SC1 EXT. A ROCKY CLIFFTOP – NIGHT

It is late February. A cold wind blows. Brant, a 60 something native chief, stands on the edge of a high rocky cliff. Beside him, two warriors hold an outsider, Michael Ramsey(rugged, handsome black man, late 30s – early 40’s), forcing him to look over the edge. Hit him again Crumb(warrior#1) punches Ramsey in the stomach while warrior#2 holds him upright. You think you can take from me? Motherfucker – Look at me. Hit him again! Ramsey takes the blow, and continues to stare defiantly at Brant. You think you are the first who has tried? You’re all the same. You come here and try to take what doesn’t belong to you. Those days are over my friend. Tonight you learn that fuckin’ lesson, the hard way. Ramsey still does not look frightened. Do you know what this place is? I know what happened here. The fuck you know, you think you know, but you don’t. This is much more than just the place where your whore mother killed herself. Ramsey struggles but the warriors restrain him. This is a sacred place. It takes a strong leader to do what needs to be done, but I do it, and that isn’t gonna change. Fuck you. You only serve yourself. What did you say? Brant knees Ramsey in the balls. I’ve got news for you. You won’t be the first motherfucker we threw off this cliff, and you wont be the last either. Is that what you think is gonna happen? Brant leans in to whisper in Ramsey’s ear. I hated that bitch so much, I flew her twice. Ramsey looks back at him, confused. See, smart guy, you don’t know everything. Look down. Rocks to the left, and earth to the right. When someone lands on the earth, they don’t die right away. She was still breathing. I had enough time to drag her broken ass back up here, so I could throw her off again. Ramsey struggles. That’s right. She flew twice. Since you’re such a tough guy, maybe you should do the same?. Ramsey spits in Brant’s face. Brant cracks Ramsey hard across the chin with his walking stick. Just for that, no last words. Throw this piece of shit into hell. Now! The warriors move slowly, but not forwards. They back away, leaving Ramsey unrestrained. What the fuck are you doing? Throw him!! Do your own dirty work. Ramsey smiles, and wipes the blood from his mouth. Tonight the tables turn old man. Brant tries to scurry away, but Ramsey grabs him by his collar and walks him back to the edge of the cliff, he fights in vain to break free. The warriors do not interfere. You can’t do this to me! Cocksucker! Stop him! I am your chief! You are sworn to me. Crumb shakes his head. Why? Why? Crumb shakes his head. He and warrior#2 walk away, leaving Ramsey and the chief alone atop the cliff. You know, they say the only sure things in this life are death and taxes. Brant struggles wildly but Ramsey is too powerful for the old man But, since you don’t pay any taxes. Ramsey launches Brant from the cliff, to the right, he screams all the way down. Ramsey straightens his jacket, turns around, and leaves. FIVE MONTHS EARLIER