sugar daddy

Sugar Daddy

By

Ian Macdonald, Shane Wilcox and Alex Lee

Growler Box Ltd and

Shane Wicox, Ian Macdonld, and

Alex Lee

INT. CAVERN CLUB - NIGHT

We see FERN and PUDDLE along with MINISTER, AYEESHA,

RHIANNON, DAN, DAVID, all sitting in booth with after-work

drinks. Puddle is leaning over Fern, leering, obviously

making a failed attempt to seduce her. She is just as

obviously trying not to cause offense.

PUDDLE

You should really come up to my

penthouse. Or, better yet, you

know I’m good friends with the

French ambassador, he’ll let us use

his villa on the Riviera. We could

fly there tonight.

Puddle slides his arm across the back of the bench seat

behind Fern. She glances across the table to her friend,

Dan, with a look that says "help me". He shrugs his

shoulders with a wicked grin. She scowls back at him and

slides out of the seat and goes to the bar. At the bar is

FISO, sitting on a stool, clearly intoxicated, talking in

loud, slurred tones to the BARMAID. Fern stands next to

him, but not really paying attention.

FISO

I had it made back in Fiji. You

know why that bastard the Commodore

kicked me out. Because of the

sugar. It’s all about the bloody

sugar...

Fern stands there, trying to look both inconspicuous and

attract the barmaid’s attention at the same time. The

barmaid finally notices her and takes a step away from

Fiso. She rolls her eyes.

BARMAID

He turned up here last night, and

he’s been going on with that crap

ever since. What can I get you?

Fiso also notices Fern for the first time. He turns his

full bleary attention to her.

FISO

That’s the only reason you put in

him power. You all think your

government wants him out. It

doesn’t fit. They want the sugar,

and he’s the only way they’ll get

it.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 2.

FERN

Vodka-tonic, thanks.

In the background we see Puddle lurching from his seat and

advancing towards them. The barmaid nods towards him as she

puts Fern’s drink on the bar.

BARMAID

Your "friend’s" on his way over.

Fern shudders and takes a gulp of her drink.

FERN

Thanks.

Fern quickly scuttles out of the bar.

INT. THE STARCHAMBER - DAY

Fern’s POV as she approaches the door to the Starchamber

holding a pile of folders and papers. As she shoulders the

door open she hears the

MINISTER

Alright gentlemen. Rudd’s still

pushing for democracy in Fiji.

PUDDLE

Excuse me, Minister, I’m not sure I

understand the problem.

DAVID

Minister, if I may

interject? Alex, if that happens,

our man in Suva is out.

Fern drops the papers and the eyes of the Minister, Puddle

and David all turn to her. She bends to gather up her load

and backs out of the room.

MINISTER

Puddle, I’m afraid you’ll have to

take care of that one.

PUDDLE

Already done, Minister.

3.

INT. PUDDLE’S OFFICE - DAY

Puddle is seated behind his desk. At one corner is a pile

of papers topped by a rock used as a paperweight. Fern taps

lightly on the door and cautiously enters the room.

FERN

You called, sir?

PUDDLE

Ah, Fern. I’m afraid the Minister

was not at all impressed. You

embarrassed us both for the last

time. You have until the end of

the day.

FERN

Are you telling me I’m fired?

PUDDLE

Make sure you leave your card with

security as you go.

Fern’s expression changes from one of amused disbelief to

fury. She leans over the desk, placing one hand on the

rock/paperweight.

FERN

(Between her teeth)

An attic room at your mother’s

place is not a penthouse.

Fern straightens, brandishing the still clutched rock. She

seems to think better of slamming it back onto the desk and

shoves both hands into her pockets. She turns quickly and

in so doing knocks the pile of papers from the desk. As she

stamps out, one sheet is caught on her heel and leaves the

room with her.

INT. CORRIDOR - DAY

Fern leans back against the wall, sobbing. Dan approaches

from the other end of the corridor.

DAN

Has that bastard made another pass

at you?

Fern hangs her head as she shakes it no, and notices the

sheet of paper attached to her heel. She lifts her foot and

removes it, then goes to toss it away but notices what’s

written on it.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 4.

IN FRAME IS THE TOP PART OF THE SHEET ONLY. IT READS:

"INTERNAL MEMO, ATTENTION ALEX PUDDLE" AND IS STAMPED

"CONFIDENTIAL".

FERN

What do you make of this?

She shows the paper to Dan. They read.

FERN

There was some guy at the bar last

night going on about Fiji. If he

can tell me more about this I might

be able to hang it ’round Puddle’s

neck.

DAN

This is bigger than Puddle. I’ll

come with you.

FERN

(With sense of urgency)

No. If this is bigger than Puddle,

I need someone I can trust here.

Fern turns to leave.

DAN

I don’t like this. Call me.


The Minister and Puddle are standing in the room.

MINISTER

Did you solve our little problem?

PUDDLE

I dismissed her immediately.

MINISTER

Dismissed? You mean she’s still

out there? After what she heard?

PUDDLE

It might be worse than that. Part

of your memo is missing.

MINISTER

(Angrily)

I suggest you fix

this. Permanently.

5.

Puddle looks scared, but nods and leaves.

EXT. OUTSIDE CAVERN CLUB - DAY

Fern runs up to the closed door of the club. It is

locked. She rattles it once or twice, looks around

wildly. She sees Fiso staggering up the street.

FERN

Hey!

She takes off after him.

EXT. ALLEY - DAY

Fern catches Fiso by the arm. He is more lucid and coherent

than the previous night. Fern thrusts the memo under his

nose as they continue down the alley.

FERN

Is this what you were talking about

last night? Is the Commodore

really our puppet? Why?

FISO

Like I said, it’s all about the

sugar. Obama’s looking to replace

oil with sugar-based fuel, and you

guys are looking for a way in on

the action.

FERN

What’s that got to do with Fiji?

FISO

How much sugar do you grow

here? Without the Commodore you

don’t have Fiji. Without Fiji’s

sugar, you’ve got nothing.

Puddle’s silhouette appears at the end of the alley, and

after a moment’s pause, moves towards them. As he

approaches, Fern recognises Puddle, and sees the gun in his

hand.

FERN

(Frightened)

What are you doing here?

Fiso has not seen the gun and lumbers towards Puddle,

grabbing him by the shoulder and pulling him around. Puddle

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 6.

tries to evade Fiso’s grasp and in the ensuing struggle the

gun goes off. Fiso staggers backwards clutching his belly,

and Puddle stands dumbfounded, the gun hanging limply from

his fingers. Fern is equally dumbstruck and is by now

against the wall behind Puddle. She whimpers, and as he

turns slowly in response, she swings her fist, once again

containing the rock. Puddle goes down. Fern stands staring

at his motionless form for a moment, then takes out her cell

phone and dials a number.

FERN

Dan? It’s about sugar, all about

sugar. Find everything you can on

our sugar deals with the Commodore.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN.

INT. RADIO STATION - DAY

A radio announcer is reporting on the events.

RADIO ANNOUNCER

In the latest incredible

developments on the Fiji sugar

scandal, today certain senior

Ministers have been arrested on

charges of conspiracy.


Close shot of the Minister in handcuffs, being bundled out

the door by Angeline, a plainclothes detective (simultaneous

with voiceover above)

INT. PUDDLE’S OFFICE - DAY

Fern is sitting behind the desk once occupied by Alex

Puddle, listening to the radio and smiling broadly.

RADIO ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

An unnamed source from within the

Ministry has revealed the

connections between our government

and Fijian strongman, The

Commodore. A police source has

stated that all levels of

government will be called upon to

assist with inquiries.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 7.

FADE TO BLACK.

Carl McKae as The Minister

David Goldthorpe as Alex Puddle

Angeline as the plainclothes detective

Other characters as named in script

sugar daddy

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