MJ PRODUCTIONS

"LOST IN THE SANDS" Written By: Randy Purham 7 /26/08 Based on a true story as told by John Brinson AKA (JAY B)



Preface


This story setting spans the career of a former Soldier who sacrificed family, his personal goals and dreams; in hopes to avenge the killings of his family members in the 9/11 attacks. John attended Albany State University in Georgia. Joined the Army immediately after 9/11 and completed basic training in Ft. Benning, GA and his Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Lee, VA. His major in college was in Business Management and was accepted on two partial scholarships, basketball and football. Shortly after joining the Army John was reassigned to Ft. Hood, TX and from there was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq where he completed a 7-month tour. Shortly upon his return he was redeployed for another 13month tour, then a third tour. Fed up with this vicious cycle and the toll it was taking on his mind and body thought about getting out! He was sent to Iraq for his fourth and final tour where he and battle buddy were lost in the sands for eight days.



ACT I Scene II

They pull into the burger bar, get out the car and as they are heading into the restaurant a recruiter is walking out. John stops him and asks can he speak to him in private. Hey guys, I’ll catch up in a sec.


Moments later John joins Aaron and Bridges inside the restaurant.

Aaron: What’s up? Speaking to John.

John: Oh I was just asking him some questions about joining. Just getting some information.

Bridges: Man you’re running on pure emotion right now. That’s something you don’t to be doing man. You’re almost done with the semester. You’re in college on a scholarship! What more can you ask for right now and you want to throw it all away to fight in the White man’s Army?

John: First off, I don’t recall it being 1956 again, and there are virtually an equal amount of blacks there are whites in the military. Secondly, I can take a break and come back after the war is over! I am not running on emotions and this is something I am truly considering doing.

Aaron: Bridges, if the man feels like joining the Army to serve his country in this time of bereavement for the nation, then let him.

Bridges: Yea, I feel that, but HE doesn’t need to throw his dreams away to fight in the sandbox and get his ass blown the fuck off!

John: Whatever! I’m not gonna get my ass blown off! You’re always so damn pessimistic, with your peanut headed ass!

Bridges: I aint pessimissic or whatever the hell you just said. I’m just saying. You need to quit trippin’, talking joining the Army and shit.

As John, Aaron, and Bridges are sitting and eating. John starts daydreaming about what it would be like to be in the Army. Later the next day at the gym John, Aaron and the rest of the basketball team are practicing.

Coach Williams: John let me talk to you for a minuet.

John: What’s up coach?

Coach: There’s some scouts coming to tomorrow’s game and I’m not exactly sure who’ll they be coming to see. I basically wanna make sure that you’re ready to shine, but also not look like an ass on that court either!

John: Yeah! That’s great! I’m ready. But here’s the thing also. You know I’m in the Reserves and I been thinking about going full-time. How will that affect me going pro?

Coach Williams: Drastically! Why do you wanna go full-time?

John: Well you see… I lost my Aunt and Uncle in the 9/11 attacks and I am ready to serve my country and get revenge!

Coach Williams: Son! This isn’t some fairy tale super hero movie. You have a chance in a lifetime to go to the pros and you want to throw it all away to go fight in some goddamn war? What the hell is wrong with you?

Look! You’re a bright boy, you are a junior here, one more year and you would have graduated college and be on your way to the NBA or vice versa. Just wait it out son. Wait it out!

John: Coach! I appreciate that… But it’s my decision and I need to do this. Can I do my 2 or three years and then just come back finish up?

Coach: It’s possible. I admire your perseverance that’s something we can talk about later. Good luck out there tomorrow and I can only hope that you get this nonsense out your head before the game tomorrow.

John: Thanks coach, but its not nonsense!

Coach: Get back on the floor and finish up.

John: Yes Sir! John leaves to go back on the floor. Coach Williams looks on to him as he leaves out the door. He reaches on his shelf and grabs a photo album and takes it down. As he flips through the pages of pictures of various basketball photos, he flips to pages from when he was in the military and fought in the Vietnam. He displayed 3 purple hearts and photos of him being shot on three different occasions. He slams the book close.

Coach: Dam! Why?