VIGNETTE PROLOGUE

A workplace accident throws renowned photographer, Marco Tirelli, into a battle with National Sentry Insurance, a ruthless workers’ compensation insurance carrier. He uses his tenacity, determination and intellect to refute a claim of fraud made against him and uses the power of the social media to expose the truth and reclaim his life.

Using electrical skills he acquired at a young age, Marco lends a hand to a local contractor. A mistake by the contractor leaves Marco with a 75% permanent partial disability and National Sentry steps in, denying the claim and accusing him of fraud. This sets the stage for a remarkable courtroom battle.

National Sentry retains the law firm of Russell, Flynn and Schmidt who assigns the case to a newly qualified attorney, Lucy Ellis, having just passed the BAR after four attempts. Lucy uses her sexuality to gain control over the case with Daniel Cooper, the insurance representative, where they conspire to accuse Marco of fraud. What Lucy lacks in charisma and integrity to be a successful attorney, she makes up for with her scheming and evil mind.

A routine denial by the carrier escalates into a perverted game of lies and manipulation as Lucy fabricates evidence, removes documents from the evidence files, and lies to a judge. Although Lucy is unusually curious and abnormally unintelligent, she appears proud of all these attributes as she sets a course to discredit Marco.

As Lucy plays her twisted game, National Sentry “plays the float”, by delaying Marco’s benefits as his life crumbles. Broke and living in his car, Marco finds solace in his compassionate VA therapist, Laura Addison. Her support directs him to a state-of-the-art VA facility that provides the necessary medical care for his recovery.

In rebuilding his life, Marco finds strength in his blog, where he exposes the injustices he has faced. His story resonates on the World Wide Web, generating 25 million views, which propels him to be nominated for three national awards.

National Sentry, worried about its potential loss of business and negative public image, sues Marco for $2 million, using Lucy Ellis and Daniel Cooper as pawns. Unbeknownst to them, this is exactly what Marco wanted. The lawsuit allows the evidence from Marco’s worker’s compensation case, to be used in this new defamation claim.

Financially broke and unable to hire legal representation, Marco is forced to represent himself “Pro Se” and faces off against National Sentry’s high-powered lawyer, Kayden James Wetzel III, in a heart-pounding courtroom drama. Marco reveals the fabricated evidence, exposing the company’s ruthless tactics, and Lucy’s web of lies.

Our sequence opens at the middle of Marco’s cross examination of Lucy. The judge has become frustrated with Lucy’s attorney who continues to object to each question Marco asks, in an obvious attempt to break his rhythm.  Wetzel gets irritated with Lucy when he realizes that Marco has exposed the fact that she has not provided him certain vital information on the case.

Marco’s experience as an international fashion photographer, provides him with a unique understanding of how to deal with women. He lets Lucy believe that she is in control, while in reality Marco is leading her into a confession.