Elizabeth Vail's Writing Test, Part Two: Dialogue Writing
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Laura: "Jeremy Knucklehead Cooper, is that you?"
Jeremy: "Heh, it's *Deputy* Jeremy Knucklehead Cooper now."
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"[[Is this another one of your pranks?]]"
"[[The uniform looks good on you.]]" Laura: "When did the boy who used to vandalize patrol cars start driving them?"
Jeremy: "I'm guessing the same time my favorite partner in crime became a crime reporter instead. What brings you back to Beacon Hill?"
Laura: "[[I'm investigating Ellie Michaels' disappearance for the Herald.]]"Laura: "What can you tell me about the case?"
Jeremy: "All business, huh? Ellie Michaels was a local librarian. We got the call when she missed three days of work, and she hasn't been seen since."
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"[[How well did Ellie get along with the other townfolk?]]"
"[[Do you think this might be connected to those other Beacon Hill disappearances?]]"Laura: "Not that you ever needed help winning over the ladies."
Jeremy: "Still haven't mastered the trick of getting them to stick around. What brings you back to Beacon Hill?"
Laura: "[[I'm investigating Ellie Michaels' disappearance for the Herald.]]"Jeremy: "Believe me, we've looked into it, but none of the cases share anything in common."
Laura: "Except they all took place within the same six months in the same small town. That doesn't seem suspicious?"
Jeremy: "If you have a theory, I'm all ears."
Laura: "No theories yet, but I do have a question -- [[what is a sheriff's deputy doing at Rosie's Grill in full uniform at three in the afternoon?]]"Jeremy: "She had a lot of friends at the library. And a pretty dedicated audience here at Rosie's."
Laura: "Did she have any romantic relationships? Any enemies?"
Jeremy: "None and none, at least that we know of. Which is impressive given the nature of gossip in Beacon Hill."
Laura: "I have to ask, [[what is a sheriff's deputy doing at Rosie's Grill in full uniform at three in the afternoon?]]"Jeremy: "I'm chasing a new lead. Ellie was the main headliner here before she disappeared."
Laura: "So you're looking for clues that might have been missed the first time around?"
Jeremy: "You're welcome to help, as long as you remember to mention how handsome I am in your article."
Laura: "I can see it now: Dashing Deputy Deciphers Disappearance! Let's have a look around." Elizabeth Vail's Writing Test, Part Two - Revised June 17, 2019: Dialogue Writing
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Laura: "Jeremy Knucklehead Cooper, is that you?"
Jeremy: "Heh, it's *Deputy* Jeremy Knucklehead Cooper now."
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"[[You've gotta be kidding me.]]"
"[[I bet the ladies love the uniform.]]" Laura: "You used to vandalize patrol cars. Now you drive them?"
Jeremy: "It wasn't the same without my partner in crime. What brings you back to Beacon Hill?"
Laura: "[[I'm doing a story on Ellie Michaels' disappearance.]]"Laura: "Not that you ever needed help in the charm department."
Jeremy: "It doesn't work on everyone, unfortunately. What brings you back to Beacon Hill?"
Laura: "[[I'm doing a story on Ellie Michaels' disappearance.]]" Laura: "And now that I have a pal in law enforcement..."
Jeremy: "Nice try. You're welcome to read the official report with everyone else."
Laura: "Throw me a bone here. Let's face it..."
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"[[We're the perfect team.]]"
"[[I can rattle every skeleton in your closet.]]"Jeremy: "I'm not the same punk I was in high school."
Laura: "And if Principal Sheffield found out who really slashed his tires on prom night?"
Jeremy: "You fight dirty."
Laura: "I fight to win. Isn't that the kind of tenaciousness this case needs?"
Jeremy: "You scare me sometimes, L. I've missed that feeling. Okay, you can help." Jeremy: "We're not in high school anymore."
Laura: "I've still got the smarts, you've still got the drive. What more do we need?"
Jeremy: "And all this for an article?"
Laura: "An *amazing* article. I can see it now. 'Attractive Deputy Cracks Major Case...'"
Jeremy: "Make it 'Devastatingly Attractive' and we have a deal."