TV Projects

A modern day ghost story.

Hourly format. Status: First hour completed.

DAVID DAINTRY lives alone, thinks of himself as a combination of Sensitive New Age Guy and adventurous thinker. Truth is, he is a tad stuffy and in need of a bit of fresh air. His attitude to women can be condescending and his romantic successes are more in his mind than reality.

There is a secret side to David's character. He sees himself as the great adventurer; sailing where the winds go, fighting the good fight, solving the mysteries and rescuing damsels in distress. In reality, he rarely even goes to the beach. Instead he immerses himself in a fantasy world writing slushy novels and children's stories under the nome de plume of Gloria Van Treight and westerns and detective stories as Robert Hartken. He has minor successes with some of his work.

'Engaged' to CHRISTINA GIANNAPOLOUS for almost two years, their relationship has it's ups and downs, as Christina demands constant attention and David has a tendency to wander off into his own little world. He is very much the scientific thinker and has little time for vagaries of mysticism. He does not believe in ghosts.

David asks his friend PERCY ARMITAGE, to come and give him some advice. Percy is an expert on property law. David's great aunt has died and left him a property in the country. There is one catch -- he must be married to inherit.

For Christina, his fiancee, that is enough. She begins planning. Before tying the knot, David wants to know what he is getting into. Percy suggests he take an associate, SARAH CREIGHTON to check out the property. Percy, a bit of a villain, contrives the situation to amuse himself. Sarah catches on and baulks. Percy, the senior partner, prevails.

David and Sarah set out for Danley Vale. David with only a vague recollection of the property having visited it when young. On arrival both are charmed by the orchard, the vine-yard and the lush gardens.

The fly in the ointment is David's great uncle many times removed -- the local ghost; very active and with a prankish sense of humour. This, together with the wine, eccentric plumbing and unreliable electrical systems, makes for plenty of excitement.

Paul reveals himself to David. David is the only one who can hear and see Paul; which complicates things for Jean Claude who witnesses their first exchange. David, who doesn't believe in ghosts, has a high old time convincing himself that David is what he says he is -- a ghost.

Sarah, determined that David will succeed in winning the family home, can't understand why he hesitates. Meantime, Christina and her wedding plans are gathering momentum. They include remodelling the main living quarters in restful pastels and modern furniture.

David asks Percy to come and visit. He realises that he doesn't want to marry Christine even at the risk of losing the property. Christina and David have a screaming row when he disagrees with her plans. In a tantrum, she tells him to marry someone else. She has had enough. Storming out, she confides in a friend that maybe she was too hasty with her decision. Maybe she should give him another chance.

Meanwhile, David tells Sarah of his relief that Christina has called off the wedding and of his feelings for her. Since their arrival he has sensed their shared feelings -- love of the same things. In the short time they have been together he has realised what his true feelings are for her.

Christina is trying to find David to take back what she said. Paul keeps her away by blocking her passage and stopping doors from opening. Percy arrives and complicates things further. Eventually Gina manages to storm her way into the room just as Sarah and David are about to kiss. Christina erupts and leaves in a state of near hysteria. She finds Harry who consoles her and provides a shoulder for her to lean on.

David and Sarah moving closer together, try to convince themselves that it isn't happening too quickly as the second episode ends.

THE WHITE MAN'S BURDEN

The traps of modern multi-cultural, political correctness.

Hourly format. Status: Outline and first episode in rough state.

Synopsis

MICHAEL KAVANAGH a successful lawyer, has been looking for a new direction where he he can stretch himself. With developing conflicts over native title legislation; rural lease holders, local councils and mining conglomerates have combined to launch a new incentive so that they can negotiate directly with the various native title owners.

Michael is offered the top position of the new organisation which already has a core of two personnel set up to get things underway. PETER KING is administration manager and KIRSTY MANGOS the research assistant.

Agreeing to take the position, he meets the Koori negotiating team headed by TOM GARLAND and his chief negotiator, LIV KELLY. Michael and Liv start very warily with one another. Before too long however, there is banter going on between them, but behind this is steel resolve on both their parts to win the best result for their respective sides. But there are also sparks of a different nature.

As negotiations progress, Michael takes Liv to lunch and later to dinner. He drinks too much to drive home and she drives him to his apartment. The next morning he wakes to find Liv with him. He was too drunk for anything to transpire which she teases him with. They agree to see each other again but, for to keep their relationship secret.

The next day, Michael feels vague and restless and doesn't take too long to realise why. He calls Liv and late that afternoon they are in his apartment with Michael preparing a meal. There is a knock on the door. It is COLIN BLUMTHUEL, Michael's business partner that was. He is obviously amused by the situation and believes at this rate, that Michael will soon have to resign and rejoin him in his normal law practice.

After COLIN leaves, Michael and Liv agree over the meal that it is a problem that they will have to address. And they will -- the next morning.

This backfires when members of the a mining lobby group see them together and accuse him of fraternising with the enemy. Michael takes his case to the committee made up of key members of his group, but looses his temper when accused of showing poor judgement. He resigns his position.

On hearing what has happened, Liv takes him to another lunch and invites him to join their side of the fight. Michael is amused at the offer but feels he can't accept. That night Michael receives a call. The federal government together with the NSW government is setting up an experiment, an arbitration tribunal to settle claims. Being aware of Michael's current situation, they offer him the position of heading the tribunal. Knowing he is putting his head in the grinder, he accepts.

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