Hi, all. Some of you may remember my short story “Capital Partners,” which came out a few years ago. It was published in the WRITES OF SPRING anthology, edited by the late Gary Schultz and Pat Frovarp, who also owned Once Upon A Crime, that wonderful bookstore in Minneapolis.
As time went on I couldn’t get the characters in Capital Partners out of my mind. So I decided to expand the story (at least in my mind) and write a TV pilot. I had a great time doing it — again, as some of you know, I used to work in Film and TV, and the process was like “coming home.” So, just for fun (and maybe profit — who knows?), here are the first 10 pages of the script. Let me know what you think. And enjoy!
First, the logline: When two women who dislike each other find out their husbands have been running a Ponzi scheme and owe millions to the Mafia, they put their differences aside to get their money back. However, along the way they discover they are being stalked by an unknown cyber-espionage organization.
CAPITAL PARTNERS: A TV Pilot
EXT. VAIL AIRPORT - MORNING
A Gulfstream waits outside a hangar on the tarmac. A limo
drives up. A softly plump man in his late 40s/early 50s with
longish gray hair, SY PENNINGTON, gets out. He's carrying his
bag. A crew member comes over, takes the bag and SY climbs up
the steps, ducks his head, and enters the plane.
INT GULFSTREAM - MORNING
Sy settles himself in a seat on the plane. Takes out some
papers, makes a few notes. The pilot calls through the
intercom.
PILOT V.O.
We're good here Mr. Pennington.
Ready to take off?
SY
Just a minute. I need to make a
call.
Sy pulls out his cell, punches in a number. Waits.
SY,
I'm just taking off. I'll meet you
at five at the Omni Shoreham bar.
The Oak something.
Sy Buckles his seat belt.
EXT. VAIL AIRPORT - MORNING
The plane taxis down the runway, gains speed, and takes off.
A few seconds later it explodes. A fireball forms in the sky
and slowly extinguishes. The few people at the hangars are
shocked.
INT. GULFSTREAM JET EVENING
TITLE: THREE DAYS EARLIER
The wine in a glass on the tray-top of a plush leather
airplane sloshes gently, then more forcefully. A woman's hand
grabs the glass. We see Faith MONTGOMERY, an attractive woman
in her early forties.
Faith plays down her beauty and appears meek, even naive. She
wears jeans and a sweater. She gulps a huge swallow of wine.
As she does, the plane bucks, indicating turbulence.Faith
grimaces and clutches the armrest with her free hand. A man's
hand covers hers.
Her husband, JAY MONTGOMERY is also in his early forties with
intense blue eyes and prematurely gray-white hair perversely
making him look younger. He wears more elegant jeans and a
jacket. Jay smiles fondly at Faith.
JAY
Sy said there's a foot of fresh
powder. This must be why.
The plane continues to buck. Wine spills on Faith's lap. She
looks down.
FAITH
He probably said that so you'd drop
everything and follow him out here.
You know how he hates to be alone.
JAY
He's got Dana.
FAITH
Like I said, he hates to be alone.
Faith's eyes widen at a particularly sudden drop. Jay
squeezes Faith's hand.
FAITH (CONT'D)
I shouldn't have said that, huh?
JAY
Don't worry baby. We're almost
there.
EXT. MONTAGE - NIGHT
ROLL CREDITS AND MUSIC over montage of Jay and Faith landing
safely at the Vail airport, crossing the tarmac to a waiting
limo, being driven to their home, a large chalet whose lights
sparkle against the inky sky. Jay unlocks the front door
where they are met by a uniformed housekeeper.
INT. CHALET HALL - NIGHT
A marble floor. Elegant sconces. Everything says luxury and
wealth. A fire crackles in another room.
HOUSEKEEPER
Two messages, Missus. Dinner at
eight with the Penningtons. And a
call for Mrs. Montgomery. A Mr.
Cole from Chicago. He left his
number.
JAY
Cole?
HOUSEKEEPER
Yes, sir.
FAITH
Thanks, Lucy.
Faith climbs the stairs to their bedroom.
INT. BEDROOM/BATHROOM - NIGHT
Sound of shower from the bathroom. Faith in bra and panties
applies her make-up at her dressing table.
The shower stops. A moment later, Jay emerges with a towel
wrapped around him. Faith is practicing polite smiles in the
mirror. Jay spots her reflection. When Faith sees that he's
watching, she stops. They both speak at the same time.
FAITH
I'm sorry...
JAY
Hey baby, it's not gonna be that
bad...
Faith rolls her eyes, picks up a black cocktail dress, and
holds it in front of her.
JAY (CONT'D (CONT'D)
It's only for a couple of hours.
FAITH
I know.
They gaze at each other via the mirror. Jay cocks his head.
JAY
You're not having an affair, are
you?
FAITH
What? Oh, the call. I have no idea
who 'Cole' is. Probably something
to do with Second Chances.
JAY
Just checking. (He grins, takes the
dress and throws it on the bed. He
nuzzles her cheek.)
FAITH
Mmm... I'm going to drop in
tomorrow before we ski. Make sure
everything's under control.
Jay tightens his arms around her.
JAY
Sometimes I think you care more
about that halfway house than me.
FAITH
It's a toss up.
Jay kisses her.
JAY
In that case, I guess I need to
remind you of your priorities.
You're my wife, and I wantСС
FAITH
Sweetheart, we're supposed to be at
dinner in 10 minutes.
JAY
Looks like we're gonna be late.
EXT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
The limo pulls up to "The Gilded Age," a new trendy Vail
restaurant. Faith and Jay hold hands and walk past a burbling
fountain.
INT. RESTAURANT NIGHT
A small room with maybe thirty tables, all filled. Faith
spots SY and DANA PENNINGTON at one of the largest tables in
the room. Dana wears a neon turquoise outfit.
In her late thirties, she has long blond hair, a great body,
and nary a wrinkle. Sy, on the other hand is softly plump,
has longish gray hair, thick fingers, and wears an open
collar shirt through which his chest hair pokes. He is the
man on the Gulfstream that exploded.
Dana waves. Faith smiles the same one she practiced in the
mirror. Jay and Faith weave between tables, some occupied by
Hollywood celebrities.
At the table Faith leans over to kiss Dana, then Sy.
FAITH
You look fabulous, Dana.
DANA
New trainer. He comes to me after
Demi Moore.
Sy makes a show of looking at his watch.
SY
You're late. Gotta stop having all
that sex. (Guffaws)
Dana giggles too and sips her martini.
SY (CONT'D)
They flew in lobster from Ecuador.
I ordered it for us, okay?
Jay pulls out Faith's chair then sits.
JAY
Sounds great.
Faith shoots Jay a quick glance. Jay ignores her and orders
white wine and scotch on the rocks from their waiter.
Sy waves to the waiter.
SY
And another round for us.
(turns to Jay) Everything OK on
your end?
JAY
Couldn't be better.
SY
You get my message?
JAY
I did.
SY
We need to talk.
JAY
I promised Faith a no-work weekend.
He glances at Faith.
SY
Just eating... and drinking...
and..
Sy leers. Dana slurs her words and flashes a brittle smile.
DANA
Skiing, Sy. They'll be skiing.
The waiter brings their drinks.
SY
It's important, partner.
JAY
Okay, Sy. I'll make time.
The conversation devolves to small talk. Sy loses interest
and gazes at other diners. He nods to those he deems worthy.
The waiter brings their meal under four silver domes. As soon
as he places Sy's and lifts the dome, Sy tears it off the
shell and stuffs the meat into his mouth. The other three
take their time.
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
The meal is over. The waiter takes their plates.
WAITER
Coffee?
FAITH
Please. Black.
JAY
Same here.
DANA
The cappuchino is really good.
JAY
You've had it before?
DANA
Last night.
SY
How do you think we got this table?
Hey, why don't you girls go to the
powder room? I want to talk to my
partner.
Dana rises as if she's used to doing Sy's bidding. Faith
hesitates and glances at Jay, who gives her a slight nod. She
gets up and follows Dana who walks unsteadily towards the
ladies room.
INT. LADIES ROOM - NIGHT
Upscale ladies room, theater lights on the wall, cloth
towels, mouthwash, hair spray, and other toiletries. The two
women wash their hands at the sink.
Dana looks over at Faith. Her lips part, but no words come
out. She goes to a brocaded bench, plops down heavily, and
pulls out her lipstick. Faith appears in the mirror above the
table. Dana pats the seat next to her. Faith sits.
Dana looks around, sees they are alone.
DANA
You've been a friend to me Faith.
You are my friend, right?
Faith hesitates a beat.
FAITH
Of course.
DANA
You're the only one, you know. No
one likes me. They never did. Sy's
kids... well, you know. Second wife
and all.
FAITH
Kids usually get past that kind of
thing.
DANA
Not Sy's.
FAITH
It will pass. You have a fairy tale
life, Dana. We both do.
DANA
That could be, but I have a feeling
the monster's at the door.
Dana shoots Faith a meaningful look.
FAITH
Huh?
DANA
I have something to tell you. But
it's confidential
She slurs the word "confidential."
DANA (CONT'D)
Something happened with Sy today.
And I think it involves Jay.
FAITH
They are partners.
DANA
This was different. But you can't
say anything.
Dana lifts her index finger to her lips. Faith powders her
nose.
DANA (CONT'D)
Sy had a visitor. They went into
Sy's office. They argued. Sy said
'I don't fucking believe you.'
FAITH
He does have a temper.
DANA
(Shakes her head)
Like I said, this was different.
After the guy left, Sy tells me
he's flying back east on Sunday.
FAITH
What was the man's name?
DANA
Sy wouldn't tell me.
FAITH
Okay. So why's he flying back?
Dana shrugs.
DANA
But here's the thing. (Pauses).
Right after the guy left, Sy called
someone else. Before he changed for
dinner.
FAITH
And?
DANA
I snuck into his office afterwards
and pressed redial.
Faith arches her eyebrows.
It was area code 202. DC. Someone
answered 'US Marshals, Mr.
Goodloe's office.'
FAITH
I don't get it.
DANA
That makes two of us.
FAITH
It's probably nothing.
DANA
Right. And the moon is made of blue
cheese.
Faith puts her compact away.
DANA (CONT'D)
You won't tell, will you, Not Jay.
Or anyone. If Sy finds out..."
Faith rises.
FAITH
We'd better get back.
Dana goes back to the sink. She fills a paper cup with
mouthwash, swishes it around, spits it out.
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
As the ladies come back to the table SY is gesticulating
wildly. Jay grins weakly. When Faith sits, Sy's hand
accidentally brushes her dress.
SY
Oh, sorry, Princess.
Faith grimaces.
INT. HALF-WAY HOUSE - DAY
Faith, in jeans and a sweat shirt, is in the kitchen of a
comfortable but modest house. She cheerfully washes breakfast
dishes and stacks them in a drain.
TERRY, a rail-thin woman in her twenties with lank hair but
bright eyes, is in sweats. She dries.
FAITH
So you doing okay, Ter'?
TERRY
Sure.
Faith stops washing and looks at Terry.
FAITH
I'm not hearing a resounding 'YEH,
Faith, everything's cool.' What's
going on?
TERRY
Nothing.
FAITH
Right. And I'm Grace Slick.
TERRY
You really have a thing for her
don't you?
FAITH
The Airplane was my mother's
favorite group. She almost named me
for her.
Terry continues to dry.
TERRY
I hear she's a painter now. In
Marin County.
FAITH
She was lucky.
TERRY
How so?
FAITH
She's still alive.
TERRY
What? You think she had a jones?
FAITH
Do you?
TERRY
I don't think so.
FAITH
Because...
TERRY
Because her life was going 90 miles
an hour. Partying, singing, song
writing, sex, success. No down
time. Everything was red, yellow,
and orange. All the time.
Faith cocks her head.
TERRY (CONT'D)
She was on one big A jones for
life. She didn't need H like we do.
Or did.
FAITH
Plenty of rockers are addicts.
TERRY
Yeah, I know. They're the ones that
can afford to drop in and out of
rehab as many times as they want.
Between trips on their private jets
to who knows where. But the rest of
us? Look at me. I got nothing. No
talent, no special gifts. I have to
live in the gray. And there are
days when it feels like it's
sucking me under.
Faith keeps her mouth shut. When she turns to Terry, her eyes
fill.
FAITH
But that's it, Terry.
TERRY
What?
Faith runs her fingers down Terry's cheek.
FAITH
You've been clean now for how long?
TERRY
Eighteen months.
FAITH
That's amazing! Even if it's gray,
you're alive. Coping. Working the
steps. Getting ready for the sun.
Lots of people never get that far.
Faith bites her lip.
FAITH, CONT.
Like my mother.
Terry looks like she wants to say something but dries another
plate.