After serving time in prison, an aging father returns to his family to make things better but things go wrong.
Feature film Synopsis
Dad (72) has served out his 12-year federal jail sentence at The US Penitentiary, Coleman, in Wildwood, Florida, for armed robbery, aggravated assault, and accessory to murder of a bank teller. During his time away from home, his wife, Muriel, died of cancer (61) and he became a grandfather of six. He will be released shortly. A huge “welcome home” weekend long event is planned for the whole family and some close friends. At the event, and during the ensuing weeks we will meet the clan and realize the choices Dad has to make. By the way, the last milestone for Dad was his 60th birthday, spent alone during his first week in jail.
Dad is very mixed about his release. He would like to take the years he has left to rebuild his relationship with his sons, their families and especially his grandchildren. Well, most of them. He has had lots of time to think in prison and realizes some of the truths about himself. He's not perfect, but he is not a bad guy, just somewhat desperate to feel successful. Dad had many career opportunities that did not work out. Hence, the bank heist. Dad was a landscaper, a used car salesman, a furniture salesman and a hardware clerk.
Dad realizes that his time to make a lot of money and to do the right thing by his family is running out. He is 72, and his eyesight seems to be failing, and there are some stomach pains he has told no one about. His own dad, Frank, did the right thing by starting that gas station (The Fill ‘Em Up) but Frank died from leukemia at 49 when Dad was only 15. And the money from the sale of the gas station never really lasted. So, Dad has a lot on his mind as he re-enters the world.
Dad’s two adult sons, Ronnie, and Donnie will be there with their families. Dad and the late Muriel had Ronnie 36 years ago. Ronnie is now married to Shelia (35) the heiress to a multi-million-dollar worldwide supermarket conglomerate. (The chain, The Family Super Saver, was founded by Shelia’s grandfather's, Robert, deceased at 81and his wife, Shelia,81).
Shelia’s father (Robert Jr. 55) and mother (Shelia, 55) currently run the company. Ronnie and Shelia have a daughter, Shelia (12). Ronnie and Shelia are happily married in a contented sort of way. Ron knows that his daughter is set for life, and more importantly, so is he. Shelia’s family is easily worth $700 million. Ron enjoys selling high-end new cars and is an excellent auto mechanic, having grown up in his dad's gas station. Shelia serves on the board of the corporation and is President of local country Club. She is a scratch golfer and likes tennis and skydiving and country singing.
Dad’s eldest son Donnie was born 38 years ago during a failed relationship with a somewhat disturbed woman named Mildred. Donnie is now married to Audrey (40) whose family owned a trailer park. (Rest Easy, Right Here) Donnie runs a struggling landscaping business. (The Big Hoe) To help, Audrey works part-time as a secretary for the local six-person law firm of Dunphy & Dunphy. Donnie and Audrey have four children now. Donnie Jr is 8, Ron is 5, Audrey is 3, Frank is 1. They lost one child along the way, and Audrey is currently four months pregnant. The family dog is a mix, named Buzz; and the black cat they call Buzzer. Audrey and Donnie care for each other a great deal, having met in high school. They struggle as best they can, with both financial and emotional issues, as they try to provide for their family.
The more time Dad spends getting to know and re-know his family, the more pressure he puts on himself to do the right thing. He wants to leave a legacy, somehow. He wants to protect Donnie and the kids financially. But how? What would Frank do?
After working out all the options he can think of, Dad decides what to do. It won’t be easy, but it will work. His plan will be good for everyone. Well, almost everyone.
Dad has been waiting for the perfect opportunity to tell Ronnie what he has in mind. Tonight, Ronnie is coming over for a barbecue in the common yard of the apartment complex Dad has been living in for the last few weeks. Dad will talk to Ronnie then, over a beer. He needs Ronnie's cooperation to make it all work.
As Dad explains his plan, he is trying to see how Ronnie really feels about it. Dad knows how Ronnie thinks and feels. Ronnie has always been very close to Dad. Dad tells Ronnie that together they must help Donnie, Audrey, and the kids. He tells Ronnie that he knows why Ronnie married Shelia. It is obvious. Dad knows Ronnie really does not love Shelia like you love someone. Not really. It has always been about the money and security. Dad understands. He respects that. A person must be practical.
Dad is aware that Shelia and Ronnie share a rather large marital estate. Houses, stock, cash, maybe over $50 million in assets, probably a pretty good life insurance trust too on both you and Shelia. So, if Shelia was to go away, Ronnie would get it all as the surviving spouse and as executor for little Shelia.
Dad says he can handle all the details and Ronnie does not have to know anything or be involved other than one promise. Ronnie must promise to take care of Donnie and the kids. Split the money 75% for Ronnie/25% for Donnie. It’s a lot of money, Ronnie won’t miss it. And a little directly to Audrey. And, about $50K to Dad to take a vacation. And, lastly, Donnie must never know.
Ronnie is of course surprised and taken aback by Dad’s approach to leaving a legacy. But after some modest and insincere arguing, he fully agrees to the plan. It’s blood, you have to do your part.
Dad knows many folks from twelve years in the slammer. Happily, one of them works at the local airport. Happily, he can be trusted for a few bucks.
The skydiving accident was a big deal in the news. Heiress dies in one mile plunge. The horrible family tragedy played out over several weeks. Nobody could believe it. It was not her time. Poor little Shelia.
Dad was the happiest he had been in 12-20 years. He had taken care of his family. Now, he could finally relax. Ronnie kept him informed on the progress of the estate transfer and life insurance payout. Dad felt good. He started looking online for the best hotels in Acapulco.
During a search there is a knock on the door. This never happens. Dad gulps his beer and goes to see who is knocking.
Turns out it is a Mrs. Jane Byrne, who introduces herself as an insurance investigator. Immediately, you know she is brilliant. She just spent quite some time with Ronnie who thought she should come see Dad. She says that while Shelia’s policy should pay out, there might be a snafu as she made a small change to the policy a month ago, and when the company reviewed the records, they discovered the policy was only re- purchased 726 days ago. Short by four days of the allowable “contestability period.” Given the nature of the skydiving provision, the company is now investigating, and there might need to be a delay in the payout. An unfortunate situation. Dad was very upset. Turns out Ronnie is even more upset.
Within a week, Mrs. Byrne is killed in a car accident. Weeks go by and nothing happens.
Then Ronnie calls Dad to let him know that a certified letter arrived. Due to all the circumstances about the demise of his wife, Shelia, and investigator Jane Byrne, the matter has been turned over to the criminal authorities for “evaluation.” The letter advises getting legal counsel. Ronnie is screaming.
Dad is confused now. What really happened to Byrne? Did Ronnie act irrationally?
Within forty-eight hours Florida State police Detective Milos Dillon arrives on the scene. He will be meeting with everyone. Just procedure, but then again, this is mighty coincidental. Two dead?
Detective Milos Dillon interviews several folks. Ronnie has the toughest time answering questions. At one point, he vaguely implies that his wife was depressed, may have contemplated suicide. Shelia’s skydiving instructor seems ok. The men and women at the airport seem ok. Even Dad seems ok. Little Shelia innocently says that her mom and dad argue about money but that they laugh too. She doesn't like her grandfather because he likes the other grandchildren more, but that's ok, she is rich.
Detective Dillon is trying to put the pieces together. Looks like the husband may have done it. Dillon plans to visit Ronnie at work on a Sunday. Ronnie calls Dad concerned about the upcoming visit. Dad says don’t worry I will be there when Dillon arrives.
Detective Dillion shows up. There is an accident, and a Porsche crushes Dillion in the service bay. An ambulance is called, but it is too late.
Now, all eyes are squarely on Ronnie. The local evening news is already running with “Rich husband murders wife and two investigators.”
Dad is distraught. He started all this. Things would be fine if he just stayed in jail. Or if he had a real job, a real way to take care of his family. Now Ronnie is doomed. There will be no money for Donnie. There will be no money for him. Dad sees everything going up in smoke. His children left with nothing. Dad sees no way out of this. But Dad cannot let it end like this. He needs a plan.
So, Dad goes for a drive. He exiles himself and exists for seven days and nights in the Florida wilderness. Little food or water. No booze. No cell phone. Seven days of Lawrence of Arabia type “desert purging.” His Gethsemane. What must he do?
Dad emerges with a new plan. Dad confesses to the murder of Shelia. He confesses to killing investigator Jane Byrne. He admits to fixing the Porsche to crush Detective Milos while Ronnie was taking a piss. And, by the way, Dad reveals he was the real trigger man on that bank teller 12 years ago. He liked it. It reminded him of killing young Sally Hutching’s by Shallow Pond on old man Jackson’s property twenty years ago. Dad laughs about that one. Nobody could figure out that one. And maybe more, but let's get me a lawyer.
So, Dad becomes a hero, admitting to being a serial killer. The way Dad thought, it made perfect sense. What is the difference, he thinks to himself? I did kill Shelia. Not that I cared about that. But Ronnie fucked up. A lot. And I need to take care of my family. I need to be a good father. I am 72. There is not much time left.
Dad is relatively quickly convicted of four murders. In Florida, he is sentenced to death.
One day Ronnie comes to visit Dad on death row. Ronnie came to tell Dad that he reneges on the deal and says he will keep all the money. Donnie is not really blood anyway, and they were not all that close, no matter what Dad wanted to believe, and the kids are his fuck up. One or two kids ok, but Donnie can't stop pumping them out. And Audrey has always been a bitch to him. Dad is outraged. Crushed. Devastated. What can he do now?
One day Donnie comes to visit Dad on death row. Dad talks about missing Muriel. And missing his dad, Frank. And his mom, Betty. Donnie never really saw this side of Dad. Donnie tries to cheer dad up by talking about the grandkids and the new baby. Dad just goes on like he is not listening, and as they both talk about different things, Dad starts to tell Donnie the truth about his life and reveals some things Donnie did not know about his mom (Samantha, 70) and how she is alive, not dead, and Donnie may need her now. Slowly Dad reveals what he and Ronnie agreed to, and did, and how Ronnie is blood, but Donnie is love.
Donnie’s head is spinning. He might puke, but he is holding Dad’s hand for strength. Dad remembers some childhood stories about Donnie on a sled and with a dog. Then Dad tells Donnie, I will die in here. You need to deal with Ronnie. You need to man up. You need to protect your family.
Donnie is in shock and doing the best he can to process what just changed in his life.
Donnie asks about his mother; he will need her advice. Donnie can’t believe she is alive. But if she is, she will know what to do. She is family. Dad says talk to her, but whatever you do, fix Ronnie.
THE END.
