East of Eden

Beat Sheet by: Bryan Ierardi

Act 1

Opening Image: A peaceful bay along the coast of Monterey, California in 1917. A young man, Cal (short for Caleb), shadows a veiled elderly woman depositing money in the town bank. He follows her home whereupon she instructs a man inside to go out and investigate. He confronts Cal. "What do you want? Why you falling Kate around?"

Theme Stated: "You tell her I hate her." Early the next morning, he catches a ride atop of a train back to Salinas. "I shoulda gone right on in there and talked to her," Cal says to himself.

Setup: Cal's brother Aron and his girlfriend, Abra, are on their way to the icehouse their father, Adam, has purchased. Cal meets up with his father, who is explaining to another man about his idea for food refrigeration. Cal tells his dad the war is coming and he should plant beans to profit from the inevitable price increase. Adam verbally pushes his son away. "I'm not particularly interested in profit Cal." Cal wanders away. Adam shakes his head. "I don't understand that boy."

Catalyst: Having wandered into the icehouse, Cal is in hiding as the flirting Aron and Abra sneak in to have some intimate time together. Aron says, "She died after we were born." Cal gets angry and proceeds to push huge blokcs of ice down the chute.

Debate and Decision: "My mother is not dead is she?" Cal decides to go see Kate. "Get him out of here!" "Talk to me, mother!" Cal pleads as they drag him away.

Act 2-A

Break Into Two: Cal is in the police station. "Your father and I are old friends." The town sherriff confides in him and shows him a picture of his mother and father's wedding picture.

Start B-Story: "

Fun And Games: Cal puts up a chute. Abra tells Cal, "The minute I forgave my dad I felt better."

MidPoint: The shipment of lettuce fails. Cal encounters Kate. She warms up to him. In her office, Cal asks her for the $5000. "What makes you think I'll give you money?"

Act 2-B

Bad Guys Close In: A rock is thrown through the window of the german, Mr. Albrecht.

Losing Hope: Townspeople are pushing Mr. Albrecht around. Fight breaks out. Sheriff arrives and breaks it up.

The Darkest Moment: Aaron is jealous. Cal and Aaron get into a fist fight. Aaron storms away. Cal goes into the bar and gulps some liqour. Abra follows Cal. Cal says, "I tried to kill him."

Act 3

Break Into Three: A newspaper reads "War With Germany." Cal sneaks up on the roof on Abra's house and to her room. "Can you keep a secret?" - Cal and Abra are preparing for the arrival of Adam. Aaron has a present too. - "Cal's business goes quite well. He makes a birthday present of the money to his father. However, Adam refuses to accept any money earned by war profiteering. Cal does not understand, and sees his father's refusal to accept the gift as just another rejection. When the distraught Cal leaves the room, Abra goes after him, to console him as best she can. Aron follows and orders Cal to stay away from her."

The Final Battle: Before Adam can open Cal's present, Aaron interrupts and suddenly announces he and Abra are getting married. "Cal, you will have to give the money back. I don't want the money! I'll never take it." Cal breaks down. "Don't you go near Abra." "I got something to show you, Aaron." Cal takes Aron to the brothel. "Aron is everything that's good, mother." "In anger, Cal takes his brother to see their mother, then returns home alone. When his father demands to know where his brother is, Cal tells him. The shock drives the pacifistic Aron to get drunk and then board a troop train to enlist in the army. When Sam (Burl Ives), the sheriff, brings the news, Adam rushes to the train station in a futile attempt to dissuade him."

Final Image: "The old man then suffers a stroke, which leaves him paralyzed and unable to communicate. Cal tries to talk to him, but gets no response and leaves the bedroom. Abra pleads with Adam to show Cal some affection before it is too late. Then she drags Cal back into the room. When Cal makes his last bid for acceptance before leaving town, his father manages to speak. He tells his son to get rid of the annoying nurse and not to get anyone else, but to stay and take care of him himself." - Cal and Abra kiss. As a tear of happiness emerges from Adam's eye, Cal is the one by his father's bedside.