FADE IN:

I/E. Garbage Truck cab - DAY

A garbage truck is parked in a fast food parking lot. Two garbage men sit in the garbage truck. A garbage man stands outside the passenger side door. They eat sandwiches, drink coffee. The radio plays. The men stare off into space. They are dirty.

CLIFF Sanderson is a white man, a bigger guy, just reached his 40's. He is the driver, the senior on his team.

Abraham "KENNY" Gibson is a black man. He's in his upper 20's. He was just promoted to co-driver.

HECTOR Herrera is the youngest on the crew though not much younger than Kenny. He's the low man on the totem pole. Hector hangs onto the back of the truck.

Hector turns to the truck cab.

hector

Hey guys, can I sit in the truck today?

Kenny takes a bite of his sandwich still staring into space.

kenny

No.

hECTOR

Cliff? C'mon!

Cliff holds his coffee.

cliff

Hector, I don't like it when my thighs touch yours.

hECTOR

I'll be on the curb.

Hector splits.

kENNY

This sandwich is good.

cLIFF

I love this stuff. I told you it would be good.

kENNY

Yeah.

The cb radio clicks. A female voice is on the line. It's TRISHA.

trisha (v.o.)

(over the cb)

Where are you guys?

kENNY

Shit! Don't answer. We're busy.

cLIFF

I gotta answer. It might be important.

kENNY

Alright, tell her we're on Mesa.

cLIFF

What's your problem?

kENNY

I don't want Trisha to see me all dirty. It's embarassing.

Cliff picks up the cb.

kENNY

Cliff!

cLIFF

Kenny, you're both garbage people. It's a dirty job.

Kenny reaches for the cb. The pair fight over it. Cliff eventually wins.

kENNY

Don't do it!

cLIFF

She'll understand. I'm sure she's dirty too.

kENNY

She never looks dirty.

cLIFF

Because she doesn't play in the garbage.

Cliff sparks up the mic.

cLIFF

(on cb)

What's up doll?

tRISHA (v.o.)

Where are you guys? I'm hungry.

cLIFF

(on cb)

We're eating now.

kENNY

Don't tell her where we are!

tRISHA (v.o.)

Oh, ok. Well I'll see you guys back at the office.

Kenny takes a deep breath.

cLIFF

You're ridiculous. Let's get back to work.

The guys clean up the trash from breakfast. They put all the trash into one bag. Kenny balls it up. He sticks his head out the window.

ext. parking lot - conTINUOUS

Kenny's head peers from the truck cab. Hector sits on the curb, sobbing. He takes a tearful bite of his sandwich. He stares at the street.

kENNY

Hey Hector!

Hector picks up his head.

Kenny throws the bag of trash hiting Hector in the face.

kENNY

Let's go!

Hector sadly picks up the trash. He walks around the truck to a garbage can across the parking lot to dispose of the trash.

cLIFF

Hey Hector! You know we're attached to a big freaking garbage can right?

hECTOR

I didn't think of that!

cLIFF

Let's go! I wanna go home!

Cliff blows the horn in 2 short bursts.

Hector runs to the back of the truck as the truck speeds away.

int. mayOR'S OFFICE

It is dim. MAYOR JENKINS, black, mid 40's, sits behind a desk. A secretary walks in.

secretary

Two men are here to see you.

mayOR JENKINS

Where are they from?

seCRETARY

GDS Inc.

mayOR JENKINS

Send them in.

Two men enter. The men wear dark suits. MAN #2 holds a briefcase.

mayor JENKINS

What can I do for you?

man #1

We here on behalf of GDS. We'd like to open up our service base to Camarillo.

mayOR JENKINS

We've got our own sanitation staff.

man #2

We understand. GDS can offer far superior service than your sanitation department.

mayOR JENKINS

Our staff does a good job. I'm afraid we're just not interested.

man #1

I knew you were going to say that, mayor. That's why I brought 50 thousand of my friends. They say there's power in numbers.

mayor jenkins

I'm not sure that I follow.

man #2

I think looking in this briefcase will answer all your questions.

Man #2 gives the briefcase to Mayor Jenkins.

Jenkins opens the case. He pulls out a check.

mayOR JENKINS

It's got my name on it.

man #1

It sure does.

man #2

I think your wife would love a swimming pool.

man #1

And some new furniture.

mayor JENKINS

Yes. She would.

man #1

GDS gets the job done. What do you think?

mayor JENKINS

I think, it's good to be the mayor.

Mayor Jenkins smiles as he holds up the check.

ext. street - day

The truck stops in front of a trashy looking house. There are mounds of garbage. Hector hops off. Kenny gets out to help Hector.

hECTOR

What the hell are these people doing?

kENNY

Looks like they had a party.

Hector picks up a rancid bag.

hECTOR

Yeah, last 3 weeks ago.

kENNY

Look, a VCR.

Kenny wades through the trash to pick up the VCR. He walks it to the cab.

i/E. truck cab - cONTINUOUS

Kenny opens the passenger side door. He holds his VCR.

cLIFF

What is that?

kENNY

A VCR.

cLIFF

Don't you have a DVD player?

kENNY

Yeah, 5 of them.

cLIFF

What do you need a VCR for?

kENNY

Don't know. I think it might still work.

cLIFF

There's only one reason why a man would still want a VCR.

kENNY

Why?

cLIFF

You know. The secret stash?

Cliff rolls his tongue then smirks.

kENNY

What? What do you mean?

cLIFF

Oh, come on! A little naughty time? Wringing your rope? Bashing the suspect? Tube sock tango?

kENNY

Man, I don't need that stuff.

cLIFF

Arm wrestling the purple headed storm trooper. Yanking your doodle. Squeezing your cheese dog. Visiting old faithful.

KENNY

Ok, I get it.

cLIFF

Do you draw a smiley face on your hand while you...

kENNY

Alright already! I could sell it.

cLIFF

Yeah, nothing sells better than antiquated electronics.

kENNY

I could get 5 bucks for this! There's no blemishes in the wood paneling!

eXT. sTREET - cONTINUOUS

A housewife runs up the driveway. She's dressed in a housecoat, hair in rollers. She's holding a blue plastic bag.

housewife

Wait! Wait! I have another bag!

hECTOR

We can't take that.

hoUSEWIFE

Why not?

hECTOR

They're recyclables.

hoUSEWIFE

Yeah? It's garbage.

hECTOR

It'll get mixed in with the other trash.

Kenny walks to the back of the truck.

hoUSEWIFE

So what? It all goes to a dump.

kENNY

Then why would we take it? It's already at a dump. Let's go Hector.

houSEWIFE

Well, I'm going to complain to your supervisor!

The truck slowly pulls away after the Kenny boards. Hector walks behind the truck.

As the truck drives slowly, Hector throws trash bags in the back from a neighboring house.

The housewife yells and carries on toward the truck in the distance.

i/E. truCK CAB - cONTINUOUS

The radio is turned up. The news is on.

radio host (o.s.)

(on radio)

Up for re-election this year, Mayor Jenkins out in Camarillo has announced he will propose to the town council, this Thursday, that they cut more jobs in public sector jobs. Police, fire, teachers, sanitation. This is absurd!

kENNY

What the hell is this?

cLIFF

The news. Shut up.

radio host (o.s.)

A spokesperson for Mayor Jenkins said quote "Due to the dire straits of our financial situation here in Camarillo we are forced to make changes in township positions." end quote. Basically, this guy is a coward and can't say that they're going to fire many good people working for the great township of Camarillo. To which I say, sir, there are plenty of ways to cut costs without cutting integral parts of the town's resources. How about cutting your own salary, sir?

Cliff cuts off the radio.

cLiff

It's getting scary now, Ken.

kENNY

They won't fire us. The union would never allow it. I still got my job. My car's almost paid off. I can pay my rent. That's all I need.

cLIFF

Yeah, well I got 3 kids in school. Christina's going to college next year. I don't know how I'm gonna do it.

kENNY

You can't sweat it, man. It'll all work out. It always does.

cLIFF

It's never been this bad. I got a few years on you kid. I've never seen it like this.

ext. STREET - cONTINUOUS

Hector catches up to the truck cab. He steps up onto the step. He's hanging outside the passenger door.

hECTOR

How do you think I feel? You guys always treat me like sh..

cLIFF

Nobody gives a shit Hector. Just pick up the trash and let's go home.

Hector looks dejected as he hops off the step.

int. sanitation offices - lATER

The sanitation office is a small building crammed with county office workers. Desks are randomly positioned throughout.

Cliff, Kenny and Hector walk through the door. They walk toward the punch clock by the supervisor's office.

The supervisor, BOSS Turley, is a large, well built man. He's former military.

boss (O.S.)

Cliff, Kenny, the other one, come in my office please.

int. boss office - cONTINUOUS

The men enter Boss' office.

bOSS

Close the door behind you, guy.

Hector closes the door.

bOSS

I got a call from a Mrs. Sandra Mattich about an incident today.

cLIFF

I wasn't aware there was an incident, sir.

bOSS

Apparently, shut up Cliff. Apparently, mocha cappuccino over there told her that her house was a dump.

kENNY

I didn't say that! I said that we couldn't pick up her recyclables today!

hECTOR

That's what he said.

boSS

Shut up Chachi! I don't care who you pick up trash from! If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything!

kENNY

But, sir.

boSS

No but's! I don't care if you're picking up trash from Oscar the damn Grouch! Just take the garbage and move on!

hECTOR

She wouldn't hear it, sir.

bOSS

I don't care if she wanted to have a tea party! Just keep your mouth shut and keep our little community pretty!

The men stand still staring at Boss. Silence fills the room.

bOSS

Get the hell outta my office!

int. saNITATION OFFICES - cONTINUOUS

The trio leave the office. Trisha is just entering the building.

Trisha is a well put together, very pretty, white woman.

Kenny spots Trisha coming in. He ducks behind Cliff.

kENNY

There she is! There she is!

cLIFF

What? Hell. Go talk to her!

kENNY

I can't. She's too pretty.

hECTOR

What you guys talking about?

cLIFF

Kenny's got the hots for Trisha.

hECTOR

Who?

cLIFF

Trisha, you know.

Cliff cups both his hands over his chest.

cLIFF

Trisha!

Trisha turns when Cliff shouts. She waves. Cliff waves back with one of his cupped hands.

cLIFF

Her.

hECTOR

Oh yeah. She's hot. Go talk to her. Put the smooth on her.

kENNY

No way.

hECTOR

Trisha! Hey girl! Bring your sweet ass over here!

Trisha's eyes light up. She makes her way over to the guys.

kENNY

C'mon guys. Just leave it alone.

trisha

What's up?

hECTOR

How you doing?

tRISHA

I'm great! Tired, but great!

cLIFF

That's nice. Do you have plans today?

tRISHA

No, I'm going home. I think I'll take a hot bath.

Hector bumps Kenny.

kENNY

Uhhh. Hey. Boobies. Uhh. Good night.

Kenny walks away. Cliff and Hector smile.

tRISHA

What's with him?

cLIFF

He's mildly retarded. Have a good bath.

tRISHA

Yeah, let's do lunch tomorrow.

cLIFF

Alright, hun. Talk to you tomorrow.

int. cliff's house - aftERNOON

It's mid afternoon.

Cliff's house is average. Nothing is new. The house is cluttered with old relics.

Cliff comes through the front door. He slips his boots off then walks through the living room.

cLIFF

Martha! I'm home!

int. cLIFF'S KITCHEN - cONTINUOUS

Cliff walks into the kitchen where his wife, MARTHA, sits at the kitchen table with a hand full of bills. She looks frustrated.

clIFF

What's up?

martha

I'm trying to figure out how we're gonna pay our bills.

Cliff takes a seat.

cLIFF

You watch the news today? Job cuts are coming.

mARTHA

I heard. Police and teachers.

cLIFF

Sanitation and fire too.

Martha puts down a bill.

mARTHA

Should I worry?

cLIFF

No. Don't worry. Nobody's told me anything yet.

mARTHA

Cliff, you've been there for damn near 20 years. They can't just throw you to the curb.

cLIFF

Listen, just let me worry about it. Alright?

mARTHA

I don't know Cliff.

Cliff takes a deep breath.

cLIFF

What's for dinner?

mARTHA

I don't feel like cooking. Wanna order a pizza or something?

cLIFF

Sure. Where are the kids?

mARTHA

Greggy had to stay after school today. Christina's upstairs and Nikki's at Olivia's house.

cLIFF

Why did Greg stay after school?

mARTHA

He's in the school play. I'll pick him up at 5:00.

cLIFF

He's in the 1st grade. Is it that serious? So much that he's gotta stay after?

Martha sets down another bill.

mARTHA

He's got a very important role. He's the big carrot.

cLIFF

Oh, well excuse me.

Martha chuckles.

cLIFF

Alright, I'm gonna take a shower.

Cliff stands, walks around the table, kisses his wife then leaves the room.

int. kenny's apartment - AFTERNOON

Kenny walks into his apartment. It's filled with old electronics. VHS players, old tvs, record players. He sits on his old, beat up couch. He checks his old answering machine. He has 13 messages. The machine beeps.

bill collector

Mr. Gibson, this is Paul with A.H.A.A. We've been trying to reach you about your payment history. Please give us a call to set up a payment and bring your account current.

Kenny deletes the message. Next message.

bill collector 2

Mr. Gibson, this is Jim calling from Household. I'm calling to follow up with you on a payment arrangement that hasn't been met. Please call us with your..

Kenny deletes the message. Next message.

mama

Abraham! It's your mama! You owe me $5 bitch!

kENNY

(to himself)

I hate it when she calls me Abraham.

Kenny deletes all the messages. He sits back on the couch and turns on the tv. Nothing but snow. He sighs.

He stands up, walks into the kitchen then opens the refrigerator. Flies escape from the fridge. He rummages around then pulls a tupperware container out.

The phone rings. Kenny runs to the phone in the living room.

kENNY

Hello?

bill collector 3 (v.o.)

Hello? Kenny?

kENNY

Yeah! What's going on?

bill COLLECTOR 3 (v.o.)

Not much, what's going on with you?

kENNY

You know, same old same old. It's good to hear from you, man.

biLL COLLECTOR 3 (v.O.)

Really? I don't really hear that too often.

kENNY

Yeah, man. How you been?

bill COLLECTOR 3 (v.O.)

You know, working. It's crazy.

kENNY

Yeah, tell me about it. You hear about the stock market today?

bill COLLECTOR 3 (v.O.)

Yeah, it's terrible. So..

kENNY

What are you doing tonight? Wanna go out for a beer?

bill COLLECTOR 3 (v.O.)

Well, I'm working right now.

kENNY

Oh, alright man. It's cool.

bill COLLECTOR 3 (v.O.)

Well, this is Tom from Capital Credit. I was calling about your delinqu...

Kenny frowns as he hangs up the phone.

int. hector's mom's house - aFTERNOON

Hector walks up the front lawn of his mother's house. He arrives at the front door to see a foreclosure notice staring back at him.

Hector tears the notice off the door.

hECTOR

Ma! You home?

hector's mom

Yeah, baby. I'm in the laundry room.

Hector walks through the living room into a laundry room.

hECTOR

Ma, what's this?

Hector hands the notice to his mother.

hECTOR'S MOM

We have to find a new place to live, baby.

hECTOR

Why haven't you paid the note?

hECTOR'S MOM

No more money. I can't afford to make the payments anymore.

hECTOR

Why, ma? You work. I help out. This has to be a mistake.

hECTOR'S MOM

I lost my job Hector. I haven't been working for 9 months.

hECTOR

What? No. You go to work every night.

Hector's mom throws down laundry. She's starting to tear up.

hECTOR'S MOM

I didn't want to tell you. I've been going to Donna's house every night. I couldn't let you worry.

hECTOR

Ma! You should have told me! I can't believe you didn't tell me! I'm an adult now! I could have helped more.

hECTOR'S MOM

I'm sorry, baby. I couldn't tell you. It's embarrassing. It'll be ok. We'll survive, we always do.

Hector's mom reaches for him. Hector walks away.

heCTOR'S MOM

Hector! I'm sorry.

int. lamplighter bar - lATER

Kenny sits in the virtually empty bar. It's late afternoon. Music plays in the background. A bartender is stationed behind the bar. 3 or 4 patrons anonymously accompany Kenny.

Kenny nurses a beer. The BARKEEP approaches.

barkeep

Say, friend. What's got you down?

kENNY

You don't wanna hear my story.

baRKEEP

Sure I do. That's what I'm here for. Why don't you lay your sob story on me, pal? It'll make you feel better.

kENNY

Alright, you wanna hear my story? Here it goes. I'm a garbage man. I'm flat broke. My 401k is almost empty and I'm afraid to tell...

A DRUNK on the other end of the bar picks up his head.

drunk

Barkeep! Give me another bottle of suds!

bARKEEP

Excuse me.

kENNY

Yeah, sure. Do your thing.

Kenny sips on his beer. An OLD MAN enters.

OLD MAN

Hey there, buddy.

kENNY

Hey.

OLD MAN

You look like you lost your dog.

kENNY

Yeah.

The barkeep returns.

baRKEEP

(condescendingly)

I'm sorry about that, chief. Please continue.

kENNY

I'm afraid to tell a woman at work that I like her.

baRKEEP

It sounds like you lost your balls.

OLD MAN

Yep, you lost your balls.

kENNY

What? I'm a man! I'm just trying to survive here!

OLD MAN

(angrily)

We're all trying to survive! What? Do you think it's easy being a man? You make me sick.

kENNY

You don't even know me, dude.

OLD MAN

I know your type. You're despicable! You want everything handed to you. You collect used electronics from refuse.

Kenny sits up. He looks at the barkeep. The barkeep nods in approval.

OLD MAN

You probably haven't paid your rent yet this month.

Kenny cries.

kENNY

How can I be a man? When I wasn't able to be a boy?

OLD MAN

(angrily)

You've got no gusto! Come on! Look at you! A sobfest. A bumbling idiot. You're no man. You're a child! A boy! Call your mom, give her the $5 you owe her.

The old man exits disgusted.

baRKEEP

You have to locate your balls, big guy.

Hector enters the bar. He conceals 2 bouncy balls.

hECTOR

Hey Kenny. I wasn't expecting to see you here.

Hector takes a seat.

hECTOR

What's going on?

baRKEEP

Your friend's lost his balls.

hECTOR

I found these outside.

Hector puts the bouncy balls on the bar.

baRKEEP

That was unexpected.

dRUNK (O.S.)

Barkeep! Another barley pop!

The barkeep exits.

kENNY

What are you doing here?

hECTOR

I'm having a rough day, man.

kENNY

Wanna talk about rough? Bill collectors call me all day and I just got undressed by an old man.

Hector's face sours.

hECTOR

That's rough, man. Why did you let some old dude take your clothes off?

kENNY

No, ass. He just put me in my place. I couldn't even fight back. He was right. Time to be a man.

hECTOR

My mom's house is being foreclosed. We got nowhere to go.

kENNY

I'm sorry to hear that. Really.

hECTOR

Well, at least we got our jobs, right? We still garbage men.

kENNY

You know it.

The barkeep approaches.

baRKEEP

One of you guys Abraham Gibson?

kENNY

Yeah. What's up?

baRKEEP

Phone call.

The barkeep throws the phone on the bar. He hands the receiver to Kenny.

kENNY

Uhh. Hello?

bill collector 4 (v.O.)

Abraham Gibson?

kENNY

Yeah, who is this?

biLL COLLECTOR 4 (v.O.)

This is Jordan with Auto Acceptance. I was calling in reference to your Honda Civic.

kENNY

How did you know?

bill COLLECTOR 4 (v.O.)

Can you pay?

kENNY

No!

Kenny slams the phone down.

int. cliFF'S kitchen - next morning

Martha is making breakfast for the family. Greg, 6 and Nikki, 11 are seated at the table.

Nikki reads a magazine. Greg smacks the magazine.

nikki

Greg stop! Mom!

mARTHA

Greg. Stop bothering your sister.

greg

Oooohhh. Ashton Kutcher. He's so dreamy. Ooohhh.

Greg smacks the magazine again.

niKKI

Greg! You little shit!

mARTHA

Hey! What did I say about using that word?

niKKI

He's bothering me!

Cliff walks into the kitchen dressed for work.

cLIFF

Shut up the both of you. It's too early for this shit.

mARTHA

Clifford! Shut your fff..

Martha looks at her kids as they innocently look back.

mARTHA

Flowering mouth.

Cliff rummages through the refrigerator. He pulls out an apple.

cLIFF

I hate this shh...stuff.

mARTHA

You have to eat better! Dr. Matthews says your cholesterol is through the roof! You know what they say. An apple a day..

cLIFF

Tastes like shit.

Greg and Nikki laugh as Christina walks into the kitchen. She wears all black.

christina

You should care more about your health. Without it you'd be dead.

cLIFF

Good morning to you too, Munch.

chrISTINA

Stop calling me that.

Christina plops into a chair.

mARTHA

You want eggs, honey?

chRISTINA

Sure.

cLIFF

Oh! What about me? Can I get some eggs?

mARTHA

You can have 1 egg.

cLIFF

What the hell am I gonna do with 1 egg?

gREG

Eggs taste like shit.

MARTHA

Greg! Go wash your mouth out!

gREG

Dad said it!

mARTHA

(to Cliff)

Go wash your mouth out too!

int. cliff's bathroom

Both Cliff and Greg have a bar of soap in their mouth.

Cliff takes his soap out.

cLIFF

This soap tastes like shit.

Greg laughs. His soap pops out of his mouth as Greg gets hysterical.

Martha runs into the bathroom.

mARTHA

Keep it up and you'll both be grounded!

Cliff hands the soap to his wife.

cLIFF

I gotta go to work.

Cliff kisses his wife. Martha's face puckers at the taste of soap.

int. saNITATION OFFICES - dAY

Cliff walks into the sanitation office where every driver is stationed outside Boss' office.

cLIFF

Hey John, what's going on?

JOHN Pike is a very small, thin man.

john

You heard the news right?

cLIFF

Yeah, yeah, what's Turley gotta say?

jOHN

He's not saying anything.

cLIFF

Where's Derek?

jOHN

He's on the phone with the union in the back. We ain't driving until we hear some answers.

cLIFF

You seen my guys?

jOHN

Kenny's not here yet, Hector's around somewhere.

cLIFF

Alright, see you later.

Cliff walks around the mob through a door to the back of the office. DEREK is the union rep for this office. He is on the phone. Cliff approaches.

cLIFF

What's going on?

derek

I'm on hold.

He hums a catchy tune.

clIFF

John said we're striking.

derek

That's not official yet.

Derek gets back on the line.

derek

(on phone)

Yeah! Hey Mike. Alright, ok. You sure? That's crazy.

cLIFF

What?

Derek waives Cliff off.

derEK

Alright, I'll let them know.

Derek hangs up the phone.

cLIFF

What?

derEK

We've been locked out.

cLIFF

Like the Yankees?

deREK

Uhh, yeah. I gotta go tell the others.

Derek walks away in shock.

int. saNITATION OFFICES - cONTINUOUS

Derek walks through the door where the mob still waits for answers. People gravitate toward Derek as he makes his way to the middle of the office. The mob is shouting.

Derek stands on top of a desk.

dereK

Shut up! Everyone shut up!

jOHN

What about our jobs?

The mob erupts.

derEK

That's not shutting up! Now shut up!

The mob quiets.

deREK

Thank you. Now, as we've all heard, Mayor Jenkins is recommending job cuts in all phases of township jobs. Police, fire, teachers and sanitation.

jOHN

That's us!

The mob erupts.

derek

John! One more peep! Please make one more peep! I'm beggin' you! I'll punt you across the room!

The mob quiets.

derek

Thank you again. Now, they can't make many more cuts to police, fire, and teachers jobs. Mayor Jenkins got pre-approval in an emergency council meeting last night to...

jOHN

What?

clIFF

What?

Kenny walks into the office.

kENNY

What's going on? Is it Derek's birthday again?

jOHN

Shut up Kenny!

deREK

They're abolishing the sanitation department.

The mob erupts.

john

What are people going to do with their garbage?

The mob quiets.

deREK

I didn't get many details. I was just told that we are all to leave and we will each be contacted on a case by case basis. So, there's nothing more for us to do here. Let's clear out.

Cliff stands on another desk close to the exit with pen and paper. He wobbles and steadies himself.

cLIFF

Before you go, write down your name and number as you leave. There's a city council meeting tomorrow. I want people to show up. We have to let these politicians know what they're doing to people. It's not always about numbers.

The mob erupts again.

derEK

(yelling over mob)

Please don't break anything!

ext. saNITATION OFFICES - dAY

Cliff stands outside the door with a rolled up paper in his hand. Kenny and Hector are standing with Cliff.

hECTOR

What are we gonna do?

cLIFF

Not much we can do. We just have to, you know, come up with something.

kENNY

How am I gonna pay the bills that I can afford to pay?

cLIFF

They have to give us some sort of severance package. That should hold you over for a month or two.

heCTOR

This has to be the shittiest week of my life. I got nowhere to live, no job, no money.

clIFF

You guys are still my guys. Don't worry, between the three of us we can figure this out. We just have to stick together. Why don't you guys come to the house, we'll get things sorted out.

ext. cliff'S HOUSE - dAY

Cliff pulls into his driveway. He's driving a small pick up truck. His neighbor, TOM stands outside with a realtor who wears a yellow suit jacket.

Cliff hops out of his truck. He walks up his driveway.

tom

Hey Cliff!

cLIFF

Hey there, Tom. What's the good news?

Tom walks to the edge of his yard. Cliff meets him.

tOM

I'm putting the casa del Davidson up for sale.

CLIFF

Really? I thought you were here for the long haul?

tOM

Yeah, well I would have been. I've gotta sell though. You know, tough times.

cLIFF

Yeah, I know. It's tough all around. You get transferred for work or something?

tOM

No, no. I got, how do they put it? Promoted to customer.

cLIFF

No? They canned you?

tOM

Yeah, there's just no market in car sales anymore. You know how it goes in that business.

cLIFF

You were at the dealership for a long time. Wow. Just like that huh?

tOM

It's a "what have you done for me lately?" type of business. If you can't produce sales, they find someone that does. It's not a big deal. We're moving back to Cassie's mom's for a little bit.

cLIFF

Sure, it's not the end of the world. How much are you putting up the house for?

tOM

We're trying for 275, but we might have to take less.

cLIFF

Damn! You're upside down then.

tOM

The system is upside down, my friend. The whole system.

cLIFF

So when are you moving?

tOM

Probably next month. Who knows. I'm gonna be in a drunken stupor until then.

cLIFF

Nice! Good times!

A pick up truck followed by a Honda stops in front of Cliff's house.

cLIFF

Well, company's here. Gotta run. Good talking to you.

tOM

Yeah, you too!

Cliff starts walking away.

tOM

Hey, what are you doing home? Shouldn't you be at work?

Cliff turns around. He's now walking backwards.

cLIFF

They locked us out!

tOM

Like the Yankees?

cLIFF

That's what I said!

tOM

What am I supposed to do with my garbage?

cLIFF

I don't know yet! I'll get back to you!

Cliff runs backwards into his truck. Hector and Kenny walk up the driveway.

hECTOR

You ok, papi? Started getting your drink on already?

Hector and Kenny reach Cliff. The trio walk toward the house.

cLIFF

Shut up Hector. I don't drink until noon on my days off.

They get to the door.

kENNY

What about the days you work?

Cliff cracks a smile as he opens the door.

cLIFF

Jack Daniels for breakfast.

int. cLIFF'S HOUSE - cONTINUOUS

The guys step inside the house. Martha's exercising to a Tae Bo tape.

marTHA

Flex them glutes, Billy!

cLIFF

Hey baby.

Martha turns in shock. She screams! She ducks behind the couch.

marTHA

Cliff! You asshole! Why aren't you at work?

clIFF

We were locked out today?

marTHA

Like the Yankees?

cLIFF

That's what I said!

martHA

Hey Kenny. How are you doing?

kENNY

I'm great, Martha. How are the kids?

marTHA

They're fine.

Martha looks at Hector. Silence for a beat.

cLIFF

Oh! You haven't met Hector yet! He's been on the job what? 6 months now?

hECTOR

That's about right. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Cliff.

Hector extends his hand. Martha shakes his hand.

hectOR

So soft. You moisturize with Suave?

marTHA

I just got done washing the dishes.

hECTOR

Ah, the famous Palmolive hands! I should have known! This is a beautiful house!

cLIFF

Thanks. Make yourselves at home. I'll get us some brews.

marTHA

Cliff. It's 9. How about some orange juice?

cLIFF

Babe! I just lost my job! Let me have a brew with some buds!

marTHA

Your buds can have beer! Dr. Matthews says you gotta watch your diet!

kENNY

Orange juice sounds fabulous.

Hector and Kenny take a seat on the couch. Cliff sits in the recliner. Tae Bo still plays on the tv.

cLIFF

I hate this guy.

kENNY

Who? Billy Blanks? He's a genius.

cLIFF

You just say that because you look like him.

hECTOR

Hey dude. You do look like him!

Martha returns with drinks.

cLIFF

Turn this shit off, will you babe?

marTHA

Yeah yeah.

hECTOR

This orange juice tastes amazing. Did you squeeze it yourself?

marTHA

No, it's store brand.

hECTOR

I'll have to remember that. Store brand.

marTHA

So what are you gonna do now? I wasn't supposed to worry. Now I'm worried.

cLIFF

Don't worry. I'll come up with something. I always do.

marTHA

You haven't had to come up with anything for over 20 years!

kENNY

We gotta come up with something.

cLIFF

Garbage collection is all I know. I've been doing it for so long.

hECTOR

What are we going to do?

cLIFF

We have to stick together, the three of us.

kENNY

Like the Three Musketeers.

cLIFF

I was thinking like the Bee Gee's. But we'll go with your musketeer analogy.

hECTOR

Why can't we be Hector, Kenny and Cliff? I don't want to wear a mask.

cLIFF

The point is, first of all, my name would come first. But the point is, we have to watch out for each other now.

hECTOR

You should be mayor.

cliff

Nah. I'm not smart enough.

kENNY

You should. You should run for mayor. You could do it.

cLIFF

I'm not running for mayor. Forget about it. I don't want it. I don't have the money. And I'm not a liar.

kENNY

That's why you should run!

hecTOR

Yeah, you could be like, the people's mayor.

cLIFF

That's what the mayor is supposed to be. He works for us.

keNNY

Not this one.

cLIFF

I'm not running for mayor. You guys are ridiculous. Listen, we can't change who's in office right now. We can just hope to change the situation that's here right now. It starts tomorrow at the city council meeting.

INT. CITY HALL

It's 5:45. The city council building is packed with people. Cliff, Kenny and Hector are standing with coworkers. They wait for the doors to open.

jOHN

What's the plan? I don't know the plan. I don't like not having a game plan.

cLIFF

It's real simple. When it's our turn to speak, we talk about our situation. Make these people see it's not just about dollars and cents. They're screwing with people's livelihoods.

hECTOR

Plus it's gonna smell like shit around here.

kENNY

What?

hECTOR

With the garbage. It's gonna get stinky man.

The doors open. The meeting is called. The crowd of people file into the room.

int. city council meeting

The garbage people take their seats. Kenny looks around.

Trisha comes through the door. She's wearing a white dress.

She makes eye contact with Kenny. Her eyes light up.

kENNY

Oh no. Not tonight.

cLIFF

What? What's the matter with you?

kENNY

Trisha's here.

cLIFF

Oh! Good. The more the better.

hECTOR

Hey, Trisha's here!

cLIFF

We established that already, Hector.

kENNY

I'm not ready for this man.

hectOR

Remember what you said? Back at the bar? It's time to be a man. So be a man. You want the woman. So take the woman. It's obvious she's got something for you.

kENNY

You think so?

cLIFF

Sure. She always looks happy around you.

hECTOR

She glows around you baby!

kENNY

Maybe it's gas. I don't know.

Trisha arrives.

trISHA

Hey guys! Big night tonight.

cLIFF

Hey there, Trisha. I didn't see you come in. You look lovely. Doesn't she look lovely?

Cliff elbows Kenny.

Kenny stays silent.

hECTOR

You look like fresh snow, honey.

trISHA

Thanks, chachi.

Cliff elbows Kenny again.

Kenny looks up.

kENNY

Hey.

trISHA

Hi, Kenny.

Trisha slows down her speech.

trISHA

How, are, you?

kENNY

I'm good, good. Never felt better. Never.

trISHA

That's good.

Trisha pats Kenny on his head.

Kenny has a nervous look on his face.

Trisha smiles at Cliff.

Cliff covers his face.

The council members take their seats at the head of the room. City council is comprised of 5 members, 3 men 2 women, plus the mayor.

Mayor Jenkins stands at a podium.

mayOR JENKINS

During last weeks meeting we debated the budget for the Ventura Blvd. project. To remind you, we'll refurbish the area between South Dawson Dr. and Santa Clara Ave. Budget set at $298,519 for Davidson Revitalization to begin in October. The council will vote. All in favor?

4 council members raise their hands.

mayOR JENKINS

All opposed?

1 council member, BOB Swantz, 60's and grey, raises his hand.

mayOR JENKINS

For the last piece on our agenda tonight, I would like to propose that we abolish the sanitation department and leave the burden of trash disposal to the citizens of Camarillo. Due to the central position of the county dump in Simi Valley, I feel that citizens can transport their own personal trash on a twice weekly schedule. Citizens still have the option of paying a private company for trash removal.

bob

I don't know Vernon. I know I'm alone in this, but I don't think that our citizens need to be bogged down with trash. With the way things are going, with the economy, people losing their jobs, their homes, and in some cases resulting in broken families. Having to worry about making time to drive their refuse to the county landfill seems rather unnecessary.

mayOR JENKINS

The economy is precisely why we have to eliminate the department.

boB

I just want to know where it's going to end?

A councilwoman, CYNTHIA Shaw, mid 40's, stands.

cynthia

Bob, I don't see where we have a choice. The burden has to be put back on the people. There are lots of viable options for the people to purchase this service. If they don't want to pay, they can take their own trash to the dump.

boB

I'm not sure that you quite understand the community you will create. Over 75 percent of our city uses the sanitation department for rubbish collection. The people can't afford to pay fees to throw out garbage. We have to realign the budget. I've been championing this for years.

A councilman, STEVE Kelshaw, 50's, raises his hand.

steve

Bob, we can always explore the budget. But for right now, this is the way it has to be. We can't keep paying for people to throw out their garbage. We have a good, reasonably priced option for trash collection. We need to do this. We are hemorrhaging city funds.

bob

Yeah, into your pockets.

A gavel pounds on the podium.

mayOR JENKINS

Order! Order! We have heard arguments and will take the vote at next week's meeting. We'll recess here for and reconvene at 7:30 with public hearings.

int. citY hall

The crowd pours out of the room into the main hall. Cliff, Kenny, John and Trisha are standing in a corner of the hall.

kENNY

People stopped coming out. Where's Hector?

cLIFF

I don't know. Maybe he went to the bathroom.

jOHN

I'll go check on him.

cLIFF

I'll run back in the room. See if he's still there.

Cliff and John leave Kenny and Trisha behind.

Cliff walks into the meeting room.

trisha

Hey.

kENNY

Hey. Listen, I'm sorry about the way I've acted around you. I've got something I wanna tell you.

trISHA

Listen Kenny.

kENNY

Hang on. It took me a real long time to be able to put together a full sentence for you.

John returns.

john

He's not in the crapper.

kENNY

Dang. Where could he be?

int. cITY COUNCIL MEETING

Cliff opens the door. Hector is sitting in a chair. He stares at the podium.

Cliff walks up to Hector.

clIFF

You ok?

hECTOR

Yeah. I just thought I'd never be here under these circumstances. You know?

cLIFF

Yeah, I know what you mean.

hector

This time last year I was an addict. This job saved my life. I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for this job.

clIFF

C'mon don't say that man. We'll get through this. Let's go.

int. city COUNCIL MEETING - lATER

Mayor Jenkins pounds his gavel on the podium.

mayOR JENKINS

This meeting is called to order. We'll continue with public hearings.

A bailiff hands Mayor Jenkins a stack of about 10 index sized cards.

mayOR JENKINS

Thanks Gordon. First name is John Pike. John Pike?

John walks up the center isle to a podium in front of the board.

John clears his throat.

jOHN

(meekly)

H..Hi. My name is John Pike. Hey. I'm a garbage man. I know that you guys think that you're saving tons of money by taking away my job. And the jobs of about a hundred other people. You might. You might save money. But, I'm going to lose my home.

John starts to tear up.

johN

Are you going to lose your homes? Are you going to be able to keep food on the table? Because I won't. This. This will devastate my family. This will break up my home. You're making the wrong decision if you vote to close this department. Thank you.

John walks back to the group. Cliff and Kenny console him.

mayOR JENKINS

Thank you Mr. Pike.

Mayor Jenkins scrolls to the next card.

mayor jenkins

Is there a Ms. Gwen Ribeiro? Gwen?

No response.

mayor JENKINS

We'll come back to her.

He puts the card aside.

mayor jENKINS

Hector Herrera. Mr. Herrera?

Hector walks up the isle to the podium.

hector

Thank you, Mayor. I'm a garbage man. I live with my mother. We just got our foreclosure notice. My mom hasn't been working for 9 months. Now, I don't have a job. You sent us home, Mayor. What am I going to do? Sell oranges on Ventura? I'm not doing that again! Should I turn back to drugs? I'm trying to build a good life. This job was all we had. Mom and me. Now you want to take that away.

Hector walks back to his seat.

mayOR JENKINS

Thank you. Next is Trisha Nilsson. Ms. Nilsson the floor is yours.

Trisha saunters to the podium.

trisha

Hi. Wow, this is harder than I thought it would be. Ok, you're going to take away my job. The jobs of my friends. My colleagues, peers. To be honest, we'll be fine. We will!

Trisha looks back.

trISHA

We will.

Trisha turns back around.

trISHA

But, will the city? Your idea is to have the people throw out their own garbage. Haul it down to the dump, which is about 20 minutes from here. Half of them might. Sure. Half of them surely won't. Maybe it's a disability. Maybe it's a time constraint. Maybe, well, it's just pure laziness. Trash will fill the streets of this town. Do you want that? Is that what you want to make our city into? If it is, than fire us. I know it's not. Thank you.

Trisha walks back to her seat.

mayOR JENKINS

Thank you.

bob

See? See what we have to deal with?

Mayor Jenkins pounds the gavel.

mayOR JENKINS

This is time allotted for public hearings. Please hold your comments for next weeks meeting. Mr. Abraham Gibson.

Kenny walks up to the podium.

kENNY

This place is gonna smell like shit.

Mayor Jenkins pounds the gavel.

MayOR JENKINS

Please take your seat, sir.

Kenny sits down. He high fives Hector.

mayOR JENKINS

Clifford Sanderson.

Cliff walks up to the podium.

cLIFF

Thank you for your time. I'm not going to be long. I'm also a garbage man. I hope that by our presence here today you see that this issue is about more than dollars and cents. You are making a decision that will adversely affect people's lives. People like me, John, Hector, Trish, and even Kenny. Not to mention all the others that couldn't join us tonight. Employers have a moral responsibility to keep their people working. Fast food could be 100 percent automated. Convenience stores could be nothing but vending machines. But, McDonald's and 7-11 keep employees because of the morality of the issue. I don't want to get into a sob story about my life. But keep this in mind. You fix your problem this way, it'll fall upon your head ten fold. Karma is a bitch.

mayor JENKINS

Thank you Mr.

cLIFF

I'm not finished. I implore you to heed the advice of Mr. Swantz. You are about to spend almost 300 thousand dollars to plant a few trees and put in new street light bulbs. Look inward. This is not a way to do business. Thank you.

The gavel pounds.

mayOR JENKINS

That concludes our meeting tonight. We'll address the sanitation situation at our next closed meeting this coming Tuesday. This meeting is adjourned.

The council stands. They shake eachother's hand. Bob approaches Cliff and the other garbage people.

bob

Hey there guys. I just wanted to take a minute to say I'm sorry. I never wanted this to happen.

jOHN

There has to be something you can do.

bob

I've got 1 vote and I'm outnumbered. There's nothing I can do. Cliff.

clIFF

Yeah?

bob

Why don't you run for office?

Cliff laughs.

cLIFF

Yeah right. I don't think so.

boB

See? This is the problem. Good people don't want the responsibility.

cliff

No, good people don't want to deal with bureaucratic bullshit.

bob

What do you mean by that?

clIFF

The guy with the biggest bankroll gets the seat. It's obvious. This isn't government, it's bribery.

bob

You've got something though. You can make a difference.

clIFF

You're thinking of someone else. Have a good night councilman.

bob

Goodnight Cliff.

int. cliff's house - nIGHT

Cliff walks through the front door. Christina sits on the couch. She's got a book in her hands.

cliFF

Hey there, Munch.

chrISTINA

I thought I told you to stop calling me that.

cLIFF

I remember that day, 7 years ago.

chrISTINA

Uhh, yeah.

cliFF

Anything on your mind?

christina

Daddy. I'm not going to college.

clIFF

Like hell you're not! Your mother and I worked very hard to send you to college.

christina

Mom told me you got fired. I can't live with the idea that you're not working and I'm at school and you're paying for it and I just can't do that to you.

Cliff sits on the couch with Christina.

cliff

You, first of all, I didn't get fired. I got locked out.

chrISTINA

Like the Yankees?

cLIFF

Yes, like the Yankees. And second of all. You're not doing anything to me but making me proud. Hear me? Proud that you're going to be a college student. Listen. I don't want you to have to struggle like your mom and I do.

christina

I know daddy. But, maybe this just isn't the right time. Maybe I can just take a year off.

cLIFF

If you take a year off you'll never go back. Trust me. Munch, you're going to college. Don't worry about me. Don't worry about mom. We'll be fine.

chRISTINA

Daddy, you've been at your job for my whole life. What are you going to do? Work at Best Buy? Ralph's? How can I go to school, when you guys need me here?

clIFF

Munch, sometimes you have to worry about yourself first. We're all adults here. Don't let us hold you back. I'm begging you. We'll figure it out.

chRISTINA

I don't know.

clIFF

Have you heard back from any schools yet?

chrISTINA

Yeah. I got a letter a few days ago.

cLIFF

From where?

chRISTINA

UC. Santa Barbara.

cLIFF

The Gaucho's? You wanted to be a Gaucho. It's a nice campus too.

chRISTINA

Yeah.

clIFF

So we're signing up for the fall?

chRISTINA

I didn't get in.

cLIFF

That's ok, Munch. There's plenty of other schools.

chRISTINA

I did get into San Diego State.

clIFF

That's a good school! It's kinda far, but it's a great school! It's settled then.

Cliff kisses Christina on the head. He heads into his bedroom.

int. cliff's bedroom - niGHT

It's the middle of the night. Cliff and Martha are fast asleep when a phone call wakes Cliff.

Cliff picks up the phone.

clIFF

Hello?

john (v.o.)

(on phone)

Cliff?

cliFF

Yeah, who is this?

john (v.o.)

(slurring words)

It's John, Pike.

cLIFF

Yeah John. What time is it?

jOHN (v.o.)

It's 2:30.

cliff

What's up, John?

jOHN (v.o.)

I need help Cliff. I'm not sure where I am. You gotta help me.

clIFF

Have you been drinking?

jOHN (v.o.)

A little bit. I think I'm in Santa Monica. I can't get home.

Cliff turns on the lamp on his nightstand.

cliFF

Why do you think you're in Santa Monica?

john (v.o.)

Everything says "Santa Monica" I think I'm on sand. Feels nice.

clIFF

Go to a street sign. Tell me where you are.

ext. street corner - night

John is standing on a street corner. There's not much going on.

jOHN

Ocean Ave. and Colorado. Coloradooo!

An SUV drives by. Someone throws a soft drink onto John.

jOHN

Hurry up Cliff. These people are mean!

int. cliff's bedroom - niGHT

Cliff hangs up the phone. He throws his feet over the edge of the bed.

Martha faces her side of the bed.

marTHA

What are you doing?

clIFF

I gotta go get John.

marTHA

Where?

clIFF

Santa Monica.

Martha rolls over. She now looks at Cliff.

marTHA

Is he ok?

clIFF

I think so. He should be fine.

marTHA

What about Linda?

clIFF

She wasn't with him.

marTHA

No. Stupid. Are they ok?

clIFF

I don't know. They're still married.

marTHA

You work with the man. How could you not know?

cliFF

It never came up. I gotta go get him. I'll be home before sunrise.

i/E. street corner - lATER

Cliff's pick up truck stops at the corner of Ocean and Colorado. John gets up off the curb. He gets in the truck.

John is silent.

cliff

What's going on?

john

I couldn't go home.

cLIFF

Does Linda know where you are?

jOHN

No.

cliff

Don't you think you should tell her?

john

I need coffee.

clIFF

What are you doing, John? It's been three days. You're already on a bender?

john

If I knew you were gonna yell at me I woulda called Kenny.

cLIFF

I'm not yelling at you. I'm just trying to understand. It's not the end of the world, man. It's a job.

jOHN

Yeah? Where am I going to work? No place is hiring! This is the end of the world! This is the end of my world!

clIFF

John, I've known you for 12 years. Bad things don't happen to good people.

john

Bad things keep happening to me. You can just drop me off here.

cLIFF

C'mon man. We're in the middle of nowhere. I'll drive you home. It'll be alright.

john

I wanna get out.

John reaches for the lock. He can't find it.

jOHN

Where's the damn lock?

clIFF

John, you're not going anywhere. I can't let you out. I couldn't live with you being eaten by a bear. Or a mountain lion. Or a bobcat.

john

I would kick a bobcat's ass.

cLIFF

I know you would.

i/e. john's house - lATER

The pick up stops in front of a house. Cliff runs around the truck. He helps John out.

clIFF

Alright, let's walk up to the door.

johN

What am I gonna tell Linda?

The front door opens. John's wife, LINDA, steps outside. She is wearing a housecoat.

linda

John, you piece of shit. Look at you. You're drunk! You'd rather go get shitfaced than spend time with your family? What kind of man are you. Hey Cliff!

clIFF

Hey there Linda. Help me with him will you?

linda

Where was he?

cliFF

Why does that matter? Just help me. I'll explain what's going on.

linda

Where was he!?

cliff

Linda, c'mon. Give me a break.

Linda holds the door open for Cliff and John.

int. john's house - cONTINUOUS

John's house is cluttered with lots of useless junk.

Cliff plops John on the couch. John slumps over. He's passed out.

clIFF

Listen, I can't stay.

linda

What's going on? Why didn't he come home?

clIFF

We lost our job a few days ago.

linda

What did you guys do? Get caught rubbing each other in the trash?

clIFF

No, we all lost our job. No more garbage men.

linda

Why? That's kinda drastic. What happened?

cLIFF

I don't know. We went to work and next thing you know, we were locked out.

lINDA

Like the Yankees?

cliFF

Uhh, yeah. He didn't tell you? This was like 3 days ago.

Linda

The little fuck doesn't tell me anything.

cliff

Well, I gotta get going. I'll call tomorrow to check in on him.

i/e. cliff's truck - nIGHT

Cliff drives home.

montage

A) Kenny sits on his couch. He watches the tv. It's snow.

B) Martha sits at the kitchen table going over bills.

She throws all the bills on the table.

She slides them into the trash.

C) Trisha sits in a restaurant booth with another man.

Her face shows subtle uneasiness.

D) Hector approaches a man on a street corner.

The man wears a very baggy hooded sweatshirt.

hECTOR

Hey, can I get a dime?

The drug deal takes place.

E) John and Linda fight in their living room. Linda cries.

radio host (V.O.)

Camarillo's city council has voted to close down the sanitation department 4-1. It's a shame that these, these politicians can only think about themselves.

int. cliff's house - dAY

SUPER - Two Weeks Later

Cliff nurses a beer. He sits in his recliner.

christina

Daddy.

Cliff is mildly affected by the alcohol.

cLIFF

Yeah, Munch.

chrISTINA

You've been on the chair for a week.

clIFF

I know, Munch.

A knock on the door.

Christina rolls her eyes. She answers the door.

Bob Swantz stands on Cliff's porch.

chrISTINA

Can I help you?

bob

Is your dad home?

chrISTINA

He's not feeling well.

boB

We're all not feeling well. Do you mind?

Bob extends his arm.

chriSTINA

Yeah sure. Who can I say is asking for him?

bob

Bob Swantz.

Christina leads Bob into the living room.

christina

Daddy, Bob Swantz wants to talk to you.

clIFF

Tell him I'm busy.

bob

Tell me yourself.

Cliff sits up in his chair.

clIFF

What do you want?

bob

I want to show you something. Come outside.

clIFF

Alright, I gotta find my pants.

ext. cliff's house - dAY

Cliff and Bob stand on Cliff's porch.

bOB

Cliff, the people have spoken. Have you been outside recently?

clIFF

It's been a few weeks.

bOB

I thought so. Let's go.

The pair get into Bob's car.

i/e. city streets - day

The car travels around Camarillo. The streets are overrun by trash.

bob

The trash has collected right here over the past month or so.

cliff

Look at this. I wasn't expecting this.

bob

People can't afford to pay for trash collection services. Not when they have to decide between keeping our streets clean or keeping their lights on. There's no contest. This is the result.

The car drives past a house. Trash has taken over the front lawn.

clIFF

It looks like a third world country.

bob

At first, people tried bringing their trash to the dump. The lines were so long, the county started turning people away. So they gave up. Cliff, I need your help.

clIFF

What do you want me to do?

int. grocery store

Kenny walks his cart through the isles of a grocery store. He stops to browse the shelves. Trisha finds him down the isle.

trisha

Kenny?

Kenny turns toward Trisha.

kENNY

(nervous)

Oh, hey.

trISHA

You were great at the meeting.

kENNY

Yeah, umm, thanks.

trisha

What's going on?

keNNY

Umm. Nothing, just looking at..

Kenny looks at the shelves. Baby food stares back at him.

keNNY

Baby food.

Kenny grabs random baby food. He puts it in his cart.

trISHA

Aww. Do you have a little one at home?

keNNY

No. Umm.

tRISHA

Oh. Well, have a nice day.

kENNY

Yeah, I will. You too.

Trisha rolls her cart up the isle.

Kenny takes a deep breath.

keNNY

Hey! Wait!

Trisha stops her cart.

kENNY

I eat baby food because it's highly nutritional.

Trisha turns around.

triSHA

Really?

kENNY

Yes. Really. I eat baby food because I can't pay higher prices for fruits and vegetables.

Trisha turns her cart around. She walks back toward Kenny.

trISHA

Listen, Kenny.

keNNY

Hang on a second. Trisha, you're fine. I mean. I know you're fine. But you're beautiful. I would love to take you out. Maybe for lunch.

trISHA

Kenny.

kENNY

Wait, let me finish. I think we could be great together.

trISHA

Kenny! Listen, I think you're a great guy.

kENNY

What? You got someone else to have lunch with?

trISHA

Yes. I do.

kENNY

Great. Well have a good lunch.

Kenny speeds his cart away.

tRISHA

Kenny!

ext. cliff's house - dAY

Bob and Cliff stand in the street in front of Cliff's house. Tom rides on his lawn mower through trash in the distance.

bob

Will you think about it?

cLIFF

I already have. I don't think I can do it. First, I don't have the money.

bob

You can do it. I can help. First of all, you'd be shocked at how little money it takes. Together, we can clean this place up. Both literally and figuratively.

Tom rides his mower up to Bob and Cliff. He shuts off the engine. Tom holds a beer.

tOM

Hey Cliff.

cLIFF

What's going on Tom? Any luck with the house?

tom

No luck yet. Still holding out hope.

clIFF

Good luck. Got any bites on it yet?

tOM

No. Nobody's come by yet.

cLIFF

Nobody's even looking at it?

tOM

Not yet.

clIFF

We're all screwed, huh?

Bob nods his head.

clIFF

Alright Bob. You win. When do we start?

tom

What are you guys talking about?

clIFF

I'm running for mayor.

ext. kenny's apartment

Cliff approaches Kenny's door.

SUPER - 38 Days to Election

clIFF (v.o.)

What's first?

bob (v.O.)

First we have to surround you with a great staff. People you can trust. People who know you.

Cliff knocks on Kenny's door.

Kenny answers.

kenny

What's up Cliff?

cLIFF

Kenny, I need you.

kENNY

For what?

clIFF

I'll explain later. Let's go.

ext. street corner

Hector stands on a street corner. He looks suspicious.

Cliff's truck stops by Hector. Hector is pulled inside.

The truck speeds away.

i/e cliff's truck

hECTOR

What are you guys doing?

clIFF

We've gotta do something about this situation.

int. cliff's house

Cliff stands as his family, Bob, Kenny and Hector sit on the couches and chairs.

Cliff stares at the faces that stare back at him. He bites his fingernails.

clIFF

I'm running for mayor.

Kenny and Hector jump out of their chairs.

kENNY

You serious?

cliff

Yeah. I'm serious.

martha

Doesn't it cost money?

bob

We've got that covered.

Bob nods at Cliff.

clIFF

Yeah. But if I'm gonna do this I need your support.

Martha stands. She kisses Cliff.

marTHA

If I didn't support you I would have taken the kids out of this shithole a long time ago.

Greg and Nikki giggle.

Martha turns to her children.

martha

Oh. Shit shit shit shit.

christina

Mom! We have company. Try to act normal.

int. county building

Cliff, Kenny and Hector stand in a county office.

SUPER - 35 Days to Election

cliff (v.o.)

What next?

bob (v.O.)

Next we have to file for candidacy. That's at the county building.

clIFF (v.O.)

What does that do?

bob (v.O.)

That lets the county know you want to be mayor.

clIFF (v.O.)

Ok.

Cliff walks up to the counter. An OLD LADY is behind the counter.

OLD LADY

Yes sir. How may I help you?

cliff

I want to file for candidacy.

old lADY

Yes sir. What office?

cliff

This office.

old lady

Excuse me, sir?

cliff

I want to file for candidacy in this office.

old lADY

Yes sir. Which office did you want to hold?

cliFF

Umm. I'd like a corner office, with a view.

hECTOR

I want a corner office too. With a fake tree.

old lADY

Which office are you applying for?

cliff

Listen lady. What do you want me to say? Do I need to say a number?

old lADY

No s..

cliff

438.

old lADY

Sir. What are you running for?

cliff

Oh! My doctor says I need to loose weight. I jog about a half mile a day.

kenny

He wants to be mayor.

clIFF

Yeah. Mayor.

old lady

Ok, hold a minute please.

Cliff takes a deep breath.

Kenny pats Cliff on the back.

The old lady returns with a big pile of papers.

old lady

Here are the forms sir.

cliff

All of these?

old lady

Yes sir. All of these.

cLIFF

Do you have a pen?

The old lady hands Cliff a pen.

cliff

Thank you.

Cliff takes the papers and pen. He moves aside.

clIFF

Half of these papers have no place to fill anything out. Excuse me, miss?

The old lady comes over.

old lady

Yes sir?

clIFF

Half of these pages don't have anything for me to fill out.

old lADY

Yes sir. Initial on the bottom of each page.

Cliff begins initialing each page.

ext. neighborhood street - dAY

Cliff, Kenny and Hector stand in the middle of a suburban street. They each hold a clipboard.

SUPER - 31 Days To Election

clIFF (v.O.)

Alright, I'm a candidate. Now what?

bob (v.O.)

You're not a candidate yet. You've gotta petition to get on the ballot.

hector (v.O.)

I thought that's what those papers were for.

cLIFF (V.O.)

You're not supposed to be here. Go wait outside.

hector (v.O.)

Oh, man!

Footsteps. Then a door opens and shuts.

bob (v.O.)

Split up and go door to door. Get your name out there. More importantly, get them to sign the petition.

Cliff, Hector and Kenny split up.

Cliff walks up to a house. He avoids bags of garbage in the walkway.

Cliff knocks on the door.

A male HOMEOWNER answers the door.

homeowner

Yes sir?

clIFF

Hello citizen! My name is Cliff Sanderson. I'm running for mayor. I need you to sign this here petition to get my name on the ballot.

homEOWNER

What's your platform?

clIFF

Umm. Platform. Yes. I'll use the stage at the high school.

homeOWNER

Ok. But what are your ideals?

clIFF

To clean up the garbage. I think that's a good idea. We have to save money in other places than public service. Our kids need teachers. Our criminals need police. Our meth labs need firemen.

The homeowner signs.

ext. neighborhood stREET - dAY

Kenny is on the opposite side of the street.

He walks through a trash littered, fenced in front yard. Kenny knocks on the front door.

A FEMALE HOMEOWNER answers the door.

FEMALE homeowneR

Can I help you?

kENNY

Yes ma'am. I'm here on behalf of Cliff Sanderson. He's running for mayor to clean up the streets of Camarillo.

fEMALE HOMEOWNER

I don't care about the streets! Look at my yard. Look at my neighbor's yard! There's garbage everywhere!

kENNY

We'll work on taking care of that.

femalE HOMEOWNER

Where do I sign?

The female homeowner signs.

ext. nEIGHBORHOOD STREET - dAY

Hector walks up the driveway of a house that is spotless.

He knocks on the door.

A BUSINESSMAN answers.

businessman

Hello. I don't want any.

The businessman closes the door.

Hector knocks again.

buSINESSMAN

I said I don't want any oranges.

hectOR

Man, I'm not here to sell your oranges. Sign this paper.

busineSSMAN

I don't think so, the last time I signed a paper for a Mexican I ended up with 4 kids.

hECTOR

What? I'm not trying to sell you kids. I'm not even Mexican. Cliff Sanderson needs his name on the ballot for mayor.

buSINESSMAN

What are his views?

hECTOR

He's going to clean up the city. The trash is out of control.

The businessman looks around.

buSINESSMAN

Really? I didn't notice.

hECTOR

Listen, just sign the paper. You don't have to vote for him.

The business man takes the clipboard from Hector.

buSINESSMAN

Let me see this.

He reads it over.

buSINESSMAN

No.

heCTOR

No? Why?

buSINESSMAN

I like Mayor Jenkins.

Hector gets very aggressive.

hECTOR

You're a damn fool! Sign this damn form! I hate shitheads like you!

The businessman signs the form.

ext. grocery store - dAY

John and Trisha stand outside a grocery store. Each holding clipboards.

CUSTOMERs exit the store at a steady pace.

JOHN

Hello, sir. Would you mind signing this petition?

customer

What is it for?

johN

Get Cliff Sanderson on the ballot for mayor.

The customer moves on.

Another male customer exits the store.

triSHA

Hey there sweetie. Sign this for me?

The male customer looks at Trisha, smiles then signs.

trISHA

Thank you!

john

How many do you have today?

trISHA

Umm. Hold on.

Trisha flips through numerous pages.

trISHA

148. How about you?

John looks at his top page.

jOHN

19.

trISHA

John, John, John. You gotta get on the ball.

john

I think I need to get a rack.

trISHA

You don't need a rack. Maybe you have to play to the ladies.

A female customer exits the grocery store.

John stands up straight. He accentuates whatever muscles he has.

jOHN

Hey there, punkin.

The female customer hits him repeatedly with her purse.

John falls to the ground.

customer 2

Creep!

int. cliff's house

Cliff plops on his couch.

SUPER - 28 Days To Election

clIFF

Martha! Martha!

Martha runs into the living room with a spatula in her hand.

marTHA

What? What?

clIFF

My feet hurt.

martha

You gave me a heart attack dammit.

clIFF

Massage my feet for me, Martha.

martha

Who do I look like?

cLIFF

You're my wife. You're supposed to do this stuff.

martha

I didn't see that in the contract.

clIFF

Yeah, it's in there. Through richer or poor, sickness and health, massage the feet when they're hurting. It was all there.

martha

I'm not touching your nasty ass feet. Get someone else to massage them for you.

cLIFF

Nikki!

martha

She isn't home. Put your feet up.

Cliff puts his feet up on the ottoman.

Martha goes into the kitchen.

martha (o.S.)

How did you do?

cliFF

We got 'em. I'm ready to go.

marTHA (O.S.)

Do you have an action plan?

cLIFF

Action what?

Martha returns to the living room with rubber gloves.

martha

Why are you running for mayor?

She puts the gloves on.

cLIFF

To get my job back.

Martha rubs Cliff's feet.

marTHA

You're going to be mayor and garbage man? You can't just get your friends their jobs back and that's it. There's a lot of important stuff you have to decide on.

clIFF

I didn't think of that.

martha

You thought you could just give everybody their job back and that's it? Go back to being a garbage man? Being mayor means having responsibility. We need to come up with a plan. Come on.

int. cliff's kITCHEN

Cliff and Martha sit at the table. Martha has a notebook in front of her.

martha

Alright, let's start with your positions.

clIFF

Ok. First. I like to be in first.

martha

No, you big idiot. Your position on issues. What you think about things that matter. Ok. Let's start with the easy stuff. Taxes.

clIFF

I hate taxes.

marTHA

Yes. We all do. But they're necessary right?

clIFF

Yes. Uhh. Why?

martha

That's what pays your paycheck. Doofus.

clIFF

Raise taxes.

martha

Hold on now. You can't just raise taxes. People will be upset. Stop thinking about just sanitation employees.

clIFF

You're right. Ok. Raise sales tax. 1 percent.

martha

From 7 to 8 percent?

clIFF

Yep. That should be good enough. Right?

Martha takes notes.

martha

I think it's a great idea. Everybody puts in an extra 1 percent to bring Camarillo back. Sure. It's fair. Not going to be popular.

clIFF

I'm not here to make friends. They'll see it my way.

martha

What about city budget?

clIFF

City improvements will go to the lowest bidder. Not the highest pocket greaser.

Martha takes notes.

martha

Good. How about city employee salaries?

cliff

I'm going to take a modest salary. Whoever doesn't follow suit probably won't get voted in next term.

marTHA

Good point. We're doing well.

Martha takes notes.

martha

You're going to be great.

int. print shop - dAY

Cliff and Kenny stand in a print shop.

SUPER - 26 Days to Election

SHOP OWNER puts a box filled with signs on the counter.

clIFF (v.O.)

Alright, I'm ready to go. What are we doing today?

bob (V.O.)

Advertising. You can't win a campaign if nobody knows who you are.

cliff

How much do I owe you?

shop owner

That depends.

clIFF

On what?

kenny

We're not gonna pay any more than what we were quoted.

shop owner

You're running for mayor, right? Well, what are you going to do for me if you win?

cliff

We're going to bring this town back to life. Small businesses deserve a break for sticking around.

shop OWNER

What are we talking about here?

clIFF

I was thinking..

Cliff looks at Kenny.

cliff

8 percent.

shop owner

That'll be $357.92.

kenny

15 percent.

shop owner

I like you guys. I got a good feeling. Signs are on the house.

clIFF

Really?

shop owner

Yeah, really.

cliff

Now, I don't know if I can keep that promise.

shop owner

Like I said, I got a good feeling about you. Just remember who hooked you up.

clIFF

I will. Thank you.

ext. arneill rd. - dAY

Cliff, Kenny, Hector, John, and Trisha stand at an intersection on Arneill Rd. Camarillo.

clIFF

You guys ready to get moving?

The team grabs a hand full of signs each and split into teams.

Cliff, Hector and John take one side of the street.

Kenny and Trisha cross the busy road.

Cliff's team walks into a loud restaurant.

int. restaurant - dAY

A bell rings.

The diners turn to look at the guys. There is silence.

clIFF

Hello. I hope everyone is enjoying their breakfast.

waitress

You guys can take a seat wherever you want.

clIFF

Oh, we're not gonna be long.

Hector points his thumb at Cliff.

hector

Cliff here is running for mayor.

PATRON #1 stands up.

patron #1

What are you doing about the trash?

clIFF

Well, I can't do anything yet. But I have a plan to turn things around and get the trash collection services back up and running from day 1.

PATRON #2 holds up a newspaper.

patron #2

Jenkins is cutting more teaching and police jobs. Why? We pay our taxes. What are they doing with our money?

clIFF

It's clear that our money, yours and mine, is going into projects that we, as a community, are overpaying for. Not to mention they're unnecessary at this time.

patron #1

My son lost his job 2 weeks ago. He's a cop. Camarillo is falling apart. I'm thinking of moving.

The other patrons murmur in agreement.

clIFF

Listen, right now I don't have all the answers. I'm just here to put a sign up in the window. I can tell you that I'm an honest man. I don't require a lot of maintenance and I know right from wrong. Our government has been run by people who are more interested in greasing their own wheels than greasing the wheels of our citizens. I'm going to bring honesty and integrity back to government. The way other great leaders have done so many times in the past. Leaders like Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Schwarzenegger. I'm not here to bash Mayor Jenkins. It takes a man of great character to do the right thing when some fat cat with a blank check is waiving tens of thousands of dollars in your face.

patron #2

Mayor Jenkins isn't doing the right thing though.

clIFF

Just for the record, you said that. Not me.

The restaurant owner, JOSE walks up. He shakes Cliff's hand.

jose

Yes sir. I will take your sign.

Hector looks out the window.

hECTOR

Kenny's getting thrown out of a store.

cLIFF

Well folks, I gotta run. Remember to vote and keep your eyes on the paper. I promise to do my best for you.

Cliff, Hector and John leave.

ext. arneill rd. - dAY

Kenny is being escorted onto the sidewalk by a old shop owner.

Trisha walks out.

trisha

Thank you!

kenny

That guys was an asshole.

trisha

Stop it! He was cute.

kENNY

He didn't take a sign.

The shop owner taps on the window.

He gives Kenny the finger.

trisha

There's your sign.

Cliff, Hector and John run up.

cliff

Kenny! What are you doing?

kENNY

I asked him to put your sign in his window.

trisha

The old man misunderstood Kenny.

kENNY

Old bastard.

trisha

The guy kept saying something about his wife not being a widow.

cliff

Alright, we gotta get down to the newspaper offices. Can you guys finish up?

hector

Yeah, no problem.

Cliff and Kenny split away from the rest of the group.

clIFF

Listen Kenny. You can't piss anyone off. We can't afford it.

kENNY

I didn't say anything to him dude!

cliff

Alright.

int. newspaper office

Cliff and Kenny walk into the lobby of the Camarillo Acorn. A SECRETARY is stationed behind glass.

secretary

Can I help you sir?

kenny

Yes, this is Cliff Sanderson. He's running for mayor.

secRETARY

Congratulations.

clIFF

I'd like to grant one of your reporters an interview.

secRETARY

Let me get the editor for you. You can have a seat.

The guys sit on the couch. Kenny picks up a magazine.

keNNY

What's the plan here?

clIFF

We've got about a month before election. I want to debate Jenkins.

kENNY

I don't think he'll do a debate. He hasn't had a viable candidate running against him in 2 terms.

clIFF

He'll have to.

The secretary opens the door.

secretary

The editor will see you now.

The guys stand. They walk behind the door.

The secretary leads the men to the editor's office.

secRETARY

Glenn's waiting for you.

int. editor's office

The guys open the door. GLENN Farkas is the editor in chief for the Camarillo Acorn newspaper.

glenn

Hey there fellas. I hear one of you's running for mayor.

cliff

That's right.

The guys take a seat.

glENN

You want us to write up a story about you?

clIFF

I think it would be fair. Camarillo hasn't seen a fair election in 8 years.

glENN

Well, that's your opinion. We're more of a fact based paper. We tend not to sway to the left or right.

KENNY

That's why we're here. We just want people to know the facts.

glENN

Makes sense to me. Will you be available later today?

kENNY

Absolutely he will be. Anything for the Acorn.

glENN

Good. I'll send Logan Chavez. He'll be giving you a call as soon as he can. What's your number?

clIFF

Uhh. 555-8404.

Glenn writes a note.

glENN

Veronica!

The secretary, VERONICA, returns.

veronica

Yes sir?

glENN

Make sure Logan gets this.

Glenn hands Veronica the note. Veronica leaves.

The guys stand up.

clIFF

Alright, that was easy.

glENN

That's one of the benefits with working with a smaller paper.

Cliff and Glenn shake hands.

int. mayor'S OFFICE

Mayor Jenkins sits behind his desk. He looks over a group of papers.

Bob storms in.

mayor JENKINS

You don't have an appointment.

bob

I don't need one. I'm on the council. Remember?

Jenkins hits the intercom.

mayOR JENKINS

Sue, bring in 2 coffees. What do you want Bob?

bob

I want you to rethink your position.

mayor JENKINS

What about my position?

bob

I think you need to step down. Effective immediately.

mayOR JENKINS

You know you need majority vote from the council to require impeachment. I don't think you have it.

bob

I know I don't have it. I want you to leave voluntarily. I get the feeling that the upcoming election's going to be a tough one.

mayOR JENKINS

What? The mailman's running? Yeah, I heard.

bob

He's a garbage man. And he's going to win.

Jenkins laughs.

mayOR JENKINS

Yeah. Right.

Steve Kelshaw enters the office.

steve

What up mayor?

Steve high fives the mayor.

bob

Steve, cut it out. You're 50 years old dammit.

steVE

What bro? I'm stylin' and profilin'. Check this out.

Steve holds out his wrist to show ladies gold bangle bracelets.

steve

Bling!

He holds out the opposite hand to show ladies rings.

stEVE

Bling!

bob

You're wearing womens jewelry. You're pathetic.

Steve holds up three ring infested fingers to make a W, and turns it sideways to make an E. His bracelets jingle.

steve

Whatever.

Cynthia enters the office. She carries bottles of champagne.

cyNTHIA

Is the party in here?

bob

What are you celebrating?

cyNTHIA

We're cleaning up this place!

bob

You're all quitting?

cyNTHIA

No, silly bear! We just closed the deal with J and L Disposal.

bob

Bringing in private trash collection? I thought it was obvious nobody can afford that.

cynTHIA

No! J and L are just going to pick up what's on the streets. We're gonna make this place spotless!

stEVE

Yeah, it's gonna be nice!

bob

And what about in another month?

cyNTHIA

They'll be back to clean up again!

bob

What are we paying for this?

mayOR JENKINS

What does that matter? The question you should be asking is, what's in it for you?

Jenkins rummages through his desk drawer. He hands Bob a check.

Bob glances at the check.

bob

You got a $30,000 kickback?

steve

Each. Yeah!

bob

What is this job costing Camarillo?

mayOR JENKINS

$427,000. It's beans!

bob

We are broke! What don't you understand about that?

cynTHIA

C'mon. WE are not broke. THEY are broke.

Bob throws his hand up then leaves.

ext. arNEILL RD. - dAY

Cliff and Kenny reach the others.

triSHA

Hey guys. How did the newspaper thing go?

kENNY

Piece of cake. I let 'em know how it was and we got the interview.

trISHA

Really?

clIFF

Yeah. It was real easy.

Cliff's cell phone rings.

Cliff answers.

clIFF

Hello?

logan (v.o)

(on phone)

Cliff?

clIFF

The one and only.

Intercut with...

int. coffee shop - dAY

logAN

Good! I'll take a crumpet and a coffee. Regular.

clIFF

What? Hello?

Kenny hounds Cliff.

Cliff shrugs.

logan

Sorry, I was placing an order. It's Logan. Chavez!

cliff

Yes! Logan.

Cliff nods to Kenny.

clIFF

What can I do for you?

logan

I'm at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf on Arneill. You know where that is?

Cliff turns around. He looks at the shop across the street.

clIFF

Yeah, I think so.

The waitress brings the order.

Logan shakes 3 sugar packets.

logan

Ok, I'm sitting in the booth in the front corner. How long until you can you be here?

cliff

I don't know. Let me consult my campaign manager. Kenny, how fast can we get over there?

keNNY (o.s.)

30 seconds. Maybe a minute.

The group starts walking across the street.

cliff

45 seconds.

logAN

Ok. That's really...

int. coffee shop - dAY

Cliff and the gang show up in front of Logan.

logan

Fast.

Logan shuts his phone.

logan

Sit. Sit.

Cliff, Kenny, Hector, Trisha and John sit around Logan.

logAN

So, this is the team?

clIFF

Yep, team Sanderson.

Logan puts a tape recorder on the table.

logan

So what made you want to run for mayor?

cliff

Well, I really didn't want to be mayor until a little while ago. But, they decided to shut down the sanitation department. Teachers and police forces have been scaled back. We don't even have people to fight our fires. This town is now depending on county public services. It's not acceptable.

logan

Mayor Jenkins has been accused of running a, less than reputable office. How do you intend to turn things around?

heCTOR

He's not gonna take crap.

clIFF

I guess you could say that. I'm gonna bring honesty back to government. For those that hold council seats, either your with me, or you're out on the street. I'm not gonna take the crap.

logAN

We all know that the city is broke, councilman Bob Swantz has been on record as saying that we need to realign our budget. What's your plan to bring more money into our city?

kENNY

We'd have a lot more money if these crooked ass politicians would stop stealing money.

john

Stealing?

kENNY

That's right, I said stealing. They're breaking the law and nobody's got anything to say about it.

clIFF

Not much of a plan is it? Heh.

logAN

You do have a plan right?

clIFF

Of course. My idea is to raise sales tax by 1 percent. We all have to contribute a little bit more to dig us out of this mess.

logAN

So you intend to raise taxes?

cliFF

No, not all taxes. Just sales tax. I'm going to work for the people 100 percent. All I'm asking in return is 1 percent.

logAN

So what's next for you? You've gotten into the race a little late. How are you going to catch up?

clIFF

Well. By law, the mayor has to grant me one debate. That's all I want. We need to get our ideas out on the table in plain view for the townspeople to see.

int. mayOR'S OFFICE

SUPER - 21 Days to Election

Mayor Jenkins is sitting at his desk. He reads a copy of the Camarillo Acorn. He slams the newspaper down. Steve Kelshaw sits behind the paper.

mayOR JENKINS

Can he do this?

sTEVE

Yeah, according to the consitution of Camarillo you have to do one debate if one is requested.

Mayor Jenkins stands. He picks up a stress ball. He paces.

mayOR JENKINS

Shit.

He squeezes his stress ball.

mayOR JENKINS

I haven't had to pick this thing up in 7 months.

stEVE

Wait a minute. You don't have to debate him right now. Just hold him off. We'll get some positive press on you then you debate when the playing field is level.

mayoR JENKINS

Do I have to kiss babies?

stEVE

Kissing babies always works.

Mayor Jenkins scowls.

A truck horn blasts.

Mayor Jenkins opens his blinds.

A garbage truck decorated in red white and blue is parked outside. A lawn chair is secured to the top of the truck.

i/E. mayOR'S OFFICE

Kenny stands on top of the truck. He holds a bullhorn.

kENNY

(into bullhorn)

Mayor Jenkins. We officially request a debate.

Feedback is audible. A crowd begins to gather around the truck.

keNNY

Come on. Don't be a puss!

The crowd cheers.

kENNY

The mayor must debate Cliff Sanderson! We're not going to take no for an answer!

A male city employee yells out.

city employee

You don't have to take no for an answer! He has to by law!

kENNY

(normal)

Thank you, sir.

(on bullhorn)

Hear that Jenkins? You have to debate Cliff Sanderson!

Mayor Jenkins is furious. He closes the blinds.

Kenny smirks. He climbs down to the street.

Trisha gets out of the truck on the drivers side.

trISHA

Do you think it worked?

keNNY

Don't know. How do you provoke someone with no soul?

int. mayOR'S OFFICE

Mayor Jenkins throws his stress ball. The ball knocks a picture off the wall. Jenkins clears his desk then beats the wall.

mayOR JENKINS

How did they get that truck?

stEVE

I don't know.

mayOR JENKINS

How did they have access?

steVE

I don't know.

mayOR JENKINS

Shit!

Mayor Jenkins throws books around his office.

Steve ducks then leaves the room.

ext. mayOR'S OFFICE

Trisha and Kenny still stand by the truck. The ruckus caused by Jenkins can be heard outside.

kENNY

Yep, it worked. Let's go!

Trisha and Kenny jump into the truck. They speed off to cheers from the crowd.

ext. STREET - dAY

The garbage truck turns onto a busy street then stops.

Cliff climbs onto the top of the truck with Kenny.

Cliff sits in the lawn chair.

The truck idles down the street.

kenny

(into bullhorn)

People of Camarillo, Meet Cliff Sanderson. He is running for mayor.

Cliff stands.

Kenny hands the bullhorn over then sits.

cliff

(into bullhorn)

Vote for Cliff! I'll clean up the city.

The truck stops.

A crowd gathers.

cliff

(into bullhorn)

How many of us are tired of the trash?

People clap.

cliff

(into bullhorn)

I'm going to personally clean up this place, for free!

More people clap.

Cliff throws down the bullhorn. He starts to climb off the truck.

Kenny hops up.

kENNY

Where are you going?

cliff

These people have had politicians cramming crap down their throat for as long as I can remember. I'm getting on the ground.

Cliff hits the pavement.

clIFF

Hey guys. I'm Cliff Sanderson. I used to be a garbage man. These people used to work for sanitation too. I'm running for mayor.

woman

Why?

cliff

At first, because I lost my job. Now, I'm just tired of being screwed.

young man

How are we being screwed?

cliff

Do you know where your tax dollars are going?

youNG MAN

No.

cliff

Did you know that Mayor Jenkins just put in a new pool at his house? And his wife is driving a new shiny car? Is that fair?

young MAN

No. Not really.

cliff

Damn right it's not!

Crowd cheers.

cliff

We're gonna clean up the city! We're gonna bring this city back from the dead!

old woman

What do we have to do?

cliff

Just do your part! That's all I ask. Vote for me, Cliff Sanderson, then do your part. I promise to work for your interests. Do you care about putting up some flowery trees on Ventura so the people who pass through this dump think it's pretty?

old woman

It might be nice.

cliFF

Ok, bad example. Is this the same place you raised your kids? Taught them to be responsible people? Contribute to our community?

old woman

I moved here to retire. My kids are in Ohio.

Cliff waives his hand.

Kenny pulls the old woman away.

cliff

My fellow trash collectors and I will clean up this town. If you're not doing anything important I would ask you to help. We're taking back our town! It starts today! Who's with me?

Crowd cheers!

A man boos.

An annonymous fist punches him in the face.

The man falls.

cliff

Alright then! Let's clean up this shithole!

kenny

(under breath)

That wasn't very mayoral.

Everyone stands around.

young man

What are we waiting for?

cliff

I was expecting the other trucks to be here by now.

young man

Oh. Ok.

...

Four trucks arrive.

The crow cheers.

A truck pulls in behind Cliff's.

Cliff walks up to the driver side. The window rolls down.

hector

Look at me! I finally made it inside the truck! This feels great. I could take over the world!

cliff

Yeah, yeah. Move over.

Hector scowls. He moves over.

The trucks pull away.

i/e. Cliff and Hector's TRUCK CAB - dAY

Cliff sparks up the cb.

clIFF

(into CB)

Alright boys, and lady. We gotta split up.

I/E. kenny and trisha's truck cab - day

cliff (v.o.)

(on CB radio)

Kenny and Trisha go east.

Trisha smiles at Kenny.

i/E. boss and john's truck cab - dAY

cLIFF (v.O.)

(on CB radio)

Boss and John head south.

Boss and John clink soda cans.

i/E. derek and bob's truck Cab - dAY

cLIFF (V.O.)

(on CB radio)

Derek and Bob head north.

Derek nods. Bob holds on for dear life.

i/E. Cliff and Hector's truck cab - DAY

cLIFF

(into CB)

Hector and I'll head west.

Cliff puts the CB receiver up.

i/e. derek and bob's truck - dAY

Bob is bouncing around the cab.

bob

This is fun!

Derek smiles.

ext. neighborhood street - daY

A garbage truck pulls slowly onto the street. The sun shines behind the truck. The truck blows its horn.

People fill the street behind the truck equipped with garbage bags and picks.

The garbage truck idles toward the end of the street.

Townspeople and garbage people pick up bags of trash.

Some people pick up trash using their pick. They deposit the trash into their bags.

People cheer as they clean up the streets.

A J & L dump truck idles across the street at a nearby intersection. The truck stops. The air brake releases.

Cliff jumps out of his truck. He walks toward the J & L truck.

As he approaches the truck...

clIFF

(shouting)

What are you guys doing here?

The J & L DRIVER is squeaky clean.

driver

This is our contract. You pay Jenkins more money?

cliFF

What? Money? No! We live here!

The driver hops down from his truck.

driVER

You cleaning up the streets yourself? That's noble.

cliFF

Yeah. What do you want?

People stop picking up trash.

driVER

We gotta take the trash.

cliFF

You're not taking our trash.

The driver gets in Cliff's face.

driVER

What are you gonna do about it?

A large group of townspeople rush up.

Cliff stands his ground.

A CITIZEN, black male, encourages Cliff.

citizen

We got your back, Cliff.

cliFF

I don't think I have to do anything about it. Why don't you take your truck and pick up someone else's trash. I don't wanna see another J & L truck in this community again.

The driver steps back. He looks at the throng of people staring back at him.

driVER

Alright. You win. For now.

The driver gets back in his truck. He drives away. He honks his horn, it plays "La Cucaracha".

Hector's still in the county truck.

hECTOR

(shouting)

Cliff! Come over here!

Cliff walks back over to the county truck.

Hector turns up the radio. It's a political ad for Jenkins. Gloomy music plays in the background.

announcer (v.o.)

(sinister)

Cliff Sanderson, admitted garbageman, is running for mayor. He says he's going to clean up the city. But did you know? Cliff Sanderson likes to fight homeless people.

The music lightens up.

annOUNCER (v.O.)

(heavenly)

Mayor Jenkins has fought for your rights for almost 8 years. He has never fought a homeless person. In fact, he's defended homeless people. Vote for Jenkins. He loves everybody.

mayor JENKINS (v.O.)

I'm Vernon Jenkins and I approve this message.

cliFF

Shit.

Cliff sparks up the cb radio.

cliFF

(on cb)

Kenny?

kENNY (V.O.)

(on cb)

Yeah, go for Kenny.

cliFF

Jenkins has a commercial about me. What's the status of the debate.

keNNY (v.O.)

Haven't heard back yet.

bob (V.O.)

(on cb)

He has to debate you. Debates have historically been held at Camarillo High School.

cliff

I need one of you to get a date out of his office. We need to do this.

bob (v.o.)

We need more exposure.

int. cable tv offices

Cliff, Bob and Kenny walk into the office lobby. Inside there are many ads, posters of different viewing packages. A line of computers employ the front counter. The line is long.

SUPER - 7 Days To Election

Cliff wears jean cutoff shorts with a Harley Davidson t-shirt.

cliFF

I don't think we have time to wait.

bob

We have to go through with it now. I called in a favor.

kENNY

What are you so worried about?

clIFF

The tv adds 10 pounds. I'm a little worried I'm gonna come across a little..

keNNY

Fat?

clIFF

Yeah!

boB

You've been on tv already.

clIFF

What? When?

bob

The city council meeting. It's on tv. Channel 10.

clIFF

That's what that is? Usually that's the channel me and the wife put on when we wanna get...

keNNY

Frisky?

clIFF

Yeah!

The guys take a step forward as the line gets shorter.

clIFF

Geez. Don't we have an appointment?

bob

Yeah, but we have to let someone know we're here.

kENNY

Why don't we just walk up front then?

bob

We can't do that. That's cutting the line.

clIFF

Who's giving us this favor?

bob

Mike Donaldson.

Cliff nods at Kenny.

Trisha enters. She holds a cable box.

triSHA

Hey guys!

The guys turn around.

CliFF

Hey, Trisha.

Cliff nudges Kenny.

kENNY

Hey Trisha.

trISHA

What are you guys doing here?

kENNY

We're gonna get Cliff's fat ass on tv.

The group takes a step forward.

trisha

Oh. Ok. Have fun!

clIFF

What's with the box?

trISHA

I don't need it anymore.

bob

You're canceling cable?

trisha

No, just. I well. I only have 1 tv now.

Kenny looks up into Trisha's eyes.

keNNY

Only 1 tv?

The group moves 1 step forward.

kENNY

Only 1 tv?

clIFF

You said that twice.

trisha

Yeah, I don't know what happened.

cliFF

Power surge?

bob

Tube blew out?

kENNY

Boyfriend left?

trISHA

Yeah.

clIFF

Kenny, shouldn't you be umm, getting us to the front of the line?

keNNY

Oh yeah.

Kenny walks to the counter.

keNNY

Excuse me, miss. Could you let Mr. Donaldson know that Cliff Sanderson is here to speak with him.

The EMPLOYEE behind the counter is a large white woman.

EMPLOYEE

I'm sorry, you have to wait in line just like everyone else.

Kenny chuckles. He turns around to look at the rest of the group. He turns back to the employee.

kENNY

See that beautiful white woman behind me?

empLOYEE

You mean the one with the fat guy.

kENNY

Yeah, and the old dude. I wanna tap that ass so bad. The chick, that is. If you can do me this solid, I'll keep my voice down for you, sister.

The employee smiles.

emPLOYEE

Of course.

(shouting)

Donaldson! Cliff Sanderson's out front!

Kenny jumps.

eMPLOYEE

You can have a seat.

MIKE Donaldson, aging white guy, comes into the lobby before the guys have a chance to take a seat.

mike

You guys ready to make a commercial?

bOB

Hey Mike! We're ready as ever, right Cliff?

clIFF

Yeah.

miKE

We've gotta get more enthusiasm! People have to love you! C'mon back.

triSHA

See you later guys, good luck!

int. studio

Cliff stands in front of a green screen.

The rest are off screen.

mikE (o.s.)

Alright, Cliff. We've got some cue cards. We've just got some adjusting to do to our background. Just read through them to get some flow down then we'll start rolling.

cliFF

Shouldn't I have makeup on or something?

miKE (o.s.)

Shelly'll be around in a minute. Just read the cards. It's gotta sound natural.

Cliff squints as he reads.

bob (o.s.)

What's the matter?

clIFF

I can't read the cards.

SHELLY comes up. She splashes powder on Cliff's face.

shelly

Hey there. You the mayor?

clIFF

The cards are too far away.

kENNY (o.S.)

It looks like you gotta take a piss.

clIFF

I don't have to pee. Can he stand closer?

Kenny pushes the guy who holds the cue cards.

He jumps forward a step.

clIFF

Alright!

Shelly finishes up Cliff's makeup. She leaves.

miKE (o.S.)

Alright, we're all set. Ready to go?

clIFF

Yeah, I guess so. Shouldn't I change?

boB (o.S.)

No! Let's see how this hits the public.

miKE (o.S.)

Alright, ready to go in 5-4-3-2..

The lights come up.

cliFF

Oh, holy shit.

miKE (O.S.)

Cut! What's up Cliff?

clIFF

I just wasn't expecting the lights. I'm good. Let's take it from the top.

keNNY (o.S.)

Let's see if we can get to the top.

mike (o.S.)

5-4-3-2...

The lights come up.

cliFF

(reading off card)

Hello, my name is Cliff Sanderson. I'm running to be your mayor. I want to assure you that I'm going to look out for your best interests. Cliff Sanderson is an honest man. Hold on guys...

mike (o.S.)

Cut! What's up Cliff?

clIFF

I'm not so good at reading off a card. Can I just say what I want?

The cue card guy throws his cards up.

mike (o.s.)

Sure thing. Just keep it short. Ready to roll in 5-4-3-2...

The lights come up.

cliFF

Hey guys. I'm Cliff Sanderson. Up until 2 months ago I was a garbage man. Now I'm running for mayor. I promise to be honest with your tax dollars. I don't even have enough land to build a swimming pool. Now I can't fix these problems alone. We're going to fix this town together. Vote for me. Cliff Sanderson. On election day. This Tuesday. Oh, and I don't even know any homeless people. Thank you.

mike (o.S.)

Cut!

Mike walks up to Cliff.

miKE

That was good man. Better than what we wrote.

ext. cabLE TV OFFICEs - dAY

Cliff, Kenny and Bob all leave the office. They are about to get into Bob's car when Kenny's cell phone rings.

He dances to the ring tone.

The other guys take a deep breath.

kENNY

What? I'm still black!

kENNY

(on phone)

Hello? Yeah. Ok. He'll be there. Screw you. Have a nice day.

Kenny hangs up his phone.

keNNY

We got the debate. This Friday at 8 at the high school.

bob

Well alright then! Let's get ready!

cliFF

This Friday? How many days before the election is that?

keNNY

I don't know.

ext. camarillo high school - niGHT

The school is lit up. Plenty of trees. A banner reads "MAYORAL DEBATE TONIGHT!" in front of the school.

SUPER - 4 Days To Election

int. camarillO HIGH AUDITORIUM

People fill the auditorium of the high school.

Debate moderator, Glenn Farkas, takes his position on stage.

Two podiums are set up on the opposite side of the high school stage.

glENN

Hello. I'm Glenn Farkas. I'm the moderator tonight and I welcome you to the mayoral debate for Camarillo. We're broadcasting live on Channel 10. The government channel.

int. camarillo high auditorium - backstage

Jenkins looks through his pockets.

stEVE

What's wrong?

mayOR JENKINS

I can't find the aloe.

stEVE

What for?

mayOR JENKINS

When I shake his hand. I wanna leave a little something behind.

stEVE

You're pulling out all the stops, eh? Well I figured you would so..

Steve pulls out a small squeeze bottle.

mayOR JENKINS

Perfect!

Jenkins pours some gel on his hand.

steVE

Don't rub it in!

Across the stage, Cliff, Kenny and Hector stand in a corner.

kENNY

Did you do it?

cliff

What are you talking about?

hecTOR

I switched out some of the questions.

clIFF

What? Guys! I wanted to do this straight! Now we're sinking down to his level.

keNNY

We gotta get an edge. Don't worry, nobody'll notice.

hECTOR

Yeah, they're worded just right.

int. camARILLO HIGH AUDITORIUM

glENN

Tonight during the debate, we will cover a few topics but we will focus mainly on the economy and the economic platorms of each candidate. The audience has agreed to be silent throughout the debate or they will be shot lovingly with a tazer. Let's welcome our two candidates Mayor Vernon Jenkins and garbage man Cliff Sanderson.

The two men arrive on stage, shake eachother's hand. Vernon waives to the crowd. Cliff wipes his hand on his pants. They take their positions behind their respective podiums.

glENN

Alright, tonight we're not going to go through opening statements. I'm just going to jump right in. First question is for Mayor Jenkins.

The mayor looks into the audience. He winks.

glENN

Mayor, the last 8 years that you have been in office has been tumultuous to say the least. How do you intend to spend your days after Cliff Sanderson wins the election?

The mayor is shocked.

int. CAMARILLO HIGH AUDITORIUM - bACKSTAGE

Kenny and Hector give eachother a fist bump.

int. camARILLO HIGH AUDITORIUM

Glenn looks at the mayor. He waits for the answer.

mayOR JENKINS

Well, Glenn. I would say that the election hasn't happened yet and we don't know who will have to worry about how they spend their days. I intend to bring this city back to the prominence it had before Andrea Horton was mayor.

cliFF

That was 12 years ago.

glENN

You'll have your chance at rebuttal, Mr. Sanderson.

mayOR JENKINS

This city needs a good kick in the pants. I'm the guy to do it.

glENN

Thank you Mayor, Mr. Sanderson?

cliFF

Well. I think Mayor Jenkins can spend a lot of time in his brand new swimming pool. Or maybe he can drive around in his new Mercedes? See folks, this man has been stealing, quite frankly. He has profited on every deal that has passed through his desk. You want more of that? Vote for this guy. Trust me, I've been a garbage man for 20 years. I know a piece of trash when I see it.

The mayor is shocked again.

mayOR JENKINS

C'mon now. This guy fights homeless people!

clIFF

We all know that's not true.

glENN

Alright guys. Settle down. Let's talk about taxes. Mr. Sanderson, how would you treat the landscape of our taxation in your term?

cliFF

I'll be honest. We need help. The city needs you, the residents of Camarillo, to come through for us. I've developed a plan to raise sales tax by 1 percent. With this extra revenue, we can overcome the ruthless spending over the last 8 years.

glENN

Mayor Jenkins?

mayOR JENKINS

Raise taxes? At a time like this? What the residents need is a tax break! I say lower taxes, feed the savings back into the retail and service community this way, we can all live prosperously.

Cliff coughs.

cliFF

That's a load of shit.

glENN

What?

cliFF

Nothing.

mayOR JENKINS

Did you just say?

clIFF

I coughed.

glENN

(Cautiously)

Ok, moving on. Mayor Jenkins. About two months ago, you decided to close down the sanitation department. Now this city smells like shit. Why did you do it?

mayOR JENKINS

Is that really the question?

Mayor Jenkins chuckles.

mayOR JENKINS

It sounds like someone's pulling a fast one on us.

gleNN

It's on the card sir, I suggest you answer it or forfeit the question.

mayor JENKINS

Folks, the city is broke. We don't have any money. What was I going to do? We had to do something to save cash flow. This was the best idea at the time.

glENN

Mr. Sanderson?

clIFF

What about police, teachers, fire fighters? What about them? We cut their jobs too. Are we to govern ourselves? Teach our own children? Put out our own fires? Hell no! We need real government in charge. Not this jerk. I'm gonna play it straight. Now, I may not have the best ideas. Sometimes I might piss you off. But I'm gonna tell you how it is. Every day. 24-7. I can tell you this. I won't fire teachers. I'll hire more. I won't fire cops. I'll hire more. The sanitation department is back to work from day 1 of my term. If you want to keep putting up with the bullshit of the last 8 years. Vote for Jenkins. If you want to change this city. Vote for me. Thank you.

The crowd cheers. Glenn claps his hands.

Mayor Jenkins leaves the stage.

Standing ovation.

bob (V.O.)

This was the moment it all came together. The election? Well, when Mayor Vernon Jenkins was confronted with his crimes.

int. mayOR'S OFFICE - dAY

Bob is accompanied by 2 police officers. He throws a pile of papers on Jenkins desk.

Mayor Jenkins puts his hands up.

bob (v.O.)

Well you can't really run a city in handcuffs. Cliff? He took my advice. He surrounded himself with really good people.

int. cliff's office - dAY

The mayor's office is now Cliff's. The room is much brighter. Everybody is friendly. Cliff sits at his desk.

Kenny and Hector enter the room. They're wearing suits. They both smile as they walk towards Cliff's desk.

int. restaurant - niGHT

Kenny and Trisha sit at opposite ends of a restaurant table. They're holding hands. They both lean in to kiss.

bOB (V.O.)

And you had to know that Kenny was gonna end up getting his woman. They make a cute couple, you think?

They kiss again then start making out.

bOB (v.O.)

Crazy kids.

ext. city streets - dAY

The city streets are immaculate. Lawns are green. No garbage in sight.

bob (v.O.)

Yeah, the city's going to be alright. Cliff caught some heat with his tax ideas. But you know?

ext. arneill rd. - dAY

The street is bustling. Everybody holds a bag from various shops.

boB (v.O.)

The people have really come around on that issue. Heck, Camarillo made the Top Ten Up and Coming Cities in Forbes Magazine. Now people want to move here.

ext. stREET - dAY

Steve and Cynthia wear garbage jumpsuits. They are filthy.

bob (v.O.)

Steve and Cynthia? Well, Mayor Sanderson gave them a pardon for their crimes. He had an idea for a more fitting job.

Steve throws garbage into the back of the truck.

Cynthia argues with Steve inaudibly.

They fight over the garbage. They fall into a pile of trash.

Steve appears with a banana peel on his head.

Cynthia pops up with spaghetti in her hair.

They make out.

bob (V.O.)

They are really sick people. Yep we're doing alright. Oh yeah, we got a few new faces on the city council board.

int. city council meeting

John and Trisha take their seats with Bob and 2 others at the head of the room. Cliff stands at the podium.

bob (V.O.)

Yeah, we argue sometimes. But arguing is healthy. You know? But we really get shit done. Whoops. Sorry about that. The mayor's giving me bad habits. But you know what's most important? We all learned a lesson.

int. city hall

Cliff, Kenny, Hector, Trisha, John and Bob all walk down a hallway.

bob (v.O.)

If you don't like what government is doing, change it.

fADE OUT.