In a true story, when an African-American businessman is faced with corporate discrimination, he loses his wife, family, and fortune to win a battle of social injustice with the unlikely help of a crusty newspaper reporter and his faith.

SYNOPSIS:

n March, 1998, HERMAN MALONE (40s), finds his communication business targeted for massive contract cuts at the hands of a Fortune 500 company, American West (names have been changed). Herman feels like he did when two white cops chased him into a swamp and out of Arkansas 30 years earlier. However, Herman finds he is not alone, and that several African-American small contractors and subcontractors have recently suffered the same fate at the hands of the corporate giant. It's David(s) versus Goliath. Racism has been kicked upstairs, where it's much harder to prove in a court of law.

Denver Post business news editor, ROBERT SCHWAB (40), gets wind of the story, and seeks the truth, but Herman doesn't like reporters, and their relationship is off to a rocky start. As financial troubles mount for Herman's company, he realizes that he can't face Goliath alone. With four other "plaintiffs," and a small, helpful story in the Post, by Robert, Herman is convinced to have his day in court.

America West CEO, SKYLAR BAINES (50), is driven by profit and a pure corporate image. He assigns the case to his top hired gun, a bulldog of an attorney named EMERSON HARRIS (45). Emerson has never lost a case, and settles most of them before they reach trial to keep America West's image squeaky clean. One by one, he intimidates Herman's co-plaintiffs into settling, and Herman is alone. Even Herman's wife, PAT (45) leaves him before the trial, leaving Herman with one confidant, Jennifer, the crusty Post reporter, Robert, and the Lord to lean on. Herman becomes a whistleblower.

Herman, alone in court, doesn't stand a chance. His slipshod, drug-addicted attorney, BILLY PARKER (40) is in over his head. The African-American judge, MILES JACKSON (42) appears to be on trial too, as America West is found innocent of all charges. However, one juror, LAURIE JAMESON (30), sees solid evidence of discrimination and a mistrial must be declared. It's a moral victory for Herman who has lost everything but two friendships and his faith.

Herman seeks refuge in the house of the Lord. His minister, FRANK JONES (50), consoles Herman with the story of Job. Job lost everything but his faith, and was rewarded with twice his fortune. And, as prayers would have it, Herman's company is awarded a large new contract for communications at the new Denver International Airport, and America West goes out of business, bought out by another corporation. Faith, and faith in justice, go a long way!

ROPE BURN BY ARTHUR O. THOMAS, TOM STOHLGREN, AND HERMAN MALONE