Lesson 6

[Jan Fantl]

Jan’s pitch bible – show summary

WIL: dig and delve, ask, ask and ask again, fine tune – go back , then fine tune. And then start again.

THIRST

Commercial Hour Action Thriller

By

MvPA

Concept

A military police officer returns from a war zone to assist his mother with his fathers funeral finds her dead too, probably both killed, taking on his relatives and hometown involved and slowly grows from investigator into vigilante.

World

The small town world of stuffy corruption and conspiracy, uncovered by a military police investigator as he breaks into a powerful conglomerate, illegally privatizing potable water in the country.

Thought-provoking on the pressing issue of water scarcity it is set in the Lake District Spreewald in Germany.

Show Summary

THIRST follows the story of Oliver Wind, an active military police officer who returns from Syria to attend his father’s funeral. Upon landing in Germany, he receives the devastating news of his mother’s passing. Amidst the grief, Oliver is compelled to investigate their deaths, suspecting foul play. He uncovers a hidden web of corruption and conspiracy surrounding the privatization of water in his long-abandoned hometown.

In a city where he is disliked by almost everyone, the haunting memory of a car accident that took his best friend’s life 18 years ago continues to overshadow Oliver’s existence. Despite inheriting his parents’ properties, he becomes embroiled in a dangerous struggle involving estranged family members, influential politicians, and powerful conglomerates. Constantly facing threats to his life, Oliver forms unlikely alliances with his cousin Marie and therapist Stefanie, who provide unwavering support and become pillars of strength. Together, they navigate the complexities of love, loyalty, and join forces to fight for justice and protect the world’s most valuable resource—potable water.

Character Descriptions

OLIVER WIND – 37ish

Oliver is a good investigator, a brilliant interrogator, and a relentless military police officer.

He is the silently unappreciated black sheep of the family who returns home for his parents’ funerals. He must investigate the real reasons for their deaths and will stop at nothing to uncover the truth.
However, his uncle Hans and the corrupt middle class cobweb of this stuffy hometown may try to stop him. Oliver deeply dislikes his family, except for his granny and his late mother.

Oliver left town at the age of 17, for a very specific reason when he was blamed for driving without license with a borrowed car and causing an accident, in which his girl friend BFF died. He was involved but didn’t cause it yet the town and worse, his family didn’t trust his words. He ran away, became a soldier and almost never visited home.

Surprisingly before he manages to leave town quickly this time, he is finding into a modern poly armoire relationships among his cousin Marie and his army therapist Stefanie. Together they discover a huge illegal water deal and its connection to his parents.

In the therapy with Stefanie he also learns to open up about the way deeper wound and real reason he left town and his strained relationship with his world.

He forces himself and Marie into deadly situations and refuses to spy on Stefanie. Though he finds peace and joy with his loved ones, he may ultimately choose to cross the line and become a vigilante to achieve justice.

MARIE WIND – 26ish

Marie, a young and ambitious eco photographer, works as a bartender in the town’s nightlife scene, where she meets Oliver, a military officer coming to visit to bury his parents.

Despite discovering they are cousins, Marie is torn between her growing feelings for Oliver and loyalty to her family. As they work to uncover the truth about his parents’ deaths, Marie falls in love with Oliver’s therapist, Stefanie, leading her on a journey to explore her sexuality. However, her family may not know.

Her family has a long-standing connection to the corrupt dealings in town. Despite Marie is determined to uncover the truth, she feels from time to time uncertain how to remain her position as her fathers heir and the nice life waiting.

Marie must confront her family’s wrongdoings and works determined and intelligently with Oliver and Stefanie to expose the Water Mill’s dangerous owners and their involvement in the countries corrupt dealings.

STEFANIE MUELLER, Dr., 42ish

Stefanie is a psychologist specializing in treating war PTSD. When Oliver is ordered by his general to seek therapy during his leave, he becomes her new patient. When Oliver hides in talking about his parents’ suspected murder and funeral, Stefanie deals with it patiently and becomes his sound board to help him cope with his family and the townspeople.

Stefanie has been an active therapist in war zones like Afghanistan and therefore they find quickly to a level of the same traumatizing or dulling anecdotes. However, as Stefanie’s personal connections to the Water Mill are revealed, matters become more complicated.

To add to the complexity, Marie falls for Stefanie and seduces her, leading Stefanie to delve into experimenting with bisexuality. Stefanie’s unpredictable behavior, including sleeping with her patient’s girlfriend, troubles her, but Marie convinces her to invite Oliver into a polyamorous relationship.

Stefanie’s proactive and intellectual nature, as well as her intriguing history and relationships, make her a key player in the team efforts to uncover the truth about Oliver’s parents’ deaths and the Water Mill deal while she desperately tries to finish her book that will change the ways to treat PTSD.

As they dig deeper, Stefanie and Oliver realize that they have been told to spy on each other by their general. He refuses to accept that their might be a better way to help soldiers to deal with war traumata as well as requests to find out if Oliver is still a loyal officer and leader. Stefanie and Oliver decide to form a counter-conspiracy to fool their commanding officer.

Meanwhile, Stefanie reveals her own hidden trauma from her time in war zones. She encourages Oliver to explore his past beyond the war and accompanies him into his early childhood which leads to a dramatic, historical and life changing moment for Oliver when he was abused. Oliver’s revelation shocks even Stefanie.

Stefanie and Oliver successfully deceive their general and form a strong bond in the process.

With their threesome relationships intensifying, they must confront their own loyalties and emotions while pursuing the truth.

Episode Descriptions

SEASON 1 – STEAL

101 A Soldier’s Coming Home

Oliver returns to Germany, but his parents’ deaths raise suspicions and lead him on a quest for answers.

Oliver returns to Germany for his father’s funeral and discovers his mother’s sudden passing. He suspects foul play in their deaths and seeks answers. He meets Petra, a homicide detective, who initially dismisses any foul play.

Oliver visits the notary and is handed a recently signed power of attorney, raising suspicions about his mother’s intentions. In a pub brawl, Oliver gets injured but finds solace in Marie, leading to a deeper connection between them. A restless PTSD with sleeping disorders, he searches his parents house and discovers a hidden compartment containing his mothers diary. A peaceful death, really?

102: Meet the family

As homicide dismisses the need for investigation, Oliver visits the shipyard where his father drowned while the notary schedules the opening of the will.

Oliver and Marie wake up realizing they are cousins, adding complexity to their relationship. Uncle Hans, who prioritizes his brother’s funeral over a mutual one surprises Oliver. The notary provides Oliver with crucial information, reflecting that he might want to stay a bit longer; and the will’s opening is scheduled. Oliver visits the shipyard where his father drowned, uncovering potential clues. The general insists Oliver seeks therapy for his war trauma. Meanwhile, Marie helps Oliver find an undertaker for his mother, his mother’s sister, Gabrielle, calls from Switzerland about the funeral. Oliver confronts the banker regarding his mother’s accounts, presenting his Power of attorney while Uncle Hans is visited by Johan, another member of the Wind family, questioned if the WM plan would be at risk?

103: Family Secrets Emerge

Accusations arise, Oliver seeks therapy, and he inherits everything.

Accusations of incestuousness arise from Hans’ wife, causing tension in the family. Oliver begins therapy sessions with Stefanie, focusing on funeral matters. Oliver joins Petra during his mother’s autopsy and discovers evidence of foul play. He meticulously searches his parents’ house for more clues. The will is finally opened, shocking the family as Oliver is the sole heir, he inherits everything. Oliver gives a determined speech that he will stay to uncover the truth. Meeting Uncle Johan and cousin Clarice doesn’t work so well and Marie reveals the existence of a network of influential individuals, sarcastically known as the Winds.

104: A Funeral – no Fun

Oliver investigates the shipyard, homicide finds torture marks, and the funeral divides the family.

Stefanie helps Oliver in therapy, making progress with his emotional struggles. Oliver realizes the shipyard’s peculiar water patterns and investigates further. Petra informs Oliver of torture marks on his father’s body before drowning. Marie reveals her connection to eco-activists and her dream of being an eco-photographer. Oliver uncovers a hasty deal to sell the shipyard. The funeral takes place, dividing the family, but Oliver gains unexpected support from Gabrielle, his mother’s sister arriving from Geneva and his grandmother. Jürgen appears at the funeral, a shady memory to former life of Oliver. Walking back from the funeral, a car bomb detonates. Was this the limo Oliver is supposed to sit in?

105: Unraveling Motives

Oliver and Marie pursue Jürgen, investigate the rushed shipyard sale, and question the notary about his mother’s role in the deal.

Oliver and Marie delve deeper into the hasty shipyard sale and its implications while the general urgently seeks information about Stefanie’s therapy methods in her unpublished book. Oliver attends another therapy session with Stefanie, leading to a realization that they are both being manipulated. Oliver questions why someone would rush to buy the shipyard, the notary opens up about his past with Oliver’s mother. Oliver narrowly escapes an attempted murder by goons. The general presses for information about Stefanie’s therapy techniques and threatens both. Oliver and Petra find out that the car bomb was built from military explosives, stolen in a camp nearby.

106 Not enough Funds for the Big Plan

Marie uncovers the shipyard sale details: Water Mill buyer, orchestrated by Uncle Hans, with Jürgen’s involvement. Oliver introduces Marie to Stefanie.

Marie provides Oliver with information about the shipyard sale being handshake closed with Johan from the Water Mill, orchestrated by Jürgen and Hans. Marie meets Stefanie first time through Oliver and later returns, kissing her right away on the doorstep. Oliver drives to the military camp and pays a visit to his police colleagues about the car bomb, steals a handgun. Oliver confronts Hans about the shipyard deal, discovering the Water Mill’s plans for a new water production facility. He spoke to Gabrielle in Switzerland found out that they don’t have the funds to finance this alone. The town welcomes the project, anticipating economic growth but has no financial involvement. Oliver returning to the shipyard gets mysterious message suggesting to investigate Marie’s past when she worked at the Water Mill.

107: Shadows over Dark Waters

Oliver attends a therapy group, opens up about trauma. Tensions rise when Johann confronts him. Marie proposes polyamorous relationship to Stefanie.

Oliver attends a group meeting in a nearby town, where he opens up about his past trauma, being abused at the age of seven, earning respect from others. Johann approaches Oliver and tensions rise. Johann warns others about losing their investment in the shipyard, claiming Oliver wants to keep it solely for himself. Clarice takes action into her own hands and calls her mother in Switzerland, while Stefanie contemplates breaking up with Marie, but Marie proposes an alternative solution. Johan receives a phone call and it is requested to end Oliver’s thirst to unlock the riddle.

108: The Engine stutters – No Stopping

Johann informs board of shipyard losses. Stefanie’s relationship with Marie is tested. Petra shares intel with Oliver from Organized Crime department.

Johann informs Clarice and the board about potential losses in the shipyard investment due to Oliver’s actions. Stefanie’s relationship with Marie is tested. Oliver is attacked by unknown assailants while driving, but he manages to defeat the attackers and contacts Petra for assistance. The general grows increasingly impatient for information on Stefanie’s therapy methods. In therapy, Oliver and Stefanie realize they are both being coerced into spying on each other and a plan evolves how to deal with that. Oliver receives knowledge about the killers and that they are part of an organized group to finish dirty work for hire. Oliver loads the handgun and drives to town.

109: Uncovering Hidden Secrets

Oliver finds hidden facility at shipyard, Notary reveals mother’s intervention in shipyard sale. Oliver uncovers mother’s visit to notary before death.

Oliver discovers a hidden technical facility beneath the covered docks of the shipyard, leading him to suspect the Water Mill’s involvement. Oliver uses his friendship to a soldier from USA army who flies and monitors satellites over Europe and asks for favor and to check underground in depth around the shipyard while he finds the group of goons behind the attacks on him and finishes them smartly. He leaves evidence and informs military police.

The notary reveals how his parents have dealt with a mutual understanding how to divide their heritage so that his father could sell the shipyard but after his death his mother rewrote this unsigned will and inherited everything to Oliver accidentally came in one day earlier than scheduled and signed her will. The notary’s office is under surveillance too. Petra is visited by military police

110: Could this become Home again?

Oliver moves to shipyard. Notary’s office break-in turns deadly. Oliver seeks Petra’s help. Marie and Stefanie propose polyamorous relationship.

Oliver decides to move to the shipyard and considers living there permanently. Marie surprises him with a revelation. Jürgen is interrogated by Petra about two dead Albanians, a military police officer joining. Oliver and Marie break into the notary’s office for additional evidence but find the notary poisoned. Oliver cleverly covers his tracks and contacts Petra for assistance. Meanwhile, Marie and Stefanie suggest a polyamorous yet romantic relationship which shocks Oliver. Gabrielle calls Johan, will the notary make it? We need to clean this all up.

111: Confronting the Culprit

Oliver uncovers Water Mill’s underground pipeline. Trio prepares for new life at shipyard. Oliver confronts family about illegal deal. Jürgen exposed as mastermind, flees again.

Oliver confronts Hans about the mounting evidence against him, leading to a heated exchange. Oliver opens up to Marie and Stefanie about his doubts and his hopes for their relationship in a triangle form.But he is in. And the shipyard. He decides to confront the entire family with the truth, exposing Jürgen as the main villain responsible for his best friend’s death 18 years ago. Jürgen flees, and Johann receives a call while Clarice seeks help from her father’s driver. Stefanie confesses that she was Johan’s mistress for a while.

Episode 12: Running out of Energy

Water Mill’s role revealed in deaths. Marie confronts her father, Hans. Clarice escapes.

Johann faces the consequences of his involvement in the conspiracy, and there is no room for negotiation. Oliver discovers that the Water Mill played a significant role in his parents’ deaths. Followed by Oliver and Marie, Clarice manages to trick them and to escape the country. She sends a cryptic message for Oliver to give up, he has no ops against the lead conglomerate. Oliver enlists the help of his ISAF friends to locate Clarice. It shows that she has risen to a prominent position in a renowned water and nutrition company in Africa. Petra finds Jürgen dead with a confessing letter next to him. When leaves the site calling Oliver, Petra is shot in the back.

Episode 13: The Healing Begins – doesn’t it?

Oliver plans next move, visits assassin for a deal. Clarice ambushed, Oliver shot in Syria. Reunites with Marie and Stefanie. Plans for long rehab.

Oliver returns to his military camp and continues his duties while planning his next move. He visits Mohammad, the assassin from the first episode, offering him a deal that would grant freedom for him and his family. The plan is set in motion together with friends at ISAF and others to get Mohammad to SA. Clarice is ambushed near the Water Mill headquarters in South Africa. Oliver is shot on his watch in Mali in the thigh. Oliver sets Mohammad and his wife free and is flown back home for rehabilitation, where he reunites with Marie and Stefanie, starting the healing process and seeking a brighter future together. Leaving the airport, an unknown spy is following them, in his earpiece we hear the light French accent of Gabrielle who gives the go to kill Oliver because he killed his sister.

Five Seasons Descriptions

S 1: THIRST – Steal – see above

S 2 : THIRST – Revenge

Somebody is cleaning up in town, is the conspiracy striking back?. Petra, recovering in hospital, learns she will never walk again without clutches. Oliver suddenly needs to investigate FOR his family and protect them: Who is killing one after the other in the tribe. Johan publicly confesses mistakes in his Water Mill management nevertheless does not step down and is even backed by an international consortium of potable water producers who are lobbying for him – water will – and must – become an asset.

While Oliver digs deeper on Johan’s past, Stefanie steps up and confesses that she was Johan’s mistress while Marie was in education at the Mill. Marie is shocked as she had a „Me-too“ experience with Johan. At the same time.

The Water Mill produces as a sign of a good will and learning curve a traveling exhibition of photos of Marie „before and after“- her pics when she was educated in the Mill and did beauty shots of the landscape and then when she photographed the landscape as it actually is. The presentation goes viral and the eco activists are sudden enemies to her and start to ghost her. Cancel culture kicks in.

Oliver negotiates his future in the army – away from war zones and pub brawls- what do they have to offer? The general has an attractive offer in the capitol but first he must return to the MP HQ – Stefanie suspects foul play – again.

Team Oliver fight for the Water Mill to regain it’s reputation, they are foul played again. Yet finally find the „cleaner“ and her link to the master mind behind the unmerciful idea of „no water for free“

S3 : THIRST – Future

Stefanie becomes pregnant, Oliver is assigned from the MP HQ (Hannover) to the capitol in Berlin – commutes 4 days a week from the shipyard. Marie triggers discussion if she should get pregnant too and to have and raise the babies almost together.

Stefanie gives birth; a day later her baby is exchanged for another one and taken from the hospital. When Stefanie and the baby obviously do not match nor like each other, a blood test shows it’s a „raven child“. Oliver and Marie investigate that the „other“ mother was picked up and transported to her apartment only to disappear from there. Oliver pleads for help from his US and CZ soldier buddies to assist to find traces.

Oliver tries to acclimatize in Berlin and has his tasks to understand the difference in this very different war zone of politics and lobbyism. He finds traces there about a strong water lobby, in fact pushing merciless towards publics zero control over potable water.

Marie confronts her father Hans who in this case is without any responsibility. Marie uses this period of weakness to take over Hans’s seat in the Water Mill board.

Stefanie is contacted by Gabrielle and described the procedure she demands to be followed by her, believing Stefanie wants her baby in good custody. In the back ground of Gabrielle we see a nanny, a baby. And Clarice in a wheel chair

S 4: THIRST – New Endings

Oliver leaves Berlin, this war is to stinky and dirty for him. He seeks a military position closer to hometown and it is discussed yet not to decided.

Clarice returns in a wheel chair, half face and body reproduced by top cosmetic surgeons, yet she has to speak through an AI generated voice Modul tied to her brain. Having her back in town is no good sign.

Oliver and Marie manage to find Gabrielle’s resort in Switzerland and to escape from there with Stefanie’s baby.

Marie manages that the board is refusing to allow Clarice any function in the Water Mill.

Gabrielle is calling Stefanie announcing to retaliate

Marie becomes pregnant. Johan opens up that Clarice is not Gabrielle’s daughter but her sisters, Oliver’s mother.

Marie will loose the baby only a few month later in a car accident – foul play or bad luck? Gabrielle explains on the phone to Stefanie that such a bad accident happens every day and it could happen to her as well.

Hans is devastated and believes that Clarice has skin in this revenge makes him make bad decisions. While on a zoom call with Gabrielle, he pushes the wheelchair into the lake – with Clarice tight to it.

S 5 : THIRST – 4 Thirst

Marie takes over as Chairwoman of the advisory board and introduces herself as manager that will be permanently on the premise.

Oliver and Marie feel that some of Stefanie’s advice is „kind of weird“ and has a new not convincing quality. They decide to quietly observe.

Oliver wins the tender call for the new security services in the Water Mill. Marie is not happy in terms of governance but on the other hand happy as she had totally no skin in this decision. Oliver plans to leave the army and run a security company in hometown and the Mill.

Stefanie gets in contact with Gabrielle and is curious and ambitious if she can help her to find a way out of the life long misery. In fact Stefanie seeks to find out if is involved in her child’s kidnapping

Stefanie gets kidnapped by Gabrielle. And makes Uncle Hans look like the kidnapper is a different party, she plays for her own success in the water monopoly.

Hans shows up at the appointed hand over location and is shot while Petra and the police show up a minute too late. But Stefanie cannot be found.

Oliver, Marie and Stefanie’s baby must overcome this and find Stefanie. And…. there is a murder out there who must pay for killing Hans, Marie’s father.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by  Jan Fantl.

[Cat Miggs]

Cat Miggs Show Summary

What I learned doing this assignment is by breaking it down into sections helped me to form my ideas in a concise manner and then I was able to put them together to make it exciting and flow!

(Set up) A meek Forest Ranger (Expertise), Susan, has lost custody battle to her ex-husband and has given up on life (Empathy/Distress). When Susan gets shot, she wakes up to see the bullet is sitting next to her. The trees brought her back to life (Intrigue). (Twist/hook)Why? She is bound to help the forest fight against a magical disease that is killing them.

(Real situation) She is now introduced to a whole new magical world of talking trees (Intriguing World). Wilma the Tree, the leader of the forest, is not happy that Susan, a human, has power but knows she needs her (External Character Conflict). Wilma assigns Mystery Forest Ranger, a spirit, who will help guide Susan to help the fight but, when the two are put together it becomes a comedy of errors (External Character Conflict). As Susan learns to do magic and tries to use it for good, the Shadow uses Susan magic to do bad at the same time (Layer uncovered).

(twist/hook) Why? They are connected.

(Impossible to solve conflict or major mystery) As Susan is trying to understand her magic, past and how she is connected to the forest, Wilma reveals the secret about how Susan’s soul comes from the missing original tree that created Bufford Forest.

[Chanda Haynes]

What I learned doing this assignment is the key elements for a good series summary. Everything you need is in the framework, it’s just a matter of organizing it into a good flow. The show summary doesn’t have to be super detailed, and doesn’t need any fluff, just the facts.

CHANDA HAYNES – SHOW SUMMARY – LIKE THE JONESES

Tony Jones, VP of Jones Farmacy, a Portland, Oregon based cannabis mega business, has a life most could only dream of having. He and his father, Willie Jones, work side by side at the company they co-founded. Tony earns lots of money but has very little responsibility. It seems that he would have nothing to complain about, except that he feels undervalued and unfulfilled with the mundane tasks that he’s been assigned. Years ago, when Tony struggled with his alcoholism, he made some poor decisions that put the family business in jeopardy. As a result, Tony lost his wife, access to his son, and Willie’s trust in his business instincts. Twelve years sober, and no one, it seems, is willing to give him a second chance. His ex-wife Noelle barely speaks to him, his son is only allowed supervised contact, and Willie doesn’t allow him to make any independent decisions when it comes to Jones Farmacy.

Willie’s wife Elaine recognizes Tony’s growth, and nudges Willie to trust him with more responsibility. Willie finally decides to make Tony interim CEO, as he and Elaine prepare for their hiatus. Before he can give Tony the news, his estranged nephew, Henry Jones, arrives in town stating that he has proof that Willie used his inheritance from his deceased mother to fund Jones Farmacy. Henry demands Willie pay him the amount of the inheritance plus interest or he will take the proof to the League of Cannabis Commissioners (LOCC), the governing body over cannabis business in the state of Oregon.

When Willie is unable to turnover that amount of money, Henry insists that Willie make him CEO of Jones Farmacy, effective immediately. With no explanation, Willie announces to the company that Henry will be the new CEO of Jones Farmacy.

Upon hearing this, Tony is furious, and refuses to work under Henry in his own company. Tony announces his resignation, effective immediately. As soon as the news hits the cannabis community, support and job offers come pouring in for Tony. Pete, Willie’s nemesis, and President of Green Diamonds, Jones Farmacy’s number one competitor, approaches Tony about working for his company as a “real VP with real responsibility.” Pete sweetens the deal by offering to smooth things over with his daughter, Noelle, Tony’s ex-wife. Tony accepts, as he really wants to build a name for himself in the cannabis industry and repair his relationship with Noelle and Taj, his son.

Tony has immediate success at Green Diamonds, closing deals and boosting their sales. They move ahead of Jones Farmacy after only one month. He is mending his past with Noelle and Taj, and they are becoming closer. Tony’s colleagues in cannabis world look to him for guidance as he starts to challenge the unethical policies of the LOCC. He uncovers millions of dollars in excessive fines inflicted upon his fellow business owners. It seems that all is going well until Tony’s accusations push the Governor to launch an internal investigation of the LOCC, uncovering dirt on Pete, Willie, and several of the other LOCC Commissioners. She calls for immediate action. Pete is temporarily removed from his seat on the LOCC. Henry takes the fall for Willie’s oversight, and Willie maintains his seat at the LOCC. Taj overhears a conversation between Tony and Henry and their plans to bring down Willie. Taj begs Tony to call it off so that they can all be a happy family. Tony must choose between being true to himself and his loyalty to his family.

With his rocky relationship with Willie getting worse, information about Henry’s blackmail falling into his lap, and never-ending challenges with the LOCC, Tony must learn to hear his own voice, independent of any outside influence. How will Tony staying true to himself impact his relationship with those that he considers dear to him.

[Kristina Zill]

KZ’s Show Summary

What I learned doing this assignment is… wow, so much! I have perfectionism issues, but fortunately, the previous lessons allowed me to open up the story. For this assignment, I chose option B – Highlights of the Entire Season. I still need to work on the final cliffhanger.

MURDER MY DARLINGS

Who killed Raymond? Someone is trying to pin it on Oliver, who suffers from blank spots in his memory.

Nolan Harris, the writer next door, knows a lot more than he should about Oliver’s history. When Oliver discovers a portal into the author’s apartment, he is confronted by Nolan’s much younger lover, Tony, who claims they’ve been in a clandestine affair.

The superintendent, Michelle, warns Oliver that if he gets involved with Tony, he’s likely to suffer the same fate as Raymond, and others before him. But the next time Oliver sees Tony, intending to break off the affair, it’s as though Tony is meeting him for the first time.

It’s almost as if there are two worlds, and two Tony’s.

Nolan’s publisher is a money-laundering front for some Russians, who also bury illicit intelligence data in the e-book versions. They want Oliver dead. Nolan assures them he used their vial of Covid to infect his neighbor, who is at death’s door in the hospital. But then the Russian sees Oliver in the apartment, and Oliver barely escapes through the portal in time.

Tony uses the portal for a furtive fling with Oliver. But then a second Tony walks in, and Oliver has to learn to juggle this new reality, barely managing to keep the two apart.

Michelle unveils the mystery: Nolan bases his fictional characters on real-life people. Oliver is a fictionalized version of the original Oliver, and he has found a portal that lets him materialize in the real world. He’s in love with IRL Tony, while fictional Tony is a serial killer who kills his lovers—in the latest novel, Raymond—on a full moon.

IRL Tony walks out on Nolan, prompting the author to devise a hideous fictional revenge: on the next full moon, Oliver will kill Tony with sterling silver scissors. Desperate to avoid becoming a murderer himself and taking advantage of Nolan’s drunken stupor, Oliver downloads the novel, rewrites the ending, saves himself, Michelle and Tony, and gets it approved by the publisher.

Oliver visits his real-life counterpart in the hospital, an undercover CIA Agent who declares his love for Tony and hands over evidence of the Russian operation before he dies. The Russian agent who had come to finish the job follows Oliver back to the apartment, and would kill both Oliver and Nolan, except for the magic portal that enables their escape into the fictional world.

In his apartment, Oliver and Nolan discover a mob of disgruntled fictional characters who long to leave behind their histories and choose their own fate in the real world.

Can they handle reality?

• This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by  Kristina Zill.