Search Committee Script 75 Pages -

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.

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.

(long pause)

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.”

Private room. Vance and Martha. Martha: “They have documents. Withdraw.” Vance: “No. You’ll vote for me. You know what I have on you, Martha.” (Reference to her past scandal—he implies evidence she falsified data, which she didn’t, but the rumor exists.) Martha: “You’re bluffing.” Vance: “Try me.” Martha leaves. In hallway, she vomits into a trash can. Lisa sees her. “Martha. Come back to the committee.” Martha whispers: “He’ll destroy me.” Lisa: “Only if you let him. Tell us everything.” search committee script 75 pages

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.

She died anyway. But the money? Still there. For the next person. You think principles kept anyone alive in my house? Interview with Dr

James—