Outline - First Draft

Sisterly Love Outline



 Lizzie begins her story with the information she was told while she was in the Tauton jail awaiting trial. 

 Lizzie then jumps to what it was like growing up – showing how Emma acts one way, while manipulating everyone around her.

 Lizzie picks up her story about the time of the first major family melee—regarding their father giving Abby half interest in a house.

 Lizzie tells briefly of her time away from Fall River and her family – the only time in her life she felt ‘free and alive’.

 Lizzie’s returns home from her Grand Tour to find a even more divided and dysfunctional family.

 Fast-forward to the weeks preceding the murders and glimpses of Emma’s moods and Lizzie’s reactions.

 Lizzie truly does have a ‘bad feeling’ about things…but didn’t know about the murders before hand.  She didn’t even realize that a madman hadn’t committed them—until she had all those months in jail to think, and listen to the matron’s gossip.

 With Lizzie distressed about being held for trial for the double homicide, Emma is about to continue to gaslight her. 

 Lizzie remains quiet and hopeful—assured that someone will discover the true culprit—but she’s beginning to have some very unpleasant thoughts.

 The trial

 The acquittal

 The aftermath of fifteen years or so of sharing her home with someone she was more and more unsure about.

 Lizzie meets Nance O’Neil on a jaunt to Boston, and finds her first true friend (someone who didn’t know Emma and have preconceived notions about how virtuous her sister is.)

 Lizzie goes to the theatre in Boston and has a late night supper with Nance—who tells her exactly what she thinks of her sanctimonious sister.

 Lizzie goes home—her eyes open for the first time—and sees how Emma manipulates and controls her.

 Lizzie begins standing up to her sister—and Emma doesn’t take it well.

 There is a major blowup—where Emma reveals how she managed the murders, handled to potential witnesses and manipulated Lizzie and her lawyers.

 Lizzie throws Emma out of the house—telling her that she never wanted to see her again.  But she suggests that Emma at least write out a confession to remain sealed until her death.  Emma laughs at the notion.

 Lizzie grieves for her sister and both their souls—but finds no peace—in this world or the next.

 Lizzie’s spirit rises up from her grave, and floats up over the town of Fall River at last in peace.