INT. THIRTIES STYLE LOUNGE. DAY
THERE IS A WOMAN SITTING ON AN ARMCHAIR SOBBING. SHE IS BEING COMFORTED BY HER YOUNG HUSBAND. THERE IS AN OLDER WOMAN WHO IS THE YOUNG WOMAN’S MOTHER, STANDING NEAR. THE YOUNG WOMAN IS OBVIOUSLY UPSET AFTER A CRIME HAS BEEN PERPETRATED.
Hubby
Try not to cry dear.
Mummy
Yes sweety. You must try to be strong. Bertie would have wanted it that way old thing.
Hubby
I’d like to lay my hands on the absolute swine who did this.
Mummy
Let’s let the police deal with it James.
THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR AND A SMALL THIRTIES STYLE BELGIAN MAN ENTERS. HE HAS A BELGIAN ACCENT AND A LITTLE WAXED MOUSTACHE
Parot
Bon soir, my name is Heracles Parot. I came as quick as I could to…er…now why am I here? Hang on…It’ll come in a second…oh it’s on the tip of my tongue…hmmmm…I can remember it was for a good reason.
Mummy
Was is to read the meter?
Parot
Don’t be ridiculous. Do I look like a meter reader?
Hubby
Was it the boiler? It’s playing up a bit.
Parot
It’s not the bloody boiler you idiot.
Daughter
Trim the poodle?
Parot
Non. Oh…this is really annoying…What is it?
Mummy
Why don’t you retrace your steps. When I forget things, I go back to where I’ve just come from and then I always remember.
Parot
Good idea madam.
Daughter
Well done mummy.
Parot
I will return. Bon soir.
CUT TO MONTAGE OF PAROT LEAVING THE FLAT AND GETTING INTO THE LIFT; THEN THE TAXI. THEN ON THE TRAIN; THEN GETTING ON THE FERRY AT DOVER; THEN IN BELGIUM; FINALLY HE IS HAVING HIS MOUSTACHE TRIMMED AT A BARBER’S SHOP. HIS EYES FALL UPON A PAIR OF SCISSORS. A LIGHT BULB SUDDENLY GOES ON IN PAROT’S HEAD AND WE SEE HIS EYES WIDEN.
F/X JARRING CHORD
Parot
Mon Dieu! Of course! How could I have been such an imbecile?
PAROT RETURNS TO THE HOUSE AND RE ENTERS.
Mummy
Monsieur Parot!
Parot
Parot has remembered. You were right. Where is the little doggie?
