Danko stares around him -- Ridzik behind him with Two Prison
Guards .... They allbegin to make their way across theGym to
the Weightlifters' Stage.
RIDZIK
This isn't like Siberia. We don't
starve them to death. We feed 'em
good, let 'em work out, lift weights.
When they come here, they're bad
motherfuckers. When they get out
they're big, strong, healthy, bad
motherfuckers.
DANKO
When we get them inside, we keep them there.
144 PLATFORM 144
Danko and Ridzik climb the stage to find themselves confronted
by ONE OF THE YOUNGER CLEANHEADS.
RIDZIK
This is Captain Danko. He's come all the way from Russia to talk to your boss.
CLEANHEAD #1
How about you? You got a name?
RIDZIK
I'm the Tooth Fairy, asshole now go and tell him we're here.
CLEANHEAD #1
Brother Abdul Elijah got no interest
in talkin' to you.
The Cleanhead crosses over to the weightlifting apparatus
where Abdul Elijah sits meditating. The Cleanhead makes no
attempt to address Abdul Elijah but continues his conversation
with two other Elijah Brothers. None of them look in Ridzik's
direction, least of all Brother Abdul Elijah.
RIDZIK
We just struck out here, Danko. These guys don't want to give us the time of day.
Danko has moved to examine the equipment -- particularly the
bar which had been abandoned by the Bald Black Weightlifter.
It still has the same weights attached to its ends.
8/6/87
144 CONTINU-ED:
RIDZIK
They got nothin' to do except sit on their ass and lift weights. Look at these shitheads, all of 'em are muscle-bound.
DANKO
In Soviet Union, weightlifting is
national sport.
Danko looks around -- notes the surly attitude of the
Prisoners.
DANKO (cont'd)
These men are not respectful of our authority as policemen.
RIDZIK
No shit.
Danko takes off his coat, then leans down, grasps the bar and
tests the weights.
RIDZIK (cont'd)
Don't get crazy. That thing must weigh three hundred pounds ...
DANKO
Three hundred and fifty.
At which point Danko HEFTS the weight to his chest -- the eyes
of the Elijah Brothers swivel towards him ...
RIDZIK
What the shit? You tryin' to get a hernia?
Danko hefts the bar above his shoulders, straightens his back
and completes a perfect military press.
RIDZIK {cont'd)
Are you fucking kidding me?
Danko stands TRIUMPHANT, the weight high and firm above his
out-stretched arms. He begins to turn a full 360 degree
circle, finishes his triumphant turn and faces Brother Abdul
Elijah ... ThenHURLS the bardown at the Brother's feet.
His Disciples spring back, but Brother Abdul Elijah doesn't
turn a hair.
DANKO
Danko, People's Militia, Moscow Division.
8/6/87
144 CONTINUED:
ABDUL
I ain't interested.
DANKO
Inmy country we have been taught about history of American Negro and his struggle for liberation.
Abdul allows himself a grin.
ABDUL
That's ri9ht. Revolutionary political leaders likemyself get shut up in jails over here. If Whitey releases all the Brothers behind bars, his ass is grass.
DANKO
What was your political crime?
ABDUL
I robbed a bank.
Ridzik watches them walk off deep in conversation. He is left
standing with one of the Cleanheads who glowers at him then
begins to rap.
CLEANHEAD
(singing/rapping)
'Round about the Fourth of July -- Two Dickheads looking for trouble Came by. They were sniffing for dope -- That the Brother's had sold -- To a Russian Dealer -- For a bundle of Gold. But they got nowhere -- With their information -- 'Cause the Brothers were wise -- To their investigation.
RIDZIK
Great. You should put it to music.
Abdul Elijah and Danko have left the concrete stage and walked
toward the wall of the gym...
DANKO
I think I have a key you want. *
8/6/87
144 CONTINUED:
He sticks his hand in his pocket, pulls it out and shows it
to him.
ABDUL
(smiles)
Yeah. Might be worth somethin'.
DANKO
I give you key -- you giveme Viktor
and cocaine.
Abdul Elijah shakes his head.
ABDUL
Now that ain't ethical. You're asking me to compromise my principals ... you're a little behind things with all this cocaine talk, that ain't what he's buyin'.
Danko looks at Abdul Elijah with steel in his~yes.
DANKO
We are not like American police. You
keep shipping drugs to my country --
one day you'll wake up and find your
testicles floating in a glass of
water by your bed.
ABDUL
Hey, sport. I'm a holy man. Don't need testicles no more.
DANKO
Then we settle for your eyes.
ABDUL
You can't threaten me, white boy.
Behind his glasses, Abdul Elijah grins. He lifts them up.
We see his eyes -- he's BLIND. He drops his glasses back on
his nose and suddenly gets very serious.
ABDUL (cont'd)
1 been in this jail twenty-six years.
I'm sixty-three years old and I been
* behind bars forty-eight of 'em. *
* Every time Whitey put me there. I *
* educated myself in prison -- I come *
* to understand that this country was *
* built on exploitin' the black man. *
* Your country exploits its own people *
* that ain't even black. This country *
and your country are just alike, *
(MORE)
8/6/87 60.
144 CONTINUtD: 144
ABDUL (cont'd)
stomp on anything gets in their way. * Only thing for my people to do is * organize and fiqht back. This * sell in'drugs ain't for mone~ alone * -- it's •or politics. I'd like to * sell drugs to every white man in the * world. And his sister. *
Danko stares at him for a long moment. *
DANKO
I still want Viktor. *
A big smile from Abdul cuts the tension -- his years in *
prison have brought him a mastery of personal *
confrontations. *
ABDUL
Yeah, real bad. I can tell ... 01·• * Viktor, he's a real good businessman. *
DANKO
Where do I find him?
ABDUL
Might be possible to work somethin' * out. Right now we all need each
other, don't we? I got to do a *
little work. Check around some. *
Starts away, then looks back at Danko.
ABDUL
Meantime, you trust me.