Meat Crimes - Scene 3

SCENE 3:

INT. POLICE STATION - CHIEF CONSTABLE WAGSTAFF'S OFFICE - DAY

Chief Constable WAGSTAFF, a stern man with a perpetually furrowed brow, sits behind his cluttered desk, shuffling through paperwork. Shank and Brisket enter nervously, trying to look composed.

WAGSTAFF (sighing) Shank, Brisket, sit down. Your report on the butcher's van was... fine. But we're facing a grim reality here.

Shank and Brisket exchange worried glances as they take their seats.

SHANK (sincere) Sir, we're doing our best with the resources we've got.

WAGSTAFF (nodding) I know, Shank. But the truth is, the Meat Crimes department is running on fumes. There's just not enough funding to keep you both on the case.

BRISKET (biting his lip) So, what does that mean for us, sir?

Wagstaff leans forward, clasping his hands together.

WAGSTAFF (grimly) It means, unless you come up with a solid case within the next 48 hours, I'm afraid your goose is cooked. Meat Crimes will be history.

Shank and Brisket leave the office, heads hanging low, muttering to each other in hushed tones.

BRISKET (worried) Sarge, what are we going to do? We can't let Meat Crimes be shut down.

SHANK (deep in thought) Give me a moment, Brisket. I need to think.

CUT TO:

INT. POLICE STATION - LATER

Shank, deep in contemplation, paces around the cramped office they share. Brisket watches him, concerned.

BRISKET (slowly) Sarge, we can't just conjure up a case out of thin air.

SHANK (stopping abruptly) Brisket. We need to make our own luck.

Shank's eyes light up with a mischievous glint.

SHANK (CONT'D) What if we orchestrate a crime? A crime that we solve, becoming the heroes this department needs.

Brisket looks hesitant but intrigued.

BRISKET (whispering) You mean, like a fake crime?

SHANK (nodding) Exactly. We'll be the saviours of Meat Crimes. The talk of the town.

Brisket gulps, unsure of the ethics, but the desperation in Shank's eyes convinces him.

BRISKET (reluctant) Alright, Sarge. How do we do it?

Shank grins, a plan forming in his mind.

SHANK First, we need a crime that's big enough to catch attention but not too big to unravel. Let's cook up a mystery, Brisket. One that only we can solve.

FADE OUT.