Chapter Text
ACT ONE
Fade in:
int. precinct - major case room - afternoon
The room is dim-lit with the blinds half-open. BRIGHT is wearing midnight blue slacks and dark loafers. His usual crisp white shirt is slightly worn and wrinkled, and his silver tie askew. His coat hangs off a nearby chair.
GIL, dressed in a gray sweater and black slacks, sits at the head of the table, closest to where Bright stands. DANI and JT are seated next to each other, opposite Gil. Dani is in a cream-colored blouse and dark jeans and has her arms crossed, while JT is in a forest green sweater and dark slacks, beard well kept, face calm and edging on bored. Their pristine appearance is stark against Bright’s disheveled look.
Bright paces the room, ignoring the team. He fiddles absentmindedly with a pencil in his hand.
JT
It's gotta be the younger son. He's hiding something.
DANI
(annoyed)
And you've got proof? No. It has to be the wife. She was all crocodile tears and --
GIL
Crocodile tears aren’t an admission of guilt. You’re all better than this. What are you thinking, kid?
Bright continues to pace, saying nothing. The fiddling with the pencil intensifies.
JT
Bright? You with us?
Gil stands from his seat and gingerly places a hand on Malcolm’s shoulder. Malcolm jumps. The pencil snaps in his hand. He’s inadvertently stabbed himself.
Gil moves to grab his hand, but Bright pushes him away.
GIL
JT, go grab the first aid kit.
BRIGHT
I'm fine.
GIL
Let's get --
BRIGHT
I said I'm fine.
Bright turns away from Gil. He pulls a handkerchief from his pocket and wraps it around his hand, gritting his teeth against the pain. He forcefully tosses the broken pencil into the trash. The conference room is silent, and all eyes are on him.
BRIGHT (CONT'D)
You're all wrong.
Bright taps on a picture of JOHN HERNANDEZ (mid-20s), an attractive man with short, curly hair, hazel eyes, and an air of wealth about him.
BRIGHT (CONT'D)
It couldn’t have been John. He was in his room with multiple witnesses. Which you already knew.
Malcolm taps on a picture of BEATRIZ HERNANDEZ (mid-60s). Her eyes are deep-set, and her makeup and hair are the image of perfection. The crows’ feet and laugh lines on her face are proof of a life well-lived.
Next to it is a picture of MOSES HERNANDEZ (mid-30s). He has brown eyes and curly brown hair that's been slicked back.
BRIGHT (CONT'D)
And it couldn’t have been Beatriz or Moses. They were in the library together. Which you also knew.
DANI
(under her breath)
Why does it feel like we're playing Clue?
JT laughs, covering it with a cough when Gil gives them both a look of disapproval. Bright turns back to the board, eyes frantically scanning.
BRIGHT
There’s something missing. There has to be. It’s a fairly quick-acting poison. It's not that complicated.
JT
And you're positive it's not a suicide?
Bright turns on his heel and slams his good hand into the table, causing Dani and JT to flinch.
BRIGHT
David Hernandez is the fourth in his line to die of strychnine poisoning. It’s something out of an Agatha Christie novel, not something that actually happens. Now, if none of you are going to take this case seriously and actually use your brains --
Dani and JT open their mouths to protest. Gil places a hand on Malcolm’s shoulder and holds his other up to stop everyone from talking.
GIL
That’s enough. Go home. Everyone go home. Get some sleep. Have a good dinner. Pet a cat or something. I don’t care. No one comes back with an attitude, though. Okay?
JT stands from his chair.
JT
I don't need to be told twice.
Dani eyes Gil and Malcolm before finally standing to leave.
BRIGHT
Good plan. Send everyone home so I can actually have some time to think.
Bright turns back to the board. Gil grabs Bright’s jacket from a chair and throws it at him.
GIL
I said everyone.
BRIGHT
It's not even three! What am I --
Gil pushes Bright toward the door.
GIL
Watch a movie, read a book, take a walk around the park. Just get out of here and have some fun. Please.
BRIGHT
I don't --
The door shuts, and Bright shrugs on his jacket.
BRIGHT (CONT'D)
(whispering)
-- know how to have fun.
CUT TO:
INT. BRIGHT'S LOFT - AFTERNOON
Malcolm walks through the front door. “SexyBack” by Justin Timberlake is playing loudly while VIJAY CHANDASARA dances in his kitchen, spoon in hand, cooking something on the seldom used oven. Vijay’s hair is wet, and he wears dark gray sweatpants and a thin white shirt that sticks to the moisture on his damp skin.
BRIGHT
(attempting to be heard)
Vijay?
Vijay whirls around, surprised. He uses a remote to turn off the music.
VIJAY
Bright! You scared the shit out of me!
BRIGHT
You're in my loft. Wait, I thought you weren't going to be back in town until next week?
VIJAY
The job ended early!
Vijay hugs Bright tight, dripping some sort of sauce from the spoon he’s holding onto Bright’s coat. Bright eyes the luggage by the door, the dampness and the lack of product in Vijay’s hair.
BRIGHT
Right. And you came straight here? Instead of going to your place.
VIJAY
Can't a guy visit his best friend just because? I missed you.
Vijay kisses the top of Bright’s head. Bright pulls away.
BRIGHT
You just saw me last week.
A buzzing comes from Bright’s pocket. He groans as he pulls out his PHONE and eyes the new text message from Gil. Before he can put it back in his pocket, Vijay plucks it from his hand and reads the text.
VIJAY
(reading aloud)
Guys' night. JT and I will pick you up at seven.
The phone buzzes again.
VIJAY (CONT'D)
You're coming, so don't even try to make up an excuse.
Vijay proceeds to tap out a reply from Bright's phone.
VIJAY (CONT'D)
Can... Vijay... come?
BRIGHT
Did you just invite yourself to -- ?
The phone buzzes again.
VIJAY
(reading aloud)
Yes.
Vijay punches the air and puts an arm around Malcolm’s shoulders, squeezing him tight again.
VIJAY
Hell yeah, I did!
Vijay clicks the remote to Bright’s fancy stereo system, then turns around and goes back to cooking. “SexyBack” starts up again.
BRIGHT
Great. Why not?
CUT TO:
EXT. BRIGHT'S LOFT - LATE AFTERNOON
The streetlights are starting to flicker on. Bright is dressed in a clean, charcoal gray suit, and Vijay is trailing behind him in dark blue jeans and a white polo, hair styled in a neat quaff.
Bright climbs into the back of Gil’s Coronet, and Vijay whistles as he slides in right next to him, sitting in the middle seat.
Gil is in the driver's seat, eyes on the rear view mirror. He’s changed into something more casual, worn dark jeans and a red plaid button-down. JT’s clothes have remained much the same, with a black leather jacket added. He toys with the radio knobs as Bright and Vijay settle and buckle in.
VIJAY
Malcolm told me you were restoring her, but damn, this looks professional. The threading on the seats is a little amateur, but if you want some help with that, I know a guy. Did some great work on my Porsche after the whole --
Vijay pantomimes driving his car into someone.
VIJAY (CONT'D)
You know.
JT
Does he really have to come?
VIJAY
Aw. C'mon, man. I couldn't pass up a boys' night out!
Vijay moves to put his hand on JT’S shoulder, but Bright grabs his arm and shakes his head, mouthing “no.”
BRIGHT
So, where exactly are we going?
CUT TO:
INT. CUE UP pool HALL - EVENING
A dingy pool club. Balls clacking. Gil is setting up the table while Malcolm and Vijay stand to the side.
BRIGHT
Right. Fun. Not like I have any bad memories associated with pool.
VIJAY
What was that, bud?
BRIGHT
Nothing. Just... do you want a drink? I'm getting drinks.
Before he can reply, Malcolm passes Vijay his pool cue and walks away.
VIJAY
Get me a Manhattan!
JT raises a brow at him. Vijay watches Malcolm until he’s out of sight and moves close to Gil.
VIJAY (CONT'D)
Hey, is this a good idea? I mean, pool? You really didn't think it would be too hard on him?
Gil
Bright isn't made of glass. I thought making some good new memories to replace the bad ones might be helpful.
VIJAY
Helpful? By reminding him of the person whose murder he still feels guilty for? By pushing him into relapsing and sending him back to being institutionalized?
You know how unstable he is right now. I couldn’t even stand being in a different timezone. I passed a job off to someone else. And this is what I come back to?
JT takes a step between Gil and Vijay.
JT
You're not the only one who cares about him.
PAN to Bright standing at the bar and watching as the argument between Vijay, Gil, and JT unfolds. ARC SHOT around him reveals MARTIN WHITLY -- rather, his hallucination -- lounging against the bar beside Bright.
Martin
You know they're talking about you. They're always going to treat you like this. Like damaged goods.
BRIGHT
They're just trying to help.
Martin
They can't help you.
BRIGHT
And you can? You're not even real.
Martin
Reality is subjective, my boy. But now isn't the time to discuss philosophy.
BRIGHT
I'm not taking to you. Go away.
The bartender looks warily at Malcolm and slides three beers and a Manhattan to him. Malcolm awkwardly grabs the bottles between his fingers in one hand and carefully holds the cocktail in the other. He weaves his way between tables back to Gil, Vijay, and JT.
When he gets closer, Vijay’s concerned frown morphs into a joyous smile, and he pats Gil’s back aggressively.
VIJAY
Sounds great. Now, who's ready to get their ass kicked?
JT
You play pool?
VIJAY
Top of my league. It's been a couple years, but it's like riding a bike, right?
BRIGHT
I'm not sure that's how it works. But you're still probably better than I am.
VIJAY
It's cool, baby boy. I'll show you how it's done.
Martin
I don't think he's talking about pool.
Bright grips the pool stick tightly in his hands, wincing as it rubs against where he hurt it earlier.
Gil
Are we going to talk, or are we going to play?
Bright quirks his head and looks around.
BRIGHT
Wait, where's Dani? I thought she was going to meet us here?
Gil
(exasperated)
Hopefully having a better time than us.
CUT TO:
int. whitly townhouse - dining room - evening
JESSICA, in tan culottes and a cream-colored top, sits at the head of the table. AINSLEY, immaculately dressed in black, fitted slacks and a loose white blouse, sits to her left, leaning slightly away from her. EDRISA sits next to Ainsley in a black belted dress, animatedly speaking. Dani sits at Jessica’s right and has changed into a pair of dark jeans and a gray mock turtleneck.
Edrisa
And that was just the first body!
Jessica
Thank you for that... riveting story. Dessert, anyone?
Jessica pushes her plate away and signals for Luisa to come collect it. A small grin forms on Dani’s face.
Ainsley
Well, I find it fascinating.
Jessica smiles a tight, forced smile.
Jessica
It is fascinating, dear, just maybe not entirely appropriate for the dinner table.
Edrisa
Oh! Oh, my god. I'm so sorry, Mrs. Whitly --
Jessica
Please, call me Jessica. And it's perfectly fine. I suppose my weak stomach and I are in the minority here.
Ainsley
Yes. You are.
Ainsley turns away from her mother and continues to ask Edrisa questions about the crime scene they were discussing earlier.
Dani
Actually, I’m with Jessica on this one. Can we not talk about work for a minute? Or, at least, something slightly less... vivid?
Jessica mouths “thank you” to Dani, who gives her a small nod.
Edrisa
Totally! Actually, today was, like, a perfect example. I mean, strychnine?
Ainsley leans in, interest peaked.
Ainsley
David Hernandez died of strychnine poisoning?
Edrisa
I know, right? It's so exciting!
Dani
EDRISA!
Edrisa stops speaking, lips suddenly closed tight as she looks quickly at Jessica.
Jessica sighs.
Edrisa
I’m so sorry Mrs. Whi -- Jessica. I completely forgot you two were friends. Sometimes my mouth gets ahead of my brain, and I --
JESSICA
It’s okay. Really. And to be completely honest, it is interesting. I mean, it was odd enough when his father was killed in the eighties -- unsolved, of course. But now? Where did they even get it?
EDRISA
That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out! Malcolm said he had some thoughts, but then Gil sent everyone home early and --
Dani sighs and goes back to stabbing at the tomato on her plate, giving up on her attempts to reel in Edrisa.
END ACT ONE