PERMANENT INTERESTS - EPISODE 6

Your morning take-off…

INT. ANNE'S SUITE - CARLETON HOTEL - LATER THAT EVENING

David, in hip Armani, sprawls on the couch, with a drink.

Anne, in a clinging knit, is perplexed as she hangs up.

ANNE

He must've already gone. We can meet him there.

DAVID

(without enthusiasm)

Yeah.

ANNE

We don't have to go. There's always room service.

DAVID

(icy)

You dialed his room direct.

ANNE

(angry)

God, David. We had champagne while I waited for the room.

(heads for the door)

I'm hungry. Are you coming?

DAVID

I lost my appetite.

She glares at him as she grabs her coat and purse.

ANNE

Fine. Suit yourself.

She stalks out. David didn't think she'd go.

INT. LOBBY - CARLETON HOTEL

The NIGHT DESK CLERK looks up as Anne exits the elevator and walks to the reception desk. She hands him a note.

ANNE

I'd like to leave this for Charles Sims.

DESK CLERK

Of course, madame.

He checks the computer, then shakes his head. BEHIND HER, the elevator door opens and the same Hall Porter/Assassin pushes out a cart full of luggage!

DESK CLERK

I am sorry, madame, there is no Monsieur Sims registered.

ANNE

Look again. Charles William Sims the Third. Room eleven twenty-four, onze vingt-quatre.

The Clerk taps the side of his nose...

TWO MEN IN GRAY SUITS react to the signal. They rush over and grab Anne.

She struggles, drives her heel atop Man #1's instep and gets loose, but Man #2 clamps a tight pinch-lock on her trapezius and shoves her toward the front entrance.

ANNE

(to the desk clerk)

Help! Call the police!

Man #1 grabs her other arm.

The Hall Porter stops his progress across the lobby and watches as the two Men hustle Anne out the door.

HALL PORTER'S POV

The men stuff her in the back of a Peugeot which speeds off into the darkness.

INT. POLICE INTERROGATION ROOM - LATER

Exhausted, Anne looks up from her wooden chair at INSPECTOR LEFEVRE, a detective in his 40s.

A UNIFORMED COP leans against the wall behind LeFevre, his features hidden in a cloud of cigarette smoke.

ANNE

... I've told you! I don't know any William Martin!

LEFEVRE

Once again, Mademoiselle Hamilton. What is your connection to William Martin?

ANNE

None! I was looking for Charles Sims. He invited me to dinner, then he stood me up.

LEFEVRE

(appraises her)

I find that difficult to believe, Mademoiselle. Tell me about this Monsieur Sims.

ANNE

We met in El Salvador. He was a military advisor.

LeFevre hands her William Martin's passport. She looks...

ANNE

That's Charlie!

LeFevre hands her a morgue photo...

LEFEVRE

And this?

ANNE

(suddenly subdued)

Yes. What happened?

LEFEVRE

You are certain of this?

ANNE

Yes. There's a birthmark on the inside of his left thigh.

The watching Cop smirks. Anne shoots him a withering look.

ANNE

(thinking aloud)

Why would he have a phoney passport?

You can support That’s Another Fine Mess with a paid subscription for only $7/month or $70/year, saving $14.

Comments are for paid subscribers.