#in real life. i think it would cheerme up

[sceptilemasterr]

MW Act 1, Scene 13 - Two-Faced

Title: Most Wanted: The Hollywood Killer (A CIU Screenplay)

Main Pairings: Dave x Sam

Other Pairings: N/A

Genre: Full Rewrite

Rating: PG-13 for violence, blood, swearing, alcohol, and sexuality

Summary: Sam, Dave, Rhea, and Reza visit Cheerm, only to find the owner isn’t home... or ARE they?

Previous Scene: Hitting the Beach

Masterlist: Link

INT. CHEERM APARTMENT COMPLEX - DAY

The four of them are standing in the lobby of a small, run-down apartment complex, in front of a call box. Dave scans the apartment listings as Sam taps her foot impatiently.

SAM: This is Cheerm? I thought it was a company.

REZA: For an internet startup, you never have to leave your home, y’know.  (dramatically) The real American Dream!

He pauses expectantly, but neither Sam nor Dave react. After a moment, Rhea lets out a small chuckle.

REZA: Thank you! At least someone around here appreciates me.

Dave finds the Cheerm listing, and buzzes up. A female voice answers.

JESSICA (V.O.): Cheerm HQ!

DAVE: My name’s Dave, I’m with the city. Do you mind if we could chat for a minute?

Sam frowns at him, clearly skeptical. Rhea and Reza exchange a glance. After a pause, the voice returns.

JESSICA (V.O.): Totes! No prob, just punch 2139 into the call box and come on up!

Sam raises an eyebrow. Dave shrugs.

SAM (sarcastically): Look at you, Prince Charming.

DAVE: What can I say? It works.

The elevator opens, and the four of them file in. As it ascends, Rhea attempts to make conversation.

RHEA (to Reza): So, you... uh... have you been out this way before?

REZA: Huh? Uh? Um, yeah, this place is... uh... it’s really... I’ve been here... one time, it’s nice, right?

Dave facepalms at Reza’s awkwardness. Before Rhea has the chance to respond, the doors slide open on the top floor, right across from a door marked ‘CHEERM’ in huge, bright lettering. Dave shrugs.

DAVE: They aren’t exactly subtle...

He knocks on the door. After a second, the door opens narrowly, and a young woman in workout clothes peers through the opening. This is JESSICA GREENE, though at this time we do not know her name. She smiles innocently at the group.

JESSICA: Hi there! Can I help you guys?

RHEA: We... um, or, uh, we’re... 

Dave steps in when he notices Rhea blushing and tripping over her words.

DAVE: I’m Detective Dave Reyes. This is my partner, Marshal Sam Massey, and my colleagues, Reza Fassihi and Rhea Sarkar. What’s your name?

In the background, Rhea does an excited shudder when Dave introduces her as a ‘colleague.’ Jessica smiles apologetically and shrugs.

JESSICA: I’m, uh... Monika. Duh. Sorry, I know I’m a total ditz, right? Did you need something?

Sam frowns.

SAM: Who would we talk to about this ‘Cheerm’ company?

JESSICA: Huh? Oh... yeah, that would be my brother, Chad. He and his friend Todd started this dumb company last year. I can totes give him a message if you wanna tell me what this is all about?

DAVE: The thing is, Monika...

He goes into ‘flirt mode,’ leaning against the door, lowering his voice, and gazing into ‘Monika’s’ eyes.

DAVE: Y’know... I could really use your help on this one. I’d owe you, big time.

JESSICA: Oh yeah? What would you owe me, Mr. Detective?

DAVE: I guess we’d have to find out.

Sam rolls her eyes at Dave’s ridiculous ‘flirt mode.’

SAM: You’re kidding me. This’ll never work...

JESSICA (giggles): Well, if you need to talk to Chad and Todd, they’re down on the beach right now for a brainstorming sesh!

Sam’s jaw drops. Dave smirks at her before continuing.

DAVE: Thanks, Monika. You’re a lifesaver!

RHEA: You’ve been everything!

JESSICA (confused): ...What?

RHEA: Oh my God that was so stupid! I meant to say ‘You’ve been a big help’ or ‘Thanks for everything’ but then I somehow mixed them up and said ‘You’ve been everything’ I’m such an idiot I’m so sorry!

JESSICA: Uh... okay. Thank you.

She forces a smile and closes the door. Rhea sighs and puts her head in her hands.

RHEA: I am so stupid!

REZA: Yeah. I know.

Rhea gives him a look. Reza blanches.

REZA: Wait, no, I didn’t mean- not like that! I just meant, I’m awkwardly stupid too, so I get it! Er, wait! No, I wasn’t calling you stupid! And... yeah, okay, I’ll stop now.

DAVE: I think you just proved your point.

REZA: Guess I’m forever doomed to stammer like an idiot around cute girls.

SAM (sighs): Can we just go find these brainstorming executives? Please?

DAVE: You go on ahead. I’ve got a hunch I want to follow up on.

SAM: Sure you do.

She and Reza head back toward the elevator. Rhea stays, glancing between Sam and Dave for a moment.

SAM: Paparazzi? You comin’?

RHEA: Not right now. I’ve... also got a hunch.

SAM (shrugs): Suit yourself.

The elevator dings, and Sam and Reza enter and descend. After a moment, Dave knocks on the door again. They wait several seconds, with no response.

RHEA: Maybe she... fell asleep?

DAVE: Not likely.

Dave knocks again, and waits for another long moment. Still, nothing happens.

RHEA: Are you, y’know, suspecting something?

DAVE: Possibly...

He draws his gun. Rhea gasps.

RHEA: Are you gonna need that?!

DAVE: Sure hope not.

Dave leans back, then slams his heel through the door. The lock splinters, and he sprints inside, followed a moment later by Rhea. Inside, the room is filled with several computers, routers, and other devices. Jessica stands up against one of the computer towers, holding a handheld device up to it.

DAVE: You! Stop!

Jessica hesitates at Dave’s voice for only a second, then returns to what she was doing. As Dave and Rhea watch, the computer monitor she is standing with winks out, dead. Rhea gasps in recognition.

RHEA: Oh my God, I know what that is! It’s one of those high-powered magnet things they use to erase computers!

DAVE: She’s erasing the evidence! (to Jessica) Stop, don’t do this!

JESSICA (tearfully): I have to! I have to run, or I’m dead!

RHEA: Wait! Please! I know how you feel!

JESSICA: Shut up! I don’t need a lecture from a cop!

As Jessica crosses to the next computer and starts holding the device up to it, Rhea approaches her, showing her empty hands.

DAVE: Rhea! No! You’re just-

RHEA: Look. Monika. I’m not a cop; I’m just a journalist. Barely out of college. A nobody, pretty much.

To Dave’s shock, Jessica actually hesitates, curious about what Rhea is going to say.

RHEA: I’m not-

Rhea pauses, taking a deep breath and quickly composing herself before continuing, more confidently this time.

RHEA: I’m not saying I know who you are. All I can say is that I know the kind of person you are; and that’s someone who knows what she can do. Nothing more; nothing less. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re overlooked, overshadowed.

JESSICA (hesitantly): I... I don’t know what you’re talking about.

RHEA: Let me take a guess. People take you for granted, don’t they? You can spend every day of your life doing everything for them behind the scenes, all the little inconvenient details that help their jobs to keep existing, and the simple “thank you” that you deserve... never comes. So you feel like you have to do something extreme. Because, you’re afraid that if you don’t, you’ll actually... truly... be alone, forever.

There is a long, drawn-out pause. Rhea and Jessica keep their gazes on each other, neither one willing to be the first to look away. Behind Rhea, Dave slowly lowers his pistol. After a moment or two, a single tear drips down the side of Jessica’s face, and she averts her gaze.

JESSICA: I... you... (sighs) It’s too late for me. I can’t change now.

Rhea shakes her head.

RHEA: No. It’s not too late. We can help you. It’s never too late.

Slowly, Jessica starts lowering the magnet, slumping to the floor. Rhea crosses over to her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. A few seconds later, Dave starts approaching the two of them. Jessica looks up at him, her eyes wet with tears.

JESSICA: I... please...

DAVE (gently): Look, you’re doing the right thing. You’ve made the right choice. But the things you did... you’re still going to have to pay the price. I’m sorry, but right now, I’m gonna need you to come-

To Dave and Rhea’s surprise, Jessica holds out her wrists toward Dave. Her expression has changed, a distinct look of fear now joining the sadness on her face.

JESSICA: I know. Please, Officer, let’s go. Now. Please!

Dave takes a step back, confused and suspicious at the strange request. Rhea looks at Jessica curiously.

RHEA: What is this? Some kind of trick?

Jessica starts shaking her head in frantic desperation.

JESSICA: No trick! I promise! Please, just take me back to the station. Lock me up for life if you have to, just get me away from here!

DAVE: Monika, explain. Now.

JESSICA: You don’t understand, there’s no time! You need to get me away from here, he’s-

With an ominous thud, the power to the building suddenly cuts out, plunging the room into darkness. Dave reflexively draws his pistol, aiming it at Jessica.

DAVE: What is this? What did you do?!

JESSICA (panicked): No! No, no, no... He’s here, you’re too late, he’s gonna kill me!

RHEA: Who?! Monika, what’s going on?

JESSICA: Gavin’s killer. John Tull.

Dave, his eyes still adjusting to the darkness, startles at her words, swiveling his stance around so he and his gun are now facing the entrance. Rhea tenses, backing herself and Jessica up against the wall.

JESSICA: He’s here to kill me.

_______________________

Next: Darkness

CIU Tag List: @brightpinkpeppercorn @endlesshero1122 @bbaba-yagaa @acidsugar0

MW Tag List: @griselda1121

#most wanted the hollywood killer #choices most wanted #choices stories you play #most wanted rewrite #ciu project #choices interconnected universe #fanfic #dave reyes #sam massey #reza fassihi #rhea sarkar #jessica greene #mwahaha cliffhanger #hmm seems to be a running theme in these ciu scripts #to have someone going by a fake name #first estela now jessica #wonder if this tradition will continue in the next one??? #also yes there was a stealth es reference in this chapter