Chapter Text
1 INT. JOHN'S ROOM. DAY.
JOHN
Hi... Everyone. And welcome to
The Adventure of the Speckled
Band. This... Was... Not uhm.
Not a lighthearted one. To put
it like that. Um. Very few content
warnings for Part One but there
will be.. a bit more.. in Parts Two
and Three so. As always they're in
the description. Um. This- This
contains... Something. That uh.
Was. Just. Um. Really. Really,
really scary. That's all I'll say
cause I don't wanna spoil you.
So uh. Yeah. Enjoy Part One.
2 INT. 221B BAKER STREET. DAY.
Beeps as buttons are pressed. A/C unit starts working.
JOHN
Mmm... Feel that?
SHERLOCK
Yes.
JOHN
Pretty cool, right?
He waits for Sherlock to answer. Sherlock doesn't answer.
JOHN
Because it's cool like the
air is cold and also-
SHERLOCK
Yes, I understood.
Unfortunately.
JOHN
Ow, come on... D'you
like it at least?
SHERLOCK
I do. I did say it was a
good idea to purchase
something like this.
JOHN
I know! Can you believe
we've lived here almost
three years and-
A gasp, followed by footsteps coming up the stairs while John is talking.
JOHN
-we never got around
to- What the...
Mariana bursts through the door.
MARIANA
Did you guys- Woah
it's cool in here.
JOHN
Isn't it always cool
inside 221b?
MARIANA
No. Oh, A/C unit. Am I
getting one too?
JOHN
Uh.
MARIANA
Nope, not the point.
You guys got a letter
from Diane Farintosh??
JOHN
Well you are holding
a letter sooo I'm
guessing we did?
MARIANA
You did! Go on, open it!
John takes the letter.
JOHN
Ha. Yeah, I think I
know what this is.
MARIANA
What?
SHERLOCK
If I recall correctly, Diane
Farintosh sought our
services in January,
when you were away
for a couple of days.
MARIANA
Yeah... And I was very
disappointed I missed her.
SHERLOCK
Well. What we might not
have mentioned is that she
said she will try to get us
tickets to see her in
her new show.
Mariana gasps. John takes the tickets out of the envelope.
JOHN
Yup. Tickets for The Woes
of Felice Sanchez...
Sounds.. fun...
MARIANA
When?
JOHN
Uhh buh buh buhh...
19 June 2026.
MARIANA
Ohh my god. Phewwww.
I can go. Wait, I can go,
right? How many tickets..?
SHERLOCK
If there's only two,
you can have mine.
MARIANA
Awww, Sherlock...
JOHN
Ahaha! There's three!
Mariana screams in delight and hugs the boys.
MARIANA
We’re gonna see
Diane Farintosh!!
SHERLOCK
(squished by the hug)
Yes... Very exciting... John?
JOHN
(squished by the hug)
Sorry, mate. I don't know her
either, besides as our client.
Mariana lets them go.
MARIANA
What??
Intro.
3 INT. 221B BAKER STREET. DAY.
MARIANA
Can't believe you don't
know her. I mean I'm not
surprised by Sherlock.
But you?
JOHN
Sorry... I just... Didn't...
See any of those movies...
MARIANA
She was in an episode
of Doctor Who, too.
JOHN
Haven't watched all of them.
MARIANA
Ugh. Anyway. As I said, she's
been in many movies. Buuut...
Mariana types something on the laptop.
MARIANA
...this is. How she became
famous. She played Annie,
the babysitter in
L&J: Ghosthunters
JOHN
Name sounds...
Very vaguely familiar.
SHERLOCK
Not to me.
MARIANA
Well, it's technically a
kid's show. But. Pretty
iconic. If you ask me.
Ughh I can't find a good
clip... It was this tv show
about two little twin girls
living in the countryside
and fighting ghosts and
monsters... Oh ok, found
something. So this is-
She's introduced earlier
in this episode - the first
episode - but this is...
The first scene where we
start to really like her.
Mariana plays the clip.
ANNIE
Where have you girls been?
Your parents told me you
like to sneak off, but you
just disappeared!
JANE
Sorry, Miss Annie... We.
Well, we found these magic
necklaces and then there
were ghosts and then we
fought one of them.
MARIANA
(quickly)
The necklaces gave them powers.
SHERLOCK
What kind of powers?
MARIANA
Shh. Just. Powers.
LIZZIE
She means pretended.
JANE
Yeah, of course. Pretended.
ANNIE
Aww... I remember when I had..
such an active imagination.
I wanted to write stories...
LIZZIE
Well I'm sure you still can!
ANNIE
Maybe... You said you
found some necklaces?
JANE
Yes! Look!
The girls show Annie their necklaces.
ANNIE
Oooh yes. Very pretty. I can
see how you could think
they might be magical.
Where’d you find them?
LIZZIE
In the river.
ANNIE
Ah, then it's fair game.
But you know, if someone
sees them on you and asks
for them back, you’ll
have to give them back.
The girls are quiet for a moment.
LIZZIE
Well... If that someone can
prove the necklaces
were theirs first...
ANNIE
Surely they wouldn’t know
to ask for them back if
they weren’t theirs first.
JANE
I dunno... Billy from school
always steals other kids'
stuff and says they’re his.
JOHN
When did this come out?
MARIANA
2016. But the creator wanted
a... Kinda... Nostalgic feel?
JOHN
Aha.
ANNIE
(WHILE JOHN AND MARIANA TALK)
Well... Just don't go around
saying you found them.
Should be fine.
LIZZIE
(WHILE JOHN AND MARIANA TALK)
Alright.
There's a silence.
MARIANA
Ohh ok ok here we go, shh.
ANNIE
I wanted to ask... Besides the
ghost-hunting and magical
necklaces. Are you girls alright?
You seemed a bit sad
before you disappeared.
JANE
Well...
The girls look at each other.
JANE
I suppose we're a bit
disappointed that mum
and dad are leaving again...
ANNIE
They have to work.
JANE
That's what everyone says...
LIZZIE
But we want them to stay with
us! I don’t even remember
the last time they stayed for
more than two weeks!
JANE
Me neither.
ANNIE
Have you told them? That
you miss them that much?
LIZZIE
We always do.
JANE
And they always leave.
ANNIE
Oh... I’m sorry, girls.
That must be really hard.
JANE
It's ok... At least... Well,
me and Lizzie will
always be together.
LIZZIE
Always.
Mariana is crying.
MARIANA
(teary)
Shit...
ANNIE
That's right. And... I know
it's not the same, but if
you need an adult...
I'm here. Yeah?
JANE
Well, not for long.
LIZZIE
Yeah. People don’t really
wanna stay here long.
They say it’s too boring.
JANE
And there's "no opportunities".
Whatever that means.
Annie laughs.
ANNIE
I guess we'll see. I
hope to stay a while.
JANE
I hope so too. You seem nice.
ANNIE
You girls seem nice, too.
...do you want some pancakes?
Mariana presses space, the clip stops.
MARIANA
(teary)
Sorry... Sorry, that part
always got me, but now
it's... Worse. God.
JOHN
Why? Did they not stay together?
MARIANA
No... Yeah, the characters,
Lizzie and Jane, did. And uh.
Stuff happened and at the end
Annie actually adopted them.
So the show ended very well.
But. Uhm. The girl who played
Jane, the one with longer hair?
Uhm. Julia Stoner. She died.
Two years ago.
JOHN
Oh, shit.
MARIANA
She was just 16. I think I
actually told you. Back then.
JOHN
Oh. The girl who died
in her sleep?
MARIANA
Yeah.
JOHN
Yeah, I remember.
God. Horrible.
SHERLOCK
Did she have a pre-existing
medical condition?
MARIANA
Don't know. I don't think so?
They didn't really say much.
She just... Died.
SHERLOCK
Odd.
MARIANA
Yeah. Anyway... Yeah. I-
I know they were acting,
there, but... It's still. Two
little twin girls saying
they'll always be together
and now. Now it's just one
of them left... Poor Helen.
(pause)
That's uh. She played Lizzie.
JOHN
Yeah, I got that.
A silence, a bit too long.
SHERLOCK
I will text Diane to tell her
we received the tickets.
JOHN
Thank her, too.
SHERLOCK
Will do.
John pats Mariana's knee.
JOHN
You ok?
MARIANA
Yeah.
(she sighs, trying to cheer herself up)
Very excited for next week!
4 INT. 221B BAKER STREET. DAY. - NEXT WEEK
SHERLOCK
Do you always have to strangle
me when you're tying my tie?
JOHN
I dunno mate, do you
always have to squirm?
SHERLOCK
(sigh)
I am not squirming.
JOHN
You are.
A pause. John is still fiddling with Sherlock's tie.
SHERLOCK
Why do we even
have to dress up?
JOHN
Theatre. First few rows.
Opening night.
SHERLOCK
Summer. Room with many
people. Heat stroke.
JOHN
You'll be fine. We just need
to look good while the lights
are on. You can take the jacket
off after the show starts.
SHERLOCK
Can I take my tie off, too?
John thinks.
JOHN
Does it really bother
you that much?
SHERLOCK
I am very aware of
it at all times.
JOHN
Then... Hmm... Let's...
Loosen it a bit? Mmm.
Nope. Doesn't look good.
Eh, let's just lose it.
John takes off Sherlock's tie.
JOHN
Who needs ties anyway?
He throws it on the couch.
JOHN
Not like you're
getting knighted, eh?
John chuckles. Sherlock is not amused.
JOHN
...sorry.
(pause)
Ah! Wait, wait.
SHERLOCK
What?
JOHN
You gotta... Pop a
button open...
John undoes one button from Sherlock's shirt.
JOHN
So it doesn't look like
you just forgot your tie.
There we go!
He pats Sherlock's arms, loudly.
JOHN
Ready for the theatre!
5 INT. THEATRE. EVENING.
Ambient music is playing. People are talking, some are walking around.
MARIANA
Row.. D... Over here.
And we have..
SHERLOCK
14, 15 and 16.
MARIANA
Alright.
(to the people already seated)
Excuse me...
JOHN
Yep... Sorry...
Coming through..
They arrive at their seats and sit down. The shutters from some cameras can be heard.
JOHN
Look at that.
SHERLOCK
What?
JOHN
I said there's gonna be
photographers and stuff.
SHERLOCK
You did.
MARIANA
Oh! John. Don't forget
to turn the mic off!
JOHN
Yeah I will.
Nothing happens.
SHERLOCK
Now would be a good time.
JOHN
Fine, ok! Relax. There's
like ten minutes left.
SHERLOCK
Seven.
JOHN
Whatever...
(into the mic)
Alright listeners, we'll see you
after The Woes of Felice
Sanchez. Wish us luck!
Mic is turned off.
6 INT. THEATRE. NIGHT.
Mic is turned on.
JOHN
-the hell is Sherlock?
People are gathering their things and walking out, many of them talking.
MARIANA
Toilet?
JOHN
Wouldn't he be done by now?
(pause)
Honestly, he just... Really...
Pisses me off sometimes.
Couldn't he have waited
another five minutes? I
mean I get... Nature calls,
right, but. First of all. We
all went during the interval,
so how bad could it be.
They exit the auditorium, into the hallway.
JOHN
Second. It was clearly almost
over. Right? But noo. He had
to walk out during the most...
intense... and emotional scene.
And we were in the centre, too.
People had to get up.
John sighs, frustrated. There's a silence.
JOHN
Why are you looking
at me like that?
MARIANA
Really?
JOHN
What?
MARIANA
(sigh)
Describe... This... Very intense
and emotional scene.
JOHN
What, for the listeners?
MARIANA
Sure.
JOHN
Ok. Uhm. Well it really- I mean
you have to have seen the play,
but. So there were these two
characters. Felice and Hugo.
And they were childhood friends,
and they liked each other, but
there was always something in
the way of their relationship.
And at the end they're like
30-something and.. Felice
finally confesses her feelings,
and it seems like they're gonna
get their happy ending, but no!
Hugo is shot by a thief. Who was
actually- He was in Act 1-
MARIANA
Stay on track.
JOHN
Right. And, uh... Right, they
were supposed to go on a date
and she found him and they
said their I love yous and goodbyes
aaand he died in her arms.
MARIANA
Aha.
JOHN
Yeah.
A silence.
JOHN
What? It is the most
emotional scene, right?
MARIANA
I'd say so.
JOHN
(confused)
Right...
(pause)
Are you saying he left
because it was too sad?
Cause we've watched sad
movies before and he was
fine. Bit too fine, actually.
Granted this was a play-
MARIANA
No, you idiot! He left
because it reminded him
of you! You almost died!
Like that!
John stares, surprised.
JOHN
Yeah, but... No.
MARIANA
John, he walked out
immediately after "Felice
it's dark and cold but
I can hear your voice".
John is quiet.
JOHN
But... I mean, it's not
the same thing. And.
He's... Fine...
MARIANA
John... I thought of you
during that scene. Of course
it reminded Sherlock of that.
He was the one who stayed
with you the entire time. While
Stammo and I went for help.
He held your hand until the
paramedics arrived. Course he'd...
Find it hard to watch that.
There's a silence.
JOHN
Right.... Shit.
He takes out his phone and calls Sherlock. It rings, but there's no answer.
JOHN
Ah, he's not answering.
Probably still has it on
silent. Let's uh...
They walk together.
MARIANA
Are we looking
for the toilet?
JOHN
Yep.
MARIANA
It was the other way.
JOHN
...yes it was.
They turn, walk the other way and find the men's room. John looks inside.
JOHN
Sherlock? You in there, mate?
(to the other people)
Sorry, just looking for my friend.
(calling out again)
Sherlock?
No answer.
JOHN
...he's not here.
MARIANA
Let's wait outside maybe?
JOHN
Yeah, I was gonna say
the same thing. I'll uh.
Text him... Oh! Right,
he's not the only one who
forgot his phone on silent.
He answers the phone.
JOHN
Hey, where are you?
SHERLOCK (ON THE PHONE)
Outside.
7 EXT. JUST OUTSIDE THE THEATRE. NIGHT.
John and Mariana walk out of the theatre.
JOHN
Hi.
SHERLOCK
Hello.
JOHN
Didn't know where you went.
SHERLOCK
Yes.. My apologies. My
phone was still on silent.
MARIANA
It's ok, Sherlock.
Are you alright?
SHERLOCK
Yes. Perfectly fine. Just..
Had a bit of an emergency.
JOHN
Well, you didn't miss
much. Hugo died.
SHERLOCK
Yes, I thought he might.
A short silence.
JOHN
Soo, are we leaving?
SHERLOCK
In a bit.
MARIANA
Are we waiting for something?
SHERLOCK
Someone.
8 EXT. JUST OUTSIDE THE THEATRE. NIGHT. - A BIT LATER
MARIANA
It's so nice to meet you.
I'm- Actually- A big fan.
I was really disappointed
to have missed you in January.
DIANE
Aw.. Well I'm glad you made
it to the premiere of our show.
MARIANA
Me too! I actually- I'm actually
leaving for Spain tommorow,
so it was- Really good timing.
DIANE
Visiting family?
MARIANA
Yeah. I told my mom I'd
be there for her birthday.
DIANE
Oh! ¡Feliz cumpleaños!
MARIANA
¡Gracias!
DIANE
So... Did you like the show?
MARIANA
It was so good.
JOHN
Very emotional.
MARIANA
And you were. I mean. Amazing.
DIANE
Aww, you're too sweet.
(to Sherlock)
Did you like it?
Or was it not your style?
SHERLOCK
It did.. have some..
interesting parts.
JOHN
That's high praise
coming from him.
DIANE
Ha! Yes, I know, I know...
Well. Thank you for coming.
JOHN
Thank you for inviting us.
DIANE
Yeah, no problem! Honestly,
felt like the least I could
do after you found my
necklace so quickly.
SHERLOCK
It's our job.
DIANE
I know, I know, of course.
I was just. So happy to
have it back. Told all my
friends about you guys.
And your podcast.
JOHN
Aww. That's very nice,
Diane, thank you.
DIANE
Yeah... Speaking of. I'm
not exactly up to date, on
the podcast I mean, but...
I heard about what
happened. I'm really glad
you're alright, John.
JOHN
Oh! Right, yeah, that. Yeah,
I'm- I was really lucky.
(motioning towards Sherlock)
This guy.. found me in time.
DIANE
(fond)
Course he did...
(pause)
You weren't... I hope you didn't
find the play upsetting.
JOHN
Oh, no.
DIANE
We did have warnings on
the doors that there's
fake gunshots and...
JOHN
No, no.
DIANE
...things like that.
JOHN
No, I'm- I- Didn't
bother me, no.
9 INT. 221B BAKER STREET. NIGHT.
John pours food into Archie's bowl.
JOHN
There we go... Dinner
for you, Archie-boy.
Archie starts eating. John straightens up with a groan.
JOHN
Alright. Well, I think
I'm going to sleep.
SHERLOCK
Yes... Goodnight.
John doesn't go to his room.
JOHN
Sherlock?
SHERLOCK
Yes?
JOHN
Uhm... Are you... Are you
sure you're alright? It's just-
I dunno, cause you left..
during the show.. like that.
I was wondering.
Sherlock smiles.
SHERLOCK
I'm alright. I was just.. I was
a bit nauseaus, actually. But
it passed after I went outside.
JOHN
Fresh air, yeah...
D'you know why?
SHERLOCK
Why I was nauseaus?
JOHN
Yeah.
SHERLOCK
Mmm... The heat? Most likely.
JOHN
Oh. Right... Well, if
you say you're ok...
SHERLOCK
I am.
JOHN
Right. Well, goodnight then.
SHERLOCK
Goodnight, John.
10 INT. JOHN'S ROOM. MORNING.
John is sleeping. The door opens. Sherlock approaches the bed.
SHERLOCK
(whispering)
John. John...
John doesn't wake up.
SHERLOCK
(normal volume)
John!
JOHN
Gh- Wha-? What?
SHERLOCK
Get up.
John sighs. He grabs his phone to look at the time.
JOHN
Jeez... What are you
doing awake at 8am?
Is something on fire?
SHERLOCK
No. There's a client.
John rolls on his back.
JOHN
Right...
SHERLOCK
Mariana woke me up to tell
me. She also said I shouldn't
interview a child client alone
because I'm "not gentle enough".
JOHN
And why'd you put
that in quotations.
SHERLOCK
Because it's untrue!
JOHN
Right, ok. And she has to
leave for the airport soon
so you woke me up.
SHERLOCK
You won't want to miss this.
JOHN
Yeah, you're probably right...
Wait, a child client?
SHERLOCK
Teen, technically.
JOHN
At 8 am?
John gets out of bed.
JOHN
Shit. Let me uhh...
Put some clothes on...
John rummages through his closet.
SHERLOCK
Yes, please do.
JOHN
(fake laughing)
Ahaha.. Don't act like I
haven't seen you naked.
Actually naked, not just
in boxers. And for no
good reason.
SHERLOCK
If you're referring to the
events of Wisteria Lodge,
I already explained-
JOHN
Yeah yeah yeah, sure..
John finishes getting dressed.
JOHN
Ok. Uhh. This good?
Do I look presentable
and... Friendly?
SHERLOCK
Not sure about presentable.
JOHN
Ow come on...
SHERLOCK
Friendly, yes. Always.
JOHN
Aww... Thanks, mate. ...I think.
Alright, let's go. Poor kid's
waiting for us. Right?
SHERLOCK
Correct.
11 INT. 221A OFFICE. MORNING.
JOHN
Oh. Oh, ok. Hi.
HELEN
Hi. I'm Helen Stoner.
JOHN
Yeah... I know.
HELEN
Oh! Are you.. a fan..?
JOHN
No. I mean, not- I just
haven't seen anything
you're in. Our friend,
Mariana, mentioned you
last week. Actually that
show, uh.. with the..
ghost hunting.
HELEN
Oh, right.
JOHN
Sorry...
HELEN
No, no. Actually, I'm- I feel
better knowing you don't,
like, know me that well.
From shows and stuff.
JOHN
Ah, good. Uhm, d'you want
some tea? Or hot chocolate?
HELEN
No, thanks. Mariana
already asked, actually.
JOHN
Alright.
SHERLOCK
What brings you here,
Helen? And at such
an early hour.
HELEN
Right. Um. Well, long story
short. I think... Um. I think
whoever killed my sister is
gonna try to kill me.
JOHN
...oh.
End of Part One.