Episode 119.
09-23-65
The Schusters make a desperate plea.
WA: The Chernak family has lost a son. Expressions of sympathy
have ovewhelmed their small home, near the Peyton Place
shoreline. Perhaps the most painful condolence will come today
from Rodney Harrington.
Intro: Rodney walks over to the Chernak house. Ladies bringing food
to Anna Chernak. She silently invites him in.
Written by Sonya Roberts and Peggy Shaw.
Directed by Ted Post.
Scene 1: Rodney goes in and tells Anna Chernak how deeply sorry he is
about the death of her son. Anna tells him that they
won't understand his being there. A lady knocks, is admitted,
kisses Anna and puts food on the table. Stella speaks of the
old country to Rodney. He says he wishes there was something
he could do. She says that her mother appreciated his visit.
Stella speaks of Anglo-Saxon innocence. Rodney says he came
over to see if there was something he could do. She says that
he didn't even know her or Joe. Rodney says it is very
difficult for him to sort out his feelings. He says he hopes
that Stella and her parents will be all right. He tells her
goodbye. Stella says that he won't get a word from her.
Nothing.
Scene 2: In the Clarion office, Elliot tells Eli that he is writing an
obituary for Joe Chernak. Eli looks over his shoulder and says
"very nice." That the readers will get the impression that Joe
Chernak was one of the town's leading citizens. Elliot
sarcastically says that he could write it so that Joe will be
remembered as "a school dropout, a car thief, a graduate of one
of our state's leading honor farms." Eli says that would
be closer to the truth. Eli says he remembers how he felt when
he read Elizabeth's obituary. Calvin Hanley must have been
proud. It made her a model wife and a model daughter.
Eli says that when Rodney came by last night looking for
Matthew Swain that he could have been of some help to him.
[Another important, well written scene.]
Scene 3: Elliot goes up to the apartment and is admitted by Norman.
Elliot says, "Rodney's not here, is he?" Norman says, "No, he
went out." Elliot came to see Rodney to give him encouragement.
He is Allison's father, as well as the Clarion editor. His
reason to stop by to suggest that they call their father. He
said that Leslie called the prvious last night and said that he
was headed to Greece. Norman says that he doesn't know how
Rodney feels. Elliot Carson says goodbye and then leaves.
Scene 4: Elliot Carson walks over in the direction of the bank, and the
law office. Inside the Dowell law office Theodore Dowell talks
with Rodney, urging him not to talk with anyone about the case.
Dowell complains that Rodney signed a statement. Dowell reads
from the statement. Dowell says it is not complete. The
statement leaves room for too many questions. The statement
could be a weapon. Rodney says that he is not a murderer.
Scene 5: Norman is in the apartment as Rita knocks on the door. He lets
her in and she asks if Rodney is there. Rita says that the
apartment is a mess. She asks if he doesn't ever pick anything
up. Norman says he went shopping. Rita looks at Clarion
headline:
MAN FOUND DEAD
Wharf is scene of
mystery death.
Below the headlines is a picture of Joe Chernak. Norman says
that Rita is good for him. Rita tells Norman that she saw Joe
the afternoon before Joe died. That Joe grabbed her and kissed
her. That when he left he was really mad. Norman asks if she
told the police. Rita says no, she didn't want to get mixed up
in it.
Scene 6: David is talking to Doris about the strange behavior of Kim.
Doris suggests that they should take Kim to the doctor. The
door chimes ring.
David goes to the door. It is Allison who asks to see Kim.
Just for a minute. He invites her in. Allison says that she
thinks Kim was on the wharf the night that Joe died. Allison
tells Doris that she thinks that Kim saw the incident on the
wharf and that was what upset her. Allison says that it may be
Rodney's only chance. Allison asks Doris to take Kim to the
wharf. Kim starts crying. The word "wharf" terrifies her.
David says, "Tell daddy what happened on the wharf last night."
Kim says, "Norman." Doris hugs Kim and says, "I love you so
much." David tells Doris to let Allison talk to her. Allison
takes Kim in the foyer. Allison tells Kim that they want her
to tell the truth. Allison asks Kim, " Were you on the wharf
last night? Did you see a man get hurt? Was the man alone?
Do you know who was with him? Did Rodney hurt the man?" Kim
says, "Rodney made the man fall." He hurt the man." Allison
says, "No. He didn't."