“RAID ON OSIRAK”
by Charles Proser
TEASE
FADE IN:
1 EXT. AERIAL - U2 -BLACK SPYPLANE AT ALTITUDE - STOCK
2 EXT. TAMPA AFB -- DAY
SUPERIMPOSE -- CENTCOM -- US CENTRAL COMMAND HEADQUARTERS
3 INT. TAMPA - CENTCOM - INTEL ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Spooks and analysts look at photo recon data. The CENTCOM
COMMANDING OFFICER, GENERAL ZIMA, in Marine Fatigues is a
gruff, no-nonsense fireplug. His deputy, ADMIRAL YEAGER is
more polished, in Navy Khaki. The SPOOK, is in tweeds and
hornrims. He points to a rounded dome on the pictures.
SPOOK
That’s it. Osirak!
ADMIRAL YEAGER
Saddam's at it again. Unbelievable!
GENERAL ZIMA, steps up, nods for the briefing to begin.
SPOOK
Okay, I’m sure you all remember the
Osirak nuclear reactor? Here...
just north of Baghdad.
GENERAL ZIMA
The Israelis took it out in ‘81.
SPOOK
Yes Sir, but the Iraquis have secretly
rebuilt it. Its a breeder reactor,
takes low-grade uranium and turns it
into bomb-grade plutonium. Once the
fuel’s in, it cannot be attacked
without spreading a radioactive cloud.
Where that cloud would drift, nobody
knows... but it would make Chernobyl
look like a bad day at Bubba’s
Barbecue. The decision has been
made to take it out.
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2.
GENERAL ZIMA
Without a warning?
SPOOK
As a warning... To Iraq and to any
others who think they can pull this
stuff on us.
He hands him the closest angle. The General studies it.
SPOOK (CONT'D)
The Joint Chiefs want a mission. You
guys better have a plan for them
...in 48 hours.
The General turns to his deputy, hands him the picture..
GENERAL ZIMA
What assets do we have in the area?
ADMIRAL YEAGER
Third Marines. Quick Reaction Force.
SPOOK
We have a short window. One good
chance. You have a team ready?
GENERAL ZIMA
I have a man.
SPOOK
Is he good?
GENERAL ZIMA
Oh, yeah. A real hard-charger.
Tim, get me Bill Kelly down at
Pensacola.
FADE OUT:
END TEASER
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3.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
4 EXT. PENSACOLA - BASE GOLF COURSE - SAME TIME
Kelly is on the phone while his enlisted personalman, CORPORAL
RICARDO, waits, holding a golf club, taking practice swings.
KELLY
Yeah, cold in Maine? Oh it's rough
down here, Prudence. About 73. When
do you land? Ten-fifteen, flight
46? No, I'll send a cab. We’ll have
a great time, catch up on everything.
Hands the phone to Ricardo. Who hands him back a three wood.
KELLY (CONT'D)
Whew! Prudence. My sister’s girl.
He hands Ricardo a picture.
INSERT
A young lady in conservative dress and hairstyle... Prudence.
ANGLE ON KELLY
Kelly lines up on the tee...listens to birds.
KELLY (CONT'D)
Ah, peace at last. Quiet, even.
(orders the birds)
Quiet!
Miraculously, they shut up. He addresses the ball. Just as
he’s into his swing, his CELLPHONE HONKS. He shanks it into
the clubhouse to the sound of BREAKING GLASS. Ricardo cocks
his head, flips his pad open, writes.
CPL. RICARDO
I’ll take care of that, sir.
Kelly is not amused. He punches the phone.
KELLY
Hammer, I thought I told you not to --
Oh, hi, General, how are you?
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.
KELLY (CONT'D)
No... I was talking to somebody else.
Why no, not busy at all. My time is
your time. Yes sir. When do you
want us?
(beat)
An hour ago. Right, Sir. On the way!
5 EXT. PENSACOLA - FLIGHTLINE -- MOMENTS LATER
Hammer catches up to Kelly, in flight suits, carrying helmets.
HAMMER
Hey, Skipper, what do we have?
KELLY
Let me brief you on what I know.
Nothing.
Corporal Riccardo, runs to catch up to them. Kelly walks
around kicking the tires and per-flighting as he talks.
CPL. RICARDO
Sir, you're both going?
KELLY
OPSO's in charge until we get back.
CPL. RICARDO
Uh, sir, can you tell me when that
might be?
KELLY
No, Corporal. You don't know where
I went and I don't know when I'll
return.
CPL. RICA
But sir, it's ...you know...Prudence.
KELLY
Oh, yeah... Okay. I want you to
provide her with a responsible escort
until I return.
6 INT. KELLY’S COCKPIT - DAY - MOMENTS LATER
As the ground crew straps him in, he keys the radio.
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5.
KELLY
Shooter One request taxi clearance.
Shooter Two, you with me?
HAMMER (V.O.)
Roger, that. One.
KELLY
Okay, light 'em up! Let's go!
7 EXT. FLIGHTLINE - TWO HORNETS - DAY (STOCK)
They take off and climb out, headed for Tampa.
8 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT - DAY
HAMMER
You worried, Raider, with us both
gone?
9 INT. AERIAL - COCKPIT - KELLY - DAY
KELLY
Relax, Hammer. You gotta have faith
in your people. Besides, it's only
a few hundred men and several hundred
million dollars of the Corp's
aircraft. What can go wrong?
10 EXT. AERIAL - HORNETS - DAY - (STOCK)
They roll and pull in formation, arcing away...
11 INT. READY ROOM - SAME TIME - DAY
Burner and Spoon check the boards.
SPOON
The CO and XO both gone? Ice and
half the squad on DET... Geez. Let's
get outta here.
BURNER
What's the problem?
SPOON
I don't like the look of this. They
stick us with some extra duty...we
can forget about the beach.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.
BURNER
No!
SPOON
...And the Tropical Lotion volleyball
weekend. And all that means.
BURNER
Yeah, the free suntan lotion.
SPOON
Lots of it. Most... on babes. On
the parts of beautiful buffed babes
that bikinis don’t cover. On hot
semi-naked women. Like the ones I
lined up. Come on, grab your
gear...let's book it, before...!
12 INT. SQUADRON CORRIDOR - SAME TIME
Ricardo walks down the corridor conferring on the cell phone.
CPL. RICARDO
But, OPSO, it's the Colonel’s personal
detail. Sir? Who’s on DET? Oh,
they are... all of them? Well, there
must be somebo...
He glances at the Ready Room, stops, backs up.
CPL. RICARDO (CONT'D)
Uh, OPSO...Hold on.
RICARDO’S P.O.V.
Burner and Spoon grabbing their charts and gear.
13 INT. READY ROOM
BURNER
Your date is Gloria. And she is! I
mean they pick these models for
their...their... Oh, no!
Ricardo steps in grinning. They fall silent as he gives
them the enlisted evil eye.
CPL. RICARDO
Gentlemen. Your detail...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.
SPOON
No...
CPL. RICARDO
...A Prudence Escort. The Colonel
asked for you 'specially.
BURNER
A what? What the heck’s a prudence?
CPL. RICARDO
Sirs, a Prudence is a Colonel's niece,
your commanding officer’s niece.
Ricardo hands them Prudence’s picture.
CPL. RICARDO (CONT'D)
Think of her as a fragile porcelain
doll to be handled with the greatest
delicacy. Now, if the Colonel returns
and there’s one little finishing
school hair out of place, it is my
belief that both of you or your better
nether parts will be deep fried in
peanut oil and served up for the
ladies auxilliary buffet. Do I make
the Colonel’s express wishes clear?
SPOON
Corporal, what are we supposed to do
with her?
CPL. RICARDO
It’s what you’re not that’s important.
BURNER
Let me guess. We grab a dictionary,
look up every verb in it and put a
“don’t” in front of it. That about
cover it?
CPL. RICARDO
Yes Sir! I do think you have the
general drift. Meet her cab at the
gate at 1100 hours, and deliver her
to the Colonel on his return all
nicely covered in bubble wrap.
ANGLE ON BURNER AND SPOON - THE CONDEMNED...
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8.
14 EXT./INT. TAMPA - CENTCOM FLIGHTLINE - DAY (STOCK)
Kelly and Hammer’s Hornets land and taxi past hangers.
SUPERIMPOSE: US CENTRAL COMMAND HEADQUARTERS - TAMPA
15 INT. TAMPA - CENTCOM HQ - SHORT TIME LATER
A Marine Colonel sees Kelly walk in and greets him warmly.
SLIDER
Hey, Raider, how are you? What are
you doing here?
Kelly walks right by him.
KELLY
Hi, Slider, I’m fine. And I'm not
here.
Slider watches them disappear into the top security spaces.
16 EXT. PENSACOLA - BASE FRONT GATE - SAME TIME - DAY
Spoon and Burner stand near the gate waiting.
SPOON
Must be some kind of flap for the CO
and the XO to both disappear.
BURNER
Well, also disappearing...our weekend.
SPOON
And the Tropical Lotion models...
They're only here for forty-eight
hours!
(a beat)
Look, no reason we should both lose
out. How hard is it to handle one
little girl...?
BURNER
I agree. You do it.
SPOON
Look, we switch off. Pick her up...
some fast food, show her the beach,
park her somewhere. Four hours on,
(MORE)
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9.
SPOON (CONT'D)
four hours off. I'll even take the
first watch.
BURNER
I donno...if that's gonna work...
SPOON
It has to. It's the only way we can
handle this mission and still salvage
something of the weekend.
BURNER
I donno...
SPOON
Look you want to spend half the
weekend on this detail and half with
the Tropical models or all of it
with...
A cab pulls up, a pretty, demure schoolgirl in conservative
dress gets out and looks to them. Prudence. They smile.
BURNER
Oh, Geez. This is gonna be brutal.
SPOON
Smile like an officer and gentleman.
Burner tries on a grin. Doesn’t quite make it. The girl
looks confused. Looks behind them, looks around. They walk
to her.
SPOON (CONT'D)
Hello. I’m Lt. Henry, this is Lt.
Barnes. You must be Colonel Kelly’s
niece... Miss Atwater?
PRUDENCE
Yes. Hello. I’m Prudence.
(looks around)
Where’s Uncle Bill?
SPOON
Uh, thing is.. we don’t exactly know.
ANGLE ON PRUDENCE
She gives them a hard stare. Burner just grins like a loon.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.
17 INT. TAMPA - CENTCOM INTEL ROOM - SAME TIME
The Spook turns from a screen filled with an aerial of the
Nuclear plant. Zima, Yeager, Kelly, Hammer and Intel
Officers cluster around.
SPOOK
...and the fuel is somewhere in
country...and on its way to the
reactor. That's what we know for
now. General?
He nods to Zima who steps up.
GENERAL ZIMA
Look familiar, Bill?
KELLY
Like a bad dream.
GENERAL ZIMA
What I see in my sleep is a bunch of
nuclear weapons we cannot control.
ANGLE ON KELLY
GENERAL ZIMA (CONT'D)
You’ve been there, in Desert Storm.
KELLY
Yeah. Was hoping we wouldn't have
to go back.
The General looks to the Spook. He’s a nerdy, academic type.
SPOOK
Saddamn Insane has surrounded the
target with his usual cast of camera-
friendly civilians. This has to be
a surgical strike, with a very sharp
scalpel. Any collaterals are gonna
be stars of the evening news.
Zima nods to his deputy.
ADMIRAL YEAGER
They’ve ringed the reactor with SAM’s.
Their threat envelopes overlap. ZSU
57’s down low. SA8’s and 10’s here.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.
Zima turns to Kelly.
GENERAL ZIMA
You’ve done the most recent work-up
on the target in your War Fighting
Lab. That's why you're here. You’ll
plan the mission.
(a beat.)
...and Mac has the most ground attack
experience. He’ll lead.
Hammer quickly reacts, surprised and confused.
HAMMER
Sir, Colonel Kelly is my CO.
GENERAL ZIMA
I’m aware of that.
(a beat)
Colonel Kelly will be your CO again,
after the mission.
HAMMER
Yessir.
He looks at Kelly. It goes down hard in front of the others.
KELLY
Whatever you say, General.
The others turn away to their tasks. Zima moves to Kelly.
GENERAL ZIMA
I knew you’d understand, Bill..
Better go start working the books. I
need a prelim plan by 1300 to take
up the chain...
KELLY
Aye, Sir.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
18 EXT. PENSACOLA - BASE - DAY - STOCK
19 INT. VMFAT 101 CORRIDOR OUTSIDE KELLY'S OFFICE
Prudence strides on, fuming. They hustle after her.
PRUDENCE
You mean he just... disappeared?
SPOOK
Not disappeared exactly, its just
that, well, he’s not exactly here.
PRUDENCE
And where exactly is he?
BURNER
We don't exactly know. If we did,
we’d have to lie. This way makes it
easier for everyone.
She stops, steams for a moment on that.
PRUDENCE
Well, I’ve come all the way from
Colby, Maine. Who’s supposed to
take care of my vacation?
BURNER
We are.
She strides off again, to the CO's office.
PRUDENCE
You two.
BURNER
Uh, huh, ma’am. Us.
She stops at Kelly's door, disbelieving...
PRUDENCE
And my Uncle Bill isn’t here?
SPOON
Well um, technically... no.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.
She steams for a beat. then...
PRUDENCE
Cool!
She walks right by them into Kelly's office, slams the door.
SPOON
Well we can forget about the beach.
BURNER
The beach! The volleyball weekend.
Our dates... Everything.
SPOON
An entire beach full of women in
very little and we’re stuck escorting
Prudence from Maine.
They ponder that for a moment.
BURNER
It’ll be okay.
SPOON
Okay!!! When we could be out with
top stuff. like... like...
Burner follows Spoon’s eyes. He turns... A babe is walking
toward them, dressed hot and punk, spiked green and blue
hair, rings, studs, bare midrift halter and shorts...
GIRL
Hi, boys!
BURNER
Hi??!! Now, if we could just...
Something... He turns to the girl. She’s looking at them.
BURNER (CONT'D)
Prudence?
PRUDENCE
Yup.
SPOON
What’s up?
She hooks her arms in theirs.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.
PRUDENCE
Time’s up. Uncle Bill promised me a
good time. Let's Rock and Roll!
20 EXT. TAMPA - CENTCOM - EVENING (STOCK)
21 INT. CENTCOM - INTEL ROOM - SAME TIME
The planners cluster around a console. Maps, Sat imagery and
targeting data are projected on the table and on wall screens.
KELLY
Okay, the reactor’s on a plateau. A
valley leads up to it. It’s the
only way in, under the radar and the
SAM and triple-A threat.
The Spook and Intel Officers... are uneasy.
SPOOK
They know. They’ll be waiting in
the valley.
INSERT - TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP - INTERCUT
KELLY
We’ll ingress, in this valley to the
east. They’ll know we’re coming but
they’ll be looking here. And for a
while, that’s where they’ll see us.
CU MAP DETAIL
KELLY (CONT'D)
Right here there’s a break in the
ridges. We’ll pop over, let down in
the western valley, and drive straight
in.
He looks up at them. They are silent for a beat.
GENERAL ZIMA
You sure there’s a pass there?
KELLY
Last time I looked.
ADMIRAL YEAGER
We can’t pick it out on the topo’s.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15.
KELLY
It’s small. Just room enough for a
Hornet. We’ll pull inverted over it
and down, hugging these hills. If
we don’t pop up too high, they’ll
never see us.
GENERAL ZIMA
Inverted, with a full bomb load?
KELLY
That’ll help. We gotta get down
fast, while this ridge masks us from
the radar. We’ll be in shadow.
Morning sun in their eyes. They may
hear us but by the time they do,
we’ll be long gone.
GENERAL ZIMA
Hell of a plan, Raider. Think you
can do it?
KELLY
Wouldn’t plan something I couldn’t
fly, General. This’ll work.
A beat. They all look at each other. The spook steps up.
SPOOK
General. Excuse me. F18’s...? I
thought we had Tomahawks. Cruise
missiles don’t risk a pilot... being
shot down, killed, taken prisoner...
paraded before the world press.
Hammer's angry. He steps up to him...intimidating.
HAMMER
You said we have one shot. This is
how we'll do it.
Kelly's more restrained. He calmly explains.
KELLY
The situation’s too fluid. Missiles
can’t adapt.
GENERAL ZIMA
We wouldn’t be in control.
(MORE)
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16.
GENERAL ZIMA (CONT'D)
For this mission we need not only
smart bombs, but our best weapon,
smart Pilots.
(turns to Kelly)
You boys start running mirror missions
on the practice range. I’ll push it
by the brass.
(a beat)
Bill, yours and mine are on the line
on this. Everyone’ll be looking our
way.
KELLY
The ones I’m concerned with are the
ones with guns, Sir.
22 INT. INTEL SPACES - MOMENTS LATER
Hammer studies the threat reports. Kelly walks up.
HAMMER
You should be leading the strike,
Skipper.
KELLY
If the General thinks you’re the man
for the job, you’re it. I've seen
your scores. You are the best. We
both gotta just put all this out of
our minds. Just focus on the mission.
I'm not worried about you.
HAMMER
What are your concerns?
KELLY
This stuff, it's what we've trained
for. I know we can do it.
(beat, he lightens up)
You know what worries me? Prudence.
She’s been looking forward to her
visit for months. Now, I bail out
again and can’t even tell her what
the deal is.
HAMMER
She knows what you do...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17.
KELLY
Yeah. I just hope she’s not too
disappointed at being pawned off on
some Marines.
23 EXT. PENSACOLA - SPOON’S CORVETTE - TRAVELING
Burner. Spoon in front, Prudence jammed in back. MUSIC UP!
They pull up in front of Kelly’s quarters.
PRUDENCE
What’s this?
SPOON
Where your uncle lives.
PRUDENCE
I didn’t come all the way from the
freakin' frozen north to wind up at
a freakin' Marine base.
A moment between Burner and Spoon.
SPOON
Um... where do you want to go?
PRUDENCE
Is there a beach?
SPOON
Well... yeah.
PRUDENCE
Well? ....
They look at each other, then at her. They turn for the beach.
24 EXT. THE BEACH - MOMENTS LATER
They pull up. She looks at the beach, the waves, the studs.
She hops out.
BURNER
Um...Spoon here's got the first duty.
He's gonna be with you.
PRUDENCE
What? Yeah yeah. fine..fine fine.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18.
She whips off her shorts and top...beneath...only a thong
bikini. The boys eyes bug...
SPOON
Um, listen, you're our CO's niece.
If anything happens...well... We
could get in trouble...
PRUDENCE
Boys...
They turn, look. She's hot. Real hot.
PRUDENCE (CONT'D)
You are in trouble.
She runs off down the beach.
SPOON
This has all the makings...of a real
bad idea.
25 EXT. AERIAL - FALLON - BOMBING RANGE -- DAY (STOCK)
Two Hornets, low level and hot, rocketing up the valley, 150
feet and 420 knots. Hammer’s in the lead, calling IP’s.
SUPERIMPOSE: AERIAL BOMBING RANGE - FALLON, NEVADA
26 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT - DAY
Hammer's voice is clipped, tense, his stick movements, rapid.
HAMMER
Raider, rising terrain! Watch the
shadows, pick up your scan.
27 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
(laconic)
Easy, Hammer. I've done this before.
28 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER’S COCKPIT - DAY
HAMMER
I lost a guy, doing this...
(a beat)
... Sir.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19.
29 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
We’re too high. Letting down.
30 EXT. AERIAL - HORNETS LOW LEVEL - (STOCK)
They drop lower, a hundred feet off the undulating terrain.
31 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER’S COCKPIT - DAY
HAMMER
You might want to ease into that,
Raider, IP at 2, come left 10. Call
the IP, check weapons armed.
32 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
Weapons armed. Laser on. The turn?
33 EXT. AERIAL - HORNETS LOW LEVEL - DAY - (STOCK)
HAMMER (V.O.)
IP half mile. Wide on the turn, pull.
They hit burners, rocket up at 45 degrees...
HAMMER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
This is where they’ll paint us...
Countermeasures, smooth. Pull to
five G’s, rolling in.
They roll inverted and pull through, nose on the target.
34 INT. /EXT. HAMMER’S POV THROUGH HUD - CONTINUOUS
The target slides into his bombing pip on the HUD.
HAMMER (V.O.)
Target acquired, rolling out.
He rolls wings-level, lasing. The target rotates in his POV.
HAMMER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Pickle.
35 EXT. AERIAL - HORNET HARD MOUNTS - DAY - (STOCK)
Practice bombs release.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.
36 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT - DAY
HAMMER
Hammer's off!
He yanks the stick to the side and pulls.
37 EXT. AERIAL - HORNET - DAY - (STOCK)
It wings-over and pulls away...off target...
38 EXT. GROUND TARGET -- DAY --(STOCK)
The bombs EXPLODE in the inner target ring, a good shot.
39 INT./EXT. AERIAL - KELLY’S POV THROUGH HUD -- DAY
The inverted target swings toward the bombing aiming pip.
40 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
MOVE IN: CLOSE ON KELLY -- intense concentration...
KELLY
Raider’s in hot. Lasing. Pickle.
41 INT. AERIAL - HORNET HARD MOUNTS - DAY
Practice bombs release.
42 EXT. GROUND TARGET - DAY - (STOCK)
The bombs sail over the target, hit long, EXPLODE in the
outer rings.
43 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
Raider's off!
He slams the stick over and pulls.
44 EXT. AERIAL - HORNETS LOW LEVEL - DAY - (STOCK)
Kelly nearly scrapes a mountain getting out.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21.
45 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER’S COCKPIT - DAY
HAMMER
You missed the IP, turned late, you
were high and steep, barely in the
cone. That’s why you dropped long.
(a beat, realizes)
... Sir.
46 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
Cut that sir crap, Hammer. If I
miss the IP you call me a dork like
you would any screwup. If I can’t
fly my own damn plan, I am one.
47 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER’S COCKPIT - DAY
HAMMER
You’re just a little rusty, Raider.
48 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
Let's go again. Go til we get it
right.
49 EXT. AERIAL - FALLON - BOMBING RANGE - (STOCK)
Two Hornets, low level, streak up the valley, hit burners,
rocket up, roll inverted, pull through, nose on target.
HAMMER
Target acquired, rolling out.
He rolls wings level, lasing.
50 INT./EXT. HAMMER’S POV THROUGH HUD
The target appears in the pip.
HAMMER
Pickle.
51 EXT. AERIAL - HORNET HARD MOUNTS (STOCK)
Practice bombs release.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22.
52 NT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT -- DAY
He yanks the stick over, and pulls, swinging away.
HAMMER
Hammer's off!
53 EXT. AERIAL - HORNET - STOCK -- DAY
It rolls and pulls off target and streaks away.
54 EXT - BOMBING RANGE - GROUND
The bombs EXPLODE in the inner target ring, a good hit.
55 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
Raider’s in hot. Lasing. Pickle.
56 EXT. AERIAL - HORNET HARD MOUNTS - (STOCK)
The practice bombs release.
57 EXT. - BOMBING RANGE - GROUND - (STOCK)
They drop on target. BIG EXPLOSIONS!!!
58 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT -- DAY
HAMMER
Raider, you nailed it! I take back
almost everything I was thinking.
59 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
(relief)
Yeah, Hammer... So do I...
60 EXT. PENSACOLA BEACH -- DAY
Prudence in bikini splashes in the water, soaking up sun,
flirting with anything that moves. The boys trudge after.
BURNER
Prudence, maybe you wanna cover some
of that up. You know, sunburn!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23.
She just looks at him like he's from mars. She runs right
past some studs, plunges into the waves, drawing every eye
on the beach. Spoon is positive.
SPOON
It’ll be alright. It's a simple
babysitting thing.
A couple of STUDS, get up, start for her.
BURNER
It's like dancing with a hand grenade.
Well, showtime! Gotta pick up the
girls. Good luck, Buddy!
He walks off. Spoon sees some beach studs approaching. He
leads her away, deflecting the Stud’s interest.
SPOON
Sun-poisoning... Pay no attention.
BEACH STUD
Who the hell do you think you are?
SPOON
I'm the Man From Uncle. Gotta get
her back to Headquarters.
But Prudence is revved up, ready to go...
PRUDENCE
I need a beer. And some loud music.
And some teQUILA! Where's the bar?.
She takes off down the beach in the skimpy bikini, turning
waves of heads in her wake.
SPOON
Who told her about the bar?
He takes off after her.
61 EXT. AERIAL - FALLON - LOW LEVEL -- DAY - (STOCK)
Two Hornets rocketing across the desert.
62 EXT. AERIAL - THEIR POV
A sheer rock cliff looms dead ahead...CLOSER...CLOSER...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24.
HAMMER
Man, don't know if this is gonna
happen!
63 EXT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
We gotta stay low, under the radar
or it's all for nothing.
64 EXT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT - DAY
HAMMER
Bombs,fuel... We're heavy to go
inverted this low.
65 EXT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
Quarter mile. Pull Hammer, Pull!
66 EXT. HORNETS -- LOW LEVEL - DAY - (STOCK)
They pull, roll inverted, skim over the ridge upside down...
They swing around an outcrop, level off in a steep dive.
67 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT - OS HAMMER AND INSTRUMENTS
The nose points at the ground, the HUD shows "boxes" high...
HAMMER (V.O.)
You're low, Raider, you're low, missed
the gate. Pull, Raider, Pull...
68 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
Kelly cranks the stick back into his chest, grunts with G's.
69 INT. FALLON - KELLY’S QUARTERS - SHORT TIME LATER
Kelly empties his briefcase. A picture of his daughter falls
out. He pulls out a video camera, sets it up, turns it on
himself. He smooths down his hair, clears his throat...
KELLY
Um... Honey... I guess if you see
this it means I’m not coming back.
I just wanted you to remember me,
and remember what I believe in.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25.
KELLY (CONT'D)
I just want you to know... that... I
love you. Always have, from the
first time I ever saw you. That
won’t change no matter what happens...
You’ll always be my little girl.
The love of my life. I know I haven’t
been the best father and it’s always
been hard for me to say it, but... I
do love you. Always have... always
will. All I ask is that you, maybe...
forgive me for when I failed. And
remember... remember the good times.
I will. I do. Bye, Honey. Adios.
He reaches out, turns it off.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
70 EXT. AERIAL - PERSIAN GULF - USS. JOHN F. KENNEDY - (STOCK)
Two Hornets into the break; Raider and Hammer.
SUPERIMPOSE - PERSIAN GULF - USS. JOHN F. KENNEDY
71 EXT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
Shooter one and two, into the break.
72 EXT. /EXT. AERIAL - HAMMER’S POV THROUGH HUD -- DAY
The Deck looms up in a "controlled crash"...a carrier landing.
73 EXT. CARRIER DECK - DAY - (STOCK)
Raider and Hammer drop onto the deck and catch the wire.
74 EXT. AERIAL POV - THE CARRIER - MOMENTS LATER - (STOCK)
The Carrier on final approach.
75 INT. COD
The spook pulls every strap he has tighter.
SPOOK
Omygod, that’s the carrier? That
little thing?
76 EXT. THE DECK - (STOCK)
The COD slams stopped.
ANGLE ON COD - HATCH
Sailors help the Spook out. He’s green.
SPOOK
Jesus. Is it always like that?!
SAILOR
Like what?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27.
77 INT. CARRIER - MOMENTS LATER
The spook staggers in. Hammer and Kelly grin.
HAMMER
I love the smell of Carriers....
KELLY
Yeah, me too. Smells like fuel oil.
And bilge water.
HAMMER
Yeah, that too!
The Spook turns greener, groans, staggers off.
KELLY
Think he’ll be okay?
HAMMER
Fine. He doesn’t have to fly the
mission. I wonder if these intel
guys really understand...
KELLY
They don't fly combat. They can't.
But it's our job to take what they
know and make it happen.
HAMMER
Yeah. Our butts are wired to what
that little man knows.
KELLY
He's a professional. So he dresses
funny. You get to do that when you're
smart.
(beat)
What's bothering you?
HAMMER
Just the unknown... The X factor.
It always crops up.
KELLY
We're trained to deal with that.
Don't sweat it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28.
HAMMER
Don't you worry? Don't you sweat
it?
KELLY
As much as I possibly can. Then, at
some point, you've worried all you
can. You put yourself in God's
hands... and just go with it.
(beat)
Coffee?
HAMMER
Yeah...sure.
They walk off toward (?) the Officer's Mess.
78 INT. CARRIER - CORRIDOR - LATER
The Spook wanders, looking around.
SPOOK
Where the heck’s the CIC? It all
looks the same?
He finds a doorway, "Combat Information Center," opens it.
79 INT. COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER (CIC)
Officers are gathered over intel. The spook stumbles in,
slumps at a computer, pulls out discs, loads up.
SPOOK
Sorry I'm late, Sirs....
HAMMER
What’s this?
SPOOK
New targeting data.
HAMMER
New!!?
SPOOK
As in just in... You can see the
direct ingress route.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29.
INSERT - COMPUTER SCREEN
A topographical rendering, like a flight-sim game. Wire
frame cones and hemispheres indicate threats. The Spook
grabs a joystick and “flies” through them.
SPOOK (CONT'D)
Okay, here’s the western valley after
you cross the mountain, here. We put
in the sun at 0514 and indicated the
shadows. Here’s what we know now.
SAM, SAM...Quad 57’s here, here and...
here. Your path looks like this.
He keys... wire frame threat cones appear, filling the valley.
80 ANGLE - HAMMER, KELLY AND THE SPOOK
HAMMER
Why didn’t you give us these before...
when we planned the mission?
SPOOK
We didn’t know..
HAMMER
According to you, yesterday, it was
a clear ingress.
SPOOK
Yesterday it was. Today it’s not.
Maybe they moved stuff in.
KELLY
Is this the latest?
SPOOK
Yes, as of 6 hours ago...the last
time we could get a U2 on it.
HAMMER
You mean it could have changed again.
SPOOK
Yeah. Things change. This is the
latest. You wanna know it or not?
HAMMER
Yeah, I’d like to know it in time to
do something about it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30.
SPOOK
That's why we programmed it into
this flight-simulator. You can
practice flying against them.
Kelly moves up, sits at computer. He takes the joystick and
"flies" through the valley. Ahead, wire-frame threat
envelopes appear and blink as he enters them.
KELLY
These are the old turn points...
Hammer leans over as Kelly flies into a SAM18 envelope...
INSERT - SCREEN - FLIGHT-SIMULATION
The flight-Sim shoots him down...CRASH.
ANGLE ON HAMMER AND KELLY
HAMMER
Guess I'll have to figure some new
ones.
KELLY
I'd highly recommend it.
He turns and grins at Hammer. Hammer grabs his charts and
leaves. Spook just looks at Kelly.
KELLY (CONT'D)
Anything else?
The Spook looks around for help. The Admiral steps up...
ADMIRAL YEAGER
The reactor’s closer to being fueled
than they thought. We’re steaming
flank speed toward the launch point.
You may have to go sooner than we
thought.
They all look at Kelly.
KELLY
We’ll deal with it.
ADMIRAL YEAGER
Hammer... Is he alright?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31.
KELLY
Yeah, sure. He’ll be fine.
81 INT. CARRIER - INTEL SPACES
Hammer is busy with charts, protractors, calculators. Kelly
comes in, sits on the side of the desk...hands him a coffee.
KELLY
We've both flown combat missions.
We've been in some tight spots before.
Hammer looks up at him...takes the coffee.
HAMMER
Yeah...
(salutes with the cup)
Thanks.
KELLY
You were kind of tough on him.
HAMMER
They screw up the intel, its kind of
tough on us.
KELLY
Is that what happened?
HAMMER
What’s that supposed to mean?
KELLY
Is this personal?
HAMMER
Anytime they’re trying to kill you,
yeah.
KELLY
It’s more than that.
Hammer turns to him.
HAMMER
Okay, what do you think you know?
KELLY
I know you were a POW.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32.
He turns back, looks out at the sea.
HAMMER
Me and a bunch of guys. Intel didn't
tell us about a SAM box they had.
Flew right into it.
KELLY
Is this gonna affect the mission?
HAMMER
Don’t worry about it.
KELLY
I have to.
HAMMER
It’s all in the past.
KELLY
You gotta be free of it so you can
think clearly.
HAMMER
When I’m not thinking clearly, you’ll
be the first to know.
KELLY
I will. I hope it’s not when we’re
downtown and it’s too late. If there’s
anything. It would never be said...
No one would think...
HAMMER
I’d think it. Probably say it too.
KELLY
It’s a tough mission. Maybe too
tough. If you need to stand down...
HAMMER
No! You wouldn’t! Neither will I.
KELLY
I wouldn't. Unless it was for the
success of the mission. And then I
would. In a heartbeat.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
33.
82 INT. PENSACOLA - THE BUCKET - NIGHT
Burner enters, finds Spoon at the bar drowning his sorrow.
SPOON
Where're the girls?
BURNER
Any minute. Where's the problem?
He indicates Prudence having a great time holding court,
surrounded by aviators, playing crud.
BURNER (CONT'D)
What do you suppose they do up in
those Maine woods? Hibernate and
save all their energy?
SPOON
Maybe this is how they keep warm.
BURNER
She’s raised Fungus’ temperature.
She dances over, puts her empty mug on the bar.
PRUDENCE
Lighten up, boys. All those guys
are up for some fun.
BURNER
Their flying careers aren’t hostage
to hot hormones!
PRUDENCE
Aw, you’re sweet.
She sudddenly plants a kiss on him. He's shocked, then more
shocked.
83 ANGLE ON THE DOOR
Two GORGEOUS BABES stand there, bursting out of their bikinis,
staring at Burner and Prudence...and at the embrace.
BURNER
Um, hi! It's not what you think.
GORGEOUS ONE
Oh?!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34.
She stares at Prudence, who gives attitude back.
PRUDENCE
Hi.
GORGEOUS ONE
Hi?!!
She has her arms around Burner...rubs into him..
PRUDENCE
Yeah, it's like...Government work.
GORGEOUS ONE
(a beat)
Bye.
She turns, walks out. Gorgeous Two gives Spoon a dirty look.
SPOON
It's actually...his turn with her.
I'm actually... free.
She turns, walks out.
SPOON (CONT'D)
That didn't come out right.
Spoon puts his head in his hands. Burner breaks free of
Prudence, runs out after them.
BURNER
Hey, wait! I can explain....
Spoon turns to Prudence. She puts her arms around him.
PRUDENCE
Your hot dates?
SPOON
Not any more.
PRUDENCE
Sorry. Didn't mean to screw up your
weekend.
SPOON
Oh that's okay. We'll get another
one. In a few months or so....
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35.
PRUDENCE
Look, don't worry about me. You go
have fun. I can handle myself.
SPOON
Yeah, sure.
SFX from OUTSIDE. Some CRASHING. Burner comes in. Spoon
goes to him, looks outside at the disappearing girls.
SPOON (CONT'D)
Did you explain?
BURNER
Yup.
SPOON
Do any good?
BURNER
Nope.
SPOON
What’d she say?
BURNER
Well, in the middle there were a lot
of dirty words. But it started with
jail. And ended with bait.
From the other side of the bar, an off-key chorus. Prudence
is nowhere in sight. They turn to each other.
BURNER (CONT'D)
Porcelain doll. Por...celain doll.
SPOON
You know, dentistry is a good field.
(his ears perk)
Uh... oh!
BURNER
What what what? What is it?
POON
That noise.
BURNER
What noise?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36.
SFX - BURNER'S HARLEY CRANKING UP!
BURNER (CONT'D)
What?!
84 EXT. THE BEACH - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
Burner and Spoon run outside...charging up the beach toward..
ANGLE - PRUDENCE
She roars out on Burner's Cycle, throwing a roostertail of
sand in his face. They take off after it.
BURNER
Hey! Prudence!...
The cycle ROARS away. They give up the chase, panting.
SPOON
I lost sight of her for a second...
BURNER
My career! My future... Hell, my
motorcycle!
85 INT. CARRIER - CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Kelly walks up to Hammer and the Spook, shuffling paper.
KELLY
Let me guess, more updates?
SPOOK
Its not my fault. Saddam’s doing it
just to make me look bad.
KELLY
How bad?
SPOOK
SAM 20’s in the valley. Sorry.
Kelly takes the papers, the Spook walks off. Hammer is tense.
HAMMER
SAM 20's...Damn. That breaks it!
SPOOK
We didn't know they were deployed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
37.
ADMIRAL YEAGER
That's full coverage?
KELLY
They're lethal to 4000 feet. Don't
know if there's any way in, now! Or
out.
HAMMER
This is too hairy! Can't fly it.
Not with this bombload. We're gonna
have to rethink this.
KELLY
This is the plan. This is the best
way to get in there.
HAMMER
It's not possible.
KELLY
It's possible. The only question is
whether we can fly it.
HAMMER
I can fly it.
KELLY
Don't worry about me.
HAMMER
(a beat)
Aye, sir.
He salutes and walks out.
86 EXT. CARRIER - VULTURE'S ROW - SHORT TIME LATER
Hammer is standing, overlooking the deck, checking his weapon,
a 357 pistol. Kelly nods toward the piece...a question...
HAMMER
I’m not going to get captured.
KELLY
It happens...
HAMMER
It’s not going to. Not again.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
38.
KELLY
A SAM-20?
HAMMER
Triple A. Basra. 11:36 AM 19 March,
1991. I’m in my chute, they’re
waiting. Never had a chance to evade,
let alone escape. I was... Their
prisoner for 16 days. Unpleasant
ones...
Hammer gives Kelly a letter.
HAMMER (CONT'D)
No parents, just an aunt. Nobody
really close... Not close enough.
Just my aunt, Jessie. She raised
me. She'd want to know. This is
for her. Just in case...
Kelly gives Hammer the videotape of his own.
KELLY
To my daughter... Just in case...
They look at each other. A beat.
HAMMER
Hell! That’s no good. What if we
both go down?
KELLY
There’s always Federal Express.
A beat. Suddenly they laugh... a tension releaser. They
sense someone, turn. The Spook is there... and the Admiral.
87 EXT. PENSACOLA - BEACHFRONT STREET - NIGHT - LATER
Burner and Spoon rush down the street, searching. They pass
a TATTOO PARLOR glance in, stop in their tracks.
88 ANGLE - BURNER'S HARLEY
It's parked outside the tattoo parlor.
BURNER
Oh no! Please, God!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
39.
89 INT. TATTOO PARLOR - THEIR POV
A blond is face down on the couch, getting tattooed in a
strategic area under the artistry of one “Humungus, Hal” a
bearded, potbellied biker turned artiste. He looks up, takes
a slug of beer, turns back to his work. A naked leg, a nice
one... all the way up to the... tattoo.
90 INT. TATTOO PARLOR - REVERSE
They're at the door, afraid. Burner enters, squats down to
look at the face covered with hair. Her eyes pop open.
PRUDENCE
Hi, boys!
SPOON
A tattoo?! He’ll kill us, we’re
good as dead.
BURNER
Lots of kids get tattoos today.
Depends on what it says...
They look at each other.
SPOON
You look.
BURNER
Can’t.
SPOON
Why not?
BURNER
My life’s busy flashing before my
eyes.
Burner gingerly lifts a towel covering the artistry. .
SPOON
Well?
BURNER
Not so good. "Born..."
SPOON
Born?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40.
BURNER
Born to...
SPOON
Born to what?
He drops the cover back.
BURNER
I’d rather not say.
They grab her and are suddenly face to face with Humungus.
He’s 6’3, 270. He’s got a tattoo drill in his fleshy paw.
HUMUNGUS
I’m not... finished.
BURNER
Thing is, we gotta get her back to
the convent.
He starts edging Prudence out of there. He hands her off to
Spoon, steps up to cover their retreat as other Hell's Angels
types appear and move toward Burner.
91 EXT. ANGLE - THE STREET
Spoon spirits a half-dressed Prudence away. A CRASH. Burner
is propelled out the door. He scurries to catch up, mumbling.
BURNER
... man had a... totally misplaced
artistic temperament.
She stumbles on, hanging on to them, half-dressed but very
friendly. She stumbles into Burner's Cycle.
SPOON
You’re the antichrist. Is that it?
PRUDENCE
I Thought pilots were fun!
SPOON
We used to be pilots. It was fun.
She stops, looks at them...softens...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
41.
PRUDENCE
Look, I'm sorry. Don't worry boys, I
can handle Uncle Bill. What do you
say, a deal? I promise. No trouble.
Clean slate with Uncle Bill.
SPOON
For what?
PRUDENCE
Ride on the motorcycle. Please...
She turns and smiles at Burner. He smiles back.
SPOON
Okay, but whatever you do... Don't
let her out of your sight!
92 EXT. BEACH - TRAVELING - MOMENTS LATER - NIGHT
Back of the cycle. She hugs Burner tight, smiles to herself.
BURNER
You awake, Prudence? You okay?
PRUDENCE
Honey, I'm fine... just fine.
BURNER
That's good. Cause you've been
acting...kind of funny.
PRUDENCE
Yeah. I know... the things a girl's
gotta do..to get a guy's attention...
They zoom past waves breaking in the moonlight...which
becomes...
93 EXT. CARRRIER BOW WAVE - PERSION GULF - NIGHT - (STOCK)
94 INT. CIC
They cluster around a mess of intel reports, swigging coffee..
KELLY
Well, Mr. Bad News.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
42.
SPOOK
The fuel rods have been spotted.
Less than four hours away. If...
you're gonna go, you gotta go. Now...
HAMMER
Maybe you’re right...Maybe I'm
thinking too much. Maybe... you
ought to lead.
KELLY
That what you really think?
HAMMER
... No.
KELLY
Good. We planned this. It’s no time
for second thoughts. I want a man
who understands what he's up against
...and does it anyway. You lead.
ADMIRAL
Broad daylight. No shadows in the
valley to hide in. There’ll be ground
fire. And SAM 20's. Things have
changed, Bill. Maybe we should re-
think this. ... It's your call.
They look at each other. There is no hesitation.
KELLY/HAMMER
Go.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT THREE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
95 INT. PENSACOLA BEACH COTTAGE - WILD-HAIR SUR MER - DAY
The boys are sitting, scheming.
BURNER
The tropic girl's'll be here any
minute. And it's your turn with you-
know-who.
SPOON
How'd you convince them to give us
another chance?
BURNER
Nothing. Three hours of begging.
But there's still the Prudence thing.
How do we explain?
SPOON
EX-plain... that’s not the problem.
How do we CON-tain...?
BURNER
Handcuffs, how about handcuffs?
SPOON
She'd probably like that.
BURNER
It's been 36 hours, non-stop. I need
a break.
SFX: KNOCK AT THE DOOR.
96 ANGLE ON THE DOOR
The two GORGEOUS BABES walk in.
GORGEOUS ONE
Hi, Guys! Finally free of your
mission? The niece... You ready?
BURNER
Um, well actually...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44.
GORGEOUS ONE
Give me a sec. The girl's room?...
She walks right by them toward the back of the cottage.
97 INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
The first babe opens the door. There, nearly naked and also
gorgeous, hair up, painting her toes: Prudence.
GORGEOUS ONE
Oh?!
PRUDENCE
Hi.
GORGEOUS ONE
Hi?!!
98 INT. LIVING ROOM - MOMENT LATER
Gorgeous One grabs Two and slams out.
BURNER
Hey, wait! I can explain....
He glances at Prudence, holding a towel up to her naked body.
BURNER (CONT'D)
No. I can't really explain. It's
more like a force of nature. One of
those...catastrophes.
SPOON
I thought you had this covered.
BURNER
How long you think they could keep
the CO? I mean...without a declaration
of war?
SPOON
Well, however long it is... You stay
with her. You're joined at the hip,
get it...
He looks at Burner, at Prudence. She smiles. He grabs his
stuff and runs out the door.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
45.
99 EXT. PERSIAN GULF - CARRIER - FLIGHT DECK - DAWN - (STOCK)
Hornets launch.
100 EXT. AERIAL - TWO HORNETS - DAY - (STOCK)
Hammer and Raider join up.
HAMMER (V.O.)
Shooter, Two, lead, weather’s iffy,
ground fog... but it’s a go.
101 EXT. AERIAL - AWACS - DAY - (STOCK) - CONTINUOUS
AWACS
Shooter Lead, this is Sea Lord. Check
you Emcon on Standby.
102 EXT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT - DAY
HAMMER (V.O.)
Sea Lord, Shooter Lead. Gadgets are
strangled. Any aliens out there?
103 INT. AERIAL - AWACS - (STOCK)
O.S the controller at his radar scopes...
AWACS
Numerous bandits in sector Mike.
Your signal is Sawgrass, Shooter,
Repeat, Sawgrass.
104 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT - DAY
HAMMER
Copy that. Fence check, Raider.
Check air to air mode, Master Arm
on. Check countermeasures.
105 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
Fence check complete. All go.
HAMMER (V.O.)
Show time!.. Lets take ‘em on down.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46.
106 EXT. AERIAL - HORNETS - (STOCK)
They dive toward the sea and level off, skimming the surface.
They roar in over the coast whipping the palm trees. They
snake up valley, the rising sun streaking ground fog.
HAMMER
Aapproaching IP into the west valley.
Can’t pick it up.
107 INT./EXT. RAIDER’S (KELLY’S) POV THROUGH HUD
All mountains and peaks, overlapping in steep ridges.
108 EXT. AERIAL - HORNETS LOW LEVEL - (STOCK)
They rocket across the desert toward the sheer cliff face.
109 INT./EXT. RAIDER’S (KELLY’S) POV THROUGH HUD
The rock cliff, dead ahead.
110 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT - DAY
HAMMER
Quarter mile. Pull Raider, Pull!
111 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
Hold it. Hold it. Now!
112 EXT. AERIAL - HORNETS - DAY - (STOCK)
They pull, roll inverted, skim the ridge, break high, up
into radar coverage. They swing around an outcrop, wings 90
degrees to the ground. They level in a steep dive.
113 INT./EXT. HAMMER’S POV THROUGH HUD - CONTINUOUS
HAMMER
Top gate. Raider, high. Push it
down. Gate two, in the gate. Too
much, catch it. You’re low.
114 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
He cranks the stick back, grunts with G’s.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47.
115 EXT. AERIAL - HORNET - LOW LEVEL - DAY - (STOCK)
The Hornet pulls out, skimming the brush, snaking away.
116 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
Raider’s spiked!
INSERT CRT
A SAM spike. RHAW gear BUZZES...trying to lock.
117 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
No Lock.
HAMMER (V.O.)
They know we’re here.
KELLY
Yep, every peasant with an AK...
Real exciting. I’m go!
118 EXT. QUIET VALLEY -DAWN
Ukbad and the boys are up, leaning on their guns. They yawn,
scratch... Stumble out of their tent. Ukbad stops, cocks
his head. The world EXPLODES into a HORNET, right over their
heads, the SHOCKWAVE BLOWS their tent away and half their
clothes off. They’re on the ground, hands over ears, hair
standing up straight, their turbans sailing with the wind.
119 EXT. GROUND ELSEWHERE - QUAD 57’S FIRING - STOCK
120 EXT. DESERT FLOOR - HORNETS BOOKING IT - DAY - (STOCK)
121 EXT. AERIAL - HORNET - CLOSE ON AIRFRAME - DAY - (STOCK)
A RAGGED HOLE appears. It’s hit!
122 EXT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT - DAY
Hammer, is flipping switches madly.
HAMMER (V.O.)
I’m hit. Warning light. Fuel.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
48.
123 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
Abort, Hammer. Break off!
124 EXT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT - DAY
HAMMER (V.O.)
Negative, Raider. Negative.
125 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
You’re streaming fuel. That’s an
abort. You’re gonna run outta gas.
126 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT - DAY
He stops flipping switches. He settles in...
HAMMER
I’m lead, Raider. Press.
127 INT. AERIAL - HORNETS - DAY - (STOCK)
They hit the IP, turn on target. SFX RATTLESNAKE WARNINGS.
128 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
Kelly's working it hard, his bucket is filling up...
KELLY
IP 2 miles. Got a SAM at 9.
INSERT - CRT - RADAR
A SAM spike appears in the outer threat circle.
129 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
HAMMER (V.O.)
Heads up Raider, rising terrain!
KELLY
Easy Hammer. Done this before.
130 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT - DAY
Hammer's voice is rising...speaking fast and clipped.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
49.
HAMMER
Come left 20. Keep your nose up,
Call the IP, check weapons.
131 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
Kelly...calm, like a day at the beach...
KELLY
IP inbound. Master arm switch, hot.
Laser on, lasing.
132 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT - DAY
HAMMER
Pop point, half mile. Countermeasures.
Action, Now!
133 INT. AERIAL - HORNETS - DAY - (STOCK)
They pop up in burners, roll inverted, pull through.
134 INT./EXT. AERIAL - HAMMER’S POV THROUGH HUD
His nose drops on target, the laser pip slides onto the dome.
SAM WARNING! FLASHING INDICATOR IN HUD!
HAMMER (V.O.)
Target acquired, rolling out. SAM
launch, 12 o’clock!
Rolls level, lasing. A SAM straight at him! swerves... away.
HAMMER (CONT'D)
He missed! Pickle.
135 EXT. AERIAL - HORNET HARD MOUNTS - DAY - (STOCK)
Bombs release.
136 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT - DAY
He slams the stick over and pulls hard.
HAMMER
Hammer's off!
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50.
137 EXT. NUCLEAR POWERPLANT - DAY
The bombs EXPLODE directly on the dome, blowing a hole,
spewing debris and a BIG CLOUD OF SMOKE.
138 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
Raider’s in hot. Lasing.
HAMMER
Let it go, Raider.
139 INT./EXT. AERIAL - KELLY’S POV THROUGH HUD
The target is obscured by SMOKE and FLAMES.
140 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
Kelly is almost motionless, calm, determined.
KELLY
Too much smoke. Gotta make sure.
141 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT - DAY
Hammer's head's on a swivel, checking all points...
HAMMER
SAM launch! SAM launch! Get out!
142 INT./EXT. AERIAL - KELLY’S - POV THROUGH HUD
The debris cloud...CLOSER CLOSER... RHAW gear SCREAM’S A SAM
WARNING. He holds it, driving in. The target clears, the
hole is visible. He swings his laser on it. SAM’s are rising!
143 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
Hold it...hold it... Pickle.
144 INT. AERIAL - HORNET HARD MOUNTS - DAY - (STOCK)
Bombs release.
145 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
Back to reality, and guys shooting at him! He cranks hard.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
51.
KELLY
Raider’s off.
146 EXT. NUCLEAR POWERPLANT
The bombs sail toward the target, slip right through Hammer’s
hole, a beat as the plane rockets past... then... nothing.
Then an ENORMOUS EXPLOSION within the containment. The SHOCK
WAVE, blows everything in sight to hell!
147 EXT. AERIAL - KELLY’S POV - DAY - (STOCK)
A SAM comes rocketing up.
148 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
He holds it, CLOSER, CLOSER. He pulls, nose low, cranks hard.
149 EXT. SAM - DAY - (STOCK)
The SAM can’t pull the turn. It flies on by... KABOOOOM!
150 EXT. HORNET - LOW LEVEL - DAY - (STOCK)
Kelly scrapes the ground, gun-jinks out of there.
HAMMER (V.O.)
Bullseye, Raider. You got 'em
151 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
Jubilation... and relief!
KELLY
We got 'em, Hammer, We... got 'em!
152 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT - DAY
Warning lights, HORN. Hammer rapid scans...
INSERT - FUEL GAGE - BLINKING
BITCHIN’ BETTY
FUEL... FUEL...
HAMMER (O.S.)
Warning lights. Fuel!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
52.
153 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
Can you make it home, Hammer?
154 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT - DAY
Flipping switches frantically... then stops...
HAMMER
Negative Raider. I’m at 800 pounds.
155 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
We’ll hit the tanker.
156 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT - DAY
HAMMER
Not with the MiGs. He’d be meat.
157 EXT. AERIAL - HORNET - DAY - (STOCK)
Hammer streams fuel... a white vapor trail...
158 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
Get out of there, Hammer. We’ll go
east and find a place to eject.
PENNZOIL (V.O.)
Shooter, this is Pennzoil, you guys
talking about me?
159 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
Where are you, Pennzoil?
160 EXT. AERIAL - TANKER - PENNZOIL (STOCK)
PENNZOIL
Geez. Musta got lost. Ten miles at
your 020, Angels 15.
161 INT. CARRIER - CIC
They crowd over the radar screens and data links.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
53.
AIR OPS
Where’d he go? Get the MigCaps in!
162 EXT. AWACS - DAY - (STOCK)
AWACS
Shooter Two, Sea Lord! Two bandits
bearing 090, 10 miles, Angels two
zero.
163 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
You're with Pennzoil, Hammer. I’ll
engage.
164 INT. AERIAL - HAMMER'S COCKPIT - DAY
HAMMER
There’s two of them, Raider.
165 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
No problem, I got two missiles.
166 EXT. AERIAL - HORNETS BREAK - DAY - (STOCK)
As Hammer turns for the Tanker, Raider turns toward the MiGs.
167 INT. EXT. COCKPIT - KELLY'S POV THROUGH HUD
A BANDIT ICON appears, Kelly manuevers it into the ring.
KELLY
Come on...turn baby...turn. Fox One!
168 EXT. AERIAL - HORNET -DAY - (STOCK)
The Sparrow comes off the rails. Flies straight and true.
169 EXT. AERIAL - MIGS - DAY - (STOCK)
MIG One EXPLODES in a FIREBALL, his wingman comes off high.
170 INT. AERIAL - KELLY'S COCKPIT - DAY
KELLY
Wingman’s bugging. Bugging for home.
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54.
171 EXT. CARRIER - SHORT TIME LATER - DAY - (STOCK)
They trap on the carrier, taxi to cheers and high fives.
172 EXT. DECK - CLOSE ON KELLY
He hops down, takes high fives, salutes, grabs Hammer.
HAMMER
We made it. I don't believe it!
KELLY
Guess the Marines made their point.
173 INT. PENSACOLA - FLIGHTLINE - DAYS LATER
The troops cheering as Hammer and Kelly to land and roll in.
ANGLE ON BURNER AND SPOON
They quake as Raider deplanes to salutes and backslapping.
SPOON
I left her with you. I trusted you.
How'd you let her disappear?
BURNER
Simple, one moment she was there
...then...well, you know women...
SPOON
We lost the Colonel's niece! What
do we do?
BURNER
Deny it. Deny you ever heard of her.
ANGLE ON KELLY
KELLY
Hi boys, where’s Prudence?
ANGLE ON BURNER AND SPOON
SPOON
Um... Sir... well... she... uh...!
PRUDENCE
Hi, everyone!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
55.
They turn, prepared for the worst.
ANGLE ON PRUDENCE
Dressed New England demure. Like nothing happened...all a
bad dream. Spoon's stunned. Kelly and Pru embrace as Burner
discreetly pulls Pru’s sleeve down over her tattoo.
KELLY
Prudence, honey, I'm sorry..
PRUDENCE
It's okay, Uncle Bill, it’s great to
see you. At last... Too bad I've got
to get back to class.
KELLY
Have a good time?
PRUDENCE
Did I! It was lovely. Thanks so much.
SPOON
Bye, Prudence. Had a wonderful time.
(leans in, whispers)
If you ever tell him anything...
PRUDENCE
About what?
Spoon glances at Kelly who looks intently at him. Pru smiles
sweetly, just doesn’t seem to have the foggiest. Kelly turns.
Hammer is standing, grinning. It reminds Kelly...
KELLY
Oh, yeah... Why don’t you keep this.
He hands Hammer’s goodbye letter back to him.
HAMMER
And why don’t you keep this.
He hands Kelly’s videotape back to him. Kelly smiles
KELLY
Yeah. It's a deal.
A new bond between them...He turns back to Pru and the others.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
56.
PRUDENCE
Had a wonderful time...
SPOON
Yeah, we’ll do it again, real soon.
PRUDENCE
You got that right!
SPOON
Uh. What do you mean?
PRUDENCE
We’re on trimester. It’s over in
eight weeks. Just think... We'll
have the whole summer! Oh, gee, my
plane. Gotta run!
As they watch her hustle off, Burner and Spoon are mumbling...
SPOON
Just think... We could transfer to
the fleet...
BURNER
We could run off, join the circus.
SPOON
Do the Israelis need pilots?
... when, mercifully, they are drowned out by the ROAR of
Hornets rocketing down the runway.
ANGLE ON KELLY AND HAMMER
...as they watch the Hornets streak into the sky...
FADE OUT:
THE END
Charles Proser DRAFT 3 JULY 20, 1998