Scene 7.14 - The Want For Vengeance
EST: INT. Temple, Geronimo Bay Asylum, Offshore of South America, January 17th, 1810
(POKE and MONTY staff-duel throughout most of this scene. It's a little weighted in POKE'S favor, and the fighting only pauses occasionally and only slows-down to slow motion when something is thrown, someone falls, or during a cool smack-down.)
POKE
(Sporting awesome, combed Fu-Manchu:) Concede, Grass-Burner! Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.
MONTY
(All buff with bald head and silk robes:) Not on your life! You're looking winded already. (Pause.) How old are you, old man?
POKE
I am eighty-three.
MONTY
How long have you been here?
POKE
A while...
MONTY
Fourteen years, maybe?
POKE
Sure, if'n ya say so. Duck!
MONTY
(Not a master yet. Falls for it. Looks up.) Where? (Smack-down!) I'll never get out of here.
POKE (Cont'd)
You've thought much about getting out of here, but have you given any thought about what put you in here? Whoever put you here will await you on the outside and will put you back here if you are not prepared. Why here? You were accused of bribery, yes?
MONTY
Yes, I was first charged with taking a bribe, but I was then formally accused of being a traitor; a Tome-apartist -- which I am not!
(POKE doubles over and laughs, giving the boy an advantage. POKE swats away his staff and leans on his own, laughing.)
MONTY
What's so funny, Old Man?
POKE
My boy, I was initially brought here because I was also called a traitor; I was sent here for not being a Tome-apartist.
MONTY
What?
POKE
Legalities are seldom defined with the ethic of a man's brain, the compassion of his heart, or even by the grace of his soul, but rather, by the greedy, destructive ignorance of a collective mob. I know who sent me here -- those who seek fortune at another's expense, or the expense of all. But for you, the motive is more latent than seeking a vast treasure. Concerning you; the real question is; Who could have levied the phony charge against you and what treasure would they gain from your absence?
MONTY
There were the men on the island, and one was a guard who was transferred to Havana the very next day, possibly him?
POKE
Yes, perhaps, but why? Do you know the man personally? Did you give him reason to think you were a traitor?
MONTY
No. Met him only twice; first on the island; then he was the arresting officer who brought me to the Chief Federal Prosecutor.
POKE
Arresting officer? No, no, it wouldn't have been him, if he filed the charge, he wouldn't have made the arrest. Who else is there?
MONTY
The priest who may be your brother, the doctor, the captain of the guard. The only other people who were also there were two of my close shipmates.
POKE
Close you say? Two of them?
MONTY
Yes, two of them. One is my friend from childhood. The other just isn't devious enough; he's not inventive; always by-the-book.
POKE
One can become very devious when one wants something; and is in league. Did you not say you were captain of that ship?
MONTY
Yes! Quartermaster Bling had just been passed over; I had been made captain the very day of my arrest. It was him!
POKE
Yes, it fits. There's one witness accounted for. Who is the other?
MONTY
Other?
POKE
It takes three signatures to file a charge of treason. It requires two witnesses and an investigating officer to submit the warrant.
MONTY
The Chief Federal Prosecutor said that the names of the individuals were confidential.
POKE
Individuals! Who else could have been in collusion with the Quartermaster's aim? Who would gain from your absence? Think!
MONTY
No one! I had only a prospect for a good life, only a promotion! I had nothing; no money. I couldn't even afford to get married...
POKE
Yes! You had a beautiful fiancée; you've mentioned her many times. Was this 'childhood friend' also a single man?
MONTY
Yes, but- Moe is royalty: He's got money, power, anything he wants, anything money can buy -- why me, why -- Misty?
POKE
Yes... Yet he was jealous of you, envious of what you had that money could not buy. It also fits -- it is more than plausible.
MONTY
Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
POKE
(Surprised that MONTY'S heard it already:) What did you say?
MONTY
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. That's what the Prosecutor said to me initially; when he thought me innocent and he was dismissing me. Just as I was leaving, he told me to watch my back.
POKE
Yes, he knew your best friend was the one betraying you, and seeing it all as a sham, was hinting at the accuser's identity. At that time, the chief was still on your side. He had said you were innocent, you've told me that plenty over the years. He believed your story.
MONTY
Yes, he said I was innocent, and had told me I was free to go.
POKE
But you didn't go free. He had thought you innocent. Something changed that. Think, what occurred, what was he doing?
MONTY
Nothing! He wasn't even paying attention to me, he was reading the letter. Yes! He asked me one last question, right before I was about to leave.
POKE
Yes?
MONTY
He asked me who the letter's recipient was.
POKE
Yes! What did you tell him?
MONTY
The truth: I told him Senor Castro.
POKE
Fidel Castro?
MONTY
Yes, why?
(POKE chuckles.)
MONTY
How did you know- What's so funny?
POKE
My boy, Fidel Castro is the name of the investigating officer on my warrant for treason. He's the one who officially put me here.
MONTY
Then he's - a Tome-apartist?
POKE
Of course! Back in the day, he was the head of Noriega's secret police. Yes. (Pause.) Secret. Only his victims and his comrades knew his position -- and his family... He could be walking the streets of Havana now, completely unafraid, secret intact. He must have had a family -- perhaps a son; he would be about your age, or perhaps younger.
MONTY
The Chief Prosecutor's name is Winston Winnebego, and he is at least five years older than me. He's not his son.
POKE
But the lawman wanted you silenced nonetheless, for he sent you here in lieu of a trial -- what followed? What else did he ask?
MONTY
Nothing! I simply told him the name, then he just burned the letter and then sent me away.
POKE
Burned the letter? You mean a Chief Prosecutor, duly sworn to uphold the law, voluntarily destroyed evidence? Why would he?
MONTY
I don't know! I don't know! Perhaps this Fidel Castro's a business associate-
POKE
No! He would not willingly associate with men of that regard. Unless- Yes! Like your traitorous friend, it is a hatred borne of love -- Fidel Castro has a fair daughter; your age, perhaps? Yes! It fits! Fidel Castro is your Chief Prosecutor's father-in-law!
MONTY
(It begins falling-into place; sinking-in. Answers.) Possibly- Are you sure?
POKE
Exposure of that fact to the public would cost him everything; it's why he sent you here; to never be seen again. Prove me wrong!
MONTY
'Nuff said. I believe you. You've been right so far about everything -- except the boat.
POKE
Must you always bring that up? I didn't mean to mislead you; I was hopeful, too.
MONTY
I'm over it.
POKE
Cool.
MONTY
Can we take a break?
POKE
What's wrong? Are you getting tired, Grass-Burner?
MONTY
No, just a little distracted. I don't want to let learning who my enemies are throw my game of being at peace with The Universe.
POKE
That's some level thinking there, Grass-Burner, let me give you something else to think about.
(He produces a massive Far-East Far-Out Blunt. [Dude, it's got pagodas!])
MONTY
Hot dog!
(It's the size of a Bratwurst.)
POKE
That's a new one. Don't you mean to say your usual; cool beans?
MONTY
All that and a bag of chips...
(Let's nip it in the bud with the upcoming Man vs. Vengeance thing right here and now...)
MUSIC UP: MYSTICAL, COSMIC
POKE
(Sparks, hits, passes, lectures:) Do not let vengeance impune your otherwise worthy soul; it allows those who wish you harm to win, even if it means their destruction, they have succeeded at bringing the Soul into a terrible discord with Itself, as Life always seems for those who make futile schemes and hopeless plots to disrupt a determined, Universal Course; a wondrous journey. Seek to find justice instead, for you will be richly rewarded in spirit; in knowing balance is restored; for no mere man may solely exercise retribution without losing a part of Himself in the process. Yet the firm and decisive alternative: Justice -- She adds to all endeavors; she brings truth to light, brings closure to the grieved and allows opportunity for repentance for the sinner. Convert your enemies to your way of peace; so they may embrace their lives and stop destroying both themselves and those about them; bend them to your will; the way of the wise. By assisting your enemies to learn the error of their ways and to find justice and due penance, you serve all life, which is richly rewarded through Karma, and brings you into harmony with true rhythms of Life.
MONTY
I understand. Groovy. Wow, this is some heavy stuff, Old Man. Justice, not vengeance. Makes sense. Make Love, Not War.
POKE
There's a song or two I know about that saying. Should I go get the guitar?
MONTY
Sure! But only if you're gonna be the one playing the tambourine, I've come up with some juicy licks you just gotta hear.
POKE
You can play the ax, all right... I'll play the maracas; I'm in that kinda mood anyway.
MONTY
(Breaks-out a capo and a pick from some inside pocket of his loose, silk robe.) Suit yourself. Don't forget the cowbell, tho.
POKE
Like I ever would, Grass-Burner! What's a song without some mean cowbell?
MONTY
I'm afraid to think about it, Old Man. It shore ain't music; that's fer-sher.
FTB