We are a poor people, Sir. We do what we do to survive. Now if we may escort you to the Colonel.

The Captain motions to one of the technicals and the Weirdings start toward the vehicle.

Jack passes, Miles and he grabs Jack roughly by his bound hands. A knife appears in his hands from nowhere and he removes the plastic strap from around Jack's wrists.

We won't be needing this anymore. As you can see you're the only one in town without a gun.

Miles gives Jack an evil grin. Jack rubs his wrist and returns Mile's foul look with his own intense stare.

INT. TOWN HALL - SAME

The Weirdings are escorted into the large wooden structure in the center of town. This obviously was once the town hall, but it now serves as Col. Aidid's headquarters.

The original floor has been ripped out of the structure. The new floor is where the basement used to be. This gives the hall a dark cavernous feel. The windows have all been painted over to keep out the hot African sun.

Five ceiling fans slowly rotate driving the heat out of the building.

The Weirdings descend via the stairs at the entrance into this dark place. Col. Aidid sits at a small table at the other end of the hall. His table sits on an old stage so he is above his subjects.

The walls are lined with various animal hides. The dirt floor is also covered with tanned skins.

Most of the furniture consists of squat stools and hide covered tables. A number of women lounge around the stage. Many of the Colonel's men lounge about the room their weapons nearby. A few teen age boys sit near the Col. They too are not far from a firearm.

The Weirdings are escorted to the Col. They are watched like circus freaks by the various inhabitants of this dark hall.

They are brought to the foot of a short flight of stairs that lead up to the stage where the Col. works at his desk.

The Col. is a large man, but not fat. He is in his late forties and sports some distinguished gray hair at the temples. His uniform is neat but not gaudy. He stops scribbling on the papers in front of him and looks up at the group before him.

Miles! You have brought me my new American friends!

The Col. stands and fairly rushes to greet the Weirdings. They are taken aback. The Col. descends the stage and grabs Jack's hand like he is a long lost friend.

And you must be Mr. Weirding. I am very pleased to meet you. And this beautiful lady-

The Col. grabs elizabeth's hand.

You must be Mrs. Weirding. Elizabeth I am told?

Uh, yes.

The Col. grabs johnny's reluctant hand.

And this stalwart young gentleman must be Johnny.

The Col. delicately takes susie's hand.

And this little flower must be Susie.

Hello.

Hello, young lady.

The Col. turns to elizabeth.

I trust the trip wasn't too uncomfortable?

Well, if you don't mind being taken at gun point, robbed of all of your posessions, kidnapped to another country in a rickety old plane and nearly raped, I'd say the trip wasn't too bad.

What do you mean raped?

Elizabeth turns to miles with a sneer.

You threw the rapists out of the plane.

And I thought they were only slackards.

I must apologize for my men's behavior, but they are mostly mercenaries, brigands, killers, rouges, thugs, brutes. They have no feel for genteel behavior. It is not their fault.

And it's not their fault we're here?

Col. Aidid smiles at this and begins to circle the Weirdings as he talks.

No, you are quite right. That is my fault. My orders.

So you do intend to sell us into slavery!

Did Miles tell you that?

Miles smiles.

He can be so dramatic... No, Lady. We do not sell slaves. That went out of vogue long ago. We intend to sell you back to the Marines that have landed in Mogidishu.

Marines in Mogidishu? When did that happen?

Two days ago. Your government has decided to smooth the path for the relief workers in the north. This is very fortunate for you, is it not?

So we are your prisoners then?

Prisoners? No, I prefer guests.

If we were your guests, you'd let us go.

I do not think, Lady, you would care to venture out into the local countryside. This land is currently visited with a plague of small minded warlords who would consider it sport to savage your family.

Susie walks up beside the Colonel and yanks on his sleeve.

Can prisoners go to the bathroom?

The Colonel looks down at her with a frown at first and then smiles.

Guests, Missy, guests and of course you can use the facilities.

The Colonel turns to one of the Somali women and barks some orders at her in Somali.

My people will show you where you may freshen up. Then we will have dinner and you can tell me all about your selves. I am very interested in American culture, especially since your Marines have come to visit my country.

The Colonel Motions to a doorway off to one side of the stage and the Weirdings follow the Somali women through there. Miles joins the Colonel.

Have you contacted the Marines yet?

Not yet. My people are having problems getting by Mahdi's men in Mogidishu. Farah Aidid and Mahdi still control much of the city.

The sooner the better. We can use the cash.

Agreed. The Marines have not dismantled the arms market in Mogidishu yet, but my instincts tell me they will.

We want to get as much as we can before they close it down.

The Col. nods in agreement and watches the Weirdings leave the room.

INT. THE HALL - EARLY EVENING

Col. Aidid sits at the end of a long low table made of tanned hides. A feast has been set out on the table with the Weirdings sitting next to the Col.

A few incandescent bulbs hang on long spidery wires to dangle twenty feet over the dinners. The room is dark and smoky from the cooking fires that are built in a makeshift stove at one end of the building.

The Weirdings pick at their food while the Somali's attack this rare feast. There are a number of crates near the cooking area that are all marked with the Red Cross emblem.

A few African women move among the men at the table serving the food and wine.

So tell me, family. Why is it you have come to Africa.

We were on Safari.

Our dream vacation.

Until you ruined it!

Johnny! Hush!

I'm sorry young Weirding, but life is like that. Sometimes things do not always turn out as they plan. Be thankful for what you have. In my country just surviving is difficult, never mind vacation.

You don't seem to be doing so bad to me.

This is merely for your entertainment. Normally this would feed my family for a week.

Is that supposed to make us feel guilty?

No! No! Only welcome.

Courtesy of you and the Red Cross, I see.

The Col. slams the table.

The Red Cross gives me the food, Lady, and I dispense it as I see fit! Your bounty will bring a thousand times what is on this table.

And more weapons, I'm sure

The Colonel starts to shake, he is so angry.

Now don't go upsettin' the Colonel, family. He's a much better host when he's in a good mood. I seen 'em in a bad mood and it ain't a pretty sight.

Like the time when you saved my sorry arse right Colonel?

The Colonel has a wild eyed look about him. He regains his composure with Miles' words. He shoves a couple of forkfuls of food in his mouth and visibly relaxes. After a brief silence he sits back against the large pillows stacked behind him.

War is a terrible thing. It makes men into animals. But when I was young I knew not of such things... I craved to know more about Africa, all of Africa. All I had were the skills of fighting taught to me by father who fought the Italians and then the British.

You mean the Italians fought back?

The Col. breaks into laughter.

Not like the Brits.... So I fought my way all over Africa in all of her petty little wars. Sometimes I was communist, sometimes democrat, sometimes an anarchist, but always fighting.

The Col. points a fork at miles.

Miles here, he was like me. Always looking for the action.

You guys fought in wars?

Too many, young Weirding, too many. Miles here almost fought his last in Angola and that is where I met him.

It was four men that was beaten' me up against that tree. Four! And then the Colonel shows up in the foulest mood you could ever imagine.

I'd had my fill of it. Killing, torture, the cries of the women and children.

Elizabeth pulls Susie close to her as if to shield her from the Colonel's story.

And I saw these brutes beating Miles and laughing like they were playing cricket.

Miles stuffs a hunk of bread into his mouth and laughs out loud.

Beat 'em to death with their own guns he did! And when I asked him why, he says he forgot how to shoot 'em. Damnedest thing I ever did see.

That's awful.

When a rage that black takes a man he is capable of doing awful violent things.

Men control their rage, animals let rage control them.

Miles drops his fork and the Colonel goes wide eyed.

Lady? Why do you taunt me so? I am your host.

Elizabeth.

You are our captor and I don't like my children hearing these stories.

The Colonel is silent for a second and then a look of realization passes his face.

Forgive me, Lady. Now I understand. It is these family values I hear all about. You Americans are obsessed with them... You see our values are very different than yours. That is why I upset you.

What kind of values do you teach your children?

Survival, lady. Look at the children around this room. They are alive! Alive! When their brothers and sisters die by the thousands in the North.

We believe you can survive without teaching our children violence!

Oh really, Missy? Then you must not live in the part of your country they call Watts or south central L.A. or Harlem.

Elizabeth shuts her mouth.

That's right, 'eh Missy? Only African Americans need to learn survival in Watts. The whites don't go there. Or to Harlem, or to Brixton, or Soweto, or Somalia. The white men only come in to stir it all up.

And then the black men goes about killin' each other.

The Colonel shoots Miles an evil stare, and Miles replies with a smile. The Colonel's glare is eventually replaced with a smile.

Miles is right. We fight too much amongst ourselves, but not here

The Col. motions around the room.

Here we are family. Here we are one Somalia.

The Colonel motions to a teenager leaning up against one wall. The boy joins the Colonel at his side. The Colonel puts his arm around him.

This is Ali. When I found him he could not raise my canteen to his lips. The Red Cross said there was not enough energy left in his body to sustain life. Ali proved life itself is sometimes enough. Survival, Lady, this is what I teach my children.

The Colonel gives the boy a loving pat.

When our country is one. When the clans give up their petty grievances, and Somalia can feed itself again then, we will teach our children about culture, literature... and the Flintstones.

The Weirdings relax with this and Susie giggles.

You're silly.

The Col. smiles at susie.

Yes, I am. A very silly man. Who else would believe such things, eh, Miles?

Ain't it the truth. I told 'em we should a pulled up stakes years ago and gone to the Caribbean. People don't fight each other over there.

Then why don't you go?

And leave me mate?

Miles points at the Col.

He's the only brother I ever had.

I thought Afrikaners didn't like black Africans.

I thought Americans all wore cowboy hats.

There is much blood between Miles and me. More blood than race. We could no easier leave each other than you could leave your wife.

You better watch that talk, Colonel. People will start to talk.

I know you see us as animals, Lady, but we are people just like you. We crave peace. We crave friendship. We crave a life without war constantly ravaging the land and the people. But there are forces at work that always keep us from these goals.

Communism versus Democracy. That's what did it. Had to fight their bloody little war of ideas down here, they did.

In case you didn't notice, Miles, the Cold War is over.

True, but not its effect. Africa's scars are deep.

Is teaching children how to kill going to heal those scars?

No, Lady, only to survive.

It seems to me if you taught them how to love, maybe they wouldn't need a gun to survive.

If only this were true, but until we shed this anarchy we are slaves to the banditry that besets our country. We must fight to survive....

Now I am sure you have had a long day. The Captain will show you to your quarters and tomorrow or maybe the day after you can be on your way home.

We have your word on that?

Certainly, Jack. We all want the same thing.

INT. SPARTAN BEDROOM - LATE MORNING

The sun shines in behind some rags that cover the single bedroom window. The Weirdings are all asleep in a king size bed that looks like it once belonged to a homeless person.

There is a CRACK and everyone but Susie awakes to the sound of gunfire. Jack peers out the window through the curtains and sees a bunch of the Colonel's men target shooting at stones.

What is it?

They're just target shooting. Nothing to worry about.

I'd like to target shoot that Colonel.

Me, too.

Boys, let's be kind. At least he's going to let us go.

He better.

Jack pulls himself out of the lumpy bed and makes for a basin filled with water on a small table. He splashes some water on his face and dries it of with a piece of cloth that somewhat resembles a towel.

Jack stares at the rag for a second.

I liked the Sheraton better.

Me too.

Jack sits down on the edge of the bed and starts to pull his boots on. Johnny takes his turn at the basin. Jack gets up to leave.

Where're you going?

To watch them target shoot... See if I can find us some breakfast.

Is that a good idea? These people are dangerous.

Sweetheart, as long as the Colonel needs us, there is probably not a safer spot on earth.

I'm comin', too.

No you're not!

Mom!

It's all right; I'll watch him.

Dad, I don't need to be watched.

Yeah, sure, Rambo.

You two stay out of trouble.

Yes, Dear.

EXT. FIELD AT THE END OF BAMADU - SAME

Ten Somali men are set up in front of a dusty field shooting at rocks about a hundred yards from their position. None of them is Davey Crocket, but they do manage to hit a stone every now and then.

Jack and Johnny walk up behind them, and one of the Somali's makes the Weirdings presence known. The other Somalis turn and obviously make jokes about the two Americans.

Jack watches for a few seconds and then gets bored with the Somali's poor marksmanship.

Jack's gaze drifts off to a field that is opposite their position. An older African, in his early seventies is struggling with a plowshare. A young man, probably his grandson is strapped into the harness where an ox should be.

The field only has two bent rows carved out of it and the task looks hopeless.

One of the Somali's nudges Jack. Jack turns to him and he hands Jack an old M1 rifle. The Somali holds up one finger and points to the chamber of the rifle to indicate there is only one bullet in the gun. He then points to all the men with all the other guns. The message is clear.

Jack looks at the gun and then looks back at the old man at the plowshare. Jack hands the gun back to the Somali and heads over to the old man. The Somali who was handing Jack the gun scratches his head and looks confused.

Yo! Sucker! I'll take a shot. Show you how it's done.

Johnny goes over to one of the men who has a .22 caliber semiautomatic rifle. He indicates to the man that he would like to shoot at the stones and the Somalis all start laughing. He shakes his head no. Johnny is persistent and the man finally relents.

Johnny takes his position on the firing line and takes a deep breath.

He turns to smile at the men behind him and then snaps the weapon into position. He fires off ten rapid shots sending all the stones flying. He turns with a smile to the chagrined Somalis.

Johnny looks past the men and sees his father strapping himself into the plow. Johnny tosses the rifle back to the owner and runs off to join his father.

EXT. OUTSIDE THE TOWN HALL - SAME

Elizabeth watches the Somali women pound millet to grind it into flour for the morning meal. A couple of the women are smiling and talking to her in Somali.

Elizabeth smiles politely and nods. She obviously doesn't have a clue as to what the women are saying.

One of the Somali women rises and takes Elizabeth's hand. Elizabeth is unsure at first, but the women brings Elizabeth to where they are working and shows her how to grind the millet.

Susie strokes her Barbie's hair and leans up against a wall while all of this is going on. A little Somali girl joins Susie.

She shows Susie a doll someone has made for her out of straw and bits of rag. The two girls find a spot to sit down and play with their respective dolls.

EXT. FIELD AT THE END OF BAMADU - A COUPLE HOURS LATER

The Somali men have stacked all of their weapons against each other teepee fashion. They've joined Jack and Johnny in the fields.

Two more plows have been manned and help to till the earth. Those without plows tend to the ground with hoes while others pull weeds. The men sing out loud in Somali while Jack and Johnny try to hum along.

Miles leans up against one of the stucco buildings watching the activity with a blank expression. The Colonel comes up silently behind him and stares at his people.

They've only been here a day, and they already've turned your men from soldiers into farmers.

Stirrin' it up.

Of course. They was farmers before they was soldiers and all but....

The woman is making bread like she's one of the villagers. I thought you brought me tourists, not relief workers.

Miles shrugs his shoulders.

I don't know what they are, but they sure ain't no tourists. That bit on the plane.

The rape?

There weren't no rape. That's what I'm on about. My men were out like lights. That's why I tossed 'em out of the plane. I wanted to make an example to the other men. Then I finds out they was just having fun.

Do you think they put them to sleep?

They said attempted rape. Must of been protecting themselves. My men had AK's.

Do you think they're CIA?

Miles turns and looks at him like he's an idiot.

Colonel, even the CIA don't hire teenagers and little girls... I don't know what they are, but we best get rid of them as soon as possible, otherwise next thing you know they'll be invitin' the competition over for an evening tea.

We should hear within the next twenty-four hours. Then you can take them to Bardera. I am arranging it with the clans.

Good. The sooner the better.

EXT. THE FIELD AT THE END OF BAMADU - AROUND NOON

The field is mostly plowed now. The Weirdings and the villagers sit on a makeshift picnic table constructed of plywood and upended fifty-five gallon drums.

A spartan meal of bread, some kind of porridge and water lines the table. No one at the table is complaining though since the men are obviously famished from their long day in the field.

You would not know that the Weirdings are hostages the way they are laughing and joking with their hosts. Although most of the conversation is in Somali, the Weirdings are able to communicate via sign.

Jack sits at the head of the table flanked by Elizabeth on one side. On his other side is DUNAR who was the old man who first started plowing of field. Johnny and Susie sit further down the table next to village children their own age.

I never knew mush could taste so good. What's in it?

I didn't ask. Some questions are better left unasked.... I boiled all of the drinking water so it's all safe.

They weren't insulted, were they?

No. Just curious. When they asked me why I was doing this and I tried to explain in sign language they seemed to understand.... They showed me a cool place they have dug out to cool off the water.

Jack takes a slug of water.

Best damn water I ever tasted.

Do you have much left to do in the field?

Dunar has indicated to me that we have to plant the seed now and then I guess that's it for a while.

Well, Sheeda-

Elizabeth points at a smiling somali woman.

is going to show me how to clean our clothes... Without a washing machine!

Somehow that's a skill I don't think you'll be taking back with you to the States.

What's that supposed to mean!?

Well, it's hard enough getting the laundry done with a machine.

Elizabeth's mouth drops open.

Well, look who's talking. Our lawn looks more like Africa than Africa does. Are you going to take your new found farming skills back to the suburbs Jack Weirding?

Elizabeth goes to swat him in the back of the head and he ducks out of the way.

Hey! I was just teasing.

The Somalis start to laugh and point at Jack and Elizabeth. Jack grabs her and kisses her and there is a chorus of woo-woos. The table breaks out into laughter again.

EXT. BAMADU, NEAR THE PICNIC - SAME

The Col. watches his people, unobserved from the shadows.

EXT. THE FIELD AT THE END OF BAMADU - AFTERNOON

The entire village is in the field now helping to seed the newly plowed earth. Jack has a yoke balanced across his shoulders that has two large water jugs tied to either end of the wooden beam.

Elizabeth and Susie pour a bit of water on to each newly planted seed. Several of the men are doing this as the women poke holes in the ground with wooden stakes and fill them with seeds.

All of this activity is accompanied by song from the villagers.

EXT. OUTSIDE THE TOWN HALL - EVENING

The villagers have set up a long makeshift table under a tarp. Nearby a number of fifty-five gallon drums have been cut in half and serve as fireplaces.

A meal much like the earlier one has been set along with some UN rations. There is much chatter from the table except from the Weirdings who are obviously physically exhausted.

Dunar sits at the end of the table. He eventually calls the table to silence. He stands and holds his glass out to the Weirdings and in Somali toasts them.

The villagers raises their glasses and the Weirdings return the toast with a weary smile.

INT. THE WEIRDINGS SPARTAN BEDROOM - NIGHT

The Weirdings are passed out in their bed, dead to the world. In the dark, at their door a cigarette glows. On closer inspection the dark face of the Col. is revealed. He seems cold and aloof. His intentions are not clear.

Click here for PART IV