Three Days in Guadalcanal by John B. Franklin III
John Franklin 28101 Camellia CT Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 (949) 322-5294
FADE IN: EXT. HORIZON & PACIFIC OCEAN - DAY (1942) A string of emerald islands drift over the blue horizon and “Solomon Islands” appears at the bottom center. The islands slip closer until “Guadalcanal, October 1942” appears at the bottom of a single large island. A U.S. Navy PBY patrol bomber banks and dives heading to an airstrip. “Henderson Field” appears at the bottom center. The plane makes a rough landing on the pierced-steel planked runway and is directed to taxi to a stop next to a dilapidated shed. Across the airfield a dozen B-17 Flying Fortress bombers rumble to life. Ground crews scurry about making final checks and pulling wheel chalks. The side door of the PBY lowers and CAPTAIN CAYLE scrambles down carrying a duffle bag. He is a tall black man with prominent features. He sweats through his dress uniform. CAYLE Airman! Ops.? The AIRMAN stops and stares at him and then points to a large structure that looks like a Japanese pagoda. He continues staring at Cayle who ignores him and walks quickly towards the entrance that has a sign over the entrance that reads: “The Pagoda: Cactus Air Force.” He observes the B-17s preparing for take off and a horse Marine rides by an infantry unit marching to the far side of the field. He steps around a bomb crater and enters the awning that leads to the operations center. INT. OPERATIONS CENTER – DAY GENERAL VANDERGALL works with his head down at his campaign desk. CAYLE Reporting for duty Sir. Cayle hands him his orders and Vandergall scans them. VANDERGALL (still reading) Operations... experience...
(CONTINUED)
2. CONTINUED:
Tuskegee! What the hell? Vandergall looks up and stares at Cayle. VANDERGALL (CONT’D) God damnit! Don’t they know I’m trying to run a fucking war here? Jesus! What in the hell am I going to do with a... (stares at Cayle) Tuskegee fighter pilot? CAYLE Sir... VANDERGALL (stands) Yes, I can read Captain. I know what I’m supposed to do with you. (throws the orders on his desk) Someone in Washington wants you to get some operational experience and ready for Europe or more likely the war bonds circuit. Cayle bristles. VANDERGALL (CONT’D) (sits) Look Captain, I don’t got time for this FUBAR. I got Japs crawling all over me and I can’t wet nurse you! A B-17 is heard taking off in the back ground. looks towards the door.
Vandergall
VANDERGALL (CON’T) (CONT’D) Listen son, you want operational experience, well you better hitch a ride with those 17s otherwise I gotta kitchen that needs working. CAYLE Yes Sir! Cayle exits the bunker in a hurry. He sees the B-17s taxing for take off and he runs to intercept them. Two more B-17s take off as Cayle runs. He drops is bag in the middle of the field and sprints to the last plane. CAYLE (CONT’D) Open up!
(CONTINUED)
3. CONTINUED: (2)
Cayle pounds on the rear door of the B-17 as he runs. CAYLE (CONT’D) Open the damn door! The door swings open and RICK stares at him. The second to last B-17 takes off directly in front of them. CAYLE (CONT’D) Give me your hand damnit! I’m coming aboard! Rick stares at him. CAYLE (CONT’D) General’s orders! Do it! Rick lowers his hand and pulls him aboard. They both tumble to the floor inside the B-17. Air RUSHES in from the open door as they make a steep climb taking off. Cayle rolls over and sees the crew staring down at him with many white bewildered faces. CAYLE (CONT’D) The General was right, this is FUBAR! INT. CAVE – DAY LT. THOMAS examines a dead mosquito in his hand. THOMAS Bloody mosquitoes! Never get used to them. In his other hand is a walkie-talkie. Behind him his native guide FRIDAY tries to repair the 3-pannel radio. He has the middle cover off and is shaking the tubes. Thomas is a Coastal Watcher in the Australian navy and he is in his late thirties. He is dressed in a tattered tan uniform and he looks haggard. Friday is in his early twenties and is dressed in a similar uniform. FRIDAY Unggoy. Thomas looks up. FRIDAY (CONT’D) I hope that walkie-talkie works because these tubes are done.
(CONTINUED)
4. CONTINUED:
Friday tosses the tubes in the dirt with disgust. THOMAS What? Oh. Can’t you put some bloody voodoo on those tubes? And while you’re at it put some on this damn battery because it’s gone to the ghost. FRIDAY After five years you’d think you’d remember that we don’t do voodoo on these islands. Why don’t you ask your God for help? THOMAS (looks up) I think some un-lucky Yanks need him more than me, bloody hell... poor chaps. EXT. SKY – DAY Two Zeros bank out of the sun from above and behind the B-17. The Zeros gain altitude and circle to attack from the front. INT. B-17 (AIRBORNE) – DAY The B-17 is littered with gear and the men are cramped in their positions. The PILOT and CO-PILOT are working hard to keep the plane in the air. Cayle hovers over their shoulders staying out of the way. CAYLE (to the Pilot) Listen Lieutenant, I’m just following orders too. I’m just gonna observe and stay out of your way. CO-PILOT (to the Pilot) Frank, we got two Zeros at our one o’clock. PILOT Shit! We just left the damn field. What a cluster! Crew, Zero at our one o’clock. Repeat, Zero at our one o’clock.
5.
EXT. SKY - DAY Two Zeros dive hard with guns blazing. INT. B-17 (AIRBORNE) – DAY Bullets RIDDLE the airplane. PILOT Check in! Each man appears as they check in. DEREK Good at the radio. Zulu One come in over. Zulu One come... JOHN OK on the port waist gun. RICK OK on starboard waist gun, but it looks bad for JIMMY. JIMMY is the tail gunner. PILOT Jimmy check in. STATIC. CAYLE I got ‘em. CAYLE scrambles to the back of the plane. TONY OK in the ball turret, but engines three and four are pissing in the wind. EXT. SKY/B-17 – DAY Fuel streaks out of the three and four engines. INT. B-17 (AIRBORNE) – DAY The Pilot and Co-Pilot scan the skies. PILOT Steve, check those gauges.
(CONTINUED)
6. CONTINUED:
CO-PILOT Roger. PATRICK OK on the top turret. ROBERT OK up front, but here comes the Zeros two o’clock starboard. EXT. SKY - DAY Two Zeros dive hard with guns blazing. INT. B-17 (AIRBORNE) – DAY The men ready their guns. PATRICK Got ‘em. CAYLE The tail gunner is dead. Repeat, the tail gunner is dead... I’ve got his position. Bullets RIDDLE the aircraft. CAYLE watches the Zeros as they finish their pass through the tail gunner position. He moves the bloody body of the tail gunner and mans the gun. He fires at the Zeros and the empty cartridges dance in the air. PILOT CAYLE, Steve is hit... I need your help. The plane dives. CAYLE races to the cockpit. CAYLE Make a hole!!! The Co-Pilot is dead and the Pilot is seriously injured. The plane dives steeper. CAYLE moves the Co-Pilot out of the way and takes the stick. CAYLE (CONT’D) Pull! Pulllll-DAMN IT! The Pilot pulls and passes out. The plane levels slightly. EXT. SKY – DAY The B-17 is on fire and slips out of the sky.
7.
INT. B-17 (AIRBORNE) – DAY Cayle fights with the plane. CAYLE Hold on men, we’re going in! Cayle flinches as branches and leaves STRIKE the windshield. INT. CAVE – DAY Thomas watches the B-17 crash in the jungle through his binoculars. THOMAS Bloody hell! Friday, grab our kit. Time to save more airmen. Let’s go have a look ‘bout. Friday packs the gear. THOMAS (CONT’D) Hold up Friday. We have more visitors. (sees a Japanese officer through his binoculars) Damn... YOSHI! Break everything down Friday! We’ve over stayed our welcome. I’ll tell our Marine chaps that it’s time to go on holiday. FRIDAY What about the Teleradio? THOMAS Damn. Wouldn’t do any good to have Yoshi find our kit, now would it? Let’s take the receiver switch with us and we’ll hide the batteries in the bush. Even if our nip friend Yoshi finds it he’ll have a hell of a time hearing anything but bloody static. FRIDAY You know Unggoy, this feud of yours with Captain Yoshi isn’t exactly healthy. Thomas ignores him and Friday continues to dismantle the radio.
(CONTINUED)
8. CONTINUED:
THOMAS OK, time to beat a trail. Thomas and Friday gather the last of their gear and head down the trail to a group of four Marines. THOMAS (CONT’D) Time for holiday SARGE, care to join us? SARGE Considering I don’t know where the hell we are I don’t see I have much of a choice. Sarge walks next to Thomas. SARGE (CONT’D) Powder, take point with Friday. Bobby come here and grab this gear. Ok Lt., where we going and when are we heading out to Henderson? THOMAS Understand Sarge, I’m doing my job keeping an eye on the Japs and plucking pilots out of the jungle. Saving Marines from an ill advised landing was a bonus. My job description does not include holding your hands all the way back to friendly lines. SAGRE Hey Lt... THOMAS Don’t get your knickers bunched up Sarge. It just so happens, my time here is coming to a speedy end. We’re going to save some more airmen and then trek through the jungle back to your American lines. Deal? SARGE Let’s get it done.
9.
INT. B-17 (WRECKAGE) – DAY Low MOANS and smoke fill the cabin. Cayle reaches over to the pilot and checks his pulse. The pilot is dead. ROBERT I need help here; I’m pinned! Derek and Patrick enter. CAYLE If you guys are OK go help the crew and I’ll check the Lieutenant. You can’t do anything for them (nods the Pilot and CoPilot) they’re both dead. CAYLE un-straps and crawls to Robert. CAYLE (CONT’D) Damn Lieutenant! I don’t know how you survived. Robert is pinned in the front of the plane. He has a piece of metal stuck in his abdomen. ROBERT Us good old boys can take a lickin’. Now get this damn thing out of me? CAYLE Lieutenant, this might not go good, I mean... ROBERT Damn Captain, nothing has gone good in a long time. CAYLE pulls the sheet metal out and quickly puts pressure on the wound. Robert SCREAMS and bleeds heavily. ROBERT (CONT’D) You know, I never thought I’d be so glad to see... They pause and stare at each other. ROBERT (CONT’D) a damn Captain.
(CONTINUED)
10. CONTINUED:
Cayle and Robert exchange more looks until Robert dies with his eyes open. CAYLE Stay with me damn it! Cayle pounds on his chest and shakes him roughly. Cayle stops and stares at Robert and then closes his eyes with his bloody fingers leaving blood streaks on Robert’s eyes. SERIES OF SHOTS: A) CAYLE heads to the center of the plane and meets with the survivors. His dress uniform is covered in blood and he is dazed. B) The smoke airs out as the crew gathers. Nobody speaks. C) CAYLE focuses on each man’s rank insignia and his face shows growing awareness. CAYLE is the ranking officer and he projects firm resolve. (Insert dialogue where the enlisted men start to panic and Cayle takes command) CAYLE (CONT’D) OK men. Unless you want to eat rice served on Samurai swords we better get a move on. (looks to Derek) Airman... check the radio. If it works, contact Henderson and give them our position or try to contact a ship. Maybe we can get a pick-up? (looks to John and Rick) You two, strip one or two of those guns off the side with as much ammo. as we can carry. Watch the weight. I think we might be walking for a while. (Looks to Patrick) Corporal, scrounge for small arms, food, medical, water, and whatever else you think we’ll need. I’ll grab the maps; I think I saw a cove that might give a point of reference. All right men, you got fifteen then rally outside. The men scurry about gathering the supplies.
(CONTINUED)
11. CONTINUED: (2)
JOHN We’ve had it this time... out here in the damn jungle with him... he should be swinging... RICK Take it easy John. He saved our hides on the way down and so far he’s making sense. Let’s just do our jobs and get outta here. JOHN I’ll tell you this, I’m not following him... RICK Keep your mouth. What you’re saying can get you killed. You try anything and the Captain can put a slug in your thick skull himself. JOHN We’ll see about that. RICK Just stow it and do your job. EXT. B-17 (WRECKAGE) – DAY (LATER) The men climb out of the plane. CAYLE reviews the maps with Christopher. The sun is setting. CAYLE OK men, let’s figure out what we’ve got. Airman, any luck with the radio? DEREK All I got was static Captain. CAYLE What about you two? RICK We cut loose a .30 with six hundred rounds. CAYLE And you Corporal? PATRICK I picked up two .45’s with six clips. (MORE) (CONTINUED)
12. CONTINUED: PATRICK (CONT'D) One heavily used first aid kit. Three K-Rations. Two canteens halffull. One parachute pack I’m using as a backpack and one carbine with three clips.
CAYLE Carbine? Since when is a carbine standard issue on a B-17? PATRICK Ever since we started flying over Jap infested islands. CAYLE No objections from me. All right, I’ve been going over the map. On our way down I saw Mt. Austen to our south and Lunga Pt. to our southeast. I figure we’re due east of Henderson Field but a good ten miles of tough jungle and Japs from the airfield. We are going to head for Pt. Cruz due north and see if we can find ourselves a pick-up. If not, then we will head to Henderson. Either way we’re gonna be on the ground for a while. Corporal, you’re senior enlisted, take charge of the men and prepare to move out. PATRICK Yes Sir. Derek, take a .45 with three clips and the backpack and stick to my side. Patrick takes the other .45 and three clips. PATRICK (CONT’D) John and Rick, take the .30 cal. and ammo. and stay behind Tony. Tony, you got point, grab the carbine on your way up. Everybody stay spaced at ten yards and if we engage don’t blow your package. John and Rick we’ll need short bursts to cover our disengagement. Rally three hundred yards to the rear from point of contact.
(CONTINUED)
13. CONTINUED: (2)
(looks to CAYLE) Ready when you are Sir. CAYLE forces back a smile. CAYLE Not bad for an airman. PATRICK Thank the transfer from infantry to the Cactus Air Force. They march into the jungle. They are quiet and concerned. They struggle the with the thick jungle. SERIES OF SHOTS: (Show them struggling with the terrain) EXT. JUNGLE (B-17 CREW) – NIGHT CAYLE and the men set up camp. RICK So Reb, you learn to shoot from your Confederate ancestors? No wonder you lost the war. JOHN Listen you damn Yankee, how many Zero’s have you shot down? All you’re good for is emptying brass. I don’t think you’ve hit a single Jap since we’ve been here? You need glasses! RICK At least I didn’t unload my whole nine yards shooting down one of ours. JOHN That Corsair wasn’t supposed to be there. Jimmy even fired on him, and the Captain said he couldn’t tell it was a friendly with the sun in the way and all. CHRISTOPHER I fired too, but I didn’t hit him.
(CONTINUED)
14. CONTINUED:
RICK I wouldn’t brag about that genius. In fact, I don’t know why we expect you to hit a zero with bullets since you can’t hit the ground with a full payload of bombs. CHRISTOPHER Easy there airman. RICK Just like an officer to pull rank when they’re in trouble. PATRICK Keep it down guys. You don’t want the nips to hear what bad shots you are. Patrick walks over to CAYLE.
The two are alone.
PATRICK (CONT’D) Captain, I thought you should know that the men are grateful for you bringing the plane down and keeping them alive... CAYLE But... PATRICK But... I don’t know how to say this... CAYLE But... PATRICK But, you can’t make a mistake. I mean one mistake might give them an excuse to... CAYLE Listen Corporal, I’m a Captain in the United States Army and it is my sworn duty to kill the enemy and keep as many of you guys alive as I can. And it is your duty to keep the men in line so I can do my job. PATRICK Captain...
(CONTINUED)
15. CONTINUED: (2)
CAYLE As long as everybody does their jobs and what they swore an oath too, there won’t be any trouble. We need it to be that simple Corporal. PATRICK If you say so Sir. DEREK Hey Patrick, when can we get some shut-eye? TONY Damn it Derek, can’t you stay awake longer than eight hours? You know, if you hadn’t fallen asleep at the radio I bet we would’ve heard about those Japs? DEREK I wasn’t... PATRICK Knock it off! Stay focused on staying alive and Derek, you got first watch. CAYLE You see airman, keep that up and we’ll be fine. (INSERT DESERTION SCENE HERE) CAYLE Airman, who are these guys and what are they doing out here? JOHN I’m not completely sure Captain. BOBBY (softly) Hey Powder, what’s a nigger doing out here? Damn, those better not be Captains’ bars. POWDER (quietly) Take it easy Bobby. Let’s just figure out what the hell’s going on and how we can stay alive another day. (MORE) (CONTINUED)
16. CONTINUED: POWDER (CONT'D) (Thomas mistakes Derrik for the commander. Then sees the Captian in his uniform and walks over and pulls the shoulder boards and campaign ribbons off. Almost starts a fight. Thomas tells him it is to keep the snipers off him. Also, tells him that he could’ve run a field for him.)
THOMAS Captain, I’m a coast watcher and this is Sarge from the 1st Marine Division. They were walloped on the beach while trying to reinforce Henderson. We’re your ticket otta here. CAYLE We are heading to the coast. Figured we find a pick-up. THOMAS We need to stay away from the beaches Captain. The Japs are landing troops to attack Henderson. We’ll have to slip past them in the mountains. CAYLE takes a moment to think and the men watch him. He notices Bobby’s looks. Patrick and Sarge also notice. CAYLE OK, Looks like we are going to Henderson. THOMAS Good show Captain, now we haven’t been properly introduced. My name is Lieutenant Paul Thomas of the Royal Australian Navy. This is my guide and trusted mate—Friday. And this is Sarge. They shake hands. CAYLE I’m Captain CAYLE of the 99th Pursuit Squadron out of Tuskegee.
(CONTINUED)
17. CONTINUED: (2)
THOMAS Truly? What is a fighter jock doing with a B-17? CAYLE I was sent here for operational experience so I could train my men more effectively. We got shot down by two Zeros and the pilot and copilot were killed. (to Sarge) Sergeant Major, why don’t help get the watch ready? Make sure we have a good perimeter. (to Christopher) Lieutenant, come over here. Christopher walks over. CHRISTOPHER Name is 1st Lieutenant Christopher Edwards. Christopher shakes hands with Thomas and Friday. CAYLE OK, we need a plan. suggestions?
Any
In the background Patrick and the Sarge direct the men and setup a loose camp. Thomas, Friday, Christopher, and CAYLE crouch down and Thomas pulls out a rough map of the island. THOMAS OK chaps, I believe that the nips are about three hours ahead of us due East and they are traveling in two columns. One heading straight for Henderson along the coast and one heading Southeast around Mt. Austen. Now Captain, I think we should shadow the nips around Mt. Austen and then cross Lunga River and enter Henderson from the Southeast. He traces this on the map with a small twig. CAYLE OK, Lieutenant, we will shadow your Japs around Mt.
(CONTINUED)
18. CONTINUED: (3)
PATRICK Captain, everything is ready. The watch is set and the perimeter squared away. I thought you should know that the Lieutenant’s leg is getting worse. Infection is starting to set in and he’s running a fever. We don’t have anything for the pain. CAYLE Good work Sergeant. Bobby, John, Rick, Powder and Jonesy talk quietly at their end of the camp. BOBBY I don’t get it boys. happen?
How did this
POWDER What are you talking about? BOBBY You know what I’m talking about. How did we get stuck in the fucking jungle, surrounded by Japs with a nigger in charge? You know he’s gonna get us killed. Sarge should’ve taken command. My grandpa didn’t fight with Lee so that some colored could tell me what to do. TONY You better keep it down boys. I’ve got first watch. I’ll see you John in four. By the way Bobby...didn’t Lee surrender at Appomattox, with your grandpa? Jonesy leaves the conversation disgusted. BOBBY I don’t care if that damn boy has Captain’s bars; I’m not following him. If Uncle Sam wants us to follow coloreds he would put us all together. Instead we got white units and colored units. That’s ‘cause they’re not capable of command...
(CONTINUED)
19. CONTINUED: (4)
Sarge walks straight to them. SARGE Lock it up soldiers! (intense whisper) Let me tell you how this is gonna work so there ain’t no confusion. You’re gonna do whatever the hell I tell you ‘cause I’m your god damn sergeant. If you don’t you’re gonna meet my best friend at 900ft. per second. (pats his .45 pistol on his hip) And in case you’re wondering, I’m gonna do what the Captain tells me because I’m a god damn soldier. And soldiers follow the chain of command. Now git straight! BOBBY Hey Sarge... POWDER Easy Bobby! Let’s not stir anything up. We’re good Sarge. Sarge storms off to check the perimeter. BOBBY Right. Let’s not stir anything up until we’re good and ready. Friday and Thomas are alone. TONY Damn boy, get away from me and let me sleep. POWDER Keep it down you lazy flyboy. your time for watch.
It’s
John checks his watch. TONY Shit jarrine, it’s four in the damn morning and we’re in the stinking jungle. What is there to watch? POWDER Just get up so I can go to sleep.
(CONTINUED)
20. CONTINUED: (5)
Tony gets up and takes Powder’s position. Tony slowly falls back to sleep. In the distance a Japanese patrol skirts the camp. DISSOLVE TO: Darkness. EXT. JUNGLE – DAWN Tony wakes startled and quickly collects himself before the rest of the men wake. Sarge rouses. SARGE John, get the men up and start breaking down camp. TONY Aye aye Sarge. Tony stands and kicks the sleeping men. complain and moan.
They quietly
SARGE Up you go Captain. I thought you should know, today is the first day I start turning you into a real fighting man—a Marine. CAYLE Thank you Sergeant Major, I think, but I’d just as soon get a plane back under me. CAYLE stands and stretches. around his neck.
He rubs a medallion that is
EXTREME ZOOM – SAME MEDALLION THE NATIVE GUIDE WORE IN THE BEGINNIG. SARGE What’s that you got Captain? CAYLE This? My Grandpa found it for me. For luck. This is the Patron Saint of Pilots. It’s always close. My Pa didn’t want me to be a pilot, but my Grandpa...he understood. When I finished training he made sure this medallion was waiting for me. What about you? Any good luck charms?
(CONTINUED)
21. CONTINUED:
SARGE Just this. Sarge pulls out a crumpled bullet that is attached to his dog tags. SARGE (CONT’D) Kraut bullet that tried to kill me during the Great War. I was in the Calvary and this damn thing knocked me right off my mount. That son-ofa-bitch horse never looked back. That’s why I like tanks—they don’t leave you. CAYLE Having a hard time seeing the luck. SARGE Well, as that un-loyal sack of glue ran off and a mortar round dropped out of the sky making him quick dog food. Later, when they fished the round out of my shoulder I held onto it...it was like holding the hand of God. CAYLE You have a tough God. SARGE No, just one that wears these. Sarge points to the Marine symbol on his shirt pocket. THOMAS Sorry to interrupt chaps, but I thought this would be a good time to set a course. CAYLE All right Lieutenant, what do you have in mind? THOMAS Well, according to Friday we are about two days from Henderson if we don’t run into too much trouble. CAYLE What about Lieutenant Tennesson? Does that include carrying him?
(CONTINUED)
22. CONTINUED: (2)
THOMAS Yes Captain. Now, we’ve got some rough terrain ahead, but we’ll manage. We should travel like this... Thomas traces the course on his rough map. CAYLE Sounds fine. Sergeant Major, get the men saddled up and let’s move out. Sarge addresses the men. take point.
They form up and Tony and Friday
CAYLE (CONT’D) (to Tony) Don’t lose Friday—he’s our ticket outta here. TONY Thanks for your concern for my well being Captain...it’s touching. They head into the jungle. SERIES OF SHOTS: A) The men fight with the jungle. them.
Thick foliage hinders
B) Mosquitoes bite them and the sun bears down. C) Robert gets worse by the minute. almost hallucinating.
He is fevering and
DEREK Jesus, this jungle sucks. POWDER Not as much as your mom, from what I hear. DEREK You know, if I had any strength or courage, I’d kick your ass. TONY Take it easy Powder or the next bomb support you get will be on your tank. I’m sure we could smell you out from twenty thousand feet.
(CONTINUED)
23. CONTINUED: (3)
SARGE Shut it girls, this ain’t no social hour. Time passes. Tony gives the hold signal and the column drops to their knees. Friday heads back to CAYLE. FRIDAY Captain, I think you should see this. CAYLE follows Friday to the front. In the clearing ahead there are 13 or so dead bodies. Americans and Japanese intertwined in close quarters. Flies buzz everywhere and the bodies are partially decomposed and bloated. CAYLE Sergeant Major, get up here. Sarge runs up to his position. CAYLE (CONT’D) What do you think? SARGE Looks like two patrols that went bump in the night. CAYLE How can you tell? SARGE They used their rifle stocks and knives. He moves into the clearing and takes a full magazine out of one man’s belt. SARGE (CONT’D) They didn’t go hand to hand because they ran out of ammo. They were surprised and the fight turned vicious fast. CAYLE All right, police the area for weapons, ammo, food, water, and medicine. Take some men and bury the dead. I’ll get the tags.
(CONTINUED)
24. CONTINUED: (4)
SARGE What about the nips? CAYLE Check ‘em for gear. I’ve no problem killing Japs with their guns. SARGE Do you want me to bury them? CAYLE You know, I don’t really care. Sarge gives orders and polices the area. SARGE Derek, take your buddy Jonesy and collect supplies. DEREK Come on Sarge, I ain’t too fond of smelly, decomposed bodies and... SARGE This ain’t no democracy soldier, just do the damn job. Besides, you won’t be too fond of fighting off the Japs with your .45 knowing you could’ve had a rifle. BOBBY Come on flyboy; let’s get your hands dirty. Derek and Jonesy gather gear from the dead bodies. SARGE Rest you mutts start digging. We got six deep and seven shallow. Git a move on. THOMAS Captain, while you square this away, Friday and I are going to take a walkabout. CAYLE You got three hours then we head out with or... THOMAS I know, I know.
(CONTINUED)
25. CONTINUED: (5)
Thomas and Friday disappear into the jungle. The men dig and CAYLE gathers the dog tags and joins in with the digging. Time passes. DISSOLVE TO: The clearing is filled with orderly graves and the men relax waiting for Thomas’ return. The men drink water and eat the food they collected from the dead. They also have new gear and weapons. Thomas and Friday emerge from the jungle. Their boots are tied together and slung around their necks. THOMAS (CONT’D) Thanks for sticking around Captain. CAYLE You still have seven minutes. Thomas checks his watch with a smile. CAYLE (CONT’D) So what did you find out? THOMAS Quiet as a field mouse out there. Friday doesn’t look at the Captain. their boots on. Great.
They sit down and put
CAYLE What’s with the boots?
THOMAS Oh...just being cautious. Didn’t want to leave any trails some nip on holiday might take notice of. CAYLE Good work. OK men, you got five minutes to rest up then we’re moving out. Sergeant Major, five minutes. SARGE Aye aye sir. OK boys, you got five mikes to drop your dick and grab your kit.
(CONTINUED)
26. CONTINUED: (6)
THOMAS These American chaps are quite colorful aren’t they Friday? TONY Hey Lieutenant, how come you call him...? SARGE Tony, you and Friday start moving out. Just your luck to get point twice. Tony and Friday enter the jungle with the rest of the men in tow. TONY Hey Friday, you know why that Aussie calls you Friday don’t you? FRIDAY Sure mate, I’m not illiterate, but the joke, it’s on Paul. He doesn’t know I know. TONY That’s pretty good Friday. FRIDAY It gets better. I call him Unggoy. In the Philippines it means monkey’s ass, but he thinks it means trusted friend. Daniel Defoe would’ve loved the irony. TONY Daniel who? FRIDAY Never mind. The jungle darkens as the thick canopy blocks all but a few rays of light. The jungle noises increase and the men are jumpy. SERIES OF SHOTS: A) The muddy ground pulls at their boots and the foliage is silently pushed out of the way. B) CAYLE takes out his medallion and rubs it and then Japanese voices are heard.
(CONTINUED)
27. CONTINUED: (7)
C) The men freeze and then slide to the ground. D) The edge of a Japanese column marches past. E) Without a word or command the Americans pull back. They can see glimpses of the massive Japanese column move on. F) The Americans rally just out of earshot of the Japanese. PATRICK Thanks for the heads up you near sighted wop. TONY Hey, I was just following Friday...he’s supposed to be able to smell out those slant eyes. Right Friday? Me?
FRIDAY Me no speak English. TONY
What? PATRICK Just like a Whop to pin it on a guy who doesn’t even speak English. TONY Listen, you patty wagon potato eating igit, he speaks better English than I do. You better speak up Friday or I’ll have a talk with Unggoy. SARGE Knock it off you two. Break out your pajamas we’re setting up camp for a couple hours of shut-eye. We’re gonna try and slip by the Japs at night. Friday openly smiles and Tony fumes away. a watch rotation and the men bed down.
The Sarge sets up
CAYLE Lieutenant Thomas, please join me for a minute. THOMAS Yes Sir.
(CONTINUED)
28. CONTINUED: (8)
Thomas walks over to CAYLE.
Sarge is within earshot.
CAYLE Tell me again how many Japs you saw coming this way from your cave? THOMAS Well Sir, I saw a column of men move this way at day break yesterday. CAYLE That’s it? THOMAS Yes Sir. CAYLE OK, thank you Lieutenant. will be all.
That
Thomas walks back to his area to bed down. CAYLE (CONT’D) What do you think Sergeant Major? SARGE He didn’t mention if he saw the beginning or the end of the column Sir. CAYLE You noticed that too. Damn English always so careful with their words. SARGE Aussie Sir. CAYLE What? SARGE He is Australian not English. CAYLE Same difference. SARGE What ever you say Captain. CAYLE beds down next to Thomas. Thomas ties his .45 Webley to his belt with a string. Darkness approaches.
(CONTINUED)
29. CONTINUED: (9)
Sarge is close by. CAYLE First you walk around barefoot and now you’re tying your gun to your belt. Anything I should be worried about Lieutenant? THOMAS Oh, just an old habit.
In
my line of work you never know when you’re going to have to bug out. I’d hate to leave my best mate behind. He smiles and pats his gun. THOMAS (CONT’D) You know Captain, something has been on my mind. CAYLE What’s that Lieutenant? Thomas pulls out a bag of tobacco and roles a cigarette. offers one to CAYLE.
He
THOMAS Lacona Captain? It’s a local tobacco. You need something to keep you steady out here. CAYLE Thank you. THOMAS So, I was wondering how you do it? CAYLE What’s that Lieutenant? THOMAS Well, I guess the best way to put it is...well, fight for other people’s freedom when your own country won’t give you yours? I mean, you can’t eat where you want, live where you want, or even use the crapper where you want. (beat)
(CONTINUED)
30. CONTINUED: (10)
I do believe that you’re not even supposed to be fighting next to us good white gentlemen. CAYLE Don’t think I haven’t thought long and hard about that myself. You know, my grandpa was imported to the U.S. and ever since it’s been our country too...it’s just taking a while for all the good white gentlemen to realize it. THOMAS You know chap, you and I have more in common than you might believe. CAYLE Really? You can’t crap where you want to either? THOMAS No, not that. My grandfather was, how did you say it? Imported? Well my grandfather was imported to Australia or more likely exported from England. CAYLE How did he take to the relocation? THOMAS By killing Aborigines. CAYLE Well, you got one up on us. We weren’t allowed to kill the natives until much later in our relocation. SARGE Let’s just focus on killing Japs and get some shut-eye. They ignore Sarge. CAYLE History is full of people killing and repressing each other. We even do it to ourselves. Did you know Africans were slave trading their own and they were the first to sell their kin to whites? Damn, even whites enslaved themselves for thousands of years.
(CONTINUED)
31. CONTINUED: (11)
THOMAS Doesn’t make it right. CAYLE No, it doesn’t. But it helps to have perspective. Not to feel singled out. Anyway, what is right by the way? Killing Aborigines so you can have a penal colony? Killing Indians so you can see the Pacific? Or killing Japs because your government says it’s OK. I have a hard time seeing anything right in killing. THOMAS If you were Philippino or Chinese you might think differently? SARGE If I were asleep I might think differently. THOMAS So back to my original question, why do you do it? CAYLE It’s hard to put in words...I guess you can say that there is a feeling back home that we need to belong. Be part of the country...as an equal. (beat) I figure if we’re gonna be equal then we have to fight equal, kill equal, and die equal. SARGE You know what I love more than equality...sleep. Yes sleep. And the only discrimination I see right now are a couple of officers discriminating against a tired Marine sergeant with useless chatter that won’t help the fix we’re in. You officers do too much thinking. Enough talk about killing and get some sleep so we’ll be ready to do some good old-fashioned guilt free killing tomorrow. DISSOLVE TO: Blackness.
32.
EXT. JUNGLE – NIGHT The men get their gear ready.
There is a full moon.
SARGE (quietly) OK ladies. No talking and keep your damn eyes open. We’re gonna be close enough to smell those damn nips. I hope they don’t smell you Powder. OK Tony, lead us out. They move out. Time passes. CAYLE (to Sarge) We broke camp almost three hours ago. Do you think we got around the Japs? CAYLE rubs his medallion. SARGE I hope so Captain. Time briefly passes. GUN FIRE erupts from the right flank. bullets and killed.
Derek is RIDDLED with
The men drop and SHOOT into the jungle. SARGE (CONT’D) Get that .30 going! John crawls to Rick to get the .30. Rick is torn up and John has to pry the weapon out of his hand. Rifle fire continues. John is shaken. Patrick! help.
JOHN Get up here! I need your
Patrick crawls forward. CUT TO:
33.
EXT. JUNGLE - JAPANESE - NIGHT Six Japanese soldiers fire on the Americans. Four fire their bolt-action rifles and two work the machine gun. The machine gun jams. CUT TO: EXT. JUNGLE - AMERICANS - NIGHT SARGE Move forward. Powder!
Grenades!
The Americans move forward and take cover. John FIRES long bursts at the muzzle flashes of the Japanese riflemen. He and the other men SHOOT killing two of the riflemen. POWDER Fire in the hole! SERIES OF SHOTS: A) Grenades EXPLODE killing the machine gun crew. B) The last two Japanese FIRE one last round hitting Jonesy who drops at Powder’s feet. C) The last two Japanese riflemen retreat in a run through the jungle. D) CAYLE makes eye contact with Sarge and Powder and gives them the “slit throat” motion of dragging his thumb across his neck towards the retreating Japanese. E) Sarge and Powder chase after the Japanese. CUT TO: EXT. JUNGLE - JAPANESE – NIGHT Only leaves RUSTLING and BREATHS are heard. The Japanese run for their lives. CUT TO: EXT. JUNGLE - POWDER AND SARGE – NIGHT They gain ground on the Japanese. Powder raises his .45, but Sarge knocks his arm down and pulls out his knife. CUT TO:
34.
EXT. JUNGLE - AMERICANS – NIGHT The men try to stop Jonesey’s bleeding. the only thing heard.
A faint HEARTBEAT is CUT TO:
EXT. JUNGLE - JAPANESE – NIGHT They flee and look back with fear in their eyes. CUT TO: EXT. JUNGLE - SARGE AND POWDER – NIGHT They close in with anger in their eyes. CUT TO: EXT. JUNGLE - AMERICANS – NIGHT Jonesy’s eyes glaze over and the faint HEARTBEAT is weaker. He sees the men shout encouragements, but he can’t hear them. CUT TO: EXT. JUNGLE - JAPANESE – NIGHT Japanese Soldier #1 who shot Jonesy trips and his rifle flies out of his reach. Japanese Soldier #2 hesitates, but sees Sarge and Powder closing in and continues running. CUT TO: EXT. JUNGLE - JAPANESE SOLDIER #1 AND POWDER - NIGHT Powder sees Japanese Soldier #1 fall and without hesitation jumps on him with his knife drawn. The Japanese soldier and Powder struggle. CUT TO: EXT. JUNGLE - SARGE – NIGHT Sarge closes in on Japanese Soldier #2. CUT TO:
35.
EXT. JUNGLE – AMERICANS - NIGHT The men replace belly wraps and stick Jonesy with morphine. Still, only the faint HEARTBEAT drones. CUT TO: EXT. JUNGLE - POWDER AND JAPANESE SOLDIER #1 - NIGHT Powder and the Japanese Soldier #1 are in a fight for their lives. Japanese Soldier #1 knocks Powder’s knife away and they are now bare handed. CUT TO: EXT. JUNGLE – SARGE AND JAPANESE SOLDIER #2 - NIGHT Sarge is almost on top of Japanese Soldier #2. The Japanese soldier turns to fight and thrusts his bayonet at Sarge. Without flinching, Sarge grabs the rifle muzzle avoiding the bayonet and simultaneously stabs the Japanese in the gut with his knife. Sarge leaves the knife in the gut and grabs the loose rifle from the Japanese’s hands. Sarge’s momentum carries him past the Japanese soldier. With the Japanese’s own rifle, Sarge stabs him in the back with the bayonet. The Japanese falls to his knees and reaches over his head for the bayonet. He still has a knife in his gut. CUT TO: EXT. JUNGLE – POWDER AND JAPANESE SOLDIER #1 - NIGHT The Japanese soldier has the knife and he and Powder struggle over it. The Japanese soldier has the upper hand and the knife is getting closer and closer to Powder. Powder’s right hand fumbles at his side where his .45 is. CUT TO: EXT. JUNGLE – AMERICANS – NIGHT The faint HEARTBEAT is shattered by the BANG of a single gunshot. Jonesy’s eyes close.
(CONTINUED)
36. CONTINUED:
Normal sound returns. PATRICK Come on damn it! Breathe! Patrick THUMPS Jonesy on the chest. TONY Don’t die you son-of-a-bitch! Jonesy is dead.
Patrick still tries to revive him.
CAYLE Sergeant! He’s gone. Get ready to move out as soon as they get back. (to Tony and Bobby) Watch our flanks. The men stare at him, especially Bobby. CAYLE notices the looks.
They are angry.
CAYLE (CONT’D) (confidently) Sergeant...collect dog tags. (to John) Private, give him a hand and collect gear. The men follow his orders, but are angry. Powder and Sarge return. Powder is shaken, Sarge is steady as usual. CAYLE (CONT’D) Sergeant Major...do we have anything to worry about? No Sir.
SARGE Everyone accounted for.
Sarge looks over at the body of Jonesy. SARGE (CONT’D) Damn. I’ll get a detail and bury them Captain. CAYLE Negative, we’re moving out. SARGE We can’t leave them here to rot...
(CONTINUED)
37. CONTINUED: (2)
CAYLE Listen Sergeant Major...that whole Jap column could be on it’s way here... SARGE Captain, I bury my dead... BOBBY We bury our dead Captain. SARGE Stand down Corporal! Silence. SARGE (CONT’D) The Captain is right; the Japs could be here any minute. Friday, take the point and find us a clearing one thousand yards out to bury these guys. Let’s move out. The Captain and I will take the six. Friday takes point, John and Tony carry Rick, Bobby carries Jonesy, Patrick carries Derek, and Thomas and Powder carry Robert. Sarge and CAYLE take the rear. SARGE (CONT’D) Sorry Captain, I didn’t know you’d given the order to leave the men. Marines just don’t leave their men behind. CAYLE Marines follow orders and do not countermand their superiors. SARGE Aye aye Sir... (under his breath) you’re all the same. CAYLE What was that? Do you have something to say? SARGE I said you’re all the same. CAYLE Us...didn’t you mean niggers Sergeant Major?
(CONTINUED)
38. CONTINUED: (3)
SARGE I meant officers. You’re all about God and Country and us grunts pay for it. I’ll be damned if we don’t get buried. CAYLE Listen...if we’re gonna survive this we can’t go at each other. Especially in front of the men. SARGE Understood Sir...just don’t forget that part of your duty is to look after your men alive and dead. CAYLE Roger that Sergeant Major. SERIES OF SHOTS: A) The men struggle through the jungle with the bodies of their dead comrades. It is a slow, quiet, struggle. B) Friday spots a small clearing and the men head for it as one. C) Friday and Thomas continue on to check their perimeter. D) Without a word the men dig...they don’t rest, drink or talk. They are morose and determined. No sound is heard except that of the SHOVELED DIRT. E) When the burying is done the men collapse as one and the silence is broken by their collective heavy BREATHING. They drink and come back alive as they lay on the graves. F) CAYLE and Sarge sit under a tree. CAYLE stares at the men as Sarge cleans his weapon and counts his ammunition. CAYLE (CONT’D) What just happened? SARGE They buried their friends. CAYLE I know, but where did they get the strength? It was like they... SARGE Captain, why did you join the Army?
(CONTINUED)
39. CONTINUED: (4)
CAYLE Because I’d be damned if I was going to let someone tell me I couldn’t fight for my country. SARGE Sir, most of these men didn’t join to fight for their country. They were drafted or if they did join they did it because their best friends were drafted and they would be damned if they were going to let them go it alone. (beat) Up in the air it might be different, but down here it is just a fight for survival...no love of country or freedom. You are fighting to survive and for your friend’s survival. And after a fight, you look around and then it happens...you see your buddies dead or dying and nothing but relief washes over you...because you are still alive...they took your bullet. Now you have to live with that relief. You live with it by giving them the one thing you can...a burial. Then you move on because you have to...because they would’ve. CAYLE stares in the distance. Sarge slams home the receiver on his carbine as he stands to address the men. SARGE (CONT’D) Clean your weapons and give me an ammo count. We need to be ready to go in thirty mikes. TONY Sarge, are you going to say anything? SARGE Yea, I’ll say something. Make sure you’re locked and loaded or you’ll be joining them. Now hurry up so we can git the hell outta here. The men clean their weapons and check their gear. Time passes.
(CONTINUED)
40. CONTINUED: (5)
PATRICK Hey Whop, what are you gonna do if you get outta here? TONY Well, Guiney...I’m gonna go find your momma and show her some real Italian sausage. PATRICK Now why did you have to go there? I was trying to be nice...now come over here and wipe that greasy Whop hair with this rag so I can clean my rifle...the bolt is sticking. TONY I got some lube for you... Tony grabs his crotch. JOHN We’ve seen you handle a gun Tony...it ain’t a pretty sight. Hurt!
TONY We thought you were dead.
JOHN Yeah, it’s good to hear you talking again. I was getting sick of you moaning and crying like a little girl. TONY A little girl...you mean he sounds like Patrick’s Ma. PATRICK Why do you have to keep going there? JOHN Because she’s pretty good. You wanna see some pictures? (reaches for his back pocket) PATRICK You are talking to a man with a gun.
(CONTINUED)
41. CONTINUED: (6)
ROBERT I hear Tony’s sister is pretty cute, weren’t you talking about her John? PATRICK Your sister, I thought that hairylipped thing was your brother. JOHN and TONY (at the same time) Hey! TONY You promised you were only going to take her to a movie and then back to my folk’s hotel. JOHN The show was sold out and we were shipping out in two days. BOBBY That’s funny Tony; we heard you liked little girls. TONY Beats the little boys you Southern Gents chase around. BOBBY We likes to chase around...well I can’t really say in mixed company. Bobby looks over to CAYLE. PATRICK What do you mean mixed company? I don’t see any sheep around here. TONY Hey Christopher...why don’t you pipe in a little? Where you from? CHRISTOPHER From? Hell I’m from all over, but I call San Diego in California home. PATRICK Oh yea, what’s San Diego like?
(CONTINUED)
42. CONTINUED: (7)
CHRISTOPHER It’s warm year round... TONY Which means the women wear short skirts all year. CHRISTOPHER Sure...but what’s really nice is how quiet it is. Just cool breezes and ocean swells to keep you company. Beats the hell out of this shit hole. PATRICK What? You don’t like stinking jungles, malaria, and Jap bullets? TONY You gonna stay in the Corps after the war? CHRISTOPHER Hell no. I’m gonna open a surf shop. Custom boards built by me. I’m gonna be rich. What about you Tony? TONY I’ve got a girl back home that I’m gonna marry the first chance I get. POWDER What makes you think she’ll marry you? For all you know she could be shacked up with a goddamn Section 8 or asshole 4-E. PATRICK Don’t worry Tony; I’m sure your girl isn’t screwing around. Powder is just... POWDER What do you know about it? We’re stuck in this damn jungle and she could be fucking some guy and he’d never know. PATRICK Listen Powder, just because your girl met some guy doesn’t mean they all do.
(CONTINUED)
43. CONTINUED: (8)
POWDER Why not? ‘Cause they’re so faithful? PATRICK No, because there are not enough men to go around. We’re all here. It’s just simple math. TONY Thanks, is that supposed to cheer me up? It didn’t. CAYLE and Sarge come over. TONY (CONT’D) What about you Captain? You got a girl back home? Yes.
CAYLE I have a wife back home.
BOBBY (under his breath) I bet she got herself a Section 8 to keep her company. Sarge shoots him a look. PATRICK What is she doing back home Sir, taking care of the kids? CAYLE Sort-of. We have one on the way. Should be born any day now. She’s a teacher too so she has twenty grade-schoolers to look after. I can picture her now waddling around the classroom swearing my name up and down. She was mad as hell when I left. SARGE How come Captain? CAYLE I had to work hard as hell to get here Sergeant Major. Top in my class at the university, petitions
(CONTINUED)
44. CONTINUED: (9)
after petitions to enter Officer’s School. Top in my class at Officer’s School and Flight School, just so I could be here in this damn jungle with you. It was like falling off a curb for you guys. I had to work and put up with senior brass telling me my place was in the rear, peeling potatoes, digging latrines, and shining boots. said I needed to know my place.
They
BOBBY Everybody needs to know their place Captain. CAYLE I agree Corporal. And let me tell you something about one’s place. The only thing worse than the terror in knowing you’re going to combat is the shame knowing that your country only thinks you’re good for is hiding in the rear. That is a place I refuse to be. That will kill you faster than a Jap bullet. It will eat your soul. My wife doesn’t understand that. SARGE Right now Corporal the only thing you need to know is how to keep your damn trap shut so we can figure out where we are. THOMAS OK gents. Thomas pulls out his map and CAYLE and Sarge gather around. THOMAS (CONT’D) The best I calculate we are five kilometers from the Matanikau River. We need to cross the river and then we are about another ten kilometers from the Lunga River. After crossing the Lunga we need to head due East and we should run straight into Henderson. CAYLE Any concerns about getting Lieutenant Tennesson across the rivers?
(CONTINUED)
45. CONTINUED: (10)
THOMAS Just the normal stuff like drowning. Hopefully we can find a proper shallow to ford. SARGE Well, if that is all let’s git a move on. Patrick! Saddle up the men and let’s move out. PATRICK You heard the Sarge. Tony, keep your buddy Friday company at point. Powder, Bobby, your turn at the litter. They move into the jungle heading East. SARGE Captain... CAYLE Yes Sergeant Major. SARGE I thought it might help ease tensions if you called the men by their names instead of ranks? CAYLE Negative Sergeant Major. The Military Code of Conduct is my best friend right now. The men need it; I need it. If that erodes, well...we’re in trouble. SARGE Captain... CAYLE I know what I’m talking about Sergeant Major. I didn’t graduate top in my class and earn the right to lead men by relaxing discipline. I have to follow protocol. I have to be the best otherwise my authority, my command will mean nothing. SARGE Aye aye Sir. SERIES OF SHOTS:
(CONTINUED)
46. CONTINUED: (11)
A) Time passes B) They walk through different types of terrain like low foothills and grasslands and then thick canopied jungle again. C) They shift positions with different men taking point and carrying Robert. D) Under one stretch of thick canopy a PLANE ENGINE drones. BOBBY Hey. What’s that? airplane?
Sounds like an
The ENGINE rumbles closer. BOBBY (CONT’D) Should we try and signal it? CHRISTOPHER Sure. Let’s fire off a couple of rounds and have the whole Jap army come have a look see. POWDER With our luck it would be a damn Jap plane anyway. BOBBY No really this could be our way out? Bobby fidgets with his rifle. PATRICK Bobby, you so much as get near that trigger and I’ll send a signal round right through you! Bobby fidgets for a minute and stares at Patrick. The ENGINE is on top of them. SARGE Stand down men. We’re sticking to the plan. No fucking improvising unless I plan it out for you! Now git moving. THOMAS Probably just one of those damn Kawanisi flying boats anyway chaps. (MORE)
(CONTINUED)
47. CONTINUED: (12) THOMAS (CONT'D) They have been searching me out for months.
FRIDAY You didn’t know you had a famous man among you, did you? THOMAS More like infamous. FRIDAY Do you want to tell them about the bounty? THOMAS Really Friday, that is very boring and... Bounty?
SARGE Come on Lt. time to share.
THOMAS Fine, but it really isn’t much. FRIDAY It seems that some of the local chiefs put a bounty on his head to get the Japs off their backs. SARGE No shit! THOMAS Friday makes it sound much more dramatic than it really is. No one said this was going to be an easy job. SARGE Jesus Lt., it’s amazing you’re still alive. The ENGINE noise rumbles in and out. the distance.
Artillery THUNDERS in
THOMAS Well, we are getting close to someone’s party. They travel through an open clearing. smoke billows in the distance.
The foliage clears and
(CONTINUED)
48. CONTINUED: (13)
AIRPLANES and ARTILLERY drone in front of them. drowns out the jungle sounds.
Their noise
The canopy thickens blocking out all the noise and most of the light. Their nerves fray. POWDER This jungle gives me the creeps. can’t see shit.
I
BOBBY All I can see are the Captain’s teeth. POWDER Would it kill you not to be a damn hick for a minute? CHRISTOPHER Keep it down boys and listen for the river. We should be getting close. They fight through the jungle. Tony and Patrick take a turn carrying Robert. Robert is in visible pain. RUNNING WATER is heard. Friday and Sarge come down the line from walking point. SARGE OK ladies. The river is straight ahead and I didn’t see any surprises. It looks to be calf deep and moving at a good click. I want four men on the litter. Tony, Patrick, Bobby, and Powder, you got Robert. Lieutenant Thomas, Friday and me are first across. The Captain will follow the litter and the Lieutenant will hang back to cover our rear. OK, let’s make this happen and be quick ‘cause we’ll be sitting ducks in that damn water. CAYLE nods his approval.
They reach the river quickly.
A bright ray of sun streaks through the canopy in the middle of the river. At the waters edge they stop and listen. SARGE (CONT’D) Let’s go Lt. You only die once.
(CONTINUED)
49. CONTINUED: (14)
THOMAS You know Friday, Sarge is starting to grow on me. I’m going to try and adopt his blissful meathead approach to life. FRIDAY Can I re-negotiate my pay now? They carefully enter the water and head to the other bank. Their eyes and guns are trained forward and the rest of the men are at the ready. Christopher guards their back. Sarge, Thomas and Friday reach the far bank and disappear into the jungle. They come back in a minute with the all clear sign. CAYLE OK men, let’s get Lieutenant Tennesson across. (to Christopher) Watch our six. The men hoist the litter to their shoulders and enter the water. CAYLE walks backwards to guard their rear. In the middle of the river Bobby trips and falls into the water. CAYLE rushes to his aid before he is swept away and grabs the litter to keep it up. CAYLE (CONT’D) Gotcha soldier. Bobby stands and continues walking. They cross and the other men help hoist Robert over the embankment. Shit!
SARGE Captain, we gotta problem.
Sarge points across the river. SARGE (CONT’D) The Lieutenant is gone. They look down stream but don’t see anyone in the water or at the river’s edge. CAYLE Take cover! Sergeant, make us a perimeter twenty yards in. Sergeant Major come...
(CONTINUED)
50. CONTINUED: (15)
HORRIFIC SCREAMING comes from the far bank. The men freeze. TONY He’s close. Let’s get him. Tony and Powder move to the river. CAYLE Stop! No one is going over. Sergeant, get the men in the jungle and secure Lieutenant Tennesson. They look at the Captain in horror. Sarge walks over. The SCREAMING continues. The men stay put. JUNGLE Please help. Please... SARGE What’s the game plan Captain? CAYLE Sergeant Major you heard me, get the men in the jungle. Now! SARGE You heard the Captain, Sergeant. Make it happen. PATRICK In the bush now damn it! The men reluctantly move into the bush. Captain by the river’s edge. Aaahhh!
JUNGLE No! Stop!
Sarge stays with the
No!
SARGE We gotta git him Captain. CAYLE The hell we do. You know why they’re cutting him. The minute we hit the middle of the river we’re dead.
(CONTINUED)
51. CONTINUED: (16)
SARGE We don’t leave men behind Sir. Mommmm!
JUNGLE Please help! No!!!
CAYLE Dead ones we do. JUNGLE Aaagh! All noise stops.
Only RUNNING WATER is heard.
CAYLE Time to git Sergeant Major. They head into the bush and face very angry faces. CAYLE (CONT’D) Double time out of here now! Friday, get us to Lunga fast. No one moves. SARGE You heard the Captain. Saddle up and move or you’ll be the next one screaming for death in the jungle. The men move through the jungle quickly. CUT TO: EXT. JUNGLE – JAPANESE - DAY A Japanese officer, Captain Yoshi, comes out of the jungle on the far bank and cleans his bloody Samurai sword in the river. He stares deeply into the jungle and smiles. group of men silently join him.
A platoon size
CUT TO: EXT. JUNGLE – AMERICANS - DAY SERIES OF SHOTS: A) CAYLE and the men travel through the jungle as fast as they can. No one is talking. The exhaustion is apparent and twice the litter carriers trip and almost drop Robert. He screams out from time to time from the pain.
(CONTINUED)
52. CONTINUED:
B) The jungle begins to clear and the sound of AIRCRAFTS and ARTILLARY fill the air. The men continue their harried pace until they hit a grassy clearing. They stop at the edge and stare out. C) To their North Mt. Austen is being bombed by American Corsairs and hit with artillery from Henderson and the US Navy out in Ironbottom Sound. Smoke and dust plume up as the artillery rounds and bombs hit the mountain. BOBBY Give ‘em hell Marines! POWDER That’s a beautiful sight! SARGE Captain, look to our South. CAYLE looks down and sees a massive Japanese column moving along the Lunga River four clicks away. The Japanese tote heavy mortars and small artillery units. This is a heavy regiment and it is getting into position to counter attack Henderson Field. The Captain looks over to Thomas. CAYLE You don’t seem surprised to see this Jap regiment Lieutenant? THOMAS Well Captain, this whole island is crawling with Japs. I can’t properly account for them all. Friday moves away and Thomas gives him an angry look. SARGE So Lt., when you said you saw a column of Japs moving this way did you see the beginning or the end? The men pay close attention to the discussion. THOMAS I don’t recollect. dark.
It was early-
TONY You son-of-a-bitch! You planned this from the beginning. (MORE) (CONTINUED)
53. CONTINUED: (2) TONY (CONT'D) You wanted your damn intel and it cost Christopher and the others their lives!
THOMAS Bloody hell! If Bobby hadn’t fallen in the river like a damn buffoon Christopher would be here now. BOBBY Damn it! If Sarge would’ve taken command like he should’ve then none of this would’ve happened. Tony tackles Thomas.
Powder and Friday try to pull Tony off.
Sarge and Patrick argue with Bobby. CAYLE walks over to Robert to see how he is doing. Robert is laying by himself and in visible pain, but lucid and conscious. ROBERT (winks) No one said command was easy. CAYLE turns his head to watch the mayhem. CAYLE All right that’s enough damn it! He pulls Tony off Thomas. separated.
Friday and Powder keep them
CAYLE (CONT’D) I said that is enough! CAYLE separates Patrick, Sarge and Bobby. him.
They all stare at
CAYLE (CONT’D) Everybody get that out of them? Are we done beating the tar out of each other? (paces) You know I didn’t ask for this shit either! Believe it or not I didn’t ask to be dropped in the middle of Jap infested jungle with a bunch of crackers. Jesus! (MORE)
(CONTINUED)
54. CONTINUED: (3) CAYLE (CONT’D) The last time I had it this rough I was trying to get a sandwich in an all white diner! (beat) Ok, there I got that out too. Now we can all start over. You see it really is very simple. There are no hidden agendas being played out here. Got that Lieutenant? (looks at Thomas) We are on the same page now. We know where the Japs are and where Henderson is. No more miscommunications.
CAYLE walks to Thomas and reaches in his pocket and takes the map out. CAYLE (CONT’D) (quietly to Thomas) Don’t worry Lieutenant we will settle up later. Not in front of the men. (to the rest of the men) And no, Lieutenant Thomas didn’t get Lieutenant Edwards killed or the others. I’m pretty sure the Japs did that. Blame them if you want to blame someone. And yes, I think Lieutenant Thomas forgot some of the details, but I’m in the Army Air Corps and I get lied to all the time. Now to you Corporal. (to Bobby) Do you know why the Sergeant Major didn’t try and take command? The men stare at Bobby.
Bobby squirms.
CAYLE (CONT’D) No? Nothing? Not now when everything is out in the open? No, you like to work in the shadows, don’t you? Well, I will tell you. It has nothing to do with me! In fact, for all I know he is a Grand Wizard in the Klu Klux Klan. (beat) What I do know is that he is first and foremost one hundred percent Marine and he will always honor the uniform and behave like a Marine. (MORE)
(CONTINUED)
55. CONTINUED: (4) CAYLE (CONT’D) And that means following orders from superiors. And if you are a grunt humping hills and killing Japs why is it so important to do what you’re told and follow orders? Sergeant Major, you have two wars under your belt you want to enlighten the Corporal?
SARGE Aye aye Sir. (rather stiffly and then looks Bobby in the eye.) You live longer. And your buddies live longer. I wanted to go back SARGE (CONT’D) for the Lieutenant more than anyone here. If I were in charge we’d be dead. No doubt in my mind. CAYLE So let’s keep this simple from here on out. No hidden agendas, no Negro bullshit. Corporal, if you want to lead then start by going back and finishing the second grade. Until then keep your damn mouth shut and do what you’re told. Now, we’re almost ten clicks from the airfield and we’re gonna have to haul ass to get in front of that Jap column. And in case you haven’t noticed, the Jap column is moving along the Northwest side of the river as they head to Henderson. They will need to cross it in a few clicks to get in position to attack. We are going to have to cross it around there as well. That means we are going to move along the brush at the base of Mt. Austen until we can make a dash for the river. We are going to be in a Jap sandwich with Marine Corsairs and Navy shells to dodge. (beat) Get your gear squared away for fast moving. mikes.
We leave in five
CAYLE opens the map and walks to the edge of the men.
(CONTINUED)
56. CONTINUED: (5)
Sarge follows. The men snap to and get ready. SARGE Nicely done Captain, I think we’ll all be on the same page now. Well, we might have one straggler. That last dig on Bobby might have been too much for him. Keep your eyes open out there. CAYLE Negative Sergeant Major, this is a clean slate for everyone. Has to be. I need to worry about what the Japs are doing more than what my own men are doing. We’ll get through this. SARGE Aye aye Sir. They move out. Time passes. While walking through the grasslands a herd of wild cattle cross in front of them. TONY What the hell? Am I losing it or did lunch just walk by? He raises his rifle. Tony.
SARGE Put your damn rifle down.
TONY Come on Sarge, I’m starving! Tony lowers his rifle. SARGE Jesus airman, you don’t have to be a Marine to figure out that we’re only a few clicks from the Japs and what exactly were you planning to do once you shot the cow? Stop and have a fucking BBQ!
(CONTINUED)
57. CONTINUED: (6)
THOMAS Do you like sweet potatoes Tony? TONY What? THOMAS Sweet potatoes? You are about to have as many as you can manage. CAYLE OK, Lieutenant, you got my attention. What are you talking about? THOMAS These cattle are part of the Barandi plantation. In fact, I’ve been living off the cattle for months. Well, me and the Japs actually. Anyway, we will arrive at the plantation in a few minutes and hidden near the plantation I have a cache with rice and kerosene. SARGE Kerosene? THOMAS Yes, I use it to barter with when I don’t have cash. I can get information, ammunition, rice, scouts and sweet potatoes. There are several plantations littered about the island and I have dozens of hidden caches. In fact, the plantations are part of my runner system. CAYLE Runner System? THOMAS Yes, I hired several boys through out the plantations to keep an eye on the Japs and relay messages if need be. CAYLE Really? Then why isn’t your runner system alerting Henderson?
(CONTINUED)
58. CONTINUED: (7)
THOMAS The Japs moved in and conscripted all the natives to work and my runners were either taken or went to the bush. SARGE How come all the men didn’t head to the bush? THOMAS The Jap Political Officer got the word out that if they don’t show for work they will be hunted with dogs and tiny devices the Japs THOMAS (CONT’D) carry around their necks to point the natives out. Once caught, they would be killed. Come on?
SARGE You’re kidding right?
THOMAS No it is sadly true. The Political Officer, Captain Yoshimato or Yoshi as we call him is quite clever. I haven’t seen any dogs yet, but I stocked up on arsenic just in case. CAYLE What about the devices they carry around their necks? THOMAS I can’t say for sure, but I think they are talking about the tiny compasses they carry around their necks. At least, that is what I’ve noticed when I’ve been up close and personal. A compass will impress your average native. Remember, these are primitive people who live in grass huts and many tribes still throw their old and crippled into the shark filled waters once their purpose has run their course. TONY What about Friday?
He...
(CONTINUED)
59. CONTINUED: (8)
THOMAS Friday? You mean, Sergeant Yauwika of the New Guinea Police Force. They looked surprised and impressed.
Friday winks.
THOMAS (CONT’D) He was raised by the missionaries. Damn, he received a better education than I did. Don’t be fooled by his haggard appearance. He is the smartest man here and will probably out live us all! CUT TO: EXT. JUNGLE – JAPANESE – DAY Captain Yoshi directs his men with the heavy machine guns and light mortars to head toward the main Japanese column to their East. He takes the remaining 15 men of the patrol and follows the American’s trail at a trot. CUT TO: EXT. JUNGLE – AMERICANS - DAY Thomas takes the lead and brings the men to his hidden cache outside the Barandi plantation. He digs up a small box containing rice, kerosene and some .45 ammo. He pockets the ammo and hands out the rice. THOMAS Good to be prepared in case of a rainy day. FRIDAY It rains a lot around you Unggoy. THOMAS OK, quiet now, let’s ease into the plantation to make sure we are welcome. They head to the plantation.
(CONTINUED)
60. CONTINUED:
BOBBY Plantations, darkies, getting to be more like home by the minute. CUT TO: EXT. JUNGLE – JAPANESE – DAY The Japanese patrol enters the small clearing where the Americans rested earlier. CUT TO: EXT. JUNGLE – AMERICANS – DAY The Americans see the edge of the plantation. THOMAS (looking at Friday) Hey Mate, why don’t you introduce us? FRIDAY Sure chap, I doubt they have a bounty on my head. Friday takes the lead and enters the plantation. The plantation is a clearing with several grass huts littered about. There is one wood building with a Cross on the front door. Everything is quite and empty.
They walk in.
Out of the building with the cross comes a man in robes. FATHER Yauwika my son, good to see God has delivered you safe to us. FRIDAY Thank you Father. everyone?
Where is
Two Nuns come out with five Chinese children. FATHER Lieutenant Thomas’ mate Captain Yoshi paid us a visit yesterday looking for him-as usual. In fact, I think he is still in the area. The Father eyes Thomas.
(CONTINUED)
61. CONTINUED:
CAYLE Hello Father, my name is Captain CAYLE. What happened? FATHER God works in challenging ways. (Make this current and the troops watch) EXT. PLANTATION – DAY – (FLASHBACK) Japanese soldiers enter the plantation and gather what few men are still there. The natives line up in the heat. They drag the two Chinese families out of their homes. The following is in CHINESE and JAPANESE with ENGLISH SUBTITLES: CHINESE MAN #1 Please, we are just trying to work and take care of our families. YOSHI (sarcastically) How do we cut through the language barrier here men? Anyone speak peasant Mandarin? No? I didn’t think so. So, how do we get these savages to learn they have to report to work? Yoshi paces. The Chinese men are opposite the natives. Chinese wives and children huddle in their doorways.
The
CHINESE MAN #2 Please Sir.
Spare our worthless lives.
Have mercy.
The Father storms out of the church. FATHER Captain Yoshi. Please go in peace. This is a place of God. YOSHI Perplexing is it not men. We do not understand these two Chinese devils and they do not understand our enlightened tongue. (MORE)
(CONTINUED)
62. CONTINUED: YOSHI (CONT'D) And none of us care to understand the savages. And the gaijin Father, well apparently only God understands him. (beat) So how do we impress upon these savages the need to do as they are told? And furthermore that these islands and everyone living on them are part of Nippon, the great empire of the rising sun!
Yoshi addresses his men with his back to the Chinese. In one fluid motion Yoshi spins drawing his sword decapitating both the Chinese men. The Chinese men’s heads roll off their bodies. The bodies stay standing for a second before collapsing to the ground. The Chinese women scream and cover their children’s eyes. The native men stare and tremble. FATHER Captain Yoshi, Hell is waiting for you. The Father performs the last rights. YOSHI And they thought I would need an interpreter! Men take the savages and have them dig up the sweet potatoes. Better us to eat them than the Radio Rat. (looks at the Father and speaks in broken English) And Father, if I not catch Radio Rat, uh, Lootenant Thomas I be back to talk you. END FLASHBACK The men stare at the Chinese children. FATHER Unfortunately it didn’t stop there. EXT. PLANTATION – DAY – (FLASHBACK) Several hours have passed since the Japanese left and the Chinese families and the Father are cleaning up and mourning the deaths of the two Chinese men. Other native females and children are present.
(CONTINUED)
63. CONTINUED:
Out of the jungle comes a band of native men from Yandi. The native women of the plantation take to the bush as soon as the Yandi men appear. FATHER Please go in peace, we have nothing to offer here. YANDI MAN #1 But that not so. He eyes the Chinese women. END FLASHBACK FATHER They locked me in the church. with many tears.
I prayed to God.
I prayed
NUN #1 The two Chinese women were raped and killed. We will take the children and protect them. They will be safe with us and God. CAYLE So Lieutenant. He looks Thomas in the eye. CAYLE (CONT’D) Tell me more about your mate Captain Yoshi. CUT TO: The Americans move through the tall grasslands near Mt. Austen. The Barandi plantation falls off the back. The mountain is attacked by a continuous bombardment of artillery and Corsairs. The Americans crouch and move fast, but Robert slows them. They stop and rest and change litter carriers every 1000 yards or so. SARGE Really Lt.? That son-of-a-bitch Yoshi has been chasing your ass for eighteen months?
(CONTINUED)
64. CONTINUED:
THOMAS I don’t know if I would phrase it that colorfully, but yes he arranged the bounty on my head and he is the reason I move my teleradio every couple of weeks. FRIDAY He’s also why we never walk to the radio the same way twice and why we don’t wear our shoes in the bush. THOMAS And why I tie this gun to my belt at night. He is also the reason I have hidden caches all over the island. I can’t blame him though. I’ve been calling in air strikes and bombardments on his men for months. In fact, they occupied the Bishops’ house not too long ago and I had the damn thing blown to bits. Sarge is shocked. THOMAS (CONT’D) I got word to the Bishop first. was away during the attack. I missed Yoshi by an hour.
He
A Corsair takes an anti-aircraft round and bursts into flames at 1000 feet. In shock, they stand and watch it fall from the sky. THOMAS (CONT’D) Friday and I have rescued a couple of those chaps in our day, but no luck for that one. CUT TO: Yoshi and the Japanese patrol move in the tall see the Corsair burst into flames. Yoshi does the plane but instead looks straight ahead and of the Americans as they stand. They are 1000 He smiles.
grass and they not look at sees the tops yards ahead.
CUT TO: Sarge glances at the Corsair for a second but then he looks back. He sees the brush moving fast.
(CONTINUED)
65. CONTINUED: (2)
SARGE Captain, we got company on our six moving fast. Maybe one thousand yards out. CAYLE Damn. I hope we’re around the main Jap column? OK men, we got fifteen hundred yards to the river due East. In case all hell breaks loose, cross the river and follow it North to Henderson. Good luck soldiers! Move out! They stand and sprint East to the cover of the jungle by the river bank. CAYLE drops one of the Japanese canteens he’s been carrying. THOMAS Good show Captain, but it won’t work. Yoshi is too clever for that. CUT TO: Yoshi and the Japanese patrol follow the Americans and they come across the canteen and stop. The following is in JAPANESE with ENGLISH SUBTITLES: JAPANEESE SOLDIER #1 Sir, it is one of our canteens. Is it possible we are tracking one of our own patrols? YOSHI No, we are tracking the Americans. This is just a ruse. Keep your eyes open. They are cagey. I think I can smell our Radio Rat. They spy the Americans making a dash for the Jungle. pursue.
They
CUT TO: The Americans are within 500 yards of the jungle. CUT TO: Yoshi and the Japanese patrol gain on the Americans. A couple of Japanese soldiers fire at the Americans.
(CONTINUED)
66. CONTINUED:
The following is in JAPANESE with ENGLISH SUBTITLES: YOSHI (CONT’D) Cease fire! You are wasting bullets and giving them our position. CUT TO: The Americans run faster. urging them forward.
GUNSHOTS and the BULLETS WHIZZ by CUT TO:
Yoshi and the Japanese patrol are in close pursuit. Yoshi leads the men from the front and all he can see is tall grass. Visibility is a couple of feet. CUT TO: The Americans run through the tall grass. CAYLE’ visibility is a couple of feet. The tall grass ends and there is a small clearing before the protection of the jungle. The front of the column bursts through the tall grass into the clearing and sprint into the jungle. Once in the jungle they stop for a second to regroup. CAYLE (to John and Powder) Hustle over men. I got a job for you. CUT TO: Yoshi and the Japanese patrol run hard through the bush. They burst out of the grass and run straight into the clearing. Gun BLASTS erupt and muzzle flashes blind them. Yoshi takes a round in the shoulder and the two Japanese soldiers next to him are killed instantly. Yoshi hits the deck and the rest of his men return fire from the brush. The following is in JAPANESE with ENGLISH SUBTITLES:
(CONTINUED)
67. CONTINUED: (2)
YOSHI Return fire and prepare to advance! CUT TO: Powder and John fire at the Japanese. JOHN That’s for Christopher you slanteyed fucks. POWDER Belt is running low. I’m tossing a grenade and then time to scoot! John fires a long BURST and Powder tosses a grenade. Powder taps John on the shoulder to scoot but he doesn’t move. John is slumped over his gun and covered in blood. POWDER (CONT’D) Damn. Powder sprints deep into the jungle following the trail of his buddies. CUT TO: Yoshi slowly rises and his men attend to his shoulder. smiles.
He
The following is in JAPANESE with ENGLISH SUBTITLES: YOSHI This lamb breathes dragon fire. Eyes moving forward and stay sharp or you will be joining your ancestors before the day is out. CUT TO: Powder runs to rejoin the rest of the men. Blood runs down his arm. He stops and ties a tourniquet. The jungle CRIES and SCREECHES fill his ears. He is disoriented. POWDER Well this isn’t good. What would Sarge do?
Don’t panic. CUT TO:
Yoshi and the Japanese patrol move through the jungle with caution and follow the American trail.
(CONTINUED)
68. CONTINUED: (3)
The following is in JAPANESE with ENGLISH SUBTITLES: YOSHI You two. (points to two men) Move up front. CUT TO: The Americans rest in the jungle. CAYLE Sergeant Major, you hear any more gunfire? SARGE No Sir. CAYLE OK. They know what to do. keep moving.
Let’s CUT TO:
Powder is alone in the jungle chanting. POWDER Head East. Cross the River and follow it to Henderson. Head East. Cross the River and follow it to Henderson. don’t die. Head East...
Oh yeah,
CUT TO: The Japanese pick up the pace with confidence. CUT TO: The Americans reach the bank of the Lunga. the base of a large tree.
They huddle at
CAYLE OK men, we have to make this river crossing happen now. Those Japs will be on us in a few minutes. Sergeant Major, make us a close perimeter and watch our six so we don’t have any surprises. SARGE Aye aye Sir.
(CONTINUED)
69. CONTINUED: (4)
Sarge moves into the jungle and disappears. CAYLE (to Tony and Bobby) You two got Lieutenant Tennisson. Stay with him and make sure he makes it across. Come on Lieutenant, Friday, we’re crossing the river. Sergeant, make sure the Sergeant Major gets word to move out once the men are across. PATRICK Will do Captain. CAYLE, Friday and Thomas cross the river. and hard to move through.
It is knee deep CUT TO:
Yoshi stops at a fork in the trail. The following is in JAPANESE with ENGLISH SUBTITLES: YOSHI Looks like part of our ambush party got separated. He rubs blood on the nearby bush. YOSHI (CONT’D) The small trail to the right is his, let the jungle kill him. We are after the leader and maybe our friend the Radio Rat. CUT TO: Powder moves slowly through the jungle.
Sweat pours off him.
POWDER Head East. Cross the River and follow it to Henderson. Head East. Cross the river and follow it to Henderson. Don’t die. CUT TO: Sarge is alone, rubbing his good luck bullet.
(CONTINUED)
70. CONTINUED: (5)
SARGE Come on guys. It’s getting lonely out here. CUT TO: Robert, Patrick, Tony and Bobby are under the tree by the river. ROBERT Don’t make me repeat myself damn it! That is an order! (mumbles) Nobody said command was easy. He smiles and stares into the jungle. CUT TO: The Japanese patrol is close to the river. slow down.
They hear it and
CUT TO: Sarge sees the lead Japanese soldier coming out of the jungle. SARGE Well, this is a shitty end to a shitty day. CUT TO: Patrick crosses the river. PATRICK Damn it to hell! I forgot to get Sarge. Gun BLASTS erupt in the direction of Sarge. PATRICK (CONT’D) Well, I guess he’s on the move now. Patrick continues across the river. Bobby comes out and stays at the river’s edge. The rest of the men are at the shore or in the jungle taking cover. CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
71. CONTINUED: (6)
The lead Japanese soldier falls from Sarge’s first shots. CUT TO: Powder hears the shots and heads towards them. CUT TO: Sarge runs hard to the river and he almost trips on Robert. ROBERT Damn Sarge! I almost shot your ass. Robert is visibly shaken. SARGE What in the hell you still doing here? ROBERT I ordered them to leave. Sarge stares at him like he is crazy. SARGE Jesus Robert...OK let’s get you on my shoulder. I’ll get you across. ROBERT Negative Sergeant Major! I’m not letting anyone else die for me. I can’t live with it. Call me weak, but that is the way it is. SARGE I’ll call you nuts, that’s for sure, but you’re still coming with me. Robert raises his rifle and points it at Sarge. at each other.
They stare
ROBERT God damn it Sarge, dying is a lonely business, now git! CUT TO: The Japanese check their fallen man and move forward with determination. CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
72. CONTINUED: (7)
Powder moves along the river. CUT TO: Bobby kneels down in the water. CUT TO: Robert and Sarge stare at each other. SARGE You’re gonna have to shoot me you crazy son-of-a bitch! Sweat pours off them. CUT TO: The lead Japanese soldier makes a halt symbol and moves forward carefully. CUT TO: Powder continues to move forward. CUT TO: Sarge and Robert continue to stare at each other, neither saying a word. Robert is leaning against a tree with his back to the river facing the jungle where the Japanese are coming from. Sarge is facing the river and has a view of the other men. In front of him CAYLE is entering the river to help Patrick out of the water. Thomas is covering him. CUT TO: Bobby raises his rifle. BOBBY Second grade huh. time...
Coon hunting CUT TO:
Something catches both Robert’s and Sarge’s eye coming from opposite directions. Sarge raises his rifle and fires at the same time Robert fires. A third GUN SHOT is heard in the background.
(CONTINUED)
73. CONTINUED: (8)
The muzzle flash, noise, and shock of their two rounds WHIZZING by them leave them stunned. Behind Sarge the lead Japanese soldier falls dead. Behind Patrick Bobby is dead in the water and floats past CAYLE enveloping him in blood. Robert uses the confusion to pull the pin out of a grenade and secure it behind his back. Sarge sees what he is doing and reaches for him, but he is too late. CUT TO: The Japanese hear the shots fired. The following is in JAPANESE with ENGLISH SUBTITLES: YOSHI Move forward and fight for the honor of the Emperor. Two Japanese soldiers rush forward. CUT TO: Powder bursts through the bushes firing his .45 killing the two advance Japanese. The third Japanese soldier raises his rifle and is killed by Sarge. POWDER Jesus Sarge, time to shoot and scoot! Go!
ROBERT I’ve got your back.
Sarge and Powder jump around Robert and hit the water running. CUT TO: Robert stares at the jungle. CUT TO: The Japanese move in hard. CUT TO: Robert shoots the first Japanese soldier, but the second and third soldiers shoot him. Robert is covered in blood when Yoshi appears.
(CONTINUED)
74. CONTINUED: (9)
Yoshi carries his samurai sword and a smile. Spoken in JAPANESE with ENGLISH SUBTITLES. JAPANESE SOLDIER #3 Captain Yoshimoto, shall we pursue? YOSHI No, not yet. (to Robert in Broken English)) You like sword? You buddy not like so much. Yoshi recognizes the rank insignia. YOSHI (CONT’D) Oh, you clever man I been looking for. I honor you with quick death. He smiles and raises the sword high. ROBERT Lieutenant Thomas sends his regards. Yoshi pauses. ROBERT (CONT’D) And yes, I tricky bastard! Robert roles to the side springing the grenade lose. Yoshi’s smile disappears. CUT TO: Sarge and Powder cross the river when an EXPLOSION erupts behind them. They keep moving and take fire. Sarge is hit in the shoulder. CAYLE jumps in and brings the men to shore. cover fire.
Thomas provides
SARGE Captain! The bullet! I want that damn bullet. You hear! CAYLE Jesus. I need to get back in the air. OK Sergeant Major.
(CONTINUED)
75. CONTINUED:
Sarge and Powder exit the water with CAYLE. He runs to Thomas and he sees that his face is missing. He grabs his tag. CAYLE (CONT’D) Sorry chap, I guess we’ll settle up in Hell. The men head deep into the jungle to escape the Japanese gunfire and re-group. The gunfire stops and everything is quiet. CAYLE (CONT’D) Let’s take a minute to get straight. Sergeant, keep an eye on the river side to make sure we don’t have any surprises. Sergeant Major, what the hell happened to Lieutenant Tennisson? SARGE He refused to leave and covered our rear. Stupid son-of-a-bitch. CAYLE pulls out Thomas’ map. CAYLE Well, we are still a good three clicks from Henderson. OK, we have to stay ahead of the Jap column and start looking out for friendly patrols and their perimeter. Getting killed by friendlys doesn’t sound any better than getting killed by Japs. (to Tony) Private, help me patch them up. They work on Sarge and Powder and then move out. SARGE OK Captain, I’m good to move out. CAYLE OK men, we’ll head North at a quick pace. (to Tony and Friday) Take point. Remember, we are more likely to run into friendlys up there than Japs. Get ready to do some fast talking. move out. Sergeant Major and I will take the six.
Let’s
(CONTINUED)
76. CONTINUED: (2)
They move out in single file. They look more like POWS than soldiers. Sarge and CAYLE let the men get a short gap on them. CAYLE (CONT’D) So what exactly happened back there Sergeant Major? With Corporal Clemmens? Sarge winces from the pain in his shoulder and is silent for a moment. SARGE You know that Kraut bullet around my neck? He takes the bullet out as they walk. Bombing of Mt. Austen continues to their West. are in the background.
EXPLOSIONS
Aircrafts WHINE overhead and bombs continue to explode. SARGE (CONT’D) Well, there is more to the story. You see, we had this crazy Lieutenant that thought he was going to win the war himself. Now, even though we were Calvary, we weren’t charging the enemy on horses anymore. We had light tanks for that. Horses, trenches, barbed wire and machine guns don’t mix. You need tanks. Well, we still had some horses so we used them for patrols. And this Lieutenant time after time strayed from his recon patrols and attacked small fixed units. The first time this happened I almost shit my pants. I can’t tell you how naked you feel galloping over debris and terrain, pistol in hand charging fox holes and bunkers. We lost two mounts and three men in less than a week. The fuck really thought he was Napoleon. Well, one morning we made a big push with the tanks and I got stuck on the recon patrol with our crazy Lt. CUT TO: (CUT) EXT. FOREST – DAY (WWI-FLASHBACK) American men on horses try to keep their mounts calm as a platoon of tanks rumble by.
(CONTINUED)
77. CONTINUED:
The men and mounts are in an adjacent forest. around the tanks and the horses buck.
Shells EXPLODE
END FLASHBACK SARGE I can still smell the sweat and fear on the horses. We had a hell of a time keeping them under control around the tanks. I could never tell if they were afraid of them or pissed that the tanks were replacing them. Well, instead of heading to the rear after our mission, this Lt. turned towards the enemy and sent us in a charge parallel to the tanks. He wanted to get in front of them. CUT TO: EXT. FOREST – DAY (WWI FLASHBACK) CALVERY LT. Charge! With pistol out he spurs his mount and charges alongside the tanks. Shells EXPLODE all around. One of the men and horse are killed. END FLASHBACK SARGE You see I could’ve stopped it. CUT TO: EXT. FOREST – DAY (WWI FLASHBACK) They gallop hard and a young Sarge and fellow trooper are behind the Lieutenant as he charges. They are not within sight of the enemy yet. The trooper next to Sarge aims his pistol. Sarge knows who he is aiming at. The trooper fires and the Lieutenant flies off his horse, falling forward. END FLASHBACK CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
78. CONTINUED:
SARGE This bullet is penance, not salvation. CUT TO: EXT. FOREST – DAY (WWI FLASHBACK) Sarge and the trooper stare at each other and then Sarge takes a round in the shoulder and is knocked off his mount. END FLASHBACK CUT TO: SARGE But I guess there is worse penance. CUT TO: EXT. FOREST – DAY (WWI FLASHBACK) Sarge is on his back in the dirt and the other trooper and Sarge’s mount continue until an artillery round takes them out. END FLASHBACK SARGE Even though the son-of-a-bitch had it coming, I vowed not to let that happen again. Not on my watch. CAYLE How come you caught a round this time? What is your penance for now? SARGE Letting it come to that. have stopped it earlier. stronger-sooner.
I should Been
CAYLE You know the first thing they teach you at Officer’s School Sergeant Major? SARGE What’s that Captain? CAYLE You can’t control everything and everyone. (MORE)
(CONTINUED)
79. CONTINUED: CAYLE (CONT'D) You have to do the best with what you’ve got and move on. It’s time for you to move on.
SARGE Thanks Captain. TONY Hey Friday. I’m sorry about Lt. Thomas. They lead the men through the jungle. FRIDAY Me too mate. I never got to play my Unggoy joke on him. I’ve been waiting a long time to play that joke. We used to do that quite a bit. Play jokes that is. Once I took the screws out of his cot and he fell right on his duff. Boy was he pissed. I think I laughed for an hour. TONY How long were you two out here? FRIDAY Eighteen months of dodging Japs and reporting. We had to move almost every week to keep ahead of them. TONY I don’t know how you did it. I’ve been here three days and it feels like a fucking lifetime. FRIDAY You appreciate life differently when you are near death. Even hard times are appreciated. TONY You gonna settle up with Yoshi for all the hell he put you guys through? FRIDAY Oh, I’m sure he is dead. TONY What?
(CONTINUED)
80. CONTINUED: (2)
FRIDAY Those two lived to hunt each other. We may not have voodoo on these islands but we do have something. And that something is telling me I don’t have to worry about Yoshi sneaking up on me anymore. POWDER Looks like we’re gonna make it Patrick. PATRICK Really Powder? After all we’ve been through you’re gonna put a curse on us like that. Damn. POWDER No really... PATRICK Shut the hell up private. Now, march up to Friday and ask for some voodoo magic to get rid of your damn curse. POWDER Come on... PATRICK MOVE! Powder sulks and hustles up to Friday. POWDER Hey Friday. Ah, Patrick asked me to get some voodoo from you to lift a curse I accidentally made on us. Tony laughs. FRIDAY Damn Anglos. How many times do I have to tell you that there is no voodoo on these islands? POWDER I can’t go back without something. FRIDAY Wear your shirt backwards.
(CONTINUED)
81. CONTINUED: (3)
POWDER What? TONY You heard the man.
Make it happen.
Powder takes off his shirt and puts it on backwards. TONY (CONT’D) Now get back to Patrick and tell him it’s taken care of. Powder heads back. TONY (CONT’D) Nice, now the curse will think we are traveling the other way and be waiting for us in the wrong direction. FRIDAY Sure. Or he just looks stupid with his shirt on backwards which makes me laugh. (under his breath) And these people rule the world. POWDER All set Patrick. Patrick chuckles. PATRICK OK Powder, now turn around and walk backwards. Powder does this. PATRICK (CONT’D) Now remember your chant you were telling me about when you were on your own? POWDER Sure.
(CONTINUED)
82. CONTINUED: (4)
PATRICK Well I have a new one. “I will not talk about surviving and in doing so curse me and my buddies.” Repeat that while walking backwards for the next five minutes then you can stop and change your shirt around. POWDER OK... Hey!
PATRICK Only the chant.
Right.
POWDER I will not talk...
CAYLE and Sarge come up from the rear. SARGE What’s going on Patrick? PATRICK Oh nothing Sarge. Just working on company moral. SARGE Good job; I guess. Sarge and CAYLE laugh as they pass. CAYLE Hey Sergeant Major. SARGE Yes Captain. CAYLE Where do you reckon the bombing is now? Sarge stops and listens.
RUMBLING is to their rear.
SARGE It’s behind us Captain. CAYLE That’s what I thought. That means Mt. Austen is behind us and we should expect contact with friendlys soon. (MORE)
(CONTINUED)
83. CONTINUED: (5) CAYLE (CONT'D) (to Tony) Keep alert.
TONY Yes Sir. They continue to walk and in the distant POPS of small arms fire ring out. PATRICK Good job Powder. POWDER What? CAYLE OK men, looks like we are crashing someone’s party. My hunch is that we are not on the invite list and to spice things up we are coming from the wrong side of town. Now ... He looks up and stops. CAYLE (CONT’D) Where in the hell is Friday? They look around. TONY Damn Captain, he was next to me a minute ago. CAYLE Shit. OK, let’s sit tight for a minute and get ready. (to Powder) How many grenades you got left? POWDER Two Sir. The men get their gear ready. SARGE Captain, do you want me to... Friday re-joins them and starts to draw a map in the dirt. FRIDAY OK chaps, looks like we have two platoon size groups going at it. (MORE) (CONTINUED)
84. CONTINUED: (6) FRIDAY (CONT'D) We are on the Jap side. The American’s right flank is getting chewed up by a Jap machine gun here.
Friday points to a circle in the dirt representing the machine gun position that is to their immediate left. They can hear it now. FRIDAY (CONT’D) Also, the Japs have a couple of mortars on their right flank helping pin the Americans down. Friday draws another circle for the mortars. CAYLE Great intel Friday. Thank you. All right, even though it is only October we are going to give our guys an early Christmas present. (to Powder) Hand over your grenades. Powder hands him the last two grenades. machine gun nest.
CAYLE points to the
CAYLE (CONT’D) We are going to take out that gun and open up the flank. Sergeant Major, you provide cover fire from here. CAYLE marks a spot on the dirt map. CAYLE (CONT’D) We will take the gun from the rear. Friday, you lead the way. Remember, when we break through make yourselves known as good guys fast! SARGE Captain... CAYLE I don’t need a one armed sergeant leading the charge. Just watch our backs. They move out following Friday. CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
85. CONTINUED: (7)
Beat-up American Marines dug in taking both heavy machine gun fire and mortar fire. EXPLOSIONS are everywhere as are INCOMING ROUNDS. AMERICAN LT. Keep your heads down boys. Corporal, get HQ on the horn. need artillery support now.
We
A young corporal starts the hand crank on his phone. CORPORAL Bravo, this is Echo, repeat, Bravo, this is Echo... CUT TO: The Japanese machine gun nest fires at a high rate. There are four men in the fox hole. One firing, one managing the ammo., a spotter and a rifle man. The spotter taps the machine gunner on the head and directs him to more targets. CUT TO: Friday, Tony, Patrick and CAYLE crawl up to the Japanese machine gun nest. CUT TO: AMERICAN LT. Goddamn it Bravo, I need salvos at coordinates... More EXPLOSIONS erupt. CUT TO: The Japanese continue to fire. CUT TO: CAYLE edges up to the Japanese. He pulls the pin from one of the grenades and tosses it. It lands short and EXPLODES. CUT TO: The Japanese feel the explosion to their rear and are thrown off balance; they recover and open fire with small arms. CUT TO:
86.
AMERICAN LT. What the hell is going on up there? The machine gun fire stops. AMERICAN LT. Second Squad, on me. They scramble towards the machine gun nest. CUT TO: CAYLE and the men return fire and CAYLE throws his last grenade. CUT TO: The Japanese see the in coming grenade and take cover. Japanese soldier is killed, another wounded.
One
CUT TO: CAYLE and the men use the chaos of the grenade EXPLOSION to rush the Japanese. CUT TO: CAYLE and the men yell as they rush the Japanese. There is a close quarters exchange of small arms including CAYLE and Tony using their .45s. Patrick and one Japanese soldier fight hand to hand. Friday bashes the Japanese soldier in the head with his rifle stock. In and instant everything is quiet. CUT TO: AMERICAN LT. What the hell! He and Second Squad surround the fox hole and inside are eight bodies all mixed up. Dead and dying Japanese intertwined with exhausted Americans. AMERICAN LT. Identify yourselves! CAYLE raises his arm.
(CONTINUED)
87. CONTINUED:
CAYLE Captain Henry CAYLE, 99th Pursuit Squadron. AMERICAN LT. You gotta be shitting me.
This is one fucked up island!
Sarge and Powder run up. AMERICAN LT. Halt! He points his carbine at Sarge. SARGE Easy there LT. Just trying to get back to friendlys. AMERICAN LT. Somebody better tell me what the hell is going on now! CAYLE Lieutenant, it is a long story that can wait. You have the initiative. I suggest you push through and take the mortars. We can help. AMERICAN LT. OK...Captain, good point. You stick to my side. answers later. Second Squad, let’s move out.
I want
The Captain and the men stand and collect themselves. CAYLE Lieutenant, may I suggest that we double back and take the mortars from the rear? You are fighting an advance party that is ahead of the main party by five or six clicks. AMERICAN LT. How do you know that? CAYLE Because if they were part of the main column my men and I would be dead.
(CONTINUED)
88. CONTINUED:
AMERICAN CORPORAL Sounds like a good reason LT. The Lieutenant gives him a cross look. CAYLE Here, let me show you. you would?
Friday, if
Friday draws a map in the dirt with the enemy locations and the last known location of the advancing Japanese column. The American Lt. stares at the map for a minute. AMERICAN LT. You’ve had eyes on the enemy?
You know troop strength?
FRIDAY Yes Sir, that is my job. AMERICAN LT. OK.
Corporal, take...Friday?
Friday nods yes. AMERICAN LT. Take Friday and tell First Squad to move into our positions on the right flank. Tell them once the mortars stop to attack the Japs towards the center. We’ll do the same from their left. After you get First Squad going, I want you to high tail it back to HQ and get Friday debriefed. Tell them we will be bringing friendlys as well. OK, move out. The Corporal heads out. CAYLE (to Friday) Don’t eat all the food before we get back. They shake hands and Friday follows the Corporal. CAYLE (CONT’D) Lieutenant, come on, let’s go find some mortars. They head into the jungle towards the rear of the Japanese battle line.
89.
AMERICAN LT. (whispering) Sergeant, you’re shot. SARGE Yes Lt. AMERICAN LT. Why didn’t you go back with the Corporal? SARGE I go back when the Captain goes back. The American Lt. notices that Powder is shot too. AMERICAN LT. What about you Private? POWDER To tell you the sad truth I forgot I got shot. Otherwise I would’ve scooted with the Corporal and tried to ride that gravy train all the way stateside. The American Lt. shakes his head. echo.
WUMPS of the mortars CUT TO:
An eight man team of Japanese man three heavy mortars. Six are working the mortars and two are working as spotters and guards. CUT TO: The American Lt. uses hand signals to prepare the men. signals to CAYLE and his men to guard their flank.
He
The men move into position. CUT TO: The Japanese mortars fire. Their heads are down while they work. The POP POP of gun fire erupts from the bushes to their rear. CUT TO:
(CONTINUED)
90. CONTINUED:
The Americans kill the mortar team. CUT TO: First Squad. AMERICAN SERGEANT OK boys, the mortars are down. Let’s clean up. First Squad moves in. They engage the enemy and the fighting turns to tree to tree fighting. CUT TO: American Lt. and his troops move to the center to complete the pincer move. They encounter retreating Japanese quickly. CUT TO: The Japanese are caught in a cross fire and return fire. CUT TO: CAYLE and his men join the American Lt. and fire on the Japanese. The Japanese do not surrender and the Americans search the entire sector and flush them out. The Japanese initiate mini counter attacks yelling “bonsai”. They are cut down. Some groups of men end up in close quarters in hand to hand combat. In-coming rounds EXPLODE around them. CUT TO: The US Navy is off-shore firing their main guns. CUT TO: AMERICAN LT. Damn, I guess the Navy finally got around to sending in their salvos. Back to rally point X-Ray. Now! They men hustle out as more in-coming rounds EXPLODE. They reach the rally point after 500 yards of tough humping. Everybody is on the ground resting.
91.
AMERICAN LT. First Sergeant, set a perimeter. we head back to base camp.
Ten mikes ladies and then
Some men go out to make the perimeter. lie on the ground.
The rest continue to
AMERICAN LT. Well Captain, we are five clicks from our base so I guess I will have time to hear your story. CUT TO: The American Corporal enters the South East perimeter of Henderson with Friday. AMERICAN SENTRY Hey Corporal, you going native on us? AMERICAN CORPORAL Very funny Marine. Where is Colonel Moore? CUT TO: The Americans are walking back to Henderson. AMERICAN LT. So you’re supposed to be in Europe soon eh? Protecting bombers? Is that why you were on a bomber out here? CAYLE Yeah, somebody thought it would be a good idea if I got some operational training and knew what the bombers were going through. AMERICAN LT. In the Pacific? CAYLE Don’t ask, I just report where they tell me too. CUT TO: The Corporal and Friday enter the command bunker.
(CONTINUED)
92. CONTINUED:
The following is at the bottom of the screen: Colonel Bryant E. Moore. Commander of the 164th Infantry/Americal Division. AMERICAN CORPORAL/RILEY Sir, Corporal Riley reporting with Native Guide Friday. The Colonel’s head is down reviewing maps. Really?
COLONEL MOORE Friday?
FRIDAY Long story Sir. It can wait until after I tell you about the Jap regiment that is about to attack you. The Colonel’s head comes up. CUT TO: AMERICAN LT. So how did you become the ranking officer out here? nothing
And
personal sir, but I’m shocked you survived this and I mean that everyway you can look at it. CAYLE eyes Sarge for a second. CAYLE No Lieutenant, the men did what they were trained to do and then some. I’ve never been prouder to wear this uniform and serve with these men. CUT TO: FRIDAY We followed the Japs around Mt. Austen to track their movements instead of heading straight in on the coast side. We thought this regiment would be the most dangerous.
(CONTINUED)
93. CONTINUED:
COLONEL MOORE That was very brave if not a little crazy for your Captain CAYLE to do. CUT TO: AMERICAN LT. So how many did you start with? CAYLE Fourteen. But eight are never going home. The images of the men appear. First the image of them from a scene when they were alive and then an image of them dead is SUPERIMPOSED. CAYLE (CONT’D) Private First Class Derek Reeds, our radio man was killed in a Jap ambush two days ago. Private Rick Fratus, the B-17s starboard waste gunner was killed in the same ambush. And Private Jonesy, the tank driver was killed in that ambush as well. Lieutenant Christopher Edwards, our navigator, was killed at the Matanikau River crossing. Private John Milton, the B-17 port waste gunner killed in an ambush we set up against the Japs to slow their pursuit of us. Lieutenant Robert Tennisson, the B-17 bombardier, was killed at the Lunga River covering our crossing. Corporal Bobby Clemmens, the tank gunner, was killed at Lunga River. And finally, Lieutenant Thomas, coast watcher, was killed at the Lunga River as well. CUT TO: COLONEL MOORE So how did your coast watcher die? FRIDAY Doing what he loved. Japs.
Tracking
COLONEL MOORE So what is Captain CAYLE like? FRIDAY He’s serious, moody and can be considered dark... CUT TO:
94.
AMERICAN LT. Why did you take out that Jap machine gun? CAYLE Listen Lieutenant, I just want to go home. I didn’t dog the Japs for days for you or Henderson. And I sure as hell didn’t take out that machine gun to be some kind of hero. When I first enlisted I had plans. Hell, even three days ago I had plans. Now...I learned more here than I learned in years of training. I didn’t do the things I did for love of country, flag, or even for my personal fight for equality. I did it because it stood in the way of the one thing I truly want. AMERICAN LT. And what is that Captain? CAYLE To see my wife again. To hold her. To meet my new baby. Damn, I don’t even know if I have a boy or a girl. I just want to see my baby’s face. Just once. To know that I exist and that there is more to life than this... CUT TO: COLONEL MOORE OK Friday, now let’s get down to what you know about the Japs. Friday smiles and pulls out a map. and other men join in.
They hover over the map CUT TO:
The American Lt., CAYLE and the others approach Colonel Moore’s tent. They enter the tent.
95.
INT. TENT – NIGHT JACOBS (AMERICAN LT.) Colonel, Lieutenant Jacobs reporting Sir. I have the remaining survivors that we discovered in the field. COLONEL MOORE Yes, Friday has been filling me in and briefing me on your exploits and on the Japs. Friday is at the side of the tent drinking coffee. at the men.
He smiles
COLONEL MOORE (CONT’D) Excellent job Captain CAYLE! He passes CAYLE and shakes hands with Sarge. Lieutenant Jacobs is horrified. SARGE Sergeant Major Reinhard reporting Sir. Captain CAYLE is to your six Sir. Colonel Moore looks confused and turns and the only men behind him are Jacobs and CAYLE. He recovers quickly after realizing his mistake and walks up to CAYLE and shakes his hand. COLONEL MOORE My apologies Captain, I didn’t see you there. Friday told me all about you, (beat) well, apparently not everything. They look over to Friday who is smiling large. CAYLE Sir, Friday likes his jokes. JACOBS Sir, I would like to recommend Captain CAYLE for a commendation for his efforts in taking out the Jap machine gun. He saved a lot of lives today. CAYLE is surprised and Sarge is proud.
(CONTINUED)
96. CONTINUED:
COLONEL MOORE Yes, I agree, Lieutenant, I think I will be recommending several commendations. But before we start pinning medals we still have a Jap counter attack to deal with. Thanks to Captain CAYLE’ efforts we will have a surprise of our own waiting for them. CAYLE Lieutenant Thomas deserves the credit for that Sir. COLONEL MOORE Regardless, we will be prepared. Now Captain, I’ve arranged for you and your men to be moved to the rear... CAYLE Thank you Sir, but with all do respect, if I can’t get a fighter under me I’d just assume get some food, ammo. and a place on the line. SARGE And we’d like to stay with the Captain Sir. The Colonel looks at the men and then CAYLE. COLONEL MOORE After you get patched up Sarge. Corpsman! A corpsman comes in the tent. CORPSEMAN Yes Sir? COLONEL MOORE Take these men to the medical tent to get patched up. CORPSEMAN Yes Sir. SARGE Hey Corpsman, I want to keep the bullet you fish out of me. Got it?
(CONTINUED)
97. CONTINUED: (2)
The Corpsman looks at him like he is nuts. COLONEL MOORE Lieutenant! JACOBS Yes Sir. COLONEL MOORE After their stop at medical see that Captain CAYLE and his men get what they want. JACOBS Yes Sir! The men walk out and Friday follows them. watches them in amazement.
Colonel Moore
COLONEL MOORE Damn. CUT TO: EXT – AMERICAN BASE - NIGHT The men stand next to the tent talking and CAYLE pulls Friday aside. CAYLE Friday, thank you. I don’t think we would’ve got out without you. Lieutenant Thomas would have been proud. CAYLE takes his medallion off and gives it to him. CAYLE (CONT’D) For luck. FRIDAY Luck! Voodoo! You people are a superstitious lot. Amazing that you run the world. Friday takes the medallion and puts it on his head and heads over to a tent that has “KEN-Coast Watcher HQ” over the door. FRIDAY (CONT’D) Captain, tell Unggoy, if you see him before me...that I miss him. Friday walks into the tent and disappears.
(CONTINUED)
98. CONTINUED:
JACOBS OK Captain, let’s get the men ready. All around men prepare for the coming battle. CAYLE and the men head over to the medical tent. CAYLE and Sarge are in the back. SARGE Don’t worry Captain; I’ve got your six. CAYLE No Sergeant Major...Sarge, I’ve got yours. They smile and walk towards the tent. EXT. GUALDALCANAL – DAY (PRESENT) Remnants of the war that are still present on the island such as rusted tanks, artillery pieces, bunkers, etc. are SUPERIMPOSED over each other. In front of this reads: Battle of Guadalcanal: August 7, 1942 – February 9, 1943 American Losses: Killed Wounded Navy Ships sunk Japanese Losses: Killed Killed by Disease Taken as Prisoners Navy Ships Sunk Aircraft Destroyed There were three major attempts by the Japanese to re-take Henderson Field/Lunga Point Airfield.
(CONTINUED)
99. CONTINUED:
Each attempt failed. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. HORIZON & PACIFIC OCEAN – DAY (PRESENT) The expansive ocean and sky come in view. The following appears: The Tuskegee Airmen Black pilots made up the 332nd Fighter group. They flew 15,553 sorties and 1,578 combat missions earning them 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses. They were the only Fighter Group never to loose a bomber to enemy fighters either en route or during extraction from a bombing run in all of Europe. FADE OUT. - 121 -