Wine Mama (54) Heard It Though The Grapevine

Kirk Carter@ WGA Copyright 2013

WINE MAMA (54)

HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE

INT: CASHMAN VINEYARDS-KITCHEN-FRIDAY-6 A.M.

SANDY, BRIAN, AND ARTHUR JUST FINISHING UP BREAKFAST

TELLING ADVENTURE STORIES TO ARTHUR

BRIAN

"So then, the Bear sneaks up behind these two guys laying behind these logs...mind you they're shooting arrows at us with crossbows..."

SANDY

"Yea, and one already hit my leg, so I wasn't real stable to start with...I think Brian was like..."

BRIAN

"Yea, was just being myself, have always had a negative position on being shot by anything, by anyone...so I'm looking around trying to see if anymore of these fuckers are back there!"

SANDY

"Yea Arthur, that's what the problem was...were the other's holding back, holding position  still coming, totally no clue...so as I'm bleeding and start falling down...this all happened really fast, I pull my 45, and just aimed it in the general area of the log and just took a wild shot!"

BRIAN

"She just about blew the guy's shoulder off...I mean, that was a hell of a wild shot, just nailed that dude!"

SANDY

"So now I'm laying on the ground, pain fucking me out of the ying-yang, just watching these guys recocking their crossbows, getting ready to put the arrows in..."

BRIAN

"When out of no where, our security patrol shows up!"

ARTHUR

"You didn't tell me you had security patrols out there?"

SANDY

"Security Bears!"

BRIAN

"Bad ass Security Bears!"

SANDY

"Wearing little gold Bear badges, big white teeth, and toting two front paws loaded with talons that will tear your ass up!"

BRIAN

"So, the Bear comes up from behind this dude, the one I shot...I don't know if he smelled blood or food...anyway, the Bear  just grabs him by the pants leg and starts dragging him out of the vineyard like a rag-doll, over the barbwire fence, I mean, this dude was screaming for his life, as he dragged him across the street and into the woods!"

SANDY

"We never found out who shot the Bear, cause they found the dude with his guts eaten out, the Bear dead...with a Snicker's wrapper stuck in his teeth..."

BRIAN

"How many times must I tell you...remove the wrapper before consumption!"

EVERYBODY LAUGHING

ARTHUR

"Never bored around here, that's for sure!"

FRONT DRIVEWAY ALARM GOING OFF

BRIAN CHECKS VIDEO FEED ON I-PHONE

BRIAN DOING HOWARD COSELL IMPRESSION

"Well...it looks like the Calvary has arrived...and not a minute too soon...the Boys Of Sheffield, Devils In Disguise...come to play with, come to the challenge for bragging rights..to who will keep the grapes...they come to challenge the intellectual dominance of the Cashman Clan, this is World Cup status, this my friends will...simply be amazing stuff..simply amazing..."

SANDY

"Hey, Howard, your voice is making me hungry...I want a Gator Dog and a brewsky...let the games begin!"

ALL THREE WALKING OUT OF THE BACK DOOR, AS A JEEP, A SMALL REPAINTED BLUE SCHOOL BUS, WITH A TRAILER FULL OF TOOLS, SUPPLIES, AND AN OUTHOUSE

THOMSON GETS OUT OF JEEP, WALKS OVER TO BRIAN

THOMSON

""Good morning Brian, how's everybody doing?"

BRIAN

"Being the First Harvest, got the butterflies, not sure what to expect?"

THOMSON

"Now, don't you worry Brian, this is all going to go off without a hitch...trucks will be here in about an hour, we set up the conveyor belt and start loading them up...but right now, we'll get the crew out, get the boxes distributed, and do a quick walk-through!"

BRIAN

"Where do they usually start?"

THOMSON

"From the back, and work our ways to the front, cause you get a lot of dropped grapes, branches, keeps everything from getting tracked around and messy...that Pectin gets all over the place, then the flies come...it ferments, then the drunk birds, then, then, you see what I mean?"

BRIAN

"Oh, did you bring the scale?"

THOMSON

"Yea, they're on the trucks, didn't think, I'd forget, huh?"

BRIAN

"No, no never thought of that!"

(1 hour later)

THE CREW OF MOSTLY MEXICAN WORKERS, EIGHT IN ALL, HAVE DONE A WALK-THROUGH, BEEN BRIEFED, AND HAVE TOOLS IN THEIR HANDS

SOME HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN STARTED, REMOVING THE GRAPES AND PUTTING THEM INTO THE BOXES

BRIAN WALKS OVER TO THOMSON

BRIAN

"Hey, you want to do me favor?"

THOMSON

"Sure, whatcha got?"

BRIAN

"Well, we've got this drifter guy, named Tom, Tom Watts is his name, and we're just providing him a little room and board till he get's on his feet...just to help his self-esteem out, thought a little work couldn't hurt?"

THOMSON

"You want me to hire him?"

BRIAN

"No, no just put him on the crew for the harvest...won't cost us a dime, you know, give him a little self-worth, a little feel for giving back, do you mind?"

THOMSON

"So, he's got papers and I.D.?"

BRIAN

"Oh yea, I checked him out myself, he's been with us for a couple of weeks, real trustworthy , cool guy!"

THOMSON

"He speaks English, too?"

BRIAN

"Yes and Spanish, too!

THOMSON

"Well, bring him over and we'll get him set up..."

BRIAN FLAGS ARTHUR OVER

BRIAN

"Arthur, this is Mister Thomson with Sheffield Wineries...you'll be working with him today!"

ARTHUR

"Nice to meet you Mister Thomson...just to let you know, I've picked over at Taylor's, and some small vineyards over in Napa, so your in good hands!"

THOMSON

"Sounds good, come on over here and I'll get you some gloves and clippers..."

(7 hours later) 

EXT: HUDSON VINEYARD-LAST TWO ROWS OF VINES-3:30 P.M.

WORKERS ARE BUSILY WEIGHING BOXES AND LOADING THEM ON TO THE CONVEYOR BELT  

(scene shift)


EXT: JUST OUTSIDE HUDSON VINEYARD

LIEUTENANT BROWN IS PARKED ALONG ROAD, JUST UP THE STREET FROM ENTRANCE IN AN UNMARKED FORD VAN, WAITING FOR HIS TRIO OF JUNIOR SHERIFF EXPLORER TROOPS TO ARRIVE FROM SCHOOL

HE'S PLAYING WITH THE TRANSMITTING GRAPE RECEIVER

TURNING THEM ON AND OFF

SUDDENLY TOBY RIDES UP TO WINDOW, SCARING BROWN


BROWN

"Hey kid, don't do that, you scared the snot out of me there..."


TOBY

"If I wanted to take you down, it would have been so easy to cut you up...you've got to pay attention sir...your a cop, lot of people want a piece, you know?"


BROWN

"I'll keep that in mind...hey, where are the other two, ah..."


TOBY

"Kevin and Pete...think Keven's doing something with his tire, and Pete making time with his girl!"


BROWN

"Hope he's keeping all this a secret?"


TOBY

"You would think, he's probably already got it on Facebook!


BROWN

"Well...whatever, oh there's Kevin and Pete now, hey guys...over here!"


KEVIN

"Sorry we're late, but my wheel hit one of those potholes and it blew all the air out!"


BROWN

"Yea, that's California, the pothole capital of the world!"


PETE

"I heard that down in L.A., that there's this lady who's care fell into a pothole so deep, that they couldn't get her car out, so she just lives there, all day...just listening to the radio and texting...I think they just throw food down there to keep her alive!"


BROWN

"Yea, that's pretty sad, now gentleman, police work time...I need you three to go over to the entrance of the vineyard and just kind of ride around in circles, like your goofing off...shouldn't be too hard...I'm going to walk up and talk to Mister Cashman, don't look my way...remember, don't look my way, you don't know me...but when I shake my head, you come over and say hello to Mister Cashman, just like your visiting, just try to look natural, like Mister Cashman is an old friend?"


TOBY

"I'm not going to have to drink any milk...am I?"


BROWN

"I don't know what's going to happen, I'll just have to let Mister Cashman know about you three, and what your intentions are and see if he wants to play ball with us?"


KEVIN

"He plays ball, what kind of ball are we playing?"


BROWN

"Pain in the balls, Kevin...it's just a saying, like are you going to work with me, be my freind forever, like being a team player, ya know?"


TOBY

"Kevin's not the brightest bulb on the street, his lens is a little loose and dirty..."

KEVIN JUMPS ON TOP OF TOBY TRYING TO PUNCH HIM


BROWN

"Hey guys, this is police work okay, I know I told you to make it look real, but that's crossing the line...come on, get up...make it real, leave the violence for another time...come on guys, please go over to the entrance and wait for my signal.

THE BOYS FINALLY TAKE OFF, PASSING UP THE DRIVEWAY, THEN BREAKING APART, GOING AROUND EACH OTHER, REALLY MIXING IT UP

BROWN LOOKING APPRECIATIVE AS HE REALIZES THAT HIS IDEA JUST MIGHT WORK AFTER ALL, EVEN IF IT WAS WITH A BUNCH OF GLORIFIED BOY SCOUTS

BROWN WALKS UP THE THE DRIVEWAY TOWARDS BRIAN


BROWN

"Afternoon Mister Cashman, looks like you have the harvest just about finished...been meaning to talk to you?"


BRIAN

Lieutenant Brown, how nice you could drop by, didn't recognize you in the blue jeans, take it we're just blending in here?"


BROWN

"Along with a few surprises, I have the services of three very dedicated Boy Scout Explorers from out Junior Sheriff's branch, would it be all right to have them come in and just sort of do a little after school hanging out...if you get my drift, like they're friends of the family...maybe we could get them some cokes and cookies or something?"


BRIAN

"I like your style Brown, hold on..."

BRIAN GRABS HIS I-PHONE AND CALLS INSIDE THE HOUSE TO SANDY


BRIAN 

"Sandy, could you put some cokes in three separate sacks,  and throw some of those Oatmeal cookies in some zip-locks and come out and meet some Boy Scouts?"

(pause)

SANDY

"You have the weirdest request...that doesn't make any sense at all, but I will do this assuming there is something else going on that I'm not suppose to know or assume...I Love you, I trust you, I will be out right away, bye!"

BRIAN PROMPTING PHONE OFF

BRIAN

"What a girl, caught the premise just like that, she'll be right out..."


BROWN

"Okay, some boys at the bureau wants us to mark the trucks before they leave, so I have acquired a set of transmitting grapes...you just throw them into the top of grapes, one for each truck, and with my receiver, we will be able to track where each load is going or not...pretty neat huh?"


BRIAN

"Well, as a back-up, I have a friend of mine who is on the actual staff of pickers who will attempt to ride back with them to the winery."


BROWN

"And of course, our team of bicycling Explorers following their movements..."

SANDY COMES OUT, BROWN SHAKES HIS HEAD, THE BOYS RIDE INTO THE CARPORT AREA, SHE HANDS THEM THE SACKS, THOMSON BUSY BY TRUCK, PAYING NO ATTENTION TO THE INTERCHANGE OF NEW FACES


SANDY

"How nice to meet you boys, thanks you so much for coming by, did school go well today?"

BOYS JUST KIND OF TALKING OVER ONE ANOTHER


BROWN

"Miss hUDSON, this is Kevin, Toby, and this is Pete...they are Junior Sheriff Explorer's and they will be keeping an eye on the travels of your grapes once they leave here!"


SANDY

"Well, that's awfully sweet of you boys to help out, I can't tell you how much Mister Cashman and myself appreciate this, it is our First Harvest and...

WHILE MISS HUDSON ENTERTAINS AND THANKS THE BOYS FOR COMING, BROWN IS WALKING BACK TO WHERE THE TRUCKS ARE, WATCHING THE LAST COUPLE OF DOZEN BEING WEIGHED AND LOADED

REACHING INTO HIS POCKET, HE TAKES AN ACTIVE GRAPE TRANSMITTER AND FLINGS IT OVER HIS SHOULDER BACKWARDS INTO THE TRUCK 

WALKING OVER TO THE OTHER TRUCK, HE LOOKS AROUND AND REPEATS THE SAME MANUVEUR

WALKING BACK OVER TO GROUP, HE HEARS THOMSON YELLING


THOMSON

"Last box in the hole, let's wrap this bad-boy up!

BRIAN WALKS OVER, LOOKING AT LEDGER


BRIAN

"So, Thomson, what do the totals look like?"

THOMSON LOOKING WORN OUT

THOMSON

"Well, you had a good mix in there, but I loaded 39 thousand, 100 pounds, at a bushel a box..we got 19 thousand five-hundred and fifty bushels..about five hundred shy, but I wouldn't complain, they're not even cleaned yet, but we'll see what you have after they're processed...fair enough?"


BRIAN

"Just for fun, what would market value on something like that be?"


THOMSON

"Well, keep in mind that this hasn't been cleaned, so don't go too ape shit on the figures, but if the market is bearing wholesale at $75 a bushel, you'd be looking at about $1.5 million...give or take!


BRIAN

"Damn, and that's before you do anything to them...that's amazing...okay Thomson, thanks."

THOMSON

"Okay let's roll this up, fold that conveyor up, cover the top of the trucks, hook the trailer back up, I'm sure Mister Cashman has things to do. 

(30 minutes later)

'EVERYTHING READY TO ROLL, EVEN ARTHUR WHO HAS MANAGED TO SNEAK A LIFT ON THE SCHOOL-BUS

EVERYBODY IS ROLLING OUT OF THE VINEYARD

WAVING HANDS

BOYS RIDING AFTER TRUCKS ON BICYCLES

BROWN SITTING IN VAN TRACKING HIS GRAPES

SANDY AND BRIAN OPENING UP A BOTTLE OF PORT

BRIAN

"Well my Dear, we've done about all we can this evening to protect our future...three different avenues of protection...I just hope John was wrong about all this...I would be the first to be the fool and blame myself for my little insecurities..."


SANDY

"And what if you not?"


BRIAN

"Then I'll be the most obnoxious blithering ass hole you've ever seen...you may want to go into hiding for this one, I will chase Thomson out of this town with torches and pitchforks!


SANDY

"Pitchforks...sounds kinky?"


BRIAN

Kinky, I'll show you kinky!"

GRABBING HER BY THE TORSO, SANDY SCREAMS


SANDY

"Wait, wait I was just kidding, I'm all dirty and..."


BRIAN

"Just the way I like my women...dirty with grape stains...but I demand more...more you hear me!"

TAKING HER OVER TO ROW THREE, THERE IS A PILE OF ODD GRAPES IN A PILE

HE BENDS SANDY DOWN ONTO THE PILE, BOTTLE OF PORT IN THE OTHER HAND 

PLACING HIS HAND GENTLY AROUND HER NECK, HE GENTLY KISSES HER 

AS HE LIFTS HER SKIRT AND BRINGS HIS MANHOOD TO BEAR, THE GRAPES BELOW HER START TO SQUISH OUT WITH EACH THRUST


SANDY

"Oh yea, I see what you mean about needing more...I agree, more, more...


BRIAN

"That's right...grape stain woman...Brian happy now!


SANDY

"Grape stained woman ain't doing to bad either...no complaints here..."




scene close

Wine Mama (53) Dropping In For A Visit

Kirk Carter@ WGA Copyright 2013

WINE MAMA (53)

DROPPING IN FOR A VISIT

INT: DC-3-FLIGHT 1776-10 P.M.

CAPTAIN FRANKS

"Put your headphones on, you can sit up front here in the Navigator's seat if you want...this girl makes a  lot of noise when we get her running!"

ARTHUR

"Okay, is my chute ready, think I should put it on now?"

FRANKS

"No, it's almost four hours to Modesto, don't want all those straps cutting off your circulation...after all, you've been uncertified for a while...either your going to make to the ground in one piece or die trying..."

ARTHUR

"Yea, never thought about it like that!"

FRANKS

CAPTAIN FRANKS TURNS OVER ENGINE ONE, SMOKE POURING OUT OF EXHAUST

REVS UP RPM'S ON ENGINE, PROP PITCH NEUTRAL

STARTS UP ENGINE NUMBER TWO, WHOLE AIRPLANE SHUDDERS, AS HE BALANCES OUT ENGINE RPM'S

WHOLE PLANE SHUDDERING

ON INTERCOM, OVER HEADPHONES, ARTHUR HEARS FRANKS

"Check, check...does everybody copy, confirm?"

JANICE-CO-PILOT

"Check, copy!"

ARTHUR

"Check, can you hear me?"

FRANKS

"I hear both of you just fine!"

SWITCHING TO TOWER FREQUENCY ON RADIO, HE TRANSMITS DEPARTURE INFO AND REQUEST PERMISSION TO DEPART

"Break, Aerounion 4776 to tower, requesting permission to depart, runway consignment please, ten-four?"

(PAUSE)

AS CAPTAIN FRANKS THROTTLES UP, TAXING DC-3 INTO NEUTRAL ZONE FOR RUNWAY CONSIGNMENT

ARTHUR PUSHES TRANSMIT BUTTON

"Hey Franks, when was this girl built?"

FRANKS

"Got her in an auction, not even flyable, left wheel damage, hydraulics shot, trims were worn, spent a ton getting her certified...I think she was born in sixty-three!"

ARTHUR

"Got a name for her?"

FRANKS

"Yea, Bertha...pain in the ass Bertha!"

JANICE

"One of the flying butt sisters..."

FRANKS

"Got a find a woman, got find a woman, got find a woman, yea I make fun, but Bertha's been good to me, they don't build 'em like this anymore, that's for sure!"

TOWER

"Break, Aerounion 4776 you are cleared on runway four-seven, pull to yellow line, and hold ten-four?"

FRANKS

"Affirmative tower, 4776 moving to yellow line and holding, ten-four."

10 MINUTES OF IDLING 

AFTER ANOTHER CARGO PLANE LANDS IN FRONT OF THEM AND TAXI'S OFF

TOWER

"Break, Aerounion 4776, you are authorized to take-off on runway four-seven, have safe trip, Juarez tower, ten-six!"

REVVING UP ENGINES, ADJUSTING TRIM, AND FUEL MIX, GOES TO FULL POWER UP, BERTHA STARTS MOVING ONTO RUNWAY FOUR-SEVEN

AS THE DC-3 APPROACHES TAKE OFF SPEED, FRANK PULLS FLAPS AND THE OLD PLANE TAKES OFF, VIBRATIONS CEASE IMMEDIATELY

FRANKS

"She's much happier in the air...less grumbling

JANICE

"Yea, she may be old, but boy, this has one smooth ride...really knows her place!"

ARTHUR

"Man, what are carrying, Clorox?"

FRANKS

"No, just about nine-thousand pounds of prept-out coca leave, your probably catching vapors of the Acetone, it really leaches when you get to altitude, but you get use'd to it after a while!" 

ARTHUR

"Yea, I keep forgetting, this is a freight run..."

FRANKS

"That it is my man...that it is...trying to feed the need for Seattle's growing infrastructure...dirty job...but I take pride..."


JANICE

"But he's committed to the cause's he serves!"


ARTHUR

"The causes's?"


JANICE

"Yea, Bertha, Me, and the State of Washington...a man of a lot of responsibility...but he makes it look easy, takes it in stride, just..."


FRANKS

"Okay, Janice, enough sucking up, concentrate on the check-list please?"


JANICE

"Yes sir!"


FRANKS

"Arthur, this is what happens when you start dating the crew!"


ARTHUR

"Heard that...been there before...many times!"

(4 HOURS LATER)

FRANKS

"Hey Arthur, go on head and put your chute on, I', going off course here in about ten-minutes..."

FRANKS REACHES DOWN AND PROMPTS I-PHONE TO BRIAN

(scene switch)

BRIAN ANSWERING

"Hey Captain, everything good?

(scene switch)

FRANKS

"We don't want to draw attention to anything blatent, so I'm just going to pull my vector over about two-degrees...I've plotted that I should be over the vineyard, so when you jump, go on head and loop back if you need to?"

PHONE STARTS CUTTING OUT, GOING BETWEEN CELL TOWERS

"Sorry about that Brian, I'm a little bit off from any cell towers and you keep going from one to another...yea everythings been good, everybody good downstairs?"

BRIAN

"Yea, got the lights set up...let me call you back from my angle, let's see what happens, bye!

BRIAN PROMPTS CALL BACK AND CONNECTS PERFECTLY

FRANKS

"Hello there my friend, you sound great, everybody been good down there?"

(scene switch)

BRIAN

"Oh yea, we've been holding down the fort, everybody is still alive...so far!"

FRANKS

"Getting ready to kick out that troublemaker friend of yours...you sure you want him?"

BRIAN

"Yea, I guess...if you have to toss the trash out, I'll put it on the curb for you...so what's your E.T.A.?

FRANKS

"About ten-minutes...go on head and lite 'em up!"

BRIAN

"Okay, you'll be looking for some red and blue L.E.D.'s creating kind of a perimeter circle, then you'll see one white spot shining straight up...that's your target, okay?"

FRANKS

"So that's "HIS" target...just to let you know, I'm letting him use one of my delta's cause I'm flying straight through, no altitude changes, airspeed, nothing...just do me a favor, try to fold it up carefully and get it back to me...that's a twelve-thousand dollar chute!"

BRIAN

"Heard that, I'll make sure to ship it back...okay Captain, Sandy is lighting them up now, and I'm doing the flood."

FRANKS

"Yea, I see you a couple of miles in front of me...perfect, just perfect...hey you take care."

BRIAN

"Yea, wanted to thank you again for all your help, take care."

FRANKS

"I'll try to drive down a little later...you can ask me for anything at anytime, be good Buddy, bye!"

ALL OF A SUDDEN THE MODESTO AIRPORT TOWER COMES ON AFTER SEEING RADAR IMAGE AND READING HIS TRANSPONDER NUMBER

MODESTO TOWER

"Break, hailing Aerunion flight 4776, do you copy?"

FRANK WAITS FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN RESPONDS

FRANKS

"Yes, this is Aerounion 4776, I apologize tower, my auto-pilot must have turned off, sorry to get into your air space!"

MODESTO TOWER

"What's your destination 4776?"

FRANKS

"Yes, this is 4776, that would be Seattle out of Mexico City, mail freight...I'm now returning to my course setting, affirmitive?"

MODESTO TOWER"

"That's affirmative, you might want to get your auto-pilot checked when you go in...have a good night 4776, Modesto Tower ten-six!"

FRANKS

"I'll do that, thanks 4776 clear..."

LOOKING DOWN IN FRONT HE SPOTS BLUE AND RED LIGHTS FORMED INTO A CIRCLE AROUND A LONE WHITE SPOT SHINING STRAIGHT UP

FRANKS

"Well Arthur, this is where you get off, have a good one...be careful with my chute, oh...and you be careful, too!"

ARTHUR PULLING DOOR IN WITH A SWOOSH. HE FACES BACKWARDS TOWARD THE DOOR, DOING A CROSS OVER HIS HEART, THEN TAKES A SIMPLE PUSH AWAY FROM THE DOORWAY, COUNTS TO FIVE, AND DEPLOYS CHUTE.

LOOKING AROUND HE SEE'S THE LIGHTS, BUT HE ALSO REALIZES THAT HIS ALTITUDE WAS BIT HIGH AT TWELVE THOUSAND FEET, SO HE IS FORCED TO CIRCLE AROUND TO BURN OFF A LITTLE ALTITUDE

AS HE CLOSES IN ON THE LITTLE CLEARING THAT BRIAN HAS MADE, HE DOES AN OVER-SPIN AND CATCHES ONE OF THE WINGS ON A BRANCH OF A SYCAMORE TREE HOLDING HIM SIDEWAYS, HE STARTS FORCING HIMSELF TO SWING BACK AND FORTH, TILL HE'S ABLE TO GET ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO GRAB A LIMB, AND WALKING WITH HIS HANDS UP THE BRANCH TILL HE'S ABLE TO GRAB THE MAIN TRUNK OF THE TREE

BRIAN YELLS UP

"Arthur, you okay?"

ARTHUR

"Yea, I've got a footing, let me get this harness disconnected...kind of overshot the clearing!

BRIAN

"I thought you were trying to relive some boyhood fantasy of tree-climbing?"

ARTHUR

"Yea, that too!

BRIAN

"Yea, you missed the zone a little, just get your ass down here, we'll go back for the kite later!"

ARTHUR MAKES HIS WAY DOWN THE TREE, TRYING TO JUGGLE HIS ATTACHE CASE, AND FINALLY JUMPING THE LAST TEN FEET TO THE GROUND

BRIAN

"That was a hell of an entrance, you scared me there..."


ARTHUR

"Well, it has been twenty years, just a little rusty, almost forgot what a rush that was like!"

BOTH OF THEM GIVING EACH OTHER A BEAR HUG


BRIAN

So good to see you again, come on into the house, we'll get you a drink...hey, did you have much trouble with the airports?"


ARTHUR

"Not really, but they were very cautious, kind of that twenty question shit!"


BRIAN

"Yea, kind of figured that, but all my Bud's try to make sure your the real deal...too many imposters, snitches...these guys don't play around!"

WALKING INTO THE HOUSE, SANDY WALKS UP WITH A TRAY FULL OF HOT CHOCOLATE


SANDY

"Welcome to the Cashman Vineyards..."


BRIAN

"Cashman Vineyards, when did that come into play?"


SANDY

"Oh, just a little surprise I've been saving, not official yet...until we have the little hitching party, just thought I would break it in?"


ARTHUR

"Congradulations to the both of you...man, what a beautiful  place you have here...especially from the angle I came in!"


(1 hour later)


AFTER THE SWITCH OVER FROM HOT CHOCOLATE TO A COUPLE OF SINGLE-MALT WHISKY'S, WITH SOME GATORTAIL SANDWICHES, EVERYONE IS LOOKING TIRED


BRIAN

"You made good time...look it's two a.m., so why don't you go hit the guest bedroom, try to get us some sleep...picking crew will be here around seven, sound good?"


ARTHUR

"Yea, just curious...why did you Fed-Ex me here anyway?"


BRIAN

"Suspicious situation with the winery...I'm going to suggest to the Foreman to hire you on as a favor...your going to go with the shipment as it leaves here and make sure it get's to where it's suppose to be!"


ARTHUR

"Captain Franks had mentioned that, but I thought "Na", why would he go through all that trouble for just a laborer...now I see the deal!"


BRIAN

"Well you are one of my best friends, even if it was from the past, all these many years, but it's Bud's for life the way I see it...but, it get's worse, reality is showing it's ugly head...your just working..."


ARTHUR

"Yes?'


BRIAN

"You'll just be working for food...I'm presenting you as a desperate drifting border...we just took you in a couple of weeks ago out of the goodness of our heart!"


SANDY

"Yea, we took you in out of compassion, so try dressing down a little!"


ARTHUR

"That's my life, one moment in a beautiful villa...now I'm sleeping on a bale of hay!"


BRIAN

"Sure beats a week on a rusted freighter..."


SANDY

"Yea, show some appeciation or we'll have to ship ya back to the villa!"

EVERYBODY LAUGHING


BRIAN

"Good night Art!"


ARTHUR

"Yea, good night you two!"



scene close

Wine Mama (52) He's A Traveling Man

Kirk Carter@ WGA Copyright 2013

WINE MAMA (52)

HE'S A TRAVELING MAN

BELIZE CITY-GOLDSON AIRPORT-4 P.M. EST

EXT: CAB LEAVING AS IT HAS JUST DROPPED OFF ARTHUR KNIGHT

WALKING UP TO MAIN DESK WITH SMALL CARRY ON ATTACHE

DESK CLERK

"Yes Senoir, English?"

ARTHUR

"Yea, I'm Tom Watts, I was looking for Lee in the executive terminal?"


DESK CLERK

"First, if you departing, you pay thirty-five dollars departure fee first!"


ARTHUR

"Yes, yes of course..."

WALKING OVER TO CASHIER

HE PULLS TWO TWENTY DOLLAR BILLS OUT OF INSIDE POCKET

SHE HANDS OFFICIAL BELIZE DEPARTURE TICKET STAMPED "PAID" TO HIM


CASHIER

"Do you have your ticket or boarding pass, you take just that?"


ARTHUR

"Not yet, I need to get to the executive terminal and see Lee, can you be of help?"


CASHIER

"Of course, I get you ride in courtesy cart, here come valet now!"

BOARDING CART, CASHIER TELLS VALET IN SPANISH TO TAKE GENTLEMAN TO EXECUTIVE TERMINAL

AFTER TRIP TO OTHER SIDE OF AIRPORT, HE GETS OUT AND HANDS VALET THE FIVE HE HAD IN CHANGE, CART SHUTTLES OFF

STANDING IN MIDDLE OF TERMINAL HOLDING HIS CARRY ON HE SPOTS CARGO WINDOW AND WALKS OVER


ARTHUR

"Excuse me, my name is Tom Watts, I was looking for Lee?"


CLERK

"Where you from?"


ARTHUR

"Right outside Belize City for the past year, going to Mexico City, did you want papers?"


CLERK

"No, who are you going to see?"


ARTHUR

"Well, I can't go see anyone till I see Lee!"


CLERK

"No, who do you want to see once you see Lee?"


ARTHUR

"Crap man, is there a Lee here or not?"


CLERK

"I do not know this Lee, till you tell me final part, at end of trip, final destination?"


ARTHUR

"Oh, oh well that would be Buddy in Modesto!"


CLERK

"Okay...alright now, you good but very slow, pick up pace, very good to be careful, that best!"


ARTHUR

"So, can I meet this Lee?"


CLERK 

"Yes you can, you been talking to him all the time...I'm Lee!"


ARTHUR

"Well...you son of a gun, I guess you can't be too careful, right?"


LEE

"Okay, you can give me all your paperwork now, we must work quickly, give me all you have...I'll get you in computer, get boarding pass, you sit!"


ARTHUR

"Do I need to buy ticket?"


LEE

"No, all expenses takin care of, you sit...I'll be back!"


ARTHUR

"Thanks so much Mister Lee, sorry if I was a little slow there..."


(30 minutes later)


LEE SUMMONS HIM TO WINDOW


LEE

"Okay, you take little cart back to departure, show departure ticket, show boarding pass, you do Avionica Taca Flight Four-Twelve to Mexico City, you leave at six-fifteen, get moving, not much time, have safe trip, oh...tell Buddy that Lee say hello!"


ARTHUR

"Sure thing, thanks again!"


(3 HOURS LATER)

AFTER ENDURING MAJOR TURBULENCE, EATING UP AN EXTRA THIRTY MINUTES, TRYING TO EVADE CELLS OF THUNDERSTORMS, THE AIRBUS FINALLY PULLS INTO JUAREZ AIRPORT IN MEXICO CITY

CHECKING HIS PHONE WHICH HAS AUTOMATICALLY TIME CORRECTED THE TWO HOUR TIME DIFFERENCE, HE REALIZES THAT HE HAS TECHNICALLY ONLY TRAVELED FOR AN HOUR

ARTHUR LAUGHS TO HIMSELF

"Now, that's time traveling there...pretty cool!"


(15 MINUTES LATER)

ARTHUR STANDING IN LINE IN TERMINAL A TO GET REQUIRED FMT CARD, AS AN OFFICER IS CHECKING STATUS


OFFICER

"You English?"


ARTHUR

"Yes!"

HANDING HIM FORGED VISA AND PAPERS


OFFICER

"You work in cargo, you go to Hanger G and wait for your flight, okay?"

STAMPING VISA, FMT, AND TRANSFER DOCUMENT

POINTS TO HALLWAY


ARTHUR

"No courtesy cart?"


OFFICER

"All carts busy, you must walk...only quarter mile, you be like race horse and win derby, heh, heh!


ARTHUR

"Man this sucks..."

(15 MINUTES LATER)

WALKING UP TO MAIN AGENT DESK


ARTHUR

"Hello, my name is Tom Watts...looking for Captain Franks coming in from Bogota on Aerounion 4776, a DC-3, is he on time?" 


CLERK

"Why you need to know?"


ARTHUR SHAKING HEAD

"Oh no...not again...look I'm Tom Watts, I'm suppose to be picked up by Captain Franks on flight 4776 on Aerounion!"


CLERK

"You helping Captain Franks?"


ARTHUR

"Yea, yea I'm going with him to do things..."


CLERK

"Wonder what kind of things he have you do?"


ARTHUR

"Could you just tell me when he's showing up?"


CLERK

"Hold on...I check!"


(15 MINUTES LATER)


ARTHUR HAS FALLEN ASLEEP

CLERK TRYING TO WAKE HIM UP


CLERK

"Wake up sleepy head, wake up...your Captain Franks will be here at 9 p.m....many thunderstorms, had to fly around, but everything is okay, they tell him your here, he says he knows you, but still curious as to why you don't know what you will be doing for him...Captain Franks very complex person, do many things!"


ARTHUR

"Well, we go way back... every time I work for him, it's always something different, it's like a big surprise each time!"


CLERK

"I'll bet it is, Captain Franks very interesting man...real G.I. Joe, big man too!"


(1 HOUR LATER)

DC-3 FLIGHT 4776 AEROUNION PULLS INTO EDGE OF HANGER G, A VERY BRIGHTLY PAINTED AMERON BLUE, WHITE, WITH CHROME STRIPING

DECK ATTENDANT PULLS DOOR OUT AND SIDEWAYS, THEN PULLS UP SMALL STAIR RAMP

CAPTAIN FRANKS LEANS HEAD SIDEWAYS EXISTING PLANE, WALKING UP TO CLERK


FRANKS

"Good evening Markus, get her fueled up, check the lube, and take a walk around...look for any burns...think I caught a few strikes out there...nothing this old bird hasn't seen before!"


MARKUS

"Right away Captain...oh yea, your best friend is over there waiting for you!

MARKUS POINTING TO A LINE OF CHAIRS WITH VARIOUS PEOPLE SITTING IN THEM


CAPTAIN FRANKS

"Oh yea, let me go say hello..."

WALKING OVER TO LINE OF SITTING PEOPLE, NOT KNOWING WHAT ARTHUR (AKA TOM WATTS) EVEN LOOKS LIKE, HE STAYS AT A DISTANCE, SOMEHOW KNOWING THAT MARKUS IS WATCHING, JUST SAYS...

"Hey Tom...how was Belize?"


EYES DARTING QUICKLY TO ARTHUR, AS HE TOOK THE CUE, GET'S UP, AND THEY GIVE EACH OTHER A BEAR HUG


FRANKS

"So good to see you again, we'll be laying over for about an hour, need to check for any storm damage to the plane...boy that was a wild ride!"


ARTHUR

"Oh, no rush...never can be too careful!"


FRANKS

"Hey, I'm going over to the Taco Wocko in the courtyard...ya wanna get something to eat?


ARTHUR

"Now that's a plane, my stomach is making it's own thunderstorms!

(scene switch)


INT: TACO WOCKO- FRANKS AND ARTHUR SITTING ACROSS FROM EACH OTHER IN BOOTH


FRANKS

"So, tell me your story...I mean Brian's been a good friend of mine since college, we've done all kind of crazy stuff, but I think this is the first time he ever asked me to divert my vector to Seattle like this...so I'm guessing you must be some pretty important cargo?"


ARTHUR

"Actually, I was sort of hoping you knew something...all I heard was that he had this huge harvest of grapes to deal with...I'm not sure where that puts me, but he has a rush for some reason to have me over, and I don't think it's to pick the crop either?"


FRANKS

"Yea, it's something pretty sensitive, cause he didn't share anything other than to where I'm suppose to be tossing you out..."


ARTHUR

"Yea, I hope my body can handle the stress, it's been a while since I did any jumping out of anything!"


FRANKS

"Don't worry, these are Delta's, forward glide, fairly smooth catch, nothing too earthshaking..you've jumped Delta's before right?"


ARTHUR

Yea, a couple of times...really like the glide factor, steerable, do a turn around if need be...not that I don't trust your target skills!


FRANKS

"Yea, it's pretty much a one shot...don't want to draw too much attention!"


ARTHUR

"Hey, those were great burritos, some good stuff there!"


FRANKS

"Yea...Taco Wocko...rated five farts by the methane counsel!"


ARTHUR

"Yea...Mexico, where you can still get real sugar in your Coke!


FRANKS

"Yea, where you can still get real coke in your Coke...at least in Bogata...come on it's time to go!"


WALKING BACK TO HANGER G


ARTHUR

"Well, if anyone would know, you would...your the real traveling man!"


FRANKS

"I even scare myself sometimes, not to brag, but there is a point where one starts to get too cool!"


ARTHUR

"I was like that, back in the day...had some great successes and some, well...not so much!"


FRANKS

"Like all the crews...they call me G.I. Joe...you know, that really bugs me, to cliche, like being type-cast!"


ARTHUR

"Yea, you need to watch that, otherwise the studios won't give you anymore parts!


BOTH LAUGHING



scene ends 

Wine Mama (51) Ready For Departure

Kirk Carter@ WGA Copyright 2013

WINE MAMA (51)

READY FOR DEPARTURE

INT: GATORTAIL RESTAURANT-BRIAN'S OFFICE-THURSDAY-9 A.M.

GOING THROUGH LAST NIGHTS RECEIPTS, HE STOPS AND PROMPTS HIS I-PHONE CALLING THOMSON AT SHEFFIELD WINERIES

THOMSON PICKS UP CALL

THOMSON

"Yea Cashman, what's up?"

BRIAN

"Just wanted to let you know that we're still on for Friday morning!"

THOMSON

"So...let me guess, you looked around, you saw what was out there, and you are now admitting I was right, right...your not going to get any better deal than me...don't worry, I'll take care of you..."

BRIAN

"Yep, I have to admit...you are the man, the best deal in town, or for the whole west coast from what I can see...so you have your crew and everything ready?"

THOMSON

"Oh yea, couple of phone calls and everybody gets busy!"

BRIAN

"How many trucks you think your going to need?"

THOMSON

"No offence, but you are a small vineyard in the grand scheme of things...should be able to do it with two open-top reefers, load them up with a conveyor belt, should be finished up by five or so...you don't have anything to worry about..."

BRIAN

"So, you weigh this out before it gets on the truck?"

THOMSON

"We just count boxes usually, about fifty pounds each...but if it makes you feel any better, we can throw them on a scale, I'll bring one with me...just for you!"

BRIAN

"Yea, I'd like that, being the first harvest and everything...kind of like them raw numbers!"

THOMSON

"Alright Cashman, no problem I see, glad we're going to be able to work this out...good business, we'll probably be pulling in around seven, so I'll see you there, okay?"

BRIAN

"Sounds good, see ya then!"

PROMPTING END ON PHONE

BRIAN JUST SITS QUIETLY, TALKING TO HIMSELF IN A WHISPER

"Wonder if this is on the up and up...could this all be a mistake...oh no...no that guy from Columbus being promised all that supposedly overflow, it's all in the fix, John knows this scam too well!"

JOHN COMES INTO OFFICE

JOHN

"Hey boss, where's bossy boss?"

BRIAN

"Still in bed when I left...she stayed up all night writing her memoirs or something...either that or she was watching porn?"

JOHN

"She watches porn?"

BRIAN

"It was a joke, I was asleep, I just know she stayed up watching or doing something with her new laptop...give it time, she'll get burned out on it!"

JOHN

"Yea, laptop almost old-school, but I must admit to liking big keyboard...that tap, tap on glass too weird for me...hard to get use'd to!"

BRIAN

"Talk to Sandy, maybe she'll get you one from her rehab center..."

JOHN

"Maybe I do that, maybe I write great novel...so what's up?"

BRIAN

Called Thomson up and suckered up to his great deal...got him to agree to weigh boxes before putting them into truck, other than that, he said he'd have the crew there Friday morning at seven!"

JOHN

"What situation with your best Jesus friend, he going to make it here?"

BRIAN

"Yea, called my buddy up in Seattle, said he could pick him up at the Juarez freight terminal in Mexico City coming out of Bogota ..that dude's a real trip, get's paid real good, small tight syndicate, everybody gets taken care of all the way up the line, keeps his shipments below five-thousand keys, pulls into Seattle, no big whoop, takes a couple of days off, twice a week, pretty sweet gig...oh I'll be getting confirmation on the paperwork out of Belize tonight, it'll all fall together pretty quick!"


(scene switch)


BELIZE

INT: JUNO VILLAS-ARTHUR'S SUITE-THURSDAY-1 P.M.


FINISHING UP BRUNCH, HE GOES TO COMPUTER ROOM, PROMPTING HIS APPLE PRO TO HIS OLD YAHOO ACCOUNT, HE'S SEE'S BRIAN'S MESSAGE OF INSTRUCTIONS

"Okay Tom, around 4 p.m., go to Philip Goldson Airport, pay the $35 departure fee, go to the executive cargo terminal, ask for Lee. Tell them your with Buddy, give him all your paperwork, he'll get you your boarding pass to Mexico City...when you land there, make sure to get your FMT arrival card, stay at terminal one, do not board the red trolley, go to Hanger G at Cargo Terminal and wait for Aerounion 4776 out of Bogota. You can't miss it, it's an old Blue & Silver DC-3...tell them your looking for Captain Frank. Tell him your Tom to see Buddy, he's got certified chutes ready to go. You'll be jumping about 3 A.M.       Good Luck, Buddy

ARTHUR TALKING TO HIMSELF

"Sure beats riding on that long-assed freighter...well here goes nothing!"



(scene switch)


INT: GATORTAIL RESTAURANT-BRIAN'S OFFICE-4 P.M.

BRIAN ON PHONE WITH VENDOR


BRIAN

"Yea, well I really liked those chili sausages...sold out in five hours, why don't you up me about ah...ten cases, and up two boxes on the Canadian bacon, and...


JOHN COMES STORMING IN OFFICE


JOHN

"Boss, Boss, must interrupt!"


BRIAN

"Hold on Smith, my manager is having a shit fit here..."


HOLDING PHONE AWAY

"...what John, world coming to an end?"


JOHN

"We got Modesto Flower Club calling to confirm dinner for seven tonight...I not know this, we not prepared on placement for them...Sandy forget, not write down, what we do, what we do?"


BRIAN

"Call up Kelly's Nursery, get them to throw about two-dozen mixed large potted flowers on a truck and get them down here, throw down the roll of fake grass out in the middle of the employee parking lot, fold out three of the catering tables, unfold the canopy, the blue one...put some lines down, get some of the guys to pitch in...you go slice up some extra prochetto and some cheese, you know, make it look nice, we'll take orders as they are seated...don't forget to circle the table with the flowers, like a wall, maybe one on each table, maybe some candles, make it look warm...oh yea, and turn the back speakers on in the back to the house music, but make sure to keep those channel potted down, just background level, garden girls like to babble, you can do this John, I believe in you!"


JOHN

"That's why you Boss, boss...you so cool under pressure!"  


BRIAN

"Yes, why yes, thank you very much ladies and gentlemen, as they induct me into the Caterer's Hall of Fame, no actually that just comes from years of many surprise moments just like this...now go John...amaze me with your masterful skills and abilities...I have a call to finish!"


JOHN

"Okay, I get started, where Sandy anyway?"


BRIAN BACK ON PHONE TO SMITH THE VENDOR


BRIAN

"I'm sorry Smith, but we're having a family emergency, I'll get back to you later, goodbye..."


PROMPTING PHONE TO SANDY'S NUMBER
  

(scene switch)


INT: BRIAN'S HOUSE-LIVING ROOM

SANDY HAS ALL THE FURNITURE PULLED BACK DOING AEROBICS TO AN OLD RICHARD SIMMONS'S VIDEO

SHE PICKS UP PHONE BREATHING HEAVILY, WEARING ONLY SOME OLD GYM SHORTS, BREAST BARE AND SWEATY


SANDY

"Hey babe, what's up?"

(scene switch)


BRIAN

"Yea, well do you remember a dinner that that was scheduled for seven tonight?"


(scene switch)


SANDY

"Dinner, we're going out to dinner tonight?"


(scene switch)


BRIAN

"No, not us...but a dinner for about twenty people for the Modesto Flower Club?"


(scene switch)


SANDY

"Oh shit, I do remember, what...I guess I didn't file it in the calender?"


(scene switch)


BRIAN

"No, not everyone's anyway...so would you mind, to keep us from going in to shit's creek come over here and help John out a little bit, time's a wasting here?"


(scene switch)


SANDY

"That could take a moment, I'm right in the middle of "Sweatin to the Oldies", I'm all sweaty, need a shower, ah did you want me to waitress, too?"


(scene switch)


BRIAN

"That would be a nice gesture considering everything...just see what you can do, and hurry up, Love you, bye!"


(scene switch)


SANDY

"Love you too, bye!"


(scene switch)


BRIAN ENDING CALL

SHAKING HIS HEAD

"Sweatin to the Oldies", I swear...girl's got a screw loose somewhere..."




scene close

Wine Mama (50) One Squealing Grape

Kirk Carter@ WGA Copyright 2013

WINE MAMA (50)

ONE SQUEALING GRAPE

INT: BRIAN'S HOUSE-HOME OFFICE-THURSDAY-3 A.M.

BECAUSE OF THE TIME ZONE DIFFERENCE, BRIAN'S TRYING TO SEND OUT AN EMAIL IN TIME TO ARTHUR KNIGHT BEFORE HE LEAVES BELIZE TO GET ON A BOAT. HE STARTS TAPPING OUT LETTER.

"Dear Arthur, We've had a bit of change in game plans! It's important to understand that we "NEED" you now. Remember the old days when we use'd to go skydiving in college? Well your going to get a chance to revisit one of your old passions, even if it is just one more time. Point being, is that we need you here now, so I have made arrangements to have you flown direct to an airfield in Arizona. You will first get a boarding pass and fly to Mexico City first. You'll meet up with my friend who has an old DC-3, his destination is north of where I live, but he's willing to veer a little off-course, flying over where my vineyard is, to where you will skydive into our backyard. Don't worry, it's pretty big and I will have it all lit up, so you won't be able to miss us! If you have that old Yahoo address, send me your current info as an attachment, throw in some useless pictures, so there is no attention drawn to the text. I'll need a name and information in regard to your new identification, birthplace, birthday, visa number, tax number, whatever you have going there...my boy's will get you all fixed up in the airline computer. Remember, time is of the essence  so just hold tight, if everything works out, we should have you here early Friday morning! Sincerely, Your Bud

(scene switch)

INT: JUNO VILLAS IN BELIZE-ARTHUR KNIGHT'S SUITE-6 A.M.

HAVING BREAKFAST, HE HEARS MESSAGE PROMPT ON COMPUTER

LOOKS UP AND SEE'S BRIAN'S POSTING, OPENS UP ATTACHMENT

GOES TO RETRIEVE OLD YAHOO ADDRESS OUT OF WALLET

TRIES TO GET ON YAHOO, BUT IT'S TAKING FOREVER TO PROMPT

FINALLY PROMPTS, STARTS TO COMPOSE LETTER

Dear Bud, It's Tom Watts now, that's who I am, my birthday is coming up on November 5th, wow has it really been 52 years, can't believe it, looking forward to seeing the states again, oh that old hillside place 64-998625-A, yea that was fun, along with those girls of D35, and 88907, and of course the 246 out of the island of origination. Hope to see you in Mexico City first, just let me know what lot you'll be in...it's a big landing strip you know. Talk to me, take care, Big Tom

SENDING EMAIL, ARTHUR STARTS TALKING TO HIMSELF

"Hope he's able to decode all that gobblety- goop?"

(scene switch)

MODESTO SHERIFF'S OFFICE-CONFERENCE ROOM

NOW THAT LIEUTENANT BROWN HAS TAKEN THE LEAD POSITION SINCE  LIEUTENANT SHELLY SMITH'S DEMISE, HE IS ATTEMPTING TO ORCHESTRATE HIS SURVEILLANCE STAKE-OUT USING MEMBERS OF THE BOY SCOUT EXPLORERS JUNIOR SHERIFF'S PATROL. IT WAS ALL HE COULD THINK OF BECAUSE OF THE BUDGET CUTS, BUT IT TURNS OUT TO NOT BE QUITE WHAT IT SEEMS
THREE JUNIOR SHERIFF EXPLORERS SHOW UP FOR ATTENDANCE

BROWN

"Okay gentlemen...young recruits, welcome to the first elements, the first step into the world of good police work...the first rule of thumb, when uncovering criminal activity, is obtaining good information, putting the pieces together and verifying all possible leads...so since we are a little short-handed here, the Sheriff's office has decided to let you guys come in and take a shot at this particular case...now shall we get started?" 

EXPLORER #1 HOLDS UP HAND

BROWN

"Yes sir, what's your question?"


EXPLORER #1-KEVIN

"Are we going to be allowed to shoot people?"


BROWN

"No, nothing like that...we are simply going to be vigilent, take notes, and try to be as observant as possible, this about staying aware and making note of anything that looks suspicious!"


EXPLORER #2 HOLD HAND UP


BROWN

"Yes, what's your question?"


EXPLORER #2-PETE

"Are you going to have snacks, something to drink...I could use a Coke right now?"


EXPLORER #3-TOBY BURST IN

"Hey sir...I gotta pee, almost blowin up here!"


BROWN

"Yes, we'll have something a little later, and you son can wait a minute or two...so to get back to the case at hand, we will be monitoring a grape harvesting operation at a small vineyard here in town...your job is to see where the grapes are, where they're going, and try to see where they actually end up...we'll be looking at the procedures, how many trucks, it's pretty simle really!"


EXPLORER #1-KEVIN

"Mister Brown..."


BROWN

That's Leuitinant Brown to you sir!"


KEVIN

"Yea...are we going to get to chase people in a cop car with the lights and siren going nuts?"


BROWN

"No, your going to be undercover, just regular kids on bicycles, coming home from school, just hanging out, only you will be watching for things...it's important that you don't react or stare too much...just be yourselfs and blend in, understand?"


EXPLORER #2-PETE

"When do we get started?"


BROWN

"Friday, after school, about three, three-thirty, by then most of the harvesting will almost be finished...just make sure you all have your I-phones or whatever your using with you...I'll let you meet the couple who owns the vineyard, and just kind of make it look like your just regulars that come by for milk and cookies, okay?"


EXPLORER #3-TOBY

"But, I don't like milk!"


BROWN

"Okay son, we'll make sure to get you a tasty glass of water or something...look everybody, this is serious police work, it will look good on your law enforcement experience, so everybody pay attention, let's not screw this up...I'll be pasing out info on where to meet, and please gentlemen...like I said, this is official police business, it's paramount that you keep this a secret, keep this to yourself's...everybody understand?"

EVERYBODY SHAKING THEIR HEADS


BROWN

"Very good...good day officiers, you are all excused!"


BROWN WALKING OUT OF BOARDROOM

LOOKING UP, HE SEE'S CHEIF O'BRIAN OF THE FBI LEANING UP AGAINST A DESK


BROWN

"Whoa, what a pleasure...didn't expect to see you down in these parts, how ya been?"


CHEIF O'BRIAN

"Just wanted to come down and see how my new lead man was doing...how is the recovery going?"


BROWN

"Well...I have my days, little bit of nerve damage, but Doc says that it should disappear over time...and with Shelly gone, you know...it's not exactly the way I wanted to get a promotion, but I guess God has his own ways of doing things?"


CHEIF O'BRIAN

"Kind of got an earfull of what your trying to do here, and since this falls under ATF jurisdiction, and I know there is no wine yet, there is the oppurtunity to conduct such activities...the bullets to produce it, so to speak...anyway there's your legal side as the bureau see's it!"


BROWN

"Well, it comes down to Cashman apparently making a deal with one of Sheffield's underwriter's, hucksters, whatever you call them...anyway he calls me up out of the blue and asked me to look over his shoulder during the harvest and shipping routes, destinantions, whatever...I mean I didn't want to start raising a bunch of flags till I had something concrete, all hunches here, and the budgets for us are all tight, you know what I mean?"


CHEIF O"BRIAN

"Well, Brown...I appreciate that but we have resources, toys, gadgets, and things that you couldn't possible have access to...that is if you don't ask the right people..."


BROWN

"Yea, look at me with the Boy Scouts...I mean, I don't have a problem with it, but at this point I could use any toys you might have laying around?"


O"BRIAN HOLDS OUT HAND

"Ever seen one of these?"

DROPS OBJECT INTO BROWN'S HAND

BROWN

"Yeah, it's a grape!"


O'BRIAN

"Ah my friend, looks are deceiving...it's actually a coded grape transmitter, good up to two nautical miles...we throw them in the trucks when we want to track shipments...saves a lot of time on location, point of travel, verification...all kinds of things...I'll tell you what, I'll have one of the boys drop you off a system in the morning...comes with three grapes that charge and turn on and off through the skin, through the receiving unit, and the tracking antenna...just please try to get it back to us when your finished...deal?"


BROWN

"Thank you so much Cheif, but what if I lose one of the grapes?"


O"BRIAN

"It discharges and get's discarded eventually...after all, like you said, it's just a grape...we'll make more!"

BOTH LAUGHING



scene close