A successful but troubled journalist's impressive ascension relies on facts of omission in a story he wrote 30 years ago about a massacre at a public utility company,. While covering a new mysterious case of an alleged child killer, both the writer and the accused are placed on a path to redemption.

Action,Crime,Detective,Mystery,Political,Suspense/Thriller

Story opens in 1991, in the home of a young man about to commit mass murder. It fast-forwards to 2017 at an awards ceremony honoring the troubled writer who covered the story nearly 30 years prior. To save his career, his editor assigns him to a story involving an obese, detestable, child-killer

With a cast of colorful characters, the writer solves the mysterious case. But along the alleged killer forces him to confront with his own demons and misdeeds. In the end both find a path to redemption.

St. Louis, Missouri - 1991-2017

No

Overcoming Monster/Villain,Internal Journey/Rebirth,Voyage and Return,Tragedy

Meaningful Message,Twist

Extreme Violence,Nudity

Name: Clifford Broussard

Age: early 60s

Gender: Male

Role: Protagonist

Key Traits: Adventurous,Aspiring,Complex,Desperate,Empathetic,Engaging,Gracious,Honorable,Insecure,Blunt,Sarcastic,Manipulative,Lone Wolf,Strong Moral Code

Name: Oliva Johnson/Gladys Tibbs

Age: 30-50-ish

Gender: Female

Role: Antagonist

Key Traits: Badass,Aggressive,Complex,Crazy,Criminal,Empathetic,Engaging,Underdog,Villainous,Blunt,Outspoken,Sarcastic,Strong Moral Code,Manipulative,Unapologetic,Lone Wolf

Name: LeRoy Jeffries (Satin Sheets)

Age: 60-ish

Gender: Male

Role: sidekick

Key Traits: Adventurous,Badass,Charming,Clumsy,Confident,Empathetic,Faithful,Gracious,Heroic,Unapologetic,Funny,Outspoken,Uneducated,Obedient,Masculine,Underdog

Name: Detective Jonathan Babcock

Age: 40-ish

Gender: Male

Role: sidekick

Key Traits: Badass,Aggressive,Complex,Confident,Decisive,Empathetic,Heroic,Educated,Honorable,Masculine,Selfless,Outspoken,Sarcastic,Strong Moral Code

This screenplay is based on a soon-to-be-published murder/mystery by Sylvester Brown, Jr. It best fits on the genre of "Devil in a Blue Dress" written by Walter Mosley and portrayed in the film by the same name with actors Denzel Washington and Don Cheadle. Like the book and movie, "Gateway Gas" provides a director and crew the opportunity to exhibit a colorful and revealing portrayal of black life (1991-2017). Additionally, with a stellar cast, including the protagonist (Denzel-type), the actress who portrays an obese and aggressive alleged child killer (over a 30-year transformational period), a dedicated, afroed detective and an entertaining, toothless, ex-con and dedicated sidekick, the film will be a wonderful addition to the vast array of black voices, images and stories presented today's through movie and streaming services (HBO, Amazon, Netflix, etc.). Although comedies and dramas are well presented today, there is still room for a basic, well-acted and produced murder mystery with black characters and themes.

Sylvester is the former publisher of Take Five Magazin (1987-2002). He was also an award-winning columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (2003-2009).. In 2010, Sylvester began working as a consultant and researcher for SmileyBooks, owned by public radio and TV commentator Tavis Smiley. Sylvester founded the Sweet Potato Project in 2012, a program that taught urban youth entrepreneurism through agriculture. In 2019, Sylvester self-published his own book “When We Listen: Recognizing the Potential of Urban Youth.” His latest book, "White Castles with Jesus & Uncle Ray at the used Tire Shop," a collection of his short stories and commentaries was published in January or 2021.

Age: 35-54,55+,18-34

Target Gender: Universal

No

Information not completed