EXT. PALATIAL ESTATE, RURAL NORTH CAROLINA — NIGHT

Eerie fog blankets the sky. An imposing, wrought iron fence protects the massive property. Posted on the gate (like the opening of Citizen Kane) an ominous sign: ‘NO TRESPASSING’

Behind the fence, a colossal palace surrounded by endless fields of tobacco plants. Over this, a 1940’s-style narrator:

NARRATOR V.O. … Legendary tobacco king Duke Bentson in the battle of his life, fighting the scourge of cancer…

INT. BEDROOM, PALATIAL ESTATE

DUKE BENTSON (70), white-haired and sickly, lies in bed, clenching a snow globe with a miniature White House inside.

NARRATOR V.O. … He amassed his fortune for one reason and one reason only: for his son to become President…

Duke shakes the globe. Instead of snow, dollar bills fall.

NARRATOR V.O. … His firstborn, John Junior, was certain to carry out that destiny- Harvard grad, military officer…

The snow globe slips out of his hand as Duke utters one cherished word: ‘power’

NARRATOR V.O. … But he was killed in that terrible war in Grenada. So the obligation fell upon his second son, Jack, who nearly fulfilled…

The globe SHATTERS on the floor. Tiny dollar bills spill out.

NARRATOR V.O. … His father’s wish, narrowly losing the White House 2 years ago. He now serves as Vice President, one step away from the Oval Office.

EXT. BASKETBALL ARENA, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA — DAY

JACK BENTSON (40’s), handsome and folksy (think Will Ferrell) delivers a speech to the graduating students. A gifted politician with a good heart, Jack sort of lost his way serving under a corrupt boss who keeps him at a distance.

JACK: … There’s an old saying in Virginia- I know it’s in Carolina, it’s probably in Virginia- that says early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and…

Flustered, he glances to his left, looking for his trusted adviser… he’s not there. Awkward silence.

JACK: … Mize. (nailed it) Makes you Johnny Mize. And in the end, isn’t that what we all want?

The students gawk at one another, befuddled.

INT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — DAY

Jack reads a children’s book to a class of first graders. A SECRET SERVICE AGENT (African-American, 30’s) whispers into Jack’s ear. Instantly, Jack’s face sours. In hushed tones:

JACK: Can I finish this real quick? Dying to see how it turns out.

The agent stares him down.

JACK: They really need to know a gang of rapey terrorists are a block away?

The teacher GASPS as her students panic. Oblivious, Jack continues to read aloud as chaos ensues around him.

EXT. AIRPORT RUNWAY — DAY

Jack steps onto the ramp of Air Force Two.

REPORTER: … After all your recent blunders, are you concerned the President might replace you?

Jack huffs. To the secret service agent at his side:

JACK: That guy’s a total douche- bag, nozzle, and the box it came in.

SECRET SERVICE AGENT: Uh, we’re still live.

JACK: Let’s edit that out.

And strides onto the plane.

BOBBY V.O. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!

INT. FIVE-STAR HOTEL ROOM, PARIS — NIGHT

BOBBY ‘HIT MAN’ HEARNS (40’s) watches a news report of Jack’s blunders. A former street kid, Bobby’s a natural born hustler turned political adviser (think Mark Wahlberg).

BOBBY: Leave for one week…

His girlfriend, ELLE (30’s), a gorgeous, spoiled socialite, sashays out of the bathroom in a slinky black dress.

ELLE: I don’t know why you’re so surprised- can’t open his beer without you.

BOBBY: Seen him open plenty, believe me.

ELLE: Face it, guy’s a total loser.

BOBBY: Hey, c’mon, don’t say that.

ELLE: You backed the wrong horse. He was in my stable, I’d shoot him.

BOBBY: Owe my whole career to him. (beat) His dad, anyway.

ELLE: Shoulda worked with Peters when you had the chance.

BOBBY: Yeah, right. Guy who had his wife killed to win an election.

ELLE: That wasn’t proven and you know it.

BOBBY: Campaigned against him for two years. Trust me, he’s the devil.

ELLE: Yeah, well, that devil’s in the White House.

BOBBY: Say what you will about Bentson, gotta admit, he’s a good man.

ELLE: Only if you admit he’s a loser.

BOBBY: He was the most popular governor- ugh, let’s just drop it.

She studies him, dressed in a black T-shirt and blue jeans.

ELLE: Not gonna wear that, are you?

BOBBY: Guess not.

And trudges to the bathroom.