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:
The tale continued with Month 1, Week 1, Day 4-5 (same day)

 

INFO:
The following continues the tale via the start of the 1st of 4 scripted episodes 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 take for the action to transpire on TV. So, when I started working on this academically, I had to consider how the action might work on screen. With a “general breakdown” & timelines, I mapped out action from Month 1 – Week 1 – Day 1 to Month 3 – Week 4 – Day 5. This scripted episode is the Month 1 – Week 2 – Day 1 (a Monday) airing, Acts 1-3 (of 7 total Acts).

Also included below:
Episode Structure

 

NEXT TIME:
The tale continues with this scripted episode, Month 1 – Week 2 – Day 1, Acts 4-7.

 

TALE CONTINUES

EPISODE STRUCTURE
(minutes in bold are covered for this part of the Month 1 – Week 2 – Day 1 script)

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

 

SCRIPTED EPISODE
(Month 1 – Week 2 – Day 1, Acts 1-3)

ACT 1
Scene 1

FADE IN:

INT. MATTHEW’S OFFICE AT KMAZ-TV — AFTERNOON

As the scene opens, MATTHEW, age 31, is talking on the phone, while ERIKA, age 21, is standing by his side. Matthew is wearing tan slacks, a white dress shirt & a dark brown sports coat & tie. Erika sports a Manchester University sweatshirt & jeans.

MATTHEW
(into the phone)
Donnie has returned!? That’s wonderful!

Erika perks up & looks wonderingly at Matthew. She inches closer to him, trying to get his attention to find out what happened. Matthew brushes her aside to continue his conversation.

MATTHEW
(into the phone)
But how?

Erika tries harder to get Matthew’s attention, but Matthew brushes Erika away with greater force this time.

MATTHEW
(into the phone)
Adam brought him home?!

Matthew turns to look at Erika, who returns his questioning look with a startled expression & a shrug of the shoulders.

MATTHEW
(into the phone)
OK. I’ll have the news department do a special break as soon as possible to share the good news.

Matthew hangs up the phone & turns to Erika.

MATTHEW
Well, looks like we won’t need Tammy’s help after all. Your little brother has found my nephew. I just want to low how come Adam found him.

Dumfounded at the news, Erika can only give Matthew an “I’ve no idea” expression & another shrug of her shoulders.

 

ACT 1
Scene 2

CUT TO:

INT. ROCKINGHAM TOWN HOUSE LIVING ROOM — AFTERNOON

CARL, age 42, dressed in conservative dress slacks & a dress shirt with tie, is standing at the phone, while his wife, CHRISTINE, age 43, dressed in a contemporary dress, is sitting on the couch next to DONNIE, age 10, wearing trousers & a white shirt. AMY, age 25, dressed in a red blouse & dark-colored slacks, is standing behind the couch near Christine. Amy has her hand on Christine’s shoulder. JENNA, age 23, dressed in corduroy pants & a blue blouse, is kneeling in front of her mom & brother. ADAM, age 14, dressed in an old pair of jeans & an old T-shirt, stands close to the for, unsure of how to react & behave.

CARL
(hangs up the phone & turns to his family)
Matthew’s gonna have the TV station do a news break to call off the search alert.

Jenna stands up out of the way as Carl scoops Donnie into his arms.

CARL
We’re so glad to have you back, pal.

Christine stands up & puts her arms around Donnie, while Carl continues to hold him.

CHRISTINE
We were so worried you wouldn’t come back to us, baby. I don’t know what I would’ve done if we had lost you.

Donnie is somewhat perplexed by all the attention he is getting. Amy walks around the couch to stand by Christine.

AMY
I told you, Christine, there was nothing to worry about. I knew he’d come back.

JENNA
(walking towards the phone)
I’ll call Grandfather & Nanna.

CARL
(somewhat preoccupied)
Good, Jenna. Thanks.

Jenna picks up the phone & dials her grandparents’ number, while Carl & Christine “coo” over Donnie. Amy tries to stand back, but can’t help getting caught up in the excitement. Adam cautiously walks toward Amy.

JENNA
(into the phone)
Nanna? Hi, it’s Jenna. … Yeah, Donnie’s been found.

Adam hesitantly touches Amy’s right leg to get her attention.

JENNA
(into the phone)
Yes. Adam found him & brought him home. … Yeah, it’s wonderful news. Adam … Adam Croswell. Yes. OK….

Jenna hangs up the phone as Amy looks down at Adam.

AMY
(somewhat perturbed)
What?!

ADAM
Who’s gonna take me home?

FADE TO BLACK: END ACT 1. GO TO INTRO THEN COMMERCIAL.

INTRO:
Michael Martin Murphy: Just yesterday, I used to feel so small
Holly Dunn: Didn’t count at all….
Both: It’s hard to be just a face in the crowd, knowing that I’m loved by you. When the whole wide world gets narrowed down, baby, it just takes 2
Holly Dunn: Oh, oh, people as far as I can see, when you’re walking next to me.
Michael Martin Murphy: My feet don’t even touch the ground.
Both: It’s hard to be a face, hard to be a face in the crowd

ACT 2
Scene 1

FADE IN:

INT. CROSWELL FARMHOUSE LIVING ROOM — AFTERNOON

BARRY, age 14, dressed in an old robe, is lying on the couch. He has the flu. TAMMY, age 32, dressed in jeans, a short-sleeved shirt & a hooded sweatshirt, is pacing back & forth.

TAMMY
(half to herself; half to Barry)
What’s taking your sister so long? She should’ve been back by now.

BARRY
(barely able to speak)
She hasn’t been gone that long. Give her a few more minutes. Or maybe hours.

Tammy turns to face Barry.

TAMMY
Hours?

BARRY
Just kidding. I’m sure she’ll be back soon.

Tammy turns away, somewhat relieved. Yet, she is still very much visibly unnerved by Erika’s absence.

BARRY
Hey, could you refill my glass please?

Tammy turns back to face Barry. She walks toward the couch.

TAMMY
Oh, I guess.

Tammy picks up Barry’s used glass, which is on the old coffee table in front of the couch.

TAMMY
What did you have in here anyway?

BARRY
Water.

Tammy walks out of the room, towards the kitchen. While Tammy is out Barry reaches for the television remote control, which is sitting on the coffee table next to where his glass was. Barry turns on the television as Tammy re-enters.

TAMMY
Here’s your water.

Tammy sets the glass down on the coffee table.

BARRY
Thanks.

TAMMY
You’re welcome.

Tammy paces back & forth some more. Barry seems to be getting upset by Tammy’s pacing, but doesn’t say anything, for fear of upsetting her more. Finally, Tammy breaks the nervous silence.

TAMMY
This is ridiculous. I’m going after Erika.

Tammy heads for the door.

 

ACT 2
Scene 2

CUT TO:

INT. MATTHEW’S OFFICE AT KMAZ-TV — AFTERNOON

As the scene opens, Erika still has a dumbfounded expression on her face. Matthew has a questioning expression on his.

MATTHEW
(coming out of thought mode)
Well, look. It doesn’t matter how Donnie was found. What does matter is that he was found, he is at home & he’s safe.

ERIKA
I couldn’t agree more.

Matthew starts to move around his desk towards the door.

MATTHEW
Are you done then? I need to get the news department working on the news break.

Erika reaches towards Matthew to stop him from leaving.

ERIKA
Well, actually, there’s a couple of other things.

MATTHEW
(somewhat irritated)
What?

ERIKA
Well, first, will you still be willing to give Tammy a job here at the TV station?

Erika senses Matthew’s hesitation & continues.

ERIKA
Look, she’s relatively new in town & she needs a break.

MATTHEW
Why do I need to be the one to give her the break?

ERIKA
Oh, I don’t know….

Erika looks around & waves her arms, as if searching for a reason for Matthew to give Tammy the break she needs.

ERIKA
…because you’re a nice guy.

MATTHEW
(relaxing a little bit)
OK, OK. I’ll give her that break.

ERIKA
(rejoicing)
Oh, thank you, thank you, Matthew. I promise you won’t regret it.

MATTHEW
I better not. Now, what was the other thing? I need to get going to the news department.

ERIKA
Oh, oh, yes. Do I need to go pick Adam up at your brother’s?

MATTHEW
No. No need to. Carl or someone there will bring him home, I’m sure.

Erika nods her head in understanding as Matthew excuses himself to leave the office for the news department.

 

ACT 2
Scene 3

CUT TO:

EXT. WALKWAY NEAR KMAZ-TV — AFTERNOON

As the scene opens, Tammy is rushing towards the television station in hopes of catching up to Erika to find out what’s going on.

TAMMY
(to himself)
Where could she be? I can’t believe she’d still be at the station….

ACT 2
Scene 4

CUT TO:

EXT. DOORWAY TO KMAZ-TV — AFTERNOON

As the scene opens, Erika is seen walking out the front entrance to the television station. She exits to her left. Soon after Erika leaves the picture, Tammy is seen entering from the left side (Erika’s right). Tammy enters the television station after a slight pause in front of the doorway.

 

ACT 2
Scene 5

CUT TO:

INT. CROSWELL FARMHOUSE LIVING ROOM — AFTERNOON

As the scene opens, Barry is on the couch still watching television. He sips his water glass, which is now almost empty once again. Barry glances around as if expecting someone to come get him more water. He sets the glass down in disgust & returns to watching television. Soon, Erika enters the room.

ERIKA
(out of breath)
Tammy! … Tammy!? … Tammy?

BARRY
(annoyed at the interruption; matter-of-factly)
She left.

ERIKA
What?!?!

BARRY
She had no idea what was taking you so long, so she left.

Erika is visibly upset at this news.

BARRY
(undaunted by his sister’s reaction)
Could you get me some more water, please?

Erika glances at Barry’s almost-empty glass.

ERIKA
(somewhat irritated by the question)
In a minute. Did Tammy say where she was going?

BARRY
Like she’d tell me. … Where’s my water?

ERIKA
OK, OK.

Erika quickly grabs Barry’s glass of water & rushes into the kitchen.

BARRY
(yelling to Erika)
What’s going on anyway?

Erika rushes back into the living room & sets the glass, now full of water, on the coffee table.

ERIKA
It’s a long story.

BARRY
Oh? Thanks for the water.

Erika mumbles a “you’re welcome” to Barry.

BARRY
Did you tell Tammy where you were going?

ERIKA
(annoyed at the question as if it was “stupid”)
Yeah.

BARRY
Well, then. Maybe she went where you told her you’d be.

ERIKA
(suddenly scared)
Oh, my G….

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

 

ACT 3
Scene 1

FADE IN:

INT. ROCKINGHAM TOWNHOUSE LIVING ROOM — AFTERNOON

As the scene opens, Adam is looking up at Amy, who looks back at him in relative surprise at his question. Carl hands Donnie to Christine & walks towards Adam. Carl kneels to face Adam eye to eye.

CARL
I’ll take you home, son. Don’t worry. We’re so grateful to you for bringing Donnie home to us.

ADAM
(somewhat shyly)
Yeah … you’re welcome. But I just want go home now.

Christine puts Donnie down. Donnie then walks over towards Adam & looks directly at him.

DONNIE
Thank you, Adam.

ADAM
You’re welcome.

Carl, Christine, Amy & Jenna all share an “Isn’t that cute?” laugh. Amy walks over by Christine.

AMY
(to Christine only)
I’m just wondering how it is that Adam found Donnie. Don’t you find that just a little bit strange?

CHRISTINE
(brushing off Amy’s concern for the moment)
Right now, I’m just so glad Donnie is home. I was so worried. I don’t care how, why, or who found him. He’s home. That’s all that matters to me.

Donnie reaches out & gives Adam a quick, small hug. Adam more or less returns the gesture.

CARL
(to Adam)
Sometime soon, Adam, we’ll have you & your family over to give you a proper thank you for what you’ve done today. How does that sound?

ADAM
(somewhat less shyly)
Fine, I guess. But I just want to go home now.

JENNA
(to Carl)
C’mon, Dad. Let’s get Adam home. That’s where he wants to be. I’ll take him if you want me to.

CARL
No, that’s OK. I want to express my thanks to Michael & Cathy myself.

JENNA
(walking away & out of the room)
OK. Well, I need to get some school work done, especially since my project started today. I’ll see you later.

A chorus of “good byes” follow Jenna out of the room. Christine starts to ask Jenna about how her project went today, but decides not to.

CARL
(to Amy & Christine)
Well, I guess I better get him home.

CHRISTINE
Yeah. Give Michael & Cathy my appreciation, too.

CARL
I will. C’mon Adam. Let’s go.

ACT 3
Scene 2

CUT TO:

INT. MATTHEW’S OFFICE AT KMAZ-TV — AFTERNOON

As the scene opens, Matthew is seated at his desk, talking on the telephone. Tammy knocks on the door in a quick pace, opens the door & quietly enters the room. Upon hearing the knocks, Matthew waves Tammy in, but doesn’t look up. Once Tammy is in the room, Matthew looks up from the telephone, sees Tammy & gets a somewhat surprised look on his face.

MATTHEW
(into the phone)
Hey, can we deal with this later? … Yeah, someone just walked into my office. OK, great. Talk to you later.

Matthew hangs up the phone & looks at Tammy.

MATTHEW
Well…you sure are prompt, aren’t you?

TAMMY
(surprised)
What?

MATTHEW
I hire you, & in a few minutes, you come to my office.

TAMMY
You hire me? What are you talking about?

MATTHEW
Oh, didn’t Erika tell you?

TAMMY
Tell me what?

MATTHEW
You’re the newest employee at KMAZ.

TAMMY
I am?

MATTHEW
Yes, you are. Erika said you need a break since you are new in town &, being the nice guy that I am, I agreed to be the one to give you that break…. But, I gather that’s not quite why you are here.

TAMMY
No, that’s not why I’m here.

MATTHEW
Oh?

TAMMY
No. I’m looking for Erika.

MATTHEW
Oh, she went back to wait for her brother.

TAMMY
(confused
What?!

MATTHEW
Haven’t you heard?

Still somewhat confused, Tammy shakes her head “no”.

MATTHEW
Erika’s brother found Donnie & brought him home.

TAMMY
(even more confused)
Huh? But….

Tammy’s voice trails off as Matthew interrupts.

MATTHEW
But what? It’s all worked out. Donnie’s back home & you’ve got your big break.

TAMMY
But….

Tammy shakes her head a little.

TAMMY
Oh, this is strange.

 

ACT 3
Scene 3

CUT TO:

INT. ROCKINGHAM MANSION LIVING ROOM — AFTERNOON

As the scene opens, VIRGINIA, age 62, dressed in an expensive, old-fashioned turquoise dress, has just hung up the phone & is turned toward her husband, DESMOND, age 63, who is dressed in a 3-piece suit. Desmond is standing near Virginia, eagerly awaiting her explanation of what her phone conversation with Jenna was about.

VIRGINIA
That was Jenna….Donnie’s been found.

DESMOND
(with great relief)
That’s wonderful news!

VIRGINIA
Yes, it sure is. Apparently, Adam Croswell found him.

DESMOND
(in disbelief)
You’re kidding!

VIRGINIA
No, I’m not. … I don’t know. It sounds strange to me, but the point is that Donnie has been safely returned home.

DESMOND
(still in disbelief; seems to ignore Virginia’s last statement)
Adam Croswell? Did Jenna say where he found Donnie?

VIRGINIA
No, but I’m sure we’ll find out later. Let’s not worry about that now, though, Desmond. I’m just glad Donnie is safe once again.

DESMOND
(coming out of disbelief)
Yes, of course. I’m glad, too. Still, I’m just a little curious, that’s all. Aren’t you?

Virginia nods in agreement, while she sits down in a high-backed chair. She begins to look at a magazine.

DESMOND
Well, I guess I’d better call the radio station to be sure they’ve heard the news. I’m sure they have, but it never hurts to check.

VIRGINIA
That’s fine, dear.

Desmond reaches for the phone.

FADE TO BLACK: END ACT 3. GO TO COMMERCIAL.