Transcript: (2x3) For What It's Worth

From Bravo 3/44th

Directed by: Ed Sherin

Written by: Dennis Cooper

See the Episode Guide

[01.32] Prisoner in a cage

GOLDMAN: What’s with the radio?

ANDERSON: It’s gotta be the battery, it’s nothing.

GOLDMAN: Keep trying. I’m going in there for a closer look.

ANDERSON: Better wait for Johnson to get back to know what kind of strength we’re up against.

GOLDMAN: Whatever kind of strength they are, I wanna get a picture of that guy.

[02.20] Get ready to di-di

JOHNSON: Looks like two platoons.

ANDERSON: Alright, get ready to di-di

ANDERSON: Get ready to go.

RUIZ: My necklace fell off.

PERCELL: Now is not the time Roo.

RUIZ: It was good luck man.

ANDERSON: Alright LT, the radio’s gone. Johnson saw two platoons -- I say let’s di-di before they smell us.

[03.07] Ruiz gives away position

???: (?down by the river?)

ANDERSON: Get him outta here—get him outta here.

???: (?come on pick it up?)

???: Hold up

BISHOP: Do we take the radio?

GOLDMAN: Let’s go—let’s go

???: Move it—move it—move it

GOLDMAN: Come on move

???: Come on

ANDERSON: Get on back to the LZ. I've got the rear

???

NVA:

[04.17] Back at base

TAYLOR: Hey Bishop--Hey. Clear your weapon. Every time you get back to the base, you clear your weapon.

DOOR GUNNER: Here we go

GOLDMAN: Well don’t work to hard soldier.

DOOR GUNNER: I don’t plan to Sir. Hurt my back last week. Should be in med profile if you wanna check it.

ANDERSON: Easy now—easy now. Come on. (?Help him out??)

GOLDMAN: Alright c’mon.

ANDERSON:  ??? Easy—easy—easy

ANDERSON: Alright son, you done good—you done good. Now you’re gonna be alright.

GOLDMAN: I want you to check the medical records on that gunner. I wanna know whether or not he’s got a profile on a bad back.

ANDERSON: Alright. Tomorrow mornin’ soon enough?

GOLDMAN: That’s good. I’m gonna run this film up to S-2. Whether or not that guy’s one of ours, they’re still gonna want run beaucoup recons for morale sake.

ANDERSON: Sounds good.

GOLDMAN: Okay lighten up on the guys tomorrow, they need a rest. I’m gonna be typin’ up my After Action Report if you need me.

ANDERSON: What is your name?

DOOR GUNNER: (Elvis?)

[05.40] Team's hootch

ANDERSON: Alright people listen up now—listen up. Tomorrow’s duty roster’s gonna be posted outside my hootch. Ruiz – you’re on Sergeant Major Toliver’s work detail tomorrow.

RUIZ: Just my luck huh

ANDERSON: Alright now I realize we’ve all be out in the bush an’ everybody’s got personal business to take care of so I’ve tried to leave a little time for that tomorrow. I know Taylor here’s just dyin’ to buy some new eye shadow.

PERCELL: Hey Sarge d’ya think I’ll have time to call home? Tomorrow’s my little sister’s birthday.

JOHNSON: I know this chopper pilot who’ll take us to the beach tomorrow if you wanna cool out man.

TAYLOR: No man, I’ve got this little Red Cross chick that I’ve been denyin’ myself to. I can’t keep doin’ that to her. She’s probably sittin’ around waitin’ on me to show her a good time. Hey, in fact Jo-----

JOHNSON: I ain’t loanin’ you no money man.

[06.14] Father Underman

ANDERSON: Evenin’ Chaplain.

???: Evening Father

???: Evening Father Underman

UNDERMAN: Good evening Ezekial—boys. I know the good Sergeant isn’t much for talking, but should one of your wanna talk about anything that happened during the mission—that’s what I’m here for.

ANDERSON: Well, we’re all wearing about two days of jungle Chaplain. I’m afraid that a hot shower’s gonna win out over a conversation at this point.

UNDERMAN: In the morning I’m giving the new arrivals a character guidance session but I’m free after that if anybody changes his mind. Okay, well congratulations boys.

???: Thank you

PERCELL: Thank you Father

ANDERSON: Sleep tight

???: Night

??? Good night Father

[06.58] Thank the Chaplain

PERCELL: Bishop – when the Chaplain congratulates you, you should thank him.

BISHOP: Oh. I didn’t think he was talking to me.

TAYLOR: Why not?

BISHOP: Well, now that you mention it I guess I did do okay for my first time out. I didn’t hold anybody up. I covered the flank pretty well, I even helped carry back the radio.

TAYLOR: Bishop, the Chaplain wasn’t congratulating you for what you did in the field.

BISHOP: He wasn’t?

TAYLOR: He was congratulating you for comin’ back alive.

BISHOP: Aha(?)

[07.38] LT asleep at desk

ALEX: Morning soldier.

GOLDMAN:  ?? Morning. I musta fell asleep.

ALEX: Yeah. I wish I could find a typist who’d work this hard for me.

GOLDMAN: Well what are you doin’ here?

ALEX: Requisitioning a flak jacket

GOLDMAN: Won't protect you from me

CLERK: You through with my desk Sir?

GOLDMAN: Er—go ahead. It’s all yours.

ALEX: It’s silly anyway, I mean I’m just doing a story on a ville near Vung Tau, but the crew chief said, you know just in case.

GOLDMAN: There’s nothin’ happening in Vung Tau

ALEX: Well it’s about our taking supplies down there, you know, to civilians. My boss wants me to do a piece on the duality of the soldier - warrior's human side.

GOLDMAN: Well you got anybody in particular in mind?

ALEX: McKay. He’s flying me down there.

GOLDMAN: McKay.

ALEX: Yeah I…..

GOLDMAN: You’ve gotta be kidding

ALEX: It’s late. I gotta run. Okay, I’ll talk to you later.

GOLDMAN: Wait—wait a minute. File that would you?

CLERK: Yes Sir

[08.43] Best chopper jock

GOLDMAN: Wait a minute. Wait—wait. Wait a minute. Unless you’ve started writing fiction, McKay’s hardly the model for that stuff you’re trying to write.

ALEX: Oh well, he sounds good to me. I mean he delivers supplies in his spare time an he is one of our best chopper jocks.

MCKAY: Make that the best.

GOLDMAN: McKay. Why don’t you get a freight bird for that load you’re selling?

ALEX: Look guys. I gotta interview a rep from the Civilian Assistance program. I’ll see you at ten hundred.

GOLDMAN: So you’re passing yourself off as big-hearted huh?

MCKAY: Well I let you call me by my first name, don’t I?

GOLDMAN: You’re a hot dog an’ she’s a legit reporter. Why don’t you let her write about somebody that deserves it?

MCKAY: Let’s see -- hotdog—humanitarian –same part of the alphabet.

GOLDMAN: You know you come through under fire, then you fly your chopper back to the helipad where the heat’s off. The grunt’s gotta stay out there in the field. They haven’t got any clean linen or mosquito nets to tuck themselves in at night.

MCKAY: Can I help it if all the smart soldiers are in the choppers? Oh—er—the latest party tunes from The States. I’ll let you know if she likes ‘em.

[09.53] Getting medical records

ANDERSON: My LT, all he wants to know is if the guy’s fibbing ‘bout his back or not.

???: Your LT can’t see anyone’s records without authorization from the doc in charge of medical records.

ANDERSON: Alright, who’s that?

???: Which-er-that happens to be Doctor Seymour.

???: Look out! He’s got a scalpel.

NIXON: Damn ??? you're gonna poison me.

SEYMOUR: Private Nixon. No-one is going to poison you.

NIXON: You got that right because I’m gonna take you with me

ANDERSON: Solider!. Ten-Hut!-----Help me—help me.

SEYMOUR: Please! Please –try not to hurt him. Take it easy.

MP(?): That’s enough.

SEYMOUR: Please, take it easy.

ANDERSON: Damn lady. Seein’ as how he feels about you, you ought to be worried about whether or not he’s gonna get loose again.

SEYMOUR: I’m Doctor Seymour. I run the psychiatric ward and that was very brave of you to try to save my patient.

[10.53] Seymour & Anderson

ANDERSON: So now what was that guy doin’ runnin’ around here with a scalpel anyway?

SEYMOUR: Amphetamine psychosis. He’s from Delta Company. They were stranded in the bush for a week so they started taking uppers just to stay alert. He took one too many.

ANDERSON: Yeah. Well that’s been known to happen. Listen here. I understand that you’re—er—in charge of medical records. My LT needs to find out whether or not this gunner from Air Cav really has a profile for a bad back. Now what you do say, huh? What d’you say?

SEYMOUR: Sorry. Not unless you get a writ from the Judge Advocate General. You don’t forfeit your right to confidentiality just because you wear a uniform. But I can probably find out for you.

ANDERSON: Yeah? I appreciate it—I appreciate it. I’ll tell the LT.

SEYMOUR: Tell me something first. Most combat sergeants would have let the guard shoot Private Nixon. Why didn’t you?

ANDERSON: I like to think my job is to keep people from gettin’ killed.

SEYMOUR: That’s a very interesting attitude for a soldier. I’d like to hear more.

ANDERSON: Now listen here. I go by my instincts an’ that’s kept me breathing so far. An’ no disrespect intended to you but I’m not in to being analyzed. You understand me?

SEYMOUR: I meant over dinner.

ANDERSON: You’re a doctor.

SEYMOUR: I’m a civilian contract psychiatrist who can never know enough about how combat soldiers think. There’s no rule against us having something to eat while you fill me in is there?

ANDERSON: No

[12.33] Character guidance

UNDERMAN: Continuing in our non-denominational review of the environs, our next friend is of course pediculosis pubis, or as they say on the cocktail circuit “crotch crabs”, displaying an impressive preference for moist………..

HUDSON: I told you last week not to come round here hustling these new boys.

TAYLOR: Aw Miss Hudson, you’ve got me wrong. I came round here to hustle you.

HUDSON: Really? Well in that case you’re out of luck. Because I don’t waste my time with enlisted me.

TAYLOR: An’ why should you, when it’s so rare when you can find one that can give you the things that you really need? Like French champagne, Chanel Number 5.

HUDSON: You got Chanel on a Spec-4 salary?

TAYLOR: I will by the end of the day. Hey, good things just happen to come to me.

HUDSON: Well this good thing will be at the Officer’s Club because I don’t date grunts.

TAYLOR: Mm, you will.

[13.32] Air Conditioning tickets

???: Hope they’ve got one of her where I’m going, this Plee-koo.

TAYLOR: It’s Pleiku, an’ it’s too hot there for chasing women unless of course you’ve got your air conditioning tickets.

???: Air conditioning?

TAYLOR: Yeah, see that’s a little service we second tour men provide -- see I’m a second tour man. Here’s the situation: five dollars a week, two week’s in advance an’ up to three air conditioners per hootch. See, you just let me know what base an’ what company you’re in. You know that way we don’t double up.

???: I don’t know.

TAYLOR: Hey look, I’m tellin’ ya. Nothin’ turns ‘em on like a little climate control.

???: Yeah?

TAYLOR: Yes

???: This looks like a movie ticket.

TAYLOR: Well see, that’s the point. See nobody’ll know what it’s all about except you, me an’ the co-ordinator over at ???

???: Well how do I find this co-ordinator?

TAYLOR: He’ll find you. Just like I did.

???: Did I hear somebody say you can get air conditioning?

TAYLOR: Ssssh. What you gonna do tell the whole world about it. I’ll meet you out in the hall—I’ll meet you out in the hall. Hold on to that ticket.

[14.48] Creatures of passion

TAYLOR: Bishop. I’m gonna need you later. This is important, there’s twenty bucks in it for you, so don’t get lost.

UNDERMAN: ……….. surprise attacks. One final thought for you creatures of passion. Er—to paraphrase Alexander Fleming, even the common fly can carry disease. So when in doubt, keep yours closed.

[15.04] Clean in Puerto Rico?

TOLIVER: This what they call sanitary in Puerto Rico?

RUIZ: I don’t know. I’m from New York.

TOLIVER: Hell, it’s probably cleaner than an operating table in New York. Now I see smudges, I see spots, I see disrespect for the caliber of a man who straddles this device. Don’t you think your fellow soldiers deserve a good target?

RUIZ: Yes Sergeant Major Toliver

TOLIVER: Then why don’t you demonstrate that by polishing all these devices again before movin’ on to your next latrine.

ANDERSON: Look at it like this Ruiz. It beats getting’ shot at on perimeter don’t it?

RUIZ: Not by much Sarge.

ANDERSON: Alright, when you’re finished here, since you’re doin’ such a good job an’ all – stop by my hootch, check out that six-pack of beer in my cooler, help yourself.

RUIZ: What are you feeling so good about?

ANDERSON: What are you talkin’ about?

RUIZ: Father Underman, that one’s not clean yet.

ANDERSON: I mean, can’t a sergeant just give a man………..

???: Incoming

ANDERSON: Ruiz, get the medic. Ruiz I said move it. Ruiz move now. Go.

[16.31] Anderson & Ruiz

ANDERSON: Alright Roo, tell you what. I can take it from here. Why don’t you go kick back for a few.

RUIZ: I’m okay Sarge.

ANDERSON: Hey, nobody’s sayin’ you aint. It’s just we both saw the same thing out there an’ there’s no sense in ol’ Major Darling here havin’ to listen to it twice. If I need you, I’ll call you. Now get outta here.

GOLDMAN: Well I just went by the hospital. They said Underman’s real iffy. Just wanna know why the Deputy Commander’s getting involved in this.

ANDERSON: Well, we’re about to find out.

[17.03] Darling's office

YOUNG(?): Sir, the fragments found after the explosion are from the M-59 which were only issued to a few units because most of the troops haven’t used up the M-26’s yet. I have someone at Supply checking exactly which units were given the new ordnance.

DARLING: By M-59, you mean an M-59 type grenade.

YOUNG(?): Sir, the M-59 is a grenade---they replaced the old M-26.

DARLING: I want each infantry platoon leader to take a couple of men into Saigon and question every zip who worked within fifty yards of the latrine or had access to the Supply depot. Sergeant Crown will arrange for a National Field Police escort. You may wonder why a staff officer is taking charge of this incident. It’s simple. In the wake of this Tet business, the brass thinks it’s vital for Charlie to see that we are a “hands-on” army from top to bottom, and dammit that’s what he’s gonna see.

ANDERSON: Sir, I don’t know it’s just been my combat experience that the sappers aren’t very likely to blow up a latrine. I-it just strikes me as possible that it—it’s a GI who’s gotten out of hand.

DARLING: I don’t wanna hear another word from anybody casting suspicions on the men at this base. Is that clear?

ANDERSON: Yes Sir.

DARLING: Or did you miss the fact that we’ve had a serious decline in morale since Tet?

ANDERSON: No Sir, I didn’t. But if we ignore the possibility an’ we’re wrong, we’ve got more than a morale problem here.

DARLING: What I am saying is I will not have this base subject to paranoid thinking. Do you have a reason to be paranoid Sergeant?

ANDERSON: No Sir.

DARLING: Didn’t I recently issue you a pass for you to meet your wife in Saigon? Did she say something that makes you suspicious of the people around you? Because if she did, keep it to yourself. Now go find me that sapper.

[18.55] Goldman & Anderson

ANDERSON: Well LT I think I’ll go round up some people from town.

GOLDMAN: No. No, I’ll handle it. You’ve fielded your share of fire for one day. Look—er—what Darling said was unfair but he’s not wrong to be concerned about GIs freaking out.

ANDERSON: Well hey, he’s not wrong about somethin’ else too. I mean what happened between me an’ my wife, it is on my mind.

GOLDMAN: Hey, if you think that’s affected the way you’ve done your job – I haven’t noticed.

ANDERSON: Well it’s just that all my life I’ve had my instincts to go by an’ my instincts were wrong when it came to my wife an’ they could be wrong here.

GOLDMAN: Sergeant, getting shot down in your personal life has got nothing to do with being a good soldier. You’re the best one I ever knew an’ I count on that every day in the bush. Of course I really don’t have any other choice.

ANDERSON: D’you mind if we talk about something else – please.

GOLDMAN: Alright, fine. Did you check the medical records on that door gunner I told you to look at.

ANDERSON: Hey, the doctor wouldn’t let me near the records. She’s very committed to protecting the privacy of her patients.

GOLDMAN: What do you mean, she? You couldn’t finagle medical records out of a female doctor? Sergeant you are losing your touch.

ANDERSON: Hey, LT. Do me a personal favor will ya? When you’e in Saigon, watch your tail.

GOLDMAN: I hear ya.

[20.10] Play follow the LT

GOLDMAN: Hey take it easy guys. This is army business huh.

JOHNSON: Ain’t exactly the day at the beach I was anticipating.

PERCELL: Why not? Just spread a towel down in that puddle right there Johnson an’ soak up some sunshine.

JOHNSON: Hey come on Roo, let’s play follow the LT now.

RUIZ: I’m fine.

JOHNSON: What’s he talking about?

PERCELL: I don’t know. Roo, what are you talking about?

RUIZ: Nothing. I was having this problem before. But as long as I don’t get out of the jeep, I’m fine.

PERCELL: Roo, now’s not the time to be goin’ an’ gettin’ superstitious.

JOHNSON: Hey Roo, come on man, he’s got it covered. Let’s go.

RUIZ: I said I’m not getting out of the jeep.

PERCELL: We’d better let LT handle this.

RUIZ: I know where I’m safe an’ I’m just gonna stay right here. Alright?

PERCELL: Okay buddy, whatever you say. You hang tight.

[21.19] Sweep office good

PEASANT: No VC. Sweep office good. No VC.

GOLDMAN: Yeah, you sweep office good. Er—a GI saw him rummaging through the trash at the supply dump yesterday. Ask him what he was doing?

PEASANT: I show

GOLDMAN: Hey, I said put the pistols away.

PERCELL: LT. I think you oughta come out to the jeep. Ruiz is startin’ to lose it.

PEASANT: Make cane for boy. You take back.

GOLDMAN: No, you keep ‘em.

[22.01] Six inches and you’re on the ground

GOLDMAN: Alberto, what’s the problem?

RUIZ: I can’t do it LT.

GOLDMAN: Come on, six inches an’ you’re on the ground.

RUIZ: I’m afraid if I get out of this jeep, I’m not gonna make it back to base man.

GOLDMAN: Just put your foot on the ground and step out.

GOLDMAN: Alright Johnson, you ride back to the base with him an’ stay with him. Percell, you ride with me.

JOHNSON: Okay Roo, no big thing man.

[22.35] Zeke getting ready for date

ANDERSON: Yo.

MCKAY: I wanna show you somethin’. A chopper jock, we trained together at Fort Wolters. He’s name’s Chip Grady. He’s been MIA for two months.

ANDERSON: Well, at least we know he’s still alive.

MCKAY: Yeah well I just got off the MARS with his family. Talk about some happy people. They wanna know who took the picture.

ANDERSON: Lieutenant Goldman took it.

MCKAY: Goldman? The photo tech said he couldn’t have been more than thirty feet from the cage.

ANDERSON: I keep tellin’ you Lieutenant. The boy ain’t shy.

MCKAY: Hell, now I owe him one. Where can I find him?

ANDERSON: Oh he won’t be back for a while. He’s investigating that fragging in Saigon.

MCKAY: Oh isn’t that a damn shame. I mean of all people Father Underman.

ANDERSON: Well I think everybody felt that way.

MCKAY: Yeah, well I sure hope he pulls through. You ever talked to the guy? He’s pretty funny.

ANDERSON: That’s what I heard.

MCKAY: Oh that’s right. You’re one of those quiet mothers. What’s with the heavy ordnance?

ANDERSON: That there is classified information – Sir.

MCKAY: Well you tell Lieutenant Goldman that I’m lookin’ for him. Oh and—er—bring her back alive.

[23.56] Seymour's Office

SEYMOUR: What I meant was I’d like to talk to you about your friend tomorrow.

GIBBS: Oh ‘cos all I heard was that you wanted to talk to somebody who knows Private Nixon and I’m your guy, Gibbs. ‘Cos Nixon an’ me, we went through hell together.

SEYMOUR: So I understand and I would like to hear all about it – tomorrow.

GIBBS: I mean seven days in the bush an’ no supplies, no reinforcements. It kinda makes you wonder which side these rear-end guys are on you know. I just wanted to thank you for takin’ care of my pal. We’ve been through a lot together an’ it means a lot to me.

SEYMOUR: There’s no need to thank me. It’s my job.

ANDERSON: You’re a star.

SEYMOUR: A hungry star.

[24.43] Taylor planning a surprise

TAYLOR: See she thinks she somethin’ but I got her number.

BISHOP: How come I have to knock on the door.

TAYLOR: Look Bishop, ‘cos you’re the new guy. See I walk the point when we’re out in the field – you walk the point when we’re here on base. It’s all a part of lookin’ out for each other.

BISHOP: Just so I don’t get into trouble.

BISHOP: These officers don’t look like they’d appreciate me disturbing their party.

TAYLOR: Bishop, come here. You’re not disturbing the party, you’re making a delivery. Okay, now let’s run through it one more time.

BISHOP: I say “I’ve got a delivery for Jan Hudson”. When she comes to the door I tell her “Miss Hudson, I’ve got a delivery from Mr Coffee”. She says “who’s Mr Coffee?” an’ I say “he’s hot an’ he’s black an’ he won’t let you sleep”.

TAYLOR: Good. Then you bring her out, I’m gonna be hiding right over there, behind the latrine.

BISHOP: I still don’t see why you can’t do this yourself.

TAYLOR: Because chicks dig surprises bucket head, but that’s a whole different lesson. Now go ahead alright, I’m gonna be right over there.

[25.56] Sneaking around the latrine

MP: Move an’ I’ll blow your brains all over the base.

TAYLOR: What’s goin’ on?

MP: Face down on the ground now. We’ll be talkin’ to Deputy Commander about what you’re doin’ sneaking around the latrine.

MP: Freeze boy.

BISHOP: What’s going on?

TAYLOR: Do what he tells you.

MP: Slowly put those things down.

???: Get back

???: What’s going on?

BISHOP: She wouldn’t come to the door.

MP: Shut your mouth.

???: Hey what’s going on?

???: Is that the guy that fragged Father Underman?

???: Hey check it out.

???: I knew it was a GI.

MP: That’s it, keep moving.

[26.42] Date with Dr Seymour

SEYMOUR: My dad’s got that rare broadmindedness that can solve any emotional problem with a kick in the butt. So it was kind of a blow that his debutante was going to be a career woman, let alone a psychiatrist.

ANDERSON: What’s your dad do?

SEYMOUR: He’s a surgeon. To him psychiatry is over-priced hand holding. So just to make sure that wasn’t the case instead of going home to ??? I came here. I figured if I really wanted to see the full spectrum of human behavior, Nam’s the place,

ANDERSON: Excuse me ma’am, but that’s gotta be about the damnedest reason for comin’ to Vietnam I ever heard in my life.

SEYMOUR: How’d you end up here?

ANDERSON: Oh I don’t know. I was never very enthusiastic as a student and—er enlisting seemed like a pretty good idea to me. An’ I made a pretty fair soldier. I met some good people an’ I made a decent living for me and my wife.

SEYMOUR: You’re married?

ANDERSON: No. My marriage is definitely over.

ANDERSON: I’m sorry, it’s just—somebody said somethin’ today that made me think about all that you know.

SEYMOUR: It’s no problem.

ANDERSON: An’ I’m not very good at talkin’ about myself. I’m not as good as you are.

SEYMOUR: You don’t have to be. Privacy is precious – especially between people who are learning to trust each other.

ANDERSON: So what would your dad say if he knew you were takin’ a grunt out to dinner. Make that a divorced grunt from Idaho.

SEYMOUR: I never really thought about it. I guess I never thought I’d meet one that intriguing.

ANDERSON: Well hey, there’s still time.

[28.23] Zeke's gotta go

MP: Sergeant Anderson?

ANDERSON: Yeah, I’m Anderson

MP: A guy in your squad’s been arrested.

ANDERSON: Arrested for what?

MP: I’ll tell you on the way.

ANDERSON: God, I’m sorry.

SEYMOUR: It’s okay.

ANDERSON: I mean I’m sorry for me. I was enjoying this, I mean it. I’d like to see you again if I could.

SEYMOUR: You could.

SEYMOUR: Sergeant. My publisher wants this article A-S-A-P so if you don’t mind, take my extra keys and drop off those photos later.

ANDERSON: I’ll see what I can do. She’s a writer, writes for this magazine in my home town.

MP: At least

[29.10] Zeke & Anderson

GOLDMAN: I’m sorry. I just got back from town after they’d already gone for you otherwise I would have told them not to bother you.

ANDERSON: That’s alright, thanks anyway.

GOLDMAN: Well maybe it’s just as well. Taylor’s gonna need all the help we can give him. God, I’ve gotta get some new fatigues.

ANDERSON: What is that smell?

GOLDMAN: A sign of appreciation from the people of Saigon, they poured it out a window on me. Listen it was well worth it based on all that great information I got interrogating the locals.

ANDERSON: I hope you weren’t expecting anything.

GOLDMAN: No I wasn’t expecting anything. But while Darling’s got me out there playing “yankee pig”, Taylor gets grabbed by some jumpy MP an’ now he’s in all kinds of trouble with the Major.

ANDERSON: Wait a minute. The Major doesn’t think Taylor had anything to do with the fragging does he?

GOLDMAN: Look I don’t know what he’s gonna charge him with but he’s pretty damn steamed. ‘Cos now there’s lots of talk that the chaplain was fragged by a GI which is the last thing he wanted to hear.

ANDERSON: Alright, so what are we gonna do for Taylor?

GOLDMAN: I don’t know, we’ll—er—go through the regular drill, we’ll fill out a report with—er—his record, his character an’ prepare ourselves to convince Darling to let it slide. Oh an’—er—I got this too.

ANDERSON: What’s that?

GOLDMAN: It’s an inventory list of all the companies that were issued the new grenade. Mentioned in the report they were only issued to Delta and Echo companies.

ANDERSON: Where’d you get this?

GOLDMAN: Sergeant Crown gave it to me. He’s in there right now with the Major going over the arrest. Alright, you start writing it up an’ then I’ll come back an’ finish it. I’ve gotta get some new fatigues.

[30.42] Taylor's interrogation

???: You must think you’re something special chasing after some officer’s girl.

TAYLOR: Just a long shot. You know, you don’t shoot you don’t score, right?

???: That’s a helluva watch for a no-count-pissant Spec 4. You wouldn’t happen to have any air conditioning ticket in there would ya?

TAYLOR: (air?) what?

???: We heard some some black GI was selling air conditioning tickets to the newbies.

TAYLOR: Sounds wild to me.

???: Where’d you get all that cash?

TAYLOR: Gamblin’, shootin’ craps.

???: With who? Give me a name.

BISHOP: There was a bunch of us. He’s mean with those dice.

???: You know why I don’t like you? ‘Cos you’re one of those twerps that just skips through life countin’ on being lucky.

TAYLOR: No Sir. I never counted on bein’ this lucky.

[31.54] Team's hootch

PERCELL: Roo you sure you don’t want some fruit. I brought it just for you.

JOHNSON: Look why don’t you check out Supergirl this month man? She’s lookin’ good now.

RUIZ: I know Taylor didn’t do it. But if whoever fragged Father Underman is a GI, we’re all sitting ducks.

JOHNSON: Look Roo, stop talkin’ like that man. You’re just freakin’ yourself out now.

RUIZ: I was standin’ right next to him man.

PERCELL: Look, you’ve got to forget it Roo. It was a freak thing.

JOHNSON: Hey come on man. You’ve got your lucky necklace on man, everythin’s okay. We’re just coolin’ out.

PERCELL: Yeah easy up. Hey why don’t you play some of those salsa tapes you showed me how to dance to -- I’ll show you some of my fancy footwork. Look at that

JOHNSON: I'll stay.

PERCELL: You watch him

JOHNSON: Put this on. Come on put this on.

RUIZ: (mouthing words) okay--okay

[32.53] Lurking around the latrines

???: Look out. They’re shootin’ at each other.

???: Hold you fire or I’ll blow you away.

???: Knock off you crazy bitch.

GOLDMAN: Listen up. I want you to put your weapons down.

???: Lieutenant. I saw him creeping around behind the latrine.

???: The hell I was. I was just about to drop my drawers when he comes up behind me, locked and loaded.

GOLDMAN: Just clear your weapons. We’ll figure this out in a minute.

???: Something’s moving in the shadows.

???: Over there

GOLDMAN: Cease fire. Cease fire. Cease fire.

PERCELL: Oh this is crazy

ANDERSON: Yeah

[33.35] Roo's gotta go to psych

MP: Clear your weapons and return to quarters now.

???: Probably safer out here

???: Clear those weapons

PERCELL: LT.

GOLDMAN: Yeah

PERCELL: I left Ruiz in the hootch with Johnson. He’s all messed up, I think he’s gotta go to psych.

GOLDMAN: Alright, you an’ Johnson take him down there -- before all the beds fill up.

ANDERSON: Alright LT, let me run somethin’ by you here. Delta Company had the M-59, one of their guys is in psych ‘cos he OD’d on speed. Now if he scored that speed from somebody else in Delta, I wanna find out who that somebody else was.

GOLDMAN: No, Darling gave a direct order we’re not to talk to anyone about a GI suspect.

ANDERSON: We don’t have to talk to anybody. All we gotta do is ready what he said to his psychiatrist. LT I got her keys.

GOLDMAN: I’m not gonna ask where you got those. The same doctor that wouldn’t let you look at the medical profile on that door gunner huh?

ANDERSON: That’s right.

GOLDMAN: Let me have ‘em. I’ll take the heat on this one.

MP: Lieutenant.

GOLDMAN: Yeah

MP: Major Darling wants to see you – yesterday.

GOLDMAN: You do whatever you think’s right.

[35.02] Listening to Jennifer's tapes

SEYMOUR (Voice on tape): Private Nixon may also be suffering from an underlying combat fatigue disorder. Note: I feel a discussion with Sergeant Anderson could be of real benefit to this patient. His combat experience could be invaluable in diagnosis and his extraordinary regard for patient welfare leaves me certain he can be trusted to protect the confidentiality of the patient. Will discuss with Doctor Shively the procedure for extending privileged information. Jennifer Seymour dictating. Thank you.

[35.42] Darling & Myron

DARLING: Two Four Star Generals and umpteen Colonels look to me to run things smoothly around here but because your jack-ass Spec-4 Taylor wants to go sniffing after some broad, I now have to deal with a battalion of full of jumpy trigger fingers.

GOLDMAN: Sir. Any soldier who has seen guys freak out in combat was thinking about a GI fragging the minute the latrine blew up.

DARLING: I expressed myself on the merits of combat experience this morning.

GOLDMAN: Sir, I realize that Taylor’s chasing after that girl was not the brightest thing in the world to do, but he is a first rate soldier. He had nothing to do with the fragging. There is no reason to lay those subsequent events on his head.

DARLING: Not unless someone lays ‘em on my head. In which case, I promise you, it will flow downhill. Now I will find a way to make an example of him an’ when your CO returns from recon I suggest you alert him to that possibility.

GOLDMAN: Yes Sir, I’ll do that. I will also let him know that if you allow Taylor’s arrest to stand as is, the JAG will received a letter from me saying you grabbed an innocent man to save face.

DARLING: Son you must really think you’ve got a pair.

GOLDMAN: No Sir. I’m just trying to give my men what they deserve.

YOUNG(?): Major, Father Underman died in surgery. There’s a chaplain down at Long Binh who was a student of Underman’s. He’s willing to come up to replace him so the men have someone to talk to.

DARLING: He was a good man. Get my jeep, I ought to talk to the surgeons. Taylor and Bishop will be released,

[37.18] Zeke and the tapes (2)

Tape Recording:

SEYMOUR: About those black capsule Private Nixon, How often did you take them?

NIXON: Every time my eyes closed. My man Gibbs was there. He’d give me one, pop a couple himself for luck. He saved us, no way Charlie was sneaking up on us.

[37.34] Psycho ward

SEYMOUR: I’m Doctor Seymour. I hear you’re having a rough night. You’re lucky, that’s one of our specialties here --- What were you doing in my office?

[37.47] Anderson goes to see Goldman

ANDERSON: LT. Alright there’s a Spec-4 in Delta named Gibbs. He was the guy handing out speed in the field. It’s my hunch he’s our man.

GOLDMAN: I’ll get some MPs.

ANDERSON: No I’ve seen these guys before, they talk better if you deal with them one on one. You get everybody else out of the hootch, I’ll take care of the rest.

TAYLOR: LT.

GOLDMAN: Not now – let’s go.

[38.11] Gibbs

ANDERSON: Yo Gibbs. I wanted to talk to you about Private Nixon.

GIBBS: Good people

ANDERSON: Yeah, he’s good people alright but he’s got a problem. He took too many uppers, too many black beauties you know.

GIBBS: So I hear.

ANDERSON: Yeah well Gibbs, what I wanted to know was who else you might have given them to.

GIBBS: Me? Never had any.

ANDERSON: Oh come on Gibbs, come on. Nixon even told me you have.

GIBBS: I need a cigarette.

ANDERSON: You’ve already got one.

GIBBS: Oh yeah?

ANDERSON: Son of a ……

GOLDMAN: Zeke!

[39.04] Knew it was a GI

DARLING: Gibbs is definitely the one. They found twelve grenades stuffed in a satchel under his bed……….To be honest sir I didn’t expect to solve it so far myself even though we knew it was a GI from the outset. But I do appreciate the compliment Colonel.

ANDERSON: Can you believe that?

GOLDMAN: Well you knew. That was enough for me.

ANDERSON: Yeah, well I’m gonna go check on Ruiz.

GOLDMAN: Yeah

[39.44] I let you guys down

RUIZ: I feel like I let you guys down.

PERCELL: Forget it. Look we wouldn’t be here to have this conversation if you hadn’t saved our butts so many times.

RUIZ: Yeah. I’ve never seen you guys scared.

JOHNSON: Oh come on Roo, I was scared today. Scared that latrine mighta got ya.

SEYMOUR: Make sure Gibbs gets his thorazine around the clock and he’s not to be moved from isolation unless I give the order.

???: Yes ma’am

SEYMOUR: Private Ruiz. I don’t think you’ve been through anything that this whole base hasn’t been through today. So all I’m gonna give you is a sleeping pill.

RUIZ: That all I need?

SEYMOUR: Yeah. I’ll leave it by your bedside.

PERCELL: Excuse me ma’am. Would it be okay if we slept on them benches in the hall? I think he’d feel a lot better if we were nearby.

SEYMOUR: There’s extra blankets in the closet.

PERCELL: Thank you

SEYMOUR: Sergeant. When you have a minute I’d like to see you in my office. I believe you know where that it.

ANDERSON: Yeah, I’ll be right there.

[40.43] Taylor thanks Goldman

TAYLOR: LT. Can I talk to you for a second?

GOLDMAN: Yeah, what is it?

TAYLOR: I just wanted to say—er—I appreciate what you did, stickin' up for me with the Major an’ all.

GOLDMAN: All I did was tell him the truth Taylor.

TAYLOR: Yeah well Sir—um—the truth is I was getting over on the newbies. Sellin’ ‘em air conditioning tickets. I—er—I wrote down the names an’ the amounts here. Most of these guys transferred out but maybe you can find a way to get it back to ‘em.

GOLDMAN: I’ll look into it.

TAYLOR: Sir.

GOLDMAN: Yeah.

TAYLOR: Er—I’d also appreciate it if you would like tell the CO that Bishop had nothin’ to do with this, that it was all on me. An’—um—I’m really ashamed, specially after what you did for me.

GOLDMAN: All I did was tell Major Darling what I thought of you as a soldier, and this doesn’t change that. I also remember a Taylor that wouldn’t have thought twice about keeping this.

TAYLOR: I’m tryin’ to forget about him Sir.

GOLDMAN: Alright. Consider it forgot.

[41.44] Jennifer's feels betrayed

SEYMOUR: You betrayed me. Coming in here without my permission, invading my confidential files.

ANDERSON: I wanted your permission. I wanted to talk to you about it. I was under orders not to.

SEYMOUR: There are standing orders to protect the privacy of these patients. I thought you understood that better than anyone.

ANDERSON: This base was on the verge of tearing itself apart. I had soldiers to protect.

SEYMOUR: What about the soldiers in here? Just because they’re recovering doesn’t mean that they don’t count and the last thing they need to hear is that the system which has promised to rehabilitate them is a lie.

ANDERSON: I went on my gut instincts an’ I was right. Now I can live with that for what it’s worth.

SEYMOUR: They may not always be right. Neither will the next person’s. That is why we have to rely on a system.

ANDERSON: But the guy had twelve hand grenades underneath his bed.

SEYMOUR: Officers come to me with twelve howitzers under their command. Should I tell them to swallow their problems and go with their gut when it’s their gut that brought them in here in the first place. People need a place to look to that they can trust so that the limitations that we all suffer from don’t overwhelm us. By breaking in here tonight you violated that trust.

ANDERSON: So where does that leave us?

SEYMOUR: I don’t know. But I want my keys back -- while I think about it.

[43.16] Father Meyer

MEYER: Excuse me. Can you tell me which was the Officer’s Quarters are?

ANDERSON: Yeah it’s—er—just past the Officer’s Club over there.

MEYER: I’m Father Meyer from Long Binh. I—er—supposed you’ve been through a lot today?

ANDERSON: Well everybody has.

MEYER: That’s what I’m here for. If you wanna talk about anything that happened, my shop’s always open.

ANDERSON: Well I’ll tell you what, I’ll pass the word.

ANDERSON: On second thoughts, I gotta go that way anyway. How about I just carry your bad an’ we can talk while we walk.

MEYER: It’s a nice night for a walk.

MEYER: What’s your name?

ANDERSON: It’s Anderson. Zeke.

MEYER: Glad to meet you Zeke.

End

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