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
NEXT TIME:
Synopsis of Month 3, Week 4, Days 1-5 (next day) [last part of the honors thesis part of the story]
NOW: TALE CONTINUES
3rd of 3 parts of the 4th fully-scripted episode [Month 3, Week 3, Day 5 (a Friday), Acts 6-7] 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 6
Scene 1
FADE IN:
INT. JACKIE’S RESTAURANT — AFTERNOON
As the scene opens, Matthew & Michelle are standing in a corner of the restaurant, while Timothy is now sitting with Tammy at the table.
MICHELLE
But, how could you eat with her after you’ve found out what she’s done?
MATTHEW
She only wanted to explain.
MICHELLE
What is there to explain? She kidnapped your nephew & wants you.
MATTHEW
The kidnapping wasn’t preplanned.
MICHELLE
Right. & you believe her?
MATTHEW
Yes.
MICHELLE
Ugh…. Can’t you see what she’s doing?
MATTHEW
She what?
MICHELLE
She’s trying to break us apart so she can have you.
MATTHEW
Ah, c’mon, Michelle. Aren’t you just a little bit paranoid?
MICHELLE
No. I don’t think so. She comes to town with no experience in television, & yet, she magically gets a job working for you at KMAZ?
MATTHEW
That’s enough, Michelle. I love you, don’t you know that?
At this point, the focus turns to Timothy & Tammy at the table.
TIMOTHY
So, it looks like you’ve got those 2 fighting something awful, eh?
TAMMY
(looking at Matthew & Michelle)
Oh, I wouldn’t say that exactly.
Tammy turns her attention to Timothy, much to his delight.
TAMMY
I don’t know. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.
TIMOTHY
Right.
TAMMY
(protesting)
No, I didn’t, honestly.
TIMOTHY
OK. Whatever. But, what about the deal you made with Erika?
TAMMY
Oh, like that would’ve come true anyway.
TIMOTHY
Knowing Erika? Yes, it would have.
At that statement, Tammy perks up a little & looks in Matthew’s direction.
TIMOTHY
But, I wouldn’t get any ideas now.
Tammy looks back at Timothy, shrugs her shoulders, & gives him the “oh but I’m not” look.
ACT 6
Scene 2
CUT TO:
INT. CROSWELL RANCH “COMPUTER ROOM” — AFTERNOON
As the scene opens, Jake & Michael (as before) are seated at the computer. Michael is in the computer desk chair, while Jake is on a folding chair next to Michael.
JAKE
Oooo, would you look at that! That information could bring the whole Rockingham empire to its knees. Oooo oooo. I love this.
MICHAEL
Settle down, Jake. We’re dealing with a whole family’s life, here. We really shouldn’t be doing this.
JAKE
Oh, don’t go soft on me now. C’mon. You hated being forced into retirement.
MICHAEL
Yeah, but….
JAKE
But what?
MICHAEL
Well, if we go through with this, my broadcasting career could also be over.
JAKE
So? There are other jobs.
MICHAEL
Yeah, but, what will this do to Cathy?
JAKE
Ah, c’mon. She’ll be there for ya.
At this, Cathy peeks into the room.
CATHY
I’ll be there for Michael for what?
Jake & Michael are startled.
MICHAEL
Uh…uh…. Oh, nothing. We were just talking about “what if” situations, honey.
Michael quickly gets up, without turning the computer off. He walks towards Cathy, who opens her arms & gives him a huge hug.
CATHY
Well, don’t even do that, OK? We’ll deal with things as they come. No need to go thinking up trouble.
Cathy gives Jake a “geez, I can’t believe you 2” look while still hugging Michael. Jake looks at his watch & gets up.
JAKE
Oh, geez. I gotta go. I’ll see you later, Michael.
MICHAEL
OK. See ya.
Jake exits, & Cathy & Michael release their hug.
CATHY
So, how was your day?
MICHAEL
(having forgotten about leaving the computer on)
Just fine. How did your visits go?
Cathy & Michael start to exit the room.
CATHY
Wonderful. Oh, by the way, Mr. Zobrinski says hello.
The 2 exit.
ACT 6
Scene 3
CUT TO:
INT. ROCKINGHAM MANSION LIVING ROOM — AFTERNOON
As the scene opens, Desmond, Virginia & Donnie (as before) are just entering the home.
DESMOND
Well, it’s good to be home, isn’t it?
DONNIE
(softly)
Yeah, I guess.
VIRGINIA
Go up to your room & play, Dear. OK?
DONNIE
OK.
Donnie runs up the stairs. Virginia sits down in the high-backed chair, while Desmond begins to pace back & forth.
VIRGINIA
What’s the matter, honey?
DESMOND
Oh, I don’t know. What if Carl’s right? I mean, maybe Carl should keep Donnie.
VIRGINIA
That’s nonsense. You know it’s best for our grandchild if we get custody of him.
DESMOND
For now. But, what if the takeover goes through?
VIRGINIA
So what if it does? We’ll still be fine.
DESMOND
Yes, but….
VIRGINIA
Now, Honey, stop worrying about it. There is nothing we can do right now. Please…sit down.
Desmond obediently sits in the chair across from Virginia. There is a clap of distant thunder.
VIRGINIA
Finally! Here comes that storm they’ve been forecasting all day.
DESMOND
Yeah. Sounds like it’s going to be a doozy, eh?
There is another clap of thunder.
VIRGINIA
(slowly getting up)
I suppose I should go check on Donnie & make sure he is OK.
Virginia heads upstairs.
FADE TO BLACK: END ACT 6. GO TO COMMERCIAL.
ACT 7
Scene 1
FADE IN:
INT. JACKIE’S RESTAURANT — AFTERNOON
As the scene opens, Matthew & Michelle are preparing to leave. They are standing by the table where Timothy & Tammy are seated.
MATTHEW
I’m sorry, Tammy. I must go….Michelle & I need to talk.
TAMMY
Oh, no problem. I understand.
MICHELLE
(to Timothy)
Sorry about lunch.
TIMOTHY
That’s OK. Don’t worry about it.
There is a clap of thunder. Tammy looks away, sort if in disgust. Michelle notices.
MICHELLE
(angrily)
What Tammy?
TAMMY
(trying to remain calm)
Nothing.
MICHELLE
Right. You just stay away from my man!
There is another clap of thunder.
MATTHEW
(jumping in)
OK. OK. That’s enough. Let’s go. We want to get home before the storm hits full force.
Matthew pulls Michelle away & then looks back at Tammy.
MATTHEW
You 2 have lunch on me. Just charge it to KMAZ.
TIMOTHY
Why, thank you, Matthew. That’s very kind of you.
TAMMY
Yes, that’s very kind. Thank you.
Matthew nods in acknowledgment of their thanks, turns to Michelle, & the 2 begin to leave.
MICHELLE
(whispering)
You shouldn’t have done that.
MATTHEW
(in Michelle’s ear)
Think of it as me paint for your brother to eat, OK?
Michelle just shakes her head as they exit.
TIMOTHY
(to Tammy who is watching Matthew & Michelle leave)
Well, it looks as if we’re finally alone together.
Tammy whirls back around to look Timothy in the eye.
TAMMY
(curiously)
What do you mean?
TIMOTHY
Well, Matthew & Michelle are gone.
TAMMY
(sipping her water)
Oh….But, that doesn’t mean that WE are together. After all, Matthew is paying for this.
TIMOTHY
(sipping his water)
Yes, I know. This shall be interesting, though, don’t you think?
Timothy gives Tammy a sly wink & sips his water again. Tammy can only look at Timothy in bewildered amazement at his boldness. There is another loud clap of thunder.
ACT 7
Scene 2
CUT TO:
INT. CROSWELL RANCH “COMPUTER ROOM” — AFTERNOON
As the scene opens, neither Michael nor Cathy is in the computer room. Lightning flashes through the window & thunder is heard. The CAMERA focuses on the computer screen long enough for the address <JAPPEN@???.COM> to be seen at the top of the screen, with “Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Wendleton” right below the address on the subject line. The CAMERA pulls away quick enough so that the message itself cannot be read. The voices of Cathy & Michael are heard from outside the room.
MICHAEL
(off-screen)
Oh, I better go turn off the computer before the storm hits.
CATHY
(off-screen)
No, that’s OK. I’ll get it. I need to send an Email to someone anyway.
MICHAEL
(off-screen; a little louder)
No. Don’t. Let me get out of what I was doing 1st….
CATHY
(off screen; just outside the door)
I can get out of whatever you were in. No problem.
Cathy bursts into the room. Lightning flashes & another clap of thunder rolls across the sky. Michael is seen briefly at the door. But, as Cathy nears the computer, he quickly dashes out of sight.
CATHY
(yelling to Michael)
See, I can get out of this. It’s just an Email.
Cathy then sits down in the computer desk chair. Lighting flashes. Thunder claps. Cathy focusses her eyes on the screen & starts to exit the Email, but something at the top of the screen catches her attention. She looks close at the address at the top of the screen.
CATHY
(whispering to herself)
Wait a minute. I know that address.
Cathy turns her attention away from the computer & gets a small book from a shelf under the desktop to the right side of the computer. She pulls the book out & opens it. She flips through the pages, eventually finding the page she is looking for. She glances at the page & then back at the computer.
CATHY
I don’t believe it.
Cathy looks back at the book, then at the top of the computer screen.
CATHY
Oh, my….It’s him! But….
Cathy, without taking her eyes off the computer, slowly closes the book & sets it on the desktop. She concentrates on the screen, apparently reading the exposed Email.
CATHY
Oh, my….I can’t believe this. How could…?
Cathy’s voice is silenced by another loud clap of thunder, followed by more lightning & yet more thunder crashes. Cathy’s eyes move to the bottom of the screen. She reads aloud.
CATHY
(wonderingly; not believing what she sees)
Pleasure doing business with you. Mr. Wendleton.
Cathy sits in stunned silence. Suddenly, Cathy gets a startled look on her face. She stares at the computer screen in horror. Lightning flashes & there is another loud clap of thunder.
FADE TO BLACK: END ACT 7. GO TO COMMERCIAL.
THE END.
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