American scandal uses dramatizations that are based on true events.

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

Thank you. It's the early hours of July 23, 1982, at the County Sheriff's Department in downtown Los Angeles, California.

In the homicide office, 36-year-old Sergeant Tom Budz is alone on the night shift.

He's stretched out on a thin mattress spread across two desks.

He's got his shoes off and a half-red book lies on the floor beside him.

Buds has already worked a full shift today, and he's taking the opportunity to get some much-needed rest when the silence of the empty office is interrupted by a phone call.

Bud rolls over and glances at the clock. It's 3 a.m. He groans, sits up and grabs the telephone.

Yeah, Sergeant Buds, homicide. Sorry, disturb you, Sergeant. Budz recognizes the voice. It's a deputy from the

substation in Santa Clarita, 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Bud cradles the receiver under his

chin and grabs a pen. Hey there. Well, what do you got for us? Warrior Brothers is shooting a movie up

at Indian Dunes and a helicopter's just crashed on set. We've got three dead and six injured.

Buds writes it all down. When did this happen?

About half an hour ago. So what, 2.30?

About that. All right, any idea what happened?

Sounds like a special effect went wrong. Something like an explosion hit the helicopter.

The injured have been taken to the hospital at Valencia.

Are they badly hurt? I don't know. I don't think so. But we've got three bodies. Now, are they still on the

scene? Yes, sir. Any witnesses? Around 150, apparently, the entire crew was there. It was the new

Steven Spielberg movie. Well, he's one of the producers anyways. Wow, was he there?

No, he's an executive producer or something. So he's not directing it? No, that's John Landis. He did the Blues Brothers, I think. I didn't see it. All right, I'll talk to the lieutenant. You said Indian Dunes, right? Remind me. Well, from the interstate, you'd want to head down the off-lamp at 126.

Go west for a couple of miles, and you'll see a sign for Newhall Land and Farming Company. They own the property. We should be there within the hour. I'll make sure there's someone at the gate to meet you. All right, thanks. Oh, and Sergeant, just so you know, two of the victims were kids.

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