T.E. Lane's Blog

I love to play with words and one of the interesting experiences I had was translating a screenplay I wrote into a novel (and back again). My debut novel, The Cornbread Letters, was based on a script I wrote some years back. It won an award and I loved the story, so thought I would try my hand at novelizing it. I know . . . backwards . . . since many tv shows and films are based on books. I always went my own way for better or worse :). So I thought it may be fun to share a short scene from the script that made it into the full novel. There's no spoilers here, but it's a fun scene between the book's main character, Sam Abernethy - a conservative insurance investigator - and his not-so-conservative (and life of the party) partner Jack Beck. The two are on a simple work lunch break disussing a case. Fun fact - some of details of this scene were given to me by family and friends who actually ARE insurance investigators! Enjoy and have a brew on me. I hope it will inspire you to pick up a copy of The Cornbread Letters!


INT. UPTOWN IRISH PUB, CHARLOTTE, NC – DAY
Jack and Sam play pool in a musty corner. Jack puffs on a stogie.

JACK
Turns out Reyes was into his bookie for over two-hundred grand and mortgaged the lake house without Bitsy's knowledge. She was about to divorce him. So, Reyes thought he'd collect a little dough and pay off the knee-breakers first.

Sam easily sinks a shot.

SAM
What'd he use?

Jack holds up a large, unopened bag of potato chips. A RED-HAIRED WAITRESS slops two beers down and eyes the large unopened bag.

WAITRESS
After-school snack?

JACK
(holds up bag)
Evidence.

Sam raises an eyebrow.

JACK
Well, the real thing's at the police station and barely recognizable, but I picked up a copy for our investigation.

WAITRESS
You guys cops?

Jack kisses her hand like Pepe le Pew.

JACK
S-I-U, Madame...

WAITRESS
"Serious Idiot Union?"

SAM
(reads her name tag)
Actually, Brittany, SIU is the special investigative unit of the Adelaar Insurance Corporation.

Brittney smiles at Sam. Jack presents the potato chips like a game show hostess.

JACK
You see, Brittany, the fat in the potato chips acts like a natural accelerant for fire. Unlike gas or kerosene, however, it's untraceable. And a family sized bag like this placed near the engine with enough air—

SAM
Where was it?

JACK
Glove compartment. Lit it up, threw it in the glove box, convertible top down, hood up, and—

SAM
Boom goes the garage.

Jack points to Sam.

JACK
This guy is so good. All he had to do was look at an empty picture frame.

The waitress shrugs, confused.

SAM
Some people take favorite photos and clothes out of the house before they burn it down.

The waitress sticks her pen behind her ear.

WAITRESS
Well, I'll keep that in mind if I ever decide to torch this dump.

Jack takes a long drag on his cigar.

JACK
(to the waitress)
Some people are drawn to the flame. Maybe you're one of them, sweetheart.

Sam studies the nine ball.

SAM
It's risky. Probability and risk. Determiners of success in business, life-

Sam looks up at Brittney, shoots, and sinks the nine ball without taking his eyes off her.

SAM
-and nine ball.

Jack grins and jabs a thumb toward Sam.

JACK
Can you tell why they call him "Serious Sam"?