APOCALYPSE NOW

Screenplay by Produced by Directed by

Francis Ford Coppola Francis Ford Coppola Francis Ford Coppola Michael Herr John Milius

Cast List:
Marlon Brando o!ert "u#all Martin Sheen Frederic Forrest Al!ert Hall Sa$ Botto$s Laurence Fish!urne "ennis Hopper Harrison Ford Colonel Kurtz Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore Captain Willard Chef Chief Lance Clean Photojournalist Colonel

P %ME&AL SWAMP ' EA LY "AWN It is very early in the dawn blue light filters through the jungle and across a foul swamp. A mist clings to the trees. This could be the jungle of a million years ago. Our VIEW !VES CL!SE", through the mist, #IL#I$% D!W$ to the tepid water. A small bubble rises to the surface; then another. uddenly, but !uietly, a form begins to emerge; a helmet. "ater and mud pour off revealing a set of beady eyes just above the mud. #rinted on a helmet, in a psychedelic hand, are the words$ %&oo' (iller.% The head emerges revealing that the tough)loo'ing soldier beneath has e*ceptionally long hair and beard; he has no shirt on, only bandoliers of ammunition his body is painted in an odd camouflage pattern. +e loo's to the right; he loo's to the left; he loo's I$#! C& E"&, and slowly sin's bac' into the swamp, disappearing completely. Our VIEW '!LDS, "e begin to 'E&" natural, though unrecogni,able ()$%LE S!)$DS, far off in the distance. "e P&$ #! "EVE&L a clump of logs half submerged in the swamp; and part of what seems to be a -alstaff beer can in the mud. A hand reaches out, and the beer can disappears. As we #IL# )P, we $!#ICE that the log is hollow and houses the rear of a .)/0 machine gun, hand painted in a paisley design.

1ow the VIEW !VES &W&*+ &C"!SS the ancient growth, P&S# the glimmer of what seems to be another soldier hiding in ambush, wearing an e*otic hat made from birds and bushes. &C"!SS to a dar' trail where the legs of those in blac' pajamas move silently across our ever #I%'#E$I$% VIEW. Their feet, boots and sandals leave no impression; ma'e no sound. A slight flic'er of light reveals a pair of eyes in the foliage across the path, waiting and watching. The VIEW P)S'ES &L!$% WI#' the 2ietnamese, !VI$% ,&S#E" &$D ,&S#E" WI#' them, until suddenly, directly in front about ten feet away, an enormous & E"IC&$ clad in rags and bushes and holding a 34 gauge automatic shotgun casually at his side, steps in front of them. +e smiles laconically, and 56A T O7T ,IVE S'!#S that rip #'"!)%' )S. 5y the second shot, the whole jungle bla,es out with &)#! &#IC ,I"E. Out VIEW #)"$S as the men around us are thrown and torn, screaming and scattering into the jungle. .ore & E"IC&$S appear; une*plainably, out of the growth. It is now that we fully SEE the bi,arre manner in which they are dressed. ome wear helmets, others wear strange hats made from feathers and parts of animals. ome of them have long savage)loo'ing hair; other crew)cut or completely shaved; they wear bandoliers, fla' jac'ets, shorts and little else. They wear .ontagnard sandals or no shoes at all, and their bodies and faces are painted in bi,arre camouflage patterns. They appear one with the jungle and mist, ,I"I$% I$#! )S as they move. The soldier we saw earlier emerges from the swamp, dripping mud, his -L&S#I$% ,I"E. &C'I$E %)$

"e begin to move !uic'ly with one 2ietnamese, breathlessly running for his life; we !VE I$#! the jungle with him, only to be impaled on a large spear of a smiling & E"IC&$ painted and wearing feathers li'e an Indian. !)" VIEW ,&LLS WI#' him to the ground, S#&"I$% )PW&"DS, as ,L& E and E.PL!DI$% )D scatter above us. .en scream and die around us. The screams amid the %)$,I"E and E.PL!SI!$S are piercing and terrible, as though the jungle itself is frightened. An & E"IC&$ wearing a jungle hat with a large #eace ign on it, wearing war paint, bends TO"A89 7 , reaching down #!W&"D )S with a large 'nife, preparing to scalp the dead. !)" VIEW !VES &W&*, along with the running sandals of a 2ietnamese soldier, !VI$% ,&S#E" &$D ,&S#E", only to be stopped by still another of the savage)loo'ing & E"IC&$S with primitive ornamentation, wearing only a loin)cloth and green beret. +e opens his flame) thrower directly !$ )S and the 12A soldier and we are incinerated in flame, bright psychedelic orange)red flame. Outrageous, loud, electric 8O:( .7 I: !VE"W'EL S the S!)$D#"&CK $ MA%N (%(LE: )APOCALYPSE NOW) (%(LE SE*+ENCE The C"EDI# #I#LES proceed as the ,L&$E C!$S) E )S, growing more intense, brighter, more vivid, purifying; transforming into an intense white heat that we can barely loo' at, li'e the sun itself. Then it E.PL!DES, brea'ing apart, and shattering once again. It begins to cool, as the #I#LES C!$#I$)E. It is as though WE &"E !VI$% through the white center of cooling flame, forming a spinning web, and becoming more distant. The #I#LES C!$#I$)E. "e are !VI$% #!W&"D planetary nebulae; !VI$% through the stars; the ;arth. "e can -&"EL* 'E&" the )SIC now. !VI$% closer to

"e !VE CL!SE" to the earth; beautiful, covered in clouds, as though SEE$ from a satellite. The #I#LES C!$#I$)E.

"e are !VI$% CL!SE" to the earth; through the soft clouds, close enough that we can &KE !)# the "estern +emisphere; CL!SE" to 1orth America; CL!SE", to America, then :alifornia; 6os Angeles, S#ILL CL!SE" to the odd, finger)li'e shapes of $ E,(- MA %NA "EL EY The VIEW finally SE##LES O1 a partically lu*ury cabin cruiser harbored at a particular doc' late in the day. It is large, pleasure boat$ The people are rela*ing in bathing suits and towels and robes. They are drin'ing coc'tails, and snapping pictures. The boat belongs to the head of a large American :orporation, and this is his party. This man, C'&"LIE, is sitting, his shirt off to catch some of the late sun. Others have their faces smeared with white suntan oil that reminds us of war paint. :harlie is going on and on $ CHA L%E --- %t.s cra/0 ' su1ar is up to 233 dollars a ton ' su1ar4 LAWYE What a!out oil5 CHA L%E Food6 oil ' loo76 let $e sho8 0ou so$ethin1- (his is the econo$0 o9 the +nited States in t8o 0ears ' +e ta'es a newspaper, draws a circle. CHA L%E <continuing= (his is West :er$an0<he draws another, bigger circle= (his is Japan<another , bigger= (his is %tal0<a dot= (his is %ran<a very big circle= And this is Saudi Ara!ia--- %n t8o 0ears5 <a gigantic circle= "o 0ou understand5 ACCO+N(AN( What.s to pre#ent it5 CHA L%E Ma0!e nothin1- But %.ll tell 0ou6 % didn.t !uild a t8o;!illion; dollar co$pan0 in the last t8ent0 0ears !0 doin1 nothin1We can protect our interests<pause, for a drin'= We are still the $ost po8er9ul nation in the 8orldMilitaril0+e leans to his associates, in a half)whisper. CHA L%E <continuing= You 7no8 !od01uard< he 8as a captain in &iet Na$- You tal7 to hi$6 e=cept he 8on.t tal7- (his 7ind o9 $an can 7ill 0ou 8ith his pin70- A nice >uiet 9ella6 thou1h-

The VIEW -E%I$S #! P)LL &W&* from this group. CHA L%E <continuing= Carries a attach? case at all ti$es- You 7no8 8hat.s in it5 <another sip= An %n1ra$ Machine pistol&radually, :harlie>s voice softens as we !VE &W&*, and a $EW V!ICE, the voice of someone thin'ing, C! ES I$ !VE" it $ CHA L%E W%LLA " @&-O-A % don.t ta7e chances6 and Bullshit- You can 7ill neither should this countr0- With the rid1e o9 0our i9 8e.re stron16 8e should hand to the throat< 0ou protect our interests6 and can crush a s7ull 8ith 8e should ha#e the respect 0our 7nee--- !ut 0ou o9 the 8orld6 e#en i9 it can.t 7ill an0!od0 8ith ta7es another 8ar6 0our pin70The VIEW !VE &L!$% the guests of this small party$ #ictures being ta'en, some people are swimming. It is the good life. 1ow WILL&"D/S V!ICE #"&CK D! I$&#ES. W%LLA " @&-O-A (he attach? case has !een e$pt0 9or three 0ears6 !ut it $a7es hi$ sa9e to thin7 there.s a $achine pistol in it- % don.t li7e auto$atic 8eapons- (he0 Ba$- % sa8 a 9riend o9 $ine 1et ripped open !ecause he 9lic7ed his M;CD to auto$atic6 and it Ba$$ed- Ho8 $uch $one0 did the contractors $a7e on the M;CD5 Our VIEW IS !VI$% through the people on the boat; some reading, flirting, drin'ing. W%LLA " @&-O-A <continuing= He li7es to hear stories a!out Na$- % tell hi$ % can.t< the0.re not cleared- (he truth is he 8ouldn.t understand"e can now SEE a &$ with his -&CK #! )S, loo'ing the opposite way. An attach? case resting near to him. "e !VE CL!SE". W%LLA " @&-O-A <continuing= (here.s no 8a0 % can tell the$--- 8hat reall0 happened o#er there- % 8ouldn.t.#e !elie#ed it i9 so$eone.d told $e"e are now "ES#I$% on his bac'. Occasionally, he sips from a beer, but we cannot see his face. W%LLA " @&-O-A <continuing= (here 8as onl0 one part that $attered ' 9or $e6 an08a0- % don.t e#en 7no8 i9 % re$e$!er all o9 it- % can.t re$e$!er ho8 it ended6 e=actl0 ' !ecause 8hen it ended % 8as insane"%SSOL&E (O: E,(- A S( EE( %N SA%:ON ' "AY A aigon boom street in late 3@/A. There are bars and shops for servicemen; the ric'shaws, the motorbi'es. Our VIEW !VES #!W&"D one particular officer; -0L0 WILL&"D, in uniform, a

:aptain of the Airborne, followed by four or five 2ietnamese 'ids trying to shine his shoes and sell him things. W%LLA " @&-O-A But % 7no8 ho8 it started 9or $e ' % 8as on - and - in Sai1on< $0 9irst ti$e south o9 the "ME in three $onths- % 8asn.t sure6 !ut % thou1ht this 1u0 8as 9ollo8in1 $e"illard loo's bac'. H%S &%EW An American CIVILI&$. ME"%+M &%EW "illard duc's into a bar. %N(- (HE SA%:ON BA ' "AY 1ot much in this place a bar, linoleum flooring, a few tables and chairs, and a ju'e bo*. The lounge is fairly crowded. "illard ta'es off his cap and wal's !uietly past the soldiers at the bar. ome of them, catching sight of his ribbons, stop tal'ing as he moves by. An I$,&$#"* C&P#&I$ enters the bar, buys a couple of drin's and approaches "illard>s table. CAP(A%N Ho8 a!out a drin75 W%LLA " Sure6 than7s+e sits down at the table with the drin's. CAP(A%N Winnin1 the 8ar !0 0oursel9W%LLA " <he calls for the waiter= PartCAP(A%N Which part is that5 W%LLA " M0 part<to the waiter= Beer6 8ith ice and 8aterCAP(A%N (hat.s 1ood 1inW%LLA " %.$ sure it is6 !ut % had hepatitisCAP(A%N "elta5

W%LLA " NoCAP(A%N North5 W%LLA " Yeah- Wa0 northCAP(A%N What unit 8ere 0ou 8ith5 W%LLA " NoneCAP(A%N an1ers6 eh5 W%LLA " Sort o9The ()KE -!. starts -L&"I$%. Annoyed , "illard loo's over his shoulder. CAP(A%N Were 0ou Lon1e an1e econ ' W%LLA " No ' % 8or7ed too 9ar north 9or L P-

+e reaches into his shirt poc'et for a cigarette, and the :aptain leans over the table to light it for him. "illard notices the CIVILI&$ on the street has glanced in the bar, then enters and sits down at a table by the doorway. CAP(A%N (hat.s >uite an arra0 o9 ri!!ons--W%LLA " Let.s tal7 a!out 0ouCAP(A%N % 8as an FO 9or the 2FthW%LLA " (rac7s5 CAP(A%N YeahW%LLA " Fat- (hat.s real 9atCAP(A%N So$eti$esW%LLA " At least 0ou al8a0s ha#e enou1h 8ater- Ho8 $an0 1allons does each one o9 those da$n thin1s carr05 CAP(A%N (hirt0 ' so$eti$es 9i9t0-

W%LLA " You 7no86 % can re$e$!er once6 1ettin1 !ac7 !elo8 the "ME ' and the 9irst A$ericans 8e ran into 8ere a trac7 s>uadron- % Bust couldn.t !elie#e ho8 $uch 8ater the0 hadWe.d !een che8in1 !a$!oo shoots 9or al$ost a 8ee76 and !e9ore that6 9or t8o 8ee7s6 8e.d !een drin7in1 an0thin1 ' rain 8ater6 ri#er shit6 stu99 ri1ht out o9 the paddies- And there 8ere these 1u0s standin1 !0 their truc7s spillin1 8ater all o#er- % could.#e 7illed the$<solemnly= % s8ear to :od % 8ould ha#e6 too6 i9--CAP(A%N % didn.t 7no8 8e had units up there in North &ietna$W%LLA " We doCAP(A%N Ho8 lon1 8ere 0ou up there5 W%LLA " A lon1 ti$eCAP(A%N A 0ear5 Waiter another !eerW%LLA " % 1o up on $issions- Listen Captain6 !u0 $e all the !eer 0ou 8ant6 !ut 0ou !etter tell that asshole o#er there 0ou.re not 1oin1 to 9ind out an0$ore a!out $e"illard glances over his shoulder and indicates the :ivilian. The :ivilian is given a sign by the :aptain. +e rises and comes over to the bar. W%LLA " <continuing= What do 0ou 8ant5 C%&%L%AN <indicating the Army jeep= %9 0ou.re B-L- Willard6 Gth econ :roup6 8e.d li7e 0ou to co$e 8ith usW%LLA " Whose orders5 CAP(A%N Head>uarters CC Corps ' G3Fth A-S-A Battalion ' S;2 ' Co$;Sec ' %ntelli1ence ' Nha (ran1W%LLA " Who are 0ou5 C%&%L%AN (he a1enc0"illard loo's at the :ivilian a moment, and then wal's right out toward the jeep without saying another word. The :ivilian follows.

E,(- HEL%COP(E ' "+SH A dar'ly painted %')E*% "!&"S over low paddies and jungle before emerging onto an open plain. It crosses a barbed wire and sand)bagged perimeter and lands in a heavily fortified, concealed compound. W%LLA " @&-O-A (he0 too7 $e to so$e place outside Nha (ran1--%ntelli1ence Head>uarters 9or all operations in South East Asia- %.d 8or7ed 9or %ntelli1ence !e9ore ' Armed men jump from the +uey among them "illard. A large camouflaged cover is moved, revealing an underground corridor they enter. F+LL SHO( ' +N"E : O+N" PLO((%N: OOM A door swings wide "illard steps through and comes to attention, bloc'ing the view of the room. A strange reddish light pervades. The room is covered with plastic maps and filled with smo'e. The whole place has been hewn out of the ground itself and there is a sense of the cut)bac' jungle growth slowly reclaiming it. W%LLA " Captain B-L- Willard6 :;G Head>uarters6 reportin1 as ordered6 sirCOLONEL @O-S-A O7a06 Willard6 sit do8n"illard sits in a chair that is set in a center of a bare concrete floor. Across from him, around steel des's and tables sit several men. The nearest one, a C!L!$EL puts his cigar out on the bottom of his shoe behind him sits a &(!" and a seedy)loo'ing CIVILI&$. COLONEL Ha#e 0ou e#er seen this o99icer !e9ore6 Captain Willard5 +e points to the .ajor. W%LLA " No6 sirCOLONEL (his 1entle$an or $0sel95 W%LLA " No6 sirCOLONEL % !elie#e on 0our last Bo! 0ou e=ecuted a ta= collector in Hontu$6 is that ri1ht5 W%LLA " % a$ not presentl0 disposed to discuss that6 sirMAJO &er0 1ood+e turns to the :olonel and nods his approval. The :olonel gets up and goes to a large plastic map.

COLONEL You 7no8 $uch a!out Special Forces< :reen Berets6 Captain5 W%LLA " %.#e 8or7ed 8ith the$ on occasions and % sa8 the $o#ie 6 sirThe officer smiles at this. COLONEL (hen 0ou can appreciate Co$$and.s concern o#er their ' shall 8e sa0 .erratic. $ethods o9 operation<pause= % ha#e ne#er 9a#ored elite units6 Captain6 includin1 0our paratroopers or 8hate#er- Just !ecause a $an Bu$ps out o9 an airplane or 8ears a sill0 hat doesn.t 1i#e hi$ an0 pri#ile1es in $0 !oo7 ' not in this $an.s ar$0MAJO We didn.t need .e$ in Horea ' no sir6 1i#e $e an Ohio 9ar$ !o0 and an M;C :arand6 none o9 this 9anc0 crap ' no sirC%&%L%AN <stopping him= MaBorCOLONEL We ha#e Special Forces A detach$ents all alon1 the Ca$!odian !order- (8o here and another one here ' t8el#e or 9ourteen A$ericans ' prett0 $uch on their o8n< the0 train and $oti#ate Monta1nard nati#es< pic7 their o8n operations- %9 the0 need so$ethin16 the0 call 9or it6 and 1et it 8ithin reason- What 8e.re concerned 8ith is hereCLOSE &%EW ' ON (HE MAP COLONEL (he A detach$ent at Nu Mun1 Ba- %t 8as ori1inall0 a lar1er !ase6 !uilt up alon1 the ri#er in an old Ca$!odian 9ortress- (he area has !een relati#el0 >uiet 9or the past t8o 0ears ' !ut ' ME"%+M &%EW COLONEL --- Captain6 8e 7no8 so$ethin1.s 1oin1 on up there ' MaBor ' The .ajor loo's at some papers in front of him. MAJO Co$$unications naturall0 d8indled 8ith the lac7 o9 &-Cacti#it06 this is routine6 e=pected--- !ut si= $onths a1o co$$unication #irtuall0 stoppedCOLONEL

A!out the sa$e ti$e ' lar1e nu$!ers o9 Monta1nards o9 the M.Non1 descent !e1an lea#in1 the area ' this in itsel9 is not unusual since these people ha#e 9ou1ht 8ith the hade (ri!e that li#ed in the area 9or centuries- But 8hat is unusual is that 8e !e1an to 9ind hade re9u1ees too ' in the sa$e sa$pans as the M.Non1s- (hese people aren.t a9raid o9 &-C- (he0.#e put up 8ith 8ar 9or t8ent0 0ears ' !ut so$ethin1 is dri#in1 the$ outMAJO We co$$unicate 8ith the !ase in9re>uentl0- What the0 call 9or are air stri7es6 i$$ediate ' al8a0s at ni1ht- And 8e don.t 7no8 8hat or 8ho the air stri7es are called onW%LLA " Who5 MAJO You see6 no one has reall0 1one into this area and co$e !ac7 ali#eW%LLA " Wh0 $e5 MAJO Walter Hurt/6 Lieutenant Colonel6 Special Forces- We understand 0ou 7ne8 hi$+e puts (urt,> dossier in "illard>s hand. W%LLA " YeahCOLONEL He.s co$$andin1 the detach$ent at Nu Mun1 BaThe :olonel gets up and wal's over to a tape recorder, flic's it on. The recording is first S#&#IC the &I" C!$#"!LLE" then as's for more information on target coordinates it all sounds very routine, military. Then a frantic V!ICE comes on, tal'ing slurred, li'e someone dumb, e*cept very fast. &O%CE <on tape= +p 2 ' 3 ' 1i#e it to $e >uic7 ' Mar7 9lare ' a99ir$ati#e da$n ' %$$ediate recei#e ' hearin1 auto$atic 8eapons 9ire $an--%)$,I"E is 'E&"D and a lower, slower V!ICE in bac'ground. SECON" &O%CE Blue "elta 9i#e (his Bi1 hine ' three Need that ordinance i$$ediatel0 :odda$n 1i#e it to $e i$$ediate Christ ' Bi1 hino ' Blue :od ' "elta da$n ' 1odda$nA heavy -)"S# of &)#! &#IC WE&P!$S ,I"E I$S&$E L&)%'#E" S#&#IC, and faintly, very faintly we 'E&" '&"D "!CK )SIC more S#&#IC suddenly a low, clear V!ICE peaceful and serene, almost tasting the words. (H% " &O%CE (his is Bi1 hino si= ' Blue "elta-

MAJO (hat.s Colonel Hurt/H+ (E @&-O-A % 8ant that napal$ dropped in the trees ' spread it a$on1 the !ranches- We.ll 1i#e 0ou a 9lare ' an oran1e one ' !ri1ht oran1e<static= We.d also li7e so$e 8hite phosporous6 Blue "elta- White phosporous6 1i#e it to $eS#&#IC interrupts the .ajor turns the machine off. W%LLA " % onl0 $et Hurt/ onceC%&%L%AN Would he re$e$!er 0ou5 W%LLA " Ma0!eCOLONEL What 8as 0our i$pression o9 hi$5 "illard shrugs. C%&%L%AN You didn.t li7e hi$W%LLA " An0one 1ot a ci1aretteThe .ajor offers him one; they wait as he lights up, thin's. W%LLA " <continuing= % thou1ht he 8as a la$eCOLONEL A la$e5 W%LLA " (his is 0ears a1o6 !e9ore he Boined Special Forces6 % 1uessWe had an ar1u$entCOLONEL A!out 8hat5 W%LLA " % don.t 7no8- He 8as a la$e6 that.s allCOLONEL But 8h05 W%LLA " He couldn.t 1et throu1h a sentence 8ithout all these !i1 8ords< a!out 8h0 8e 7illCOLONEL Well6 he.s 7illin1 no8-

W%LLA " Ma0!eC%&%L%AN What does that $ean5 W%LLA " Ma0!e it.s not Hurt/- % don.t !elie#e he.s capa!le o9 that- % Bust don.t !elie#e itCOLONEL %t.s 1ot to !e Hurt/C%&%L%AN (he point is that Hurt/ or so$e!od0 attac7ed a South &ietna$ese an1er Platoon three da0s a1o- Last 8ee7 a econ helicopter 8as lost in the area ' another too7 hea#0 da$a1e ' direct 9ire 9ro$ their !ase ca$pW%LLA " Our econ 9li1ht5 C%&%L%AN OursW%LLA " (ouch0C%&%L%AN You can see6 o9 course6 the i$plications6 i9 an0 o9 this ' e#en ru$ors lea7ed outW%LLA " You 8ant $e to clean it up ' si$ple and >uietC%&%L%AN E=actl0 ' 0ou.ll 1o up the Nun1 i#er in a Na#0 P-B- - ' appear at Nu Mun1 Ba as i9 !0 accident6 re;esta!lish 0our ac>uintance 8ith Colonel Hurt/6 9ind out 8hat.s happened ' and 8h0- (hen ter$inate his co$$andW%LLA " (er$inate5 C%&%L%AN (er$inate 8ith e=tre$e preBudiceF+LL &%EW ' ON (HE "EL(A A waterway leading out to the ocean it is bro'en and divided into hundreds of channels, islands, water farms. A 1avy patrol boat <#.5.8.= is waiting by a doc' area. This is small, light craft, very fast, and heavily armed. Its men stand at attention in a small and simple military ceremony. "illard approaches them in battle)dress$ Tiger suit, full field pac', forty)five, helmet, .)3/. The boat commander salutes "illard. ME"%+M &%EW

"e hear the introductions faintly, )$DE" "illard>s V!ICE. W%LLA " @&-O-A % $et the P-B- - cre8< the0 8ere prett0 $uch all 7ids6 e=cept 9or Phillips6 the Chie9 ' :unner.s Mate (hird Class L- Johnson ' Lance Johnson< :unner.s Mate (hird Class JHic7s ' (he Che9 ' adio Operator Second Class (- Miller< the0 called hi$ Mr- CleanW%LLA " Chie96 tr0 to 7eep out o9 8here 8e.re 1oin1 ' Wh0 8e.re 1oin. and 8hat.s 1onna !e the !i1 surpriseCH%EF All ri1ht 8ith $e6 % used to dri#e a ta=iW%LLA " Let.s 1oThe :hief nods. They all brea' formation and jump aboard and otherwise go about their wor'. The twin diesels 'ic' up and t he boat moves away from the doc'. The :hef jumps aboard; 6ance mans the forward twin fifty)caliber machine guns they wave to the guards on the doc' and move away into the comple*ity that leads to the ocean. "%SSOL&E (O: F+LL &%EW ' S(O MY SEA The boat slams through the heavy sea ; hurtling off the top of a wave and crashing full into the trough of another. ME"%+M SHO( ' BOA( COCHP%( ' W%LLA " AN" CH%EF "illard holds on to whatever he can he loo's very pale. "ater crashes over the bow and drenches everyone. The :hief mans the wheel and the E$%I$ES W'I$E. 6ance climbs bac' from his position. +e loo's at "illard, who just stares ahead into space, swallowing. "%SSOL&E (O: LON: SHO( ' BOA( ' "+SH The dus' is spectacular through the bro'en storm clouds the sea is calm again. "%SSOL&E (O: &%EW ON (HE BOA( ' P OCEE"%N: +P (HE COAS( The :hief is at the helm "illard approaches him. CH%EF (he "elta closes o99 to us a!out ten $iles out o9 Hau FatWe.ll !e a!le to pic7 up so$e supplies ' !it % thin7 there are onl0 t8o points 8e can dra8 enou1h 8ater to 1et into the Nun1 i#er- %t.s all Charlie.s tur9 9ro$ there on out-

W%LLA " We.re 1onna ha#e so$e help to 1et in the ri#er- You 7no8 these 8aters6 Chie95 CH%EF .Bout si= $onths a1o % too7 a $an up to Lo Mun1 Brid1eHe 8as re1ular Ar$0 too- Shot hi$sel9 in the head- % !rou1ht his !od0 !ac7 do8nW%LLA " Shot hi$sel9- What 9or5 CH%EF Beats $e ' the sun 8as too $uch 9or hi$6 or the $ud- Who 7no8s5 #ause, loo'ing at "illard. CLOSE SHO( ' ON W%LLA " uddenly, his attention is diverted there is a slow buffeting, as if the air around them is being suc'ed out and replaced !uic'ly. The boat sha'es slightly. There is a distant "!LLI$% $!ISE li'e interrupted thunder. All the men have stopped whatever they>re doing stand up and loo' out toward the shore and the green jungle hills beyond. The buffeting and $!ISE C!$#I$)ES they all stand silently suddenly it stops. W%LLA " Arch li1htCHEF % hate that ' E#er0 ti$e % hear that noise so$ethin1 terri!le happensCH%EF An0!od0 see so$e s$o7e5 CLEAN (oo 9ar inlandLANCE (here the0 are+e points up to the s'y. F+LL SHO( ' ON (HE SHY "ay up past any clouds and barely discernible, we SEE the blac' silhouettes of four 5)B4 bombers, their vapor trails streaming white against the dar' blue s'y. CLEAN Charlie don.t e#er hear .e$- Not till it.s too late ' don.t ha#e to hit 0ou neither6 concussion.ll do it 9or a >uarter $ile or !etter- Burst 0our ears ' suc7 the air outta 0our lun1sF+LL SHO( ' BOA( ' C EW

They are loo'ing up. "illard sits down, unconcerned. +e ta'es out the dossier given him by :om ec. +e flips through the letters and other documents. W%LLA " @&-O-A (he dossier on A detach$ent had letters 9ro$ Hurt/. 8i9e and the 8i#es and 9a$ilies o9 his $en- All as7in1 8here to send 9uture $ail6 understandin1 the necessar0 silence due to the nature o9 their 8or7 ' None o9 the $en had 8ritten ho$e in hal9 a 0earOccasionally, in the b.g., we ,EEL the terrifying buffeting of the distant -123 -! -I$%. CLOSE ' ON W%LLA " tudying, e*amining a report. MON(A:E ' P%C(+ ES OF H+ (E (urt,> face evolves through the various stages of his career as represented in the pictures in the dossier, as "illard reads$ W%LLA " @&-O-A Lieutenant Hurt/ has sho8n a dedicated and 8ell; disciplined spirit- He is a 9ine o99icer6 co$!inin1 $ilitar0 e99icienc0 ' 8ith a !road !ac71round in the Hu$anities6 the Arts and Sciences--Another picture of (urt, in &ermany, standing ne*t to the 3/3st #etroleum upply &roup sign. W%LLA " @&-O-A <continuing= --- He #ie8s his $ilitar0 career as the dedication o9 his talents to !rin1in1 our #alues and 8a0 o9 li9e to those dar7er6 less 9ortunate areas in the 8orldA S'!# of (urt, at jump school. W%LLA " @&-O-A <continuing= --- % 9eel Captain Hurt/. re>uest 9or Special Forces trainin1 is hi1hl0 unusual in re1ard to his past hu$anitarian concerns6 and his so$e8hat li!eral politics6 thou1h % can see no reason to den0 itA CL!SE S'!# of (urt, with &reen 5eret on in the 2ietnam jungle. +is face is blan' and vacant. W%LLA " @&-O-A <continuing= --- We 9eel MaBor Hurt/. need to !rin1 a sense o9 Western culture to the !ac78ard peoples o9 these areas 8ill !e o9 use in accordance 8ith our .&ietna$i/ation. pro1ra$s--MO&E %N (O (urt,> empty eyes until the photograph is just a -L)""ED &SS !, D!#S. "%SSOL&E (O: E,(- HA+ FA( ' AN A"&ANCE S(A:%N: A EA

W%LLA " @&-O-A One da0 later 8e ca$e to an ad#anced sta1in1 area alon1 the coast- (his 8as our last chance to pic7 up supplies !e9ore approachin1 the $outh o9 the Nun1 i#erThe VIEW !, #'E C!&S#LI$E leading up along the long loading doc's at +au -at, an advance staging area for operations %5rute -orce% and %.ailed -ist.% ;verywhere are tents oil drums sandbagged bun'ers helicopters tan's guns men. 1obody builds advanced staging areas li'e the Americans. As the #.5.8. approaches the doc'ing area, 6ance notices something. LANCE He0They loo' as a :hris)craft speeds by pulling a fancy water)s'ier who waves as he slaloms by. The men just loo' at one another. &%EW ON (HE "OCH The #.5.8. pulls in the men scan the busy surroundings. CH%EF Lance ' % 8ant 0ou to 1o 8ith the Captain an. 1et three e=tra dru$s o9 9uel and $a0!e scroun1e so$e $ore F3 cali!erLANCE Yeah ' loo7 at those uni9or$sF+LL SHO( ' PA A"E : O+N"S ' ( OOPS A platoon drills in the hot, la,y sun; they are clean and pale, in contrast to 6ance and the others, just off the airplane. CH%EF Poor !astards6 ha#e a lon1 0ear to 1oThe troops turn and march #!W&"D )S with si* wee's of Advanced Infantry Training to bac' them up. F+LL SHO( ' "OCH ' P-B- - ' C EW They are tying up at the doc' a young SE"%E&$# is filling cut papers concerning them and tal'ing with "illard. SE :EAN( % don.t 7no8 an0thin1 a!out these papers6 sirW%LLA " (he0.re in order ' it.s per9ectl0 clean ' Bust chec7 8ith Co$Sec;%ntel li7e % saidSE :EAN(

Well6 0ou 7no8 % don.t ha#e the priorit0 to do that6 sir- %t sa0s here not to contact Co$;Sec;%nt- Who.s 0our co$$andin1 o99icer5 W%LLA " i1ht no8 ' % a$SE :EAN( Well 8ho the hell #eri9ies that5 W%LLA " % do+e signs it !uic'ly, leaving the ergeant totally confused. CH%EF No shit ' 8hat.s all the acti#it0 9or around here5 SE :EAN( (he sho8 ' W%LLA " What sho85 SE :EAN( Bi1 sho8 in the parade 1rounds this noon ' so$e !oss stu99 ' W%LLA " (his ' Bo! Hope or the li7e ' SE :EAN( No sir6 % thin7 ' this.ll !e a little !it di99erent ' CH%EF Where.s it 1onna !e5 +e points F+LL SHO( ' PA A"E : O+N"S ' PE"ES(AL A large, well)built pedestal has been erected this is surrounded by a deep moat filled with punji sta'es and garnished with concertina wire. It is empty "%SSOL&E (O: F+LL SHO( ' PA A"E : O+N"S ' ( OOPS The entire area around the pedestal and right up to the wire is mobbed with seething American fighting men. ome of these boys have just gotten here others have been in the jungle for months. All have one thing in common, to see and if possible grab an American girl. Their need far surpasses that of the run)of)the)mill rapist, pervert, or child)molester. To counter their need of course are the moat, punji sta'es and barbed wire but implementing this are seven %riot control positions% e!uipped with the latest in teargas launchers, attac')trained &erman shepherds and assorted psychological warfare aides. ;ven so armed, the great mass of wild men are right up to the wire. FO WA " A EA

Cammed in the crowd CHEF %t.s reall0 too $uch ' % $ean %.#e collected e#er0 picture o9 her since she 8as Miss "ece$!erCLEAN Yeah ' 0ou can reall0 1et hun1 up on the$ li7e the cat in the "eltaCH%EF What cat5 CLEAN One that 8ent up 9or $urder ' he 8as an Ar$0 Ser1eantCH%EF % ne#er heard a!out thatCLEAN Yeah ' he reall0 du1 his Pla0!o0 $a16 $an ' % $ean li7e he 8as there 8hen it arri#ed ' He Bust 7ne8CHEF So 8hat happened5 CLEAN He 8as 8or7in1 A- -&-N- patrols and had one a the$ little coc70 1oo7 asshole Lieutenants ' an0ho86 the Lieutenant too7 his ne8 Pla0!o0 one da06 sat on the end o9 the doc76 and 8ouldn.t 1i#e it !ac7CHEF Yeah ' t0pical A- -&-NCLEAN (hen 8ent too 9ar ' he sat there and starts $utilatin1 the center9old- Po7in1 pins in her an. all that- Ser1eant sa0s6 don.t do her li7e that- You lea#e 0our shitt0 little hands o99 that 1irl- :oo7 Lieutenant sa0s Fuc7 0ou in &ietna$ese ' Ser1eant sa0s6 don.t do that a1ain- You.ll 8ish 0ou hadn.t(hen he stood up6 9lic7ed his iron to roc7 and roll and 1a#e the little /ero a lon1 !urst throu1h the Pla0!o0 $a1- Man6 it !le8 hi$ clean o99 the doc7 ' Hell6 Bust the $a1a/ine 8as 9loatin. there all 9ull o9 holesCH%EF (he0 nail hi$ 9or it !ad5 CLEAN He.s in the L-B-J- ' didn.t 1i#e hi$ no $edals or nothin1 ' In the bac'ground, we begin to 'E&" a SWELL of #W! #'!)S&$D &LE V!ICES; the E$%I$ES of four helicopters approaching. All heads turn s'ywards while one descends onto the pedestal 'ic'ing up a lot of dust and general resentment. On the nose and doors of the blac' +uey are painted large #layboy rabbits. -inally the blades are trimmed and a strange silence descends over the men. The door of the copter slides partially open two young &reen 5erets step out with .)3/>s to varied catcalls. "hen this abates a young, e*tremely well)dressed man emerges. +e is the epitome of a +ollywood &%E$#. +air is combed impeccably and free of dandruff clothes

are formal but hip shoes are shined Duite some dude his presence causes some stirring but seems to strangely !uiet the man. +e wal's over to the microphone. A:EN( %.d li7e to sa0 hello 9ro$ all o9 us up here6 to all o9 0ou out there- All o9 0ou 8ho.#e 8or7ed so hard durin1 Operation Brute Force ' Paratroopers ' %n9antr0 ' Air$en ' Medics ' Marines ' and Sailors- And % 8ant 0ou to 7no8 that 8e 9eel proud o9 0ou and 7no8 ho8 hard 0our Bo! is- (o pro#e it ' 8e.#e !rou1ht so$e entertain$ent 8e thin7 0ou.re 1onna li7e: (he Pla0$ate o9 the Year and her t8o runners up4 +e pulls open the door and three unbelievably beautiful se* playmates in fringed go)go outfits leap out and start dancing to the :reedence :learwater 8evival singing % u,y D.% MON(A:E ON (HE :% LS AN" MEN &A %O+S SHO(S as the girls dance in an incredibly erotic manner smiling. The faces of the &.I.>s pass their jaws drop some loo' almost horrified. :hef is hypnoti,ed .r. :lean cries. :hief mouths unspo'en obscenities with sentimental tenderness. Others grab the air in front of them. "ith each movement their need increases by the s!uare. F+LL SHO( ' PE"ES(AL ' :% LS ' MEN They crush forward starting to scream men fall on the wire the guards in the %riot control positions% forget the attac' dogs are trampled. The mob as one surges forward onto the wire. .en scream and fall into the moat, which is filling up fast. The Agent sees this all as he has seen it before. +e casually pulls the pin of a smo'e grenade; the girls retreat into the copter he follows, then the two &reen 5erets. The "!#&"S W'I$E the blac' #layboy +uey lifts off just as the first cra,ed men reach it. They grab frantically for the wheels, but miss. The +uey wheels up into the blue s'y, leaving them all below. uch are the ways of war. C+( (O: E,(- F+LL &%EW ' "AY The #.5.8. moving further up the primitive coastline. There are few signs of civili,ation; no villages, no boats just the overwhelming presence of the jungle. W%LLA " @&-O-A (8o da0s out o9 Hau Fat6 there 8as nothin1 !ut us and the coastline- % 9elt li7e % had set o99 9or the center o9 the earth--uddenly, :hief loo's out, ahead. CH%EF S$o7e4 W%LLA " Where5 They all turn. :hief points up the coast.

F+LL SHO( ' (HE COAS(L%NE A thic' train of blac' smo'e rises from the green jungle. W%LLA " Blac7 s$o7e--- secondar0 !urnin1The :hief grabs field glasses. CH%EF Yeah ' 9ishin1 #illa1e ' helicopters o#er there- Hue0s6 lots o9 .e$W%LLA " First Air Ca#alr0- (he0.re the ones 1onna 1et us into the i#erF+LL SHO( ' (HE BEACH AN" &%LLA:E A vast field of devastation smashed and smo'ing palm trees deep, ragged craters gutted and burning huts shattered sampans and bodies washing around in the surf. ME"%+M SHO( ' BEACH ' W%LLA " AN" C EW They wade through the water to the beach where they are met by a heavily armed group of men. Overhead jets swoop by ,I"I$% "!CKE#S, the $!ISE drowning out "illard>s attempt at conversation with some of the men. "e can>t hear any of the tal', but we notice that the ergeant turns up to a particular +uey, and points to it. F+LL SHO( ' HEL%COP(E S Three +ueys swoop in low they are heavily laden with machine guns roc'ets and loudspea'ers. The two outside copters hover, while the center copter lands, raising a lot of dust. It cuts its rotors and the other copters pull up and off to the side. Two armed soldiers jump from the doors and stand with guns ready. Then a tall, strong loo'ing man emerges. +e wears a well)cut and neatly)stretched tiger suit. It is C!L!$EL WILLI& KIL%!"E tough loo'ing, well) tanned, with a blac' mustache. +e crouches over, holding his hat in the rotor wash. It is no ordinary hat but a 6.A. 9odgers baseball hat. +e wal's out, and then starts to his full immense height and with his hands on his hips he surveys the field of battle. +is eyes are obscured by mirror)fronted sunglasses. H%L:O E <bellowing= Lieutenant: Bo$! that tree line !ac7 a!out a hundred 0ards ' 1i#e $e so$e roo$ to !reatheA 6ieutenant and radio man nod and rush off. CLOSE &%EW ON W%LLA " +e was not !uite prepared for this.

&%EW ON H%L:O E Turning to his %)&"DS H%L:O E Brin1 $e so$e cards:+A " Sir5 H%L:O E Bod0 cards6 0ou da$n 9ool ' cards4 The soldier rushes over and hands him two brand new pac'ages of playing cards wrapped in plastic. Two other soldiers get out of the copter and wal' over. They are well)tanned and carry no weapons. They seem more casual about the :olonel than anyone else. The ergeant wal's up, leading "illard, the :hief and 6ance. W%LLA " <formally= Captain B-L- Willard6 sir ' Gth econ :roup ' % carr0 priorit0 papers 9ro$ Co$;Sec %ntelli1ence CC Corp ' % !elie#e 0ou understand the nature o9 $0 $issionH%L:O E <not loo'ing up= Yeah ' Na (ran1 told $e to e=pect 0ou ' 8e.ll see 8hat 8e can do- Just sta0 out o9 $0 8a0 till this is done6 Captain+e crac's the plastic wrapping sharply ta'es out the dec' of new cards and fans them. The :olonel strides right past "illard with no further ac'nowledgement. The others follow, ( ACH%N: &%EW The :olonel wal's through the shell)poc'ed field of devastation. oldiers gather around smiling; as (ilgore comes to each 2.:. corpse he drops a playing card on it carefully pic'ing out which card he uses. H%L:O E <to himself= Si= a spades ' ei1ht a hearts ' %sn.t one 8orth a Jac7 in this 8hole placeThe :olonel goes on about this business. ( ACH%N: ON H%L:O E .oving through the corpses, dropping the cards. On of the two tanned soldiers rushes up and whispers something to him. +e stops. H%L:O E What5 Here- You sure5 The soldier points to 6ance, who immediately puts down the card he was holding. (ilgore strides over to the young man, who almost instinctively moves closer to "illard.

H%L:O E <continuing= What.s 0our na$e6 sailor5 LANCE :unner.s Mate6 (hird Class ' L- Johnson6 sirH%L:O E Lance Johnson5 (he sur9er5 LANCE (hat.s ri1ht6 sir(ilgore smiles stic's out his hand. H%L:O E %t.s an honor to $eet 0ou Lance- %.#e ad$ired 0our nose; ridin1 9or 0ears ' % li7e 0our cut!ac76 too- % thin7 0ou ha#e the !est cut!ac7 there isLANCE (han7 0ou6 sirH%L:O E You can cut out the sir6 Lance ' %.$ Bill Hil1ore ' %.$ a 1oo90 9oot&%EW ON W%LLA " +is entire, top priority mission has been put in the bac'ground. H%L:O E @O-S-A (his is Mi7e 9ro$ San "ie1o and Johnn0 9ro$ Mali!u ' the0.re 1ood solid sur9ers ' none o9 us are an08here near 0our class6 thou1h6ance blushes, sort of mumbling than's. W%LLA " M0 orders are 9ro$ Co$;Sec %ntel ' B-L- Willard6 Gth econ ' H%L:O E Just hold up a second6 Captain ' %.ll 1et to 0ou soon enou1h ' We.#e 1ot thin1s to do here"illard eats it, for now. (ilgore puts his hand on 6ance>s shoulder, and continues flipping the cards indiscriminately on the bodies as they tal'. H%L:O E <continuing= --- 8e do a lot o9 sur9in1 around here- Li7e to 9inish up operations earl0 and 9l0 do8n to &un1 (au 9or the e#enin1 1lass- Ha#e 0ou e#er sur9ed the point at &un1 (au5 % li7ed the !each !rea7s around Na (ran1 a lot ' 1ood le9ts+e passes a twisted gun emplacement with about five bodies sprin'les cards all over them. H%L:O E <continuing=

--- 8e 7eep three !oards in $0 Co$$and Hue0 at all ti$esYou ne#er can tell 8hen 0ou.re 1onna run into so$ethin1 1ood- % 1ot a 1u0 in Ca$ au Ba0 that can predict a s8ell t8o da0s in ad#ance- We tr0 to 8or7 it in+e stops at a particularly wild)loo'ing 2iet :ong who has died with his mouth agape staring wild)eyed in horror at the s'y. (ilgore pauses. H%L:O E <continuing; to himself= Hell6 that.s an Ace i9 % e#er sa8 one+e puts the card in the gaping mouth. CLOSE &%EW O&E (HE &%E( CON: "e SEE the :olonel and the others wal' off the dead 2iet :ong and card are in the immediate foreground. The card has the shield of the :A2 printed beautifully, and above it the motto$ %9;AT+ -8O. A5O2;% H%L:O E Where.#e 0ou !een ridin16 Lance5 LANCE % ha#en.t sur9ed since % 1ot hereH%L:O E (hat.s terri!le ' 8e.ll chan1e that ' %.d li7e to see 0ou 8or7 ' %.#e al8a0s li7ed 0our cut!ac7< 1ot a hell o9 a le9t turn6 too"%SSOL&E (O: E,(- (HE HEL%COP(E ' ME"%+M SHO( "illard is sitting with (ilgore on a couple of chairs by a table set up in front of the command copter. ;verywhere we SEE armed men, sandbags, barbed wire, oil drums etc. +ueys are constantly "!&"I$% over. &"#ILLE"* -!! S in the far distance. (ilgore loo's at the map. H%L:O E Wh0 the hell 0ou 8anna 1o up to Nu Mun1 Ba 9or5 W%LLA " % 1ot !ored in Sai1onH%L:O E What.s the 9urthest 0ou !een in5 W%LLA " Haiphon1H%L:O E Haiphon15 Shit6 0ou Bu$p in5 W%LLA " No- Wal7ed-

H%L:O E What.d 0ou do 9or supplies5 W%LLA " <he shrugs= Mercenaries ' a1ents6 traitors ' the0 put out cachesH%L:O E Can 0ou trust the$5 W%LLA " No- (he0 put out t8o or three 9or e#er0 one % needed- When 0ou 1et to the one 0ou.ll use6 0ou Bust sta7e it out- %9 so$ethin1 9eels 8ron16 0ou Bust pass it up- On one $ission6 % had to pass up three and ended up li#in1 on rats and chocolate !arsH%L:O E Nu Mun1 Ba- Last % heard6 Walter Hurt/ co$$anded a :reen Beret detach$ent at Nu Mun1 BaW%LLA " When did 0ou hear5 H%L:O E .Bout a 0ear a1o5 %s Hurt/ still ali#e5 W%LLA " Who 7no8sH%L:O E See$s to $e he 1ot hi$sel9 9ra11ed- i heard so$e 1runt rolled a 1renade in his tent- Ma0!e a ru$or- Hellu#a $an ' re$ar7a!le o99icer- Walter Hurt/ 8oulda !een a :eneral so$e da0- :eneral o9 the Ar$0- Shit6 Head o9 the Joint Chie9s o9 Sta99- "id 0ou 7ne8 Hurt/5 W%LLA " % $et hi$H%L:O E "on.t 0ou a1ree5 W%LLA " He $usta chan1ed4 <pointing to the map= % 1ot to 1et into the Nun1 i#er6 here or hereH%L:O E (hat #illa1e 0ou.re pointin1 at is 7inda hair0W%LLA " Hair05 H%L:O E % $ean it.s hair0 ' the0 1ot so$e prett0 hea#0 ordnance6 !o0 ' %.#e lost a 9e8 recon ships in there no8 and a1ainW%LLA " So5 % heard 0ou had a 1ood !unch o9 7illers here-

H%L:O E And % don.t intend to 1et so$e o9 the$ che8ed up Bust to 1et 0our tu! put in the $outh o9 the 1odd$an Nun1 i#erYou sa0 0ou don.t 7no8 Hurt/5 W%LLA " % $et hi$H%L:O E You tal7 li7e hi$- % don.t $ind ta7in1 casualties6 Captain6 !ut % li7e to 7eep $0 ratio ten to one in this unit ' ten Con1 to oneW%LLA " You.ll 9ind enou1h Con1 up thereH%L:O E What a!out this point here5 +e puts his finger on the map. H%L:O E <continuing= What.s the na$e o9 that 1odda$n #illa1e ' &in "rin "op or Lop< da$n 1oo7 na$es all sound the sa$e+e motions to one of his surfers. H%L:O E <continuing= Mi7e6 0ou 7no8 an0thin1 a!out the point at &in "rip "rop5 M%HE Boss le9tH%L:O E What do 0ou $ean5 M%HE %t.s reall0 lon1 le9t slide6 !rea7s on the short side o9 the point ' catches a south s8ellLANCE Nice"illard loo's at 6ance then at (ilgore. H%L:O E Wh0 the hell didn.t 0ou tell $e a!out that place ' a 1ood le9t<to "illard= (here aren.t an0 1ood le9t slides in this 8hole6 shitt0 countr0- %t.s all 1odda$n !each !rea7M%HE %t.s hair06 thou1h- (hat.s 8here 8e lost Mc"onnel ' the0 shot the hell out o9 us- %t.s Charlie.s pointH%L:O E Ho8 !i1 it is5

M%HE Si= to ei1ht 9eet(ilgore ga,es out across the par'ed helicopters. H%L:O E <to himself= A si=;9oot le9t"illard nudges 6ance who gets the idea. LANCE Boss- What.s the 8ind li7eM%HE Li1ht o99 shore ' reall0 hollo8W%LLA " We could 1o in to$orro8 at da8n ' there.s al8a0s o99; shore 8ind in the $ornin1CH%EF (he dra9t o9 that ri#er $i1ht !e too shallo8 on the pointH%L:O E Hell6 8e.ll pic7 0our !oat up and la0 it do8n li7e a !a!06 ri1ht 8here 0ou 8ant it- (his is the Ca# !o0 ' air$o!ile- % can ta7e that point and hold it as lon1 as % li7e ' and 0ou can 1et an08here 0ou 8ant up that ri#er that suits 0ou6 Captain- Hell6 a si= 9oot le9t<he turns to an advisor= You ta7e a 1unship !ac7 to di#ision ' Mi7e6 ta7e Lance 8ith 0ou ' let hi$ pic7 out a !oard6 and !rin1 $e $0 Yater Spoon ' the ei1ht si=(OM % don.t 7no86 sir ' it.s ' it.s ' H%L:O E <hard= What is it5 (OM Well6 % $ean it.s hair0 in there ' it.s Charlie.s point(ilgore turns and loo's to "illard, e*asperated. W%LLA " Charlie don.t sur9F+LL SHO( ' HEL%COP(E S ' "AWN "hat seems li'e hundreds of +ueys standing, their rotors churning a great wind Inside, the men of the 3st :avalry Airmobile toughest unit in 2ietnam. (ilgore>s helicopter is being loaded with ammunition and has surfboards strapped underneath. ME"%+M &%EW

(ilgore strides up to the side door, dressed for battle. +e loo's out, around. +e turns to his door %)$$E". H%L:O E Ho8 do 0ou 9eel6 !o05 :+NNE Li7e a $ean $other9uc7er6 sir+e turns to his 8.T. man. H%L:O E Let.s 1oF+LL &%EW +elicopter rotors build up speed gas turbines belching fire from their jet pipes dust flying as fifty helicopters rise; "!&" !VE" C& E"& and deploy into attac' formation. NEW &%EW +elicopters moving #'"!)%' the ,"& E$ almost a dance of dragonflies. %N(- COMMAN" COP(E ' ME"%+M SHO( ' H%L:O E6 W%LLA "6 O(HE S "illard loo's ahead (ilgore sits near the door. 5elow they see the jungle whis' by and they are suddenly over the ocean, low and fast. MON(A:E CLOSE SHO(S of roc'et pods mini)guns in bi,arre loo'ing mounts. CLOSE SHO(S of the three surfboards strapped below the command helicopter, ne*t to the fearsome weaponry. And finally, CLOSE SHO(S of the men nervous, e*cited very few of them really scared they fondle their rifles, grenade launchers, anti)personnel grenades, claymore mines; plastic e*plosives cord; flame)throwers; .)/0 machine guns; e*pandable roc'et launchers; mortars and bayonets. %N(- COMMAN" COP(E (ilgore cranes his nec' and almost leans out to watch the waves then he sits bac' rela*ed. H%L:O E <to "illard= We.ll co$e in lo8 out o9 the risin1 sun ' We.ll put on the $usic a!out a $ile outW%LLA " Music5 H%L:O E Yeah- Classical stu99 ' scares the hell out o9 the slopes ' the !o0s lo#e it-

ME"%+M SHO( P!V behind the PIL!# and C!1PIL!# the ocean rushes below. P%LO( Bi1 "u7e si= to Ea1le (hrust ' turn on coordinates C;3 ' niner6 assu$e attac7 9or$ationThe helicopter ban's into a tight turn and bears toward the coast. A"%O @&-O-A Ea1le (hrust 9or$ation tar1et 2I33 0ards ' !e1in psch;8ar operationsCLOSE SHO( ' LO+"SPEAHE S The ocean rushes below as suddenly the L!)DSPE&KE"S -L&"E out "agner>s %8ide of the 2al'yries.% F+LL SHO( ' HEL%COP(E S -rom the water we SEE the massive grouping of +ueys gun)ships troop carriers medevac and recon "!&" over low in battle formation -L&"I$% out %8ide of the 2al'yries.% %N(- HEL%COP(E ' ME"%+M SHO( ;C EW P!V behind pilot P%LO( J33 ' D33 0ards ' F33 ' Co$$ence 9irin1The whole copter sha'es. E,(- &%E( CON: F%SH%N: &%LLA:E ' F+LL SHO( A 2ietnamese coastal fishing village built along the beach and palm trees with rice paddies behind. This village commands a delta where ocean and river merge. ampans are pulled into a cover where they are being unloaded. "e SEE bun'ers with 1.2.A. regulars ambling about. uddenly we 'E&" the distant )SIC ;veryone stops; they stare out to see. .en scream orders women run from huts bearing ammunition and rifles ;verywhere there is activity to prepare for the defense of the village. :amouflage is removed from anti)aircraft emplacements. #eople feverishly unlimber weapons of all types and run to tunnels and trenches. The )SIC %"!WS L!)DE" with the ,&I$# S!)$D of "!#!"S

E,(- (HE HEL%COP(E FO MA(%ON ' AE %AL &%EW :oming directly at us; W&%$E" -L&"I$%.

H%:H AN:LE 6oo'ing down through the helicopters as they approach the village. %N(- HEL%COP(E ' ME"%+M SHO( ' C EW P!V behind pilot P%LO( J33 0ards ' D33 ' F33 ' co$$ence 9irin1The whole copter sha'es. E,(- HEL%COP(E S ' MON(A:E "e SEE roc'ets "!&" from pods &C'I$E %)$S "&##LE grenade launchers P!)$D away and I$I1%)$S pour streams of lead and tracers with the S!)$D of a DIESEL '!"$. F+LL SHO( ' HEL%COP(E S P!V behind lead gunship. They "!&" in over the beach streaming ,I"E from doors, pods and nose The ground is alive with smo'e and fire a hut E.PL!DES. The leads ship ban's sharply up over the trees men run below S'!!#I$% bac'. ME"%+M SHO( ' AN(%;A% C AF( EMPLACEMEN( E.PL!SI!$S crash around the )SIC and S!)$D of the C!P#E"S almost drown them out. The gunner ,I"ES frantically C!P#E"S are "!&"I$% over %)$,I"E rips around. The gunner is blown away. ME"%+M CLOSE ON W%LLA " As the ship he is in swoops down, its &C'I$E %)$S ,I"I$% into the village.

ME"%+M SHO( ' SWOOP%N: COP(E The #ilot leans out and S'!!#S a charging 2.:. in the head with his .EA, then duc's bac' in. CO;P%LO( We.re do8n6 Ea1le (hrust ' 8e.re hit- We 1ot a hot L-Ehere-)LLE#S "IP through the ple*iglass. The #ilot ,I"ES bac'. CO;P%LO( <continuing= Hell o9 a hot L-E- Need i$$ediate air stri7e on the tree line6 Ea1le (hrust%N(- COMMAN" COP(E ' ME"%+M SHO( ' W%LLA "6 H%L:O E6 O(HE S (ilgore has 8.T. e!uipment he leans out near the door gunner.

H%L:O E Bi1 "u7e Si= to Hell.s An1els Four ' !rin1 it in on alon1 tree line and hutsA"%O @&-O-A Hell.s An1els Four to Bi1 "u7e Si= ' 8e.ll need 1reen s$o7e ' su11est 0ou ha#e the FAC $ar7 itH%L:O E Ha#en.t 1ot ti$e6 Hell.s An1els ' la0 it ri1ht up the tree lineF+LL SHO( ' JE( S*+A" ON -our -)F+ #hantoms peel off and strea' toward the coast. %N(- COMMAN" COP(E ' &%EW ON W%LLA " AN" H%L:O E H%L:O E Fuc7in1 sa#a1esW%LLA " Who5 H%L:O E (he ene$0- Who else5 HEL%COP(E .S PO& ' (HE JE(S The jets strea' by below laying in huge gobs of orange napalm along the trees. H%L:O E @O-S-A <on radio= &er0 1ood6 Hell.s An1els ' su11est 0ou 9ollo8 8ith cannon 9ire%N(- COMMAN" COP(E ' ME"%+M SHO( They circle the battle. A"%O @&-O-A (his is Ba7er "elta Four ' Captain hit !ad ' need dust;o99ecei#in1 hea#0 auto$atic 8eapons 9ire 9ro$ huts a!out thirt0 0ards to our le9tH%L:O E Bi1 "u7e Si= to Ba7er "elta Four ' hold ' 8e.re ri1ht o#er 0ou+e turns to door gunner. H%L:O E <continuing= i1ht alon1 the doors6 !o0The gunner ,I"ES leaning out

H%L:O E <continuing= Fine--- 9ine--- little hi1her- (hrou1h the roo9< 0eah6 that.s 1ood+e leans bac' in. H%L:O E <continuing= "idn.t an0!od0 !rin1 $e an0 !o$!s6 1renades6 cla0$ores or an0thin15 L%E+(ENAN( You didn.t tell $e to6 sirH%L:O E <grumbling= You shoulda 7no8nuddenly, -)LLE#S S &S' through the copter #le*iglass S'&##E"S; the copter vibrates and turns sharply. (ilgore is thrown down where he hangs on. H%L:O E <continuing= Sonu#a!itch ' an0!od0 hurt5 W%LLA " Auto$atic 8eapons 9lashes alon1 those trees ' pro!a!l0 ele#en $illi$eter 1uns and AH;GJ.sH%L:O E (he trees6 eh--+e grabs the 8.T. H%L:O E <continuing= Ea1le (hrust Four ' Bi1 "u7e Si=- Join $e in spra0in1 so$e treesA"%O @&-O-A A99ir$ati#e6 Bi1 "u7e Si= ' We.re e#en 1ot so$e roc7ets le9tH%L:O E (a7e her in lo86 LieutenantF+LL SHO( ' (HE ( EES6 HEL%COP(E S The two helicopters swoop up out of the smo'e and blast the trees with "!CKE#S, %)$S and %"E$&DE L&)$C'E"S. &C'I$E

Other copters join The 2.:. brea' and run through the rice paddies in the f.g. -)LLE#S E.PL!DI$% around them they scream and fall ,I"I$% bac'. %N(- COMMAN" COP(E ' ME"%+M SHO( ' H%L:O E6 W%LLA "

(ilgore loo's out as three 2.:. brea' and run through the rice paddies the helicopter turns and follows them the door gunner swings out and -L&S#S two of them into the mud. +e ta'es a bead on the third. H%L:O E Hold it6 !o0+e puts his arms across the sights the gunner swings bac' inside. H%L:O E <continuing= (a7e her up to K33 9eet6 LieutenantThey rise above the paddy the man below runs for all he>s worth. (ilgore motions to the door gunner who steps aside. (ilgore buc'les himself into the gunner>s harness. H%L:O E <continuing= i9leA hand passes him a .)3/. H%L:O E <continuing; hard= M0 ri9le6 soldierThere is some fumbling and then a hand passes him a E00 "eatherby .agnum with a ,ebra wood stoc' mother of pearl inlays and a variable power scope. (ilgore ta'es it and opens the bolt. &%EW ON W%LLA " Ama,ed at these proceedings. &%EW ON H%L:O E As he loads the rifle with huge cartridges. +e gets into the sling and slams the bolt shut. MO&%N: PO& ON (HE &-C+e is running hard, but starting to sin' into the mud. The +uey D"!$ES overhead, its huge shadow behind him on the mud. +e turns and ,I"ES with a pistol. %N(- COP(E ' ME"%+M SHO( ' H%L:O E6 W%LLA " (ilgore leans out; pulls the gun in tight ta'es careful aim and the :ong is -L&S#ED flat into the paddy. (ilgore leans bac', opens the bolt, ejecting the spent cartridge out the door. +e hands "eatherby bac' into the copter. &%EW ON W%LLA " The gaudy rifle passed by him. SOL"%E @O-S-A (hat.s 2J6 sir-

W%LLA " An0one 1ot a card5 omebody hands "illard the dec'. +e ta'es a card and flips it out of the copter, never lifting his ga,e from (ilgore. "%SSOL&E (O: F+LL SHO( ' BA((LEF%EL" ' (HE CA&6 &-CAmericans run through the hooches ,I"I$% and throwing %"E$&DES. +elicopters swoop overhead (E#S "!&" by 7niformed 1.2.A. regulars burst from a tunnel entrance and charge the Americans. The S'!!#I$% is at point blan' range automatic, as the 2.:. are cut down. %N(- COMMAN" COP(E ' H%L:O E6 W%LLA "6 LANCE6 E(C(ilgore leans out carefully, loo'ing over the battlefield. +e has the 8.T. +e leans bac', deliberately avoiding "illard to spea' to 6ance. H%L:O E (he L-E-.s coolin1 o99 9ast ' 8e.ll $o#e in another co$pan0 an. then 8e.ll o8n it<he laughs to himself= Charlie.s point+e loo's out toward the ocean. H%L:O E <continuing= :ood s8ellLANCE What6 sir5 H%L:O E % said it.s a 1ood s8ell ' hell o9 a 1ood s8ell .!out si= 9eetLet.s 1et a loo7 at it6ance loo's at "illard and then agrees. F+LL SHO( ' COP(E 6 S+ F The pilots are used to this they ban' sharply and swoop in on the lineup of waves, coming in low over the point and strea'ing down a long, lined)up green wall as if surfing it. They tip up over and up at the last minute as the wave brea's. "%SSOL&E (O: F+LL SHO( ' BEACH H+(S6 SOL"%E S Americans line up blindfolded 2iet :ong and 1.2.A. regular troops outside a burning hut. %)$,I"E is DIS#&$# and sporadic an occasional !"#&" round SC"E& S in. A soldier yells in 2ietnamese in a southern accent and the prisoners are marched away. Other soldiers are already setting up heavy weapons emplacements B0 cal machine guns etc. Three +ueys "!&" in, fanning the smo'e with their wind. The center one, the command ship, lands. (E#S SC"E&

over and the two gunships pull up at 400 feet. Another +uey ,ooms in low and lands behind the :olonel>s. The doors open, guards jump out, chec' the situation, and out steps (ilgore and 6ance. -rom the other copter are more guards, (ilgore>s surfers and others of the #.5.8. crew. "illard follows. F+LL SHO( ' (HE PO%N( They stride out across the debris)strewn beach. (ilgore stands majestically on the point watching the waves. A S'ELL SC"E& S overhead. SOL"%E %nco$in14 They all dive, e*cept (ilgore. +e is watching a big set the S'ELL E.PL!DES in the water about a hundred yards away, sending up a huge geyser of spray. (ilgore is unmoved. H%L:O E Loo7 at thatThey loo'. LANCE (his L-E- is still prett0 hot6 sir6 $a0!e 8e ou1hta stand so$e8here else(ilgore pays him no mention. W%LLA " %.$ 8aitin1 9or the 9uc7in1 !oat6 ColonelH%L:O E <without loo'ing= %t.ll 1et here6 soldier+e turns to .i'e and Cohnny who have their faces in the sand. H%L:O E <continuing= Chan1eM%HE Wh;8hat5 H%L:O E Chan1e ' 1et out there ' % 8anta see i9 it.s rida!le ' chan1eM%HE %t.s still prett0 hair06 sirH%L:O E <bellowing= You 8ant.a sur96 soldier5 +e nods yes wea'ly. H%L:O E <continuing= (hat.s 1ood6 !o06 !ecause it.s either sur9 or 9i1ht-

They turn and hurry off (ilgore grabs an .)3 from one of the guards. They all thin' he>s going to shoot the surfers or someone. They move bac' uneasy. H%L:O E <continuing= %.$ 1onna co#er 9or .e$ ' that.s all+e coc's the weapon. 6ance loo's around uneasily. The :olonel wal's over. H%L:O E <continuing= You thin7 that section on the point is rida!le6 Lance5 LANCE % thin7 8e ou1ht to 8ait 9or the tide to co$e inA S'ELL SC"E& S !VE" they all hit the dirt e*cept for (ilgore. It E.PL!DES throwing sand through the air. (ilgore leans down yelling over the $!ISE. H%L:O E "oesn.t happen 9or si= hours6ance loo's up at him terrified, holding onto his helmet. H%L:O E <continuing= (he tide ' doesn.t co$e in 9or si= hours"%SSOL&E (O: F+LL SHO( ' S+ F ' M%HE AN" JOHNNY They wal' through shallows carrying brightly colored boards. They loo' very scared. (E#S SC"E& overhead, ,I"I$% C&$$!$S. +elicopters wheel by carrying out wounded. They wear olive drab surfing trun's with the :av>s shield on the left leg. The same shield is embla,oned on the boards along the word %Airmobile%. They edge into the water and paddle through the mild shorebrea'. F+LL SHO( ' (HE PO%N( ' S+ FE S They paddle up the point in the calm channel the beautiful waves brea'ing beyond them. CLOSE SHO( ON JOHNNY6 M%HE They paddle on their stomachs, 'eeping low breathing hard and constantly loo'ing around scared out of their minds. ME"%+M SHO( ' H%L:O E AN" LANCE (ilgore loo's at them with his field glasses. 6ance 'ind of sits below ta'ing cover in a shell hole. H%L:O E (he0 9ar enou1h5 LANCE Sure ' 9ine '

(ilgore turns and ta'es a giant electric megaphone from a waiting lac'ey. H%L:O E <through megaphone= (hat.s 9ar enou1h ' pic7 one up and co$e on in ' F+LL SHO( ' (HE PO%N(6 S+ FE S They line themselves up on the point. A good set is building. .i'e turns stro'es into it ta'es off drops to the bottom and turns trims up into a tight section everything right e*cept he 'eeps loo'ing around frantically. CLOSE SHO( ON LANCE AN" H%L:O E Another S'ELL SC"E& S over and E.PL!DES down the beach. 6ance loo's over at "illard. LANCE <to himself= Ma0!e he.ll 1et tu!edW%LLA " What5 LANCE Ma0!e he.ll 1et inside the tu!e ' 8here ' 8here the0 can.t see hi$A SE"IES of S'ELLS "!&" in. W%LLA " %nco$in14 6ance duc's puts his hands over his head. The S'ELLS SC"E& over (ilgore and out towards the point. (ilgore loo's through his glasses two E.PL!SI!$S in the water are 'E&"D. H%L:O E Son o9 a !itch6ance loo's up and out toward the point in horror. F+LL SHO( ' (HE PO%N( Two surfboards float in the channel bobbing up and down on the waves. ME"%+M SHO( ' LANCE AN" H%L:O E LANCE <to himself= (he tra1ed0 o9 this 8ar is a dead sur9er"illard loo's over, beginning to thin' 6ance is cra,y, too. W%LLA " What.s that5

LANCE Just so$ethin1 % read in the Free PressH%L:O E (he0 Bust $issed a 1ood set ' the chic7en shits4 6ance loo's up. F+LL SHO( ' (HE PO%N(6 S+ FE S They come up near their boards and climb on smo'e hangs over the water. H%L:O E @O-S-A <megaphone= (r0 it a1ain6 0ou little !astardsBACH (O SCENE +e turns to "illard. H%L:O E <continuing= %.$ not a9raid to sur9 this place- %.ll sur9 this placeCLOSE SHO( ON H%L:O E +e turns, glowering to his lac'eys. H%L:O E Brin1 that -(-6 soldier+e grabs it. H%L:O E <continuing= Bi1 "u7e Si= to Hell.s An1els ' 1odda$it6 % 8ant that treeline !o$!ed ' 0eah ' napal$ ' 1i$$e so$e napal$ ' son;o9;a;!itch ' 0eah6 %.ll ta7e H-E- or C-B-+-.s i9 0ou 1ot an0 o9 the$ ' Bust !o$! .e$ into the Stone A1e6 !o0+e throws the 8.T. bac' to a soldier another S&LV! W'IS#LES over everyone drops. H%L:O E <continuing; to himself= Son;o9;a;!itchAs the S'ELLS E.PL!DES on the beach behind him, (ilgore raises his .)3/ and E P#IES it full automatic in the general direction of the trees. +e mumbles a few unintelligible swear words and jams a new clip into his rifle turning to 6ance H%L:O E <continuing= We.ll ha#e this place cleaned up and read0 9or us in a Bi9906 !o0- "on.t 0ou 8orr0+e ,I"ES another clip as the (E#S SC"E& overhead.

F+LL SHO( ' %&E ' COP(E S A s'y)crane without pod descends slowly toward us the #.5.8. hangs below it. The :hief, .r. :lean and :hef stand watching this sight along with other soldiers. A man guides the descending copter till the boat settles carefully in the shallows. The :hief and others leap aboard; unshac'le the hoists load on ammunition and fuel. The battle is still going on around them. They all loo' up as a wadge of P'&$#! S strea' over low and peel off one by one to begin their bombing run. F+LL SHO( ' PHAN(OMS ' MON(A:E #hantoms "&KE the trees with 40 mm C&$$!$S ,I"E five inch "!CKE#S in salvo %5ull #up% ISSILES drop +.;. <high e*plosives= and :.5.7>s <:luster 5omb 7nits= and finally an immense amount of $&P&L . F+LL SHO( ON (HE P-B- The :hief is at the helm the engine starts; :lean and :hef wor' feverishly, duc'ing for cover every)so)often when an E.PL!SI!$ hits nearby. The boat begins to bac' out of the shallows. The E.PL!SI!$S of $&P&L are reflected on their faces; the 8OA8 of the -I8; drowns out almost everything. CH%EF For1et that e=tra dru$ ' it.s too da$n hotCLEAN Clear on star!oard ' Where.s Lance an. the Captain5 CH%EF % sa8 that Colonel.s Hue0 on the point ' Two 'ELIC!P#E"S SC"E& over ,I"I$% "!CKE#S.

CH%EF <continuing= Let.s Bust 1et outta hereF+LL SHO( ' (HE PO%N( ' H%L:O E6 W%LLA " 6 LANCE6 O(HE S (ilgore watches the waves with his field glasses smo'e drifts over. 6ance crouches below. "illard is up loo'ing off in another direction. S'ELLS SC"E& over, but even their noise is drowned out by the fierce S'"IEK of the P'&$#! S and the deafening -L&S# of 'I%' E.PL!SIVES. "illard stares at the tree line where it comes down to the river. The (E#S are ma'ing a hell of the tree line; a hell of fire and bustling steam that nothing could live in. "illard>s glance goes further downriver through the blac' smo'e and there merging in the river small and vulnerable, is his boat. W%LLA " <to 6ance= Loo7- (here it is< the !oat6ance loo's over a tremendous relief on his face. 5ut still there remains the threat of (ilgore, standing star' against the s'y. "illard silently motions 6ance toward the boat. LANCE <whispers=

He.ll 7ill usW%LLA " He can.t 7ill us<reali,ing as he says it= We.re on his side(ilgore ,I"ES another clip at the tree line, and then strides bac' without loo'ing at them. H%L:O E <almost to himself= You s$ell that<louder= You s$ell that5 LANCE What5 H%L:O E Napal$6 !o0 ' nothin1 else in the 8orld s$ells li7e that ' They reflect the glow from the burning trees. H%L:O E <continuing; nostalgically= % lo#e the s$ell o9 napal$ in the $ornin1- One ti$e 8e had a hill !o$!ed 9or C2 hours- % 8al7ed up it 8hen it 8as all o#er< 8e didn.t 9ind one o9 .e$--- not one stin7in1 1oo7 !od0- (he0 slipped out in the ni1ht ' !ut the s$ell ' that 1asoline s$ell ' the 8hole hill ' it s$elled li7e--<pause= --- #ictor0--+e loo's off nostalgically. W%LLA " You 7no86 so$e da0 this 8ar.s 1onna end-H%L:O E <sadly= Yes6 % 7no8uddenly he senses something he stops lifts his hand then frantically lic's his fingers and puts them up in the air. H%L:O E <continuing= (he 8ind ' LANCE What5 ure enough there is a rushing bree,e that increases. H%L:O E <rising maniacally= Feel it ' it.s the 8ind ' it.s !lo8in1 on shore ' %t.s on shore4 +e leans down and practically grabs 6ance. H%L:O E

<continuing; screaming= %t.s 1onna !lo8 this place out- %t.s 1onna ruin it--W%LLA " (he 7id can.t ride slopp0 8a#esThey turn and stare out to sea. F+LL SHO( ' (HE PO%N( ' S+ FE S The wind has changed. Instead of blowing spray bac' over the waves and hollowing them out, this strange wind is causing white caps and cross chop.. reducing the swell to slop. .i'e and Cohnny lay low on their boards, overjoyed. W%LLA " @O-S-A (he 7id can.t stand slopp0 8a#esME"%+M SHO( ' (HE BEACH ' LANCE6 H%L:O E6 W%LLA " W%LLA " You don.t e=pect this 7id to ride that crap6 do 0ou5 He.s a 1odda$n artist6 he needs so$ethin1 to 8or7 8ith--lapping 6ance on the shoulder. LANCE Yeah6 %.$ an artist6 1odda$it4 H%L:O E <apologetically= Yeah ' 0eah6 % can understand ho8 0ou 9eel+e turns toward the trees. H%L:O E <continuing= %t.s the napal$ ' it.s causin1 the 8ind ' ruinin1 $0 per9ect le9t+e staggers off toward the trees followed by his guards and other lac'eys. H%L:O E <continuing; mumbling= (he napal$ ' ruin ' napal$ $0 per9ect le9t ' $0 per9ect le9t point !rea7 ' napal$ ' 6ance motions with his eyes to "illard. F+LL SHO( ON (HE P-B- The #.5.8. along the river shallows The :hief and crew waiting and yelling. ME"%+M &%EW ON W%LLA " AN" LANCE W%LLA " Are 0ou 9inished sur9in15

LANCE Yeah--- than7sW%LLA " Want to sa0 1ood!0e to the Colonel5 LANCE NahW%LLA " (hen let.s 1et the hell out o9 hereThey brea' and run li'e hell toward the boat in the distance. !)" VIEW #"&CKS with them. They are cheered by the crew suddenly, "illard sees something and stops... 6ance continuing. In a pile of e!uipment that the +ueys have left are two surfboards "illard loo's at them. LANCE No ' no6 CaptainW%LLA " Which one.s the Colonel.s5 LANCE (he Yater ' the clear one 8ith the thin strin1er"illard glances over to it with determination. There is still him and the board. uddenly, "illard ma'es a run for it. CH%EF @O-S-A %nco$in14 %nco$in1 ' son;o9;a;!itchThe "!)$DS brac'et the #.5.8. and line up the beach toward "illard. +e stands there and doesn>t move, the surfboard under his arm. The shells 'ic' up sand. 6ance has dropped. -ragments whistle by, one rips a chun' of foam and fibreglass from the rain of the board. W%LLA " <calm= (his one 6 Lance5 LANCE Yeah6 Jesus Christ4 Once again, "illard ta'es off fast as hell with the board under his arm. 6ance follows toward the boat, through the water. "illard hands the board up to .r. :lean, and they both scamper abroad, e*hausted and relieved. CLEAN What.d 0ou that 9or5 W%LLA " When % 8as a 7id %6 ne#er had a Yater spoon.r. :lean stuffs the board in the stern B0 :al. mount. The boat turns E$%I$ES ")$$I$% '&"D and "!&"S !,, toward the deeper water of the river the board clearly visible on the stern. "%SSOL&E (O: F+LL SHO( ON (HE %&E ' P-B!"#&" ,I"E coming in between

The #.5.8. "!&"S -* going down the river at full speed. It is swerving and ,ig),agging to avoid potential enemy fire. ME"%+M SHO( ON (HE C EW They all are in full battle positions their twin fifty :al. guns turning; warily covering the jungled ban's. The :hief is at helm "illard crouches against some armor plate, huddled with his .)3/ ready. :hef is behind him at the radio. 6ance leans bac' from his forward turret. LANCE <yelling= Ma0!e 8e !etter sta0 in under the trees till dar7 ' 8e 1ot his YaterW%LLA " He didn.t loo7 li7e he.d ta7e that sittin1 do8nThey all loo' up into the s'y e*pecting the worst. W%LLA " <continuing= Let.s put so$e distance !et8een us and CharlieThe :hief nods. CH%EF Lance ' LANCE YeahCH%EF Wh0 don.t 0ou roll us a !i1 Boint5 % thin7 the Captain.d li7e thatThey all loo' at "illard uneasily. After a suspenseful pause, "illard smiles$ W%LLA " (a7e one a $ine ' +e fishes into his breast poc'et pulls out a huge cigar)si,ed joint. They all smile "illard lights up. "%SSOL&E (O: F+LL SHO( ' (HE P-B- It ,ig),ags away from us down the river at high speed. "%SSOL&E (O: F+LL SHO( ' (HE ( EES6 BOA(6 C EW ' N%:H( The boat is hidden under some trees along the river ban'. The men wait tensely listening LANCE You hear it a1ain5

W%LLA " No ' % don.t thin7 so- But it.ll !e !ac7- (he0 8ere circlin1%t.ll !e !ac7LANCE You thin7 he.d o9 shot us5 W%LLA " When5 LANCE An0 ti$e ' us ' A$ericans6ance loo's over at "illard. W%LLA " % don.t thin7 he.d o9 shot us on the !each !ut ' he.d o9 shot us i9 he sa8 $e ta7in1 the !oard ' LANCE A Yater spoon is hard to 1et ' especiall0 hereW%LLA " He.s a $an 8ho 7no8s 8hat he 8ants ' he does 7no8 8hat he 8antsCHEF Can % 1o 1et those $an1os no85 CH%EF %.ll 1o 8ith 0ou in a 8hile ' Bust hold ti1ht a8hile ' LANCE Captain ' that 8as all true a!out the rats and chocolate and stu995 W%LLA " SureLANCE And 0ou could Bust tell 8hen the supplies 8ere !oo!0 trapped5 W%LLA " %t.s a 9eelin1 0ou 1et in the Bun1le- When 0ou 1et 1ood6 0ou can 9ind a trac7 and tell not onl0 ho8 $an0 the0 are6 !ut their $orale6 ho8 9ar the0.re 1oin16 8hether the0.re near their ca$p6 the 8eapons the0.re carr0in1CLEAN Ho8 can 0ou tell their 8eapons--- an. ho8 9ar the0.re 1oin15 "illard smiles. W%LLA " Mostl0 9ro$ the i$prints 8hen the0 put the$ do8n to resttheir $orale 9ro$ the 8a0 the0 dra1 their 9eet6 or the Boints that $a0 !e l0in1 around- %9 the0.re near a !ase ca$p6 the0 8ouldn.t !e conser#in1 9ood< the0.ll !e thro8in1 it a8a0 hal9;eaten- %9 the !ranches aren.t !ro7en6 their 8eapons are

slun1- But all this is Bust techni>ue- (here.s a 9eelin1 0ou 1et a9ter a 8hile6 that.s 8hat.s i$portant- % 8as 1oin1 throu1h a #illa1e once- % 8as loo7in1 9or a certain part0- % too7 o99 $0 !oots6 and 8al7ed into each hut- %t 8as $idni1ht- % 8ent into three li7e that and suddenl0 % reali/ed %.d 1one into each hut the sa$e 8a0 ' standin1 up ' so the ne=t one % 8ent in on $0 !ell0- An P" !urst too7 out the door a !it a!o#e $0 head<he shrugs= (hin1s li7e thatA pause, and then suddenly his attention is diverted they all are silent it is pitch dar' we 'E&" the distant S!)$D of "!#!"1-L&DES and indistinguishable language on a loudspea'er The tal' stops the "!#!"S grow L!)DE" until almost overhead. H%L:O E @&-O-A <over a loudspea'er= %.$ not 1onna hurt or har$ 0ou6 !o0 ' % Bust 8ant the !oard !ac7 ' You can understand ' %t 8as one o9 $0 !est ' You 7no8 ho8 hard it is to 1et a !oard 0ou li7e6 !o0- %.$ not 1onna hurt or har$ 0ou ' Just lea#e it 8here % can 9ind it ' The 'ELIC!P#E" D"!$ES on into the night the same speech starts again further off -inally the noise ceases. CLEAN Jesus ' that 1u0.s too da$n $uchCH%EF % 8onder i9 that 8as the sa$e copterW%LLA " He.s pro!a!l0 1ot .e$ all o#er the ri#er 8ith that recordin1- We !etter $o#e no8 8hile it.s dar7:hef steps forward with a plastic bas'et. CH%EF Yeah6 Che9 ' 1o ahead ' ta7e Lance 8ith 0ou ' W%LLA " %.ll 1o 8ith hi$ ' They all loo' at him. W%LLA " <continuing= % 8anta 1et $0 9eet on solid land once in a8hile ' +e grabs an .)3/ and follows :hef over the side. ME"%+M SHO( ' (HE J+N:LE ' CHEF6 W%LLA " ' N%:H( They cautiously wal' through the underbrush. W%LLA " Che9CHEF

Yes6 sir ' W%LLA " Wh0 the0 call 0ou that5 CHEF Call $e 8hat6 sir5 W%LLA " Che9 ' is that .cause 0ou li7e $an1oes an. stu995 CHEF No6 sir ' %.$ a real che96 sir ' %.$ a sauciere ' W%LLA " A sauciere ' CHEF (hat.s ri1ht6 sir ' % co$e 9ro$ Ne8 Orleans ' % 8as raised to !e a sauciere--- a 1reat sauciere- We speciali/e in sauces< $0 8hole 9a$il0- %t.s 8hat 8e do- % 8as supposed to 1o to Paris and stud0 at the Esco99ier School< % 8as sa#in1 the $one0- (he0 called $e 9or $0 ph0sical so % 9i1ured the Na#0 had !etter 9oodW%LLA " What are 0ou doin1 out here5 CHEF Coo7 school ' that did itW%LLA " Ho85 CHEF (he0 lined us all up in 9ront o9 a hundred 0ards o9 pri$e ri! ' $a1ni9icent $eat6 !eauti9ull0 $ar!led--- (hen the0 started thro8in1 it in these !i1 cauldrons6 all o9 it ' !oilin1% loo7ed in6 an. it 8as turnin1 1ra0- % couldn.t stand it- % 8ent into radio schoolThey move into a slight clearing. W%LLA " <whispering= *uiet ' :hef crouches close redies his .)3/. "illard gestures that he heard something; he points. ME"%+M SHO( ' "%FFE EN( AN:LE PAN SLOWLY over jungle E$D "EVE&LI$% "illard and :hef. W%LLA " <silent= (here--+e points motions :hef to move away they cover the spot. A few yards from them they hear something move. It is obviously no small jungle creature. They wal' toward a patch of blac' elephant grass; their guns at the ready. They loo' at each other. "illard is cold, methodical,

doing something he 'nows well. There is a noise again some of the growth rustles. +e and :hef move a distance apart, and join in stal'ing the probable 2.:. "illard directs the :hef with hand gestures, and bird and cric'et sounds. They move stealthily, closing the ape* of their triangle on the hunted. The two men drop low into the elephant grass, and remain motionless. Then "illard ma'es the cric'et noise, and they move closer. "illard>s left hand edges out along the .)3/>s far end, so that he only has to point the finger of that hand and he will hit what he wants. +e ma'es another command and they rush the trapped enemy. ME"%+M SHO( ' (HE ELEPHAN( : ASS ' W%LLA " AN" CHEF uddenly there is a ")S'I$% S!)$D The grass folds down !uic'ly toward them willard plants his feet and from the hip lets go ,)LL &)#! &#IC. The :hef retreats ,I"I$% short -)"S#S into the grass the grass folds almost to "illard then a huge tiger leaps out at them; snarling magnificently. They ,I"E wildly, emptying their clips. CHEF %t.s a $other9uc7in1 ti1er ' 1odda$n--+e turns and bolts through the jungle, as scared as a man can be. CHEF <continuing; screaming= :odda$n ' Jesus Christ ti1er ' $other9uc7in1 ti1er ' ohhhhhhhhh ' "illard jams another clip in his gun and bac's out of the clearing, covering the bushes and runs, scared out of his head as well. F+LL SHO( ' (HE BOA( ' (HE C EW They all are armed 6ance has the twin B0>s pointed into the jungle. :hef comes screaming out of the brush, throws his rifle into the boat and dives headfirst after it. CHEF <hysterical= Ohhhh ' ti1er4 Oh 1odda$n4 %t.s a ti1er4 Jesus Christ4 :odda$n6 a ti1er4 OhhhhhhhhThe :hief tries to grab him; ta'es his gun away, but is unable to ta'e a hold of the :hef, as he slithers around the boat, trying to find safety. "illard follows from the jungle The :hef is moaning and stares off into the night. LANCE What.s this ti1er shit5 W%LLA " No shit--- % thin7 % shot the hell out o9 hi$LANCE You thin75 W%LLA " % 8asn.t loo7in1-- % 8as runnin1CLEAN Was a !i1 ti1er ' no shit5 W%LLA " Who stopped to $easure hi$ ' let.s 1et the hell out o9 here-

CHEF A $other9uc7in1 ti1er ' % could.#e !een 7illedThe E$%I$E "!&"S to life the #.5.8. pulls away with great speed. CH%EF You 9or1ot the $an1oes6 didn.t 0ou5 CHEF Man1oes5 (here as a 9uc7in1 ti1er in the 8oods ' % could.#e !een eaten ali#e- %.$ ne#er 1oin1 into that Bun1le a1ain- % 1otta re$e$!er ne#er 1et out o9 the !oat< ne#er 1et outta the !oatThey move off; swallowed by the dar'ness. The ()$%LE $!ISES remain, as !)" VIEW -E%I$S a !VE I$#! the jungle. W%LLA " @&-O-A He 8as ri1ht6 the Che9 ' ne#er 1o into the Bun1le6 unless 0ou.re read0 to 1o all the 8a0"%SSOL&E (O: E,(- (HE BOA( %N MA %NA "EL AY ' N%:H( "illard, thin'ing, his -&CK #! )S. uddenly, he turns around, and we SEE his face. W%LLA " @&-O-A What 8as in the Bun1le5 What 8as there6 8aitin1 9or $e5 +e lights the cigarette; the light of his match illuminating his face momentarily. There is something different about him; a maturity, a cool inner peace. W%LLA " @&-O-A <continuing= --- Hurt/ 8as in there- Or 8as he< 8as it Hurt/5 He 8as Bust a na$e to $e no8< % couldn.t re$e$!er a 9ace6 a #oice ' he Bust didn.t add up to $e- all his li!eral !ullshit a!out the end o9 sa#a1er0 ' and the role o9 our culture6 our 8a0 o9 li9e--"illard loo's toward the group of people on the boat there is still some drin' and laugh. )SIC. They tal' and

W%LLA " @&-O-A <continuing= Our 8a0 o9 li9e ' % reall0 started to loo7 9or8ard to $eetin1 Hurt/ a1ain"%SSOL&E (O: WA(E WAY ' MO&%N: FO WA " ' "AY "e 'E&"$ A"%O

Must re$e$!er that 8e o8e our than7s 9or these to the 8onder9ul ser#ices o9 the +-S-O- ' here.s another oldie ' this one dedicated--&%EW ON CHEF 5y himself on the #.5.8.; he has wiped mud under his eyes to 'ill the glare; it is incredibly hot. +e is barechested, wearing a hat made of a banana palm. A"%O --- to the 9ire tea$ at An Hhe 9ro$ their 1roo#0 C-O- Fred the Head ' &%EW ON (HE : O+P A"%O (he ollin1 Stones and )Satis9action---) CHEF Outa si1htThe S!$% -L&"ES !$ they all dig it. PAN (O "illard, sitting alone in the rear, reading from his file on (urt,. "e "EVE&L 6ance in the b.g., water)s'iing behind the #.5.8., slaloming bac' and forth on his single s'i to the )SIC jumping the wa'e occasionally. NEW &%EW ' ON (HE P-B- 6ance water)s'iing to % atisfaction.% &%EW ON CLEAN Alert, at the rear of the boat his .)3/ ready, just in case. &%EW ON W%LLA " "illard opens a letter from the pac'et. "e can SEE it is a private correspondence feminine writing on the envelope. W%LLA " @&-O-A (he dossier o9 a "etach$ent contained letters 9ro$ the 9a$ilies and 8i#es o9 Hurt/. $en (here 8ere letters 9ro$ Hurt/. 8i9e as 8ellCLOSE SHO( ' ON (HE LE((E It is addressed to :olonel "alter (urt, in the corner is the return address of .rs. :olonel "alter (urt, "illard>s hand fushes through the pac'et and comes up with a picture of a very attractive, thirty)five year old American 5eauty... he is classically American. CLOSE SHO( ' ON W%LLA "

6oo'ing at the picture puts it bac', then opens the letter, straightens it. W%LLA " @&-O-A "earest Walt ' % ha#e to con9ess so$ethin1- % 7no8 ho8 0ou 9eel a!out this6 !ut % had to as7 Bo! to 9ind out 8hat he could ' % Bust couldn.t stand it an0$ore6 not 7no8in1 8here 0ou are6 8hether 0ou.re ali#e or dead- %.$ sorr0 Walt6 %.$ sorr0 % said that- Bo! didn.t tell $e an0thin1 ' he said he couldn.t ' % can.t stand it an0$ore6 Walt ' % Bust can.t stand it"illard loo's out at the jungle. 9eep impenetrable jungle dar' and primeval forests pass by. The 8olling tones C'&$# on in the bac'ground. W%LLA " @&-O-A <continuing= % ha#e to ta7e the 7ids to school e#er0 $ornin1 no8 ' carpools Bust ne#er 8or7 outCeff came home with a blac' eye on Tuesday but said he won anyway. +e wouldn>t tell me what the fight was about. Ceff 'eeps as'ing where you are he has maps of 2ietnam in his room now. +e misses you very much. I can>t ta'e this much longer, "alt. I love you and I just can>t stand it. CLOSE ON W%LLA " +e folds the letter up, files through some others !uic'ly and gets to a peculiar envelope stamped Top ecret with a stenciled date on it. It is also noted that this was the last correspondence to leave 1u .ung 5a. It is addressed to (urt,> wife. +e opens the letter it is written in a scrawled savage hand to no one in particular. It reads$ % ell the house ell the car ell the 'ids -ind someone else -orget it I>m never coming bac' -orget it % +e folds up the letter. CLOSE SHO( ' W%LLA " +e loo's out at the ominous jungled mountains. "%SSOL&E (O: F+LL SHO( ' P-B- - ' %&E O+(POS( ' A%N The #.5.8. pulls in towards an American outpost that is being used as a forward medical evacuation center. 2arious helicopters pads are SEE$, but only one helicopter the +)EF painted with #layboy rabbits that brought the girls to +au -at. everal soldiers in raincoats come out the doc' as the #.5.8. pulls up. ME"%+M SHO( ' W%LLA "6 SOL"%E S

"illard loo's into some empty tents loo's around the dreary muddy camp. Two soldiers pass. W%LLA " Soldier ' 8here.s 0our C-O-5 SOL"%E Stepped on a !oo!0 trap6 sir ' 1ot !lo8n all to hell ' W%LLA " Well 6 8ho.s in co$$and here5 SOL"%E % don.t 7no8 ' don.t ha#e an0 idea ' %.$ Bust the ni1ht $an ' +e turns and wal's off babbling incoherently W%LLA " What a!out 0ou6 soldier5 The soldier he was tal'ing to turns around smiling idiotically and ma'ing animal noises. +e stumbles off after his friend. ME"%+M SHO( ' "%FFE EN( AN:LE ' W%LLA " +e loo's around disgustedly &O%CE @O-S-A <whispering= Captain ' "illard turns around loo'ing for where the voice came from. &O%CE @O-S-A <continuing= O#er here6 Captain ' +e turns to see the +ollywood Agent under the flap of a large tent so that he won>t get wet. +e wears the same clothes as before, but is much dirtier. +e motions "illard into the tent. %N(- (EN( ' ME"%+M SHO( ' W%LLA "6 A:EN( They duc' inside it is dar' and damp. On cots around a stove sit the three playmates and the pilot. The nearest one, C&#'*, a blonde, pic's leeches out of her feet. The other two, #E""I and L*$D&, play cards with the helicopter pilot. "illard loo's over the situation. A:EN( You ca$e in on that !oat6 didn.t 0ou5 W%LLA " Yeah ' A:EN( Where are 0ou headed5 W%LLA " What.s it $atter5 :et to the point-

A:EN( Loo7 ' 0ou 7no8 the 1irls ' (hat.s (erri ' she 8as pla0$ate o9 ' W%LLA " Yeah6 % cau1ht 0our sho8 at Hau FatThey all loo' over. A:EN( Oh ' % see ' Well6 1irls6 this is Captain ' eh ' W%LLA " Captain Willard ' 1o aheadA:EN( Loo7 ' 8e 1ot in a little trou!le ' the0 rudel0 too7 our helicopter 9or MedE#ac 8or7 on this ' uh Operation Brute Force ' (he0 Bust !rou1ht it !ac7 this $ornin1W%LLA " YeahA:EN( Well % $ean li7e the0 also too7 our 9uel ' We.#e !een here t8o da0sW%LLA " "read9ulA:EN( Loo7 ' the 1irls could 1et 7illed ' 8e.re not supposed to !e this close co$!at6 % $ean real co$!atW%LLA " Well ' A:EN( We could use so$e 9uel ' Bust a hal9 dru$ ' Bust enou1h to 1et us out a hereW%LLA " We need all our 9uel+e turns and starts to leave. A:EN( But6 Captain6 thin7 8hat these 1irls ha#e done 9or the !o0s ' thin7 o9 ho8 the0.#e ris7ed ' "illard is almost out of the tent. (E Captain ' +e turns around. (E % <continuing= %

%t.s reall0 rou1h here ' Captain ' 8e.re Bust not !uilt 9or it ' The #ilot laughs. P%LO( (hat.s rich ' (E % "o us a 9a#or ' %.d do one 9or 0ou ' i9 % could ' "illard just stares at her even though she>s in jeans and field jac'et she is something to see The Agent ta'es "illard aside Terri goes bac' to the others. A:EN( Loo7 ' 0ou 7no8 8ho that is6 Captain ' 0ou 7no8 8hat she.s sa0in1 ' 0ou.ll ne#er see stu99 that 1ood outside o9 a $a1a/ine 9or the rest o9 0our li9eW%LLA " %.$ not that 9ond o9 !londes ' $a0!e % li7e !runettes ' A:EN( (a7e 0our pic7 ' the0 all li7e 0ou ' % can tell ' W%LLA " % li7e all o9 the$ ' A:EN( :ood ' li7e % said6 ta7e 0our pic7W%LLA " % said % li7e all o9 the$A:EN( No8 Bust a second ' %.$ doin1 0ou a 9a#or6 !udd0 ' 8hat.re 0ou tr0in1 to pull5 "illard turns to leave again. W%LLA " We need all our 9uel an08a0A:EN( Wait ' 8ait ' don.t 1et up ti1ht ' 8hat % $eant 8as 8e.d need a 8hole dru$ 9or that ' W%LLA " Sit do8n ' 8e.ll tal7 a!out it"illard sits down on a metal chair motions the Agent to do li'ewise. A:EN( What.s there to tal7 a!out ' this 8hole thin1 dis1usts $eW%LLA " M0 $en ' A:EN( What4

W%LLA " (hat.s 8hat there is to tal7 a!out ' $0 $an ' % ta7e a 1ood care o9 $0 $en ' The girls are trying to pretend they>re not listening the helicopter #ilot is cac'ling to himself. A:EN( You.re out o9 0our s7ull ' W%LLA " We ha#e a lot o9 pride in our unit ' A:EN( Ho8 9ar do 0ou thin7 0ou can push ' 8hat 7ind o9 people do 0ou thin7 ' W%LLA " Esprit de corps ' A:EN( No ' a!solutel0 not ' W%LLA " One 9or all ' all 9or one ' A:EN( You can 7eep 0our 9uc7in1 9uel ' "illard gets up. W%LLA " You $a7e so$e o9 0our closest 9riends in the ar$0 ' 8ar has a 8a0 o9 !rin1in1 $en to1etherA:EN( :et out ' W%LLA " Men o9 all races ' nationalities ' +e gets up and starts out. A:EN( (8o dru$s ' "illard turns around slowly. A:EN( <continuing= (8o 8hole dru$s ' W%LLA " We can use so$e 9i9t0 cali!er and a CD too ' A:EN( % don.t 7no8 8hat 0ou.re tal7in1 a!out ' :et 9uc7ed ' W%LLA " % 8ill ' % assure 0ou that ' You 1ot a 9i9t0 on that H;KG ' lea#e the a$$o in !o=es ' %.ll 1et $0 $en to !rin1 the 9irst dru$ 8ith .e$ '

+e turns to go under the tent flap. W%LLA " <continuing= Ha#e the 1irls 9reshen up a !it ' co$! their hair ' put on so$ethin1 ' 0ou 7no8 8hat % $ean ' +e leaves. F+LL SHO( ' P-B- - ' C EW They are all wor'ing on patching the boat and cleaning it up in general. .r. :lean sits in foreground, cleaning an .)3/. CLEAN You 7eep this thin1 in this condition an. it.s 1onna Ba$6 Lance ' $ar7 $0 8ordsLANCE Wh0 don.t 0ou 1o pet the 8ater !u99aloes ' 1et o99 $0 !ac75ehind them on the beach stand several water buffaloes eating mud or whatever they do. They are painted jungle brown and green camouflage with grey bottoms on their sides the words have been stenciled in blac'$ %3 ;ach 5uffalo, "ater 5)3A 7. . Army 1o. 3B4E@% "illard wal's through them down to the boat. CH%EF Care9ul6 Captain6 the0.#e !een 7no8n to char1eW%LLA " All ri1ht % 1ot a little surprise 9or 0ou ' They all loo' up. W%LLA " <continuing= %.#e arran1ed 8ith those people 8e sa8 at Hau Fat to 1i#e us so$e F3 cali!er in trade 9or a couple a dru$s o9 9uel ' CHEF No shitW%LLA " Che9 ' since 0ou.re such a 9an o9 Miss "ece$!er.s % thin7 0ou should !e detailed 8ith Lance and Clean to ta7e the 9irst dru$ up thereCHEF % don.t !elie#e 0ou ' CH%EF What.re 0ou tr0in1 to sa06 Captain ' W%LLA "

You.ll see soon enou1h ' 1et 1oin16 sailor ' CH%EF No shit ' hot da$n ' %N(- (EN( ' ME"%+M SHO( ' LYN"A6 CHEF +e has followed her into the tent awe)struc' she casually starts unbuttoning her fatigue jac'et and ta'ing off her pants. he just stands there, his arms at his sides. CHEF %.#e 1ot e#er0 one o9 0our pictures ' %.#e 1ot the center9old ' the Pla0$ate.s re#ie8 ' the Pla0$ate o9 the Year run;o99 ' e#er0thin16 e#en the calendar ' LYN"A Well6 1et undressed and let.s 1et it o#er 8ith ' CHEF % can.t !elie#e it ' %.d a ne#er e#en 1ot to see 0ou i9 it 8asn.t 9or this 8ar ' he lies down on the cot in only her panties. CHEF <continuing= You 8ouldn.t $ind ' uh 7inda drapin1 that Bac7et o#er 0ou sort o9 the 8a0 0ou 8ere in the calendar6 8ould 0ou5 LYN"A Co$e on ' cut this crap ' % 1otta 1et !ac7 to Sai1on ' CHEF Just let $e loo7 a8hile ' % Bust don.t !elie#e ' C+( (O: %N(- (EN( ' CLOSE SHO( ' LANCE6 CA(HY They have just finished ma'ing love. :athy loo's very pleased. 6ance finishes tying his boots she draws on his bac'. +e gets up starts to leave. LANCE Well ' uh than7s ' see 0ou aroundCA(HY Yeah+e leaves she pulls herself up and starts combing her hair .r. :lean wal's in. CA(HY <continuing= Who are 0ou5 CLEAN %.$ ne=t ' he shrugs.

"%SSOL&E (O: %N(- (EN( ' ME"%+M SHO( ' W%LLA "6 (E %

+e finishes tying on his boots pulls on his jac'et his gun belt and pic's up his .)3/. he loo's up at him W%LLA " Ma.a$ ' %.d li7e to than7 0ou 9or 8hat 0ou an. all 0our 9riends ha#e done 9or us ' % 8ant 0ou to 7no8 that $e an. the $en appreciate 0ou co$in1 all this 8a0 ' ris7in. 0our li#es ' li#in1 unco$9orta!l0 an. doin1 all 0ou can to entertain us- % 8ant 0ou to 7no8 personall06 Miss6 that 9or the past 9e8 $inutes 0ou ha#e $ade $e 9eel at ho$ehe pic's up a shoe to throw at him. he turns, e*its foreground. W%LLA " <continuing= Just 8anted to sa0 that6 $a.a$The S'!E CL&$%S off his helmet. C+( (O: E,(- (HE P-B- - APP OACH%N: "O L+N: B %":E ' F+LL SHO( ' N%:H( The boat edges in toward the wrec'ed bridge in the distance. Along the ban's are sandbagged fortifications with 7. . soldiers in them. There is a bright fire burning uncontrolled in the distance; the spar's and white light from welding on the bridge momentarily lights up the night. W%LLA " @&-O-A (8o da0s and ni1hts later6 8e approach the "o Lun1 Brid1e&%EW ON (HE FACES OF (HE P-B- - C EW "atching. ;verywhere are wrec'ed boats parts of trun's stic'ing out of the water smashed helicopters on the ban's. The bridge is in a state of siege. .ortars and roc'ets arc through the night indiscriminately and rip through the nearby jungle. oldiers are everywhere scurrying from trenches, carrying materials for the bridge or tending to the wounded, the maimed and the dead. 6ight automatic WE&P!$ ,I"E is 'E&"D occasionally. The #.5.8. edges in under the span of the old bridge. oldiers run up through the water. They are obscured in the dar'ness. SOL"%E % 1otta 1et out a here ' %.ll pa0 ' % 1ot $one0CH%EF :et a8a0 9ro$ this !oatW%LLA " Who.s 0our C-O-6 soldier5 The oldier duc's bac' and runs away. SOL"%E Fuc7 0ou6 0ou.ll 1et 8hat.s co$in1 to 0ou-

Other men approach the boat. A young LIE)#E$&$# steps forward. L%E+(ENAN( Captain Willard5 W%LLA " (hat.s $eL%E+(ENAN( Captain Willard ' 8e 1ot these 9ro$ Nha (hran1 t8o da0s a1o ' the0 e=pected 0ou here then ' +e hands up a plastic bag, ma*imum security mar'ings, "illard ta'es it. L%E+(ENAN( <continuing= You don.t 7no8 ho8 happ0 that $a7es $e6 sirW%LLA " Wh05 L%E+(ENAN( No8 % can 1et out a here ' i9 % can 9ind a 8a0 outW%LLA " We.ll !e needin1 so$e supplies and 9uel ' do 0ou 7no8 an0!od0 8ho can 1i#e $e a hand5 L%E+(ENAN( %.d Bust clear out as soon as % could i9 % 8ere 0ou6 sir(he0.re 1onna start 8or7in1 on the !rid1e 8ith torches a1ain- Charlie 8ill start thro8in1 it in hard ' W%LLA " What is this !rid1e5 L%E+(ENAN( %t.s o9 strate1ic i$portance 9or 7eepin1 the hi1h8a0 into Bat Shan open ' the 1enerals don.t li7e to ad$it that Bat Shan is surrounded+e points to the men getting ready to wor'. L%E+(ENAN( <continuing= E#er0 ni1ht 8e !uild it and !0 3I33 the0.#e !lo8n it up ' it and a lot o9 1ood $en ' But the 1enerals li7e to sa0 the road is open ' ha4 No!od0 uses that road e=cept Charlie+e turns and splashes off into the dar'ness. L%E+(ENAN( <continuing= (his is the cesspool o9 hellSOL"%E @O-S-A %nco$in1S'ELLS W'IS#LE !VE" and C"&S' into the bridge E.PL!SI!$S are thunderous. E$ SC"E& in the distance the

CH%EF <yelling= All ri1ht ' Lance6 1o 8ith the Captain an. see 8hat 0ou can scroun1e ' "illard climbs out with 6ance. CH%EF <continuing; to "illard= Better $a7e it 9ast6 sir ' 8e don.t reall0 need $uch an08a0"illard nods and they scurry off the ban' under the bridge. ME"%+M SHO( ' W%LLA "6 LANCE They dash up the emban'ment and along the barbed wire on the edge of the road. S'ELLS SC"E& overhead, they don>t 'now where to run. &O%CE Strai1ht ahead6 son;o9;a;!itchThey dive towards the voice. CLOSE SHO( ' ( ENCH They dive in, a S!LDIE" is crounched in foreground holding his buddy who is crying uncontrollably. SOL"%E You ca$e ri1ht to it6 son o9 a !itch ' W%LLA " Son;o9;a;!itch6 sirThe oldier doesn>t respond. W%LLA " <continuing= Where.s 0our chie9 suppl0 o99icer5 SOL"%E Be#erl0 Hills ' W%LLA " What5 SOL"%E Strai1ht up the road ' a concrete !un7er ' Be#erl0 Hills ' 8here else 0ou thin7 he.d !e5 W%LLA " C.$on ' There is an apparent lull and they dash out along the road. uddenly to their right an S#&"#S !PE$I$% )P from a sandbagged emplacement. SOL"%E @O-S-A :et 0our asses do8n6 !udd0145

They drop and crawl to the slit trench and run up to the emplacement. everal S!LDIE"S man a .)/0. One has a sniper rifle another tries to spot for the &unner. "illard and 6ance edge up along the trench. "illard trips. &O%CE Watch 0our 9eet6 asshole ' "illard loo's down. &O%CE <continuing= You stepped on $0 9aceLANCE We thou1ht 0ou 8ere dead&O%CE (he 8hole 8orld lo#es a s$art assThey move ahead more carefully. The &unner -L&S#S away into the night, there is a pile of brass cases about three feet high ne*t to him. -inally he stops swearing to himself. W%LLA " What.re 0ou shootin1 at6 soldier5 :+NNE :oo7s+e turns and sees it>s an officer. :+NNE <continuing= %.$ sorr06 sirW%LLA " %t.s all ri1ht6 ser1eant ' 8hat.s out there5 :+NNE (he0 8ere tr0in. to cut throu1h the 8ire ' % 1ot .e$ all % thin7O(HE SOL"%E Oh 0eah ' listenThere is a low moaning SC"E& hideously. from out in the wire it stops for a minute then continues

:+NNE He.s tr0in1 to call his 9riends ' send up a 9lareThe potter does, it arcs up, then bathes them in eerie light. The &unner ,I"ES a long -)"S#. SPO((E (hose are all dead6 stupid6 he.s o!#iousl0 underneath .e$ ' They thin' about this as the flare goes out. The SC"E& I$% gets more intense. :+NNE Wa7e up the oach-

The potter moves down to where a tall lan'y S!LDIE" is leaned up against the trench. +e 'ic's him hard several times. 8oach wa'es and just loo's up. On his helmet are the words$ %&O9 56; 9O".% OACH Yeah6 $anSPO((E Slope in the 8ire ' hear hi$+e listens, he does, he nods. SPO((E <continuing= Bust hi$8oach gets up somewhat annoyed but very cool. +e saunters up the machine gun dragging his .) G@ which has paisley designs all over it. :+NNE Hear hi$5 OACH Sure 6 0eah:+NNE You need a 9lare ' OACH No6 it.s cool+e opens the breech of his shotgun)li'e weapon and plun's the big slug into it. +e snaps it closed then rests it across his forearm over the trench he listens to the SC"E& , calculating. OACH <continuing= He.s close ' real close+e adjusts his sights so that the gun is aimed high into the air. +e listens again then ,I"ES. The %"E$&DE W'IS#LES off into the night. There is a sharp E.PL!SI!$ that cuts off the scream. Then the #')D of bodies or pieces of bodies coming down around them. OACH <continuing= Muhhh Fuhhh--+e staggers bac' down the trench to go to sleep. F+LL SHO( ' P-B- - ' B %":E ' CLEAN6 CHEF They stand in the shallows waiting for "illard and 6ance. :lean is nervous, he constantly chec's his .)3/. S'ELLS W'IS#LE by and C"&S' in the distance. CHEF :ee/6 % 8ish the0.d hurr0A S!LDIE" comes up on his way with some others to start building the bridge. SOL"%E He06 !udd06 that !oat still runs6 eh5

CLEAN Yeah6 it still runsSOL"%E "o $e a 9a#or !udd06 pleaseCLEAN What is it5 +e ta'es out a handful of crumpled envelopes. SOL"%E Send these out 8hen 0ou 1et !ac7 to the 8orld+e puts them in :lean>s hand. SOL"%E <continuing= %t.s to e#er0one % reall0 7ne8 ' the 9irst 1irl % scre8ed ' $0 !rother ' !est 9riend ' % 8anted to tell .e$ ho8 $uch % enBo0ed 7no8in1 .e$ ' it.s !een a 1reat t8ent0 0ears- % 1otta let .e$ 7no8CLEAN What.re 0ou as7in. $e 9or ' put .e$ in the 9irst helicopter co$es in to$orro8SOL"%E No!od0 co$es in here+e points up at the mountain ridges. SOL"%E <continuing= (he N-&-A- KC2th ' o#er there the K3Jth ' on that hill 8e counted 9ourteen di99erent 1uns in one $inute ' the0 1ot roc7ets $ortars6 snipers in those trees6 there.s a $illion o9 those shitt0 little !astards out there ' 8e.re all 1onna die+e grabs :lean and loo's at him with a maniacal urgency. SOL"%E <continuing= %.$ 1onna !e dead:lean ta'es the letters. SOL"%E <continuing= You 1ot a chance in that !oat ' !0 $ornin1 0ou could !e 9i#e $iles do8n the ri#erCLEAN We ain.t 1oin. do8n the ri#erThe oldier loo's at him as if he is jo'ing. CLEAN <continuing= What.s up ri#er 9ro$ here an0ho8 '

The oldier doesn>t answer, just stares dumbfounded. SOL"%E Spoo70CLEAN Charlie5 SOL"%E No6 it.d !e spoo70 8ithout the 8ar ' 1i#e .e$ !ac7+e ta'es the letters and leaves, somewhat disappointed and disgusted. "illard and 6ance come bac' down the beach carrying some belts of ammunition and a couple of e*tra .)3/>s. CH%EF Wo86 0ou $ust a 9ound the C-O-6 eh5 W%LLA " We 9ound so$e !odies ' let.s 1et out a hereF+LL SHO( ' "%FFE EN( AN:LE ' P-B- They edge through the shallows as the men light up their welding torches to start wor' on the pontoon bridge then pull away and accelerate fast. ME"%+M SHO( ' (HE P-B- - C EW The :hief is at the helm they all loo' bac' in the distance where the bridge was the hills flash with artillery discharges there is a fiery glow from the bridge area and the C!$C)SSI!$ of heavy E.PL!SI!$S. "%SSOL&E (O: E,(- F+LL SHO( ' P-B- - ' C EW ' A%N The boat moves uneasily upriver, through this tropical downpour. .r. :lean is in the foreground, oiling and cleaning his B0)cal, his .)33 and .)G@ the rest of the crew are forward, ta'ing shelter from the rain under the canvas canopy. :lean wor's methodically under an umbrella he was set up by leaning the surfboard against gun mount. E,(- (HE +SH%N: %&E ' NEW &%EW ' A%N The river is moving fast against them. all manner of debris; tree trun's, sweeping by the #.5.8. CH%EF <to "illard= % can.t see a 9uc7in1 thin1There is a loud C"&CKI$% S!)$D, as one of the pieces of tree)trun' whac's the hull, and bounces off. "illard climbs forward, and loo's down. CH%EF <continuing= We hit a !i1 enou1h one this hull 8ill shatter li7e a Cor#ette- Fuc7in1 plastic !oat-

"illard practically hangs off forward with a long pole, warding off the big debris moving toward the #.5.8. :lean joins him, helping. W%LLA " <shouting to :hief= What a!out duc7in1 into one o9 those tri!utaries till this ri#er slo8s do8n5 CH%EF Who 7no8s 8hat.s up there5 W%LLA " Can.t !e an0 8orse than this- What do 0ou thin75 CH%EF % thin7 this ri#er 8ants to ta7e us ho$e 9ast- %.$ practicall0 1oin. in re#erse"illard points his pole in the direction of the mouth of a tributary. W%LLA " Well6 1et in thereCH%EF (his 8hole area is lous0 8ith &-C- ' We don.t stand a chance- Le$$e turn around and 8e.ll !e in Hau Fat in si= $inutesThere is a really loud W'&CK against the hull. "illard really mad, throws the pole at the :hief, who duc's. W%LLA " :et in there4 CH%EF (his is $0 cre8 and $0 9uc7in1 !oat6 and %.$ the responsi!le part0W%LLA " :et in there no8 or %.ll !ur0 0ou in this ri#erIt>s clear that "illard will 'ill the :hief if he doesn>t do as he says. CH%EF <finally relents, turns the helm= You.re 9uc7in1 cra/0- You.re 1oin1 to 1et us all 7illedThe #.5.8. navigates through the rush and into the mouth of the tributary. "%SSOL&E (O: E,(- (HE ( %B+(A Y ' P-B- - ' A%N 8ain is pouring down, but the #.5.8. is slowed down to a snail>s pace by +yacinths, literally across the waterway. "illard, :hef and :lean in the water, cutting through them with machetes. &%EW ON LANCE

+aving climbed to the highest point of the coc'pit. LANCE %t !rea7s throu1h in a!out t8ent0 9eet&%EW ON W%LLA " :utting through. he loo's to :hef, who has stopped cutting, and is staring into the jungle. W%LLA " What do 0ou see5 CHEF % don.t 7no8+e loo's out the jungle at this point is very dar' and high totally impenetrable. W%LLA " Heep cuttin1They wor' feverishly, 'nowing something is wrong. &%EW ON CHEF :utting with all he>s got. CHEF % 7no8 it sounds stupid6 !ut % 9eel li7e the 1odda$n Bun1le.s 8atchin1 usW%LLA " Pro!a!l0 isCHEF Whatdo0a thin7 it thin7sW%LLA " (hat 8e.re du$!er than 8e loo7:hef stops again, loo's hard, trying to penetrate the dar'ness and from the very depth of it the dar'ness of it, comes a stream of tracers, la,ily arching out at them. It whips between them the S!)$D ,!LL!WI$% much later. Other -)LLE#S S &S' through and ricochet off the dec' fittings. %L&SS S'&##E"S, and a huge hun' of paint is removed from the armor shield by a 40 mm cannon. CH%EF Lance ' .!out t8ent0 $eters star!oard6ance leaps down to his position. "illard, :lean and :hef cut feverishly, as the trapped boat struggles to get free. CHEF (here in the trees4 ;verything is confusion yelling %)$,I"E the #')D of heavy -)LLE#S ripping inti the #.5.8.>s fibreglass hull.

&%EW ON LANCE 6ance>s twin guns return the ,I"E. The :hief moves to one of the heavy guns and joins 6ance in returning the ,I"E. &%EW ON (HE MEN %N (HE WA(E #ushing, cutting. 5ullets S &S' and E.PL!DE around. :lean climbs onto the boat, and leaps onto a gun emplacement. ME"%+M &%EW 1obody really 'nows where the erratic fire is coming from. CH%EF <bac' at the helm= Ele#ate Lance6 in the tree- No6 % sa8 anotherCHEF (hirt0 $eters up6 Lance< % sa8 the 9uc7in1 9lash6ance grits his teeth, ,I"I$% CLOSE SHO( ON CLEAN PO& BEH%N" CLEAN +e -L&S#S short bursts of tracers into the jungle, cutting it to salad. uddenly more tracers from another direction :lean swings around -)LLE#S smash against his shield and rip chun's from the surfboard. +e -L&S#S a long heavy burst at the jungle trees crumble. CLEAN %.$ rippin1 .e$6 $an6 son;o9;a;!itch6 it.s Ba$$ed6 oh :od6 it.s Ba$$ed:lean is riddled by &C'I$E %)$ ,I"E.

:hief runs to .r. :lean it is obvious that he is dead. +e loo's angrily to "illard. "illard and :hef are practically through. "illard leaps up, as :hef finishes the last stro'es. +e moves toward the coc'pit. W%LLA " (hro8 $e that ordnance:hef throws him an .)G@ and several shells "illard opens it, jams a huge projectile and pulls himself over the edge of the coc'pit. W%LLA " <continuing= :i#e $e so$e 7ind a 9ield a 9ire ' -)LLE#S rip by. CHEF <e*hausted= We.re throu1h-

+e climbs aboard and collapses. CHEF <continuing= Oh6 :od ' LANCE <firing= % ain.t 9inished4 % ain.t 9inished4 W%LLA " Brin1 that !o8 ordnance into those trees+e jams his gun up as he sees a flash and ,I"ES there is a low #O# and a "+I T6; as the %"E$&DE arches into the jungle. PO& ' BEH%N" (HEM +e ,I"ES another burst as the %"E$&DE E.PL!DES brightly. There is another #O# and "+I T6; , another -L&S#. A large tree falls, just as the craft speeds up through the thinning growth. "e 'E&" strange SC"E& I$% from the trees and jungle, hideous !&$S and terror) filled C"IES. CLOSE SHO( ON (HE CH%EF +e jams the throttle forward the boat surges ahead. "illard ,I"ES another %"E$&DE from his .)G@. F+LL SHO( ON (HE P-B- The boat slams through the hyacinth growth, moving through the river, ,I"I$% -&CK at unseen enemy in the jungle. "%SSOL&E (O: F+LL &%EW ON (HE P-B- - ' (W%L%:H( The boat moves ahead at half speed through a wide, flat area in the river. ME"%+M &%EW The men sit around, e*hausted, brutali,ed, wounded. They loo' li'e animals, but they are rela*ed, because they 'now they>re too far from the ban's to be shot at. They smo'e pot and eat silently. 6ance smo'es a joint and loo's at his gun. plotches of paint have been blown away from the armor shield pieces of dec' are ripped and ragged around the mount. The boat is a floating wrec'. :lean>s body is being prepared in a plastic sac' by :hief. All of the men are silent. :hef comes up from below; he has been wounded in the shoulder. CHEF (here.s so$e !ad holes6 $an6 and the crac7s ' 8ater.s co$in1 throu1h the crac7s- Food.s shot to hell-

W%LLA " Ho8 $uch is le9t5 CHEF Less than hal9 ' sure is a $ess do8n there:hief has been silent by the body of :lean in a plastic sac'. W%LLA " And the 1rass5 CHEF Still 1ot a lot o9 that stu99 9ro$ Nha (ran1- But 8e.re runnin1 lo8 on the other:hief pushes :lean>s body into the river. &%EW ON W%LLA " +e notices something in the distance. W%LLA ".S PO& A light. ME"%+M &%EW "illard stands up, pointing up the river. W%LLA " He0They all loo' over. W%LLA " <continuing= (hat.s a li1ht do8n there ' CHEF Yeah6 it isCH%EF What the hell is it5 W%LLA " %n the $iddle o9 the Bun1le ' a 1odda$n li1htF+LL SHO( ' (HE P-B- - ' (HE (W%L%:H( The #.5.8. approaches the distant light which seems to be on the doc' of an overgrown plantation building. &%EW ON W%LLA "6 CH%EF training to see; he uses field glasses.

PO& ' (H O+:H (HE :LASSES eems to be some figures standing on the doc'. The figures pull bac' behind some drums. BACH (O SCENE W%LLA " Watch it4 They duc' as S'!#S "I$% !)# from the doc', stitching the water across the #.5.8.>s bow. The crew crouches, guns trained on the doc' as the boat still approaches. W%LLA " <continuing= (he0.re not Con1CH%EF <over the loud)hailer= We.re A$ericansAnother -)"S#, closer. CHEF Ma0!e 0ou shouldn.t sa0 8e.re A$ericans5 "illard stares at the doc' and building, trying to figure it out. W%LLA " Che96 tr0 0our French:hief hands the loud)hailer to :hef, who shrugs and shouts$ CHEF Nous so$$es A$ericains ' ilence. CHEF <continuing= Nous ne #oulon pas #ous a1resser&%EW ON W%LLA " +e loo's through the glasses. PO& (H O+:H (HE :LASSES &radually, a small group appears from behind the drums on the doc'. W%LLA " @O-S-A French Nationals ' the0 $a0 not !e too 9riendl06 thou1hBACH (O SCENE "e drift closer to the doc'. The :hef starts enjoying spea'ing -rench.

CHEF Nous so$$es A$ericains ' nous so$$es des a$is ' There is silence as the boat drifts closer. Then$ F ENCHMAN <shouting out= &ous parle/ Francais co$$e une #ache espanoleCHEF <to himself= % thou1ht it 8as prett0 1ood6 $0sel9CH%EF What.d he sa05 CHEF Said % spea7 French li7e a Spanish co8F ENCHMAN @O-S-A Laisser to$!er #os ar$es ' CHEF Put the 1uns strai1ht up ' stand a8a0 9ro$ the $ountsW%LLA " "o itThey do. F ENCHMAN @O-S-A &ous pou#e/ approcher $ais douce$ent ' CHEF (a7e her in slo8F+LL SHO( ' "%FFE EN( AN:LE ' "OCH The men on the doc' move forward, cautiously. They are a young man, P'ILIPPE, about 4B, strong and handsome, save for a scar down on the side of his face and through his left eye, which is covered by a patch. +e is dressed in a tiger suit and the red beret of the -rench colonial para) troops. Also of the red beret are 'E$"* Le,EV"E, a bearded, dar')loo'ing man of EB, and #"&$ V&$ K&C, a middle)aged half)breed slave. They all bear automatic weapons and suspicious in their eyes. As the boat pulls up to the doc', another -renchman joins the group, obviously the head man, %&S#!$ DE &"&IS, about fifty, small and delicate, with a strength about him. PH%L%PPE Hands on the headsCH%EF % can.t steer 8ith $0 1odda$n 9eetCHEF He06 the0 spea7 A$erican:AS(ON Who is the co$$andin1 o99icer5

CH%EF %' W%LLA " % a$ ' %.$ Captain B-L- Willard- (his is Chie9 Warrant O99icer Phillips ' it.s his !oat- We 8ere shot up !ad do8nri#er and need repairs and 9ood ' 8e can pa0 0ou in 1old:AS(ON Philippe ' #hilippe moves to another position (ac grabs the rope from the dec' and ties it to the doc'. LANCE %.ll help 0ou 8ith ' PH%L%PPE "o not $o#e ' &aston loo's at the s'yward pointed twin fifties admiringly. :AS(ON Fi9t0 cali!ers6 eh6 Captain ' W%LLA " As % said6 8e can pa0 0ou in 1old:AS(ON Entirel0 unnecessar06 Captain+e puts down his gun the others do li'ewise :AS(ON We share a co$$on ene$0 ' 0ou are our 1uests<he steps bac'= % a$ :aston de $arais ' this is $0 9a$il0.s plantation- %t has !een such 9or C2C 0ears- %t 8ill !e such a9ter % die- (his is $0 son6 Philippe ' he has 9ou1ht in Al1eria and held the ran7 o9 Captain- And Henr0 LeFe#re ' a ser1eant< he 8as at "ien Bien Phu- M0 personal ser#ant6 (ran &an Hac ' Then he motions to the trees. A young man in a tiger suit and three women come forward from different positions all wear bush clothing and bear weapons. :AS(ON <continuing= M0 0oun1est son ' Christian ' CLOSE SHO( ' CH %S(%AN +e carries an .)/0 machine gun in his hand a belt of ammunition trailing off behind him. :AS(ON Christian.s 8i9e ' Ann;Marie ' A tall girl, good)loo'ing, but severe she carries an .)3/. :AS(ON <continuing=

And $0 0oun1est dau1hter ' ClaudineCLOSE ON CLA+"%NE An attractive girl about eighteen. he wears a red paratrooper beret and a well)fitted bush suit. he carries an .)G@ grenade launcher and plenty of ammunition. F+LL &%EW ' P-B- - ' C EW6 :AS(ON6 O(HE S They stand there, e*hausted and ama,ed. #hilippe yells in 2ietnamese about a do,en native men in tiger suits, heavily armed, wal' out of the trees from all around them. They loo' the Americans over warily and assemble at #hilippe>s command. W%LLA " A$erican 8eapons5 :AS(ON We too7 the$ 9ro$ the dead<smiles= No8 ' % assu$e 0ou 8ant to rest6 to sho8er- We.ll attend to 0our repairs a9ter dinnerCHEF Sho8er"illard>s men loo' at one another, da,ed. W%LLA " We don.t 8ant to !other 0ou an06 8e ' :AS(ON A $an o9 8ar is ne#er !othered to aid an all0 ' 0ou 8ill 9ollo8 $e6 Captain"illard steps off then stops, reaches bac' and pic's up his .)3/ by the stoc'. W%LLA " A ha!it o9 $en o9 8ar6 sir ' 0ou understand:AS(ON O9 course6 Captain ' an un9ortunate necessit0The men are relieved. They pic' up their weapons and follow. CH%EF What a!out the !oat5 PH%L%PPE M0 $en 8ill 7eep it 9or 0ou ' CH%EF Yeah ' 8ell6 %.ll sta0 8ith the !oatW%LLA " Chie9<pause= Co$e 8ith usThey loo' at each other a moment. The :hief shrugs and follows.

F+LL SHO( ' PLAN(A(%ON ' W%LLA "6 :AS(ON6 O(HE S &aston stops, points to a guest house off the main structure which is a typical jungle plantation house, save the many sandbagged gun emplacements and barbed wire. :AS(ON A suita!le acco$$odation 9or 0our $en6 captain ' 0ou 8ill6 o9 course6 !e >uartered 8ith us ' +e indicates that the men should follow #hilippe. The :hief is hesitant. W%LLA " :o ahead ' #hilippe leads them on, muttering. :AS(ON Captain6 this 8a0"illard follows they wal' over past the house and toward the jungle, approaching a huge crater, 300 feet across and about thirty feet deep. The bottom is filled with water and young -rench and 2ietnamese children swim in it. On the opposite rim, sit two men and a woman with machine guns. &aston strides up and loo's down at the crater with pride. :AS(ON <continuing= Ma1ni9icent6 eh6 Captain5 "illard loo's. :AS(ON <continuing= %t is #er0 1ood ' there is no current ' %t is #er0 1ood- % ha#e ne#er seen one li7e it in all %ndochina- % 8as in Paris 8hen it arri#ed ' do 0ou 7no8 8hat $i1ht ha#e caused ' W%LLA " Loo7s li7e a t8o thousand pound to $e- Yeah6 a t8o thousand pound !o$!:AS(ON No6 %.#e seen those in Nor$and0- (his is $uch !etter<pause= M0 countr0 ' $0 countr0 could ne#er ori1inate thisMa1ni9icent&aston stands in serious admiration for this feat; "illard loo's between him and this big hole in the ground in ama,ement. %N(- WO HMEN.S SHOWE ' E&EN%N: A foreman>s shower from the old plantation days. The :hief steps out of it, refreshed, though still e*hausted. 6ance stands there, about to step in, absolutely filthy, ca'ed with blood. +is reaction is odd; rather than just stepping into the shower, he seems almost frightened, reluctant to step in. :hef is waiting behind him. CHEF A hot sho8er6 hot da$n-

+e pushes him forward into the water. The dirt and ca'ed mud go swirling off his face and shoulders, and he rela*es as though he suddenly remembers what a shower is. E,(- (HE "OCH ' P-B- - ' E&EN%N: 5attered and torn a few of #hilippe>s 2ietnamese guard at the boat. %N(- W%LLA ".S *+A (E S ' E&EN%N: A beautiful ;uropean room with tall ceilings. till elegantly furnished, although old and decaying. "illard sits in a comfortable chair in the corner of the room, loo'ing out over the carpet, the bed with its elegant spread; the wash basin; the bidet. +is battle dress is blac' with muc', with bloodstaines and burns. +e rises from the chair and steps to a dresser above which is a large mirror. There is an album on the marble top of the dresser. +e turns to a page at random. &%EW ON W%LLA " +aggard, loo'ing down at the album. W%LLA " @&-O-A % 8ondered ' ho8 lon1 has this roo$ !een li7e this< ho8 lon1 has the 9urniture !een standin1 in these places5 &%EW ON (HE ALB+M ome old photographs of people standing around a car in the 40>s in front of the plantation. Another picture shows a child playing by the rubber trees near the plantation. W%LLA " @&-O-A Was it li7e this si=t0 0ears a1o5 Ei1ht0 0ears5 But here6 e#en ei1ht0 0ears is nothin1+e turns the page, The plantation being built. #ictures of the framing, s'eletal against the s'y and jungle. &%EW ON W%LLA " -ascinated W%LLA " @&-O-A %t 8as Bun1le6 once< and it 8ill !e Bun1le6 a1ain--&%EW ON (HE ALB+M Only the very beginnings of the house; the first structures. Then another picture of the jungle site where it was to be built. CLOSE &%EW ON W%LLA "

+e loo's up and sees his own face, reflected in the garish mirror. +e barely recogni,es himself. ME"%+M &%EW "illard loo's at himself in the mirror, in this odd, out)of)time room. %N(- "%N%N: OOM : O+P ' ( ACH%N: SHO( ( ACH "OWN the long table, covered with delicious food. The #.5.8. crew sits with others of the 9e .arais group. The table is headed by t. 6e-evre. :hef>s face lights up as he regards the wonderful ;uropean)style food. CHEF (his 9ood is 8onder9ul4 % can.t !elie#e the che9 is a slope<turning to :lean= So$e $ore5 Opposite the table, sitting ne*t to the :hief, 6ance reaches hungrily for bread and other food with his hands. CHEF <continuing= He0 ' LanceLANCE Huh5 Oh- +$6 8ould0a--- 8ould0a pass $e the ice;a;roni6 pleaseAnd then he loo's to his friends for approval. O+ &%EW E&EALS that behind a transparent sil' curtain there is another, more elaborate table, where the 9e .arais family is dining with "illard. O+ &%EW MO&ES through the curtain and settles in a EDI) VIEW of the group.

The men rise as a very attractive woman enters the room. "illard finally does as well, and she moves to the chair ne*t to him. :AS(ON o=anne6 % hope 0ou are 9eelin1 !etterO,ANNE Je #ais !ien $aintenant:AS(ON Ma0 % present Captain Willard5 He is o9 a paratroop re1i$ent- You 7no8 the di99erence !et8een a paratrooper and a re1ular soldier6 don.t 0ou 6 $0 dear5 O,ANNE <smiling and ta'ing "illard>s hand= Yes6 the0 co$e 9ro$ the s70he sits there>s an uneasy silence. "illard is caught with this e*otic woman on one side of him, and the ongoing conversation on the other. +e is forced to face toward &aston, and drawn to loo' at 8o*anne.

W%LLA " % 8ould li7e to 7no8 $ore a!out the--- uh6 pla>ue--#hilippe turns around, points to an elaborately scripted wooden pla!ue with various tallies on it. :AS(ON Attac7s repulsed6 as % 8as sa0in1<hard= (his is onl0 9or this 8ar6 Captain- &iet Con1 ' FG< North &ietna$ese re1ular 9orces ' CF< South &ietna$ese ' 2I ' re1ular 9orces and other8ise<pause= A$ericain ' D- O9 course6 the0 8ere6 perhaps6 $ista7es6 CaptainW%LLA " O9 course- % ' Once 8e $a7e our repairs6 8e could send 8ord6 8e could ha#e 0ou e#acuated 9ro$ here:AS(ON Captain5 W%LLA " You.ll 1et !lo8n outta here so$e da0:AS(ON We 8ill ne#er .e#acuate.6 Captain ' this is our ho$e%ndochina is ours< it has !een so 9or a hundred and t8ent0; one 0ears6 there is so$ethin1 to sa0 9or thatW%LLA " (he &ietna$ese thin7 it.s theirs ' % 1uess the A$ericans do6 too:AS(ON But 8e ci#ili/ed it- A place !elon1s to those 8ho !rin1 li1ht to it6 don.t 0ou a1reeW%LLA " % al8a0s thou1ht the French ca$e here to 1et the ru!!erPH%L%PPE E=cuse $e6 % $ust attend to $0 $en+e gets up, and leaves abruptly followed by his wife. O,ANNE Ma0 % as7 8here the Captain is 1oin1 in his little !oat5 W%LLA " We 8ere 1oin1 upri#er 8hen 8e 1ot cau1ht in a stor$6 $a.a$:AS(ON +pri#er5 Wh0 upri#er5 (here is nothin1 there6 onl0 Bun1leW%LLA " "o 0ou 7no8 that Bun1le5 :AS(ON

When % 8as a !o06 $0 9ather 8ould ta7e $e there6 to hunt(here are a 9e8 sa#a1es6 !ut no $an can li#e there6 no 8hite $anW%LLA " What a!out an A$erican na$ed Hurt/5 There is a pause. :AS(ON We ha#e ne#er heard o9 hi$&aston rises, and ta'es 8o*anne>s hand. :AS(ON <continuing= Bon nuit6 o=anne ' !on nuit6 Captain"illard turns. W%LLA " :ood ni1ht&aston leaves. "illard and 8o*anne are left alone. The servants clear the table. O,ANNE You $ust reali/e6 Captain ' 8e ha#e lost $uch here ' %6 $0 hus!and- :aston ' his 8i9e and sonW%LLA " %.$ sorr0 to hear thatO,ANNE <rising= Co1nac5 W%LLA " % should !e chec7in1 on the !oatO,ANNE (he 8ar 8ill still !e here to$orro8he wal's out of the room. W%LLA " <thin'ing= % 1uess so+e follows. %N(- S%((%N: OOM ' F+LL SHO( ' W%LLA " AN" O,ANNE 8o*anne sits, pouring a brandy, while "illard stands. O,ANNE "o 0ou $iss 0our ho$e6 Captain5 Ha#e 0ou so$eone there5 W%LLA " No- Not reall0-

I was discharged from the army four years ago. I went home, wasted some time, bought a .ustang .ach 3, drove it a wee'. Then I re)upped for another tour. 1o, everything I love is here. O,ANNE (hen 0ou are li7e ushe reaches out to him; indicating that he sit. O,ANNE <continuing= What 8ill 0ou do a9ter the 8ar5 W%LLA " % Bust 9ollo8 $0 9ootsteps6 one at a ti$e6 tr0in1 to ans8er the little >uestions and sta0in1 a8a0 9ro$ the !i1 onesO,ANNE What.s a !i1 >uestion5 W%LLA " Hurt/<pause= % 7no8 0ou.#e heard o9 hi$O,ANNE YesW%LLA " What did 0ou hear5 O,ANNE (hat stran1e thin1s--- terri!le thin1s ha#e occurred around this A$erican6 Hurt/W%LLA " What thin1s5 O,ANNE :aston 8ould ne#er tell $e- %t 8as a su!Bect not to !e spo7en o96 CaptainW%LLA " YesO,ANNE "id 0ou 7no8 ' deeper in the Bun1le6 upri#er ' there are sa#a1es5 W%LLA " % 7no8O,ANNE But Captain6 % $ean ' canni!alsA long pause. Then she loo's at the cognac she poured for him. O,ANNE <continuing= What a pit06 0ou don.t drin7- Since $0 hus!and died6 there are so $an0 thin1s % $ust do alone-

he ta'es a sip. "illard moves to the -rench doors, which have been left partly open to let a bree,e in. +e steps onto a terrace overloo'ing the river. E,(- (HE (E ACE ' ME"%+M &%EW ' W%LLA " ' N%:H(

A machine gun emplacement is situated on the terrace covering the front of house, from the river. O,ANNE <from the sitting room= Are 0ou 8ar$6 Captain5 W%LLA " (he ri#er is !eauti9ulIn fact, we "E&LI6E that he is chec'ing the boat. W%LLA ".S PO& The #.5.8. is under guard by a couple of &aston>s 2ietnamese. ME"%+M &%EW ON W%LLA "6 O,ANNE he, thin'ing it romantic to tal' about the river, comes up behind him. O,ANNE % spend hours 8atchin1 that ri#er 9ro$ $0 !edroo$ 8indo8- %t 9ascinates $ehe moves her body close to his; and, in a moment, he is 'issing her. CLOSE ON W%LLA "6 O,ANNE One eye steals another loo' at the #.5.8. &%EW ON (HE P-B- Two of the guards leave two remain, getting ready for the long night. &%EW ON W%LLA "6 O,ANNE ' ON (HE (E ACE

+is hands wander over her body as she clings to him. Then she ta'es his hand, and leads him bac' into the sitting room, and up the stairs. %N(- O,ANNE.S OOM ' F+LL &%EW It is dar'. he leads him into her room and closes the door. +e stands there. In the center of the room is a large canopied bed with mos!uito netting hanging down over it. The windows also have netting and barbed wire there is a .E0 calibre machine gun mount in the far one. +e loo' around. she goes over to the bed, and turns down the sheets. Then she slips out of her dress and stands there facing him.

+e puts down his gun and strips off his shirt. he lays down on the bed and watches him. O,ANNE % ha#e !een lonel0 here6 Captain+e moves to her, slipping into the bed. .)3/ is leaning against the wall in his reach. FA"E O+( E,(- O,ANNE.S (E ACE ' N%:H(

"e can VIEW into the room, as "illard has silently slipped out of her bed, and is a dar' sinister figure 'neeling in final preparations for going out in the night. "ithout a sound, he comes out to the terrace, and scales down the wall of the old building, disappearing into the dar'ness. E,(- (HE "OCH ' P-B- - ' N%:H( Two 2ietnamese guard the #.5.8. suddenly, feet first, the first disappears into the thic'et. CLOSE &%EW ON W%LLA " In the thic'et; we reali,e he has just 'illed the man with a 'nife. "illard stal's the second guard and ma'es !uic' wor' of him with his 'nife. +e even enjoys it. ilently, he drags the body out of sight. ME"%+M &%EW ON (HE P-B- The dar' figure boards the boat silently. +e disappears into the hold. NEW &%EW +e lifts out several cases of supplies, wor'ing !uic'ly, with a grace that indicates he is a man who has done his best wor' alone, and at night. C+( (O: %N(- O,ANNE.S OOM ' CLOSE SHO( ' W%LLA " ' MO N%N: +e sleeps soundly alone in the bed we 'E&" S! E!$E moving around in the room. +e wa'es suddenly P+LL BACH (O E&EAL 8o*anne combing her hair and buttoning up her blouse. he notices he is awa'e and smiles. O,ANNE % 8ill 9i= 0ou !rea79ast+e starts to get up. W%LLA " %.$ a9raid % 8on.t ha#e ti$e ' % 1otta ' O,ANNE

When 0ou reach the !oat 0ou 8ill 9ind that hal9 0our 9i9t0 cali!re stores ' a case o9 1renades6 a $ortar and t8o M; CD.s and a case o9 clips are !ein1 trans9erred to us !0 0our order+e stops seemingly stunned. W%LLA " So that.s itO,ANNE You $a0 thin7 8hat 0ou 8ish6 Captain6 !ut % li7e 0ou #er0 $uchhe turns to go. W%LLA " What i9 % sa0 noO,ANNE (hen Philippe 8ill ha#e to 7ill all o9 0ouhe leaves. E,(- "OCH ' F+LL SHO( ' W%LLA "6 O(HE S +e wal's down onto the doc'. &aston>s men are transferring ammunition bo*es. &aston is standing with #hilippe, who are covering the :hief and crew with .)3/>s. :AS(ON (8o o9 $0 $en deserted last ni1ht- %t happens 9ro$ ti$e to ti$e- % assu$e $0 dau1hter told 0ou o9 our conditionsW%LLA " Your dau1hterCH%EF (he0 ta7in1 hal9 our a$$o6 Captain ' said it 8as 0our orders+e pauses for a second. W%LLA " (hat.s ri1ht ' % didThe :hief spits in the water disgustedly and starts the engines. "illard loo's hard at &aston. W%LLA " % 1uess this is 8hat $en o9 8ar do ' eh5 :AS(ON We endure6 captain ' 0ou can !lo8 up the house and 8e 8ill li#e in the cellar ' destro0 that and 8e.ll di1 a hole in the Bun1le and sleep on it- Burn the 9orest and 8e.ll hide in the s8a$p- all the 8hile6 8e do !ut one thin1 ' clean the !lood o99 our !a0onets<pause= Au re#oir6 Captain-

LON: SHO( ' "OCH ' P-B- "illard climbs on board and it pulls away. E,(- P-B- - ' ME"%+M SHO( ' W%LLA "6 CH%EF The -!&# "!&"S out across the river. The :hief loo's over at "illard. They stare at each other for a moment. CH%EF Ne=t ti$e 8e 1et in a 1ood 9ire 9i1ht ' %.d li7e to 7no8 ho8 she 8as6 Captain"illard just smiles at the :hief. he leans over and pulls up a floorboard the men stare in ama,ement; it contains the contents of all those ammo bo*es. .B0 calibre; clips; grenades. CHEF Hol0 shitCLEAN What did 0ou put in all those a$$o !o=es5 W%LLA " oc7s6 sand ' those t8o $en 8ho desertedCH%EF When.d 0ou do it5 W%LLA " While 0ou 8ere sleepin1+e lets the board drop. "illard moves to the bac' of the boat. F+LL SHO( ' P-B- - ' %&E 6 C EW The river has narrowed and runs swifter the water dar' and deep. The trees are higher in this area and much of the river is shaded on one side. There is no undergrowth, just the tall trees and ferms. They move ahead at half speed, alert, ready for anything. W%LLA " @&-O-A We $o#ed deeper and deeper into the Bun1le- %t 8as #er0 >uiet there- %t 8as li7e 8anderin1 on a prehistoric planet6 an un7no8n 8orld--- 8here the $en thou1ht the0 cra8led to6 % don.t 7no8- For $e6 8e cra8led to8ard Hurt/ ' e=clusi#el0"illard loo's out ahead and points. They all turn their guns in that direction. WE PAN (O E&EAL a small village of huts along the ban'. F+LL SHO( ' "%FFE EN( AN:LE ' &%LLA:E PO& OF (HE P-B- -

They pass in front of the village which is rundown and completely deserted. The huts are on stilts to avoid the flooding of the river they are just s'eletons of what they once were. CHEF @O-S-A FloodCH%EF @O-S-A No ' $ost o9 .e$ are still standin1 ' $i1ht.#e !een diseaseW%LLA " @O-S-A % don.t 7no8 ' there.d still !e so$e si1n ' it.s Bust li7e the one this $ornin1"%SSOL&E (O: PO& BOA( ' F+LL SHO( ' J+N:LE The canopy of trees grows taller and stretches out across the river filtering the sun. The forest itself has grown dar'er and more twisted with ferns and creepers. trange birds fly out of the trees as the boat passes a huge sna'e slips along an overheading limb. The depth of the jungle is dar', ominous yet cool and strangely inviting. F+LL SHO( ' BOA( ' J+N:LE uddenly the river widens, the trees give way to marsh and as they emerge into the light a strange shadow falls upon the boat. It is the shadow cast by an enormous vertical tail section of a 5)B4 bomber thrusting out from the mud. #ieces of aluminum hang loosely from it, o*idi,ing in the sun. :reepers have already started to grow up around its heights the jungle is claiming it. 5ut once under its shadow, they have passed a gateway. A gateway to paradise. The river widens and the trees at its edge are soft and seductive. The hills beyond are purple and lush. trange orange colored water)fowl swim la,ily out of their way. The water itself is glass smooth and blac' as if there were no bottom. The sun is warm and the bree,e gentle and laced with wild gardenians. It is indeed the most peaceful valley in all the world and each man loo's upon it and has never 'nown such a sense of peace and well)being. ;ach man in his heart feels a need to stay his soul cries to stop stop their madness this spiral into hell. +ere is all that can be had of earth. 5ut no hand moves. The boat drifts on its own toward a hole at the end of the clearing. A hole into the jungle from which a dar'ness permeats. The boat follows the river into this hole. "%SSOL&E (O: F+LL SHO( ' P-B- - ' %&E ' "AWN The s'ull looms in the foreground the #.5.8. is pulled bac' about seventy yards ;arly morning mist still hangs on the water as it clears, we SEE another post and s'ulls on the opposite ban', It is strangely !uiet. CH%EF All ri1ht6 Lance ' 6ance>s #WI$ ,I,#IES split the silence as they P!)" into the s'ulls on the opposite ban' uddenly there is a tremendous E.PL!SI!$ and SEC!$D&"* !$ES from the jungle as

shrapnel rips into the jungle and water from CL&* !"E mound of s'ulls. The smo'e clears. LANCE (he other one ' W%LLA " No ' lea#e it ' CH%EF Wh0 ' Charlie put it there to 7ill ' W%LLA " (hta.s not Charlie.s 8or7 ' There is silence.

I$ES obviously set to cover the

W%LLA " Whoe#er put .e$ there didn.t do it to 7ill people ' (he0 put .e$ up as si1ns ' CH%EF Si1ns5 W%LLA " Yeah ' li7e 7eep out ' "illard motions the :hief accelerates they move ahead past the smo'ing mound. E,(- (HE %&E ' FO: ' "AY The #.5.8. pushed deeper into this mysterious area. .ist swells in and around the river, as the boat moves into an obscure fog. The :hief cuts the engine, and they coast. W%LLA " @&-O-A (o8ard the ni1ht o9 the 9i9th da0 out o9 "o Lun1 Brid1e6 8e Bud1ed oursel#es a!out ei1ht $iles 9ro$ Hurt/. !aseE#er0thin1 8as still6 the trees6 the creepers6 e#en the !rush see$ed li7e it had !een chan1ed into so$e 7ind o9 stone- %t 8as unnatural6 li7e a trance- Not a sound could !e heard- % !e1an to thin7 % 8as dea9 ' then the 9o1 ca$e suddenl06 and % 8as !lind tooThe boat disappears in the thic' fog. ME"%+M CLOSE ON W%LLA " "e catch glimpses of him, even though we are close. W%LLA " ListenCH%EF What is it5 W%LLA " Listen-

They are silent. "e can 'E&" the most ominous S!)$D C! I$% ,"! %"!&$I$%, !" W&ILI$%... of ')$D"EDS !, E$0 CH%EF (he0.re on the !an7s o9 the ri#er&%EW ON LANCE -rantically, he swings the twin fifties around. LANCE Jesus4 &%EW ON CH%EF "e can barely SEE him in and out of the fog. CH%EF No6 Lance- Not 8hile 0ou can.t see&%EW ON W%LLA " 6istening. The S!)$D IS #E""I-LE, '!""I,*I$%. CH%EF Will the0 attac75

#'E -&$KS. The

W%LLA " %9 the0 ha#e !oats--- or canoes--- the0.d 1et lost in the 9o1We can.t $o#e either ' 8e.ll end up on the shoreCHEF :od--LANCE Sounds li7e hundreds o9 the$W%LLA " ShhhhhhThe C'!")S !, %"!&$S in unbearable. 5ut it is not a hostile chant; or a war chant, but rather the S!)$D !, ') &$ &$%)IS'. W%LLA " <continuing= %t doesn.t sound hostile ' it sounds li7e the0.#e seen us co$in1 and it sounds li7e ' % don.t 7no86 a 9uneral- % don.t understand&%EW ON LANCE A glimpse of him, almost in tears. "e then SEE glimpses, fog moving, of all the men on the #.5.8. "%SSOL&E (O: ME"%+M &%EW ' (HE P-B- -

MO&%N: (H O+:H the thinning mist. The 1avy craft proceeds cautiously. W%LLA " @&-O-A (8o hours a9ter the 9o1 li9ted6 8e $o#ed slo8l0 to a spot 8e thou1ht 8as rou1hl0 a $ile and a hal9 !elo8 Hurt/.s ca$pWe approached a lon1 sand;!an7 stretchin1 do8n the $iddle o9 the ri#erCH%EF Which 8a05 i1ht or le9t5 W%LLA " Who 7no8s5 i1htCH%EF Loo7s prett0 shallo8The #.5.8. moves toward the right)most channel. :hef ta'es a long pole and begins sounding depth. &%EW ON W%LLA " The men are really tense now 6ances swivels his gun from ban' to ban'. :hief 'eeps his fingers on an .)3/. "illard ta'es out the #!P SEC"E# pac'et he received at 9o 6ung. Tears it open. "e !VE I$ !$ him. W%LLA " <reading= +pon reachin1 o!Becti#e- (ar1et 7e0 personnel and co$$ence operation- Should di99icult0 arise 9ro$ 8hich e=traction is i$possi!le6 !rea7 radio silence Co$;Sec Co$$and code Stron1 Ar$ ' indicate pur1ati#e air stri7e ' code ' Street :an1<pause= Pur1ati#e air stri7e4 Pur1ati#e4 (he0.d 7ill $e too4 uddenly :hef lays out flat on the bow. +undreds and hundreds of slender stic's fly onto the #.5.8. rattling against the boat. CH%EF Shit4 Fuc7in1 arro8s4 (he0.re shootin1 9uc7in1 arro8s at usCLOSE ON W%LLA " 6oo'ing toward the ban's. W%LLA ".S PO& -rags of men na'ed limbs, arms, breasts, glaring eyes entangled in the dense jungle gloom. And hundreds of pathetic wooden arrows flying out toward them. &%EW ON (HE P-B- :ra,ily ,ig),agging up the river in the midst of the childish assault.

W%LLA " Steer her ri1ht&%EW ON (HE P-B- Arrows hitting the dec'. The men open up everything they>ve got. 6ance is ,I"I$% the two fifties wildly. W%LLA " Heep 1oin1--- 7eep 1oin1- (he0.re Bust 9uc7in1 stic7s4 Chie96 sta0 at the hel$5ut :hief seems out of control he lets the clip of his .)3/ go. Then slowly lets the rifle fall out of his hands, and falls to "illard>s feet, a primitive spear having caught him right through the ribs. "illard loo's down in horror. &%EW ON CH%EF 6aying at "illard>s feet the long spear through him, bleeding onto "illard>s boots. +e loo's up at "illard, about to say something. CH%EF A spear5 +e dies. ME"%+M &%EW ON (HE P-B- The men are still cra,ily ,I"I$% into the empty jungle long after those who attac'ed beat their retreat. W%LLA " Stop it- Stop it4 lowly he pulls his boots from under :hief. They are absolutely soa'ed in blood. +e is stunned sits down and begins to unlace the bloody boots, and ta'e them off. LANCE Chie9.s dead"illard unlaces the other boot, and holds the bloody boot in his hand. W%LLA " @&-O-A %t 8as the stran1est thin1 ' % don.t 7no8 that % can e=plain it- (8o o9 $0 $en dead6 and all % could thin7 o9 8as 8hether Hurt/ 8as dead too- (hat.s all % 8anted: to see Hurt/6 to hear Hurt/+e starts to wipe the blood off the boot. W%LLA " @&-O-A <continuing= So$eho86 in the $iddle o9 this--- carni#al6 Hurt/ had 1ro8n into so$ethin1 ' a 1i9ted o99icer< a 1reat $an- So$eho86 he 8as the onl0 li1ht in this hopeless6 hopeless dar7ness- And no8 % 8as too late ' he 8as pro!a!l0 1one6 disappeared--!0 a 1renade rolled into his tent ' or !0 so$e spear on the

head- Christ6 % 9elt li7e ho8lin1 li7e those ani$als in the 9o1E,(- (HE BOA( A( MA %NA "EL EY ' N%:H( The people at :harlie>s coc'tail party on the boat. ome flashbulbs are going off. ome people are dancing to the )SIC. O+ &%EW MO&ES SLOWLY (OWA " "illard, on the edge of the party. W%LLA " @&-O-A Here the0 are in Los An1eles- E#er0thin1 is sa9e- (here.s a super$ar7et around the corner6 the police station around the other- %t 8ould see$ ridiculous to the$ that % 8as shot to hell !ecause % had lost the pri#ile1e o9 listenin1 to the $0sterious Colonel Hurt/<pause= O9 course % 8as 8ron1- He 8as 8aitin1 9or $e- Hurt/ 8as ali#e and he 8as 8aitin1 9or $e"%SSOL&E (O: E,(- (HE %&E ' P-B- - "AY The #.5.8. moving up the river. The men are practically in a trance now, loo'ing at the ban's of the river. They don>t even ma'e an effort to touch their weapons. WHA( (HEY SEE +undreds and hundreds of .ontagnard natives dressed in the most ornate and primitive manner$ feathers, parts of birds and animals; cod)pieces all in body and face paint of the most savage nature. 5ut there is a purity about them, men and boys, standing passively watching the small 1avy craft flying the strange flag of red, white and blue. &%EW ON (HE P-B- The men of the crew are not the same men who began this voyage. Their manner is lifeless as though in a trance. The various decorations and paraphenelia that they have pic'ed up along the way seem oddly relevant to the savages that stand before them. The :hef has made a hat of birdfeathers; 6ance>s face has been painted with mud under the eyes to bloc' the glare of the sun. +e wears certain animal s'ins; trin'ets; some animal teeth. Their uniforms have been torn and patched throughout the difficult journey. They start to move to their gun positions. W%LLA " Just stand here 8ith $e 8here the0 can see us- "o nothin1&%EW F OM BEH%N" (HE P-B- MO&%N: SLOWLY (OWA " the fantastic human wall of feathers and war paint, standing on canoes across the river. The men on the crew stand in a group, their hands visibly without weapons. The natives standing across the river ma'e no hostile gestures as they approach. They accept the small boat moving toward them with a sort of inevitability. The boat moves closer, approaches the wall of feathers which slowly and automatically gives away, in almost a ritual of birth, undulating, allowing the little boat to penetrate. &%EW ON W%LLA "

.us on his face <to protect it from the sun=, the palms of some jungle vegetation protecting his head, he loo's something li'e a tribal chieftain himself. +is intuition was right. +e senses that they would be allowed to pass. F+LL &%EW ON (HE %&E +undreds of .ontagnards who had been lining the river now run, absolutely silently, along the ban's, 'eeping pace with the #.5.8. There is no hostility in these faces, only curiosity and a sort of grief. &%EW ON W%LLA "6 (HE C EW They loo' up toward the ban'. (HE% PO& The temple at $) )$% -&, a fortified encampment, built around the ruins of a former :ambodian civili,ation. tone walls, barbed wire, crac'ed pyramids and rows and rows of ;scher)li'e sandbags arranged in an endless ma,e around the fortress. &%EW ON W%LLA " +e pic's up his field glasses and loo's through. W%LLA ".S PO& ' (H O+:H :LASSES A sign entangled in the barbed wire its lettering strict and military$ %-O78T+ #;:IA6 -O8:; .I IO1 -)A4 17 .71& 5A% The %L&SSES P!V !VES "EVE&LI$% another sign written in a wild psychedelic hand. %O78 .OTTO$ A#O:A6H# ; 1O"I% The P!V !, #'E %L&SSES !VE once again and come upon an astonished sight, a blac' man dressed in a tatter of colored fabrics, feathers, and an Australian bush hat. +e loo's something li'e a multi)colored harle!uin waving frantically to the #.5.8. The P!V !, #'E %L&SSES !VE !,, of him. &%EW ON W%LLA " 1ot believing what he>s just seen. (HE :LASSES PO& Once again the young blac' man is now waving his Australian hat. &%EW ON (HE P-B- "illard shouts out to the strange greeter.

W%LLA " We.#e !een attac7edA+S( AL%AN <shouting bac'= % 7no86 % 7no86 it.s all ri1ht- Co$e in this 8a0- %t.s $ined o#er there- (his 8a0- %t.s all ri1ht"illard loo' at :hef who is at the helm. +e shrugs and they do as this man says. The #.5.8. moves towards the water>s edge where there is a doc' covered with concertina wire. The odd Australian stands waving his hat, guiding them safely in. A thic' greasy smo'e hangs from fires that burn near the fort; fresh shell craters indicate a recent battle. 1ear the doc' there is a tangled clump of corpses half submerged in the water. Other piles of bodies lie about, some of them on fire. -ire literally burns from out of the ground. :hef nods at the bodies. CHEF Charlie5 W%LLA " Loo7s that 8a0CHEF <loo'ing at the Australian= Who.s he5 W%LLA " :od 7no8sThe boat pulls up. The Australian harle!uin hops on board; the crew regards him with their dar' faces splattered with mud and blood. W%LLA " <continuing= Who the hell are 0ou5 A+S( AL%AN Moon!0- :ot an0 Winstons5 W%LLA " Moon!0 8hat5 A+S( AL%AN Moon!06 Gth !attalion6 o0al Australian e1i$ent6 (as7 Force- E=;Corporal Moon!06 desertedW%LLA " <incredulously, indicating the hundreds of natives= What is this5 MOONBY Oh6 the0.re si$ple enou1h people- %t.s 1ood to see 0ou6 !a!0- No!od0 has an0 Winstons5 :hef automatically offers .oonby a "inston. MOONBY (his !oat.s a $ess-

W%LLA " Where.s Hurt/5 % 8ant to tal7 to hi$MOONBY Oh6 0ou don.t tal7 to Colonel Hurt/<he puffs, then smiles= You listen to hi$- :od6 these are 1ood- % 7ept these people o99 0ou6 0ou 7no8- %t 8asn.t eas0W%LLA " Wh0 did the0 attac7 us5 MOONBY Si$ple- (he0 don.t 8ant hi$ to 1oW%LLA " You.re Australian5 MOONBY Pre;Australian6 actuall0- But %.d di1 1oin. to Cali9ornia- %.$ Cali9ornia drea$in.W%LLA " <almost to himself= So Hurt/ is ali#eMOONBY Hurt/- % tell 0ou6 that $an has enlar1ed $0 $ind+e opens his arms wide, to indicate the breadth of his mind>s e*pansion. MOONBY <continuing= But le$$e tell 0ou6 he is the $ost dan1erous thin1 in e#er0 8a0 that %.#e co$e on so 9ar- He 8anted to shoot $e- (he 9irst thin1 he said is6 .%.$ 1oin1 to shoot 0ou !ecause 0ou are a deserter-. % said % didn.t desert 9ro$ 0our ar$06 % deserted 9ro$ $0 ar$0- He said6 .%.$ 1oin1 to shoot 0ou Bust the sa$e-. W%LLA " Wh0 didn.t he shoot 0ou5 MOONBY %.#e as7ed $0sel9 that >uestion- % said to $0sel96 8h0 didn.t he shoot $e5 He didn.t shoot $e6 !ecause % had a stash li7e 0ou 8ouldn.t !elie#e- % hid it in the Bun1le< the 8ealth o9 the Orient: MariBuana ' Hashish ' Opiu$ ' cocaine ' uncut Heroin< the :old o9 the :olden (rian1le- and Acid ' % $a7e Hoolaid that $a7es purple O8sle0 co$e on li7e pissNo8 %.$ Hurt/. o8n "isciple ' % listen he tal7s- A!out e#er0thin14 E#er0thin1- % 9or1ot there.s such a thin1 as sleep- E#er0thin1- O9 lo#e6 tooCHEF Lo#e5 MOONBY Oh6 no6 not 8hat 0ou thin7--- Cos$ic lo#e- He $ade $e see thin1s ' thin1s6 0ou 7no8-

The whole time .oonby is chattering on, "illard has pic'ed up his field glasses and scans the fortress. W%LLA ".S PO& ' (H O+:H (HE F%EL" :LASSES .en in small groups, huddled over food. 1ow he settles on the entrance in the temple. There are sta'es in front, and on top of them are horrible shrun'en heads. BACH (O SCENE W%LLA " Sounds li7e he.s 1one cra/0MOONBY No6 Colonel Hurt/ couldn.t !e cra/0 ' i9 0ou heard hi$ tal76 Bust last 8ee76 0ou.d ne#er thin7 he 8as cra/0W%LLA " %s that 8here he is5 B0 the shrun7en headsW%LLA " %s that 8here he is5 B0 the shrun7en headsMOONBY (hose heads6 0es- Well6 the re!els--W%LLA " <to his men= We.re 1oin1 ashore- (ie her up ' and lea#e 0our 1uns up6 LanceLANCE What5 W%LLA " Brin1 0our ri9les6 that.s all<loo'ing at .oonby= (a7e us to hi$MOONBY i1ht on ' he.s !een 8aitin1 9or ' W%LLA " And shut up.oonby nods and shrugs, and hops off the #.5.8. "illard and the men follow. MO&%N: &%EW ' W%LLA "6 MOONBY AN" (HE C EW As they proceed closer to the fortress)temple, men appear where a moment before there was only jungle. They are mostly .ontagnards, but far more savage loo'ing than any we>ve seen before. They wear only loinclothes and bandoliers of ammunition. their bodies are painted in strange patterns. They carry Army .)3/>s, 8ussian A()FG>s and a wide variety of 'nives and clubs. "omen emerge from the brush as well. they are armed and e!ually primitive loo'ing. Interspersed among them are a few taller men with paler s'ins, with the remnants of Army insignia on them. The paint on their bodies is, if anything more bi,arre. "e C!$#I$)E #! !VE &C"!SS the entire group up to

the stone gates of the fort, where thirty or so more are seen silhouetted against the s'y. "illard and his men loo' up at people more primitive and more savage than any since the time of :aptain :oo'. They encounter, in the center of the group, what once appears to have been an American. he is tall, gaunt, wears a fla' jac'et, but is otherwise na'ed, save a loincloth. +is face is dar'ened from dirt, battle smo'e, strange camouflage patterns. +is hair and beard are long, matted with mud and grease. +e carries an A()FG decorated with scalps and human ears. "illard approaches this beast, who seems shy and retiring. W%LLA " Who are 0ou5 MOONBY <brea'ing in= His na$e is--W%LLA " %.$ not e#er 1oin. to tell 0ou to shut up a1ain.oonby shuts up. The &$ tries to spea', but nothing comes out. +e is dumbstruc'ed at seeing them, as they are to see him. MAN Col!0- E=ec- o99icer6 A;(ea$--- Special Forces- F;I2 ' ColWalter Hurt/6 co$$andin1W%LLA " What happened here5 COLBY What ' happened hereW%LLA " Charlie5 COLBY N&A re1ulars- (he0.re co$in1 a1ain toni1ht- (et ' their !i1 ' assault"illard is the man in the middle he doesn>t 'now what to say to this man, but he understands the forces that pounded him. +e ta'es his arm. E&E SE ON COLBY 6oo's at "illard, not understanding. E&E SE ON W%LLA " i* months later, and he and :olby would be identical. W%LLA " %.$ ta7in1 0ou !ac7.oonby slaps himself in the head with his hand. MOONBY Oh6 no6 don.t sa0 that-

COLBY (a7e us !ac7- (a7e us !ac74 But6 the operation ' the tea$Colonel Hurt/ has such plans 9or ' the tea$W%LLA " (a7e $e to hi$6 MaBor:olby starts, and then, seeing the shrun'en heads on poles, he turns, agitated, to "illard$ COLBY % had nothin1 to do 8ith these operations ' % did not do the plannin1 ' none o9 us did- %t 8as all Colonel Hurt/ ' he 8as the 1enius- You.ll see ' the 1enius o9 our Colonel- He should !e $ade a :eneral6 don.t 0ou thin75 A :eneral5 %t.s--uddenly, frightened, he stops. "ithout loo'ing "illard 'nows that (urt, is standing behind him. +e turns. (urt, has stepped out from his head!uarters$ +e is a powerful man, though obviously very ill. +e slowly attempts to pull the remnants of his uniform together, though it is ripped and bloodied, and now combined with primitive ornaments designating him a tribal chief, as well as his 7. .A. :olonel>s insignia. +e is feverish, with long blonde hair and beautiful features. +is eyes almost hypnoti,e. +is midsection is bandaged from what seems to be a serious wound. &%EW ON W%LLA " This is not what he e*pected. +e is !uiet, and then, automatically, he comes to an attention. W%LLA " Colonel Hurt/6 % 1uessH+ (E %.$ Hurt/W%LLA " <he salutes= Captain B-L- Willard reportin1 his presence6 sir&%EW ON H+ (E 6oo'ing at him a long time. Then he returns the salute, and simply$ H+ (E At ease--<pause, as he regards him= Sit do8nME"%+M &%EW There is, of course, no chair or anything li'e a chair. 5ut behind and around him, (urt,>s men begin to sit on the ground, cross)legged. -inally, "illard sits as well. Then (urt, does. .oonby lights a joint, and passes it respectfully to (urt, throughout the scene, the joint is passed from man to man, ritualistically. H+ (E <slowly= Wh0 did 0ou co$e to--- $0 pro#ince-

W%LLA " We 8ere attac7ed ' do8n ri#er- We need supplies and $edical helpH+ (E You 8ere not co$in1 here6 to see $e5 W%LLA " <finding it more and more difficult to go on with this lie= No ' no6 sirH+ (E You ca$e up $0 ri#er ' in that s$all !oat- So si$ple- % al8a0s thou1ht the 9inal Bustice 8ould co$e 9ro$ the s706 li7e 8e did<pause= You are the 9inal Bustice6 aren.t 0ou5 W%LLA " What do 0ou $ean6 Colonel5 H+ (E <gently= What other reason could 0ou ha#e co$e5 A Captainan1er- Paratrooper- :raduate o9 the econdo School- A$ % ri1ht a!out these thin1s5 W%LLA " You 7no8 0ou.re ri1htThere is a clear, incredible intelligence about this man. H+ (E (hen the A1enc0 approached 0ou- Ma0!e in a !ar in *uinon or Plei7u- Si$ple- A 0ear.s pa0 9or one li9ePerhaps a #illa1e elder6 or a ta= collector- No!od0.s orders !ut 0our o8n- E=citin1 8or7CLOSE ON W%LLA " +e remains silent. CLOSE ON H+ (E +e smiles. H+ (E You.#e spent to$e at the o0al (rac7in1 School o9 Mala0sia- % can tell 9ro$ the 8a0 the laces on 0our !oots are tied- % understand 0ou6 Captain- We understand each otherThere is a long pause, as the two men regard each other. Then "illard reaches to his holstered . FB withdraws it, and places it on the dirt before (urt,, as an act assuring (urt, that he is not an assassin. W%LLA "

"o 0ou 7no8 $e5 H+ (E Yes(urt, reaches down; ta'es the .FB and without another word or gesture, shoots and 'ills a man. H+ (E <continuing= "o 0ou 7no8 $e5 +e throws the .FB bac' on the dirt. 8ises, and wal's bac' into the cavernous head!uarters behind the shrun'en heads. .oonby scampers off after him, a respectful distance behind. ;ven "illard is stunned. CHEF Hol0 shitE,(- H+ (E.S O+(POS( ' F+LL &%EW ' (W%L%:H( 9otted with campfires; .ontagnard families it is li'e a primitive civili,ation. &%EW BY (HE (EMPLE WALL "illard is alone by a campfire his .)3/ leans by a wall ne*t to him. +e is e*hausted. 6ance sleeps by the fire, a little distance away. :hef approaches, crouches down. CHEF Captain ' the0.#e !een pro!ed all this 8ee7 ' Con1 and N&A re1ulars- (here.s 1onna !e a !i1 o99ense an0 ti$eW%LLA " % 7no86ance stirs; starts to wa'e up. CHEF What are 8e doin1 here5 W%LLA " Hurt/- %.$ supposed to 7ill hi$6 Bust li7e he saidH+ (E Yeah6 % can see that- He.s 9uc7in nuts ' W%LLA " YeahCHEF He 7illed that 1u0 8ithout 9eelin1 an0thin1W%LLA " Not a thin1CHEF When 0ou 7ill Con16 don.t 0ou 9eel so$ethin1W%LLA "

Sure<thin'ing= ecoil--- % 9eel the recoil o9 $0 ri9le"illard rises. :hef loo's at him, confused and frightened. F+LL SHO( ' WALL ' W%LLA "6 CHEF 6 LANCE "illard wal's along the top of a thic' wall sandbagged and dug out every so often for an .)/0 or a mortar emplacement. "ild loo'ing savages man these guns, and seem to bow to "illard as he passes. W%LLA " (his is 1ood ' triple o#erlappin1 9ields o9 9ire ' 8alls so thic7 ordinar0 artiller0 Bust cleans the $oss o99 their sur9acesA woman tentatively moves to "illard, bowing, and then runs off to her bun'er. WE A E ( ACH%N: with them as they move past the groups of people, huddled by their fires... men, women and children. 'ulls, shrun'en and otherwise hang from every hut adorn every sandbagged bun'er dried scalps hang from barbed wire. A child is chewing on a big piece of almost raw meat. W%LLA " <continuing= %.#e done thin1s6 8hen % 8as alone in the Bun1le ' that % ne#er told an0one a!outThey continue past amount where the shattered wrec' of half a helicopter is laying. It has been altered and fortified with sandbags and concertina wire. The wrec' lays on its side so that a G./4 mini)gun that was mounted there stic's up above the sandbags. The emplacement is built on a mound so the gun commands a clear field of fire into the jungle beyond. ome Americans, barely recogni,able because of their beards and savage manner, sit near the gun. everal .ontagnard children giggle at their feet and play with bayonets. CHEF (his is e#il ' e#il6 Captain- We.re all 1onna die hereW%LLA " Yeah6 % 7no8CHEF % don.t 1et it ' You said 0our $ission 8as to 7ill hi$- Let.s do it6 an. 1et our asses outta here- (his Hurt/ is ruinin1 the 8ar< % $ean6 this don.t loo7 1ood 9or A$erica4 W%LLA " <lost in his thoughts= --- he.s an a$a/in1 o99icerCHEF You 1ot to 7ill this sonu#a!itch ' Lance and $e6 8e don.t understand none o9 this ' Jesus6 Captain ' % don.t 8anna die here ' "o it >uic76ance just stands there; his eyes vacant.. +e sort of nods, suc'ing a joint.

W%LLA " Yeah- % 7no8+e thin's. %N(- H+ (E HEA"*+A (E S ' N%:H( &%EW F OM %NS%"E "illard approaches the sta'es with the shrun'en heads. :hef and 6ance with him. "illard steps in 6ance and the :hef crouch outside, waiting. W%LLA ".S &%EW An austere stone savern in the temple$ (urt,>s head!uarters. ;lectric lights hanging in odd contrast to the ancient stone. "e SEE what is left of the maps and other military charts they had been tac'ed up on big boards, but have now fallen into decayed disuse. There are other indications of the modern head!uarters this had been. 1ow all those things are no longer important. (urt, sits alone, slumped bac' in a wic'er chair. There is a large wooden planning table ne*t to him, with maps, lamps and a pile of debris that is practically garbage. There are native decorations to ward off evil spirits; and graffiti on the stone walls, things ranging from %2iet 1am, love it or leave it% to !uotes of 1iet,sche %1othing is true everything is permitted.% .oonby, who had been crouching in a corner, moves to "illard. MOONBY He.s asleep ' don.t !other hi$H+ (E %.$ a8a7e"illard steps in closer. (urt, loo's to .oonby. H+ (E <continuing= You- :et out.oonby hesitates not wanting to leave him alone with "illard. H+ (E <continuing; suddenly= % said 1et the 9uc7 out4 <to himself= %.$ 1oin1 to 7ill the little 8eirdo $0sel9 to$orro8<he shows some pain when moving his midsection= He.s onl0 sta0ed ali#e this lon1 !ecause he.s a 1ood orderl0 and $edic- He 7no8s ho8 to use a h0poder$icW%LLA " You.re 1onna 1et hit toni1ht6 !ad ' a 8hole re1i$ent o9 N&A re1ularsH+ (E (hat.s ri1ht6 the little 1oo7;pric7s- But the0 are no!le little 1oo7;pric7s6 no!le- Because the0 9i1ht 8ith their 1uts6 li7e ani$als- And 9or an idea4 (hat.s rich- We 9i1ht 8ith in1enious $achines and 9ire6 li7e :ods6 and 9or nothin1But %.ll call in a $aBor !lotto airstri7e toni1ht- We.ll ha#e

oursel#es a hellu#a airstri7e toni1ht6 a li1htsho8- Ho8 do 0ou li7e (he "oors. )C.$on Ba!0 Li1ht M0 Fire---) "illard shrugs. H+ (E <continuing= "o 0ou5 W%LLA " Yeah6 % li7e it--H+ (E % lo#e it+e rests bac', grinning. W%LLA " You.#e 1one cra/0H+ (E <angrily= No- M0 thin7in1 is clear<calmly= But $0 soul has 1one $aduddenly (urt, is sei,ed with a terrible pain from his stomach wound. +e groans horribly, clutching at it. +e literally falls from his chair onto the dirt floor. H+ (E <continuing= M0 1ut ' Oh6 Christ6 $0 1ut4 "illard leans over him; chec'ing the seriousness of the wound. E,(- (HE HEA"*+A (E S ' N%:H( 6ance is crouching by the stone entrance :hef leans in, witnessing the proceedings inside. CHEF <muttering= Hill hi$ ' co$e on6 8h0 don.t 0ou 7ill hi$ %N(- (HE HEA"*+A (E S ' ME"6 &%EW ' H+ (E AN" W%LLA " ' N%:H( "illard e*amining the wound. H+ (E <in pain= Oh shit ' on the ta!le< $orphine"illard moves to the table, opens the medical pac'et. +e ta'es out a morphine capsule, leans over the writhing (urt, and injects him with the drug. H+ (E <continuing; loo'ing up in pain= You see ho8 stupid it 8ould ha#e !een to !lo8 out $0 !rains5 %.$ d0in1 9ro$ the 1ut an08a0-

"illard !uic'ly prepares another shot. (urt,, truly frightened, holds up his hand. H+ (E <continuing= No ' % don.t 8ant to sleep- % 8ant to thin7- Water- :i#e $e 8aterW%LLA " You can.t ha#e 8ater a9ter $orphineH+ (E Still pla0in1 !0 the rules<almost affectionately= You.re a da$n 1ood 7illerW%LLA " <still holding the second morphine= Ho8.s the pain5 H+ (E Ho8.s 0ours5 W%LLA " % can handle itH+ (E Pain is eas0 to handle ' !ut no!ilit0-- the no!ilit0 o9 a $an is Bud1ed !0 ho8 $uch (ruth he can handleW%LLA " What (ruth5 H+ (E (he truth that 0ou 8ere sent here to $urder $e6 ans so 9ar 0ou ha#en.t done it- And do 0ou 7no8 8h05 <loo's at him= Yes6 0ou 7no8 8h0<he loo's= Your $ission $a7es a!out as $uch sense as those idiots 8ho sent 0ou on it- Asshole4 Sch$uc74 Ho8 lon1 does it ta7e 0ou to 9i1ure out that no!od0 7no8s 8hat the0.re doin1 here<coldly= E=cept $e+e rests bac'. The drug is beginning to ta'e effect. H+ (E <continuing= :i$$e 8aterW%LLA " No 8aterH+ (E You 7no8 8hat 0ou.re doin15 You are inter9erin1 8ith $0 plans4 +e crawls in pain toward the canteen "illard watches him impassively. H+ (E

<continuing= (his 8ater.s 1ot Moon!0.s acid in it ' +e drin's sloppily from the canteen, water spilling all over. Then he throws the canteen to "illard. H+ (E <continuing= "rin7 it ' drin7 it 9or toni1ht- (hin7 o9 it- A 8hole re1i$ent o9 those shitt0 little Con1;War- (otal 8ar ' 8ar li7e 0ou.#e ne#er 7no8n it- %t.s !eauti9ul ' 0ou.ll lo#e it(rust $eE,(- (HE HEA"*+A (E S ' ME"%+M &%EW ' LANCE AN" CHEF ' N%:H( "e can SEE into the head!uarters$ (urt, offers the canteen to "illard. :hef is terrified 6ance is stoned out. CHEF Lance ' the 9uc7er.s not 1onna do itH+ (E :odda$n ' You.#e 1otta di1 napal$ on Speed6 too- %t.s spectacular6 0ou.ll see6ance stands up holding his .)3/, loo's into the cavern with :hef. %N(- HEA"*+A (E S ' N%:H( "illard stands there, holding the morphine needle in his hand. H+ (E Loo7 into the Bun1le- You can.t ' it.s too terri!le- You ha#e to s$ear 0oursel9 8ith 8arpaint to loo7 at it ' 0ou ha#e to !e a canni!al<whispered= (hat.s 8h0 8arpaint 8as in#ented- (hen it !eco$es 0our Bun1le"illard shoots himself in the arm with the morphine. W%LLA " Ho8 did 8e 1et here5 H+ (E Because o9 all the thin1s 8e do6 the thin1 8e do !est ' is lieW%LLA " % thin7 a lie stin7sH+ (E Oh Captain6 that is so trueW%LLA " Stin7s- % could ne#er 9i1ure ' <he drin's from the canteen= % could ne#er 9i1ure ho8 the0 can teach !o0s ho8 to !o$! #illa1es 8ith napal$ ' and not let the$ 8rite the 8ord .9uc7. on their airplanes-

"illard drin's more of the 6 9 water. H+ (E <angrily= You could ne#er 9i1ure it !ecause it doesn.t $a7e senseW%LLA " Fuc7 noH+ (E %.ll tell 0ou 8hat $a7es sense4 Air stri7es4 White Phosphorus4 Napal$4 We.ll !o$! the shit out o9 the$ i9 the0 don.t do 8hat 8e 8antW%LLA " We.ll e=ter$inate the 9uc7ers4 :hef steps into the +ead!uarters he is terrified. +e draws his bayonet. CHEF Captain ' 7ill hi$H+ (E (hin7 o9 it ' 9or 0ears6 $illions o9 0ears6 sa#a1es 8ith pathetic painted 9aces 8ere scared shitless that 9ire 8ould rain do8n 9ro$ the s70- And 1odda$n6 8e $ade it happen:od !less "o84 CHEF Hill hi$4 :hef rushes at (urt, with his bayonet instinctively, "illard %)$S him then there is additional automatic ,I"E. :hef is being riddled by bullets. &%EW ON LANCE +e has let loose with his .)3/ at :hef, li'e some sort of mindless, programmed 'iller. LANCE <firing= Hot da$n4 Then he stops :hef falls to the dirt there is an instant of silence, then$ E,(- OF (HE (EMPLE A( N+ M+N: BA ' N%:H( The 9oors begin %6ight .y -ire%, loud and overwhelming, as illuminating flares light up the blac'ness. ME"%+M CLOSE &%EW Of enormous loudspea'ers protected behind spirals of ra,or)sharp concertina wire. %6ight .y -ire% is blasted out to the enemy, poised to attac'. ANO(HE LO+"SPEAHE

:annibal)painted men in savage decorations wait. 5ayonets are fi*ed. .en are stoned to acid, injecting speed, sniffing cocaine, eating grass, smo'ing hashish in water pipes. One loo's up to the s'y. E%S &%EW A roc'et illuminates the s'y, strobing, as in a psychedelic hallucination. &%EW ON (HE SOL"%E SOL"%E Wo8--Another behind him is chanting the word $&P&L ME"%+M &%EW ON (HE :A(E "illard strides out of the dar'ness, into the positions around the gate. +e loo's li'e a magnificent warrior &enghis. All the men$ .ontagnards, fierce Americans, even the savage men of the #.5.8. crew either bow, salute or 'neel before "illard. The color pulsates around the edge of the image, red and green, mauve and purple. "e SEE 6ance; waiting, with his weapons garlands of teeth around his nec', his face painted. F+LL &%EW ' MON(A:E ;nemy &"#ILLE"* -L&S#I$% away at the fortress. CLOSE SHO( ' A MO (A A hand drops a shell and it ,I"ES. CLOSE SHO( ' OCHE( LA+NCHE It ,I"ES. E.PL!SI!$S around the fort, red and orange and blue and green. They hit and grow, outward li'e some sort of cosmic flower. CLOSE SHO( ' A FLAME;(H OWE @ON (ANHA hoots out a stream of burning napalm that loo's li'e a death ray gun, radiating outward with ice) blue energy. SHO( ON LO+"SPEAHE S 5lasting out music. ME"%+M CLOSE &%EW ON YO+N: SOL"%E S "ith the )SIC, li'e those people you see listening to radios in their cars. softly to himself.

SHO( ON (HE COMMAN" B+NHE ' W%LLA " 6 H+ (E 6 O(HE S

In SL!W !#I!$$ hells W'IS#LE in and E.PL!DE on the walls in the compound. The men behind them are setting up roc'et launcher <missile= . ;verywhere metal and roc' and flame fly and it is beautiful to see. "illard loo's through the infra)red sniper scope. W%LLA " ' %NF A; E" PO& trange, luminescent images of 1orth 2ietnamese approaching the outer perimeters. Thousands of them. F+LL SHO( ON H+ (E H+ (E Mini;1un- Col!0- Ser1eant- Mini;1unME"%+M SHO( ' M%N%;:+N A SE"%E&$# in feathered head)piece and wildly painted operates the mini)gun with several native helpers. S'ELLS -)"S# around them. "hen they ,I"E the S!)$D is incredibly loud and steady li'e a high)pitched foghorn. A solid stream of molten lead seems to pour into the dar'ness as G000 rounds a minute rip into the enemy. The pass of the lead reaches out in beautiful patterns as the ergeant sweeps the area. The sergeant laughs maniacally as the %)$ resumes ,I"I$%, right up to the moment he is blown to eternity by an all)engulfing 30Bmm shell. &%EW ON W%LLA " ;*hilarated, and moving with the Napal$:olby pushes a row of plungers$ Advancing 12As illuminated by napalm drums, phosphorescent napalm E.PL!DES beautiful, li'e a magnificent firewor'. &%EW ON H+ (E H+ (E Cla0$ores6 cla0$oresThe S!)$D DIS#!"#ED of tremendous '!WLI$% E.PL!SI!$S penetrate the trac' of LI%'# * ,I"E one after another. (urt,>s face is illuminated by each of these. +is face seems to change from one grotes!ue primitive face to another, as though the whole history man'ind is evolving in front of us. The SC"E& S of maimed and dismembered men almost penetrates the I$C"EDI-L* L!)D )SIC and we 'E&" (urt,>s men L&)%'I$% and SC"E& I$% in delight. (urt, loo's out over the field of slaughter. F+LL SHO( ' N&A CHA :E Through wires and claymore glass, each wilder and more e*treme. They burn in the pools of luminescent napalm but press relentlessly on. S'ELL -)"S#S overhead. They chant to themselves as they advance. 12A have reached the walls and throw down scaling ladders and )SIC0 W%LLA "

start up. uddenly the s'y is bright with flares which produce weird psychedelic light. 5lared out at tremendous volume over and above the DI$ !, -&##LE is %6ight .y -ire%. F+LL SHO( ' WALL ' E&E YBO"Y The Americans and .ontagnards stand up screaming. purred by )SIC, they charge up. .)3/>s in both hands, blasting, 'ic'ing, bayoneting, gouging, splitting throats, biting nec's, both sides collide in the utter and most horrible savagery. ME"%+M SHO( ' W%LLA " tanding on the wall -L&S#I$% as bodies fall around him; he thrusts his bayonet into one attac'er, removes it with a foot and stabs another. -rom him he ta'es his A(FG and 56A T more as they come. ME"%+M SHO( ' LANCE The 2: rush his position. "illard trips a claymore that -L&S#S most of them to shreds. .ore fill in. 6ance opens up ,)LL &)#! &#IC . "illard and 6ance move down to the nest wall, ,I"I$% , bodies tumbling over. 6ance is caught in a C"!SS,I"E and hit several times. +e pulls himself up ,I"ES a final -)"S# and then falls under the enemy>s feet. &%EW ON MOONBY ees this and scampers off into the jungle, muttering madly to himself. ME"%+M &%EW ' W%LLA " A( (HE -(houting into the radio W%LLA " Code ' Street :an1 ' Street :an14 Pur1ati#e air stri7e< Street :an14 +e turns and runs bac' through the compound with the receding .ontagnards. S'ELLS are E.PL!DI$% everywhere. The light patterns are fantastic. .en fall, 2iets brea' over the walls and charge. They crouch and rip into them ,)LL &)#! &#IC. They brea' the charge and continue cutting their way through the 12A masses li'e torches through metal. F+LL SHO( ' COMMAN" POS( ' H+ (E (urt, watches as invaders swarm through his domain. "omen and children rush upon him now. (urt, flic's some switches and the whole north wall E.PL!DES in overwhelming ,I"E. The gates are uprooted. The stone lions tumble, crushing men below. (urt, coc's an .)3/ and wal's off the bun'er. &%EW ON W%LLA " "atching this spectacle. ME"%+M SHO( ' "%FFE EN( AN:LE ' H+ (E

+e rounds the shadow wall. (urt, sees a group of 2iets and rushes up and prepares a machine gun mount. They don>t see him. +e braces the gun at his side and steps out. H+ (E <yelling= Charles4 They stagger and fall, shattered and bleeding, save one who>s merely lost his weapon. (urt, loo's at him, his gun empty. +e drops it and flips open the flap of his holster. The 2iet soldier goes for his pistol. (urt, beats him to the draw and blows him into the night. +e moves over to pic' up the 12A light machine gun. +olding it at his hip, he stands atop one of the ruined walls and ,I"ES into the masses. +is native men see him and rush for the chance to die beside him. They are !uic'ly encircled by onrushing 2iets and are being overrun. The machine gun jams and (urt, grabs a rifle. "hen it>s empty and the bayonet is off he wields it as a club. ME"%+M SHO( ' LOW AN:LE ' H+ (E Ta'ing swings with his rifle, standing atop the wall and battering the oncoming enemy li'e 9avy :roc'ett at the Alamo. F+LL &%EW ' (HE FO ( ESS The air stri'e hits with all its force. 5alls and rain of fire sweeps down on the temple, the enemy, everything. It is the biggest firewor' show in history. The wall (urt, was standing on, and he falls with it. "illard sees this and ma'es his way toward him as the air stri'e continues. All around us is a spectacle of )SIC and light and fire and overwhelming color. ( ACH%N: SHO( ON W%LLA " -ollowing (urt,>s trail in the mud. +e has crawled on all fours bac' into the jungle to die. +e stal's (urt, into the jungle; moving around and cutting off the crawling (urt, H+ (E :o a8a0 ' hide 0oursel9W%LLA " What are 0ou doin15 H+ (E :oin1 !ac7 ' to the Bun1le to dieW%LLA " %.$ ta7in1 0ou !ac7- You can still li#eH+ (E % had i$$ense plansW%LLA " %.$ 1onna 1et 0ou out o9 hereH+ (E % 8as on threshold o9 1reat thin1s-

"illard slings (urt,>s bleeding body around his nec', holding his hand, dragging hom through the jungle. The spectacle continues in the bac'ground. E,(- (HE P-B- - ' (HE %&E This wrec' of a boat is still afloat. "illard crawls out of the jungle, carrying the dying (urt, and manages to get him onto the boat. E,( EME F+LL SHO( The spectacle of total psychedelic war$ the fortress of 1u .ung 5a. FA"E O+( FA"E %N: E,(- (HE (EMPLE ' MO N%N: The entire temple is devastation. 2ultures by the hundreds circle overhead. There are a few survivors. ;verywhere is smo'e and heaps of bodies. :olby, a ergeant, and some .ontagnards sit near them. Their eyes are red and gla,ed, their jaws hang slac' and they tumble occasionally. They stagger away from the field of slaughter. "illard loo's down and sees something. .oves over to it, 'ic's several bodies away and in the foreground below is 6ance, dead. :olby stumbles over. "illard holds 6ance up by his hair. COLBY Who is he5 W%LLA " He 8as the tra1ed0 ' the tra1ed0 o9 this 8arC+( (O: (HE P-B- 5attered, moving slowly down the river. (%:H(E &%EW :olby is at helm. (urt, lies feverish, delirious. "illard sits by him. As the boat moves, .ontagnards, those left alive, come and pay their respects by the riverban's. :olby ta'es an automatic weapon and ,I"ES it into the air. ome of the natives move in terror, frightened of him. The battle is not over. H+ (E "on.t- "on.t 9ri1hten the$ a8a0"illard loo's down at him. W%LLA " So 0ou understand this5 (urt, loo's up at him, past him with fury, longing in his eyes. There is a slight smile.

H+ (E "o % not5 E,(- %&E ' ME"%+M &%EW The boat moves as though naturally carried by the river. H+ (E M0 ri#er--- $0 people--- $0 Bun1le--- $0 ideas--- $0 countr0--- $0 8i9e--<he loo's at "illard= --- $0 deathW%LLA " You had i$$ense plans--- i$$ense plans--H+ (E Yes--W%LLA " %.$ ta7in1 0ou !ac7(urt, loo's up to him, then an e*pression of overwhelming intense and hopeless terror, hopeless despair. A whisper at some image, at some vision, he cries out twice, a cry that is no more than a breath. H+ (E (he horror6 the horror"e 'E&" the distant S!)$D of 'ELIC!P#E"S approaching. The S!)$D of "!#!"S in the distance. They loo' up, craning their eyes at the s'y. :olby points. COLBY (hereOver the jungle mountains the small formation of COLBY <continuing= Ho8 did the0 7no85 W%LLA " (he0 $ust ha#e seen the 9ireThe helicopters are closer now but high up. Two of them brea'ing off, spiraling in #!W&"D )S. COLBY (he0.re co$in1 to rescue us- (he0.re Mede#acCLOSE SHO( ON W%LLA " +e stares up at the s'y. W%LLA " <to himself= (he0.re co$in1 to ta7e us !ac7:opters directly overhead. EDEV&C helicopters hooping toward them.

W%LLA " <continuing= YeahCOLBY Colonel Hurt/6 he.s deadW%LLA " Yeah+e raises his .)3/ and ,I"ES the entire clip at the approaching rescue helicopter. F+LL SHO( ' (HE COP(E It frantically pours on the power and wheels up to the s'y. F+LL SHO( ' W%LLA "6 COLBY W%LLA " Yeah:olby ta'es his rifle and joins "illard in ,I"I$% at the retreating American helicopters. HEL%COP(E .S PO& ' ON (HE BOA( The men in the boat ,I"I$% &# )S as we fly further into the air, the boat getting smaller and smaller. W%LLA " @&-O-A --- "on.t re$e$!er a lot a!out $0 reha!ilitation--- !ut % 8as sent !ac7 to the 8orld !e9ore the 9all o9 Sai1on--E,(- MA %NA "EL AY ' E,( EME H%:H AN:LE ' N%:H( MO&%N: "OWN bac' to the pleasure boat at the .arina. #ause. "illard is very silent. W%LLA " % ne#er ans8ered >uestions a!out Hurt/ ' % 1a#e the$ a 9e8 o9 his uni$portant papers ' !ut 9or the $ost part % sa#ed e#er0thin1- (here 8ere other letters6 personal ones 8ritten earlier to his 8i9e- % !rou1ht the$ to het- % 8atched the 9all o9 Sai1on on tele#ision in a !ar in Ala$eda--E,(- CAL%FO N%A NE%:HBO HOO" ' "AY A bright clear day in a scrubbed)clean :alifornia neighborhood. ome 'ids are playing in the street. "illard, years later, dressed as a civilian, proceeds past the lawn to the attractive home, carrying a pac'et under his arm. +e passes a lan'y, young teen)aged boy wor'ing on a motor)scooter. "illard loo's at him. The boy loo's bac'. W%LLA "

HiThen the door opens, and K)"#6/S WI,E is standing at the door. he is still beautiful, blonde, and dressed in mourning even though she doesn>t wear blac'. There is a sense of purity about her, though she is not young. H+ (E.S W%FE Co$e in6 Captain Willard+e enters. %N(- H+ (E.S HOME ' "AY ;verything good and secure and desirable about America. he stands in the center of the room, a little nervous. H+ (E.S W%FE Can % 1et an0thin1 9or 0ou5 There are pictures of (urt,, not too many... but he is there in the various stages of his career. Then she sits suddenly, and "illard sits by her. H+ (E.S W%FE <continuing= "id 0ou 7no8 hi$ #er0 8ell5 W%LLA " You 1et to 7no8 each other prett0 8ell out thereH+ (E.S W%FE And 0ou ad$ired hi$5 W%LLA " He 8as a re$ar7a!le $an- %t 8as i$possi!le not to ' H+ (E.S W%FE Lo#e hi$--- Yes6 it is true- (hat.s the hard part 9or $e--- % 7ne8 hi$ !etter than an0one--- % 7ne8 hi$ !estW%LLA " You 7ne8 hi$ !estH+ (E.S W%FE You 8ere his 9riend--- You $ust ha#e !een6 i9 he had 1i#en 0ou this--<the pac'et= %9 he sent 0ou to his ho$e- He 8as the !est this countr0 had ' he 8as ' W%LLA " Yes6 % 7no8--H+ (E.S W%FE %.ll ne#er 1et o#er it ' But %.ll al8a0s re$e$!er hi$--W%LLA " Both o9 us---

H+ (E.S W%FE Men loo7ed up to hi$--<she loses herself in a thought= He died as he li#ed--W%LLA " His death 8as ' 0es6 he died as he li#edH+ (E.S W%FE Were 0ou 8ith hi$6 8hen--W%LLA " Yes % 8as--- He said his last 8ords to $e#ause. ME"%+M CLOSE SHO( ON W%LLA " A little of the madness is still with him. +e 'nows what she will as'. H+ (E.S W%FE What 8ere the05 ME"%+M CLOSE SHO( ON H+ (E.S W%FE H+ (E.S W%FE (ell $eME"%+M CLOSE ON W%LLA " 8emembering that incredible day moving down the river. Our VIEW L!!SE$S H+ (E.S W%FE (ell $e 8hat he saidH+ (E @&-O-A (he horror4 (he horror4 W%LLA " He spo7e o9 0ou6 $a.a$+e sits there loo'ing at her. E,(- (%:H( H%:H AN:LE ON (HE MA %NA "EL EY BOA( The coc'tail party is brea'ing up. "illard is one of the few guests left. "e !VE ,"! "illard standing alone on the dec' of the boat. .oving bac' through the departing guests. :harlie is getting ready to leave himself. "e !VE CL!SE" to "illard. "%SSOL&E (O: E,(- (HE %&E ' P-B- - ' "AY

The boat floating down the river. (urt,>s body; an e*hausted, half)dead :olby. And '!LDI$% (urt,, "illard. "e 'E&" the 9oors> %The ;nd% as we present the E$D #I#LES. FA"E O+(

(HE EN"