Fake History

by DoctorH

A teleplay in five acts, like watching an episode on TV. An early-morning murder leads Murdoch through a strange world of fakes and frauds and falsehoods, in which it is unclear who is on the up-and-up and in which it is unclear whether national treasures are what they purport to be. A solution to the mystery is included.

1. Act I

"Fake History"

ACT I

(FADE IN. ESTABLISHING SHOT OF TORONTO, late night/early morning. There is just a hint of sunlight on the horizon, indicating sunrise is not too long away, but the sunlight is not enough to illuminate anything. Street lamps are the main sources of light. CUT TO: EXT. OF A HOUSE OR PUBLIC BUILDING. The building has a distinct appearance, making it easily recognizable at night or in the daylight. Near the building are several trees and walkways. There is some lighting of the scene from street lamps, but the area is clearly well away from the streets. In front of the building walks PAULIN on a walkway, a man of about thirty-five years, well-dressed, wearing a long-sleeved coat. PAULIN carries a wrapped box about the size of a typewriter, large enough to hold a large hat. The street lamps make PAULIN's face readily visible in the darkness. PAULIN looks around, as if expecting to meet someone, but he sees no one. PAULIN pulls his pocket watch, orients it so it can be read by the light of a street lamp, checks the time, re-pockets the watch, and resumes looking for the party he is supposed to meet. Presently, from behind a tree, hidden by the darkness, steps the FIGURE IN BLACK, whose features are almost totally obscured. The FIGURE IN BLACK is wearing dark clothing, a dark cloak, dark gloves, a dark hood, and a dark mask. The FIGURE IN BLACK could be a man or a woman, it is hard to tell. No features on the face, except for the eyes— and maybe the ears, neck and part of the forehead— can be seen. PAULIN notices the FIGURE IN BLACK, and the two cautiously approach one another on a walkway, both stopping when they are about three meters apart. The street lamps allow them to see each other fairly clearly.)

PAULIN
(holding up his box) Here is our part of the bargain.

(The FIGURE IN BLACK does not say anything or move.)

PAULIN
(a bit nervous) I assume, Mr. Jones, you will keep your part of the bargain?

(The FIGURE IN BLACK reaches into a coat or cloak and produces a wrapped box that might be large enough to hold an egg. The FIGURE IN BLACK holds the box out into the light. PAULIN sees it and smiles with great relief.)

PAULIN
(to himself) Oh, thank heavens! (to the FIGURE IN BLACK) Shall we— shall we trade?

(PAULIN and the FIGURE IN BLACK slowly walk toward one another. With the gloved left hand, the FIGURE IN BLACK holds the small box out in front at arm's length. When they are about three paces away from one another, they stop. PAULIN slowly stoops down and places his larger box on the paved walkway. As he is occupied doing so, the FIGURE IN BLACK comes one pace closer, then stands still. PAULIN stands up.)

PAULIN
As was agreed, yes?

(The FIGURE IN BLACK acts as though he is about to set his smaller box on the walkway, then gestures as though doing so would be silly, and since the two individuals are so close, the FIGURE IN BLACK might as well hand the box to PAULIN directly. The FIGURE IN BLACK steps forward and extends his left hand, with the box, toward PAULIN. PAULIN, his eyes fixed on the small box, extends his right hand eagerly to take it. Just as PAULIN is about to take the box, the FIGURE IN BLACK drops the box and lunges forward, securely grabbing with his left hand PAULIN's right wrist. The small box strikes the pavement near PAULIN's feet. PAULIN is taken by surprise. The flash of a blade shows that the FIGURE IN BLACK is armed; the FIGURE IN BLACK stabs PAULIN, though the weapon used is not clearly seen. PAULIN's attempts to defend himself are futile, but as he struggles to escape, PAULIN unintentionally kicks the small box, which flies out into the darkness, out of sight. The FIGURE IN BLACK stabs PAULIN again and again, and PAULIN crumples. After the FIGURE IN BLACK makes one violent and vicious stab, he lets go of PAULIN's wrist and PAULIN collapses, bleeding and mortally wounded. The FIGURE IN BLACK picks up the large box and begins to search for the small box, which is not visible in the light of the street lamps, and which has vanished in the darkness. The FIGURE IN BLACK searches, scanning the area.)

NEWTON
(from a distance) Hey! You there!

(The FIGURE IN BLACK turns and sees the shouting NEWTON running toward him. The FIGURE IN BLACK reluctantly abandons his search, and hastily disappears into the darkness with the larger box. NEWTON's footsteps are heard [SFX] as he comes to render aid.)

PAULIN
(feebly) Help! Oh, God.

(PAULIN stops moving. NEWTON, wearing labourer's attire, runs toward PAULIN to see about his condition. PAULIN'S eyes are wide open, his jaw is slack and his pupils are dilated. NEWTON is horrified by the sight, and does not touch PAULIN.)

NEWTON
Mister? Mister?!

(PAULIN does not respond, but lies still. There is a PAN from PAULIN's lifeless body, across a dark expanse of grass, to the small wrapped box, now lying near a tree, about twenty paces away. DISSOLVE TO: The same view of the box, in early morning sunlight. The scene of the crime is now illuminated by the not-yet-risen sun, but street lamps may still be active. The body of PAULIN remains where it had fallen, a puddle of blood near the body. On the scene are MURDOCH, CRABTREE, JACKSON, and HIGGINS. JACKSON is keeping a couple of curious onlookers away. Close to PAULIN's body is HIGGINS, who is standing next to, and is conversing with, NEWTON. NEWTON is a bit rattled as he talks to HIGGINS; HIGGINS nods and takes notes. CRABTREE is securing the scene, but spots something near a tree and goes to investigate. MURDOCH approaches PAULIN's body, taking notice of the positions of the street lamps. MURDOCH crosses himself, and then looks more closely at PAULIN's body, without disturbing anything. After this quick examination of the body, MURDOCH approaches HIGGINS.)

HIGGINS
Good morning, sir. I see you got called in early, too.

MURDOCH
Yes, and Dr. Ogden will be arriving shortly as well. What have you, Henry?

HIGGINS
(indicating NEWTON) Sir, this man is Geoffrey Newton. He saw the attack, which occurred about half an hour before sunrise, and notified the Constabulary.

MURDOCH
Mr. Newton. I am Detective William Murdoch. Did you see what happened?

NEWTON
(very nervous) No, sir! I saw a fight. But I didn't see much. It was dark. This man (gesturing at PAULIN) fell, I couldn't see the other man clearly. He wore black, he looked like a shadow, I think he wore a black mask. He ran off.

HIGGINS
(helpfully) Mr. Newton says he did not disturb anything, and did not touch the body.

NEWTON
(horrified, nervous) I saw his eyes were open and they didn't blink or look at me as I ran up to him. He was stone dead, for sure.

MURDOCH
That's all right. Since you saw his eyes, I assume you also saw his face. Did you recognize him?

NEWTON
No, sir!

MURDOCH
(to HIGGINS) Henry, would you please take Mr. Newton to the Station House and record his statement? (to NEWTON) Thank you, Mr. Newton.

HIGGINS
(to MURDOCH) Right away, sir. (to NEWTON) This way, Mr. Newton.

(HIGGINS gestures in a direction, and HIGGINS and NEWTON exit the scene of the crime. MURDOCH notices that OGDEN and a PHOTOGRAPHER are approaching. OGDEN is carrying a portable light [flashlight]. MURDOCH is about to approach OGDEN, when—)

CRABTREE'S VOICE
(calling) Detective Murdoch!

(MURDOCH stops in his tracks. He looks at CRABTREE, whose voice and posture indicate that something important has been found. MURDOCH gives one glance to OGDEN, then walks over to CRABTREE. CRABTREE stands next to a tree, and on the ground is the small, wrapped box.)

CRABTREE
I though you might find this of interest, sir. It seems to be out of place here.

MURDOCH
Odd. Yes, it does seem out of place. I wonder what it is—?

(CLOSE-UP on the package. FADE OUT.)