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Old Habits (2027)

English | Short | Crime Drama | 15 Pages |

Log Line:

When a mobster's impulsive decision to move a mysterious suitcase leaves a man dead, a tense sit-down forces him to question who he can trust—and what his family has been hiding.

Synopsis:

A missing suitcase. Half a million dollars. A body in the Missouri River. For four mobsters gathered in a Kansas City pizza parlor, it's just another Tuesday—until an unexpected clue changes everything. 


Behind the wisecracks and old-school rituals, suspicion takes hold, and the line between family, loyalty, and betrayal begins to blur. In this business, old habits can be fatal.

Poster design for a short screenplay/film by Matthew R. Paden
Matthew R. Paden - Screenwriter/Filmmaker

Matthew R. Paden

I approach short film screenwriting through compelling characters, layered subtext, visual storytelling, and emotional authenticity, crafting cinematic narratives that linger. 

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