A group of retirees travels from ‘Habitat for Humanity’ site to site in their RV’s helping construct houses, while building relationships. “Something’s Gotta Give “meets “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.”

SYNOPSIS:

The ‘Fellowship of the Gray’ begins their road trip in the Spring at a house whose foundation is just being poured. Each successive home visited is farther along in the construction process, as is the season. By Autumn the group gives the keys to a new homeowner. The physical transformations in the houses subtly echo the characters’ changes. Each of 5 RV’s holds its own storyline, so an ensemble cast:

Widower Robert is bitter at life for taking his partner of 30 years. His RV is an ancient vehicle, seemingly held together by wings and prayers but in reality, it is Robert’s mechanical genius that keeps it purring. His 70-ish golden heart is wrapped in the crust of a curmudgeon.

Sue is a recently divorced, cute, likeable gal full of southern charm, whose claim to fame is shopping. She can’t wield a hammer but she sure can scrounge materials. She also likes to spout homespun phrases and clichés - a habit that gets on Robert’s nerves. Ultimately the sparks between Sue & Rob prove more than just rubbing each other the wrong way.

A couple in their mid-80’s, Marc and Marcia are the true elders of the group. They are inseparable and go by the moniker M&M. However, being part of a couple is taken to its ultimate conclusion when Marc is given a short-term prognosis on his life and the two decide to go out on their own terms. After celebrating their 65th Anniversary, they lay in each others’ arms – with a bottle of pills. When they are discovered in their final embrace, it puts everyone’s losses and longings into sharp focus.

The youngest couple of the group retired in their 50’s. Brian and Jill have two Harleys on their “toad” behind their massive luxury motor coach. Their concurrent mid-life crises will see them leave the building season early, as they ride off into the sunset toward the annual bike rally at Sturgis.

There is a Triad among the sojourners. A married couple in their early 60’s travel with Diane, 47, who is desperately in love with Lane, Christina’s husband. They are a polyamorous enigma to the others, but accepted into the group without judgment. Lane is a ‘New-Ager’: a study in arrested development who likes to meditate naked at dawn at the campsites.

The hard physical work accomplished along the way isn’t easy and one day Christina falls from a ladder. She will recover, but Lane is distraught. Finally, Diane sees she will never have the same connection with her beloved Lane, and Diane leaves.

On the job sites they encounter a variety of surly teens assigned community service. Our collection of unofficial mentors puts young angst into perspective as they teach both carpentry and life skills to the next generation.

After traveling from state to state in the western US, experiencing the beauty and majesty of many National Parks along the way, Rob and Sue head back together to her beloved home in Georgia.

But life is a cycle, and they all know that next year some of them will come together again in “The Fellowship of the Gray”for the building season to begin again.