Script File

Believe

Just off the beaten path of South Beach’s world famous Ocean Drive, is a gem of a boutique hotel, frequented by those with discriminating taste and deep pockets—The Sumay Hotel. There you will find Josi, a bellboy who’ll grant your every wish, like a genie on speed dial, but it’ll cost you. He must play cat and mouse with Mr. Durant, the tightly wound hotel manager, in order to make good on the whims of the demanding guests.

When Josi gets fired for providing guest services outside his job requirements, his troubles are just beginning. A night in jail for drunk driving incites a flurry of misfortunes and puts a hamper on his girlfriend's plans for their future, so she drops him like a bad habit. Then while pursuing job opportunities to make ends meet, his pile of bills leaves him broke. He goes from sports car to bus pass and from ocean condo to crummy efficiency.

As a Cuban immigrant boy, he dreamed of making movies. So what once seemed far-fetched was now off the table.. But when Benji disparages his intention, his intention becomes his quest . The once cunning bellboy writes a script and fails miserably, time and time again. His despair leads him down a destructive path of vices, but Melchi continues encouraging him.Whereas Benji who's bent on proving him wrong, spills knowledge that ends his romance with a new girl, who was a light of inspiration.

After more deprecating remarks, now from his stepfather, he shamefully accepts money from his mother and promises to repay her. Her only request is that he honor the memory of his father. Fortunately, Josi’s taken in by Melchi, who further stirs him on. Then, sifting through his backpack for his phone one day, Josi comes across a business card that realigns his stars. And later at a popular neighborhood restaurant, Josi’s redemption comes full circle, turning the table on Benji by doling out a taste of his own patronizing advice. Fatefully, with Josi’s stars aligned to Tinseltown, he rewrites his life.

  • Jose Luis Rodriguez
    Writer
  • Project Type:
    Screenplay
  • Number of Pages:
    104
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • First-time Screenwriter:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Wiki Screenwriting Competition (First Ten Page Contest)
    Los Angeles, CA
    August 3, 2023
    Honorable Mention
  • Los Angeles, CA
    May 31, 2024
    Best Short Screenplay
  • Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards
    Santa Barbara, California
    October 15, 2023
    Honorable Mention
Writer - Jose Luis Rodriguez