Blow
Overhead shot of George and Mirtha’s bedroom. It’s completely covered with money. Completely covered. George and Mirtha make love on the sea of cash. As CAMERA PULLS UP we see money slowly falling from the ceiling.
INT. SILVER STAR WEDDING CHAPEL – LAS VEGAS – 1978 – DAY
There is no white dress. There is no tuxedo. George and Mirtha haven’t even taken off their sunglasses.
MIRTHA I do.
They kiss. Mirtha wipes her red nose.
MIRTHA (CONT’D) I need a fucking drink.
INT. EASTHAM HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
George moves to the bedroom. Mirtha is pregnant and she’s showing. She’s also bent over a mirror with a straw in her hand. George opens the door and takes her by surprise.
GEORGE Jesus Christ.
MIRTHA Oh, don’t be such a fucking hypocrite. I quit smoking, didn’t I?
GEORGE Put that shit away, they’re here.
INT. EASTHAM HOUSE – DOWNSTAIRS – LATER
Mirtha and George lead Fred and Ermine from room to room, showing off the house. The decor is, well, eclectic. It doesn’t match the architecture.
ERMINE It’s all so beautiful.
MIRTHA What do you think, Dad?
FRED Yeah. Nice.
ERMINE Look at this credenza. If you don’t mind me asking, how much is something like that? It’s got to cost a fortune.
GEORGE (quickly) It’s a family heirloom.
ERMINE I’ve seen those in magazines. They’re not cheap.
GEORGE Mirtha comes from a very wealthy family.
ERMINE Oh, I see.
MIRTHA Come on. I’ll show you the rest of the house.
George and his father move outside.
EXT. GROUNDS – CONTINUOUS
George and his father walk.
GEORGE So, business is going good. I’ve got this import/export thing going on in Miami that’s been very profitable. With my investments…
FRED Don’t bullshit me, George. I don’t see you very much, I don’t want to waste the time.
They move along the rear of the house. Classic cars line the driveway.
FRED (CONT’D) You come from my body, remember? You’re my baby boy. The same kid who would jump off a mountain if someone told him he couldn’t do it. You haven’t changed much. I know the things you do. Not everything. But I get the picture and I don’t care. I don’t like it. It’s not what I would have chosen for you, but it’s your life. It doesn’t have anything to do with me.
He turns and looks at his boy.
FRED (CONT’D) You’re like your mother. You love money.
GEORGE Dad.
FRED No, it’s good. You have a family. It’s good if it makes you happy. It’s nice to have nice things. Are you happy, son?
GEORGE Yeah, Dad. I’m happy right now.
INT. HOLIDAY MOTEL – LITTLE HAVANA – 1978 – DAY
Diego puts a straw in his nose and snorts a big gakker. His eyes are wide, his pupils dilated, and a weapon sticks out of the back of his pants. He knocks the dust off his nose before moving outside. George is on the porch, smoking a cigarette.
DIEGO Three years. How long have we been in business? Three years. Does she get to meet your connection? Was she good enough?
GEORGE Shut up, Diego. They’re going to be here any minute. I’m trying to concentrate.
DIEGO I’m very angry with you, George. Very angry. You don’t take me to California, but you take your bitch wife? A woman? I understand you love her, but it was you and me who started this. You and me.
GEORGE What do you need my connection for, Diego? What are you going to do with it?
DIEGO What do I do with it? Nothing. It’s for peace of mind. It’s for the principle.
George doesn’t have time for this. He checks the cylinders on his weapon and runs over possible scenarios in his mind. But Diego won’t get off the soap box.
GEORGE Jesus fucking Christ, Diego. I ain’t telling you. It’s just business. Now, shut up. You’re driving me crazy.
DIEGO I’m driving you crazy? No. You’re driving me crazy. We had a dream. What happened to our dream?
A black sedan pulls up and FIVE PUERTO RICAN MEN approach the room. George and Diego greet them and lead them inside. It’s game time. The atmosphere is charged with danger and everyone is acutely aware of everything. The guys sit down, their guns bulging through the inside of their suits. The suitcases are opened. The rules are the same. No English. No raising voices. No sudden movements. George offers their leader, TONY, beers for his men, and is politely declined. The count starts. George and Diego riff through ten thousand dollar bundles. Diego is still acting pissy. He’s mumbling to himself, making faces, slamming the money all around. The guys keep a close eye on him. Diego finishes a stack, throws one of the bags on the ground. The conversation is in Spanish unless otherwise indicated.
TONY Algun problema?
GEORGE No no no… no problema, amigo. El dinero esta todo aqui. Lleves las “llaves” y mas tarde lo contaremos. Okay? No problem.
TONY Que problema? Nosotros esperamos.
The pressure is getting to one of the hoods. His name is BENNY. He’s got a crazy eye and he seems ready to snap. George resumes the count, but Diego won’t get off it.
DIEGO (English) You embarrassed me, George. You make me look very bad.
BENNY Que esta diciendo?
GEORGE Nothing. Todo esta bien.
DIEGO (English) Everything is not alright. I bring you in, and you slap my fucking face!
GEORGE This is not the time, Diego.
The men all reach for their pieces and all hell starts to break loose.
TONY Hay algun problema? Hablame!
DIEGO (English) You fucked me in front of my whole family!
GEORGE Fuck you…I didn’t fuck you.
BENNY Maldita sea, que diablos esta diciendo?
GEORGE Esta todo aqui, amigo…take the keys. Take ’em and go.
TONY Que esta pasando aqui, jefe?
DIEGO Sientese ye no se meta en lo que no le importa.
The guns are out and pointed. It’s out of control now.
GEORGE Take it easy! Everything’s okay!
DIEGO Que es lo que quieren de me, hijueputas campesinos?
George steps forward with the keys.
GEORGE Take the fucking keys!
BLAM! Courtesy of Benny, George is hit. The shoulder, the collarbone. It’s hard to tell.
GEORGE (CONT’D) Estoy bien, okay? Everything is alright. There’s no problem. Okay? This never happened. No one has to know anything about this. Diego, I want you to calmly tell them where the fucking coke is. Do it now.
DIEGO Es un Ford blanco junto a una pick-up.
Tony very carefully takes the car keys.
GEORGE No problem, gentlemen. Goodbye.
The men slowly back out the door. George looks at Diego.
GEORGE (CONT’D) Derek Foreal.
DIEGO What?
GEORGE Derek Foreal. Derek Foreal. Derek fucking Foreal. Alright? The answer to all your dreams. Are you happy now?
EXT. LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – DAY
George and Diego exit the terminal. George’s arm is in a sling. The familiar sight of Derek Foreal is Lincoln Continental.
The three men come together, and Diego and Derek are introduced. The men’s hands come together and the FRAME FREEZES on their handshake.
EXT. EASTHAM HOUSE – UPSTAIRS – DAY
Fred pulls into the driveway in his new car and honks the horn. Fred and Ermine get out of the car.
FRED Hello, hello.
INT. OLIVEROS MANSION – MIAMI – NIGHT
It’s a New Year’s Eve party. A lavish Colombian celebration. George and a very pregnant Mirtha move through the crowd to find Augusto.
AUGUSTO I’m so glad you two could make it. Mirtha, look at you. So beautiful. You look like you’re about to burst.
MIRTHA Thanks. I am. Where’s Martha?
AUGUSTO I don’t know. Drunk somewhere. Try the bar. And if you find her, tell her to come, it’s almost midnight.
As Mirtha leaves, Augusto throws his arm around George’s shoulder.
AUGUSTO (CONT’D) It’s good you came down, George. We need to discuss a few things.
DIEGO Where’s Diego?
