There were so many fun film related events last week for Film Week, and they were brought to the students by the hard working SCOPE Film Committee. But as the week wound down, the events got better and better. On Saturday February 25, Film Committee brought a Murder Mystery Dinner to the Alumni Lounge. It was a great combination of a dinner and a show, and every student walked out laughing.
The night started with students grabbing everyone’s favorite college meal, pizza and ice cream for dessert, which was provided by Sodexo. Everyone gathered for the reading of Amanda Huntington’s will, who had passed due to cancer in December. As students ate, they met all the characters that were going to be entertaining them throughout the night, one of which was the murderer and another who would soon be dead.
Jane Butler was Amanda’s house maid, confidant, and probably all around her best friend. She was a shy old lady who was very upset about Amanda’s passing. Hubert Huntington was Amanda’s brother and supported by his sister all throughout his adult life. He went around making everyone laugh as he said “Am I going to get one of those big checks like they give away in Las Vegas? I hope so, I would like that.” W.W. Williams was Amanda’s real estate lawyer and only dealt with her real estate dealings. John Hoffman was Amanda’s secretary, and, for ten years, she never missed an appointment or forgot about calling someone back because he was just great at his job. And last but not least was Detective Chester Hadlyme, who was a close friend of Amanda, the one who she entrusted her will to, and the one chosen to read it. All the actors were fantastic in their roles and did a great job as everyone met them, but each had students questioning.
When student’s stomachs were full of pizza and ice cream, Detective Hadlyme got everyone together to read Amanda’s will. Everyone in the room received a thousand hugs and kisses from Amanda, but the shocker of the night was that all of Amanda’s real estate, money, and belongings went to her dearest friend: Jane Butler. That’s was when World War III started; everyone who didn’t receive even a little bit from Amanda was furious, and even Jane was shocked. Everyone began yelling at each other as they each took their toast glasses and toasted Amanda. As the yelling continued, Jane started to choke and fall to the floor. Detective Hadlyme took her out of the room, but when he came back, he gave the announcement that Jane Butler was dead and the three suspects were in the room.
Laughs ensued as the actors went around again and tried to convince everyone that they were not the one who killed Jane Butler. Every student had a chance to ask their questions and then write their prediction of who they thought committed the murder. When they were done, Detective Hadlyme collected all the predictions and then started to speak. As he spoke, he said each one had a reason to kill Jane Butler. But out of the three people suspected of the murder, it was John Hoffman, Amanda’s secretary, who was promised money and then did not receive any of it. He was taken away by the police, and all of the students clapped.
It was a great dinner, but the show was even better. One of the students that got the answer correct received a signed dinner play for them to put on at their own house from the play company.
