EXT. PALATIAL ESTATE, RURAL NORTH CAROLINA — NIGHT

Like the opening of Citizen Kane (we’re in black and white,
folks) an imposing, wrought iron fence protects a massive
property. Posted on the gate, a menacing sign: NO TRESPASSING

Behind the fence, a colossal palace surrounded by endless
fields of tobacco plants. Over this, a 1940s-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 deathly ill, 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, dozens of tiny $1,000,0000 bills fall. He grins at seeing all the money.

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

The globe slips from his hand as he utters one 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. The bills settle atop the smashed White House, blanketing it.

NARRATOR V.O.:… His father’s wish, narrowly losing his bid for the White House in a hotly contested primary. He now serves as Vice President, one step away from the Oval Office.

Duke gasps- his final one?- then his eyes close.

EXT. COURTYARD (‘THE LAWN’), UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA — DAY

JACK BENTSON (40s), a folksy Southerner with a lot of little boy in him (think Will Ferrell) gives a speech to the graduates. He’s confident. Commanding. Presidential.

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…

He’s suddenly flustered. Glances around, looking for his trusted adviser… he’s nowhere to be found. 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. FRATERNITY HOUSE, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA — NIGHT

Sleeves rolled up, Jack has an intense look on his face. He plays a heated game of flip cup with a bunch of coeds: it’s an even match and he’s anchorman.

JACK: We got this, guys! Let’s focus.

The cute, busty blonde next to him flips her red Solo cup. Jack chugs his beer and plinks the cup over on his first try.

JACK: YES!!!

He celebrates with his teammates. Swept up in the frenzy, Jack goes to chest bump the blonde- she whips back, whoa!

JACK: Sorry.

One of the drunk frat boys captures the scene on his phone.

INT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, NORTH CAROLINA — DAY

Jack reads a children’s book to a class of first graders. A SECRET SERVICE AGENT (30s, Black, fit) whispers into his ear. Jack’s face sours- some horrific tragedy just occurred.

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

The agent stares him down.

EXT. AIRPORT RUNWAY, NORTH CAROLINA — AFTERNOON

Jack steps onto the ramp of Air Force Two.

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

Jack snorts. 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.

INT. FIVE-STAR HOTEL ROOM, PARIS — NIGHT

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

BOBBY: Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck! Leave for one week…

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

ELLE: 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- 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 tonight, are you?

BOBBY: Guess not.

Slogs to the closet as she ogles the hunky TV reporter- yum.