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Joseph Zeo
Joseph Zeo
Tale Spinner

Apr-22-2010 21:04

"Cut!" The director screamed. He ran onto the movie set and stared at the lost man in a tacky detective costume. The director was a head shorter than most actors, but his stare was fierce. "I told you for God knows how many times, read your script as it is WRITTEN!"

"But real detectives don't say things like 'What were you doing at the time of the murder.' It's a straight give away to the suspect that a murder had taken place!" The poor man defended.

"God damn it, who cares what you say as long as it's a talkie film. A MOVIE!" The director slapped his script on the prop table. He turned to his crew, "Who hired this genius?"

The crew was stone silent. The cameramen wiped their bulky equipment fervently like their life depended on it. The lighting crew looked at their silver lamps as if they saw it for the first time. The soundman listened to his playback looking for noises that didn’t exist.

A young man in a plaid sweater put up his shaking hand, "but sir, you said you wanted an authentic guy to play the part, so I got you a real detective."

"I said I wanted an authentic LOOKING guy, Martin! Not the real deal. This is show biz, use your brain, if you're not SITTING on it!!" The stumpy director bellowed.

"But…"

A voice light as chimes cut through the quarrel. "Boys, if you don't mind, I'll just go powder my nose." The lead actress with white blonde hair and the figure of an hourglass floated back into her dressing room.

"Yes of course, certainly my darling." The director cooed. He then turned coldly to Martin and the detective. "We'll take a 15 minutes break for you two to sort this out."

"Break! 15 minutes!" Martin announced, he then turned apologetically to his friend, "I'm so sorry, detective Zeo. I know most of this doesn't make sense, but can you please stick to your lines?"

Joseph Zeo looked at his shiny detective costume and gave a weak smile, "I dig what you mean," he sighed, "and you know I wouldn't have taken the job if I wasn't low on dough.

Replies

Riza Hawkeye
Riza Hawkeye
First Nomad

Apr-23-2010 11:03

Riza leaned against the shadowy side of the yellow-colored building that housed the studio set as she waited for the director to come out. “That scum thinks he can get away with not paying me back? I’m going to get it even if I have to wait here all day, dammit,” she muttered as she twirled a small knife around her fingers, making it catch the sunlight and glint.

The door opened and out came a stunning actress accompanied by…MARC?!? What was he doing here? “Hey!” Riza called out as her stilettos clicked over to him. Marc turned around, and upon seeing Riza, gave a small smile and replied, “Hi.”

“So what’s with the chick? Going home with her tonight?” Riza asked, raising her eyebrows and looking the woman up and down.

“No…well yes, actually. But it’s not what you think. I’m going to be her bodyguard for a while. She just received a threatening note before. Joseph and Vulkie are inside trying to figure things out.”

“Oh really, sounds interesting. Maybe I’ll have to take a look into that....By the way, have you seen the director around anywhere?”

The actress gave a throat-clearing noise and tapped at her watch.

“Oh, right, I have to go now, but I think he was still on the set screaming at somebody. See you around,” Marc said as he hurried off with the woman.

Riza Hawkeye
Riza Hawkeye
First Nomad

Apr-23-2010 11:04

Riza retreated into the shadows until the door opened again, this time a young man looking to be in a rush, and then she ran over and grabbed the door before it shut, letting herself inside.

The interior of the building was dark and cool, a noticeable relief from the scorching heat outside. Riza followed a narrow pathway to where it opened out to a larger room: the set. Off to the right she spotted the director, just as Marc had said, screaming at one of the set crew. “Salazar!” Riza called out, watching him cringe at the sound of her voice. He started to run towards the exit to the trailers.

“You’re not going anywhere!” Riza said, furrowing her brow. She took the knife she had been twirling in her fingers and suddenly flung it across the room, a dead shot landing a inch away from Salazar’s head. His eyes bugged out and he collapsed onto the floor; apparently he had fainted.

As Riza removed his wallet from his pants pocket and took her cash, she sniffed the air. There was the distinct odor of cigarettes hanging around. She grabbed her knife out of the wall, and followed the scent to the trailers, where she found Joseph and Vulkie arguing about something.

“Hey guys,” Riza said, nodding at them. “What’s this I hear about a mysterious note?” They both started to fill her in on what had happened.

“And what did she say when Marc confronted her before?” she finally asked, five minutes later.

“Well that’s the most interesting part,” Joseph continued. “She said…”

Joseph Zeo
Joseph Zeo
Tale Spinner

Apr-23-2010 19:28

Zeo continued, "she said... well, first of all I expected a bit of tact from Marc, that he'd find out more about Simone and her brother at her place instead of asking her right out. But then, this IS Marc we're talking about. What else would I expect from the King of Interrogation..."

"Except Ms. Summers is more or less our client; well, at least she's Marc client." Riza replied.

Zeo sighed. "Apparently the starlet doesn't want us involved. She's definitely hiding things. When I rushed into her room while she was supposedly 'powdering her nose', she was wearing next to nothing," Zeo blushed, "so what was she doing at that moment? Plus, if Simone really have no idea what the person who wrote the threatening note had wanted, the writer would have specified, wouldn't he?"

"She is definitely holding a lot more than what she told us. When Marc asked her to spill out everything she knew, Simone appeared very upset and said it was none of our business. However, she did mentioned that her brother had been dealing with some wrong people. That's all she was willing to say." Vulkie added.

"Could her brother be involved with the mafia?" Riza raised an eyebrow.

"Possibly, but I don't think whoever have written the note belonged to a gang, otherwise they would've just go threaten Simone directly instead of doing it through an anonymous letter." Zeo exhaled and looked the smoke dancing in the air. This case was exactly alike: unpredictable and impossible to grasp. He snuffed his cigarette and got up.

"I am going to find out more about Simone's brother. There's someone who might be able to help, but i can only take one of you. Anyway, someone need to stay behind on this set to find out if anyone saw anything suspicious. I'm leaving now. We can meet back at my office later tonight."

[Note: for the purpose of this story, Zeo is a private investigator (behind on rent) instead of being in the NYPD or FBI like some of the other threads.]

M. Lacrimosa
M. Lacrimosa
Thespian

Apr-23-2010 22:50

After talking to Riza, Marc and Simone stepped outside into the warm sun and walked to her Mercedes. No one spoke as they drove down the busy road. It was stop and go traffic. Marc hated it. But thankfully he wasn't driving in it. Over the past couple years, his road-rage had gone to the extreme.

"So where exactly are we going, ma'am?" Marc asked.

"Please, call me Simone. And we are going to my villa."

"With all due respect, Simone, I don't think we should go to your villa. I think it's best if we go somewhere else." Marc said.

"Look, it's your job to protect me, not advise me." she snapped.

Marc took no offense. He knew she had a bad day today. Not only that, she was a big-wig celebrity.

Half way to her place, Marc pulled out his old pipe and his pack of fresh tobacco. "I don't allow smoking in my car," Simone said without looking at him.

Marc cut her a quick look. He sighed and put his pipe back into his coat pocket.

They arrived at the gates of where she lived and they pulled into her long drive way.

Her "villa", as she called it, was not how Marc had pictured it. Instead, it was much larger. It was more of a mansion.

Marc looked out his window. Something wasn't right. "Simone?"

"Yes?"

"How many cars did you say you have?"

"This one, why do you ask?"

"Don't get out. Stay here. If I'm not back in two minutes, I want you go to City Hall. Don't go to Joseph Hollis but go to Tom Sullivan of the city counsel. Tell him who you are and what happened. He will take care of you."

"Marc-!" Too late. Marc stepped out of the car. As he walked quickly, he pulled out one of his pistols. The door was unlocked.

M. Lacrimosa
M. Lacrimosa
Thespian

Apr-23-2010 23:12

Marc entered the house. It was hazy and smoky. Someone had been smoking in her house. The smell..Prince Albert pipe tobacco. Different than what Marc smoked but the detective knew that smell. Marc used Red Cap tobacco. The smoke from the intruder's pipe filled the room making a smoke screen.

There in front of him, stood a large man dressed in a suit. His suit's coat was unbuttoned. His back was to Marc. Marc hesitated with his pistol drawn ready to kill the man, but he froze. He couldn't do it yet. He spun around and quietly walked out to the car to find Simone still in side.

He got in and looked at her.

"From here on out, you will do what I say, when I say. Now we are going to a place I know. Do you know where 2nd Street is down town?"

"Yes, but-"

"Don't worry about it. Go right to 2nd Street." And with that, she complied without a word. Marc could sense a bit of frustration in her sigh as they left.

They made it to 2nd street. Three blocks down was an old run down building. Marc had her park behind the building and they walked inside.

"Marc, it's good to see youse," Said the man behind the counter. "I need a room, and I need it now. One room only." Marc said sliding the man a twenty dollars. "Keep the change."

Marc slammed the door shut and locked it then spun around to Simone.

He did all he could do to resist from screaming at her for he knew that wouldn't work.

"Simone, I need some names. Someone who knew you and your brother. And if your brother got mixed up with the wrong people, you need, no, you HAVE to tell me NOW. I think both of you got mixed up with the wrong people to be honest. And If I'm gonna protect you, you need to talk. Because if you don't, someone here trying to help you, is going to get seriously hurt or killed. Do you understand me?" Marc said.

Simone nodded and a tear rolled down her right cheek. She stood up and walked to the window.

"It was about twelve years ago," She said. A moment later, she told her story.

Peter O'Neil
Peter O'Neil
Old Shoe

Apr-24-2010 07:53

It is late afternoon. Only two men are at the bar, quietly exchanging words in a casual and relaxed manner. Soon, as the sun falls behind the surrounding rooftops, the workers will begin to arrive. Hard working men mostly. Some stopping for a quick cold beer on their way home to their families; and some will linger a bit longer. It is not yet Friday when the pockets are full of paychecks and the weekend promises freer and more enjoyable activities. Then the pub stays busy late into the night and Peter O’Neil makes his real money.

Above in their apartment, Peter’s wife is making dinner for him and their three children. Soon she will call him up to eat and soon after the evening crowd will arrive. This is a long way from where he grew up, in a rough neighborhood not so far across town. There he learned about the darker side of men's minds - and women's, too. He reflects only a moment longer on the road that brought him to Peter’s Pub, then offers a silent prayer of thanks.

“Peter,” one of the men calls out. “I believe we’re ready for another.”


Vulkie3
Vulkie3
Haynes

Apr-24-2010 08:40

As Vulkie watched Marc and Simone leave and after she and Joseph had filled Riza in with all details, Vulkie began to speak.

"Now that's she's gone, let's take a closer look in her room. I have a hunch..." Vulkie said and Joseph nodded.

"Riza, you stay guard outside, don't let anyone in. We don't want to be distracted in our search." Vulkie said to Riza and Riza shrugged and stayed near the entrance door of the lead actress's dressing room.

"Now" Vulkie said, "We need to find some clues... Look everywhere Joseph, but let the room stay tidy, as if no one was ever in here except Miss Summers, eh, I mean, Simone..." Vulkie said and she began to look around.

***5 minutes later***

"I've found something" Joseph said and pointed to the bin. As the two detectives looked into the bin, they saw a.... bottle of glue?

"What's that doing there?" Vulkie wondered. She carefully picked up the bottle, took the cap of and took a small sniff.

"It smells like the same glue that was used on the note" Vulkie said.

Joseph also took a sniff. "Yup, it's the same. That could mean two things... One of the theories is, that the "maker" of the note made the note here, but we would also find newspapers in this exact room. The other theory is..." Joseph said, but was suddenly interrupted by some noises.

"There's someone at the window!" Vulkie hissed and she pointed, as the man or female ran away quickly.

"You warn Riza, I'll go after that person!" Vulkie shouted to Joseph and she ran to the door, only to bump into the director.

"What is the meaning of all this!" the short director shouted.

"Uhm.... I can explain..." Vulkie began, a bit hesitating...


Vulkie3
Vulkie3
Haynes

Apr-24-2010 08:52

"Well, explain then!" the director shouted. Vulkie looked down, to look into the director's eyes. She could see something troubled him, he was nervous.

"Well, I'm a private detective. Miss Nouson's my name. Vulkie for friends. You see, my dear friend and fellow detective, detective Joseph Zeo, who I believe, is featuring in your movie, contacted me and asked me if I could help him with the case about Miss Summers's note." Vulkie said.

The director immediately waved around. "How can I make a movie with a detective that is contradicting his text and a lead actress that is getting threatened by a note that even a 4-year old could've made..." the director said.

"Life must been tough for you, being such "short on time" with this movie and having to work with people that don't "judge" you by the size, but by the money they get for their work" Vulkie said, lightly agitated by the director's comment on the note.

The director turned immediately red faced and shouted : "You get out of my sight, right this instance. And you, Mr. Smirking guy, get back to your place and rehearse your sentences!" the director shouted, as he pointed to Joseph, to get back to the set.

"Yes sir..." Joseph said, as he got rid of his grin about Vulkie's comments, and immediately obeyed the director, by going away. Not before whispering into Vulkie's ear : "Go to the guard's office, see what he knows"

Vulkie silently nodded and watched, as the director and Joseph went back to the set.

"Riza, you come with me. I could use your "persuasive" ways to help me with the guard..." Vulkie said to Riza and Riza silently went with her to the guard's office...


Vulkie3
Vulkie3
Haynes

Apr-24-2010 09:11

*** The guard's office***

"Right, this is the plan. I'll wait around the corner until you've distracted the guard that much, that he comes with you. Ask him some small questions, then knock him out cold or just dump him, I don't care. When you've got him away from the office, I'll "sneak" in and take a look for some more clues. Perhaps another lead, who knows..." Vulkie said. Riza nodded.

And so, the plan went ahead. Riza knocked on the door, asked the guard some questions, took him with her and after Vulkie made sure no one was around anymore, she went inside the guard's office.

It was a terrible mess. Coffee mucks everywhere, a radio was stationed on top of a cabinet and there were... Newspapers lying everywhere.

As Vulkie quickly looked through the newspapers, she found one that was missing all kinds of letters, neatly cut out of the newspaper.

"Bingo!" Vulkie murmered and "stashed" the paper in her pocket, to bring it with her.

As Vulkie went outside the office, she saw Riza standing next to the door.

"He's out there... He had a nosebleed and just when he saw the blood, he fell unconscious" Riza said, as she pointed towards the guard lying on the floor.

"Good..." Vulkie said. "In the meantime, I've found another clue..." as Vulkie took the paper out and showed it to Riza.

"So this is the newspaper that was used for the note... But it doesn't make sense.... Who could've..." Riza said, as she was interrupted by Joseph.

"I'm done here for today. Let's go, it's sunset and I want to get some good rest..." Joseph said.

As Riza and Joseph went away, the director immediately scurried himself towards her...

"Not you again..." she murmered and waited to what the director had to say.

"I thought I summoned you to go away!" the director said.

"Yeah yeah, keep your "shorts" on, Mr. Director... I'm going already!" Vulkie said, as she turned around and walked to her car, driving herself home...

Vulkie3
Vulkie3
Haynes

Apr-24-2010 09:12

(FYI, at my last part, at the "As Riza and Joseph" sentence, "her" is a meaning of Vulkie)

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