Subj: AG- Re: Building a better journalist Date: 96-05-07 23:19:14 EDT From: wrussell@polarnet.com (Robyn Russell) Sender: owner-agothic@stargame.org To: agothic@stargame.org Thinking about Gail and how I would redo her character, I've decided that the time is ripe to create a proper, journalistic love interest for our favorite sheriff. Thus, in the great tradition of Hildy Johnson (His Girl Friday), Murphy Brown, and Diana Trent (Waiting for God), I present Aldona (pronounced al doh nah) "Aldie" Holt. Sister to Loris, Al (only Loris gets to call her "Aldie") is a local girl made good. At loose ends after the death of her husband (a test pilot), photojournalist Al returns to Trinity to spend some time with Loris. A crusader for truth and justice (natch), Al enjoys taking risks--and men with a dangerous edge. Bored by Trinity at first, Al becomes intrigued by the darkness just below the surface and winds up taking over the Trinity Guardian. Here's how I would play that scene in the sheriff's office (Plague Sower) with Lucas and Aldona. INT. LUCAS'S OFFICE. DAY. ALDONA and LUCAS are already in the office, ALDONA by the desk and LUCAS by the door. It becomes obvious that ALDONA has been trying to pry more details about the mysterious plague out of the "Teflon sheriff". [Costumer's note: Aldona is fashionable yet casual in her oversize white T-shirt, beat up, multi-pocketed khaki photographer's vest, blue jeans, and white Reebox.] ALDONA: (throwing her notepad down on the desk in disgust) You can really lay it on with a trowel, Sheriff. If I spread on my garden what you were spreading around at that press conference, I'd have tomato plants taller than the roof of this building. (a beat) Don't you care about anything? LUCAS: (casually closing the door) Not about the truth and certainly not about journalism. The profession of journalism has about as much integrity as the world's oldest profession, maybe less. At least, whores don't kid themselves about their motives. [Editor's note: I couldn't lose a great quote like this] ALDONA: So journalists lie to themselves and politicians just plain lie, is that it? LUCAS: (closing the blinds and slowly advancing towards her. As the scene progresses, he advances and she backs away until she is sitting on the edge of his desk) I've been thinking about you, Aldona, and that's no lie. ALDONA: Just what have you been thinking? LUCAS: I've been thinking about what it would be like with you. ALDONA: Did I miss something here? I'm black, you're white, this is small town in the rural South where everybody knows everybody else's business. LUCAS: Sounds like you're worried about what people will think. ALDONA: Mouthy, trouble-making black women who don't know their place are at the bottom of the social pyramid everywhere. You've got a longer ways to fall than me. LUCAS: Black folks and white folks have been gettin' together down here for a long time. Long as everyone's discreet, there's no harm done. AlDONA: (putting a hand on his chest to hold him off) Discreet? As in sneaking around to cheap motels? I'm not sneaking around with you or with anybody. LUCAS: (removing her hand from his chest, kissing her wrist, and putting her arm around his neck) Aren't you? They are about to kiss when BEN enters. BEN: Hell, Lucas, I'm sorry, but there's trouble down at the boarding house. FINIS [In my biased opinion, Aldona has several things over Gail: 1) Aldona has a serious attitude problem; Gail is just too nice sometimes. 2) Aldona, as editor and publisher of the Guardian, is in a position of power which Gail is not. Aldona's job also closely ties her to the town; Gail's job as visiting correspondent gives her an out. and 3) Aldona is a vest wearin' gal (just like the sheriff); Gail needs wardrobe assistance. Costumers will note that Aldona is wearing the same colors Lucas is in the above scene (khaki, white, and blue). Although it's not obvious from this scene, Aldona, unlike Gail, would ACT like a journalist. That is, we'd see her writing stories, developing photos, etc. instead of just investigating. Making Aldona black adds some color to what is an almost all-white main cast and the interracial affair just adds another layer of tension to her and Lucas's relationship. Having Sheriff Buck chase after Loris's sister, also adds tension to the Lucas-Loris mix and gives them a reason (besides Caleb) to interact. ] --Robyn ++++++++++++++ Subj: Re: Aldie and Lucas's first meeting Date: 96-05-27 15:18:10 EDT From: wrussell@polarnet.com (Robyn Russell) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Well, this list has certainly been quiet. Okay, I'll throw out the first post. Some dedicated readers may remember Aldona Holt, Loris's photojournalist sister, who I created when we discussing a replacement for Gail. To briefly recap, Aldona (only Loris calls her "Aldie") is Loris's recently widowed sister. At loose ends after her husband's death (he was a test pilot who crashed), she comes to Trinity to visit her sister. Aldie is a sassy, hard working crusader for truth and justice who likes to take risks--and men with a dangerous edge. Here is my version of their first meeting in Trinity. EXT. DAY. TRINITY TOWN PARK. It is a pleasant summer afternoon in Trinity. People are walking their dogs, biking, jogging, picnicing, etc. in the park. A vendor is selling ice cream from a small stand. CAMERA FOCUSES on ALDONA as she buys an ice cream cone. As she prepares to pay the vendor, a man's hand places money on the cart. LUCAS (off camera): Allow me. ALDONA: Thanks, but I buy mine own ice cream. ALDONA pays the vendor and moves off. LUCAS buys an ice cream and follows her. As they converse, they stroll leisurely along the pathway until they reach the main street. LUCAS: Haven't seen you around here before. ALDONA: Were you lookin' for me? LUCAS: I am now. ALDONA: I'm visiting my sister. LUCAS: Anybody I know? ALDONA: Couldn't say. How many of my sisters do you know? LUCAS: Oh, I know everybody in this town. ALDONA: Who are you, the town busybody? LUCAS: I'm the sheriff. (displaying his badge) Sheriff Lucas Buck, at your service. ALDONA: So, Sheriff, do you make passes at all the women in Trinity or just the ones that are new in town? LUCAS: Just the ones with a fondess for Chocolate Ripple. (a beat) You'd be surprised what you can tell about a person from the way they eat their ice cream. ALDONA: Like what? LUCAS: If a person is a licker (he displays his own cone), that means that they're patient and like to savor the pleasures of life. But if they're a biter, it means that they are impulsive and desire instant gratification. ALDONA deliberately bites the top off her ice cream cone. ALDONA: That answer your question? LUCAS: One of them. What's your name, darlin'? ALDONA: It's a mystery, you're the sheriff. Solve it. ALDONA sashays away leaving an intrigued LUCAS, smiling after her. FINIS