Wine Mama (36)-The Business Of The Business

Kirk Carter@ WGA Copyright 2013

WINE MAMA (36)

THE BUSINESS OF THE BUSINESS

INT: FBI CENTRAL OFFICE-SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA-CHIEF LARRY O'BRIAN'S OFFICE

O'BRIAN RECEIVING PHONE CALL FROM DETECTIVE MIKE BROWN OF THE MODESTO SHERIFF'S OFFICE

O'BRIAN

"Morning, this is O'Brian, how can I help you?"

BROWN

"Good morning sir, this is Detective Mike Brown, Modesto Sheriff's Office, was inquiring about a possible get together, just the two of us, kind of private?"

O'BRIAN

"In regard to?"

BROWN

"Regarding some accusations, some rumors...in regard to Detective Smith..."

O'BRIAN

"What have you got, anything pressing, time sensitive?"

BROWN

"I'd really rather not discuss this on the phone, but if we can meet, ah...I can provide you with some details on tying in some allegations being made against the department...I can assure you sir that our integrity is being challenged here, and it's not fair, so I just wanted to set some things straight  okay?"

O'BRIAN

"So, this is centered around one bad seed, like drawing everyone else into the mix?"

BROWN

"Well it's drawing the whole department into the fray, it's just starting to get in the way of our efficiency  our cases are backing up, and I'd like to get it fixed before things get out of hand!"

O'BRIAN

"Well what do you think my agency can do?"

BROWN

"I assure you sir, it's singular in nature, she's being self-serving, we had no choice but to play along, I would like you to put the screws on this if you can...anything would help at this point!"

O'BRIAN

"I see, well I can meet you at, let's see...how about the Modesto Airport at the Starbucks, say first thing in the morning...ah, eight o'clock good?

BROWN

"That's perfect, thank you so much sir, I'll see you then, bye!"

HANGING UP PHONE, WE PAN BACK TO SEE TABLE FULL OF TAPED RECORDINGS AND ZIP DRIVES WITH SMITH'S NAME ON THEM

(scene switch)

INT: BRIAN'S HOUSE-KITCHEN-5 PM

BRIAN HEARS DOORBELL AS HE PUTS LID ON GIANT POT OF GUMBO

OPENS FRONT DOOR-SEEING JAMES

BRIAN

"Hey James, good to see ya buddy!"

JAMES

"Yea, heading back to L.A., just wanted to stop by and let you know I was on the road."

BRIAN

"Well at least come in for a second..."

JAMES

"Man, it smells good in here, what ya cooking?"

BRIAN

"It's my version of smokey steak gumbo, up for a bowl?"

JAMES

"Sounds like a plan..."

(15 MINUTES LATER)

JAMES

"Man...that was some good shit, you ought to patent this stuff!"

BRIAN

"Yea, it's pretty addicting, part of the new menu...selling like hotcakes, too!"

JAMES

"So, I wanted to ask you...what's with the business deal...we still on or what?"

BRIAN

"Yea, we still on, but we're gonna see how the grape harvest pans out...hopefully we can get a little money going, have you been looking for any investors down there in L.A.?"

JAMES

"I'm asking around, but everybody is holding on their money, just a lot of talk!"

BRIAN

"Like I've been saying man, you got to be in the business, to be in the business...that's just how it works..."

JAMES

"Well, you know, I did a lot of promoting, met a lot of people, but that was a while back."

BRIAN

"Yea, but that was then, things are always changing, you need to be in the business...as in currently, keep focused on brushing up against the people with the money, letting them see your Love for the business, people aren't going to lend you money if they don't see your passion!"

JAMES

"Oh man, I don't know about working on a staff, you ain't got no control on anything, people just telling you what to do and shit!"

BRIAN

"Look, I own the Gator Tail and you'd think that I could just sit back and fart off, but I'm a slave to this place, just another pawn, it's all a team effort, my customer's are my bosses, they have the final call...that's why I'm always killing myself coming up with new menu's and everything, got to keep going in different directions...it's true I own it and make good money, profits good, but just like this Port Vodka thing...it's got to work...I have way to much money invested in this, ya know?"

JAMES

"You got the girl, too!"

BRIAN

"Yea, but she was there for the ride, she had her own problems, we sort of helped each other out, but that's another case in point, I'm still wondering how any of this happened, like it was destined or something, just really weird!"

JAMES

"Don't freak out, I guess ya just got lucky on this this thing, it can happen!"

BRIAN

"Yea, well I was almost dead, both of us, all these people literally killing themselves over this property, blows my mind, you have to ask yourself if it's really worth all the hassle?"

JAMES

"Shit, I'll take it off your hands if it's really bugging you?"

BRIAN

"Thanks for the vote, I'll keep you in mind!"

JAMES

"Anytime man, I'll be here to help out..."

SANDY CALLING ON PHONE

BRIAN

"Hey girl?"

SANDY

"Hey boy...what's up?"

BRIAN

"Just shooting the shit with James before he heads back to L.A."

SANDY

"Just been thinking about you, is that alright?"

BRIAN

"Anytime, you can even come over and see me in person if you'd like?"

SANDY

"Sure, I'm glad you have room for me!"

BRIAN

"Always..."

SANDY

"Give me fifteen minutes?"

BRIAN

"I'll give you ten, James isn't much fun..."

SANDY

"I get it...I'm on my way, bye!"

HANGING UP PHONE

JAMES

"I'm...no fun?"

BRIAN

"Yea, you don't own a vineyard and I'm just not attracted to you...what so ever!"

JAMES

"I'm really crushed man, really!"

BRIAN

"Don't take it personally, you've got your swag going, but I'm really in to the ladies, sorry dude!"

JAMES

"That's not what I mean..."

BRIAN

"Then what?

JAMES

"That I'm not fun!"

BRIAN

"Well, you do have your moments...sorry if I offended anyone, but Sandy's coming over and L.A. needs you!"

JAMES

"Now your throwing me out the door, she must be something special..."

BRIAN

"Indeed...have a safe one back, I'll be in touch!"

scene close