One Cigar Too Far - Treatment

Eleanor Reynolds - 26079291

One Cigar Too Far

A short film

Written by Eleanor Reynolds

Contents

Logline

Synopsis

Treatment

Character Biographies

Logline -

Don Marco engages in a confrontation with his trusted consigliere, Luis, as he attempts to uncover the truth behind his lost cigars.

Synopsis -

Don Marco, the head of a prominent organised crime family, is furious to discover that once again, his cigars have been stolen. He calls upon his consigliere, Luis, suspecting him of this ultimate betrayal. As suspicions mount and tensions rise, Don Marco’s interrogation leads to a nasty fight, unaware of how close he is to his cigars.

Treatment -

Don Marco paces in his office, scowling and muttering to himself in frustration. The closed curtains and low-lit lamps cast shapes across his face, obscuring his features. A

close-up of his hand, adorned with jewellery, the cuffs of a pin-stripe suit grazing the wristband of a large, expensive watch, reaches for a small cup of espresso on his desk. Panning upwards with his hand reveals the true features of Don Carlo. The light bounces off his heavily slicked back hair, and he sports a clearly fake pencil moustache. He is clearly a teenager. He takes a small sip before abruptly spitting it out all over himself and his suit, before he drops the cup back down on his desk and gags. Don Marco settles himself into the large, deep red, leather cushioned chair behind the desk huffing and swearing as reaches for the rotary phone on his desk. He dials a number, saying the numbers aloud as he turns the dial, speaking in a poorly done New York Italian accent. He lights a cigarette whilst he waits for someone to pick up. The line clicks and someone answers, he responds to their hello with a snappish tone, asking them to send in Luis. He places the phone back on its holder, leans back leisurely in his chair, crossing his legs and folding his hands together. He stares at the door across from him expectantly.

Moments later, Luis enters the room. He is also clearly a teenager, wearing a similar get up to Don Marco. Marco greets Luis overly-enthusiastically. He gestures to the chair across from him, significantly less grandiose as the one he himself sits in and invites Luis to sit down and join him in enjoying a cigarette whilst they talk business.

Luis sits and lights a cigarette offered to him by Marco, asking why exactly Marco called him over so unexpectedly. Marco explains that he needs the help of his closest confidante, his consigliere, to find the thief who has been stealing his cigars. Luis looks bewildered and raises an eyebrow at Marco, confused.

Luis asks Don Marco why he thinks his cigars have been stolen, and Don Marco states it is because he cannot find them. He claims to have searched everywhere for them. A beat passes, then a knowing smile flashes across Luis’ face, chiding Don Marco for losing his cigars again. Don Marco seethes at the joke, and flies into a fit of rage, accusing Luis himself of stealing the cigars. He leaps up from his chair and grabs Luis by the collar of his suit, his stomach flat against the desk and his legs dangling uselessly behind him. A look of amusement flickers across Luis’ face as Marco brings their faces so close together their noses touch. Don Marco growls. Luis bursts out laughing. Luis questions why Don Marco would ever accuse him of stealing his cigars, Don Marco simply tells him it is because he knows Luis does not respect him, since he is always taking what does not belong to him. The two men begin arguing more intensely, screaming obscenities at each other. Luis drags the pair to the floor, causing the desk and everything laying on it to topple over. The two men roll around in the debris, ignoring the carnage they are causing in the office, when suddenly the door to the office slams open.

The perspective shifts, two teenagers, dressed in tracksuits and trainers with large mops of curly hair mimic, can be seen from the view of the doorway. They are grappling with each other next to an overturned coffee table. They are arguing over a missing THC pen. It lies next to them on the floor unnoticed, camouflaged by the damage the boys have caused, as their voices and fighting can be heard muffled in the background.

Treatment Word Count: 640

Character Biographies -

Don Marco/Big Mark -

Don Marco/Big Mark is a weedy and scrawny teenage boy and a terrible mobster. He is easily angered and overly suspicious, willing to turn on his own friends at the slightest provocation. His behaviour often leads to unnecessary violence and anger, though he is not capable of dealing much damage physically due to his delicate frame. However, his size is made up for with his big mouth and boisterous nature. That is where the nickname comes from. He spends his time smoking with friends and being too high to remember where he left his belongings, which causes friction with his friends, including his best friend Luis/Lewis.

Luis/Lewis -

Luis/Lewis is not as loud and boisterous as his best friend, he is sarcastic and even-tempered, balancing out Don Marco/Big Mark ‘s short temper and tendency to snap. He often laughs at what he finds to be ridiculous and is not afraid to call out his own friends for their idiotic behaviours. Although he too likes to spend his time getting high with friends, he is much beetter at keeping track of his own belongings, as well as Don Marco/Big Mark’s.

Character Biography Word Count: 187 words