Phelius Flagstone

Who, you may ask is Phelius Flagstone? Well, Phelius is a young detective I created about two years ago. He is a boy detective and at the early age of ten took on his first case after a visit to the zoo. So what I'm gonna do for the next few weeks is publish a bit from it and let you all have a read of it. It is a bit slow to get started but I think it reads well and as I have never sent it out to publishers, I've decided to let you my readers read it. So here we go....

Prologue

     

“The package is in place...”

 “No sign of the Gecko or the Scorpion. All Teams...hold.” He was known as ‘Stoat’ and was the best the International Animal Protection Agency, I.A.P.A, had to offer. His mission was simple, to keep track of an undercover agent within the Winterhill Mob. The Penthouse of the Winterhill Mob offices was one mile from his current location. His monocular was focused on the table in the heart of the room.  

***

The world’s top criminal sat around a lavish table, decorated with rare flowers, stuffed exotic birds and animals. Bejewelled fingers greedily picked at the food spread out before them. Deep fried Leatherback turtle, poached Dolphin and roasted Gibbon. At the table’s centre was a stuffed and half eaten Orangutan. The once, vibrant eyes watching the man sitting at the table’s head.

His size spilling over the edge of the seat upon which he sat. His hand linked with the long muscular arm of the Orangutan. His pearl white teeth sinking into the succulent red meat as his fingers grabbed berries before shoving them in on the meat in his mouth. Grey hair hung low over his dark eyes mixing with the great bites of food. A large blue silk napkin covered the top of his red pin stripped suit. Upon his finger he wore the ring of Don Vittori; the previous head of, the Winterhill Mob.  

“Mister Sous, you have outdone yourself tonight with this fine beast. Tell me, how did you acquire such a fine specimen?” Edward Shamwari leaned back in his chair, while wiping a trickle of grease from the many folds of his chin.

“I liberated the ape from a zoo in Thailand and had him brought here especially for our little gathering tonight. I am very glad you enjoyed it Mister Shamwari, as I hope your other distinguished guests have? ” A round of applause broke out at the table, as Shamwari and his guests showed their appreciation for the chef’s talents.

Myna Sous was a renowned chef in the criminal world. He had once been the Gordon Ramsey of the culinary world until the famous actor Steve Salatore commissioned him to cook a Giant Panda cub. Myna’s fame had dwindled overnight from the exposure the cooked panda had received. But those among the criminal elite and, also, the rich of the world, sought him out to cook rare and exotic animals for them.  

“I believe that you are to cook for my good friend, The Yurugu, in Ireland soon?” A small plump man leaned forward and smiled at both Shamwari and the other guests as Sous answered.

“Yes, I have a very, very rare menu for our good friend and his dinner party next month. I am looking forward to cooking, Horace, for you all at his home near Carlow” Sous smiled before taking a bow and backing from the room, leaving the Winterhill Mob’ to their business.

***

“As you know, I have called you here tonight for two reasons. The first is to celebrate the return of, The Yurugu, to our fold and the second, my friends, is business.” A round of

nods circled the table as the members listened to Shamwari’s speech. “The Scorpion, sent a crew after the famed Shangri La diamond” Kaggen waited as the murmurs rippled through his guests at the latest scheme.

“But the diamond is not real? It’s a myth, as was Shangri La.” A small man sitting in the lap of a large Japanese wrestler stepped onto the table. “So, why should we waste time searching for myths?” Nods fluttered about the table. The small man bowed and resumed his seat in the wrestler’s lap. The Kaggen just smiled.

“The diamond as we all know has been sought for years by the most powerful people in history. But we have found it. The retrieval of the diamond has been successful and we must now select a crew to take on the task of bringing the diamond into our procession”

 “The Scorpion wants it retrieved for the return of our leader, The Gecko” Gasps surrounded the table at the mention of the third leader of the organisation. “He has acquired his release from Chi Te Prison and hopes to join us in the next few weeks. The Scorpion has the exact location of the diamond.” The Kaggen clapped his hands and two men entered the room. They carried a large map between them of Ireland.

The Yurugu sat forward in his seat. “You believe the diamond is in Ireland?”

“We know it is there and we have received word of its safe arrival. It is at this moment, sitting in the one place no one will ever suspect. We have but to retrieve a meal and the diamond shall be ours...” Sitting back into his seat the Kaggen gazed around the table, watching as his associates stared in disbelief at the diamonds location on the map.

All things considered....

So recently I've been working on a number of new projects, along with trying to finish my first feature film, which I wrote about before. But as some of you may have noticed I haven't written on here in a year... Why? you ask. Well its a case of becoming a first time dad.

My son Rian was born May2 at 1700hrs and has for the last six weeks kept myself and his mum very busy... I'm sure some of you out there are parents and know the routine and have probably heard 'the first six weeks are the hardest...' I'd have to agree on that, first few weeks have been hard.

But all things considered I'm delighted and really enjoying being a dad, mind you I'm not getting much work done but am slowly getting back into my routine and hopefully I'll get blogging a bit more too.

Don't forget to head on over to 50lbfilms.com and keep up to date with what we're doing on the film sets this year. Some great little shorts coming including Masterpiece, Dead Dog Bounce and Bird in the Hand.

Feature Film

Right so I've been uber busy with a load of projects that 50LB Films have on the go. Our biggest one at the moment is
We've Got Balls, a new comedy feature that we've been working on for the last 6mths and are getting ready to hopfully shoot in April of this year. So here's some infor about the film, along with a link to the official webpage.

http://www.we-gotballs.com/

What's The Story?
Misguided, and a little selfish, could best describe Robert’s reasons to win back his ex-girlfriend Emma. But with the aid of his best mate, Stephen he ends up in his local – the refuge of the heartbroken Irish male, so it would seem. So amidst the booze and the girls, a plan is hatched among his friends to win Emma back.



With Emma working as a sports journalist, covering an American Football tournament in Ireland, it is the perfect vehicle for the lads to get Robert back in with Emma. However, they do not realise that this might be more work than they realise. And worse still, the quarterback from the American team has set his sights on the lovely Emma too. The race is on, get a team together, beat the Americans at their own game and win Emma back. As Robert comments “It’s like Rugby, but with pads! How hard can it be, right?”



So with half-assed determination, an Irish team is assembled. The Twisters are all set to enter the Celtic Cup... too bad they are a pack of no-hopers with varying degrees of delusions of grandeur. Thankfully, at a most opportune moment, in steps a man to save the team from total disgrace. (Well, most of it!) Dermot O’Brien spent his early years coaching American Football, and was about to take his team and star players all the way into the big leagues – until his greed got the better of him.

And it is with insults, a mind to bend the rules and a blatant disregard for his player’s health that Dermot brings the Twisters through to face their rivals. But there is something else to Dermot’s determination to beat the Americans, not just a sense of goodwill. In the final showdown can the players pull themselves together to play the Americans on their own terms? Can Dermot pull himself out of the shadow that was his disgrace that was twenty years ago? Will Robert win Emma back?



Of course not! What do you think this is? A movie!

Phelius Continues

2nd extract from the Flagstone novel. Enjoy and don't forget to give a click on some of the adverts on my blog. Thnak you.

Chapter One

It was 8.15 and time for school. Somewhere beyond the door, Phelius could hear the first sounds of his younger sister, Cayleigh, as she screeched for her Choco flakes and warm milk. His mother’s voice was singing through the halls of the small house, as she and Cayleigh entered the kitchen. His mother called out to him to rise and shine. ‘The day awaits you, Phelius, a day filled with adventure, fun, and frolics.’ Smiling at his mother’s cheeriness, Phelius turned his eyes to the computer on the desk beneath his posters. The little email icon was flashing. Rising from his warm bed, he clicked on the envelope and waited until the email opened.

Dear friend,

We at the institute of animal welfare would like to thank you for your recent donation of €10. As you know, we at the institute give all contributions to various conservation efforts around the world. Our records show that you have donated to us before and as a way of saying thank you, we would like to invite you to the unveiling of Dublin Zoo’s newest arrival, a male white lion. Your tickets are at this moment travelling via An Post to your home. We look forward to seeing you at the Zoo.

Lionel Tuscan

 “Phelius, it's time for school, come on.” The shrill sound of Cayleigh’s voice echoed up the stairs. Phelius picked up his school bag. It contained two books and the rest of the space was taken up with a small digital camera, notebooks, and a guide to Irish wildlife. Sitting next to a picture of him and his uncle was a small green frog. Phelius smiled as he remembered the day the picture had been taken. It was a cold winter’s day in January. His uncle had brought him to an Avery in County Wicklow to see a new Snowy Owl. The young owl had perched itself on top of his blonde hair, thinking it was a nest. Grabbing up the frog, Phelius stuffed it into his pocket.

“Mam, I got an invite to the unveiling of the new lion in Dublin zoo this week, can we go?” Sitting at the table in the kitchen was his Mother and Cayleigh. Both were eating cereal and watching morning TV. Pouring cereal into a bowl, he watched his mother’s smile grow.

“Your uncle has already sent tickets for the new lion, but its tomorrow, not later this week.” Phelius’ eyes widened as his mother told him the news. “The lion is being introduced to the media tomorrow.” Phelius whooped with joy at the news. Leaping from his seat, he threw his arms around his mother and kissed her on the cheek. Cayleigh saw him move towards her and stumbled out of her chair before he could kiss her too.

“Mam, tell Phelius to stop acting weird, it’s only a lion. Will we get to see the horses tomorrow?” Cayleigh skirted the table, avoiding Phelius as he chased her around.

“Come on, it’s time we left for school.” Grabbing his bag, Phelius raced out into the drive and hopped into the car. The drive to school was lined by trees wearing the orange glow of autumn’s coat. The long winding country roads were always quiet at this time of day, with only the occasional tractor trundling along to the creamery or the odd lorry delivering feeds to the farms. Phelius stared at the blur of autumn as it shot by the car window and then as the car began to slow he saw the long black railing that encased the grounds of his school. Their car pulled in behind the other cars dropping kids at school gate.

“Bye.” Cayleigh’s voice shrieked as she got out of the car to greet with her friends. Phelius searched the grounds of the school before getting out. Turning he smiled at his mum.

“You’re collecting us this evening?” His mum nodded as she grinded the car into gear. “See you at three.” Closing the door, Phelius turned and trudged off towards the school gate. The shrieks and shouts of a school yard at play filled his senses as he walked to the large brown wooden doors leading into the heart of the school. A group of boys were standing near the doors laughing and joking. Their sneering fell silent as Phelius came close.

“Hey, G.I Jane, you got my money?” A tall boy with a shaven head stepped from the group and poked Phelius in the chest. Maurice Ryan, the local school yard bully. “Well?” Phelius looked up at the glistening sweat on his head as Maurice moved closer. He could get the smell of week old sweat and his foul smelling breath.

“What money!” Phelius fingered the small green frog in his pocket and smiled up into the blue eyes of Maurice.

“What money? You hear that lads?” Maurice grabbed him by the collar pulling him close to his face. “The money you won on that English competition for best story. Everyone said my story was better than that crap you wrote. My little lion...” Slipping his hand from his pocket, Phelius pushed at Maurice’s hands trying to break the bully’s hold. “Ah now, behave yourself.” Maurice pushed Phelius back, knocking him to the ground. “My money, Jane, where is it?”

“In my pocket, let me up and I’ll give it to you.” Lifting himself off the ground, Phelius pulled the small frog from his pocket and squeezed. A jet of back liquid squirted from the frog’s mouth striking the bully in the face. Grabbing his bag, Phelius ran through the school doors.          

“Mister Flagstone, no running in the school corridors, if you please!” Mister Coffey stood at the end of the stairs leading up to the teachers’ lounge, hands on his hips. “Ah, Mister Maurice Ryan, the very man I was looking for, come with me.” Turning around, Phelius watched as Maurice stood behind him, a grim look on his face as his name was called out. Phelius smiled at him and watched as fury bubbled on the bully’s face. “I’ll see you after school, G.I Jane...”      

Phelius Flagstone

So here's the opening of a book that I wrote about two years ago and never did anything with it. So have a read and I'd love some feed back. So enjoy.....

Prologue    

“The package is in place...” 

 “No sign of the Gecko or the Scorpion. All Teams...hold.” He was known as ‘Stoat’ and was the best the International Animal Protection Agency, I.A.P.A, had to offer. His mission was simple, to keep track of an undercover agent within the Winterhill Mob. The Penthouse of the Winterhill Mob offices was one mile from his current location. His monocular was focused on the table in the heart of the room.  

***

The world’s top criminal sat around a lavish table, decorated with rare flowers, stuffed exotic birds and animals. Bejewelled fingers greedily picked at the food spread out before them. Deep fried Leatherback turtle, poached Dolphin and roasted Gibbon. At the table’s centre was a stuffed and half eaten Orangutan. The once, vibrant eyes watching the man sitting at the table’s head.

His size spilling over the edge of the seat upon which he sat. His hand linked with the long muscular arm of the Orangutan. His pearl white teeth sinking into the succulent red meat as his fingers grabbed berries before shoving them in on the meat in his mouth. Grey hair hung low over his dark eyes mixing with the great bites of food. A large blue silk napkin covered the top of his red pin stripped suit. Upon his finger he wore the ring of Don Vittori; the previous head of, the Winterhill Mob.  

“Mister Sous, you have outdone yourself tonight with this fine beast. Tell me, how did you acquire such a fine specimen?” Edward Shamwari leaned back in his chair, while wiping a trickle of grease from the many folds of his chin.

“I liberated the ape from a zoo in Thailand and had him brought here especially for our little gathering tonight. I am very glad you enjoyed it Mister Shamwari, as I hope your other distinguished guests have? ” A round of applause broke out at the table, as Shamwari and his guests showed their appreciation for the chef’s talents.

Myna Sous was a renowned chef in the criminal world. He had once been the Gordon Ramsey of the culinary world until the famous actor Steve Salatore commissioned him to cook a Giant Panda cub. Myna’s fame had dwindled overnight from the exposure the cooked panda had received. But those among the criminal elite and, also, the rich of the world, sought him out to cook rare and exotic animals for them.  

“I believe that you are to cook for my good friend, The Yurugu, in Ireland soon?” A small plump man leaned forward and smiled at both Shamwari and the other guests as Sous answered.

“Yes, I have a very, very rare menu for our good friend and his dinner party next month. I am looking forward to cooking, Horace, for you all at his home near Carlow” Sous smiled before taking a bow and backing from the room, leaving the Winterhill Mob’ to their business.

***

“As you know, I have called you here tonight for two reasons. The first is to celebrate the return of, The Yurugu, to our fold and the second, my friends, is business.” A round of

nods circled the table as the members listened to Shamwari’s speech. “The Scorpion, sent a crew after the famed Shangri La diamond” Kaggen waited as the murmurs rippled through his guests at the latest scheme.

“But the diamond is not real? It’s a myth, as was Shangri La.” A small man sitting in the lap of a large Japanese wrestler stepped onto the table. “So, why should we waste time searching for myths?” Nods fluttered about the table. The small man bowed and resumed his seat in the wrestler’s lap. The Kaggen just smiled.

“The diamond as we all know has been sought for years by the most powerful people in history. But we have found it. The retrieval of the diamond has been successful and we must now select a crew to take on the task of bringing the diamond into our procession”

 “The Scorpion wants it retrieved for the return of our leader, The Gecko” Gasps surrounded the table at the mention of the third leader of the organisation. “He has acquired his release from Chi Te Prison and hopes to join us in the next few weeks. The Scorpion has the exact location of the diamond.” The Kaggen clapped his hands and two men entered the room. They carried a large map between them of Ireland.

The Yurugu sat forward in his seat. “You believe the diamond is in Ireland?”

“We know it is there and we have received word of its safe arrival. It is at this moment, sitting in the one place no one will ever suspect. We have but to retrieve a meal and the diamond shall be ours...” Sitting back into his seat the Kaggen gazed around the table, watching as his associates stared in disbelief at the diamonds location on the map.

Christmas

I was flabbergasted last night when I left the new Harry Potter movie and again this morning my jaw dropped... I was always under the impression that Christmas lights didn't come on until Dec8th... Trees, lights and decorations are up, already! I know its only 5weeks to Xmas but with all the complaining about the government and the lack of money and loads of us out of work, you'd think they'd hold back for a week or two and not put pressure on families who will struggle this Christmas.
With the budget due in the next week or two, I think it would have been fair to wait till the 8th and let people see what cuts are due. Social is up for the slash and this will put a lot of people under pressure. And then there's the proposed minimum wage cut. As it is we have a wage of 8.65 euro and the cut proposed will bring it down to 7.65euro. Which would be fine if, and this is the big if. If the cost of living was cheaper in Ireland. Lets face it, we are being ripped off and I'm not going to jump on a band wagon here and start playing to the tune of the moaner. So I'll stop there.
There is however another thing left to say,

Happy early Christmas...

Camelot

I'm sure that you are all familiar with the stories of Arthur and his knights of the round table, well I had the pleasure of spending the last week with them on the set of the new TV show 'Camelot'. The new 10 part drama, written by Tudors writer Micheal Hirst along with Chris Chibnall of Life on Mars, is due to air here in the new year and has a stellar cast which includes Jamie Campbell Bower, Twilight Saga, as King Arthur and Tasmin Egerton, St. Trinians, as Queen Guinevere.
Camelot is spending an estimated 20million euro over the duration of its shoot in Ireland.
I spent the last 7 Days in the mountains of Wicklow with 20 other extras cast as Marauders. We attack a small out post of Camelot, defended by Sebastian Spence from Battlestar Galactica and First Wave, where some great action and fights are seen. During the course of the week Arthur, James Campbell Bower, was unlucky and suffered a break to his leg. This meant that certain parts of the action were delayed. But the stunt crew still created a truly great fight scene, where Arthur and his knights face the blood thirsty band of marauders and defend the outpost with bravery and some great stunts.
Here's a link to a fan site which has a small trailer for the upcoming series

http://camelotfans.wordpress.com/

Enjoy!