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 2006 in Puget Sound near Seattle, Washington. Wendy Rush paces the deck of a small motorboat,

her boots clacking against the fiberglass. It's a beautiful day. The late afternoon sun sends

darts of light dancing over the waves, but Wendy barely notices. Her eyes are fixed on

what's beneath the water. A cluster of bubbles appears, followed by a strange silhouette wobbling

upward in the swell. Wendy leans forward as a bright yellow mini submersible rises to the surface.

A moment later, its top hatch swings open, and her husband's head pops out.

For the past few months, Stockton Rush has been building this 13-foot mini-submersible

using parts and blueprints obtained from a company in London. He insists it's safe,

but Wendy couldn't shake the nerves when he took the sub under the waves for the first time half an hour ago.

With a wide grin on his face, Stockton calls out from the sub.

Oh, that was incredible. Incredible.

Wendy throws him a rope, and Stockton loops it through the metal ring on the top of the yellow hull before throwing it back to her.

She pulls him in.

You said you'd be 20 minutes.

I couldn't resist.

I wanted to just stay down a little longer.

Here, help me out.

Stockton reaches out for her hand.

He pulls himself awkwardly from the hatch wriggling, like he's crawling out of a sleeping bag.

When he's finally free, Wendy helps him climb up onto the motorboat.

...