“Broken Heart; Broken Plan”
~~~Downtown Chicago -Alley -2:15 pm~~~
A garbage truck pulls into the alley and loads the dumpster into the back of the truck. One of the garbage men notices the hand…
~~~Arlington Heights police Station -Inspector Silverson’s Office -2:17 pm~~~
Inspector Silverson and Detective Pine enter as the phone rings.
“Hello?” Inspector Silverson answers, “We’ll be right there.” He says after a pause
~~~Downtown Chicago -Alley -2:36 pm~~~
A crowd has formed around the opening to the alley. Inspector Silverson and Detective Pine work through the crowd to the body. It is of a woman in her late fifties. She is wearing a light orange blouse and a torn black skirt.
Miss Peach gasps and breaks through the officers that are guarding the area.
“That’s my mother!” she shouts
Professor Plum comes with her to the mangled body of her mother.
“Your mother?” Detective Pine asks, “Hey, aren’t you one of the people present at James Scarlet’s murder
Inspector Silverson shoots a look of disapproval at Detective Pine.
“Emily…” Inspector Silverson says, “It is Emily, right, Emily Peach.”
Miss Peach nods, crying, “That was my mother, Beverly Peach.”
Professor Plum puts his hand on her shoulder. Newscasters begin taking photos of the crime scene… Mr. Yale is no where to be found…
~~~Peacock Residence -Kitchen -2:42 pm~~~
Mrs. White watches the cook prepare the appetizers. Mrs. White walks over to the oven and looks at the cooking roast.
“Mrs. White.” The cook calls
“Yes Linda.” Mrs. White answers as she begins to sharpen a cleaver.
“How many guests are coming tonight?” asks the cook, Linda Copper.
“Oh, let’s see.” Mrs. White pulls out a pad of paper from her pocket, she counts the names on the list, “Twnety-seven more people are going to arrive.”
“Small amount for someone of Mrs. Peacock’s class.” Mrs. Copper smirks as she pierces a cube of cheese with a tooth pick.
Mrs. White puts the cleaver and the steel sharpener on the counter.
“Knowing Alice, we’ll probably have some extra people…” Mrs. White says, “Heavens, we’ll have to ask Mr. Tenné to fetch a couple more bottles of the finest…”
“Already done.” Mr. Tenné says entering the kitchen, “Three bottle in the Drawing Room, two in the Dining Room, five on the table set out in the hall, three in the Billiard Room, and two in the Library.”
“How’s the Hall coming along?” asks Mrs. White
“Find out for yourself.” Mr. Tenné says
~~~Peacock Residence -Hall -continuous~~~
Mrs. White enters from the kitchen door. She looks around at the buffets against the walls; she also hears arguing from Mrs. Peacock’s Study.
~~~Peacock Residence -Study -2:44 pm~~~
Alice Peacock is arguing with Mr. Boddy.
“I won’t allow him to stay here tonight.” Mrs. Peacock says, “Not even for the party.”
“Forest is a good friend of mine.” Mr. Boddy says
“No!” Mrs. Peacock shouts
“He’s expecting to come, he sounded excited.” Mr. Boddy says
“Since when does Forest Green give a damn about my life?” Alice puts her hands on her desk
“Alice, can’t we come to some sort of agreement?” asks Mr. Boddy
“I won’t have a member of the Green Mob here at the mansion.” Alice says, “Besides, there isn’t enough room for him to stay here.”
The telephone rings. Alice answers it, “Hello?” there is a pause, “I’m terribly sorry, give my condolences to Emily.”
“Who was that?” asks Mr. Boddy
Mrs. Peacock ignores the question and moves a stack of papers from her desk to the filing cabinet behind her.
“Alice?” Mr. Boddy urges
“Professor Plum and Miss Peach can’t come.” Alice says gruffly
“So there’s enough ‘room’ for Forest.” Mr. Boddy says, “After all we have enough room for your ego.”
“Mr. Boddy, you know the way to the Drawing Room.” Alice says closing the filing cabinet and opening her desk drawer. Mr. Boddy exits the study and Mrs. Peacock takes a small revolver from her desk drawer and puts six bullets in it, “Can’t be too cautious.” She tucks in into her waist line.
~~~Peacock Residence -Library -2:44 pm~~~
Senator Peacock and Colonel Mustard enter from the path leading to the Tennis Courts.
“I swear I saw him!” Colonel Mustard says
“Mike, if you’re playing a little joke on me then say it!” Senator Peacock sits in an armchair.
“I saw him! He was standing in the gatehouse; there was blood on his chest.” Colonel Mustard says
~~~Peacock Residence -Formal Gardens-2:47 pm~~~
Captain Mist stands over the body of the porter, whose throat has been slashed open. Captain Mist cleans the blade of his fishing knife in the fountain. He then hoists the body into the base of the fountain. With a splash the blood mixes with water.
Captain Mist then proceeds back to the Tennis Courts.
~~~Peacock Residence -Dining Room -2:50 pm~~~
Mrs. Evelyne Peacock smirks as she enters. The large oak table has various plates of cookies, candies, and other sweet things. There is an enormous cake on the table, protected by plastic wrap with is slightly touching it. She walks over to the roaring fireplace and admires the carvings on it, jealously. She then walks over to the door leading outside…
~~~Peacock Residence -Rotunda -2:53 pm~~~
Alice Peacock comes from the path leading to her study. She climbs the steps to the Rotunda and sits in one of the wicker chairs. She sees Evelyne coming.
“Grand.” Alice smirks
Evelyne climbs up the stairs to the rotunda.
“Quite a nice estate you have here.” Evelyne says
“Evelyne what do you want?” Alice stands up
“Well this of course.” She says indication the estate
“Ha.” Alice snorts, “That’s a laugh! Why would I give you my mansion?”
“I understand Sir Peacock died under very mysterious circumstances.” Evelyne says
“As did your first husband.” Alice crosses her arms and sits down, “I’ll play along, go on…”
Evelyne begins to get angry since her plan seems to be failing, “Sir Peacock died of mysterious circumstances that would put both you and Colonel Mustard at risk. I understand that all the fancy rich snobs in Chicago will be at your party tonight?”
“And I’m looking at the biggest.” Alice says
Evelyne becomes furious, “If you don’t give the will of the mansion to me I will announce at the party that you and Colonel Mustard murdered Sir Peacock and not only will your reputation be ruined, but you’ll go to prison!”
“Evelyne, you don’t have the courage to announce it.” Alice stands up, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I came out here to have a bit of peace and quiet, but you see that didn’t happen.” Alice goes down the steps of the Rotunda, “I have to prepare a party for my daughter.”
“You just see!” Evelyne calls out, “Everyone at the party will know the truth.”
“Hearing it from a drunk like you, they won’t believe a word of it.” Alice calls back.
Evelyne lowers her voice and walks down the path towards the rose garden, “We’ll see about that.”
~~~Green Estate -Drawing Room -3:01 pm~~~
Mrs. Maraschino enters to see Thallo sitting in his armchair, reading a newspaper. Thallo is shocked to see her.
“I thought we weren’t suppose to be seen together?” Mr. Green says mockingly
“I’m going as Forest’s date to the party. If anyone asks why I was here, tell them I came to go with Forest.”
“Is he dead?” asks Thallo
“He was pretty strong but I choked him with a rope.” Chelsea sits on the sofa.
“How long will it be before the authorities find him?” asks Thallo
“As long as it takes for them to find Beverly Peach.” Mrs. Maraschino smirks
TO BE CONTINUED