It's 2:00 in the afternoon on a Sunday, it's a bright and sunny. A plump little woman carrying a Tupperware dish walks down the street to the Rider house. Jack answers the door wearing a formal suit jacket.
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JACK
Good morning Mrs. Heathcliff
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MRS HEATHCLIFF
Morning dearie, I just came to drop this off. I heard the news, and thought I'd pop over to say hello. Terrible isn't it? Just terrible. Well, some nice hot food always helps. Hot food for the soul. It's a tuna casserole, my mum's recipe.
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JACK
Oh you shouldn't have!
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MRS HEATHCLIFF
Oh nonsense, it was no trouble, no trouble at all. Now how is Alex dearie holding up?
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Jack invites her in and we cut to Alex. He is in his room and he has seen all this from the window. He is dressed in a stiff black suit with his hair slicked back. His untied tie hangs around his neck, forgotten.
His phone sounds, he glances at it and puts it back down. He doesn't feel like talking.
The room feels claustrophobic and he suddenly has to leave. He walks down the hall way, looking at some photos, most of them are of him and Jack. Birthday parties, school events, a weekend at the beach.
Several of them are of him holding sports trophies, his team with a football cup, swimming medals, posing with a black belt…he's evidently a very sporty kid. He stares at the last one, it's of him and Ian on a ski trip last year, their faces are mostly obscured by ski goggles. Alex is grinning broadly, Ian is straight-faced. Alex stares at it for a long time, he feels sad about Ian's death, but not that sad. Was that normal? Was it because they weren't very close?
He stops outside Ian's office and stares at the closed door. Now that he thought about it, he knew so little of the man. He kept so many secrets, would he be able to find out now that he was gone?
He tried the doorknob. Locked.
Jack appears behind him.
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JACK
Alex the car's here, we're ready to go. Oh you silly billy, you still haven't tied your tie yet!
(she starts tying Alex's tie.)
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ALEX
What's going to happen now? The house, his things…us?
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JACK
Your uncle left a will. He'd make sure we're well looked after. You know what he's like; he couldn't use the bathroom without a plan B.
(she gives him a hug.)
We're going to be just fine. I promise!
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ALEX
Doesn't this seem strange to you?
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JACK
What does?
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ALEX
The accident. They said he wasn't wearing a seatbelt, but you know how careful Ian is! He won't even let me go around the block without wearing one!
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JACK
I know what you mean, but accidents do happen Alex. Maybe he was in a rush, maybe he just forgot and…well, it was just plain bad luck.
(she sees Alex is not entirely convinced)
Come on, why would the police lie to us?
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Alex can think of several reasons, but they're all extremely far-fetched.
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ALEX
Yeah, you're right.
We should clear out his office after we get back. The Will will probably be in there.
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JACK
Ok. After we get back, lets take things one step at a time.
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They descend. Most of the guests have left already. Alex shuns his dress shoes and puts on a pair of comfortable sneakers instead. A plain, forgettable man in a suit greets them outside, it is Crowley.
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CROWLEY
Good morning. I am John Crowley from the Royal and General Bank. I was a colleague of Ian. He was a good man and we are all deeply, deeply saddened by this great loss.
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He escorts them to a waiting car and they drive off.
They arrive at the cemetery a few minuets later and there is a sizable crowd already there.
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ALEX
Look at all these people…Do you think they're all from the bank?
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JACK
Dunno. Probably. I can't imagine him having this many friends.
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All the men and women are dressed in black, they are quiet, serious people, conversing in quiet, serious voices. Alex and Jack stick close together, feeling a bit out of place.
Just as the service is about to start, a posse of sleek black cars pull up, this catches everyone's attention. The car in the center opens its doors and out steps a body guard, he surveys the area before opening the back door, two more bodyguards step out, along with a steely-looking man in his sixties, everything about him was grey; grey hair, grey skin and grey glasses.
Crowley leaned over and whispered in Alex's ear:
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CROWLEY
That's Mr. Alan Blunt. He's the president of the Royal and General.
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Alex stared at Blunt. What was the president of the bank doing here? And why did he need so many bodyguards? Blunt turned and their gazes met for a moment before he disappearing into the crowd.
The funeral lasted for over an hour, the atmosphere was quiet and sobering. The crowd stood in a semi-circle around Ian's coffin. Even though it was a sunny day, the tall overhanging trees made the cemetery dark and shadowy.
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VICAR
Dearest friends and family, we have gathered here today to mourn the passing of Ian Rider, a great man who touched the hearts of many that knew him…
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Alex was bored, he didn't fidget, but he found his gaze being drawn to a sunny park nearby, a group of boys were playing football on the field. He wanted to be there with them, having a normal Sunday, not stuck here listening to a stranger drone on and on about how great his dead uncle was.
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VICAR (OS)
-He was a good man, a patriotic man-
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Alex frowned at this. Patriotic meant that he loved his country, but Ian wasn't the kind of man to wave a flag around. In fact, he barely spent anytime in his country.
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VICAR
-May he rest in peace. Amen.
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CROWD
(in unison)
Amen.
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ALEX
(hastily, his train of thought interrupted)
Amen.
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After the funeral the crowed dispersed rather quickly, evidently no one had time to hang around and chat. Alex walked off alone, his head bowed in thought. Suddenly he came face to face with Blunt and his body guards.
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ALEX
(looks up)
Oh hello.
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BLUNT
Alan Blunt. From the Royal and General. Ian Rider worked for me.
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ALEX
I know.
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Neither offered the other their hand to shake.
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BLUNT
You must be his nephew Alex. Ian talked about you often.
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ALEX
Really? He hasn't mentioned you. Sir.
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BLUNT
He was a good man, a diligent worker. Men of his ilk are hard to come by, he will be missed.
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ALEX
He didn't talk about his work either. What did he do, my uncle?
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Crowley suddenly appeared behind him.
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CROWLEY
Your uncle Ian was in charge of our over-seas branch, surely you must have known that, Alex!
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ALEX
I know he traveled a lot, he was always busy. I know he's a very careful man, who cared about things like wearing a seatbelt.
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BLUNT
Not careful enough, it seems.
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His body guards touch their fingers to their earpieces. And a few seconds later, a black car pulls up at the curb, ready to pick him up.
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BLUNT
This has been an enjoyable conversation.
(a small tick appeared in his cheek, it might have been a smile)
Goodbye Alex Rider. We'll be seeing each other again, very soon.
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Alex watches him climb into the car, one by one his bodyguards follow. As the last one bends over, a gust of wind opens his jacket and reveals a gun. Alex's eyes widen in surprise. The body guard quickly covered the weapon and glanced around, checking if he was seen. He catches Alex staring.
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JACK
Alex there you are! Don't run off like that, I thought someone kidnapped you.
(she jogs over, carrying her high heels)
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The car drives off and Alex is left with more questions than before.
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JACK
Sweetie, what's wrong?
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ALEX
Oh, nothing.
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JACK
Let's get out of here, cemeteries give me the creeps.
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ALEX
(Glances back at where the car's left.)
Yeah, and a couple of creeps have shown up, too.
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JACK
What was that?
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ALEX
(grins incredulously)
Kidnapping? Seriously?
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JACK
I know, it's ridiculous. Who would want such an ugly child?
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ALEX
(Snorts)
People in glass houses…
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They walk past Crowley's waiting car and Jack waves them off.
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JACK
Let's walk home, maybe get some chips on the way. Sounds good?
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ALEX
Yeah. Better than whatever's at home. What was in the kitchen? It stunk up the whole house.
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JACK
Tuna casserole.
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ALEX
I though chemical weapons were against the Geneva Code?
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JACK
You know, I never really understood why people bring you food after someone dies. Like, sorry for your loss, here's some lukewarm grub? Where did that come from?
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ALEX
Dunno
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Cut to them walking down their street with takeout bags in hand. Alex spots a moving van parked outside their house, it has "Proctor and Son's" printed on the side. As he watches, two men walk out of their house, carrying a filing cabinet.
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ALEX
(softly)
What the hell?
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JACK
Hey! Hey you!
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They take off running at full speed, but the moving men are faster. They load up the van, jump in and drive off.
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JACK
Hey stop! Stop! Thief! Thief!
(she chases a few feet and gives up.)
What the hell? What the hell was that?
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Alex runs into the house; he has bad feeling about what they took. Jack yells at him:
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JACK
Alex where are you going? Alex!
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He ignores her and sprints up the stairs two at a time. Ian's office's door is ajar and for a second he hoped that he had caught them in time. But no. He bursts into Ian's office and it's empty, totally and completely empty, all the furniture is gone. All that's left are pale patches on the floor where they stood. He stands there helplessly, frustration and adrenalin pumping though him, and the scene fades to black.
