Congrats Sandy Vingoe!

Sandy Vingoe, 13, completed his first year at Writopia with a short story and an award-winning screenplay under his belt! Please help Sandy celebrate his first regional gold key by reading his screenplay:





Crime News
A Screenplay by Sandy Vingoe

1. INT. NEW YORK POST OFFICE-MIDNIGHT

A MASKED MAN is wearing a dark track suit. He moves around the office taking papers from desks and drawers. After collecting some papers he leaves the room

2. INT. THE NEW YORK TIMES OFFICE-DAYTIME

TOM BAKER is a young reporter. He is dressed formally.

TRISTAN LINCOLN has carefully combed gray hair. Beside him is a cabinet filled with Pulitzer Prizes. He is smoking a cigar and is dressed informally. He is sitting at his desk. TOM BAKER enters and walks up to him.

TRISTAN LINCOLN
Whaddya got for me shrimp?

TOM BAKER
Last night there was a theft a the New York Post's office. Hundreds of stories were stolen, effectively ruining the New York Post's papers for the next couple weeks! People are calling it the biggest theft since Watergate!

TRISTAN LINCOLN
So what do you want me to do about it? Why do I care? We've already got the story smack on our front page!

TOM BAKER
I was...um...thinking of investigating it, sir. I could finally make a name for myself.
TRISTAN LINCOLN
Why would I want to run something by some stupid novice reporter? Wait, actually that would be great!(expression lights up) Yeah, uh, actually an anonymous caller actually gave us a tip. According to our anonymous friend, the thief was actually um...uh, associated with Mario Scuioni, the Mafia kingpin.

TOM BAKER
The Mafia! You mean I have to deal with the Mafia?

TRISTAN LINCOLN
It's not that hard. Just go to pier 91 and snoop around. Or is that too hard for your microscopic brain?

TOM BAKER
Um...How do you know where to go, sir?

TRISTAN LINCOLN
Let's just say I've crossed swords with Scuioni!

TOM BAKER (Nervous)
Okay, sir, I'll take the story.

TRISTAN LINCOLN
Good, now scram, before I give that story to some other idiotic reporter!

TOM BAKER leaves the room in a hurry.

3. INT. A DARK WAREHOUSE-EVENING

MARIO SCUIONI is wearing a pin striped shirt and a hat. He is flanked by two large BODYGUARDS armed with Tommy guns. He is sitting in a chair around a round table playing Poker with other Mafia members. He is flanked with two bodyguards.

TOM BAKER enters, standing still near the entrance. He is wearing a large over coat and is also wearing a hat.

The BODYGUARDS quickly aim the Tommy guns at him.

MARIO SCUIONI
(in a heavy accent)
Who da heck are you?

TOM BAKER
Um...sorry to barge in, Mr. Scuioni, but um... could I ask you some questions?

MARIO SCUIONI
You ask us da questions? We ask you da questions! What is your name?

TOM BAKER
Tom Baker

MARIO SCUIONI
You found us here, how?

TOM BAKER
Tristan Lincoln tol...

MARIO SCUIONI
LINCOLN!

The BODYGUARDS aim their guns again.

TOM BAKER
Uh, did I do something wrong?

MARIO SCUIONI
Ya! I hate him! He constantly uses the media to damage my grand, lucrative, disreputable empire!

TOM BAKER
Oh, sorry! I didn't know you hated him so much.

MARIO SCUIONI
You work for Lincoln?


TOM BAKER
Oh, uh..no no no! I hate him too!

MARIO SCUIONI
You don't work for da Lincoln then?

TOM BAKER
No way!

MARIO SCUIONI
Ok, then what do ya want then.

The BODYGUARDS put their guns down.

TOM BAKER
Do you know anything about the New York Post theft?

MARIO SCUIONI
If I do know, why should I tell you?

TOM BAKER
Uh... I'll tell you where to find Tristan Lincoln.

MARIO SCUIONI
I HAAAAAAATE him. It’s a deal! You tell first.

TOM BAKER
He lives... at uhhh... 29 Riverdale.

MARIO SCUIONI
BOYS GO TO 29 RIVERDALE

MARIO points to Mafia members at table. MAFIA MEMBERS run out of warehouse.
MARIO SCUIONI
NOW I WILL KILL THAT MAN!

TOM BAKER
Uh... what about your side of the deal?

MARIO SCUIONI
Oh ya. Da thief is from da company called Diminito, a company that provides thieves for hire.
TOM BAKER
Oh, a contact of ours said that the thief was one you.


MARIO SCUIONI
Your contact must be a idiot and a liar! We have nothing to do with da theft.

TOM BAKER
Hmmmm could Lincoln have been lying about having a contact?


MARIO SCUIONI
What! You do work for that man! I will kill you. I trusted you!

MARIO draws a gun.

TOM BAKER
Mouse!

TOM BAKER points towards the back of the room, and all the guys turn to look as he runs out of door.

MARIO SCUIONI
I have been duped! He was probably lying about da address too! I will KILL YOU, TOM BAKERRRRRR!

MARIO SCUIONI fires several shots in the air.

4. INT. DIMINITO DIAMOND SHOP-EVENING

GEORGIO ACAMPELLI, with one long scar down his right cheek and small, dark, eyes, is dressed like a salesperson. He is behind a desk reading a newspaper and smirking.

TOM BAKER enters and walks up to him.

GEORGIO ACAMPELLI
How may I help you good sir?

TOM BAKER
I would like to inquire about your thievery business.

GEORGIO ACAMPELLI(nervous)
What thievery business? We don't know anything about thieves, we just sell diamonds.

TOM BAKER
Oh, I'm sorry but, uhhhhh... my boss Mario Scuioni said you had thieves for hire.

GEORGIO ACAMPELLI (shivering)
You are from da Mafia?

TOM BAKER
Uh... yeah. I'm an enforcer.

GEORGIO ACAMPELLI
Oh, but where is your gun?

TOM BAKER
Uhhhh... I don't need a gun. I can break your neck with my bare hands.

GEORGIO ACAMPELLI
Ok, I admit da truth. We have a thievery business!(cheerful)Now what can I do for you.

TOM BAKER
I would like to know everything about the New York Post thievery.`

GEORGIO ACAMPELLI
I'm sorry... but I can't reveal information about other clients. You know, I might get da lawsuits.

TOM BAKER
Okay, than I'll just have to tell the boss that you're hiding secrets from us. I'm sure he'll be very mad.

GEORGIO ACAMPELLI
Okay, okay, okay I'll tell you, just don't tell anyone I told you. I was the thief who broke into the New York Post offices.

TOM BAKER
Who hired you and why?


GEORGIO ACAMPELLI
He said he wanted the stories stolen because it would benefit him. He also said his name was...

There is a loud BANG! GEORGIO ACAMPELLI, dead. MARIO SCUIONI enters with two bodyguards, guns raised)

MARIO SCUIONI(sarcastically)
Oh, we killed him, too bad!

TOM BAKER(nervously)
Hey Mario... what brings you here?

MARIO SCUIONI
I'm a here to make your life miserable!

MARIO lets our an evil laugh.

TOM BAKER
Can't we uh... work this out?

MARIO SCUIONI
Da time for apologies is over. I will kill you in one of one thousand incredibly cruel ways! Get him!

The bodyguards hit TOM BAKER on the head and knock him out. They drag him away.

MARIO SCUIONI follows them.

5. INT. A DARK WAREHOUSE–MIDNIGHT

TOM BAKER is bruised and bleeding. He is tied to a post.

MARIO SCUIONI is pacing around the room.

MARIO SCUIONI
You thought you could outsmart da Mafia, da king of all da gangs?

TOM BAKER
Uh…well I didn't think you would be so dumb to fall for my simple lie.

MARIO SCUIONI
Idiot! You were not supposed to answer that!
MARIO slaps Tom Baker.

TOM BAKER
Oh, I thought you were asking me a question.

MARIO SCUIONI
Argh! Shut up! Now I will kill you!

TOM BAKER(genuinely
dumbfounded)
Okay, sorry for talking.

MARIO SCUIONI
Now how should I kill you? Da iron shoes, da old English hanging, stop sign impalement, Da Sicilian breakfast, watching da Teletubbies for a month, starvation... Oh so many brutal choices!

TOM BAKER
Um, before you impale me or make me watch Teletubbies, might I remind you that you need me to show you where to Tristan Lincoln.

MARIO SCUIONI
How would you know where to find him?

TOM BAKER
Don't you remember? The reason you wanted to kill me in the first place was because I work for Tristan Lincoln.

MARIO SCUIONI
Oh ya! But how do I know you won't lie again?

TOM BAKER
Take me with you. If I lie, then you can impale or hang me or whatever.

MARIO SCUIONI
Okay, but I'm a watching you.
TOM BAKER
I just need to go to the bathroom. Then I will take you to his residence.

MARIO SCUIONI
Okay, have your bathroom break. Then we will KILL TRISTAN LINCOLN!
(Fade to black.)



6. INT. POLICE HEADQUARTERS-DAY

OFFICER STRATER is a veteran police officer. He is dressed in a police uniform. He is standing in front of the police chief's desk.

POLICE CHIEF FRANCIS is a veteran police chief. He is dressed in a suit. He is sitting at his desk.

POLICE CHIEF FRANCIS
Strater! Are there any new leads on the New York Post theft?

OFFICER STRATER (trembling)
No sir...but we got a call a few moments ago from a certain Tom Baker. He said he's bringing in Mario Scuioni right to our precinct!

POLICE CHIEF FRANCIS
Idiot! We're supposed to be the best police team there is and you're telling me we can't figure out anything about a newspaper theft! Oh yeah and prepare a little welcome party for Scuioni if you know what I mean.

OFFICER STRATER
Yes sir, I know what you mean! I'll get him a cake and arrange the decorations. I think they have some nice balloons at the store across the street!

POLICE CHIEF FRANCIS
You nitwit! Not that kind of party! Get the boys ready to seize Scuioni when he comes in!

TOM BAKER and MARIO SCUIONI enter.

MARIO SCUIONI
PREPARE TO DIE TRISTAN LINCOLN!

OFFICER STRATER and POLICE CHIEF FRANCIS draw guns and aim them at MARIO SCUIONI.

BODYGUARD
Um...Boss, you might want to look around.

MARIO SCUIONI looks around.

OFFICER STRATER and CHIEF FRANCIS
In the name of the law, freeze! You are under arrest for money laundering, murder, grand theft auto, Teletubby torture and other disturbing forms of torture!

MARIO SCUIONI
What! This is not Lincoln's house, this is da police headquarters. I have been tricked!

7. INT. THE BATHROOM (Flashback)

TOM BAKER is standing in the middle of the bathroom dialing a number on his cell phone.

TOM BAKER
Hello, um yes-is this the police?

He pauses, and a loud irritating noise comes from the phone.

TOM BAKER
Oh sorry, wrong number.

He dials again.

8. INT. POLICE HEADQUARTERS-DAY

TOM BAKER
When you let me go to the bathroom you made a huge mistake! During that time, I called the police.

CHIEF FRANCIS
Now Scuioni, you're going to be spending a lot of time with me.

OFFICER STRATER and CHIEF FRANCIS drag MARIO SCUIONI and his bodyguards away.

MARIO SCUIONI
Curse you Tom Baker! Curse you!

9. INT.TOM BAKER'S APARTMENT-AFTERNOON

TOM BAKER is wearing a shirt and jeans. He is working at his computer


TOM BAKER
Okay, I have two clues, one is that whoever hired the thief would benefit some how from the acquisition of the stories, two is that the person who hired the thief gave us a false tip to go to the Mafia, but wait! What if the tip didn't exist? Ah! That's it! I know who is responsible for the theft!

TOM BAKER starts typing.

10. INT. THE NEW YORK POST OFFICES-MORNING

MIKE SHUGER is the editor of the New York Post. He is wearing a suit and is sitting at his desk.

TOM BAKER enters and walks to MIKE SHUGER's desk. TOM BAKER is wearing a overcoat and a hat. He is holding a piece of paper.

MIKE SHUGER
Hey, you work for the New York Times, don't you?

TOM BAKER
Yep, I work for Lincoln.

MIKE SHUGER
What are you here for? I don't want to hear any insults or anything.

TOM BAKER
I'm here to give you a story.

TOM BAKER throws the paper in his hand on MIKE SHUGER’S desk. MIKE SHUGER begins to look it over.

MIKE SHUGER
Holy smokes! This... is incredible. You'll get front page and two thousand dollars for this one!

MIKE SHUGER and TOM BAKER exit in a hurry.

9. INT.A PRISON – DAY

MARIO SCUIONI is a prisoner. He is wearing a white and gray uniform. He is sitting in his cell with a newspaper.


MARIO SCUIONI
Mama Mia! Da Baker finished his story.

MARIO SCUIONI reads aloud from a paper.

MARIO SCUIONI
A couple days ago some stories were stolen from da New York Post. Da perpetrator of this crime was no other than Tristan Lincoln, editor of the New York Times. Lincoln hired a thief named Georgio Acampelli from a undercover thievery company masquerading as a diamond shop, to steal the stories. Lincoln wanted to ruin the his chief rival the New York Post and run the stolen stories in the New York Times. Acampelli was found dead and Lincoln was arrested for grand theft.

(Fade to black.).