Jane Tulley's Photos

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Format: Limited Series (6 x 45-minute episodes) Genre: Historical Drama / Feminist Coming-of-Age / Courtroom & Political Thriller Tone: Gritty, Intimate, Politically Urgent Setting: Dual Timeline — 1945 Post-War New York & 1899–1911 Lower East Side

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EXT. DELANCEY STREET - WINTER - DAY Sa'mara leans back on a shop window, waiting in the windy chill. She surveys the WORKING PEOPLE coming and going on the busy street. It’s just another day for the immigrants of the Lower East Side, the second-class. Two MEN (50s) warm their hands over the flames rising above a fire in a steel barrel. She flinches at the thought of their hands being burned. She returns her attention to her Tom Sawyer, leafing through to where she left off. An ILLUSTRATION of the river and a steamboat catches her eye. She IMAGINES the drawing come to life, Delancy becoming the mighty MISSISSIPPI RIVER, apple and fish carts become small RAFTS floating by, and a horse and carriage becoming a STEAMBOAT, the horse’s breath now the steam bellowing from the big, grand boat. She smiles to herself and turns the page.

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY The TEACHER (60) passes out copies of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain to the CHILDREN (ages 9-11) seated in rows of wooden desks. Sa'mara sits among the poor kids, a type of segregation notably apparent. TEACHER (old New York accent) We was very lucky to receive these here copies so I trust you will take good care of them. Sa'mara receives the last copy. Four CHILDREN behind her do not receive theirs. SA'MARA What about them? Isn’t there enough for them? TEACHER They can listen along. If they pay attention, that is. We was lucky enough to get these ones here.