McQueen P.I.'s
It all started when Moira McQueen, wife, mother of two, and Regional Manager at “Le Perfection”, suspected her husband,
Gary Parker, of straying with his secretary, twenty something, Patti Dunbar. Not wishing to confront him, she hired a private
Investigator, Ralph Lennox, to snoop. Distraught when Lennox confirmed her suspicions, she dialled her younger sister,
Darraugh, exec at “Bedlam, Talbot and Macy”, and her widowed mother, Harriet, for advice and consolation.
Three years later the saga of their fated fall into the detective business is told in flashbacks to their hairdresser, Gloria Cortez,
as she trims Moira’s sandy locks and highlights Darraugh’s beige ones. Harriet joins them later for a manicure, adding her two
cents.
“It was raining”, Darraugh said, on the day the three of us met at a nearby fish restaurant in Ames, Iowa to ponder the best
course of action Moira should take as to Gary’s fall from grace; whether or not to pay the outrageous bill sent by “Lennox
Enterprises”; and to ascertain the seriousness of Gary’s indiscretion with his secretary. Was it only a fleeting romance or
the real thing? Moira was inclined to let it ride. She hated confrontations. But it was not to be. All hell broke loose when Gary discovered the bill from Lennox and confronted Moira. “What’s this?” He said.
After that, well, mayhem really; deceit, betrayal, heartbreak, accident, death, trials, literally as well as metaphorically;
All of which , over time, forced them to become what they were today, the renown “McQueen P.I.’s” .
Gloria, impressed but conflicted, queries their choice of employment.. “I mean it’s such a tough business. Full of betrayals,
lies told, hearts broken, people deceived. I don’t envy you.” “Still,” Darraugh says. “We’ll never be out of work.”
Newly coifed, they hit the road.
Gary Parker, of straying with his secretary, twenty something, Patti Dunbar. Not wishing to confront him, she hired a private
Investigator, Ralph Lennox, to snoop. Distraught when Lennox confirmed her suspicions, she dialled her younger sister,
Darraugh, exec at “Bedlam, Talbot and Macy”, and her widowed mother, Harriet, for advice and consolation.
Three years later the saga of their fated fall into the detective business is told in flashbacks to their hairdresser, Gloria Cortez,
as she trims Moira’s sandy locks and highlights Darraugh’s beige ones. Harriet joins them later for a manicure, adding her two
cents.
“It was raining”, Darraugh said, on the day the three of us met at a nearby fish restaurant in Ames, Iowa to ponder the best
course of action Moira should take as to Gary’s fall from grace; whether or not to pay the outrageous bill sent by “Lennox
Enterprises”; and to ascertain the seriousness of Gary’s indiscretion with his secretary. Was it only a fleeting romance or
the real thing? Moira was inclined to let it ride. She hated confrontations. But it was not to be. All hell broke loose when Gary discovered the bill from Lennox and confronted Moira. “What’s this?” He said.
After that, well, mayhem really; deceit, betrayal, heartbreak, accident, death, trials, literally as well as metaphorically;
All of which , over time, forced them to become what they were today, the renown “McQueen P.I.’s” .
Gloria, impressed but conflicted, queries their choice of employment.. “I mean it’s such a tough business. Full of betrayals,
lies told, hearts broken, people deceived. I don’t envy you.” “Still,” Darraugh says. “We’ll never be out of work.”
Newly coifed, they hit the road.
MRS. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON
When Senator Grimes, the father of a young 3rd grade teacher, Sadie Smith, suddenly passes away, Sadie is asked by the governor to fill her father’s shoes until the special election, three months away. Although reluctant to leave her job and family, her husband, Matt, and a colleague of her father’s, Senator Bianchi, persuade her to seize the opportunity.
Initially she is met with a bewildering array of committees, sub-committees, hot button issues and soirees. At a welcome to Washington dinner given by Senator Bianchi, she is goaded and teased by guests to justify her appointment. By the time she has explained her one idea, a civics bill, guests dwindle away. Warned that there could be ‘push back’, she nevertheless
presents the proposed bill to the Senate. While the Education Committee does a cost analysis, Sadie’s mother, Roz, discovers a bank book containing $750,000 in one of her ex husband’s old suits. It turns out the late Senator was heavily indebted, so the question arises, “why didn’t he use the money?” The answer gradually comes to light and eventually Sadie is
implicated. She is asked to testify before the Oversight Committee as well as the Ethics Committee, who vote 4 - 2 to censure her. At the same time she makes the ‘morning news’ after her drink is spiked at a soiree, raising questions about her character.
Her husband, Matt and their six year old, Ryan, fly to D.C. to support her in her hour of need. Roz helps by looking
after Ryan, while Sadie prepares for her trial before the full Senate. Refuting all allegations, Sadie points out the correlation between the various investigations into her personal life and her proposed civics bill. As proof, she cites the recent offer by a Senator: “Drop the civics bill and the censure motion will go away". Naturally, there is outrage, accusation, arguments, and
vilification. The temperature rises as the Chamber heats up. The Senate President gavels for order while Senator Bianchi walks out in a rage, taking a good majority with him. At this point Sadie notes that Matt is not in the gallery. She soon learns why. A Page delivers a note from him, “Ryan is missing. Gone to your mother’s.” Although stunned and anxious, Sadie realizes that if she yields the floor, the nightmare of this hatchet job will never end. And so with great difficulty, she continues. She cites Madison’s words, regarding the great difficulty the founders had in ratifying the constitution. She quotes the preamble to that document, “In order to form a more perfect union...” `so, you see, she says, we were not perfect. Each generation must embrace democracy and that is why this civics bill is so important to our future. She evokes the many challenges the country has faced since its founding. There were cries of secession as early as 1790, the “nullification crisis” during Jackson’s time, our own civil war, more recently the Cold War, Vietnam, a decade of assassinations in the 60’s, Watergate in the 70’s, the scandals in the 80’s and 90’s and of course, 9/11 and its aftermath. And we have endured. Then, on her last legs, Sadie looks to the gallery where there is a commotion. Matt and Ryan are taking their seats. “Ryan”, she gasps. “Hi mom.”, he calls. Then he explains that
he was hiding in Rocco’s dog house because Rocco got scared of the sirens ad the fire engines. Sadie apologizes to her colleagues, explaining that her son - was reported missing...but now - he’s not. She collapses in tears.
As the credits roll Roz and Ryan, Matt and Sadie walk near the Washington Monument. The older generation passing on to the younger the history of the man named Washington and how he endured.
Initially she is met with a bewildering array of committees, sub-committees, hot button issues and soirees. At a welcome to Washington dinner given by Senator Bianchi, she is goaded and teased by guests to justify her appointment. By the time she has explained her one idea, a civics bill, guests dwindle away. Warned that there could be ‘push back’, she nevertheless
presents the proposed bill to the Senate. While the Education Committee does a cost analysis, Sadie’s mother, Roz, discovers a bank book containing $750,000 in one of her ex husband’s old suits. It turns out the late Senator was heavily indebted, so the question arises, “why didn’t he use the money?” The answer gradually comes to light and eventually Sadie is
implicated. She is asked to testify before the Oversight Committee as well as the Ethics Committee, who vote 4 - 2 to censure her. At the same time she makes the ‘morning news’ after her drink is spiked at a soiree, raising questions about her character.
Her husband, Matt and their six year old, Ryan, fly to D.C. to support her in her hour of need. Roz helps by looking
after Ryan, while Sadie prepares for her trial before the full Senate. Refuting all allegations, Sadie points out the correlation between the various investigations into her personal life and her proposed civics bill. As proof, she cites the recent offer by a Senator: “Drop the civics bill and the censure motion will go away". Naturally, there is outrage, accusation, arguments, and
vilification. The temperature rises as the Chamber heats up. The Senate President gavels for order while Senator Bianchi walks out in a rage, taking a good majority with him. At this point Sadie notes that Matt is not in the gallery. She soon learns why. A Page delivers a note from him, “Ryan is missing. Gone to your mother’s.” Although stunned and anxious, Sadie realizes that if she yields the floor, the nightmare of this hatchet job will never end. And so with great difficulty, she continues. She cites Madison’s words, regarding the great difficulty the founders had in ratifying the constitution. She quotes the preamble to that document, “In order to form a more perfect union...” `so, you see, she says, we were not perfect. Each generation must embrace democracy and that is why this civics bill is so important to our future. She evokes the many challenges the country has faced since its founding. There were cries of secession as early as 1790, the “nullification crisis” during Jackson’s time, our own civil war, more recently the Cold War, Vietnam, a decade of assassinations in the 60’s, Watergate in the 70’s, the scandals in the 80’s and 90’s and of course, 9/11 and its aftermath. And we have endured. Then, on her last legs, Sadie looks to the gallery where there is a commotion. Matt and Ryan are taking their seats. “Ryan”, she gasps. “Hi mom.”, he calls. Then he explains that
he was hiding in Rocco’s dog house because Rocco got scared of the sirens ad the fire engines. Sadie apologizes to her colleagues, explaining that her son - was reported missing...but now - he’s not. She collapses in tears.
As the credits roll Roz and Ryan, Matt and Sadie walk near the Washington Monument. The older generation passing on to the younger the history of the man named Washington and how he endured.
MERRY WIVES
When SIR JOHN FARNSWORTH, that notorious theatrical impresario, lost everything he had, including a large estate, he retreated to a country village with his two long time colleagues, Pete and Lacy.
Once settled, he sets out to restore his fortunes by ingratiating himself with the locals, especially the former ballerina, ALICE FORBES, married to wealthy farmer Frank, and to the lithe, mother of two, MARTHA PIGEON, married to banker/philanthropist, George.
A campaign to woo the wives as a path to the coffers of their husbands,’ is undertaken. After only a brief introduction at the Harvest Dance and Buffet, Sir John mails identical love letters to both wives, declaring his passion for each and the hopes for reciprocal affection.
The wives, both good mates, roar in indignation as they compare letters over the phone. They decide to take their revenge on this presumptuous Knight. AUDREY BELLOWS, a local bar maid, also known as QUICKLY, is employed as a go-between. Sir John is to meet both at the local Leisure Centre, Martha in the pool at 11:00 and Alice at the ice rink at 12:00. Assured by Quickly that neither has an inkling that he wrote to both wives, he agrees to the meet,
As Martha does her laps in the pool, rotund Sir John, floats like a beached whale, that is, until he floats out of his lane into the path of an irate swimmer. Martha curtails her laps, and takes Sir John to her ‘Yoga Class’ where he awkwardly takes the ‘petal position’. Noting the clock on the wall, he excuses himself with a promise to be in touch, and dashes to the ice rink to rendezvous with Alice.
Alice, a skilled skater, helps the inexperienced Sir John around the rink. Sweet nothings are whispered by Sir John as he clings to the ‘boards’ with one hand and to Alice with the other. Promises to meet in a less public venue are made, then Alice skates away, leaving Sir John to his fate. Instantly he takes a spill on his backside, putting him out of action for a day or two.
Undaunted, Sir John endures several more attempts to seduce the wives, with dire consequences. He is last seen at the Herne Hill Halloween ‘do’, dressed as a STAG, being pinched by a gang of ‘fairies with sparklers for refusing to give them a ‘treat’.
When the wives confess their treachery, he realizes he has been ‘made an ass’.
Note: Loosely based on Shakespeare’s, ‘MERRY WIVES of WINDSOR’.
Once settled, he sets out to restore his fortunes by ingratiating himself with the locals, especially the former ballerina, ALICE FORBES, married to wealthy farmer Frank, and to the lithe, mother of two, MARTHA PIGEON, married to banker/philanthropist, George.
A campaign to woo the wives as a path to the coffers of their husbands,’ is undertaken. After only a brief introduction at the Harvest Dance and Buffet, Sir John mails identical love letters to both wives, declaring his passion for each and the hopes for reciprocal affection.
The wives, both good mates, roar in indignation as they compare letters over the phone. They decide to take their revenge on this presumptuous Knight. AUDREY BELLOWS, a local bar maid, also known as QUICKLY, is employed as a go-between. Sir John is to meet both at the local Leisure Centre, Martha in the pool at 11:00 and Alice at the ice rink at 12:00. Assured by Quickly that neither has an inkling that he wrote to both wives, he agrees to the meet,
As Martha does her laps in the pool, rotund Sir John, floats like a beached whale, that is, until he floats out of his lane into the path of an irate swimmer. Martha curtails her laps, and takes Sir John to her ‘Yoga Class’ where he awkwardly takes the ‘petal position’. Noting the clock on the wall, he excuses himself with a promise to be in touch, and dashes to the ice rink to rendezvous with Alice.
Alice, a skilled skater, helps the inexperienced Sir John around the rink. Sweet nothings are whispered by Sir John as he clings to the ‘boards’ with one hand and to Alice with the other. Promises to meet in a less public venue are made, then Alice skates away, leaving Sir John to his fate. Instantly he takes a spill on his backside, putting him out of action for a day or two.
Undaunted, Sir John endures several more attempts to seduce the wives, with dire consequences. He is last seen at the Herne Hill Halloween ‘do’, dressed as a STAG, being pinched by a gang of ‘fairies with sparklers for refusing to give them a ‘treat’.
When the wives confess their treachery, he realizes he has been ‘made an ass’.
Note: Loosely based on Shakespeare’s, ‘MERRY WIVES of WINDSOR’.
AIRLIFT
“AIRLIFT" takes place in post war London, Philadelphia, and Berlin, Germany. It is a story of love found, lost, and recovered, played out against the hardships of a bankrupt Britain, a surging American economy, and the start of the Cold war between the USSR and the U.S. and its allies.
A budding romance between an American B-17 pilot, KYLE MARSH, and a bright eyed, precocious linguist, CATHY CHEPSTOW, is cut short when Marsh’s B-17 is shot down in late 1944. He is hospitalized stateside for several months and loses contact with Cathy. Filling the gap is Kyle’s long time fiancée, MARILYN FITZHUGH, who is bedside to help him forget the past and look to the future. They marry and set up house in a stunning apartment, all paid for by Kyle’s father-in-law, who did very well indeed, business-wise, during the war.
Back in Britain we find Cathy living with her parents above a “Picture Framing Shop” which her father keeps in a slap dash sort of way. She has a long time boy friend, DAVE, and a tenuous job as a journalist for a South London paper. There is also a two year old ‘little brother’ running around the shop, the apparent product of her parents.
When the Cold War heats up, and all ground transport into West Berlin is blocked by the Soviets, the allies initiate the Berlin Airlift. It is a 24 hour operation, flying both food and coal from RAF and U.S. bases in Germany into Berlin. Pilots are needed, especially former B-17 pilots. Despite objections from his wife, Kyle answers the call and heads to Montana for training on the Transports and then on to Berlin.
As it would happen, Cathy too will be heading for Germany. A “TIMES” staff writer, NIGEL FEETWOOD, needs a German translator to fly with him to Berlin. He is doing a feature for his paper on the ‘Airlift’. Cathy seizes the opportunity taking the family Leica along to grab some pics. It is a big break and she is thrilled until her final day when she sees Kyle in the pilot seat of his Transport as it is being unloaded. Shocked, as she had no idea that Kyle was still alive, she avoids what would be a very stressful encounter, and returns to Britain. But what she doesn’t know is that Kyle caught a glimpse of her as she was driven away in the canteen jeep.
He makes inquiries, finds out her details, and is determined to look her up. He wangles a weekend pass to fly a C-47, in for repairs, to an RAF Base outside of London. At the framing shop, they miss each other, but after confusion and trepidation, they eventually meet. Her mother suggests they take her ‘little brother’ to the park for their get together. Kyle has twigged that the child might be his but Cathy is silent on that subject. After all, he’s married, she’s practically engaged, and they are living world’s apart. Better to let it rest. Kyle has different ideas.
It makes it easier to call it quits with his resentful wife as she has been having an affair while he was away in Berlin. He blames the war, not her, but nevertheless, wants out. All of them, he says, were to some degree casualties of the war.
After tearful goodbyes he heads for London, Victoria Station and the waiting arms of Cathy.
A budding romance between an American B-17 pilot, KYLE MARSH, and a bright eyed, precocious linguist, CATHY CHEPSTOW, is cut short when Marsh’s B-17 is shot down in late 1944. He is hospitalized stateside for several months and loses contact with Cathy. Filling the gap is Kyle’s long time fiancée, MARILYN FITZHUGH, who is bedside to help him forget the past and look to the future. They marry and set up house in a stunning apartment, all paid for by Kyle’s father-in-law, who did very well indeed, business-wise, during the war.
Back in Britain we find Cathy living with her parents above a “Picture Framing Shop” which her father keeps in a slap dash sort of way. She has a long time boy friend, DAVE, and a tenuous job as a journalist for a South London paper. There is also a two year old ‘little brother’ running around the shop, the apparent product of her parents.
When the Cold War heats up, and all ground transport into West Berlin is blocked by the Soviets, the allies initiate the Berlin Airlift. It is a 24 hour operation, flying both food and coal from RAF and U.S. bases in Germany into Berlin. Pilots are needed, especially former B-17 pilots. Despite objections from his wife, Kyle answers the call and heads to Montana for training on the Transports and then on to Berlin.
As it would happen, Cathy too will be heading for Germany. A “TIMES” staff writer, NIGEL FEETWOOD, needs a German translator to fly with him to Berlin. He is doing a feature for his paper on the ‘Airlift’. Cathy seizes the opportunity taking the family Leica along to grab some pics. It is a big break and she is thrilled until her final day when she sees Kyle in the pilot seat of his Transport as it is being unloaded. Shocked, as she had no idea that Kyle was still alive, she avoids what would be a very stressful encounter, and returns to Britain. But what she doesn’t know is that Kyle caught a glimpse of her as she was driven away in the canteen jeep.
He makes inquiries, finds out her details, and is determined to look her up. He wangles a weekend pass to fly a C-47, in for repairs, to an RAF Base outside of London. At the framing shop, they miss each other, but after confusion and trepidation, they eventually meet. Her mother suggests they take her ‘little brother’ to the park for their get together. Kyle has twigged that the child might be his but Cathy is silent on that subject. After all, he’s married, she’s practically engaged, and they are living world’s apart. Better to let it rest. Kyle has different ideas.
It makes it easier to call it quits with his resentful wife as she has been having an affair while he was away in Berlin. He blames the war, not her, but nevertheless, wants out. All of them, he says, were to some degree casualties of the war.
After tearful goodbyes he heads for London, Victoria Station and the waiting arms of Cathy.
MYLA
When a young farm girl, MYLA MCDOUGALL, learns that she will have no stake in the western Australian farm she was born and raised on; that the Will of her grandfather leaves all to her dad, Justin and her brother, Matt, she decides to pack up and go. With a helping hand from her mother, Charity, a former backpacker from the states, she sets out to visit Aunt Sunny and her husband, who happens to be the U.S. president.
Meanwhile, First Lieutenant Cal Tanaka, is up for a courts martial after a bar brawl near Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he took on several bikers intent on mutilating his African American army buddy, Dan Russell. In lieu of a courts martial, he reluctantly accepts a ‘Special Duty’ assignment, escorting Myla around D.C. and keeping her away form the White House.
Sparks fly when Myla tells her mother that Aunt Sunny gave her the bum’s rush, and that she is persona non grata. Strings are pulled in Canberra and suffice it to say that U.S. – Australian relations could be damaged if an invitation is not forthcoming. And so Myla and her army escort meet the president for a private dinner, get a tour of the White House, and an invitation to stop by the president’s west Texas ranch on Myla’s prospective road trip across the states. Cal, who expected his assignment would be over in a couple of days, is ordered to go along with Myla for protection.
As it turns out it is Cal who may need the protection. The biker gang is seeking revenge over the bar brawl. Already his apartment has been trashed and flooded. And this is just a taster. Cal explains to his commanding officer that Myla could be in jeopardy if he continues as her escort. His appeal holds no water with the brass. The president likes you,
he is told. And so Myla’s adventure across the states, visiting historical sites as well as Cal’s parents in Tennessee, is tracked by the bikers all the way to the president’s ranch. Myla is in her element at the ranch, but Cal is worried about her safety. In fact, he is absolutely smitten with the girl, this free spirit from down under, her love of the land, and her love of life.
After some turmoil, thunder storms, wolves of one sort or another, lambs caught on barbed wire, and bikers corralled, Myla agrees that she is taken with Cal as well. A Rose Garden wedding is on offer and a small farm in the Salinas Valley. And so Myla gets her inheritance after all, and then some.
Meanwhile, First Lieutenant Cal Tanaka, is up for a courts martial after a bar brawl near Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he took on several bikers intent on mutilating his African American army buddy, Dan Russell. In lieu of a courts martial, he reluctantly accepts a ‘Special Duty’ assignment, escorting Myla around D.C. and keeping her away form the White House.
Sparks fly when Myla tells her mother that Aunt Sunny gave her the bum’s rush, and that she is persona non grata. Strings are pulled in Canberra and suffice it to say that U.S. – Australian relations could be damaged if an invitation is not forthcoming. And so Myla and her army escort meet the president for a private dinner, get a tour of the White House, and an invitation to stop by the president’s west Texas ranch on Myla’s prospective road trip across the states. Cal, who expected his assignment would be over in a couple of days, is ordered to go along with Myla for protection.
As it turns out it is Cal who may need the protection. The biker gang is seeking revenge over the bar brawl. Already his apartment has been trashed and flooded. And this is just a taster. Cal explains to his commanding officer that Myla could be in jeopardy if he continues as her escort. His appeal holds no water with the brass. The president likes you,
he is told. And so Myla’s adventure across the states, visiting historical sites as well as Cal’s parents in Tennessee, is tracked by the bikers all the way to the president’s ranch. Myla is in her element at the ranch, but Cal is worried about her safety. In fact, he is absolutely smitten with the girl, this free spirit from down under, her love of the land, and her love of life.
After some turmoil, thunder storms, wolves of one sort or another, lambs caught on barbed wire, and bikers corralled, Myla agrees that she is taken with Cal as well. A Rose Garden wedding is on offer and a small farm in the Salinas Valley. And so Myla gets her inheritance after all, and then some.
THE GOLDILOCKS ZONE
Recently, astronomers have discovered seven new planets that mirror the earth’s atmosphere and consequently could support life as we know it. They named their discovery, “The Goldilocks Zone”.
This tale takes place in the future, 2250 to be exact; space travel is not only common, but typical. A few early settlers from 2078 onward have blossomed into thousands, all looking for a better life; commercial interests too have cropped up, including DSM, ‘Deep Space Mining’, a family firm that went public and is listed on the stock market.
DSM is located on Planet ZX in the Goldilocks Zone, and more specifically at Camp Sutter whose gold mines have expanded over the years and made their principal shareholder, GREG LARSON, a very wealthy man, not to mention his x wife, ADELE, who sits on the board.
Their daughter, PERSEPHONE (Steph), coming off a college degree and a year in Mongolia, has gone to work for the family firm, recruiting potential miners willing to sign a 12 month contract to mine for gold on ZX. The carrot for those who extend is the possibility of moving from the mines to the Isle of Eden in the Ghion Sea. Or paradise. The island was discovered by an early settler , Henry Eden.
Steph finds recruiting a grind, but wants to make good. Against her dad’s wishes she decides to contact former DSM employees, hoping for first hand testimonials about their fabulous time on ZX. But she hits a brick wall. Most won’t talk, those who do want money to say anything positive. Apparently, working the mines on ZX is not the great adventure it is purported to be. Some have even cracked up.
As she digs deeper, her dad tries to get her out of recruiting and recruits Adele, her mother, to speak to her. Adele reluctantly agrees and puts Steph in the picture with the admonition, ‘DON’T ROCK THE BOAT”.
Naively, Steph persists until she finds herself drugged, kidnapped, jailed, with no other option than to go along with a prison scheme to send her to Camp Sutter. In return her sentence and previous “doctored’ record will be expunged.
At Camp Sutter she runs into an undercover CIA agent, TJ (an alias) investigating the disappearance of a Commando Team sent to check out mysterious happenings on Eden. At this point TJ has been working the mines for a couple of months and getting to know a few of the veterans anxious to escape to Eden. He plans to get out through an abandoned mineshaft, along with GUS, a miner, DR. NORHEIM, his assistant NURSE SCHULTZ, two AI’s, DOUG and DUFUS, with somewhat outmoded circuit boards, and at the last minute, a desperate Persephone.
This motley crew manage to get to the mine head during a pirate attack from Planet RZX. Overcoming a series of obstacles in the mineshaft, they emerge on the cliffs overlooking the Ghion Sea; despite being chased all the way by Mine Security, under orders from her astonished parents, Greg and Adele, not to harm their daughter.
Suffice it to say that after several major problems, they arrive by fishing boat on the Isle of Eden; highly civilized in most respects, scientifically advanced, with its citizens all pulling in the same direction. All except one bad apple, RON MERCHANT. Ron has been secretly exporting gold taken from Eden’s shuttered mines and is looking to take over the whole ball game.
Pressure from the parents mounts on Eden to return Steph at once. If not, a rescue attempt will be launched by the military. Steph, heart broken, decides to do the right thing and return to earth. Otherwise Eden could be no more.
Her departure by plane, is thwarted by the impending invasion. So she opts for the unconventional, something even beyond “Ruby Slippers”.
TJ, after reporting to the higher ups at Langley and passing on advanced scientific data supplied by Eden, data that can thwart the pirates on RZX, locates Steph at a California Planetarium – giving lectures to young students.
She is surprised but not surprised to see TJ. He says he simply felt compelled to track her down. She understands. After all they are the only two who have ever been to Eden. Both look up at the planetarium’s magnificent display of the universe, holding hands.
This tale takes place in the future, 2250 to be exact; space travel is not only common, but typical. A few early settlers from 2078 onward have blossomed into thousands, all looking for a better life; commercial interests too have cropped up, including DSM, ‘Deep Space Mining’, a family firm that went public and is listed on the stock market.
DSM is located on Planet ZX in the Goldilocks Zone, and more specifically at Camp Sutter whose gold mines have expanded over the years and made their principal shareholder, GREG LARSON, a very wealthy man, not to mention his x wife, ADELE, who sits on the board.
Their daughter, PERSEPHONE (Steph), coming off a college degree and a year in Mongolia, has gone to work for the family firm, recruiting potential miners willing to sign a 12 month contract to mine for gold on ZX. The carrot for those who extend is the possibility of moving from the mines to the Isle of Eden in the Ghion Sea. Or paradise. The island was discovered by an early settler , Henry Eden.
Steph finds recruiting a grind, but wants to make good. Against her dad’s wishes she decides to contact former DSM employees, hoping for first hand testimonials about their fabulous time on ZX. But she hits a brick wall. Most won’t talk, those who do want money to say anything positive. Apparently, working the mines on ZX is not the great adventure it is purported to be. Some have even cracked up.
As she digs deeper, her dad tries to get her out of recruiting and recruits Adele, her mother, to speak to her. Adele reluctantly agrees and puts Steph in the picture with the admonition, ‘DON’T ROCK THE BOAT”.
Naively, Steph persists until she finds herself drugged, kidnapped, jailed, with no other option than to go along with a prison scheme to send her to Camp Sutter. In return her sentence and previous “doctored’ record will be expunged.
At Camp Sutter she runs into an undercover CIA agent, TJ (an alias) investigating the disappearance of a Commando Team sent to check out mysterious happenings on Eden. At this point TJ has been working the mines for a couple of months and getting to know a few of the veterans anxious to escape to Eden. He plans to get out through an abandoned mineshaft, along with GUS, a miner, DR. NORHEIM, his assistant NURSE SCHULTZ, two AI’s, DOUG and DUFUS, with somewhat outmoded circuit boards, and at the last minute, a desperate Persephone.
This motley crew manage to get to the mine head during a pirate attack from Planet RZX. Overcoming a series of obstacles in the mineshaft, they emerge on the cliffs overlooking the Ghion Sea; despite being chased all the way by Mine Security, under orders from her astonished parents, Greg and Adele, not to harm their daughter.
Suffice it to say that after several major problems, they arrive by fishing boat on the Isle of Eden; highly civilized in most respects, scientifically advanced, with its citizens all pulling in the same direction. All except one bad apple, RON MERCHANT. Ron has been secretly exporting gold taken from Eden’s shuttered mines and is looking to take over the whole ball game.
Pressure from the parents mounts on Eden to return Steph at once. If not, a rescue attempt will be launched by the military. Steph, heart broken, decides to do the right thing and return to earth. Otherwise Eden could be no more.
Her departure by plane, is thwarted by the impending invasion. So she opts for the unconventional, something even beyond “Ruby Slippers”.
TJ, after reporting to the higher ups at Langley and passing on advanced scientific data supplied by Eden, data that can thwart the pirates on RZX, locates Steph at a California Planetarium – giving lectures to young students.
She is surprised but not surprised to see TJ. He says he simply felt compelled to track her down. She understands. After all they are the only two who have ever been to Eden. Both look up at the planetarium’s magnificent display of the universe, holding hands.
WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT
It Happened One Night. Well, not exactly one night, but one day and night. Mostly. And it happened in Manhattan. Well, not just in Manhattan. It also happened on the Amtrak train to Boston, an overcrowded Connecticut Lodge, on a bus, on foot, in a stalled elevator, in a jail, in a barn, on the USS Constitution...
It happened because of the East coast Blackout. Yes, a BLACKOUT. One that disrupted traffic, trains, planes, businesses, ball games, phones, and lives for more than twenty four hours.
And it happened to Scott McHenry, a rising, young banker in Mergers and Acquisitions; it also happened to his finance, Chloe, ambitious for Scott, until rage and disappointment EXPLODE in Bloomingdales. All because Scott bailed on their engagement party. In her angst she bails on Bloomingdales without paying for her Chanel No. 5 and twin ʻT”s. Whoops!
It also happened to Bill Mathews, Scotʼs immediate boss, sent by Bank President, Carl Bliss, to bail Chloe from an overnight hitch in a padded cell. All done to keep a guilty Scott on the train and the Boston merger on track. (He hates to fly.)
And finally it happened to Marcie Devereaux, a book worm eccentric, Amtraking her way to meet her on again, off again beaux, Dave Purcell, in Boston where his vague Phd competes for time and attention with his $6000 road bike, Marcie running a distant third. Something Scott points out to Marcie, (they met on the train) when the threesome breakfast together at Ye Olde Lodge the next morning. (Dave biked down from Boston and is famished).
You see when the blackout hit, train passengers, including Scot and Marcie, were bussed to Ye Olde Lodge. Desperate for a room, they checked in as a married couple and bingo, they got to bunk in with the vacationing Cartwrights.
The now bailed Chole and cavalier Bill have raced to “Ye Olde Lodge” in Bill’s Audi to rescue Scott and drive him to the merger. Perhaps Marcie and Scott ate little because Chloe and Bill discovered them in Room 225 and assumed the worst. Perhaps if their roomies, the Cartwrights, had been there Chloe wouldn’t have fled to her parents Connecticut Manse and things would have turned out differently. But then, maybe it was meant to be.
Because in the abnormal confusion, the disruption, the insanity, a kind of benign sanity takes hold. The stars seemingly shifted into a better order and the universe, either by chance or design, seems to blend seamlessly into clarity and order. At least for Marcie and Scott. Bill and Chloe are still not totally sold.
It happened because of the East coast Blackout. Yes, a BLACKOUT. One that disrupted traffic, trains, planes, businesses, ball games, phones, and lives for more than twenty four hours.
And it happened to Scott McHenry, a rising, young banker in Mergers and Acquisitions; it also happened to his finance, Chloe, ambitious for Scott, until rage and disappointment EXPLODE in Bloomingdales. All because Scott bailed on their engagement party. In her angst she bails on Bloomingdales without paying for her Chanel No. 5 and twin ʻT”s. Whoops!
It also happened to Bill Mathews, Scotʼs immediate boss, sent by Bank President, Carl Bliss, to bail Chloe from an overnight hitch in a padded cell. All done to keep a guilty Scott on the train and the Boston merger on track. (He hates to fly.)
And finally it happened to Marcie Devereaux, a book worm eccentric, Amtraking her way to meet her on again, off again beaux, Dave Purcell, in Boston where his vague Phd competes for time and attention with his $6000 road bike, Marcie running a distant third. Something Scott points out to Marcie, (they met on the train) when the threesome breakfast together at Ye Olde Lodge the next morning. (Dave biked down from Boston and is famished).
You see when the blackout hit, train passengers, including Scot and Marcie, were bussed to Ye Olde Lodge. Desperate for a room, they checked in as a married couple and bingo, they got to bunk in with the vacationing Cartwrights.
The now bailed Chole and cavalier Bill have raced to “Ye Olde Lodge” in Bill’s Audi to rescue Scott and drive him to the merger. Perhaps Marcie and Scott ate little because Chloe and Bill discovered them in Room 225 and assumed the worst. Perhaps if their roomies, the Cartwrights, had been there Chloe wouldn’t have fled to her parents Connecticut Manse and things would have turned out differently. But then, maybe it was meant to be.
Because in the abnormal confusion, the disruption, the insanity, a kind of benign sanity takes hold. The stars seemingly shifted into a better order and the universe, either by chance or design, seems to blend seamlessly into clarity and order. At least for Marcie and Scott. Bill and Chloe are still not totally sold.
GOOD EGGS
When sleazy Lorraine of LORRAINE’S LIMOS, a backwater outfit at the back of LAX, puts the make on Brad, her young booking agent, his outrage knows no limits.
In a fit of fury he rearranges three limo bookings on the computer, sending a Scottish contract killer, Ian Kilgore, to the palatial wedding of Julia Pope; a wedding where poor, Cinderella type Theresa (Terri) Harding, in from Newport News, is to be Julia Pope’s Maid of Honor’.
Instead Teri is sent to the “Indie Wing” Awards Ceremony where another “Terry”, Terry Corbin has been nominated as best director in the documentary short category for his film, “Good Eggs, Endangered Birds of Northern Iowa”.
Meanwhile the real Terry Corbin, in from Cedar Rapids, is
mistakenly dropped at Global Enterprises where he gets last minute instructions and an untraceable gun from Global Execs for the’HIT’ he has been hired to do on Global CEO, Luc An Kee.
The penny drops for Terri Harding outside the Kodak Theatre, for Terry Corbin when he meets his target, Luc An Kee on the Company yacht; but not at all for Ian Kilgore who, through a series of miscommunications, believes he is to kill the bridegroom on Julia’s behalf - something about a lousy pre-nuptial agreement.
Terri wins Terry’s “Indie Wing”, by the way, and makes a splendid speech, thanking her deceased parents. Terry Corbin catches it on cable TV in the state room of the yacht, blows his cover as a visiting priest from Del Mar, and is wildly pursued around the yacht before escaping in the motor launch.
All ultimately go to Julia’s wedding. Corbin to fetch his “Indie Wing” from Teri Harding, Terri Harding to belatedly stand up for Julia, the Global Execs to get Corbin, and the FBI, on a tip from Interpol, to nail Kilgore, hiding behind the hedge.
It’s wild, wacky, and wonder of wonders, even romantic, as the two Terry’s get it together in the back of their limo, while Lorraine avers that her limo drivers do not lose customers!
In a fit of fury he rearranges three limo bookings on the computer, sending a Scottish contract killer, Ian Kilgore, to the palatial wedding of Julia Pope; a wedding where poor, Cinderella type Theresa (Terri) Harding, in from Newport News, is to be Julia Pope’s Maid of Honor’.
Instead Teri is sent to the “Indie Wing” Awards Ceremony where another “Terry”, Terry Corbin has been nominated as best director in the documentary short category for his film, “Good Eggs, Endangered Birds of Northern Iowa”.
Meanwhile the real Terry Corbin, in from Cedar Rapids, is
mistakenly dropped at Global Enterprises where he gets last minute instructions and an untraceable gun from Global Execs for the’HIT’ he has been hired to do on Global CEO, Luc An Kee.
The penny drops for Terri Harding outside the Kodak Theatre, for Terry Corbin when he meets his target, Luc An Kee on the Company yacht; but not at all for Ian Kilgore who, through a series of miscommunications, believes he is to kill the bridegroom on Julia’s behalf - something about a lousy pre-nuptial agreement.
Terri wins Terry’s “Indie Wing”, by the way, and makes a splendid speech, thanking her deceased parents. Terry Corbin catches it on cable TV in the state room of the yacht, blows his cover as a visiting priest from Del Mar, and is wildly pursued around the yacht before escaping in the motor launch.
All ultimately go to Julia’s wedding. Corbin to fetch his “Indie Wing” from Teri Harding, Terri Harding to belatedly stand up for Julia, the Global Execs to get Corbin, and the FBI, on a tip from Interpol, to nail Kilgore, hiding behind the hedge.
It’s wild, wacky, and wonder of wonders, even romantic, as the two Terry’s get it together in the back of their limo, while Lorraine avers that her limo drivers do not lose customers!
BIRD AND NUGENT
BIRD AND NUGENT is a, mystical, evocative tale set in the Colorado Rockies around 1876. A homage to a changing America, it is seen through the lens of a feisty English woman, Isabella Bird, who meets the complex, former Indian Scout, and infamous “ desperado” and poet, Mountain Jim Nugent. Together they challenge, wound, love and ultimately alter each other’s life and destiny.
Fascinated by her feistiness and with a touch of sadism, Nugent agrees to take her up Longs Peak, a 15,000 foot mountain. What begins as a romantic notion for Isabella turns into a nightmare when she falls halfway up the Peak and is saved only by Nugent’s safety rope. The climb is brutal, but ultimately triumphant as they manage to scale the sheer face of granite near the top of the Peak.
More importantly the climb binds them to each other, creates a detour in their set lives and starts them on an emotional journey that initially separates them, but ultimately brings them together, both violently and lovingly, a violence that portends Nugent’s tragic destiny and Isabella’s release. (Based on the letters of Isabella Bird, “A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains”.)
Fascinated by her feistiness and with a touch of sadism, Nugent agrees to take her up Longs Peak, a 15,000 foot mountain. What begins as a romantic notion for Isabella turns into a nightmare when she falls halfway up the Peak and is saved only by Nugent’s safety rope. The climb is brutal, but ultimately triumphant as they manage to scale the sheer face of granite near the top of the Peak.
More importantly the climb binds them to each other, creates a detour in their set lives and starts them on an emotional journey that initially separates them, but ultimately brings them together, both violently and lovingly, a violence that portends Nugent’s tragic destiny and Isabella’s release. (Based on the letters of Isabella Bird, “A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains”.)
Butch
In the fall of 1959 Ed (Butch) Songin was working as a Probation Officer out of Wrentham Courthouse, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. In his spare time he played semi- pro football for fifty dollars a game and amateur ice hockey for a local team. This in spite of an old college knee injury which ended a potentially stunning professional career. He was thirty-five years old and had a wife and four young children.
At the same time Bill Sullivan, an executive for Metropolitan Petroleum, was trying to fulfill a life long dream of bringing professional football to Boston. He was trying to get a franchise in the new American Football League which Lamar Hunt and Bud Adams, two Texas millionaires, were starting up but he only had $8,000 and a mortgage.
Father Shea, athletic director and chaplain at Marian High School, a new regional school in Framingham, called Butch and asked him to coach football at the school. The school’s athletic program, which was in its early stages, needed more than a boost. It needed help!
A year later, in the fall of 1960, Marian High school won the League Championship, Bill Sullivan had his franchise, the Boston Patriots, and in a storybook comeback Butch Songin became the starting quarterback for that new franchise, beating out athletes almost half his age.
BUTCH is the story of that incredible comeback. It is also a slice of Americana. As much about America and those times with all the music, the cars, the kids, the romance and the hope that defined them.
At the same time Bill Sullivan, an executive for Metropolitan Petroleum, was trying to fulfill a life long dream of bringing professional football to Boston. He was trying to get a franchise in the new American Football League which Lamar Hunt and Bud Adams, two Texas millionaires, were starting up but he only had $8,000 and a mortgage.
Father Shea, athletic director and chaplain at Marian High School, a new regional school in Framingham, called Butch and asked him to coach football at the school. The school’s athletic program, which was in its early stages, needed more than a boost. It needed help!
A year later, in the fall of 1960, Marian High school won the League Championship, Bill Sullivan had his franchise, the Boston Patriots, and in a storybook comeback Butch Songin became the starting quarterback for that new franchise, beating out athletes almost half his age.
BUTCH is the story of that incredible comeback. It is also a slice of Americana. As much about America and those times with all the music, the cars, the kids, the romance and the hope that defined them.
The Testimony of Daniel Pagels
A murderer usually leaves something at the scene of the crime - but to leave your five year old grandson behind, points to irrefutable evidence of guilt. Or does it? Not when your lawyer uses quantum physics in your defense.
”The Testimony of Daniel Pagels”, based on the novel by Vickery Turner, is a fast paced murder mystery and courtroom drama where physics meets metaphysics. and Einstein’s double split experiment challenges the nature of matter and human reason.
The truth demands the prosecuting attorney of Daniel Pagels, the five year old boy on the witness stand. “How did you get there? A quick look at his grandpa before Daniel reluctantly admits, “I just went.”.
”The Testimony of Daniel Pagels”, based on the novel by Vickery Turner, is a fast paced murder mystery and courtroom drama where physics meets metaphysics. and Einstein’s double split experiment challenges the nature of matter and human reason.
The truth demands the prosecuting attorney of Daniel Pagels, the five year old boy on the witness stand. “How did you get there? A quick look at his grandpa before Daniel reluctantly admits, “I just went.”.
Life in a Box
Evelyn DeBerthe, the fabulously wealthy owner of a large corporation, is caught in a loveless marriage, spending her lonely evenings avoiding hubby and two gauche teenage step children, by hunting for stray cats in dark alleys.
One evening she stumbles across a homeless teenager, Jody, instead of a cat, living in a filthy ragged state in a cardboard box.
Evelyn persuades Jody to work as a night cleaner at the DeBerthe Plant. Jody agrees only because she is trying to support four homeless kids, equally filthy and ragged, who camp out in her box, three young African Americans and a five year old white boy who insists he’s related.
Jody’s night prowls around the DeBerthe offices uncover a fraudulent take-over bid by Evelyn’s conniving husband and more importantly a surprising link between Evelyn and Jody.
This is a sweet, funny, affectionate Christmas tale, moving from darkness to light along a complicated but certain path to redemption.
One evening she stumbles across a homeless teenager, Jody, instead of a cat, living in a filthy ragged state in a cardboard box.
Evelyn persuades Jody to work as a night cleaner at the DeBerthe Plant. Jody agrees only because she is trying to support four homeless kids, equally filthy and ragged, who camp out in her box, three young African Americans and a five year old white boy who insists he’s related.
Jody’s night prowls around the DeBerthe offices uncover a fraudulent take-over bid by Evelyn’s conniving husband and more importantly a surprising link between Evelyn and Jody.
This is a sweet, funny, affectionate Christmas tale, moving from darkness to light along a complicated but certain path to redemption.
Finding Jobe
A family walks along Santa Monica Pier. A young child notices a homeless man, LUTHER JOBE, under the pier. He overhears the parents explaining to the child that the man is homeless. “Why?”, she asks. Luther remembers -
A very different time as he drives with his wife, LISA and their daughter, AMY, toward LAX. He is flying to Washington to give a presentation on behalf of his company, BELL TECH. But he never makes it. Lisa learned later that a medical emergency occurred and the pilot landed at an Air Force Base in Colorado. Luther was pulled from the plane by government personnel and interrogated for 48 hours. They asked about foreign trips, off shore bank accounts, contacts with people on a “Watch List”, none of which he knew anything about.
Luther was abruptly fired by Bell Tech and sent home. When he tried to get a new job he found out his security clearance had been pulled. Now he was barred from any equivalent work or equivalent salary. Then his credit cards were charged with expensive items, even above the max; a down payment on a Porsche with monthly payments of $750 a month for the balance. Collection agencies came knocking; a home equity loan was refused by the bank. And no one seemed to know what to do or how to stop the bleeding.
One ray of light was a government agency, OIG, that dealt with social security fraud. His case officer, BILLIE JO GRIMES, explained to him that his problems would continue as long as his ‘alias’ had his SSN number. It gave the alias access to his credit cards and financial records. The only solution was to find ‘the alias’. Ultimately, he does find the alias and much, much more.
He uncovers an elaborate scheme designed to bilk the government by manufacturing terrorist threats which would then create mass fear among the public and put pressure on Congress to finance projects to stop the rot and protect the people.
Luther’s journey mirrors the biblical Job in many ways. But it also mirrors his perseverance and redemption; and fulfils the divine promise. “I will restore unto you the days that the locusts have eaten.”
A very different time as he drives with his wife, LISA and their daughter, AMY, toward LAX. He is flying to Washington to give a presentation on behalf of his company, BELL TECH. But he never makes it. Lisa learned later that a medical emergency occurred and the pilot landed at an Air Force Base in Colorado. Luther was pulled from the plane by government personnel and interrogated for 48 hours. They asked about foreign trips, off shore bank accounts, contacts with people on a “Watch List”, none of which he knew anything about.
Luther was abruptly fired by Bell Tech and sent home. When he tried to get a new job he found out his security clearance had been pulled. Now he was barred from any equivalent work or equivalent salary. Then his credit cards were charged with expensive items, even above the max; a down payment on a Porsche with monthly payments of $750 a month for the balance. Collection agencies came knocking; a home equity loan was refused by the bank. And no one seemed to know what to do or how to stop the bleeding.
One ray of light was a government agency, OIG, that dealt with social security fraud. His case officer, BILLIE JO GRIMES, explained to him that his problems would continue as long as his ‘alias’ had his SSN number. It gave the alias access to his credit cards and financial records. The only solution was to find ‘the alias’. Ultimately, he does find the alias and much, much more.
He uncovers an elaborate scheme designed to bilk the government by manufacturing terrorist threats which would then create mass fear among the public and put pressure on Congress to finance projects to stop the rot and protect the people.
Luther’s journey mirrors the biblical Job in many ways. But it also mirrors his perseverance and redemption; and fulfils the divine promise. “I will restore unto you the days that the locusts have eaten.”
Running Battles
“Malibu Investigations is located in a San Fernando Valley mini-mall and specializes in affairs of the heart.
SAM GALLAGHER, and AL PARELLI are both ex cops with little business experience. PHI SAYERS, who briefly managed a restaurant in Greenwich Village, was their front man for awhile. Phil, however, deserted the sinking ship for greener pastures and now manages a swank detective agency on the Miracle Mile for his new father-in-law, ‘the Colonel’.
Al is particularly resentful at Phil’s desertion as he has a wife who won’t sleep with him and two children who are forever getting bigger feet and want $200 dollar Nikes. Sam, a hard bitten romantic, is indifferent but can’t ignore the red ink spilling across his desk. He’s broke.
Phil, a real chaser despite being a newly wed, has taken his eye off business and incurred the wrath of “the Colonel”, who is threatening him with deportation to Des Moines Iowa unless he shapes up and hires better help.
Desperate, Phil tries to recruit his old pals. Sam stiffs him out of pride, but Al isn’t against a little moonlighting and takes a case. When Sam finds out about Al’s betrayal, the marriage with Sam is over. Al moves to Phil’s swank agency and is immediately recruited by Phil’s wife, SHIRLEY, to follow Phil who she suspects of nailing a beautiful young client.
Meanwhile business has picked up at Malibu Investigations. A husband, WAYNE TYLER, shows up looking for his lost wife, CASSIE. Sam, having been married for a month and deeply suspicious of the matrimonial state, finds the notion of a lost wife far fetched until he locates her painting landscapes on Venice Beach. He’s intrigued but she panics. Apparently, TYLER, the estranged husband, is dangerous. Sam assumes the role of father confessor, protector and eventually lover.
This absolutely destroys the client - detective relationship with TYLER and he goes after Sam with a gun. Things are falling apart on the Miracle Mile as well. Honest Al having taken the coin, reports Phil’s infidelity to his wife, SHIRLEY. Shirley tells her father, and Phil is on the street. Annoyed, cold, and resentful, Phil sends a couple of hookers around to Al’s house as a gift. Al’s wife, KITTY, is naturally outraged, and throws him out.
Homeless, they both turn up at Malibu Investigations and are recruited by Sam to find Cassie, his new lost love who has gone AWOL. Even Tyler reconciles with the trio, and joins in the hunt. Malibu Investigations is back in business with a vengeance.
Ultimately, they find Cassie on a yacht at Marina del Rey, and discover she has had a whole other life before Sam, and before Tyler. All very confusing. Sam is bereft, of course, but is consoled by his buddies. When Sam questions the value of being ‘love spies’, Phil points out that given the human condition, they’ll never be out of work.
“Running Battles” is about friendship and betrayal, marital infidelity, sexual mores, abuse, lust, love, and generally an affectionate but anarchic look at human relationships.
SAM GALLAGHER, and AL PARELLI are both ex cops with little business experience. PHI SAYERS, who briefly managed a restaurant in Greenwich Village, was their front man for awhile. Phil, however, deserted the sinking ship for greener pastures and now manages a swank detective agency on the Miracle Mile for his new father-in-law, ‘the Colonel’.
Al is particularly resentful at Phil’s desertion as he has a wife who won’t sleep with him and two children who are forever getting bigger feet and want $200 dollar Nikes. Sam, a hard bitten romantic, is indifferent but can’t ignore the red ink spilling across his desk. He’s broke.
Phil, a real chaser despite being a newly wed, has taken his eye off business and incurred the wrath of “the Colonel”, who is threatening him with deportation to Des Moines Iowa unless he shapes up and hires better help.
Desperate, Phil tries to recruit his old pals. Sam stiffs him out of pride, but Al isn’t against a little moonlighting and takes a case. When Sam finds out about Al’s betrayal, the marriage with Sam is over. Al moves to Phil’s swank agency and is immediately recruited by Phil’s wife, SHIRLEY, to follow Phil who she suspects of nailing a beautiful young client.
Meanwhile business has picked up at Malibu Investigations. A husband, WAYNE TYLER, shows up looking for his lost wife, CASSIE. Sam, having been married for a month and deeply suspicious of the matrimonial state, finds the notion of a lost wife far fetched until he locates her painting landscapes on Venice Beach. He’s intrigued but she panics. Apparently, TYLER, the estranged husband, is dangerous. Sam assumes the role of father confessor, protector and eventually lover.
This absolutely destroys the client - detective relationship with TYLER and he goes after Sam with a gun. Things are falling apart on the Miracle Mile as well. Honest Al having taken the coin, reports Phil’s infidelity to his wife, SHIRLEY. Shirley tells her father, and Phil is on the street. Annoyed, cold, and resentful, Phil sends a couple of hookers around to Al’s house as a gift. Al’s wife, KITTY, is naturally outraged, and throws him out.
Homeless, they both turn up at Malibu Investigations and are recruited by Sam to find Cassie, his new lost love who has gone AWOL. Even Tyler reconciles with the trio, and joins in the hunt. Malibu Investigations is back in business with a vengeance.
Ultimately, they find Cassie on a yacht at Marina del Rey, and discover she has had a whole other life before Sam, and before Tyler. All very confusing. Sam is bereft, of course, but is consoled by his buddies. When Sam questions the value of being ‘love spies’, Phil points out that given the human condition, they’ll never be out of work.
“Running Battles” is about friendship and betrayal, marital infidelity, sexual mores, abuse, lust, love, and generally an affectionate but anarchic look at human relationships.
Lost Heir
Where is Elizabeth Kenworth Bagley?
Who wants to know and why should anyone care?
Because Elizabeth Kenworth Bagley, formerly of Sunbury on Thames, South London, has been left tens of millions of marks by German Countess Hildegarde von Weissberg.
Two London Geneology Firms race to find Ms Bagley in the hopes of claiming 40 percent of Hildegarde’s fortune, apparently the going rate for tracking down missing heirs in 1989. And probably cheap at the price because Elizabeth Bagley has dropped off the map. Disappeared. Vanished! Both these firms may be out of luck and millions if she can’t be found.
Elizabeth’s disappearance isn’t an altogether unhappy turn of events for the other heirs waiting in line to claim some of Hildegarde’s fortune,. More like divine justice. Because not only is Elizabeth Kenworth Bagley not a blood relative, Hildegarde didn’t even know this woman.
So the question is: “Why did the Countess leave all her money to someone she never met?” Or maybe she did.
And therein lies the tale of Alex and Lizzie.
As the geneologists soon discover Alex von Weissberg met Elizabeth Kenworth Bagley in 1948.
Lizzie was a young teenager living with her mother in south London. Alex was a German POW farmed out to do a little gardening while waiting to be deported back to Germany.
Lizzie’s father, Tom, was killed in France early on in the war and her mother had been coping like many others on ration cards and widow’s pension ever since. Her mother’s blind hatred of anything German didn’t seem to curb Lizzie’s curiosity, however. She never learned to hate. Couldn’t get the hang of it. Where her mother saw only a German, Lizzie saw….well – Alex. And so they fell in love.
Where does Hildegarde fit in? Why Did Alex marry Hildegarde? Why didn’t he marry Lizzie? And again why was a fortune left to Lizzie. Apparently, not even Alex knew the answer to that one. It was a mystery. And so it unfolds.
Who wants to know and why should anyone care?
Because Elizabeth Kenworth Bagley, formerly of Sunbury on Thames, South London, has been left tens of millions of marks by German Countess Hildegarde von Weissberg.
Two London Geneology Firms race to find Ms Bagley in the hopes of claiming 40 percent of Hildegarde’s fortune, apparently the going rate for tracking down missing heirs in 1989. And probably cheap at the price because Elizabeth Bagley has dropped off the map. Disappeared. Vanished! Both these firms may be out of luck and millions if she can’t be found.
Elizabeth’s disappearance isn’t an altogether unhappy turn of events for the other heirs waiting in line to claim some of Hildegarde’s fortune,. More like divine justice. Because not only is Elizabeth Kenworth Bagley not a blood relative, Hildegarde didn’t even know this woman.
So the question is: “Why did the Countess leave all her money to someone she never met?” Or maybe she did.
And therein lies the tale of Alex and Lizzie.
As the geneologists soon discover Alex von Weissberg met Elizabeth Kenworth Bagley in 1948.
Lizzie was a young teenager living with her mother in south London. Alex was a German POW farmed out to do a little gardening while waiting to be deported back to Germany.
Lizzie’s father, Tom, was killed in France early on in the war and her mother had been coping like many others on ration cards and widow’s pension ever since. Her mother’s blind hatred of anything German didn’t seem to curb Lizzie’s curiosity, however. She never learned to hate. Couldn’t get the hang of it. Where her mother saw only a German, Lizzie saw….well – Alex. And so they fell in love.
Where does Hildegarde fit in? Why Did Alex marry Hildegarde? Why didn’t he marry Lizzie? And again why was a fortune left to Lizzie. Apparently, not even Alex knew the answer to that one. It was a mystery. And so it unfolds.