Crampton Read Online Free PDF

On it, printed in block letters, is the name of the merchant and a receipt number. Apart from the name and address of the merchant, the receipt is blank.
    BRADY
    "Illusions of Empire." Does anyone know what kind of place this is?
    HELEN
    I think that's the whole reason they're sending us out there.
    BRADY
    But there's nothing on here.
    HELEN
    Check out the back.
    Brady turns the receipt over. On the back, in a neat but somehow antiquated hand, is a map showing a few nameless roads. Along one road is a box labeled "Yellow House."
    Brady leans forward again.
    BRADY
    "Yellow House"? What the hell does that mean?
    HELEN
    How do I know?
    BRADY
    If you ask me, this is a pretty weak clue.
    HELEN
    It's a pretty weak case.
    BRADY
    Waste of our fucking time.
    HELEN
    I hate to break this to you, Wells, but I don't think we're the Bureau's starting line on this one. The real case is back in Washington. We're just tying up the loose threads.
    FLIGHT ATTENDANT
    (to BRADY)
    Sir, the pilot can't begin takeoff until you sit back in your seat.
    Brady drops dejectedly into his seat.
    BRADY
    (to himself)
    This case sucks.
    CUT TO:
    EXT. EMPIRE, ARIZONA - DAY
    A nasty and desolate section of desert. Though there are mountains on the horizon, this area is flat and brown.
    Two highways, bleached and cracked, intersect here under a flashing yellow traffic light. At one corner is a gas station. Across from it is a building that obviously used to be a gas station, but has been transformed into Illusions of Empire. The sunblistered exterior is decorated with gaudy astrological symbols.
    A nondescript rental car pulls into the parking lot, making it the only car there.
    INT. ILLUSIONS OF EMPIRE MAGIC SHOP
    The place looks like an old basement. Shelves bow under the weight of boxes. One wall is devoted entirely to ventriloquist dummies.
    A small bell RINGS pathetically as Brady and Helen enter. Brady looks around and grins.
    BRADY
    Wow--there was a place just like this near where I grew up.
    He takes down one of the dummies--the label reads "My name is Laffo!"--and clumsily manipulates the mouth.
    BRADY
    (mumbling through clenched teeth)
    Hi there, kids! My name's Laffo!
    DUMMY'S POV - FISH-EYE on Brady, his comic smile. Helen is looking at Brady the way a mother looks at a misbehaving child.
    SHOPKEEP (O.S.)
    That one and Reggie McRascal are on sale ...
    Illusion of Empire's SHOPKEEP is standing behind the counter. He looks like some small-time hustler out of an old gangster movie: greasy hair, thin mustache, smoking an unfiltered cigarette with another one behind his ear.
    SHOPKEEP
    ... 'cept Reggie's broken. The one eye don't open all the way. How can I help you folks today?
    Brady puts "Laffo" back on his shelf and flashes his FBI ID.
    BRADY
    We'd like to ask you about a purchase that was made here.
    SHOPKEEP
    Sure thing, officer.
    Helen hands him the receipt.
    HELEN
    Can you tell us who made this purchase and what they bought?
    The shopkeep looks at the blank receipt, then back up at the agents with a suspicious smile.
    SHOPKEEP
    You're kidding, right? There ain't nothing on this. Don't look like they bought anything.
    HELEN
    All the same...
    SHOPKEEP
    Well, I guess I could check the back. I keep copies of my receipts for taxes. Don't want to get in trouble with the Feds, right?
    The shopkeep winks, jots down the receipt number and disappears through a tattered curtain into the back.
    While they're waiting, Helen checks out some of the magic trick kits on display: "Glass Box Penetration," "Smashed Watch Gimmick," "Nest o' Balls," "Bloody Needle Gag."
    Brady is goofing around with a miniature guillotine. He sticks his index finger through the slicing hole and SLAMS the plunger down. The small but razor-sharp blade appears to pass right through his finger. Brady wiggles his finger and smiles.
    The shopkeep emerges from the back with another slip of paper.
    SHOPKEEP
    This must be your lucky day. I found your receipt. I'd say it's about four years