MURDER MY ANGEL

©1996 by John Robinson Wheeler. All rights reserved.

"MURDER MY ANGEL"   INT. RITTENHOUSE MANSION - AFTERNOON Marlowe, having been asked to the home of prominent businessman CarlRittenhouse, is enraptured by the beauty of his wife, Victoria Rittenhouse. They sit seductively close, sharing a small sofa in a sitting room in herhusband's mansion, while he tends to business in another wing.           VICTORIA So, tell me what you saw.           MARLOWE An incredibly beautiful woman who wants to get me in a hell of a lot of trouble.           VICTORIA That's what you were thinking -- tell me what you saw.           MARLOWE You're alive, more alive than any woman I've ever known. Too alive. Too radiant. Like an --           VICTORIA Please say it. Marlowe: shocked, troubled, captured.           MARLOWE Like an angel. They kiss, passionately, romantically. They both break at the sametime, a mutual sense of how long to hold. She smiles and rises.           VICTORIA You see, Mr. Marlowe? I told you you knew how to do it. Remember this when you really fall in love with someone? She kisses him again, on the cheek.           VICTORIA (CONT.)       (sweetly whispered) Thank you. She leaves, humming very prettily to herself.           MARLOWE "You'll like her. She's real pretty. Like an angel." He stares at the faded image of Velma once again.   INT. MANSION - FRONT HALL Victoria greets Rittenhouse as they pass by each other.           VICTORIA Darling. He's still waiting.           RITTENHOUSE Thank you, angel-love. I hope you haven't put him off. I don't want him distracted when I talk business.           VICTORIA I'm sure he'll be a rapt and eager listener. Come see me when you're done. I'm going to have a long, luxurious shower.           RITTENHOUSE Right! He kisses her on the hand and they part. She floats up the staircasedreamily.   INT. SITTING ROOM Marlowe has moved back to the subordinate chair.           RITTENHOUSE Thank you for waiting, Mr. Marlowe. I trust you enjoyed my wife's company. Rittenhouse fishes a photograph from his pocket.           MARLOWE She's quite a woman.           RITTENHOUSE Did she make a pass at you?           MARLOWE She flirted with me, then told me how devoted she is to you.           RITTENHOUSE My God, you're honest! Most men would have denied ever even looking at her. I guess they're afraid I'm the jealous type. They're correct! But damn it, now I know I can trust you!           MARLOWE Thank you, sir. You can. So why am I here today?           RITTENHOUSE This amulet was stolen two days ago in broad daylight. I want it back, no police, no questions asked. He hands Marlowe a photo of the macguffin as the phone rings again.           RITTENHOUSE Damnation! That had better be someone calling to tell me I'm a million dollars richer than I was this morning.       (into phone) Rittenhouse! Mary, hello! Yes, we're in the middle of our meeting now. I'll tell him. Goodbye! He slams the phone and stands up, lighting a giant cigar. Marloweregards the photograph.           MARLOWE Is this insured?           RITTENHOUSE Insurance be damned! I had that thing made into a necklace as an anniversary present for my wife. Therefore it's priceless! I purchased it at an auction in London. It didn't come cheap, I'll tell you that much.           MARLOWE Two days ago. It's hard to say whether it would still be around if someone intended to fence it. Do you know if it was a profes- sional job or a random theft?           RITTENHOUSE Professional, and I'll tell you who paid for it. Edgar Samson, my brother-in-law.           MARLOWE Mary's uncle?           RITTENHOUSE Yes, exactly. I outbid him at the auction just to see the steam come out of his ears. We're business rivals. Personal rivals, too. Mrs. Rittenhouse was supposed to be Mrs. Samson at one time. I bought that just to have her wear it on her neck where he could see it. Petty, damn it all, but all men are sinners, what! Rittenhouse laughs, vibrating the walls.           MARLOWE Rivalry aside, to you this only has sentimental value. What's the value to him? Or does he just obsess over expensive trinkets -- some kind of collector?           RITTENHOUSE Those are questions I'm hiring you to answer, Mr. Marlowe. You've got a blank check. Find it, prove my brother-in-law did it, and you can pay yourself whatever you want, however unreasonable. Marlowe rises. They pump hands exactly five times.           MARLOWE I can't refuse an offer like that, Mr. Rittenhouse.           RITTENHOUSE Good man! Feel free to call for information from either myself or Mrs. Rittenhouse.           MARLOWE Understood.           RITTENHOUSE Oh -- Mary said she'll be right over. You're welcome to look around while you're waiting. You've warmed that chair long enough, what! He stomps off. Marlowe follows, slowly. He sees Rittenhouse aboutto go upstairs when a servant gives him a message. With another "damnation!"Rittenhouse stomps away to his office in another wing. Marlowe wanders upstairs. He starts to hear singing. Real prettysinging. Attracted, he finds himself outside Victoria's bedroom, the doorwidely ajar. Marlowe looks in. Victoria is singing to herself, coming her hair. She is naked, fresh out of the shower, but her back is to the door.   INT. VICTORIA'S BEDROOM Victoria can see Marlowe reflected in her mirrors. She keeps singing.   INT. HALLWAY - MARLOWE'S P.O.V. He fidgets, deciding he should go. Victoria turns her head and smilesat him. She puts down the brush.           VICTORIA Mr. Marlowe. Come in, I want to talk to you. She puts her hair up.   EXT. RITTENHOUSE MANSION - FRONT DRIVEWAY Mary arrives.   INT. VICTORIA'S BEDROOM Marlowe glances around and enters. Victoria stands, facing him frontallyas she pulls on a silk robe.           VICTORIA I'm surprised at you. But I suppose all private-eyes are secretly voyeurs.           MARLOWE I'm surprised at myself. Normally I'm not so stupid.           VICTORIA I'm glad you're not shy around me. Come closer.   INT. FRONT HALL Mary lets herself in. She stops a servant.           MARY Is Mr. Marlowe here?           SERVANT I believe he's upstairs.           MARY Thank you. She starts for the stairs, checking her watch.   INT. VICTORIA'S BEDROOM Victoria swishes in a slow circle around Marlowe.           MARLOWE So. Talk to me.           VICTORIA Are you taking my husband's case?           MARLOWE I am.           VICTORIA I have information for you. Things my husband can't know about. I want to meet you, tonight.           MARLOWE You had better be only interested in business.           VICTORIA What else? Marlowe kisses her again.   INT. HALLWAY - OUTSIDE VICTORIA'S BEDROOM Mary is about to glance into the room when Rittenhouse calls outto her.           RITTENHOUSE Mary!           MARY Father! There you are! Did Mr. Marlowe like what you offered him?           RITTENHOUSE Yes, he was very interested.   INT. VICTORIA'S BEDROOM They're still liplocked. Marlowe hears Mary's voice and breaks away,ashamed. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.           MARLOWE Mary, is that you?   INT. HALLWAY - OUTSIDE VICTORIA'S BEDROOM           MARY Mr. Marlowe? Where are you?           MARLOWE (O.S.) Talking to Mrs. Rittenhouse.   INT. VICTORIA'S BEDROOM Mary and Rittenhouse enter the room. Marlowe is leaning casuallyagainst the wall near the door. Victoria is back at her dressing table,brushing her hair. Her robe is pulled modestly shut (in contrast to itsprevious looseness). She rises and crosses to Rittenhouse immediately.           VICTORIA There you are, love-love. I've been waiting for you.           RITTENHOUSE Sorry, angel-love. Business and more business.           MARY What were you two talking about?           MARLOWE The case.           VICTORIA That's not all we were talking about, was it, Mr. Marlowe? We were talking about love, and that instant attraction between a beautiful woman and a handsome man. Marlowe looks sheepish. Mary looks worried.           MARLOWE Mrs. Rittenhouse has a lot to offer on the subject.           RITTENHOUSE I'll say! Victoria coos as Rittenhouse squeezes her.           VICTORIA Yes, it appears that Mr. Marlowe has quite a crush on you, Mary. Or have I let the cat out of the bag? Mary blushes. Marlowe relaxes.           MARY Mr. Marlowe!           MARLOWE Let's go, Mary.           MARY Where to?           MARLOWE Anywhere.           VICTORIA Goodbye, Mr. Marlowe. Stay in touch.           RITTENHOUSE Good luck with the case. I expect a report in two days.           MARLOWE Good night.           MARY Bye father. Good night, Victoria.           VICTORIA Mary. Exeunt Marlowe and Mary.   DISSOLVE TO: