PEYTON PLACE
Episode 118.
09-21-65
The Carsons are bothered by the past.
WA: The words "voluntary" and "free" carry the illusion
of choice. Tonight, Rodney Harrington has no such illusion.
He has just signed a voluntary statement explaining his part
in the death of Joe Chernak. A statement he had to make in
order to live with himself. And now he is free. Free to
return to his apartment and begin the agony of facing himself,
and his brother.
Intro: Rodney walks to the square and sits on a bench not far from the
Pillory.
Written by Michael Gleason and Carol Sobieski
Directed by John Newland
Scene 1: Norman is talking on the phone to an overseas hotel operator.
He is told that Leslie has gone to Greece. Norman asks what
Leslie is doing in Greece. He is told Hotel Athens; Athens,
Greece. Rodney comes in as Norman is placing a call. Fran,
the operator comes on the line. Norman says that he will call
back. Rodney takes off his jacket. Rodney tells Norman to
start slow. Write Leslie a letter. Rodney says that Leslie
can't do anything.
Scene 2: Outside view of the Carson home. In the Carson home, Elliot is
eating breakfast. Constance brings Elliot some toast and sits
down to talk. Elliot mentions that the name of the District
Attorney is Fowler. He has the impression that young Fowler is
trying to "skin himself" a Harrington. Allison comes in and
says "Good Morning." She looks at the paper. The right side
of the front page is shown, ". . . Found Dead." Elliot
says that they didn't book Rodney, they only asked him to stay
in town. Constance says that the most important thing for
everybody to remember is that Rodney is innocent. Allison says
that her father was innocent, too. And he spent 18 years in
prison. Allison says that she knows Kim saw something. She
must get Kim to talk. She has to try. Constance had to sit in
New York while Elliot was being tried. Elliot says that is
different. Constance says that isn't different at all.
Scene 3: Rita says that Rodney made a voluntary statement at the police
station. Ada says that he witnessed the accident, that's all.
Ada tells Rita that the Harringtons can take care of
themselves. She says that Rita doesn't have to get involved.
Rita says that Norman told her that if he had been on the
wharf, he would have killed Joe. Ada tells Rita to stay away
from Norman for now. Ada tells Rita to tell the truth.
Scene 4: Betty comes down and asks if it is too late to say, "Good
morning." Betty says that she borrowed the car last night to
go see Rodney. She talks about Rossi bringing Stella back to
the Chernak house. Sgt. Edward Goddard came for Rodney just as
she was leaving the apartment. A little later, Sgt. Goddard
rings the chimes at the George Anderson house. Julie goes to
the door.
Goddard asks to talk with Betty. She invites him in. He says
he just wants to ask a few questions. She asks if he would
like for her to leave. Julie asks if he would like some
coffee. He declines. He makes small talk about Julie working
at the mill. She says she is training Louise to take over for
her when she is out. He says that the hospital told him that
Betty was on duty when the call came in. She tells him that
she recognized Rodney's voice when he called in. Goddard
mentions that she had once been married to Rodney. He asks how
long she was there before he, Goddard arrived. He asks a few
more pointed questions and leaves. [This was an important and
well-written scene.]
Scene 5: In the Colonial Post Inn, Steven is seated by the waitress and
asks Fowler who won the ball game. Fowler says that he never
reads the sports page. Steven asks to borrow it. Fowler says
that a good pitcher can't win without batting strength behind
him. He admits that he did play a little. Steven
re-introduces himself. Fowler says he doesn't like Boston.
Steven says he is from Boston. But he was born in Peyton
Place. Steven brings up the Joe Chernak Case. Fowler says,
"Criminal proceedings are something no one would initiate if he
had a choice."
Scene 6: Steven goes to see Theodore Dowell. He tells Steven that
Rodney signed a voluntary office. Dowell talks about Steven
making a lot of suggestions. Dowell says that Steven should
not get ahead of himself. Steven asks Theodore Dowell if he
can help with Rodney's case. Steven says that he just had
breakfast with John Fowler at the Inn. He says that Fowler may
have an axe to grind. Leslie Harrington withheld evidence.
And Elliot Carson went to jail because of it.
Preview: Rita Jacks talks to Norman at the apartment. Rodney talks with
Theodore Dowell. David Schuster talks with Kim.
RJ: I saw Joe yesterday in the afternoon. He wanted me to go
with him again. He grabbed me and he kissed me.
TD: You don't see it Rodney, but you need me. My experience.
You've got to have confidence in me.
RH: I'm beginning to wonder how much confidence you have in me.
DS: Tell daddy what you saw on the wharf.
KS: Norman.
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