Transcript: (1x13) USO Down

From Bravo 3/44th

Directed by: Ronald L. Schwary

Written by: Jim Beaver

See the Episode Guide

[1:41] Start The Show

THE BAND: Uno, dos, one, two, tres, quatro...

Wooly Bully.

Alright, watch it now, here it comes! Ah, here it comes, here it comes! Wooly Bully, boys, here we go!

♫ Matty told Hatty: "That's the thing to do.
Get you someone really to pull the wool with you."
Wooly bully, wooly bully.
Wooly bully, wooly bully, wooly bully. ♫

Ah, watch it now, here it comes, here it comes, look out, baby!

[3:46] Sing Vietnam National Anthem

LONG JOHN: Alright! Yeah, let's hear it, huh? Whoo! Alright. Great. Thank you very much. You guys have been great. Can't tell you how much we love ya. Yeah, let's hear it for the ladies, huh? The sax player Larry Carlin. Alright, thank you, gentlemen. Wanna let you guys know we appreciate all the sacrifices you've been making over here, covering our butts back in the States, taking care of our country. Alright! Yeah, you guys are great, I mean that. Alright, before we get outta here, everybody on their feet. We're all gonna sing the National Anthem of Vietnam.

One, two, one, two, three...

BAND & CROWD:

♫ We gotta get out of this place
If it's the last thing we ever do
We gotta get out of this place
Girl, there's a better life
For me and you. ♫

♫ We gotta get out of this place
If it's the last thing we ever do
We gotta get out of this place
Girl, there's a better life
For me and you. ♫

LONG JOHN: Alright, alright! Thank you very much! God bless you guys. Yeah, alright. Man, we had a good time singing with you boys. Y'all take care of yourselves. Stay in one piece. We love ya! Yeah! See y'all in the States!

[5:00] In The Belly Of The Chopper

CREW CHIEF: Let's go, let's go! Come on boys! Let's go—we gotta get to An Khe before dark. You don't wanna keep those First Cav boys waitin'.

APRIL: It'd be nice to have time to change our clothes.

CREW CHIEF: Be my guest. Let's go!

[5:34] Toenail Hygiene

TAYLOR: Man, my whole body turnin' into one big fungus. Behind my knees, my armpits, my crotch. Stuff's still spreadin' too, gonna turn me all green.

JOHNSON: Well look at it like this, Marcus, at least there's less prejudice against green people back in the world.

TAYLOR: Man, I got forty-five days an' a wake-up. I can't go home my skin flakin' off me, smellin' like I been dead for two weeks.

JOHNSON: Ain't nobody gonna know you, anyway.

TAYLOR: Huh, there's girls back home dyin' for what they ain't getting from me, 'cause I'm the trash talker, the woman stalker, the booty shaker, and the baby maker.

ANDERSON: Well now, well now. It just makes my heart leap for joy to hear a poet celebrating another morning in the bush.

TAYLOR: Well I'm glad somebody's happy.

ANDERSON: Well, tell you what, Taylor. I'm cold, I'm wet, I'm hungry, I'm tired, dirty, and I stink. That's everything a good rifleman lives for, eh Johnson?

TAYLOR: You forgot "ugly."

ANDERSON: No, I didn't.

ANDERSON: You guys ready to move your tails down the trail?

TAYLOR: Yeah, this better be the end of it, too. We done been out here three days and ain't seen nothin'. I think the NVA done called it off.

ANDERSON: Well that'd make me real happy too, Taylor. Now, since you're so glib and everythin' this morning and it's so quiet out here, I'm gonna let you take point.

[6:43] Point Man Fantasies

TAYLOR: Lord, have mercy!

ANDERSON: What's going on, Taylor?

TAYLOR: It's the heat, Sarge. I'm telling you, it's the heat!

ANDERSON: Hey, hey, heat don't make noise. Now, what did you see, son?

TAYLOR: A chick.

GOLDMAN: A chick? Right. Taylor, you been smokin' that weed again?

ANDERSON: Now, don't be playin' around, son.

TAYLOR: It was a white chick, with some shorts on and some leather boots. I'm telling you, Sarge, the heat done fried my brain.

JOHNSON: Hey, Taylor. You sure, man?

TAYLOR: You want her, you go get her. Sarge, don't put me on point no more.

TAYLOR: It was a white chick.

[8:21] Looking For White Chick

ANDERSON: Well, I'll tell you what, LT, that ain't no Ho Chi Minh sandal print.

GOLDMAN: You tell me something, Sergeant. You're the one with all the experience.

ANDERSON: No sir, you're the platoon leader. I thought they prepared you for this sort of thing at OCS.

GOLDMAN: Uh huh. Fine, let's follow it. I'll get the guys.

ANDERSON: Alright, Johnson, you're on point.

TAYLOR: Sarge, I didn't see what I thought I saw, did I?

ANDERSON: Taylor, what you see has always been a mystery to me.

[8:55] Runnin' Thru The Jungle

LONG JOHN: April!

APRIL: Oh, John... I thought I'd lost you.

LONG JOHN: What happened?

APRIL: I got turned around out there. I didn't know where I was going, and I heard voices. Men.

LONG JOHN: Coming here? VC?

APRIL: I don't know. I ran away.

LONG JOHN: Let's go.

[9:16] People Close By

LONG JOHN: Okay, look, there's people close by. We gotta move.

LARRY: Man, what kind of people?

LONG JOHN: I don't know, but we gotta get ready.

LARRY: What are we gonna do?

LONG JOHN: If it's VC, we're gonna hide. But if it's the Americans, they'll probably get us outta here, but for God's sake, keep her quiet.

COLBY: Shh... It's gonna be okay.

LARRY: Could you guys keep her quiet?

ANDERSON: Now, I dunno what we got here, but son, you'd better start talking.

LONG JOHN: Glad to see you, Sarge. John Vivian, USO group. You can call me Long John. Our chopper went down yesterday. We need some help.

ANDERSON: Yeah, yeah, sure. Wh-where?

LONG JOHN: Come on.

[10:54] USO Group In Boonies

ANDERSON: So, uh, Long John, uh, were there any other survivors?

LONG JOHN: No, the crew... Tex, Shorty, Sam, Max... they're all dead. How we got outta there, I don't know, and I don't think Christy's gonna make it, either.

GOLDMAN: She's in pretty bad shape.

ANDERSON: Well was the, was the pilot able to radio your position?

LONG JOHN: No, I think he got shot right away. After that, that bird went down like a grand piano.

GOLDMAN: Did you see any other dinks?

LONG JOHN: No, but I figured they were coming, so we headed the opposite direction where the bullets were coming from.

ANDERSON: Smart boy.

LONG JOHN: Eagle Scout.

[11:31] Move Us Out of Here

LARRY: So we found the Army. What are we doin'?

GOLDMAN: Well the first thing we're gonna do is try and help your friend over there, then we'll get you back to civilization or wherever you come from.

RUIZ: Let's go.

[12:03] Punctured A Lung

MATSUDA: Rib's probably punctured her lungs. Nothing I can do except take away the pain.

COLBY: She's not gonna die.

MATSUDA: There's not much more I can do.

GOLDMAN: Can she be carried?

MATSUDA: No way.

APRIL: I can't stand this—the band, the men on the helicopter... You save her!

COLBY: Shh...

[12:35] She's Gone

MATSUDA: She's gone, Lieutenant. I'm sorry.

APRIL: You have to save her!

COLBY: Shh... Shh, it's okay. Shh...

[13:19] Lighten Up, Son

LARRY: She's dead, isn't she?

GOLDMAN: Yeah.

LARRY: I-I don't see why you just can't radio for a chopper and get us out.

GOLDMAN: Well we got a little problem there. See, our batteries are too weak and we lost our spares in the stream yesterday.

LARRY: Oh, that's great. That's terrific. What the hell are we supposed to do, man? We're civilians!

GOLDMAN: That's apparent.

LARRY: The whole North Vietnamese Army could be waitin' for us.

LONG JOHN: Would you relax, Larry? These guys are trained for situations like this.

LARRY: No. No, why don't you relax, man? Their radio doesn't even work!

ANDERSON: Yo... son, now you lighten up. It'll go easier on everybody.

GOLDMAN: Let's move.

GOLDMAN: Listen, I'm sorry about this, but we've got to leave the body behind. As soon as we make some contact with some friendlies, we'll just send a Huey back for her.

LONG JOHN: Fair enough.

[13:50] Co-ed Trekking Thru Jungle

no dialogue

[14:28] Sarge, Can I Carry A Weapon?

LONG JOHN: Hey, Sarge. I was wondering if you, uh, got a weapon I could carry.

ANDERSON: Afraid not. We don't have time to check it out.

LONG JOHN: No problem. I'm qualified on most of 'em. M-16, -14, .30 caliber, .45.

ANDERSON: Oh yeah?

LONG JOHN: Really. Lot of military men in the family.

ANDERSON: You, uh, you just escaped, huh?

LONG JOHN: It wasn't exactly my choice. Lot of medical problems. Long story.

LONG JOHN: So, can you tell me where it is we're headed, or is it classified?

ANDERSON: Ah, it's no big deal. Just a snoop-and-poop last three days. That's, uh, recon for battalion operation. We turned up exactly nothin' till we found y'all.

LONG JOHN: So it's over?

ANDERSON: No, it ain't over. We gonna meet up with a ARVN platoon up here around the bend, and then it's over.

LONG JOHN: So, I guess we're home free, huh?

ANDERSON: Now, I hope that don't disappoint you, boy.

[15:23] Can't We Move Faster?

LARRY: Why are we moving so slow—?

ANDERSON: Shh shh shh.

LARRY: You guys are weirdin' me out. Can't we move any faster?

ANDERSON: Shut up.

[16:03] Bodies Strewn On Trail

APRIL: Are they Vietcong?

ANDERSON: Nope. Those are the ARVN we're supposed to meet up with.

LARRY: Oh, wow, man.

RUIZ: There it is.

[16:44] No One Around Now

PERCELL: There's no sign of anybody, Sarge. Whoever wasted these guys is probably long gone by now.

ANDERSON: Yeah.

LARRY: Or out there in the bush waiting to jump us.

LARRY: Hey, man, you gotta get us out of here.

GOLDMAN: Horn! You and Johnson take your shirts and give them to those girls. They're walking targets.

ANDERSON: LT, they got everything. The only thing they left behind was this rifle someone was laying on.

GOLDMAN: Great.

LARRY: You gotta think of something, man. I'm starting to weird out.

LONG JOHN: Larry, will you cool it? The lieutenant's got things under control. Now, give the guy a chance.

LONG JOHN: I'm sorry about that, Lieutenant. Some guys just ain't cut for this stuff.

ANDERSON: What do you think, LT?

GOLDMAN: Well we don't have any choice. We'll make a beeline straight for the battalion AO. And if we can flag a passing chopper, well, great. Meantime, go a straight line across here, I think that's our best bet—

LONG JOHN: I don't know about that, Lieutenant. A straight line through there, that's gonna take you through some pretty rough country. On the other hand, you take a reading about eight or nine degrees further south, like so, that might be a little bit longer, but we'll probably cover that a lot faster.

GOLDMAN: You can read this map?

LONG JOHN: Like I said... Eagle Scout.

ANDERSON: Boy's good officer material, LT.

LONG JOHN: And if you guys feel alright about it, I'd like to carry that extra rifle you found.

GOLDMAN: No way.

ANDERSON: Wait a second, LT. Are you sure you're squared away on the M-16?

LONG JOHN: I'll break it down with my eyes closed if you'd like.

ANDERSON: Well now, LT, it is another weapon. I mean, we could use it.

GOLDMAN: Okay. Now, you stick real close to the sergeant and don't go popping off with that thing, and keep it the hell away from your friend.

LONG JOHN: You got a deal.

[18:24] Bird Of Paradise Trail

PERCELL: Hey, you sure don't see flowers like them back home, do ya?

COLBY: Actually, they're quite common where I come from.

PERCELL: Yeah? Where's that?

COLBY: You don't wanna know where I'm from.

PERCELL: Sure I do.

COLBY: No, you don't. You don't wanna know where I'm from, and I don't wanna know where you're from.

PERCELL: Hey, look, I'm just trying—

COLBY: Look, I don't mean to be rude, but I'd just appreciate it if we could keep our life stories to ourselves, okay?

[18:55] Crossing The Brook

MATSUDA: Watch your step. Let me give you a hand, Colby.

COLBY: Oh, I think I can make it on my own, thanks.

TAYLOR: She's the cool one, Doc. I don't think she likes your basic G.I. type.

JOHNSON: Hey, look, we don't bite, okay?

COLBY: I know it.

TAYLOR: Why don't you lighten up, lady, and take a hand?

COLBY: Why don't you lighten up, soldier?

COLBY: Thank you.

JOHNSON: Our pleasure, ma'am.

COLBY: Thank you.

[20:00] Get Ready To Move Out

GOLDMAN: Alright, let's get the men ready to move.

LARRY: Excuse me, lieutenant, s-sergeant?

GOLDMAN: Yeah?

LARRY: Uh, well, maybe you Army guys are pretty used to it, uh, but we're kinda bushed. We could use a break to rest and dry off.

ANDERSON: Well your clothes will dry faster on the march, son.

LARRY: Yeah, well, that's great, but we're kinda hungry, too.

GOLDMAN: Alright, let's take five. Spread the chow around. Well they have been through a lot.

ANDERSON: Yes, sir.

[20:36] Food For The Weary Souls

LARRY: I can't decide whether to eat this stuff or pull the pin and throw it.

LONG JOHN: Where's the sarge going?

HORN: He and Taylor are going to do a little snoopin' up ahead.

LONG JOHN: Oh yeah? Maybe I'll go with them.

HORN: Hey, sit down. Don't make them worry about anything more than they have to. Just eat your c-rats, okay?

[21:00] Do Blonds Really Eat This?

APRIL: You guys really eat this stuff every day?

BAKER: Hey, well, it's that or nothin'.

APRIL: Like being in a war wasn't bad enough.

HORN: How did you guys end up playing rock 'n' roll for the USO?

LARRY: For me, strictly a job. Sometimes you gotta take what you can get. Long John actually wanted to come here. He turned down spots with a lot of good bands to take this gig.

HORN: Why?

LONG JOHN: There's a war going on, you gotta do what you can.

HORN: You're crazy, man.

LARRY: That's funny. That's what I said.

LONG JOHN: You know, you take the buffer pads out of that M-60, it'll fire a lot faster.

RUIZ: It fires fast enough.

[21:47] Danny Eats Alone

RUIZ: Can I be of some assistance?

COLBY: Uh, these bugs are eating me alive.

COLBY: Hey! Watch it!

COLBY: Keep your hands to yourself!

PERCELL: What'd you do, Roo?

RUIZ: Nothing, bro. My hand slipped.

COLBY: Ha.

RUIZ: I don't know why she's dressed like that if she don't want nobody touching her.

COLBY: Hey, that's not fair.

RUIZ: No, I'll tell you what ain't fair. You comin' over here shakin' your behind, then screamin' for help the minute somebody looks at you. Here!

[22:58] Barge Load of What?

PERCELL: Look, let it go. Just let it go.

COLBY: No, he's got a point. I mean, sometimes I think we're doing more harm than good. "Hey, guys, look all you want, go crazy, but whatever you do, don't touch!" Maybe they should just cut all the pretense and ship a barge load of whores over for you guys.

PERCELL: Colby. Colby, that's not how it is, and it's not all a guy thinks about. You know, to most of us over here, it'd mean a lot just to, just to talk to a woman from back home.

COLBY: Yeah? How long have you been in country?

PERCELL: A few months.

COLBY: Well I've been here eighteen. I'm twenty-five years old. You think I wouldn't like to talk to a woman from back home instead of constantly being pawed over by a bunch of nineteen-year-olds who haven't had a bath in three months?

PERCELL: If you hate being around us, then why are you here?

COLBY: I don't hate it! Look, I'm just tired, okay? I just, I just think I'd like to be alone right now, if you don't mind.

PERCELL: Sure.

[23:57] Some Jungle Jazz

ANDERSON: Hey! What the hell's goin' on here? What are you doin'? You think you're at The Fillmore or some damn thing?

HORN: We figured the river's pretty loud here, Sarge—

ANDERSON: There ain't no excuse for this, Horn. There's no excuse for this! These people got a right to be stupid—they're civilians—but you don't, buddy. Now, I want you people ready to move out, and that means all of ya now. Horn...

[24:56] Kids, L-T

GOLDMAN: What the hell's going on over here?

ANDERSON: Kids, LT. Why we're tryin' to fight this war with a bunch of kids, I'll never understand. Alright, LT, Taylor and I spotted a bunch of VC out there.

GOLDMAN: How many?

ANDERSON: I dunno, but they had enough supplies for a regiment or two. They're probably gonna hook up with some NVA regulars.

GOLDMAN: Great, just great. Alright, we gotta get back to Battalion and warn 'em. They're mounting an operation in the morning; they'll walk into this thing blind. Let's go.

[25:18] On The Move Again

LONG JOHN: Isn't this incredible? I was born for this stuff. When we get back I'm gonna give it another shot.

APRIL: What, enlisting? John, they're never gonna take you. How many times do they have to hit you before you stay down?

LONG JOHN: Why don't you quit raining on my parade? The medications workin' fine; I can soldier with the best of these guys.

APRIL: How? You've tried every legal means to enlist, and they turned you down every time.

LONG JOHN: Then I try illegal means.

[25:55] Ambushed Again

SOLDIER [o.s.]: Cover! Cover!

LONG JOHN: Stay down!

APRIL: John!

APRIL/COLBY: (scream)

SOLDIER [o.s.]: Need some ammo!

[26:41] Hey Thanks, Long John

GOLDMAN: Hey... Thanks. Really.

ANDERSON: Great reactions there.

LONG JOHN: I think I got 'em. I got that VC. C'mon, Sarge, why don't we go after 'em?

ANDERSON: No, no, no, no. No, we don't have time for that. We've got civilians and wounded here. We gotta get goin'.

LONG JOHN: C'mon, I ain't afraid.

ANDERSON: Hey, in this country, you're either afraid or you're crazy... or you're dead. Now, just take it easy, just take it real easy, now.

ANDERSON: Yo, Taylor... Keep an eye on that boy.

[27:23] The Blonds Are Spooked

APRIL: What was that?

BAKER: I didn't hear anything.

APRIL: You don't think it was them, do you?

BAKER: Look, I know you're scared, but... it'll be okay, alright?

APRIL: I'm scared, I really am.

JOHNSON: Hey, don't be scared. Look, the zips never make noise, so if you heard somethin', it couldn't be them. So you're alright, see?

APRIL: Please, God, I don't wanna die. Please.

LONG JOHN: Come on, April. Get a grip.

BAKER: Hey, look, April, try not to worry, really. It's gonna be alright, alright? Come on, come on.

[28:22] Hold Up, Troops

GOLDMAN: Hold it up, hold it up! Alright, five minutes. Take five.

APRIL: Ugh...

LARRY: Hey, what's the big hurry? We got a train to catch or somethin'?

LONG JOHN: No, I think they know something we don't. We're either running towards it or away from it.

LARRY: Hopefully away. I don't want to see anything like that again.

LONG JOHN: It gave me a rush, man. You see me in that firefight?

APRIL: John, how can you feel so good? You killed somebody.

LONG JOHN: So how good do you think I'd feel if I hadn't?

[29:04] Say What? Boy

LARRY: I have got to mellow out. Hey, yo, you got a joint on you?

ANDERSON: Say what?

LARRY: You do carry, don't ya?

ANDERSON: That's just what we need now, isn't it? Let me tell you somethin'. If I catch you with that stuff out here, I promise you, I'll make you walk home by yourself, and I'm serious. Slow reflexes get you killed out here.

LONG JOHN: You seem to worry a lot about getting killed, Sarge.

ANDERSON: You got somethin' better for me to worry about? Let me tell you somethin'. This war stuff, this ain't a game, and it ain't a movie. Now, this is real, and it's bad, and nobody whose ever seen it up close ever wants to see it again. And I don't know about you. I mean, five of your friends have been killed out here, and it doesn't seem to bother you at all.

[29:52] Point Man Taylor In Tall Grass

TAYLOR: VC, sir, about twenty of 'em, about a hundred meters. Look like stragglers.

GOLDMAN: Alright, get 'em down, get 'em quiet. We let them pass.

ANDERSON: Yes, sir.

GOLDMAN: Come on.

[30:43] VC Up Close and Personal

VC SOLDIERS: [speaking in Vietnamese] (transl: Watch your backs ... Keep your eyes out for GIs, you hear me? ... Watch your backs...)

GOLDMAN: Man, that was thin ice.

ANDERSON: Yeah.

GOLDMAN: Alright, let's move.

[31:28] On The Trail Again

GOLDMAN: Sergeant...

ANDERSON: Sir?

GOLDMAN: Let's take a ten-minute break. These guys are tired.

ANDERSON: Yes, sir. Alright, everybody. Pit stop.

APRIL: How far are we going today?

BAKER: Well, Lieutenant wants to head for that ridge up there.

APRIL: God, why so far?

BAKER: Well, we certainly can't get caught out here tonight, and also from up there, we might get a line-of-sight shot with the radio.

APRIL: I don't understand.

BAKER: Well, well, see, the batteries in the radio are so low that our signals won't make it over that hill. But if we get up high enough, Battalion just may pick up those signals.

ANDERSON: LT, I say let's get movin'. If this rain keeps up, we're gonna get stuck.

GOLDMAN: Ah, we should still make it in a couple hours.

ANDERSON: Yeah, if soldier boy back there doesn't start World War III.

GOLDMAN: Hey, now show some respect. He just saved your platoon leader's life. Besides that, he's an Eagle Scout.

[32:45] I Left My Saxophone

LARRY: Lieutenant! Lieutenant!

GOLDMAN: Yeah.

LARRY: My horn!

GOLDMAN: Your horn?

LARRY: My horn, my saxophone. I left it back when we hid from those gooks!

GOLDMAN: Well I'm sorry about that, Carlin, but there's nothing I can do.

LARRY: You're sorry? Oh, no way! I'm flipping out, I am flipping out. We gotta go back for it.

GOLDMAN: No, Carlin, we're not gonna go back and get it. Now, we almost got killed back there. I'm not gonna go back for a saxophone.

LARRY: You don't understand. You wanna see me cry? Okay, look, I'm cryin' here. I am crying. These are real tears. Lieutenant! Look... it's not just a saxophone, it's an heirloom. My father bought that horn from Charlie Parker. Now, we're going back to get it right now, do you hear me? Right now!

GOLDMAN: No, you hear me! Now, first of all, I don't know who Charlie Parker is, and second of all, I've had it up to here with your kvetching and your whining. Now, I know you guys are rock 'n' roll singers, and that you're not trained soldiers, but you can at least try and act like an adult. Now, my job is to get us back alive, and I am going to do that, even if I gotta leave... fifty saxophones behind. Now, we're gonna make it to that ridge over there by sundown, and we're gonna leave in five minutes. Got it?

[34:01] I Don't Know You Anymore

LARRY: Great. Some damn officer. We walk around all day headed nowhere, and now when it matters, he's suddenly gotta be someplace.

LONG JOHN: He's just like an old woman. All he cares about is gettin' home in time for chow.

APRIL: That is not true. These guys are trying to get us home alive.

LONG JOHN: April, honey, why don't you just stay out of this? 'Cause this has nothing to do with you.

APRIL: John, I really don't think that we got engaged so that we could stay out of each others' lives. Ever since you killed that guy, it's like I don't know you anymore.

LONG JOHN: Yeah, well, maybe you never did. Chicks! Look, Larry, don't worry. You're in good hands, my man, so don't sweat it. Don't worry about a thing. We're gonna get your sax back.

LARRY: How?

LONG JOHN: Don't worry about it. Long John's got a plan. No sweat.

[34:51] Truce, Danny?

COLBY: Uh, hi. Look, I was wondering if you have—

ANDERSON: Percell, saddle up.

COLBY: ... a second.

PERCELL: Sorry.

COLBY: Oh... yeah.

RUIZ: They're gone, LT. We've checked everywhere.

ANDERSON: What's up?

GOLDMAN: Those idiots Long John and Carlin have just took off. They went after that saxophone.

ANDERSON: What, by themselves?

GOLDMAN: Yeah. Long John thinks he's indestructible.

ANDERSON: Great. Couple o' amateur Buffalo Bills gonna get their heads handed to them.

GOLDMAN: Right.

ANDERSON: I'll round 'em up.

GOLDMAN: I don't know.

ANDERSON: Well that's the only way. We got no choice.

GOLDMAN: Alright, take Percell with you.

ANDERSON: Well, now, listen, LT. You've got the civilians to worry about; you're gonna need all the firepower you can get.

GOLDMAN: Yeah, well, what if you don't make it back before dark?

ANDERSON: Won't be the first time I slept alone. I'll make it.

GOLDMAN: You do that, Sergeant. You do that.

[35:45] Long John's Plan

LONG JOHN: Is this great or what?

LARRY: What if we can't find it, Long John? Maybe we ought to just forget about it.

LONG JOHN: Are you kiddin'? I wouldn't give this up for anything. Don't worry. We'll find your horn.

LARRY: Are you sure?

LONG JOHN: Look, I was born for this stuff, man. In World War II, my old man went halfway across Burma without a compass. If he could find Rangoon, we'll find your saxophone. It's genetic.

LARRY: Hey. What happens if we run into VC?

LONG JOHN: Then it's them against us. What's the matter, you wanna live forever?

LARRY: C'mon, don't say that, man. I'm scared, Long John. My heart's beating like it's gonna throw a rod.

LONG JOHN: That ain't scared, man. That's alive.

LARRY: Feels like scared to me.

[36:34] Sarge Searches For Kids

LARRY: Man, what was that?

LONG JOHN: It was probably an animal.

LARRY: And what would an animal be doin' out here?

LONG JOHN: This is the jungle, fool, that's where they live.

LARRY: Okay, that's it, Long John. Let's go back to the group. Forget about the sax, okay? Come on!

LONG JOHN: Don't chicken out on me now.

LARRY: Co—

LONG JOHN: C'mon, we're almost there.

[37:12] Eureka! Found It

LONG JOHN: There it is.

LARRY: Okay, let's get the hell outta here.

[37:46] Run Long-John, Run!

ANDERSON: Get down!

ANDERSON: Get outta here, go, go! Go! Go! C'mon, get outta here!

LONG JOHN: Oh, thanks, Sarge. Thanks for getting me out—

ANDERSON: Shut up.

LONG JOHN: I'm sorry, I—

ANDERSON: I don't wanna hear it. I don't wanna hear it. You wanna apologize, you go back and apologize to Carlin. He's dead 'cause you're tryin' to be a hero.

LONG JOHN: No, I wasn't trying to be a hero—

ANDERSON: He's dead and you're alive, son. Now, I hope you know someplace where that's a fair deal. Let's get outta here.

[38:09] Set Up A Perimeter Here

GOLDMAN: Alright, we'll set up a perimeter here. Have Taylor cover the approach.

JOHNSON: You got it.

[38:48] The Woes of Epilepsy

LONG JOHN: Hey. Come on, hold it. I need a break.

LONG JOHN: You know, an epileptic can have just about any career he wants to these days, except the military. The last seizure I had was five weeks into basic training. My people couldn't believe it. You could hear the old family tradition screeching to a halt. Actually, the folks were pretty good about it, though, considering they always taught me that a man who can't fight for his country ain't much of a man.

ANDERSON: My lieutenant's from a family like that. You wanna know what I think?

LONG JOHN: What?

ANDERSON: I think if folks are so anxious to get their kids killed, they oughta just shoot them at home. Now, I ain't got nothin' against military tradition, son, but that fanatical crap like that, that gets a lot of other people's kids killed, too. Let's go, we got some soldiers waitin' on us.

[39:41] I Was Rude To You, Danny

COLBY: Uh, Daniel? That is your name, right, Daniel?

PERCELL: Yeah. Yeah, Dan, Danny, sure.

COLBY: Listen, Danny, um, I just... I wanted to tell you something, and—before... and we got interrupted.

PERCELL: Was somethin' wrong?

COLBY: Oh no. No. Well actually, I just—I wanted to apologize to you for being so rude—

PERCELL: Oh, there's no need to apologize.

COLBY: No, there is. I was awful, and I just wanted you to know that... Well it wasn't anything you did, and it certainly wasn't anything you deserved.

PERCELL: Well, I tell ya, I... I did sort of wonder a little. I mean, all I wanted to do was talk. I didn't come on too strong or anything, did I?

COLBY: Oh no, no. I mean, you've been great. You've been really nice. It's me. I just... I guess I'm just mixed up.

PERCELL: Why's that?

COLBY: 'Cause I like you, and I can't.

PERCELL: I don't understand.

COLBY: I've been engaged to marry, twice, since I came to Vietnam. And both of them were soldiers, and both of them were killed in action. So I just... I can't get close anymore. I mean, I do the shows, and I... and I put on a happy face for the guys, but I just can't get close. It's too painful.

[41:41] Sarge Stumbles Over VC

LONG JOHN: Look out!

[42:21] Chopper Is On The Way

HORN: Hey, Lieutenant!

GOLDMAN: Yeah?

HORN: I got somethin'. There's a lot of static, but they repeated our coordinates back to me, and they're gonna send a chopper in a few minutes.

GOLDMAN: Great.

JOHNSON: Sir...

[42:46] Sarge Returns Alone

ANDERSON: He jumped on a grenade.

APRIL: No.

ANDERSON: LT, he got his buddy Carlin killed, and then he jumped on a grenade to save me. I don't know. I'll tell you the truth, there were times I couldn't stand the boy. I mean, hell, you talk about a warmongering fool. Half the time I could've shot him myself. I don't know. Tell me somethin'. What's the difference between being brave and being stupid?

GOLDMAN: I don't know. Maybe it's just timing.

[44:05] Oh You Beautiful Chopper, You!

COLBY: Danny.

PERCELL: You all set?

COLBY: Oh, I think so. You know, this may sound weird, but I feel sad about leaving you guys.

PERCELL: Hey, seems to me you've got enough to feel sad about already.

PERCELL/COLBY: Listen...

COLBY: Go ahead.

PERCELL: No. No, you.

COLBY: Well I just want to say that I— I hope...

PERCELL: Look, it's okay. Don't.

COLBY: Listen carefully. I want you to take very good care of yourself, Danny Percell. I want you to come out of this war well and strong, and live. Live.

[44:57] Thank You, Blondies

APRIL: Scott, thank you for all of your help.

BAKER: It's nothing compared to what you've been through.

APRIL: I don't know what's going to happen to me.

BAKER: Oh, you're a tough kid. You'll be alright.

GOLDMAN: Your ride's waiting. You should be safe from here on out.

APRIL: Lieutenant, Sergeant, I've said goodbye to all of your men, but I wanted to especially thank you both for everything. It's been terrible, but I want you to know that I'll never forget you. All of you.

[46:00] We Gotta Get Outta This Place

♫ We gotta get out of this place
If it's the last thing we ever do
We gotta get out of this place
Girl, there's a better life
For me and you. ♫

♫ We gotta get out of this place
If it's the last thing we ever do
We gotta get out of this place
Girl, there's a better life
For me and you. ♫

End

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