PEYTON PLACE
Episode 161.
12-28-65
Rodney's trial opens.
WA: Fittingly, autumn has come with a sudden chill to Peyton Place.
At 10:00 o'clock this morning, Rodney Harrington will be tried
for the murder of Joe Chernak, brooding and silent in the dawn,
different.
Intro: Clock striking. Leslie leaves the Colonial Post Inn and walks
past the police station up to the courthouse. A truck drives
up to the Clarion.
Scene 1: Leslie asks Jimmy, a paper delivery boy, "May I buy a paper
from you?" Eli greets Ron, standing by a Clover Dairy truck.
Eli offers to buy Leslie a cup of coffee. Leslie decllnes.
Eli suggests that Leslie go talk with his son. They talk about
Rodney and Elliot. Eli regrets that he never believed his son,
Elliot, was innocent.
Scene 2: In the apartment, the alarm clock rings. Rodney asks, What
does it say?" It is 6:00 o'clock. Norman sits up. Rodney
tries to sleep. Norman offers Rodney some cold pizza. He says
it is four days old, but that it will last two weeks. Norman
says it is 20 minutes to White River. And that he'll be back
in 20 minutes. Norman goes down the steps barefooted. Rodney
throws Norman's shoes down to him saying, "Don't you know it's
illegal to drive barefooted." Norman picks up the Clarion
which has the headline:
HARRINGTON TRIAL TODAY
Scene 3: The white phone rings and Steven answers it. He says to the
man on the other end that it must be 3:00 am. He is talking to
a detective Lawrence in California. Lawrence says that Stella
has a "double A one credit rating, over 5 grand in the bank."
The phone rings again. This time it is Martin Peyton. He
orders Steven to bring Leslie over to the Peyton house. Steven
says that he will try. Peyton ends the conversation by hanging
up. [Dr. Gleason in the Foley Medical Center in Oakland.]
Scene 4: Constance wakes up and calls for Elliot. She doesn't look too
good of a morning before she puts her face on. Elliot selects
a tie and puts it on. He does much better tying it than he did
the day he was released from prison. Referring back to his own
ordeal, Elliot says, "Starting today, another twelve strangers
will determine Rodney's future."
Scene 5: Miss Choate goes into Rossi's office and talks with Stella
Chernak. Stella offers Choate some coffee. Stella has been
working. Choate seems sympathetic to Stella about her losing
her brother, Joe. She indicates that she is also sympathetic
to Betty Anderson. Miss Choate tells Stella that she may be
part of the action. She has received a jury summons for the
jury panel. Stella says, "See you in court." Choate replies,
"See you in court."
Scene 6: Allison is hysterical, she is having a nachtmare. She screams
at the nurse, "Don't shut the door." The nurse tells miss
Choate. Choate tells the nurse to call Dr. Rossi. Rossi
arrives to calm Allison.
Scene 7: Steven and Leslie arrive at the mansion and go in to see
Peyton. Martin asks Steven how he got Leslie there, by telling
him that he was dying? Peyton offers a truce to Leslie. They
talk about the proposed monument for Catherine. Peyton is
concerned about public opinion. Peyton wants Leslie to stay
away from the courtroom. Peyton offers a bargain. Leslie
stays away from court and Peyton puts the monument on hold.
Leslie says that he came back from Europe for the trial.
Steven tries to arbitrate the monument question.
Scene 8: Eli knocks on Rodney's door and offers Rodney a cup of coffee
that he supposedly has made himself and put in a sack. Eli
says Rodney deserves the best. Rodney says he doesn't need any
more moral support. He is however grateful. Eli admits that
he bought the coffee at the drug store. Eli says, "The essence
of good coffee is a good woman who will get up at the crack of
dawn and make it for you."
Preview: In the courtroom, the jury panel is being questioned. Steven
questions Charlie Devlin, who identifies himself as a boat
builder. Martin Peyton talks to Dr. Rossi.
SC: Mr. Devlin, do you mind telling me what criminal case did
you serve on?
CD: Elizabeth Carson murder case.
MP: You came here a stranger. Will you die here a stranger?
Will you always be a spectator? Instead of, what is the
word doctor, "Committed?"
Ralph, the bailiff-Gino De Agustino.
Detective Lawrence-Bert Remsen.
Charlie Devlin-uncredited.
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