THE STAGE 32 LOGLINES

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DEAD BEAT
By Dean Burkey

GENRE: Mystery, Comedy
LOGLINE:

A haunted yet resourceful night shift coroner must navigate a web of secrets, suspicion, and supernatural forces to uncover the killer of a world-famous drummer—before the killer kills him too.

SYNOPSIS:

MOVIE TRAILER:

FADE IN:

INT. MORGUE – NIGHT

MOVIE GUY (V.O.)

Looked like it'd be just another fun-filled night in the morgue for coroner Eric Knight.

VALERIE

I thought it might be dead around here. Looks like I’m right. So dead.

Eric rolls his eyes and shakes his head.

MOVIE GUY (V.O.)

Until, …

FRANKIE

Just got a new one. Celebrity drummer found dead in his hotel room.

ERIC

Wait. You’re not talking about Chad Richards?

Frankie gathers his stuff together.

FRANKIE

Yeah, how did you know?

Eric grabs his coroner’s coat and puts it on.

ERIC

No! The radio keeps playing Legendary songs. I just thought I found a great station. I didn’t know one of ‘em died. How sad.

FRANKIE

It’s the end of an era; that's for sure.

Frankie hands over the clipboard detailing the day’s cases.

Frankie gives the special salute of Legendary fans.

FRANKIE

Be Legendary.

Eric returns the special salute.

ERIC

Be Legendary.

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - NIGHT

MOVIE GUY (V.O.)

Five likely suspects …

ERIC

Buzz is helping me catch the killer, so everyone has to stay in here. Except for Steve. Steve's free to go.

JAX

How do we know Steve didn't do it?

ERIC

It's Steve. He and Chad were bandmates. Brothers. Plus, it's Steve.

EVERYONE

Yeah, it is Steve. Steve's cool.

MOVIE GUY (V.O.)

Okay, just four likely suspects … JAX SUN, the former drummer, whom Chad Richards replaced.

JAX

You make it sound like a demotion. Like I'd be resentful or something.

MOVIE GUY (V.O.)

DELILAH TURNER, the ex-girlfriend, a feisty, but infamous, gold-digger.

DELILAH

You just suspect me, because you don't trust gorgeous women. Somehow we always manage to break your fragile little heart.

Eric gulps and makes a pained face, silently corroborating what she just said.

MOVIE GUY (V.O.)

TOM LAWSON, the jealous older brother, hoping for a huge inheritance payout.

TOM

You mean the killer could be locked in here with us?

ERIC

I mean I could be looking at the killer right now.

TOM

But you're looking at me.

Eric nods, eyes wide.

TOM

Wait. You don't think I could be the killer?

Eric nods, eyes wide.

TOM

But why me?

ERIC

You got stuck working for your temper-tantrum, punch-happy daddy, while your baby brother got to tour the world and date supermodels. And then you show up asking about the will. Why would anyone suspect you?

TOM

Oh. That does look bad. But I promise you I didn't do it.

ERIC

Oh, in that case. As long as you promise.

TOM

Are you mocking me?

Eric nods, eyes wide.

MOVIE GUY (V.O.)

MACK DADDY, drummer for the rival band Eclipse, an excellent band in their own right, but always stuck in the shadow of Legendary.

MACK

Killing. Legendary. Doesn’t make. Eclipse. A better. Band.

MOVIE GUY (V.O.)

STEVE MASTERS, the lead guitarist of Legendary.

ERIC

Wait a minute, Steve. You're saying you have no viable alibi at the time of Chad's death?

STEVE

I drove around aimlessly, trying to clear my head.

Eric makes a horrified face at everyone else.

MOVIE GUY (V.O.)

Like I said the first time: Five likely suspects.

Eric and Buzz discussing the case.

MOVIE GUY (V.O.)

Can they catch the killer before he kills again?

Montage of the suspects lunging at and/or punching Eric. Culminating with the killer firing his gun, but we don't see the shooter's face.

INT. MORGUE - NIGHT

Eric on the phone:

ERIC:

Security! Hurry! Shots fired! Shots fired!

INT. MORGUE - DAY

Eric and Valerie share a quiet moment.

VALERIE

You work too hard. You should meet someone nice.

ERIC

I already did.

VALERIE

Ohhh, good for you. When?

ERIC

On your first visit.

Valerie blushes and chuckles. She shakes her head.

INT. MORGUE - DAY

Eric, Deadbeat Dad, and the Fan Kids give each other the special salute of Legendary fans.

ERIC

Be Legendary.

DEADBEAT DAD

Be Legendary.

FAN KIDS

Be Legendary.

MOVIE GUY (V.O.)

Be Legendary; and enjoy the excitement, mystery, and thrills in …

Quick montage of more key moments:

The Widow opens her trench coat revealing her lingerie and smiles.

Eric flings his stapler.

Deadbeat Dad screaming, thinking he's been cut open.

The Fan Kids running around.

Chad's Ghost with a tear streaming down his cheek.

The Ghost Kid getting shot at, but we don't see the shooter's face.

Eric's pained face when he gets shot at.

MOVIE GUY (V.O.)

Dead Beat.

FADE OUT.

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