SMOKE AND MIRRORS
INT. OFFICES OF ATTORNEY GENERAL ROBERT MACNAMARA: WASHINGTON D.C - DAYTIME
General Taylor Stanfield leads Senator Jack Turner, Dan Goins, and a staff-member down the corridors of power. General Taylor is in uniform. Dan and Senator Taylor are dressed in business suits and look very neat and self-important. Only the staff-member is suitless; his tie askew; he carries a briefcase and seems harried and disheveled. He is much younger than the other men.
They enter on open area and are met by a fifth man – Senator Hilry Helms, and they shake hands all around, with exception of the staff-member, who merely nods at Senator Helms. General Stanfield again directs the way.
They traverse a lobby area, and approach a secret service agent, in a gray suit and sunglasses, standing beside a large oak door. He nods at the gentlemen and opens the door. They enter a spacious room.
Attorney General Robert MacNamara is sitting at his desk. General Stanfield, Senator Turner, Dan Goins and Senator Helms stand in front of his desk. Dan Goins snaps his fingers at the staff-member and the staff member lays the briefcase he has been carrying onto the desk. With a key, he unlocks it and removes papers. He hands the papers to MacNamara. MacNamara picks up a pen. He looks at the first paper and sets his pen down at the bottom of the page. He hesitates, appearing to be reading.
A shrill sound is heard on the soundtrack, growing in velocity, soon followed by an explosion. MacNamara signs the paper. He picks up a stamp and as he does so, the shrill sound rises again. He raises the stamp into the air and …..
EXT. A JUNGLE IN VIETNAM: NIGHT
A small army infantry unit of six men is running down a jungle path under the sound of an approaching mortar shell. They dive for cover as the shrill noise ends in an explosion. A body flies through the air. It lands, bloody and disfigured.
INT. ROBERT MACNAMARA’S OFFICE
General Stanfield and Dan Goins are laughing loudly.
The staff-member is sitting on a couch. His arms are crossed, one hand holding his head as if he has a headache.
Robert MacNamara signs his name to another piece of paper. Again the stamp rises into the air. And as he smacks it down, a loud BOOM is heard.
EXT. A JUNGLE IN VIETNAM
Two members of the infantry unit are attempting to carry a wounded soldier. They are very young looking soldiers – one black and one white. The black man has the wounded soldier mounted clumsily on his back and the other soldier is attempting to help him from behind as they stumble forward. They are frantic. Smoke has drifted around them as gunfire resounds in the background. Clumsily, they trip into a small clearing. The wounded soldier is carefully lowered to the ground. Momentarily distracted, they are suddenly surprised to find three North Vietnamese soldiers aiming rifles at them. The infantrymen look wearily at one another, almost embarrassed. The North Vietnamese open fire.
INT. ROBERT MACNAMARA’S OFFICE
The staff-member is standing at a large window and looking out. General Stanfield, Dan Goins and Senator Turner have displaced him on the couch. Senator Helms is standing next to Macnamara – looking over his shoulder.
The staff-member begins wordlessly singing "In a Gadda-Da-Vida."
STAFF-MEMBER
(air-drumming In-a-Gadda-da-Vida):
Bump, Bump, budda da bump, dump, da da da; Bump, Bump, budda …
DAN GOINS
(to the staff-member):
The Attorney General is almost finished. You can
start collecting the papers.
The staff-member pauses in mid drum-stroke. He stares at Dan Goins. He salutes sarcastically.
Robert MacNamara’s hand is once again raised in the air. The stamp makes a sound: POMP
POMP POMP POMP
EXT. A JUNGLE IN VIETNAM
The wounded soldier is still alive. The North Vietnamese are gone. The soldier is breathing heavily and bleeding profusely. He struggles to maneuver his body and manages to get his head propped up against one of his dead comrades. He reaches down and finds his pistol. He puts it to his head and shoots himself.
INT. ROBERT MACNAMARA’S OFFICE
DAN GOINS
(shaking hands with Attorney General MacNamara)
Well, my work is done gentleman. I’ll be returning home
for business tomorrow. They can’t seem to run things
without me.
SENATOR TURNER
Say Hello to Huntsville for me, Dan. Hope to visit the factory
when I’m down there next time. Tell them to keep cranking out
the ammo. We still need it.
SENATOR HELMS
I’m sorry to bring this up, but I’m not here for a holiday.
I’ve spoken to President Nixon and he agrees we have
to do something about the draft situation if we want to
pretend to be behind his Vietnam policy. Everybody’s
nervous with Hanson and McCluny changing party lines.
It seems like every god-damned Senator has a son of
draft age these days. My own son will be out of college
in June and he’s eligible. We need something effective
as long as the war is certain to wind down.
DAN GOINS
I think we have some ideas in that direction, Senator. We have a
simple mathematical formula that will tie us over.
GENERAL STANFIELD
We’ll be lowering the IQ level deemed inadmissible for
service. Should supply us with enough new faces to allow
Dick to back us out of there.
SENATOR HELMS
Good, good. I need something to carry back to the Senate.
I tell ya, ever since Senator Dadd’s boy came home in a
body bag, it’s been hell to face some of these people.
GENERAL STANFIELD
(to Senator Turner)
Most of the whining is coming from your side of the isle.
SENATOR HELMS
Not anymore General. If I didn’t have confidence in
the president, I would be skeptical myself.
The staff member has his right foot crossed and he pulls off a shoe. He stared into it deeply, as if there is no bottom. General Stanfield is watching him closely.
GENERAL STANFIELD
How come you aren’t serving your country young man?
STAFF-MEMBER
I’ve been called up. Two weeks.
SENATOR TURNER
Called up?
STAFF-MEMBER
Drafted. My Dad’s not a Senator, Senator - he’s a
farmer in Utah.
GENERAL STANFIELD
The service may do you some good, son. Especially
if you are entertaining ideas of future public service.
STAFF-MEMBER
Not anymore. I’m leaving for Canada tomorrow.
General Stanfield is stunned.
ATTORNEY GENERAL ROBERT MACNAMARA
(holding up some papers)
Here it is. The last one. My hand’s got a cramp.
He lifts his huge official stamp high into the air. As it comes down we hear a loud POOM, a long sound that leaves a rippling mystical diminuendo overlapping into the next scene.
EXT. SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA CITY STREET - DAY
A large car is cruising down a Sacramento street. Inside are four members of the Black Panther Party.
EXT. SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA: OUTSIDE THE STATE CAPITOL BUILDING - DAY
Governor Ronald Reagan is meeting with a group of approximately twenty-five Future Farmers of America. Chairs are set up, a podium is set up, and several camera men are recording the event.
They are sprawled on the front lawn adjacent to the Capitol Building. Reagan is flanked by several aides.
GOVERNOR REAGAN
Farmers and farming are a vital part of the American fabric.
Although Californians in the big cities seem to ignore the
fact, farmers in California constitute the …
EXT. NEARBY STREET - DAY
Seven cars are advancing down a wide street towards the Capitol Building. The cars are carrying a group of Black Panthers on their way to the capitol. They are dressed in Black Panther uniforms– black pants, blue shirts, black jackets, berets. Guns can be seen though the windows.
INT. LEAD CAR
BOBBY
Get those guns down. Remember: keep people in line
and be quiet. I’ll do the talking. Eldrige will be here –
Ramparts sent him up as a photographer – but he’s
not carrying a gun.
EXT. CAPITOL BUILDING
GOVERNOR REAGAN
We are here to help the farmers any way we can…(Reagan
notices the group of cars approaching the parking area and
lining up against the side closest to him) … We will not back
down on protecting the rights of farmers. (He sees several
black men begin to get out of their cars and he immediately
pauses and gestures to his nearest aide) What the hell is that?
AIDE
I don’t know. I’ll watch them.
GOVERNOR REAGAN
(continuing)
I, we, uhhh, for the moment the farmer will be protected,
his rights, his rights.
The Panthers start pulling guns out of their car.
AIDE
(alarmed)
They’ve got guns.
GOVERNOR REAGAN
Shit.
Governor Reagan turns and starts running stiffly towards the doors of the Capitol Building.
TOOTIE:
Reagan’s running. Lookie there.
BOBBY
(looking up and smiling)
Stay in line; stay in line.
BROTHER LEON
Look at that cat move. He must think the brothers
don’t like him.
BOBBY
Everybody foreword. Up by me. In line. Come on,
come on.
From the direction that Reagan fled, two policemen are running towards the Panthers. One is a little behind the other. As the first policeman approaches, he reaches down to his holster and unbuttons it:
BOBBY
Okay. Load up.
A thunderous sound of "Claks", Clakking, and loading is heard. Bullets are being shoved down chambers, pumps are thooking, triggers are being pulled as the Panthers prepare to defend themselves.
The policeman sees this and stops suddenly, slipping on the grass.
BOBBY
(to the Panthers)
Keep you guns down. (to the Cop) Hold it right there.
Don’t unholster your pistol or we will consider it
an act of provocation.
POLICEMAN #1
(hesitating, but with authority)
Where do you think you’re going with those god-damned guns?
BOBBY
We have a constitutional right to bare arms you motherfucker.
We are not violating any laws. We’ve come to see that the fascist
legislature does not enact a law restricting the black people
of California without the black people of California observing
what is going on. There’s legislation being …
POLICEMAN #2
(arriving frantically)
What’s going on here. Who the hell do you think you are
carrying those weapons?
The two policemen approach the Panthers cautiously.
BOBBY
(to the Panthers)
Stay cool y’all.
POLICEMAN #2
What are you doing with those weapons? Are you
in charge?
BOBBY
That’s right.
POLICEMAN #2
(to Brother Leon)
Let me see that gun.
BROTHER LEON
(stepping back)
I don’t have to show you my goddamned gun.
BOBBY
These are legal weapons. We’re breaking no law. We are the
Ministers of Defense for the Black Panther Party. Our guns
are for protection against fascist police tactics and …
POLICEMAN #2
Cram that shit. I don’t have to hear that.
BOBBY
(noticing the first cop leaning into his car)
Get your motherfucking pig head out of there. You’ve no
right to be looking into my car for anything. We got the
guns out here. What the fuck you think we left behind?
Doughnuts?
POLICEMAN #2
We’ve got a right to ask for your ID asshole. Let’s see
some ID.
BOBBY
(holding up his ID)
Here it is. Now get out of our way. We’re going into
the assembly.
The Panthers line up behind Bobby and Leon in groups of two. Their weapons are pointed down at the ground or up at the sky. The policemen are conferring. Policeman #1 suddenly breaks off and runs towards the Capitol Building.
A cameraman comes running up.
CAMERAMAN
What’s going on. What’s happening.
BOBBY
We’re going into the assembly. We are members of
the Black Panther party and we’ve come to watch a
session of legislature.
CAMERAMAN
(taking pictures)
Are you going in with those guns?
BOBBY
Yes, and we have a statement prepared.
CAMERAMAN
I can help you out with that.
The cameraman turns and runs towards the capitol building in the direction the policeman and Reagan have run.
TOOTIE
This is a fuckin’ ace. We got camera coverage.
BROTHER LEON
We gonna be on TV.
TOOTIE
Wish Huey were here.
There’s a general consensus among the Panthers, who now total 14, that Huey is missed.
BOBBY
There’s Eldridge.
Coming down the sidewalk is Eldrige followed by a small group of reporters and cameramen, including Camerman #1. They start taking pictures. They are followed by a small group of policemen.
POLICEMAN #1
(shouting)
Okay, everybody stop right there.
BOBBY
You ain’t stopping nobody. We are exercising our constitutional
rights to watch a session of the legislature. Get out of our way
you fat fucking fascist motherfucking pigs. (Waving his hands)
Out, out, out.
The Policemen form an impromptu line in front of the marching Panthers.
BOBBY
(to the cameramen)
Take pictures. Show everybody we are marching peacefully
and these pigs are trying to stop us.
The Panthers halt.
BROTHER LEON
Are we under arrest? You fucking fat bastards. Cause
if we’re not under arrest, you better get your asses
out of our way.
The cops are silent.
BOBBY
(loudly)
Okay, if we are not under arrest, your blocking us is a violation
of free access to public property. If you insist on staying there
we have no choice but to move through you. Let’s go.
The Panthers move forward and break through the cops who scurry around in different directions. Flashbulbs are popping and reporters are yelling questions. Sirens are heard. Soon they are all running up to the doors of the Capitol. Cop cars are screaming to a halt on the pavement in back of them.
Eldridge, breathing heavily, his camera swinging at his side, runs up to Bobby.
ELDRIDGE
I’ve found another door. Nobody’s guarding it. Goes
straight up the stairs.
BOBBY
(briefly considering)
You get the brothers together quietly and when you
give the word go for the doors. We’ll distract them here.
Bobby surveys the scene. The cops are lined up against the entrance way in a thick phalanx.
POLICEMAN # 1
If you advance further with your weapons – you will
be arrested.
BOBBY
(loudly)
Okay. We need a volunteer to see if this arrest things
for real. Everybody can see we are not provoking the police.
BROTHER LEON
I’ll do it. I’ve never been arrested.
TOOTIE
(incredulously)
Never been arrested?
UNNAMED PANTHER
Shit, you never been arrested?
BROTHER LEON
No man. I don’t know what happened.
TOOTIE AND UNNAMED PANTHER
(in unison to Bobby)
Let him do it.
Leon backs up, points his rifle to the floor and moves forward. He pushes up against the cops, but can’t get through. He backs up and tries a different angle. He back up and jumps up trying to get over the body of police.
Suddenly there is a commotion and a group of Panthers are high-tailing it around the side of the building. As the cops descend on Leon, Bobby breaks away and follows them.
INT. THE CAPITOL BUILDING STAIRS
Eldridge is in the lead and Panthers with guns, along with a few newsmen, are scurrying up the stairs.
As they break into the open on the second floor, government workers scurry in several directions and newsmen flash bulbs.
INT. THE STATE ASSEMBLY
The legislature is in session and a speaker holds the podium.
SPEAKER
We choose these troubled times to pass legislation that
protects people from the violent minority. This law is
necessary to …
INT. OUTSIDE THE DOORS OF THE ASSEMBLY ROOM
The newsmen back through the doors leading into the main assembly room and the Black Panther come in after them. They are are on the main floor of the assembly.
SPEAKER
What’s going on here? There are cameramen on the floor.
Camera’s are not allowed in the Assembly. Let’s get some
order in here.
On the floor Bobby pulls out a long piece of paper.
BOBBY
(into the cameras)
We are here to say today that the State Legislature of California
no longer represents the interests of Black people in California.
We are here to read our own legislation. We are here to protest
the unprovoked murder of our people in the streets. I have a
proclamation we will read in which The Black Panther Party will
address the Black People of America. (Reads) Executive Mandate
Number One: The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense calls upon
the American people in general nd the black people in particular to
take careful note of the racist California Legislature which is now
considering legislation aimed at keeping the black people disarmed
and powerless at the very time that racist police agencies throughout
the country are intensifying the terror, brutality, murder and
repression of black people…
EXT. THE CAPITOL BUILDING
Policeman #1 is talking to an ominous looking man in a black suit.
POLICEMAN #1
(urgently)
Just tell us what the hell to do.
BLACK SUITED MAN
Arrest them.
POLICEMAN #1
Arrest them for what?
BLACK SUITED MAN
Just arrest them. For any reason. Make sure they
are taken in. All of them. Every single one.
EXT. THE CAPITOL BUILDING
The Panthers are filing out of the building in great spirits. They run towards their cars and start loading their guns through the windows. Cops are following them and more cops are waiting by their cars.
Cop #1 walks up behind UNNAMED PANTHER #2. He pulls a gun from the Panther.
COP #1
You’re under arrest.
UNNAMED PANTHER #2
What for?
COP #1
Carrying a concealed weapon.
BOBBY
That weapon was not concealed.
COP #1
I didn’t see it at first. Then I saw it.
BOBBY
That’s bullshit.
As Bobby moves over to the Panther, COP #1 bumps into him.
COP #2
(walking up to Bobby)
You’re under arrest.
BOBBY
What the fuck for?
COP #2
Interfering with an arresting officer.
There is a general protest as the Panthers start to get mad.
COP #1
Everybody here is under arrest. Intimidating officers in the
process of making an arrest. Illegal assembly.
BOBBY
(loudly)
Okay, here comes the bullshit everybody. If they tell you
you’re under arrest, give them your guns. It’s okay. Huey
will get us out.
Two cops are walking into the crowd, guiding Brother Leon, who has been handcuffed.
BOBBY
You did good Brother. You’re from Texas ain’t you?
LEON
Yeah. Yeah. I was raised with the honkeys.
BOBBY
Black Panthers are going nationwide. We could use somebody
like you in Texas. What do you think? You could be head of the
Texas chapter of the Black Panther Party.
LEON
Please man. Please. Don’t do that to me. Anywhere
but Texas.
EXT. HARSTON, TEXAS – EARLY AFTERNOON
There is a bright sunny sky shining above a small town square in Texas circa 1967. A crowd is slowly filing out of a movie theater. An old style movie marquee reads "Tarzan and the Valley of Gold." A mixture of people emerge: a few couples, a few solitary individuals, but mostly punctuating the crowd are young white kids. At the tail end of the line three teenage black kids file slowly from the doors of the movie house. They are laughing and boisterous. One of the black kids, Forrest, is carrying a huge cooking turkey wrapped in see-through plastic; the two other black kids, Cecil and Darrel, soon flank him on either side.
DARREL
Cecil was scared, Forrest. In that part where the execushners
circled that ugly fella and put him at the stake - Cecil ‘as hiding
his eyes.
FORREST
Cecil went to the bathroom four times.
CECIL
Did not.
FORREST AND DARREL
(together)
Did too.
CECIL
Wasn’t scared. Had ta go."
FORREST
(laughing and hoisting the turkey to his shoulder):
You was scared peeless. You couldna peed if ya wanted
to. Huh, Darrel?
DARREL
Peed his pants maybe. Look kinda wet.
CECIL
Are not.
DARREL
Is too.
CECIL
Liar.
DARREL
Scardy cat.
CECIL
Forrest, what you gonna do wit dat mess.
It’s getting’ warm, bleedin’ down your back.
FORREST
Takin’ it home.
CECIL
How you gonna lug a twenty pound turkey
five miles. Be stinkin’ for you get to the crick.
DARREL
Yeah, you should give that bird to us Forrest.
It’ll be ruint fo’ you get it home.
FORREST
I won the raffle. It’s mine.
CECIL
Well good luck. I say you don’t make
it to the crick.
Darrell and Cecil split off from Forrest. Darrell turns around, walking backwards, and waves at Forrest.
DARREL
See ya tomorree at school, Forrest.
EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN - DAY
Forrest is sweating. He is passing the edge of town and he is growing tired. At an old ramshackle, wood-built corner market, with an faded sign that reads "WILLSONS AND SONS MARKET," Forrest pauses and sets the turkey down heavily on the front steps below the cluttered store porch. Forrest lifts his hands in the air and stretches his muscles.
FORREST
(to himself, breathing heavily):
I can’t make it. Too heavy.
Forrest wearily sits down on the steps. He puts his hands to his face tightly and pushes the sweat from his face up into his hair. Forrest is unaware that Jack Foley, a tall, lanky white man has come out of the front door of the market. Jack leans against a decrepit washing machine and observes Forrest.
JACK
Where’d ya get that turkey boy?
Immediately scowling, Forrest turns slowly and looks up at Jack. Forrest sticks his nose up in the air with noticeable sarcasm and doesn’t answer.
JACK
I asked you a question boy. It ain’t polite not
to answer. Where’s yer manners.
FORREST
(under his breath):
Damned cracker.
JACK
(looking mad):
What’d you say? I thought I heared you say somethin’
bout somethin’. You want a cracker? Crackers is in
the store.
FORREST
(turning, with exasperation, adamantly):
It’s my turkey. I won it at the movie show. (Quieter):
None o’ yourn business anyway.
JACK
(considering Forrest’s answer):
You’re the slow boy aren’t you? Help out at
Senator Helms’s house. I seen you over there.
Forrest ignores him and pokes his index finger into a hole in the toe of his tennis shoes.
JACK
Trouble with you people nowadays. Touchy. Can’t ask a
simple question without gettin’ a bunch of guff. You be
joining those Black Panthers next. (Pointing) See that fella
over there. Bonafide member of the Black Panther Party. Just
asking for trouble passin’ through Harston, like he’s in a big
city. Must think he’s in Californee or something. Preaching
communism and don’t act like he knows it.
On a street corner opposite the market, a black man, in black pants, a turtle neck sweater, black gloves, black beret is standing and talking with a several other black people. He has a batch of small newspapers in his hand.
Forrest, suddenly interested, stands up.
EXT. HARSTON TOWN STREET - DAY
Bicycling down the street on a banana seat bike is a teenage white girl, dishwater-blonde hair flapping in the breeze. This is Jack’s daughter, Mary. Mary’s face is determined and she peddles furiously.
EXT. STEPS OF WILLSONS AND SONS MARKET
Forrest is still watching the action across the street. He is shading his eyes with his hands. Suddenly excited, he picks up his turkey. He starts to step off the stairs, but looking sideways he shows alarm as Mary, out-of-control on her bicycle, slams into him. Forrest, stumbles and falls, dropping the turkey.
The turkey rolls into the street and seems to gather up dust as it rolls.
FORREST
(from the ground, looks up):
Oww, whyn’t you watch where your goin’?
MARY
(pulling the bike aside):
You stepped right in front of me. (Matter of factly) You’re the
Helm’s boy. I seen you over there cuttin’ the lawn. I don’t
know how you can stand it over there. Little Biff and Jody
are so stuck up. My dad wouldn’t work for ‘em if they paid
twice as much as everybody else. Biff’s visiting from college
andhe’s a bigger idiot then before he went.
Jack comes back out of the market:
JACK
(dubiously)
Mary Ann, get your butt in here girl. I ought to
tan your hide. You were sposed’ to be here
an ‘ar ago.
MARY
I got here as fast as I could. Shauntelle kept
me over painting her toenails. I forgot what
time it was.
Forrest, still on the ground, is watching them.
JACK
Well, get in here now. Lesson’s starting in
five minutes.
Jack turns and walks back into the store.
MARY ANN
(looking at Forrest):
Better get your turkey out of the street before a car runs
over it. (She turns and goes up the stairs).
Forrest slowly pushes himself up. He brushes off his pants.
FORREST
White people run right over you, knock your turkey right
out of your hands and don’t even say, "I’m sorry."
(He shakes his head in disgust).
Forrest bends over and lifts the turkey. Some of the plastic has fallen away, and he pulls it around with his hand. He gets some turkey grease on his hand, and tries to wipe it on his shirt. He reaches up to his face, and scratches his head, leaving some grease on his forehead.
Forrest studies the bicycle propped near the steps. Then he turns away cradling the turkey in his arms. He waddles crosses the street.
A few people are gathered around Brother Leon. There are three black men and a black woman; also a tall, big-eared white country boy with his short mother. Brother Leon is in the middle of a speech and Forrest begins to pick up the words.
BROTHER LEON
Brothers have to quit beating up on brothers. Negative energy can
be redirected in a way that is not self-defeating. The technological
society uses its power to keep people fighting each other. Keeps
people pent up with anger because of low wages. Marx and Lenin
would be twisting in there boxes if they knew that African American
lumpen-proletariat was risin’ up from nothing to do the work vacated
by the white middle class – rising up from nothing to nothing. It’s
time brothers and sisters, to chose a new direction in America. Right
now the man is locking up our brothers on trumped up charges; no
reasonat all. Throwing us in jail at the slightest provocation. We got
brothers in Joliet, brothers in Rafer, brothers in San Quinten, ain’t done
nothing but stood their ground in the face of unprovoked assault. The
Man incarcerates and throws away the key. Malcom had it right:
educate, unify, isolate, strengthen, rebel.
Brother Leon sees Forrest, a new potential member of his audience approaching. He addresses him.
BROTHER LEON
Hello, young brother. (Continuing) We don’t need our slaveholder
names anymore. We don’t need our ex-slave chains. Call me Leon,
for Trotsky, and add Maxiumus Malice Staggolee Jones. A new
self-image starts with a new name. Cast off the old and create
the new. Rebuild yourself.
Forrest walks up close to Brother Leon. As he does so the white country boy and his mother move closer, which forces him up beside Brother Leon. His turkey begins to drip on Brother Leon’s shoes.
BROTHER LEON
(continuing)
Rebuild your family. Rebuild your neighborhoods. Rebuild
your pride. Rebuild your race.
WHITE MOTHER
Amen.
The big-eared country boy guffaws and repeats:
COUNTRY BOY
Amen.
Brother Leon is momentarily distracted by both the country-boy and his mother, and the dripping turkey, which is held dangerously close to Brother Leon's shoes.
BROTHER LEON
(continuing)
And when that is accomplished we can lift this technological
fascist society up from the foundation and crash it into the
wall. (Again noticing the turkey dripping on his shoes –
he addresses Forrest) Young brother, from whence did
facilitate that dirty old turkey.
FORREST
(suspiciously, but with pride):
Won it at the movie show.
BROTHER LEON
There, brothers, is a perfect example of fascist exploitation.
We do not have to look far, now do we. To this young man
right here. What’s your name young man?
FORREST
Forrest Pumger.
BROTHER LEON
Well, Brother Forrest. Let this be a lesson. The white man owns
the theater, he chooses the movies to run in that theater. Now
none of those movies include our kind, none of the workers
at the theater are our kind, unless you mean the night janitor.
Those movies don’t pay us, or acknowledge we exist, unless of
course we are drunk, or evil, or stupid or stupefied by religion,
or servile and silly. Now why will one hundred of our brothers
and sisters pay hard-earned money for a stupid movie about dumb
servile niggers in Africa. The hero is a white man named Tarzan
who wears a loin cloth – our people did not wear loin clothes, dig
exploration of rich white Germans across the African continent
with their bundles of rich ivory and diamonds being carried by the
indigenous black stereotypes. And we are supposed to like, identify
with, the strong white imbecile in a lion cloth who leads them on,
bellowing after the elephants because he is on some psychic bullshit
level with the animals deeper than the darkees connection who are
there to get trampled by the animals anyway, while the colonialists
rape and pillage and plunder the African continent, Tarzan getting
hisself off on some fine white rich woman who just happened to get
stuck in the jungle and find she likes it there, when Tarzan could have
had at his disposal any of the finest African women known to man –
though the brothers would of course have given him serious shit. It is
there where self-loathing begins. Our attention drifts to the white man’s
idea of morality, ethics, character. While in the background of the movie
the real story in going on. Young Brother, could you please move back
a few steps.
BROTHER LEON
Now the aesthetics of a turkey are many. But the aesthetics
of this particular turkey are few.
FORREST
(wiping at it with his sleeve):
I can wash it.
Nearby, Biff Helms and John Carns have noticed the corner assembly and approach with interest. Biff Helms is a big boy, about 19 years old, with cowboy boots and a Texas style shirt. John is no less tall and wears denim and a cowboy hat. They stop at the outskirts of the crowd and listen.
BROTHER LEON
What I mean Brother Forrest is that the white owners
of the movie theater, spent two dollars and ninety-nine
cents on this turkey, and they attracted one-hundred
paying customers at, how much they charge?
BY-STANDER
Fifty-five cents, just went up, ridiculous. That’s too
much for a stupid Tarzan movie.
BROTHER LEON
Hear, hear. Fifty-five cents times one-hundred people equals seventy-five
dollars. So one hundred people get nothing and one person, Brother Forrest
here say, gets a two dollar turkey. They give away one-hundred turkeys and
that’s seven thousand, five hundred dollars for a two hundred dollar expense.
And it’s only because nobody is paid high enough wages to buy their own
damn turkey that everybody goes and sees these stupid propaganda hate-
mongering pictures. It’s a conspiracy of the bourgeois. Boycott. Boycott
the turkeys, boycott the movies and not only might this lead to cheaper
tickets, it might lead to better movies.
FORREST
(setting down the turkey):
I’m gonna take it home.
BROTHER LEON
And you should Brother Forrest. And you should.
But take one of these papers, my young brother and
read it well.
He hands him a Black Panther newspaper.
BROTHER LEON
In this righteous paper you will find the seeds of the future and
the problems of the past, dig. Until we reach parity in power with
the white dog commensurate with our numbers, we have to fight
for the reigns or be satisfied with the turkey. There will be a time
when our people own our own movie theaters, when we film our
own movies, with our own workers, and pay our workers good
wagesfor good work done. And their satisfaction will be what
they take home with them. In the meantime we have to fight for
what we need, better wages, better job opportunities, better
education, better transportation. (To Forrest) How you gonna
get that turkey home son. Ain’t no buses that run near your
part of town, and I know you don’t live on this side of town.
Ain’t no taxi-cabs that will pick me up anywhere in the state of
Texas that I’ve found, and I’ve gotta be at the airport in one hour.
I’m just passing through.
FORREST
I’ll get it home.
Leon watches Forrest waddle back across the street. He sets the turkey on the steps and sighs.
On the other side of the street an argument is starting.
BIFF
(speaking up and walking foreword):
Are you a Marxist?
BROTHER LEON
Say what?
BIFF
(heatedly)
Are you a Marxist?
BROTHER LEON
Are you a fascist?
BIFF
(growing irritated):
I asked you if you are a Marxist.
BROTHER LEON
And I axed you if you is a fascist.
BIFF
(becoming confused):
I asked you first.
BROTHER LEON
And I axed you second. What kind of second grade bullshit
are you pulling? Do I look like a second grader, honky?
JOHN
(moving up beside Biff)
I don’t like the way you talk.
Forrest is back in front of the market, oblivious to the commotion that is starting. He is studying the bike with the banana seat. He runs his hand over the vinyl seat cover. He puts his right hand on the right handle grip. He looks up at the market door, which is empty.
Across the street, punches are thrown.
EXT. A COUNTRY DIRT ROAD - DAYTIME
Forrest’s big legs are frantically peddling the bicycle with the banana seat up a steep hill. He is precariously balancing the turkey on the handle bars as he peddles. Sweat is running down his brow and he is breathing heavily. He turns off the road and heads down a small embankment leading to a creek. In attempting to maneuver the bicycle while balancing the turkey towards the head of a small wooden bridge he loses his balance and crashes the bike. The turkey hits the ground and rolls down to the creek, where it comes to a rest at the water’s edge. One turkey thigh has broken away and the plastic covering is in even worse shape than it was before. Forrest slips down to the edge of the creek and scoops up the turkey. One of his legs slips into the water and his pants leg gets wet. He climbs back up the bank towards his bike.
EXT. A HOUSING PROJECT - DAYTIME
Little rectangular, faded, red-brick buildings line a small street. This is part of a building development where Forrest’s parents live.
Lanette Pumger, Forrest’s mother, is standing on the front steps, apprehensively watching the street. She is a trim and sprightly women in her forties. Forrest rounds the corner on the bicycle and Lanette steps out into the yard as he pulls up with the turkey. The turkey is in even worse shape than last seen: the thigh is hanging, the plastic is dirty and crumpled and the turkey looks like its melting. As Forrest dismounts and attempts to foot the kickstand in place the thigh-piece falls onto the ground.
LANETTE
(shaking her head)
Forrest, where have you been? And where did
you get that bike?
FORREST
(dismounting)
It’s Darrel’s sister’s. He lent it to me to get this turkey home.
LANETTE
Where’d you get that turkey?
FORREST
Won the raffle at the picture show.
Lanette, satisfied, moves to help him and stoops to retrieve the fallen piece of meat.
LANETTE
Don’t touch me with that thing. I just changed my clothes.
Put it in the sink; it needs a good cleaning.
FORREST
It’s big, ain’t it mama. It’s a big turkey.
LANETTE
Good lookin’ turkey if you get that mess off it.
You done good. Some good eatin’ here.
FORREST
(holding up his hand)
I crashed at the bridge. Hurt my hand.
LANNETE
(concerned)
We’ll get something on that. Forrest, your father’s mad at
you so beware. You were supposed to wash his shirt in
the basin last night and hang it up to dry. He got up this
morning and found it still soaking and he just
about had a fit.
FORREST
(wide-eyed and scared):
I knew I forgot something. I had that feeling all
day long. Shit.
LANETTE
Watch your mouth Forrest.
INT. THE PUMGER HOME – EARLY EVENING
The house is furnished with an old couch, a Formica table and chairs, and a bed in the corner of the living room. It is sparsely furnished but clean. An old television with bad reception sits in a corner of the room flickering and holding a picture with some trouble. Al Pumger is a tall man in overalls and a tee shirt. He is behind the TV set toying with the antennae. When Forrest comes in he stands up straight and momentarily quits fiddling.
LANETTE
Lookie what Forrest done brought home Al.
A turkey.
AL
(with a evil-eye look on his face)
Did he bring me home any dry shirts, because if I
recollect he told me something about putting
me out a dry shirt last night.
FORREST
(chagrined and a little scared)
I’m sorry Daddy. I forgot.
AL
(in a high mocking voice)
I forgot Dad, I forgot. If you weren’t an eighteen year
old nearly grown man I’d make you go out and get me a
switch offa the tree. ‘Bout time we started accepting some
responsibility around here. I oughta whop yer sorry butt.
I had to get a dirty shirt out of the hamper and wear it to
work. Boy I am mad at you.
LANETTE
But look at this turkey Al. Must be a twenty-five pounder
and Forrest brought it all the way from town hisself.
AL
(still skeptical)
Where’d you get that bird Forrest. You better tell me the truth.
FORREST
(sighing, exasperated about the turkey questions):
I won it …
LANETTE
He won it at the picture show auction – you know.
FORREST
Fair and square. Had the right number on the ticket stump.
AL
(studying the turkey):
Well, you lucky boy. We’ll call it even now, but you’re
damn lucky you were gone before I went looking for
my shirt this morning.
Al returns to the antennae and starts moving it around.
LANETTE
Give me the turkey and get washed up. You smell
like a fish.
She pulls the turkey from Forrest’s arms and holding it at arms length, she exits.
AL
How’s that look now? That picture any better? Tell me when it’s
good. I gotta get this thing stable ‘for Ed Sullivan comes on.
The Soo-premes are on tonight. I like them Soo-premes.
FORREST
It’s all scrambled and stuff. All flickering.
AL
I know that. Just tell me when it looks ….
FORREST
(suddenly excited)
Wait, wait. Right there… That’s him. That’s the fella was talking
up in town about the white people, and the technologic society.
That’s him. Turn it up, turn it up.
AL
(Puzzled, comes around and turns it up)
What the hell you screaming about?
The picture has stabilized and Al comes around to watch and turns the TV up. On screen, Brother Leon is being hauled off by the police. He is messed up and sweating, blood streaming down his lip. They push his head down as they shove him into a police car.
NEWSCASTER IN VOICE-OVER
The Black Panther Party who are known for violence in California and Chicago haven’t had much of a presence here. How extensive the party is Texas, we hope to find out.
NEWSCASTER ON TELEVISION SCREEN
Involved in the fracas was Biff Helms, son of well-know Texas Senator Hillry Helms. Witnesses say a verbal argument erupted into a fist-fight instigated by the Black Panther Party member. We’ve spoken to the Senator’s office but there is no comment at this point pending further information.
AL
What’s that all about?
FORREST
He was in town giving a speech on the corner by
Williams’. He asked me about my turkey.
AL
Them Panthers, man, carryin’ guns right out in public
and stuff. Best not to mess with ‘im. What was Biff
doin’ there. Lucky the Brother didn’t stick his ribs.
FORREST
That Panther wasn’t doin’ nothin’, just talkin."
AL
Well, you get washed up like your ma said. You be smelling
bad. Peee yuuu."
Forrest disappears down the hallway and Al goes into the kitchen.
Moving quietly up behind Lanette, Al peers over her shoulder at the turkey in the sink.
AL
That’s a big bird – take care of groceries for a week. How about
we invite Joe and Elly and them over. Have a big meal for the
all of us. We ain’t got together in a while.
LANETTE
Nuff, here for all of us I suppose.
AL
(smiling)
You don’t mind all that cooking?
LANETTE
Save me some trouble all next week with the leftovers.
I don’t mind.
AL
(smiling)
That kid got this thing all the way home from town.
LANETTE
On a little girl’s bicycle. Forrest is going to be sore tomorrow.
I know that for a fact. Make sure he gets to bed early.
AL
Well, he got it home. The boy done good.
Al looks through the doorway towards the television: once again it is flickering uselessly. He sighs loudly.