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A far out story based on true tales about a stay at home father devoted to his wife and kids torn from his children by a system prejudiced against Fatherhood This wacky story follows our hero through a criminal trial, misguided career choices, his friends’ sexual dalliances, and attempted suicide to find what he really needed all along and the strength to be there for his kids. http://thatsnothowitsdone.com
SYNOPSIS:
A far out tale based on true stories of a father devoted to his wife and children who is torn from his children by a system prejudiced against Fatherhood. The wacky tale follows the father through a criminal trial, misguided career choice, his friend's sexual dalliance and an attempted suicide to discovering what he really needs and how to care for his children in spite of the system. The story: Paul juggles the bat bag and the cooler as he walks across the parking lot to the dug out before the game. His perfectly coiffed wife dances off to the stands to her awaiting friends. There, before the game begins, his assistant coach, a pretty down to earth tom boy wipes the grease from his hands. Everyone who sees, including his wife, Ann, think the worst. Paul's friends, Marti and John work in various ways to support their kids and the community. At home, Ann falsely accuses Paul of an affair and contrives a fight. Paul walks away from the fight, but still gets arrested. He ends up at his friend John's house just before John's hooker arrives, quickly followed by their friend fundamentalist Christian friend, Marti who was kicked out by his wife after being caught actually having an affair. Marti is incensed that John hires hookers, but can't reconcile his own indecencies either. Paul can't return to work, he worked for his wife's medical practice and he has no home. His attorney informs him that without these, and a car, he stands little chance of getting custody of his kids, in spite of his being their primary caretaker their entire lives. Fortunately for him, Marti works at a used car lot and Paul starts selling cars. Only... he's no good at it. But he tries, and tries, and... eventually lands a sale only to have it cost him picking his kids up in time. Ann insists that if he is late again she will not let him see the kids. Hurrying to pick them up, he wrecks his car. Ann concedes to attempt counseling, where she reveals her deep seated fear of men. Marti gets thrown out of his church and watches his kids start acting out. Paul's kids don’t fare well as they attempt to deal with the realities of their parents conflicts. John's hookers show him he is valuable to them in ways no woman had before, and in one ill-timed visit, Ann see's them at John's home, where Paul has the kids for a visit. Ann runs to a judge who forbids visits with Paul except under supervision. Marti gets thrown out of his church. Paul responds by condemning John and moving into a hotel, where he runs into one of John’s hookers who tells him that he is an exceptional person and why. Marti responds to the stress in his life by attempting suicide. At the hospital, Marti lies helpless and unconscious as Paul expresses his love and dismay over Marti’s wife’s choices which led to Marti’s decision. Marti’s wife overhears and is at first dismayed, but then, recognizes the truth and pours her heart out to Marti, which he responds to and they reconcile. Paul moves into an apartment and makes plans to go back to school and become a teacher. Marti and his wife are on track to healing. And John has met a regular woman with whom he has a chance for a real connection. Then the trial begins. Paul’s trial looks grim, with little hope of his not spending time in jail. Yet, in the end, the jury doesn’t believe Ann and lets him free. Paul’s kids still have a hard time dealing with the pain of living without him and his daughter runs away and finds her way to his apartment. Ann discovers them and calls the police on Paul. Ann twists her daughter’s ear and tries to force her to come home with her. The police officer, this time, see’s Ann for who she really is, and insists on the kids staying with Paul. Baseball season begins again and the families are all together at the game again. Only now, everything has changed. Ann and Paul are separated, John has a girlfriend. Marti and his wife are close and affectionate. And… could there be romance for Paul?