ON BLACK:

"A MAN MUST LOOK AT HIS LIFE AND THINK LUXURY."

FADE IN:

EXT. GUARJIRA, COLOMBIA - 1989 - DAY

A majestic panorama of the lush green slopes that are the
Columbian highlands. A faint chopping sound IS HEARD and
then another. WHOOSH. WHOOSH. The view changes and tiny
dots appear on the hillside vegetation. WHOOSH.

CLOSER

We realize the dots are people. Workers swinging long steel
machetes in slow methodical rhythm. WHOOSH. WHOOSH. WE SEE
the South American Indian MEN clearly now. Their tar stained
teeth. Their gaunt faces riddled with crow's feet. Their
jaws chewing away on huge wads of coca leaves as they collect
the harvest.

EXT. DIRT ROAD - COLOMBIA - DAY

Old rickety trucks carrying the huge green tractor-sized
bales speed along the narrow road.

EXT. CLEARING - COLOMBIA - DAY

The bundles are undone and Columbian women separate out the
leaves. Tribes of underweight workers carry armload after
armload of the harvest and ritualistically dump them into a
gigantic cannibal pot which sits on top of a raging bonfire.
The leaves are being boiled down and a huge plume of smoke
streaks the sky. Wizened Indios brave the heat and shovel
ashes into the pot to cool the solution.

INT. JUNGLE - COLOMBIA - DAY

A primitive but enormous makeshift lab contains all the
equipment. The machinery. The solutions. The over-sized
vats. Dark-skinned bandoleros smoke cigarettes and sport
automatic weapons at all the points of entry. The coca is
now a "basuco" paste and is being sent in for a wash.

INT. LABORATORY - COLOMBIA - 1989 - DAY

A conveyor belt pours out brick after brick of pure cocaine
hydrochloride. The bricks are wrapped, tied up, weighed, and
stamped with a "P" before being thrown into duffel bags.

EXT. JUNGLE AIRSTRIP - COLOMBIA - DAY

A small twin-engine Cessna is loaded with dozens of duffel
bags and the plane takes off.

EXT. VERO BEACH AIRFIELD - NIGHT

The Cessna touches down.

EXT. WORKSITE - WEYMOUTH - 1966 - DAY

The worksite is busy. George is amongst other workers,
working a summer job. As George is taking five, he looks
across the sight to Fred, who is sweeping up debris. A long
way from being the boss.

INT. COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OFFICE - WEYMOUTH - 1966 - DAY

George stands in line to register for college, wearing his
Brooks Brothers suit, bowtie, and freshly Bryllcreamed hair.
The room is crowded and the line is long. Bob Dylan's
"Subterranean Homesick Blues" blares out of one of the kid's
transistor radios. George looks around the room. He is
uncomfortable. He catches his reflection in the shiny glass
partition and stops. He doesn't like what he sees.
Something is not right. He looks like everyone else. Same
cookie-cutter hair, same cookie-cutter clothes, same cookie
cutter faces. He's a carbon copy.

REGISTRATION WOMAN
Next.

It's George's turn but he doesn't hear it. "Twenty years of
schooling and they put you on a day shift." The words hit
him like a tone of bricks as he continues to stare at his own
reflection.

GEORGE (V.O.)
I was standing there, and it was like
the outside of me and the inside of me
didn't match, you know? And then I
looked around the room and it hit me. I
saw my whole life. Where I was gonna
live, what type of car I'd drive, who my
neighbors would be. I saw it all and I
didn't want it. Not that life.

EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - WEYMOUTH - 1966 - DAY

George sits with Fred. It's breaktime and Fred eats from a
lunch box.

GEORGE
There's something out there for me, Dad.
Something different. Something free
form, you know? Something for me, and
college just isn't it.

FRED
That's too bad. You would have been the
first one in the family.

GEORGE
I know.

FRED
Alright. You want me to get your old
job back? Because I could, you know, I
could put in that word.

GEORGE
No, Dad. I don't want to...I mean, I
just don't want...

It's obvious to Fred that his son doesn't want to be like
him.

FRED
What are you going to do?

GEORGE
I'm going to California.

EXT. BELMONT SHORES APARTMENT - 1968 - DAY

SUPERIMPOSE: MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIFORNIA 1968

George and Tuna, now 21-years old, struggle with their bags.
Their new place is a tackily furnished, two-story apartment
with small balconies and a view of the ocean. As George and
Tuna struggle with the bags, two California beauties appear
on the balcony next door: BARBARA BUCKLEY, 20, and MARIA
GONZALES, 21.

GIRLS
You guys need some help?

George and Tuna share a look.

TUNA
I don't know about you, but I think
we're gonna like it here.

EXT. MANHATTAN BEACH - 1968 - DAY

SERIES OF SHOTS

Barbara and Maria introduce George and Tuna around to the
Manhattan Beach regulars. They are immediately accepted
despite their ill fitting shorts and Tuna's unhip black
socks. The beach scene is one big party. Lots of beer,
music, bikinis, and good times. By the end of the day,
George and Tuna have a hundred new friends.

GEORGE (V.O.)
California was like nothing I'd ever
experienced. The people were liberated
and independent and full of new ideas.

GEORGE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
They used words like "right on,"
"groovy," and "solid." The women are
all beautiful and seemed to share the
same occupation.

WOMAN #1
I'm a flight attendant.

WOMAN #2
I'm a flight attendant.

WOMAN #3
I'm a flight attendant.

The weed comes out and is passed around. Pipes. Joints.
Bongs. In SLOW MOTION, Barbara takes a huge hit of grass,
grabs George's face, french kissing him, and giving him a
huge shotgun.

INT. BELMONT SHORES APARTMENT - 1968 - DAY

George and Barbara are sleeping late. Their bodies
intertwined beneath the sheets. A slam of the front door
wakes them up. It's Tuna.

TUNA
Hey, wake up. Come on, you two
lovebirds. Hurry, I want to show you
something.

George and Barbara shake cobwebs out and stumble into the
kitchen to find Tuna holding a brown paper shopping bag.

TUNA (CONT'D)
Figured it out.

GEORGE
Figured what out?

TUNA
You know how we were wondering what we
were going to do for money? Being how
we don't want to get jobs and whatnot?
Well, check this out.

Tuna takes the paper bag and empties its contents on the
kitchen table. It's a grey mound of stocky, seedy marijuana.

Barbara examines the reefer.

BARBARA
Tuna, this is crap.

TUNA
I know it's not the greatest. It's
commercial.

BARBARA
It's garbage.

GEORGE
It's oregano. You got ripped off, pal.
What are you gonna do with all this?

TUNA
We sell it. I got it all figured out.
We make three finger lids and sell them
on the beach. We move all of it. We've
made ourselves a hundred bucks. Or a
lot of weed for our head. What do you
think? Not bad, huh? I got the baggies
and everything.

BARBARA
You can't sell this to your friends.

TUNA
Man. Fuck you guys. I have this great
idea and you guys have to be all
skeptical.

BARBARA
Look, if you really wanna score some
dope, I got the guy.

EXT. THE WHIPPING POST - MANHATTAN BEACH - 1968 - DAY

George, Barbara and Tuna stop outside the front door.

GEORGE
Are you sure this guy is cool?

BARBARA
You'll see for yourself.

TUNA
A beauty parlor for men? Sounds pretty
queer.

They walk in.

INT. THE WHIPPING POST - MANHATTAN BEACH - 1968 - CONTINUOUS

George, Tuna and Barbara enter. The Whipping Post is
California's first male hair salon. George looks around at
the customer's being pampered. Haircuts, pedicures,
manicures.

GEORGE
Nothing like this back home.

BARBARA
Derek!

DEREK FOREAL is a curious man. Daringly effeminate,
especially for the sixties, he is always surrounded by
beautiful women. As he sees Barbara, he stops his haircut
and runs to embrace her.

DEREK
Barbie!

Derek's female entourage rush over as well. Kisses all
around.

DEREK (CONT'D)
So, this is the new man, huh? He's
cute!

George and Tuna stick out there hands.

GEORGE
George.

TUNA
Tuna.

DEREK
Tuna, oh my. Enchante, George. Barbie,
he's yummy. He looks like a Ken doll.
Oooh, Ken and Barbie. It's perfect.
Alright, girls, give me five minutes.

Derek makes dismissing gestures and the girls scatter.

DEREK (CONT'D)
Everyone, shoo! You, too, Barbie. I
want to talk to the boys alone.

After the girls leave, Derek closes the partition and his
playful demeanor changes. He's all business now.

DEREK (CONT'D)
What can I do for you guys?

GEORGE
We want some grass.

DEREK
I know what you want. But, first of
all, are you cops?

GEORGE
No.

DEREK
Because if you are, you have to tell me.
If not, it's entrapment.

GEORGE
We're not cops. We're from
Massachusettes. I mean, does he look
like a cop?

DEREK
I guess not. Okay. You know, you're
very lucky you're friends of Barbie's.
If you weren't, I'd never talk to you.

Derek pulls a television-sized brick of quality marijuana out
from under a sink and sets it down in front of George.

GEORGE
What the fuck is that?

DEREK
It's your grass.

TUNA
Wow. That's more than we had in mind.

DEREK
I don't nickel and dime. You want it or
not?

George and Tuna look at each other.

GEORGE
We'll take it.

EXT. MANHATTAN BEACH - 1968 - DAY

SERIES OF SHOTS

Summer on the beach. It's one big party. George and Tuna
are on the beach. They are the new kings. They smoke pot
and drink brews.
George and Barbara get close as do Tuna and Maria. Slowly,
George's clothes and hair start to look better, cooler.

George and Tuna hanging out with the SURFERS.

George and Tuna hang with Barbara, Maria and SOME GIRLFRIENDS
in bikinis.

George and Barbara hang together at the life guard stand.

George and Tuna on the strand with HIPPY PROFESSORS selling
half-ounces.

Derek, Tuna, George, Barbara, Maria and the Elves play
volleyball.

Barbecue at Belmont Shores apartment with George, Barbara,
Derek, Tuna, Maria and different Elves.

George and Tuna sell half-ounces to BIKERS.

Derek is having a party out of a mini-van in the beach
parking lot. George, Barbara, Tuna and Maria are there.

EXT. MANHATTAN BEACH - 1968 - SUNSET

George and Barbara sit by the water, watching the waves crash
into the sand. The sky is streaked with purple and red.

GEORGE
This is it for me.

BARBARA
What is?

GEORGE
Just everything. You. California. The
beach. This spot right here. I feel
like I belong here, you know? It just
feels right.

BARBARA
You happy, baby?

GEORGE
Yeah. I am.

EXT. WORKSITE - WEYMOUTH - 1966 - DAY

The worksite is busy. George is amongst other workers,
working a summer job. As George is taking five, he looks
across the sight to Fred, who is sweeping up debris. A long
way from being the boss.

INT. COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OFFICE - WEYMOUTH - 1966 - DAY

George stands in line to register for college, wearing his
Brooks Brothers suit, bowtie, and freshly Bryllcreamed hair.
The room is crowded and the line is long. Bob Dylan's
"Subterranean Homesick Blues" blares out of one of the kid's
transistor radios. George looks around the room. He is
uncomfortable. He catches his reflection in the shiny glass
partition and stops. He doesn't like what he sees.
Something is not right. He looks like everyone else. Same
cookie-cutter hair, same cookie-cutter clothes, same cookie
cutter faces. He's a carbon copy.

REGISTRATION WOMAN
Next.

It's George's turn but he doesn't hear it. "Twenty years of
schooling and they put you on a day shift." The words hit
him like a tone of bricks as he continues to stare at his own
reflection.

GEORGE (V.O.)
I was standing there, and it was like
the outside of me and the inside of me
didn't match, you know? And then I
looked around the room and it hit me. I
saw my whole life. Where I was gonna
live, what type of car I'd drive, who my
neighbors would be. I saw it all and I
didn't want it. Not that life.

EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - WEYMOUTH - 1966 - DAY

George sits with Fred. It's breaktime and Fred eats from a
lunch box.

GEORGE
There's something out there for me, Dad.
Something different. Something free
form, you know? Something for me, and
college just isn't it.

FRED
That's too bad. You would have been the
first one in the family.

GEORGE
I know.

FRED
Alright. You want me to get your old
job back? Because I could, you know, I
could put in that word.

GEORGE
No, Dad. I don't want to...I mean, I
just don't want...

It's obvious to Fred that his son doesn't want to be like
him.

FRED
What are you going to do?

GEORGE
I'm going to California.

EXT. BELMONT SHORES APARTMENT - 1968 - DAY

SUPERIMPOSE: MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIFORNIA 1968

George and Tuna, now 21-years old, struggle with their bags.
Their new place is a tackily furnished, two-story apartment
with small balconies and a view of the ocean. As George and
Tuna struggle with the bags, two California beauties appear
on the balcony next door: BARBARA BUCKLEY, 20, and MARIA
GONZALES, 21.

GIRLS
You guys need some help?

George and Tuna share a look.

TUNA
I don't know about you, but I think
we're gonna like it here.

EXT. MANHATTAN BEACH - 1968 - DAY

SERIES OF SHOTS

Barbara and Maria introduce George and Tuna around to the
Manhattan Beach regulars. They are immediately accepted
despite their ill fitting shorts and Tuna's unhip black
socks. The beach scene is one big party. Lots of beer,
music, bikinis, and good times. By the end of the day,
George and Tuna have a hundred new friends.

GEORGE (V.O.)
California was like nothing I'd ever
experienced. The people were liberated
and independent and full of new ideas.

GEORGE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
They used words like "right on,"
"groovy," and "solid." The women are
all beautiful and seemed to share the
same occupation.

WOMAN #1
I'm a flight attendant.

WOMAN #2
I'm a flight attendant.

WOMAN #3
I'm a flight attendant.

The weed comes out and is passed around. Pipes. Joints.
Bongs. In SLOW MOTION, Barbara takes a huge hit of grass,
grabs George's face, french kissing him, and giving him a
huge shotgun.

INT. BELMONT SHORES APARTMENT - 1968 - DAY

George and Barbara are sleeping late. Their bodies
intertwined beneath the sheets. A slam of the front door
wakes them up. It's Tuna.

TUNA
Hey, wake up. Come on, you two
lovebirds. Hurry, I want to show you
something.

George and Barbara shake cobwebs out and stumble into the
kitchen to find Tuna holding a brown paper shopping bag.

TUNA (CONT'D)
Figured it out.

GEORGE
Figured what out?

TUNA
You know how we were wondering what we
were going to do for money? Being how
we don't want to get jobs and whatnot?
Well, check this out.

Tuna takes the paper bag and empties its contents on the
kitchen table. It's a grey mound of stocky, seedy marijuana.

Barbara examines the reefer.

BARBARA
Tuna, this is crap.

TUNA
I know it's not the greatest. It's
commercial.

BARBARA
It's garbage.

GEORGE
It's oregano. You got ripped off, pal.
What are you gonna do with all this?

TUNA
We sell it. I got it all figured out.
We make three finger lids and sell them
on the beach. We move all of it. We've
made ourselves a hundred bucks. Or a
lot of weed for our head. What do you
think? Not bad, huh? I got the baggies
and everything.

BARBARA
You can't sell this to your friends.

TUNA
Man. Fuck you guys. I have this great
idea and you guys have to be all
skeptical.

BARBARA
Look, if you really wanna score some
dope, I got the guy.

EXT. THE WHIPPING POST - MANHATTAN BEACH - 1968 - DAY

George, Barbara and Tuna stop outside the front door.

GEORGE
Are you sure this guy is cool?

BARBARA
You'll see for yourself.

TUNA
A beauty parlor for men? Sounds pretty
queer.

They walk in.

INT. THE WHIPPING POST - MANHATTAN BEACH - 1968 - CONTINUOUS

George, Tuna and Barbara enter. The Whipping Post is
California's first male hair salon. George looks around at
the customer's being pampered. Haircuts, pedicures,
manicures.

GEORGE
Nothing like this back home.

BARBARA
Derek!

DEREK FOREAL is a curious man. Daringly effeminate,
especially for the sixties, he is always surrounded by
beautiful women. As he sees Barbara, he stops his haircut
and runs to embrace her.

DEREK
Barbie!

Derek's female entourage rush over as well. Kisses all
around.

DEREK (CONT'D)
So, this is the new man, huh? He's
cute!

George and Tuna stick out there hands.

GEORGE
George.

TUNA
Tuna.

DEREK
Tuna, oh my. Enchante, George. Barbie,
he's yummy. He looks like a Ken doll.
Oooh, Ken and Barbie. It's perfect.
Alright, girls, give me five minutes.

Derek makes dismissing gestures and the girls scatter.

DEREK (CONT'D)
Everyone, shoo! You, too, Barbie. I
want to talk to the boys alone.

After the girls leave, Derek closes the partition and his
playful demeanor changes. He's all business now.

DEREK (CONT'D)
What can I do for you guys?

GEORGE
We want some grass.

DEREK
I know what you want. But, first of
all, are you cops?

GEORGE
No.

DEREK
Because if you are, you have to tell me.
If not, it's entrapment.

GEORGE
We're not cops. We're from
Massachusettes. I mean, does he look
like a cop?

DEREK
I guess not. Okay. You know, you're
very lucky you're friends of Barbie's.
If you weren't, I'd never talk to you.

Derek pulls a television-sized brick of quality marijuana out
from under a sink and sets it down in front of George.

GEORGE
What the fuck is that?

DEREK
It's your grass.

TUNA
Wow. That's more than we had in mind.

DEREK
I don't nickel and dime. You want it or
not?

George and Tuna look at each other.

GEORGE
We'll take it.

EXT. MANHATTAN BEACH - 1968 - DAY

SERIES OF SHOTS

Summer on the beach. It's one big party. George and Tuna
are on the beach. They are the new kings. They smoke pot
and drink brews.
George and Barbara get close as do Tuna and Maria. Slowly,
George's clothes and hair start to look better, cooler.

George and Tuna hanging out with the SURFERS.

George and Tuna hang with Barbara, Maria and SOME GIRLFRIENDS
in bikinis.

George and Barbara hang together at the life guard stand.

George and Tuna on the strand with HIPPY PROFESSORS selling
half-ounces.

Derek, Tuna, George, Barbara, Maria and the Elves play
volleyball.

Barbecue at Belmont Shores apartment with George, Barbara,
Derek, Tuna, Maria and different Elves.

George and Tuna sell half-ounces to BIKERS.

Derek is having a party out of a mini-van in the beach
parking lot. George, Barbara, Tuna and Maria are there.

EXT. MANHATTAN BEACH - 1968 - SUNSET

George and Barbara sit by the water, watching the waves crash
into the sand. The sky is streaked with purple and red.

GEORGE
This is it for me.

BARBARA
What is?

GEORGE
Just everything. You. California. The
beach. This spot right here. I feel
like I belong here, you know? It just
feels right.

BARBARA
You happy, baby?

GEORGE
Yeah. I am.

INT. BELMONT SHORES APARTMENT - 1968 - DAY

George walks in to find Tuna and Maria sitting with KEVIN
DULLI, an old friend from back east. He's sitting in front
of a water pipe and coughing his ass off.

TUNA
Look what the cat dragged in.

GEORGE
Holy shit, Dulli. What the hell are you
doing here?

KEVIN
Well, I'll tell you. I was walking down
the beach, minding my business, when who
did I see but this fucking guy. I
didn't know you guys were living in
California.

GEORGE
Yeah, but what are you doing out here?

KEVIN
I'm on vacation. On my way back to
school.

GEORGE
This calls for a joint. You want to do
the honors?

KEVIN
No, man. I'm too fucked up.

TUNA
Nice weed, huh?

KEVIN
Fuck yeah. I never seen nothing like
it. I'm fucking wasted.

GEORGE
Right on.

KEVIN
G-d, I'm stoned. I'm stoned. I'm
really...

GEORGE
Stoned?

KEVIN
I wish there was shit like this back
home.

GEORGE
Yeah?

KEVIN
Shit, yeah. Do you know how much money
I could make if I had this stuff back
east?

TUNA
No shit, Kevin?

KEVIN
That's right.

GEORGE
Yeah?

KEVIN
When there's something to move, it's too
easy not to. Do you know how many
colleges are in a twenty mile radius?
U. Mass, Amherst, B.U....

TUNA
Smith. Hampshire....

KEVIN
Right. And Holyoke. There are a
hundred thousand rich kids with their
parents' money to spend, but there's
never anything available. Nothing good,
anyway. I'm paying four hundred dollars
for shit.

INT. THE WHIPPING POST - MANHATTAN BEACH - 1968 - DAY

Derek, George and Barbara sit around. The blinds are drawn.

GEORGE
The way we figure it, Barbara flies to
Boston twice a week. Two bags per
flight. Twenty-five pounds in each bag.

DEREK
You're kidding, right? That's a hundred
pounds a week.

GEORGE
Yeah, I know, it's a lot of weight.

BARBARA
We're gonna call it California
sinsemilla. Sounds exotic.

GEORGE
I'm telling you, Derek, it will sell.

DEREK
I don't know...

GEORGE
Here's the best part. We can charge
five-hundred a pound.

DEREK
Come on, George, no one is going to pay
that.

GEORGE
It's already been negotiated. It's
done. The money is there waiting.

Derek looks at Barbara. She nods.

DEREK
Goodness.

GEORGE
Goodness is right. If you do the math,
that's over thirty grand a week profit.
I want you to be my partner on this,
Derek. Fifty-fifty. That's fifteen
thousand a week for you, my friend. In
your pocket, free and clear.

DEREK
And I only deal with you?

GEORGE
Barbara and me. No one else.

Derek thinks about it.

BARBARA
It's gonna work, Derek.

DEREK
I don't know. East coast. Airplanes.
It all sounds pretty risky.

GEORGE
She's a flight attendant. They don't
check her bags.

EXT. LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - 1968 - DAY

George drops Barbara off in her uniform curbside. They kiss
and she walks away with two big, red Samsonites. She checks
them with a SKYCAP and tips him.

EXT. SKY - 1968 - DAY

A huge jet goes right to left through frame.

INT. LOGAN AIRPORT - GATE - BOSTON - 1968 - DAY

Barbara is greeted by KEVIN DULLI with a hug. A baggage
claim check is slipped into Kevin's hand.

BARBARA
Any message?

KEVIN
Keep it coming.

INT. LOGAN AIRPORT - BAGGAGE CLAIM - BOSTON - 1968

We see Barbara's two red Samsonites being taken off the belt
by Kevin.

INT. LOGAN AIRPORT - GATE - BOSTON - 1968

Same scene repeated, except different clothes on all. Maybe
Kevin is dressed a little better.

KEVIN
More.

INT. LOGAN AIRPORT - GATE - BOSTON - 1968

The same scene repeated, same things changed again; now Kevin
is definitely dressed a little better.

KEVIN
I need more.

BARBARA
What do you want me to do? I can only
take two bags, and I can't fly back here
everyday.

KEVIN
I know, but I've got a feeding frenzy on
my hands. Tell George this is small
potatoes. We're missing out on some
serious cash. You tell George. He'll
think of something.

EXT. WINNEBAGO - 1968 - DAY

MUSIC CUE:

Tuna drives the big Winny. Maria rides shotgun. Barrelling
cross-country, it's a party on wheels.

EXT. WHITE OAK LODGE - AMHERST - 1968 - NIGHT

Kevin and his girl, RADA, are the welcoming committee as the
RV pulls into the parking lot. They wave, slap the sides of
the Winnebago, and greet the prodigal sons with hugs and
handshakes.

INT. WHITE OAK LODGE - AMHERST - 1968 - LATER

George's room is rustic and plush. A log fire burns and
empty champagne bottles adorn the surroundings. The girls
have taken to each other. The music is loud, and they dance
while the boys do business. Kevin counts out the money.
It's stacked in piles all over the table.

KEVIN
Twenty, forty, sixty, eighty, nine.
Twenty, forty, sixty, eighty, a
thousand. It's all there. Wow. A
hundred and twenty-eight thousand
dollars.

TUNA
Jesus Christ, I'm getting a boner just
looking at it.

But George isn't paying attention. His wheels are turning.

KEVIN
What's the matter, George? Something
wrong? You look like you just fucked
your mother.

TUNA
Cheer up, man. Half this money is ours.
We're fucking rich.

GEORGE
It's not enough.

KEVIN
What?

TUNA
What the fuck are you talking about,
man?

GEORGE
The set-up is wrong. We're doing all
the legwork, and at the end of the day,
we're still paying retail. We're
getting middled.

KEVIN
So?

GEORGE
So, we need to get to the source.

TUNA
Source? What about Derek?

GEORGE
He's getting middled, too. And Derek's
our partner. What's good for us is good
for him.

KEVIN
Okay. So we need a source. Where do we
start?

GEORGE
Who speaks Spanish?

EXT. PUERTO VALLARTA - MEXICO - 1968 - DAY

MUSIC CUE.

SUPERIMPOSE: PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO

We PAN OFF the beautiful waters of Puerto Vallarta. This is
a local beach on a Saturday afternoon. The girls on the
beach are drinking coco-locos and swimming.

SERIES OF SHOTS - THE GANG LOOKING FOR A CONNECTION

George with a bartender.

Tuna and Dulli with cabbies.

George and Derek talking with a local man, RAMON, at a corner
bar.

Barbara, Maria and Rada talk with local girls.

EXT. OCEANA BAR - PUERTO VALLARTA - 1968 - DAY

TUNA
This is bullshit, George. We're never
going to find anything down there.

KEVIN
You know, he's got a point. We're
fucking Americans. We stick out like
sore thumbs.

DEREK
I don't think so.

GEORGE
You guys are such babies. You want to
go home, go. Me, I'm not going to stop
until I find the fucking motherlode.

RADA
Georgie, we're gonna get busted if we
keep this up.

GEORGE
We're not gonna get busted.

KEVIN
George, we'll wind up in a Mexican
prison getting fucked up the ass by one
of Maria's relatives.

MARIA
Hey, fuck you, Dulli. I'm not Mexican.
I'm Italian.

BARBARA
You're Italian?

KEVIN
Yeah, right. Gonzales. What is that,
Sicilian?

TUNA
As far as I'm concerned, we're on
fucking vacation.

He grabs Maria, runs and does a huge belly-flop into the
water. They all laugh.

SERIES OF SHOTS.

George and Barbara with local musicians on the beach.

George and Derek at a cab stand.

George talks with a bellboy in the lobby of a local hotel.

INT. COCOS FRIOS BAR - PUERTO VALLARTA - 1968 - DAY

George, Barbara, Tuna, Derek, Maria, Kevin, and Rada are at
the bar. Ramon comes up to George, they briefly discuss and
George follows him out of the bar.

EXT. STREETS - PUERTO VALLARTA - 1968 - DAY

George and Ramon climb into a beat up V.W. bug and take off.

EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - PUERTO VALLARTA - 1968 - DAY

Fields and Farms. The V.W. bug pulls up to an old ranch.
They get out of the bug and are greeted by SANTIAGO and his
THREE SONS.

SANTIAGO
Ramon tells me you are looking for some
mota.

GEORGE
Yes, I am.

Santiago moves to a tarp and pulls it back to reveal many
bales of green, seedless sinsemilla.

SANTIAGO
For instance, something like this?

GEORGE
Very nice. I'll take it.

SANTIAGO
Ha ha ha. You are funny. Really, how
much will you be needing?

GEORGE
All of it. As much as you've got. A
couples thousand pounds. I'll be back
in a week with a plane.

SANTIAGO
Listen, Americano, it is very nice to
meet you, but maybe we are going too
fast. You take a little and then come
back.

GEORGE
I don't need a little. I need a lot.

SANTIAGO
Marijuana is illegal in my country, and
I believe in yours, as well. We must be
careful.

GEORGE
What if I brought you, let's say, fifty
thousand dollars? Would that eliminate
some of your concerns?

SANTIAGO
Amigo, you bring me fifty-thousand
dollars, and I have no more concerns.

EXT. SANTA MONICA AIRPORT - 1968 - DAY

A pair of boltcutters snaps the chain off a single-engine
Cessna.

TUNA
I can't believe we're stealing a plane.

KEVIN
Don't be such a pussy.

GEORGE
It's fine. We're not stealing it.
We're borrowing it. And try to look
natural. We've got company.

A MECHANIC working on the adjacent plane is giving them the
hairy eyeball.

GEORGE (CONT'D)
Be cool.

The three boys nod their heads in acknowledgement and give a
small wave. The mechanic smiles and waves back.

INT. CESSNA - 1968 - DAY

The engine is on and the propeller is spinning. Kevin is at
the controls. Tuna is not making the trip. He pokes his
head in before shutting the cockpit.

TUNA
You guys are fucking insane.

George reads from a flight manual.

GEORGE
Alright, pull back the throttle...

The engine screams.

GEORGE (CONT'D)
Not that far, only halfway. You sure
you know what you're doing?

KEVIN
Relax. I've flown with my old man a
million times. And he always told me,
the taking off part is easy, it's the
landing you've got to worry about.

EXT. SANTIAGO FARM - MEXICO - 1968 - DAY

The plane tries to land. It's a clumsy one. The Cessna is
tipping and touching, first one wheel, then another, almost
sideways before straightening out and stopping. George and
Kevin hop out of the plane. They are greeted by Santiago and
the Mexican contingency.

AMIGOS
Hola, George! Bienvenido!

George hands out presents to everyone. He's like Santa
Claus, giving gifts to every man, woman and child. They love
him. Santiago pumps George's hand.

SANTIAGO
Good to see you, Jorge. You are a man
of your word.

GEORGE
Actually, I've got some news. That
fifty thousand I promised you, I
couldn't get it.

George throws Santiago a duffel bag.

GEORGE (CONT'D)
So I brought you sixty.

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.

INT. VENETIAN KING APTS. - CONTINUOUS

George is pinned against