Splendor in Midland - Episode One

8/14/2019 Splendor in Midland - Episode One

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THE SPLENDOR IN MIDLAND - EPISODE ONE

By

William E. Spear

Two Plus Plus Productions LLC

Clinton, New Jersey

www.TwoPlusPlus.com

[email protected]



The Splendor in Midland - Episode One i

Summary

Georgie Amberson Minafer is viewed with contempt by

the residents of Midland. Since his antics as a

spoiled youth, they have longed to see him get knocked

down a notch or two. But no one could have imagined

the pounding he would go through.

THE SPLENDOR IN MIDLAND tells the story of Georgie and

his families, the Ambersons and Minafers, as they face

financial and personal upheavals. The return of the

Morgans, absent for 20 years after a public

humiliation, rekindles ancient recollections and

ignites new emotions.

Episode One, titled, "A Gem in Its Setting," takes

place on Christmas Eve at the Amberson Towers in

Midland. The occasion is their annual holiday open

house and this year the family is celebrating

Georgie's sophomore year in college.

The evening begins with laughter and smiles as Eugene

Morgan is reunited with childhood friends Isabel

Amberson Minafer, Georgie's mother, and Jack Amberson,

Georgie's uncle.

But the party ends with a somber tone and sets into

motion events which will make the participants wonder

if there is any splendor remaining in Midland.

Characters (in Order of Speaking)

Lucy Lucy Morgan, daughter of Eugene.

She is quick witted, vibrant, and

every ounce the equal to Georgie

throughout their combative

relationship.

Eugene Eugene Morgan, father of Lucy.

Introspective with two consuming

interests, Lucy and Isabel

Amberson Minafer. His relationshipwith Isabel ended 20 years ago but

his passion for her never dimmed.

Midtones Local singing ensemble. Twenty

years ago, Eugene Morgan, Jack

Amberson, and Fred Kinney sang and

serenaded around Midland. Now,



The Splendor in Midland - Episode One ii

Thomas Kinney and Janice Steele

lead the group.

Narrator One and Narrator Two The two Narrators

set the tone and style throughout.

They also provide internal

exposition to set up, and segue

between, scenes.

Isabel Isabel Amberson Minafer, Wilbur’s

wife and Georgie’s mother. Her

preoccupation with Georgie’s well-

being keeps her from realizing his

shortcomings and negative impact

on her.

Georgie Georgie Amberson Minafer, son of

Wilbur and Isabel. He is the next

generation of the Ambersons, the

wealthiest family in Midland. His

self-centered perspective and

misguided attempts to preserve the

family’s name have disastrous

results.

Janice Janice Steele. Sings with, and

leads, The Midtones. Her easygoing

demeanor and sense of humor hides

a fiercely competitive nature. Shestrives to be the best in

everything she does.

Jack Jack Amberson, brother of Isabel.

He embodies grace and tact. His

diplomacy is increasingly called

upon to manage the colliding

interests of the Ambersons,

Minafers, and Morgans.

Fanny Fanny Minafer, sister of Wilbur.She is frequently in Isabel’s

shadow or dismissed as Wilbur’s

sister. But Eugene Morgan’s return

fuels in her ancient recollections

which have modern reverberations.



The Splendor in Midland - Episode One iii

Major Major Amberson, father of Isabel

and Jack. The Major’s wealth is

the source of stature for the

family. But his commitment to his

son and daughter is the Major’s

true strength.

Kinney Fred Kinney, father of Thomas.

Years ago, Fred sang with Jack and

Eugene in The Midtones. All three

were fairly wild in their youth.

Thomas Thomas Kinney, son of Fred. Thomas

sings with The Midtones. Many

years ago, he and Georgie had an

argument that nearly came to

blows. Their friendship never

recovered.



The Splendor in Midland - Episode One 1

Beat 1) Introduction to Lucy and Eugene1

SFX: BED: INTERIOR SOUNDS OF TAXI.2

LUCY: Papa.3

EUGENE: Yes, Lucy.4

LUCY: Where are we spending Christmas Eve?5

EUGENE: With some old friends at Amberson Towers6

here in Midland.7

LUCY: Is it much further?8

EUGENE: It’s the tall sparkling affair up ahead.9

LUCY: It’s wonderful. I can’t imagine anything10

more beautiful.11

EUGENE: Wait until you meet Isabel Amberson. (TO12

DRIVER) Driver, let us off at the front13

entrance.14

Beat 2) Opening credits and narrative15

MIDTONES: (ESTABLISH AND UNDER TO BED: VOCALIZE16

CHRISTMAS MUSIC)17

NARRATOR ONE: (PAUSE) Midland, and its wealth, are18

located in the central part of the country.19

Within this oasis of opulence, Amberson20

Towers rises above its surroundings and21

dominates the landscape.22




NARRATOR TWO: At the top of the towers, and at the23

top of Midland’s list of wealthiest24

families, resides the Ambersons. Major25

Amberson made his fortune during the Second26

World War and then doubled it during the27

economic boom of the 1950s. He doubled it28

two more times in the 1960s.29

MIDTONES: (BED: BEGIN TO GO OUT)30

NARRATOR ONE: But the Major’s real wealth is his31

children – Jack and Isabel. On this evening,32

Christmas Eve, Jack is tending to the needs33

of hundreds of guests at the annual Amberson34

holiday open house. And Isabel, sparkling35

and charming, is greeting new arrivals to36

the party with the bored assistance of her37

son, Georgie.38

Beat 3) Isabel and Georgie welcoming guests39

GUESTS: (BED: WALLA-WALLA OF MANY CONVERSATIONS.)40

ISABEL: (PERFECTLY COMPOSED) Thank you so much for41

coming to our party.42

GEORGIE: (BORED) I remember you very well indeed.43

ISABEL: Thank you so much for coming to our party.44

GEORGIE: I remember you very well indeed.45




JANICE: (BRIGHTLY) Good evening Mrs. Minafer.46

ISABEL: Good evening, Janice, and welcome to another47

Christmas Eve at Amberson Towers.48

GEORGIE: (BORED) I remember you very well indeed.49

ISABEL: All the guests are looking forward to the50

concert.51

JANICE: Thank you for having us again this year. Are52

the guys already here?53

ISABEL: All the way to the top in the ballroom.54

Break a leg.55

JANICE: Thank you Mrs. Minafer. Merry Christmas,56

Georgie.57

GEORGIE: I remember you very well indeed.58

ISABEL: Yes, yes. Thank you all, so much, for coming59

to our party tonight.60

GEORGIE: I remember . . .61

Beat 4) Eugene and Lucy arrive62

EUGENE: (BITE CUE) Excuse me Isabel. I don’t know if63

you remember me but . . .64

ISABEL: (BITE CUE: GIDDILY) Eugene? Eugene Morgan!65

GUESTS: “Gene Morgan’s here!” “Let me see.” “That’s66

the fellow in the newspaper.”67




ISABEL: But you . . . I thought . . . We heard you68

were overseas.69

EUGENE: Our investors want us to find a new global70

headquarters, so here we are.71

ISABEL: In Midland? You mean you might be back for72

good?73

EUGENE: Seems like. Say, I don’t see Wilbur74

anywhere.75

ISABEL: He never was one for parties.76

EUGENE: I remember. Is this your boy, Isabel?77

ISABEL: Georgie, this is Mr. Eugene Morgan and his78

daughter, Lucy.79

GEORGIE: (VERY INTERESTED) I remember you very well80

indeed.81

ISABEL: No you don’t, Georgie. You don’t remember82

her yet, but of course, you will.83

Beat 5) Introduction to Jack Amberson84

JACK: (OFF MIC) Did someone say Gene Morgan’s85

here?86

EUGENE: (CALLS TO JACK) Over here Jack.87

JACK: (ON MIC) I can’t believe it’s you after all88

these years.89

EUGENE: How are times treating you?90




JACK: No different than when you left. But I see91

things have changed for you.92

EUGENE: This is my daughter. Lucy, this is the93

Honorable Jack Amberson.94

JACK: (WITH GREAT FLOURISH) May your holiday95

season be as full of the grace that you’ve96

brought to Amberson Towers.97

LUCY: (MATCHES HIS GESTURE) It would only be half98

as much as I see embodied within you.99

JACK: She’s very good, Gene.100

GEORGIE: Lucy, why don’t you and I . . .101

Beat 6) Introduction to Fanny Minafer 102

FANNY: (BITE CUE: SAME GIDDINESS AS ISABEL) Gene103

Morgan? We thought you were out of the104

country.105

EUGENE: Fanny Minafer, you haven’t changed a bit.106

FANNY: You must tell us all about your travels.107

GEORGIE: Perhaps Lucy and I might travel to . . .108

Beat 7) Introduction to Major Amberson109

MAJOR: (BITE CUE) Why bless my soul if it isn’t110

Gene Morgan.111

EUGENE: How are you, Major?112




MAJOR: Quite well and thank you for asking. Might I113

pour you some champagne?114

EUGENE: Nothing for me, sir.115

JACK: Still not drinking since the bass viol?116

EUGENE: Not a drop.117

LUCY: Bass viol?118

EUGENE: I’ll tell you later. Lucy, this is Major119

Amberson, father of Jack and Isabel,120

grandfather of Georgie. He built Amberson121

Towers.122

GEORGIE: Lucy, why don’t we build . . .123

Beat 8) Eugene’s serenade – twenty years ago124

LUCY: (BITE CUE) Major Amberson, thank you for125

having my father and me in your home this126

evening.127

GEORGIE: I give up.128

JACK: Can you give up quietly, Georgie? We’re129

getting reacquainted with an old friend and130

his daughter.131

MAJOR: Young lady, did your father ever tell you132

about the night he serenaded Isabel?133

LUCY: I didn’t even know he sang.134




MAJOR: He performed the worst rendition of “Back in135

Midland” since the town was formed.136

ISABEL: Father, nobody wants to hear that story.137

MAJOR: (WITH HUMOR) He was drunk and after a few138

off-key notes he stepped clear through a139

bass viol. Isabel got so mad at him she went140

and married Wilbur. All because Gene had a141

few drinks down in the lobby.142

ISABEL: (BLUSHES) Oh, father.143

MAJOR: (LAUGHS) Isabel Amberson, you’re blushing.144

ISABEL: Who wouldn’t?145

Beat 9) Consequences146

FANNY: The important thing to remember is that147

Wilbur got her and kept her.148

EUGENE: There’s another important thing, at least it149

is, for me. In fact, it’s the only thing150

that makes me forgive that bass viol for151

getting in my way.152

MAJOR: What’s that?153

EUGENE: Lucy.154

LUCY: Thank you, father.155




Beat 10) Singing . . .156

ISABEL: (REGAINS COMPOSURE) Georgie, your duties are157

finished here. Would you like to escort Lucy158

to the concert?159

GEORGIE: (SARCASTICALLY) Why didn’t I think of that?160

FANNY: Would you like me to greet the guests with161

you?162

ISABEL: That would be a help, I’m sure. (TO GEORGIE)163

Georgie, remember to warm up before you164

sing.165

GEORGIE: Mother.166

LUCY: So many people sing around here. First my167

father and now you.168

GEORGIE: (TERSELY) I don’t sing.169

ISABEL: You have a lovely singing voice.170

GEORGIE: (MORE TERSELY) Mother.171

Beat 11) . . . and Cigars172

JACK: Gene, you didn’t give up cigars did you? A173

few of us are enjoying a new shipment in the174

library.175

EUGENE: As long as they don’t get poured into a176

champagne flute or a martini glass I’m okay.177

Isabel, will you save a dance for me? And178

you, also, Fanny?179




FANNY: (GIDDILY) Of course I will, Gene.180

ISABEL: (PERFECTLY COMPOSED) Thank you, Gene.181

EUGENE: (CALLS TO LUCY) Enjoy the concert, Lucy.182

LUCY: And you enjoy your cigar.183

Beat 12) Backstory of Eugene and Ambersons184

MIDTONES: (ESTABLISH AND UNDER TO BED: VOCALIZE185

UPTEMPO MUSIC)186

NARRATOR ONE: (PAUSE) As Georgie and Lucy headed off187

to the concert in the enclosed rooftop of188

Amberson Towers, Eugene and Jack made their189

way to the library.190

NARRATOR TWO: The two grew up together in Midland.191

Both were fairly wild in their youth. And192

Eugene’s wildness didn’t subside, whether he193

was practicing law or courting Isabel.194

NARRATOR ONE: Just when the whole town assumed Eugene195

would win her hand, he had a bit too much to196

drink and, as the Major put it, stepped197

clear through a bass viol while serenading198

Isabel. Although Gene promised Isabel he’d199

never have another drink, two weeks later,200

she announced her engagement to Wilbur201

Minafer.202




MIDTONES: (BED: BEGIN TO GO OUT)203

NARRATOR TWO: Eugene left Midland, got married, and204

his wife bore their daughter, Lucy. Mrs.205

Morgan died soon afterward and Eugene raised206

Lucy in cities around the world. Not once207

did he travel back to Midland, although he208

often thought of Isabel. Not once did he209

speak with the friends of his early manhood210

until Jack escorted him into the library of211

Amberson Towers.212

Beat 13) Eugene catches up with the old gang 213

JACK: Gentlemen, your attention. I am pleased to214

present a long absent, but surviving, member215

of middle age, Mr. Eugene Morgan.216

MALE GUESTS: “Welcome back, old man.” “If you aren’t217

a sight . . . ” “You missed Isabel’s wedding218

. . . by twenty years.” (ALL LAUGH219

ROBUSTLY.)220

JACK: Gene, catch up with the old gang while I get221

a dozen of my best cigars.222

EUGENE: Thanks, Jack.223




Beat 14) Eugene talks with Fred Kinney 224

KINNEY: (GRIZZLED) Gene Morgan. I heard you were in225

town. You may not recognize me.226

EUGENE: Yes I do, Fred Kinney. Your real face, the227

one I used to know, is just underneath the228

one you’re masquerading in tonight. You229

ought to have changed it more if you wanted230

a disguise.231

KINNEY: Twenty years. It makes some difference in232

faces, but more in behavior.233

EUGENE: So it does. My own behavior began to change234

about that long ago, quite suddenly.235

KINNEY: I remember.236

EUGENE: Well, know what I remember? Your wedding. I237

saw your lovely wife upstairs.238

KINNEY: We always come out to these Amberson239

celebrations. My son’s singing in the240

concert.241

EUGENE: I remember singing at your bachelor dinner,242

too. Most of our singing, that is.243

KINNEY: More than what I can say about the night we244

went serenading.245

EUGENE: That’s a night I try not to remember.246

KINNEY: Sorry Gene.247




Beat 15) Midland’s last 20 years248

EUGENE: Don’t think anything about it. Tell me,249

what’s the old town been like for the last250

twenty years?251

KINNEY: There’s an heir to the Amberson line. Have252

you seen young Georgie?253

EUGENE: Real good-looking boy. Seems like fine254

Amberson stock.255

KINNEY: Too much Amberson, it seems. There’re some256

folks that live for the day when young257

Georgie gets his comeuppance.258

EUGENE: His come-what-ance?259

KINNEY: His comeuppance. When someone pounds all his260

arrogance and high handedness out of him.261

Beat 16) Georgie, the Angel . . .262

EUGENE: Isabel would never let that happen.263

KINNEY: That’s what beats me. I don’t have to tell264

you what Isabel Amberson is. She’s got a265

touch of the Amberson high stuff about her,266

but I can’t figure out what she sees in that267

boy of hers.268

EUGENE: Something that we don’t.269

KINNEY: What?270

EUGENE: An angel.271




KINNEY: If she sees an angel when she looks at272

Georgie Minafer, she’s a funnier woman than273

I thought she was.274

EUGENE: Maybe. But that’s what she sees.275

KINNEY: My Lord. In the short time that you’ve276

looked at Georgie have you seen an angel?277

EUGENE: No. All I saw was a remarkably good-looking278

fool-boy with the pride of Satan and a set279

of nice new boarding school manners that he280

couldn’t use more than half an hour without281

busting them.282

Beat 17) . . . Is what Isabel sees283

KINNEY: Then how is he an angel?284

EUGENE: Mothers see the angel in us because the285

angel’s there. When a son cuts somebody’s286

throat, the mother only sees a misguided287

angel, not a devil, and she’s entirely right288

about that.289

KINNEY: I remember how well you argued as a lawyer290

but I think you’d lose this case. You’re291

saying Georgie Minafer is as much of an292

angel as any murderer, and that his mother’s293

always right.294




EUGENE: I’m afraid she always has been.295

KINNEY: She was wrong once, old fellow. At least, so296

it seemed to me.297

EUGENE: (AWKWARDLY) No, I, well, no.298

KINNEY: Wait till you know him a little better. Then299

tell me if you see an angel.300

EUGENE: Beauty’s in the eye of the beholder and the301

angel is in the eye of the mother.302

KINNEY: Somebody’s eyes must have been pretty303

angelic if they’ve been persuading you that304

Georgie Minafer is a cherub.305

EUGENE: They’re more angelic than ever.306

Beat 18) Only new times . . .307

MUSIC: OFF MIC: LIVELY WALTZ.308

EUGENE: Good-bye, I’ve promised some dances.309

KINNEY: With whom?310

EUGENE: Isabel.311

KINNEY: Twenty years have passed, but has anything312

changed? Tell me, have you promised one to313

poor old Fanny, too?314

EUGENE: Of course.315




KINNEY: (VIGOROUSLY) My goodness. Old times are316

starting all over again. My goodness,317

indeed.318

EUGENE: (VIGOROUSLY) Old times? Not a bit. There319

aren’t any old times. When times are gone320

they’re not old, they’re dead. There aren’t321

any times but new times.322

MUSIC: UP AND ESTABLISH: LIVELY WALTZ. UNDER TO BED323

AND SLOWLY OUT.324

Beat 19) . . . But they look like old times325

NARRATOR TWO: (PAUSE) Eugene Morgan’s insistence that326

there aren’t any times but new times might327

have convinced Fred Kinney and others in the328

library. But Eugene recognized the path he329

was travelling. He was unable to resist the330

charms of, and his own ancient recollections331

for, Isabel Amberson. Twenty years had332

passed but her pull on him had not333

diminished.334

NARRATOR ONE: Meanwhile, on the enclosed rooftop of335

Amberson Towers, Georgie escorted Lucy336

towards the concert and dance floor. She had337

met many would-be suitors during the holiday338




social season and they inundated her with339

dance requests. Georgie, who expected to be340

the sole focus of the evening, was ill-341

prepared to be outshone by anyone, let alone342

by someone new to Midland. His displeasure343

was about to burst forth while The Midtones344

were warming up for the concert.345

Beat 20) The Midtones warm up346

MIDTONES EXCEPT THOMAS: (VOCALIZING WARMUPS)347

JANICE: Allright, allright. Let’s get down to work348

and run through a few songs. How about “Deck349

the Halls.”350

MIDTONES EXCEPT THOMAS: Deck the halls with boughs of351

holly352

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la353

'Tis the season to be jolly354

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la355

JANICE: Now a slow one, “Silent Night, Holy Night.”356

MIDTONES EXCEPT THOMAS: Silent night, holy night!357

All is calm, All is bright358

Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child359

Holy Infant so Tender and mild,360




Sleep in heavenly peace,361

Sleep in heavenly peace.362

JANICE: That was okay but someone’s a bit flat.363

MIDTONES #1: Not me.364

MIDTONES #2: I was on key.365

MIDTONES #3: I hit my notes. That only leaves . . .366

JANICE: (BITE CUE) Don’t say it. Let’s finish with367

“We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”368

MIDTONES EXCEPT THOMAS: We wish you a Merry Christmas369

We wish you a Merry Christmas370

We wish you a Merry Christmas371

And a Happy New Year.372

Beat 21) The Midtones as suitors373

LUCY: Bravo, bravo. Everyone sounds great, Janice.374

GEORGIE: They’re okay.375

JANICE: Thanks, Lucy. We’ve been practicing a lot376

for tonight’s concert.377

MIDTONES #ONE: Don’t forget the dance you promised me,378

Lucy.379

MIDTONES #TWO: Me as well, Luce.380

LUCY: Of course, of course. Thee’s plenty of381

dances left.382




GEORGIE: What do you mean by saying of course, of383

course?384

JANICE: (WITH HUMOR) Hey, Lucy, I’ll pass on those385

dances. Nothing personal, though.386

LUCY: (WITH HUMOR) Nothing personal. Of course, of387

course.388

GEORGIE: (WITH INSISTENCE) What do you mean of389

course, of course?390

LUCY: Janice doesn’t want to dance with me.391

GEORGIE: (HARSHLY) Not her, them.392

LUCY: They’ve all asked to dance with me tonight.393

GEORGE: How could they? You just got here.394

LUCY: We’ve been out every night this week.395

MIDTONES #THREE: (OFF MIC: CALLS TO LUCY) Lucy, do396

you have a waltz saved for me?397

LUCY: (CALLS TO MIDTONES #THREE) Of course.398

GEORGIE: Stop giving away dances.399

LUCY: I could charge for them.400

Beat 22) Even the Major wants a dance401

MAJOR: I’d be willing to pay for a dance.402

LUCY: (PRETTILY) You may have as many dances as403

you wish, Major.404

GEORGIE: Grandfather, I was talking with Miss Morgan.405




MAJOR: A pretty young lady is meant for dancing,406

not talking, Georgie.407

Beat 23) The Return of the suitors408

MIDTONES #ONE, #TWO, and #THREE: “I’ll dance with409

her.” “Over here, Luce.” “Don’t forget me.”410

JANICE: Maybe it’s me, but I’m still not interested.411

GEORGIE: I don’t know why my mother even invited412

them.413

LUCY: Doesn’t the Major live here?414

GEORGIE: (CROSSLY) I meant the other fellows.415

LUCY: Perhaps it was on account of their parents.416

Maybe she didn’t want to offend their417

mothers and fathers.418

GEORGIE: Oh hardly. I don’t think my mother needs to419

worry about offending anyone in this old420

town.421

Beat 24) On being an Amberson422

LUCY: It must be wonderful, simply wonderful, Mr.423

Amberson. I mean, Mr. Minafer.424

GEORGIE: What must be wonderful?425

LUCY: To be so important as that.426




GEORGIE: That isn’t important. Anyone that really is427

anybody ought to be able to do as they428

please in their own town.429

LUCY: Aren’t those friends of yours?430

GEORGIE: We were in a singing group years ago.431

LUCY: So you do sing.432

Beat 25) On being Georgie433

GEORGIE: I grew out of that when I went to college.434

LUCY: What are you studying at school?435

GEORGIE: College.436

LUCY: University. What are you studying?437

GEORGIE: Lot’s of useless junk.438

LUCY: Why don’t you study some useful junk?439

Something you’ll use later in a business or440

profession.441

GEORGIE: I don’t expect to go into any business or442

profession.443

LUCY: What?444

GEORGIE: Look at the people around you. Nothing but445

lawyers, bankers, and politicians. What do446

they get out of life? When their eulogies447

are read or their gravestones carved, what448

will they have accomplished?449




LUCY: Then what do you want to be?450

GEORGIE: A yachtsman.451

Beat 26) Off to the dances . . . for Lucy 452

MUSIC: UP AND ESTABLISH: LIVELY WALTZ.453

THOMAS: (OFF MIC: OVER EVERYTHING) Has anybody seen454

Lucy?455

MIDTONES #ONE: (CALLS TO THOMAS) Over here, Thomas.456

MIDTONES #TWO: With Georgie.457

MIDTONES #THREE: She’s the pretty one.458

JANICE: What am I?459

MIDTONES #3: The other pretty one.460

JANICE: That’s better.461

GEORGIE: I give up.462

THOMAS: Well, Lucy. I’ve come for that dance.463

LUCY: Just in time.464

GEORGIE: See here, Miss Morgan. I want the third465

dance.466

LUCY: Are you asking me?467

GEORGIE: (CALLS TO LUCY) And the third dance after468

that.469

LUCY: (OFF MIC: CALLS TO GEORGIE) Or telling me?470




GEORGIE: (CALLS TO LUCY) Well, I want every third471

dance for the rest of the evening. (PAUSE)472

Did you hear me Miss Morgan?473

LUCY: (PAUSE: OFF MIC: CALLS TO GEORGIE) Of474

course.475

Beat 27) Georgie sulks while Lucy dances476

NARRATOR ONE: (PAUSE) Lucy swirled across the dance477

floor for hours. Even the Major enjoyed the478

pleasant charms of Miss Morgan. But every479

third dance with Georgie was an exercise in480

waltzing with holly branches. Finally she481

stopped looking for her prickly partner.482

NARRATOR TWO: Elsewhere, the splendid music was483

enjoyed by all ages. But the highlight of484

each Christmas Eve at Amberson Towers was485

the singing of “Back in Midland.” Twenty486

years ago, Jack Amberson and Eugene Morgan487

were the featured singers. But now, The488

Midtones, led by Thomas Kinney and Janice489

Steele, are entertaining the guests.490

Beat 28) Introduction to The Midtones491

MUSIC: SLOWLY OUT.492




GUESTS: (GENERAL SOUNDS AND CONVERSATIONS OF A LARGE493

HOLIDAY PARTY)494

JACK: (OVER GUESTS) If I may have everyone’s495

attention. (PAUSE) Please.496

GUESTS: (SOUNDS AND CONVERSATIONS GO UNDER AND OUT)497

JACK: (PAUSE) Thank you spending Christmas Eve at498

Amberson Towers. The night is only a few499

minutes from being over. But before we go,500

The Midtones, with young Thomas Kinney and501

Janice Steele, will bring in Christmas.502

SFX: WARM APPLAUSE.503

Beat 29) The Midtones sing “Back in Midland” 504

THOMAS: Thank you Mr. Amberson. It’s an honor to505

once again perform at Amberson Towers and506

sing “Back in Midland.”507

MIDTONES: (VOCALIZE “BACK IN MIDLAND” AND GO UNDER TO508

BED)509

THOMAS: I’ve traveled so far and seen other lands510

Been miles from home and away from friends.511

The highway is long and covered with snow512

The view is pretty but it’s time to go.513

MIDTONES: Back in Midland, that’s where we’ll be.514

JANICE: Laughing and smiling with all that we see.515




MIDTONES: Back in Midland, old friends are best.516

JANICE: Travelling back home to lay down and rest.517

MIDTONES: (VOCALIZE AND GO UNDER TO BED)518

THOMAS: I’ve turned around and put miles behind me.519

More hours to go and cities to see.520

Your lovely voice calls to me from ahead521

I’m racing home to hear all that you’ve522

said.523






THOMAS: When my time comes and I can’t walk with529

you,530

JANICE: And do all the things we wanted to do,531

THOMAS: My spirit remains although I have gone.532

JANICE: We’ll laugh and cry as we have for years.533

JANICE and THOMAS: Our voices will sparkle and ring534

in your ears.535

And together we’ll sing our favorite song.536









THOMAS: So gather ‘round friends and sing all the542

songs.543

Make these good feelings last all night544

long.545

When tomorrow comes we’ll go our own ways546

And one by one count down the days ‘til547

we’re . . .548

MIDTONES and GUESTS: . . . Back in Midland . . .549

MIDTONES: . . . That’s where we’ll be.550


MIDTONES and GUESTS: Back in Midland . . .552

MIDTONES: . . . Old friends are best.553


MIDTONES and GUESTS: . . . Back in Midland . . .555

MIDTONES: . . . That’s where we’ll be.556


MIDTONES and GUESTS: Back in Midland . . .558

MIDTONES: . . . Old friends are best.559


MIDTONES: (VOCALIZE AND GO UNDER AND OUT)561




Beat 30) The party ends562

GUESTS: (SUSTAINED CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) “Bravo,563

bravo.” “Go Midtones.” “Merry Christmas to564

Midland. That’s where I’ll always be.”565

JACK: Merry Christmas, Midland. Circle Christmas566

Eve on your calendars for next year. We’ll567

be right here again.568

GUESTS: (SUSTAINED CHEERS AND APPLAUSE UNDER TO BED569

AND SLOWLY OUT)570

Beat 31) Celebrating the moment571

NARRATOR TWO: (PAUSE) The warmth of human spirit hung572

heavy in the air over the evening’s573

participants. Hugs and kisses were tossed574

about with generous abandon. The Morgans,575

Eugene and daughter, Lucy, left Amberson576

Towers promising their immediate return on577

Christmas Day.578

Beat 32) Eugene and Lucy leave Amberson Towers579

SFX: BED: INTERIOR SOUNDS OF TAXI.580

EUGENE AND LUCY: (SINGING) Back in Midland, that’s581

where we’ll be; Laughing and smiling with582

all that we see.583




LUCY: Papa, do you think George is terribly584

arrogant and domineering?585

EUGENE: Oh, he’s still only a boy. Plenty of fine586

stuff in him. Can’t help but be. He’s Isabel587

Amberson’s son.588

LUCY: You liked her pretty well once, I guess.589

EUGENE: Yep. Do still.590

EUGENE AND LUCY: (SINGING) Back in Midland, old591

friends are best. Travelling back home to592

lay down and rest.593

EUGENE AND LUCY: (GO OFF MIC: HUMMING: CHORUS TO594

“BACK IN MIDLAND”)595

Beat 33) Back in the lobby 596

NARRATOR ONE: From the lobby of Amberson Towers,597

Georgie stood with his mother, uncle, and598

aunt. They watched the Morgans drive away599

into the snowy night. Georgie’s mood was a600

few degrees lower than the temperature. But601

his frosty demeanor was completely unnoticed602

by his family who was saying goodbye to the603

last of the guests and the singers.604




Beat 34) Fred Kinney 605

GUESTS: “Thank you, Isabel.” “Please stop by during606

the holidays.” “Don’t forget the concert607

this week.”608

ISABEL: (CALLS TO THOMAS, KINNEY AND JANICE) Mr.609

Kinney. Please, Mr. Kinney and young Thomas.610

And Janice.611

JANICE: Hello, again.612

KINNEY: Good evening, Isabel.613

THOMAS: Yes, Mrs. Minafer?614

ISABEL: You and The Midtones sang magnificently.615

“Back in Midland” is one of my favorite616

songs.617

THOMAS: Thank you for the opportunity to entertain618

your guests. And George, your mother tells619

me you still have a fine voice.620

GEORGIE: (HARSHLY) Mother.621

THOMAS: We’re always looking for new singers.622

GEORGIE: I’m going back to school soon.623

THOMAS: Such a wonderful voice. Oh well, thank you624

for having us Mrs. Minafer. Good night625

everyone.626

KINNEY: Thank you for your generosity, Isabel. Enjoy627

the holidays.628




JANICE: Merry Christmas, Mrs. Minafer and everyone.629

AMBERSONS and MINAFERS: “Good night.” “Merry630

Christmas.” “The group was marvelous.”631

Beat 35) Isabel turns in632

ISABEL: I’m turning in. Anyone else coming with me?633

JACK: Not me.634

FANNY: In a couple of minutes.635

GEORGIE: No, mother. I’ll see you upstairs.636

ISABEL: Don’t stay up too late, Georgie.637

GEORGIE: Just go, mother.638

JACK and FANNY: (CALLING TO ISABEL) “Good night,639

Isabel.” “See you in the morning, dear.”640

ISABEL: (OFF MIC) Good night, everyone.641

Beat 36) “What sort of man is this Morgan?” 642

JACK: It’s not possible to find the words to643

congratulate Gene on all his success.644

FANNY: He’s come a long way in twenty years.645

GEORGIE: What sort of man is this Morgan?646

FANNY: His proper name is Mr. Eugene Morgan.647

GEORGIE: (IRRITATEDLY) Excuse me. What sort of man is648

Mr. Eugene Morgan?649






Beat 39) Closing narration671

NARRATOR TWO: Georgie’s father, Wilbur, died on672

Christmas morning. At his bedside were673

Georgie, Isabel, Fanny, and the Amberson674

family.675

NARRATOR ONE: Wilbur’s passing barely drew any notice676

in Midland. Expressions of condolences and677

sympathies here and there. But the real678

ripples of Wilbur Minafer’s death would not679

be felt for several months. By then, a tidal680

wave of events would be bearing down on the681

Minafers, Ambersons, and Morgans.682

MIDTONES: (VOCALIZE “BACK IN MIDLAND.” UNDER AND OUT.)683

Beat 40) The End 684

Documents

Splendor in Midland - Episode One