The Commandment

By Jim Silver

The Commandment is the pilot to an original dramatic television series, and is presented as a complete screenplay. The story is set in Savannah, Georgia, the Bible belt South. Bob Lee St.John, an accused pedophile serial killer, is on trial. Suspected of three killings, all five year-old boys, forensic evidence ties him only to the third victim. A crucial witness is threatened; at trial she blurts out information about the two prior cases, all inadmissable. A msitrial is declared and Bob Lee walks on bond, pending a new trial. He intends to run before that happens, but not before killing one more time. The legal system is broken. Too many victims are made to look like bad guys, too many bad guys appear as victims, and justice is frequently denied. The Commandments are much simpler: do the crime and pay the price. A lot of people live by them, and one of them watches the killer. Bob Lee vanishes one night; proof of his murderous intent is given to the police. Justice prevails, as it should.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jim Silver
• Release date: Oct 4, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301473212

Jim Silver

Author published with Simon & Schuster, titles: ASSUMPTION OF RISK and KILL ZONE. Partnered with director, producer and two-time Emmy winner Joe Ann Fogle (Doogie Howser, NYPD BLue, Murder One). Together we created and complete the first season of THE COMMANDMENT, an original dramatic television series set in Savannah, GA. We are releasing THE COMMANDMENT episodes in screenplay format, beginning with the pilot. In addition we have created five feature length screenplays, all involving dramatic fiction. Additional projects are in development.

Book preview

THE COMMANDMENT

Screenplay by Joe Ann Fogle and Jim Silver

Based on an original concept by

Joe Ann Fogle

Story by Jim Silver

S1:E1

The Commandment

by Joe Ann Fogle and Jim Silver

Copyright 2013

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the author or publisher.

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Contents

Act One

Act Two

Act Three

Act Four

Episode 2 Teaser

FADE IN OPENING

SCENE 1 EXT. MONTAGE OF SHOTS-DAY

We see police units along the bank of a river. A small body is recovered-the body bag is loaded into the ME vehicle-shots of reporters talking into cameras.

Season change to fall colors-a 2nd body is recovered from the river-newspaper headlines-‘Savannah River Killer’.

Season change to spring-a 3rd body is found-we see police take a MAN into police headquarters-he is ROBERT LEE ST.JOHN-suspect.

SCENE 2 INT.-DOCTORS’ LOUNGE-MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, SAVANNAH, GA-DAY

Local news seen on a flat screen television-we see a courthouse-several physicians dressed in scrubs watch a REPORTER outside the courthouse.

REPORTER

The trial of Robert Lee St.John, the alleged Savannah River Killer grinds into its fourth week. The prosecution is expected to continue with testimony regarding forensic evidence obtained from the remains of Billy Jay Burnett, the alleged third victim.

A WOMAN physician stands up-she is DEVONE MCCLOUD-cardio-thoracic surgeon. .

DEVONE

That’s enough for me, Charlie. I’ve got to follow up on my angio.

A MALE physician remains sprawled in his chair-he is CHARLIE.

CHARLIE

Think this bastard will ever get the needle?

DEVONE

They have to convict him first.

CHARLIE

We should be like the Russians. Put one into the back of his head.

DEVONE

I can’t argue, but that’s not how the system works, Charlie.

CHARLIE

Tell that to little Billy Jay’s parents.

DEVONE looks at the flat screen—the REPORTER continues to give details of the court proceedings.

DEVONE

Nothing will bring Billy back. See you later.

DEVONE leaves.

SCENE 3 INT.-COURTROOM FILLED TO CAPACITY-DAY

The DISTRICT ATTORNEY questions a WITNESS on the stand-the DISTRICT ATTORNEY is PETER CHANDLER-the WITNESS is HAROLD JAROWSKI-forensic pathologist. The JUDGE is JUDGE FAULKNER.

CHANDLER

You testified that the semen recovered from the remains of the victim, Billy Jay Burnett was tested for DNA.

JAROWSKI

That is correct. The testing was conducted by GeneTech in Albany. Their procedures and accuracy are impeccable.

CHANDLER

Then you are satisfied with the results of GeneTech’s tests on the semen samples?

JAROWSKI

I am.

CHANDLER

And did GeneTech establish the origin of the DNA from the semen?

JAROWSKI

They did. It belongs to the defendant, Mr. St.John.

A low murmur sweeps through the courtroom-the JUDGE bangs his gavel.

JUDGE FAULKNER

Order in this courtroom.

The JUDGE looks at the defendant’s table. The DEFENDANT is ROBERT LEE ST.JOHN-he leans over-confers with his counsel. ST.JOHN starts to point at DR. JAROWSKI.

His hand stops-makes a fist-his eyes roll up-he collapses in his chair-head back-face to the ceiling-arms splayed out from his sides-the courtroom erupts with shouts and screams.

SMASH CUT TO MAIN TITLE

FADE IN ACT ONE

SCENE