INT. THE BUGGY WHIP – WEYMOUTH – 1972 – NIGHT
George is taking Barbara and his parents out to dinner. The
Buggy Whip is Ermine’s favorite.
ERMINE
I just can’t get over the size of that
ring. I just love it. Fred, look at
it. Tell me you don’t love that ring.
FRED
I’m just happy that George has found
someone he cares for.
ERMINE
Yes. Of course. But, I’m talking about
that ring. It’s something else. Let me
tell you.
BARBARA
George has exquisite taste.
ERMINE
What is that, two carats? That’s got to
be two carats.
BARBARA
I don’t know.
ERMINE
Yes. It’s at least two carats, darling.
Treasure it.
FRED
Hard to imagine being able to afford a
ring like that on a construction salary.
All eyes turn to George, who fumbles.
GEORGE
Well, you know. It’s um…
ERMINE
Oh, shut up, Fred. Shut your big fat
mouth. You don’t buy it all at once.
It’s called layaway.
FRED
Layaway shmayaway.
ERMINE
That’s right. Layaway. Something you
wouldn’t know anything about, you
cheapskate.
FRED
Who’s the cheapskate?
ERMINE
You, you big old tightwad. He still has
his communion money. Tell him, George.
Tell your father about layaway.
GEORGE
Yeah, layaway.
ERMINE
The boy is happy, Fred. Don’t be such a
killjoy.
FRED
Killjoy?
George looks to Barbara, whose nose is bleeding.
GEORGE
Honey, your nose!
BARBARA
Oh my G-d, I’m so sorry.
ERMINE
Barbara, here, take my napkin.
BARBARA
Thanks. I’ll be okay.
GEORGE
You wanna split?
BARBARA
Yeah, I don’t feel so well.
GEORGE
Okay, guys, we’re gonna leave. Let’s
get the check.
EXT. THE BUGGY WHIP – WEYMOUTH – 1972 – LATER
George and Barbara exit the restaurant.
GEORGE
Are you sure you’re okay? You’re pale.
BARBARA
I feel like shit. Me and my frigging
nosebleeds.
GEORGE
I’m taking you to the doctor when we get
home, and I don’t want to hear any
arguments.
BARBARA
Would you be bummed out if I didn’t go
to Chicago with you?
GEORGE
No, not at all. Sure. You’re right.
You fly home and get some rest.
BARBARA
Nice first impression. A nose bleed in
front of your parents.
GEORGE
Oh my G-d, how embarrassing were they?
I wanted to shoot myself.
BARBARA
Oh, they weren’t that bad. I mean, they
were kind of cute.
GEORGE
Promise me that we’ll never be like
them. I don’t want to wind up like
that.
BARBARA
Relax, baby. We’re going to wind up
like us.
INT. POLICE STATION – CHICAGO – 1972 – DAY
SUPERIMPOSE
MUG SHOTS of George. Left, right, center. George sits
handcuffed to a chair. Piles of marijuana bricks roll past
him.
GEORGE (V.O.)
I had a little problem in Chicago.
Something about trying to sell a
truckload of dope to an undercover
officer. So I applied the three rules
of the game under if and when arrested.
INT. COOK COUNTY COURTHOUSE – CHICAGO – 1972 – DAY
George and his COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY stand before the
JUDGE at the arraignment.
GEORGE (V.O.)
Rule one: don’t fight. A trial will
cost you a fortune in lawyer’s fees and
the jury will chop off your balls and
hand them to you on a platter.
JUDGE
George Jung, you have been accused of
possession of six-hundred and sixty
pounds of marijuana with intent to
distribute. How do you plead?
GEORGE (V.O.)
Rule two: plead not guilty and get
bailed out of jail.
GEORGE (CONT’D)
Your honor, I’d like to say a few words
to the court.
The court appointed attorney puts his head in his hands.
JUDGE
By all means.
GEORGE
In all honesty, I don’t feel like what
I’ve done is a crime and I think it’s
illogical and irresponsible for you to
sentence me to prison. None of the real
criminals of the world ever end up
behind bars. I mean, when you think
about it, what did I really do? Cross
an imaginary line with a bunch of
plants? You say that I’m an outlaw, you
say that I’m a thief, but where’s the
Christmas dinner for the people on
relief?
George stops when his attorney stamps on his foot. The court
officers roll their eyes and the judge smiles.
JUDGE
Those are very interesting concepts you
have, Mr. Jung.
Unfortunately for you, the imaginary
line you crossed is real, the plants you
brought with you are illegal, and what
you did constitutes a crime.
The judge slams his gavel.
JUDGE (CONT’D)
Bail is set at twenty-thousand dollars.
EXT. COOK COUNTY COURTHOUSE – CHICAGO – 1972 – NIGHT
George walks out, free on bond, to find Barbara waiting for
him. She doesn’t look so good.
BARBARA
Surprise.
GEORGE
Baby, you didn’t have to come.
BARBARA
What, and miss all the fun? C’mon, not
a chance. So, what’s the verdict?
GEORGE
Lawyer says he can plead it down to five
years. I’ll serve two.
BARBARA
Two years. George, I can’t wait that
long.
GEORGE
What? You’re not going to wait for me?
BARBARA
George, I went to the doctor. I don’t
have two years.
GEORGE (V.O.)
Which brings me to rule number three:
which says, fuck rules one and two, skip
bail and take off.
EXT. RENT-A-CAR – 1972 – DAY
George hits the gas and the car screams down the road.
EXT. VILLA – PUERTO VALLARTA – 1973 – GOLDEN HOUR
George and Barbara sit on the veranda drinking champagne and
watching the sun go down over the Pacific. Barbara is
completely bald. Rail thin, eyes sunken.
But it doesn’t matter. They’re having a great time. They
laugh and hold hands and laugh some more.
EXT. CEMETERY – PUERTO VALLARTA – 1973 – DAY
Everyone is there. All in black. Barbara’s casket is
lowered into the ground and George climbs to his knees to
push the first dirt on the grave.
GEORGE (V.O.)
Time is such a funny thing. I look at
where I am now, and in here, time inches
along. So slow, it hardly seems like it
moves. But back then, time went fast.
EXT. OTISVILLE F.C.I. – NEW YORK – 1999 – DAY
George pushes dirt along the edge of a flower root. Still
planting those sunflowers, he presses down firmly, standing
before him is Barbara, still beautiful and young with flowing
locks. George raises his hand and makes a small wave.
Barbara opens and closes her hand. Bye bye.
GEORGE
It went too fast.
George looks down and Barbara is gone. No Barbara.
EXT. JUNG HOUSE – BACKYARD – WEYMOUTH – 1973 – NIGHT
George hops the fence like he did when he was a boy and goes
in the back door.
INT. JUNG HOUSE – KITCHEN – CONTINUOUS
Ermine looks at George blankly.
GEORGE
Hi, Mom.
Ermine just keeps looking at him.
GEORGE (CONT’D)
Surprised to see me?
ERMINE
Take your boots off. You’re tan.
GEORGE
Mexico.
ERMINE
Yeah. We heard all about it. I want
you to know I’m deeply sorry about your
girlfriend.
GEORGE
Barbara.
ERMINE
Yes, Barbara. She was very pretty.
GEORGE
Thank you. Have you been getting the
money I sent you?
ERMINE
You mean the drug money? Yes, I got it.
Ermine’s hands are trembling. She is emotional. She hugs
George ferociously, not letting go.
ERMINE (CONT’D)
G-d, son.
GEORGE
Okay, Mom. It’s okay. Where’s Dad?
George turns around to see Fred’s beaming face.
INT. JUNG HOUSE – KITCHEN – LATER
George and Fred sit at the table, a bottle of Scotch sits
between them. The glasses are raised.
GEORGE
May the wind always be at your back and
the sun always upon your face…
FRED
…and the winds of destiny carry you
aloft…
BOTH
…to dance with the stars.
The glasses clink and the drinks are sucked down.
INT. JUNG HOUSE – LATER
The bottle is dwindling. George and Fred are feeling it.
FRED
You alright?
George nods.
GEORGE
Just low.
FRED
You loved her, didn’t you? You really
loved her.
GEORGE
Yeah, Dad. I really did. What am I
gonna do?
FRED
Tough spot.
The glasses are refilled.
GEORGE
You mad at me?
FRED
Not mad.
GEORGE
Yeah, you are. I can tell by the way
you look at me.
FRED
I just don’t know what you’re thinking.
I don’t understand your choices. You
know, the police are looking for you.
GEORGE
I know. I’m great at what I do, Dad. I
mean, I’m really great.
FRED
Let me tell you something, son. You
would have been great at anything.
Something outside catches George’s eye. A light. A
reflection. A movement. George is up and on the move.
FRED (CONT’D)
Where are you going?
EXT. JUNG HOUSE – NIGHT
The front door opens and FEDERAL AGENTS pour into the house.
INT. JUNG HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
George is up the stairs in a flash.
ERMINE
George!
INT. GEORGE’S BEDROOM – CONTINUOUS
George slams the door behind him, moves over to the window,
and opens it. Cops everywhere. He’s trapped. Out of
options, he folds. He moves to the corner and sits down,
turns on the train set. A KNOCK on the door is heard. FBI
Agent, JAMES T. TROUT.
TROUT
George Jung, you are under arrest.
FRED
Open the door, son.
EXT. JUNG HOUSE – LATER
They lead George outside in handcuffs. Ermine and Fred
watch.
ERMINE
I had no choice.
George stops and looks at his mother, for the first time
realizing her betrayal.
ERMINE (CONT’D)
Don’t look at me like that. What was I
supposed to do? You’re in our house.
What, was I supposed to be an
accomplice?
As George is led to the police car, Ermine follows.
ERMINE (CONT’D)
You don’t think people know you’re a
drug dealer? Everyone knows. It’s no
secret. How do you think that reflects
on me? Every time I go out, I’m
humiliated. I see the stares. I hear
the whispers. How do you think that
makes me feel? Did you ever once stop
and think of me?
George’s head is pushed down as he is put in the squad car.
He looks up at his mother.
ERMINE (CONT’D)
So you go to jail. It’s for your own
good. You need to straighten your life
out.
INT. DANBURY F.C.I. – 1974 – DAY
SUPERIMPOSE:
George is being led through a series of gated corridors.
GUARD
Prisoner in.
As he walks, he takes in the faces of the other inmates. He
arrives at his cell and notices he has a ROOMMATE.
GUARD (CONT’D)
Prisoner in.
The cell door opens and George steps inside. There are books
and papers spread out over both bunk beds. George watches as
his cellmate quickly clears everything off the top bunk.
Apparently, the papers are private. George puts his things
down and the little man proffers his hand. He is dark,
polite and Colombian.
DIEGO DELGADO
My name is Diego Delgado. How do you
do?
INT. DANBURY F.C.I. – MESS HALL – 1974 – DAY
George pushes his tray through the cafeteria line. Diego is
behind him.
DIEGO
If you don’t mind me asking, what is the
reason you are in this place?
GEORGE
What?
DIEGO
Your offense? Why are you here?
GEORGE
I don’t want to talk about it.
DIEGO
Intriguing. I see. Would you like to
know my crime?
GEORGE
Not really, no.
DIEGO
No?
GEORGE
I don’t like a lot of conversation,
Diego.
DIEGO
Me, too. Too much blah, blah, blah,
blah is no good. But we are roommates,
okay? And we must talk to each other.
I am arrested for stealing cars. For
the grand theft auto. Okay? So, now it
is your turn. Now you will tell me,
okay? You will tell me why you are
here?
George says nothing. He keeps eating his food.
DIEGO (CONT’D)
Oh, come on, George. If we are to be
friends, we must trust each other.
GEORGE
Murder.
DIEGO
Ah, yes. The murder.
INT. DANBURY F.C.I. – GEORGE’S CELL – NIGHT
George lays on his bunk, smoking. Diego is on the bottom
bunk, furiously writing on a notepad. He flips through his
books and rustles his papers. George peeks over the side to
see what Diego is doing.
GEORGE
What do you got there, Diego?
DIEGO
Nothing. Just a little project.
GEORGE
What kind of project?
DIEGO
Never mind. Not for you to worry.
GEORGE
I thought you said we were roommates.
That we should talk about everything.
DIEGO
You have your intrigues. I have mine.
This is a happy day for me, George.
Nine months from today, I will be in
Medellin sipping champagne. In nine
months, I am free. How much time do you
have?
GEORGE
Twenty-six months.
DIEGO
Twenty-six months? For murder? I must
be your lawyer.
GEORGE
I’ve got to get out of here, Diego.
DIEGO
Only two ways I know to leave here
early. One is to escape.
GEORGE
What’s the other one?
INT. DANBURY F.C.I. – CLASSROOM – DAY
George is trying to teach basic education to the inmates.
The room, mostly black and hispanic, is hostile. They don’t
want to learn.
GEORGE
Alright, let’s open our books.
INMATE #1
Man, fuck you.
INMATE #2
We ain’t opening shit.
INMATE #1
You just the warden’s boy. We on to
you. You just trying to knock some time
off, asskissing motherfucker.
Diego watches as the room reacts with laughter. This ain’t
going to be easy.
GEORGE
Alright. You’re right. I want to get
out of this shithole as fast as I can.
And I don’t want to do this any more
than you do. But for me to walk early,
some of you have to graduate. You,
forget about it. You’re hopeless, go to
sleep.
The room laughs again.
INMATE #3
Damn, homeboy, you got ruined.
GEORGE
But the rest of you could get diplomas
and get jobs when you’re on the outside.
The room looks at him. They ain’t buying it.
INMATE #1
Shit, I’m in for life.
INMATE #2
I’m a criminal. I ain’t getting no
motherfucking job.
GEORGE
We can learn some criminal shit, too.
Alright, I’ll make you a deal. What if
half the time, we learn about George
Washington, and the other half, I’ll
teach you how to smuggle drugs?
INMATE #2
Man, you don’t know dick about smuggling
no drugs.
GEORGE
I was arrested in Chicago with six
hundred and sixty pounds of grass. I
think that qualifies me.
Diego looks up from his desk, suddenly very interested.
INMATE #1
How did you get a hold of six-hundred
and sixty pounds of dope?
GEORGE
Flew it in from Mexico on a single
engine Cessna. Now, do we have a deal
or not?
They react. They’re in.
GEORGE (CONT’D)
Alright, the first thing you need to
know about smuggling drugs is that it’s
easy. The DEA are a bunch of losers.
They couldn’t find their dicks in a
whorehouse. They don’t know what the
fuck they’re doing…
Diego watches George winning over the room. He listens
intently to George’s every word. His wheels are turning.
INT. DANBURY F.C.I. – GEORGE’S CELL – NIGHT
Lights out. Diego and George lay in their cots. George is
tired. Diego is not.
DIEGO
George? Hey, George? I listen to what
you say to the class today about the
smuggling. You are a magico, ah?
George doesn’t respond.
DIEGO (CONT’D)
I never believed you were a murderer. I
knew. I knew you are a magico. I have
seen it in you. It’s in your spirit.
GEORGE
I’m tired, Diego. Go to bed.
DIEGO
You like to make the boundaries
disappear. It’s not only the money, is
it, George? The adventure is part of
the victory. It’s the thrill, ah?
GEORGE
Good night.
DIEGO
In my country, I am a magico. A man
with a dream. A man on the rise. To
take nothing and make it something,
okay? I have failed my dream, but I
will accomplish. That is why I am in
your country. Yes, I lose my freedom.
But they do not take my dream. Do you
have a dream, George?
GEORGE
I would if I could get some sleep.
DIEGO
Yes, you have a dream. And maybe you
accomplish your dream. But yet you
failed. Why?
GEORGE
Because I got caught.
DIEGO
No, my brother.
GEORGE
Because they caught me?
DIEGO
You failed because you had the wrong
dream.
Diego climbs off his bunk and looks George square in the eye.
DIEGO (CONT’D)
George? What do you know about cocaine?
INT. DANBURY F.C.I. – MESS HALL – DAY
GEORGE
I don’t know, Diego. I’ve got a good
thing going already. Everybody smokes
pot. It’s easy. Cocaine is a rich
man’s drug. It’s too expensive.
DIEGO
No, no. That is where you are wrong.
For us, it is cheap. In Medellin, we
buy for six-thousand dollars a kilo. IN
Miami, we sell for sixty.
George’s interest is piqued.
GEORGE
That’s over fifty-thousand dollars
profit per kilo.
DIEGO
And that’s wholesale. Cut it a few
times and retail, you’re looking at two,
three-hundred thousand.
GEORGE
Oh my G-d.
DIEGO
Yes. And a kilo of coca is smaller than
a kilo of your precious marijuana.
Everything is the same, George, except
instead of thousands, you are making
millions.
GEORGE
Jesus Christ. Jesus fucking Christ.
DIEGO
Now do you see what I am saying?
GEORGE
Getting it here is no problem. Trust
me. I’ll fly it in myself if I have to.
What about supply? How much can we get?
DIEGO
Don’t worry. We will talk of
everything. We have the time. You
arrive here with a Bachelor of
Marijuana, but you will leave with a
Doctorate of Cocaine.
INT. DANBURY F.C.I. – GEORGE’S CELL – NIGHT
Diego and George pouring over Diego’s plans. Discussing,
planning, plotting.
DIEGO
What type of planes do you have?
GEORGE
Four passenger, single engine Cessna.
DIEGO
How many kilos can we fit in these
planes?
GEORGE
I don’t know. A hundred, hundred and
fifty. How many miles is it from
Colombia to Miami?
DIEGO
Fifteen hundred. We’ll have to stop
somewhere to refuel.
GEORGE
We’ll refuel in the Bahamas. I know
someone there.
DIEGO
Great. I love the Bahamas.
EXT. LIQUOR STORE – WEYMOUTH – 1976
SUPERIMPOSE: JULY, 1976.
George is at a payphone. He drops in about a million
quarters until he is finally connected.
GEORGE
Diego Delgado, please?
DIEGO
Allo?
GEORGE
Diego? It’s George.
DIEGO
George, hallo! Today is the day, ah?
Are you out?
GEORGE
Yeah, I’m out.
DIEGO
Congratulations, brother. I’ve been
waiting for you.
GEORGE
How are we doing?
DIEGO
Perfect, George. Perfect. Everything
is fine down here. Everything is all
set up.
GEORGE
Do we need a plane? How does this work?
When do I see you?
DIEGO
Slow down, George. Slow down.
Fred exits the liquor store carrying two bottles of Dom
Perignon. As he catches George’s eye, he lifts the bottles
showing them off. George holds up his finger, indicating
he’ll be just a second.
DIEGO (CONT’D)
You need to come down here, everybody
meets everybody. Ho ho ho. Ha ha ha.
We do one for good faith and then we
talk about airplanes.
GEORGE
I can’t go anywhere, Diego. I’m on
parole. I can’t leave the state.
DIEGO
But you must. It’s the only way.
GEORGE
I just got released five minutes ago.
DIEGO
George, are we gonna do this or not?
EXT. BASSETERRE HOTEL – ANTIGUA – POOLSIDE – 1976 – DAY
George steps outside and spots Diego. Their eyes meet.
Diego looks different, relaxed. He wears a straw hat,
shorts, and sports a healthy tan. The two men embrace.
GEORGE
Good to see you, Diego.
DIEGO
Yes. Look around you. The sun. The
water. The women. It’s better than
Danbury, no? Come on. I have some
friends I would like you to meet.
EXT. BASSETERRE HOTEL – ANTIGUA – POOLSIDE – 1976 – DAY
Diego and George sit with five other Colombians, most
notably, a man named CESAR ROZA. The mood is not friendly.
DIEGO
Fifteen kilos. Seven and a half in each
suitcase. You receive a hundred
thousand dollars upon delivery.
GEORGE
Okay.
CESAR
Not so fast. I would like to go over
the details.
GEORGE
What details? I put the coke in the
false bottoms and take it through
customs.
CESAR
Tell me about the suitcases. What is
the make and the color?
DIEGO
Samsonites. Red. No tags.
Cesar thinks about it.
CESAR
Hmm. I see. Will there be clothes in
the suitcase?
GEORGE
What? Yeah, sure.
CESAR
Whose cloths? Your clothes?
GEORGE
My clothes, your clothes. What does it
matter?
CESAR
I would like to know the contents.
Every detail is important.
GEORGE
What are we doing here, Diego? This
guy’s a clown. He’s talking about
clothes.
CESAR
I demand to know everything. I do not
trust six-hundred thousand dollars of
coca to someone I don’t know.
GEORGE
It’s a lousy fifteen kilos. I piss
fifteen kilos.
CESAR
The coca is my responsibility!
GEORGE
You’re a fucking amateur!
DIEGO
Gentlemen, please. There is no need to
be impolite. Cesar, this will be fine.
You have my word. George, Cesar is just
being thorough. That’s all.
CESAR
Very well. But just remember, Mr. Jung.
I will be with you the whole way. And I
will be watching.
INT. LOGAN AIRPORT – CUSTOMS – 1976 – DAY
George carries the two Samsonites over to customs
inspections. It’s a long walk. George’s heart beats hard.
The sound is audible and grows with every beat. BA-BUMP. BA
BUMP. Cesar lurks at the baggage carousel.
GEORGE (V.O.)
When you’re carrying drugs across the
border, the idea is to remain calm. The
way I do it is to think of something
pleasant, a fun party, a moment of
triumph. A sexual encounter. I
actually project myself to that place.
Anything to keep your mind off the fact
that you’re going to jail for a very
long time if they find the fifteen kilos
of cocaine in your suitcases.
George stands in front of the customs agent. He tries his
best to look relaxed as the agent reviews his documents.
CUSTOMS AGENT
On vacation?
GEORGE
Yes.
CUSTOMS AGENT
On vacation for only one day?
BA-BUMP. BA-BUMP. The heartbeats are very loud.
GEORGE
(weak smile)
My brother’s wedding. Imagine that,
huh?
George’s breathing is labored and his swallowing reflex
doesn’t seem to be working. Cesar passes through, eyeballing
George the whole time.
CUSTOMS AGENT
Open your bags, please.
George opens the Samsonites. Super dry mouth. BA-BUMP. BA
BUMP. The beats are deafening now. Cesar nervously monitors
the situation from the payphones.
CUSTOMS AGENT (CONT’D)
Whose clothes are these?
GEORGE
Mine.
The customs agent holds up a woman’s undergarment. Cesar
throws up his hands in frustration.
CUSTOMS AGENT
And this?
GEORGE
What can I tell you? Different strokes.
George winks at the customs agent, who shakes his head before
finishing the inspection.
CUSTOMS AGENT
Alright, go ahead.
EXT. LOGAN AIRPORT – PAYPHONES – CONTINUOUS
George moves to the payphones, sets down the two suitcases,
and pretends to make a call. Not inconspicuously, Cesar
grabs the bags and walks quickly out of the terminal.
INT. BASSETERRE HOTEL – ANTIGUA – 1976 – DAY
Diego, Cesar, George and JACK STEVENS, a silver haired
executive type, lounge around the mini-suite. Cesar still
has that crazy look in his eye.
DIEGO
Three-hundred kilos it is, then.
A beautiful Latin woman enters and kisses both Diego and
Cesar. Her name is INEZ, and friendly she is not.
DIEGO (CONT’D)
Has everyone met Inez? This is George.
I’ve told you about him. And this is
friend, Jack Stevens.
The men proffer their hands, but she just looks at them like
ants before sitting down next to Diego.
DIEGO (CONT’D)
Try to be more respectful, darling. My
apologies. But she is mistrustful of
Americans. Shall we proceed? Let’s
hear it again, Mr. Stevens.
STEVENS
I’ll fly down on a Friday, refuel in the
Bahamas, and then to Medellin.
INEZ
Friday?
Inez addresses Diego and Cesar only. She speaks in Spanish.
The conversation is about “Why Friday?” Inez has some
problem with it. Diego explains. And Inez is reassured.
DIEGO
Please, continue.
GEORGE
We make the pick-up, refuel once more in
the Bahamas, and fly back on Sunday with
the mom and pop traffic.
CESAR
Why are you speaking?
GEORGE
Excuse me?
CESAR
You. Your responsibility is over. You
do not fly. You are not a pilot. You
are not a distributor. You introduced
us to Mr. Stevens and the use of his
airplane. That is all. You make a
percentage. A generous one. And you’re
lucky to get that.
GEORGE
I see. How much?
CESAR
Padrino will pay ten-thousand per kilo.
For everyone. For you, and you, and
you.
He indicates George, Diego and Jack Stevens.
CESAR (CONT’D)
There is no negotiation. Three-million
dollars. That is all.
STEVENS
I want two.
GEORGE
Gee, Jack, a million each had such a
nice ring to it.
STEVENS
No way. I’m doing all the work. Taking
all the risk, and it’s my plane.
Diego and George look at each other.
STEVENS (CONT’D)
Hey, you guys don’t have to do shit.
Just sit back and collect your money.
GEORGE
You good with this?
Diego nods.
GEORGE (CONT’D)
Alright.
This is too much for Inez to handle. She starts screaming
machine gun Spanish. Something about a “lousy two-hundred
and fifty-thousand dollars,” and how Diego is “such a coward”
to give away all his money. Diego is embarrassed but tries
to remain calm.
DIEGO
You will watch what you say. Especially
around George. He is my brother and he
speaks as good Spanish as you.
But Inez is wild. She starts in again, a log of “Putos
(SOB’s)”, and “Cojones” and “Maricones (gay/sissys).” Even
Cesar is uncomfortable. Diego stands.
DIEGO (CONT’D)
Okay. That’s enough.
INEZ
Get your hands off me.
Inez takes a swing at Diego and catches him full across the
face. Time stops in the room. Question. What will Diego
do? Answer: SMACK! Diego swings back and a full scale is
on. Cesar continues the conversation. It’s surreal. As if
Diego and Inez weren’t beating the shit out of each other
right in front of them.
CESAR
Do you have pictures of your kids?
STEVENS
What?
CESAR
I’ll need to see them. Also need their
names and the names of their schools.
We are trusting you with ninety million
dollars worth of coca, Mr. Stevens.
Without your children, there is no deal.
Stevens thinks about it. Kids as collateral. Inez and Diego
are still duking it out. But Diego finally gets the upper
hand and drags her into the bedroom.
STEVENS
Fine. So if that’s all, I’ll be leaving
now.
Cesar walks him to the door.
CESAR
Don’t forget the pictures.
Diego calls from the other room.
DIEGO (O.S.)
George. George, come in here.
INT. LA BELLE MER – BEDROOM – LATER
Diego has put Inez in the bathroom and is holding the door
closed. She pounds and kicks and screams in frustration, but
he pays no attention.
DIEGO
What’s the matter, George?
GEORGE
What’s the matter? We’re moving three
hundred fucking kilos and we’re making
dogshit.
DIEGO
A million dollars for our first run is
not bad, George.
GEORGE
It is bad. It’s chump change. We might
as well be hauling suitcases across the
border. We’re getting screwed.
DIEGO
I know.
GEORGE
And what happens when these guys stop
paying? Sooner or later, these guys are
going to cut us out. Then where are we?
DIEGO
That’s my George, always thinking.
The door is yanked open to reveal Inez. She is in a rage.
Diego slams it in her face.
DIEGO (CONT’D)
This is only part of the business,
George. A very small part. Don’t
worry, there is so much more to do.
Which reminds me, I need a favor from
you. I must go to Colombia.
GEORGE
What is it, George? Because I have to
get home. I’ve got a parole officer
waiting for me.
DIEGO
I need you to go to Miami.
EXT. VENETIAN KING APTS. – MIAMI – 1977 – DAY
George gets out of a taxi to find SEVERAL COLOMBIAN MEN
hanging around outside an apartment. He checks the address
and moves over to the men.
GEORGE
I’m George. Friend of Diego’s?
The Colombian men are not impressed. They grab George and
pull him inside.
INT. VENETIAN KING APTS. – CONTINUOUS
George is pinned against the wall and the Colombian men all
start screaming at him in Spanish. There seems to be a
problem. A man, ALESSANDRO, steps forward. He is the one
who speaks English.
ALESSANDRO
QUIET! Callate! Where’s Diego?
GEORGE
I don’t know. He sent me. I’m George.
ALESSANDRO
Oh, I see. George. Well, that explains
everything. Open your mouth, George.
George’s puzzled look is replaced by a gun barrel in his
face. Alessandro presses it against George’s front teeth.
ALESSANDRO (CONT’D)
Now, you listen to me. Are you hearing
me?
George nods.
ALESSANDRO (CONT’D)
You see this?
He indicates two duffel bags stuffed with fifty kilos of
cocaine.
ALESSANDRO (CONT’D)
I’ve been holding this shit for him for
three weeks. You tell Diego I don’t
appreciate it. You tell him I want my
money by Friday. Can you do that?
GEORGE
Um-hmm.
INT. JUNG HOUSE – GEORGE’S ROOM – DAY
George sits on his bed, reading. Two duffel bags are tucked
away in the closet. Ermine pokes her head in.
ERMINE
You have a phone call.
George picks up the phone.
DIEGO (O.S.)
George.
GEORGE
Jesus Christ, Diego, where are you?
It’s been eleven days and these guys
want their fucking money.
DIEGO (O.S.)
Bad news, George. I’m in Colombia.
GEORGE
Well, you better get here fast. I’m
sitting on…
George notices Ermine is loitering in the hallway,
eavesdropping.
GEORGE (CONT’D)
Hi, Mom.
George acknowledges her before shutting the door in her face.
GEORGE (CONT’D)
I’m sitting on fifty fucking keys. Get
your ass up here.
INT. CARCEL DE VARONES – MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA – CONTINUOUS
It’s a South American prison. Diego is on the pay phone.
DIEGO
It’s a little hard to get away right
now. I’m afraid you’re on your own.
INT. FOREAL’S HOUSE – MANHATTAN BEACH – 1977 – NIGHT
George and Derek sit in the living room with MR. T, a hippie
ish looking professor. On the table sits various
paraphernalia. Scales, beakers, test tubes, and a hot box.
George and Derek watch as Mr. T scoops some of George’s
cocaine and sets it onto the two-inch metal plate.
MR. T
What we’re doing is measuring the
purity. Pure coke melts out a hundred
and eighty-five, a hundred and ninety
degrees. Cutting agents melt much
lower. About a hundred degrees.
Quality product starts melting at a
hundred and forty degrees. That’s what
I’m hoping for.
Mr. T turns the dial. 120. 130. 140.
MR. T (CONT’D)
Good.
150. 160.
MR. T (CONT’D)
Jesus Christ.
170. 180.
MR. T (CONT’D)
Holy fucking Mary! Jesus, fuck me
running! Where did you get this shit!
At one-hundred and eighty-seven degrees, the white powder
dribbles off the hotplate and melts away.
MR. T (CONT’D)
Damn! Can I do a fucking line?!
Mr. T puts his nose in the powder. George pulls Foreal
aside.
GEORGE
What did I tell you?
DEREK
It’s great and everything, but what am I
going to do with all this?
GEORGE
Sell it?
DIEGO
Jesus Christ, George, I don’t see you in
two years, and you show up at my door
with a hundred and ten pounds of
cocaine?
GEORGE
Just sell it, Derek.
DEREK
Alright, but it’s gonna take me a year.
