Meadsnovels

The years have come and gone like water under a bridge,

The stars remain the same, but on Earth trouble brews. We are

Destroying our environment with Global warning and no one is

listening.

Our President is running amuck, lying, cheating, name calling and not acting

like a President should. Time will tell what his destiny is to be?

In the twilight of my life after seventy some odd years, a full 31 years as a Health

and Physical Education teacher, and fifteen more years teaching technology in Colleges

and Universities and now an Author in retirement from teaching. Looking back because looking forward is never fruitful.

I always seek meaning to my life, and meaning is difficult to find. Sometimes in a flash like the two years I participated in a Senior free food delivery program in San Diego, I found most rewarding.

Too bad it could not last forever. I sold my pick-up truck, threw away my files and moved on with my life. Still seeking meaning in my movie scripts. I could have written twenty books with the many movie scripts I have written. Some are still unfinished and in outline form only, pending more insight or research. I finally finished my movie script, “The Curse of the Samurai.” I even submitted it to a movie script contest.

So as I look back at the muddy waters of my life, I see my wife of 42 years and all the ups and downs we shared together. She was my sweetheart from High School and she helped me get through college and graduate school. She typed and edited all my writings and she brought into the world our son Dean Michael and later in 1970 our daughter Heather Elizabeth. And so live moves on our of poverty as a school teacher into a better life full of debt and credit and the yearning to be wealthier. To own a house, which I never did until my mother died. Surprising to become a Doctor of Education at Columbia University late in my teaching career. Retiring and leaving Junior high behind and starting a new adventure at New York University where the Director of the Faculty development program was corrupt and a sham. She hired her lover and best friend to be the field director, even though her friend had no experience. She was sued for racial harassment for treating a black secretary badly. She was an ex-Nun who got bitten by the wealthy bug and spent every cent given to the organization and NYU.

As a matter of fact every supervisor that I worked for was dishonest. At the College of Mount Saint vincent, I undiscovered many administrators that stole from the college and misused funds. At St. John’s University, the President stole funds for the University and I had nothing to do with that. My supervisor did not want me, she wanted a Fillipino Grad. female student instead who took a $10,000 and ran way to the Philippines with the money. So much for her honesty. My partner was harassed out of his job, but I got him a better job in Northern Texas for double his pay. It cost me so I had to move on after three years with most of the Title III goals done. Hello, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He too my supervisor was dishonest. He being the only male supervisor I worked for and being a Dean who was an alcoholic and abusive toward personnel, particularly me. He used to curse at me in front of the Secretary all the time. He seldom came to work before 11:00 because of his drinking. He was divorced. He was failing at his job at Academic Dean because his approach to a medical school in Ohio did not work in New York. New York medical students are different and do not like surveys and assessments jammed down their throats during the final exams. The students hated my boss and he could not avoid a 12 count citation from COCA the national acrediting agency for Osteopathic medical schools in the USA. Half of the citations had to do with Assessment. The College of Osteopathic Medicine had only half of an assessment plan and it’s numbers were all lies. They claimed to lose only ten percent after graduation. The real number was twenty one percent, counting medical leaves, family leaves, drop outs, failures, interventions, removals and financial.

My point is looking to the present, I can only hope some Producer likes my creative approach to my movie scripts and offers to buy my script or lease it. That remains to be see in the present and future. See my scripts on http://www.inktip.com.

Lieutenant General Joshua Chamberlain, the hero of the Battle for Little Round Top in the Battle of Gettysburg July 3, 1863, I wrote a movie script called, “A Teacher Goes to War.” Joshua saved the Union from being flanked by the Confederates that day at Little Round Top. Almost out of ammunition he and his sergeant shouted, Byonetts charge! Down the hill into the Alabama and Texas regiments who were regrouping at the time. Chamberlain rose from Lieutenant Colonel of the Maine 20th Volunteers to Colonel and then Lieutenant General by the end of the war. He was shot five times and lost equally the same number of horses under him. One shot to his leg left him with a limp the rest of his life. He went back to Bowein college after the War and eventually become Governmor of Maine.

by Dr. Pelham Mead III

The Iron Butterfly, the racing solar sailing space ship in the movie script, “The Solar Sailing Pirates.”

SOLAR WIND PIRATES

Written by Dr. Pelham Mead III

260 East Bradley Avenue, Space 3, El Cajon, Ca. 92021 619-449-8716 drpel@aol.com 1

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ACT ONE- THE SKY HAWK SPACE ACADEMY

SCENE 1- INT. DAY-

The year is 4020 and the scene takes place in the living room of Millionaire William Johnson. His home is on the top of a mountain outside of Los Angeles inter-space Transport Center of the North American Corporation Council.

JAKE JOHNSON (19) Father I have given it a great deal of thought and I have decided that I want to join the Sky Hawk Space Academy of the North American Federation in Colorado.

WILLIAM JOHNSON (63)FATHER OF JAKE That sounds like a good idea son. Have you filled out the application yet?

JAKE JOHNSON Yes, father I sent a hologram copy from my hologram watch yesterday.

WILLIAM JOHNSON It is good to see you are using my invention to good use son. I will speak with the Commander of the Academy on your behalf to make sure they accept you at the young age of 16.

JAKE JOHNSON Well I am going to be 19 in a month father. So I am not that young. I have to take the physical fitness test next week, and then the psychological tests afterward. I am training everyday on my body strength and cardiovascular readiness.

WILLIAM JOHNSON That’s great son. I am proud of you. I truly hope you get into the Sky Hawk Space Academy. Your Grandfather General Jake Johnson would be proud too if he were alive. Would you like me to order you some breakfast from the replicator?

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JAKE JOHNSON No thanks father, I have already had a cup of coffee and Russian coffee cake from the replicator early this morning. I have to take Drak for a run this morning. I will be back in an hour. Come on Drak, let’s go for a run.

Note: Drak is the German Shepard dog.

WILLIAM JOHNSON Good. Meanwhile, I will send a Holograph to Commander James Goddart and tell him my son is applying to the Sky Hawk Space Academy.

A week later.

WILLIAM JOHNSON (CONT’D) (Via holograph transmission) Hello Commander Goddart, you are looking well today. Bill William calling on behalf of my son Jake Johnson who is applying to the Sky Hawk Space Academy. You remember I was on your appointment review board when you were selected to run the Sky Hawk Space Academy?

COMMANDER GODDART (66) Bill it is good to see you. I remember when you, and I met when I was installed as Commander of the Sky Hawk Space Academy. How can I be of service Bill?

WILLIAM JOHNSON I just wanted you to be aware that my son Jake is a highly talented young man, and eager to join the Academy. I would appreciate any special assistance you can give him in applying for the Academy.

COMMANDER GODDART Of course Bill. I will give him the red carpet treatment, and do all I can to speed up his acceptance here at the academy. 3.

WILLIAM JOHNSON Thank you Commander. I will keep in touch. Have a nice day. Signing off.

Two months later.

JAKE JOHNSON Dad guess what? I just got a message from the Commander of the Sky Hawk Academy on my wrist communicator. I have been accepted for the fall class of 4021 at the Academy. That means I can enter the Academy next fall.

WILLIAM JOHNSON Congratulations son. I alway knew they would accept you. Go and tell your mother the good news.

JAKE JOHNSON Right I forgot to tell mom. Let me go tell her now. She is out on the terrace.

Minutes later.

JAKE JOHNSON (CONT’D) Mother I have good news. I have been accepted to the Sky Hawk Academy.

SUSAN JOHNSON (47) That is wonderful son. You will make a great Sky Hawk cadet. Congratulations. Have you told your father yet? We should celebrate tonight with a special meal.

JAKE JOHNSON Thank you mother (Gives her a big hug).

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SCENE 2- EXT. DAY- THE YEAR 4021.

While at the Academy Jake meets Veronica Green and they become close friends and begin dating.

Scene 3-INT. DAY-

THE ACADEMY MESS HALL. MEETING VERONICA GREEN.

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SCENE 4-EXT. DAY-

Jake joins the Solar Sailing Race Team for the Academy and places first in his first race.

Explanation of Solar Sailing Ships.

ACT TWO- CALAMITY STRIKES

SCENE 1-EXT. DAY-

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The SOPHOMORE year live training exercises at the Sky Hawk Academy. During a training exercise Jake accidentally shoots and kills fellow Cadet William Nadik.

SCENE 2- INT. NIGHTThe Sky Hawk Academy Disciplinary Committee.

Jake is brought before the Academy Disciplinary committee, Charged with reckless endangerment and dismissed from the Academy for not taking the proper safety precautions.

SCENE 3- INT. DAYJake says goodbye to Monica Green after being dismissed from the academy.

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SCENE 4-INT. NIGHT-

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William Johnson pays reparitions to the Nakik family to avoid felony civilian charges against Jake.Jake meets with his father who pays the Nakik family for the death of their son and Jake is not arrested for felony murder.

Jake says goodbye to Monica.

ACT 3- DROPPING OUT

SCENE 1-INT. DAYDrunken brawl in a bar in Rome a year later.

Jake is arrested a year later for fighting in a bar in Rome.

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Jake drops out of site after being dismissed from the Academy and becomes a playboy drunkard who is always drinking, fighting, and arguing with other rich 5.

brats.

While in jail, Jake Meets Arrundi Buel who was also in jail for being drunk and disorderly like Jake. Jake and Arrundi talk about solar sailing and their love of the sport. Arrundi tells Jake about his experience being a pilot for two man teams of Solar Sailing racing tournaments for the rich and famous around the world. Jake decides to join Arrundi.

in Rome Italy, and Arrundi talks Jake into joining his Solar Sailing Race team sponsored by Corporate Sponsors.

Jake becomes part of a two man racing team with Arrundi Buel as co-pilot with Arrundi Buel in Solar Sailing Races for big money rewards.

THe name of their Solar Sailing Ship is called the Iron Butterfly.

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ACT 4- THE SOLAR SAILING RACES FOR THE RICH.

Scene 1- Ext. Day-

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Jake and Arrundi become two well known Solar sailing racing pilots by winning many tournaments around the world.

The two man Solar Sailing Race Team of Jake Johnson and Arrundi Buel, become the talk of the international Solar racing circuit.

Transmission of typical solar sailing race, and it begins and ends.

Scene 2- INT. DAY- ROME solar sailing racing airport where Jake meets his old girl friend Veronica Green

Jake runs into Veronica Green from his Old Academy days.

Veronica Green is now a Lieutenant in the Sky Hawk Assault Rangers who use Solar Sailing Ships armed with lasers to track down Space pirates, and wanted criminals escaping into space from Earth, Mars, or Earth’s Moon.

Veronica gets to watch a Holograph of one of Jakes races with his Iron Butterfly against Desmonde’ Adar’s Black Dragon Solar Sailing Ship. The two man team of Desmonde Adar, and Ron Blue in the Black Dragon beat Jake Johnson and Arundi Buel by cheating and clipping their solar array wings in the race causing the Iron Butterfly to lose solar Power and speed. Jake files a protect to no avail. Veronica is very supportive of Jake and they begin dating again.

ACT FIVE- THE BLACK DRAGON IS STOLEN

SCENE 1- EXT. NIGHT-

FADE IN: Count Von Wertz and Shaolin SUn Cho, two shady characters, plot to steal the 6.

Black Dragon.

They successfully steal the Black Dragon at night.

Desmonde Adar approaches Jake Johnson and Arrundi Buel to ask for their help in recovering the Black Dragon Solar sailing ship. Jake refuses at first, but Veronica softens him up and gets him to take on the task, besides there is a three million dollar reward from the insurance company that insures the Black Dragon from theft.

Jake and Arrundi accept the challenge and make plans to refit the Black Dragon with laser guns.

ACT SIX-CHASING THE SOLAR SAILING SHIP PIRATES.

SCENE 1-EXT. DAY-

FADE IN:

Count Von Wertz uses the Black Dragon to attack gold ore freighters traveling from Mars to Earth. Count Von Wertz and Shaolin Sun Cho plan to take as much gold ore as they can carry and sell it on the black market on Earth.

Veronica is called by the Sky Hawk Assault Rangers to track down these Pirates of the Black Dragon.

Jake and Arrundi realize that the Iron Butterfly is too small to install laser guns and to streamlined for just speed and not long distance space voyages.

Arrundi through his connections using the reward money plus some of his own to finance the building of a new and larger Solar Sailing Space ship equipped with laser canons, magnetic deflector shields, and Atomic scatter bombs. A corporation called Sky Shield builds the new solar sailing space ship with an agreement to share in the reward of three million dollars.

The new Solar Sailing ship requires a crew of four and is called the Green Dragon.

ACT SEVEN- THE GREEN DRAGON

SCENE 1-EXT. DAY-

FADE IN: THe Sky Hawk Assault Rangers depart immediately with Lieutenant Veronica Green part of the fleet of three Solar Attack Sailing Space ships.

The description of the Sky Hawk Assault Rangers solar sailing ships called Falcons.

The Green Dragon takes more time to build while 7.

ACT EIGHT- THE SKY HAWK RANGERS ENTER THE CHASE

SCENE 1- EXT. DAYThe Sky Hawk Assault Rangers chase after the solar space pirates.

The Green Dragon has the edge with the most modern technology on it. The Falcon ships are older and lack some new improvements.

A freight ship from Mars sends out a distress signal that it is being attacked by an unknown Solar Sailing Ship.

The Sky Hawk Assault Rangers answer the distress call of the gold ore freighter.

ACT NINE- THE GREEN DRAGON Scene 1- EXT. DAYThe Green Dragon prepares for rocket assist takeoff into space to chase the solar sailing pirates that stole the Black Dragon.

(CONT’D)

The new Green Dragon is finally finished and Jake and Arrundi take off from Earth and give chase after the solar space pirates.

The Sky Hawk Assault Rangers detect the Black Dragon solar sailing space ship in the ship lanes between Mars and Earth and give chase.

ACT TEN-THE AMBUSH IN SPACE

SCENE 1- EXT. NIGHTThe Black Dragon heads around the back side of Earth’s moon to hide.

The Black Dragon heads around the back side of Earth’s moon, and ambushes two of the Falcon ships and destroys them with laser cannons before they realize it is a trap.

Veronica Green is in Falcon ship #255, and is close behind Falcon ship #304. When they get around the other side of Earth’s Moon, they realize the space junk they see is the remains of their fellow Sky Hawk Assault Rangers.

The Green Dragon is close behind the Rangers by on Earth day.

The Green Dragon catches up to the Falcon ships that survived and together they develop a plan and chase after the Solar pirates. The Black Dragon seems to have disappeared into outer space.

FADE TO BLACK.

ACT ELEVEN- THE SPACE BATTLE 8.

SCENE 1-EXT. DAY-

FADE IN: After considerable charting and sensing, the Green Dragon finds the Black Dragon heading toward a deadly meteor shower. Normally, Solar Sailing Space ships cannot travel through meteor showers due to the danger of having meteors ripping the solar sails to shreds.

Jake tries an unproved theoretical move by pulling back it’s solar wings and suddenly slowing down the Green Dragon long enough to take a shot at the Black Dragon with a laser cannon off their bow.

The Black Dragon is disabled with a second shot to the solar wings by the Jake Johnson in the Green Dragon. The wings of the Black Dragon have separated from the main body of the ship leaving the ship stuck in space in the middle of a meteor shower.

ACT TWELVE- ALL THINGS MUST COME TO AN END

SCENE 1- EXT. DAY-

The finale.

by Dr. Pelham Mead

Directing a US Department of Education Title V grant is like picking fruit from a tree. You have to know what fruit to pick and what you can accomplish in the time allowed.

I was hired six months after the TITLE V grant was granted to CMSV for 1.1 million.

There was no office to work in so a storage closet had to be converted into an office. It was small but useable. My assistant Mrs. Py Liv Sun and I had to personally carry the metal cabinets out into the hallway to make room to move in. Eventually, someone picked up the cabinets and took them away. We went into the attic to find chairs and desks to put in our new office area and found plenty of old furniture. New we had to dust and clean the entire room out from years of dust and dirt. The windows had no insulation so we had to put plastic on the windows in the winter to keep the heat in the room. A LAN system had to be installed and improved lighting. Many of the ceiling bulbs were dead. We had the entire room painted on a weekend. It took a whole summer to get the Teacher Learner Lab up and running.

Cont.

by Dr. Pelham Mead, then Director of the Teacher Learning center and Grant Coordinator of 1.1 million dollar grant for five years.

I was hired May 1, 2001, over six month after the Title V grant was awarded. No one knew what to do with the grant since the author had left the faculty a year before. Finally, a new President Richard Flynn ordered one of the Deans to conduct a search and hire someone who could direct the grant and meet all the grant goals.

by Dr. Pelham Mead

Movie script by Dr. Pelham Mead

based on real life events from the 1980’s.

This movie or TV pilot is about when I was the Dean of Students for six years at Kakiat Junior High in the East Ramapo Central school district in Spring Valley, New York in the mid 1980’s. The Dean of Students is the most hated position in the school by students and the most loved by faculty. The reason is that the Dean of students is the person that suspends students that break school laws, get into fights, steal or cheat and get caught or conduct unbecoming. My approach to the job was to digitize the files and upgrade the way students were treated. I came up with Community service in lieu of In-school suspension which everyone hated including teachers that had to serve as a duty assignment. I called parents of a student and asked if they wanted their son or daughter suspended or in-school suspension or serve a few hours picking up papers during their lunch period. Most parents chose the Community service. The peer pressure from fellow students helped me to eliminate students truant, cutting classes or constantly late to class. Here is the some what humorous story from actual factual events.

EPISODE ONE- THE DEAN OF STUDENTS AT KAKIAT JUNIOR HIGH.

SCENE-1-INT. DAY- SEPTEMBER 1985.

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(Opening Scene to be repeated at the beginning of each episode) Note: Pelham Mead, Dean of Students for Kakiat Junior high is a tall man with light brown hair, and a short mustache, and thin rimmed eye glasses. He is dressed in a white shirt, no tie, light brown sports jacket, and slacks. The scene opens with Mr. Mead entering his office, and trying to find a pen in his desk which is cluttered with water pistols, sling shots, knives, bullets, and one pellet gun.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (42) Good morning Mrs. Rodofsky.

Note: Mr. Mead enters a small office with orange hanging folders stacked on the floor, cabinets and tables. They are everywhere making the room look like a dump.

We have to get rid of these disciplinary folders one of these days. Have you filed any of them yet? My previous secretary did not like to file folders.

MRS. LISA RODOFSKY, SECRETARY (45) Good morning Mr. Mead.

Mr. Mead enters his office. Five seconds of video show his title on the door (Pelham Mead, Dean of Students). As the camera scans across the outer room piles of orange files are stacked almost as high as the ceiling. Some stacks are on the floor. There is almost no room to walk except a path to the Dean’s office.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (Looking through his desk draws) Damm it where the hell are my pens? (Opens left lower desk draw which is full of water pistols) I have enough water pistols to start a toy store.

(Opens top left desk draw) (The top draw is full of decks of cards, marbles, pea shooters and sling shots.

(MORE) 2.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Nothing but marbles and cards in this draw.

(He opens the desk middle draw and a huge 18 inch hunting knife is in the draw along with several pocket knives. Hunting knives and no pens.(Opens Right top draw which is full of more water pistols). If there were a market for used water pistols, I would be rich.(Opens The right lower desk draw, and the draw is full of cap guns and a pellet gun) He digs through the cap guns and puts the pellet gun on top of his desk and on the bottom of the draw is one single ink pen. Finally, a pen in a field of cap guns and a pellet gun. I have an arsenal here.

(Mr. Mead puts all the cap guns and pellet gun back in the lower right hand draw. On top of the desk is three trays marked IN, PENDING, Processed. The IN file is stacked so high it is cascading into the Pending box. The Processed file is empty. Lisa how many students do we have today?

MRS. LISA RODOFSKY, SECRETARY About fifty Mr. Mead.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Fifty? Damm. It is going to take me all day to interview fifty students. Call down twenty students during homeroom today, and ten during 3rd period, ten during 4th period lunch and ten during 5th period lunch. Make sure you do not call down any 7th graders during their 3rd period lunch period, and the same for 8th graders during 4th period, and lastly no 9th graders during 5th period lunch.

MRS. LISA RODOFSKY, SECRETARY Yes, Mr. Mead. I will start from the bottom of the list, and call down the first 20 students during homeroom.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Thanks Lisa. I will help you file the thousands of old files that were never filed if I get time later today. (Video scans the office outside the Dean’s office where orange discipline files are stacked everywhere. 3.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (CONT’D) My previous secretary did not know how to file folders nor did she enjoy filing folders so we have last year’s folders as well as this year’s folders. I need to find a better process.

MRS. LISA RODOFSKY, SECRETARY (On the school PA system) Will the following students report to the Dean of Students office immediately. Gregg Gross, Mindy Epstein, Sal Vendi, Gerald Rosen, Mandy Walstein, Paul Hollerman, Jerome Washington, Lavitia Green, Mohammed Figal, Brett Wolf, Andy Rothman, Adam Preenstein,…

Five minutes later a line of students forms outside the Dean’s office and down the hall past the main office.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS I am going to speed this up by dealing with the Lates to class, and cutting class by assigning them automatically to after-school detention this afternoon. (Dean Pelham Mead steps outside in the hallway and makes an announcement) The following students were either late to class more than two times or cut class are here by assigned to after-school detention. If you are on a Sports team you will not be allowed to attend practice.Gregg Gross, Mindy Epstein, Sal Vendi, Gerald Rosen, Mandy Walstein, Paul Hollerman, Jerome Washington, Lavitia Green, Mohammed Figal, Brett Wolf, Andy Rothman, Adam Preenstein.

All other students will remain here in line until I can interview them. Those of you that I called can return to class immediately. Get a pass from Mrs. Rodofsky to return to class.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (CONT’D) Mrs. Rodofsky, send in Malcolm Jones please.

Malcolm comes into the Dean’s office.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (CONT’D) Sit down Malcom. I have a disciplinary referral from Mr. Knapp that you cursed at him in class.

Is this true Malcom? 4.

MALCOM JONES (13) STUDENT He got up in my face Mr. Mead.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Really? Did he touch or hit you?

MALCOM JONES No he threatened to call my parents for not doing any homework.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Really? Do you swear at your patents when you get mad?

MALCOM JONES No. My father would take my head off.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS I am going to call your parents now. Is your mother at home Malcom?

MALCOM JONES I think so. My father works in New York city for the Electrical Union and he does not have a cell phone. Please don’t call my mother.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Hello Mrs. Jones. This is Mr. Mead, Dean of Students at Kakiat Junior high. I have your son Malcom in my office this morning. It seems he cursed out Mr. Knapp his Science teacher yesterday.

MRS. WELINDA JONES (50) MOTHER Hello, Yes Mr. Mead. I am sorry to hear that Malcom could not keep his fat mouth shut and show his teacher some respect.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Normally we would put Malcom in the In-school Suspension room for a whole day where he will not be able to talk and homework will be sent to keep him busy all day. He will also eat his lunch in the Suspension room. We have however an alternative.

(MORE) 5.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS If you give your permission I can have Malcom do Community Service during his lunch period today picking up papers on the school grounds.

He will have to do three lunch periods of Community service instead of a whole day of In-school suspension. What would you like me to do Mrs. Jones?

Note: Mrs. Jones is a large 300 pound black woman with an Afro hair style and a moo moo dress.

MRS. WELINDA JONES Put that boy in Community Service picking up papers. Maybe it will teach him to keep his big mouth shut.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS OK, I will assign Malcom to 4th period Community Service today and two days after.

Than you for your support Mrs. Jones. Have a good day. Goodbye. OK, Malcom you heard your mother, and she approved of you serving Community Service today and two other days during your lunch period. At the beginning of 4th period lunch you will report to my office with your lunch. If you do not have lunch we will provide you with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a container of milk. You have 15 minutes to finish your lunch. After that you will be given a plastic trash bag, and a paper picker tool to pick up papers on the Soccer field and surrounding area. You are not to talk to your friends or anyone out during lunch recess. I will personally be observing you the whole period outdoors to make sure you are picking up papers the entire time. When you are done and the bell rings you are to show your bag contents to me before you dump it in the dumpster. Do you understand these instructions Malcom?

MALCOM JONES Yes, but am not happy.

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PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS See you at the beginning of 4th period. Do not be late or you will get an additional day of community service. Mrs. Rodofsky who is next.

FADE OUT. Later that day Mr. Mead meets the students serving Community Service that day.

FADE IN:

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (CONT’D) You students have 15 minutes to eat your lunch. There is to be no talking. When you are done I will give you a plastic garbage bag and a paper picker took to pick up papers and soda cans or bottles on or around the Soccer field outside. I will be watching you the whole time.

When the bell rings, you are to bring your bags back to me to inspect and then you can dump them in the dumpster at the back of the building. There is to be no talking to each other or your friends. Does everyone understand?

15 minutes later.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (CONT’D) OK, here are your garbage bags and paper picker tool. Put on your coats and let’s go outside.

On the field Dean Mead is standing on the Soccer field holding a cup of coffee watching the students picking up papers. It is windy and his hair is blowing in the wind and it is cold and even with his heavy coat it is noticeable how cold he is. His face begins to become rosy red from the cold. He begins spitting on the ground.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (CONT’D) Brrrrr, it is as cold as hell out here. Thank God for this coffee.

When the bell rings all the students turn in their bag of trash and Mr. Mead inspects them and then tells them to take the bags to the dumpster.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (CONT’D) Take the bags to the dumpster and throw them in. See you tomorrow, same time, same place. 7.

MALCOM JONES Man that sucked. I am sorry I cursed at Mr. Knapp because this is torture.

Mr. Mead comes back into his office.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Boy it was cold outside. Lisa have the remainder of the students I have to interview report to my office now.

FADE OUT.

At the end of the Day, Mr. Mead puts on his coat and exits the school by the side door.

FADE IN:

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (CONT’D) Holy crap! Someone broke my car windshield.

This is the third time this has happened. I am going to have to park my car out in the faculty parking lot to keep it away from any students.

Damm, now I will have to drive home sitting in a pile of broken glass.

Mr. Mead is seen sitting in a pile of glass peering through a broken windshield, squinting his eyes to see.

FADE TO BLACK.

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ACT TWO- BULLETS IN SCHOOL.

SCENE 1-INT. DAY- OCTOBER 1985.

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PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (42) Good morning Mrs. Rodofsky.

MRS. LISA RODOFSKY, SECRETARY (45) Good morning Mr. Mead.

Mr. Mead enters his office. Five seconds of video show his title on the door (Pelham Mead, Dean of Students). As the camera scans across the outer room piles of orange files are stacked almost as high as the ceiling. Some stacks are on the floor. There is almost no room to walk except a path to the Dean’s office.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (Looking through his desk draws) Damm it where the hell are my pens?

(MORE) 8.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (Opens left lower desk draw which is full of water pistols) I have enough water pistols to start a toy store. (Opens top left desk draw) (The top draw is full of decks of cards, marbles, pea shooters and sling shots. Nothing but marbles and cards in this draw. (He opens the desk middle draw and a huge 18 inch hunting knife is in the draw along with several pocket knives. Hunting knives and no pens.(Opens Right top draw which is full of more water pistols). If there were a market for used water pistols, I would be rich.(Opens The right lower desk draw, and the draw is full of cap guns and a pellet gun) He digs through the cap guns and puts the pellet gun on top of his desk and on the bottom of the draw is one single ink pen.

Finally, a pen in a field of cap guns and a pellet gun. I have an arsenal here. (Mr. Mead puts all the cap guns and pellet gun back in the lower right hand draw. On top of the desk is three trays marked IN, PENDING, Processed. The IN file is stacked so high it is cascading into the Pending box. The Processed file is empty. Lisa how many students do we have today?

LISA RODOFSKY, SECRETARY Less than most days. We have around 25 students. The fear of serving Community Service in front of their peers is making a lot of students think twice before cutting a class.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Bengee Magal do you know why you are here today?

BENGEE MAGAL (12) STUDENT

No, sir.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Do you want to empty your pockets Bengee?

BENGEE MAGAL, STUDENT What for Mr. Mead? 9.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Your teacher Mr. Ross has reported to me that you were playing with live bullets in class. Is that true?

BENGEE MAGAL, STUDENT I found them at the bus stop.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Do you realize how dangerous it could be to you and your fellow students and teacher if one of those bullets exploded in your hand or pocket?

BENGEE MAGAL, STUDENT I only have 8 bullets. Here they are (dumpling the bullets on Dean Mead’s desk).

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (Picking up the bullets and examining them) These look like 22 long bullets Bangee. Where did you get these bullets?

BENGEE MAGAL, STUDENT They were lying on the ground at the bus stop, and I picked them up and put them in my pocket.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Really? Mrs. Rodofsky, Bangee and I are going to take a little ride in my car. We will be back soon. Come on Bangee we are going for a ride in my car.

BENGEE MAGAL, STUDENT Where are we going?

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS We are going to your bus stop to see if we can find anymore bullets on the ground.

Half way across the parking lot Bangee makes an admission of guilt.

BENGEE MAGAL Mr. Mead, stop. We don’t need to drive to the bus stop. I lied. I stole the bullets from a coffee can in my neighbors garage.

(MORE) 10.

BENGEE MAGAL (CONT’D) I saw the bullets in the coffee can one day and I stole them from our neighbor. I brought them to school to show to my friends. I didn’t mean any harm. Honest.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Well then let’s go back to my office.

When they get back to Mr. Mead’s office.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (CONT’D) Bengee bringing bullets or guns to school is a serious offense. We have a zero tolerance policy in this school district and you could be expelled from school by the Superintendent of Schools and put on home tutoring or sent to another school district in Rockland county that will take you.

BENGEE MAGAL, STUDENT (Begins to cry) Please Mr. Mead, do not call my parents. They will kill me.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS The law requires me to contact your parents and inform the Principal of your misconduct. It is out of my hands what the Principal wants to do with you. This is your first offense, so that will help your case, but your parents will have to come into the school, and meet with the Principal, Mr. Pollak and myself and we will take it from their. Let me call your parents first.

Hello Mrs. Magal? This is Mr. Mead, Dean of Students at Kakiat Junior High. I am calling you today because I have your son Bengee in my office. He seems to have stolen some 22 calibre bullets from your next door neighbors garage where they were in a coffee can. He brought the bullets to school and showed them to his friends in class. The teacher reported him to my office and I interviewed Bengee and determined that he was lying about finding the bullets on the ground at his bus stop. Can you and your husband come in today and meet with Principal Gerald Pollak and myself to discuss Bengee’s situation.

(MORE) 11.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS He may be suspended from school because we have a zero tolerance rule for guns and ammunition.

MRS. MAGAL, (48) MOTHER I am shocked to hear my son stole bullets and brought them to school. I will call my husband, and we will be able to come to Kakiat Junior high this afternoon at 2:00 o’clock.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Good, I will confirm this with Principal Pollak for meeting with him at 2:00 today. Thank you for your cooperation Mrs. Magal.

Later that day at 2:00.

LISA RODOFSKY, SECRETARY Mr. Mead, Mr. And Mrs.Magal Are here waiting for you.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Put them in the conference room and call down Bengee, while I get Mr. Pollak to sit in on this meeting.

LISA RODOFSKY, SECRETARY Will do. Mr. And Mrs. Magal would you like a cup of water or anything? Please sit in the conference room until we can get your son Bengee down here and Mr. Pollak as soon as he is available.

Minutes later.

BENGEE MAGAL Hi Mom and Dad.

MR. MADAL Sit down Bengee. We are not happy.

BENGEE MAGAL

Sorry.

Note: Mr. Pollak is a bald, Jewish men with pale white skin, and no facial hair. He is a little over-weight and wears thin rimmed reading glasses.

Mr. Pollak and Mr. Mead enter the conference room. 12.

GERALD POLLAK, PRINCIPAL OF KAKIAT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Sorry for the delay Mr. And Mrs. Magal. I was on the phone with the District lawyer and the Superintendent of Schools regarding the legality of bring live ammunition into school. As you may know we have a zero tolerance policy regarding guns and bullets brought to school. If Bengee was 16 it would be a felony violation and he would have to be arrested. I have spoken to the Dean of Students, Mr. Mead and since this is Bengee’s first offense we are not going to suspend him from school for a week or sent him to another school district. With your permission he will participate in picking up papers during his lunch period for one month in our Community Service program supervised by Dean Pelham Mead. If he has any other discipline problems in the next school year I will have to recommend that he be removed from school and sent to another school in the district. Do you understand your rights Mr. And Mrs. Magel?

MRS. MAGAL, MOTHER I am so embarrassed for Bengee’s behavior. This is not the way we brought him up. I don’t know what I am going to tell our neighbors? We will prefer to have Bengee serve community service then be suspended from school.

GERALD POLLAK, PRINCIPAL OF KAKIAT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL OK, Mr. Mead will give you the form to sign giving your permission to have Bengee serve Community Service for one month. You must provide a bag lunch for him since he will not be permitted to buy hot lunch for one month.

MR. MAGAL, FATHER Thank you Principal Pollak and Dean Mead. I have to get back to work. Bengee we will talk with you tonight. Good bye. 13.

GERALD POLLAK, PRINCIPAL OF KAKIAT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Pel just a quick moment. Be careful with this community service thing so that it doesn’t blow up in your face.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS I am always careful Mr. Pollak.

FADE OUT.

4

5

ACT THREE- EXT.-WINDSHIELD PROBLEMS

4

SCENE 1-EXT. DAY- OCTOBER 1985. 5 Mr. Mead arrives for school at 8:00 a.m. In his Volkswagen hatchback car with no windshield. He had a ski hat on and a scarf, and ski jacket on, and gloves. His face looks white and frozen from the cold air coming through the open windshield.

FADE IN:

RICK KNAPP, (25) SCIENCE TEACHER Hey Pel where is your windshield? You look like you are frozen. What happened?

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS One of our students who was unhappy with me for some reason broke my windshield with a rock. I had to drive home in a pile of broken glass. I don’t have time to get another windshield until this weekend. It was kind of like driving a snowmobile.

RICK KNAPP, You certain are funny looking. (Laughing) You better get snow goggles too.

They both walk into the school from the faculty parking lot.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Are you sure you wouldn’t like to serve as the Dean of Students?

RICK KNAPP, No way, not me. I am a Union Rep, and not an administrator. Good luck with that job. See you later. 14.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (42) Good morning Mrs. Rodofsky.

MRS. LISA RODOFSKY, SECRETARY (45) Good morning Mr. Mead. Did I see you driving to school with a car with no windshield this morning?

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Yes, One of our students broke my windshield yesterday. I was unable to get another windshield so I had to drive to school without a windshield. Tomorrow I will take my motorcycle to work until I can get my car windshield replaced.

MRS. LISA RODOFSKY, SECRETARY I am sorry to hear that Mr. Mead.

Mr. Mead enters his office. Five seconds of video show his title on the door (Pelham Mead, Dean of Students). As the camera scans across the outer room piles of orange files are stacked almost as high as the ceiling. Some stacks are on the floor. There is almost no room to walk except a path to the Dean’s office.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (Looking through his desk draws) Damm it where the hell are my pens? (Opens left lower desk draw which is full of water pistols) I have enough water pistols to start a toy store.

(Opens top left desk draw) (The top draw is full of decks of cards, marbles, pea shooters and sling shots. Nothing but marbles and cards in this draw. (He opens the desk middle draw and a huge 18 inch hunting knife is in the draw along with several pocket knives. Hunting knives and no pens.(Opens Right top draw which is full of more water pistols). If there were a market for used water pistols, I would be rich.(Opens The right lower desk draw, and the draw is full of cap guns and a pellet gun) He digs through the cap guns and puts the pellet gun on top of his desk and on the bottom of the draw is one single ink pen. Finally, a pen in a field of cap guns and a pellet gun. I have an arsenal here. (Mr.

(MORE) 15.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Mead puts all the cap guns and pellet gun back in the lower right hand draw. On top of the desk is three trays marked IN, PENDING, Processed. The IN file is stacked so high it is cascading into the Pending box. The Processed file is empty. Lisa how are we doing on filing the discipline folders? I am planning on using my Apple Pet computer and create a data base of all students that are disciplined on Appleworks. I will install the program on your computer for you and show you how to access the data base. I am going to use only 10 keywords. That will make sorting by different infractions easier. I can print out the whole week each Friday and give Mr. Pollak a copy for his files.

LISA RODOFSKY, SECRETARY Sounds good to me. It is going to take forever to file all these discipline folders. Many of last years 9th graders have already gone up to the high school. I have to keep them separate to send up to the high schools to help them update their files. They haven’t used computers yet in storing their files. We are way ahead of them in technology.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Great. How many students do I have to interview today?

LISA RODOFSKY, SECRETARY About 25 students. The late to class and class cutters have gone down because they do not want to pick up papers in front of their friends.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Good that means my new approach is working.

The in-school suspension room is mostly empty now. I moved those students into Community Service to give the teachers a break having to give up a prep period to sit in the In-school suspension room for a whole period.

LISA RODOFSKY, SECRETARY First up is Lashonda Williams. 16.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Come right in Lashonda. Have a seat. You were recommended to me for fighting with another girl during lunch time. What is your side of the story?

LASHONDA WILLIAMS (14) STUDENT Well Mr. Mead, Tereshia Jones tried to take my boyfriend Jamal away from me so I had to teach the bitch a lesson. I asked her if she was messing with my boyfriend Billy Danders and she gave me the evil eye.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS What does this evil eye think mean? Fighting in school is not permitted. If you have a problem you go to your guidance counselor and tell them about it, not starting a fist fight on the Soccer field. Normally, we suspend students who fight in school, but I am going to give you a break and ask your parents to allow you to serve in Community service..

LASHONDA WILLIAMS What is Community Service Mr. Mead?

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Instead of being suspended from school and missing a full week of classes you get to pick up papers during your lunch period for one week. That way you don’t miss any of your classes and schoolwork.

LASHONDA WILLIAMS Picking up papers. Hell No!

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS If you refuse, then I will be forced to suspend you for one to two weeks out of school. You will fall behind in your work and probably fail the semester. In addition the suspension will go on your permanent record for future colleges or Employers to see if they want to accept you.

The next time you get in trouble you may be expelled permanently and have to go to night school to get a diploma. So what will it be Lashonda. 17.

LASHONDA WILLIAMS When you put it that way, I will pick up papers instead.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Good, meet me in front of my office tomorrow at the beginning of 4th period. This is all pending on a phone call to your parents for their permission for your to serve community service.

FADE OUT. Later that day Mr. Mead goes outdoors third period, fourth period and fifth period to supervised community service. The day was especially windy and cold. Mr. Mead had a cup of coffee and his ski jacket on with the hood over his head to protect him from the wind. He looked like a frozen corpse. Each period he goes out he gets whiter and whiter with red eyes from the cold.

FADE IN:

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (CONT’D) Time to go out for community service. If anyone has an emergency just call me on the walkie talkie and I will come running. Now it is time to freeze to death on the Soccer field.

LISA RODOFSKY, SECRETARY Stay warm Mr. Mead.

At the end of the day Mr. Mead walks out to the empty faculty parking lot where his VW hatchback is parked with no windshield. He puts on his ski hat, gloves and scarf around his ski jacket and drives off with the cold wind in his face.

FADE TO BLACK.

6

7

ACT FIVE- TROUBLE IN THE EH CLASSROOM.

SCENE 1-INT. DAY- OCTOBER 1985.

6

7

FADE IN:

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (42) Good morning Mrs. Rodofsky.

MRS. LISA RODOFSKY, SECRETARY (45) Good morning Mr. Mead.

Mr. Mead enters his office. Five seconds of video show his title on the door 18.

(Pelham Mead, Dean of Students). As the camera scans across the outer room piles of orange files are stacked almost as high as the ceiling. Some stacks are on the floor. There is almost no room to walk except a path to the Dean’s office.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (Looking through his desk draws) Damm it where the hell are my pens? (Opens left lower desk draw which is full of water pistols) I have enough water pistols to start a toy store.

(Opens top left desk draw) (The top draw is full of decks of cards, marbles, pea shooters and sling shots. Nothing but marbles and cards in this draw. (He opens the desk middle draw and a huge 18 inch hunting knife is in the draw along with several pocket knives. Hunting knives and no pens.(Opens Right top draw which is full of more water pistols). If there were a market for used water pistols, I would be rich.(Opens The right lower desk draw, and the draw is full of cap guns and a pellet gun) He digs through the cap guns and puts the pellet gun on top of his desk and on the bottom of the draw is one single ink pen. Finally, a pen in a field of cap guns and a pellet gun. I have an arsenal here. (Mr. Mead puts all the cap guns and pellet gun back in the lower right hand draw. On top of the desk is three trays marked IN, PENDING, Processed. The IN file is stacked so high it is cascading into the Pending box. The Processed file is empty. Lisa how many students do we have today?

LISA RODOFSKY, SECRETARY About ten, Mr. Mead. The numbers are going down finally. Oh, you have a call on the intercom. Miss Gravely say she has an emergency. One of her male students named Mohammed Moosher is freaking out and threatening to hurt everyone in the class. She wants you and security to rush to her room.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Tell her I am on the way. Call the security guards and tell them to meet me at the EH class on the first floor.

Pelham Mead jogs down to the EH class. Upon his arrival he opens the door and 19.

sees furniture and tables and chairs upside down all over the classroom. All the students are pinned against the wall including the teacher in fear of the student at the far end of the room who was cursing and threatening everyone in the room with his black umbrella.

MARILYN BROCK (30) EH TEACHER Mr. Mead I am so glad you responded so quickly. As you can see we have a situation here with Mohammed. Mohammed had an argument with one of the students and a fight broke out with chairs being thrown and Mohammed threatening the entire class with an umbrella. Can you help us?

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Mohammed, I am the Dean of students. You need to calm down. What is the problem? You also need to stop threatening everyone with that umbrella. Are you alright Miss Brock?

Mohammed is an average size black student with short cut hair and no facial hairs. He is a very muscular student being a year older that the rest of the students. He has a very base voice and stutters a little when talking.

MOHAMMED MOOSHER, (15) STUDENT Fuck you Mr. Med or whatever your name is. I asked Miss Brock if I could take a few days off from school to make some money working, and she said No. Then Julian, the fat slob started laughing at me and we had a fight.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS If you take off from school you can be arrested by the District truancy officer, and be in a lot of trouble. Come on Mohammed let’s go out in the hallway and talk this over.

MOHAMMED MOOSHER, Fuck you. am not going anywhere.

I

SECURITY GUARD DAN HEALY, (60) Do you need help Mr. Mead?

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS No Dan, I got this under control. Stay around just in case. Mohammed if you don’t come out, I am going to have to drag you out in the hallway. 20.

MOHAMMED MOOSHER, Fuck you asshole. Try and take this umbrella away from me.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS This is your last chance Mohammed. I am coming in, and I am going to take your umbrella away, and drag you by your neck out into the hallway for the rest of the school to see.

MOHAMMED MOOSHER, (Mohammed raised the umbrella high in the air as Mr. Mead charged him) You can’t have my umbrella.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Give me the umbrella or I am going to wrap it around your throat.

Note: Mr. Mead was a Wrestling champion in High school and college and he kept himself in the best physical condition possible at 160 pounds over Mohammed who weighed around 120 pounds.

Mr. Mead grabbed the umbrella and Mohammed behind the neck, and dragged him out into the hallway. There Mohammed tried to punch Mr. Mead, and he blocked the punch, and judo flipped Mohammed to the floor. Suddenly, all the classroom doors opened and the teachers stuck their heads out to see what was going on. They were amazed to see the Dean of Students wrestling with an EH student. It was the event of the month for the teachers when they gossiped about what happened in the teacher cafeteria everyday.

Later, Mr. Mead got Mohammed in a head lock, and dragged him down to the Dean’s office. Dan the Security officer helped by bringing the umbrella along.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS (CONT’D) Lisa inform Mr. Pollak that I have a violent student I want arrested by the Rampo Police department. I will press charges of assaulting a teacher and administrator in addition to threatening the other students in the class with bodily harm. I am going to lock him in the conference room until the police get here.

LISA RODOFSKY, SECRETARY I am calling Mr. Pollak on the intercom right now and the Ramapo Police department. 21.

PELHAM MEAD, DEAN OF STUDENTS Thank you. Now I have to catch my breath. I haven’t wrestled since College.

FADE OUT.

by Dr. Pelham Mead, Ed.D.

ACT TWELVE- THE SPIRIT OF TAIRA NO MASAKADO
SCENE- EXT. NIGHT- 940 JAPAN.
The curse of Masakado.
A number of warriors—including Masakado’s ally Fujiwara no Hidesato and some
his own relatives—were commissioned by the government to take his head. They
caught up with Masakado’s army in Shimosa province on the fourteenth day of
the second month of 940 CE. They attacked during a night ambush and quickly

defeated the rebels. Masakado’s men were outnumbered ten to one. Masakado
was beheaded, betrayed by his friends and family. The head was brought back to
Kyoto to be displayed in the east market as a message to would-be rebels.
Strangely, Taira no Masakado’s head did not decompose. Many months after it
was first displayed in the east market, it still looked as fresh as the day it was
severed. The eyes had grown fiercer, and the mouth twisted up into a hideous
grimace. Night after night the head would call out,
“Where is my murdered body!?
Come here! Reattach my head and let me fight once again!” And then things got
really strange.
One night the head began to glow. It flew off into the sky, across the country,
towards Shimosa. The head eventually grew tired and landed to rest in a fishing
village called Shibazaki (which would one day grow into the city of Edo). The
villagers who found the head cleaned it and buried it. A shrine was erected over
the grave and named Kubizuka—the mound of the head. Masakado was
honored and worshipped by the peasants as a true warrior, a symbol of justice
who stood in heroic defiance of a corrupt and lazy nobility. He was seen as an
underdog who was repeatedly betrayed and eventually murdered by those he
should have been able to trust. Despite his deification and popularity among the
lower classes, his ghost was not appeased. A few years after his head was
buried, the ghost of a samurai began to be seen in the neighborhood of his
shrine.
FADE IN:
EMPEROR SUZAKU
Hidesato I want you and your relatives to go to
the northern provinces and kill Tiara No
Masakado. He has become a threat to the
Empire and declared himself Emperor.

Hideri watashi wa anata to anata no oya
relative ga kita no shū ni iki, tiara no sei-mon o
koroshite hoshīdesu. Kare wa teikoku ni taisuru
kyōi to nari, jibun jishin o kōtei to sengen
shimashita.
HIDESATO, SAMURAI
I will do as you command Emperor. I will
assemble an Army and march north within the
week.

HIDESATO, SAMURAI (CONT’D)
We will humble Masakado for killing his Uncle
and other Governors of the northern provinces.
I am friendly with Masakado’s mistress Kikyo
and she has revealed to me the secret of
telling which of the kagemusha, Masakado
fake doubles, is really Masakado. In the light of
day he will be the only Samurai with a shadow.

Kōtei ni meijite yaru yo. 1-Shūkan inai ni guntai
o hensei shite kita e kōshin shimasu.
Watashitachi wa kare no oji to hokubu no shū
no ta no chiji o koroshita koto ni taishite
kenkyona Masakado o shimasu. Watashi wa
Masakado no aijin no kikyō ni shitashimi,
kanojo wa watashi ni kagemushadearu
Masakado no feikudaburu ga dore ga
Masakadodearu ka o tsutaeru himitsu o
akiraka ni shimashita. Ni~Tsu no hikari de, kare
wa kage o motsu yuiitsu no only ni narimasu.
EMPEROR SUZAKU
Go quickly and make no delay.
ی د í ة ج  ؤ ) h ح ح ë ی 0 / آ ê ?
Sugu ni iki, okureru koto wa arimasen.
So that day Hidesato assembled an Army in the name of the Emperor to go to
the northern provinces and find Tiara No Masakado.
One week later
TIARA NO MASAKADO, SAMURAI
I had a dream from the great Michizane and he
asked me to stand up and fight the Emperor
and his armies, and I promised to do that on
behalf of all the farmers and Samurai of the
north.

More to be continued from movie script.

by Dr. Pelham Mead

This is a story about the first and greatest Samurai in Japan in 940 a.d. and his name was Taira No Masakado. Masakado defeated and captured many northern provinces and killed on of his Uncles who tried to take his father’s land away from him.

The story takes place when an exact replica of Masakado’s kabuto is sold at auction. The kabuto is cursed and has evil powers which affect Jimmy the son of the buyer.

AERO LONG

Written by
Dr. Pelham Mead

ii.

AERO LONG

By Dr. Pelham Mead (c)2019

2.

ACT ONE- WITCHCRAFT

SCENE 1- INT. DAY- FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF SALEM BASEMENT.
Aero Long is chained to a brick wall in the basement of the First Congregational Church of Salem, Mass. Water dripped down the damp wall as Aero struggled to get free. A cockroach ran across his hands which were strung high above his head. A beam of light came through the cracks in the bricks and a mouse scurried across the moldy floor.

FADE IN:
Aero-long was a tall thin man with a clean shaven fact and dark brown hair. He was a young man of 23 with deep blue eyes.

AERO LONG (23) SHAPE SHIFTER
I don’t know how much longer I can bear
this pain.

In the basement across from Aero is John Alden Jr.

JOHN ALDEN (22) JR.
You may not have to worry much longer if
these crazy witch hunters have their way.
They will tie you to a chair on a pole and put
you under water again and again until you
drown.

AERO LONG
How is it you were arrested for witch craft
stranger?

JOHN ALDEN
I was in Canada trying to get some hostages
released and when I returned a woman name
Isabel told everyone I was a witch. I rejected
her a few years ago when she thought she
was in love with me.

AERO LONG
Ahh, a woman scorned. Now you have your
reward.

3.

JOHN ALDEN
I plan to escape. My family on the outside is
going to bribe someone to let me out of this
church basement.

AERO LONG
Perhaps you can take me with you stranger?

JOHN ALDEN
I will let you know when the time is right.

When the time came for John Alden Jr. to escape his friends appeared at the stairway to the basement. Quickly they unlocked John Alden Jr. From his chains.

JOHN ALDEN (CONT’D)
See to the stranger on the other end of the
basement. Unlock him.

SAMUEL SEABURY
What stranger? The chains on the wall are
empty, and there is no one there. Wait, there
is a fox. What the hell is a fox doing in the
basement?

JOHN ALDEN
We have no time to figure it out. Run for
daylight before we are discovered.

Right behind the group of men the fox scampered up the stairs and into the church courtyard never to be seen again.

SAMUEL SEABURY
We are free. Grab your horse John and let us
be gone. Y

JOHN ALDEN
Finally, a horse to freedom. Ride on steed.

Running behind the men on horses a red fox scampered off into the woods, free at last.

FADE TO BLACK.

4.

Dutch Guiana in 1700’s.

ACT TWO- DUTCH GIANA 1763,

SCENE 1-INT. DAY- JULY 14, 1763 ON BOARD THE BRIG “SUCCESS,” FROM BOSTON TO DUTCH GUIANA.
Edward Bancroft runs away from his physician apprentice at age 16 and sails for Dutch Giana to seek a new life .

FADE IN:
EDWARD BANCROFT (17) PHYSICIANS
APPRENTIST
Ahh the smell of the sea and the endless
horizon of the ocean is the life to be. I am so
glad to be free of the demeaning physician
apprenticeship. All I did was mop up blood
on the floor. It was not the life for me.

BEN ROGERS (44) SEAMAN
It doesn’t smell so great when you have to
climb them masts high in the air to drop the
sails. I have been a seaman all my life and I
can’t smell the ocean from the deck varnish.

5.

EDWARD BANCROFT
Well it is all new to me after living in New
England all my life.
Note: The next day a storm hit and most of the crew and passengers had to stay below because of the waves splashing over the deck and washing everything no tied down into the ocean. The ship swayed from side to side in an unnatural rocking motion. Every other wave the ship would life out of the waves and come thundering down with a loud clapping sound in the trough of another wave. Most of the passengers including Edward Bancroft were all heaving their guts out.
BEN ROGERS
How is that ocean smell treating you matey?
Ha…storms like this make a man out of you
in no time. Just hold onto the posts for dear
life. The storm should be gone by tomorrow.
Bear with it matey.
EDWARD BANCROFT
I think my insides are going to turn
themselves inside out. How much longer is
this storm going to last?
CHARLIE PIKE (50) FIRST MATE
Here eat some of this ginger. It will settle
your stomach and help you feel better during
the storm.
EDWARD BANCROFT
Thank you Mr. Pike.

FADE TO BLACK.
Sometime during the storm seaman Rogers went to look for Mr. Bancroft who seemed to have disappeared from below deck.

FADE IN:
BEN ROGERS, SEAMAN
Mr. Pike have you seen Mr. Bancroft lately?
I looked below and I cannot find him. Do
you know where he is?

6.

CHARLIE PIKE, FIRST MATE
Nope, I haven’t seen him for several hours
Mr. Rogers.
BEN ROGERS
Wait what is that over there in the corner of
the storage? It looks like a red fox. How the
hell could a red fox get aboard this vessel?
Pike call the Quartermaster. We have a red
fox on board.
CHARLIE PIKE, FIRST MATE
There are no red foxes on board matey. You
must have been drinking too much rum.
BEN ROGERS, SEAMAN
I swear it was a red fox. I saw. Now it has
disappeared. I must have imagined it. Ahhh
Mr. Bancroft I have been looking for you.
FADE OUT.
The storm departed after a day. Several weeks later the brig named Success arrived in Dutch Guiana.
FADE IN:
Abraham Van Peere is a tall thin man with a thin mustache and grey long hair to his shoulder. He speaks with a Dutch accent when he speaks English.
ABRAHAM VAN PEERE (50) WHITE DUTCH LAND OWNER
Welcome Mr. Bancroft. We don’t get many
white settlers here in Dutch Guiana. What
do you plan to do for a living sir?
EDWARD BANCROFT
I am well read in medicine, and plan to
provide medical services on the plantations.
I was a Physician’s apprentice for two years.
SAMUEL BILSBERRY, PLANTATION
OWNER
We are in great need of medical services
since we have no doctors on the island.
(MORE)

7.
SAMUEL BILSBERRY, PLANTATION OWNER
I recommend you try the plantations on the
Canoe river near Berbice sir.

EDWARD BANCROFT
That I will do. Than you sir.

FADE OUT.
After a short boat ride down the Canje river, Bancroft arrived at a plantation owned by Abraham Van Peere.

FADE IN:
ABRAHAM VAN PEERE (50)
PLANTATION OWNER
Well, who do we have here today? A white
man? Where do you come from son, and
why are you here in Dutch Guiana?

EDWARD BANCROFT
I am a student of the medical profession and
I have come to offer my services to you and
your family, and your slaves.

ABRAHAM VAN PEERE, PLANTATION
OWNER.
We are in need of a doctor. Malaria and
many other disease are common in the
jungles of Guiana. You are welcome Mr.
Bancroft. The maid will show you to your
bedroom on the second floor of the manor
house. When you get settled I want you to
look after a dozen of my slaves who have
malaria.

EDWARD BANCROFT
I have a small amount of quinine with me ,
but we will need to import some more
quinine to fight malaria.

8.

ABRAHAM VAN PEERE, PLANTATION
OWNER
I will see to it that you get all the quinine
you need. Malaria is killing off half of my
slaves.

FADE OUT.
With only two years of experience as a physician’s apprentice Edward Bancroft began treating plantation slaves and Dutch colonists. The slaves could not pronounce Bancroft so they called Edward Master. He did not like being called Master so he asked the saves to call him Mr. Fox. The saves made Mr. Fox into mitta-fox.
EDWARD BANCROFT
Samuel my name is Edward Bancroft and I
am the doctor for Master Peere’s slaves.
SAMUEL (60) SLAVE LEADER
Yes, m-sob you Doctor. Me head man.
EDWARD BANCROFT
You tell the other slaves that I am here to
help them. I am not master. I am doctor here
to help them.
SAMUEL SLAVE LEADER
Yes, M-sob. What you name?
EDWARD BANCROFT
Bancroft is a hard English word to say so
just call me Mr. Fox.
SAMUEL, SLAVE LEADER
Mitta Fox, yes small smart animal.
EDWARD BANCROFT
Yes very smart. Do you have any slaves that
are sick? I would like to cure them
SAMUEL, SLAVE LEADER
Yes m-sob, mitta Fox come with me.
Samuel and Edward entered a run down shack with a palm
Thatched roof and a dirt floor. Lying on a bed sweating, and in pain

9.

was a male slave named Jumbo. He had malaria
Edward could tell from the symptoms.
EDWARD BANCROFT
Here is some medicine to mix with a glass
of water. Samuel tell him to take the
medicine three times a day, and it will make
him well.
SAMUEL SLAVE LEADER (50)
Yes mitta fox. I do. Jumbo you take
medicine from Doctore.

FADE OUT.
Two weeks later Jumbo recovered and was working in the plantation again. Plantation owner Van Peere was impressed how efficient Edward was with the slaves. Edward also cured Van Peere’s wife of malaria.

FADE IN:
ABRAHAM VAN PEERE
I am indebted to you Mr. Bancroft for saving
my wife Maria’s life. She was dying of
malaria until you gave her medicine. I
understand you also saved my slave Jumbo’s
life too. You are welcome to join me at the
dinner table when ever you wish.

EDWARD BANCROFT
Thank you Mr. Van Peere. I was just doing
my job as plantation Doctor.

MARIA VAN PEERE, (30) WIFE
Doctor Bancroft or Mr. Fox as the slaves
call you. You are a God-sent with your
medicine and modern knowledge of curing
diseases. I too am indebted to you for saving
my life from malaria.

10.

EDWARD BANCROFT
Quinine is the cure for quinine Mrs. Van
Peere. I had your husband order more of it
from America.
ABRAHAM VAN PEERE
I have more plantations further up Canje and
Berbice rivers if you want to treat my slaves
on those plantations? For now feel free to
enjoy the life of a gentlemen in Dutch
Guiana.
EDWARD BANCROFT
Thank you Mr Van Peere.
ABRAHAM VAN PEERE
You will be paid in sterling silver each
month which you can save since all your
food and housing will be provided for by
me.
EDWARD BANCROFT
I ask only that you purchase some medical
manuals for me to read while I am treating
the slaves and colonists.
ABRAHAM VAN PEERE
What every medical books you want I will
have shipped directly from Britain for you.
EDWARD BANCROFT
Thank you Sir.

FADE OUT.
Several months later Edward came into conflict with the slave shaman named King John.

FADE IN:
KING JOHN, (60) SLAVE SHAMAN
mitta-fox. I am King John, shaman for all
slaves on plantation.

11.

EDWARD BANCROFT
I am glad to meet you King John. I am
doctore here to help cure sick slaves. I do
not wish to interfere with your healing
practices. Me heal.
KING JOHN,SHAMAN
I see in dream that you have special healing
powers Doctore Fox Why do you call
yourself mitta Fox? Are you really a Fox?
EDWARD BANCROFT
Most slaves cannot say my English name
Bancroft so I chose a simple name Fox for
them to use. Mitta fox is all they could
pronounce.

FADE OUT.
King John being a shaman felt that was something unusual about this Englishman called Fox and he was right. When stressed Edward Bancroft could change he shape from a man into a red fox. It was his method of escape, and as a fox he was able to easily go undetected in the night or day. One night Edward was called out to deliver a child to a slave woman named Buela. It was a difficult birth and the slave was in much pain. The shaman King John appeared, and gave Buela some herbs that helped in the pain. Edward was upset that King John had upset his delivery of the baby. Edward was so stressed that he went outside the shack and turned into a Fox and ran away into the forest.

FADE IN:
KING JOHN,SHAMAN
Mitta Fox, we missed you last night. Buela
had a healthy boy after I gave her herbs to
kill the pain. Where did you go mitta Fox?
The baby came and I had to deliver it. It was
a boy, and then named him Uriel.
EDWARD BANCROFT
I was not feeling well and had to return to
the manor house to rest. I am sorry I was not
there for the birth.

12.

KING JOHN,SHAMAN
You are strange English. There is something
about you that makes me nervous.

Edward said nothing. From that day on King John was always asking questions about Edward Bancroft alias Mr. Fox.

FADE OUT.

Coastal map of Dutch Berbice plantations in 1770’s

SCENE 2-EXT. DAY- BERBICE RIVER PLANTATIONS INLAND, DUTCH GIANA.
A year after Edward began as plantation Doctor he decided to move up the Berbice river to two other plantations owned by Van Peere.

FADE IN:
EDWARD BANCROFT
Mr. Van Peere, I have decided to move
further up the Berbice river to assist the
slaves on your two plantations there.

13.

ABRAHAM VAN PEERE
I would be most grateful for you to treat my
slaves on the Berbice river plantations.
Many slaves have died of many jungle
diseases, and I need you to cure them.
EDWARD BANCROFT
I will leave tomorrow then.

FADE TO BLACK.
The next day Edward Bancroft alias Mr Fox took a boat headed upriver on the Berbice river to the two plantations that Mr. Van Peere owned. When He got there tension was in the air and a slave revolution was about to begin.

EDWARD BANCROFT (CONT’D)
The slaves are acting very strangely on these
Berbice plantations. They wouldn’t talk to
me for some reason.

BIG TOM, SLAVE (40)
English man, you go back to the coast. Bad
things about to happen. Slaves unhappy
here.

EDWARD BANCROFT
I bring medicine to cure jungle disease.

BIG TOM, SLAVE
Not want medicine English. You go back to
the coast now.

EDWARD BANCROFT
Does anyone know what is going on here on
these plantations? The slaves seem like they
are hiding something. They are very angry
for some reason.

BIG TOM, SLAVE
Many whippings English.

14.

EDWARD BANCROFT
I have a letter of introduction to the
plantation Master to allow me to treat
colonists and slaves and to provide me room
and food during my stay.
THOMAS VON HEDDING (40)
PLANTATION MASTER.
I see Mr. Von Peere sent you. Welcome Mr.
Bancroft or shall I say Doctor Bancroft? We
are having a situation here on the plantations
which may require the military to assist us.
Word is that the slaves are going to revolt.
We cannot allow that.

FADE OUT.
The next day a slave was tied to a pole and being whipped.

FADE IN:
EDWARD BANCROFT
Why is that slave being whipped?
THOMAS VON HEDDING
He attempted to escape and we caught him
in the jungle.

FADE TO BLACK.
SCENE 3-EXT. DAY- THE SLAVE REBELLION ON THE INLAND BERBICE RIVER PLANTATIONS.
A week after Edward arrived at the Berbice river plantations inland, several hundred slaves raided the manor house on one of the plantations. The Plantation owner had to call in the military from neighboring counties.

FADE IN:
RICHARD VAN WATERS, PLANTATION
SUPERVISOR.
Sound the alarm and break out the rifles.
Several hundred slaves have walked off the
plantation and are headed to the manor
house. We must protect the manor house.
(MORE)

15.
RICHARD VAN WATERS, PLANTATION
Petre you take a boat downriver to Mr. Van
Peere and tell him we need an Army of
soldiers to put down this rebellion
immediately.
PETRE, FIELD BOSS FOR THE PLANTATION (50)

STUBBS, SLAVE
The army is coming. The army is coming.
Run for ya life.
EDWARD BANCROFT
What is going on sir?
JOSIAH VON PEEBLES (50)
PLANTATION OWNER
The slaves are revoting. You need to stay
indoors Mr. Bancroft. It isn’t safe for white
folk to go out until the slaves are subdued.

FADE OUT.
Edward Bancroft had a perfect view of the plantation from his bedroom window on the second floor of the manor house.

FADE IN:
EDWARD BANCROFT
I can’t believe the army cut the slaves down
with machetes like they were cutting meat. It
is a bloody revolution the slaves were
losing. The slaves had only farm tools and
the army had guns, cannons, swords and
machetes. They cut the runaway slaves
down like wooden pegs. Dead bodies of
slaves were lying all over the plantation
fields. It was a massacre. The slaves quarters
and part of the coffee field had turned into a
lake of blood. Slave body parts were
everywhere. It was a scene from Hell, and
beyond. Edward felt sick to his stomach.
(MORE)

16.
EDWARD BANCROFT (CONT’D)
Turning into a red Fox, Edward ran to the
slaves quarters to warn them an army of
mercenaries was coming up the river to kill
anyone who resisted. He never considered
that a talking Fox would scare the wits out
of the slaves. He ran as fast as he could run
toward the slave huts. Run, run for your
lives soldiers are coming up the river to put
down the revolution. Put down your
weapons and surrender or run into the
jungle. You cannot win, there are too man
soldiers.
SARAH, (20) SLAVE WOMAN
Look it is a Fox and it talks. This is an omen
from the Devil. We are doomed. Run for
your lives.
KING JOHN, SHAMAN
So you have appeared again Red Fox? Why
do you warn us? Do I know you Red Fox?
We will be successful in our revolt. We
outnumber the whites by ten to one. They
cannot win.
EDWARD BANCROFT AS THE FOX
(In the shape of a Red Fox) You are wrong
wise one. The soldiers have field cannons
that can kill 50 slaves at a time. The Dutch
can always replace the slaves by buying
more slaves at the market. Out of fear the
white man has to put down this rebellion.
You can run into the jungle, and hide there
or surrender with a white flag. Do you hear
the cannon in the distance. The cannon balls
will flatten every slave hut here, and cut
down 30-50 slaves at a time. You cannot
win. Surrender. I will leave you now to
decide your fate.

FADE OUT.

17.

Edward returned to the manor house and when he got back to his bedroom he changed back into his human form.

FADE IN:
EDWARD BANCROFT
I am a Doctor and there is nothing I can do
here in this slave rebellion. I will leave
tomorrow at Sun up.

FADE TO BLACK.
The next day Edward Bancroft fed back down river from the Berbice river plantations to the coast plantations of Abraham Von Peere.

FADE IN:
ABRAHAM VAN PEERE
Welcome back Mr. Bancroft. I heard there
was a slave revolt on my plantations. I had
to sent in the Army to tame the slaves.

EDWARD BANCROFT
Your army sir killed hundreds of unarmed
slaves. I watched the bloody massacre from
my bedroom window.

ABRAHAM VAN PEERE
The slaves outnumber the whites ten to one
and we cannot allow the to take over or they
will kill every white in Dutch Guiana. We
have to come down hard on slave revolts or
they will kill us all.

FADE TO BLACK.

SCENE 4-INT. EXT. FURTHER INLAND IN DUTCH GIANA EXPLORING FOR ONE YEAR OBSERVING THE PLANTS, ANIMALS AND NATIVES.
Having saved several hundred British pounds, Bancroft takes a year off as a Doctor and travels around Dutch Giana observing and collecting the plant life, animals and natives. He begins writing a three volume book about his research in Dutch Giana. While traveling around Dutch Giana Bancroft

18.

comes across the Macusi tribe in the jungles of Dutch Giana. The Macusi were known to have the strongest poison for their arrows. Bancroft wanted to learn how to make the curari poison but the shaman would not reveal the plant or process.

FADE IN:
In a local Macusi tribal village deep in the jungles of Dutch Giana. Edward with a local guide enter a Macusi village. A macusi native approaches them with a head piece of beautiful bird feathers. His body is marked with many tattoos and he is wearing only a breech cloth.

Macusi shaman, Selna Walayzo, 1700’s Dutch Guiana forests.

EDWARD BANCROFT
I am Doctore Bancroft. I want to meet you
shaman.

SELNA WALAYZO, MACUSI SHAMAN
What do you want of me white man?

EDWARD BANCROFT
I have beads as a gift to you. I want to learn
about your tribe and it’s medicines and the
poison you use on your arrows and blow
guns.

19.

SELNA WALAYZO, MACUSI SHAMAN
Macusi arrow poison is a tribal secret that
cannot be told, white man.

EDWARD BANCROFT
Perhaps if I give you some gifts for you to
tell me the secret of your arrow poison.

SELNA WALAYZO, MACUSI SHAMAN
No gifts. Secret and very dangerous. Gods
of Macusi protect poison.

JIM BOB, MAROON GUIDE (40)
The shaman is not going to give you the
secret to the Macusi arrow poison no matter
how many gifts you give him. He wants you
to sit at the fire and drink native drink
masato. Be careful boss the drink is very
powerful. To refuse it is considered an
insult.

EDWARD BANCROFT
Thank you Jim Bob for keeping me
informed. Tell the shaman I accept his
invitation to sit down with him and drink his
masato.

JIM BOB, MAROON GUIDE
We sit. Drink Masato.

SELNA WALAYZO, MACUSI SHAMAN
Good. White man drink. We talk.

EDWARD BANCROFT
What did he say Jim Bob?

JIM BOB, MAROON GUIDE
He invites you to sit and drink masato with
him.

20.

EDWARD BANCROFT
I will try the masato. It really has a kick to
it. Wow, I just got a rush to my head after
one sip. This drink is really strong.
JIM BOB
The Macusi make the drink from fermented
yucca.

After several hours Edward felt drunk from drinking the masato.

EDWARD BANCROFT
Ask the shaman if we could stay for a few
days to observe their tribe.

JIM BOB, MAROON GUIDE
(In Macusi language) White man thanks the
shaman for his drink. May we stay tonight
and learn the ways of the Macusi?

SELNA WALAYZO, MACUSI SHAMAN
White man and maroon welcome to say. We
have empty hut for you to sleep tonight.

EDWARD BANCROFT
What did he say Jim Bob?

JIM BOB, MAROON GUIDE
He welcomes us and has an empty hut for us
to stay tonight.

EDWARD BANCROFT
Thank God. I am very drunk and cannot
even focus my vision. That drink was very
powerful. Let’s thank the shaman and retire
for the night. I feel sick.

JIM BOB, MAROON GUIDE
Thank you shaman. We accept your offer
and will stay here tonight in your empty hut.

21.

SELNA WALAYZO, MACUSI SHAMAN
(In Macusi language) Come follow me white
man and maroon and I will show you to
your hut.
The next morning Edward woke up with a tremendous headache.
EDWARD BANCROFT
My head is killing me. That macusi drink
was very powerful. I need to learn how the
natives make it. Most important I need to
find our what the arrow poison is made of
and how to make it.
JIM BOB, MAROON GUIDE
The shaman will never give up the secret to
their arrow poison. Mah-koo-nye-mah the
creator protects all Macushi especially the
secret to making the arrow poison. The
Shaman must guard against Canaima, the
evil spirit that turns people into deadly
animals.
EDWARD BANCROFT
We will see about that. I have some magic of
my own. Come let’s see what the shaman is
up to today.
JIM BOB, MAROON GUIDE
(In macusi language) Good morning
shaman. Thank you for the lodging last
night.
SELNA WALAYZO, MACUSI SHAMAN OR PEII
(In Macusi language) Come maroon. You
and white man will join us in eating. We
killed a wild pig the other day, and roasted it
for the whole village to eat. Come, you are
welcome.
EDWARD BANCROFT
What did he say?

22.

JIM BOB, MAROON GUIDE
He wants us to join him in eating a wild boar
they roasted.
EDWARD BANCROFT
Fine I am starved.
FADE TO BLACK.
About 40 macusi men and women sat around a huge fire spit with a wild boar being roasted. Various jungle fruits and plants were also being cooked on the fire.
FADE IN:
EDWARD BANCROFT (CONT’D)
This wild pig is delicious and I am starved. I
gave the shaman some beads and other gifts.
JIM BOB, MAROON GUIDE
Gifts will not get the shaman to give up the
secret of their arrow poison. You need to do
something amazing that will scare the
shaman showing you have magic. More
magic than the shaman has. The shaman
asks if you have any magical powers. I told
him how you cured many slaves and Dutch
colonists. He is impressed with your magic.
EDWARD BANCROFT
I am going to have to think about it. Eat up
this pig is delicious. I have to come up with
a method of impressing the shaman in order
to gain his trust. It is obvious I cannot buy
him out with gifts.

FADE TO BLACK.
After the dinner the shaman, bancroft, and the maroon guide sat and talked macusi tribal life. It was then that Edward realized that the only way to get the secret arrow poison was to scare the hell out of the shaman. He would have to reveal that he was a shape-shifter who could turn into a red fox at will, and back again.

23.

Edward realized that he could not let Jim Bob see this secret, so he waited until Jim Bob went back to the hut to rest that night. It was then that Edward would reveal himself as a white man magician.

FADE IN:
JIM BOB, MAROON GUIDE
I am going to the hut to lay down master.
EDWARD BANCROFT
I will be along shortly. I have a few things to
discuss with the shaman.
JIM BOB, MAROON GUIDE
OK, Master. I will wait in the hut.
After Jim Bob left, Edward attempted to communicate with the shaman with sign language.
EDWARD BANCROFT
Shaman I am a white man wizard with many
magical powers, which I will show to you if
you promise to reveal the secret of the arrow
poison. I know of your spirit called the
canaima, and I am not of the canaima. I am a
good spirit whom Makunaima has sent to
talk with you.

SELNA WALAYZO, MACUSI SHAMAN OR PEII
Shaman cannot reveal secret of poison.

FADE TO BLACK.
Upon realizing the shaman was not going to change his mind Edward focused his mind and turned himself into a red fox in front of the shaman. A flash of light and the sound of thunder and suddenly Edward was a six tailed fox in front of the shaman.

FADE IN:

24.

EDWARD BANCROFT AS THE
SHAPESHIFTER FOX
I shall go into a fox,
With sorrow and sych and meickle care;
And I shall go in the Devil’s name,
Ay while I come home again.
You see shaman my magic is more powerful
than your magic. I am a fox now that can
talk like a white man. As a fox, I can run
faster, see farther and smell ten times better.
SELNA WALAYZO, MACUSI SHAMAN OR PEII
(In Macushi language) Gods above, you are
a devil creature. Do not eat me. Are you
Canaima the evil one? Spare me evil one.
EDWARD BANCROFT
I will not eat you. See I am back in the shape
of a white man again. Did my magic impress
you shaman?
SELNA WALAYZO, MACUSI SHAMAN OR PEII
You have the power of black magic white
man. I will show you the secret of the arrow
poison. After we make the poison from a
local vine you can carry the black tar like
substance in a bamboo tube safely. You
cannot touch or inhale the fumes of the
poison or it will kill you. There is no
medicine to stop the poison. First we cut
slashes in the bark of the nibbee tree and let
it drain into a bamboo tube which has one
end closed off. The dripping of the sap from
the nibbee may take a day or two.
EDWARD BANCROFT
You have no medicine to stop the poison?

25.

SELNA WALAYZO, MACUSI SHAMAN OR PEII
(In Macusi language) We gather the bark of
the root of Woorara tree, five parts. We add
the bark of the warracobba coura with two
parts. Finally the bark of the rootts of
coursnapi, Baketi, and Hatchybaly of each
one part. Then we cook it over a fire. We
have to make a little palm leave boat in
which we pour the sap. Mixed together the
poison is spread on a leaf and rubbed on an
arrow. At no time can you touch the poison
or you will die. Now you can keep your fox
magic away from me. I make a small pot to
put the bark in and boil for several days until
the bark turns into a black like tar. Then I
pour the poison tar into a bamboo tube to
keep it safe.
Several days later Edward returns to the shaman’s hut to see the poison still boiling in the large pot.
SELNA WALAYZO, MACUSI SHAMAN
(In Macushi language) Poison is ready. I will
pour it into bamboo tubes and seal it closed
for you to carry. Be careful, do not touch the
poison especially if you have a cut or
wound. I will not tell anyone that you are the
spirit of a six tailed fox. Go now before I
change my mind white man.
EDWARD BANCROFT
You are safe my friend. I want to bring some
bamboo tubes of poison back with me to
England. I offer you some knives made by
white men to trade for the arrow poison.

26.

SELNA WALAYZO, MACUSI SHAMAN
This is a good trade white man. Now you
must take the woorara poison, and go from
this village before the Gods become angry
with me for revealing the secret to our
poison.
FADE IN:
That Fall Edward left the Dutch Giana plantations and returned to London, England bring with him the woorara poison, and many native plants from Giana. He wrote a three volume book on the plants, animals and natives of Dutch Giana and had it published in London, England.
FADE TO BLACK.

Dr. Charles Edward Bancroft, Double spy for British and Americans in his later years.

27.

ACT FOUR- RETURN TO ENGLAND AND TEXTILE TRADE SCENE 1- EXT. DAY- EDWARD SENDS HIS BROTHER DAVID
BACK TO THE AMERICAN COLONIES TO GATHER BLACK OAK FOR YELLOW DYE.

FADE IN:
EDWARD BANCROFT
David my beloved brother I have a mission
for you.
DAVID BANCROFT, BROTHER OF
EDWARD (34)
You only call me beloved when you want
me to do something dangerous. What
scheme do you want me to do now?
EDWARD BANCROFT
I need several tons of black oak bark from
the American Colonies to sell as a yellow
dye in London and make a fortune.

DAVID BANCROFT, BROTHER OF
EDWARD
So you want me to travel to the American
Colonies and retrieve several tons of black
oak and have it shipped back to London for
processing as yellow dye?

EDWARD BANCROFT
Yes, I have some financial backers that will
fund the ship expenses for you to travel to
the colonies and to book a ship to bring
several tons of black oak bark back to
London. Do you think you can accomplish
this task? You will need to hire laborers to
cut down the black oak trees and strip off
the bark. Then you will need to lease horse
and wagons to transport the bark to the port
of Boston to load on an English frigate back
to London.
(MORE)

28.
EDWARD BANCROFT (CONT’D)
I will give you spending money to cover all
your costs including food and lodging in the
colonies.
DAVID BANCROFT, BROTHER OF
EDWARD
What is in this task for me brother?
EDWARD BANCROFT
You will be paid handsomely when I sell the
black oak bark to a dye merchant in London.
In fact you will be a rich man after the first
shipment.
DAVID BANCROFT, BROTHER OF
EDWARD
Now I am interested. When do you want me
to depart for the American Colonies?
EDWARD BANCROFT
As soon as possible. I have booked passage
for you on the British frigate, “The Eagle,”
which sails at high tide in two days.
DAVID BANCROFT, BROTHER OF
EDWARD
I only have two days to get ready? Consider
it done brother. I hope this financial venture
works out for us this time.

FADE OUT.
David returned to the Colonies in August 1771, and practiced medicine shipped black oak back to London for his brother. When the Revolution War broke out he sided with the English, and joined the British army under Brig. General Timothy Ruggles
FADE TO BLACK.

29.

John Aitken, Scottish activist aka John the Painter.

ACT FIVE- JOHN AITKEN THE ARSONIST AKA JOHN THE PAINTER.

SCENE 1- INT. DAY- SCOTTISH ACTIVIST JAMES AITKEN VISITS SILAS DEANE IN PARIS, FRANCE.
James Aitken is a short scotsman with dark red hair and a full face beard. He joined the British Navy when young and then ran away. His heavy scotch accent was often difficult to understand.

FADE IN:

30.

JAMES AITKEN, BRITISH ACTIVIST (40)
Excuse me I am here to speak with the
American Colonial delegate Silas Deane.
CHARLES MOSS, SECRETARY TO SILAS DEANE
Mr. Deane is not available sir. He is in the
Paris country-side today. Come back
tomorrow and Mr. Deane will be back in his
office.
The following day James Aitken returned unannounced and asked for an audience with Silas Deane. He was refused and he broke into the meeting room without permission.
JAMES AITKEN, RUNAWAY SAILOR OF THE BRITISH NAVY
Mr. Silas Deane? I am sorry I had to break
into your meeting sir. I have important
information about the British.
SILAS DEANE, AMERICAN
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATE TO
PARIS (55)
What did you say your name was again?
JAMES AITKEN, RUNAWAY SAILOR OF THE BRITISH NAVY
My name is James Aitken, and I have come
to you with a plan to destroy Portsmouth and
Plymouth shipping harbors.
SILAS DEANE, AMERICAN
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATE TO PARIS Why would you want to do that Mr. Aitken?
JAMES AITKEN, RUNAWAY SAILOR OF THE BRITISH NAVY
I am on the side of the colonies, Mr. Deane.
I am a runaway British sailor, and I hate the
English.
(MORE)

31.
JAMES AITKEN, RUNAWAY SAILOR OF THE
I just came to Paris from London where I
have information how to blow up
Portsmouth, and Plymouth harbors where
many British ships are kept in the harbors.
SILAS DEANE, AMERICAN
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATE TO PARIS
I cannot officially give you my support Mr.
Aitken, but I can give you some money to
return to England on the next boat. I implore
you to be careful that you do not involve the
Colonies in your anti-British efforts.
JAMES AITKEN, RUNAWAY SAILOR OF THE BRITISH NAVY
Thank you Mr. Deane.
SILAS DEANE, AMERICAN
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATE TO PARIS
One thing I can do for you is to put you in
touch with my friend Edward Bancroft in
London, England if you run into difficulties.
Please keep his name secret for he is our
only contact for the colonies in England.

JAMES AITKEN, RUNAWAY SAILOR OF THE BRITISH NAVY
Thank you sir and I will remember to look
up Mr. Bancroft in London if I run into
troubles with the British government when I
burn down Portsmouth and Plymouth ship
yards.

SILAS DEANE, AMERICAN
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATE TO PARIS
Good day to you Mr. Aitken.

FADE TO BLACK.

32.

SCENE 2- EXT. NIGHT- JAMES AITKEN SETS FIRE TO THE PORTMOUTH ROPE-YARD, DEC. 7, 1776.

FADE IN:
JAMES AITKEN BRITISH ACTIVIST
It is very cold tonight, December 7th and the
moon is covered by clouds which makes it a
good time to set fire to the Portsmouth
shipyard. Perhaps if I set a delayed action
incendiary device to burn the rigging of
several ships in the harbor? There that
should work. Now I must run.

BRITISH SAILOR
Fire, fire, the ship’s rigging is burning.
Hurray bring water buckets.
The rigging on two ships burst into flames at the same time and all the rigging was lost before the fire could be put out.

FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
ADMIRIAL VAN FLEET (60)
How could this fire have started Captain?

CAPTAIN OSWALD RITTER (55)
It must have been an accident Admiral. No
one was seen in the ship before or after the
fires broke out. Perhaps the oil lamps near
the docks leaked and caused the fires. It is
unfortunate we lost the complete rigging of
two ships in the fire.

ADMIRIAL VAN FLEET
I want this incident investigated and I also
want the guard at night doubled in case this
was intentional.

33.

CAPTAIN OSWALD RITTER
Yes, Admiral. I will see to it immediately.

FADE OUT.

SCENE 3- INT. NIGHT- JAMES AITKEN FLEES TO EDWARD BANCROFT’S HOME IN LONDON, ENGLAND.

FADE IN:
JAMES AITKEN BRITISH ACTIVIST
Downing street. This is the address of
Edward Bancroft. Perhaps I can hide here
for the night to avoid the British guards?
(Knock, knock) Hello Mr. Bancroft. My
name is James Aitken and I was
recommended by Silas Deane in Paris to
contact you if I needed help.
EDWARD BANCROFT
Yes who is it? (Opening the door) Can I help
you sir?
JAMES AITKEN BRITISH ACTIVIST
My name is James Aitken, and I need your
help sir. Silas Deane suggested I contact you
if I was in trouble with the British. Can I
come in to explain sir?
EDWARD BANCROFT
There are British spies and Colonial spies
watching my house all the time. Quickly,
Come in please.
JAMES AITKEN BRITISH ACTIVIST
Thank you Mr. Bancroft. The British are
looking for me after I set fire to several
ships rigging in the Portsmouth harbor.
EDWARD BANCROFT
Why did you set fire to the British ships?

34.

JAMES AITKEN BRITISH ACTIVIST
I am a supporter of the American Colonies,
and I took my plan to Silas Deane in Paris to
approve my destruction of British ships.
EDWARD BANCROFT
Silas Deane approved of your plan? I find
that hard to believe. What is it you want me
to do Mr. Aitken?
JAMES AITKEN BRITISH ACTIVIST
I need some money and a place to hide Mr.
Bancroft.
EDWARD BANCROFT
I cannot speak with you now. My house is
being watched by the British. Perhaps you
can meet me tomorrow at the Salopian
coffee house on Charing Cross road adjacent
to the Admiralty offices. You must go out
the back door now to avoid being seen. I
will see you tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. at the
Salopian coffee house.
JAMES AITKEN BRITISH ACTIVIST
Thank you Mr. Bancroft. I am most grateful.

FADE OUT.
The next day Aitken and bancroft met in the Salopian coffee house adjacent to the admiralty offices on Charing Cross road.

FADE IN:
EDWARD BANCROFT
You are late Mr. Aitken. I ordered you a cup
of coffee.
JAMES AITKEN BRITISH ACTIVIST
I am sorry I am late Mr. Bancroft. Have you
thought about giving me assistance?

EDWARD BANCROFT
Yes, I gave it great thought last night, and
decided I cannot help you.
(MORE)

35.
EDWARD BANCROFT (CONT’D)
I am undercover for the Colonies, and my
position could be revealed, and I could be
hung as a spy if I got caught helping you. I
am going to have to say, “No.”

JAMES AITKEN
I am sorry to hear that. I guess I will have to
attack the Plymouth boat yards myself.
You’ll have to excuse me I have business to
do elsewhere.

EDWARD BANCROFT
Do me a favor if you get caught. Never
mention my name to the British.

JAMES AITKEN, BRITISH ACTIVIST
Good bye then.
After attempting to burn down the Plymouth ship yards James Aitken, aka John the Painter was caught and hung as a spy. He never revealed Edward’s name before he was hung.

FADE OUT.

36.

SILAS DEANE, 1776, AMERICAN DELEGATE TO FRANCE. ACT SIX- SILAS DEANE IN PARIS, FRANCE

SCENE 1- INT. DAY- BANCROFT BECOMES ILL AT HOME JUNE 25, 1776.
In March of 1776 the Continental Congress established a secretive committee called the Committee for Foreign Correspondence and elected Benjamin Franklin to head the committee. Silas Deane was selected to go to Paris, France to order field canons, uniforms and runs for 2500 men on credit. Benjamin Franklin told Silas to contact Edward Bancoft who was living in London at the time. Edward could speak fluent French and was a

37.

supporter of the colonies.

FADE IN:
SILAS DEANE, AMERICAN
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATE TO
PARIS
(Letter to Edward Bancroft) To Mr. Griffins,
Turnham Green, London; I wish to invited
you to come to Paris to meet with me and
various friends. Enclosed is 30 pounds
sterling to cover your expenses. I remain.
Silas Deane.

EDWARD BANCROFT
(Letter back to Silas Deane) I am
unavailable currently due to an illness and
some business regarding land grants in
America. I will come to Paris as soon as I
am well. E.B.
Edward was having a bout of malaria reoccurring which he contracted when he was in Dutch Giana many years before. The illness caused problems with his shape-shifting ability.

FADE TO BLACK.
FADE IN:
The Scene opens in a dark living room with the curtains on the windows closed. It is daylight out but the room is as dark as night. Sitting in the corner of the living room next to the couch is a small red fox with many tails.

38.

Shapeshifter image when he turns into a many tailed fox.

EDWARD BANCROFT AS THE FOX
(A six tailed red fox is sitting in the corner
of Edward Bancroft’s living room) Oh, no
I’ve changed into a fox because of my
malaria disease keeps coming back to haunt
me. There is no way I can go to Paris until
this disease goes away. No one can ever find
out that my real name is Aero-long,
shapeshifter. Oh, I just saw a tasty mouse
run across the floor. That mouse is mine.

The Fox chases after the mouse.

FADE TO BLACK.
Later on, days later, Edward recovers and heads for Paris on July 3rd.

FADE IN:
EDWARD BANCROFT
One ticket for Paris please.

39.

CAPTAIN LUKE DOWNING (60)
The frigate “The Mary,” will be leaving at
high tide today sir. Two pounds sterling is
the fare.
Two days later Bancroft arrives in Paris, France.
EDWARD BANCROFT
It is good to get out of London finally. Paris
is a much cleaner. Now I have to find which hotel Silas Deane is staying in. I am glad to
be rid of that crazy scotsman
Later that day.

EDWARD BANCROFT
Is this the Hotel de Valentinois? I am

(CONT’D)

looking for Mr. Silas Deane.
HOTEL CLERK (30)
One minute sir. I will send a messenger to
inform him he has a guest.
MESSENGER
Mr. Deane you have a guest waiting for you
downstairs in the hotel lobby.
SILAS DEANE, AMERICAN
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATE TO PARIS
Thank you. Tell him I will be right down.

Later.

SILAS DEANE, AMERICAN
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATE TO PARIS
Edward Bancroft I presume? Thank you for
accepting my invitation. Your friend
Benjamin Franklin recommended that I
contact you. I have some business to do for
the American Continental Congress.

EDWARD BANCROFT
So you are working for the Continental
Congress? How may I be of service?
(MORE)

(CONT’D)

40.
EDWARD BANCROFT (CONT’D)
You must remember I was a student of yours
just after you graduated from Yale
University?
SILAS DEANE, AMERICAN
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATE TO PARIS
Yes, now I remember I tutored you for a few
months after I graduated from Yale
University. I see you have done well for
yourself. I will reimburse you for your travel
expenses from London to Paris.
FADE TO BLACK.

41.

Lord Frederick North, Minister to King Charles III of England 1770’s.

ACT SEVEN LORD NORTH AND HIS CABINET

42.

SCENE 1- INT. DAY-BRITISH PARLIAMENT

FADE IN:
LORD NORTH, FIRST MINISTER OF BRITAIN (40)
Have we heard any news from Bancroft in
Paris yet?

LORD SUFFOLK
No news yet your lordship.

LORD WILLIAM EDEN
I will contact my agent Paul Wentworth to
learn of any news of the American
delegation in France.

LORD NORTH, FIRST MINISTER OF BRITAIN.
Keep me informed regarding the activities of
the American delegation in Paris. I want to
be kept aware of any attempt at an alliance
between France and the Colonies.

LORD SUFFOLK
Yes your lordship.

LORD EDEN
We have many spies in France keeping track
of the Americans. Bancroft is personally
working with Silas Deane and Benjamin
Franklin and he sends copies of their
documents on a regular basis. We have no
doubts as to what the Americans are up to.

LORD NORTH, FIRST MINISTER OF BRITAIN
The expenses for our spy network are
beginning to climb. I want you to keep
control of the expenses Lord Eden.

43.

PAUL WENTWORTH, BRITISH SPY DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR, WHO RECRUITED EDWARD BANCROFT TO SPY ON THE AMERICANS IN FRANCE.

ACT SEVEN- THE BRITISH SPY

SCENE 1- INT. DAY- BANCROFT CONTACTS WENTWORTH AND REQUESTS TO RELOCATE TO PARIS BECAUSE OF THE JOHN THE PAINTER INCIDENT.
Fearing that he might get caught up in the John the Painter, James Aitken incident, Bancroft decided to move to Paris.

44.

EDWARD BANCROFT
(Writing a Letter) Dear Mr. Wentworth, It becomes necessary for me to move to Paris, France to more closely observe Silas Deane and Benjamin Franklin. Poor investments in vegetable dye ventures have brought more debt rather than profits. My first and principal motive for agreeing to work with the British government has been pecuniary considerations. I will need a steady income if he was to move to France to spy on the Americans there. I therefore request a lifetime income of 200 pounds a year and 600 pounds as an initial grant to cover my expenses in moving to Paris for my and my family.
PAUL WENTWORTH, BRITISH SPY
I am in receipt of your letter requesting
funds to cover your move to Paris, France
and for an annual sum of 200 pounds for
services to the British government. Your
ability to get close to Silas Deane and
Benjamin Franklin will be most useful in
learning what the Americans are up to with
the French. You have my permission to
move to Paris and you can envelop with 800
pounds for your services will be delivered to
your home address. I will meet you
sometime in Paris to establish our lines of communication.

Elsewhere.

LORD SUFFOLK
(Letter to Paul Wentworth) I am in receipt of your request for funds for Edward Bancroft who will be reporting to us from Paris, France.
(MORE)

45.
LORD SUFFOLK (CONT’D)
I am approving the 200 pounds a year, and
the 600 pounds initial grant for his services.
I will forward the finances to you directly.
Yours truly, Lord Suffolk.

FADE OUT.

ACT EIGHT- THE PARIS YEARS JUNE 1776-1784

SCENE 1-INT. DAY- PENELOPE BANCROFT, EDWARD’S WIFE ARRIVES IN PARIS MAY 1777.
Penelope Bancroft arrives in Paris with their two boys edward Nathaniel (5 yrs. old) and Samuel Forrester (2 yrs. old) to move in with her husband Edward. Penelope was a short thin woman of English descent with long brunette hair and green eyes.
FADE IN:
PENELOPE BANCROFT (25) WIFE OF EDWARD
Edward I am so glad to see you. Nathaniel
and Samuel miss you also. How have you
been? Paris looks like a wonderful city to
live in. I have never been to Europe before.
EDWARD BANCROFT
Penelope you finally made it to Paris. How
was your voyage on the ship? Hi boys.
Nathaniel you are getting taller. How are
you Samuel? Come I have a room rented in
a nice hotel in Paris. I will fetch a livery.
PENELOPE BANCROFT
Paris is so beautiful.
EDWARD BANCROFT
The French food is exceptional also. After
you check in I will take you and the boys to
dinner.
(MORE)

46.

EDWARD BANCROFT (CONT’D)
You can meet Benjamin Franklin who just arrived in December with his two grandsons.
PENELOPE BANCROFT
I have heard a great deal about Mr. Franklin.
EDWARD BANCROFT
Yes, Mr. Franklin is staying at the Hotel de Valentinois in Passey. You will get to meet him shortly.

FADE OUT.

Portrait of Benjamin Franklin, Envoy to France 1777

47.

ACT NINE- BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

SCENE 1- INT. DAY- BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ARRIVES IN PARIS WITH TWO GRANDSONS DEC. 21, 1777.
Benjamin Franklin stayed at the Hotel de Valentinois in Passy, France, outside Paris.

Hotel de Valentinois, Passy France which Benjamin Franklin rented in 1777.

FADE IN:
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (70) AMERICAN
DELEGATE TO FRANCE
I am so glad to plant my feet on solid ground
again. Are you OK Temple? Benjamin are
you feeling better now? We are in Paris now.

48.

TEMPLE FRANKLIN (16) GRANDSON
OF BENJAMIN
Is this truly Paris Grandfather?
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Yes this is the renown city of Paris. It is a lot
older and bigger than Philadelphia. You will
get to like it here.

SCENE 2-INT. DAY- FRANKLIN CONFERS WITH DEANE AND BANCROFT AT PARIS HOTEL DE VALENTINE.
70 year old Benjamin Franklin is appointed by the Continental Congress to be a delegate to France and supervise Silas Deane.
FADE IN:
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Thank you for taking the time to meet me at
my hotel Silas. I see you brought Dr.
Bancroft with you. Excellent. There have
been some concerns raised by Arthur Lee
and members of the Continental Congress as
to the purchase and allocation of supplies for
the Colonies.
SILAS DEANE, AMERICAN
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATE TO PARIS
Believe me everything is documented. Dr.
Bancroft has helped me with French
documents and has helped to actually
contact our various suppliers.
EDWARD BANCROFT
I can attest to the fact that everything Silas
does is above board. Arthur Lee complains
because he is jealous of our partnership. We
are in the process of purchasing 100 field
artillery pieces, 2500 rifles and Uniforms for
the Continental Army. French and Spain
have granted us the promise of credit, but
until the war actually happens, France does
not want another war with Britain.

49.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Good then I hope we can get credit from
France and Spain and begin shipping arms
to the Colonies. I have brought my
grandsons Temple Franklin and Benjamin
Franklin Bache. The latter grandson is my
daughters boy. I am hoping to make sure
they both get a good European education
with will further them later in life.
EDWARD BANCROFT
What about your son William Benjamin.
What has happened to him? I heard that he
was jailed by the colonists for being a
loyalist.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
I have disowned William since he refuses to
give up his loyalty to King George III. He
was a governor in Philadelphia at one time,
but he gave it all up to be a loyalist, despite
the fact that his father was actively involved
in the American continental congress and
not a loyalist. I took his son Temple away
from him when he was put in jail for being a
loyalist. I have made it my responsibility to
make sure both of my grandsons have a
good education and remain loyal to the
American Colonies. Temple is sixteen now
and is old enough to assist his seventy year
old grandfather. Gentlemen we have a great
deal of responsibility to get the arms from
France back to the Colonies. Where is
Arthur Lee Gentlemen?
SILAS DEANE, AMERICAN
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATE TO PARIS
He is touring Spain seeking financial
support for the Colonies Mr. Franklin.

50.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
What the hell is he doing in Spain? He was
supposed to be working with you Mr. Deane
and not off traveling on his own. It seems I
am going to have to take a strong hand with
our delegation in order to complete our
mission quickly. Mr. Bancroft I understand
you speak fluent French. That will be
helpful when we talk with the French
Foreign minister.

FADE TO BLACK.

ACT TEN- BANCROFT AND WENTWORTH SPY NETWORK

SCENE 1-INT. DAY- BANCROFT SENT TO ROEN BY FRANKLIN TO INSPECT GOODS AND SUPPLIES TO BE SHIPPED TO THE COLONIES.

Map of Roe, France 1777.

51.

While Bancroft was in Roen, France

52.

Tulleries Gardens, Paris, France, 1700’s. Where Edward Bancroft dropped spy notes in a glass jar on a string in a hollow tree.

ACT ELEVEN THE TULLERIES GARDENS, PARIS FRANCE, JANUARY 1776.

SCENE 1- INT. DAY- HOTEL DE VALENTINOIS, PASSY, FRANCE Edward Bancroft and his spy handler Paul Wentworth were strolling in the Tulleries gardens in Paris, France.

FADE IN:
PAUL WENTWORTH
Edward I am afraid I will have to leave Paris
and return to London, England. There are
many French spies that might soon arrest me
for spying. I am often followed by strangers
who are following my every move. We need
to find a way for you to communicate with
me after I leave Paris.

EDWARD BANCROFT
I am sorry to see you leave. We made a good
team spying on the Americans here in Paris.
(MORE)

53.

EDWARD BANCROFT (CONT’D)
What do you suggest for a new method of communicating valuable information to you after you depart for London?
PAUL WENTWORTH
Do you see that tree over there? It is hollow down toward it’s roots. I will have a jar placed in the hollow portion of the tree and a string will be tied around the jar so you can retrieve it. When you have valuable information you are to come to the gardens and seek out this tree. Look for the string which will have a stick on the end to prevent the jar from falling to far inside the hollow tree. Pull the string up and take the jar out and put your message in the jar. Secure the lid and lower the jar back down inside the tree. My operatives will come by once a week to pick up the messages and to also leave messages from me. Use the premise of writing to your mistress in London as an excuse for the letter just in case the letter is intercepted. Use the invisible ink and write between the lines the real information about the Americans that you have. I will then use lemon juice to decipher the invisible ink in London when I get the letter. I am departing for London tomorrow on a frigate. You are on your own from this point on in Paris and you will be our only spy in France due to the recall of all British spies to London by Lord Eden.
EDWARD BANCROFT When will you have the jar in the tree in place?
PAUL WENTWORTH
My secretary will place the jar in the tree on a string tomorrow before we depart for London.
(MORE)

54.
PAUL WENTWORTH (CONT’D)
Feel free to use this method of reporting, but
be careful because you may be watched by
French or American spies.

EDWARD BANCROFT
I wish you well on your voyage back to
London. I will remain in Paris as long as
needed. Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane all
trust me completely and I have made myself
an important contribution to the American
delegation by translating French documents
into English for them and helping to secure
supplies for the Continental American Army.

PAUL WENTWORTH
We need to know everything about the
Franco-American alliance, what ships are
leaving French ports bound for the American
Colonies, any trade between the Americans
and the Caribbean islands. In addition we
need to be aware of any credit the French
and or Spanish give to the Americans to buy
arms. Sent us any copies or summaries of
Silas Deane’s letters to the Colonies or
Benjamin Franklin. I must leave you now to
pack my bags in preparation for my
departure tomorrow to return to London.
Just in case we are followed I will take
another path to return to my hotel as should
you.

EDWARD BANCROFT
I will do the best I can in reporting Silas
Deane’s activities in securing credit for the
Colonies to purchase artillery and guns from
the French and Spanish. Have a safe voyage
Paul.

At this point Bancroft and Wentworth parted ways in the park.

FADE TO BLACK.

55.

SCENE 2- EXT. NIGHT- TUILLERIES GARDENS, 9:00 P.M.. Edward Bancroft is about to make his first letter drop into the jar in the hollow tree in Tuilleries gardens. He is paranoid about French spies seeing him leave the hotel at night. The fear of being caught and shot as a spy intensifies to the point that he changes into a Fox and runs off into the night in the direction of the Tuilleries gardens.

FADE IN:
EDWARD BANCROFT
I must change into a Red Fox with six tails
to avoid being seen by any French Spies.
The trip to the Tulleries Garden from the
Hotel de Valentinois is about 3.7 Kilometers
which is about 2.9 Miles. As a fox I can
cover that distance faster than a horse and
carriage. Fetching a horse and carriage at
9:00 at night might attract unwanted
attention. My nerves are killing me, but I
must inform Paul Wentworth that Deane has
received over a million livre from the
French government and the Spanish
government to purchase canons and rifles
for the Continental army. Let me see if I got
everything right in my letter. Dearest
beloved, I have missed you very much over
these past months. I hope to return to
London soon so we can meet and make love
again. You are always on my mind. Love
and kisses. John. I must address the envelop
to M. Richards. Now for the invisible
ink.(Invisible Ink between the lines of the
letter) Deane has secured credit 1 mil. To
purchase 100 canons and 300 rifles from the
French and Spanish government. He is
traveling to Holland to secure the purchases
in two days. Now to become a Red Fox. I
will place the envelope in my mouth and
carry it to the hollow tree. Now I must
depart.

56.

The red fox jumps out the window onto the balcony and down to the ground and runs off into the darkness.

EDWARD BANCROFT AS THE FOX
No one has noticed me and that is good. The
3.7 Kilometers was shorter than I imagined,
running along the west bank of the river
Seine and then crossing over to get to the
gardens. Now to pull the string out of the
hollow tree. Wait I hear something. No, it is
just the wind in the trees. Taking the lid off
the jar is harder than I thought when you are
a fox. Now to put the letter in the jar, and
put the lid back on and lower the jar into the
tree using my mouth. Ahh it is done. Time to
run back to the hotel.

Edward returns to the hotel undetected around 10:00 p.m.

EDWARD BANCROFT AS THE FOX And now I must return to my human self.
My mission is complete. I am exhausted
now, and must rest. Tomorrow Paul’s
operative will get the message and send it by
boat to London.

(CONT’D)

FADE OUT.

SCENE 3- INT.DAY- FEBRUARY 6, 1778, A YEAR LATER IN PARIS. Rumors About the Franco-American alliance were spreading around Paris. Vergennes, the French minister, realized that he could no longer keep the alliance secret so in March, 1778, he makes the treaties with the American colonies public.

FADE IN:
VERGENNES, FRENCH MINISTER (50)
I will announce today our treaty with the
American colonies to quiet down all the
gossip in Paris.
(MORE)

57.

VERGENNES, FRENCH MINISTER (50)
This will allow me to expel the English
Ambassador Stormont and his staff back to
London. It gives me great pleasure to get rid
of all the British spies finally.
Later on the British Ambassador to France, Stormont receives the correspondence from Vergennes the French Minister to leave France immediately.

Viscount of Stormont, British ambassador to France prior to the American Revolutionary War.

SSSSSSSS, ENGLISH AMBASSADOR
SSSSSSSS (50)
Damm the French have signed a treaty with
the American Colonies and Vergennes the
French Minister is ordering us out of the
country immediately. Inform the staff to
pack up all our documents. We are leaving
for London tomorrow on March 22, 1778.
Burn any unnecessary documents
immediately. It is over.

The scene switches to King Louis XVI in the Vergennes castle.

58.

VERGENNES, FRENCH MINISTER
You majesty may I introduce the
ambassadors from the American Colonies?
Mr. Benjamin Franklin, Mr. Silas Deane,
Mr. Arthur Lee, Mr. William Lee, and Mr.
Ralph Izard along with the entourage.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (70) AMERICAN
AMBASSADOR TO FRANCE.
You majesty we thank you for granting us a
private audience. We welcome and rejoice in
our treaty with France and your majesty.
Your support will greatly help us to defeat
the British.
KING LOUIS XVI, KING OF FRANCE (55)
Bienvenue Americans.

59.

King Louis XVI of France who finally approved the Treaty of Paris with the American colonies.
VERGENNES, FRENCH MINISTER
Venez nous rejoindre pour un petit banquet.
EDWARD BANCROFT
Amazing how big this banquet is the French
have provided us with. Thank you Mr.
Franklin for inviting me to this special
occasion.
King Louis XVI had table after table of fabulous French food served for the American guests. It was a celebration beyond all imagination.

FADE OUT.

ACT TEN- THE DEATH OF SILAS DEANE, SEPT.23, 1789.

SCENE 1- EXT. DAY-ONBOARD THE SHIP, “BOSTON PACKET.” Silas Deane finally had enough funds to return to America after living in London for many years. Bancroft helped support Deane when he ran out of money. Bancroft also tended to Deane when he was sick.
FADE IN:
SILAS DEANE
I have booked passage on the ship, “Boston
Packet,” to return to America. I want to
thank you Edward for treating me while I
was terribly sick. I owe you a great deal.
EDWARD BANCROFT
Do not fret Silas. You will return to America
and all will be forgotten. The vicious lies the
Arthur Lee spread around will fade in time. I
wish you well on your voyage.
CAPTAIN CHARLES GRENTOR (60)
Last call, All aboard. Retrieve the anchor,
drop the main-sail and the jib. We are sailing
on the high tide from Kent harbor.
(MORE)

60.
CAPTAIN CHARLES GRENTOR (60)
All passengers should go below until we
clear the harbor.
SILAS DEANE,
Good bye old friend. (Leaning on the guard-
rail of the ship, looking weak and sick).
As the ship began to sail out of the harbor a storm sudden developed and huge 10 swells forced the Boston Packet back into the harbor for safety. Edward never saw the ship return to the dock for he had already left in a livery.
SILAS DEANE
I never should have taken this trip. I am still
weak and dizzy. I do not have the energy to
go up on the deck. From what I hear the
sailors shouting a storm just developed
forcing the Boston Packet back into harbor
for safety.
SAILOR
Captain, Mr. Deane is very sick below. I
think someone should take a look at him.
CAPTAIN CHARLES GRENTOR
OK I will go below lad. Mr. Deane are you
alright sir. You look very pale. Do you want
to go ashore sir?
SILAS DEANE
I cannot breathe.
CAPTAIN CHARLES GRENTOR
I will help you to go topside. Can you hear
me Mr. Deane?
Minutes later Silas Dean closed his eyes and passed away.

CAPTAIN CHARLES GRENTOR
Quarter-master come quick. We have a dead passenger on our hands. Get some lads down here to take him up on deck. He died while I was talking to him.

(CONT’D)

61.

Later the next day.
EDWARD BANCROFT
I just received news that Silas Deane died on the boat headed for America. Due to a storm the ship returned to port and Silas turned extremely ill according to the Captain’s report and after saying the Fox was the spy he died. I wonder if Silas knew I was the British spy who leaked all the confidential information about the French treaty with the American Colonies. If he did know he never confronted me, thank God. Good bye old friend and teacher.

FADE OUT.