Brothers Mussolini

In 1942 the East coast of the United States lived in fear of German U-Boats coming ashore and invading the country. With all of the available men overseas fighting and the able women working to supply the war, the coast was guarded by whoever was left. Watch towers were built on the beaches, local yachts and fishing boats were enlisted, lights out drills were practiced and old and young alike made a careful watch of the ocean yards away from small towns.

In a sleepy town, St. Marys, Georgia, two brothers transplanted from New York, TONY and DOMINIQUE LUCCIANO, try to make a go of it while the country is at war. Dominique runs the cafe and Tony runs the small hotel. Poor cooking skills, eccentric townspeople, summer hot weather and the constant threat of U-Boat attacks keep the customers at bay. For these two brothers, southern hospitality flew right out the window on the day they arrived.

Looking out into the Atlantic Ocean, the waves are eerily calm tonight. Lights on the horizon indicate the shrimp boats are coming in, most likely Fernandina Beach, just a few miles down in Florida. If there was a U-Boat still out there, the Shrimpers will see it. However, they are too far out to see the splashing in the brackish water just coming into the St. Marys River. The splashes indicate a moderate, but not great, swimmer coming ashore. The young man, exhausted, falls on his back unbuttoning his heavy wool grey coat; the coat of a German Soldier. ROLF (30) fit, sandy blonde, breathes heavily lying on the beach. He buries his uniform and makes his way into town, only to hide in the café’s pantry.

Tony wakes the next morning to the smell of bacon and fresh coffee. Tony realizes that Dominique hasn't been in the kitchen at all that day. They run back over to the cafe and in to the kitchen where ROLF, wearing underwear and Dominique's white apron cooks.

The two brothers are so flustered; they don't know what to do. They try talking with Rolf, but he only speaks German. Outside, the smell from the café is drawing more attention. Tony acts as waiter and Dominique tries to work with Rolf in the kitchen preparing the orders. At the end of the day, all three exhausted, Tony and Dominique try to figure Rolf out. By using broken Italian, they discover Rolf is a cook from a wrecked U-Boat. Tony comes up with an idea. He realizes that this is a way to build the business. Dominique is not so enthusiastic. Revealing the cash drawer to Dominique, the brothers must decide between turning Rolf in to the authorities or keeping him hidden as their business grows. To appease each other, the brothers strike a bargain. They will keep Rolf hidden as he teaches Dominique how to prepare fantastic meals for the new found customers. Once the business is strong and Dominique can cook on his own, the brothers will turn him in to the hooligan navy.
After a few days, Tony realizes the pantry is not the best place for Rolf. He figures out a way to open up the back of the pantry to get him into one of the rooms in the hotel. Dominique and Rolf work in the kitchen. Rolf is watching as Dominique prepares. Tony sits in the kitchen trying all of the dishes. He gives thumbs up and down on each. More ups than downs. They all laugh and have a good time at the experiment. Rolf tries to communicate in English, but he uses words incorrectly which lightens the mood even more. Tony believes it's time to start teaching Rolf English so they can communicate more effectively.
The hiding gets more difficult when Shelby, Dominique's girlfriend, starts spending more time at the café. To alleviate this problem, Tony has come up with an idea to dye Rolf's hair black. Tony and Dominique concoct the story that he is a distant cousin who is mute. This makes life a little easier. Or, does it? Rolf's German uniform is found on the beach. An Army Officer comes in to town covering as a salesman. Rolf's fellow soldiers surface and look for work as migrant farm workers threatening Rolf's cover.

Dominique tells Tony that he is getting too close to Rolf. He is a German prisoner in their pantry and he needs to remember that. Much to Tony's surprise and the rest of the town, Dominique and Shelby announce their wedding plans. Dominique tells Tony it's time to make good on the original deal. Before he can marry Shelby, Dominique thinks he and Tony need to come clean with Shelby's father and turn in Rolf before the town Mayor makes matters worse for them. Tony, obviously opposed to the plan, begs Dominique not to do it. Dominique doesn't think this is a big deal; he's just a soldier that hid out in their pantry.

Desperate, Tony strikes a new deal with Dominique. Tony will slip out of town with Rolf and leave the business to Dominique and Shelby. They all agree this is for the best and once Dominique and Shelby come back from their honeymoon, Tony and Rolf will leave town.

Shelby's father discovers the Military is planning a sneak attack during the wedding. Dominique and Tony are forced to tell the family. But before they can arrest Rolf, the town, who Tony believed hated them, comes around to help them escape.

Project mentored by Larry Gross.
Finalist in the One In Ten International Screenwriting Competition