NOIR SAMPLE 2
by Jarrod Penfold
FADE IN:
1. INT. OFFICE – NIGHT. 1
DUTCH walks into his office. He throws his coat and hat on a chair, and turns on the light.
ELIZABETH is standing in the corner, pointing a small revolver at DUTCH.
They stare at each other for a moment, unmoving.
DUTCH (V.O.)
She had the drop on me, good and proper.
No time to be angry about it now.
Better humour her, see what she wants.
ELIZABETH
You are taking this rather well, Mr
Dutch. Other men in your position were
less… composed.
DUTCH raises an eyebrow. He slowly walks around to behind his desk, ELIZABETH watching him all the while.
DUTCH (V.O.)
I don’t know which is colder; the gun
in her hands, or the smile on her lips.
DUTCH
I take it this isn’t a social visit?
ELIZABETH
As much as I’d like to thank you for your
help, you’re becoming a nuisance.
DUTCH sits at his desk, and moves to open his drawer.
ELIZABETH’s finger tightens on the revolver trigger.
DUTCH (V.O.)
Dames and guns. Either will get a man
killed. Both together are a special kind
of trouble.
Opening the drawer, DUTCH pulls out a half-empty bottle of scotch, and two glasses, and places them on his desk.
He pours alcohol into both of them.
DUTCH
Find your strengths and stick to them, I always
say.
DUTCH slides a glass toward ELIZABETH on the table.
ELIZABETH
How very cavalier, Mr Dutch.
DUTCH grimaces.
DUTCH (V.O.)
That really grates on my nerves.
ELIZABETH
(tight-lipped)
Johnny acted the same way, right before I
put a bullet in that smart mouth of his.
DUTCH looks intently at ELIZABETH.
DUTCH (V.O.)
That didn’t make sense. According to the
police files Johnny was strangled, not
shot.
DUTCH
Johnny was no saint, but he didn’t deserve
to be put six foot under.
ELIZABETH angrily advances towards DUTCH.
ELIZABETH
(vehemently)
Yes he did! For what he did to me, what
they all did to me. And what you’ll do
too, if I let you get away.
DUTCH
(incredulous)
What? Spend another night at a bar?
Waste too much money on cigarettes?
DUTCH shrugs and sips his drink.
DUTCH (V.O.)
She thought I knew something! Something
she was willing to kill for… Or was she?
Think fast Dutch-boy.
ELIZABETH
(indignant)
You don’t take me seriously, Mr Dutch.
Soon you will.
DUTCH grimaces again.
DUTCH
(angry)
Listen, lady, it’s just ‘Dutch’ ok? You
can quit the ‘mister’ crap.
DUTCH and ELIZABETH stare intently at each other.
DUTCH (V.O.)
Why do I get the feeling she’s stalling?
ELIZABETH sighs, and lowers her gun.
ELIZABETH
It doesn’t matter, he’s here now.
A resounding knock-knock comes from the door, startling DUTCH.
CUT TO BLACK…
