EXT. CLUB - NIGHT

            A trendy place lit up with neon.  RICHARD CORMLY, a business
            man, and MANDY SIMS, an escort, walk out with their arms
            around each other.

                                RICHARD
                      So how should we end this night?

                                MANDY
                      That's up to you sweetheart.  How much
                      money do ya have?

                                RICHARD
                      Enough.

                                MANDY
                      Well then, lead on honey.

                                RICHARD
                      You have a particular place you like to
                      go?

                                MANDY
                      The Cheshire Inn is pretty nice. 
                          (seductively)
                      And it's not too far.

                                RICHARD
                      That's what I like to hear.

            They walk down the street.  A SHADOW emerges from a nearby
            alley and follows them.

            INT. HOMICIDE DIVISION - POLICE STATION

            Mitch sits impatiently at a desk.  Wes walks over while
            reading a report.

                                WES
                      We definitely have a wacko.  The perp
                      scooped out the eyes; forensics said it
                      was pretty professional work.  Both sets
                      of eyes were switched, excess blood was
                      cleaned off, and made it literally
                      unnoticable.

                                MITCH
                      Do they have a possible murder weapon?

                                WES
                          (scanning the report)
                      Yeah...hunting knife, one jagged edge. 
                      Blade is about eight inches long.  It's
                      pretty vague at this point though.

                                MITCH
                      No fingerprints.

                                WES
                      Not a one.  We don't have much evidence
                      to go on.  Just your letters.  

            Mitch notices three MEN in suits step out of the elevator. 
            Mitch recognizes one of them.  He is WALTER KEMPER, a wiry
            man in his forties, with small burning eyes.

                                MITCH
                      Damn.

                                WES
                      What?

                                MITCH
                      Kemper's here.  They're FBI.

                                WES
                      Who's Kemper?

                                MITCH
                      Walter Kemper.  I worked with him in the
                      profiling unit.  He's a complete leech.

            Kemper talks to a cop, who points towards Mitch and Wes. 
            Kemper starts over.

                                MITCH (cont'd)
                      Shit, this case must be more serious than
                      I thought.  Listen Wes, do me a favor. 
                      Can you keep the letters quiet for a few
                      days?  

                                WES
                      You're kidding me right?

                                MITCH
                      I need some time.  You can look at 'em
                      all you want, but I don't Kemper knowing
                      about them yet.  I'll explain later.

            Kemper walks up to them, and recognition floods his face when
            he looks at Mitch.

                                KEMPER
                      Mitch.  Long time.

                                MITCH
                      It's been a while.

            They shake hands, but not like old friends.  Kemper then
            greets Wes with a handshake.

                                KEMPER
                      Walter Kemper.  With the bureau.

                                WES
                          (mocking)
                      Wes Parker...with the force.

                                KEMPER
                      Are you in charge of the Parker/Robbins
                      case?

                                WES
                      Yeah.

                                KEMPER
                      I know you guys hate this, but I'm afraid
                      I have to take charge of the
                      investigation.  You can stay on of
                      course, but everything has to go through
                      me.  Here's all the paperwork.

            He hands Wes a file, who snatches it, trying to contain his
            anger.

                                WES
                      You want this mess?  You got it.

                                MITCH
                      This is a serial case, isn't it?

                                KEMPER
                      Two other pairs.  Say Mitch, what are you
                      doing here?  I thought you were...a
                      teacher.

                                WES
                      I brought him on as an advisor.

                                KEMPER
                      Well, we have our own guys to handle this
                      now.  Mitch, sorry to have troubled you
                      with all this.  Detective Parker, we'll
                      see you in the morning to go over all
                      this.  Good night gentlemen.

            He gives Wes a snobbish grin as he walks back to the elevator
            with the two other agents behind him.

                                MITCH
                      Thanks.

                                WES
                      That guy's an asshole.

                                MITCH
                      More than you know.

            INT. KITCHEN - MITCH'S HOUSE - NIGHT

            Mitch walks in looking tired.  Anna sits at the table
            solemnly eating a bowl of soup.

                                ANNA
                      I'm sorry. I didn't mean to start without
                      you.  I didn't know when you'd be home.

                                MITCH
                      It's all right.

            He gets a bowl out of the cupboard and gets some soup,
            sitting in a pot on the stove.

                                ANNA
                      How was your day?

                                MITCH
                      Okay.

                                ANNA
                      Did you go to your meeting?

                                MITCH
                      No.

                                ANNA
                      Why not?

                                MITCH
                      Something came up.

            Anna looks disappointed, and goes back to eating her soup. 
            Mitch sits at the other end of the table.

                                MITCH (cont'd)
                      So anything happen today?

                                ANNA
                      No.

            They both eat their soup quietly.

            EXT. CHESHIRE INN - NIGHT

            A medium size hotel. The streets outside are dead.

            INT. BEDROOM - CHESHIRE INN

            Richard unbuttons his shirt, lustfully eyeing Mandy.  She is
            also undressing, but more seductively.

                                MANDY
                      So what can I expect out of this...Dick?

                                RICHARD
                      My wallet has 300 dollars in it.  It's
                      all yours if you're willing to work for
                      it.

                                MANDY
                      Baby...you'll have a good time.  Don't
                      you worry about that.

            Her skirt comes down revealing a garter belt and black hose. 
            Richard trembles and sweats with anticipation.

                                MANDY (cont'd)
                      You just get all nice and comfy, and I'll
                      be right back.

            She swaggers off towards the bathroom, passing a window.
            Unnoticed by either of them, there is MOVEMENT outside.

            Mandy closes the door to the bathroom, with Richard staring
            at her all the way in.

            He quickly strips down to his boxers and jumps into bed.  He
            thinks for a moment and then leaps back out.

            He checks his face in the mirror and puts his hand in front
            of his mouth to check his breath.

                                MANDY (O.S.) (cont'd)
                      Baby, are you in bed yet?  I'm almost
                      ready to tuck you in.

            Richard jumps back into bed with excitement, but then frowns. 
            He gets back out.

            He takes his wallet out of his pants and puts it in the end
            table drawer by the bed.

            He starts to get back under the covers, but frowns in
            puzzlement towards the closet.  His face reflects that
            something isn't quite right here.

            He slowly moves towards the closet, checking it over with his
            eyes.  As he opens the door, the Killer in black bursts
            through the window behind him, sending shards of glass
            scattering.

            INT. BATHROOM - CHESHIRE INN

            Mandy fixes her make-up in the mirror, the fan going full
            blast.  It muffles the sound of the breaking glass.  She
            hears movement in the bedroom and sighs.

                                MANDY
                      What are you doing out there?  Aren't you
                      in bed yet?

            The noise continues and she shakes her head.

                                MANDY (cont'd)
                      I hope you're not doing something kinky. 
                      I'm not into that stuff.

            The noise stops and she smiles.  She finishes up and walks
            out.

            INT. BEDROOM - CHESHIRE INN

            Mandy is shocked to see Richard tied and gagged in a chair
            facing the end of the bed.  He struggles with all of his
            might to call out to her.

            She steps towards him trembling, with the closet behind her.

                                MANDY
                      Richard, how'd you-

            She is interrupted by the Killer, who runs from the closet. 
            All she can see is the mask of a demented looking ANGEL.

            She tries to scream as the Killer covers her mouth.

                                                                 CUT TO:

            INT. OUTER ROOM - MITCH'S OFFICE

            Mitch hustles in, straightening his tie.  Janice quickly puts
            out her cigarette.

                                MITCH 
                      Do you know how much you're torturing me?

            Janice grins and waves some leftover smoke out of the air.

                                JANICE
                      Sorry.

                                MITCH
                      Just go outside.  The world won't end if
                      you miss a call.

                                JANICE
                      I'll be right back, okay?  Are you okay
                      in here?

                                MITCH
                      I can answer a phone.

            She walks out quickly, already fumbling through her purse for
            her cigarettes.

            Mitch glances through the mail.  There isn't another letter
            from Gabriel and he looks disappointed.  The phone rings.  He
            fumbles with the different line buttons and finally gets it
            right.

                                MITCH (cont'd)
                          (into phone)
                      Hello?

            A sinister sounding male VOICE echoes through the phone.

                                VOICE
                          (over phone)
                      Dr. Johvas.

                                MITCH
                      Who is this?

                                VOICE
                      I was recently at the Marx Hotel.

            Mitch suddenly goes rigid with fear and excitement.

                                MITCH
                      Gabriel.

                                VOICE
                      Yes.

                                MITCH
                      You said you wanted my help, right?
                      Let's talk.

                                VOICE
                      It's a matter of trust.  We have to be
                      able to trust each other before you can
                      help me.  You can't trust a murderer, and
                      I can't trust someone who would hand me
                      over to the electric chair.

                                MITCH
                      I wouldn't do that.

                                VOICE
                      I don't know that yet.  You can work
                      without me present.  

                                MITCH
                      How?

                                VOICE
                      Go to the Cheshire Inn.  Room 122.  The
                      key will be sticking out from under the
                      door.  Show me your first sign of trust,
                      and come alone.

            The phone goes dead.  Mitch quickly walks out of the office.

            EXT. CHESHIRE INN - DAY

            Mitch steps up to the front, looking around cautiously.  

            INT. HALLWAY- CHESHIRE INN

            Mitch hurries down the corridor, looking at the room numbers. 
            He stops at Room 122, and pulls out a card key slightly
            sticking out from under the door.

            He opens the door and slowly enters.

            INT. BEDROOM - CHESHIRE INN

            He walks into a nightmare.  Richard is slumped over in his
            chair, his chest covered in blood.  Mandy is tied to the bed,
            the white sheets stained in red.

            Mitch looks it over with a cold and desensitized stare.

            He glances at the letter and cautiously peers around at the
            mirror.  Written in lipstick over bloodstains reads:  I DON'T
            REMEMBER DOING THIS.

            He gasps and backs out of the room.

            EXT. PHONE BOOTH - STREET - DAY

            Mitch dials quickly and waits for an answer.

                                MITCH
                          (into phone)
                      Yes, I'd like to report a murder. 
                      Cheshire Inn, room 122.

            He hangs up and hurries down the street.

            EXT. COURTYARD - COLLEGE - DAY

            Mitch gets out of his car and walks towards the main
            building.  He sees a Worker outside the Theater smoking.  He
            pauses for a moment and then walks up to him.  They nod a
            greeting.

                                MITCH 
                      Do you have a cigarette I can bum?

                                WORKER
                      Yeah sure.

            He hands it over and Mitch desperately lights it up.  He
            inhales deeply.  The Worker gives him a funny look.

                                MITCH
                      It's been awhile.

                                WORKER
                      I figured.

            Mitch looks up at the theater, which is still in the stages
            of construction.

                                MITCH
                      This thing is really coming together.

                                WORKER
                      Yeah, although you'd never know it.  The
                      plans were all fucked up and now we're
                      about three weeks behind.

            Mitch puts out his cigarette.  He checks his watch and curses
            under his breath.  He jogs inside.

            INT. HALLWAY - OUTSIDE LECTURE HALL - COLLEGE

            Mitch rushes down the hall, trying to balance his papers and
            briefcase.  Not paying attention, he bumps into Claudia right
            before he gets to the door.  His paper fly everywhere.

                                MITCH
                      FUCK!

            A bit surprised at his profanity, Claudia backs away from
            him.

                                CLAUDIA
                      I-I'm sorry.

            When he sees who it is, he changes his demeanor immediately.

                                MITCH
                      Claudia....I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to
                      yell.

            She bends down and helps him pick up his papers.

                                CLAUDIA
                      You're running late too?

            Mitch notices the dark circles under her eyes and her pale
            face.

                                MITCH
                      Are you feeling all right?

                                CLAUDIA
                      I guess.

            Knowing that she's lying through her teeth, Mitch looks at
            her firmly.

                                MITCH
                      Go home.

                                CLAUDIA
                      But...I can't...I've missed so much.

                                MITCH
                      You're excused this time. Get some rest.

                                CLAUDIA
                      But what about...

                                MITCH
                      I'll give Brian an extra copy of
                      everything.

                                CLAUDIA
                          (with genuine gratitude)
                      Thank you.

                                MITCH
                      Go see a doctor.

            With all the papers picked up, Claudia hurries down the
            hallway, as fast as her weak body will let her.

            INT. LECTURE HALL - COLLEGE

            Mitch walks in, completely composed and all business.  He
            sets his things on the desk and faces the class.

                                MITCH
                      Sorry I'm late. Pass this around and sign
                      in please.

            He passes an attendance sheet around and sees Brian looking
            anxiously towards the door.

                                MITCH (cont'd)
                      I sent Claudia home Brian.  She wasn't
                      feeling well.

            Brian nods his thanks.  Mitch begins.

                                MITCH (cont'd)
                      Any questions about the reading?

            No one answers.  Mitch takes the attendance sheet back and
            browses it.  He sees someone is missing.

                                MITCH (cont'd)
                      Anybody seen Josh?

            The class shakes their heads and Mitch looks troubled, but
            shakes it off.

                                MITCH (cont'd)
                      Okay, we were talking about the Bundy
                      interviews...

            The class takes out their notebooks and shift into listening
            mode.

            INT. BEDROOM - CHESHIRE INN - DAY

            Wes walks into the room already filled with cops and the
            forensic team.  Kemper approaches him.

                                KEMPER
                      This is getting serious.  The murders
                      before were spread out over three weeks.  

                                WES
                      Any witnesses?

                                KEMPER
                      None.

                                WES
                      You're kidding me.  The window was
                      busted, and nobody heard anything?

                                KEMPER
                      This hall was pretty much deserted last
                      night, and the Do Not Disturb sign was
                      up, so the maid didn't check.

            He points out beyond the window.

                                KEMPER (cont'd)
                      Nothing but a vacant lot out there.

                                WES
                      Who reported the murders?

                                KEMPER
                      Anonymous tip.

            Wes frowns and heads for the door.

                                WES
                      I'll look at the report when I get back
                      to the office.

                                KEMPER
                      Where're you going?

                                WES
                      I gotta see somebody.

            He walks out, a man with a mission.

            EXT. COURTYARD - COLLEGE - DUSK

            A lighter strikes up a flame and lights a cigarette dangling
            from Mitch's mouth.  He breathes in two weeks worth of
            nicotine and exhales deeply, the smoke swirling around him
            like a blanket. 

            Laura walks up behind him, unnoticed.

                                LAURA
                      Busted.

            With a start, Mitch whips around and lets out a nervous
            laugh.

                                MITCH
                      Rough day.

            Laura shuffles nervously.

                                LAURA
                      Listen.....I don't know about tomorrow.

                                MITCH
                      What?  What's wrong?

            Laura points to his wedding band.

                                MITCH (cont'd)
                      It's not like that.  I like you.  I'm not
                      looking for anything but conversation. 
                      Anna and I -- we don't talk much. Things
                      haven't been the same since I left the
                      bureau.

                                LAURA
                      Why did you leave?

                                MITCH
                      What is this, twenty questions?

            Offended, Laura starts to walk away, but Mitch catches her.

                                MITCH (cont'd)
                      Whoa, slight moment of insanity there. 
                      I'm sorry.

            Still hurt, Laura studies his face.

                                LAURA
                      What does it take to get to know you? 
                      It's bad enough, you being married.

                                MITCH
                      I guess I'm still a little shaky.  Look,
                      I'll make it up to you on Friday, I
                      promise.  You can ask me anything you
                      want.

                                LAURA
                      I'll have my twenty questions ready.

            They both smile at each other.  Apology accepted.  He watches
            her walk away with affection.

            Wes suddenly approaches him, and grabs his arm, using some
            strength.

                                MITCH
                      What the hell are you doing?

                                WES
                      You got those letters with you?

                                MITCH
                      In my office.

                                WES
                      Get 'em.  We're going.

            INT. WES' CAR - DRIVING - NIGHT

            Wes looks over at Mitch angrily.

                                WES
                      What are you trying to do?

                                MITCH
                      What the hell are you talking about?

                                WES
                      That was you who called in those murders
                      today, wasn't it?

                                MITCH
                      Wha-

                                WES
                      Don't lie to me!  A serial killer is out
                      there and he's writing to you. 
                      But for some personal bullshit with you
                      and this Kemper guy, you want to keep all
                      this quiet.  That's just not a good
                      enough reason anymore.  Now did you call
                      in those murders? 

                                MITCH
                      Yes.

                                WES
                      Then you saw the mirror.

            Mitch sighs and nods.

                                WES (cont'd)
                      This is getting out of hand. 
                      This....Gabriel or whatever his name is,
                      is playing some serious mind games with
                      you.

                                MITCH
                      It could be a split personality.  Off the
                      top of my head that's the only
                      possibility.  Where are we going?

                                WES
                      A guy I know.  He's gonna run those
                      letters for prints.

            Mitch starts to look panicked.

                                WES (cont'd)
                      Relax.  He'll keep it quiet.  Kemper's an
                      asshole, but why are you keeping this
                      from him?

                                MITCH
                      Kemper rushes in without thinking.  He
                      could ruin my one chance of helping this
                      guy.

                                WES
                      Jesus!  You're still considering that? 
                      You are naive.

            Mitch lights a cigarette.

                                WES (cont'd)
                      When did you start that shit again?

                                MITCH
                      Since my life started going down the
                      crapper.

            INT. LABORATORY - POLICE STATION

            Mitch and Wes gather around a table where FRED, a technician,
            runs the letters for fingerprints.  Mitch can't help but
            notice Fred's admiring stare.

                                MITCH
                      Do I know you?

                                FRED
                      No.  But I know you.

                                WES
                      Old Fred here is your biggest fan.

                                FRED
                      I've read all your books.  They're great.

                                MITCH
                      Thanks.

            Wes looks over the letters without touching them, reading
            them carefully.

                                FRED
                      Are you ever gonna write fiction?  I
                      really love murder mysteries.

                                MITCH
                      Probably not.

                                FRED
                      I'm a writer too, you know.

                                MITCH
                      That's great.

                                FRED
                      Listen, if I send you a copy of your
                      book, will you sign it?  

                                MITCH
                      Uh....sure.  Look, are we getting
                      somewhere here, or not?

                                FRED
                          (looking over the results)
                      Nope.  Clean.

                                WES
                      Hey Mitch, I looked over all the letters. 
                      The one that tells about the Cheshire Inn
                      isn't here.  That's the only one I
                      haven't seen.

                                MITCH
                      He didn't send a letter.  He called me.

            Wes takes a moment, as he is in stunned disbelief.

                                WES
                      He did what?

                                MITCH
                      This morning.

                                WES
                      And you just thought to tell me this? 
                      Are you fuckin' nuts?

                                FRED
                      Hey!  I don't like cursing!

                                WES
                          (to Fred)
                      Shut the fuck up!
                          (to Mitch)
                      Jesus Mitch!  Are you even using your
                      brain?  Gabriel could've been there
                      waiting for you.  That note on the
                      mirror?  It was written over dried blood. 
                      A while after the murders.

                                MITCH
                      Gabriel came back?

            EXT. PARKING LOT - COLLEGE - NIGHT

            Wes' car pulls up and Mitch steps out.  He leans back in.

                                MITCH
                      We'll get this straightened out soon. 
                      You have my word.

                                WES
                      Just watch it.  No book is worth your
                      life.

            Mitch nods, shuts the door and Wes drives off.  Mitch walks
            to his car.  He feels his pockets for his keys and frowns
            when he can't find them.

            He looks through the window of the car and sees them dangling
            from the ignition.

                                MITCH
                      Oh no.

            He heads back across the courtyard.