do you know any good places to read the different Cookie Run comics? Or at least get more info on them?
Since cookie run comics aren't cataloged as they used to be, many of them aren't scanned and uploaded to the internet, let alone covered.But here list of links I managed to gather that might be useful to you.
Where to read:
Google doc link (contains cookie run hanja(complete), cookie run science and basic common sense (Only 5,31,& 33 vol. are available), cookie run operation:survival(Vol 29 is only available)
comic website(Includes cookie run kingdom comic up to vol 13,chpt 61.5 currently, complete version of hanja/Chinese run,and cookie run operation survival(26 vol. chpt 183 to 29 vol. 204)(recommended to an adblocker)
Back websites incase that arent work (scroll down to the manga section and click any manga site.Recommended to once again to use an adblocker )
twitter thread covering the first vol of beast yeast cookie run kingdom
Learn more:
Namu.wiki (Honestly a good places to see how many comics they are.I wouldnt even know there was even more if it wasnt for this website)
shop store , shop store 2 ( I was to find so many different of cookie run comics and merchandise outside the global shop.I was even able to get a taste of what some of the comics were like.Didnt put this in where to read because they are simply previews)
book review blog (a blog post covering the most of the cookie run comics for parents I assume.Was the website that kicked off my cookie run comic obsession.You will be to find more images and summaries from the comics)
espressoscans (most of links dont work but it is a good spot to read up more info for science basics and hanja run,sadly the other series wont be covered since this has been long time abandoned)
Move out of the way, a beautiful lady is coming through!
INFLUENCER GUEST
Eek!
The rat leaves the Guest Area.
INFLUENCER GUEST
It’s gone! Finally, it took you some time.
SAM
Well, you’re wel-
The young woman goes back to her room without a second to waste and closes the door with force.
SAM
Oh.
Sam politely knocks on the door.
INFLUENCER GUEST
Go away!
SAM
Uh, we have some questions about the murder-
The young woman opens the door, still irritated.
INFLUENCER GUEST
Uuugh, that’s all EVERYONE is talking about!!! I thought having a rich uncle would give ME attention but it’s always him, him and him! Even when he’s dead!!!
MAX
He died like an hour ago.
SAM
Wait, your uncle? Oh that’s good, maybe you know some information about Bella or-?
INFLUENCER GUEST
Ugh! Not her too! Why does everyone talk about her?! My uncle cheated on her, they’re divorced now, it’s over! Let’s move on and focus on her talented charismatic niece instead!!!
SAM
Cheated? That’s… that’s like a PRETTY important piece of information. Do you know anything else-
The young woman closes the door with force again.
SAM
Okay, thanks for your time!
OLD LADY
Aw, isn’t she sweet?
The old woman from before stands there, watching all of that happen.
SAM
Oh hello, mam, you are…?
OLD LADY
Manny’s mother!
SAM
(Awkwardly)
… Oh. Err… right. Well…
MAX
Sorry that someone murdered your child!
OLD LADY
Ohoho, it’s fine. My husband left this world the same way. He would be proud!
SAM
(More awkward)
… Ah. A-and uh… How did that happen, exactly?
OLD LADY
Oh you know, when you become rich and powerful you make lots of enemies! One of his business competitors ended up poisoning one of his drinks and well… the rest is history.
SAM
(Pensive)
A business competitor, huh?
MAX
History can repeat itself if we don’t learn from our family’s mistakes.
SAM
You okay, Max?
MAX
(Nervous)
Y-yes! I’m nothing like my father!
SAM
We’ll unpack that later, but for now, do you think you could tell us anything about Mr Pig and Bella?
OLD LADY
Oooh Mr Pig! What a lovely gentleman!
MAX
What? Didn’t your son… hate him? And viceversa?
OLD LADY
It’s good for boys to have such rivalries, it’s what makes them stronger and more successful!
SAM
Your husband was killed by a rival.
OLD LADY
(Smiles gently)
Boys will be boys, I suppose, hohohoh. Anyway, I wanted to talk to him before Manny started his speech, but he ran off. He probably thought I was sleeping, such good manners!
SAM
Wait… you saw him leave? He wasn’t there when Manny did his speech?
OLD LADY
I didn’t really see him at all until you all gathered around Manny’s corpse, so he must have come back later. But yes, he wasn’t there for the beginning, what a shame...
SAM
Okay, this is great info, thanks. Now, is there anything you could tell us about Bella?
OLD LADY
(Smiles)
Ohohoho, Bella… She’s such a bitch.
Sam and Max stare in silence, shocked.
SAM
… What?
OLD LADY
(Frowns)
What a witch, breaking my baby’s heart like that... Only for one simple mistake! Back in my days, a wife’s duty was to forgive their husbands and support them no matter-
Sam rapidly tries to leave this conversation.
SAM
Okaaay, thanks for the talk, miss. We have to go. Like, right now.
OLD LADY
(Smiles)
Oh sure! Happy to talk to you, young ones!
Sam and Max walk away as fast as possible while Manny’s mom waves them goodbye.
SAM
… I really believed we were going to talk to a sweet old lady for a second.
MAX
Yeah, turns out if you were a rich asshole, you were probably raised by one!
SAM
Who would have thought? Anyway… I think it’s time we talk to Bella.
MAX
You think she’s going to tell you to shut up until you become more competent at your job?
SAM
Since when it’s MY job?
MAX
Since I don’t want to be insulted.
SAM
Shut up and let’s go.
EXT. MANNY’S MANSION (BALCONY)
MAX
Hi, Bella!
SAM
Don’t worry, we got all the info we need this time.
MAX
Well, not all, but at least we have SOMETHING.
BELLA
Good enough. Go ahead.
Interrogation time!
Question 1.
SAM
Okay, let’s start with the simplest question. Like you said, you are Manny’s ex-wife. Do you have any resentment towards him?
BELLA
Of course I do, he’s my ex.
MAX
Hey, there are some healthy breakups out there.
BELLA
Well, we weren’t one of those. He’s a despicable pathetic coward.
MAX
Ooh she MUST hate him, she used three consecutive adjectives.
BELLA
I do, but if you’re wondering if I would kill him for that… The answer is no. I have wasted enough energy on him, a murder would not satisfy me, it would only leave me feeling more dead inside than he already is.
MAX
Hahah! Just like me!
SAM
Did you forget to take your meds today?
MAX
Oh, right! Thanks, Sam!
Question 2.
SAM
We’re not usually the gossipy type…
MAX
Speak for yourself.
SAM
… but we heard that the reason for your divorce might have had to do with your husband cheating on you with another woman.
MAX
It’s only a possibility.
Bella stays silent for a second.
BELLA
Multiple women.
SAM
(Awkwardly)
Oh, uh… we’re sorry about that. And for reminding you of it.
MAX
And for suspecting you of murder for it!
BELLA
It’s fine, it’s just reality. The cruelty of reality. Also, I do not care, that bastard can rot in hell now.
MAX
Should we tell her Hell is not as interesting of a torture as we all thought?
SAM
Let’s let her have this moment, Max.
Question 3.
SAM
So… after you found out, you disappeared for a year?
BELLA
I’m not proud of my reaction. Yes, I did have a pretty nightmarish outburst.
MAX
Hey, don’t be ashamed! He deserved it!
BELLA
Mhm. I knew how the public would react...
SAM
Yeah, we… might have seen a magazine or two about that.
BELLA
I did not want to think about that man anymore. I did not want to deal with the press. I was exhausted. So I just… rested.
MAX
You must be great at avoiding the press then, everyone thought you were dead!
BELLA
Yes, that is the advantage of being-
Bella stops herself before continuing.
SAM
Being what?
BELLA
Nothing. I misspoke. Yes, I am good at avoiding people.
SAM
...
Question 4.
SAM
I don’t mean to bother you, specially cause I have no information or proof or anything… But… I feel like there is something you’re not telling us. We don’t want to pry on your life, we just want to know who murdered Mr Money. And that doesn’t have to be you, but any important information could help us find who the murderer is.
Bella stares in silence, before breaking eye contact and looking at the starry sky.
BELLA
Mr Pig told me.
SAM
Huh?
BELLA
Pig was the one to tell me Manny was cheating on me.
MAX
Wait, he did? Well, that’s an uncharacteristically nice act.
BELLA
He did not tell me for my sake. He just wanted to see him suffer. But only cause Manny pushed his buttons first. Manny is a worse man than you could imagine. And if Mr Pig wants to be better than him at everything… he will always try to be an even more despicable man than he was.
Sam doesn’t say anything.
MAX
A more despicable pig, you mean.
BELLA
I’m assuming those were all the questions you had.
SAM
… Well, I suppose so. Thanks, Bella.
MAX
Who could have thought someone called Capitalist Pig could possibly be behind such a cruel act? But you’re good to go, Bella. We might not know EVERYTHING about your mysterious self, but we trust you!
Bella stares at Max, almost shocked, until she begins to laugh.
BELLA
Hahahah.
MAX
(Joins in, laughing harder)
Hahahah!
BELLA
(Smiles)
You can never fully trust someone.
Max’s smiles drops a bit, confused. Sam frowns.
BELLA
(Serious)
Not a stranger, not a friend… not even your partner. Even if you get to know someone, you can never truly know them.
SAM
Oh trust me, I know too much about him.
MAX
He knows more about me than I do! And viceversa!
SAM
But we’re probably not a good example for your-
BELLA
No one. No one should put their full trust on ANYONE.
Even you two.
Sam and Max look at each other, then back at Bella.
BELLA
Everyone has a dark side. And before you know it, they’ll reveal it. And they’ll break you. Be careful.
Bella walks away, Sam and Max don’t really say a word for a few long seconds.
MAX
Musicians, am I right? They go through something and then they get all pretentious about it.
SAM
(Pensive)
Yeah, I guess so.
MAX
I get that, my intellect is also superior to the vast majority. Maybe I should ask her to write a song about me!
Sam is not really joining in the conversation, he is thinking about Bella’s words. Meanwhile, Max walks to the edge of the balcony and looks at what’s down below.
MAX
Sam? What’s that under there?
That gets Sam’s attention.
SAM
What are you talking about?
MAX
Look!
From where they are, they can see the small garden that is right next to the restaurant. Max is right, there appears to be an object slightly covered in snow there. It could be nothing but it could be a clue as well.
SAM
Huh, I guess we should go investigate.
MAX
But what if someone takes it before we get there?!
SAM
What are you suggesting then?
Max gives Sam a big smile.
SAM
… You want me to throw you down there?
MAX
It would be the responsible detective thing to do!
SAM
You just want to jump off a high distance again.
MAX
But it’s safe! Look at all the snow! It would be like landing on a cloud.
SAM
More like cold concrete. Sigh, but sure, can’t think of a good reason not to.
MAX
My safety?
Sam grabs Max like a ball.
SAM
You’ll survive.
Sam throws Max down the balcony.
MAX
Yipeeeeee!
Max lands on the cold snow. His body doesn’t move.
SAM
Max? You okay?
Max doesn’t move.
SAM
Oh crap, I hope I did not just become the second murderer of the night.
Max gets back up.
MAX
(Smiles)
I’m alive! And I got it!
Max grabs the mysterious object.
SAM
Okay, quiet, we don’t want the murderer to hear that. I’ll meet you at the stairs of the main party room, alright?
MAX
You got it!
Max gets back inside the building. Sam watches him go.
SAM
Not sure if it was the best idea to trust him with what might be an important piece of evidence.
Sam stays silent for a few seconds then shrugs.
SAM
Eh, it should be fine.
INT. MANNY’S MANSION (TOP OF STAIRS OF MAIN PARTY ROOM)
Max arrives, the two reunite without a problem.
SAM
Where is it?
MAX
Relax, I was keeping it hidden.
SAM
And where were you-
MAX
Do you really want to know?
SAM
Good answer, now let’s see…
The object in question is a box. A box for a toy, more specifically...
MAX
That toy gun we saw in that commercial!
SAM
Man, we really do just run into evidence without any actual work.
MAX
Sam, I think I broke my elbow in my heroic act of getting this piece of evidence.
SAM
Just walk it off and it’ll pass.
MAX
Okay.
SAM
But I must say… a riffle… Mr Pig has experience with those, doesn’t he?
MAX
Yes, Sam, we know he did it.
SAM
But why use a toy riffle instead of the real weapon?
MAX
Desperation? I don’t think Manny has any guns around. I’d be desperate too! I feel desperate now!
SAM
The commercial also said it was pretty silent. Did you see the toy in the garden?
MAX
Nah, it was just the box. Sooo… what now?
SAM
We should go back and have a chat with Mr Pig. We’ll see about the others, but it’s all pointing out at him being the culprit…
MAX
And how exactly are we going to talk to him? Have you figured out a way to win against him?
SAM
Mhmm… Yeah, I think I have a good plan for that…
MAX
(Excited)
Oooh!
INT. MANNY’S MANSION (CASINO)
CAPITALIST PIG
Ah, you’re back, ready to be humiliated-
MAX
(Yelling)
I have to go to the bathroom!
Max runs to the bathroom’s direction, Mr Pig is left confused, Sam just smiles innocently. After a few seconds, Max comes back, sneaking behind Mr Pig’s back to try to see his cards.
SAM
Well, I’m ready.
CAPITALIST PIG
… This better not be the classic “bathroom break and read the cards of your oponent” cheat, Mr Sam. Cause I am very good at detecting those.
Sam’s confidence drops and he nervously looks back at Max and then at Mr Pig, but he tries to play it cool.
SAM
Oh what? No way! We would never do that.
Mr Pig looks at him suspiciously and is about to look at his back.
SAM
(Panicked)
Uh, Mr Pig-! Is it true you were the one to tell Bella about Manny’s affair?
That catches Pig’s attention and he looks at Sam.
CAPITALIST PIG
How do you know about that?
Max proceeds to get closer and reads the cards.
SAM
Well, we talked to Bella-
CAPITALIST
(Mocking smile)
Wait, wait, you actually managed to TALK to her? Hah! I’m impressed! That woman is like a wall. An attractive wall to stare at, at the very least.
SAM
Er, well…
Max tells him the cards he has through signs. The signs make no sense but, somehow, Sam understands him and manages to win. Max comes back to the table.
SAM
Checkmate. Or Uno. Or whatever.
MAX
The point is: we won!
CAPITALIST PIG
(Shocked)
What the-?! I see you’re good at cheating too…
SAM
(Innocently)
Whatever are you implying?
CAPITALIST PIG
That you’re better than me at cheating! I hate to respect that… And I hate that you impressed me! But I suppose we can talk now... Meet me at the VIP game room.
Mr Pig points at the door and makes his way there.
SAM
Good job, little buddy.
MAX
He didn’t suspect a thing!
Sam pats Max’s head.
SAM
He sure didn’t.
MAX
Tee-hee!
INT. CASINO (VIP ROOM)
This room is even fancier than most of the rooms of this place. There is a lot of stuff in here: numerous collections of gems, a collection of wine bottles, a small arcade machine, a pool table, a mini-bar and even an entire kart circuit.
MAX
Woooow! First time I don’t hate a rich person’s room…
SAM
Yeah, we should waste a lot of time here later, after we’re done with the case.
MAX
What case?
Sam looks at the collection of gems and sees that one is clearly missing.
SAM
Hey, that must have been the one that Pig gave away-
CAPITALIST PIG
(Interrupts)
Welcome to the life of a successful man, gentlemen!
MAX
I kind of regret being unsuccessful now, maybe my teachers were right.
CAPITALIST PIG
Drinks?
Pig offers big glasses of wine to the duo.
MAX
Nevermind! They were wrong!
SAM
Easy, Max.
CAPITALIST PIG
Be free to pour your own drinks! I’m sure Manny won’t miss them.
MAX
Awesome!!!
SAM
Well, Mr Pig, thanks for finally agreeing to-
CAPITALIST PIG
Hold on guys, I didn’t say that you could interrogate me, just that we can talk.
SAM
… You’re kidding.
CAPITALIST PIG
I don’t joke, I’m very honest with my opinions! But you two are the most fun game players of this whole party so far, I say we forget about this meaningless murder of someone that won’t be missed and just have a good night!
SAM
I feel like you’re trying to distract us.
MAX
And it’s working! They have karts, Sam!!!
CAPITALIST PIG
Oh come on! The night is young!
SAM
Sigh. Fine. If that will make you talk later…
The three of them play a few games. With the arcade machine, the pool table and even the karts. Sam doesn’t notice, but Max keeps drinking more and more wine between games.
CAPITALIST PIG
Wow would you look at that! You won! AWESOME. I guess you deserve a prize.
SAM
Oh that’s not necessary-
Pig gives him the head of an old toy of the mascot of Manny’s company.
SAM
Oh. The head of a plush of Manny Toy’s mascot. Just the head for some reason- Wait.
CAPITALIST PIG
Ahah! You recognize it! It’s the prototype of Manny’s first failure as a CEO! One part of it, at least.
SAM
How come you have this?
CAPITALIST PIG
It’s a long story, but good luck finding the rest! Anyway, that was fun wasn’t it?
SAM
Alright, it was, but you can’t keep avoiding the situation any longer. We just need some answers and then we’ll leave, you don’t need to worry so much if you didn’t kill anyone
CAPITALIST PIG
And I didn’t! Grr, fine, I had my fun and now I want to be left alone. Be quick and then you’ll leave.
SAM
Of course, come on Max-
MAX
*gulp*
Sam finally realizes Max might have drank a little too much.
SAM
Oh jesus, how much did you drink?
MAX
Ffffffi…ty thousands!!!! Heheheheh!
SAM
Well, this is a problem.
CAPITALIST PIG
(Smiles smugly)
Heh, looks like your job will become a bit more bothersome without your partner’s help, detective!
SAM
Max is mostly there for emotional support and to scare people off, I don’t think I’ll need him much for this.
CAPITALIST PIG
(Rolls his eyes)
Whatever, let’s get this over with.
Mr Pig sits on a comfy sofa, Max rests in another sofa next to Sam, who is standing up.
Interrogation time!
Question 1.
SAM
Okay, my first question has nothing to do with the investigation, I’m just curious. Is your name really Capitalist Pig?
CAPITALIST PIG
Indeed it is! Stupid kids kept calling me that on social media, trying to insult me, so I decided, hey! Let’s join in the “joke”! Let’s make it my full legal name! That made everyone shut up, hohoh.
SAM
I don’t know, it’s still funny-
CAPITALIST PIG
Shut up.
Question 2.
SAM
By the time Manny gave his speech you weren’t on the room until you showed up later, is that true?
CAPITALIST PIG
You sound very sure of that. If you don’t have proof you shouldn’t make accusations.
MAX
Hah! Idiot!!! We have a witness!
CAPITALIST PIG
Who?
SAM
Manny’s own mother.
Mr Pig was not expecting that one, believing she was asleep by the time he left.
MAX
Hell yeah!!! Look at his face! We’re so good!
CAPITALIST PIG
Ugh, fine. Yes, I was absent during the beginning of his speech, but I came back for the end, and I got to see that bastard die with my own eyes!!!
Question 3.
SAM
What were you doing before coming back to the room the murder took place in?
CAPITALIST PIG
Manny and I had… a disagreement, so I left for some fresh air.
SAM
Where did you go?
CAPITALIST PIG
I went to the garden of the restaurant, nice place, you should go there instead of bothering me.
MAX
(Tries to whisper but he speaks loudly)
The garden?! Gasp! Sam!!! That’s where the murder weapon was!
SAM
Yes, Max, thanks.
CAPITALIST PIG
(Smiles confidently)
Mhm was it? Hah, what a coincidence!
MAX
It’s NOT a coincidence, Sam! He did it! We are SO dead!
CAPITALIST PIG
(Annoyed)
Can you tell your partner to not speak on my presence?
MAX
(Angry)
Oh you’re dead!
CAPITALIST PIG
Excuse me? Are you threatening me?
MAX
YES-!
SAM
Let’s move on.
Question 4.
SAM
You seem a bit too optimistic to see Manny go. You two have a long history, don’t you?
MAX
Like us!
SAM
Not like us, Max.
MAX
Oh, that’s boring then.
CAPITALIST PIG
Sigh, yes, me and Manny have hated each other for years. He hated my superior company and my even superior self and he… ugh, well, he knows how to annoy me.
MAX
Perfect reason to kill someone!
CAPITALIST PIG
Oh please, as happy as I am, there is someone who I’m sure is even more joyful than I am.
SAM
Who?
CAPITALIST PIG
Bella, of course!
MAX
She’s not happy! Well, she’s not sad either… She is neutral!
CAPITALIST PIG
She’s good at keeping appearance, but trust me… she has wanted to see that man die for a long time.
SAM
We’ve talked to her already, but let’s focus on you now.
Question 5.
SAM
You like hunting, Mr Pig?
CAPITALIST PIG
Of course! I’m rich, aren’t I?
MAX
Isn’t that… I don’t know, a little weird? You’re a pig.
CAPITALIST PIG
You insult me! I wasn’t always a pig!
SAM
… Wait, what?
CAPITALIST PIG
Ugh, I don’t have time for this. Where are you getting at?
SAM
Well, I know you’re good with guns, and it appears the weapon used to cut the cable could very possibly have been some sort of riffle. It’s a good coincidence.
CAPITALIST PIG
That is what it is, a coincidence. You think no other rich person knows how to use a riffle?
SAM
I don’t really know anyone at this party.
CAPITALIST PIG
Well they do, gentlemen, they do.
MAX
(Accusatory)
And how do you explain the diamond?!
CAPITALIST PIG
What diamond?
SAM
We believe the murderer used a diamond as a bullet to cut the cable holding the lamp.
MAX
And you gave it to a rat to hide the evidence!
CAPITALIST PIG
… You do realize everything you’re saying sounds absurd and proves nothing, right? Are you really sure the murderer used that diamond and not, oh I don’t know, a bullet?
MAX
Absurd thinking is how we solve most of our cases.
CAPITALIST PIG
But this is not a normal case! It’s a murder case, isn’t it?
MAX
Who cares.
SAM
Mhm...
CAPITALIST PIG
Anything else?
MAX
Yeah!
SAM
Actually… not really. That’s all.
CAPITALIST PIG
Hah!
MAX
...
SAM
This didn’t really got us anywhere but… thanks for answering I guess.
CAPITALIST PIG
Oh it was a pleasure, please don’t come back.
SAM
Let’s go Max-
Max suddenly gets up, with a serious look on his face. He also grabs a hat that was laying around and puts it on, giving him a more detectivey look.
MAX
Hold on there, there is something else.
CAPITALIST PIG
(Confused)
What?
SAM
Max, what the hell are you talking about, are you okay?
MAX
When you said you came back to witness Manny’s murder… Where did the elevator leave you?
CAPITALIST PIG
How absurd, it left me on the restaurant, I already told you!
MAX
That’s strange. Because when Sam and I took the elevator next to the scene of the crime… it was waiting right there. And as you know, this place only has 1 single elevator, connected through all the different rooms.
Pig’s confidence drops entirely.
MAX
So that would mean that, to get to this floor... you exited the elevator in the area right behind Manny!
CAPITALIST PIG
(Nervous)
W-what?
SAM
Hey… that was my theory! Back when we took the elevator for the first time… I noticed someone could have perfectly shoot at the cable from over there!
MAX
(Unserious)
Sorry, Sam, but I said it out loud first.
SAM
I- Aw, crap, I guess so.
MAX
(Smiles)
It’s okay, it is OUR theory now.
CAPITALIST PIG
Stop flirting in front of me! What you say is meaningless! There are hundreds of people in this party somebody else must have used the elevator!
SAM
Well, yeah, that’s true. That’s basically why I didn’t say anything, it’s too convoluted and ridiculous-
MAX
(Back to serious)
You were the last person to use it before the murder took place, everyone else was listening to Manny’s speech and Sam and I were the first people to use it afterwards.
SAM
(Confused)
… How do you know that? What is going on?
MAX
I have an extraordinary lagamorph hearing, when the elevator arrives to a floor, it makes a small annoying noise. And ever since the murder occurred I’ve only heard that ring once... Moments before Manny was murdered…
(Unserious)
Well and also everytime me and Sam used the elevator ourselves.
SAM
… This is stupid. This is a really stupid mystery.
MAX
(Back to serious)
You used the elevator at the entrance to get right behind Manny, where you used the toy riffle to cut the lamp with that diamond. Then, with everyone panicking, you blended in and made it seem like you had came back through the entrance of the area. Then, while everyone examined the body, you threw the box through the balcony, you gave away the diamond to a little rat and god knows what you did with the riffle… But it all makes sense.
Sam looks extremely annoyed at how contrived this whole thing is, but Mr Pig looks panicked. Sam is even more annoyed because Max is clearly figuring this out.
MAX
So then, why did you lie?
CAPITALIST PIG
I- I didn’t use the elevator! I swear!
MAX
Oh, I’m sorry, did you use the stairs then?
CAPITALIST PIG
I told you I would never use such a commoner thing! *gasp*
Pig can’t stop himself in time. The room is silent.
SAM
I um… Well, thanks for your time, we will just be going-
CAPITALIST PIG
(Panicked)
I… I DIDN’T DO IT! I SWEAR I DIDN’T DO IT!! YOU DON’T HAVE ANY PROOF! JUST STUPID WORDS!
MAX
Tch, what a coward response.
CAPITALIST PIG
SHUT UP!! SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!!!!!
Mr Pig runs out of the room. The room is silent again.
SAM
Okay, thanks for everything!
Sam turns to Max, who is still doing a cool detective pose.
SAM
Jesus, Max, what was that?
Suddenly, Max stops doing the pose and smiles like he always does. He is still drunk.
MAX
Aaaaaand scene!!! Heheheheh. How was that?
SAM
(Confused)
What?
MAX
My performance!
SAM
(Shocked)
You were acting?!
MAX
Yeah!!! I was doing my best imitation of you, all smart and cute and saying a bunch of things that sound really smart but that make no sense.
SAM
So you were just saying random things without any basis?
MAX
Kind of, isn’t that what you do?
Sam throws a glare at Max, Max just smiles at him.
SAM
Well in any case, that made Pig really nervous so you might have been really close to the truth.
MAX
What a hilarious coincidence, right?
SAM
We should still find the murder weapon though. But you need to rest first, so let’s wait for-
MAX
It’s fine, Sam! You go!
SAM
(Hesitant)
Are you sure…?
MAX
Yeah! I process alcohol surprisingly fast, I’ll be back to normal in no time! Besides, who knows what will happen if we don’t catch Pig fast enough?!
SAM
I don’t know…
MAX
Trust me, Sam!
SAM
(Annoyed at himself)
… God, why do I trust you?
MAX
Because I’m cute!
SAM
(Smiles)
Fine. Wait here, I’ll gather the last clue and then come back for you.
MAX
Suuuure, love you tooooo!
INT. MANNY’S MANSION (TOP OF STAIRS OF MAIN PARTY ROOM)
Sam gets out of the Casino and tries to look for the murder weapon and Mr Pig, and fast. However, when exiting the Casino, he sees Hope, talking to some guest.
HOPE
Oh, it would just be a second. It could really help to figure things out.
GUEST
So you ARE a detective?
HOPE
No, I’m just curious. But think about it, Manny has always been involved with very peculiar people, this can not be a simple murder… I mean, that’d be pretty boring if it was, right?
The guest looks at her weird.
HOPE
(Embarrassed)
Sorry, that was a joke.
GUEST
Mhm.
HOPE
So, I just wanted to ask… Do you anything about Bella-?
GUEST
(Annoyed)
Sweetie, I don’t have time for this. I have more important things to do, that involve more important people.
HOPE
This IS pretty important, though. A guy was murdered.
GUEST
(Pity smile)
I’ll be fine, but you can keep playing detective if that keeps you entertained. Is this your first time in a glamorous party?
HOPE
(Taken aback)
Um, it’s not-
GUEST
(Mocking smile)
Well, have fun, you’ll figure it out. Maybe you can go to the kids’ area for your next clue. Heheh.
Hope doesn’t say anything, the guest leaves. Hope leans against the railing and looks at the distance. Sam feels bad and decides to say something.
SAM
So… You’re investigating too?
Hope seems a bit surprised, but doesn’t show it very much.
HOPE
A little. Not that I don’t trust your skills, but…
SAM
… But you don’t trust our skills.
HOPE
(Awkwardly looks away from Sam)
I do. Just not fully.
SAM
(Smiles jokingly)
Well, you’re a pretty good detective then.
HOPE
(Smiles)
Heheh.
They stay silent, Sam also leans his arms on the railing.
SAM
This is not the most fun to place to investigate though, sorry to disappoint. Lots of jerks.
HOPE
There are jerks everywhere.
SAM
But they’re less snobby about it.
HOPE
True.
SAM
Have all your interrogations gone like that?
HOPE
(Her usual smile drops a little)
… Yeah. No one really takes me seriously. It’s not like they take this issue seriously either, but then suddenly I’m the crazy one for making a little joke about it.
SAM
Sounds annoying.
HOPE
Very.
SAM
Well, don’t stress yourself too much then. I know we’re not the ideal solution, but Max and I can handle this. We’ve handled worse.
That doesn’t seem to cheer her up, she remains silent and seems to be thinking of something. Sam looks at her, without saying anything, until he thinks of something too.
SAM
You know, there have been PLENTY of times where no one listened to what I had to say. About a case, sure, but also in general. Some people just don’t bother to try to understand you, or they are nice to you in a very fake way... I hate that. And for a while you can really believe you’re the problem, but you aren’t! So, just saying, don’t worry about these jerks, there will be people out there that will get you.
HOPE
Like Max?
SAM
Well, yeah! Max has always understood me.
Hope looks at him, she doesn’t look sad anymore, but it’s hard to read her expression. She doesn’t say anything, Sam feels a bit awkward that he just overshared.
SAM
Sorry, I have no idea where I was going with that. I probably should not have reminisced about my life with you-
Hope looks at one of the hanging lamps.
HOPE
Weird to leave something hanging there, don’t you think?
SAM
Huh?
One of the hanging lamps has an object laying on top.
SAM
Hey, you’re right, there IS something-
But when Sam turns to Hope, she’s already gone. Sam is confused but decides to move on. He pokes at his inventory for the little bat to wake up.
SAM
Hey, Purple, do you think you can get that from me?
PURPLE
*Yawn* Aw, thanks for asking so nicely! And by the way, that was very sweet how you shared your own struggles to make Hope feel-
SAM
Yeah, yeah, go get it.
PURPLE
You got it!
Purple flies to the lamp and grabs the object. It gives it to Sam.
SAM
Well what do we have here… This is the same riffle toy that appeared in the box! The murderer must have thrown it there so no one would find it. And what’s this…? Ahah! Pig hair!
PURPLE
Pigs have hair?
SAM
This one does.
PURPLE
Wow! So… you solved the case already?!
SAM
Possibly. I should go back to Max and then we can go home happy.
PURPLE
Happy minus the murder!
SAM
… Eh, happy either way.
INT. CASINO (VIP ROOM)
SAM
Hey Max, I got the definitive evidence, although I still haven’t seen Mr Pig. How are you feeling?
MAX
(Still disoriented)
Uh… 4… 3… 2… 1…
(Back to normal, smiles widely)
I’M BACK! What did I miss?
SAM
You might have just solved the case by accident.
MAX
Wow really? Exciting!
SAM
And you’re bad at flirting.
MAX
Not that you mind.
SAM
I have low standards.
MAX
Or maybe you’re just even worse at it than I am.
SAM
It’s a beautiful relationship what we have.
MAX
It is!
SAM
Now let’s talk to Mr Pig, little buddy.
MAX
Won’t he get a bit confrontational if we accuse him…?
SAM
Don’t worry, I’ll use you as a shield if he tries anything.
MAX
(Smiles widely)
Okay!
INT. MANNY MONEY’S MANSION (MAIN PARTY ROOM HALLWAY)
Sam and Max rapidly search for Mr Pig, before he does anything dangerous. On their search, they run into Bella.
SAM
Bella! Sorry have you seen Mr Pig?
Bella looks confused, but doesn’t care enough to ask.
BELLA
Mhm… I think he went to the restaurant.
SAM
Okay, good!
MAX
Yeah, cause he’s the murderer!
SAM
Max, we can’t say to anyone yet-
BELLA
I wouldn’t call victory yet.
SAM
Huh?
Bella looks pensive and tense.
BELLA
Something is wrong tonight, something is not right. Whatever you think you might have solved, it’s not the end.
SAM
Uh, well, okay, thanks for the advice.
Bella looks unimpressed by the response and walks away.
MAX
I like Bella!
SAM
(Smiles)
Yeah, her vagueness adds charm to the case.
INT. RESTAURANT’S (KITCHEN)
MAX
Mr Pig? Helloooo?
SAM
I don’t see him here.
MAX
Maybe he’s in the kitchen?
SAM
Where all the knives are? How safe. You go first.
MAX
(Smiles)
Aw, what a gentleman you are!
SAM
Oh good, that chef is nowhere to be seen!
MAX
Witnessing a murder does that to you.
Sam and Max enter the kitchen. It’s extremely clean and bright. There is no food on sight except for a big plate and a steel cloche (is that a real word?) covering it. There appears to not be a single person in here either.
MAX
Mr Piiiiig! We just want to talk!
SAM
It’s totally not to accuse you for anything!
MAX
Yeah, absolutely! You’re totally not a murderer!
SAM
Mhm… He probably left already. That’s not dangerous at all.
Max looks at the plate of food that is currently covered.
MAX
Well now that we’re here, we could taste a bit of the buffet!
Sam notices a note next to the plate.
SAM
Wow this is hard to read, it’s almost like reading one of your stickynotes.
(Reading)
“Hope you enjoyed the first plate, let’s see how you feel about the seconds…”
MAX
Oh this one smells great I bet it is-
Max takes away the cover.
MAX
(Shocked)
… Bacon?
Mr Pig is inside. Dead. Roasted to death.
Sam and Max stand there in shock, until they process what’s happening.
Kid Sam and Max sit on a bench, eating their sandwiches.
SAM
Are you new in town?
MAX
Yeah! We just moved in, my mom was blamed for murder in our last place.
SAM
Hahah, good one.
MAX
Huh? I wasn’t joking.
SAM
Oh. Okay.
MAX
She didn’t do it by the way, but she was framed by an old enemy of hers.
SAM
Having an enemy sounds cool.
MAX
I know! I hope to have many when I grow up!
SAM
My name is Sam, what’s yours?
MAX
“The venomous rabbit of doom, the third”
SAM
Wow! What a cool name!
MAX
It’s actually Max, but thanks.
SAM
I like Max more.
MAX
Yeah, it’s pretty cool too.
SAM
So Max, what do you like to do?
MAX
I feed cigarettes to squirrels sometimes
SAM
Oh is that… a videogame?
No.
MAX
Do you like videogames?
SAM
Yeah! But it’s hard to play when you have so many siblings.
SAM
Oh well, we can play together if you want.
MAX
That’d be cool!
SAM
Did you know that the first videogame was created in just 1958? That’s not that long ago!
MAX
I didn’t know that!
SAM
What school are you going to attend to?
MAX
That one next to the supermarket and the toxic lake
SAM
*gasp* That’s my school!
MAX
Really?! Awesome! We can make the teacher’s lives even a bigger hell than they already are.
SAM
That sounds fun! I can’t wait! And hey, buddy, thanks for beating up that kid for me
MAX
Wow! I’ve never been called a ‘buddy’ before!
SAM
I’ve never really had a ‘buddy’ before.
MAX
Oh that’s sad.
SAM
Hey!
MAX
But we can be buddies now!
SAM
Sure!
INT. MANNY’S MANSION (TOP OF STAIRS OF MAIN PARTY ROOM)
Sam, Max and Manny’s “friends” are all gathered around Manny’s inert body. All the other guests are agitated and confused.
VAL
H-how could this happen?! Is he-
SKULL
He is dead.
CAPITALIST PIG
What a stupid way to die.
MAX
I don’t know, a murder is a pretty cool way to go, I hope that’s how I go someday.
SAM
I’ll make sure it goes that way.
MAX
Yipee!
Max gets horrified looks at what he has just implied.
SKULL
(Concerned)
Wait, what do you… You don’t think Manny was…
VAL
M-murdered?!
BELLA
Mhm…
Sam tries to calm down the situation.
SAM
Don’t listen to him, folks, he just likes making horrible scenarios even more gruesome for his own amusement.
MAX
I do but I’m serious this time! Look at that cable or whatever the lamp hangs on. I have cut a lot of those in my life, sometimes with a knife, others with my teeth,… others with a bow, others with another’s guy bones!
SAM
(Impatient)
Yeah yeah, and?
MAX
AND that looks like a CUT cable-thingy, as in, cut by a person.
SAM
(Confused)
Cut by- What does that even mean?
MAX
I know what I’m talking about this time! Look, I’m going to lick the cable.
SAM
(Tired)
Don’t lick the cable, this is stupid.
MAX
(Determined)
I’m licking the cable, Sam!
Unfortunately, Max licks the cable.
MAX
Mhmm… This is not a familiar taste for me. Is it metal…? No, no… Crystal? Yes, it’s some sort of crystal! Someone cut this cable on purpose with glass!
Everyone stays quiet. Sam sighs, but part of him also knows Max might actually be right about this.
VAL
(Horrified)
Oh my god…
CAPITALIST PIG
(Overjoyed)
HAHAH! He has truly done it! That attitude of his has finally made someone snap! GOOD.
VAL
T-t-there is a murderer here…? In this room? In this mansion?
SAM
Well, we don’t know that yet, my partner could be wrong, it wouldn’t be the first time he mistakenly believes someone has been murdered on a party.
BELLA
The rabbit is right.
Bella, who had been quiet up until this point, speaks up and makes everyone quiet down.
BELLA
I could see it on his face all night, he knew. He knew he was going to get killed today. I could tell there was something off about him. Perhaps he was trying to deny it, but he knew deep down. He was nervous, he was ecstatic, he was panicked, he was joyful. Life seems so precious when you know it’s about to end. And look where avoiding the problem led him to, what an idiot. Always running instead of facing the problem.
Sam stays quiet for a second, awkwardly.
SAM
Um… well yeah, that… that might be true, I guess.
VAL
(Nervous)
So what do we do now? I’ve never dealt with this before…
SAM
I’m sure someone has called for help already-
One of the guests runs to the main party room, panicked.
GUEST
H-hey! The doors won’t open! We’re shut-in!
GUEST 2
The snow! It’s EVERYWHERE!
GUEST 3
My phone isn’t working!
Everyone starts to panic even more.
SAM
Well… that’s great.
VAL
If I don’t blink the murderer won’t get me, right?
SAM
Don’t panic, I don’t know if you guys know us, but we’re good at things like this.
VAL
(Horrified)
AT MURDERING?
SKULL
They’re detectives.
MAX
Sort of, when we feel like it.
SKULL
Don’t I know that… If it weren’t for the fact that we’re in a party and a man just died, ohohohoh, I’d make you pay…
SAM
(Confused)
Uh… okay? If we got paid for this investigation that’d be great, yeah.
MAX
Just a million dollars would be enough.
SAM
Anyway, we should find a way to calm the others guests before panic arises.
CAPITALIST PIG
(Smiles smugly)
Leave that to me…
Mr Pig speaks to the panicked guests.
*Ehem* Everyone, it’s okay! Manny has suffered a terrible terrible accident, he will be terribly missed, terribly…
MAX
It wasn’t an accident, someone killed him!
The audience gasps. Sam glares at Max, who offers him a cute smile in return.
CAPITALIST PIG
Yes so it seems, don’t worry, these two ‘detectives’ are on the case, meanwhile we will just have to wait. Manny would not want this party to go to waste, he put so much effort into it, so much of his decaying company’s money, we should all celebrate for one last time together…
With me as the new party host!
With this, the audience stays quiet… until they all start cheering and celebrating.
MAX
That was easy.
SAM
Yeah, I don’t think people cared that much about this guy anyway.
MAX
That woman over there that fainted a minute ago is doing backflips now. Celebrities are good at acting, who would have known?
CAPITALIST PIG
Well now that that has been taken care of, if you’d excuse me, I’ll head to the casino, I feel very lucky today.
SAM
I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.
Pig leaves anyway.
SKULL
Yeah, I’ll go to the theater, maybe a good show would be a good distraction.
MAX
There is a theater on this building?!
Skull leaves as well.
VAL
I need to calm down a little… there was a pool area here too, right?
Val leaves too.
SAM
Everyone, there is a murderer still on the loose I don’t think-
BELLA
I need another drink.
Bella leaves. Everyone is gone.
MAX
Good detective work, Sam.
SAM
Shut up, Max.
MAX
So what now? Where should we start?
SAM
Anywhere I guess, still, I can’t help but find Manny’s friends reactions to be a bit strange…
MAX
Sam, not everyone grieves the same way, I for one love to have as much fun as possible when I’m faced with a terrible painful loss and then I cry in my sleep when not even I notice!
SAM
Haven’t you talked to your therapist this month?
MAX
It’s not my fault that Sybil’s cat was sick this week, I swear!
SAM
I told you to stop feeding it bullets, not everyone has your unearthly stomach.
With their conversation done, the duo approaches the body. Sam for investigation reasons, Max because he’s Max. Sam notices Manny is holding a pamphlet on his hand.
SAM
Mhm, what’s this?
It’s an old pamphlet for a toy, specifically the bee mascot of the company. All parts of the toy are sold separately and each part costs 25$.
MAX
That’s insane. And he died with that on his hand? What a weirdo.
SAM
Mhmm… I’m not sure if I remember all the details, but I’m pretty sure this was the first toy that was created under Manny Money’s name, after he inherited the company from his father. For obvious reasons, it did not sell well and it almost ruined the reputation of the entire company! But right after this financial disaster, they miraculously started having better ideas and things went back to normal.
MAX
Oh yeah, I remember these now!
SAM
Do you?
MAX
Yeah, I ate one of these once!
SAM
Oh yeah, the doctor was very nice.
Sam keeps the pamphlet on his inventory. A guest on the background talks to a butler and Sam overhears the conversation.
GUEST
Where are we going to stay until the snow melts?
BUTLER
Don’t worry, sir, we have plenty of spare rooms in our guest area.
SAM
Mhmm… Maybe we can interrogate a few guests there.
MAX
Regular guests? Boring. My money is on the skull guy.
SAM
I’m not accusing them of murder, Max, but they might give us a clue or two.
MAX
Oh, fine- Hey! That’s Bella over there! A way more interesting suspect.
Bella is drinking peacefully in one of the balconies of the mansion.
SAM
Well, she’s not doing much, I guess we could try talking to her now.
EXT. MANNY’S MANSION (BALCONY)
SAM
Hello Bella.
Bella looks at them, unimpressed.
SAM
Actually, I don’t think we have properly introduced ourselves. We’re Sam and Max.
MAX
He is Max, I’m Sam. No, wait, the other way around.
SAM
Usually we solve wacky cases that no one really wants to deal with, but today we have no choice but to investigate Manny’s murder.
BELLA
And you’re here to interrogate one of the major suspects, aren’t you?
SAM
Well… yeah, actually! No offense…
BELLA
You’d be pretty bad detectives if you didn’t suspect a thing about the victim’s ex-wife.
SAM
Ex-wife...? Well, I don't know why I'm shocked, that was easy to guess.
MAX
(Smiling sincerely)
I didn’t find you suspicious at all because I’m a feminist.
SAM
So… you’re saying she can’t be a murderer cause she’s a woman?
MAX
(Horrified)
By god, Sam, you’re right! How insensitive of me! Bella, you’re my number 1 suspect now.
BELLA
(Annoyed)
Mhm. Are we starting this or not?
SAM
Yeah, why not, I-
BELLA
I assume you have prepared a series of specific questions. Not to mention, gathered information to use against me. And, of course, found prove that could tie me to the murder. Is that right?
The duo stands there in silence, a little embarrassed by how unprepared they are.
SAM
Weeell, usually we just improvise a conversation and-
BELLA
So you have nothing. I don’t waste time with trivial questions, unless you know what you’re here to do, don’t bother me.
Bella turns her back on the duo and continues to drink.
MAX
(Mockingly)
Ooooh!
SAM
She was also talking to you.
MAX
I don’t have feelings that can be hurt, unlike you!
SAM
Sigh, I guess if we want to accuse someone of murder, we need to investigate a little further.
MAX
That’s too bad.
SAM
But the case has just started, so I’m sure we’ll run into all the information we need.
MAX
(Smiles)
Ah, I love when we just coincidentally run into the most important evidence instead of doing actual detective work.
SAM
For now, let’s go back to our plan. We should go see how Mr Pig is doing. I think he went into the opposite direction of the balcony.
INT. MANNY’S MANSION (TOP OF STAIRS OF MAIN PARTY ROOM)
The duo makes it back, this time walking in the opposite direction, where they encounter Hope looking at the body from a distance. She is curious but casual about the event. She notices the duo walking in this direction.
HOPE
Hey. Glad you’re alive.
MAX
Well, what do you know? A murder did happen. It SEEMS like a murder at least.
HOPE
(Excited)
I know! It’s so cool, I wonder if it will be like the movies, but better.
The duo stays quiet.
HOPE
(Slightly embarrassed)
Sorry, that sounds a bit insensitive, right? It’s sad that this happened, I guess. Although I’ve never liked him that much anyway.
MAX
(Smiles gently)
Hey, when you are talking to us you don’t have to worry about things like that! Just listen, when the lamp fell on him, I laughed a little bit! It was funny!
SAM
I knew I recognized that laughter from up there… Either way, I didn’t know much about Manny but I don’t think he deserved to be murdered.
HOPE
Hopefully it was Manny who the murderer was trying to kill.
It takes them a second to register what she was implying.
MAX
(Alarmed)
Wait, you don’t think…
SAM
(Concerned)
Us? Oh no, not another one of these. The last assassin they sent to us made us miss the season finale of our favorite game show.
MAX
Why are you including me? It was you who was up there!
SAM
Maybe the murderer wanted you to join Mr Money, haven’t you thought of that?
MAX
I don’t want to think about it! Why would anyone at this party want us dead?
HOPE
You guys are pretty important and, not sure if you noticed, but a couple of the guests at this party are not exactly ‘superheroes’.
SAM
There are villains here?
HOPE
I mean, the guy with the floating skull, doesn’t that ring any bells?
MAX
I thought that was just a nerd on a costume with too much time and money on his hands.
SAM
Skull… could he be the secret identity of Skull, the supervillain?
HOPE
I don’t know why you would think that’s a secret.
MAX
They look completely different! This Skull wears a suit!
Hope approaches her mic to the duo with a soft smile.
HOPE
Anyway, so, how do you feel about being the murderer’s possible next victims?
SAM
Why would you ask us this?
HOPE
I’m a journalist.
SAM
Aren’t you a fashion journalist?
HOPE
Yeah, so?
MAX
That’s a good answer. Write this down: we’re horrified!
HOPE
Got it, thanks
SAM
(Pensive)
Mhmm, now that I think about it… We saw Mr Pig look… a little bit angry at one point. You don’t think he could have planned this, do you?
HOPE
(Disappointed)
Well, if he’s the murderer that’d be pretty boring.
MAX
Yeah I agree, let’s hope he isn’t.
SAM
Yeah Max, I really hope this job is as difficult as possible.
MAX
I’m not the one who has to think, I just hope we get a good show!
SAM
Well, Hope, thanks for the talk. Be careful.
HOPE
You too.
MAX
Do you think I’d look better on pink or blue?
HOPE
Definitely pink.
MAX
Noted!
INT. MANNY’S MANSION (CASINO)
The duo makes their way to the other room next to the main party room: the casino.
MAX
Is Manny allowed to have a casino in his own house? Cause if that’s the case we have some changes to do in ours.
SAM
We don’t have any money.
MAX
You’re right, I guess we could bet our livers instead.
SAM
For the last time, Max, you can’t do that again, they don’t grow back.
MAX
(Disappointed)
Aw…
Max notices Capitalist Pig in the other side of the room. He seems to be enjoying a game on cards and clearly winning.
MAX
Hey that’s the capital guy!
SAM
Capitalist.
MAX
That’s not a real thing, is it?
SAM
Questions like that is why we do not have enough money.
The game he was playing is finished, so the duo approaches him.
SAM
Excuse me, Mr Pig
CAPITALIST PIG
Not now gentlemen, I’m on a lucky stride. First my arch nemesis gets murdered, now I can’t stop winning at poker! This might probably be the best night of my life.
SAM
You know that’s not the smartest thing to say in a murder investigation. Speaking of, just what was the story with you and Manny?
CAPITALIST PIG
(Rolls eyes)
Manny has always been one of the richest men in the city and so was I, with a similar level of wealth you get to spend a lot of time together whether you like it or not. He and I became close but that doesn’t mean I didn’t continue to hate his stupid face.
SAM
Rivalry is a form of friendship I suppose.
MAX
It is? Then I have A LOT of friends.
CAPITALIST PIG
(Serious)
And why exactly am I being interrogated? I hope you’re not implying what I think you’re implying. Let’s put it plain and simple: I’m happy Manny is dead but I wasn’t the one to kill him, I already have enough lawsuits on my plate.
SAM
Even if that’s true, we’re kind of supposed to interrogate the witnesses.
CAPITALIST PIG
Yeah? Well you can just look the other way with me, understood?
MAX
We’d love to, you have an ugly face.
SAM
True, but we really can’t leave without answers.
CAPITALIST PIG
(Smiles smugly)
How about this? If my good luck runs out, then we can continue our conversation. But I don’t think that’s happening any time soon.
SAM
Okay, fine, we’ll play a game with you.
CAPITALIST PIG
Really? You two are good with card games?
MAX
Well I don’t know about ‘good’ but we’ve played with beings from other realities, if that helps.
CAPITALIST PIG
Heheh, sure, why not? If you want to humiliate yourselves.
Sam and Max, in fact, humiliate themselves. Mr Pig wins easily… too easily. The duo walks away, rethinking the situation.
CAPITALIST PIG
(On the distance)
Come back later, I would love to embarrass you again!
MAX
He has to be cheating, right?
SAM
Either that or we need to find a way to cheat ourselves to talk to this guy.
MAX
(Smiles)
I like your idea more.
INT. MANNY’S MANSION (TOP OF STAIRS OF MAIN PARTY ROOM)
SAM
Okay, I’m stuck. We’re just walking aimlessly without solving anything.
MAX
Hey, that’s what we always do! Let’s go talk to everyone else until we find an answer that clicks!
SAM
No, I think we should stick to Mr Pig and Bella for now.
MAX
And those guests on the guest area…?
SAM
Oh right, that! We haven’t done that yet!
MAX
Darn, why did I remind you of the most boring part of the case?
SAM
Nevermind that, Max, let’s go to the guest area!
MAX
(Complaining)
Ugh, but I’m tireeeed of walkiiiiiing everywhereeeee.
SAM
Don’t do that.
MAX
Sorry.
SAM
But you’re right, this is a pretty big mansion, there has to be a better way to explore it.
?
(Muffled)
Asfadgfajgisuf
SAM
What?
?
AFAJGAKHJGA!
MAX
I didn’t say that. This time.
BAT
Where am I?!
The little bat Max had knocked out at the beginning of the case, wakes up and flies out of Sam’s inventory, alarmed.
BAT
(Calms down)
Oh thank goodness! I thought I was back in a bad place… I suppose I fainted somehow! I must thank you for your assistance! You even put me in your nice comfy pockets, you must be very caring people!
SAM
Sure.
BAT
Do you boys know what happened?
MAX
Someone might have… thrown a rock at you.
BAT
Oh my! Well… I suppose they must have had their reasons… Still, that is kind of rude.
MAX
Tell me about it.
SAM
So, little bat, what’s your name?
PURPLE
Oh forgive me! My name is Purple.
MAX
Ah, this is a simple creature.
PURPLE
Huh?
SAM
Nothing, don’t listen to him when he talks.
PURPLE
So… what are your names?
SAM
We’re Sam and Max!
PURPLE
Sam and Max! I assume you’re Sam (points at Max) and you must be Max! (points at Sam)
SAM
Other way around.
MAX
But sometimes we call each other that, so you’re not wrong.
PURPLE
(Smiles)
Oh, okay! It’s nice to meet you!
SAM
Were you just flying around the mansion to catch your dinner or were you planning to go to the party?
PURPLE
(Nervous)
O-oh! Well… I WAS flying around, but I was curious to see what was inside… I suppose it’s a good thing I got hit by that rock, since you brought me inside the mansion!
SAM
I think I’d feel bad if I said ‘you’re welcome’.
MAX
You’re welcome.
PURPLE
Aw, thank you!
SAM
You’re a strangely polite creature, you know?
PURPLE
Oh?
MAX
It’s like you’ve just read a book of good manners on the table.
PURPLE
Ah! I see… I can be less polite if you want me to!
SAM
That’s not what we meant.
MAX
I did.
SAM
He’s joking, you can keep being your strange polite bat being.
PURPLE
That’s a relief! I’m not very good at being mean!
MAX
I can see that.
SAM
(Glares at Max)
Stop it.
MAX
It keeps giving me perfect set ups, it’s not my fault.
SAM
Well, it was nice chatting, but we have to go-
PURPLE
Hold on! This is a pretty big mansion, going back and forth from one place to another sounds exhausting. I wish you had the ability to fly like I do!
SAM
That’d be great, yeah.
PURPLE
Well, since you’ve made me a favor I have to return it! Everytime you want to go from one area you’ve already visited to another, you can just call me! I’ll fly you there, so you don’t have to walk!
SAM
(Confused)
Oh um… are you sure you can do that?
MAX
You are a very small polite bat.
PURPLE
Of course I can! I’m small but very tough! And scary! Heheheh! So don’t be shy to ask! I’ll sleep in your pockets, you can wake me up and I’ll be there to help you!
SAM
Okay, if we’re being honest, Max was the one who hit you with the rock.
PURPLE
Oh!
MAX
(Upset)
Sam, what the hell?!
SAM
Sorry, the guilt was eating me alive.
PURPLE
Well... even if that’s the case, I like you two! I’d still like to help! And it is still thanks to you that I was able to get inside the mansion!
SAM
If you say so.
PURPLE
It’s a deal then!
INT. MANNY MONEY’S MANSION (ELEVATOR)
Sam and Max make their way to the Guest Area. The little bat needs to see a location first before being able to fast-travel, so the duo decides to take the strange elevator again.
They go to the elevator that is right behind the scene of the crime and, when Sam presses the button, the elevator was already on this floor.
MAX
Aww look at that! It was waiting just for us!
Sam looks pensive for a second, then looks right behind him. From this position, a person could perfectly shoot the cable that was holding the lamp on top of him and Manny.
MAX
You alright?
SAM
Yeah, just thinking… But it’s too early to make conclusions.
MAX
Aw, it’s never TOO early! Let’s accuse someone of murder right now!
SAM
Maybe later.
The duo get inside the elevator, since it travels through the entire mansion, it gives them a few seconds to talk.
MAX
Sooo can I say it now?
SAM
What?
MAX
This is fun! It’s our first murder case!
SAM
You really had the decency to wait until no one could hear you to say that?
MAX
That’s how thoughtful I am, Sam. Anyway, aren’t you excited?!
SAM
A little, I suppose. It adds variety to our lives.
MAX
That IS important in a relationship. And so is trust! Sam, I will confess this to you: I am not the murderer.
SAM
That’s nice, Max. Neither am I.
MAX
Phew, that’s a relief! For a second I thought you didn’t trust me.
SAM
I trust you completely, Max… to a certain extend.
MAX
(Smiles)
Awww!
INT. MANNY MONEY’S MANSION (GUEST AREA HALLWAY)
SAM
Well, here we are, in the guest area. Finally, some peace and quiet-
INFLUENCER GUEST
Aaaaah!
A young woman with blonde hair and a golden dress runs out of her guest room, horrified.
MAX
(Excited)
Gasp! Another murder?
INFLUENCER GUEST
A rat! There is a rat!
MAX
(Disappointed)
Aww…
The old lady that was napping they saw earlier is now here, trying to console the young woman.
OLD LADY
It’s okay, dear-
INFLUENCER GUEST
Shut up, grandma! Somebody go kill it!
SAM
Um, sorry to interrupt, but do you think you could answer some questions?
INFLUENCER GUEST
I’m not doing anything until someone gets rid of the rat!
SAM
Okay, what about you, mam?
OLD LADY
(Smiles gently)
I’m afraid my granddaughter needs me right now.
MAX
Oh, it’s your granddaughter, I thought she was insulting you.
SAM
Sigh, fine. Come on, Max, let’s go see that rat.
MAX
Geez, we have to do everything around here.
SAM
That’s usually how these cases go, yeah.
MAX
No wonder half of the city usually ends up destroyed.
INT. GUEST AREA (ROOM 1)
The guest rooms are just as fancy as the rest of the mansion. There are a couple of pictures of guests that have previously been here, all clearly rich.
SAM
Hello-?
RAT
(Angry)
Hey! Knock first!
A little white rat with black spots seems to be resting on the giant bed.
SAM
Whoops, sorry.
Sam politely closes the door and knocks this time.
RAT
Okay, come in!
SAM
Hello there, miss.
MAX
Hi, get the hell out of this room.
RAT
No way! I’m teaching these rich snobs about an important live experience! Dealing with a rat in their own room.
MAX
Well, that is an essential moment of a person’s life…
RAT
Exactly! I’m doing them a favor! They’re all trapped in their privileged cages, away from the real world! How sad! How awful!
SAM
Okay, I get it, but we’re in the middle of a murder case and we really need to interrogate the lady you just scared off.
RAT
(Annoyed)
And why should I care?
Sam points at Max with a smile.
SAM
See this adorable horrifying creature standing next to me? Because of that.
RAT
(Unimpressed)
I’m not scared! Besides, I’m officially a guest at this party now.
SAM
How so?
RAT
Because thanks to Mr Pig… I’m rich now!
The rat pulls out a diamond that’s practically her same size. The diamond is very pointy and the rat tries to be careful to not stab herself accidentally.
MAX
What’s that? Candy? Can I have some?
RAT
It’s a diamond! He gave it to me just like that! You can ask him yourself!
SAM
Why would that Capitalist Pig do that?
RAT
Cause he recognizes talent, that’s why!
SAM
(Pensive)
Mhmm… It’s awfully sharp… Hey, wait a minute. Max, lick that diamond.
MAX
Okay!
RAT
Huh?! Gross! Get away!
SAM
Oh sorry, right. Miss, may my partner lick the diamond, please?
RAT
No!!!
SAM
Miss, this could be REALLY important evidence for the murder case.
RAT
I don’t care??? Why should I care about some rich snob’s murder???
MAX
She has a good point.
SAM
Sadly, yes. Fine, what would it take for you to let Max lick the diamond AND leave that lady alone?
RAT
Mhmm… I want a fancy outfit!
SAM
Like… for you to wear?
RAT
Duh!
SAM
That might be difficult.
RAT
That’s the point!
MAX
Aah, back to a good old puzzle, I was starting to miss them.
SAM
Okay, we’ll be back. Don’t go anywhere.
RAT
That’s also the point.
INT. MANNY MONEY’S MANSION (GUEST AREA HALLWAY)
SAM
There must be other guests in the other rooms, maybe we should talk to them as well.
MAX
Yeah, maybe we should just forget about the rat.
SAM
I’d love that, but we do need to check the diamond.
MAX
Why are you so obsessed with that anyway?
SAM
I’m starting to suspect the murderer might have used that diamond to cut the cable of the lamp.
MAX
But Pig gave the diamond to the rat!
Sam stares at him in silence, waiting patiently for Max to put two and two together.
MAX
Oooooh. I see where this is going… The rat did it!
SAM
You’re getting close, but try again.
Max thinks in silence for a few seconds, Sam still waits patiently.
MAX
Ooh! Pig did it!
SAM
There we go.
INT. GUEST AREA (ROOM 2)
SAM
We didn’t get much information. Let’s see if we have better luck here-
GOOSE
Honk!
There is a goose in a little suit, walking aimlessly around the room.
SAM
(Awkwardly)
Uh, hi sir! We’re investigating the murder case of Manny Money. But for now we’re just looking for -
GOOSE
Honk!
SAM
Uh…
MAX
Sam.
SAM
What?
MAX
This is a regular animal.
SAM
Oh. Like… not a cartoony anthropomorphic talking animal?
MAX
Yeah.
SAM
… This still feels weird to this day.
MAX
I know.
GOOSE
Honk!
The goose grabs a TV remote and plays with it.
SAM
Well, sorry to interrupt your day either way, sir.
The goose accidentally presses a button and turns the TV of the room on. A toy commercial plays.
TV
“Manny's Toys new spy toy gun! Attack your enemies on complete silence! You can use ANYTHING as a bullet! Marbles! Coins! Pencils! The only thing stopping you is your imagination!
Manny's Toys is not responsible for your child’s imagination causing them to use a sharp object that will cause severe injuries.”
MAX
That’s not a spy gun! That’s a riffle! Man, toy factories know nothing about guns.
SAM
Still, it’s pretty cool.
MAX
Oh it’s SO cool! They make the coolest toys NOW. Kids today are lucky.
SAM
Nothing is stopping you from buying new toys, Max.
MAX
You’re right, Sam, you’re never too old to cause severe injuries to others.
Sam thinks about the commercial, it’s not the first time they run into a possible accidental clue. For this reason, he decides to look around the room some more. He sees some celebrity magazines on the couch and decides to take a look.
MAX
Oh! Do they have self-loathing weekly?
Most magazines seem irrelevant, until he sees a few with Bella on the cover.
SAM
(Reading)
“Belladonna, the lady with the heart of darkness, breaks up with jolly toy maker, Manny Money”
“Manny Money finally wakes up from the nightmare! Files a divorce!”
“Celebrity meltdown! Craziness behind beauty!”
(Stops reading) Geez… these are bad.
MAX
(Angry)
It makes ME want to rip someone’s kidneys and make him cry for his mommy! Then, again, I feel like that a lot of the time.
SAM
Murder possibilities aside, I feel bad for her. I don’t know WHAT happened exactly, but this feels unfair.
MAX
Yeah… Let’s destroy them!
SAM
Max, wait-!
Max rips off one of the pages, but he only really rips off part of the picture, specifically, Bella’s body. A picture of her dress. This gives Sam an idea.
SAM
Huh…
INT. GUEST AREA (ROOM 1)
SAM
Miss, we might have found the perfect outfit for you!
Ooh! Really?!
It cuts directly to a few seconds later, to her wearing the picture cutout of the magazine. The rat stands there silently.
SAM
Well?
The rat is silent until...
RAT
(Happy)
It’s perfect! I look beautiful! Heh, you know, you’re not so bad! Fine, I’ll leave the lady alone AND you can be gross for a second and lick this if it makes you so happy, you weirdos.
MAX
Oh boy!
RAT
(Warning)
DON’T eat it.
MAX
(Disappointed)
Aww…
Max licks the diamond for a second, then thinks about the taste until he figures out what the taste reminds him of.
MAX
Gasp! Sam! You were right! It tastes the same way the cut cable did!
SAM
(Happy)
Ahah!
RAT
Well, you’re not taking it away from me, this has lost enough value because of your tongue.
SAM
It’s fine, miss, I’m sure our word is enough to convince everyone of our suspicions of murder.
RAT
Suuuure...
The rat walks away.
RAT
(Whispers)
Losers…
Now that the rat is gone, Sam looks around the room and notices one of the pictures of one of the guests. It’s Mr Pig, who took a picture of himself while he was hunting. He has a riffle on his hands.
MAX
Wow, the rich capitalist likes hunting, what a twist.
Sam and Max enter the Kid’s area. It’s bright and colorful, there are slides, toys and a ball pit. We see a giant plush of the mascot of Manny’s company: a cheerful bee with a crown.
MAX
Wow, this place is much cooler!
SAM
Yeah, in the adult world we don’t have giant slides or ball pits.
MAX
I am very disappointed in our society.
SAM
I hate that mascot though.
MAX
Oh yeah, he should die.
The duo notices a bunch of kids, they look bored. There is a kid with a princess-like dress playing with a teddy bear, a frog kid that isn’t doing much of anything and an energetic kid jumping around.
MAX
Hello kids!
KIDS
(Happy)
Finally! Let’s play!!
SAM
Oh we’re not here to play.
KIDS
(Sad)
Oh…
SAM
(Guilty)
Man, these kids look miserable. I feel a bit bad. Is there anything we-
All the kids start talking over each other.
ENERGETIC KID
I want to go out and run around the whole mansion! Included the roof!
PRINCESS KID
I want to play with all the toys! And be a princess that is more powerful than anyone!
FROG KID
I want to break everything valuable I see! Don’t tell my parents.
SAM
Wow okay okay. How about you help us? Does that sound fun? We need to find a mic and your friend over there is not willing to share.
ENERGETIC KID
He’s not our friend.
MAX
That’s good to hear.
PRINCESS KID
He’s mean and disgusting.
FROG KID
Is your mission to get rid of him?
MAX
Well…
SAM
No.
FROG KID
(Disappointed)
Oh.
SAM
But… will you help us? He’d probably listen to you guys more than he’d listen to us.
ENERGETIC KID
What do you guys think?
The kids talk amongst each other.
ENERGETIC KID
Okay, we’ll help.
SAM
Great!
ENERGETIC KID
But! We have a mission for you too!
FROG KID
It’s a deadly and dangerous mission… Scaaaaaary and-
PRINCESS KID
You have to get us pizza!
FROG KID
Yeah.
SAM
That’s all?
ENERGETIC KID
It’s not an easy task! Although it might be easier if you’re not a child.
SAM
Where can we find pizza at such a fancy event?
FROG KID
The chef was making one for that evil child, he said he wouldn’t share it though…
MAX
So you want us to get the pizza for you instead of him, huh?
PRINCESS KID
(Sad)
Is that wrong?
MAX
No way, this is a good lesson to learn.
PRINCESS KID
(Happy)
Yay!
SAM
Okay then, we’ll grab the pizza and then you’ll help us?
ENERGETIC KID
It’s a deal!
PRINCESS KID
Yay! Thank you, puppy!
SAM
(Smiles warmly)
Aw isn’t that cute.
MAX
Do I get any thanks?
FROG KID
Thank you, rabbit man.
MAX
(Annoyed)
I’m not a rabbit, brat.
PRINCESS KID
Thank you, lagomorph guy!
MAX
(Smiles)
Aww!
SAM
See you kids.
KIDS
See you, fun adults!
MAX
Did you hear that? We’re fun adults!
SAM
Yeah, I don’t think our problem was ever that we were boring adults, Max.
INT. MANNY MONEY’S MANSION (RESTAURANT)
Sam and Max take the elevator and go to the restaurant. It’s a big place full of tables. There is a bar with a bored bartender attending a few clients. There is also a stage for performers, but it’s currently empty. Bella and Skull are talking to each other on the distance. Sam notices the door leading to the kitchen, the chef just came out of there. The chef is a short strong-looking man on his 40s, he has a long beard and a long chef hat that covers his eyes.
SAM
Excuse me.
CHEF
Mhm?
SAM
We’re here to grab the pizza for the kids.
CHEF
(Bluntly)
No guests in the kitchen.
SAM
Yeah, okay, just here for the pizza. If you could give it to-
CHEF
The pizza will be delivered when the pizza is ready.
Max takes a peak at the kitchen, the pizza is sitting on a table.
MAX
Uh, I can see it from over here, it’s literally ready. It’s probably going to get cold-
CHEF
(Irritated)
Do not rush the art of cuisine! This is my restaurant, my kitchen! You’ll have to wait until the art is perfected!
The chef goes back to the kitchen, angrily shutting the door.
MAX
If this is how chefs of fancy restaurants are like, that is one thing I envy! Well, maybe two. Three? Four?
SAM
I guess the kids were right, this might not be as easy as we thought, we’ll have to find a way to get that pizza.
Sam decides to talk to the bartender for any help.
SAM
Excuse me…
BARTENDER
What will you have?
SAM
Oh no, we just wanted to talk.
BARTENDER
Mhm. Well, it’s a slow evening…
SAM
Seems like a boring day at the job today.
BARTENDER
Maybe now, I’m sure it’ll get busier later.
SAM
How are you so sure?
BARTENDER
Practically everyone is gathered at the main party hall. I believe Mr Money is going to give his annual speech. Once that’s done, the guests tend to wonder around the mansion, there is plenty of activities they can be occupied with.
MAX
Ah, that makes sense! I was starting to think millionaire parties were boring.
BARTENDER
Well, you’re not entirely wrong.
SAM
Hey listen… Do you know the chef personally?
BARTENDER
Yeah you could say I do.
MAX
How much do you know?
BARTENDER
Well, I’m married to him.
MAX
That doesn’t answer the question!
BARTENDER
I know plenty about him.
MAX
Thanks!
BARTENDER
Why? What is he up to now?
MAX
A bunch of kids have asked for the pizza in the kitchen, but your husband seems to have strict rules about perfection.
BARTENDER
Oh yes, he is extremely passionate about his culinary job. Which I find endearing, since I’m passionate about mixology.
SAM
I bet dinner time in your home must always be paradise.
BARTENDER
I don’t like to brag, but yes.
MAX
One time I tried to make Sam dinner and the food became sentient.
SAM
I appreciated the gesture, little buddy. Anyway, since you’re so close, could you tell the chef to please let us grab the pizza?
BARTENDER
I’m deeply sorry, but when it comes to his passion, there’s no reasoning with him. If he believes the pizza is not ready to be served yet, then he won’t change his mind. Your best bet is to either wait, or…
SAM
Or?
BARTENDER
Well, my husband is also a big fan of music. Every year, he stops to watch the artist’s performance for a couple of minutes. He admires art, he watches the show in silence until it’s over.
MAX
That happens to us watching bad TV shows.
BARTENDER
Usually Mr Money hires a singer for the party, but it seems like this year is an exception. If you find an artist willing to perform, perhaps you’ll get the chance to grab the pizza.
SAM
Thanks, that was a lot of help actually! Maybe this case will be easy.
BARTENDER
Good luck, gentlemen.
Sam and Max approach Bella and Skull next, they hear their conversation before interrupting them.
BELLA
One can do wonders with decoration. This place could use more personality.
SKULL
Manny is not really a guy with a very defined style.
BELLA
That is true.
SKULL
If he added a couple of spider webs, deadly spikes, acid pools,… think how much different the atmosphere would be!
BELLA
Couldn’t agree more.
SAM
Excuse me.
BELLA
Mhm?
SKULL
(Alarmed)
Gah! You two!
SAM
(Confused)
You know us too?
MAX
Wow, two guests in total! It’s a new record.
SKULL
What are you doing here?!
SAM
Well, technically we’re only here for a case. But we should probably tell people that we’re just regular invited guests.
SKULL
Ugh, unbelievable… Well… (Dramatically) Even though we share a deep rivalry… For the sake of the guests and this party, we should postpone our personal missions with our destinies. For now, we are but strangers sharing a nice evening. But don’t believe this will last, for next day, we’ll be back from the very beginning.
Sam and Max stare in confusion.
MAX
Huh?
SAM
...What’s your name again?
SKULL
(Happily)
Hah. Very good, you’re already in character! Anyway, strangers, you’re bothering us, please leave.
SAM
Wait we haven’t said anything yet! We have questions! Look, we don’t really know much but in some way you seem to know Manny.
SKULL
Is that all? Manny and I have met in plenty of occasions. We both have a large amount of wealth, we both have our own companies, … Things we have in common brought us together, but that’s about it.
SAM
Fascinating. What about you, mam?
BELLA
Yes, I know him.
SAM
(Annoyed)
Great, thanks. And are you two... having fun so far?
SKULL
These parties do offer some entertainment each year. Besides, I hadn’t seen Bella in a while, so it’s nice to talk to her again, she offers good conversations. I can’t talk about room decoration with that many people, few share my taste. But she does.
SAM
… And what’s your opinion, Bella?
BELLA
Party? Predictable. Conversation? Pleasant.
SKULL
Hah! Indeed.
SAM
Okay. You guys wouldn’t know if there is an artist that was willing to perform tonight, right? Tonight as in, right now.
SKULL
Perform?! Oh! I could perform a chapter of my memoirs. I have my whole book memorized in case anyone asks for a lifechanging theatrical performance.
SAM
Oh um… I thought you were like, a CEO?
SKULL
That’s not all I am! I also deeply love the arts. Theater, literature, music, … I love it all! I always say life is a performance in it of itself.
SAM
(Awkwardly)
Well… I think we’ll look for someone else, but thanks.
SKULL
(Offended)
Mhm! Of course you two would not have real taste… This conversation is over!
MAX
Thank god.
Sam and Max walk away and go back to the entrance of the restaurant.
SAM
We need more information on these guests if we want to figure this out. I think it’s time we pay a visit to...
INT. MANNY MONEY’S MANSION (ENTRANCE HALLWAY)
GOSSIP GUEST
You’re back! Any information you want to learn?
SAM
Yeah, we want to know more about a few guests. Can you tells us more about… Mr Pig, for example?
GOSSIP GUEST
Ah yes, Manny’s biggest rival. Mr Pig is ten times richer than Manny, he owns a large fast food corporation. However, despite his larger wealth, Manny has a better public image, better social skills and better comebacks. Manny is everything Mr Pig hates and everything he wants to be.
SAM
Fascinating, how about… Skull?
GOSSIP GUEST
Owner of a successful film company. He is very passionate of art in general, so passionate that every sentence he speaks seems like it belongs on a theater. He is not exactly friends with Manny or Mr Pig, but he treats everyone with respect. And Bella? He has always been kind to her, maybe too kind... He is also a big fan of Val, he has supported them since the very beginnings of their career, too bad they seem to only work with Manny...
SAM
Alright, how about Val?
GOSSIP GUEST
Young performer, they have gathered a lot of fame as of late, thanks to being in a series of successful movies and tv shows. You’d think famous people would always be confident, but Val has never been good with social interactions and with the pressure of fame. Despite their anxieties, when it comes to acting, they are formidable. It seems they only have trouble expressing themself when they are… themself.
SAM
Just one more and then we won’t bother you again. What about Bella?
GOSSIP GUEST
She is a nice singer, not incredibly popular but has gathered her own audience, respect and admiration. Despite her fame, she keeps to herself a lot. Journalists have tried to find out more about her, but it’s almost like she never leaves her house! Nobody knows where she lives either… In fact, this last year, there were rumors that she had passed away. Nobody had hear from her in an entire year and we had no way to contact any family member. And somehow, she came back! Just like that, like nothing happened! I hate not knowing about people’s lives, but she’s too interesting to hate…
SAM
Ahah! That’s all we needed, thanks.
MAX
We do? I did not pay attention to any of that exposition.
GOSSIP GUEST
Thank YOU! I love my job.
INT. MANNY MONEY’S MANSION (RESTAURANT)
SAM
Hi, Bella! We heard you’re a talented singer.
MAX
Well, we aren’t really sure if you are talented, but you ARE a singer!
BELLA
So?
SAM
We wanted to ask for a performance, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble.
Bella seems surprised, and considers it for a second.
BELLA
Mhm, I haven’t sang in a while… But I’m a little tired.
SAM
I get that but… we would love to hear you sing!
MAX
You can just sing for a few seconds, I can be the chorus if you want!
SKULL
Listen gentlemen, if she said she doesn’t want to perform then she doesn’t want to.
SAM
I guess that’s fair. Well, back to square-
Suddenly, the lights start flickering. There is a small rumble and a mysterious noise. It only lasts a few seconds, then things get back to normal, but the guests seem agitated.
MAX
What the hell was that?
MAX
I… don’t know.
Sam notices that Bella is no longer where she was standing.
SKULL
(Worried)
Bella?! Bella, where are-?
Suddenly, however, a spotlight shines on Bella, who is on stage, beginning to sing a song.
SAM
Guess she wasn’t tired anymore?
MAX
Aw that’s nice of her, she must have decided to sing to cheer up all the scared guests!
SAM
I guess…
The chef comes out of the kitchen. He seems impressed by Bella’s performance and seems to have decided to stay to watch the whole thing. A single tear streams down his face, even if his face looks completely serious.
SAM
This is our chance, let’s go Max!
INT. MANNY MONEY’S MANSION (MAIN PARTY ROOM HALLWAY)
The kids wait around outside the kids’ area. They glare at Manny’s nephew, playing with his toy car.
SAM
Here you go, your pizza!
KIDS
*gasp* You did it!
FROG KID
Did you kill the chef to get this?
MAX
Yes.
FROG KID
Awesome!!
SAM
Does this mean you can help us?
ENERGETIC KID
Sure! A deal is a deal! You’ve proved yourselves to be fun adults! So we will help you!
MAX
Great, how do you plan on doing so?
The frog kid grabs the toy car and throws it out of the window.
RICH KID
My- my toy!!!!!
Manny’s nephew cries and let’s go of the mic. The energetic kid grabs it and gives it to Sam and Max.
ENERGETIC KID
There you go!
SAM
We could have done that ourselves.
MAX
No way, his uncle would have sued us.
PRINCESS KID
Yeah! So you’re welcome!
SAM
Thanks kids, you are the true life of the party.
A guy on a costume of the mascot character of Manny’s company arrives, running. He looks tired.
MASCOT GUY
(Tired)
Sorry… body on… fire…
(Happy)
But I have arrived! Hahah! Thank you for looking out for the kids while I was gone.
SAM
Sure.
MASCOT GUY
Uh-oh! Seems like it’s almost time for Mr Money’s speech! You should hurry!
SAM
Okaaaay… let’s go Max.
MAX
Something interesting better happen on this case soon, it’s been nothing but solving puzzles without visuals. There should be a formula change soon!
SAM
Shut up, Max.
INT. MANNY MONEY’S MANSION (MAIN PARTY ROOM)
The duo goes back to talk to Manny, but they notice Mr Pig is no longer right next to him. He’s close to the exit, grumbling to himself. He seems angrier than usual.
CAPITALIST PIG
That Money… Let’s see who laughs last, smart guy…
SAM
I guess he couldn’t stand spending time with Manny any longer.
MAX
-I couldn’t stand not being good at comebacks.
Sam and Max walk towards Manny in silence for a few seconds.
SAM
Hey Max, how long have you-
MAX
Not as long as it took you to come up with a good insult.
SAM
Oh fine.
They reach Manny, Sam offers the mic to him.
MANNY
You guys are lifesavers, oh thank you thank-
Finally, Manny looks up, and his smile drops. He stays quiet for a few seconds until his forced smile comes back.
MANNY
You two! May I have your names?
SAM
We’re Sam and Max, it’s nice to finally meet you Mr Money.
BUTLER
Mr Money, here you have a new improved mic.
Sam and Max stand there dumbfounded as Manny throws away their mic for a new mic, making their whole journey meaningless.
MANNY
Oh thank you!
However, Manny still seems thankful to the duo.
MANNY
You boys have just saved my entire party, I don’t know how to thank you.
MAX
Did we???
MANNY
Of course! Say, I was thinking… I wanted to give a speech with someone tonight, but alas, all my friends have left me… Why don’t you two join me instead?
SAM
Uum… are you sure? I mean, this is a pretty important event and you wouldn’t want Max to say something inappropriate that would disturb or disgust your guests.
MAX
Yeah!
MANNY
Just one of you two is fine, and I suppose you’re right, not all my guests have as good of a sense of humor as I do, hahah! Sam, right? I’d love to have you there with me!
SAM
Oh, I don’t do well with crowds…
MAX
Come on, Sam, just imagine everyone naked or something.
SAM
I’m kind of used to that with you as my partner
The light of the lamp begins to be slowly turned down.
MANNY
Oh oh! It’s starting! Come on, Mr Sam!
SAM
Oh brother…
INT. MANNY MONEY’S MANSION (STAIRS OF MAIN PARTY ROOM)
At the top of the stairs stands Manny, getting ready for his speech. All the guests of the party have gathered up on the main party room and are excitedly waiting for the speech. Sam hasn’t climbed the stairs yet and sits awkwardly waiting for Manny’s sign.
SAM
This is awkward…
HOPE
Must be.
SAM
(Surprised)
Oh hey, it’s you.
HOPE
Hi. You got that mic in the end?
SAM
Yeah, but- eh, we shouldn’t have bothered.
Hope stays quiet for a second.
HOPE
(Serious)
Say, be honest… Do you know anyone at this party?
SAM
Not really, I don’t keep up with celebrity drama.
HOPE
I mean personally.
SAM
Personally? Why would I?
HOPE
What about your friend?
SAM
Max knows less than me about most information. Except fighting techniques. And toothpaste for some reason.
HOPE
Are you sure? I have a friend who thinks it saw him here last year.
SAM
Uh… What are you talking about?
Hope stays quiet, but goes back to her usual self right after.
HOPE
Sorry, I’m a journalist, I’m just curious about things.
SAM
But you’re a fashion journalist.
HOPE
Yeah, so?
Sam stays quiet, but Manny begins his speech.
MANNY
Good evening, everyone! Thank you for coming once again to my annual party. Seeing all of this support is what motivates me to make each year better than the last!
The audience cheers. Manny makes a sign to Sam for him to finally join him. Sam awkwardly goes right next to him.
MANNY
This year I’m joined by a new friend, Sam!
SAM
Um… hi.
MAX
(in the audience)
Woooo! That’s my best friend!
MANNY
Sam and his friend helped me, a complete rich stranger, in a time where I needed it, even when my closest friends were not there for me… Sam! How did you find the solution to the broken microphone?
SAM
We made a kid cry.
The audience is silent, except for a few coughs.
MAX
(in the audience)
Just kidding! I don’t know this guy!
MANNY
Ohohoho! What a hilarious guy, right everyone?
The audience cheers once again. Manny waits for the applause to die down to continue, in a more serious tone.
MANNY
But now I wanted to get serious for a second… Everyone, these events have always meant a lot to me. They have helped me through rough times, they have helped me disconnect from all my hard work. Lately it’s been especially difficult, you’ve probably heard some bad news about my toy business. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I for one, I’m not scared. Folks, it’s possible that this might be my last party, but not for this reason I want to end things on a sad note.
This is not the end, but merely a new beginning.
The audience gives a respectful quiet clap. Some audience members seem emotional. Manny brings back a happier mood.
MANNY
So what do you say, everyone? Let’s have one last joyful party! And let’s find out together, what the next chapter of Manny Money’s life will be like!
Before the audience could react, there is a strange sound coming from the ceiling. Suddenly, a giant lamp falls down, right on top of Manny and Sam. Manny pushes Sam right on time, then the room falls into darkness. Max rushes to the top of the stairs.
MAX
(Alarmed)
Sam! Are you okay?!
SAM
(Disoriented)
Yeah, I’m fine.
MAX
(Happy)
Phew that’s good.
SAM
But I don’t think Manny… Mr Money, are you okay…?
The lights turn back on, Manny’s body lays underneath and absurdly big and sharp lamp. He does not move.
Summary: Sam and Max visit a luxurious party with the purpose of retrieving a mysterious document. However, things will change when suddenly a murder takes place! Sam and Max have to solve their first murder mystery case
Important Note
This is a fanfic written out of love for the franchise, I am NOT making any profit out of it. The characters belong to Steve Purcell. If there are any issues, the fic can be deleted no problem.
While it has a script format it is NOT intended for an actual play of any sort.
Format
Yes, it is a script format, it is definitely not the most ideal format for a fanfic. I totally get not everyone would want to read this silly story, but with how dialogue heavy it is, I genuinely think this is the best way to tell the story. It is also simply just made for fun.
Tumblr has messed up the format a lot, the text is all together now instead of centered, and it would take far too much time to edit everything, so i have chosen to make all text into a smaller format, since that seems to separate the text more than on regular format. I was considering not releasing this story at all and just keep it for myself only because the format sucks so much on Tumblr, but I have seen a bunch of people that were genuinely curious to read it, so I decided to post it.
The story is divided in 6 chapters, but the chapters are divided in two different posts due to lenght restrinctions on Tumblr.
Lenght
For the whole story, all chapters combined: 55k words
Content warning
The characters sometimes see and hear things that aren’t real, some sort of hallucinations, this could trigger unreality for some.
Hope you enjoy it! Or at least I hope it doesn't suck too much. It does but I had fun.
Extra note. Chapter 1 includes the most amount of images, the rest will be more script-heavy, but I hope the visuals of the first chapter gives you an idea of the look of the story.
-------------------------------------------
Chapter 1 (part 1-you're here-, part 2)
Chapter 2 (part 1, part 2)
Chapter 3 (part 1, part 2)
Chapter 4 (part 1, part 2)
Chapter 5 (part 1, part 2)
Chapter 6 (part 1, part 2)
-------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 1 (Part 1)
EXT. PARK. DAY.
Kid versions of Sam and Max meet for the first time. Kid Max carries a lunch bag and gives it to Sam.
MAX
This is yours, right? That dumb kid took it from you.
SAM
Uh... yeah, it's mine.
MAX
Well, here, take it.
SAM
Did you beat him up?
MAX
Yeah! He cried and begged for his mommy!
SAM
That's awesome, I wish I could have seen that.
MAX
I can beat him up again if you want to!
SAM
Nah, maybe another day, I'm tired.
MAX
Oh okay.
SAM
Do you want half of my sandwich?
MAX
Thought you’d never ask!
They sit to eat the sandwiches.
MAX
Wait, does this have tuna?
SAM
Yeah?
MAX
Oh, I’m allergic to tuna.
SAM
Oh no!
MAX
I'm just kidding.
SAM
Oh.
Fades to black.
SAM
You crack me up, little buddy!
MAX
… That’s not a good sign.
SAM
Huh?
INT. SAM AND MAX’S OFFICE. NIGHT.
Sam and Max stand in their respective desks. It’s close to 8PM and they haven’t gotten a case all day. Or even all week. They’re both bored out of their minds.
MAX
You only ever say that after we’re done with our job for the day.
SAM
What? No, I don’t, I say it all the time.
MAX
But ESPECIALLY when we are done.
SAM
So what?
MAX
So it means we haven’t done anything all week! It’s Saturday and we’re two men with no plans of any kind! Doesn’t that break your big little heart?
SAM
I suppose you’re right, it’s been a while since we’ve gotten a case. I wonder how we’re not going to pay our taxes this month.
MAX
We’ll have to think of something new.
SAM
Let’s just go home. I’m sure the phone will not ring just when we’re about to give up hope.
Sam and Max stare at their phone in silence for a few seconds. Anticipating for it to ring.
MAX
… I’m sure it won’t.
SAM
Mhm…
They keep staring, but nothing happens, so they just move on.
SAM
Well, let’s-
The phone rings. Sam and Max stare at each other.
INT. SAM AND MAX’S OFFICE. NIGHT. 2 SECONDS LATER.
Max’s body lays inert in one of their windows, Sam has thrown him there to grab the phone. Sam answers the phone without a care.
SAM
Yeah? Oh hello, Commissioner! Yeah, we knew you would call, never lost faith.
EXT. DESOTO
Sam drives the Desoto, Max sits next to him. They’re going to an unknown destination.
MAX
Sam, I had a bit of glass on my ears when you explained the case before, so I don’t really know what we’re supposed to be doing.
SAM
You don’t need an excuse, Max, I know you weren’t paying attention.
MAX
Yes, it could be that too, but we’ll never know…
SAM
Anyway, it appears that unlike you and I, a bunch of the biggest most powerful people of our city do have plans for tonight! They are attending a glamorous party at the ridiculously big mansion of millionaire Manny Money.
MAX
Huh, I’ve never heard of him. Then again, I don’t care about people richer than me.
SAM
You don’t have any money, Max.
MAX
Yeah?
SAM
Well, it seems that Manny has gathered more than inherited money, he has an important document that we need to retrieve! The Commissioner didn’t have much information, but it seemed important, too important for a millionaire to have.
MAX
That’s fair! It will definitely be safer with us. Let’s go!
SAM
You seem excited.
MAX
I haven’t crashed a party in a while! I can barely hold my excitement.
SAM
Aw, that’s cute.
MAX
Can we switch sits? I want to drive there.
SAM
You’re not cute enough to convince me to let you do that.
EXT. EXTERIOR OF MANNY MONEY’S MANSION. NIGHT.
Sam parks the night nearby the mansion. The sun is down and there is snow everywhere, it’s a cold winter night. We see Manny Money’s mansion in the distance. It’s absurdly big and tall.
SAM
Well, here we are, at Manny Money’s mansion.
MAX
Sam, I can’t help but worry about the fact that we’re technically not invited to this wealthy get-together…
SAM
You’re worried?
MAX
I worry that we might have to THINK of a plan! Can’t I just fight the guard?
SAM
You don’t worry your cute little head about it, Max, I’ll think of something.
MAX
Can I fight the guard though?
SAM
We don’t know if there is a guard yet.
MAX
But could I fight them?
SAM
Not yet.
MAX
Alright, then, I’m breaking a window.
SAM
Wait, Max-!
Max grabs a nearby rock and throws it at a window without much thought and a lot of strength. Instead of hitting a window, he hits a bat that was flying around.
SAM
Oh jesus, Max…
MAX
(Alarmed)
It’s not my fault! It was on the way! ...Is it breathing?
SAM
It seems so.
The bats is not moving, but it is breathing. Sam notices the bat appears to be purple, for some strange reason. But Sam has seen weirder things, so he doesn’t question it too much.
MAX
Do bats breathe?
SAM
For the last time, Max, bats are just regular animals.
MAX
I’m not convinced yet, nothing that cool can be normal.
SAM
We better take care of this creature until it wakes up.
MAX
Or as long as it’s convenient for us.
SAM
Well, obviously.
MAX
May I keep the bat in my own inventory?
SAM
Where is your inventory?
MAX
None of your damn business.
SAM
I think it’s best if I keep the little bat until it gets better.
MAX
Whatever.
SAM
Let’s just find the entrance for now.
EXT. MANNY MONEY’S ENTRANCE GARDEN
Sam and Max have been walking for a few minutes, due to the extensive length of the garden. Sam is shivering.
SAM
Brr my hands are freezing.
MAX
(Smiling tenderly)
Saaam, you don’t need an excuse to ask me to hold hands!
SAM
You want to hold hands?
MAX
(His smile drops)
No way. You know I hate that.
SAM
Can I at least hold you until I feel warmer?
MAX
(He smiles widely again)
Sure!
Sam notices they have finally reached the entrance of the mansion. A security guard stands on the door. The duo approaches him.
SAM
Hey there.
The security guard looks them. Sam is holding Max like a plushie, while Max smiles, neither of them considering this might be a strange first introduction.
SECURITY GUARD
...
MAX
See, Sam? I told you there would be a guard!
Sam ignores Max and speaks to the guard.
SAM
Sorry for the waiting, fashionably late and all of that, but we’re here now.
SECURITY GUARD
...Oh of course, sirs, welcome to- Hey wait a minute! You almost fooled me for a second, you two are not on the list!
Sam tries to think of a good excuse.
SAM
Uh... yes we are.
MAX
Nice plan, Sam.
SAM
Quiet, pinhead. Look, I think you might want to check your list again, preferably for a while so you don’t look when two guys try to sneak behind you.
SECURITY GUARD
Nice try but I have studied this list enough to know you’re-... Hold on a second.
The security guard proceeds to rapidly check all the pages on his list. When he finishes, he looks back angrily at the duo.
SECURITY GUARD
...That you’re DEFINITELY lying!
SAM
Oookay...
MAX
Sam, he’s reminding me of painful high school exams memories, can I break his kneecaps yet?
SAM
Not yet, little buddy.
MAX
Also, maybe you should let go of me for now.
SAM
Oh yeah, sorry.
Sam let’s go of Max. Sam goes back to trying to convince the guard to let them in.
SAM
You said we fooled your for a second, do we really look that much like millionaires?
SECURITY GUARD
Of course not.
MAX
Phew, that’s a relief.
SECURITY GUARD
But the little rabbit looks awfully close to one of the guests of the list. Here, take a look.
The guest list includes pictures of the guests. One of them looks identical to Max, except he wears a fancy suit and has a mustache.
MAX
He does look freakishly similar to me.
SAM
You’re way creepier though.
MAX
(smiles tenderly)
Aww!
Sam quickly thinks of a good excuse.
SAM
Mhmm… Oh, Max! That must be that uncle of yours that you told me about!
MAX
What? I don’t have-
Sam throws him a glare.
MAX
...Oh yes! That must be him! That’s why we are here! He invited me to finally meet my partner!
SECURITY GUARD
(Confused)
I didn’t hear anything about that.
MAX
Yeah, we keep getting re-married, it’s hard to keep up.
SECURITY GUARD
I don’t know…
SAM
Well, you can’t deny they look identical, can you?
SECURITY GUARD
I suppose not… Sigh, fine. You can go in. Talking to you two for any longer sounds exhausting.
MAX
(Smiles evily)
Thanks, sucker!
SECURITY GUARD
What?
SAM
(Nonchalantly)
Thanks, sucker.
INT. MANNY MONEY’S MANSION (ENTRANCE HALLWAY)
SAM
Alright, for now, let’s try to blend in. Talk to the guests to find any important information. But keep it casual-
Max runs to the first guest he sees.
MAX
Hi! We’re rich just like you!
SAM
Sigh.
The guest is a young woman (mid 20s) with a confident smile and a glamorous dress. The duo will soon find out she knows a lot of gossip.
SAM
Hey… This sure is a nice party, huh?
GOSSIP GUEST
Oh, you bet! I can’t believe how fast Manny Money has organized it despite the short time! And the divorce, and his company crashing and burning as we speak… I guess he really needed this party, huh?
Sam and Max stare at her in silence.
SAM
You know, normally my partner and I go through a dialogue tree and a tedious amount of object hunting to get the information we need, but you’re just giving us those unfortunate news about Mr Money like an old classmate in a highschool reunion.
GOSSIP GUEST
What can I say? That’s my job. By the way, did you know Mr Money is actually 46 years old? A whole. year. older. than what he says he is!
MAX
(In shock)
Scandalous!
GOSSIP GUEST
I know right?
SAM
You seem to know about this stuff, do you happen to know why Mr Money organized this party?
GOSSIP GUEST
For his birthday, of course!
MAX
(Looks at Sam, mockingly)
Of course!
SAM
Hush.
GOSSIP GUEST
(In a more serious tone)
Although there are rumors of course…
SAM
Do tell…
GOSSIP GUEST
Some say this is his way to try to achieve a more positive public image. I mean, he invites B-movie stars here, that’s how you know he’s generous. But others say…
SAM
Yeah?
GOSSIP GUEST
Well… some people say it’s to get rid of his toys.
MAX
Are they bothering him or something?
GOSSIP GUEST
It could be his way of doing a bit of publicity, maybe try to sell the company to someone else, maybe even selling a couple of toys to his own guests! Kind of pathetic, isn’t it? I’m not sure if I believe this rumor, but it’s certainly possible…
(Back to a happier tone) I personally believe Manny Money simply has a depressing obsession with spending as much money as possible to fill the void of his existence. At least that’s what I wrote about him on my blog. But anybody that is anybody knows this already, don’t tell me this is the first time he invites you?
SAM
Well…
MAX
We USED to get invited but then we stopped being relevant for a while, he invited us once we became famous again.
GOSSIP GUEST
Oh… yeah, that happened to his mother too.
SAM
(Awkwardly)
Um… Excuse me if this sounds rude, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in my life and we watch A LOT of television.
GOSSIP GUEST
Ohoho, not to worry, I didn’t become famous thanks to old people.
MAX
Hahah!
SAM
(Frowning)
She called you old too, balloonhead.
MAX
I choose to only hear the part where she mocked you.
GOSSIP GUEST
I am a very popular influencer on anything related to celebrity gossip. Podcasts, blogs, videos… everything! YOUNG people love it. Anything that has to do with famous and rich people, I know about it. Usually not very positive things, but that’s not my fault.
SAM
Well that might be helpful, we don’t know anything about famous and rich people.
MAX
We barely know anything about our own neighbors! We just don’t care.
SAM
Okay, see you, we might come back later.
GOSSIP GUEST
Always happy to help the elderly!
SAM
We’re not- oh nevermind.
Sam and Max walk through the hallway. Sam notices a couple of portraits of Manny Money alongside people he doesn’t recognize. He gets interrupted by a butler.
BUTLER
Jacket, sir?
SAM
No thanks, I’m already wearing this one.
BUTLER
I meant if you’d want me to keep your jacket.
MAX
(Angry)
Hey buddy, I’M his partner.
SAM
No thanks, I keep my jacket at all times.
MAX
I saw him without it once and I didn’t recognize him, it made breakfast time pretty awkward.
BUTLER
I see.
MAX
Can I leave my jacket?
BUTLER
… You appear to be naked, sir.
MAX
That’s a relief! I was worrying no one at this party would realize that.
SAM
Hey, do you know where we could find Manny or any other important guests?
BUTLER
Mr Money is currently at the Main Party room.
SAM
Got it, thanks.
Sam and Max make their way to the stairs and elevator at the end of the hallway. Sam notices a big poster next to the elevator. The poster has big letters and a happy cartoon mascot.
SAM
(Reading)
“Elevators should be more fun and inventive, like toys!”
The poster showcases how the elevator is unnecessarily interconnected to all the rooms of the mansion, even in ways that wouldn’t make any sense.
SAM
Huh, looks like this mansion has only 1 elevator that is able to traverse the whole building.
MAX
That seems… cheap, actually. And potentially dangerous. (Excited) Cool! Let’s go!
INT. MANNY MONEY’S MANSION (MAIN PARTY ROOM ENTRANCE)
Sam and Max come out of the elevator a bit disoriented.
SAM
That was wholesome.
The elevator behind them leaves, it seems someone else has already called for it.
MAX
Yeah! I feel horrible! I liked it too.
The elevator comes back and a man gets out of it. He is not exactly a human man though, he is a pig in a fancy suit. He looks like he is in his 50s and like he already looks down on you. He immediately pushes Max out of the way, making Max fall to the floor.
MAX
(Angry)
Hey watch it!
SAM
You okay, Max?
MAX
I will be when I break that guy’s legs!
The pig stops in his tracks, but he doesn’t look impressed.
CAPITALIST PIG
Mhm? Oh I’m sorry, I’d say that was an accident…
(Smiles evily) But it wasn’t! I like pushing people inferior than me! Ohohohohoh!
MAX
(Stands up, he is even more angry)
Well how about I push YOU down the stairs?!
CAPITALIST PIG
Hah! I’d never use such a commoner thing like the stairs! Good luck trying to push me off a high class elevator, though. Now, I must leave, I hope you think about this experience tonight, crying helps you fall asleep easier!
MAX
Grr!!
SAM
Just ignore him, Max, I’m sure that guy will get enough punishment in the afterlife.
MAX
I’ll gladly help him get there as soon as possible.
INT. MANNY MONEY’S MANSION (MAIN PARTY ROOM HALLWAY)
Sam and Max make their way to the main party room. On their way there, they encounter a little kid playing with a mic and an electronic toy car. Max finds the car cool and approaches it.
MAX
Hey cool!
RICH KID
Move, grandpa!
MAX
(Offended)
I’m STILL young! Just older!!!
SAM
Hey kid, do you know where we can talk to the man organizing this party?
RICH KID
You mean my uncle? Maybe I do.
SAM
But…?
RICH KID
(Smiles evily)
But I’m not going to tell you! Pff!
MAX
(Angry)
Well! Maybe we don’t want to know!
RICH KID
Then why did you ask, nerd?
MAX
(More angry)
MAYBE WE WANTED YOU TO LOOK STUPID!
SAM
Alright, Max, calm down.
MAX
(Calms down)
Whatever.
Sam tries to calm the situation.
SAM
That’s a pretty cool car you got there, is it a gift from your uncle?
RICH KID
Heck yes! He has an entire company of toys and he always gives me whatever I want!
MAX
He seems like he only gave you half a gift, where is the controller?
RICH KID
This toy doesn’t need a stupid controller, stupid! Forward!
When the kid says “forward” into the mic, the car goes forward and hits Max on the knee.
RICH KID
Hahah!
MAX
(In slight pain)
...Sam I normally love kids who are massive jerks, why do I wish for this kid to fall down the stairs?
SAM
He’s rich, Max.
MAX
(Pensive)
I guess… doesn’t he remind you of someone?
SAM
Now that you mention it… kind of. But hey, do you think we could play with your cool toy for a minute? Maybe it will be useful for a puzzle later-
RICH KID
No way! It’s mine!
MAX
Haven’t they taught you that sharing is a nice thing to do yet?
RICH KID
Yeah, but I don’t need to be nice, I have a cool toy car!
MAX
He makes a good point.
SAM
Well, be good, kid.
RICH KID
You can’t tell me what to do!
Sam and Max are about to enter the main party room, but next to the door and close to the kid, there is an old lady sitting on a couch. She appears to be asleep.
MAX
Hey, are you related to that kid? Can you tell him he’s awful?
OLD LADY
*Snooore.*
SAM
Let’s leave her alone, Max. She deals with enough by having that kid for a grandchild.
INT. MANNY MONEY’S MANSION (MAIN PARTY ROOM HALLWAY)
The main party room is full of guests, all wearing elegant clothes. Sam and Max look around the room, until they notice Manny Money. Manny is a man with bright blonde yellow hair and a bright yellow mustache. He carries a forced big smile on his face.
Next to Manny are two other guests, coincidentally they are two of the people Sam saw on the portraits at the entrance hallway of the mansion.
SKULL, a big strong-looking man in his late 40s. He wears a fancy purple suit, but his most peculiar feature is his face, because he has a skull for a face. A floating skull on a capsule. Definitely not a supervillain.
BELLA, a beautiful woman on her late 40s. She has a long fancy black dress and long dark hair. She has a neutral look on her face, seemingly bored with her surroundings.
Manny seemed to be talking to her two guests, until he notices someone approaching him, the capitalist pig that pushed Max earlier. Manny greets him with a smile.
MANNY
It’s about time you show up, Capitalist Pig. I was starting to get excited you were not coming!
CAPITALIST PIG
(Angry smile)
Ohohoho, Manny, your attempts to embarrass me in front of so many people are pathetic... even if it’s working.
MANNY
Forgive me, old friend, I know you’re not good at comebacks. Before you interrupted us, we were having a bit of a predicament. I was wondering if someone else would like to give a speech by my side.
BELLA
And again I will ask: Why would you want that?
MANNY
It’s a yearly event, dear! We are all busy important people, when was the last chance we’ve gotten a chance to all meet together?
BELLA
(Annoyed)
Don’t call me ‘dear’.
SKULL
I would love to give a speech! You know I love a good audience. I give speeches all the time to my enemies- That is to say, to my business clients.
MANNY
(Annoyed, but trying to hide it)
Right. That is… so kind of you-
Suddenly the conversation is interrupted by a new guest. HOPE, a woman in her late 20s, carrying a camera and a little cute smile on her face. She wears a dress with vibrant pink and yellow colors, heart-shaped sunglasses and a rose next to her afro puff.
HOPE
Mr Money hi, can I have a few questions?
MANNY
Oh! Is this an interview? I’m great at those too! Gossip blogs love me, I’m great at creating conflict, right Mr Pig?
HOPE
(Nonchalantly)
No, not gossip. Fashion. So, what are you wearing? Tell us.
MANNY
(Awkward)
Ah. Well, a… beautiful expensive suit.
Hope looks at him, unimpressed, but still carrying her little smile.
HOPE
Mr Money do you know anything about fashion?
BELLA
He doesn’t.
MANNY
(Smiles)
Ah! Hahahah! You got me! I suppose this old man knows more about kids toys.
HOPE
It seems he does, yes.
CAPITALIST PIG
Not well enough if his company is in bankruptcy.
Everyone stares at Pig in silence.
CAPITALIST PIG
What? He was rude first and I can’t be rude now? Being a jerk is my whole personality!
MANNY
(Irritated, but still smiling)
Hahah. We know that well.
BELLA
And being passive aggressive is yours.
MANNY
(Laughing)
Ouch! Bella! That hurts!
SKULL
We all know Manny being passive aggressive is one of his main character traits, which while making him rather unlikable, it also serves as a way to-
MANNY
(Snapping)
ALRIGHT! You guys want me to be honest?! Sure! How about if I told you this was my last party?!
Everyone stares at Manny in shock and confusion.
CAPITALIST PIG
Huh.
SKULL
What?
BELLA
Excuse me?
MANNY
(Nervous)
Ah… That escaped me…
Hope leans the mic closer to Manny.
HOPE
Do tell.
MANNY
I thought you said you worked in fashion.
HOPE
I do, I’m just curious. This is good.
Everyone starts to demand Manny for answers, all speaking over each other.
CAPITALIST PIG
What do you mean your last party?!
SKULL
Did something happen?
CAPITALIST PIG
Are you dying???
BELLA
Mhm.
SKULL
I must say this does make the night more interesting!
SKULL
PLEASE tell me you’re DYING!
Suddenly, a new guest shows up, Sam also recognizes them from the portraits. VAL, an anchovy in their mid 20s wearing a fancy blue suit. They look nervous and awkwardly tries to say something, although immediately regrets it.
VAL
Um, hi everyone I-
Manny sees this as a good opportunity to get out of this situation. He runs to Val.
MANNY
My good friend! There you are! Why don’t you join us in our interview?
VAL
(Panicking)
Oh um… I-I-I… I’m not good at that or at talking that much…
MANNY
Hahah! Hilarious! Anyway, it was a nice talk, young lady, but I must be going to give my speech now-
Manny reaches for his mic but notices something. His forced smile drops slightly.
MANNY
Ah…it appears the mic is broken… right, of course, everything tonight is going perfectly… You wouldn’t mind sharing your microphone?
HOPE
Yes I would.
MANNY
Okay…
HOPE
Well, thanks for the interview, bye!
Hope walks off without a care, satisfied enough with the interview.
MANNY
*sigh* Now what do I do…
BELLA
I don’t know what you’re planning Manny, but it better not be something stupid.
Bella walks off too. Skull looks at her, concerned.
SKULL
Mr Pig, why don’t you keep him some company?
CAPITALIST PIG
I don’t want to.
SKULL
Well, you should. Even if you’re both rivals, there must be some sort of mutual understanding, that should come to shine in moments like this. Where no one else is by his side.
CAPITALIST PIG
No.
SKULL
(Annoyed)
Mhm, no one else sees the potential of a good story…
CAPITALIST PIG
But I suppose it would be funny to see him suffering. I’ll stay then.
SKULL
Good! You shall tell me all about it later. For now I’ll see how Bella is doing.
Before leaving, Skull turns to Val, who was awkwardly trying to walk away during this whole exchange.
SKULL
And you, Val! It is an honor to have you here! Can I have an autograph?
VAL
(Nervous)
Uh… well… Um I’m just going to… Okay.
Val walks off awkwardly, but Skull doesn’t seem to mind.
SKULL
Of course! See you later!
Skull walks off, leaving Pig and Manny alone, even if they’re not talking to each other at all. We finally go back to Sam and Max, who watched and heard that entire conversation. They look very uncomfortable.
SAM
Wow.
MAX
Sam, suddenly I’m really glad that you’re my main social circle.
MAX
That’s really sweet, Max.
Sam notices Hope, she seems like a good person to have a conversation with right now. That’s usually how a case for this duo goes, just talking to random people until something happens. Sam frowns at this description of his life work.
SAM
Hi. That must have been a bit uncomfortable.
MAX
A bit? I almost cause a scene just so they would shut up.
SAM
What would you have done?
MAX
I’m naked, I’m already causing a scene.
HOPE
It wasn’t so bad, you have no idea the things I have seen.
MAX
Ooh like what?
HOPE
One time I saw two freelancers, one a dog and the other a rabbit, stalk a food critic for a children snack. I heard it got so bad the food critic left the country.
MAX
Hahah!
Max smiles silently for a few seconds until he realizes what he just heard.
MAX
Oh wait…
SAM
You know us? I didn’t think anyone here would recognize us.
MAX
Especially our incriminating memories, you were right Sam, this feels like a high school reunion.
HOPE
You guys are a bit hard to miss, a lot happens in New York because of you. It would be kind of ridiculous to NOT know who you are.
MAX
Then how come our local pizzeria doesn’t recognize us?
HOPE
I think that means they are pretending to not know you.
MAX
That makes sense, but I’m still holding on to my multiverse theory.
SAM
So, you work in the fashion industry?
HOPE
I have an independent fashion brand, yeah. Kind of popular, not popular enough, I’m getting there. I’m also a journalist, it’s no biggie.
MAX
I feel like I’ve wasted my life, Sam.
SAM
It’s 8pm, that’s how you always feel at this time of the day.
MAX
Oh, right.
SAM
But hey, this is a big party, a good opportunity for you, right?
HOPE
Yeah I guess, but it’s all what I expect… I wish there was something interesting in this party this year…
SAM
Like what? A robbery?
MAX
Oooh someone stealing from a celebrity, creating a big commotion!
HOPE
That’d be cool.
MAX
We can make it happen if you ask us to!
SAM
Maybe later, Max.
MAX
Ooooh what if there is a murder?!
SAM
Don’t scare the nice lady, Max. Forgive him, he’s always like this, so I’ll keep him away for a while-
HOPE
No, that’d be cool too! You know a bit gruesome, I would not want to see the body, but I’ve read a couple of mystery books lately so, you know, it’d be a fun coincidence I guess.
MAX
Let’s cross our fingers and wish really really hard.
HOPE
(Smiles sweetly)
Looking forward to it!
SAM
As long as it isn’t me, sure.
MAX and HOPE
(Rolling their eyes)
Spoilsport.
SAM
Yeah yeah. Anyway, how much do you know about Manny Money?
HOPE
As much as anyone. He inherited his father’s toy company, the company was successful for years but lately it’s getting close to bankruptcy and for whatever reason Manny keeps making more and more toys, even if it will probably be his downfall. Really weird, but I do like the company’s mascot, it’s cute.
SAM
Well, we didn’t know any of that.
Hope stares in silence, with her usual little smile.
MAX
Stop giving her perfect set-ups for insults, Sam.
HOPE
It’s fine, I won’t say anything.
MAX
… to our faces.
HOPE
Yeah, you might not want to check my blog this week.
SAM
One more question, just for fun, you wouldn’t know anything about a mysterious document hidden in this mansion, would you?
HOPE
Not really.
SAM
Well, thanks anyway.
MAX
You know Sam, asking about this top secret document just like that is not very detectivey of you.
HOPE
Yeah, he’s right.
SAM
Alright alright, I’ll be more subtle. See you.
MAX
Hey, what fashion advice would you give me?
HOPE
… Wear clothes.
MAX
Noted!
Sam and Max decide to approach Manny next, but he is distracted trying to fix the mic, he doesn’t even look at them. Pig glares at the duo.
SAM
Greetings, Mr Money.
MANNY
I’m really sorry, folks, but I don’t have much time to talk now.
CAPITALIST PIG
(Smiles evily)
It’s okay, I can answer their questions for you.
MAX
How old are you, Mr Money?
CAPITALIST PIG
46.
Manny glares at Pig in silence.
SAM
Is the microphone broken?
MAX
Don’t you have like 15 back-up mics or something?
CAPITALIST PIG
Just because we are rich doesn’t mean we have everything at all times.
SAM
Huh, I’ve never thought of it like that.
CAPITALIST PIG
(Smiles smugly)
Just kidding, we have it all, it’s just that Manny organizes garbage parties!
SAM
I feel a very warm friendship here.
MAX
(Confused)
Um… I love you too, Sam?
SAM
Maybe we can help, what do you need?
MANNY
Wait, really? You’d do that? Thanks, fellas, that’s awfully nice!
MAX
Awfully convenient for us at least, in some way.
MANNY
If you could give me a microphone, any kind of microphone, I’d be able to tinker it a little and make this work.
SAM
Any kind, huh? Sure, let’s look around.
Sam has an idea, but he sees Val in the distance and decides to talk to them first.
SAM
Hello there.
VAL
(Confused)
Oh, hi. Who are you...?
SAM
We are Sam and Max.
VAL
Oh.
MAX
Well? We are famous!
VAL
(Nervous)
I’m sorry, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of you…
SAM
I guess technically we WERE famous.
MAX
Maybe ‘famous’ is being too kind. We have fans, that’s all.
SAM
We don’t know that many people here ourselves, but we’ve seen you in a couple of movies.
MAX
Yeah you are an actual celebrity!
VAL
Oh thanks, that’s very nice of you. Now I feel bad for not knowing who you are…
SAM
It’s alright, nobody really does.
MAX
Except that journalist!
VAL
(Horribly guilty)
Ah how inconsiderate of me…
SAM
Please don’t worry so much, really.
MAX
Yeah, people are usually way meaner to us.
SAM
Being unaware of our existence is almost a compliment.
MAX
Just how is it like being a celebrity anyway?
VAL
… Stressful.
SAM
Yeah, I guess most jobs are.
VAL
Most things are for me.
MAX
But it’s worth it if you have fame, right?
VAL
Oh no, I don’t really like being famous.
MAX
What? I always thought the main objective was fame! And the ability to be a complete jerk with no consequences!
VAL
Not me, I just really enjoy acting. And making fans happy is nice too… I’m not great at talking with fans but I’m not that good at talking to crowds in general. I’m just glad to inspire people or make them feel emotions with my performance.
SAM
That’s nice, kid.
MAX
If I was famous I would ask my fans to make an altar of me and pray every night to give me enough power to become a god.
VAL
(Concerned)
W… why?
MAX
I need to have something to do after I retire!
SAM
See? It’s a good thing he’s not a celebrity.
VAL
Maybe...
SAM
One last thing, do you have any idea where to get a functional microphone?
VAL
Not really, I’ve mostly looked at the ground, avoiding eye contact, so I haven’t really paid attention to my surroundings.
MAX
Sounds like Sam on his first dates.
VAL
(Awkwardly)
Hahah. Sorry I just assumed that was a joke and I had to laugh.
SAM
You never have to laugh at his jokes.
MAX
Says the guy who I always ‘crack up’.
VAL
(Smiles)
Hahah. That was a sincere laugh.
SAM
‘Sea’ you.
MAX.
(Annoyed)
Awful.
VAL
See you...
Sam and Max walk away to the door they came in.
SAM
I like Val, they seem nice.
MAX
They?
SAM
Geez Max, it’s 2026, don’t you know about this stuff already?
MAX
No, yeah, it’s just not fair that everyone but me gets to have interesting pronouns.
SAM
You know you can choose that, right?
MAX
(Shocked)
… Wait, really?! Just like that?! I have a lot to think about then!
SAM
Glad I could help, little buddy.
INT. MANNY MONEY’S MANSION (MAIN PARTY ROOM ENTRANCE)
Sam and Max go back to talk to the kid, who has a working microphone for his toy car.
SAM
Say kid, your uncle needs a new microphone, and yours could just work
RICH KID
So?
MAX
So, have you learned to share these last 5 minutes?
RICH KID
No!
SAM
I at least had to ask.
MAX
Maybe if we keep asking he’ll change his mind.
SAM
Not a bad idea.
RICH KID
I won’t!
MAX
Can we use your mic? Please please please? Please please please lease please please-
The kid uses the car to hurt Max’s leg again. That makes Max shut up.
RICH KID
You’re even more annoying than all those other kids!
SAM
Other kids?
RICH KID
Yeah, they are all in the kid’s area over there.
The kid points at a door with a big sign that says “Kid’s area”.
MAX
How have we not noticed that earlier?
SAM
Well, this format makes noticing visuals a little difficult.
-----
Chapter continues on the next part!
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