Kill Your Way to the Top

Kill Your Way to the Top
By Alexander Kunkle

The curtain is raised showing a dark hotel room, slits of moonlight splices the center of the window curtain. The audience is able to see a figure being lit by the moonlight, but the darkness blocks out all distinguishable features. The door of the hotel room opens, flushing light across the room and a large man walks in. Another man in a black suit is briefly seen standing outside the door before it closes behind the large man. The large man can now only be seen as a dark figure. He walks over to a desk that is partially lit by the moonlight. He turns on a lamp on his desk, revealing his face. He is older, with a receding hairline. He has a very large nose, and stress lines on his forehead and around his mouth. The light travels across the room, stopping just before the man sitting in the chair. The Man at desk looks directly at the MAN IN CHAIR.

MAN IN CHAIR
We need a decision sir.

MAN AT DESK
I can’t do it.

MAN IN CHAIR
Sir, if you decide against this now, we may not get anther chance. We already missed opportunities in Chicago and in Miami. Sir, you must, the people need you to.

MAN AT DESK
Why? How do you know what the people truly need?

MAN IN CHAIR
Don’t doubt yourself sir, this is the plan. This is the time.


MAN AT DESK
But they love him.

MAN IN CHAIR
And they will love you as well.

MAN AT DESK
They won’t let him go.

MAN IN CHAIR
They will. You will hold their hand and guide them past this terrible time. You can be great.

MAN AT DESK
They see him as great. They idolize him as if he is a savior.

MAN IN CHAIR
They idolize his optimism. He is an idealist. You sir, you are a realist. You will save them all.

MAN AT DESK
I can’t connect with them like he can. He is young, he is beautiful, (brief pause) for Christ sakes he is like royalty in this country.

MAN IN CHAIR
You won’t connect sir, you will lead. That’s what they need, they need a leader.

MAN AT DESK
He has done so much for them, so much for all of us.

MAN IN CHAIR
He never had the right to do anything in the first place. He doesn’t care about the people, he cares about the power, he cares about whatever interests him at the time. The last thing he cares about is what’s right right.


MAN AT DESK
He gave me the opportunity.

MAN IN CHAIR
He needed you. He takes what he needs and then disposes that need when he is done. He has such a beautiful wife, yet he screwed around with that whore, eventually he grew bored and he had he got rid of her. He will get rid of you soon enough.

MAN AT DESK
I can’t do this, I am not a killer.

MAN IN CHAIR
They need you for what he refuses to give them. All great leaders make sacrifices for progress.

MAN AT DESK
Who says this is the direction that leads towards progress.

MAN IN CHAIR
Sir! (long pause) sir these people will see that what we are doing over there is the right thing for everyone. The world will understand eventually.

MAN AT DESK
And if they don’t?

MAN IN CHAIR
They will. Our way of life is the way god intended it to be. He won’t fight for that right. He wants to run from our problems because running is easier. When this is done, you will lead us into the battlefield, into gods plan.

MAN AT DESK
So you give me everything I have ever wanted, and I lose my soul.

MAN IN CHAIR
No sir, I give you everything you have ever wanted, and you give the people your leadership, your will, and most of all, you give them security from evil. You don’t lose anything. You give them your soul, sir. You give it because that’s what any great leader does; he gives everything he has for what he knows is right.

MAN AT DESK
(The man behind the desk opens a drawer and pulls out a bottle of scotch. He pours a glass and puts the bottle back in the drawer. The glass is very large and he takes a small sip. He then sets the glass down on the desk)
I…

MAN IN CHAIR
Sir! We have gone over everything; you know what needs to be done, just give me the word and my men will make you the most powerful man in the free world.

MAN AT DESK
No links to me in any way? Where will I be?

MAN IN CHAIR
We don’t want to set off any alarms, so nothing changes from normal. You will be a car behind him, just like in today’s route.

MAN AT DESK
And his kids?

MAN IN CHAIR
They will be fine; they are in Hyannis port with his family.

MAN AT DESK
And his wife?

MAN IN CHAIR
I will admit, it wasn’t planned for her to be there, but I have told my men that he is the only target and she must not be touched. The transition will be smoother when she presents a strong face. She will be the one who passes the torch to you.

MAN AT DESK
I do wish we wouldn’t put this all on her shoulders. What about his attack dog of a brother? He won’t just let it slide.

MAN IN CHAIR
If that little snot knows what is good for him he will. If he lets his head get any bigger, we may have to thin out the family out a little more.

MAN AT DESK
And you’re sure there will be no fallout?

MAN IN CHAIR
No sir, three men, triangle position and they don’t miss. There will be a sharp turn in which the drive will slow way down, once past that turn he will be in the target zone. A fourth man is being set up to take the fall. He has worked with us before as a shooter. He is good sir, very good, and he record shows it. His background fits. Plus he is a little crazy, so the world will believe he could have done anything to put his name on the map.

MAN AT DESK
And what about him, the world will hate him, they will hunt him.

MAN IN CHAIR
Our men will get to him quick, they will put on a show, and then he will be taken care of.

MAN AT DESK
Taken care of?

MAN IN CHAIR
If all goes to plan it will either fall on the mob, or on Cuba, hopefully Cuba so we can finally take out Castro.

MAN AT DESK
How do you connect the mob?

MAN IN CHAIR
We have a guy that is clamoring to prove himself to the Chicago big wigs we linked him through our patsy. If it comes to it, he will jump at the chance to put his name on this. Besides, J. Edgar has his men ready to cover anything that may slip out.

MAN AT DESK
You better be sure…that cocksucker Hoover, better not fuck this up for us.

MAN IN CHAIR
Is that a yes sir, I need the word.

(The MAN AT DESK grabs his glass that is still almost completely full. He stares at the glass while there is a 15-20 second pause between the dialogue)

MAN IN CHAIR
Sir?

MAN AT DESK
God save me…tomorrow, Dallas will be front page news…and you will get your war in Vietnam.
(The MAN AT DESK drinks the entire glass)
Do it, YES!
(The MAN AT DESK slams the glass down on the desk)

MAN IN CHAIR
This time tomorrow, you will lead, Mr. President.

(Suddenly there is a knock on the door.)

MAN BEHIND DOOR
Mr. Vice President? Are you ok? Mr. Johnson?

MAN AT DESK
I am fine, my guest was just leaving.

(The MAN IN CHAIR stands up and walks over to the door. The MAN IN CHAIR opens the door and the light from the door illuminates the room. The MAN IN CHAIR walks out. The door closes behind him. The MAN AT DESK pulls out the bottle of scotch once again, pops the cork, picks up the empty glass, looks at the glass, sets the glass back down and starts drinking directly out of the bottle finishing off the remaining half of the bottle. He begins to cough.)

MAN AT DESK
(In between coughs)
Good luck 36.