Black River Gold (screenplay)

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BLACK RIVER GOLD

screenplay by Sam Bass and Jillian Bass

Registered WGAw

Sam Bass 2018 Broadway Little Rock AR. 72204

2 501/240-3253 501/952-2056 [email protected] “BLACK RIVER GOLD” FADE IN: EXT. CARLSBAD NEW MEXICO COURTHOUSE, CIRCA 2010 – EVENING People are gathering on the court house lawn. They are all looking up. A few are carrying American flags. Some employees come out of the courthouse and also look up as they stand around the courthouse landing. CARTER FERGUSON, an average long-haired man in his twenties walks out of the courthouse and stops on the front steps. He looks up. Carter can see a few of his friends in the second floor window above him. They wave. Carter smiles and waves back. Suddenly fireworks begin to cover the sky. The upper atmosphere is filled with loud booms and colorful explosions. Carter smiles as he watches the show. He notices the police moving quickly through the crowd toward an Indian man and his family. ALAMO GARCIA, an average middle-aged Apache Indian man with brilliant green eyes stands in the crowd with his wife and five year old son. Two policemen approach him. They speak for a moment and the police grab Alamo and throw him to the ground roughly handcuffing him. Alamo looks up from the ground at Carter with his piercing eyes as if he is asking for help. Carter sadly shakes his head and goes inside. INT. CARLSBAD NEW MEXICO COURTHOUSE LOBBY AND HALL Carter walks past some very seedy people and a few classy people on his way to the elevator. He passes a couple of

3 prisoners in handcuffs outside the courtroom waiting to be heard. Carter looks around the area as he pushes the elevator button and waits. The elevator door opens and he gets on. INT. CARLSBAD NEW MEXICO COURTHOUSE ELEVATOR Carter turns to the elevator buttons to select his floor. CLOSE ON – Carter’s finger pushes the basement button and the elevator goes down. INT. CARLSBAD NEW MEXICO COURTHOUSE BASEMENT LIBRARY Ancient court records and journals are crowded into old hardwood shelves filling the ancient basement library to over flowing capacity. Carter opens a thick and heavy antique wooden door while the modern elevator doors close in the background. He walks inside. ANDY, a young and heavy-set county deputy is in the library looking around. ANDY Hey Carter. There was an Indian in here trying to steal a book. I was just checking it out. Carter looks around and nods. CARTER That must have been what was going on outside. ANDY Yeah, the city boys caught him. (turns toward the door) Gotta run, see ya buddy. Carter has a second thought.

4 CARTER What kinda book? Andy looks back. ANDY I put it right over there. (points toward a shelf) The leather one. Carter nods. CARTER Okay thanks, Andy. Check ya later. Andy walks out. Carter picks up a donut and a cup of coffee from his old oak desk that sits next to the door. He takes a bit of the donut and a sip of coffee. Carter balances his drink and food as he awkwardly slams the ponderous door behind him with his foot. Abruptly a single book from a badly stacked set of small record books falls. Carter turns and looks at the book. He trips and catches himself on a shelf. The shelf begins to lean and Carter catches it. Suddenly from the top shelf a few more books fall. He looks up and abruptly a book hits him in the head. Carter quickly dodges another large book and steps to the side still holding the shelf. More books fall finally creating a small mound of journals before him. The last leather bound book falls and slams open to a page that shows a hand-sketched picture. Carter looks at the open book and then closer while holding the heavy shelves. He sets the almost empty bookshelves upright and then looks up. Two mid-sized Gecko lizards stand on the top shelf. They suddenly scurry away.

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CARTER I knew you two were involved. Carter looks down and reaches for the open book. CLOSE ON – a hand sketched picture of a Spanish Cavalry officer standing besides a working mine entrance. It has a sub-title written under the picture in script (written in Spanish, sub-titled in English) – “BLACK RIVER, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD-1430”. Carter picks up the book. He begins to read and slowly moves over and sits on the floor next to the pile of journals while still reading. CLOSE ON THE OPEN BOOK DISSOLVE TO: EXT. BLACK RIVER NEAR ARTESIA NEW MEXICO, CIRCA 1430 - DAY CAPTAIN OBED MONTOYA, a Spanish military officer that is middle-aged and handsome rides his cavalry mount across the rolling hills toward an army encampment. The Spanish armed encampment is set up in front of a mining operation that is busy with servicemen and Apache Indians working the mine next to a shallow river bank. CARTER (V.O.) My name is Carter Ferguson and I’m a county courthouse records clerk. Today is the fourth of July and my lucky day. I am reading the Black River township records book. A book that changed my life. The powerful captain stops his horse in camp and dismounts. He ties his mount to a crude hitching post and is readily greeted by a formal salute from LIEUTENANT CARERRA MENDOZA, a young and energetic officer. Captain Montoya smiles and returns the salute to his friend. MENDOZA (spoken in Spanish,

6 sub-titled in English) Captain, good to see you. The Captain is glad to see his friend. MONTOYA (spoken in Spanish, sub-titled in English) Thank you Carerra, how’s the mine going? The lieutenant smiles with pride. MENDOZA We have had a lot of success. There are about twelve hundred miner’s bars in the mine and a lot more mining to go. The captain becomes serious. MONTOYA I have news from Spain. Orders came to me by courier about the mine. We have to close it immediately. It is to be sealed and the location mapped. We are vacating the Americas and going home. The lieutenant is happy about going home but remains formal. MENDOZA I’ll give the order. We should keep the location secret to secure the gold. The captain nods and walks away to go look inside the busy mine. The lieutenant starts yelling orders to his soldiers in the camp. MENDOZA (continuing) Break camp. Harerra close the mine.

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Captain Montoya passes Apache workers and walks inside the large cavern to look around. INT. SPANISH MINE The Captain glances across the broad cavern lit by oil torches. He sees Apache people stacking raw miner’s bars of gold in a corner almost to the top of the ten feet high ceiling. It is literally a mountain of gold. CARTER (V.O.) As I read, I couldn’t believe the wealth this desert had produced for so few. Montoya continues to look around the big room like an inspector general. In the rock walls of the mine are multiple veins of glistening gold six inches wide threaded across the expanse of the giant room and into the darkness. A few soldiers are stacking kegs of gunpowder at the entrance of the mine while another puts wicks in the powder barrels. Montoya casually strolls outside still looking around watching the activity. EXT. SPANISH MINE Montoya and Mendoza meet and watch the soldiers herding Apache inside the mine. MONTOYA Good job Carerra. Your camp is run very well. The officer’s attention is drawn to an argument going on near the cavern entrance. MENDOZA Thank you… sir.

8 ANTONIO GARCIA, a young handsome soldier with Spanish green eyes is quietly arguing with the sergeant in charge. GARCIA (spoken in Spanish, sub-titled in English) You can’t kill these people. They have done nothing but help us. The sergeant is little angry with the soldier questioning his authority. SERGEANT (spoken in Spanish, sub-titled in English) It is not for you to question the orders of our superior officer. (whispers to Garcia) The officers are watching. Go about your duty. The soldier pushes verbally. GARCIA Sergeant, this is murder. You know the church forbids it. The strong sergeant’s words push back. He is angrier with Garcia now. SERGEANT Do your duty or be shot with them. The soldier just stares at him. He suddenly takes an ancient pistol from his belt and points it at the sergeant. Everyone freezes in place. Garcia is staring at his sergeant while he contemplates his situation. He looks at the Indians and the soldiers holding them at gun point. GARCIA Let the Apache go. (no one moves) Let them go!

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The sergeant sees Mendoza from the corner of his eye. He nods to his men. The soldiers relax their weapons and the Apache start to move away. Mendoza takes his pistol out and unceremoniously shoots Antonio. Antonio is jolted and fires his pistol as he falls. The crude bullet hits a powder keg. The keg blows up blasting soldiers and Indians across the front of the cavern. Most of the soldiers quickly recover from the blast and begin to shoot the Apache. Another soldier hurriedly lights a fuse on the remaining gun powder kegs and signals the others. SPANISH SOLDIER (spoken in Spanish, sub-titled in English) Fire in the hole. They all rush to a nearby stone wall and get behind it while other soldiers shoot the Indians keeping them penned down inside the cavern. The officers rush to follow the soldiers behind the wall. The mine blows up. Dust rolls across the area and all is silent. Debris falls from the sky on the officers and soldiers. Out of sight a middle-aged and wounded Apache man is dragging himself behind some rocks to hide with the help of a very young Indian boy. The soldiers and officers wait a moment for the air to clear. Antonio wakes up after being knocked out from the blast. He weakly crawls to a nearby hiding place behind some Yucca plants. He checks his shoulder wound.

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The air is clearing and the soldiers quickly move to their campsite and gather a few things. The company sergeant looks toward the captain. SERGEANT Sir, what do you want us to do with the bodies? The captain looks around the area. MONTOYA Leave them. The coyotes will clean up. Let’s move out. The sergeant turns to the men as he gets on his horse and signals them. SERGEANT Mount up. Form up, move out. They finish saddling their horses and mount up. The men form a column and ride out northbound lead by their officers and the sergeant. The wounded Apache man and the young boy quietly watch from their safe place. The soldiers go out of sight over a small hill. The Apache looks at the small boy. APACHE (spoken in Apache sub-titled in English) Go to our camp. Tell the people what has happened here. We will wait for the Spaniards to return for the yellow metal and kill them all. The boy nods and runs away. Antonio Garcia hears the talking. He weakly stands and cautiously walks from behind his hiding place holding his pistol apprehensively.

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The Apache casually looks at him with a sad face. APACHE Come sit with me friend. It is safe. You are with the Apache now. The army will kill you for what you did. Antonio smiles and nods as he sits down on the rocks and dirt with his new friend. GARCIA Murderers always try to cover their deeds with another murder. The two tattered men stare into the distance. DISSOLVE TO: INT. HOTEL BANQUET ROOM, CARLSBAD New Mexico, 2010 - DAY A quiet and large banquet room has about thirty people walking around while talking and having soft drinks together. Many stroll along looking at various information booths and equipment displays. CLOSE ON - a banner on the wall tells the tale: "WELCOME 2010 GOVERNMENT RECORDS CLERKS." JOHN HINES, a little bit nerdy thirtyish man stands with a friend and co-worker, LANE MILES, a pretty, mid-twenties woman. They talk with their friend, Carter Ferguson that works with them from his archive basement office. The sparsely filled banquet room is quiet and reserved. John looks around the broad facility and directs a question to Carter. JOHN So, Carter you enjoying the convention? Carter is a happy man and smiles CARTER Yeah man, it’s too wild. This

12 government mob is rockin. They’re so… so lively. Carter yawns and puts his hand over his mouth. Lane starts to yaw but stops. LANE Ding Dongs for everyone. John smiles. He understands and relates. JOHN Yeah, I shoulda been a computer tech. At least they have cool parties. Lane is amused at the two nerdy guys. LANE Come on ladies snap out of it. We’re here, so enjoy the quiet. Carter is amused. CARTER Let’s bail to the bar? There’s probably some government double oh sevens in there. Everyone agrees and they walk out. INT. HOTEL BAR Carter John and Lane walk into the quiet bar and sit at a table. Soft Rock music is playing. RILEY, a thirty something very pretty heavily tattooed waitress picks up empties from the table and generally cleans up. RILEY What’ll ya have? John is confident. JOHN

13 Seven-up around, I'm buying. The waitress is friendly and speaks as she walks away. RILEY Right, Seven with no Seagram’s. I'll be right back. Carter looks up as she leaves. CARTER That waitress acts like we are weird for not drinking booze. that stuff taste like horse piss. I don’t get it. Lane looks at Carter and John. LANE You guys ever find anything interesting in the old records were you work? John smiles. JOHN Yeah, way in the back, some old pantyhose and donuts. Riley walks up and begins to serve the drinks while Carter talks. She slows down to hear him. Carter speaks up. CARTER Dude I found a lot of stuff in the old America’s Spanish Naval archives that are stored in the basement of our court house. Don’t know how they got there, But those things must be four or four hundred years old from when the Spaniard were here. They show huge shipments of gold from this area and a report by an army cavalry captain about leaving behind a massive treasure. Could

14 be B-S, but maybe not. Anyway it’s a cool story. Riley listens while slowly sitting the last drink down on the table. RILEY Okay, power drinks all around. She smiles at everybody and leaves. John’s looks at her then gets back to his conversation. JOHN Yeah, those stories could be real especially since they are in the court record? Lane is getting into the treasure hunt. Her professionalism comes out with her high interest. LANE The narratives in those archives are real. Their court records are never wrong. The old scribes were completely honest and super efficient. Carter is not at all skeptical. He likes treasurer hunting and gets totally into the conversation. CARTER Yeah, that’s right. They kept premo records. I’ve heard about people who found treasures just like this one by doing the same work we do and they made a ga-zillion. Lane is enthused. She chimes in to support the idea. LANE There was a guy recently in the newspaper that found a big treasure in Florida through a text message from his partner in a museum that was researching

15 Spanish records. John is still a little skeptical. JOHN Interesting, but I would say not too likely for us. Lane is smiling almost excited. LANE It’s absolutely possible. Like I said, the newspapers always have something about people finding treasures. Why not us? Carter is showing his enthusiasm. CARTER Yeah, we have the tools. We’re geek enough and we got the records. That’s a formula for success. Everyone smiles at each other about Carter’s enthusiasm. Lane grins and claps her hands. LANE I’m in. John shows more interest. JOHN How would we go about it? Carter’s is ready to start the project. CARTER Man, this is so great. We could research the Black River records through our computer’s inquest system. I can set the computer up to where it will print any material that is about Black River. (he looks at John)

16 I can route it to your office John. Then we could compile the data and build a map. Bingo, treasure. John smiles a surrender to the idea and nods. Lane is enthused. LANE Yeah and New Mexico’s the place for it. The Spaniards found treasures all over the place. They always did their best here. John is skeptical. JOHN Black River is near Artesia? What could possibly be in that little town. The waitress still listens closely as she slowly clears a nearby table. Carter smiles confidently. CARTER Come on don’t be a turd, Mr., I’m so glad to be negative. I want to do this. It’s real, not some maybe deal. Like I said, I’ll do most of the work when I set-up the computer and collect the data. All you two have to do is build a map. We can start with Black River that’s as real as it gets. The treasure’s already found all we gotta do is locate were it’s stashed. John is more conservative. JOHN Okay, let’s look into it. It could be worth a shot. Sounds better than anything else I’ve heard of. They are all happy about their decision.

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Riley comes up to the table again still listening very close. RILEY You guys treasure hunters? Carter and Lane smile. CARTER Na, we work at the courthouse in Carlsbad. She nods. RILEY That hidden treasure stuff always interested me. Carter smiles looking at her body as she rubs up against him. CARTER Me too. The waitress smiles at him and flirts while chewing her gum. Lane looks at her with suspicion. LANE Yeah, I like treasure hunts. John smiles at the word play. DISSOLVE TO: INT. JOHN'S OFFICE, ALBUQUERQUE NEW MEXICO - DAY John is standing with his tie pulled open talking on a cell phone in his office. SUB-TITLE – SIX MONTHS LATER A large homemade hand drawn map is on the wall behind him. The chart has directional arrows all over it with personal notes. The top of the map is titled: BLACK RIVER.

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JOHN Carter, how are things going down under? The information has gone wild. It’s pouring in. CARTER (TELEPHONE V.O.) I have a few more pieces of info., but I’m about done here. John is upbeat. JOHN Good, there’s so much stuff in My office I had to buy some file buckets to hold it all. I’m pretty sure this story is real. The Spaniards were very active with this mine, more than the others. INT. CARTER’S OFFICE LIBRARY Carter is still on his cell phone with John. He sits behind his make shift desk relaxed in his Van Halen concert teeshirt with his hair back in a pony tail. One of his Gecko lizards is on his deck looking at him. A long haired co-worker dressed in shorts, tee-shirt and tennis shoes brings in coffee and sits with him propping his feet up on a crate of documents. CARTER That’s good news. I think we’re ready. Everything I have will wrap up today. Okay later. Carter hangs up and puts his phone away. He continues the work looking at his slacker friend. CARTER (continuing) Dude, you’re not the coffee girl Screwin the boss. Go ta work.

19 His friend looks at him as if he is crazy and walks out talking. FRIEND When you got promoted to the basement it went to your head MacGuyver. Now you’re trippin in your hampster cage all the time. Carter is amused and shakes his head while still working. He pets his lizard. CARTER Thank God I got a cage ta call home bonehead. Riley, the waitress from the convention walks in with a sexy strut. She is dress in a low cut colorful halter-top and short skirt. She straddles Carter and sits on his lap facing him. RILEY Hi lover. She sets her purse on the desk nearly hitting the Gecko. The lizard scurries away. The second lizard watches from a nearby shelf. Carter smiles as Riley kisses him passionately. She stops and looks at him. RILEY (continuing) Did ya miss me wang muffin? Carter nods as they kiss again. INT. JOHN’S OFFICE, ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO John hangs up his cell phone. It rings and he answers. JOHN Hello, Hi Lane. Yes, I spoke to Carter.

20 Lane gets down to business. LANE (TELEPHONE V.O.) Hey this treasure thing just changed to fact. I found an old military report written by an American Cavalry Captain. He wrote a report about a battle at Black River. Some green eyed Apaches fought with his troops and they captured one of them. He told the exact same story as the court records that Carter read about the Spanish officer that was in command in the fourteen hundreds. John interrupts. JOHN That just another piece of the puzzle. It doesn’t really prove anything. Lane continues her report LANE (TELEPHONE V.O.) It does. There’s one factor. The Indian and the Spaniard told their stories four hundred years apart with exactly the same details about the mine location. Those Indians turned into a cult of some kind while waiting to kill the Spaniards and the cult developed chants to hold onto to info. They repeat that stuff until it sticks. Like a ritual of sorts. There’s something special at Black River. I’ve sent the report up to you. We can finish the map now. Be sure and secure your site, so we don’t share the blessing right now, especially with the wrong people. This is very big.

21 Carter walks in. CARTER Have you heard? John smiles and nods yes. He points at Carter cheek and fakes a kiss with his lips. Carter’s cheek has lipstick marks all over it. He starts to wipe his cheek and look at his hand. He smiles. CARTER (continuing) Smiling is the second best thing you can do with your lips. John grins listening to the cell phone. JOHN Yeah, Carter just walked in. I think we should go to Artesia and use our vacation time to find the mine. LANE (TELEPHONE V.O.) Great, me too. The telephone hangs up. Carter is enthused as he whips his cheek off and chimes in with Lane’s statement. CARTER When are we leaving? John smiles as he puts his phone away. JOHN I’ll pick you two up as soon as we know when we can get out of here. (looks at Carter) Don’t tell that tatooed girl anything. Carter points at himself.

22 CARTER Me, the man that lives in the cone of silence? John rolls his eyes and sits down. He leans back in his chair and relaxes. JOHN She’s trouble. Looks good, but damaged goods. Carter is amused at his friend. CARTER I like her, but my lips are sealed. It just that she’s so… so into some really good destructive habits. John is day dreaming about his possible millions. JOHN These days being weird isn’t enough. Just focus on the treasure. All due respect she’s trouble. Carter sits down and joins the dream. CARTER I’m focused. I see a Porsche in my future. John smiles while being amused with his friend. JOHN And leave the lizards in the library. Carter shrugs his shoulders in agreement with John. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. HIGHWAY TO ARTESIA New Mexico - DAY John’s loaded Suburban is speeding down a lonely desert highway.

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The vehicle passes Alamo Garcia. He is walking on the side of the road at a steady pace. He stops and looks at them as the Suburban goes by speeding on down the road. Two motorcycles pass Alamo as he watches the Suburban. INT. SUBURBAN John is driving his Suburban watching the highway. JOHN I guess that guy has a home way out here. Lane looks back toward the Indian man. LANE He’s okay. Those people are nomads of the desert. They can handle it. Carter is reading a book about treasure hunting and Lane turns to look at their map with Carter. CARTER Isn’t this great? We’re on our way to fine cars, big houses and for once in our lives cash. The tools of great success and happiness. Lane looks at him and smiles. LANE Yeah, I always liked the concept of rich. It’s much better that poor. Carter chimes in. CARTER According to my calculations based on the amount of gold stored in the mine. We’re looking at four hundred

24 million plus. I’m buying only the best from now on. I’m on up-grade. Everyone is happy. JOHN Chill, we don’t have it yet. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. HIGHWAY NORTH TO BLACK RIVER - DAY The Suburban is still speeding down the highway. It slows and quickly turns on to another highway at an intersection followed by two motorcycles. John stops on the shoulder of the road. Carter gets out and urinates behind a huge rock. He gets back in the suburban and it starts to drive away as the two motorcycle’s speed past them. INT. SUBURBAN Carter takes the map that Lane is holding and starts looking it over. CARTER Hey, we turn right up here. Carter points. Lane appears surprised. LANE I think it’s further up. Carter is sure. CARTER Right here John. John turns off the highway on to a dirt road. EXT. HIGHWAY NORTH TO BLACK RIVER

25 The two motorcycles with riders and one female passenger roll to a stop sitting behind an out cropping of rocks on the side of the road. They watch the Suburban go down the dusty road. INT. SUBURBAN John drives for a minute and slams on the brakes. JOHN P.O.V. THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD Directly in front of them is a large treeless lake. BACK TO SCENE Lane looks at Carter. LANE His mind is like a steel trap. Rusty and illegal. The group just sits there for a few seconds staring. JOHN A lake in the desert? Lane is amused. LANE It’s a new lake. The state put it in a few years back. Carter is up-set. CARTER The treasure’s underwater. We lost everything. We’re poor. John looks at Carter for a second and then turns his map right side up and Lane points to a location on the map. LANE Two miles north Goofy. We’re south. Carter smiles and shrugs his shoulders.

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John turns the truck around and drives back toward the highway. JOHN A few drink at the fountain of knowledge. Most just gargle. CARTER Gees, I thought we had lost the deal before we got started. I’m sorry. John glances back at him. JOHN Lane, does the Maps from now on. Carter rolls his eyes and gives the map to Lane. LANE It’s cool Carter. When your Receiving flak you’re over the target. EXT. DESERT HIGHWAY The motorcycle’s start-up as the image of the woman passenger looks at a map then puts it away. The Suburban passes by and the motorcycles follow at an undetectable distance. FLIP FRAME: EXT. BLACK RIVER CAMPSITE, ARTESIA NEW MEXICO - DUSK The Suburban stops and everyone gets out. Lane looks around. LANE This place is really spooky. They all unload their gear and start setting up camp. Carter picks up firewood.

27 CARTER I already miss indoor plumbing. John smiles and continues to unload. Lane smiles in agreement. Carter quickly drops his wood and begins to start a campfire. LANE You think you got a plumbing problem. You can stand up. John and Lane take a break with Carter at the campfire site that Carter just got going. JOHN If a forest ranger or anyone Comes by, I have permits to be here. This is Federal land partially leased by a rancher. so if he ask show him the permit. Carter is happy about the prospects of finding the treasure. CARTER Are we serious or what? This so cool. Lane loves the idea of the treasure hunt and is also excited to help. LANE While you guys are mining I’ll be the camp cook and clean up detail. Maybe even camp nurse. Carter is smiling. CARTER I'll sit on my butt… when I’m not helping you two. John is thinking.

28 JOHN I guess this means us guys will do the digging. Carter rolls his eyes. A coyote howls. Lane’s eyes seriously search the area. LANE Want the hell is that? A set of headlights pull up just outside of the camp. MIKE MATHEWS, a big light skinned middle-aged rancher gets out of his muddy four-wheel drive pickup. He walks to the campsite from behind the headlights. Carter, John and Lane stand while waiting and rancher’s image.

watching the

As harsh Mathews walks he introduces himself in a stern manner. He stops ten feet away. MATHEWS I’m Mike Mathews. You’re on my ranch. What the hell you doing here? John stands his ground. JOHN This land is federal property and we have a permit. John holds out a piece of paper. Mathews ignores him. He turns and walks to his vehicle talking as he goes. MATHEWS That paper will only get you so far. Don’t wear out your welcome. This is dangerous territory. John just looks at him watching him go. Mathews starts to get in his vehicle. He stops and turns back.

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MATHEWS (continuing) Almost forgot. Watch out for them green eyed Apache. They don’t like people hangin around here. They’ll cut ya, maybe just scalp ya if you’re lucky. Mathews smiles. He jumps in his vehicle and drives away in a cloud of dust. Everyone watches as the dust boils around them. CARTER He thinks he’s a tough guy. John is more serious as he waves dust from his face. JOHN I think he really is. Lane smiles. LANE He’s just a frustrated redneck. What’s this about green eyed Apache. Carter is brave. CARTER If the freak messes with me, I'll call the cops and these federal places got Indian police. Lane smiles at the rhetoric. LANE I think I read about the Green eyed Apache. The legend says; a green eyed Spanish soldier, tried to save the Apache’ from wholesale murder at the Black River mine and was shot for his trouble by an army officer. He was taken in by the Apache and finally became chief. He

30 had many green eyed babies. Those babies became guardians of the mine and avengers of the massacre. The band was so obsessed it became some sort of a misguided cult. I guess the cult still operates today. I believe they kill only with knives and only people that come close to discovering the mine, especially Spaniards. (she slides her finger across her throat demonstrating a cutting motion.) Then they eat your liver or something. Alamo Garcia quietly watches the group from seclusion and rolls his eyes at the suggestion. John bravely speaks up. JOHN Great, now we have to deal with green eyed killer cult Indians that is in a rage out for revenge. Carter and Lane chuckle. LANE Probably just a myth. Carter is amused. CARTER If the Indians come we’ll intro. them to Mathews and his liver. DISSSOLVE TO MORNING: The sun comes up. Three tents are up and the campfire is still going in the center of the camp. Carter and John are getting up and Lane is cooking breakfast. John stretches.

31 JOHN Did anyone hear the wild bore in Carter’s tent last night? Lane looks toward John. LANE I heard it. It was more like a fart-a-thon. Lane and John are amused. Carter feels insulted. CARTER You probably think reading in the bathroom is multi-tasking. Lane has stopped cooking and is unrolling their delicate map. Carter and John look over at her. Lane changes the subject. LANE (continuing) Hey, I put in every old landmark I found on the map. I thought they might help us find the mine easier. By my calculations it is down the riverbank east about a quarter mile. Everyone gathers around looking at the map. JOHN Listen, when we’re out hunting for treasure look for anything out of the ordinary because the river has dried up and changed many times since the mine was first located here, so it could be any place. Carter is up and excited to go.

32 CARTER Let’s get going. Watch out for the green eye. Everyone gathers their gear and proceeds up the dry riverbed. EXT. BLACK RIVER DRY RIVER BED Suddenly a male deer cross the dry riverbed in front of them. He stops and sniffs the air. John is looking curiously at the deer. JOHN What the heck is he doing. Lane is cautious. LANE Move slow. He’s a freakin rutting buck and we’re in his nookie territory. Carter is amused. He turns to Lane. CARTER What a pant load. He’s not going to kick our asses over a little tail. The buck snorts and looks straight at Carter rolling his head displaying his horns. John backs up a little. JOHN I think he’s pissed. Carter looks at the deer and chuckles. CARTER I don’t think so. He’s just standing there.

33 The big buck suddenly rears up on his hind legs and starts pawing the air with his front feet as he moves toward the trio. Lane is not surprised. She heads for small tree hanging over the river bank. LANE Come on, he’ll cut you with his hooves. Carter just stands looking mystified. CARTER What… The buck drops to the ground on all fours and charges Carter with his head down. Carter and John run for the small tree that Lane is now climbing. The buck bears his teeth and lays his ears back on his neck still charging. Carter and John follow Lane up the tree just out of reach of the buck. The buck walks around under the tree snorting and pawing the ground looking up occasionally. He then rubs his antlers on the tree trunk snorting. The tree bends and begins to lean toward the ground. Carter, John and Lane are watching the Buck intently. The Buck slowly stalks as he moves toward them. He abruptly rears up and tries to climb the tree viciously attempting to paw and bit them. The trio tries to go further up the leaning tree. CLOSE ON - Rancher Mathews is on top of a hill watching them through binoculars chuckling while watching their dilemma.

34 Alamo, the green eyed Apache stands confidently a hundred feet above Mathews on a bluff un-noticed watching Rancher Mathews and the group. Suddenly a loud whistle is heard blowing without pause. John and Carter look at Lane her face is red from blowing her whistle so hard. The buck’s ears perk up and he runs away. They cautiously get down out of the tree and Lane puts the whistle away. LANE If I’d had a gun we could’ve had steak tonight. John and Carter look at each other surprised. JOHN I’d rather get mine at a grocery store. DISSOLVE TO AFTERNOON: Carter and Lane have fallen behind John as they walk down the riverbed reading the treasure map, not paying attention. CARTER I hope we don’t run into a rutting opossum or something. Maybe a horny desert donkey. Lane smiles as they walk. LANE That deer was just a freak deal. Rarely happens. CLINTON BLACK, an average older man and a prospector is sitting on a rock above the couple. BLACK Howdy there.

35 Carter and Lane nearly fall from fright. They look up and see Black and they appear relieved. CARTER Ah hell-o. Lane puts her hands on her hips. LANE Who are you? Mr. Black is kind and a little smug. BLACK A better question. Who are you? Lane gestures toward Carter. LANE This is Carter. I’m Lane. Carter shades his eyes while looking up. Mr. Black smiles and stands. BLACK Well in that case, I'm Clinton Black. Lane is a little friendlier. LANE Are you another crazy Rancher? Mr. Black is amused. BLACK Nope, people think I’m just plain crazy, but I’m no rancher. Guess you’ve met Mathews, Mr. wonderful. Carter gets down to business. CARTER Yeah, what are you doing here? Just for the recreation I guess?

36 Mr. Black continues to be patient and friendly. BLACK Yeah, I’m independently wealthy and just do this to help the little people. Lane is watching him. LANE You a miner? Clint smiles down at them. BLACK You must be psychic. I'm prospectin. Are you? Lane likes Mr. Black and begins to be friendly. LANE No, you found anything yet? Mr. Black is amused. BLACK Just a matter of time. Lane’s curiousity is up. LANE Been at it long? Mr. Black smiles big. BLACK Yep. Carter decides Mr. Black is a harmless desert prospector and wants to make friends so he can get more information about the area. CARTER Why don’t you come to our camp Tonight. We’ll talk prospector and you can meet our friend, John.

37

Mr. Black slides down a rock near them. BLACK That would be nice I’ll have my people check my schedule. Mr. Black moves to a more comfortable distance from Lane and Carter. Carter looks up. CARTER You know were our camp is? Mr. Black smiles. BLACK Yep. Mr. Black turns and walks out of sight. Lane turns to Carter. LANE Why did you invite a perfectly weird stranger to our camp. Carter radiates with over-confidence. CARTER Information dense one. Lane smiles. LANE Said the serial to the killer. CLOSE ON - Rancher Mathews still watching from the hills above. Carter and Lane continue to walk down the rough riverbed. Across the ravine the two bikers and Carter’s waitress girlfriend are also watching.

38 Abruptly Alamo Garcia pops out from a secluded recess in the riverbank glaring at the two of them positioned in a fighting stance. ALAMO Leave our land, you don’t belong here. Lane is intrigued. LANE Tell me why? The bikers start to go down to the scene. The waitress puts her hand up to stop them and signals him to kneel down and watch. They silently wait. Lane and Carter just stare at Alamo waiting on his answer or his next move. CARTER What’s your story man? The unaware John yells out from the distance. JOHN (V.O.) Carter, Lane where are you? They look toward John. All they see is rocks and dry riverbed. They look back at Garcia. Alamo is gone without a sign. CARTER Where the heck is he? Their eyes scan the area. EXT. BLUFF The bikers and Riley are still in hiding watching the group. ANGELO, a heavy set strong middle-aged biker whispers.

39 ANGELO What the hell is that Indian doing. DAMON, a younger strong looking man and Angelo’s sidekick whispers to him. DAMON He’s probable robbin’em. Riley shakes her head. RILEY You dill weeds give it a rest. I can only handle so much intellect. Pay attention; the Indian is one of those green eyed Apache that wants to run them off. We wait for the action to start then we sweep in. Damon and Angelo dumbly nod their heads. EXT. HILLSIDE Rancher Mathews stands and walks away carrying his lever action rifle. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. CAMPSIGHT - NIGHT John, Carter and Lane walk into the camp carrying mining tools. They put their tools down. Everyone is dirty from digging. They sit down around the campfire and begin to snack on miscellaneous foods. Carter puts wood on the fire and stokes it with a stick. LANE It’s going pretty slow. John looks up. JOHN Nothing good happens quickly.

40 Carter speaks up. CARTER It’s just the first day. Lane is too tired to argue the point. LANE Okay I get it. We gotta earn it. How about that rattler we saw. I thought they rattled. He just sat there. JOHN To hot. Mr. Black walks into the camp from the darkness un-noticed while Carter is poking the campfire and putting on the coffee-pot to warm-up. LANE Carter and I met a prospector today. Mr. Black stops and smiles waiting to hear. Carter smiles at the thought of Mr. Black. CARTER A little loco maybe. Mr. Black walks on into the camp smiling. Everyone looks up. BLACK I heard that. Lane smiles at Mr. Black and casually adds another part to the story. LANE There was a wild looking green eyed Indian we saw today too. John is sarcastic about making everybody feel good about their hard day.

41 JOHN Okay Indians, prospectors, and snakes. We’re rolling now. Tomorrow we'll do better. Maybe scorpions or I know, wild asses and tame Jackasses everywhere. Carter is pleasantly surprised by Mr. Black’s entrance into the camp. CARTER Everyone this is Mr. Black, the prospector. Mr. Black looks at John and Carter. BLACK A good prospector, could I get some of that coffee? Lane gets up. LANE Sure. Lane gets the coffee for him as he sits on a rock by the campfire. LANE (continuing) Don’t get usted to this. Mr. Black nods. BLACK The only thing I’m usted to is a hard time. John shows curiosity. JOHN Are you a miner? Mr. Black smiles. BLACK Nope, been prospectin for thirty

42 years. I haven’t mined anything yet, just found a few good size nuggets. Carter leans forward toward Mr. Black. CARTER As a pro do you think there’s gold out there? Mr. Black fumbles in his pocket and pulls out a medium size gold nugget rolling it around in the palm of his hand showing everybody. BLACK Yes sir, found this a few days (points) ago, right over there. Mr. Black puts the nugget back in his pocket. JOHN You mind if we ask you exactly where? Mr. Black is reluctant. BLACK Don’t mind, if you got some information you want to trade. John looks at the others. JOHN We might, you first. Black smiles. BLACK Na, you first. I’m the curious sort. John looks at the others for approval. They each nod assuredly. John gazes seriously.

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JOHN All right, we’re looking for the old Spanish mine that closed here about five or six hundred years ago. Black slaps his knee and laughs. BLACK Ain’t everybody. Everyone has a nervous grin. John speaks with conviction. JOHN I have a map. Black laughs again. BLACK Every tradin post in the county’s got one of them. Lane speaks up. LANE Show’em John. John turns to the backpack behind him and pulls out their rolled up wrinkled map. Mr. Black takes the map and looks at it. He appears interested. BLACK You could have somethin here. There’s an old legend about some green eyed Apache’s that are guardin a mine like this. I might help ya for a equal share. Carter is enthused. CARTER He’s good.

44 Lane smiles. LANE We know about the Indians. Mr. Black is confident. BLACK Do ya know about the markers? Lane smiles. LANE No, what markers? Mr. Black looks around. BLACK They are large rocks that lie in the river bed with coded directions on them. They were put there by the Spaniard and their Indian labor. The green eyed Apache know about’em, but don’t how they work. The marks lead right to the front door of the mine or at least close to it. I got a map etched on a sheet of silver that came from some rouge Apache that didn’t know what he had. If we can figure out the code we’re in. They all look at each other with approval. JOHN All right, let's pool resources and divide the treasure equally when we find it. Carter is upbeat and ready for the deal. CARTER What da think Mr. Black? It’s pretty tempting, huh. Everyone watches and waits.

45

BLACK Why not. We don’t know each other. What could we know that would make a difference? Maybe we’re all some kinda weirdo. But, I’m in. They all look at each other a little uncomfortable wondering if they made the right decision. Then Lane breaks the ice. LANE Okay… Let's celebrate our partnership. She goes to the ice chest and brakes out soft drinks passing them out. LANE (continuing) A toast, here’s to Black River Gold. Carter is serious for a moment. CARTER What about the Indian. He was pretty serious about us not being here. Mr. Black quickly speaks up. BLACK That’s Alamo Garcia. He thinks he’s the guardian of Black River. Some kind of cult deal the Apache have. I don’t think he will hurt ya. He’s just scary. Lane appears concerned. LANE Somebody needs to tell Mr. eerie that. DISSOLVE TO MORNING:

46 Everyone is up straightening their beds and putting on backpacks to move down the trail. A Sheriff’s vehicle rolls into the camp and SHERIFF MARTIN, a middle aged handsome man gets out. SHERIFF Hello folks. I’m Sheriff Martin, mind if I ask what you’re doing out here? John smiles and acts friendly. JOHN Looking for arrowheads. The sheriff smiles. SHERIFF Just came up to be sure you are Okay. The Rancher, Matthews that leases the land next to this place was in our office screamin' bout you being here. Better be careful he's real mad about it and kind of a physcho too. Everyone is watching the sheriff. John steps forward. JOHN Thanks sheriff. We’ll watch out. The sheriff is getting back in his vehicle. SHERIFF If there's any trouble, you folks call me. (he sees Mr. Black) Hello Mr. Black. Mr. Black nods. He shuts his door and drives away. John turns and walks down the trail. JOHN

47 Screw Matthews, let's go hunting. Everyone follows John mumbling. CARTER, JOHN, LANE AND MR. BLACK (overlapping) Yeah. let’s go. Move out. Up his. They all move down the riverbed trail carrying their digging gear. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. CAMPSITE - LATE EVENING John, Carter, Lane and Mr. Black are digging in the riverbed near the camp. The bikers and Riley are still watching out of sight. Angelo looks at Riley. ANGELO When are we gonna do something? She smiles and appears confident. RILEY Relax, when the time is right You can beat the crap out of Carter and he’ll tell you where the treasure’s buried or maybe we can just wait until they dig it out. The two bikers grin at each other. DAMON Yeah, let them dig it up first. Riley rolls her eyes. Lane, Carter and John stop digging and look at map. They then look at Mr. Black’s silver map. walks over to a marker that is chiseled into a in the riverbed. He looks back and gauges from the mine location.

the paper Mr. Black large rock his marker

48 Mr. Black turns and walks up the trail to the main campsite. Lane, Carter and John put the maps away in their backpack and follow Mr. Black walking up the trail into camp with him. They are tired, dirty and dusty. John plops down by the burned out campfire. The rest follow suit. JOHN Let's go to town and get something to eat and take a bath. Everyone mumbles a chorus of agreement. Mr. Black speaks up. BLACK I’ll stay and watch the camp. I don’t need to be in town. Carter likes Mr. Black and wants to make him feel good if he staying. CARTER Are you sure Mr. Black? Can we bring you something? Maybe a woman or… Mr. Black smiles. He is casual and comfortable. BLACK No, I’m fine. Everyone gets up, but Mr. Black. CARTER Later Desert Blacky. Mr. Black waves as they open the vehicle doors. The group gets into the Suburban and waves while the stereo plays old rock music as they drive away. DISSOLVE TO: INT. SUBURBAN

49 Carter looks back at Mr. Black. CARTER Poor old guy. Lane chimes in. LANE Yeah, he needs somebody. I bet he’s really lonely. John is smiling looking in his rearview mirror. EXT. MOTEL PARKING LOT – NIGHT The Suburban turns into the motel parking lot. The Suburban stops and everyone gets out. John is very happy. JOHN Boy, civilization is great. They all enter the Motel office. INT. MOTEL OFFICE The MANAGER, A gray haired and elderly slim woman with reading glasses on the end of her nose looks up and smiles. MANAGER Hello there. John is friendly JOHN We need a room please. The old woman gruffly looks over her glasses at them and pushes an inkpen toward John. MANAGER Fill out the card. The rooms are Sixty-five a night for three. No Loudness, no drinkin, no animals No B-S of any kind. Will it be cash or card.

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John nods while filling out the registration card. JOHN Card. Carter is watching the old woman and hands her a credit card. CARTER Debit. The woman nods and takes the card runs it through her machine and gives it back to Carter. MANAGER Good as Gold. John, Carter and Lane smile. DISSOLVE TO: INT. MOTEL BAR – NIGHT Everyone is sitting at the bar talking while waiting on a table to eat. Sheriff Martin comes in and sits by John. SHERIFF Hi, I see you’re having a break from camping. The sheriff extends his hand to say hello. They shake. JOHN Nice to see you sheriff. Everyone else is talking. SHERIFF Are you enjoying your camp out? John puts on a professional aire. JOHN Yes, but it’s kind of slow.

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The sheriff is in thought. SHERIFF Lots of history in the desert. I'm a history buff myself. John continues his professional demeanor. JOHN Yes, there's caves and old mines hiding Indian artifacts all over the desert. The sheriff is getting into their conversation. SHERIFF You know one of the biggest stories around here is about an old Spanish Mine. I think it’s somewhere on the Black River. Probably just a legend. John nods. JOHN Yeah, there’s a lot of that. The bartender steps up from behind the bar. BARTENDER Coffee sheriff? He nods. SHERIFF Yeah, to go I gotta get ta work. The bartender gets the coffee. The sheriff throughs a bill on counter and nods to the bartender as he starts to leave. Carter walks up. CARTER Hey sheriff. The sheriff is friendly.

52 SHERIFF Hi, I almost forgot. I saw Mr. Black earlier, he ask me to tell you to bring a new pick. John is cureous. JOHN You know Mr. Black? SHERIFF For a long time. Gotta go. The sheriff leaves. John turns to Carter and the others while they gather around. JOHN He just confirmed everything we researched, kind of. Rancher Mathews discretely sits in the corner of the bar undetected watching. CARTER Why would the sheriff know Mr. Black so well? Lane is interest in the question. LANE Yeah that does seem curious. John looks around for a bathroom. JOHN Probable just because it’s a small town. I gotta drain my lizard. Lane rolls her eyes. LANE Did you want to tell the other half of the town when you get there?

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John gets up and walks toward the bathroom. Carter follows. CARTER Me too. INT. MOTEL BAR MEN’S BATHROOM Carter and John step inside the restroom. The two bikers from the campsite come in behind them. Everyone heads for a urinal. John is gaming around with his friend. JOHN Carter, better step closer to the urinal. Don’t make us think you're something you’re not. Carter smiles. John quietly laughs. CARTER Somebody stopped payment on your reality check. Damon glares at John just being an ass. DAMON Urinal, looks like a pisser ta me. Angelo joins in. ANGELO you boys fags or somethin, jokin about each others peckers? Carter turns to go. CARTER Come on man, We don’t want any trouble. (turns to John) Let's go John. Angelo pushes Carter back.

54 ANGELO You ain’t goin no place fag. We got some questions we want to ask you. John is brave and speaks up. JOHN Back off, we're leaving. Damon pushes John back. John pushes the biker against the wall and the fight is on. Carter scuffles with Angelo. Carter gets the advantage and slams Angelo’s head against the wall. The biker falls. Then Carter picks him up and jams his head in the commode he just urinated in. CARTER Let me buy you a drink bitch. Damon beats on John and John falls back. He recovers and grabs the biker. They fall to the floor and wrestle. John and the biker stand up still fighting. John hits the man and he falls against the tile wall and slides down. The sheriff and his deputy burst into the lavatory just as Damon starts to get up. The sheriff grabs Damon and pulls him up. The deputy pulls Carter back and jerks Angelo up from the commode. Everyone stops and gives each other mean looks. The deputy yells out. DEPUTY Enough! The sheriff holds the two bikers by their collars looking at John and Carter. SHERIFF I’m sorry for these boys bad manners. The sheriff pushes the bikers out the bathroom door.

55 The deputy pushes the last one out slapping him on the back of the head rushing them on. SHERIFF (continuing) Get on out of here and go home. John and Carter are wiping their faces off. JOHN Thanks for helping. The sheriff is kind toward Carter and John. SHERIFF (continuing) No problem, go on back and enjoy yourselves. They all exit. DISSOLVE TO: INT. SUBURBAN – NIGHT Everyone is loading in the vehicle. John starts the truck and drives away. Lane looks at Carter and John. LANE What happened in there? John is amused. JOHN Carter sure was acting tough in there. Carter is smiling. CARTER Tip toe through the tulips man. Lane is amused and supportive. LANE

56 What did those gorilla biker’s want? Carter is proud and embarrassed. CARTER Don’t know, bikers just like to fight when they’re drinking. No big deal. Lane is proud of her friends. LANE You guy kick some serious ass. Carter and John beam with pride. For the first time in their lives someone stronger was not able to put them down. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. CAMPSITE – NIGHT Everyone walks into the camp. They see Rancher Mathews poking around their stuff. John steps forward. JOHN Hey, what the hell are you doing? John stands ready for anything. MATHEWS A little security check. Lane is angry about the intrusion. LANE Get the hell out of our camp. Carter looks around CARTER Where’s the old dude, Mr. Black?

57 Mathews is rude. MATHEWS Nobody here when I pulled in. Lane gives the rudeness back. LANE What the hell do you want? Mathews takes one step toward them. MATHEWS Ta push your asses out of here. The rancher pauses and looks them over. MATHEWS (continuing) You better be gone when that Permit runs out or I’ll move ya. The hard way. Lane Takes a step toward Mathews. LANE Try it asshole. Mathews points his finger at them. MATHEWS I ain’t stupid. You’re here for somethin more than campin. Just remember anything here is mine and I protect what’s mine. Carter steps forward. CARTER Just get going before we have trouble. The rancher laughs and speaks as he walks to his pickup. MATHEWS From who a bunch of city pussy’s? I’ll be back the day the permit

58 runs out. (he suddenly turns and fakes a move toward them putting everyone on guard) You better be gone light weights. They hear the rancher's pickup start and he drives away. Mr. Black strolls into the dark camp carrying a roll of toilet. BLACK Who was that? Carter turns to Mr. Black. CARTER Where have you been? Holds up his toilet paper. BLACK Taking a facial. LANE That was Mr. special. The cow chippin rancher checking out our security and it sucks. She is staring straight at Mr. Black. BLACK This ain’t a union job. I didn’t have a relief person so I could get some relief. Lane shakes her head. John and Carter go about their business. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. RIVER BANK MORNING Mr. Black and Lane are driving along the riverbank looking for signs of the mine. They think they see something and stop. Mr. Black and Lane get out to look.

59 LANE I’m sorry about last night. That Mathews get to me. BLACK Forget about it. I should been there. Lane gets to close to the edge of the dirt bank and it breaks off. She falls and rolls down the bank with dust boiling. Lane lands sprawled out face to face with a coiled rattlesnake. BLACK Don't move, don't say anything. The hefty rattler is hissing and coiling more, right in Lane’s face. RATTLER P.O.V. Lane’s eyes bug out of her head watching the snakes every move. She breathes shallow as she sweats and her neck muscles tense up. BACK TO SCENE Mr. Black moves up the bank to come in behind the rattler. He quietly slides down the bank. Mr. Black works his way Slowly up behind the snake. Lanes is still very tense just staring at the snake waiting for him to strike. Mr. Black abruptly grabs the rattler as it strikes inches away from Lane’s face. The prospector has it by the head. He swings the big snake over his head and lets go. The snake flies into the brush. Lane rolls over on her back breathing hard. LANE Damn, I'm having a heart attack. Let's get the hell out of here

60 before he comes back. Mr. Black helps Lane get up. BLACK Maybe we should have him for supper. Lane appears serious. LANE I'd rather have bologna. They turn and walk up the riverbank to the vehicle. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. CAMPSITE - LATE EVENING Everyone walks into the campsite, tired and dirty. As they hit the center of the camp a loud snort is heard. They look behind a bush and sees a large open range bull, pawing the ground and making ready for a charge. LANE Not again. John is amused and smile. JOHN There’s a lot of bull. The bull rushes him stopping short of a full charge. LANE Nobody wants us here, including the wild life. somebody do something. The bull charges. Carter steps out and slaps him on the forehead to get his attention. CARTER Look out! The fierce bull spins around glaring at Carter.

61 Carter rushes at the young bull to keep his attention. It turns and charges. Carter spars with the bull again. The bull quickly turns and charges. Mr. Black is watching from a high rock outcropping. Carter steps to the side. The bull hits the Suburban in the side and the vehicle rocks. The bull backs off. He appears stunned and wobble off down the trail. Everyone is relieved Carter is confident and smiling. CARTER Bad news bull. John chimes in. JOHN That bad attitude was probably the ranchers idea. Mr. Black is amused. BLACK If he does it again we’ll be having steaks instead of bologna. Everyone gathers around the camp and starts preparing to eat and settle down for the evening. Carter is stoking the fire. FLIP FRAME TO MORNING John rolls over trying to get comfortable on his green army blanket lying on the ground. He opens his eyes slightly and gets up slowly then puts on his boots. He looks around and moves to the edge of the low burning fire. John sits there sleepily and throws a couple of pieces of nearby wood on the fire.

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He hears a tap on his boot. He opens his eyes completely and turns his head to see a snake slowly striking his boot. He yells out and jumps back landing on his butt. JOHN Snake. The snake crawls off into the rocks. Everyone comes to look. They look at the ground and at John. JOHN (continuing) Never mind. Carter is amused. CARTER Okay let's go hunt. I need some gold to buy my Bentley. John sits up and stands. Lane is up putting her gear together. Carter smiles and gets his gear rounded up. He walks away with Lane. LANE On the road again. Come on John. Mr. Black wakes up and looks around. He sees Lane and Carter walking away then John puts his gear together and hurries after them. Mr. Black lies back down. DISSOLVE TO DAY: EXT. TRAIL NEAR RIVER BANK - DAY Lane and Carter are driving on the trail next to the high river bank. CARTER

63 We’ve missed the mark someplace. It’s gotta be here somewhere. Two cowboys that are driving an old pick-up suddenly blast in front of the suburban boiling dust from the road just missing them while yelling and cussing. Rancher Mathews sits in his own pick-up off the side of the trail smiling and watching his men at work. The old pick-up slides around in a nearby opening and falls in behind them bumping the Suburban’s back bumper. Lane pushes hard on the gas pedal and speeds around a sharp curve out of sight from the cowboys. The race is on. Just as Lane turns the corner the Suburban veers off the road a little and goes out of sight down into the ground. The old truck comes to a stop a hundred feet down the road from the curve. The men look around for the Suburban. The cowboys give up and speed off in the opposite direction. INT. SUBURBAN Carter looks at Lane as dust spirals in the air. Carter and Lane wipe dust from their faces and spit dirt. CARTER These losers are Mathews men. EXT. RIVERBANK The Suburban has gotten to close to the edge of the river bank’s edge and driven across the top of an old building that sits against the bank next to the front of the old mine. The dirt and debris has made the building invisible to people passing by. The vehicle has fallen through the roof and lodged inside. The Suburban has landed upright. Carter and Lane are sitting in Suburban covered in dust. They see snakes on the hood of the truck and on the walls of the ruins. Lane let's out a deep breath. LANE Now I know what it means when

64 They say, Life's a bitch and then you die. Carter’s eyes follow the snake while he sits very still. CARTER Don't move, just yell. Lane start to yell. LANE Help, help. We're down here. John and Mr. Black appear over the hole Lane and Carter fell into. JOHN Are you two okay? Carter yells up. CARTER Get us outta here there’s snakes. John tries to console them. JOHN Okay, we saw the cowboys chase you and came as fast as we could. Lane’s voice is urgent. LANE Hurry! John tries to make her feel better. JOHN Don’t worry I’m get a rope and pull you up. John goes for a rope. Mr. Black is looking around. BLACK You’ve found the old pueblo that

65 sits by the mine entrance. Carter is blowing cob webs from his face trying not to move. CARTER The pueblo? Mr. Black rolls his eyes. BLACK You know, the one in front of the mine the Spanish officer mentioned in his report. Lane’s voice is rushed. LANE Great, get us out of here. Talk Later. Carter turns to Lane. CARTER Don’t weird out, John’s getting a rope. We’ll be out in a minute. Lane ignores Carter and looks up. LANE Hurry, we got snakes. John is back with a rope. He drops it down to Carter and Lane. JOHN Shouldn’t have a rodent problem. A large snake moves toward Lane’s face. She pulls back in her seat staring at the reptile. Carter looks and also pulls back in sympathy. JOHN Lane, grab the rope and tie it around your waist.

66 The snake begins crawl across Carter’s shoulder and across the back of his neck. Lane easily takes the rope through the sunroof. She ties it around her waist then crawls out the roof staying away from the snake and gets on top of the Suburban. LANE Pull me up. Black and John quickly pulls her to the surface as she swats snakes away from her body. John quickly removes the rope and drops it to Carter. JOHN Okay Carter tie yourself off. The big snake is relaxed on Carter’s shoulder and neck. Carter discretely pulls the hanging rope in front of him as he crawls out of the Suburban side window with the snake still on him. He begins to climb easily up not disturbing the relaxed snake. Carter looks up to see another snake coiled around the rope above him. As he goes up so does the snake. The snake on his shoulder crawls up to interact with reptile on the rope. Lane stands behind Mr. Black. John reached down and grabs the two snakes and hurls them away as they reach the top. Carter crawls out and stands. JOHN Close. They all smile while standing around the hole. CARTER That was eerie. Lane chimes in.

67 LANE Freakin eerie! DISSOLVE TO: EXT. CAMP – EVENING Everyone is back at the camp relaxing sitting around having a soft drink. They are making plans to explore the new found location. John sits by the campfire with the others. JOHN I guess we should move the camp closer the ruins. Carter is ready to find the gold. CARTER Yeah, right away. Lane is enthused. LANE We can move it right by the old Pueblo. Mr. Black gets up and starts packing up gear. BLACK Let's do it. I’m feeling lucky. Everyone gets up and they begin to move the camp. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. NEW CAMPSITE NEXT TO THE OLD PUEBLO - NIGHT Everyone is milling around finishing the camp set-up near a big campfire. JOHN Tomorrow we should dig out the area just south of the old pueblo according to the map.

68 Lane is excited. LANE We're so close. Carter has a tired smile. CARTER Yes, we had better find it soon or we'll be out of jobs. We've been here long past our vacation time. John tries to be reassuring. JOHN Patience we'll find it. We Moved way past the point of No return. DISSOLVE TO MORNING: Everyone is up and ready walking from the camp to the dig site. Mr. Black meets the group and walks with them. BLACK Good morning. Carter has stopped and starts digging at the ruins. BLACK (continuing) Morning, I think we need to blast. There’s many rocks, it’ll lower the work load. I’m too beat to dig much more. John continues to walk as he talks. JOHN If we do everyone will know what we’re doing. Mr. Black is confident.

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BLACK We can blast at night with small charges. That’ll cover ya. John is interested. JOHN Can you use dynamite Mr. Back. Mr. Black is still confident. BLACK Yep, I have some. John sits near the dig site. JOHN We may as well rest until we blast. Everyone silently agrees and sits down with him. DISSOLVE TO NIGHT: The group is still sitting except for Mr. Black. A series of muffled booms are heard. CARTER I hope that does it. Mr. Black walks into the camp. BLACK That’s it. We got a big day tomorrow. DISSOLVE TO MORNING Everyone is standing holding their gear in front of a blasted hole in the river bank with rocks piled in it about ten feet into the bank. They are watching Mr. Black move rocks away from the hole. LANE

70 Boy aren’t you the early bird. Mr. Black sounds very confident. BLACK I figure we'll need transportation to carry cargo soon. Mr. Black stops to wipe sweat from his brow. Carter moves toward him and helps move the rocks. CARTER What can we do Mr. Black? Mr. Black is serious. BLACK Number one, be careful, these rocks could slide. Number two, move the rocks and your ass. They all pitch in including Lane. Carter twist and pulls on a lodged rock. He pulls it out causing others to begin to slide. The rocks move a few feet and stop. The group waits and watches. They think they are safe then suddenly sand begins to pour in over them. Mr. Black and John jump back and get out of the way. Carter and Lane are too slow. The sand covers them to the neck before John and Mr. Black can jump back in to save them. Mr. Black speaks up glancing at John. BLACK Grab Lane’s hands. Sand still pour in over her and Carter. John grabs Lane’s hands and she pulls herself free with the help. Mr. Black speaks up as he grabs Carter’s hands. BLACK (continuing) John, you and Lane hold my legs.

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Mr. Black takes Carter’s hands, John and Lane help pull them free as sand continues to pour over them. The sand stops. More rocks are visible piled in the hole on the riverbank. Everyone flops down on the ground and lets out a breath of relief. Lane is stressed. LANE I give up. This is too much. Carter tries to make her feel confident. CARTER We can't quit. This is our bank, our… new life. John is lying on the ground. He rises up. JOHN Carter's right. It's our chance at a better life. We need to try harder. Mr. Black almost preaches to rest of them. BLACK I’ll be here till hell freezes over. I need this. It not the money, it’s a little piece of success. John and the others nod in agreement. CARTER Yeah, I could use the money. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. HILLSIDE - EVENING The rancher is watching through binoculars on a ridge above them. He moves off the hill walking toward them. DISSOLVE TO:

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EXT. NEW CAMPSITE Everyone sits around the campfire talking. Mr. Black is grinning. BLACK We better find the gold soon so we can go to town for a bath. John smiles and relaxes. JOHN I’m going to spend a week in a hot tub. Mr. Black is dreaming outloud. BLACK I’m going to spend money. Lots of it like there’s no tomorrow. Lane is back to her old self. LANE Mr. Black do you have a girlfriend? Mr. Black is amused. BLACK I don’t know. Haven’t talked to her in three years. Probably not. John is tired of all the talk. JOHN Let's have a drink. Carter smiles and looks toward Lane. CARTER Hey, Lane get me a coke would Ya? Lane smiles.

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LANE If I wanted to hear from a butthole I’d fart. Everybody laughs. Mathews walks into the camp. MATHEWS Time to go. Your permits up. Everyone is shocked they just look at him. He is packing a short cattle prod. Mathews sticks it to Carter and pushes the button. Carter is charged with electricity. He falls back and jerks on the ground in a spasm. LANE Stop it. Mathews jabs John and he goes down. The rancher turns on Mr. Black and Lane attacks him. Mathews slaps her to the ground and puts the prod to Mr. Black. Mr. Black falls back and hits the ground holding his chest as if he is having a heart attack. Mathews looks closer. MATHEWS Did you have a heart attack old man? Mathews bends over to look closer. Lanes attacks him from behind. She hits him on the back of the head. Mathews grabs her and slams her to the ground and back hands her as she tries to get up. He looks at Mr. Black again bending over getting very close. Suddenly Mr. Black hits him with his fist knocking him back. Mr. Black stands and Mathews recovers. He moves toward Mr. Black stalking him. Mathews looks on the ground.

74 His cattle prod is on the ground between him and the recovering Lane. Lane sees the prod. She and Mathews lung for it at the same time. They collide and Lane comes up with the prod. She puts it to Mathews’ neck and he goes into a convulsion. Lane stands over him while he struggle. Mr. Black joins her. She put the prod to Mathews’ back and pushes the button he begins to twitch. She puts it to his butt and then to his ribs. He quivers and holds up his hands and Mr. Black hits him under the chin. Mathews weakly gets up and holds his hands up again and disappears into the night. Carter and John get up tattered and dirty watching the location Mathews disappeared into. Lane and Mr. Black looks at them exhausted and dirty. LANE Shocking. DISSOLVE TO MORNING: John wakes up hearing a quiet rumbling sound that is getting louder. He shakes Lane. JOHN You hear that? (Lane listens) I’ve heard that on TV. (he jumps up) Everybody get up. Wake-up. Get on the rocks, hurry. Everyone wakes up and rushes to the rocky hill near them. They make the rocks just as a stampede of cattle roar through the camp tearing up the site. Carter looks at the others. CARTER That freakin Rancher again? John is angry.

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JOHN That S-O-B needs to be reported. Lane is amused at his conservative friend. LANE Or something. The cattle have passed on through. John, Lane, Carter and Mr. Black all look at each other. BLACK Isn't this a ridiculous looking mob. John smiles. JOHN Be on the look out. This is getting serious. DISSOLVE TO AFTERNOON: The men are working in front of the mine with no result. CARTER This is solid rock there’s no mine here. EXT. BLUFF The bikers and Riley are relaxed just watching on their bluff above the mine. Damon glances toward the group. DAMON They found anything yet? The woman appears discouraged. RILEY No, I’m sick of this. If I had not seen all of the maps and crap little Carter had I’d leave.

76 The bikers roll their eyes. EXT. NEW CAMPSITE Mr. Black believes they are right and speaks up. BLACK It’s here someplace. I feel it. Carter wants the operation to work badly and puts in new information. CARTER Maybe it's further down. Black is enabling Carter so they will stay. BLACK Could be, there’s rocks all the way down the river bank that could support a cavern. John picks up the map. JOHN This map shows the opening of the mine beside the old pueblo and we are beside the pueblo. John is about to decide the mine is not real. JOHN (continuing) I don’t know… Mr. Black sits down frustrated. BLACK Come out of it. I been at this stuff for thirty years. You been at it for three weeks and if you leave I don’t share. John is trying to be more confident. JOHN

77 Hell, we’re probably within a few feet and can’t find it. Carter is leaning on his shovel. CARTER It’s here. I know it’s here. But where? Lane walks up with water. LANE Water anyone? They all take water and go back to working again. Carter moves a few rocks. He yells out. CARTER We're through, we've broken through. Everybody gathers around. They all begin to move rocks and a full opening is made. JOHN Bring some lamps. Lane bring the lamps. The men go inside the cavern. Lane looks into the cave from the new entrance. DISSOLVE TO: The sun is going down the men have been in the cave for a half hour and now are coming out. CARTER Damn, nothing, nothing at all. All of this freakin work for nothing. John is more skeptical now. He is negative. JOHN Hell there probably never was a mine.

78 Carter is the eternal optimist and loves the idea of treasure. CARTER What about the old pueblo, the reports from the Spaniards and the green eyed Apache’s? There is a mine. A four hundred million dollar mine. Mr. Black has a quiet tone to his voice. BLACK Guess it’s over. We gave it a hell of a run. Lane directs her statement to Carter. LANE Nothing in the mine? Carter feels defeated. Mr. Black and John shake their head no. CARTER Gees, okay I give up. It’s just a fairy tale. A real four hundred million dollar fairy tale. Lane is upbeat with all of the negatives. LANE No big deal. We only lost a little time. John weakly agrees. JOHN Yeah, and our jobs. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. MINE SITE CAMP - NIGHT Everyone is sitting around the riverbank near the empty cave listening to slow country music.

79 John looks down the riverbank. JOHN That gold could be anywhere. What would the Spaniards do to recover it. Carter smiles while looking at the map. CARTER This is a revolting Predicament. No mine, no money. It’s here, I know it and I really wanted a new F-J Cruiser. Mr. Black starts looking at the map with Carter. BLACK Maybe the mine is a few more feet south. Carter is easy to convince. He is more upbeat as he clicks on a new idea. CARTER Hey, that cave is not the mine we are after. It’s just a cave, not a mine. We are right of the river marker and we should be dead on the marker. Lane is interested. LANE Why do you think that Carter. Carter is still looking at the map. CARTER The map and all the documents say the mine entrance is two hundred feet away. The cave we found was not that far. Besides it’s a bat cave, we’re looking for a gold mine. The marker in the riverbed is down from the cave. We need to line up directly with marker.

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The group shrugs off Carter’s idea. JOHN I don’t know, maybe. Lane likes Carter’s idea. LANE I agree with Carter. I think it’s further down. Don’t forget the markers. It doesn’t take much to convince Mr. Black. He thinks for a second and blurts out. MR. BLACK Me too. It’s got to be there. The marker was put there for a reason. John is about won over. JOHN Yeah you’re right, but if it’s not and we stay to find out. We’ll all be unemployed and probably evicted from our homes. Then what? (he thinks for a moment) What am I saying, we probably already are. Carter grins. CARTER Then we’re like Mr. Black. Free to find the gold. Besides my mom’s got a garage apartment we can bunk in. Mr. Black is happy and agrees. BLACK Great thinkin dummies. Use your Heads. The odds are we won’t find

81 the gold. Wake up and smell the desert. Carter cheers up. CARTER Let’s take a vote. Everyone in favor of staying and becoming rich beyond your wildest dreams raise your hand. Everyone hesitates and looks at each other. Carter puts his hand in the air. Lane follows. John puts up his hand. John looks at everyone and then Mr. Black’s hand goes up as an after thought. LANE The teams on again. John smiles. JOHN Okay, I guess we can go again. Carter farts. CARTER I hear a nay. Everybody groans. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. RIVER BED TRAIL - MORNING The next morning the group is up. They are walking down the river trail looking at the bank for signs of the mine. Carter looks around and goes to a hole in the riverbank. He slowly sticks his head inside. Carter screams out. INT. RIVERBANK HOLE A cougar is looking at Carter face to face then runs over him getting away. Carter falls back on his butt.

82 EXT. RIVER BED TRAIL Everyone runs to Carter. Carter is in shock. Mr. Black is kneeling looking Carter over. BLACK Don’t worry that cats long gone. Carter gets up and dust himself off. CARTER Good, let’s keep looking time is short. Mr. Black is a little grim. BLACK If we’re not more careful life may be short. John yells out. JOHN Down here, down here. They all run to John and gather around. John scraps away move dirt from a medium size rock with his shovel. He digs around it and cleans it off. It’s a stone chimney. LANE What is it. Carter glances up. CARTER It may be a kiln chimney were they processed the gold. Mr. Black grins. BLACK Or a fifteenth century Bar-B-Q Pit. Lane is looking down at the chimney.

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LANE We're close I know it. John is happy all over in his own reserved way. JOHN Damn right boys and girls we’re close. EXT. HILLSIDE Rancher Mathews is watching through binoculars from the hill. He walks out of sight down the hill. EXT. BLUFF Riley and the bikers notice Mathews and move from the bluff out of sight. EXT. RIVER BED TRAIL Carter is in the lead as everyone walks up the river bed toward camp. JOHN Let's get outta here and go ta town. Everyone just nods as they drag into camp. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. RESTAURANT/BAR PARKING LOT - NIGHT The group’s suburban drives into the parking lot and everyone gets out and goes inside. INT. RESTAURANT Carter, Lane, John and Mr. Black sit together at a table in the middle of the room. The two rough looking bikers comes in with Riley and a middle-aged tough looking man named TONY. They sit behind the group un-noticed.

84 A nice older waitress serves soft drinks to John and the group and leaves. The bikers are talking and watching the group. Riley looks at Tony. RILEY What’s the story on the old man. (she hands him twenty dollars) Does he know anything. Tony is casual. TONY Like I said he’s nobody, just an old man lookin ta do better. I heard he found a little gold out on Black River but I doubt it. Riley takes the twenty back. He is unhappily surprised. She gives Tony a hundred dollar bill. RILEY Keep’em busy while I check their truck out. She smiles and walks out un-noticed. Carter looks around but doesn’t see Riley. Tony smiles and nods looking at the money. He looks at the bikers and then toward the group. ANGELO Hey old man Black, what are you doing in town? Did you find somebody to sponge off of? Mr. Black speaks to everyone at the table. BLACK Ignore him, he's just stupid. Tony grins and smarts off again.

85 TONEY Your daughter keeps sayin you ain’t crazy, but everybody thinks you are. Damon speaks up. DAMON Don’t worry she knows how to do her own kind of mining from men’s pockets. They laugh together. Mr. Black starts to get up. John puts his hand on Mr. Black’s shoulder. JOHN It’s not worth it. Tony and the bikers are smiling relaxed in their chairs. EXT. RESTAURANT/BAR PARKING LOT - NIGHT Riley is trying the suburban’s doors. A back door is unlocked and opens. She begins to go through the truck looking for anything that can help her. Riley glances back at the restaurant. A drunk comes up to the vehicle undetected. DRUNK Hey baby, what yah doing out here all alone. She is surprised and looks at him with relief. RILEY Not lookin for you sugar. The drunk smiles. DRUNK You wanta hook up? She keeps looking in the truck.

86 RILEY Yeah, you on a meat rack. Go on now baby. I’ll have to cut Ya if you don’t. The drunk is indignant and walks away talking to himself. DRUNK Cut me. I could cut you. A girl cutting. That ain’t right. Cut me, bitch. INT. RESTAURANT Tony is relaxed looking at Mr. Black. TONY What’s the matter Black. You don’t wanta know about me and your little girl. Mr. Black has had enough. He lungs out of his seat punching Tony. Tony falls back on the floor. John whirls around and attacks Angelo as he attempts to join Tony fighting Mr. Black. Angelo puts his hands up and Damon just stays seated amused looking at the back of the room. ANGELO I don’t want no trouble. He glances in the back of the room. The sheriff walks in waiting and watching unknown to John, Mr. Black and Carter. John is surprised the biker stopped. He recognizes him. JOHN You keep this up and I’m going to get tire of kicking your ass. The biker is frustrated but smiles trying to defuse the situation because of the sheriff’s presence.

87 Carter gets in it. CARTER That’s the turd in the bathroom. Punch’em. The sheriff walks up. SHERIFF We got a problem here? Angelo and Tony shakes his heads no. John just looks at Angelo. Mr. Black is still standing over Tony. The sheriff is firmly in control. SHERIFF Everybody go about your business and stay out of trouble. The biker’s nod and begin to walk out. Tony gets up and starts outside. Mr. Black is threatening. BLACK You leave my daughter alone. John is rough with them. JOHN You assholes learn some manners. The men just want to get out of the building and ignore them. The sheriff looks at John and Mr. Black. SHERIFF That’s enough. Mr. Black and John sit.

88 JOHN Sorry sheriff. The sheriff pats John on the shoulder and walks on. Lane is watching the thugs move to the parking lot. LANE Boy John, the desert has been good to you, Macho man. John is modest. JOHN I'm glad they didn't know I was bluffing. She looks at Mr. Black. LANE Mr. Black, you didn’t tell us you had a daughter. Mr. Black beams with pride. BLACK Yeah, she's not what they Said. She’s a wonderful person. When I got the gold obsession it went on and on, before I knew it ten years had gone by, so I said I wouldn’t go back until I had something to offer her and her mother. Lane is surprised. LANE You have a wife? Mr. Black is sad. BLACK No, she passed on after Cathy, my daughter was grown. John consoles his friend.

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JOHN You have us and you can make it right with your daughter. EXT. RESTAURANT/BAR Tony walks away toward an old pick-up and the biker’s walk toward their motorcycles. Riley is moving toward them with something in her hand. RILEY I got it. (holds up the map) When they give up we move in and take the stash. They get on the motorcycles. The sheriff walks up. Everyone is uncomfortable and Riley hides the map. The sheriff is cruelly friendly. SHERIFF I want to help you… (everyone appears interested) If I see any of you again I’m going to help you go back to what ever prison you got out of. Understand? They all nod and ride away. The sheriff smiles and yells after them. SHERIFF Enjoy the ride, ya hear. The group walks from the building to the Suburban. John unlocks the door. Lane opens the unlocked back door. LANE Somebody’s been in here. (she is looking through

90 her bag.) The maps gone. Lane sits on the edge of the Suburban seat with the door open. LANE (continuing) What now. John is upbeat. JOHN We’re so close we don’t need a map. I can remember anything we need. I looked at it everyday for six months. Carter is not so sure. CARTER If this dig isn’t it. We need that map to find it. Lane nods in agreement. Mr. black is amused. BLACK Don’t worry. We can find it, map or not. They all get in the truck. INT. SUBURBAN CARTER What are we going to use x-ray vision? Lane is more serious. LANE We better watch out whoever took the map wants the gold and we don’t know what they would do to get it.

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John chimes in. JOHN It’s probably Mathews. John drives away. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. CAMPSITE - MORNING Lane is down by the new mine area picking up rocks. EXT. BLUFF The biker’s and Riley are relaxed in their hiding place on the bluff. RILEY Look sharp, that sheriff could pop up anywhere. EXT. CAMPSITE Cater, John and Mr. Black are on a ridge walking down toward the pueblo. The sun suddenly shines through the clouds against the riverbank. Carter looks over toward Lane. CARTER What are you doing Eggbert? Lane smiles and keeps picking up rocks. LANE I’m picking up rocks to make a fire break ring. Lane turns and pulls with one hand on a long rock wedged in the corner of some others above it. It’s stuck. The rocks above it move as she pulls. Lane puts her small rocks down and pulls with both hands. She dislodges the wedged rock. A small rockslide starts. Lane falls back and scoots out of the way.

92 To everyone’s surprise the rockslide has opened a small hole in the riverbank. The sunlight seems to be reflecting off of something bright inside. Through the small hole the sunlight hits the gold bricks inside and a small bright light reflects back from the cavern like a mirror. Everyone is frozen in place. JOHN We found it. We found it. They all move to the small opening in the rocks trying to get a look in. John moves in to look shining his flashlight inside the cavern. JOHN P.O.V. OUTSIDE TO INSIDE – He sees fifty or sixty veins of gold looking like six inch wide ropes of yellow metal inlaid in the walls of the cave. The flashlight moves to a corner and lights the hole to see hundreds of large gold bars stacked to the ceiling. The light moves again. It shows bags of gold nuggets in aging and rotted bags that sit in the corner of the cavern room next to the stack of gold bars. BACK TO SCENE EXT. BLUFF Riley is looking at the map. She hears the group and looks down. Riley punches Damon. RILEY I think they found it stupid ass. She throws the map down as they watch the group. DAMON Let’s go down and get it. Angelo begins to look.

93 RILEY Wait, we’re not sure yet. EXT. CAMPSITE They all begin to throw rocks out of the way making a hole to crawl through. DISSOLVE TO: INT. MINE Everyone is moving inside through the hole. John walks near the gold and the floor creaks. The rest of the group stops when they hear the noise. Rancher Mathews suddenly steps behind them with his rifle pointed at the group. MATHEWS I knew you were here for something else. John is quietly reasoning. JOHN Look we can work this out. Mathews is gruff. MATHEWS Ain’t no workin nothin out. You loss. Mathews moves a couple of steps closer. The floor suddenly gives way dropping him into a bottomless pit along with some old timbers that the Spaniards covered the hole with so they could come and go without a problem. Everybody just stares quietly for a moment. A narrow ledge walkway is still left around the hole to the gold. John is staring at the hole. JOHN Great, how do we explain this.

94 Lane is cool headed. LANE When we get the gold out we’ll call the sheriff. He seems like a reasonable sort. Mr. Black has a warning tone. BLACK Better leave it alone and forget what happened. Mathews won’t be missed for a long time. Sides he killed himself, let it go nobody will ever find him. Not worth the problem. Carter doesn’t need any advise or warnings. He’s ready to leave because he has what he came for. CARTER Let's get the gold and get outta here before Mr. green eyes shows up. John is ready to leave too. JOHN Carter, go to town and rent a trailer. We'll get everything ready to load. Carter nods and takes off as everyone goes to work. Carter yells back as he leaves. CARTER Be careful there maybe more booby traps… with nipples. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. BLUFF Riley and the bikers are watching the mine. ANGELO What are they doin down there?

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Riley appears confident. RILEY Let’s go. It’s time to cash in. They all start moving down the hill out of sight. INT. MINE Lane looks out the front of the mine. LANE’S P.O.V. INSIDE TO OUTSIDE - She sees Carter returning with the enclosed trailer. Carter stops the Suburban and trailer near the front of the mine. He gets out and comes to the front. BACK TO SCENE John and Lane are walking around the walkway. Mr. Black is holding a rope tried around all of them. Carter moves inside the mine. CARTER Hey, got the U-Haul, U-all. John is watching his step. JOHN Carter, tie yourself off on the rope with us. We need your help. Carter nods and Mr. Black ties him on the rope with Lane and John. John steps forward. He grabs a hand-hold on the walk to get his balance. John steps on a loose rock and gets off balance. The hand-hold breaks and he falls head first. His weight pulls Lane and Carter in with him.

96 Mr. Black struggles to hold his three friend’s weight. He digs his feet in trying to keep the three and himself from falling to a cruel death. BLACK Turn your body up and grab the rope. Grab the rope. John, Lane and Carter maneuver around and get upright while grabbing the rope to pull themselves up. BLACK (continuing) You down there, everything okay? John’s voice is strained. JOHN (V.O.) Yeah just hangin out. Black is concerned. BLACK Lane you all right? Lane is calm. LANE Yes, Carter you gotta pull like you never pulled before. Mr. Black tries to be strong for them. The rope is cutting his waist. Blood seep from under his shirt. BLACK Hang on, I’ll get you out. Carter, pull yourself and the other two up while I hold the rope. The veins pop out on the side of Carter’s neck as he pulls on the rope and slowly begins to pull himself and his friends up. He struggles to pull and slips. Carter stops and recomposes himself then pulls again. Sweat runs down his faces as he strains.

97 Carter’s hands pop over the top of the hole and he begins to pull himself up slowly and he is out. Carter is helping Lane and John. Lane is half way out. Carter slips and Lane begins to fall back. Mr. Black grabs her arm and shirt pulling Lane out and Carter brings John out. Everyone is out of the hole. They stop and sit with a sigh of relief. Mr. Black moves toward the gold. BLACK Let’s get this job over with. This place is dangerous. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. CAMPSITE ROAD Everyone is standing around the Suburban and trailer. The tailgates are open on the trailer showing the gold inside. John shuts the door. The bikers step from behind the seclusion of the trailer with Riley. Angelo holds a shotgun randomly pointing it at the group. Damon and Riley hold nine millimeter pistols on the group. RILEY Everybody freeze. (she glances at Carter) Hi lover, thanks for the info. I loved our little talks. Carter is shocked. CARTER I thought you… liked me. She puts on an evil smiles. RILEY I do baby. Everybody get those hands up where we can see’um.

98 (she looks at Angelo) That’s Angelo, my real lover. I was just on loan. Angelo has a big green tooth grin. RILEY (continuing) It’s okay baby we’ll get them teeth fixed with our first bar a gold. John is amused. JOHN Maybe do a head transplant too. Lane looks at Carter. LANE Way to keep a secret. Trading our future for bimbo sex. Carter feels bad and looks at John, lane and then the waitress. CARTER I’m sorry. The waitress smiles at Carter. RILEY Ahh, It’s okay Carter I’ll leave you a bar of gold so you can get another bimbo. Damon is put out. DAMON Shut up. Give me the keys to the damn truck. John just looks at them. JOHN No.

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Angelo is up-set. ANGELO No, I got the gun and I’m gonna use it. John is firm. JOHN Go ahead and your millions go away and you go to prison. Carter gets into the conversation. CARTER Yeah, hey you guys could take as many bars as you can handle on your bikes which would be a lot. The big bars are worth probably about three hundred thousand, so fill your bags and ride out. Nobody gets hurt and you’re rich. LANE The sheriff already knows who you are. This is the only way to get what you want. Riley slowly looks everybody over while she is thinking. She nods to the bikers. Damon hands her the shotgun and the two men head for their motorcycles. ANGELO You better be right baby. Riley cuts her eyes at him. RILEY Far as you’re concerned I’m always right. Riley turns back to John and the group. She smiles.

100 RILEY We got a deal. Except, You stash more bars so we can come back. John is in command. JOHN Deal, we’re moving the gold. I’ll leave a hundred bars for you to come back for behind those rocks. (he points) That’s it, don’t be greedy. The Waitress smiles and nods in agreement. RILEY Carter baby, how money is that? Carter thinks while calculating in his head. CARTER About thirty million. Riley is very pleased. RILEY A good days work for poor people. Carter nods and smiles. Lane is angry. LANE Carter you dumb ass. Their cut is coming out of yours. Mr. Black smiles while looking at the waitress. BLACK Honey, I gotta give it to ya, you played old Carter and this into a few million. Pretty good tip for services rendered. Waitress smiles as the motorcycles return. The two bikers load the motorcycle’s saddle bags making them squat.

101 RILEY Thanks pops. For the record. I knew your wife when I was a kid. She was great and your daughter is good folks. The bikers both get on their motorcycles and Riley gets on behind Angelo. Riley looks at Carter sweetly. RILEY (continuing) Bye lover, it wasn’t all actin. Carter nods embarrassed. Angelo glares at him as they ride out. John watches them leave. JOHN We can’t move all of this gold. I just told them we are moving it so their greedy little minds wouldn’t cause them to come back. Let’s stash their bars and get out of here. They all move to the mine. FLIP FRAME: John sets the last block of gold on the biker’s stack as Carter covers it with rocks. Mr. Black and Lane quickly move to the entrance of the mine. Carter shows up and opens a large bag. He takes out another dynamite charge. Carter adds it to the others sitting around the entrance to the mine and hooks it up. Carter takes out a large crystal that has a prism of light reflecting from it. BLACK

102 What the hell is that? Carter smiles as he places it in a safe spot just inside the cave. CARTER We brought this crystal to use as a sensor. It transmits a (Carter holds up a small black box) radio wave and this little guy is keyed to it. When and if we need to come back we can come right to it, no batteries. Mr. Black is very impressed by his young friend. Lane is smiling with pride. BLACK Thinkin ahead. Let’s blow the thing. You go ahead and I’ll light the fuse. Carter sets the crystal in a safe place and leaves. Mr. Black lights the fuse and hurries to the Suburban. Alamo Gracia steps out holding an old fashioned lever action rifle on them. He steps on the fuse and it goes out stopping the blast. ALAMO I just want to say thank you for finding the treasure and loading it for me. Give me the keys. Mr. Black is kind. BLACK Alamo you don’t have to do this. There’s plenty for everyone. Alamo is amused and cocks his rifle. Carter is frustrated. CARTER

103 Does this never end. Every greedy monkey on earth is here today. Alamo glance at Carter. ALAMO Shut up city boy. I say there is no, “plenty for everybody”. This gold belongs to my people. We are a small ancient band that has waited five hundred years for this day. Do you think we will share now with you greedy monkeys? Carter is concerned and wants to be fair. CARTER Come on man. We worked hard to find the money. We’ll take the hundred or so million we have and you keep the rest. It’s way more than that. Your people can have what they need and no trouble. Alamo is thinking. He looks at each of them harshly. ALAMO I think I will shoot you. Lane is angry. LANE Are you nuts? You got three or four hundred million in the cave. If you’re frugal it’ll last. Mr. Black has moved behind Alamo while he is paying attention to Lane. Mr. Black puts a gun to Alamo’s head. Alamo is amused and puts on a conservative smile. ALAMO I was lyin. Leave the sensor and the dynamite. This is a better way than killing. Our tradition is

104 over and we are finally at peace with enough money to go to Disney World and Sea Land, maybe Vegas. Mr. black lowers his pistol. Carter smiles and hands him the sensor. CARTER It’s all yours. There’s more dynamite over there in the old pueblo if ya need it. Alamo smiles and nods his head in agreement. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. STATE HIGHWAY - DAY John, Lane, Carter and Mr. Black are riding down the highway with the Suburban and trailer loaded heavy. Two pick-ups pull in behind them. One passes. INT. SUBURBAN John is looking out the back window. JOHN Who the hell could they be? Carter looks up as the pick-up’s pass. CARTER P.O.V. It is Tony from the restaurant. BACK TO SCENE CARTER That's great what a time for that asshole to want revenge. Lane is up-set. They all look back. Then forward. LANE’S P.O.V.

105 They see the sheriff’s vehicle with his lights on blocking the road. BACK TO SCENE Lane is thinking. LANE I bet the stupid biker’s told that ass about the mine. He wants gold. Probably the sheriff too. EXT. STATE HIGHWAY The two pick-ups pull off the road, turn around and head the other way. The sheriff’s stands in front of his vehicle. INT. SUBURBAN John is finally at his wit’s end. JOHN What the hell has somebody been sleeping with the sheriff? Carter is frustrated. CARTER Hell we’re never going to get out of here. They stop on the side of the road near the sheriff’s vehicle. The sheriff walks to the Suburban and looks inside. SHERIFF Everybody just sit tight. Mr. Black what are you doing way out here? Mr. Black smiles and gets out of the vehicle. EXT. SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY

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The sheriff stands looking at Mr. Black. BLACK I was gonna call ya, but I got detained. The sheriff nods and smiles. SHERIFF You sure did. Mr. Black pushes verbally. BLACK Ya think we could get an escort to El Paso? We got a banker waiting on us. The sheriff looks around the vehicle and at each person as he speaks. SHERIFF Well everybody needs protection from a banker, but that’s just a tad out of my jurisdiction. What’s in the trailer? Is it what we talked about? Mr. Black is overly friendly. BLACK Sure is. The sheriff is happy to hear a yes. SHERIFF Well let’s get a look you lucky old dog. Mr. Black walks with the sheriff to the rear of the trailer. They open it and look at the contents. INT. SUBURBAN - DAY John, Lane and Carter talk inside the vehicle glancing back at Mr. Black and the sheriff.

107

LANE The old fart double-crossed us. John is depressed. JOHN I’m afraid so. I though he was better than that. JOHN, LANE AND CARTER P.O.V. Mr. Black and the sheriff are putting bars of gold in the truck of his car. Carter is angry. CARTER Ass-mole, I really liked that old guy. EXT. SIDE OF HIGHWAY The sheriff and Mr. Black are now standing by the driver’s side of the Suburban talking. The sheriff rest his hand on his sidearm. BLACK Tell Marsha I love her and I’ll be back real soon. Thanks for everything Jessie. Mr. Black pats him on the shoulder. INT. SUBURBAN Carter is almost panicked. CARTER Oh man. He’s beggin. The sheriff’s gonna pull his gun and shoot the old crook. Mr. Black turns and walks a few steps and gets inside the Suburban. He has a big smile on his face. BLACK

108 Case you was wonderin, he’s my son-in-law. The bars of gold were for my baby girl. You can take’em out of my part. They all smile and as John drives out on the highway with the sheriff in escort. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. BEACH - DAY The entire group is sitting on a white sand’s beach, having cocktails under a giant colorful umbrella. Mr. Black has a nice looking woman sitting with him. A man walks up to them wearing a suit and carrying a brief case. MAN I am sorry to bother all of you, but as instructed I am passing this Information to you. A man was in the bank today wanting a loan to find a lost diamond mine. They all look at each other and smile. FADE OUT.

THE END