Melancholy

Part 14. Theo Velasquez

INT. VELASQUEZ CAMERA RENTALS - DAY

Nycolas, Ariel, and Jonathan a dark and mysterious video store with very dim, purple lighting. The different types of cameras split into different sections and the smell of sunshine and Rainbows. The store is Run by Jonathan's uncle, THEO, old, fat, bald man with an aspiration for Film making.

ARIEL

Well this is a nice shop.

NYCOLAS

Definitely 5 stars.

JONATHAN

You guys can cut the sarcasm. YO THEO.

Theo enters from a Room in the back.

THEO

Jonathan? Well this is a surprise.

JONATHAN

Yeah I'm surprised myself.

THEO

Intriguing, who are your friends?

ARIEL

We are more acquaintances Then friends.

NYCOLAS

(Goes to shake theo's hand) Nycolas craig

ARIEL

(Goes to shake Theo's hand) Ariel Slayer.

THEO

Slayer? I went to school with your father, is he as rotten now as he was when I was little.

ARIEL

Well he's an ass.

THEO

Then the answer is yes, what can I do for you two.

NYCOLAS

We heard about your niece went missing and we wanted to come to offer our coincidences.

THEO

 Ah Yes thank you, it is a Tragedy but we'll get through it.

ARIEL

You are awfully happy for a person who lost his niece and has no idea what happened to her.

THEO

Staying positive is the only way to make it through these dark times. 

ARIEL

Uhuh interesting, your niece noticed a string of unusual behavior from you and then she just up and vanished, happen to know anything about that?

NYCOLAS(Whispers to Ariel) what the hell are you doing?

ARIEL

(Whispers to Nycolas) getting answers.

THEO

You think I had something to do with the disappearance of my niece? Are you kidding?

ARIEL

I don't know maybe you loved her a bit too much.

NYCOLAS

Alright that's enough.

THEO

Get out of my store, NOW!

JONATHAN

Wait, Theo-

NYCOLAS

I was actually looking to rent something.

JONATHAN

Yeah why don't you go use the bathroom, Clean your face and we will be here when you get back.

THEO

Yeah, I guess that sounds good.

Theo walks towards the bathroom.

JONATHAN

Well you guys are detectives of the year.

ARIEL

Hey at least I was actually trying to get answers.

Nycolas jumps behind the counter and starts looking.

JONATHAN

What the hell are you doing?

NYCOLAS

Looking for some type of evidence that proves his guilt.

JONATHAN

Or maybe you are going after an innocent man.

NYCOLAS

I found something.

ARIEL

You did?

JONATHAN

What is it?

NYCOLAS 

A book.

JONATHAN

How is a book going to help us?

Nycolas places the book on the counter.

NYCOLAS

It's a Record book, of all the cameras that have been rented.

ARIEL

I didn't even know things like this still existed in present day.

JONATHAN

Yeah most stores put their records on a computer, why would my uncle waste his time on a book?

NYCOLAS

because it can be destroyed the easiest, a quick match and all incriminating evidence is gone in an instant.

ARIEL

What's incriminating about camera records?

NYCOLAS

I don't know yet, but we are about to find out.

JONATHAN

Alright well hurry up my uncle could be back any second.

Nycolas skims through the book while Jonathan and Ariel stand awkwardly.

NYCOLAS

What the?

ARIEL

What is it?

NYCOLAS

Mr. Palmer Rented the same set of video cameras 250 times during the summer and most recently in the last week.

ARIEL

Mr. Palmer As in our English teacher?

NYCOLAS

Yup.

JONATHAN

Why would Mr Palmer spend his small teacher salary renting video cameras instead of just saving the money to buy his own?

NYCOLAS

Exactly, that's our next lead?

ARIEL

Does the book show his address?

NYCOLAS

No it doesn't we are just gonna have to wait til tomorrow.

Nycolas rips the page out of the book and the puts the book back underneath the counter and puts the piece of Paper in his pocket.

NYCOLAS

Let's get out of here. 

Nycolas, Ariel, and Jonathan exit the store.

Theo exits the bathroom.

THEO

Alright, I'm ready to rent. Jonathan? Hello?

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