Blow
EXT. DRY LAKE BEDS – TWENTY-NINE PALMS, CA. – 1968 – DUSK
Rada sits in the Winnebago and keeps flashing the headlights. Barbara, Tuna, and Maria stand on top of the Winnebago waving big, white towels. The plane descends from the sky and touches down, making another extremely shaky landing.
INT. FOREAL’S HOUSE – MANHATTAN BEACH – 1968 – NIGHT
It’s on the water and beautiful. The furnishings are distinctly Derek Foreal. It’s a surreal scene. The holiday decorations are up, TOPLESS WOMEN in elf outfits sip champagne, and a thousand pounds of cannabis lays on the living room floor.
GEORGE Are you sure you want to do this in front of everyone?
DEREK Don’t be ridiculous, these are my babies.
George empties the pot all over the floor.
DEREK (CONT’D) George, you’re a genius. We’re rich. Come, children.
The girls dive on top of Derek, caressing and kissing him.
DEREK (CONT’D) George, get my camera.
Derek poses with a load of marijuana like it’s a new fur.
DEREK (CONT’D) Take a picture of me, George. Take a picture of me with my new friends. It’ll be a fabulous Christmas card.
INT. VILLA – PUERTO VALLARATA – 1970 – DAY
A Mexican Real Estate Agent shows Barbara and George a sprawling Villa in Puerto Vallarta. It’s amazing. White marble on the water. George looks at Barbara.
GEORGE Should we buy it?
BARBARA Are you kidding?
GEORGE We’ll take it.
EXT. VILLA – PUERTO VALLARATA – 1970 – MAGIC HOUR
The team is there. All of them. George, Barbara, Kevin, Rada, Tuna, Maria and Derek with a couple of new senorita friends. They all wear identical Mexican sombreros. A MEXICAN BOY approaches them with a camera.
MEXICAN BOY Picture?
They pose, their arms thrown around each other in camaraderie, and FLASH. The picture freezes and WE DISSOLVE.
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.
