The Family That Plays Together

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In Chapter 10 of LEGS, private eye Carrie Love gets a call from her brother on her cell phone in the car -- seems that now their stepmother has invaded the home and now wants in on the funeral arrangements for their father -- and he asks her to come over and 'play Switzerland.' Carrie tells him she'll be there soon -- but first she has to make another stop -- and go visit the crime scene where her client has been viciously murdered.


INT. CARRIE’S PORSCHE - MOVING - NIGHT
Carrie sits behind the wheel, driving.
Jonna rides shotgun.

Carrie’s cell phone RINGS.
She answers it.

CARRIE
This is Carrie --
(listens)
Oh, SHIT. Really?

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. MARGO’S ESTATE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
A culinary orgy of chrome and steel.
A Sharper Image wet dream.

Nate leans against the ‘gourmet island’
eating a snack while on the phone.

NATE
Yeah. So mom is hiding upstairs
while Eva and Todd duke it out.
Could you come over and play Switzerland?

CARRIE
I’m sorry, Nate --
but my client was just murdered,
and I’m on my way to the crime scene --

NATE
Oh, wow. I’m sorry --

CARRIE
Yeah. So’s he. Tell you what.
I’ve got one last stop
to make after this one,
and then I’ll swing by, okay?

NATE
Okay, thanks.
(beat)
Sorry to bother you.

CARRIE
Hey. You’re my brother.
You NEVER bother me. Got it?

NATE
Got it.

CARRIE
I’ll see you later. Bye.

She CLICKS the phone shut. Sighs.

JONNA
Family problems?

CARRIE
That obvious?

JONNA
Wanna tell me about it?
Sometimes sharing with a complete stranger
can be oddly comforting.
(off Carrie’s look)
I was a pysch major in college.
I’m not a COMPLETE bimbo --

CARRIE
My father died today.
That was one of my younger brothers.
The other one is trying to
control the funeral arrangements,
and my father’s second wife
has just invaded my mother’s house
because SHE wants to take care of it.
(weak smile)
The family that plays together --

JONNA
Holy SHIT. Your FATHER died? Today?
(off Carrie’s nod)
Then why are you working?

The car stops at a light.
Carrie turns. Looks at Jonna.
A tear slides down her cheek.

CARRIE
It’s the only thing that’s keeping me
from having a complete meltdown.

EXT. DICK’S MANSION - FRONT PORCH - NIGHT
Carrie and Bernie stand near the front door
watching the parade of COPS
and CRIME SCENE TECHS going in and out.

BERNIE
You can go in after they’re done, Legs. Okay?
I shouldn’t even let you do THAT,
but he WAS your client.

Dick’s body is wheeled out on a gurney,
zipped up in a bag.

CARRIE
(watches it go by)
He gave me a retainer.
Is it ethical to cash the check?

BERNIE
Why not? He’s not gonna say anything --
(nods at her car)
Isn’t this a strange place to bring a date?

CARRIE
She’s a LEAD, Bernie. Dina’s roommate.
I was at the strip club interviewing her
when I got a voicemail message from Daerr,
said it was something urgent.
Then I got YOU on the line --

BERNIE
Right, right.

CARRIE
So tell me about the body --

BERNIE
His throat was cut.
No sign of forced entry,
looks like he knew the perp.
Killer’s left-handed.
Short, about five-two, five-three.
That’s all we’ll know until
forensics gets back to us.

Jonna appears on the porch.
Smiles weakly.

JONNA
I’m sorry to interrupt,
but is it okay if I use
the little girl’s room?
I gotta go.

BERNIE
Yeah, sure. Bathroom’s on the left.
Just don’t touch anything.

CARRIE
(to Jonna)
Hey. Is Dina left-handed?

JONNA
Yeah. Why?

CARRIE
How tall is she?

JONNA
About five-two.
What’s this about?

CARRIE
You know the story of Oedipus?

JONNA
No. Who’s that?

BERNIE
(to Carrie)
I’ll follow you guys in my car.

JONNA
What’s going on?

CARRIE
Hurry up and go pee.
I’ll fill you in on the way.

She nods. Races inside.
Bernie gives Carrie the fish-eye.

BERNIE
Hey. Are you okay?
You look like someone died.
(beat)
I mean -- a good guy.

CARRIE
My father, Bernie -- he --

BERNIE
Your FATHER DIED?

She stares at him. Haunted. Lost.

CARRIE
(softly)
Heart attack --

Bernie pulls a flask out of his pocket.
Hands it to her.

She takes it. Grateful.
Takes a long pull. Wipes her mouth.

CARRIE (CONT’D)
And here I am.

BERNIE
Once a cop, always a cop, huh?

PUSH IN ON Carrie’s face. Haunted. Numb.

CARRIE
Blessing and a curse, Bernie.
(beat)
Blessing and a curse --