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Spotlight · written by Josh Singer & Tom McCarthy · 2015
Scene 52 of 143 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two
The Boston Globe's Spotlight team pries open the Catholic Church's decades-long cover-up of child abuse — one sealed record, one silenced victim at a time.
Robby's Spotlight team operates comfortably inside its own routine, prospecting a modest police-corruption story under a departing editor's cover.
Baron's outsider question exposes what the paper has never done: investigate whether Cardinal Law knowingly protected an abusive priest.
The team sets aside its own project and enters unfamiliar territory: survivor networks, a hostile plaintiff's lawyer, and a legal fight to unseal church records.
Phil Saviano tells the team abuse this systemic isn't just physical, it's spiritual: 'if it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to abuse one.'
Sacha and Crowley walk through Titus Sparrow Park as he describes escalating abuse by Shanley, tearfully explaining why he never told anyone.
McSorley leaves Garabedian's office late at night, offering his real name; Garabedian calls him 'one of the lucky ones' since he's still alive. Sacha then calls Crowley, learns his old lawyer was MacLeish, and calls Robby to confirm Shanley as their fourth priest.
Ben packs up for the night when Robby catches him with a question.
This scene
Ben and Robby walk. Robby sees Marty in his office, working.
ROBBY
Does he ever go home?
BEN
Apparently not. I got guys who
won’t leave ‘til he does, he’s
wearing out the goddamn newsroom.
Robby smiles.
BEN (CONT’D)
Where are we on Geoghan?
ROBBY
Following up with more victims. I
want to expand the investigation.
BEN
Why?
ROBBY
We got a fourth priest. There might
be as many as thirteen.
BEN
Thirteen? Who’s your source?
ROBBY
Phil Saviano.
Ben stops.
BEN
Christ, Robby, I told Mike --
ROBBY
I know. I think Saviano might be
legit, Ben.
BEN
You wanna elaborate on that?
ROBBY
No. Not yet. Just feels like this
is stacking up. That’s my gut.
Robby doesn’t embellish. The case is turning.
BEN
Okay.
ROBBY
Good. Thanks.
Robby walks off. Ben watches him go... then heads out --