Cannabis Club

© 2000 F.D. Becker

REGISTERED WGAw No. _____

Draft @ 10/23/2000

Dean Farrel

7400 Hillmont, #2914

Houston, Tx. 77040

713-939-1897

fdb@ev1.net

www.cultural-baggage.com

FADE IN:

EXT. PRISON — DAY

TITLE OVER: MARION FEDERAL PRISON

Guard JACKSON and prisoner WOODROW sit on the prison loading dock, waiting for the next busload of prisoners.

jackson

I’ve seen some of those plants that look like, what? … a rainbow?

woodrow

You’ve got to realize the effort that goes into some of those exotics. They love their herb.

jackson

Most of these farmers are really … gentlemen. You know, what are they doing here? What they did can’t be that bad.

woodrow

When we have a National Referendum, do we have your vote?

jackson

Yeah, what’s going on makes no sense. These guys believe in what they do, it’s a calling.

woodrow

Mr. Jackson, it’s a religion.

A prison bus full of new prisoners pulls in and parks next to the loading dock. The prisoners come out; Mr. Jackson releases them from their handcuffs.

TREY (25) is the third to get off the bus. Woodrow (about 40 years old) is a trustee and he corrals the prisoners for orientation. Mr. Jackson watches over what Woodrow does.

Woodrow

You men are part of the general population. That means anything can and probably will happen to you while you’re here. My name is Woodrow. This man likes to be called Mr. Jackson! Don’t yell, hey guard or even guard, he won’t answer … Mr. Jackson.

JACKSON

Thanks Woodrow. In case you’re wondering, Woodrow’s a preacher, a good man. You’d be well advised to listen to him. I do. … all right … abandon hope and go through this door.

Woodrow walks over to Trey to introduce himself.

woodrow

You Trey Hanes?

trey

Yeah, and you’re … I remember you … Mediterranean Church, right?

woodrow

Yeah that’s right. I’m Woodrow Weiss.

trey

My whole family believes in the sacrament.

woodrow

Your grandpa, and my dad smoked pot, back in world war two.

trey

I know my grandpa smoked back then. Who’s your dad?

woodrow

John Weiss, regional head of the DEA. He was …he retired a few years ago,.

trey

He let you sit here? For what? 20 years?!

woodrow

They busted me for holding Lion services here, so, no parole, nothing. I'm getting out in a few weeks.

Woodrow looks at his watch, and then up at the door the guard went through.

woodrow

There’s a lot I have to tell you. …They pretty much leave me alone now, but we better go.

Ray and Woodrow go inside the door.

INT. Prison Cafeteria — Day

TREY and WOODROW are sitting down at an empty steel table, with cafeteria trays full of food.

trey

So this is your table?

woodrow

[Chuckles]

I spent over 3 full years in solitary. The guards finally gave me some respect back in 1990. Call it a perk.

Woodrow looks around the cafeteria, looks Trey in the eyes.

woodrow

I know how you wound up here, about the donations, the charity work.

trey

So the word gets around, huh? Yeah, I was stupid enough to think I could make a difference.

woodrow

I still do my Lion services,

[looks around]

and I provide for the Medicinally challenged, and I hope you’ll continue that after I leave.

trey

[Laughs]

It still goes on. Even here?

WOODROW

I’ll show you how it’s done …later. Everybody’s heard of the Hanes family. A name to be proud of. How’s your grandpa?

TREY

He’s doing good. Must be about 75 years old now. Damn. When I think of what he did, when he did it. Bold sonofabitch.

WOODROW

I could dig a story about one of the pioneers. Anything you can share?

TREY

Yeah. Ray doesn’t grow, deal or get involved with the money anymore.

WOODROW

How did he get caught?

TREY

Easy enough I guess. He got busted back in the late 50’s for importing a bunch of keys. He loves the herb …what can I say. He used to buy from this small time Mexican dealer, at least he was then …Juan Morales.

Int. Souvenir Shop — day

RAY Hanes is unpacking a box of Mexican Sombreros and putting them on the shelf of his shop. He is busy and does not notice as JUAN MORALES sneaks quietly through the front door.

Juan looks at the cash register for a bit too long. Juan is not carrying a gun, but we cannot see that. Juan walks up and pokes his finger in Ray's back.

juan

Give me all your gold!

Ray turns, sees Juan, smiles.

Ray

Juan! Señor Morales, how are you?

Juan

Good, very good. Nobody else in the store?

ray

Hell, I didn’t know you were in here. We better look.

Ray and Juan glance around the store.

ray

So you made it OK, no problems?

Juan

More than it is worth. I’m through with these small loads.

ray

For $10 a pound, I can’t blame you.

Juan

You know how to find me? No problems …in Mexico.

Ray

(beat)

Look for me the first of next month.

INT. – PRISON CAFETERIA – DAY

TREY and WOODROW are pushing food around on their trays.

WOODROW

So he was messing with Morales?

TREY

(chuckling)

It was just gentle fun back then.

WOODROW

Well tell me, what happened to Ray?

TREY

So Ray makes dozens of trips down to Mexico, to buy from Juan …no problems. But then Morales gets himself busted on the U.S. side …

INT. Border Patrol Office — day

We are in a small, beat up looking office. JUAN MORALES is sitting in a chair in handcuffs. AGENT GISH and AGENT FARLEY are interviewing Juan.

gish

Help us catch some of the gringos you sell to, or you get ten years, at hard labor.

farley

You help us, you’re free.

juan

I know an American … a war hero … who sells to children.

Ext. US/MEXICO BORDER, US STATION — NIGHT

RAY HANES is next in line to cross over into the U.S. Ray drives a 1957 Chevrolet Bellaire. His radio features Elvis Presley singing “Love Me Tender” he is singing along. He has the air of complete fearlessness.

He’s importing kilos of marijuana along with his assortment of hats, clothes, silver jewelry and other souvenir goods.

Ray looks at the German Shepherd dog the NICE INSPECTOR has with him. The nice inspector signals for him to pull up to the checkpoint. Ray puts the car in gear with some difficulty, pulls up then stops next to the inspector.

The German Shepherd starts barking, pulling the inspector toward the front end of the car. We see a quick shot of Ray, his eyes are vibrating a bit, he takes a deep breath.

ray

So’d your dog see a snake?

NICE inspector

Oh, no. Got these dogs to stop some of the reefer smugglers. This is Hawkeye.

HAWKEYE is jumping up on the front quarter panel and barking like mad. INSPECTOR SNOOP, reading from a clipboard starts walking over from his empty checkpoint.

NICE inspector

I’m sorry. Don’t know what’s got him in a lather.

ray

I need to get moving. Supposed to eat dinner with the in-laws. Don’t wanta piss off the missus.

NICE inspector

All right, damn dog’s sure acting goofy.

Nice Inspector signals Ray to go through. Ray tries to put his car in gear but he’s having a rough time. Inspector Snoop is double-checking the license number and then walks up beside Ray’s door.

inspector Snoop

Mr. Hanes?

ray

Yeah, I’m Hanes.

inspector snoop

Open your hood, for inspection.

INT. PRISON CAFETERIA – DAY

TREY is actually eating some of the meal he has been ignoring. J.D. walks up, carrying a rack of dominos and asks to sit down with WOODROW and Trey.

J.D.

War stories? Can I listen in?

WOODROW

He’s alright, been here many years, but he gets out before I do.

Woodrow punches J.D. in the arm.

TREY

Pull up a chair.

WOODROW

Trey was just telling me stories about the famous Hanes Family.

J.D.

Heard you were in. Glad to meet you.

J.D. shakes Trey’s hand. J.D. starts shuffling the dominos.

TREY

So, like I told Woodrow, Grandpa got busted. He spent 20 years behind these same walls. But when he got out, he saw the light, “stay away from the border”. So back about 1979 or 80 Ray and Junior, my dad, started farming.

Ext. A beautiful MARIJUANA PATCH — Afternoon

RAY and JUNIOR are out harvesting their plants.

RAy

Told you these island seeds were the way to go.

junior

I believed you … that they would do well, but, who imagined this!

Junior holds out a prime bud to look at.

ray

Easy to sell, no need to take any chances.

junior

Never cross any borders.

ray

I can go fishing whenever I want now. You’re the one who needs to watch his ass. You do this for a year or two and … we both go fishing. All right?

junior

That’s my plan.

They both harvest in quiet for a few seconds.

INT. PRISON CAFETERIA – DAY

TREY is finishing his tray of food. He throws the fork down and has a bad belch, bad food. He sticks his tongue out to show it was bad. J.D. is shuffling dominoes.

TREY

So, I was only 5 or 6 years old when I figured out what they were doing. They may as well have been pirates; I wanted to farm so bad. About 10 or eleven years later …after I dinged up my car.

Ext. A small Fishing BOAT tied to the dock — Morning

RAY, now 70 + years old, and JUNIOR, now about 40 years old are sitting in the boat, prepping their fishing gear.

junior

If they can get generation x to register and then vote, they can get licensed “medical” marijuana.

ray

Say they get it on the ballot, they get the votes and you can get a doctor to prescribe it, where you gonna buy it?

junior

At “cannabis clubs” that fill the prescription at cost. Whatever that means.

ray

Sounds like a great business, except the Feds will never let it happen. Too many industries that lose money …big money.

Junior

I hear ya’ dad. Look!

[points]

There’s Trey. What did he do to that Mustang?

We see TREY parking a 1992 Mustang in the parking lot. The mustang has extensive damage to the front end, the windshield is broken. Trey gets out and walks the short distance to where the boat is moored.

trey

Hey you old farts! Catch any fish?

Trey approaches, and then boards the boat with Ray and Junior.

ray

How’d you manage this time?

[points to Mustang]

trey

Shit Grandpa, nobody knows how to drive … I want you guys to teach me a trade, so I can fix it. I want to farm. …The family tradition.

INT. PRISON CAFETERIA – DAY

TREY, WOODROW and J.D. are playing dominos at the table.

TREY

Shouldn’t we clear out of here? Aren’t they going to bother us for sitting here too long or something.

J.D.

We’re with Woodrow. No problems if you stick to Woodrow in this place. He’s faced down all the lions.

WOODROW

I wish it was that easy. But you’re right J.D. They leave me alone now, mostly cause they’ve seen me sit here every day for the last 10 years, kind of a stalemate …it’s okay. Tell me about the cannabis clubs. I see what they did for you.

TREY

It’s like a hospital …with a lot of paranoia involved. That’s how I felt the first time I delivered to Shawn’s Club.

Ext. Rear Door of Cannabis CLUB — Night

Pulling up to the door in a camper/van is TREY, who is met at the door by SHAWN.

TREY

Evening, everything OK?

shawn

Never better. How much did you bring?

trey

Almost 17 pounds. For MS, and AIDS patients and all the other poor fuckers who can’t afford hundreds of dollars a damn ounce.

shawn

I hear you. I promise not one gram will be sold.

trey

Alright.

shawn

You got it! Let’s put this herb in the “sanctuary”

[points to the club]

before some rookie cop starts hot-dogging on us.

INT. PRISON CAFETERIA – DAY

J.D. is beating his hands on the table, some kind of Latin rhythm.

WOODROW

Calm down J.D. Let them man finish his story.

J.D.

Ah man, I was just thinking about seventeen pounds of fresh, sweet smelling herb. Miss it almost as much as pussy.

WOODROW

Shut the hell up. Go ahead Trey. So there lot’s of people that can’t afford the herb?

TREY

Yeah. More than there should be. A drug that costs a penny sells for a hundred bucks. Let me tell you a story about this beautiful, and poor, MS sufferer, Melissa. The law’s so stupid, but …so was I.

Int. MELISSA JONES Bedroom — MORNING

MELISSA and her medical companion LARRY are sitting in her room. Melissa is in her wheel chair, she has MS and her speech is none too clear.

larry

Hon, we’ll get our hands on some pot today, and then, chow time. I can feel it. I heard the DEA is standing down from the situation.

melissa

Let’s hope so.

The phone rings. Larry gets up and answers it.

larry

Hello … you’re not shitting me? … We’ll be right down … thanks Shawn.

Larry hangs up the phone and turns to Melissa. Larry’s face is beaming.

larry

Want’a score some pot, baby?

Melissa has a spark of life in her eyes and a sweet crooked smile.

Ext. The Cannabis Cabanas — Day

LARRY is driving a van, with handicapped facilities for MELISSA. As they pull into the parking lot, they see there are many people there to fill their prescriptions.

LARRY

Jees, they must have posted this shipment on the net. I’m going to find Shawn and be right back.

Melissa

I can wait. Don’t forget me.

Melissa is losing the wonderful control she displayed earlier, she’s shaking, Larry holds her hand for a second.

LARRY

Not in a million years. Hang tight.

Larry scats toward the Club and runs inside.

Int. Cannabis Club — Day

LARRY comes bolting through the door, looking for SHAWN in the crowd. Larry sees Shawn at a counter and crowds to the front of the line to talk to Shawn.

larry

Shawn, I’ve got Melissa in the car. I’m bringing her in.

shawn

Bring her on in … I’ll carve out some time to talk to her.

Larry bolts out to get Melissa. Shawn is dealing with a PROGRAMMER.

Programmer

Hi Shawn, I’m looking for something good, but not too good. It’s hard to program code on that equatorial shit.

Shawn

Got some good Mexican, but it’s brown bud, not too tasty.

programmer

It’s alright. Give me the usual. VISA still work?

shawn

Yeah, VISA still works.

Shawn sees Larry wheeling Melissa into the store. Turns to Trey who is unpacking some herb.

Shawn

Trey, take over here, I see a special customer.

Trey sees Larry and Melissa coming through the door.

trey

You give her whatever she wants!

Shawn goes over and takes over from Larry and pushes Melissa back into his office. Shawn’s office has a window through which we can see a small warehouse filled with grow lights shining on 100 cannabis plants of various sizes.

shawn

Let’s get your order straight.

melissa

This feels like Christmas.

shawn

You name it; it’s yours, I’ve got second generation Thai, Lights, Maui and Herer.

melissa

One ounce of each.

[that crooked smile]

Shawn tosses a leather satchel to Larry.

shawn

Tell that guy behind the counter. Tell him to fill this with Maui, Thai, Herer and Lights. And tell him I said 1/4 pound each.

Shawn Turns to Melissa. Larry exits the office and goes to the front of the store.

shawn

Honey, you’re going to have medicine to last for a year.

Larry walks behind the counter and interrupts Trey in the middle of his current transaction with GARY GREY.

larry

Shawn said to give Melissa a quarter pound, each, of Lights, Maui, Thai and oh yeah, Herer. Put it in his satchel.

trey

Her wish is my command.

Trey takes the satchel and starts filling it with quarter pound bags. Turns to speak to Larry looking proud, happy.

trey

I put those quarters in carefully, but it’s a tight fit. Don’t smash the buds.

Trey hands the satchel to Larry. Larry goes to get Melissa from the office; Trey goes back to waiting on Gary Grey, the customer at the counter who now has a sly smile; he knows something about Trey.

Larry walks back into the office and opens the bag to show Melissa the bags of pot (sweet smile).

INT. PRISON CAFETERIA – DAY

TREY is smiling, far away; thinking about how he felt when he gave the pot to Melissa. WOODROW and J.D. leave him alone, they know how precious a good thought is in prison. Trey seems to snap out of it, leans back in to tell the rest of the story.

TREY

So, it’s a great day. This sweet lady gets a pound of great shit and I feel proud. Sonofabitch Gary Gray is the customer at the counter. He follows Melissa out of the club.

EXT. MELISSA’S VAN — DAY

SHAWN is driving MELISSA home.

LARRY

Soon as we get home, I’m loading the bong for you, and then I’m rolling a big fat doobie!

melissa

I already feel better, just knowing I’ve got my medicine.

We hear a quick whoop of a police siren. Larry looks in the rear view mirror.

Larry

I don’t believe it!

melissa

You have my prescription don’t you?

larry

Sure thing sweetheart. Yeah, what am I worried about? They don’t have time to fuck with us.

Larry pulls the car over. A RED FACED DEA AGENT approaches him and comes to the driver side. Larry rolls down the window. Remaining in the cop car is GARY GREY.

RED FACE AGENT

We have reason to suspect that you are carrying a quantity of marijuana beyond your prescribed allotment.

larry

She needs to eat, she needs to laugh … you know, feel alive again … and you want to take that away from her?

RED fACED AGENT

Sir, the DEA is the cure, not the problem.

larry

Can’t you just let her go? Take me, give her a few buds and let her go?

Gary Grey joins the conversation at the driver’s window.

gary grey

I would hate to see an obstruction of justice charge tacked onto this situation. Can we use your van to transport?

Larry glances at Melissa for a second. She seems to be falling into depression, severe shakes, totally forlorn.

larry

Then let’s get going. She doesn’t need this.

Int. MELISSA JONES Bedroom — Night

LARRY is wheeling MELISSA into her bedroom. She is gray, weak looking, shaky. Larry helps her out of her wheelchair and tucks her in bed.

larry

Melissa, hon. I’m calling Shawn to get us some buds over here tonight. Damn DEA cretins!

Larry picks up the phone and starts dialing. Melissa looks real tired and sleepy, she can barely talk.

melissa

I’m can’t smoke or eat tonight. I need to rest. Call Shawn tomorrow.

Larry hangs up the phone, and then tucks Melissa in even tighter. Larry starts to leave the room. Larry turns back to Melissa.

Larry

Good night Melissa.

melissa

[Croaks]

Good night Larry.

[coughs]

Tomorrow, a beggars banquet.

Larry turns out the lights.

Int. MELISSA JONES KITCHEN — Morning

LARRY is making a quick cup of coffee. He is also talking on the phone.

larrY

Yeah … all right … you are? … well I’ll just listen for your knock …

[hangs up phone then yells]

Melissa!

Int. MELISSA JONES BEDROOM — MORNING

LARRY taps on the door, opens the door and enters the room. He goes in the bathroom, gathering towels.

larry

Melissa, Trey’s already on his way with another quarter pound. I’ll get you cleaned up and ready for a sweet smoke and a nice meal. … Melissa? … Melissa?

Larry leans over and feels her throat for a pulse. He sits on the bed, facing a small table that has a bong sitting next to the lamp.

Larry picks up the bong from the table, looks at the bowl for a second then smashes the bong on the floor.

Larry turns and strokes Melissa’s cheek for a few seconds. He moves his hands to hold his hair, in despair. He stares at Melissa.

We hear a KNOCK at the front door. Larry continues to stare at Melissa. A few seconds later, TREY walks in the room and first notices the broken glass bong.

TREY

You broke the bong?

[reaches toward shirt pocket]

I’ve got some pape … Ah Damn! … It never stops.

Trey goes over to put his arm around Larry.

TREY

I’m so sorry.

[tears up]

Larry seems to be “regaining consciousness”, he turns to Trey.

larry

Trey, don’t … don’t!

Larry puts his arms around Trey for a second.

TREY

It’s so wrong, there’s got to be a way.

larry

It’s like we’re on the Bizarro world.

TREY

It’s like the dark ages. Torture and imprisonment for your beliefs.

larry

[slight crying]

The fucking Spanish Inquisition.

Both men laugh and cry at the same time. Larry gets up and grabs the phone.

INT. PRISON CAFETERIA – DAY

J.D. and WOODROW stop TREY for a moment.

WOODROW

You’re saying they just let her die? That same guy, Gary Grey?

TREY

Heartless bastards every one of them. Part of the job description I guess. He was the one who busted me too. I think he put two and two together about the free herb. Probably put a transmitter on my jeep, I don’t know. And then last September, almost harvest time.

EXT. POT PATCH — DAY

TITLE OVER: N. California — 2000

TREY is out tending his plants. It is near harvest time, the plants are full and ripe. He is harvesting a few of the dying buds, putting them into a canvas bag he has over his shoulder.

Trey is whistling a song, happy and content. We hear a voice through a bullhorn.

dea agent

(bullhorn)

Trey Hanes! This is the DEA! You are under arrest!

Trey starts running away, dropping the bag. He’s fast; he strides through the plants and heads to the nearby river. He makes it to the river with the DEA agents, panting for breath, trampling through the brush behind him.

Trey makes it into the river and is half way across when he sees the agents waiting for him on the other side of the river. He floats on his back, going downstream. An agent from each side of the river wades into the cold water.

INT. PRISON CAFETERIA – DAY

J.D. is beating on the table again. He stops when he glances at TREY and WOODROW who are staring at his hands.

TREY

When they fished me out of the river, there’s Gary Gray, multimillionaire.

J.D.

How much did they get?

TREY

They said 2,000 plants, 8 million dollars. I’d have been happy with 2 million.

J.D.

This wasn’t you first year? You got millions in the bank?

TREY

I got some cash left, what they didn’t take for forfeiture and the IRS. …So J.D., what’s your story? How’d you get here?

J.D.

Real easy. Like most everyone else. By their definition, I was a criminal I guess. Imported a few pounds, grew a few pounds, but when I got busted, they planted on me. They had carte blanche, could do anything they wanted back in Texas. We were just sitting around, playing music. We wished we had some drugs.

Int. “the Sadhouse” hippie house — Night

We are in an old “rent house” with creaky wood floors, weird rooms and 3^rd hand furniture. 15 young men are “members” of the “tribe” that lives there.

The trees are hand painted, the house is a bad half painted mess and SADHOUSE is written on the garage door in letters 5 feet high. Tonight, the Sadhouse band is playing some music. They are having a hell of a time.

J.D.

Hold it down! It’s after 10. We’re not holding, but silence, may keep the tigers away.

A general murmur of “fuck it, let’s keep going”. Then an “aw shit, I guess we better.”

chris

OK. Billy turn off the amps. I’ll get the acoustics.

Gary Grey

I got to be at work at 7. I’ll see y'all Friday.

At this point about 15 of the 25 or so that were gathered around say their goodbyes and throw work excuses around and then leave the Sadhouse.

chris

Been practicing that new blues song?

ed

Sure, let me warm up.

Ed pulls a CHROMATIC HARMONICA out of his pocket and begins to warm up. NOTE: ED is 17, thin, good looking, with long blonde hair.

J.D.

Ed, your trial’s day after tomorrow?

ed

I should have taken the probation they offered. The DA’s pissed now and wants to give me some real time.

J.D.

For one joint, actually 1/3 of a joint?

Chris

You getting a haircut?

Ed

Yeah, tomorrow afternoon.

J.D.

That won’t make any difference Ed. I’ve been in county and you’ll have to fight like hell. Really, they’ll fight each other first, to see who gets you.

chris

It’s OK Ed. Your attorney will get you off. They did for Ricky and Scar.

ed

Yeah right! Ricky got 3 years probation. Scar got time served in county … I was driving. I paid for the pot

J.D.

[Yells]

Hey Tiger! Eat shit and die!

chris

Fuck all that; let’s play some music.

Chris is on guitar, J.D. on drums, Ed on harmonica, Billy plays tambourine and Stevie is on bass. They play “If I Had a Stash of Bags”.

We pull back from the house, down the street where we see a cop/van, with 2 cops, COP ONE with headphones on, taking notes. Gary Grey is in the back seat talking to TIGER.

INT. PRISON CAFETERIA – DAY

TREY and WOODROW are playing cards on the table. J.D. is shuffling the cards.

J.D.

So we’re worried about Ed going to the pen. He’s 17, skinny and in deep shit. So anyway, we’re being good citizens, no drugs, no loud music. The next morning…

Int. The Sadhouse — AM

We are in the hallway looking at the front door moving from the impact of the hard door knocking that someone is doing. Stevie is shown waking up first and sliding thru the hallway to the door.

stevie

So who is it?

Tiger

[Yells]

It’s the police, open the door!

Stevie goes running into J.D.’s room, to wake him.

Stevie

I think it’s Tiger at the door.

J.D.

Yeah, I heard. Ask him to wait.

Stevie goes back towards the front door. Billie is already there talking to Tiger through the door.

stevie

J.D. said to ask him to wait a minute; he’s getting his pants on.

Billie

Tiger said he was going to give us 10 seconds, it’s been about 15.

Just then, the cops start trying to crash the door. It does not give on the first try. J.D. shows up and leans on the door so do Billie and Stevie, to try to keep it from coming off the hinges.

As the door starts to lose its reason for being, J.D. calls out.

J.D.

[Yells to Tiger]

Can’t we talk it over for once. We have no drugs, no pot, nothing.

tiger

[Yells back]

We had a complaint and we will investigate!

J.D.

This is like the tenth time; I know that’s right.

tiger

All right, we’ll just take a quick look and be on our way.

As they let the pressure off the door and turn the lock, four DEA agents with DEA flak jackets, two uniformed cops and detective TIGER bust in like a SWAT raid and knock Billie and Stevie down on the ground.

The cops all have guns drawn and point them at the hippies while they search the rooms. Tiger takes J.D. into the living room where Ed is already sitting on the couch with a cop guarding Ed, chris, and a couple of other hippies.

Tiger tries to shove J.D. down onto the couch. J.D. retains his footing and glares back at Tiger. The cops are whiskey drunk at 7:30 a.m., very loose cannons! They throw clothes and pictures on the floor as they “search” very thoroughly.

On top of these valuable items they throw the garbage.

Tiger

Sit down! Nobody asks me about these busts. How I conduct them is my business. Understand?

J.D.

I’m so sick of this shit! From Nixon all the way down to you pigs! This is my house! Do you have a warrant?

Tiger pulls his 45 and sticks the barrel partly into J.D.’s nose.

tiger

This is my warrant! Works real good too! Sit down?

A uniformed cop comes up and puts J.D.’s hands behind him, cuffs him.

J.D.

Just do it! There’s too many witnesses. You can’t kill us all, you liquored up morons.

tiger

That’ll be a great day, when I can.

Billie

Hey J.D! Sit down! We’re freaks! We can’t go to court against their precious Tiger. Sit down!

Tiger shoves J.D. onto the couch. detective ONO comes around the corner carrying a briefcase, he looks at Tiger and shakes his head no. Tiger motions for him to put the briefcase on the floor.

The Sadhouse crew is rounded up and herded to several police cars and federal, unmarked cars for a trip to jail. J.D. is kept back in the house.

Tiger and 3 other Detectives stay in the house until the rest of the hippies are in the police cars. J.D.’s face shows he is in a bad situation.

Tiger, reaches over to the briefcase, opens it and pulls out a pound of marijuana.

tiger

Look what I found in your stuff. …This is not a good day for you, huh?

J.D.

It’s fine, except for the pigs smelling up the place.

tiger

On the floor!

The other three DETECTIVES grab J.D. and throw him on the floor, face first and start kicking him in the ribs, side and top of his head with steel-toed boots.

Tiger comes over and gets in a good kick to J.D.'s cheek. Tiger motions the detectives to stop.

tiger

If you would have just been polite, this didn’t have to happen.

J.D.

Fuck you pig!

Tiger gives J.D. another kick to the head and motions for the other cops to pick J.D. up. They roughly grab him; pull him up by his handcuffed wrists, very painful to J.D.

tiger

Drugs or no drugs, music or no music, your tribe is moving. The good people of this neighborhood want your kind out of here. And for you, I’m sick of you, …felony sales to a federal agent.

Tiger punches J.D. in the solar plexus and they haul J.D. out to the waiting police cars. They throw J.D. in the car with Ed. Tiger leans in to tell Ed something.

tiger

Ed! Huntsville should be a pleasant stay, for such a pretty boy.

Ext. HOLDING CELL — Night

The Sadhouse crew is gathered at a jail table. J.D. has a couple of patches of matted blood in his hair and a cut on his cheek.

J.D.

Tiger said he’ll drop charges on you guys. If you guys move out, they’ll leave you alone.

chris

I’m moving. They’ll be back again.

ed

Man, I’m screwed.

J.D.

Damn Ed. Go to trial and plead guilty, ask for mercy. That’s what I’m going to do.

ed

With all the maximum sentences and all the lies, you think I’ll receive mercy?

The JAIL GUARD walks down the hallway, rattling his keys.

JAIL GUARD

Ed Nordstrom? Your grandfather arranged bail.

J.D.

(shakes Ed’s hand)

I know you’ll be alright Ed. Just hang in there.

INT. PRISON CAFETERIA – DAY

J.D. pounds on the table, with a fist, knocking the cards flying. He takes a deep breath and continues his story.

J.D.

So anyway, Ed was supposed to go to trial that next morning.

Ext. Ed’s treehouse — Sun Up

We are in Ed’s tree house, which has a floor, 3 ½ walls, a roof, and a couple of windows. We are looking off into the distance, at the sun coming up. We hear Ed’s footsteps as he climbs up the ladder.

We hear a CLUNK (.22 rifle on floor of tree house) and then we see Ed rise up into the scene (no haircut) and look out at the sunrise. We circle around him and see him light a joint.

He takes two hits then stares out at the sun for a few more seconds. Ed steps back in the tree house, out of the scene. We now can see a bird on a tree branch.

We hear a SHOT. The bird flies away. We hear a louder CLUNK and a double thud as Ed falls to the floor.

INT. PRISON CAFETERIA – DAY

J.D. turns his head so TREY and WOODROW will not see him wipe away a tear.

WOODROW

Tell him about the desert.

J.D.

People think I’m crazy, when I tell them about the desert.

WOODROW

Trey, you won’t think he’s crazy, will you?

TREY

It’s okay J.D. My family has seen it all, done it all.

J.D.

While I was out on bond, I was hitch-hiking out in West Texas. No rides, it’s getting dark when this garbage truck, a new garbage truck mind you, comes over the hill and blows a tire. Instant ride.

WOODROW

So J.D. gets one of those big repair-wreckers to come help.

J.D.

The driver had a broken jaw, he was in a fight about a whore the night before. So anyway, me and this driver, Dennis was his name, we drive till maybe 2 AM and he stops at a road-side park.

EXT. INTERSTATE HIGHWAY REST STOP — NIGHT

A brand new garbage truck is sitting in the parking lot of a highway rest stop. Inside are J.D. and DENNIS, the driver. Dennis has a broken jaw, he is tired, on pain pills and drooping.

J.D.

I’m going to sit out here and read a while. You just rest.

DENNIS

Yeah, I’ll take a little nap.

J.D.

Don’t go off with my stuff.

J.D. sits down under the lights on one of the park bench seats near the garbage truck. He opens a King James Version of the Bible and starts to pray.

J.D.

Lord, I’m running from the pot laws, but it feels like they’re breaking the law. Can you give me a sign, so I can know my beliefs are right?

J.D. thumbs through the Bible for a few seconds, then the wind whips in furiously, turning pages of the Bible then stopping, and then, not another gust of wind. J.D. looks down at the bible and reads aloud.

J.D.

“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat” … Whoa. That’s spooky.

The wind whips in again, real strong and moves many pages to stop at another passage. J.D. looks down at the Bible and reads aloud.

J.D.

“There went up a smoke out of his nostrils” … OK, I see Lord.

The wind whips stronger and moves many pages again. Then the wind stops.

J.D.

“In later times, some shall speak lies in hypocrisy, commanding to abstain from that which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them, which believe and know the truth” …

Waiting a few seconds, J.D. gets up and walks away from the rest-stop, away from the lights and into the darkness

EXT. DARK CLIFFSIDE — NIGHT

J.D. is walking along in near complete darkness. There is a full moon but we do not have it’s light, it is very cloudy.

The wind blows like a hurricane in J.D.’s face, he stops walking and begins to pray.

J.D.

Lord, I am not a leader, not the one to change things for you. There are other people, better people to take on … the lies … the whole US government.

Suddenly a myriad of lights go fleeting up, down and across in front of J.D.’s eyes. The lights are caused by the edge of the heavy cloud cover moving and allowing the moonlight to shine in.

The myriad of lights is caused by hundreds of smaller clouds moving rapidly across the sky. The light and shadow is dancing across a plateau and then down into, across and back up out of a very deep and wide canyon.

J.D. marvels at the beauty for a moment. Then he looks down to see that he is standing on a projection of land that sticks out into the canyon and that he is inches from death on his right, his left and in front of him.

J.D. kneels down and crawls away from this perilous position.

J.D.

What can I do Lord? What can I do?

INT. PRISON CAFETERIA – DAY

TREY leans over to J.D. to shake his hand.

J.D.

So what’s with the handshake?

TREY

Never met a man who talks to God before.

J.D. snorts his contempt for Treys statement and turns to WOODROW.

J.D.

So if he don’t like my story …tell him yours.

TREY

I read some about his story, learned some more from Ray and Junior.

J.D.

You just think you’ve heard his story. Tell him Woodrow.

WOODROW

Almost time for supper. But, okay, listen up cause this is the last time I’m ever telling this sad tale.

Ext. Mediteranean Zaltic Lion Church — DAY

Exiting from two different cars and meeting up in the church parking lot are John Weiss, the DEA Regional Head and his son WOODROW. They slowly walk toward the church.

john

Woodrow, do you know how many times these church elders have been busted?

woodrow

Sure dad, they tell us they can’t even remember. Too many times? We have Sunday school about this type of persecution. We don’t hate you; we just want you to understand.

john

I do understand. I’m trying my best to keep the agency out of here.

woodrow

Funny, I kept telling myself there’s no way you’d do that, no way you’d be so … unpatriotic.

john

Yeah, that’s real funny.

They arrive at the front door of the church where they meet the head of the church, BROTHER LAVA. Marijuana plants grow all around the church, up to 20 feet high.

BROTHER LAVA

Welcome Woodrow, and your famous father. Welcome Mr. Weiss.

john

Brother Lava, I’ve heard a lot about you, from the DEA and from my son.

brother Lava

I also have heard much about you, from Woodrow and from … my friends. We are pleased to have you at our service.

Int. Mediteranean Zaltic Lion Church — Day

WOODROW and JOHN go inside the church and take a seat. BROTHER LAVA goes up the aisle to take his place in front of the church.

ELDER GARY GREY, BROTHER JAMES and ELDER RICK are preparing chillum type pipes with marijuana/tobacco mixture.

brother Lava

Good morning! It’s a beautiful day here on God’s earth. Today, we are being evaluated by the DEA. Observe our church at prayer. See how we share our sacred herbs, how we glory in all the good things God has made available to us. My hope is that you will see in us, a positive gathering of hope, life and promise.

Brother Lava turns to the elders and they light up the pipes and begin to pass them around to the other church members, taking their sacrament.

brother Lava

God has given us the leaves of the trees, the herbs of the fields and for us it shall be for meat. It shall feed us and nourish us, keeping us holy and following in his way. We believe in the power of our sacrament, whether it is a single seed from which a powerful herb will grow or whether it is a ton or a world full of herb.

Brother Lava takes a hit from the chillum pipe, pulling the hit thru his nose.

brother lava

We grow our sacred herb outside in the open, for all to see. We bring herb to our church, we take herb from our church and it is all done before God’s eyes. When we are deep within our prayers to God, we are blessed in his eyes.

Brother Lava takes a few seconds to hit the chillum pipe. After releasing his smoke, he continues.

BRother Lava

Do the Protestant Churches go to the convenience store every Sunday and buy one bottle of grape juice to use for sacrament? No! I know they buy in quantity to save money that the church can use elsewhere. What we do is no different, only the perception is different.

Brother Lava takes another hit from the chillum pipe.

brother Lava

Normally, our services last for many hours. But today, in honor of our Governmental visitor, we will gather outside the church and tend plants, thanking Yahweh for his many blessings.

Brother Lava and the elders walk to the rear of the Church.

EXT. MZLC Church — Noon

BROTHER LAVA and THE ELDERS are outside the church to shake hands with the believers and talk to them about plant care and love of God. John and Woodrow stop to talk with Brother Lava.

brother Lava

I did not want to wear you out. I know you belong to a one hour, convenience church. Our services usually last till after dark.

john

Brother Lava, I am truly impressed with you, your church, the obvious conviction of your congregation.

brother Lava

You are always welcome at our church. You are invited to become a member. We have nothing to hide.

Woodrow

Brother Lava, I’ll talk to him. Anything’s possible, right?

brother Lava

Woodrow you amaze even me. But yes, anything is possible.

john

Brother Lava, if it were up to me. I would remove these laws, give you a hug, and then go to my “convenience” church, but …

Brother Lava leans over and hugs John.

brother Lava

John, before you go, it’s just a few days till harvest, please see how beautiful our plants are.

john

Thank you. I’ll try to view them with a different perspective.

John and Woodrow walk toward the plants and begin to examine the buds. We get a glimpse of a beautiful bud, white, orange, red, crusty etc.

woodrow

The plants on this side of the church are from Hawaiian seeds. The other side has the Thai children. It’s all sinsemilla … for a special occasion.

Woodrow clips a fine bud off the plant, puts it in a baggie and sticks it in his shirt pocket, with 1/2 of the bag visible, marijuana showing. Woodrow smiles at John. John looks at the bag, smiles back but without happiness.

INT. PRISON CAFETERIA – DAY

WOODROW has his hands out in front of him, like he is holding the bag he has just described. He stops to look at J.D. and TREY with this big smile. They all feel the vibe of this smoke Woodrow once held, they smile back.

WOODROW

Things went so well that day, they made me an elder. It was a few months later, Brother Lava put me in charge of the church while they went to Jamaica. Him, Ricky and Elder Gary fucking Gray went on what he called a business trip. I knew what they were doing.

Ext. Coast of Texas — Evening

BROTHER LAVA, BROTHER JAMES and ELDER RICK and ELDER GARY GREY are on a ship full of thirty tons of marijuana. They are just a mile or two off shore and they are preparing to land and offload their cargo.

brother Lava

Just a few minutes before dark so let’s ease her on in at about 1 or 2 knots.

brother james

Eye, eye captain.

We hear the sound of the motors die down real low.

brother Lava

Rick, call the shore. We’ll dock at

[looks at watch]

21 hours, 45 minutes.

rick

Yes sir!

[pushes “send” button on radio]

Return at 21:45.

RADIO:

“Return at 21:45 understood.”

Up in the rigging, Elder Gary is standing watch.

GARY

Coast Guard ship at 45 degrees off the port bow.

brother Lava

Get to work on those fish, pick up the pace, to 5 knots. Now!

Brother James engages the engine, Gary jumps down and Rick leaves the radio and joins with Gary in sorting through the pile of fish on the front of the boat.

Brother Lava looks toward the heavens, looks to be mumbling a silent prayer.

Ext. Coast Guard Vessel — Dark

JOHN WEISS, AGENT WILKES and 15 DEA AGENTS are on board to bust the marijuana-laden vessel. As they approach the Lion vessel, John picks up a BULLHORN.

john

[thru bullhorn]

This is the DEA. Cut your engines! Prepare to be boarded!

Brother Lava

[thru bullhorn]

Is that you John? …Aren’t you out of your jurisdiction?

John

[thru bullhorn]

Yes, it’s me. I’m here out of respect for you. May we come aboard?

brother Lava

[to Brother James]

Cut the engines.

brother Lava

[thru bullhorn]

We have nothing to hide! Please … come aboard, pray and share sacrament with us. We have thirty tons!

INT. PRISON CAFETERIA – DAY

WOODROW picks up the cards and starts shuffling them idly for a second, then deals them to TREY and J.D.

TREY

No, I’m not playing. Finish your story Woodrow.

WOODROW

I think back, the U.S. government was allowing the church to grow in the open, to smoke our sacrament. Brother Lava just pushed them too far, too fast. The next Sabbath, I’m leading the service, trying to preach.

Int. MZLC Church — Night

Woodrow is at the pulpit, watching the members share sacrament. None of the crew of the ship are present. Members are smoking, meditating and reading scripture.

In one second, all the doors of the church burst open with armed DEA agents rushing into the church, knocking over children, the bible off it’s stand, creating a commotion.

AGENT WILKES charges to the elders and knocks their pipes to the floor.

We see ELDER WOODROW look at Wilkes, take a deep hit from the pipe. We ZOOM IN slowly, watching Woodrow slowly release his smoke, with a contemptuous smile, staring at Wilkes.

INT. PRISON CAFETERIA – EVENING

WOODROW stands up, heads toward the cafeteria serving line. He turns back toward J.D. and TREY.

WOODROW

You guys going to eat?

J.D.

Yeah, I guess.

TREY

Okay. But you didn’t finish your sad, sad fucking story.

Woodrow grabs a tray and gets in line to get his supper. J.D. and Trey get in line behind him.

TREY

Looks like the same stuff they had for lunch, just older.

J.D.

You’re a smart boy.

TREY

So, Woodrow, they just threw out the religious use, never to be seen again, huh?

WOODROW

I guess not. Sure hasn’t done me much good since.

They get their food and go back to their table.

WOODROW

Lord of all, we ask your blessing on this food. May your bounty rise in abundance.

TREY

This food really does need a blessing. Thanks Woodrow.

Woodrow

It never hurts to ask.

Woodrow take a bite of food.

WOODROW

Lord, why hast thou forsaken me?

The three of them have a good laugh.

Int. Prison visitors room — day

We are in the visitor room and because it is a minimum-security prison, visitors and prisoners mingle in a large room with a couple of bored guards. J.D., WOODROW and JOHN WEISS are sitting at a table.

Entering the room from the guards desk are TREY, RAY and JUNIOR. Woodrow motions for them to come sit at their table.

trey

Thanks for sharing your table.

woodrow

No problem. Trey, this is my dad, John.

trey

That’s my dad everybody calls him Junior and that’s my grandpa Ray.

woodrow

[Looks at Ray and John]

How long since you guys talked to each other? 40 years?

John

Hard to believe, closer to 50 years.

ray

There were some good times, right?

John

Ahh, yeah, deep down I’ve got to admit it wasn’t so bad really. I’ve told the story so many times, how we endured and because we were fighting for the USA, we persevered.

[chuckles]

But you’re right

ray

I went back to the island in ’94, nobody was there … in that little paradise. Not the tribe anyway. It belongs to some sort of timeshare for movie stars. It’s a shame.

woodrow

You guys should get together on the outside. Have some kind of shootout. See who can get his hands on the best smoke.

trey

Jeez! Ray doesn’t have resources like that anymore.

WOODROW

Why don’t you tell Trey how you guys met, how you toked up back in ’43. You want to tell him Dad? Or can you say it out loud?

RAY

(contemptuously)

If he can’t, I can. Me and John got shot out of the sky by Japanese Zero’s back in ’43. Eleven days in a raft. Out of water, no food, not much hope.

EXT. Open Ocean in a RAFT — Near Sundown,

JOHN and RAY are in an Army Air Corp issue raft paddling toward the evening sun. They are very sunburned, chapped, dry, hungry, dressed in portions of aviator clothes from a downed bomber crew.

JOHN

Dammit, I am the navigator and …

[takes a deep breath]

if we keep going west we’ll hit some damn island.

RAY

Ah, yeah … sorry I said anything.

[looks 360 around the raft]

No coconuts today. At least the sun’s going down.

Ray pulls his hat down and looks to be ready for a nap. John starts paddling the boat toward the west.

EXT. On the beach — Night

JOHN and RAY are asleep in the raft. Gentle waves are washing them ashore on a small island. John wakes first and a huge smile goes across his face.

John gets out of the raft and easily walks ashore where he picks up a coconut and walks back to the raft, gets in and wakes Ray by putting the coconut in his lap.

JOHN

Ray, Ray! I found a coconut. Wake up man! Wake up!

RAY

[Kinda dopey]

I was dreaming about coconuts.

Ray notices they are scraping the sand on the beach, that they are ashore somewhere. Ray jumps up, throws the coconut at John who deflects it into the water.

RAY

You bastard!

JOHN

[Laughing]

I just knew how bad you wanted a coconut.

They pull the raft ashore and hide it in the jungle.

JOHN

We sleep in the raft till sunup. Then we go find water. I’ll sweep our tracks off the beach.

RAY

You bet … navigator.

John comes out of the jungle with a palm branch and sweeps their tracks from the sand.

As John comes back to the raft in the jungle, he stops; startled at seeing Ray with a javelin pressed against his neck, a huge Polynesian, JUMBO, is holding the spear.

JOHN

Ahh … awh we are Americans.

[points to flag patch on shoulder]

US Army Air Corps. I’m Lt. John Weiss, this is Sgt. Ray Hanes.

JUMBO

Americans? … Americans?

JOHN

Yeah, we’re Americans, you bet.

Jumbo pulls the spear away from Ray’s neck and motions for them to follow him.

JUMBO

[Island language]

Come with me to the camp.

He takes a step toward the camp, points with his spear in the direction he wants them to go. Then waits a moment for John and Ray who gather their stuff. Ray starts to strap his gun on.

JOHN

Bring the 45, but don’t wear it, carry it like … belongings.

RAY

No sense playing Captain Cook … right?

JOHN

Carry it so’s you can get to it real easy, right?

RAY

Right!

Ray and John follow Jumbo deeper into the jungle.

EXT. Mountain streamside — DAWN

JOHN is filling a canteen with water. RAY has his whole head underwater. JUMBO is standing nearby watching, curious about the man with his head underwater.

JOHN

You hear me Ray?

Ray pulls his head out of the water.

RAY

You say something?

[inhales deeply]

We’re getting close to his camp; it’s over there!

[points]

JOHN

Now you’re the navigator?

RAY

No, I’m a chowhound. Somebody’s cooking a pig, over that ridge.

John and Ray get going in a hurry. Ray forgets the 45. John picks it up.

EXT. Village “Council Fire” — Morning

Approximately 30 villagers are preparing for a feast. As JOHN, RAY and JUMBO approach, the older men step forward to meet them. We see John take a reassuring glance down at the 45.

The CHIEF and Jumbo talk a little bit, back and forth, pointing to John and Ray. Jumbo points to the US flag on John’s shoulder and everybody smiles. John and Ray smile.

The natives escort John and Ray over to the appetizers, while they wait on the pig. Everyone begins to eat.

DIsSOLVE TO:

John and Ray have a look of utter contentment, full of food. The women of the village who are topless, wearing only grass skirts are watching them and sharing comments and smiles about them with each other.

The CHIEF leads John and Ray into the men’s hut. The rest of the male members of the tribe stand guard at the door of the hut. John, Ray and the Chief sit beside a small fire.

RAY

[Looking at his protruding stomach]

You ever see those cartoons where they … they pretend to be the other guys friend? Feed ’em real good and then when they’re good and fat they eat them?

JOHN

Hey if that’s what they’re gonna do, at least I got to eat first.

RAY

They probably think we’re gods or something anyway.

The Chief of the tribe fills a pipe with a bit of plant matter. He lifts the pipe and says a prayer. He grabs a light from the fire and lights the pipe. He takes a deep drag and hands the pipe to John. John turns to Ray.

JOHN

Peace pipe, like the Indians. Just do what he does.

Ray nods yes in answer but with a quizzical look on his face. John takes a draw on the pipe and hands it to Ray.

John watches the Chief and notices the man does not release the smoke he inhaled so John holds the smoke as long as he can … he turns red, he needs to cough, he chokes it out after about 15 seconds.

After 5 or 6 seconds of coughing and catching his breath, John turns to the Chief.

JOHN

That’s real tasty chief.

RAY

That’s some good reefer. Thank you sir!

The Chief holds the pipe out in front of him, takes another hit, and hands it to John again. John holds the pipe out in front like the Chief had done. He does not look at Ray.

JOHN

Ray? Reefer?

[laughs]

John hits the pipe again but does not hand it to Ray. John is staring at the pipe and looking at the design in amazement. Ray reaches over and takes the pipe from John.

John lets the hit go slowly, with a smile, his head is slightly tilted, he looks totally enthralled.

JOHN

You know, this is a beautiful hut, just, beautiful.

Ray is coughing out his last hit. He starts to look around and manages to respond.

RAY

[Late to answer]

Man, it sure is! It’s like a palace, made of straw!

John and Ray both start laughing at this bit of humor, then stop and look at the Chief. The Chief is looking at them with a strange sort of smile, which cracks John and Ray up even more.

RAY

Yeah, that was marijuana.

JOHN

Marijuana?

[pause]

We’re addicts.

[laughs]

Feels damn good!

The Chief gets up and urges John and Ray to follow him outside the hut. John leaves the 45 and all the other gear sitting in the hut.

The Chief calls over the two most beautiful girls, tells them something and then encourages John and Ray to go with the girls. They go strolling off with the girls in wide-eyed wonder.

RAY

So, we died at sea, and, this is heaven.

JOHN

I don’t know what god the Chief was praying to, but I’m a believer.

Big smiles as the four of them walk into the jungle.

INT. PRISON VISITORS ROOM – DAY

J.D., TREY and WOODROW are almost panting, listening to RAY’s story of the island girls.

J.D.

So how long did you get to stay in heaven?

JOHN

We were there almost 7 years. Five years after the end of the war.

Ray boldly looks at John, daring him to dispute his next statement.

RAY

They taught John and me both, how to grow the finest island sin semilla you will ever see!

Ext. ray and johns island — day

RAY and JOHN are in a pot field, culling the male plants. They are dressed as the natives dress; they look fit, tan and happy.

ray

You think we won the war?

john

Pschaeh. If the US won, they’d have found us. So the Japs run Asia and Hitler’s in charge of everything else.

ray

Yeah. Well I’m not leaving here, no matter who finds us.

john

If they find us.

Ray lights a pipe and they head back to their huts.

Ext. john and rays huts — day

Sitting just outside of a hut is a US Navy Officer Nidel. He is waiting for JOHN and RAY to return. As John and Ray come across the clearing, they are smoking the pipe. Nidel stands up and yells to John and Ray.

NIdel

Gentlemen, you have been rescued!

John and Ray cough out the smoke and sputter their responses.

ray

[Coughs]

Holy Shit!

john

God damn.

[chokes]

Could’a scared us to death.

nidel

We won the war! Back in 45!

ray

What year is it now?

INT. PRISON VISITORS ROOM – Day

RAY, J.D., TREY, WOODROW, JUNIOR and JOHN are all laughing about the story Ray was telling. John stands up, ready to leave. John is not embarrassed but he has nothing to say. He shakes Woodrow’s hand.

JOHN

One more trip back to this place. Damn I’m glad you’re getting out of here Woodrow.

WOODROW

The days seem to get longer, the closer I get. But I’ll make it.

RAY

John, you ever hear of Juan Morales? He’s the one that set me up back when.

John lowers his head, thinking. John sits back down to tell the story of Juan.

JOHN

Juan killed Ben Wilkes, a friend of mine a few years ago. Ben was DEA and Juan …tortured Ben Wilkes to death. Let me tell you about Juan. We have records on him dating back to about 1946 …10 years old, selling matchboxes for a dollar.

ext. mexican side of border — dusk

JUAN MORALES (10 years old) is hanging on the street corner, by the Mexican side of the bridge. He is selling matchboxes of marijuana. Americans pass by, going on into Mexico. Juan speaks to each group that passes by.

juan

Acapulco gold, one dollar.

The tourists ignore him for the most part; some smile at the boy, because with his accent, they are not sure what he says. Three carnival workers: Dirty CARNEY, ugly carney and skinny carney are coming across the bridge.

juan

Acapulco gold, one dollar.

DIRTY CARNEY

Can we get a matchbox?

juan

Matchbox? One dollar.

skinny CARNEY

Let me see the matchbox.

juan

Let me see your dollar.

Skinny Carney and Juan exchange the cash for the matchbox. Skinny Carney opens, then sniffs the matchbox and nods his head in approval. The carneys turn to go back to the US.

We walk with the 3 carneys as they start back over the bridge.

SKINNY CARNEY

That kid, getting his hands on Acapulco gold. But you can tell it’s the real thing.

[sniffs the matchbox.]

DIRTY CARNEY

He probably made more today with that dollar, than most Mexican men.

Skinny Carney offers the matchbox to Ugly Carney to sniff. Ugly Carney nods his head in approval and hands it back to Skinny Carney.

UGLY CARNEY

You bought it, you hold it.

Ext. alleyway behind juans house — dusk

JUAN MORALES is running home from his days work on the bridge. He stops behind his very modest house to count his money. He pulls out perhaps 10 or 12 dollar bills and smiles.

He arranges the money, puts it back into his pocket and runs to his marijuana garden at the back of his small yard. At the Marijuana garden, he clips a few buds of pot, enough to make an ounce or so.

He carries the buds in his hat over to a chipped bowl lying on the ground. He throws the fresh buds in the bowl. Juan picks up another bowl of pot which dried in today’s sunshine, pours the dry pot in his hat, smiles and runs in the house.

INT. PRISON VISITORS ROOM – DAY

JOHN interrupts his story, turns to RAY.

JOHN

Ray, when we get through here, I want to talk to you in the parking lot.

RAY

Sure John. I’ve got some things I want to say to you too. But finish the story …Juan Morales.

JOHN

So Juan was doing alright, probably already a millionaire when he hit the jackpot …the Columbian jackpot.

Int. juan morales club in mexico — NIGHT

JUAN is at his desk in his disco club, he has a 9MM pistol within reach. From his office, he can look through a one-way mirror out onto the dance floor and the bar.

Juan is studying the books for the club when PEPE knocks on the door. Juan turns and speaks.

juan

Come in …the door is open.

pepe

Mr. Morales, there are some people here to meet you. They are Columbians.

juan

I’ve been expecting them. Bring them in here, but you and Raul wait just outside the door.

pepe

Yes Mr. Morales

Pepe closes the office door. Juan looks out the window and sees Pepe talk briefly to RAUL, then Pepe talks to CARLOS and REMULDO, the Columbians that are watching a stripper disrobe.

The two men finish their drinks, grab a briefcase and follow Pepe towards Juan’s office. Juan swallows his own drink, and runs his fingers through his hair. There is a knock on the door.

juan

Please, come in.

pepe

Mr. Morales, these are the men who wanted to see you.

juan

Gentlemen, come in. Pepe, you will please wait outside.

Juan stands up and shakes hands with the Colombians.

juan

Welcome to my disco. I hope you are enjoying yourselves.

carlos

Yes, thank you. I am Carlos and this is Remuldo.

remuldo

The dancer, she is available?

juan

Oh yes, I have some nice rooms in the back, and for you, it is on the house.

remuldo

We have heard many good things about you and your organization.

carlos

Our friends tell us you have many friends in the police force and the army.

remuldo

We have many tons of very potent heroin and cocaine.

carlos

… We have no trouble getting it from Columbia to Mexico.

remuldo

And you know when, where and how to move things to the U.S.

juan

But, I am already doing very well, as you can see.

carlos

Well, yes you are.

remuldo

And that is why we need you. We need you to earn fifty million dollars a year. We need you to retire with many ranches, herds of horses … and señoritas, ahh … I want all of them.

They all laugh.

INT. PRISON VISITORS ROOM – DAY

JOHN, RAY, J.D., WOODROW, TREY and JUNIOR all laugh at the story.

JOHN

He did so well, he practically owned the city of Matamoros, had all these teenage whores he kept at his haciendas.

TREY

This is the guy that busted you Grandpa?

RAy

The very same. Looks like they’re about to run us out of here …you said he killed one of your men?

JOHN

Yeah, a good man, Agent Wilkes.

TREY

The same agent who led the bust on the Lion Church?

JOHN

Yeah Woodrow, that agent Wilkes.

TREY

You reap what you sow.

John stares at Woodrow for a second, about to say something to Woodrow. We see the thought leave John’s face and he continues his story.

JOHN

Wilkes and Juan’s organization had a run in about a year earlier …we learned about a border guard taking bribes.

EXT. US MEXICO BORDER — night

RAUL is inching an 18-wheeler up to the border checkpoint. As the truck stops, the inspector comes out of the booth with a jacket on, even though it is summer. Raul opens the door as the HOT GUARD approaches.

HOT GUARD

Everything all right?

RAUL

Got the cash right here.

Raul reaches over and grabs an envelope through which we can see the outline of a “stack” of cash. He hands it to the hot guard who places it in a pocket of the jacket.

HOT GUARD

OK, let me take a walk around.

The hot guard takes a walk, half way to the back of the truck, seemingly to look for signs of trap doors, etc. then briskly walks back to the front of the truck and signals the driver to go on through.

Raul pulls through the checkpoint and into the U.S.

Ext. deserted highway — night

RAUL is rubbing his eyes. Behind him, in the rearview mirror he sees police lights flashing. Instinctively he slows down a bit, and then sees he is going the speed limit already.

The lights get closer and then start going around him. When they get next to the cab, DEA AGENT WILKES uses a bullhorn to call to Raul.

wilkes

This is the DEA! Pull over or we shoot out your tires!

The police car slows quickly just as Raul swerves the rig over to the left, nearly running the car off the road.

cop car driver

Damn, you’re right! This guy plays for real!

wilkes

Been at it since he was 10 years old. He’s got nothing to lose … let’s be careful.

Raul is driving slowly so he can put his hands on his weapons: A Browning 9MM auto and a .38 revolver with a box of shells for each.

wilkes

Pull up about 50 feet behind his rear tires, easy like, and be ready to brake this thing … ease up … ease up …OK, now just hold her steady.

We hear Wilkes fire his weapon. Raul hits his brakes hard. Tons of smoke billow up from the truck. The cop car runs into the rear of the truck.

Because the car turns to the right a little with the hard braking, the left side of the car is crushed, killing the driver. Wilkes ducks down just before impact and is now kicking on the passenger door to get it open.

The door opens, Wilkes crawls, falls out and reaches back in the car for a weapon. He manages to stand, he’s wobbly but he gets his footing and lopes toward the cab of the truck.

Wilkes bends down and looks under the truck, to the other side, looking for Raul. He makes his way to the front of the truck where he sees that Raul ran directly into another 18-wheeler. It is a mangled mess.

INT. PRISON VISITORS ROOM – DAY

RAY, J.D., WOODROW, TREY and JUNIOR are all pulling back from John, thinking of the wreck. The GUARDS are looking at their watches, starting to recommend that people leave the visiting room.

Ray notes the guards behavior and encourages John to finish his story.

RAY

So you still didn’t say what happened to Wilkes.

JOHN

That night, nothing, but the die was cast. Seems Morales blamed Wilkes for Raul’s death. No way to change the perception. He had his men set Wilkes up with a teenage hooker, his downfall in many ways. They kidnapped him.

Ext. desert airstip — night

JUAN MORALES is sitting in his Mercedes talking on his cell phone. Outside, an airplane is taxiing to where the car is parked.

juan

I want you to bring all the men out now! Make sure they each bring at least one thousand dollars. It is getting too loud …

[shouts]

get everyone out here!

The plane stops near the car and cuts it’s engines. PEPE and CARLOS get out the passenger door. They drag out a captive (WILKES) with a hood on over his head. They throw the captive to the ground.

Pepe walks over to the Mercedes and knocks on the window. Juan gets out of the car.

juan

This is the man who killed Raul?

pepe

Much care was taken to make sure.

juan

Let me see his face!

Pepe drags the captive over by the car headlights and tears off the hood, to show AGENT WILKES face to Juan.

juan

Yes, that is the man. Take him to the fence, over there.

[points to the fence]

Agent Wilkes begins fighting and Pepe and Carlos drag him over and tie him to the fence. Headlights from several approaching cars begin to light up the desert. Pepe sees the lights and turns to Juan.

pepe

You called for target practice?

juan

Yes. Tonight is target practice, especially for the new men. I must tell Agent Wilkes the rules. Excuse me.

Juan walks over to where Wilkes is tied to the fence. We hear the sound of many car doors slamming, of men talking as they approach the Mercedes.

juan

Agent Wilkes, I want to tell you how we will repay you … for the sin of killing Raul. We will have a contest to see who can keep you alive the longest.

wilkes

Morales, you’ll regret this. The DEA will find you, cut you down like a dog.

juan

Perhaps, but not tonight. We use .22 caliber pistols to make it interesting. If a minute after I shoot you, you still live, I win …unless someone else decides to shoot you …Understand?

Wilkes says nothing. Juan goes back by the Mercedes and gets a .22-caliber pistol out of the back seat. Juan draws a line in the sand and throws a thousand dollars on the other side of the line.

Juan turns to face the assembly of about 30 men.

juan

Remember, if you fire and you do not hit Mr. Wilkes, it’s just more money for the next shooter. I will go first.

Juan fires the .22 quickly and we see it hit Wilkes in the left shoulder. Juan turns to the men behind him, offers the handle of the .22.

JUAN

So, who wants to bet?

Ext. desert sand — night

We see a stack of money on the sand behind the line, 6 inches high and A foot wide. another thousand hits the stack, we hear a shot.

INT. PRISON VISITORS ROOM – DAY

RAY, J.D., WOODROW, TREY and JUNIOR and JOHN are standing. The guards are standing next to them, not saying a word out of respect for John Weiss, because he is retired DEA.

RAY

(trying to involve the guards)

So did you get to waste this fucker Morales? What happened to him? He’s dead isn’t he?

JOHN

Wish I could say we got him. No, he died last year, just like he wanted to. Heard the story from our best informant. He put in a call for his favorite teenage whore.

Int. juan morales bedroom — NIGHT

JUAN MORALES is in his bedroom, with a robe on. He is now 63 years old and he is brushing his hair and sucking in his gut in the mirror, trying to look good.

There is a knock on the door. He puts down the brush, and then snorts a couple of huge lines of cocaine. We note a VIAGRA wrapper on the counter. Juan turns to answer the door.

juan

Please, come in.

The door opens and in walks a beautiful teenage girl. ANNA about 17 years old. She is naked and somewhat shy. She walks in slowly and Juan breathes deeply.

juan

So beautiful.

Juan approaches her and kisses her hard for a few seconds. He then caresses her breasts, lightly. Juan leads her toward the bed.

Anna walks over slowly and sits on the edge of the bed. Juan’s eyes brighten and he takes off his robe, dims the lights a bit and lies down next to her.

anna

What may I do Señor Morales?

Juan lays his head on a pillow and Anna kisses him. He grabs her hair and pulls her face down to where she is “lined up” to suck him.

We see his face as he reaches a quick orgasm and then seems to fall off the other side of the orgasm as he dies, his eyes wide open, a trace of a smile left on his face.

We can see the back of Anna’s head stop moving, she lifts her head and turns to Juan.

anna

Señor Morales?

[concerned]

Señor Morales!?

Anna feels for a pulse, puts her ear to his nose, to see if he is breathing.

anna

[softly]

Oh please God … protect my family!

Anna jumps off the bed and goes running out of the bedroom.

INT. PRISON VISITORS ROOM – DAY

RAY, J.D., WOODROW, TREY, JOHN and JUNIOR are all shaking their heads, not believing how Juan died. The GUARD UNI interrupts the conversation.

UNI

Mr. Weiss. I enjoy hearing the truth from a man with your experience, but if I don’t clear this room now …

JOHN

I understand. We’re leaving.

J.D.

John, Ray, it’s been an honor to meet both of you gentlemen. 2 days and a wake-up …and I’m out of here. Hope to see you on the outside.

EXT. Prison Parking Lot — DAY

JOHN and RAY are approaching John’s car.

ray

All these years, all the bullshit and lies. I never called you up. Never demanded you pull the fucking plug.

john

Ray, please, I did the same thing. I was climbing the very ladder that led us all … to this place.

ray

Can anybody change this? Isn’t this some sort of religious persecution?

John

We’ve got 20 million ”believers” … just in the US. Each one cursed and called a criminal.

ray

Anything we can do about this?

Ray pulls a pipe out of his pocket, pulls out a container and drops a bud into the pipe. He pulls out a lighter.

ray

You’re retired now, just like me. You got too much to lose?

john

(beat)

What the hell! Senate drug panel meets in about 2 weeks. I’ll call Senator Johnson!

Ray fires up the pipe, offers it to John.

INT. RAYS LIVING ROOM — DAY

The phone rings. RAY answers it and we are able to see and hear both sides of the conversation via split screen or via cuts. TREY is at a payphone in the prison.

trey

Hey Grandpa, it’s Trey. How you doing?

ray

Trey, it’s fixing to get nasty.

trey

Smile old man, it’ll be all right.

ray

It’s scary shit, no matter what.

trey

If it’s so scary, hand this off to Junior; he’s still got strong contacts.

ray

Haven’t been able to reach him since we visited you.

trey

Dad is out “picking” up some cash for my lawyers.

ray

Oh.

trey

Remember where you guys trained me?

ray

Understand. Gotta go.

trey

[Quick]

Give ’em hell!

EXT. Big damn pot patch — evening

This is a large expanse of pot, perhaps a thousand plants. We focus on the foot-trail that runs through the middle. RAY is in the woods yelling.

ray

Junior! … Junior!

We see Ray come out of the woods and start through the pot patch. He stops, looks around and shudders, looking at the felony size plants and yells.

ray

Junior!

We hear brush rustling and then JUNORS’ head pokes through.

junior

Hi Dad, so how’s Trey?

ray

He’s fine. I hope. I’ll tell you all about it, in the car.

junior

Looks like we trained him up right.

[points at pot plants]

ray

Fucking A.

[laughs]

Ray and Junior head back down the foot-trail and into the woods.

INT. PRISON VISITORS ROOM – DAY

The crew, WOODROW, RAY, JOHN, JUNIOR and TREY are gathered around the table. Ray leans in to quietly tell the crew some startling news.

RAY

Big news. John has decided to out the whole fucking US government. Tell the country that the senate is full of liars who learned from generations of other liars.

The crew is stunned. They sit with smiles wide, looking at John.

JUNIOR

Should be a hoot. A regional head of the DEA?

JOHN

Just keep it under your hat. I want to live long enough to make my statement.

WOODROW

So when’s the big day? Damn! I want to be there.

JOHN

Don’t worry Woodrow. The hearings are in two weeks.

TREY

I always heard that the government lied. You know this for a fact?

JOHN

Yeah Trey. They lied …every step of the way. Back in 1937, Anslinger forced all the newspapers to carry these cheesy cartoons that showed black men, Mexicans smoking dope and raping white women.

RAY

Didn’t the DuPont company and the oil companies force their hand.

JOHN

The records in the bureau have a couple of notations about that arrangement. But most of the files were destroyed after the war. But the corporations involvement? …you bet.

INT. Corporate Office — Afternoon

An elaborate, plush waiting room outside of Mr. DuPont’s corporate office. The secretary is typing away. In walks JACK WILLIAMS, factory supervisor for the DuPont companies, dressed in a cheap suit. The secretary recognizes him.

SECRETARY

Hello Jack. Mr. DuPont said to send you right on in.

JACK

Thank you Miss.

Jack walks on in and enters an even more fantastic office, walks across the large office to DuPont's desk, stands in front of it and waits while Mr. DuPont finishes up some paperwork. Mr. DuPont finishes, and then looks up at Jack.

DUPONT

Jack, it’s so good to see you. Please have a seat.

JACK

Thank you sir.

Jack sits down in the beautiful guest chair.

DUPONT

Jack …I want those pulp processors rolling off the factory floor, right away.

JACK

(surprised)

You expect the pulp processors to gain favor?

DUPONT

I’m going to tell you something that cannot leave this room. I trust you with what I’m about to say.

JACK

Certainly, Mr. DuPont. I am your servant.

DUPONT

Our process is a fine workable process, but it’s not as cost effective, not by a long shot, as the hemp decoriator machines. And they produce a better grade of paper.

JACK

Ahh. That’s why your friend, Mr. Anslinger fights so hard …for hemp prohibition.

DUPONT

I knew you would grasp the situation. The chemical and oil concerns are backing me 100%. We will not lose out to a weed!

INT. PRISON VISITORS ROOM – DAY

The crew, WOODROW, RAY, JOHN, JUNIOR and TREY are gathered around the table. Trey looks like he is going to explode, Johns’ story has made him mad.

TREY

John, why hasn’t anybody told the truth before?

JOHN

Nobody wants to be the devil. To stand up for junkies and fiends. It’s a lose, lose situation.

TREY

Did congress lie about it too?

john

They slam dunked the tax law through the house. Practically no debate.

JUNIOR

How easy was it? How easy to reverse?

JOHN

After nearly 75 years, it won’t be that easy to just reverse it. The bureau has some records to show what actually happened. You see, after DuPont decided what he wanted, they decided to route the bill through the house ways and means committee, the best place possible to railroad a bill.

INT. House Ways and Means Committee Meeting — day

About 8 or 10 congressmen are sitting at a conference table. Noted as present McCORMACK, MUNCH, WOODWARD, VALAER, SAM RAYBURN and VINSON. We are coming in during the middle of a conversation.

McCormack

Is it a harmful drug?

Munch

Any drug that produces degeneration of the brain is harmful.

McCormack

And the continued use of it, as you have observed the reaction on dogs, does it result in the disintegration of personality?

munch

Yes, so far as I can tell, not being a dog psychologist.

McCormack

Thank you Dr. Munch. You have been very helpful.

McCormack shakes Munch’s hand, thanks him and turns back to the conference table.

McCormack

Gentlemen … gentlemen … I know it’s late, but in the little time left, I would like to get the AMA take on this marijuana bill and then we can put this day behind us … and have a drink. Bring in Dr. Woodward.

Dr. Woodward is brought in the room while a mild buzz of noise erupts from those attending the meeting. Dr. Woodward approaches the head of the table.

McCormack

Dr. Woodward, it’s been a long day. Make this brief if you would.

WOODWARD

Sir, I have been instructed by the board of trustees of the American Medical Association to protest on behalf of the association against the enactment of HR6906.

Woodward looks up to see if they are listening.

Woodward

Since the medicinal use of cannabis has not caused and is not causing addiction, the prevention of the use of the drug for medicinal purposes can accomplish no good end whatsoever. The American Medical Association knows of no evidence that Marijuana is a dangerous drug.

valaer

Doctor, if you can’t say anything good about what we’re trying to do here, please leave.

VINSON

We are sick of hearing you.

INT. PRISON VISITORS ROOM – DAY

JOHN is continuing his story to WOODROW, RAY, JUNIOR and TREY.

john

So, they didn’t much like the truth …from day one. They told Doctor Woodward to hit the road. The day they voted the bill through the house, a hot Friday in August; they barely had a quorum.

INT. House of Representatives, Wash DC — day

It is a Friday, August 20 at 5:45 PM, before A/C and people are fanning themselves and many of the congressmen are packing up their papers to leave town; not really paying attention to the proceeding.

pan to the clock on the wall, the time is 5:45.

DOUGHTON

I ask unanimous consent for the present consideration of the bill, HR6906, to impose a transfer tax upon certain dealings in marijuana.

CLERK

HR 6906, The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937!

SNELL

Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I do not know anything about the bill. Is this a matter we should bring up at this late hour of the afternoon?

RAYBURN

… If the gentleman will yield, I may say that the gentleman from North Carolina has stated to me that this bill has a unanimous report from the committee and that there is no controversy about it.

SNELL

What is the Bill?

RAYBURN

It has something to do with something that is called marijuana. I believe it is a narcotic of some kind.

SNELL

Mr. Speaker, does the American Medical Association support this bill?

VINSON

Their Doctor Wentworth (sic) came down here. They support this bill 100%.

SNELL

Mr. Speaker, I am not going to object but I think it is wrong to consider legislation of this character at this time of night.

pan back to the clock, time is now 5:47, WE HEAR a gavel.

INT. PRISON VISITORS ROOM – DAY

The crew, WOODROW, RAY, JOHN, J.D., JUNIOR and TREY are all listening to JOHN

JOHN

So they railroaded it just like they wanted to …two minutes of so called debate. The senate passed the bill without even one word of discussion. Just sent it through.

RAY

I heard that in Texas, they told even bigger lies when they passed the state laws.

JOHN

Yeah. I saw one bit of testimony …they had no medical experts. They just told jokes like: “Give one of these Mexicans workers a couple of puffs on a marijuana cigarette, he thinks he’s just been elected president of Mexico, and starts out to execute all his enemies.”

The whole crew gets a good laugh.

TREY

With bullshit like that, the laws are still standing? You’re taking a big chance John. Standing up to the whole U.S. government.

RAY

It’s a bigger chance to stand up to the corporations. They’ve got the most to lose.

John

When I first signed on with the DEA …it was the FBN back then, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, I looked up the first bust in the files. It was in El Paso, a city ordinance to keep the Mexicans in line. They first used it to keep from paying a young Mexican the wages he was owed.

TREY

Anything for a buck.

JOHN

The sheriff’s report reflected a strong dislike for the marijuana law. Ask them today? They love it, still keeping Mexicans and blacks in line.

WOODROW

Dad, you just be careful. I’ll see you in D.C. next Monday.

Int. senate hearings — day

JOHN is seated at the table, ready to testify before the drug panel. Seated next to him is JUNIOR. The CHAIRMAN is looking at John very suspiciously.

CHAIRMAN

Let’s get underway. John Weiss, a former regional head for the DEA says he has a short message he would like to present at this time. The chair recognizes John Weiss.

INT. PRISON — DAY

TREY and perhaps six other inmates are sitting and watching CSPAN. They cheer when they see JOHN WEISS on screen.

john

[TV]

“Hemp is invaluable as a medicine.” That scandalous statement was made by George Washington to the congress of the United States. For the past 100 years, this country has been living a lie. I have been living a lie and I know that each one of you is living that same lie.

The prisoners erupt in jubilation at John’s words.

Int. senate hearings — day

john

You, and I are responsible for the false imprisonment of millions of people. We have forced a segment of our society to live as criminals. We tortured them for their beliefs and threw them into one of our ever increasing number of prisons.

JOHN takes a drink of water. There is a buzz in the chamber. The Chairman calls an AIDE over and hands him a note. He sends the aide away in a hurry.

john

There already exists a growing number of public servants who believe as I do. Men and women who risk their reputations and future to battle this deception that eats away at our society. We have created a massive number of criminals whose main sin is laughter. Who are these criminals? Our own children. Our brothers and sisters. Our neighbors.

INT. TREY’s PRISON — DAY

Trey is smiling; his friends are calling over more inmates to watch CSPAN.

Int. senate hearings — day

John

Our neighbors in Canada have the nerve to say their pot laws are unconstitutional. Their Supreme Court demanded the legislature write a new law, which protects the rights of medicinal users. They decided to do without a law.

INT. TREY’S PRISON — DAY

Trey and friends cheer, then go silent as the feed for the proceedings is cut. The TV goes blank. The prisoners yell for someone to turn it back on.

Int. senate hearings — day

Lot of murmuring in the chamber. CHAIRMAN steps up to the microphone.

CHAIRMAN

We want to thank you for coming in today. Our next wit …

john

I’m not through Mr. Chairman.

The chairman sees the aide come back into the room. The Chairman sits down.

john

We export our misery to all of these drug-producing countries, worldwide. Many European countries have already seen the folly that is built into the U.S. policy. But here in the U.S., we have continuous battles. Not many battles that you can see. These battles are about religious beliefs, medical needs, human rights. They are fought one house, one family at a time.

chairman

Mr. Weiss, are you aware we have only allotted 5 minutes for your presentation?

john

Yes, I am aware. Ladies and gentlemen, this marijuana is so high priced. We have created a ridiculous situation! The value of this simple plant, designed by God to just grow like a “weed”, increases to the point that ten bushels might be worth a half million dollars. The marijuana laws are a farce. Created out of ignorance and greed. I won’t spend a lot of time listing the names of the greedy … at this point in time.

John take another drink then glares back at some of the senators, the chamber is abuzz.

john

Years ago, a radical thinker once said: “Prohibition attempts to control a man’s appetite by legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. Prohibition strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded.” The radical? Abraham Lincoln.

The chairman stands up and approaches his microphone.

CHAIRMAN

Your five minutes are up.

John looks at his watch.

John

No! I’ve got another couple of minutes. Thank you.

CHAIRMAN

We have a lot of people that want to testify, so if you please.

John

All right. So, in closing, Ladies and gentlemen, what we have is a war that we cannot win, because we, the government, are the bad guys.

John looks around the room, with a happy look for a second.

john

Our citizens know that you are in bed with companies that can only thrive in a world where hemp is illegal.

The aide hands the chairman a note to read, then they both smile.

john

So, that’s it. I’m asking you ladies and gentlemen to do without the contributions of your Fortune 500 buddies. Trust in the future. Judge people by what they do, not by what someone once said they might do.

John is beaming. The gallery is exploding with applause. The chairman is standing at his microphone; waiting for things to die down before he speaks.

John starts to leave the witness stand, then leans over to his microphone.

john

Please, can I say one more thing, please, let me talk.

John looks back at the gallery and uses his arms in a “lower the curtain” motion to ask them to restrain themselves.

john

You gentlemen were not there when these laws were designed. Some of you were not there when many of these laws were ramped up to their current levels.

JOHN (cont)

But you gentlemen are now holding, … holding a bag full of lies, greed and corruption for the men who designed these heinous laws. It’s time to call for a special investigation on this matter. If this bag of lies is in your possession, your political stance and in the way you vote. Ignorance, in this case, will not lead to bliss.

The gallery explodes again and John sits back down to enjoy the moment.

ext. us capitol building — day

JOHN and JUNIOR are leaving, headed for their limousine. Reporters are trying to ask John questions. Junior is running interference for John.

WOODROW is their limo driver, RAY is in the car. MEG WATSON is one of the reporters wanting an interview.

MEG WATSON

How can you justify your statement? Your own son was just released from prison for marijuana?

junior

Go to this website …

[hands her a business card]

that’s how you can get your answer.

They arrive at the limousine and Junior opens the door for John, lets him get in, and then turns back to the crowd of reporters. Throws a hundred business cards out into the crowd.

junior

Contact this web site: legalize‑hemp.org. Tell us how you can help us!

Junior gets in the car with John. They drive off, leaving the reporters frothing.

Int. senate hearings — day

The CHAIRMAN is taking his place at the podium again.

chairman

Ladies and Gentlemen, please excuse the freak show we were all forced to witness. Obviously Mr. Weiss is not feeling very well … he does need help.

INT. PRISON — DAY

The feed for CSPAN comes back on. TREY and the prisoners gather near the set again.

chairman

[TV]

At this time, I would like to call to the stand, our current and focused head of the DEA, Doctor Roger Marion

The prisoners all boo for DOCTOR MARION.

roger

[TV]

I am glad to be here at this particular juncture. Not often I get the chance to refute so many lies. First off, we have worked with many of those afflicted with disease, to enable them to get their medical marijuana. We are not the criminals.

[TV] Roger takes a drink of water.

roGER

[TV]

To my knowledge, there was never any “agreement” between members of congress with a corporation or any group of corporations to criminalize hemp, marijuana or whatever you want to call it. I take great exception to his statement that we destroy families, that we torture people we arrest.

Some of the prisoners jump up and shoot the “bird” at the screen.

roger

[TV]

My men are all highly trained, taught to honor the rights of every individual. I think we all know that without men of purpose, men and women who work together to stop this drug scourge, we would be nowhere!

Trey shoots two “birds” at the T.V. image. The prisoners boo and hiss.

INT. SENATE CHAMBER — DAY

roGer

Marijuana is psychologically addicting, but most importantly and the facts are very clear. Many more heroin addicts, cocaine and LSD addicts started on marijuana, than did not.

Int. rays house — night

WOODROW is alone at the computer, reading email. JUNIOR and JOHN walk in the room.

Junior

We getting any offers?

woodrow

Some fairly generic requests, nothing that I’d bet our lives on.

john

I feel like I dragged you guys into this … mess.

John hands Junior and Woodrow each a small slip of paper.

john

Hang onto this, if for any reason I’m not around, dig there and …share what you find with the whole world. Understand?

Woodrow stares at his dad for a second.

woodrow

You already spilled the beans. Why would they want to take you out now?

JOHN

Woodrow, the documents. Maybe they can still save their asses.

RAY

Let’s share the information tonight, now! It’s taking a risk for seditionists.

JOHN

Some of them want to stand up for freedom. I want to give them a chance to save face.

RAY

(getting angry)

Once a politician, always a politician. Right John?

The computer chimes. Another email has landed on Woodrow’s desktop.

WOODROW

It’s from CNN. Junior, I think it’s the lady you were talking to outside the limousine?

junior

Meg Watson? She’s for real.

woodrow

What do you think of her Dad?

john

We could do worse than her.

woodrow

She wants to do an interview, live, no punches pulled, guarantee us three minutes of our own after the interview. Nine o’clock Monday.

JOHN

Did she send her phone number?

woodrow

Yes she did.

john

Give me the number.

woodrow

I’ll print her email.

john

[Yawns]

I’ll call tomorrow. I’m going to bed.

Int. JOHNS Bedroom, RAY’S HOUSE — Morning

We are looking into John’s bedroom through an open window. We hear a KNOCK on the door and we go through the window. Another KNOCK, the door opens.

WOODROW has come in to wake up JOHN who is lying on his stomach with only part of the sheet over him.

WOODROW

I remember when I was a kid, you had the same trouble. Come on sleepyhead

Woodrow shakes John’s bed to rouse him.

woodrow

We’ve got a lot to do before tonight. Come on Dad!

Woodrow’s face turns absolutely pale. He goes to the head of the bed to wake John after he notices a slight bloodstain on the sheet, underneath Johns arm.

woodrow

Junior! … Junior!

Woodrow bends down to John, to feel for a pulse. JUNIOR comes through the door.

JUNIOR

Yeah Woodrow. … John?

Woodrow is aware that John is dead; he leans down to hug John and begins to sob.

junior

Woodrow? Not John … noooo!

INT. PRISON DAYROOM – DAY

TREY is sitting by himself at a table. He is playing solitaire and watching TV. We watch TREY for a moment.

We hear the newsman break the story about John Weiss’ death.

TV

(O.C.)

We interrupt our regular programming to report on an astounding casualty of the drug war. AP reports that John Weiss, a former administrator for the DEA was found dead this morning of a heroin overdose. His body was found at the home of Ray Weiss a known drug dealer.

Trey is crumpling the cards he was holding. He is trying not to cry.

INT. Johns home office — day

WOODROW is on the phone with CNN. RAY and JUNIOR are in the room listening.

woodrow

Miss Watson? This is Woodrow Weiss, son of … yes … yes we do … I understand … we will be there.

Woodrow hangs up the phone and turns to Ray and Junior.

woodrow

She says she’ll put us on for a few minutes, near the end of the program … it’s all her agenda. The network had already promoted it, so they’ll do it but there’s not much enthusiasm.

junior

Her agenda?

RAY

DEA agenda is more like it. Let’s get ready.

Int. tv studio

WOODROW and RAY are seated on MEG Watson’s left; the drug czar ROGER Marion and his associate JAY ITO are on Meg’s right side, sitting at a huge round table.

The make up person finishes with Megs hair, walks away. The director counts down the time.

director

Three … two …

[points to MEG]

INT. TREY’S PRISON — NIGHT

TREY and 100 prisoners are watching the program. All are gathered close, keeping quiet to hear the show.

meg

[TV]

We are here with Woodrow Weiss, son of John Weiss, the recently deceased, former regional head of the DEA.

Ray leans in to tell Woodrow something. Ray puts his hand in front of his lips to cover his words.

meg

[TV]

We are privileged to also have in our studios Doctor Roger Marion, the current head of the DEA. Woodrow, first of all I want to offer you my sentiments for the recent passing of your father.

woodrow

[TV]

I want to get to the point, the reason why we’re here. Otherwise, his passing will be in vain.

meg

[TV]

Doctor Marion, what do you feel is the point?

roger

[TV]

Obviously, it’s to rectify what could become a desperate situation … the poisoning of our children’s minds.

ray

[TV]

Hate, lies and murder are all right? Hemp is the root of all evil?

Trey gives a hoot, all the prisoners are ecstatic.

trey

That’a way Grandpa!

roger

[TV]

Between these two, they have spent more than 40 years in federal prisons for importation. Ray’s grandson is currently incarcerated for a massive growing operation.

trey

Up yours’ pig!

INT. TV STUDIO

woodrow

100 years of reports, saying it’s not a dangerous drug, yet the DEA continues the charade. They sully the name of an herb?

roger

Woodrow, why is it you want to rush things so fast, at all costs.

woodrow

Yeah, a hundred years and I’m rushing?

JAY ITO

We all know that marijuana leads to the use of hard drugs. We have to maintain the laws to prevent that from happening to our young people.

ray

Please tell me, where will our young people be most likely to pick up a bag of heroin? In a regulated cannabis shop? From a plant grown in his own back yard? Or, as it is now, from a dealer of unknown moral values?

jay ito

There are effective alternatives. The benefits of marijuana can be provided through injections, a rapid delivery system.

woodrow

Thus preventing the patient from regulating his dosage according to his own needs. By varying the amount he smokes, a patient can regulate, using his own perceptions just how much he needs, something your magical rapid delivery system will never be able to do!

INT. PRISON — NIGHT

The prisoners are jumping up and down, rooting for WOODROW.

roger

[TV]

By labeling marijuana as medicine, we would send the wrong message to teenagers.

woodrow

[TV]

The message sir, is that the government lies about cannabis every day. The children know this for a fact!

(getting agitated)

Why do you persecute the religions that use cannabis for a sacrament?

roger

[TV]

There are few religious cults in America that claim marijuana as their sacrament.

woodrow

[TV]

So, because there are very few churches, not cults, that are willing to profess their beliefs publicly, it’s all right to persecute them? American Indian tribes, my church, some Buddhist sects, Hindu sects, a thousand other sects and millions of people worldwide worship the plant, the smoke or a god associated with the plant.

The prisoners are pounding on the metal tables, even more ecstatic.

INT. TV STUDIO

roger

The US government must take certain steps to ensure our country’s security, and this is just such a case. If we legalize marijuana for any reason, then what’s next?

ROGER (cont)

(looks directly at Woodrow)

Heroin?

WOODROW looks ready to split ROGER apart. RAY places his hand on Woodrow's arm, which seems to de-fuse the “bomb”.

INT. PRISON — NIGHT

TREY

Such compassion. Lying, murdering leeches!

meg

[TV]

Just over a minute left. Woodrow anything else you want to say?

woodrow

[TV]

He was killed by someone involved in the drug business. Probably by contract killers hired by the senate or a group of rogue cops or any of the millions of people that have compelling interests in keeping our drug laws as they are. When the DNA tests are complete, we’ll have a chance to learn who did this.

ray

[TV]

We need to legalize all types of cannabis! To free it only for religious or medical purpose still leaves us with the Gestapo breathing down our necks.

The prisoners yell their agreement.

INT. TV STUDIO

meg

John Weiss will be buried tomorrow at Arlington National cemetery.

MEG turns to WOODROW.

woodrow

The service is at 1 p.m. In lieu of donations to charity, please … bring flowers.

Meg looks puzzled by Woodrow’s last comment.

meg

Hopefully this “hemp” problem can be resolved some day. Thank you, good night.

ext. lincoln memorial — night

JUNIOR and WOODROW are walking behind the Lincoln memorial and are looking around to see if they are being followed.

As they come around the corner, to where the grass starts, Junior steps off five shoe lengths and pulls a large bladed knife from his coat. Woodrow keeps watch while Junior bends down and stabs it in the ground.

We hear a CLUNK. Junior quickly digs out a small steel box. He puts in under his coat and stands up.

junior

Let’s find a scanner …and a modem.

woodrow

Fight city hall …with a flower.

EXT. arlington national cemetary — DAY

WOODROW has on his Lion robes; he is joined by BROTHER LAVA, by the BISHOP and CHIEF RED PONY in conducting the services for John Weiss. There are many people here to bury John.

RAY and JUNIOR are behind the clergymen. There are plain clothes and uniformed cops around, government agents as well. Workers are lowering Johns’ coffin down into his grave.

TV trucks, crews and cameras from many of the networks are all over the place.

woodrow

My father knew that you are important, that each one of us is important. And today, what is most important to me is that we know in our hearts that the same men, who even now are trying to kill the spirit of what John Weiss was doing, murdered him. Bishop Fatagli?

bishop

I have known John Weiss for over 50 years. I know he is not an addict. He put on this respectable mantle, and tried to be there for his country. He was a wonderful man, who will be sorely missed. … Brother Lava?

brother Lava

Woodrow, I am so sorry for you. But even more, I am sorry he will not be here to lead us in the quest to free marijuana from the hands of evil. Chief Red Pony?

chief

Many years ago, John Weiss came to our Church, to see a Peyote ceremony. John reported the truth. The peyote button is not the devil, it is our sacrament, a part of nature and we are now allowed to practice our religion as we see fit, thanks to John.

INT. PRISON — DAY

Everyone in the prison is watching the proceedings. There is a complete hush over the place as they all listen in. TREY is up close to the TV.

chief

[TV]

I have observed your society. I will report to my people that we should not police the marijuana smokers, if they wish to practice their religion on our land. I pray that your government will do the same.

[TV] BROTHER LAVA pulls a pipe bowl out of a pouch, CHIEF RED PONY pulls the pipe stem out of a second pouch. They put them together.

WOODROW pulls a large bud out of a pouch, tears off a large chunk and puts it in the pipe. The cops that are gathered around get big eyes and get on their radios.

woodrow

[TV]

The lord made all living things. He said we should not condemn what goes into a man, but that we should observe that which issues forth from a man.

TREY and his friends are watching in amazement.

EXT. ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETARY — DAY

WOODROW holds the pipe out in front of the group of clergymen. The BISHOP pulls out a lighter, lights it and fires the bowl for Woodrow. Woodrow takes a Zaltic Lion hit, through his nose, hands the pipe to CHIEF RED PONY.

Woodrow walks over to look down in the grave at his father’s coffin. He releases his smoke. Cameras are catching each movement.

woodrow

In later times, some shall speak lies in hypocrisy commanding to abstain from that which God hath created.

Woodrow pulls the marijuana bud from the pouch he is carrying. He bows his head for a second, then throws the bud into John’s grave.

woodrow

That’s the service. I want to thank each of you for being here, to honor John Weiss, my father.

Woodrow turns to walk away from the ceremony. The police have instructions now and they step forward to arrest Woodrow. As they do, BROTHER LAVA steps to the graveside.

The cops grab Woodrow’s arms, but pause to watch Brother Lava.

INT. PRISON — DAY

The prisoners are booing and pissed. TREY tries to calm them down so the TV can be heard.

brother Lava

[TV]

And the Earth brought forth grass and herb yielding seed and God saw that it was good. Genesis, Chapter one.

[TV] Brother Lava now pulls a bud from his pouch and throws it into the grave. Again the police step forward to arrest Brother Lava.

Prisoners are throwing miscellaneous items at the TV set, booing.

[TV] RED PONY steps forward, looks to the sky and begins to pray.

chief

[TV]

I dreamed that God was planting a perfect world. The leaves of the trees like spirits filled my nostrils.

[TV] Red Pony pulls a bud from a pouch and throws it in the grave. Again, the cops step forward and arrest Red Pony.

Some of the prisoners are trying to tear metal chairs out of the cement floor. A riot is near at hand.

EXT. ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETARY — DAY

The BISHOP approaches the grave; the cops get on their radios again. The Bishop pulls a bud from his pouch, throws it in the grave, then the Bishop prays.

A cameraman steps in for a close up.

BISHOP (C.U.)

God makes the earth yield healing herbs, which the prudent man should not neglect.

The police begin to step forward to arrest the Bishop. JUNIOR and RAY step in front of the cops and quickly go to the gravesite.

Junior

Thanks John. This won’t be in vain. Lord help us to succeed.

Junior throws a bud into the grave. Ray steps up to the gravesite. The cops are looking bewildered. We hear the sound of sirens, cops arriving.

ray

Who’s going to lead us now? …Navigator.

INT. PRISON — DAY

[TV] RAY throws his bud into the grave. Additional cops step up and arrest Ray and JUNIOR and the BISHOP. The cops take all six prisoners toward waiting police cars.

More booing from the prisoners. TREY speaks to no one in particular.

trey

Score one for the almighty dollar.

EXT. ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETARY — DAY

There is a building intensity from the mourners. J.D. is feeling apprehensive, takes a deep breath and steps forward from the mass of people and approaches the gravesite.

J.D.

Lord, help us to forgive those who persecute us.

J.D. pulls a pound of buds from under his coat and pours it into Johns grave, smiles, turns toward the cops. J.D. puts his hands out in front of him, as if asking for the cops to cuff him.

Because of the amount of dissent that is being voiced by the crowd of mourners, the few uniformed cops left don’t immediately cuff him, but turn to talk to the Sergeant.

Whole groups of people begin to step up to the gravesite, each one repeats a small prayer.

Each then throws a bud, some throw ounces or pounds pulled from under their coats or from various bags, into the grave and walk away.

We are now able to look above the crowd, to see that there are thousands of people at this service.

INT. PRISON — DAY

[TV] The TV coverage breaks away for a quick side story. ANCHOR comes on screen.

anchor

[TV]

We want to break in for just a few seconds, to report on some stunning revelations.

[TV] We see pictures of individuals walking up to City Hall steps, saying a prayer and leaving a bud on the steps.

Groups of people with Bibles are joining hands, singing hymns and praying in front of police stations all across the country.

The people at city hall and at police stations are acting boldly, facing down the stares of police officers and sheriff deputies to place their buds and say their prayers.

anchor

[TV]

In most major cities across the nation, an outpouring of religious fervor is suddenly appearing. Millions of people are leaving marijuana buds on the steps of their local city hall.

anchor

[TV cont.]

Prayer vigils are taking place in front of hundreds of police stations as well. …We will have more following the services for John Weiss.

The prisoners are slapping each other on the back. TREY is leading a small circle of prisoners in prayer.

EXT. Police cars parked AT cemetary — MORNING

The cops approach their cars with BROTHER LAVA, WOODROW, the BISHOP, CHIEF RED PONY, RAY and JUNIOR in custody. We see the DETECTIVE get a call on his radio. He talks for a few seconds then turns to the officers.

detective

The DA says to hold up.

[listens to the radio, looks at cuffs on clergy]

Get the cuffs off NOW!

The officers look very happy and unlock the cuffs.

Brother Lava, Woodrow, the Bishop, Chief Red Pony, Ray and Junior push through the crowds to get back to the gravesite.

As they break through, they see that John’s grave is now more than full with pot buds, that a mound many feet high and several yards wide now covers that area of the cemetery.

Thousands of people are still walking past the grave, saying a prayer and tossing buds onto the pile. The clergymen, Ray and Junior gather at the head of the grave again.

BISHOP

Believers, it’s a glorious morning, a day to rejoice in God’s work.

BISHOP (cont)

[looks to the sky, as if reading scripture]

And the leaves of the trees … shall be for the healing … of nations.

Our shot pulls upward and away from the graveyard, showing a hundred thousand believers coming to John’s grave.

FADE OUT:

The End

(After Credits Roll this Wrap Up Scene)

FADE IN:

Ext — pot patch — day

CELEBRITY HEMP/MARIJUANA ADVOCATE is standing in the middle of the patch. Dignified smile on his face. He holds up a voter registration card.

CELEBRITY

I know sometimes there seems to be few reasons to vote. But I’m asking all of you … please register and vote for freedom.

Celebrity is holding up a bud in one hand, a voter registration card in the other.

celebrity

One hand washes the other.

Celebrity now holds up only the bud.

celebrity

Tell your parents, your grandparents … tell your adult children about the movement to return cannabis to the wild and to industry. Tell them how many times they had a normal conversation with you, after you enjoyed some wonderful cannabis. Then they will know the danger is in the corporations … not the people. Tell the truth … and the truth … will set you free.

FADE TO BLACK:

SUPER: legalize-hemp.org