CS Alexander Studios
Synopsis for Looking for You...
"Looking For You" unveils the extraordinary journey of Stephen Tulley, a Best Director Academy Award winner whose heartfelt acceptance speech captivated millions, etching itself into the annals of Academy Award history. With fame suddenly at his doorstep, Stephen becomes one of the nation's most sought-after bachelors. However, beneath the veneer of his meteoric success lies a far more intricate narrative.
As Stephen embarks on his forties, his path to understanding women, particularly his daughter, proves to be a challenging and transformative odyssey. In a world dominated by dating apps, he's a single father striving to unearth true love. His daughter, bearing the weight of his world as both agent and manager, becomes his confidante and partner in navigating the unforeseen complexities of his career.
"Looking For You" is a poignant exploration of Stephen's life, where his experiences form an emotional nexus that readers will intimately relate to. It's a tale of self-discovery, a journey of deepening connections, and a quest for the love that continues to elude him.
Interview on Sunday Brunch: Part One
C.S. discusses with Venita Jenkins the story behind the story... and the mystery woman. He also talks about dating and being a single parent.
Listen to the first chapter of the audio book
In 1910, a young Harry White was thrust into an unexpected role after his father's sudden passing, taking charge of their dilapidated family farm in Davidson County, N.C., and caring for his mother and eight siblings. What followed was a remarkable transformation of the farm into a thriving tobacco plantation and the birth of the iconic Castle Hayne cigarette brand. This brand soon captured the hearts of North Carolinians and, in time, the entire nation.
By 1928, at the age of 36, Harry White stood at the pinnacle of wealth and influence, unrivaled in the history of the United States. He navigated the intricate web of politics, engaging with three U.S. Presidents and allying with a formidable organized crime family during the era of Prohibition. Recognizing the need for a division dedicated to corporate espionage, Harry pioneered a covert unit within his company, a blueprint for future intelligence agencies. This division would employ any means necessary, even murder, to safeguard Harry and protect his empire.
The narrative unfolds in the heart of New York City in 1928 as Harry White becomes the focal point of numerous high-profile figures and organizations. Two formidable crime families, the Scarlucci's and Binero's, set their sights on White's demise. Vice President Charles Dawes, influenced by bribery, zealously pursues White on conspiracy charges. Yet, Jack Capps is the most relentless of his adversaries, an aspiring rival businessman who will stop at nothing to annihilate White.
The unforgettable characters who come into play elevate this tale to riveting heights. Meet Theresa "Lovely" Simona, the pioneering "made" woman in the annals of New York City's organized crime; Z, the enigmatic and ruthless assassin employed by White's covert corporate espionage division; and Maggie Bates, the high-society figure turned double agent for the Scarlucci family. These are just a few individuals whose roles in this untold story will leave you wondering why you haven't encountered it before.
The Story...
The Characters...
Harry White: The main figure in this story, White yields vast power and wealth. As a boy growing up in rural North Carolina he developed a strong work ethic, the moral sense of judgment and unheralded devotion to his family. As his company grew, his morals and ethics loosened until he finally reached a point where he was no longer sure what he believed in and was too far gone to turn back. While he never pulled the trigger, he was never ignorant about the murder and torture that his enemies faced by his loyal employees, namely Mr. Longyard.
The Calhouns: Ashton Calhoun, an old friend of White’s, built his company up through technology and innovation. His son Eric, who oversees the land development division of the company, hates everything about Harry. Unbeknownst to Ashton, Harry bought half of Calhoun Industries stock and will control over 25% of the country’s workforce.
Enrico Binero: Head of the Binero crime family. Since it is the Prohibition era, Harry has forged an alliance with Binero so his tobacco is sold throughout the speakeasies of New York City and the rest of the country that is mob controlled. Some of these speakeasies like the 21 Club are where the rich and famous hang out and Harry wants to make sure they are seen with Castle Hayne brand cigarettes. His alliance also helps ensure that nothing happens to his shipments leaving the port. In return, Binero and his people enjoy the protection from the law that Harry’s influence brings. Binero resents Harry and when his son makes a fatal error, he knows it could mean that the tobacco baron is going to turn on him which means he needs to make the first move.
Antonio Scarlucci: Head of the Scarlucci family. An immigrant who is forward thinking, ambitious and tired of playing second fiddle to the Binero family. He knows that if the alliance between Enrico Binero and Harry White is not severed, it is only a matter of time before his family is destroyed.
Theresa “Lovely” Simona: An adopted daughter of Antonio Scarlucci, she has been brought up in the ways of the Cosa Nostra and became the first “made” woman in the history of Italian organized crime in New York City. She is a trained killer, using seduction when needed and brute force when necessary. She concocts a plan to extort information from White to sell to his chief rival.
Jack Capps: Harry’s chief rival for power and influence. For reasons unknown, he hates White more than anyone on the planet. Capps is the worst kind of human, rude to everyone who is neither rich or influential and will lie, cheat and steal anything he has to to make more money. His ego blinds him to the consequences of his actions.
Maggie Bates: A debutante of high society, Maggie is the most beautiful woman anywhere she goes. She has been friends with Lovely since they were teenagers, but while Lovely went in the direction of organized crime, Maggie continued to live the life of the rich. Lovely eventually recruits Maggie into her plan to extort information from Harry, but she has a conflict of conscience when she sees that he is not the monster he has been made out to be.
Harriet White: Wife of Harry. She loves Harry but has grown tired of never seeing him anymore and resents that he chooses business over spending time with her. They were once a spectacular couple very much in love, but that was when Harry was just starting the business. Harry has fallen out of love with her but is conflicted because he feels he can become passionate for her again.
Longyard: He is in charge of Harry’s secret division that conducts corporate espionage and carries out punishments to those who cross Harry. This division will one day become a model for the modern-day C.I.A. Longyard is a mastermind and plays a significant role in how the entire story will play out.
Z: A psychotic, obsessive-compulsive killer who is on Harry’s payroll and under Longyard’s direction. He is the one sent out to take care of those who need to be murdered.