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Lesson 23
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Deb’s QE Cycle 5 Scene
Logline: Brandy and Phillip’s fake charity scam is under investigation, but Phillip refuses to take the fall.
Essence: A needy person is easily manipulated. Security is fragile.
Scene:
INT. BOUTIQUE CLOTHING STORE – DAY
A luxurious boutique with elegant displays.
BRANDY, 45, plump with extra make-up and extra big hair peruses a rack of evening gowns.
GERTIE, 35, slight but sturdy eyes Brandy. She slowly makes her way over, casually perusing items along the way.
Brandy and Gertie reach for the same Givenchy blue gown.
They both laugh and Gertie lets go.
GERTIE I know you! You’re that lady on tv! You’re the “Yes We CAN!” Lady.
Brandy frames her face and flashes a charming smile.
BRANDY Yes, the Children's Aid Network. I’m heading up an incredible charity gala this weekend.
GERTIE I cry every time I see that commercial.
An awkward pause.
Brandy enters the dressing room. Gertie stands outside.
GERTIE Hey, can I ask you something?
BRANDY (O.S.) Sure. But will you be a darling and help with the zipper?
Brandy opens the door. Gertie steps in and zips.
GERTIE You’re Brandy. Brandy Styles?
Brandy looks worried.
BRANDY Yes. And you are?
GERTIE You can call me Officer Swartz.
Gertie flashes her police badge. Brandy freezes.
BRANDY Goodness gracious, you don't think I'm going to steal this dress, do you?
GERTIE Listen, Brandy. My boss said we should just bring you in, but I want to give you a chance here. We have proof that your charity is a scam…
BRANDY A scam? How dare you? That’s preposterous.
GERTIE We’ll get to all that. But my nose is itching. I got a hunch that your partner, Phillip, Phillip Reinhold, is behind all this… and if you cooperate with us, things will go easy for you.
BRANDY This is ridiculous. Honestly, sneaking up on a person in a dress shop. I’ve never heard of such a thing.
GERTIE Brandy. You need to trust me on this. I got a tip from a lady who told me her and Philip ran an insurance scam together and then left her high and dry. I want to go easy on you. All you have to do is cooperate.
BRANDY Listen, Officer…
GERTIE Swartz.
BRANDY Officer Swartz. Phillip is a man of integrity and vision. He helped me start CAN two years ago when my son… my dear sweet boy, was dying. He’s been by my side ever since.
GERTIE You don’t say…
BRANDY He's selfless and tireless in his work to help children. He’s a wealthy man. He’s got his own money. You’ve got the wrong guy. You’ve got the wrong charity. You’ve got the wrong dressing room.
GERTIE So that’s how you want to play it.
BRANDY This is no game. We save children’s lives every day.
GERTIE I just told you I have evidence… manipulated documents, forged communications and financial transactions that prove your money is not going where you say it’s going.
BRANDY This is absurd. Let me just call Phillip. He’ll straiten all this out.
GERTIE You can call him from the precinct. You’re coming with me.
BRANDY You’re placing me under arrest? What about the children? I’m begging you, please don’t do this.
GERTIE You have the right to remain silent…
CUT TO:
EXT. SKYSCRAPER ROOFTOP/HELIPAD – NIGHT
Brandy watches a helicopter land. She wears an ankle monitor.
PHILLIP, 55, tall and imposing, exits the helicopter. He runs to Brandy and they embrace.
BRANDY Phillip, thank God! What on earth is happening?
PHILLIP My darling girl. I’m so very sorry we must meet like this, but they can’t know we are communicating.
BRANDY I don’t understand – why are all the accounts in my name? You said you’d set it up so nobody could follow the trail!
PHILLIP So they know about the accounts. Don’t worry, dear, they’ve got it wrong! It will all come out in court. Anything else?
BRANDY They said I emptied the accounts right before the arrest. I don’t know what they’re talking about!
PHILLIP Don’t worry. I’ve got the best lawyer lined up. He’ll meet with you tomorrow.
BRANDY Phillip, I’m scared. Do I admit to our chicanery? Or maintain my innocence and hope to get off?
PHILLIP My darling girl, admitting to anything now would only make things worse. Stick to our story. They have nothing. Trust me, we'll get through this.
BRANDY Everything points to me. Everything. All I have to do is tell them you were in on it, that you orchestrated it.
PHILLIP But there’s no proof of that. There never was and there never will be. You’ll only make yourself look worse.
BRANDY You set me up!
PHILLIP Please forgive me, but I must go.
BRANDY Go? Go where? You can’t just leave me here.
Phillip runs to the helicopter and Brandy pursues.
BRANDY Wait! Please, Phillip, don't do this! I trusted you!
Brandy watches in despair as Phillip takes off.
INT. HELICOPTER – CONTINUOUS
Phillip takes an incoming call.
PHILLIP Sandra, my darling girl. You got the tickets? Marvelous. I’ll meet you at the airport in 20 minutes.
He takes one last sad look at the small figure of Brandy who watches him fly away.
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Great scenes with gripping essence of Brandy as unwitting victim of Phillip’s scam. Also great character in Officer Swatz.
The character of Brandy is very well written , she is trusting of Phillip even when confronted by compelling cautionary advice from Officer Swatz.
Phillip’s character could be more nuanced, and his guilt could be better shown.
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Blair's QE cycle #5 scene:
LOGLINE: Phillip invites Brandy over for drinks not knowing what Brandy has up her sleeve.
ESSENCE: Trader Traitor
SCENE:
INT. PHILLIP TAYLOR'S LIVING ROOM – EVENINGThirty-five year old PHILLIP and thirty year old BRANDY sit on a couch drinking wine.
BRANDY
I'm so glad you invited me over tonight. It's been a long time since I have been out. I've been thinking about you a lot since your promotion celebration the other night.PHILLIP
It was great to finally be recognized as one of the best traders in the company.Phillip takes a sip of wine.
PHILLIP
I have been wanting to ask you over for a while. I find you to be the wittiest trader in our firm.BRANDY
Well thank you. I find it helps to put a little amusement into the job.The doorbell rings. Phillip stands up and walks to the door.
PHILLIP
Please excuse me. I have no idea who this can be.INT. FRONT HALLWAY – CONTINUOUS
Phillip opens the door. Two FBI agents stand on the patio.
FBI AGENT #1
Phillip Taylor?PHILLIP
Yes.FBI AGENT #1
You're under arrest for participating in insiders trading.PHILLIP
I'm what?Brandy rushes to the front door.
FBI AGENT #2
Please put your hands behind your back.Phillip obliges. FBI Agent #2 cuffs Phillip.
PHILLIP
Wait, is this about the Schuller account? I had no idea what they were attempting and felt awful when I found out what and I immediately dropped their account. I promise you this is all a total misunderstanding. You must believe me.BRANDY
He's telling the truth! You gotta believe him.FBI AGENT #1
This is not a trial. The specific charges will be explained when we get to the bureau.PHILLIP
Brandy, call CHARLES. He'll know what to do.The agents walk Phillip to their car. Brandy watches as Phillip gets into the car. She closes the door and walks to the living room.
INT. PHILLIP TAYLOR'S LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Brandy sits and dials her phone.
BRANDY
Hi Charles, it's Brandy. It's done. He's been arrested.CHARLES
Do you think he suspected anything?BRANDY
Not at all. I even pled his case to the agents.CHARLES
Good work.BRANDY
This is the end of my part of the plan. When am I going to be promoted to V.P.?CHARLES
All in good time.BRANDY
You promised that I would be V.P. after all of this!CHARLES
Yes I did. You must be patient with the process.Charles hangs up the phone. Brandy looks pissed.
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Well written scene with great characters. Brandy plays along Phillip perfectly as part of her boss’ scheme. Phillip is the unwitting victim of the scam and is framed with the FBI.
The reveal of the insider trading scam could be improved with more stakes and more reveal of Brandy’s role in it.
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FIRDAUS F BILIMORIA – LESSON 23 QE Cycle #5: Write This Scene EXERCISE
LOGLINE: Brandy figures out that Phillip has betrayed and framed her for the insider trading that he committed.
ESSENCE: Brandy as a woman of status and power, allows her judgement to be compromised in an inappropriate relationship with her subordinate with devastating consequences on her career and status.
SCENE:
INT. BRANDY’S OFFICE, DAY
It is a large corner office with glass walls with a view of the city. There is a large desk at the center with multiple computer monitors. Further away by the glass wall are sofa chairs facing each other.BRANDY, 50s, attractive, in designer wear and shoes, with TWO MEN and ONE WOMAN, corporate types, are seated on the sofa chairs in a meeting. They are all laughing at something Brandy said.
A group of men and women, law enforcement types in suits, barge in. SALLY, Brandy’s secretary flutters in nervously next to them.
SALLY
Ms. Devine, these people are from SEC and insisted they wanted to meet you!Brandy takes it in. She appears calm and composed, almost as if she was expecting them.
BRANDY
(smiles)
Who just got murdered gentlemen? I mean I am in a meeting!BRISCOE
I am Sgt. Briscoe of the NYPD Financial Crimes Unit. This is Nick Salazar of the SEC Enforcement Division.SALAZAR
We need to ask you a questions about trading activity by one of your staff that we have been tracking.BRANDY
I see.
(to her colleagues)
Will you excuse us please?COLLEAGUE 1
I will call our legal counsel.BRANDY
That’s all right.COLLEAGUE 2
(to the cops and SEC group)
Our legal counsel should be present at the meeting.BRISCOE
If Ms. Devine wants that, sure. This is more of an investigation in Ms. Devine’s and another individuals’ personal trading actions rather than a corporate investigation.Brandy’s colleagues take that in. They share looks of surprise. Brandy appears embarrassed.
BRANDY
(almost pleading)
Will you excuse us please?Brandy’s colleagues and Sally leave.
BRISCOE
Ms. Devine are you aware of your subordinate Phillip Adams’ personal trades for purchase of Contango Fintech Holdings?BRANDY
No I am not.SALAZAR
And you are having a personal relationship with Phillip Adams?BRANDY
No I his boss, and mentor.BRISCOE
Have you had conversations with Phillip Adams about the recently announced acquisition by your Bank of Contango Fintech Holdings?BRANDY
(beat)
No.BRISCOE
Ms. Devine, you have just lied to us.
(removes a sheet of paper from his jacket pocket)
We have a warrant for your arrest based on probable cause.A female officer steps forward and cuffs Brandy.
FEMALE OFFICER
You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you …BRANDY
Yes I know my rights! Let’s get on with it.The cops walk Brandy out of her office. A small crowd had collected by Brandy’s office door, watching in shock.
INT. BRANDY’S PENTHOUSE CONDO, NIGHT
There is a knock at the door. Brandy is opening a bottle of wine at the kitchen counter, with two glasses in front of her.BRANDY
It’s open.PHILLIP, 30s, good-looking and fit, comes in. Brandy pours the wine in the glasses.
PHILLIP
How are you holding up?Phillip kisses her gently and holds her comfortingly. Brandy buries her face in his chest, gaining comfort from his physicality. She hands him his glass.
BRANDY
It’s a mess.PHILLIP
Oh my poor little Brandy.BRANDY
My lawyer got me out on bail. And the Bank suspended me.PHILLIP
I heard. That is sooo terrible.BRANDY
And the Women in Banking group, where I am president, asked me to step aside. That really hurts!PHILLIP
(massaging her neck)
My poor Brandy baby…BRANDY
Everything I worked for, my career, status, friends, all up in smoke.PHILLIP
Would you like Phil to loosen up all the tight ends?He suggestively strokes her. Brandy seems to enjoy it for a moment, then shakes her head and pulls away. She finishes her glass in one gulp and goes to the counter to pour herself more wine.
PHILLIP
My parents were shocked. You know how they are…
(beat)
They don’t know about us of course, but they are still in shock.Brandy leans back on the counter and watches him intently. Phillip is a little nervous under her gaze.
PHILLIP
I still don’t understand… What are the charges?BRANDY
Insider trading.PHILLIP
Really? On what?BRANDY
On Contango Holdings.PHILLIP
Did you buy any?BRANDY
No but apparently you did.PHILLIP
I had a small position. But it’s one of many positions. What does that have to do with you?BRANDY
They said I gave you the information.PHILLIP
But we never talked about it. I didn’t know about the acquisition until it was announced.Brandy looks at him then outside the window.
BRANDY
When we were working on the deal, I had papers and reports all over this place.PHILLIP
(nervous)
But I never read your stuff. You know that.BRANDY
And I took calls on this as negotiations were going on, you were with me.PHILLIP
Honestly I didn’t know.BRANDY
You put two and two together.PHILLIP
That’s conjecture.BRANDY
How big is your position?PHILLIP
Pretty small.BRANDY
The cops said you booked a ten mil profit on the trade.PHILLIP
That’s not true.Brandy is in problem solving mode.
BRANDY
What I don’t understand is, you did the trade. Why did they arrest me? And not you?PHILLIP
(looks guilty)
I don’t know.BRANDY
Unless you cut a deal with them. And lied to them. That I told you.
(realizes this is the truth)
I got it right? You screwed me, you ivy-league gigolo!Philip shakes his head.
BRANDY
And I deserved it! What terrible judgement on my part!PHILLIP
I am sorry. I got in over my head. I will leave.BRANDY
You should.Phillip goes to the door and turns.
PHILLIP
I am really sorry.Brandy looks at him then turns away. Phillip shuts the door after him.
Brandy speaks to the room, with grim determination.
BRANDY
But you will do the time, Philly boy. I may have lost my name and career, but my lawyer will make sure you will be exposed for your lies.
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