The Trial/ Screenplay
- We're back in the courtroom for the verdict.
- Everybody is ready.
- As the verdict is read, words roll slowly across the screen:
- This is the true story of Steve Harmon. This is the story of his life and of his trial. It was not an episode that he expected. It was not the life or activity that he thought would fill every bit of his soul or change what life meant to him. He has transcribed the images and conversations as he remembers them. (20.17,19,21).
- The sound of the screenplay is muted, so we can't hear the verdict, but we can figure it out by the characters' actions.
- James King is found guilty, and the guards take him from the courtroom.
- Steve's mother throws her hands to the ceiling—Steve is not guilty.
- Steve opens his arms to hug O'Brien, but she only picks up her papers from the table.
- Steve turns to the camera with his arms outstretched. The filming gets grainier so it ends with him looking like a monster.
- And that's the end of the film.