Splendor In Midland - Episode One

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

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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 relationship with 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,

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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 wellbeing 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. She strives 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.

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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

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Beat 1)

Introduction to Lucy and Eugene

2

SFX:

BED: INTERIOR SOUNDS OF TAXI.

3

LUCY:

Papa.

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EUGENE:

Yes, Lucy.

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LUCY:

Where are we spending Christmas Eve?

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EUGENE:

With some old friends at Amberson Towers here in Midland.

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LUCY:

Is it much further?

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EUGENE:

It’s the tall sparkling affair up ahead.

LUCY:

It’s wonderful. I can’t imagine anything

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more beautiful.

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EUGENE:

Wait until you meet Isabel Amberson. (TO

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DRIVER) Driver, let us off at the front

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entrance. Beat 2)

15 16 17 18

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Opening credits and narrative

MIDTONES: (ESTABLISH AND UNDER TO BED: VOCALIZE CHRISTMAS MUSIC) NARRATOR ONE:

(PAUSE) Midland, and its wealth, are

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located in the central part of the country.

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Within this oasis of opulence, Amberson

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Towers rises above its surroundings and

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dominates the landscape.

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NARRATOR TWO:

At the top of the towers, and at the

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top of Midland’s list of wealthiest

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families, resides the Ambersons. Major

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Amberson made his fortune during the Second

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World War and then doubled it during the

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economic boom of the 1950s. He doubled it

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two more times in the 1960s.

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MIDTONES: (BED: BEGIN TO GO OUT)

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NARRATOR ONE:

But the Major’s real wealth is his

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children – Jack and Isabel. On this evening,

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Christmas Eve, Jack is tending to the needs

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of hundreds of guests at the annual Amberson

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holiday open house. And Isabel, sparkling

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and charming, is greeting new arrivals to

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the party with the bored assistance of her

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son, Georgie. Beat 3)

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Isabel and Georgie welcoming guests

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GUESTS:

(BED: WALLA-WALLA OF MANY CONVERSATIONS.)

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ISABEL:

(PERFECTLY COMPOSED) Thank you so much for coming to our party.

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2

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GEORGIE:

(BORED) I remember you very well indeed.

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ISABEL:

Thank you so much for coming to our party.

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GEORGIE:

I remember you very well indeed.

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JANICE:

(BRIGHTLY) Good evening Mrs. Minafer.

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ISABEL:

Good evening, Janice, and welcome to another Christmas Eve at Amberson Towers.

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GEORGIE:

(BORED) I remember you very well indeed.

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ISABEL:

All the guests are looking forward to the concert.

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JANICE:

ISABEL:

All the way to the top in the ballroom. Break a leg.

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Thank you for having us again this year. Are the guys already here?

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JANICE:

Thank you Mrs. Minafer. Merry Christmas, Georgie.

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GEORGIE:

I remember you very well indeed.

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ISABEL:

Yes, yes. Thank you all, so much, for coming to our party tonight.

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GEORGIE:

I remember . . . Beat 4)

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EUGENE:

Eugene and Lucy arrive

(BITE CUE) Excuse me Isabel. I don’t know if you remember me but . . .

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ISABEL:

(BITE CUE: GIDDILY) Eugene? Eugene Morgan!

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GUESTS:

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

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the fellow in the newspaper.”

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ISABEL:

EUGENE:

ISABEL:

In Midland? You mean you might be back for good?

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Our investors want us to find a new global headquarters, so here we are.

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But you . . . I thought . . . We heard you were overseas.

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EUGENE:

Seems like. Say, I don’t see Wilbur anywhere.

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ISABEL:

He never was one for parties.

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EUGENE:

I remember. Is this your boy, Isabel?

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ISABEL:

Georgie, this is Mr. Eugene Morgan and his daughter, Lucy.

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GEORGIE:

(VERY INTERESTED) I remember you very well indeed.

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ISABEL:

No you don’t, Georgie. You don’t remember

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her yet, but of course, you will.

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Beat 5)

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JACK:

Introduction to Jack Amberson

(OFF MIC) Did someone say Gene Morgan’s here?

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EUGENE:

(CALLS TO JACK) Over here Jack.

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JACK:

(ON MIC) I can’t believe it’s you after all these years.

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EUGENE:

How are times treating you?

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JACK:

EUGENE:

This is my daughter. Lucy, this is the Honorable Jack Amberson.

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No different than when you left. But I see things have changed for you.

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JACK:

(WITH GREAT FLOURISH) May your holiday

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season be as full of the grace that you’ve

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brought to Amberson Towers.

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LUCY:

(MATCHES HIS GESTURE) It would only be half as much as I see embodied within you.

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JACK:

She’s very good, Gene.

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GEORGIE:

Lucy, why don’t you and I . . . Beat 6)

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FANNY:

Introduction to Fanny Minafer

(BITE CUE: SAME GIDDINESS AS ISABEL) Gene

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Morgan? We thought you were out of the

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country.

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EUGENE:

Fanny Minafer, you haven’t changed a bit.

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FANNY:

You must tell us all about your travels.

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GEORGIE:

Perhaps Lucy and I might travel to . . . Beat 7)

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MAJOR:

EUGENE:

Introduction to Major Amberson

(BITE CUE) Why bless my soul if it isn’t Gene Morgan.

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How are you, Major?

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MAJOR:

Quite well and thank you for asking. Might I pour you some champagne?

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EUGENE:

Nothing for me, sir.

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JACK:

Still not drinking since the bass viol?

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EUGENE:

Not a drop.

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LUCY:

Bass viol?

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EUGENE:

I’ll tell you later. Lucy, this is Major

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Amberson, father of Jack and Isabel,

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grandfather of Georgie. He built Amberson

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Towers.

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GEORGIE:

Lucy, why don’t we build . . . Beat 8)

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LUCY:

Eugene’s serenade – twenty years ago

(BITE CUE) Major Amberson, thank you for

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having my father and me in your home this

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evening.

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GEORGIE:

I give up.

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JACK:

Can you give up quietly, Georgie? We’re

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getting reacquainted with an old friend and

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his daughter.

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MAJOR:

Young lady, did your father ever tell you about the night he serenaded Isabel?

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LUCY:

I didn’t even know he sang.

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MAJOR:

He performed the worst rendition of “Back in Midland” since the town was formed.

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ISABEL:

Father, nobody wants to hear that story.

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MAJOR:

(WITH HUMOR) He was drunk and after a few

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off-key notes he stepped clear through a

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bass viol. Isabel got so mad at him she went

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and married Wilbur. All because Gene had a

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few drinks down in the lobby.

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ISABEL:

(BLUSHES) Oh, father.

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MAJOR:

(LAUGHS) Isabel Amberson, you’re blushing.

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ISABEL:

Who wouldn’t? Beat 9)

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FANNY:

The important thing to remember is that Wilbur got her and kept her.

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Consequences

EUGENE:

There’s another important thing, at least it

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

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that makes me forgive that bass viol for

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getting in my way.

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MAJOR:

What’s that?

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EUGENE:

Lucy.

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LUCY:

Thank you, father.

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Beat 10) Singing . . .

ISABEL:

(REGAINS COMPOSURE) Georgie, your duties are

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finished here. Would you like to escort Lucy

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to the concert?

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GEORGIE:

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

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FANNY:

Would you like me to greet the guests with you?

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ISABEL:

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

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Georgie, remember to warm up before you

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sing.

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GEORGIE:

Mother.

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LUCY:

So many people sing around here. First my father and now you.

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GEORGIE:

(TERSELY) I don’t sing.

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ISABEL:

You have a lovely singing voice.

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GEORGIE:

(MORE TERSELY) Mother. Beat 11) . . . and Cigars

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JACK:

Gene, you didn’t give up cigars did you? A

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few of us are enjoying a new shipment in the

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library.

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EUGENE:

As long as they don’t get poured into a

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champagne flute or a martini glass I’m okay.

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Isabel, will you save a dance for me? And

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you, also, Fanny?

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FANNY:

(GIDDILY) Of course I will, Gene.

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ISABEL:

(PERFECTLY COMPOSED) Thank you, Gene.

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EUGENE:

(CALLS TO LUCY) Enjoy the concert, Lucy.

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LUCY:

And you enjoy your cigar. Beat 12) Backstory of Eugene and Ambersons

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MIDTONES: (ESTABLISH AND UNDER TO BED: VOCALIZE UPTEMPO MUSIC) NARRATOR ONE:

(PAUSE) As Georgie and Lucy headed off

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to the concert in the enclosed rooftop of

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Amberson Towers, Eugene and Jack made their

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way to the library.

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NARRATOR TWO:

The two grew up together in Midland.

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Both were fairly wild in their youth. And

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Eugene’s wildness didn’t subside, whether he

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was practicing law or courting Isabel.

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NARRATOR ONE:

Just when the whole town assumed Eugene

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

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drink and, as the Major put it, stepped

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clear through a bass viol while serenading

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Isabel. Although Gene promised Isabel he’d

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never have another drink, two weeks later,

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she announced her engagement to Wilbur

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Minafer.

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MIDTONES: (BED: BEGIN TO GO OUT)

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NARRATOR TWO:

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Eugene left Midland, got married, and

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his wife bore their daughter, Lucy. Mrs.

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Morgan died soon afterward and Eugene raised

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Lucy in cities around the world. Not once

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did he travel back to Midland, although he

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often thought of Isabel. Not once did he

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speak with the friends of his early manhood

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until Jack escorted him into the library of

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Amberson Towers. Beat 13) Eugene catches up with the old gang

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JACK:

Gentlemen, your attention. I am pleased to

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present a long absent, but surviving, member

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of middle age, Mr. Eugene Morgan.

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MALE GUESTS:

“Welcome back, old man.” “If you aren’t

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

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. . . by twenty years.” (ALL LAUGH

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ROBUSTLY.)

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JACK:

a dozen of my best cigars.

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Gene, catch up with the old gang while I get

EUGENE:

Thanks, Jack.

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Beat 14) Eugene talks with Fred Kinney

KINNEY:

(GRIZZLED) Gene Morgan. I heard you were in town. You may not recognize me.

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EUGENE:

Yes I do, Fred Kinney. Your real face, the

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one I used to know, is just underneath the

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one you’re masquerading in tonight. You

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ought to have changed it more if you wanted

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a disguise.

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KINNEY:

Twenty years. It makes some difference in faces, but more in behavior.

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EUGENE:

So it does. My own behavior began to change about that long ago, quite suddenly.

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KINNEY:

I remember.

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EUGENE:

Well, know what I remember? Your wedding. I saw your lovely wife upstairs.

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KINNEY:

We always come out to these Amberson

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celebrations. My son’s singing in the

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concert.

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EUGENE:

I remember singing at your bachelor dinner, too. Most of our singing, that is.

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KINNEY:

More than what I can say about the night we went serenading.

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EUGENE:

That’s a night I try not to remember.

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KINNEY:

Sorry Gene.

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Beat 15) Midland’s last 20 years

EUGENE:

Don’t think anything about it. Tell me,

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what’s the old town been like for the last

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twenty years?

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KINNEY:

EUGENE:

Real good-looking boy. Seems like fine Amberson stock.

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There’s an heir to the Amberson line. Have you seen young Georgie?

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KINNEY:

Too much Amberson, it seems. There’re some

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folks that live for the day when young

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Georgie gets his comeuppance.

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EUGENE:

His come-what-ance?

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KINNEY:

His comeuppance. When someone pounds all his arrogance and high handedness out of him.

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Beat 16) Georgie, the Angel . . .

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EUGENE:

Isabel would never let that happen.

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KINNEY:

That’s what beats me. I don’t have to tell

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you what Isabel Amberson is. She’s got a

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touch of the Amberson high stuff about her,

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

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boy of hers.

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EUGENE:

Something that we don’t.

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KINNEY:

What?

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EUGENE:

An angel.

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KINNEY:

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If she sees an angel when she looks at

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Georgie Minafer, she’s a funnier woman than

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I thought she was.

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EUGENE:

Maybe. But that’s what she sees.

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KINNEY:

My Lord. In the short time that you’ve looked at Georgie have you seen an angel?

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EUGENE:

No. All I saw was a remarkably good-looking

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fool-boy with the pride of Satan and a set

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of nice new boarding school manners that he

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couldn’t use more than half an hour without

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busting them. Beat 17) . . . Is what Isabel sees

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KINNEY:

Then how is he an angel?

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EUGENE:

Mothers see the angel in us because the

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

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throat, the mother only sees a misguided

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

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about that.

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KINNEY:

I remember how well you argued as a lawyer

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

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saying Georgie Minafer is as much of an

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angel as any murderer, and that his mother’s

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always right.

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EUGENE:

I’m afraid she always has been.

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KINNEY:

She was wrong once, old fellow. At least, so it seemed to me.

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EUGENE:

(AWKWARDLY) No, I, well, no.

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KINNEY:

Wait till you know him a little better. Then tell me if you see an angel.

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EUGENE:

angel is in the eye of the mother.

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Beauty’s in the eye of the beholder and the

KINNEY:

Somebody’s eyes must have been pretty

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angelic if they’ve been persuading you that

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Georgie Minafer is a cherub.

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EUGENE:

They’re more angelic than ever. Beat 18) Only new times . . .

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MUSIC:

OFF MIC: LIVELY WALTZ.

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EUGENE:

Good-bye, I’ve promised some dances.

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KINNEY:

With whom?

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EUGENE:

Isabel.

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KINNEY:

Twenty years have passed, but has anything

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changed? Tell me, have you promised one to

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poor old Fanny, too?

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EUGENE:

Of course.

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KINNEY:

(VIGOROUSLY) My goodness. Old times are

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starting all over again. My goodness,

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indeed.

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EUGENE:

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(VIGOROUSLY) Old times? Not a bit. There

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aren’t any old times. When times are gone

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

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any times but new times.

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MUSIC:

UP AND ESTABLISH: LIVELY WALTZ. UNDER TO BED AND SLOWLY OUT.

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

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NARRATOR TWO:

(PAUSE) Eugene Morgan’s insistence that

327

there aren’t any times but new times might

328

have convinced Fred Kinney and others in the

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library. But Eugene recognized the path he

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was travelling. He was unable to resist the

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charms of, and his own ancient recollections

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for, Isabel Amberson. Twenty years had

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passed but her pull on him had not

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diminished.

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NARRATOR ONE:

Meanwhile, on the enclosed rooftop of

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Amberson Towers, Georgie escorted Lucy

337

towards the concert and dance floor. She had

338

met many would-be suitors during the holiday

The Splendor in Midland - Episode One

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social season and they inundated her with

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dance requests. Georgie, who expected to be

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the sole focus of the evening, was ill-

342

prepared to be outshone by anyone, let alone

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by someone new to Midland. His displeasure

344

was about to burst forth while The Midtones

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were warming up for the concert. Beat 20) The Midtones warm up

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MIDTONES EXCEPT THOMAS:

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JANICE:

(VOCALIZING WARMUPS)

Allright, allright. Let’s get down to work

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and run through a few songs. How about “Deck

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the Halls.”

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MIDTONES EXCEPT THOMAS:

Deck the halls with boughs of

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holly

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

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'Tis the season to be jolly

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

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JANICE:

Now a slow one, “Silent Night, Holy Night.”

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MIDTONES EXCEPT THOMAS:

Silent night, holy night!

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All is calm, All is bright

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Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child

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Holy Infant so Tender and mild,

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Sleep in heavenly peace,

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Sleep in heavenly peace.

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JANICE:

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MIDTONES #1:

Not me.

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MIDTONES #2:

I was on key.

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MIDTONES #3:

I hit my notes. That only leaves . . .

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JANICE:

That was okay but someone’s a bit flat.

(BITE CUE) Don’t say it. Let’s finish with “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

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MIDTONES EXCEPT THOMAS:

We wish you a Merry Christmas

370

We wish you a Merry Christmas

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We wish you a Merry Christmas

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And a Happy New Year. Beat 21) The Midtones as suitors

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LUCY:

Bravo, bravo. Everyone sounds great, Janice.

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GEORGIE:

They’re okay.

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JANICE:

Thanks, Lucy. We’ve been practicing a lot for tonight’s concert.

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

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MIDTONES #TWO: Me as well, Luce.

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LUCY:

382

Of course, of course. Thee’s plenty of dances left.

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GEORGIE:

JANICE:

LUCY:

(WITH HUMOR) Nothing personal. Of course, of course.

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(WITH HUMOR) Hey, Lucy, I’ll pass on those dances. Nothing personal, though.

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What do you mean by saying of course, of course?

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GEORGIE:

(WITH INSISTENCE) What do you mean of course, of course?

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LUCY:

Janice doesn’t want to dance with me.

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GEORGIE:

(HARSHLY) Not her, them.

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LUCY:

They’ve all asked to dance with me tonight.

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GEORGE:

How could they? You just got here.

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LUCY:

We’ve been out every night this week.

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MIDTONES #THREE:

(OFF MIC: CALLS TO LUCY) Lucy, do

you have a waltz saved for me?

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LUCY:

(CALLS TO MIDTONES #THREE) Of course.

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GEORGIE:

Stop giving away dances.

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LUCY:

I could charge for them. Beat 22) Even the Major wants a dance

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MAJOR:

I’d be willing to pay for a dance.

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LUCY:

(PRETTILY) You may have as many dances as you wish, Major.

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GEORGIE:

Grandfather, I was talking with Miss Morgan.

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MAJOR:

A pretty young lady is meant for dancing, not talking, Georgie.

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Beat 23) The Return of the suitors

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MIDTONES #ONE, #TWO, and #THREE:

“I’ll dance with

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

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JANICE:

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

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GEORGIE:

I don’t know why my mother even invited them.

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LUCY:

Doesn’t the Major live here?

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GEORGIE:

(CROSSLY) I meant the other fellows.

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LUCY:

Perhaps it was on account of their parents.

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Maybe she didn’t want to offend their

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mothers and fathers.

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GEORGIE:

Oh hardly. I don’t think my mother needs to

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worry about offending anyone in this old

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town. Beat 24) On being an Amberson

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LUCY:

It must be wonderful, simply wonderful, Mr. Amberson. I mean, Mr. Minafer.

424 425

GEORGIE:

What must be wonderful?

426

LUCY:

To be so important as that.

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GEORGIE:

That isn’t important. Anyone that really is

428

anybody ought to be able to do as they

429

please in their own town.

430

LUCY:

Aren’t those friends of yours?

431

GEORGIE:

We were in a singing group years ago.

432

LUCY:

So you do sing. Beat 25) On being Georgie

433 434

GEORGIE:

I grew out of that when I went to college.

435

LUCY:

What are you studying at school?

436

GEORGIE:

College.

437

LUCY:

University. What are you studying?

438

GEORGIE:

Lot’s of useless junk.

439

LUCY:

Why don’t you study some useful junk?

440

Something you’ll use later in a business or

441

profession.

442

20

GEORGIE:

I don’t expect to go into any business or profession.

443 444

LUCY:

What?

445

GEORGIE:

Look at the people around you. Nothing but

446

lawyers, bankers, and politicians. What do

447

they get out of life? When their eulogies

448

are read or their gravestones carved, what

449

will they have accomplished?

The Splendor in Midland - Episode One 450

LUCY:

Then what do you want to be?

451

GEORGIE:

A yachtsman. Beat 26) Off to the dances . . . for Lucy

452

453

MUSIC:

UP AND ESTABLISH: LIVELY WALTZ.

454

THOMAS:

(OFF MIC: OVER EVERYTHING) Has anybody seen Lucy?

455 456

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

457

MIDTONES #TWO: With Georgie.

458

MIDTONES #THREE:

459

JANICE:

460

MIDTONES #3:

461

JANICE:

That’s better.

462

GEORGIE:

I give up.

463

THOMAS:

Well, Lucy. I’ve come for that dance.

464

LUCY:

Just in time.

465

GEORGIE:

See here, Miss Morgan. I want the third

She’s the pretty one.

What am I? The other pretty one.

dance.

466 467

LUCY:

Are you asking me?

468

GEORGIE:

(CALLS TO LUCY) And the third dance after that.

469 470

21

LUCY:

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

The Splendor in Midland - Episode One 471

GEORGIE:

(CALLS TO LUCY) Well, I want every third

472

dance for the rest of the evening. (PAUSE)

473

Did you hear me Miss Morgan?

474

LUCY:

(PAUSE: OFF MIC: CALLS TO GEORGIE) Of course.

475

Beat 27) Georgie sulks while Lucy dances

476 477

NARRATOR ONE:

(PAUSE) Lucy swirled across the dance

478

floor for hours. Even the Major enjoyed the

479

pleasant charms of Miss Morgan. But every

480

third dance with Georgie was an exercise in

481

waltzing with holly branches. Finally she

482

stopped looking for her prickly partner.

483

NARRATOR TWO:

Elsewhere, the splendid music was

484

enjoyed by all ages. But the highlight of

485

each Christmas Eve at Amberson Towers was

486

the singing of “Back in Midland.” Twenty

487

years ago, Jack Amberson and Eugene Morgan

488

were the featured singers. But now, The

489

Midtones, led by Thomas Kinney and Janice

490

Steele, are entertaining the guests. Beat 28) Introduction to The Midtones

491

492

22

MUSIC:

SLOWLY OUT.

The Splendor in Midland - Episode One 493

GUESTS:

(GENERAL SOUNDS AND CONVERSATIONS OF A LARGE HOLIDAY PARTY)

494 495

JACK:

(OVER GUESTS) If I may have everyone’s attention. (PAUSE) Please.

496 497

GUESTS:

(SOUNDS AND CONVERSATIONS GO UNDER AND OUT)

498

JACK:

(PAUSE) Thank you spending Christmas Eve at

499

Amberson Towers. The night is only a few

500

minutes from being over. But before we go,

501

The Midtones, with young Thomas Kinney and

502

Janice Steele, will bring in Christmas.

503

SFX:

WARM APPLAUSE.

Beat 29) The Midtones sing “Back in Midland”

504 505

THOMAS:

Thank you Mr. Amberson. It’s an honor to

506

once again perform at Amberson Towers and

507

sing “Back in Midland.”

508

MIDTONES: (VOCALIZE “BACK IN MIDLAND” AND GO UNDER TO BED)

509 510

23

THOMAS:

I’ve traveled so far and seen other lands

511

Been miles from home and away from friends.

512

The highway is long and covered with snow

513

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

514

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

515

JANICE:

Laughing and smiling with all that we see.

The Splendor in Midland - Episode One 516

MIDTONES: Back in Midland, old friends are best.

517

JANICE:

518

MIDTONES: (VOCALIZE AND GO UNDER TO BED)

519

THOMAS:

Travelling back home to lay down and rest.

I’ve turned around and put miles behind me.

520

More hours to go and cities to see.

521

Your lovely voice calls to me from ahead

522

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

523

said.

524

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

525

JANICE:

526

MIDTONES: Back in Midland, old friends are best.

527

JANICE:

528

MIDTONES: (VOCALIZE AND GO UNDER TO BED)

529

THOMAS:

Laughing and smiling with all that we see.

Travelling back home to lay down and rest.

When my time comes and I can’t walk with you,

530 531

JANICE:

And do all the things we wanted to do,

532

THOMAS:

My spirit remains although I have gone.

533

JANICE:

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

534

JANICE and THOMAS:

Our voices will sparkle and ring

535

in your ears.

536

And together we’ll sing our favorite song.

537

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

538

JANICE:

539

MIDTONES: Back in Midland, old friends are best.

Laughing and smiling with all that we see.

24

The Splendor in Midland - Episode One 540

JANICE:

Travelling back home to lay down and rest.

541

MIDTONES: (VOCALIZE AND GO UNDER TO BED)

542

THOMAS:

So gather ‘round friends and sing all the

543

songs.

544

Make these good feelings last all night

545

long.

546

When tomorrow comes we’ll go our own ways

547

And one by one count down the days ‘til

548

we’re . . .

549

MIDTONES and GUESTS:

. . . Back in Midland . . .

550

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

551

JANICE:

552

MIDTONES and GUESTS:

553

MIDTONES: . . . Old friends are best.

554

JANICE:

555

MIDTONES and GUESTS:

556

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

557

JANICE:

558

MIDTONES and GUESTS:

559

MIDTONES: . . . Old friends are best.

560

JANICE:

561

MIDTONES: (VOCALIZE AND GO UNDER AND OUT)

Laughing and smiling with all that we see. Back in Midland . . .

Travelling back home to lay down and rest. . . . Back in Midland . . .

Laughing and smiling with all that we see. Back in Midland . . .

Travelling back home to lay down and rest.

25

The Splendor in Midland - Episode One 562 563

Beat 30) The party ends

GUESTS:

(SUSTAINED CHEERS AND APPLAUSE) “Bravo,

564

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

565

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

566

JACK:

Merry Christmas, Midland. Circle Christmas

567

Eve on your calendars for next year. We’ll

568

be right here again.

569

GUESTS:

(SUSTAINED CHEERS AND APPLAUSE UNDER TO BED AND SLOWLY OUT)

570

Beat 31) Celebrating the moment

571 572

26

NARRATOR TWO:

(PAUSE) The warmth of human spirit hung

573

heavy in the air over the evening’s

574

participants. Hugs and kisses were tossed

575

about with generous abandon. The Morgans,

576

Eugene and daughter, Lucy, left Amberson

577

Towers promising their immediate return on

578

Christmas Day. Beat 32) Eugene and Lucy leave Amberson Towers

579

580

SFX:

BED: INTERIOR SOUNDS OF TAXI.

581

EUGENE AND LUCY:

(SINGING) Back in Midland, that’s

582

where we’ll be; Laughing and smiling with

583

all that we see.

The Splendor in Midland - Episode One 584

LUCY:

Papa, do you think George is terribly arrogant and domineering?

585 586

27

EUGENE:

Oh, he’s still only a boy. Plenty of fine

587

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

588

Amberson’s son.

589

LUCY:

You liked her pretty well once, I guess.

590

EUGENE:

Yep. Do still.

591

EUGENE AND LUCY:

(SINGING) Back in Midland, old

592

friends are best. Travelling back home to

593

lay down and rest.

594 595

EUGENE AND LUCY:

“BACK IN MIDLAND”) Beat 33) Back in the lobby

596 597

(GO OFF MIC: HUMMING: CHORUS TO

NARRATOR ONE:

From the lobby of Amberson Towers,

598

Georgie stood with his mother, uncle, and

599

aunt. They watched the Morgans drive away

600

into the snowy night. Georgie’s mood was a

601

few degrees lower than the temperature. But

602

his frosty demeanor was completely unnoticed

603

by his family who was saying goodbye to the

604

last of the guests and the singers.

28

The Splendor in Midland - Episode One 605 606

Beat 34) Fred Kinney

GUESTS:

“Thank you, Isabel.” “Please stop by during

607

the holidays.” “Don’t forget the concert

608

this week.”

609

ISABEL:

(CALLS TO THOMAS, KINNEY AND JANICE) Mr.

610

Kinney. Please, Mr. Kinney and young Thomas.

611

And Janice.

612

JANICE:

Hello, again.

613

KINNEY:

Good evening, Isabel.

614

THOMAS:

Yes, Mrs. Minafer?

615

ISABEL:

You and The Midtones sang magnificently.

616

“Back in Midland” is one of my favorite

617

songs.

618

THOMAS:

Thank you for the opportunity to entertain

619

your guests. And George, your mother tells

620

me you still have a fine voice.

621

GEORGIE:

(HARSHLY) Mother.

622

THOMAS:

We’re always looking for new singers.

623

GEORGIE:

I’m going back to school soon.

624

THOMAS:

Such a wonderful voice. Oh well, thank you

625

for having us Mrs. Minafer. Good night

626

everyone.

627 628

KINNEY:

Thank you for your generosity, Isabel. Enjoy the holidays.

The Splendor in Midland - Episode One 629

JANICE:

630

AMBERSONS and MINAFERS:

Merry Christmas, Mrs. Minafer and everyone. “Good night.” “Merry

Christmas.” “The group was marvelous.”

631

Beat 35) Isabel turns in

632 633

ISABEL:

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

634

JACK:

Not me.

635

FANNY:

In a couple of minutes.

636

GEORGIE:

No, mother. I’ll see you upstairs.

637

ISABEL:

Don’t stay up too late, Georgie.

638

GEORGIE:

Just go, mother.

639

JACK and FANNY:

ISABEL:

(OFF MIC) Good night, everyone. Beat 36) “What sort of man is this Morgan?”

642 643

(CALLING TO ISABEL) “Good night,

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

640 641

29

JACK:

It’s not possible to find the words to congratulate Gene on all his success.

644 645

FANNY:

He’s come a long way in twenty years.

646

GEORGIE:

What sort of man is this Morgan?

647

FANNY:

His proper name is Mr. Eugene Morgan.

648

GEORGIE:

(IRRITATEDLY) Excuse me. What sort of man is

649

Mr. Eugene Morgan?

The Splendor in Midland - Episode One 650 651

Beat 37) Fun at Georgie’s expense

JACK:

First, he’s an old friend. Second, he used

652

to practice law here. Third, and most

653

visibly, he’s a man with a pretty daughter.

654

GEORGIE:

FANNY:

(IN FEIGNED PROTEST) He danced as many times with Isabel as he did with me.

657 658

He seemed very comfortable dancing with Aunt Fanny.

655 656

JACK:

Permit me to ask a question. Do you always

659

take the same passionate interest in the

660

parents of every girl you dance with?

661

FANNY:

Jack, perhaps this is a new fashion you old

662

bachelors might take up. Is this the thing

663

to do this year, Georgie? Beat 38) Georgie’s father has a heart attack

664 665

GEORGIE:

(BITE CUE) Oh, go on. I only wanted to know . . .

666 667

30

ISABEL:

(BITE CUE: FRANTICALLY) Georgie come quickly.

668 669

GEORGIE:

What’s the matter?

670

ISABEL:

Your father’s had a heart attack.

31

The Splendor in Midland - Episode One 671 672

Beat 39) Closing narration

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

673

Christmas morning. At his bedside were

674

Georgie, Isabel, Fanny, and the Amberson

675

family.

676

NARRATOR ONE:

Wilbur’s passing barely drew any notice

677

in Midland. Expressions of condolences and

678

sympathies here and there. But the real

679

ripples of Wilbur Minafer’s death would not

680

be felt for several months. By then, a tidal

681

wave of events would be bearing down on the

682

Minafers, Ambersons, and Morgans.

683

684

MIDTONES: (VOCALIZE “BACK IN MIDLAND.” UNDER AND OUT.) Beat 40) The End