Transcript: (2x16) The Volunteer

From Bravo 3/44th

Directed by: Stephen L. Posey

Written by: Steven Phillip Smith

See the Episode Guide

[01.30] In the bush

PERCELL: Don’t you be lookin’ at me boy

RUIZ: New rifles LT. They’ve got extra uniforms in their packs

GOLDMAN: Fresh recruits.

JOHNSON: we’ve got beaucoup sandal prints LT. Looks like wheel tracks from an anti-aircraft gun

ANDERSON: LT,

GOLDMAN: Is the village secure

ANDERSON: More than that, the place is a ghost town. I mean it’s empty.

[02.30] Entering village

ANDERSON: Alright  ??? stay awake. Johnson what are you doin’?

BROCKMAN: The flag’s mine

PERCELL: Brockman, you leave your brain in boot camp? The stinkin’ flag’s probably booby-trapped.

GOLDMAN: Well it takes a whole lot of bad guys to get them to abandon their village.

ANDERSON: Yeah, but those prints are too deep to be some skinny little paddy-daddy.

GOLDMAN: Heavily armed troops?

ANDERSON: That’s what I figure.

GOLDMAN: Me too. I smell something big.

ANDERSON: Maybe we can get our prisoner to tell command all about that.

GOLDMAN: Maybe he can tell us. How’s your Vietnamese today Sergeant?

ANDERSON: Number One GI.

GOLDMAN: Good. Brockman, bring that outstanding citizen over here.

???: Look out.

???: Are you hurt? You alright?

[03.58] Goldman & Major Darling

GOLDMAN: I believe that prisoner killed himself to keep from telling us about the build-up. Sir, this is happening. You can feel it.

DARLING: Feel isn’t good enough Lieutenant. I need something concrete.

GOLDMAN: Well what about the deserted villages? What about the anti-aircraft tracks? What about the new VC recruits. If that doesn’t sound like a build up……..

DARLING: If there were a significant build up we’d know. G2 has the most sophisticated equipment in the army. Infra red monitors that can see Charlie in the dark, Air-samplers that can pick up his urine at five hundred meters. I’m willing to rely on them.

GOLDMAN: I’m giving you an eye-witness report from an experienced combat platoon.

DARLING: They’ve been out too long Lieutenant. Seven days straight. Take a load off. That’s an order.

GOLDMAN: Can we get G-2 to evaluate my findings?

DARLING: I’ll think about it.

[04.49] Anderson's hootch

ANDERSON: Yo! Come in. Hey LT, how y’doin?

GOLDMAN: Alright. Saving the good stuff? Well I got some news. Guess what Major Darling said?

ANDERSON: Let G2 handle that. I knew that.

GOLDMAN: I guess he’d rather get his intelligence from a peace of equipment that from the guys that are in the field.

ANDERSON: Yeah well has he got equipment over there that will explain to me why in the hell my ex-wife has not got her child support allotment for three months.

GOLDMAN: Only three months huh?

ANDERSON: My daughter ain’t even got money for school clothes.

GOLDMAN: Well Sergeant, I got some money.

ANDERSON: Ah come on LT. I mean I can handle it. You know I mean I’m gonna go over there in the morning, bang some heads together – as soon as I post the duty roster.

GOLDMAN: Actually Darling’s decided to give the unit a coupla days off so tomorrow we got no duty.

ANDERSON: Well damn. You know what? That’s gonna make me a hero around here.

GOLDMAN: Yeah, you can take Taylor into town an’ win your allotment at the poker table.

ANDERSON: Uhu, I mean normally that might be a good suggestion, but that Lieutenant Patterson from the Inspector General’s office, said that she would like to see Spec-4 Taylor first thing in the morning.

GOLDMAN: Has Taylor got himself into somethin’?

ANDERSON: I don’t know, but if he has that little woman is gonna find out.

GOLDMAN: This bureaucracy wastes more energy investigating itself and Charlie gets stronger and stronger. I mean that prisoner that we caught today, he killed himself instead of talking to us.

ANDERSON: The boy had motivation LT. I hate to say this but that’s the difference. They believe in what they’re doin’.

GOLDMAN: Meanwhile, we’ve got a major who won’t listen to field reports because he only takes intelligence from G2. But then who really cares as long as the paperwork’s in order.

[06.37] Anderson in Personnel

ANDERSON: Now look my ex-wife has not gotten her check for three months now. She’s had my daughter to the doctor a coupla times, she’s got bills to pay. She needs money.

HART: And like I said, I need a note from your first sergeant.

BOYD: No-one comes to personnel without a note from his first sergeant.

SWEET: Sergeant Major Tweedy’s order.

HART: I don’t need these till tomorrow Sweet.

SWEET: They’re done.

ANDERSON: Look here Sergeant Major, give me a break will ya please. I just got back from two weeks in the bush.

BOYD: We all have our problems. Mine is handling Lieutenant Patterson’s audit and these old boys gonna keep Sergeant Hart here past quitting time.

ANDERSON: Yeah well Charlie kept me past quitting time plenty. Didn’t stop me from takin’ care of my men.

HART: Stop givin’ my boss grief. Get a note, come back tomorrow.

[07.34] Sweet wants to join Anderson's outfit

SWEET: Sergeant Anderson. Spec-4 Sweet. Maybe I can straighten out your records for you.

ANDERSON: Oh man, forget about it.

SWEET: Hey, you shouldn’t have to put up with all this bull. You guys do all the fighting.

ANDERSON: Since when do you rear echelon types give a hoot?

SWEET: I didn’t volunteer for Vietnam to be a clerk. I want to go to the field. Now if I fix your records, would you let me into your platoon?

ANDERSON: Wait a minute, hold on. Slow down a minute. You want out of a desk job?

SWEET: Ooh, you bet. Sergeant Hart keeps promising to transfer me but I know he never will. I’m gonna be a chairborne ranger for the rest of my tour, unless someone from a combat unit speaks up for me.

ANDERSON: Now, you listen to me now. Combat is serious.

SWEET: So am I.

ANDERSON: Yeah but you’ve gotta be trained.

SWEET: I qualified expert on all the weapons at Fort Dix. Let me show you.

ANDERSON: Now look here my beef is with the sergeants to make the rules alright? Now I appreciate and believe the fact you’re on my side.

SWEET: Sergeant, I want to be in a combat unit. Just give me a chance to show you what I can do. Rifle range, sixteen hundred hours.

ANDERSON: Alright, alright, alright.

SWEET: Alright

ANDERSON: You’re welcome.

[08.40] Patterson talks to Alex about McKay

PATTERSON: I hear you’re friendly with Lieutenant McKay. I thought maybe you could speak to him before he gets tied up in a formal inquiry.

ALEX: Why would he be involved in an inquiry?

PATTERSON: He’s a PX officer, and PX goods have become a staple on the black market in Saigon. I also hear he has a penthouse on Tu Do Street that would make Hugh Hefner proud.

ALEX: Wait a minute, wait a minute. Johnny’s a scrounger but he is not a crook. Selling government property to the Vietnamese? Its not his style’.

PATTERSON: Anyone who can afford a penthouse on Lieutenant’s pay must know who to grease. Maybe you can ask him to point me in the right direction.

ALEX: I can do that.

[09.25] Taylor arrives

PATTERSON: Come in. Thank you Miss Devlin.

ALEX: Yeah… Johnny’ll be tickled to hear that you think he’s a major criminal. Hey Taylor.

TAYLOR: Miss Devlin. Specialist Taylor reporting as ordered ma’am.

PATTERSON: At ease Specialist. I asked to see you because I thought you could help me with my investigation.

TAYLOR: I’m not much of an investigator.

PATTERSON: Well they tell me you know everything that goes on around here. Is that true?

TAYLOR: If you’re tryin’ to say I’ve done something, I haven’t done nothing.

PATTERSON: A lot of people are taking advantage of the army.

TAYLOR: Everybody in the rear’s got a hustle, but besides from a few guys trading green backs on the black market, I can’t help you.

PATTERSON: Can I count on you to come and see me if you hear anything? Can you handle that?

TAYLOR: Come see you? Yeah I can handle that. I can get into that. Look Lieutenant Patterson, this maybe out of line, but I gotta say it. I’m really attracted to you.

PATTERSON: Please.

TAYLOR: No, just hear me out. See I’ve never felt this way about anybody before, an’ I know you’re an officer but I’d like to see you.

PATTERSON: I think you’d better go now Specialist.

TAYLOR: Yes ma’am. You’re right.

[10.49] Rifle range

ANDERSON: Ready on the firing line.

ANDERSON: Now the prone position.

GOLDMAN: Well I’d say that’s pretty good shooting for a desk jockey.

SWEET: Thanks sir.

ANDERSON: Try this here sub-machine gun everybody’s making a big fuss about

RUIZ: Not bad. Anybody who shoots like that deserves a beer. Come by the club tonight and meet some of the guys.

SWEET: Solid.

RUIZ: Later

SWEET: So, what d?’ya think?

ANDERSON: Well, what I think is: you know how to handle a rifle.

SWEET: Yeah, and I also know how to handle your allotment problems.

[11.47] Patterson looking for stolen goods

TAYLOR: Hm mm mm. Man I ain’t never felt like this about anybody.

JOHNSON: Marcus, I’m tellin’ you, you’re askin’ for trouble man. This is an officer.

TAYLOR: I don’t care. All I know is I can’t sleep at night. I can’t even think about anything but her.

JOHNSON: So you’re tellin’ me you’re in love.

TAYLOR: I don’t know what it is, all I know is I feel funny inside.

JOHNSON: Dinky-dau brother. You’ve been in combat too long an’ it’s getting to you.

TAYLOR: It’s drivin’ me crazy.

[12.45] Taylor & Johnson to the rescue

SHOPKEEPER: What you do?

PATTERSON: Let go of me. I’m a U.S. Army officer.

SHOPKEEPER: You get out of here. Go away

PATTERSON: These goods are from the PX.

SHOPKEEPER: My business, I pay. You go away.

PATTERSON: I’ll go away as soon as you tell me who sold you these things. What is Sergeant Major Boyd?

SHOPKEEPER: No business with Boyd. You go, now!

TAYLOR: Drop it. Drop it. You alright?

PATTERSON: I’m fine. This property’s stolen.

SHOPKEEPER: You get out.

JOHNSON: Yeah let’s get out of here.

[13.10] Johnson leaves them alone

TAYLOR: Low-life punk.

PATTERSON: Thank you guys, for helping me.

TAYLOR: No big thing.

JOHNSON: Ah, I gotta go, hook up with the guys.

TAYLOR: Oh yeah man, alright. I’ll be checking with ya.

TAYLOR: You know you’ve got to be more careful. These people down here play rough.

PATTERSON: This war, this whole country’s corrupt.

TAYLOR: Maybe, but look at it this way. It got us together.

PATTERSON: Chance meeting Specialist.

TAYLOR: Well the only chance I want it is to be with you.

PATTERSON: Please, don’t say that.

TAYLOR: Why? Why can’t I say that if it’s the way I feel?

PATTERSON: Because we’re not even supposed to be walking around like this. The UCMJ forbids fraternization between enlisted personnel and officers.

TAYLOR: Yeah, well that’s damned rank discrimination.

PATTERSON: What, you want us to get a court martial?

TAYLOR: They’d have to catch us first. Besides some things are worth taking a risk.

PATTERSON: Look, I like you Marcus but I’m not gonna….

TAYLOR: Then listen, just listen. I’m gonna be at the Paradise Hotel tomorrow afternoon. Meet me there. Don’t get the wrong idea, we don’t have to do anything but talk. Room service could bring up lunch an’ nobody could see us.

PATTERSON: I can’t.

TAYLOR: It could be weeks before we have another chance like this. I could be called back into the field any time.

TAYLOR: Be there.

[14.15] Clubhouse

RUIZ: I don’t understand you man. You’ve been to college, you’ve got other skills. You don’t have to get shot at.

SWEET: Yeah, but I have to do it for myself.

JOHNSON: What for? To get yourself killed? What good would that do ya?

SWEET: That’s not what I’m talking about. I wanna know how I’ll stand up under fire. Maybe it was listening to my dad’s war stories, or seeing to many movies, but it just seems like something you do. You know, rites of passage to manhood an’ all that stuff

JOHNSON: Well, it ain’t nothing like a movie brother, believe me.

PERCELL: Yeah, the fear don’t go away when the lights come up.

SWEET: Yeah I know that, but I gotta find out for myself.

RUIZ: You’re an honest man Sweet, but you are a fool.

PERCELL: Well I don’t know Roo. I mean I remember feelin’ that way, wanting the experience. You were the same way.

RUIZ: Yeah, I was crazy. All this is crazy Sweet.

JOHNSON: But you’ve got to go through it to know that. I hear what you’re saying, but I still hope they don’t let you go.

TREADWAY: What you guys doin’ drinkin’ with a clerk an jerk?’

PERCELL: Oh, lighten up Treadway, he ain’t doin’ no harm.

TREADWAY: He ain’t doin’ nothin’. See me an’ Hockenbury been waitin’six months for an R an’ R, and these rear echelon clowns, they goin’ all the time.

SWEET: Well I’ve been here eight months, and I haven’t gone yet.

TREADWAY: Maybe that’s ços your job is like permanent R an’R, huh?

RUIZ: Take a hike Treadway.

SWEET: No Ruiz. Just for the record, I work from seven to seven, seven days a week.

TREADWAY: Oh seven to seven. You’re breaking my heart.

SWEET: An’ there’s another report I have to file every night between midnight and two. So don’t talk to me about work.

TREADWAY: I’ll talk to you about any damn thing I want to. And I’ll also knock your in-the-rear-with-the-gear no-fightin’ butt into the middle of next week.

PERCELL: Knock it off Treadway.

SWEET: I’ll see you outside

TREADWAY: Come on with it, come on with it.

JOHNSON: Sweet, you don’t have to do this man.

SWEET: I do man. Can’t you see that?

[16.25] Fight outside clubhouse

ANDERSON: Percell. Percell. What’s goin’on?

PERCELL: Looks like Sweet bit off more than he can chew sarge.

TREADWAY: Hey you damn rear echelon punk, I’ll teach you to talk back.

SWEET: You’re never gonna tell me I can’t fight an’ man if you ever call me a punk again, I’ll gonna ram your M-16 down your sorry throat.

ANDERSON: Hold it, hold it now. Just take it easy. It looks to me like you pretty much carried the day here.

SWEET: I can fight Sarge.

ANDERSON: Hey, hey, hey. Ain;t nobody here arguing with that. Is there? Is there?

[17.19] Alex & McKay

MCKAY: Here’s the shampoo you wanted.

ALEX: Thanks Johnny. Where’d you get it?

MCKAY: Buddy of mine at Bien Hoa. You know, no sweaty-dah GI.

ALEX: Yeah. You know that Lieutenant Patterson’s pretty interested in you.

MCKAY: You tell her you’ve got first dibs?

ALEX: Well she thought you might be into some heavy criminal activity you know. Lot of rumors about your big penthouse downtown.

MCKAY: Well let me tell you Alex, I’m the most misunderstood guy in the world.

ALEX: Yeah right

MCKAY: I come to this country like a babe in the woods, make a few deals, win a few bets and everybody thinks I’m Al Capone.

ALEX: Well, how are we gonna redeem your reputation, huh?

MCKAY: Well as a matter of fact I’m getting a delivery tomorrow. You could come by and check the place out. You know, report on what a haven of serenity I’ve built in the midst of all this chaos

ALEX: Haven of serenity huh?

MCKAY: Seeing is believing.

ALEX: Yeah alright. You’re on.

MCKAY: Okay

ALEX: Thanks

[18.09] Back in Personnel

HART: Did you bring a note this time? I’m having lunch with the Sergeant Major.

ANDERSON: It ain’t about me, it’s about your man Sweet here. He wants to join my platoon and I happen to think he’s pretty good with a rifle.

HART: No offense sergeant, but it don’t take Einstein to be handy with a rifle.

ANDERSON: Wait a second. I’ll be happy to take him in my platoon an’ it’s what he wants.

HART: It’s what I want that counts. Sweet I don’t like people goin’ behind my back.

SWEET: Well talkin’ to you face hasn’t got me a transfer an’ I think I deserve one.

HART: Son when are you gonna see the light? I need you at that typewriter.

SWEET: The only thing I’m going to be typing is a little story about you and Sergeant Major Boyd. About how and why assignments get made around here an’ then I’m gonna hand it to Lieutenant Patterson because I think she’ll find it real interesting.

HART: Hey Sweet, I’ll take care of ya.

SWEET: I get a transfer or I will blow the whistle.

HART: Fine. Fine, get the hell out of here. Let Charlie put a bullet in your face. But if you ever try to mess me up, you’ll regret it.

[19.26] Sweet & Anderson

ANDERSON: Yo Sweet. You mind tellin’ me what in the hell you were talkin’ about back in there?

SWEET: The fact that guys like Hart are turning into conmen.

ANDERSON: Well, so what else is new? I mean you got somethin’ on him or what?

SWEET: The man takes bribes. Gets Sergeant Major Boyd’s people to sign whatever Boyd wants.

ANDERSON: Well now Sweet that isn’t all that serious.

SWEET: It’s all mixed up with the PX and running the clubs. I know they’re stealing them blind.

ANDERSON: Well, that’s serious alright

SWEET: You got half a million GIs over here playin’ slot machines in the clubs. You think all that money’s going back into the till? We’re talking about millions of dollars here.

ANDERSON: Sweet, Sweet. Look here, this isn’t any of my business you understand, but if you know somethin’ you better be talkin’ to somebody otherwise you’re guilty by association.

SWEET: Oh, so I should just add stool pigeon to my list of accomplishments here in Vietnam. No thanks. I’m outta there an’ that’s all I wanted. Besides, can’t wait to get to the boonies.

[20.23] Taylor in hotel room

TAYLOR: You wanna drink? I already started, but er…

PATTERSON: I didn’t come here to drink Marcus. Kiss me.

TAYLOR: Yes ma’am.

[21.30] Goldman & Anderson

GOLDMAN: We’re movin’ out tomorrow. The five-0-deuce ran into a full company outside Phuoc Vinh. Think the men are ready?

ANDERSON: Oh hell LT, they had two whole days of rest. What more do they want?

GOLDMAN: How’s Sweet doin’?

ANDERSON: Well, the boy is raring to go. But I think I’d better keep a pretty close eye on him.

GOLDMAN: Yeah well let’s hope his enthusiasm rubs off on the rest of us. How about you?

ANDERSON: Oh hell LT, I’ve been here so long that the bush feels like home to me. Honest to God, I’m more comfortable out there than I am here.

GOLDMAN: I know the feeling. No complications, no paperwork and nobody lyin’ to ya.

ANDERSON: It’s simpler, it’s simpler. Er, look here do you think it’s gonna be bad?

GOLDMAN: There’s no way of tellin’, but Charlie’s upped the ante so either he’ll find us or we’ll find him.

ANDERSON: That’s what it’s all about.

GOLDMAN: Is it?

[22.24] Ruiz, Percell & Sweet

RUIZ: Don’t tape it too tight Sweet. You might never get it off.

SWEET: I just wanna be ready.

PERCELL: You’re as ready as you’re gonna get Sweet. What you really need only comes with experience. Truth of the matter is it’s scary as hell out there all the time.

RUIZ: Don’t listen to him. He’s always uptight before a mission.

PERCELL: Well maybe he should be too ‘cos all he’s goin’ in there with is some trainin’.

SWEET: I know that.

PERCELL: You don’t know nothin’. Nobody knows what’s gonna happen tomorrow. Nobody knows how they’re gonna feel. ‘Cept they are gonna be scared.

SWEET: I understand that, but I still wanna go. An’ I realize somebody I meet today might not come back tomorrow.

PERCELL: Don’t ever say that.

[23.19] Taylor & Patterson in Hotel

TAYLOR: I’ve never met anybody like you Camille, I swear it.

PATTERSON: I’ve always been attracted to men like you Marcus. You’re not afraid an’ you go after what you want.

TAYLOR: An’ I’m gonna find a way to make this work believe me.

PATTERSON: Let’s not think about that now. Let’s just enjoy this afternoon.

[23.52] Uninvited guests

TAYLOR: What the hell are you doin’?

BOYD: Shut up boy or I’ll have you in the stockade before you can put your pants on.

PATTERSON: What do you want Sergeant Major.

BOYD: You’ve been sticking your nose into a lot of places it shouldn’t be an’ it’s gonna stop. You don’t find out anything about me, Major Darling and the rest of the Command won’t have to look at these photographs. Next time why don’t you pick someone with a little class.

TAYLOR: You low-life……

[24.34] Patterson's office

TAYLOR: Hadn’t been for me this whole thing wouldn’t have happened.

PATTERSON: It happened because of both of us.

TAYLOR: But I kept pushin’.

PATTESON: We both pushed.

TAYLOR: But I didn’t have a right too. I mean, look at you. You’ve been to college, you made officer, you got a career goin’. I got no business draggin’ somebody down like you.

PATTERSON: Don’t talk about yourself like that. You’re a special person. I wouldn’t have been there if you weren’t. But I am not going to sit still for those bastards.

TAYLOR: What do you mean?

PATTERSON: What do I mean? I got a job to do an’ if I close my eyes to the corruption, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.

TAYLOR: No, no way. Hell no. They’ve got those pictures. They could ruin you.

PATTERSON: What else can I do?

TAYLOR: I’ll think of somethin’. Now I gotta get back for bed check an’ we’re out in the boonies in the morning. Promise me you won’t do anything until we’ve had a chance to talk.

PATTERSON: You take care of yourself tomorrow.

TAYLOR: I don’t care about myself if I can’t be with you.

PATTERSON: I can’t …. Not now.

[25.32] Taylor on point

ANDERSON: Yo Sweet. How you makin’?

SWEET: Oh, feels great out here Sarge.

ANDERSON: Yeah well if Taylor don’t slow down, we’re gonna pass out from exhaustion.

ANDERSON: Yo, Taylor. Taylor, you’re pushin’ kinda hard ain’t ya?

TAYLOR: I’m fine Sarge.

ANDERSON: The rest of us ain’t. Now your mind on what you’re doin’ or not?

TAYLOR: I’m cool Sarge.

ANDERSON: Yeah well, you slow it down then. We’re way ahead of where we need to be. You got me?

[26.12] Trip wire

SWEET: Hey Taylor! Watch it man.

PERCELL: Good eyes Sweet.

TAYLOR: Thanks man.

[26.22] Noise in the bushes

TAYLOR: Oh man!

RUIZ: Maybe you ought to shoot the buffalo Taylor. Might be a couple of Cong inside.

ANDERSON: What the hell you doin’ Taylor?

TAYLOR: Sorry Sarge.

ANDERSON: Sorry don’t mean squat.

GOLDMAN: Johnson, you’re on point. Sergeant, get these men moving.

ANDERSON: First of all, you’re walking point like you’re in a foot race or somethin’ an’ it takes a newby to spot a trip wire. That’s your job to find that, an’ then you go rushin’ in over here. You don’t know what you’re gonna find.

TAYLOR: It was stupid, I admit it. I’ve got things on my mind.

ANDERSON: Your job ain’t one of them.

[27.33] Ambush

SWEET: Medic!

SWEET: We need a damn medic!

ANDERSON: Hold you fire. Hold your fire.

GOLDMAN(?): First squad out.

[28.20] Taylor's going back with the dust-off

ANDERSON: Yo, Taylor. You go on back with the dust-off.

TAYLOR: They don’t need me.

ANDERSON: Neither do I, not when your head’s someplace else.

TAYLOR: Look Sarge…

ANDERSON: I ain’t negotiating this with ya now. You go back, you get your head straight. You get on that chopper now.

[28.35] Sweet & Ruiz

RUIZ: Sweet. Hey man, you okay?

RUIZ: Alright, how about it? You alright?

SWEET: Yeah man, I’m alright.

[29.15] McKay's penthouse

MCKAY: Here we are.

ALEX: Not bad. Not bad at all Johnny.

MCKAY: Just a few of the comforts of home.

ALEX: Yeah, right. Where’d you get all this stuff huh? Come on, where’d you get it, really?

MCKAY: Like I said. Traded for a little of this, paid for a little of that. Nothing illegal my dear. Scout’s honour

ALEX: You love it over here don’t you?

MCKAY: Why, because I try to keep myself comfortable?

ALEX: No. No, it’s not that. It’s –er I mean I know the combat gets to you even though you try to act like you’re so tough. But sometimes I get the feeling you’d—um—well you’d rather be here than anywhere else.

MCKAY: I don’t know Alex. I just can’t see myself back in the world.

ALEX: Really? Come on, you must have lots of opportunities waiting for you.

MCKAY: Like what? Maybe if I’m really lucky I can fly a chopper over the freeway with some idiot in the back giving a traffic report. Boy, the thought of that really makes my blood rush.

ALEX: Johnny, come on. I mean there’s more to life than that. You could stay in the army and teach other pilots. And you, you’re definitely quick and smart enough to make it in business, that’s for sure.

MCKAY: I don’t know, it’s kinda like being an athlete you know. Over the hill at twenty-five.

ALEX: Oh get outta here.

MCKAY: But what the hell, I got a lot of memories. Right? If I ever go too stir crazy I can always rent a chopper and fly it over the tree tops somewhere. And I’m always gonna remember you too Alex, that’s for sure.

ALEX: Well, I doubt I’ll forget you either.

MCKAY: Yep

ALEX:  ???

MCKAY: And I’m always gonna regret the fact that you met Myon Goldman.

ALEX: I’m sorry. I’m sorry, I just ----I can’t do it you know.

MCKAY: That’s cool. I understand.

ALEX: Thanks

MCKAY: Oh what the hell. Even I’m starting to feel loyal to the guy. Why pick this moment for those feelings?

MCKAY: Well, friends?

ALEX: Always.

[31.56] Taylor back at base

TAYLOR: Boyd!. We got business to discuss.

TAYLOR: What’s goin’ on?

BOYD: Nothing that can’t be remedied Specialist.

HART: An’ you’re gonna be a private in Long Binh Jail.

TAYLOR: What happened? I don’t get it.

PATTERSON: Rough day?

TAYLOR: Nothin’ special. What did you do?

PATTERSON: I couldn’t sit on it. I would’ve hated myself too much.

TAYLOR: You went to the MP’s?

PATTERSON: Major Darling and the CID first. He called the MPs. I think we got enough to put these guys away.

TAYLOR: An’ what about the pictures?

PATTERSON: They’ve got those too. It’s better this way Marcus, believe me.

TAYLOR: What’s gonna happen to you?

PATTERSON: I gotta talk to Major Darling about that now. Whatever it is, it’s better than living a lie. I’ll talk to you in the morning.

[33.00] Night time in the jungle

PERCELL: Roo --- Sweet--- How are you guys doin’? Getting’ any sleep?

RUIZ: Yeah, just like a feather bed.

PERCELL: How ‘bout you Sweet?

SWEET: Yeah a little.

SWEET: What’s that?

PERCELL: Ssshh

NVA:  ???

RUIZ: Must’ve been at least a platoon.

PERCELL: I better go tell LT.

[34.20] Sweet's scared

SWEET: Man, I must’ve been crazy to want this.

RUIZ: Alright just take it easy Sweet.

SWEET: I’m scared man. I’m scared.

RUIZ: We’re all scared. First time I can out here, I couldn’t wait to kick ass and take names. You know what I did? I peed my pants. I got scared quick an’ I stayed that way. It’s the smartest thing you can do.

SWEET: Yeah, well I’m doing it.

RUIZ: Everybody’s gotta learn the hard way. I’m just glad I’m here to tell you about it.

[35.06] Next morning

???: Percell comin’ back.

PERCELL: LT, ammo in those tunnels. Beaucoup.

JOHNSON: On the other side too. I got the feelin’ we’re sittin’ right on top of a powder keg.

GOLDMAN: Roger Three. We’ve got activity everywhere. Over.

THREE: Too big for you Two-six. Proceed to LZ Charlie Zelta. Over.

GOLDMAN: Roger, out. Alright, we’re goin’. Looks like Colonel Stringer wants us to live to fight another day.

ANDERSON: Bless his heart.

[35.44] Taylor back at base

???: Soldier if I have to talk to you again about anything, it will cost you a stripe. Now get out of here.

TAYLOR: Yes sir.

PATTERSON: What happened?

TAYLOR: Company punishment. Lose a little pay, coupla extra weeks duty. It’s nothin’. What did they do to you.

PATTERSON: They’re gonna transfer me to Danang.

TAYLOR: Danang’s way on the other end of the country.

PATTERSON: Maybe separation will be good for us.

TAYLOR: Separation ain’t good for anybody. I’m in love with you Camille, what am I gonna do with that?

PATTERSON: Marcus, even if I stayed, we couldn’t be together. They’ll be watching every move I make.

TAYLOR: I can’t ---

PATTERSON: Say it.

TAYLOR: I never thought I’d see the day when I’d be lost for words, especially with a woman, but I never felt this much for anybody before. An’ I don’t know what to do about it.

PATTERSON: We’ll figure out somethin’.

[36.55] Back in the jungle

PERCELL(?):  ??? (sounds like Kipper?),

???: Yo

PERCELL(?): Take up right front security when we go past the swamp

[37.20] Another ambush

ANDERSON: Get outta here, get outta here, go

PERCELL: He’s gonna get himself killed.

PERCELL: Sweet---Sweet

ANDERSON(?): Pull back(?). Cover him(?)

[38.32] Sweet's shot

PERCELL: Sweet

GOLDMAN: Three this is Two-Six. We’re cut off from Charlie Delta. Headed east to Charlie Echo.

PERCELL: Medic---medic

SWEET: You guys go back, I’ll be okay.

PERCELL: We go back together Sweet. We go back together.

JOHNSON: Easy Sweet, I know you’re hurting man That’s a million dollar wound. You’re goin’ homeman

PERCELL: You did good Sweet. You did real good. You stirred up, I know that means a lot to ya.

SWEET: Looks like I’m gonna have a limp to remind me.

JOHNSON: The guys got back to cover because of you man. You put it on the line for your buddies.

PERCELL: That’s the only thing that matters in this war Sweet.

[39.22] Request Blue Velvet

GOLDMAN: Request immediate extraction. Send Blue Velvet, it’s gonna be hot.

THREE: G-2 confirms you’re in the middle of the 31st NVA regiment.

GOLDMAN: Get the men. First and second squads, we’re pullin’ back. Roger, Out. Let’s go.

[39.28] Pulling back

GOLDMAN: Alright, listen up. Take the wounded first. We’ll give you twenty seconds of cover an’ then we’ll follow.

ANDERSON: They’re movin’ up.

GOLDMAN: Johnson—Percell. Flank left. Sergeant, you and Roo flank right.

ANDERSON: Right.

GOLDMAN: Let’s go.

[39.51] McKay to the rescue

ALEX: Johnny—Johnny, hey. What’s happening?

MCKAY: They’re in it Alex, deep. I’m goin’ after ‘em.

ALEX: It’s that bad?

MCKAY: NVA regulars. Lots. Don’t worry, Jim Dandy to the rescue.

[40.45] VC coming again

GOLDMAN: Here they come.

[41.23] Run for choppers

???: Go, Go. Move, Move, Move

GOLDMAN: Go! Everybody go.

???: Come on, come on. I got him, I got him. Move

[42.17] Goldman's down

GOLDMAN: Go

ANDERSON: You hit?

GOLDMAN: My leg.

JOHNSON: Goldman and Anderson.

RUIZ: We’ve gotta go back.

MCKAY: We’re takin’ hits. I’m pullin’ pitch.

GOLDMAN: We need the radio

[42.51] McKay/Radio Operator

MCKAY: Three, this is Blue Velvet. Over.

THREE: Roger Blue Velvet.

MCKAY: I’m hit Three. I’ve pulled pitch with men on the ground. Over.

THREE: Who’s down Blue Velvet?

MCKAY: Two-six and Two-five. Over.

[43.42] LT calls in it

GOLDMAN: There’s enough supplies in those tunnels to blow up half of Saigon.

ANDERSON: LT?

GOLDMAN: We gotta call it in.

[44.11] What's danger close

GOLDMAN: Three, this is Bravo Two-Six over.

THREE: Go Two-Six.

GOLDMAN: We’re at Bravo Xray three three zero two seven niner. We need some arty. Danger close. Over.

THREE: Say again Two-Six.

GOLDMAN: You heard me. Let it rain. Danger close. Now

ALEX: What is “danger close”?

THREE: They’re calling in artillery—on their own position. Red Wing Three, this is red Dog Three. Fire mission. Over.

[44.25] Going out with a bang

ANDERSON: Maybe this is a major NVA headquarters, huh?

GOLDMAN: Well it’s better to go out with a bang than a whimper.

ANDERSON: Do you think we’ll be remembered for this?

GOLDMAN: Don’t mean nothing’.

ANDERSON: LT. Let’s get some.

End

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