Maybe Murder

Act One - Scene Three

ACT 1

SCENE 3

SETTING:        We are now in a holding cell. There is a long bench at the back of the room. The walls are concrete and there are a few scuff marks from previous detainees.

AT RISE:        HARLEY AND AIDEN are sitting on the bench, facing each other. They are still cuffed. Both are looking at the other with looks of untrustworthiness. They are alone.

AIDEN:

Are you the other suspect?

HARLEY:

Yeah, real rude of them to lock us up in here.

AIDEN:

At least we got some kind of leg space here.

HARLEY:

Cut the small talk, let's get to this.

AIDEN AND HARLEY:

I'll be asking the questions.

(They each give the other a stink eye. We watch for a moment before AIDEN folds and HARLEY gains control of the situation.)

HARLEY:

(sarcastically)

Thank you.

(AIDEN shifts uncomfortably in his seat. He is nervous at how much power HARLEY seems to hold. However, we only see this for a moment before he pushes it down and puts up a confident face.)

HARLEY (CONT'D):

Now, you claim you killed Mr. Mercer.

(AIDEN nods reluctantly)

HARLEY (CONT'D):

I wouldn't be so sure. You see, so did I and I hope you know better than to tell me I am lying.

AIDEN:

(pointing his finger at her)

Now listen here. If what you're saying is right and I didn't actually kill him. I mean sure, he was aged as fine as wine so maybe his heart stopped, but it was still attempted murder isn't it. That's an arrest in and of itself.

HARLEY:

May not have been heart failure.

AIDEN:

Well what else then?

HARLEY:

Maybe I beat you to it. Maybe you only murdered a corpse. Even then it would only be an attempt, it's not like you succeeded.

AIDEN:

(offended and stunned)

How do you know it wasn't ME who beat YOU to it? Huh? What time did you "kill" him?

(AIDEN does the mocking tone for "Kill")