FADE IN
INT. CITY STREET HOUSE DOORWAY -- EVENING
It's six pm, the heat is sweltering, children are playing in
the street with water balloons. AGNES SHEPARD, late
thirties and professional, walks up the street carrying too
many shopping bags. Agnes gets to the door of her house,
and puts the bags down resting on the door. Agnes goes to
her pockets looking for her keys.
JACKSON MICHAELS (V.O.)
To think, this might be my last fix.
Agnes finds her keys and puts them in the door, she picks up
the bags and pushes the door open, then she enters.
INT. AGNES'S HOUSE -- EVENING
Agnes enters the house, the bottom half of the house is open
plan and she is immediately in the sitting room, the house
is dark, lots of shadows.
JACKSON MICHAELS (V.O.)
I've been viewing this lady, and
she seems very full of life, gym
membership, lively social life, and
her career as a recruitment
consultant is going well. She is
also very polite.
Agnes goes to the kitchen and turns on the light there, this
lights up the kitchen and parts of the sitting room, the new
light shows that someone is sitting on a chair. Only the
body is showing, the face and hands are still in shadow, it
is JACKSON MICHAELS
JACKSON MICHAELS (V.O.) (CONT'D)
She also has a good eye for
comfortable furniture.
Agnes puts away the shopping, into the fridge and into the
presses. She turns and sees that there is someone sitting
on the chair, and backs to the presses, she is scared,
witless, she puts her hand back on the counter top and finds
a small sharp knife, and holds it out. Jackson stands and
somehow the light still does not show his face.
JACKSON MICHAELS (CONT'D)
(calm)
Hello Agnes. How was work.
Through the dark Agnes tries to see who is talking, and how
they know her. Because of the familiarity with her she
lowers her guard.
AGNES SHEPARD
(shaken)
Who is that? Is this a joke
JACKSON MICHAELS
(calm)
No, no joke, I'm here to slit your
throat.
Once again the knife is raised, fear grips Agnes.
JACKSON MICHAELS (CONT'D)
(collected)
I've done this before, so don't be
nervous, it'll be over quick.
Jackson takes a step out of the darkness, and he is bald,
but looks non-threatening. His calm appearance does nothing
to soothe Agnes. Jackson looks at the knife and smiles
gently at Agnes, and then steps closer to her but just out
of her range
JACKSON MICHAELS (CONT'D)
(cool)
You don't have to hand me one, I've
brought my own.
Out of seemingly nowhere Jackson swipes at Anges's throat
with a long blade knife, similar to a professional butchers
knife. The blade cuts deep into Agnes's throat and slices
through it with much ease. A strong flow of blood comes
through the wound and Agnes falls to a seated position on
the floor, the blood seeping into her clothes. Agnes gasps
for breath. Jackson lowers himself, kneeling beside Agnes.
JACKSON MICHAELS (CONT'D)
(awe)
Four score of you, and still I
never tire of this moment, but I
have a call to make. After all,
this is a crime, and the police
should be called.
Jackson takes a mobile phone out of his pocket and dials the
police.
POLICE OPPERATOR
(over phone)
999 which service do you require.
JACKSON MICHAELS
(polite)
This is the slasher you've been
looking for, trace the call and
you'll find me and a new body.
Jackson does not hang up the phone and places it down to one
side. Agnes has died, her dead stare now fixed completely
at Jackson.
JACKSON MICHAELS (CONT'D)
(to Agnes)
If that is my final kill, you
should be honored to know it was
most enjoyable.
INT. AGNES'S HOUSE -- NIGHT
The police come through the door with force, their guns out,
and they are in full body armor. Jackson sits calmly
reading a magazine on the couch. The dead body of Anges is
still where it fell. The Police surround Jackson, and
Jackson looks up from his magazine.
JACKSON MICHAELS
(curious)
You men took your time, no wonder
violent criminals are allowed to
roam the streets. Tut tut.
Jackson smiles.
INT. POLICE INTERVIEW ROOM -- NIGHT
A hot summer night. It's nine pm and the barred window of
the interview room shows that outside it's still sunny. The
room is white, clinically clean, one table, two empty chairs
are on one side, and the other side, the side facing the
mirror is JACKSON MICHAELS. Jackson Michaels sits wearing a
orange jumpsuit, his wrists are handcuffed behind his back.
Jackson is in his late thirties, he is clean shaven, every
hair on his head has been shaved off. Some sweat beads fall
softly down his calm face. Jackson's confident glare is at
the large mirror facing him, as though he is staring through
it.
INT. POLICE OBSERVATION ROOM -- NIGHT
The other side of the mirror is dark. The light comes from
the two way mirror that looks into the Interview room where
Jackson is sitting. Three Detectives, DETECTIVE LEMON,
DETECTIVE CASEY, and DETECTIVE FOLEY, are in the observation
room looking at Jackson with quiet awe. Detective Lemon is
in his late fifties, and has loosened his shirt and tie to
cope with the heat, though there are sweat marks around the
armpit area of his shirt. Detective Casey is in his mid
forties, tired appearance, and with dark hair. Detective
Foley is younger, late twenties, she cares about her
appearance, she has blond hair. Detective Lemon wipes the
sweat from his face.
DETECTIVE LEMON
(uneasy)
Well boys! There we have the most
prolific serial killer to grace
these fair shores.
Detectives Casey and Foley look at each other, a tint of
nervousness lingers in their faces.
DETECTIVE CASEY
Doesn't add up! We've been
trailing him for four years, 80
slayings, and he just waits around
his latest kill to be picked up?
DETECTIVE FOLEY
Add to that the fact he waved his
right to have legal representation
present.
Detective Lemon looks at his two Detectives and shrugs off
the questions.
DETECTIVE LEMON
Listen, fuck it. You go in, we
record his confession. The DPP
boys want him in front of a judge
by morning.
With one glance to each other, to instill confidence,
Detectives Casey and Foley leave the observation room.
Detective Lemon stays and makes sure that the video camera
is recording, he gets behind the view finder and keeps
Jackson in view and focus.
INT. VERV
In the interview room, Jackson is still staring at the
mirror when Detectives Casey and Foley walk nervously
through the door. Casey and Foley try to contain their
feelings of anxiety as they walk to their seats. Jackson
greets both Detectives with a confident smile.
JACKSON MICHAELS
(confident)
Good of you to show up, I was
getting worried that I would have
to sleep bound to this chair.
Jackson shakes his wrists and the chains of the handcuffs
rattle, Detectives Foley and Casey take their seats with
unease.
DETECTIVE FOLEY
This interview session is being
taped, and we wish to clarify that
you have been read your rights, and
in understanding them you have
waved your rights to have a lawyer
present.
Jackson smiles.
DETECTIVE CASEY
Do you understand?
JACKSON MICHAELS
(calm)
I understand, probably better than
you do.
DETECTIVE CASEY
Would you please state your name,
age, and current address for the
record please?
JACKSON MICHAELS
(happily)
Jackson Michael's, I'm thirty eight
years old and no fixed abode.
Jackson turns his attention, and is curious, then he turns
his attention back to the Detectives.
JACKSON MICHAELS (CONT'D)
(curious)
You haven't brought in any material
to take notes with. Are you
nervous about something.
DETECTIVE CASEY
(angry)
We'll be asking the questions here,
if you don't mind?
Jackson shakes his head, Casey's tone has upset him, but
only for a moment.
JACKSON MICHAELS
Leave emotion at the door Detective.
Now, what are you nervous about?
DETECTIVE FOLEY
Maybe it's the fact that you've
always used objects in the victims
homes to commit your crimes.
JACKSON MICHAELS
Crimes? No, they weren't crimes.
DETECTIVE CASEY
(mocking)
Eighty people murdered. Their
throats slit and bled to death.
I'd call those crimes.
JACKSON MICHAELS
I've always referred to them as
food for my addiction.
DETECTIVE FOLEY
(interested)
You're addicted to murder?
JACKSON MICHAELS
No, Death. Being there at
someone's moment of death, it's
exhilarating.
DETECTIVE FOLEY
(wonder)
Really? Then why not work in a
hospice, somewhere that death is
frequent.
JACKSON MICHAELS
(amused)
I did think about that, but I find
that violent death is much more
satisfying.
Detective Casey stands up angrily and takes off his jacket,
then he places the coat on the back of his chair. He stays
standing.
DETECTIVE CASEY
You'll go and spend the rest of
your days in an eight by eight cell.
All because you couldn't get your
fix from Charles Bronson movies.
JACKSON MICHAELS
(calm)
You think that drug addicts can get
their dose from reading Irvine
Welsh books?
Detective Foley smiles briefly, as though she is warming up
to Jackson. Detective Casey sits back down, anger building
inside of him.
INT. POLICE OBSERVATION ROOM -- NIGHT
Detective Lemon is watching the interview through the mirror
with interest. A young female uniformed police officer,
OFFICER REAGAN, Pops her head through the doorway. This
takes Detective Lemon's attention away from the interview.
OFFICER REAGAN
(cautious)
Detective Lemon? The Commissioner
is on the phone for you.
A quiet nod from Detective Lemon and Officer Reagan's head
retreats from the door frame. Detective Lemon looks back to
the interview room, and then a glance to the video recorder
to make sure that the camera is recording. Detective Lemon
resigns himself to leaving and then leaves.
INT. POLICE INTERVIEW ROOM -- NIGHT
The interview continues. Detective Foley is more at ease
now, but her partner, Detective Casey is getting more edgy.
Jackson sits with comfort, and a slight grin marks his face.
JACKSON MICHAELS
(coolly)
To get this out of the way, I
confess to all eighty of what you
call murders, each was premeditated,
and each in their own way, was
enjoyable.
DETECTIVE CASEY
You planning on pleading insanity?
JACKSON MICHAELS
(honest)
No. In fact I don't think that
this will even go to trial.
DETECTIVE FOLEY
Well, we'll see. But four years
work, and then one night you decide
it's all over. Why?
Jackson fixes his posture in the chair and gives a grin.
JACKSON MICHAELS
You both have been working very
hard to capture me. How do you
feel now you think it's all over.
DETECTIVE CASEY
I for one now feel comfortable that
you are off the street.
A knock on the door to the interview room, and Detective
Lemon puts his head around the door as he opens it.
Detective Lemon looks to Jackson, and Jackson gives
Detective Lemon a sly wink, Detective Lemon gets very
uncomfortable, and looks to Detectives Casey and Foley.
DETECTIVE LEMON
Can I see you two outside?
Detectives Casey and Foley don't look at each other, they
stand and go to leave the room.
JACKSON MICHAELS
Detective Casey?
Detective Casey stops and turns back to Jackson.
JACKSON MICHAELS (CONT'D)
(polite)
Be careful in your comfort.
The Detectives leave, and the second the door closes behind
them, Jackson uses his long fingernails and slits into the
back of one of his wrists. This causes a cut in the wrist,
blood starts to flow from the wound, slowly Jackson takes a
thin metal pick from beneath his skin. A menacing smile
crosses his face.
INT. POLICE STATION HALLWAY -- NIGHT
Detectives Lemon, Casey, and Foley are in the hallway, the
police station is a buzz with activity. The uniformed
police officers are walking by as Lemon is about to talk to
Casey and Foley.
DETECTIVE LEMON
(whispered)
Did you get the confession from him?
DETECTIVE CASEY
(proud)
He gave it up without a problem.
DETECTIVE FOLEY
That's were I have a worry. Even
the toughest wise guy gets rattled
when giving a confession.
DETECTIVE LEMON
It doesn't matter. His DNA matches
the samples taken from each of the
eighty scenes. He's going to a
special sitting tonight, sentencing
will be in the morning.
Detective Foley shakes her head, but Detectives Lemon and
Casey ignore her.
EXT. POLICE STATION -- NIGHT
Outside the police station there are few cars, marked and
unmarked police cars mostly. Now starting to pull up are TV
news Vans, and at the steps leading to the entrance of the
police station there is a gathering of press reporters.
INT. POLICE STATION HALLWAY -- NIGHT
Detective Lemon is starting to fix his shirt and tie, and is
also clearing the sweat from his brow with his hand.
Detective Casey is smiling, and confident. Detective Foley
is anxious.
DETECTIVE FOLEY
(quiet pleading)
I'm telling you, something is
wrong, he wouldn't just wait around
to be caught.
DETECTIVE LEMON
(uninterested)
Whatever! Just bring him back to
the holding cells. It's going to
take an hour to get the Judge, and
the lawyers to the courthouse.
Detective Lemon walks down the hall and to the entrance of
the police station. Detective Casey is the first back into
the interview room. Still anxious Detective Foley follows him.
INT. POLICE INTERVIEW ROOM -- NIGHT
When the Detectives reenter the interview room Jackson is
sitting in the same position that they left him in. Jackson
gives a gentle smile to the Detectives. Jackson studies the
face of Detective Casey.
JACKSON MICHAELS
(sincere)
Detective Casey, you look happy, a
look you wear well. If only your
morbid partner could share in it.
The two Detectives stay standing, Detective Casey puts back
on his jacket.
DETECTIVE CASEY
You are going to trial tonight my
friend.
JACKSON MICHAELS
Can I take a rain check on that?
DETECTIVE CASEY
(laughing)
Why? You got some better place to be?
JACKSON MICHAELS
(apologetic)
Not really, no. But I do feel that
I've taken too much of your
valuable time.
DETECTIVE CASEY
(earnest)
With you caught, I've more time on
my hands.
Detective Foley moves in close to Jackson, and places her
hand under his arm to help him to his feet. Now with his
hands free, he runs the hook part of the handcuffs into the
Detectives throat. Detective Foley bleeds quickly from the
deep insertion. Before Detective Casey can react to his
partners predicament, before he can reach for his gun,
Jackson has put the hook into Casey's stomach, and taken the
gun from it's holster. Detective Casey goes back against
the mirror, and lowers to the floor, holding both hands on
the wound in his stomach. Jackson stands over Detective
Casey and is very calm as he completes the removal of the
handcuffs from his wrists.
JACKSON MICHAELS
Don't worry, you'll live. I want
you alive and angry. I want you to
come after me, it'll add to the
pleasure of my addiction.
Detective Casey removes his attention from his wound and
turns it and his hate to Jackson.
JACKSON MICHAELS (CONT'D)
Well, time to go. My guess is that
I've got to make the most of my
head start.
INT. POLICE STATION HALLWAY -- NIGHT
Jackson pokes his head out of the interview room. The
hallway is now deserted, and down at the other end of the
hallway, were the entrance is, there is a gathering of
uniformed police officers. Each of the officers have their
backs turned to the interview room. Jackson comes out of
the interview room, and calmly walks in the opposite direction.
EXT. POLICE STATION -- NIGHT
Detective Lemon is addressing a large press gathering, both
broadcast media and print media are there. A mass of
photographers are taking the proud Detective Lemon's photo.
REPORTER
Detective, how would you describe
the efforts of your Detectives in
their approach to this case?
DETECTIVE LEMON
(proud)
Detectives Casey and Foley are
dedicated professionals, they are
the very top of their job, and this
city is lucky to have them on its
side.
INT. POLICE INTERVIEW ROOM -- NIGHT
A pool of blood surrounds the dead body of Detective Foley.
While under the mirror, and gasping for breath, Detective
Casey is using all the strength in his hands to apply
pressure to the wound in his stomach.
EXT. ALLEYWAY -- NIGHT
Jackson has changed his clothes, and is looking more
comfortable in them. The clothes are dark, and a little too
big for Jackson. On the ground near to Jackson, a man,
about the same age as Jackson, lies dead in his underwear.
A broken glass beer bottle has been recently shoved into his
face.
JACKSON MICHAELS
(calm)
You've got to love what you do.
The end.
