The Outskirts of Paradise
Genre(s): Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Logline:
The Outskirts of Paradise is a film noir story about Stan Wheeler who has an affair with another man's wife, Darlene Forzani, but they can't leave town together until they find the money that her husband has hidden in his junkyard.
Synopsis:
The Outskirts of Paradise is a film noir story about Stan Wheeler who has an affair with another man's wife, Darlene Forzani, but they can't leave town together until they find the money that her husband has hidden in his junkyard.
The Outskirts of Paradise is a noir story of lust and greed on the wrong side of the tracks. It all begins in an abandoned rail yard where Daryl Getz swaps a bundle of cocaine for a briefcase full of cash.
Laid off and almost broke, Stan Wheeler hits the highway to Creston Beach hoping for a job in the sawmill. After driving all night, he's forced by car trouble to pull over in the shabby town of Paradise. He is picked up by C.W. Getz, an opportunistic tow truck driver, who hauls Stan's car to Paradise Auto Parts.
By the time he has paid C.W., Stan has little money left for car repairs so he ends up working for the owner, Earl Forzani. Earl is a washed-up stock car driver with a restless wife, Darlene, who takes a real interest in Stan. Against their better judgement, Stan and Darlene are drawn into a passionate affair behind Earl's back.
After lots of steamy sex, Stan and Darlene try to run away together but they don't get far on their limited money. Discouraged, they return to Paradise Auto Parts feeling as if they have no way out. One night, an opportunity presents itself when Earl gets drunk and passes out in a running car. They almost let him die -- but C.W. arrives to deliver a car and ruins everything.
Routinely searching the old car, Stan finds a briefcase full of cash -- more money than he's ever seen! Now he and Darlene can get out of town as they had planned. But Earl finds the briefcase and stashes it for himself. At the same time, he learns of Stan and Darlene's affair and forces Stan off the property. Darlene stays behind to try to find the money, while Stan holes up nearby in a low-rent motel where she can still sneak out to meet him. But time is running out as Earl plans to spend the money on an expensive motorhome to take Darlene to Las Vegas. To make matters worse, C.W. Getz gets wise to what's going on and schemes to get the stash for himself.
With four people vying for the ill-gotten cash, opportunities for a double cross multiply. Just when he thinks he's got it all, Stan discovers the ultimate irony in his greed -- and all he can do is laugh.
Author Info:
MONTGOMERY BURT has written teleplays for Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Twilight Zone, one of which won second prize in the Writer's Digest Writing Competition. His radio drama Leonard McTivey's Last Day at Work was produced for CKNW Radio. For the past twelve years Montgomery has headed Upwords, an ongoing screenwriters workshop that develops new talent. Outskirts of Paradise is his third feature film script; he is currently writing a thriller called Oceanview Motel.
MONTGOMERY BURT, Writer
1288 East 14th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5T 2P3
(604) 875-0660
montyburt@telus.net
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