A TASTE OF POISON
By
MR. BEN
Genre: Drama/Thriller
Pages: 10
Characters
MARTINEZ: (MALE, LATE 40S. Ring Leader. Mean, tall, fashion conscious)chain smoker, Latino
RICARDO: (MALE, MID-30S. Subordinate. Sociable, modestly dressed, smart, average in height,considerate, principled, Latino)
CARLOS,: (MALE, MID-30S,. Employee, carefree, tall, drinks a lot, money monger, Latino)
SANTANA :(MALE, EARLY 3OS. EMPLOYEE, short in height but robust in size, tough -looking, good looking, Latino)
ANTONIO:(MALE, EARLY 40S. Employee. Tall, articulate, desperate, rugged-looking, Latino)
MARIO: (MALE, LATE 20S, EMPLOYEE, average in height, slim, innocent -looking face, handsome, Latino)
Scene(s): One
Logline: Martinez' tase of his poison...the other side of the coin fo his action.
Synopsis
Ricardo feels short-changed whenever he’s in business with his boss, Martinez, who does ‘’business’’ at the LaGuardia Airport, with all the five major staffers, a part of his drug-cartel network. Having worked for his boss for over a decade, Ricardo sees the need to pay him back in his coin. Despite his faithfulness through the years, Martinez is fond of derogating his efforts and using the proceeds---that are due Ricardo---to his chains of girlfriends. Ricardo’s complaints hold no waters as Martinez prioritizes his lovers over intricate business deals he has with Ricardo.
However, Ricardo seeks on how his boss would, someday, have a taste of his poison---a reward for the wrongs he did to him. He figures out a plan. He discusses with his Doctor to create a ‘’image’’ of himself and contracts a willing-to-die for -the -money street thug, Roberto, to do his bidding---the would-be Ricardo’s impostor---delivering fake dollars, instead of the actual consignment as instructed by his boss. Roberto, or better known as ‘’Ricardo’’, is aware of the whole plot.
‘’Ricardo’’ is well-paid and is fully prepared for the task ahead. Ricardo, knowing the ropes of the cartel, explores the loophole and finds an escape route never to be seen again. Ricardo leaves the cartel with the hugest fortune, not traced!
The success of the plan is to Ricardo’s advantage but leaves ‘’Ricardo’’ to his fate…
FADE IN:
ext. terminal — day
RICARDO, bag in hand, exits the terminal.
ext. secluded area — day
Ricardo, bag in hand, enters the area.
MARIO, RODRIGUEZ, CARLOS, SANTANA, and FRANCO march to Ricardo. MARTINEZ, wearing a white suit and dark sunglasses, watches the scene from a distance. Martinez keeps his eyes on Ricardo’s bag.
mario
It’s been a long time coming! Good for the LaGuardia Boys!
The men in white suits take turns hugging Ricardo.
carlos
More money, more pleasure. Viva, LaGuardia Boys! I’m going to enjoy myself to the fullest!
franco
Carlos, I thought you were reasonable. All you know about is pleasure, nothing else.
carlos
This is the LaGuardia Office where business like what we, the LaGuardia boys do, are done nicely. You know me too well, Franco.
franco
You make me want to laugh a little more. But the rule states: Don’t mix business with pleasure. That’s what the LaGuardia Boys is all about!
carlos
Why interrupt me?
franco
No comment. But learn to be wise, my man.
carlos
I see
.
franco
Yea, no comment.
Martinez strides to Ricardo.
martinez
Let me have it.
Ricardo hands Martinez the bag. Martinez, to the surprise of all but Ricardo, opens the bag.
martinez (CONT’D)
Ricardo, what the hell is this?
ricardo
Boss, you know the deal as always.
martinez
What has come over you? I suspected as much.
ricardo
You know, it’s all about gold, oil, and drugs!
santana
You’ve gone nuts! What’s come over you!
ricardo
You see, everything is so wrong with this shit of a cartel that what’s left isn’t just right!
carlos
You must be out of your mind! Are you kidding me?
ricardo
My mind seems to be in oblivion. But where can I find yours?
carlos
Boss, he’s gone berserk!
mario
You must be a fool, Ricardo.
ricardo
I concur, but what are you?
mario
Thank your stars I’m pretty good today. Else-
ricardo
You’d rain thunder and brimstone on me, I guess.
mario
Your guess is as good as mine. Boss, Ricardo is crazy!
Martinez
(Angry)
I think Ricardo has some mental issues! You’re right, Mario. He has a serious issue.
Martinez looks at the money in the bag. His anger intensifies. He takes out a Cuban Cigar. He lights the cigar.
franco
Ricardo, as I advance towards you right now, I feel like slapping the hell out of your face!
ricardo
You’re permitted, if our boss wills.
franco
Boss, Ricardo has gone insane!
martinez
Who the hell are you to tell me what to do?
franco
With all due respect, our empire is about being dragged to the mud.
martinez
Did you just hear yourself talk?
franco
You heard me loud and clear!
martinez
(Sadistic laugh)
Some fella grown some bananas.
franco
Boss, I’m tired of your bossy attitude.
carlos
Hey, what’s wrong with you man?
franco
So what?
mario
Learn to act as an adult, not just one pick from the gutter girl!
Franco
Who is this small fry ranting words with me?
mario
Oh! I’m ranting, right?
Franco
Yes, you’re! What are gonn’a do?
mario
You have no manners! And you’re making these shitty statements.
rodriguez
Franco, we’re facing with the mess Ricardo has brought on the LaGuardia Boys.
Franco
What would have been our greatest fortune has been turned to counterfeits.
rodriguez
Now, is your very approach the best way?
Franco
Rodriguez, use your brains, not your balls. Learn to think. Remember, if we lose this, we’re gone!
martinez
I’m furious. I really want to make this man, Franco, y’all call him, right?
LAguadia boys
Yea.
martinez
I want to teach him a lesson. Guys, show Franco the consequences of going against Rule 3 of the LaGuardia Boys commandment.
LAguadia boys
Yes sir!
Santana, Rodrigues, and Carlos beat Franco as Martinez and Ricardo watch. The bag is resting on the floor.
martinez
Stop. That’s what happens when you think you’re fly.
Franco spits at Martinez.
Franco
You and your cartel are finished! The LaGuardia Boys is history!
martinez
Proving hard nut to crack, right? Guys, whisk him away. Let this be a lesson for each and every one of you. Take this waste away!
Martinez and Ricardo stay while the other members take Franco’s body away.
martinez (CONT’D)
Ricardo, do you know that your ineptitude has causes the life of Franco?
ricardo
I wouldn’t know. It’s just that what you messaged me ended up on being what you wanted.
martinez
Why have you suddenly chosen to behave this way!
ricardo
Things change over time, you know.
martinez
What has come over you today?
ricardo
Still trying to figure out.
martinez
I will strangle your neck to death! Now, why ruin what the build-up of LaGuardia Boys’ cartel?
Martinez chokes Ricardo.
ricardo
Please, let go of me.
martinez
I’m all ears.
Martinez releases Ricardo. Ricardo struggles to catch his breath.
ricardo
Mistakes are inevitable.
martinez
You must be outta mind!
ricardo
But that doesn’t make you any better!
Martinez gives Ricardo a series of hard slaps to the face. Santana, Rodriguez, Mario, and Carlos return and join in beating Ricardo.
martinez
(Screaming)
What have just been done! We’ve lost everything! The LaGuardia Boys are gone.
Martinez paces.
martinez (CONT’D)
Guys, before we embark on anything else, take this helpless body out of sight!
A couple of his henchmen carry Ricardo away. They return with everything Ricardo had.
martinez (CONT’D)
After this is done, we’ll go back to normal duties in this office. You know, San Marino Jose, and a host of other places! We just have to be on the low for now. No more touring for the LaGuardia Boys! Guys, go back to work!
His henchmen walk away.
narrator
Martinez later discovered he was dealing with an imposter and couldn’t trace the whereabouts of the real Ricardo. The LaGuardia boys have all fled, when their boss was arrested. Martinez was convicted of murder and drug dealing.
FADE OUT.
THE END
Audio drama link
:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecWI5TyiXZs&t=142ss
Podcast link: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/oneflowertwoturtles/episodes/2022-03-16T07_39_42-07_00