Spec Scripts

Click here for NCIS spec script "Foul Play."

Logline: A marine is found dead - an apparent suicide - in almost identical conditions to another marine 5 years earlier. Is it a coincidence, a copycat crime... or is a serial killer on the loose?

Extract: Agents Tony DiNozzo (team lothario and prankster) and Timothy McGee (earnest and geeky) wander the forest in search of someone.

EXT. FOREST PATH - MORNING

McGee: So this is where Ziva said she'd be? Why didn't she take her phone with her?

Tony: I have no idea - perhaps you should ask her yourself?

McGee: I will.

Tony: Oh, really?

McGee: I know you like to pretend Ziva scares people, with all her training in unarmed combat, martial arts...

Tony: Let's not forget knife throwing, there, Probie...

McGee: Fine - knife throwing...

THWOCK!!

McGee FREEZES as a knife thuds into a tree NEXT TO HIS EAR. Tony flinches too... THEN RELAXES.

Tony: Come on, Ziva - we know it's you. I'd know that throw...

THWOCK!!!

A second knife thuds into the tree next to Tony - BUT THIS TIME AT CROTCH LEVEL.

Tony: (wincing) ...anywhere.

OFFICER ZIVA DAVID - the attractive yet lethal Israeli Mossad officer seconded to NCIS - emerges violently from inside a large bush.

Ziva: Will you two shut up?

Tony takes in her camouflage gear and the rifle scope she's holding.

Tony: Wow, Ziva - what's going on? Your Mossad annual tune-up? You know - check under the hood, make sure everything's aligned.

Ziva: Don't be ridiculous...

Tony grins.

Ziva: ...that was last month.

McGee: It was, Tony - remember, she told us she'd been doing contact pilates? No such thing - at least, not in the DC area. Maybe in California...

Ziva: Look, will you two please go away!

Tony: Why, Ziva? Are we interrupting some romantic assignation? Just you, him, and the joy of... target practice?

McGee: Ziva, we can't - we have a case.

Ziva: (grinding her teeth) Fine! Wait here.

She disappears back into the bush.

Tony: So talking of dates from hell, how did yours go, Elf Lord?

McGee: It went fine, Tony.

Tony: Just fine? Not good - excellent - awesome?

McGee: If it had, I wouldn't tell you about it.

Tony opens his mouth to say more.

McGee: Ziva's been gone a long time. Maybe one of us should go in after her?

Tony: Not unless he has a death wish. (beat) I'm just saying, you go in there, you could lose a finger... or an eye.....

He eyes the tree where the second knife landed.

Tony: Or worse.

Ziva finally emerges.

Ziva: I am ready to go.

They start walking.

McGee: Why didn't have your phone on, Ziva?

Ziva: There is no reception out here.

Tony extracts his phone.

Tony: Well, I've got a signal.

Ziva: Impossible...

Ziva grabs Tony's phone then checks her own.

Dammit. Lots of bars.

Ziva: They must have installed a cell tower nearby very recently.

Tony: Oh, so you 'come here often'?

Ziva: That is none of your business.

Tony: Let's see... applying my powers of deductive reasoning...

Ziva: Ha!

Tony: You're here alone, so we can rule out combat training. You're less than 5 miles from the nearest town, so it can't be survival training. But you do have that scope... (beat) So either you were big game hunting... (picky authority voice) Which would be illegal... (normal voice) Or you were out here bird watching, or maybe...

Ziva's step FALTERS.

Tony: You were bird watching?

McGee: (pleased) Really? You do that?

Tony: Bird watching! No way. Oh, this is too good.

Ziva: (aggressively) It is called ornithology, and it trains one in the arts of concealment, stealthy observation and patience.

McGee: I can imagine that.

Ziva: It is very difficult to do correctly!

McGee: I was agreeing with you, Ziva!

Tony stops walking. HE STARES AT SOMETHING.

Tony: So you'd say your powers of observation are... pretty good, then.

McGee: Tony, you have to admit, Ziva...

Tony: Probie, let the ornithologist speak for herself.

Ziva: Yes, of course.

Tony: Because I was just wondering - you see that bird up there?

Ziva hesitates, sensing a trap, then raises the scope.

CLOSE UP on bird AS SEEN THROUGH THE SCOPE.

Ziva: (knowingly) Yes - the yellow-throated warbler.

Tony: Which might nest in...?

Ziva: Probably your typical American pine.

Tony: Perhaps like the one it sits in now?

Ziva: Yes, perhaps.

Tony snorts with laughter. Ziva lowers the scope.

Ziva: What?

Tony: That's a very... symmetric tree, wouldn't you say, Officer Davide?

Ziva looks at the tree, NOW WITHOUT THE SCOPE.

Ziva: I suppose so. But I fail to see...

CLOSE-UP on the tree as Ziva stares at it...

Highly symmetric, with the branches at odd angles...

IT'S A CELL PHONE TOWER.

Tony: Oh yes, you did fail to see, didn't you, Ziva?

McGee stares at it, geekily impressed.

McGee: Those new cell towers really blend in.

Muttering Israeli insults, Ziva MARCHES AHEAD.

The others follow, Tony still wearing a huge grin.

[to read more, click here!]

Click here for Medium spec script "The Family DuBois."

Logline: With both of them still out of work, and the family in financial trouble, Allison begins having dreams of a very different Joe. Are the dreams a warning of what's to come, or are they trying to tell her something else?

Extract: Joe's found a job ad that finally looks promising, and has spent the day in the library doing research on it.

INT. DUBOIS LIVING ROOM - EVENING

Allison's watching Bridgette practice long division.

Allison: That's right - you've got the hang of it now.

Bridgette: I'm still too slow!

There's the sound of a key in the front door. Allison stands up.

Allison: Speed isn't everything...

She heads for the hall.

Allison: ...remember the tortoise and the hare!

Bridgette screws up her face in annoyance.

Bridgette: Who?

INT. DUBOIS HALLWAY

Allison watches Joe come in.

Joe: Hello, wife.

He shuts the door and pulls her into a big hug.

Allison: Someone's in a good mood.

Joe: Yes I am.

He taps the laptop case he's holding.

Joe: Not only did I remind myself I was pretty good at this stuff back in college, I finished the first draft of my application.

Allison: Woww. Sounds like a celebration's in order.

Joe steps in closer, but they're interrupted by Bridgette.

Bridgette: Mommy! You have to explain! Who's the tortoise?

Allison and Joe split apart grinning, and Allison follows Bridgette back to the sofa, Joe following behind her as far as the kitchen.

Joe: (murmurs) We'll save the celebrating until another time.

INT. RESTAURANT -- EVENING

The restaurant is dimly lit, the decor luxurious. Allison and Joe, both dressed up, are standing near the entrance. Allison doesn't look entirely happy to be there.

The MAITRE'D returns, holding two menus and smiling politely.

Maitre'd: This way, please.

They follow him across the restaurant.

Allison: (sideways, to Joe) Can we afford this?

Allison looks up at him, but Joe simply gives a small smile and keeps walking. They reach their table and sit down, the maitre'd handing them the menus.

Maitre'd: Your waiter will be with you shortly - enjoy.

Allison studies the menu worriedly - it's expensive. She looks up to say something to Joe, but stops as she sees a smiling

JERRY - older than them and wearing an expensive looking suit and tie -

approaching their table with his hand outstretched.

Jerry: Hello you two!

Joe stands, smiling deferentially. The two men shake hands.

Joe: Jerry. How are you?

Allison stares up at Jerry, clearly not recognizing him.

Jerry: Oh - fine, fine. What a shame - we were just leaving, or you could have joined us.

Jerry gestures to a woman heading for the rest room.

Joe: Perhaps another time.

Jerry: (to Allison) You know, I was just telling your husband it seems like forever since I last saw you! But with three children - I'm sure you have your hands full! Especially with your husband at work all day.

Allison manages to smile back, but she's totally confused.

Joe: My children are very well behaved.

Jerry: Ah well - every father thinks that!

Joe: Yes... but I've instilled into them a respect for authority - respect for their elders. Something you won't find in most.

Surprised by Joe's forcefulness, Jerry beams at Allison to include her.

Jerry: Well, I'm sure you both do a wonderful job.

Joe gives a condescending smile.

Joe: My wife is too soft on them, I'm afraid.

Allison's smile fades rapidly.

Joe: If I left her in charge of discipline, I'd come home to a zoo every evening.

Jerry hesitates, glancing at Allison, then laughs awkwardly.

Jerry: Well - there's my wife - I'd better get going. Nice to see you both.

Joe: You too.

Allison just manages a nod. But the moment Jerry's out of range she puts down her menu and rages at Joe.

Allison: Who was that guy? And what was that about?

Joe says nothing - just regards her blandly.

Allison: Have I been nominated for worst mother of the year or something?

She stares at him, hurt and frustrated, then stands, grabbing her bag.

Allison: I'm going to the rest room. You can order me a drink, since you're apparently in charge of everything!

INT. CORRIDOR LEADING TO REST ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER

The corridor's as dimly lit as the restaurant. As Allison heads for the Ladies Room, upset, she doesn't hear Joe behind her... until it's TOO LATE.

Joe grabs her shoulders and pushes her against the wall. Then he pulls back, and PUNCHES HER IN THE FACE.

INT. DUBOIS BEDROOM -- NIGHT

Allison jerks upright clutching her nose. Half asleep, Joe reaches out for her, but she pulls herself out of reach, getting out of bed to examine her face in the mirror.

THERE'S NOT A MARK ON IT.

Finally she gets back into bed, though her eyes stay open as she stares at the wall, with her back to Joe.

[to read more, click here!]