The Spiral Staircase

1

Under the Spiral Staircase

By Evan Papamichael

Characters:

Antoinette:18 year old housemaid

Betty:42 year old mother of Alfred and William

Alfred:18 year old son of Betty

Aggressive and humorous extrovert

William:16 year old son of Betty

Introvert with a dry sense of humour

Barry:50 year old Policeman

Natasha:19 year old daughter of Leo Tolstoy

Leo Tolstoy:52 year old Mafia man

FyodorDostoevsky: 58 year old Mafia man

1. EXT. NIGHT.

FADE IN: OPENING SCENE

Knock at the front door of the house where a murder has occurred.

The setting is in a Toorak mansion at present, in Melbourne. The old house has a warm fire burning in the living room. It is pouring with rain and thunder. Everyone is confined indoors. Antoinette walks towards the door only to find a policeman waiting to question her.

The policeman, Officer Barry is investigating the murder, which happened a few hours ago. It was committed under the spiral staircase, at the house which Officer Barry is visiting.

Officer Barry is in his early fifties, handsome, with closely cropped hair and a neatly trimmed moustache, and is approaching the investigation with a cool calm and collective attitude.

Antoinette:Good evening officer, what can I do for you?

She begins to sweat as she knows there is something wrong. Officer Barry senses her uneasiness and breaks the news gently.

Barry: Madam did you hear or see anything suspicious, at about 6:30 pm tonight?

He looks at her deep in the eyes as if he is waiting for her to panic. Antoinette starts to tremble and is uncomfortable about replying.

Antoinette is a real plain Jane. She dresses in red, conservative clothes and she does not wear much makeup. Her hair is in a mess and she is overweight. Although Antoinette is not attractive we will see as the film unfolds that she is the mastermind who holds the key to solve the murder. But the audience is left guessing throughout the film because an opposing outcome eventuates.

Antoinette the housemaid, is shocked and horrified when she sees who is at the door and answers it. She is trembling, fearful agitated and unsure of what is going to happen.

Which questions is Officer Barry going to throw at her and in what way. How will she give a reply without getting herself and the other members of the family, in the household into trouble?

Antoinette:Why what has happened?

Barry:There was an incident on the side of your house.

Antoinette:I was doing my house duties- cooking, cleaning and dusting. I am so exhausted, that I would not have noticed anything.

Barry:I mean on the side of your house, in the secluded area, covered with gumtrees… well… we found a dead man’s body. We suspect that it was Mr. Bruce Lucky. I think he hit the jackpot, at the bottom of your exterior spiral staircase. Sadly that’s where we found him.

Antoinette:Why did he win Tattslotto? What has happened?

Barry:We think that he was murdered. There was blood everywhere. And it appears he suffered a violent death.

Barry pauses and is careful with his next question.

Barry:Are you sure that you did not see or hear anything suspicious, over the past two hours?

Antoinette panicking

Antoinette:Well, it has been pouring with rain and there were thunder and lightning…and it is freezing cold.

She tries to divert the policeman’s attention.

Antoinette:Don’t you think you had better come inside? I mean out of the cold.

Barry:That’s a good idea. That way we can talk more. (He enters the house)

Did you go anywhere near the spiral staircase tonight?

Antoinette:

(Shivering)No, sir! I swear, I didn’t. And anyway, why do you keep on emphasizing the spiral staircase. How do you know the murder, did not actually take place, somewhere else? What evidence do you have to substantiate your clues?

Barry:Now we are getting somewhere, my sweet child. Why do you suspect that there was any evidence, without me even suggesting such a thing?

Do you have anything to add to that?

Antoinette (trembling and panicking) she begins to sweat, is pale in the face and cannot look, at the policeman in the eyes.

Antoinette:Honest sir, I did not notice anything. Why do you keep on insisting,that I suspect, know, saw, heard… or… or…witnessed anything?

She is uneasy, frustrated, nervous and beginning to become hysterical. The cunning policeman throws a line at Antoinette, which will break her down completely. He reaches for his right jacket pocket and pulls out a handkerchief.

Antoinette thinks that he will wipe the sweat from his face. But he is not sweating; only she is. She does not know what will happen next.

She tries not to look at the handkerchief but cannot help herself. From the corner of her eye, Antoinette notices that Barry’s handkerchief is full of blood.

It is carefully wrapped, in a forensic plastic bag. It obviously is evidence, in the murder case.

Red is the colour of Antoinette’s dress. This colour red, frightened Antoinette and she did not know what to do next.

Barry:Here is what we found, at the bottom of the spiral staircase, on the side of your house. A white handkerchief with the initials RM, carefully stitched on it. Do you recognize it? I mean do you know who it belongs to?

Antoinette: Well, sir I do all the washing in the house. I must admit I go through many white clothes and handkerchiefs, especially during the colder months. But …but… (She knows she cannot lie) …

She breaks down in tears. At first she stutters, then murmurs. It is hard for her to utter or even breathe any words.

Barry grabs her by the right shoulder. In a stern authoritative voice he says.

Barry: (Quite firmly)

You must speak the truth. It is for your own good.

Antoinette: But sir, I can’t destroy one of the masters of the house. They feed and clothe me… they are the source of my life. They really look after me. They are my everything.

Barry claps his hands together with a loud bang.

Barry:(Angrily) But you said one of the masters of the house. What is that supposed to mean? (Barry walks toward her, to overpower Antoinette and frighten her into saying the truth.)

Antoinette:Sir, RM are the initials of Ring Master, you know the official emblem of the Great Moscow Circus. The leader of this circus um…um… I think his name is Leo Tolstoy…well… he went missing just two days ago. It was something to do with money.

Barry:And what does Leo Tolstoy look like? Is he tall with a solid build, a blonde man with a goatee beard?

Antoinette: Yes. Exactly.

Barry: Well that’s the exact description of the deceased man at the bottom of your spiral staircase. And what about this money situation? Did someone owe money? Tell me more child.

Antoinette:(Bursting into tears) Well, sir, there are two boys in this house. One is Alfred and his younger brother is William. They are always fighting and arguing over the silliest things. Domestic things you know. Their mother Betty always tries to calm them down but it is hard.

1. INT. NIGHT

FLASBACK ONE

Scene One: Betty and her two sons in the lounge room

Betty is in her forties and is mother to Alfred and William. Betty is a well to do classy woman, or should I say a Toorak toff. Someone who knows what it means to be upper class. But even though Betty is attractive and well groomed there is another element to her character. Betty is a devoted Christian with old fashioned values of respecting all members of society and of course teaching these values to her children.

We do not hear about Betty having a husband as she was widowed ten years ago. Her husband died of a natural death. His passing away has nothing to do with the murder investigation.

Betty:William and Alfred would you try to act your age. Why do I always see the two of you arguing?

William: You see Mum, I just want to keep to myself and read an interesting book. American History is my favourite. I picked up an excellent account of The Civil War at Angus and Robertson last week. I am half way through it and am loving it. This pathetic brother of mine won’t leave me alone, in peace and quiet. All I want to do is read but…

Alfred: But what? You think you’re a scholar but really you are just a simpleton. I’ll bet you don’t even know who Abraham Lincoln was?

And besides why don’t you read about Australian History? This is Australia, down under, our country is so rich in culture…the Squatters in the nineteenth century, and the Gold Rushes in Ballarat and Bendigo and of course our heroes who fell during the two world wars. If you’re a true blue Aussie you’ll stick to our culture, history and traditions. Don’t pay any attention to those arrogant Yanks.

Betty:Now Alfred, your brother is free to do as he pleases. Leave him alone. You must respect and show consideration for one another. America was a saviour during the two world wars. In the first war it was the European nations who nearly went down because Germany had powerful and highly technical submarines, warfare and armed forces. America defeated the Germans and ended the war. Thank God for that.

In the second war, once again the Germans nearly defeated the allies. Not only did the Nazis have superior warfare and armed forces but they had the IBM computer which was used to track down the movements, bank accounts, secrets and everyday way of life of the Jews and everyone in Germany.

(Betty Contd.)

This powerful tool almost overpowered all of Europe. Only America with her expertise, intelligence and superiority was able to outsmart the Nazis and end the war.

Just as Europe and the world payed for peace in the first half of the twentieth century, that’s how I pray for peace in my house.

The lounge room in Betty’s house is filled with antique furniture, imported lighting, drapes and ornaments from Europe. Theroom has period features from the Victorian era, as the house was built in the 1880s. The room is always dark as this brings a depressing atmosphere to the scene. The only real brightness that the audience sees is the fire flickering from the fireplace. It is winter and the scene is at night time. The mood and atmosphere of the characters when it’s dark is gloomy, as is the wintery weather outside. It is wet, thundery, cold and melancholy.

Betty opens her antique lounge room cupboard. She reaches out for an History book.

Betty: Here boys, you will love to get stuck into this. It is an history book about the Russian Czars. I mean the Kings and Queens of pre-communist Russia. It is definitely a great read. As I flick through the pages I can outline the many wars which the Russians encountered.

Napoleon unsuccessfully tried to take over Europe and was defeated by Russia. Also the Russo-Japanese war of 1901, with the Japanese. But amongst all this, was there any happiness you may ask?

Well, look up this chapter on the life and times of the Czars. They were real aristocrats, imperial ones with the royal name of The Romanovs.

Betty hands the book over to William

William: Boy, this book is great. There are lots of maps indicating where wars were waged throughout Europe. And this bit about the Czars’ life is interesting. Look at their clothes and palaces. It is so breathtaking. And what do we have here. Some character called Faberge.

Betty: Yes, he was the official craftsman to the Russian monarchy from the 1880s until the early twentieth century. Faberge made jewellery and of course the world famous Faberge eggs out of the finest gold, diamonds, rubies and sapphires. This treasure was made exclusively for the Czars.

V/O

Alfred is an extravert, smart ass and of course a con artist. He will try any shifty trick for his own advantage. Alfred is always quarrelling with his brother William.

William on the other hand, is a quiet, reserved and withdrawn introvert. He keeps to himself and tries to avoid trouble. But Alfred is always stirring up his brother William, over trivial things. Therefore the two brothers do not get along and are always engaging in confrontation.

Alfred:Who cares about some old eggs and jewellery? Haven’t you two got anything better to talk about?

William: Quiet you fool; these Faberge jewels and eggs are so famous, exclusive and priceless, according to this book, that they are kept safely protected, in Russian museums, like the CatherinePalace in St. Petersburg.

Alfred:You idiot…it’s called the Hermitage museum…don’t you know anything?

William: Well it just goes to show who is ignorant. With the fall of communism in Russia, in 1991, the whole country became democratic and capitalist. Catherine the Great (who is the only queen in history to win the title Great), ruled Russia in the eighteenth century and built a palace in St. Petersburg, naming it after herself. This grand building is presently called The Catherine Palace. It houses artworks, paintings, jewellery and the world famous Faberge eggs which are made out of gold, diamonds,

ruby and sapphire.The priceless Faberge goods were produced exclusively for the Russian monarchy from the late nineteenth century until the early 1900s.

Alfred: Well I’ll bet organized crime would love to get their hands on this Faberge stuff? You could make a mint selling it on the black market.

William: So do you intend on getting involved in organized crime, my foolish brother?

William starts laughing sarcastically. Alfred blushes and furiously turns his face towards the audience.

Alfred: You know what, William, you are just one big weirdo…I have got this mansion, which I am going to inherit in partnership with you…why would I need to turn to a life of crime?

William: You no good half gone bludger. You never want to work because you just want the easy life. Instead of working for an honest living you prefer the quick way out and that is a life of begging, borrowing or stealing.

Betty: Now William that is no way to speak to your brother. I have brought up both of you to have strict Christian values. That is to love and respect one another and your fellow man in the community. I don’t want to hear this talk about stealing and dishonesty. Do you hear me? Now shake hands like mature and dignified gentlemen and apologize to one another.

William and Alfred shake hands and apologize.

William and Alfred together: I am sorry mate!(END FLASHBACK)

BACK TO THE PRESENT

Antoinette:Alfred seems to always manipulate the other members of the family with his cunningness and tactfulness.

Barry: What do you mean? Does he have a part, in the murder, Antoinette?

Antoinette starts sobbing

Antoinette:I don’t know. I overheard something, while Alfred was talking, on his mobile phone. At first he was upset, then agitated and towards the end, furious.

Barry:What was this about? The murder that was going to happen?

Antoinette:Well, I heard Alfred specifically say, that the person on the other side of the phone, was going to pay him back, for the wrong he had done to the circus.

Barry: Now we are getting somewhere. But how does this link up with the victim at the bottom of your spiral staircase?

Antoinette:(Almost hysterical) Leo Tolstoy was at the other end of the phone.

Barry: Then that hits the nail on the head.

1. INT. LATE AFTERNOON

FLASHBACK TWO

Scene Two: Phone conversation between Alfred and Leo Tolstoy

There is very little light in the room. Antoinette is perceived by the audience as being cunning and conniving with her feminine intuition. She eavesdrops on Alfred’s conversation with Leo Tolstoy. This is Antoinette’s first insight into the trouble facing Alfred in the future. It also keeps the audience viewing the suspense building up in the story line.

The audienceis introduced to the concept of the Great Moscow Circus and here this leads to the syndicate stealing and importing Faberge jewellery and eggs from Russia and bringing it to Melbourne. So we get a feel of how the crime is linked between Alfred and Leo Tolstoy.

Alfred is relaxed happy and on an ego trip. He relaxes at home in the drawing room. He thinks he is alone and enjoys listening to some music. The radio is playing popular early rock’n’roll songs, on magic 1278.

(Alfred singing) One two three o’clock, four o’clock rock, five six seven o’clock eight o’clock rock, we’re gonna rock around the clock tonight.