GEH1005/GEK1021 Crime Fiction in Eng & Chinese

Final Project

Whodunnnit: A Play

Shen Le (A0101484N)
Lai Xin Ying (A0147318A)

Word count: 3747

-WHODUNNIT?ACT 1
SCENE 1. EXT. NIGHT SURROUNDINGS-HDB Void deck
A dark and stormy night.
A woman is running along a HDB void deck. A shadow follows her.
She is cornered. The shadow slows down. The person moves closer.
The cornered woman looks up at her pursuant. A shade of fear
appears on her face. She backs away. The pursuer moves menacingly
towards her.
PURSUER
How have you been, Yvonne? You must have been well-off with the
museum, eh?
YVONNE (shaking voice)
No Why Why? Look, look, we can talk this over
PURSUER
You know it, dont you? In fact, you knew it long ago.
With that, the pursuer whips out a knife and
menacingly. The shoes make no noise on the floor.

moves

forward

YVONNE
No! NO! Aaaargh!
In one fluid motion, the attacker stabs Yvonne in the stomach,
twisting it a few times. Blood pools out and mixes with the rain,
before flowing down the drain. Standing over Yvonnes still and
crumpled form, the attacker throws the knife near Yvonnes body,
adjusts the jacket and cap, and stalks off.
Meanwhile, an old woman dressed in rags was standing behind the
rubbish bin, watching the scene unfolding right in front of her
eyes.

FADE IN. ACT 2.

SCENE 1. INT. MORNING-CHANGI AIRPORT
Sherwood yawns as he gives the airport attendant his British
passport.
COUNTER
Welcome to Singapore!
SHERWOOD
Thanks, its my first time here.
Suddenly, his cell phone rings.
One moment please.
COMMISSIONER LAU
Good morning Detective Inspector Sherwood, I hope you had a good
flight?
SHERWOOD
Morning, Deputy Commissioner. I just touched down. Ain't it too
early for a call? Anything up?
COMMISSIONER LAU
Well, as much as I would love to let you rest, weve got a case.
Your assistance is highly appreciated.
SHERWOOD
Ill be there right away. Please ask my partner to ring me
through this number. Cheerio.
SCENE 2.

EXT. MORNING-HDB VOID DECK

The rain is pouring. We are in the middle of a crime scene. A

policewoman, Private Wong, and a senior-looking post-mortem
physician analyst are gathered around a zipped up body bag. Agent
Bell is one of CIDs finest and most experienced employees. Her
partner was hospitalised so now shes getting a temporary one.

She has several plastic bags containing some nails, hair, cloth
fibres, and blood droplets. Private Wong is dusting the place for
fingerprints.
BELL
So where is this hotshot new detective anyway? Hes late.
WONG
There you are, Inspector! And I was just getting worried.
Private Wong said to the slouching figure slowly approaching
them. The man was looking around wide-eyed.
BELL (scanning Sherwood up and down)
I know you just got off the plane, but youre not even dressed
professionally.
SHERWOOD
Sherwood here. And you must be my partner.
Peering at Bells ID badge, he saw her name Natasha Bell Lee.
Can I call you Nat?
BELL
No, you can call me Agent Bell.
SHERWOOD
What am I missing Agent Bell, any leads?
BELL
We dont know yet. Well send it to the specialists in
headquarters. Itll take about a few days.
SHERWOOD
Wait.
Sherwood motions for Private Wong to pass him a zip-lock bag. It
is a wallet. Putting on some disposable gloves, he carefully
opens the bag and checks the money inside.

Hmm. So Yvonne Lim, 28, curator, took over the museum just weeks
ago. Had a bit of reputation for herself aye, going to social
events, appearing on the news. What kind of people would be her
enemies?
BELL
Your guess is as good as mine, Inspector.
Bell left to talk to an old woman who appears to be a cancollector.
WONG
The killer is good. He covered up his tracks. We did however find
some skin samples and some muddy footprints.
SHERWOOD
What about that old lady over there?
Sherwood points towards the old woman.
WONG
Oh, thats our only eye witness. Shes the one that discovered
the body and called us. But shes not much help now as shes in a
state of shock now. Bit of a bad luck, really, on top of the
blasted rain that washed away most of our evidence.
BELL (in Mandarin)
Perhaps after you feel better, you can come down to the station
to do a full report? You did say you have something you want to
show us.
While Bell strode off to talk to the old lady, Sherwoods
attention was diverted towards the crime scene since he could not
understand Mandarin anyway. He had a feeling that someone is
watching him. At the corner of his eye, he spotted a figure
hiding behind a pillar. Just as Sherwood wondered if he should
approach the figure, Bell called him.
BELL
Inspector Sherwood, are you ready?
SHERWOOD

Coming.
Sherwood turns around and the figure disappeared. Frowning, he
joins Bell.
So what did the old woman tell you anyway?
BELL
Ill fill you in later.
Everyone left.
A masculine figure slowly appears. He got there first thing in
the morning after reading about Yvonnes death online. But he saw
the police and he hid himself as he got a bad criminal record.
His eyes were tearing as he looked across the police tapes Do
not cross. His attention was soon caught by an old woman sitting
near the old concrete table. She is holding something in her
hands, and he is alarmed to see it was Yvonnes couple ring!
Panicking, he pushes the woman, snatches the ring and twisted her
arm.
MASCULINE FIGURE (menacingly)
You will not tell the police about me being here, or else!
All the while he is saying that, he waves a fist in the womans
face. Mdm Ong, terrified, nodded. Satisfied, the man runs into
the pouring rain. Tearing in pain, Mdm Ong sees the figure of the
running man and thinks it looks familiar.
FADE IN ACT 3.
SCENE 1. INT. NOON-CID HEADQUARTERS
BELL
Ok, our cyanoacrylate fuming test is done, but nothing showed up.
But...
She produces a zip-lock bag. Inside it contains some leathery
material.
We found this around the knife. If the murderer thinks its
enough to hide his fingerprints, then hes wrong. Apparently the

leather glove he is wearing worn out and we think that this is a

high quality leather material which cant be bought easily. By
the way, Sherwood, whats your take on the status of the killer?
Could he have fled?
SHERWOOD (laugh)
I should jolly well think he wouldnt.
BELL
What makes you so sure?
SHERWOOD
Professor Lim was said to be a nice person and she had few
enemies. So lets find those who stand to gain something from by
killing her. Just put your shoes in his, theres a reason the
murderer killed her. Its definitely not money since the wallet
is still there. Wouldnt go all the way to kill her and then run
off. Unless...
BELL
Unless what?
SHERWOOD
Unless... He already has what he wants, or at least he is going
to.
BELL
What do you mean?
Sherwood shrugged and saved his explanation.
SHERWOOD
I need you to dig up Yvonnes background, her friends, relatives
or anything revolving around the museum. It cant be a
coincidence that she got offed within weeks of accepting the
post.
BELL (peeved)
Fine. Private Wong, will you help me question Professor Lims
friends, relatives, co-workers about their alibis?

SCENE 2. INT. NOON-POLICE STATION

Hours later, Private Wong comes through the main door. Shaking
off the water droplets on her raincoat, she hands over her
findings.
WONG
They all checked out. Especially Jade Tan, daughter of the
previous owner of the museum.
SHERWOOD
Watcha think of that?
WONG
She seems to have a clear alibi and was devastated when she heard
that Yvonne was killed. Shes a big fan of art and a sculptor
herself. Even told me about her new sculpture, I think it was
named Rachel.
SHERWOOD (smirks)
Jade is a sculptor you say? It must be hard that she didnt get
the museum in the end, since shes an art lover.
Bell on the other hand remains quiet as she scans through the
name list and statements.
BELL
Sherwood, check out this guy. Song Weishun. Has a record. Three
years in Changi due to petty theft and fraud charges. Been in and
out of the Boys Home since young, because of alleged gang
activities. According to her friends, he and Yvonne were together
for quite some time before she dumped him. Well then, the motive
in this case is quite easy to guess.
SHERWOOD (raising his eyebrow)
Well, Bell. It would be wise not to have immature conclusions and
scratch beneath the surface
BELL (sarcastically)

Actually, Sherwood, I think this case is quite straightforward

and we no longer require your service. Why dont you head on to
your hotel and freshen up, Inspector?
The two were on loggerheads when suddenly Private Wong receives a
call. After hanging up, she looks hopeful.
PRIVATE WONG
Inspector! Agent! Our men just called! The old ladys been
assaulted and they believe that it was the killer. They are
sending her over now.
SHERWOOD
Alright, leave that to us. Bell and I will see her.
The interrogation room was quiet as Mdm Ong was cradling her
injured arm with Sherwood and Bell sitting in front of her,
exchanging glances. Then all of a sudden, like a gun gone loose,
she started wailing in rapid-fire Mandarin.
START OF FLASHBACK
Madam Ong, a can-collector, saw something shiny roll on the
ground towards her. She picked it up. Her rheumy, cloudy eyes
thought that this ring was valuable. She could dimly see a
womanly figure walk past quickly.
MDM ONG(In Mandarin)
Xiao jie, xiao jie! Aiyah, I must return this to her!
But she was old and could not walk fast. Plus the blasting rain
was not of any help either. Very soon she was a long way off. To
catch up, she decided to take a shortcut to avoid some stairs.
When she reached, all she saw was a manly figure running away
and the dead body.
END OF FLASHBACK
MDM ONG (In Mandarin)
I was going to give you guys the ring but I was in too much shock
to think clearly. Then after I spoke to you guys, the same guy
came back! I know because his back figure looks the same. He

attacked me--he must be the killer! You must catch him, youre
the police!
BELL
Calm down Madam. Are you sure the murderer attacked you because
youre an eyewitness? Can you tell us any characteristics about
him?
MDM ONG (In Mandarin)
He is of a sturdy built and tanned. And hes about as tall as
your partner, the Ang Moh!
She points at Sherwood. Sherwood frowned, as it seemed insulting.
BELL
Well well, Sherwood, how about it? Still think Song Weishun is
not suspicious?
She dialled Private Wongs number.
Private Wong, bring Song Weishun in for questioning.
SCENE 3. INT. AFTERNOON-POLICE STATION
A man is being interrogated, his hands are handcuffed.
BELL
So tell me, why did you come back and attack Mdm Ong? You want to
finish the job?
SONG
What you talking about? Whos Mdm Ong?
BELL (slams the table)
Dont lie to us!
SHERWOOD
Mdm Ong accused you of assaulting her, nicking the ring then
legging it.
Sherwood reached into Song Weishuns pocket and took out the
ring.

Curious, this ring is not very valuable. Yet you left the wallet
untouched but took the ring?
SONG (agitated)
I told you I didnt kill her, I will never do that. And thats
supposed to be our wedding ring! How dare you take that away from
ME?! That was supposed to be our wedding ring...
His voice trails off and turns choking.
I know you guys wouldnt believe me. But I didnt want any
trouble with the police alright, which was why I threatened the
old lady. I had past records, records that Im not proud of.
Yvonne was the only one who loved me and accepted me for who I
was, but we got problems. After Yvonne broke up with me, I wanted
her back. So I followed her.
BELL
You said you followed her? So you followed and killed her?
SONG
HELL NO! Not yesterday! I was at Cafe Iguana
working as a new bartender. Trust me! I didnt
saw the news online! I only want the ring back
the old womans hands. I swear to

at Clarke Quay
know nuts till I
when I saw it in
God.

Sherwood and Bell exchanges looks.

SHERWOOD (sighs)
Whatever you say now, I need you to be kept in custody for a few
days. Cant let you off so easily because weve got evidence
against you.
Hinting at Bell to the door,
Bell, can I have a word with you?
Bell closes the door behind her.
SHERWOOD

Now do you see? Look at the snivelling, heart-broken man inside.

Hes piss-poor, with a dead-beat job barely making ends meet. He
is the look of a man completely miserable in love. Do you think
he is the sort to commit a completely perfect murder and not take
a full wallet?
BELL (reluctantly)
Yes, I have to admit you might be right. If he knew there was an
eye-witness, why attack her now instead of yesterday? And why do
such a sloppy job? Plus he barely hurt the old lady, the wounds
are superficial. Therere just some things that dont quite add
up.
SHERWOOD
Tell me, Bell, how exactly does a Singapore art museum look like?
SCENE 4. INT. AFTERNOONMUSEUM
Since Yvonnes death, the museum was temporarily closed and the
police took over the place for further investigation. So the
museum is deathly quiet, and chilly. Sherwood notices a sculpture
that looked new and stopped in his tracks.
SHERWOOD
Hello, whats this?
Bell peered at the description.
BELL
Oh, this sculpture is by Jade Tan!?
SHERWOOD (murmurs)
Rache.
BELL
What?
SHERWOOD
The title, its not Rachel! Its Rache! Tally ho! Weve got a
criminal to catch.
BELL

What? Why? Where are we going?

SHERWOOD
Dont you see? Jade Tan is the murderer. Rache is German for
revenge. Private Wong misheard. Perhaps it was a masterpiece
she cant help creating after Yvonnes death. Now lets see how
Jade looks like and well find why Mdm Ong mistaken the murderer
to be a bloke.
BELL
So now were going to her house! Let me bring along some search
tools. Better bring along some men too, Jade must be strong for a
woman. You dont know what people might do if theyre cornered.
SHERWOOD
Second that, Agent Bell.
And with that, they went out of the museum and into the carpark.
Moments later, the engine is heard.
FADE IN. ACT 4.
SCENE 1. EXT. AFTERNOONHDB FLAT
We see a rather new-looking HDB flat looming up. The camera
tracks to the fifth storey. Then it flickers, and when it
reappears, its shown from inside the peephole.
BELL(rings the bell)
Hello? Is anyone inside?
Sherwood and Bell were at the front door, joined by two
policemen. Sherwood discreetly tucks a gun under his coat. Slow
footsteps are heard coming towards the door. It was flung open.
JADE(irritated)
What do you want? Im late for my kickboxing session at the gym.
BELL
Miss Tan? Were detectives and would like a word with you.
SHERWOOD

We have reason to suspect you for the murder of Professor Yvonne

Lim yesterday night.
JADE
Look, Ive already given my statement to one of your men, and I
definitely did not kill Yvonne.
SHERWOOD
Well, due to new circumstances, we still need you to go down to
the police station for further assistance.
As Sherwood talked, one of the policemen places his hand on the
gun holster, seemingly ready to counter any resistance. Jade
notices and got flustered, her veins throbbing in her neck.
JADE(shouts)
I said Im busy! Now go away!
BELL
Miss, we hope for your cooperation.
The policeman curls his fingers around the trigger.
Jade suddenly bursts open the door and shoves Sherwood aside.
Jade runs down the stairs. Sherwood and Bell run after her as
Sherwood curses and swears at the amateur policeman for causing
alarm. Gaining speed, Bell and Sherwood draw near. Jade reaches
for a pocketknife inside her pocket, but stops when Sherwood
raises his gun.
SHERWOOD
Drop your knife or Ill shoot you. Put your hands up. Up!
Jade reluctantly does as she is told. Bell moves behind her to
handcuff her.
SCENE 2. INT. AFTERNOONPOLICE STATION
Private Wong brings in the laptop that was confiscated from
Jades house. After the password is disabled, Sherwood and Bell
search for evidence. Jade has a folder with all the incriminating
evidence.

SHERWOOD
So, in summary, Jade Tans father owns the museum. He died just
weeks ago, same time as when Yvonne took over. In her fathers
will, he states that the museum will be left to Professor Lim,
and then if she died, to Jade. Jade has been in financial
difficulties lately. As she did not have many friends, we assumed
she resorted to the murder of Professor Lim to gain money by
selling off the museum. She knew that Professor Lim, lover of
historical art, will never allow her to sell off the museum. So
she killed her.
BELL
Plus, the fibres in the crime scene completely match the
suspects cloth fibres. The footprint also matched the shoe she
owned. The skin samples found, such as from dandruff, are all of
her DNA. We have reasons to believe that Ms. Jade Tan is the
murderer of Professor Yvonne Lim after all. Lets go see her now.
Sherwood and Bell join Private Wong who had been interrogating
Jade Tan.
WONG(matter-of-factly)
Youre a smart girl, Jade, claiming you were at your friends
house. But guess what, we caught your friend and he admitted that
you were not there all along and he had no idea what you were up
to the entire night. Plus, the synthetic fibres of your gloves
match the one we found at the crime scene. Your height and figure
matches too. You knew Professor Lim and her boyfriend. You
thought you could put the blame on her boyfriend who has a dirty
record. Duplicating his attire to match his frame and size. Plus,
wearing the same shoe size that matched his. Not forgetting that
those were gifted from Yvonne. And you, knowing Yvonne, would
very well have known where she bought it from.
JADE
I demand a lawyer! Of course many people buy the same kind of
brand of gloves, hats, coats, and boots. You cant blame me.
SHERWOOD

Theres something going on between you, isnt there? Mistrust,

jealousy, petty feuds?
JADE (blurts out, looking quite mad)
Petty feud! Losing my fathers museum is no big deal. If shes
not alive, then the museum will be mine! Now that shes dead, I
will have it! (laughs cruelly)
SHERWOOD
That is, until she threw a spanner in the works. And Bobs your
uncle.
JADE
Like I said, the killer is not me! The real killers out there!
BELL
Well, its true that Mdm Ong insists that it was a man.
SHERWOOD
You see, Ms Tans gym sessions had paid off quite well, she would
seem to look like a man indeed, especially by someone with
cataracts.
BELL
Cataracts?
SHERWOOD
Yes, Bell. I can see it from the way she looked at you when
talking to you.
START OF FLASHBACK
30 minutes before Yvonnes death
It was midnight. And raining. Yvonne parked her car in the
carpark. While locking her car door, she saw a shadow flash by
which was reflected by the rear window.
That must be my good-for-nothing ex-boyfriend again. She
shrugged with a roll of her eyes. Ever since they broke up, he
had been stalking her hoping she would forgive him.

She continued walking to her house, and she still heard

footsteps behind her. Well, shes more exasperated than mad. She
walked so fast that her couple ring, originally loose, fell off.
She hesitated.
Whatever, its not valuable anyway. She continued walking.
END OF FLASHBACK
SHERWOOD
I know what happened. You have been stalking Yvonne, waiting for
the moment to strike. How happy you must be when you realised
that Song Wei Shun had been stalking her since their breakup. So
the hunter became the hunted when you realized that you are of
the same built as Song Weishun. You had your chance when Yvonne
assumed it was him following her, not you, as she did not feel
threatened by him. And with the help of God, it was raining, the
perfect opportunity for you as nobody would hear her screams.
When she turned around because she realized she dropped her ring,
she saw you instead.
Miss Tan keeps silent.
WONG(impressed by Sherwood)
So, do you confess to the murder?
JADE (Looking defiant)
So what if I did? She deserved to die because she took what
belonged to me! My museum! It wasn't hers to begin with!
Jade sinks back into her seat, aware that she had confessed
suddenly.
I...No..I didnt kill her. Youve mistaken. I DID NOT!
WONG
Well, nothing else you say will matter anymore. Jade Tan, youre
under arrest for the murder of Yvonne Lim. Good job, inspector,
agent!
Sherwood manages a smile. So did Bell.

Now that shes confessed, please come with me to get the legal
documents drawn up.
Sherwood, Bell and Private Wong left the room. Jade covers her
head in her hands. All goes black.
FADE IN. ACT 5.
SCENE 1. EXT. MORNINGCEMETARY
It is drizzling as Yvonnes body is lowered into the grave. A
rainbow appears. Song Weishuns head is bowed. Bell and Sherwood
appear behind him.
BELL
I hope you can turn over a new leaf. Yvonne would want that.
SONG
Thank you for catching her killer and for proving my
innocence. And thank you for giving me a chance to attend her
funeral before going into the jail.
After bowing
policemen.

to

them,

Song

Weishun

left

with

two

other

BELL
Hey, Sherwood
SHERWOOD
Yea?
BELL
Good job in deciphering the message and closing the case.
Thats all I want to say. And I want to apologize for my
attitude previouslyYou know...
SHERWOOD
Come on, what are partners for? I say we make a good pair
after all!
And both of them fade into the background, into the rain...
The End