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(Mark Napier) Max Interest Part 1

Take a scene that needs to be more interesting and use the Interest list to brainstorm more interesting ways to write it.
“What I’ve learned that is improving my writing is….?” I learned to adapt the Interest Techniques into a scene to offer greater entertainment value and layered depth to the scene and serve as reinforcement of the essence of the scene.

Take these steps:
1. Select the scene from your script that needs help and give us a logline for that scene.
Logan is sent to disarm, secure and expel a colleague from country under false pretense in what turns outs to be a ruse.

2. Tell us the essence of the scene. This scene has the hero being forced into a potentially dangerous situation of disarming a colleague who reportedly was violent earlier in the evening and is being expelled from country under false pretenses.

3. Tell us at least two (more if you can) interest techniques for the rewrite.
Uncertainty: Logan is walking into a possible violent and armed situation to disarm a colleague who earlier was reported to have pulled a knife.

Suspense: Logan must disarm Gary, so he shows empathy to soften the blow, but is ready to draw down on Gary if necessary.

Surprise: Logan is expecting a violent non-compliant individual he has to disarm, but in sharp contrast the colleague is just the opposite and is compliant with commands, not aggressive and his demeanor is not what he expected.

Mislead / Reveal: Gary is told to hand over the knife that in an earlier scene was said to be a throwing knife. The knife handed to Logan is bell shaped and could never be used for a throwing knife.

Betrayal: Gary asks for the Chief of Security (Tom) to read his supporting documents that shows he is the wrong individual being expelled from country. When Tom declines, Gary feels defeated and shamed.

4. Rewrite the scene using as many interest techniques as you can and include the newly rewritten scene in your post.

SCENE 8.: INT – CIA MILITARY LIAISON CELL – 42 INFANTRY DIVISION, TIKRIT, IRAQ – NIGHT

DESCRIPTION – SERIES OF SHOTS: Logan and the Chief of Security (Tom) disembark the helicopter, and both walk to the building that houses the liaison team where they find Gary standing with his duffle bag ready for departure.

LOGAN

Knocks and enters the office first.

TOM

Takes a position behind Logan as a human shield.

LOGAN

With empathy.
Hi Gary! (Uncertainty)
You no doubt know why we are here.

GARY

Nods his head yes without a word.

LOGAN

I am sorry! (Suspense)
I have to ask you for your side arm.

GARY

Yeah! … Sure! … No problem! (Surprise)

Gary hands his Glock 9mm and 3 magazines to Logan

TOM

Dryly adding with a glare…

And the knife too!

GARY

Complying without a word, Gary pulls it from his side cargo pocket.
Hands it to Logan who looks at it.
The knife in question is a 6-inch bell shaped blade. (Mislead / Reveal)

LOGAN

OK…Well let’s go.
We have a helicopter outside waiting.

GARY

Gary extends a handful of documents out to Tom to read.

But wait! (Betrayal)
Can’t you read this first?

BEAT

Please???

TOM

Nodding his head no.

No. Let’s go!

GARY

Gary’s facial expression reflects defeat.

I don’t know why …
I am being treated this way?

LOGAN

I’m sorry, but we need to go now.

LOGAN, GARY and TOM

Depart the building in a single file with Logan in the lead for the helicopter.

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ASSIGNMENT 3 (Mark Napier) Profiles People

“What I’ve learned that is improving my
writing is….?”

What I learned during this exercise was realizing and adapting personal experiences of ‘Human Traits’ from my interactions with real people to applying how my characters in a fictional or true story would interact with one another to come across as real behavior. To simply say a character in the script is to be portrayed as Charming requires a demonstration that the audience can relate to as being authentic in a film.

Question 1 and 2 are encapsulated into questions 3, 4, and 5.

3. Name the people Person 1, Person 2, and Person 3, and list their 4 core
traits.
Person 1 (Ct): Extreme Person: Temperamental and Caring; Daffy and Kardashian
Person 2 (C): Good Guy: Respectful and Trustworthy; Suspicious and Deceptive
Person 3 (J): Bad Guy: Deceptive and Egotistic; Respectful and the ‘God Father’

4. Interact with them, knowing their traits, and see if they respond in a
way that is consistent with those traits.

5. Post the results of your testing and how their traits stayed the same
or changed.

My test subjects could may have well as been the ‘Three Stooges.’ But I chose three people that I have had close and continuous contact with over the years. Two are homeless people I have assisted in getting off the streets. The last one is a very well to do businessman.

Person 1: is the Extreme Person who has a fiery Temperamental temper and is quick to fly off the handle when things do not go as planned. He even broke his hand hitting a wall in anger. Every day he comes with another story that not only has him stressed out, but his mere presence starts to raise my blood pressure. He is a very sweet and Caring person and will give the shirt off his back when he can hold down a job but is otherwise ‘a flaming hemorrhoid in the ass of life’ to those around him. He lacks common sense being the Daffy person he is and constantly asks me to do the most mundane things that he himself could ‘Google’ if he took the time to research it. As a result, he can be very needy and is high maintenance. Did I forget to mention he is a Millennial? Yes, he is a ChaCha Queen and very concerned about his ‘Kardashian’ image. His hair, eyebrows and clothing has to be a certain way. The car (a Jaguar) that he cannot afford is a glorified Plymouth with the name Jaguar attached. When he parks at the beach by the parking meter…he does not pay. So he racks up tickets as ‘money is no object’ to Cleopatra.

Person 2: is the Good Guy who is very Respectful and thoughtful around others. He maintains a light footprint to not overstay his welcome and is grateful for whatever assistance that can be provided. He is Trustworthy to call upon when assistance is needed for whatever task is at hand, but he otherwise does not pay visits. He is quick to assist his aunt and other family members and when he comes into my place I know nothing is going to be stolen. He does have a Suspicious side to him where he lacks trust in others as if he perceives he is being judged by the type of simple question you can innocently ask. It is as if he is a wounded animal or is being stalked like prey. I suspect his prior years of homelessness played a role in his behavior. He does have a Deceptive side to him whereby when he contacts me by phone late in the evening that he is unexpectantly on his way over. In essence, he seeks to use my place to layover in inclement weather, until his true intentions for his visit become apparent that he was just burning time until his friends he intends to go partying with become available. Last time it was raining and when he tried it, I said I had a visitor (which was true) and for the first time he chewed me out.

Person 3: is the Bad Guy who is Deceptive in his ulterior motives as a businessman. He looks out for himself and is shrewd in surrounding himself with other businessmen from other industries that can give him an edge. He pretended to be the loving husband until two weeks after his wife’s funeral where he proclaimed her to be ‘the love of my life.’ Then two weeks after the funeral, a large box of KY Gel is found, then the pictures from his wife that sat by his bed side were faced backwards then turned back to where you viewed them. This went on for 6 weeks following the funeral until one day his late wife’s photos were placed outside behind the bar. He proceeds to erase the history and existence of his wife from the home and declares a girlfriend whom he just met two months after the wife’s funeral is now moving in. He is Egotistic in how he plays his role in the community sitting on business councils as President and seeking community roles that highlights his ego and he wants the fame , glory and recognition, but at the end of the day it is those positions that give him insider information that grows his fortunes and areas offshore to place his wealth from the prying eyes of the IRS. He is Respectful in his encounters with others who he knows has a skill he requires. Each year he Spring cleans from his mansion and takes all the expensive and unique goods to his place of business to allow his employees to take what they want and the rest to charity. He loves Christmas goes out of the way to overly decorate the home and place of business for the holiday to include throwing parties at his company and giving away again expensive gifts that any normal employee could not afford. He engages in community events for children, though of course with the twist of free advertising to promote his business. Nonetheless, it makes for good public relations and many approach him as if he were the ‘God Father’ of advice and assistance. He was once a cocaine addict and serves to intervene when needed as well, but he is always there to give his worldly advice as if his approval is needed.

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ASSIGNMENT 2 (Mark Napier) Puts Essence to Work
“What I’ve learned is….?” I learned to focus each scene into reinforcing and supporting the profound purpose of story that is to be delivered to the audience. If the scene offers no value added to the plot then I simply removed it. If the scene was relevant to the plot, but lacked support to the essence of the story then I molded the scene using the character, dialogue, subtext, concept, situation, action or subplot to accomplish refocusing the purpose of the scene to support the essence of the story.
Find five scenes from your own script that you believe missed the
essence.

Script I choose: “Mendacious – Debt of Gratitude” (2024 copyright)

Introduction Location: INTRODUCTION
Logline: Voice Over – The reading sets the stage using sarcastic statement of that accidently portrays the film as a comedy, when in fact the story is serious and dramatic. Essence I’ve discovered: Show, Don’t Tell more effective displaying facts from credible sources that reinforce a profound truth that leaves the audience cliffhanging. New Logline: Fades into the introduction then Dissolves into short paragraphs the audience reads one after the other including statistics and revelation that one US Government Agency did not support the overall effort.

Scene 22 Location: INT – CIA STATION, BAGHDAD, IRAQ – NIGHT
Logline: Mark Logan finds himself about to embark on a midnight rendition operation to secure, disarm and escort an Agency employee for immediate expulsion from the country over an incident that later reveals a ‘Top Secret’ ironic twist.
Essence I’ve discovered: Shorter description is better and narrowing the focus to the revelation of the CIA compartmented program that is central to the story.
New Logline: A CIA officer unexpectantly finds his mission to expel a colleague from country turns into an ironic twist that may be the ‘tip’ of an iceberg – a hidden CIA program.

Scene 23 Location: INT – CIA STATION, BAGHDAD, IRAQ – DAY
Logline: Mark meets with Chief of Station’s Secretary who in turns calls the Station’s Chief of Finance and Chief of Human Resources to finalize Mark’s time and attendance he is filing to get paid. All parties one by one nod their heads in approval of his printed filings.
Essence I’ve discovered: The scene does not reflect the essence of the story but is intended to counter what is to transpire later (retaliation) when Mark is falsely accused of a ruse of filing a false pay voucher, despite coordinating with three of Station’s approving officials. Hence, what is needed is to ‘front load’ the essence or purpose of the scene by adding dialogue to introduce the reason for Mark’s sudden departure. New Logline: Mark breaks the news and reason for his early departure to an assembly of Station’s key three officials involved in personnel action and finances, who are surprised, but lays the foundation to false charges that would later follow.

Scene 24 Location: INT – CIA STATION, BAGHDAD, IRAQ – NIGHT Logline: Jaxen is moving quick to conduct personal damage control after the bungling of what was to be a cut and dry rendition operation to expel an individual, but now he seeks to place the blame on Mark. Essence I’ve discovered: Jaxen is taking steps to cover over exposed clues to a CIA program that has been revealed.
New Logline: After removing the contractor masquerading as a military liaison element of the Tikrit cell and securing and wiping both computers in question, Jaxen advises Special Activities Division to notify Peter of the situation at hand and who to sacrifice to discredit.

Scene 27 Location: EXT – CIA STATION FLIGHT LINE, BAGHDAD, IRAQ – NIGHT
Logline: Mark waits to board the Helo for the airfield and sees an adversary PEDRO to give him the middle finger for the hostile work environment he leaves behind that Pedro contributed to.
Essence I’ve discovered: There is no real value added or to be added to the essence of the story in the script (except for a book).
New Logline: Remove the scene.

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Title- (Mark Napier) Finds the Essence
Select five scenes from a produced script and tell what you believe the
essence is.
1. Select a movie/script that had a PROFOUND IMPACT on you. It needs to
be available on the Net. You can go to http://www.script-o-rama.com to
find thousands of scripts. Simply download the script and move to Step 2.
If you can’t find one script, look for another that had a profound
impact on you. ‘Saving Private Ryan’ is the movie script I am using for this exercise.
2. Go through the script and find five scenes that either have a deeper
meaning or caused deep emotion for the viewers.

Script I choose: ‘Saving Private Ryan’
A. Scene 1 Location: World War II, OMAHA BEACH, NORMANDY June 6, 1944
Logline: When facing death in the horrors of war, terrified soldiers can still stand with courage drawing from the strengths of fellow soldiers in a common cause of selfless-service and sacrifice.
Essence: The opening scene shows the fear each man faces when death is possibly imminent and still they have the courage and commitment to pursue the mission regardless of their outcome.

B. Scene 2 Location: WAR DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON, D.C. JUNE 8, 1944
Logline: A nation that does not recognize the sacrifice of a family (to save them from extinction) will too soon be forgotten.
Essence: The intent of the scene, as a debt of gratitude, is to recognize that the loss of three sons out of four was enough sacrifice by one family to pay in support of the nation’s war time efforts.

C. Scene 3 Location: RYAN FARM, IOWA
Logline: When the War Department dispatches members to deliver sad news, they discover a mother always knows.
Essence: The purpose of the scene is to show the emotional heart-breaking news the mother knows is coming from an unexpected visit she sees approaching at distance even though she has not been formally told that three of the four sons died for their country.

D. Scene 4 Location: NORMANDY – BRIDGE – RAMELLE
Logline: Faced with the opportunity to selfishly think of himself and his safe return home, Ryan stands his ground not leaving his commitment to the mission or his comrades behind.
Essence: The scene demonstrates the commitment to fulfill Ryan’s mission and honor the cause (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage) of his three brothers’ sacrifices and to his fellow soldiers than to cut and run.

E. Scene 5 Location: Normandy Cemetery, France
Logline: Over five decades have passed and a former soldier (Ryan) returns to the grave site of CPT John Miller to testify that Ryan has honored his lifelong commitment to Miller.
Essence: This scene has Ryan visiting CPT Miller’s grave site in France to report that he has honored a commitment he made to Miller ‘to live his life the best he could’ just before Miller dies on the battlefield along with others who sacrificed to save Ryan.

3. Read each scene and determine what you believe the essence of that
scene is.
4. Of the five scenes, tell us the location, a logline for each, and the
essence. You don’t need to give anything else, except for Step 5
Example:
Scene 1 Location: End of Act One
Logline: Juno and Leah scour the Penny Saver for a potential adoption.
Essence: Juno will only accept the best for her baby — even if it comes
from the Penny Saver.
5. Please select the scene that you feel had the most profound essence and
post the scene along with its essence. Then in three sentences or so, tell
us why you believe this is the essence of this scene.
Scene 4 Location: NORMANDY – BRIDGE – RAMELLE
Logline: Faced with the opportunity to selfishly think of himself and his safe return home, Ryan stands his ground not leaving his commitment to the mission or his comrades behind.
Essence: The scene demonstrates the commitment to fulfill Ryan’s mission and honor the cause (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage) of his three brothers’ sacrifices and to his fellow soldiers than to cut and run.

Scenes being referenced: Pages 90-100 and references approximately six scenes. I believe the essence of the scene as noted reflects how Ryan after hearing how his three other brothers laid down their lives that he would be dishonoring his commitment to them, the mission and the cause. Ryan does not want to dishonor his brothers’ sacrifices, nor turn and run for safety in rear echelon for an expedited return home. He does not want favoritism for what has transpired.

6. Then ANSWER THE QUESTION “What I’ve learned is….?” (Put this at
the top of the page, two lines below the title.)
I basically learned to ensure that each scene has a purpose that reinforces the plot and is relevant. Using the scene logline helps to focus on the purpose of the scene, the character, dialogue and concept among others.

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Salutations from Mark Napier!

I have not written a script, but have spent the last what seems 14 months taking these classes to obtain the basic skills necessary to have a competitive advantage among others and to continue learning the tradecraft of a screen writer. I have a lot of global life experience and graduated from the ‘School of Hard Knocks!’

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

1.Mark Napier
2. “I agree to the terms of this release form.”
3. GROUP RELEASE FORM
As a member of this group, I agree to the following:
1. That I will keep the processes, strategies, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class confidential, and that I will NOT share any of this program either privately, with a group, posting online, writing articles, through video or computer programming, or in any other way that would make those processes, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class available to anyone who is not a member of this class.
2. That each writer’s work here is copyrighted and that writer is the sole owner of that work. That includes this program which is copyrighted by Hal Croasmun. I acknowledge that submission of an idea to this group constitutes a claim of and the recognition of ownership of that idea.
I will keep the other writer’s ideas and writing confidential and will not share this information with anyone without the express written permission of the writer/owner. I will not market or even discuss this information with anyone outside this group.
3. I also understand that many stories and ideas are similar and/or have common themes and from time to time, two or more people can independently and simultaneously generate the same concept or movie idea.
4. If I have an idea that is the same as or very similar to another group member’s idea, I’ll immediately contact Hal and present proof that I had this idea prior to the beginning of the class. If Hal deems them to be the same idea or close enough to cause harm to either party, he’ll request both parties to present another concept for the class.
5. If you don’t present proof to Hal that you have the same idea as another person, you agree that all ideas presented to this group are the sole ownership of the person who presented them and you will not write or market another group member’s ideas.
6. Finally, I agree not to bring suit against anyone in this group for any reason, unless they use a substantial portion of my copyrighted work in a manner that is public and/or that prevents me from marketing my script by shopping it to production companies, agents, managers, actors, networks, studios or any other entertainment industry organizations or people.
This completes the Group Release Form for the class.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

I, Mark Napier agree to the terms of this release form.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Hi, my name is Mark and I am new script writing. I am only on my first script and have been taking classes from SCU for like almost a year it seems. I served our nation as a CIA analyst and operative, in addition to 26 years in the US Army Reserves. I have used this past year to develop a better book for story telling and to develop a script that would adapt to Thriller genre standards. So I am still on training wheels. I have a MS Degree in International Management so the business side of script writing is like developing a business operations plan to sell one’s script. It’s good to obtain the teaching points in this realm.

• This reply was modified 2 months, 2 weeks ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.

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Hi! Mark here and I am working on the first script. I have written the Treatment and registered it with the Screenwriters Guild of America and copyrighted with the Library of Congress. I have a unique story that I am still massaging. I am here to learn the tradecraft. I have lots of stories from my profession as a former CIA officer who devoted 20 years to the Agency and 26 years in the US Army Reserves and National Guards. I spent 4 years almost in both combat zones. The stories help me cope with the PTSD I suffer from.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Mark Napier
2. “I agree to the terms of this release form.”
3. Please leave the entire text below to confirm what you agree.

As a member of this group, I agree to the following:
1. That I will keep the processes, strategies, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class confidential, and that I will NOT share any of this program either privately, with a group, posting online, writing articles, through video or computer programming, or in any other way that would make those processes, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class available to anyone who is not a member of this class.
2. That each writer’s work here is copyrighted and that writer is the sole owner of that work. That includes this program which is copyrighted by Hal Croasmun. I acknowledge that submission of an idea to this group constitutes a claim of and the recognition of ownership of that idea.
I will keep the other writer’s ideas and writing confidential and will not share this information with anyone without the express written permission of the writer/owner. I will not market or even discuss this information with anyone outside this group.
3. I also understand that many stories and ideas are similar and/or have common themes and from time to time, two or more people can independently and simultaneously generate the same concept or movie idea.
4. If I have an idea that is the same as or very similar to another group member’s idea, I’ll immediately contact Hal and present proof that I had this idea prior to the beginning of the class. If Hal deems them to be the same idea or close enough to cause harm to either party, he’ll request both parties to present another concept for the class.
5. If you don’t present proof to Hal that you have the same idea as another person, you agree that all ideas presented to this group are the sole ownership of the person who presented them and you will not write or market another group member’s ideas.
6. Finally, I agree not to bring suit against anyone in this group for any reason, unless they use a substantial portion of my copyrighted work in a manner that is public and/or that prevents me from marketing my script by shopping it to production companies, agents, managers, actors, networks, studios or any other entertainment industry organizations or people.
This completes the Group Release Form for the class.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

***FYI, content I am posting has been registered (as a Treatment) with the Screenwriters Guild and copyrighted through the Library of Congress. When I am done with the script, it too will be registered and copyrighted. I understand what we post here is to be treated as such in the same manner.***

NAPIER Height of the Emotion

ASSIGNMENT 1
Height of the Emotion.

1. Make a list of the 5 most emotional moments in your screenplay.
–Blacklisting
–HIV Diagnosis
–Homelessness
–Suicide
–Christmas Eve – Year 2 on the Streets

2. With each of those scenes, go to the height of the emotion and brainstorm lines that can deliver the deeper meaning of the scene.

–Blacklisting: “In life, most of us like to get kissed before we get fucked. ..…. I just got fucked. …… I wasn’t even offered a tug off the cigarette!”

–HIV Diagnosis: “You may as well have screamed over the phone that I had Stage 4 Cancer…Happy Fucking Holidays!”

–Homelessness: “Someone told me that they would like to think GOD is in the trenches with me. ….. I told them if that was the case then HE needs to call in more fire support ‘cuz’ my ass is getting handed to me!, but for now I just feel I am overlooked by HIM these last few years. Perhaps more deserving than I since I am a failure in life.”

–Suicide: “For Outstanding Service and Loyalty to Country…..Stigmatized and Slandered…Betrayed and Dishonored…Impoverished and Homeless…Discarded and Forgotten….Blacklisted by a Grateful Nation!”

–Christmas Eve – Year 2 on the Streets: “Who can I turn to when nobody needs me? …… I have my D O G …… that when spelled backwards …. spells G O D!”

3. Give us a quick explanation of the emotion and meaning of the scene, then the new line that you are going to place there.

–Blacklisting: Dismayed is the emotion sought by reflecting how the home office did not consult, nor advise the Protagonist what was about to transpire, but rather cowardly ignored any efforts for an exit interview.

“In life, most of us like to get kissed before we get fucked. ..…. I just got fucked. …… I wasn’t even offered a tug off the cigarette!”

–HIV Diagnosis: Shock is the emotion the audience should experience in agreement that the diagnosis was not just callously delivered, but unprofessional as well. Everyone would have the same reaction to trying to commit suicide immediately and feel degraded by the stigma imposed.

“You may as well have screamed over the phone that I had Stage 4 Cancer…Happy Fucking Holidays!”

–Homelessness: Empathy is the emotion and touching on the idea that GOD is not always there on call to help when things go bad for us as we would hope.

“Someone told me that they would like to think GOD is in the trenches with me. ….. I told them if that was the case then HE needs to call in more fire support ‘cuz’ my ass is getting handed to me!, but quite frankly I just feel I am overlooked by HIM these last few years. Perhaps more deserving than I since I am a failure in life.”

–Suicide: Deep empathy and sorrow is the emotion for the Protagonist as no Veteran or Public Servant who has served their country should be handed a career ending epitaph for doing what was right thing to do, nor the stigma that a illness brings.

“For Outstanding Service and Loyalty to Country…..Stigmatized and Slandered…Betrayed and Dishonored…Impoverished and Homeless…Discarded and Forgotten….Blacklisted by a Grateful Nation!”

–Christmas Eve – Year 2 on the Streets: Empathy is the emotion pursued with the audience as many people relate to a dog kissing the hand of their master even if he is a pauper. The dog treats him as if he were a prince and never casts the stone of malice as friends, colleagues and family would do when you are poor, but praise you when you are wealthy.
“Who can I turn to when nobody needs me? …… I have my D O G …… that when spelled backwards …. spells G O D! ….. perhaps GOD is in the trenches with me after all”

4. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” (place at top of your work). Once again the exercise provides depth and layering to the Story and subplots.

5. Post to the forums at https://www.screenwritingclasses.com/forums/
Subject line: (Your name’s) Height of the Emotion (place in first line)

***FYI, content I am posting has been registered (as a Treatment) with the Screenwriters Guild and copyrighted through the Library of Congress. When I am done with the script, it too will be registered and copyrighted. I understand what we post here is to be treated as such in the same manner.***

***FYI, content I am posting has been registered (as a Treatment) with the Screenwriters Guild and copyrighted through the Library of Congress. When I am done with the script, it too will be registered and copyrighted. I understand what we post here is to be treated as such in the same manner.***

NAPIER Builds Meaning with Dialogue

ASSIGNMENT 2

***FYI, content I am posting has been registered (as a Treatment) with the Screenwriters Guild and copyrighted through the Library of Congress. When I am done with the script, it too will be registered and copyrighted. I understand what we post here is to be treated as such in the same manner.***

NAPIER Builds Meaning with Dialogue

ASSIGNMENT 2

Build Meaning Over Multiple Experiences.

1. Select three (3) lines (from your script or lines you make up) that you want to build deep meaning around.

A. Blacklisting: “In life, most of us like to get kissed before we get fucked. ..…. I just got fucked. …… I wasn’t even offered a tug off the cigarette!”

Blacklisting – One liner CHANGED TO: “Not even offered a tug off the cigarette!”

B. HIV Diagnosis: “Two days before Thanksgiving … no exchange of pleasantries, no courtesy, just out of the chute they screamed at me over the phone of my HIV diagnosis. Then they announced I would be counseled and medically discharged. …. They may as well have screamed over the phone that I had Stage 4 Cancer. .…Happy Fucking Holidays! …..and hang up. ……… They treated me like a leper! ….Am I – A leper?”

HIV Diagnosis – One liner CHANGED TO: “What am I – A leper?”

C. Suicide: “For Outstanding Service and Loyalty to Country…..Stigmatized and Slandered…Betrayed and Dishonored…Impoverished and Homeless…Discarded and Forgotten….Blacklisted by a Grateful Nation!”

Suicide – One liner CHANGED TO: “I have life still and I do not want it!”

2. Create an arc for each line — Beginning meaning to ending meaning.
A. Blacklisting: CHANGED TO: “Not even offered a tug off the cigarette!”

–Beginning Meaning: Scene 1 (SUSPICION): Mark Logan is sent home and discovers his luggage is missing. He has his reasons for suspicion feeling something is amiss with the situation and confronts the airline representative for lost luggage who cannot account for the missing bag that was checked in on a direct flight where there were no transfers.

“Mam … under the circumstances there is only one explanation for not offering me a tug off the cigarette … and that is your folks at Washington-Dulles International Airport apparently are a party to this ‘sleight of hand’ theft.”

–Middle Meaning: Scene 2 (BETRAYAL): Mark Logan realizes his branch chief has betrayed him and allowed him to be surreptitiously Blacklisted without a hearing or professional courtesy.

“Joe…I expected more from the office that I have put my ass on the line in the combat zone for two years. And how do you repay me? I was not even offered a tug off the cigarette!”

–End Meaning: Scene 3 (HE’S FUCKED): Mark Logan realizes he is in a dilemma with a Great Recession underway, the Blacklisting that has taken place and the IRS tax records that were stolen with his luggage.

“In life, most of us like to get kissed before we get fucked. ..…. I just got fucked. …… I wasn’t even offered a tug off the cigarette!”

B. HIV Diagnosis: “What am I – A social leper?”

–Beginning Meaning: Scene 1 (SHATTERED WORLD): Two days before Thanksgiving … no exchange of pleasantries, no courtesy, just out of the chute the Army Reserves unit surgeon screams at Mark Logan over the phone of his HIV diagnosis. Then announced he would be counseled and medically discharged, Mark knows his careers and any hopes of restoring them are gone. Mark is overwhelmed with emotions that his world is destroyed and becomes suicidal … They may as well have screamed over the phone that he had Stage 4 Cancer. .…Happy Fucking Holidays! …..and hang up. They treat him like a leper!

“Am I – A social leper?”

–Middle Meaning: Scene 2 (OUTCAST): Mark Logan’s unit requires him to report to Fort Dix, New Jersey for out-processing medical procedures. Where they once picked him up at the airport 32 miles from the base, he now must hitchhike and walk the 32 miles. When he arrives, its well past midnight and he is forced to sleep on a park bench on base. As he lies there on the bench next to a lake and a tall tree he is in deep thought.

“HIV just does not just stigmatize, it destroys. … Why am I dehumanized? …. Am I — A social leper?”

–End Meaning: Scene 3 (ABANDONMENT OF SELF TAKES ROOT): Mark Logan sits homeless on the streets with his Honorable Medical Discharge. His last $600 was removed from his bank account by the IRS. The CIA refuses to acknowledge his correspondences. He is completely penniless. Severe depression and PTSD plagues him now as he has begun to embrace the notion that he is a complete failure in life with no one to guide him. He has been forced into the profession of strip dancing as no other work is to be found.

“I have lost everything I worked toward in 30 years — $1.7 million — not just bankrupt financially, but physically, emotionally and spiritually — a complete failure in life and unwanted. ‘I have become — a social leper!”

C. Suicide: “I have life still and do not want!”

–Beginning Meaning: Scene 1 (LAST REQUEST): After 2 years of homelessness, Mark Logon knows he is not making any progress and is destined to die on the streets. He has been struggling with the thought of suicide and Christmas Eve he manages to scrape together enough money to pay cash for a hotel room. This is the first room in two years – a gift for his dog (Sheila) who is excited and happily running around the room playing. She has not been this happy since they started onto the streets. Mark breaks down crying and begins to work on a suicide letter and arrangements for Sheila to be taken care of before the deed is done. Before he falls asleep he says a little prayer.

“When ‘I’ lay me down to sleep, I pray my LORD my soul to keep. Though I have life still and do not want, send me where I do not want. If there are no dogs in YOUR HEAVEN, then send me where they are resten.”

–Middle Meaning: Scene 2 (EPITAPH): Mark Logan has decided to have his last meal at McDonalds and is putting the finishing touches on his suicide letter.

“I have lived by the rule of law and military values. Though after my country unjustly raped me of my dignity, I have life still and do not want. Therefore, as a mendacious debt of gratitude, please place my epitaph on the marker with nothing else…..No name, date of birth, faith or date of death….just the epitaph.

For Outstanding Service and Loyalty to Country
Stigmatized and Slandered
Betrayed and Dishonored
Impoverished and Homeless
Discarded and Forgotten
Blacklisted by a Grateful Nation!”

–End Meaning: Scene 3 (DEVINE INTERVENTION): Mark Logan is sitting in the parking lot at the bar where he strip dances at. He has his 44 magnum with him. The same used by “Dirty Harry” in the movies. Mark thinks to himself the first time he tried to use it was when his HIV diagnosis was being screamed over the phone at him immediately prompting him to reach for it. However, he forgot it had been unloaded before his last deployment, but this time it was loaded. Mark reads his suicide note aloud and places the paper nearby weighed down by a rock…with tears dripping down his cheeks he raises the pistol and places it beneath his chin, making sure the angle of the barrel allows the projectile to penetrate upward and through the center of the skull where the most traumatic damage will be done and ensuring success. Just as he is about to draw the hammer back….his cell phone rings….hangs up….rings again…then a text message followed by an email notification. Mark thinks allowed…

“I have life still and do not want. But LORD, please don’t ruin the moment with a spam calls, texts and emails…”

3. With each line, look through your script to find opportunities to build the line into at least three scenes that work for the arc. See Question 2 for details.

4. For each one, tell us the line, the arc, and the different meaning you gave the line in the scenes it appeared. See Question 2 for details. The paragraph leading up to the quote is intended to set the scene up for future dialogue as the dialogue for that scene is not completed.

5. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” (place at top of your work). I learned that a ‘one liner’ is better than a paragraph. I adjusted my paragraph to a one liner as a result. The exercise enabled me to carry the meaning of emotional expression across multiple scenes that add to the theme and cause. It also adds more depth and understanding in driving the point home.

6. Post to the forums at http://www.screenwritingclasses.com/forums
Subject line: (Your name) Builds Meaning with Dialogue (place in first line)

***FYI, content I am posting has been registered (as a Treatment) with the Screenwriters Guild and copyrighted through the Library of Congress. When I am done with the script, it too will be registered and copyrighted. I understand what we post here is to be treated as such in the same manner.***

• This reply was modified 8 months, 3 weeks ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.
• This reply was modified 8 months, 3 weeks ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Napier Delivers Irony

***FYI, content I am posting has been registered (as a Treatment) with the Screenwriters Guild and copyrighted through the Library of Congress. When I am done with the script, it too will be registered and copyrighted. I understand what we post here is to be treated as such in the same manner.***

“What I learned doing this assignment is…?” (place at top of your work). This exercise was indeed harder to achieve, but it basically adds to the subplots and depth. I believe it offered more thought-provoking ways to stimulate the audience.

ASSIGNMENT
1. With your list of the New Ways / Insights you want audiences to experience, go through these steps:
Step 1. What is the New Way / Insight you want to deliver?
Step 2. How could you deliver that insight through opposite experiences?
OR.
Step 1. Where could you build opposite experiences into your screenplay?
Step 2. What is the New Way / Insight you want to deliver through them?
2. Come up with at least five (5) different ways you can create IRONY in your screenplay and deliver an insight.

A. IRONY; WIN/LOSS (A win that is really a loss. Or a loss that is really a win.): Following the 9/11 Islamic terrorist attacks, the Protagonist does more than his part to support the war effort. However, the risks and significant contributions to the Agency mission is suddenly sabotaged and rendered irrelevant.

INSIGHT; WIN/LOSS: Like warfare, take charge of shaping your destiny and carefully consider the short term gains that may not be worth it. [ACT 2B]

B. IRONY; IDENTITY (Reaching your potential, but alienating those you love. Or pleasing those you love but losing your own purpose in life.): The Protagonist seeks to improve his financial status as a ‘soldier of fortune’ in the short term by deploying overseas at the expense of being separated from his dogs he loves. After four years, he loses them to death and ultimately is left in financial ruins from the Blacklisting.

INSIGHT; IDENTITY: Don’t take loved ones for granted that they’ll be around forever; instead cherish them while you can and let them know you love them. [ACT 2A]

C. IRONY; CREDIT (Do something amazing, but the credit goes to another. Or getting credit for something amazing that you didn't do.): After the Protagonist places the CIA in an embarrassing position with members of Congress, oversight committees and press releases targeting the Washington, DC metro area, the CIA silently changes its policy on prosecuting predators of child pornography and sex trafficking going so far as to publicly make an example of one predator. The Protagonist receives not apologies, nor recognition from the Agency.

INSIGHT; CREDIT: It takes only ONE to be a Force Multiplier to force change. [ACT 3]

D. IRONY; MOTIVATION (Getting your "want," but losing your "need." Or getting your "need," but losing your "want."): The Protagonist sacrifices his humanity for honor when lowering himself to the Antagonist’s level when pursuing street justice.

INSIGHT; MOTIVATION: Be the person your enemy expects you to be – destroy them to the core. [ACT 3]

E. IRONY; REASONS (Doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. Or doing the right thing for the wrong reasons.): Forced into an abandonment of self to survive on the streets, the Protagonist sinks to an all-time low in depression; finding only one job — a strip dancer — to buy time until he can pull himself off the streets.

INSIGHT; REASONS: Desperate times call for desperate measures and when you are a beggar you cannot be too choosy, if you want to eat and feed your little girl. [ACT 2A]

3. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” (place at top of your work). This exercise was indeed harder to achieve, but it basically adds to the subplots and depth. I believe it offered more thought-provoking ways to stimulate the audience.

4. Post to the forums at https://www.screenwritingclasses.com/forums/
Subject line: (Your name) Delivers Irony! (place in first line)
***FYI, content I am posting has been registered (as a Treatment) with the Screenwriters Guild and copyrighted through the Library of Congress. When I am done with the script, it too will be registered and copyrighted. I understand what we post here is to be treated as such in the same manner.***

• This reply was modified 8 months, 4 weeks ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Napier Delivers Insights Through Conflict

***FYI, content I am posting has been registered (as a Treatment) with the Screenwriters Guild and copyrighted through the Library of Congress. When I am done with the script, it too will be registered and copyrighted. I understand what we post here is to be treated as such in the same manner.

The additional layering adds more depth, substance and emotional opportunities to reach the audience, in addition to entertaining.

ASSIGNMENT
1. With your list of the New Ways / Insights you want audiences to experience, go through these steps:
Step 1. What is the New Way / Insight you want to deliver?
Step 2. What kind of conflict could that insight show up in?
Step 3. Brainstorm ways you might deliver the insight through the conflict.
2. Come up with at least five (5) different ways you can use conflict to express an insight.
Argument provokes the truth, uncovers a secret, brings out true nature, uncovers emotional issue
A. CONFLICT (1), UNCOVERING A SECRET: Following the Protagonist’s discovery of child pornography on two CIA Top Secret computers, upon return to Station 2 days later he happens to bump into the Station’s Chief of Communications at his cubical:

….”Hey!…I see xxxx is back in town and I know he is part of your team!” The Protagonist nods his head in agreement and says yes. The Chief says…”I’ve known him for 20 years and I was chatting with him this morning over breakfast. You know its odd?!?!?….I’ve not seen him act this way since the time he downloaded pornog……. (he stops in mid word). … Is that what this is about?”

Not saying a word, the Protagonist simply nods his head yes. The Chief of Communications shakes his head in astonishment and disappointment then slowly turns his back to the Protagonist not saying anything further and continues working on this computer.

INSIGHT (1), UNCOVERING A SECRET: The Protagonist’s investigation not only reveals a predator, but ‘a repeat offender’ that CIA has not taken action against. [Opening Scene and ACT 1]

B. CONFLICT (2), BRINGS OUT TRUE NATURE: When the Antagonist has learned of the Protagonist whereabouts he pays a special visit to Falcon Base. During his briefing and guidance to base he riminess to Falcon Base personnel that following the 9/11 Islamic terrorist attacks that he was so filled with hate and anger that all he wanted was vengeance (as he looks at the Protagonist) — a subliminal message to the Protagonist that he was next.

…”Ironically, how as many as 3,000 Taliban prisoners of war would be placed in train box cars and left in the desert to die….. Lucky thing I wrote that up….Hahahahahah! “

INSIGHT (2), BRINGS OUT TRUE NATURE: Reveals just how vial and evil the Antagonist is and his intended veiled threat to the Protagonist. [ACT 2A]

C. CONFLICT (3), FALSELY ACCUSED: The Protagonist ignores the Antagonist’s first attempt to falsely accuse him of overcharging the CIA $14,000 (a felony) that normally the Agency would prosecute. Having addressed his concerns with investigators of the impending and expected retaliation he is not questioned, investigated, charged nor prosecuted. As time passes the same ruse is used again and his home office refuses to contact investigators to establish his bona fides and attempts to contest the decision to Blacklisting him is ignored. Injustice prevails.

INSIGHT (3), FALSELY ACCUSED: Believe half of what you see and nothing what you hear; until you verify the information and consider the source of that information. [ACT 2A]

D. CONFLICT (4), SUICIDE ATTEMPT: The Protagonist writes his suicide letter as he prepares to end his life:

“During the Great Recession of 2009, I have been Blacklisted by the CIA for reporting Child Pornography on two Agency Top Secret Computers, my HIV diagnosis screamed at me over the phone by my Army Reserve unit who is discharging me, sued by the IRS for back taxes who took his last $600 shoving me penniless into the streets homeless. … I want the following placed on my grave marker and nothing else….”

The Protagonist recites to himself out loud his epitaph that has been figuratively handed to him after 26 years of devotion to the U.S. Government:

“For Outstanding Service and Loyalty to Country
Stigmatized and Slandered
Betrayed and Dishonored
Impoverished and Homeless
Discarded and Forgotten
Blacklisted by a Grateful Nation!”

(Tony Bennett’s song: “Who Can I Turn To – When Nobody Needs Me” plays in the background.)

INSIGHT (4), STIGMA – DISCARDED AND FORGOTTEN: Even at the darkest of hours in your life, Devine intervention seems to mysteriously present itself to give you hope. [ACT 2A]

E. CONFLICT (5), STREET JUSTICE – A TASTE OF YOUR OWN MEDICINE: The Protagonist having previously conducted a thorough surveillance of the Antagonist’s neighborhood to include ingress and egress routes and blind spots he can use to his advantage waits for the prey to return to his lodging. The neighborhood is heavily foliaged with trees and woodland debris, so the Protagonist makes use of a ‘ghillie suit’ lined with a space blanket to further reduce thermal imagery to further mask his surreptitious mission of evening.

Suddenly, the Protagonist sees the Antagonist approaching in his car and engages his network of WIFI jammers effectively disrupting cell phone, security camera, GPS, drones and his garage door. The network covers an area as few as 30 to 1500 meters needed to disrupt the respected targeted devices. As the Antagonist wheels into his driveway of his Fairfax County home in Virginia late that evening after dark he exits his car wondering why his garage door is not opening. Apparently dressed on a last-minute errand before the evening is wearing a pajama top and leisure jogging pants. The Protagonist wastes no time and approaches from behind immediately incapacitating the Antagonist using a dart gun filled with ‘GHB’ — commonly known as a date rape drug “G.” The next scene is the Profound Ending the next morning when the audience sees the visual display the Antagonist is found in.

INSIGHT (5), STREET JUSTICE – A TASTE OF YOUR OWN MEDICINE: Payback is a bitch!

3. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” (place at top of your work). The additional layering adds more depth, substance and emotional opportunities to reach the audience, in addition to entertaining.
4. Post to the forums at https://www.screenwritingclasses.com/forums/
Subject line: (Your name’s) Delivers Insights Through Conflict (place in first line)

***FYI, the content I am posting has been registered (as a Treatment) with the Screenwriters Guild and copyrighted through the Library of Congress. When I am done with the script, it too will be registered and copyrighted. I understand what we post here is to be treated as such in the same manner.***

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Napier Turn Insights into Actions

***FYI, content I am posting has been registered (as a Treatment) with the Screenwriters Guild and copyrighted through the Library of Congress. When I am done with the script, it too will be registered and copyrighted. I understand what we post here is to be treated as such in the same manner.

ASSIGNMENT 2

I believe this exercise addresses more ‘Show me than Tell me’ for the audience to absorb the message being pushed.

1. Create a list of the New Ways and Insights you’d like audiences to experience when they watch your movie.
A. ACTION (1): Seven years after pulling himself off the streets homeless, the hero runs for federal office. He brings attention to his cause to represent the Discarded and Forgotten; qualifying as the first in the nation to use “In-Kind” contributions as a low budget Independent candidate and proves the low income and impoverish too can run for federal office.
INSIGHT (1): You can recover from adversity and loss – “Keep Standing.” [ACT 2B]

B. ACTION (2): The hero thumbs through a press release where a Federal District Judge in Washington, DC orders the CIA to release its reports on the number of child pornography cases (10 in all) the Agency has suppressed internally to disclose, let alone released to the public. The hero notices the incident he reported is not one of them. He wonders to himself, if his is not disclosed, just how many more is the CIA refusing to disclose, despite a federal court order? And why was only one case prosecuted? Answer—that person did not have access to sensitive programs.
INSIGHT (2): More oversight of the Intelligence Community is needed. [ACT 2B]

C. ACTION (3): The hero’s efforts to mass mail, produce press releases, organize protests, and place politicians on both sides of the isle on the defensive sheds light on the CIA underground culture which forces change in Agency policies to prosecute predators regardless of access to sources and methods.
INSIGHT (3): It takes only ‘ONE’ to be a force multiplier to make change.

D. ACTION (4): Hero testifies before Congressional hearing on Whistleblower Protections and points out how Whistleblowers are nothing but political pawns for their use to badger their opponents across the isle. Current protections are just ‘window dressing’ and offer no support or services during their ordeal.
INSIGHT (4): Whistleblowers need more protections and support. [ACT 3]

E. ACTION (5): Stigmatized as a loser for being a strip dancer, the people at the bar he performs at are taken aback to discover the hero’s photo album that shows how he used to have successful careers in both the CIA and US Army Reserves before becoming homeless. They corner him and ask what happened.
INSIGHT (5): Don’t judge the homeless as a ‘Nobody,’ as they use to be a ‘Somebody.’ [I may consider shifting this to follow the opening scene of ACT 1 vs ACT 2A]
2. With that list, brainstorm ways to turn the New Ways / Insights into Action. Come up with at least five (5) New Ways and the Action that will express them.
3. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” (place at top of your work). I believe this exercise addresses more ‘Show me than Tell me’ for the audience to absorb the message being pushed.
4. Post to the forums at https://www.ScreenwritingClasses.com/forums
Subject line: (Your name’s) Turns Insights Into Action (place in first line)

***FYI, content I am posting has been registered (as a Treatment) with the Screenwriters Guild and copyrighted through the Library of Congress. When I am done with the script, it too will be registered and copyrighted. I understand what we post here is to be treated as such in the same manner.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Napier Living Metaphor

I believed the intent is to add more layering to the scene and create alternative ways of looking at a problem presented. Is the glass half full or half empty? I can argue the glass is actually completely full either way and that even after you drink the content of the water that the glass is still full. Full of oxygen.

***FYI, content I am posting has been registered (as a Treatment) with the Screenwriters Guild and copyrighted through the Library of Congress. When I am done with the script, it too will be registered and copyrighted. I understand what we post here is to be treated as such in the same manner.

Brainstorm at least five of each of today’s challenges that you can put in your screenplay.
A. Go through your story outline or script and brainstorm the following: – 5 Should Work, But Doesn’t challenges – 5 Living Metaphor challenges
Should Work, But Don’t
A. Three Navy S.E.A.L.s: Three (3) Navy S.E.A.L. Snipers [the best, of the best, of the best] on a covert mission to take out an Al Qaeda facilitator at 460 meters; and yet on that day, they could not hit water if they fell out of a boat in the Atlantic.

Old Way: Navy S.E.A.L.s never miss; Challenge: Long helicopter flight to base knocks optics off; Plays Out: Used to stop two more efforts by the S.E.A.L. teams and a Case Officer who has bad intelligence that the Al Qaida facilitator has returned when in fact its an older brother they are mistaking for him. It is believed that the CO’s asset is trying to knock off a rival and or is trying to win favor with the CO for money. The Hero has experienced this firsthand himself and put a stop to it. I would include this as one of the points while briefing Congressional Delegation on successes in ACT 2A.
B. Fabricated Ruse: After the embarrassing report to Washington, CIA Station leadership — in retaliation –attempt to accuse the CIA officer of overcharging the Agency $14,000 (a felony) that would normally lead to prosecution but failed. The Agency’s Office of Security who would normally pursue prosecution for even just one hour of unjustifiable overtime anticipated a retaliation and took no measures to question, investigate, charge nor prosecute the CIA officer in the four years that followed.
Old Way: An accusation by Station leadership would normally not be questioned, but carried out; Challenge: The Hero stepping in to grease the skids with Headquarters investigators regarding the case averts criminal charges from being pursued; Plays Out: I would use this as part of the Turning Point in ACT 1.
C. Justice does not Always Prevail: The CIA officer hoped that justice would prevail when he was being Blacklisted, since he had right on his side, but that was not the case four (4) years later as he was shoved into the streets penniless and soon to be sentenced to chronic homelessness for the next five (5) years for doing the right thing.
Old Way: Right does not make mite; Challenge: The system being controlled and directed by his adversaries to focus on the Hero leaves him at a disadvantage; Plays Out: To be used demonstrating the Blacklisting as it unfolds in ACT 2A.
D. Unexpected Twist of Irony and Failure: After the CIA Station in Iraq conducted its diligent investigation to warrant the expulsion of the wrong team member, the CIA officer soon discovers the system fails when he uncovers the facts that not only was Child Pornography involved and placed on two (2) CIA Top Secret computers, but that the Agency historically has not prosecuted predators, let along repeat offenders because of their access to sensitive classified sources and methods that may prove damaging to national security. Under any other government entity, a normal open and shut case, failed.
Old Way: Felonies are normally prosecuted; Challenge: Due to access to sensitive sources and methods their wrongdoing thwarts (shields) from prosecution; Plays Out: During a Congressional Oversight Committee hearing it is raised as well as CIA’s apparent role in the ‘Dasht-i-Leili Massacre’ of 2001 in ACT 3.
E. Effective Program Declared a Failure: In the mountains of Afghanistan along the border, a CIA PSYOP power projection platform (radio station) had demonstrated its effectiveness in the region broadcasting as far as 30 miles away and across the border into Pakistan in support of influence operations. It has demonstrated program verification in supporting the PSYOP efforts so well that insurgents and the Taliban have attacked it eight (8) times. They view the platform as a threat to their operations. Bags normally used to pack 50 lbs of wheat are filled 80% to the top on a monthly basis with letters that are hand delivered to the station requesting music, poetry or express appreciation and praise for the station. Yet, despite all the successes, the CIA Chief of Station orders it shut down claiming it is not affective –a deliberate act of sabotage.
Old Way: Demonstrated success of operation; Challenge: Deliberate sabotage of a program for a personal vengeance and overall efforts by Antagonist to retaliate and Blacklist; Plays Out: The anticipated return of the Hero back into the combat zone is stalled enabling the final curtain to fall on the Hero as he is being Blacklisted in ACT 2A.

Living Metaphor
A. Night Letter Operation: In an effort to clean up the Navy S.E.A.L. teams’ botched operation that jeopardized exposing U.S. involvement and created a blood feud that would result in the CIA officer’s asset being killed, the CIA PSYOP officer used ‘a pinch full of convincing lies’ to show the facilitator was trying to defect to the Afghan government using a ‘night letter operation.’ Multiple letters were dispersed throughout the region showing the facilitator’s picture and application to the Afghan government requesting asylum and a pardon. What the surrounding villages on the Afghan/Pak border did not know was that only Afghanis could apply for such sanctuary. The letter called for locals to finish the job. The Al Qaeda facilitator as a result fled the region as a result and the Hero disrupted Al Qaeda’s efforts in the region for two years that followed.
Old Way: Capture or killing is the way to remove terrorists off the playing field; Challenge: Alternative method is to use PSYOP to undermine credibility of a leader to lose his followers and support; Plays Out: The Hero uses a night letter operation to undermine the Al Qaida facilitator’s credibility to the surrounding villagers in his sphere of influence that forces him to flee in fear for his life and disrupts his operations in the region is what will be used as a contributing success point to the CODEL briefing in ACT 2 A.
B. Schools Supplies: Following the Navy S.E.A.L. operation, their presence were observed by villagers calmly exiting from the village school waving goodbye to those who came running after a large volley of shots are heard echoing through the two villages sitting opposite of each other along the border. The CIA Chief of Station later orders the PSYOP officer to ‘hide the hand’ of the U.S. Government given the serious political fallout potential with the Pakistani government. Village elders are convinced that U.S. forces were involved in the shooting of the individual in question. The PSYOP officer calls the elders together to explain that school supplies were the purpose of the American presence in their village and that is why they were chatting with the school master. The PSYOP officer presents $1,000 in receipts of supplies recently purchased and waive that in the tribal elders’ faces for bona fides. They were captivated by this notion. The PSYOP officer explains how “our forces merely heard the shootings and wanted to exit the area than bring harm to villagers.” The PSYOP officer goes on to explain that past experience has shown when using dynamite to widen the roads in the area that the acoustics of the three valleys merging causes the sound to come from a multitude of different directions. All the elders agree. The PSYOP officer notes that most likely the shooting was carried out on the Pakistani side of the border as a result of a blood feud and that base forces were not involved. “After all…did you see our guys running or carrying long barrel sniper weapons? “ Their reply was no. The elders agreed with the PSYOP officer’s explanation, and the U.S. hand was hidden.
Old Way: Flat out denial of U.S. involvement in the cross-border shooting that many witnesses heard and many saw U.S. forces present; Challenge: Using plain truth of our force’s actions at the scene, knowledge of the terrain features, luck on our side that I just purchased $1,000 worth of school supplies just days before, and a pinch full of bull shit saved the day; Plays Out: I would use this as part of the CODEL briefing point on successes for ACT 2A.
C. Rise of the Phoenix: All homeless people are drug addicts or alcoholics who remain on the streets forever is the stigma forced upon them. However, the audience would be like to learn of one who beat the odds. In this case the Hero whose demise forced him into an abandonment of self to survive during a period when not much infrastructure, let alone guidance was in place to support the homeless. Following the Great Recession of 2009, the CIA officer joins the ranks of ‘the walking dead’ (675,000) who were homeless in the U.S.. The Hero adapts to his environment metamorphosizing and adapting to street life. The only opportunity he could find to put food in his hands was strip dancing at Gay bars. As time went on he was able to regroup and pull himself off the streets and eventually run for U.S. Congress drawing attention to the CIA’s policy on predators and forcing change.
Old Way: Homelessness equals failure in life; Challenge: Using the Hero as the example that one can regroup and move forward after homelessness; Plays Out: ACT 2B.
D. Counter-Suicide Bombers: The Taliban and Al Qaida often used video of their suicide bombers carrying out their mission to support their recruitment efforts and propaganda against U.S. and Coalition forces. Apparently, the idea of going out in the blaze in the glory for Allah encouraged many to step forward. In an effort to undermine the terrorists’ recruitment efforts, the CIA officer arranges for the Afghan Minister of Defense to have the media (local and international) come together in a press conference and interview the two suicide bombers the Hero assisted by a Case Officer to defect. Of course, the assistance of 14 other Taliban commanders who had previously defected was required. Nonetheless, the media discovered how the terrorists mainly recruited individuals living in extreme poverty to do their bidding. The victims were normally loaded up with heroin (an extremely addictive drug that takes weeks to wean off) and read passages from the Koran to encourage their victim to carry out a mission. News of the interview spread like wildfire across the neighboring countries bordering Afghanistan and was the topic of discussion for weeks underscoring the terrorists’ recruiting efforts when it was discovering how the recruits were drugged and targeted because they were orphans.
Old Way: Detect and destroy the suicide bomber or identify and take out the bomb maker of the suicide vests; Challenge: Target the recruits and educate the populace as a whole how victims are exploited, recruited, drugged and used by the terrorists who refuse to take on the challenge themselves; Plays Out: I would use this as part of the CODEL briefing point on successes for ACT 2A.
E. A Pinch Full of Convincing Lies: Shortly after the presidential election of Barrack Hussein Obama (Afghanis thought he was America’s first Muslim president) a Democrat Congressional delegation (CODEL) was sent to Afghanistan to interview CIA and senior military personnel. Falcon Base was told to be ready to host the delegation. When the Hero is asked by the CODEL to list his five top successful operations and what makes the CIA officer’s PSYOP operations so successful. He rattles off his top five operations and answers their one and only main question:….“I took a page out of former president Bill Clinton’s Democrat rule book where he once said…””When it comes to selling foreign and domestic policies to the American people….I’d rather have a pinch full of convincing lies than a handful of truth!”” “ The CODEL’s response was a….’harrumph’ followed by laughter and the quick exit from the debriefing room.
Old Way: Provide an honest briefing on successes and workflow process on how PSYOP is done; Challenge: Give the Democrat CODEL a taste of their own medicine using a direct quote from former president Bill Clinton (the video was on YouTube in 2008, but was taken down following the briefing to the CODEL interestingly enough); Plays Out: I would use this as part of the CODEL briefing point on successes for ACT 2A.
With each, tell us the Old Way and the Challenge, and how you think it might play out in your story. SEE ANSWERS in section A above where it is included.
B. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” (place at top of your work). I believed the intent is to add more layering to the scene and create alternative ways of looking at a problem presented. Is the glass half full or half empty? I can argue the glass is actually completely full either way and that even after you drink the content of the water that the glass is still full. Full of oxygen.
C. Post to the forums at https://www.screenwritingclasses.com/forums/
Subject line: (Your name’s) Living Metaphors (place in first line)
***FYI, content I am posting has been registered (as a Treatment) with the Screenwriters Guild and copyrighted through the Library of Congress. When I am done with the script, it too will be registered and copyrighted. I understand what we post here is to be treated as such in the same manner.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Napier Counterexamples

***FYI, content I am posting has been registered (as a Treatment) with the Screenwriters Guild and copyrighted through the Library of Congress. When I am done with the script too will be registered and copyrighted. I understand what we post here is to be treated as such in the same manner.

This is more like a “show me…don’t tell me” scenarios being unfolding in layers using Dialogue, Experience and Character to call into question or challenge to cause doubt.

1. Go through your story outline or script and brainstorm the following:
o 5 Question Challenges to an Old Way.
A. Are CIA Case Officers “the tip of the spear” in their profession?
B. Is the CIA above the law and untouchable?
C. Why does the CIA not prosecute those engaged in the sexual exploitation of children?
D. Is it not unusual to see operational successes of assets suddenly end in failure?
E. Why would you take on an enemy, if you do not intend to destroy them to the core?
F. Are not all homeless people just lazy or are drug addicts, perhaps even alcoholics that don’t not want to work or that is what caused them to be homeless? After all they want to be homeless, or they would have gotten off the streets!
o 5 Counterexamples to an Old Way.
A. DIALOGUE: “If that were the case, why are some unaware they are being controlled by their assets?
B. EXPERIENCE: Experience tells us that CIA answers to the executive branch and two Congressional intelligence oversight committees, but unlike the IRS it’s a rogue mafia element of the U.S. Government that instills fear even in congress.
C. DIALOGUE: “Where do we draw the line between national security and a predator’s sexual exploitation of children?”
D. EXPERIENCE: Under normal circumstances when the assets have been vetted, polygraphed showing no deception and demonstrate program verification the answer is NO! But when deliberate sabotage is applied….YES!
E. CHARACTER: Antagonist intentionally ignores the intended fate of Dasht-i-Leili Massacre.
F. CHARACTER: Some with perseverance and fortitude “Keep Standing.”

Important: This might be 5 questions to one Old Way or 5 questions to 5 Old Ways.
2. With each, tell us the Challenge and the Old Way, and how you think it might play out in your story.
A. CIA Case Officers sometimes think their assets are the greatest thing and fall in love (not literally) thinking they can do no wrong. The story reflects a couple of incidents where assets turned out to be a intentionally feeding misinformation, several from the same family or a double agent. Simple asset validation tests and done routinely would have exposed them. I intend to use these in ACT2 A demonstrating successes of the Hero in contrast to trained Case Officers with egos, just before the Hero is Blacklisted to demonstrate a contradiction of reward and punishment. Abuse of powers will be also addressed.
B. The CIA as the untouchable will be displayed in ACT 3 when addressing accountability regarding not just their failure in not prosecuting predators of children (until 2023…after being exposed) but the role of the CIA team during the Dasht-i-Leili Massacre.
C. This question will be theme in the Opening Scene, ACT 1 and Act 3 putting the CIA in an embarrassing position to respond. It was not until efforts in 2021 through 2022 that forced the CIA to change its policies in 2023.
D. This issue will be raised during Act 2A to show the audience a sharp contrast of successes that suddenly end in failure because of sabotage and retaliations that are clandestinely taking shape.
E. To be addressed in ACT 3 as a setup and payoff in the end closing.
F. This will be addressed in ACT 2B. When you become homeless for whatever reason you are not just bankrupted financially, you are bankrupted physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. Over time you become an abandonment of self in self-worth and self-esteem as you join the ranks of ‘the walking dead.’ In time though with perseverance and fortitude, some of us despite getting knocked down always keep getting back up and “Keep Standing.”
3. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” (place at top of your work). This is more like a “show me…don’t tell me” scenarios being unfolding in layers using Dialogue, Experience and Character to call into question or challenge to cause doubt.
4. Post to the forums at https://www.screenwritingclasses.com/forums/
Subject line: (Your name’s) Counterexamples (place in first line)

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Napier 12 Angry Men Analysis

***FYI, content I am posting has been registered (as a Treatment) with the Screenwriters Guild and copyrighted through the Library of Congress. When I am done with the script too will be registered and copyrighted. I understand what we post here is to be treated as such in the same manner.

I believe the intent is to ascertain what causes us to change our minds when we are dead set on our customs, beliefs and prejudices.
1. Click this link to pull up the Old Ways / Challenge Chart.
2. Watch the movie 12 ANGRY MEN. As you do, fill in the Old Ways you see; using the chart, make a list of Old Ways for the movie — habits, assumptions, filters of perception, beliefs, social values, rules, etc. – and the Challenges presented to those Old Ways.

HABBITS: CHALLENGE:
-How many times you threaten to kill someone -Making threats you do not mean
-Not caring about outcome -Kid’s life deserves consideration
-Judgmental about the slums and people -Make them question themselves
-Just want to get this over with -Forced them to focus on case

ASSUMPTIONS: CHALLENGE:
-Assumption of guilt -Burden of proof on government
-Being raised in the Slums make a criminal -Stigma of being different
-Kid stabbed father downward with a knife -Switchblade knife you shove upward
-Knife was unique one of a kind -Identical knife bought from same store
-Assuming evidence is not questionable -Reenacts crime
-Assuming Witnesses are accurate -Reassesses claims
-Assuming Defense Attorney did his job -Reassess Defense Attorney’s motives
-Assuming case is logical -Test facts and preconceived notions

FILTERS OF PERCEPTION: CHALLENGE:
-Kid is product of his environment (a thug) -Look beneath the surface (background)
-Quick to judge without weighing the facts -Pushed to talk and evaluate the testimony
-The knife used is unique one of a kind -Second knife is identical to the first knife
-Personal vendetta, hate and prejudice -Cannot hear you and never will

BELIEFS: CHALLENGE:
-Guilty because kid is on trial -Burden of proof is prosecution not defense
-Slums and broken homes breed criminals -Stigma
-Kid is a bad apple from birth -Juror sees kid as his son who he ran off
-Why are you polite? -For same reason you are rude – upbringing

SOCIAL VALUES: CHALLENGE:
-Go with the flow with others guilty verdict -Standing ground on principle
-Facts determine the case -You can fit facts anyway you like

RULES: CHALLENGE:
-Guilty verdict means death penalty -Testimony needs to be accurate
-Judge gives guidance for verdict -Guilty or Reasonable Doubt unanimously

Post your answers to #2 into the forums under Day 9. (But no attachments, please.)

3. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” (place at top of your work). I believe the intent is to ascertain what causes us to change our minds when we are dead set on our customs, beliefs and prejudices.
Post to the forums at https://www.screenwritingclasses.com/forums/

ASSIGNMENT 2

Napier Challenging Old Ways

1. Click this link to pull up a blank Old Ways / Challenge Chart.
2. Using the chart, make a list of Old Ways for your story — habits, assumptions, filters of perception, beliefs, social values, rules, etc. for your story.

HABBITS: CHALLENGE:
-Ignoring wrongdoings/blunders -Cost of doing business
-Don’t challenge hostile environment, move on
-Accepting cultural norms of retaliations
-Never question or challenge Godlike deities
-Egos are in abundance, particularly in Operations

ASSUMPTIONS: CHALLENGE:
-CIA is the ‘tip of the spear’ and knows all -The only thing 100% certain at CIA is that
it’s never 100% certain

FILTERS OF PERCEPTION: CHALLENGE:
-CIA gathers and shares intelligence -Exposing behind the scenes “3 Stooges”
for protecting our country from threats operations
-CIA operates like a well oil machine -When CIA blunders you know it

BELIEFS: CHALLENGE:
-U.S. is a Constitutional Republic -Exposing how business is really done
that protects against tyranny, limits and how the wall between the CIA and FBI
of government, and separation of powers has nearly been removed

-Rule of Law establishes accountabilities for all -Answers only to the Executive Branch with
oversight by Congress

SOCIAL VALUES: CHALLENGE:
-Mission of the CIA is to collect foreign -Overlooked principles adopted by society
Intelligence, produce objective analysis, (Constitution, laws, and policies) and not
and conduct covert operations target deliberately against Americans

-Cloak and Daggar ‘above the law’ shielded by -Blew off Federal Judge’s order
the protections of sources and methods involved

RULES: CHALLENGE:
-Made to be broken and like facts, -Exposing the truth
made to be fit anyway you want it to be

-Not spy on Americans -Wall between the CIA and FBI came down
following 9/11 terrorist attacks

3. Fill in any ideas you have for ways to challenge each of the Old Ways.
4. Post your answers to #2 and #3 into the forums under Day 9. (But no attachments, please.)
5. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” (place at top of your work). I learned to help focus my subplots more in-depth to make for more supportive story telling of the theme .
6. Post to the forums at https://www.ScreenwritingClasses.com/forums
Subject line: (Your name’s) Old Ways Challenge Chart (place in first line)

• This reply was modified 9 months ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier. Reason: Posting Lesson 1 and Lesson 2
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Napier Lesson 8 Profound Endings

***FYI, content I am posting has been registered (as a Treatment) with the Screenwriters Guild and copyrighted through the Library of Congress. When I am done with the script too will be registered and copyrighted. I understand what we post here is to be treated as such in the same manner.

I learned how the profound ending is layered with setups and payoffs and encouraged to add twists and unexpected turns to offset the audience’s anticipation of what one might expect to happen. It forces me to go back and thinking backwards to add bread crumbs that set the audience up for the unexpected ending.

1. What is your Profound Truth and how will it be delivered powerfully in your ending?
–The profound truth of my story is … In life you will get up more times than you are knocked down….so Keep Standing! This suggests that a person needs to keep moving forward through difficult times, not left or right through distractions and never give up hope.
–I plan to use a subtext image and line that has been set up earlier that means the Profound Truth.

2. How do your lead characters (Change Agent and Transformable Characters) come to an end in a way that represents the completed change? The TC has accomplished the task of publicly embarrassing the Agency and forcing it to change its policies to begin prosecution of predators of child porn, regardless of their access to sensitive and classified material. The Antagonist is called before Congress to explain his actions under the Wartime Suspension of Limitations Act that ends his advisory role career with the U.S. government as a contractor, particularly after being exposed for the Dasht-i-Leili Massacre. A year later, the Antagonist meets his fate that sends chills up the CIA channels worldwide that has senior leadership looking over their shoulders.

3. What are the setup/payoffs that complete in the end of this movie, giving it deep meaning? The setups will suggest the Antagonist will go unpunished and the payoffs will show in fact he will pay the ultimate price–his life through street justice. The Protagonist who is experienced at “hiding the hand of the U.S. government” — as he did during all his operations – will be expected to confront his nemeses on his own terms, applying his tradecraft and ultimately walk free with satisfaction his honor is restored and the CIA is sent a message. The Protagonist setups include ads and press releases from his campaign for congress in the prominent newspapers drawing attention to his plight as a “political prisoner” under threat of persecution. Staging “rent a mobs” (using the homeless) to protest at the CIA Headquarters and on Capital Hill will draw additional press coverage. The payoffs will be to force CIA to be dragged before Congress for accountability and hearings covered under the Wartime Suspension of Limitations Act that is anticipated to soon expire. The Antagonist is merely being defiant and deliberately stalling for the Congressional Shit Show and the WSLA to run their course, but not before he is quoted to say…"You don't take on an enemy unless you plan to destroy them down to the core!" The Protagonist will let things cool down a bit before he strikes out at the Antagonist 6 months later…. when the biggest payoff for the Protagonist will be the restoration of his honor.

4. How are you designing it to have us see an inevitable ending and then making it surprising when it happens? The inevitable ending is focused on holding the CIA accountable and forcing change in its policies. Unexpectedly, we shift to autumn leaves to the front yard of the Antagonist a year later where we find his body in the front yard and the shock value of how he is on display.

5. What is the Parting Image/Line that leaves us with the Profound Truth in our minds? In the story I plan to use the image of the Antagonist suspended in midair by a pole cemented into the ground of his front yard that has been shoved up through his anus and protruding out of his mouth (like the days of the Crusades). A CIA pendant is attached to the lapel of his pajama top. A note will be found at his feet weighted down by a rock that reads….
“In life…most of us liked to get kissed before we get fucked….You just got fucked!… Keep Standing!”

6. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” (place at top of your work). I learned how the profound ending is layered with setups and payoffs and encouraged to add twists and unexpected turns to offset the audience’s anticipation of what one might expect to happen. It forces me to go back and thinking backwards to add bread crumbs that set the audience up for the unexpected ending.

• This reply was modified 9 months, 1 week ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.
• This reply was modified 9 months, 1 week ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.
• This reply was modified 9 months ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.

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Napier Connection with the Audience Lesson 7

***FYI, content I am posting has been registered (as a Treatment) with the Screenwriters Guild and copyrighted through the Library of Congress. When I am done with the script too will be registered and copyrighted. I understand what we post here is to be treated as such in the same manner.

“What I learned doing this assignment is…?” I believe that I learned to develop further subtext and subplots that add depth to the story.
1. Tell us which characters you are going to INTENTIONALLY create a connection with the audience. Transformational Character and the Change Agent are the two primary characters I will intentionally create a connection for the audience.
2. With each character, tell us how you’ll use each of the four ways of connecting with the audience in the first 30 minutes of the movie. A. Relatability B. Intrigue C. Empathy D. Likability
TC:
–Relatability: Honoring principles and values to do the right thing in reporting a crime, being falsely accused of wrongdoing; and change an institution’s cultural norm that it is above the law.
–Intrigue: Raising the question on why is a ‘repeat offender’ still employed, much less not prosecuted for engaging in Child Pornography? How are CIA senior executives’ record of “business as usual and cultural norms” allowed to:
–Get civilian, CIA personnel and hostages killed;
–Blunder overlooking counterintelligence issues;
–Lose track of one of the 9/11 hijackers;
–Create hostile work environments;
–Look the other way when knowing as many as 2,000 to 3,000 Taliban prisoners of war are stuffed into train box cars and dumped in the desert to die ( known as the “Convoy of Death” or “Dasht-i-Leili Massacre”);
–Not held accountable for abusing titles, positions and authorities to use Agency resources for personal vendettas.
–Yet, the hero reports wrongdoing and illegal activity, but he is the one Blacklisted.
–Empathy: Feeling gut instincts that something is wrong, but reluctance to act upon. confront or be assertive – stand your ground when it’s your ass (though you do it for others). Retaliation that results in chronic homelessness, a life-threatening diagnosis and stigma.
–Likability: When expelling a team member for an alleged offense, but discover the outcome to be wrong the hero points out the CIA Stations’ wrongdoing to save the victim’s reputation. The hero, even when homeless, helps others who seek his protection. The bond between the hero and his dog.
CH:
–Relatability: The antagonist has the typical chip on his shoulder as a Case Officer—arrogant. Being in the Directorate of Operations’ Special Activities Division along with serving in unique powerful positions of the CIA allows him to exert influence in US government policies.
–Intrigue: How could he have looked the other way when as many as 2,000 to 3,000 Taliban prisoners of war were massacre and laughed about it …”It’s a lucky thing I wrote that up!”
–Empathy: He thinks he is the untouchable and treated as a ‘god like deity.’ Recruited by the CIA after serving in the US Army Special Forces he rises quickly through the Agency ranks and abuses his position for personal interests.
–Likability: Take aggressive actions against anyone who bruises his ego or stands in his way as he moves to the top. He uses his position for his own personal vendetta and gains. Is selfish, self-centered, glory hunter and arrogant.
3. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” (place at top of your work). I believe that I learned to develop further subtext and subplots that add depth to the story.

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Napier Transformational Structure

***FYI, content I am posting has been registered (as a Treatment) with the Screenwriters Guild and copyrighted through the Library of Congress. When I am done with the script too will be registered and copyrighted. I understand what we post here is to be treated as such in the same manner.

What I learned doing this assignment is…?” (place at top of your work). I basically learned to use my sub loglines for the Four Act Structure to serve as the foundation for creating my Mini Movies.

1. Tell us your Transformational Logline. When a CIA Whistleblower becomes a victim of injustice–and an abandonment of self to survive–he must “Keep Standing” to restore honor, influence change and pursue accountability.
2. Tell us who the main character will be: Change Agent: Transformational Character(s): The Change Agent is a powerful CIA executive who is considered to be a God like deity at the Agency. The Transformational Character is a CIA officer who exposes the CIA’s hidden cultural norm.
3. List out your Mini-Movie structure, (or whatever structure you’ve chosen) for your story.
–MM #1 – Pages 1 – 15 – As many as 325,000 children are at risk of sexual exploitation in the U.S. annually, despite efforts by the U.S. government. However, one agency stood out choosing not to prosecute predators —– the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). A CIA officer in Baghdad, Iraq encounters a dilemma after a midnight mission in a hostile combat environment unveils a twist to the misleading scenario, he is originally provided by Station leadership. He will soon discover he is left holding the bag as he uncovers a custom whereby violators of child pornography are not held accountable. Standing by his values, he reports the Station’s shortcomings to Washington gambling his actions will be supported, only to provoke additional backlash from a powerful adversary who is already upset with the Officer’s liaison teams embedded with military commands who expressed concerns with CIA support—a repeat of the conditions reported during Operation Desert Storm in 1990. [Opening Scene and ACT 1]

*Turning Point: Call to Adventure.

–MM #2 – Pages 15 – 30 – The CIA officer has experienced his fair share of hostile work environments that exist at the CIA Station for the past 3 months – mostly because of his home office foul ups – and decides not to stick around any further to be the whipping boy following his report in official channels. His unfavorable report exposes a ‘repeat’ offender engaged in the downloading of Child Pornography on two CIA Top Secret computers. So rather than put up with further hostilities or bother to confront senior Station executives, he chooses to depart Iraq on his own terms refusing to believe his own gut instincts that his career is about to take a change for the worse for the doing right thing with no recourse, if his decision backfires. [ACT 1]

*Turning Point: Locked in.

–MM #3 – Pages 30 – 45 – The CIA officer seeks assistance from his home office in Washington and the Agency’s Office of Security overseeing the investigation as cover to prevent the initial barrage of retaliations as he redeploys to Afghanistan. At first, this action proves successful for the short term, despite multiple attempts. Nonetheless, his adversary will eventually cross paths again and exert greater influence over his destiny than they could before. Meanwhile, the CIA officer goes on to experience several high-profile operational successes exposing a counterintelligence failure, defection of 14 Taliban leaders, two suicide bombers and 120 fighting age males, disrupted an Al Qaida facilitator while cleaning up a failed Navy S.E.A.L. mission, destroyed terrorists’ supply lines, undermined support from the local populace and created a division with recruitment efforts; and ultimately disrupt enemy efforts that save American soldiers’ lives. All under the guise of trying (hoping) to maintain his own ‘low profile,’ while carrying on with his mission. Unfortunately, he is unaware his efforts are being monitored by one of the Antagonist’s henchmen. [ACT 2A]

*Turning Point: Standard ways fail.

–MM #4 – Pages 45 — 60 – Unbeknownst to our hero the Station leadership have assumed new leadership positions at the CIA that will have a direct impact on his future. Both abuse their titles, positions and authorities as a weapon to destroy using Agency resources to carry out their revenge. So, when the CIA officer is surprised to learn he is being sent home as a ruse he grows uncomfortable as his instincts tell him he is in danger, particularly when he is asked to turn over his credentials and diplomatic passport. Despite the inner alarm, he takes still takes no action to challenge the actions of his office. After returning home he learns too that his luggage containing four years of tax information is stolen from the check in counter where the CIA has a collocated facility. He becomes even more disheartened when the CIA officer learns he is being Blacklisted. He begins contesting the Agency’s decision only to learn he has been betrayed by his own boss. He must walk a tight rope when seeking outside help as risk exposing sources and methods could carry significant prison time. Unfortunately, when it rains it pours as he is struck down with an illness that turns out to be life changing event leaving him chronically homeless on the streets with his dog for the next five years. He is left penniless with the IRS takes his last $600 as he joins the ranks of the 675,000 ‘walking dead’ who were left homeless too, following the Great Recession in 2009. [ACT 2A]

*Turning Point: Plan backfires.

–MM #5 – Pages 60 — 75 – Four years pass, and our hero is not just bankrupted financially, but bankrupted physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. He has tried to commit suicide four times, but in each case, it seems Devine intervention prevents his death. He has become an abandonment of self and turns to drugs his fourth year on the streets to escape reality. He has survived 110 degrees in the shade of a car to minus 22 degrees below zero living for an entire month off the land. However, it is not until his dog faces death that leaves him panic stricken begging for her to live that he decides he must improve his situation than drag his baby down with him. He decides it is time to pull himself together, pursue justice and restore his honor as his driving force. By the end of the 5th year, he pulls himself off the streets. [ACT 2B]

*Turning Point: The decision to change.

–MM #6– Pages 75 – 90 – Our hero begins to crawl from the ashes like the Phoenix symbolizing renewal and resurrection. His motto: “Keep Standing” is what inspires him to move forward, but he is still unstable in turning his weaknesses into opportunities for success. After landing a small studio he outlines his plan of attack to continue contesting the CIA’s actions and identifying what leverage is best to use against the CIA for its ignoring of child sex offenders in their midst. He decides the best offense is to flag the CIA’s hidden secret to the ‘powers that be in Washington. Then consider drawing more attention to his cause, he begins looking into running for U.S. Congressional office. Meanwhile, he continues to fight to restore his self-confidence, while battling his inner demons of flashbacks from the combat zones, PTSD, insomnia and episodes of severe depression. [ACT 2B]

*Turning Point: The ultimate failure.

–MM #7 – Pages 90 – 105 – Our hero is determined to expose the CIA’s hidden ‘cultural norm.’ He first begins a letter writing campaign exposing the journey he has had to overcome as a result of the CIA’s retaliation. He targets over 100 members of the U.S. House and Senate, all the Congressional Committees, the Director of National Intelligence, the White House Special Counsel and the CIA. His intentions are to force institutional change within the Agency. His nemesis is untouched as he retired from the CIA a few years earlier. His initiative, however, raises eyebrows and forces the Agency to begin upholding the law.

After consulting with the Federal Elections Commission who was intrigued by the notion, our hero becomes the first low budgeted federal candidate in the U.S. to use “In-Kind” contributions to qualify for office. He runs his entire campaign by himself and demonstrates that the low income and impoverish can pursue federal office. He uses his campaign to draw attention to his cause as he dispatches press releases directly into Washington, DC that catches the eye of an independent reporter.

The reporter sues the CIA in federal court who in turn orders the release of their reports (10 in all) that indicate the ‘Spector’ has not prosecuted individuals engaged in child sex trafficking or porn due to their access to classified material and covert programs. Oddly enough, the hero’s reported incident revealing the practice was not among the reports ordered released. Though our hero fails to win the congressional seat he sought; he succeeds in forcing change in the Agency’s policy. The following year the CIA publicly announces its prosecution of one of its own for possession of child pornography. At this point our hero feels most of his honor is restored and the CIA has been held answerable for their actions. [ACT 3]

*Turning Point: Apparent victory.

MM #8 – Pages 105 – 120 – After a year passes and the dust settles, the nemesis is found in the front yard of his place of residence. He is found partly seated in midair suspended by a long pole with the base cemented into the ground. The pole has been inserted as a vertical impalement that was commonly used during the Crusades era. It is inserted through his ass and protrudes out of his mouth as he is found looking skyward. On the body a CIA logo with the words… “Don’t create an enemy unless you intend to destroy them to the core!” As words spreads of his identity, Agency leadership is left cringing and looking over their shoulders. [ACT 3]

*Turning Point: New status quo.

4. Go back through and make sure you’ve covered each the following:
– The Transformational Journey listed in your logline.
– The Three Gradients.
– It is sequenced in Escalating Challenges.
5. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” (place at top of your work). I basically learned to use my sub loglines for the Four Act Structure to serve as the foundation for creating my Mini Movies.

• This reply was modified 9 months ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Mark N. ….Three Gradient
I learned that this format along with loglines for each ACT (in concert with the main logline) makes for a better layout in story mapping.

1. What is the Emotional Gradient you’ll use? The Emotion Gradient I will use is the “Desired Change” Gradient.
2. For each emotion of that gradient, tell us the following: A. Emotion: B. Action: C. Challenge / Weakness: A. Emotion: B. Action: C. Challenge / Weakness: A. Emotion: B. Action: C. Challenge / Weakness: Etc..
A. Emotion: EXCITEMENT; Action: A CIA officer is ordered to conduct a midnight rendition operation to expel a teammate from country; Challenge/Weakness: (Challenge). To avoid getting ass shot out of the air by insurgents. (Weakness) Being set up for failure if the ‘Acting’ Chief of Station does not have his facts and situational awareness accurate, otherwise the CIA officer is left holding the bag. [ACT 1]
B. Emotion: DOUBT; Action: The CIA officer refuses to believe his gut instincts that his career is about to take a change for the worse for the doing right thing, despite all the indicating signs; Challenge/Weakness: (Challenge) Confronting a powerful adversary head on without reinforcements. (Weakness) His employment position lacks the ‘golden parachute’ of protection. [ACT 1]
C. Emotion: HOPE; Action: The CIA Officer has had several high-profile operational successes and anticipates redeployment back to the Afghanistan theater to carry on with his mission, unaware his efforts have been sabotaged; Challenge/Weakness: (Challenge) The CIA officer seeks to maintain a low profile to return to Afghanistan and carry on with the mission. (Weakness) The CIA officer is not aware his powerful adversaries are in unique positions to destroy his career than they were four years earlier. [ACT 2A]
D. Emotion: DISCOURAGEMENT; Action: Not aware he is being deceived and soon Blacklisted his luggage–containing important documents–is stolen as part of the surreptitious actions contributing to a significant financial impact following the Great Recession of 2009, compounded by a life changing illness; Challenge/Weakness: (Challenge) Repeatedly confronting the CIA and risk exposing sources and methods that could carry significant prison time, in addition to trying to save his fortune he worked for over 30 years to obtain. (Weakness) Battling severe depression, PTSD, stigma and impending homelessness, while contesting the CIA’s actions. [ACT 2A]
E. Emotion: COURAGE; Action: After five years of chronic homelessness, the former CIA officer begins to crawl from the ashes and rubble like the Phoenix symbolizing renewal and resurrection to “Keep Standing;” Challenge/Weakness: (Challenge) Maintaining perseverance and fortitude. (Weakness) Fighting to restore his confidence, self-respect and self-worth, while battling his other inner demons. [ACT 2B]
F. Emotion: TRIUMPH; Action: After six years of coming out of his shell, the former CIA officer makes one last bid for change and justice by exposing the CIA’s practice to key power institutions in Washington, D.C. leading up to his campaign bid for U.S. House of Representative. This raises eyebrows and forces the Agency to uphold the law. An independent reporter in concert publishes an article following the elections while the former Agency officer carries out his own personal vendetta to restore his honor; Challenge/Weakness: (Challenge) As a low budget campaign, the CIA officer must qualify for office becoming the first in the nation to use “In-Kind” contributions demonstrating that even the low income can run for federal office. (Weakness) Running the campaign 100% by himself, while hiding his hand in street justice vengeance against his advisory that will force Agency executives to look over their shoulders. [ACT 3]

3. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” (place at top of your work). I learned that this format along with loglines for each ACT (in concert with the main logline) makes for a better layout in story mapping.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Mark N.
Lesson 4A. "What I learned doing this assignment is…?" (place at top of your work). I learn to peel the onion further on layering the characters’ roles and giving more depth to their interactions with the Protagonist and Change Agent.

1. Tell us your transformational journey logline. A CIA officer shies away from confrontation, despite instincts, that leads to chronic homelessness and rock bottom, before he declares war to set the record straight.
2. Tell us who you think might be your Change Agent and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role. Also, include: – Their vision: – Their past experience that fits that vision: The Change Agent is the former Deputy Chief of Station, in Iraq where the Whistleblower unearthed evidence that proved embarrassing to Station executives’ egos. The Change Agent is a very powerful Antagonist with the CIA who eventually becomes the Chief of Station in Afghanistan. This person gained his experience as a member of the CIA’s elite Special Activities Division within the Directorate of Operations. Following the 9/11 attacks he was the Deputy Team Leader of the Agency’s ‘First In’ element (a six man unit) that laid the ground work for linking up and coordinating with the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan that toppled the Taliban Regime from power. Following the attacks on the U.S., he said that he hated the terrorists so bad that he wanted revenge. He got his wish when he turned the other way when as many as 3,000 Taliban Prisoners of War were stuffed into train box cars and left in the desert to die in what would be later deemed “the Convoy of Death.” This Antagonist’s vision is to do whatever it takes to get even with the Protagonist and use ‘the system’ (unchallenged and unquestioned) to destroy. The Antagonists has a Covert Henchman at the base in Afghanistan to undermine the Protagonists successes.
3. Tell us who you think might be your Transformable Character(s) and give a few sentences about how that character or characters fit the role. The Transformable Character is the Protagonist (Mark Logan) who stands up for others, but not himself. He achieves success that in the end are undermined and his programs are suddenly shut down and discredited after nearly 4 years in the combat zones. A ruse is fabricated that leaves the Mark Logan Blacklisted during the Great Recession of 2009 and he goes through the emotional rollercoaster of changes from a professional to a complete failure in life as he spends the next 5 years homeless on the streets, before he starts to make his way off the streets and eventually runs for U.S. Congress. His crusade for draws attention to his cause for government accountability when he exposes the CIA’s practice of not prosecuting personnel for Child Porn, as opposed to committing treason. The protagonist carries out his own personal vendetta against the Antagonist giving him a taste of his own medicine…vengeance.
Select a character or characters who need to change — whether they know it or not — and design them to start with the Old Ways, to struggle through the journey, and to make the change to the New Way by the end of the movie.

4. Tell us who or what you think might be The Oppression and give a few sentences about how The Oppression works in your story. The CIA is the ‘untouchable’ when it comes to accountability of senior executives who abuse of title, position and authority. Because Agency employees and contractors are obligated to sign secrecy agreements that hinders grievances outside the CIA, personnel are subject to criminal prosecution for exposing egregious acts. Retaliations is also considered the ‘cultural norm’ where suppressing or destroying a life is a sport.
5. Tell us who you think might be your Betraying Character and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role. The Betraying Character in my story is named Joe. Joe is the Branch Chief (supervisor) for the Protagonist who not only is forthcoming with the Protagonist that he is being Blacklisted but continues to push the narrative for over a month before the Protagonist realizes what has happened. Once you leave the Agency, the chances for objections go un-noticed or ignored.
6. Answer the question "What I learned doing this assignment is…?" (place at top of your work). I learn to peel the onion further on layering the characters’ roles and giving more depth to their interactions with the Protagonist and Change Agent.

Lesson 4 B: We are looking at this movie from the perspective of the change that occurs for the lead character and the audience.
1. What is the change this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie? The change is about not following blindly, but take charge of your own destiny and shape your outcome in life to leave a legacy to remember. The Transformational Journey is about 7 young men being told what to do, when to do it and what their expected outcome in life is going to be. They go from following the herd to leading it for others to follow.
2. Lead characters:
o Who is the Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause the change? The Change Agent is Mr. Keating who instills upon his students to “seize the day” and develop their “own verse” in pursuing their life’s dreams and be happy. Mr. Keating encourage the students to go against the cultural norm and addresses himself and responds to “Oh Captain my Captain.” Mr. Keating has lived the change and instills thoughtful knowledge that leaves an impression that drives a teaching point home and stimulates critical thinking to ponder. He is not rigid and needs a stick surgically removed from his ass like the Director, Trustees and the Administration.
o Who is the Transformable Character (the one who makes the change) and what makes them the right character to deliver this profound journey? The Transformable Characters involve initially 6 out of 7 key students (one is the Betrayer) who take life’s advice from Mr. Keating. By the end half of the class unite to stand on their desks as a final tribute to their “Captain” demonstrating they have discovered their voices to be heard. One student commits suicide, but even he begins to cross over, until his father destroys his love, dreams and hope of being an actor and cannot live any longer as he refuses to conform. He just cannot find his voice to stand up against his overbearing father.
o What is the Oppression? The Oppression is the Administration of the School, the Director and Trustees who are strict on Tradition, Discipline, Honor and Excellence.
3. How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story? The use of humor by the Change Agent and profound teaching method that makes the normal subject of poetry that is boring more interesting to engage. We all or at least the older generation can relate to the heavy disciplines pushed. The younger generation is offered up soft served ice cream these days and breast milk to not comprehend what discipline is.
4. Looking at the character(s) who are changed the most, what is the profound journey? From “old ways” to “new way of being.” Identify their old way: Identify their new way at the conclusion: The Profound Journey show young me during an era of the early 19th century are raised to be proper and fall in line. They eventually join together to form a group that encourages free thinking and testing the waters of the wild side. They each take that first step outside of their comfort zone (be it falling in love, pursuing their dreams (as an actor), or being daring and risk takers to eventually being defiant in front of the fuddy duddy Director to pay great praise to “Oh Captain my Captain” while standing on top of their desks.
5. What is the gradient the change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were changing? The gradient of change starts with the group re-establishing the Dead Poet’s Society. With encouragement amongst the group to go to a cave in the middle of the evening/ night at risk of being caught they seek to follow their new mentor’s path (Mr. Keating) as they experiment with smoking, drinking, girls and just being silly and crazy. They become a support group to one another. As time goes on they reach an apex of the Profound Moment when Neil gives a great performance as an actor and receives a standing ovation. His buddies are their to support, but his dreams are shattered by his father resulting in his suicide. The loss of their friend stirs unity during a witch hunt investigation and allegiance to Mr. Keating is demonstrated, but not until the revalation of who the Betrayer is among their group–Cameron.
6. How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change? The Tradition of the school is unbalanced by what the young men eventually see as the “Old Way.” They challenge it by forming a club that bonds them as friends against discipline and encourages them to take charge of their happiness and pursue their personal interests. They do not rat on each other and even Charlie gets his ass worn out with a wood paddle he refuses to identify other parties of the group by sticking to his guns as the “MaWanda!” Bottom line is they respect each other and are united in a common cause to pursue their dreams and not the dreams of others.
7. What are the most profound moments of the movie? The most Profound Moment in the movie is when Neil commits suicide that unites the group and half the class against the old ways. Another Profound Moment is the you Dolton falls in love and risks getting the Hell beaten out of him to steal the football players girlfriend from him.
8. What are the most profound lines of the movie?
“Words and Ideas can Change the World.” …
“You are here and exist….Reality of destiny and hope …. But ultimately death. …When you contribute a verse, what your verse be like?”
“Seize the day.”
“Oh Captain my Captain.”
“Make your lives extraordinary.”
“Strive to find your own voice.”
You have a “Phone call from GOD!”
9. How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie? The ending payoff shows Mr. Keating being used as an escape goat to be pushed out the door as he does not conform to the school’s strict disciplinary guidelines. His exit from the school follows from Neil’s suicide and unite most of the students behind him. The setup offers a climax that offers the good guy up to be sacrificed, but the payoff is a beautiful tribute by the students demonstrating their admiration, thanks, and love for their mentor, particularly with Todd demonstrating he has finally crossed over to challenge the Director in class to have a voice (as he has trouble speaking up) as he stands on the desk and says…”Oh Captain my Captain.”
10. What is the Profound Truth of this movie? Several of the quotes combined together can be the Profound Truth….Strive to find your own voice (stand up for yourself), write your own verse (take charge of your destiny in life), make your lives extraordinary (pursue your dreams) and seize the day (do not waste each day pondering what could have been). Bottom line is that a person should not let others dictate your outcome in live in pursuit of happiness.

• This reply was modified 9 months, 2 weeks ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Mark N: Transformational Journey

Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” (place at top of your work). I learned not to throw my old notes away from the previous classes I have taken from ScreenwritingU…. LOL. I basically modify and adjust as needed, but I am applying the new models to assist in making my existing project more in depth. I rewrote the Logline and applying the same concept to each act in a 4-Act structure for better clarity, not reflected here.
1. Tell us your logline for the transformational journey.
A CIA Whistleblower becomes a victim of injustice and must become an abandonment of self to survive; before he can force change and pursue street justice for honor.
2. Tell us what you see as the Old Ways.
The character will defend another person to the hilt first before considering his own wellbeing and aftermath. He does has not learned to trust his own gut feelings alerting him to danger and becomes helpless letting the chips fall where they may. He is not assertive but is the kind of guy that is quiet and plays by the rules according to his values.
3. Tell us what you see as the New Ways.
The character looks out for number one (me, myself and I) and if it does not affect him personally then he does not get involved. He now trusts his own gut instincts and is proactive in “shaping the battlefield” to his favor. He is more assertive making his own rules as he goes along and applying street justice as necessary to give the other a taste of their own medicine. Bottom line is…”Don’t take on an enemy if you are not prepared to kill or destroy them.”

• This reply was modified 9 months, 2 weeks ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Mark N First Three Decisions

What I learned is a different perspective and approach to telling my story.
Give us your three decisions.
1. What is your profound truth?
In life you get knocked down many times, but with perseverance and fortitude you KEEP STANDING!
(Beneath that?) When combating an adversary, you have to re-evaluate and adjust your tactics, principles and morals.
(Beneath that?) Don’t compromise your values, nor rule out street justice.
(Beneath that?) Stand your ground.
(Beneath that?) Turn weaknesses into opportunities for success.
(Beneath that?) A pinch full of convincing lies is better than a handful of truth.
2. What is the change your movie will cause with an audience? Do not be complacent with “Big Brother” (CIA/FBI)…. Demand higher expectations and accountability.
3. What is your Entertainment Vehicle that you will tell this story through? My story is based on truth and though I have no issue with embellishing or highlighting points of interest for entertainment and flow, I think ‘The Cause is the Background’ is perhaps the best approach. The Cause is about accountability (including street justice) and restoring honor. The foreground story is about a CIA Whistleblower who seeks to restore his abandonment of self.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Groundhog Day Response

We are looking at this movie from the perspective of the change that occurs for the lead character and the audience.
1. What is the CHANGE this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie? The Change is about how a person needs to be more about selflessness and caring for others–versus being selfish, controlling, self-centered and egotistical that results in time for one to become an abandonment of self (self-worth and self-esteem) and loneliness. The Transformational Journey involves Phil being forced to relive the same day over where at first he is alarmed by what is happening and then he seeks to exploit the opportunity for personal gain as no matter what every day is the same and nothing matters. He takes advantage of others and tries to use it for personal gain financially, sexual exploits and carry out violence against others as he knows he is not held accountable or suffers consequences as he does not have to play by the rules like everyone else. He finally learns a lesson when Rita catches on by accident his scheme and realizes his ulterior motive is not going to work. I think deep down Phil has an interest in Rita, but when he learns he cannot get what he wants. Phil becomes more suicidal, vile and eventually begins to hate himself for the person he is. When he realizes he cannot die he does some sole searching and eventually convinces Rita of his dilemma. Phil starts making efforts to himself within by being considerate of others and learning to speak French, poetry, ice sculpting, and piano playing to genuinely win Rita over. Rita begins to fall for Phil and his popularity grows with the town folks. The most touching is the impact of the Homeless man that he shows kindness to for the first time only to have the guy die. This further pushes Phil to be a better person. In the end, Phil gets the woman he wants, and they live happily ever after in the town he hated at the beginning.
2. Lead characters:
o Who is the Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause the change? The Change Agent I would like to think is Rita as she over time compels Phil to desire her and genuinely fall in love by the end.
o Who is the Transformable Character (the one who makes the change) and what makes them the right character to deliver this profound journey? Phil is the Transformable Character. As described above, Phil is self-centered, selfish, egotistical and thinks only of his self-importance. The cameraman and Rita are likeable vs Phil who is snarky, sarcastic and probably not easy to be around.
o What is the Oppression? The Oppression is Phil’s inability to move forward in a stagnant life of misery. He is not happy with life in general and deep down needs a change of venue.

3. How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story? Many people feel the same way and can relate that their own lives are not moving forward. Perhaps goals are not met, financial restraints and they are not happy in love, work or life in general as they are just trying to survive.
4. Looking at the character(s) who are changed the most, what is the profound journey? From “old ways” to “new way of being.” Identify their old way: Identify their new way at the conclusion: The Old Ways being selfish, controlling, self-centered and egotistical that results in time for one to become an abandonment of self (self-worth and self-esteem) and loneliness. No matter happens every day is the same and nothing matters as he cannot achieve happiness. The New Way comes about by the profound experiences Phil has of being rejected by Rita who he is having feelings for and strives to legitimately win her over versus using “insider information” from the repeated day before. The death of the Homeless man drove home the point that eventually he cannot cheat death, but for a few times before it catches up and you lose the ones you love.
5. What is the gradient the change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were changing? The Gradient of Change is Phil hating the town at the beginning to wanting to live in the town at the end. Going from selfishness and egotistical to being popular with the community helping people in need by the end was a complete turnaround. Phil was challenged emotionally, tested his values and became a selfless servant to the community by the end using his gift of reliving Groundhog Day until he made a successful transition over in a positive way.
6. How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change? I believe involved Phil’s Old Ways of existing attitude being put through a number of obstacles that caused him to be scared, then take advantage of on a number of fronts, then when it eventually backfires with Rita initially over and over he is pushed further into sadness than what he was at the beginning and rejected. Phil’s journey is bother internal and external emotionally and career/socially as folks like the new Phil. The profound moment of losing the Homeless guy he finally started caring about hit him hard…(I think I heard him call him dad???). The Profound Ending where Rita is still beside him the next morning completed his transformational journey.
7. What are the most profound moments of the movie? The most profound was losing the Homeless man to death as he finally started caring about him and it hit Phil hard…(I think I heard him call him dad???). Phil thought he could wake up and do a redo and that was not the case. Each day presented a new opportunity for Phil to change for the positive. If he did not, then he did not move forward but backwards or have setbacks. The end state of winning Rita over and finally becoming happy in life and truly falling in love with Rita was legitimate. The Profound Ending where Rita is still beside him the next morning completed his transformational journey.

8. What are the most profound lines of the movie?
“Everyday is the same and nothing matters.”
“If you could relive your day what errors would you correct to improve you life”
“Can do what you want and no consequences for your actions…”
Did not accept the Homeless man’s death and Phil makes a remark (I can’t remember), but suggests he can change the outcome tomorrow to that affect. …..
9. How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie? You see Phil’s Internal and External Journeys deliver him from a life that leaves him unhappy and single to finding the woman he loves and resettling in the town he originally hated. Rita’s also goes through her own journey of mostly being lonely and looking for love. Her transformation did not require as much work as Phil’s journey. They cameraman is stuck with the Cougar who needs to be on life support.
10. What is the Profound Truth of this movie? Actions speak louder than words and demonstrating Loyalty, Duty, Honor, Respect, Integrity, Selfless-Service and having the Personal Courage to change makes for a happier outcome in life.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

I, Mark Napier, agree to the terms of this release form as posted.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

I, Mark Napier, agree to the terms of this release form as posted.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Just as I interviewed my characters by myself I will share with myself and provide feedback. Thanks. I hope you all can offer a Treatment class at some point.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s Chronological Edit

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First….I apologize for the delay in response. I had a friend involved in a serious car accident and I have been dealing with him, his recovery and legal and medical followup for the last 8 days so it tossed a wrench into the works here for me. I just had too many distractions going on to focus on this class. At least I got the bulk out of the way.

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What I learned: Again these tips are useful in reassessing what is relevant and contributes to the film and arc. If it adds no substance the I drop it.

The main improvements in my script thus far are with ACTs 1-3. ACT 4 I have the Beat sheet and Outline and concepts of the beginning, middle and end so the I have a good idea of how the dialog will go and hope to finish over the weekend.

The flow of my story outline is decent, but improvements are always needed given this is my first at script writing.

I have improved upon the dialog and clarity thus far for what I written as I have just too large a concentration of dialog or the description was too long. It is not a fast read in some areas. So I have tried breaking that down and reassess where there redundant or meaningless dialog. I am trying to go back to improve the arc in each scene.

As note the description was way too long in ACTs 2 and 3, but that is because I was trying to cram too many years of success to give the audience greater understanding.

As noted I am still working on the dialog of ACT 4.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s Solved Scene Problems

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First….I apologize for the delay in response. I had a friend involved in a serious car accident and I have been dealing with him, his recovery and legal and medical followup for the last 8 days so it tossed a wrench into the works here for me. I just had too many distractions going on to focus on this class. At least I got the bulk out of the way.

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What I learned: This is more of a things to do list. I have completed most of my dialog for Acts 1 through 3, but I recognize my dialogs in Act 3 and eventually ACT 4 will need further scrutiny.

Basic Scene Problems: I have too many scenes really that are narrated vignettes (ACT 2) to address action that is taking place as short stories in place of lengthy dialog. Again I am covering a period of several years. The intent is to demonstrate the successes of the Protagonist during a briefing to his replacement. Or it is being discussed as a war story. The intent is to show to the audience here is action showing what the Protagonist achieved just before the Antagonist unravels or destroys at all costs to disrupt the Protagonist from continued service to the CIA.

Weak Scenes: I need to re-evaluate the Arc in each scene and as noted insert a closing remark, statement or action that blends into the next scene.

Situations Don’t Challenge Characters: I am reassessing ACT 4 to beef up the action the Protagonist faces and the Antagonist that leads up to his stroke.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s Solved Character Problems

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First….I apologize for the delay in response. I had a friend involved in a serious car accident and I have been dealing with him, his recovery and legal and medical followup for the last 8 days so it tossed a wrench into the works here for me. I just had too many distractions going on to focus on this class. At least I got the bulk out of the way.

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What I learned: I am basically assessing my script for gaps based on the guidelines. Once I address the issues noted below, I will revisit and review.

To address weak character introduction in Opening Scene, I inserted this dialog into the opening scene to get the protagonist more visibility as a lead character in a conversation that was really one sided initially:

MARK: “Tom grab your squirt gun ….and since he’s my team member … I’ll take the lead on site…So don’t shoot me in the ass ok? ….HOOahh??” (Tom then shoots a glance at Banks)

To address the Characters not in action, I have already looked into inserted more subplots with the Antagonist throughout ACTs 2 and 3 as likely conversations that would take place as my script does not address the Antagonist as much given the time span that is covered. I also seek to include a few subtexts too in ACTs 3 and 4 to address the Antagonist’s intentions toward the Protagonist.

To address the Lead Characters not present, I address this with Characters not in action. Currently, as the Protagonist is serving nearly 3 ½ years in Afghanistan, his interaction with the Antagonist is minimal, but I want to add more subplots that likely would be occurring and subtext as noted.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s Solved Structural Problems

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First….I apologize for the delay in response. I had a friend involved in a serious car accident and I have been dealing with him, his recovery and legal and medical followup for the last 8 days so it tossed a wrench into the works here for me. I just had too many distractions going on to focus on this class. At least I got the bulk out of the way.

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What I learned: I see this exercise as a checks and balance to ensuring the storyline is ontrack and flowing. Scene Gaps, story flow and assessing effectiveness of dialog are consistently addressed and reinforce or contribute to the logline and transformational journey.

ACT 1:

Opening/Old Ways: Is this an engaging opening scene that lures us into the story? Is the lead character clearly living in a pre-transformation mode? Do the “Old Ways” show up in their behavior and dialogue?

–My lead character is indeed forced into a situation by following orders and not questioning leadership’s reasoning or when evidence is presented to the contrary he makes not initial effort to speak up as he is not incharge. It’s until later when he is incharge that he takes the bull by the horn and makes a judgment call.

Inciting Incident: How does this incident invite and propel us into the journey?

–The protagonist learns that a poorly conducted investigation by senior CIA officials who heard and believed only one side of a story over a misdemeanor turns into a felony case revealing child pornography is downloaded on two CIA Top Secret computers by (as it turns out) a repeat offender and is compelled to take action to set the record straight and hold the right person accountable.

Turning Point: How is this Turning Point a twist that locks us into the journey with “no going back?”

–Once the protagonist writes a damning cable back to CIA Headquarters that makes CIA Iraq Station look foolish he knows he has lit a fuse to a powder keg at the Station he is supporting. A hostile work environment already exists because he is covering for mistakes his home office is making and making the protagonist the ‘whipping boy.’ He knows once the antagonist arrives back in country that all Hell will break loose and the protagonist decides to leave country than go through further retaliations. The protagonist was originally suppose to serve a one year tour in Iraq, but cuts it short by 9 months, which adds to Station’s officials being pissed off.

Act 2:

New Plan: What new plan did the protagonist create to deal with the Act 1 Turning Point?

–The protagonist covers his ass to make sure investigators back at CIA Headquarters are fully aware of the circumstances and hostilities that were taking place and he anticipates retaliation by Iraq Station. As a result, the protagonist is never question, investigated, charged, nor prosecuted by the Agency in the four additional years that he serves the CIA. The protagonist basically ignores any attempt of retaliation, because he knows the investigation is not being pursued against him and that his own home office is backing him up and that he has a powerful senior official on the CIA Director’s staff that appreciates his efforts. The protagonist is then assigned and promoted in stature to become the Deputy Chief of Base of Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.

Plan in action: How does the protagonist take action on that plan?

–The protagonist basically using his old ways of ignoring a threat than engaging it head on. The protagonist has a history of standing up for others to defend, but not himself. The protagonist basically focuses on his mission and accomplishes a great deal and has many successes.

Midpoint Turning Point: How does the Midpoint change the meaning, creating a reveal that changes everything while keeping us on the same journey?

–The protagonist’s old ways of avoiding conflict comes back to bite him in the ass. All the successes and accomplishments he has made suddenly takes a major twist when he crosses path with the antagonist who picks up where he left off in creating a hostile work environment and disrupts all the efforts the protagonist has achieved leading to him being Blacklisted from the CIA.

Act 3:

React/Rethink: What is revealed to the protagonist from the Midpoint? How do they react or rethink things?

–The protagonist realizes after about a month that his new home office is not deploying him and in fact has been misleading him to believe he would be deployed. He learns in fact that he is being Blacklisted. The protagonist begins to become assertive and engage the CIA in conflict, but is suddenly struck down by an illness his believes is a recurring illness he has suffered from twice before. Once the protagonist recovers from his illness he decides to return to active duty for his Army Reserve unit, but learns he has HIV via an ass chewing over the phone that traumatizes and leaves him in severe depression, triggers PTSD and results in him being suicidal.

New Plan: What new plan did the protagonist create to deal with this new level of conflict?

–In desperation, the protagonist tries to seek employment elsewhere following the Great Recession of 2009, but cannot find work.

Turning Point: The lowest of the low. How has this Turning Point brought the character to the lowest of lows, making it almost impossible for them to win in a normal way? This forces them to adopt the change in a much bigger way.

–The protagonist loses everything and is forced into the streets to be chronically homeless for 5 years. As he is hitting the streets the Internal Revenue Service takes his last $600 he has in the bank and leaves him penniless. The once accomplished protagonist who held a Top Secret clearance with lifestyle polygraph and special background investigation cannot even find work at McDonalds and becomes suicidal, but because he is accompanied into the streets with his dog, is forced to take on the profession of being a strip dancer at Gay bars to survive and feed himself, but more importantly his baby who never casts the stone of malice or judges him.

Act 4:

Dilemma: What emotional dilemma requires the protagonist to choose between two alternatives, losing something with either choice?

–The protagonist becomes an abandonment of self in self-worth and self-esteem. He is not just bankrupted financially, but physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally as he joins the ranks of the walking dead with 675,000 others at that time who become homeless. The protagonist will make 4 attempts to commit suicide and engage in drugs his 4th year on the streets to escape the Hell of reality he is in. After the protagonist’s dog is accidentally exposed to the smoke from crystal meth and left in distress, the protagonist is heartbroken with the harm he has exposed to his baby and decides to change environments and regroup to pull himself off the streets.

Climax/Ultimate @xpression Of The Conflict: How is this the ultimate expression of the conflict? How does it require a “fight to the death,” either literally or symbolically?

–After getting off the streets and regrouping mentally from his ordeal over a period of 7 years, the protagonist decides to run for US Congress and manages to indirectly embarrass the CIA for not prosecuting child porn incidents. The protagonist sheds light on the CIA through press releases and bombards over 90 members of Congress and 13 committees that compels the CIA to take action. The protagonist also exposes all who not only ignored, but is able to full court press the antagonist in prominent news and social media via new found wealth as a result of a commercial traffic accident that the protagonist was the victim of. The protagonist also arranges for protesters who are paid homeless people to stage protests at the CIA entrance and at the antagonist’s home to shed light on their wrongdoings and a call to action to investigate the antagonist’s involvement and CIA in the massacre that killed 3,000 prisoners of war.

Resolution: How does this resolution represent the “New Ways” and bring this story to a fitting conclusion?

–The injustice against the protagonist that forces him to become an abandonment of self is compelled through perseverance and fortitude to conduct an aggressive PSYOP campaign that enables him to restore himself and his honor that was taken from him.

New Ways: What are the New Ways and do they clearly show up in your lead character’s Act 4 behavior and dialogue?

–The protagonist is assertive, gambles than play it safe and ignores the judicial/ legal avenues to pursue his own version of street justice to publicly humiliate and destroy his adversary who loses the clients he serves in an advisory role capacity from the negative campaign that bleeds over to them (the clients) that ultimately causes the antagonist to suffer a stroke that kills him in the end.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s Filled in Missing Scenes

What did I learn? I learned its useful to have all your formatting laid out in advance. 20% dialog still needs written. I have an idea of the missing scenes and need to still develop, but used placeholder or made notations where I need to create more scenes.

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ACT ONE

ACT 1:

BEAT SHEET: OPENING SCENE:

SLUG: INT–CIA STATION IRAQ (CHIEF OF OPERATIONS OFFICE), BAGHDAD, IRAQ–NIGHT

–Mark finds himself on a midnight rendition operation to secure, disarm and escort an Agency employee for immediate expulsion from the country over an incident that later reveals a ‘Top Secret’ ironic twist.

ACT 1:

OUTLINE: OPENING SCENE:

BEGINNING: Mark is astonished by Banks’ (Chief of Operations) cursing and suddenly calls Mark and Station’s Chief of Security (Tom) into the Deputy Chief of Station’s office. Banks is filling in as ‘Acting’ Chief of Station in the absence of the Chief and Deputy Chief of Station.

MIDDLE: Banks orders Mark and Tom to board a helicopter for Tikrit, Iraq and take into custody one of Mark’s Military Liaison Cell team members and take him to the CIA airfield in Baghdad for immediate expulsion from country.

END: Mark and Tom depart the office without questioning the orders.

ACT 1:

DIALOG SCENE: OPENING SCENE:

(VOICEOVER INTRODUCTION: Black background with just the Hero’s voice narrating):

“In life, …most of us will agree that we like to get kissed before we get fucked. …I just got fucked! …. I wasn’t even offered a tug off the cigarette! ….You’re laughing, but this is my story.”

(Then fade into the Opening Scene)

SLUG: INT–CIA STATION IRAQ (CHIEF OF OPERATIONS OFFICE), BAGHDAD, IRAQ–NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: Chief of Operations (COO) Banks storms out of his office into the adjoining office of Deputy Chief of Station. The Chief of Station (COS) and Deputy Chief of Station (DCOS) are not in the country and are not expected to return for another week. Mark is working at his computer and looks up when he abruptly strutting from his office to the DCOS’ office and hears Banks make an astonishing remark…

BANKS: “I am going to throw that son-of-a-bitch in prison!”

DESCRIPTION: Banks calls out to Mark and Tom, the Station’s Chief of Security, to come into the DCOS’ office. Both arrive and remain standing in Bank’s presence.

BANKS: TE 1: ”I have a mission for you both and it involves two of Mark’s team members

up range in Tikrit.

: TE 2: “I just got a call from the Cell Leader…Joe…that he had a heated argument with

Gary who is the Communications Officer there. Gary threatened Joe with a knife that

Gary threw at him.”

: TE 3: “ I want you guys to report to the flight line and board a helicopter. I’ve already

arranged the helo and it will be here in 30 minutes. Time now is 1230 AM. Be at the flight

line by 1 AM. Your mission is to secure, escort and expel Gary from country.

IMMEDIATELY!…No ifs, ands, or buts about it!…. GO!”

DESCRIPTION: Mark and Tom glance at each other and immediately depart the office without a word to grab their survival gear and report to the flight line.

——– ——– ——–

ACT 1:

BEAT SHEET: INCITING INCIDENT:

SLUG: EXT–CIA FLIGHT LINE, BAGHDAD, IRAQ–NIGHT

–Mark and Station’s Chief of Security board helicopter for Tikrit, Iraq.

SLUG: EXT–CIA MILITARY LIAISON FLIGHT LINE, TIKRIT, IRAQ–NIGHT

–Mark apprehends the person of interest without incident, but their plea for help is summarily dismissed by the Station’s Chief of Security.

SLUG: EXT–CIA FLIGHT LINE, BAGHDAD, IRAQ–NIGHT

–Gary reveals to Mark the truth of what the altercation was about and makes a plea for Mark to call Headquarters to confirm his story.

ACT 1:

OUTLINE: INCITING INCIDENT:

BEGINNING: Mark and Station’s Chief of Security (Tom) arrive in Tikrit, Iraq to take Gary back for deportation from country. Gary pleads for Tom to read his supporting evidence, but is ignored.

MIDDLE: Mark takes custody of Gary at the flight line to ensure his departure. Mark cannot hear what is being said because of background aircraft noise, but notices the flight line Security Chief’s facial reaction of surprise to a comment made by Gary.

END: Gary reveals the secret of what transpired between him and Joe and that child pornography is involved. He was merely admonishing Joe for his illegal activity and did not use a knife to attack Joe as he had claimed.

ACT 1:

DIALOG SCENE: INCITING INCIDENT:

SLUG: EXT–CIA FLIGHT LINE, BAGHDAD, IRAQ–NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: In the dark of night Mark and Tom are wearing helmets and gear as they sit strapped into their seats and deep into their own thoughts. Mark has known the Station Chief of Security for 12 years, since when both were assigned to the Security Duty Office and Operations Center at the time of the 1993 CIA Headquarters shooting incident perpetrated by Mir Aimal Kansi.

(45 minutes later)

SLUG: EXT–CIA MILITARY LIAISON FLIGHT LINE, TIKRIT, IRAQ–NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: Mark and Chief of Security disembark the helicopter that remains on standby and both walk to the building that houses Mark’s team. Mark enters the office and finds Gary with his duffle bag at his feet already prepared for their arrival, as if he knew what was coming. Tom bravely takes a position behind Mark using him as a human shield, if something were to go wrong that Gary did not wish to be disarmed.

MARK: (with empathy)…”Hi Gary! You no doubt know why we are here. ”

(Gary nods his head yes.)

: “I am sorry, but I am going to have to ask you for your side arm. Gary says..”Yeah,

no problem!” (Gary hands over his empty Glock 9mm and 3 magazines to Mark.)

TOM: (Comments sourly)…”And the knife too.”

(Gary complies and reaches into his side cargo pocket to pull the knife out and hands

Mark the knife that has about a 6 inch bell shaped blade to it.)

MARK: ”OK…Well let’s go. We have a helicopter outside waiting.”

GARY: “But wait!”

(Gary extends a handful of documents out to the Chief of Security.)

GARY: ”Can’t you read this first?” Please???

(Tom nods his head to say no and makes no effort to take possession of the documents.)

TOM: ”No. Let’s go!”

(45 minutes later)

SLUG: EXT–CIA FLIGHT LINE, BAGHDAD, IRAQ–NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: Mark disembarks the helicopter with Gary to ensure he is on the outbound flight for Washington, DC. Tom decides he will go back to Station. Mark and Gary stay on the flight line awaiting the CIA’s ‘J-Lo flight’ to arrive. Gary is starting to stress out and begins to feel ostracized for doing what he thought was right. The flight line Security Chief (Sal–short for Sallie) arrives soon after to meet them and knows only what the Station Chief of Security has told her. Sal struts up to Mark and Gary and introduces herself.

SAL: “Hi!…Early good morning to you both. Which one is Gary?”

(Gary raises his hand and moves closer to her.)

: “I have a container here so you can place your belongings in. Is there anything else I

can help you with?”

GARY: “I cannot believe what’s going on here. Why am I being treated this way?” …

…”Why is Joe not being kicked out as well? …I mean I did nothing wrong!”

DESCRIPTION: Sal who is standing closer to Gary winces in surprise when Gary leans forward to tell her something, but Mark cannot hear what was said as an aircraft was landing.

SAL: “Would you like me to arrange for you to speak with a psychiatrist in Jordan during your

layover? I can tell you are visibly stressed about the ordeal.”

GARY: “Yes…..Yes I think I need to.”

(Sal then wishes Mark goodbye and for Gary to have a safe trip and she departs.)

: “Look Mark, can you do me a big favor and read this material I tried to give

to the Chief of Security? ….Please?

DESCRIPTION: Gary extends about 20 pages of handwritten notes to Mark who accepts it and briefly scans through it. At this point, the aircraft that landed as Gary was speaking to Sal happened to be the CIA’s J-Lo flight and is being refueled.

GARY: “Please call OMA in Washington. “They will tell you what is going on.!”

:TE4: “This incident is about Joe downloading child pornography onto two CIA Top

Secret computers… (Mark winces in dumbstruck and surprised.)

: “Joe’s wife is from Thailand and you know what it’s like with those folks. They could be

18 years old, but look like a 8 year old. I am a grandfather and when I saw that shit I was so pissed I chewed his ass. I told him I was going to kick his ass.”

: “Then Joe said…’You got a knife!’…so I pulled the knife from my pocket and tossed it on the couch and told him I am ready to kick his fat ass! That is when the fat bastard ran to the phone to call Banks.”

MARK: “You never laid a hand on him or threw the knife at him?”

GARY: “Hell no!”

——– ——– ——–

BEAT SHEET: PROTAGONIST REACTS EMOTIONALLY TO INCITING INCIDENT:

SLUG: INT–CIA FLIGHT LINE (SECURITY OFFICE), BAGHDAD, IRAQ–NIGHT

–Mark confirms with CIA Headquarters the irony of the turn of events and though he cannot change the outcome of Gary’s expulsion, Mark tries to restore Gary’s faith in his innocence.

ACT 1:

OUTLINE: PROTAGONIST REACTS EMOTIONALLY TO INCITING INCIDENT:

BEGINNING: Mark contacts CIA Headquarters’ OMA home office who confirms that child pornography was downloaded onto two Agency Top Secret computers.

MIDDLE: HQs asks Mark to stop the expulsion, but it’s too late as Gary has just minutes to go.

END: As a gesture of good will and faith in restoring some dignity to Gary who is lost over the ordeal, Mark hands back Gary’s knife demonstrating trust and belief in him. Two days later Mark notices, in sharp contrast, how Joe is permitted to leave the country with dignity.

ACT 1:

DIALOG SCENE: PROTAGONIST REACTS EMOTIONALLY TO THE INCITING INCIDENT:

SLUG: INT–CIA FLIGHT LINE (SECURITY OFFICE), BAGHDAD, IRAQ–NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: Mark and Gary quickly step over to the security office and make a secure line call back to our home office. Our Branch Chief (Doug) answers the phone.

DOUG: “Office of Military Affairs Exercise and Contingency Office. How may I help you?”

MARK: “Doug this is Mark. I am standing on the flight line here in Baghdad just minutes away

from tossing Gary out of the country.”

DOUG: “Mark, do you know what this is about?”

MARK: “Evidently not, since Station and I have been kept completely out of the loop on this.”

DOUG: “This is about Joe downloading child pornography onto Agency computers. You got to

stop Gary from being expelled!”

MARK: “Look Doug. I am just now learning the truth of what’s going on and Gary is a minute

from getting on that aircraft homeward bound. I have no means of communication with

Station as Banks is not in his office and it’s like 5 am here.

: “Gary will have to leave as ordered. I am sorry, but you guys just ambushed me.”

DESCRIPTION: Mark concludes the call with Doug. Nods his head as if agreeing with Gary and at this point Gary asks for his knife back.

GARY: “Can I have my knife back, please?”

DESCRIPTION: Mark realizes that protocol would say “Oh Hell Naw!,” but Mark felt an injustice was being committed against Gary. So as a gesture of good will and to demonstrate faith in Gary, Mark pulls the knife from his cargo pocket and hands it back to Gary. Gary was visibly pleased and nods his head as a gesture of thanks, turns and walks briskly to the mobile stair to board the aircraft.

(2 Days later)

DESCRIPTION: Mark would be forced to stay at the flight line for another 2 days before travel back to Station could be arranged. Upon his return by helicopter he notices Joe is onboard. In sharp contrast, however, Joe is allowed the dignity of departing the country with grace and has his sidearm with him.

——– ——– ——–

BEAT SHEET: TURNING POINT 1:

SLUG: INT–CIA IRAQ STATION (MARK’S CUBICLE OUTSIDE DCOS/COO OFFICES), BAGHDAD, IRAQ–DAY

–Mark returns to a short lived hero’s welcome by Banks, but Mark’s cable report will leave Banks speechless and in silence.

SLUG: INT–CIA IRAQ STATION (MARK’S CUBICLE OUTSIDE DCOS/COO OFFICES), BAGHDAD, IRAQ–NIGHT

–Mark knows the outcome of his cable will yield negative favoritism with Station, in particular with Reilly, and insist with the home office that he return as he is tired of cleaning up HQ’s mess.

SLUG: EXT–CIA IRAQ STATION, FLIGHT LINE, BAGHDAD, IRAQ–NIGHT

–While boarding a helicopter for his return to the states, Mark bids farewell with the middle finger to Pedro, who facilitates environmental hostilities at Station as he got off the helicopter.

SLUG: EXT–CIA IRAQ STATION, FLIGHT LINE, BAGHDAD, IRAQ–NIGHT

–Reilly returns to Station to read Mark’s cable report that yields an immediate negative opinion of Mark.

ACT 1:

OUTLINE: TURNING POINT 1:

BEGINNING: A hero’s welcome soon falls flat as Chief of Mission who is Acting Chief of Station is stunned into silence for his and the Chief of Security’s mishandling of the investigation and the revelation that child pornography by a repeat offender was overlooked.

MIDDLE: Mark decides it’s time to pop smoke. He has been the whipping boy for Station all because he is covering up his home office’s blunders. Mark demands on returning early from his tour as he is not going to give in to Station leadership’s the satisfaction of an undeserved ass chewing.

END: The real excitement will begin when the Deputy Chief of Station returns and his temper is anticipated to go nuclear. Given the fact that Reilly already has a beef with Mark, Reilly has started to promote a hostile work environment against Mark. Now he seeks vengeance.

ACT 1:

DIALOG SCENE: TURNING POINT 1: ((REASSESS IF TOO MUCH MESSAGING))

SLUG: INT–CIA IRAQ STATION (MARK’S CUBICLE OUTSIDE DCOS/COO OFFICES), BAGHDAD, IRAQ–DAY

DESCRIPTION: Mark returns to Station and jumps on his computer to catch up on work and more importantly follow up with his office at Headquarters on the crisis at hand. Mark presumes after 2 days have passed since the incident that his home office, let alone the CIA flight line Security Chief at the airport, has addressed the situation with Station or that Station’s Chief of Security would have at least followed up with Headquarters in Washington. Before Mark can turn his computer on, Banks steps out of his office.

BANKS: “Mark!….Job well done!” (Banks slaps Mark on the back and returns back to his office.)

MARK: “Thank you!”

(Shaking his head.) “Of all the millions of sperm….his was the one that made it.”

(1 hour later Banks reappears from his office.)

BANKS: TE 5: “Mark I want you write up a cable for Headquarters on the incident.”

DESCRIPTION: Banks walks back to his office without another word. Mark immediately starts working on the cable, but it’s not as easy of a task as COO thinks and proceeds to knock out a rough draft. Four hours later, Banks impatiently walks out of his office.

BANKS: “Mark!…Where is that cable?

MARK: “Chief, I’ll send you what I have.”

DESCRIPTION: Banks walks back into his office and after reading the draft and final cable is not seen, nor heard from the remainder of the day.

DALE: “Hey…I saw Joe around Station this morning at the mess hall. … Did he fly in with you

this morning?”

MARK: “Yeah.” Mark nods his head.

DALE: “It’s good to see him. … I’ve known him for 20 years. He’s a good guy. He’s a retired

communications officer ya know. … Was he out there in Tikrit as part of your team?

MARK: “Yes,…he was the Cell Team Chief there.”

DALE: “He certainly is a chatterbox and seems all worked up about something. I’ve not seen

him act this way since the time he downloaded pornog…” ….Dale pauses for a few

seconds not completing his word…”Is that what this is about?”

MARK: (Mark slowly nods his head in confirmation.)

DALE: (Has an astonished look on his face, he shakes his head negatively and slowly

turns in his swivel chair back to his computer and says nothing further.)

INCITING INCIDENT: TP 1: Mark’s contacts his home office to run his cable by his branch chief via the internal notes email system……

MARK: NOTES EMAIL SYSTEM:

“Dough…the cable I am about to send out basically implies Stations incompetence in

handling the investigation and injustice of tossing a member of Station out of country for

taking the correct action. The cable reveals that not only did Station not understand the

facts when the decision was made to expel the staffer in question from the country, but

that Station was in a rush to judgment. Evidence provided by the employee was ignored.

Furthermore, I have to reflect that OMA and Office of Security were fully aware of the

situation when Station and I–who is in charge of the Military Liaison Cells–were left

completely out of the loop. I outlined what events really happened and the course of

action I took to verify the information in writing this cable.

I also have a spoiler alert….I just learned of a major unexpected twist, while speaking to

Station’s Chief of Communications (Dale). He just made a surprising revelation that

Joe has a history of downloading pornography on Agency networks..

That’s it in a nutshell….Any questions or concerns?”

DOUG: NOTES EMAIL SYSTEM:

“Mark… Thank you for all the hard effort you put into this. Dale’s tidbit of information

adds a whole new twist to this.

Yeah…we should have let you guys know what was going on to have mitigated some of

this grief. We’ll just have to take our lumps too.

The situation was overcome by events as it were. Let me know Station’s reaction is.”

MARK: NOTES EMAIL SYSTEM:

“DOUG…You will be the first person I call, but I have a pretty good idea what Station’s

response is going to be!…Cheers!

DESCRIPTION: Mark then duplicates a copy of his cable and places it in his notes email system as backup should Station try to alter his official report.

(Later that night)

SLUG: INT–CIA IRAQ STATION (MARK’S CUBICLE OUTSIDE DCOS/COO OFFICES), BAGHDAD, IRAQ–NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: TP 2: Mark anticipates tempers will flare and hostilities against him will increasingly persist, once the Deputy Chief of Station returns back to Station. Mark begins typing on his computer using the Agency internal instant messaging system to Doug.

MARK: INSTANT MESSAGING: “Doug… You there?”

DOUG: INSTANT MESSAGING: “Yes.”

MARK: INSTANT MESSAGING: “The shits about to hit the fan here. Banks asked me to write

my findings up and I had to be brutally honest in my report as

you know from yesterday’s chat. I have not seen him all day

and I sit outside his office. He must be shitting himself and

using the office trash can for that and dumping out the window

to be able to hold his bowels so long otherwise. It does not

look good for me here.”

DOUG: INSTANT MESSAGING: “I know….sorry.”

MARK: “When Reilly (DCOS) and the D’Angelo (COS) returns, you know they are going to hit

the ceiling. It really did not help for HQ to keep Station out of the loop. They look like a

Three Stooges operation now.”…..

….”and I have had it up to here with the hostile work environment and long hours I am

having to put in to cover your all’s asses back there…. cuz they think I am screwing

things up out here.”

“OMA’s keeps sending non experienced CIA personnel (contractors) with no training on

our computer systems and software… out to support the mission.”….

…”I had one idiot that did not know how to turn on a computer, much less know how to

operate a CIA system… …I have to drop everything to spend 2 to 3 days to bring these

guys up to speed and Pedro (that Cuban ass clown hates all women in authority or who

make more $$$) sees what’s going and no doubt fueling hostilities with Reilly. ……I

mean this is turning into disorganized shit show out here.”…

…”and let us not forget the raving review from that report by the DCI representative

about the CIA still not seriously supporting the US military out here, just like during

Operation Desert Storm in 1990.”

“Now toss in the COS routinely referring to the 3rd Infantry Division commander as a

jackass and refusing to meet with the 42nd National Guard Division commander

because they could not spare a helicopter, despite the COS having his own fleet.”

DESCRIPTION: Doug, overwhelmed by Mark’s typing and not wanting any further chain of evidence leading back to him as the CIA keeps records of all electronic data systems, tells Mark to call him on the Green Line that is not monitored as much.

DOUG: “Call me on the Green Line.”

MARK: “OK.” Mark picks up the Green Line secure phone and dials up Doug.

DOUG: “Hi Mark?”

MARK: “Yes Doug its me…. I need to get the hell out of here. Between COS, DCOS, COO,

Pedro and this new Colonel taking sides to be accepted by Station, I am catching a lot of

flack.”

DOUG: “What do you mean?”

MARK: “I am being excluded from Station meetings and between Pedro’s harassment and the

Colonel who thinks that because I am an Army Reservist I have to answer to her…is bull

shit…. She is trying to restrict my every move…. She cannot even keep her fucking

pistol in the damn holster as it keeps falling out onto the floor or sidewalk…. Thank God

she keeps it unloaded.”

(Doug can be heard laughing on his end of the phone….)

(Being serious in tone…..)

MARK: “It all sounds funny, until you are on this end of being hung out to dry for issues outside

my control and being fully blamed… I have covered for OMA far too long…..”

“I told you guys I would come out here for a year…. It’s been 3 months and this child

porn case is going to blow the lid off when Reilly gets here….”

I am just not going to deal with this shit any longer because of HQ’s mistakes…”

“With or without your help I am leaving Station on the next flight.”

(Taking a more serious tone.)

DOUG: ”OK Mark I got ya….I have a Liaison officer coming out on a flight and should be there

in two days. I will arrange for your return flight on that aircraft…..Hang tight and put a

Transition Book together for the follow on guy.”

MARK: “OK will do.” Mark hangs the phone up.

(2 days later)

SLUG: EXT–CIA IRAQ STATION, FLIGHT LINE, BAGHDAD, IRAQ–NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: (NARRATED VIDEO VIGNETTE): Before Mark leaves, he puts his pay voucher cable together and has the Station’s key personnel (Chief of Finance, Chief of Human Resource and COS’ Secretary) present to confirm what he is doing is correct and they all concur. Without a word from COO Banks who apparently refuses to speak, Mark waits the two days out. Mark boards a helicopter to the airport for the J-Lo flight back to Washington. As Mark is about to board the helicopter he sees Pedro disembarking and flips him the bird. Pedro is startled and immediately angered by the gesture.

(5 days later)

SLUG: EXT–CIA IRAQ STATION, FLIGHT LINE, BAGHDAD, IRAQ–NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: COS D’Angelo and DCOS Reilly return to Station 5 days later where Banks briefs his version of what transpired to Reilly. As predicted both hit the ceiling. Reilly is so filled with the rage of anger and hate toward Mark that he is out for blood and wants vengeance.

BANKS: “Hi…Welcome back for what it’s worth.” Not smiling, Bank holds a copy of Mark’s cable

in an extended hand to pass to Reilly with a cup of coffee in the other.

REILLY: “What do you mean by that?” Reilly snaps the cable from Bank’s hand and accepts the

coffee with the other which he sits on his desk.

BANKS: “Your buddy Mark tossed us under the bus, once again. …Set us up. …. Then left town

without a word.”

REILLY: “What?? … He Left?” (Visibly surprised and face beginning to flush his Irish red

heritage)… (Banks leaves to go back to his office.)

DESCRIPTION: Reilly slowly sits down into his chair with eyes glued to the subject line of the 15 page cable to Headquarter: “BAGHDAD, IRAQ–IMPULSIVE TQW STATION INVESTIGATION MISTAKENLY SANDBAGS WRONG OFFICER FROM COUNTRY WHO REPORTED CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.” Reilly, goes nuclear and Station personnel in the adjoining offices and bay area can hear him.

Reilly: “THAT GOD DAMN SON-OF-A-BITCH!!!! ….THAT …GOD… DAMN… SON-OF-A-BITCH!!!!”

DESCRIPTION: The sound instantaneously follows of a ceramic coffee cup shattering against the wall. Reilly storms out of the office heading toward the COS’ Office.

(NARRATED VIDEO VIGNETTE) Following the 9/11 attacks, Reilly acknowledges he became so filled with hate and rage that vengeance was all he wanted against the Taliban who harbored Asuma Bin Laden. Being second in command of the CIA’s first team into Afghanistan and being responsible for maintaining constant communications with the Northern Alliance, it would be easy to speculate that is why he looked the other way when the Northern Alliance left 3,000 prisoners of war to die in the desert sealed in train box cars in what would become known as the 2001 Kunduz Massacre. Reilly of course reported the massacre weeks after the event occurred.)

———————————————–

ACT TWO

ACT 2:

BEAT SHEET: REACTION TO THE TURNING POINT SCENE:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (OFFICE OF SECURITY-INVESTIGATOR’S OFFICE), LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

–Mark briefs Headquarters security investigator on case in question.

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (OFFICE OF MILITARY AFFAIRS-BRANCH CHIEF’S OFFICE), LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

–Mark accepts a new mission assignment in Afghanistan.

SLUG: INT–CIA STATION (DCOS OFFICE), BAGHDAD, IRAQ–DAY

–DCOS tries to pressure the OMA Office Director to have Mark fired.

SLUG: INT–CIA STATION (DCOS OFFICE), BAGHDAD, IRAQ–DAY

–DCOS fabricates a ruse to have Mark charged with a felony and be prosecuted.

SLUG: INT–CIA STATION (COS OFFICE), KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

–Mark arrives in Afghanistan to be briefed by COS “The Spider” to be Deputy Chief of Base

ACT 2:

OUTLINE: REACTION TO THE TURNING POINT SCENE:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (OFFICE OF SECURITY-INVESTIGATOR’S OFFICE), LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark briefs Headquarters security investigator on case in question. He also expresses concern for the employee who is wrongfully accused and outlined the negative atmosphere toward him.

MIDDLE: He reveals his insightful discussion with Station’s Chief of Communications and the precaution he took to ensure his report was not altered.

END: Mark expresses concern and anticipation of being retaliated against in hopes Office of Security will not give credence to false allegations.

ACT 2:

DIALOG SCENE: REACTION TO THE TURNING POINT SCENE:

((DOUG needs to ask more questions than MARK dominating the dialog))

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (OFFICE OF SECURITY-INVESTIGATOR’S OFFICE), LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

DESCRIPTION: After Mark lands at the Washington-Dulles International Airport and disembarks to report to his home office in the New Headquarters Building, he is informed that he has a message from the investigator in charge of the case and needs him to report to her office in Old Headquarters Building. Mark knocks on her office door and introduces himself.

MARK: “Hi….Mark here from OMA. I just got in from Iraq Station. ….I understand you left a

message inviting me for a ‘fireside chat’ ? ….. I suppose it’s related to the Iraq Station

fiasco that got the wrong guy deported?”

INVESTIGATOR: “Oh hi!… Yes..Yes… Please come in and have a seat.” The investigator is

dressed in a black suit and skirt with white blouse.

: “I’ve read the detailed cable report which pretty much captured the essence of what

took place. …. I know you used to work for the Office of Security as a Security Protective

Officer years back, so you wrote it like a police report.” (They jovially laugh)

MARK: “Yes…force of habit I suppose.”

INVESTIGATOR: “Is there anything else beyond the report that you’d like to add?”

MARK: “First and foremost, I think Gary was horribly treated in this matter and was raped of his

dignity. … I know he requested to see a psychiatrist in Jordan, but I did all I could to set

the record straight for him after my office confirmed his report.”

(She nods her head in agreement.)

….“Second, prior to this incident I was being subjected to a hostile work environment that was compounded by three events. ….”

….”The DCI’s representative from the Associate Director of Military Affairs visited Station and four military command elements that the CIA has embedded 2 man cell teams with and the feedback he got was not flattering for Station. The DCOS, Reilly, blamed my teams…. “

…”Then Station’s Internment Facility Coordinator Officer…Pedro, he worked near me got pissed to find out I made more money than him and became aggressive after that…I don’t quite understand why since I only worked for the CIA 16 years before becoming an Independent Contractor versus his 3 years??? …He asked how much I made and I was honest with him is all.”…..

…”Incidentally, he apparently creates hostile work environments for women as well. …I have seen him personally go after a woman and make her cry and another analyst he called her analysis stupid… forgetting he cc:’d her on the return message to a slough of folks.”

…”That triggered nasty notes back and forth like 10 times before the DCOS finally sent out a message in big bold red letters: ‘CEASE FIRE…CEASE FIRE…CEASE FIRE.’ “

….”Before Pedro became abrasive towards me he admitted sheepishly towards me that his home office of the Crimes and Narcotics Center told him: ‘You need to get out of our face for two years.’ …So, don’t take my word, ask CNC.“

…”Bottom line is I got tired of the negative atmospherics, being isolated from important staff meetings, and Pedro feeding into the chaos …..plus covering for OMA for sending folks out with no training, let alone no CIA experience. …That’s why I was working long hours to mentor and guide these folks on my team like children. ….It was ridiculous!”

INVESTIGATOR: “Well thank you for that insight…and it was admirable that you stepped up to

the plate at great risk to yourself and career here at CIA.”

MARK: “Well …. As noted in the report, I was told that the guy who downloaded the child

pornography apparently had a history of this before. … I obtained that insight while

talking to Station’s Chief of Communications who knew the guy (Joe) for 20 years.” ……

….“I never said a word about what unfolded, but he made the astute observation that he never saw Joe behave in such a manner, since the last time he downloaded child pornography.“

…”He stopped in mid sentence and it hit him like a brick in the face, before he figured out on his own what was going on.” ….

DESCRIPTION: The investigator remained silent allowing Mark to talk uninterrupted, but was clearly absorbing it all in.

MARK:…“I suppose you’ve been tracking communications between Joe and whoever he’s

talking to for your investigation?”

INVESTIGATOR: “Oh yes.”

MARK: “You no doubt realize that I anticipate being retaliated against by Iraq Station? …I have

had to endure a good deal of hostilities from Station as is.”

DESCRIPTION: The investigator’s posture stiffened as she motioned her head in complete concurrence without a word. She knew it was the cultural norms of CIA executives to wield their positions as a weapon of mass destruction and the Directorate of Operation was no exception.

MARK: “Anything else? ….Oh by the way! … I do not know if Station will try to alter my cable,

but I placed a copy of it in my notes system and sent it to myself as an electronic

backup. I do not trust Station leadership and particularly I do not trust the DCOS…..Also

one other thing.” ….

…..”In addition, to being new to the IC (Independent Contractor) world I was working longer hours as I said….well I had to call together the Station’s Chief of Finance, Chief of Human Resources and the COS’ secretary who has final approval before the finance cables go out to review and approve my pay voucher, so I hope they don’t sit on it.”

INVESTIGATOR: “OK…Great! … Thank you for stopping by. I know you must be exhausted

from the long trip.”

DESCRIPTION: Mark departs her office and heads to the Agency cafeteria to ‘grease his belly’ before returning to the office for his follow on assignment.

ACT 2:

OUTLINE SCENE:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (OFFICE OF MILITARY AFFAIRS-BRANCH CHIEF’S OFFICE), LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark learns that DCOS Reilly is raising Hell with OMA, but Mark discusses with his branch chief that the whole ordeal could have been avoided, if Station had not had a knee jerk reaction to the incident.

MIDDLE: Mark also addresses the problem between COS and military commanders on the ground and how the entire affair is turning into a repeat of Operation Desert Storm, whereby the US military felt that they did not get adequate cooperation from the CIA, then.

END: Mark accepts a new mission assignment in Afghanistan to become the CIA’s Deputy Chief of Base at Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan that elevates his standing as an Intelligence Officer. His responsibility will be to support CIA counterterrorism operations countrywide.

ACT 2:

DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (OFFICE OF MILITARY AFFAIRS-BRANCH CHIEF’S OFFICE), LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

DESCRIPTION: Mark steps into the office to see what Doug has in store for him on his next assignment.

MARK: “Hey Doug! …. What’s the word?”

DOUG: “Mark…Hey bud …how are you? … I’m seeing the flack from your cable has hit a raw

nerve with Station. ….Your early departure without a word did not go over well either.”

MARK: “As I expected it would. ….I lost a lot of beauty sleep dealing with that ordeal. After 40

hours of no sleep, l was looking like the poster child for birth control.” … Doug laughs.

“Besides…After the way I was treated with disdain and disrespect??? … I wanted them to symbolically see my elbows and asshole in defiance walking away.“

“…So they can blow it out of their asses, if they think I was going to give them further satisfaction by screaming at me….Absolutely no way.”

DOUG: “I can understand your point of view.”

MARK: “The worst part is that this whole affair could have all been prevented had Banks took a

moment to talk to both parties. … Also had Station’s Chief of Security not blown off Gary

then they all would be viewed as superheroes right now.” ….

“Plus….D’Angelo, the COS, if he ever stopped with his ‘SUPERIORITY COMPLEX” mentality in dealing with the regular military….Things would go a lot smoother in relationships with the Warfighters on the ground if the chip on his shoulder fell off….”

DOUG: “….Would you agree their unwillingness to deal with conventional forces is simply

creating tensions and lack of cooperation….. just as it did during Desert Storm?….”

MARK: “Yes…. Anyway…that’s neither here nor there…..Bottom line, this office sending out

inexperienced folks from the Station do not help the situation either.”

DOUG: “I agree, but we’re so short handed …We’re just tossing warm bodies out to fill the gap.

…Right now as it stands, Reilly is furious. ….He’s been raising Hell with the office.”

MARK: “I’ve already addressed my concern with the investigator overseeing this. …I told her flat

out that I expected to be retaliated against.”

DOUG: “Well….On that note, I’ve arranged for you to replace our guy in Bagram, Afghanistan

as the Deputy Chief of Base. He has been there a while and is ready to come home. …I

originally had you scheduled for Kuwait to sit on the US commanding general’s staff, but that’s been in flux and has not come to fruition just yet.”

MARK: “Who’s the Chief of Base out there?”

DOUG: “Joe is his name…highly respected by his peers I am told.”

MARK: “OK.. Interesting…. Has the Chief of Station there approved of my coming out?” … and

who is the COS there?”

DOUG: “He’s called ‘The Spider’ by President Karzai himself…Greg Vogel. …He’s been there

nearly two years himself at Karzai’s request after he saved Karzai’s ass from an

assassination attempt.”

MARK: “Ok… So what will my mission be overall and when do you have me heading out?”

DOUG: “Your primary function will be to support Agency counterterrorism operations

countrywide in theater with the resources that the airbase has to bring to table.”

….“As for your departure…You are already scheduled on the flight heading out in 2 weeks. …. So go home, relax and get your affairs in order and be ready to head out then. ….See you in two weeks.”

MARK: “Okie Dokie! … See ya then, but in the meantime you can use your desk as a bunker to

shield yourself from incoming rounds from Reilly. ….Mark laughs as he departs.

DESCRIPTION: Doug doesn’t find not much to smirk at, since he knows he dropped the ball in the whole matter leaving Mark holding the bag in Iraq.

ACT 2:

OUTLINE SCENE:

SLUG: INT–CIA STATION (DCOS OFFICE), BAGHDAD, IRAQ–DAY

BEGINNING: DCOS tries to pressure the OMA Office Director to have Mark fired and blames him for mishandling the situation when new information came to light, just as he is to blame for the negative review of Station’s interaction with the military.

MIDDLE: OMA Director admits his office was partly responsible and basically takes his lumps from Station.

END: DCOS notes his intentions to hold up Mark’s pay cable voucher pending his staff’s investigation of irregularities.

ACT 2:

DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–CIA STATION (DCOS OFFICE), BAGHDAD, IRAQ–DAY

DESCRIPTION: DCOS Reilly calls OMA Director (Redcloud) on the Green Line to express Station’s disappointment of Mark’s tour and how he handled the entire affair. Reilly tries to get the Director to fire Mark, but the Branch Chief defends Mark and squashes the idea.

REDCLOUD: (Answers his phone): “OMA Director!”

REILLY: “Redcloud…Reilly here in Iraq Station. ….What the Hell is going on with you

guys?… I asked for support from your office and all I get out here is a shit bag sent out

here!…I’m talking about Mark. ….Since day 1 he’s been nothing, but a disaster.”

REDCLOUD: “Yeah I am surprised as you are by his actions to leave so soon.”

REILLY: “Not just that….He should have gotten a hold of Banks who was Acting Chief

of Station to head this off, but instead he leaves us a shit show. …..”

: “…Just as he did with the Director’s negative feedback on Station’s relationship with the US military. …He made us look stupid, once again! He is unreliable. …I want him fired!”

REDCLOUD: “Well…there is more involved before we can take such an action. ..His branch

chief says we are partly to blame…. and in regards to the DCI’s representative and my

Branch Chief who met with the four military command elements says Mark was busy

taking care of logistics to get them in and out of Iraq in 5 days, so he was not present,

but for only one meeting. That one nearly got them all killed when the aircraft engine

failed in mid air.”

REILLY: “I don’t care about that!….He needs fired. …I don’t want him anywhere near this

theater of operation. ….GOT IT???”

REDCLOUD: “Yeah …Yeah!”

REILLY: “Well…one more thing! …His cable he submitted noting hours worked for 3 months

that needs to be filed monthly shows discrepancies and I am holding up approval of his

cable pending further investigation and I’ll be responding then.”

REDCLOUD: “Fair enough.” Reilly hangs the phone up.

ACT 2:

SCENE OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA STATION (DCOS OFFICE), BAGHDAD, IRAQ–DAY

BEGINNING: DCOS fabricates a ruse to have Mark charged with a felony and be prosecuted.

MIDDLE: Reilly lays out his plan and intentions to Pedro who eagerly approves.

END: Pedro takes charge of writing the cable for the DCOS and appropriate Station personnel to concur on.

ACT 2:

DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–CIA STATION (DCOS OFFICE), BAGHDAD, IRAQ–DAY

DESCRIPTION: DCOS Reilly is dissatisfied with OMA’s lack of balls to fire Mark so he calls Pedro into his office to discuss Mark’s pay voucher. Reilly has an underlying plan to quench his thirst for revenge by having Mark investigated and prosecuted for committing a felony, if all goes right with his scheme.

REILLY: “Pedro!!! …..Come in here!.” Pedro stands up from his computer sitting in the corner

of the bay and scurries off to Reilly’s office.

PEDRO: “You called???”

REILLY: “You bet I did….. Listen up…I need to review that pay voucher of Mark’s. I want you to

assess when he was not here in your presence to observe that he was actually working.

…I need you to tally up the hours and reflect that in a cable that you are going to

write….I want a dollar figure amount.”

PEDRO: “OK??”

REILLY: “My intentions are to fuck the son-of-a-bitch over and send him to prison, if we can

show that he tried to overcharge the Agency for hours not worked.” Pedro smiles and

nods his head in approval.

PEDRO: “Got it Chief! …I’ll get right on it!”

REILLY: “Take your time… The longer the asshole has to wait for his money the better as far as

I am concerned.”

(Pedro chuckles and slowly shuffles to his desk imitating the speed he is to take.)

ACT 2:

OUTLINE SCENE:

SLUG: INT–CIA STATION (COS’ OFFICE), KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark arrives in Afghanistan two weeks later to be briefed by COS “The Spider” to be Deputy Chief of Base and that his title is what the military will recognize as Station’s representative to Division Headquarters, not his pay grade.

MIDDLE: COS outlines Mark’s mission and expectations while serving as D/COB.

END: Mark prepares to disembark for Bagram on his new assignment, but not before he visits the CIA’s Talibar.

ACT 2:

DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–CIA STATION (COS’ OFFICE), KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

DESCRIPTION: “The Spider” (Greg Vogel) welcomes Mark to Station and provides his expectations of Mark serving as the CIA’s Deputy Chief of Base of Bagram Air Base. Mark assures the COS that he will do his very best and outlines his history with the CIA and US Army Reserves.

GREG: “I’ve heard a great deal of your exploits.”…in a joking manner…Mark cracks a smile,

not sure if the COS has really heard anything. …..

MARK: “Sir, the one thing that I must remind you is that I am an IC and under COTR (Contract)

regulations that I am not supposed to assume a leadership role.”

GREG: “Yes, I know but out here I make the rules and you will assume that leadership role.

It’s a title the US military respects and they do not need to know the details…..Bottom

line you represent the CIA under Kevin who is Chief of Base out there.”

…”Joe has been COB for a year and has several months to go before his tour ends so

it will be a good overlap for the two of you.”

…”Your mission here is to get to learn Bagram Airbase inside and out. You will be the go

to guy for everything as you will be supporting Station and all its bases countrywide in counterterrorism operations…..

…”That means fuel, medical support, supplies, military and Agency air operational support, and you’ll also be the guy who interacts with the Bagram Internment Facility that houses all the bad guys.”

…”Any more dumb questions?? …(He laughs.)…

MARK: “Yes sir….just one! ….You are called ‘The Spider’! …..Would you say you favor the

Tarantula?…Grand Daddy Long Leg?….Camel Spider…Black Widow?….or Brown

Recluse?”

GREG: (Laughing) “At my age I’m probably considered the Grand Daddy!…”

DESCRIPTION: Mark departs the COS’ office and visits the infamous CIA “Talibar” he’s heard so much about for the first time hoping for a drink and wonders facetiously to himself, if they have a “Gift Shop.” Then his next stop is the cafeteria, follow by the flight line for his last stop to Bagram.

——– ——– ——–

ACT 2:

BEAT SHEET MIDDLE SCENES: PROTAGONIST’S NEW PLAN IS EXECUTED:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

–Mark reports to the base at Bagram, coincidently just a few days after four high level Al-Qaeda members escape the internment facility there and unexpectedly he is greeted by an armed Afghani at his door with a proposal.

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–NIGHT

–After nearly 3 months goes by at Bagram, Mark’s pay voucher cable is finally released by the DCOS in Iraq that falsely accuses Mark of a ruse which Mark eventually decides to ignore.

SLUG: EXT/INT–BAGRAM FLIGHT LINE AND CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

–Mark is paid an unexpected visit from his home office director and the DCI’s Associate Director for Military Affairs.

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (OFFICE OF SECURITY-INVESTIGATOR’S OFFICE), LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–Day

–Office of Security reviews DCOS Iraq cable accusing Mark of intentionally overcharging the Agency (a felony), but decides not to investigate, question, charge, nor prosecute as it’s considered to be an act of retaliation by Reilly.

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

–Mark’s 17 month tour is complete and he brief’s his replacement who followed behind him in Iraq and warns Mark that Reilly still has a burr up his ass for him.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE: PROTAGONIST’S NEW PLAN IS EXECUTED:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

BEGINNING: After Mark reports to base for introductions and orientation. Later he is greeted at the door by an armed Afghani with a proposal to help the base acquire a Stinger component.

MIDDLE: Mark and Joe discuss the recovery of a Stinger missile component with an Afghan interpreter who works for the US Army. The seller is from the Pakistani side of the border

END: The Chief of Base later tells Mark four high level Al-Qaeda members escaped just a few short days before from the Bagram Internment Facility and Mark straps his sidearm on from then on. The purchase of the Stinger component ultimately takes 6 months.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG: PROTAGONIST’S NEW PLAN IS EXECUTED:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: The CIA base consists of double stacked cargo shipping containers that are sandbagged on the roof laid out in a square shaped formation surrounded heavily by concertina and chain linked fencing with only one ingress/egress point. Each container has sleeping, living and bathrooms with showers independent of each other. The facility can house as many as 24 CIA personnel, if doubled up per container, plus office space. Other government agencies like DIA, NSA etc are collated near the Agency and collectively known as OGA. The 10th Mountain Division Headquarters and Bagram Internment Facility are each located a mere 300 feet from the CIA base. Other coalition forces are distributed around the air base that is occupied with approximately 14,000 personnel (military and contractors). Just north of the CIA base, a mere 500 feet, was the airstrip. The Bagram Air Base itself sets in Parwan Province and was a Soviet era airbase. The ancient village of Bagram sits just outside the base south and east with the base itself located 25 miles north of Kabul.

MARK: “Good afternoon Chief! … I am the new guy… Mark your new DCOB.” Mark extends his

hand out to shake the COB’s hand with a smile.

JOE: “Welcome to Bagram. …I’ll let you get settled in and meet our

communications officer and the senior Science and Technology advisor when they get

back from lunch. “

“….Then we will get you oriented to the place. The guy you replaced departed this

morning.”

MARK: “OK!… “

(Mark takes his gear to his quarters and returns to the office to start work placing his

sidearm in the gun cabinet. Later that night, Mark hears a knock at the office door and

goes to answer it.)

MARK: “Hi ….(surprised to see an armed Afghan inside the base’s perimeter)…. (without

missing a beat) …How may I help you?”

AFGHAN: “Hello….my name is Nangali …(he places his right hand across his heart and bows

his head) …and I am trying to speak to your people as I have someone I know that has

an item of interest to your Agency….I am an interpreter for the Army here……”

MARK: “Ok….please come in.” (Mark calls for the Chief to come down and Mark introduces

Nangali to him and that he has a proposal).

NANGALI: “I have a contact that has part of a Stinger…you know the missile that shoots down

aircraft….I understand that your Agency is willing to pay for their return? …Is that

correct?”

JOE: “Yes, that is correct. ….what exactly is the part of the Stinger that he has?”

NANGALI: “I do not know exactly, if it’s the Stinger itself or what….I have to reach out to him as

he approached me a few weeks ago about it and he lives on the Pakistan side of the

border. I visit my family when I get the chance and his family knows my family.”

JOE: “OK I will need you to contact your guy and let’s set up a meeting to discuss in

detail….You can contact Mark for this in the future as he does not know it yet, but this is

part of his job here!”

(Joe glances a smirk at Mark as he looks over the rim of his eyeglasses.)

(Mark shows the guest to the door and wishes him a good night.)

MARK: “You know Chief…. when I answered the knock at the door, the last thing I expected to

see at our base was an armed Afghani…I put my shoot’n iron in the gun safe not

thinking I would need it.”…. (Mark and Joe laugh)

JOE: “Well….coincidently we just had four top Al Qaeda members housed at the internment

facility that just escaped three nights ago and they have yet to be found. That facility sits

just 300 feet from us and that’s another one of your duties too.”….

: “….Command does not know how they got out, nor if they are still on the base.”

: “Ohhh …by the way….Welcome to Bagram!”

(Joe walks up the stairs to his desk.)

(Mark walks to the gun safe and straps his Glock 19 back on and for the remainder of his

17 month tour.)

DESCRIPTION: (VOICEOVER:) Six months would pass before Joe and I would purchase a Stinger grip stock for $10,000. The four Al Qaeda detainees were never captured.

ACT 2

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–NIGHT

BEGINNING: The Iraq Station DCOS finally releases Mark’s pay cable. The Chief of Base flags the cable to Mark’s attention as it poses a serious accusation.

MIDDLE: Mark carefully reviews Reilly’s cable and fights the strong desire to contact the Agency Inspector General, the Ombudsman and Office of General Counsel to file a complaint.

END: Mark ignores the cable and wants to focus instead on the mission at hand, but other events will overtake Mark’s attention, as well.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: Nearly two months into the tour, Mark has a cable flagged to his attention by the COB (Joe). Mark takes a moment to review the cable and advises the Chief that it’s in relation to what transpired in Iraq. Deep down Mark wants to file a complaint in writing, but that will take much of his time and he already puts in a full day and ports of the night.

JOE: “Mark a cable just came in for you and you really need to address it.”

MARK: “OK…Thanks.”

: “Chief!… This cable is basically a retaliation by DCOS in Iraq to the incident I told you about regarding child pornography. Reilly has been sitting on my pay voucher for like 3 months. I finally called the DCI’s Chief of Finance a week ago and forced the issue. ….“

JOE: “OK…but you need to seriously respond to it nonetheless as its damning allegation.”

MARK: “In due time Chief. Thanks!…. At least I finally got paid, even though I was short a few

bucks, but I’ll make it up.”

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: EXT/INT–BAGRAM FLIGHT LINE AND CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark is paid an unexpected visit from his home office director and the DCI’s Associate Director for Military Affairs. Mark is greeted like a long lost pal from the DCI Representative, but his Office Director avoids Mark speaking only to Joe the COB.

MIDDLE: Redcloud seeks to place a cap limit on the hours Mark works. Joe scoffs at this idea and tells the director he may as well pull his support from the base as that idea would shift the lion’s share of work on him.

END: Mark feels reassured from the COB’s efforts to stand up for him and feels no further action will like be taken given the warm reception he had from the DCI Representative that his office director clearly witnessed.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENE DIALOG:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

DESCRIPTION: Two months into Mark’s tour, Joe alerts Mark that the OMA office will be paying our base a surprise visit and seeks a meeting with the 10th Mountain Division commander. Mark is expected to pick the 2 visitors up at the flight line and bring them to base.

JOE: “Mark I just got word from Station that VIPs…being your boss –the OMA Office Director,

Redcloud, is surprising us with his presence and he’s bringing along the DCI’s Associate Director for Military Affairs (Galland)…..”

: “….I need you to go get them at the airfield and I’ll be taking them over to meet the

Division Commander…..they’ll be here in an hour.”

MARK: “Roger!! ….sorta sudden isn’t it?. …”

SLUG: EXT/INT–BAGRAM FLIGHT LINE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

(Video Narrated Vignette)

DESCRIPTION: Mark meets the visitors at the flight line. The DCI’s Representative remembers Mark from the last time he visited Iraq and acts as if they are old buddies from years past given they nearly died in the near mid air accident. Calland shakes Mark’s hand and gives him a hug and several slaps on the back. Redcloud, however, is distant, and has no interest to address

Mark speaking only to Joe the COB. …following the meetings the VIPs depart and Joe tells Mark what transpired between him and Redcloud.

JOE: “Mark…..Redcloud had a chat with me. He asked that I restrain you to just working 14

hours a day….”

: “…I basically told him that he may as well pull you out and withdraw his office’s support because we can work 14 to 20 hour days depending on what mission support we are doing for Station or other bases.”

: “He was not happy with that notion, nor was I …because I did not want to lose sleep pulling your workload too.”

MARK: “I was hoping to address Redcloud, but he dissed me. .… “

: “….This is obviously in response to Iraq Station’s Reilly to persistently badger and

harass me because his inner child was pissed off….” (Mark says sarcastically)

: “I should send Reilly a cable telling him that if he has such trauma from the ordeal of me reporting the truth, then I have a special HOT LINE for him to call….”

: “It’s a simple number really!…it’s 1 – 800 – WAAAAAA….the big baby.”

(Joe laughs out loud ….rocking back in his chair clapping his hands.)

DESCRIPTION: (VOICEOVER:) For the remainder of my tour I heard nothing further from Reilly and his attempts to retaliate. I figured the Office of Security and the Associate Director for Military Affairs was keeping my office and Reilly in check.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (OFFICE OF SECURITY-INVESTIGATOR’S OFFICE), LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–Day

BEGINNING: Office of Security Investigator reviews DCOS Iraq cable accusing Mark of a felony and decides to discuss the case with her Branch Chief.

MIDDLE: The investigator notes Mark’s history with the Office of Security and the fact he obtained guidance from three key Iraq Station personnel.

END: The CIA Office of Security chooses to shelve the case and does not choose to investigate, question, charge, nor prosecute Mark in the four years that follow the incident, while Mark continues to serve the CIA.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (OFFICE OF SECURITY-INVESTIGATOR’S OFFICE), LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–Day

DESCRIPTION: The investigator sitting at her desk sees the incoming cable from Iraq Station calling into question Mark’s three month pay voucher. She briefs her Branch Chief.

INVESTIGATOR: “Chief… I am looking at a cable that just came in from Iraq Station.

BRANCH CHIEF: “Yes….I saw it. That’s the case we’ve anticipated to be a reprisal against the

OMA officer?“

INVESTIGATOR: “Yes….A review of the cable reflects the personnel testifying were simply not

present at the time Mark was working late at night, after they had all gone to

bed. Station asserts that Mark tried to overcharge the CIA $14,000–a felony if

it were true. This is the retaliation that Mark and I anticipated.”

BRANCH CHIEF: “As I recall, you said he used to work for the Office of Security?”

INVESTIGATOR “Yes.”

BRANCH CHIEF: “Then he would know that the CIA has a long history of prosecuting staffers

and contractors who break the CIA’s trust and have prosecuted many for

embezzling $100, $500, $1000, $12,000 and more and that OS electronically

disseminates those findings monthly Agency wide.”

INVESTIGATOR: “Correct. … He does not strike me to be as stupid to pull such a stunt, plus he

told me he consulted with three key Station personnel involved in ensuring he

wrote the voucher correctly. He’s new at being an IC…. yes, but not stupid.”

BRANCH CHIEF: “OK… We’ll not take action on this and let it die on the grapevine.”

INVESTIGATOR: “OK…I completely agree…I’ll close the case, unless something new pops up

on the radar to prove us wrong. …Thank you for your time.”

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark’s 17 month tour is complete and he brief’s his replacement who followed behind him in Iraq. Mark gives his replacement the load down of his job and being a liaison.

MIDDLE: Mark addresses some of the pitfalls of the job like the Silent Salute ceremonies and dealing with injured Afghan forces that support their respective CIA bases, as well as a 14 year old that lost three limbs in an explosion.

END: Bob warns Mark that Reilly has not forgotten about him and advises Mark not to let his guard down or take for granted the protection he may have enjoyed before.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENE DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

DESCRIPTION: After 17 months of service, Mark is briefing his replacement as DCOB (Bob) who followed after Mark in Iraq. Mark is discussing responsibilities and success he has experienced while serving as DCOB. Bob advises Mark to head his warnings that Reilly is still looking out for blood.

MARK: “Good Morning Bob. …I am going to give you an overview of what your primary

function as DCOB will be and what you may encounter or should be prepared to encounter, if the situation arises.“

BOB: “Sounds great!”

MARK: “Your will find that you wear many hats and Station and our eight other bases–excluding

us–will seek you out as you are the go to guy…..”

: “Your primary mission is supporting CIA country-wide Counterterrorism operations

logistically and operationally…”

: …“This includes the application of our aircraft used in targeting key terrorists….”

: …”You will liaison with Division Headquarters here and the coalition allies, air

operations with the air traffic control tower, fuel, the MASH unit, and Bagram Internment

Facility.”

BOB: “OK…Anything else specific that I should be on the lookout for? In preparing for the

assignment I read where you guys bought a Stinger???

: …”Yes, another one of your functions will be to get leads on acquiring our Stinger

missiles left over from the Mujahideen days when the Soviets were stomping around

here…”

: “Those damn things are still good and effective despite sitting in the ground 30 years later unlike the Soviet shit.

: “You will facilitate purchasing the items…like batteries, grip stock and missile as a

whole or in part. We paid $10 grand for a grip stock and will go as much as $150,000 for the whole component…. So you basically become an arms dealer too.”

BOB: “I saw too that you were assisting the Brits in the recovery of Blowpipes too?”

MARK: “Yes …when you come across components for British Blowpipes…they too are like our

Stingers…very effective. So I have a British office I have helped.”

“He tries to give me leads too, but I have assisted him more in recovering like 80 missiles alone. ….“

BOB: “I did see where our 2,000 Stingers back it the day were conveniently stored in a cave

that accidently blew up, so they’re a lot harder to come by. …”

MARK: “Exactly!…The Brits do have a cute accent, but on the other hand, are a bit more

‘cavalier’ (Mark holds two fingers up in both hands to emphasize a quotation) in leaving

their Blowpipes laying around the countryside….“

; “But I’ll introduce you to him this evening with a spot of tea.”

(Mark says with his best British accent and pinky finger extended.)

(Bob laughs)

: “Oh one last point on that subject… I have also tried to coordinate with the Army here in

buying back Apache gunship Hellfire missiles and mobile towed radar systems from the black market.”

BOB: “Whaaat???”….What the fuck?? ….Seriously?….How the hell do you lose a Hellfire

Missile, let alone a radar system? … That’s a tank buster!!”

MARK: “Well the Army can’t fly all the equipment in, so they have it shipped into port in Pakistan

and rely on the Pak military for security to transport. …”

: “Lord knows how much take payers have lost and the US Army sure as hell keeps

Records of the losses, but keep mum about it….Just keep a watchful eye and see if they want it back.”

: “Last time the Army only wanted to give up $5,000 for a missile they confirmed was missing that cost taxpayers like $100,000 plus. The seller scoffed at the idea, so it likely wound up as an IED.”

BOB: “Have you guys been hit by any rockets or mortars or experienced any suicide bomber

attacks nearby?”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

MARK: “No, but while inspecting 12 crates of Soviet era Mig fighter air-to-air missiles, along with

three dump trucks filled with explosive munitions, I was exposed to nearly 3 hours of radioactive material leaking from them. …The makings for a dirty bomb”

: “The Special Forces soldier who was inspecting the munitions, as well, waited until the

end to run the Geiger Counter over the shit. …..My heart sank.”

: “Having been an export control analyst in my previous life with CIA and experienced in

nuclear, biological and chemical warfare from my Army training…I was none too happy.”

: “The Army got a great deal for the US taxpayer that day as they paid three Afghan

drivers $100 each to deliver the munitions to Bagram….”

BOB: (Laughing) “Only a hundred?”

MARK: “Yes!….And It took only three days, Allah’s Will, and Haji’s only pair of underwear to get

the stuff here, but they did it!…” (said sarcastically with right index finger making a point)

: “Out here the average Afghan, if they have a job, makes $40 a month. So that was

damn good pay day for them. ….. “

: “Hell I’ve known of them push their ailing kids in front of a

US military convoy knowing Uncle Sam will cough up $10,000 as retribution. “

BOB: “What would you say is the most difficult part of your job?”

MARK: “Keeping the folks from DIA next door from not blowing the base all to Hell…. (Mark

laughs.)….”

BOB: (a squeamish puzzled look once again came across his face) “What do you mean?”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

MARK: “A few months after I got here shit hit the fan when the commanding general discover

DIA was collecting all sorts of explosive material they obtained in trades…like mortars, C-4 explosives and anti tank mines… They had 1/3rd of a connex filled with the stuff…”

: “Never mind ‘JIHAD JOE’ getting us…it was the enemy within…”

(laughing and sarcastically said)….

: “Had that went off ….it would have blown the shit house door off a tuna boat around here…the entire OGA intelligence community would have been wiped out and every thing else in a 500 meter radius.”

: “Nonetheless….They had their asses ejected out of the country with …an armed military escort… like in 4 hours to ensure they were on the plane. The general was not kidding around that day!” (both laughing)

: “But to answer your question, in all seriousness…Joe would have agreed with me on this if he were here, but attending the Silent Salute ceremonies.”

BOB: “Silent Salute???” (He asks with a puzzled look on his face.)….

(Video Narrated Vignette)

MARK: “Yes, that occurs when a US soldier is killed. ….14,000 soldiers and contractors will line

both sides of the road here on Route Disney to render, while standing at attention, a salute in silence as a flag draped casket is driven slowly to the airfield for a small ceremony before the remains are placed in the belly of a C-130 for the journey home.”

: “I ‘ve personally have attended 23 such ceremonies and it gets harder and harder….”

: “Joe has lost count at the number he attended and when it got to that point he stopped going….”

BOB: “You mentioned the MASH unit ….. how does that fit into your duties?

(Video Narrated Vignette)

MARK: “Well…I’ve been called upon to arrange incoming medevacs for our own guys and

indigenous forces that we train at the bases or persons of interests to PSYOP. ….”

: “I had a Ground Branch contractor take a million dollar bullet that struck him on the left side of his pelvic area that hit no major arteries and exited out his butt. He came off the aircraft carrying his own IV bottle….”

: “After he was treated, I was due for R&R and was to escort him back on the J-Lo, but then we had a slight setback….. On take off as the aircraft was just about to completely lift off the airstrip….”

: “Suddenly the right engine explodes. We then hit hard on the landing strip….”

: “And If you don’t know it…the Kabul runway is surrounded by a minefield…. And the JSOC unit here found two x 500 pound bombs the Soviets left behind buried in the ground in the center of their camp….”

: “Funny thing is…. They were digging holes in the ground to install new port-a-potties.”

BOB: “SHIIIITTT!…One sizable FART could have taken them all out!”

MARK: “So if you survived the landing and landed in the minefield and did not explode, then you

get to exit the aircraft into a minefield…”

: “Anyway,….That rule applies here at Bagram too…Never walk or drive in the grass.”

BOB: “Can you imagine if you were this guy surviving a Hell of a firefight where you are outnumbered by the Taliban?…Then after you are medevaced back here for treatment… you start to fly back home and die in a plane crash?… “

MARK: “Yeah…This guy had to call in the AC-130 Gunship that, for the first time I know of, ran out of ammunition protecting our guys. ….”

BOB: (Shakes his head in disbelief)

(Video Narrated Vignette)

MARK: “Then there was the one air insertion training exercise that disembarked a team into a

old Soviet minefield that resulted in the Afghan soldier getting a leg blown off…..

(Bob squeamish at the idea)….”

: “The sad part was that during the training mission an Afghani soldier stops one of our advisors from stepping on a mine then turns and steps on one himself.”

BOB: “Daaammmnnn! (shaking his head is disbelief) …Can you visit them?“

MARK: “Oh Hell yes!…. I make it a point to do so twice a day. …”

: “It raises their spirits and even the families of the Afghan forces have notice how I, as

an American, cared more about their soldiers than the commanders who never came.”

: “So its good PR.”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

: “A short war story for you…I got called up one time from our Asadabad Base PSYOP

officer to arrange first class care for an influential tribal elder’s son…”

: “His son was picking up sprint brass to sell….on our base. “

: “The boy was 14 years old. He picked up an unexploded M203 grenade and had three

limbs blown off.”

: “…I spent two months visiting the boy twice a day. He grew very fond of the hospital

staff and with me too. The day he left we all cried.”

(Bob smiles at the thought…and sarcastically tries to pass Mark a napkin from his

desk.)

BOB: “Is there anything, other than the Internment facility, you find interesting in the job?…I

read the report about the escape and your first armed Afghan encounter like nearly the

same day. …” (Bob laughs)

MARK: “Yes…I’ve worn my Glock since! ….We do get a lot of senior officers visiting and we

usually are part of the tour. I’ve me the CENTCOM commander and Afghan Coalition

commander as well…..”

: “…Of course there is no alcohol allowed on the installation except OGA…for medicinal

purposes, of course… hence I notice the command seems to periodically get sick here in

our down stairs bar.” (both laugh)

(Video Narrated Vignette)

: “But the highlight came during President George Bush’s surprise visit…that was quite

interesting…..The US Secret Service sends out a detail to coordinate his visit 2 weeks in

advance of the President’s arrival. …”

: “Of course, YOURs TRULY (Mark exaggerates) is the one who links them up with the

powers that be, here at base. …”

BOB: “Of course you were…” (Bob says with a smile)

MARK: “They of course need housing support, so they ask if I can assist?…. So I plan to house

them here as the initial game plan.”

: “So two days out with US Secret Service in tow comes in this full bird US Army Colonel

with a huge chip on his shoulders…. You can tell by the ego the guy thinks he is the big

cock in the hen house.”

: “He then says…’OK! ….This will do!’ …Referring to our facility that he

intends to occupy… I said I am sorry Colonel, but the US Secret Service coordinated with me two weeks ago.”

: “His lordships response…’I am the Department of Defense Liaison for

Presidential visits and what I say goes on DoD installations!’….”

: “I then reply….’I completely understand Colonel’ as I shake my head yes in

agreement… to set him up for the kill ..(Mark laughs)…’The problem is Colonel ….that this is a CIA installation and I am the Deputy Chief of Base for CIA and what I say goes on this CIA Base. …. YOU GO and the Secret Service stays!’….”

(Bob is laughing his ass off at this point)

: “That Colonel just about shit himself leaving out with his tail tucked between his legs. …. (Mark and Bob laughing) ….

: “And then no sooner that the door shut behind the Colonel the lead Agent shouts so loud that I know the Colonel had to hear it….”

“YES!!!…YOU ARE THE FIRST ONE TO TELL HIM TO GO FUCK

HIMSELF!!!”

(Bob laughing even louder and harder)

: “Apparently, the Secret Service has to deal with this guy upending their best laid plans

and this was their first plan that went right. …..”

: “In the end I got my photo taken with George Bush, along with challenge coins and a

signed copy of photo of Air Force 1 from the pilot. …So you’ll know what to expect the

next time a President decides to come out.”

BOB: “Well it sounds like you had a lot of fun!…It certainly beats the Hell out of Iraq.”

MARK: “Oh yes…that’s correct…. I was willing to stay the year, but OMA was setting the playing

field up for failure and I was the whipping boy. I did not want to throw them under the

bus, but I was not going to let Station walk away scot free from their blunderous mistake.

BOB: “Yes ….Well when I got out their and Reilly was still fuming and I was pretty much

restricted on what I could and could not do. You created a transition book for the next

guy and that book I did not find until we spoke on the secure line 4 months into my tour.”

MARK: “Well things have since simmered down as I have not seen anymore attempts by Reilly

to retaliate. … I also had Office of Security and more importantly I had the DCI ADMA’s

good rapport to provide cover and protection from retaliation is what I suspect.”

BOB: “Don’t take it for granted Mark. …. You know yourself that he will sit back and wait for

the right time to strike. …. “

: “I was there when you apparently called the DCI’s Chief of Finance and Reilly got

pissed… He discovered then that you were here in Bagram. …”

“Just be careful and cover your backside. …. So what is your next assignment?”

Mark: “I expect to be sent to Kabul for a short tour before they deploy me along the Afghan/Pak

border to conduct Hogan’s Heroes style PSYOP functions in support of counterterrorism

operations. …. It should prove to be interesting.”

Bob: “Best of luck to you Mark. …. And again be safe on your flight back to the states and be careful with Reilly.”

DESCRIPTION: (VOICEOVER): To this day I still suffer from the memories of attending those many Silent Salute ceremonies during my tour. Years later…for reasons you will understand later, I would wish I could have swapped places with those who died with honor.

((PLACEHOLDER: DIALOG SCENE NEEDS TO FOLLOW WITH REILLY’s SEARCH FOR MARK))

——– ——– ——–

ACT 2:

BEAT SHEET MIDDLE SCENES: PLAN FAILS…THEN…:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA STATION, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

–Mark takes on the new role as Station’s Psychological Warfare Operations in Kabul, Afghanistan and carries out his first mission at hand.

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA STATION, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/Night

–Mark uncovers an important Station asset’s secret.

SLUG: INT–CIA SAFEHOUSE, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–NIGHT

–Mark facilitates Taliban defections, including two suicide bombers that he uses in a campaign.

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

–Mark redeploys along the Afghan/Pak border of Kunar Valley in what would test his skills and it begins with cleaning up a Navy S.E.A.L. operation gone bad.

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

–The new Chief of Station for Afghanistan arrives, it’s Mark’s old boss from Iraq that results in rising tensions and another hostile work environment the last 5 months of his tour.

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

–A Congressional Delegation visits Falcon Base and Mark is asked to brief his successes.

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

–One month from leaving his post, Mark suddenly experiences catastrophic failure across the board on assets and PSYOP resources that had a proven track record for 2 plus years.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE: PLAN FAILS…THEN…:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA STATION, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark moves on to his next 3 month assignment as a Psychological Warfare Officer to support the CIA’s Counterterrorism operations countrywide from the Station in Kabul, Afghanistan. He begins first to restore harmony to Afghanistan by saving a cat, before his first mission.

MIDDLE: Mark prepares to conduct his first mission to serve as the “Milkman” carrying $300,000 in cash to the presidential palace.

END: Mark succeeds in his efforts to make it to the palace without incident and is warmly welcomed by the National Security Council’s assistant.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG: PLAN FAILS…THEN…:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA STATION, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

DESCRIPTION: Mark’s 3 months are anything, but dull. During his stay at the CIA Station which occupies the former Hotel Ariana in Kabul, Afghanistan known as the American Embassy Annex. The facility sits just blocks from the Afghan presidential palace where Mark will find himself making the “Milkman Run” to deliver $300,000 a month in cash each month to the National Security Council’s office. “The Spider” is replaced by COS Chris.

COS CHRIS: “Good morning Mark. ….What’s new?”

MARK: “Well…I did my part to restore harmony here in Afghanistan…

CHRIS: “Really??? ….How so?”

MARK: “I saved a feral cat that had fallen into the water pond out front from drowning in the cold

wintery temps outside…”

CHRIS: “Hah!…Really? …How did you get him out?…They usually are not too friendly.”

MARK: “I extended my leg out…I am wearing my combat boots so the cat grabbed onto my boot

to make its escape before shaking the cold water off. …..”

: “He or she had no objections to my help and likely would have

succumb to hypothermia and drown.”….

: “It looked up at me as if to say thank you and walked off.”

CHRIS:“Well… today I have another opportunity for you to restore harmony in Afghanistan for at

least the next three months.”

: “Your responsibility as Station’s PSYOP officer will be to deliver once a month $300,000

in 100 dollar denomination to Karzai’s presidential palace…”

: “Go down to the Finance office and they’ll hook you up. ….Your load will be heavy and I

know you’ll be wearing your sidearm, but maintain situation awareness as you are going

alone so as to not draw attention.”

MARK: “Really??? ….No back up?…..Wow!…(Mark says jokingly in a low voice) Here’s my

opportunity to make up for being short $14,000.“

CHRIS: “Huh??…What was that?”

MARK: “Nothing Chief…just making an inside joke to myself really.. Ok so no escort!”

CHRIS :“No not necessary…the palace is just a few blocks from here so get directions from

finance before you make someone else happy by delivering to the wrong place.”

(Chris smiles)

: “You can’t miss the place ….It’s the building that heavily fortified with a heavy security

presence.”

MARK: “Chief…I don’t know if you get out much around here….but damn near every building is

heavily fortified and has a heavy security presence….” (said sarcastically)

(Chris laughs flinching his head back)

(Video Narrated Vignette)

DESCRIPTION: Mark is seen collecting the money from Station Finance, sealed in four large manilla envelopes and stuffed into two large satchels. The Finance officer points to a map on the wall to show where Hotel Ariana sits in relation to where the palace sits. Mark picks up both heavy satchels and exits through the hallway down the steps and out the front door of the ‘hotel’ passed the water pond where he had saved the feral cat’s life earlier then through the streets of Kabul’s heavily quarantine area two blocks over to the presidential palace. Mark is permitted to by pass the palace security and directed to the National Security Advisor’s office where he is greeted by an assistant. Mark passes the two satchels that are promptly emptied of their contents and returned back to Mark. Mark smiles and thanks the assistant and returns back to Station in good health..

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA STATION, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

BEGINNING: Mark sets up a meeting with an important Station asset who thinks he is slick with the $200,000 he repeatedly tries to avoid accounting for.

MIDDLE: Mark meets with the asset to ascertain the status of the receipts and progress of the asset’s project that was being funded. Mark turns up the heat asking the asset for the projects location and photographs. Visibly defensive, the asset tries a runaround with Mark and goes so much as to provide a misleading photograph to throw Mark off his trail.

END: Mark starts from scratch and performs an asset assessment the way the professional Case Officers are suppose to routinely perform. Mark learns the asset is not just trying to pull the wool over the Station’s eyes on the project, but has a very important secret that opens up a whole new opportunity for the CIA.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA STATION, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

DESCRIPTION:

CHRIS: “Well Mark…Now that you did that mission so good, I have a someone of great

importance to the Station that you will have to take over. He is an important asset.”

MARK: “OK.”

CHRIS: “We have financed him for the last couple of years since we recruited him. ….”

: “His name is Saad and he oversees a power projection platform in country and he

is becoming a bit cocky. …The Chief of Operations here recruited him a few years back.”

: “I need you to reel him in and remind him who he answers too, but maintain good

rapport as much as you can. Don’t lean on him too hard unless you have too. Headquarters briefed you too on needing $200,000 in receipts that he has yet to account for, so I need you to follow up on that too.”

MARK: “Will do…How do I meet this guy?”

CHRIS: “The guy you are replacing–Charles–has met with him mostly in Dubai. That seems to be the place Saad and Charles enjoy the most, but set up a meeting before Charles leaves. ….”

MARK: “I just assume I will conduct my meetings here, so I’ll avoid Dubai for now. ..”

DESCRIPTION: Mark arranges a meeting that evening at Station’s conference room under cover of darkness. Mark’s game plan is to request not just invoices, but photographs too of the project Saad is working on to ascertain progress..

MARK: “Saad….Glad to meet you…. I know it was short notice, but I just had to do a hand off

with Charles who is heading home and I am the new guy you will be working with the

next few months….”

SAAD: “Hi..Mark!…No problem…I so glad to meet you…. Station seems to rotate you guys

around alot…”

MARK: “Yes…well we are in demand you might say. ….Look I know you are praised highly as a

regional power player and your time is important, but the purpose of this get

together is to obviously introduce who I am and follow up on a few items of interest at Headquarters in Washington. …”

SAAD: “OK…Your timing was perfect as I was just coming from the office….”

MARK: “Good… first and foremost…I’ve been asked for receipts for that $200,000 that was

provided to you to support the operation to set up an internet cafe. What kind of progress are you making on that program and do you have photographs, if not I would like some to pass to the powers that be at Headquarters?

SAAD: (Visibly annoyed at being asked for receipts) “Look…I have provided receipts before and

they seem to be losing them… I’ll try again to pull up the receipts again to pass for the

4th time.”

MARK: “Ok….Well the receipts the folks back in Washington got claims what you provided was

not in concert of what you would normally have for establishing an internet cafe. So that

is why they are a bit puzzled…..”

SAAD: (Obviously trying to avoid the subject) “OK …I’ll look into it.” As for the photographs

previously requested by Station, I have some I brought with me that should satisfy them

in Washington. ….”

(Saad passes one photo to Mark that is clearly a market ploy for advertisement. It depicts professional models standing and sitting in a lobby having coffee with a counter table. The table and floor are so clean you can eat off it in comparison to the typical Afghan establishments that would be shut down by US standards with not one computer in sight….Mark suspects deception, but smiles through it all.)

MARK: “OK great!!…..Also, one more thing while we are at it….I need to know the location of this

Project.”

SAAD: ”OK well…It’s down downtown off the main drag.”

(He grows more uncomfortable in his answer that is vague rather than precise) ….

MARK: “You have something more precise? ….Like a landmark or a street intersection? …You

know I am new in town and I cannot exactly get out much?…”

SAAD: “Yes its Wazir Akbar Khan road in vicinity to 9 street.”

MARK: “OK thanks for the information. …I’ll have the security element drop you off near your

office and you can go about your business.”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

DESCRIPTION: Mark suspects something is up. Mark reviews Saad’s dossier: Saad is married to an Australian woman, but has an Iranian American girlfriend, hates Iran and all it stands for, and is periodically invited by the Chief of Operations to have lunch at CIA Headquarters when he is in town where he is also debriefed. In the meantime, Mark has Saad’s phone number ran through NSA’s network to assess what numbers Saad is in contact with. Then Mark makes arrangements with Station’s Afghan American interpreter to accompany him on a road trip to search Kabul for the mysterious internet cafe in question for program verification purposes only to discover that the site in question is a 10 story building that is purchased apparently about the time Saad asked for $200,000. Mark notices an internet cafe happens to be not more than 100 feet from the building in question that stands empty for the time being. The lobby where the models in the photo were depicted having coffee is the same. Mark learns too that Iranian literature is what is on display in the lobby. The two initiatives yield positive results for Mark, a major issue for Saad, an embarrassment to the Case Officer who recruited him and an opportunity for the CIA. After Mark shotguns back a cable to his home office to assess who Saad is calling is when Mark learns Saad is in contact with a senior Iranian intelligence officer that he has neglected to tell Station. This senior intelligence officer as it turns out was responsible for shooting down a US military aircraft in the 90s. Additionally, according to my interpreter, Saad’s name is Iranian which adds more of an interesting twist to the equation. Headquarters suddenly decides a CounterIntelligence Case Officer needs to handle Saad.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA SAFEHOUSE, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–NIGHT

BEGINNING: Mark is approached by a Case Officer (John) who is a former DELTA FORCE soldier and he and Mark embarks on a mission to facilitate the defection of Taliban commanders and two suicide bombers that would be similar to the Kit Carson Scouts initiative during the Vietnam era.

MIDDLE: Mark was able to secure funding for a safehouse and with the assistance of the ‘Peace Through Strenth’ program, Mark and John are able to facilitate 14 Taliban commanders through the defection program for a pardon, in addition to two drugged suicide bombers hooked on heroin.

END: Mark would use–with the help of the Afghan Minister of Defense–the two suicide bombers who defected to counter Taliban/Al Qaeda propaganda campaigns.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA SAFEHOUSE, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: Two months into the job and Mark is presented with an interesting opportunity that has not been seen since the Vietnam era. John, a Case Officer, handles high level figures that often riles competing Case Officers who are jealous and try to sabotage him by providing derogatory reporting against his assets. John is casual in his demeanor and is the closest thing to ‘James Bond’ Mark has seen himself in the Agency, though he’s heard about one other 10 years ago. John approaches Mark to see if his office can fund a safehouse in Kabul to house Taliban commanders defecting back to the Afghan government in exchange for their followers to lay down their weapons. Mark agrees and immediately sends a message through the internal notes system back to Washington for their thoughts and funding before sending an official cable.

JOHN: “Hi…I understand you are the Station’s PSYOP Officer?…”

MARK: “Yes the one and only we got here until reinforcements get here……(he laughs)…what

can I do for you?”

JOHN: “An opportunity has been offered up through my sources to have several Taliban

commanders defect to the Afghan government in exchange for having their troops lay

down their arms….”

: “I understand you have access to the Peace Through Strength initiative that facilitates

such offers. …..”

: “I also need to set up a safehouse for these guys if all goes well so we can

debrief them. …..”

: “My office is limited on what can be funded, but your office may being willing to support

this initiative.”

MARK: “I am willing to bet they would….let me fire back a note to the home office and wet their

appetite on this one as I am sure it will stir a response. … (John nods his head

casually).. I’ll get back to you as soon as I see a response.”

JOHN: “OK great thanks!.. …

MARK: “Where can I find you when I know they say yes?”…(Mark laughs)

JOHN: “I am down on the ground floor by the Comms Center….”

MARK: “OK …I’ll likely see you shortly and run you down.

(John nods his head in compliance and strides out of the office. Mark can tell he has no ego to flex or chip on his shoulder, nor feels he has to prove anything to no one as he has done it all.)

: “…It’s refreshing to see a real professional.”

DESCRIPTION: Mark has an answer in like 10 minutes. Mark tracks John down in his office.

MARK: “John….as I suspected Headquarters was in a flurry of conversations. …”

: “One guy even compared this initiative to the ‘Kit Carson Scouts program during

Vietnam, so you know he’s an old fart… “

: “It’s where the North Vietnamese defectors worked for the Marines.”

: “So the answer is yes they will fund it…I just need to know how much you need?”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

DESCRIPTION: With COS Chris concurrence, John makes his journey to the Afghan/Pak border where he convinces 14 Taliban commanders from Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s clan to come with him under the Minister of Defense’s command to Kabul and where they will be housed in a guarded safehouse. Mark arranges for Haji Mohammad Khan of the PTS program to facilitate and explain the process with the commanders. At any point, any member wishes to withdraw their interest before their commitment to the Afghan government they are permitted to leave freely. A 15th commander would later visit to assess the legitimacy of what was transpiring and leave after meeting with the Minister of Defense. Eventually two suicide bombers identified by the senior Taliban defector would be enticed across the border by John who has them leave their vest behind. The two young recruits who lived in poverty in the refugee camps were heavily sedated with heroin which made them easy prey to be trained as suicide bombers. It took nearly a month of them screaming in agony and pain from withdraw for the two to return to a normal life. Mark would eventually with the aid of the Minister of Defense to have the two suicide bombers interviewed in a press conference to discuss how young men are being recruited, misled, drugged heavily with heroin and mislead into committing suicide. This initiative helps to counter the Al Qaeda and Taliban propaganda initiatives to recruit more suicide bombers. Upon certifying the entire group for a pardon, Mark arranged for a group photograph to be taken that included CIA Station’s 4 man security detachment, Mark and John all with smiles including the Minister of Defense who thought the photograph would remind the defectors of their commitment. Not all the defectors were smiling in the photo, however, as they knew there was no turning back.

DESCRIPTION: (VOICEOVER): In my time I served in Afghanistan, If it did not try to bite you, stab you, or stick you it tried to eat you, it shot at you, rocketed, mortared, or layed an IED to kill you and I survived it all to include another near mid air disaster. However, I never thought I would see the day that I would have several smiling Taliban leaders wave at me to say thank you and goodbye.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

BEGINNING: Mark redeploys along the Afghan/Pak border of Kunar Valley and puts his skills to the test with just two weeks on the ground as he begins a month-long cleanup to hide the hand of the US Government after a Navy S.E.A.L. operation goes bad.

MIDDLE: Mark wages a counter offensive using a night letter to support a false flag operation to save the life of an influential tribal elder who will owe him a great debt of gratitude.

END: Mark finds he is now a permanent addition to the base in what was initially supposed to be a 3 month tour to appease the Falcon Chief of Base.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG: ((PLACEHOLDER: MORE DIALOG NEEDED HERE))

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: Multiple base assets report an Al Qaeda facilitator is operating across the border in Arandu, Pakistan from Dokalam, Afghanistan. The base has an embedded Navy S.E.A.L. team, but it becomes necessary to fly in two more S.E.A.L. snipers who have been tasked to conduct a ‘clandestine’ cross border shot to remedy the operative harmless. However, on that day, three of our nation’s finest cannot hit water if they fell out of a boat in the middle of the Atlantic.

COB KEVIN: “Mark…I know you just joined the base just two weeks ago and had road trip to

the village we are preparing an operation for. ….How confident do you think the

tribal elder we met will support our operation?

MARK: “I am sure he’ ll be supportive as it was his nephew who was killed by that Al Qaeda

guy…You see…Al Qaeda targeted an Afghan Border Patrol convoy and it was his

nephew who was killed. …So he has a blood feud going on.”

((PLACEHOLDER: MORE DIALOG NEEDED HERE))

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

BEGINNING: The new Chief of Station for Afghanistan is about to arrive in country, it’s Mark’s old boss from Iraq that will result in rising tensions and another hostile work environment the last 5 months of Mark’s tour as atmospherics abruptly change toward him by a Case Officer colleague (John) who will act as Chief of Base until COB Robert returns.

MIDDLE: COS Reilly visits the base and Mark notices Reilly speaking discretely to John. As time passes Mark is being excluded from participating in staff meetings.

END: John is frustrated that the case officers are excluded from participation in a very important briefing that Mark is called upon to solely contribute. The Navy S.E.A.L.s sponsored a briefing to the visiting new commanding general over the Afghan Coalition Forces.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG: ((PLACEHOLDER: MORE DIALOG NEEDED HERE))

SLUG: INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: Falcon staff meetings take place in a fortified bunker they call an office that consists of the Chief and Deputy Chief of Base, 10 Case Officers, 5 Navy S.E.A.L.s, a 4 man Black Water security team, 1 Communications guy, 1 Logistics guy and Mark PSYOP.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

BEGINNING: A Congressional Delegation visits Falcon Base and Mark is asked to brief how his operations are so successful. Mark explains what his mission is then addresses the culture of Afghan society and their code for survival as second instincts.

MIDDLE: Mark then addresses his acts of sabotage, use of the radio station, night letter operations and the use of agents of influence to target the populace and the intended outcome of degrading recruitment and support of terrorists.

END: Mark finally wraps his briefing up saying that in essence he took a page out of former President Bill Clinton’s Democratic rule book and that abruptly ended the meeting.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG: ((PLACEHOLDER: MORE DIALOG NEEDED HERE))

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

BEGINNING: One month from leaving his post, Mark suddenly experiences two catastrophic losses. The death of a team member and failure across the board on all of his assets and PSYOP resources that had a proven track record for 2 plus years.

MIDDLE: Base suffers a blow when a member (Chief Petty Officer Joshua Harris) of the Navy S.E.A.L. team loses his life in a training mission that Mark is directly supporting. Mark flies an American flag in his honor over base and seeks to pass to Joshua’s family, one of which is his twin sister Kiki Harris, an accomplished Hollywood celebrity.

END: Mark suspects treachery by Case Officer John in cahoots with COS Reilly as the reason for his program being shut down. Mark tries to contest the sudden derogatory information, but Headquarters is too behind the decision leaving Mark puzzled.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG: ((PLACEHOLDER: MORE DIALOG NEEDED HERE))

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

DESCRIPTION:

——– ——– ——–

ACT 2:

BEAT SHEET: TURNING POINT 2: MID–POINT:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (Home Office) LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

–Mark returns to the US for a 4 month R&R and makes arrangements for his return to Falcon Base.

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (Home Office) LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

–Returning back to Washington, DC for a 3-day mission prep and medical clearance in May, as directed, before his deployment to Afghanistan.

SLUG: INT–WASHINGTON-DULLES INT’L AIRPORT (CHECK BAGGAGE) CHANTILLY, VIRGINIA–DAY

–Mark checks in his baggage, but later learns it disappeared with a treasure trove of identity theft material and coincidentally the CIA has a facility at the same site with access to the terminals and carousels.

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

–After a month of his office stalling, Mark learns by phone he has been Blacklisted.

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

–Mark begins to contest his Blacklisting and in the meantime makes arrangements to return back to active duty with his Army Reserve unit, but suddenly falls ill that takes 5 months to recover from before the life changing diagnosis is delivered.

ACT 2:

OUTLINE: TURNING POINT 2: MID–POINT:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (Home Office) LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark returns to the US for a 4 month R&R and makes arrangements for his return to Falcon Base. Mark expresses concern to his Branch Chief (Joe) that all his assets were suddenly declared unworthy to be used, despite a plethora of program verifications and some were polygraphed.

MIDDLE: Joe looks troubled by the notion that all assets were rendered unfavorable and makes an inquiry to the Collection Management Officer overseeing analysis that rendered the decision.

END: Joe learns the CMO based their decision from recent multiple derogatory reporting from Case Officer John’s reporting.

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 DIALOG SCENE: MID–POINT: ((NEED DIALOG))

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (Home Office) LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

DESCRIPTION: Mark’s return to Headquarters to express his concerns about the assets being denounced causes raises eyebrows and more controversy for Joe than he cares for.

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (Home Office) LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

BEGINNING: Returning back to Washington, DC for a 3-day mission prep and medical clearance in May, as directed, before his deployment to Afghanistan.

MIDDLE: Ironically, Mark finds he is becoming uneasy and senses something is wrong, but refuses to accept his own gut instincts. His instincts are validated when he sees COS Reilly in the Agency cafeteria.

END: Mark learns the deployment is not going as planned and directed to return home. He is asked to turn in his badge and passport. This is not the first time such a request has been made of Mark so he is not surprised.

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 DIALOG SCENE: ((NEED DIALOG))

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (Home Office) LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

DESCRIPTION: Mark, however, is growing increasingly uncomfortable to be at CIA Headquarters as his guts tell him something is wrong. He joins a colleague (Nathan) he has known for 16 years for lunch in the CIA cafeteria and there he sees COS Reilly.

DESCRIPTION: (VOICEOVER) As Mark prepares for his mission he reads about an American soldier who was captured by the Taliban. Ironically Mark recalls reading about a captured soldier the month before he returned home. The soldier in question is Bo Berghdal who is identified as a traitor who went AWOL and was held in captivity for 5 years. Ironically the official date of his capture is noted six months after Bo Berghdal reportedly disappeared.

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–WASHINGTON-DULLES INT’L AIRPORT (CHECK BAGGAGE), CHANTILLY, VIRGINIA–DAY (AND)

SLUG: INT–DELTA AIRLINE TERMINAL, PALMBAY, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark checks in his baggage for his return flight and is glad he no longer is on the same flight with COS Reilly. Mark prays the J-Lo crashes with all onboard to survive, but him.

MIDDLE: Once Mark arrives home in Florida, he notices his luggage is not present at the terminal. The luggage contains a treasure trove of identity theft tax information material and Mark files a notice with Delta Airlines of the missing luggage.

END: Mark remembers that the CIA has a facility at the same site with access to the terminals and carousels. Mark knows that only the Chief of Counterterrorism Center could order his bag removed and through a little research discovers the former COS of Iraq (D’Angelo) is in charge of CTC, hence Reilly and D’Angelo, he suspects are behind the theft of his luggage.

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 DIALOG SCENE: ((NEED DIALOG))

SLUG: INT–WASHINGTON-DULLES INT’L AIRPORT (CHECK BAGGAGE), CHANTILLY, VIRGINIA–DAY (AND)

SLUG: INT–DELTA AIRLINE TERMINAL, PALMBAY, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: After a month of his office stalling, Mark learns by phone he has been Blacklisted. The Branch Chief tells Mark he is baffled that after 2 plus years of service that he is surprised by the office director’s move.

MIDDLE: Mark discloses to Joe that he is being retaliated against by COS Reilly because his ego was bruised when Mark disclosed that his Station had screwed up an investigation that involved the downloading of child pornography on two CIA Top Secret computers.

END: Mark insists that an investigation needs to be opened into this and that he will take legal action and contact his US Senator who sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 DIALOG SCENE: ((NEED DIALOG))

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark begins to contest his Blacklisting and in the meantime makes arrangements to return back to active duty with his Army Reserve unit to buy time while he takes on the CIA in a civil lawsuit that he intends to make publicly. He arranges for a medical physical as required by the US Army.

MIDDLE: Mark suddenly falls ill which ultimately takes 5 months to recover from. Mark believes that the Mononucleosis that he has suffered twice before and brought on from stress is what is afflicting him.

END: Mark receives a phone call 4 months after his Army physical. His unit’s brigade surgeon proceeds to scream over the phone that Mark has HIV and that he will be processed for discharge. Mark’s life changing diagnosis is delivered so bluntly and disrespectful he grabs his 44 magnum to commit suicide.

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 DIALOG SCENE: ((NEED DIALOG))

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

——– ——– ——–

ACT THREE

((MORE ANTAGONIST DIALOG NEEDS INCORPORATED))

BEAT SHEET: ACT 3 REACTION TO MID POINT:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

–Mark is now suicidal and devastated by the news of his diagnosis and it could not have come at a worse time with the Great Recession in full swing.

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

–After no employment for 10 months, Mark is feeling the pinch and cannot afford to fly up to his Army Reserve unit in Fort Dix, New Jersey for procedures to support a medical discharge.

ACT 3:

ACT 3 REACTION TO MID POINT OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark is now suicidal and devastated by the news of his diagnosis and it could not have come at a worse time with the Great Recession in full swing. Blacklisted by the CIA, an outcast by the US Army and non deployable as all prospective employers would require one to be to support the intelligence community or military

MIDDLE: As news spreads among family and friends of Mark’s predicament, he finds he is discarded and forgotten and no longer wanted. It does not take long before Mark realizes that he feels his country too has turned its back on him.

END: Mark begins to fall into severe depression as there is no hope in sight. He fears losing all that he has worked for in 30 years and figuratively handed an epitaph that sums up his life at that point.

ACT 3:

ACT 3 REACTION TO MID POINT: DIALOG SCENE: ((NEED DIALOG))

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

For Outstanding Service and Loyalty to Country

Stigmatized and Slandered

Betrayed and Dishonored

Impoverished and Homeless

Discarded and Forgotten

Blacklisted by a Grateful Nation

ACT 3:

ACT 3 REACTION TO MID POINT OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: After no employment for 10 months, Mark is feeling the pinch and cannot afford to fly up to his Army Reserve unit in Fort Dix, New Jersey for medical discharge procedure. Holding the rank of a US Army Major, Mark would normally be picked up at the Camden, NJ airport, but now he must walk 32 miles to the base and arrives to sleep on a park bench at 1:30 AM. A tree stands by the bench leaving Mark to wish he had a rope to hang himself.

MIDDLE: Mark feels everything is crashing down around him. He is constantly being harassed by creditors daily and called by the same company 5 times a day asking when they will get their money. Mark’s unit sends him for medical evaluations at Walter Reed Army Hospital’s Infectious Disease unit in Washington, DC, where he finds 30 other soldiers (both male and female) in attendance going through the similar ordeal of being discharged.

END: Mark tries to seek employment at various other commercial industries, but the growing recession is preventing him from securing a job even at McDonalds or even Walmart.

ACT 3:

ACT 3 REACTION TO MID POINT: DIALOG SCENE: ((NEED DIALOG))

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

——– ——– ——–

ACT 3:

BEAT SHEET: ACT 3 MAKES A NEW PLAN:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

–Mark taps his retirement savings plans to generate revenue to sustain himself and cover the mortgage and utility bills, in addition to bartering personal property, short selling the house and dumbing down the resume to increase employment opportunities as a strategy to avoid failure.

ACT 3:

ACT 3 MAKES A NEW PLAN: OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark begins to barter to pay off vacant land he owns in Colorado as a backup plan to move there using his household goods, a couple of vehicles and heavy machinery he bought to support his oldest brother’s business that no longer exists. Mark cashes in his US Government and Military savings plans to pay off as much debt and to carry him, until he secures employment.

MIDDLE: After sending out approximately 200 applications over the course of six months with no results, Mark tries a different approach on his resume by dumbing it down to appeal to employment opportunities one would find at Burger King, Walmart and Winn Dixie.

END: Mark attempts to put his house on the market for a short sale in an attempt to prevent his credit from being destroyed.

ACT 3:

ACT 3 MAKES A NEW PLAN: DIALOG SCENE: ((NEED DIALOG))

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

——– ——– ——–

ACT 3:

BEAT SHEET: ACT 3 THINGS GO WELL, UNTIL…:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

–As the Great Recession grows worse and no hope for employment Mark soon depletes his savings, cannot pay utilities, nor buy food and worse yet the IRS files a nearly $500,000 civil suit for back taxes.

ACT 3:

ACT 3 THINGS GO WELL, UNTIL… OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: As the Great Recession grows worse and no hope for employment Mark soon depletes his savings, cannot pay utilities, nor buy food.

MIDDLE: The IRS files a nearly $500,000 civil suit for back taxes Mark owes from the four years he spent in two combat zones for his country. Had he not had his luggage stolen by the CIA that contained his tax material, Mark had estimated he would have only owed $125,000. Now Mark is left without water and electricity for three months in a house he will lose.

END: The Internal Revenue Service reaches into Mark’s bank account and takes his last $600 shoving him and his small dog penniless into the streets.

ACT 3:

ACT 3 THINGS GO WELL, UNTIL…: DIALOG SCENE: ((NEED DIALOG))

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

——– ——– ——–

ACT 3:

BEAT SHEET: ACT 3 PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR LOWEST LOW:

SLUG: EXT–STREETS OF MIAMI AND FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY/NIGHT

–Mark soon finds himself homeless and joining the ranks of the “Walking Dead.”

ACT 3:

ACT 3 PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR LOWEST LOW: OUTLINE:

SLUG: EXT–STREETS OF MIAMI AND FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY/NIGHT

BEGINNING: Mark soon finds himself homeless and joining in the ranks of the “Walking Dead” that will eventually consume 675,000 people. He is not just bankrupted financially, he is also bankrupted physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally as he becomes an abandonment of self. Mark feels he is a complete failure in life and blames himself for not taking a more confrontational and aggressive proactive stance against COS Reilly.

MIDDLE: Mark begins to fall deeper into severe depression triggering PTSD, sleep insomnia, and is increasingly becoming more short tempered and violent. To hear people thank him for his service begins to anger him all because he stood up and did what was right and followed military leadership values. Now Mark finds himself having to become a strip dancer at gay bars to survive.

END: As Mark drops deeper into depression he begins planning his suicide to get out of his wretched misery.

ACT 3:

ACT 3 PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR LOWEST LOW: DIALOG SCENE: ((NEED DIALOG))

SLUG: EXT–STREETS OF MIAMI AND FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY/NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: DESCRIPTION: Unbeknownst to Mark his transformational journey from a professional 20 year CIA and 26 year Army Reserves officer will lead to five years of chronic homelessness. The only way to put food in his hand for him and his dog is to strip dance at gay bars where he is at least not stigmatized and is accepted. Mark turns his weaknesses into opportunity for success to survive by having the advantage of looking 12 years younger than he is and has the core strength to pull off many of the stunts on the stripper pole that many “Twinkies” half his age cannot do. Mark also has his vast life experience to engage the customers beyond “I’m an Aries…What’s your sign?” butt nugget conversations. By day Mark and his dog wonder the streets homeless, but by night he sneaks his puppy in his backpack into the bars where he performs.

——– ——– ——–

ACT FOUR

ACT 4: ((MORE SCENES WITH ANTAGONIST NEEDS INCORPORATED, REFLECT INJUSTICE, NEW WAYS INJECTED IN THE JOURNEY–like a ‘Balanced Scorecard’ approach))

BEAT SHEET: ACT 4 REACTION TO THIRD ACT TURNING POINT:

SLUG: INT–LA QUINTA HOTEL ROOM, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–NIGHT

–Mark is into his 4th year on the streets and starts to turn to crystal meth (Tina) to help him escape the reality he is in after becoming a complete failure in life and no hope of rebounding.

ACT 4:

OUTLINE: ACT 4 REACTION TO THIRD ACT TURNING POINT:

SLUG: INT–LA QUINTA HOTEL ROOM, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–NIGHT

BEGINNING: Mark has tried to commit suicide twice, but each time it seems devine intervention throws a distraction to give him hope to hold on. He is often reminded of Tony Bennet’s song…”Who can I turn to? (When nobody needs me)” and unknowingly looks to his dog for emotional support, but his strong desire to take his life is overwhelming.

MIDDLE: Christmas eve is no different from any other day on the streets, but Mark is treating his dog to a hotel room for the first time in years as her gift and watches her reaction as she runs around the room extremely filled with joy and happiness to stretch her legs. Mark immediately breaks down and cries knowing he has not just been a complete failure in life, but he has dragged his little girl down with him to Hell with him. He had been scheduled earlier to strip dance tonight, but a water main pipe ruptures and shuts down the bar destroying all hopes of making extra funds to pay for one more night’s stay.

END: In a final act of desperation the next day, Mark seeks to find a client that will not just furnish cash for his services, but crystal meth to assist him in masking the ordeal. Mark estimates 30% of the strip dancers during the Great Recession are homeless and has known three personally to have committed suicide and countless others that are on drugs to include himself. This is the level Mark has sunk to.

ACT 4:

DIALOG SCENE: ACT 4 REACTION TO THIRD ACT TURNING POINT: ((NEEDS DIALOG))

SLUG: INT–LA QUINTA HOTEL ROOM, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–NIGHT

DESCRIPTION:

——– ——– ——–

ACT 4:

BEAT SHEET: PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR DILEMMA:

SLUG: INT–CLIENT’S HOME, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–NIGHT

–Mark’s carelessness in using drugs endangers his little dog resulting in distraught and a move for change of environment.

ACT 4:

SLUG: INT–CLIENT’S HOME, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–NIGHT

OUTLINE: PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR DILEMMA:

BEGINNING: Mark finds a client to visit where Tina is smoked and slammed. Mark later finds that his dog has accidentally been exposed from the smoke and begins panicking from the withdrawal hours later. Mark leaves the client’s home.

MIDDLE: Mark is heartbroken to see his carelessness has affected his little girl and feels the best decision is to give her up to a good home, then take his life. He has the plan laid out in his mind to go to the site in Miami’s Biscayne Bay where he laid in the bay the flowers from both parents’ caskets. He intends to wade into deep water and “slam” crystal meth into his arm’s vein and drown peacefully. However, his thoughts are on his little girl.

END: Mark is desperate to see his dog not suffer any longer, then it hits him. Mark makes a decision to break free of his current environment instead and transition to Colorado to live off the land and try to make a new start there. Mark lives for his little girl’s deserved happiness, wellbeing and long life and she ‘is’ his driving force for hope. She is 4 years old at this point.

ACT 4:

DIALOG SCENE: PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR DILEMMA: ((NEEDS DIALOG))

SLUG: INT–CLIENT’S HOME, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–NIGHT

DESCRIPTION:

——– ——– ——–

ACT 4:

BEAT SHEET: ACT 4 REACTION TO THIRD ACT TURNING POINT:

SLUG: INT–MARK’S APARTMENT BEDROOM, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY

–Mark is off the streets with the assistance of the Veterans Affairs and after a few years decides to runs for US Congress with a platform for the ‘Discarded and Forgotten,’ placing pressure on the CIA and US Congress for CIA reform.

ACT 4:

OUTLINE: ACT 4 REACTION TO THIRD ACT TURNING POINT:

SLUG: INT–MARK’S APARTMENT BEDROOM, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark is off the streets and after a few years decides to run for US Congress 15 years from when he was Blacklisted with a platform for the ‘Discarded and Forgotten.’ Mark is the first in the US to qualify as a candidate using “In-Kind” contributions. Placing pressure on the CIA and US Congress for CIA reform, Mark uses his press releases and campaign message to target 90 members of Congress and 13 committees to push for further Whistleblower Protections.

MIDDLE: Mark reaches out to an independent reporter who has successfully sued the Agency to force it to release the reports on child porn incidents and their status of prosecution. The case Mark reported is not one of them, heavily suggesting the CIA blew off a federal judge. Mark eventually loses the race for Congress.

END: Mark in the meantime plans to surreptitiously (hiding the hand as he was trained) take vengeance on Reilly preferably using a ‘vertical impalement’ idea from the Crusades he read about as an effective way of sending a message to CIA leadership on accountability.

ACT 4:

DIALOG SCENE: ACT 4 REACTION TO THIRD ACT TURNING POINT: ((NEEDS DIALOG))

SLUG: INT–MARK’S APARTMENT BEDROOM, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

——– ——– ——–

ACT 4:

BEAT SHEET: PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR DILEMMA:

SLUG: INT–MARK’S APARTMENT BEDROOM, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY

–Mark does some soul searching and does not like what he discovers.

SLUG: INT/EXT–US NEWS MEDIA/CONGRESS/CIA, WASHINGTON, DC–DAY

–Mark decides not to give in and after being hit by a freight truck, fortune smiles upon him to carry out a PSYOP campaign against the CIA, Congress and Reilly to restore his faith.

ACT 4:

SLUG: INT–MARK’S APARTMENT BEDROOM, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY

OUTLINE: PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR DILEMMA:

BEGINNING: As Mark does some soul searching he realizes that Reilly was not the only one that should be held accountable. In a twist of irony Mark realizes that he himself played as much of a role in destroying his own life by not simply taking a firm stance in being assertive and confrontational in the first place. It was the enemy within that destroyed himself too. It seems once the illness that overcame him and the sudden disclosure of his diagnosis broke his spirit and that became a major distraction from taking civil action against Reilly and the CIA’s abuse of hiding behind “protection of sources and methods” to avoid accountability.

MIDDLE: Mark begins to fall back into depression and PTSD takes its toll. Someone once told Mark that they would like to think “God is in the trenches with you!” to which Mark replies..”Then God needs to call in more fire support, because I am getting my ass handed to me.”

END: Mark lives in poverty as a veteran and knows his ability to carry out his plan to seek vengeance against Reilly is not likely to happen. At this point Mark reaches a juncture in life and decides to take his own life, after all. A suicide letter he intends to leave behind simply states…”I did not hate what I did to survive, it was what I had to become to survive is what I hated.”

ACT 4:

DIALOG SCENE: PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR DILEMMA: ((NEEDS DIALOG))

SLUG: INT–MARK’S APARTMENT BEDROOM, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

[PLACEHOLDER: Mark tells his anecdotal story about “The Bear and the Rabbit”]

ACT 4:

SLUG: INT/EXT–US NEWS MEDIA/CONGRESS/CIA, WASHINGTON, DC–DAY

OUTLINE: SCENE:

BEGINNING: Mark decides not to give in and after being hit by a freight truck, fortune smiles upon him to carry out a PSYOP campaign against the CIA, Congress and Reilly to restore his faith. Mark decides to call attention to his story of injustice by running major campaign ads in well known newspapers, commercials during the news hours, social media, website and radio in Washington, DC catching the CIA, Congress and Reilly off guard. Mark “CALL TO ACTION” for protests at the CIA and Reilly’s home also raises eyebrows of the Department of Justice who pulls Mark in for questioning (on behalf of the CIA), but the DOJ is on thin ice because of the media attention and press conferences Mark’s attorney holds.

MIDDLE: Mark learns his old behavioral ways and tactics will not work, so he applies his new strategy of going on the offensive and ripping off the CIA cloak to reveal publicly embarrass the Agency in a major ambush that leaves them scrambling. Timing is of the essence and Mark must have all “agents of influence” ready to launch and produce a ripple effect that spark media and public outcry, but most importantly, place members of the US House and Senate on the defensive during an election year for ignoring Mark’s pleas for help. Reilly, is outraged and tries to obtain an injunction for Mark to cease and desist, but the damage is done and finds himself and senior CIA officials to include the Director subpoenaed before Congress. The court of public opinion is just too much for Congress or the Agency to overlook.

END: Mark’s first strike and aggressive campaign approach stokes the fire in various elements of the media to his advantage. Public humiliation and embarrassment for the Agency, Congress and Reilly results in reforms for Whistleblowers protections and support for those who come forward to report wrongdoings within the US government, in addition to accountability checks and balances within the CIA. Congress decides to revisit and hold hearings on the Kunduz Province, Afghanistan Massacre where nearly 3,000 Taliban prisoners of war were left in train box cars to die, during Reilly’s watch when he was in close and continuous communications with the Afghan Northern Alliance.

ACT 4:

DIALOG SCENE: ((NEEDS DIALOG))

[PLACEHOLDER: USE IN DIALOG MY QUOTE I MADE UP… “WITH A LOT OF LUCK, BUBBLE GUM, BAILING WIRE, AND MY MOTHER’S OLD BRAZEER” MARK WISHES HIMSELF LUCK!]

SLUG: INT/EXT–US NEWS MEDIA/CONGRESS/CIA, WASHINGTON, DC–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

——– ——– ——–

ACT 4:

BEAT SHEET: RESOLUTION:

SLUG: INT–MARK’S NEW HOME, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY

–Mark helps Reilly into the next afterlife and obtains justice holding the CIA accountable and shaping reform.

ACT4:

OUTLINE: RESOLUTION:

SLUG: INT–MARK’S NEW HOME, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: Feeling the pressure from companies Reilly advises and outrage from public humiliation Reilly suffers a hemorrhagic stroke and eventually dies 30 days later, but not before he learns Mark has placed a ‘false flag’ lien on his house to push Reilly into the next afterlife. The CIA acknowledges wrongdoing towards Mark and the Director of Central Intelligence for the CIA orders the release of all 45 cases involving child pornography and sex trafficking of children the Agency has not prosecuted, but for two.

MIDDLE: Mark is contemplating running for office a second time using his new found fame to be an advocate for Whistleblowers, in addition to campaigning again for the Discarded and Forgotten (low income, the impoverish, the homeless, foster care children and the middle class). Mark has also decided to pursue setting up a transitioning center to move the homeless from the streets to assist in rebuilding their lives.

END: Mark no longer feels discarded, nor forgotten, but instead accepts himself. His faith in himself, self esteem, self worth is restored. Mark is at peace finally with himself. Meanwhile, Mark pays a visit to Reilly’s grave site weeks later and lets his dog pee and poop on Reilly’s grave just about where Reilly’s head would be. Mark takes his dog’s lead, but not before he does his best “Dirty Harry” impression…”Go ahead…Make my day”… and takes a piss too….right between the eyes. Justice has finally prevailed 16 years later. Mark looks back on the time when God must have heard him, ‘while in the trenches’ asking God to call in more fire support because his ass was being handed to him.

ACT 4:

DIALOG SCENE: ((NEEDS DIALOG))

SLUG: INT–MARK’S NEW HOME, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s ACT 4 Resolution

What I learned: I learned a good deal and hope to I can improve the finished product. Your cradle to grave guidance helped.

————————————–

ACT 4:

BEAT SHEET: RESOLUTION:

SLUG: INT–MARK’S NEW HOME, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY

–Mark helps Reilly into the next afterlife and obtains justice holding the CIA accountable and shaping reform.

————————————–

ACT4:

OUTLINE: RESOLUTION:

SLUG: INT–MARK’S NEW HOME, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: Feeling the pressure from companies Reilly advises and outrage from public humiliation Reilly suffers a hemorrhagic stroke and eventually dies 30 days later, but not before he learns Mark has placed a ‘false flag’ lien on his house to push Reilly into the next afterlife. The CIA acknowledges wrongdoing towards Mark and the Director of Central Intelligence for the CIA orders the release of all 45 cases involving child pornography and sex trafficking of children the Agency has not prosecuted, but for two.

MIDDLE: Mark is contemplating running for office a second time using his new found fame to be an advocate for Whistleblowers, in addition to campaigning again for the Discarded and Forgotten (low income, the impoverish, the homeless, foster care children and the middle class). Mark has also decided to pursue setting up transitioning center to move the homeless from the streets to assist in rebuilding their lives.

END: Mark no longer feels discarded, nor forgotten, but instead accepts himself. His faith in himself, self esteem, self worth is restored. Mark is at peace finally with himself. Meanwhile, Mark pays a visit to Reilly’s grave site weeks later and lets his dog pee and poop on Reilly’s grave just about where Reilly’s head would be. Mark takes his dog’s lead and takes a piss too….right between the eyes. Justice has finally prevailed 16 years later. Mark looks back on the time when God must have heard him, ‘while in the trenches’ asking God to call in more fire support because his ass was being handed to him.

ACT 4:

DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–MARK’S NEW HOME, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

————————————–

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s ACT 4 CLIMAX

What did I learn? I am learning to apply the dilemma , turning point and other contributing factors to lay out consistent reactions in each theme event. It’s a good checklist. I was able to use it to create a realistic outcome that I would pursue. However, the “BREAKTHROUGH” came when I discovered the Protagonist was his own Antagonist as well …..that he must face….the enemy within.

————————————————-

————–

————–

ACT 4:

BEAT SHEET: ACT 4 REACTION TO THIRD ACT TURNING POINT:

SLUG: INT–MARK’S APARTMENT BEDROOM, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY

–Mark is off the streets with the assistance of the Veterans Affairs and after a few years decides to runs for US Congress with a platform for the ‘Discarded and Forgotten,’ placing pressure on the CIA and US Congress for CIA reform.

————————————————-

ACT 4:

OUTLINE: ACT 4 REACTION TO THIRD ACT TURNING POINT:

SLUG: INT–MARK’S APARTMENT BEDROOM, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark is off the streets and after a few years decides to run for US Congress 15 years from when he was Blacklisted with a platform for the ‘Discarded and Forgotten.’ Mark is the first in the US to qualify as a candidate using “In-Kind” contributions. Placing pressure on the CIA and US Congress for CIA reform, Mark uses his press releases and campaign message to target 90 members of Congress and 13 committees to push for further Whistleblower Protections.

MIDDLE: Mark reaches out to an independent reporter who has successfully sued the Agency to force it to release the reports on child porn incidents and their status of prosecution. The case Mark reported is not one of them, heavily suggesting the CIA blew off a federal judge. Mark eventually loses the race for Congress.

END: Mark in the meantime plans to surreptitiously (hiding the hand as he was trained) take vengeance on Reilly preferably using a ‘vertical impalement’ idea from the Crusades he read about as an effective way of sending a message to CIA leadership on accountability.

ACT 4:

DIALOG SCENE: ACT 4 REACTION TO THIRD ACT TURNING POINT:

SLUG: INT–MARK’S APARTMENT BEDROOM, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

————–

————–

————————————————-

————–

————–

ACT 4:

BEAT SHEET: PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR DILEMMA:

SLUG: INT–MARK’S APARTMENT BEDROOM, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY

–Mark does some soul searching and does not like what he discovers.

SLUG: INT/EXT–US NEWS MEDIA/CONGRESS/CIA, WASHINGTON, DC–DAY

–Mark decides not to give in and after being hit by a freight truck, fortune smiles upon him to carry out a PSYOP campaign against the CIA, Congress and Reilly to restore his faith.

————————————————-

ACT 4:

SLUG: INT–MARK’S APARTMENT BEDROOM, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY

OUTLINE: PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR DILEMMA:

As Mark does some soul searching he realizes that Reilly was not the only one that should be held accountable. In a twist of irony Mark realizes that he himself played as much of a role in destroying his own life by not simply taking a firm stance in being assertive and confrontational in the first place. It was the enemy within that destroyed himself too. It seems once the illness that overcame him and the sudden disclosure of his diagnosis broke his spirit and that became a major distraction from taking civil action against Reilly and the CIA’s abuse of hiding behind “protection of sources and methods” to avoid accountability.

MIDDLE: Mark begins to fall back into depression and PTSD takes its toll. Someone once told Mark that they would like to think “God is in the trenches with you!” to which Mark replies..”Then God needs to call in more fire support, because I am getting my ass handed to me.”

END: Mark lives in poverty as a veteran and knows his ability to carry out his plan to seek vengeance against Reilly is not likely to happen. At this point Mark reaches a juncture in life and decides to take his own life, after all. A suicide letter he intends to leave behind simply states…”I did not hate what I did to survive, it was what I had to become to survive is what I hated.”

ACT 4:

DIALOG SCENE: PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR DILEMMA:

SLUG: INT–MARK’S APARTMENT BEDROOM, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

————–

————–

————————————————-

————–

————–

ACT 4:

SLUG: INT/EXT–US NEWS MEDIA/CONGRESS/CIA, WASHINGTON, DC–DAY

OUTLINE: SCENE:

BEGINNING: Mark decides not to give in and after being hit by a freight truck, fortune smiles upon him to carry out a PSYOP campaign against the CIA, Congress and Reilly to restore his faith. Mark decides to call attention to his story of injustice by running major campaign ads in well known newspapers, commercials during the news hours, social media, website and radio in Washington, DC catching the CIA, Congress and Reilly off guard. Mark “CALL TO ACTION” for protests at the CIA and Reilly’s home also raises eyebrows of the Department of Justice who pulls Mark in for questioning (on behalf of the CIA), but the DOJ is on thin ice because of the media attention and press conferences Mark’s attorney holds.

MIDDLE: Mark learns his old behavioral ways and tactics will not work, so he applies his new strategy of going on the offensive and ripping off the CIA cloak to reveal publicly embarrass the Agency in a major ambush that leaves them scrambling. Timing is of the essence and Mark must have all “agents of influence” ready to launch and produce a ripple effect that spark media and public outcry, but most importantly, place members of the US House and Senate on the defensive during an election year for ignoring Mark’s pleas for help. Reilly, is outraged and tries to obtain an injunction for Mark to cease and desist, but the damage is done and finds himself and senior CIA officials to include the Director subpoenaed before Congress. The court of public opinion is just too much for Congress or the Agency to overlook.

END: Mark’s first strike and aggressive campaign approach stokes the fire in various elements of the media to his advantage. Public humiliation and embarrassment for the Agency, Congress and Reilly results in reforms for Whistleblowers protections and support for those who come forward to report wrongdoings within the US government, in addition to accountability checks and balances within CIA. Congress decides to revisit and hold hearings on the Kunduz Province, Afghanistan Massacre where nearly 3,000 Taliban prisoners of war were left in train box cars to die, during Reilly’s watch when he was in close and continuous communications with the Afghan Northern Alliance.

ACT 4:

DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT/EXT–US NEWS MEDIA/CONGRESS/CIA, WASHINGTON, DC–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

————————————————-

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s ACT 4 First Scenes

What did I learn? I am learning to apply the dilemma , turning point and other contributing factors to lay out consistent reactions in each theme event. It’s a good checklist.

————————————————-

————–

————–

ACT 4:

BEAT SHEET: ACT 4 REACTION TO THIRD ACT TURNING POINT:

SLUG: INT–LA QUINTA HOTEL ROOM, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–NIGHT

–Mark is into his 4th year on the streets and starts to turn to crystal meth (Tina) to help him escape the reality he is in after becoming a complete failure in life and no hope of rebounding.

————————————————-

ACT 4:

OUTLINE: ACT 4 REACTION TO THIRD ACT TURNING POINT:

SLUG: INT–LA QUINTA HOTEL ROOM, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–NIGHT

BEGINNING: Mark has tried to commit suicide twice, but each time it seems devine intervention throws a distraction to give him hope to hold on. He is often reminded of Tony Bennet’s song…”Who can I turn to? (When nobody needs me)” and unknowingly looks to his dog for emotional support, but his strong desire to take his life is overwhelming.

MIDDLE: Christmas eve is no different from any other day on the streets, but Mark is treating his dog to a hotel room for the first time in years as her gift and watches her reaction as she runs around the room extremely filled with joy and happiness to stretch her legs. Mark immediately breaks down and cries knowing he has not just been a complete failure in life, but he has dragged his little girl down with him to Hell with him. He had been scheduled earlier to strip dance tonight, but a water main pipe ruptures and shuts down the bar destroying all hopes of making extra funds to pay for one more night’s stay.

END: In a final act of desperation the next day, Mark seeks to find a client that will not just furnish cash for his services, but crystal meth to assist him in masking the ordeal. Mark estimates 30% of the strip dancers during the Great Recession are homeless and has known three personally to have committed suicide and countless others that are on drugs to include himself. This is the level Mark has sunk to.

ACT 4:

DIALOG SCENE: ACT 4 REACTION TO THIRD ACT TURNING POINT:

SLUG: INT–LA QUINTA HOTEL ROOM, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–NIGHT

DESCRIPTION:

————–

————–

————————————————-

————–

————–

ACT 4:

BEAT SHEET: PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR DILEMMA:

SLUG: INT–CLIENT’S HOME, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–NIGHT

–Mark’s carelessness in using drugs endangers his little dog resulting in distraught and a move for change of environment.

————————————————-

ACT 4:

SLUG: INT–CLIENT’S HOME, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–NIGHT

OUTLINE: PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR DILEMMA:

BEGINNING: Mark finds a client to visit where Tina is smoked and slammed. Mark later finds that his dog has accidentally been exposed from the smoke and begins panicking from the withdrawal hours later. Mark leaves the client’s home.

MIDDLE: Mark is heartbroken to see his carelessness has affected his little girl and feels the best decision is to give her up to a good home, then take his life. He has the plan laid out in his mind to go to the site in Miami’s Biscayne Bay where he laid in the bay the flowers from both parents’ caskets. He intends to wade into deep water and “slam” crystal meth into his arm’s vein and drown peacefully. However, his thoughts are on his little girl.

END: Mark is desperate to see his dog not suffer any longer, then it hits him. Mark makes a decision to break free of his current environment instead and transition to Colorado to live off the land and try to make a new start there. Mark lives for his little girl’s deserved happiness, wellbeing and long life and she ‘is’ his driving force for hope. She is 4 years old at this point.

ACT 4:

DIALOG SCENE: PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR DILEMMA:

SLUG: INT–CLIENT’S HOME, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–NIGHT

DESCRIPTION:

————–

————–

————————————————-

————–

————–

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s Completed Act 3

What did I learn. I learned to increase my speed by focusing on the shell of the first draft versus focusing on trying to complete the draft with dialog that was taking up a great deal of my time. Now I have pretty much caught up to where I am suppose to be in the class it seems.

————————————————-

—————

—————

BEAT SHEET: ACT 3 REACTION TO MID POINT:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

–Mark is now suicidal and devastated by the news of his diagnosis and it could not have come at a worse time with the Great Recession in full swing.

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

–After no employment for 10 months, Mark is feeling the pinch and cannot afford to fly up to his Army Reserve unit in Fort Dix, New Jersey for procedures to support a medical discharge.

————————————————-

ACT 3:

ACT 3 REACTION TO MID POINT OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark is now suicidal and devastated by the news of his diagnosis and it could not have come at a worse time with the Great Recession in full swing. Blacklisted by the CIA, an outcast by the US Army and non deployable as all prospective employers would require one to be to support the intelligence community or military

MIDDLE: As news spreads among family and friends of Mark’s predicament, he finds he is discarded and forgotten and no longer wanted. It does not take long before Mark realizes that he feels his country too has turned its back on him.

END: Mark begins to fall into severe depression as there is no hope in sight. He fears losing all that he has worked for in 30 years and figuratively handed an epitaph that sums up his life at that point.

ACT 3:

ACT 3 REACTION TO MID POINT: DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

For Outstanding Service and Loyalty to Country

Stigmatized and Slandered

Betrayed and Dishonored

Impoverished and Homeless

Discarded and Forgotten

Blacklisted by a Grateful Nation

—————

—————

ACT 3:

ACT 3 REACTION TO MID POINT OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: After no employment for 10 months, Mark is feeling the pinch and cannot afford to fly up to his Army Reserve unit in Fort Dix, New Jersey for medical discharge procedure. Holding the rank of a US Army Major, Mark would normally be picked up at the Camden, NJ airport, but now he must walk 32 miles to the base and arrives to sleep on a park bench at 1:30 AM. A tree stands by the bench leaving Mark to wish he had a rope to hang himself.

MIDDLE: Mark feels everything is crashing down around him. He is constantly being harassed by creditors daily and called by the same company 5 times a day asking when they will get their money. Mark’s unit sends him for medical evaluations at Walter Reed Army Hospital’s Infectious Disease unit in Washington, DC, where he finds 30 other soldiers (both male and female) in attendance going through the similar ordeal of being discharged.

END: Mark tries to seek employment at various other commercial industries, but the growing recession is preventing him from securing a job even at McDonalds or even Walmart.

ACT 3:

ACT 3 REACTION TO MID POINT: DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

—————

—————

————————————————-

ACT 3:

BEAT SHEET: ACT 3 MAKES A NEW PLAN:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

–Mark taps his retirement savings plans to generate revenue to sustain himself and cover the mortgage and utility bills, in addition to bartering personal property, short selling the house and dumbing down the resume to increase employment opportunities as a strategy to avoid failure.

—————

—————

ACT 3:

ACT 3 MAKES A NEW PLAN: OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark begins to barter to pay off vacant land he owns in Colorado as a backup plan to move there using his household goods, a couple of vehicles and heavy machinery he bought to support his oldest brother’s business that no longer exists. Mark cashes in his US Government and Military savings plans to pay off as much debt and to carry him, until he secures employment.

MIDDLE: After sending out approximately 200 applications over the course of six months with no results, Mark tries a different approach on his resume by dumbing it down to appeal to employment opportunities one would find at Burger King, Walmart and Winn Dixie.

END: Mark attempts to put his house on the market for a short sale in an attempt to prevent his credit from being destroyed.

ACT 3:

ACT 3 MAKES A NEW PLAN: DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

—————

—————

————————————————-

—————

—————

ACT 3:

BEAT SHEET: ACT 3 THINGS GO WELL, UNTIL…:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

–As the Great Recession grows worse and no hope for employment Mark soon depletes his savings, cannot pay utilities, nor buy food and worse yet the IRS files a nearly $500,000 civil suit for back taxes.

—————

—————

ACT 3:

ACT 3 THINGS GO WELL, UNTIL… OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: As the Great Recession grows worse and no hope for employment Mark soon depletes his savings, cannot pay utilities, nor buy food.

MIDDLE: The IRS files a nearly $500,000 civil suit for back taxes Mark owes from the four years he spent in two combat zones for his country. Had he not had his luggage stolen by the CIA that contained his tax material, Mark had estimated he would have only owed $125,000. Now Mark is left without water and electricity for three months in a house he will lose.

END: The Internal Revenue Service reaches into Mark’s bank account and takes his last $600 shoving him and his small dog penniless into the streets.

ACT 3:

ACT 3 THINGS GO WELL, UNTIL…: DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

—————

—————

————————————————-

—————

—————

ACT 3:

BEAT SHEET: ACT 3 PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR LOWEST LOW:

SLUG: EXT–STREETS OF MIAMI AND FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY/NIGHT

–Mark soon finds himself homeless and joining in the ranks of the “Walking Dead.”

—————

—————

ACT 3:

ACT 3 PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR LOWEST LOW: OUTLINE:

SLUG: EXT–STREETS OF MIAMI AND FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY/NIGHT

BEGINNING: Mark soon finds himself homeless and joining in the ranks of the “Walking Dead” that will eventually consume 675,000 people. He is not just bankrupted financially, he is also bankrupted physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally as he becomes an abandonment of self. Mark feels he is a complete failure in life and blames himself for not taking a more confrontational and aggressive proactive stance against COS Reilly.

MIDDLE: Mark begins to fall deeper into severe depression triggering PTSD, sleep insomnia, and is increasingly becoming more short tempered and violent. To hear people thank him for his service begins to anger him all because he stood up and did what was right and followed military leadership values. Now Mark finds himself having to become a strip dancer at gay bars to survive.

END: As Mark drops deeper into depression he begins planning his suicide to get out of his wretched misery.

ACT 3:

ACT 3 PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR LOWEST LOW: DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: EXT–STREETS OF MIAMI AND FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY/NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: Unbeknownst to Mark his transformational journey from a professional 20 year CIA and 26 year Army Reserves officer will lead to five years of chronic homelessness. The only way to put food in his hand for him and his dog is to strip dance at gay bars where he is at least not stigmatized and is accepted. Mark turns his weaknesses into opportunity for success to survive by having the advantage of looking 12 years younger than he is and has the core strength to pull off many of the stunts on the stripper pole that many “Twinkies” half his age cannot do. Mark also has his vast life experience to engage the customers beyond “I’m an Aries…What’s your sign?” butt nugget conversations. By day Mark and his dog wonder the streets homeless, but by night he sneaks his puppy in his backpack into the bars where he performs.

—————

—————

————————————————-

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s Act 3 Turning Point – Protagonist Faces Their Lowest Low

What did I learn? I am learning to tap the deep emotions that a person would feel when placed in a particular situation.

————————————————-

ACT 3:

BEAT SHEET: ACT 3 PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR LOWEST LOW:

SLUG: EXT–STREETS OF MIAMI AND FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY/NIGHT

–Mark soon finds himself homeless and joining in the ranks of the “Walking Dead.”

—————

—————

————————————————-

—————

—————

ACT 3:

ACT 3 PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR LOWEST LOW: OUTLINE:

SLUG: EXT–STREETS OF MIAMI AND FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY/NIGHT

BEGINNING: Mark soon finds himself homeless and joining in the ranks of the “Walking Dead” that will eventually consume 675,000 people. He is not just bankrupted financially, he is also bankrupted physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally as he becomes an abandonment of self. Mark feels he is a complete failure in life and blames himself for not taking a more confrontational and aggressive proactive stance against COS Reilly.

MIDDLE: Mark begins to fall deeper into severe depression triggering PTSD, sleep insomnia, and is increasingly becoming more short tempered and violent. To hear people thank him for his service begins to anger him all because he stood up and did what was right and followed military leadership values.

END: Mark begins planning his suicide to get him out of his wretched misery.

ACT 3:

ACT 3 PROTAGONIST FACES THEIR LOWEST LOW: DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: EXT–STREETS OF MIAMI AND FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA–DAY/NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: Unbeknownst to Mark his transformational journey from a professional CIA officer and Military officer will lead to five years of chronic homelessness.

—————

—————

————————————————-

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s Act 3 Middle Scenes

What did I learn? I learned to increase my speed.

————————————————-

ACT 3:

BEAT SHEET: ACT 3 MAKES A NEW PLAN:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

–Mark taps his retirement savings plans to generate revenue to sustain himself and cover the mortgage and utility bills, in addition to bartering personal property, short selling the house and dumbing down the resume to increase employment opportunities as a strategy to avoid failure.

—————

—————

————————————————-

—————

—————

ACT 3:

ACT 3 MAKES A NEW PLAN: OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark begins to barter to pay off vacant land he owns in Colorado as a backup plan to move there using his household goods, a couple of vehicles and heavy machinery he bought to support his oldest brother’s business that no longer exists. Mark cashes in his US Government and Military savings plans to pay off as much debt and to carry him, until he secures employment.

MIDDLE: After sending out approximately 200 applications over the course of six months with no results, Mark tries a different approach on his resume by dumbing it down to appeal to employment opportunities one would find at Burger King, Walmart and Winn Dixie.

END: Mark attempts to put his house on the market for a short sale in an attempt to prevent his credit from being destroyed.

ACT 3:

ACT 3 MAKES A NEW PLAN: DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

—————

—————

————————————————-

—————

—————

ACT 3:

BEAT SHEET: ACT 3 THINGS GO WELL, UNTIL…:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

–As the Great Recession grows worse and no hope for employment Mark soon depletes his savings, cannot pay utilities, nor buy food and worse yet the IRS files a nearly $500,000 civil suit for back taxes.

—————

—————

————————————————-

—————

—————

ACT 3:

ACT 3 THINGS GO WELL, UNTIL… OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: As the Great Recession grows worse and no hope for employment Mark soon depletes his savings, cannot pay utilities, nor buy food.

MIDDLE: The IRS files a nearly $500,000 civil suit for back taxes Mark owes from the four years he spent in two combat zones for his country. Had he not had his luggage stolen by the CIA that contained his tax material, Mark had estimated he would have only owed $125,000. Now Mark is left without water and electricity for three months in a house he will lose.

END: The Internal Revenue Service reaches into Mark’s bank account and takes his last $600 shoving him and his small dog penniless into the streets.

ACT 3:

ACT 3 THINGS GO WELL, UNTIL…: DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

—————

—————

————————————————-

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s ACT 3 Reaction to Mid Point

What did I learn? I am learning to knock the Draft Shell out quicker at least. Here I hope to show my Protagonist being forced to transition from a professional CIA career position to an abandonment of self with severe depression and PTSD that will eventually force him into a less desirable job to survive.

————————————————-

BEAT SHEET: ACT 3 REACTION TO MID POINT:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

–Mark is now suicidal and devastated by the news of his diagnosis and it could not have come at a worse time with the Great Recession in full swing.

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

–After no employment for 10 months, Mark is feeling the pinch and cannot afford to fly up to his Army Reserve unit in Fort Dix, New Jersey for procedures to support a medical discharge.

————————————————-

ACT 2:

ACT 3 REACTION TO MID POINT OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark is now suicidal and devastated by the news of his diagnosis and it could not have come at a worse time with the Great Recession in full swing. Blacklisted by the CIA, an outcast by the US Army and non deployable as all prospective employers would require one to be to support the intelligence community or military

MIDDLE: As news spreads among family and friends of Mark’s predicament, he finds he is discarded and forgotten and no longer wanted. It does not take long before Mark realizes that he feels his country too has turned its back.

END: Mark begins to fall into severe depression as there is no hope in sight. He fears losing all that he has worked for in 30 years and figuratively handed an epitaph that sums up his life at that point.

ACT 2:

ACT 3 REACTION TO MID POINT: DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

For Outstanding Service and Loyalty to Country

Stigmatized and Slandered

Betrayed and Dishonored

Impoverished and Homeless

Discarded and Forgotten

Blacklisted by a Grateful Nation

—————

—————

ACT 2:

ACT 3 REACTION TO MID POINT OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: After no employment for 10 months, Mark is feeling the pinch and cannot afford to fly up to his Army Reserve unit in Fort Dix, New Jersey for medical discharge procedure. Holding the rank of a US Army Major, Mark would normally be picked up at the Camden, NJ airport, but now he must walk 32 miles to the base and arrives to sleep on a park bench at 1:30 AM. A tree stands by the bench leaving Mark to wish he had a rope to hang himself.

MIDDLE: Mark feels everything is crashing down around him. He is constantly being harassed by creditors daily and called by the same company 5 times a day asking when they will get their money. Mark’s unit sends him for medical evaluations at Walter Reed Army Hospital’s Infectious Disease unit in Washington, DC, where he finds 30 other soldiers (both male and female) in attendance going through the similar ordeal of being discharged.

END: Mark tries to seek employment at various other commercial industries, but the growing recession is preventing him from securing a job even at McDonalds or even Walmart.

ACT 2:

ACT 3 REACTION TO MID POINT: DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

—————

—————

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s Has Completed Act 2 Draft 1

What I learned from this assignment: I have to pick up the pace as I thought I had to write the dialog versus the skeleton of the ACT.

————————————————————-

ACT 2:

BEAT SHEET REACTION TO THE TURNING POINT SCENE:

SLUG: INT–CIA Headquarters (Office of Security-Investigator’s Office), Langley, Virginia–Day

–Mark briefs Headquarters security investigator on case in question.

SLUG: INT–CIA Headquarters (Office of Military Affairs, Branch Chief office), Langley, Virginia–Day

–Mark accepts a new mission assignment in Afghanistan.

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (DCOS office), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

–DCOS tries to pressure the OMA Office Director to have Mark fired.

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (DCOS office), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

–DCOS fabricates a ruse to have Mark charged with a felony and be prosecuted.

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (COS’ Office), Kabul, Afghanistan–Day

–Mark arrives in Afghanistan to be briefed by COS “The Spider” to be Deputy Chief of Base

———————————————————————————————–

ACT 2:

REACTION TO THE TURNING POINT SCENE OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA Headquarters (Office of Security-Investigator’s Office), Langley, Virginia–Day

BEGINNING: Mark briefs Headquarters security investigator on case in question. He also expresses concern for the employee who is wrongfully accused and outlined the negative atmosphere toward him.

MIDDLE: He reveals his insightful discussion with Station’s Chief of Communications and the precaution he took to ensure his report was not altered.

END: Mark expresses concern and anticipation of being retaliated against in hopes Office of Security will not give credence to false allegations.

ACT 2:

REACTION TO THE TURNING POINT SCENE DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA Headquarters (Office of Security-Investigator’s Office), Langley, Virginia–Day

DESCRIPTION: After Mark lands at the Washington-Dulles International Airport and disembarks to report to his home office in the New Headquarters Building, he is informed that he has a message from the investigator in charge of the case and needs him to report to her office in Old Headquarters Building. Mark knocks on her office door and introduces himself.

Mark: “Hi….Mark here from OMA. I just got in from Iraq Station. ….I understand you left a message inviting me for a ‘fireside chat’ ? ….. I suppose it’s related to the Iraq Station fiasco that got the wrong guy deported?”

Investigator: “Oh hi!… Yes..Yes… Please come in and have a seat.” The investigator is dressed in a black suit and skirt with white blouse.

Investigator: “I’ve read the detailed cable report which pretty much captured the essence of what took place. …. I know you used to work for the Office of Security as a Security Protective Officer years back, so you wrote it like a police report.” She jovially laughs, as well as Mark.

Mark: “Yes…force of habit I suppose.”

“Is there anything else beyond the report that you’d like to add?”

Mark: “First and foremost, I think Gary was horribly treated in this matter and was raped of his dignity. … I know he requested to see a psychiatrist in Jordan, but I did all I could to set the record straight for him after my office confirmed his report.”

….“Second, prior to this incident I was being subjected to a hostile work environment that was compounded by three events. ….”

….”The DCI’s representative visited Station and four military command elements that the CIA has embedded 2 man cell teams with and the feedback he got was not flattering for Station. The DCOS, Reilly, blamed my teams…. “

…”Then Station’s Internment Facility Coordinator Officer…Pedro, he worked near me got pissed to find out I made more money than him and became aggressive after that…I don’t quite understand why since I only worked for the CIA 16 years before becoming an Independent Contractor versus his 3 years??? …He asked how much I made and I was honest with him is all.”…..

…”Incidentally, he apparently creates hostile work environments for women as well. …I have seen him personally go after a woman and make her cry and another analyst he called her analysis stupid… forgetting he cc:’d her on the return message to a slough of folks.”

…”That triggered nasty notes back and forth like 10 times before the DCOS finally sent out a message in big bold red letters: ‘CEASE FIRE…CEASE FIRE…CEASE FIRE.’ “

….”Before Pedro became abrasive towards me he admitted sheepishly towards me that his home office of the Crimes and Narcotics Center told him: ‘You need to get out of our face for two years.’ …So, don’t take my word, ask CNC.“

…”Bottom line is I got tired of the negative atmospherics and being isolated from important staff meetings and Pedro feeding into it …..plus covering for OMA for sending folks out with no training, let alone no CIA experience. …That’s why I was working long hours because I am having to mentor and guide them like children.”

Investigator: “Well thank you for that insight…and it was admirable that you stepped up to the plate at great risk to yourself and career here at CIA.”

Mark: “Well …. As noted in the report, I was told that the guy who downloaded the child pornography apparently had a history of this before. … I obtained that insight while talking to Station’s Chief of Communications who knew the guy for 20 years.” ……

….“I never said a word about what unfolded, but he made the astute observation that he never saw Joe behave in such a manner, since the last time he downloaded child pornography.“

…”He stopped in mid sentence and it hit him like a brick in the face, before he figured out on his own what was going on.” ….

DESCRIPTION: The investigator remained silent allowing Mark to talk uninterrupted, but was clearly absorbing it all in.

Mark:…“I suppose you’ve been tracking communications between Joe and whoever he’s talking to for your investigation?”

Investigator: “Oh yes.”

Mark: “You no doubt realize that I anticipate being retaliated against by Iraq Station? …I have had to endure a good deal of hostilities from Station as is.”

DESCRIPTION: The investigator’s posture stiffened as she motioned her head in complete concurrence without a word. She knew it was the cultural norms of CIA executives to wield their positions as a weapon of mass destruction and the Directorate of Operation was no exception.

Mark: “Anything else? ….Oh by the way! … I do not know if Station will try to alter my cable, but I placed a copy of it in my notes system and sent it to myself as an electronic backup. I do not trust Station leadership and particularly I do not trust the DCOS…..Also one other thing.” ….

…..”In addition, to being new to the IC (Independent Contractor) world I was working longer hours as I said….well I had to call together the Station’s Chief of Finance, Chief of Human Resources and the COS’ secretary who has final approval before the finance cables go out to review and approve my pay voucher, so I hope they don’t sit on it.”

Investigator: “OK…Great! … Thank you for stopping by. I know you must be exhausted from the long trip.”

DESCRIPTION: Mark departs her office and heads to the Agency cafeteria to ‘grease his belly’ before returning to the office for his follow on assignment.

————–

————–

ACT 2:

SCENE OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA Headquarters (Office of Military Affairs, Branch Chief office), Langley, Virginia–Day

BEGINNING: Mark learns that DCOS Reilly is raising Hell with OMA, but Mark discusses with his branch chief that the whole ordeal could have been avoided, if Station had not had a knee jerk reaction to the incident.

MIDDLE: Mark also addresses the problem between COS and military commanders on the ground and how the entire affair is turning into a repeat of Operation Desert Storm, whereby the US military felt that they did not get adequate cooperation from the CIA, then.

END: Mark accepts a new mission assignment in Afghanistan to become the CIA’s Deputy Chief of Base at Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan that elevates his standing as an Intelligence Officer. His responsibility will be to support CIA counterterrorism operations countrywide.

ACT 2:

SCENE DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA Headquarters (Office of Military Affairs, Branch Chief office), Langley, Virginia–Day

DESCRIPTION: Mark steps into the office to see what Doug has in store for him on his next assignment.

Mark: “Hey Doug! …. What’s the word?”

Doug: “Mark…Hey bud …how are you? … I’m seeing the flack from your cable has hit a raw nerve with Station. ….Your early departure without a word did not go over well either.”

Mark: “As I expected it would. ….I lost a lot of beauty sleep dealing with that ordeal. After 40 hours of no sleep, l was looking like the poster child for birth control.” … Doug laughs.

“Besides…After the way I was treated with disdain and disrespect??? … I wanted them to symbolically see my elbows and asshole in defiance walking away.“

“…So they can blow it out of their asses, if they think I was going to give them further satisfaction by screaming at me….Absolutely no way.”

Doug: “I can understand your point of view.”

Mark: “The worst part is that this whole affair could have all been prevented had Banks took a moment to talk to both parties. … Also had Station’s Chief of Security not blown off Gary then they all would be viewed as superheroes right now.” ….

“Plus….D’Angelo, the COS, if he ever stopped with his ‘SUPERIORITY COMPLEX” mentality in dealing with the regular military….Things would go a lot smoother in relationships with the Warfighters on the ground if the chip on his shoulder fell off….”

Doug: “….Would you agree their unwillingness to deal with conventional forces is simply creating tensions and lack of cooperation….. just as it did during Desert Storm?….”

Mark: “Yes…. Anyway…that’s neither here nor there…..Bottom line, this office sending out inexperienced folks from to Station does not help the situation either.”

Doug: “I agree, but we’re so short handed …We’re just tossing warm bodies out to fill the gap. …Right now as it stands, Reilly is furious. ….He’s been raising Hell with the office director.”

Mark: “I’ve already addressed my concern with the investigator overseeing this. …I told her flat out that I expected to be retaliated against.”

Doug: “Well….On that note, I’ve arranged for you to replace our guy in Bagram, Afghanistan as the Deputy Chief of Base. He has been there a while and is ready to come home. …I originally had you scheduled for Kuwait to sit on the US commanding general’s staff, but that’s been in flux and has not come to fruition just yet.”

Mark: “OK.. Interesting…. Has the Chief of Station there approved of my coming out?” … and who is the COS there?”

Doug: “He’s called ‘The Spider’ by President Karzai himself…Greg Vogel. …He’s been there nearly two years himself at Karzai’s request after he saved Karzai’s ass from an assassination attempt.”

Mark: “Ok… So what will my mission be overall and when do you have me heading out?”

Doug: “Your primary function will be to support Agency counterterrorism operations countrywide in theater with the resources that the airbase has to bring to table.”

….“As for your departure…You are already scheduled on the flight heading out in 2 weeks. …. So go home, relax and get your affairs in order and be ready to head out then. ….See you in two weeks.”

Mark: “Okie Dokie! … See ya then, but in the meantime you can use your desk as a bunker to shield yourself from incoming rounds from Reilly. ….Mark laughs as he departs.

DESCRIPTION: Doug doesn’t find not much to smirk at, since he knows he dropped the ball in the whole matter leaving Mark holding the bag in Iraq.

————–

————–

ACT 2:

SCENE OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (DCOS office), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

BEGINNING: DCOS tries to pressure the OMA Office Director to have Mark fired and blames him for mishandling the situation when new information came to light, just as he is to blame for the negative review of Station’s interaction with the military.

MIDDLE: OMA Director admits his office was partly responsible and basically takes his lumps from Station.

END: DCOS notes his intentions to hold up Mark’s pay cable voucher pending his staff’s investigation of irregularities.

ACT 2:

SCENE DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (DCOS office), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

DESCRIPTION: DCOS Reilly calls OMA Director (Redcloud) on the Green Line to express Station’s disappointment of Mark’s tour and how he handled the entire affair. Reilly tries to get the Director to fire Mark, but the Branch Chief stands defends Mark and squashes the idea.

Redcloud: Answers his phone: “OMA Director!”

Reilly: “Redcloud…Reilly here in Iraq Station. ….What the Hell is going on with you guys?… I asked for support from your office and all I get out here is a shit bag sent out here!…I’m talking about Mark. ….Since day 1 he’s been nothing, but a disaster.”

Redcloud: “Yeah I am surprised as you are by his actions to leave so soon.”

Reilly: “Not just that….He should have gotten a hold of Banks who was filling in as Acting Chief of Station to head this off, but instead he leaves us a shit show. …Just as he did with the Director’s negative feedback on Station’s relationship with the US military. …He made us look stupid. ….Once again…. he is unreliable. ….I want him fired!”

Redcloud: “Well…there is more involved before we can take such an action. ..His branch chief says we are partly to blame…. and in regards to the DCI’s representative and my Branch Chief who met with the four military command elements says Mark was busy taking care of logistics to get them in and out of Iraq in 5 days, so he was not present, but for only one meeting and that one nearly got them all killed when the aircraft engine failed.”

Reilly: “I don’t care!….He needs fired. …I don’t want him anywhere near this theater of operation. ….GOT IT???”

Redcloud: “Yeah …Yeah!”

Reilly: “Well…one more thing! …His cable he submitted noting hours worked for 3 months that needs to be filed monthly shows discrepancies and I am holding up approval of his cable pending further investigation and I’ll be responding then.”

Redcloud: “Fair enough.” Reilly hangs the phone up.

————–

————–

ACT 2:

SCENE OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (DCOS office), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

BEGINNING: DCOS fabricates a ruse to have Mark charged with a felony and be prosecuted.

MIDDLE: Reilly lays out his plan and intentions to Pedro who eagerly approves.

END: Pedro takes charge of writing the cable for the DCOS and appropriate Station personnel to concur on.

ACT 2:

SCENE DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (DCOS office), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

DESCRIPTION: DCOS Reilly is dissatisfied with OMA’s lack of balls to fire Mark so he calls Pedro into his office to discuss Mark’s pay voucher. Reilly has an underlying plan to quench his thirst for revenge by having Mark investigated and prosecuted for committing a felony, if all goes right with his scheme.

Reilly: “Pedro!!! …..Come in here!.” Pedro stands up from his computer sitting in the corner of the bay and scurries off to Reilly’s office.

Pedro: “You rang???”

Reilly: “You bet I did….. Listen up…I need to review that pay voucher of Mark’s. I want you to assess when he was not here in your presence to observe that he was actually working. …I need you to tally up the hours and reflect that in a cable that you are going to write….I want a dollar figure amount.”

Pedro: “OK??”

Reilly: “My intentions are to fuck the son-of-a-bitch over and send him to prison, if we can show that he tried to overcharge the Agency for hours not worked.” Pedro smiles and nods his head in approval.

Pedro: “Got it Chief! …I’ll get right on it!”

Reilly: “Take your time… The longer the asshole has to wait for his money the better as far as I am concerned.”

DESCRIPTION: Pedro chuckles and slowly shuffles to imitate the speed of which the request is to take place as he goes back off to his desk.

————–

————–

ACT 2:

SCENE OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (COS’ Office), Kabul, Afghanistan–Day

BEGINNING: Mark arrives in Afghanistan two weeks later to be briefed by COS “The Spider” to be Deputy Chief of Base and that his title is what the military will recognize as Station’s representative to Division Headquarters, not his pay grade.

MIDDLE: COS outlines Mark’s mission and expectations while serving as D/COB.

END: Mark prepares to disembark for Bagram on his new assignment, but not before he visits the CIA’s Talibar.

ACT 2:

SCENE DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (COS’ Office), Kabul, Afghanistan–Day

DESCRIPTION: “The Spider” welcomes Mark to Station and provides his expectations of Mark serving as the CIA’s Deputy Chief of Base of Bagram Air Base. Mark assures the COS that he will do his very best and outlines his history with the CIA and US Army Reserves.

The Spider: “I’ve heard a great deal of your exploits.”…in a joking manner…Mark cracks a smile,

not sure if the COS has really heard anything. …..

Mark: “Sir, the one thing that I must remind you is that I am an IC and under COTR (Contract) regulations that I am not supposed to assume a leadership role.”

The Spider: “Yes, I know but out here I make the rules and you will assume that leadership role. It’s a title the US military respects and they do not need to know the details…..Bottom line you represent the CIA under Kevin who is Chief of Base out there.”

…”Kevin has been COB for a year and has several months to go before his tour ends so

it will be a good overlap for the two of you.”

…”Your mission here is to get to learn Bagram Airbase inside and out. You will be the go

to guy for everything as you will be supporting Station and all its bases countrywide in counterterrorism operations…..

…”That means fuel, medical support, supplies, military and Agency air operational support, and you’ll also be the guy who interacts with the Bagram Internment Facility that houses all the bad guys.”

…”Any more dumb questions?? …he laughs…

Mark: “No sir.”

DESCRIPTION: Mark departs the COS’ office and visits the infamous CIA “Talibar” he’s heard so much about for the first time hoping for a drink and wonders facetiously to himself, if they have a “Gift Shop.” Then his next stop is the cafeteria, follow by the flight line for his last stop to Bagram.

————–

————–

————————————————————-

ACT 2:

BEAT SHEET MIDDLE SCENES: PROTAGONIST’S NEW PLAN IS EXECUTED:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

–Mark reports to the base at Bagram, coincidently just a few days after four high level Al-Qaeda members escape the internment facility there and unexpectedly he is greeted by an armed Afghani at his door with a proposal.

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–NIGHT

–After nearly 3 months goes by at Bagram, Mark’s pay voucher cable is finally released by the DCOS in Iraq that falsely accuses Mark of a ruse which Mark eventually decides to ignore.

SLUG: EXT/INT–BAGRAM FLIGHT LINE AND CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

–Mark is paid an unexpected visit from his home office director and the DCI’s Associate Director for Military Affairs.

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (OFFICE OF SECURITY-INVESTIGATOR’S OFFICE), LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–Day

–Office of Security reviews DCOS Iraq cable accusing Mark of intentionally overcharging the Agency (a felony), but decides not to investigate, question, charge, nor prosecute as it’s considered to be an act of retaliation by Reilly.

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

–Mark’s 17 month tour is complete and he brief’s his replacement who followed behind him in Iraq and warns Mark that Reilly still has a burr up his ass for him.

————————————————————-

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE: PROTAGONIST’S NEW PLAN IS EXECUTED:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

BEGINNING: After Mark reports to base for introductions and orientation. Later he is greeted at the door by an armed Afghani with a proposal to help the base acquire a Stinger component.

MIDDLE: Mark and Joe discuss the recovery of a Stinger missile component with an Afghan interpreter who works for the US Army. The seller is from the Pakistani side of the border

END: The Chief of Base later tells Mark four high level Al-Qaeda members escaped just a few short days before from the Bagram Internment Facility and Mark straps his sidearm on from then on. The purchase of the Stinger component ultimately takes 6 months.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG: PROTAGONIST’S NEW PLAN IS EXECUTED:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: The CIA base consists of double stacked cargo shipping containers that are sandbagged on the roof laid out in a square shaped formation surrounded heavily by concertina and chain linked fencing. Other government agencies like DIA, NSA etc are collated near the Agency and collectively known as OGA. The 10th Mountain Division Headquarters and Bagram Internment Facility are each located a mere 300 feet from the CIA base. Bagram Air Base houses 14,000 coalition forces and contractors.

Mark: “Good afternoon Chief! … I am the new guy… Mark your new DCOB.” Mark extends his

hand out to shake the COB’s hand with a smile.

COB Joe: “Welcome to Bagram. …I’ll let you get settled in and meet our

communications officer and the senior Science and Technology advisor when they get

back from lunch. “

OTHER DIALOG:

DESCRIPTION: (VOICEOVER:) Six months would pass before Joe and I would purchase a Stinger grip stock for $10,000. The four Al Qaeda detainees were never captured.

————–

————–

ACT 2

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–NIGHT

BEGINNING: The Iraq Station DCOS finally releases Mark’s pay cable. The Chief of Base flags the cable to Mark’s attention as it poses a serious accusation.

MIDDLE: Mark carefully reviews Reilly’s cable and fights the strong desire to contact the Agency Inspector General, the Ombudsman and Office of General Counsel to file a complaint.

END: Mark ignores the cable and wants to focus instead on the mission at hand, but other events will overtake Mark’s attention, as well.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: Nearly two months into the tour, Mark has a cable flagged to his attention by the COB (Joe). Mark takes a moment to review the cable and advises the Chief that it’s in relation to what transpired in Iraq. Deep down Mark wants to file a complaint in writing, but that will take much of his time and he already puts in a full day and ports of the night.

Joe: “Mark a cable just came in for you and you really need to address it.”

Mark: “OK…Thanks.”

————–

————–

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: EXT/INT–BAGRAM FLIGHT LINE AND CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark is paid an unexpected visit from his home office director and the DCI’s Associate Director for Military Affairs. Mark is greeted like a long lost pal from the DCI Representative, but his Office Director avoids Mark speaking only to Joe the COB.

MIDDLE: Redcloud seeks to place a cap limit on the hours Mark works. Joe scoffs at this idea and tells the director he may as well pull his support from the base as that idea would shift the lion’s share of work on him.

END: Mark feels reassured from the COB’s efforts to stand up for him and feels no further action will like be taken given the warm reception he had from DCI Representative that his office director clearly witnessed.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENE DIALOG:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

DESCRIPTION: Two months into Mark’s tour, Joe alerts Mark that the OMA office will be paying our base a surprise visit and seeks a meeting with the 10th Mountain Division commander. Mark is expected to pick the 2 visitors up at the flight line and bring them to base.

JOE: “Mark I just got word from Station that VIPs…being your boss –the OMA Office Director,

Redcloud, is surprising us with his presence and he’s bringing along the DCI’s Associate Director for Military Affairs (Galland)…..”

“….I need you to go get them at the airfield and I’ll be taking them over to meet the

Division Commander…..they’ll be here in an hour.”

Mark: “Roger!! ….sorta sudden isn’t it?. …”

SLUG: EXT/INT–BAGRAM FLIGHT LINE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

(Video Narrated Vignette)

DESCRIPTION: Mark meets the visitors at the flight line. The DCI’s Representative remembers Mark from the last time he visited Iraq and acts as if they are old buddies from years past given they nearly died in the near mid air accident. The Representative shakes Mark’s hand and gives him a hug and several slaps on the back. Redcloud, however, is distant, and has no interest to address Mark speaking only to Joe the COB. …following the meetings the VIPs depart and Joe tells Mark what transpired between him and Redcloud.

Joe: “Mark…..Redcloud had a chat with me. He asked that I restrain you to just working 14

hours a day….”

DESCRIPTION: (VOICEOVER:) For the remainder of my tour I heard nothing further from Reilly and his attempts to retaliate. I figured the Office of Security and the Associate Director for Military Affairs was keeping my office and Reilly in check.

————–

————–

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (OFFICE OF SECURITY-INVESTIGATOR’S OFFICE), LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–Day

BEGINNING: Office of Security Investigator reviews DCOS Iraq cable accusing Mark of a felony and decides to discuss the case with her Branch Chief.

MIDDLE: The investigator notes Mark’s history with the Office of Security and the fact he obtained guidance from three key Iraq Station personnel.

END: The CIA Office of Security chooses to shelve the case and does not choose to investigate, question, charge, nor prosecute Mark in the four years that follow the incident, while Mark continues to serve the CIA.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (OFFICE OF SECURITY-INVESTIGATOR’S OFFICE), LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–Day

DESCRIPTION: The investigator sitting at her desk sees the incoming cable from Iraq Station calling into question Mark’s three month pay voucher. She briefs her Branch Chief.

Investigator: “Chief… I am looking at a cable that just came in from Iraq Station.

Branch Chief: “Yes….I saw it. That’s the case we’ve anticipated to be a reprisal against the OMA officer?“

————–

————–

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark’s 17 month tour is complete and he brief’s his replacement who followed behind him in Iraq. Mark gives his replacement the load down of his job and being a liaison.

MIDDLE: Mark addresses some of the pit falls of the job like the Silent Salute ceremonies and dealing with injured Afghan forces that support their respective CIA bases, as well as a 14 year old that lost three limbs in an explosion.

END: Robert warns Mark that Reilly has not forgotten about him and advises Mark not to let his guard down or take for granted the protection he may have enjoyed before.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENE DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

DESCRIPTION: After 17 months of service, Mark is briefing his replacement as DCOB (Robert) who followed after Mark in Iraq. Mark is discussing responsibilities and success he has experienced while serving as DCOB. Robert advises Mark to head his warnings that Reilly is still looking out for blood.

Mark: “Good Morning Robert. …I am going to give you an overview of what your primary

function as DCOB will be and what you may encounter or should be prepared to encounter, if the situation arises.“

Robert: “Sounds great!”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

Robert: “I did see where our 2,000 Stingers back it the day were conveniently stored in a cave

that accidently blew up, so they’re a lot harder to come by. …”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

“Oh one last point on that subject… I have also tried to coordinate with the Army here in

buying back Apache gunship Hellfire missiles and mobile towed radar systems from the black market.”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

Mark: “No, but while inspecting 12 crates of Soviet era Mig fighter air-to-air missiles, along with

three dump trucks filled with explosive munitions, I was exposed to nearly 3 hours of radioactive material leaking from them. …”

“The Special Forces soldier who was inspecting the munitions, as well, waited until the

end to run the Geiger Counter over the shit. …..My heart sank.”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

Mark: “A few months after I got here shit hit the fan when the commanding general discover

DIA was collecting all sorts of explosive material they obtained in trades…like mortars, C-4 explosives and anti tank mines… They had 1/3rd of a connex filled with the stuff…”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

Mark: “Yes, that occurs when a US soldier is killed. ….14,000 soldiers and contractors will line

both sides of the road here on Route Disney to render, while standing at attention, a salute in silence as a flag draped casket is driven slowly to the airfield for a small ceremony before the remains are placed in the belly of a C-130 for the journey home.”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

Mark: “Well…I’ve been called upon to arrange incoming medevacs for our own guys and

indigenous forces that we train at the bases or persons of interests to PSYOP. ….”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

Mark: “Then there was the one air insertion training exercise that disembarked a team into a

old Soviet minefield that resulted in the Afghan soldier getting a leg blown off…..

(Robert squeamish at the idea)….”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

“A short war story for you…I got called up one time from our Asadabad Base PSYOP

officer to arrange first class care for an influential tribal elder’s son…”

“His son was picking up sprint brass to sell….on our base. “

(Video Narrated Vignette)

“But the highlight came during President George Bush’s surprise visit…that was quite

interesting…..The US Secret Service sends out a detail to coordinate his visit 2 weeks in

advance of the President’s arrival. …”

DESCRIPTION: (VOICEOVER): To this day I still suffer from the memories of attending those many Silent Salute ceremonies during my tour. Years later…for reasons you will understand later, I would wish I could have swapped places with those who died with honor.

————–

————–

————————————————————-

ACT 2:

BEAT SHEET MIDDLE SCENES: PLAN FAILS…THEN…:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA STATION, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

–Mark takes on the new role as Station’s Psychological Warfare Operations in Kabul, Afghanistan and carries out his first mission at hand.

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA STATION, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/Night

–Mark uncovers an important Station asset’s secret.

SLUG: INT–CIA SAFEHOUSE, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–NIGHT

–Mark facilitates Taliban defections, including two suicide bombers that he uses in a campaign.

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

–Mark redeploys along the Afghan/Pak border of Kunar Valley in what would test his skills and it begins with cleaning up a Navy S.E.A.L. operation gone bad.

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

–The new Chief of Station for Afghanistan arrives, it’s Mark’s old boss from Iraq that results in rising tensions and another hostile work environment the last 5 months of his tour.

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

–A Congressional Delegation visits Falcon Base and Mark is asked to brief his successes.

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

–One month from leaving his post, Mark suddenly experiences catastrophic failure across the board on assets and PSYOP resources that had a proven track record for 2 plus years.

————————————————————-

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE: PLAN FAILS…THEN…:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA STATION, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark moves on to his next 3 month assignment as a Psychological Warfare Officer to support the CIA’s Counterterrorism operations countrywide from the Station in Kabul, Afghanistan. He begins first to restore harmony to Afghanistan by saving a cat, before his first mission.

MIDDLE: Mark prepares to conduct his first mission to serve as the “Milkman” carrying $300,000 in cash to the presidential palace.

END: Mark succeeds in his efforts to make it to the palace without incident and is warmly welcomed by the National Security Council’s assistant.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG: PLAN FAILS…THEN…:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA STATION, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

DESCRIPTION: Mark’s 3 months are anything, but dull. During his stay at the CIA Station which occupies the former Hotel Ariana in Kabul, Afghanistan known as the American Embassy Annex. The facility sits just blocks from the Afghan presidential palace where Mark will find himself making the “Milkman Run” to deliver $300,000 a month in cash each month to the National Security Council’s office.

COS Chris: “Good morning Mark. ….What’s new?”

Mark: “Well…I did my part to restore harmony here in Afghanistan…

Chris: “Really??? ….How so?”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

DESCRIPTION: Mark is seen collecting the money from Station Finance, sealed in four large manilla envelopes and stuffed into two large satchels. The Finance officer points to a map on the wall to show where Hotel Ariana sits in relation to where the palace sits. Mark picks up both heavy satchels and exits through the hallway down the steps and out the front door of the ‘hotel’ passed the water pond where he had saved the feral cat’s life earlier then through the streets of Kabul’s heavily quarantine area two blocks over to the presidential palace. Mark is permitted to by pass the palace security and directed to the National Security Advisor’s office where he is greeted by an assistant. Mark passes the two satchels that are promptly emptied of their contents and returned back to Mark. Mark smiles and thanks the assistant and returns back to Station in good health..

————–

————–

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA STATION, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

BEGINNING: Mark sets up a meeting with an important Station asset who thinks he is slick with the $200,000 he repeatedly tries to avoid accounting for.

MIDDLE: Mark meets with the asset to ascertain the status of the receipts and progress of the asset’s project that was being funded. Mark turns up the heat asking the asset for the projects location and photographs. Visibly defensive, the asset tries a runaround with Mark and goes so much as to provide a misleading photograph to throw Mark off his trail.

END: Mark starts from scratch and performs an asset assessment the way the professional Case Officers are suppose to routinely perform. Mark learns the asset is not just trying to pull the wool over the Station’s eyes on the project, but has a very important secret that opens up a whole new opportunity for the CIA.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA STATION, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

DESCRIPTION:

Chris: “Well Mark…Now that you did that mission so good, I have a someone of great

importance to the Station that you will have to take over. He is an important asset.”

Mark: “OK.”

Chris: “We have financed him for the last couple of years since we recruited him. ….”

“His name is Saad and he oversees a power projection platform in country and he

is becoming a bit cocky. …The Chief of Operations here recruited him a few years back.”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

DESCRIPTION: Mark suspects something is up. Mark reviews Saad’s dossier: Saad is married to an Australian woman, but has an Iranian American girlfriend, hates Iran and all it stands for….

————–

————–

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA SAFEHOUSE, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–NIGHT

BEGINNING: Mark is approached by a Case Officer (John) who is a former DELTA FORCE soldier and he and Mark embarks on a mission to facilitate the defection of Taliban commanders and two suicide bombers that would be similar to the Kit Carson Scouts initiative during the Vietnam era.

MIDDLE: Mark was able to secure funding for a safehouse and with the assistance of the ‘Peace Through Strenth’ program, Mark and John are able to facilitate 14 Taliban commanders through the defection program for a pardon, in addition to two drugged suicide bombers hooked on heroin.

END: Mark would use–with the help of the Afghan Minister of Defense–the two suicide bombers who defected to counter Taliban/Al Qaeda propaganda campaigns.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA SAFEHOUSE, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: Two months into the job and Mark is presented with an interesting opportunity that has not been seen since the Vietnam era. John, a Case Officer, handles high level figures that often riles competing Case Officers who are jealous and try to sabotage him by providing derogatory reporting against his assets. John is casual in his demeanor and is the closest thing to ‘James Bond’ Mark has seen himself in the Agency, though he’s heard about one other 10 years ago. John approaches Mark to see if his office can fund a safehouse in Kabul to house Taliban commanders defecting back to the Afghan government in exchange for their followers to lay down their weapons. Mark agrees and immediately sends a message through the internal notes system back to Washington for their thoughts and funding before sending an official cable.

John: “Hi…I understand you are the Station’s PSYOP Officer?…”

Mark: “Yes the one and only we got here until reinforcements get here……(he laughs)…what

can I do for you?”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

DESCRIPTION: With COS Chris concurrence, John makes his journey to the Afghan/Pak border where he convinces 14 Taliban commanders from ….

DESCRIPTION: (VOICEOVER): In my time I served in Afghanistan, If it did not try to bite you, stab you, or stick you it tried to eat you, it shot at you, rocketed, mortared, or layed an IED to kill you and I survived it all to include another near mid air disaster. However, I never thought I would see the day that I would have several smiling Taliban leaders wave at me to say thank you and goodbye.

————–

————–

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

BEGINNING: Mark redeploys along the Afghan/Pak border of Kunar Valley and puts his skills to the test with just two weeks on the ground as he begins a month-long cleanup to hide the hand of the US Government after a Navy S.E.A.L. operation goes bad.

MIDDLE: Mark wages a counter offensive using a night letter to support a false flag operation to save the life of an influential tribal elder who will owe him a great debt of gratitude.

END: Mark finds he is now a permanent addition to the base in what was initially supposed to be a 3 month tour to appease the Falcon Chief of Base.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: Multiple base assets report an Al Qaeda facilitator is operating across the border in Arandu, Pakistan from Dokalam, Afghanistan. The base has an embedded Navy S.E.A.L. team, but it becomes necessary to fly in two more S.E.A.L. snipers who have been tasked to conduct a ‘clandestine’ cross border shot to remedy the operative harmless. However, on that day, three of our nation’s finest cannot hit water if they fell out of a boat in the middle of the Atlantic.

COB Kevin: “Mark…I know you just joined the base just two weeks ago and had road trip to the

village we are preparing an operation for. ….How confident do you think the tribal elder

we met will support our operation?

Mark: “I am sure he’ ll be supportive as it was his nephew who was killed by that Al Qaeda

guy…You see…Al Qaeda targeted an Afghan Border Patrol convoy and it was his

nephew who was killed. …So he has a blood feud going on.”

————–

————–

————————————————————-

————–

————–

ACT 2:

BEAT SHEET TURNING POINT 2: MID–POINT:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (Home Office) LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

–Mark returns to the US for a 4 month R&R and makes arrangements for his return to Falcon Base.

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (Home Office) LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

–Returning back to Washington, DC for a 3-day mission prep and medical clearance in May, as directed, before his deployment to Afghanistan.

SLUG: INT–WASHINGTON-DULLES INT’L AIRPORT (CHECK BAGGAGE) CHANTILLY, VIRGINIA–DAY

–Mark checks in his baggage, but later learns it disappeared with a treasure trove of identity theft material and coincidentally the CIA has a facility at the same site with access to the terminals and carousels.

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

–After a month of his office stalling, Mark learns by phone he has been Blacklisted.

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

–Mark begins to contest his Blacklisting and in the meantime makes arrangements to return back to active duty with his Army Reserve unit, but suddenly falls ill that takes 5 months to recover from before the life changing diagnosis is delivered.

————–

————–

————————————————————-

————–

————–

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 OUTLINE: MID–POINT:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (Home Office) LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark returns to the US for a 4 month R&R and makes arrangements for his return to Falcon Base. Mark expresses concern to his Branch Chief (Joe) that all his assets were suddenly declared unworthy to be used, despite a plethora of program verifications and some were polygraphed.

MIDDLE: Joe looks troubled by the notion that all assets were rendered unfavorable and makes an inquiry to the Collection Management Officer overseeing analysis that rendered the decision.

END: Joe learns the CMO based their decision from recent multiple derogatory reporting from Case Officer John’s reporting.

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 DIALOG SCENE: MID–POINT:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (Home Office) LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

DESCRIPTION: Mark’s return to Headquarters to express his concerns about the assets being denounced causes raises eyebrows and more controversy for Joe than he cares for.

—————

—————

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (Home Office) LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

BEGINNING: Returning back to Washington, DC for a 3-day mission prep and medical clearance in May, as directed, before his deployment to Afghanistan.

MIDDLE: Ironically, Mark finds he is becoming uneasy and senses something is wrong, but refuses to accept his own gut instincts. His instincts are validated when he sees COS Reilly in the Agency cafeteria.

END: Mark learns the deployment is not going as planned and directed to return home. He is asked to turn in his badge and passport. This is not the first time such a request has been made of Mark so he is not surprised.

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (Home Office) LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

DESCRIPTION: Mark, however, is growing increasingly uncomfortable to be at CIA Headquarters as his guts tell him something is wrong. He joins a colleague (Nathan) he has known for 16 years for lunch in the CIA cafeteria and there he sees COS Reilly.

DESCRIPTION: (VOICEOVER) As Mark prepares for his mission he reads about an American soldier who was captured by the Taliban. Ironically Mark recalls reading about a captured soldier the month before he returned home. The soldier in question is Bo Berghdal who is identified as a traitor who went AWOL and was held in captivity for 5 years. Ironically the official date of his capture is noted six months after Bo Berghdal reportedly disappeared.

—————

—————

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–WASHINGTON-DULLES INT’L AIRPORT (CHECK BAGGAGE), CHANTILLY, VIRGINIA–DAY (AND)

SLUG: INT–DELTA AIRLINE TERMINAL, PALMBAY, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark checks in his baggage for his return flight and is glad he no longer is on the same flight with COS Reilly. Mark prays the J-Lo crashes with all onboard to survive, but him.

MIDDLE: Once Mark arrives home in Florida, he notices his luggage is not present at the terminal. The luggage contains a treasure trove of identity theft tax information material and Mark files a notice with Delta Airlines of the missing luggage.

END: Mark remembers that the CIA has a facility at the same site with access to the terminals and carousels. Mark knows that only the Chief of Counterterrorism Center could order his bag removed and through a little research discovers the former COS of Iraq (D’Angelo) is in charge of CTC, hence Reilly and D’Angelo, he suspects are behind the theft of his luggage.

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–WASHINGTON-DULLES INT’L AIRPORT (CHECK BAGGAGE), CHANTILLY, VIRGINIA–DAY (AND)

SLUG: INT–DELTA AIRLINE TERMINAL, PALMBAY, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

—————

—————

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: After a month of his office stalling, Mark learns by phone he has been Blacklisted. The Branch Chief tells Mark he is baffled that after 2 plus years of service that he is surprised by the office director’s move.

MIDDLE: Mark discloses to Joe that he is being retaliated against by COS Reilly because his ego was bruised when Mark disclosed that his Station had screwed up an investigation that involved the downloading of child pornography on two CIA Top Secret computers.

END: Mark insists that an investigation needs to be opened into this and that he will take legal action and contact his US Senator who sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

—————

—————

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark begins to contest his Blacklisting and in the meantime makes arrangements to return back to active duty with his Army Reserve unit to buy time while he takes on the CIA in a civil lawsuit that he intends to make publicly. He arranges for a medical physical as required by the US Army.

MIDDLE: Mark suddenly falls ill which ultimately takes 5 months to recover from. Mark believes that the Mononucleosis that he has suffered twice before and brought on from stress is what is afflicting him.

END: Mark receives a phone call 4 months after his Army physical. His unit’s brigade surgeon proceeds to scream over the phone that Mark has HIV and that he will be processed for discharge. Mark’s life changing diagnosis is delivered so bluntly and disrespectful he grabs his 44 magnum to commit suicide.

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

—————

—————

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s ACT 2 TP – Midpoint

What I learned from this assignment: I have to pick up the pace as I thought I had to write the dialog versus the skeleton of the ACT.

ACT 2:

BEAT SHEET TURNING POINT 2: MID–POINT:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (Home Office) LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

–Mark returns to the US for a 4 month R&R and makes arrangements for his return to Falcon Base.

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (Home Office) LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

–Returning back to Washington, DC for a 3-day mission prep and medical clearance in May, as directed, before his deployment to Afghanistan.

SLUG: INT–WASHINGTON-DULLES INT’L AIRPORT (CHECK BAGGAGE) CHANTILLY, VIRGINIA–DAY

–Mark checks in his baggage, but later learns it disappeared with a treasure trove of identity theft material and coincidentally the CIA has a facility at the same site with access to the terminals and carousels.

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

–After a month of his office stalling, Mark learns by phone he has been Blacklisted.

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

–Mark begins to contest his Blacklisting and in the meantime makes arrangements to return back to active duty with his Army Reserve unit, but suddenly falls ill that takes 5 months to recover from before the life changing diagnosis is delivered.

————————————————————-

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 OUTLINE: MID–POINT:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (Home Office) LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark returns to the US for a 4 month R&R and makes arrangements for his return to Falcon Base. Mark expresses concern to his Branch Chief (Joe) that all his assets were suddenly declared unworthy to be used, despite a plethora of program verifications and some were polygraphed.

MIDDLE: Joe looks troubled by the notion that all assets were rendered unfavorable and makes an inquiry to the Collection Management Officer overseeing analysis that rendered the decision.

END: Joe learns the CMO based their decision from recent multiple derogatory reporting from Case Officer John’s reporting.

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 DIALOG SCENE: MID–POINT:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (Home Office) LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

DESCRIPTION: Mark’s return to Headquarters to express his concerns about the assets being denounced causes raises eyebrows and more controversy for Joe than he cares for.

—————

—————

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (Home Office) LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

BEGINNING: Returning back to Washington, DC for a 3-day mission prep and medical clearance in May, as directed, before his deployment to Afghanistan.

MIDDLE: Ironically, Mark finds he is becoming uneasy and senses something is wrong, but refuses to accept his own gut instincts. His instincts are validated when he sees COS Reilly in the Agency cafeteria.

END: Mark learns the deployment is not going as planned and directed to return home. He is asked to turn in his badge and passport. This is not the first time such a request has been made of Mark so he is not surprised.

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (Home Office) LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–DAY

DESCRIPTION: Mark, however, is growing increasingly uncomfortable to be at CIA Headquarters as his guts tell him something is wrong. He joins a colleague (Nathan) he has known for 16 years for lunch in the CIA cafeteria and there he sees COS Reilly.

DESCRIPTION: (VOICEOVER) As Mark prepares for his mission he reads about an American soldier who was captured by the Taliban. Ironically Mark recalls reading about a captured soldier the month before he returned home. The soldier in question is Bo Berghdal who is identified as a traitor who went AWOL and was held in captivity for 5 years. Ironically the official date of his capture is noted six months after Bo Berghdal reportedly disappeared.

—————

—————

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–WASHINGTON-DULLES INT’L AIRPORT (CHECK BAGGAGE), CHANTILLY, VIRGINIA–DAY (AND)

SLUG: INT–DELTA AIRLINE TERMINAL, PALMBAY, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark checks in his baggage for his return flight and is glad he no longer is on the same flight with COS Reilly. Mark prays the J-Lo crashes with all onboard to survive, but him.

MIDDLE: Once Mark arrives home in Florida, he notices his luggage is not present at the terminal. The luggage contains a treasure trove of identity theft tax information material and Mark files a notice with Delta Airlines of the missing luggage.

END: Mark remembers that the CIA has a facility at the same site with access to the terminals and carousels. Mark knows that only the Chief of Counterterrorism Center could order his bag removed and through a little research discovers the former COS of Iraq (D’Angelo) is in charge of CTC, hence Reilly and D’Angelo, he suspects are behind the theft of his luggage.

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–WASHINGTON-DULLES INT’L AIRPORT (CHECK BAGGAGE), CHANTILLY, VIRGINIA–DAY (AND)

SLUG: INT–DELTA AIRLINE TERMINAL, PALMBAY, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

—————

—————

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: After a month of his office stalling, Mark learns by phone he has been Blacklisted. The Branch Chief tells Mark he is baffled that after 2 plus years of service that he is surprised by the office director’s move.

MIDDLE: Mark discloses to Joe that he is being retaliated against by COS Reilly because his ego was bruised when Mark disclosed that his Station had screwed up an investigation that involved the downloading of child pornography on two CIA Top Secret computers.

END: Mark insists that an investigation needs to be opened into this and that he will take legal action and contact his US Senator who sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

—————

—————

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark begins to contest his Blacklisting and in the meantime makes arrangements to return back to active duty with his Army Reserve unit to buy time while he takes on the CIA in a civil lawsuit that he intends to make publicly. He arranges for a medical physical as required by the US Army.

MIDDLE: Mark suddenly falls ill which ultimately takes 5 months to recover from. Mark believes that the Mononucleosis that he has suffered twice before and brought on from stress is what is afflicting him.

END: Mark receives a phone call 4 months after his Army physical. His unit’s brigade surgeon proceeds to scream over the phone that Mark has HIV and that he will be processed for discharge. Mark’s life changing diagnosis is delivered so bluntly and disrespectful he grabs his 44 magnum to commit suicide.

ACT 2:

TURNING POINT 2 DIALOG SCENE:

SLUG: INT–HOME, VIERA, FLORIDA–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

—————

—————

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s ACT 2 Middle Scenes

What I learned. I learned that the first draft is suppose to be a skeleton write up and not dialog too.

ACT 2:

BEAT SHEET MIDDLE SCENES: PROTAGONIST’S NEW PLAN IS EXECUTED:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

–Mark reports to the base at Bagram, coincidently just a few days after four high level Al-Qaeda members escape the internment facility there and unexpectedly he is greeted by an armed Afghani at his door with a proposal.

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–NIGHT

–After nearly 3 months goes by at Bagram, Mark’s pay voucher cable is finally released by the DCOS in Iraq that falsely accuses Mark of a ruse which Mark eventually decides to ignore.

SLUG: EXT/INT–BAGRAM FLIGHT LINE AND CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

–Mark is paid an unexpected visit from his home office director and the DCI’s Associate Director for Military Affairs.

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (OFFICE OF SECURITY-INVESTIGATOR’S OFFICE), LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–Day

–Office of Security reviews DCOS Iraq cable accusing Mark of intentionally overcharging the Agency (a felony), but decides not to investigate, question, charge, nor prosecute as it’s considered to be an act of retaliation by Reilly.

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

–Mark’s 17 month tour is complete and he brief’s his replacement who followed behind him in Iraq and warns Mark that Reilly still has a burr up his ass for him.

————————————————————-

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE: PROTAGONIST’S NEW PLAN IS EXECUTED:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

BEGINNING: After Mark reports to base for introductions and orientation. Later he is greeted at the door by an armed Afghani with a proposal to help the base acquire a Stinger component.

MIDDLE: Mark and Joe discuss the recovery of a Stinger missile component with an Afghan interpreter who works for the US Army. The seller is from the Pakistani side of the border

END: The Chief of Base later tells Mark four high level Al-Qaeda members escaped just a few short days before from the Bagram Internment Facility and Mark straps his sidearm on from then on. The purchase of the Stinger component ultimately takes 6 months.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG: PROTAGONIST’S NEW PLAN IS EXECUTED:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: The CIA base consists of double stacked cargo shipping containers that are sandbagged on the roof laid out in a square shaped formation surrounded heavily by concertina and chain linked fencing. Other government agencies like DIA, NSA etc are collated near the Agency and collectively known as OGA. The 10th Mountain Division Headquarters and Bagram Internment Facility are each located a mere 300 feet from the CIA base. Bagram Air Base houses 14,000 coalition forces and contractors.

Mark: “Good afternoon Chief! … I am the new guy… Mark your new DCOB.” Mark extends his

hand out to shake the COB’s hand with a smile.

COB Joe: “Welcome to Bagram. …I’ll let you get settled in and meet our

communications officer and the senior Science and Technology advisor when they get

back from lunch. “

OTHER DIALOG:

DESCRIPTION: (VOICEOVER:) Six months would pass before Joe and I would purchase a Stinger grip stock for $10,000. The four Al Qaeda detainees were never captured.

————–

————–

ACT 2

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–NIGHT

BEGINNING: The Iraq Station DCOS finally releases Mark’s pay cable. The Chief of Base flags the cable to Mark’s attention as it poses a serious accusation.

MIDDLE: Mark carefully reviews Reilly’s cable and fights the strong desire to contact the Agency Inspector General, the Ombudsman and Office of General Counsel to file a complaint.

END: Mark ignores the cable and wants to focus instead on the mission at hand, but other events will overtake Mark’s attention, as well.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: Nearly two months into the tour, Mark has a cable flagged to his attention by the COB (Joe). Mark takes a moment to review the cable and advises the Chief that it’s in relation to what transpired in Iraq. Deep down Mark wants to file a complaint in writing, but that will take much of his time and he already puts in a full day and ports of the night.

Joe: “Mark a cable just came in for you and you really need to address it.”

Mark: “OK…Thanks.”

————–

————–

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: EXT/INT–BAGRAM FLIGHT LINE AND CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark is paid an unexpected visit from his home office director and the DCI’s Associate Director for Military Affairs. Mark is greeted like a long lost pal from the DCI Representative, but his Office Director avoids Mark speaking only to Joe the COB.

MIDDLE: Redcloud seeks to place a cap limit on the hours Mark works. Joe scoffs at this idea and tells the director he may as well pull his support from the base as that idea would shift the lion’s share of work on him.

END: Mark feels reassured from the COB’s efforts to stand up for him and feels no further action will like be taken given the warm reception he had from DCI Representative that his office director clearly witnessed.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENE DIALOG:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

DESCRIPTION: Two months into Mark’s tour, Joe alerts Mark that the OMA office will be paying our base a surprise visit and seeks a meeting with the 10th Mountain Division commander. Mark is expected to pick the 2 visitors up at the flight line and bring them to base.

JOE: “Mark I just got word from Station that VIPs…being your boss –the OMA Office Director,

Redcloud, is surprising us with his presence and he’s bringing along the DCI’s Associate Director for Military Affairs (Galland)…..”

“….I need you to go get them at the airfield and I’ll be taking them over to meet the

Division Commander…..they’ll be here in an hour.”

Mark: “Roger!! ….sorta sudden isn’t it?. …”

SLUG: EXT/INT–BAGRAM FLIGHT LINE, BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

(Video Narrated Vignette)

DESCRIPTION: Mark meets the visitors at the flight line. The DCI’s Representative remembers Mark from the last time he visited Iraq and acts as if they are old buddies from years past given they nearly died in the near mid air accident. The Representative shakes Mark’s hand and gives him a hug and several slaps on the back. Redcloud, however, is distant, and has no interest to address Mark speaking only to Joe the COB. …following the meetings the VIPs depart and Joe tells Mark what transpired between him and Redcloud.

Joe: “Mark…..Redcloud had a chat with me. He asked that I restrain you to just working 14

hours a day….”

DESCRIPTION: (VOICEOVER:) For the remainder of my tour I heard nothing further from Reilly and his attempts to retaliate. I figured the Office of Security and the Associate Director for Military Affairs was keeping my office and Reilly in check.

————–

————–

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (OFFICE OF SECURITY-INVESTIGATOR’S OFFICE), LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–Day

BEGINNING: Office of Security Investigator reviews DCOS Iraq cable accusing Mark of a felony and decides to discuss the case with her Branch Chief.

MIDDLE: The investigator notes Mark’s history with the Office of Security and the fact he obtained guidance from three key Iraq Station personnel.

END: The CIA Office of Security chooses to shelve the case and does not choose to investigate, question, charge, nor prosecute Mark in the four years that follow the incident, while Mark continues to serve the CIA.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA HEADQUARTERS (OFFICE OF SECURITY-INVESTIGATOR’S OFFICE), LANGLEY, VIRGINIA–Day

DESCRIPTION: The investigator sitting at her desk sees the incoming cable from Iraq Station calling into question Mark’s three month pay voucher. She briefs her Branch Chief.

Investigator: “Chief… I am looking at a cable that just came in from Iraq Station.

Branch Chief: “Yes….I saw it. That’s the case we’ve anticipated to be a reprisal against the OMA officer?“

————–

————–

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark’s 17 month tour is complete and he brief’s his replacement who followed behind him in Iraq. Mark gives his replacement the load down of his job and being a liaison.

MIDDLE: Mark addresses some of the pit falls of the job like the Silent Salute ceremonies and dealing with injured Afghan forces that support their respective CIA bases, as well as a 14 year old that lost three limbs in an explosion.

END: Robert warns Mark that Reilly has not forgotten about him and advises Mark not to let his guard down or take for granted the protection he may have enjoyed before.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENE DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA BASE OFFICE, BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

DESCRIPTION: After 17 months of service, Mark is briefing his replacement as DCOB (Robert) who followed after Mark in Iraq. Mark is discussing responsibilities and success he has experienced while serving as DCOB. Robert advises Mark to head his warnings that Reilly is still looking out for blood.

Mark: “Good Morning Robert. …I am going to give you an overview of what your primary

function as DCOB will be and what you may encounter or should be prepared to encounter, if the situation arises.“

Robert: “Sounds great!”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

Robert: “I did see where our 2,000 Stingers back it the day were conveniently stored in a cave

that accidently blew up, so they’re a lot harder to come by. …”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

“Oh one last point on that subject… I have also tried to coordinate with the Army here in

buying back Apache gunship Hellfire missiles and mobile towed radar systems from the black market.”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

Mark: “No, but while inspecting 12 crates of Soviet era Mig fighter air-to-air missiles, along with

three dump trucks filled with explosive munitions, I was exposed to nearly 3 hours of radioactive material leaking from them. …”

“The Special Forces soldier who was inspecting the munitions, as well, waited until the

end to run the Geiger Counter over the shit. …..My heart sank.”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

Mark: “A few months after I got here shit hit the fan when the commanding general discover

DIA was collecting all sorts of explosive material they obtained in trades…like mortars, C-4 explosives and anti tank mines… They had 1/3rd of a connex filled with the stuff…”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

Mark: “Yes, that occurs when a US soldier is killed. ….14,000 soldiers and contractors will line

both sides of the road here on Route Disney to render, while standing at attention, a salute in silence as a flag draped casket is driven slowly to the airfield for a small ceremony before the remains are placed in the belly of a C-130 for the journey home.”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

Mark: “Well…I’ve been called upon to arrange incoming medevacs for our own guys and

indigenous forces that we train at the bases or persons of interests to PSYOP. ….”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

Mark: “Then there was the one air insertion training exercise that disembarked a team into a

old Soviet minefield that resulted in the Afghan soldier getting a leg blown off…..

(Robert squeamish at the idea)….”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

“A short war story for you…I got called up one time from our Asadabad Base PSYOP

officer to arrange first class care for an influential tribal elder’s son…”

“His son was picking up sprint brass to sell….on our base. “

(Video Narrated Vignette)

“But the highlight came during President George Bush’s surprise visit…that was quite

interesting…..The US Secret Service sends out a detail to coordinate his visit 2 weeks in

advance of the President’s arrival. …”

DESCRIPTION: (VOICEOVER): To this day I still suffer from the memories of attending those many Silent Salute ceremonies during my tour. Years later…for reasons you will understand later, I would wish I could have swapped places with those who died with honor.

————–

————–

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ACT 2:

BEAT SHEET MIDDLE SCENES: PLAN FAILS…THEN…:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA STATION, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

–Mark takes on the new role as Station’s Psychological Warfare Operations in Kabul, Afghanistan and carries out his first mission at hand.

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA STATION, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/Night

–Mark uncovers an important Station asset’s secret.

SLUG: INT–CIA SAFEHOUSE, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–NIGHT

–Mark facilitates Taliban defections, including two suicide bombers that he uses in a campaign.

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

–Mark redeploys along the Afghan/Pak border of Kunar Valley in what would test his skills and it begins with cleaning up a Navy S.E.A.L. operation gone bad.

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

–The new Chief of Station for Afghanistan arrives, it’s Mark’s old boss from Iraq that results in rising tensions and another hostile work environment the last 5 months of his tour.

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

–A Congressional Delegation visits Falcon Base and Mark is asked to brief his successes.

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

–One month from leaving his post, Mark suddenly experiences catastrophic failure across the board on assets and PSYOP resources that had a proven track record for 2 plus years.

————————————————————-

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE: PLAN FAILS…THEN…:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA STATION, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

BEGINNING: Mark moves on to his next 3 month assignment as a Psychological Warfare Officer to support the CIA’s Counterterrorism operations countrywide from the Station in Kabul, Afghanistan. He begins first to restore harmony to Afghanistan by saving a cat, before his first mission.

MIDDLE: Mark prepares to conduct his first mission to serve as the “Milkman” carrying $300,000 in cash to the presidential palace.

END: Mark succeeds in his efforts to make it to the palace without incident and is warmly welcomed by the National Security Council’s assistant.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG: PLAN FAILS…THEN…:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA STATION, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

DESCRIPTION: Mark’s 3 months are anything, but dull. During his stay at the CIA Station which occupies the former Hotel Ariana in Kabul, Afghanistan known as the American Embassy Annex. The facility sits just blocks from the Afghan presidential palace where Mark will find himself making the “Milkman Run” to deliver $300,000 a month in cash each month to the National Security Council’s office.

COS Chris: “Good morning Mark. ….What’s new?”

Mark: “Well…I did my part to restore harmony here in Afghanistan…

Chris: “Really??? ….How so?”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

DESCRIPTION: Mark is seen collecting the money from Station Finance, sealed in four large manilla envelopes and stuffed into two large satchels. The Finance officer points to a map on the wall to show where Hotel Ariana sits in relation to where the palace sits. Mark picks up both heavy satchels and exits through the hallway down the steps and out the front door of the ‘hotel’ passed the water pond where he had saved the feral cat’s life earlier then through the streets of Kabul’s heavily quarantine area two blocks over to the presidential palace. Mark is permitted to by pass the palace security and directed to the National Security Advisor’s office where he is greeted by an assistant. Mark passes the two satchels that are promptly emptied of their contents and returned back to Mark. Mark smiles and thanks the assistant and returns back to Station in good health..

————–

————–

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA STATION, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

BEGINNING: Mark sets up a meeting with an important Station asset who thinks he is slick with the $200,000 he repeatedly tries to avoid accounting for.

MIDDLE: Mark meets with the asset to ascertain the status of the receipts and progress of the asset’s project that was being funded. Mark turns up the heat asking the asset for the projects location and photographs. Visibly defensive, the asset tries a runaround with Mark and goes so much as to provide a misleading photograph to throw Mark off his trail.

END: Mark starts from scratch and performs an asset assessment the way the professional Case Officers are suppose to routinely perform. Mark learns the asset is not just trying to pull the wool over the Station’s eyes on the project, but has a very important secret that opens up a whole new opportunity for the CIA.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA STATION, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

DESCRIPTION:

Chris: “Well Mark…Now that you did that mission so good, I have a someone of great

importance to the Station that you will have to take over. He is an important asset.”

Mark: “OK.”

Chris: “We have financed him for the last couple of years since we recruited him. ….”

“His name is Saad and he oversees a power projection platform in country and he

is becoming a bit cocky. …The Chief of Operations here recruited him a few years back.”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

DESCRIPTION: Mark suspects something is up. Mark reviews Saad’s dossier: Saad is married to an Australian woman, but has an Iranian American girlfriend, hates Iran and all it stands for….

————–

————–

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA SAFEHOUSE, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–NIGHT

BEGINNING: Mark is approached by a Case Officer (John) who is a former DELTA FORCE soldier and he and Mark embarks on a mission to facilitate the defection of Taliban commanders and two suicide bombers that would be similar to the Kit Carson Scouts initiative during the Vietnam era.

MIDDLE: Mark was able to secure funding for a safehouse and with the assistance of the ‘Peace Through Strenth’ program, Mark and John are able to facilitate 14 Taliban commanders through the defection program for a pardon, in addition to two drugged suicide bombers hooked on heroin.

END: Mark would use–with the help of the Afghan Minister of Defense–the two suicide bombers who defected to counter Taliban/Al Qaeda propaganda campaigns.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA SAFEHOUSE, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN–NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: Two months into the job and Mark is presented with an interesting opportunity that has not been seen since the Vietnam era. John, a Case Officer, handles high level figures that often riles competing Case Officers who are jealous and try to sabotage him by providing derogatory reporting against his assets. John is casual in his demeanor and is the closest thing to ‘James Bond’ Mark has seen himself in the Agency, though he’s heard about one other 10 years ago. John approaches Mark to see if his office can fund a safehouse in Kabul to house Taliban commanders defecting back to the Afghan government in exchange for their followers to lay down their weapons. Mark agrees and immediately sends a message through the internal notes system back to Washington for their thoughts and funding before sending an official cable.

John: “Hi…I understand you are the Station’s PSYOP Officer?…”

Mark: “Yes the one and only we got here until reinforcements get here……(he laughs)…what

can I do for you?”

(Video Narrated Vignette)

DESCRIPTION: With COS Chris concurrence, John makes his journey to the Afghan/Pak border where he convinces 14 Taliban commanders from ….

DESCRIPTION: (VOICEOVER): In my time I served in Afghanistan, If it did not try to bite you, stab you, or stick you it tried to eat you, it shot at you, rocketed, mortared, or layed an IED to kill you and I survived it all to include another near mid air disaster. However, I never thought I would see the day that I would have several smiling Taliban leaders wave at me to say thank you and goodbye.

————–

————–

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

BEGINNING: Mark redeploys along the Afghan/Pak border of Kunar Valley and puts his skills to the test with just two weeks on the ground as he begins a month-long cleanup to hide the hand of the US Government after a Navy S.E.A.L. operation goes bad.

MIDDLE: Mark wages a counter offensive using a night letter to support a false flag operation to save the life of an influential tribal elder who will owe him a great debt of gratitude.

END: Mark finds he is now a permanent addition to the base in what was initially supposed to be a 3 month tour to appease the Falcon Chief of Base.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: Multiple base assets report an Al Qaeda facilitator is operating across the border in Arandu, Pakistan from Dokalam, Afghanistan. The base has an embedded Navy S.E.A.L. team, but it becomes necessary to fly in two more S.E.A.L. snipers who have been tasked to conduct a ‘clandestine’ cross border shot to remedy the operative harmless. However, on that day, three of our nation’s finest cannot hit water if they fell out of a boat in the middle of the Atlantic.

COB Kevin: “Mark…I know you just joined the base just two weeks ago and had road trip to the

village we are preparing an operation for. ….How confident do you think the tribal elder

we met will support our operation?

Mark: “I am sure he’ ll be supportive as it was his nephew who was killed by that Al Qaeda

guy…You see…Al Qaeda targeted an Afghan Border Patrol convoy and it was his

nephew who was killed. …So he has a blood feud going on.”

————–

————–

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

BEGINNING: The new Chief of Station for Afghanistan is about to arrive in country, it’s Mark’s old boss from Iraq that will result in rising tensions and another hostile work environment the last 5 months of Mark’s tour as atmospherics abruptly change toward him by a Case Officer colleague (John) who will act as Chief of Base until COB Robert returns.

MIDDLE: COS Reilly visits the base and Mark notices Reilly speaking discretely to John. As time passes Mark is being excluded from participating in staff meetings.

END: John is frustrated that the case officers are excluded from participation in a very important briefing that Mark is called upon to solely contribute. The Navy S.E.A.L.s sponsored a briefing to the visiting new commanding general over the Afghan Coalition Forces.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

DESCRIPTION: Falcon staff meetings take place in a fortified bunker they call an office that consists of the Chief and Deputy Chief of Base, 10 Case Officers, 5 Navy S.E.A.L.s, a 4 man Black Water security team, 1 Communications guy, 1 Logistics guy and Mark PSYOP.

————–

————–

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

BEGINNING: A Congressional Delegation visits Falcon Base and Mark is asked to brief how his operations are so successful. Mark explains what his mission is then addresses the culture of Afghan society and their code for survival as second instincts.

MIDDLE: Mark then addresses his acts of sabotage, use of the radio station, night letter operations and the use of agents of influence to target the populace and the intended outcome of degrading recruitment and support of terrorists.

END: Mark finally wraps his briefing up saying that in essence he took a page out of former President Bill Clinton’s Democratic rule book and that abruptly ended the meeting.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY

DESCRIPTION:

————–

————–

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES OUTLINE:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

BEGINNING: One month from leaving his post, Mark suddenly experiences two catastrophic losses. The death of a team member and failure across the board on all of his assets and PSYOP resources that had a proven track record for 2 plus years.

MIDDLE: Base suffers a blow when a member (Chief Petty Officer Joshua Harris) of the Navy S.E.A.L. team loses his life in a training mission that Mark is directly supporting. Mark flies an American flag in his honor over base and seeks to pass to Joshua’s family, one of which is his twin sister Kiki Harris, an accomplished Hollywood celebrity.

END: Mark suspects treachery by Case Officer John in cahoots with COS Reilly as the reason for his program being shut down. Mark tries to contest the sudden derogatory information, but Headquarters is too behind the decision leaving Mark puzzled.

ACT 2:

MIDDLE SCENES DIALOG:

SLUG: EXT/INT–CIA FALCON BASE, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN–DAY/NIGHT

DESCRIPTION:

————–

————–

————————————————————-

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Subject: Mark Napier’s ACT 2 Reaction to the Turning Point Scene

What did I learn? I pretty much learning the formatting and layout of these ACTs. I am working on speed now.

ACT 2:

BEAT SHEET REACTION TO THE TURNING POINT SCENE:

SLUG: INT–CIA Headquarters (Office of Security-Investigator’s Office), Langley, Virginia–Day

–Mark briefs Headquarters security investigator on case in question.

SLUG: INT–CIA Headquarters (Office of Military Affairs, Branch Chief office), Langley, Virginia–Day

–Mark accepts a new mission assignment in Afghanistan.

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (DCOS office), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

–DCOS tries to pressure the OMA Office Director to have Mark fired.

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (DCOS office), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

–DCOS fabricates a ruse to have Mark charged with a felony and be prosecuted.

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (COS’ Office), Kabul, Afghanistan–Day

–Mark arrives in Afghanistan to be briefed by COS “The Spider” to be Deputy Chief of Base

———————————————————————————————–

ACT 2:

REACTION TO THE TURNING POINT SCENE OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA Headquarters (Office of Security-Investigator’s Office), Langley, Virginia–Day

BEGINNING: Mark briefs Headquarters security investigator on case in question. He also expresses concern for the employee who is wrongfully accused and outlined the negative atmosphere toward him.

MIDDLE: He reveals his insightful discussion with Station’s Chief of Communications and the precaution he took to ensure his report was not altered.

END: Mark expresses concern and anticipation of being retaliated against in hopes Office of Security will not give credence to false allegations.

ACT 2:

REACTION TO THE TURNING POINT SCENE DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA Headquarters (Office of Security-Investigator’s Office), Langley, Virginia–Day

DESCRIPTION: After Mark lands at the Washington-Dulles International Airport and disembarks to report to his home office in the New Headquarters Building, he is informed that he has a message from the investigator in charge of the case and needs him to report to her office in Old Headquarters Building. Mark knocks on her office door and introduces himself.

Mark: “Hi….Mark here from OMA. I just got in from Iraq Station. ….I understand you left a message inviting me for a ‘fireside chat’ ? ….. I suppose it’s related to the Iraq Station fiasco that got the wrong guy deported?”

Investigator: “Oh hi!… Yes..Yes… Please come in and have a seat.” The investigator is dressed in a black suit and skirt with white blouse.

Investigator: “I’ve read the detailed cable report which pretty much captured the essence of what took place. …. I know you used to work for the Office of Security as a Security Protective Officer years back, so you wrote it like a police report.” She jovially laughs, as well as Mark.

Mark: “Yes…force of habit I suppose.”

“Is there anything else beyond the report that you’d like to add?”

Mark: “First and foremost, I think Gary was horribly treated in this matter and was raped of his dignity. … I know he requested to see a psychiatrist in Jordan, but I did all I could to set the record straight for him after my office confirmed his report.”

….“Second, prior to this incident I was being subjected to a hostile work environment that was compounded by three events. ….”

….”The DCI’s representative visited Station and four military command elements that the CIA has embedded 2 man cell teams with and the feedback he got was not flattering for Station. The DCOS, Reilly, blamed my teams…. “

…”Then Station’s Internment Facility Coordinator Officer…Pedro, he worked near me got pissed to find out I made more money than him and became aggressive after that…I don’t quite understand why since I only worked for the CIA 16 years before becoming an Independent Contractor versus his 3 years??? …He asked how much I made and I was honest with him is all.”…..

…”Incidentally, he apparently creates hostile work environments for women as well. …I have seen him personally go after a woman and make her cry and another analyst he called her analysis stupid… forgetting he cc:’d her on the return message to a slough of folks.”

…”That triggered nasty notes back and forth like 10 times before the DCOS finally sent out a message in big bold red letters: ‘CEASE FIRE…CEASE FIRE…CEASE FIRE.’ “

….”Before Pedro became abrasive towards me he admitted sheepishly towards me that his home office of the Crimes and Narcotics Center told him: ‘You need to get out of our face for two years.’ …So, don’t take my word, ask CNC.“

…”Bottom line is I got tired of the negative atmospherics and being isolated from important staff meetings and Pedro feeding into it …..plus covering for OMA for sending folks out with no training, let alone no CIA experience. …That’s why I was working long hours because I am having to mentor and guide them like children.”

Investigator: “Well thank you for that insight…and it was admirable that you stepped up to the plate at great risk to yourself and career here at CIA.”

Mark: “Well …. As noted in the report, I was told that the guy who downloaded the child pornography apparently had a history of this before. … I obtained that insight while talking to Station’s Chief of Communications who knew the guy for 20 years.” ……

….“I never said a word about what unfolded, but he made the astute observation that he never saw Joe behave in such a manner, since the last time he downloaded child pornography.“

…”He stopped in mid sentence and it hit him like a brick in the face, before he figured out on his own what was going on.” ….

DESCRIPTION: The investigator remained silent allowing Mark to talk uninterrupted, but was clearly absorbing it all in.

Mark:…“I suppose you’ve been tracking communications between Joe and whoever he’s talking to for your investigation?”

Investigator: “Oh yes.”

Mark: “You no doubt realize that I anticipate being retaliated against by Iraq Station? …I have had to endure a good deal of hostilities from Station as is.”

DESCRIPTION: The investigator’s posture stiffened as she motioned her head in complete concurrence without a word. She knew it was the cultural norms of CIA executives to wield their positions as a weapon of mass destruction and the Directorate of Operation was no exception.

Mark: “Anything else? ….Oh by the way! … I do not know if Station will try to alter my cable, but I placed a copy of it in my notes system and sent it to myself as an electronic backup. I do not trust Station leadership and particularly I do not trust the DCOS…..Also one other thing.” ….

…..”In addition, to being new to the IC (Independent Contractor) world I was working longer hours as I said….well I had to call together the Station’s Chief of Finance, Chief of Human Resources and the COS’ secretary who has final approval before the finance cables go out to review and approve my pay voucher, so I hope they don’t sit on it.”

Investigator: “OK…Great! … Thank you for stopping by. I know you must be exhausted from the long trip.”

DESCRIPTION: Mark departs her office and heads to the Agency cafeteria to ‘grease his belly’ before returning to the office for his follow on assignment.

————–

————–

ACT 2:

SCENE OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA Headquarters (Office of Military Affairs, Branch Chief office), Langley, Virginia–Day

BEGINNING: Mark learns that DCOS Reilly is raising Hell with OMA, but Mark discusses with his branch chief that the whole ordeal could have been avoided, if Station had not had a knee jerk reaction to the incident.

MIDDLE: Mark also addresses the problem between COS and military commanders on the ground and how the entire affair is turning into a repeat of Operation Desert Storm, whereby the US military felt that they did not get adequate cooperation from the CIA, then.

END: Mark accepts a new mission assignment in Afghanistan to become the CIA’s Deputy Chief of Base at Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan that elevates his standing as an Intelligence Officer. His responsibility will be to support CIA counterterrorism operations countrywide.

ACT 2:

SCENE DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA Headquarters (Office of Military Affairs, Branch Chief office), Langley, Virginia–Day

DESCRIPTION: Mark steps into the office to see what Doug has in store for him on his next assignment.

Mark: “Hey Doug! …. What’s the word?”

Doug: “Mark…Hey bud …how are you? … I’m seeing the flack from your cable has hit a raw nerve with Station. ….Your early departure without a word did not go over well either.”

Mark: “As I expected it would. ….I lost a lot of beauty sleep dealing with that ordeal. After 40 hours of no sleep, l was looking like the poster child for birth control.” … Doug laughs.

“Besides…After the way I was treated with disdain and disrespect??? … I wanted them to symbolically see my elbows and asshole in defiance walking away.“

“…So they can blow it out of their asses, if they think I was going to give them further satisfaction by screaming at me….Absolutely no way.”

Doug: “I can understand your point of view.”

Mark: “The worst part is that this whole affair could have all been prevented had Banks took a moment to talk to both parties. … Also had Station’s Chief of Security not blown off Gary then they all would be viewed as superheroes right now.” ….

“Plus….D’Angelo, the COS, if he ever stopped with his ‘SUPERIORITY COMPLEX” mentality in dealing with the regular military….Things would go a lot smoother in relationships with the Warfighters on the ground if the chip on his shoulder fell off….”

Doug: “….Would you agree their unwillingness to deal with conventional forces is simply creating tensions and lack of cooperation….. just as it did during Desert Storm?….”

Mark: “Yes…. Anyway…that’s neither here nor there…..Bottom line, this office sending out inexperienced folks from to Station does not help the situation either.”

Doug: “I agree, but we’re so short handed …We’re just tossing warm bodies out to fill the gap. …Right now as it stands, Reilly is furious. ….He’s been raising Hell with the office director.”

Mark: “I’ve already addressed my concern with the investigator overseeing this. …I told her flat out that I expected to be retaliated against.”

Doug: “Well….On that note, I’ve arranged for you to replace our guy in Bagram, Afghanistan as the Deputy Chief of Base. He has been there a while and is ready to come home. …I originally had you scheduled for Kuwait to sit on the US commanding general’s staff, but that’s been in flux and has not come to fruition just yet.”

Mark: “OK.. Interesting…. Has the Chief of Station there approved of my coming out?” … and who is the COS there?”

Doug: “He’s called ‘The Spider’ by President Karzai himself…Greg Vogel. …He’s been there nearly two years himself at Karzai’s request after he saved Karzai’s ass from an assassination attempt.”

Mark: “Ok… So what will my mission be overall and when do you have me heading out?”

Doug: “Your primary function will be to support Agency counterterrorism operations countrywide in theater with the resources that the airbase has to bring to table.”

….“As for your departure…You are already scheduled on the flight heading out in 2 weeks. …. So go home, relax and get your affairs in order and be ready to head out then. ….See you in two weeks.”

Mark: “Okie Dokie! … See ya then, but in the meantime you can use your desk as a bunker to shield yourself from incoming rounds from Reilly. ….Mark laughs as he departs.

DESCRIPTION: Doug doesn’t find not much to smirk at, since he knows he dropped the ball in the whole matter leaving Mark holding the bag in Iraq.

————–

————–

ACT 2:

SCENE OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (DCOS office), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

BEGINNING: DCOS tries to pressure the OMA Office Director to have Mark fired and blames him for mishandling the situation when new information came to light, just as he is to blame for the negative review of Station’s interaction with the military.

MIDDLE: OMA Director admits his office was partly responsible and basically takes his lumps from Station.

END: DCOS notes his intentions to hold up Mark’s pay cable voucher pending his staff’s investigation of irregularities.

ACT 2:

SCENE DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (DCOS office), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

DESCRIPTION: DCOS Reilly calls OMA Director (Redcloud) on the Green Line to express Station’s disappointment of Mark’s tour and how he handled the entire affair. Reilly tries to get the Director to fire Mark, but the Branch Chief stands defends Mark and squashes the idea.

Redcloud: Answers his phone: “OMA Director!”

Reilly: “Redcloud…Reilly here in Iraq Station. ….What the Hell is going on with you guys?… I asked for support from your office and all I get out here is a shit bag sent out here!…I’m talking about Mark. ….Since day 1 he’s been nothing, but a disaster.”

Redcloud: “Yeah I am surprised as you are by his actions to leave so soon.”

Reilly: “Not just that….He should have gotten a hold of Banks who was filling in as Acting Chief of Station to head this off, but instead he leaves us a shit show. …Just as he did with the Director’s negative feedback on Station’s relationship with the US military. …He made us look stupid. ….Once again…. he is unreliable. ….I want him fired!”

Redcloud: “Well…there is more involved before we can take such an action. ..His branch chief says we are partly to blame…. and in regards to the DCI’s representative and my Branch Chief who met with the four military command elements says Mark was busy taking care of logistics to get them in and out of Iraq in 5 days, so he was not present, but for only one meeting and that one nearly got them all killed when the aircraft engine failed.”

Reilly: “I don’t care!….He needs fired. …I don’t want him anywhere near this theater of operation. ….GOT IT???”

Redcloud: “Yeah …Yeah!”

Reilly: “Well…one more thing! …His cable he submitted noting hours worked for 3 months that needs to be filed monthly shows discrepancies and I am holding up approval of his cable pending further investigation and I’ll be responding then.”

Redcloud: “Fair enough.” Reilly hangs the phone up.

————–

————–

ACT 2:

SCENE OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (DCOS office), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

BEGINNING: DCOS fabricates a ruse to have Mark charged with a felony and be prosecuted.

MIDDLE: Reilly lays out his plan and intentions to Pedro who eagerly approves.

END: Pedro takes charge of writing the cable for the DCOS and appropriate Station personnel to concur on.

ACT 2:

SCENE DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (DCOS office), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

DESCRIPTION: DCOS Reilly is dissatisfied with OMA’s lack of balls to fire Mark so he calls Pedro into his office to discuss Mark’s pay voucher. Reilly has an underlying plan to quench his thirst for revenge by having Mark investigated and prosecuted for committing a felony, if all goes right with his scheme.

Reilly: “Pedro!!! …..Come in here!.” Pedro stands up from his computer sitting in the corner of the bay and scurries off to Reilly’s office.

Pedro: “You rang???”

Reilly: “You bet I did….. Listen up…I need to review that pay voucher of Mark’s. I want you to assess when he was not here in your presence to observe that he was actually working. …I need you to tally up the hours and reflect that in a cable that you are going to write….I want a dollar figure amount.”

Pedro: “OK??”

Reilly: “My intentions are to fuck the son-of-a-bitch over and send him to prison, if we can show that he tried to overcharge the Agency for hours not worked.” Pedro smiles and nods his head in approval.

Pedro: “Got it Chief! …I’ll get right on it!”

Reilly: “Take your time… The longer the asshole has to wait for his money the better as far as I am concerned.”

DESCRIPTION: Pedro chuckles and slowly shuffles to imitate the speed of which the request is to take place as he goes back off to his desk.

————–

————–

ACT 2:

SCENE OUTLINE:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (COS’ Office), Kabul, Afghanistan–Day

BEGINNING: Mark arrives in Afghanistan two weeks later to be briefed by COS “The Spider” to be Deputy Chief of Base and that his title is what the military will recognize as Station’s representative to Division Headquarters, not his pay grade.

MIDDLE: COS outlines Mark’s mission and expectations while serving as D/COB.

END: Mark prepares to disembark for Bagram on his new assignment, but not before he visits the CIA’s Talibar.

ACT 2:

SCENE DIALOG:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (COS’ Office), Kabul, Afghanistan–Day

DESCRIPTION: “The Spider” welcomes Mark to Station and provides his expectations of Mark serving as the CIA’s Deputy Chief of Base of Bagram Air Base. Mark assures the COS that he will do his very best and outlines his history with the CIA and US Army Reserves.

The Spider: “I’ve heard a great deal of your exploits.”…in a joking manner…Mark cracks a smile,

not sure if the COS has really heard anything. …..

Mark: “Sir, the one thing that I must remind you is that I am an IC and under COTR (Contract) regulations that I am not supposed to assume a leadership role.”

The Spider: “Yes, I know but out here I make the rules and you will assume that leadership role. It’s a title the US military respects and they do not need to know the details…..Bottom line you represent the CIA under Kevin who is Chief of Base out there.”

…”Kevin has been COB for a year and has several months to go before his tour ends so

it will be a good overlap for the two of you.”

…”Your mission here is to get to learn Bagram Airbase inside and out. You will be the go

to guy for everything as you will be supporting Station and all its bases countrywide in counterterrorism operations…..

…”That means fuel, medical support, supplies, military and air operational support, and the guy who interacts with the Bagram Internment Facility that houses all the bad guys.”

…”Any more dumb questions?? …he laughs…

Mark: “No sir.”

DESCRIPTION: Mark departs the COS’ office and visits the infamous CIA “Talibar” he’s heard so much about for the first time hoping for a drink and wonders facetiously to himself, if they have a “Gift Shop” before he heads to the cafeteria, then the flight line for his last stop.. Bagram.

————–

————–

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s Finished ACT 1

What did I learn? I learned a good deal about 4 ACT structuring, formatting, beat sheets, scene setup, dialogue and outline combined, facilitates the orchestration of a finished product…albeit a draft. I intend to go back and relook at the beat sheet as I feel I was a little slow in grasping the concept.

UPDATE: I finally understand the Beat Sheet now after reviewing lesson #7 again. The Beat Sheet highlights the scenes (sorta like a table of content of a book) that compose that portion of the ACT in question of the Four ACT Structure. The Outline highlights what to expect from the compositions of each of the scenes beginning, middle and end. The Dialog is a breakdown of each scene. The end state is to program verify that the Dialog, Outline and Beat Sheet are all in sync pushing the same message or story line as depicted and sought after in the Four Act Structure. Transition Events, Turning Points, Inciting Incidents and Place Holders help to fine tune the finished product that hopefully makes the 4 Act Structure worth reading in the first place.

<b style=”background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; color: var(–bb-body-text-color);”>BEAT SHEET OPENING SCENE:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (COM office), Baghdad, Iraq–Night

–Mark finds himself on a midnight rendition operation to secure, disarm and escort an Agency employee for immediate expulsion from the country over an incident that later reveals a ‘Top Secret’ ironic twist.

ACT 1:

OPENING SCENE OUTLINE:

BEGINNING: Mark is astonished by Chief of Mission (who is filling in as Acting Chief of Station) is cursing and suddenly calls Mark and Station’s Chief of Security (Tom) into the Deputy Chief of Station’s office.

MIDDLE: COM orders Mark and Tom to board a helicopter for Tikrit, Iraq and take into custody one of Mark’s Military Liaison Cell team members and take him to the CIA airfield in Baghdad for immediate expulsion from country.

END: Mark and Tom depart the office without questioning the orders.

ACT 1:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (COM office), Baghdad, Iraq–Night

OPENING SCENE: Chief of Mission (COM) Banks storms out of his office into the adjoining office of Deputy Chief of Station. The Chief of Station (COS) and Deputy Chief of Station (DCOS) are not in the country and are not expected to return for another week.

TE 1: Mark is working at his computer and looks up when he abruptly hears COM make an astonishing remark…“I am going to throw that son-of-a-bitch in prison!”

DESCRIPTION: COM calls out to Mark and Tom, the Station’s Chief of Security, to come into the DCOS’ office. Both arrive and remain standing in Bank’s presence.

TE 2: Banks says…”I have a mission for you both and it involves two of Mark’s team members up range in Tikrit.

TE 3: Banks:…“I just got a call from the Cell Leader…Joe…that he had a heated argument with Gary who is the Communications Officer there. Gary threatened Joe with a knife that Gary threw at him.”

TE4: Banks: “ I want you guys to report to the flight line and board a helicopter. I’ve already arranged the helo and it will be here in 30 minutes. Time now is 1230 AM. Be at the flight line by 1 AM. Your mission is to secure, escort and expel Gary from country. IMMEDIATELY!…No ifs, ands, or buts about it!…. GO!”

DESCRIPTION: Mark and Tom glance at each other and immediately depart the office without a word to grab their survival gear and report to the flight line.

ACT 1:

BEAT SHEET INCITING INCIDENT:

SLUG: EXT–CIA Flight Line, Baghdad, Iraq–Night

–Mark and Station’s Chief of Security board helicopter for Tikrit, Iraq.

SLUG: EXT–CIA Military Liaison Cell Flight Line, Tikrit, Iraq–Night

–Mark apprehends the person of interest without incident, but their plea for help is summarily dismissed by the Station’s Chief of Security.

SLUG: EXT–CIA Flight Line Baghdad, Iraq–Night

–Gary reveals to Mark the truth of what the altercation was about and makes a plea for Mark to call Headquarters to confirm his story.

OUTLINE:

INCITING INCIDENT:

BEGINNING: Mark and Station’s Chief of Security (Tom) arrive in Tikrit, Iraq to take Gary back for deportation from country. Gary pleads for Tom to read his supporting evidence, but is ignored.

MIDDLE: Mark takes custody of Gary at the flight line to ensure his departure. Mark notices the flight line Security Chief’s facial reaction to Gary’s pleas for help.

END: Gary reveals the secret of what transpired between him and Joe and that child pornography was involved. He was merely admonishing Joe for his illegal activity and did not use a knife to attack Joe as he had claimed..

ACT 1:

INCITING INCIDENT:

SLUG: EXT–CIA Flight Line, Baghdad, Iraq–Night

DESCRIPTION: In the dark of night Mark and Tom are wearing helmets and gear as they sit strapped into their seats and deep into their own thoughts. Mark has known the Station Chief of Security from 12 years since when both were assigned to the Security Duty Office and Operations Center at the time of the 1993 CIA Headquarters shooting incident perpetrated by Mir Aimal Kansi.

SLUG: EXT–CIA Military Liaison Cell Flight Line, Tikrit, Iraq–Night

DESCRIPTION: Mark and Chief of Security disembark the helicopter that remains on standby and both walk to the building that houses Mark’s team. Mark enters the office and finds Gary with his duffle bag at his feet already prepared for their arrival as if he knew what was coming. Tom bravely takes a position behind Mark using him as a human shield, if something were to go wrong that Gary did not wish to be disarmed.

TE 5: Mark says with sympathy…”Hi Gary! You no doubt know why we are here. ” Gary nods his head yes.

Mark says:…“I am sorry, but I am going to have to ask you for your side arm. Gary says..”Yeah, no problem!” Gary hands over his Glock 9mm with magazines to Mark.

Tom comments sourly:…”And the knife too.” Gary complies and hands Mark the knife that has about a 6 inch bell shaped blade to it.

Mark says:…”OK…Well let’s go. We have a helicopter outside waiting.”

Gary says:.. “But wait!

DESCRIPTION: Gary extends a handful of documents out to the Chief of Security.

Gary says:…”Can’t you read this first?” Please???

DESCRIPTION: Tom nods his head to say no and makes no effort to take possession of the documents.

Chief of Security says:…”No. Let’s go!”

SLUG: EXT–CIA Flight Line Baghdad, Iraq–Night

DESCRIPTION: After a 45 minute flight, Mark disembarks the helicopter with Gary to ensure he is on the outbound flight for Washington, DC. Tom decides he will go back to Station. Mark and Gary stay on the flight line awaiting the CIA’s ‘J-Lo flight’ to arrive. Gary is starting to stress out and begins to feel ostracized for doing what he thought was right. The flight line Security Chief arrives soon after to meet them and knows only what the Station Chief of Security has told her.

DESCRIPTION: Sally (CIA flight line Security Chief): Struts up to Mark and Gary and introduces herself.

Sally: “Hi!…Early good morning to you both. Which one is Gary?” Gary raises his hand and moves closer to her.

Sally: “I have a container here so you can place your belongings in. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

Gary asks Sally and Mark: “I cannot believe what’s going on here. Why am I being treated this way? Why is Joe not being kicked out as well? I mean I did nothing wrong!”

DESCRIPTION: Sally who is standing closer to Gary winces in surprise when Gary leans forward to tell her something, but Mark cannot hear what was said as an aircraft was landing.

Sally: “Would you like me to arrange for you to speak with a psychiatrist in Jordan during your layover? I can tell you are visibly stressed about the ordeal.”

Gary: “Yes…..Yes I think I need to.” Sally then wishes Mark goodbye and for Gary to have a safe trip and departs.

Gary then addresses Mark: “Look can you do me a big favor and read this material I tried to give to the Station Chief of Security? ….Please?

DESCRIPTION: Gary extends about 20 pages of handwritten notes to Mark who accepts it and briefly scans through it. At this point, the aircraft that landed as Gary was speaking to Sally happened to be the CIA’s J-Lo flight and being refueled.

Gary: “Please call OMA in Washington. “They will tell you what is going on.?”

TE 6: Gary: “This incident is about Joe downloading child pornography onto two CIA Top Secret computers… Mark winces in surprise.

Gary: “ Joe’s wife is from Thailand and you know what it’s like with those folks. They could be 18 years old but look like a 8 year old. I am a grandfather and when I saw that shit I was so pissed I chewed his ass. I told him I was going to kick his ass.”

Gary: “Then Joe said…’You got a knife!’…so I pulled the knife from my pocket and tossed it on the couch and told him I am ready to kick his fat ass! That is when the fat bastard ran to the phone to call Banks.”

Mark: “You never laid a hand on him or threw the knife at him?”

Gary: “Hell no!”

BEAT SHEET PROTAGONIST REACTS EMOTIONALLY TO INCITING INCIDENT:

SLUG: INT–CIA Flight Line (Security Office), Baghdad, Iraq–Night

–Mark confirms with CIA Headquarters the irony of the turn of events and though he cannot change the outcome of Gary’s expulsion, Mark tries to restore Gary’s faith in his innocence.

OUTLINE:

PROTAGONIST REACTS EMOTIONALLY TO INCITING INCIDENT:

BEGINNING: After Gary reveals his secret, Mark contacts CIA Headquarters’ home office who confirms that child pornography was downloaded onto two Agency Top Secret computers.

MIDDLE: HQs asks Mark to stop the expulsion, but its too late as Gary has just minutes to go.

END: As a gesture of good will and faith in restoring some dignity to Gary that lost over the ordeal, Mark hands back Gary’s knife demonstrating trust and belief in him. However, two days later Mark notices, in sharp contrast, how Joe is permitted to leave country with dignity.

ACT 1:

PROTAGONIST REACTS EMOTIONALLY TO THE INCITING INCIDENT:

SLUG: INT–CIA Flight Line (Security Office), Baghdad, Iraq–Night

DESCRIPTION: Mark and Gary quickly step over to the security office and make a secure line call back to our home office. Our Branch Chief (Doug) answers the phone.

Doug: “Office of Military Affairs Exercise and Contingency Office. How may I help you?”

Mark: “Doug this is Mark. I am standing on the flight line here in Baghdad just minutes away from tossing Gary out of country.”

Doug: “Mark, do you know what this is about?”

Mark: “Evidently not, since Station and I have been kept completely out of the loop on this.”

Doug: “This is about Joe downloading child pornography onto two of our Top Secret computers. You got to stop Gary from being expelled!”

Mark: “Look Doug. I am just now learning the truth of what’s going on and Gary is a minute from getting on that aircraft homeward bound. I have no means of communication with Station as Banks is not in his office and it’s like 5 am here.

Mark: “Gary will have to leave as ordered. I am sorry, but you guys just ambushed me on this.”

DESCRIPTION: Mark concludes the call with Doug. Nods his head as if agreeing with Gary and at this point Gary asks for his knife back.

Gary: “Can I have my knife back, please?”

DESCRIPTION: Mark realizes that protocol would say “Oh Hell Naw!,” but Mark felt an injustice was being committed against Gary. So as a gesture of good will and to demonstrate faith in Gary, Mark pulls the knife from his cargo pocket and hands it back to Gary. Gary was visibly pleased and nods his head as a gesture of thanks, turns and walks briskly to the mobile stair to board the aircraft.

DESCRIPTION: Mark would be forced to stay at the flight line for another 2 days before travel back to Station could be arranged. Upon his return by helicopter he notices Joe is onboard. In sharp contrast, however, Joe is allowed the dignity of departing country with grace and has his sidearm with him.

BEAT SHEET TURNING POINT 1:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (Mark’s work space outside DCOS/COM offices), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

–Mark returns to a short lived hero’s welcome by Banks, but Mark’s cable report will leave Banks speechless and in silence.

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (Mark’s workspace outside DCOS/COM offices), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

–Mark knows the outcome of his cable will yield negative favoritism with Station, in particular with Reilly, and insist with the home office that he return as he is tired of cleaning up HQ’s mess.

SLUG: EXT–CIA Station, Flight Line, Baghdad, Iraq–Night

–While boarding a helicopter for his return to the states, Mark bids farewell with the middle finger to Pedro, who facilitates environmental hostilities at Station as he got off the helicopter.

SLUG: EXT–CIA Station, Flight Line, Baghdad, Iraq–Night

–Reilly returns to Station to read Mark’s cable report that yields an immediate negative opinion of Mark.

ACT 1:

OUTLINE:

TURNING POINT 1:

BEGINNING: A hero’s welcome soon falls flat as Chief of Mission who is Acting Chief of Station is stunned into silence for his and the Chief of Security’s mishandling of the investigation and the revelation that child pornography by a repeat offender was overlooked.

MIDDLE: Mark decides it’s time to pop smoke. He has been the whipping boy for Station all because he is covering up his home office’s blunders. Mark demands on returning early from his tour as he is not going to give in to Station leadership’s undeserved ass chewing.

END: The real excitement will begin when the Deputy Chief of Station returns and his temper is anticipated to go nuclear, given he has already contributed to a hostile work environment against Mark. Now he seeks vengeance.

ACT 1:

TURNING POINT 1 SCENE:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (Mark’s work space outside DCOS/COM offices), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

DESCRIPTION: Mark returns to Station and jumps on his computer to catch up on work and more importantly follow up with his office at Headquarters on the crisis at hand. Mark presumes after 2 days have passed since the incident that his home office, let alone the CIA flight line Security Chief at the airport, has addressed the situation with Station or that Station’s Chief of Security would have at least followed up with Headquarters in Washington. Before Mark can turn his computer on, Banks steps out of his office.

Banks: “Mark!….Job well done!” Banks slaps Mark on the back.

Mark: “Thank you!” Banks returns back to his office. Mark is left wondering out loud.. “I wonder if I should address the child porn?” …shrugs his shoulders … “Nah…they on top of it.”

DESCRIPTION: TE 7: One hour later Banks reappears from his office.

Banks: “Mark I want you write up a cable for Headquarters on the incident.”

DESCRIPTION: Banks walks back to his office without another word. Mark immediately starts working on the cable, but it’s not as easy of a task as COM thinks and proceeds to knock out a rough draft. Four hours later, Banks impatiently walks out of his office.

Banks: “Mark!…Where is that cable?

Mark: “Chief, I’ll send you what I have.”

DESCRIPTION: Banks walks back into his office and after reading the draft and final cable is not seen, nor heard from the remainder of the day.

INCITING INCIDENT: TP 1: Mark’s cable basically reflects Stations incompetence in handling the investigation and injustice of tossing a member of Station out of country for taking the correct action. The cable reveals that not only did Station not understand the facts when the decision was made to expel the staffer in question from the country, but that Station was in a rush to judgment. Evidence that was provided by the employee was dismissed. Furthermore, Mark’s home office at Headquarters and Office of Security were fully aware of the situation when Station and Mark–who is in charge of the Military Liaison Cells–were left completely out of the loop. Mark outlined what events really happened and the course of action he took to verify the information in the cable and while writing the cable, Mark reveals a major unexpected twist.

DESCRIPTION: While speaking to Station’s Chief of Communications (Dale) makes a surprising revelation that contractor (Joe) has a history of downloading pornography on Agency networks. Mark slaps that tidbit of information in the final cable as well and duplicates a copy of his cable and places it in his notes system as backup should Station try to alter his official report.

Chief of Communications (Dale): Is sitting at his desk and turns to Mark….“Hey…I saw Joe around Station this morning at the mess hall. … Did he fly in with you this morning?”

Mark: “Yeah.” Mark nods his head.

Dale: “It’s good to see him. … I’ve known him for 20 years. He’s a good guy. He’s a retired communications officer ya know. … Was he out there in Tikrit as part of your team?

Mark: “Yes,…he was the Cell Team Chief there.”

Dale: “He certainly is a chatterbox and seems all worked up about something. I’ve not seen him act this way since the time he downloaded pornog…” ….Dale pauses for a few seconds not completing his word…”Is that what this is about?”

Mark: Slowly nods his head in confirmation.

Dale: Astonished, he shakes his head negatively and slowly turns in his swivel chair back to his computer and says nothing further.

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (Mark’s workspace outside DCOS/COM offices), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

DESCRIPTION: Mark anticipates tempers will flare and hostilities against him will increasingly persist, once the Deputy Chief of Station returns back to Station. The DCOS is already pissed at Mark for an earlier report that Station and Headquarters were not adequately supporting the US conventional Warfighters on the ground as was the case in 1990, during Operation Desert Storm. The COS routinely referred to the 3rd Infantry Division commander as a jackass and refused to meet with the National Guard Division commander because the army could not spare a helicopter, in sharp contrast to the COS having a whole fleet at his disposal. Mark begins typing on his computer using Instant Messaging system to OMA Branch Chief (Doug).

Mark: “Doug… You there?”

Doug: “Yes.”

Mark: “The shits about to hit the fan here. Banks asked me to write my findings up and I had to be brutally honest in my report. I have not seen him all day and I sit outside his office. He must be shitting himself and it does not look good for me here.”

Doug: “I know….sorry.”

Mark: “When Reilly (DCOS) and the D’Angelo (COS) returns, you know they are going to hit the ceiling. It really did not help for HQ to keep Station out of the loop. They look like a Three Stooges operation now.”…..

….”and I have had it up to here with the hostile work environment and long hours I am having to put in to cover your all’s asses back there…. cuz they think I am screwing things up out here.”

“OMA’s keeps sending non experienced CIA personnel (contractors) with no training on our computer systems and software out to support the mission.”….

…”I had one idiot that did not know how to turn on a computer, much less know how to operate a CIA system… …I have to drop everything to spend 2 to 3 days to bring these guys up to speed and Pedro (that Cuban ass clown hates all women in authority or who make more $$$) sees what’s going and no doubt fueling hostilities with Reilly. ……I mean this is turning in to disorganized shit show out here.”…

…”and let us not forget the raving review from that report by the DCI representative about the CIA still not seriously supporting the US military out here. …I got the blame even though I was busy coordinating logistics for our 5 day trip between Division HQs that nearly resulted in a helicopter crash that I probably would get the blame for, as well.”

DESCRIPTION: Doug not wanting any further chain of evidence leading back to him as the CIA keeps records of all electronic data systems tells Mark to call him on the Green Line that is not monitored as much.

Doug: “Call me on the Green Line.”

Mark: “OK.” Mark picks up the Green Line secure phone and dials up Doug.

Doug: “Hi Mark?”

Mark: “Yes Doug its me…. I need to get the hell out of here. Between COS, DCOS, COM, Pedro and this new Colonel taking sides to be accepted by Station, I am catching a lot of flack.”

Doug: “What do you mean?”

Mark: “I am being excluded from Station meetings and between Pedro’s harassment and the Colonel who thinks that because I am an Army Reservist I have to answer to her…is bull shit…. She is trying to restrict my every move…. She cannot even keep her fucking pistol in the damn holster it keeps falling out…. Thank God she keeps it unloaded.”

Dough: Can be heard laughing on his end of the phone….

Mark: Being serious in tone…..“It all sounds funny, until you are on this end of being in the breach for issues outside my control and being fully blamed… I have covered for OMA far too long….. I told you guys I would come out here for a year…. It’s been 3 months and this child porn case is going to blow the lid off when Reilly gets here…. I am not going to deal with this shit any longer… With or without your help I am leaving Station on the next flight.”

Dough: Taking a more serious tone…”OK Mark I got ya….I have a Liaison officer coming out on a flight and should be there in two days. I will arrange for your return flight on that aircraft…..Hang tight and put a Transition Book together for the follow on guy.”

Mark: “OK will do.” Mark hangs the phone up.

SLUG: EXT–CIA Station, Flight Line, Baghdad, Iraq–Night

DESCRIPTION: Without a word from COM Banks who apparently refuses to speak, Mark waits the two days out, filing his voucher for 3 months pay and boards a helicopter to the airport to board the J-Lo flight back to Washington. Mark decides not to stick around and confront management as they are not willing to listen to him and he would feel the brunt of the storm of anger that would be released. As Mark is about to board the helicopter he sees Pedro disembarking and flips him the bird. Pedro is startled and immediately angered by the gesture.

SLUG: EXT–CIA Station (DCOS office), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

DESCRIPTION: COS D’Angelo and DCOS Reilly return to Station where Banks briefs his version of what transpired to Reilly. As predicted both eventually hit the ceiling, but Reilly was far worse and became so filled with the rage of anger and hate toward Mark that he was out for blood and demanded vengeance. Just as he felt following the 9/11 attacks, he became so filled with hate and rage that vengeance was all he wanted against the Taliban who harbored Asuma Bin Laden. That is why he looked the other way when the Northern Alliance left 3,000 prisoners of war to die in the desert sealed in train box cars.

Banks: “Hi…Welcome back for what it’s worth.” Not smiling, Bank holds a copy of Mark’s cable in an extended hand to pass to Reilly with a cup of coffee in the other.

Reilly: “What do you mean by that?” Reilly snaps the cable from Bank’s hand and accepts the coffee with the other which he sits on his desk.

Banks: “Your buddy Mark tossed us under the bus, once again. …Set us up. …. Then left town without a word.”

Reilly: “What?? … He Left?” Visibly surprised and face beginning to flush his Irish red heritage… Banks leaves to go back to his office.

DESCRIPTION: Reilly slowly sits down into his chair with eyes glued to the subject line of the 15 page cable to Headquarter: “BAGHDAD, IRAQ–TQW IMPULSIVE INVESTIGATION MISTAKENLY SANDBAGS WRONG OFFICER FROM COUNTRY WHO WAS ADMONISHING OTHER FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.” Reilly, goes nuclear and Station personnel in the adjoining offices and bay area can hear him.

Reilly: “THAT GOD DAMN SON-OF-A-BITCH!!!! ….THAT GOD DAMN SON-OF-A-BITCH!!!!”

DESCRIPTION: The sound instantaneously follows of a ceramic coffee cup crashing and shattering against the wall. Reilly storms out of the office heading in toward the COS’ Office.SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s Finished ACT 1

What did I learn? I learned a good deal about 4 ACT structuring, formatting, beat sheets, scene setup, dialogue and outline combined, facilitates the orchestration of a finished product…albeit a draft. I intend to go back and relook at the beat sheet as I feel I was a little slow in grasping the concept.

BEAT SHEET OPENING SCENE:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (COM office), Baghdad, Iraq–Night

–Mark finds himself on a midnight rendition operation to secure, disarm and escort an Agency employee for immediate expulsion from the country over an incident that later reveals a ‘Top Secret’ ironic twist.

ACT 1:

OPENING SCENE OUTLINE:

BEGINNING: Mark is astonished by Chief of Mission (who is filling in as Acting Chief of Station) is cursing and suddenly calls Mark and Station’s Chief of Security (Tom) into the Deputy Chief of Station’s office.

MIDDLE: COM orders Mark and Tom to board a helicopter for Tikrit, Iraq and take into custody one of Mark’s Military Liaison Cell team members and take him to the CIA airfield in Baghdad for immediate expulsion from country.

END: Mark and Tom depart the office without questioning the orders.

ACT 1:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (COM office), Baghdad, Iraq–Night

OPENING SCENE: Chief of Mission (COM) Banks storms out of his office into the adjoining office of Deputy Chief of Station. The Chief of Station (COS) and Deputy Chief of Station (DCOS) are not in the country and are not expected to return for another week.

TE 1: Mark is working at his computer and looks up when he abruptly hears COM make an astonishing remark…“I am going to throw that son-of-a-bitch in prison!”

DESCRIPTION: COM calls out to Mark and Tom, the Station’s Chief of Security, to come into the DCOS’ office. Both arrive and remain standing in Bank’s presence.

TE 2: Banks says…”I have a mission for you both and it involves two of Mark’s team members up range in Tikrit.

TE 3: Banks:…“I just got a call from the Cell Leader…Joe…that he had a heated argument with Gary who is the Communications Officer there. Gary threatened Joe with a knife that Gary threw at him.”

TE4: Banks: “ I want you guys to report to the flight line and board a helicopter. I’ve already arranged the helo and it will be here in 30 minutes. Time now is 1230 AM. Be at the flight line by 1 AM. Your mission is to secure, escort and expel Gary from country. IMMEDIATELY!…No ifs, ands, or buts about it!…. GO!”

DESCRIPTION: Mark and Tom glance at each other and immediately depart the office without a word to grab their survival gear and report to the flight line.

ACT 1:

BEAT SHEET INCITING INCIDENT:

SLUG: EXT–CIA Flight Line, Baghdad, Iraq–Night

–Mark and Station’s Chief of Security board helicopter for Tikrit, Iraq.

SLUG: EXT–CIA Military Liaison Cell Flight Line, Tikrit, Iraq–Night

–Mark apprehends the person of interest without incident, but their plea for help is summarily dismissed by the Station’s Chief of Security.

SLUG: EXT–CIA Flight Line Baghdad, Iraq–Night

–Gary reveals to Mark the truth of what the altercation was about and makes a plea for Mark to call Headquarters to confirm his story.

OUTLINE:

INCITING INCIDENT:

BEGINNING: Mark and Station’s Chief of Security (Tom) arrive in Tikrit, Iraq to take Gary back for deportation from country. Gary pleads for Tom to read his supporting evidence, but is ignored.

MIDDLE: Mark takes custody of Gary at the flight line to ensure his departure. Mark notices the flight line Security Chief’s facial reaction to Gary’s pleas for help.

END: Gary reveals the secret of what transpired between him and Joe and that child pornography was involved. He was merely admonishing Joe for his illegal activity and did not use a knife to attack Joe as he had claimed..

ACT 1:

INCITING INCIDENT:

SLUG: EXT–CIA Flight Line, Baghdad, Iraq–Night

DESCRIPTION: In the dark of night Mark and Tom are wearing helmets and gear as they sit strapped into their seats and deep into their own thoughts. Mark has known the Station Chief of Security from 12 years since when both were assigned to the Security Duty Office and Operations Center at the time of the 1993 CIA Headquarters shooting incident perpetrated by Mir Aimal Kansi.

SLUG: EXT–CIA Military Liaison Cell Flight Line, Tikrit, Iraq–Night

DESCRIPTION: Mark and Chief of Security disembark the helicopter that remains on standby and both walk to the building that houses Mark’s team. Mark enters the office and finds Gary with his duffle bag at his feet already prepared for their arrival as if he knew what was coming. Tom bravely takes a position behind Mark using him as a human shield, if something were to go wrong that Gary did not wish to be disarmed.

TE 5: Mark says with sympathy…”Hi Gary! You no doubt know why we are here. ” Gary nods his head yes.

Mark says:…“I am sorry, but I am going to have to ask you for your side arm. Gary says..”Yeah, no problem!” Gary hands over his Glock 9mm with magazines to Mark.

Tom comments sourly:…”And the knife too.” Gary complies and hands Mark the knife that has about a 6 inch bell shaped blade to it.

Mark says:…”OK…Well let’s go. We have a helicopter outside waiting.”

Gary says:.. “But wait!

DESCRIPTION: Gary extends a handful of documents out to the Chief of Security.

Gary says:…”Can’t you read this first?” Please???

DESCRIPTION: Tom nods his head to say no and makes no effort to take possession of the documents.

Chief of Security says:…”No. Let’s go!”

SLUG: EXT–CIA Flight Line Baghdad, Iraq–Night

DESCRIPTION: After a 45 minute flight, Mark disembarks the helicopter with Gary to ensure he is on the outbound flight for Washington, DC. Tom decides he will go back to Station. Mark and Gary stay on the flight line awaiting the CIA’s ‘J-Lo flight’ to arrive. Gary is starting to stress out and begins to feel ostracized for doing what he thought was right. The flight line Security Chief arrives soon after to meet them and knows only what the Station Chief of Security has told her.

DESCRIPTION: Sally (CIA flight line Security Chief): Struts up to Mark and Gary and introduces herself.

Sally: “Hi!…Early good morning to you both. Which one is Gary?” Gary raises his hand and moves closer to her.

Sally: “I have a container here so you can place your belongings in. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

Gary asks Sally and Mark: “I cannot believe what’s going on here. Why am I being treated this way? Why is Joe not being kicked out as well? I mean I did nothing wrong!”

DESCRIPTION: Sally who is standing closer to Gary winces in surprise when Gary leans forward to tell her something, but Mark cannot hear what was said as an aircraft was landing.

Sally: “Would you like me to arrange for you to speak with a psychiatrist in Jordan during your layover? I can tell you are visibly stressed about the ordeal.”

Gary: “Yes…..Yes I think I need to.” Sally then wishes Mark goodbye and for Gary to have a safe trip and departs.

Gary then addresses Mark: “Look can you do me a big favor and read this material I tried to give to the Station Chief of Security? ….Please?

DESCRIPTION: Gary extends about 20 pages of handwritten notes to Mark who accepts it and briefly scans through it. At this point, the aircraft that landed as Gary was speaking to Sally happened to be the CIA’s J-Lo flight and being refueled.

Gary: “Please call OMA in Washington. “They will tell you what is going on.?”

TE 6: Gary: “This incident is about Joe downloading child pornography onto two CIA Top Secret computers… Mark winces in surprise.

Gary: “ Joe’s wife is from Thailand and you know what it’s like with those folks. They could be 18 years old but look like a 8 year old. I am a grandfather and when I saw that shit I was so pissed I chewed his ass. I told him I was going to kick his ass.”

Gary: “Then Joe said…’You got a knife!’…so I pulled the knife from my pocket and tossed it on the couch and told him I am ready to kick his fat ass! That is when the fat bastard ran to the phone to call Banks.”

Mark: “You never laid a hand on him or threw the knife at him?”

Gary: “Hell no!”

BEAT SHEET PROTAGONIST REACTS EMOTIONALLY TO INCITING INCIDENT:

SLUG: INT–CIA Flight Line (Security Office), Baghdad, Iraq–Night

–Mark confirms with CIA Headquarters the irony of the turn of events and though he cannot change the outcome of Gary’s expulsion, Mark tries to restore Gary’s faith in his innocence.

OUTLINE:

PROTAGONIST REACTS EMOTIONALLY TO INCITING INCIDENT:

BEGINNING: After Gary reveals his secret, Mark contacts CIA Headquarters’ home office who confirms that child pornography was downloaded onto two Agency Top Secret computers.

MIDDLE: HQs asks Mark to stop the expulsion, but its too late as Gary has just minutes to go.

END: As a gesture of good will and faith in restoring some dignity to Gary that lost over the ordeal, Mark hands back Gary’s knife demonstrating trust and belief in him. However, two days later Mark notices, in sharp contrast, how Joe is permitted to leave country with dignity.

ACT 1:

PROTAGONIST REACTS EMOTIONALLY TO THE INCITING INCIDENT:

SLUG: INT–CIA Flight Line (Security Office), Baghdad, Iraq–Night

DESCRIPTION: Mark and Gary quickly step over to the security office and make a secure line call back to our home office. Our Branch Chief (Doug) answers the phone.

Doug: “Office of Military Affairs Exercise and Contingency Office. How may I help you?”

Mark: “Doug this is Mark. I am standing on the flight line here in Baghdad just minutes away from tossing Gary out of country.”

Doug: “Mark, do you know what this is about?”

Mark: “Evidently not, since Station and I have been kept completely out of the loop on this.”

Doug: “This is about Joe downloading child pornography onto two of our Top Secret computers. You got to stop Gary from being expelled!”

Mark: “Look Doug. I am just now learning the truth of what’s going on and Gary is a minute from getting on that aircraft homeward bound. I have no means of communication with Station as Banks is not in his office and it’s like 5 am here.

Mark: “Gary will have to leave as ordered. I am sorry, but you guys just ambushed me on this.”

DESCRIPTION: Mark concludes the call with Doug. Nods his head as if agreeing with Gary and at this point Gary asks for his knife back.

Gary: “Can I have my knife back, please?”

DESCRIPTION: Mark realizes that protocol would say “Oh Hell Naw!,” but Mark felt an injustice was being committed against Gary. So as a gesture of good will and to demonstrate faith in Gary, Mark pulls the knife from his cargo pocket and hands it back to Gary. Gary was visibly pleased and nods his head as a gesture of thanks, turns and walks briskly to the mobile stair to board the aircraft.

DESCRIPTION: Mark would be forced to stay at the flight line for another 2 days before travel back to Station could be arranged. Upon his return by helicopter he notices Joe is onboard. In sharp contrast, however, Joe is allowed the dignity of departing country with grace and has his sidearm with him.

BEAT SHEET TURNING POINT 1:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (Mark’s work space outside DCOS/COM offices), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

–Mark returns to a short lived hero’s welcome by Banks, but Mark’s cable report will leave Banks speechless and in silence.

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (Mark’s workspace outside DCOS/COM offices), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

–Mark knows the outcome of his cable will yield negative favoritism with Station, in particular with Reilly, and insist with the home office that he return as he is tired of cleaning up HQ’s mess.

SLUG: EXT–CIA Station, Flight Line, Baghdad, Iraq–Night

–While boarding a helicopter for his return to the states, Mark bids farewell with the middle finger to Pedro, who facilitates environmental hostilities at Station as he got off the helicopter.

SLUG: EXT–CIA Station, Flight Line, Baghdad, Iraq–Night

–Reilly returns to Station to read Mark’s cable report that yields an immediate negative opinion of Mark.

ACT 1:

OUTLINE:

TURNING POINT 1:

BEGINNING: A hero’s welcome soon falls flat as Chief of Mission who is Acting Chief of Station is stunned into silence for his and the Chief of Security’s mishandling of the investigation and the revelation that child pornography by a repeat offender was overlooked.

MIDDLE: Mark decides it’s time to pop smoke. He has been the whipping boy for Station all because he is covering up his home office’s blunders. Mark demands on returning early from his tour as he is not going to give in to Station leadership’s undeserved ass chewing.

END: The real excitement will begin when the Deputy Chief of Station returns and his temper is anticipated to go nuclear, given he has already contributed to a hostile work environment against Mark. Now he seeks vengeance.

ACT 1:

TURNING POINT 1 SCENE:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (Mark’s work space outside DCOS/COM offices), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

DESCRIPTION: Mark returns to Station and jumps on his computer to catch up on work and more importantly follow up with his office at Headquarters on the crisis at hand. Mark presumes after 2 days have passed since the incident that his home office, let alone the CIA flight line Security Chief at the airport, has addressed the situation with Station or that Station’s Chief of Security would have at least followed up with Headquarters in Washington. Before Mark can turn his computer on, Banks steps out of his office.

Banks: “Mark!….Job well done!” Banks slaps Mark on the back.

Mark: “Thank you!” Banks returns back to his office. Mark is left wondering out loud.. “I wonder if I should address the child porn?” …shrugs his shoulders … “Nah…they on top of it.”

DESCRIPTION: TE 7: One hour later Banks reappears from his office.

Banks: “Mark I want you write up a cable for Headquarters on the incident.”

DESCRIPTION: Banks walks back to his office without another word. Mark immediately starts working on the cable, but it’s not as easy of a task as COM thinks and proceeds to knock out a rough draft. Four hours later, Banks impatiently walks out of his office.

Banks: “Mark!…Where is that cable?

Mark: “Chief, I’ll send you what I have.”

DESCRIPTION: Banks walks back into his office and after reading the draft and final cable is not seen, nor heard from the remainder of the day.

INCITING INCIDENT: TP 1: Mark’s cable basically reflects Stations incompetence in handling the investigation and injustice of tossing a member of Station out of country for taking the correct action. The cable reveals that not only did Station not understand the facts when the decision was made to expel the staffer in question from the country, but that Station was in a rush to judgment. Evidence that was provided by the employee was dismissed. Furthermore, Mark’s home office at Headquarters and Office of Security were fully aware of the situation when Station and Mark–who is in charge of the Military Liaison Cells–were left completely out of the loop. Mark outlined what events really happened and the course of action he took to verify the information in the cable and while writing the cable, Mark reveals a major unexpected twist.

DESCRIPTION: While speaking to Station’s Chief of Communications (Dale) makes a surprising revelation that contractor (Joe) has a history of downloading pornography on Agency networks. Mark slaps that tidbit of information in the final cable as well and duplicates a copy of his cable and places it in his notes system as backup should Station try to alter his official report.

Chief of Communications (Dale): Is sitting at his desk and turns to Mark….“Hey…I saw Joe around Station this morning at the mess hall. … Did he fly in with you this morning?”

Mark: “Yeah.” Mark nods his head.

Dale: “It’s good to see him. … I’ve known him for 20 years. He’s a good guy. He’s a retired communications officer ya know. … Was he out there in Tikrit as part of your team?

Mark: “Yes,…he was the Cell Team Chief there.”

Dale: “He certainly is a chatterbox and seems all worked up about something. I’ve not seen him act this way since the time he downloaded pornog…” ….Dale pauses for a few seconds not completing his word…”Is that what this is about?”

Mark: Slowly nods his head in confirmation.

Dale: Astonished, he shakes his head negatively and slowly turns in his swivel chair back to his computer and says nothing further.

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (Mark’s workspace outside DCOS/COM offices), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

DESCRIPTION: Mark anticipates tempers will flare and hostilities against him will increasingly persist, once the Deputy Chief of Station returns back to Station. The DCOS is already pissed at Mark for an earlier report that Station and Headquarters were not adequately supporting the US conventional Warfighters on the ground as was the case in 1990, during Operation Desert Storm. The COS routinely referred to the 3rd Infantry Division commander as a jackass and refused to meet with the National Guard Division commander because the army could not spare a helicopter, in sharp contrast to the COS having a whole fleet at his disposal. Mark begins typing on his computer using Instant Messaging system to OMA Branch Chief (Doug).

Mark: “Doug… You there?”

Doug: “Yes.”

Mark: “The shits about to hit the fan here. Banks asked me to write my findings up and I had to be brutally honest in my report. I have not seen him all day and I sit outside his office. He must be shitting himself and it does not look good for me here.”

Doug: “I know….sorry.”

Mark: “When Reilly (DCOS) and the D’Angelo (COS) returns, you know they are going to hit the ceiling. It really did not help for HQ to keep Station out of the loop. They look like a Three Stooges operation now.”…..

….”and I have had it up to here with the hostile work environment and long hours I am having to put in to cover your all’s asses back there…. cuz they think I am screwing things up out here.”

“OMA’s keeps sending non experienced CIA personnel (contractors) with no training on our computer systems and software out to support the mission.”….

…”I had one idiot that did not know how to turn on a computer, much less know how to operate a CIA system… …I have to drop everything to spend 2 to 3 days to bring these guys up to speed and Pedro (that Cuban ass clown hates all women in authority or who make more $$$) sees what’s going and no doubt fueling hostilities with Reilly. ……I mean this is turning in to disorganized shit show out here.”…

…”and let us not forget the raving review from that report by the DCI representative about the CIA still not seriously supporting the US military out here. …I got the blame even though I was busy coordinating logistics for our 5 day trip between Division HQs that nearly resulted in a helicopter crash that I probably would get the blame for, as well.”

DESCRIPTION: Doug not wanting any further chain of evidence leading back to him as the CIA keeps records of all electronic data systems tells Mark to call him on the Green Line that is not monitored as much.

Doug: “Call me on the Green Line.”

Mark: “OK.” Mark picks up the Green Line secure phone and dials up Doug.

Doug: “Hi Mark?”

Mark: “Yes Doug its me…. I need to get the hell out of here. Between COS, DCOS, COM, Pedro and this new Colonel taking sides to be accepted by Station, I am catching a lot of flack.”

Doug: “What do you mean?”

Mark: “I am being excluded from Station meetings and between Pedro’s harassment and the Colonel who thinks that because I am an Army Reservist I have to answer to her…is bull shit…. She is trying to restrict my every move…. She cannot even keep her fucking pistol in the damn holster it keeps falling out…. Thank God she keeps it unloaded.”

Dough: Can be heard laughing on his end of the phone….

Mark: Being serious in tone…..“It all sounds funny, until you are on this end of being in the breach for issues outside my control and being fully blamed… I have covered for OMA far too long….. I told you guys I would come out here for a year…. It’s been 3 months and this child porn case is going to blow the lid off when Reilly gets here…. I am not going to deal with this shit any longer… With or without your help I am leaving Station on the next flight.”

Dough: Taking a more serious tone…”OK Mark I got ya….I have a Liaison officer coming out on a flight and should be there in two days. I will arrange for your return flight on that aircraft…..Hang tight and put a Transition Book together for the follow on guy.”

Mark: “OK will do.” Mark hangs the phone up.

SLUG: EXT–CIA Station, Flight Line, Baghdad, Iraq–Night

DESCRIPTION: Without a word from COM Banks who apparently refuses to speak, Mark waits the two days out, filing his voucher for 3 months pay and boards a helicopter to the airport to board the J-Lo flight back to Washington. Mark decides not to stick around and confront management as they are not willing to listen to him and he would feel the brunt of the storm of anger that would be released. Before Mark leaves, he puts his pay voucher cable together and has the Station’s key personnel (Chief of Finance, Chief of Human Resource and COS’ Secretary) present to confirm what he is doing is correct and they all concur. As Mark is about to board the helicopter he sees Pedro disembarking and flips him the bird. Pedro is startled and immediately angered by the gesture.

SLUG: EXT–CIA Station (DCOS office), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

DESCRIPTION: COS D’Angelo and DCOS Reilly return to Station where Banks briefs his version of what transpired to Reilly. As predicted both eventually hit the ceiling, but Reilly was far worse and became so filled with the rage of anger and hate toward Mark that he was out for blood and demanded vengeance. Just as he felt following the 9/11 attacks, he became so filled with hate and rage that vengeance was all he wanted against the Taliban who harbored Asuma Bin Laden. That is why he looked the other way when the Northern Alliance left 3,000 prisoners of war to die in the desert sealed in train box cars.

Banks: “Hi…Welcome back for what it’s worth.” Not smiling, Bank holds a copy of Mark’s cable in an extended hand to pass to Reilly with a cup of coffee in the other.

Reilly: “What do you mean by that?” Reilly snaps the cable from Bank’s hand and accepts the coffee with the other which he sits on his desk.

Banks: “Your buddy Mark tossed us under the bus, once again. …Set us up. …. Then left town without a word.”

Reilly: “What?? … He Left?” Visibly surprised and face beginning to flush his Irish red heritage… Banks leaves to go back to his office.

DESCRIPTION: Reilly slowly sits down into his chair with eyes glued to the subject line of the 15 page cable to Headquarter: “BAGHDAD, IRAQ–TQW IMPULSIVE INVESTIGATION MISTAKENLY SANDBAGS WRONG OFFICER FROM COUNTRY WHO WAS ADMONISHING OTHER FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.” Reilly, goes nuclear and Station personnel in the adjoining offices and bay area can hear him.

Reilly: “THAT GOD DAMN SON-OF-A-BITCH!!!! ….THAT GOD DAMN SON-OF-A-BITCH!!!!”

DESCRIPTION: The sound instantaneously follows of a ceramic coffee cup crashing and shattering against the wall. Reilly storms out of the office heading in toward the COS’ Office.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s ACT 1 Turning Point

What did I learn? I learned the basic steps to Outlining then laying out the Scene dialogue to capture flow, but to serve as a checks and balances that the story is flowing in the right direction and captures all aspects of characters, to scenes and emotions.

What did I learn? I finally understand the Beat Sheet now after reviewing again lesson #7. The Beat Sheet highlights the scenes (sorta like a table of content of a book) that compose that portion of the ACT in question of the Four ACT Structure. The Outline highlights what to expect from the compositions of each of the scenes beginning, middle and end. The Dialog is a breakdown of each scene. The end state is to program verify that the Dialog, Outline and Beat Sheet are all in sync pushing the same message or story line as depicted and sought after in the Four Act Structure. Transition Events, Turning Points, Inciting Incidents and Place Holders help to fine tune the finished product that hopefully makes the 4 Act Structure worth reading in the first place.

ACT 1:

OUTLINE:

TURNING POINT:

BEGINNING: A hero’s welcome soon falls flat as Chief of Mission who is Acting Chief of Station is stunned into silence for his and the Chief of Security’s mishandling of the investigation and the revelation that child pornography by a repeat offender was overlooked.

MIDDLE: Mark decides it’s time to pop smoke. He has been the whipping boy for Station all because he is covering up his home office’s blunders. Mark demands on returning early from his tour as he is not going to give in to Station leadership’s undeserved ass chewing.

END: The real excitement will begin when the Deputy Chief of Station returns and his temper is anticipated to go nuclear, given he has already contributed to a hostile work environment against Mark. Now he seeks vengeance.

ACT 1:

TURNING POINT 1 SCENE:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (Mark’s work space outside DCOS/COM offices), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

DESCRIPTION: Mark returns to Station and jumps on his computer to catch up on work and more importantly follow up with his office at Headquarters on the crisis at hand. Mark presumes after 2 days have passed since the incident that his home office, let alone the CIA flight line Security Chief at the airport, has addressed the situation with Station or that Station’s Chief of Security would have at least followed up with Headquarters in Washington. Before Mark can turn his computer on, Banks steps out of his office.

Banks: “Mark!….Job well done!” Banks slaps Mark on the back.

Mark: “Thank you!” Banks returns back to his office. Mark is left wondering out loud.. “I wonder if I should address the child porn?” …shrugs his shoulders … “Nah…they on top of it.”

DESCRIPTION: TE 7: One hour later Banks reappears from his office.

Banks: “Mark I want you write up a cable for Headquarters on the incident.”

DESCRIPTION: Banks walks back to his office without another word. Mark immediately starts working on the cable, but it’s not as easy of a task as COM thinks and proceeds to knock out a rough draft. Four hours later, Banks impatiently walks out of his office.

Banks: “Mark!…Where is that cable?

Mark: “Chief, I’ll send you what I have.”

DESCRIPTION: Banks walks back into his office and after reading the draft and final cable is not seen, nor heard from the remainder of the day.

INCITING INCIDENT: TP 1: Mark’s cable basically reflects Stations incompetence in handling the investigation and injustice of tossing a member of Station out of country for taking the correct action. The cable reveals that not only did Station not understand the facts when the decision was made to expel the staffer in question from the country, but that Station was in a rush to judgment. Evidence that was provided by the employee was dismissed. Furthermore, Mark’s home office at Headquarters and Office of Security were fully aware of the situation when Station and Mark–who is in charge of the Military Liaison Cells–were left completely out of the loop. Mark outlined what events really happened and the course of action he took to verify the information in the cable and while writing the cable, Mark reveals a major unexpected twist.

DESCRIPTION: While speaking to Station’s Chief of Communications (Dale) makes a surprising revelation that contractor (Joe) has a history of downloading pornography on Agency networks. Mark slaps that tidbit of information in the final cable as well and duplicates a copy of his cable and places it in his notes system as backup should Station try to alter his official report.

Chief of Communications (Dale): Is sitting at his desk and turns to Mark….“Hey…I saw Joe around Station this morning at the mess hall. … Did he fly in with you this morning?”

Mark: “Yeah.” Mark nods his head.

Dale: “It’s good to see him. … I’ve known him for 20 years. He’s a good guy. He’s a retired communications officer ya know. … Was he out there in Tikrit as part of your team?

Mark: “Yes,…he was the Cell Team Chief there.”

Dale: “He certainly is a chatterbox and seems all worked up about something. I’ve not seen him act this way since the time he downloaded pornog…” ….Dale pauses for a few seconds not completing his word…”Is that what this is about?”

Mark: Slowly nods his head in confirmation.

Dale: Astonished, he shakes his head negatively and slowly turns in his swivel chair back to his computer and says nothing further.

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (Mark’s workspace outside DCOS/COM offices), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

DESCRIPTION: Mark anticipates tempers will flare and hostilities against him will increasingly persist, once the Deputy Chief of Station returns back to Station. The DCOS is already pissed at Mark for an earlier report that Station and Headquarters were not adequately supporting the US conventional Warfighters on the ground as was the case in 1990, during Operation Desert Storm. The COS routinely referred to the 3rd Infantry Division commander as a jackass and refused to meet with the National Guard Division commander because the army could not spare a helicopter, in sharp contrast to the COS having a whole fleet at his disposal. Mark begins typing on his computer using Instant Messaging system to OMA Branch Chief (Doug).

Mark: “Doug… You there?”

Doug: “Yes.”

Mark: “The shits about to hit the fan here. Banks asked me to write my findings up and I had to be brutally honest in my report. I have not seen him all day and I sit outside his office. He must be shitting himself and it does not look good for me here.”

Doug: “I know….sorry.”

Mark: “When Reilly (DCOS) and the D’Angelo (COS) returns, you know they are going to hit the ceiling. It really did not help for HQ to keep Station out of the loop. They look like a Three Stooges operation now.”…..

….”and I have had it up to here with the hostile work environment and long hours I am having to put in to cover your all’s asses back there…. cuz they think I am screwing things up out here.”

“OMA’s keeps sending non experienced CIA personnel (contractors) with no training on our computer systems and software out to support the mission.”….

…”I had one idiot that did not know how to turn on a computer, much less know how to operate a CIA system… …I have to drop everything to spend 2 to 3 days to bring these guys up to speed and Pedro (that Cuban ass clown hates all women in authority or who make more $$$) sees what’s going and no doubt fueling hostilities with Reilly. ……I mean this is turning in to disorganized shit show out here.”…

…”and let us not forget the raving review from that report by the DCI representative about the CIA still not seriously supporting the US military out here. …I got the blame even though I was busy coordinating logistics for our 5 day trip between Division HQs that nearly resulted in a helicopter crash that I probably would get the blame for, as well.”

DESCRIPTION: Doug not wanting any further chain of evidence leading back to him as the CIA keeps records of all electronic data systems tells Mark to call him on the Green Line that is not monitored as much.

Doug: “Call me on the Green Line.”

Mark: “OK.” Mark picks up the Green Line secure phone and dials up Doug.

Doug: “Hi Mark?”

Mark: “Yes Doug its me…. I need to get the hell out of here. Between COS, DCOS, COM, Pedro and this new Colonel taking sides to be accepted by Station, I am catching a lot of flack.”

Doug: “What do you mean?”

Mark: “I am being excluded from Station meetings and between Pedro’s harassment and the Colonel who thinks that because I am an Army Reservist I have to answer to her…is bull shit…. She is trying to restrict my every move…. She cannot even keep her fucking pistol in the damn holster it keeps falling out…. Thank God she keeps it unloaded.”

Dough: Can be heard laughing on his end of the phone….

Mark: Being serious in tone…..“It all sounds funny, until you are on this end of being in the breach for issues outside my control and being fully blamed… I have covered for OMA far too long….. I told you guys I would come out here for a year…. It’s been 3 months and this child porn case is going to blow the lid off when Reilly gets here…. I am not going to deal with this shit any longer… With or without your help I am leaving Station on the next flight.”

Dough: Taking a more serious tone…”OK Mark I got ya….I have a Liaison officer coming out on a flight and should be there in two days. I will arrange for your return flight on that aircraft…..Hang tight and put a Transition Book together for the follow on guy.”

Mark: “OK will do.” Mark hangs the phone up.

SLUG: EXT–CIA Station, Flight Line, Baghdad, Iraq–Night

DESCRIPTION: Without a word from COM Banks who apparently refuses to speak, Mark waits the two days out, filing his voucher for 3 months pay and boards a helicopter to the airport to board the J-Lo flight back to Washington. Mark decides not to stick around and confront management as they are not willing to listen to him and he would feel the brunt of the storm of anger that would be released. As Mark is about to board the helicopter he sees Pedro disembarking and flips him the bird.

SLUG: EXT–CIA Station (DCOS office), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

DESCRIPTION: COS D’Angelo and DCOS Reilly return to Station where Banks briefs his version of what transpired to Reilly. As predicted both eventually hit the ceiling, but Reilly was far worse and became so filled with the rage of anger and hate toward Mark that he was out for blood and demanded vengeance. Just as he felt following the 9/11 attacks, he became so filled with hate and rage that vengeance was all he wanted against the Taliban who harbored Asuma Bin Laden. That is why he looked the other way when the Northern Alliance left 3,000 prisoners of war to die in the desert sealed in train box cars.

Banks: “Hi…Welcome back for what it’s worth.” Not smiling, Bank holds a copy of Mark’s cable in an extended hand to pass to Reilly with a cup of coffee in the other.

Reilly: “What do you mean by that?” Reilly snaps the cable from Bank’s hand and accepts the coffee with the other which he sits on his desk.

Banks: “Your buddy Mark tossed us under the bus, once again. …Set us up. …. Then left town without a word.”

Reilly: “What?? … He Left?” Visibly surprised and face beginning to flush his Irish red heritage… Banks leaves to go back to his office.

DESCRIPTION: Reilly slowly sits down into his chair with eyes glued to the subject line of the 15 page cable to Headquarter: “BAGHDAD, IRAQ–TQW IMPULSIVE INVESTIGATION MISTAKENLY SANDBAGS WRONG OFFICER FROM COUNTRY WHO WAS ADMONISHING OTHER FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.” Reilly, goes nuclear and Station personnel in the adjoining offices and bay area can hear him.

Reilly: “THAT GOD DAMN SON-OF-A-BITCH!!!! ….THAT GOD DAMN SON-OF-A-BITCH!!!!”

DESCRIPTION: The sound instantaneously follows of a ceramic coffee cup crashing and shattering against the wall. Reilly storms out of the office heading in toward the COS’ Office.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s ACT 1 Inciting Incident and Protagonist Reacts Emotionally to the Inciting Incident

What did I learn? I think I just learned the basic steps to Outlining then laying out the Scene dialogue to capture flow, but to serve as a checks and balance that the story is flowing in the right direction and captures all aspects of characters, to scenes and emotions.

ACT 1:

OUTLINE:

INCITING INCIDENT:

BEGINNING: Mark and Station’s Chief of Security (Tom) arrive in Tikrit, Iraq to take Gary back for deportation from country. Gary pleads for Tom to read his supporting evidence, but is ignored.

MIDDLE: Mark takes custody of Gary at the flight line to ensure his departure. Mark notices the the flight line Security Chief’s facial reaction to Gary’s pleas for help.

END: Gary reveals the secret of what transpired between him and Joe and that child pornography was involved. He was merely admonishing Joe for his illegal activity and did not use a knife to attack Joe as he had claimed..

ACT 1:

INCITING INCIDENT:

SLUG: EXT–CIA Flight Line, Baghdad, Iraq–Night

DESCRIPTION: In the dark of night Mark and Tom are wearing helmets and gear as they sit strapped into their seats and deep into their own thoughts. Mark has known the Station Chief of Security from 12 years since when both were assigned to the Security Duty Office and Operations Center at the time of the 1993 CIA Headquarters shooting incident perpetrated by Mir Aimal Kansi.

SLUG: EXT–CIA Military Liaison Cell Flight Line, Tikrit, Iraq–Night

DESCRIPTION: Mark and Chief of Security disembark the helicopter that remains on standby and both walk to the building that houses Mark’s team. Mark enters the office and finds Gary with his duffle bag at his feet already prepared for their arrival as if he knew what was coming. Tom bravely takes a position behind Mark using him as a human shield, if something were to go wrong that Gary did not wish to be disarmed.

TE 5: Mark says with sympathy…”Hi Gary! You no doubt know why we are here. ” Gary nods his head yes.

Mark says:…“I am sorry, but I am going to have to ask you for your side arm. Gary says..”Yeah, no problem!” Gary hands over his Glock 9mm with magazines to Mark.

Tom comments sourly:…”And the knife too.” Gary complies and hands Mark the knife that has about a 6 inch bell shaped blade to it.

Mark says:…”OK…Well let’s go. We have a helicopter outside waiting.”

Gary says:.. “But wait!

DESCRIPTION: Gary extends a handful of documents out to the Chief of Security.

Gary says:…”Can’t you read this first?” Please???

DESCRIPTION: Tom nods his head to say no and makes no effort to take possession of the documents.

Chief of Security says:…”No. Let’s go!”

SLUG: EXT–CIA Flight Line Baghdad, Iraq–Night

DESCRIPTION: After a 45 minute flight, Mark disembarks the helicopter with Gary to ensure he is on the outbound flight for Washington, DC. Tom decides he will go back to Station. Mark and Gary stay on the flight line awaiting the CIA’s ‘J-Lo flight’ to arrive. Gary is starting to stress out and begins to feel ostracized for doing what he thought was right. The flight line Security Chief arrives soon after to meet them and knows only what the Station Chief of Security has told her.

DESCRIPTION: Sally (CIA flight line Security Chief): Struts up to Mark and Gary and introduces herself.

Sally: “Hi!…Early good morning to you both. Which one is Gary?” Gary raises his hand and moves closer to her.

Sally: “I have a container here so you can place your belongings in. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

Gary asks Sally and Mark: “I cannot believe what’s going on here. Why am I being treated this way? Why is Joe not being kicked out as well? I mean I did nothing wrong!”

DESCRIPTION: Sally who is standing closer to Gary winces in surprise when Gary leans forward to tell her something, but Mark cannot hear what was said as an aircraft was landing.

Sally: “Would you like me to arrange for you to speak with a psychiatrist in Jordan during your layover? I can tell you are visibly stressed about the ordeal.”

Gary: “Yes…..Yes I think I need to.” Sally then wishes Mark goodbye and for Gary to have a safe trip and departs.

Gary then addresses Mark: “Look can you do me a big favor and read this material I tried to give to the Station Chief of Security? ….Please?

DESCRIPTION: Gary extends about 20 pages of handwritten notes to Mark who accepts it and briefly scans through it. At this point, the aircraft that landed as Gary was speaking to Sally happened to be the CIA’s J-Lo flight and being refueled.

Gary: “Please call OMA in Washington. “They will tell you what is going on.?”

TE 6: Gary: “This incident is about Joe downloading child pornography onto two CIA Top Secret computers… Mark winces in surprise.

Gary: “ Joe’s wife is from Thailand and you know what it’s like with those folks. They could be 18 years old but look like a 8 year old. I am a grandfather and when I saw that shit I was so pissed I chewed his ass. I told him I was going to kick his ass.”

Gary: “Then Joe said…’You got a knife!’…so I pulled the knife from my pocket and tossed it on the couch and told him I am ready to kick his fat ass! That is when the fat bastard ran to the phone to call Banks.”

Mark: “You never laid a hand on him or threw the knife at him?”

Gary: “Hell no!”

OUTLINE:

PROTAGONIST REACTS EMOTIONALLY TO INCITING INCIDENT:

BEGINNING: After Gary reveals his secret, Mark contacts CIA Headquarters’ home office who confirms that child pornography was downloaded onto two Agency Top Secret computers.

MIDDLE: HQs asks Mark to stop the expulsion, but its too late as Gary has just minutes to go.

END: As a gesture of good will and faith in restoring some dignity to Gary that lost over the ordeal, Mark hands back Gary’s knife demonstrating trust and belief in him. However, two days later Mark notices, in sharp contrast, how Joe is permitted to leave country with dignity.

ACT 1:

PROTAGONIST REACTS EMOTIONALLY TO THE INCITING INCIDENT:

SLUG: INT–CIA Flight Line (Security Office), Baghdad, Iraq–Night

DESCRIPTION: Mark and Gary quickly step over to the security office and make a secure line call back to our home office. Our Branch Chief Doug answers the phone.

Doug: “Office of Military Affairs Exercise and Contingency Office. How may I help you?”

Mark: “Doug this is Mark. I am standing on the flight line here in Baghdad just minutes away from tossing Gary out of country.”

Doug: “Mark, do you know what this is about?”

Mark: “Evidently not, since Station and I have been kept completely out of the loop on this.”

Doug: “This is about Joe downloading child pornography onto two of our Top Secret computers. You got to stop Gary from being expelled!”

Mark: “Look Doug. I am just now learning the truth of what’s going on and Gary is a minute from getting on that aircraft homeward bound. I have no means of communication with Station as Banks is not in his office and it’s like 5 am here.

Mark: “Gary will have to leave as ordered. I am sorry, but you guys just ambushed me on this.”

DESCRIPTION: Mark concludes the call with Doug. Nods his head as if agreeing with Gary and at this point Gary asks for his knife back.

Gary: “Can I have my knife back, please?”

DESCRIPTION: Mark realizes that protocol would say “Oh Hell Naw!,” but Mark felt an injustice was being committed against Gary. So as a gesture of good will and to demonstrate faith in Gary, Mark pulls the knife from his cargo pocket and hands it back to Gary. Gary was visibly pleased and nods his head as a gesture of thanks, turns and walks briskly to the mobile stair to board the aircraft.

DESCRIPTION: Mark would be forced to stay at the flight line for another 2 days before travel back to Station could be arranged. Upon his return by helicopter he notices Joe is onboard. In sharp contrast, however, Joe is allowed the dignity of departing country with grace and has his sidearm with him.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s ACT 1 Opening Scenes

What did I learn? I am learning to fly by the seat of my pants. I think I just learned the basic steps to Outlining then laying out the Scene dialogue.

ACT 1:

OPENING SCENE OUTLINE:

BEGINNING: Mark is astonished by Chief of Mission (who is filling in as Acting Chief of Station) is cursing and suddenly calls Mark and Station’s Chief of Security (Tom) into the Deputy Chief of Station’s office.

MIDDLE: COM orders Mark and Tom to board a helicopter for Tikrit, Iraq and take into custody one of Mark’s Military Liaison Cell team members and take him to the CIA airfield in Baghdad for immediate expulsion from country.

END: Mark and Tom depart the office without questioning the orders.

ACT 1:

SLUG: INT–CIA Station (COM office), Baghdad, Iraq–Night

OPENING SCENE: Chief of Mission (COM) Banks storms out of his office into the adjoining office of Deputy Chief of Station. The Chief of Station (COS) and Deputy Chief of Station (DCOS) are not in the country and are not expected to return for another week.

TE 1: Mark is working at his computer and looks up when he abruptly hears COM make an astonishing remark…“I am going to throw that son-of-a-bitch in prison!”

DESCRIPTION: COM calls out to Mark and Tom, the Station’s Chief of Security, to come into the DCOS’ office. Both arrive and remain standing in Bank’s presence.

TE 2: Banks says…”I have a mission for you both and it involves two of Mark’s team members up range in Tikrit.

TE 3: Banks:…“I just got a call from the Cell Leader…Joe…that he had a heated argument with Gary who is the Communications Officer there. Gary threatened Joe with a knife that Gary threw at him.”

TE4: Banks: “ I want you guys to report to the flight line and board a helicopter. I’ve already arranged the helo and it will be here in 30 minutes. Time now is 1230 AM. Be at the flight line by 1 AM. Your mission is to secure, escort and expel Gary from country. IMMEDIATELY!…No ifs, ands, or buts about it!…. GO!”

DESCRIPTION: Mark and Tom glance at each other and immediately depart the office without a word to grab their survival gear and report to the flight line.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s Beat Sheet Draft 2

What I learned from this exercise? I learn to keep the Theme consistent throughout my story and expand on Antagonist Beat Sheet to provide additional dialogue materials and scenes.

–What is the story about? A true story of the mendacious injustice of how in the US government powerful figures abuse of title, position and authority–as a cultural norm–to wage war using “the system” they reside over to destroy the livelihood of another for sport; all because another did the right thing and was denied a debt of gratitude for their service to a nation.

–What is the real issue I want to explore? Abandonment of Self and Restoring Self.

–Theme: Injustice

3. Do Pass 1: (Beginning, Middle and End)

ACT 1:

–Injustice of a knee jerk reaction to an event without conducting a proper investigation.

–Injustice of evidence being disregarded by key CIA Station officials

–Injustice of expelling a CIA employee from a country without a hearing only to find out he did right.

ACT 2:

–Injustice to get the protagonist fired when he was serving in another assignment.

–Injustice of a fabricated ruse to charge the protagonist with a felony that could carry prison time.

–Injustice that every accomplishment the protagonist succeeded at, exposed threats, saving American lives was all flushed down the toilet and never recognized and theft of luggage containing 4 years of tax records that could not be filed.

ACT 3:

–Injustice of the way the US Army Reserves screamed over the phone that the protagonist contracted HIV, was being medically discharged and stigmatized in comparison to how they respected him before, despite medicine being available to treat and be deployable.

–Injustice of losing livelihood for standing up for what is right and applying military values.

–Injustice of being discarded and forgotten and forced down a journey to become an abandonment of self.

ACT 4:

–Injustice of the protagonist spending 5 years on the streets chronically homeless and lost all that he worked for, for 30 years.

–Injustice that the protagonist reached out to the CIA five times to contest their decision only to be continually ignored and ignored “on the surface” by 13 committees, 80 plus members of Congress, Senate, Director of National Intelligence and White House Special Counsel..

–Injustice that the CIA rarely prosecuted individuals engaged in child pornography and does not hold its leadership accountable for abuse, killing of civilians, and hostages as a result of failed operation.

4. Do Pass 2:

1. Attack/Counter-Attack: Antagonist is upset from the negative review from CIA Director’s office about lack of support to military and directs hostile work environment toward protagonist.

2. Plan Beneath the Plan: Antagonist goes nuclear after learning of protagonist’s report on Station’s mismanaged investigation and becomes so enraged and vengeful that he tries initially to use his influence to get the protagonist fired then when that did not work he orchestrates a plan where he fabricates a felony accusation against the protagonists.

3. Plan Beneath the Plan: Antagonist discovers protagonist whereabouts and orchestrates another hostile work environment.

4. Plan Beneath the Plan: Antagonist waits till about 1 month before protagonist finishes deployment and suddenly all assets and resources are not trustworthy in an effort to undermine the protagonists’s reliability to perform the function of PSYOP and credibility as an intelligence officer for the CIA..

5. Plan Beneath the Plan: Antagonist arranges for the theft of the protagonist luggage that he was being deployed with and a treasure trove of identity theft information on the protagonist that has never been exploited in 15 years since its theft from Washington-Dulles International Airport where the CIA has a facility to support the Global War on Terror.

6. Plan Beneath the Plan: Antagonist orchestrates the protagonist’s Blacklisting from the CIA to destroy the protagonist’s livelihood and chances of future employment with the US government.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

I am going to redo this Beat Sheet as I was not sure what I was doing. I probably still do not but will try when time allows.

I finally understand the Beat Sheet now after reviewing again lesson #7. The Beat Sheet highlights the scenes (sorta like a table of content of a book) that compose that portion of the ACT in question of the Four ACT Structure. The Outline highlights what to expect from the compositions of each of the scenes beginning, middle and end. The Dialog is a breakdown of each scene. The end state is to program verify that the Dialog, Outline and Beat Sheet are all in sync pushing the same message or story line as depicted and sought after in the Four Act Structure. Transition Events, Turning Points, Inciting Incidents and Place Holders help to fine tune the finished product that hopefully makes the 4 Act Structure worth reading in the first place.

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s High Speed Beat Sheet

What did I learn from this assignment? I believe I am building the framework of scenes. I am getting confused to the format actually. I took both 4 Act Structure and combines with the Transitional Events then added SLUG Lines, etc. I am trying to go fast but my story is based on true events covering a 15 year time span that I know at some point I have to shave off. I am starting to feel hosed …lol.

1. Give us the following:

-Concept: When a CIA Whistleblower becomes a victim of injustice, he is left chronically homeless and forced to become an abandonment of self to survive, while fighting to restore honor over strong desires for suicide.

-Main Conflict: A protagonist’s report of a mismanaged investigation reveals a crime involving child pornography on two CIA Top Secret computers. Egos are bruised by embarrassed senior CIA officials who botched the investigation and decide to turn ‘the system’ against the protagonist.

-Old Ways: Others and country first (military values), does not trust his own gut instinct, helpless (when ambushed), not assertive, and follows rules/orders without questioning.

-New Ways: Take care of #1 (me, myself and I), trust his own gut instinct, perseverance and fortitude, assertive, and make own rules (question everything)

2. Fill in each of these answers you have right now.

ACT 1.

-Opening: Protagonist who has served 16 years with the CIA agrees to a one year tour in Iraq. Soon he finds himself with Station’s Chief of Security flying on a CIA clandestine helicopter after midnight from Baghdad to Tikrit, Iraq. The protagonist has already survived one near mid air disaster in Iraq during the day, let alone does he want another mishap at night. However, The protagonist follows his orders without question from the ‘Acting’ Chief of Station. His mission is to disarm, secure and escort a staff employee to the flight line for expulsion from the country for allegedly threatening a contractor with a knife during an argument. At the flight line the employee pleads with the protagonist to call the home office at CIA Headquarters in Washington, DC area to find out the details of what he reported.

–SLUG: INT–CIA Station (DCOS/COM office), Baghdad, Iraq–Night

DESC.: Acting COS storms out of office saying: “I am going to throw that son-of-a-bitch in prison. Hero is working late outside Acting COS’ office and is told he and Station’s Chief of Security have a mission to perform.

–SLUG: EXT–Baghdad, Iraq–Night

DESC.: Flying in a helicopter, Hero and Station Chief of Security executes order and Hero is hoping to not have another inflight near disaster as he did last month.

–PLACEHOLDER: Flashback of helicopter engine failure that nearly causes crash.

–SLUG: INT–CIA Military Support Cell colocated w/ Division HQ, Tikrit, Iraq–Night

DESC.: Accused confronted under pretense of using a knife to threaten a contractor. Accused pleads with the Chief of Security to read his report, but the Chief refuses.

–SLUG: EXT–CIA Flight Line–Baghdad–Night

DESC.: Chief of Security directs Hero to stay with the accused until he is expelled from the country and departs back to CIA Station.

-Inciting Incident: The protagonist learns that the employee was chewing ass on the contractor for downloading child pornography onto two CIA Top Secret computers. The protagonist returns to Station to a short lived Hero’s welcome to write a cable back to CIA Headquarters of the egregious mistake by Station that jumped to conclusions in a half ass investigation. The protagonist also reveals to Station that the contractor in question has a documented history involving child porn. [CIA apparently chooses not to prosecute such cases due to the accused’s sensitive access.]

–PLACEHOLDER: Hero should confront threat and trust instincts, but does not.

–SLUG: EXT-CIA Flight Line–Baghdad–Day

DESC.: Accused then pleads with Hero to read his report and request Hero to call CIA Headquarters’ home office (Office of Military Affairs-OMA) who both work for. Hero learns the truth of what transpired. The accused is successfully deported from the country.

–PLACEHOLDER: Flashback showing the accused with ‘no knife’ was actually admonishing the contractor for downloading Child Pornography onto two CIA Top Secret computers.

–SLUG: INT-CIA Station, Baghdad–Day

DESC.: Hero returns 2 days later by Helicopter to Station coincidently with the contractor in question onboard to a warm welcome from Acting COS who slaps the Hero on the back. Then after an hour has passed he asks Hero to write a cable back to CIA HQ. Hero believes by now Station and HQ have discussed the matter, but that is not the case.

–SLUG: INT–CIA Station, Baghdad–Day

DESC.: Hero has conversation with Station’s Chief of Communications who has known the contractor in question for 20 years who retired from the CIA. Chief of Commo. makes a remark that “I’ve not seen him act this way, since the time he downloaded porn…….”….his word drops off and not completed. “Is that what it’s about?” Hero nods his head yes. Chief of Commo quietly and slowly turns around shaking his head in disbelief and does not say another word.

–SLUG: INT–CIA Station (DCOS/COM office), Baghdad–Day

DESC.: Acting COS and Station Chief of Security suddenly silent after Hero’s cable report back to Washington is released.

-Turning Point #1: Iraq Station COS and DCOS were out of country at the time of the incident, but a hostile work environment was already being fostered against the protagonist. The protagonist had previously revealed through a senior DCI representative visit that CIA and Station lacked the interest or effort to support US military conventional Warfighters on the ground and basically were just going through the motions. This caused friction. Tossing in the latest report the protagonist predicted that the tempers of Station will “blow the shit house door off a tuna boat.’ Hence, he is done for and decides to cut his one year tour short as he is not interested in enduring further hostilities. He leaves Iraq three months into the tour without a word.

–PLACEHOLDER: Hero should confront threat and trust instincts, but does not.

–SLUG: INT–CIA Headquarters (OMA), WDC–Day

DESC.: Hero was sent to run CIA’s four Military Liaison Cells because of Dept of Defense complaints that during 1990 Operation Desert Storm the CIA lacked its support to US conventional forces. Hero starts experiencing same issues again unfolding in Iraq 15 years later during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Contractors are assigned to support OMA’s mission who have military experience, but no CIA experience or training on operating Agency systems. In one case the contractor has never used a computer in his life and others have never used the CIA network. Hero is forced to train them 2 to 3 days before sending them down range causing hostilities with a colocated Agency employee who does not know what’s going on.

–SLUG: INT–CIA Station (COS office), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

DESC.: With the Hero and DCOS in the room, COS says he will only meet with the National Guard Division commander unless he provides a military helicopter to pick him up, despite COS having his own fleet of covert helicopters at his disposal. He says “I am not a GS4, I am a SIS4. GS4s get jerked around, SIS4s do not.” Hero picks up the phone and contacts his Military Cell representative and directs them to cancel the meeting because the COS is a pompous ass with a typical chip on his shoulders that Case Officers have. COS often refers to the 3rd Infantry Division commanding general in Baghdad as “Jackass.”

–SLUG: INT–CIA Headquarters (DCI’s office), Washington DC–Day

DESC.: Executive Director to OMA briefs CIA Director on his recent trip to Iraq, where Hero escorted him in country to the four different US military command elements for a debriefing. CIA Director is told that the US military is unsatisfied with the support they are receiving and notes that the CIA Station does not permit its people to exit the Green Zone, but the 3rd Infantry Division commander leaves it twice a day to lead by example with his troops.

–SLUG: EXT–CIA Flght Line, Baghdad, Iraq–Day

DESC.: Hero with no notice, gets on an aircraft bound for Washington, DC and giving Station “the bird.” Hero knows his story is in official channels, but who knows what COM tells the DCOS.

–BIG PICTURE POINT: Need to address the antagonist’s moment of exploding after learning what transpired and being so pissed as he was after the 9/11 attacks and treating the protagonist with great disdain, hatred and wanted vengeance. SLUG: INT–CIA Station, (DCOS/COM office), Baghdad, Iraq–Day

–PLACEHOLDER: Hero should confront threat and trust instincts, but does not.

ACT 2.

-New Plan: The protagonist reports back to CIA Headquarters to brief Office of Security

Investigators who nod in agreement that a retaliation is anticipated as its the cultural

norm of the Agency. The protagonist agrees to be redeployed back into the Combat Zone to serve as the CIA’s Deputy Chief of Base of Bagram, Afghanistan to support countrywide counterterrorism operations for 17 months.

–SLUG: INT–CIA Headquarters (Office of Security, office) Washington, DC–Day

DESC.: Hero is briefing Security Investigator on case who agrees a retaliation by COS, DCOS and COM is likely. Hero use to work in Office of Security for 6 years. The investigator is aware of the electronic trail Hero leaves behind regarding communications back to OMA.

The antagonists as expected try two attempts to retaliate against the protagonist

during his tour. The first attempt came as an influence operation by the antagonists to try and get the protagonist’s home office to fire him. The second attempt came when the antagonists tried to accuse the protagonist of overcharging the Agency $14,000–a felony had it been true. Security investigators never bother to question, investigate, charge, nor prosecute and pretty much ignored the allegation. However, the protagonist was not assertive and should have put his foot down. Instead, the protagonist ignored the accusation and continued to focus on the Counterterrorism mission. This decision proved to be fatal later on.

–PLACEHOLDER: Hero should confront threat and trust instincts, but does not.

–BIG PICTURE POINT: Need to address the antagonist fabricating a ‘felony’ ruse in collaboration with COS and COM Iraq and the cell directly under him is another point to address and expand.

–SLUG: INT–CIA Heaquarters (OMA), Washington, DC–Day

DESC.: OMA Branch Chief defends Hero’s actions when DCOS tries to influence OMA Director to dismiss Hero and the fabricated ruse.

–SLUG: INT–CIA Heaquarters (Security–Investigator), Washington, DC–Day

DESC.: Dismisses fabricated ruse as retaliation and Hero is never questioned, investigated, charged nor prosecuted in the 4 years that followed. CIA has a profound history of prosecuting offenders who embezzle or overcharge the Agency.

The protagonist has many memorable moments that included being directed to stay behind with nine others to defend Station while hundreds of personnel were evacuated to Kabul airfield during anticipated civil unrest, coordinating with the US Secret Service for the Presidential visit of George Bush, telling the DoD Liaison Officer for Presidential Visit to get lost when he tried to toss his title around, rendering the Silent Salute to 23 Fallen Heroes–including SFC Travis Nixon who had special meaning to the protagonist, hearing from the Presidential Surgeon on what really transpired when Dick Cheyney accidentally shot his hunting partner, to comforting a 14 year old boy that had 3 limbs blown off at a CIA firing range in Asadabad, to being accidentally exposed to radioactive material for nearly 3 hours from 12 crates of Mig Fighter air-to-air missile that were retrieved from an Afghan warlord.

–PLACEHOLDER: Film footage of Bagram, Airbase, President George Bush’s visit, Dick Cheney hunting mishap, Silent Salute to ‘Fallen Heroes’ at Bagram Airbase, to include SFC Travis Nixon–His platoon leader was the son of CIA officer in Iraq who calls Hero for assistance. Hero asks the platoon leader to fly a flag on the spot Nixon was killed and has held onto the flag to pass to family for the last 19 years with no success in contacting family.

–PLACEHOLDER: 14 year old boy gets three limbs blown off at CIA Asadabad Base while collecting brass to sell from firing range. He picks up M203 grenade.

–SLUG: INT–CIA Base, Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan–Day

DESC.: Hero called upon by Asadabase PSYOP officer to give complete attention to the boy as his father is a very influential tribal elder in their area of operation. Hero does as requested and comes to grow fond of the boy and the feeling was mutual as was with the hospital staff after 30 days of care. All cried when the boy had to leave for further treatment at a German hospital.

The protagonist facilitated the recovery of Stinger missile and British Blowpipe surface to air missile components, and discovery the US military was have radar systems to Apache Hellfire missiles being stolen as they were shipped through Pakistan into country. The protagonist recalls his second near mid air disaster involving an exploding engine and a hard crash landing for the J-Lo flight, as well as a disaster relief flight for earthquake victims where the Bagram air traffic control tower in error directed the Russian made cargo aircraft to flow inside the mountain range where it met its fate slamming into the mountain side just above an Afghan village.

–SLUG: EXT–CIA Base, Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan–Day

DESC.: Hero and Chief of Base purchase a Stinger grip stock for $10,000 (a whole Stinger was worth $150,000). Hero aslo assisted the British MI-6 in acquiring over 80 of their Blowpipes that were just as effective as the US Stinger surface to air missile. Ironically, Hero runs across a mobile US Army radar system and Apache gunship Hellfire missile that were stolen off US Army shipments coming through Pakistan.

–Placeholder: CIA provided 2,000 Stingers to the Mujahadeen during the Soviet invasion in the 1980s. They were stored in a cave that had the misfortune of blowing up.

-Plan in Action: The protagonist completes his tour and is reassigned two plus years

(including 3 months in Kabul) along the Afghan/Pak border at Falcon Base north of Naray village to carry out the Counterterrorism mission of psychological warfare and hiding the hand of the US Government. The protagonist has found his calling and has many successes. His most memorable moments include facilitating the defection of 14 Taliban commanders, two suicide bombers and 120 fighting age males. He decreased combat effectiveness of the Taliban, insurgent and Al Qaeda forces that saved American soldiers’ lives. He uncovered a Counterintelligence security issue at Station that involved a very prominent asset that was clandestinely meeting with a hostile foreign intelligence service who was responsible for shooting down a US military aircraft in the 90s.

–PLACEHOLDER: Photograph and film footage of CIA Station Hotel Ariana and video of Afghanis, Taliban leaders and fighters.

–SLUG: INT–CIA Station, Kabul, Afghanistan–Day

DESC.: Hero carries on foot from Station to President Karzai’s Palace two satchels with $300,000 to pay to the National Security Council staff once a month for 3 months with no security. The Hero was making ‘the Milkman Run.’

–SLUG: INT–CIA Station, Kabul, Afghanistan (Conference room)–Night

DESC.: Hero meets with a high level asset that CIA Station’s Chief of Operations recruited. This asset is so important he is normally met in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and is a PSYOP asset. Unfortunately, the asset tries to ignore $200,000 in funds he needs to account for and is egotistical enough to think he can bambuzal the Hero enough to dismiss. To the asset’s misfortune, Hero learns that not only did the asset embezzle the money to support his influential business in Kabul, but Hero tracks down the building the asset bought with the money. The hero also discovers that the ethnicity and origin of the asset’s last name is Iranian. The hero finds Iranian literature in the building that was purchased and discovers the asset is in contact clandestinely with a very senior Iranian intelligence officer who is responsible for terrorist activities against the US. The Case Officer who recruited the asset ironically claims this asset was anti-Iranian and often took the asset to CIA Headquarters for lunch with the asset’s girlfriend (who is also of Iranian heritage) when in the US. Of course, the asset’s Australian wife was not aware.

–SLUG: INT–CIA Station, Kabul, Afghanistan (PSYOP office)–Day

DESC.: Case Officer who use to be Delta Force Qualified, approaches Hero to support his operation to have 14 Taliban commanders defect along with two suicide bombers later on from Hekmatyar group. Case Officer seeks funding for a safe house in Kabul. CIA CTC is eager to comply as this opportunity would be similar to the Marine Corp ‘Kit Carson scouts’ of the Vietnam era.

–PLACEHOLDER: Hero is forward to deployed to CIA Falcon Base, Kunar Province

The protagonist with 2 weeks on the ground cleaned up a Navy S.E.A.L. operation that not only went bad, but kicked off a blood feud forcing the protagonist to jump through his ass to conduct a night letter operation that made it look like the Al Qaeda facilitator was trying to defect, forcing him to flee in terror. The protagonist put a stop to two additional missions trying to kill that Al Qaeda facilitator because the Navy S.E.A.L.s were mistaking the terrorist brother for the target.

–SLUG: INT–Dokalam, Afghanistan (school)–Day

DESC.: Three Navy S.E.A.L. snipers and a member of the CIA Ground Branch carry out what was supposed to be a ‘clandestine’ 460 meter cross border shot into Arandu, Pakistan to take out an Al Qaeda facilitator using 300 Winchester magnum rifles equipped with large optic scopes. On that day two of the three snipers did not have silencers and turned a covert action into a duck hunt and could not hit water if they fell out of a boat in the middle of the Atlantic. They hit everything else. It was the Ground Branch guy who was a former Marine sniper who blew a hole in the target’s left shoulder.

–PLACEHOLDER: How snipers sat up in the school who the Hero had recently recruited its school master and the sniper team’s exit from the village

–PLACEHOLDER: How the sniper element rejoiced and was excited from the hunt but soon bummed out when they found out they missed the target during the Base staff meeting.

–PLACEHOLDER: How the Hero was called upon by the COS to ‘hide the hand of the US government’ from the botched operation and how the hero had to take immediate action to save the life of the school master who happened to be a prominent and very respectable tribal elder in the region using night letter operation. What courses of action the hero had to take–PTS program, area familiarity of terrain, course of actions taken by sniper element on the ground during the operation, what the tribal elder did to cover their presence (MREs and broken glass).

–PLACEHOLDER: How the Navy S.E.A.L.s tried two more times to go after the same target that happened to actually be the older brother.

–PLACEHOLDER: Video of bridge being blown, refugee camps and munitions being destroyed

–PLACEHOLDER: After having the ANP and one base worker simultaneously identify ingress and egress routes used by the Mujahideen and now Taliban, Al Qaeda and insurgents to move forces and supplies into Falcon Base sphere of influence the Hero started sabotaging the bridges to interrupt their supply chain with the help of the NDS Chief who he had strong ties with and proven track record.

The protagonist carried out successful sabotage operations targeting key nodes used by the terrorists to support supply chains and their ingress and egress into Falcon Base’s sphere of influence. Additionally, the protagonist targeted refugee camps on the Pakistan side of the border to undermine recruitment efforts for suicide bombers. The protagonist also made an effort to acquire mortars and other explosives to prevent their use in IEDs. The protagonist was Falcon Base’s lead representative in dealing with political figures, law enforcement, villagers, shuras, jirgas and tribesmen and used this opportunity to acquire agents of influence and access.

–PLACEHOLDER: Video footage of refugee camps, meetings with tribal elders, government officials.

–SLUG: INT–CIA Falcon Base, Kunar, Afghanistan–Night

DESC.: A visit sponsored by Falcon base’s Navy S.E.A.L.s of the new Afghan CJSOTF commander–a lieutenant general–highlights protagonist’s presence as a reputable operator in the region to solicit military assistance in setting up counter-ambushes to undermine terrorists’ efforts who are attacking US Military and CIA supply lines. The base’s Case Officers’ are infuriated when they are not addressed during the meeting and begin to undermine protagonist’s assets and credibility.The results of the protagonist’s initiative result in killing over 100 terrorists. The protagonist then planted seeds of betrayal in his meeting with the village elders thanking those who alerted our forces to set up the counterambushes that resulted in distrust amongst the villages and the terrorist transiting the area fearing an ambush.

–SLUG: INT–CIA Falcon Base, Kunar, Afghanistan–Day

DESC.: The protagonist even got to brief a Democrat Congressional Delegation to the base for 1 hour briefings each from base officers. Upon asking the protagonist: “What makes your operations so successful?” The protagonists simply replied: “I took a page out of former President Bill Clinton’s Democratic rule book where he once said…When selling foreign and domestic policies to the American people, I would rather have a pinch full of convincing lies than a handful of truth!” With that the representative laughed and thanked the protagonist for the briefing that lasted 30 seconds.

–SLUG: INT–CIA Falcon Base, Kunar Province, Afghanistan–Night

DESC.: During the protagonist’s two plus years along the border, he survived rockets, mortars, and an IED attempt, but the most effective weapon was from the antagonists who wielded their title, positions and authority like a weapon of mass destruction. A few months before the protagonist’s tour was to end, the antagonist from Iraq arrives at the base for briefings and introduces himself as the new Chief of Station. As the protagonist’s time drew to a close two months out, suddenly he experienced a catastrophic failure of all of his assets who were identified by Headquarters to be untrustworthy to include the NDS Chief, despite program verifications, some being polygraphed and two owing their lives to the protagonist. Soon after, a hostile work environment began to ensue targeting the protagonist. The protagonist did not want to believe his instincts that something was amiss and continued to not assert himself because he was an independent contractor and followed the rules.

–SLUG: EXT–Kunar River–Night

DESC.: During a NAVY S.E.A.L. mission prep (training) directly supported by Hero, a Chief Petty Officer Joshua Harris (twin to Hollywood celebrity Kikki Harris) died during the river crossing. The soldier lost his footing and the thin twine around his waist broke. He was quickly pulled under from the turbulent water. His death was listed as died in action versus a training accident. Hero holds to this day the flag flown over Falcon Base in his honor in hopes of passing to family. The hero has held onto the flag for Sixteen years and no success in reaching out to the family.

–PLACEHOLDER: Hero should confront threat and trust instincts, but does not.

–BIG PICTURE POINT: Expanding on the antagonist discovery that the protagonist is alive and well in Afghanistan that kicks off the hostile work environment, the catastrophic failure of all PSYOP programs, theft of luggage and Blacklisting can be expanded.

–TE:#5

–INCITING INCIDENT:

–SLUG: INT–CIA Headquarters (CTC Home Office)–Day

DESC.: Narrated by voice over

-Midpoint Turning Point #2: After the tour, the protagonist took a 4 month R&R before he

was scheduled to return to Afghanistan. The protagonist arrived at Headquarters and

spent 3 days for mission preparations. It was not until the last day that his home office

advised him that they were not prepared to send him down range after all and that they

were closing down that PSYOP program at Falcon Base and that the protagonist would

be redirected elsewhere in country, but in the meantime he should return home to

Florida. The protagonist had a very bad deep down gut feeling that something was

terribly wrong, particularly after he had seen the antagonist in the Agency cafeteria, but

he refused to accept what his instincts were telling him. The protagonist was asked for his passport and told that an upcoming assignment was pending and sent on his way.

–PLACEHOLDER: Hero should confront threat and trust instincts, but does not.

–SLUG: INT–Washington-Dulles International Airport, Northern Virginia–Day

DESC.: After checking in his luggage at Washington-Dulles International Airport where the CIA has a colocated facility that was widely known to support the War on Terror, the protagonist flew back to his home state, but his gear and 4 years of tax information that were a treasure trove for identity theft had simply disappeared. It would take a week before the protagonist would learn that his luggage was stolen. Another three weeks would pass before the protagonist reached out to his home office who continued to conduct delay tactics before the protagonist had finally realized that he was being Blacklisted. Shock and surprise overwhelmed him and he felt helpless, but as he started to regroup hoping for the best he was trying to see what course of action he should take.

–PLACEHOLDER: Show luggage checked in and someone clandestinely removing the back after it’s on conveyor belt.

–SLUG: INT–Home, Viera, Florida–Day

DESC.: Suddenly the protagonist started to fall ill. As time went on the illness got worse and he dismissed it as mononucleosis brought on by stress. He had it twice before, but this time it lasted 5 months and this time, unbeknownst to him, it was not mono. The protagonist decided to go back on active duty for his Army Reserve unit and had to do a physical. Two more months would pass before his unit surgeon would call screaming at him over the phone that he had contracted HIV and would be medically discharged.

ACT 3.

-Rethink Everything: Shocked, protagonist grabs a 44 magnum and tries to commit

suicide, but fails as the chambers are empty. Soon severe depression, shock, and PTSD

take root as protagonist feels the full weight of the world crashing down on him as

protagonist rapidly loses the trust of most family, friends, colleagues and a nation that

turns away because of the stigma and false ruse only to discard and forget protagonist’s

existence. The Army eventually flies protagonist to Camden, New Jersey and forces

protagonist to road march to Ft Dix, New Jersey 32 miles away. Before they would pick

him up at the airport. Once protagonist arrives at the base at 1:30 am, protagonist is

forced to try and sleep on a park bench, but spends his night contemplating suicide by

hanging. Protagonist feels his country has figuratively handed him an epitaph that reads:

“For Outstanding Service and Loyalty to Country

Stigmatized and Slandered

Betrayed and Dishonored

Impoverished and Homeless

Discarded and Forgotten

Blacklisted by a Grateful Nation”

–PLACEHOLDER: Hero loses family, friends, country.

–TE:#6

INCITING INCIDENT:

-New Plan: Despite protagonist’s desperate search for employment, jobs are

non-existent during the Great Recession of 2009. Perspective employers seek to send the protagonist back to the CIA where he has been Blacklisted. Others tell the protagonist that he has so much experience that they cannot afford him. Soon, the protagonist sees all his work for nearly 30 years start to fade as he loses his home, furnishings and money. As a final straw, the Internal Revenue Service takes the protagonist’s last $600 and forces him into the streets penniless. Nowhere to turn, the protagonist is forced to pursue the profession of a stripper at Gay bars for the sake of survival for him and his companion dog (Sheila – a one year old 8 lb miniature pinscher).

–PLACEHOLDER: Hero loses family, friends, and country.

–PLACEHOLDER: Hero loses faith in himself and God.

–TE:#1

INCITING INCIDENT:

-Turning Point #3: Huge failure / Major shift: Protagonist’s only hope is to turn his tragedy

into an opportunity for success by exploiting the fact he looks 12 years younger than he is, that he has core strength (in comparison to the “Twinkies” half his age) enabling him to perform hard stunts on free spinning and stationary poles. Protagonist, too, has global experience that enables him to engage customers beyond the typical Twinky conversation…”I’m Aries, what’s your sign?” As time goes on, however, the protagonist dissolves into further depression as he becomes an ‘abandonment of self’ joining the ranks of the “Walking Dead” (675,000 homeless) who are forced into the streets following the recession. Not just bankrupt financially, the protagonist is bankrupt physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. Protagonist will pursue four attempts to commit suicide to remove his pain as a complete failure in life.

–TE: #3c

–INCITING INCIDENT:

During the four years as a stripper, the much younger dancers (30% who are homeless)

seek protagonist’s protection from sex traffickers, desperate women, and porn directors

who seek to exploit them. Not a day goes by that protagonist seeks to commit suicide

and on two additional occasions during his time on the streets he nearly succeeds, but

there always seems to be a glimmer of hope. It is not until protagonist’s 4th year on the

streets that he engages in the use of crystal meth (tina) to escape the Hell he is in.

––PLACEHOLDER: Accepts self.

ACT 4.

-Climax /Ultimate Expression of the conflict: However, protagonist decides to pull himself

off the drug at the end of his fourth year and moves to Colorado where he lives off the land he owns for a year like a mountain man. Protagonist befriends a man in 2011 who is a fellow veteran and guides the protagonist into the Veterans Affairs network for assistance. Both over time become great true friends and the protagonist proceeds to sum up to friend his circumstances as simply…

”In life, most of us like to get kissed before we get F###ed! I just got F###ed! Not even a draw off the cigarette was offered.”

––PLACEHOLDER: Accepts self.

––PLACEHOLDER: Pull self off streets.

–TE: #2

–INCITING INCIDENT:

–TE: #3a

–INCITING INCIDENT:

-Resolution: After a year of living off the land in Colorado, including being subjected to

minus 22 degrees (F) below zero and even experiencing two UFO sightings of interest that caught the attention of the now new Pentagon AARO office in Washington, protagonist moves back to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2014. Protagonist would then meet his second dearest friend who gave him someone to love and care for the last four months on the streets. Protagonist is lucky to rent a small studio on an estate formerly owned by the gangster Al Capone. Now an elderly woman who resides at the former ‘Speakeasy’ house lives out her final years to the age of 96 in 2016. The protagonist’s role is to simply provide security for her peace of mind, but for the protagonist’s mindset he does more to take care of the estate itself. As it turns out the woman is Countess and related to the last king of Poland. Her son is a former arms dealer and currently works for U.S. Homeland Security setting up sting operations.

–PLACEHOLDER: Accepting self.

–TE: #2

–INCITING INCIDENT:

After the Countess’ death, the protagonist would be asked to remain in the service of the

family to assist the niece (Isabelle Harrison) until her death in 2023. Isabelle, Bill and

Ricky would prove to be the three pillars that help the protagonist restore his self esteem

over a period of 7 years. The protagonist begins to open up more and pursues a letter writing campaign to no avail.

–PLACEHOLDER: Confront Threat.

–TE: #3B

–INCITING INCIDENT:

Despite the protagonist’s efforts to seek justice by contesting the CIA’s action in 2009,

2010, 2012, and 2015, protagonist once again begins a more aggressive campaign in 2021, but is again ignored by the Agency. However, this time the protagonist targets 80 plus members of Congress including his own representatives, thirteen Congressional Committees, the Director of National Intelligence, and the White House Office of Special Counsel which draws the attention of the DNI who responds that they have taken the information under advisement. The protagonist’s efforts apparently lights a fire under the CIA who behind closed doors looks into the protagonist’s report that has been so widely dispersed. Worse yet, the CIA learns of the protagonist’s intent to run for US Congress and his press releases published in Washington are placing the Agency in a negative spotlight. In addition, the protagonist is in contact with an independent reporter (Andrei Tapalaga) who pursued a 10 year endeavor to force the Agency before a Washington, District of Columbia Federal Judge to disclose that the Agency has not prosecuted 9 out of 10 Child Pornography cases it chose to disclose because of their access to sensitive material. Ironically, the protagonist’s case is not one of the cases released, suggesting the CIA deliberately blew off the federal judge and that the organization will only disclose what it desires is in its best interest. The public revelation of the news is an embarrassment coupled with the protagonist’s mass mailings that forces the hand of the CIA to change policy.

–PLACEHOLDER: Confront Threat.

Protagonist becomes the first candidate in U.S. history to qualify for office using “In-Kind” contributions, a feat that even the Office of General Counsel for the Federal Elections Commission is intrigued to be asked such a question. The protagonist’s campaign was about representing the ‘Discarded and Forgotten’ as a real Independent candidate for Florida District 23. Unfortunately, the protagonist’s real world national level experience and homelessness proved to be a great threat to the Democrat candidate, so much so that the liberal media in South Florida goes out of their way to suppress his campaign from the public. Nonetheless, the protagonist clandestinely succeeds in changing CIA policy in holding employees and contractors engaged in child pornography accountable.

As for the antagonist, the protagonist still daydreams of vengeance to this day of using the Crusades method of the ‘Vertical Impalement’ on the antagonist for street justice.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT LINE: Mark Napier’s Transitional Events

7. What did I learn from this assignment? I basically acquired the skills to enhance Turning Points with more in depth scene development and dialog that pushes the characters development through escalating situations that are intended to stimulate the audience using dramatic events that cause the Arc in the Character to take shape as he/she changes for the good or bad.

2. Start with the Character Arc and list of Old Ways and New Ways.

-Professional CIA officer forced into chronic homelessness who successfully pulls himself off the streets 5 years later and eventually pursues a US Congressional seat and forces the CIA to enforce child predator laws.

Old Ways:

-#1 Abandonment of self, hopeless, severe depression, PTSD, wants to commit suicide

-#2 Drug use beginning the fourth year while on the streets

-#3 Not assertive, discarded and forgotten

-#4 Follow rules and letter of the law that yields negative results

-#5 Does not trust instincts in everyday life, drops guard down when not job related

-#6 Others/Country first

New Ways:

-#1 Accepting self, hope for a brighter day, perseverance and fortitude

-#2 Drug use stops at the end of the fourth year while on the streets

-#3 Assertive, turns to ruthlessness when threatened, and made presence known w/use of force

-#4 Make own rules, circumvent system, take law in own hands, leave no chain of evidence, yields results

-#5 Trust instincts, verify and focus on situation analysis to ascertain best course of action

-#6 ’My Dog & Me 1st’ attitude and to Hell with everyone else, let them pull their own weight

3. Make a list of 6 to 8 changes or steps that need to happen for the character to go from who they are in the beginning (Old Ways) to who they are in the ending (New Ways).

-#1 Protagonist must accept who he is and the infection of HIV.

-#2 Protagonist needs to stop hanging around the folks that use drugs.

-#3 The protagonist must be willing to confront and influence change or threat.

-#4 The protagonist must lose faith in himself and God.

-#5 The protagonist must trust his basic instincts alerting him to danger.

-#6 The protagonist must lose family, friends, career and country.

4. Sequence the steps from easiest to most difficult. This will imply the journey the character takes.

#2, #4, #3, #5, #6, and #1

5. Brainstorm dramatic events or tests that could cause those changes for the character.

#1 Despite having to turn to strip dancing to survive, he must be proud that not only he outperforms successfully against Twinkies half his age, but he develops a ‘following’ and inspires others his age to get back into shape. He turns his weaknesses into opportunities for success to buy time until he can get off the streets.

#2 The protagonist must change his environment by moving from Florida to Colorado. He must get rid of the instruments used in supporting the drug habit. Above all else, the protagonist must protect his dog from further careless exposure by others.

#3 While the protagonist lives off the land in a close knit Colorado community he lets them know in no uncertain terms that they will get killed messing with him. He is willing to exchange fire and ‘a man that has nothing, has nothing to lose.’ Protagonist must also stand up to the injustice of his dismissal from the CIA by mass mailing what transpired to 80+ members of the US House and Senate, 13 committees, the White House Special Counsel, the Director of National Intelligence and prominent media personalities shining an unwelcome light on the CIA. The Protagonist must figure out a way to pursue the US Congressional seat (as an army of ‘ONE’) during an election year and use his campaign website, social media and press releases to focus on Washington, DC to further his efforts to promote change within the CIA. Protagonist must also undermine a sex trafficker at a porn studio and confront predators to protect younger dancers seeking the protagonist’s protection. The protagonist must get into fights with thugs at a bar to demonstrate he is not just another “masculine booty’ parading around on the dance pole.

#4 The protagonist still feels like a failure in life and his self worth and self esteem continues to be rock bottom. His dog is the only companion that give him a reason to live. Having survived minus 22 degrees below zero in the elements of Colorado’s extinct volcano for the entire month of December, a coffee shop owner remarks that “I would like to think that God is in the trenches with you!” to which the protagonist replies…”If that be the case then God needs to call in more fire support because my ass is being handed to me.!” Later another woman would go solicit $2,500 in contributions from FaceBook followers to donate to the protagonist to help get him off the streets.

#5 While the protagonist is enjoying a meal with a long-time colleague at the CIA’s cafeteria, he has the feeling of impending doom come over him. Then the protagonist sees the antagonist in the same cafeteria. The protagonist dismisses the feeling as paranoia.

#6 Once stigma of HIV is known, family, friends and colleagues from the home office of Counterterrorism Center and US Army Reserve unit distance themselves, exploit the circumstances to pilfer from the protagonists’ losses, or discard and forgotten because he is no longer deployable, despite the availability of medicine.

6. Add these transformational events to your 4 Act Structure. Listed by numerical order as listed under Question No. 3. (Obviously a need to extrapolate a couple of more for Act 1 and 2)

ACT 1:

#3, #5

ACT 2:

#5

ACT 3:

#1, #3, #6

ACT 4:

#2, #3, #4

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s 4 Act Transformational Structure

What did I learn from this assignment? I apparently just learned how to put a ‘Treatment’ together using the Four Act Transformational Structure that pretty much sums up the project I would propose. I had previously written a Treatment, but this exercise created a better end product than what I found out on the internet.

1. Give us the following:

-Concept: When a CIA Whistleblower becomes a victim of injustice, he is left chronically homeless and forced to become an abandonment of self to survive, while fighting to restore honor over strong desires for suicide.

-Main Conflict: A protagonist’s report of a mismanaged investigation reveals a crime involving child pornography on two CIA Top Secret computers. Egos are bruised by embarrassed senior CIA officials who botched the investigation and decided to turn ‘the system’ against the protagonist.

-Old Ways: Others and country first (military values), does not trust his own gut instinct, helpless (when ambushed), not assertive, and follows rules/orders without questioning.

-New Ways: Take care of #1 (me, myself and I), trust his own gut instinct, perseverance and fortitude, assertive, and make own rules (question everything)

2. Fill in each of these answers you have right now.

ACT 1.

-Opening: Protagonist who has served 16 years with the CIA agrees to a one year tour in Iraq. Soon he finds himself with Station’s Chief of Security flying on a CIA clandestine helicopter after midnight from Baghdad to Tikrit, Iraq. The protagonist has already survived one near mid air disaster in Iraq during the day, let alone does he want another mishap at night. However, The protagonist follows his orders without question from the ‘Acting’ Chief of Station. His mission is to disarm, secure and escort a staff employee to the flight line for expulsion from the country for allegedly threatening a contractor with a knife during an argument. At the flight line the employee pleads with the protagonist to call the home office at CIA Headquarters in McClean, Virginia to find out the details of what he reported.

-Inciting Incident: The protagonist learns that the employee was chewing ass on the contractor for downloading child pornography onto two CIA Top Secret computers. The protagonist returns to Station to a short lived Hero’s welcome to write a cable back to CIA Headquarters of the egregious mistake by Station that jumped to conclusions in a half ass investigation. The protagonist also reveals to Station that the contractor in question has a documented history involving child porn, but that CIA chooses not to prosecute.

-Turning Point #1: Iraq Station COS and D/COS were out of country at the time of the incident, but a hostile work environment was already being fostered against the protagonist. The protagonist had previously revealed through a senior DCI representative visit that CIA and Station lacked the interest or effort to support US military conventional Warfighters on the ground and basically were just going through the motions. This caused friction. Tossing in the latest report the protagonist predicted that the tempers of Station will “blow the shit house door off a tuna boat.’ Hence, he is done for and decides to cut his one year tour short as he is not interested in enduring further hostilities. He leaves Iraq three months into the tour without a word.

ACT 2.

-New Plan: The protagonist reports back to CIA Headquarters to brief Office of Security

Investigators who nod in agreement that a retaliation is anticipated as its the cultural

norm of the Agency. The protagonist agrees to be redeployed back into the Combat Zone to serve as the CIA’s Deputy Chief of Base of Bagram, Afghanistan to support countrywide counterterrorism operations for 17 months.

The protagonist has many memorable moments that included being directed to stay behind with nine others to defend Station while hundreds of personnel were evacuated to Kabul airfield during anticipated civil unrest, coordinating with the US Secret Service for the Presidential visit of George Bush, telling the DoD Liaison Officer for Presidential Visit to get lost when he tried to toss his title around, rendering the Silent Salute to 23 Fallen Heroes–including SFC Travis Nixon who had special meaning to the protagonist, hearing from the Presidential Surgeon on what really transpired when Dick Cheyney accidentally shot his hunting partner, to comforting a 14 year old boy that had 3 limbs blown off at a CIA firing range in Asadabad, to being accidentally exposed to radioactive material for nearly 3 hours from 12 crates of Mig Fighter air-to-air missile that were retrieved from an Afghan warlord.

The protagonist facilitated the recovery of Stinger missile and British Blowpipe surface to air missile components, and discovery the US military was have radar systems to Apache Hellfire missiles being stolen as they were shipped through Pakistan into country. The protagonist recalls his second near mid air disaster involving an exploding engine and a hard crash landing for the J-Lo flight, as well as a disaster relief flight for earthquake victims where the Bagram air traffic control tower in error directed the Russian made cargo aircraft to flow inside the mountain range where it met its fate slamming into the mountain side just above an Afghan village.

The antagonists as expected try two attempts to retaliate against the protagonist

during his tour. The first attempt came as an influence operation by the antagonists to try and get the protagonist’s home office to fire him. The second attempt came when the antagonists tried to accuse the protagonist of overcharging the Agency $14,000–a felony had it been true. Security investigators never bother to question, investigate, charge, nor prosecute and pretty much ignored the allegation. However, the protagonist was not assertive and should have put his foot down. Instead, the protagonist ignored the accusation and continued to focus on the Counterterrorism mission. This decision proved to be fatal later on.

-Plan in Action: The protagonist completes his tour and is reassigned two plus years

(including 3 months in Kabul) along the Afghan/Pak border at Falcon Base north of Naray village to carry out the Counterterrorism mission of psychological warfare and hiding the hand of the US Government. The protagonist has found his calling and has many successes. His most memorable moments include facilitating the defection of 14 Taliban commanders, two suicide bombers and 120 fighting age males. He decreased combat effectiveness of the Taliban, insurgent and Al Qaeda forces that saved American soldiers’ lives. He uncovered a Counterintelligence security issue at Station that involved a very prominent asset that was clandestinely meeting with a hostile foreign intelligence service who was responsible for shooting down a US military aircraft in the 90s.

The protagonist with 2 weeks on the ground cleaned up a Navy S.E.A.L. operation that not only went bad, but kicked off a blood feud forcing the protagonist to jump through his ass to conduct a night letter operation that made it look like the Al Qaeda facilitator was trying to defect, forcing him to flee in terror. The protagonist put a stop to two additional missions trying to kill that Al Qaeda facilitator because the Navy S.E.A.L.s were mistaking the terrorist brother for the target.

The protagonist carried out successful sabotage operations targeting key nodes used by the terrorists to support supply chains and their ingress and egress into Falcon Base’s sphere of influence. Additionally, the protagonist targeted refugee camps on the Pakistan side of the border to undermine recruitment efforts for suicide bombers.

A visit sponsored by Falcon base’s Navy S.E.A.L.s of the new Afghan CJSOTF commander–a lieutenant general–highlights protagonist’s presence as a reputable operator in the region to solicit military assistance in setting up counter-ambushes to undermine terrorists’ efforts who are attacking US Military and CIA supply lines. The base’s Case Officers’ are infuriated when they are not addressed during the meeting and begin to undermine protagonist’s assets and credibility.The results of the protagonist’s initiative result in killing over 100 terrorists. The protagonist then planted seeds of betrayal in his meeting with the village elders thanking those who alerted our forces to set up the counterambushes that resulted in distrust amongst the villages and the terrorist transiting the area fearing an ambush.

The protagonist also made an effort to acquire mortars and other explosives to prevent their use in IEDs. The protagonist was Falcon Base’s lead representative in dealing with political figures, law enforcement, villager, shuras, jirgas and tribesmen and used this opportunity to acquire agents of influence and access.

The protagonist even got to brief a Democrat Congressional Delegation to the base for 1 hour briefings each from base officers. Upon asking the protagonist: “What makes your operations so successful?” The protagonists simply replied: “I took a page out of former President Bill Clinton’s Democratic rule book where he once said…When selling foreign and domestic policies to the American people, I would rather have a pinch full of convincing lies than a handful of truth!” With that the representative laughed and thanked the protagonist for the briefing that lasted 30 seconds.

During the protagonist’s two plus years along the border, he survived rockets, mortars, and an IED attempt, but the most effective weapon was from the antagonists who wielded their title, positions and authority like a weapon of mass destruction. A few months before the protagonist’s tour was to end, the antagonist from Iraq arrives at the base for briefings and introduces himself as the new Chief of Station. As the protagonist’s time drew to a close two months out, suddenly he experienced a catastrophic failure of all of his assets who were identified by Headquarters to be untrustworthy, despite program verifications, some being polygraphed and two owing their lives to the protagonist. Soon after a hostile work environment began to ensue targeting the protagonist. The protagonist did not want to believe his instincts that something was amiss and continued to not assert himself because he was an independent contractor and followed the rules.

-Midpoint Turning Point #2: After the tour, the protagonist took a 4 month R&R before he

was scheduled to return to Afghanistan. The protagonist arrived at Headquarters and

spent 3 days for mission preparations. It was not until the last day that his home office

advised him that they were not prepared to send him down range after all and that they

were closing down that PSYOP program at Falcon Base and that the protagonist would

be redirected elsewhere in country, but in the meantime he should return home to

Florida. The protagonist had a very bad deep down gut feeling that something was

terribly wrong, particularly after he had seen the antagonist in the Agency cafeteria, but

he refused to accept what his instincts were telling him. The protagonist was asked for his passport and told that an upcoming assignment was pending and sent on his way.

After checking in his luggage at Washington-Dulles International Airport where the CIA

has a colocated facility that was widely known to support the War on Terror, the protagonist flew back to his home state, but his gear and 4 years of tax information that were a treasure trove for identity theft had simply disappeared. It would take a week before the protagonist would learn that his luggage was stolen. Another three weeks would pass before the protagonist reached out to his home office who continued to conduct delay tactics before the protagonist had finally realized that he was being Blacklisted. Shock and surprise overwhelmed him and he felt helpless, but as he started to regroup hoping for the best he was trying to see what course of action he should take.

Suddenly the protagonist started to fall ill. As time went on the illness got worse and he

dismissed it as mononucleosis brought on by stress. He had it twice before, but this time

it lasted 5 months and this time, unbeknownst to him, it was not mono. The protagonist

decided to go back on active duty for his Army Reserve unit and had to do a physical.

Two more months would pass before his unit surgeon would call screaming at him over

the phone that he had contracted HIV and would be medically discharged.

ACT 3.

-Rethink Everything: Shocked, protagonist grabs a 44 magnum and tries to commit

suicide, but fails as the chambers are empty. Soon severe depression, shock, and PTSD

take root as protagonist feels the full weight of the world crashing down on him as

protagonist rapidly loses the trust of most family, friends, colleagues and a nation that

turns away because of the stigma and false ruse only to discard and forget protagonist’s

existence. The Army eventually flies protagonist to Camden, New Jersey and forces

protagonist to road march to Ft Dix, New Jersey 32 miles away. Before they would pick

him up at the airport. Once protagonist arrives at the base at 1:30 am, protagonist is

forced to try and sleep on a park bench, but spends his night contemplating suicide by

hanging. Protagonist feels his country has figuratively handed him an epitaph that reads:

“For Outstanding Service and Loyalty to Country

Stigmatized and Slandered

Betrayed and Dishonored

Impoverished and Homeless

Discarded and Forgotten

Blacklisted by a Grateful Nation”

-New Plan: Despite protagonist’s desperate search for employment, jobs are

non-existent during the Great Recession of 2009. Perspective employers seek to send the protagonist back to the CIA where he has been Blacklisted. Others tell the protagonist that he has so much experience that they cannot afford him. Soon, the protagonist sees all his work for nearly 30 years start to fade as he loses his home, furnishings and money. As a final straw, the Internal Revenue Service takes the protagonist’s last $600 and forces him into the streets penniless. Nowhere to turn, the protagonist is forced to pursue the profession of a stripper at Gay bars for the sake of survival for him and his companion dog (Sheila – a one year old 8 lb miniature pinscher).

-Turning Point #3: Huge failure / Major shift: Protagonist’s only hope is to turn his tragedy

into an opportunity for success by exploiting the fact he looks 12 years younger than he is, that he has core strength (in comparison to the “Twinkies” half his age) enabling him to perform hard stunts on free spinning and stationary poles. Protagonist, too, has global experience that enables him to engage customers beyond the typical Twinky conversation…”I’m Aries, what’s your sign?” As time goes on, however, the protagonist dissolves into further depression as he becomes an ‘abandonment of self’ joining the ranks of the “Walking Dead” (675,000 homeless) who are forced into the streets following the recession. Not just bankrupt financially, the protagonist is bankrupt physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. Protagonist will pursue four attempts to commit suicide to remove his pain as a complete failure in life.

During the four years as a stripper, the much younger dancers (30% who are homeless)

seek protagonist’s protection from sex traffickers, desperate women, and porn directors

who seek to exploit them. Not a day goes by that protagonist seeks to commit suicide

and on two additional occasions during his time on the streets he nearly succeeds, but

there always seems to be a glimmer of hope. It is not until protagonist’s 4th year on the

streets that he engages in the use of crystal meth (tina) to escape the Hell he is in.

ACT 4.

-Climax /Ultimate Expression of the conflict: However, protagonist decides to pull himself

off the drug at the end of his fourth year and moves to Colorado where he lives off the land he owns for a year like a mountain man. Protagonist befriends a man in 2011 who is a fellow veteran and guides the protagonist into the Veterans Affairs network for assistance. Both over time become great true friends and the protagonist proceeds to sum up to friend his circumstances as simply…

”In life, most of us like to get kissed before we get F###ed! I just got F###ed! Not even a draw off the cigarette was offered.”

-Resolution: After a year of living off the land in Colorado, including being subjected to

minus 22 degrees (F) below zero and even experiencing two UFO sightings of interest that caught the attention of the now new Pentagon AARO office in Washington, protagonist moves back to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2014. Protagonist would then meet his second dearest friend who gave him someone to love and care for the last four months on the streets. Protagonist is lucky to rent a small studio on an estate formerly owned by the gangster Al Capone. Now an elderly woman who resides at the former ‘Speakeasy’ house lives out her final years to the age of 96 in 2016. The protagonist’s role is to simply provide security for her peace of mind, but for the protagonist’s mindset he does more to take care of the estate itself. As it turns out the woman is Countess and related to the last king of Poland. Her son is a former arms dealer and currently works for U.S. Homeland Security setting up sting operations.

After the Countess’ death, the protagonist would be asked to remain in the service of the

family to assist the niece (Isabelle Harrison) until her death in 2023. Isabelle, Bill and

Ricky would prove to be the three pillars that help the protagonist restore his self esteem

over a period of 7 years. The protagonist begins to open up more and pursues a letter writing campaign to no avail.

Despite the protagonist’s efforts to seek justice by contesting the CIA’s action in 2009,

2010, 2012, and 2015, protagonist once again begins a more aggressive campaign in 2021, but is again ignored by the Agency. However, this time the protagonist targets 80 plus members of Congress including his own representatives, thirteen Congressional Committees, the Director of National Intelligence, and the White House Office of Special Counsel which draws the attention of the DNI who responds that they have taken the information under advisement. The protagonist efforts apparently lights a fire under the CIA who behind closed doors looks into the protagonist’s report that has been so widely dispersed. Worse yet, the CIA learns of the protagonist’s intent to run for US Congress and his press releases published in Washington are placing the Agency in a negative spotlight. In addition, the protagonist is in contact with an independent reporter (Andrei Tapalaga) who pursued a 10 year endeavor to force the Agency before a Washington, District of Columbia Federal Judge to disclose that the Agency has not prosecuted 9 out of 10 Child Pornography cases it chose to disclose because of their access to sensitive material. Ironically, the protagonist’s case is not one of the cases released, suggesting the CIA deliberately blew off the federal judge and that the organization will only disclose what it desires is in its best interest. The public revelation of the news is an embarrassment coupled with the protagonist’s mass mailings that forces the hand of the CIA to change policy.

Protagonist becomes the first candidate in U.S. history to qualify for office using “In-Kind” contributions, a feat that even the Office of General Counsel for the Federal Elections Commission is intrigued to be asked such a question. The protagonist’s campaign was about representing the ‘Discarded and Forgotten’ as a real Independent candidate for Florida District 23. Unfortunately, the protagonist’s real world national level experience and homelessness proved to be a great threat to the Democrat candidate, so much so that the liberal media in South Florida goes out of their way to suppress his campaign from the public. Nonetheless, the protagonist clandestinely succeeds in changing CIA policy in holding employees and contractors engaged in child pornography accountable.

As for the antagonist, the protagonist still daydreams of vengeance to this day of using the Crusades method of the ‘Vertical Impalement’ on the antagonist for street justice.

3. Once you have created your 4 Act Structure for your Protagonist, go back over it to see if there are any ‘BIG PICTURE POINTS’ you need to add to represent your Antagonist.

This being a real life story, the gap of holding the antagonist accountable and creating bigger picture points is only going to occur, if the aspect of turning a real life story into a fictional plot of using the ‘dream’ where the protagonist kills the antagonist or makes him look like a major ass in the public eye forcing Congress to have hearings.

-The Big Picture Points need to address the antagonist’s moment of being real pissed as he was after the 9/11 attacks and treating the protagonist as if he were one of the prisoners of war left to die in the desert as the antagonist was aware of.

-Addressing the antagonist fabricating a ‘felony’ ruse in collaboration with COS Iraq and the cell directly under him is another point to address and expand.

-Expanding on the antagonist discovery that the protagonist is alive and well in Afghanistan that kicks off the hostile work environment, the catastrophic failure of all PSYOP programs, theft of luggage and Blacklisting can be expanded.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s 4 Act Transformational Structure

What did I learn from this assignment? I apparently just learned how to put a ‘Treatment’ together using the Four Act Transformational Structure that pretty much sums up the project I would propose. I had previously written a Treatment, but this exercise created a better end product than what I found out on the internet.

1. Give us the following:

-Concept: When a CIA Whistleblower becomes a victim of injustice, he is left chronically homeless and forced to become an abandonment of self to survive, while fighting to restore honor over strong desires for suicide.

-Main Conflict: A protagonist’s report of a mismanaged investigation reveals a crime involving child pornography on two CIA Top Secret computers. Egos are bruised by embarrassed senior CIA officials who botched the investigation and decided to turn ‘the system’ against the protagonist.

-Old Ways: Others and country first (military values), does not trust his own gut instinct, helpless (when ambushed), not assertive, and follows rules/orders without questioning.

-New Ways: Take care of #1 (me, myself and I), trust his own gut instinct, perseverance and fortitude, assertive, and make own rules (question everything)

2. Fill in each of these answers you have right now.

ACT 1.

-Opening: Protagonist who has served 16 years with the CIA agrees to a one year tour in Iraq. Soon he finds himself with Station’s Chief of Security flying on a CIA clandestine helicopter after midnight from Baghdad to Tikrit, Iraq. The protagonist has already survived one near mid air disaster in Iraq during the day, let alone does he want another mishap at night. However, The protagonist follows his orders without question from the ‘Acting’ Chief of Station. His mission is to disarm, secure and escort a staff employee to the flight line for expulsion from the country for allegedly threatening a contractor with a knife during an argument. At the flight line the employee pleads with the protagonist to call the home office at CIA Headquarters in McClean, Virginia to find out the details of what he reported.

-Inciting Incident: The protagonist learns that the employee was chewing ass on the contractor for downloading child pornography onto two CIA Top Secret computers. The protagonist returns to Station to a short lived Hero’s welcome to write a cable back to CIA Headquarters of the egregious mistake by Station that jumped to conclusions in a half ass investigation. The protagonist also reveals to Station that the contractor in question has a documented history involving child porn, but that CIA chooses not to prosecute.

-Turning Point #1: Iraq Station COS and D/COS were out of country at the time of the incident, but a hostile work environment was already being fostered against the protagonist. The protagonist had previously revealed through a senior DCI representative visit that CIA and Station lacked the interest or effort to support US military conventional Warfighters on the ground and basically were just going through the motions. This caused friction. Tossing in the latest report the protagonist predicted that the tempers of Station will “blow the shit house door off a tuna boat.’ Hence, he is done for and decides to cut his one year tour short as he is not interested in enduring further hostilities. He leaves Iraq three months into the tour without a word.

ACT 2.

-New Plan: The protagonist reports back to CIA Headquarters to brief Office of Security

Investigators who nod in agreement that a retaliation is anticipated as its the cultural

norm of the Agency. The protagonist agrees to be redeployed back into the Combat Zone to serve as the CIA’s Deputy Chief of Base of Bagram, Afghanistan to support countrywide counterterrorism operations for 17 months.

The protagonist has many memorable moments that included being directed to stay behind with nine others to defend Station while hundreds of personnel were evacuated to Kabul airfield during anticipated civil unrest, coordinating with the US Secret Service for the Presidential visit of George Bush, telling the DoD Liaison Officer for Presidential Visit to get lost when he tried to toss his title around, rendering the Silent Salute to 23 Fallen Heroes–including SFC Travis Nixon who had special meaning to the protagonist, hearing from the Presidential Surgeon on what really transpired when Dick Cheyney accidentally shot his hunting partner, to comforting a 14 year old boy that had 3 limbs blown off at a CIA firing range in Asadabad, to being accidentally exposed to radioactive material for nearly 3 hours from 12 crates of Mig Fighter air-to-air missile that were retrieved from an Afghan warlord.

The protagonist facilitated the recovery of Stinger missile and British Blowpipe surface to air missile components, and discovery the US military was have radar systems to Apache Hellfire missiles being stolen as they were shipped through Pakistan into country. The protagonist recalls his second near mid air disaster involving an exploding engine and a hard crash landing for the J-Lo flight, as well as a disaster relief flight for earthquake victims where the Bagram air traffic control tower in error directed the Russian made cargo aircraft to flow inside the mountain range where it met its fate slamming into the mountain side just above an Afghan village.

The antagonists as expected try two attempts to retaliate against the protagonist

during his tour. The first attempt came as an influence operation by the antagonists to try and get the protagonist’s home office to fire him. The second attempt came when the antagonists tried to accuse the protagonist of overcharging the Agency $14,000–a felony had it been true. Security investigators never bother to question, investigate, charge, nor prosecute and pretty much ignored the allegation. However, the protagonist was not assertive and should have put his foot down. Instead, the protagonist ignored the accusation and continued to focus on the Counterterrorism mission. This decision proved to be fatal later on.

-Plan in Action: The protagonist completes his tour and is reassigned two plus years

(including 3 months in Kabul) along the Afghan/Pak border at Falcon Base north of Naray village to carry out the Counterterrorism mission of psychological warfare and hiding the hand of the US Government. The protagonist has found his calling and has many successes. His most memorable moments include facilitating the defection of 14 Taliban commanders, two suicide bombers and 120 fighting age males. He decreased combat effectiveness of the Taliban, insurgent and Al Qaeda forces that saved American soldiers’ lives. He uncovered a Counterintelligence security issue at Station that involved a very prominent asset that was clandestinely meeting with a hostile foreign intelligence service who was responsible for shooting down a US military aircraft in the 90s.

The protagonist with 2 weeks on the ground cleaned up a Navy S.E.A.L. operation that not only went bad, but kicked off a blood feud forcing the protagonist to jump through his ass to conduct a night letter operation that made it look like the Al Qaeda facilitator was trying to defect, forcing him to flee in terror. The protagonist put a stop to two additional missions trying to kill that Al Qaeda facilitator because the Navy S.E.A.L.s were mistaking the terrorist brother for the target.

The protagonist carried out successful sabotage operations targeting key nodes used by the terrorists to support supply chains and their ingress and egress into Falcon Base’s sphere of influence. Additionally, the protagonist targeted refugee camps on the Pakistan side of the border to undermine recruitment efforts for suicide bombers.

A visit sponsored by Falcon base’s Navy S.E.A.L.s of the new Afghan CJSOTF commander–a lieutenant general–highlights protagonist’s presence as a reputable operator in the region to solicit military assistance in setting up counter-ambushes to undermine terrorists’ efforts who are attacking US Military and CIA supply lines. The base’s Case Officers’ are infuriated when they are not addressed during the meeting and begin to undermine protagonist’s assets and credibility.The results of the protagonist’s initiative result in killing over 100 terrorists. The protagonist then planted seeds of betrayal in his meeting with the village elders thanking those who alerted our forces to set up the counterambushes that resulted in distrust amongst the villages and the terrorist transiting the area fearing an ambush.

The protagonist also made an effort to acquire mortars and other explosives to prevent their use in IEDs. The protagonist was Falcon Base’s lead representative in dealing with political figures, law enforcement, villager, shuras, jirgas and tribesmen and used this opportunity to acquire agents of influence and access.

The protagonist even got to brief a Democrat Congressional Delegation to the base for 1 hour briefings each from base officers. Upon asking the protagonist: “What makes your operations so successful?” The protagonists simply replied: “I took a page out of former President Bill Clinton’s Democratic rule book where he once said…When selling foreign and domestic policies to the American people, I would rather have a pinch full of convincing lies than a handful of truth!” With that the representative laughed and thanked the protagonist for the briefing that lasted 30 seconds.

During the protagonist’s two plus years along the border, he survived rockets, mortars, and an IED attempt, but the most effective weapon was from the antagonists who wielded their title, positions and authority like a weapon of mass destruction. A few months before the protagonist’s tour was to end, the antagonist from Iraq arrives at the base for briefings and introduces himself as the new Chief of Station. As the protagonist’s time drew to a close two months out, suddenly he experienced a catastrophic failure of all of his assets who were identified by Headquarters to be untrustworthy, despite program verifications, some being polygraphed and two owing their lives to the protagonist. Soon after a hostile work environment began to ensue targeting the protagonist. The protagonist did not want to believe his instincts that something was amiss and continued to not assert himself because he was an independent contractor and followed the rules.

-Midpoint Turning Point #2: After the tour, the protagonist took a 4 month R&R before he

was scheduled to return to Afghanistan. The protagonist arrived at Headquarters and

spent 3 days for mission preparations. It was not until the last day that his home office

advised him that they were not prepared to send him down range after all and that they

were closing down that PSYOP program at Falcon Base and that the protagonist would

be redirected elsewhere in country, but in the meantime he should return home to

Florida. The protagonist had a very bad deep down gut feeling that something was

terribly wrong, particularly after he had seen the antagonist in the Agency cafeteria, but

he refused to accept what his instincts were telling him. The protagonist was asked for his passport and told that an upcoming assignment was pending and sent on his way.

After checking in his luggage at Washington-Dulles International Airport where the CIA

has a colocated facility that was widely known to support the War on Terror, the protagonist flew back to his home state, but his gear and 4 years of tax information that were a treasure trove for identity theft had simply disappeared. It would take a week before the protagonist would learn that his luggage was stolen. Another three weeks would pass before the protagonist reached out to his home office who continued to conduct delay tactics before the protagonist had finally realized that he was being Blacklisted. Shock and surprise overwhelmed him and he felt helpless, but as he started to regroup hoping for the best he was trying to see what course of action he should take.

Suddenly the protagonist started to fall ill. As time went on the illness got worse and he

dismissed it as mononucleosis brought on by stress. He had it twice before, but this time

it lasted 5 months and this time, unbeknownst to him, it was not mono. The protagonist

decided to go back on active duty for his Army Reserve unit and had to do a physical.

Two more months would pass before his unit surgeon would call screaming at him over

the phone that he had contracted HIV and would be medically discharged.

ACT 3.

-Rethink Everything: Shocked, protagonist grabs a 44 magnum and tries to commit

suicide, but fails as the chambers are empty. Soon severe depression, shock, and PTSD

take root as protagonist feels the full weight of the world crashing down on him as

protagonist rapidly loses the trust of most family, friends, colleagues and a nation that

turns away because of the stigma and false ruse only to discard and forget protagonist’s

existence. The Army eventually flies protagonist to Camden, New Jersey and forces

protagonist to road march to Ft Dix, New Jersey 32 miles away. Before they would pick

him up at the airport. Once protagonist arrives at the base at 1:30 am, protagonist is

forced to try and sleep on a park bench, but spends his night contemplating suicide by

hanging. Protagonist feels his country has figuratively handed him an epitaph that reads:

“For Outstanding Service and Loyalty to Country

Stigmatized and Slandered

Betrayed and Dishonored

Impoverished and Homeless

Discarded and Forgotten

Blacklisted by a Grateful Nation”

-New Plan: Despite protagonist’s desperate search for employment, jobs are

non-existent during the Great Recession of 2009. Perspective employers seek to send the protagonist back to the CIA where he has been Blacklisted. Others tell the protagonist that he has so much experience that they cannot afford him. Soon, the protagonist sees all his work for nearly 30 years start to fade as he loses his home, furnishings and money. As a final straw, the Internal Revenue Service takes the protagonist’s last $600 and forces him into the streets penniless. Nowhere to turn, the protagonist is forced to pursue the profession of a stripper at Gay bars for the sake of survival for him and his companion dog (Sheila – a one year old 8 lb miniature pinscher).

-Turning Point #3: Huge failure / Major shift: Protagonist’s only hope is to turn his tragedy

into an opportunity for success by exploiting the fact he looks 12 years younger than he is, that he has core strength (in comparison to the “Twinkies” half his age) enabling him to perform hard stunts on free spinning and stationary poles. Protagonist, too, has global experience that enables him to engage customers beyond the typical Twinky conversation…”I’m Aries, what’s your sign?” As time goes on, however, the protagonist dissolves into further depression as he becomes an ‘abandonment of self’ joining the ranks of the “Walking Dead” (675,000 homeless) who are forced into the streets following the recession. Not just bankrupt financially, the protagonist is bankrupt physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. Protagonist will pursue four attempts to commit suicide to remove his pain as a complete failure in life.

During the four years as a stripper, the much younger dancers (30% who are homeless)

seek protagonist’s protection from sex traffickers, desperate women, and porn directors

who seek to exploit them. Not a day goes by that protagonist seeks to commit suicide

and on two additional occasions during his time on the streets he nearly succeeds, but

there always seems to be a glimmer of hope. It is not until protagonist’s 4th year on the

streets that he engages in the use of crystal meth (tina) to escape the Hell he is in.

ACT 4.

-Climax /Ultimate Expression of the conflict: However, protagonist decides to pull himself

off the drug at the end of his fourth year and moves to Colorado where he lives off the land he owns for a year like a mountain man. Protagonist befriends a man in 2011 who is a fellow veteran and guides the protagonist into the Veterans Affairs network for assistance. Both over time become great true friends and the protagonist proceeds to sum up to friend his circumstances as simply…

”In life, most of us like to get kissed before we get F###ed! I just got F###ed! Not even a draw off the cigarette was offered.”

-Resolution: After a year of living off the land in Colorado, including being subjected to

minus 22 degrees (F) below zero and even experiencing two UFO sightings of interest that caught the attention of the now new Pentagon AARO office in Washington, protagonist moves back to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2014. Protagonist would then meet his second dearest friend who gave him someone to love and care for the last four months on the streets. Protagonist is lucky to rent a small studio on an estate formerly owned by the gangster Al Capone. Now an elderly woman who resides at the former ‘Speakeasy’ house lives out her final years to the age of 96 in 2016. The protagonist’s role is to simply provide security for her peace of mind, but for the protagonist’s mindset he does more to take care of the estate itself. As it turns out the woman is Countess and related to the last king of Poland. Her son is a former arms dealer and currently works for U.S. Homeland Security setting up sting operations.

After the Countess’ death, the protagonist would be asked to remain in the service of the

family to assist the niece (Isabelle Harrison) until her death in 2023. Isabelle, Bill and

Ricky would prove to be the three pillars that help the protagonist restore his self esteem

over a period of 7 years. The protagonist begins to open up more and pursues a letter writing campaign to no avail.

Despite the protagonist’s efforts to seek justice by contesting the CIA’s action in 2009,

2010, 2012, and 2015, protagonist once again begins a more aggressive campaign in 2021, but is again ignored by the Agency. However, this time the protagonist targets 80 plus members of Congress including his own representatives, thirteen Congressional Committees, the Director of National Intelligence, and the White House Office of Special Counsel which draws the attention of the DNI who responds that they have taken the information under advisement. The protagonist efforts apparently lights a fire under the CIA who behind closed doors looks into the protagonist’s report that has been so widely dispersed. Worse yet, the CIA learns of the protagonist’s intent to run for US Congress and his press releases published in Washington are placing the Agency in a negative spotlight. In addition, the protagonist is in contact with an independent reporter (Andrei Tapalaga) who pursued a 10 year endeavor to force the Agency before a Washington, District of Columbia Federal Judge to disclose that the Agency has not prosecuted 9 out of 10 Child Pornography cases it chose to disclose because of their access to sensitive material. Ironically, the protagonist’s case is not one of the cases released, suggesting the CIA deliberately blew off the federal judge and that the organization will only disclose what it desires is in its best interest. The public revelation of the news is an embarrassment coupled with the protagonist’s mass mailings that forces the hand of the CIA to change policy.

Protagonist becomes the first candidate in U.S. history to qualify for office using “In-Kind” contributions, a feat that even the Office of General Counsel for the Federal Elections Commission is intrigued to be asked such a question. The protagonist’s campaign was about representing the ‘Discarded and Forgotten’ as a real Independent candidate for Florida District 23. Unfortunately, the protagonist’s real world national level experience and homelessness proved to be a great threat to the Democrat candidate, so much so that the liberal media in South Florida goes out of their way to suppress his campaign from the public. Nonetheless, the protagonist clandestinely succeeds in changing CIA policy in holding employees and contractors engaged in child pornography accountable.

As for the antagonist, the protagonist still daydreams of vengeance to this day of using the Crusades method of the ‘Vertical Impalement’ on the antagonist for street justice.

3. Once you have created your 4 Act Structure for your Protagonist, go back over it to see if there are any ‘BIG PICTURE POINTS’ you need to add to represent your Antagonist.

This being a real life story, the gap of holding the antagonist accountable and creating bigger picture points is only going to occur, if the aspect of turning a real life story into a fictional plot of using the ‘dream’ where the protagonist kills the antagonist or makes him look like a major ass in the public eye forcing Congress to have hearings.

-The Big Picture Points need to address the antagonist’s moment of being real pissed as he was after the 9/11 attacks and treating the protagonist as if he were one of the prisoners of war left to die in the desert as the antagonist was aware of.

-Addressing the antagonist fabricating a ‘felony’ ruse in collaboration with COS Iraq and the cell directly under him is another point to address and expand.

-Expanding on the antagonist discovery that the protagonist is alive and well in Afghanistan that kicks off the hostile work environment, the catastrophic failure of all PSYOP programs, theft of luggage and Blacklisting can be expanded.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Subject line: (Mark Napier) Character Interviews (Revision 2)

Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” Like the Character Profiles, this allows me to dig deeper into my characters and give or create more material dialogue I may draw from the script.QUESTIONS FOR YOUR PROTAGONIST

1. Tell me about yourself.

I am from Kentucky originally and the youngest of 8 boys. My oldest brother had severe cerebral palsy and was like a 3 day old baby for 26 years, not able to walk or talk until he died at the age of 26 of a heart attack. I was 10 years old at the time of his death. About that same time my mother lost her hearing to a small stroke and remained deaf for half her life. We had a fondness for dogs and cats, so I have always had them around, even in the combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan. I graduated high school in 1983 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. I would later obtain a Master of Science degree in International Management. My very first girl is African American and my ex-wife and step sons are too. I have experienced racism and discrimination first hand from not just in a public setting, but the military and CIA as well. Many of my significant others are Black, but I have dated Hispanic, Asian, Jewish and Muslim. I have even had the race card tossed at me only to back fire in their face.

I enlisted in the US Army National Guards in Infantry before obtaining my commission as a 2nd Lieutenant and becoming a Military Intelligence officer. I would go on to serve in the Army National Guards and Reserves for a grand total of 26 years, but the Army would lose my personnel records four times over the course of the career and credit me 15 years of service before being given a medical discharge (Honorable).

I also was employed by the CIA for a total of 20 years (16 yrs as staff and 4 yrs as independent contractor–Soldier of Fortune). My career at the Agency began with graduating from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and serving in the Security Protective Service, a tour in the Office of Equal Employment for the Deaf and People with Disabilities. followed by serving in the South East Asian Analysis, a tour in the Counterterrorism Center, Non-Proliferation Center, and Office of Military Affairs. I resigned from the CIA because I grew tired of the anti Reserve and National Guard atmosphere fostered at CIA following my 2 year mobilization after 9/11 attacks. It took the CIA 3 months to bring me back into the fold as they ignored federal laws for reinstating personnel who were mobilized. After being passed over for promotion, I resigned. However, I was begged by my office to return as an independent contractor to set up and serve as the CIA’s Military Cell Team Leader in Iraq overseeing 4 elements linked to three division level Warfighter elements and one Special Forces unit In Iraq. The mission was in response to CIA’s lackluster support provided to US Military conventional forces during Operation Desert Storm in 1990. The CIA, on paper, did not want to repeat this hot button issue in Iraq again, but they did. After three months I deployed to Afghanistan to become Deputy Chief of Base of Bagram Airbase for 17 months, before leading PSYOP mission in Kabul then along the Afghan/Pak border for two plus years.

My decline came when I reported a mismanaged investigation involving the downloading of child pornography on two CIA Top Secret computers. I embarrassed Station senior officials who decided to pursue me for four years and ultimately had me Blacklisted following the Great Recession in 2009. Then I would be hit by a serious unknown illness that I originally dismissed as my third bout of mononucleosis. Instead it turned out to be HIV. I learned of my diagnosis over the phone by my Reserve unit physician who screamed at me over the phone of my diagnosis that left me in severe depression. During the recession no one was hiring and those that did wanted to send me back to the CIA. I was left chronically homeless on the streets for 5 years where I became a strip dancer at gay bars for survival. Thirty percent of the dancers at the time were homeless.

After I got off the streets it took 6 years to establish any sense of self esteem and I pursued my campaign against the CIA once more yet again, despite four previous failed attempts. Then I decided to run for US Congress, but was unsuccessful. I did manage (in concert with an independent reporter) to bring attention to the CIA’s failed efforts to prosecute child porn offenders in 2021 and 2022. Now because of public embarrassment, the Agency now prosecutes offenders rather than let them off the hook.

2. Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you?

I believe my destiny is to help the discarded and forgotten of the middle and low income, impoverished and homeless, to include foster care children, in addition to promoting change to reel the Agency back in and be held accountable for abusive acts. I have seen poverty and walked the walk. I also bring a lot of experience to the table from a national level and understand and directly supported Mid East peace mission between the Israelis and Hezbollah. I have dealt with 14 Taliban defectors and two suicide bombers, uncovered operations that exposed counterintelligence issues or illegal activities and much, much more. Bottom line, a man that has nothing has nothing to lose and I feel the CIA will do their best to prevent light from being shined on their screw ups.

3. You are up against <the Antagonist>. What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you?

He is a highly decorated and respected senior CIA executive and considered untouchable. He is only answerable to the CIA Director. He is viewed as a hero and the CIA will protect its public image by using the legal system (DOJ and FBI) to squash, threaten and intimidate even if they knowingly are in the wrong.

4. In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult?

It is my hope through this story to expose the CIA’s wrongdoing at great risk to prosecution. I want to expose the antagonist(s) for their role in my demise and hold future executives accountable. The most difficult task is getting Congress to hold a public hearing and force the CIA to prosecute all cases, not just pick and choose. I hope to also ensure that the Agency is answerable to the judiciary system, rather than have them thumb their nose up to the federal judges.

5. What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of?

Being betrayed, discarded and forgotten by a nation that I spent over a quarter of a century of my life (CIA and US Army) protecting and putting my ass on the line for. I continue to believe in military values of leadership and it’s hard to shake off, but survival takes precedent over my values.

6. What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?

Prosecution by the CIA, if I disclose classified material comes to mind. Having the DOJ and the FBI trying to raid may touch off a fire fight as I have nothing to lose.

7. What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist?

I equally understand the CIA and its operational weaknesses. I can also still use PSYOP against the Agency by targeting House and Senate members that sit on the intelligence committees, in addition to exposing the antagonist(s). I incidentally scored above 80% of the CIA population on “common sense” during the psyche examination upon entry into the CIA, I think this gives me an advantage to discovering or exposing wrongdoings where Case Officers fail. I focus on the job and mission, not ego. I work hard to uncover the truth, not crank out reports assuming the asset is telling the truth. I used program verification to ensure my assets were telling the truth. Far too often I would watch Case Officers in a pissing contest try and discredit the other’s asset by simply writing it in a report to undermine the credibility of the source. It is no wonder that the only thing 100% certain at the CIA is that it is never 100% certain on anything. My assets had proven track records and my exposure of senior Case Officers failing to properly vet assets revealed counterintelligence issues, theft, and criminal behavior. I had contingency operations and planning experience, operational training and surveillance experience and analytical experience after 20 years. I went for quality, whereas Case Officers sought quantity over quality.

8. What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know?

I don’t want them to know where I have transitioned to or that I fall under the Counterterrorism Center sphere of influence. I did not want the antagonist to know I was even in country (Afghanistan) as I know I will be retaliated against.

9. What do you think of <the Antagonist>?

At first glance I felt he had his act together and was a good leader. As I grow to understand him I see he is quick to jump to conclusions, not fully comprehend where the true problem is and to retaliate to destroy. He should be held accountable for the deaths of prisoners of war that he knew were being shipped to the desert to die. His actions demonstrate no values and are ruthless.

10. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.

First, CIA Headquarters and Iraq Station were exposed for not supporting the military as intended. Headquarters was sending members out that had military experience, but no CIA experience. I was having to train members and spend long hours each day mentoring. Some who showed up never used a CIA cable system and others did not know how to use a computer, let alone turn one on. The Chief of Station called the 3rd Infantry Division a jackass and refused to meet with a National Guard Division commander because they would not provide a helicopter to pick him up for the meeting, despite having a fleet of Agency helicopters at his disposal. This started a hostile work environment for me.

But the real problem occurred when the Chief and Deputy Chief of Station were out of the country leaving the Chief of Operations to be Acting Chief of Station. Late one night he ordered me to fly across the country to secure, disarm and escort a staff employee to the flight line and evict him from the country all because the Acting COS conducted a knee jerk investigation over what he thought was an argument involving the use of a knife. As it turns out, the staff employee was admonishing the contractor for downloading child pornography on two CIA Top Secret Computers. The contractor as it turns out had a history of downloading child porn as confirmed by Headquarters.

So upon my return to Station I was asked to write a cable to Headquarters and I reported as a Whistleblower how Station failed to conduct a proper investigation and ejected the wrong individual from the country. I stood by my military leadership values. I then decided it was time to leave. I was supposed to stay in Iraq for a year, but I was not going to deal with a further hostile work environment. Once the antagonist(s) returned to the country, he was extremely pissed, according to an email I have. He was reported to be so irate and pissed like they had never seen him before that the antagonist fabricated a ruse that I overcharged the CIA $14,000 (a felony) in retaliation. He was Hell bent on sending me to prison. In the four years that followed, I was never questioned, investigated, charged nor prosecuted for the alleged crime that the Office of Security, whom I used to work for, did not even pursue because they knew it was a trumped up charge. This pissed off the antagonist(s) that their scheme failed. Four years later they crossed paths with me again and I would be retaliated against.

11. What does it do for your life if you succeed here?

My honor will be restored and my self worth and self respect re-established.

12. Ask any other questions about their character profile that will help you.

-What vengeance would you like to pursue against the antagonist(s)? Dreaming the dream, using street justice, I would love to catch up with the antagonist and immobilize him. Then I would proceed to use a form of torture used during the Crusades called a ‘vertical impalement.’ I want to stuff a 10 foot rod right up his ass exiting his mouth with him mounted into the ground and a note that reads…”Where CIA accountability failed, Street Justice prevailed.”

-Why do you feel federal politicians and committees, the media, and my own representatives fear the CIA? I believe they fear access to privileged sensitive information will be withheld. Oftentimes you hear the media report that …”according to a source that does not wish to be identified at the CIA or intelligence community….” means the CIA’s Public Affairs wrote the story and released it to certain privileged media personas to break the news. I also believe some may fear retribution as the Agency has been used politically against political adversaries.

-What influence or relationship does the CIA have with the US Department with Justice to be able to avoid not prosecuting certain illegal activities by CIA employees and contractors to include child pornography? After 9/11 “The Wall” between the intelligence community and the DOJ has been lowered significantly whereupon the intelligence community is directly resources to collect against Americans. Prior to 9/11, it was considered off limits for the CIA to target Americans even abroad. Now the intelligence community is directly supporting DOJ Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrants.

-How has your affiliation with the CIA impacted or hindered your Constitutional rights to pursue your case or seek change? The CIA can trump up a charge and the DOJ will run with it accusing me of violating my oath and charge me with the crime of espionage or leaking classified material. This is intimidating when it suppresses my freedom of speech to disclose the truth. If I try a FOIA request with the CIA it may take 10 years and a few civil actions to get action. Also it’s hard to argue a case of retaliation if I cannot release the details fearing or being intimidated with being charged with a crime.

-How did your commitment to the Army Reserves and National Guards conflict with the CIA? Were there any conflicts? Yes, the CIA only supports Special Operations or Elite units. Conventional forces and even the Army National Guard and Reserves were looked down upon by the organization. They ignored federal laws protecting the employment rights of employees who may be mobilized. The CIA has a Reserve element embedded that allowed employees to join, but they made it incredibly difficult to earn retirement points and even the military personnel assigned to run that unit agreed the Agency viewed their role with disdain. During Desert Storm and my time as the Military Cell Team Leader in Iraq Station, it was quite evident the CIA views conventional armed forces with disdain.

-Is the CIA above the law and not answerable to the judicial system? They are supposed to answer to a federal judge, but the Agency basically does what it wants. When an independent reporter took legal action to force the Agency to reveal the number of child porn cases they refused to prosecute, they only released 10 reports in 2022. I had already been in contact with the Agency in 2021, along with many members of Congress and the committees, but my case was not disclosed. This implies the CIA blew off the District of Columbia Federal Judge’s order.

-After the antagonist failed in his initial fabricated ruse, how was he able to succeed the second time? What were the circumstances that resulted in his failure the first time? He succeeded by alerting the former Chief of Station of Iraq who was now the Chief of Counterterrorism Center who ordered to have me Blacklisted and had my luggage (that contained 4 years of tax information) stolen from the Washington Dulles International Airport where the CIA has a facility with access to baggage. The treasure trove of identity theft material has never been used in the 15 years it went missing and the Internal Revenue Service sued me as a result. That is why they took my last $600 as I was tossed into the streets penniless. I learned later from emails from my former office that the antagonist had taken action against me to prevent my return.

-Why did you not take legal action against the CIA? At the time I was about to as soon as I learned of my Blacklisting. But when I came down with a serious illness that took 5 months to recover from following the Great Recession of 2009, I was ambushed over the phone by my Army Reserve unit about my HIV diagnosis and that shattered my world and I fell immediately into severe depression and knew I was losing all that I worked for.

-In your attempt to run for US Congress, what obstacles did you face? Why did the media not see you as the underdog? What party did you run for? I ran as “a real Independent Candidate.” I did not move left, nor right, I moved forward. The media here in South Florida used its power projection platforms to bolster their Democrat candidate they favored. They suppressed my presence as if I did not exist. During the Tower Forum, Sun Sentinel did not even note that I was in the same room and answered the same questions as the other candidates, Florida Politics barely mentioned my name and that I was a military veteran. Nothing was ever mentioned that I was homeless, how I got off the streets, the national level of experience or military…nothing. Other media elements focused on my tour at Equal Employment Office to make it look like I brought nothing to the table. I was viewed clearly as a threat to the Democrat candidate and the media only cared about their party, not the low income, impoverished or middle class.

-How do you go about influencing or holding the CIA or the antagonist accountable to affect change? I mass mailed my charges against the CIA to 80 members of Congress, 13 committees, the intelligence oversight committees, the White House Special Counsel, Director of National Intelligence, my own representatives in Congress and the Senate (who sat on the Intelligence Committee) and media. I also used my campaign to produce press releases directly into Washington, DC. highlighting my campaign as a former CIA Blacklisted Officer who reported child pornography was running for congress. The overexposure was not what the CIA wanted. Too much attention was being shown that they were not prosecuting child pornography offenders and the independent reporter’s article made it very uncomfortable for the Agency.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ANTAGONIST

1. Tell me about yourself.

I am from northern Virginia and graduated from high school in 1978. I went to Georgetown University in Washington, DC from 1978 to 1982 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Affairs.

I served in the US Army’s Special Forces from 1982 to 1985 for only three years before I was recruited in 1985 to work for the Central Intelligence Agency. I was recruited to be a Case Officer and served in the Special Activities under the Directorate of Operations until I retired in 2014, after 29 years of service. The highlight of my career was being selected to be part of a 6 man team to enter into Afghanistan to link up with the Northern Alliance following the 9/11 attacks by radical Islamic terrorists. The operation was called “Jaw Breaker.” I was the Assistant Team Leader on that mission. I was so filled with a strong sense of anger, vengeance and determination to get even. I am proud of all I have done.

I have many awards and even went to Harvard as part of a Senior Executive Fellowship. Since my retirement, I have gone on to be a senior vice president to the National Security Division of Constellis, Board of Directors for Third Option, advisory roles to Dunn & Bradstreet Government Advisory, Glasswall LLC, Orbis Operations, Boston Consulting Group and now I have my own business under Consulting LLC. I maintain an active role on social media and interviews with power players. I consider myself to be very influential and sought after.

2. Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses?

I am a highly decorated executive level Case Officer in the Special Activities Division. I command respect. Whether I am at the White House, Congress, a foreign government, I am the one they respect and fear the most. My greatest weakness is the fear of having my mishaps and mistakes exposed. I am like most Case Officers who focus on quantity and not quality in my work.

3. Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change?

He made my Station (and under my leadership) in Iraq look like an ass clown operation not once, but twice. The last incident that involved child pornography on two of the Agency’s sensitive systems made us look so incredibly foolish. My ego was bruised and I have never been so highly pissed, since after the 9/11 attacks and felt the same way towards him as I did the terrorists who carried out and supported the attacks on America. This was a war and I intended to get even with him, if it was the last thing I ever did on earth. The beauty of it was that I had access, position and influence to carry out my retaliation and no one at the CIA would question my motives.

4. What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition?

I get self satisfaction that I destroyed life or livelihoods. It really does not bother me and I still sleep at night. I get bragging rights and good war stories in the end to tell, but when an adversary gets in my way, I stomp on them. I have such success with and elevation in my career, that anyone who challenges me is not considered credible because I carry a great deal of specialized experience and considered untouchable.

5. What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death?

I get a thrill from the action. I was “First In” country right after the 9/11 attacks into Afghanistan. I was the Assistant Team Leader of a six man team that coordinated with the Northern Alliance to combat the Taliban. I was in constant communications with them on an hourly basis for airstrikes, operational support, etc. I want to go as far up the Agency as I can because I love what I do. I love being part of the bigger picture and making history. I have jumped with a “nuke” strapped to my chest in an airborne insertion to see if it could be done. So yes I love the mission of the CIA.

6. What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity?

Well I do not want folks to know that I was fully aware of the Northern Alliance intentions when they captured nearly 3,000 Taliban and placed them into box cars to send into the desert. That was like a war crime, but I did not care. They were the bad guys and I just did not care. That was their problem. As for other secrets, I am not just a Case Officer. I have reached the top ranks of the CIA and I am a power figure to be reckoned with. Like the vast majority of Case Officers out there, I have had my share of assets that I perhaps fluffed their credibility as sources. I placed emphasis on quantity than quality in their reporting. Yes, I do abuse my title, position and authority at my leisure. When CIA Director John Brennan decided to crack down on such practices, in addition to Agency restructuring I decided to abruptly retire after 29 years of service. I do not like it to be known, but I am a Democrat and associate with figures that have ties to China.

7. Compared to other people like you, what makes you special?

I take risks and accept danger as part of the job. I started out in Special Forces and now I am the Deputy Director of Special Activities Division of the Directorate of Operations. I am the problem solver and go to guy for the CIA and US Government.

8. What do you think of <the Protagonist>?

He was a problem child. He did not know what he was doing. He tried to overcharge the CIA $14,000. I wanted no part of him on my team, so I refused to allow him back in the country (Afghanistan). His operations were a complete hoax. He had a radio station that was not transmitting distance and all his assets were not reliable and untrustworthy. He had no business running operations as he was not a trained Case Officer.

9. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.

It’s been so long ago. In Iraq, I got back into the country and learned that he had left the country. Initially he agreed to stay for a year. We basically caught him trying to overcharge the CIA $14,000 and that was that. We reported it, but the Office of Security dropped the ball. Then I run across him in Afghanistan and I put the kibosh on his returning back to Afghanistan as a PSYOP officer, citing he was untrustworthy and how he had tried to overcharge the Agency.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Subject line: (Mark Napier) Character InterviewsAnswer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” Like the Character Profiles, this allows me to dig deeper into my characters and give or create more material dialogue I may draw from the script.QUESTIONS FOR YOUR PROTAGONIST

1. Tell me about yourself.

I am from Kentucky originally and the youngest of 8 boys. My oldest brother had severe cerebral palsy and was like a 3 day old baby for 26 years, not able to walk or talk until he died at the age of 26 of a heart attack. I was 10 years old at the time of his death. About that same time my mother lost her hearing to a small stroke and remained deaf for half her life. We had a fondness for dogs and cats, so I have always had them around, even in the combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan. I graduated high school in 1983 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. I would later obtain a Master of Science degree in International Management. My very first girl is African American and my ex-wife and step sons are too. I have experienced racism and discrimination first hand from not just in a public setting, but the military and CIA as well. Many of my significant others are Black, but I have dated Hispanic, Asian, Jewish and Muslim. I have even had the race card tossed at me only to back fire in their face.

I enlisted in the US Army National Guards in Infantry before obtaining my commission as a 2nd Lieutenant and becoming a Military Intelligence officer. I would go on to serve in the Army National Guards and Reserves for a grand total of 26 years, but the Army would lose my personnel records four times over the course of the career and credit me 15 years of service before being given a medical discharge (Honorable).

I also was employed by the CIA for a total of 20 years (16 yrs as staff and 4 yrs as independent contractor–Soldier of Fortune). My career at the Agency began with graduating from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and serving in the Security Protective Service, a tour in the Office of Equal Employment for the Deaf and People with Disabilities. followed by serving in the South East Asian Analysis, a tour in the Counterterrorism Center, Non-Proliferation Center, and Office of Military Affairs. I resigned from the CIA because I grew tired of the anti Reserve and National Guard atmosphere fostered at CIA following my 2 year mobilization after 9/11 attacks. It took the CIA 3 months to bring me back into the fold as they ignored federal laws for reinstating personnel who were mobilized. After being passed over for promotion, I resigned. However, I was begged by my office to return as an independent contractor to set up and serve as the CIA’s Military Cell Team Leader in Iraq overseeing 4 elements linked to three division level Warfighter elements and one Special Forces unit In Iraq. The mission was in response to CIA’s lackluster support provided to US Military conventional forces during Operation Desert Storm in 1990. The CIA, on paper, did not want to repeat this hot button issue in Iraq again, but they did. After three months I deployed to Afghanistan to become Deputy Chief of Base of Bagram Airbase for 17 months, before leading PSYOP mission in Kabul then along the Afghan/Pak border for two plus years.

My decline came when I reported a mismanaged investigation involving the downloading of child pornography on two CIA Top Secret computers. I embarrassed Station senior officials who decided to pursue me for four years and ultimately had me Blacklisted following the Great Recession in 2009. Then I would be hit by a serious unknown illness that I originally dismissed as my third bout of mononucleosis. Instead it turned out to be HIV. I learned of my diagnosis over the phone by my Reserve unit physician who screamed at me over the phone my diagnosis that left me in severe depression. During the recession no one was hiring and those that did wanted to send me back to the CIA. I was left chronically homeless on the streets for 5 years where I became a strip dancer at gay bars for survival. Thirty percent of the dancers at the time were homeless.

After I got off the streets it took 6 years to establish any sense of self esteem and I pursued my campaign against the CIA once more yet again, despite four previous failed attempts. Then I decided to run for US Congress, but was unsuccessful. I did manage (in concert with an independent reporter) to bring attention to the CIA’s failed efforts to prosecute child porn offenders in 2021 and 2022. Now because of public embarrassment, the Agency now prosecutes offenders rather than let them off the hook.

2. Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you?

I believe my destiny is to help the discarded and forgotten of the middle and low income, impoverished and homeless, to include foster care children, in addition to promoting change to reel the Agency back in and be held accountable for abusive acts. I have seen poverty and walked the walk. I also bring a lot of experience to the table from a national level and understand and directly supported Mid East peace between the Israelis and Hezbollah. I have dealt with 14 Taliban defectors and two suicide bombers, uncovered operations that exposed counterintelligence issues or illegal activities and much, much more. Bottom line, a man that has nothing has nothing to lose and I feel the CIA will do their best to prevent light from being shined on their screw ups.

3. You are up against <the Antagonist>. What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you?

He is a highly decorated and respected senior CIA executive and considered untouchable. He is only answerable to the CIA Director. He is viewed as a hero and the CIA will protect its public image by using the legal system (DOJ and FBI) to squash, threaten and intimidate even if they knowingly are in the wrong.

4. In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult?

It is my hope through this story to expose the CIA’s wrongdoing at great risk to prosecution. I want to expose the antagonist(s) for their role in my demise and hold future executives accountable. The most difficult task is getting Congress to hold a public hearing and force the CIA to prosecute all cases, not just pick and choose. I hope to also ensure that the Agency is answerable to the judiciary system, rather than have them thumb their nose up to the federal judges.

5. What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of?

Being betrayed, discarded and forgotten by a nation that I spent over a quarter of a century of my life (CIA and US Army) protecting and putting my ass on the line for. I continue to believe in military values of leadership and it’s hard to shake off, but survival takes precedent over my values.

6. What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?

Prosecution by the CIA, if I disclose classified material comes to mind. Having DOJ and the FBI trying to raid may touch off a fire fight as I have nothing to lose.

7. What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist?

I equally understand the CIA and its operational weaknesses. I can also still use PSYOP against the Agency by targeting House and Senate members that sit on the intelligence committees, in addition to exposing the antagonist(s). I incidentally scored above 80% of the CIA population on “common sense” during the psyche examination upon entry into the CIA, I think this gives me an advantage to discovering or exposing wrongdoings where Case Officers fail. I focus on the job and mission, not ego. I work hard to uncover the truth, not crank out reports assuming the asset is telling the truth. I use program verification to ensure my assets were telling the truth. Far too often I would watch Case Officers in a pissing contest try and discredit the other’s asset by simply writing it in a report to undermine the credibility of the source. It is no wonder that the only thing 100% certain at the CIA is that it is never 100% certain on anything. My assets had proven track records and my exposure of senior Case Officers failing to properly vet assets revealed counterintelligence issues, theft, and criminal behavior. I had contingency operations and planning experience, operational training and surveillance experience and analytical experience after 20 years. I went for quality, whereas, Case Officers sought quantity over quality.

8. What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know?

I don’t want them to know where I have transitioned to or that I fall under the Counterterrorism Center sphere of influence. I did not want the antagonist to know I was even in country (Afghanistan) as I know I will be retaliated against.

9. What do you think of <the Antagonist>?

At first glance I felt he had his act together and was a good leader. As I grow to understand him I see he is quick to jump to conclusions, not fully comprehend where the true problem is and to retaliate to destroy. He should be held accountable for the deaths of prisoners of war that he knew were being shipped to the desert to die. His actions demonstrate no values and are ruthless.

10. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.

First, CIA Headquarters and Iraq Station were exposed for not supporting the military as intended. Headquarters was sending members out that had military experience, but no CIA experience. I was having to train members and spend long hours each day mentoring. Some who showed up never used a CIA cable system and others did not know how to use a computer, let alone turn one on. The Chief of Station called the 3rd Infantry Division a jackass and refused to meet with a National Guard Division commander because they would not provide a helicopter to pick him up for the meeting, despite having a fleet of Agency helicopters at his disposal. This started a hostile work environment for me.

But the real problem occurred when the Chief and Deputy Chief of Station were out of the country leaving the Chief of Operations to be Acting Chief of Station. Late one night he ordered me to fly across the country to secure, disarm and escort a staff employee to the flight line and evict him from the country all because the Acting COS conducted a knee jerk investigation over what he thought was an argument involving the use of a knife. As it turns out, the staff employee was admonishing the contractor for downloading child pornography on two CIA Top Secret Computers. The contractor as it turns out had a history of downloading child porn as confirmed by Headquarters.

So upon my return to Station I was asked to write a cable to Headquarters and I reported as a Whistleblower how Station failed to conduct a proper investigation and ejected the wrong individual from the country. I stood by my military leadership values. I then decided it was time to leave. I was supposed to stay in Iraq for a year, but I was not going to deal with a further hostile work environment. Once the antagonist(s) returned to the country, he was extremely pissed, according to an email I have. He was reported to be so irate and pissed like they never seen him before that the antagonist fabricated a ruse that I overcharged the CIA $14,000 (a felony) in retaliation. He was Hell bent on sending me to prison. In the four years that followed, I was never questioned, investigated, charged nor prosecuted for the alleged crime that Office of Security, whom I use to work, did not even pursue because they knew it was trumped up charge. This pissed off the antagonist(s) that their scheme failed. Four years later they crossed paths with me again and I would be retaliated against.

11. What does it do for your life if you succeed here?

My honor will be restored and my self worth and self respect re-established.

12. Ask any other questions about their character profile that will help you.

-What vengeance would you like to pursue against the antagonist(s)? Dreaming the dream, using street justice, I would love to catch up with the antagonist and immobilize him. Then I would proceed to use a form of torture used during the Crusades called a ‘vertical impalement.’ I want to stuff a 10 foot rod right up his ass exiting his mouth with him mounted into the ground and a note that reads…”Where CIA accountability failed, Street Justice prevailed.”

-Why do you feel federal politicians and committees, the media, and my own representatives fear the CIA? I believe they fear access to privilege sensitive information will be withheld. Often times you hear the media report that …”according to a source that does not wish to be identified at the CIA or intelligence community….” means the CIA’s Public Affairs wrote the story and released it to certain privilege media personas to break the news. I also believe, some may fear retribution as the Agency has been used politically against political advesaries.

-What influence or relationship does the CIA have with the US Department with Justice to be able to avoid not prosecuting certain illegal activities by CIA employees and contractors to include child pornography? After 9/11 “The Wall” between the intelligence community and the DOJ has been lowered significantly whereupon the intelligence community is directly resources to collect against Americans. Prior to 9/11, it was considered off limits for the CIA to target Americans even abroad. Now the intelligence community is directly supporting DOJ Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrants.

-How has your affiliation with the CIA impacted or hindered your Constitutional rights to pursue your case or seek change? The CIA can trump up a charge and the DOJ will run with it accusing me of violating my oath and charge me with the crime of espionage or leaking classified material. This is intimidating when it suppresses my freedom of speech to disclose the truth. If I try a FOIA request with the CIA it may take 10 years and a few civil actions to get action. Also its hard to argue a case of retaliation if I cannot release the details fearing or being intimidated with being charged with a crime.

-How did your commitment to the Army Reserves and National Guards conflict with the CIA? Were there any conflicts? Yes, the CIA only support Special Operations or Elite units. Conventional forces and even the Army National Guard and Reserves were looked down upon by the organization. They ignored federal laws protecting the employment rights of employees who may be mobilized. The CIA has a Reserve element embedded that allowed employees to join, but they made it incredibly difficult to earn retirement points and even the military personnel assigned to run that unit agreed the Agency viewed their role with disdain. During Desert Storm and my time as the Military Cell Team Leader in Iraq Station, it was quite evident the CIA views conventional armed forces with disdain.

-Is the CIA above the law and not answerable to the judicial system? They are supposed to answer to a federal judge, but the Agency basically does what it wants. When an independent reported took legal action to force the Agency to reveal the number of child porn cases they refused to prosecute, they only released 10 reports in 2022. I had already been in contact with the Agency in 2021, along with many members of Congress and the committees, but my case was not disclosed. This implies the CIA blew off the District of Columbia Federal Judge’s order.

-After the antagonist failed in his initial fabricated ruse, how was he able to succeed the second time? What were the circumstances that resulted in his failure the first time? He succeeded by alerting the former Chief of Station of Iraq who was now the Chief of Counterterrorism Center who ordered to have me Blacklisted and had my luggage (that contained 4 years of tax information) stolen from the Washington Dulles International Airport where the CIA has a facility with access to baggage. The treasure trove of identity theft material has never been used in the 15 years it went missing and the Internal Revenue Service sued me as a result. That is why they took my last $600 as I was toss into the streets penniless. I learned later from emails from my former office that the antagonist had taken action against me to prevent my return.

-Why did you not take legal action against the CIA? At the time I was about to as soon as I learned of my Blacklisting. But when I came down with a serious illness that took 5 months to recover from following the Great Recession of 2009, I was ambushed over the phone by my Army Reserve unit of my HIV diagnosis and that shattered my world and I feel immediately into severe depression and knew I was losing all that I worked for.

-In your attempt to run for US Congress, what obstacles did you face? Why did the media not see you as the underdog? What party did you run for? I ran as “a real Independent Candidate.” I did not move left, nor right, I moved forward. The media here in South Florida used its power projection platforms to bolster their Democrat candidate they favored. They suppressed my presence as if I did not exist. During the Tower Forum, Sun Sentinel did not even note that I was in the same room and answered the same questions as the other candidates, Florida Politics barely mentioned my name and that I was a military veteran. Nothing was ever mentioned that I was homeless, how I got off the streets, the national level of experience or military…nothing. Other media elements focused on my tour at Equal Employment Office to make it look like I brought nothing to the table. I was viewed clearly as a threat to the Democrat candidate and the media only cared about their party, not the low income, impoverished or middle class.

-How do you go about influencing or holding the CIA or the antagonist accountable to affect change? I mass mailed my charges against the CIA to 80 members of Congress, 13 committees, the intelligence oversight committees, the White House Special Counsel, Director of National Intelligence, my own representatives in Congress and the Senate (who sat on the Intelligence Committee) and media. I also used my campaign to produce press releases directly into Washington, DC. highlighting my campaign as a former CIA Blacklisted Officer who reported child pornography was running for congress. The overexposure was not what the CIA wanted. Too much attention was being shown that they were not prosecuting child pornography offenders and the independent reporter’s article made it very uncomfortable for the Agency.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ANTAGONIST

1. Tell me about yourself. [This is the only question I did not complete, but I will answer the question tomorrow after I do a little bit further research.]

I am from…

and went to school….

I served in the US Army as a Special Forces soldier. After 6 years I joined the CIA and retired after 29 years of service. I entered the CIA in the career field of a Case Officer in the Special Activities Division of the Directorate of Operations. I have served in….

2. Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses?

I am a highly decorated executive level Case Officer in the Special Activities Division. I command respect. Whether I am at the White House, Congress, a foreign government, I am the one they respect and fear the most. My greatest weakness is the fear of have my mishaps exposed. I am like most Case Officers who focus on quantity and not quality in my work.

3. Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change?

He made my Station (and under my leadership) in Iraq look like an ass clown operation not once, but twice. The last incident that involved child pornography on two of the Agency’s sensitive systems made us look so incredibly foolish. My ego was bruised and I have never been so highly pissed. This was war and no holds bar that I will get him if its the last thing I do on earth.

4. What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition?

I get self satisfaction that I destroyed life or livelihoods. It really does not bother me and I still sleep at night. I get bragging rights and good war stories in the end to tell, but when an adversary gets in my way, I stomp on them. I have such success with and elevation in my career, that anyone who challenges me is not considered credible because I carry a great deal of specialized experience and considered untouchable.

5. What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death?

I get a thrill from the action. I was “First In” country right after the 9/11 attacks into Afghanistan. I was the Assistant Team Leader of a six man team that coordinated with the Northern Alliance to combat the Taliban. I was in constant communications with them on an hourly basis for airstrikes, operational support, etc. I want to go as far up the Agency as I can because I love what I do. I love being part of the bigger picture and making history. I have jumped with a “nuke” strapped to my chest in an airborne insertion to see if it could be done. So yes I love the mission of the CIA.

6. What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity?

Well I do not want folks to know that I was fully aware of the Northern Alliance intentions when they captured nearly 3,000 Taliban and placed them into box cars to send into the desert. That was like a war crime, but I did not care. They were the bad guys and I just did not care. That was their problem. As for other secrets, I am not just a Case Officer. I have reached the top ranks of the CIA and I am a power figure to be reckoned with. Like the vast majority of Case Officers out there, I have had my share of assets that I perhaps fluffed their credibility as sources. I placed emphasis on quantity than quality in their reporting. Yes, I do abuse my title, position and authority at my leisure. When CIA Director John Brennan decided to crack down on such practices, in addition to Agency restructuring I decided to abruptly retire after 29 years of service. I do not like it to be known, but I am a Democrat and associate with figures that have ties to China.

7. Compared to other people like you, what makes you special?

I take risks and accept danger as part of the job. I started out in Special Forces and now I am the Deputy Director of Special Activities Division of the Directorate of Operations. I am the problem solver and go to guy for the CIA and US Government.

8. What do you think of <the Protagonist>?

He was a problem child. He did not know what he was doing. He tried to overcharge the CIA $14,000. I wanted no part of him on my team, so I refused to allow him back in the country (Afghanistan). His operations were a complete hoax. He had a radio station that was not transmitting distance and all his assets were not reliable and untrustworthy. He had no business running operations as he was not a trained Case Officer.

9. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.

It’s been so long ago. In Iraq, I got back into the country and learned that he had left the country. Initially he agreed to stay for a year. We basically caught him trying to overcharge the CIA $14,000 and that was that. We reported it, but the Office of Security dropped the ball. Then I run across him in Afghanistan and I put the kibosh on his returning back to Afghanistan as a PSYOP officer, citing he was untrustworthy and how he had tried to overcharge the Agency.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

On Part one of my Character Profile for my Antagonist, I made a mistake and referred to the November 2001 “Massacre of Mazar” when it was suppose to be the November 2001 “Massacre: Convoy of Death-Kunduz.” I tried to edit directly to correct, your system only permits that on the day I am posting apparently. I wanted to edit something else, but I ll just do so on my document. Thanks!

Question for you. I had previously wrote a 10 page Treatment. Of course I dug it up off the internet. Do you all have an example of a Treatment to follow? Nat Mundel from “Pitch the Producer” is who advised me to take your class, by the way.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s Character Profile 2

4. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?”: I am learning to delved down further into the psyche of the character and develop them. The empowerment you speak of quite often in your lecture could not be achieved without your mentorship and guidance on how to go about this assignment. I appreciate the guidance.

2. Fill in Part 2 of the character Profile for your two lead characters.

• What draws us to this character? (Protagonist) The audience should be able to be drawn to this character because of not just his caring nature, practical jokes and sarcasm, but for taking the right course of action in standing up for someone who was being wrongfully ejected from the country in Iraq. The audience should also feel appalled by and relate to the protagonist for being pursued and eventually punished for reporting the child porn incident that proved embarrassing to the bullies in positions of power. This is the Biblical “David meets Goliath” scenario. Everyone sees the CIA as the untouchable and the protagonist who over the years continues to be a ‘hemorrhoid in the ass of life’ to the CIA to get it to change how it does business.

• Traits: The protagonist is really introverted and reluctant to speak his mind openly until it is time to toss out the “Bull Shit Penalty Flag.” The protagonist tends to give the benefit of the doubt (trust but verify) and strongly believes in the military values of leadership. The protagonist has a history of bucking the system and uses common sense and logic to analyze the best course of action to take in responding to the powers that be, even if it means tossing the baby out with the bathwater.

• Subtext: Protagonist hides his reluctance for confrontation, but once he is pissed he is very icy cold and puts up a wall. Protagonist will respond to questions with succinct answers to an adversary where normally he tries to give too much information than requested.

• Flaw: The protagonist does not trust his gut feelings when all signs point to impending threat to himself.

• Values: Military leadership values (loyalty, duty, honor, respect, selfless service, integrity and personal courage) is what the protagonist holds dearly to even when the chips are down. His love for animals and particularly his dog. The protagonist will kill to protect his dog.

• Irony: The protagonist reporting of child porn reveals that the CIA has a history of not prosecuting child porn cases. The protagonist helps in the defection of 14 Taliban commanders and 2 suicide bombers of all but one befriend the protagonist. The protagonist uncovers a high level asset that turns out to be a double agent working for a US adversary where professional Case Officers who recruited the individual and handled him overlooked simple security assessments that could have exposed the asset two years earlier. The protagonist having previously worked to analyze Iranian backed Hezbollah operations was able to realize Hezbollah was operating in Iraq two years before the CIA officially recognized their presence in country. The protagonist is compassionate, but has no problem killing and suffers from PTSD after 4 years in the combat zone and looks upon altercations as “physical therapy” when he gets into fights. The protagonist during his darkest hours on the streets homeless as a strip dancer where survival of the fittest is the rule, he watches over and protects younger dancers from sex traffickers and exploitation. Though he can appreciate a woman’s touch, he secretly hates women who come to exploit the Gay community for peep shows almost to a point that he violently wants to beat the hell out of them for taking food out of his hand to feed his dog and himself. When the protagonist decides to run for political office he is considered to be the underdog for the discarded and forgotten, but the liberal media see him as the greatest threat to their Democrat candidate because of the real world experience and homelessness the protagonist brings.

• What makes this the right character for this role? This protagonist has gone through the ringer for his country. When he made his “Commitment to America” he devoted over a quarter of century of his life in service to the nation that owes him a “Debt of Gratitude.” Instead he is tossed aside and fights an uphill battle reaching for an impossible dream to restore his honor, seek justice, accountability and seriously consider vengeance against the antagonist.

————————————————————————————————-

• What draws us to this character? (Antagonist) The audience will see how the antagonist as a powerful figure in the CIA who is two-faced. He is forward leaning, self confident and seen as a ‘god like deity’ because of his positions he has held or holds. He is a Case Officer by trade in the Special Activities Division of the Directorate of Operations and former Special Forces.

• Traits: The antagonist has a chip on his shoulder and is overconfident. He is a risk taker and ambitious to step on others to the top.

• Subtext: Antagonist will smile in your face while contemplating how he will backstab you, if it benefits him particularly if he feels wronged.

• Flaw: The antagonist has a pattern of abusing his title, position and authority that ultimately results in retirement after the CIA puts his foot down on such practices.

• Values: The antagonist values his self importance and ability to manipulate and control the destiny of operations, let alone people’s lives.

• Irony: The antagonist with all his experience in the US military continues to feel it is beneath him to support the conventional Warfighters on the ground who are not members of an elite force. With all his experience he is unable to figure out culturally why CIA Station and Afghan NDS (Intel Service) are unable to intercept the Taliban/Al Qaeda communications effectively, given the fact the answer is quite simple. He claims ignorance of nearly 3,000 Taliban who were captured by the Northern Alliance in November 2001 (“Massacre: Convoy of Death-Kunduz”) that were left to die in the desert in train box cars, despite being in constant communications with the Northern Alliance.

• What makes this the right character for this role? This antagonist is a cut throat go getter. His ego is big and how he carries himself is like an ‘ambulance chasing’ attorney. He doesn’t care who he steps on to get to the top, nor who is sacrificed along the way.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s Character Profile Part 1

8) What did I learn doing this assignment? I almost forgot to answer this question. I learned a good deal that interviewing the characters using the format below helped to develop my characters further to human stature that the audience could relate to. I incidentally had already written a 10 page Treatment that paralleled or that I could draw from to answer most of these questions.

2) Pick a role for the Protagonist and give a few sentences on how they fulfill role:

The protagonist is a Victim of Injustice and Dreamer. The protagonist’s use of his military values (loyalty, duty, honor, respect, integrity, personal courage and selfless service) as a US Army Reserve officer lands him in hot water when he reports a mismanaged investigation involving child pornography on two CIA Top Secret computers. Other issues are raised by the protagonist that adds salt to the ego wounds of the antagonist. After being Blacklisted and left chronically homeless on the streets for five years from a fabricated ruse, the protagonist seeks to restore his honor and continues to challenge the CIA to hold those involved in child pornography accountable, but to also hold senior Agency leadership who abuse their title, positions and authority, as well. The CIA does not normally prosecute those involved in child pornography, but merely fires them, due to their access to sensitive material of national interest.

3) Pick a role for the Antagonist and give a few sentences on how they fulfill role:

The antagonist is a Villain/Predator who pursues the protagonist over a period of 4 years to get even for (in essence) bruising his ego and tarnishing his name Deputy Chief of Station in Iraq where the event takes place. The antagonist finally tracks the protagonist down in Afghanistan and has no problem destroying the protagonist’s livelihood as he (as the antagonist) is considered “a god like deity” at the CIA who is highly decorated and respected.

4) What other characters are involved?

–Supporting: Chief of Station-Iraq (later to be Chief of Counterterrorism Center that the protagonist works for later on) and Chief of Operations-Iraq who was responsible for the mismanaged investigation.

–Minor roles: Two persons who sat in the military cell with the protagonist who side with the antagonist.

–Background characters: Middle Eastern (Iraq and Afghani) personnel, Case Officers

5) Pick Genre: Action/Drama

6) Lead character profiles using 9 question interview process:

Protagonist Profile

• Role in the story: Begins as Military Liaison Cell Leader in Iraq, before eventually transitioning to Counterterrorism PSYOP Officer along the Afghan/Pak border where his career comes to an abrupt ending landing him on the streets homeless.

• Age range and Description: a rugged adventurer, prangster and sarcastic. 44, stands 5 ft 9 inches and 180 pounds, brown hair, hazel eyes, smooth shaved, caucasian of German-Scottish descent.

• Internal Journey: After the Blacklisting the character finds out he has HIV and his Army Reserve Unit moves quickly to discharge causing him to fall into severe depression and struggles to fight against suicide and eventually drug addiction. His life is further complicated as the Internal Revenue Service takes his last $600 from his bank account. With perseverance and fortitude, the character leaves the streets 5 years later and begins to slowly heal his wounds and eventually speak freely with 3 real friends he has developed along the way about his ordeal.

• External Journey: The protagonist shifts from a comfortable lifestyle to living on the streets initially in a 2 seat car and eventually off the land after losing his home. The only work he can find is strip dancing at gay bars in competition with ‘twinkies’ half his age. He is able to use his core strength to perform gymnastics on the poles that his young competition cannot due. He fortunately looks 12 years younger that he is and his worldly experience gives him better opportunity to engage customers in a more intelligent conversation than the 20 year olds. Eventually, with the assistance from the VA disability pension the protagonist is able to afford a small studio at an estate formerly owned by Al Capone in 1928. The protagonist provides security at the house owned for 45 years by an elderly woman who holds the royal title of Countess from the last king of Poland. The protagonist spends his time tending to the property to take his mind off the ordeal he has faced for 5 years. Eventually the woman dies and her niece hires the protagonist to come work for her. Over the course of 7 years, the protagonist manages to restore a good deal of his morale and some self esteem to run for the office of US Congress for the “discarded and forgotten.”

• Motivation: The hero wants to fully restore his honor and seek justice, while contemplating vengeance.

• Wound: The protagonist is deeply hurt for being judged, betrayed, discarded and forgotten. In essence, the protagonist is figuratively handed a dual-career ending epitaph that reads:

“For Outstanding Service and Loyalty to Country

Stigmatized and Slandered

Betrayed and Dishonored

Impoverished and Homeless

Discarded and Forgotten

Blacklisted by a Grateful Nation”

• Mission/Agenda: The character having been ignored four previous occasions over the years to contest the CIA’s action, while homeless, makes a last ditch effort to flag his case simultaneously to not just the Agency’s Inspector General and Office of Public Affairs, but to over 80 members of the US House and Senate, 13 Congressional Committees, The White House Special Counsel, the Director of National Intelligence and key media personalities (Fox News, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC and MSNBC). His agenda is to raise awareness of the atrocity that occurred, force change on CIA’s policies in handling Whistleblowers and accountability of senior executives who abuse their title, position and authority, but also force the prosecution of personnel engaged in child pornography. As it stands the Agency only fires the individual because of their access to sensitive classified material.

• Secret: The protagonist is closeted Bisexual (light) which is against CIA policy.

• What makes them special? The character is a former CIA officer with 20 years of Agency experience who is falsely accused of a ruse and is forced into the streets to strip dance at gay bars to survive in competition with “Twinkies” following the Great Recession of 2009, when no one was hiring. The character embraces his new sexual orientation in the end.

Antagonist Profile:

• Role in the story: Is a Case Officer by trade in the CIA’s elite Special Activities Division. The antagonist is the Deputy Chief of Station in Iraq and one of the largest Stations in the world. He eventually moves on to be the Chief of Station in Afghanistan where he crosses paths with the protagonist once again to carry out his act of vengeance.

• Age range and Description: 52, stands 6 ft 4 inches and 195 pounds, blondish graying hair, blue eyes, goatee. The antagonist is of Irish descent and caucasian.

• Internal Journey: Like many Case Officers, the antagonist has a chip on his shoulders and is use to rubbing shoulders with world leaders, power brokers and Washington DC. He seeks to continue to move up into the CIA to finish off his career as Deputy Director for Special Activities Division within the Director of Operations.

• External Journey: The antagonist seeks to have an unblemished record. After his success as the assistant team leader to enter into Afghanistan to overthrow the Taliban government 4 years earlier, the antagonist seeks to climb the Agency ladder to become the Special Activities Division’s

• Motivation: Pure vindictiveness to get even and destroy.

• Wound: The antagonist’s ego.

• Mission/Agenda: The antagonist mission is to destroy the livelihood of the protagonist for making Iraq Station who looked like a Three Stooges operations to the Director of the CIA. The antagonist’s agenda is to fabricate a ruse falsely accusing the protagonist of a felony.

• Secret: The antagonist who was part of the first CIA team into Afghanistan. He was in constant communications with the Northern Alliance following the 9/11 attacks and knowingly ignored the intentions of the Northern Alliance to stuff nearly 3,000 captured Taliban into train box cars to ship into the desert to die. This was known as the ‘Massacre of Mazar’ in November 2001. Attempts to investigate this war atrocity by the United Nations was squashed by the US and Afghan governments.

• What makes them special? The antagonist is a high level CIA executive who can operate with autonomy without accountability.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT LINE: Mark Napier’s Transformational Journey

What I learned doing this assignment? I am learning to basically develop a character that sells or appeals to an audience’s emotions and that they hopefully will connect to (be it good or bad). This lesson is basically the starting point from what I can see in getting into the weeds of constructing a character that best suits and fits the project we hope to develop and that best fits the role of the project being pursued.

2) Who is my hero and what is their character arc that represents transformation? The character I am looking at as the hero is someone who is a professional who stood by their values and was retaliated against and left homeless on the streets for 5 years. Rather than commit suicide and take the easy way out they look at their weaknesses of the situation at hand and turn them into opportunities for success to survive and buy time until the day the hero is able to use perseverance and fortitude to pull himself off the street. His internal transformation is dealing with the feeling of not just being discarded and forgotten, let alone bankrupt financially, but bankrupt physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In essence, he has become an abandonment of self….in esteem and worth as he joins the ranks of the “Walking Dead” (675,000 people) who too are left homeless following the Great Recession of 2009. The hero transforms and realizes he is able to overcome the purgatory that he was placed in to eventually re-establishing his self worth, honor and respect. The hero’s external transformation is that he goes from a professional down into homelessness and surviving on the streets as a strip dancer. After he pulls himself off the streets he continues to lick his wounds and after a period of additional 7 years has passed to regain self esteem he is the first to qualify to run for U.S. Congress using “In-Kind” contributions.

3) What are the hero’s old ways? As noted the hero’s abandonment of self, low self esteem, severe depression eventually leads to drug use by the beginning of the 4th year on the streets as an escape from the Hell he is in. The hero’s new ways of external transformation is to regain his self esteem, get off drugs by the end of the 4th year on the streets, becomes determine to get off the streets by the end of the 5th year and accepting himself as a survivor and realization that what he did that landed him on the streets in the first place was wrong and that he was going to eventually pursue an endeavor to represent the discarded and forgotten and seek change.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

I, Mark Napier, agree to the terms of this release form as posted.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.

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[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Hello!

My name is Mark. I may be new at script writing, but I have over 30 years of real life experience. I devoted 26 years to the Army Reserves (Army Intelligence), 20 years to CIA and nearly 4 years of combat experience in Iraq (3 months) and Afghanistan (3 1/2 years).

I served as Deputy Chief of Base at Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan for 17 months before deploying for 2 plus years along the Afghan/Pak border conducting ‘Hogan’s Heroes’ style operations. I will therefore draw from my experience to develop my first script from this perspective.

What I hope to get from this course are teaching points on how to look like I know what I am doing than winging it. I want a producer to know when I approach them that I took the time not to waste their time.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Michael…I know its a little late to give some feedback, but I hope you have continued to progress. Just a few pointers that will help tighten up your story and provide more realism and up to date entities that would be involved. I like your story proposal and I do hope you are progressing.

I do not know what role the Dept of Education would play, but the Pentagon office dealing with UFOs AARO (All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office), US Northern Command and NORAD would certainly play roles. You could probably fit Roswell in the story line and Area 51 but do research to understand their roles / purpose to your story. The FBI of course would have legal jurisdiction and perhaps the CIA’ old program “Skunk Works” still plays a role but likely taken a back seat to the CIA’s IN-Q-TEL (IQT) would likely be the key players.

Typically, SAIC provides a great deal a high tech science personnel to the US Government. Again you can research and apply their role to your story line and plots. I have found very few scientists who were geniuses that also exercised common sense or had great humor that the common man understood. However, they are not all bad. I had this one Nuclear Physicist who worked nuclear missile programs that had it all.

Typically, a general officer is in charge over programs that have scientists working for him usually knows what is going on, but in your plot your rogue scientists could very well be operating under the radar to keep him out of the loop and that offers intrigue. As for winning back his wife…….if he really loves her and she sees a change in him to take him back and the daughter keeps mommy in tow strongly supporting her father as you have laid out I would say it is plausible. Everyone loves a happy ending.

Again I apologize for not seeing your response earlier last year. I do not go out of my way to disrespect folks so that was not my intention. Should you have questions to bounce off me about the US Govt feel free to. I devoted 26 years to the US Army Reserves, 20 years to the CIA, 4 years in combat for the CIA, was Deputy Chief of Base of Bagram Airbase Afghanistan back in the day, ran counterterrorism operations, export controls of weapons of mass destruction, nuclear/biological/chemical warfare, psychological warfare operations, mid-east peace, contingency operations/planning/exercises, protective service (like US Secret Service but for CIA) and yes I have seen first hand the UFO white orb in San Luis, Colorado that I reported to AARO. I am posting the link to an article below that perhaps you can use below. I can also provide you my report too if you would like.

https://www.uncovercolorado.com/ufo-sightings-san-luis-valley/

I provided my background information to assist in your research and development of your screen play, not to impress you. I always like to help or direct someone in the right direction if I can. My contact information is posted below as of 12 March 2025. Cheers!

V/R Mark Napier
mark.napier2022@gmail.com
907-223-2185 (text or email first so I know it’s not spam)

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

I am sorry Michael, but I am just seeing your response for the first time. It has been a year already and I have taken a lot of classes that are like training wheels for me. Thank you for your observation on my story. It happens to be based on true events. Please keep me informed on your progress. I would have thought the system would would have flagged your comment to my attention. Anyway, If I can give insight I will. Again thanks and I apologize for the late response.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Thanks Bradley. I’ve been around the block, but I still like peanut butter and jelly.