Jules Vercini: A Chapter by Chapter Synopsis

[Countess]

Trademarked / Copyrighted / All Rights Reserved. 2206 I had to perform this task for an agent, and figured I'd post it here for the benefit of those readers who might be interested in what they missed.

CHAPTER I
The chapter opens with a hook: an introduction to the main characters - Nate, Ana, Jules, Cass - as they stand on a cliff and the apotheosis of Nate, the Christ figure in the book.

After this short prologue, the narration returns to a previous era in the characters' lives as the next scene opens with a conversation between Jules, the bisexual, spoiled scion of the Vercini fashion family empire, and Ana, his beautiful friend and oftentimes escort to various social soirees. They are conferring on the evening's fete, a rave hosted at a castle on the outskirts of High Point. Ever the romantic flirt and seducer, Jules is making sexual intimations even as they are discussing the logistics of the event. Finally the two agree to meet at Ana's apartment around ten with Jules promising to bring wine, although he is aware that Ana does not drink.

(Chapter closes with background on Jules position in society.)

CHAPTER II
Ana is anxiously awaiting Jules' arrival at her apartment when finally there is a knock on her door. It is Jules, dressed as a pirate and carrying a bottle of wine. He is somewhat inebriated, and the two banter back and forth before he finally requests that Ana do his eyeliner. She agrees.

CHAPTER III
After Ana performs said service, the two depart for the event and arrive in time for its climax. Jules greets the DJs, whom he knows personally, while Ana feels awkward and alienated, for they are strangers to her. Jules and Josh (a DJ) exchange witticisms concerning two attractive men and finally consult Ana, whom they allow to cast the deciding vote. She favors Jules' selection, a choice which ingratiates her with her friend but serves to further alienate her from Josh.

Jules and Ana eventually quit the tent and after some entreating, Jules convinces Ana to take a sudden and spontaneous road trip to the beach. Having persuaded her to have some wine (so that she is now tipsy), Jules talks her into taking nude pictures with him, promising her that the photos are merely for a school project and not for release to the press.

A week later Ana discovers that the prints have been published and she and Jules are now appearing naked on the cover of a number of magazines. Although the photos are tasteful, she is nevertheless furious about the betrayal, and also fearful that her boyfriend, Nate, will see them and develop a false impression as to their nature.

CHAPTER IV
(Chapter opens with background on Ana and Nate's relationship.)

Ana calls Nate and they discuss the photos. Ever the optimistic saint, Nate (a musician) chooses to believe Ana, and then summarizes his experiences while on tour in Detroit. He tells her he will be home soon.

CHAPTER V
Jules is lying on his couch, having spent the past three days in a quagmire of drunken self-pity. He is considering his death at the hands of Ana's boyfriend and the terrible possibility that he might be buried in a polyester suit. He decides to intercede on his own behalf and pre-empt the murder by visiting Nate unannounced and swaying him to spare his life.

Much to his surprise, Nate is not only amiable, but amenable as well, and wishes to ameliorate the current schism between Jules and Ana. Jules agrees to Nate's plan for a camping trip, and departs.

CHAPTER VI
Nate and Ana, Jules and Cass sojourn to the mountains, as Ana reminisces on Jules' family background, on meeting his mother for the first time and on the mystery that surrounded the identity of his father.

Once they arrive the couples begin setting up their tents, and Ana takes time to visit Jules and break the ice by speaking briefly with him. Jules pulls Ana into the words and, after some sophisticated flirtation, kisses her. Ana returns to her own camp site feeling guilty, and while helping Nate with the tent poles, inquires as to why he trusts her. His answers cause her to think and consider how, despite his tragic and horrible childhood, Nate had turned out to be so noble.

CHAPTER VII
Ana provides her general impression on the current situation, and marvels how Nate and Jules have become so close while she and Cass remain irreconcilable to one another. After some campsite conversation, the friends are driven into their tents by rain.

In the middle of the night, Ana rises and uses the restroom outside in the woods. On her return to her tent, she runs into Julian who seduces her and they make-love under the tempestuous sky.

CHAPTER VIII
Driven to abandon their trip prematurely by an unexpected hurricane, Jules and Cass are forced to join Nate and Ana in their truck after a tree lands on Jules' vehicle. As they race to escape the onslaught of the storm, they get lost in the Blue Ridge Mountains and stop at a redneck restaurant to eat and ask for directions. Believing the two couples to be gay, some mountain men follow them out of the restaurant and brutally assault them. In the ensuing fight, Ana is raped and eventually she and Jules massacre the men, the attack having unleashed the primal albeit pent-up aggression in both.

Horrified by the act and afraid for his friends, Nate devises a cover-up and gets rid of the weapons while ensuring Ana receives proper medical attention under another pretense.

CHAPTER IX
Cass immediately breaks off relations with Jules. Unable to confront his crime, Jules throws himself into drugs and promiscuous homosexual society while Ana falls apart inside. Nate attempts to rescue Ana and Jules from their pain but with little success.

The police eventually catch Nate, Ana and Jules and they are prosecuted for the murders. The state attorney claims the trio surpassed the self-defense statute, citing the brutality and the number of stabs in the back as evidence that the men were chased down and killed. He also attempts to turn Nate state's witness, having figured out that the murders were only committed by Ana / Jules, but Nate refuses. When, on the last day, the prosecutor proves that Ana had been unfaithful with Jules the night before (semen DNA), Nate defies all expectations and takes complete responsibility for the murders. He is convicted by his confession and sent to the state penitentiary, where he is eventually murdered by some fellow inmates.

CHAPTER X
Scene opens with Jules sitting in his office chair, staring out at the panoramic view around him. He is recalling events that occurred ten years ago, remembering his love for Ana, Nate's untimely death, his subsequent hedonistic indulgences and attempted suicide, and his resurrection from his near-death experience as a new individual.

His secretary calls him and informs him Chris McCormack is in the foyer and would like to visit with him. Although Chris is Jules' ex-boyfriend and represents his longest romantic relationship, he is from Jules past and is considered part of the traumatic experiences Jules has put behind him. Consequently, he does not want to visit with Chris, but unable to be rude, he instructs his secretary to send Chris into his office. He manages to shock Chris into leaving, and then receives the person he has been expecting: his mentor, Stephen.
While driving to the baseball field, Jules informs Stephen about his latest business idea: hosting a reality show for writers with the winner being selected to write a screenplay as well as receiving a financial reward. The subject of both the book and the movie would be Jules life, with the focus being on how Nate's death affected and transformed him. Jules is feeling terribly guilty about Nate taking the blame for his crime and for the murder of his friend, and hopes that such a tribute will serve as a form of restitution and absolve him of his guilt. Stephen questions the validity and soundness of Jules idea but does not dissuade him.

While Jules dealt with Nate's death by languishing in unscrupulous pleasures, Ana fell into a great depression and slit her wrists. She recovered and moved in with her nurse and best friend, Kristy Munroe. Picking up a magazine at the grocery store one day, she discovers Jules photo on the front and reads about his contest. Sure of her chances at winning, she vows to enter the contest and rushes home to tell her roommate.

CHAPTER XI
Jules meets his mentor and some friends for lunch and informs them that the executives at his targeted broadcasting station have rejected his idea as a "high risk" item. The producer (Jules) is furious, as he is personally responsible for several successful shows on the network and is known for his Midas Touch. His acquaintances attempt first to console him, then steer the course of conversation to his love life, or lack thereof. In a fit of self-pity and sadness Jules confesses his love for Ana and how he had wrongly seduced her, tying the event in with Nate's death and his own sense of guilt.

Kristy attempts to discourage Ana from pursuing the writing contest, but is unsuccessful. At Ana's request, she then endeavors to help her roommate break her writer's block by asking her questions about Jules. She is successful and at last Ana proclaims she is ready to write.

[Countess]

CHAPTER XII
Jules resolves to take a Machiavellian approach to his vision for a reality show, and so travels to Greenwich Village to a gay bar frequented by the station president. He strategically disposes of the president's sexual interest by telling him (Matt) he (Jules) has some books of interest for him in his car, then leads him downstairs where Jules passionately kisses him, hands him some money and tells him to go get them a room at the Marriott.

Jules returns upstairs, makes an excuse for Matt's departure and agrees to sleep with Tom in exchange for his approval to host the show on his station. Later that night Jules calls Stephen in tears, shamefully confessing what he had done for his show.

Ana travels to England in hopes of meeting with Mr. Cromwell, Jules father, and discussing his relationship with his son for the book. Fortunately or unfortunately, upon her arrival at the Cromwell's she is mistaken for Mr. Cromwell's niece, who is also named Ana and is scheduled for a visit. Giving her no time to correct the error, Mr. Cromwell ushers Ana in and shows her the guest room. Through his stream-of-consciousness, one-sided conversation Ana learns that she is supposedly a pregnant nun carrying a priest's baby. Playing up the part, Ana uses her time alone to root through the closet, discovering a series of love letters sent by Victoria Vercini many years before. She unearths a final heretofore unopened letter and reads it. In it Victoria informs Sidney regarding her pregnancy, and Ana quickly deduces the reason for Mr. Cromwell's ignorance regarding his son: he had ignored the missive.

CHAPTER XIII
Jules receives a rejection letter in the mail and realizes Tom has double-crossed him. Livid by the betrayal and what it cost him to work the initial deal, Jules kidnaps Tom and takes him to the spot in West Virginia, where he quite literally lays out for him exactly what happened at that location ten years ago. Although Tom is infuriated and wants revenge for Jules action, he recognizes the potential profit that might be turned by giving in to the producer's whim, and so he finally concedes under the stipulation that he must approve the pilot. Jules is ecstatic.
Meanwhile, at the Cromwell's Ana is eating dinner with the family, contriving one lie on top of another and making up convoluted stories that both amuse and confound her listeners. She finally mentions Jules and convinces Mr. Cromwell to make contact with his son, much to the dismay of his wife. That evening - purely on accident - Ana stumbles across a missive from the real Anna Cromwell in which she reveals that she has eloped with her lover, the priest. She further announces that she will not be renewing contact with her family, other than to write on a rare occasion and tell them of any births. Ana smiles at the lady's gumption and happiness, and then throws the letter into the fire.

CHAPTER XIV
Mr. Cromwell shows up at Jules apartment one night, ready to assume his paternal role and help guide his son in his business endeavors. Shortly thereafter Cass Depardieu appears on Jules' footstep, having been called by Mr. Cromwell to create a PR romance with Jules to stimulate the public's interest and further both their careers. Despite his initial reserve, Jules agrees to follow his father's advice, hoping that by doing so he will grow closer to the dad he never knew as a child.

Ana departs the Cromwell's and travels to Italy, where she interviews Jules' mother, Mrs. Vercini. Mrs. Vercini gives Ana the inside track on the lifestyles of the rich and famous, explaining to her how "Hollywood" romances are often power relationships constructed around the careers of both individuals. She supplies Ana with some interesting commentary regarding Jules' childhood, cites the relationship and the specific incident that divulged her son's bisexuality, encourages Ana to pursue her book and then leaves as mysteriously as she came. Ana is left wondering exactly what to write.

CHAPTER XV
Jules and Cass travel to England and join Mr. Cromwell in attending a "Lifeway" event, an aristocratic charity based on the benevolence of those who qualify as London "society". Much to Mr. Cromwell's apprehension, Jules and Cass fight on the way to event but manage to act "in love" for the benefit of the old gentleman and the rest of society.

Jules meets an eccentric man by the name of Jack Stubble, a former captain in the British Navy who pretends to be drunk so as to become privy to information that would not otherwise be divulged to him (if it were thought he would remember it). From Captain Stubble Jules learns of his father's secret love for him, although the producer becomes quickly alarmed when the Captain reveals the truth about Jules, asking him "how long" he will continue to live the lie for the sake of his father.

Ana returns to the US and begins documenting Jules life, doing further research online. During her investigation she is pinged by someone named "MiMiracle" who clearly knows Jules at present and is willing to work with her to develop her book. The individual in question will not disclose his/her identity, however, which makes Ana suspicious. Nevertheless, she interacts with the stranger for the sake of her writing.

CHAPTER XVI
Jules joins his father at another charity event, a "mutual gathering of humanitarians for various interests" hosted by the Champions. He banters with Countess Margaret, Princess Caroline and Duchess Eleanor before being introduced to two American investors, Dick and John, who invite him to their yacht party the following Friday. Eventually Princess Caroline seduces Jules and he leaves with her.

Ana experiences an existential crisis in her writing, wondering if she should continue despite her current frustration (she's heard nothing from MiMiracle) or abandon the project. Alone in the beauty of a heat storm, she achieves an epiphany of sorts and discovers a peace inside herself that releases the internal pressure.

CHAPTER XVII
Jules goes to the yacht party and discovers the real reason for the personal invitation: Dick and John are hoping to have a cocaine-induced orgy with him and three women. Angry and disillusioned, Jules disembarks, choosing instead to go home and get drunk in the privacy of his father's kitchen.

Mr. Cromwell awakens to discover Jules pixilated and alone. Alarmed by his son's relapse, he attempts to ascertain the reason for it, and is torn when his beautiful child tells him that he is only adored for his pretty face, that people find no value in his mind or anything else for that matter and so he should quit his dreams and become the pretty thing that everyone sees. In response Mr. Cromwell attempts to support him, but then Jules confides that he killed the mountain men and Nate took the blame for his crime. Although he is shocked, Mr. Cromwell is nevertheless grateful for Nate's sacrifice, for because of Nate he has his son with him. Mr. Cromwell also realizes he has been dominating his son and trying to integrate Jules into his life rather than allowing Jules to lead his own life. Thus, he instructs Jules to return to New York, and also tells him he will be calling his mother (Mrs. Vercini) and together both will work to further their son's aspirations.

Meanwhile MiMiracle reappears and catches Ana up on the latest Jules press releases and rumors, including the photos of Jules with Princess Caroline and the producer's imminent return to the US. Ana informs MiMiracle she is no longer working on the book but the stranger manages to convince her to resume the project again.

CHAPTER XVIII
Jules rises the next morning with a splitting headache, the result of too much Glenmorangie the previous evening. He goes downstairs and is immediately harassed by his step-mother; in response, he misbehaves, throwing ice cubes on the floor and telling his step-brothers their mother has been holding them hostage in the freezer. He then runs immediately for the bathroom, where he regurgitates and then curls up around the toilet. When his two step-brothers appear, he sends the youngest away and tries to use his experience to teach the older brother, who has by now figured out that Jules was drunk and is suffering from a hang-over.
Eventually his father takes over his care, and Jules confesses his love for Ana and how poorly he treated her in the past. Mr. Cromwell informs him that Ana has already made contact with his mother, and most likely was the woman who visited him several months ago. Jules is shocked.

At the behest of MiMiracle, Ana travels to New York to meet with him and possibly reunite with Jules. On the flight she coincidentally sits beside Tom Sellars, who attempts to convince her to accompany him to his hotel room. Having heard the gossip concerning Tom and Jules, Ana inquires about it, and decides once and for all that Tom is a lying, pompous beast. After she arrives safely at the airport, she meets MiMiracle and learns that he is Stephen, Jules mentor. Stephen informs her that he has arranged for her to meet Jules that Friday evening at a broadcasting event, which he had acquired tickets for using Jules and his mutual connections.

[Countess]

CHAPTER XIX
Jules arrives at the broadcasting event and immediately begins to work the room, reacquainting himself with previous coworkers and chatting up the power mongers. At one point he looks across the floor and recognizes a silhouette, but the individual immediately flees. However, he catches sight of the person’s face in the light on the way out and realizes that it is Ana. He chases after her, but by the time he reaches the foyer she is gone. She has, however, left him a package: the book that is to become “The Life and Times of Jules Vercini”. He reads through it and is amazed by its depth, perception and stylistic sophistication. Utterly pleased with the draft, Jules leaves the event and heads home.

Ana confides to Stephen that seeing Jules again had terrified her and that consequently she had fled the event. Frustrated by his inability to reunite the two, Stephen chides Ana and she agrees to consider his advice – in the morning. She then falls to sleep.

A knock on the door at 4AM reveals a bashful but penitent Jules. Delighted, Ana invites him in and after a brief discussion that reveals the love they have for one another, they fall asleep in each other’s arms.

CHAPTER XX
In the morning Ana and Jules continue their discussion, explaining their thoughts and feelings and making reparations to one another. Jules tells Ana he will be using her script for the book and the screenplay and as a result he is canceling his plans for the reality show. Ana is absolutely thrilled by this news.

Ana and Jules visit Stephen to thank him and assure him of the fruits of his labor. While there Ana runs into Mr. Cromwell and apologizes for feigning relations; Jules supports Ana and Mr. Cromwell forgives her. Stephen then unveils the latest gossip column, which includes a short article wherein Cass accuses him of being a serial cheat after photos of him with Princess Caroline were released to the press. The four of them consider the implications of the clip with Jules minimizing its significance and Mr. Cromwell worrying about Jules’, Victoria’s and his own reputation. Jules calls his publicist and asks her to arrange for him to appear on Oprah to disavow / address the accusations.

CHAPTER XXI

A spiteful man, Tom Sellars resents it when Jules withdraws prematurely from their agreement, leaving him an open prime time hour. Vowing revenge, Sellars hires a private investigator who uncovers an obscure porn Jules made when he was in his early 20s. Pleased by the discovery, Sellars releases it to the press, publishing it on the internet to ensure worldwide distribution.

Mr. Cromwell is horrified when he hears of it and calls Jules to inform him of its presence and chastise him about its creation. Petrified himself and unsure of what to do, Jules seeks solace and advice in Ana’s arms.

CHAPTER XXII

Together Ana and Jules view the flick, which has a surprising inclusion of content, and Ana recognizes its redeemable artistic value. She tells Jules to market it as “his first attempt at production” because he can sell its worth that way. She also inquires regarding its inspiration, and Jules confides that when he was 18 he was seduced by an art instructor, who found his muse in Jules’ face.

CHAPTER XXIII
Jules meets with his father and publicist and they agree that – for the time being – Jules should resume his public relationship with Cass Depardieu to mitigate the fallout for the video. Ana is consequently stuffed into the anonymous and surreptitious role of being Jules secret girlfriend, something that slowly destroys her inside.

Jules finally interviews with Oprah, and with his natural candor and finesse he manages to redirect the scandal, admitting to the sordid affair and the porn while using it as a launching pad for discussion of his latest, valid production called “Nate’s Sacrifice.”

When the show ends Jules and Cass attend the premiere of an art exhibit, then party into the wee hours of the morn with the artist before returning home at 2AM.

When Jules enters his hotel room he notices the bathroom light is on and discovers Ana lying in a pool of blood, almost dead. In a panic he rushes her to the hospital.

When she awakens from her light coma Ana descries Jules as a fiend and orders him away from her – permanently. Full of guilt Jules humbly obeys her request.

CHAPTER XXIV
Ana returns home and secludes herself in her room – at least until Kristy hosts a small gathering that includes one Jessie Ledger. Eavesdropping on the conversation through the keyhole, Ana eventually dares to leave her room to sit on the top step and listen further. Jessie discovers her there and invites her to take a walk with him, an invitation she politely declines – until he reveals that he has read her book of poetry that is sitting on the coffee table. Intrigued and with her interest piqued, Ana changes her mind and accepts, descending the stairs to go outside and talk with the young cowboy.

CHAPTER XXV
Jules, his parents and Cass are riding together on the way to the press conference and premiere of “Nate’s Sacrifice” when the actress brings up the subject of Ana, a controversial topic that initiates a fight betwixt her and Jules and between Jules parents, with Mr. Cromwell favoring Cass and Mrs. Vercini advocating Ana.

The group manages to make it inside without disclosing their divisiveness, and the press conference begins. Initially Jules performs well, although when an agent inquires about Ana and her attempted suicide, Jules responds angrily then marches off stage, refusing to continue the interview. Eventually both parents persuade him to return to the stage, and the conference continues without incident.

The movie is featured, and the following day critics herald it as ground-breaking (amongst other good things) and declare its creator a genius.

CHAPTER XXVI
Jessie arrives for his date with Ana – on his horse, Heathcliff. Ana is both amused by his originality and thrilled by the opportunity to ride a horse for the second time, so she alights the steed behind Jessie and the two ride to his house, where they exchange Heathcliff for his truck, which they take to see “Nate’s Sacrifice.”

Ana is understandably traumatized by the film (despite writing the book) so Jessie takes her back to his house and puts her in his bed. As she lies there, Ana feels the terrible guilt of her crime and wonders out loud if God and Nate have forgiven her. Jessie puts her mind at ease when he confirms that forgiveness is granted, if only a person asks for it, so Ana sends a small prayer to heaven and finally achieves the inner peace she had been searching for all along.

After she confesses all to Jessie, he declares he still loves her and asks Ana to marry him, a proposal she gladly accepts.

CHAPTER XXVII
Jules is in Italy visiting his mother when he receives a letter from Ana announcing her betrothal to Jessie and requesting that Jules refrain from interfering with the marriage. Despite the matrimonial declaration, the missive also contains reassurances of her unconditional and unwavering love for Jules, overtures that lead Jules to believe she is expecting his arrival any day and is anxious about it.

Thinking that Ana finally has a chance at peace and happiness, however, Jules heeds her request and refrains from visiting her. Still, the finality of her decision breaks his heart and he becomes despondent and depressed, withdrawing to his bed where he can be alone and sleep.

Ana is on her way to London when she comes across a flight attendant who is the spitting image of Jules some 25 years ago, when he was in his prime (this fact establishes the passage of time). She calls him over and instructs him to take a seat beside her where she can ask about him and tell him about his resemblance to Jules. The two talk extensively and make promises to maintain contact with each other as they part ways when the flight ends and Ana rides to her hotel alone.

In the morning Ana arises and is on her way to do some shopping in Soho when she catches a glimpse of an older gentleman disappearing behind a building. She pursues him, and when he turns around she is delighted to find that her suspicions were correct and standing before her is the true Jules Vercini. The two greet each other very warmly and immediately begin to talk about their lives, with Ana informing Jules of her widowhood and Jules telling Ana of his loveless existence after her departure. Jules asks Ana if she would mind if he accompanied her to Soho and she gladly accepts his offer. The chapter ends with the subtle intimation that perhaps, at last, these two people are finally ready for each other.