Call Me King

---

1

(clanking, whirring)

(children's playful shouts in distance)

Do you know why most nations,

countries, civilizations fail?

MAN:

Nyet.

It's their inability

to recognize the examples of

those who came before them.

(chuckles)

You see, things have a way of...

repeating themselves, General.

Yeah...

Explain.

History.

It's shown that the average age

of a civilization is around...

200 years.

Countries like Great Britain...

America...

Russia...

they exceed the average,

while others are just

now reaching that age.

Haiti.

Each of the great

civilizations of the world,

they've passed through a series

of ten stages.

From birth to decline,

and ultimately, to their death.

It's ironic, isn't it?

(laughs)

The first generation throws

off the shackles of bondage,

only to have a later generation,

through apathy and indifference,

allow themselves to be enslaved.

Which brings me back...

to my previous question.

Why...

do most civilization fail?

Choice.

-

- (passing horn honks)

(c*cks gun)

(door creaks)

RHYIS:

We were known as The Strap Set,

enforcers of the Costa syndicate.

Let's work.

When the established order was disrupted,

we would inflict punishment to the letter.

It was a necessary evil, General.

We... were necessary.

(grunting)

(automatic gunfire)

(gunfire continues)

(grunting)

(yells)

(grunting)

(gunfire continues in distance)

(coughing)

Yah!

Bravo.

That was quite a show you put on.

I'm actually flattered

that Angelo would send

his prized attack dogs to pay me a visit.

Don't flatter yourself.

Rules were broken...

decisions were made, and

orders were carried out.

This whole messy business today

could have been avoided.

But you...

chose to swim in waters

too deep for you.

Don't talk to me like you're

one of us-- you're not.

I'm a member of the syndicate,

and therefore protected,

- but you, you're just an errand boy.

- Pardon me.

This is phenomenal bourbon.

You know, it starts off clear-- they put it

in wooden barrels so

that it gets its color.

Mm.

The longer it cooks, the deeper the flavor,

the darker that it gets.

But if left too long,

it becomes unbalanced,

loses its integrity.

Is that what you are... Feris?

Unbalanced?

I mean, you got to be

to pull off some stunt like this, huh?

You expect me to take this lying down?

- (c*cks rifle)

- (chuckles)

I don't care how you take it.

It doesn't negate the fact

that product was delivered in good faith,

based off our previous arrangement.

Now, the shipment

was received...

but the funds...

were not wired.

Why is that?

You know how it is--

these things take time.

Angelo is getting impatient in his old age.

Or perhaps a little show of power

is to keep up appearances, huh?

Perhaps the wolf

has lost its claws.

You better be sure, papi.

Taxation without representation.

Hey, Feris.

Pay your bill.

You'll live longer.

(cell phone buzzes)

Hey, I'm taking care of business here.

I'll call you back.

(car door closes)

Hey, breh?

Yo, how many more stops

we got to make today?

Got one more.

I promise this one gonna be quick.

We'll be in and out of

there in about five,

seven and a half minutes tops.

It's all part of the plan, gentlemen.

Fear equals respect.

Respect equals power.

Simple math.

(car engine starts) (tires squealing)

(coughing, retching)

(thumping)

(thumping continues)

(thumping continues)

You test me again, huh?

My supplier's the best in town.

See for yourself.

Half of the shipment are marked

and ready for street use.

The other half covered by special papers

with the serial code's still intact

for legal distribution, no problem.

You never let me down.

Money's all there.

Ten percent commission as always.

The rest I'll wire you.

There's no need.

You and I both know

if it's not correct...

(guns cocking)

...I'm gonna find you,

put a hole in your head.

Just joking around.

Everything's in order.

Let me know if you need anything more.

Good afternoon, Mr. Costa.

I'm your new CFO, as per

your father's request.

If you would just direct me towards

your books, I can get started right away.

What the f*** is this?

(chuckles)

Every other day he sends

another one of you f***ing guys down here

to break my balls.

I swear to Christ, he's got to

be running an affirmative action

campaign down there. He's got...

(short laugh)

he's got a million of these

a**holes running around.

(laughs)

Run and go tell my father I

don't need him or anybody else

to babysit my f***ing money, all right?

I'm a big boy. I handle my own affairs.

With all due respect, sir,

your current spending habits

are attracting a lot of unwanted

attention from the IRS.

That's attention that your

father wants to go away.

I don't know you,

and whether or not you

work for my old man...

how the f***

am I gonna trust you?

I work for every major organization

including your father's. I

have a PhD from Harvard.

Business and economics.

My firm, my reputation

are impeccable, sir.

Who the f*** you think you're talking to?

You ever look down your nose at me again,

I'll blow that Harvard-educated

brain of yours all over

my marble floor without batting

an eyelid, understand?

Now run and go tell my father if

he has something to say to me,

come tell me himself.

Shouldn't send a monkey

to do a man's job.

Now get the f*** out of my sunlight.

You're ruining my tan, a**hole.

(man speaking French)

Please.

But in this world...

loyalty, honor

and discretion

are our most valuable commodities.

Without them,

man is like a wild animal,

clawing his way through the forest,

cutting a path to his own destruction.

Before our exile, brother,

there were many who

thought like you do now.

Willing to sacrifice everything

for the ones they love.

But like with all sacrifice,

there is no action

without consequence.

I love and respect you,

but there is no longer

a place for you here.

No, wait.

(brass knuckles clatter on floor)

(exhales heavily)

(sniffles)

(grunts)

(grunts)

(groaning)

The shipment arrived

intact and on time--

L.A. Harbor, Pier 13.

It's registered under a Michael Donaldson.

Any problems with our

associates in customs?

Nothing unforeseeable.

The customary bribes were in order.

It's business as usual.

Good.

Notify Khalil.

Have him to move the rest

of the previous inventory

to the foreign buyers.

We'll need to make room

for the new shipment.

The planes are scheduled to arrive

within two hours.

We already have vehicles waiting for them.

Outstanding.

What would I do without you?

(man groans)

Be only half as powerful as you are.

These buyers can be a

bit difficult to sell.

Are you sure that Khalil is up to it?

I have all confidence in him.

After all,

he is my son.

He is.

Fine, then.

I'll be in the car waiting.

Get rid of the body.

I don't know why I put up with you.

You constantly disrespect me.

You never want to go anywhere,

at least not with me.

Yo, can you just try to stop bitching

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