Movie Cliché #26
[minor character] calls [hero]; he has important information to divulge, but "I can't tell you over the phone --it's too dangerous. Meet me at [location]". [minor character] will now come to a gruesome end before [hero] can learn the secret, but usually leaves behind some useful clue.
The reasons this happens so frequently are:
- Plot development: The clue helps [hero] to find [villain].
- Suspense: [minor character]'s death signifies that [villain] means business.
- Drama: If [minor character] is a close friend of [hero]'s, this will motivate [hero] (implying that if it's not personal, [hero] sits on his ass all day.)