FACE IN THE CROWD

created by OC,SH’s founder & Erika E, while in college, spring 1995
further written by OC,SH’s founder & now adapted for publication here

 

 

LAST TIME:
Synopsis of Month 2, Week 4, Days 1-3

 

NEXT TIME:
2nd of 3 parts of the 3rd (of 4) fully scripted episode: Month 2, Week 4, Day 4 (a Thursday), Acts 3-5

 

NOW: TALE CONTINUES
1st of 3 parts of the 3rd fully-scripted episode [Month 2, Week 4, Day 4 (a Thursday), Acts 1-2 (of 7 total)] I wrote for my college honors thesis, spring term 1996. When Erika & I originally created this, we didn’t consider timelines or how long it would stake for the action to transpire on TV. Thus, when I started academic work on this, I had to consider how the action might work on screen. With a general breakdown, I mapped out action from Month 1 – Week 1 – Day 1 to Month 3 – Week 4 – Day 5.

 

Episode Structure
(minutes in bold are what are included in this post)

MINUTE ON AIR
1 FC (Act 1)
2 FC
3 FC
4 INTRO-FC / COMMERCIAL
5 COMMERCIAL
6 COMMERCIAL
7 FC (Act 2)
8 FC
9 FC
10 FC
11 FC
12 FC
13 FC
14 COMMERCIAL
15 COMMERCIAL
16 COMMERCIAL / FC
17 FC (Act 3)
18 FC
19 FC
20 FC
21 FC
22 FC
23 FC / COMMERCIAL
24 COMMERCIAL
25 COMMERCIAL
26 FC (Act 4)
27 FC
28 FC
29 FC
30 FC
31 FC
32 FC
33 COMMERCIAL
34 COMMERCIAL
35 COMMERCIAL / FC
36 FC (Act 5)
37 FC
38 FC
39 FC
40 FC / COMMERCIAL
41 COMMERCIAL
42 COMMERCIAL
43 FC (Act 6)
44 FC
45 FC
46 FC
47 FC
48 FC
49 COMMERCIAL
50 COMMERCIAL
51 COMMERCIAL / FC
52 FC (Act 7)
53 FC
54 FC
55 FC
56 FC / COMMERCIAL
57 COMMERCIAL
58 COMMERCIAL / FC CREDITS
59 FC CREDITS
60 FC CREDITS

ACT 1
Scene 1

FADE IN:

INT. HOPE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN SANCTUARY — EARLY MORNING

As the scene opens, MICHAEL, age 49, is standing at the worship center arranging a cross, bible & a cup. He is dressed in dress slacks, a dress shirt, a tie, & a blazer. CATHY, age 50, is standing at the pulpit, arranging papers for her sermon. She is dressed in a tasteful business-like suit, with a blouse, skirt & blazer.

MICHAEL
(looking over his shoulder towards Cathy)
Well, hon, I guess this shall be an interesting day, huh?

CATHY
(without turning around)
How do you mean?

MICHAEL
Well, the police are virtually stuck in their investigation into Jenna’s murder.

CATHY
(quickly)
So.

MICHAEL
(undeterred)
Well, ya know, that’ll be the topic of conversation all through the potluck this afternoon don’t you think?

CATHY
Oh, I don’t know. I’m sure there’ll be some odd moments, but I don’t think that particular topic will dominate that much.

MICHAEL
I wouldn’t be too sure.

CATHY
Well, I for one, am not going to worry about it. Whatever happens is God’s will, and He’ll take care of things as He sees fit.

Finished at the pulpit, Cathy turns & looks at Michael, who has “satisfactorily” arranged the 3 items on the worship center & turns to look at Cathy.

CATHY
Done? Then, let’s go check on Adam & Barry.

 

ACT 1
Scene 2

CUT TO:

INT. ROCKINGHAM MANSION LIVING ROOM — EARLY MORNING

As the scene opens, DESMOND, age 63, VIRGINIA, age 62, DONNIE, age 10, and MATTHEW, age 31, are standing at the front door, ready to leave. All 3 are dressed for church. AMY, age 25, dressed for church, is sitting in the high-backed chair, while CARL, age 42, is standing behind the chair. He is also dressed for church.

DESMOND
(to Carl & Amy)
Aren’t you 2 coming with us?

CARL
No. We’ll be along in a while. You & Mom go ahead & take Donnie with you.

VIRGINIA
OK, honey.

DONNIE
(rushing out the door)
Yea! I get to go with Nanna and Grandpa!

DESMOND
(to Matthew)
You coming with us son?

MATTHEW
No, Dad. I’m going to pick up Michelle on my way to church.

DESMOND
OK. Well, we’ll see you there.

Desmond exits, but Virginia hesitates.

VIRGINIA
(to Carl)
Are you OK?

CARL
(shrugging off the question)
Yeah. I’m fine. I just hope the investigation won’t be the main topic of conversation at the picnic this afternoon.

VIRGINIA
Oh, I wouldn’t worry about it. Well, I’ll see you later.

Virginia exits.

ACT 1
Scene 3

CUT TO:

INT. MANSON SUBURBAN HOUSE FAMILY ROOM — EARLY MORNING

As the scene opens, ALICIA, age 16, dressed in faded blue jeans & an old, green shirt, is lying on the couch, poised to watch TV. STEVE, age 46, & Jackie, age 45, both dressed for church, are standing at the door ready to leave. JULIA, age 22, also dressed for church, practically “bounces” into the room.

JULIA
OK! I’m ready! Let’s go!

Steve turns to open the door, but Jackie stays turned toward the couch.

JACKIE
Are you sure you don’t want to come, Alicia?

ALICIA
(without looking at Jackie)
I DON’T want to go.

JULIA
Aw, leave her alone, Mom. You know how stubborn she is.

JACKIE
(ignoring Julia’s comment; turning towards the door)
All right, but I wish you’d come with us, Alicia. Ya know, you can’t stay angry at your Dad forever. He was only doing his job by investigating me in connection with Jenna’s murder. You must realize that your anger is hurting all of us. If I can forgive him, so can you.

STEVE
(ushering Jackie & Julia out the door)
C’mon. Let’s go. Alicia will be OK.

FADE TO BLACK: END ACT 1. PLAY THEME & THEN GO TO COMMERCIAL.

 

ACT 2
Scene 1

FADE IN:

INT. HOPE COB 7-8TH GRADE SUNDAY SCHOOL ROOM — MORNING

As the scene opens, Michael & Cathy, as seen before, enter the Sunday School room, where ADAM, age 14, & BARRY, age 14, both dressed in their Sunday best, are sitting at a table, looking over a workbook.

CATHY
Hey! How’re my favorite boys?

ADAM & BARRY
Fine.

Cathy arrives where the boys are seated, leans over & gives each a kiss.

MICHAEL
(leaning over to look at the workbooks)
What’re you 2 looking at?

ADAM
(without looking up)
The class workbook. We’re studying the Gospel of John.

CATHY
Oh? What do you think of it?

BARRY
(looks up timidly)
Well, I think it’s kinda weird.

CATHY
(trying to encourage an in-depth response)
Oh?

MICHAEL
(jumping in)
Well, that’s fine. It’s good that you’re studying that book. It’ll give you a better perspective of the whole Bible … not to mention life.

ACT 2
Scene 2

CUT TO:

INT. HOPE COB LIBRARY — MORNING

As the scene opens, ERIKA, age 21, & TIMOTHY, age 29, both dressed for church, are discussing Erika’s being investigated. Timothy is standing up, looking through the books, as if searching for some particular book. Erika is seated at the long table. The library is rather small.

ERIKA
I just can’t believe that they’d think I’d kill Jenna. I mean, sure I didn’t like her, but I certainly wouldn’t kill her.

TIMOTHY
(preoccupied with his “book search”)
Yeah?

ERIKA
If I would’ve killer her, & I didn’t, I certainly wouldn’t have done it in a public place. Ya know, I still can’t believe the police botched up that search for her. I mean, talk about ironic, Christine being the one to find her own daughter’s body like she did.

At this point, Erika looks in Timothy’s direction.

ERIKA
Hey! Are you listening to me?

TIMOTHY
Yeah, yeah. You didn’t kill Jenna. If you had you wouldn’t have picked a public place to do it. & it’s ironic that Christine found the body when the police should have.

ERIKA
Wow! Very good. You were listing. & for your next trick….

TIMOTHY
(quickly glancing at Erika)
Ha. Ha. I’m shocked you think I wouldn’t have been listening to ya.

ERIKA
Well, you seem preoccupied. Besides, we’ve never really been that close.

TIMOTHY
Hey, we’re half-brother & half-sister. That counts for something, don’t you think? As for preoccupied, I have been known to do more than 1 thing at a time.

ERIKA
(sarcastically)
Oh, really?

TIMOTHY
(turning to look at Erika)
Yeah. Why, just the other day I sang in the shower & was still able to wash myself!

ERIKA
(disgustedly)
Hardy har har har.

There is a slight pause in the conversation. Timothy turns back to look at the shelves.

ERIKA
What are you looking for anyway?

TIMOTHY
Oh, I don’t know. A general “how to” book, I guess.

ERIKA
Looked at the Bible recently? That might help.

TIMOTHY
Funny. No, I’m really just looking to see if anything interests me.

ERIKA
Uh, huh.

ACT 2
Scene 3

CUT TO:

INT. SIMPSON HOME LIVING ROOM — MORNING

As the scene opens, LAURA, age 24, dressed for church, is sitting at the desk, looking through some bills. JAKE, age 23, also dressed for church, walks into the room on the same side as the desk.

JAKE
(straightening his tie)
OK, dear. I’m ready to go.

LAURA
(disturbed)
Yeah…fine.

JAKE
(noticing Laura’s instability)
What’s the matter, Rox?

LAURA
Oh, I’m just looking at our overdue bills.

Jake comes up behind Laura & puts his hands on her shoulders.

JAKE
Why? & on Sunday?

LAURA
(pushing Jake away)
Well…Look, I didn’t have a chance to go through them last week when I was being questioned at the station.

JAKE
(interrupting)
Oh, that again.

Laura turns to look up at Jake.

LAURA
Yes, that again. Look, it was awful, Jake. I couldn’t believe that they’d think I would kill someone, let alone Jenna. Yes, I know I didn’t particularly like her, but I’m not a murderer.

Laura turns back to the desk & Jake puts his hands back on her shoulders.

JAKE
All right. I know it was a painful experience for you, & I know you’re not a murderer. But that doesn’t explain why you’re looking through all the bills on Sunday morning. Can’t they wait until after the potluck?

LAURA
The potluck? I thought we decided not to go to that.

JAKE
Well, I kinda would like to go.

LAURA
(giving in)
Oh, all right. Fine. We’ll go. Just let me sort these bills before we go to church.

Laura picks up a pile, but Jake reaches over & takes the pile gently from her & puts it back down on the desk.

JAKE
(gently)
These bills can wait.

LAURA
(exasperated)
But, Jake. We’re behind as it is.

JAKE
Laura, they’ll wait. We’ll be fine. These bills will still be here when we get back this afternoon.

LAURA
OK. OK. Let’s go then.

Laura gets up. Jake & Laura move across the room to leave.

 

ACT 2
Scene 4

CUT TO:

INT. ROCKINGHAM TOWN HOUSE LIVING ROOM — MORNING

As the scene opens, the doorbell rings. CHRISTINE, age 43, dressed for church, is rushing around trying to get her purse & Bible ready to go to church. She hurriedly answers the door, muttering to herself about who it could be. She opens the door to find RICHIE, age 20, dressed or church, standing there.

RICHIE
Hi! I thought my sister-in-law could use an escort to church this beautiful morning.

CHRISTINE
(flattered & flabbergasted)
Ah, oh. Richie, you didn’t have to do that.

RICHIE
(walking into the room)
Well, I know that. But, I thought, hey, just because you & my brother don’t seem to be speaking to each other is no reason for us to lose touch. Look, I jet hope you know that no matter what happens, you’ll always be part of our family.

CHRISTINE
(closing the door)
Well, thank you for that sentiment, but I don’t think Carl will appreciate you extending the truce flag to me at this point.

RICHIE
So what. Who cares what Carl thinks?

At this, Christine just gives Richie the “I can’t believe what I’m hearing” look.

RICHIE
Look, believe me. I know what mistakes, big & small, can do to ruin a relationship. I think you 2 oughtta try to work this out.

CHRISTINE
Finally, you show your young age! Ah, Richie, life isn’t always that easy. But, you’re still young. You’ll learn.

RICHIE
Whatever. All I know is, you can’t let a good thing go.

Christine just shrugs her shoulders.

RICHIE
Look, I came to escort you to church. Are you coming or not?

CHRISTINE
Sure. Let me get my purse.

Christine walks behind the couch to the small, contemporary desk. She picks up her purse & walks back towards the door.

CHRISTINE
OK. I’m ready.

RICHIE
Good. Let’s go.

The 2 start to walk out the door, but Christine pauses.

CHRISTINE
Maybe I shouldn’t even go today.

RICHIE
Nonsense! Of course you should. C’mon.

FADE TO BLACK: END ACT 2. GO TO COMMERCIAL.

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