Black Snow (2023) s01e01 Episode Script

1
(INSECTS CHIRRUP)
(EERIE MUSIC)
(LOUD, RHYTHMIC PERCUSSION
OVER EERIE MUSIC)
(ELECTRICITY BUZZES)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(COIN CLATTERS)
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
(ENGINE REVS)
(PHONE RINGS)
Please, I I just need
(ENGINE REVS)
(LOUD MUSIC PLAYS)
(MUSIC DISTORTS AND WARPS)
(MUSIC CONTINUES, SLIGHTLY DISTORTED)
(RHYTHMIC PERCUSSION BEATS)
(RHYTHM ENDS)
(SIREN WAILS DISTANTLY)
(INHALES SHARPLY, EXHALES)
Come on, Jimmy, I've
got somewhere to be.
MACHINE: Great skill! You're a winner!!
Let's do this.
(EXHALES LOUDLY)
OK.
It's gone up.
Come on, man, I've got a kid on the way.
Congratulations.
Cheers.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
Yeah.
- You good?
- Mmm.
OK.
(GRUNTS)
(GROANS)
Come on, Frank, put
your bloody hips into it.
(GROANS)
Ugh!
(BREATHES RHYTHMICALLY AND HEAVILY)
(GROANS)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
Ugh
Ah
- Please.
- Alright.
Agh!
Ugh Shit.
Fuckin' weirdo.
(GROANS)
(SINGS) Happy birthday ♪
to you ♪
Happy birthday to you ♪
(INHALES LOUDLY)
Happy birthday ♪
(SNIFFLES)
(INDISTINCT SINGING AND SNIFFLING)
(RADIO CHATTER)
(CHATTER FADES)
(EXHALES)
WOMAN: Do you ever sleep?
Morning, boss.
Jesus, James! What happened this time?
Forgot me safe word.
Maybe try something with
fewer syllables next time.
What's up?
Well, results are back
on Stagg's DNA sample.
It's a match for the hair
found Erin Kealy's body.
Well done.
You got him.
I'll let you tell Erin's parents.
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
(SONG PLAYS WITH MAN
SINGING IN LOCAL LANGUAGE)
(BELL CLANGS)
(SONG ENDS)
(INDISTINCT VOICES)
- (INSECTS CHIRRUP LOUDLY)
- (INDISTINCT FAINT VOICES)
(SOUND ESCALATES)
(TRAIN PASSES, BELL CLANGS)
(PIANO PLAYS)
GIRL: (SINGS) Hear the wind blow ♪
Hear the wind blo-ow ♪
Hear the wind blow ♪
Hang your head over ♪
Hear the wind blow. ♪
(FINISHES PLAYING)
Sounds beautiful. You been practising?
Not as much as I should.
Hey.
How was the drive?
Long.
- Where's Mum and Dad?
- They're on their way.
I'm glad you're home, Mum. How
long are you staying this time?
Um, I could only get a week. I'm sorry.
I think Nan and Pop were
hoping you'd stay longer,
but whatever.
Look, bub (SIGHS)
I know I haven't been
back as much as I should,
but work's been really busy,
and me staying in Brisbane's about
creating a better future for you.
I know, Mum.
I just miss you.
Mmm, I miss you too.
How are you feeling about today?
Nervous.
You'll do her proud.
What about you?
Will you be OK?
MAN: Hazel, my beautiful girl.
Home at last. (CHUCKLES)
Mum, what's wrong? Are you OK?
It's nothing. Just getting old.
Doesn't look like nothing.
We can talk about it tomorrow.
Today's about Izzy.
It is a day of joy.
Come.
Let us pray.
Lord,
we thank you for the chance
to celebrate Isabel today.
We know that through
you she is still with us,
and that through us,
her story continues.
We pray for the same
strength as our ancestors,
who endured great suffering,
and, on the other side,
found forgiveness and hope.
We layeth this day at your feet,
in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
(APPLAUSE)
Welcome, everyone,
to the Ashford High
centenary celebration,
and the unearthing of
our very own time capsule.
(APPLAUSE)
And so, to get things under way,
please welcome one
of the students of '94
who put the time capsule together,
my daughter, Chloe.
(APPLAUSE)
(INHALES) Before we
raid this treasure chest,
I
I want to pay tribute to Isabel Baker.
This was really her project.
She was our fearless
leader, and we loved her.
I still miss her every day.
OK.
Victor, let's open it up.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
- MAN 1: Ready?
- MAN 2: Yeah.
MAN 1: Three, two, one.
(APPLAUSE)
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
(INAUDIBLE)
(APPLAUSE ENDS)
Those of us that put
this project together
are going to read first.
Oh
- (LAUGHTER)
- Amazing.
"Dear 2019,
My name is Chloe Walcott.
In 1994 my life is
pretty sweet.
I just bought my first car,
and in a few weeks, I will
be road tripping my head off."
(APPLAUSE)
"In 2019, I predict I'll be
a famous game developer
living in San Francisco
and married to Alyssa Milano."
(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)
Camera.
"In 2019,
I predict I'll be, hopefully,
running the Mars colony,
but probably just running a farm."
(LAUGHTER)
"Either way I expect "
Um
Sorry.
"E-either way, I expect Izzy and
I will have three kids by then."
(APPLAUSE)
(INDISTINCT)
WOMAN: "My name is Tasha Hopkins "
(APPLAUSE)
"In 2019, I predict Ashford will be
pretty much the same.
Fuck all ever changes around here."
(INHALES) Z, X, Y, Z
Just quoting history verbatim, Ms Wally.
(LAUGHTER)
D C
(APPLAUSE)
A
CHLOE: Next up, Isabel Baker.
Isabel's niece, Kalana Baker will
be opening her package on her behalf
one of this year's graduating students.
Thank you.
Put it on.
(CHLOE CHUCKLES)
"Dear 2019
My name is Isabel Baker.
And right now, my life is changing.
I'll be travelling
soon, which is exciting,
but also sad because
I'll miss my family.
But mainly exciting,
because for the first time in my life,
I don't know what to expect."
In 2019, I predict I'll be
probably back in Ashford.
Right now, I can't wait
to explore the world,
but I still love it here.
In 2019,
I predict Ashford will be
still full of predators,
disguised as friends.
(INDISTINCT MURMURING)
I've seen the Ankou here,
sharpening its scythe,
waiting to reap our souls.
There are people here I trusted.
But now I know they feed on suffering.
One day,
when I'm safe from their clutches,
I'll expose them and their cruelty.
(SLOW, RHYTHMIC PERCUSSION)
That's if they don't kill me first."
(BEATS ACCELERATE)
(BEATS END)
(LAUGHTER)
IZZY: I think you burnt my ear.
HAZEL: It's not my fault.
You're the one moving.
IZZY: You're the one with
the iron in your hands.
You reckon you could
straighten my hair tomorrow?
No. You know how Mum goes.
- Maybe next year.
- Whatever. It's so unfair.
You trying to look hot for Anton?
Anton Bianchi? No.
I know he's your boyfriend.
Maybe I should tell Mum.
I'm just being gammin.
(SONG PLAYS WITH WOMAN
SINGING IN LOCAL LANGUAGE)
(SONG ENDS)
I think it's done.
You look really pretty, Izz.
(SONG RESUMES)
GLENDA: Hazel, Izzy!
Hurry up.
(DOOR CLOSES)
- GLENDA: Do you want more tea, love?
- JOE: No, I've gotta get going.
I'm stopping at the camp on the way in.
Hey, where are you sneaking off to?
School. I'm late.
Mum told me about the scholarship news.
(LAUGHS)
I'm so proud of you, Isabel.
Thanks, Dad, but it's just a
shortlist and I really am late.
Well, stop messing with this
beautiful hair that God gave you.
- And good luck on your test today.
- Thanks, Mum.
(INSECTS CHIRRUP)
- Took your time.
- Sooky la-la.
- Morning, Aunty.
- Hi, Aunty Rosa.
Morning Izzy. Bunbun.
(LAUGHS) Bunbun.
Oh, look at them.
Oh, look at 'em.
(GIRLS GIGGLE)
God bless, Uncle.
Bless you. Thank you.
Oh.
- Mick still has the hots for you.
- No, he doesn't. We're just friends.
Then why is he always outside
right when we catch the bus.
You're gammin.
(HIPHOP MUSIC PLAYS)
I'll probably walk. I
forgot hockey training.
There's Bella. I'll see ya later, Izz.
See ya.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Did you bring the money?
- Yeah, but keep it down.
If Dad finds out, he'll kill me.
Let's go.
Izzy!
Hey. Hey Chloe. Are you good?
Hey. Mum's coming.
Morning, Miss Walcott.
Oh, good morning, Isabel.
Ah, Ms Walcott, that looks
heavy. Let me give you a hand.
- Thank you, Anton.
- My pleasure.
But chivalry won't work.
You're still on detention.
Not even a reduced
sentence or something?
You did the crime, you do the time.
Well, I'll see you
in history, I guess.
- What time did he say he was coming?
- He should be here already.
Oh, here he is.
Hey, Mick.
Yeah. How long have you got?
Two hours, max. We've got
Chloe's mum for fourth period.
Yeah, we'd better hurry then.
Thanks for hooking us up.
Oof, don't thank me yet, I don't
know the fella who's selling.
See if it's any good first.
(METAL SQUEALS)
CHLOE: Are you sure this is right?
Number 42, this is it.
Hey, this is sketchy as fuck.
- Just go, Mick.
- No, I want to see it.
(CHLOE GASPS)
Who the fuck are you?
We're here to see the van.
- CHLOE: Looks so cool!
- IZZY: So sick!
Yeah, let's just buy it, Izzy.
Mildred's got a good vibe.
- Mildred?
- She looks like a Millie to me.
Millie
It does seem perfect for us.
I mean, it's a good price,
but you'd be taking a risk.
(LOUD MUSIC PLAYS)
(MUSIC DISTORTS)
Oh, shit.
OK, we're gonna need to get that fixed.
I can't believe in three
weeks I'm gonna be on the road.
I know, it's actually crazy.
We need to get a stove, and
an Esky, and one of those
Yeah, and you need to actually start
telling people that we're going.
Why do you keep going on about
that? My parents aren't like yours.
Sorry.
I'm thinking of sending them a postcard.
- What?
- But I promise, I won't change my mind.
We're going to go, and
nothing can stop us!
BOTH: Whoo!
(ENGINE SPUTTERS)
CHLOE: Ah, shit.
Hey, how was training?
Huh. Good. How was detention?
Don't tell Mum and Dad.
I won't, but only if you
help straighten my hair.
No way, Mum will lose it.
Not as much as Dad will if he find out
you wagged school AND skipped a test.
Fine, but why do you wanna
straighten your hair anyways?
- You're only 13.
- I just wanna look more like you, Izz.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
Mum! Can you help me?
Sorry, Bub.
You right with that?
- Thanks Vic.
- Yeah, no problems, Lynnie.
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)
(INHALES AND EXHALES HEAVILY)
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
(MUSIC IN LOCAL LANGUAGE PLAYS)
(INAUDIBLE)
(LOUD RHYTHMIC PERCUSSION)
(PERCUSSIONS ENDS)
(DOOR CLANGS SHUT)
(SOFT, INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
(RADIO CHATTER CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY)
Boss?
Hey, Boss!
Go home.
This review in Northern
Queensland: Isabel Baker.
- Mm-hm.
- I want to take the case.
- No.
- Yes.
Have you read the information
report? Looks pretty thin.
Plus, you hate the heat.
All the same
I'd like to take it.
- Well, I've already put Jessop on it.
- So take her off.
She doesn't care.
I'm sorry, I'm just, um
really interested in
this one, that's all.
Please?
Pleeease?
- Please, please, please, please
- Fine.
Thank you.
Sort it out with Jessop, but if
I hear one word about the heat,
so help me God, James
And go home.
Hello.
Uh, how may I help you?
Detective Sergeant Jim
Cormack, Cold Case Unit.
- Welcome to Ashford, Sarge.
- Thank you.
I'll go get the boss.
MAN: So you are the
finger up my arsehole
to see if a full
colonoscopy is required.
Yeah, well, it's just a
preliminary review at this stage.
You been eating your fibre?
James Cormack.
Troy Turner, Senior Sergeant.
- Glad to meet you.
- Yeah.
Let's do this in my office.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER, MEDIA PLAYING)
G'day, mate.
- If it isn't the filth.
- Two beers, thank you, bar wench.
Hey, Jack.
Tasha. On my tab.
Steve Walcott.
He owns the mill.
He's good for a shout.
Right.
Few free beers.
We'll show you some good
fishing spots while you're here,
so your trip isn't a
complete waste of time.
Thank you.
You don't put much stock
in, ah, Isabel's letter.
Nah.
She sounded pretty scared
of someone she knew.
You don't think that suggests a motive?
I think it suggests a
cranky girl on her period.
It's teen angst,
not evidence, which is what
this case was always lacking.
The fact is we had no witnesses,
no primary crime scene,
and no murder weapon.
Yeah.
It's a tough case.
(SIGHS)
I'll bet you've got a theory though.
- I do.
- Well, I'd love to hear it.
The night Isabel was killed,
she attended her Year 12
formal at the school, here.
Not long before it
ended, she went outside
and gave directions to someone
in a blue station
wagon, with a white door.
Her friend, Chloe Walcott,
witnessed the interaction.
She didn't see the driver,
but she remembers that
the car had interstate plates.
Now, after the formal, both
girls walked home together,
up to the Riley Street T-intersection.
Chloe went left, Isabel right,
and walked the last
2km to her house alone.
And that's where he got her.
We didn't really have any
CCTV in town back then,
BUT the ATM on Main Street had a camera.
We think he was a seasonal
worker passing through town,
we had loads of them back then.
He waited until she was alone,
and then tried to drag her into the car.
She must have fought back hard,
because we found blood on her
hand that didn't belong to her.
And then as she tried to
run, that's when he hit her.
Blunt force trauma.
Single blow to the side of the head.
And then he dumped the
body outside the cemetery
on his way out of town.
Stranger danger.
That's your theory, huh?
Well, pretty girl in a pretty
dress walking home late at night -
it's a tale as old as time.
But her hair was cut post-mortem.
Does that feel like a random act to you?
You read the case file?
Yes.
And now I'm just trying to figure out
how the hair trophy
fits in with your theory.
Well, I don't know.
Maybe he was a serial killer in
the making, or a fucking wig maker.
We didn't find him, so I couldn't ask.
But I followed every avenue
of this investigation,
and all roads, my friend,
led back to this car.
I'm sure your investigation
was very thorough,
but obviously there's
new information now.
Speaking of which, I'd like to, uh
check out the time capsule, please.
There, she's all yours.
You been through it?
Nah. No, I'm full of protocol, to a T.
Your case now.
- Snap!
- I hate this game.
We could play strip poker instead.
Why are you footy players always
trying to show people your dicks?
I don't know. Just generous, I guess.
What do you want, Tampon?
- Uh, is this detention?
- Yeah.
What did you do, Hector?
You get caught with that cam
in the girls' changing rooms?
- Yeah, more like the boys'.
- Don't be a dick.
Sorry.
- Hey.
- 'Sup.
- Made ya a new mix.
- Did ya?
Yeah.
Sexy as hell.
MRS WALCOTT: On your own time, Tasha.
What's with the, uh, crate, Mrs Walcott?
This is your ticket out of detention.
I am sentencing you all
to community service.
This box is a
time capsule,
to be opened in 25 years, on
the school's 100th anniversary.
That's pretty cool, right?
- (WHISPERS) What the fuck?
- (LAUGHTER)
What do we put in it?
I want you to get everyone
in Year 12 modern history
to contribute a personal item,
and to fill out one of these.
"Hi, I'm Tasha,
and in 2019 I predict
that I will be "
A lonely high schoolteacher
with a drinking problem.
- Dare to dream, Tasha.
- Mmm.
And last but not least, I
want you all to work together
to create a video record of what
life in Ashford looks like today.
Hector's volunteered to lend us
his camera, and his expertise,
so be nice.
It sounds like a lot of work.
ANTON: Yeah, what's the point of it all?
History. Your history.
This This is a chance for you
to wrap up a little piece of your lives
for a future generation to discover.
Or I could just stick you all on
lunchtime bin duty for two weeks.
No, no, sounds fun, Miss Walcott.
Hector. Show us how the camera works.
(MUSIC PLAYS, INDISTINCT VOICES OVERLAY)
TASHA: Did you get that, Hector?
- (LAUGHS)
- Oi!
- You're under arrest!
- (SQUEALS)
- Izzy.
- Back off!
(LAUGHTER AND SCREAMING)
Shit!
Anton, Hector keeps putting
the camera up my skirt. (LAUGHS)
Up your skirt?
CHLOE: Yeah, how do you feel, Anton?
- I was just there the other day.
- He's just gonna swing it down there
- Yeah, I know.
- Yeah.
(LAUGHTER)
- This video is gonna be rare
- So good.
- (LAUGHTER)
- Izz, Izz.
Oh, no, I'm good, thank you.
Hector.
Hang on, now, don't green out, Tampon.
Oh, like that time you
did at Fitzy's party?
- Hey, come on, play nice.
- (LAUGHTER)
Oh, wait, Hector, can you
edit that J out of the video,
'cause my mum's gonna see it.
Well, I can make two
versions of the video,
as in, like, show the
clean one to your mum,
but then, I could
I could switch the tapes
before it goes in the time capsule.
- OK!
- ANTON: Oh, fuck yeah!
- Hey!
- Stoner Spielberg's got some balls.
- Hell, yeah.
- (LAUGHTER)
- (BEEPING)
- Oh, shit, I've gotta go.
Oh, shit.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER AND LAUGHTER)
I'll see you later, OK?
Ah, um, Pastor Joe flips his lid
if she's not home before
the street lights come on.
Joe's so scary.
(TV PLAYS)
"In 2019, I predict Ashford will be "
- What's that?
- History project.
What are you doing for it?
Hey girls. Kim just called in sick,
OK? So I've gotta cover her shift.
Don't forget that Dad's
at prayer group tonight.
Yeah.
And there's soup in the fridge.
Alright? I'll see youse later.
- OK. Love you, Mum.
- Love, youse.
(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)
Hey, it's me.
ANTON: Hey, are we going to chill out?
What are you doing now?
(INDISTINCT REPLY)
Yeah.
- Alright?
- Alright, see you soon.
(HANGS UP)
Where are you going?
If Dad comes home early, tell
him I'm at Chloe's studying.
But we're supposed
to watch Fresh Prince.
Yeah, we will. Tape it.
I'll be back.
Ugh.
(BOTH LAUGH)
(PATTERING ON ROOF)
Black snow.
ANTON: Dad's harvesting.
We, uh
can't come back here
for a bit, actually.
Dad's got some workers
coming up for the harvest.
They'll be kipping around here.
But we could your uncle's
fishing shack, right?
No way.
Yeah, or what about that abandoned
house down on Harpers Road.
Dalkeith?
Yeah, no one ever goes there.
It's going to be good next year,
not having to sneak around,
when we're in Brissie.
Yeah, it will.
I got something for you.
I saw it at the market on the weekend.
Reminded me of that painting you did.
- A black cockatoo?
- Yeah.
- Can I?
- Yeah.
Do you mind lifting up?
Thank you.
It's beautiful, thank you.
Well, you're beautiful.
I need to tell you something.
Chloe wants to do a trip
to Sydney this summer,
and she asked me to come with her.
How long have you
been planning this for?
I needed to be certain
before I told you.
Oh, certain? You're already certain.
So are you just breaking
up with me, is that right?
No.
I love you.
I know I should have told you earlier,
but I honestly wasn't sure
until we bought the van.
You already bought a van?
Mick is fixing a few things,
but we should have it back soon.
Wait, Mick Compton?
So you just decided to tell him
before you even bothered to tell me.
He knows heaps about
cars. We needed his advice.
Well, maybe you should take
him on the trip with you, then.
- Anton, please.
- It's late.
I'm gonna drive you home.
(HINGES SQUEAK)
Hey.
Thank you.
No worries.
- You right?
- Yeah. Sorry, I
We just don't get many
interesting cases up here.
Well, that's a good thing, right?
Yeah, of course. I'm just
Why are you starting with this?
It's just a bunch of '90s memorabilia.
Well
(INHALES)
The biggest challenge with cold cases
is finding out who people
really were back then.
You see, memories can be untrustworthy.
People lie, they forget,
they editorialise, unconsciously.
Stuff like this is
this offers us a glimpse
into who these people
really were back then.
No fog, no filters.
IZZY: "In 2019, I predict
that Ashford will be
still full of predators
disguised as friends.
I've seen The Ankou here,
sharpening its scythe,
waiting to reap our souls.
There are people here I trusted.
But now I know they feed on suffering.
One day, when I'm safe
from their clutches,
I'll expose them, and their cruelty.
That's if they don't kill me first."
(KNOCKING)
Ms Baker's here to see you.
Oh.
- Um, she's the sister.
- I know.
Thank you.
I wasn't expecting you, Dr Baker.
Hazel's fine.
OK. I'm Detective James Cormack.
James. Just call me James.
Was this in the time capsule?
Yeah.
You know, I
I asked her to put this in, but
I never knew if she did or not.
I was actually planning on
coming to see you and your parents
this week some time.
I don't want my parents getting
dragged through this again.
I understand.
But, ultimately, I will
have to speak with them.
But if you prefer to be my
primary contact, that's
that's fine.
No, I'd rather you just left us alone.
You don't want the case reinvestigated?
I don't want my family
reliving this nightmare again,
just so you lot can tick a box
and say you gave a
fuck for five seconds.
I know that you're upset and angry.
You don't know me.
- You don't know my family.
- No, I don't.
But I do know Isabel's letter
is promising new information.
Isabel is telling us that
there's a motive, closer to home.
And I'm inclined to listen to her.
Can I grab a cup of tea?
Of course, yes.
(INHALES)
(SLOW, RHYTHMIC PERCUSSION)
(SOBS FAINTLY)
(RHYTHM ACCELERATES)
That's her hair, isn't it?
(BEATS END)