Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Narrator: TONIGHT ON "MOONSHINERS"...
OH [BLEEP]
...HIGHWAY ROBBERY...
WE GOT TO GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE.
...WHERE THERE'S SMOKE...
Josh: WHOA! WHOA! WHOA!
...THERE'S FIRE...
SOMEBODY STOP IT!
...AND A SHOWDOWN IN NORTH CAROLINA.
Man: THIS IS HOW WE MAKE THE MOONSHINE!
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
Narrator: ACROSS APPALACHIA, LIQUOR IS FLOWING.
SHINERS ARE LINING THEIR POCKETS WITH HARD-EARNED CASH,
ALL OF IT TAX-FREE.
IN VIRGINIA, TICKLE HAS JUST FINISHED HIS FIRST RUN,
AND HE ALREADY HAS A BUYER.
I GOT A CUSTOMER. HE WANTS TO BUY QUITE A BIT OF THIS.
SO, I'M HEADING OUT NOW,
AND I'M GONNA GET THE SHINE OUT AT THE STASH HOUSE.
ALL RIGHT.
Narrator: HE'S USING AN ISOLATED STASH HOUSE
TO KEEP HIS SHINE AWAY FROM PRYING EYES.
Tickle: WHOA! GET DOWN. GET DOWN. GET DOWN.
OH [BLEEP]
[ RUSTLING ]
THIS AIN'T GOOD AT ALL.
I DON'T KNOW WHO THIS WAS.
IT COULD BE A COP. IT COULD HAVE BEEN ANYBODY.
[BLEEP]
WE GOT TO GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE.
Narrator: TICKLE'S JUST LOST SIX GALLONS OF SHINE,
BUT HE'S GOT A BIGGER PROBLEM --
SOMEONE'S FOLLOWING HIM.
Tickle: I DON'T KNOW WHO FOUND IT.
ALL I KNOW IS I CAN'T EVER USE THAT HOUSE AGAIN.
THAT'S FOR SURE. THAT PLACE -- IT'S DEAD.
I'M GONNA HAVE TO MAKE MYSELF SCARCE FOR A LITTLE BIT.
Narrator: IN SOUTH CAROLINA,
JOSH AND BILL HAVE GONE BACK TO THEIR REGULAR JOBS
AFTER AN ACCIDENTAL RUN OF BLUE SHINE
PUT AN END TO THEIR OPERATION.
WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO WITH THIS [BLEEP]
BUT JOSH ISN'T READY TO THROW IN THE TOWEL.
HE'S GOT A PLAN TO EARN THEM MORE CASH --
BOOTLEGGING FOR ANOTHER SHINER.
MAYBE WE CAN GO BACK AND GET SOME MORE OF THIS
AND GET A REALLY GOOD DEAL ON IT,
TURN IT OVER AND SELL IT.
I MEAN, IT'S DEFINITELY SELLABLE.
I'LL GO BACK AND TALK TO HIM.
WE'LL SEE IF WE CAN GET SOME MORE.
Josh: HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET A GOOD DEAL,
START SELLING SOME SHINE.
Narrator: BUT JOSH BARELY KNOWS THIS SHINER,
SO THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT HE'LL MAKE A DEAL.
Josh: HEY, MAN. HOW'S IT GOING?
DOING ALL RIGHT.
I WAS KIND OF HOPING
MAYBE I COULD GET SOME MORE OF THIS AND SELL IT.
WHAT IF I SPLIT THE PROFITS WITH YOU?
MAYBE GET ABOUT 20 MORE GALLONS
AT ABOUT 60 BUCKS A GALLON OR SOMETHING?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WELL, THAT'S THE KICKER, MAN.
I JUST GOT TO GET THE STUFF AND GET RID OF IT,
AND I'LL BRING THE MONEY RIGHT BACK.
IF YOU'LL LET ME TAKE 'EM AND SELL 'EM,
I'LL BRING YOU YOUR MONEY BACK.
ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU, MAN. I APPRECIATE IT.
I THINK THIS IS THE PERFECT STORM FOR ME
BECAUSE THIS GUY IS SUPER HARD UP FOR MONEY.
I'M HARD UP FOR MONEY.
HE'S GOT THE LIQUOR.
I GOT THE MEANS TO GET RID OF IT.
THAT MEANS I GOT THE MEANS TO MAKE SOME MONEY.
BUT I TELL YOU RIGHT NOW
THAT THIS BOOTLEGGING LIQUOR'S A TEMPORARY THING.
Narrator: DURING PROHIBITION,
YOU COULD GET RICH BOOTLEGGING LIQUOR.
ALL IT TOOK WAS A LITTLE AMBITION.
GEORGE REMUS WAS A PHARMACIST
AND CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY BY TRAINING --
A PERFECT COMBINATION THAT LET HIM
EXPLOIT A LOOPHOLE IN THE VOLSTEAD ACT,
WHICH ALLOWED PHARMACIES TO BUY DISTILLERIES
AND SELL THEIR LIQUOR FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES.
REMUS SOON OWNED ENOUGH PHARMACIES TO CONTROL
80% OF THE LIQUOR SUPPLY IN THE COUNTRY.
WITHIN THREE YEARS, HE MADE OVER $40 MILLION,
THE EQUIVALENT OF $500 MILLION TODAY.
SOME BELIEVE THAT HIS LAVISH LIFESTYLE
AND EXTRAVAGANT PARTIES WERE THE INSPIRATION
BEHIND THE NOVEL "THE GREAT GATSBY."
IN KENTUCKY,
TIM SMITH IS ALMOST DONE LAYING THE FOUNDATION
FOR HIS OWN MOONSHINE DYNASTY.
WE'RE GOOD TO GO?
YEP.
HE JUST FINISHED A 700-GALLON BATCH OF SHINE,
AND IN ONE WEEK, IT WILL BE OUT ON THE OPEN MARKET.
THERE WE GO.
GOOD?
YEP.
Tim: TODAY IS VERY INTENSE BECAUSE THIS IS MY FIRST BATCH.
VERY IMPORTANT STEP.
I JUST WORRY ABOUT NOT MAKING IT ON TIME TO THE BOTTLER.
OKAY.
Narrator: BUT THERE'S MASSIVE WORK TO DO
BEFORE THE SHINE IS READY FOR PRIME TIME,
AND HE'S SHORT ONE WORKER.
I'M WAITING ON CHICO.
CHICO'S BEEN COMING IN LATE,
AND I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT.
WE GOT TO ROLL. HE'S SLACKING.
I DON'T WANT TO START BEFORE HE GETS HERE
'CAUSE WE REALLY NEED TO KIND OF WORK TOGETHER WITH THIS THING.
HEY.
HEY.
WHAT'S GOING ON?
I'M WORRIED ABOUT THIS MOONSHINE
GETTING TO WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO ON TIME.
IF WE MISS THIS WINDOW,
IT'S ANOTHER THREE WEEKS BEFORE THEY CAN BOTTLE IT.
AS SOON AS CHICO GETS HERE, WE'LL GET ON THAT.
WHERE IS CHICO?
CHICO. WHERE YOU BEEN, MAN?
YOU'RE ABOUT 45 MINUTES LATE ALREADY.
IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S STAYING UP ALL NIGHT
IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE -- 'CAUSE HE'S DRAGGING.
HE DOESN'T HAVE ANY ENERGY, AND HE'S JUST TIRED.
CHICO, BE CAREFUL.
THIS STUFF IS PRECIOUS, MAN.
IT'S LIKE HE'S WORKING TWO SHIFTS.
HOW YOU DOING?
PRETTY GOOD, MAN.
HOW YOU DOING? DOING GOOD?
ALL RIGHT. GOOD.
I GOT TWO BARRELS OF MOONSHINE I NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE.
WE'RE MAKING HISTORY HERE. THIS IS MY CHANCE.
IT'S GOT TO WORK BECAUSE I CAN'T GO BACK.
FIRST LOAD OF CLIMAX MOONSHINE COMING OUT.
STRAIGHTEN IT UP, BOSS.
NEXT IS WE GOT TO FOLLOW THIS TRUCK
AND MAKE SURE HE GETS THERE.
FLAMMABLE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE -- THAT'S WHAT THAT MEANS.
LIKE "BABY ON BOARD," BUT "MOONSHINE ON BOARD."
ALL RIGHT. HERE WE GO.
Narrator: AS HIS WHISKEY HITS THE ROAD,
TIM HAS HIS SIGHTS SET ON HIS ULTIMATE GOAL --
SELLING SHINE BACK IN VIRGINIA.
WE APPLIED TO SELL MY BRAND OF CLIMAX MOONSHINE
IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.
OTHER STATES HAVE ACCEPTED IT.
YOU KNOW VIRGINIA'S GONNA TAKE IT.
SO, I'M EXCITED TO GET THAT LETTER SAYING,
NOW, THAT, YOU KNOW, "TIM SMITH'S CLIMAX MOONSHINE
IS LEGAL IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA."
THAT'S JUST GOLD.
Narrator: IN NORTH CAROLINA,
WAYNE IS ABOUT TO REAP THE REWARDS
OF HIS FIRST SUCCESSFUL MOONSHINE RUN.
Wayne: GETTING A LITTLE DEEPER HERE.
Narrator: BUT FOR THIS ROOKIE SHINER,
IT ISN'T ALL ABOUT PROFITS.
I WANT TO PRESERVE CULTURE AROUND THIS AREA,
AND MOONSHINING IS REALLY A DYING ART.
A LOT OF IT'S BEEN MADE IN THIS HOLLOW,
SO I JUST WANT TO KEEP THAT TRADITION ALIVE
AND MAKE A LITTLE MONEY DOING IT.
Narrator: AND MONEY IS JUST WHAT HE'S HOPING TO FIND
IN THE WATER HERE.
HE SEEDED THE LAKE WITH SHINE,
ANCHORED IN THE WATER AND MARKED BY BUOYS.
BUT HE HAS NO IDEA IF THE BOOTLEGGERS
HAVE HELD UP THEIR END OF THE BARGAIN.
DAMN, THAT ONE --
THAT ROPE IS ON TOP OF THE WATER.
THIS BETTER HAVE MY MONEY IN IT.
THAT'S WHERE I HAD A COUPLE OF GALLONS RIGHT THERE --
TWO MORE GALLONS.
TWO MORE GALLONS.
RIGHT THERE IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.
YEAH, THAT'S ALL THERE.
SO FAR, SO GOOD.
DROP NUMBER TWO.
AH, CASH MONEY.
LOOKS LIKE IT'S ALL THERE, JUST LIKE THE MAN SAID.
Narrator: WAYNE JUST DRAGGED IN CLOSE TO $2,000 --
A GOOD HAUL FOR A FIRST TIMER.
JUST A FEW MILES AWAY,
TWO VETERAN SHINERS ARE STILL WAITING FOR THEIR FIRST PAYMENT.
Jeff: LET'S SEE WHAT'S IN IT.
MARK, JEFF, AND LANCE LEFT SHINE FOR BOOTLEGGERS LAST NIGHT,
AND IF ALL WENT WELL,
THEY SHOULD EARN NEARLY $3,000 TAX-FREE.
LANCE HAS TAKEN ON A BIGGER ROLE THIS YEAR.
HE'S IN CHARGE OF DISTRIBUTION,
USING HIS COUSIN TY TO DO THE BOOTLEGGING.
YEAH.
Mark: UH-OH.
I THOUGHT YOU HAD THIS TOOK CARE OF.
UH, I DID, TOO.
YOU GAVE HIM THE KEY, DIDN'T YOU?
YEAH, HE'S GOT A KEY.
HE TOLD ME THAT HE WAS TAKING CARE OF THIS.
HE AIN'T BEEN HERE.
HE AIN'T CALLED AND TOLD ME NOTHING WAS GOING ON.
HE TOLD ME THAT HE WAS GONNA DO THIS.
I MEAN, WE GOT RENT DUE. WE GOT TO PAY IT.
I'M SORRY, GUYS.
I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE JUST DONE THIS ALL MYSELF, ANYWAY.
I'M REALLY UPSET WITH MYSELF 'CAUSE I LET MY DAD DOWN,
I LET MARK DOWN, AND THAT'S ON ME.
NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM.
I'LL GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT BEFORE THE DAY'S OVER.
THE RUNNER -- HE'S NOT EVEN CALLED
TO TELL LANCE THAT HE PICKED IT UP
OR DIDN'T PICK IT UP.
LANCE IS VERY GOOD AT WHAT HE DOES.
HE'LL GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT.
Narrator: COMING UP, JEFF WISES UP...
DO YOU SELL A WHOLE LOT OF CORN?
...CHICO'S IN THE DOG HOUSE...
CHICO. WHAT ARE YOU DOING, MAN?
WE GOT TO GET TO ROLLING HERE.
...AND LANCE SETTLES A SCORE.
Narrator: IN KENTUCKY, TIM'S ON THE ROAD WITH HIS SHINE,
ONE STEP CLOSER TO BRINGING CLIMAX WHISKEY
TO THE THIRSTY PUBLIC.
AS SOON AS VIRGINIA TAKES IT,
THAT'S GONNA MAKE A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE HAPPY.
EVERYBODY'S BEEN WAITING FOR SO MANY YEARS
TO BE ABLE TO GET TIM SMITH'S CLIMAX MOONSHINE.
Narrator: JUST A YEAR AGO,
DRIVING IN THE OPEN WITH GALLONS OF WHISKEY
WOULD HAVE BEEN A ONE-WAY TICKET TO PRISON.
TIM HAD TO GET CREATIVE.
Tickle: THAT'S A REALLY DEEP TRUNK.
Tim: I WANT TO MAKE A SECRET COMPARTMENT HERE.
BUT TODAY, HIS MIND IS ON HIS LEGACY.
Tim: THIS IS A HISTORY-MAKING MOVEMENT, YOU KNOW?
I GOT THIS HANDED DOWN THROUGH MY FAMILY --
THE TRADITIONS OF MAKING GOOD-QUALITY MOONSHINE.
MY FATHER HAS DIED, AND EVERYONE ABOVE ME
AND AROUND ME HAS ACTUALLY KIND OF PASSED AWAY.
AND I ONLY HAVE MY SON.
AND HE CAN CARRY ON THAT TRADITION AFTER I'M GONE.
COME ON.
I LOOK AT IT -- IT'S LIKE YOUR FIRSTBORN SON, YOU KNOW?
IT'S SO SPECIAL. IT'S PRECIOUS. IT'S PART OF YOU, YOU KNOW?
THAT'S WHAT THIS IS.
THIS IS PART OF ME THAT WENT INTO THIS BATCH.
Narrator: WHEN HE WAS BACK IN THE WOODS,
TIM PERSONALLY FILLED EVERY JAR AND JUG.
BUT GOING BIG MEANS GIVING UP SOME CONTROL.
[ BEEP ]
Tim: YOU KNOW, THIS WHOLE PROCESS IS KIND OF CHALLENGING
BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I DON'T KNOW IS INVOLVED
TO SATISFY THE GOVERNMENT.
NOW I'M ALLOWING A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE
TO TOUCH THIS MOONSHINE ALONG THE WAY.
Narrator: DOWN IN MISSISSIPPI, A MOONSHINER IS CLOSING RANKS.
Darlene: YEAH, WE GOT TO GET THIS TRAILER LOADED UP
AND GET IT READY TO GO TO GONZALES.
GET EVERYTHING IN HERE AND SITUATED.
Narrator: DARLENE'S WHOLE OPERATION
HAS BEEN EXPOSED BY A RIVAL SHINER.
I DIDN'T KNOW YOU MADE MOONSHINE.
I DIDN'T SAY I DID.
NOW SHE PLANS ON BURYING HER STILL IN AN ABANDONED POOL.
Chris: WHAT WE'LL DO IS TRY TO SHOVE SOME OF THIS STUFF
OVER IN THE CORNER AND BURN WHAT WE CAN.
THIS IS MY LAWNMOWER GAS.
THERE IT GOES!
BUT SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO COMPLETE THE BUILD,
SO SHE NEEDS TO SELL SOME SHINE.
Darlene: I CAN GET SOME OF THIS OUT
AND PUT SOME BOTTLES IN HERE, HUH?
I'M JUST GONNA TAKE SOME, SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
Chris: REALLY NO TELLING WHO COULD GET HER IN TROUBLE ABOUT IT.
I SURE DON'T WANT HER TO GO TO PRISON OR ANYTHING.
Darlene: THAT'S IT.
Narrator: DARLENE EXCELS AT OPERATING UNDER THE RADAR
AND HAS BEEN SELLING HER OWN SHINE FOR DECADES.
Darlene: I WOULDN'T SAY WE'RE OUTLAWING,
BUT TRANSPORTING THE MOONSHINE AND TAKING IT WITH ME --
IT'S ILLEGAL.
Narrator: HER SECRET --
SHE ONLY SELLS AT BIG EVENTS FAR FROM HER HOME.
CUSTOMERS KNOW TO LOOK FOR HER HORSE TRAILER.
Darlene: THAT'S MY OFFICE.
THAT'S THE MOONSHINE STORE.
Narrator: SHE'S HOPING TO BRING IN 1,000 BUCKS
BY THE END OF THE DAY.
Darlene: NOT AS MANY PEOPLE TURNED OUT AS I THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE HERE.
[ SIGHS ] [BLEEP]
THAT'S THE TRUE PROBLEM.
Narrator: BACK IN KENTUCKY,
TIM'S BOTTLING THE LAST 50 GALLONS
OF A HUGE RUN OF MOONSHINE...
NICE TIGHT BEADS. YEP.
...BUT HIS ASSISTANT IS DOING SOME MOONLIGHTING.
SO, I GUESS THAT NEXT STEP IS TO POUR MASH INTO MY POT.
TIM SMITH HAS SET ME ASIDE AND TOLD ME
SOME OF THE INS AND OUTS OF MAKING ALCOHOL, YOU KNOW.
I THINK I CAN MAKE A PRETTY GOOD RUN AT THIS.
BUT THIS RIGHT HERE AIN'T BENEFITING HIM NONE,
AND HE DON'T NEED TO HEAR NOTHING ABOUT IT.
WHAT TIM DON'T KNOW WON'T HURT HIM.
Narrator: BUT IF CHICO GETS CAUGHT,
HE COULD END UP BRINGING TIM DOWN WITH HIM.
GET THIS THING FIRED UP.
THEN I'LL MUD MY JOINTS.
I PICTURED, "THROW IT IN THERE, TURN THE HEAT UP,"
BUT YOU GOT TO BABYSIT THIS THING.
TIM SAID THAT PATIENCE
IS SOMETHING YOU CAN'T BE TAUGHT,
YOU JUST GOT TO HAVE.
AND I AIN'T NEVER HAD MUCH OF IT.
MY INTENTIONS AT THE END OF ALL THIS
IS TO GET BIGGER.
BUT YOU GOT TO CRAWL BEFORE YOU CAN WALK.
I'M GONNA TRY THIS, AND IF I CAN MAKE IT RIGHT,
IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME TO DRINK,
I KNOW I CAN SELL IT.
THE QUESTION AFTER THAT IS CAN I MAKE ENOUGH OF IT?
WAITING GAME NOW.
WHOA, BABY.
THERE'S WHAT WE GO.
I'M GONNA...
IT'S THERE. YOU CAN GUARANTEE IT.
WE OUGHT TO BE ABOUT READY TO SEE WHAT THAT TASTES LIKE.
Narrator: TO PROOF THE ALCOHOL,
SHINERS SHAKE THE JAR TO SEE HOW FAST THE BUBBLES DISAPPEAR.
Chico: THEY SAY ANYTHING UNDER THREE SECONDS
IS 100-PLUS.
SO, WHEN IT DISAPPEARS IN TWO,
IT'S ABOUT 110, 120.
MAN'S GOT TO START SOMEWHERE.
[ SIGHS ]
[ COUGHS ]
WELL, I CAN DRINK IT.
[ SNIFFS ]
I KIND OF LIKE IT.
RIGHT THERE'S 100% KENTUCKY CORN LIQUOR.
IF I GO TO TIM AND HAND HIM THIS AND SAY,
"HERE," YOU KNOW, "LOOK WHAT I MADE,"
HE'S LIABLE TO HAVE A MASSIVE CORONARY.
I MEAN, IT'S JUST -- THAT'S ME.
AND I'M PRETTY PROUD OF ME RIGHT NOW.
YOU BELIEVE THAT?
Narrator: IN NORTH CAROLINA,
LANCE IS LOOKING TO SETTLE A SCORE.
HIS COUSIN TY WAS SUPPOSED TO BOOTLEG A RUN OF SHINE,
BUT HE NEVER SHOWED UP.
I THOUGHT YOU HAD THIS TOOK CARE OF.
TY HAS BROKEN A FUNDAMENTAL RULE OF MOONSHINING,
AND IT'S UP TO LANCE TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION...
BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.
I TOLD DAD THAT I CAN HANDLE THIS THIS YEAR,
AND I WANT TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT TODAY.
YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT TO GO TALK TO THIS BOY,
SO THAT'S WHERE WE'RE HEADING RIGHT NOW.
[ SIGHS ]
[ KNOCK ON DOOR ]
Narrator: COMING UP -- DARLENE'S MIDNIGHT DEAL...
Darlene: I DO.
...AND JOSH AND BILL GET SMOKED.
Josh: OH, GOD! STOP IT! SOMEBODY STOP IT!
Narrator: IN NORTH CAROLINA,
LANCE IS ON A MISSION TO SETTLE THE SCORE.
Lance: I GOT TO GET THIS ALL WORKED OUT.
Narrator: HIS COUSIN TY BLEW OFF A MOONSHINE PICKUP.
NOW THERE'S HELL TO PAY.
[ KNOCK ON DOOR ]
[ DOOR OPENS ]
Lance: WHAT'S UP?
I JUST -- I CAN'T BELIEVE
THAT HE WOULD CHICKEN OUT ON ME LIKE THIS.
NO PHONE CALL. NO NOTHING.
I DIDN'T THINK HE WAS THAT KIND OF BOY,
BUT I'VE GOT TO GET THIS SITUATED
AND GET SOMETHING ELSE FIGURED OUT.
I MEAN, DAD -- HE'S SUNK EVERY DIME HE'S GOT INTO THIS.
I CAN'T LET HIM DOWN, YOU KNOW.
IT'S GONNA BE A LOT MORE RISK ON ME,
BUT I'M GONNA MAKE SURE THAT IT GETS DONE
'CAUSE I'M GONNA DO IT MYSELF NOW.
HOPEFULLY THERE'S NO WILDLIFE OFFICERS
OUT AND ABOUT TODAY.
WE'RE GONNA GET IT LOADED, GET IT OUT OF HERE.
THAT WAY, WE'LL KEEP OUR CUSTOMERS HAPPY.
Narrator: LANCE MAY THINK HE'S SOLVING THE PROBLEM,
BUT HE'S MAKING A FUNDAMENTAL MISTAKE.
MOONSHINERS STAY HIDDEN BY WORKING WITH MIDDLE MEN
WHO ACT AS BUFFERS.
WITHOUT ONE, THE WHOLE OPERATION IS AT RISK.
GET OUT OF HERE AND GET THIS DELIVERED,
MAKE DAD AND MARK HAPPY.
Narrator: IN SOUTH CAROLINA,
JOSH HAS JUST ARRANGED
TO MOVE LARGE QUANTITIES OF SHINE FOR ANOTHER MOONSHINER,
BUT HE'S ONLY BOOTLEGGED ONCE BEFORE,
AND IT WAS JUST A FEW GALLONS.
TO PULL THIS OFF, HE NEEDS TO THINK BIG.
Josh: MOONSHINERS ARE TYPICALLY
REALLY SHREWD, GOOD OLD COUNTRY BOYS.
A LOT OF TIMES,
THEY'LL BE HIDING STUFF RIGHT UNDER YOUR NOSE
AND YOU'LL NEVER EVEN KNOW IT.
Narrator: BOOTLEGGING WAS NEVER A GOAL FOR JOSH AND BILL,
BUT WITHOUT FUNDS TO MOONSHINE,
IT BECOMES THEIR ONLY OPTION.
HOW ABOUT IT, BROTHER?
HOWDY, HOWDY.
WHAT ARE YOU BUILDING HERE?
BIRDHOUSE.
Bill: I STARTED DOING SOME WOODWORK OUT IN THE SHOP,
JUST TO GET ENOUGH MONEY
JUST SO WE CAN KEEP OUR HEADS ABOVE WATER.
GOT THIS LADY THAT'S WANTING ME TO BUILD
SOMETHING RUSTIC-LOOKING OUT OF SOME RECLAIMED WOOD,
SO I'M WORKING ON A BIRDHOUSE FOR HER.
RIGHT ON.
Josh: OBVIOUSLY, WE NEED THE MONEY
BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN HAVING HARD TIMES.
I WENT TO SEE THAT MAN,
AND I ASKED HIM IF HE'D FRONT US SOME MOONSHINE.
AND HE'S TALKING LIKE POSSIBLY LETTING US HAVE
100, 200 GALLONS ON THE FRONT.
HOW WE GONNA HAUL DAMN 100 GALLONS OF MOONSHINE?
YOU KNOW, PEOPLE HAVE FUEL CELLS IN THE BACK OF THEIR TRUCK?
YEAH, DIESEL TANKS?
DIESEL TANKS.
SO, I GOT ALL THIS STAINLESS STEEL LAYING AROUND.
I THOUGHT ABOUT MAKING A BOX OUT OF IT
AND PUTTING A PUMP IN IT --
A 15-GALLON-PER-MINUTE PUMP IN IT.
AND FILL IT UP WITH LIQUOR?
YEAH, AND WE CAN HAUL MOONSHINE AROUND IN THAT.
BUT THEN, ONE PART OF IT COULD HAVE A COMPARTMENT
THAT'S BIG AROUND ENOUGH SO IF YOU OPEN IT UP
AND LOOK DOWN AND SEE IT,
IT COULD BE FULL OF DIESEL AND TOTALLY SEALED.
HUH.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
IT'D BE A GOOD WAY TO HAUL IT
OTHER THAN HAVING, YOU KNOW,
DAMN 40 CASES OF DAMN MASON JARS
STACKED UP IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK.
THE IDEA OF A FUEL CELL --
THAT MIGHT NOT BE TOO BAD OF AN IDEA
IF THAT'S WHAT WE GOT TO DO.
I'M ABOUT BROKER THAN I'VE EVER BEEN.
YOU KNOW, I GOT ZERO MONEY TO PUT INTO MATERIALS ON THIS.
BUT IF WE GOT ENOUGH LAYING AROUND OUT HERE
AND WE CAN TALK SOMEBODY INTO WELDING US UP,
I MEAN, I'M ALL FOR IT.
YOU MEAN YOU'RE NOT GONNA ARGUE WITH ME?
I DIDN'T SAY THAT.
IT IS A GOOD IDEA. JUST TRUST ME.
Narrator: DOWN IN LOUISIANA...
Darlene: WHEW.
...DARLENE HAS SET HERSELF UP FOR DISAPPOINTMENT.
SHE WAS HOPING TO SELL $1,000 WORTH OF MOONSHINE AT A RODEO.
I HOPE PEOPLE COME PICK UP SOME SHINE.
SO, I'M WAITING FOR THEM.
Narrator: BUT FEW PEOPLE ARE HERE FOR THE SHOW,
AND THAT MEANS FEWER CUSTOMERS FOR HER SHINE.
WITH EVERY HOUR THAT PASSES,
HER PROSPECTS LOOK INCREASINGLY GRIM.
Darlene: THERE'S NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE COME OUT HERE TO SELL TO.
SO, I'M WORRIED ABOUT IT.
THAT'S WHAT COUNTS -- BRINGING HOME SOME MONEY.
[ KNOCK ON DOOR ]
Darlene: I DO.
IT'S REALLY STRONG.
OKAY.
Narrator: UNTIL DARLENE CAN MAKE SOME REAL MONEY,
SHE WON'T BE ABLE TO MOVE HER STILL.
Darlene: I'M NOT REALLY HAPPY ABOUT IT. I WISH I'D PICKED SOME MONEY UP.
WE'VE GOT TO BUILD MY DECK OVER MY POOL
SO I CAN HIDE MY STILL.
THAT'S GOT TO BE TOP PRIORITY,
AND I'VE GOT TO MAKE A PLACE TO DO THE SHINE.
JUST GONNA HAVE TO CHANGE THE PLAN
AND DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
Narrator: UP IN NORTH CAROLINA,
JEFF AND MARK HAVE BEEN RUNNING THROUGH
OVER 30 BUSHELS OF CORN A WEEK TO MAKE MASH.
THEY CONSTANTLY NEED TO RESUPPLY.
BIG AS ME AND MARK WENT THIS YEAR --
WE'VE GOT TO FIND A LOT OF CORN.
YOU KNOW, IF I CAN'T FIND THE CORN,
I CAN'T MAKE THE LIQUOR.
Narrator: TO KEEP THE LAW OFF THEIR TRAIL,
SHINERS OFTEN MOVE FROM ONE SOURCE TO ANOTHER
FOR THEIR RAW MATERIALS,
SO JEFF IS FOLLOWING UP ON A TIP
FOR A POTENTIAL SUPPLIER ACROSS THE COUNTY LINE.
Jeff: HOW YOU DOING, SIR?
I COME BY SOME BIG CORNFIELDS OUT HERE.
YOU GOT ANY IDEA WHO THEY BELONG TO?
YEAH.
DO YOU SELL A WHOLE LOT OF CORN?
I NEED A COUPLE HUNDRED BUSHELS.
[ CHUCKLES ]
YEAH, I GO THROUGH ABOUT 200 BUSHELS A YEAR.
[ WHISTLES ]
I JUST USE A LOT OF CORN.
I'M DESPERATE FOR CORN.
I'LL BUT THAT IF YOU WANT TO SELL IT.
YEP.
I UNDERSTAND.
I BETTER GO SEE IF I CAN FIND ME SOME CORN.
I APPRECIATE IT.
I NEVER GAVE YOU MY NAME, BUT I'LL BE BACK.
OKAY.
SEE YA.
HMM.
Narrator: COMING UP, CHICO DEALS WITH DANGEROUS CUSTOMERS...
Chico: WHEN YOU DROP THROUGH A PATCH OF WOODS
AND THERE'S A HOUSE THERE,
THE REASON IT'S THERE IS THEY DON'T WANT PEOPLE
SEEING THEM FROM THE ROAD.
Narrator: ...AND TIM SMELLS A RAT.
CHICO. WHAT ARE YOU DOING, MAN?
Tim: THERE'S SOMETHING GOING ON WITH CHICO.
IF THERE'S ANYTHING ILLEGAL, THEN WE'RE GONNA HAVE A PROBLEM.
Narrator: IN KENTUCKY,
CHICO'S SUPPOSED TO BE AT THE DISTILLERY,
BUT HE'S CALLED IN SICK TO WORK HIS OTHER JOB --
THE ONE THAT TIM CAN'T FIND OUT ABOUT.
COME ON, BUBBA.
LET'S GET YOU GEARED UP AND GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE.
WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT ME AND TIM HAVE GOING ON,
HE'S A GOOD DUDE, MAN.
HE SHOWED ME A HELPING HAND
WHEN I COULDN'T FIND ONE IN THIS WORLD,
AND I CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL BAD.
COME ON, YOU.
HE'S TRYING TO GO LEGAL. HE DON'T NEED THIS AROUND HIM.
Narrator: CHICO MAY BE A ROOKIE,
BUT HE HAS A MAJOR ADVANTAGE OVER OTHER SHINERS --
CONNECTIONS TO A SECRET PART OF KENTUCKY
THAT FEW HAVE EVER SEEN.
[ GRUNTS ]
THE PEOPLE THERE ARE CUT OFF FROM THE ROADS,
HOSTILE TO OUTSIDERS,
AND THIRSTY FOR SHINE.
Chico: I'M GONNA LOAD HIM DOWN WITH A FEW JARS OF LIQUOR
AND TAKE IT TO SOME PEOPLE THAT LIVE OFF OF THE MAIN ROAD.
A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND HERE ARE BACKWOODS.
THEY DON'T WANT PEOPLE SEEING THEM FROM THE ROAD.
THEY DON'T WANT TO BE AGGRAVATED.
THAT'S THE REASON THEY LIVE WHERE THEY LIVE.
BUT THEY LOVE MOONSHINE.
SO, I GOT TO DROP OFF
TO A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE TODAY.
Narrator: THIS RUN IS A HUGE RISK.
CHICO'S A TWO-TIME OFFENDER,
AND HIS THIRD STRIKE COULD PUT HIM AWAY FOR YEARS.
Chico: SOMETIMES I WONDER IF IT'S WORTH IT.
THERE'S A LOT OF RISK THAT I'M TAKING RIGHT NOW.
BUT I'M BROKE.
I GOT TO DO WHAT I GOT TO DO TO SURVIVE.
THIS IS CENTRAL KENTUCKY. I'M A LOCAL BOY.
AS FAR AS WHO'S WHAT AND WHO DOES WHAT,
I KNOW STUFF AROUND HERE BEHIND THE SCENES.
IT'S MY TOWN.
Narrator: CHICO'S MAKING GOOD MONEY,
BUT HE'S RISKING HIS DAY JOB...
BECAUSE BACK AT THE DISTILLERY,
TIM'S RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE.
CHICO.
MORNING.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING, MAN?
HUH?
YOU KNOW HOW IT IS, MAN.
Tim: SO, THERE'S SOMETHING GOING ON WITH CHICO.
NOT SURE WHAT IT IS.
BUT IF IT'S ANYTHING ILLEGAL, THEN WE'RE GONNA HAVE A PROBLEM.
WE GOT TO GET TO ROLLING HERE.
I GOT IT, MAN.
YOU GOT TO BABYSIT THE STILL.
KEEP IT COLD. RUN IT SLOW.
TASTE GOOD.
ALL RIGHT, YOU GOT IT?
YEAH, I GOT IT, MAN.
OKAY.
IF I HAVE ANY TROUBLE, I'LL SQUALL.
Narrator: TIM'S LIQUOR IS BOTTLED AND READY FOR THE PUBLIC.
ALL THAT'S LEFT IS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO SIGN OFF.
FOR TIM, THE BIGGEST VICTORY WILL BE
SEEING HIS SHINE IN VIRGINIA.
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT MONEY.
IT'S HOMETOWN PRIDE.
Tim: THEY DON'T WANT MY MOONSHINE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.
I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT
AFTER ALL OF THIS WORK I DONE WENT THROUGH,
AND ALL THIS GOING TO KENTUCKY, GETTING THE DISTILLERY GOING,
THEY'RE GONNA SAY "NO."
I'M FROM VIRGINIA,
AND I REALLY FEEL LIKE THEY SHOULD BE SUPPORTING ME.
SO, IT IS A BIG PILL TO SWALLOW HERE.
Narrator: BACK IN SOUTH CAROLINA,
JOSH AND BILL ARE BUILDING A TROJAN HORSE FOR MOONSHINE.
ALL RIGHT.
FROM THE OUTSIDE,
THE CONTAINER WILL LOOK LIKE
AN ORDINARY AUXILIARY DIESEL TANK.
BUT ONLY A SMALL, COMPLETELY SEALED-OFF SECTION
WILL ACTUALLY HOLD FUEL.
ANYONE INSPECTING THIS CONTAINER
WILL OPEN THE MAIN CAP TO THE SMALLER SECTION
AND ASSUME THE CONTAINER IS ENTIRELY FULL OF DIESEL.
THE REST OF THE TANK CAN HOLD UP TO 250 GALLONS OF MOONSHINE,
WHICH WILL BE DISPENSED THROUGH A PUMP HANDLE.
THEY CAN'T BUILD THIS TANK ALONE,
SO THEY'RE SNEAKING INTO A LOCAL METAL SHOP ON THE WEEKEND.
PULL THIS OUT AND GET IT TO THE SHEAR.
IF THE OWNER STOPS BY,
THE WHOLE OPERATION WILL BE SHUT DOWN.
Bill: WE'RE ALWAYS SHORT ON TIME. WE'RE ALWAYS SHORT ON MONEY.
BUT, FORTUNATELY, WE GOT SOME REALLY GOOD FRIENDS.
SID AND THOMAS ARE REAL GOOD GUYS.
THERE'S NO WAY WE COULD DO THIS WITHOUT THEM.
GET ALL THE SAND OFF OF IT
SO IT DOESN'T GET INTO THE SHEAR.
[ HIGH-PITCHED WHIRRING ]
WHOA! WHOA! WHOA! WHOA! IT'S SMOKING.
HOLD ON. STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT!
STOP IT! OH, GOD. STOP IT!
OH, GOD! STOP IT!
SOMEBODY STOP IT!
UNPLUG IT.
I GOT IT.
OKAY. WHEW.
I THINK THAT'S A BELT.
IT STARTED SMOKING THE BELT.
WHEN IT STARTED SMOKING THE BELT,
IT KEPT ON GOING.
[ CHUCKLES ]
LORD HAVE MERCY.
LORD HAVE MERCY.
Bill: I COULDN'T TELL THE SMOKE
WAS COMING OFF THE MACHINE OR OUT OF HIS EARS.
STAINLESS IS HARDER TO SHEAR THAN REGULAR, MILD STEEL.
I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE THAT OUT OF THERE
AND PUT IT ON THIS BIG SHEAR.
Josh: THAT LIQUOR CELL IS BADASS.
I DON'T SEE HOW THERE'S EVER ANY WAY IN THE WORLD
WE EVER GET CAUGHT WITH THAT.
OH, THIS IS PERFECT, MAN.
Narrator: BACK IN NORTH CAROLINA,
WAYNE IS SELLING SHINE HAND OVER FIST.
HE'S ALREADY OUT OF CORN,
SO HE'S BORROWED A TRUCK TO PICK UP SUPPLIES
FOR HIS NEXT BATCH OF MASH.
Wayne: I DON'T LIKE TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE
'CAUSE THEY SUSPECT SOMETHING WHEN YOU'RE COMING IN
AND BUYING 400 POUNDS OF CORN.
BUT I CAN GO TO THIS GUY AND BUY ALL THE CORN I WANT.
NOBODY'S EVER GONNA SUSPECT ANYTHING.
[ TRUCK BEEPING ]
I'M DESPERATE FOR CORN.
I'LL BUT THAT IF YOU WANT TO SELL IT.
YOU DIDN'T SELL HIM ANY, DID YOU?
DAMN RIGHT. THAT'S MY DAMN CORN.
ALL RIGHT. I'LL SEE YOU, BUDDY.
SOMEBODY ELSE HAS COME IN TO THE SAME PLACE
THAT I GET MY CORN AND WANTING TO BUY CORN.
IT COULD HAVE BEEN A COMPETITOR. I DON'T KNOW.
THEY MIGHT BE A LITTLE WORRIED THAT A NEW GUY'S COMING IN,
AND THEY BETTER BE DAMN WORRIED.
Narrator: COMING UP,
JOSH AND BILL TAKE THE BIGGEST RISK OF THEIR LIVES.
Bill: I GUESS THAT'S IT.
THAT PLACE LOOKS CRAZY.
Mark: I KNOW ALL THE MOUNTAINS.
THERE AIN'T NO PLACE I AIN'T BEEN.
WELL, I WAS BIG ENOUGH TO WALK,
THEY HAD ME IN THE WOODS.
BUT I WAS IN THE WOODS TRYING TO KILL STUFF
7, 8 YEARS OLD, YOU KNOW?
I KNOW PLACES IN THESE MOUNTAINS AIN'T NO MAN'S EVER BEEN.
THERE'S EVERY KIND OF ANIMAL IN THE WORLD.
THERE'S WILDCATS, ***, BEAR, HOGS, DEER.
WE AIN'T GOT A LOT OF ANIMALS LIKE THEY GOT OUT WEST,
BUT WE'VE GOT A LOT OF ANIMALS.
Narrator: AT THE LIMESTONE BRANCH DISTILLERY,
TIM'S JUST RECEIVED CRUSHING NEWS.
VIRGINIA WON'T LET HIM SELL HIS SHINE.
Tim: THEY DON'T WANT MY MOONSHINE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.
I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT AFTER ALL OF THIS WORK,
THEY'RE GONNA SAY "NO."
Narrator: BUT THAT'S NOT HIS ONLY PROBLEM.
I'M KIND OF SUSPICIOUS OF CHICO.
Tim: CHICO.
HE'S DRAGGING.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING, MAN?
JUST NOT FOR SURE WHAT HE'S DOING ON HIS OFF TIME.
IT'S RUNNING TOO HOT. LOOK.
YOU'RE RUNNING TOO HOT. LOOK AT THAT.
I'M NOT SURE IF HE'S GOT A DRINKING PROBLEM
OR MAYBE HE'S MAKING SOMETHING TO DRINK.
YOU GONNA DRINK THAT?
I AIN'T AIMING ON IT.
WELL, CAN'T NOBODY ELSE DRINK IT, NEITHER.
ALL RIGHT.
I MEAN, COME ON.
YOU GOT TO GET BETTER THAN THAT.
YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE'S DOING.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO HERE?
KEEP IT UNDER 180 DEGREES.
ALL RIGHT.
DON'T RUN IT AT 190-PLUS.
OKAY.
YOU KNOW, SLOW AND COLD.
ALL RIGHT, MAN.
IF I NEED TO GET RID OF HIM, IF I NEED TO FIRE HIM,
NO PROBLEM -- I'LL GET ANOTHER ONE.
THERE'S PLENTY MORE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT NEED A JOB.
Narrator: TIM NEEDS SOME HELP,
AND HE KNOWS JUST WHO TO TURN TO.
HEY, TICKLE.
TICKLE: Hey, Tim.
HEY, MAN. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
I'm having a rough week, man. How you doing?
I GOT A DOGGONE LETTER FROM VIRGINIA ABC.
THEY TURNED ME DOWN. THEY DENIED ME.
IT'S CRAZY.
I MEAN, THEY DIDN'T GIVE NO REASON OR NOTHING.
IT'S JUST KIND OF SIMPLE.
JUST BASICALLY JUST NO.
Tell you what --
The amount of revenue the state of Virginia's
gonna lose on this, it's just ridiculous
for them to turn it down.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THE NEXT
FEW WEEKS, FEW DAYS, OR WHATEVER?
YOU BUSY?
Well, you know I'm always busy.
But if you need me, all you got to do is say so.
I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO COME OUT AND VISIT.
JUST ONE DAY WILL BE GOOD.
I'll be there.
THERE'S A FEW OTHER LITTLE THINGS
I WANT YOU TO KIND OF CHECK IN FOR ME
WHEN YOU'RE OUT HERE.
I HAVE TO WAIT TILL YOU GET OUT HERE FIRST.
THEN I CAN TELL YOU ABOUT IT.
I DON'T WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT IT ON THE PHONE.
Tim: IF CHICO'S DOING ANYTHING ILLEGAL,
THAT COULD JEOPARDIZE THE WHOLE BUSINESS HERE.
I'D LIKE TICKLE TO COME OUT
AND MAYBE BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM IN A SHORT TIME,
MAYBE GO OUT TO EAT WITH HIM OR SOMETHING.
I will see you here
in the next couple of days, all right?
ALL RIGHT. TAKE CARE.
[ CELLPHONE BEEPS ]
I THINK TICKLE -- HE'S GOT HIS WAYS OF TALKING
AND HE CAN GET IT OUT OF HIM.
Narrator: IN SOUTH CAROLINA,
JOSH AND BILL ARE READY TO BOOTLEG.
I THINK I ABOUT KNOW WHERE THIS PLACE IS AT.
THEY'RE GOING TO PICK UP 20 GALLONS OF SHINE,
AND JOSH IS ALREADY SETTING UP SOME SALES.
HEY, MAN. WHAT'S GOING ON?
YOU WANT TO JUST MEET ME AT THE VINEYARDS?
RIGHT ON. RIGHT ON.
I'LL SEE YOU THEN.
MOST BOOTLEGGERS KEEP 100% OF THE PROFITS,
BUT JOSH STRUCK A DIFFERENT DEAL
TO GET THE SHINER TO FRONT THEM THE LIQUOR.
SO, WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THIS?
HE'S GONNA GIVE US 20 GALLONS AT $60 A GALLON,
BUT WE'RE GONNA SPLIT THE PROFITS WITH HIM.
SO, WE GOT TO PAY HIM BACK THE 1,200 BUCKS,
PLUS A PERCENTAGE OF THE PROFIT?
YEAH.
[ STAMMERS ]
THAT DON'T MAKE A BIT OF SENSE.
OKAY. SO --
WE'RE ALREADY DOING THE DIRTY WORK
SELLING HIS LIQUOR FOR HIM.
ALL I KNOW IS LET'S DO IT THIS TIME,
AND THEN WHEN HE KNOWS HE CAN TRUST US,
WE'LL GO BACK AND GET SOME MORE
AND WE WON'T SPLIT THE PROFIT WITH HIM.
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]
I GUESS THAT'S IT.
THAT'S THE ADDRESS.
THAT PLACE LOOKS CRAZY.
DEFINITELY LOOKS ABANDONED.
THERE A WAY TO GET IN THIS PLACE?
I DON'T KNOW.
Narrator: IN NORTH CAROLINA,
LANCE IS RETURNING HOME AFTER BOOTLEGGING ON HIS OWN.
Wayne: GET MY BOAT PADDLE OUT.
COME IN HANDY.
WHOO-WHEE!
PUT THE TOP ON THIS THING, KEEP THE CRITTERS OUT.
THIS IS AS SAFE AS IT'S GONNA GET.
Narrator: NEXT TIME ON "MOONSHINERS"...
TICKLE STEPS UP...
Tim: I'M KIND OF SUSPICIOUS OF CHICO.
IF HE IS DOING SOMETHING ILLEGAL,
THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS.
[ DOG GROWLS, BARKS ]
YOU NEED SOMETHING?
...IT'S GRUNT WORK FOR JOSH AND BILL...
[ TRUCK BEEPING ]
Josh: WHAT'S HAPPENING, MAN?
I'M READY TO GET OUT OF HERE, MAN.
...AND RIVAL SHINERS BARRELING TOWARD A SHOWDOWN.
Mark: IT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.
WE'RE GONNA TAKE CARE OF HIM.