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[PICTURED: TAKEN FROM REAL HEADLINES, PROMO PHOTO FOR "KINGPIN!" INFORMATION IS KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. Coming soon to NBC. (If you want it to.)]
KINGPIN! - "It's Only Business" (PILOT)
by Zuma Dogg
(EPISODE ONE): LA's RICO-RACKET KINGPIN ALBERT G. (tall, Hispanic gentleman in his early 70's, with all the charisma in the world), was put away in county jail, based on the information, current Mayor of Los Angeles, Mayor Long (tall white gentleman with sliver hair, in mid-60's) exposed, when both were councilmembers, running against each other, in 2005 L.A. mayoral election.
Now, that Albert has been released, he is grabbing his crony-puppet candidate, Ramon (Hispanic from same community, in late-50's) and letting the developers and unions know, he's in it to win it -- and is using the capital equity firm to back his candidate, that the incumbent mayor had to stay away from, since they are know to be "dirty." AND, it DOES get UGLY!
CUT TO: Albert steps out the door of County prison and into a black town car with tinted windows, as the driver burns rubber, down the street.
ALBERT: Where's Ramon?
DRIVER: He's in the Council meeting.
ALBERT: Call him on his cell phone, and tell him to meet us for lunch, as soon as he's done. Tell him, he can bring whatever post-meeting appointments he has with developers and union heads, with him.
[DRIVER picks up phone, while driving and starts dialing.]
Cut to: ALBERT, DRIVER, RAMON and table full of cronies (all ethnicity, aged 40's-70's), sitting at banquet table, in back room of local-hangout, restaurant. Where the REAL city business is discussed and decided.
ALBERT: What brings us here, together, today? After what I just went through, with the current mayor, I think we need a change of administration.
It's not easy to beat a popular, incumbent mayor, when many of you seated at this table, are prospering. But, you also know, the success rate I have had, in city and county elections.
So maybe, one guy was able to slip through the cracks, at my time of weakness. But this time, I will be here, the entire term of the campaign.
And the time is now for, RAMON 4 LA!
[Getting a little boisterous as he starts to stand up, to walk around the room, for all to get up and kiss his ring, on his new anointed mayoral candidate.]
And, since TITANIUM CAPITAL EQUITY is backing our opponent, we'll be going with GOOD WEATHER CAPITAL. Our opponent might not like to sink so low.
[SLAPS HAND ON TABLE MAKING A LOUD CLAP]
BUT I NEVER MIND!
[Everyone laughs and gets up and approaches KINGPIN in celebration!]
[SCENE]
Now that KINGPIN (ALBERT) has announced to developers and unions, he is backing Councilman RAMON for L.A. Mayor, to take down the incumbent Mayor LONG, who had Albert put away in County jail; and let it be know his crew is using the capital equity firm to back the Ramon campaign, that is know to get ugly and dirty.
CUT TO: Lady (in 70's), wearing robe and slippers takes mail out of mailbox at end of driveway. Starts flipping through mail. Pulls out over-sized, colorful flier. It's a campaign flier, sent out by Ramon's GOOD WEATHER CAPITAL equity firm, who spent money (independent expenditure) on behalf of Ramon, but the flier says nothing about Ramon's campaign. Only incumbent mayor LONG. The flier contains two pictures of Mayor Long with girls, who look like lap dancers, in their 20's (we can only hope, they are at least 20...mayor Long is in his 60's), taken at a party the mayor was at, thrown by a GOOD WEATHER CAPITAL executives, a couple years, prior.
Mayor Long is the "family values," mayor, always talking about his wonderful relationship with his wife, as being his backbone, at any and every press conference. She probably wouldn't like these pictures. Neither would voters.
The flier contains information about a "Pay-To-Play" deal where Mayor Long used influence to help a billionaire campaign backer get $50 million of community re-development money for a bogus project, that went belly up, and everyone lost their shirts, except for the billionaire.
Again, very damning information, to informed voters, who are hearing about these types of crony deal, more and more in news headlines, as investigators have their eye on City Hall.
CUT TO: AGENT IN DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WHO IS LOOKING AT A COPY OF THE CAMPAIGN FLIER, ALONG WITH READING THE PAY-FOR-PLAY TEXT FROM THE FLIER, that a popular L.A. political blogger has posted on his blog, as all of city hall (mayor staff and city hall staffers), also runs to their computers, to look and assess the damage, as word of the post, spreads.
CUT TO SHOT OF BLOG POST: "Billionaire developer gets State Governor to commute powerful L.A. Mayor LONG'S son, on murder sentence. In exchange, the powerful LONG has his connected (mob-like) crony at the local REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, approve $50 million, for the billionaire's philanthropy museum project, instead of going to redevelop community blight for the low income people, the money is earmarked for. The day after $50 million is approved for billionaire's project, the billionaire and the governor make $25 million dollar donations, each (totaling the same $50 million the billionaire got), to LONG'S CONNECTED EDUCATION NON-PROFIT, "FOR THE KIDS, U.S.A.!" $50 million from billionaire and Governor, kicked back to everyone involved. The non-profit keeps a portion, too. EVERYONE WINS...except the people."
[SCENE]
CUT TO: [SCENE WHERE THE PICTURE WAS TAKEN OF MAYOR LONG WITH THE WOMEN AT THE WILD PARTY!] Bloated, hot shot, jet-set, billionaire JOHN, in mid-40's, in his Malibu mansion, on a Friday evening, around end of business day, 5:55 PM. Hangs up phone. Picks up phone, again, and makes a call to GOOD WEATHER CAPITAL, equity firm crony.
Both work together, to fund raise for politicians, to back their campaigns, then elected officials appoint them and their cronies as commissioners to pension, redevelopment and cultural affairs boards. The commissioners, then approve/vote/funnel the Federal/State/City money, into crony investments on Wall Street and in real estate, with the pension and redevelopment money.
JOHN (On phone sitting on shiny wood desk. Like a high school kid, on spring break, calling his pal to say, "the hookers are on the way."): We...GOT the money! CalPEN (California Pension Fund) thinks our LLC is a FANTASTIC INVESTMENT! Had to spend a million, and that asshole, Randall (placement agent), got $50 million. But WE GOT A HUNDRED MILLION!!! Time to, "stimulate the economy!" Call Bambu and make a reservation for their biggest table. I'll call the jet charter and get tickets for the Rolling Stones, in Vegas, for later. We'll roll in, just in time for the encores. FUCK the NEW material! (Hangs up phone and walks away.)
CUT TO: Malibu's elite, "Bambu" restaurant, John struts in. He is immediately seated at the BIG table, in the center of the room, where he likes it and can be boisterous in front of all the other tables. He immediately tells the waiter, before his friend even arrives...
JOHN: Tell those girls, at that table, over there; I have a few empty seats, and an expense account I need to, "use or lose," on this event, tonight. So if they'd like to switch tables, and join me, tell them they can order whatever they want. Maybe try some items on the menu, they've never tried. (Winks to waiter) Like the most expensive ones, they would love to try, but have never been able to afford. And bring over two bottles of my usual. And if they join me, make it four.
CUT TO: Dinner wrapping up. John looks at watch. He and his friend are having so much fun with the women John invited to the table, along with everyone else who latched on, once John was out of control drunk and, now on blow, he decides to simply move the party to HIS PLACE!
(Why fly to Vegas for hookers, when you are about to IMPRESS THE PANTIES off these women you just pricked with the good life, at the restaurant, NOW DRUNK...and drive them to your mansion in your Maserati?)
On the way out, John forgot ONE THING! He already made the call to charter the jet, and it is waiting on the runway, along with the hotel suite and VIP Rolling Stone MGM Grand tickets.
So he walks up to the bar, where his waiter is talking to the bartender.]
JOHN: Hey guys, I was supposed to fly to Vegas to see The Stones, MGM GRAND show, tonight. I'm not going to be able to make it. But, I have a jet on the runway and two tickets at the hotel reception desk, if you'd like to go.
CUT TO: JOHN pushing girl off his lap, to walk down hall, to answer the door. JOHN opens the door. It's MAYOR LONG. Mayor Long walks in, takes off his stylish hat, throws it like a Frisbee across the room, and walks toward couch with women.
EFFECT: Spin campaign flier of mayor with girls on his lap, like "old school" newspaper spins, across the screen.
JOHN TOOK PICTURES, AND ONLY INVITED HIS PAL THE MAYOR OVER, TO DO SO! HE KNEW THEY WOULD COME IN HANDY!
CUT TO:
(As bartender walks up step onto private jet) VOICEOVER: The waiter cannot leave the shift, but the bartender cannot refuse the offer and has the other bartender cover, who is more than happy to, since he'll make ALL the tips. A WIN-WIN for EVERYONE. EXCEPT THE TAXPAYERS. It's all paid for out of pension money, invested in John's projects. The "overly-risky," "non-investment grade" phony LLCs and real estate projects went belly up. But at least those two women John "wined, dined and (whatever'd) -- and the ONE GUY (bartender) who flew to Vegas in the jet, HIMSELF, sure got their money's worth. And looks like we're going to have a new mayor, again. And he answers to, "KINGPIN!"]
[SCENE]
("KINGPIN" - Based on true stories, like this one. My FRIEND was one of those restaurant staffers. And I was probably there, that night, too...just didn't know it was all going down, like that. I WAS RUNNING MY OWN, much smaller scale attempt, in my own, "less jet-setting" circle. And, not sure if it happened, THIS NIGHT, but sometimes, JOHN calls a former U.S. President and HE FLIES IN ON A PRIVATE JET TO PARTY AT RON'S, I MEAN JOHN'S MANSION. I changed it to "mayor" for the show.)
KINGPIN!
"It's Only Business" (Scene One)
by Zuma Dogg
[NOT SCRIPT FORMAT JUSTIFIED]
MAYORAL CANDIDATE (current L.A. City Councilman) RAMON AND JEREMY ARE AT A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING COCKTAIL PARTY, FOR THE MAYOR'S CURRENT CAMPAIGN. TALKING. IN WALKS THREE OF RAMON'S OLD FRIENDS.
ALBERT
Ramon! I was hoping you'd make it.
RAMON: Al, great to see you! I guess this means it's been about a year. Let me introduce you to my newest and most talented hire yet at CSC, Jeremy.
ALBERT
Jeremy, nice to meet you.
EXTENDS HAND TO SHAKE. JEREMY IS CAUGHT OFF GUARD, SLOW TO REACT, BUT EXTENDS HAND AND THEY SHAKE.
ALBERT (CONT'D)
That's quite a complement coming from Ramon. I'm sure you already know how lucky you are to be working with him.
JEREMY
I do!
RAMON
Jeremy is an encyclopedia of knowledge and he's great at prediction what lies ahead, as well.
ALBERT
That's quite a powerful combination. Who do you think will win the 15th District City Council election?
JEREMY
(RESERVED) I don't know?
ALBERT
You must have at least thought about it?
JEREMY
(HESITANT) I guess I have.
RAMON:
Jeremy, are you having trouble speaking, tonight? You're embarrassing me. I just told these guys how talented you are and you're about as articulate as Hellen Keller.
JEREMY
I'm sorry. I'm not used to the "big political-event schmooze," yet. I mean, this event, it's huge. Everyone is here tonight. It's like Politi-stock.
RAMON
(HE'S UP TO SOMETHING) HE Al, do you remember in '73 when Blake Harrison closed a thirty point gap, a week before the election, to win. That must have been some last minute effort, by the "grass roots" movement. Has to be some kind of record. (LAUGHS)
ALBERT
Yes, it does.
JEREMY:
(INTERRUPTING) Actually, that happened in '72 and it's not a record. That goes to "Greasy" Hank Hayes. Closed a forty-five point gap, in the last week. (SOUNDING "TONGUE IN CHEEK" NAIVE) But I don't think it was a grass roots effort, that put him over the top. Ironically, it was in the same year,'72, that Harrison closed his last minute election gap. (SOUNDING SENTIMENTAL) Blake never forgave the old "Greasmiester" for stealing his thunder, that year.
RAMON
(SMILING, KNOWING HE DREW IT OUT OF JEREMY) Imagine that?
ALBERT
(CHUCKLES) I'll bet you were in diapers when that happened, son.
RAMON
Hey! If Wayne Robinson wins another election, that will make it twelve straight years!
JEREMY
Twelve years, yes. But not twelve straight years. He termed out of office, for a year. But, city council extended their term limits, from two terms, to three. So Robinson was able to run again, for a third term, even though he had already just recently been elected to the Assembly, a three months, prior. And stepped down from his Assembly term, as soon as he was able to have himself put back into office. [ALBERT, the KINGPIN, is the one who had the councilman put back into office, against the popular, entrenched incumbent.)
RAMON:
(A LITTLE ANNOYED BY THAT ONE. WASN'T SETTING JEREMY UP, THAT TIME.) Let's not be picky, now.
ALBERT
Isaac, where did you get this guy? That's just the type of attention to detail that will keep a network of out trouble. (TO JEREMY) I bet you've never had to run a retraction.
JEREMY
That was quite an unfortunate incident for your TV station.
ALBERT
Unfortunate? An anchor misquotes a stat, live on TV and we're sued for slander because the inaccurate quote hurt his "marquee value?" And we lost!
JEREMY
I thought the suit was dropped?
ALBERT
It was. For $6 million dollars. I'd say, we lost!
JEREMY
Could have happened to anyone.
RAMON
It better not happen to you, while you're speaking on my behalf, on my campaign!
AL
I don't think it will. (PAUSES) RAMON, he's not a bad hire. (TO JEREMY) Have you thought of running for office, yourself, at some point?
RAMON
(SENSING AL'S SUDDEN INTEREST)
Jeremy, it's time for you to get us another round of cocktails from the bar.
JEREMY
But, you just started that one.
RAMON
I'm anticipating a massive thirst. Now, GO!
JEREMY
But...
RAMON KNOCKS OVER DRINK WITH ELBOW AND IT SPILLS.
RAMON
Imagine that?
JEREMY
I'll be right back.
RAMON
(SMILING IN SATISFACTION) And don't forget the napkins.
(SCENE)
"KINGPIN!" - "It's Only Business" (Scene Two)
ALBERT
(PICKS UP PHONE AND CALLS RAMON) I was very impressed with Jeremy. I think he's worth more to the team than just your cocktail runner and whatever else he is doing and saying for you, that you should be doing and saying for yourself. Did you forget where you came from. How you got started. And who gave you that start.
RAMON
And you've been enriched every step of the way. You've pushed me hard, lately. The money isn't out there like it used to be.
ALBERT
Maybe if you could stay out of the Staples Center VIP luxury boxes, for a night, you could fly to Washington and holler that noise you holler to get more Federal money shipped into the district.
RAMON
When I am in those VIP boxes, those people are getting drunk and whatever else they are doing and I'm cutting the deals that benefit all your best interests. You know that.
ALBERT
Are you losing your mojo, or lose the number to your meth dealer? Are you done talking?
RAMON
(SILENT ON OTHER END OF PHONE)
ALBERT
I'm going to call Jeremy and make him an offer he may want to accept.
RAMON
But, Albert...
KINGPIN
(NOT ANGRY. REASSURING) Don't worry, Ramon. I'm not going to let you blow your mayoral campaign, by having you become involved. But, I think Jeremy can charm the absentee ballots out of the hands of people in the 15th District council election.
RAMON
But, McCreedy is already pretty far along in his campaign, and he's never been in our way.
KINGPIN
He's never been in our way, but he's not on our team. And isn't able to join it. And didn't you hear Jeremy say forty-five point gaps have been closed, a week before the election. And those people don't control the developers and unions. So McCreedy is about to get a big setback, Ramon. Now Jeremy, I'm not going to take him off your campaign, but will have to do a few chores for me, as well, at the same time. To prove to me that he has what it takes to run my district.
CUT TO: (JEREMY PICKS UP PHONE. IT IS ALBERT/KINGPIN ON THE PHONE)
ALBERT
Jeremy. This is...
JEREMY
(NERVOUS EXCITEMENT, BEFORE ALBERT CAN EVEN SAY HIS OWN NAME.) Mr. Albert?
ALBERT
No, just call me "Al," (PAUSES TO HELP EASE SITUATION AND CALMLY SAYS) please. I've been around long enough to know when I meet a special young, up and comer.
JEREMY
Thank you.
ALBERT
I didn't say it was you. Maybe I was about to tell you about someone special I met.
JEREMY
(FLUSTERED) I'm sorry, sir.
ALBERT
Common, man. That was just a joke. I have been around a long time, and you did impress me, last night.
JEREMY
(SILENT ON OTHER END OF PHONE)
ALBERT
Now, you say, "Thank you, Al."
JEREMY
Oh yeah, thank you Albert...sir, I mean Al.
ALBERT
But, I could have been wrong. Anyway, before you make me hang up, before I tell you why I called, I was wondering if you had any free time, at any time, during Ramon's campaign.
JEREMY
(HESITANT TO SAY "NO," BUT DEFINITELY DOESN'T WANT TO SAY, "YES." HE KNOWS THIS GUY AND HIS HISTORY AS A KINGPIN, IS SCARED TO GET INVOLVED AT THAT LEVEL, AND IS ALREADY WORKING ROUND THE CLOCK, AS IT IS, ON RAMON'S MASSIVE MAYORAL CAMPAIGN. BACKED BY ALBERT.)
Ummm....
ALBERT
Look, I know you're concerned, because you think Ramon will feel you are slighting him of time on his campaign, and we know he gets jealous, more easily than OJ, when he isn't invited to dinner after the dance recital, but I already talked to him, and let him know how important this is, for Team Ramon, in the long run, once he's in office.
JEREMY
O.K.
ALBERT
Do you know much about District 15?
JEREMY
Well, I've never been there, but I've followed the politics and elections, going back to the 1990's.
ALBERT
Good enough. Do you have a car?
JEREMY
No, but Ramon is letting me drive a city vehicle during the campaign.
ALBERT
Meet me in the parking lot of King Taco.
JEREMY
When?
ALBERT
Same time as always...now.
JEREMY
But, I'm supposed to pick up Ramon at City Hall. He's just getting out of the council meeting.
ALBERT
I'll call for another driver for him. He'll get over missing you, I hope. I'll have a couple women in the car, to help him forget. I need you to pick something up for me at a construction site in District 15.
JEREMY
I didn't know you did any developing in that area?
ALBERT
I didn't say it was my construction site. I said it's "a" construction site. They are expecting me to send someone over. I told them to have a white envelope with the word, "Raffle Ticket Receipts." And there will be a bunch of raffle ticket receipts and there should be $5000 in cash, for sales of the "raffle tickets." (CHUCKLES)
JEREMY
Just curious? What are they giving away for the grand prize, to raise that much money.
ALBERT
What did you do before you started working on Ramon's campaign.
JEREMY
I was his driver for his first city council campaign.
ALBERT
I didn't say the $5000 was raised by selling raffle tickets. I said there should be $5000 in an envelope, along with a bunch of raffle tickets. When you get there. Take the envelope. Open it up. Count the money. If it's $4999 dollars, or less...call me right away.
(SCENE)
KINGPIN!
by Zuma Dogg
http://ZumaDogg.com for more on "KINGPIN!" author, Zuma Dogg.
"KINGPIN!" - Information Is Knowledge Is Power!
Zuma Dogg Presents "KINGPIN" (Sorpranos-like Show About L.A. City Hall) READ FIRST EPISODE, HERE: (Based on real life L.A. City Hall insider info. The names have been changed to protect the guilty.)
[PICTURED: TAKEN FROM REAL HEADLINES, PROMO PHOTO FOR "KINGPIN!" INFORMATION IS KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. Coming soon to NBC. (If you want it to.)]KINGPIN! - "It's Only Business" (PILOT)
by Zuma Dogg
(EPISODE ONE): LA's RICO-RACKET KINGPIN ALBERT G. (tall, Hispanic gentleman in his early 70's, with all the charisma in the world), was put away in county jail, based on the information, current Mayor of Los Angeles, Mayor Long (tall white gentleman with sliver hair, in mid-60's) exposed, when both were councilmembers, running against each other, in 2005 L.A. mayoral election.
Now, that Albert has been released, he is grabbing his crony-puppet candidate, Ramon (Hispanic from same community, in late-50's) and letting the developers and unions know, he's in it to win it -- and is using the capital equity firm to back his candidate, that the incumbent mayor had to stay away from, since they are know to be "dirty." AND, it DOES get UGLY!
CUT TO: Albert steps out the door of County prison and into a black town car with tinted windows, as the driver burns rubber, down the street.
ALBERT: Where's Ramon?
DRIVER: He's in the Council meeting.
ALBERT: Call him on his cell phone, and tell him to meet us for lunch, as soon as he's done. Tell him, he can bring whatever post-meeting appointments he has with developers and union heads, with him.
[DRIVER picks up phone, while driving and starts dialing.]
Cut to: ALBERT, DRIVER, RAMON and table full of cronies (all ethnicity, aged 40's-70's), sitting at banquet table, in back room of local-hangout, restaurant. Where the REAL city business is discussed and decided.
ALBERT: What brings us here, together, today? After what I just went through, with the current mayor, I think we need a change of administration.
It's not easy to beat a popular, incumbent mayor, when many of you seated at this table, are prospering. But, you also know, the success rate I have had, in city and county elections.
So maybe, one guy was able to slip through the cracks, at my time of weakness. But this time, I will be here, the entire term of the campaign.
And the time is now for, RAMON 4 LA!
[Getting a little boisterous as he starts to stand up, to walk around the room, for all to get up and kiss his ring, on his new anointed mayoral candidate.]
And, since TITANIUM CAPITAL EQUITY is backing our opponent, we'll be going with GOOD WEATHER CAPITAL. Our opponent might not like to sink so low.
[SLAPS HAND ON TABLE MAKING A LOUD CLAP]
BUT I NEVER MIND!
[Everyone laughs and gets up and approaches KINGPIN in celebration!]
[SCENE]
Now that KINGPIN (ALBERT) has announced to developers and unions, he is backing Councilman RAMON for L.A. Mayor, to take down the incumbent Mayor LONG, who had Albert put away in County jail; and let it be know his crew is using the capital equity firm to back the Ramon campaign, that is know to get ugly and dirty.
CUT TO: Lady (in 70's), wearing robe and slippers takes mail out of mailbox at end of driveway. Starts flipping through mail. Pulls out over-sized, colorful flier. It's a campaign flier, sent out by Ramon's GOOD WEATHER CAPITAL equity firm, who spent money (independent expenditure) on behalf of Ramon, but the flier says nothing about Ramon's campaign. Only incumbent mayor LONG. The flier contains two pictures of Mayor Long with girls, who look like lap dancers, in their 20's (we can only hope, they are at least 20...mayor Long is in his 60's), taken at a party the mayor was at, thrown by a GOOD WEATHER CAPITAL executives, a couple years, prior.
Mayor Long is the "family values," mayor, always talking about his wonderful relationship with his wife, as being his backbone, at any and every press conference. She probably wouldn't like these pictures. Neither would voters.
The flier contains information about a "Pay-To-Play" deal where Mayor Long used influence to help a billionaire campaign backer get $50 million of community re-development money for a bogus project, that went belly up, and everyone lost their shirts, except for the billionaire.
Again, very damning information, to informed voters, who are hearing about these types of crony deal, more and more in news headlines, as investigators have their eye on City Hall.
CUT TO: AGENT IN DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WHO IS LOOKING AT A COPY OF THE CAMPAIGN FLIER, ALONG WITH READING THE PAY-FOR-PLAY TEXT FROM THE FLIER, that a popular L.A. political blogger has posted on his blog, as all of city hall (mayor staff and city hall staffers), also runs to their computers, to look and assess the damage, as word of the post, spreads.
CUT TO SHOT OF BLOG POST: "Billionaire developer gets State Governor to commute powerful L.A. Mayor LONG'S son, on murder sentence. In exchange, the powerful LONG has his connected (mob-like) crony at the local REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, approve $50 million, for the billionaire's philanthropy museum project, instead of going to redevelop community blight for the low income people, the money is earmarked for. The day after $50 million is approved for billionaire's project, the billionaire and the governor make $25 million dollar donations, each (totaling the same $50 million the billionaire got), to LONG'S CONNECTED EDUCATION NON-PROFIT, "FOR THE KIDS, U.S.A.!" $50 million from billionaire and Governor, kicked back to everyone involved. The non-profit keeps a portion, too. EVERYONE WINS...except the people."
[SCENE]
CUT TO: [SCENE WHERE THE PICTURE WAS TAKEN OF MAYOR LONG WITH THE WOMEN AT THE WILD PARTY!] Bloated, hot shot, jet-set, billionaire JOHN, in mid-40's, in his Malibu mansion, on a Friday evening, around end of business day, 5:55 PM. Hangs up phone. Picks up phone, again, and makes a call to GOOD WEATHER CAPITAL, equity firm crony.
Both work together, to fund raise for politicians, to back their campaigns, then elected officials appoint them and their cronies as commissioners to pension, redevelopment and cultural affairs boards. The commissioners, then approve/vote/funnel the Federal/State/City money, into crony investments on Wall Street and in real estate, with the pension and redevelopment money.
JOHN (On phone sitting on shiny wood desk. Like a high school kid, on spring break, calling his pal to say, "the hookers are on the way."): We...GOT the money! CalPEN (California Pension Fund) thinks our LLC is a FANTASTIC INVESTMENT! Had to spend a million, and that asshole, Randall (placement agent), got $50 million. But WE GOT A HUNDRED MILLION!!! Time to, "stimulate the economy!" Call Bambu and make a reservation for their biggest table. I'll call the jet charter and get tickets for the Rolling Stones, in Vegas, for later. We'll roll in, just in time for the encores. FUCK the NEW material! (Hangs up phone and walks away.)
CUT TO: Malibu's elite, "Bambu" restaurant, John struts in. He is immediately seated at the BIG table, in the center of the room, where he likes it and can be boisterous in front of all the other tables. He immediately tells the waiter, before his friend even arrives...
JOHN: Tell those girls, at that table, over there; I have a few empty seats, and an expense account I need to, "use or lose," on this event, tonight. So if they'd like to switch tables, and join me, tell them they can order whatever they want. Maybe try some items on the menu, they've never tried. (Winks to waiter) Like the most expensive ones, they would love to try, but have never been able to afford. And bring over two bottles of my usual. And if they join me, make it four.
CUT TO: Dinner wrapping up. John looks at watch. He and his friend are having so much fun with the women John invited to the table, along with everyone else who latched on, once John was out of control drunk and, now on blow, he decides to simply move the party to HIS PLACE!
(Why fly to Vegas for hookers, when you are about to IMPRESS THE PANTIES off these women you just pricked with the good life, at the restaurant, NOW DRUNK...and drive them to your mansion in your Maserati?)
On the way out, John forgot ONE THING! He already made the call to charter the jet, and it is waiting on the runway, along with the hotel suite and VIP Rolling Stone MGM Grand tickets.
So he walks up to the bar, where his waiter is talking to the bartender.]
JOHN: Hey guys, I was supposed to fly to Vegas to see The Stones, MGM GRAND show, tonight. I'm not going to be able to make it. But, I have a jet on the runway and two tickets at the hotel reception desk, if you'd like to go.
CUT TO: JOHN pushing girl off his lap, to walk down hall, to answer the door. JOHN opens the door. It's MAYOR LONG. Mayor Long walks in, takes off his stylish hat, throws it like a Frisbee across the room, and walks toward couch with women.
EFFECT: Spin campaign flier of mayor with girls on his lap, like "old school" newspaper spins, across the screen.
JOHN TOOK PICTURES, AND ONLY INVITED HIS PAL THE MAYOR OVER, TO DO SO! HE KNEW THEY WOULD COME IN HANDY!
CUT TO:
(As bartender walks up step onto private jet) VOICEOVER: The waiter cannot leave the shift, but the bartender cannot refuse the offer and has the other bartender cover, who is more than happy to, since he'll make ALL the tips. A WIN-WIN for EVERYONE. EXCEPT THE TAXPAYERS. It's all paid for out of pension money, invested in John's projects. The "overly-risky," "non-investment grade" phony LLCs and real estate projects went belly up. But at least those two women John "wined, dined and (whatever'd) -- and the ONE GUY (bartender) who flew to Vegas in the jet, HIMSELF, sure got their money's worth. And looks like we're going to have a new mayor, again. And he answers to, "KINGPIN!"]
[SCENE]
("KINGPIN" - Based on true stories, like this one. My FRIEND was one of those restaurant staffers. And I was probably there, that night, too...just didn't know it was all going down, like that. I WAS RUNNING MY OWN, much smaller scale attempt, in my own, "less jet-setting" circle. And, not sure if it happened, THIS NIGHT, but sometimes, JOHN calls a former U.S. President and HE FLIES IN ON A PRIVATE JET TO PARTY AT RON'S, I MEAN JOHN'S MANSION. I changed it to "mayor" for the show.)
KINGPIN!
"It's Only Business" (Scene One)
by Zuma Dogg
[NOT SCRIPT FORMAT JUSTIFIED]
MAYORAL CANDIDATE (current L.A. City Councilman) RAMON AND JEREMY ARE AT A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING COCKTAIL PARTY, FOR THE MAYOR'S CURRENT CAMPAIGN. TALKING. IN WALKS THREE OF RAMON'S OLD FRIENDS.
ALBERT
Ramon! I was hoping you'd make it.
RAMON: Al, great to see you! I guess this means it's been about a year. Let me introduce you to my newest and most talented hire yet at CSC, Jeremy.
ALBERT
Jeremy, nice to meet you.
EXTENDS HAND TO SHAKE. JEREMY IS CAUGHT OFF GUARD, SLOW TO REACT, BUT EXTENDS HAND AND THEY SHAKE.
ALBERT (CONT'D)
That's quite a complement coming from Ramon. I'm sure you already know how lucky you are to be working with him.
JEREMY
I do!
RAMON
Jeremy is an encyclopedia of knowledge and he's great at prediction what lies ahead, as well.
ALBERT
That's quite a powerful combination. Who do you think will win the 15th District City Council election?
JEREMY
(RESERVED) I don't know?
ALBERT
You must have at least thought about it?
JEREMY
(HESITANT) I guess I have.
RAMON:
Jeremy, are you having trouble speaking, tonight? You're embarrassing me. I just told these guys how talented you are and you're about as articulate as Hellen Keller.
JEREMY
I'm sorry. I'm not used to the "big political-event schmooze," yet. I mean, this event, it's huge. Everyone is here tonight. It's like Politi-stock.
RAMON
(HE'S UP TO SOMETHING) HE Al, do you remember in '73 when Blake Harrison closed a thirty point gap, a week before the election, to win. That must have been some last minute effort, by the "grass roots" movement. Has to be some kind of record. (LAUGHS)
ALBERT
Yes, it does.
JEREMY:
(INTERRUPTING) Actually, that happened in '72 and it's not a record. That goes to "Greasy" Hank Hayes. Closed a forty-five point gap, in the last week. (SOUNDING "TONGUE IN CHEEK" NAIVE) But I don't think it was a grass roots effort, that put him over the top. Ironically, it was in the same year,'72, that Harrison closed his last minute election gap. (SOUNDING SENTIMENTAL) Blake never forgave the old "Greasmiester" for stealing his thunder, that year.
RAMON
(SMILING, KNOWING HE DREW IT OUT OF JEREMY) Imagine that?
ALBERT
(CHUCKLES) I'll bet you were in diapers when that happened, son.
RAMON
Hey! If Wayne Robinson wins another election, that will make it twelve straight years!
JEREMY
Twelve years, yes. But not twelve straight years. He termed out of office, for a year. But, city council extended their term limits, from two terms, to three. So Robinson was able to run again, for a third term, even though he had already just recently been elected to the Assembly, a three months, prior. And stepped down from his Assembly term, as soon as he was able to have himself put back into office. [ALBERT, the KINGPIN, is the one who had the councilman put back into office, against the popular, entrenched incumbent.)
RAMON:
(A LITTLE ANNOYED BY THAT ONE. WASN'T SETTING JEREMY UP, THAT TIME.) Let's not be picky, now.
ALBERT
Isaac, where did you get this guy? That's just the type of attention to detail that will keep a network of out trouble. (TO JEREMY) I bet you've never had to run a retraction.
JEREMY
That was quite an unfortunate incident for your TV station.
ALBERT
Unfortunate? An anchor misquotes a stat, live on TV and we're sued for slander because the inaccurate quote hurt his "marquee value?" And we lost!
JEREMY
I thought the suit was dropped?
ALBERT
It was. For $6 million dollars. I'd say, we lost!
JEREMY
Could have happened to anyone.
RAMON
It better not happen to you, while you're speaking on my behalf, on my campaign!
AL
I don't think it will. (PAUSES) RAMON, he's not a bad hire. (TO JEREMY) Have you thought of running for office, yourself, at some point?
RAMON
(SENSING AL'S SUDDEN INTEREST)
Jeremy, it's time for you to get us another round of cocktails from the bar.
JEREMY
But, you just started that one.
RAMON
I'm anticipating a massive thirst. Now, GO!
JEREMY
But...
RAMON KNOCKS OVER DRINK WITH ELBOW AND IT SPILLS.
RAMON
Imagine that?
JEREMY
I'll be right back.
RAMON
(SMILING IN SATISFACTION) And don't forget the napkins.
(SCENE)
"KINGPIN!" - "It's Only Business" (Scene Two)
ALBERT
(PICKS UP PHONE AND CALLS RAMON) I was very impressed with Jeremy. I think he's worth more to the team than just your cocktail runner and whatever else he is doing and saying for you, that you should be doing and saying for yourself. Did you forget where you came from. How you got started. And who gave you that start.
RAMON
And you've been enriched every step of the way. You've pushed me hard, lately. The money isn't out there like it used to be.
ALBERT
Maybe if you could stay out of the Staples Center VIP luxury boxes, for a night, you could fly to Washington and holler that noise you holler to get more Federal money shipped into the district.
RAMON
When I am in those VIP boxes, those people are getting drunk and whatever else they are doing and I'm cutting the deals that benefit all your best interests. You know that.
ALBERT
Are you losing your mojo, or lose the number to your meth dealer? Are you done talking?
RAMON
(SILENT ON OTHER END OF PHONE)
ALBERT
I'm going to call Jeremy and make him an offer he may want to accept.
RAMON
But, Albert...
KINGPIN
(NOT ANGRY. REASSURING) Don't worry, Ramon. I'm not going to let you blow your mayoral campaign, by having you become involved. But, I think Jeremy can charm the absentee ballots out of the hands of people in the 15th District council election.
RAMON
But, McCreedy is already pretty far along in his campaign, and he's never been in our way.
KINGPIN
He's never been in our way, but he's not on our team. And isn't able to join it. And didn't you hear Jeremy say forty-five point gaps have been closed, a week before the election. And those people don't control the developers and unions. So McCreedy is about to get a big setback, Ramon. Now Jeremy, I'm not going to take him off your campaign, but will have to do a few chores for me, as well, at the same time. To prove to me that he has what it takes to run my district.
CUT TO: (JEREMY PICKS UP PHONE. IT IS ALBERT/KINGPIN ON THE PHONE)
ALBERT
Jeremy. This is...
JEREMY
(NERVOUS EXCITEMENT, BEFORE ALBERT CAN EVEN SAY HIS OWN NAME.) Mr. Albert?
ALBERT
No, just call me "Al," (PAUSES TO HELP EASE SITUATION AND CALMLY SAYS) please. I've been around long enough to know when I meet a special young, up and comer.
JEREMY
Thank you.
ALBERT
I didn't say it was you. Maybe I was about to tell you about someone special I met.
JEREMY
(FLUSTERED) I'm sorry, sir.
ALBERT
Common, man. That was just a joke. I have been around a long time, and you did impress me, last night.
JEREMY
(SILENT ON OTHER END OF PHONE)
ALBERT
Now, you say, "Thank you, Al."
JEREMY
Oh yeah, thank you Albert...sir, I mean Al.
ALBERT
But, I could have been wrong. Anyway, before you make me hang up, before I tell you why I called, I was wondering if you had any free time, at any time, during Ramon's campaign.
JEREMY
(HESITANT TO SAY "NO," BUT DEFINITELY DOESN'T WANT TO SAY, "YES." HE KNOWS THIS GUY AND HIS HISTORY AS A KINGPIN, IS SCARED TO GET INVOLVED AT THAT LEVEL, AND IS ALREADY WORKING ROUND THE CLOCK, AS IT IS, ON RAMON'S MASSIVE MAYORAL CAMPAIGN. BACKED BY ALBERT.)
Ummm....
ALBERT
Look, I know you're concerned, because you think Ramon will feel you are slighting him of time on his campaign, and we know he gets jealous, more easily than OJ, when he isn't invited to dinner after the dance recital, but I already talked to him, and let him know how important this is, for Team Ramon, in the long run, once he's in office.
JEREMY
O.K.
ALBERT
Do you know much about District 15?
JEREMY
Well, I've never been there, but I've followed the politics and elections, going back to the 1990's.
ALBERT
Good enough. Do you have a car?
JEREMY
No, but Ramon is letting me drive a city vehicle during the campaign.
ALBERT
Meet me in the parking lot of King Taco.
JEREMY
When?
ALBERT
Same time as always...now.
JEREMY
But, I'm supposed to pick up Ramon at City Hall. He's just getting out of the council meeting.
ALBERT
I'll call for another driver for him. He'll get over missing you, I hope. I'll have a couple women in the car, to help him forget. I need you to pick something up for me at a construction site in District 15.
JEREMY
I didn't know you did any developing in that area?
ALBERT
I didn't say it was my construction site. I said it's "a" construction site. They are expecting me to send someone over. I told them to have a white envelope with the word, "Raffle Ticket Receipts." And there will be a bunch of raffle ticket receipts and there should be $5000 in cash, for sales of the "raffle tickets." (CHUCKLES)
JEREMY
Just curious? What are they giving away for the grand prize, to raise that much money.
ALBERT
What did you do before you started working on Ramon's campaign.
JEREMY
I was his driver for his first city council campaign.
ALBERT
I didn't say the $5000 was raised by selling raffle tickets. I said there should be $5000 in an envelope, along with a bunch of raffle tickets. When you get there. Take the envelope. Open it up. Count the money. If it's $4999 dollars, or less...call me right away.
(SCENE)
KINGPIN!
by Zuma Dogg
http://ZumaDogg.com for more on "KINGPIN!" author, Zuma Dogg.
"KINGPIN!" - Information Is Knowledge Is Power!
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