KISS KISS GOODBYE
Episode 4: “Someone’s Pulling Strings”
FADE IN:
EXT. HOTEL BALLROOM – NIGHT (FLASHFORWARD: 3 MONTHS INTO THE FUTURE)
The New Year’s Eve party is alive with energy. Glasses clink. Laughter swells. A jazz band plays a smooth, sultry tune.
We move through the ballroom, glimpsing familiar faces. Some talking. Some watching. Some pretending not to watch.
Near the large balcony doors, Ava stands alone, her fingers wrapped around a champagne flute.
A presence behind her. She doesn’t turn.
JULIAN (O.S.)
(quietly)
You don’t look like someone celebrating.
She exhales. Smiles—just barely.
AVA
And you don’t sound like someone who trusts me.
A loaded silence. Then, Julian steps beside her, his expression unreadable.
JULIAN
(flat)
Should I?
She finally meets his gaze. There’s something unspoken between them.
A sudden shout cuts through the music.
They both turn. Across the room, a woman in a red dress stumbles back, a hand over her mouth.
More people start to gather. Whispers ripple. A wave of tension spreads through the party.
Julian and Ava exchange a look.
Something has happened.
CUT TO BLACK.
TITLE CARD: KISS KISS GOODBYE
INT. PRESTIGIOUS CONSULTING FIRM – MORNING (PRESENT DAY)
Ava walks briskly through the office, eyes sharp, focused. She stops at Julian’s desk, placing a folder down.
Julian barely looks up.
AVA
(quiet)
We need to talk.
Now she has his attention.
INT. PRIVATE OFFICE – MOMENTS LATER
The door clicks shut.
Ava lays out a series of financial statements. Julian scans the documents, his expression darkening.
AVA
These accounts—money’s moving in ways that don’t make sense. And there are two names tied to them.
She hesitates, then pushes a paper toward him.
AVA
Yours is one of them.
Julian stiffens. His fingers tighten around the document.
JULIAN
(scoffs)
I didn’t sign off on anything shady.
AVA
Someone wanted it to look like you did.
A long beat. Julian clenches his jaw.
JULIAN
Who’s the other name?
Ava slides another paper forward.
Julian’s eyes land on it.
Sophia.
His expression shifts—something unreadable flickers across his face.
INT. PARKING GARAGE – NIGHT
Sophia exits the building, heels clicking against the pavement. She moves with ease, in control.
Until—
A voice from the shadows.
DANNY (O.S.)
(leaning against a car)
That’s a hell of a poker face you’ve got.
Sophia doesn’t flinch.
SOPHIA
(smirks)
That’s why I always win.
Danny steps forward, casual. But his eyes are studying her.
DANNY
Let’s stop playing, then.
Sophia tilts her head, amused.
SOPHIA
And what game do you think we’re playing?
Danny takes another step.
DANNY
The one where money’s disappearing, and Julian’s name is attached to something that doesn’t make sense.
Sophia’s smirk doesn’t falter—but something shifts in her eyes.
SOPHIA
(smooth)
You’re looking in the wrong places, Danny.
DANNY
Or the right ones.
She holds his gaze, then exhales a soft chuckle.
SOPHIA
Careful. Asking the wrong questions can make you a liability.
Danny doesn’t blink.
DANNY
Then let’s hope I’m useful.
A beat. Then, Sophia turns and walks away.
Danny watches her go, his smirk fading.
INT. BAR – NIGHT
Ava and Danny sit in a corner booth. Ava sips a drink, flipping through the documents again.
Danny watches her.
DANNY
(low)
You really think Sophia would set Julian up?
Ava exhales, thoughtful.
AVA
I think the kind of money moving around here? It doesn’t just happen. Someone’s pulling strings.
A beat.
DANNY
And if Julian’s just a pawn?
Ava looks up.
AVA
Then we figure out who’s playing the game.
EXT. CITY STREET – NIGHT
Julian walks, hands in his pockets, his mind clearly racing.
He pulls out his phone. Hesitates. Then dials.
The phone rings. A click. Someone answers.
We don’t hear the other voice. But Julian’s grip on the phone tightens.
JULIAN
(low, controlled)
We need to talk.
A pause. His jaw clenches.
JULIAN
Because if I don’t get ahead of this now, it’s going to bury me.
FADE TO BLACK.
TO BE CONTINUED…