Fidelity
Season 1 Ep 1 — The Carringtons
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FIDELITY
It is understood, in almost all traditional societies, that after surviving the unpredictable misgivings of puberty and the predictable transgressions of teenage indiscretions a young man’s coming into maturity, his Papillion, his release of all childish things, his final arrival is measured in his having accepted his role as a husband, father, friend, forsaking all others for the preservation of his Fidelity!
Opening scene. EPISODE 1, [Fidelity]!
Panning very slowly ….Darkened screen,
Soundtrack playing sultry Jazz selection in the background…
listen here (sample only) as you read opening scene
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlH1oTko9fw&feature=youtu.be%C2%A0%3F
Lhasa de Sela — Con toda palabra(live Montreal 2009)
PAUL CARRINGTON, (Voice over by Main Character) White Male with a
soft slightly baritone voice,
“It is understood, in almost all societies that after surviving the unpredictable misgivings of puberty;……..”
FADE IN,
(Night) Tuesday, Day 1, 9:45 pm.
Very darkened bedroom. Only light visible comes from the moonlight penetrating in through the very sheer, ceiling-to-floor curtains.
(Voice-over continues),
“….and the predictable transgressions of teenage indiscretions,…….”
Camera Panning around the room slowly.
We see the silhouette of a male and female, both naked, in the rapture of lovemaking. We can almost feel the heat radiating from their bodies, yet while we can hear them no clear distinction can be made to identify their individual voices and or faces.
(Voice-over continues),
“…….a young man’s coming of maturity, his Papillion…..,”
Camera zooms in closer onto the couple’s silhouettes on the bed:
their nakedness partially obscure by the bed sheet’s poor effort at covering their exposure. We see the increased rhythmic movement of their physical intertwine as their bodies beckon to be freed from their sexual energy, free of inhibitions.
(Voice-over continues), as the music plays in the background,
“……his release of all childish things, his final arrival, is measured in his having accepted his role as husband, father, friend, forsaking all others for the preservation of……”
Camera panning the room, first on the discarded clothing on the floor, then back to:
a very darkened outline of two figures heaving, alternatively relaxing only to again repeat with noticeable animated movement leading to the sounds of their sexual release. Their release is first signaled by the female, closely followed by that of male.
(Voice-over continues).
“……his Fidelity!”
As their movement subsides, the background Jazz sound is increased inversely in volume to that of the lover, until it finally silences all lingering residual sounds of their lovemaking. The song’s actual soundtrack of the listening audience, clapping in appreciation of the musician’s beautifully soulful voice, comes as if they too were showing their appreciation for the couple’s performance, then complete silence!
FADING OUT as the camera is panning away from the bedroom until no longer visible then darkness………
FADE IN.
(EARLY MORNING) Wednesday, Day 2, 7:30 AM.
On the outside, a very light rain is falling.
Camera zooms in from outside, into, viewing through a large Kitchen window.
….inside is a well-lit, fully furnished and equipped kitchen. The back profile of a female is visible standing in the kitchen, facing the stove, cooking. The kitchen’s main seating area is already set for dining on a circular table, just slightly off center room. Dividing the kitchen dining area from the stoves and other electrical appliances is an upright narrow center counter, complimented with 3 high bar stools, perfectly spaced for comfort.
PAUL CARRINGTON. (Voice-over continues)..
“With the birth of each new morning, so too is the opportunity to wash away the sins of sleep and begin anew~”
Madison Carrington, (wife of Paul).
Is a full-bodied, naturally attractive woman with an extremely pleasant disposition, is noticeable just a bit unsettled on this particular morning. Her ancestry is a combination of African, First Nations indigenous of North American Indian and that of Irish by way of her great grandparents. She is a dark-haired mother of 3 children, Kaitlyn 21, Michael 17, and Liam 12.
Madison Carrington walks from the stove side of the counter carrying a cup of coffee, a plate with 2 well-done eggs, two slices of toast, and a small freshly sliced tomato. She moves toward the main eating table and sets it down at one of the settings at the table.
Madison Speaks: loudly,
…..honey, your breakfast is on the table.
The Kitchen is quickly made busy as if participants had been awaiting their queue of mother’s voice, triggering their entrance.
Liam is the first to enter the kitchen, he is dressed for school, with shirt
untucked, hair clearly not having given any attention, and moving like bed would still be his first option over breakfast.
Liam: speaking without energy,
…..good morning Mom.
Madison. (rather upbeat)
….good morning sweetheart. Sit, I will have your breakfast in a minute.
Liam slowly moves to the table and takes his chair.
Phone can be heard ringing in the background.
Madison calls out.
……Honey! You are going to be late if you don’t get here now! Could you please answer the phone?
Madison (speaking out loud to herself).
“I do not know why folks feel the need to call so early when there are no emergencies.”
Liam.
….But maybe it is Mom!
Madison.
…It is not, trust me!
Cue to Paul Carrington.
upstairs hallway moving with the intent, to pick up the potable phone sitting on the table inside his bedroom.
Paul answers the phone.
…Hello!
Cue back to Kitchen activities while seeing the movement in the
kitchen we are hearing,
Paul’s (Voice over).
“Life is made happy with the predictability of routines.”
Upon entering the Kitchen we see a smartly dressed young lady arriving with a direction of purpose as she heads directly to the container of freshly brewed coffee. Cup of coffee now in hand Kaitlyn speaks!
….good morning Mom!
Madison.
..good morning sweetheart!
Paul, (Voice over, while our view remains on the kitchen’s activities
“It is the simply routines, that have been ingrained into our very psyche, to prepare us for the constant grinding of paying bills, buying more services than we need only to repeat the very routine of paying our bills over and over endlessly”.
Michael, (Enters the kitchen).
He is smartly put together. His buttoned-down shirt, extending below his waistline, is accessorized with a decorative stoned washed, sleeveless jean jacket and baggy dress pants with a waist-to-pocket silver chain.
….good morning Mom!
Madison.
good morning sweetheart, did you rest better last night?
Madison’s questions reference to Michael’s (lately) inability to rest a full night without having to wake for the bathroom.
Cue in on Paul, (still upstairs preparing for his day).
he is standing at the bathroom sink, making the final motivational speech to the single-member audience in the mirror, a regular part of his morning routine.
Paul (Voice over speaking out to himself).
“Today I am off to pay more bills”.
Cue back to Kitchen.
Madison is sitting at the center counter sipping her coffee accompanied by Kaitlyn. While Liam and Michael are both seated at the Kitchen’s round table. Liam is enjoying his cereal, his brother, bacon and toast, no eggs and both respecting the open placement where Madison had earlier placed Paul’s breakfast.
Cue in on Paul.
as he arrives at the kitchen’s entrance and heads directly to his wife.
Paul.
…..Good morning sweetheart!
He gives her a light kiss on the lips as he turns and notices his breakfast, he again responds to her,
“Thanks, honey!”
Paul then moves to Kaitlyn puts his arm around her and ever so gently squeezes her into him and greets her.
…..Good morning sweetie!
Paul now turns his attention to both boys sitting at the table as he walks to his awaiting breakfast at the table, he greets them both,
…..Good morning Gentlemen! Did you both rest well?
Liam.
….. I am still sleeping.
Michael.
……that has nothing to do with the night or day you are always asleep.
Liam.
…and you are always stupid, so what!
Madison.
…Liam, please do not speak to your brother in that manner and for heaven’s sake, Michael would it kill you to be nice to your brother to start the day!
Paul.
….Sweetheart, Marianne called this morning and said she missed you at your sessions last night.
Panning camera to face of Kaitlyn.
Kaitlyn’s expression of concern is directly related to her Dad’s Message to her mom.
Madison, noticeably, showing the slightest moment’s hesitation before responding with..
….I was just not feeling like a workout last night so I took myself to have a quiet coffee and read a book.
Paul. (Voice over),
“It has long been said “when at first we try to deceive” that bed we make for others should also be made with our own comfort in mind…….”
Paul.
….ok Honey but you should at least call her.
Madison took the opportunity to let it go by not offering any further response, allowing instead the slightly uncomfortable moment to escape from itself with Paul’s next continuance..
Paul.
….by the way, you guys please remember we are having a small get-together this Saturday and it would be nice if either or both of you are planning on being out, then be back here no later than 10 pm please, that will give me an excuse for shutting it down early.
Kaitlyn.
….so Dad you are using us as your excuse to kick out your friends early?
Paul.
….frankly, Yes! Further, it is a family event and all the children are invited so you will be right at home if you are all in attendance or at least be back here early.
Michael.
….That is sad when your parents can not manage their own friends, they have to use their children and then expect us to manage our own friends.
Liam.
……why are you complaining, if not for Dad’s guest, you would have no friends.
Laughter from both Madison as well as Kaitlyn, with a noticeable smile from Paul. While Liam is uncontrollable with laughter encouraged by the reaction of both his mother and sister.
Michael. (clearly mimicking his mother’s earlier rebuff),
…. “Michael would it kill you to be nice to your brother to start the day!”
As he speaks Michael is clearly moving towards Liam with some haste to hit him, as Liam scampers away screaming…..
… No friends! No friends! No friends!
Michael.
…as a matter of fact Mom, it will not kill me if I kill him first.
Both Madison, Kaitlyn now joined in by Paul were laughing out rather heartedly.
Camera zooms away from the Kitchen backward out the window with a very brief Fade Out then the camera fades back in as it raises and now enters through the upstairs Master bathroom.
Cue in on Madison,
inside the bathroom after breakfast having just exited the shower.
She is wearing a short brightly coloured light rose and blue attractively designed quality robe.
Her attention is focused on her facial area, as she prepares for the day ahead. She picks up a medicine bottle from the counter. She begins to fidget with the bottle, unclear as to what tablets are in the container due to lack of proper labeling or her inability to read the labeling properly. It is unclear to us as to which one is her handicap.
Madison (Voice Over),
As she places two tablets on the counter and once again nervously closes and places the bottle inside her personal pouch sitting on the bathroom counter, she speaks to herself,
“I have finally become the very thing I cannot stand. Oh my god! Look at me! I’m a goddam body of insecure nerve endings, making even the inanimate things around me uncomfortable. I have become the dam drugged dependant housewife that is the basis for every single TV drama where life goes wrong.”
PHONE RINGS:
This time Madison answers the phone in the bathroom.
Madison.
…..Hello!
.and then quickly with some noticeable urgency, Madison calls out to the family or anyone within shouting distance.
….Guys I’ve got it,
Madison then returns her attention to the phone call
…..Hello Marianne!
Voice of Marianne on the phone:
“Hello my partner in crime, where were you last night, I waited and waited”
Marianne is a
white mixed Asian female.
She is a curator at a private Arts Gallery in town and a very close confidante of Madison Carrington.
Madison.
……Marianne, you are not being fair. I did say, Maybe.
Marianne:
…..Yes, but I could have really used your support.
Madison:
…..I will make a serious effort to be there for the next one. How were they?
Marianne:
…. Charming! Is that a word one uses in this situation? Well, whatever, he was charming.
Madison:
…..Ok Marianne we need to talk later, I’ve got to get ready for work ok.
Marianne:
…Thanks! Bye, love.
Camera FADES OUT…
FADE IN (LATER THAT MORNING) Wednesday, Day 2, 10:30 A.M.
The Sun has arrived from its hiding and now it is a beautiful sunny day.
Madison Carrington,
is the owner of a Technology Solutions Company, (Tech Solutions). Tech Solutions write programs for solutions to accounting, manufacturing as well as logistical solutions for the transportation and shipping industry. Tech Solution’s office is an open office concept design with six very spacious workstations managed by one controlling assistant stationed at the entrance. At the entrance sits, SIMON, a young attractive black male in his late mid-thirties. In his compliment are the four males and two females occupying the six design stations.
Today is a critical day for Madison Carrington. Today is Tech Solutions’ opportunity to win the competition, for a contract, that could define the next two years of business. Failure to secure at least sixty percent of that new contract could result in a possible closure of her firm.
Today will be her first meeting with Mr. Erick Walwynn, a renowned misogynistic, homophobic department head of the company Ross and Hunter’s contract submission department. If you want any business with Ross and Hunter, you must deal with Mr. Erick Walwynn and this was a contract that Madison Carrington’s firm desperately needed.
In addition to Simon, among the employees presently seated at the various workstations, you will need only to meet Sandra. Over time you will meet all but today only Sandra is important to this story.
Opening Scene on a Monday Morning;
TWO YEARS AGO;
Inside Madison Carrington’s office.
Seated in the chair, in front of the office coordinator Simon, is a young female applicant seeking to fill a job opening as advertised.
Cue in on Madison Carrington,
She is standing on the interior of her office looking out towards Simon at reception. She calls out.
…Hello! You are here about the posting?
Young Female Applicant,
……Yes, Mrs. Carrington, I’m Sandra. We spoke on the phone last week
Madison.
…Yes, of course. Forgive me, I am a bit unorganized this morning.
Sandra.
…Thank you, that is fine, hopefully, me being here will help to change that
Madison.
Smiling while looking in the direction of Simon.
……See Simon, this is the kind of applicants we seek.
Simon.
…..Yes Mrs. C. Exactly what we are seeking.
Madison.
…..Simon, please get us a couple of …
Madison stops mid-sentence, turning to Sandra
she asks,
,,,,,,,,Coffee or Tea?
Sandra.
……Coffee thanks
Simon.
……Another good answer Mrs. C.
Both Madison and Simon laughs out while Sandra smiles nervously unsure of the joke.
Simon.
Realizing Sandra’s confusion explains,
… Once you work here it will be the Coffee that becomes your best friend.
Cue into Madison’s office
where she is sitting with applicant Sandra.
Madison.
… So Sandra I notice it says here your last place of employment was Ross and Hunter,
did you perchance know Mr. Erick Walwynn?
Sandra hesitates, whereas she was quick on previous answers, she lowers her gaze then responds sheepishly
...Actually, I worked directly for Mr. Walwynn right upon till my leaving.
Madison, noticing the very visible change in demeanor went with Sandra’s sensitive response,
….Ok I am going to ask you two questions.
Sandra still exhibiting signs of having lost some confidence,
…Ok
Madison.
…Did you compromise on the company’s business with a customer.
Sandra having now regained her confidence responds,
…NO! Absolutely not!
Madison.
…Ok then. Did you steal from the company?
And again Sandra was high in confidence in her response,
..No Mrs Carrington, I would never do anything like that.
Madison.
…Ok then.
Madison takes the phone off its hanger and puts it down beside its base, dials a couple of digits and awaits a response
Simon responds to Madison’s private intercom.
….Yes Mrs. C
Madison.
…please come in and show Sandra around the office and do your checking of her credentials and assurances
Simon.
…Gladly Mrs. C.
Madison.
…And Simon, did you have to go to Brazil for those coffees?
Simon.
…Yes Mrs. C and they are as fresh as just picked.
Madison turning to Sandra,
…See why I love him.
….Well if your details hold up as expected,
Welcome to Tech Solutions.
Sandra’s wide smile could not be missed as she gets up to shake Mrs. Carrington’s hand.
…Thank you so very much for this opportunity, Mrs. Carrington.
Madison.
…Do not thank me, Show me, ok.
Fade Out….
FADE IN (LATER MORNING Still Day 2) Wednesday, Day 2, 11:45 A.M.
A heavy set, white gentleman of medium height enters the office, accompanied by a young lady. The Gentleman addresses Simon.
Gentleman!
…..I am here for Madison!
Simon.
..Good morning and who should I say is here?
Gentleman.
…Just tell her 11:00 o’clock is here.
Simon. Unable to help himself takes a quick, purposeful look at his wristwatch but without any further questions, simply responds,
….I will let her know right away.
As Simon moves towards the inner office he notices, that the Female assistant accompanying the Gentleman, ever so slightly, shock her head in disapproval of her bosses rude behavior
Simon smiled back at her.
Cue in on Madison’s office door opens.
Simon, holding onto the door’s handle, opens it and announces sarcastically but only for the ears of Mrs C,
….Your 11:45 is here as a replacement of your 11:00 o’clock who was unable to make it on time.
Madison.
…Simon, he has us over a barrel so please we need to roll with this one.
Simon
….I know Mrs C but just had to get that needle in him. Never have I seen such an arrogant man.
Simon returns to the office reception just a few strides ahead of Mrs. C and sits without a word spoken to the Gentleman.
Madison follows and acknowledges the Gentleman by his name
….Good Morning Mr. Walwynn
Gentleman.
…..Just call me Erick, Madison.
Madison
….Ok Erick. Would you like some Coffee or Tea, perhaps something cold?
Erick
…Coffee, large, 4 sugars, and two creams.
Erick then continues to introduce his assistant but not by her name, as if done as an afterthought.
….Oh, says Erick, now pointing to the female standing just a few feet behind and off to his right side. This is my new assistant.
Camera Cue onto Simon,
as Simon shakes his head in silent disgust.
Madison,
recognizing Erick’s inappropriate introduction follows politely with,
….Please to meet you, I am Mrs. Carrington.
Then turns to Simon,
..Simon could you kindly see what our guest is having and have it brought into the board room thanks.
However this time upon responding, Simon’s usual casual shortening of his employer’s name was formalized as yet another sign of his defiance of Erick Walwynn’s rude introduction of his assistant.
Simon
…Yes Mrs. Carrington, right away.
Cue onto Mrs. Carrington,
Mr. Erick Walwynn and his Assistant follow Mrs Carrington, passing the workstation of Sandra on their way to the boardroom meeting.
Erick:
…I am so very glad to see you landed on your feet Sandra.
But Sandra smiled nervously but did not respond.
Madison, most diplomatically, responds,
…Yes she has become a very valued part of our team here at Tech Solutions. We wish to thank you for all that you taught her.
Fade away and fade back in
on Mr. Walwaynn exiting the area of the workstations at the conclusion of his meeting with Mrs. Carrington.
Erick
…Nice to have seen you again Sandra.
This time however Sandra responds with limited politeness.
….Thank you Mr Walwynn.
As the pair exits the front door of Tech Solutions, Simon did manage to make one final eye contact with Mr. Walwynn’s female assistant giving both a cause for a smile.
The inter-office phone at Simon's desk rings.
Simon in conversation, hearing only his voice
..Yes!
Where?
Oh No!
Simon, with some frantic urgency, hangs up and then just as quickly dials and waits for a response from the other end of his phone call.
Simon
….Mrs. C?
…..You had best get to the woman’s bathroom urgently, Sandra is not well.
Cue to Madison entering the woman’s bathroom.
On the floor in an uncontrollable cry, being supported by another female co-worker, sits Sandra.
Madison signals to the female co-worker to leave and close the door behind her.
Madison lowers herself to the floor and just holds Sandra while she cries uncontrollably.
Madison.
….Whatever it is, just let it out. You do not have to speak, just let it all out. I am not going anywhere
Sandra rolls over onto Madison’s lap, they are both now seated on the bathroom floor as Madison gently rocks Sandra in an effort to console her.
Camera Cue to Erick in his car with his assistant.
Erick
….So are we still on for tonight? You know you have been doing very well and I would hate to lose you.
The female assistant, looks away, showing signs of shame, and sadness clearly, now taking a few seconds, she responds.
….I would not want to lose this job either Sir. Yes, I remember we are on for tonight.
Erick, with a smile on his face, as if he had been the winner of a bet, responds,
…That’s my girl.
FADE OUT TO DARK.
(Voice over by Paul Carrington) the Camera takes a bird’s eye view of the Village of ERINDALE LOCKIEBE.
As the camera pans over ERINDALE LOCKIEBE we see its landscape and unique attractiveness. It is an area that is surrounded or as some would say protected by miles of vast very think woodlands, in between mountains and two large rivers that completely encircles the valley region of ERINDALE LOCKIEBE. Inside this most beautiful area rest also a very well-developed micro-society of schools, housing, business, and all the amenities for self-sufficiency. The Village of ERINDALE LOCKIEBE is completely independent.
PAUL (Voice Over).
We moved to ERINDALE LOCKIEBE many decades ago. It offered us then an affordable place to raise our children. It also was and still remains, a place that time forgot in the race to develop big cities. Many homes in ERINDALE LOCKIEBE have been designated as heritage homes. Beyond the natural boundaries, ERINDALE LOCKIEBE is landlocked between the Credit River to its west and to his North, East, and South are major thruways that bypasses the serenity of ERINDALE LOCKIEBE. Without an invitation and special direction, you would not know it is there. Even when knowing of its existence, without an experienced guide, you would be unable to locate from ground or air.
Many have arrived here to grow their families, some to bury their multi-checkered past. Still others long arrived like a thief in the night awaking to join the family of strangers that ask no questions and if asked, offer no answers.
ERINDALE LOCKIEBE has proven to be a very safe place for our families and once you have been embraced by this family no one or nothing from afar will be allowed in to disturb your peace. This is actually the motto,
“nothing dares to endanger and no one need asking should they not require the silence of permanence”
End of EPISODE 1.
