Mini Mystery
A weary detective receives a cryptic origami clue, following a trail of evidence through the city's underbelly, navigating a red herring, and ultimately unmasking a surprising culprit close to home.
CHARACTERS
Detective Miles Corbin
supporting
Bartender
supporting
PAGE 1
Panel 1:Detective Miles Corbin, a weary man in a rumpled suit, sits at his cluttered desk as a delivery boy hands him a small package.
“For Corbin, sir.”
Panel 2:Close-up on a small, intricately folded origami crane, made from cheap, rough paper, lying on the desk.
Panel 3:Corbin's gloved hand carefully unfolds the crane, revealing a single, typewritten word: 'ORION.'
“Orion...”
PAGE 2
Panel 1:Corbin stands under the flickering neon sign of 'THE ORION' jazz club, a matchbook in hand, smoke curling from his cigarette.
“Hmm.”
Panel 2:A forgotten, ornate cigarette holder, encrusted with a distinctive emerald, lies half-hidden under a booth table inside the club.
Panel 3:Corbin approaches a gruff, burly bartender polishing glasses at the dimly lit bar, holding up the cigarette holder.
“Someone lost this.”
PAGE 3
Panel 1:The Bartender, a scar running across his eyebrow, glares at Corbin, wiping down the counter with a stained rag.
“Never seen it.”
Panel 2:The Bartender gestures vaguely towards the dark, velvet-roped entrance of the club's VIP lounge.
“Try the back room.”
Panel 3:Corbin sits alone on a deserted park bench under a streetlamp, examining the cigarette holder, a small, unique pearl button now visible inside it.
“A pearl button?”
PAGE 4
Panel 1:Corbin stands in his office, looking intently at his prim secretary, Eleanor Vance, whose blouse is missing a pearl button from its cuff.
“Eleanor.”
Panel 2:Eleanor Vance, initially composed, now looks startled, her hand instinctively rising to touch her cuff.
“Yes, Miles?”
Panel 3:Corbin holds up the pearl button, a grim, knowing expression on his face, as Eleanor's facade crumbles into a look of defeat.
“Case closed.”
