January 2, 2018

Plot Break Down Of “Perry Mason: The Case Of The Sulky Girl”

By wise sloth

A Wise Sloth fan E-mailed me recently and asked me to break down the plot of Perry Mason, Season 1-Episode 5, The Case of the Sulky Girl. So I did.

 

Erle Stanley Gardner's "The Case of the Sulky Girl: A Perry Mason Mystery"

 

“Perry Mason” is a detective mystery/court drama book series written by Erle Stanley Gardner in the 1930’s-1940’s. In two decades, he wrote 82 books, which were so popular, they were adapted into a black and white television sitcom in the 1950s that lasted 271 episodes. He was able to write so quickly and eloquently by inventing and using handwritten plot wheels. You can find pictures pictures of his original handwritten wheels here. The words are hard to read, but you can find transcriptions here.

Gardner undoubtedly had more wheels and laddered-outlines, which you may be able to learn more about in the book, “Secrets of the World’s Best-Selling Writer: The Storytelling Techniques of Erle Stanley Gardner.” I haven’t read it. The reviews say it’s more biography than how-to, but it seems to be the only book that talks about Gardner’s writing method at all, and his life seems pretty interesting anyway.

You can write your own Perry Mason fan fiction by copying the contents of my spreadsheet into an Excel document and then using the “find and replace” function (Ctrl-F) to replace the variables. Once you’re familiar with how the pieces fit together, then you can move and change them to create more original stories. Over the next few months I’m going to break down a few more episodes and write an analysis that will help both of us understand Gardner’s formula better.

Click here to view the break down on Google Spreadsheets.

Click here to view a jpg image of the break down on Imgur.

Perry Mason: Season 1 Episode 5: The Case of the Sulky Girl
BEAT 1
Introduce CLIENT
Introduce VICTIM
Introduce conflicting goals between CLIENT and VICTIM
Setup to MASON taking CLIENT’S CASE
Introduce primary characters
Setup the murder
LOCATION INT. VICTIM’S HOUSE – STUDY
ACTION CLIENT tells VICTIM she wants to be treated like an adult.
REACTION VICTIM tells CLIENT to act like one.
OUTCOME CLIENT leaves angry.
 
BEAT 2

Introduce WITNESS #4 (MURDERER).

Introduce WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE).

Setup introducing WITNESS #1.

Setup the time and place of murder.
LOCATION INT. VICTIM’S HOUSE – FOYER
ACTION WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) arrives at VICTIM’S HOUSE to see VICTIM
REACTION WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) tells WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) that VICTIM is busy and to come back later, but WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) says he will be with WITNESS #1 until 10pm. WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) says to come back at 11pm.
OUTCOME WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) reluctantly agrees to return at 11pm and leaves.
 
BEAT 3

Introduce WITNESS #6 ( RED HERRING).

State CLIENT’S goal and stakes.
LOCATION INT. VICTIM’S HOUSE – CLIENT’S ROOM
ACTION CLIENT tells WITNESS #6 ( RED HERRING) that she wants her money now, and she’ll get it now.
REACTION WITNESS #6 ( RED HERRING) advises CLIENT not to do anything, but CLIENT says she’s out of patience.
OUTCOME CLIENT is resolved to take action, and she leaves to go see Perry MASON.
 
BEAT 4

Introduce RED HERRING #2.

Show CLIENT enacting plan to accomplish goal.

(This is an unecessary beat and can be cut.)
LOCATION EXT. VICTIM’S HOUSE – FRONT YARD
ACTION CLIENT gets in her car and leaves in a hurry.
REACTION CLIENT almost runs over RANDOM GUY (RED HERRING), but he moves out of the way.
OUTCOME RANDOM GUY (RED HERRING) angrily watches CLIENT drive away.
 
BEAT 5

Introduce MASON.

State CASE GOAL #1.

MASON accepts the case.

Introduce MYSTERY #1
LOCATION INT. PERRY MASON’S OFFICE
ACTION CLIENT enter’s MASON’S office and tells him she wants him to represent her.
REACTION MASON asks CLIENT to state her goal. So she tells him that she wants him to break VICTIM’s control of her trust fund.
OUTCOME MASON agrees to take her case, and she leaves.
 
BEAT 6
MASON sends INVESTIGATOR to find CLUE #1 on CLIENT.
MASON follows clues to find more clues.
LOCATION INT. PERRY MASON’S OFFICE
ACTION MASON calls INVESTIGATOR and asks him to find information on CLIENT.
REACTION INVESTIGATOR says he’s busy, but MASON tells him to reprioritize CLIENT’s case.
OUTCOME INVESTIGATOR agrees to investigate CLIENT, and they hang up.
 
BEAT 7

Setup conflicting goals between WITNESS #6 ( RED HERRING) and VICTIM.

Show motive for WITNESS #6 ( RED HERRING) to kill VICTIM.
LOCATION INT. VICTIM’S HOUSE – STUDY
ACTION VICTIM tells WITNESS #6 ( RED HERRING) not to comfort and encourage CLIENT anymore.
REACTION WITNESS #6 ( RED HERRING) says she loves CLIENT, but VICTIM says if she continues to help CLIENT, he’ll fire her.
OUTCOME WITNESS #6 ( RED HERRING) sadly agrees not to help CLIENT and leaves.
 
BEAT 8
MASON recieves CLUE #1 on CLIENT from INVESTIGATOR
LOCATION INT. RESTAURANT
ACTION INVESTIGATOR tells MASON he found information on CLIENT.
REACTION INVESTIGATOR tells MASON that CLIENT ran away to Miami recently, where she fell in love with DEFENDANT (RED HERRING), who is a starving artist.
OUTCOME MASON thanks INVESTIGATOR and leaves to go see DEFENDANT (RED HERRING).
 
BEAT 9

MASON follows CLUE #1, which leads to a dead end.

MASON interviews DEFENDANT (RED HERRING) for a motive but finds no cause for suspicion.
LOCATION INT. DEFENDANT (RED HERRING)’S LOFT
ACTION MASON asks DEFENDANT (RED HERRING) to explain his relationship with CLIENT.
REACTION DEFENDANT (RED HERRING) deflects, but MASON deduces DEFENDANT (RED HERRING) and CLIENT are married and expecting a baby.
OUTCOME MASON is convinced DEFENDANT (RED HERRING)’s intentions are virtuous and leaves.
 
BEAT 10

MASON interviews VICTIM

State CLIENT and VICTIM’S conflicting goals.

MASON finds CLUE #2.
LOCATION INT. VICTIM’S HOUSE – STUDY
ACTION MASON asks VICTIM to explain why he won’t give CLIENT her money.
REACTION VICTIM states CLIENT is too immature to have money until she’s 25.
OUTCOME MASONs presses VICTIM, but VICTIM gets angry and kicks MASON out. MASON leaves convinced VICTIM’s intentions are not virtuous.
 
BEAT 11

MASON recieves CLUE #3 from INVESTIGATOR

CLUE #3: VICTIM invests money through WITNESS #4 (MURDERER)’S bank.

MASON sends INVESTIGATOR to investigate WITNESS #4 (MURDERER)’S bank.

Setup MASON receiving CLUE #10
LOCATION INT. RESTAURANT
ACTION INVESTIGATOR tells MASON he has information on VICTIM.
REACTION INVESTIGATORs tells MASON that VICTIM banks at WITNESS #4 (MURDERER)’s bank and is involved in real estate.
OUTCOME MASON tells INVESTIGATOR to investigate VICTIM’s associates at WITNESS #4 (MURDERER)’s bank.
 
BEAT 12

Setup the murder.

Place DEFENDANT (RED HERRING) at the scene of the murder.

Place WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) at the scene of the murder.

Place WITNESS #1 at the scene of the murder.
Setup the murder
Commit the murder
Show the ruse
Investigate the crime scene
Take statements from witnesses
LOCATION EXT. VICTIM’S HOUSE – FRONT LAWN
ACTION DEFENDANT (RED HERRING) approaches the house to see VICTIM.
REACTION WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) and WITNESS #1 drive up to see VICTIM. So DEFENDANT (RED HERRING) hides behind the house.
OUTCOME WITNESS #4 (MURDERER)’s path to see VICTIM is clear, and DEFENDANT (RED HERRING)’s opportunity is closed.
 
BEAT 13

VICTIM is murdered.

Show WITNESS #2’S TESTIMONY

Introduce MYSTERY #2.

Introduce WITNESS #2

Introduce CLUE #4
LOCATION INT. POLICE STATION
ACTION WITNESS #2 is trying to have a relaxing night.
REACTION VICTIM calls and says CLIENT is threatening his life, but he hangs up suddenly before he can finish.
OUTCOME WITNESS #2 sends a patrol car to VICTIM’S HOUSE to investigate.
 
BEAT 14

Show RUSE.

Introduce CLUE #5

Introduce CLUE #6
LOCATION EXT. VICTIM’S HOUSE – FRONT LAWN
ACTION WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) leaves his meeting with VICTIM, and VICTIM yells out the window saying WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) goes with him to get some business papers from the bank.
REACTION While driving away, WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) sees someone attack VICTIM in his study through the window.
OUTCOME WITNESS #4 (MURDERER), WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE), and WITNESS #1 return to the house to investigate.
 
BEAT 15 – MIDPOINT TWIST

Midpoint twist

Introduce CASE GOAL #2
LOCATION INT. PERRY MASON’S OFFICE
ACTION MASON plans and practices the argument he’ll use in court against VICTIM.
REACTION CLIENT enters and interrupts him and says VICTIM has been murdered.
OUTCOME MASON’s plans are dashed, the stakes are raised, and he has to set a new goal, which is to beat the PROSECUTOR in court.
     
BEAT 16

Investigate the crime scene.

INTRODUCE CLUE #7

Setup PROSECUTOR’S ARGUMENT
LOCATION INT. VICTIM’S HOUSE – STUDY
ACTION Police investigate the crime scene.
REACTION Police find evidence of a large ash tray used to kill VICTIM.
OUTCOME Police plan to do an autopsy report and leave.
 
BEAT 17

CLUE #7 corroborates CLUE #6.

Setup PROSECUTOR’S GOAL #1
LOCATION INT. VICTIM’S HOUSE – STUDY
ACTION Police asks WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) what he saw as MASON stands by and listens.
REACTION WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) says he saw a man through the window kill VICTIM with a large object, but he couldn’t see him clearly.
OUTCOME The police aren’t sure if WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) is reliable, and MASON is worried CLIENT knows DEFENDANT (RED HERRING) killed VICTIM.
 
BEAT 18
MASON interviews CLIENT and finds CLUE #8
Pretrial
Setback after Setback
Build the PROSECUTOR’s case
LOCATION INT. VICTIM’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM
ACTION MASON asks CLIENT what she knows about the night of the murder.
REACTION CLIENT says DEFENDANT (RED HERRING) went to see VICTIM, and that’s all she knows.
OUTCOME MASON leaves frustrated.
 
BEAT 19

MASON follows CLUE #8 and interviews DEFENDANT (RED HERRING).

MASON finds CLUE #9 (SETBACK #1).

Introduce SETBACK #1
LOCATION INT. WITNESS #6 ( RED HERRING) CHARACTER #1’S LOFT
ACTION MASON asks DEFENDANT (RED HERRING) where he was and what he was doing the night of the murder.
REACTION DEFENDANT (RED HERRING) tells MASON he went to see VICTIM to beg, but saw WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) and ran and waited. Later, he heard WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) shouting and entered the house, finding VICTIM dead. Then he ran when WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) entered the room.
OUTCOME MASON leaves frustrated.
 
BEAT 20

Enact PROSECUTOR’S GOAL #1

Introduce SETBACK #2
LOCATION EXT. VICTIM’S HOUSE – FRONT YARD
ACTION PROSECUTOR tells WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) they’re going to reenact the events to determine if he is a reliable WITNESS #1.
REACTION They reenact WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE)’s experiences and prove he can tell the difference between different people ‘s profiles through a window.
OUTCOME PROSECUTOR is happy that WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) is reliable.
 
BEAT 21
Setup SETBACK #3
LOCATION EXT. VICTIM’S HOUSE – FRONT YARD
ACTION PROSECUTOR and WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) leave VICTIM’S HOUSE.
REACTION INVESTIGATOR watches PROSECUTOR and WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) leave.
OUTCOME INVESTIGATOR leaves.
 
BEAT 22
MASON states PROSECUTOR’S CASE and the stakes.
LOCATION INT. PERRY MASON’S OFFICE
ACTION INVESTIGATOR tells MASON about WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE)’s success identifying shadowy profiles through a window.
REACTION MASON states that he can’t challenge WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE)’s testimony because WITNESS #1 and WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) will corroborate his testimony.
OUTCOME MASON says he’s got a lot of work to do.
 
BEAT 23
Introduce SETBACK #3.
LOCATION INT. DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
ACTION District Attorney tells INVESTIGATOR he was seen watching WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) reenact the crime scene.
REACTION District Attorney tells INVESTIGATOR he will be called as a witness to verify WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE)’s reliability.
OUTCOME INVESTIGATOR reluctantly agrees to testify against his own case.
 
BEAT 24

State CASE GOAL #2

Foreshadow MASON receiving CLUE #10
Preliminary hearing
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – FOYER
ACTION INVESTIGATOR and MASON leave the preliminary hearing.
REACTION INVESTIGATOR says MASON lost to PROSECUTOR. So DEFENDANT (RED HERRING) will be tried for murder.
OUTCOME INVESTIGATOR is pessimistic, but MASON is optimistic that he can find a clue in VICTIM’s financial records, which INVESTIGATOR says he will have soon.
 
BEAT 25

Begin the trial.

PROSECUTOR states his argument.
Opening statements
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION PROSECUTOR makes his opening statement to the jury, saying DEFENDANT (RED HERRING) killed VICTIM and was seen by three witnesses.
REACTION MASON declines to make an opening statement.
OUTCOME JUDGE allows PROSECUTOR to call his first witness.
 
BEAT 26
WITNESS #1 gives his testimony.
MASON is on the defensive and is visibly losing while gaining clues.
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION PROSECUTOR calls WITNESS #1 to the stand.
REACTION WITNESS #1 tells the court his account of the events.
OUTCOME PROSECUTOR ends his turn.
 
BEAT 27
MASON questions WITNESS #1 and finds CLUE #11
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION MASON cross-examines WITNESS #1’s testimony.
REACTION MASON tries to get WITNESS #1 to prove he saw the murder from an unreliable vantage. He gets WITNESS #1 to say he never met VICTIM.
OUTCOME MASON ends his turn.
 
BEAT 28
WITNESS #2 gives his testimony.
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION PROSECUTOR calls WITNESS #2 to the stand.
REACTION WITNESS #2 tells the court the details of VICTIM’s phone call.
OUTCOME PROSECUTOR ends his turn.
 
BEAT 29
MASON questions WITNESS #2 and finds CLUE #12
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION MASON cross examins WITNESS #2.
REACTION MASON gets WITNESS #2 to admit he didn’t mention WITNESS #3 answered VICTIM’s call, making him an unreliable witness.
OUTCOME MASON moves for WITNESS #2’s testimony to be thrown out.
 
BEAT 30
Fill time and raise tension.
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION JUDGE asks PROSECUTOR if he objects to the motion to throw out WITNESS #2’s testimony.
REACTION PROSECUTOR asks to delay deciding whether to throw out WITNESS #2’s testimony until they’ve heard WITNESS #3’s testimony.
OUTCOME JUDGE agrees to PROSECUTOR’s request and orders WITNESS #3 be put on the stand after PROSECUTOR’s next witness.
 
BEAT 31
WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) gives his testimony.
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION PROSECUTOR calls WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) to the stand.
REACTION WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) tells the court the details of the events he witnessed.
OUTCOME PROSECUTOR ends his turn.
 
BEAT 32

MASON questions WITNESS #4 (MURDERER)

MASON finds CLUE #13
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION MASON cross examines WITNESS #4 (MURDERER).
REACTION MASONs asks WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) about the nature of his meeting with VICTIM and gets him to admit it was about buying/selling securities.
OUTCOME MASON ends his turn and says he may call WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) back to the stand later.
 
BEAT 33 (TURNING POINT)
INVESTIGATOR gives CLUE #10 to MASON.
MASON is on the offensive but is visibly losing while gaining clues.
Dead ends and red herrings.
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION MASON sits down.
REACTION MASON recieves the banking information he requested from INVESTIGATOR.
OUTCOME MASON begins reading the information.
 
BEAT 34
WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) gives his testimony.
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION PROSECUTOR calls WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) to the stand.
REACTION WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) tells the court the details of the events he witnessed.
OUTCOME PROSECUTOR ends his turn.
 
BEAT 35
MASON dodges/deflects PROSECUTOR’S strongest argument.
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION PROSECUTOR asks MASON to cross examine his WITNESS #5.
REACTION MASON declines to question the WITNESS #5, and PROSECUTOR learns that WITNESS #3 has arrived.
OUTCOME PROSECUTOR informs JUDGE that WITNESS #3 has arrived.
 
BEAT 36
WITNESS #3 gives his testimony.
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION PROSECUTOR calls WITNESS #3 to the stand.
REACTION WITNESS #3 tells the court the details of the events he witnessed.
OUTCOME PROSECUTOR ends his turn.
 
BEAT 37
MASON questions WITNESS #3 and finds CLUE #
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION MASONs cross examines WITNESS #3.
REACTION MASONs argues WITNESS #3 didn’t know the identity of the caller, but PROSECUTOR says the argument is unfounded.
OUTCOME JUDGE rules MASON’s argument is unfounded.
 
BEAT 38
WITNESS #6 ( RED HERRING) gives her testimony.
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION PROSECUTOR calls WITNESS #6 ( RED HERRING) to the stand.
REACTION WITNESS #6 ( RED HERRING) tells the court the details of the events he witnessed and says she saw DEFENDANT (RED HERRING) at the scene of the crime.
OUTCOME PROSECUTOR ends his turn.
 
BEAT 39
MASON questions WITNESS #6 (RED HERRING) and finds she has a motive and opportunity to kill VICTIM.
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION MASON cross examines WITNESS #6 ( RED HERRING).
REACTION MASON gets WITNESS #6 ( RED HERRING) to admit she is leaving out details that raise suspicioun she had motive to kill VICTIM.
OUTCOME MASON ends his turn.
 
BEAT 40 (Turning point)
MASON sets up his finishing move.
Mason is on the offensive and wins.
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION MASON sits down and tells INVESTIGATOR to get WITNESS #1 to talk to him oustside by the window.
REACTION INVESTIGATOR asks why, but MASON insists he do it without explanation.
OUTCOME INVESTIGATOR agrees and leaves.
 
BEAT 41
MASON questions WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) and uses CLUE #10 to prove he had a motive to kill VICTIM.
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION MASON calls WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) back to the stand.
REACTION MASON calls WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) back to the stand and uses the banking information INVESTIGATOR gave him to prove WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) had a financial motive to kill VICTIM and states that he killed VICTIM as he was trying to call the police and then pretended to be VICTIM.
OUTCOME MASON ends his turn.
 
BEAT 42
MASON questions WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) and uses CLUE #11 to prove he had an opportunity to commit THE RUSE.
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION MASON calls WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) back to the stand.
REACTION MASON asks WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) to read a stack of cards very loudly while WITNESS #1 listens outside.
OUTCOME MASON ends his turn.
 
BEAT 43
MASON questions WITNESS #1 and uses CLUE #11 to prove WITNESS committed THE RUSE.
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION MASON calls WITNESS #1 back to the stand.
REACTION MASON gets WITNESS #1 to admit he might have heard WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) tell WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) to bring WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) with him to get papers on the night of the murder.
OUTCOME WITNESS #1 confirms WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE)’s voice came from the window, and WITNESS #5 (MURDERER’S ACCOMPLICE) admits WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) killed VICTIM.
 
BEAT 44

WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) confesses to murdering VICTIM.

MASON wins and rests his case.
LOCATION INT. COURT HOUSE – COURT ROOM
ACTION PROSECUTOR looks to WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) to deny the accusation.
REACTION WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) doesn’t deny the accusation.
OUTCOME MASON rests his case.
 

CASE GOAL #1: Find a way to give CLIENT control of her inheritance from VICTIM.

CASE GOAL #2: Prove DEFENDANT (RED HERRING) didn’t kill VICTIM.

MYSTERY #1: What is CLIENT hiding?

MYSTERY #2: Who killed VICTIM?

RUSE: MURDERER faked an alibi by yelling at WITNESS #1 from a window.

PROSECUTOR’S ARGUMENT: All witnesses’ testimonies are reliable.

CLUE #1 (MYSTERY #1): Client is having a secret affair with DEFENDANT (RED HERRING)

CLUE #2 (MYSTERY #1): VICTIM is involved with large banking investments.

CLUE #3: VICTIM invests money through WITNESS #4 (MURDERER)’S bank.

CLUE #4: WITNESS #2 didn’t hear the caller’s voice change.

CLUE #5: WITNESS #1 heard WITNESS #3’S voice during the RUSE.

CLUE #6: WITNESS #5 saw VICTIM murdered with a large object

CLUE #7: VICTIM was killed with a large object.

CLUE #8: DEFENDANT (RED HERRING) was at the scene of the crime when VICTIM was killed.

CLUE #9: DEFENDANT (RED HERRING) was seen at the scene of the crime when VICTIM was killed.

CLUE #10: MURDERER owed money he couldn’t pay.

CLUE #11: WITNESS #1 has never med VICTIM and thus didn’t know the sound of his voice.

CLUE #12: WITNESS #2 didn’t answer the phone. So he didn’t know the caller’s voice changed.

CLUE #13: WITNESS #4 (MURDERER) buys and sells securities for VICTIM with a “power of attorney”

CLUE #14: WITNESS #3 didn’t know the caller’s voice changed after he handed the phone to WITNESS #2.

CLUE #15:

SETBACK #1: DEFENDANT (RED HERRING) was seen at the scene of the crime when VICTIM was killed.

SETBACK #2: WITNESS #5’s testimony is reliable.

SETBACK #3: INVESTIGATOR’s makes a mistake that helps the PROSECUTOR’s case and weakens MASON’s case.

 

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018 at 8:26 am and tagged with , , , , , , and posted in Formula Plot Templates, Screenwriting, TV Plot Break Downs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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