NINER

Creator: Eric C. Dickson
Age rating: 17 and older
An offbeat cop blackmails a murder suspect into testifying at the cop's criminal trial.
Project collaboration: Open
Full synopsis
Synopsis: Christmas Eve. The Samms are just finishing dinner and starting dessert. Without warning, three criminals enter their home and murder them, one at a time. But what the killers don't know is that they've left a survivor. Seventeen year old Abby Samms escapes and is picked up by a young couple on the side of a highway. She is then taken to the emergency room where she is examined by nurse Carly Dennis. Abby sits in shock. Silent. Unable to speak. Carly suspects foul play and enlists the help of homicide detective Rawley Niner; a random police officer visiting the ER.

After Niner and Carly investigate Abby's home, they find key evidence that a brutal crime has been committed. They contact the police. Niner is quickly reminded that he is on suspension, pending a criminal trial. He is warned off the case by his superiors. Upset and unable to be alone, Niner and Carly spend an evening at his apartment.

In a discussion with Carly, Niner admits to being charged with the wrongful death of a suspect named Raul Ortega; a man who fell four stories from his apartment balcony. Tired and unable to stay awake, Carly excuses herself and takes a nap in Niner's bed. While she rests, the detective receives a call on Abby's own cell phone from boyfriend Trent. Posing as Abby, Niner convinces Trent to come to his apartment.

After Trent arrives at the scene, Niner tells him that Abby is safe and sound at the hospital and that he should turn himself in. Trent claims that he was forced to help murder Abby's family by two men. Two men who are seeking revenge for the deaths of six family members. Trent reluctantly agrees to turn himself in. He and Niner drive to the hospital.

At the hospital, Niner turns and shoots Trent in the chest. He later claims self defense and denies that the suspect ever gave him the names of his accomplices. From here, Niner approaches the man that Trent claims murdered the family. This is Bobby. Bobby is the only other man that saw Niner throw Raul Ortega to his death. Niner makes a deal with him. Testify at his trial that he is innocent of Ortega's murder, and that Ortega actually jumped from the apartment balcony, and he will cover up any evidence implicating Bobby in the Christmas Eve killings.

Bobby agrees and later testifies at Niner's criminal trial. Based on this first-hand testimony, Niner is acquitted of throwing Raul Ortega to his death. He contacts Abby Samms and the unlikely pair stage a final plan of revenge that will leave two suspects dead and Niner's name in the free and clear.

THE END

Latest Work

  • Script 14 - Eric's 13th Draft
    03/11/12
    Main1359489620._sx304_sy171_
    Creative Notes:
    Tightly formatted, page one overhaul with revised opening sequence. Addes flashback sequences, more mystery. All changes based on suggestions of AS readers and reviewers. Abby is a more central character, more police investigative work with Dees and Crowe.
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    RTF

All Work