Bob Carson, a young man from the country, leaves for the city in order that he may earn enough money to marry Mary Carter. After several years of plodding effort he is shown as a telegraph operator in a Rocky Mountain station. Black Jack and his band plan to hold up a train carrying a large shipment of gold, and, in order that their crime may be covered up, decide to cause a head-on collision. They force Carson to send the message that will cause the accident, under the cover of their guns, with the certainty that if he refuses he will be killed and Black Jack, an ex-telegrapher, will send the message himself. Immediately afterward he receives a message apprising him that his sweetheart is dead. With nothing left in life to live for he jumps to the telegraph instrument and, before the bandit realizes what he is doing, countermands his orders, saying as he does so: “There will be no wreck now. We will meet across the Great Divide.” As the last click of the instrument ceases, the bandit, realizing what he has done, shoots him dead. [From three hundred to five hundred words should suffice for your synopsis. Have it tell all the important points of your story, but don’t go into unnecessary detail that the action scenario can explain. The synopsis is the most important part of your manuscript; it is the first thing the editor reads--and often the last. Make it clear, convincing, and brief--your sale depends largely on it.] The second page: CAST OF CHARACTERS Bob Carson--Young country lad, later a telegrapher. Mary Carter--His sweetheart, country dress, sunbonnet, etc. Black Jack--Heavy-set desperado. Bird Stevens--Outlaw, lieutenant of Black Jack. Red--Shifty-eyed, suspicious-looking character. Another telegrapher. Superintendent. Call-boy. Four other desperados. Boy to represent Carson at age of twelve. Carson’s mother. [Some of these players will appear for but a few seconds, but you must list every character to appear on the screen. Brief descriptions will suffice unless you want some particular type.] SCENES _Interior_: Attic room--5. Rocky Mountain despatch-office--8, 11, 16, 20, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46. Section of day-coach--10. Section-house, sleeping-bunks, 40. * * * * * _Exterior_: Farm-yard--1, 3, 9. River-wharf--2, 4, 6. Western Union city office--6. Cut through rocky gorge--12, 14. Woods near railroad track--13. Clearing in woods--15. Mountain road--17. Small station--18, 28, 30, 42. Clearing on ridge--22. Railroad tracks near station--23. Another section of mountain road--19. Cross-roads--24. Tree with swing--21. Woods, with despatch-office in sight--25. Bushes at side of railroad track--26. Down railroad track as seen from 26--27, 35.