A dramedy about Nick, an alcoholic novelist who wants to measure up to his legendary novelist father but can't break out of his father's shadow to shine on his own until Connie, a 20 year old fugitive mental patient claiming to be Nick's daughter, turns his perspective upside down and uncovers a secret that could be the key to Nick's emotional freedom (if SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK smashed into FINDING FORRESTER).

SYNOPSIS:

NICK GRAY, 38, is a lazy, sloppy, alcoholic novelist. He is ridiculed by his novelist nemesis, MACK FULTON, 38, at a writer’s panel in New York. Nick attempts to assault Mack but is too drunk and ends up publicly humiliated.

Nick’s agent, ANNIE PRICE, mid-40s, says he must return his advance if he can’t meet the writing deadline (five days) and says that if he does provide a manuscript, the winner of an auction for Nick’s and Mack’s draft of their next book will get a seven figure book deal.

Annie says if Nick doesn’t agree to terms, she’ll cut him as a client. Nick begrudgingly signs.

CONNIE, 20, makes a visit to her psychiatrist, manages to steal his car keys off his desk, and steals his BMW.

Connie finds Nick and claims he’s her biological father, but he is skeptical. She says she can help with his deadline. He says he needs to visit his ailing father in Colorado before he dies. Connie begs to drive him. Penniless, Nick reluctantly agrees.

Along the way, Connie plays pranks to motivate Nick to write. Connie calls an unknown person claiming she’ll have Nick’s manuscript soon. She also shows off her violin skills at a rest stop.

Connie falls asleep at the wheel and almost kills both of them. Nick insists on stopping at the next motel. The police, looking for the stolen car, find them the next morning, but they escape. They travel anonymously by train.

Nearly out of cash, Connie plays violin for a few dollars. They get closer as he is inspired by her music and she helps with the story.

Connie flees the train with his notebook as he sleeps. Nick wakes to find he has nothing to give his publisher. Connie texts: “You need to feel the pain of loss and abandonment.”

Nick gets to Denver, talks with his FATHER, mid-60s, on his deathbed. His father is, indeed, proud of Nick. His father dies the next day.

NICK’S MOTHER, mid-60s, takes him to her home. He tries to re-write from memory. He fails. His mom gives him his father’s Mustang to drive and relax. Connie texts Nick: she’ll give back his manuscript. They arrange to meet at the auction venue.

Connie reveals that she’s Mack’s daughter and Mack wanted her to steal Nick’s manuscript. Nick is stunned, but relieved. Mack verbally abuses Connie, she snaps and physically assaults Mack, then runs away with Nick’s story.

Connie runs to the Denver library, takes many pills, and lies on a bed of books to die. Nick finds her, gets her to the hospital in his father’s Mustang. The police find Nick at the hospital and arrest him as an accomplice to Connie’s Grand Theft Auto.

Nick’s mother bails him out, they check on Connie but she was discharged.

Mack admits Connie to the psych ward. Connie destroys a flash drive with all of Mack’s writing on it and has his housekeeper take his laptop in for “repair” to clear his hard drive, destroying all backup files.

6 MONTHS LATER:

Nick visits Connie at the psych ward, says Mack lost the book contract and was incarcerated after he showed up threatening to kill her.

Nick sells the Mustang, buys an RV, and wants to road trip with Connie to finish his book.

Connie accepts…they hit the road…each complementing their unique style of crazy.