Love Me Love My Dog

A “Rose Ann Lake Production” FILM
WRITTEN BY Rose Ann Lake

Sunrise, Mandy is staggering along Brighton Beach, Christchurch, with her dog, Stella.

(flash-forward)
A terrifying and confusing central Christchurch February Earthquake scene. Mandy is shown clutching Stella, being rescued from her car, a Nissan Skyline that has been crushed by falling masonry.

(flash-back)
Sleepless Mandy tells herself it’s the September Earthquake, not the wine.

Sitting in the sand Mandy feels the pain of all her bruises. She reflects life is ok and even though Dog is so much older, he is her mentor, her devoted friend and lover.

Dog is comatose from weed and alcohol, his arms lovingly wrapped around Mandy’s pillow.

Mandy wakes Dog with a big fat joint and coffee.

Dog is meeting his hippie friend, at Ngahere to get weed for himself and to maintain his musician’s lifestyle he’ll sell the rest to mates.

Mandy and Dog pack, argue, kiss, make-up and head for the Westcoast, in a Nissan Skyline.

As the road rises into the hills their conversation starts to escalate in intensity, the landscape and dialogue flow together as one.

Mandy tells Dog about her dodgy past, which he knew nothing about.

At Castle Hill, against Mandy’s wishes Dog picks up a hitchhiker.

Will is Swiss, a charmer and quickly picks up the tension between the couple.

Will thinks Dog is being a macho jerk to Mandy. He perceives Mandy as young and vulnerable. Their physical attraction is overwhelming.

Will flirts with Mandy; she flirts back.

They stop at Otira Pub for takeaways.

Mandy alone, gets out of the Skyline, for petrol at Kumara Junction.

Has murder been done?

Sunset, Hokitika Beach, Mandy walks Stella. Tears rundown Mandy’s face, she whispers in Stella’s ear.

“I love you Dog.”