Life and Death

Shanyah McCluney

Jonestown Massacre
EXT. CAMPGROUND - JONESTOWN, GUYANA - MORNING

On a sunny Thursday morning, JAMIE ATKINS; 9, MARSHELL

THOMPSON; 9, JIN UREK; 8, RASHAD BAILEY; 10, run around the
campsite playing catch the dragon. The kids, disguised in
costumes, chase after Jamie while laughing with their sticks
in hand.

Jamie runs quickly past the hut-homes while pushing people.

His emerald-colored cape flies in the wind. The boys are far
behind, struggling to keep up with him.

RASHAD
Get him! He's getting away!

JIN
Charge! Charge!

JAMIE (PANTING)
You'll never take me alive.

Jamie turns his head to look at his friends before increasing

his speed and making it to the baseline.

JAMIE (ROARS)
HA! I knew you would never be able to
take me alive!

JAMIE (CONT'D)
I shall rule this pit for another
6,000 years. Bow before me.

MARSHELL
We'll never do such a thing. Right
fellow knights?

Aims his stick at Jamie

JIN
I bow to you oh mighty dragon. The
wise one.

Jin sinks his knees into the dirt, while Marshell stands his
ground. Rashad nervously looks around before kneeling.

JAMIE
You're the last one standing Sir
Marshell. Submit or Die.

MARSHELL
I choose...LIFE!

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 2.

Marshall charges at Jamie, but Jamie blows air out of his

mouth like fire. Marshall falls to the ground and pretends to
die with his tongue hanging out.

RASHAD
Man, I'm never losing again. Not to
this chump anyway.

JIN (LAUGHS)
You should've helped Marshell then.

Marshell gets up from the ground and brushes off the dirt.

MARSHELL
I had a plan but no, yall wanted to
give in.

RASHAD
Well, at least I didn't die. Sorry
excuse for a knight.

All the kids laugh at one another dapping each other up after
the game. Suddenly, two rifle gunshots sound off echoing
around the campsite. Jamie jumps from the sound with all of
them frightened and silent. HORATIO; 25, runs over to the
group of kids.

HORATIO
Jamie! Kids? Are you all alright?

JAMIE
Yeah dad, we're fine. What was that?

Horatio looks at his son Jamie and hesitates to answer.

Reverend JIM JONES walks over to intervene with a plate of
plastic cups in his hand.

REVEREND JONES
My children, it's so good to see you
out here enjoying this beautiful sunny
weather.

JAMIE
Daddy! Did you hear that loud boom?

RASHAD
It was a gun you idiot.

Jamie frowns and looks down.

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REVEREND JONES

Rashad respect your brothers. Don't you talk like that to

him? Understood?

RASHAD
Yes daddy.

REVEREND JONES
Good. Now, why don't yall grab some of
this Kool-aid and go to the shelter
and cool off?

REVEREND JONES (CON'T)

Drink up, it's so delicious. My best
batch yet.

The boys grab the cups of Flavor-aid and drink it then head
to the shed.

INT. PICNIC SHELTER

The boys sit at the picnic tables, sweaty and tired while
enjoying the cool breeze.

JAMIE
That Kool-Aid tasted fake.

RASHAD
Whatever. It was good as heck.

JIN (LAUGHS)
Ooooh! Daddy gonna get you for
swearing.

RASHAD
You going to snitch little punk? What
about you milkshake bunion? You too?

Rashad looks at Jamie with irritation

MARSHELL
Man, Jamie don't listen to his jiving.

Jamie looks away ignoring Rashad, noticing Reverend Jones and

Horatio having an intense conversation. Reverend Jones walks
in shortly afterward to sit down with the boys.

REVEREND JONES
Children. Boys. I want to talk to you

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about what happened moments ago.

REVEREND JONES (CON'T)

Respect, value, and abide by our
father god... When we don't, he rains
fire on us.

JIN
So what we heard wasn't a gunshot?

REVEREND JONES (LAUGHS)

No. No. No. It was just God's warning
to the ugly that's on this camp.

Rashad looks at Jamie with anger, while Horatio comes inside.

HORATIO
Jamie, why don't you come help me in
the Pharmacy.

REVEREND JONES
He's fine. Let the boy relax.

JAMIE
No it's fine daddy. I want to help.

Jamie leaves from his seat to be on his way. Horatio puts his
arm around Jamie's shoulder before cutting his eyes at
Reverend Jones and walking away.

INT. STORAGE ROOM - PHARMACY BUILDING

Jamie and Horatio walk inside the blue Pharmacy building and
into the back. Driver NICKOLAS STINT pulls behind the back of
the building and unloads the truck.

HORATIO
Here put that box over there.

Jamie takes the box with a gloomy look upon his face and
stacks it.

HORATIO (CON'T)
Hey, what the matter?

JAMIE
Nothing dad.

Jamie continues to roughly handle the boxes before his father

turns him around.

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HORATIO
Tell me the truth son.

He looks into Jamie's little brown eyes as Jamie briefly

pauses.

JAMIE
Why did we really come here? Why did
we have to leave home?

Horatio quietly ponders the question before answering.

HORATIO (SIGHS)
For a better life. For us. For you.
After your mother died, I wanted you
away from that hard life.

Horatio brings Jamie to the window to look at the people

outside conversing, dancing, building, and kids playing.

HORATIO (CON'T)
I wanted you around these colorful
people. From backgrounds of all kinds.

JAMIE (SMILES SLIGHTLY)

They're beautiful.

HORATIO
Just like you son. Now chin up you
munchkin.

Horatio tickles Jamie as he laughs. Nickolas walks in with a

big brown box with a white label reading Diazepam.

HORATIO
Oh hey Nick, What's this?

NICKOLAS
Special packages courtesy of Daddy.

HORATIO (LAUGHS)
Is that so? Guess if he can heal the
cripple he can heal the sick.

NIKOLAS (STERN VOICE)

He will.

Horatio awkwardly smiles as he heads to the truck to unload

the rest of the materials.

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INT: BACK OF TRUCK - BEHIND PHARMACY

Horatio climbs into the back of the van, looking around at

the big brown boxes. He stumbles across one of them, noticing
the white label reading Sodium Cyanide. He looks off in
confusion murmuring the pronunciation. Jamie jumps inside to
help and stands alongside his father.

JAMIE
Aren't you going to pass me another
box?

HORATIO
Why don't you go...go and play.

JAMIE
But I want to help.

HORATIO
I've got it from here. Go I say.

Jamie runs off to play with the rest of the kids as Horatio
watches him run off.

INT: BACKROOM - PHARMACY BUILDING

Horatio walks back inside the building with the box of sodium
cyanide and hands it to Nickolas.

HORATIO
Nick. You know what we doing with
this?

NICKOLAS
It's for the camp apparently.

HORATIO
We don't have a developing unit.

Horatio lowers his voice down to a whisper.

HORATIO (CON'T)
That stuff is used for photographs.

NICKOLAS (RAISES VOICE)

What are you trying to get at man?

Horatio shushes Nickolas and looks around for anyone close

by.

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HORATIO
Keep your voice down. You remember the
the white night?

HORATIO (CON'T)
Woke us up in the middle of the night
to drink that fake poison.

NICKOLAS
Yeah, so what?

HORATIO
Do you think this is it? The real
stuff.

Nickolas shakes his head and walks away to organize the rest
of the boxes. Then comes back to stand in front of Horatio.

NICKOLAS
If it's our time, it's our time. Daddy
gave us all of this. If he tells me to
lay down, then so be it.

NICKOLAS (CON'T)
We are through here Horatio.

Nickolas walks away. Horatio takes a look at the sodium

cyanide box again before continuing his job.

EXT. FIELD AREA - CAMPGROUND

Jamie, Rashad, and Marshell walk along the campgrounds

talking to one another. As they stroll down one of the dirt
roads, a red truck passes them in a hurry blasting soulful
tunes, leaving out of the entry gate.

MARSHELL
They always on the move.

JAMIE
Wish we could go out the gate
sometimes.

MARSHELL
Maybe if we get good at basketball we
can play against the Guyana team like
daddy's son.

RASHAD
Why would they let the coon play?

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Jamie balls his fist at his side and stops walking. He

angrily scrunched up his face.

JAMIE
Why don't you shut up.

Rashad laughs hysterically while Marshell stands back waiting

for Jamie's next move. Jamie's

RASHAD
Oh, you're tough?

MARSHELL
Rashad. Leave him alone man.

JAMIE
I've had enough of you Rashad.

Jamie takes a few steps forward walking toward Rashad while

Marshell reaches his arm out to block Jamie. Marshell's arm
is pushed out of the way as Jamie stands a few inches from
Rashad's face.

JAMIE (CONT'D)
All you do is talk junk about me like
a punk.

RASHAD
You just wish you were me, little half-
breed.

MARSHELL
Rashad stop!

RASHAD
Look at you. Nobody want you. Not even
your real daddy.

Jamie becomes enraged as his body begins to shake. He tries

hard to keep his tears from falling.

JAMIE
Shut up!

RASHAD
Just a stupid. Little. Wimp.

MARSHELL
Rashad stop it man!

Jamie punches Rashad in the face making him stumble backward.

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Rashad touches his lip then looks at his red fingertips in

shock. Stunned, Rashad runs and tackles Jamie to the ground.

RASHAD
I'm going to kill you!

Rashad strangles Jamie gripping his throat tightly while

sitting on him. Marshell pulls with all his strength getting
ahold of Rashad and pulling him three feet away from Jamie.

MARSHELL (SHOUTS)
If we get caught fighting, you two
know what daddy will do to us.

Marshell shakes his head then grabs Jamie's hand to pull him
up from the ground.

MARSHELL (CON'T)
Jamie you alright?

Jamie takes a moment to catch his breath before speaking as

he massages the pain on his throat with his hand.

JAMIE
I'm fine.

Rashad wipes his nose with the back of his hand and looks at
Jamie before running back to the camp.

MARSHELL
You don't think he'll tell on us?

JAMIE (SHRUGS)
I don't know...I need to find my dad.

Suddenly the camp siren starts to ring around the camp. Jamie
and Marshell look at each other with questionable expressions
across their faces. The boys begin walking towards the camp
Pavillion.

EXT. INTERCOM BOX - CAMPSITE

Reverend Jim Jones begins to speak on the intercom box that

shrieks loudly with static.

REVEREND JONES
I want everybody to report to the
Pavillion. Come to the Pavillion. Stop
what you're doing, put down your
tools, your toys and bring yourself
here. We have some urgent news to

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share with you all. Hurry! Hurry! We

have no time to waste my children.

EXT. HOMES/HUTS - CAMPGROUNDS - CLOUDY

Thunder begins to rumble in the background as the sky darkens

preparing for the rain to come. People come out of their
homes one by one to walk towards the Pavillion, creating a
crowd.

INT. PHARMACY BUILDING

Horatio hears Reverend Jones on the intercom as he rushes to

the window to look outside. He grabs the keys from behind the
front desk to lock the front door and follows the people to
the Pavillion.

EXT. OUTSIDE THE PAVILLION

Marshell and Jamie stand in the long line waiting to get

inside the building as they look around. Guards walk along
the sides of the lines with their guns, keeping watch.

MARSHELL
I bet you this was Rashad.

Marshell becomes nervous while standing in the line. Jamie

looks around for his father who he spots further up.

JAMIE
Dad! Dad!

Jamie runs to his father and hugs him.

HORATIO
Son? What's the matter.

JAMIE
I hit Rashad. I-I think I'm going to
get in trouble.

Tears fill up in Jamie's eyes as he holds on tightly to

Horatio's shirt.

HORATIO
Shhh. Look, nothing is going to
happen. I've got you, I promise.

INT. INSIDE THE PAVILLION

Horatio and Jamie sit between two other members. A series of

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chatter continues as everyone tries to get settled in.

MEMBER #1
I wonder what's going on?

MEMBER #2
Maybe he's found more materials for
us.

Reverend Jones stands at the center of Pavillion with a

microphone in his hands, sweating profusely.

REVEREND JONES
People, People, settled down, settle
down, please. I have a very important
message to share with you.

The crowd quiets down as the guards stand at each corner of

the Pavillion.

REVEREND JONES (CON'T)

Some of our American friends will be
paying us a visit this week. I've made
the decision to allow them to see the
beautiful space we've created here,
have we not?

The crowd shouts "Yeah" in unison.

REVEREND JONES (CON'T)

The government wants to shut us down.
We're going to show them everything is
fine. Beware, your actions, your
words, your facial expressions, could
ruin all of what the Lord has blessed
us with in this divine place.

MEMBER #1
Who's coming?

REVEREND JONES
Some government officials. I spoke
with them personally.

MEMBER #3
They just want to come here and be
nosy!

Crowd cheers in agreement while clapping their hands.

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REVEREND JONES
I agree. I won't let them stay and
disturb our peace, I promise you that.

A white woman, BRIDGET; stands up from her seat located on

the opposite side of the Pavillion.

BRIDGET
You make new promises but have you
forgotten the previous.

All eyes turn to Bridget as she stares at Reverend Jones who

hesitates to answer.

REVEREND JONES
What are you referring to?

BRIDGET
We've been short on food for weeks.

REVEREND JONES
There are fresh vegetables in the
fields.

Bridget cuts Reverend Jones's sentence off and interrupts.

BRIDGET
That's not enough.

REVEREND JONES
Rome wasn't built in a day, the food
will come.

BRIDGET
No, we need better solutions. Your
plan isn't working.

The crowd gasps at her response as side conversations start.

REVEREND JONES
I suggest you have a seat Miss
Convington.

BRIDGET
Not until you fix things.

MEMBER #3
How dare you disrespect daddy like
that?

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BRIDGET
I'm trying to look out for us. All of
us.

MEMBER #1
You don't know what you're talking
about!

BRIDGET
Oh, I do. We deserve better
conditions!

Reverend Jones throws the microphone down to the ground that

generates enormous feedback. He stands silently with his
hands on his hips.

REVEREND JONES
Get her out here.

BRIDGET (CONFUSED)
What?

REVEREND JONES
I said get her out of here!

Two guards rush over to Bridget grabbing her by the arm as

she yanks away.

BRIDGET (SCREAMS)
Get off of me! Where are you taking
me? Let me go!

The guards drag her out, pulling her through the muddy aisle
and out the door. Jamie holds Horatio's hand tightly as he
watches.

REVEREND JONES
I will not tolerate this behavior.
When this Congressman arrives, you
will not act this way or punishment
will follow.

Jones gazes at the stunned members then peers at Horatio for

a moment. Horatio leans down to whisper in Jamie's ear.

HORATIO
You still miss our old home?

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JAMIE
Yeah, I do.

HORATIO (WHISPERS)
We might be going back there soon.

JAMIE
But our house is gone.

HORATIO
We'll get a new one. Maybe in a new
city. Sound good?

JAMIE
Yeah.

Horatio looks up hearing Reverend Jones continuing to lecture

the crowd then turns back to Jamie.

HORATIO (WHISPERS)
Don't tell anyone about what I just
said. No one, understand?

JAMIE
I won't tell. I promise.

HORATIO
Good. Now pay attention.

Jamie faces forward while continuing to hold Jamie's hand.

REVEREND JONES
Proverbs 4:16, For they cannot rest
until they do evil; they are robbed of
sleep till they make someone stumble.

EXT. OUTSIDE THE PAVILLION

Everyone leaves the building and walks back to their homes.

Jamie waves goodbye to Marshell while walking in the opposite
direction.

INT. COTTAGE 23, BEDROOM. NIGHT

Horatio tucks Jamie into bed and rubs his curly brown hair.

JAMIE
Dad? Can I ask you something?

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HORATIO
You want me to check for monsters
again?

JAMIE (LAUGHS)
No dad. Not that.

HORATIO
Then what is it string bean?

JAMIE
Are you scared?

HORATIO
Of?

JAMIE
Daddy Jones. Is that why you want to
leave?

Horatio grins to himself and pats Jamie on the leg.

HORATIO
I have to protect us. Make sure both
of us are safe. That's why I want to
go.

JAMIE
What about my friends?

HORATIO
You'll make new ones. Like you always
do bud. Now shut those eyes and get
some rest. Goodnight kiddo.

Horatio kisses Jamie's forehead and turns his lamp off.

INT. COTTAGE 23, BEDROOM. MORNING

Jamie wakes up from the commotion outside and rubbing his

eyes. He looks out the window from his room and sees people
walking towards the cars parked outside.

EXT. OUTSIDE THE PAVILLION

CONGRESSMAN RYAN, his crew of assistants and journalists

stand outside of their trucks greeting people and surveying
the area.

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CONGRESSMAN RYAN
Hello everyone. I hope everyone is
doing well.

The crowd of people stares at Congressman Ryan silently and

his people as they start walking around. Reverend Jones
approaches Congressman Ryan.

CONGRESSMAN RYAN
Ah, Mr.Jones. We just want to talk to
some folks and answer some questions.

REVEREND JONES
There's nothing to ask friend.

CONGRESSMAN RYAN
If you let us do our job. We'll be out
of your way. You may own this piece of
land, but these people are my
responsibility.

CONGRESSMAN RYAN (CON'T)

I'll make sure they're safe.

Reverend Jones takes a deep breath then exhales and opens his
arm out to show Congressman Ryan the way.

EXT. EDUCATION TENT

Jamie walks down the dirt road and spots Marshell, Jin, and
others decorating the education building across from the
Pavillion.

JAMIE
Hey Marsh! What you guys doing?

MARSHELL
Daddy told us to make it look nice.
Grab a brush.

Jamie grabs a paintbrush and begins mixing two paint colors.

MARSHELL
Did you see that Ryan guy daddy was
talking about?

JAMIE
Yeah. He doesn't seem so bad.

MARSHELL
My mom said he's trying to take

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people.

Jamie looks across at the Pavillion and sees him talking to

families. Congressman Ryan puts his pad down and see's Jamie
staring.

MARSHELL
Oh crap, is he coming over here?

Congressman Ryan begins to walk over but the boys drop their
brushes and walk around the building before bumping into MS.
HARRIS.

MS.HARRIS
Boys, slow down what's the hurry?

JAMIE
Nothing Ms. Harris, sorry.

Marshell peaks over his shoulder.

MS. HARRIS
Well, I need you two in the Pavillon
to help set up for tonight's program.

MARSHELL & JAMIE

Yes ma'am.

EXT. INSIDE THE PAVILLION

Horatio works on one of the wooden pillars, while the

congregation and new visitors are seated at tables enjoying a
festive meal. JACKIE SPEIER walks up to Horatio.

JACKIE SPEIER
Hi.

HORATIO
Hello.

JACKIE SPEIER
I'm Jackie Speier, I'm a friend of
Congressman Ryan.

Reaches hand out

HORATIO
Horatio, nice to meet you.

Horatio shakes her hand then gets back to work.

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JACKIE SPEIER
When I heard of Jonestown, I never
expected this. It's beautiful.

HORATIO (SMIRKS)
Yeah, a diamond in the rough.

JACKIE SPEIER
We've heard that diamond isn't so
pretty anymore. Is that true?

Horatio slowly stops working as his smiles begin to fade.

Reverend Jones nearby stops talking and looks at Horatio.

HORATIO
Look Ms.Speier, Jonestown is the best
thing that's happened to me.

JACKIE SPEIER
But are you happ-?

Horatio cuts Jackie's sentence off

HORATIO
I am.

JACKIE SPEIER
Very well.

Horatio watches Jackie walk away as Reverend Jones continues

to look. Horatio gets back to work.

INT. TABLES, PAVILLION, CONCERT NIGHT

The Jonestown Express band begins to play music as the crowd

claps to the beat. Couples dance together, while others sit
and watch. Jamie and Marshell dispose of the trash nearby,
then runs around playing. Horatio sees Congressman Ryan from
his table talking with a member. Horatio fidgets with a piece
of paper in his hand, hiding it under the table.

CONGRESSMAN RYAN
This is nice, truly amazing. I'm going
to run to the restroom a second.

Congressman Ryan gets up and starts walking towards the

bathroom. Horatio leaves his table and follows after him

HORATIO
Hey Mr.Ryan! You drop something.

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Horatio pretends to pick something up before slipping Ryan

the note. Rashad sees the transaction from a distance.

RASHAD (POINTING)
He passed a note! He passed a note!

HORATIO (CHUCKLES)
No, no, no, he dropped something.

Horatio walks away quickly returning to his table.

MARSHELL
There goes Rashad being Rashad.

Jamie looks across the room after hearing Rashad's voice,

then see's his father walking out the Pavillion with a guard.

JAMIE
I think my dad is in trouble. I'll be
back.

EXT. OUTSIDE THE PAVILLION, CAMPGROUND

Jamie follows behind the guard and his father closely without
being seen.

INT. TOOL ROOM, CAMPGROUND

Horatio is pushed to the center of the room where three

guards are standing with machine guns in their hands.
Reverend Jones steps forward to look at Horatio. Jamie hides
behind the working table and watches.

REVEREND JONES
Son... you have betrayed me.

HORATIO
I don't know what you're talking
about.

REVEREND JONES
Lies... Lies! I saw you with Jackie
and I saw you with that Congressman.

Walks around Horatio slowly in a circle.

REVEREND JONES (CON'T)

Don't you know those sons of bitches
want to take our children?

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HORATIO
Yes, I know dad.

REVEREND JONES
I warned you of this. The public is
our enemy, they are our enemy. And you
are beginning to wear their colors.

HORATIO
I'm- I'm just scared daddy.

REVEREND JONES
You should be, after what you've done.

Reverend nods his head to his men as they take their belts
off and start severely flogging Horatio. Jamie watches
through a hole under the table and listens to his father's
painful moans.

REVEREND JONES
That's enough. Now tell us the truth.

Horatio lays on the floor shaking in pain.

HORATIO
I'm telling the truth.

REVEREND JONES
More.

Horatio is flogged for five more minutes until Jones commands

them to halt.

REVEREND JONES
I laid my life down for you and my
children. They dont give a damn about
you!

Jamie continues to watch before he is startled by a tap on

his shoulder. A guard grabs Jamie by the arm and brings him
to Reverend Jones.

REVEREND JONES
Jamie, what are you doing snooping
around here?

HORATIO
Don't you touch him!

REVEREND JONES (SMILES)

I wouldn't touch a hair on his little

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head.

Jamie swallows hard as Jones pats Jamie on the shoulder.

JAMIE
I'm sorry Daddy. I was jus-

Reverend Jones shushes Jamie and puts both of his hands on

Jamie's shoulder. Jone's looks Jamie in his eyes while
wearing dark aviators.

REVEREND JONES
Jamie, do you love god?

JAMIE
Yes.

REVEREND JONES
Do you love him like I love you?

Jamie speaks softly while fidgeting with his fingers.

JAMIE
Yes daddy, I do.

Reverend Jones grins as he grips Jamie's shoulders firmly.

REVEREND JONES
Lying lips are an abomination to the
Lord, but those who act faithfully are
his delight.

REVEREND JONES (CON'T)

So tell me. Did you see your father
pass a note?

Horatio lays on the ground looking up at Reverend Jones and

Jamie.

JAMIE
Uh. Uhm... I saw. I saw.

Jamie looks around the room seeing the intimidating guards.

JAMIE
I saw him pass the note.

Reverend Jones lets go of Jamie's shoulder and stands up.

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REVEREND JONES
You did good son.

JAMIE
Are you going to hurt my dad?

REVEREND JONES
No, no. He'll be just fine. Go on back
to the party.

Jamie takes one last look at Horatio before walking out

hurriedly.

REVEREND JONES
You will not defy me.

The guards sit Horatio on his knees before forcing an

amphetamine-laced sandwich into his mouth. Reverend Jones
turns his back listening to the struggles in the background.

INT. PAVILLION, CONCERT NIGHT

Jamie returns to the Pavillion and sits at a table with other

members continuing to watch the band. Reverend Jones comes
inside and has a seat beside Jamie. A cameraman points his
camera toward Jamie where he fakes smiles at the camera.

EXT. PLAYGROUND - JONESTOWN, GUYANA - MORNING

Jamie, Marshell, and Jin play with other kids on the playset
while talking amongst each other. Jamie casually sits on the
monkey bars looking out into space.

JIN
That vanilla cake was good last night.

MARSHELL
It was slamming. The party was fun
too.

JIN
Every night should be a concert night.

MARSHELL
I'm saying.

Marshell looks up at Jamie who has been silent and

daydreaming.

MARSHELL (SNICKERS)
Yo, Jamie. What's got you tight? You

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sad about not getting a slice of cake?

JAMIE
No.

MARSHELL
Oh. Well. Did you want to finish our
game?

JAMIE
Yall can play without me.

Jamie hops down and starts to walk away with his hand in his
pockets.

JIN (SHOUTS)
Hey, who's going to be the Master
Dragon?

EXT. CENTER OF CAMPGROUNDS

Crowds of people stand alongside their buildings watching

others carry luggage to a truck. Jamie watches before running
away.

INT. COTTAGE 23, BEDROOM. MORNING

Jamie walks in and sees his father packing his bag with
clothes. Surprised to see Horatio, he runs up to him and hugs
him.

JAMIE (SMILES WIDE)

Dad! I thought I wouldn't see you
again.

HORATIO
Hey son.

Horatio pats Jamie on the back softly, speaking in a faint

tone.

JAMIE
Dad. I'm sorry about last night. I was
just scared. I didn't want to get
beat.

HORATIO
It's okay son. I forgive you.

Horatio continues to walk around grabbing his things.

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JAMIE
People are leaving. Should I pack too?

JAMIE (CONT'D)
Or I can get new clothes at our new
place?

Horatio buckles his suitcase while looking down. He keeps his

back turned the opposite of Jamie before answering.

HORATIO
No, that won't be necessary

JAMIE
But I need a bag for the road too.

HORATIO
Jamie, you're not going.

Jamie looks at Horatio with a puzzling look as Horatio turns

around.

JAMIE
What are you packing for then?

HORATIO
Because I'm leaving.

Horatio walks out of the cottage door, while Jamie follows

him.

EXT. CAMPGROUND

Jamie continues to chase after his father grabbing ahold of

his rugged beige shirt to stop him.

JAMIE
You can't leave me here dad! I thought
we were leaving together.

HORATIO
Things changed okay?

Jamie's eyes begin to well up with tears.

JAMIE
Is god mad at me? Are you mad at me?

Horatio looks at his son with a solemn look.

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 25.

HORATIO
I'm not mad at you.

HORATIO (CON'T)
I just think it's better if you stay.
They'll accept you more than...
others.

Congressman Ryan and others pass by as they pack into the

trucks and vans.

CONGRESSMAN RYAN
Let's go people!

HORATIO
Look son, I have to go.

JAMIE
Dad no!

Jamie grabs ahold of his father's hand as Horatio begins to

drag him. Jamie soon loses the grip of his father's hand when
Horatio pulls it away.

JAMIE
Dad!

Horatio turns his head the opposite way and closes his eyes
as the truck pulls away. Jamie watches the truck leave as he
sits on the ground crying. Ms. Harris walks over to Jamie.

MS. HARRIS
Come on Jamie, let's go my dear.

Ms. Harris helps Jamie up as everyone returns back to their

cottages.

INT. CLASSROOM, EDUCATION BUILDING.

Jamie sits in the back of the empty classroom staring off

into space while Ms. Harris tidies up her desk area.

MS.HARRIS
It's unusual for me to see you with a
long face.

Jamie ignores Ms.Harris and stares at stick-figure drawings

of him and Horatio.

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 26.

MS. HARRIS (CONT'D)

I have some cookies if you want some.

Ms. Harris turns to look at Jamie who breaks down into tears.

JAMIE
It's all my fault. Everything!

MS. HARRIS
No no no my dear it's not.

Ms. Harris pulls up a chair beside Jamie grabbing his hand.

MS.HARRIS
Your father is the one that's wrong.

MS. HARRIS (CONT'D)

You feel alone. I know. But you're not
Jamie. You have friends. You have me.
One big family. Screw him.

Marshell pops his head in the classroom.

MARSHELL
That's right Ms. Harris.

Jamie looks up to see Marshell and smiles as they dap each

other up.

JAMIE
We're you listening?

MARSHELL (SNICKERS)
The whole time, crybaby.

JAMIE
Shut up.

Ms. Harris pulls Marshell ear as he screeches out.

MARSHELL
OW!

MS.HARRIS
There is nothing wrong with crying.

The two boys laugh at one another as Ms. Harris smiles. A

siren sounds off across the campgrounds.

MS. HARRIS (CONT'D)

Looks like we've got service.

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 27.

Everyone leaves the classroom.

INT. PAVILLION, WHITE NIGHT

With sad and numb expressions, the congregation members pile

into the Pavillion. Jamie and Marshell stand beside each
other while Reverend Jones stands on the podium holding his
microphone.

REVEREND JONES
I wanted to be the first to tell you.
Congressman Ryan is dead.

Few members applaud Jones as others look around in confusion

REVEREND JONES
We've been terribly betrayed. Those
who left us will send people after our
children. Torture our seniors. We
cannot have this.

Members place kegs of cyanide-laced juice on tables behind

Jones and begin mixing solutions.

MARSHELL
If they are making drinks, this going
to be a long service.

JAMIE
I hope it's good this time.

REVEREND JONES
If we cant live in peace. Let's die in
peace.

Armed guard surround the Pavillion while the congregation

cheers and applaud Jones.

REVEREND JONES
Let us drink this potion and step over
quietly.

WOMAN #1
All the children come to the front and
out of the aisles.

Members begin to take infants from the arms of their parents

as some begin to fight back.

REVEREND JONES
This is the only way. We've tried.

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 28.

Jamie and Marshell stand in line as some children begin to

drink the cup of Flavor-aid. Jamie spots Rashad crying and is
the next child to go.

RASHAD
I don't want to! I don't want to!

A member holds Rashad as they force him to drink.

REVEREND JONES
Lay down your life with dignity!

REVEREND JONES (CONT'D)

This has been done by every tribe in
the world. They're doing it right now.

The pavilion is filled with agonizing screams and cries of

the children. He sees a mother holding her dead child as they
move up in the line.

MARSHELL
We never finished the game Jamie...

JAMIE
You're the last one standing sir
Marshell. Kneel or die.

MARSHELL
We die.

Marshell and Jamie take their cups of juice before dying with
the rest of the children in the congregation

INT. AIRPLANE - LEAVING GUYANA

Horatio stares out of the small window. He looks down at his

bracelet that read "Jamie" and rips it off.

EXT. OUTSIDE HORATIO HOUSE - FRESNO, CALIFORNIA - MIDDAY

It's the summer of 1990. Horatio mows his lawn as the

children play out on the street with water guns. Horatio's
wife CORDELIA; 31, comes out the house shouting.

CORDELIA
Babe! Babe, telephone!

Horatio cuts the mower off and enters the house to pick up
the phone.

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INT. LIVING ROOM - HORATIO HOUSE

Horatio picks up the phone off the hook and speaks with a mam
name FELTON.

HORATIO
Hello?

FELTON
Hi, is this Horatio Atkins?

HORATIO
Yes, who is this?

FELTON
This is Felton Montgomery of Burton
Mortuary Services.

HORATIO
Someone past away?

FELTON
One of your relative's remains has
been found. We'd like you to come and
identify them.

Horatio pauses for a moment.

HORATIO
Sure. I'll make my way over there now.

FELTON
I apologize for this grave news.

HORATIO
Yeah thank you.

Horatio hangs up the phone and heads out the door.

INT. BURTON MORTUARY SERVICES - SAN FRANCISO, CALFORNIA

Horatio, Cordelia, and their son LUCKY; 9, arrive at the

mortuary center. Horatio and Lucky enter the old building and
approach the front desk where Felton is sitting.

HORATIO
I'm here to identify a body.

FELTON
You must be Horatio. Just a moment.

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 30.

Felton goes to the back and brings back a small white box.

FELTON (CONT'D)
These are the remains that were
discovered. Do you know who Jamie
Atkins is?

Horatio stares at the box that is labeled "Jamie Atkins" and

holds it in his hands. Lucky comes from behind Horatio's
back.

LUCKY
Dad, whose Jamie?

Horatio glances at his son then back at the box before

breaking down into tears. He hugs his son from the side

HORATIO
No one son. No one.

Horatio leaves the box of ashes and walks out of the building
with Lucky.

THE END

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