American scandal uses dramatizations that are based on true events.

Some elements, including dialogue, might be invented, but everything is based on historical research.

It's around 12.45 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, 1969. Christopher Huck Look is behind the wheel of his car on Chapiquitic, a small island off Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. Look is a part-time deputy sheriff, and tonight he's been working security at a regatta party in Eggertown.

He rubs his eyes and stifles a yawn, but as he nears his next turn,

Look is jolted alert by the headlights of a car rapidly approaching.

Look slows down and pulls off slightly to let the other driver pass.

And as the car flashes by in front of his headlights,

Look can see it's a black Oldsmobile with a man and a woman in the front seats.

They pull off the main road and onto a private dirt lane where the car stops.

Figuring the driver's a tourist in need of directions, Luke gets out of his

car. When he gets to within 30 feet of the Oldsmobile, he calls out. Hey evening, folks. Anything I can

help you with? The car suddenly shifts into drive and then speeds off, kicking up a cloud of dirt.

As the deputy sheriff, Look intuitively narrows his eyes on the license plate.

It's dark, but in the red glow of the taillights,

he can see it's a Massachusetts plate that begins with L7.

Then, with a shake of his head, look goes back to his car.

And as he drives off, it occurs to him that he's still wearing his police badge.

The pair in the Oldsmobile had probably been drinking and got spooked when they saw a cop.

But Look hasn't gone too much further when he's fought some more people,

a man and two women, dancing in a clumsy conga line in the middle of the road.

Look slows down and leans his head out the window.

Hey, you folks doing all right? Need a lift?

...