plate?
RACHEL WATSON
No sir.
STEVENSON
Thanks ma'am, you've been a great
help.
They walk back out to the Captain and Lieutenant.
EXT. CRIME SCENE NO. 216.16. 00:12:41
CAPT.THOMAS
You get her to talk?
STEVENSON
(reading off his notepad)
She was resistant but she confirmed
that he was chased into her yard
and shot, then pushed into the
river. She also saw the killer's
car. Said it was a Chevy. Not sure
what kind.
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CAPT.THOMAS
Great work detective. To
investigate the body,you guys are
gonna need to head over to lake
Michigan.
JOHNSON
That's quite convenient. My family
owns a lake house there. What do
you think we could find regarding
the body?
CAPT.THOMAS
Anything. We need to find this guy
fast, and anything that could give
us the slightest clue to where he
is would be a huge help, something
to build off of.
EXT. DOCK - MID-AFTEERNOON17.17. 00:14:05
Stevenson is sitting on the end of the dock, staring off
into distance. A man in casual vacation looking clothes
strolls down the dock. Stevenson stands up and turns around
as the man introduces himself.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
Hello there, I saw you drive up a
couple hours ago.
He shakes Stevenson's hand enthusiastically.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS (CONT'D)
You stayin' at that lake house up
there?
He gestures up hill to lake house.
STEVENSON
Yes I am. My partner Earl Johnson
and I. I'm Lloyd Stevenson by the
way.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
Partner?
STEVENSON
Yeah, we're detectives for the
Chicago Police Department--
Owen cuts him off. His energy cuts off. A nervous look about
his face.his eyes dart around randomly
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16. 15
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
Police? What are you here for?
Stevenson suspiciously cocks his head and looks at Owen with
raised eyebrows.
STEVENSON
A body was found washed up here
this morning. It was linked to a
serial killing happening in
Chicago.
Owen seems relieved.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
Oh, how'd the body get here?
STEVENSON
We're assuming based on were he was
killed, the killer dumped the body
in the St. Joseph river and he
flowed into the lake then got
washed up over here.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
I see, how long are you guys going
to be staying here?
STEVENSON
Just tonight, why?
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
Do you think you'd wanna come over
to my place for dinner tonight? I
live just 2 houses that way.
STEVENSON
Sure, why not?
Owen nods and starts to walk away.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
Wait, I never got you're name.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
Owen! Owen Nichols!
He calls from back on shore.
EXT. OWEN'S HOUSE - EVENING18.18. 00:14:19
Stevenson and Johnson walk up to Owen's house. They knock on
the door.
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JOHNSON
This is a really nice place.
STEVENSON
Yeah it's huge.
Owen opens the door and greets them.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
Come on in.
INT. OWEN'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS19.19. 00:14:37
He ushers them into the first room.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
Hello Stevenson.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS (CONT'D)
(talking to Johnson)
We haven't met.
They shake hands.
JOHNSON
Earl Johnson, nice to meet you.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
Owen M Nichols. Come, come, dinner
is ready.
INT. DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS20.20. 00:16:28
We cut to them walking into the dining room. There's food on
the table. they sit down and start eating.
LATER
They're almost finished eating.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
So, you came up here for a murder
investigation? What did you find?
STEVENSON
Unfortunately nothing helpful at
all. It's hard to find evidence on
a body that's been so mobile. The
killer also has a tendency of
leaving very little evidence.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
He's a serial killer?
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STEVENSON
Yes, we like to call him the Penny
Killer, he's already murdered four
people down in Chicago.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
That's an interesting name... The
Penny Killer
JOHNSON
Yes it fits. All of his victims are
found with a penny somewhere on
their body.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
Why? He's setting himself up to be
caught.
STEVENSON
That's why we think it's some sort
of symbolism. The penny means
something, a motive maybe.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
A serial killer with a motive?
STEVENSON
We think the serial killing is
actually a cover up to conceal the
fact that he has a genuine target,
someone he has a motive to kill.
But we probably shouldn't say more.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
That's quite interesting...
A long pause, some awkward stares are exchanged.
Johnson clears his throat.
JOHNSON
So, Owen. Where do you work? Most
people retire before they move out
here.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
Oh I am retired. A few years ago I
worked as an editor at the Chicago
Tribune. But I got lucky enough to
win the lottery, 25 Million. So I
moved out here and I'm just
enjoying life and traveling.
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STEVENSON
(dubiously)
Wow, that's some... some amazing
luck.
Stevenson is suspicious.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
Yes, yes it is.
There is a long awkward silence.
JOHNSON
I think we should be going now.
STEVENSON
(as he stands up)
Right, thank you for dinner Owen,
it was nice meeting you.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
My pleasure. Good luck catching
your penny killer.
Stevenson and Johnson stand up and leave.
A final shot of only Owen's eyes as he watches them leave...
Then he blinks and we cut to dark.
SLOW FADE IN
INT. CRIME SCENE NO. 3 - THE NEXT DAY, MID-DAY21.21. 00:21:13
Captain Thomas, Lieutenant Markus, Stevenson and Johnson are
at the crime scene. They are standing around a body covered
with a sheet in the middle of the living room.
CAPT.THOMAS
Isabel Jordan, 32 years old, lived
here alone. She was shot with a 9mm
pistol in the back of the head.
Again, no signs of break-in, no
evidence that he was ever here,
other than the penny and the body.
Did you guys find anything on the
body up at the lake?
STEVENSON
Nothing at all helpful, it seems
we've hit a dead end...
CAPT.THOMAS
Well take a look around here, he
can't possibly kill 13 people
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without screwing something up.
CAPT.THOMAS (CONT'D)
Stevenson uncovers the body and removes the victim's wallet
from her pocket, opens it, closes it, and puts it aside. He
investigates the bullet wound.
STEVENSON
She was shot from behind... But she
fell back... Then again the killer
could've simply flipped her over.
That explains the damage to her
face... She fell forward.
He looks up and walks around the room she was in mapping out
the area in his head.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
She was probably walking to go up
these stairs.
CAPT.THOMAS
So what does any of this mean?
STEVENSON
The killer was standing here,
He walks over and stands so that the body's head is towards
him.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
He was able to sneak up behind her,
probably from in the kitchen...
Captain what did the coroner say?
Anything unusual?
CAPT.THOMAS
Nothing different than any of the
others. She was killed at night,
same type of gun as the others.
JOHNSON
Any witnesses?
CAPT.THOMAS
Not this time.
Something on the wall catches Stevenson's attention. He
steps over the body and walks towards a window at the bottom
of the staircase leading to the second floor. There is a
picture, awkwardly placed left of the window.
STEVENSON
What an odd place to put a picture.
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21. 20
He cocks his head and looks studiously at it for a few
moments.
CAPT.THOMAS
(O.S.)
Stevenson, you're investigating a
murder, not critiquing Ms. Jordan's
interior decorating skills.
He takes the picture carefully off the wall to reveal a
bullet hole in the wall. He looks back at the captain with a
smug look of triumph on his face.
CAPT.THOMAS (CONT'D)
Well shit.
The other three walk over, fascinated by the detective's
discovery.
STEVENSON
He missed. He shot from in that
doorway
He motions behind them to the doorway of the bathroom.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
You can tell by the way the bullet
entered the wall, the angle. He
wanted to cover it up so he took a
picture off the wall from somewhere
else in the house and put it here.
He thought no one would ever think
of checking behind a picture. Is
there a way to identify the owner
of a gun based off of it's bullet?
CAPT.THOMAS
The forensics team can analyze the
bullet. When a bullet passes
through the barrel of a gun, it
gets a set pattern of scratches,
created by the imperfections in the
barrel. So in a way, each gun has a
fingerprint... a barcode it gives
it's bullet when it's fired. It's
that unique. But you can't identify
what gun it belongs to unless you
have the gun to match the print
with.
LT. MARKUS
But using that bullet we can still
narrow down the type of gun and
(MORE)
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22. 21
ammunition.
LT. MARKUS (CONT'D)
CAPT.THOMAS
That's right. Thanks Detective,
we'll extract that and send it down
to the forensics team, see if they
can't get anything out of it.
STEVENSON
It doesn't get us much closer to
stopping our killer.
CAPT.THOMAS
No, but it's a step. Finish up
investigating this scene. Then
we'll see what this scum bag leaves
behind at the next one.
Stevenson walks back over to the body and picks up the
wallet again. He opens it up and pulls out a check.
STEVENSON
Her name was Isabel Jordan right?
CAPT.THOMAS
Yes. Why?
STEVENSON
This check is made out to Sarah
Jordan...
He looks up to Captain Thomas.
JOHNSON
She probably went by her middle
name. Plenty of people do that.
A close up of Stevenson's eyes. First taking in what Johnson
is saying, then they widen with sudden realization.
STEVENSON
She goes by her middle name...
JOHNSON
Does that mean anything?
STEVENSON
That man we met at the lake. Owen
Nichols right?
JOHNSON
(confused)
Yeah...
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STEVENSON
How did he introduce himself to
you? Do you remember?
JOHNSON
No--
STEVENSON
(interrupting Johnson)
He said "Owen M Nichols". He
could've switched his first and
middle name, making his initials
MN, thus fitting the pattern...
There is a short pause as everyone takes in this
information.
CAPT.THOMAS
But why does that matter? There
could be a huge number of people
with those initials.
STEVENSON
Remember Johnson? He acted very
strangely when we told him we were
working for the cops. He was asking
a lot of questions. He also somehow
acquired twenty-five million
dollars.
JOHNSON
Right, he said it was the lottery,
but that's doubtful.
STEVENSON
He's the genuine target. He has to
be. He knew someone was after him
seeking revenge.
JOHNSON
Where did he say he worked before
he "won the lottery"? (air quotes)
STEVENSON
He said he was an editor at the
Chicago Tribune.
CAPT.THOMAS
So your theory is that this man,
Owen, committed some sort of crime,
got away with it, and is now living
large on the lake...? Seems very
far fetched to me.
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24. 23
STEVENSON
(ignoring the captain's
criticism)
And whatever crime he committed
must've been bad enough that it
made someone, the Penny Killer,
come after him and try to kill him.
JOHNSON
A serial killer seeking revenge...
STEVENSON
Exactly. We need to learn more
about this Owen character. Let's
see if we can't find any
information at the Tribune, first
thing tomorrow.
INT. KYLE LAWRENCE'S HOUSE - NIGHT23.23. 00:22:41
Kyle is on his computer in the dark. He hears a noise at the
front door. He freezes, looks in the direction of the front
door. We can hear the door slowly creak open. Kyle stands up
and slowly walks over to investigate. As he turns the corner
he is immediately greeting by the killer, standing gun
raised, pointing right at him.
KYLE LAWRENCE
(startled)
Jesus! Who the fuck are you?
KILLER
(menacing)
Oh. You don't recognize me...Kyle?
KYLE LAWRENCE
How do you know my name? Why are
you in my house?
The killer chuckles dauntingly and takes a few steps towards
Kyle.
KILLER
Calm down, it's all part of the
plan.
Kyle stumbles backwards in panic.
KYLE LAWRENCE
I'm gonna call the police!
KILLER
I wouldn't do that.
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25. 24
He cocks the pistol, keeping it raised.
KYLE LAWRENCE
What do you want from me?
Instead of responding, the killer pulls of his ski mask,
revealing his face for the first time. He loses his
hauntingly calm disposition.
KYLE LAWRENCE (CONT'D)
(after a pause)
Alexander?
KILLER
Do you know what you did to me?
KYLE LAWRENCE
What are you talking about?
KILLER
You, the jury! You said Nichols was
innocent!
Kyle's face is desperate and strained.
KILLER (CONT'D)
That man conned me and my family
out of twenty five million dollars!
He pauses, hoping for Kyle to say something.
KILLER (CONT'D)
He got away with it! We had
nothing! Nothing but pennies...
KYLE LAWRENCE
Look, I don't know why you want to
hurt me. I was only part of the
jury. Shouldn't you be taking
revenge on Mason?
KILLER
(chuckles)
Oh he's next. Don't you worry.
As he says this, he puts a shot square between Kyle's eyes.
Kyle hits the floor with a dead thud. The killer slips his
mask back on, pulls a penny out of his pocket and places it
directly on Kyle's bloody forehead.
INT. CHICAGO TRIBUNE LOBBY - THE NEXT DAY22.22. 00:24:55
Stevenson and Johnson walk into the lobby of the Chicago
Tribune building and immediately walk up to the front desk
Copyright 2013 Penumbra Studios
26. 25
to a receptionist.
RECEPTIONIST
Can I help you gentlemen?
STEVENSON
Yes ma'am, we're working with the
Chicago Police Department on a
murder case. We need to ask a
couple questions.
RECEPTIONIST
Sure.
STEVENSON
Did a man named Owen Nichols used
to work here?
RECEPTIONIST
Hold on a second, I need to look
through our employee history.
She begins to type at her computer.
RECEPTIONIST (CONT'D)
Ohh.. yes Owen Nichols. I've heard
stories about him from people who
worked with him.
STEVENSON
Did any of those stories involve
him maybe... Winning the lottery?
RECEPTIONIST
I know nothing about him winning
the lottery but Owen was involved
in a court case with another
employee here about four years ago.
He won the case and then quit.
Nobody's seen him or his opponent
since.
JOHNSON
What was the case about?
RECEPTIONIST
Unfortunately that's all I know. It
was a rather large case and the
contents are sealed to the public.
STEVENSON
Owen was his middle name correct?
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27. 26
RECEPTIONIST
Yes, his real first name was Mason.
STEVENSON
Thanks for your help ma'am.
They begin to walk away.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
Winning the lottery...
We see a man sitting at a table reading a newspaper. He
looks over to the detectives, puts the newspaper down,
stands up and walks over to them.
GUY
Hey, you guys are detectives right?
STEVENSON
Yes... And who are you?
GUY
That's not important. I couldn't
help but overhear that you are
investigating a serial killing
case...
STEVENSON
Right...
GUY
I've only been working here for a
couple years but the court case you
were discussing involving Mason
Nichols happened only a few months
before I started working here. I
don't know anything about the case
but I know someone who does.
Stevenson looks intently at the man, indicating for him to
go on.
GUY (CONT'D)
He was in the jury. I knew him from
a previous job. We weren't very
close friends but we stayed in
contact when I got hired here.
Since that case I haven't heard
anything from him. But if you're
looking for info, he might be a
good source.
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28. 27
JOHNSON
What's his name?
GUY
Kyle Lawrence.
Stevenson's eyes widen. A long pause as he pieces the puzzle
together in his mind.
STEVENSON
Thanks for your help sir.
GUY
No problem detective, good luck
catching the bastard.
INT. STEVENSON'S CAR - AFTERNOON***.***. 00:26:02
Stevenson is driving and Johnson is in the passenger seat.
They are driving through inner Chicago.
STEVENSON
So, he had two reasons to choose
that pattern.
JOHNSON
Two people he needed to kill, they
both fit the pattern. It was such a
coincidence he couldn't resist.
STEVENSON
So this Mason Nichols character was
involved in a court case with a
coworker at the Tribune. Kyle was
in the jury...
He pauses to think for a moment then resumes.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
Mason won the court case, got away
with something. This somehow
motivated our killer to seek
vengeance.
JOHNSON
So was the killer Mason's opponent
in the case?
STEVENSON
Most likely. That or someone else
seriously affected by the outcome
of the case. Our next step is to
find this Kyle Lawrence guy. See if
he can't tell us more about this
(MORE)
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29. 28
case, and lead us to the identity
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
of our killer.
We hear a phone ringing. Johnson pulls his phone out of his
pocket and answers it.
JOHNSON
Hello? Yes. Are you serious? We'll
be right there.
Johnson, slowly puts down his phone, and turns to Stevenson
with a shocked look on his face.
STEVENSON
Oh no... Don't tell me--
JOHNSON
Kyle Lawrence was just found
dead... With a penny on his
forehead.
Stevenson stares back for a couple of seconds, then blinks,
and we cut to black.
INT. KYLE LAWRENCE'S HOUSE - LATER***.***. 00:28:37
Stevenson and Johnson walk into the house. Captain Thomas
and the coroner are standing over the body. Stevenson walks
over and stands next to the captain and looks down at the
body, then speaks without making any initial eye contact.
STEVENSON
What is this, the sixth one?
CAPT.THOMAS
Yeah, this guy needs to be found
soon.
STEVENSON
We have a lead.
The captain looks up from the body and looks at Stevenson.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
The Penny Killer, may have been
involved in a court case including
a man named Mason Nichols. They
were coworkers at The Chicago
Tribune.
CAPT.THOMAS
(interjecting)
Fits the pattern.
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30. 29
STEVENSON
Right. This man
He nods towards the body on the floor in front of them.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
Was a juror for that case.
CAPT.THOMAS
So it looks like he had two reasons
to choose such a predictable
method.
STEVENSON
Exactly. So we assume that our
killer lost the case, and is
seeking revenge.
CAPT.THOMAS
And his target is this Nichols guy.
STEVENSON
Nichols somehow acquired 25 million
dollars, and is now retired living
on lake Michigan. He claims he won
the lottery.
CAPT.THOMAS
So what's the bottom line? Where
are we in this case?
STEVENSON
The killer is seeking revenge on a
man. A man who won a court case,
and received 25 million dollars as
a result. That man being Mason
Nichols. Kyle here, was the only
person that we know of with
information about the case, but
clearly we're too late.
CAPT.THOMAS
Well if we know where the killer is
headed next then why don't we just
stop him there and arrest him?
STEVENSON
With what proof? This is all just
speculation.
CAPT.THOMAS
How can we prove any of this?
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31. 30
STEVENSON
All of the information about the
case is sealed off. We need proof
that Nichols stole 25 million
dollars from the killer.
CAPT.THOMAS
The best thing to do would be to go
interrogate Nichols. See if you can
get him to talk. You can't just
steal 25 million dollars, this was
something bigger.
STEVENSON
We should try to find anything here
first.This man was also involved in
the case.
CAPT.THOMAS
Right.
Stevenson kneels down to investigate the body as Thomas
backs away to stand with Johnson as Stevenson does is work.
There is one bullet hole, square between Kyle's eyes. Blood
has stained a trail down his nose.
STEVENSON
Look at that accuracy.
He gestures towards the bullet hole. Johnson walks over to
see.
JOHNSON
That's remarkable.
STEVENSON
His other kills haven't been this
clean and accurate. They've all
been in the head, but this went
straight in.
JOHNSON
And look at the body's position.
He's pretty much lying straight on
his back.
STEVENSON
This man wasn't moving. That
explains the accuracy. He was
standing, facing the killer.
They... They must've been talking.
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32. 31
JOHNSON
About what?
STEVENSON
That's the question.
FADE OUT
INT. OWEN'S HOUSE - THE NEXT DAY, MORNING***.***. 00:30:55
Mason is in a hurry. We don't know why all that we know is
that he is packing a bag. He is rushing around his house,
grabbing vital things and throwing them into a suitcase. He
runs over to a drawer and flings it open, revealing a small
pistol. He takes it out and is about to put it into his
suitcase when he hears a car pull up in the driveway, and
the sound of car door closing. He then, instead of putting
it into the suitcase, just holds it and goes to hide in wait
behind a corner.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
(muttering silently to
himself)
You're early Alexander...
After a few seconds of waiting. He hears a knock on the
door. This confuses him. He was expecting Alexander to break
in, not politely knock on the door. But still he waits.
Another knock followed shortly by--
STEVENSON
Police! Open up!
Mason's eyes widen and he takes a breath in. He steps out
of his small hiding spot and walks over to the drawer to put
his gun back into it. He hesitates, then slips the gun into
the inside pocket of the coat he is wearing. Then walks
calmly over to the door and opens it. This reveals Stevenson
and Johnson standing in the doorway.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
Hello, Mason.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
(surprised)
Hey you're the officers from a
couple of days ago... What do you
need?
STEVENSON
Just to ask a few questions, that's
all. May we come in?
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33. 32
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
Sure.
They walk into the living room.
STEVENSON
(gesturing towards the
couch)
Please, have a seat.
Mason sits down.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
Were you involved in a court case
involving a coworker at The Chicago
Tribune?
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
And why do I need to answer that?
JOHNSON
Because we believe that The Penny
Killer was also involved in that
case, we need to know if you have
any information.
MASON/OWEN NICHOLS
I was. But I don't feel it
necessary to reveal any details
about it.
STEVENSON
Is that because you got away with
stealing twenty five million
dollars?
The question hangs in the air for a few seconds.
Then, very rapidly, Mason whips out his pistol and shoots at
Stevenson. It hits his left arm, right below the elbow.
Stevenson screams and stumbles backwards grasping at his
arm. Johnson pulls out his pistol and fires at Mason who is
now up and running for his suitcase. He grabs it, narrowly
avoiding Johnson's shots and runs out of the house. Johnson
reloads and sprints after Mason.
JOHNSON
Call someone for help! I need to
chase this guy down!
Stevenson, still holding his bleeding arm doesn't call
anyone. He takes his opportunity to look at Mason's
computer. He walks over and hesitates for a second as he
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34. 33
sees that the mouse is on the left side of the keyboard. He
moves it to the right and opens Mason's email, and goes back
to a couple of days before the date of the court case. He
finds an email from Alexander Zimmerman labeled "Deal".
We see a medium close-up shot of Stevenson's face from the
perspective of the computer monitor. After a couple of
seconds.
STEVENSON
(talking to himself)
A con-man... Mason Nichols... Was a
con-man.
He quickly reads the rest of the email, and then prints it
so he has evidence. He fold up the paper and shoves it into
his pocket. He then runs into the kitchen and ties a rag
around his bleeding arm. He begins to pull out his pistol,
suddenly he starts to wobble and looks very dizzy, we can
hear a ringing sound and the focus fades in and out. He
slumps over on the counter. Then he passes out, slides off
the counter and hits the floor, knocking his head hard.
CUT TO:BLACK
EXT. MASON'S PROPERTY - CONTINUOUS***.***. 00:31:16
A wide shot of Johnson running down the hill, gun raised.
Then a medium shot from the front, pulling away as he
pursues Nichols. As he continues to run, he pulls out his
cell phone, but stops.
JOHNSON
I'm in pursuit of a runner! He just
shot a detective... But... I think
I've lost him... I'd better go back
and help Stevenson. Send the
Captain and a paramedic to help.
He hangs up and puts his phone back into his pocket, then
puts down his gun and runs back up the hill and into the
house.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - 2 DAYS LATER***.***. 00:34:16
Stevenson wakes up slowly in a hospital bed. Johnson and the
captain are standing in the room in the corner discussing
something quietly. Stevenson looks over to his left arm and
see a large bandage over his bullet wound. He suddenly feels
a sharp pain in the side of his head. He flinches and
groans, then touches the side of his head, feeling another
bandage there. Hearing the groan, the captain and Johnson
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come over and stand over him.
CAPT.THOMAS
Glad to see you're awake, doctor
said there was a possibility of you
going into a coma.
STEVENSON
(groggily)
What happened?
JOHNSON
Mason shot you and then ran--
STEVENSON
Yes I know, but I don't remember
much after that.
JOHNSON
Well all I know is that after
chasing Mason for a few minutes, I
called in support and came back to
the house for you. I found you
lying on the floor of the kitchen
in a pool of blood.
CAPT.THOMAS
So we assume you passed out from
the blood loss in your arm. They
got the bullet out and got it all
bandaged up, you'll be fine in a
few days.
STEVENSON
What happened to Mason?
CAPT.THOMAS
We have people trying to find him,
but his house is so isolated, he
could be anywhere.
STEVENSON
Well at least the killer won't find
him at his house.
JOHNSON
Odds are the killer heard about all
of this, you getting shot, Mason
running. It's been all over the
news. He's going to be looking for
him.
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STEVENSON
Wait... How long have I been out?
CAPT.THOMAS
It's been two days.
JOHNSON
Yeah you really hit your head
hard... Did you look for anything
suspicious went I went after Mason?
STEVENSON
I don't remember anything after
being shot... hold on... Where are
the clothes I was wearing before
they put me in this damned robe?
CAPT.THOMAS
Nurse, fetch the man his bloody
clothes.
A nurse hands him a pile of blood crusted clothes. He hands
them to Stevenson who takes a folded piece of paper out of
the pocket of the pants.It has dried spots of blood on it.
STEVENSON
I found this.
He hands it to Johnson and the Captain.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
It's an e-mail from his computer, I
looked back a couple of days before
the court case.
JOHNSON
Stevenson, all this is is
discussing some investment deal.
STEVENSON
Don't you understand?
Stevenson stands up, perhaps a little too quickly, he wavers
and leans on the wall, then stands up again.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
Mason Nichols is a con artist!
That's how he got all that money,
that's why this man is trying to
kill him.
Thomas reads some more of the e-mail and thinks it over for
a second.
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CAPT.THOMAS
Alexander Zimmerman... We've got a
suspect.
JOHNSON
Do you think this evidence is
enough to stand up in court?
STEVENSON
We'll probably need more, but now
that we know who he is, we can find
him and get him to talk.
CAPT.THOMAS
It might not be so easy, this guy
clearly knows what he's doing, and
he's probably out there looking for
Mason right now.
At that moment The Captain's phone rings and he picks it up.
CAPT.THOMAS (CONT'D)
Yes. He's awake yes.
A pause, then his eyes widen.
CAPT.THOMAS (CONT'D)
(shocked)
It can't be... When? We'll be there
as soon as possible...
He sighs as he hangs up his phone and drops it back into his
pocket.
CAPT.THOMAS (CONT'D)
You think you're fit to check out
another scene detective?
STEVENSON
He got Mason?
CAPT.THOMAS
No, it's just some random woman.
STEVENSON
But it was Alexander?
CAPT.THOMAS
There's a penny on her forehead.
CUT TO:BLACK
INT. REBECCA'S HOUSE***.***. 00:36:31
Copyright 2013 Penumbra Studios
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They're standing over the body.
JOHNSON
I don't understand... why would he
just give up on his pattern if he
can't find Nichols...
CAPT.THOMAS
Yeah it doesn't make sense.... This
gives me reason to believe that
this wasn't his doing. Anybody
could kill someone and put a penny
on their forehead.
STEVENSON
Yes but this guy likes to play mind
games. It is an issue that there is
no definitive evidence that it is
or isn't him. The only reason we
knew the other times were because
of the pattern.
The woman is sprawled out on a chair, there is a bloody
bullet wound in her chest. A book rests in her right hand.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
She was reading.
He picks up the book and opens it to the page with the
bookmark.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
Edgar Allen Poe...
He takes the wallet out of the woman's jacket pocket. He
pulls out her driver's license, his face is overcome with a
look of confusion.
JOHNSON
What is it?
STEVENSON
Look, her last name is scratched
out.
CAPT.THOMAS
I'm assuming Alexander did that...
But why?
STEVENSON
Well obviously who she's related to
is important... It doesn't have to
do with his pattern because her
(MORE)
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first name doesn't fit. Rebecca.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
JOHNSON
Well her full name must be written
somewhere in this house.
CAPT.THOMAS
Let's find it.
They begin searching. We follow Johnson into the kitchen
where he finds a pile of mail. He picks up the first letter.
It is addressed to "Ms. Rebecca Nichols"
JOHNSON
I found it!
He calls to the others. They walk in.
JOHNSON (CONT'D)
Rebecca Nichols.
CAPT.THOMAS
So she's related to Mason... She's
not old enough to be his mother,
probably his sister or maybe his
cousin.
STEVENSON
My god... Now that Alexander can't
kill Mason himself, he's killing
his family instead.
A pause as everyone takes it in.
JOHNSON
How desperate can a man be for
revenge?
STEVENSON
It seems that at this point he's
given up trying to be
inconspicuous, he's just trying to
do everything he can to hurt Mason
before he gets caught.
CAPT.THOMAS
I think he's just done running from
us and this is his way of turning
himself in, letting us catch him,
while still doing as much mental
and emotional damage to Mason as he
possibly can, now that he can't
physically hurt him.
Copyright 2013 Penumbra Studios
40. 39
JOHNSON
We've still got to do everything we
can to stop him from killing
Mason's entire family.
CAPT.THOMAS
We should head down to the police
station first thing tomorrow. We
can try to look for the relative of
Mason's that lives in or closest to
Chicago. That'll be Zimmerman's
next target.
FADE OUT
INT. POLICE STATION - NEXT MORNING***.***. 00:38:23
Captain Thomas, Stevenson, and Johnson are all gathered
around a computer as Lieutenant Markus stares intently at
the screen and types, searching for a relative of Mason's.
LT. MARKUS
(excited)
Here! Joseph Nichols. Mason's
father. He lives in the suburbs to
the south!
Before anyone has time to react to Markus' discovery an
officer rushes over.
OFFICER
(to Capt. Thomas)
Captain, can I have a word with you
for a second?
Captain Thomas, seeming irritated follows the officer into
his office. About 30 seconds or so later, he comes out and
walks towards them shaking his head grimly.
STEVENSON
What is it?
CAPT.THOMAS
He's dead.
JOHNSON
Zimmerman?
CAPT.THOMAS
Mason. He was found in the woods a
few miles from his house. He took
his own life.
A short pauses as everyone lets it sink in.
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JOHNSON
How can they be sure?
CAPT.THOMAS
They can't, but he was out in the
middle of nowhere, and all the
signs point to a suicide.
STEVENSON
Could it have been Zimmerman?
CAPT.THOMAS
Said he had died about 36 hours
ago, almost the exact time as
Rebecca Nichols. Mason's dead. I
guess the Penny Killer got what he
wanted, now he'll turn himself in.
He has no reason to--
STEVENSON
No. This isn't over, it can't be
that simple... Has a cleanup team
taken away his body yet?
CAPT.THOMAS
...well I suppose not, they just
found him.
STEVENSON
Tell them not to touch the body. I
need to check this out.
CAPT.THOMAS
Detective, it was a suicide!
Alexander was busy killing Rebecca
when this happened. There's nothing
to investigate.
STEVENSON
We can never be so sure now can we
Captain?
He gives Thomas a long look.
CAPT.THOMAS
(giving in reluctantly)
Alright I'll tell em to leave the
body for now. But I'm telling you,
you're not gonna find anything. He
killed himself, there was too much
stress on him, being hunted down by
a revenge-crazed serial killer and
all.
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Stevenson doesn't respond as he is already halfway out the
door. Johnson looks at the exasperated face of Thomas and
shrugs. He too then swiftly walks out the door, following
Stevenson.
CAPT.THOMAS (CONT'D)
That boy just can't let a closed
case be can he...
INT. CAR - MOMENTS LATER***.***. 00:38:54
Stevenson leaps into his car and starts the engine. His eyes
are focused and intent. Johnson barely has time to throw
himself into the passenger seat before Stevenson starts to
speed away from the Police Station.
JOHNSON
What is this, Stevenson? The man
killed himself. There's nothing
else to investigate.
STEVENSON
I have a feeling... The crime scene
at Rebecca Nichols' house... It
didn't seem familiar enough to me.
Something seemed... off.
JOHNSON
What are you saying?
STEVENSON
Just wait, I need to see Mason's
body before I can come to any
definite conclusions... but I have
a theory.
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT. FOREST - LATER***.***. 00:42:05
FADE IN
We fade in on a forest clearing. In the center, Mason
Nichols' body is sprawled out, chest up. We see several
members of the search team standing a couple yards from the
body. We then see a close up of the body from above. There's
a clean bullet hole right between his eyes. A 9mm pistol is
resting in his right hand with his cold dead fingers loosely
wrapped around it.
Stevenson and Johnson enter the clearest from the right. One
of the search party members walks up and addresses them.
Copyright 2013 Penumbra Studios
43. 42
SEARCH PARTY MEMBER 1
Are you two the detectives that
wanted to come look at the body?
Stevenson give a quick nod.
STEVENSON
Yes.
SEARCH PARTY MEMBER 1
I'm telling you you're wasting your
time, this case is closed, he
clearly killed himself.
STEVENSON
Yeah? I wanna see for myself then.
He brushes past the search party member and rushes over to
the body. He kneels down over it. Johnson walks over much
less quickly and stands over Stevenson's shoulder. Stevenson
looks at he body for several seconds.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
Johnson, look at this,
Johnson kneels down.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
Does this look odd to you at all.
JOHNSON
Not really...
STEVENSON
Look at where the bullet wound is.
He points to the bullet wound.
JOHNSON
It's--
STEVENSON
(interrupting)
Who shoots themselves in the
forehead? Of all the suicides I've
investigated, I've never seen
someone shoot himself directly in
the forehead.
JOHNSON
I don't think that's enough to
prove this isn't a suicide.
Copyright 2013 Penumbra Studios
44. 43
STEVENSON
(pauses, irritated)
Ok, then fine look at this.
He then directs Johnson's attention to the gun in the body's
hand.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
If he had shot himself directly in
the forehead, would the barrel of
this gun be that clean?
JOHNSON
(pauses)
Well I suppose--
STEVENSON
(again interrupting)
There would have to be some blood,
some brain matter on it.
Johnson doesn't respond, he is still skeptical.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
The gun is in his right hand. Mason
Nichols was left handed. His
computer mouse was on the left side
of his keyboard when I was looking
through his email.
Still no response from Johnson.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
(getting angered)
Johnson, if someone shoots himself
in the head, would the gun remain
in his hand?
Another long pause.
Stevenson then begins to lift up the body's shirt.
JOHNSON
(alarmed)
What are you--
STEVENSON
Hold on.
He lifts up the shirt completely to reveal the body's chest,
and a penny sitting in the dead center of his it.
Johnson turns, astonished, to look at Stevenson, who looks
back at him with a look of success and "I told you so."
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45. 44
JOHNSON
How did you know?
STEVENSON
The killer, Alexander may have made
an intentional pattern, but he also
created an unintentional one. Every
victim he killed, he shot right
between the eyes or directly in the
back of the head. He goes for the
brain.
He leaves room for Johnson to figure it out himself. It
takes a moment.
JOHNSON
Rebecca Nichols was shot in the
chest... It was someone else...
STEVENSON
Alexander must've gotten to Mason's
house just after us and seen him
run into the woods. He hired
someone to kill Rebecca Nichols and
put a penny on her forehead as a
distraction, so he could track down
and kill Mason Nichols, making it
look like a suicide.
JOHNSON
We still haven't found Alexander
though.
STEVENSON
He got what he wanted. He devoted
his entire life to killing this
man, and he was successful. He has
nothing to live for anymore.
JOHNSON
You, you think he killed himself?
STEVENSON
Somewhere close.
He stands up.
STEVENSON (CONT'D)
(to everyone in the
clearing, yelling)
Alright everyone listen up! This
man was murdered and we need you to
find the murderer!
Copyright 2013 Penumbra Studios
46. 45
The search party, looking confused split off to look for
him.
INT. CENTRAL POLICE STATION - LATER***.***. 00:42:37
FADE IN
Stevenson, Johnson, and Captain Thomas are sitting around an
evidence table.
CAPT.THOMAS
How long did they search?
STEVENSON
Almost eight hours... They never
found him, dead or alive.
CAPT.THOMAS
Do you suspect we ever will?
STEVENSON
I very highly doubt it. He's been
one step ahead the entire time, and
it seems as if he always will be,
but he completed his task, got his
long sought after revenge. We
should keep looking but I don't
think we'll be hearing much from
The Penny Killer anymore.
CUT TO:BLACK
END
Credits
Copyright 2013 Penumbra Studios