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:
1st part of this scripted episode, Month 1 – Week 2 – Day 1, Acts 1-3 (of 7)

 

INFO:
The following continues the tale via the rest of this 1st of 4 scripted episodes I wrote for my college honors thesis, spring term 1996.

Also included below:
Episode Structure

 

NEXT TIME:
The tale continues in summary (unscripted).

 

TALE CONTINUES

EPISODE STRUCTURE
(minutes in bold are covered in 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 4-7)

 

ACT 4
Scene 1

FADE IN:

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

Tammy & Matthew are as they were left in prior scene.

MATTHEW
What is so strange?

TAMMY
Well, Erika’s brother was at home sick earlier today.

MATTHEW
(somewhat surprised)
What? He was at home sick? No, you must be mistaken.

TAMMY
No, I’m not mistaken. I saw him there with my own 2 eyes.

MATTHEW
Where did you see him?

TAMMY
(increasingly frustrated)
At Erika’s!

MATTHEW
You were at Erika’s?

TAMMY
(stammering)
Uh…yeah. I was just visiting her.

MATTHEW
(hesitantly accepting Tammy’s reply)
Oh…. Well, are you sure he was her brother? She could’ve been babysitting.

TAMMY
No, it was her brother. I know she wasn’t babysitting.

MATTHEW
Well, whatever you saw, I know Erika’s brother found my nephew because Carl called me & told me so.

TAMMY
You believe everything your brother tells you?

MATTHEW
(taken aback)
Of course I do. He’s my brother for crying out loud. Wouldn’t you believe anything your family members told you?

TAMMY
(matter-of-factly)
No.

Matthew beings rustling papers on his desk.

TAMMY
I still don’t get it….

Matthew interrupts Tammy.

MATTHEW
Look, forget it. I’m sure it’s all a big misunderstanding anyway. At least Donnie is home safe now.

Matthew rustles some more papers, & then looks directly at Tammy, who is gazing off apparently trying to figure out what is going on.

MATTHEW
Now, about your new job….

TAMMY
(still off in space)
Huh…?

MATTHEW
Your new job here at KMAZ….

TAMMY
Oh, yeah. Look, I can come in whenever you want, but right now I gotta go take care of something. OK?

MATTHEW
Sure….

At Matthew’s response, Tammy quickly rushes out of the room. Matthew shakes his head & reaches for the phone.

ACT 4
Scene 2

CUT TO:

INT. CROSWELL RANCH LIVING ROOM — AFTERNOON

As the scene opens, Barry is still on the couch. Erika, on the phone, is frantic. She is trying to reach Tammy.

ERIKA
(while on the phone)
Where could she have gone? C’mon, C’mon. Pick up the phone Tammy. Damn it. She must have gone to the television station.

As Erika is saying her last line, Adam bursts through the front door. Startled, Erika quickly slams down the receiver & whirls around in time to see Adam plopping on the couch next to his brother. Erika then notices Carl hesitantly standing in the doorway.

ERIKA
(walking towards the door)
Oh, hi. Come on in.

CARL
(as he walks into the room)
Were you expecting someone else?

ERIKA
(hiding her true feelings)
No, no. No, I wasn’t expecting anyone else. … Please have a seat.

CARL
Thanks, but, actually, I just wanted to talk to Michael & Cathy. Are they here?

ERIKA
No. I think they’re still at the church.

CARL
Oh. That’s too bad.

ERIKA
Why?

CARL
Well, I wanted to give them our appreciation for Adam returning Donnie to us.

ERIKA
(somewhat nervously)
Oh, yes. Yes, of course.

Erika looks at Adam.

ERIKA
Yes, isn’t it wonderful that Adam found Donnie?

Erika turns back to face Carl.

CARL
It sure is. Well, look, if they’re not here, then I’ll be on my way.

Carl turns to leave, but Erika speaks, stopping him.

ERIKA
Wait. Can I get you something to drink? I mean, it’s the least I could do for you bringing Adam back home.

Carl turns to face Erika rather quickly.

CARL
The least you could do? Oh, my dear. We owe your family so much for Adam returning Donnie home safely. I mean, if it wasn’t for that great kid, Donnie may not be with us right now.

At the mention of his name, Adam, who has been watching television & goofing around with his brother, looks toward Erika & Carl. Barry begins to semi-mimic Carl, chanting “what a great kid you are”.

ERIKA
(hearing Barry)
Barry, that’s enough.

Erika turns back to Carl.

ERIKA
(still unnerved)
Yeah, Adam sure is a great kid.

CARL
Hey, look. It seems like a bad time, & Michael & Cathy aren’t even here so I’ll just be….

Erika interrupts Carl in mid-sentence.

ERIKA
Don’t you want something to drink before you leave?

CARL
No. Besides, I really can’t stay. I should get back home & spend some time with my family.

ERIKA
(in a softer voice)
Oh … hey, listen. Did Adam say where he found Donnie at all?

CARL
(lowering his voice to match Erika’s)
No. Why?

ERIKA
(raising her voice again)
Oh, just curious. No reason.

CARL
(raising his voice back up)
I’m sure we’ll find out sooner or later.

Erika nods her head yes in agreement.

CARL
Say, I told Adam that we’ll have to have your family over sometime soon to give him a proper thank you for what he’s done. Pass that along to Michael & Cathy for me, will you?

ERIKA
(somewhat nervously)
Sure.

Carl peaks his head around Erika to look at Adam on the couch.

CARL
Hey, Adam. Thanks again, son. You’re a real hero to us.

ADAM
(nonchalantly answering Carl)
Sure. Anytime….

BARRY
(mimicking Adam)
Sure…..anytime…..

ERIKA
Barry! Stop that!

Carl chuckles & turns to leave.

CARL
Bye now. & tell Cathy & Michael that we’ll see them Sunday at church, if not before.

Carl walks out.

ERIKA
(as she closes the door)
OK. Bye … & thanks again for bringing Adam home.

Once she has closed the door, Erika turns to her twin brothers & begins to panic again, since she still has no idea where Tammy is.

FADE TO BLACK: END ACT 4. GO TO COMMERCIAL.

 

ACT 5
Scene 1

FADE IN:

INT. ALICIA’S BEDROOM IN THE MANSON HOME — AFTERNOON

As the scene opens, ALICIA, age 16, dressed in tight jeans & a revealing blouse, is lying on her back on her bed. The television set is on & she is talking to herself.

ALICIA
Why me? It’s always my fault. I can’t do anything right. Nobody loves me. Jenna couldn’t stand to be with me. That’s why she left today. & for her brother. That damn kid. She blames me for his disappearance. I just know it. Damn him. I hate him. I’ll kill him. What? What’s that? I did kill him? No. No! NO! I couldn’t do such a thing.

At this point, Alicia starts to struggle on the bed, as if she is struggling to get away from someone.

ALICIA
No, No. Uncle Tommy. I’m not as bad as you are. No, Uncle Tommy. Don’t do that. No. Don’t touch me there.

Suddenly, regular programming on the television station is interrupted by a special report. At the start of the special news break music, Alicia stops cold & looks at the television set. As the announcer speaks, Alicia becomes more & more enthralled with what is being reported.

TV ANNOUNCER
(off-camera)
We interrupt our regular programming so we can bring you this special news bulletin. Donnie Rockingham, the 10-year-old son of Dr. Carl Rockingham & famous author Christine Rockingham, has been returned home safely. About an hour ago, Adam Croswell returned Donnie to his parents’ town home here in Manchester. Donnie is the grandson of Desmond & Virginia Rockingham, owners of the Manchester Phoenix minor-league baseball team. We will have further details as they become available. We now return to regular programming.

By the end of the report, Alicia is sitting bolt upright in bed.

ALICIA
(fuming)
Well … well … well. It ain’t Alicia’s fault after all.

Alicia laughs hauntingly.

ALICIA
Jenna … Jenna … Jenna. You were wrong about me. You were wrong. I’m not the bad girl this time I’ll teach you….

 

ACT 5
Scene 2

CUT TO:

INT. PASTOR’S OFFICE AT HOPE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN — AFTERNOON

As the scene opens, CATHY, age 50, dressed in a green blouse & matching slacks, & MICHAEL, age 49, dressed in a long-sleeve, non-collared shirt & slacks, are seated in Cathy’s office at the church. The radio is on, & both are seated upright, staring at the radio. Cathy is at her computer, having been typing, & Michael is seated in a swivel chair, having been reading what appears to be a Sunday bulletin.

RADIO ANNOUNCER
(off-camera)
…& we’ll be sure to bring you more details as they become available to us here in the KMCE newsroom.

Michael & Cathy glance at each other, speechless. Michael forces the 1st words between them.

MICHAEL
Well … uh … that’s something, isn’t it!?

CATHY
Adam found Donnie? I … I don’t believe it. How could that be?

Cathy’s voice trails off as she finishes her last sentence. Michael stands up, laying the bulletin on a table beside the chair.

MICHAEL
Maybe we better be going home now? I mean, Adam may need our support.

CATHY
(shaking her head)
No. No, knowing Adam, he’s probably OK. It’s Donnie & his family we should be worried about & praying for.

As Cathy’s face gets the “I don’t believe it” look again, Michael sits back down in the chair & picks up the bulletin again.

MICHAEL
Well, at least Donnie’s been found. I guess we’ll find out sooner or later the whole story. Won’t we?

CATHY
Knowing this town? Maybe. Then again, maybe not!

Cathy turns back to her computer, still in somewhat shock at the news. She tries to focus on what she was doing & begins typing. Michael returns to looking at the bulletin. Cathy interrupts the relative silence.

CATHY
That must mean that Erika let Adam go out to play again. I told her not to allow him to since Barry is sick.

Michael looks up from the bulletin as Cathy turns to look at him.

MICHAEL
What’s the difference now?

Cathy shrugs her shoulders as if to say “I don’t know.”

MICHAEL
Heck, Cathy, if Erika had followed your instructions this time, Donnie may still be who knows where. Gee, he might have even died. This is 1 time, Cathy, that you should be grateful that Erika didn’t obey you!

CATHY
I know.

Cathy looks back at her computer screen. Michael returns to reading the bulletin.

 

ACT 5
Scene 3

CUT TO:

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

As the scene opens, Matthew is writing something on a piece of paper at his desk. The phone rings. In disgust, Matthew stops writing, keeps the pencil in his hand, & answers the phone.

MATTHEW
(into the phone)
Yeah? … Oh, hi, honey.

Relaxing a little, Matthew puts down his pencil & leans back in his chair.

MATTHEW
(into the phone)
Oh, you just heard the news? … Yeah, it’s great, isn’t it? … Yes, I’m very relieved. … Yeah, it’s hectic around here. … Huh? … Yep, that’s what Carl said. I didn’t quite believe him at first either, but he said Adam brought Donnie home. … I don’t know. … I guess we’ll find out sooner or later.

At this point, a television EMPLOYEE, age 30 something, wearing smart-looking slacks & a shirt & tie, knocks briefly on Matthew’s office door & quickly enters Matthew’s office.

MATTHEW
(into the phone)
Michelle, could you hang on a second? Someone just walked into my office. … Thanks.

Matthew cups his hand over the phone as he looks up at the employee.

MATTHEW
(to employee)
What is it?

EMPLOYEE
Sorry to bother you, sir. But, we need your OK on some graphics for the news.

MATTHEW
Isn’t there anyone back there who can look at them & OK them?

EMPLOYEE
No.

MATTHEW
Where’s Amy?

EMPLOYEE
She’s not here, sir.

MATTHEW
(partly to himself)
Darn. She must still be at Carl & Christine’s. … OK, I’ll be right there. Give me a minute.

EMPLOYEE
Thank you, sir.

The employee leaves the office, & Matthew returns to his phone conversation

MATTHEW
Listen, honey. I gotta go. … Yeah, they need my help. Apparently, Amy hasn’t come back to work yet. … Yeah, she went over to Carl & Christine’s. … She should be coming back soon. How about we meet at Jackie’s Restaurant, say, oh, in a half hour or so? … Great. … Oh? Oh, that’s right. You’ll have to tell me how Jenna’s project started out today when we meet later. Right now, I gotta go. … I love you, too.

Matthew hangs up the phone.

FADE TO BLACK: END ACT 5. GO TO COMMERCIAL

ACT 6
Scene 1

FADE IN:

INT. CROSWELL FARMHOUSE LIVING ROOM — AFTERNOON

As the scene opens, Barry & Adam have just seen the news break. Erika is not in the room.

BARRY
Gee, Adam, you even got your name on television. Lucky you….

ADAM
Big deal.

BARRY
It is a big deal. You’ll get even more attention now.

At this point, Erika walks into the living room, still frantically “searching” for the “missing” Tammy.

ERIKA
Boys. … Boys. Stop arguing, OK?

BARRY
(protestingly)
But, we weren’t arguing.

ERIKA
I don’t care. Just be quiet, OK?

BARRY
(hating to give in)
Fine….

Adam & Barry quite down & continue watching television. Erika picks up the phone & dials again. A few seconds later, she slams the receiver down when nobody answers.

ERIKA
(to herself)
Damn her. There’s still no answer. Where the hell could she be?

Just then, the doorbell rings. Startled, Erika regains her composure & then rushes towards the door & opens it.

ERIKA
(in startled disbelief)
Tammy! Where’ve you been?

Tammy just glares at Erika without saying a word. Erika quickly turns toward her brothers.

ERIKA
Adam, take your brother to your bedrooms. Now!

TAMMY
(still outside, noticing the twins)
So there’s 2 of them. I should’ve known.

Erika quickly glances back at Tammy.

ERIKA
I can explain.

Erika reverts her attention back to her brothers.

ERIKA
Boys, to your room. … I said NOW.

BARRY
But, I’m sick.

ERIKA
(more forcefully than before)
NOW!

At the angry tone of Erika’s voice, the 2 boys scramble off the couch & out of the room. In his haste to leave, Barry knocks the television remote & glass (empty once again) off the coffee table. The glass, however doesn’t break. Erika doesn’t notice the things falling off the coffee table. Tammy walks into the room past Erika, who closes the door.

TAMMY
You better start explaining.

Tammy turns to face Erika as she starts to speak.

ERIKA
Look, I don’t know how, but somehow Adam found Donnie. Donnie must have escaped or something.

TAMMY
(interrupting)
So, Adam is his name, eh?

ERIKA
(shaking her head)
Huh?

TAMMY
The other brother. You know, the identical twin brother you just happened to forget to mention to me earlier.

ERIKA
Oh. No, I didn’t forget to mention him to you. I just didn’t think it was all important at the time. After all, you remember, you weren’t exactly here for small talk.

TAMMY
(brushes off Erika’s last comment)
Look, the bottom line is you double-crossed me. There’s no escaping that fact.

ERIKA
No, no. I did not double-cross you at all. That’s not what happened.

TAMMY
Oh, yeah?

ERIKA
Look, I had no idea Adam would find Donnie. I couldn’t have predicted or planned that even if I had wanted to.

TAMMY
Right.

ERIKA
Hey, you got the job at the TV station. Isn’t that what you wanted?

TAMMY
True. But, it’s not everything I wanted.

Erika walks around Tammy towards the couch, & notices the glass & the television remote on the floor. She stoops down to pick them up, placing them both on the coffee table. She also turns the television set off. She then turns back to look at Tammy as she speaks.

ERIKA
OK. So, our plans got a little messed up. So what? We can still work this out.

TAMMY
I don’t think we can.

 

ACT 6
Scene 2

CUT TO:

INT. ROCKINGHAM TOWN HOUSE LIVING ROOM — AFTERNOON

As the scene opens, Amy is standing near Christine, while Donnie is sitting on the couch.

AMY
Well, I should be getting back to KMAZ. Matthew will need me there.

CHRISTINE
Yeah. You’ve missed enough work already today.

AMY
(half to herself)
Don’t I know it.

CHRISTINE
Oh, hey. I want to thank you for being there today. I really appreciate it.

AMY
Sure, no problem. Whenever I can help. & don’t worry about Carl. I’m sure you will be able to work things out with him. Just give it a little more time.

Amy turns to leave, but Christine reaches out & hugs her. Amy whole-heartedly returns the gesture. After they release the embrace, Amy leaves, saying “goodbye” to Donnie on her way out. Christine then turns towards Donnie. Just then, Carl returns.

CARL
(somewhat playfully jokingly)
Hey there! Honey, I’m home!

CHRISTINE
(looking over her shoulder towards her husband)
Hi. Did you tell them thank you?

Carl walks towards his wife & son.

CARL
Well, I told Erika, at least. Michael & Cathy were at the church. I told Erika to tell them that we’d see them at church Sunday if not before.

CHRISTINE
(turning back toward Donnie)
Yes, we’ll certainly be going to church this Sunday.

Christine focuses her attention fully on Donnie.

CHRISTINE
You just sit there & relax, now, you hear? I need to talk to your Dad for a little bit.

Christine stands up & ushers Carl away from the couch, out of Donnie’s earshot. Carl has an “oh no” expression on his face.

CHRISTINE
Well, at least we can kind of believe that our argument isn’t what drove our son away … this time. He came back willingly. We gotta be more careful, Carl.

CARL
Yes, I agree. That was a close call. But can we be sure he came back willingly?

FADE TO BLACK: END ACT 6. GO TO COMMERCIAL.

 

ACT 7
Scene 1

FADE IN:

INT. JACKIE’S RESTAURANT — LATE AFTERNOON / EARLY EVENING

As the scene opens, Matthew & MICHELLE, age 29, are being seated at a table by JACKIE, age 45. Matthew is dressed as before. Michelle is wearing a conservative, tan dress. Jackie is dressed in a waitress-like out fit. As Matthew & Michelle sit down, Jackie hands them their menus.

JACKIE
Here are your menus. Today’s special is all-you can-eat buffet. Let me know when you’re ready to order.

Matthew & Michelle nod in acknowledgment.

JACKIE
(looking at Matthew)
I can’t tell you how relieved I was for your family when I heard the news that Donnie was safe & sound.

MATTHEW
Thank you for your concern.

JACKIE
(turning to look at Michelle)
By the way, Michelle, how did the first meeting between Jenna & Alicia go?

MICHELLE
Well, I think it went all right. It got interrupted with the news that Donnie was missing, possibly kidnapped, but I think they’ll be fine since that situation has past.

JACKIE
Oh, that’s good. I’ve been worrying about how Alicia will react to the meetings.

MICHELLE
My suggestion to you would be to talk to her directly about them. It can only help her deal with the situation. It will help her to talk about the meetings with someone in her family.

JACKIE
OK. I’ll do that. In the meantime, I’ll get out of your way so you 2 can decide what to order. Besides, I’ll bet you lovebirds have a lot to talk about.

Smiling, Jackie exits towards the restaurant’s kitchen. Matthew & Michelle chuckle a little at Jackie’s last statement.

MATTHEW
Finally. We’re alone.

MICHELLE
(looking around)
Not really. We are, after all, in a restaurant. You know, a public place.

MATTHEW
I know. But at least we can talk quietly to each other.

Michelle & Matthew exchange a smile, & Matthew reaches out & takes Michelle’s hands in his. They release each other’s hands as Matthew starts to speaks again, a few moments later.

MATTHEW
So the start of Jenna’s project went as well as could be expected under the circumstances?

MICHELLE
I guess. I really couldn’t tell, though. Alicia told me she was having second thoughts about actually participating in the project. I think I convinced her to go ahead with it, but I guess we’ll have to wait & see.

There is a slight pause in the conversation as the 2 share a long look. Michelle breaks the silence.

MICHELLE
Ya know, I’m wondering if Donnie was really kidnapped. Do you think he just walked away?

MATTHEW
I don’t know. I doubt he would’ve just walked away. He’s only 10. But …

Matthew shakes his head & quickly changes the subject.

MATTHEW
Ah, let’s forget about our problems for a little while. What’re you hungry for?

 

ACT 7
Scene 2

CUT TO:

INT. CROSWELL FARMHOUSE LIVING ROOM — EARLY EVENING

Tammy & Erika are as they were left in prior scene. As the scene opens, Erika moves closer to Tammy.

ERIKA
What do you mean you don’t think we can work this out? Sure we can!

TAMMY
You double-crossed me. I can’t work anything out with someone who’s double-crossed me.

In disgust, Erika throws her arms up in the air & looks towards the living room ceiling.

ERIKA
(disgustedly)
But I didn’t double-cross you. For goodness sakes, Tammy. I had no idea Adam would somehow find Donnie at Boulevard Park & take him home. I had absolutely no control over that.

TAMMY
Sure you didn’t. Why should I believe you?

ERIKA
(exhaustedly)
Why shouldn’t you believe me?

TAMMY
Well, you didn’t tell me about Adam when you introduced me to Barry.

Erika begins to pace back & forth in front of the couch.

ERIKA
I explained that, Tammy. Geez, you were so worried about what you had done with Donnie that it didn’t even enter my mind to tell you about Adam. It seemed so insignificant at the time.

TAMMY
Fine. Whatever you say, Erika. I’ll just have to go to the police & tell them exactly what happened before this gets any more out of hand.

ERIKA
Fine. You do, & you’ll be sure to lose your job at KMAZ even before you begin.

TAMMY
Well, that’s a chance I’ll have to take, now, isn’t it?

Tammy moves towards the door to leave.

ERIKA
I guess so.

Tammy leaves & Erika slams the door shut behind her.

ERIKA
(to herself)
Go ahead, Tammy. Tell the police. I’ll just tell Matthew all about your plans to take him away from the love of his life.

FADE TO BLACK: END ACT 7. GO TO COMMERCIAL

THE END, MONTH 1 – WEEK 2 – DAY 1.