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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 early February 1901 at the Angel Island quarantine station in San Francisco Bay.

Dr. Joseph Kinion is in his lab searching frantically through his files.

Last week, an independent commission of three doctors arrived in California from the East Coast.

Their purpose was to establish once and for all whether Kenyon has been telling the truth about the bubonic plague in San Francisco.

If those three doctors back him, Kenyon hopes the city will finally agree to do what is necessary to stop the spread of the disease.

But if they rule against him,

his once-glittering career is likely over.

Kynion rifles through scattered documents on his desk, frustration mounting. No, no,

where the devil is it? He storms across the lab to a shelving unit on the far wall.

Dragging a step ladder into place, he stretches toward a box,

wedge behind rows of test tubes on the top shelf.

Straining to reach it, he finally grabs the box, but then loses his balance.

The ladder slips, then topples, bringing Kenyon, the box of documents, and the test tubes crashing to the ground. Ah, damn it! The laboratory door opens, and Kenyon's wife, Lizzie rushes him. Joseph, are you hurt? Watch out for the glass. The damn ladder fell down. You're pleading. No, I'm fine. It's nothing. Let me see. I said I'm fine. Kenyon hauls himself upright, wincing. His hair hangs damp and unkempt around his face.

His shirt clings with sweat. Lizzie frowns with concern. What were you even doing up there?

...