Dueling with Destiny

Synopsis

What if a tiny human being materialized, representing your “inner psyche” and began controlling you and the world around you? AUDIENCE: "DUELING with DESTINY" will explode with snappy dialogue, laugh aloud humor, becoming a sparkly screenplay with an A-list actress applying her comedic genius as Destiny. The events lead to “fun and games” sequences, and its PG rating makes it suitable for a broad audience, particularly families and pre-teen to ninety-year-olds. Its whimsical premise, fantastical elements, themes of self-discovery, happiness, and boy meets girl innocent love, creates a fun-loving experience for children, teens, and parents looking for lighthearted entertainment with positive messages. This heartwarming and humorous story is relevant today as young women struggle with self-esteem, settle for boring jobs, never pursuing their dreams. SYNOPSIS: We meet our protagonist, MELODY, prototype, (18-21)LEXI UNDERWOOD, a Senior in High School and discover how a popular girl turns into a reclusive, unmotivated, skeptic as she witnesses star football players leaving the teachers’ lounge after blowing up the toilet. She must relay ‘who done it’ to the principal, her mother and then is blackballed by her friends and seen as a momma’s girl, tattle tale. Melody, now 20, is a wallflower of a young woman who is a pushover, doesn't speak up for herself, and suffers from low self-esteem. She allows her boss, boyfriend, and landlord to take advantage and continues to go through the motions of life, never striving to reach her full potential. As Melody lives her mundane life, – it’s turned upside down when DESTINY, a one foot tall, walking, talking, female appears. The tiny female (30-60) prototypes, ANNA FARIS- JENNIFER COOLIDGE, glares at her with purple eyes, rainbow colored hair, and tattoos covering her body, wears 80’s M.C. hammer pants and has a mischievous grin. She says, “I’m light as a feather, faster than a speeding bullet, and stronger than an ox. You are the only one who can see me, sometimes animals and children can. I have the power to control your future, I’m DESTINY.” Destiny cannot be seen, felt, or heard by other adults, unless she needs to influence their minds in Melody's best interest. Although Destiny creates chaos to facilitate change in Melody's life, she has her best interest at heart. It proves impossible for Melody to counter Destiny’s sneaky maneuvers. Destiny’s actions toward humans will affect them when she wants, with smells, sounds, movements and on occasions their thoughts. Destiny is a fascinating and irritating female. She shows up in outfits depicting the mood in the scene- a cheerleading uniform, ballgown, a sailor uniform and speaks in riddles and aggravating cliches. Melody believes she’s hallucinating at first sight of Destiny, then sees Destiny riding on her pet bulldog BURRITO’S back. Later she motorizes the Barbie Doll jeep, makes phone calls from her tiny cell phone and messages are sent via her personalized computer, making efforts to redirect and influence Melody’s life in a way uncharacteristic of Melody. Destiny informs her, "You are too comfortable in your uncomfortable life. First you lose the job, then this apartment, that deadbeat boyfriend and a car without which you can live!" Melody and Destiny enter into a tug of war regarding how Melody runs her life. Destiny, through obnoxious and humorous tactics arranges a series of events ensuring Melody follows the path to the life that was meant for her by - exposing Melody’s boss stealing her ideas, and her boyfriend cheating on her, arranging for a young man to buy Melody’s car, who ends up being the contractor for renovating a new apartment for Melody and randomly showing up in Melody’s life. Is this fate or Destiny? Destiny schemes to get rid of the old boyfriend and helps her to gain the confidence needed to enter into a relationship with a new acquaintance, KEELAN (20’s). This also requires Destiny to get rid of his current girlfriend. Destiny arranges for them to show up at a wedding together, go on a sailboat ride, take a road trip, creating magical and comedic moments during these scenes. The romance is central to the plot and fun-loving. All the events are orchestrated by Destiny because Melody and Keelan are meant to be together. The story ends with Keelan and Melody declaring their feelings for one another after events that led Melody to believe she had lost Keelan for good. Melody’s story proves that reaching within our inner psyche, taking risks, and embracing self-confidence, leads to a fulfilling and well-deserved life as Melody receives a total transformation, physically and emotionally, forming a new outlook on life, a successful career and discovers the love of her life thanks to accepting her Destiny. SUPPORT CHARACTERS: DAD (CARL) (50's) Attorney who cares deeply for Mel. Serious in nature and wants to see his daughter happy. MOM (SUE) (40's) Over-achieving mother, and Principal at Mel's High School who needs to re-kindle relationship with Mel. BURRITO Mel’s adorable pet English Bulldog, good judge of people and has fun with Destiny. BRANDON (20's) Selfish, full of himself, two-timing deadbeat boyfriend that uses Melody. KEELAN (20's) Sweet & caring. Destiny orchestrates events for him and Mel to meet. Major chemistry between them. LOCATION/BUDGET: Dueling with Destiny was written for on location in Seattle, Washington. One location with current-day settings and costumes leads to inexpensive set-up and production costs. ONE A-list actress could play Destiny while Melody, our young protagonist could be newfound talent. Additional actor’s time is minimal.