Short Film Idea - 3 Acts

Short Film



Drama/Comedy

Act 1: We are introduced to Jack, private detective and heavy drinker struggling to keep a roof over his head. We see him residing within a cluttered office. After an unsuccessful attempt over the phone to get his business rolling again, He's visited by someone, who reveals themselves to be a former colleague called Frank, which point we find out Jack used to be a cop. The officer offers jack a job, asking him to find a girl, Frank's niece - the cop tells jack he's here because he's was the best at what he does and that he's been making no movements in the search for her. Jack (drunk) refuses, claiming he's not a cop anymore (he explains that his reluctance to sit behind a desk for the rest of his life resulted in the force dropping him due to his age, his inability to keep up with the newer recruits). The officer states that he understands, he then pulls out an envelope, throws it to Jack and tells him that he understands, and that the contents of the envelope should cover the investigation, Jack looks inside and see's a stack of cash, he looks at Jack, perplexed. The officer smiles and throws Jack a mobile phone, telling him it's a direct line to him and to keep him updated. Jack watches Frank leave before emptying the contents of the envelope, revealing cash, photos of the girl and information. Her name is Jennifer.

Confrontation

Act 2: We see a montage of a still slightly drunk jack making his way through different locations, asking people if they recognise the young woman, after a few attempts we see Jack engage in a conversation with a young man/woman who becomes nervous when jack shows the photo, after a conversation the person writes something down on a piece of paper, Jack walks off. We cut to Jack knocking on a door, we cut to Jack's face as it opens to which we witness his disbelief as Jennifer answers the door, she's about to speak before Jack barges in claiming that he's here to take her home, to which an argument follows where Jennifer tells him that she isn't missing...she's hiding. She tells Jack that the man that visited him is not looking to help her. She explains that she has information regarding illegal activities within the force, with Frank at the centre of it, she then states he only aske for Jack's help because Frank couldn't use police resources or the time to find her without raising suspicion, hence his use of Jack. refuses to believe her and goes to call Frank, Jennifer screams at him and claims she'll pay him 50 thousand to get her out of there. Jack lowers the phone, she says she knows how men like him work, with money being their compass. Jack begins to feel remorse for the young girl but being in the situation he's in, he takes her up on her offer, she tells him the money is at her father's house in the neighbouring city should he get her there safe but before they can begin too move they hear a knock on the door. It's Frank. Jennifer shouts at Jack, claiming he led Frank here but Jack shakes his head, he listens to Frank's attempts to get them to open the door before holding the phone that Frank gave him in his hands and shakes his head again. Jennifer asks what it is, Jack shows her the phone and tells her it's a tracker. He tells her he's sorry whilst he slumps himself into the corner before telling Jennifer he can't even do this job right. Jack pulls out a whiskey bottle from his jacket and Jennifer scoffs. Frank drops the façade and begins to goad Jack into opening the door.

Resolution

Act 3: Frank tells Jack his job is done, he's earned his money he can leave without being involved. Jack looks at her teary eyed, Jennifer seriously unimpressed, he tells her he's sorry before opening the door to Frank - Frank goads Jack a little more before telling him to get lost, Frank then points his gun at Jennifer, he then begins to tell her that smart men only care for money, and that nothing she can do will ever overshadow that, because money always wins, Jack overhears this as he's walking down the corridor. Frank begins to hold the gun towards Jennifer's forehead, Jack walks up with his gun and points it to the back of Franks head, Frank turns around, amused, calling Jack a has been whose time is up, Jennifer reaches for the whiskey bottle that jack left on the floor during his crying episode, she smacks Frank round the back of the head with it and he drops to the floor knocked out. Frank begins to speak before Jennifer has a go at Jack for being a blubbering alcoholic, he states the situation is awkward before Frank, barely conscious, agrees. Jack kicks him, telling him to shut up. Jack tells Jennifer that the 50k was never real, Jennifer shrugs.

We cut to Jack in his office on the phone to Jennifer, she's telling him that Frank and other officers have been arrested for drug trafficking, shake downs etc., Jack tells her he's happy but it doesn't solve his lack of business and money, especially after the money Frank gave him was confiscated. Jennifer tells him to turn on the news, we hear a news anchor interviewing Jennifer, in which she thanks her private investigator, almost plugging his business. Jack smiles, before his phone starts to ring, he answers and introduces himself as Jack Daniels, Private Investigator.