_ACT ONE_ FADE IN EXTERIOR SOMEWHERE OVER CHINA - DAY - CLOSE ON A P-40 - STOCK as it bursts out of a puffy white cloud, it's shark-toothed nose snarling. INTERIOR COCKPIT - CLOSE ON JAKE Clad in his leather jacket, helmet and white scarf, he is every inch the heroic blue-eyed American pilot. In fact, he's so heroic looking, that the scene begins to feel unreal. Then we notice he's also sweating... profusely. Unusually so for the cool air at this altitude. As he wipes his face with the end of the scarf we see a movement behind him and the camera adjusts to reveal.... CORKY AND JACK crammed in the seat behind Jake. Corky is wearing a headset and finishing a bottle of beer as Jack takes in the sights with his one good eye. The cockpit is filled with empty beer bottles up to Corky's armpits. We now know something's definitely screwy here. CORKY (trying to remember) Jake. There's something I gotta tell ya. JAKE (hopeful) You picked up the baseball scores? Corky scratches his stubbled chin. CORKY No...But it was something just about as important. Jake wipes more sweat away. JAKE Was it, Jack? Jack barks twice and looks back over his shoulder. CORKY That means yes, Jake. See two barks means.... JAKE (interrupting) Corky. I know what two barks mean... (beat, wipes the sweat) Jeez it's hot in here. Corky opens another beer...it's frosty. CORKY I sure wish I could remember what... (listens) Hey, Jake, I got the scores! JAKE Swell! What the Senators do? Corky never gets a chance to tell him. The P-40 shudders under the impact of a dozen rounds tearing into its tail, wings and fuselage. Corky snaps his head around. CORKY'S POINT OF VIEW - TWO JAPANESE ZEROS - STOCK guns blazing as they drop through the sky after the P-40. CORKY'S VOICE That's what I had to tell you. There's a couple of Zekes on our tail! ON THE P-40 - STOCK as Jake whips into a diving turn, the Zeros following like hawks after a kill. P-40 COCKPIT as Jake pulls out of the dive and rams the throttle to the firewall in a fast climb. Behind him, Corky watches the Japanese fighters climb after them. CORKY They're coming after us, Jake. JAKE I know, Corky. I know! Corky nods and takes another swig of beer. SERIES OF SHOTS - THE DOGFIGHT - STOCK Jake is the consummate fighter pilot: Diving, turning, firing, throughout this fight Jack barks encouragement and Corky drinks beer. Jake eventually flames one of the Zeros. But, it's not enough. INTERIOR ZERO COCKPIT - ON JAPANESE PILOT - STOCK as he opens fire. ZERO'S WING GUNS - STOCK blazing away at the P-40. ON THE P-40'S SHARK-TOOTHED COWLING as a number of rounds tear into the engine which begins belching black smoke. INTERIOR P-40 COCKPIT It's filling with the acrid smoke. Jake coughs and throws the canopy open. JAKE Lemme have Jack! Corky lifts Jack across the seat to Jake who slips him into his leather jacket, then zips it up. Only Jack's head is sticking out. JAKE You ready? CORKY Right behind you! Jake rolls the P-40 over on its back and drops out. ON JAKE as he tumbles away from the burning fighter. He pops the rip cord and the parachute streams out of his seat pack for a second, then billows open with a jerk. ON THE P-40 - STOCK as it spirals towards the rice paddies trailing a black streak of smoke. INTERIOR P-40 COCKPIT - ON CORKY He is wedged in by all the beer bottles. He struggles to climb out. He can't. So he shrugs and opens another beer. ON JAKE floating down through the clouds, Jack's head peeking out of the top of his jacket. Jake's staring down towards his smoking plane. JAKE (intense) Jump, Corky. For God's sake, jump! ON THE P-40 - STOCK as it spins into a rice paddy, exploding in a gigantic orange fireball. SMASH CUT TO INTERIOR JAKE'S ROOM - NIGHT - CLOSE ON JAKE His face bathed in sweat as his eyes pop open from the dream. JAKE (softly) Corky.... From the Monkey Bar below, he hears the noise and sound of Sarah singing, "I've Got You Under My Skin" and remembers where he's at. ON JACK lying on the floor in a patch of streaked moonlight that's filtering through the window. He looks up at Jake. ON JAKE He gets out of bed, stumbles and has to lean against the wall for support. We realize the sweating isn't from the dream...he's sick. He manages to make it to the washbasin, pour some water and splash his face. He doesn't even dry it off. Outside there's a flash of lightning, followed by the distant rumble of thunder. Jake looks down at Jack. JAKE (weakly) Guess I'm in for it, again. Jack barks twice. EXTERIOR MONKEY BAR UPPER VERANDA - NIGHT Jake opens the door of his room and staggers to the railing. He grabs a pillar and gulps in some of the cool sea air. Jack follows him, watching closely. The music and noise of the Monkey Bar is much louder out here. There's another flash of lightning. JAKE'S POINT OF VIEW - BEARDED SEA CAPTAIN walking across the dirt street towards the Monkey Bar. He is wearing a white captain's hat, pea jacket and white deck pants. He has a hook where his right arm used to be. He glances up, his rimless English workman's glasses reflecting the flash of lightning. SEA CAPTAIN'S POINT OF VIEW - JAKE standing at the railing, wearing only his pants...looking quite mad from the fever. The lightning ends and Jake is hidden in the dark. As the rumble of the thunder echoes across the lagoon, we go back close.... ON JAKE He turns and staggers back into his room, collapsing across the bed. We drop down to.... JACK watching the one-armed captain. He removes his glasses, then disappears under the veranda. Jack growls. CUT TO INTERIOR MONKEY BAR - NIGHT - FEATURING LOUIE seated at his private table near the rear of the bar with a very attractive Englishwoman in her mid-thirties. The bar is crowded with locals and passengers from the Clipper who are overnighting on Boragora. Sarah, accompanied by Corky on the piano, goes into the last stanza of her song. LOUIE ...the Tahitian who traded the portrait of his grandmere to me, said it was painted by her lover when she was a very young girl. (leans closer) A Frenchman...named Paul. ENGLISHWOMAN (eyes widening) Paul Gauguin? Louie glances up towards the swinging doors. LOUIE'S POINT OF VIEW - SEA CAPTAIN as he enters the Monkey Bar, looks around and takes a table near the door. Gushie wheels over to get his order. LOUIE'S VOICE Well...one can never be certain.... ON ALL - FEATURE LOUIS AND THE ENGLISHWOMAN Sarah is wrapping up the song. Outside there is another flash of lightning. ENGLISHWOMAN Oh, Monsieur Louie. I must see it. Louie turns back to her...all smiles. LOUIE But of course. It is upstairs... (rubs his neck) ...in my office. As they rise and walk down the bar towards the steps, Gushie wheels up behind them. Louie hesitates. GUSHIE (to bartender) Bottle of Scotch. LOUIE You know him? GUSHIE Never laid eyes on him before. But he looks like trouble. LOUIE Gushie. Everyone looks like trouble to you. GUSHIE (shrugs) Maybe it's my point of view. The bartender hands Gushie a glass and a bottle of Scotch. As he spins his wheelchair around and takes off across the crowded floor.... GUSHIE (to Englishwoman) Enjoy the Gauguin. The Englishwoman looks at Louie who smiles uncomfortably and rubs his neck. ON SARAH AND CORKY She finishes the song. There's a polite smattering of applause, which Sarah finds disappointing. Corky picks up on it. CORKY You were great. SARAH (bit down) Yeah...terrific. Jack comes running in the swinging doors and barks. CORKY See. Even Jack thinks so. Sarah laughs and reaches for Jack who backs towards the door and barks again. Sarah looks puzzled. SARAH What's he want? CORKY Looks like he wants you to go with him. Jack barks twice. SARAH (smiles) I guess you're right. Sarah follows Jack as he trots under the swinging doors and down the colonnade. Corky walks as far as the doors. There's another clap of thunder and it begins to pour outside. Corky peeks over the top of the doors at the rain, then turns and glances at the bar. He's thirsty. AHAB'S VOICE (Australian accent) Can I buy you a Scotch, mate? Corky turns toward the voice. ANGLE ON SEA CAPTAIN'S TABLE as Corky walks over to it. Behind him, the regular piano player takes over at the keyboard. CORKY I promised Jake I'd lay off whiskey. (hopefully) But I can have a beer. AHAB (grins) A beer it is, then. (shouts to Gushie) Me mate needs a schooner! Gushie waves. Corky sits down across from the captain. CORKY (offering his hand) Thanks...Ah.... Ahab grasps Corky's hand with his left. AHAB Ahab. Just like the book. Only he lost a leg and I lost an arm. CORKY I'm sorry. AHAB Don't be. (beat) How many men do you know who can do this? CLOSE ON TABLE The point of his hook neatly carves "AHAB" into the wood. The hook is razor sharp. As he finishes, Gushie sets Corky's beer next to the carving. WIDER Corky picks up the beer as Gushie looks at the carving. GUSHIE Louie ain't gonna like that. AHAB (bit mean) Well, now. That's too bad, isn't it? Corky stops in mid-swallow. There's a moment of tension, then.... AHAB (contrite) Aw, I'm sorry mate. You're bloody right. It's nothing but wanton destruction. (reaches into his pocket) I'll pay for the damages. How much? Gushie stares at him for a beat. GUSHIE Two francs for the beer'll do. (beat) Just don't carve up any more tables. AHAB (double meaning) You have me word...no more carving on the tables. Gushie hesitates, then someone yells for a drink and he leaves. AHAB (turns to Corky) Now. Who's this Jake who's got you off whiskey? CORKY My buddy. We own the Goose at the end of the dock. He's the pilot. I'm the mechanic. AHAB (brightly) A mechanic. Your name wouldn't be Corky would it? Corky nods and takes another drink and we.... CUT TO EXTERIOR BALCONY - NIGHT - MOVING WITH SARAH AND JACK It's pouring rain as Jack scampers down the balcony towards Jake's room. Sarah stops short. SARAH Oh, no. I have no intention of going down there! Jack turns and looks to her for an explanation. SARAH He went flying off for three days on some silly wild goose chase for your eye...well, I guess it wasn't silly to you. Jack barks once. SARAH But he could have at least told me. Jack scampers down to Jake's room and looks at her with his baleful eye. ON SARAH She studies Jack closely. SARAH If this is one of his tricks to entice me into his room.... Jack looks at her. If possible, he'd say "silly woman." Sarah studies him a beat, then moves down the porch to Jake's open door and peeks in. ACROSS JAKE - ON SARAH She sees him laying across the bed, not moving. SARAH (cautiously) Jake? (beat) You all right? As she moves into his room, we.... CUT TO INTERIOR MONKEY BAR - FEATURING CORKY as he finishes the mug of beer and Captain Ahab motions to Gushie for another. The music is loud and the crowd getting even noisier. CORKY Yes siree, Bob. We shot down five Zekes with the Flying Tigers. (modestly) I mean, Jake did before he got wounded...I was just his mechanic. AHAB You're too modest, mate. From what I hear you could put wings on an ox and make it fly like a bird. CORKY (embarrassed) You heard of me? AHAB Clean down in Australia. That is if you're the same Corky who used to be chief mechanic for Pan Pacific. The smile suddenly fades from Corky's face. CORKY Yeah...that's me. (yells) Hey, Gushie. Where's my beer? ON GUSHIE as the bartender loads his tray with mugs of beer. GUSHIE (without looking) I'm coming. I'm coming. SARAH'S VOICE Gushie.... He looks up. We tilt to reveal Sarah, above him, leaning over the balcony railing above the Monkey Bar. SARAH Where's Louie? GUSHIE In his office. But.... She takes off. GUSHIE ...I wouldn't disturb him right now. Sarah.... But Sarah is already turning the corner, ignoring Gushie's warning. The little waiter shrugs...he did his best. GUSHIE (to himself) Nobody listens to me. CLOSE ON SARAH as she hurries to Louie's office door, opens it and freezes just before she enters. SARAH Oh...oh! (beat) Excuse me. She closes the door quickly. She's flustered and not sure what to do for a moment. Then the door opens and Louie steps out, rubbing his neck. LOUIE Sarah. In civilized countries there is a procedure one follows when confronted by a closed door. First one knocks...lightly...like this... (taps door frame) Then.... SARAH (cutting in) You say, entre vous. I know, but.... LOUIE (cutting in) No! Tonight I would not say entre vous. SARAH Louie, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to spoil your...your...whatever you call it in French. LOUIE In French or English the words are the same. The lady and I were engaged in -- a little friendly.... SARAH Louie! LOUIE (finishing) ..._conversation_. SARAH That's not what we call it in New England. (off his look) Oh, Louie. It's Jake. He's sweating and delirious and running a terrible fever! Louie sobers and nods. LOUIE Malaria. He's had it before. (opens the door) I'll be right up. SARAH Thanks, Louie. Sarah leans past him and to the Englishwoman, who we can't see, says.... SARAH And I am sorry. Then she turns and leaves. Louie stares after her in amazement, then turns back inside and shrugs. LOUIE (explaining) She's American.... CUT TO EXTERIOR BORAGORA DOCK - NIGHT - ON CORKY AND AHAB as they walk towards camera in the rain. They both seem drunk and ignorant of the rain. CORKY She's not much to look at in the water, but up in the air... (looks up) She's as sweet as an angel if you know what I mean. AHAB I do mate...I do. Corky is still looking up when it occurs to him that it's raining. CORKY Did you know it's raining? AHAB (licks his lips) Aye. I did detect a bit of spray without salt. CORKY (serious) That's right! Rain drops don't have salt in 'em. Corky mentally files that away to tell Jake. Ahab just shakes his head. A few meters on, Corky stops and beams proudly. CORKY Well...there she is. CORKY'S POINT OF VIEW - THE GOOSE riding out the rainstorm at the end of the dock. CORKY'S VOICE Ain't she a beauty! BACK CLOSE ON CORKY as from behind him, Ahab brings the stump of his wooden arm down across Corky's head, knocking him senseless. We move in close on Ahab's face as he puts his glasses back on. AHAB (drops the Aussie accent) Yeah, Corky. She's a real beauty. CUT TO INTERIOR JAKE'S ROOM - NIGHT - ON JACK He snaps his head around from where he's been watching Louie and Sarah tend Jake to peer out through the door through the rain. He growls. SARAH'S VOICE Stop it, Jack. Louie's doing the best he can. Aren't you, Louie? WIDER ON ALL - FEATURE JAKE bathed in sweat, his jaw chattering like a pair of novelty store false teeth. Louie is pouring quinine from a blue bottle onto a tablespoon as Sarah mops Jake's brow with a damp cloth. LOUIE Mais oui. Only there's not much anyone can do. SARAH (alarmed) He won't die! LOUIE No. No. (recalling) The ones I've seen die of malaria on Devil's Island were weak to start with. SARAH You were on Devil's Island? LOUIE (ignores her question) Hold his head up. Sarah lifts Jake's head and Louie pours the quinine down his throat. Jake coughs, then settles. Louie studies him a moment, then begins to pack up his bag. LOUIE Ce va. Keep him covered and use the compresses when he's sweating. The fever will break by morning. (stands) I'll check again in an hour. SARAH You're leaving? LOUIE Sarah. There is nothing more I can do and...I do have a...ah.... SARAH (disgusted) ...conversation to finish. LOUIE (sighs) If you need anything...send Jack. He turns and exits. CLOSE ON SARAH She dips the towel into the water and wipes Jake's forehead. He reacts to the touch of the cool cloth and whispers something. SARAH (leaning in) It's okay, Jake. I'll take care of you. You're going to be just fine. JAKE (weak whisper) Elizabeth.... Sarah sits bolt upright. If Jake wasn't so sick, she'd hit him. CLOSE ON JACK He growls and trots out the door onto the rain swept veranda. EXTERIOR VERANDA - NIGHT - FEATURE JACK as he stands at the railing, growling. Behind him, Sarah appears in the doorway. She peers out into the dark and rain. SARAH What is it, boy? Is something wrong? Jack barks twice and takes off towards the steps leading to the street. SARAH (calling after him) Jack! Jack! There's a flash of lightning and she shields her eyes. EXTERIOR BORAGORA DOCK - NIGHT For a second the lightning illuminates two bare-chested Malaysian sailors with knives tucked in their waistbands as they lower Corky into a longboat moored at the end of the dock. EXTERIOR MONKEY BAR LOWER PORCH - NIGHT Inside there is laughter and the tinkling of the piano as outside Jack races past and into the rain. EXTERIOR BORAGORA DOCK - NIGHT - ON THE GOOSE Ahab appears from under the wing. He glances back toward the town, then walks to the end of the dock and climbs down the ladder to the longboat. ON JACK as he races out of the dark and rain to the edge of the dock, the hair on the back of his neck bristling. JACK'S POINT OF VIEW - LONGBOAT Corky's lying in the bottom as the two Malaysian sailors pull on the oars. Jack growls and Ahab, at the tiller, turns and looks back. There is another brilliant flash of lightning, then the longboat disappears into the rain. CLOSE ON JACK as he lays down beside Corky's hat which was dropped at the edge of the dock. Jack whines and we.... FADE TO BLACK _END OF ACT ONE_ _ACT TWO_ FADE IN INTERIOR JAKE'S ROOM - DAY - JAKE'S POINT OF VIEW OF THE CEILING FAN as it slowly rotates into focus above the mosquito netting. The room is filled with sunlight filtering through the slatted windows and somewhere from the street below we hear the sound of children laughing. JAKE'S VOICE OVER Everyone knows nightmares flee with the rising sun. The light...the familiar pattern of the fan...the laughter of the island children... they should have dissipated my fear. CLOSE ON JAKE He has a two-day growth of beard and looks weak, but no longer feverish. JAKE'S VOICE OVER (continuing) But they didn't. It was still with me. Deep in my gut I knew something was wrong. He lifts his head slightly and looks around. JAKE'S POINT OF VIEW - SARAH curled up in a wicker chair near the bed, asleep. BACK ON JAKE He slips the sheets aside and sits up on the edge of the bed. After a beat he tries to stand, but has to grasp the bed for balance. Sarah stirs slightly. Jake looks down and realizes he's only wearing shorts. He manages to shakily cross to the closet. ON SARAH as she opens her eyes and focuses on the empty bed. She is suddenly wide awake. She frantically looks around for a beat, then spots Jake putting on his pants. As she moves toward him.... SARAH Jake.... JAKE Have you been here all night? SARAH You shouldn't be out of bed. JAKE I'm okay. He tries to walk to the dresser, but stumbles and Sarah has to catch him. SARAH Terrific. You can't walk but you're okay. He shrugs her off and manages a wobbly cross to the dresser where he splashes his face with water from the basin. JAKE Where's Corky? Sarah doesn't answer. Jake stops splashing and looks up at her in the mirror. JAKE (slowly) Something's happened to him, hasn't it? SARAH (surprised) How did you know? JAKE (doesn't answer her) What happened? SARAH Louie thinks he was shanghaied. On Jake's reaction.... CUT TO EXTERIOR LONGBOAT - DAY - CLOSE ON AHAB still at the helm of the boat, glasses glinting in the sun, the hook of his right arm dug into the tiller. He takes a swig from a bottle of water, then reaches forward. We widen to reveal Corky at his feet, Ahab pours a little water on Corky's lips. Corky licks his lips, then spits in disgust...water isn't his favorite drink. He tries to open his eyes but the sun is too bright. CORKY (blinking) Boy...I must have really tied one on. Jake, did... (eyes adjusting) Hey. You're not Jake! AHAB (laughs) No. I'm not Jake. CORKY (trying to remember) Do I know you? AHAB (putting on Aussie accent) Aye mate. We had a few beers together last night. CORKY (recalling) I remember! We went down to look at the Goose...in the rain. And then...and then.... AHAB I hit you over the head. CORKY (nods) You hit me over the head... (realizes) Why'd you do that! AHAB I need you to repair my ship. CORKY I'm an airplane mechanic! AHAB (sighs) I'm afraid, you'll have to do. CORKY (flustered) But you can't just come into Boragora and...and.... AHAB (helping) Shanghai you? CORKY Shanghai me...and expect me to work for you. (firm) I won't do it! AHAB Well, I can't force you to fix my ship. Corky nods. AHAB But I don't think you'll like the alternative. CORKY Alternative? AHAB (nods forward) I give you to them. Corky turns. CORKY'S POINT OF VIEW - TWO MALAYSIAN SAILORS pulling steadily at the oars. They are two of the meanest looking men you'll ever see...even out here. AHAB'S VOICE They're Tubas from Malaysia. BACK ON CORKY AND AHAB Corky doesn't like the look of them. AHAB (continuing) Good sailors. Fierce fighters. But most captains won't crew their ships with 'em. CORKY (turning back) Why not? AHAB (whispers) They're cannibals. Corky stares open-mouthed at them. They stare back at him like he was a pork roast. He turns to Ahab. CORKY (stuttering) You...you know Jake's gonna come after you. It...it won't be hard to track down a...a.... AHAB (accent again) ...one-armed Aussie named Ahab? Corky nods. AHAB (perfect imitation of Corky's voice) But, what if my name's not Ahab? Corky blinks. CLOSE ON AHAB'S HOOK ARM still on the tiller. He reaches under the sleeve and undoes a strap. Then slowly withdraws his arm. AHAB'S VOICE (continuing; in Corky's voice) And what if I don't have a missing arm? Instead of a stump, he withdraws a perfectly good hand with a large red rose tattoo on the back of it. ON BOTH - FEATURE CORKY as he stares at Ahab's good hand. Finally.... CORKY (licking his lips) You...you wouldn't have a beer, would you? Ahab starts to laugh. It builds into a hearty roar. WIDE ON THE LONGBOAT as the Tubas oar it through the gentle Pacific swells towards a large tropical island. Over Ahab's laughter.... GUSHIE'S VOICE I told Louie he was trouble. CUT TO EXTERIOR BORAGORA DOCK - DAY Jake, Louie and Jack are walking down the dock towards the Goose. Gushie is wheeling alongside them. Jake still looks weak as he fumbles trying to strap his gun belt on. Louie is carrying Corky's hat. JAKE What made you think so? GUSHIE I dunno. There was something about him that didn't feel right. LOUIE For once I should have listened to you. GUSHIE (sarcastic) For once? LOUIE (pointed) Gushie, there's no one tending the bar. Gushie gets the point. He spins around and wheels back up the dock towards town. LOUIE (watching him go) Someday I'm going to throttle that little... (beat) ...fellow. Jake finally gets the holster strapped on. The exertion has just about wiped him out. He leans against a piling to catch his breath. Louie shakes his head. LOUIE Jake. You're in no condition to fly. Jake takes Corky's hat from Louie and studies it. JAKE I don't have a choice. (looks out to sea) I figure this captain who took Corky probably has something wrong with his ship and no one to repair it. (beat) Once Corky fixes whatever's wrong.... Jake doesn't have to finish...they both know what will probably happen to Corky. LOUIE Jake. When the Clipper took off for China this morning I asked the pilot to radio the position of any ships dead in the water or anchored where they wouldn't normally be. (beat) Why don't you wait until he calls in? JAKE (shakes his head) Louie, Ahab's ship could be anywhere in the islands. What makes you think it'll be in the Clipper's flight path? LOUIE Nothing. But do you have a better idea. Jake is watching Jack off camera. JAKE No. (beat) But maybe he does. ANGLE FEATURING JACK He is sitting at the end of the dock, looking out to sea. Jake walks up behind him and squats down. JAKE You know which way they took Corky. Don't you, Jack? Jack barks twice. LOUIE Mon dieu. You can't be serious. Jake stands. He's still a bit woozy. JAKE Yeah...I am. ANOTHER ANGLE ON ALL as Sarah comes running down the dock wearing pants, deck shoes and a work shirt. On spotting her, Jake starts for the Goose, but she catches him before he reaches it. JAKE (firmly) No. SARAH I didn't even ask! JAKE You were going to. SARAH Jake Cutter. Corky's my friend, too. I have a right to go with you. Besides...you're too weak to go alone. JAKE I'm.... He slips and has to grasp the dock for support. JAKE (finishing) ...fine. Come on, Jack. He walks under the wing with Jack trotting after him. ON ALL - FEATURE SARAH as she turns to Louie for help. After a beat.... LOUIE Jake...there's a new regulation from the Aeronautique in Paris. Jake stops and turns slowly. LOUIE (continuing) One cannot fly a commercial aeroplane off French soil...or waters... without a copilot. JAKE Louie. Someone shanghaied my copilot. Louie shrugs. Sarah smiles. Jake glares, then gets an idea. He points to Jack. JAKE Jack's my copilot. SARAH Jack can't fly! JAKE Neither can you. Sarah turns to Louie. Louie sighs. LOUIE He doesn't qualify, Jake. JAKE (defiant) Why? Because he's a dog? LOUIE No. (beat) Because he only has one eye. Jack looks at Louie and growls. Jake stares at Louie for a beat, then turns and mumbles to himself, loads Jack into the Goose. CLOSE ON SARAH AND LOUIE She kisses Louie on the cheek, then runs for the plane. SARAH Thanks, Louie. We hold on Louie watching her go. LOUIE (in French; to himself) Oh, God. Sometimes I think I am as crazy as they are. INTERIOR GOOSE COCKPIT - ON JAKE as he climbs into the pilot's seat and reaches forward to prime the engines. He freezes in mid-motion, his eyes staring in surprise at the instrument panel. Behind him Jack and Sarah are coming up the narrow aisle. JAKE (angry) Damn it! SARAH You don't have to use profanity. (sees panel) Oh, damn! THEIR POINT OF VIEW - INSTRUMENT PANEL Wires are hanging from beneath the panel and the instruments are all smashed. JAKE'S VOICE Whoever took Corky.... CUT TO EXTERIOR TROPICAL ISLAND - DAY - ON THE LONGBOAT as its rowed up a wide river flowing from the mountains into the sea. JAKE'S VOICE ...wanted to make sure we couldn't follow. CLOSER ON THE LONGBOAT Ahab and the two Malaysians seem very tense and wary. Only Corky seems unconcerned. He's enjoying the view. CORKY This reminds me of a river Jake and I ditched in once in French Indo-China. The ah...Mekong...that was it. We were stuck for a week without a beer. (licks his lips) You sure you don't have something to drink besides water? Ahab, who has been studying the shoreline, slowly pulls a pistol out of his waistband. CORKY (paling) On the other hand, I don't want to seem pushy. I mean I'll wait until we get to.... AHAB (cutting in) Shut up. CORKY Shut up. Of course. Sure. I'll.... Ahab looks at him threateningly and Corky zips his lips with his hand. Ahab goes back to studying the shoreline. At last Corky realizes something is up. THEIR POINT OF VIEW - THE THICK JUNGLE as it slides slowly by. We hear the raucous calls of birds and the occasional scream of a monkey. TIGHT ON THE MALAYSIANS They are rowing smoothly, their eyes watching the shoreline. CLOSE ON AHAB His eyes half-closed, head cocked slightly, as he listens. Suddenly his eyes pop open and he bellows to the crew.... AHAB _Pull_! ON THE LONGBOAT The Tubas put their backs into the oars, digging them deep into the water, shooting the longboat forward with a sudden burst of speed. At the same time, a dozen arrows whistle through the air and lace the water just aft of the stern. ON THE JUNGLE It is filled with screaming, shouting Mud People...fierce-looking islanders whose naked bodies are covered with ocher mud and whose faces are hidden by large mud masks which gives them a grotesque and frightening appearance. They send another fusillade of arrows arching towards the boat. ON THE LONGBOAT This time, one of the Tubas is hit and rolls into the river with a dying cry. Ahab fires his pistol at the Mud People. AHAB (yells) The oar! Get on the oar! Corky fumbles for a moment, then grabs the oar and digs it into the water in tempo with the other man. More arrows thunk into the boat. AHAB (calling cadence) Pull! Pull! Pull! Pull! ON THE PANDORA An inter-island steamer anchored in the middle of the river. A dozen Malaysian sailors, armed with rifles, race barefooted along the wooden decks towards the bow. We hear the muffled reports of Ahab's pistol, then the longboat appears around the bend in the river and pulls towards the steamer. The sailors in the bow open up with covering fire and the Mud People retreat back into the cover of the jungle. ON THE LONGBOAT as it slides up beside the boarding ladder. The remaining Tuba shifts his oar and secures the boat to the landing. Corky is red-faced and gasping for air. Ahab calmly reloads his pistol. AHAB Welcome to the Pandora, Corky...your new home. Corky looks up. CORKY'S POINT OF VIEW - UPPER DECK A dozen of the Malaysians are looking down at him...each looking more fierce that the other. CLOSE ON CORKY as he licks his lips in fright. CORKY (scared) Can...can I have that drink now? FADE OUT _END OF ACT TWO_ _ACT THREE_ FADE IN EXTERIOR BORAGORA DOCK - DAY - ESTABLISHING Thunderstorms are building over the island as the Goose floats off the end of the dock. JAKE'S VOICE OVER It took all morning to repair the wiring. INTERIOR GOOSE COCKPIT - CLOSE ON JAKE He's upside down under the panel, working and sweating as usual. Beyond him sits Jack and Sarah's legs. JAKE'S VOICE OVER It might have taken longer...but I had help. JAKE Crescent wrench. Intercut with: CLOSE ON SARAH AND JACK She looks at the tools on the seat, not sure which to reach for. Jack grabs the crescent wrench in his teeth and leans under the panel to where Jake can grab it. JAKE'S VOICE Thanks. Jack barks twice. SARAH Jake... (beat) Who's Elizabeth? Jake stops and stares into space for a long beat, then goes back to work. JAKE Tape. Jack picks up a roll of black electrical tape and trots it to Jake. Sarah is toying with her hair and watching Jake's feet. SARAH (coyly) She must be very important or you wouldn't have called out to her in a fever. JAKE Some people call to their mothers when they're sick. Sarah blinks...she hadn't thought of that. SARAH Oh... (beat) Is Elizabeth your mother? Jack barks once. ANOTHER ANGLE - MOVING WITH JAKE as he pulls himself up from under the instrument panel and almost passes out from the effort. He is soaked with sweat. JAKE (bit shaky) Let's just drop the subject, okay. The important thing right now is to find Corky. SARAH I was just trying to make conversation. JAKE (touchy) Well pick another subject. SARAH (equally touchy) Okay! LOUIE'S VOICE Knock...knock. They turn to see.... LOUIE working his way up the aisle with a bottle. We widen as he joins them. LOUIE Knock...knock? SARAH (huffy) He's being cute. LOUIE I've been accused of many things, but cute is not one of them. (to Jake) You look terrible. JAKE I feel terrible. Louie hands Jake some pills and the bottle. LOUIE Take these. JAKE (suspicious) What are they? LOUIE Quinine tablets. Jake takes the pills, then looks at the bottle suspiciously. LOUIE Mon dieu, Jake, it's just water! As Jake washes the pills down with the bottle of water.... SARAH Did the Clipper radio in? LOUIE Oui. They saw nothing. (beat) But I radioed the magistrate on Tagataya. A rather fat public servant who spends most of his time in the local brothel. However...he never forgets a name or a face. He said Princess Koji had a hook-armed captain who sailed for her...named Ahab. SARAH I should have known she'd be behind something like this! JAKE At least that settles where we look. LOUIE (sighs) Jake. You can't fly to Matuka. It's in the Japanese mandate and they are not as liberal as we French. No one can enter their airspace without permission and they never grant permission. JAKE Then I'll have to sneak in. LOUIE I didn't hear that. JAKE (innocently) Hear what? Louie shakes his head. LOUIE I'm going back to the Monkey Bar and file your flight permit...to Tagataya? JAKE Tagataya. And thanks, Louie. LOUIE (in French) It is nothing. (De rien.) (in English) I want Corky back, too. (exiting) He's only been gone one day and my business is off twenty percent. ON JAKE AND SARAH Jake watches Louie exit with a smile, then turns to Sarah, who's strapping herself in, and the smile fades. JAKE (serious) Look, Sarah. I appreciate what you're trying to do, but I've patched this panel together with tape and spit. SARAH I'm sure you did a fine job. JAKE Half the instruments are still out, including the turn and bank. SARAH Who needs an old turn and bank instrument. JAKE I can't fly in the clouds without it. SARAH Then don't fly in the clouds. JAKE (exasperated) Sarah. I'm going into Japanese territory. If they catch us, they'll shoot us as spies. SARAH (innocent) But, Jake, I am a spy. Jake just stares at her. ON JACK He's for letting Sarah go with them. He trots to the rear and takes up his usual take-off position between the parachute and the life preserver. BACK ON JAKE AND SARAH as she watches Jack until he snuggles in, then she turns to Jake. SARAH We're ready for take-off. Jake stares at her for a beat, then turns to his controls. Outwardly he seems pissed, but inside he's secretly pleased. He punches the starter button for the starboard engine. ON THE STARBOARD ENGINE as it slowly turns over, belches a cloud of black smoke, then roars to life. ON THE GOOSE as Jake taxis her out into the lagoon. For a moment she seems to wallow in the water, then he pushes the throttles forward and the Wasp Juniors build up to full take-off power. The Goose plows forward, slowly at first, then faster and faster until trailing white spray she lifts and climbs towards the building thunderheads in the West. CLOSE ON LOUIE standing alone at the edge of the dock, watching them go. LOUIE (to himself; in French) Good luck, my friends. CUT TO EXTERIOR ISLAND RIVER - DAY - ON THE PANDORA anchored in the middle of the muddy jungle river, her crew warily eyeing the shore. CORKY'S VOICE I could sure use that drink.... INTERIOR STEAMER PANDORA - DAY - CLOSE ON AHAB as, carrying a lantern, he leads Corky down into the bowels of the ship. Climbing down behind them is Ahab's second in command, a huge black called Hugo. He's followed by two Malaysian Tubas carrying pistols and lanterns. The engine deck is a strange and eerie place, especially by lantern light. AHAB Time enough for drinking after you get us underway. CORKY (looking around) Yeah, well, you see I don't work too well unless.... AHAB (cutting him off) When we try to make way, we flood. Potts said the packing around the main drive shaft was shot. CLOSE ON DRIVE SHAFT WELL as it's illuminated by the lantern. The cover plating has been removed and we can only see the upper section of main drive shaft, the rest is under muddy water. AHAB'S VOICE (continuing) He said we'd have to repack the shaft and the only way to do that without dry docking was to lift the shaft from down here. ON ALL - FEATURE CORKY as he gets down into the well and examines the shaft and bearing. CORKY (nods) Yeah. Why didn't he do it? AHAB Mud People got him. Corky blinks, then goes back to examining the shaft. CORKY What were you doing up this river in the first place? AHAB Collecting cargo. CORKY (looks up) Cargo? What kind of cargo? HUGO Mud People. Corky is shocked. CORKY You're slavers! AHAB (laughs) I prefer to think we're traders who deal in the human commodity. Corky climbs out of the well and wipes his hands on his coat. CORKY Whatever you call it, it's a filthy business and I won't have any part of it. For a beat Ahab stares at Corky, then he motions to the Tubas. Corky backs up a step, but instead of moving towards him, they walk across the engine room to a hatch. CLOSE ON THE HATCH As the Tubas open the hatch and thrust a lantern inside, we hear the Mud People chained in the hold cry out in French for water. One of the Tubas moves inside and returns with a young Mud Girl who beneath all the ocher mud might be rather pretty. BACK ON THE OTHERS The Tuba drags the Mud Girl to Hugo who wraps his arms around her in a bear hug. The Girl doesn't make a sound, but her eyes are wide in fear. AHAB I don't have time for games, Corky. I'll have Hugo squeeze the guts outta every slave in the hold one by one until you repair that packing. Hugo begins to squeeze and the Girl gasps for air. CORKY I'll fix it! I'll fix it! Just let her go! Ahab motions to Hugo, who looks disappointed but releases his bear hug. The Girl slumps to the floor and Corky rushes to her. She looks up with big brown eyes. MUD GIRL (in French) Water. Please. CORKY Give her some water. And...and the rest of those poor devils. AHAB Keeping them weak from thirst suits my needs. I can't spare the crew to watch them. CORKY I'm gonna need a dozen men to lift that shaft outta there and I don't think you'll be sparing me crew for that! CLOSE ON AHAB AND HUGO Ahab studies Corky for a beat, then whispers to Hugo. AHAB Do as he says, but watch him closely. I think our new engineer might not be as dumb as he looks. HUGO Aye, aye, Captain. CLOSE ON CORKY AND THE MUD GIRL One of the guards hands him a wicker water bottle and he pours some on her parched lips. As she gratefully laps at the water.... JAKE'S VOICE OVER There's only four things to do when flying into a wall of thunderstorms. CUT TO EXTERIOR CUTTER'S GOOSE - DAY as it flies toward the towering black clouds stretching across the horizon. JAKE'S VOICE OVER (continuing) One...fly over them...only these are too high to do that. INTERIOR GOOSE COCKPIT Jake is sweating again, hard to tell if it's the malaria or the sight of the thunderstorms. As he peers ahead at the storm, Sarah and Jack peer at him. JAKE'S VOICE OVER (continuing) Two...go around them, but I gotta feeling we'd run outta fuel before we could do that. (beat) Three...fly under them...only the visibility would be so poor under there. I'd need a bank and turn indicator. He wipes the sweat from his face. SARAH And four? JAKE (looks down) Land in one of those lagoons until the storms pass over. Sarah looks out her window at the islands below. Then, something catches her eye and she looks back. SARAH I don't think we should do that. JAKE We don't have a choice. SARAH (motions) I don't think they'll let us. Jake twists and looks back over his shoulder. JAKE'S POINT OF VIEW - PAIR OF JAPANESE ZEROS as they climb toward the Goose. INTERIOR GOOSE COCKPIT Jake slams the throttles to the firewall and puts the Goose into a dive toward the thunderstorms. JAKE Hang on! ON JACK as he trots back to his refuge in the tail. ON THE GOOSE as it screams toward the clouds. ON THE ZEROS as they close the gap. GOOSE COCKPIT - ACROSS JAKE AND SARAH as she peers back at the closing fighters, then forward at the thunderstorms. SARAH You said you couldn't fly in the clouds without a turn and bank indicator! JAKE I'll worry about that when... (idea hits him) The bottle! SARAH What? JAKE Louie's water bottle. Tape it to the instrument panel! SARAH Why? JAKE (cutting in) Sarah, for once don't ask questions, just do it! She pulls the water bottle from behind the seat, but can't find the roll of tape. SARAH I can't find the tape. JAKE Swell. ON THE ZEROS as they make a pass, firing a warning burst across the nose of the Goose. GOOSE COCKPIT - ACROSS JAKE AND SARAH as the Zekes flash past. SARAH They missed! JAKE That was a warning shot to turn back. They won't miss next time. INT. REAR COCKPIT - ON JACK as he peers forward. JAKE'S VOICE (continuing) You gotta find that tape. Jack jumps up and trots forward, picking up the tape from under one of the rear seats. FRONT COCKPIT - ON JAKE AND SARAH as Jack trots up with the tape. SARAH Good boy! Jack barks twice and trots back to his place in the tail. Sarah tapes the bottle to the instrument panel. JAKE Good. All I gotta do is hold that water level when we're in the clouds. (beat) You got any lipstick? SARAH Lipstick! Jake looks at her and she sheepishly reaches into her shirt pocket and pulls out the lipstick. JAKE Make a straight line across the bottle at the water level... (as she goes to) ...wait till I trim up. ON THE GOOSE as it levels off. ON THE ZEROS They have completed their turn and are now screaming in from behind the Goose. They open up with a burst. CLOSE ON THE GOOSE'S TAIL as it's stitched with bullets. REAR COCKPIT - ON JACK as he ducks, the bullets ripping up the seat just above him. ON THE GOOSE as it streaks under the storm clouds and disappears into the rain. ON THE ZEROS as they pull in a climbing turn away from the storm. GOOSE COCKPIT - CLOSE ON WATER BOTTLE The water level tilts slightly to the right of the lipstick line. ON BOTH - FEATURE JAKE He is watching the bottle intensely as he lifts the right wing slightly and levels the water. SARAH (triumphant) Jake...it's working! Jake manages a slight smile. The sweat is now pouring off him. JAKE Yeah. (beat) Sarah...I don't want to alarm you...but I...think I may pass out. And he does. ON SARAH as she stares wide-eyed at Jake. Then at the bottle. The water starts to dip below the lipstick line on the left. Sarah grabs the yoke. SARAH (a plea) Jake.... ON THE GOOSE A brilliant flash of lightning illuminates it briefly in the heart of the storm, then everything goes black and we.... FADE OUT _END OF ACT THREE_ _ACT FOUR_ FADE IN EXTERIOR ISLAND OF MATUKA - DAY - ESTABLISHING Princess Koji's fortress dominates the hill overlooking the lagoon where some of her trading ships lie at anchor. In the distance, thunderstorms fill the eastern sky. WILLIE'S VOICE This is a most unusual way to discuss business. INTERIOR PRINCESS KOJI'S BATH HOUSE - CLOSE ON WILLIE He is sitting in a huge wooden tub filled with steaming water. Beneath is a small charcoal fire maintaining the heat. A beautiful Japanese maiden is vigorously scrubbing his back. We widen to reveal.... PRINCESS KOJI in a similar tub a few feet away, attended by three hand maidens. Todo stands off to one side, his hand on his Samurai sword, scowling as usual. PRINCESS KOJI In Japan this is considered a most civilized way to discuss...most anything. Willie looks up at the girl scrubbing him. She smiles. WILLIE It is...invigorating. PRINCESS KOJI (laughs) Oh, Willie, I'm afraid the little house painter would not approve of your thoughts at the moment. WILLIE (defensive) Mein thoughts? PRINCESS KOJI I believe one of his tenets is to maintain the purity of the German bloodline. WILLIE (thinking) Jah. Der Fuhrer has been known to stress that point. PRINCESS KOJI As a loyal German, don't you agree? WILLIE I feel there is nothing wrong with a little healthy...ah.... PRINCESS KOJI Sex? WILLIE (swallows hard) Inter...communication between the races. PRINCESS KOJI (laughs) My father felt the same way, didn't he, Todo? Todo grunts his disapproval. PRINCESS KOJI You'll have to forgive Todo. He hates everything Occidental, even the Irish half of me. ON TODO as he demures. At that moment, one of Princess Koji's warriors enters and runs to him. He bows and whispers in Todo's ear. Todo smiles and turns to Princess Koji. TODO The commander of the airfield on Iwo Jima radioed that one of his patrols intercepted a twin-engine amphibian aircraft fifty kilometers east of us. WILLIE The Goose? PRINCESS KOJI What happened? TODO (grins) They shot it down. On Princess Koji and Willie's reactions.... CUT TO EXTERIOR HUGE THUNDERSTORM - DAY - ON THE GOOSE as it's tossed about by the torrential wind and rain. INTERIOR GOOSE COCKPIT - ON SARAH She's valiantly fighting to hold the Goose in the air...and losing. SARAH (a prayer) Oh, please God help me. CLOSE ON THE WATER BOTTLE as she stares at the bottle, her arms fighting to hold the water level. SARAH I'm not praying for me...but for Jake and Jack and Corky. They don't deserve to die. (bit defiant) And you know it! (humble again) Please help me. TIGHT ON THE BOTTLE The water continues to slosh...then it settles a bit...then a bit more. It's still dipped low to one side, but it's not all over the place. ON JAKE as he starts to come around. He blinks and then his eyes widen in surprise to find the Goose still in the air. He takes the controls and looking at the bottle, levels the Goose off. JAKE I...I don't know how you did it. SARAH (smiling to herself) I had a little help. Jake looks puzzled for a beat, then figures it out. ON THE GOOSE as it bursts out of the storm and into the sunlight. CUT TO INTERIOR PRINCESS KOJI'S BATH HOUSE Willie and the Princess both look down in their cups as they sit in the baths and sip sake. WILLIE (toasting) To Jake Cutter. A rather nice man...for a spy. PRINCESS KOJI You really think Jake was an American spy? WILLIE Oh, jah. I'm sure of it. The warrior enters with a second message, only this time Todo frowns. TODO (hating it) Cutter's Goose has landed in the lagoon. WILLIE (genuine) Vunderbar! TODO He requests an audience. PRINCESS KOJI (smiles) Show him in. WILLIE (enthused) Jah. Jah. Bring him in... (realizes) Wait! He can't find me here! PRINCESS KOJI (laughs) Just duck your head...he'll never know. WILLIE (rising) Princess Koji.... A gong sounds. Willie ducks. ANGLE ON THE SHOGI SCREEN as one of the hand maidens slides it open to reveal Jake, Sarah and Jack. As they enter and Sarah realizes it's a bath house.... SARAH Oh, my God! PRINCESS KOJI Welcome to Matuka. (looks closer) You don't look well, Jake. JAKE Touch of malaria. PRINCESS KOJI Ahh. A nasty disease...sometimes helped by a hot bath. (motioning to Willie's tub) If you'd like to join me.... Sarah leans over to Jake and whispers.... SARAH Don't you dare! ON JACK as he sniffs at the hot tub and begins to growl. ON WILLIE ducked down just below the rim, only his nose above water...petrified. ON ALL - FEATURE JAKE He starts to move towards Willie's tub, but Todo steps in front of him. JAKE I think it may be occupied. PRINCESS KOJI No. It's just being heated up. Isn't it, Todo? TODO Hai. And with that he picks up the bellows and begins to blow on the charcoal with great relish. Jake turns back to the Princess. JAKE I didn't come here for a bath. I came for Corky. PRINCESS KOJI (puzzled) Corky? JAKE He was shanghaied last night.... SARAH (angry) By one of your filthy pirates! Todo drops the bellows and his hand automatically goes to his sword. JAKE Sarah! PRINCESS KOJI (pointed) Even the Oriental rules of hospitality extend only so far. You would do well to mind your tongue...if you wish to keep it. JAKE She apologizes for her rudeness. SARAH I do not! JAKE Yes, you do...don't you? Sarah fumes and sputters, but finally nods. Todo relaxes and goes back to blowing the charcoal. Willie is beginning to boil which Todo loves, of course. PRINCESS KOJI (acknowledging the apology) Now...why do you make such a foolish accusation? JAKE Corky was last seen with one of your captains. Bearded man with a hook arm...called Ahab. Todo and Princess Koji exchange puzzled looks. TODO (laughs) Impossible! SARAH (sharply) Oh...why? PRINCESS KOJI Because Captain Ahab was executed two months ago...for thievery. JAKE Are you sure? Todo puts his hand to his sword. TODO Hai...very sure. CLOSE ON PRINCESS KOJI She is lost in thought. Finally she looks up to Jake. PRINCESS KOJI Why would someone pose as one of my captains? (beat) Did this imposter wear glasses? SARAH No. JAKE (without thinking) Yes. SARAH Jake, you didn't see him --- JAKE I...think I did! (trying to remember) I was feverish. On the veranda. There was a flash of lightning and I saw... (looks up; recalling it all) ...a captain with a hook arm...and glasses. PRINCESS KOJI Rimless English glasses? JAKE Yes. ACROSS PRINCESS KOJI'S BACK ON THE OTHERS as she stands up and gets out of the tub. Sarah is shocked. Jake is impressed. Willie is dying in the other tub. PRINCESS KOJI Perhaps I can help you. As the hand maidens wrap a towel around her, we move in on the back of her shoulder to reveal...a rose tattoo. CUT TO EXTERIOR - ON THE GOOSE - DAY as it sails through the puffy white clouds. SARAH'S VOICE (pissed) You just stood there and gaped like some...some lummox at a peep show! INTERIOR COCKPIT - FEATURE JAKE as he works at flying. Sarah is holding Jack in her lap and behind them, in the rear cabin, Princess Koji, Todo and two warriors in armor admire the view. JAKE What was I supposed to do? SARAH You could have closed your eyes. JAKE (lamely) I...I get dizzy when I close my eyes. Sarah groans and glares out the window at the islands sliding by under the wing. Jake manages a slight smile. JAKE'S VOICE OVER I think if Sarah hadn't been so concerned with finding Corky, she'd have slugged the Princess. Trouble is, the Princess would have probably slugged back...with a samurai sword. ON PRINCESS KOJI AND TODO as they stare out the Goose's window. JAKE'S VOICE OVER (continuing) Instead, she got us clearance out of Japanese airspace and told me to fly towards the southern end of the Marivellas. She obviously knew who'd shanghaied Corky...if not exactly where. BACK ON FRONT COCKPIT - FEATURE JACK as he stares straight ahead, his nose quivering with anticipation. JAKE'S VOICE OVER (continuing) For that I was relying on Jack. Jack lifts his head and points it slightly to the right. Jake eases into a turn in that direction and Jack settles back down to staring straight ahead. CUT TO EXTERIOR ISLAND RIVER - DAY - ON THE PANDORA All is quiet. The Malaysian crew still on alert, watching the jungle with great concern. INTERIOR ENGINE ROOM - DAY - FEATURE CORKY We find him in the lantern light, up to his waist in muddy water leaking in around the packing. He's got a huge wrench and he's directing a dozen Mud People who are pulling on a hawser rigged through an overhead pulley to the main shaft. Beside him, the Mud Girl, holding a bottle of water, watches intently. CORKY (in French) Pull! They pull on the line. CORKY (in French) More. More! Hugo cracks a whip over the heads of the Mud People. CORKY (angrily) Stop it! (to Hugo) You do that again and you can get down here and fix it! ON HUGO He starts towards Corky, but Ahab, who's sitting on the ladder and wiping his glasses, sticks out a leg to stop him. AHAB (softly to Hugo) After he's packed the shaft. Hugo glares, but turns back to where he was standing. ON CORKY AND THE MUD GIRL She looks at Corky with love in her eyes. She wipes her hand across her arm and with a gentle touch wipes some of the mud on Corky's face. He looks surprised. Then he smiles. She smiles back. CORKY (in French) Again...pull! The Mud People strain on the line. CUT TO EXTERIOR - ON THE GOOSE - DAY as it cruises between the clouds building up over the islands. COCKPIT - CLOSE ON JACK nose quivering, intently staring out the forward window. He begins to growl, tail wagging furiously. SARAH What is it, boy? Do you see something? Jack barks twice and moves to the side window. Jake banks the starboard wing. After a beat.... SARAH There! On that river.... SARAH'S POINT OF VIEW - ISLAND RIVER The sunlight shimmers on the water snaking through the jungle, then the light flattens out and we get a brief glimpse on the steamer in the middle of the river. SARAH'S VOICE (continuing) A ship! ANGLE ON PRINCESS KOJI AND TODO as they spot the ship. TODO Hai! Is the Pandora. ON ALL - FEATURE JAKE as he retards the throttle and trims the Goose to descend. JAKE (yells back) What's she doing so far up river? PRINCESS KOJI This island is inhabited by Mud People. If I know Sean, he was collecting slaves. Jake and Sarah exchange a sharp look. JAKE Sean? PRINCESS KOJI (ignores him) I have traded with the Mud People. I believe they will help us. TODO Hai. PRINCESS KOJI I think it advisable to land on the far side of the island. CLOSE ON SARAH AND JAKE Sarah is getting pissed at the Princess, again. SARAH (sarcastically) Now she's telling you how to fly! JAKE She's right. If I land on that side, the crew on that ship probably won't hear our engines. SARAH Oh. ON THE GOOSE as it descends in a wide circle towards the back of the island. JAKE'S VOICE I just wish I could let Corky know we're coming. CUT TO INTERIOR PANDORA ENGINE ROOM - FEATURE CORKY as he tightens a bolt with a huge wrench. When he finishes, he smiles at the Mud Girl. CORKY (in French) Let it down. The Mud People release the strain on the line. AHAB Is it done? Corky is about to tell him, yes, when he hears something, something none of the others hear...the distant throb of the Goose's engines. AHAB I said, is it done? CORKY (recovering) Ah...no. Not yet. (in French) Take it up. The Mud People heave on the line again. Ahab grouses and wipes his glasses for the fiftieth time. Hugo patiently waits to get his hands on Corky. CUT TO EXTERIOR WHITE SAND BEACH - DAY - CLOSE ON JAKE AND SARAH We slowly reveal them standing behind Princess Koji as she confers with the leader of the Mud People -- a warrior with the most hideous mud mask you ever saw. Sarah looks petrified. JAKE'S VOICE OVER The meeting with the Mud People had Sarah shaking in her drawers. Princess Koji introduces Jake to the chief. As they shake, Jake looks as scared as Sarah. JAKE'S VOICE OVER Course, my shaking was due to the malaria. (beat) Anyway, Princess Koji was true to her word...she knew the Mud People and it didn't take long to form an alliance. As they sit on the beach and talk.... JAKE'S VOICE OVER All I had to do was figure a way to storm a ship full of armed men with three Koji warriors, a dozen Mud People, two women and a one- eyed dog. Jack suddenly scrambles into the jungle after something and everyone turns to watch him. JAKE'S VOICE OVER Then Jack gave me the answer. What we needed was a diversion. CUT TO EXTERIOR PANDORA MAIN DECK - DAY The Malaysian guards are resting behind crates placed to protect them from the Mud People's arrows. Suddenly, we hear the roar of the Goose's engines as she bursts around the bend in the river, six feet off the water and screaming straight for the Pandora. The Malaysians hit the deck as Jake lifts the Goose at the last possible second and disappears over the tree tops. INTERIOR ENGINE ROOM - ON AHAB as he reacts to the roar of the engines and scrambles up the ladder towards the hatch. The Mud People are panicked and screaming in Mudese (or whatever you want to call it). AHAB (shouts to Hugo) Watch them! Hugo moves to Ahab's position on the ladder, pulling his pistol. CLOSE ON CORKY He grabs the Mud Girl whose eyes are wide with fear. CORKY (in French) Don't worry. It's my buddy Jake. He's come to rescue me! EXTERIOR PANDORA MAIN DECK - ON AHAB He climbs through the hatch and rushes towards the Vickers machine gun mounted on the bow, rallying his crew to take up rifle positions facing forward. They don't have long to wait. The Goose roars around the bend ever lower than before on its second run at the steamer. INTERIOR GOOSE COCKPIT - CLOSE ON JAKE cigar clenched between his teeth as he bores in on the ship. JAKE'S VOICE OVER Creating a diversion actually turned out to be a lot of fun. Ahab opens up with the Vickers and the Goose shudders under the impact. JAKE'S VOICE OVER Until someone opened up with a machine gun! CLOSE ON THE GOOSE as she roars past, barely missing the main stack. JAKE'S VOICE OVER I thanked God that for once Sarah had listened to me. At least she and Jack were safe on the beach. SMASH CUT TO EXTERIOR WAR CANOE - DAY - CLOSE ON JACK seated in the bow, Sarah directly behind him, as a half dozen Mud People silently propel it down river towards the unguarded stern of the steamer. A few meters away, a second war canoe carries Princess Koji, Todo and their warriors. INTERIOR PANDORA ENGINE ROOM - ON HUGO He is listening to the gunfire above deck. He turns and looks down at Corky with a smile. We move with him as he slowly walks to Corky. CORKY I...I wouldn't do anything hasty. He grabs Corky, throwing his huge arms around him in a crushing bear hug. The Mud Girl screams! EXTERIOR PANDORA'S STERN - DAY - ON THE BOARDING PARTY as led by the chief, they silently climb over the stern rail. THEIR POINT OF VIEW - MALAYSIAN CREW facing down river, waiting for the Goose to reappear. It roars into view and they open fire. MOVING WITH THE BOARDING PARTY as they charge down the deck and into the rear of the Malaysians. It is a wild battle...Mud People, Koji warriors, and Malaysians. ON SARAH AND JACK as they watch the battle for a beat. SARAH Corky, Jack. Find Corky! Jack barks twice and trots into an open hatch. ON THE GOOSE Jake throttles back on the engines and sets her down on the river near the steamer. INTERIOR ENGINE ROOM - ON HUGO as he slowly squeezes the life out of Corky. Suddenly Jack is there, tearing into Hugo's leg. The big man yells in pain. MUD GIRL (in Mudese) Help him! With a cry, the Mud People join Jack in the attack. Despite his size, Hugo is overwhelmed and drops Corky. CLOSE ON CORKY as the Mud Girl lifts his head and pours some water on his lips. Corky blinks, licks his lips and makes a face. CORKY (weakly) Water! (beat) You gotta learn...don't ever give me water. The Mud Girl looks at him, puzzled. Behind her we hear a laugh. ON SARAH standing on the ladder, looking down at Corky and laughing. EXTERIOR PANDORA'S MAIN DECK - DAY - FEATURE AHAB as he battles his way through the boarding party towards an open hatch. He spots Princess Koji across the deck. For a moment the two just stare at each other, then both fire pistols at each other, but miss. Ahab then leaps through the hatch and is gone. EXTERIOR JUNGLE RIVER - DAY - ON JAKE as he swims from the Goose to the boarding ladder of the Pandora. He climbs the ladder to the deck and pulls his pistol as he catches his breath. The battle is still raging up forward, but the Malaysians are losing. Jake looks around for a beat, then enters a hatchway. MOVING WITH JAKE as he scrambles down a ladder into the dark hold of the ship. JAKE (yelling) Corky! Corky! At the bottom of the ladder he stops as all around him he hears a low murmur and the clinking of chains. In the dim light of a single lantern, we can see it's the hold where the slaves are held. They stare at Jake with frightened eyes. JAKE (with compassion) We'll get you outta here. It's over. (looks around) Corky! Are you here? ON AHAB at the other end of the hold. He has just come down a ladder from above. He peers into the dark for a beat, then.... AHAB (loud whisper in Corky's voice) Jake. Jake...I'm over here. ON JAKE as he snaps around, a grin of joy on his face. JAKE Corky! He makes his way through the Mud People towards the other end of the hold. CLOSE ON AHAB He adjusts his glasses and takes aim with his pistol. On the deck above someone cracks a hatch and a narrow streak of sunlight shines into the black hold. JAKE'S POINT OF VIEW - AHAB'S GLASSES as they reflect the sunlight for an instant. BACK ON JAKE as he brings up his pistol and fires! The Mud People in the hold scream. The hatch slides the rest of the way open and Princess Koji climbs down. CLOSE ON AHAB lying at the bottom of the ladder...dead. The rose tattoo showing on his outstretched hand. WIDER as Jake and Princess Koji reach him at the same time. After a beat.... JAKE I think you ought to at least tell me who I killed. CLOSE ON PRINCESS KOJI as she stares at the body. PRINCESS KOJI His name was Sean Flynn. (looks up) He was my half-brother. CLOSE ON JAKE on his reaction.... DISSOLVE TO EXTERIOR JUNGLE RIVER - DAY - ON THE LONGBOAT as two Mud People row Jake, Corky, Sarah, Jack and the Mud Girl out to the Goose. Behind them we see the Pandora, Princess Koji and her warriors get ready to set sail. SARAH (angry) Why does she get to keep the ship? JAKE I understand it was hers in the first place. SARAH (sour grapes) She'll probably turn it into a brothel. JAKE (shakes his head) That's better than a slave ship. She just stares at Jake. ON CORKY AND THE MUD GIRL She keeps smearing more mud on his face as he peers at the Goose. CORKY (referring to the Goose) Ain't she a beauty! Just look at her! CORKY'S POINT OF VIEW - THE GOOSE As we pull closer we can see the bullet holes in the tail and the hull. ON ALL - FEATURE CORKY His faces drops and his eyes widen. CORKY Jake! What happened! JAKE (innocent) Happened? CORKY There aren't enough fingers and toes on the bunch of us to count all the holes! JAKE Corky.... CORKY (blasting on) How could...how could you be so irresponsible! JAKE Irresponsible! We saved your life! CORKY I know. But look at what you did to the Goose. JAKE What I did? CORKY She's a mess! I haven't seen a plane shot up like this since that time you tangled with those Zekes over Chungking back in...back in...ah.... JAKE (finally) ...December. CORKY (like he thought of it) December! Jake slumps in resignation. Jack grins. Sarah laughs. The Mud Girl continues to paint Corky and he...just blathers on. CORKY ...Only then we were fighting a war. It was understandable. But this.... FREEZE FRAME _THE END_
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