Sabre By David Polk

SABRE By David Polk

An Original Screenplay

David Polk 176 Dusty Rose Court Simi Valley, CA 93065 805-428-5775 [email protected]

FADE IN: EXT. MIG ALLEY - DAY We’re five miles above the Yalu River. vast, majestic, heavenly.

The cerulean sky is

Suddenly a silver blur blasts by and in the blink of an eye is followed by another silver blur. TWO JETS are locked in combat 30,000 feet above a cold, mountainous landscape. The VOICES we hear are calm, but with a professional urgency. CASEY (V.O., FILTERED) I can’t shake him, Dutch. DUTCH (V.O., FILTERED) You can out run him. Roll left and dive. CASEY’S SABRE Rolls over and dives. We recognize the classic swept wings, silver fuselage and yellow and black markings of the F-86A SABREJET. The most advanced fighter in the world in 1951. MIG 109 Mimics the Sabre’s roll and follows in a steep dive. We recognize the sleek, shark-like silhouette of the MiG-15 the Sabre’s only rival in the skies over Korea. Catch a glimpse the Red Star of the North Korean Air Force. The two warbirds scream through the sky, rolling, spinning and diving at speeds approaching Mach 1. It’s one hell of vertigo-inducing dogfight. CASEY’S SABRE Stenciled on the side are TWO RED STARS, "kills", and underneath the clear bubble cockpit the pilot’s name, CAPT. CASEY. Inside, CAPTAIN RANCE CASEY, in flight suit, helmet and oxygen mask, looks around as he yo-yos back and forth to shake the MiG from his tail - his "six." CASEY I’m going to the deck. See if this honcho’s got a pair.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

2.

DUTCH (V.O., FILTERED) Okay, Rance. Watch your airspeed. CASEY Roger that. CASEY’S SABRE AND MIG 109 Rocket downward at transonic speed. About 500 feet from the ground the two planes reduce airspeed, level out and lock in a horizontal rolling scissors maneuver - twisting around each other, parallel to the ground a mere 100 feet apart. It’s a game of "chicken" intended to force one pilot to increase airspeed, which will move him in front of his opponent - making him an easy target. Flying cockpit to cockpit, Casey looks up (down) at his opponent. He can see the MIG PILOT’S ice blue eyes, his gloved hand on the control stick, even instruments on the dashboard. Then the MiG bursts ahead of Casey’s Sabre. CASEY (to himself) Got you now, you Commie bastard. The two battling jets hug the hard deck, their shadows flitting over the rugged, snow-covered terrain. Now Casey’s Sabre is the hunter and the MiG is the hunted. DUTCH’S SABRE Covering Casey from above. Come in on the cockpit: THREE RED STARS stenciled below the pilot’s name, MAJ. WELLER. We see DUTCH WELLER looking down at Casey in hot pursuit of MiG 109. DUTCH You’re too low, Casey. Take the shot and pull the hell out of there! We hear a jarring BLEEP-BLEEP-BLEEP. CASEY’S SABRE A RED LIGHT on Casey’s dashboard flashes. The jet is buffeted by powerful turbulence from the MiG’s jet wash.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (3)

CASEY Burnout! I got a burnout! to reignite!

3.

Trying

He jabs the ignition switch repeatedly. DUTCH (V.O., FILTERED) Pull up, Casey! Pull up! Casey looks straight ahead out the cockpit. CASEY’S POV - A SNOW-COVERED RIDGE Closing fast. CASEY (calmly) Son of a -CASEY’S SABRE Slams into the ridge, explodes in a fireball. MIG 109 Gains altitude and streaks away into the sun. DUTCH’S SABRE Dutch looks down at the burning ridge. We can only make out his eyes, but the anguish in them is profound. TITLES OVER A ’50s SONG - ELLA FITZGERALD - SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME EXT. KOREA (AERIAL VIEW) - DAY Snow and ice grip the rugged landscape. Mountains and plains and coastal areas. Korea in winter is a raw, forbidding place. INT. C-123 PROVIDER TRANSPORT - ON FINAL APPROACH - DAY We hear the RUMBLE of powerful turbine engines. From a side window POV we look down on K-14 Kimpo Airbase. Home to over 1,000 men and 300 aircraft of all types, the base is a tent city with a half-dozen hangars and prefabricated buildings neatly arranged around three runways.

4.

We fly close by a snow-capped mountain that abuts the runway - pilots refer to it as the Witch’s Tit. EXT. RUNWAY - DAY The C-123 touches down and taxis.

A light snow is falling.

EXT. K-14 KIMPO AIRBASE - DAY The base is abuzz with activity. Even on a day as cold as this one men and material move about with purpose. INT. DUTCH’S TENT - DAY The room is Spartan, with a wooden floor and a wooden door. A cot covered in olive drab bedding, a potbellied stove for warmth. These are comfortable quarters by wartime standards. Dutch sits at a small desk finishing a LETTER. He’s in his mid-thirties, lean, ruggedly handsome, with a strong jaw and dark features. A knock on the door gets his attention. DUTCH Enter. LEROY HARRIS, a dark-skinned black airman, comes in. About thirty, he has a ready smile and a pleasant disposition. He stands at the entrance. LEROY Mail plane’s here, Major. Dutch folds the letter and sticks it in an ENVELOPE, licks it and presses it tight. He picks up a parcel wrapped BOX on the table next to him. LeRoy steps up to take the box and letter. As the items change hands we can make out handwritten words on the box: "Mrs. Clare Casey, Connally AFB, Texas." LEROY I’ll make sure it gets on, Major. LeRoy takes a step back and exchanges a knowing look with Dutch before saluting and turning to leave. After LeRoy is gone, Dutch leans back in his chair, stares out the flap window at the falling snow.

5.

EXT. TARMAC - DAY The C-123 sits with its propellers spinning. A jeep comes to a stop nearby. LeRoy gets out and approaches the aircraft, box and letter in hand. EXT. OPERATIONS BUILDING - DAY A wooden sign out front proclaims: "345th Ftr. Intcp. Sqdn. Home of the Fighting Eagles." A jeep pulls to a stop in front of the building. A BLACK MAN gets out. Athletic and in his mid-twenties, he’s handsome, in a leather flight jacket, crisp khakis and aviator sunglasses. He pulls a duffel bag from the back of the jeep, nods "Thanks" to the driver then turns to go inside. INT. COLONEL TAVERS’ OFFICE - DAY The office is adorned with historic military PHOTOS and Confederate Army PARAPHERNALIA. A South Carolina FLAG and OLD GLORY hang side by side on a wall. Between them hangs a Civil War-era SABER. ECU - A WEST POINT SIGNET RING ON A MAN’S FINGER COLONEL BEN TAVERS drums his fingers on the desk as he reads a REPORT. He’s in his early forties and if we haven’t figured it out already, his drill instructor crew cut confirms that the military is in his blood. ECU - REPORT There’s a lot of military lingo typed on the page, but one word appears repeatedly - "Outstanding." A knock on the door. Tavers doesn’t bother looking up. When he speaks it’s with a deep Carolina drawl. TAVERS Enter. An AIRMAN steps in, stands at attention. AIRMAN Captain Casey’s replacement is here, sir.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

6.

TAVERS Send him in. The airman exits and the black man enters. His name is CALVIN JEFFERSON. He stands ramrod straight and his salute is crisp, to match his military bearing. He’s soft-spoken, with a slight Southern accent. CALVIN Lieutenant Jefferson reporting, sir. TAVERS (looks up, gives a casual salute) Have a seat, Lieutenant. Calvin does. TAVERS I take it your trip in was uneventful. CALVIN Yes sir. Uneventful, sir. TAVERS Well, we’ll have to see if we can change that, won’t we? Yes sir.

CALVIN Of course, sir.

TAVERS Just going over your file, Jefferson. (impressed) Born and raised in Richmond. That’s good - the more Southern boys in the squadron the better. I see you graduated top of your class at Tuskegee, then went straight to Clark in the Philippines after basic flight for a stint in P-51s. Then back to Nellis in the States to qualify in the F-86. Top of the class there too. (almost an afterthought) You know, the 334th had themselves a colored fighter jock who was also a Tuskegee man. Did a tour in the PI’s before shipping to Korea. Flew F-80s out of (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (3)

7.

TAVERS (CONT’D.) Suwon. Just rotated back Stateside. Maybe you know him, Chappie James. CALVIN Never had the pleasure of meeting him. But I know of him, sir. TAVERS I suspect you would. (ref. report) Says here you go by "CJ". Yeah.

CALVIN Some people call me that, sir. I’m not partial to it either way. TAVERS By some people, you mean other coloreds? (off Calvin’s non-response) You’re a fighter pilot so you’ve got pretty good eyes. I’m gonna just assume you’ve already noticed there aren’t a mess of colored boys around here. And the one’s we got don’t wear bars on their collar or drive Sabres. CALVIN Yes sir, I noticed. Beat. TAVERS Lieutenant, here at K-14 we’re less than 10 miles from the front line, depending on what day of the week it is. We just retook the base from the Communists a second time a month ago. Hardly a week goes by that old Bed Check Charlie doesn’t pay us a visit. He hasn’t hit anything worth a damn yet, but I’ll give him credit, he keeps trying. And infiltrators, well, they’re a way of life around here; one stabbed an airman in his tent just last week. My point is this: we’re up to our eyeballs in Commies, son. So if you’re one of those Negroes who’s got something to prove, some (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (4)

TAVERS (CONT’D.) sort of political axe to grind, you might just as well get right back on that transport plane and fly outta here. We’ve got one agenda in this outfit and that’s to wipe the skies clear of Communist Aggressors...That’s our business, Lieutenant, and business is good. You read me? CALVIN Loud and clear, sir! I joined the Air Force to do my duty and serve my country. That’s the only agenda I have, Colonel. Tavers looks at him for a long beat, sizing up the man. TAVERS Jefferson, I like to think the 345th is the best damn fighter squadron in all of Korea. ’Course, as the CO, I’m a mite partial in my opinion. But like every other fighting unit, cohesion is of the utmost importance. When you’re taking negative G’s and dodging bullets at 30,000 feet, you have to know the man on your wing is up to the job. You have to feel as secure in his flying ability as you are in your own, because your life depends on it. You understand, Lieutenant? CALVIN Yes sir. I understand. Tavers closes the file, stands up, extends a hand. TAVERS Welcome to the 345th, CJ. CALVIN (stands, grips his hand) Thank you, sir.

8.

9. INT. CALVIN’S TENT - DAY Calvin comes into the room carrying his duffel bag. There are two cots - one of them stripped - two footlockers, two narrow lockers, two small desks and two chairs. A small potbellied stove divides the room. He puts the duffel on the bare cot, opens it and pulls out a PHOTO of a PRETTY BLACK GIRL (GRACE). He looks at her for a moment, then opens his locker and neatly sticks the photograph on the door inside. He begins unpacking. INT. OFFICER’S MESS - SUNSET OFFICERS of the 345th are settling in for dinner. All of them are white. At one table we find the senior officers, among them Colonel Tavers, Major Dutch Weller, MAJOR "WILD BILL" COCHRANE, CAPTAIN STEVE HARGROVE, CAPTAIN SAUL LUTZ and CAPTAIN FRED LAMPLEY. WILD BILL Congratulations, Saul, you old horn dog! What is it now, five? LUTZ Six, three boys and now three girls. HARGROVE Next time you’re on R&R in Tokyo, you and Hannah will have to get started on breaking the tie. DUTCH If Hannah was smart she’d send him to one of those Geisha houses next time he’s on leave. Tavers is the only one who doesn’t laugh. TAVERS (not joking) You’re not encouraging an officer to partake in immoral activity are you, Major? DUTCH No, sir! Not at all, sir! Just thinking of Mrs. Lutz’s health, Colonel. The senior officers laugh again. good-natured.

Tavers frowns but it’s

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

10.

Calvin walks into the mess hall and all eyes turn his way. Even for battle hardened pilots, seeing a black officer in the room is something to take note of. He goes to a table with three other JUNIOR OFFICERS, among them LIEUTENANT VIC DELUCA, a dark-haired 23-year-old who’s as handsome as he thinks he is. Vic extends a hand to Calvin, speaks with a Brooklyn accent. VIC You must be Jefferson. CALVIN (shaking Vic’s hand) That’s right. VIC Heard you were coming in today. Vic DeLuca. I guess you and me are gonna be bunk mates. The other officers stare at Calvin for an awkward moment then begin introducing themselves. HOLT Andrew Holt... At Tavers’ table, the senior officers look over as Calvin’s going through introductions. LAMPLEY So Colonel, our new boy have any combat experience or is he as green as DeLuca and Bixby were? TAVERS We all had to pull splinters out of our butts once upon a time, Fred. Tavers exchanges a glance with Dutch. White-jacketed ORDERLIES come from the kitchen with plates of food on their arms. LeRoy is one of them. He puts a plate down in front of Calvin and quickly covers his surprise at seeing a black man seated at the table. If Calvin notices his reaction he doesn’t let on. The officers go about eating their dinner.

11. INT. OFFICER’S CLUB - NIGHT A large Quonset hut crammed with tables and a bar. The place is filled with officers swapping stories. Tavers stands at the bar nursing a beer. Dutch comes up to him. Dutch nods at the BARTENDER, who pours him a glass of Scotch then discreetly moves away. TAVERS (staring into his glass) How’s Clare holding up? DUTCH Betty says she’s been a rock for the kids. She’s a good egg, knows the score. TAVERS I flew with her old man in ’45 when we retook Corregidor. He took out a few Nips before he bought it. (beat) Dutch, I’m assigning Jefferson to be your wingman. Dutch drains his Scotch. The bartender is back to refill his glass almost before it hits the bar, then he’s gone again. DUTCH I had a feeling you were going to saddle me with him. TAVERS He’s a solid pilot with a good record. DUTCH Everybody’s a solid pilot on paper, Colonel. That and a nickel won’t buy a five-cent cigar up there when it counts. TAVERS That may be so, but we all had -DUTCH (interrupts) Yeah, I know, we all had to pull splinters out of our butts once upon a time. Dutch takes another drink.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

12.

DUTCH You really think this boy’s good enough to replace Casey? TAVERS The Air Force thinks so. DUTCH But do you, Colonel? TAVERS Me. The Air Force. What’s the difference? DUTCH Come on, Ben! Tuskegee? When did that become the proving ground for fighter pilots? Those Negroes flew against the only pilots Italy could scrounge up at the end of the war. Italy! Not Germany’s best like you and I flew against. Besides, Jefferson’s greener than spring corn. DeLuca and Bixby have more time in jets than he does. TAVERS Have either of them made first Louie yet? DUTCH Come on, we both know that’s politics pure and simple. Since Truman mixed the coloreds in with the regular military he’s got to push them up the ladder as fast as he can. TAVERS Look, Dutch, you can bitch all you want but it’s not going to change a thing. Jefferson’s your wingman and that’s all there is to it. Tavers swirls the beer in his glass then downs the rest. puts the glass on the bar with finality and walks out.

He

13.

INT. BRIEFING ROOM - DAY PILOTS of the 345th sit at attention. Camera pans their faces: they’re grownup Eagle Scouts and All-American football star types. Fit, good-looking, serious young men. Tavers stands at the front of the room in his flight suit giving a pre-flight briefing. Behind him, on the wall, is a large map of Korea. Red flags indicate target areas. TAVERS Today we’re flying escort for a squadron of B-29s up from Japan and headed north to hit Communist military and industrial targets in Pyongyang province. We’ll establish a series of pickets going in and coming out for the duration of the bounce. Dutch, you and Wild Bill will lead the first and second elements going in, Lampley and me will lead two elements on the return trip. G-2 says Communist anti-aircraft operations are hot to the southwest of the target zone, so as usual expect hostile activity above and below... EXT. FLIGHT LINE - DAY Ground crews are busy readying gleaming F-86 Sabrejets for combat - gassing them up, loading ammunition, polishing the canopies. They’re beautiful birds of prey. We favor one of the jets. Camera does a slow 360 around the aircraft so we see it from every angle: its aerodynamic design, distinctive nose, aggressive curves. Inside the cockpit the dashboard’s dizzying array of dials, gauges and knobs, the control stick and the marvelous K14 radar gun-sight with a POV out the front of the cockpit. On the side of the jet, a MECHANIC (RILEY) is stenciling a name: LT. JEFFERSON. INT. BRIEFING ROOM - DAY Tavers is finishing up the briefing. TAVERS Remember, gentlemen, even though there are Chinese pilots driving (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

14.

TAVERS (CONT’D.) some of those MiGs, the ban on chasing them into Manchuria is still in effect. Under no circumstances are you to venture into Chinese airspace, not even in hot pursuit. (a few grumbles) Wheels up at 0900. That’s all. Good hunting. EXT. FLIGHT LINE - DAY Pilots walk to their aircraft wearing G-suits and holding their helmets. Dutch and Calvin walk side-by-side. DUTCH We get about 20 minutes in a dogfight over MiG Alley before fuel becomes a problem. They’re closer to their home bases in Manchuria, so they can engage longer, then cut and run. We’re a hair faster, but the MiG can out climb the F-86 at all altitudes, so don’t go chasing after one if he goes vertical. Trust me, you don’t ever want a MiG-15 on your six. They’ve got two 23-millimeter cannons and a 37-millimeter cannon. And they turn like demons. If you can’t shake one off your tail, dive for the deck to out run him...And remember, a pilot’s best weapon is a clear head. No matter what happens, don’t panic. CALVIN Don’t panic. Got it, Major. Dutch glances at Calvin ("Is he giving me attitude?") just before they separate to climb into their Sabres. INT. CALVIN’S COCKPIT - DAY Calvin settles in and is helped with his straps by CORPORAL RILEY, the mechanic who stenciled his name on the plane.

15.

EXT. BEHIND MESS HALL - CONTINUOUS LeRoy is smoking a cigarette, looking out at Calvin’s Sabre just as the canopy closes over his cockpit. He watches as the jet taxis onto the runway. He allows himself a small smile. The 345th is about to change forever. EXT. SKY - DAY An element of Sabres fly in finger-four formation. CALVIN (V.O., FILTERED) I’ve got ’em. Two o’clock high. VIC (V.O., FILTERED) I see them too. The B-29s slide into frame. They’re magnificent aircraft, worthy of the name "Superfortress." DUTCH’S SABRE He looks up at the bombers. DUTCH Voodoo Flight, this is Strike Leader. We’re at five o’clock below. VOODOO FLIGHT (V.O., FILTERED) Roger, Strike Leader, we have you in sight. Damn glad to see you. DUTCH Happy to oblige. Sit back and put your feet up for a while. We’ve got a while before the natives get restless. We’ll give you a wake up call. VOODOO FLIGHT (V.O., FILTERED) Roger that, Strike Leader. Thanks. The Sabres move into position to escort the bombers. EXT. SKY - LATER VIC’S SABRE Vic looks up, thinks he sees something.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

16.

VIC Anybody else see that? Nine o’clock high. DUTCH (V.O., FILTERED) I don’t see anything. WILD BILL (V.O., FILTERED) You seeing things again, DeLuca? VIC I saw something, sir, I know I did. WILD BILL (V.O., FILTERED) Maybe you should lay off grandpa’s grappa, Vic. (laughs) Kid’s been here for a couple months and wants a MiG so bad he can’t see straight. DUTCH’S SABRE Dutch looks around to be sure Vic’s not seeing things. DUTCH Alright, knock it off. Jefferson, you see anything? CALVIN’S SABRE CALVIN Negative, Major. VIC’S SABRE Vic rolls his eyes, sighs his frustration through the radio. EXT. MIG ALLEY - DAY A group of MiG-15s streak down from 40,000 feet toward the B-29 formation, guns blazing. VOICES crackle urgently over the American pilots’ radios. VIC’S SABRE VIC Bandits! Seven o’clock high! WILD BILL (V.O., FILTERED) I see them too, hot shot! Let’s go get some boys! (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

17.

DUTCH’S SABRE DUTCH Voodoo Flight, time to drop your cocks and grab your socks. Bandits, seven o’clock high. VOODOO FLIGHT (V.O., FILTERED) Roger that, Strike Leader! The Sabres turn hard into the attacking MiGs. The B-29s open up from gun turrets. It’s an aerial melee. From a pilot’s POV the earth spins, the horizon appears and disappears. G-forces drain the blood from one end of the body to the other, pressing pilots into their seats, nearly doubling their body weight in violent dives and turns. DUTCH’S POV - MIG Dutch has a MiG smack dab center in his K14 gun-sight. The radar range finder is engaged, creating the "circle" around the MiG, but there’s also a wad of CHEWING GUM stuck to the glass (a fighter pilot’s old trick for shooting straight). Dutch squeezes the trigger on the control stick. We see a stream of 50-caliber incendiary rounds fly toward the MiG. Suddenly, the MiG slows. Dutch reacts, unperturbed. CALVIN (V.O., FILTERED) He’s hit the air brake, Major! Dutch pulls back on the throttle and slides directly underneath the MiG. He looks up at its underbelly. DUTCH (to himself) That’s going to cost you, you little shit. MIG The NORTH KOREAN PILOT looks around for Dutch. Left, right, behind - can’t find him. Then Dutch reappears on his six and opens fire. The MiG is hit. White smoke streams from the MiG. The pilot throws the throttle forward and jerks the stick back, tries to outclimb Dutch’s Sabre to survive. MIG AND DUTCH’S SABRE The two jets go higher and higher until the MiG stalls, tips over and starts to go down in a flat spin. Dutch inverts to follow and fires a long burst. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (3)

18.

The rounds cut the MiG’s tail from the fuselage. The MiG bursts into flames and disintegrates. The pilot ejects and his chute opens. CALVIN’S SABRE Calvin streaks past the pilot, floating in his parachute straps. They lock eyes and the Korean shakes his fist and shouts something at Calvin. WILD BILL (V.O., FILTERED) Hot damn! They’re bugging out! Calvin looks up to see the remaining MiGs escaping. at the B-29s - all of them still in formation.

He back

VIC (V.O., FILTERED) Good thing. I’m at bingo fuel. DUTCH’S SABRE DUTCH Alright, form up and let’s head for the barn...Voodoo Flight, this is Strike Leader. This is as far as we can go. Good luck and good hunting. VOODOO FLIGHT (V.O., FILTERED) So long, Strike Leader. And thanks. The Sabres bank away and head for home. EXT. K-14 KIMPO AIRBASE - DAY Dutch’s element of four Sabres touch down one by one. INT. OFFICER’S CLUB - SUNSET Pilots, still in their flight suits, are drinking, smoking and recounting the day’s missions. Dutch is the center of attention. He’s using his hands to describe his latest kill. HARGROVE Dutch, you son of gun, you might just make ace before you rotate out of here.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

19.

DUTCH (good-natured) There’s plenty to go around, Steve. I’m happy to let you take a few. WILD BILL He’d have to take his head out of his ass long enough to see ’em. The officers laugh, including Hargrove. HARGROVE Don’t you worry, Billy Boy. There’s a gook out there who’s number’s gonna come up before I’m done. LUTZ You know what the Old Man would say: (dead on impersonation of Tavers’ drawl) "Now, gentlemen, if it was glory you were after, you should’ve joined the Navy." They all laugh. Across the room Calvin is at a table with junior officers. VIC I’m telling you guys, it was a thing of sheer beauty. The slope hits the brakes at about point 6 mach, but Dutch, he’s too wily to fall for that old trick. Cool as my Aunt Josephina on Easter, he cuts his airspeed and eases in right underneath the MiG. Then he pops up on his six and lets the little yellow bastard have it. The bartender comes over with another round. Beers all around except for Calvin. The bartender puts a glass of Coca-Cola down in front of him. LIEUTENANT ANDREW HOLT gives Calvin a quizzical look. HOLT I heard things were different Down South, but they won’t even allow Negroes to drink?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (3)

20.

CALVIN I just don’t have much taste for the stuff. LUTE (a boisterous laugh) Boy! I ain’t ever heard of a fighter pilot that don’t drink? LIEUTENANT LUTE BIXBY is a strapping Texas lad with red hair and a perpetual grin on his heavily freckled face. Calvin reacts to ’Boy’ but quickly checks himself. CALVIN Well now you can say you know at least one. INT. HANGAR - NIGHT ENLISTED MEN are playing a rousing game of craps. So far the big winner of the night is LeRoy. He shakes the dice in his hand and blows them for luck. LEROY Come on baby! Come to Pappa! Seven. hands.

LeRoy smiles big.

The others react.

Money changes

EXT. TENTS - NIGHT LeRoy is counting his winnings and talking to another AIRMAN. He notices Calvin and Vic walk by. LeRoy quickly pockets his cash and starts out after them. LEROY Lieutenant! Calvin and Vic both stop and turn toward him. LEROY Lieutenant Jefferson...You have a moment, sir? Vic nods a good-bye and continues walking. CALVIN Yes Sergeant, what is it?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

21.

LEROY (smiles) Well, sir, I never got a chance to welcome you to the 345th. I been in the outfit for a little while now and, well, I just wanted to formally give a welcome to you, is all. CALVIN Thank you, Sergeant.

Is that it?

LeRoy is a bit put off by Calvin’s coolness. LEROY Yes sir. I suppose. CALVIN (a dismissive nod) Sergeant. LeRoy straightens and salutes. Calvin returns the salute, turns and walks away. LeRoy watches him for a beat, shakes his head, disappointed, then goes about his business. INT. COLONEL TAVERS’ OFFICE - DAY Tavers is leaning back in his chair, his fingers forming a tent underneath his nose. He’s listening to AHN SO-HEE, a respectful young Korean who is earnestly pleading his case. So-Hee speaks with an accent but his English is very good. SO-HEE Colonel, all we ask is that you provide us that material which has already been deemed unworthy of use on the base. Our people will not disrupt your operations in the least. TAVERS So-Hee, you know I’d like nothing more than to be of assistance to you and the refugees. After all, my wife back in Charleston heads the base charity drive every year. So I appreciate and respect what you’re doing for your people. But I have my orders.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

22.

SO-HEE (humbly) Yes, of course, Colonel. Which is why I am sure General Bostwick would not have asked me to see you if my request would interfere with your performing your honorable duty as an officer. Tavers sighs, sits up in his chair. river by his commanding officer.

He’s been sold down the

TAVERS So you’ve been to Seoul to see General Bostwick? SO-HEE Yes, Colonel. I hope you don’t mind. I know you are very busy directing your fliers in the protection of our country. It seemed that the General is quite concerned about the refugees now that reports of accidental bombings have increased -TAVERS (interrupting) Yes, well. So-Hee, I’ll see what we can scrounge up. A gracious nod and smile from So-Hee. EXT. K-14 KIMPO AIRBASE - LATER So-Hee looks on as TWO AIRMEN load scrap lumber onto a truck. When the last material is on and the tailgate is closed, Calvin steps up and hands So-Hee a sheet of paper. CALVIN Please sign. He does. After Calvin takes the paper back, So-Hee smiles at him. It’s a friendly smile that catches Calvin off guard. SO-HEE You are to come with me, Lieutenant? CALVIN That’s right.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

23.

SO-HEE Are you sure you can be away from your duties for such a long time? CALVIN Today it’s my duty to escort you and this material to your village. INT. TRUCK - MOVING - DAY So-Hee sits between the driver - a CORPORAL - and Calvin as the truck bumps along the icy, snow-covered road. Calvin feels So-Hee’s eyes on him. The Korean is looking at the SILVER PILOT’S WINGS pinned on Calvin’s leather jacket. SO-HEE You are new to the base, Lieutenant? CALVIN Yes. SO-HEE You fly? CALVIN Yes. SO-HEE Would it offend you if I ask what aircraft? The corporal clears his throat as a warning to Calvin. Calvin just looks at him. CALVIN (beat) The F-86 Sabrejet. So-Hee smiles. CORPORAL Whoa! The truck slides on a patch of ice and the corporal struggles to regain control. Calvin and So-Hee brace themselves as the truck skids to an abrupt stop. Calvin cuts the corporal a critical look. CORPORAL Sorry Lieutenant. These roads can be a real bitch in winter.

24.

EXT. TRUCK - DAY They all climb out of the truck. A FLAT TIRE CALVIN We have a spare, Corporal? CORPORAL Yes sir. The corporal gets to work locating the spare. Calvin looks around. Korea on the ground seems even harsher than from the air. We hear a slap on the side of the truck. CORPORAL (O.S.) Oh, great! CALVIN What is it, Corporal? The corporal walks from the rear of the truck holding a JACK. CORPORAL It’s busted, sir. Calvin, So-Hee and the corporal look up as four Sabres streak by overhead. SO-HEE The village is another six kilometers. There are tools there. Calvin considers. CALVIN Corporal, stay with the truck. I’m going with Mr. Ahn to the village. We’ll send someone back with a jack. CORPORAL But Lieutenant... Calvin’s look stops the corporal. CORPORAL Yes sir.

25.

EXT. ROAD - DAY Calvin and So-Hee walk down the road, hands jammed deep in their pockets, collars up against the cold. CALVIN Your English is very good. SO-HEE Thank you. I was born in the United States. Washington State. CALVIN (mild surprise) Is that right? SO-HEE During Japanese occupation of my country, educated Koreans like my father were forced to flee. He and my mother were among the last permitted into America before your government passed laws excluding Asians. Even though he was highly educated, my father worked as a farm laborer for many years to support his family in America. After the Japanese were defeated in the World War, we returned home, only to find that the Americans had left many Japanese war criminals and collaborators in positions of authority. CALVIN Then why stay after you came back? So-Hee looks at him thoughtfully. We sense that he’s considering the color of Calvin’s skin. SO-HEE Why do you fight for your country, Lieutenant? Because it is your country, yes? Beat. CALVIN You’re a teacher? SO-HEE Yes. The Japanese banned all Korean literature from schools and (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

26.

SO-HEE (CONT’D.) tried to crush our culture along with our will. I vowed that when I returned to my country I would devote myself to re-educating my people. We were nearly finished with the school and clinic in the village when Communists recaptured Seoul a month ago and forced us to flee. CALVIN So you’re starting again from scratch? SO-HEE Yes Lieutenant. And if the Communists return and destroy it again, we will start again once they are gone. Now it’s Calvin’s turn to look at So-Hee thoughtfully. EXT. TRAIL - DAY Calvin and So-Hee walk along a trail that passes an old Buddhist temple. Calvin notices piles of rocks nearby. They’re stacked neatly, some over six feet high, and arranged beautifully, as though by an artist. SO-HEE They are called Prayer Rocks. For each rock, a prayer has been said by the person who put it there. By placing a stone to another rock’s surface, there is a better chance of having your prayer answered. CALVIN Prayer rocks. Huh. SO-HEE Are you a religious man, Lieutenant? CALVIN Yes, I am. SO-HEE Then you pray?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

27.

CALVIN Yes, I pray. They continue past the rocks and the temple toward the village. EXT. VILLAGE - DAY A thousand years old, it is still little more than a series of huts, tiny earthen buildings and lean-tos. Chickens, pigs and a dog or two wander aimlessly about. VILLAGERS are hard at work on what will be a new clinic. So-Hee and Calvin walk in. An OLD REFUGEE comes up to So-Hee and glances suspiciously at Calvin, who is certainly the first black man he’s ever seen. So-Hee explains in Korean who Calvin is and the old man bows a greeting. SO-HEE These are refugees, mostly from Seoul and surrounding villages. They fled here after the last battle to retake the city. The Red Cross offers us some assistance, but we must rely on what can be given by the airbase and other U.S. camps in the area. Wary eyes watch Calvin as he and So-Hee walk through the village toward the men working on the clinic. INT. ALERT SHACK - SUNSET A group of pilots huddle around the radio, listening to a silky-voiced FEMALE ANNOUNCER. Though vaguely Asian-accented, her English is perfect. FEMALE ANNOUNCER Hello again boys of K-14. It’s been almost a week since you’ve been paid a visit. But fear not, my Imperialist darlings, the winged liberator of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea will fly by again very, very soon. Laughter from the pilots. drinking and it shows.

Lute, the young Texan, has been

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

28.

LUTE (laughing) Maybe ole Bed Check Charlie could hit something besides dirt if he could see out of them slanted eyes of his. The door of the shack slams and the officers turn their heads as Calvin comes in. He’s just back from the village. CALVIN What’s going on?

What’s so funny?

VIC China Rose is going on about how Bed Check Charlie’s due to buzz the base again. (to the guys) Say, you think she’s good-looking? She sounds like a real knockout. The young officers laugh.

Vic’s got a one track mind.

HOLT Say Jefferson, you’d better see Major Weller ASAP. CALVIN What for? VIC He seemed sort of hacked off at you for something when he came by earlier, Cal. HOLT Yeah, said something about you and the crew chief. Calvin shrugs, at a loss. LUTE Boy, one thing you don’t want to do is get on Major Weller’s bad side. I can tell you that from experience. Something about the way Lute says ’Boy’ rubs Calvin the wrong way. But ignoring rednecks is second nature for Southern blacks.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (3)

29.

CALVIN (to Lute) I suppose I should go see the major then, hadn’t I? INT. HANGAR - SUNSET Mechanics busily make repairs to fighter jets and other aircraft. Dutch is talking to his CREW CHIEF, who is explaining the repairs that have been made to his Sabre. Calvin comes in and the two men turn to face him. CALVIN Major, I was told you were looking for me. I was.

DUTCH Earlier.

Calvin feels the chill in his tone. too.

The Chief senses it

CREW CHIEF That about does it, Major. She’s good as new now. DUTCH Thanks, Chief. CREW CHIEF (leaving) Major. Lieutenant. The crew chief goes to supervise mechanics working on another Sabre. CALVIN What is it you wanted, Major? DUTCH I thought it was clear you were supposed to talk to the Chief about having tracers loaded into our fifties. But that hasn’t happened. CALVIN Yes sir. I mean, no sir, it hasn’t. The Old Man - Colonel Tavers - had me escort a Korean teacher to a refugee village with a load of building scraps. I just got back a few minutes ago. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

30.

Dutch steps closer to him, bores into him with his eyes. DUTCH Jefferson, when you’re not flying, maintaining the readiness of our aircraft is the most important thing you have to do around here. You figure out how to get your social work done in your free time. CALVIN (tries to explain) But Major, I... Dutch brushes past him, strides out of the hangar. Calvin turns and watches him. He’s acutely aware of the mechanics’ eyes on him. INT. CALVIN AND VIC’S TENT - NIGHT Vic is lying on his cot ogling the centerfold in a girlie magazine. Calvin is undressing. He’s still peeved over the dust up with Dutch. VIC (ref. centerfold) Now this is what I call a woman. Boy, I can hardly wait for my first R&R in Tokyo. I hear those Jap girls really know how to treat a man. It’s why a lot of guys say R&R in Tokyo is more like I&I - "Intoxication and Intercourse." Calvin opens his locker and when he does Vic catches a glimpse of the photo stuck inside. Vic gets up, goes to stand next to Calvin. VIC (ogling) Well, well, what do we have here, Lieutenant Jefferson? CALVIN Her name’s Grace.

We’re engaged.

Vic loses the lascivious tone.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

31.

VIC She’s a fine looking girl, Calvin. When’s the big day? CALVIN When I rotate back to the States. Probably the first June after that. Calvin closes the locker and sits on his cot, opens a leather-bound NOTEBOOK and begins writing. Vic stares at him for a moment ("A diary? Are you serious?") then shrugs and goes back to his cot and the girlie magazine. EXT. K-14 KIMPO AIRBASE - NIGHT We hear the drone of a small-engine propeller aircraft. Then a loud air raid siren. Sporadic gunfire as airmen on the ground shoot at the unseen Bed Check Charlie. INT. CALVIN AND VIC’S TENT - CONTINUOUS Calvin is sitting up in his cot, looking upward. Waiting. Vic is awake but lying on his side. INT. COLONEL TAVERS’ QUARTERS - CONTINUOUS Tavers is sound asleep, snoring. INT. DUTCH’S TENT - CONTINUOUS Dutch is on his cot reading a dog eared copy of "The Red Fighter Pilot" (the autobiography of Manfred von Richthofen). We hear an explosion. Unfazed, Dutch just turns the page of his book, continues reading. INT. CALVIN AND VIC’S TENT - CONTINUOUS At the explosion, Calvin exhales. pillow over his head.

Vic turns over, pulls the

INT. COLONEL TAVERS’ QUARTERS - CONTINUOUS Snoring.

32.

EXT. MIG ALLEY - DAY Four Sabres fly in formation at about 15,000 feet. DUTCH’S SABRE DUTCH Stay alert. Only a complete moron would pass up a chance to jump us at this altitude. HARGROVE (V.O., FILTERED) I hear our bombing raids have created a shortage of complete morons up North. LUTE (V.O., FILTERED) Yeah, but they still got plenty of ordinary ones. DUTCH That’ll do it for the chatter. Keep your eyes peeled. CALVIN (V.O., FILTERED) Bandits two o’clock high! HARGROVE’S SABRE Roger. six!

HARGROVE I make four.

No, make that

LUTE (V.O., FILTERED) You did it, Major. Baited them right to us. The MiGs streak down to engage the Sabres. DUTCH (V.O, FILTERED) Alright, let’s earn that combat pay Uncle Sam’s been doling out. HARGROVE Tally-ho! And it’s on. The Sabres and MiGs arc back and forth across the sky like angry hornets. A MiG cuts Dutch away from the element, trying to get a firing angle. Dutch performs a split S maneuver but the MiG sticks to his six. He yo-yos from side to side, barrel rolls to shake the MiG. The North Korean stays with him. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

33.

DUTCH’S SABRE DUTCH Where is he, Jefferson? I’ve lost him? CALVIN (V.O., FILTERED) On your left, abeam! Coming up hard on your six! Dutch stick steep chase

looks behind and left, sees the MiG. He jerks the and the Sabre makes a remarkable turn, rolls into a inverted dive. The MiG follows. Calvin dives to the MiG.

MIG #1 Opens fire. Cannon rounds whistle past Dutch’s cockpit, too close for comfort. A second MiG zooms straight at Dutch, flipping on its side at the last second to avoid a head on collision. MiG #1 breaks off his attack, but Calvin stays on his tail. CALVIN’S SABRE CALVIN I’ve got a clear shot at the first MiG. Closing in. DUTCH (V.O., FILTERED) Negative, disengage! Locate his wingman! CALVIN’S POV - MIG #1 Lined up in the circle of his gun-sight. Calvin pulls the trigger. A burst of 50-caliber rounds fly right up the MiG’s exhaust. An instant later black smoke billows out. The smoke turns to flames and the MiG explodes. ECU - CALVIN’S EYES Show no emotion as he flies through the debris. The ENGINE ROAR of his Sabre is deafening as we, SMASH CUT TO:

34.

EXT. RUNWAY - SUNSET ENGINE ROAR continues as Calvin’s Sabre touches down at Kimpo. The jet taxis onto the tarmac. Stops. EXT. FLIGHT LINE - SUNSET Calvin pushes back the canopy and Riley climbs on the wing to help him out of his straps. RILEY (smiling) Congratulations Lieutenant! That’s the way to show ’em! CALVIN (removes his helmet) Thanks, Riley. RILEY Did you really get him with just one burst, sir? CALVIN Yeah, I think so. Calvin climbs out onto the wing.

Dutch comes up to him.

DUTCH (hot) You got wax in your ears, Jefferson? Riley stands there, feeling the Major’s heat too. CALVIN Sir? DUTCH I gave you a direct order, Lieutenant. Disengage and follow the MiG’s wingman. You disobeyed! CALVIN Major, the MiG was right there in front of me. What -DUTCH (interrupting) I don’t give a flying fuck if he was sitting on your nose! When you’re flying my wing, you do as (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

35.

DUTCH (CONT’D.) you’re told! This is the second time you’ve disobeyed my orders, Jefferson. Don’t think you’re some sort of special case. Disobey an order again and I’ll bring you up for court martial so fast your head will spin. Do you read me, Lieutenant? CALVIN Yes sir! Loud and clear, sir! Dutch stares at him for a moment to seal the message. he’s off down the flight line. Riley gives Calvin a sympathetic look.

Then

INT. MESS KITCHEN - DAY LeRoy and PHIL, another black airman, are peeling potatoes. Both have a cigarette hanging from the corner of their mouth. PHIL Don’t surprise me none. Old Harry S might have broke the color line in these here armed forces, but the white man’s a long way from evening things up at large. Old Dutch ain’t about to let a colored boy show him up in the sky. LEROY I hear that. But, tell you the truth, it don’t surprise me that the major went off on him the way he did. The boy was due. Phil reacts.

He doesn’t follow.

LEROY You ain’t been around him enough to notice, but Jefferson’s one uppity Negro. You’ve seen it before. Black man gets a little education, starts to thinking he’s better than you and me. Put a pair of silver wings on his chest to boot and, well...

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

36.

PHIL Boy, what you talkin’ ’bout? How is he ’spose to act - the only black pea in a pod full of ultra uptight whiteies? You and me, we can be black in this man’s military. We screw up it’s just another darkie doing what comes natural. But Jefferson, he’s got to be superman. He fouls up and you might not see another black man in a cockpit the rest of your days. And you better believe he knows it. INT. COLONEL TAVERS’ QUARTERS - DAY Close on a TIN SOLDIER in blue. The TIP OF A PAINTBRUSH comes into frame, gingerly stroking the soldier. DUTCH (O.S.) Look Colonel, all I’m saying is that he’d be better off flying somebody elses wing. PULL BACK and we see that Tavers is meticulously painting the soldier, one of a regiment of Union troops spread out in formation on a campaign table doing battle with tin Confederate soldiers. TAVERS (painting) Better off for him or better off for you? DUTCH Both. Wild Bill or even Hargrove would take him without a beef. Tavers puts the paintbrush down and gives Dutch his full attention. TAVERS Funny, all my years in uniform and I never once got the impression a superior officer made a decision based on whether or not I’d beef about it. Dutch gets the reprimand.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

37.

TAVERS Why do you think I put him with you, Dutch? It sure as hell wasn’t because of your social graces. DUTCH He’s trained and from what I saw today it’s obvious he’s got some brains. That proves he can learn combat flying from any one of us. TAVERS But you’re the "best" one of us, Dutch. And that boy represents the future of the United States Armed Forces. Dutch sighs loudly, annoyed by the thought. TAVERS The war to end all wars ended six years ago. But here we are again, fighting the Chinese and the Russians instead of the Japanese and Germans. And instead of flying Mustangs at 300 miles an hour, we’re pushing jets across the sky at close to Mach 1...My great-grandfather couldn’t even have dreamed of fighting a war in the sky. My grandfather would turn in his grave to know I chose the Army Air Corps over the Infantry. We live in a different age, Dutch. Communism is much more dangerous than Nazism because more people buy into it. If we’re going to beat it, we have to do what our Founding Fathers couldn’t or wouldn’t do - treat every man equally, use every man’s strengths. In my opinion, the Air Force is the best place to start. Beat.

Tavers looks at the tin soldiers pensively. TAVERS You know, someone told Jeff Davis that if he freed the slaves and asked them to fight, the Confederacy might beat the Yankees. (looks at Dutch) Everybody knows Abe Lincoln was a racist too, but old Jeff let his (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (3)

38.

TAVERS (CONT’D.) prejudices get in the way of his principles and he lost a nation... (looks at the tin soldiers) Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it, Dutch. Off the tin soldiers... INT. DUTCH’S TENT - NIGHT The potbellied stove glows and crackles with warmth. A man’s hand opens the stove and puts in another piece of wood. We hear a WOMAN’S VOICE (BETTY). Gentle and warm. Steady and comforting. Without seeing her, we know that she’s lovely. BETTY’S VOICE (V.O.) I went to the market yesterday. Can you believe they want fifteen cents a pound for roast? Highway robbery is what it is... Dutch goes from the stove and sits at his desk, where a portable REEL-TO-REEL TAPE DECK plays. BETTY’S VOICE (V.O.) Your Mother’s feeling much better, Dutch. She’s almost over the terrible cold that had her down these last few days. I really think she’s happier here on the base with us instead of back in Philadelphia with your sister and her husband. Oh, that reminds me, Johnny’s been named captain of the baseball team! He’s writing a letter of his own to tell you all about it. You’d be so proud of him, Dutch. Dutch looks at a framed PHOTO OF BETTY on the desk. His wife is lovely: a blue-eyed Doris Day in pearl earrings and necklace. BETTY’S VOICE (V.O.) I paid a visit to Clare again. Poor dear. She puts on such a brave face for the kids, but she’s so torn up over losing Rance. She doesn’t talk much about (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

39.

BETTY’S VOICE (V.O.) (CONT’D.) him when we’re together. We just sit and I hold her while she cries... (a sudden rush of emotion) Oh Dutch, why won’t Truman just let General MacArthur nuke them all to Kingdom Come? Then you and the boys could finally come home. Then silence on the tape. We sense that Betty’s regaining her composure, putting on a brave face of her own. The good military wife. BETTY’ VOICE (V.O.) Clare and I are going to the Rialto tonight to see "Born Yesterday" with Judy Holliday and William Holden. You know when I see him I always think of you. (silence filled with emotion) Dutch...darling, take care of yourself. Please take care of yourself...I love you. Dutch stops the tape, takes a drink of Scotch. He looks at Betty’s photo for a long moment then hits rewind. EXT. VILLAGE - DAY Calvin and Riley pull up in a jeep. They get out and walk across the muddy ground to where men have erected a rough wood frame for the clinic. So-Hee greets Calvin warmly. It’s clear their friendship has grown. It’s also clear the villagers are less wary of him now - one or two children wave "Hello." CALVIN I thought you could use some of these. He gestures to the rear of the jeep and Riley goes round and uncovers crates of miscellaneous building material. So-Hee smiles. INT. CLINIC - DAY It’s a decrepit communal hut. Dank and unsanitary with patches on the thatch walls and roof. Cots with REFUGEES, mostly children and old people, fill the room.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

40.

So-Hee leads Calvin in. Almost immediately Calvin notices a young KOREAN WOMAN tending to a LITTLE BOY. She’s lovely, in her mid-twenties, wearing the white peasant clothing worn by rural Koreans. But what gives Calvin pause is the air of strength and dignity about her. Her name is AHN SUN-YE. She looks over at them. After saying something to the little boy, she crosses to So-Hee and Calvin. Sun-Ye and So-Hee exchange words in Korean then she looks pleasantly at Calvin. Like So-Hee, her English is accented but very good. SUN-YE Hello Lieutenant. My brother has spoken so much of you that I feel as though I know you already. CALVIN (a surprised glance at So-Hee) Well Miss, you’ve got me at a disadvantage. Your brother never said anything about having a sister. SO-HEE Lieutenant this is my sister, Sun-Ye. Sun-Ye offers her hand and Calvin takes it. When they touch we sense a subterranean chemistry between them that even they, at this point in time, cannot fathom. INT. CLINIC - MINUTES LATER Sun-Ye tends to an OLD WOMAN.

Calvin is by her side.

CALVIN You’re a trained nurse? SUN-YE Yes Lieutenant. Does that surprise you? CALVIN No, why would it? As she speaks her hands move efficiently but attentively over the old woman’s glands, eyes and chest. SUN-YE The people of my country may be poor but we have many who are educated, Lieutenant. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

41.

She looks directly at him - not in a challenging way - then walks past him to another patient, a six-year-old GIRL whose face and arms have been burned. This is KIM TAE-TEE. CALVIN Of course. I didn’t mean... SUN-YE Of course not. (to Tae-Tee, in Korean) Stick out your tongue. The girl does as she’s told but she looks somewhat fearfully at Calvin as she does. He offers a smile to put her at ease. SUN-YE What do you think of my country so far, Lieutenant? CALVIN I haven’t seen much of it, at least not on the ground. SUN-YE (to Tae-Tee, in Korean) Open wider, Tae-Tee. (to Calvin) Yes, that’s right. My brother said that you are a pilot. CALVIN I have to say winter here beats anything I’m used to. She finishes with the girl and he follows her outside. EXT. VILLAGE - DAY Calvin and Sun-Ye walk together. SUN-YE We are doing what our parents expect of us. My family - my father and mother, brother and I returned to help rebuild our country after so much oppression by others. CALVIN Where are they now, your parents? Beat. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

42.

SUN-YE They died, Lieutenant. CALVIN Oh. I’m sorry...So-Hee never said...What happened? SUN-YE My father and mother - and Tae-Tee - were among hundreds of refugees who were killed in the village of Sanseong-dong when planes dropped napalm on the cave they were hiding in. CALVIN Napalm? But the North Koreans and Chinese don’t use napalm. She faces him, now with a slight challenge in her eyes. SUN-YE What do you know of my country, Lieutenant? Of the war you are fighting? CALVIN (realizing) Americans bombed unarmed people? SUN-YE Often refugees use caves as shelters to avoid being fired upon by Americans and Communists who are on patrol. Your generals claim that it is impossible to distinguish infiltrators and guerrillas from civilians. Even when the suspects are children. The thought of civilians - children - being killed by American fliers sickens Calvin. CALVIN I...I just can’t...I’m sorry. SUN-YE (a sympathetic look) War is complicated, Lieutenant. (then, changing the subject) My brother has said many positive things about you. I believe he is what you Americans call a "fan".

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (3)

43.

CALVIN (thankful that she’s changed the subject) I suppose you could say I’m a fan of his too. I really do admire what he - what both of you - are doing here. SUN-YE Thank you...for speaking to your colonel about providing us your unneeded supplies. (stops, looks at him earnestly) And Lieutenant, thank you for defending our country. RILEY (O.S.) Lieutenant. We see that Sun-Ye and Calvin are now a few feet from the jeep. RILEY We’d better beat it back to the base, sir. Calvin and Sun-Ye look into each others eyes. She offers him a small, understanding smile as, A SMOOTH JAZZ TUNE IS PLAYED ON CLARINET INT. BARRACKS - DAY Living conditions for Kimpo’s enlisted men are, in a word, crude. Eight airmen share a tent with a wooden or concrete floor. They store their meager belongings in furniture cobbled together from scrap wood. In this barracks, FOUR AIRMEN laconically play a game of cards. ANOTHER AIRMAN is stretched out on his cot reading a letter and eating cookies mailed from home. LeRoy is on his cot playing the CLARINET. RILEY You’re real good, LeRoy. You ever think about playing for a living? LEROY (stops playing) Think about it? Man this here was my life before the service. I (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

played Louis, course got my

44. LEROY (CONT’D.) clubs in Kansas City, St. Detroit, New York. And of Sweet Home Chicago’s where I start.

YORK (O.S.) You played jazz for a living? LeRoy looks at YORK, a scrawny, pimple-faced teenager. His cardboard crisp fatigues and bright white t-shirt tell us he’s fresh from the States. LEROY Yeah. What’s a white boy like you know ’bout jazz? What’s your name again? YORK (smiles) Name’s York, Sarge. plenty.

And I know

York opens his footlocker and rummages for something. pulls out a CHET BAKER ALBUM.

He

LeRoy gets off the cot and goes to him, takes the album and looks it over. LEROY (an appreciative grin) Alright, York! Now that’s what -KABOOM! An explosion rocks the barracks and the men with it. A moment later sirens blare. The men scramble outside. EXT. K-14 KIMPO AIRBASE - DAY An aircraft has crash-landed. Fire rages on the runway. Fire trucks and rescue vehicles speed to the scene. Airmen and soldiers watch the horrible scene from the muddy edge of the airfield. LeRoy and York step next to an ONLOOKER. LEROY (to onlooker) What was it? ONLOOKER B-26 Invader. Bombs still in her. Tried to come in on one wheel. Cartwheeled instead. York stares at the inferno in disbelief. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

45.

YORK Anybody get out? LeRoy looks at him. in LeRoy’s eyes.

The new kid finds the gruesome answer

EXT. CALVIN AND VIC’S TENT - DAY Standing in front of the tent, Calvin sees the black smoke from the B-26 rising over the airstrip. He takes his eyes off of the smoke and looks down at the LETTER in his hand. INT. CALVIN AND VIC’S TENT - MINUTES LATER Calvin’s sitting on his cot reading the letter. we hear,

As he does

GRACE’S VOICE (V.O.) (a sweet Southern accent) It’s in all the newspapers that General MacArthur was fired by the President. Some people say it will only make the North Koreans bolder, make the war last longer. I pray they are wrong, CJ...I hope you were able to celebrate Easter properly this year. I’m glad to hear that you’re helping refugees in that village. We know why you’re there and we’re all so very proud of you. But it makes us all feel a little better knowing you’re able to do some of the Lord’s work too. I read somewhere that many South Koreans are embracing Christianity. So I suppose that makes what we’re doing over there that much more important. Be brave my love, and do us proud. All my... The tent door swings open and a KOREAN BOY of about fourteen steps inside. Calvin looks up at him. CALVIN Yes, Byung-Woo, what is it? BYUNG-WOO, the house boy, smiles ingratiatingly at Calvin. He speaks in broken English.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

46.

BYUNG-WOO Lieutenant Vic, he say while he at alert shack play cards, make bed, take dirty clothes now. Calvin nods and the youth goes to work on Vic’s cot. Calvin looks at the letter again, then folds it and puts it in his leather diary. He gets up, takes his jacket from the back of a chair and is about to leave. BYUNG-WOO You want make bed, dirty clothes, Lieutenant? CALVIN No. Not now, Byung-Woo. later. Tomorrow.

Maybe

Calvin opens the door. BYUNG-WOO It too bad about bomber crashed, huh, Lieutenant? CALVIN (turns in doorway) Yeah, Byung-Woo, it’s too bad. BYUNG-WOO You show Commies, you go up next time, right? Calvin looks at him for a beat. He turns and heads out the door. INT. OFFICER’S MESS - SUNSET Dinner is being served. Tavers bows his head. The other officers at his table do the same out of deference to him. TAVERS Heavenly Father, we thank you for this bread that you have given to us and we ask your blessing so that we may draw strength from its bounty, and with that strength go forth and serve your will. Amen. The officers say "Amen" and dig in.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

47.

HARGROVE I can hardly believe it. MacArthur canned. That’s got to really chaff your hide, huh, Dutch? DUTCH (casually) He’s Commander-in-Chief. He gives the orders. He can do what he pleases. WILD BILL Well, it appears that it pleases him to see us fight a war with one hand tied behind our backs. If it weren’t for MacArthur and what he did at Inchon, the North Koreans would have swept the ROK into the ocean a month after crossing the 38th parallel. LUTZ Maybe, but Mac didn’t help himself - or us - by getting out in front of the president with that ultimatum he threw at the Chinese. This war’s going to be won as much with diplomacy as with tanks and tough talk, Wild Bill. LAMPLEY That’s bull, Saul! The Chinks could give a rat’s ass about diplomacy! You know that as well as I do, and so did Mac. Strength is the only thing those little yellow bastards understand. Truman ought to know that by now. He just feels guilty for nuking the Japs and doesn’t want to do it again. Tavers glances up from his fork full of roast beef. The look on his face tells Lampley that he’s gone too far. TAVERS Like Dutch said, the Commander-in-Chief gives the orders. It’s an officer’s job to follow them, even if that officer’s name happens to be Douglas MacArthur.

48.

EXT. TENTS - NIGHT Calvin, Vic and another young pilot, KELLEHER, walk to their tents. Vic is giving the sordid details of yet another one of his conquests. VIC Really, I swear to God. She could’ve been her twin sister. CALVIN You shouldn’t swear to God, Vic. It’s blasphemous. VIC Yeah, yeah, Cal, I know. But I swear to God I’m telling the truth. CALVIN (smiles) Vic, sometimes a little "truth" from you stretches a long way. Especially when it comes to women. KELLEHER Yeah, like from here to San Francisco. VIC This girl had legs that stretch to San Francisco...and an ass like you wouldn’t believe. KELLEHER I’ll tell you what I don’t believe. I don’t believe Marilyn Monroe or her twin sister would have anything to do with a Goomba like you. VIC So now you’re saying Marilyn Monroe wouldn’t have anything to do with an Italian? KELLEHER Why would she? She’s got class. VIC You hear that, Cal, we got us a bigot right here in the 345th. (to Kelleher, jokingly) For shame, Kelleher! For shame!

49.

Calvin raises an eyebrow and shakes his head just as they come to their tent. They say goodnight to Kelleher, who continues down the muddy path toward his tent, next to theirs. INT. CALVIN AND VIC’S TENT - NIGHT When Calvin and Vic come inside, they’re immediately struck by a foul smell. They look at each other. VIC Don’t look at me, pal. My civvies just came back from the laundry. They search the tent for the source of the stench. Calvin finds it inside his locker. A dead RACCOON DOG is hanging inside, blood ripping down. Vic comes up behind him and frowns at the sight. VIC Jesus! INT. BRIEFING ROOM - DAY Pilots are taking their seats for a briefing. Vic and Calvin come in. Vic is speaking quietly, but earnestly, to Calvin. VIC You can’t let crap like this keep happening. You’ve got to report it this time, Cal. CALVIN I said I’ll handle it. already.

Now drop it

No sooner than they sit down, VOICE (O.S.) Ten-hut! The pilots snap to attention when Tavers strides in and takes his place at the front of the room. TAVERS Sit. (The pilots sit) Before I get to today’s missions, I have some disturbing news. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

50.

Calvin cuts a look at Vic, who’s expression says "I didn’t say nuthin’ to nobody." TAVERS Last night Lieutenant Kelleher was stabbed to death in his tent, apparently by a Communist infiltrator. The pilots react, none more shocked than Calvin and Vic. TAVERS Immediately after we return from the day’s missions, the MPs will want to talk to those of you who spent time with Kelleher before he was killed... EXT. RICE PADDY - DAY PEASANTS working the rice paddy look up as two Sabres roar by overhead. EXT. SKY - DAY Dutch and Calvin fly at tree top level. This close to the ground we get a sense of the remarkable speed at which the jets are traveling - trees, hills, rice paddies and fields zoom below in a blurred tapestry. DUTCH (V.O., FILTERED) Okay, Jefferson, we’ll be making our run in about two minutes, so check your cameras. CALVIN’S SABRE He flicks switches on his control panel. CALVIN Camera’s ready, Major. DUTCH’S SABRE DUTCH Control, this is blue flight zero seven niner. Request vector to target.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

51.

CONTROL (V.O., FILTERED) Roger, blue flight zero seven niner. Your vector, zero nine zero for Bogey. DUTCH Roger that, control. CALVIN’S SABRE CALVIN I have the target. Dead ahead, three miles and closing. The target is a railroad bridge spanning a deep ravine. EXT. GROUND - DAY Hidden in the rugged terrain, ANTI-AIRCRAFT BATTERIES let loose a hell storm of fiery, radar-guided flak. EXT. SKY - DAY Black puffs of flak detonate as the Sabres approach. CALVIN’S SABRE CALVIN Camera ready. DUTCH (V.O., FILTERED) We’re coming in hot. Stay steady. CALVIN’S POV - THE TARGET And thousands of tracers flying wildly at him as he flies through a gauntlet of fire, smoke and shrapnel. It’s a frightening sight and we should get the feeling it takes nerves of steel - and a shit load of luck - to get through it. ECU - CALVIN’S EYES Cool as cool can be. He pulls the trigger on the control stick and the high-speed wing camera fires, taking reconnaissance photos of the bridge and surrounding AA batteries. Calvin flies over the target, looks over his shoulder at the tracers chasing him.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

52.

CALVIN (dryly) That was a fun ride. DUTCH (V.O., FILTERED) Glad you liked it. Now let’s do it again. No lines, no waiting. CALVIN I was hoping you’d say that. DUTCH’S SABRE It’s hard to read Dutch’s expression through the oxygen mask but we’re pretty sure he’s impressed by Calvin’s aplomb. EXT. SKY - CONTINUOUS The Sabres roar past the AA batteries again. EXT. MIG ALLEY - DAY Four MiGs patrol at 30,000 feet. DUTCH (V.O., FILTERED) MiGs, nine o’clock, level. CALVIN (V.O., FILTERED) I see ’em. DUTCH’S SABRE Dutch checks his fuel gauge. DUTCH Check your fuel, Jefferson. We should have enough to tango with these guys before heading to base. CALVIN (V.O., FILTERED) Roger that, Major. The Sabres move into position behind the MiGs and dive, guns blazing, braking up their formation. Dutch whips his head around. DUTCH Was one of those MiGs marked 109? Beat.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

53.

CALVIN (V.O., FILTERED) Yeah, I think so. Yeah, he was. DUTCH (coldly) I want that son of a bitch. Dutch peels off after the MiG that killed Rance Casey. DUTCH’S SABRE AND MIG 109 The jets streak across the sky, locked in combat. The two seasoned pilots drive their birds to extremes, slashing past each other, flying scissor patterns, snap rolls and split S’s. It’s a grueling, exhausting, exhilarating battle. Finally, the MiG pilot makes a mistake and Dutch slips in behind him at a perfect firing angle. DUTCH’S POV - MIG 109 Dutch opens fire. 50-caliber machine gun rounds SHATTER the MiG’s canopy. Glass flies away from the fuselage. MIG 109 The MiG pilot, now flying in fresh air like a World War I ace, immediately goes vertical, taking his aircraft into a steep climb, clawing for altitude. It’s a move that would shake most pursuers, but Dutch is a man out for vengeance. DUTCH’S SABRE Locked on MiG 109’s six. Dutch fires again and incendiary rounds tear into the MiG. DUTCH (to himself) I’ve got you now you son of a bitch. He pulls the trigger again and...nothing. And again. Nothing. Sensing his good fortune, the MiG pilot levels off and bugs out across the sky toward Manchuria. CALVIN (V.O., FILTERED) Major, he’s getting away! Dutch’s eyes register his frustration as he watches the fleeing MiG. DUTCH Fucking guns jammed!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (3)

54.

He regains his cool, moves to the next priority. He taps his fuel gauge with a gloved finger. DUTCH I’m on fumes, Jefferson. CALVIN (V.O., FILTERED) Yeah, me too. And I hear it’s tough for us folks to get a tow truck in these parts. DUTCH (shakes his head) Let’s head for the barn. INT. COLONEL TAVERS’ OFFICE - DAY Tavers is standing with his back to us, looking out the window at an RF-80 reconnaissance plane warming up on the apron of the runway. TAVERS I heard you gave it to the Chief pretty good. DUTCH (O.S.) I had that son of bitch in my sights, Colonel. He’d be dead now if the Chief had done his job. Tavers turns from the window. his desk.

Dutch is standing in front of

TAVERS The Chief’s a pretty good man. Maybe the best crew chief I’ve served with. DUTCH Well he fouled up royally this time. Sir. Tavers looks at Dutch for a long moment. TAVERS Dutch, you and I have been at this for a lot of years. We both know that no matter how good your training, no matter how much skill you have, sometimes life and death on the razor’s edge just comes down to dumb luck. Well, the MiG got lucky today. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

55.

DUTCH We’re giving them plenty of opportunities to be lucky, Colonel. TAVERS Get over it, Dutch. Chief’s fault.

It’s not the

DUTCH It’s not the Chief I’m talking about. (off Tavers’ look) Colonel, this war should have been over when we pushed those Red bastards back up into China. Thanks to the geniuses back in Washington we’re completely hamstrung here. Our guys on the ground are getting the shit kicked out of them and... TAVERS Dutch -DUTCH (interrupting) No, Ben, I’ve got to get this off my chest! What the hell kind of war is this when we can’t hit the enemy’s bases because they’re over some imaginary line? It’d take us one day to wipe out the entire North Korean air force, their Chinese pilots and the honcho Russians who trained them, if we could just cross into Manchuria. TAVERS We don’t make policy, Dutch. Our rules of engagement are clear. Our job is to fly where we’re told to fly. Fight where we’re told to fight. DUTCH I liked this man’s Army Air Corps when our job was to win wars. But we’re not going to do that here in Korea, Ben, or anywhere else if we keep fighting like this, with no clear military objective and no way of motivating the men who are getting shot at every (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (3)

56.

DUTCH (CONT’D.) day. MacArthur knew that, Roosevelt knew that... TAVERS (warning) Careful Dutch -DUTCH But that god damn hat maker in the White House doesn’t know beans about winning a war. Oh, he knew how to get us into this so-called Cold War but he sure as shit doesn’t know... TAVERS (shouts) That will be all Major! The two men stare at each other for a long beat as the tension dissipates. TAVERS Dutch, I understand how you feel. But we’re professionals. Officers. We have a job to do and we swore an oath to do it. DUTCH (calming) Yes sir. I’m sorry, sir. TAVERS Look Dutch, you’ve got what, 20-25 more missions before you reach your limit? DUTCH Something like that. TAVERS You haven’t had a real leave since you arrived in-country. Why don’t you take some time, go to Tokyo. DUTCH Thank you sir, but I’d rather not. Beat.

A grave look from Tavers.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (4)

57.

TAVERS It’s not a suggestion, Dutch...Have Betty fly over to meet you. It’ll be good for both of you. DUTCH (reluctantly) Yes sir. TAVERS There’s a plane out later this week. I want you on it. EXT. VILLAGE - DAY It’s another day filled with activity for the refugees and villagers. So-Hee stands in front of a GROUP OF CHILDREN who sit cross-legged on the ground reciting the English alphabet. WOMEN tend to small gardens and to young TODDLERS too young for schooling. MEN work to secure the roof of the new clinic. Calvin works alongside them, his shirtsleeves rolled up, hammering away on a section of roof. He hits his thumb and reacts. "Ow!" SUN-YE (O.S.) Lieutenant! Calvin, thumb in his mouth, looks down at Sun Ye. CALVIN Yes. She smiles up at him. SUN-YE Have you hurt yourself badly, Lieutenant? CALVIN (smiles) I think I’ll live. SUN-YE I’m very pleased to hear that. I speak with you?

May

58. INT. CLINIC - DAY Sun-Ye and Calvin stand in front of Tae-Tee, who sleeps fitfully on a cot. SUN-YE I’m afraid her infection will worsen if we do not get more antibiotics. CALVIN Sun-Ye it’s one thing to get scraps of wood and unused building materials. But I can’t get medical supplies from the base infirmary. What about the Red Cross, haven’t they helped with medical supplies? SUN-YE Yes, they have. But lately their supplies have been reduced because of the increase in fighting. What little they have has been given to villages that are further north. Calvin looks at her, then at Tae-Tee. CALVIN I’ll see what I can do. can’t promise anything.

But I

SUN-YE I know you will do your best, Lieutenant. INT. SUN YE’S HUT - DAY Sun-Ye sits on a mat, reading. A POT OF TEA is beside her. A knock on the outside of the hut and she looks up. Calvin steps inside. He’s rolling down his sleeves. CALVIN I’m sorry to disturb you. I just wanted to say good-bye before I go. SUN-YE We will see you again next week? CALVIN I’ll try, but you know Communist activity’s picked up.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

59.

SUN-YE Yes, of course. I understand. (beat) Would you like a cup of tea before you go, Lieutenant? INT. SUN YE’S HUT - LATER Calvin sits cross-legged across from Sun-Ye. CALVIN Have you ever thought of going back to the United States? SUN-YE We are outsiders there. This is our home. This is where we can do the most good. CALVIN I suppose you’re right. You know, you and So-Hee have accomplished so much here. Your parents would be proud. SUN-YE You are doing good here too, Lieutenant. CALVIN (holds up his bruised thumb) Thanks, but I’m not very handy. I spent most of my childhood studying books and tending to my lessons in school and in the church. SUN-YE I did not mean the clinic. CALVIN Oh...yes. That. She sees the change in him. SUN-YE Are you not proud to be a fighter pilot, Lieutenant? CALVIN Yes, I am. There aren’t many like me who are. At least not right now. But, well, being a fighter (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

60.

CALVIN (CONT’D.) pilot in wartime isn’t always the best way to do good in the world. She looks at him with understanding eyes. SUN-YE Then you have much to be proud of and still much to accomplish. In that way you are like my brother and I. She refills his cup of tea and hands it to him. When their fingers touch their eyes meet, and it’s now that we know there is an unspoken affection between them. CALVIN Thank you. She smiles. INT. OFFICER’S LATRINE - DAY Calvin has just come out of the shower. He’s got a towel wrapped around his waist and heads for a spot in front of a long metal sink. Lute Bixby and another JUNIOR OFFICER are talking as they shave. Calvin lathers up. LUTE (to junior officer) One night I went ’coon hunting with a buddy of mine over in Texarcana. I’ll tell you, boy, that was one helluva night! We were drunker than two skunks! Hey, Calvin. Boy, you ever gone ’coon hunting? CALVIN (tersely) Bixby, you’ve got one more time to call me ’boy’ before you get to see just how much of a boy I am. Lute looks at him, genuinely surprised by his reaction. But he’s also like every other fighter jock - not about to back down from a challenge. He and Calvin stand toe-to-toe at the sink. LUTE Now that’s something I’d like to see, Jefferson. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

61.

The junior officer pulls them apart, steps between them. JUNIOR OFFICER Hey guys, cut it out. A tense moment as Calvin and Lute stare each other down. Then Lute grabs his towel from the sink and stalks away. Calvin watches him go. The junior officer breathes a sigh of relief. EXT. K-14 KIMPO AIRBASE - DAY A C-123 Provider warms up on the tarmac. A jeep driven by LeRoy pulls up next to it. Dutch and Vic get out, grab their bags and step on board the plane. INT. BRIEFING ROOM - DAY Tavers is briefing the 345th. TAVERS We’ll be flying CAP for a joint Air Force, Marine, Navy operation to destroy strategic bridges near Chipyong-ni. The Communists are shipping tons of fuel and munitions to forward locations via those bridges. They’re heavily defended, so don’t any of you mokes go making vacation plans. We could be at this for a while. A few weak laughs around the room. TAVERS A squadron of B-26 Invaders will hit the bridges while Navy and Marine planes provide close ground support for the Rangers, who are scouting the area to the immediate south. Our job is to put an umbrella over the operation for as long as it takes. The North Korean ground forces in the area have newer radar-guided anti-aircraft batteries, so expect a shit load of flak in addition to the occasional angry MiG. The pilots grumble. "Oh, great."

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

62.

TAVERS On the bright side, this milk run will offer a target rich environment for any of you looking to pad your CVs before you rotate out. The pilots look at each other.

A few smiles are exchanged.

TAVERS Wheels up at 0900. Oh and Bixby, you’re flying Wild Bill’s wing until DeLuca’s back from R&R. Jefferson, you’re with me. That is all. Good hunting, gentlemen. EXT. RUNWAY - DAY The C-123 races down the runway to take off. EXT. FLIGHT LINE - DAY Pilots walk to their Sabres, climb in and are assisted by ground crews. The crew chief tightens Tavers’ straps; Riley tightens Calvin’s; another mechanic tightens Lute’s, and Wild Bill’s and Holt’s and Hargrove’s, etc. INT. C-123 (OVER K-14 KIMPO AIRBASE) - DAY Dutch looks down at the base as the transport plane gains altitude. Vic is across from him reading a BROCHURE: "Mysteries of the Geisha." VIC Major, did you know there are over 3,000 licensed Geishas in Tokyo? Dutch shifts his eyes from the airfield to the sky. DUTCH’S POV - THE SKY Vast, blue and empty. VIC (O.S.) I bet I can get 10, maybe 15 Geishas in seven days. What do you think, Major? Suddenly a MiG streaks across the sky in front of us. no longer in the transport plane as...

We’re

63.

EXT. MIG ALLEY - DAY We become aware of the wind, the roar of jet engines and the CHATTER of Sabre pilots calling out to their fellow pilots. LUTE’S SABRE LUTE I can’t shake him! Get him off me! Get him off me! WILD BILL (V.O., FILTERED) Lute, break right on my mark. Mark! Lute peels right and rolls into a dive. The MiG is on him like glue, cannons blazing. Rounds slam into Lute’s fuselage. WILD BILL’S SABRE Wild Bill flies into position behind the MiG on Lute’s six. Fires his guns. The MiG breaks away from Lute and bugs out. WILD BILL He’s bugging out! LUTE (V.O., FILTERED) Thanks Major. I owe you one. WILD BILL And I’m going to make sure you pay up too. If there’s one thing I can’t abide it’s a -LUTE’S SABRE LUTE (V.O., FILTERED) (interrupts with a laugh) Deadbeat. I know, Major. Don’t go believin’ everything you hear about me, sir. Beat. WILD BILL (V.O., FILTERED) Lute, you’ve got white contrails. A white vapor trail streams behind Lute’s jet. flies up next to him.

Wild Bill

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

64.

WILD BILL (V.O., FILTERED) Could be fuel or hydraulic fluid. What do your instruments say? LUTE I think it’s both, Major. The stick’s tight and she won’t give me anything when I push the throttle. INT. TOKYO NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT A BIG BAND ORCHESTRA plays MOONLIGHT SERENADE. Dutch and BETTY sway in each others arms on a crowded dance floor. He’s dashing in his Class A uniform; she’s as lovely in a white dress. BETTY Dutch, what is it, honey? you enjoying yourself?

Aren’t

DUTCH What? Oh, yeah, sure, baby. This is great. BETTY (a knowing smile) James Duncan Weller, I know you better than that. DUTCH (smiles) Okay, you got me. He leads her off the dance floor. AT A TABLE - LATER Dutch lights cigarettes for both of them. A WAITER pours wine for Betty, replaces Dutch’s Scotch with a new one and leaves. BETTY But Dutch, flying is your life. You’d be miserable tied to the ground. DUTCH It’s a different world, Betts. I dreamed of flying to defend my country. But we’re not fighting to defend our country in Korea. We’re not even fighting to win. Some (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

65.

DUTCH (CONT’D.) days I go up and I couldn’t tell you what the hell we’re fighting for... BETTY Dutch...don’t. A look from her - "Steady Betty" - and he puts a lid on it. DUTCH I just don’t know if I’m cut out for the Air Force of the future. When a soldier like General MacArthur can’t hack it, what’s it going to be like for an old fighter jock like me? EXT. MIG ALLEY - DAY Tavers and Calvin stalk two MiGs a mile ahead and 1,000 feet below. CALVIN’S SABRE CALVIN Bandits three o’clock low, Colonel. Two of them. TAVERS (V.O., FILTERED) I see them. And we’ve got the sun. (beat) Go get ’em, Lieutenant. CALVIN Sir? TAVERS (V.O., FILTERED) I’ve got your wing. Now go light ’em up, CJ. CALVIN Yes sir! Roger that! Calvin rolls into a hammerhead dive. He streaks down past us, firing away at a MiG. The jets flip, whip and twirl through the sky. It’s dizzying. The MiG spins away but Calvin won’t let him go. G-forces press him into his seat as he continues his pursuit of the MiG.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

CALVIN He’s coming around. shot.

66.

I’ve got a

TAVERS (V.O., FILTERED) Take it, CJ! Now! Calvin pulls and holds the trigger. Incendiary rounds fly out of the Sabre’s nose and riddle the MiG. It explodes. INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT Lights from Tokyo’s burgeoning metropolis can be seen in the b.g. through the window. Dutch is on the bed in shirt and slacks, smoking a cigarette. He looks at Betty, wearing a sexy nightgown. She crosses the room and stands in front of him, reaches for the lamp switch. He takes her in his arms just as the light goes out. EXT. MIG ALLEY - DAY LUTE’S SABRE LUTE She’s stiffening up, Major. WILD BILL (V.O., FILTERED) If you can make it over that ridge up ahead you’ll be over the Yellow Sea. The Navy can pick you up out of the drink lickity split. LUTE Not sure I’ll make the ridge, sir. WILD BILL (V.O., FILTERED) You sure about that, Lute? LUTE Pretty sure, sir. Been flying on fumes the last five minutes. WILD BILL’S SABRE WILD BILL Okay...Alright. (beat) This is blue flight one zero niner. Flier’s got to punch out in Indian (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

67.

WILD BILL (CONT’D.) country. Requesting all available friendlies put a CAP over him as long as possible. MARINE PILOT (V.O., FILTERED) Blue one zero niner, this is Gator Six. We’re flying on vapor but can make one pass before we head back to base. WILD BILL Thanks, Marine. We’ll buy a round for the Leathernecks next time we’re in Seoul. MARINE PILOT (V.O., FILTERED) Aye-aye, Air Force. WILD BILL Alright, Lute. Call it in. LUTE’S SABRE LUTE Right Major...Mayday, mayday, this is Blue one one zero, declaring an emergency. Am punching out. Vector zero seven nine, 38-degrees north, northwest. AIR SEA RESCUE (V.O., FILTERED) Roger, blue one one zero. Will commence S&R to extract at or near zero seven nine at 38-degrees north, northwest. WILD BILL (V.O., FILTERED) Alright, Lute. Now go through your checklist. LUTE Yes sir... INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT Dutch and Betty lay naked, wrapped in the sheets and in each others arms. They’re sharing a cigarette. BETTY Penny for your thoughts. A long beat before, (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

68.

DUTCH You come across many colored folks on the base or in town? I mean, where you really socialize with them. BETTY What kind of question is that? (off his non-response) Sure, all the time. Why? DUTCH The Old Man, Colonel Tavers, thinks Truman was right to mix the races in the military. He says he thinks the coloreds are what the military needs to be ready in the future. BETTY (a small laugh) Really? Ben Tavers said that? Isn’t he a distant relative of Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson or one of those Confederate generals? DUTCH Yeah, Braxton Bragg. The one they named Fort Bragg after. BETTY Well good for him. It’s wrong to keep the Negroes down only because of their skin color. Slavery ended almost a hundred years ago but in some places you’d never know it. She doesn’t notice Dutch’s reaction. DUTCH Maybe. But Negroes are so far behind in some areas. It just makes sense that they’d need a little while to catch up before we expect them to do well in more demanding professions. BETTY (finally putting it together) You mean like fighter pilots.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (3)

69.

DUTCH That’s just one example, yes. Betty smiles to herself. BETTY Remember what your father said when you told him you were going to be a fighter pilot? After a moment, Dutch remembers and smiles too. DUTCH He said I was just about as smart as an ox and that’s probably where I’d spend the rest of my life, behind old Gert kicking up sod on the farm. They look at each other and laugh. love one another.

We sense how much they

BETTY He was wrong, Dutch. You turned out to be a damn good fighter pilot. They kiss... EXT. MOUNTAINOUS AREA - DAY Lute is hunkered down behind shrubs and boulders. He’s bruised and battered from the ordeal of ejecting and landing in enemy territory. We hear men in the distance shouting in Korean. Then we hear the thunderous roar of a jet engine followed by heavy-caliber gunfire. We hear MEN SCREAM. Lute looks up just as a Sabre zooms overhead at 500 feet. CALVIN’S SABRE Calvin looks back over his shoulder at the North Korean soldiers he just strafed. Dead and wounded are strewn across the rocky terrain, forming a macabre perimeter 75 yards around Luke’s hidden position. CALVIN I don’t think they’ve seen him yet, Colonel. He’s dug in pretty good behind a rock formation.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

70.

TAVERS (V.O., FILTERED) The Rangers are about five miles west of Lute’s position. Maybe they can get to him before nightfall. LUTE Is crouched behind a boulder. He peeks up and sees ENEMY SOLDIERS creeping toward him. He grips his .45. We hear faint THUDS. Lute looks up at black puffs of flak peppering the sky. EXT. SKY - CONTINUOUS Tavers’ and Calvins’ Sabres make a wide turn across the sky and come back toward Lute’s position. Flak pops around them. TAVERS’ SABRE TAVERS It’s time, Jefferson. CALVIN (V.O., FILTERED) But Colonel, they’re closing in on him. He won’t last until the Rangers get here. TAVERS We’ve done all we can do. We’re on bingo fuel, the flak’s tightening up. We’ve got to think about our aircraft. It’s time to head to base. CALVIN’S SABRE CALVIN Colonel please! One more pass, sir! TAVERS (V.O., FILTERED) Now listen to me, Lieutenant, that’s my man down there. Nobody wants him back more than I do. But the enemy’s got more ammo and more time than we have fuel right now. If Lute keeps his head and remembers his training he’s got a chance.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

71.

CALVIN (reluctantly) Yes sir. EXT. MOUNTAINOUS AREA - CONTINUOUS Lute hears the Sabres flying away. He presses his body against a boulder and looks around, forlorn. EXT. SKY - CONTINUOUS The flak intensifies around the Sabres as anti-aircraft gunners get a fix on their position. CALVIN’S SABRE We hear a loud POP.

The Sabre spews black smoke.

CALVIN (surprised) Ahhh! I’m hit. Tavers flies close to inspect Calvin’s jet. TAVERS (V.O., FILTERED) Looks pretty serious. What are your instruments telling you? CALVIN (checks gauges) That it’s pretty serious, sir. pressure’s dropping fast.

Oil

TAVERS (V.O., FILTERED) If you can stay airborne for another couple minutes, we’ll be over the sea and the boys at Chong Cho can pull you out of the drink. CALVIN Yes sir. Calvin reaches up with his left hand to flick a switch and winces. He looks down. Blood has soaked through his flight suit. He’s been hit by shrapnel.

72.

EXT. OVER THE YELLOW SEA - DAY A Navy H-5 HELICOPTER flies low and fast over the water. CALVIN’S SABRE Calvin looks out over the Yellow Sea. TAVERS (V.O., FILTERED) Okay, CJ, you’re doing fine. The scow’s in the area and will be on you like a duck on a June bug right after you hit the water. CALVIN Yes sir. TAVERS (V.O., FILTERED) Ejecting into the water isn’t like what you’ve seen in the movies. It hurts like hell, so be ready for that. Okay. Calvin struggles to maintain consciousness. of blood.

He’s lost a lot

CALVIN Yes sir. TAVERS (V.O., FILTERED) You can swim, right? (beat) Jefferson! CALVIN Sir. TAVERS (V.O., FILTERED) I said, you can swim, right? CALVIN (beat) No sir. TAVERS (V.O., FILTERED) You’re joking, right? CALVIN Sorry sir, no, I’m not. Never learned how. (beat) If it’s any consolation, I can’t stand watermelon. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

73.

A long silence on the radio. longer. He starts laughing.

Then Tavers can’t hold it any Calvin laughs too, faintly.

A-5 HELICOPTER Hovers over the water. approaching.

In the distance we see two Sabres

HELICOPTER PILOT (V.O., FILTERED) Blue flight, we have a visual. TAVERS (V.O., FILTERED) Okay, CJ, this is it. Remember, don’t wait to inflate that Mae West. You can do that, right? CALVIN’S SABRE Calvin struggles to raise his left hand. CALVIN (fatigued) Yes sir, Colonel.

I’ll manage.

TAVERS (V.O., FILTERED) Alright, CJ. See you back at the barn. Tavers looks over at him and they hold their look for a beat, then Tavers pulls back and gains altitude. A moment later, Calvin’s canopy blows away and he jettisons out of his Sabre. EXT. VILLAGE - DAY A heavy rain falls. Riley drives into the village in a jeep. He climbs out and walks toward the clinic. From a POV behind and over his shoulder, we see Sun-Ye inside, framed by the doorway, tending to a paitent. As if sensing the approaching airman, she turns toward Riley. INT. CLINIC - DAY Riley crosses to Sun-Ye.

He holds a BOX in one hand.

RILEY Miss. SUN-YE (a bit apprehensive) Yes Sergeant.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

74.

RILEY It’s corporal, Miss...Lieutenant Jefferson wanted me to deliver this to you. He proffers the box.

She looks at it then takes it.

RILEY It’s antibiotics, Miss. of it out in the jeep.

Got a case

SUN-YE Where is the Lieutenant? Why couldn’t he bring it himself? Riley casts his eyes downward. RILEY Miss, I’m sorry but I’m not at liberty to discuss pilots. Infiltrators and all. SUN-YE (beat, covering her concern) Yes, of course, corporal. I understand. RILEY Miss, I’ll unload the case for you. He starts for the door. She pauses, accepting that the Lieutenant may never return, then follows Riley out into the rain. INT. CALVIN AND VIC’S TENT - DAY Vic bursts into the tent. He’s got a ridiculous hat on his head, silk kimonos draped over each arm and he’s singing a Japanese song loudly - and badly. He’s still on Cloud Nine after a week in Tokyo. He stops in his tracks at the sight of Calvin, sitting on his cot with his arm in a sling. VIC What the hell happened to you? CALVIN (re: Vic’s state) Something tells me your story’s more interesting than mine.

75.

INT. COLONEL TAVERS’ QUARTERS - DAY Tavers and Dutch look down at Tavers’ tin soldiers like generals pondering battlefield strategy. TAVERS He’s one hell of a pilot, Dutch, no doubt about it. Cool as the other side of the pillow. And selfless. We were flying on vapors but he didn’t want to leave Lute behind. DUTCH Hear anything on Lute? TAVERS (nods "No") When the Rangers moved into the area the next day, there was no sign of him. We can only hope the Commies took him prisoner. DUTCH You sure about that, sir? You know what they do to prisoners, especially pilots. TAVERS No war lasts forever, Dutch. It’s always better to be alive when they end. (changing the subject) How’s Betty? DUTCH She’s doing fine. love.

She sends her

TAVERS She’s one hell of a girl Dutch, and you’re a lucky son of a gun. Yes sir.

DUTCH I know I am.

INT. CLINIC - SUNSET Sun-Ye sits at the bedside of an OLD MAN who is dying. She comforts him, speaking softly in Korean, and wipes his brow with a damp cloth. The old man dies and Sun-Ye closes his eyes. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

76.

She sits silently for a moment, composes herself, then stands and turns to leave. When she looks up, Calvin is standing at the door, his arm still in a sling. Relief washes over her but she quickly covers her emotion. SUN-YE (re: the sling) Lieutenant, what happened? Oh, this? poker.

CALVIN Sprained it playing

SUN-YE (not knowing the game, but not stupid) Poker? CALVIN (smiles) Or something like that. SUN-YE Here, allow me to look at it please. He sits on a nearby chair and she unbuttons his shirt. They avoid eye contact as she does. She carefully examines the dressing on his rib cage and nods to herself, satisfied. CALVIN How is Tae-Tee doing? SUN-YE Very well. Thank you, Lieutenant, for the antibiotics. He starts to button his shirt, winces.

She helps him.

SUN-YE Does this mean you’re done flying in the war? That you will go home to America now? CALVIN Afraid it’d take more than a little scratch like this to down a fighter pilot. No, I’ll be up again in no time. She tries but can’t hide her conflicting emotions.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (3)

77.

SO-HEE (O.S.) Lieutenant! So-Hee comes into the clinic. His smile melts at the sight of Calvin and Sun-Ye so close together. CALVIN (smiles) So-Hee! Suddenly effusive again, So-Hee shakes Calvin’s hand. SO-HEE I heard you were in the village. You were shot down, Lieutenant? CALVIN You know I can’t say, So-Hee. SO-HEE Yes. Of course. Well, no matter. I’m -(glances at Sun-Ye) -- we’re so glad you came back. wonder, do you have a moment to speak, Lieutenant?

I

Brother and sister exchange a look. SUN-YE Yes, well, it’s time for Ji-Soon to receive her medicine. Thank you for stopping by, Lieutenant. She offers a demure smile before she turns and walks away to tend a patient. EXT. VILLAGE - SUNSET Calvin and So-Hee are talking behind the makeshift schoolhouse. CALVIN Really, So-Hee, it’s not necessary. SO-HEE Yes, I know, Lieutenant, but you have been so generous to us in the village. The smallest token of gratitude is all I’m offering.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

78.

CALVIN I haven’t done anything here that I wouldn’t do for neighbors in need back home. It’s the Christian thing to do. As Calvin speaks, So-Hee glances past him at Sun-Ye walking across the village to her hut. She goes inside. So-Hee smiles ingratiatingly and pats Calvin’s shoulder in farewell, then Calvin goes to a waiting jeep with Riley behind the wheel. So-Hee watches them drive out of the village, then he crosses to Sun-Ye’s hut. INT. SUN-YE’S HUT - SUNSET So-Hee enters and Sun-Ye turns to face him. Korean.

They speak in

SO-HEE Take care of your feelings, sister. SUN-YE What are you talking about? SO-HEE The Lieutenant is a good man. Better than most Americans we’ve known since returning to our country. But he is not for you. She turns away, prepares for bed. SUN-YE So-Hee, don’t be ridiculous. Like you, I admire the Lieutenant for his work here in the village. That is all. He moves toward her.

She turns to face him.

SO-HEE If they were here, Father and Mother would not approve. SUN-YE (defiantly) They’re not here, younger brother... (then, placatingly) Besides, the Lieutenant has not shown such an interest in me. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

79.

He holds her with his eyes. him, betrays no emotion.

Sun-Ye stares right back at

SO-HEE You are not blind, sister, nor am I. INT. BARRACKS - NIGHT York is getting ready to leave. He checks his RIFLE and gun belt. LeRoy, on his cot shining his boots, looks at York. That’s you’ve You’re Chosin

LEROY got to be the tenth time checked that rifle, York. going on guard duty, not to Reservoir.

YORK The Top wants us alert. There have been more reports of infiltrator activity at bases around Seoul. After what happened to Lieutenant Kelleher...Well, let’s just say nobody’s going to be taking any chances. It’s shoot first, to hell with asking questions later. LEROY (grins) Just remember, Audy Murphy, don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes. EXT. TENTS - NIGHT Dutch is walking to his tent when he hears a noise. He stops, looks at the tent from where the noise is coming. EXT. BEHIND TENT - NIGHT Dutch comes around cautiously. It could be an infiltrator. What he sees is a soldier kneeling, working on something. DUTCH Holt? Startled, Lieutenant Holt turns his head. We recognize him as one of the first to greet Calvin in the officer’s mess and from a brief exchange over drinks in the officer’s club.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

80.

HOLT Major. Sir. DUTCH What do you have there? HOLT (busted) Um... Dutch comes closer and sees for himself. Dog. Holt has killed it.

It’s a Raccoon

DUTCH What the hell are you doing, Holt? Holt stands, faces Dutch, who is putting it together. HOLT Sir, I -DUTCH (anger rising) So you’re the one whose been hazing Jefferson? HOLT Major, that nigger -DUTCH You worthless piece of -Dutch belts Holt in the jaw, sending him to the ground. He grabs him by the collar and draws back, about to clobber him again -HOLT (angrily) What’s your beef, Major? You don’t think he belongs here either! You told the Old Man as much! Everybody knows it! Dutch stops, let’s loose of Holt’s collar. They glare at each other. DUTCH (tersely) Report to Colonel Tavers’ office tomorrow at 0800, Lieutenant. Understood? Holt nods, wipes blood from the corner of his mouth.

81.

INT. OPERATIONS BUILDING - DAY Calvin sits in a waiting area. An AIRMAN is behind a small desk typing busily. Holt steps out of Tavers’ office. Calvin has no idea why he’s there. CALVIN Holt. Holt glares at him, walks out without a word. into the doorway. Calvin stands.

Tavers steps

TAVERS (ref. sling) How’s the side doing, Lieutenant? CALVIN Much better, sir. The Doc asked me to keep this on a few more days, but it feels great. Calvin takes his arm out of the sling. TAVERS Come in, CJ. INT. COLONEL TAVERS’ OFFICE - DAY Dutch is in the office.

Tavers and Calvin sit.

TAVERS Lieutenant, you know it’s your duty to report violations of military code and conduct unbecoming an officer? Sir?

CALVIN Yes, sir.

TAVERS So why didn’t you report the hazing you’ve been subjected to for these last few months? Beat. CALVIN Sir...When I reported to duty you said we have one agenda here, to rid the sky of Communist Aggressors. That’s my only agenda, sir. I didn’t think a few redneck (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

82.

CALVIN (CONT’D.) pranks were worth complaining about. Nothing I haven’t dealt with before, sir. TAVERS Well you were wrong, Lieutenant! There’s no place in this outfit or in the whole of the United States Air Force for the kind of redneck bullshit that Holt was pulling. (Calvin reacts, ’Holt?’) What you should have done was reported the inappropriate activity to a superior officer immediately! It’s your duty as an officer to set an example for all of the men. That means nipping that kind of crap in the bud. Do you read me, Lieutenant? Yes sir.

CALVIN Loud and clear, sir.

Tavers glares at him for an uncomfortable moment, then flips open a folder on his desk. TAVERS Now that that piece of unpleasantness is behind us, I have another problem to deal with...Major. Dutch, surprised, raises an eyebrow. DUTCH Sir? TAVERS That MiG you were about to kill until your guns jammed, the one that got Casey. Well somebody’s got it into his head that you chased him deep into Manchuria before he got away. DUTCH That’s bull, Colonel! Who the hell would say something like that?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (3)

83.

TAVERS Beats the hell out of me. But General Bostwick wants both you and Jefferson in his office at 1500 today to explain. Calvin and Dutch look at each other. EXT. K-14 KIMPO AIRBASE - DAY LeRoy waits behind the wheel of an idling jeep. Dutch and Calvin come up from opposite directions and climb inside, Dutch next to LeRoy, Calvin in back. LEROY (a hopeful grin) Think we’ll be in Seoul long enough for me to pick up a little extra dough, Major? LeRoy shakes his fist briskly then opens his palm to reveal a pair of DICE. LEROY My lucky pair. Ain’t let me down yet, sir. Dutch, in no mood for levity, looks straight ahead. LeRoy gets the picture, pockets the dice and throws the jeep in gear. EXT. SEOUL - ESTABLISHING - DAY Seoul in late spring of 1951 looks like a city that’s changed hands four times in 12 months - rubble from shelled buildings, cratered streets, etc. But it also has a military vitality - vechicles move with purpose and soldiers and sailors stalk the streets in search of the usual vices. INT. HEADQUARTERS - DAY Servicemen in neat khakis and Class A uniforms walk the halls, tending to the administrative side of war. We follow AN ENLISTED MAN until camera drops off in a waiting area, where Dutch and Calvin sit. A pretty ARMY SECRETARY bangs away on her typewriter, seemingly oblivious of the two pilots. Her TELEPHONE RINGS and she answers it immediately.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

84.

ARMY SECRETARY Yes, General, they are. (listens) Yes. Right away, sir. She hangs up the phone and looks at Dutch. ARMY SECRETARY The general will see you now. Dutch and Calvin stand. ARMY SECRETARY I’m sorry. He wishes to speak to you separately. You first, Major. Dutch goes into the office and closes the door. Calvin sits down. The secretary looks at him blankly then continues banging away. INT. BAR (BACK ROOM) - DAY SERVICEMEN are playing a game of craps. LeRoy blows on his fist and throws his lucky dice. They come up SNAKE EYES. He reacts. Other players react. LeRoy pays up. INT. GENERAL BOSTWICK’S OFFICE - DAY GENERAL BOSTWICK is in his late fifties with silver-gray hair and the visage of a hawk. He wears TWO STARS on his starched khaki uniform. It’s obvious that he has zero tolerance for bullshit. GENERAL BOSTWICK (pointedly) Lieutenant, do you think that because I’m in this office with a pretty girl outside I’m a soft, pussy eating idiot? Calvin, alone in the office with the General, sits at attention. The heat is on but he’s as cool as when he’s in the cockpit of his Sabre. No sir.

CALVIN Not at all sir.

GENERAL BOSTWICK (ref. to papers on his desk) So you’re saying that these reports - which by the way are firsthand (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

85.

GENERAL BOSTWICK (CONT’D.) accounts by U.S. Ranger scouts are incorrect? CALVIN Yes sir, that’s exactly what I’m saying sir. At no time during our pursuit of the MiG did Major Weller and I fly into Manchuria, sir. GENERAL BOSTWICK You said Major Weller "and" you. Is it possible that only one of you, Major Weller perhaps, flew into China in hot pursuit of the MiG? CALVIN (without hesitation) No sir. Neither Major Weller nor I flew into prohibited airspace, sir. General Bostwick settles back in his chair. GENERAL BOSTWICK I’ve looked at your record, Jefferson. In Korea less than six months and already you’ve got two confirmed MiG kills. That’s quite an achievement for any pilot...Even more of an achievement considering you’re a Negro. CALVIN Just doing what the Air Force trained me to do, sir. GENERAL BOSTWICK Yes. And I’m sure you’ll make Negroes all over America proud when you go home...Still, you understand that there can be no exceptions and no political excuses: Negro or white, MiG killer or not, if I find out that you violated a major rule of engagement and lied about it, I will personally see to it that they lock you up in Levenworth and throw away the key. (pauses, leans forward) So I’ll ask you one last time, Lieutenant: Did you fly into Manchuria in hot pursuit of that MiG? (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (3)

86.

CALVIN No sir. We did not. General Bostwick leans back in his chair. He looks at Calvin with disdain. INT. WAITING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER Calvin steps out of General Bostwick’s office. The army secretary stops typing and looks up at him. Dutch, sitting against the wall, looks at him too. Calvin straightens his uniform, smiles at the secretary. CALVIN Corporal. ARMY SECRETARY (respectfully) Lieutenant. CALVIN (to Dutch) Ready to go, sir? EXT. SEOUL STREET - DAY Dutch and Calvin walk side by side. faces him.

Dutch stops suddenly,

DUTCH You know we were deep in Manchuria, right? CALVIN Yes sir, I do. DUTCH You lied to a superior officer. major general. CALVIN I’m your wingman, Major. job to cover your six. (beat) And my own. He and Dutch stare at each other. Dutch’s lips.

A

It’s my

Then a wry grin parts

87.

INT. BAR - NIGHT We hear a cacophony of accents and languages from around the world - Australian, Italian, German, French, Greek, Dutch, British. Then we see the bar - a real shit hole dive crowded with soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines from the four corners of the world. Attractive Asian girls in china doll dresses move casually through the place. Some of them are selling overpriced drinks; all of them are selling sex. A BARTENDER slaps a SHOT GLASS down and fills it with Scotch. Dutch picks it up and throws back the drink. Calvin looks at him then takes a sip of Coca-Cola. DUTCH (ref. the Coke) Are you serious? Tavers is the most God fearing son of bitch I’ve ever met, but even he’s been known to tie one on every now and then, long as it’s not Sunday. CALVIN It’s not a religious thing. I only drink when there’s an occasion to. DUTCH Like what, Christmases and baptisms? CALVIN Yeah, something like that. Dutch laughs sharply and shakes his head. EXT. K-14 KIMPO AIRBASE - NIGHT So-Hee is cleared through the main gate by a GUARD who seems to know him well. We just make out the guard’s words something about "by 20:00 hours." So-Hee nods, smiles pleasantly and walks into the base. INT. OFFICER’S LATRINE - NIGHT Hargrove comes in, heads straight to an open stall and cops a squat. He unrolls a NEWSPAPER (perhaps the Peoria Star) and starts to read.

88.

EXT. K-14 KIMPO AIRBASE - NIGHT York is patrolling inside the fence, his M1 rifle slung over his shoulder. INT. BAR - NIGHT The bartender puts another Scotch in front of Dutch. Calvin’s nursing his Coke. DUTCH You know, the Colonel says you’re the "Future of the U.S. military." If that’s so, what’s that make me? CALVIN From where I’ve been sitting these last few months, I’d say it still makes you a damn good fighter pilot. DUTCH (shrugs, a little buzzed) And MacArthur was a damn good soldier - the best - and look where that got him. Not knowing what to say, Calvin takes a sip of his Coke. DUTCH You know, as far back as I can remember I dreamed of being a fighter pilot. I read everything I could put my hands on about aerial combat, everything there was about World War One aces - Richthofen, Rickenbacker, Voss. Everybody back in Bucks County laughed at me when I told them I was going to fly. Even my Old Man. I can hear him now: "No way is a sod buster’s son going to fly, period, let alone fly fighters." No, after I joined up, they all had me pegged for digging latrines...Now here I am, flying the fastest jet fighter the world’s ever seen. Dutch looks at Calvin thoughtfully.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

89.

DUTCH I bet you heard something pretty similar, didn’t you? No way was a colored man going to fly at all, let alone become a fighter pilot. CALVIN I heard a lot of things. But what I listened to were the stories about pilots like Benjamin O. Davis, Edward M. Thomas and Mac Ross, and what they and the other Tuskegee Airmen had to go through just to serve their country. My country. DUTCH (beat) Our country. The bartender appears. BARTENDER You going to fly again, Major? DUTCH Yeah, sure. Line ’er up for takeoff, chief. And another Coke for my wingman. CALVIN (to bartender) Make that a beer. The bartender puts the drinks in front of them. Dutch and Calvin pick them up. A meaningful pause as they look each other in the eye. Then, without a word, they touch glasses in a toast before drinking. EXT. TENTS - NIGHT So-Hee walks along the path between the tents. We notice he’s carrying something in his hand but can’t make it out. INT. ALERT SHACK - CONTINUOUS Vic is playing cards with other junior officers. He’s bragging about his exploits while on leave in Tokyo.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

90.

VIC I’m not lying you guys. Three Geisha’s at the same time! But I got a deal on account of my good looks - three for the price of one! The guys have had enough. and beer and food at him.

They throw their cards and chips

The blare of air raid sirens gets their attention. Then the droning of a single engine prop plane. Bed Check Charlie. EXT. K-14 KIMPO AIRBASE - CONTINUOUS York, patrolling, looks up, searches the black sky for Bed Check Charlie. He instinctively puts a hand on his rifle. INT. OFFICER’S LATRINE - CONTINUOUS Hargrove turns the page of his newspaper, hears Bed Check Charlie circling overhead. He looks up, shrugs. Beat. Just as he looks down at his newspaper again an unidentified FIGURE lunges out of nowhere wielding a knife. INT. BAR - CONTINUOUS Dutch and Calvin have moved to a table. Dutch is well lubed; we get the sense that Calvin’s milking the same beer. CALVIN Honchos? DUTCH Yeah. At first, only the North Korean’s flew the MiG-15. But after F-86s and our more experienced pilots got here, it didn’t take long before the North Koreans started sending their Chinese instructors up to even things out. Most of them were better teachers than fighter pilots, and we waxed their tails too. Earlier this year we started hearing reports from other squadrons that some of the MiGs they went up against had white pilots. Russians, experienced fighter jocks who’d seen action (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

91.

DUTCH (CONT’D.) against the Lufftwaffer in World War Two. We call them honchos hired guns. CALVIN And the MiG we chased, the one that got Captain Casey - MiG 109 - you think he’s a honcho? DUTCH He’s a honcho alright. Rance knew it. He said as much before he died. And it’s not just Rance he got. He’s shot down 10 UN pilots, including three F-86 drivers. (takes a drink) I’m going to kill that Red son of a bitch before I leave this country. INT. OFFICER’S LATRINE - CONTINUOUS Hargrove, pants still around his ankles, struggles with his assailant. The figure slashes his knife and cuts Hargrove across the chest, then bolts out of the latrine into the night. Hargrove grabs his shirt, looks down at his bloody hand. EXT. K-14 KIMPO AIRBASE - CONTINUOUS Gunshots are being fired at the unseen Bed Check Charlie. York is taking aim at nothing in the sky, hoping to get a glimpse of the elusive bomber. An explosion in the distance as Bed Check Charlie hits a TRANSPORT PLANE on the flight line. The winged avenger of the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea buzzes off into the night sky. Air raid sirens die down. HARGROVE (O.S.) (weakly) Help! Help! York turns to see Hargrove stumbling toward him, one hand clutching his chest, the other his pants. York is about to go toward him when out of the corner of his eye he sees a figure running past. He immediately aims his M1.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

92.

YORK (nervous) Halt! Halt! He shoots.

The figure falls.

EXT. BAR - CONTINUOUS Dutch and Calvin leave the bar. Dutch is drunk and needs to be supported by Calvin. LeRoy is leaning against a street post waiting for them. LEROY Well at least somebody had a good time tonight, sirs. DUTCH (slurred) What, no lucky dice, Sergeant? LeRoy helps Calvin with Dutch. LEROY Very unlucky dice, sir. LeRoy and Calvin load Dutch into the back of the jeep. EXT. K-14 KIMPO AIRBASE - CONTINUOUS Airmen have gathered around the dead figure shot by York. York helps Hargrove to the scene. An AIRMAN turns the body over. AIRMAN (surprised) So-Hee. HARGROVE That’s not him...That’s not the one who attacked me. ECU - YORK’S FACE Stunned. We hear MEN SHOUTING in the distance then gunfire.

93.

INT. JEEP - MOVING - NIGHT LeRoy’s driving with Calvin next to him. back.

Dutch is asleep in

LEROY So you and the Major dodged a bullet today, huh, Lieutenant? CALVIN (with cool detachment) What do you mean by that, Sergeant? LeRoy shrugs. He’s thinking: "Still a stuck up Negro." LEROY Well, sir, the whole squadron knows why General Bostwick called you to Seoul. Can’t keep that sort of thing a secret. CALVIN And what makes you think we’re not staring at 10 years in Levenworth? LEROY I’ve known the Major for a few years now. He don’t tie one on unless it’s really bad news or really good news. If it’s bad, he turns into one ornery son of a gun. If it’s good, well, he gets shitfaced and passes out. If you pardon me saying so, sir. Calvin seems to take in what LeRoy says then stares out the windshield at the dark road ahead. LeRoy glances at him and, realizing the conversation is over, focuses on the road and drives on in silence. INT. COLONEL TAVERS’ OFFICE - DAY Calvin is in a state of shock. TAVERS (O.S.) Sentries shot the real infiltrator as he was slipping out of the fence. He was one of the base house boys, kid by the name of Byong-Woo. Calvin reacts to the name.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

94.

CALVIN He was our house b-(catches himself, doesn’t want to use the term) Byong-Woo took care of our tent. TAVERS Sergeant Shields, the guard on duty at the front gate, told So-Hee he needed to be off base by 20:00. So-Hee was running to make it out on time so as not to get Shields in hot water. With all the confusion going on - Bed Check Charlie and Hargrove being attacked - the sentry, Airman York panicked and took a shot in the dark. (beat) I just assume since you and So-Hee had become friends, and with you spending time at the village, you would want to be the one to break the news to his sister. CALVIN (still in shock) Yes sir. Of course. INT. CALVIN AND VIC’S TENT - DAY Calvin comes in, dreading what he has to do. He goes to his cot and looks down at the PRAYER ROCK that So-Hee left for him last night. EXT. TRAIL - DAY A jeep stops. Calvin steps out and looks at the elaborately stacked prayer rocks in front of the temple. It’s the temple he and So-Hee passed on his first visit to the village. Then he looks at the prayer rock in his hand - the one So-Hee left for him. He walks to a stack of rocks and carefully places his rock on top. Beat. He prays.

95.

INT. TEMPLE - CONTINUOUS The temple is empty except for Sun-Ye, who is kneeling at a shrine, praying. EXT. TEMPLE - LATER Calvin sees Sun-Ye exit the temple. She sees him and stops. He walks to her and they look into each others eyes for a long beat. SUN-YE Then it’s true...The Americans have killed all of my family. CALVIN Sun-Ye...I’m very sorry. She tries to remain stoic but something about being with him causes her to let down her defenses. She moves to him and rests her head on his chest. He holds her while she cries. EXT. HILLY AREA - SUNSET Calvin and Sun-Ye sit on a gently sloping hill, watching the sun set behind distant mountains. The humid, misty sky give the mountains an even more mystical quality. It’s a beautiful sight. He looks at her profile. Lovely. CALVIN (meaning her) Your country is beautiful, Sun-Ye. She looks at him, smiles sadly. There is too much to do for her to consider her own happiness. A tear rolls down her cheek. TAE-TEE (O.S.) Sun-Ye! Sun-Ye! Sun-Ye and Calvin turn to see the little girl running toward them. She smiles broadly when she reaches them. SUN-YE (wipes away her tears; speaks in Korean) Tae-Tee, what are you doing here? You shouldn’t leave the village alone.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

96.

TAE-TEE (in Korean) The Lieutenant was in the village looking for you. I did not want you to miss him. (smiles at Calvin) But he found you. SUN-YE (in Korean) Yes, he did. TAE-TEE (in broken English) Hello, Lieutenant. CALVIN (smiles, in broken Korean) Hello, Tae-Tee. SUN-YE We should get back to the village. She stands.

Calvin does too.

CALVIN I’ll drive you. As they turn to go, Tae-Tee moves between them and takes a hand each. They walk past us as the sun sets behind them. EXT. K-14 KIMPO AIRBASE - DAY A baseball game between enlisted men is going on. It’s hot out and all of the men are wearing white or olive drab t-shirts. Some are in shorts. The bases are loaded. bat to the outfield.

LeRoy comes to the plate, points his

LEROY Some kid in Tokyo’s about to get himself a present. York smirks, winds up and pitches the ball. LeRoy smacks it and smiles as it arcs high over the outfield. York kicks the dirt. LEROY (rounding the bases) That’s why they call me the Jackie Robinson of the 345th!

97. INT. BRIEFING ROOM - DAY On Calvin - the real Jackie Robinson of the squadron - as Tavers briefs the pilots on their mission. TAVERS Negotiations between Washington and Panmunjom have reached a standstill - again - but that doesn’t mean we get to sit around with our thumbs up our butts. Command wants to keep the pressure on the Communists. They figure the more ground the UN can take and hold during the negotiations, the more chips the politicians will have to deal with as this "police action" grinds on... EXT. FLIGHT LINE - DAY As our pilots walk to their Sabres... TAVERS (V.O.) We’ll be patrolling along the Yalu to provide cover for Navy fighter-bombers flying low-level interdiction missions near Sinuiju. It’s a conentrated effort to knock out Communist communications posts that have made it tough for our guys on the ground to hold strategic positions on the front... Calvin climbs into his jet and Riley, on the wing, pats his helmet after strapping him in. Calvin looks over at Dutch, being stapped in by the crew chief. Dutch looks up, gives Calvin a quick, casual salute then closes his canopy... EXT. RUNWAY - DAY One by one, Sabres race down the runway and take off... TAVERS (V.O.) You can be sure the Chinese and Russians aren’t going to roll over and play dead any time soon. At least not without our help. So expect things to get tougher up there, not easier. Stay sharp and shoot straight. That’s all. Good hunting, gentlemen.

98.

EXT. K-14 KIMPO AIRBASE - DAY The men playing baseball have gathered at the edge of the airstrip to watch the Sabres take off. LeRoy shields his eyes from the sun and watches Calvin’s Sabre gain altitude as it passes the Witch’s Tit. INT. NEW CLINIC - DAY The new village clinic has clean floors and sturdy walls and all the cots have fresh sheets. As usual, every cot has a patient on it. And as usual, Sun-Ye is tending to them dutifully. The sound of jets overhead gives her pause. She looks up for a beat then goes back to work on a PATIENT. EXT. MIG ALLEY - DAY A flight of Sabres in finger-four formation come into frame. Dutch, Calvin, Wild Bill and Vic. WILD BILL (V.O., FILTERED) Great balls of fire. Look at that. A LOT OF MIGS Moving fast. Away from the Sabres. DUTCH’S SABRE DUTCH Bandits, three o’clock high. I count ten. CALVIN (V.O., FILTERED) Make that twelve, Major. Two more above and trailing at five o’clock. VIC (V.O., FILTERED) Jesus, Joseph and Mary! Twelve? WILD BILL’S SABRE WILD BILL Keep your britches on, DeLuca. Dutch, they’re haulin’ ass to intercept our Navy bombers. That many MiGs could wipe out a squadron.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

99.

DUTCH (V.O., FILTERED) Right...They don’t see us, so let’s go up top and get the drop on them. VIC (V.O., FILTERED) Three-to-one, those are some pretty long odds, Major. CALVIN’S SABRE CALVIN Look at it this way, Vic, with these odds you’re bound to bag one or two MiGs. You’ll have to beat the girls off of you after this story. DUTCH (V.O., FILTERED) Alright, cut the chatter. Let’s earn that combat pay Uncle Sam’s doling out. Dutch peels off toward the MiGs and the others follow. Sabres fly into position above and behind the MiGs.

The

DUTCH’S SABRE DUTCH Okay Bill. You take one element leader and I’ll take another on the first pass. We’ll dive through them and see if they’ve got the brass to follow. If they take the bait, we can tie ’em up long enough for the Navy to get their job done. WILD BILL (V.O., FILTERED) Roger that. Hot damn, boys! Let’s get some! The Sabres dive left in unison toward the MiGs, guns blazing. DUTCH’S POV - MIG LEADER Centered right on top of the wad of chewing gum in the gun-sight. Dutch pulls the trigger and we see tracers light into the MiG. The MiG’s tail disintegrates and the jet explodes. SABRES AND MIGS

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (3)

100.

Scramble for position across the sky at incredible speeds. We hear PILOT CHATTER from the Americans as they dodge the MiG counter attack. MiG 109 has engaged Wild Bill’s Sabre. WILD BILL’S SABRE WILD BILL I’ve lost sight of him! he?

Where is

VIC (V.O., FILTERED) On your six, coming hard! Break left! Break left! Wild Bill breaks left, but too late. MiG 109 nails his cockpit with a burst of cannon fire. Wild Bill is killed instantly. His Sabre spins out of the sky and augers into a mountainside. VIC (V.O., FILTERED) (frantic) They got Wild Bill! They got him! Major Cochrane’s gone! The outnumbered Sabres are swarmed by MiGs. CALVIN (V.O., FILTERED) Dutch look out! Twelve o’clock level! DUTCH’S SABRE DUTCH (calmly) I’ve got him. DUTCH’S POV - MIG Dead ahead, coming straight at him. The MiG flips to the right but too late. Dutch fires and the rounds rip into the MiG’s underbelly. The plane explodes. VIC’S SABRE Streaks past us, pursued by two MiGs. fire.

He’s under heavy

VIC (V.O., FILTERED) Two on my tail! I can’t shake ’em! DUTCH’S SABRE

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (4)

101.

Performs a barrel roll to avoid a MiG then comes down behind it in firing position. DUTCH Jefferson, go help DeLuca. CALVIN (V.O., FILTERED) But Major, I’m your wingman. DUTCH He needs you right now more than I do. CALVIN (V.O., FILTERED) Roger. CALVIN’S SABRE Flips into a dive toward Vic and the two MiGs on his tail. VIC’S SABRE Vic stick and rudders back and forth to outmaneuver the MiGs. They hang with his every move. One of the MiGs opens fire again and we see tracers streak past Vic’s canopy, hear cannon rounds impact the fuselage. I’m hit!

VIC I’m hit!

I’m hit!

CALVIN’S SABRE Comes into frame behind Vic and the two MiGs. CALVIN I’m right behind you, Vic. VIC (V.O., FILTERED) Get them off me, Cal! The four jets streak through the sky. CALVIN Vic, on my mark do a hard split and hit the deck...Mark! Vic flips his Sabre over and dives. The two MiGs can’t duplicate the move fast enough and their inertia carries them into a wide arcing dive. The second MiG hangs in the air like a fat softball - a perfect target for Calvin. Calvin lets him have it. The sustained burst of .50-caliber fire sheers the MiG’s left wing away and the jet spins out of control toward the ground 20,000 feet below. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (5)

102.

VIC’S SABRE VIC Thanks, Cal. Suddnely Vic’s cockpit filled with smoke. A loud BLURP-BLURP-BLURP. Vic checks the the dashboard. VIC I’ve got fire warnings fore and aft! CALVIN (V.O., FILTERED) Punch out, Vic! Punch out! VIC Punching out! He jerks the ejection handle, the canopy explodes away and he’s rocketed into the sky. DUTCH’S SABRE Still on a MiG’s tail. The MiG flips, rolls and climbs but can’t shake Dutch. DUTCH’S POV - MIG Lined up for the kill.

He fires and hits the MiG.

CALVIN (V.O., FILTERED) Look out, Dutch! Bandit twelve o’clock high and closing! Dutch looks up through the top of his canopy. The MiG is boring down from straight overhead. Dutch jerks the stick and the Sabre turns over into a steep dive. The second MiG zips past. The other MiG, the one he was pursuing, bugs out, smoke streaming from its exhaust. VIC Is hanging in his parachute straps. view of the battle.

He has a bird’s eye

CALVIN’S SABRE Is in pursuit of the MiG that chased off Dutch. The MiG arcs wide and Calvin gets a broadside view of him. It’s 109!

CALVIN Major, it’s the honcho!

DUTCH’S SABRE (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (6)

103.

Dutch’s eyes narrow with even greater intensity. DUTCH Coming around to engage. Dutch arcs around and is suddenly caught in a storm of cannon fire from yet another MiG. He maneuvers his Sabre to avoid the barrage. CALVIN’S SABRE Streaks into frame, firing away. He cuts off the MiG that’s begun a fresh attack on Dutch and drives him down toward the mountains. CALVIN’S POV - THE MIG Moving back and forth across his gun-sight. He’s centered for an instant and Calvin coolly pulls the trigger. Tracers fly up the MiG’s exhaust and black smoke pours out. Calvin fires again, the MiG catches fire and spins to the ground. DUTCH’S SABRE As Dutch is searching for MiG 109, another MiG fires on him. He pushes the stick forward. From a POV through the top of Dutch’s canopy we watch an incredible forward loop (a sensation like being flung forward out of a roller seat). Midway, Dutch flips his jet upside down/rightside up and opens fire. VIC Watches in awe as Dutch’s Sabre rolls and completes the loop, coming down on the MiG’s six, guns blazing. The MiG is torn to shreds by the incendiary rounds and bursts into flames. VIC Yes! (then, to himself) That’s three...That makes seven. He’s an ace. (shouting) You’re an ace Major! You’re an ace! Then Vic’s shouts of triumph turn to pain. thigh. He’s been shot.

He grabs his

VIC’S POV - THE GROUND North Korean troops below are shooting at him. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (7)

104.

DUTCH’S SABRE Dutch searches the sky for more MiGs. CALVIN (V.O., FILTERED) It looks like the rest of them are bugging out, Major. DUTCH I count only six. CALVIN (V.O., FILTERED) Yeah, you hit three, I got -Dutch, look out! DUTCH’S POV - MIG 109 Over his right shoulder, diving from five o’clock high, we see the red flash of cannon fire. Dutch doesn’t have a chance. DUTCH’S SABRE Takes a direct hit and explodes. VIC Holding his wounded thigh, hears the explosion and looks up at the fireball that remains of Dutch’s Sabre. VIC My God. Bullets from below whistle past him and he’s back in survival mode. He fumbles for the .45 in his shoulder holster. EXT. GROUND - DAY TROOPS are taking pot shots at Vic, now an easy target less than 300 feet from the ground. One NORTH KOREAN has Vic in his sights. He’s about to squeeze the trigger when he’s shot in the chest. Vic stops fumbling for his gun. The terror on his face turns to unbridled joy. RANGERS move in on the North Korean soldiers.

105.

EXT. MIG ALLEY - DAY CALVIN’S SABRE Calvin intercepts MiG 109.

Now they’re alone in the sky.

EXT. GROUND - DAY Vic has landed and is struggling to cut away his parachute. Rangers rush to help him. RANGER #1 You alright, sir? VIC Yeah. Boy am I glad to see you Leathernecks! RANGER #1 We’re glad to see you too, sir. (over his shoulder) Medic! RANGER #2 (O.S.) Hey, aren’t they going the wrong way? Vic and the Ranger #1 look up at MiG 109 and Calvin’s Sabre - they’re flying toward Manchuria. EXT. MIG ALLEY - DAY The two silver warbirds zoom across the sky, Calvin in hot pursuit of MiG 109. CALVIN’S SABRE CALVIN You can run, but you can’t hide, you honcho son of a bitch. CALVIN’S SABRE AND MIG 109 Are engaged in an electrifying dogfight - rolling, diving and flipping to outmaneuver one another - reminiscent of the dogfight in our opening scene. MIG 109/HONCHO In helmet and oxygen mask, all we see of the HONCHO are his ice blue eyes. He grunts with every violent twist and turn (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

106.

of his aircraft; without a G-suit like those worn by American jet pilots, the G-forces drain blood from his head to his lower extremities, making body feel three or four times heavier in extreme turns and dives. HONCHO (to himself, in Russian) Damn, American. You are good. He climbs steeply and the Sabre follows. Calvin fires and misses. The honcho bleeds off airspeed and engages Calvin in a vertical rolling scissors. With the MiG’s superior climbing abilities, it’s a duel the honcho knows only he can win. The two jets go higher and higher, spinning around each other, their cockpits only hundreds of feet apart. CALVIN’S SABRE Calvin realizes his mistake, drops out of the scissors and dives. The honcho peels off after him. EXT. TREE TOP LEVEL - DAY We hear the jets roaring toward us before we see them. They streak past so low that the tops of trees light ablaze like match sticks in the wake of their exhaust. EXT. DRY RIVERBED - DAY Calvin and the honcho fly over a dry riverbed a mere 400 feet off the ground. They leave a hot swirl of dust in their wake. A ridge looms in the distance ahead of them. The honcho is closing in. He fires his cannons and we see holes tear into the side of Calvin’s Sabre. CALVIN’S SABRE Calvin snap-flips his jet. At this altitude it’s a bold, death-defying move that puts him underneath the pursuing MiG. Not to be outdone, the honcho quickly snap-flips and brings his MiG in tight formation next to Calvin’s. Now they’re 300 feet off the deck. They look at each other...

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

107.

Calvin rips off his oxygen mask. The honcho’s eyes widen surprised to see his adversary is black. SABRE’S AIR BRAKES Midway back on the fuselage, the air brakes pop out and the jet slows. The MiG hurls ahead. SMASH CUT TO: EXT. RIDGE - DAY An explosion. the ridge.

Then a FIREBALL shoots from the other side of

We hear the powerful WOOSH of a jet engine. Then we see Calvin’s Sabre soar from behind the ridge and fly straight up like a rocket. CALVIN’S SABRE CALVIN (thrusts his fist) HOT DAMN!! Calvin banks his Sabre and looks down at what’s left of MiG 109 burning in the ridge. DISSOLVE TO: INT. BASE INFIRMARY - DAY An attractive ARMY NURSE is changing the dressing on Vic’s thigh. As she works, he lays it on thick. VIC The Doc said an inch more to the left and I’d have been a goner. You know, being a fighter pilot isn’t all glamor and glory. It gets lonely up there sometimes. Sometimes you just want life’s simple pleasures, like a good woman to talk to... The nurse gives him a look. cabbage cart.

She didn’t just fall off the

ARMY NURSE The Doctor also said you’re due to be discharged this (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

108.

ARMY NURSE (CONT’D.) afternoon. Which means I can give this bed to someone who really needs it, Lieutenant. She turns to go. Calvin is standing in the doorway. she passes she offers a pleasant smile.

When

ARMY NURSE Lieutenant. CALVIN Lieutenant. The nurse walks out.

Vic ogles her rear end as she does.

VIC Another day in this joint and I’d score with her. CALVIN That’s sure what it sounded like from over here. VIC Believe me, Cal, I know women and that one’s definitely falling for the old DeLuca charm. CALVIN (laughs) Whatever you say, Vic. Vic laughs too.

They fall silent.

After a long pause,

VIC Wild Bill and Dutch. I never thought those two would buy it. CALVIN Yeah. VIC At least you nailed the bastard who got them. Off Calvin...

109.

INT. COLONEL TAVERS’ OFFICE - DAY Tavers is looking down at two Civil War soldiers on his desk, one Confederate, one Union. A knock. He doesn’t bother to look up. TAVERS Enter. The door opens, an AIRMAN comes in. AIRMAN Lieutenant Jefferson is here, sir. TAVERS Send him in. Calvin comes in. Salutes. Tavers returns it in his usual casual style and motions for him to take a seat. TAVERS How’s DeLuca? CALVIN Practically grabbing the nurse’s rear end, sir. TAVERS That’s good. Best thing a pilot can do after having his jet shot out from under him and spending a few days dodging bullets on the ground is to get back to normal. CALVIN That’s pretty normal for Vic, sir. TAVERS (beat) I just finished writing a letter to Betty...One of these days you’ll find out shooting down MiGs isn’t the toughest part of the job. CALVIN Yes sir. TAVERS By attacking those MiGs, Dutch’s flight gave the Navy bombers the time they needed to knock out all the Communist communications centers in one run. No telling how (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

110.

TAVERS (CONT’D.) long this war’s going to drag on, but getting rid of those communication centers could save the lives of hundreds of UN troops...Dutch’s three kills gives him seven - he made ace before he bought it. CALVIN Major Weller was a hell of a fighter pilot, sir. The best I’ve ever seen. TAVERS I agree with you there, CJ, which is why I’m recommending him for the Medal of Honor. Tavers picks up a PIECE OF PAPER. TAVERS Assuming you agree with my report. (reads) Major James Duncan Weller, Jr., United States Air Force, 345th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 15 August 1951, near Sinuiju-Yalu River area, Korea. While leading a flight of four F-86 Saberjets on a combat aerial patrol mission near the Manchurian border, Major Weller and the F-86’s sighted a formation of approximately 12 enemy MiG-15 aircraft speeding southward toward an area where friendly fighter-bombers were conducting low level operations against the Communist lines of communications. With selfless disregard for the numerical superiority of the enemy, Major Weller positioned his flight of aircraft, then dove at the MiG formation. While speeding through the formation from the rear he singled out a MiG-15 and destroyed it with a concentrated burst of fire. Although he was now under (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (3)

111.

TAVERS (CONT’D.) continuous fire from the enemy fighters to his rear, Major Weller sustained his attack. He fired at another MiG-15 which, bursting into smoke and flames, went into a vertical dive. Rather than maintain his superior speed and evade the enemy fire being concentrated on him, he elected to reduce his speed and confronted a third MiG-15, destroying it. Shortly after this latest attack his aircraft sustained a direct hit, killing Major Weller immediately. Major Weller’s bold attack completely disrupted the enemy formation, permitting the friendly fighter-bombers to successfully complete their interdiction mission. Major Weller, by his indomitable fighting spirit, heroic aggressiveness, and superb courage in engaging the enemy against formidable odds, exemplified valor at its highest. Tavers looks over the paper at Calvin. CALVIN I wouldn’t change a word, sir. Tavers sets the paper aside. TAVERS I’ve also recommended you for the Distinghished Flying Cross. Two MiGs under those circumstances is an outstanding piece of combat flying. CALVIN Thank you, sir. TAVERS Or was it three? CALVIN Sir? TAVERS Reports by the Rangers and Lieutenant DeLuca indicate that you (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (4)

112.

TAVERS (CONT’D.) were seen in hot pursuit of a MiG after you and Dutch had already downed five MiGs. According to the Rangers, you were both headed toward Manchuria. CALVIN Sir, flying into Manchuria is against the rules of engagement. TAVERS Hmmm. Uh-huh. Korean agents in the north report that a honcho flying that day didn’t report back to base. Apparently, he was one of their best pilots, shot down 10 UN fliers, including three F-86s. CALVIN (beat) Sorry sir...I don’t know anything about any honcho. TAVERS (pressing) You sure about that, Jefferson? The honcho would be your fifth confirmed kill. You’d be an ace...The first Negro ace in history. CALVIN Sir, flying into Manchuria is against the rules of engagement. Tavers’ expression of admiration is infinitesimal, but it’s there. He picks up another piece of paper. TAVERS Well, it looks like you’re not going to get a chance to get your fifth MiG after all. At least not in this war. Your orders just came in. CALVIN Orders sir? TAVERS That’s right. Directly from General Bostwick. You’re rotating back to the states.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (5)

113.

CALVIN But Colonel, I haven’t finished my tour in Korea. TAVERS (no nonsense) Well Jefferson, the Air Force wants you at Nellis as soon as possible to train fighter pilots. And what the Air Force wants, the Air Force gets. Calvin reluctantly accepts that he’s being taken out of combat - and out of Korea. CALVIN Yes sir. Tavers opens a drawer, pulls out a small BOX. across the desk at Calvin.

He pushes it

TAVERS The General also approved those. Calvin opens the box. CALVIN (surprised) Colonel, but I -TAVERS (interrupts) Deserve them. Calvin looks at a shiny pair of CAPTAIN’S BARS. TAVERS Accept them knowing they have special significance. CALVIN They were yours, sir? TAVERS I wore them over Berlin...My Father wore them at Argonne Forest...I gave them to Dutch when he made captain. CALVIN (looks up) But, Colonel Tavers...

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (6)

114.

TAVERS It was Dutch’s idea. Something about the future of the military holding on to a piece of the past. CALVIN I don’t know what to say, sir. Tavers stands. The meeting is over. Calvin stands and salutes. CALVIN Sir. Thank you, sir. TAVERS (a crisp, West Point salute) Good luck, Captain. INT. NEW CLINIC - DAY Sun-Ye tends to a LITTLE BOY. TAE-TEE (O.S.) Lieutenant! Lieutenant! Sun-Ye turns to face the door and smiles in anticipation of Calvin’s entrance. When he does come in holding Tae-Tee’s hand, her smile melts away. He’s in his Class A uniform. It’s obvious that he’s leaving. SUN-YE Hello, Lieutenant. CALVIN Hello, Sun-Ye. TAE-TEE (in Korean) The Lieutenant looks very handsome for you today, Sun-Ye. SUN-YE (in Korean) Yes Tae-Tee, he does. Can you leave us for a moment? Tae-Tee giggles as she scurries off. CALVIN What did she say?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

115.

SUN-YE That you dressed very nicely today. CALVIN And what did you say to her? SUN-YE Yes, you did. (beat) But there is a reason you wear a different uniform today isn’t there, Lieutenant? Beat. CALVIN I have orders to ship back to the States. I leave in a few hours. Sun-Ye briefly lowers her eyes to cover her disappointment. Then brightly, SUN-YE This is good news for you, Lieutenant. You will return to those who miss you...and love you. They gaze into each others eyes for a long, longing beat. Then Calvin looks at the patients on cots all around them. CALVIN You’ve accomplished so much here, Sun-Ye. You and So-Hee. (looks in her eyes again) You are a remarkable woman... He pauses, tries to find the words to express his love for her. He can’t. SUN-YE (a loving smile) Good-bye, Lieutenant. Beat.

Finally, he turns and walks out.

She watches him go.

EXT. NEW CLINIC - DAY Calvin walks from the clinic toward us. Over his shoulder in the b.g., we see Sun-Ye framed in the doorway of the clinic. She watches as he climbs in the jeep with Riley and drives away. She takes a moment to collect her emotions, then

116.

turns back to the little boy she was treating before Calvin came in. INT. CALVIN AND VIC’S TENT - DAY Calvin takes his duffel bag from his cot, now stripped bare, the way it was when he arrived. CALVIN I guess this is it. Vic stands by the door on crutches. VIC You ever get to Brooklyn, you go to my uncle’s place, "Vinnie’s Pizzeria." Tell him I sent you. He’ll treat you right. And you gotta try the canolli. It’s like a piece of heaven. CALVIN I’ll do that, Vic. six clear, okay?

You keep your

VIC (smiles) Whatever you say...Captain. They shake hands and hold their grip, look into each others eyes. Then Calvin leaves. EXT. TENTS - DAY Calvin throws his duffel into the back of a jeep, climbs in the passenger seat and LeRoy puts the jeep in gear. EXT. TARMAC - DAY A C-123 Provider taxis and pulls to a stop. The door opens and TWO BLACK LIEUTENANTS, fresh from the States from the looks of them, step off the plane. The jeep with Calvin and LeRoy speeds across the airfield and stops near the idling transport plane. As Calvin gets out and grabs his duffel, LeRoy comes around and puts his hand on it.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

117.

LEROY I’ll take that for you, Captain. He does and walks ahead to the transport. LeRoy salutes the new lieutenants before going onboard with the duffel. The lieutenants see Calvin approaching, notice the Captain’s bars on his lapel. They both stop, stand at attention and salute crisply. Calvin casually returns their salute as he passes. LeRoy steps off the plane and stands aside for Calvin. He snaps to attention and salutes. LEROY (holding salute) Good-bye, Captain. Good luck. Calvin stands in front of LeRoy, looks him straight in the eyes. The two lieutenants are watching them. From their POV it appears the captain is going to ream the sergeant. CALVIN Good-bye, LeRoy. LeRoy looks down. Calvin has put out his hand to shake. LeRoy slowly lowers his salute and takes Calvin’s hand. The two men smile at each other. ’50s MUSIC - NAT KING COLE - NATURE BOY EXT. RUNWAY - DAY The C-123 speeds down the runway, lifts off and banks left, past the Witch’s Tit. EXT. SKY (OVER K-14 KIMPO AIRBASE) - DAY The C-123 flies over the base. From a POV beneath the transport plane, we see the Sabres lined up neatly on the flight line. We follow the C-123 as it climbs into a cloudless blue sky. SUPERIMPOSE: In 1936, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., was the fourth African-American to graduate from West Point. In 1943, Capt. Davis became the first Commander of the Tuskegee Airmen, who flew combat missions over Europe during World War Two. In 1953, Col. Davis took command of the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing at K-14 Kimpo Airbase. He retired from active duty in 1970 as a Lieutenant General... (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: (2)

118.

Lieutenant Daniel "Chappie" James flew 101 combat missions in Korea in 1950-51 in P-51 Mustangs, F-80 Shooting Stars and F-86 Sabres. Col. James also distinguished himself in Vietnam, flying the famed F-4 Phantom fighter. In 1975, he became the first African-American to achieve the rank of four-star general... To date, no African-American fighter pilot has become an ace in air combat...Officially. WIDE SHOT Of the C-123 flying away from us. We watch until it disappears and we’re left looking at the cerulean sky - vast, majestic, heavenly - as we FADE OUT: THE END