"THE PEOPLE VS. OJ. SIMPSON" EPISODE 1: "FROM THE ASHES OF TRAGEDY" Written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski Based on "THE RUN OF HIS LIFE" By Jeffrey Toobin FOX REVISED FX Productions Color Force September 5, 2014

ACT ONE ARCHIVE FOOTAGE - THE RODNEY KING BEATING. Grainy, late-night video. An AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAN lies on the ground. A handful of white LAPD COPS stand around, watching, while two of them ruthlessly BEAT and ATTACK him. ARCHIVE FOOTAGE - THE L.A. RIOTS. The volatile eruption of a city. Furious AFRICAN-AMERICANS tear Los Angeles apart. Trash cans get hurled through windows. Buildings burn. Cars get overturned. People run through the streets. Faces are angry, frustrated, screaming. The NOISE and FURY and IMAGES build, until -- SILENCE. Then, a single CARD: "TWO YEARS LATER" CUT TO: EXT. ROCKINGHAM HOUSE - LATE NIGHT June 12, 1994. OJ SIMPSON'S MANSION, an impressive vaulted Tudor, on a large estate. Serious money. A young LIMO DRIVER walts outside. He nervously checks his watch. Then, OJ SIMPSON comes rushing from the house. He is a bit harried -~ he carries a duffel bag and a golf bag. 0J looks like a star -- charismatic, muscular, handsome, entitled. oJ Hey, sorry I was late. I overslept, had to take a shower... The Driver stares, dazzled by the star wattage. O0J smiles. oJ Hope we can still make the flight? LIMO DRIVER S-sure. I'll get you there. - DRIVING — NIGHT — The limo cruises down Sunset. O0J relaxes in back. The Driver bites his lip, choosing his words carefully. LIMO DRIVER Mr. Simpson, I've got to apologize if I was staring, before. I've never picked up a celebrity. oJ Oh, that's cool. 0J gives him a warm smile. Generously reassuring.

I remember the first famous person I ever met: Willie Mays. Boy, did that blow my mind. He was so great. I was just a kid, but it made me go, "That's what I wanna be, when I grow up." The Driver beams at this. O0J nods, pleased. A nice moment. Beat -- then WE MOVE IN TIGHT. TIGHTER. Then EXTREME CLOSEUP on 0J. Where we realize SWEAT is running down his face. CUT TO: EXT. BRENTWOOD - LATE NIGHT South Brentwood. A quiet neighborhood of high-end condos and apartments. At this hour, only a few DOGWALKERS are out. A large bearded man in a Hawaiian shirt strolls by. He walks a little dog. He is on auto-pilot, until -- he hears an odd sound. A repetitive, STRAINED BARKING. He turns a corner, discovering a huge white AKITA. The beautiful animal BARKS relentlessly. It paces, agitated. DOGWALKER Hey... what's wrong? Tentative, he approaches the dog. It ignores him, still barking. Then -- he realizes that the dog's paws are BLOODY. DOGWALKER Whoa. What happened to you? Did you step in some glass? The Akita jerks away, distressed. Concerned, the man follows it. The_dog runs to a CONDO GATE, then suddenly stops. The gate is labeled "875." The dog beglns WAILING sadly. Puzzled, the man goes closer. Behind the gate are bushes, a dark pathway. The BARKING worsens. Something is wrong. With a foreboding, the man peers in... curious to see... Then -~ the man GASPS. On the steps are TWO DEAD BODIES. CUT TO: EXT. NICOLE'S CONDO - LATER The dogwalker is upset, being calmed by a POLICEMAN. The cop's partner walks the property. This PATROL OFFICER shines a hlgh—powered flashlight on the bodles, a MAN and a WOMAN, lying in a large pool of blood. His face tightens.

PATROL OFFICER Jesus. The blonde woman is lying at the base of the front stairs. The man is slumped against a metal fence. The Officer stares at the victims. Then —— he looks over. In the blood is a fresh HEEL PRINT. And a LEATHER GLOVE. INT. CONDO - MINUTES LATER The cop enters. Inside, candles flicker romantically. The calm is unsettling. The cop tiptoes upstairs. The master bedroom is 1it with candles. The bath is filled. The Officer peers into a second bedroom -- and discovers a sleeping YOUNG GIRL. His eyes widen. He looks into a third bedroom —- finding a YOUNG BOY. Heart beating faster, the cop hurries downstairs. About to click his WALKIE-TALKIE, when -~ gomething catches his eye. ANGLE -~ A FAMILY PHOTOGRAPH There is the deceased woman. She smiles, hugging the two children and 0J SIMPSON. Huh? The Officer sees another photo: There's 0J again. Another photo -~ 0J. There is even an OJ football poster. The cop reacts: This is big. CUT TO: EXT. NICOLE'S CONDO - LATER The street is FILLED with FLASHING POLICE CARS! 875 Bundy is blocked off by crime-scene tape. A dozen POLICEMEN have converged. Flashlights wave. Walkie-talkies CRACKLE. The Officer escorts an LAPD Detective with blow- drled ha;r This stiff, reserved man is MARK FUHRMAN, 40. PATROL OFFICER The female is Nicole Brown Simpson. She's the property owner. The male is unidentified. FUHRMAN Lot of blood. PATROL OFFICER It has a clean heel print. There's also a glove... hat... an envelope.. (gesturing) (MORE)

EXT+ CONDO — MINUTES LATER — — — — PATROL OFFICER (CONT'D) Down that path is a set of bloody shoe prints. They exit through the rear. He swings his flashlight. We see oversize RED SHOE PRINTS, disappearing from view. Fuhrman squints at a trickle of blood drops, to the left of them. FUHRMAN He's bleeding from the left hand. PATROL OFFICER Yeah. Let me show you inside. Fuhrman glances at all the blood. FUHRMAN We don't want to contaminate it. 1Is there a back entrance? EXT. REAR GARAGE - MINUTES LATER Fuhrman and the Officer stride past the POLICE and commotion, entering the garage. Inside is a white Ferrari. INT. CONDO - SAME TIME Fuhrman glances around at the fancy decor. FUHRMAN Nothing disturbed. probably not a robbery. Fuhrman starts making notes, as HEADLIGHTS catch his eye outside. Beat, then another DETECTIVE hurries in. DETECTIVE Mark, we need to withdraw from the case. (irate) They've kicked it upstairs. Fuhrman's face turns sour. Two higher-ranking Detectives, PHILIP VANNATTER and TOM LANGE, take charge, clearing a path. They run this show. Vannatter is beefy, with a helmet of caramel-colored hair. Lange is balding, with a huge bushy moustache. VANNATTER Where are the kids? COP #2 They're being held at West L.A. They blow right past Fuhrman, who is invisible to them.

5. Vannatter peers at a cop, examining a BLOODY FINGERPRINT on the gate. LANGE Have we I.D.'d the male? A head shake. VANNATTER What about OJ Simpson? Has anyone notified him? LANGE We don't want a Belushi situation. We can't have him learning about this from his TV. YOUNG COP There's no media here. VANNATTER This is a double murder in Brentwood. They'1ll show. (he raises his voice) Does anyone have Simpson's address? Nobody responds. Vannatter waits, impatient. ANGLE - FUHRMAN He is standing off to the side. Ignored. FUHRMAN I know where 0J lives. Vannatter reacts. FUHRMAN I'm Detective Mark Fuhrman, West L.A. (beat) I was there years ago, on a family dispute. It's just a few minutes away. - EXT. BRENTWOOD PARK - NIGHT An unmarked police car drives through the lush neighborhood. The houses are grand... the streets wide and quiet. Vannatter and Lange sit in front. Fuhrman is in back. The men peer up Rockingham, awed. VANNATTER I don't think I've ever been up here...

6. They reach 0J'S HOUSE. On the street, there is one vehicle —— a WHITE BRONCO -- parked askew. Hmm. EXT. ROCKINGHAM HOUSE - SAME TIME The cops get out. OJ'S house is on a large corner lot. There is a high brick wall, with a GATE. Some windows are LIT. Lange RINGS the gate. BUZZ! BUZZ! They wait, silently. Nothing. No movement within the house. No sound. A couple glances. He BUZZES again. LANGE Lights are on, and cars are in the driveway. Someone's home. FUHRMAN I'm going to look around. VANNATTER (ignoring him) Buzz again. Lange keeps BUZZING. Fuhrman walks away. Fuhrman turns on a small pocket FLASHLIGHT and pokes about Rockingham. He wanders over to the badly-parked Bronco. Curious, Fuhrman peers in. He shines his light inside the car, scanning some discarded papers. Then -- his beam catches a tiny RED STAIN above the door handle. Fuhrman freezes. He looks more intently. He pivots the light... discovering some THIN RED STRIPES beneath the doorsill. FUHRMAN HEY! You should see this. AT THE BRONCO - MINUTES LATER All three cops are huddled, peering into the Bronco. Tense. VANNATTER We'll need a criminalist to confirm if this is blood. A sense of dread hangs over them. Vannatter is worried. VANNATTER Something feels... wrong. LANGE Why don't they answer the door?

EXT. HOUSE -~ SECONDS LATER Fuhrman is CLIMBING over the brick wall. The two older cops watch. He hops down, then manually UNLATCHES the gate. All three cops RUSH to the house. They KNOCK on the door. And -- nothing. They RNOCK HARDER. They try the door —-- it's locked. Stymied, they walk around back. EXT. REAR HOUSE/GUEST HOUSES - SAME TIME They explore, flashlights crisscrossing. In the dark, they discover a BRONZE STATUE of heroic in football regalia. It towers above them. The men stare, a bit awed. Then, they hurry off. They find connected GUEST HOUSES. Fuhrman peers in an open window. FUHRMAN Hey, I see someone. Lange BANGS on the door. A rustling inside, and then it swings open. Revealing KATO KAELIN, a disheveled, spacey dude with a mane of blonde hair. LANGE Sir, we're with the LAPD. Is OJ Simpson home? Kato peers, baffled. KATO Huh... I dunno? What? OJ in the house? (confused) What time is it? Was there an earthquake? I heard these crazy thumps last night... The cops glance at each other, like "what the fuck is wrong with this guy"? Sir, are you on a substance? Fuhrman shines a flashlight in Kato's EYES. He squints. KATO Huh? Look, I'm not really an official person. I just kinda live back here. (beat) You should ask Arnelle. She probably knows where her dad is. Kato gestures at the next guest house.

GUEST HOUSE 2 The cops BANG ON the door. Then, ARNELLE SIMPSON, a young black woman, appears. She is bleary, pulling on a robe. Vannatter flashes his badge. VANNATTER Mrs. Simpson, there's an emergency. We need to speak to your father. ARNELLE Why?! What happened? She is alarmed. The cop stares her down, unwavering. VANNATTER We need to speak with your father. ARNELLE Um, I think he's in Chicago. INT. ROCKINGHAM HOUSE - SECONDS LATER Lange is on the house phone, waiting. RING. RING. He glances at a clock: 5:15. OPERATOR (V.0.) Chicago O'Hare Plaza. LANGE 0J Simpson please. The call gets patched through. Lange nods at Vannatter: Finally. A long wait, then... 0J picks up. Asleep, groggy. 0J (V.0.) Uh... yeah...? LANGE Is this 0J Simpson? 0J (V.0.) Yeah. Who is this? LANGE This is Detective Tom Lange from the Los Angeles Police Department. I have some bad news. Your ex-wife, Nicole Simpson, has been killed. A gasp on the other end. Then, a flood of emotion. 0J (V.0.) Oh my God, Nicole was killed?! Oh my God! She's dead?!

EXT. GUEST HOUSES - SAME TIME Kato takes Fuhrman behind the guest houses. Kato points —- KATO Back there! There was a loud BANG, on my air conditioner! Seriously, I thought the wall was gonna fall down. Fuhrman shines his flashlight into the DARK PASSAGE. It's all shrubs and cobwebs. Intrigued, he slowly walks back... INT. OJ'S HOUSE - SAME TIME 0J is still talking to Lange. 0J (V.0.) I'm gonna leave Chicago on the first flight out! 1I'll come back to L.A. LANGE Okay, Mr. Simpson. Okay. Here's your daughter... Lange hands Arnelle the phone. Lange stands there, with an ODD EXPRESSION. Something is wrong. He motions Vannatter, and they step into a corner. We MOVE IN TIGHT on the two cops. VANNATTER What is it? LANGE He didn't ask me how she died. The men stare at each other. VANNATTER What time did he fly to Chicago? Fuhrman comes RUNNING in. He looks breathless. FUHRMAN I need to show you something. Back of the guest houses. EXT. REAR GUEST HOUSES -~ SECONDS LATER Fuhrman, Vannatter and Lange move urgently through the thick darkness. Their flashlights light up the carpet of leaves.

10. FUHRMAN It's right here... just ahead... under the air conditioner... Fuhrman swings his flashlight around, then STOPS. ANGLE - THE GROUND Lying there is another LEATHER GLOVE. It looks bloody. THE THREE COPS stare, shocked. Finally -- VANNATTER This is a crime scene. CUT TO: INT. MARCIA CLARK'S HOUSE - EARLY MORNING It's breakfast- time in a chaotic family household. MARCIA CLARK, 40, is trying to get her young sons fed. Marcia is a wh1rlw1nd driven, quick-witted, moralistic and fast to judge. She's small, but a force, dressed for business. MARCIA C'mon, eat. You got 90 seconds! Her sons TRAVIS, 5, and TREVOR, 3, play with their food. TRAVIS I don't want cereal. TREVOR The milk tastes funny. MARCTIA Fine, then starve. We have to leave. The PHONE RINGS. Marcia grabs it. MARCIA 1 INTERCUT: VANNATTER AT ROCKINGHAM The sun is up. Vannatter is out front. VANNATTER Marcia, it's Phil Vannatter. You have a sec'? I need your opinion on a double homicide.

11. At the word "homicide," Marcia lights up. A crime junkie, she relishes this stuff. She SHUSHES the kids. MARCIA Boys, shhh! Go get your coats. She pushes the boys out of the room. Back to the phone -- MARCIA What do you got? VANNATTER We've got two victims in Brentwood, on Bundy Drive. It's pretty brutal -- MARCIA "Brentwood”? Nobody gets killed in Brentwood -- VANNATTER One of them is the ex-wife of 0J MARCTA Who? Beat. VANNATTER Marcia, OJ Simpson. You know, the football player. MARCTA I have no idea who you're talking about. VANNATTER Marcia, it's 0J! The Juice. He's a movie star —- he's in "The Naked Gun"! He's in those Hertz commercials —-— MARCIA Oh, that guy. Tell me what happened. - — — — - - — - Pst! C'mere, let me tie your shoe. she wrangles her son, while talking. VANNATTER There was a lot of blood at the murders. Then at OJ's house, there appears to be blood on his vehicle. We can also see blood drops leading into his house. In the dawn's light, behind Vannatter, a thin TRAIL OF BLOOD is visible, spattered up to the front door.

12. VANNATTER There are also two bloody gloves, one at each location. They appear to match. MARCIA Wow. This all sinks in. Marcia's mind is racing. MARCIA What were you doing at Simpson's? VANNATTER We were just trying to notify a family member. We didn't realize he would turn out to be a suspect. MARCIA Sounds like you've got enough to arrest him. This is major -- VANNATTER No, no. Hang on, one step at a time. All I want now is a search warrant. I just wanted a prosecutor's opinion. Beat. MARCIA Well, this prosecutor says, go_get him. INT. WEST LA POLICE STATION - EARLY MORNING The station is busy with activity. In a back office, Nicole and 0J's children SYDNEY, 8, and JUSTIN, 5 are parked. Justin sits on the floor, gquietly playlng with a little truck. But Sydney is worried. she peers at a nearby PHONE... INT. NICOLE'S CONDO - SAME TIME - outside, collecting blood samples. Cops are bagging evidence. There's a low MURMUR. Until —— Nicole's phone RINGS. Everybody freezes, startled. People glance over. The phone RINGS again, and then, the ANSWERING MACHINE picks up. It clicks, and the cassette tape plays NICOLE'S VOICE: NICOLE'S RECORDED VOICE "It's Nicole. You know what to do."

13. The sound is chilling. Then, BEEP! SYDNEY (V.O.) Mommy, what happened last night? Mommy, please call me back. All the cops stare, silent. Little Sydney keeps talking. SYDNEY (V.O.) Why did we have to go to the police station? Please answer, Mommy. (pause) Please answer. Okay... bye. Sydney HANGS UP. Then, BEEEEP. Nobody speaks. EXT. NICOLE'S CONDO - MORNING WIDE SHOT. Then -- a LOCAL TV NEWS VAN pulls up. Beat. Then, ANOTHER NEWS VAN pulls up. Then ANOTHER... END ACT ONE

14. ACT TWO EST. CRIMINAL COURTS BUILDING - MORNING INT. CRIMINAT, COURTS LOBBY - MORNING The lobby is packed with LAWYERS and STAFF, all lined up hopefully at a bank of ELEVATORS. Marcia charges in, a blur of action, a click-clack of high heels. OLDER LAWYER Oh Marcia, could I —- MARCIA Not now! The far elevator DINGS. The people in the wrong lines GROAN. Marcia spins, cutting through to hop onto the OPEN elevator. As the door shuts —- LADY LAWYER Is it true you got it? MARCIA It's not official. I hope so. (beat) It could be a biggie. It shuts, leaving a man behind. This reserved black man has a shaved head, spectacles, and no mojo. This is CHRIS DARDEN, 40, He stares, sighs, then waits for another elevator. INT. MARCIA'S OFFICE HALL - SAME TIME A hubbub of fluorescent offices. The only decorative flair are framed jigsaw puzzles on the walls. Solve this. Marcia zooms up to her office. Her door is spackled with SIGNS: "DO NOT KNOCK," "KEEP OUT," "IT IS EASIER FOR MEN TO PRAISE A WOMAN WHO FAILS." Phones are RINGING. She flags one of her OFFICE ASSISTANTS. MARCIA Hey, have we heard from the LAPD? What time does Simpson return? ASSTISTANT He lands at LAX around noon. (beat) Oh -- Westwood Flower Garden called. They want to know if the baby tulips can be peach, not pink.

15. MARCIA Your lips are moving, but I don't know what they're saying. ASSISTANT Lynn's baby shower. Today at lunch. MARCIA (remembering) Oh Jesus. What time am I supposed to be going? ASSISTANT Marcia, you're not going. You're throwing it. Marcia absorbs this. MARCIA Not anymore. tell her. (beat) She'll understand. ASSISTANT And Gordon's lawyer called —- MARCIA (angry) . I don't have time for this today! (cooling) Tell Gil I'll be right down. CUT TO: INT. WALK-IN CLOSET - MORNING Rows and rows of colorful PURPLE, BLUE and PEACH SUITS. Vibrant ties and shirts, every HUE of the rainbow. A hand enters frame, pushing them aside, choosing. We reveal JOHNNIE COCHRAN, 50s. He is a big personality -- a legal legend, and he knows it. He's exuberant and optimistic, but shrewd, always shrewd. JOHNNIE Honey, where's my Hugo Boss? 1 swear to God, that girl hides my clothes. There's nothing to wear! (beat) Monday morning, and there's already a thousand million things to do. I have a sit-down with the Taylor family, to break the bad news. So I can't dress too festive. But on the other hand, I don't want to be somber. I need to be... uplifting!

16. His wife, DALE, peeks in from the bedroom. DALE What about your cobalt blue? JOHNNIE No... blue makes people think of the LAPD. And I'm there to say that the D.A. won't be prosecuting the cops. She turns on a TV. A MORNING SHOW comes on. DALE Okay. What about the lime green? JOHNNIE That would be exceptional... except later I have to run out to Neverland. MJ's got some new pile of commotion! So I can't wear lime, because Michael's afraid of that color. Goodness, I've never known a person with so many phobias DALE Oh my God! Johnnie, LOOK! Dale points at the TV, emphatic. Johnnie turns -- and GASPS. INT. L.A. COFFEE SHOP - SAME TIME On a coffee shop TV, the SAME SHOW is on. A chirpy BLONDE HOST frowns. BLONDE HOST (ON TV) ...we've just received sad news. The former wife of Football Hall of Famer 0J Simpson was found murdered last night, in Brentwood. Simpson is flying back from Chicago, to take care of their children... The room reacts. All races, all customers, saddened. WHITE WAITRESS That's just terrible. INT. ANOTHER RESTAURANT - SAME TIME O0J in various TV clips runs in the b.g. are upset. BLACK WOMAN That man's been through so much. You remember when his baby drowned...?

17. WHITE MAN Poor Juice. I always liked him... INT. SCUTH L.A. DINER - MORNING A South L.A. restaurant. The all-black clientele is especially distressed. We MOVE THROUGH the crowd: CUSTOMERS (ADLIB) Number 32... Heisman winner... Man, could that guy run... USC's greatest... Tore up that Coliseum... We land on a black man, alone. He has tortoise-shell glasses and a brightly colored African robe. This is journalist DENNIS SCHATZMAN. Dennis stares at everyone, his brain whirling, his eyes quizzical. He scribbles some notes... EXT. BROWN'S HOUSE - DAY A nice Orange County home. INT. BROWN'S HOUSE - SAME TIME The BROWN FAMILY is bereaved and sobbing. Nicole's parents IOU and JUDITHA are overcome. Their three daughters DENISE, DOMINIQUE, and TANYA are crying. JUDITHA I can't believe she's gone... Lou How could this happen...? Denise's face is red. DENISE We know how it happened. LOU N-no. We don't know anything —- DENISE - - c'mon, Dadl— He was with - Nicole! OJ was stalking her. Juditha chokes back her tears. JUDITHA We saw him last night, at the recital. He couldn't have been nicer —-

18. DENISE Mom, we all know the truth. (beat) 0J killed her. CUT TO: INT. GIL GARCETTI'S OFFICE - DAY A conclave of D.A. BRASS. High-level supervisors, everybody on-edge. Stakes are high. Marcia has open files. Everybody glances at their boss, GIL GARCETTI, 50, L.A. County D.A. Garcetti is a canny politician, tough-on-crime and a people's Democrat. He has a striking head of silver hair. GIL What time did he fly to Chicago? MARCIA 11:45 p.m. GIL And what time do you ballpark the murders? MARCIA Between 10 and 11. (beat) The male, Ronald Goldman, worked at an Italian restaurant nearby. He was 25, an actor/waiter. He left it just before 10. GIL Wow . (thinking) Do you think OJ had time to do it? LAWYER Well, he is fast. A few smirks. Bearded BILL HODGMAN, the cautious, plain-vanilla Director of Central Operations, frowns. HODGMAN Let's stay on point. (beat) What about motive? MARCIA Dunno. Ex-wife with a younger man... GIL Was he her boyfriend?

MARCIA Unclear. He was returning glasses that were left in the restaurant by her mother. The room reacts, baffled. LAWYER #2 By her mother? What kind of restaurant offers that service? LAWYER #3 That sounds ridiculous. MARCIA In any case, we can assume that the killer walked in on the two of them, or Goldman walked in on the killing. Marcia distributes graphic CRIME SCENE PHOTOS. LAWYER #1 These are really vicious. I just can't picture 0J Simpson doing it. (beat) I met him once at a golf event. He was the nicest guy... GIL Yeah, I've met him. He's charming. HODGMAN He's not so terrific. Simpson has a prior. Five years ago, he pled no contest, after he beat up Nicole. He never even did his community service. He just got out, celebrity style: (dour) He raised money for Camp Ronald McDonald. The room goes cold. EXT. ROCKINGHAM HOUSE -~ STREET - DAY 19. People wince. .. -CUT-TO: - - The circus has started. A handful of LOCAL TV NEWS CREWS are in the street, with their vans and REPORTERS. TV REPORTER ...Simpson is expected momentarily. No word on whether he will be releasing a statement... On the property, COPS comb the estate. Vannatter peers dismissively at the mob out front.

20. VANNATTER It's like a party out there. (weary) Keep the gate secure. When Simpson gets here, detain him. OUTSIDE THE GATE - A man in a sharp suit and slicked, white- striped hair approaches a COP. He waves desperately, a bit frantic. This is ROBERT KARDASHIAN, 50. KARDASHIAN Excuse me. Excuse me! Can you let me in? COP No, sir. KARDASHIAN But OJ is expecting me. I'm his friend. Robert Kardashian! I'm sure I'm on the list. The cop is baffled. COP There's no list. Kardashian sees a man getting out of a fancy car. This is HOWARD WEITZMAN, 55, a buttoned-down, power-player lawyer. KARDASHIAN Howard. Howard! I came down as soon as I heard. called me -- she and Nicole were gonna have lunch today! WEITZMAN Yeah, it's really horrible. (ducking away) Hey, there's Juice. I gotta deal with this. WIDE - REVEAL _ A BLACK CADILLAC is slowly pushing towards the mob.. The cameras all WHIRL, trying to grab the footage. ILike locusts, they encircle it. A window lowers, and the police peer in. They signal to OPEN the GATES. We follow the Cadillac in. The back door opens... and 0J steps out. He blinks, disoriented by all the police. The COPS react —— he's guite famous. O0J takes a step. oJ What's happening? Why are you here?

21. cop Mr. Simpson, we're here because of the death of your ex-wife. We found a trail of blood... Simpson's eyes grow. He begins hyperventilating. oJ Oh man, oh man, oh man... 0J is whirling, heart pounding. Another OFFICER comes over and puts his HAND on OJ's shoulder. OJ jumps. OFFICER Mr. Simpson, let's get away from the cameras. Let's go around the corner. OUTSIDE THE GATES The PRESS strains to see. Something with OJ and the cop. One TV CAMERAMAN, from KCOP 13, eyeballs the situation. He scopes it out, then surreptitiously dashes down Rockingham -- ON THE PROPERTY The Officer guides 0J into the backyard. Near a children's playhouse. The Officer makes sure that they are out of sight. Then, he pulls out HANDCUFFS. 0J gapes, shocked. The Officer tugs OJ's hands behind his back, shackling him. In the far b.g. is a BRICK WALL. A CAMERA rises over it. It's the TV Cameraman, on his tippy-toes... ACROSS THE YARD Weitzman and Vannatter come rushing over. Weitzman is upset by the handcuffing. WEITZMAN Whoa, whoa! that really necessary? VANNATTER No. I'm sorry, I only wanted him detained. (to the Officer) Unhook him. The Officer frowns, chastised, then unlocks the cuffs. 0J is rattled. oJ I don't know what that was about. I'm going through a lot here...

22. VANNATTER Mr. Simpson, we do have some questions about the death of your ex-wife. Would you be willing to come down to headquarters and talk? WEITZMAN (he puts out his arm) 0J. You don't have to talk to them. OJ peers at Howard. Then... OJ glances up at his own towering statue. The carved icon fortifies him. oJ Nah, if I don‘t talk, they'll think I did something wrong. (emboldened) Sure, I'll cooperate. 0J gestures. His LEFT HAND grabs Vannatter's attention. CLOSEUP - OJ'S HAND has a BANDAGE on the middle finger. CLOSEUP -~ VANNATTER His eyebrows go up. CUT TO: INT. KCOP NEWS VAN - MINUTES LATER The KCOP Cameraman is in his van. He WHISPERS into his radio. KCOP CAMERAMAN You are not going to believe what I got. (excited) I think OJ's a suspect. INT. MARCIA'S OFFICE - DAY - The office-is-cloudy with cigarette- smoke, as she frantically puffs away. A poster of Jim Morrison hangs on the wall. Her desk and leather chair are huge, which make her look ridiculously tiny. Marcia is reviewing POLICE FILES. She is visibly upset. MARCIA This is outrageous. Eight 911 calls! The police were called out there eight times! ...She had a bruised face... bleeding lip... black eye... 0J broke a windshield with a baseball bat... (MORE)

23. MARCIA (CONT'D) (stunned) It's awful. The system failed her. An ATTORNEY stares, resigned. MARCIA You know what really pisses me off? This went on for years! All that battering, before they filed charges. The law 1s supposed to be a firewall, to protect victims like her. ATTORNEY It's the LAPD and a famous guy... Marcia fumes. An ASSISTANT peeks in. ASSISTANT Marcia, the tape is here. INT. GARCETTI'S OFFICE - LATER Marcia, Gil, Hodgman, and other D.A.'s stare at a little CASSETTE TAPE RECORDER. The wheels spin. VANNATTER'S VOICE When was the last time you saw Nicole? OJ'S VOICE Yesterday, when we were leaving our daughter’'s dance recital. It ended at about 6:30, 6:45, something like that. INTERCUT: FLASHBACK - THE INTERVIEW Detectives Vannatter and Lange sit with 0J. Another TAPE PLAYER is RECORDING this. VANNATTER And what time did you get back home? — - - - ,,,GJ, - - - - - - Oh, seven-something. I'm trying to think. Did I leave? You know, I had to run and get my daughter some recital flowers. Then I called my girlfriend Paula as I was going to her house, and Paula wasn't home. BACK TO: THE ATTORNEYS are bewildered.

24. ALL THE ATTORNEYS What'd he say?! Did he buy flowers before or after the recital? Did he go to Paula's house? GIL Shhh! BACK TO: 0J'S INTERVIEW VANNATTER When did you park your Bronco on Rockingham? oJ Eight-something. Seven. Nine o'clock. I don't know. Right in that area. Then I was sitting with Kato. He hadn't done a Jjacuzzi, so we went and got a burger. BACK TO: THE ATTORNEYS MARCIA Seven, eight, nine is not an answer! Guys, do your job! Lock him down to a time-frame! BACK TO: 0J'S INTERVIEW 0J stares, defiant. The cops fold and switch topics. VANNATTER Okay, how about that left hand? How did you get that injury? oJ - - I-don't know.-- The-first time; when I was in Chicago, but at the house I was just running around. I broke a glass. One of your guys had just called me. (helpful) Actually, it was cut before. Maybe I opened it again. BACK TO: THE ATTORNEYS They gape. Dumbfounded.

25. OJ'S VOICE It's no big deal, I bleed all the time. I play golf, so there's always something, nicks and stuff. MARCIA I can't even tell —- did he cut his hand in Los Angeles or Chicago? How did he injure himself? HODGMAN He answered everything eight different ways -- and they let him. What a disaster. Marcia GROANS and covers her face. MARCIA This is a fiasco. Why? Why'd the cops tolerate it? GIL They're not used to grilling a star. (sarcastic) He's The Juice. He rushed more than 2000 yards in one season. MARCIA I have no idea what that means. But whatever it is, it shouldn't matter. (she JUMPS up) He got away with beating her. He's not gonna get away with killing her! Infuriated, she storms out. The door SLAMS. END ACT TWO

26. ACT THREE EXT. ROCKINGHAM HOUSE - DAY Vannatter comes driving up Rockingham. He passes the media throng, then reaches the gate. A COP waves him in. Police crawl about. Dennis Fung is busy making notes. Vannatter walks over and hands him a packaged TEST TUBE. VANNATTER We took a sample of Simpson's blood. FUNG Are you making an arrest? VANNATTER Not til we get the labs. (beat) He's too famous to be a flight risk. FUNG Well, you're gonna have to wait 48 hours. We need to be super-cautious, so we'll run DNA. INT. ROCKINGHAM HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - SAME TIME TV NEWS drones on three built-in TVs. O0J's extended family has gathered in support: Kardashian, Kato, Arnelle, and her chubby brother JASON, 24. Visiting are OJ's sister SHIRLEY and their elderly MAMA, a delicate woman with a cane. 0J peers outside, spying on all the police. He is frazzled. Why don't they leave? I told them all the facts. They're acting like I did it, or something. (emphatic) I didn't kill her. MAMA We know, Orenthal. oJ This whole thing is really becoming a mess ! MAMA It's just terrible. They should let the family mourn. 0J runs his hands through his hair. He feels control slipping...

27. oJ This is no way to treat the Juice... A depressed fog is settling. fumbles in his pocket, then takes out a prescription bottle. He swallows a pill. Everybody glances worriedly at each other. THE FRONT DOOR opens, and OJ's best buddy AC COWLINGS, 50, enters, clutching BAGS of All American Burger takeout. AC is also a former football player. AC is an OJ wannabe. About time, AC. AC I'm sorry it took so long, 0OJ. AC lays it out. Kato rushes by and plunges into the bags. KATO Finally! 1I'm starving. 0J fixates his gaze. Kato starts scarfing down a burger. 0J Kato, you like those burgers? KATO Yeah. oJ (long beat) You told the cops that you and I went out for burgers last night? Kato freezes, deer in headlights. Then he NODS quickly, head up and down: Yes sir! Good. need support. Lots of support from - (beat) Who called? Did any friends leave a message? Suddenly, ON A TV - the video of 0J handcuffed appears. Jason GROANS . JASON Ugh. Dad, it's that shot again.

28. oJ What?! That pisses me off. I was handcuffed for five seconds! Don't they got other footage of me? Kardashian paces, concerned. KARDASHIAN This situation is very worrisome. AC What's your lawyer say? oJ I dunno! I don't even know where the hell Howard is! Where is Howard?! KARDASHIAN You need your counsel. SHIRLEY Robert, are you a lawyer? KARDASHIAN I... used to be. But not criminal. (pause) Is it i1mpolite to ask... what's Howard's game plan? Why'd he let you get cuffed? Why'd he let you do the interview? Why were you in there alone? The mood darkens. 0J's face tightens, mulling this over. oJ These are good questions... Then, a BUSTLING. OJ's other sister CARMELITA enters, holding little Sydney and Justin. The children have been crying. They see OJ and RUN up to him. 0J grabs the kids in a bear hug. Consoling them. C'mere. Daddy's gonna take care o things... CUT TO: INT. SPAGO - NIGHT A fancy restaurant full of HOLLYWOOD STARS and MODELS and RICH PEOPLE. Booze and lobster and caviar pizza roll out. At the center table, holding court, is ROBERT SHAPIRO, 50s. Bob is self-serving, clever, smarmy. Glowing from his thick tan.

29. SHAPIRO ...80 I said to Brando, "It's the smart play. They can't prove premeditation." I cut the deal, and everyone's happy. His son pled to manslaughter. He'll be out in five. He waves at somebody, grinning. His wife, LINELL, tugs him. LINELL SHAPIRO Bob, enough. I don't want to be late to the show. SHAPIRO Hang on. I want to say hi to Ovitz -- Then, the RESTAURANT MANAGER comes over. MANAGER Excuse me, Mr. Shapiro? I'm sorry to bother you, but you have an emergency phone call. SHAPIRO An emergency? Bob looks worriedly at his wife. Then, he jumps up. He FOLLOWS the Manager through the crowd. We MOVE, as he gets escorted into a small OFFICE. Bob grabs the desk PHONE. SHAPTIRO This is Robert Shapiro. Who is this? (beat) Who? An odd beat. Shapiro covers his other ear. He makes a face, like he can't believe what he just heard. Then —-— SHAPTIRO This is... 0J Simpson?? CUT TO: OFFICES-—-DAY - - - Chris Darden holds a packet of PAPERS. He waits at an office. CHRIS When's Dave coming back? I need to close this investigation. SECRETARY I dunno. It's like a tornado hit this place.

30. She gestures. In a CONFERENCE ROOM, Marcia is busy-busy, snapping orders at numerocus LAWYERS and UNDERLINGS. Handing out folders. Everybody is eager, hustling. Chris watches... with a sigh of existential despair. He shakes his head, disparaging. CHRIS Look at them. Everyone trippin' over themselves, trying to get onto a celebrity case. The woman raises a skeptical eyebrow. SECRETARY I'm sure they've got room for another prosecutor. CHRIS Oh, no way. I'm done trying cases. I just push my papers. This building's hopeless. SECRETARY Really. A beat. He wonders whether he said too much already. Then -- CHRIS They don't know anyone's worth. They just promote you if you get on a famous case, or you're good at kissing ass. (pause; reflecting) Maybe it's me. I'm not a hustler. (beat) Screw it ~- these papers are Special Investigations: Another wrongful police assault. It won't go anywhere. Dave won't wanna read it! Tell him he can just shred 'em. I don't care! Chris tosses her the file and walks away. The"Secréfary stares, then shouts after him. SECRETARY Chris, did you just quit? CHRIS Don't tempt me. I might! She laughs.

INT. GARCETTI'S OFFICE - DAY 31. Marcia is back in subservient mode, reporting to Garcetti. Hodgman stands to the side, observing. MARCIA We're putting off filing, until we get the blood test. (a bit manic) Obviously, this sort of makes me crazy. It's ridiculous that he's back in the house! He could be destroying evidence. Intimidating witnesses --— GIL Marcia MARCIA I think we put our best witnesses in front of a Grand Jury. This week. Block them from the Defense -- GIL Marcia! I want to pair you with Bill. Marcia STOPS. A beat. A moment, She is taken aback. as she looks back and forth at the men. the situation. There is a shifting in the sand. GIL Bill runs a little... cooler than you. You're the perfect prosecutor for this case, because you care. But I think this will be good. A little checks- and-balance. Marcia isn't pleased -- but she knows the score. MARCIA I... understand. ] GIL Also, frankly, you're going to be drowning in paper. A partner will be good. We'll never keep up with the Defense's resources. Marcia swallows her pride. She nods. MARCIA Nobody is more organized than Bill. Grasping

32. HODGMAN (he smiles) I'm here to help. Marcia forces a smile. She is clearly not happy. CUT TO: INT. TALK RADIO STATION - DAY We are in a tiny AM radio booth. A gregarious black DJ is interviewing Dennis Schatzman. The DJ reads off typed notes: DJ TODD Brothers and sisters, we are honored to have a special guest today, the esteemed Dennis Schatzman. Dennis writes for the black-owned Los Angeles Sentinel. He was formerly a judge, and he led the North Carolina NAACP! (beat) Dennis, how are you? SCHATZMAN Todd... I am not good. A sour beat. SCHATZMAN I am disgusted by how 0J Simpson has been treated by the LAPD. He has not been charged with a crime, and yet they handcuffed him. They put him in chains! (pointed) Let me ask YOU a question. Remember Jeffrey Dahmer? He was a mass murderer. He was a cannibal. Yes, he ATE people. Well, how many times did you see Jeffrey Dahmer in handcuffs? The DJ is caught by surprise. DJ TODD Uh... zero? SCHATZMAN Exactly! The black/white double standard endures! Daryl Gates and his nefarious chokehold... guns pulled on Olympic legend Al Joyner... the Rodney King verdict, affirmed by an all-white jury. Of course we rioted! (beat) The LAPD's war against African- Americans has to be stopped.

33. Whew. At the board, the PHONE LINES are all LIT UP and blinking. CUT TO: INT. JOHNNIE COCHRAN'S LAW OFFICES - DAY Johnnie's law firm is a busy enterprise, staffed with energetic black LAWYERS and ASSISTANTS. Norman Rockwell's iconic civil rights painting of Ruby Bridges, a black girl bravely entering a white school, hangs prominently. Right now, OJ hysteria has hijacked the office. All these legal pros stare agape at TWO TVs. Dueling newscasts, 0J footage, wild-eyed reporters... BLACK LAWYERS Did he do it...? 1It's so nasty... I heard she was practically decapitated... We focus on two lawyers —— SHAWN CHAPMAN, a young female hotshot, then CARL DOUGLAS, 40, managing attorney. SHAWN I hope he goes to prison. FEMALE LAWYER Someone said his first wife was black. What's that about? SHAWN You know what that's about. CARL Hey! This is a black hero we're talking about. Suddenly, a sharp HAND CLAP. Johnnie strides in. JOHNNIE People! Enough jibber-jabber! Where is-your decorum?- I expect a - professional environment. What happened is a terrible tragedy, and our prayers go out to Mr. Simpson and his family. LAWYER Do you know him? JOHNNIE I've met him. Our daughters were in cotillion together. {beat) But right now, this is a distraction. (MORE)

34. JOHNNIE (CONT'D) We are not his counsel! So turn off the TVs and get back to work. Civil rights violations and police brutality are not going to evaporate on their own volition. We are the front lines, and we need to focus! Phones RING. A SECRETARY waves him down. SECRETARY Johnnie, CNN keeps calling. They want to know if you're available at six. Johnnie reacts. Oh! Beat. JOHNNIE I suppose I can rearrange my schedule. INT. FANCY LAW FIRM - RECEPTION AREA - DAY A stylish, expensive LAW FIRM. Marcia enters and takes a seat. Anxious, she glances through a FILE OF PAPERS she brought. Another waiting WOMAN smiles awkwardly. WOMAN Don't you hate having to see lawyers? It just makes me sick to my stomach. Marcia stares. INT. MARCIA'S LAWYER'S OFFICE - LATER Marcia sits with her DIVORCE LAWYER. He has bad news. DIVORCE LAWYER Gordon isn't accepting the proposed terms of divorce. He wants to go to trial. MARCIA God DAMN it! (very upset) I don't have time for this!! DIVORCE LAWYER Marcia, you filed on Thursday. You knew what you were getting into. MARCIA Well, I didn't know OJ Simpson was gonna kill his wife on Sunday! Beat. DIVORCE LAWYER You have a lot on your plate. Divorce usually isn't simple.

35. MARCIA (hurt) I know! I've done this before! DIVORCE LAWYER Then you know how emotionally draining it is. This could go on for a year. (soft) As your friend, I'm worried for you. You're taking on too much. EXT. PARKING LOT - MINUTES LATER Marcia stands at her car, smoking a cigarette. Face pensive. She struggles to take a deep breath and clear her head. CUT TO: INT. OFFICE BUILDING - DAY An office door says "ORENTHAL ENTERPRISES" INT. ORENTHAL ENTERPRISES - DAY The office is filled with OJ merchandising and football memorabilia. and Kardashian sit with Robert Shapiro. Shapiro is in sales mode -- deferential, reassuring, calm. SHAPIRO Believe me, Howard Weitzman is a very "capable" lawyer. (choosing his words) But... I agree with your decision. You can't afford any more missteps. 0J nods. He pokes Kardashian -- see? SHAPTIRO In a situation like this, everything has to be done correctly. You cannot cut corners. You need to hire the best experts, the top investigators. od Already? SHAPTIRO Yes. Now. The D.A. is going to be throwing all their resources at this case. I don't know if you are aware, but they have a terrible rep for losing cases against the rich and famous. They're going to do everything, to win this one. Kardashian leans in.

KARDASHIAN 0J does have a good relationship with the cops. Sometimes they come over for tennis, Saturday pool parties... SHAPIRO That's useful. It's good to know. (theatrically, he "thinks") Hmm. I wonder... if you should join the team too. You could reactivate your license... you'd provide a special insight for us. 0oJ Absolutely! That's a great idea. I want Robert on this. Kardashian beams. SHAPTIRO Ok. Good. just one final thing: There's something I need to discuss privately with 0J...? 36. Shapiro glances at Kardashian. Kardashian gets the hint. Toady-like, Kardashian leaves. OJ doesn't comment. waits for the door to close. We MOVE IN on the MEN. is soothing, but in control. SHAPIRO Before I take a new criminal case, I always ask my client a question. I won't be judgmental. But —- I think it's crucial that attorney and client are truthful with each other. 1It's most constructive, as we proceed on this long road. Keep in mind, whatever you tell me is confidential. It won't leave this room. 0J stares. Wary, waiting. Shapiro proceeds. SHAPTIRO So. 0J, did you do it? CLOSEUP - OJ A profound stillness. Clear-eyed, he stares right at oJ No. I loved her. END ACT THREE Shapiro Shapiro Shapiro.

37. ACT FQUR INT. TV STUDIO - DAY A splashy NEWS SET, during a break. CREW run about. MONITORS run the broadcast. On a TV, we catch a snippet: ANCHOR (ON TV) ...sources say Simpson's arrest is imminent... Hair and makeup fuss over Johnnie, the guest of honor. He is high energy, telegenic. He chatters with the makeup crew: JOHNNIE Boy, I haven't been this popular since the Riots. My phone's been ringing off the hook! A famous black man's in trouble, so producers start going down that list: Jesse, Sharpton, Cochran. MAKEUP LADY Are you on the case? JOHNNIE Me? No no, my plate is full. I'm busy with a single mother who got shot nine times by the LAPD! Nothing your TV show wants to hear about. He glances at a TV MONITOR. Shapiro is on-camera. JOHNNIE Shapiro?! That's a head-scratcher! Why would you swap him for Howard Weltzman? They're the same person! That's who you call after you smash your Rolls, drunk on Mulholland! MAKEUP LADY Is he a bad lawyer? JOHNNTIE No! He's a fine lawyer -- if you just want to cop a deal. Shapiro doesn't like to get his hands dirty. He wants to get out of court as quickly as possible, so that he can get to the movie premiere. A CREWMAN motions at Johnnie: "Four, three, two, one..." The RED LIGHT on a CAMERA lights up. Suddenly, Johnnie puts on a big smile. He nods, listening to his EARPIECE.

38. JOHNNIE Thank you. It's good to be here. (he listens) Oh, I have nothing but admiration for Mr. Robert Shapiro. He's a very bright man. BUT..... .. {deadly) there are lawyers... and there are lawyers. I think if you actually want to try the case in court, you need a litigator. And I would not be surprised if you didn't see a lawyer -- a trial lawyer -- come in and do that. (he listens, then CHUCKLES) Yes, exactly. I concur! (he CHUCKLES) Alright. Well thank you. It was a pleasure. The camera light goes OFF. The studio lights dim. Johnnie removes his earpiece. A SOUND MAN comes over to unwire him. JOHNNTE 0J better be careful, or sShapiro's gonna send him down the river. SOUND MAN What if OJ asks you to help? Johnnie pauses, thrown a bit. JOHNNIE Hm. Well, that would be a predicament, wouldn't it? Because I like to win. {beat) And this case is a loser. CUT TO: INT. MARCIA'S OFFICE - DAY Marcia and Hodgman interview an intense woman, JILL SHIVELY, 30's. jaw agape. MARCIA You saw him? JILL Yeah. Sunday night, about 10:45. I was driving to Souplantation, on San Vicente. Suddenly this big white vehicle came screeching up Bundy. It was totally crazy! It ran the red. ({pause) Me and this other car had to hit our brakes, so we wouldn't crash into it, And then the white car honks at me! (MORE)