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:
Month 2, Week 1, Day 3 fully-scripted episode began, Part 1 of 3 (Acts 1-2)
NEXT TIME:
Month 2, Week 1, Day 3 fully-scripted episode ends, Part 3 of 3 (Acts 6-7)
NOW: TALE CONTINUES
2nd of 4 fully-scripted episodes: Month 2, Week 1, Day 3 (a Wednesday), Acts 3-4-5
This is the 2nd of 3 parts of the 2nd 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 episode is the Month 2 – Week 1 – Day 3 (a Wednesday) airing, Acts 3-4-5 (of 7 total Acts).
Episode Structure
(minutes in bold are what are included in this post for the Month 2 – Week 1 – Day 3 episode)
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 3
Scene 1
FADE IN:
INT. ROCKINGHAM MANSION LIVING ROOM — VERY EARLY AFTERNOON
As the scene opens, VIRGINIA, age 62, is seated in the high-backed chair. She is wearing an expensive & somewhat contemporary dark grey dress with black high-heeled shoes & a sterling necklace. DESMOND, age 63, wearing a 3-piece suit, is standing behind the chair, holding Virginia’s right hand in his left hand. CARL, age 42, & RICHIE, age 20, are seated on the couch. Carl is dressed in a black blazer, dark slacks & a vertically-striped shirt. Richie sports a Manchester University “honors” sweatshirt & tasteful slacks. CATHY, age 50, is sitting in a reading chair across from Desmond & Virginia. Cathy is wearing a maroon blouse with a dark blue skirt that goes down halfway between her knees & ankles. All have their heads bowed.
CATHY
We thank you, Lord, for all you have blessed us with, & we pray that you return Jenna home to us safely.
ALL
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. They Kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, & forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, & the power, & the glory forever. Amen.
Everyone opens their eyes & raises their heads.
VIRGINIA
Thank you, Pastor Cathy. I appreciate you being here to help us through this time of grief.
CATHY
You’re welcome, Mrs. Rockingham. I know this must be a very difficult time for you & your family.
DESMOND
(obviously frustrated)
You’re darn right it is.
Desmond walks around the chair, still holding Virginia’s hand, & stands beside the chair.
VIRGINIA
(somewhat in a reprimanding tone)
Desmond!
CATHY
That’s OK. We’re all under a lot of stress right now.
RICHIE
(off-handedly; to himself)
Tell me about it.
CATHY
Now, it’s not going to do any of us any good to be snapping at each other. Let’s just all calm down.
Desmond walks around behind the couch & begins to pace back & forth.
VIRGINIA
(looking in Desmond’s direction)
Desmond, would you please come & sit down? You’re making me more nervous.
DESMOND
(motions to couch & chairs)
Where?!
CATHY
(Standing up, motions to the chair)
Here, Mr. Rockingham.
VIRGINIA
No, Pastor Cathy. You don’t need to get up.
CATHY
No, that’s OK. I don’t mind.
Cathy turns to face Desmond & points once again to the chair.
CATHY
Here, Desmond. Please sit down.
Desmond walks over to the chair, somewhat hesitantly, & sits down.
CARL
Ya know, I just wish Christine hadn’t gone to the school by herself.
RICHIE
But, Carl, Amy offered to go with her, but Christine told her she didn’t have to.
CARL
Yeah, only because Christine knew Amy had to get back to KMAZ.
Nodding his head in agreement to Carl’s last statement, Richie gives up the short-lived “argument”. There is a brief, somewhat awkward silence in the room. Everyone seems to be in deep though. Suddenly, Virginia perks up.
VIRGINIA
Is Donnie still upstairs?
Carl rubs his hand across his forehead, as if trying to rub the answer into his mind. He then responds.
CARL
Yes, I made sure he was OK after Christine & Amy left.
There is another brief silence. This time, Cathy speaks.
CATHY
Look, as far as Christine’s concerned, I think it’s great that she wanted to go to Manchester University. That tells me that she’s strong & ready to face whatever news we may hear. Besides, what could happen? The police have already checked for Jenna there, & they didn’t find anything.
ACT 3
Scene 2
CUT TO:
INT. STEVE’S OFFICE AT THE POLICE STATION — AFTERNOON
As the scene opens, Malinski, as dressed before, is sitting in the chair in front of Steve’s desk. Steve, dressed as before, is sitting at his desk talking on the phone.
STEVE
(into the phone)
Are you sure? …. Ah, c’mon, Crandal. You have to be 100% positive about this. If the Auxiliary Office wasn’t checked out, we may have a serious problem. Mrs. Rockingham is over there right now, & there’s no telling what she may find or might’ve found already. …. Yeah, OK. I’ll double check with Malinski. He’s right here in my office.
Steve hangs up the phone & looks at Malinski, who, as Steve’s phone conversation continued, got increasingly upset.
STEVE
OK, Malinski. It’s your turn. Was the Auxiliary Office checked or not?
MALINSKI
(somewhat fearful)
I thought it was, sir.
STEVE
But, it’s not in your report, & your partner says he doesn’t think it was checked. In which case, we’ve a serious problem on our hands.
MALINSKI
I understand, sir.
STEVE
You understand? Do you? You see, I don’t think you do. Since neither of you seem to know for sure, that means the room wasn’t checked out, & we could be on the verge of a major problem. An internal investigation may need to be done. You just better hope it doesn’t come to that, officer.
MALINSKI
Yes, sir.
STEVE
OK. There’s nothing much more to say now. There may be plenty to say & explain later. So, go on back to what you were working on.
MALINSKI
The Bennington case, sir?
STEVE
Yes. Dismissed.
Malinski hurriedly gets up & leaves the office.
ACT 3
Scene 3
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY OF MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY — EARLY AFTERNOON
Christine, dressed as before, is just emerging from the stairwell on the 2nd floor. She stops as she enters the hallway, as if to “scope” the place. Several students walk by. A couple say hello to her & she nods & smiles back. One in particular interrupts Christine’s mission. This STUDENT, ~19 years old, is dressed in blue jeans, a gray sweatshirt, & good tennis shoes. She is carrying a backpack over her right shoulder. She gasps as she spots Christine.
STUDENT
Oh, my! Is it really you, Mrs. Rockingham?
CHRISTINE
(flattered, yet bothered by the attention)
Yes, yes it is.
STUDENT
(breathless)
I’m such a big fan of yours. I love your books, especially your last one, _The Lost Music Years_. I just loved the way Brad found out about his unknown brother & got back together with Jennifer at the same time! It was so…so…so, well, musically poetic.
CHRISTINE
Why, thank you. I’m really glad you enjoyed the book.
STUDENT
(still breathless)
Oh, I did! I did! I recommended it to all of my friends!
CHRISTINE
(preoccupied; eyeing the door to the Auxiliary Office)
Really?
STUDENT
Yes, I did! & my friends read it & they loved it, too!
CHRISTINE
(still pre-occupied)
Marvelous!
STUDENT
(noticing that Christine is not paying attention)
Oh, Mrs. Rockingham. I…I’m sorry. How heartless of me. You must be worried about your daughter, Jenna. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to be so rude.
CHRISTINE
Don’t worry about it. I’m OK, really. I always enjoy talking with fans of my work. &, as for Jenna, I’m sure she’ll be found. I’m just getting rather unnerved that she hasn’t been found yet.
STUDENT
I’m sure you are. Well, don’t worry, Mrs. Rockingham. I’m positive you’ll find Jenna soon.
There is a slight pause in the conversation.
STUDENT
Well, look. I must get going. I’ve got a meeting, in, uh….
The student checks her watch.
STUDENT
Oh, my! …in about a minute!
The students starts to quickly run away. As she says her exiting lines, she turns to Christine, waving her free left hand.
STUDENT
Bye! It was nice to talk to you….
After the student is out of sight, Christine shakes her head a bit as if trying to figure out what just happened. Once she has somewhat regained her composure, Christine looks around once more & finally fixes her eyes on the door to the office, particularly the “Auxiliary Office” sign on the door. She takes a deep breath & slowly moves toward the door, as if she thinks a snake will bite her when she opens the door.
CHRISTINE
(to herself)
Oh, come now, Christine. Get a grip. Jenna can’t be in here anyway. The police have already checked here.
Christine moves toward the door & begins to open it, taking her time to fully open it. As she begins to open the door, the CAMERA angle switches from in the hallway to in the room, looking towards the door, with Jenna’s body more or less visible in the shot. Christine cautiously moves into the room, not yet seeing the body because the desk blocks Christine’s view. She slowly moves towards & around the desk. Then, she spots Jenna’s body. Christine jumps back in shock & then lets out a blood-curdling scream.
FADE OUT: END ACT 3. GO TO COMMERCIAL.
ACT 4
Scene 1
FADE IN:
INT. MICHELLE’S OFFICE AT MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY — AFTERNOON
As the scene opens, Michelle, dressed as before, is seated at her desk talking on the phone.
MICHELLE
(into the phone; giggles 1st, then speaks in a whisper)
…. Yes. Yes, Matt. I love….
Christine, dressed as before, bursts into Michelle’s office in a hysterical rage.
CHRISTINE
(out of breath)
Michelle! …. Michelle! It’s, uhhh, it’s….
MICHELLE
(into the phone; distractedly)
Hold on, Matthew.
Michelle cups her right hand over the phone’s mouthpiece as she turns toward Christine.
MICHELLE
Calm down, Christine. Calm down. What’s the matter?
CHRISTINE
Uhhhhh….Jenna…..Jeanna……She’s….
MICHELLE
(suddenly getting the picture)
You …. you found her?
CHRISTINE
(nods head & starts crying)
Yeaaaahhhh…..
MICHELLE
Oh, my God….
Michelle, now feeling the full tenseness of the situation, goes back to the phone.
MICHELLE
(into the phone)
Matt, I gotta go. Christine just found Jenna, I think. …. Yeah, I’ll let you know.
Michelle swiftly hangs up the phone. She stands up, rushes to Christine’s side, & puts her right arm around Christine’s shoulders.
MICHELLE
OK, now. Take your time.
Christine takes a deep breath, nodding her head to acknowledge her understanding of Michelle’s command.
CHRISTINE
I….I….She’s……She’s…..
MICHELLE
OK. OK. It’ll be OK. Now, tell me what you saw. Can you do that?
Christine nods her head yes.
CHRISTINE
(trying to compose herself)
….Yeah….I….I….went to the Auxiliary Office….
MICHELLE
Yes, I know.
CHRISTINE
(as if Michelle had not spoken)
&, I went in…. & …. & …….
Christine starts to sob. Michelle holds her tighter, trying to console her. By now, Michelle seems to have a pretty good idea about what happened next, so she tries to finish the scene for Christine.
MICHELLE
& you found Jenna’s body?
At Michelle’s last statement, Christine cries even harder & goes into a fit. Michelle slowly & carefully puts Christine’s head on her shoulder.
MICHELLE
OK. It’s OK. Here….
Michelle leads Christine to a chair in the office.
MICHELLE
Sit here.
Christine more or less slumps into the chair, continuing to sob profusely. Michelle grabs a paper cup off her desk & rushes out of the room. She quickly returns having filled the cup with water. She hands the cup to Christine, who gingerly cups the cup in her hands.
MICHELLE
Here, drink this.
Christine stops crying long enough to take a sip.
MICHELLE
Now, I know you think you saw Jenna’s body, but are you absolutely sure? I mean the police already looked for Jenna here.
CHRISTINE
(not believing that Michelle could suggest that she does not know what her own daughter looks like)
No, I know what I saw. Jenna is lying there on the floor … dead.
ACT 4
Scene 2
CUT TO:
INT. ROCKINGHAM MANSION LIVING ROOM — MID-AFTERNOON
As the scene opens, Virginia, dressed as before, is sitting in the high-backed chair reading a magazine. Carl, dressed as before, is sleeping on the couch. Richie & Desmond are no longer in the room. Cathy, dressed as before, is sitting in the chair across from Virginia. Cathy is looking at a different magazine. Virginia suddenly looks up from her reading.
VIRGINIA
Pastor Cathy….
Cathy looks up.
CATHY
Yes?
VIRGINIA
I…I just had the worst thought….
CATHY
(twisting face into an inquisitive look)
Oh? What?
VIRGINIA
It’s Jenna….
CATHY
What about her?
VIRGINIA
I just got the strangest feeling that she’s….
CATHY
Yes?
VIRGINIA
Lying somewhere dead….
Cathy seems prepared to give Virginia the “you cannot think like that” speech when Desmond walks into the room.
DESMOND
Well, Richie is upstairs with Donnie. They’re listening to the radio.
Carl stirs on the couch at the sound of his son’s name.
CARL
(yawning)
What’s that? Did I hear Donnie’s name being mentioned?
VIRGINIA
(coming out of her “trance”)
Yes, Dear. He’s fine. Richie is upstairs with him.
CARL
Boy, I wish Christine would get back. I wonder what’s taking her so long.
CATHY
I’m sure she’s fine. She probably just got to talking with Michelle or some other professor. Or, maybe she even got to talking with one of her loyal fans. You know how she likes talking with her fans.
Carl moves on the couch to sit in one corner, allowing Desmond to sit down.
CARL
Yeah, I know. Still, I just wish she’d get back sooner than later.
DESMOND
Well, son. You just gotta wait. Look on the bright side. At least we know she’s not missing.
VIRGINIA
(shocked at her husband’s negligent comment)
Desmond! That’s not funny.
DESMOND
I know it’s not funny, dear. I didn’t mean to be thoughtless.
VIRGINIA
Well, watch what you say, then. For all we know, Jenna could be dead.
ACT 4
Scene 3
CUT TO:
INT. MICHELLE’S OFFICE AT MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY — AFTERNOON
As the scene opens, Christine, dressed as before, is sitting in the chair, appearing to be a little more relaxed than before, yet still very upset, emotionally & otherwise. She holds a cup of water in her right hand. Her left elbow is resting on the chair’s arm. Michelle, dressed as before, enters the room from the hallway.
MICHELLE
(visually disturbed)
Oh, my. That is Jenna up there, Christine.
CHRISTINE
(looking up)
I told you. Why didn’t you believe me?
MICHELLE
Well, I…um…just wanted to make sure before getting Steve down here for what could’ve been a false alarm.
Christine simply shakes her head. Michelle reaches for the phone & dials a number. Christine appears somewhat shocked & confused when Michelle finally starts to speak.
MICHELLE
(into the phone)
Hi, Hon. It’s me. Look, I didn’t really want to tell your machine this news, but it’s your niece. Matt, Jenna…well, Christine found her body….
Michelle’s voice trails off as she hangs up the phone. She keeps her hand on the receiver, while there is a brief moment of awkward silence. Suddenly, as if coming out of a daydream, Michelle picks up the phone again & dials another number. The screen splits, with Michelle on the left & Steve, dressed as before, on the right. Steve is at his desk, looking at papers when the phone rings. He picks up the phone.
STEVE
Captain Manson.
MICHELLE
Hi, Captain. This is Michelle Croswell at Manchester University.
STEVE
Oh, hi, Professor Croswell. What can I do for you?
MICHELLE
Well, you better get down here.
STEVE
(somewhat jokingly)
What’s the problem? Another campus fight that campus security can’t handle? We’ve had a few of those in the past year or so, haven’t we?
There is a brief moment of silence as Michelle doesn’t respond. Steve realizes the call is more serious.
STEVE
Professor Croswell? What’s the matter?
MICHELLE
It’s….it’s Jenna.
STEVE
What about her?
MICHELLE
Christine found her body.
STEVE
(realizing his worst fear has come true)
In the Auxiliary Office…?
MICHELLE
(somewhat dumbfounded)
Well, yeah…. How did you know?
Steve is silent.
FADE TO BLACK: END ACT 4. GO TO COMMERCIAL.
ACT 5
Scene 1
FADE IN:
INT. STEVE’S OFFICE AT THE POLICE STATION — AFTERNOON
As the scene opens, Malinski & Steve, both dressed as before, are in the office. Steve is sitting at his desk, while Malinski occupies the chair he did before. Steve is holding the Jenna Rockingham file in his right hand.
STEVE
I instruct my officers to be thorough in all aspects of their job & what do I get?
Malinski sort of shrugs his shoulders.
STEVE
A half-done job.
MALINSKI
But, sir, we checked everywhere.
STEVE
Correction, not everywhere. As it turns out, you skipped what is the most important room in this entire case.
MALINSKI
How….
Malinski is interrupted by the ringing of the telephone.
STEVE
(reaching for the phone; to Malinski)
This better not be Crandal. He was supposed to be here by now.
Malinski becomes even more nervous, but relaxes somewhat as Steve’s phone conversation unfolds.
STEVE
Captain Manson. …. Oh, hi. …. Yes, Matthew, that is correct. …. No, I haven’t seen the body. I’m in the process of getting ready to go over there now. ….. Yes, well, you’d be surprised at what all needs to be taken care of before I head over there.
Steve gives Malinski a rather disapproving look.
STEVE
….umhmmm. Yes, I am personally going over there immediately.
There is a knock at the door.
STEVE
Excuse me, for just a second, Matthew. There’s someone at my door.
Steve cups his hand over the phone.
STEVE
(yelling to the door)
Come in.
CRANDAL, age 33, dressed in a police uniform, cautiously opens the door & peers in. Steve motions for him to take a seat in the chair next to Malinski. Crandal slowly sits down as Steve returns to his phone call.
STEVE
(into the phone)
Sorry for the interruption. 1 of my officers just came in. Now, was there anything else you wanted? …. Well, we know, then, about as much as you do. Without having seen the scene yet & going on Ms. Croswell’s description of the situation, it may or may not be foul play. That, we’ll have to determine when we get to the scene, which we really should be…. …. No, I have no comment on that at this time. I an assure you, however, that there will be a full investigation into the matter. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a scene to get to. …. Thanks.
Steve hangs up the phone & turns to his officers.
STEVE
(to Crandal)
What took you so long?
CRANDAL
I stopped someone for a traffic violation, sir.
STEVE
Oh. So now you go by the book, eh?
CRANDAL
(wondering what exactly Steve means)
I’m sorry, sir.
STEVE
Well, Crandal, I was just telling your partner here that you both overlooked the most important room in the whole case. I thought you 2 were trained better than that. I guess I was wrong.
CRANDAL
Sir, I could’ve sworn we looked in that room.
STEVE
(quickly jumping in)
But it’s not in your report.
MALINSKI
Well….
STEVE
(interrupting)
Look, no explanation is going to matter at this point anyway. We must get over to the school & get to work at the scene. But don’t think you 2 are out of the woods. I meant what I told Matthew. There will be an investigation.
Malinski & Crandal look nervously at each other.
STEVE
Now, we must get over there.
Steve gets up & Malinski & Crandal follow suit. Steve grabs his coat & reaches for the door handle. He opens the door & motions for the 2 officers to go out.
ACT 5
Scene 2
CUT TO:
INT. ROCKINGHAM MANSION LIVING ROOM — AFTERNOON
As the scene opens, Virginia & Cathy, both dressed as before, remain in the 2 chairs reading magazines, while, now, Desmond is alone on the couch. Carl is standing at the phone as if waiting for it to ring.
CARL
Shouldn’t she have at least telephoned by now? It doesn’t take that long to go visit the school, does it?
DESMOND
(looking towards Carl)
For pete’s sake, son. Just come & sit down & relax. You don’t want to go inviting trouble.
Cathy half-closes her magazine & looks up at no one in particular, while she “echoes” Desmond’s advice.
CATHY
Listen to your father, Carl. He’s right. Besides, there is no sense worrying about things before they happen. God doesn’t give us any more than we can handle.
CARL
(looking at the back of Cathy’s head)
How can you be so sure?
At this, Cathy turns around in her chair to look at Carl.
CATHY
Well….I married Michael twice, didn’t I?
Everyone shares a “cutesy” little laugh-giggle at Cathy’s ironic rhetorical question. Their momentary lightheartedness is shattered, however, by the ringing of the telephone. Carl, after having stood by the phone this whole time in eager anticipation of the ringing sound, now can only stand there & stare at the phone as if it will answer itself.
VIRGINIA
Well, answer the phone, dear. It won’t bite you.
Virginia’s words stir Carl into action. He answers the phone.
CARL
(into the phone)
Rockingham residence. This is Carl speaking. …. Oh, hi, Michelle.
Carl quickly cup his hand over the phone & turns to tell everyone in the room that Michelle is on the phone. He goes back to his phone conversations while everyone nods a “yes, we already knew that” acknowledging nod.
CARL
(into the phone)
Yes, I’m here. Have you seen Christine? …. Oh, she’s there…I see. … Oh, well, no, I’m not sitting down. Should I be? … What is it?!
Overhearing this, Cathy stands up & offers the chair she was sitting in to Carl. He willingly accepts it & goes back to the phone. Cathy stands beside him. Virginia & Desmond lean forward in anticipation.
CARL
(into the phone)
Please tell me nothing has happened to Christine. …. Oh, thank goodness for that. I was so worried…. ….. Oh, it’s Jenna…..
There is a long pause, in which Carl slumps back in the chair & starts to cry softly. Cathy instinctively picks up the phone receiver & speaks to Michelle.
CATHY
(into the phone)
Michelle? Hi, this is Pastor Cathy. What’s going on? …. Oh, I see. ….. Yes, I’ll tell them.
Cathy hangs up the phone & turns towards Desmond & Virginia.
CATHY
(slowly)
There’s no easy way to say this.
DESMOND & VIRGINIA
(more or less simultaneously)
Well, then. Just say it.
CATHY
(pastorly)
Christine found Jenna’s body in the Auxiliary Office at Manchester University.
Desmond falls back into the couch, putting his head in his hands, while Virginia puts her right hand up to her mouth.
VIRGINIA
(whispering)
Oh, dear God.
There is a rush of crying heard as the news slowly sinks into Desmond, Virginia & Carl. Cathy bows her head in prayer. The silence is broken by Desmond’s voice.
DESMOND
Who’s gonna tell Richie & Donnie?
CATHY
I will, if you like.
VIRGINIA
Yes, dear, please do that. I can’t bear to tell them such horrible news.
There is a slight pause. Virginia gets the “I just put 2 & 2 together” look.
VIRGINIA
Oh, my God. I…I….
CATHY
What is it?
VIRGINIA
I….the premonition….I knew Jenna was dead….
FADE TO BLACK: END ACT 5. GO TO COMMERCIAL.