The Mentalist: A Reflection of Truth
INT. CBI HEADQUARTERS - DAY
Patrick Jane (JANE), Teresa Lisbon (LISBON), Kimball Cho (CHO), Wayne Rigsby (RIGSBY), and Grace Van Pelt (VAN PELT) are gathered around a table, discussing a new case.
LISBON
This could be a serial killer in the making.
JANE
(smiling)
My specialty.
CHO
Details are sparse. We've got a body, a note, and some cryptic messages.
RIGSBY
Like what?
VAN PELT
There's a message etched into the victim's skin: 'Mirror of lies'.
LISBON
Well, Jane, what's your take on this?
JANE
(leaning back in his chair)
I think our killer is obsessed with reflections, mirrors... and truth.
CHO
And if the messages are escalating, we might be able to predict the next target.
LISBON
Let's go to the crime scene. Get an idea of what we're dealing with.
EXT. CRIME SCENE - DAY
Jane, Lisbon, Cho, Rigsby, and Van Pelt arrive at a small, oddly decorated house. They're greeted by a LOCAL DETECTIVE.
LOCAL DETECTIVE
Victim had an art gallery of distorted mirrors, quite a strange one.
LISBON
And the messages?
LOCAL DETECTIVE
The walls were covered in mirrors, all shattered or broken. Except there's one with odd writings.
INT. VICTIM'S HOUSE - DAY
Jane carefully analyzes the mirrors hanging on the walls, his eyes scanning every detail. The team inspects the victim's body and surroundings.
VAN PELT
(reporting back to Jane)
Forensics says the cause of death was asphyxiation, but there are no signs of a struggle anywhere in the house.
Jane leans in closer to examine the writing on the intact mirror before him.
JANE
These writings... they're riddles in the form of questions.
RIGSBY
Riddles? What kind of sick game is this?
Jane smiles slyly and starts answering the questions out loud.
JANE
Just the kind I like. Let's see...
As Jane answers each riddle, the words on the mirrors seem to disappear.
CHO
(interested)
The writing's disappearing. How's that even possible?
With one last answer, the writing on the last mirror disappears and an image of their next crime scene is revealed.
LISBON
(astonished)
The killer is taunting us.
JANE
But he's also guiding us, almost like he wants to be caught.
VAN PELT
(looking at the image)
Is that the Golden Gate Bridge?
LISBON
That's our next crime scene, let's move!
The team quickly exits the house.
TO BE CONTINUED.
The Mentalist: A Whisper in the Wind
INT. CBI HEADQUARTERS - DAY
The team gathers around the table as Agent LISBON presents a new case with a series of crime scene photos.
LISBON
All right, everyone, we've got a new case. The victim is Amanda Delaney, 28-years-old. She was found in her apartment with no signs of forced entry. She was strangled with a ligature.
Camera pans around the room showing the various CBI team reactions. Just then, JANE walks in with a cup of tea and looks at the photos.
JANE
Hmm, challenging. I assume no physical evidence was found?
LISBON
No fingerprints, no fibers, nothing. Van Pelt, what do we have on her?
VAN PELT
She was a restaurant owner, recently inherited it from her father who passed away three months ago. No record or any significant enemies.
RIGSBY
(sarcastic)
Perfect. So it's gonna be a piece of cake.
JANE
What about the camera footage from her apartment building?
CHO
Nothing relevant. Checked with security, no strangers entered or left the building during the estimated hours of the murder.
LISBON
We're going to the crime scene to have a look around. Van Pelt, Rigsby, see if any neighbors heard or saw anything unusual. Cho, try to find if there's any connection between the victim and the ligature used.
Camera cuts to the team walking out of the room, with Jane following while sipping his tea.
INT. AMANDA'S APARTMENT - DAY
The apartment is filled with furniture covered in sheets signifying it's a crime scene. CAMERA pans around the room as Jane walks in with his cup of tea, closely followed by Lisbon.
LISBON
Here it is, Jane. Amanda was found right here on the floor. The murder weapon was found on the bed.
Jane walks around the room, tapping and smelling. He stops near the open window and stares at it for a moment.
JANE
Lisbon, look at the wind chimes hanging by the window. They have been blown inside the room. I suspect the murderer came through the window.
With a look of curiosity, Lisbon walks closer to the window and looks out.
EXT. AMANDA'S APARTMENT - DAY
Lisbon and Jane are talking to the neighbor who lives next door.
NEIGHBOR
Well, I went to bed early and didn't hear or see anything unusual. Amanda was a nice girl, but she didn't talk much about her friends or anything.
JANE
Thank you, ma'am. We appreciate your help. Oh, one more thing. Did Amanda have any wind chimes or some other musical instrument?
NEIGHBOR
Why, yes. She plays the piano. She kept it in that room right over there.
Jane walks over to the other room, where the piano can be seen covered under a sheet. He lifts the sheet and studies the piano, placing his tea cup on the top. He then returns to the living room.
LISBON
What does this have to do with the case?
JANE
I think the murderer must have known that Amanda was a pianist. Wind chimes are a distraction. We need to find out more about the piano.
The team reassembled at Amanda's room, focusing on the piano while Lisbon makes a call.
LISBON
(on the phone)
Van Pelt, check Amanda's contacts, friends, and acquaintances from her social media. We need to take a closer look at her close friends, colleagues, and students. There's a chance the murderer knew that she was a pianist.
TO BE CONTINUED
The Mentalist: The Fatal Gift
INT. CBI OFFICE - DAY
Patrick Jane, Teresa Lisbon, Kimball Cho, Grace Van Pelt, and Wayne Rigsby sit at their desks, going about their daily tasks.
JANE: (smiling) Does anyone else smell that? The scent of despair in the air?
LISBON: (rolls her eyes) No, but I smell trouble, and it usually starts with you.
JANE: (laughs) Ah, you're learning!
Suddenly, the door to the office opens, and in marches a small BRIGADE of FBI agents, led by FBI Agent Lena Abbott.
ABBOTT: (addressing everyone) Good morning, CBI. My name is Agent Lena Abbott. By order of the Assistant Director of the FBI, this office is now under our jurisdiction. You are all temporarily relieved of your duties.
LISBON: What? On what grounds?
ABBOTT: (pulls out a tablet, reading) There's an ongoing internal investigation concerning the recent homicides registered as the "Birthday Killer". The CBI's been withholding information from the FBI. Until this case is solved you are all on leave.
JANE: (leaning back in his chair) Oh, fantastic! A little vacation.
CHO: (skeptical) Who's going to run the investigation?
ABBOTT: My team will take over the operation. I hope you all cooperate in this matter.
LISBON: (annoyed) This is our case. We're close to finding the killer. We don't have time for an FBI takeover.
ABBOTT: With all due respect, Agent Lisbon, this is no longer your decision to make. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have a case to review.
Everyone is upset, but they reluctantly accept their forced leave.
INT. CAFE - DAY
Lisbon, Jane, Cho, Van Pelt, and Rigsby meet up for lunch, pondering the recent developments.
JANE: (sipping tea) Ah, lunch at a non-government sanctioned establishment, what a delightful change of pace!
LISBON: This isn't a joke, Jane. We need to find the "Birthday Killer" before the FBI takes all the credit.
RIGSBY: And gets us all in trouble for holding onto case files.
VAN PELT: There has to be a way we can still work on it, without stepping on FBI toes.
JANE: (smirking) For once, I think my toes are the least of anyone's worries.
LISBON: (warning) Jane, you better not be planning what I think you are.
JANE: Oh, come on Lisbon, it's just a harmless little investigation. What could possibly go wrong?
CHO: Everything. Everything could go wrong.
As the group plans their next move, they receive a call from an INFORMANT.
INFORMANT: (over the phone) I have information about the "Birthday Killer". Meet me at the boathouse in two hours.
The team exchanges worried glances, knowing the risks of pursuing this lead, but also the potential rewards.
LISBON: (hesitant) Alright, we'll be there. But if this is a trap or we don't find anything useful, we're done.
JANE: I wouldn't have it any other way.
The team heads out to what they hope is the key to solving the case and uncovering the truth before the FBI closes in.
TO BE CONTINUED.
The Mentalist: The Silent Killer
EXT. PARK - DAY
A beautiful, sunny day at the park. People are jogging, playing sports, and enjoying picnics. CAMERA PANS over to a WOMAN lying on the ground, her body pale and lifeless. A small crowd gathers around her.
CUT TO:
INT. CBI HEADQUARTERS - DAY
AGENT TERESA LISBON, AGENT KIMBALL CHO, AGENT RIGSBY, and AGENT VAN PELT are discussing the case.
LISBON
A woman was found dead in Eisenhower Park this morning. The coroner reports no apparent signs of violence or struggle. It's like she just dropped dead.
PATRICK JANE, the Mentalist, walks in, fresh cup of tea in his hands.
JANE
Sounds like we have ourselves a case of spontaneous human combustion.
CHO
Spontaneous human combustion? Come on, Jane, that's a myth.
RIGSBY
Yeah, how could someone just burst into flames?
JANE
(smiling)
I was just kidding. Or was I?
LISBON
(points to the info on the table)
Let's focus on the real facts. Her name is Maria Thompson. Her husband is a well-known politician. No enemies, no shady history.
VAN PELT
It's strange though, nobody saw anything. People said they felt a sudden urge to avoid the area around her.
RIGSBY
Maybe she had some kind of invisible force field around her.
JANE
Guys, guys, please. I think I have an idea. But, first we need to find out who was closer to her at the time of the event.
CUT TO:
EXT. PARK - DAY
The team approaches a distraught MAN, HENRY, sitting on a bench. He appears to have just finished giving a statement to a police officer.
LISBON
Sir, we're sorry for your loss. We just want to ask a few questions if that's okay.
HENRY
(sobs)
Yeah, of course. Anything to find out what happened.
JANE
Were there any odd occurrences before Maria collapsed?
HENRY
(thinks for a moment)
Oh! There was a man carrying a briefcase who bumped into her. He apologized and walked away. Minutes later, she fell to the ground.
JANE
Interesting. This man could hold the key to our case. Thank you, Henry. We'll find him.
FADE OUT.
TO BE CONTINUED
The Mentalist: The Art of Deception
INT. CBI HEADQUARTERS - DAY
The team - PATRICK JANE, TERESA LISBON, KIMBALL CHO, WAYNE RIGSBY, and GRACE VAN PELT - gather around AGENT HIGHTOWER's desk. She holds a file in her hand.
AGENT HIGHTOWER
We've just had a high-profile art theft from the Westly Art Gallery. The owner, Paul Marks, is a wealthy collector who had a private event last night. The security cameras mysteriously failed to record the exact moment the painting was taken.
TERESA LISBON
And this got kicked up to us why?
AGENT HIGHTOWER
The painting is worth about 8 million dollars. The insurance company suspects an inside job.
PATRICK JANE smirks and claps his hands together.
PATRICK JANE
Ah, an artful mystery. How perfect.
EXT. WESTLY ART GALLERY - DAY
The team parks their cars at the entrance and enters the gallery.
INT. WESTLY ART GALLERY - DAY
PAUL MARKS, the distraught owner, greets the team.
PAUL MARKS
I can't believe it happened under my nose. And with all the security measures in place.
LISBON takes over the questioning while JANE wanders around the gallery, taking in the art.
TERESA LISBON
Who was at the event last night?
PAUL MARKS
Only my most trusted buyers and associates. All of them have passed background checks.
CHO and RIGSBY move to examine the security system. GRACE joins them.
KIMBALL CHO
When did you discover the theft?
PAUL MARKS
This morning, when my staff came in to clean up. The security gate for the cameras also failed last night.
PATRICK JANE stands in front of an empty space on the wall, where the stolen painting once hung.
PATRICK JANE
This is where the masterpiece once hung?
PAUL MARKS
Yes, it's called 'The Hanged Saint' by Vincent Mancini. One of his rarest works.
JANE nods, studying the wall.
PATRICK JANE
Interesting.
EXT. GALLERY - LATER
The team regroups outside the gallery.
TERESA LISBON
What are you thinking, Jane?
PATRICK JANE
This was an inside job as they suspected. Someone who knew the security system very well...
KIMBALL CHO
And had access to tamper with the security footage.
WAYNE RIGSBY
So, we're looking at someone involved with the event.
PATRICK JANE
Not just someone, my dear Rigsby. Someone who's intimately acquainted with art.
TERESA LISBON
Let's start checking the background of all the guests in the event.
As the team starts to pursue their leads, JANE pats his pockets, realizing he's forgotten something.
PATRICK JANE
I need to go back inside for a moment.
The team continues to discuss leads while JANE heads back into the gallery.
INT. WESTLY ART GALLERY - DAY
JANE walks up to the empty space on the wall, looking at it intensely. A gallery staff member, CLAIRE, passes by.
PATRICK JANE
You seem to be admiring the empty space too. Isn't it captivating?
CLAIRE, slightly confused, looks at the wall and then back to JANE.
CLAIRE
Not as captivating as the real masterpiece that was stolen.
JANE's eyes narrow as he watches CLAIRE walk away. He has a suspicion about her.
TO BE CONTINUED
The Mentalist: A Deceptive Reunion
INT. CBI HEADQUARTERS - DAY
The team gathers around their desks, prepping for the day ahead. Lisbon strides into the room, a file in her hand.
LISBON
I need everyone's attention. We've got a new case. Rich businessman, Garrick Williams, was found dead in his home this morning. Possible murder.
RIGSBY
What do we know about him?
LISBON
Well, he made his fortune in the tech industry. Moved here from Arizona a couple of years ago. He was having a mini high school reunion last night.
VAN PELT
Could be someone from the party?
LISBON
That's what we're going to find out. Jane, you're with me. Let's go.
CUT TO:
INT. GARRICK'S WILLIAMS' MANSION - LIVING ROOM - DAY
The team enters the crime scene, taking in the lavish surroundings. Garrick's body lies on the floor, a pool of blood beneath him.
CHO
It looks like he's been stabbed.
JANE
Or skewered?
Jane notices a unique-looking dagger on the table nearby.
LISBON
Bag the dagger.
Rigsby nods and starts collecting the evidence, while Van Pelt interviews a distraught woman in the corner.
VAN PELT
You found the body, Mrs. Delgado?
DELGADO
Yes, I came in to clean. But when I saw him...
She breaks down, sobbing. Jane saunters over.
JANE
You were close to Mr. Williams, I presume?
DELGADO
Yes, I worked for him for years. We went to high school together.
Jane's gaze shifts over the party's remnants, the empty glasses, and the photos of old friends.
JANE
Tell me about the party last night. Any tension or arguments?
DELGADO
No, not that I saw. I left around 11 PM. Everyone was reminiscing and catching up.
LISBON
You didn't hear anything?
DELGADO
No. I live down the road. I didn't come back until this morning.
Jane starts to wander away, his gaze fixated on a photo of Garrick and his classmates.
INT. GARRICK WILLIAMS' MANSION - KITCHEN - DAY
Jane stands near the kitchen counter, deep in thought. His eyes land on a wooden box filled with what appears to be fortune cookies.
Lisbon enters the kitchen.
LISBON
Anything?
JANE
I found this box of fortune cookies. I'd wager Garrick handed them out as party favors.
Lisbon sighs skeptically.
LISBON
Jane, it's not time for your mind games.
JANE
Indulge me.
Jane proceeds to open the fortune cookie in his hand, revealing the message inside.
JANE (CONT'D)
"Your past will come back to haunt you."
LISBON
That's a little... dark for a fortune cookie.
JANE
Exactly. I think our first suspect might be someone Garrick had a falling out with in the past.
LISBON
Alright. We'll check into it. Let's head back to CBI and do some research.
CUT TO:
INT. CBI HEADQUARTERS - DAY
The team sits at their desks, scrolling through their computers, while Jane studies the class photo on the board.
VAN PELT
I think I found something. According to The Arizona Republic, Garrick was accused of embezzling funds from the student council when he was in high school.
RIGSBY
Did anyone hold a grudge?
VAN PELT
Well, it says here that Brian Maxwell, the student council president at the time, lost his college scholarship because of the scandal.
JANE
Sounds like we've got our guy.
CHO
Not so fast. He couldn't have done it.
LISBON
Why?
CHO
He's dead. Found hanging from a tree this morning in the local park.
The team exchanges worried glances.
TO BE CONTINUED.
