Cleopatra's Mountain

By Alan S Dale

This is a screenplay. One of the stars is a brittle and combative head of a US conglomerate. She is surrounded by a gang of makeup artists, hairdressers and a manicurist to keep the corporate nails sharpened for the fray. She is very successful, but has one last ambition; to take over a rival. She will stop at nothing to gain her desire. But the takeover target is run by a recluse who is difficult to start a dialogue with. He is eventually tracked down, but he is equally feisty.
He throws down a challenge. She picks it up, but is soon to learn about wild creatures.
The challenge is a camping trip to the mountains with few comforts. He insists they 'get to know each other'. But she learns about wild creatures: And the wildest of all is human.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alan S Dale
• Release date: Oct 29, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301304653

Alan S Dale

Lifelong mariner, Andrew Lansdale has spent more than 50 years in the shipping industry. He lives in South West London or on his yacht in Chichester Harbour. His ambition is to sail around the world.

Book preview

Cleopatra’s Mountain

a screenplay

by

Andrew Lansdale

Cleopatra’s Mountain

Andrew Lansdale

Copyright 2013 by Andrew Lansdale

Smashwords Edition

The Mores and Manners of Corporate America.

Scene - An Office in America

Carla Valentine is the CEO of the Ablatine conglomerate which includes mining, logging, forestry, chemicals, oil and cattle ranching. She is looked upon as the ‘ball-busting’ hit-person of Corporate America; the takeover queen of Wall Street. She travels frequently from the corporate headquarters in Charleston, West Virginia. She takes the company jet with her husband whom she has enrolled on the company payroll as her PA. She is also in almost daily contact with her hairdresser, Gary and her make-up expert, Dee-dee Cavallo, who are nearly always on hand to repair the ravages of travel, of stress and the signs of premature ageing.

Also on her entourage are her style counsellor, who advises her on what clothes to wear and packs them carefully for the journey; and her manicurist, who ensures that the corporate nails are sharpened for the fray.

Scene - Office on the top floor of the HQ Building

Present are Carla Valentine, Donald Woods, CEO of South Atlas Corporation and Wayne Rosen, a Vice President of the Ablatine Corporation.

Carla Valentine (replacing the receiver)

Don't adopt that attitude with me. You're not in possession of all the facts.

Donald Woods (sarcastically)

And you are?

Carla

Of course I am. You used to be the largest individual shareholder in the South Atlas Corporation as well as the chief executive. That was my stockbroker on the telephone. I now own more than 90% of the shares. My offer in now unconditional. I own South Atlas lock, stock and barrel. Especially the stock part, particularly yours.

Wayne Rosen smirked and leant back in his chair.

Donald

You used to be an honourable person.

Carla

Not any more. You used to be CEO. Also not any more.

Carla picks up the telephone and taps a number.

Carla

Security? Send someone up to escort Mr. Donald Woods from the building. Make sure he doesn't touch anything on the way out.

Donald

But Carla, I've put my whole life into this company.

Carla

Well you can put the rest of your life into your retirement, can't you?

Donald

You're a heartless bitch.

Carla

Ain't that the truth.

Wayne Rosen smirked again. The security guard knocked and walked in.

Carla

Mr. Woods is leaving. Make sure you cancel his security and garage passes. He is no longer permitted in any of the South Atlas properties. Send round a circular to that effect without delay.

Donald

You're a sad example of corporate lowlife scum.

Carla

Yes, but I've still got a job and you haven't. Now get lost.

Carla turns her back on him as he is escorted from the office and looks out of the window over the city.

Carla

Wayne, I hate snivelling bastards like that. Put the word round with your newspaper friends. Nothing official. Perhaps suggestions of a hint of financial irregularity