Welcome to the Florida Keys

Gustavo leaning over his balcony.

**"*Welcome to the Florida Keys*"** is the first episode of the first season of *Smuggler's Run* and the first episode of the series altogether. It was premiered on 05/26/2022 along with the other nine episodes of the first season. It is the pilot for the series, starting off the story of *Smuggler's Run*.

## Story

It's a gloomy evening in Key West, Florida. Representatives of the La Clave Drug Cartel and a rival gang are conducting a drug deal, with Gustavo Martinez aiming a sniper rifle from an opposite building. The dealer from the La Clave Cartel tries to take the drugs, but the dealer from the other gang insists on seeing the money. A briefcase filled with money is presented, which the dealer claims there is no need to launder. Right before an exchange could take place, the rival gang's dealer pulls out a Glock 22, shooting and killing the La Clave Cartel dealer. Gustavo aims the sniper and shoots each of the rival gang members down. He disassembles his sniper and hides it under his trenchcoat before proceeding back down to street level.

Sirens can be heard in the distance, so Gustavo hurries to collect both the drugs and the money and joins another one of the La Clave members in the vehicle they brought to the scene, a rusty El Camino. As he is the better driver, Gustavo insists on driving. He casually drives through the streets of Key West, going through smaller roads and back alleys to avoid police attention.

They stop at a small bar. Upon entering the cramped bar, Gustavo carefully dodges all of the drunk men falling around the place and approaches the bartender. Gustavo asks the bartender where his boss is, and is directed to a small room at the back of the bar. Gustavo enters the room, and the man inside is revealed to be Jorge José Morello, the leader of the La Clave Drug Cartel. Jorge is shown both the cash and the drugs, and is impressed by Gustavo's work. However Gustavo doesn't really care about Jorge and his cartel business, and just wants his cut. Jorge gets $700 from the briefcase and gives it to Gustavo, and before he leaves, Jorge informs him that he has more work for Gustavo, and that he will be in touch.

Gustavo heads home to greet his wife, Isabella Martinez. He takes off his trenchcoat, and puts his disassembled sniper rifle under his bed. He then goes out on the back porch and takes out a cigarette. He lights the cigarette and begins to smoke. Not caring about Jorge or his business, Gustavo decides that he wants to start up his very own drug trafficking business. He flicks his cigarette and heads back inside. He sits down on the couch next to his wife, and informs her of his plan.

In order to plan ahead, Gustavo decides that he needs a business that he needs to launder his cash through. He settles on a local bar around the area called The Top. It is owned by Annemarie Nichols. He walks inside, and sits down at the bar next to a young looking guy. The guy is sipping on some wine as he watches the football game on the TV. Annemarie comes over to take Gustavo's order, and he implies that he needs to talk to her in private. The two enter Annemarie's office where Gustavo offers to outright buy the business off of her hands. Annemarie is skeptical at first, and then she catches wind of what Gustavo is up to. However she agrees to let him buy the business as long as she gets to be the manager. The two shake on it, and they walk back into the bar. Gustavo sits back down next to the guy, and Annemarie introduces him as her son, Tyler Fusco. Gustavo and Tyler shake hands, and Annemarie whispers in Gustavo's ear that Tyler runs the Key Largo Mob. Gustavo and Annemarie inform Tyler on the laundering plan.

Meanwhile, DEA agent Stan Benton is packing his bags in California, getting ready to take a flight down to the Keys. He has been assigned to move down to the Keys and investigate Gustavo and his dealings with the La Clave Cartel. Stan heads to the airport, and boards the plane heading to Key West.

## Memorable Quotes

"*Boom."*

- Gustavo's iconic line, usually said before shooting or blowing something up.

"*Your going to die, motherfucker!*"

- One of the rival drug dealers lines before getting shot. This line was used in many memes that came after.

"*For a drug cartel's car, this car is rusty as hell.*"

- Gustavo's comment on the El Camino.

"*You did good, eh?*"

- Jorge's recurring line throughout the show.