LOGLINE:

Painful flashbacks remind a young woman of how she sank

into depression, illicit sex, and drug abuse while dating an ex

who now wants to return.

SYNOPSIS:

VENUS RANDALL is an intuitive public relations executive who never saw her breakup with boyfriend DR. ANDREW BASS coming. Andrew dumps Venus in June 1981, just days after graduating from Washington University Medical School in St. Louis. He moves to Chicago and leaves Venus hurt, alone, rejected and broken. However, their real problems begin two years later, when Andrew learns Venus has moved to Chicago.

Venus makes friends within the store and around Chicago. The store has a life all of its own. With little income, Venus and coworker WINTER lead an exciting life. They party and share a hamburger at the Ritz Carlton Café to hear Stevie Wonder play for free. Venus helps R&B vocalist Jeffrey Osborne pick out a pair of men’s gloves. She watches thieves work the store and sadly observes Winter’s arrest in a theft ring. Finally, Andrew learns she's in Chicago and begins calling her at home. Soon, Andrew shocks Venus when he pops up at the store.

Venus repeatedly recalls old times with Andrew and sinks into a dismal abyss. She recalls good and bad times with him, including a time when he used her Polaroid Land camera to take nude pics of several Chicago women. Venus found the pictures and showed her girlfriends in St. Louis. They laughed but persuaded her to return them. She did.

Venus fends off calls from Andrew, while experiencing several rocky relationships in Chicago. Sadly, she abuses sex, alcohol and marijuana. After several oneniters and steamy romances with a store manager, a sprinkler-fitter whom she kisses atop an unfinished skyscraper, and two Chicago playboys, Venus seemingly gives up on love. One bright spot in her life is a mysterious guy who often smiles at her and greets her in the neighborhood.

Venus decides it’s finally time to hear Andrew out and agrees to meet for dinner. Andrew goes on about himself and how he's leaving the hospital to join the Navy. He gives a litany of excuses and reasons why. Suddenly, while listening to him, Venus realizes this is 'Deja vu'. While she’s grown, Andrew has not. A disappointed Venus turns down his offer of reconciliation.

Venus holds onto her dream of a pr career by working on freelance assignments. She finally lands a big interview and gets the job of her dreams.

That night while sitting home alone, she gets a another call from Andrew. Only, this time he calls from a Naval ship and asks her to 'rendezvous in Singapore'. She quietly says no and hangs up. Venus finally realizes contentment with herself and her life.