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 for Month 3, Week 3, Days 1-4

 

NEXT TIME:
2nd of 3 parts of the 4th (& final) fully scripted episode: Month 3, Week 3, Day 5 (a Friday), Acts 3-5

 

NOW: TALE CONTINUES
1st of 3 parts of the 4th fully-scripted episode [Month 3, Week 3, Day 5 (a Friday), 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. ROCKINGHAM MANSION LIVING ROOM — LATE MORNING

As the scene opens, VIRGINIA, age 62, is seated in the high-backed chair. She is dressed in a conservative, blue dress. DESMOND, age 63, dressed in a 3-piece suit, is standing at the phone, having just hung up the receiver.

VIRGINIA
(inquisitively)
Well…?

DESMOND
(sighing; turning to Virginia)
That was our lawyer.

VIRGINIA
Yes…?

DESMOND
(walks around; sits in the chair across from Virginia)
The custody trial will not be in session today, due to quote, new evidence.

VIRGINIA
What?! What on earth could that be?

DESMOND
I don’t know. They must have gotten word of the hostile takeover attempt of the Phoenix. That’s all I can think of.

VIRGINIA
Certainly that isn’t the case.

DESMOND
Well, what else could it be?

VIRGINIA
I don’t know. But, I thought the takeover attempt was supposed to be a silent one.

DESMOND
(somewhat disgusted)
Well, obviously, it isn’t anymore.

VIRGINIA
My, oh my. It sounds like everything is falling apart right now. …But, we did make the right decision in keeping Tammy from getting Donnie. I still am a bit shocked that she and Erika came up with that sick plan to kidnap Donnie.

DESMOND
Oh, I’m not worried about that right now. They’ll get what’s coming to them. I’m just worried about this takeover attempt.

VIRGINIA
I know…. At least we don’t have to worry about the Publishing Company. Christine’s _The Lost Music Years_ is on its way to the top of the best-seller list.

At this point, DONNIE, age 10, enters the room. Dressed in blue jeans & a gray T-shirt, Donnie walks to Virginia.

DONNIE
Nanna, when are we doing to see Dad?

VIRGINIA
(turning her attention to Donnie)
A little while later, Dear. Don’t worry, you’ll get to see your father today.

DONNIE
OK. But, I want to see him really soon.

VIRGINIA
You will, Dear.

DESMOND
(oblivious to the exchange between Virginia & Donnie)
I wonder who could be behind the takeover….

ACT 1
Scene 2

CUT TO:

EXT. FIELD BETWEEN CROSWELL RANCH & SIMPSONS — LATE MORNING

As the scene opens, MICHAEL, age 49, & JAKE, age 23, are standing outside talking. Michael is wearing a pair of jeans with a dark blue sweatshirt. Jake is wearing an old pair of jeans with an old, black T-shirt.

MICHAEL
Look, Jake, we can’t meet like this anymore. It’s getting too dangerous. They’ve got to be close to figuring out who’s behind the takeover.

JAKE
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know. But, we’ve got to meet with Mr. Wendleton again on the internet. He needs to give us more background information in order for us to pull the takeover off.

MICHAEL
Yes, I know. But,…we can’t do it now. You’ll have to come over later.

JAKE
Fine. But, won’t Cathy be back home, later!?

MICHAEL
Not if you come right after lunch.

JAKE
OK, fine. Ya know, as long as we keep taking precautions, we’ll be fine.

MICHAEL
I know, but precautions include not meeting outside in the open between our 2 homes. Somebody could see us….

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

 

ACT 2
Scene 1

FADE IN:

INT. KMAZ-TV STUDIO — LATE MORNING

As the scene opens, TAMMY, age 32, AMY, age 25, & some television news crew EXTRAS, of various ages, are all preparing for the midday newscast. Tammy is wearing a dark blue business suit. Amy has on a dull yellow dress. MATTHEW, age 31, dressed in slacks, a collared, long-sleeved shirt, a “creative” tie, & a dark brown blazer, enters.

MATTHEW
(looking at Tammy; then at Amy)
Ssssooo, who’s doing the midday news?

Tammy & Amy start to talk at the same time, but Amy prevails.

AMY
I assigned it to Volkman.

MATTHEW
(surprised)
Tom? Why?

TAMMY
(interrupting Amy)
Because she doesn’t think I should do the midday newscast anymore.

MATTHEW
(to Amy)
Why not?

AMY
(disbelievingly)
Matthew! C’mon! Were you not at the trial yesterday? This woman confessed to kidnapping our nephew!

MATTHEW
Yes, I know that.

AMY
Then, what’s the problem?

MATTHEW
She’s a good anchor, that’s what. She should do the midday newscast as she has been. Besides, Tammy is demographically better for our midday news than Tom Volkman. I suppose you want us to lose ground to KSME & KJAT during the noon news?

AMY
No, but I don’t think we want a kidnapper presenting our news, do we?

MATTHEW
(exasperated)
Amy, for all we know, Volkman is a murderer! Besides, the public doesn’t know about what happened at the trial yesterday. Remember, there’s a media blackout.

At this point, Tammy has grown too impatient & intolerant of the bickering back & forth between Matthew & Amy.

TAMMY
Look. Let Volkman do the news today. Frankly, I don’t care. It’s not worth all this bickering. Besides, Amy’s right. I shouldn’t do the news today.

Matthew starts to get a word in edgewise, but Tammy cuts him off.

TAMMY
No, no. Look, the public may not know, but I’ll know that you know. No. I don’t want to do the news today.

AMY
Great!

MATTHEW
(hesitantly giving in)
All right. Fine. If that’s the way you want it, so be it.

AMY
Fine. I’ll go make sure that Tom is ready.

Amy leaves.

MATTHEW
Look, Tammy, no matter what anyone else says, I forgive you. Sure, you’ve made a mistake. But, people change. I know they do.

 

ACT 2
Scene 2

CUT TO:

INT. SIMPSON HOME LIVNG ROOM — LATE MORNING

As the scene opens, Jake (as before) is sitting in the old chair in front of the television, while LAURA, age 24, is sitting at the desk. Laura is wearing an old T-shirt & a pair of well-worn jeans. Jake isn’t watching television; he has the radio on a rock & roll station. Laura is trying to work at the desk.

LAURA
(somewhat desperately; without looking up)
Jake…could you please turn that down?

JAKE
It’s not that loud, Rox.

LAURA
(stops working; looks toward the chair that Jake is sitting in)
Oh, please. The walls are rattling.

JAKE
Look, just because you don’t like rock & roll doesn’t mean that you can complain about it every time I have the radio on.

LAURA
(almost whining)
But, I’m not complaining. I just want you to turn that down. I’m trying to get some things accomplished. …. I suspect Amy didn’t mind you having the music up so loud…?

JAKE
Oh, come off it, Rox. I told you my affair with Amy is over. … So, what are you trying to work on anyway?

LAURA
Resumes for jobs, that’s what. Something you should be doing.

JAKE
Oh, Rox. I have. But ya know what? No company wants me. Know why? I never have enough experience.

LAURA
Well, geez, Jake. That’s because you go for the highest position possible & you can’t do that. You gotta start at the bottom.

JAKE
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

LAURA
& you could start by getting off your lazy butt & turning that music down.

Reluctantly, Jake gets up & does as Laura has asked.

LAURA
(going back to her work)
Thank you.

Jake walks over towards Laura. When he gets to her, he puts his hands on Laura’s shoulders & sort of flirts with her throughout the next part of the conversation.

JAKE
Yeah….All I know is my luck is about to change.

LAURA
(without looking up)
Oh, yeah? How so?

JAKE
You’ll see. I promise you. It’ll be great. We’ll be able to move outta this place, for starters.

LAURA
Yeah, right. What’re you up to, Jake?

JAKE
Ooohhh, it’s big. Real big.

LAURA
Uh, huh. What? You finally got Desmond to consider you for a job at KMCE radio?

JAKE
Not exactly.

LAURA
(exasperated)
Oohh…fine. Don’t tell me. I give up. I’ve too much to do to play your silly games.

JAKE
Oh, ho. You don’t believe me, eh?

Laura doesn’t respond.

JAKE
OK, then. To prove to you how big this is going to be, I’m taking you to Jackie’s Restaurant for lunch.

LAURA
(looking at Jake)
But, Jake, we can’t afford that.

JAKE
(pulls Laura up from the chair)
Oh, yes we can. We will, Rox. We will.

Jake starts to lead Laura around the room as if dancing with her to the music.

LAURA
Jake! Jake, stop that! I mean it. Let go of me!

JAKE
Ah, c’mon, Rox. Have some fun.

LAURA
(giving in)
Fine. Let’s go to Jackie’s.

JAKE
That’s my Rox!

 

ACT 2
Scene 3

CUT TO:

INT. JACKIE’S RESTAURANT — LATE MORNING

As the scene opens, JACKIE, age 45, & JULIA, age 22, are in the dining area rapidly preparing tables for the “lunch rush”. Jackie is wearing an apron over her stylish, red dress. Julia has on a simple, yet contemporary turquoise outfit.

JULIA
(putting napkins on a table)
Ya know, Mom, I still can’t believe you & Dad separated. I mean, after all the 2 of you have been through, I figured you could work this out as well.

JACKIE
(putting silverware on top of the napkins)
Julia, it’s a lot more complicated than meets the eye. Your father virtually destroyed our family by throwing the book at Alicia for murdering Jenna. I mean, he didn’t even give her any leniency for being….

JULIA
(interrupting)
What? A psychotic?

Jackie slowly nods her head.

JULIA
Well, geez, Mom. She is. & you think that gives her the right to kill someone?!

JACKIE
I didn’t say that….

JULIA
You didn’t have to.

JACKIE
What does that mean?

JULIA
It means that Alicia has always been your baby, & your favorite. &, because of that, you want to protect her in any way, shape, or form you possibly can. That’s not exactly a secret in this town.

Jackie doesn’t respond, so Julia continues. By now, the 2 have finished setting the table & move to the last table to be completed.

JULIA
Look, Mom. I’m sorry. But, that’s just the way it is. & I’m not trying to blame you. I’m just trying to get you to see that so you will try to work things out with Dad.

JACKIE
I don’t know….

There’s a knock at the front door.

JACKIE
(yelling)
We’re not open yet.

STEVE
(off-camera; yelling back; somewhat hesitantly)
It…It’s me…Steve. I want to talk to you.

Jackie & Julia exchange a glance.

JULIA
Here’s your chance, Mom.

Jackie goes to the door & opens it. STEVE, age 46, dressed in a suit, tie, dress shirt & dress slacks, appears & steps into the restaurant. Jackie just puts her left hand on her hip & sighs.

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

 

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