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KINDRED SPIRITS

KINDRED SPIRITS
By Hayley Jean Reeves

GENRE: Romance, Drama
LOGLINE:

When a teenager of mixed race turns her back on her privileged yet toxic lifestyle to follow her dreams of becoming a musician, she stumbles across two kindred souls but things aren't what they seem as the very animosities she escaped from, reemerge in her new life.

SYNOPSIS:

Kindred Spirits is presented in a non-chronological format.

Caitlin, a teenager from both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australian descent, who prefers to be called Caitee, is slumped on a couch. Her hair is dishevelled and she is wearing a red with white polka dots swing dress turned inside out. The house resembles a time capsule to the 1950s and 1960s.

Two weeks previously … With little money, Caitee is forced to live in her car and, while trying to find a job, faces racial discrimination. It is then that she stumbles into an eccentric and flamboyant old lady, Miss Billie, who at the time, was wearing the red with white polka dots dress, and her maltese dog, Liza, named after Liza Minnelli. Miss Billie has an affinity for swing dresses and fondue. She insists Caitee move in with her which she does.

Soon after moving in with Miss Billie, Caitee lands a job at a music retail shop that sells both musical instruments and print and recorded music. Here she meets, Ronny, an adorably awkward yet witty teenager.

Regulars to the shop are the snobby and rich teenagers, Darian and Barbie. Barbie instantly disapproves of Caitee and looks down her nose at her. With Ronny's help, Caitee learns to “stick it to” Barbie in humorous and inventive ways. The handsome Darian charms Caitee and, after finding out that his father is a well known producer who she holds in high esteem, she agrees to visit his house to meet with him and play him her demo.

Caitee gets out of Ronny's car. He has driven her home from Darian's house. She is drowsy. She stumbles to her bedroom and passes out. When she awakens, it's a day later. Her memories of what happened are hazy but she tries to put it behind her.

Caitee and Miss Billie enjoy their times together making and eating fondue while Miss Billie tells stories of her days as a jazz singer. Caitee introduces her to a new style of jazz - acid jazz. Their bond grows with their common interest in music.

Caitee's connection with Ronny also blossoms. When their relationship starts to become intimate, Caitee hesitates, remembering her encounter at Darian's house.

After arriving and awaiting the arrival of Darian's father, Caitee accepts a drink from Darian which he has spiked. She begins to feel the effects of it while Darian's attempts to seduce her. At first, she considers his attention harmless but when he begins to cross the line, she revokes his intentions. Darian's charm facade turns into anger and he tries to pin Caitee down. Caitee manages to break free. She blacks out.

One day, Caitee arrives home from work to removalist men loading Miss Billie's furniture into a removalist truck. She walks inside to find her estranged mother, dictating to further removalists. She bluntly informs Caitee that Miss Billie has died and that she was her grandmother. She orders Caitee to leave.

Caitee had travelled to Sydney, leaving her privileged lifestyle living with her mother and half sister, both of whom she had a toxic relationship with. She had dreams of becoming a musician but longed to make it on her own.

Following Miss Billie's funeral, Caitee goes to Ronny's studio apartment where she finds him and Darian talking about a bet. The truth is revealed. They are brothers. They were in on a bet regarding her.

Ronny tries to explain to Caitee that he never intended on carrying out the bet. He reveals his true feelings for her. It's too late. The damage has been done.

Amidst her grief on losing the only two people she cared about, Caitee finds out that she is the beneficiary of Miss Billie's estate and that she had sent Caitee's demo to a record production company who are offering her a record deal.

Caitee moves back into Miss Billie's house with conflicting emotions of what she should do. This is everything that she'd dreamed of but now that it is happening, she is terrified. She is riddled with self doubt.

She also struggles with her memories of that night at Darian's house as she starts to recall more of what happened. Ronny had stood up to Darian for her. After he had helped her to his car, another one had pulled up in the driveway. It was the boys' father. He hurtles abuse at Ronny and then physically assaults him leaving him, who didn't retaliate, bloody and bruised.

One day, a song is playing in the store. It's Caitee's music. Ronny instantly recognises her voice. In a matter of seconds, all the tension between them disappears. What she thought never possible and always longed for yet what she always feared, is coming to fruition. Caitee is fulfilling her dreams and finally feels loved and, at last, she is willing and able to accept them both.

Amazing Kacee

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Nathaniel Baker

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