Participating Writers
George Geiger
L. Ford Neale & John Huff
_ACT ONE_ FADE IN EXTERIOR SKY - DAY - THUNDERSTORM Rain drives across thunderheads blackening the sky above and below. We hear the groan of radial aircraft engines bucking the wind, then see a cargo plane, perhaps a C-40, or DC-3, fighting for its life. Over this we hear the controlled voice of a flier working to save the aircraft. KRAMER'S VOICE Red line. Lose some revs or you'll run these props off their shafts. INTERIOR CARGO PLANE COCKPIT - DAY - FLIERS Jim Kramer, the copilot, is an open-faced midwestern type, early twenties. The pilot, Randall McGraw, is a fortyish, brusque character, more insulted by the storm than frightened by it. Both wear Flying Tiger jackets. MC GRAW If I do that she won't be runnin' at all, 'cause we'll be in the drink. (beat; all business) Fire. Port engine. A ruddy light bursts on them from the left. McGraw slaps the throttles and the engine sounds drop a tone. Kramer is automatically performing the procedure for an engine fire. INSERT - BURNING ENGINE Despite the water streaming past the engine, a tongue of flame shoots out, then black smoke as the prop freezes. RESUME SCENE - INTERIOR COCKPIT MC GRAW Get on the horn and bring somebody runnin'. We're not stayin' in the sky on one engine with this load. INSERT - RADIO Kramer spins the veneer knob and frequency numbers spin past the backlit dial. RESUME - FAVOR KRAMER KRAMER (into mike) Mayday...mayday...m'aider...Air Cargo flight four-oh bound for New Britain. We're ditching vicinity French Marivellas...Mayday... M'aider. Kramer has succeeded in opening an aviation chart. KRAMER (continuing) Last known position...one hundred sixty degrees, thirteen minutes east...oh-fifty-three south, bearing two eighty-five. McGraw wrestles the yoke, a whine now building as the plane dives. MC GRAW Hit the silk, Kramer, while I can still keep her out of a spin. Knowing he's right, Kramer unsnaps his harness and stands. KRAMER See you on the beach, McGraw. INTERIOR CARGO COMPARTMENT - DAY - LOOKING FORWARD Bulky wooden crates leave only a narrow corridor back for Kramer. He buckles into a parachute and then releases the dogs on the hatch. Water and wind slash through as Kramer takes a look back and leaps, clutching a canvas bundle. INTERIOR COCKPIT - DAY - MC GRAW Jaw set, eyes steady, McGraw continues the distress call with a steady voice into the mike. MC GRAW Mayday...mayday.... DISSOLVE TO EXTERIOR BORAGORA - DAY - TO ESTABLISH It's bright, sunny and calm. A rooster crows. INTERIOR SARAH'S ROOM - DAY Sarah sits on her bed with her suitcase radio, sipping a beer, and wearing a set of earphones. We hear the dots and dashes of the transmission she is decoding on a pad, a matter of routine. SARAH Air Cargo flight four-oh now five days overdue to New Britain. (a pause; to herself) Poor guys.... The code resumes, and what she hears makes her sit up. SARAH (continuing) New information...missing aircraft was carrying advanced gunsights to Flying Tigers in China. All agents recover or confirm gunsights destroyed. EXTERIOR SEA - DAY - U.S.S. HANOVER - STOCK as we hear more code, now very loud. INTERIOR HANOVER RADIO ROOM - DAY Sparks is sending on a double key. The Intelligence Officer enters with a message flimsy, looking concerned. SPARKS Sixteen hundred transmission complete, sir. OFFICER Add this...believe Japanese Navy may also be searching for flight four-oh. Sparks nods, copies the words, then begins to send again. CUT TO EXTERIOR WILLIE'S CHURCH - DAY Willie, dressed as Reverend Tenboom, is aiding an itinerant dentist, Doc Doyle, who is working on the teeth of an islander. Doyle is in his late fifties, wearing safari shorts and a sleeveless T-shirt. His drill is powered by another islander pedaling a stationary bicycle frame, jerry- rigged by pulleys and a wobbly belt to spin the crude drill. Doyle keeps the yelping patient in the chair with a burly forearm. DOYLE Must be a tad of nerve still in there. Willie gestures to an island girl to mop the brow of the patient with a towel while he croons comfort. WILLIE Now, now, now, now, be still, my son. Nothing of value comes without suffering. DOYLE (eyeing girl) You know, Rev, I think your flock's got some of the finest... Christians in the whole Marivellas. WILLIE (beaming) Yes, I consider myself truly blessed. NEW ANGLE - TO JAKE, CORKY AND JACK sitting on the church steps behind a few islanders waiting their turn with the dentist. Corky moans, suffering along with the islander under the drill. CORKY I can't watch, Jake. Ain't we got time for a beer? JAKE Stay put. You want to lose your place in line? CORKY Yes. JAKE Corky! You said you'd go through with it this time. SARAH I hope you didn't promise. NEW ANGLE TO INCLUDE SARAH joining them. She's a bit alarmed by Doyle's dentistry. Jack barks twice for "yes." Corky moans again. The distant, drawn-out note of a conch shell horn reaches them. Jack bolts for the water. The sound has the same effect on the islanders as a fire engine. They rush after Jack, babbling and pointing, even Doyle's patient. WILLIE A long note like that is for distress, jah? THEIR POINT OF VIEW - AN OUTRIGGER Two native fishermen are paddling rapidly towards the dock, a third blows the horn in the bow. Between them is the slumped form of a white man in a dark jacket. ON JAKE AND SARAH They meet each other's hopeful glance. JAKE They've picked somebody up.... EXTERIOR DOCK - DAY Jake, Corky and Sarah bull through the crowd. The fishermen are lifting their passenger onto the dock. It's Jim Kramer, dazed and sunburned, clearly in bad shape. FISHERMAN Dis fella b'long water, three...four day like. Corky steadies Kramer from the rear as Jake unsnaps Kramer's life jacket revealing the Flying Tiger insignia. (Also revealing Kramer's service sidearm worn in a cross holster over his shoulder outside his jacket. Option: the gun is under his jacket and we don't see it until Louie opens the jacket in Scene 21.) CORKY H...hey! This guy's a Tiger. JAKE (look to Sarah) From that missing Air Cargo flight? Sarah nods, slightly. ON KRAMER - CLOSE between Jake and Corky as they carry his limp body toward the hotel. Their exchange makes him force open his swollen eyes. JAKE (to Corky) You know him? CORKY I don't think so. Jake, what would a Tiger be doing in these waters? JAKE (looking at Sarah) I don't know, Corky. CUT TO INTERIOR JAKE'S ROOM - DAY Jake and Corky are putting Kramer onto Jake's bed. Louie rushes in through the interior door from the bar with an armload of supplies -- saline solution, burn ointment, gauze. One look and he flinches. Jake finishes removing Kramer's jacket. LOUIE Mon dieu! He is a lucky man to still be alive. ON JAKE AND SARAH Jake steps back to give Louie room. Sarah leans in, but Jake pulls her aside. Louie begins to clean Kramer's face, and will have applied gauze to his forehead before the end of this scene. SARAH I've got to talk to him. LOUIE It'll have to wait. SARAH It's important. JAKE Sarah...look at the man. She does, relenting. Jake gestures they should leave. LOUIE The angel of mercy will stay with me, si vous plait. The rest of you out. ACROSS KRAMER TO GROUP KRAMER (delirious) Blue-faced boobys...I see blue-faced boobys. SARAH What's he talking about? CORKY It's a funny looking bird. The blue-faced booby. You see 'em when you're about fifty miles from land. JAKE When he comes around, Louie, tell him there's an ex-Tiger downstairs who wants to buy him a drink. KRAMER I'm tellin' you, McGraw...One sixty thirteen east...oh fifty-three south. That's it. One sixty thirteen east...oh fifty-three south. Hear that, McGraw? Jake and Corky react to the name "McGraw" as Kramer continues to mumble. CORKY (astonished) Gosh, Jake! He was flyin' with McGraw! Jake nods he understands. CUT TO INTERIOR MONKEY BAR - NIGHT Jake and Corky are at the bar, Kramer's wadded Tigers jacket behind them. In the background we see the fishermen who brought Kramer learning to shoot pool from a crowd of locals making sport of their drunkenness. Jake raises his beer. JAKE To Randall McGraw. They clink mugs. CORKY Randall McGraw. That dirty, son of a --- JAKE Corky! CORKY (finishing) ...blue-faced booby. JAKE He's probably dead. CORKY But, Jake...he nearly got you killed over Nanking. JAKE That was more'n a year ago...it sure doesn't matter now. Let's just be happy even one of 'em made it. On the bar in front of Jake is a clutter of water-damaged money and ID taken from Kramer's wallet. INSERT - JAKE'S HAND - KRAMER'S ARMY AIR FORCE ID JAKE James Kramer...twenty-six...from Sioux Falls. Long way from home to get lost in the middle of the Pacific. CORKY Like us. BACK WIDE JAKE (with smile) In a way...Kramer's only been with the Tigers since March. That's why we didn't know him. CORKY Poor guy. Imagine havin' to fly with McGraw...that dirty --- JAKE (little angry) Corky! CORKY (flinching) Yeah, Jake.... ANGLE PAST JAKE TO INSIDE BALCONY Sarah is leaning over the balcony, crooking a finger at Jake. Louie is wiping his hands coming down the stairs. JAKE (softening) You can have the rest of my beer. CORKY Oh, gee thanks, Jake. INTERIOR SARAH'S ROOM - NIGHT Sarah is splashing her face with water from the basin. SARAH It's open. Jake enters. Sarah turns, toweling off her face. Some of the water has wet her blouse, a button or two open. She looks particularly fresh faced and appealing. He gives her a warm smile. JAKE How's he doing? SARAH Sleeping. (beat) Poor man...he got so cut up on the coral...and it got infected...and so did the salt sores...and the jelly fish got him while he was in the water...ugh! Sarah looks a little light headed, and it's a short step into the protection of Jake's arms. As he comforts her, he looks a bit puzzled but pleased. Sarah's soft voice emerges from the folds of Jake's jacket. JAKE Sarah, you knew the pilots of that flight were Tigers and you didn't tell me. SARAH (soft) Jake I can't tell you everything...after all, you're not a spy. (off his look) But you could do me a big favor. JAKE What? Sarah pulls back slightly to look into Jake's face. SARAH Take me to one sixty thirteen east...oh fifty-three south. Wherever that is. Jake releases Sarah like she was suddenly electrified. He stalks around the room. JAKE Why do I always fall for that? SARAH Because I'm very good at it.... JAKE And, I'm a sap...Goodnight. SARAH But, the plane? Thanks to Kramer we know where to find it. During Jake's next speech Sarah gets so frustrated she finally stomps her foot. JAKE No we don't...The intersection of a line of longitude and a line of latitude isn't an "X marks the spot"...it's about four thousand square miles. And Kramer was guessing. Even those fishermen, who spend their lives on this ocean, don't even know where he went down, and.... SARAH Jake! The Hanover radioed today that part of the cargo in that plane was gunsights for the Flying Tigers...very advanced gunsights. JAKE They got 'em! SARAH You know about them? JAKE Just that General Chennault said Uncle Sam was developing a gunsight that could help the Tigers. (off her look) Sarah, my buddies are so outnumbered by the Zekes in China that their only chance is to hit 'em when they're not expecting it...like from the clouds. SARAH How can gunsights help? JAKE Filters...and prisms that refract at different wave lengths... (off her look) If those are the gunsights Chennault told us were coming, they can actually see through clouds! SARAH Jake...the message from the Hanover also said the Japanese might be searching for that plane. (beat) You think they know about the gunsights? JAKE If they do and they find 'em, you can write off the Tigers and without them...China. (beat) See you at first light. Jake turns to go. Sarah plucks his sleeve. SARAH Jake, Kramer's in your room, where are you gonna spend the night? JAKE In the Goose. (beat) Unless...you know...ah...a better place? SARAH (flustered) Ah...I guess not. (beat) Night. JAKE (exiting) Good night. DISSOLVE TO EXTERIOR BORAGORA DOCK - DAY Early morning, all quiet in Boragora. ON THE GOOSE - A CABIN WINDOW Jake wakes and stretches his left leg stiffly. Jack appears beside him as he rubs his leg. JAKE'S VOICE OVER I don't know if it was sleeping in the Goose or seeing a fellow Flying Tiger, but the leg I'd almost lost to a Zeke over Hankow was stiff as a board again. (beat) General Chennault had said it would be at least a year before my leg was up to combat flying. I guess he was right, but part of me felt I was letting my buddies in China down. That's why finding those gunsights was so important...if I could do it, in a way I'd be back up there with them. SARAH'S VOICE (calling ahead) It's five after six...Jake.... NEW ANGLE - ALONG DOCK Jake steps stiffly out of the plane. Sarah is leading Corky toward the Goose. SARAH What's wrong with your leg? CORKY (yawning) Oh, Jake got.... JAKE (cutting him off) A little stiff from sleeping in the Goose. CORKY Huh? You got that.... JAKE (interrupting again) Did you get the coffee, Corky? Sarah pulls a thermos out of her bag. SARAH I grabbed it for you. Louie's finest French roast...every sip like a little charge of dynamite to your nervous system. CORKY Jake.... JAKE Better pre-flight the Goose for me. CORKY (puzzled) Sure, Jake. Jake accepts the thermos from Sarah, unscrews the lid, and pours a cup. Behind him in the Goose's cargo hatch, Jack begins to growl at something unseen. JAKE (sipping) Hold your horses, Jack. You don't always have to be first --- Jake freezes, seeing something off screen. The others follow his gaze. THEIR POINT OF VIEW - KRAMER coming towards them along the dock. His progress is painfully slow, due to the stiffness of his wounds. Gauze bandages obscure parts of his face, and he is wearing some of Jake's clothes. Kramer's speech is halting, forced between blistered lips. KRAMER Hope you don't mind. I borrowed some of your clothes. JAKE No. (extends a hand) Jake Cutter. KRAMER James Kramer. I heard of you. McGraw said you were one hell of a pilot. JAKE (surprised) McGraw said that. KRAMER (smiles) Among other things. Jake nods and turns.... JAKE That's my mechanic, Corky. Corky waves. JAKE (continuing) And this is a friend...Sarah Stickney White. KRAMER Ah...the beautiful angel of mercy, I remember you. SARAH You were unconscious. KRAMER (looking her over) I'm never that unconscious. Sarah blushes a little. Jake looks uncomfortable. Jack growls. JAKE Oh, and this is Jack. KRAMER Hiya, Jack. Jack growls again. JAKE (to Kramer) Ignore him. He treats everyone like that. Kramer shrugs and looks at the Goose. KRAMER So you went from fighters to a Goose. Some come-down. Jake shrugs and Sarah looks a bit put out. Corky is pissed. Kramer turns. KRAMER Where you off to? Sarah shoots Jake a warning look, but he ignores it. JAKE To look for that Gooney Bird of yours. KRAMER That's what I figured. SARAH Why? KRAMER 'Cause there's another Tiger out there somewhere and he might still be alive. (turns to Jake) Right. JAKE Right. SARAH Oh. NEW ANGLE - JAKE AND KRAMER together beside the Goose, leaving Sarah on top of the steps. Corky goes about his pre-flight chores: checking cable ports, condensation in the tanks, etc. KRAMER What sorta speed does she have? JAKE Well...top end's supposed to be two hundred...two-oh-five.... KRAMER (knowing chuckle) Supposed to be. JAKE (understanding) Corky's been known to squeeze a little extra out of her. SARAH'S VOICE (small) Jake. Could I see you? ANGLE PAST SARAH TO JAKE She's still at the top of the steps. Jake leaves Kramer with the Goose and comes up to her. SARAH (quietly) I really don't think he should come with us. He's obviously not up to it. KRAMER Look, Miss White, there's no need to whisper. That's my buddy out there and dead or alive I'm going to look for him. CORKY McGraw was your buddy? KRAMER He's a little rough around the edges but he was teaching me all he knew. CORKY Like how to get your wingman shot down. JAKE Corky! CORKY I know. I know. Finish the pre-flight. ANOTHER ANGLE as Corky goes back to checking out the Goose. JAKE Look, Kramer, Sarah's right. You're in no shape to fly. KRAMER I thought I'd leave that to you. Jake can't help but smile. JAKE Okay. Climb aboard. KRAMER (painful wink) Thanks, pal. He hobbles toward the Goose and we isolate on Jake and Sarah; she is angry. SARAH (pissed) Jake. This is a mission for Uncle Sam. A secret mission! JAKE Sarah...Kramer was flying those gunsights to General Chennault. I don't think it's a secret from him. SARAH Well, I don't like it. JAKE (after a beat) Maybe you're right. SARAH (surprised) I am? JAKE (nods) That Gooney Bird of Kramer's could be down in the Japanese mandate. And, if as you say, they're searching for it too...well, this mission will be doubly dangerous. (turns toward Goose) It's probably best you stay behind. SARAH (suckered in) I'm glad for once you see it my... (catches herself) Think you're funny, don't you. Jack barks twice. Sarah quickly moves to get into the Goose. SARAH Well, I don't. CLOSE ON JAKE He smiles as he watches Sarah climb aboard. Then as he lights his cheroot and checks the sky for weather.... JAKE'S VOICE OVER Sarah was right. Kramer was in no shape to go searching for his plane. But Sarah wasn't a pilot and there's no way to explain how you feel when you're safe and your buddy is still out there somewhere...even when that buddy is Randall McGraw. Jake takes a last look and heads for the Goose. FADE OUT _END OF ACT ONE_ _ACT TWO_ FADE IN EXTERIOR SKY - DAY - THE GOOSE cruising above open sea. JAKE'S VOICE OVER I'd put three and four together and come up with a way to maybe improve our chances from none to slim. INTERIOR THE GOOSE'S CABIN - DAY - SARAH seated beside Corky, Jack in her lap. INTERIOR THE GOOSE'S COCKPIT - DAY Jake flying, Kramer in the co-pilot's chair. Jake steals a look back at Sarah and is greeted with an angry scowl. He quickly looks back forward, scanning below. JAKE'S VOICE OVER (continuing) The Peleau reef fishermen who picked up Kramer usually worked the shallows between their island and Aapu...about two days' canoe ride from Boragora, just in range of the blue-faced boobys. A DC-3 is big enough to spot if it isn't too deep. But, I guess I'm not the only one who knows that. ON CORKY pointing past Sarah out the window. CORKY Hey, Jake. Trouble. Jack barks twice for "yes" and scoots out of Sarah's arms for his safe spot in the rear. THEIR POINT OF VIEW - BELOW - JAPANESE NAVY - STOCK A pair of destroyers is steaming below. JAKE'S VOICE I see 'em, Corky. ON JAKE He tips the Goose over in a bank away from the ships. EXTERIOR THE GOOSE - DAY It slips into a handy cloud, disappearing. INTERIOR COCKPIT - DAY Clouds stream by the window. KRAMER Two more destroyers...Yamagumo class. JAKE Asagumo class...Sharper rake to their bows. That's five in the last fifty miles. KRAMER I take it that's a little more attention from the Japanese Imperial Navy in these waters than you're used to. JAKE More than a little. They've been pulled up around the Philippines and the Malay Peninsula for months. KRAMER You figure they brought all that iron down here just to look for my little ol' plane? JAKE I don't see how. You splashed five days ago. It's an eight-day steam from the China Sea. ANGLE TO SARAH She's standing between Jake and Kramer. SARAH They've got to spot us sooner or later. JAKE Probably already have. She reacts. JAKE We're over international waters, Sarah. Out here it's one big happy family. The engines suddenly sputter, coughing. Jake's hands fly to the controls. Corky pops his head in beside Sarah, alarmed. CORKY We can't be dry, Jake. We can't! There is a terrible moment of silence, then the engines catch and begin to hum again. They all breathe easier. JAKE Fuel tanks needed to be switched...that's all. (beat) Thought I did it.... ON JACK still in the rear. He barks twice for "yes." BACK TO COCKPIT Sarah is genuinely concerned. KRAMER It's my fault, I'm no good to you. You're doing too much... Searching for a wreck, dodging destroyers and tiptoeing along the border of the Japanese Marivellas. Corky is leaning in, casting his eyes carefully over the controls. CORKY He's right, Jake. (to Jake) If I'd been up here, I would have switched tanks. Jake gives Corky a grin. JAKE Let Kramer stay up here long enough for me to cut across Aapu and make one more pass from the back side. Corky accepts this, but is acting a bit miffed. He goes back into the cabin. KRAMER You don't have to push it for me. We can try again tomorrow. JAKE I'm not pushing it for you, Kramer. I'm doing it for McGraw and the Tigers. Kramer nods. INTERCUT - EXTERIOR ISLAND - DAY as the Goose crosses inland from beach, on the deck, across a lagoon and heading for jungle-clad volcanic slopes. NEW ANGLE ACROSS KRAMER TO JAKE Kramer glances back at Sarah, who's studying the horizon through binoculars. KRAMER Kinda cute. I take it she's your girl. JAKE (overly casual) Just a good friend. Helps me out, now and then. (changing subject) I've been trying to recreate your track. Figure flying a great circle course from Samoa to New Britain...about two-eighty-five true, huh? KRAMER (whistles) Dead on. JAKE So, that storm blew down from around Java right in your teeth. KRAMER Uh-huh. JAKE Louie keeps his big short wave on Boragora tuned to the distress frequency during heavy weather. This close, we should've picked up your mayday. KRAMER We were sending...Boy, were we sending. ON CORKY AND SARAH Seated together again, Corky cranes past her, puzzled, then worried, then alarmed. CORKY F...four o'clock, Jake! EXTERIOR JUNGLE - DAY - FROM ABOVE The tail section of the Army DC-3 is barely visible under the jungle canopy of the island. A swath of destruction is gouged behind it from the crash landing. ON JAKE AND KRAMER JAKE Way to go, Corky! In the middle of all this water and she goes down on an island! KRAMER Not a bad looking wreck either. ON SARAH AND CORKY Sarah is riveted on the wreck. Corky is strangling on his terrified excitement. CORKY What wreck? I'm talking about those Zekes at one o'clock! INTERCUT - EXTERIOR - DAY - JAPANESE ZEROS - STOCK on two warplanes swooping in from the ocean. SARAH Oh my lord! (to Jake) You did say we were in international waters? ON JAKE JAKE We were...when I said it. KRAMER I wouldn't sweat it, Cutter. Your Goose isn't armed, and this isn't China. We're not at war with the Japanese. One of the Zeros rips off a burst from its wing gun that sprays in front of the Goose's nose. CORKY Tell them that! Jake hauls on the yoke and wings over in a steep turn. EXTERIOR THE GOOSE It turns back from the slopes and returns across the lagoon, the Zeros on either wing. JAKE I think they just want to show us the road. EXTERIOR ZERO - DAY - CLOSE The Japanese pilot gestures emphatically forward, making it clear that's the direction he wants the Goose to keep going, away from Aapu. NEW ANGLE TO INCLUDE SARAH She is now standing behind him between the seats. Kramer points ahead. KRAMER Oh-oh! Think they spotted the wreck and called her in? EXTERIOR LAGOON - DAY A Japanese patrol boat is heading towards the island. The Goose flies out to sea. INTERIOR COCKPIT - FAVOR JAKE JAKE Probably. SARAH Jake, you've got to go back. JAKE As soon as we're clear of the Japanese mandate, we can land and wait till dark, then slip back into that lagoon. CORKY That patrol boat would hear our engines. JAKE Not if we glide in. KRAMER You ever glided this bird? JAKE No...but there's a first time for everything. KRAMER Be a pretty mean stunt...if you can do it. CORKY Jake can do it if anyone can, right, Jake? Jack barks once. Off Jake's look.... EXTERIOR ZEROS - DAY One after the other they peel off. JAKE We're back over international waters. INTERIOR GOOSE COCKPIT - ON ALL as they fly further away from the island. JAKE Whatta you say? KRAMER I didn't see any sign of life around the wreck...but if you're for it, I'm with you. SARAH Me too. CORKY Me three. Jack barks once. Jake looks at Jack. JAKE (to others) He never did like McGraw. EXTERIOR GOOSE - DAY flying away from us. DISSOLVE TO EXTERIOR GOOSE - NIGHT now returning, a tropic moon on its wing. JAKE'S VOICE OVER We landed near the first island we found in the French mandate and rested until sunset. Then took off and climbed as high as the Goose could go. Down at sea level, it was still warm and balmy. INTERIOR REAR COCKPIT - CLOSE ON JACK shivering. JAKE'S VOICE OVER (continuing) But at twenty-five thousand feet we were all freezing our tails off. FEATURE SARAH She is freezing in the high altitude, hunched in a blanket. SARAH (chattering) How can I be so cold and so sleepy at the same time? Corky is beside her, not much better off, but experienced. CORKY Air gets pretty thin this high up. You get kinda dopey. SARAH How can Jake fly? CORKY He's got a bottle of oxygen. He'll be okay. SARAH If we don't freeze solid first. Corky shifts over to share his blanket with Sarah, kind of cuddling her. They snuggle. CORKY At least this is the tropics. You get up to twenty-five thousand feet over China and --- SARAH How many thousand? CORKY That's the ceiling for the Goose, see --- SARAH Hold it. A mile is five thousand two hundred and eighty feet, so we're nearly five miles up --- Right then the familiar growl of the engines sputters and quits. The silence that replaces it is eerie in the dark. ON JACK He lifts his head up showing himself to be completely buried under a pile of blankets. SARAH (continuing; hushed) ...and falling like a brick. INTERIOR COCKPIT - NIGHT - JAKE lit only by the red tinge of the instruments. A rubber tube droops from the corner of his mouth running to a small bottle of oxygen in his lap. He opens the valve on the bottle another crack and sucks on the oxygen. INTERCUT - EXTERIOR GOOSE - NIGHT The props come to a stop and are feathered. Beautiful and silent in the moonlight, only the rush of wind accompanies the Goose's steep glide toward the dark island below. Jake deftly controls the glide path, checking instruments and the tell- tale whine of a falling aircraft gets louder. EXTERIOR LAGOON - NIGHT - JAPANESE PATROL BOAT sitting at anchor. EXTERIOR LAGOON - NIGHT The Goose slaps onto the water, skips and then settles in. INTERCUT - INTERIOR GOOSE - FACES Jake and the others relieved and proud. Jake shows the thumbs-up sign and the others return it. JAKE'S VOICE OVER Maybe she was a brick, but she was a brick with the grace of a...Goose when she wanted to be. DISSOLVE TO EXTERIOR BEACH - DAY - THE GOOSE They've covered the plane with camouflage. Jake, Corky, Sarah, Kramer and Jack are setting out into the jungle. JAKE'S VOICE OVER By dawn, we had the Goose so covered with vegetation that patrol boat couldn't have spotted us from ten feet away. EXTERIOR JAPANESE PATROL BOAT - STOCK moving across the lagoon only a few hundred yards away. CLOSE ON JAKE watching from the jungle. JAKE'S VOICE OVER Of course, they weren't looking for us...they were looking for Kramer's plane. I just hoped we'd beat them to it. MATCHING ANGLE - WIDER - BINOCULAR MATTE following Jake as he leads the others into the bush. REVERSE - ON JAPANESE SCOUT lowering his binoculars. He is hiding on the beach behind a stand of seagrape. He speaks softly into the headset of the field radio he wears on his back. SCOUT (in Japanese) Come ashore. They've gone island. The scout clips the handset onto the radio and hurries stealthily after the party. EXTERIOR LAGOON - PATROL BOAT - DAY - STOCK turning toward shore. CUT TO VARIOUS SHOTS - THE HIKERS cutting and hacking through the dense brush, swatting insects, suffering from the heat and the clinging vines. EXTERIOR EDGE OF SWAMP - DAY The swamp water is covered with a low haze. Jake wrestles through a mat of creepers on the bank. SARAH Have to hand it to you, Jake. You sure know how to cut a trail. JAKE A little muck on the boots never hurt anybody. ANGLE TO JACK He barks twice for "yes" and backs away from the swamp. ON JAKE JAKE So, we'll carry you. (to Sarah) Come on, it's fine. SARAH It sure doesn't smell fine. JAKE Swamp gas --- CORKY'S VOICE Jake! Over here. EXTERIOR ANOTHER SECTION OF SWAMP - DAY not visible from where Jake and Sarah are standing. Across this stretch of swamp, a series of bamboo rafts have been laid end to end forming a road over the water. Jake and Sarah join Corky and Kramer already studying the road. KRAMER Who do we thank for this? JAKE Nobody...I hope. Come on. Jake leads the party, stepping carefully from one raft to the other. Then into the thick brush on the far bank. Jack keeps looking back. ANGLE TO SHORE The Japanese scout peers warily at the rafts, waits a beat, then hurries across. ACROSS SCOUT TO JACK Jack is returning alone to the foot of the raft bridge to surprise the scout. Jack growls and the scout stops a few rafts short of shore. Jack looks off to the water. ON THE WATER A disturbance under the swamp water suggests a huge creature moving swiftly toward the bank. The motion causes the vapor clinging to the water to swirl and part. Whatever it is, it's twenty or thirty feet long, massive and powerful. The swish of what might be a tail kicks water out of the swamp and onto Jack and the scout. CREATURE'S POINT OF VIEW - THE SCOUT moving rapidly toward the Japanese scout who turns and sees his fate, eyes bulging with terror. WIDE The scout's scream is lost in a gurgle as he is violently thrown from the raft which heaves high off the water. The water froths and then grows quiet, the Japanese scout never surfacing. ON JACK He backs a few steps then turns tail and charges after the others. EXTERIOR CRASH SITE - DAY The shattered cargo plane is surrounded by burning torches and is partially reconstructed with bamboo and woven grass. Several large rocks form an altar. The hikers push through a wall of greenery and stop dead when they see the plane. ON SARAH Wide-eyed, she takes a few steps into the clearing. SARAH I've never seen anything --- JAKE Careful, Sarah! There is a sharp twang and Jake dives, tackling Sarah away as a limber log, studded with bamboo shivs drops where she had been standing. The others also dive for cover, then warily stand as Jake fingers the strand of coconut fiber Sarah tripped. JAKE Careful! The natives who went to all this trouble obviously don't want us just barging in. INTERIOR WRECK - DAY - LOOKING OUT THE HATCH as Jake, Sarah and Corky pick their way toward it, Kramer behind. The cargo space is empty, not even a crate left. Jake signals the others to wait as he enters and makes for the cockpit. Kramer is nervous, squinting into the gloom. Jack puts his feet on the edge of the hatch and barks. JAKE'S POINT OF VIEW - THE COCKPIT A figure is seated in the pilot's chair, officer's hat still on its head. They all see it simultaneously. Kramer pulls his gun as the figure, disturbed by Jake's progress, begins to fall out of the chair. SARAH My God! JAKE It's McGraw. The figure slowly twists out of the chair as if to rise. FADE OUT _END OF ACT TWO_ _ACT THREE_ FADE IN EXTERIOR CLEARING - DAY - CARGO PLANE looking in through the shattered cockpit windows. The eerie figure of the pilot stares back at us through the hollow eyes of a human skull as Jake ducks over its shoulder and turns the figure to see: CLOSER It is a human likeness made of woven wicker/bamboo with a flier's hat perched on the skull. JAKE (to the others) It's only bamboo...most of it. KRAMER You...don't think that's McGraw? ON JACK He barks once for "no." INTERIOR CARGO PLANE - DAY Jake turns to find Kramer behind the others with his gun drawn. JAKE Jack's right, it's just a dummy. (sees Kramer's gun) What's wrong? KRAMER I heard something outside. Jake draws his gun. EXTERIOR PLANE - DAY Corky and Sarah peer out from the windows while Jake, Kramer and Jack scan the area. Jake holsters his revolver. Kramer grudgingly does likewise. KRAMER Sorry, this place has got me hearing things. JAKE Just because you're hearing things doesn't mean there isn't something to hear. Corky and Sarah come out of the plane. SARAH What does that mean? JAKE (making light) Nothing to worry about. Jack barks once. SARAH That's right. People who try to turn other people into lace curtains are plenty to worry about. JAKE Sarah, it's perfectly safe back at the Goose. CORKY Jake's right. JAKE You and Kramer go back, Corky and I'll camp here. Corky doesn't like the sound of this. Neither does Sarah. CORKY Oh. SARAH If you stay, I stay. JAKE This ground's awfully hard, Sarah, and things crawl around in the jungle at night, right over your face, sometimes.... SARAH Just stop it. I'm staying and that's the end of it. KRAMER I don't see what good it'll do for anybody to stay. McGraw's body's not here. And the natives cleaned the cargo out. SARAH I agree. Why camp here when we have to find them? JAKE Because, it's a big island and if this is a "cargo cult" -- they'll be back here before long to worship, saving us the trouble. KRAMER Cargo cult? JAKE Take a primitive tribe well off the beaten path; a shipwreck washes ashore or a plane comes down and the locals think they've been favored by the gods. They've gone to all the trouble to turn this Gooney Bird into a temple. They'll be back. Sarah takes Corky's machete and begins cutting down a broad-leafed palm frond to make a pallet. SARAH And, they'll find us...all of us waiting for them, to demand our property back.... JAKE Demand isn't exactly the right word. SARAH Cajole...badger...plead...standing here arguing semantics isn't going to get camp made. Sarah moves off purposefully hacking at fronds. Jake and Kramer exchange grins. Corky buttonholes Jake. CORKY As long as we're staying, Jake...what about the Japanese? In case Jack wants to know. JAKE They were still in the lagoon when we left. I think we've got enough of a jump on them so they can't make it this far until tomorrow. CORKY (relieved) Good...that'll make Jack feel a lot better. Jack barks once. CUT TO EXTERIOR JUNGLE - DAY A patrol of Japanese soldiers is moving through the bushes. The shadows are getting long, making the thick jungle brush a dark, forbidding mass. One soldier has a field radio matching the one worn by the dead scout. This radio man is trying to raise the scout, speaking softly into the handset of his radio. RADIO MAN (in Japanese) Do you hear me, over? Do you hear me? But when the radio man releases the switch on the handset, all we hear is static. He shakes his head and addresses his lieutenant. RADIO MAN (continuing; in Japanese) I'm sorry, sir. I cannot contact him. The lieutenant looks concerned, studies his compass, referring to a field map. Then he looks at the fading light and shakes his head. LIEUTENANT (in Japanese) We cannot go on. Make camp. (to radio man) Keep trying. With the universal relief of soldiers everywhere, the Japanese shrug off their heavy packs and begin to unroll their tents, talking in low tones. ON THE LIEUTENANT He checks his watch, again looking inland, impatient. RADIO MAN (into radio) Can you hear me, over?... CUT TO EXTERIOR CRASH SITE - NIGHT The campfire has burned down. Kramer, Sarah, and Corky are asleep around it, each on a makeshift pallet, covered by a coat or a small blanket. JAKE'S VOICE OVER It's one thing to talk about do-or-die missions in the daylight. It's another at night when you're looking out into that jungle beyond the reach of your firelight.... Scanning the dark jungle perimeter. JAKE'S VOICE OVER (continuing) ...and you know you've got company. ON CORKY He's asleep. His eyes flutter open as he senses off-screen movement, he lurches around and opens his eyes very slowly, afraid of what he might see. It's Jake and Jack. CORKY Somethin' wrong? JAKE No...It'll be light soon. It's your watch. Corky collects his thoughts for a minute. CORKY Oh, sure, Jake. You gonna get some shut eye? JAKE Thought I'd poke around the wreck one more time.... Sarah and Kramer have remained asleep. Corky follows Jake and Jack away, a little leery of their destination. INTERIOR CARGO PLANE - NIGHT - LOOKING OUT Jake leads the way inside. They carry burning brands from the fire. JAKE Maybe find something that'll give us an edge. CORKY (scared) An edge against what? Jack is rooting at a spot in the cargo compartment. Jake kneels down to a flush-fitted sliding panel. JAKE (ignores Corky's remark) Good boy, Jack. Overwater flights usually carry a good supply of --- Jake flips it open revealing several rows of smoke canisters. JAKE (continuing) Smoke markers. CORKY (eyes lighting) Boy, they missed something there. That'd be powerful medicine to any natives. JAKE Yep. (looks around) Maybe there's somethin' else. NEW ANGLE Corky begins to nose around the eerie fuselage toward the cockpit as Jake inspects the smoke flares. CORKY'S FACE A puzzled concern creases his brow. INSERT - RADIO DIAL Slowly, Corky checks the dial setting. CORKY'S VOICE (hushed) Hey...Jake. RESUME SCENE CORKY (continuing) International voice distress frequency is two-one-oh point eight-two kilocycles, right? JAKE (coming forward) You know it is. CORKY Well, Kramer was sending a mayday on...four-fifty-six point seven kilocycles. (looks up) What's that? JAKE (grim) The main tactical frequency for the Japanese Imperial Navy. Jack growls. Jake and Corky turn and Corky yells in surprise. THEIR POINT OF VIEW THROUGH THE COCKPIT WINDOW Looking in at them, squatting, crouching like motionless statues in the thinning shadows are several dozen alter guardians led by a grizzled shaman. They wear body paint and loin cloths, raised tattoos, and tooth and tusk modifications of noses and ears. Some carry primitive bows and arrows, others thin-shanked spears. Some have torches. EXTERIOR WRECK - NIGHT Jake and Corky step quietly from the wreck. The natives are silent and wary. Jack gives them a wide berth. ANGLE TO CAMPFIRE Kramer is gone. Jake nudges Sarah. She comes awake and he stifles a scream. JAKE Just move slow and easy, Sarah. SARAH I won't move...at all. JAKE Where's Kramer? SARAH I...I don't know. He was asleep. CORKY Sarah...he's in cahoots with the Japanese. SARAH (triumphant to Jake) I told you! JAKE (eyeing natives) You told me he was too ill to come along. But let's not argue about that now, we've got bigger problems. ANGLE ON SHAMAN AND AIDES Their heads are inside thin-stripped bamboo "birdcage" masks so abstracted and stylized that only slowly has it dawned on us that the ribbed slivers of bamboo are assembled as faithful copies of the inner superstructure from the downed plane. NEW ANGLE - MORE PRIMITIVES There is a surreal overlay of adornment, western skivvies, pilot's leather cap, a camera, flight jackets here and there and aviator glasses. A couple of men puff on Lucky Strikes like inexperienced children. They cough uncontrollably. Jake stands and strides slowly to the shaman. He illustrates what he says with over elaborate arm gestures. JAKE (continuing) I'm Jake Cutter...I fly. (flaps arms) You know, fly, fly, like in this _airplane_.... SARAH Oh brother, to think my life depends on this. But the natives are enchanted, breaking into broad smiles and rocking and bobbing rhythmically. JAKE You can thank me later. The shaman raises his spear and all smiles and movement cease. He scrutinizes Jake for an excruciatingly long beat, then reaches into a deep pouch. Jack's worry rumbles in his throat. INSERT - SHAMAN'S HAND reappearing with a pack of gum. BACK WIDE He offers Jake a stick, which Jake takes with relief. JAKE Good, very good. He ritually unwraps the gum, aware that some of the warriors are unwrapping their own gum in an exact copy of his movements. JAKE (to the others) If you don't like spearmint, keep it to yourself. SARAH My favorite. Corky and Sarah take their gifts of gum. Everyone chews enthusiastically for several beats. Jake nudges Sarah, under his breath. JAKE (to her) Take a look at what's on those totem poles. ANGLE - A CLUSTER OF PORTABLE TOTEM POLES bedecked with feathers and bones, now freshly stuck in the soft earth. Hanging from each are a pair of gunsights amidst feathers and beads. The gunsights are about six inches across, like elaborate lenses with cross hairs and optics which occasionally glint in the torchlight. WIDER SARAH Gunsights? JAKE The new ones...the prototypes. CORKY We'll never get them away from this outfit. JAKE (special meaning) If we don't, the Japanese will. And, they won't waste time standing around chewing gum, either. ANOTHER ANGLE Jake smilingly gestures the shaman over to one of the poles and casually reaches up to bring down one of the gunsights. ANGLE - TOP OF THE POLE Instantly Jake's hand is outlined by several bird-tipped, half-size arrows far more deadly than their toy-like size indicates. JAKE (to Sarah) So much for the demanding. SARAH Maybe if you explained the vital strategic importance... (off Jake's look) No...I guess they wouldn't understand that. BACK WIDER Jack pulls back his hand and smiles to the shaman. JAKE (continuing) I'm willing to trade...trade? I give you...you give me...happy, happy. He gestures extravagantly. The shaman understands and nods. SARAH We don't have anything to trade. Jake snaps his fingers. JAKE Your watch. SARAH This is my fourth year Glee Club watch. JAKE Sarah.... Jake takes the watch and holds it up to the shaman's ear. The ticking is an instant hit. The shaman takes the watch and holds it to the ears of his aides. CORKY Here, Jake. Give him this. It's a tiny, flip-page story book. He gestures the islanders to look closely as he flips the pages and their eyes widen at the "motion picture" effect. They emulate what they've seen. SARAH What is that? CORKY It's this dancer from Singapore.... JAKE You don't want to know.... Jake fishes around and comes up with a chocolate bar. JAKE American chocolate. Mmm...good. CORKY Jake! American chocolate? JAKE Sorry, Corky. I was saving it for you. ON THE SHAMAN as he tastes the chocolate. JAKE Now, you give me _these_. Jake has again reached for the gunsights. He edges closer with them at his fingertips when another volley of needle arrows blocks off his reach. WIDER Jake turns and shrugs to the goods he's just traded. "What gives?" The shaman steps forward and drapes one string of beads around Jake's neck. The shaman is pleased with his business acumen, Jake not so much. JAKE Oh, thank you. SARAH I hear the bead market is bullish these days. An approaching drum beat in the background alerts them. ANGLE TO TRAIL A chanting, ceremonial procession led by more warriors, followed by incense bearers and then a shoulder-borne litter with a bamboo woven throne. The thick incense obscures the slumped figure in the throne, torchlight flickering on him. ANGLE - CHAIR GOD The incense cloys and swirls. Then the smoke clears before a slumped Randall McGraw, tattered khakis and a pilot's oxygen mask dangling loosely from his ashen face. FADE OUT _END OF ACT THREE_ _ACT FOUR_ FADE IN EXTERIOR SUNRISE - DAY - STOCK Dawn breaks over the island. EXTERIOR CARGO PLANE AREA - DAY - LONG - BINOCULAR MATTE Jake, Sarah and Corky are hovering over McGraw who has been set down. The cargo cultists are acting protective and deferential toward McGraw. EXTERIOR CLEARING - DAY A patrol of Japanese soldiers is gathered around the base of a tree. Their lieutenant is up on a branch with the binoculars. He drops to the ground gesturing his men onward. LIEUTENANT Mo ii. The men follow him into the bush. EXTERIOR CARGO PLANE AREA - DAY - THE THRONE LITTER Jake removes McGraw's oxygen mask. The tribesmen crowd around them, high and low, like a human amphitheater. JAKE McGraw? (to others) They've turned him into a god. McGraw is half delirious, sweaty. MC GRAW Who are...you? (focuses) Jake Cutter! That really you? JAKE In the flesh. MC GRAW (shakes his head) Thought Chennault sent you stateside to recoup. JAKE I only got as far as the Marivellas. MC GRAW (sees Jack) Jack. Hell, he lost your eye again. Jack barks twice. MC GRAW And Corky? Where's Corky? Corky moves into his sight. CORKY (doesn't like him) Hi, McGraw. MC GRAW Still sucking a bottle or has Jake got you weaned? SARAH (steps in) That's not very nice. McGraw looks her over, then to Jake. MC GRAW Now I know why you only got this far. JAKE (shakes his head) McGraw...Kramer's with us. MC GRAW I'll be damned. He got picked up and came back for me. Didn't think that wet-behind-the-ears kid had it in him. JAKE He didn't. (beat) We found your radio set for a Japanese tact freq. He sent your SOS to them. MC GRAW What! JAKE He was probably going to shoot you and drop your plane into the shallows. That's why the Japanese Imperial Navy is crawling all over the place. They were waiting for you. McGraw tries to get up but is too weak. MC GRAW Why that dirty son of a.... CORKY Blue-faced booby? JAKE (holding him down) Take it easy, you're in no shape to get into a donnybrook with anyone. SARAH Besides...Kramer's gone. Took off last night. CORKY Jake...you don't think he's trying to hook up with the Japanese! MC GRAW (looking at Corky) Still slow on the uptake, ain't he. JAKE (pissed) Look, McGraw! MC GRAW (innocent) Yeah? JAKE (recovering his composure) Sarah...Corky. See if you can edge back into the wreck. We could use some big medicine. SARAH What? CORKY Hey...I know what you mean, Jake. Come on Jack...Sarah. ANOTHER ANGLE Sarah is confused, but she follows Corky and Jack's lead back to the wreck. The natives watch, but don't stop them. We move in on Jake and McGraw checks his wounds. JAKE Why didn't you jump? MC GRAW Not my style. You oughta know that. JAKE Yeah. MC GRAW (bit of boast) You should have seen me, Cutter. I was buckin' sixty-knot winds and only had one engine, but I put that bird in here like a chorus girl slippin' her leg into a silk stocking. (looks up) Saved those gunsights for Chennault. JAKE (touch of admiration) Gotta give you credit, McGraw...you did that. MC GRAW Damn right. Now how we gonna get 'em back? JAKE You're the god. MC GRAW They won't let me outta this throne. JAKE Maybe I oughta leave you there. MC GRAW (laughs) Naw...You may not like me, but you'd never leave a fellow Tiger here. Sarah and Corky return with armloads of smoke markers. Even Jack has one in his mouth. SARAH Jake. These might work to get us out of here, but... (looks at McGraw) He'll never make it. MC GRAW (smiles) You just set those babies off and watch, honey. Jake can't help but smile. He turns to the shaman. JAKE (holding out canister) This big magic. From fire god...Pele. The shaman looks at the canister curiously. CORKY I don't think he knows who Pele is, Jake. JAKE Then let's show him. Jake pulls the pin, setting off the canister, tossing it at his feet. The natives fall back in awe, only the shaman holds his ground. Jake holds out another canister. MC GRAW Hand it to him, Cutter. He can't chicken out...the others won't respect him. Jake extends the unignited canister and the shaman slowly takes it. He pulls the igniter and holds it a second until it burns his hand, then tosses it and dances around it, laughing and chattering. Corky and Sarah set off others. The smoke canisters fascinate the natives. They twirl and wave in the plumes as smoky chaos envelops all; it's hard to see many figures through the dense haze. It grows unexpectedly into an opaque fog and the natives get crazed. EXTERIOR JUNGLE TRAIL - DAY Sarah, then Corky and Jake helping McGraw emerge from the smoke and make their way along the trail. JAKE Get going! I'll catch up with you!! He's doubled back into the smoke. SARAH Jake! CORKY Come on, Sarah!! Sarah rushes to help Corky with McGraw and the three continue ahead into the bush. EXTERIOR CARGO PLANE AREA - IN SMOKE Dark shapes hurtle and dance in and out of sight, groping at him. ANGLE - GUNSIGHT ON TOTEM POLE Jake's machete slices the thong around the sights. ANGLE - ANOTHER TOTEM, ANOTHER TWO GUNSIGHTS EXTERIOR JUNGLE TRAIL - DAY Corky, Sarah and McGraw are hustling along as best they can. Jake catches up with them. They all catch their breath. Jake holds out one of the shoulder pouches -- full of gunsights. JAKE I got 'em! SARAH Jake, you're terrific. MC GRAW Oh, brother! EXTERIOR SWAMP - DAY Jake and Corky lead with McGraw between them, and Sarah brings up the rear as they cross the "road" of rafts across the swamp. A gun shot rings out, kicking up splinters in front of them. THEIR POINT OF VIEW - KRAMER rising out of the bush on the far shore, taking careful aim to shoot again. ON GROUP Sarah turns to run back toward the other shore, but Jake hauls her onto the rafts. JAKE Get down! They all dive onto their faces as the second shot narrowly misses. Jake draws and fires his revolver making Kramer duck for cover. JAKE Take cover behind the rafts. Jake is about to slide over the side when McGraw pulls him back. MC GRAW No! Hold it, Cutter! THEIR POINT OF VIEW - THE WATER Next to their raft the water splits across the thick, powerful back of the swamp's denizen as it slices past, larger than the raft itself, rolling sinuously. The raft heaves as the creature dives underneath. Its tail smacks a solid wall of spray across Jake and the others. BACK ON RAFT Sarah screams. Jake reflexively curls her into his arms for protection. The rocking stops. The water again still and sinister. SARAH My God! What was that? CORKY I don't know...but I hope I never find out. ON KRAMER He is holding two vines which lead out into the swamp. He drapes them across his shoulder and begins to haul. ON THE GROUP Kramer has rigged the vines to the rafts, one in front of, one behind Jake's party. They can't jump in time to catch the rafts. Jake looks around, frantic. JAKE Corky! Where's Jack? CORKY He was right behind us...he was... (pointing) Right there! ANGLE TO JACK running full tilt with a smoke canister in his mouth. He bounds, as only a dog could do, from the last raft in the "road" to one that Kramer has moved out of place, to the one on which the others stand. A massive surge beside Jack sends the last raft he hit flying like toothpicks. JAKE Good boy.... Jack drops the canister in Jake's hand and barks twice in happy agreement. ON KRAMER He has tied the vines to a branch and is returning to the bank, pistol in hand, to finish his work. KRAMER'S POINT OF VIEW - THE SWAMP Jake has ignited the smoke marker and the smoke is quickly blocking Kramer's view. He can't find a target and fires blindly. ON GROUP inside their protective shroud of smoke. Jake strips off his jacket, then takes McGraw's and ties the two together. Then gives Sarah a sleeve. JAKE Take this, Sarah. Don't let go. Corky, you make sure you bring the gunsights. MC GRAW Where are you going? JAKE You know...hot day, cool inviting jungle pool.... ON SARAH coughing from the smoke. Wincing as another splash covers them, then dropping to her knees for balance as the raft rocks crazily. Jake has taken a gunsight out of the sack and is fiddling with the focus controls as he peers around the otherwise opaque cloud of smoke. JAKE'S POINT OF VIEW THROUGH THE GUNSIGHT The special optics of the sight create an eerie effect. Past the cross- hatchings and alignment numbers the sight allows Jake to pierce the smoke long enough to spot the nearest raft. JAKE'S VOICE There we are...the Tigers are gonna love these. ON KRAMER also unable to see into the smoke. He hears a noise behind him and turns. A Japanese soldier appears in the brush, then ducks out of sight. ON JAKE He eases off the raft, holding one sleeve of the jacket, Sarah has the other. He strokes through the smoke-covered water for the invisible raft. CLOSE ON SARAH AND MC GRAW as they watch Jake disappear in the heavy smoke, but she has the sleeve. SARAH What about that...that thing. MC GRAW Shoot...it's probably more afraid of us than we are of it. At that moment we hear thrashing in the water where Jake disappeared. SARAH Jake! She only draws gunfire from Kramer and they duck. CLOSEUP - JAKE'S FINGERS feeling above the surface, grasping the bamboo side of the raft he's after. He pops up. JAKE Sarah! Pull! In the middle between the two rafts, Jake takes the strain in his arms as Sarah pulls on the jacket. Slowly the two rafts close the distance until Jake can roll onto one of them just as the water is cleaved where he had been a moment before. Corky helps McGraw change rafts, also carefully carrying the sack of gunsights. Jake picks up the vine Kramer used to pull the raft aside and begins to haul on it, moving the raft toward the shore. ON KRAMER He's looking anxiously into the bush, spotting a fleeting Japanese soldier here and there. One of the Japanese soldiers fires his rifle. Kramer ducks for cover. KRAMER Don't shoot! In response, the Japanese open up in earnest, a withering volley of fire that peppers the foliage around Kramer. KRAMER (continuing) Cease fire, you idiots. I'm with you! But the firing continues, forcing Kramer to duck into the bush along the bank of the swamp. ON JAPANESE SOLDIERS The lieutenant waves his men after Kramer. EXTERIOR SWAMP - DAY - ANOTHER SPOT - ON KRAMER Running, ducking as rifle fire spits through the leaves around him. He finds himself backing into the swamp water, nowhere to hide. A bullet catches him in the thigh, spinning him backwards, over the bank and into the water. CREATURE'S POINT OF VIEW Cruising toward the unsuspecting man who only gets a moment to realize his fate before: BACK WIDE The water splits with a boiling fury and despite his anguished thrashing, Kramer is swallowed up. In seconds the placid surface of the water is again unmarked. The Japanese gather around the shore, ad libbing wonder and awe in Japanese. One of them points back. ANOTHER ANGLE Jake and the others emerge out of the smoke like wraiths, pulling next to the bank, a distance away from where Kramer went in. Using the remaining smoke as cover, they plunge into the bush just as the Japanese spot them. The chase is on. EXTERIOR BEACH - DAY The Goose is where they left it. Jake and the others hit the water thrashing and wading out. CLOSE ON GOOSE Jake punches through the palm fronds covering the hatch and half helps and half throws Sarah holding Jack inside. Corky follows. INTERIOR GOOSE - DAY Together Corky and McGraw get in. JAKE Warm her up. I'll cut us loose. EXTERIOR LAGOON - DAY Jake hauls the camouflage off the Goose, splashing toward the bow where lines secure it to palms. ON ENGINE It cranks to life, black smoke pouring out. The other turns over right behind it. ON JAKE He shoves at the bow, backing the Goose into the water. Jake signals Corky to put the juice to the seaplane. JAKE Get her out of here, Corky! The Goose begins to move. EXTERIOR BEACH - ON JAPANESE as they emerge and open fire. NEW ANGLE Jake slogs after the plane, trying for a grip on the sill of the hatch as the Goose gains momentum. Sarah leans way out, offering a hand. Bullets hit beside the hatch. ON THE BEACH Japanese soldiers are rushing onto the beach, firing. INTERIOR THE GOOSE'S CABIN - DAY Jake flings himself aboard. SARAH Oh, Jake! She kisses him, but before he can respond: CORKY'S VOICE (panicking) J...Jake! ANGLE - FROM COCKPIT TO CABIN Jake struggles against acceleration and careening of the Goose over the waves and slings himself into the cockpit. JAKE Okay, Corky, I'll.... We widen to see McGraw at the controls; he's close to passing out, but determined to get the Goose in the air. MC GRAW (weakly) Ease off, kid. I can do it. On that, he passes out. Jake changes places with Corky and takes the controls. JAKE I got her. CLOSE ON JAKE His eyes widen in surprise. HIS POINT OF VIEW - AHEAD The Japanese patrol boat is cutting across their path. Its deck gun firing. EXTERIOR LAGOON - DAY - THE GOOSE Shells burst in the water around the plane as Jake urges it into the air. The Goose breaks free, rising, and Jake immediately wings over to escape the patrol boat's fire. INTERIOR COCKPIT - DAY as Jake trims up, looking below, pulling out of his bank. McGraw comes to. MC GRAW (grabbing for controls) I...got her. Jake looks at him and lets go of the controls. EXTERIOR THE GOOSE It suddenly dives toward the deck. INTERIOR COCKPIT McGraw tries to pull up, but he can't...he's too weak. Jake just watches him. Corky and Sarah are speechless. JAKE For once in your life, McGraw, admit you can't do something! MC GRAW (straining) I...I could use a little help. Jack barks twice. Jake grabs the controls and pulls the Goose back up. Sarah and Corky let out a sigh of relief. EXTERIOR ON THE GOOSE as it pulls out of the dive and flies into the distance. FADE OUT _END OF ACT FOUR_ _TAG_ FADE IN INTERIOR MONKEY BAR - DAY McGraw, in bandages, Sarah and Jake are sitting at a table having something to eat. MC GRAW (wolfing it down) God, I haven't been this hungry since I got those three Zekes over Hankow in one morning. JAKE (slowly) Three Zekes and one Tiger. SARAH What do you mean? JAKE I was his wingman that day.... SARAH And.... MC GRAW (still eating) He got shot down. JAKE Trying to pull a Zeke off your tail while you insisted on going after your third kill. MC GRAW (shrugs) Didn't ask you to do that. JAKE I was your wingman! It was my job. MC GRAW Then what's your beef? Jake looks at him in disbelief. MC GRAW (wiping his mouth) Tell you what, Cutter. When I get back to China, I'll make it up to you. I'm gonna tell Chennault how you lent a hand in getting those gunsights back. Yes, sir. You got my word on that. Jake just stares at him in disbelief. McGraw smiles and turns to Gushie. MC GRAW (shouts) Let's have another round of beers over here. CLOSE ON SARAH AND JAKE as Sarah leans into him. SARAH Why don't you slug him? JAKE Sarah...it wouldn't do any good. There's a commotion at the door. ANGLE ON DOOR as Doc Doyle enters and crosses to the bar, Willie and Louie enter with Corky suspended between them. His jaws are swollen like the mumps. They help him to Jake's table. ANGLE AT THE TABLE - CLOSE ON CORKY still cradling his jaw. Jack has followed Corky in. WILLIE Well, it was a trial, but I must say, Corky endured the kind attentions of Herr Doyle with the patience of Job. LOUIE Except for punching him in the stomach, but I'm sure that was an accident. Jack barks once. Gushie rolls up with a new round of beers. Corky reflexively reaches for one, then catches himself. He looks at Jake, mumbling plaintively. GUSHIE I think that means "Please, Jake...just one." Corky nods emphatically, then grabs his jaw. WIDER JAKE Anybody who can sit in the Doc's chair for three hours deserves one cold beer. Corky snatches up the beer. He's about to take a deep drink when Doyle holds up a hand. DOYLE I believe I told you, son...Nothin' cold for at least a week. They all ad lib, "Too bad, Corky," etc. Corky gives Doyle a murderous glare, looks around and then sets his beer in a hot shaft of light coming through the window. He sits next to it, crossing his arms. CORKY (with difficulty) Nothing wrong with warm. FREEZE FRAME FADE OUT _THE END_
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