Shadow of a Mercenary

Welcome to Shadow of a Mercenary, a Docu-Podcast presentation, created & hosted, by Kevin E. West. Shadow of a Mercenary chronicles the dramatic true story that chronicles the life of Verlin Siefkes: a simple crop dusting adopted Kansas farm kid of the 40s/50s who served his country as a Marine, loved painting his daughter's toenails on the porch and survived 28 days of captivity by Escobar's Medellin cartel. Verlin is betrayed by family, screwed over by crooked bankers during the late 70s - 80s and finds himself trapped between providing for his family and the U.S. government. Very often in life, it can be the most simple decision, that is the most fateful. Ultimately, Verlin is forced to become a double-agent by the DEA and eventually both shunned and dismissed, by the very government he served to protect in the Marines. Then again, it’s easy to be betrayed, when no one knows you exist.”

EPISODE 13: Meet the D.E.A. for 250K

Now Verlin finds himself in the good graces of the FEDS as Peterson is quite thrilled that Verlin has some crop-dusting contracts, is set up in Dothan, AL with the perfect cover story to be a mercenary double-agent. Now it comes time for Verlin to meet the FED family: Andrews, Murphy, Pulley et al, while the Colombians surprise visit Verlin in Dothan to check his cover story. Alex ‘n Tony plan a drug run which becomes a complete bust Verlin is “in” and now it’s time to begin playing the real game of expunging his federal field indictments.

NOTE: This presentation contains occasional language inappropriate for a younger audience. Additionally, due to COVID, there is a variation of sound level sources. No need to adjust your sound as the occasional fluctuation is not related to your equipment!

SUBSCRIBE / SHARE: Verlin's story, Shadow of a Mercenary, is going to make one hell of a Feature Film with sequels and/or a tremendous limited Series.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED:
Story by: Kevin E. West, Verlin Siefkes
Written by, Kevin E. West
Life Rights: Kevin E. West
WGA#: 2124689
Library of Congress#: Pau2-963-342
©2021 ShutUp ‘n Play Productions
11684 Ventura Blvd. – 757, Studio City, CA 91604

Welcome to Shadow of a Mercenary, a Docu-Podcast presentation, created & hosted, by Kevin E. West. Shadow of a Mercenary chronicles the dramatic true story that chronicles the life of Verlin Siefkes: a simple crop dusting adopted Kansas farm kid of the 40s/50s who served his country as a Marine, loved painting his daughter's toenails on the porch and survived 28 days of captivity by Escobar's Medellin cartel. Verlin is betrayed by family, screwed over by crooked bankers during the late 70s - 80s and finds himself trapped between providing for his family and the U.S. government. Very often in life, it can be the most simple decision, that is the most fateful. Ultimately, Verlin is forced to become a double-agent by the DEA and eventually both shunned and dismissed, by the very government he served to protect in the Marines. Then again, it’s easy to be betrayed, when no one knows you exist.”

EPISODE 12: Loaning Max Trouble…
In an attempt to begin rebuilding his life as a businessman and crop-duster, Verlin heads back home to ask for help. Amazingly, know of his church-going extended family would offer any assistance, so Verlin is left with no choice but to ask former charter client, Max Nichols for a loan. Verlin buys an AG-Cat plane for dusting and stores it at Wheelis Field where he meets Glenn Stockwell. Conversely Alex and Tony ask Verlin to help fly a piece of crap plane which leads to Verlin meeting upper-class Tito and the purchase of the 250K Navajo cesna.

NOTE: This presentation contains occasional language inappropriate for a younger audience. Additionally, due to COVID, there is a variation of sound level sources. No need to adjust your sound as the occasional fluctuation is not related to your equipment!

SUBSCRIBE / SHARE: Verlin's story, Shadow of a Mercenary, is going to make one hell of a Feature Film with sequels and/or a tremendous limited Series.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED:
Story by: Kevin E. West, Verlin Siefkes
Written by, Kevin E. West
Life Rights: Kevin E. West
WGA#: 2124689
Library of Congress#: Pau2-963-342
©2021 ShutUp ‘n Play Productions
11684 Ventura Blvd. – 757, Studio City, CA 91604

Welcome to Shadow of a Mercenary, a Docu-Podcast presentation, created & hosted, by Kevin E. West. Shadow of a Mercenary chronicles the dramatic true story that chronicles the life of Verlin Siefkes: a simple crop dusting adopted Kansas farm kid of the 40s/50s who served his country as a Marine, loved painting his daughter's toenails on the porch and survived 28 days of captivity by Escobar's Medellin cartel. Verlin is betrayed by family, screwed over by crooked bankers during the late 70s - 80s and finds himself trapped between providing for his family and the U.S. government. Very often in life, it can be the most simple decision, that is the most fateful. Ultimately, Verlin is forced to become a double-agent by the DEA and eventually both shunned and dismissed, by the very government he served to protect in the Marines. Then again, it’s easy to be betrayed, when no one knows you exist.”

EPISODE 11: Patch-Ing Up Probation!
Verlin starts seeking out regular crop-dusting jobs for eating money while being on probation. A friend Vern recommends he go down to meet a guy named, Patch Price, whose no-good son Tony, eventually introduces Verlin to a grenade carrying idiot, named Alex Malagon. All the while, Kenny Peterson (D.E.A.) who will become not only a friend but the main point of contact in his future double-agent endeavors, has instructed and met with Verlin on how to ‘get in the game’ of smuggling. Verlin also attempts to engage his son, Eric.

NOTE: This presentation contains occasional language inappropriate for a younger audience. Additionally, due to COVID, there is a variation of sound level sources. No need to adjust your sound as the occasional fluctuation is not related to your equipment!

SUBSCRIBE / SHARE: Verlin's story, Shadow of a Mercenary, is going to make one hell of a Feature Film with sequels and/or a tremendous limited Series.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED:
Story by: Kevin E. West, Verlin Siefkes
Written by, Kevin E. West
Life Rights: Kevin E. West
WGA#: 2124689
Library of Congress#: Pau2-963-342
©2021 ShutUp ‘n Play Productions
11684 Ventura Blvd. – 757, Studio City, CA 91604

Welcome to Shadow of a Mercenary, a Docu-Podcast presentation, created & hosted, by Kevin E. West. Shadow of a Mercenary chronicles the dramatic true story that chronicles the life of Verlin Siefkes: a simple crop dusting adopted Kansas farm kid of the 40s/50s who served his country as a Marine, loved painting his daughter's toenails on the porch and survived 28 days of captivity by Escobar's Medellin cartel. Verlin is betrayed by family, screwed over by crooked bankers during the late 70s - 80s and finds himself trapped between providing for his family and the U.S. government. Very often in life, it can be the most simple decision, that is the most fateful. Ultimately, Verlin is forced to become a double-agent by the DEA and eventually both shunned and dismissed, by the very government he served to protect in the Marines. Then again, it’s easy to be betrayed, when no one knows you exist.”

EPISODE 10: The D.E.A. Deals a Divorce!
Jail day arrives and Verlin heads off to a minimum security facility in Tallahassee, FL. Only a few months into prison life, top Atlanta D.E.A. official Diechert shows up to talk with Verlin about becoming an undercover agent to clear his record post jail and a 2-year probation. The entire 14 months that Verlin is in prison neither his daughter, nor ex-wife, bother to visit him. And sadly, by the end of his 14-month stint, Kathleen has moved on to another man and files for divorce. Verlin is released from prison, does some highway construction work and then finally gets back into a plane to fly smoke patrol – to get his license back – and begin a new life!

NOTE: This presentation contains occasional language inappropriate for a younger audience. Additionally, due to COVID, there is a variation of sound level sources. No need to adjust your sound as the occasional fluctuation is not related to your equipment!

SUBSCRIBE / SHARE: Verlin's story, Shadow of a Mercenary, is going to make one hell of a Feature Film with sequels and/or a tremendous limited Series.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED:
Story by: Kevin E. West, Verlin Siefkes
Written by, Kevin E. West
Life Rights: Kevin E. West
WGA#: 2124689
Library of Congress#: Pau2-963-342
©2021 ShutUp ‘n Play Productions
11684 Ventura Blvd. – 757, Studio City, CA 91604

Welcome to Shadow of a Mercenary, a Docu-Podcast presentation, created & hosted, by Kevin E. West. Shadow of a Mercenary chronicles the dramatic true story that chronicles the life of Verlin Siefkes: a simple crop dusting adopted Kansas farm kid of the 40s/50s who served his country as a Marine, loved painting his daughter's toenails on the porch and survived 28 days of captivity by Escobar's Medellin cartel. Verlin is betrayed by family, screwed over by crooked bankers during the late 70s - 80s and finds himself trapped between providing for his family and the U.S. government. Very often in life, it can be the most simple decision, that is the most fateful. Ultimately, Verlin is forced to become a double-agent by the DEA and eventually both shunned and dismissed, by the very government he served to protect in the Marines. Then again, it’s easy to be betrayed, when no one knows you exist.”

EPISODE 9: Bonded Baby In Jail!
Verlin gets released from jail on Bond thanks to Cross Sr. while he awaits the trial and sentencing. Despite knowing he’s being watched back in Lake Lanier he plots a way to leave the country. Verlin arrives at his trial and is slapped with a 10-year sentence. Damn. However, only minutes after walking out of the courtroom he phones pal, Don Martin, to set up some quick runs for cash to fund his escape. But as per typical with these idiots surrounding drug runs, nothing works out and just a few months before he goes to jail for 14 months, Kathleen gives birth to their son, Eric. 

NOTE: This presentation contains occasional language inappropriate for a younger audience. Additionally, due to COVID, there is a variation of sound level sources. No need to adjust your sound as the occasional fluctuation is not related to your equipment!

SUBSCRIBE / SHARE: Verlin's story, Shadow of a Mercenary, is going to make one hell of a Feature Film with sequels and/or a tremendous limited Series.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED:
Story by: Kevin E. West, Verlin Siefkes
Written by, Kevin E. West
Life Rights: Kevin E. West
WGA#: 2124689
Library of Congress#: Pau2-963-342
©2021 ShutUp ‘n Play Productions
11684 Ventura Blvd. – 757, Studio City, CA 91604

Welcome to Shadow of a Mercenary, a Docu-Podcast presentation, created & hosted, by Kevin E. West. Shadow of a Mercenary chronicles the dramatic true story that chronicles the life of Verlin Siefkes: a simple crop dusting adopted Kansas farm kid of the 40s/50s who served his country as a Marine, loved painting his daughter's toenails on the porch and survived 28 days of captivity by Escobar's Medellin cartel. Verlin is betrayed by family, screwed over by crooked bankers during the late 70s - 80s and finds himself trapped between providing for his family and the U.S. government. Very often in life, it can be the most simple decision, that is the most fateful. Ultimately, Verlin is forced to become a double-agent by the DEA and eventually both shunned and dismissed, by the very government he served to protect in the Marines. Then again, it’s easy to be betrayed, when no one knows you exist.”

EPISODE 8:
As Verlin has said many times about others engaging him there is a great deal of truth in this; You poke the bull too often – you get the horns. Well, unfortunately that table gets turned on Verlin in this pivotal episode. But much like being betrayed about adoption, being betrayed by his extended family and being betrayed by the financial institutions surrounding him – he got the ultimate betrayal. The next thing Verlin knew – was he was flying in a thunderstorm surrounded by federal agents.

NOTE: This presentation contains occasional language inappropriate for a younger audience. Additionally, due to COVID, there is a variation of sound level sources. No need to adjust your sound as the occasional fluctuation is not related to your equipment!

SUBSCRIBE / SHARE: Verlin's story, Shadow of a Mercenary, is going to make one hell of a Feature Film with sequels and/or a tremendous limited Series.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED:
Story by: Kevin E. West, Verlin Siefkes
Written by, Kevin E. West
Life Rights: Kevin E. West
WGA#: 2124689
Library of Congress#: Pau2-963-342
©2021 ShutUp ‘n Play Productions
11684 Ventura Blvd. – 757, Studio City, CA 91604

Welcome to Shadow of a Mercenary, a Docu-Podcast presentation, created & hosted, by Kevin E. West. Shadow of a Mercenary chronicles the dramatic true story that chronicles the life of Verlin Siefkes: a simple crop dusting adopted Kansas farm kid of the 40s/50s who served his country as a Marine, loved painting his daughter's toenails on the porch and survived 28 days of captivity by Escobar's Medellin cartel. Verlin is betrayed by family, screwed over by crooked bankers during the late 70s - 80s and finds himself trapped between providing for his family and the U.S. government. Very often in life, it can be the most simple decision, that is the most fateful. Ultimately, Verlin is forced to become a double-agent by the DEA and eventually both shunned and dismissed, by the very government he served to protect in the Marines. Then again, it’s easy to be betrayed, when no one knows you exist.”

EPISODE 7:
At this point Verlin’s life had both flourished into another marriage but untenable in terms of business. When the Production Credit boys push Verlin to the limit he truly finds himself in a NO WIN situation. So after constant pressure from his crazy friend and smuggler, Carl London, Verlin makes the decision to go against his purity hero John Wayne, and goes to meet one idiot Hillbilly, Bill Cross Sr. Cross Sr., along with his idiot son, Jr. are looking for a pilot to use and Verlin becomes the victim. Despite the best laid plans of getting ‘in ‘n out’, Verlin is dancing with tainted goods without knowing it.

NOTE: This presentation contains occasional language inappropriate for a younger audience. Additionally, due to COVID, there is a variation of sound level sources. No need to adjust your sound as the occasional fluctuation is not related to your equipment!

SUBSCRIBE / SHARE: Verlin's story, Shadow of a Mercenary, is going to make one hell of a Feature Film with sequels and/or a tremendous limited Series.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED:
Story by: Kevin E. West, Verlin Siefkes
Written by, Kevin E. West
Life Rights: Kevin E. West
WGA#: 2124689
Library of Congress#: Pau2-963-342
©2021 ShutUp ‘n Play Productions
11684 Ventura Blvd. – 757, Studio City, CA 91604

Welcome to Shadow of a Mercenary, a Docu-Podcast presentation, created & hosted, by Kevin E. West. Shadow of a Mercenary chronicles the dramatic true story that chronicles the life of Verlin Siefkes: a simple crop dusting adopted Kansas farm kid of the 40s/50s who served his country as a Marine, loved painting his daughter's toenails on the porch and survived 28 days of captivity by Escobar's Medellin cartel. Verlin is betrayed by family, screwed over by crooked bankers during the late 70s - 80s and finds himself trapped between providing for his family and the U.S. government. Very often in life, it can be the most simple decision, that is the most fateful. Ultimately, Verlin is forced to become a double-agent by the DEA and eventually both shunned and dismissed, by the very government he served to protect in the Marines. Then again, it’s easy to be betrayed, when no one knows you exist.”

 EPISODE 6:
There is no way to truly describe the character who was, Carl London, but it goes without saying that when Verlin chose to go to Panama City Beach and get his instrument rated pilot’s license everything changed when he walked into Sowell Aviation and met the former WWII C-130 pilot. Mix into that the hell that was becoming his business, his divorce, his daughter, the late 70s and a potential third wife on the horizon. Phew, you’re gonna need a colorful Venn diagram to keep up with all of this fun.

NOTE: This presentation contains occasional language inappropriate for a younger audience. Additionally, due to COVID, there is a variation of sound level sources. No need to adjust your sound as the occasional fluctuation is not related to your equipment!

SUBSCRIBE / SHARE: Verlin's story, Shadow of a Mercenary, is going to make one hell of a Feature Film with sequels and/or a tremendous limited Series.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED:
Story by: Kevin E. West, Verlin Siefkes
Written by, Kevin E. West
Life Rights: Kevin E. West
WGA#: 2124689
Library of Congress#: Pau2-963-342
©2021 ShutUp ‘n Play Productions
11684 Ventura Blvd. – 757, Studio City, CA 91604

Welcome to Shadow of a Mercenary, a Docu-Podcast presentation, created & hosted, by Kevin E. West. Shadow of a Mercenary chronicles the dramatic true story that chronicles the life of Verlin Siefkes: a simple crop dusting adopted Kansas farm kid of the 40s/50s who served his country as a Marine, loved painting his daughter's toenails on the porch and survived 28 days of captivity by Escobar's Medellin cartel. Verlin is betrayed by family, screwed over by crooked bankers during the late 70s - 80s and finds himself trapped between providing for his family and the U.S. government. Very often in life, it can be the most simple decision, that is the most fateful. Ultimately, Verlin is forced to become a double-agent by the DEA and eventually both shunned and dismissed, by the very government he served to protect in the Marines. Then again, it’s easy to be betrayed, when no one knows you exist.”

EPISODE 5:
The crooked crew at Production Credit truly begins to wreak havoc on Verlin’s life, marriage the vision he’d had from himself as a kid. While his wife, Mary Ann, seeks to have them attend marriage counseling, Verlin is trying to figure out how he can right the ship. He begins a research project figuring the best thing he can do is get his instrument rating as a pilot to open more doors for income. However, this fateful logical decision becomes the decision of his life when he chooses to go get that training and rating in Panama City Beach, FL, instead of the more geographical friendly, Dallas.

NOTE: This presentation contains occasional language inappropriate for a younger audience. Additionally, due to COVID, there is a variation of sound level sources. No need to adjust your sound as the occasional fluctuation is not related to your equipment!

SUBSCRIBE / SHARE: Verlin's story, Shadow of a Mercenary, is going to make one hell of a Feature Film with sequels and/or a tremendous limited Series.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED:
Story by: Kevin E. West, Verlin Siefkes
Written by, Kevin E. West
Life Rights: Kevin E. West
WGA#: 2124689
Library of Congress#: Pau2-963-342
©2021 ShutUp ‘n Play Productions
11684 Ventura Blvd. – 757, Studio City, CA 91604

Welcome to Shadow of a Mercenary, a Docu-Podcast presentation, created & hosted, by Kevin E. West. Shadow of a Mercenary chronicles the dramatic true story that chronicles the life of Verlin Siefkes: a simple crop dusting adopted Kansas farm kid of the 40s/50s who served his country as a Marine, loved painting his daughter's toenails on the porch and survived 28 days of captivity by Escobar's Medellin cartel. Verlin is betrayed by family, screwed over by crooked bankers during the late 70s - 80s and finds himself trapped between providing for his family and the U.S. government. Very often in life, it can be the most simple decision, that is the most fateful. Ultimately, Verlin is forced to become a double-agent by the DEA and eventually both shunned and dismissed, by the very government he served to protect in the Marines. Then again, it’s easy to be betrayed, when no one knows you exist.”

EPISODE 4:
Verlin shows how you can have the American dream by working hard and becoming an expert in his field but ya know, then there is thing called, family. How does that show itself when you’re really the ‘adopted’ outcast and you try working with your irresponsible brother as we get into the mid-70s, you lose your Father figure and no one will assist. Mix in a few colorful crop-dusting friends, a new charter client (the devil incarnate) and insert crooked bankers and oh my the wheels can come off quickly.

NOTE: This presentation contains occasional language inappropriate for a younger audience. Additionally, due to COVID, there is a variation of sound level sources. No need to adjust your sound as the occasional fluctuation is not related to your equipment!

SUBSCRIBE / SHARE: Verlin's story, Shadow of a Mercenary, is going to make one hell of a Feature Film with sequels and/or a tremendous limited Series.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED:
Story by: Kevin E. West, Verlin Siefkes
Written by, Kevin E. West
Life Rights: Kevin E. West
WGA#: 2124689
Library of Congress#: Pau2-963-342
©2021 ShutUp ‘n Play Productions
11684 Ventura Blvd. – 757, Studio City, CA 91604