Gemma realizes she just crossed the line. The obedient wife –
GEMMA
I know, baby. I know.
She grabs his hands. Massages them. Gentle –
GEMMA
But when you can�t ride anymore, my
son will get voted in as president. I
just want to make sure he�s following
in the right father�s footsteps.
She kisses his hands, his chest, then his belly. As she
moves down to his club member, the camera moves up to Clay�s
face. He knows his queen speaks the truth —
SMASH TO BLACK:
END OF ACT ONE
40
Sons of Anarchy – “Pilot” – Network Ninth Draft – 10/31/07 36
ACT TWO
SMASH UP ON:
INT. CRACKER BARREL FAMILY RESTAURANT – DAY 3
Jax, Clay, Bobby and Hawk walk through the eatery. CUSTOMERS
take notice. Some smile, nod respectfully, others avoid eye
contact.
Sitting at a back booth is ERNEST DARBY, 50�s, white, bulky,
NORD INK, well put-together. Next to him, WHISTLER, 30�s,
prison-buff. Ice teas and a cheese platter on the table.
DARBY
Good to see ya, Clay.
CLAY
Darby.
DARBY
You know my guy, Whistler.
Uneasy handshakes as Sam Crow sits. Clay takes a WOODEN CASE
out of the paper bag, slides it over to Darby –
CLAY
Little welcome home gift.
Darby opens the box. A silver-plated COLT REVOLVER.
DARBY
That�s some pretty iron. Thanks.
CLAY
I know what it�s like looking at that
bean slot day after day. Can�t wait
to get out, make up for lost time.
DARBY
Got that right.
Clay makes his point –
CLAY
But sometimes, you rush into shit
without thinking it through.
Beat.
DARBY
I�m thinkin� just fine.
JAX
You �thinkin� fine� when you let your
guy sell crank to my pregnant ex?
41
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED:
DARBY
That was unfortunate.
(beat, borderline smug)
How�s the family doing?
Jax LUNGES at Darby. Whistler jumps up, INTERCEPTS Jax, Hawk
grabs Whistler SLAMS him against the back of the booth.
Before guns come out, Clay, pissed off, calls for order –
CLAY
Everybody, contain your shit!
Nearby CUSTOMERS evacuate their table. The Sons of Anarchy
and the Nords settle back into their seats. Decompress.
Clay address the neighboring booth –
CLAY
Sorry, folks. Won�t happen again.
The Customers nervously re-seat themselves. Darby tries to
buy some good will –
DARBY
The Brotherhood had Opie�s back every
minute in Chino. You know that.
CLAY
I know how it works inside, Darby.
Question is, do you remember how it
works outside?
DARBY
A lot changes in three years.
CLAY
And a lot stays the same.
(beat)
Nothing happens in Charming we don�t
control or get a piece of. If we
wanted a meth trade, we�d have one.
JAX
We don�t.
BOBBY
Don�t want the shit it attracts
either.
DARBY
We ain�t the only cook shop on the
block. Devil wants in, he�ll get in.
CLAY
Then you got your work cut out for
you. Get control of the crank trade.
�Cause if the devil crosses the border
again. We come looking for you.
(re: Colt, ominous)
(more)
(CONTINUED)
42
Sons of Anarchy – “Pilot” – Network Ninth Draft – 10/31/07 38
CONTINUED: (2)
CLAY (cont’d)
And next time, I won�t be using the
Colt as welcome home gift.
Beat. Darby digests the threat. All smiles –
DARBY
No need to be making threats, brother.
Me and my boys�ve always managed to
make things work with Sam Crow.
CLAY
Good.
JAX
You heard about our complication with
the Mayans?
DARBY
Yeah. Stole your SMG�s. Goddamn
wetbacks.
Darby realizes Hawk is at the table –
DARBY
No offense.
HAWK
I�m Cherokee, asshole.
DARBY
Right.
CLAY
Just put it through the Nord pipeline,
Wanna know of any chatter about MP-5’s.
DARBY
You�re my first phone call.
CLAY
Can�t wait.
Sam Crow walks away. Darby looks at the Colt, ominous –
DARBY
Your guns are gonna kill ya, Mr. Crow.
EXT. FOREST – DAY
AC David Hale crouches over the BLOODY BODY of a LATINO MAN.
Two CHARMING UNIFORM OFFICERS (UNIS) with him. The dead man