Vance arrives early for his “campus visit” (scheduling change by Martha without notice). Vance in the hallway, charming. He shakes hands. Helen: “Dr. Vance, before we begin, can you explain why your former dean was convicted of fraud?” Vance’s smile freezes. “That’s a serious accusation.” Martha intervenes: “This is inappropriate. Dr. Vance, please follow me.” Vance, to Helen: “You’re making an enemy.” Walks away with Martha. Amir: “He just threatened a search chair in front of witnesses.” Helen: “Record it. Send to legal.”
James—
Logline: A seemingly routine academic search committee for a new university president unravels when one quiet member discovers the leading candidate is a fraud—forcing the committee to confront their own ambitions, biases, and secrets before a unanimous vote destroys them all. search committee script 75 pages
She died anyway. But the money? Still there. For the next person. You think principles kept anyone alive in my house?
Final committee vote. No Vance present. Martha confesses: Vance promised to “clear her name” with the board in exchange for a unanimous vote. She’s been his inside agent. James: “You sold us out.” Martha: “I thought he could save the college. I was wrong.” Helen: “Unanimous vote to withdraw the candidacy and report to the board?” All raise hands. Even Martha. Trevor: “What happens now?” Helen: “We start over. But clean.” Claire, from the doorway: “I’ll make coffee.” Small smile. ACT IV – AFTERMATH & THE REAL VOTE (pages 71–75) Scene 14 (71–73): Two months later. Same room. New candidate list. Helen chairs a new committee (two new members, Trevor graduated but returns as alum rep). James is sober. Martha is on leave (voluntary). Amir is lead investigator now. Helen: “We have three strong candidates. No shortcuts. No secrets.” Claire passes out binders. Clean. Vance arrives early for his “campus visit” (scheduling
(long pause)
Evening. Helen’s office. Claire brings tea. “You look tired.” Helen: “This committee is broken.” Claire hesitates, then: “I shouldn’t say this, but Dr. Vance’s CV—I called a number. It’s disconnected.” Helen: “Probably old.” Claire: “The reference from Stanford? That professor died in 2019. Vance listed him as current.” Close on Helen’s face. End of Act I. ACT II – CRACKS & LIES (pages 19–48) Scene 5 (19–24): Next morning. Conference room. Helen shares Claire’s finding without naming her. Martha: “Clerical error. This is sabotage.” James: “Or finally due diligence.” Amir: “I can verify his online footprint.” Martha warns against “witch hunt.” Trevor: “Why are you protecting him?” Martha snaps: “Because donors want him. You want this college to close?” Silence. Helen calls for a recess. Helen: “Dr
Interview with Dr. Sandra Owusu (via Zoom, shown on monitor). Sandra is brilliant but direct: “Your endowment is mismanaged. I’d cut three departments.” Martha recoils. Helen respects her. Afterward, James: “She’s not a politician.” Martha: “Exactly the problem.” Vote to advance Sandra? 4–3 no. She’s out. Trevor abstains in disgust.