Picture Perfect Mysteries: Exit Stage Death

Alright, first rule of stage photography.

Do not leave the flash on.

Good.

Second rule of stage photography?

Oh, sorry.

Definitely don't leave the flash on.

Excuse me, but you can't be back here.

Oh, it's ok. We have one of these.

Oh, Allie. It's me, Kenny Kwan.

Kenny!

What're you doing here?

Yeah, I thought you were a DJ?

Nah, I gave that up after the Davis Cole wedding.

The one where the groom was murdered?

I decided forget the whole wedding business.

Too dangerous.

So uh, what brings you back here?

You getting some back stage shots?

I already did that.

I'm here for my friend Maya.

Not every day she's cast in a Neil Kahn play.

Am I the only one who doesn't know who that is?

"Murder By Numbers"?

"Death at the Vicarage"?

He was one of the most successful mystery playwrights

of the decade.

I'm sorry, was?

Well, he kinda dropped off the map.

He's staging his new one here to test it out

before they take it to Broadway.

This is his big return.

I gotta go.

This could be Maya's big break.

She's maid No. 3.

Noah, there are no small parts.

No. 3, Allie. No. 3.

I'm sorry, I've forgotten. I'm late for an appointment.

I'm sorry, I've forgotten.

I'm late for an appointment.

I'm sorry, I've forgotten!

I'm late for an appointment!

Allie: Hello!

Ah, so glad you're here.

I need your opinion.

Ok, so, at the end of the first act,

when my character discovers the governess murdered

in the parlour...

Woah. Spoiler alert.

She ruined the surprise.

It's in the title, Noah.

The stage direction calls for me to scream,

but I just-I feel like a more honest reaction

would be something subtle, you know, like...

You know, isn't this something

you should be running by the director?

I tried but he's been really distracted lately

and it's important that I get this right

because a theatre critic from the New York Times

will be in the audience tonight.

What's he doing in Willow Haven?

Apparently, he was a big supporter

of Neil's earlier plays.

And I'm hoping he'll become a big supporter of me, too.

Can you help me run lines while I finish my makeup?

Yeah, sure.

- Ok, bye. - Bye.

So...

Excuse me.

You were supposed to be here an hour ago!

Everyone is panicked!

Neil has Laura in costume!

Someone slashed my tires.

What? Did you call the police?

No time. Where is Neil?

I don't know.

Aaah!

Are you sure you've memorized the changes to that final scene?

Yes, Neil, I memorized them.

Because the changes were subtle but they're absolutely crucial.

Oh, my gosh, Neil. I said I memorized them.

I read them like a dozen times.

Ow! Sara! You did that on purpose.

I'm so sorry I'm late.

Cassandra.

Car trouble.

It's ok, it's ok.

The most important thing is that you're here now.

We're gonna have to hold the curtain.

Wait, what?

You can't really be considering that.

The show is about to start. She's not even dressed.

Can you be ready in 10 minutes?

I can be ready in five.

That's my star.

- Ok, go, go, go, go. - Ok.

I have to find Kenny.

That's showbiz.

Cassandra!

Cassandra!

We missed you at the cast party last night.

Yeah, uh, something came up.

Well, I was hoping to have a moment alone.

I'd like to talk to you about...

Mr. Kahn, it's almost curtain time.

See me before you go on, please.

No!

Are you ok?

Yeah, sorry, uh... I just spilled coffee.

I'm such a klutz.

Are you sure you're ok?

Just uh, just a little pre-show jitters.

I have to go to the costume room.

Excuse me.

Sorry.

Hi.

Hey.

Are you ready?

Oh, I hope so.

Maya: Oh, the Times critic.

There he is.

Maya: I'm so nervous.

One good review from him can make or break the whole play.

Maya, you're gonna knock his socks off.

Have you seen Cassandra?

Oh, she said she was headed to the costume room.

What do you mean, the spotlight is out?

Uh, could you check on her, Allie?

We're already running late. Please?

Yeah, of course.

Good luck.

Thanks.

Cassandra?

Cassandra?

Hello?

Oh, Monsieur Marsh, oui.

I believe I hear him right now.

Where is Kevin? He missed his cue.

Hello?

Uh, I said I believe I hear him right now!

Where have you been?

Sorry.

Go!

Go, go, go!

Ah, Monsieur Marsh. The phone is for you.

Thank you, Claudette.

Have Earnest bring the motorcar around.

Cue Cassandra.

Cassandra?

I thought I told you never to call me here.

Cue Cassandra!

Never call here again!

Where is Cassandra?

Strangulation?

I don't know.

It looks like she put up a fight.

Sure does.

Good chance we'll pull some physical evidence off the body.

Look at this.

Right here, the ligature marks.

The killer had a weapon.

Rope, maybe?

- Maybe. - Alright.

Hey, make sure you get nice and tight in the neck here.

Thanks.

Excuse me? You uh, can't be back here.

Sorry. I'm just-I'm just looking for my bag.

It has my keys and my phone.

Wait.

What's your name?

Roger. Roger Giles.

Well, Roger, I'm gonna need you to get back on the stage

with the rest of the cast.

Well, I just...

No.

I don't believe this.

Why does this keep happening to me?

That's a good question, Mr. Kwan.

I saw someone.

What?

In the costume room, when I went to go look for Cassandra.

You think it was the killer?

Maybe.

Who was it?

I don't know. I didn't get a good look at them.

Did they get a good look at you?

I'd like to say that I'm surprised to see you here,

but I'm not.

Hello, Detective Acosta.

Miss Adams.

Maya.

How are you guys doing?

Uh, she's been better. She just found a dead body.

You know, how is it that you always seem to be

in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Well, I think it just depends on how you look at it.

Oh? How so?

Maybe I'm just in the right place at the right time.

Hmm.

Well, if you're up for it, I could use your help.

I thought you'd never ask.