- —四川最大高校综合门户网
"THE BASE" EXT. BORDER CHECKPOINT -- DAYCars filled with tourists move slowly through the checkpointinto Mexico. On the American side: clean uncrowded streets. EXT. TIAJUNA, MEXICO -- DAYBut just across the border: crowds, garbage everywhere,buildings crammed together on pot holed street
28.
Rackin gives Sgt. Fuller a glance as he crawls through the
fire zone. No bullets come anywhere near him.
Rackin comes to his feet next to Murphy.
MURPHY
He's using live ammo.
RACKIN
Must be a mistake.
MURPHY
I could have been killed.
Rackin shrugs, makes a gate pass appear in his hand: magic.
RACKIN
Then you could probably use a drink.
He hands the pass to Murphy, who smiles at it.
EXT. MCBAIN'S BAR -- NIGHT
McBain's is a Marine hangout, the way McP's in Coranado is a
Navy SEAL Team hangout. Flashing neon and loud music.
INT. MCBAIN'S BAR -- NIGHT
Cheap pitchers of beer, and lots of attractive women.
Murphy comes in with Rackin and his team. Everyone in the
joint greets Rackin as if he's their king.
MARINES (O.S.)
Marty! It's the magic man! Marty!
Rackin high fives some of the Marines on his way to be bar.
Delmar lags behind to talk to some of them. Whispered
conversations. Money changes hands. Gambling?
MURPHY
Quite a fan club.
RACKIN
They love the magic man. I make all
their problems disappear... With a
pitcher of beer.
Rackin makes a $5 bill appear and pays for the pitcher.
RACKIN
How long you been in the Corps?
(CONTINUED)
29.
MURPHY
Since Storm. I re-upped.
HORMAN
Jeeze, you don't want to go home?
MURPHY
Couldn't wait to leave.
Rackin watches while the others talk with Murphy.
DELMAR
Why's that?
MURPHY
Spend the rest of my life working at
a refinery? Taking as much OT as I
can so I can pay for my own place,
don't have to deal with my stepdad?
(beat)
I couldn't wait to enlist.
Murphy looks at Rackin.
MURPHY
What about you?
RACKIN
Same story, different town. I gave
up a promising future digging ditches
for farm irrigation to join the Corps.
Everybody laughs. Delmar gestures for another pitcher.
Horman is studying some girls across the room. Breen is
talking with the most beautiful woman in the bar.
MURPHY
Thought Breen had a wife squirreled
away in off base housing?
DELMAR
Breen'll get home to her... eventually.
RACKIN
Heard the General wanted to see you.
MURPHY
What big ears you got.
RACKIN
I'm the magic man. All seeing, all
knowing.
When the pitcher comes, Rackin makes another $5 appear.
(CONTINUED)
30.
MURPHY
How tight is Newhouse?
RACKIN
What do you mean?
MURPHY
None of us joined the Marines for the
pay. At Lejuene I picked up some
spare change buying supplies with the
base discount and reselling them.
RACKIN
That why you're here? Got caught?
MURPHY
Sent me here for fighting. I'm a
"trouble maker". How tight are they
with the supplies?
DELMAR
Fuller's a fucking bean counter. You
couldn't get an extra blanket out of
him if we had a new ice age.
RACKIN
Del's right. No way that scam would
work here. When we field test our
rifles, they count the bullets.
DELMAR
Looks like you lost a couple stripes.
RACKIN
Lose them fighting or stealing?
Murphy unconsciously touches his dog tags.
MURPHY
I was with Force Recon in Storm. They
sent us in to Bagdad to scout targets.
The mission went to hell. Five men
died... I was the only one who walked
away.
RACKIN
They usually give you medals for that.
MURPHY
One of the casualties was Newhouse's
son. I'm the reason he's dead.
(CONTINUED)
31.
HORMAN
Jeeze, Newhouse must love having you
here.
MURPHY
One fuckup and I'm in Leavenworth.
Rackin laughs, spots the beautiful woman talking with Breen.
RACKIN
Hey! Sweet Lucille! Want you to
meet a guy... This here's Ron Murphy.
LUCY WILDER is a sexy townie, dressed to kill.
She squeezes between Rackin and Murphy, offers her hand.
Murphy smiles and gives it a shake.
MURPHY
Nice to meet you...
LUCY
You're new.
Breen is less than happy. He was making time with her.
RACKIN
Lucy, here, is the best looking gal
in all of San D. Best dancer, too.
Why don't you show him a few steps?
MURPHY
I'm not very...
LUCY
Come on!
She yanks Murphy onto the dance floor, and they start dancing.
Rackin turns to Breen.
RACKIN
They make a nice couple, don't they?
Breen says nothing.
As Rackin and Delmar watch them dance, Breen and Horman head
to the restroom.
MURPHY AND LUCY dance, having a good time.
Rackin and Delmar watch them.
RACKIN
What do you think?
(CONTINUED)
32.
DELMAR
He's okay.
Rackin nods in agreement.
MURPHY AND LUCY DANCE. When the band plays a slow number,
they awkwardly move closer together.
LUCY
How long you been at Richards?
MURPHY
Couple of weeks. Transferred from
North Carolina.
LUCY
Got a girl back home? Wife?
MURPHY
Foot loose and fiance free.
Lucy laughs and pulls him closer. They continue dancing
close, even after the music changes.
MURPHY
What about you?
LUCY
Typical townie tale. Moved to
California to get away from my parents.
MURPHY
Happy?
LUCY
I've got a job and an apartment.
Still looking for a man who isn't
completely full of shit.
MURPHY
Don't look at me.
LUCY
You took an oath to serve, right?
MURPHY
What do you mean by that?
LUCY
You gave your word, and you're keeping
it. Do you know how rare that is?
MURPHY
If I screw up, I get court martialed.
(CONTINUED)
33.
LUCY
Most people who screw up just walk
away. No responsibility. No regrets.
Like their word meant nothing to them.
Their faces are close, and Lucy kisses him.
LUCY
So, you won't lie to me? Lead me on
with your sweet talk then dump me?
MURPHY
No.
They kiss again, with more passion. Then Lucy presses away.
She looks into Murphy's eyes, wondering if she can trust
him, wondering if she should take him to bed.
LUCY
Look... I normally don't....
MURPHY
What?
LUCY
Never mind...
Let's just go back to the bar.
Murphy nods. They reluctantly release each other.
AT THE BAR
Murphy flags down the BARTENDER.
MURPHY
Get this lady whatever she wants.
(to Lucy)
I'll be back in a minute.
Murphy crosses to the rest rooms, glancing back at Lucy before
he enters.
INT. BAR MEN'S ROOM -- NIGHT
Artie Horman lays on the floor in a puddle of his own vomit,
twitching with convulsions.
It takes Murphy a moment to realize that Rackin and Breen
are taking care of him.
MURPHY
Is he okay?
(CONTINUED)
34.
Rackin snaps in anger.
RACKIN
Get out of here! Just go away!
Murphy nods and backs out of the bathroom.
INT. MCBAIN'S BAR -- DAY
Murphy sits down next to Lucy. She sees his expression.
LUCY
Something wrong?
MURPHY
No. Nothing.
Murphy finishes his beer, trying to wipe the image from his
mind... Horman looking like Ted Newhouse.
AFTER A MOMENT, Rackin takes a seat next to Murphy.
MURPHY
How is he?
RACKIN
He's fine. Look, I'm sorry for
snapping like that. Artie has a
medical problem. If he doesn't take
the medication, that's what happens.
Rackin lowers his voice, forcing Murphy to move closer.
RACKIN
He's afraid if anyone finds out, he'll
get bounced out of the Corps with a
medical discharge.
(beat)
Can we keep this between ourselves?
MURPHY
Yeah. Sure. Should we take him to a
hospital?
RACKIN
He took his medicine. He's fine.
Breen and Delmar help Horman across the room and into a chair.
He's been cleaned up, but still looks awful. Eyes slightly
glazed and a dopey expression on his face. (High as a kite.)
Lucy regains Murphy's attention.
(CONTINUED)
35.
LUCY
Want to go to the beach tomorrow?
MURPHY
Got to be back on base by midnight.
RACKIN
What do we have here?
Rackin makes a weekend pass appear in his hand.
RACKIN
A weekend pass! Good until six AM
Monday. Here: Have a good time.
Rackin hands the pass to Murphy, smiles at Lucy.
MURPHY
I don't have any money for a motel...
Lucy just grabs him by the lapels, leading him out of the
bar. Breen looks at Rackin, VERY unhappy.
BREEN
That was my pass.
Rackin gives him a devilish smile, makes the car keys appear
in his hand, gives them to Breen.
RACKIN
Come on. We gotta get Horman back to
the base before he has another big
smack attack.
EXT. LUCY'S APARTMENT -- NIGHT
A cheap family apartment building.
INT. LUCY'S APARTMENT -- NIGHT
Lucy pulls Murphy to bed. After they kiss, she studies him.
LUCY
You can stay the night, on two
conditions... Don't ever lie to me.
And don't just leave me.
Murphy nods, and she pulls on top of her.
They make love in the moonlight from the window.
36.
INT. BARRACKS -- NIGHT
Moonlight through the windows, as Breen and Delmar search
Murphy's bunk and trunk. Rackin watches. Horman, still
looking awful, sits on a bunk.
They tear the place apart, sifting through everything Murphy
owns... At one point Breen almost looks under the matress,
but Horman moans.
HORMAN
Jeeze, man. I need another pop...
Breen checks on Horman, and misses looking under the
matress... Misses Murphy's burglar kit and secret camera.
They finish, and cart Horman out of the barracks.
EXT. SAUDI ARABIA -- NIGHT
War. Murphy pulls his hand away from Ted Newhouse's.
MURPHY
Just hang on, Ted. I'll come back
with help.
TED
Don't leave me Murph... Please don't
leave me here to die...
Ted reaches his hand out, as Murphy scrambles away. Bullets
and explosions shattering the night. Illuminating the dog
tags around Ted's neck.
TED
Murphy! Murphy!
Murphy keeps running. Explosions flashing around him.
He hits the dirt as bullets tear up the earth in front of
him. Almost hitting him. Dirt spraying.
Murphy can barely hear Ted's voice... But in those brief
moments of silence between explosions, it echoes in the dark.
When the gunfire passes, he starts running. Through the
darkness and explosions to the extraction point.
An AH-1W Cobra Helicopter touches down in front of Murphy.
A MARINE inside the chopper gestures for him to jump onboard.
TED (O.S.)
Murphy! Murphy!
(CONTINUED)
37.
Murphy takes a final look back at where Ted lays dying....
And jumps into the Helicopter.
INT. LUCY'S APARTMENT -- DAY
Murphy bolts out of the nightmare holding the dog tags.
LUCY
Murphy? It's almost six. You'd better
get going if you want to make it back
for reveille.
Murphy looks at the tags, shakes the nightmare away and gets
out of bed. He gives Lucy a kiss, then dresses.
EXT. PAY PHONE IN PARK -- DAY
Murphy checks his watch, dials General Latimer.
INT. GENERAL LATIMER'S OFFICE -- INTERCUT
General Latimer picks up the phone. His private line.
MURPHY
Murphy, here. I may have a lead.
LATIMER
Missing weapons?
MURPHY
Something else. One of the men got
sick in a bar a couple of night ago.
LATIMER
That's unusual?
MURPHY
The way the other men acted was
unusual. I got the feeling this guy
was having a drug overdose... Maybe
a hot load of heroin.
LATIMER
The Mexicans who were murdered with
Vargas were heroin exporters.
MURPHY
I'm going to follow this kid, see
where it leads me. Maybe he traded
guns for smack.
(CONTINUED)
38.
LATIMER
Keep me posted.
Murphy hangs up the pay phone, takes another look at his
watch, and runs to the front gate of the base.
EXT. CAMP RICHARDS, SAN DIEGO -- DAY
Murphy shows his pass to the gate OFFICER as he jogs past.
OFFICER
You're late.
Murphy doesn't even slow down, he jogs to his barracks.
INT. MAT ROOM -- DAY
Murphy watches Horman as they break into pairs and practice
hand to hand combat.
NEWHOUSE
Pair up on the mats, I'll blow the
whistle to start.
The MARINE Murphy was partnered with gets a tap on the
shoulder and is replaced by BREEN.
BREEN
Hey, Murphy. How was your weekend?
Before Murphy can answer, the whistle blows and Breen is all
over him. Slamming. Hitting. Kicking. Trying to kill him.
MURPHY
Shit, Breen. Take it down a notch.
Breen becomes more savage. Murphy really has to fight. He
flips Breen onto his back and pins him to the mat.
When the whistle blows, Breen storms away. Murphy is confused.
EXT. PARADE GROUNDS -- DAY
Murphy jogs behind Horman, keeping an eye on him. All of
the men run lap around the parade grounds. Breen is a few
men behind Murphy... Not looking happy.
39.
EXT. BARRACKS -- DAY
Murphy sneaks around a corner and opens a dumpster. We can
hear the others exercising nearby. Close. Murphy pulls
out bags of trash, opening them, examining the contents.
One bag contains a stained manila envelope. Murphy looks
inside: Needles. Matchbooks burned down. Drug evidence.
He closes the envelope and replaces it in the trash.
EXT. LATRINE -- DAY
Murphy watches Horman, Breen, Delmar and Rackin all leave
the bathroom together. He's suspicious.
MURPHY
They piss together?
EXT. CAMP RICHARDS, SAN DIEGO -- NIGHT
The middle of the night. Only Sentries.
INT. BARRACKS -- NIGHT
Murphy wakes when he hears a noise. Whispering. He rolls
over, looking for the source.
Breen has awakened Horman, and is waiting while he dresses.
Murphy feigns sleep, watching as the two leave. He rolls
out of bed and looks out the barracks window.
EXT. PARADE GROUNDS -- NIGHT
Breen and Horman jump into a pair of waiting Humvees driven
by Delmar and Rackin. The two trucks pull out.
INT. BARRACKS -- NIGHT
Murphy throws on his clothes and runs out.
EXT. CAMP RICHARDS, SAN DIEGO -- NIGHT
The two Humvees pass through the gates, waved through by the
Gate Officer. Then the gates close.
Murphy runs up to the Gates.
(CONTINUED)
40.
OFFICER
You got a pass?
MURPHY
I'm supposed to be with them.
OFFICER
You're not. They're gone, you're
here. They had a pass, you don't.
MURPHY
Where they going?
OFFICER
You're going to the lock up, if you
don't get back to barracks.
Murphy sees no way to follow the Humvees, tail lights
disappearing in the distance, so he goes back to bed.
The Gate Officer makes a note in his log about Murphy.
EXT. IRON MAN COURSE -- DAY
Murphy watches Rackin and Horman with the other Marines,
listening to Newhouse.
NEWHOUSE
The Ironman Course is the most
difficult exercise on the base. You
will be alloted two magazines, a total
of thirty five rounds.
Newhouse gestures to the course: a small field filled with
hillocks, a few small stone walls, and other obstacles.
NEWHOUSE
There are thirty five pop up targets
which are triggered by motion sensors
planted in the ground.
Newhouse takes a step back and BING! a target pops up.
NEWHOUSE
Be warned: Only twenty nine of these
targets are hostiles.
The target is a mother holding a child.
NEWHOUSE
A score of twenty five is passing.
If you hit sixteen or fewer of the
hostile targets you will be sent back
to phase one training.
(CONTINUED)
41.
Murphy watches as Delmar joins them and whispers to Rackin.
NEWHOUSE
Mr. Murphy. You'll go first.
Murphy is issued two clips from Sgt. Fuller, slaps one into
his rifle, enters the course when Newhouse starts the clock.
NEWHOUSE
Go!
Murphy dives into the course, spinning and firing as the
targets pops up. He almost shoots a NUN, but manages to hit
all of the hostile targets and none of the friendlies. He
exits the course in record time... Murphy is damned good.
NEWHOUSE
Twenty nine out of twenty nine, good
time, too.
Murphy watches the others move through the course.
Until one of the Marines gets halfway through and yells.
VOICE (O.S.)
Help! Someone help!
Everyone runs onto the course, triggering the rest of the
targets. They find the MARINE on the ground, cradling BREEN.
Breen is dead. Shot a dozen times.
NEWHOUSE
Get a medic! Somebody get a medic!
Murphy and the others look down in horror at Breen. But
Rackin, Delmar, and Horman don't seem properly concerned.
EXT. PARADE GROUNDS -- DAY
The MARINES stand at attention in their dress uniforms as
General Newhouse addresses them.
NEWHOUSE
Sergeant Breen was dead on arrival at
Veteran's Hospital.
(beat)
I ordered Lt. Veillers to perform a
full investigation into this incident.
(beat)
Lieutenant?
(CONTINUED)
42.
VEILLERS
Sergeant Breen's death was the result
of a training accident. At some point
within the Ironman exercise he wandered
onto the course and was shot by
friendly fire. Probably by more than
one participant.
(beat)
No one is to blame for this incident.
Murphy looks at Rackin. Then he looks at Sgt. Fuller.
NEWHOUSE
Sergeant Breen's widow has been hard
hit by this. I think we should all
remember her in our prayers.
Veillers and Fuller have a whispered exchange.
Murphy sees them together: The man who fired live ammo at
him, and the man who is covering up Breen's murder.
INT. NEWHOUSE'S OFFICE -- DAY
Veillers shows Murphy in.
VEILLERS
Corporal Murphy, sir.
Veillers tries to stick around but Murphy stares at him until
he backs out.
NEWHOUSE
I'm busy, Corporal.
MURPHY
That was no training accident.
NEWHOUSE
Lieutenant Veillers has done a thorough
investigation... Are you disputing
the decision of a superior officer?
MURPHY
Yes, sir. Breen didn't even run the
course that day. I hadn't even seen
him since the previous evening...
NEWHOUSE
Covered in Veiller's report.
Newhouse lifts the sealed report, looks at Murphy.
(CONTINUED)
43.
NEWHOUSE
Corporal, this entire conversation
borders on insubordination. How badly
do you want to do jail time?
MURPHY
You're just going to let that man die
and do nothing?
Newhouse doesn't answer... Murphy let his son die.
NEWHOUSE
The report has already been filed
with MARCENT. It's been classified
as a training accident.
(beat)
Do you really want to open up the
past? Break the seals on old reports?
(threatening)
Because I don't recommend it.
MURPHY
Yes, sir.
Murphy salutes and leaves the general's office.
INT. VEILLER'S OFFICE -- DAY
Lt. Veillers watches Murphy pass through his office on the
way out... Then picks up the phone and dials.
EXT. PARADE GROUNDS -- DAY
Murphy walks across the base, lost in thought.
Then he spots Horman looking around before ducking in to the
Latrine. He decides to follow.
INT. LATRINE -- DAY
Darkness. Murphy tries to switch on the light, doesn't work.
MURPHY
Artie?
WHAM! He's thrown against the wall by an assailant. When
the assailant tries to pin him there, Murphy goes into action.
Murphy twists, tossing the assailant across the dark bathroom.
(CONTINUED)
44.
But the assailant seems to attack immediately. Slamming
Murphy against the wall again. Murphy is fighting three
guys, not one. He ducks a punch, kicks the legs out from
one of them, and fights the other two.
Murphy fights like hell, but there's no way to win against
three opponents. He ends up pinned against the wall. A
knife jambed against his throat.
RACKIN
Let's see what we've got.
The lights flicker on. Rackin calmly eats an apple. Horman
at the breaker panel. Delmar holds Murphy against the wall,
the knife at his throat.
RACKIN
Look, guys, it's Corporal Murphy.
(to Murphy)
So, what brings you here?
MURPHY
Wanted to talk to Horman...
RACKIN
The way you talked to General Newhouse?
Rackin smiles at Murphy's reaction.
RACKIN
I'm the magic man. All seeing, all
knowing. I can make you disappear.
(beat)
But wouldn't you rather tell me about
your little chat with the General?
MURPHY
I thought Breen got a raw deal...
RACKIN
Breen got the deal of a lifetime.
Right guys? He'll be buried a hero,
and in a couple of months his wife
can sue the Corps...
(smiles)
You want to be buried a hero?
MURPHY
Are you threatening me?
RACKIN
Do you believe in magic?
(CONTINUED)
45.
MURPHY
Only in a young girl's heart... and
I'm not even sure about that.
RACKIN
Why'd you really want to talk to Artie?
Delmar presses the knife blade against his throat.
MURPHY
You guys are running some sort of
scam. I don't know what. I'm just
looking to cut myself in.
RACKIN
You know, Murphy, I read your file.
I have a friend in the General's
Office. You're a real disgrace to
the uniform, aren't you? Interesting
stuff. A good read. I give it four
stars. What do you say, Artie?
HORMAN
Three stars. But I liked the part
where he killed the General's son.
RACKIN
Want to know how it ends?
The knife draws a little blood on Murphy's throat.
MURPHY
Sure.
DELMAR
Do we cut him in? Or cut him out?
RACKIN
Hell, he's going to end up in jail
one way or the other. We might as
well help him.
Delmar pulls the blade away from Murphy's throat. Faces
inches apart, Delmar studies Murphy's eyes.
DELMAR
Can we trust him?
RACKIN
That's what we're about to find out.
Corporal Horman, requisition a
helicopter for tonight.
(CONTINUED)
46.
HORMAN
Yes, sir.
Horman salutes and leaves. Delmar continues to hold him
against the wall, knife ready.
MURPHY
A helicopter?
RACKIN
Just a little test of trust. Nothing
to worry about. You'll either pass...
or fail.
EXT. PARADE GROUNDS -- NIGHT
The AH-1W Cobra Attack Helicopter scatters leafs as it waits
for Horman, Rackin, and Murphy to climb aboard.
Delmar is in the cockpit.
INT. AH-1W COBRA HELICOPTER -- NIGHT
When all are onboard, Delmar lifts the Cobra into the air,
flying high over the city to a stretch of nearby desert.
No lights below... only barren darkness.
Rackin opens the side door of the helicopter. Wind rushes
in. He stands, looking out at the ground far below. Rackin
is the charismatic descendent of the Tent Preacher. When he
speaks, you BELIEVE.
RACKIN
We're the fucking Marines, Murphy.
We're the best there is. Are you
ready to travel to the next level?
Are you ready to become one of the
true elite? Only the strong survive.
Are you strong enough?
MURPHY
What do you want?
RACKIN
A simple test of trust.
Rackin grabs Murphy's wrist tightly.
RACKIN
Take my hand.
A moment of hesitation, then Murphy grabs Rackin's wrist in
a fireman's grip. Holding on to each other's wrists.
(CONTINUED)
47.
RACKIN
Trust in me to hold you. Trust in
yourself not to let go.
Rackin backs Murphy to the open helicopter door. Horman and
Delmar watch, as if it's a baptism... Maybe it is.
Murphy knows it's coming. Delmar tilts the chopper, Murphy
falls out the open door. Hanging on to Rackin.
EXT. AH-1W COBRA HELICOPTER -- NIGHT
Murphy dangles out the helicopter door, holding onto Rackin
for dear life. They hold tight to each other, as Murphy
tries not to look at the ground a few hundred feet below.
RACKIN
This is what trust is all about. It
comes from the heart. You have to
believe in me. Believe I won't drop
you. Believe I know what's best for
you. Trust in me.
Murphy holds on as the Helicopter continues moving. The
ground, FAR below. They hang on to each other.
RACKIN
If I let go of you, you're dead. You
have to believe in the magic man. Do
you believe?
MURPHY
I believe.
RACKIN
Louder.
MURPHY
I BELIEVE!
Rackin laughs.
RACKIN
Beautiful night for just hanging out,
isn't it?
Murphy holds on, feeling his grip loosening.
MURPHY
You just going to leave me hanging
like this?
(CONTINUED)
48.
RACKIN
Afraid I'll drop you?
MURPHY
It's cold out here. Didn't know we
were going to be playing outside.
Rackin laughs and hauls Murphy up.
INT. AH-1W COBRA HELICOPTER -- NIGHT
Murphy climbs into the helicopter, Rackin closes the door.
RACKIN
Welcome aboard.
EXT. AH-1W COBRA HELICOPTER -- NIGHT
The helicopter turns around and zooms back to San Diego.
INT. AH-1W COBRA HELICOPTER -- NIGHT
Murphy sits with Rackin and Horman in the back of the
helicopter while Delmar chauffers them back to the base.
RACKIN
Let me tell you about my band of Merry
Men. It all started with graffiti.
These gang kids were spray painting
their names all over the neighborhood.
Then the drug dealers moved in.
(beat)
Pissed me off. I thought: Somebody
should do something about that.
(beat)
Then I realized I was a fucking United
States Marine. I had the power, a God
given right, to stop these scumbags.
Rackin is so charismatic, Murphy doesn't even notice him
taking out a heroin kit and preparing to shoot up.
RACKIN
So I organized a little Midnight Raid.
I have a guy in Newhouse's Office who
helps me requisition equipment. Guns,
humvees, whatever I need. Same guy
that got you that weekend pass.
(beat)
We started cleaning up the streets.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
49.
RACKIN (CONT'D)
Knocking off drug dealers. Taking
the money and the drugs. Who was
going to stop us?
Murphy nods. Horman ties off, heats and mixes.
RACKIN
You know how much money those scumbags
make? Millions. And the junkies
just keep on coming.
(beat)
At first we threw the drugs away.
Then we realized how much they were
worth. How much the junkies needed
their fix. We started dealing...
(looks at Horman)
And using. Now we've taken over.
Murphy notices Horman shooting up, getting that first big
rush of calm. Smiling blissfully as he unties.
HORMAN
Jeeze, my headache's gone. Thanks to
aspirin free smack....
Rackin laughs, pulls out his own kit, prepares to shoot up.
RACKIN
I knew you were one of us, Murphy.
Murphy smiles. Is he?
RACKIN
From the moment I read your file.
Rackin shoots up, feels the rush, smiles at Murphy.
RACKIN
You and I are so much alike. Hell,
we could be brothers.
MURPHY
Brothers.
RACKIN
Right. We even have the same initials.
Notice that?
(beat)
Marty L. Rackin and Ron L. Murphy.
What does your L stand for?
MURPHY
Leroy.
(CONTINUED)
50.
Rackin just laughs. Murphy is surrounded by Junkies. Is
this where he belongs? Is he really one of them?
EXT. AH-1W COBRA HELICOPTER -- NIGHT
The helicopter lands back at base, and everyone files out.
EXT. PARADE GROUNDS -- DAY
Rackin claps a hand to Murphy's shoulder and makes a weekend
pass appear in his hand.
RACKIN
Weekend Pass. Get out of here and
enjoy yourself, okay? You earned it.
MURPHY
Thanks.
RACKIN
Hey. We're all in this together.
MURPHY
Right.
Murphy takes the pass from Rackin, getting in deeper.
EXT. PAY PHONE IN PARK -- EVENING
Murphy dials General Latimer's private line.
INT. GENERAL LATIMER'S OFFICE -- INTERCUT
LATIMER
Latimer here.
MURPHY
Sir, it's not just stolen weapons.
LATIMER
Go on.
MURPHY
It's an organized gang on the base.
Running drugs, killing anybody who
gets in their way. One of the guys,
Rick Breen, got killed on some midnight
raid against a rival drug ring and
they covered it all up...
(CONTINUED)
51.
LATIMER
Murphy...
MURPHY
The guy had a wife, General. Some
poor woman who thinks her husband
died in a training accident.
LATIMER
Who runs this gang?
MURPHY
Guy named Marty Rackin. A real bad
ass. Calls himself the magic man.
He runs it like a cult...
LATIMER
Get next to him, join if you can.
Murphy notices Horman in the park. Walking towards him.
MURPHY
I'm one of them.
LATIMER
Find out everything you can, and...
Horman spots Murphy and comes right up to the phone booth.
MURPHY
Gotta go.
He hangs up quickly, smiles at Horman.
HORMAN
Who you talking to?
MURPHY
Girl I'm seeing, Lucy. Just making
sure her husband isn't home.
Horman laughs.
HORMAN
We're gonna be down at McBrides if
you two want to stop by.
MURPHY
Maybe we'll do that.
HORMAN
Hey, man, glad to have you on board.
Murphy nods, and they go their separate ways.
52.
EXT. CITY STREETS -- NIGHT
Horman waits until Murphy is a block away before following.
Keeping a block between them, Horman follows Murphy across
to Lucy's Apartment Building.
Horman watches as Murphy rings the bell. When Lucy opens
the door and they embrace, Horman turns and leaves.
INT. LUCY'S APARTMENT -- NIGHT
Lucy rolls off of Murphy, and they lay in bed together. Her
fingers stroke his chest, almost touching the dog tags.
LUCY
Why do you have three?
MURPHY
It's personal.
LUCY
Keeping secrets already?
MURPHY
(beat)
I was the only survivor from a Marine
Recon Team in Desert Storm. The third
tag is from a guy who got left behind.
LUCY
Shouldn't his family get it?
MURPHY
Yeah. Someday I'll give it to them.
LUCY
Must be tough to be stuck on base all
week. You have any friends on base,
guys you hang out with?
MURPHY
I'm pretty much a loner. The new guy.
LUCY
What about Marty?
MURPHY
We just went out for beers once.
We're not going steady or anything.
LUCY
I thought he was everybody's friend.
(CONTINUED)
53.
MURPHY
I've got nothing against the guy.
What's with all the questions?
LUCY
I like to know who I let inside me.
You don't tell me much on your own.
MURPHY
Okay. Ask me anything, I won't lie.
LUCY
Why'd they send you out to San Diego?
MURPHY
Drinking and fighting.
LUCY
You don't drink much.
MURPHY
See? It worked.
Lucy laughs, and rolls back on top of him. They make love
in the moonlight. Murphy feeling like a lying rat.
INT. LUCY'S APARTMENT -- DAY
Lucy on the bed holding a framed photo. We can't see the
picture. Murphy comes from the bathroom, looks at his watch.
MURPHY
I've got to get back to the base.
LUCY
See you next week?
MURPHY
Sure.
When the apartment door closes behind Murphy, Lucy moves to
the phone and dials.
LUCY
He's good. I tried to get him to
talk, but he wouldn't say a thing.
He acts like a boy scout.
RACKIN (V.O.)
So we can trust him?
LUCY
Yes.
(CONTINUED)
54.
Lucy hangs up the phone, looks at the photo in her hands.
A wedding picture.
Lucy and Breen.
EXT. PAY PHONE IN PARK -- DAY
Rackin hangs up and turns to Delmar and Horman.
RACKIN
He didn't say a thing.
DELMAR
So Wednesday's a go?
RACKIN
Let's see how he works out under fire.
Horman, requisition us some guns.
HORMAN
Yes, sir.
They start across the park to the base.
EXT. CAMP RICHARDS, SAN DIEGO -- NIGHT
The camp is asleep except for the guards on patrol.
INT. BARRACKS -- NIGHT
Murphy is having a nightmare.
EXT. SAUDI ARABIA -- NIGHT
An AH-1W Cobra Helicopter touches down in front of Murphy.
A MARINE inside the chopper gestures for him to jump onboard.
TED (O.S.)
Murphy! Murphy!
Murphy takes a final look back at where Ted lays dying....
And jumps into the Helicopter.
INT. AH-1W COBRA HELICOPTER -- NIGHT
Murphy grabs the OFFICER, yells.
MURPHY
We can't leave! I've got a wounded
man back there!
(CONTINUED)
55.
OFFICER
Orders are to pull out!
MURPHY
We can't just leave him to die!
OFFICER
The General's orders are clear: Pick
up survivors and get out of here!
Murphy pulls his gun, aims it at the Officer's face.
MURPHY
Fuck the General. We going back to
pick him up or not?
OFFICER
I'm not risking my men or my craft.
MURPHY
I can't do it myself...
The Officer turns to the pilot and gestures to lift off.
EXT. SAUDI ARABIA -- NIGHT
The Helicopter begins to lift and fly away. Ted Newhouse
screams in the darkness.
TED (O.S.)
Murphy! Murphy!
INT. BARRACKS -- NIGHT
HORMAN
