EPISODE 1:
INT. COUNTY GENERAL CITY HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER - THE
WAITING ROOM.
There are several people clustered around the waiting room:
Police Chief KLAUS DELACROIX, early 30s, is interviewing
ANASTASIA BLUMPKIN, late 20s. Their discussion is not
audible.
FAITH DELACROIX, early 30s, is talking with her brother, REX
ROTHCHILD, late 20s.
FAITH
Who could have done this, Rex?
REX
I don't know, Faith. I don't know.
FAITH
Why would anyone want to kill
Vivian Von Vial?
CLOSEUP on REX, brow furrowed:
REX (V.O.)
Who wouldn't? She blackmailed my
father into marrying her, and tried
to convince him to write me out of
his will! Cunt.
FAITH
Rex?
REX
Sorry, Big Sis. I had chili for
lunch and it's speaking to me.
He exits.
DR. ESTEBAN DELACROIX, Mid-30s, enters in surgical scrubs.
Everyone rushes to him as he removes his mask.
FAITH
Esteban! How's Vivian, darling?
ESTEBAN
It's too soon to tell. She's had a
serious blow to the head, and she
was poisoned, and they tried to
suffocate her, and it looks like
she was also spanked until her
bottom turned purple.
FAITH
Oh my god.
KLAUS
What about her companion?
ESTEBAN
The Gardener? He's in even worse
shape. He was shot, stabbed,
bludgeoned, and burned. He was
still on fire when the paramedics
got to him.
FAITH
Oh my god.
ESTEBAN
We're doing everything we can. But
it's going to be a rough couple of
hours.
Klaus takes Esteban aside. The rest close ranks and console
each other inaudibly.
KLAUS
Any indication who might have done
this?
ESTEBAN
Not until we do an autopsy. But we
do know one thing: It looks like
the gardener was the spanker.
KLAUS
How can you tell?
ESTEBAN
His hand and her butt were
slathered in the same kind of
mustard. I tasted-- they're a
match.
(holding up a hotsuit with
mustard handrints on the
ass)
Get these to the cleaners or
they're doomed too.
KLAUS
When can you do an autopsy?
ESTEBAN
Not until he dies. Thursday, maybe.
What's today?
KLAUS
Can you move it up? I'd like to get
a jump on this.
Enter VICTOR VON VIAL, early 50s, and his housekeeper and
former wife, VERANDA, 40s. Veranda is dressed like a
socialite, but also has an apron on.
VERANDA
We came as soon as we heard.
FAITH
(hugging Veranda)
I'm so sorry.
(hugging Victor)
Victor, I'm sorry.
VICTOR
Why sorry? Did you do this to my
wife?
FAITH
Of course not! We have our
differences, but she's still my
sister. Esteban is doing everything
he can.
VICTOR
(ruefully)
I'm sure he is.
FAITH
He is!
VICTOR
I said, I'm sure he is.
FAITH
It sounded sarcastic.
VICTOR
I don't know what you mean.
(sarcastic)
He's a very competent surgeon.
FAITH
He is a very competent surgeon.
VICTOR
That's what I said.
FAITH
Is it? Is there something else you
want to say?
ALTERNATING SLOW ZOOM B/T Faith and Victor-- Faith
suspicious, Victor coy.
COMMERCIAL BREAK: DIAPERS! TAMPONS! DETERGENT!
RETURN FROM COMMERCIAL BREAK:
FAITH
Go ahead, Victor! Is there
something you want to say about my
husband?
REX
(interrupting)
Father!
VICTOR
Rex.
REX
I came as soon as I heard. Even
though Vivian isn't my mother, I've
always been mostly tolerant of her.
VICTOR
I've always appreciated that.
REX
I know I haven't been your son for
long...
GAUZY FLASHBACK:
A hospital exam room. REX is seated on the bench, shirtless,
and ESTEBAN is examining his knee. VICTOR enters.
VICTOR
Rex, I need a word.
REX
How did you know I was here?
VICTOR
It can't wait. Doctor?
ESTEBAN
Your knee looks fine to me. You
probably just strained it.
Esteban hands Rex a shirt but Rex never puts it on.
REX
Thanks.
ESTEBAN
(suspicious)
Victor.
Esteban leaves.
REX
What's this about, Victor? Need to
screw my family out of something
else? You've already ruined so many
lives. You're manipulative, you
don't care who you hurt. That's
just who you are.
VICTOR
Is it? And do you know who you are?
REX
Sure--
(cue music)
I'm Rex Rothchild, a bastard orphan
who never quite fit in despite the
adoptive love of a good family. The
Rothchilds were good to me and I've
managed to succeed in business, but
I've never filled the hole in my
heart.
(end music)
VICTOR
Actually, I'm your father. Your
mother and I had an affair.
REX
I never knew my real mother. She
committed suicide.
VICTOR
No, I had her killed. But I feel
bad about it and I want you to run
my company.
REX
Which one?
VICTOR
All of them. You'll be my
consigliere and sole heir. Sign
this.
REX
(bending to sign)
Should I sign it 'Rex Rothchild' or
'Rex Von Vial?'
VICTOR
Rothchild. Von Vial is for my
legitimate children. And if I have
any this all goes to them. It's all
there, just sign it.
BACK FROM FLASHBACK:
Rex is dazed, like he spaced out in mid-thought.
REX
What was I saying?
VICTOR
You haven't been my son for long?
REX
Right! But I know Vivian means a
lot to you, and I hope she's okay.
He hugs Victor.
REX (V.O.)
And by okay, I mean mortally
injured and close to death.
CUT BETWEEN
REX, hugging Victor, pleased with his evil plan;
and VICTOR, hugging Rex, knows more than he's said.
SCENES FROM THE NEXT EPISODE
END.
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Go to Episode 2 of "Harbor Canyon Heights"