INT. HOME OFFICE - DAY
We are slowly introduced to a cluttered desk, as the camera pans across an empty cup of coffee to a mouse and keyboard. A man is typing on the keyboard. This man is Detective Doo.
A voiceover reads what Detective Doo is typing.
DETECTIVE DOO
Ms. Goldbunn, I am sorry to report that your husband was indeed lying to you. Rather than the garden centre, he was at the pub with friends. The cost of this information is one hundred pounds. Signed - the cyber investigator, Detective Doo.
Doo finishes typing. A cash register sound is heard. Doo smirks, and goes to drink from his coffee cup, which is empty. He gets up to make himself another.
A few moments after leaving his chair, a message notification plays. Doo looks over curiously, but finishes pouring his drink before returning to the desk. He sits in his chair, and a woman's voice reads the message he was sent.
NANCY
Dear Detective Doo, I need your help. A month ago, my community was rocked by the disappearance of a young woman, named Rey. She used to play on a server with us, but recently has stopped attending sessions, and won't answer the phone. She used to respond within minutes, and has never missed a session before. We're worried that
something bad might have happened to her. Please, we need your help. Signed - Nancy.
Please join our discord voice channel now, we are waiting to discuss the matter further. Here is the link
Doo sips his coffee, quirking an eyebrow. He then turns on his webcam. He types out a response, which we do not see. And a call notification appears on screen, from Nancy. Doo sets his mug aside, and answers.
Two icons pop up. One for Nancy, and one for Levi.
NANCY (CONT'D)
Hello, Detective Doo.
DETECTIVE DOO
Hello, Nancy. Who's your friend?
LEVI
I'm Levi. I'm the moderator of our group. Moderator means person in charge.
DETECTIVE DOO
I'm aware of what it means. Tell me about the woman who went missing.
Doo pulls up a notepad on his screen and begins to make notes.
NANCY
Her name is Rey, I remember I told you that bit. She's nineteen years old, and she's played with us for the past year.
DETECTIVE DOO
And she's never gone off the radar like this?
LEVI
No, never. Rey was a great player, she always turned up on time, had a good relationship with the other guys, she really brought our community together.
NANCY
Except for Duncan. She and him never seemed to get on.
LEVI
Well, I'm sure Duncan had nothing to do with her disappearance. He's a good guy. We've played League for years.
Doo pauses his note making, where he has written 'Rey - 19' and 'Good reputation', to interrupt.
DETECTIVE DOO
Did you say League of Legends? I've played that game a few times. Maybe I could join you while I investigate?
LEVI
Of course. I'll add you to our server.
NANCY
Since Rey left, we have a spot on the team.
DETECTIVE DOO
Do you think she left because of Duncan?
NANCY
I can't think of anything else. He must've said something to hurt her.
LEVI
Come on, Duncan's a good guy. You'll see when you meet him, Doo. Later.
Nancy and Levi leave the call. Doo looks thoughtful as he reads the notes he has made, and highlights Duncan's name.
INT. HOME OFFICE - EVENING
Detective Doo is relaxing in his chair, thinking about who could be responsible for Rey leaving the group. A notification sound plays, and he is invited into a call.
Immediately upon his arrival, the other players, Duncan and Sol, are on edge.
PALADIN-SHERIFF SOL
Whoa, who is this guy?
DETECTIVE DOO
My name is Detective Doo. I'm an online investigator.
RANGER-KING DUNCAN
An investigator?!
PALADIN-SHERIFF SOL
Sure you are. What kind of a name is Detective Doo? And what do online investigators even do anyway?
DETECTIVE DOO
We find pictures of cheating spouses online. But today, your friend Nancy asked me here to investigate the disappearance of a friend, Rey.
PALADIN-SHERIFF SOL
We don't need some quack investigator joining our team. Leave.
LEVI
Relax, Sol. I said he could join. We're going to do a raid together.
RANGER-KING DUNCAN
A raid? Is this guy even good?
LEVI
Of course he is. I wouldn't let a casual join our server. Let's play.
INT. HOME OFFICE - NIGHT
The camera peers from a distance over Doo's shoulder, where we see a blurry computer monitor with colours flashing, and noises that indicate he is playing a shooter game.
We see that Doo is not concentrating on the game at all. Instead, he is asking Duncan questions, while others make callouts in the background. The cameras cut between his face and footage of the game.
DETECTIVE DOO
So Duncan, what kind of relationship did you have with Rey?
RANGER-KING DUNCAN
Relationship? We were just friends.
DETECTIVE DOO
Friends past tense?
RANGER-KING DUNCAN
Leave me alone, man. Play the game.
PALADIN-SHERIFF SOL
Leave him alone, he doesn't want to talk to you.
DETECTIVE DOO
I was only inquiring. Rey left your group for a reason, a fallout is the best explanation for it.
RANGER-KING DUNCAN
If Rey had a fallout with anyone it was Nancy, when girls fight it gets ugly real quick.
NANCY
Don't drag me into this!
LEVI
Guys! Focus on the game!
Nancy
Don't frame me! Rey and I have always been good!
Levi
Calm down, guys! Come back to the game! We need to hold the edge.
Doo plays for a moment longer, then brings up the notes on his monitor and begins noting down that Duncan looks guilty and is trying to cast suspicion elsewhere.
LEVI (CONT'D)
Detective, you're just standing there. Do something!
DETECTIVE DOO
Sorry Levi, only making notes.
Levi
Detective, I need your help!
Don't just stand there. Help me!
Detective Doo minimizes his notes and takes control of his game again. More sounds of gameplay are heard.
DETECTIVE DOO (CONT'D)
So who was the last person to speak to Rey?
LEVI
I did. She seemed fine, nothing out of the ordinary. No crying or anything.
DETECTIVE DOO
And before you?
LEVI
Sol.
PALADIN-SHERIFF SOL
Yeah? What about me?
DETECTIVE DOO
What did you say to Rey on the night she left your server?
PALADIN-SHERIFF SOL
I never spoke to Rey.
NANCY
Sol, yes you did! I left the two of you together.
PALADIN-SHERIFF SOL
Well that barely counts as a conversation.
6.
Doo
Okay, guys, ease! Tell me Sol, did you say or do something upset Rey?
LEVI
Tell the detective what he wants to know.
PALADIN-SHERIFF SOL
Why should I? He's a stranger. Some random who thinks he should be allowed to play with us. He isn't even that good.
NANCY
Sol, did you upset Rey? My best friend won't talk to me anymore and if it's your fault...
PALADIN-SHERIFF SOL
It wasn't my fault! Look, all I did was tell her she needed to talk to Levi.
Nancy
Just tell the detective what you said.
Sol
Why should I? Why should I talk or even play games with this stranger?
Sol
No! I said I have nothing to do with this! I did nothing!
LEVI
Dammit!
A sound of failure is played. We see the losing game screen on Doo's monitor. The group groans in annoyance. Detective Doo is unbothered, and begins making notes, this time on Sol being suspicious.
LEVI (CONT'D)
It's okay, it's okay. You all played good. We just need to... give the detective a few pointers. Doo, you need to stay with us.
Doo
Sorry guys, long time no play
Sol
We should have never let this
DETECTIVE DOO
Sorry Levi. It's been ages since I've played this game.
LEVI
What? What do you mean by ages?
DETECTIVE DOO
A couple years maybe.
LEVI
guy play with us! He ruined this ranked match!
Levi ̗
It's okay.. But Detective, you made some mistakes… You need to stay with us… I saw you just standing there and do nothing lots of time.
A couple years?! Okay... it's fine.
I'll teach you what to do.
DETECTIVE DOO
I'm not too bothered to be honest. I'm just having fun playing. My investigation takes priority.
Doo
Sorry about that. I was taking notes. It's just a game. I didn't know it's so important to you.
LEVI
Your investigation?! That was a ranked match!
DETECTIVE DOO
It's just a game, Levi. Relax.
LEVI
Levi
But the first thing is the attitude!
You shouldn't play games so casually. At least it's a ranked match!
No I won't relax! You're just like Rey! Both casual gamers!
Detective Doo leans forward in his chair, rapt to attention.
DETECTIVE DOO
Just like Rey?
LEVI
She was exactly the same. Never staying on point, throwing matches. Ignoring me when I told her to group up, she was so annoying! I warned her to do better, or else!
DETECTIVE DOO
Or else... what?
Nancy
Detective is just investigating. It's just a game, Levi! Rey is missing! I don't care about the game either!!
Levi
NANCY
Yeah, Levi. Or else what?
LEVI
... nothing.
DETECTIVE DOO
Actually, Nancy, I've been putting up
with you for a long time! Your attitude is not much better than Rey's! If everyone on my team played the game as casually as you do and didn't care about the outcome, we will never win!
Is there a way to tell if someone left or was removed from your server? Or does it look the same either way?
LEVI
Look, just shut up. Let's search for another game.
NANCY
Levi what did you do.
DETECTIVE DOO
Confess Levi, tell them what you did!
Silence
LEVI
I did... this!
Detective Doo is removed from the call and the server. He sighs and lets the tension drop from his body. Then he writes in his notes that Levi kicked Rey, and has a sip of coffee.
He then reaches up to turn off his webcam.
Doo
Wait, did you…?
Levi
No, no, I don't mean that…
[hurry to deny]
Nancy
Levi, what did you do…?
Duncan Oh my god..
Levi No no no!
Doo
Levi, please tell me the truth, (beat, did you kick Rey…)
Levi No!
Doo (cont'd) did you kick Rey…
Levi Enough!
Doo is kicked out.