"THE BASE"
EXT. BORDER CHECKPOINT -- DAY
Cars filled with tourists move slowly through the checkpoint
into Mexico. On the American side: clean uncrowded streets.
EXT. TIAJUNA, MEXICO -- DAY
But just across the border: crowds, garbage everywhere,
buildings crammed together on pot holed streets. It seems
darker, more dangerous. Everything has a touch of evil.
EXT. STRIP CLUB -- DAY
A honky tonk street lined with dives. Neon flickers outside
a strip club. COLLEGE KIDS on Spring Break laugh drunkenly
as they leave the club, one belches loudly.
We sneak in while the doors are open.
INT. STRIP CLUB -- DAY
Almost everyone is American. Four clean cut young men watch
a pair of aging STRIPPERS gyrate on stage. When the Ugly
Stripper dances in front of them, one of them puts a dollar
in her G-string.
DELMAR
Horman, why are you giving that skank
money?
DAVE DELMAR is a massive weight lifter with a troubled
childhood which turned him into a bit of a bully.
BREEN
This is the closest he's been to pussy
in months, Del. Give him a break.
ARTIE HORMAN is the youngest of the group, and the most unsure
of himself. Maybe still a virgin. Wears a tourist sombrero.
HORMAN
Want me to take a picture and send it
to your wife?
(CONTINUED)
2.
BREEN
Lucy would kill me. Can't even rent
R rated movies!
RICK BREEN is the most conservative: already married; dressed
for church, not strippers.
DELMAR
Only an idiot would get married.
BREEN
Who you calling an idiot? I get it
at least once a week.
The best looking stripper takes it all off. Every man in
the dive watches her but one:
MARTY RACKIN, oldest of the four, keeps his eye on a booth
in the back where a slick drug lawyer named VARGAS talks
with two MEXICANS in sweat clothes and gold jewelry.
HORMAN
Hey baby! Come on down!
As the Stripper dances to their side of the room, Vargas
gives the Mexicans some hundred dollar bills, and leaves.
RACKIN
Drink up. It's time to run and gun.
HORMAN
But she's just....
DELMAR
You heard the man: Drink up.
Horman reluctantly ignores the stripper gyrating in front of
him and finishes his beer. The four follow Vargas out.
EXT. TIAJUNA, MEXICO -- DAY
Rackin doesn't lose sight of Vargas. The four cross the
street to a parked car, and Delmar pops open the trunk.
Vargas is a block away. He stops at a door, makes sure no
one is watching him, then gives a secret knock. The door
opens and Vargas enters the building.
DELMAR
Got him?
RACKIN
Yeah. Next block. Sixth door down.
(CONTINUED)
3.
Rackin watches the door close, then takes the flack jacket
Delmar hands him. All four men put on jackets. Camouflage
grease paint is passed around, and they paint their faces.
BREEN
Horman wants to know if we can go
back and see the stripper afterwards.
RACKIN
Sorry, Artie.
Delmar hands each of the men a HUGE military style M249 SAW
machine gun. Horman also takes a combat shotgun.
Armed for a small war, they close the car trunk.
RACKIN
Ready to rumble?
Horman sails the sombrero across the street. They slap hands
with each other. Rackin oozes wild charisma. His team would
follow him to hell and come back with the Devil on his orders.
The four walk down the street like The Wild Bunch.
EXT. TIAJUNA BUILDING -- DAY
At the doorway, Breen eases a fiber optic strand quietly
under the door. From this point on, the team uses military
hand signals to communicate.
FIBER OPTIC SHOT
A distorted look at the foyer beyond the door.
Two GUARDS armed with Uzis smoke cigarettes.
EXT. TIAJUNA BUILDING -- DAY
Breen pulls out the strand and signals that there are two
guards, armed, and points to where they are standing.
The others nod.
The door of the next building opens and a TEN YEAR OLD BOY
steps out... Sees the armed men and is frightened.
Breen puts a finger to his lips, smiles and gestures for the
Boy to go back inside. The Boy returns to safety indoors.
Rackin gives final hand signal instructions to the team.
Then they break open the door.
4.
INT. TIAJUNA BUILDING -- DAY
The door splinters inwards, and the two GUARDS quickly bring
up their Uzis. Rackin shoots the one of the left before he
can get off a shot. Breen takes out the one on the right
seconds before he fires at Delmar.
Rackin gestures for Delmar to guard the door, while Breen
and Horman will use two-by-two cover formation to climb the
stairs. Rackin will check out the downstairs rooms.
Rackin doesn't get far before gunfire erupts.
A pair of massive MEXICANs in sweats, armed with Uzis, pops
from the top of the staircase and opens fire down at Breen
and Horman.
MEXICAN #1
Two of them! On the stairs!
Breen and Horman back down the stairs and take cover as
bullets turn steps into sawdust.
Rackin turns to help them, when he hears a noise, spins and
fires down the hallway...
Blasting GUARD #3 off his feet before he gets all the way
out the door. Rackin gives it a beat to see if the Guard
has any friends, but no one comes. He goes to help...
Breen covers Horman as he rolls from behind cover and fires
thew shotgun up at the two Mexicans.
MEXICAN #2 comes rolling down the stairs, dead.
MEXICAN #1
They got Manny!
Breen runs up the stairs, taking them two at a time, M249
SAW machinegun ready.
Mexican #1 swings out and fires a burst, sending Breen back
a couple of steps.
When Mexican #1 starts coming down the stairs, Breen sends a
burst of gunfire to chase him up.
For a moment, it's like an Errol Flynn/Basil Rathbone stair
sword fight... but with machineguns. Breen forcing the
Mexican up a few steps, then the Mexican forcing him back.
Then Breen fakes right, moves left, and blasts Mexican #1
right off his feet. When Breen gets to the top of the stairs,
he gestures for Rackin and Horman that it's clear.
(CONTINUED)
5.
AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS
A hallway and two doors. Rackin gestures for Horman to cover
while Breen uses the fiber optic strand.
Breen pushes the strand under the first door.
FIBER OPTIC SHOT
The distorted view of the room... Empty.
AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS
Breen pulls out the strand and shakes his head.
They creep to the next doorway, Breen sticks the strand in.
FIBER OPTIC SHOT
A distorted view of a drug lab.
RAY VARGAS, the sleazy American drug lawyer, has a briefcase
full of money. Three DRUG DEALERS are opposite a table
stacked with bags of black tar heroin. A WOMAN hides in the
back of the room. GUARD #4 stands near the door, gun ready
to fire at the first one through.
AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS
Breen pulls out the strand and relays the information.
Rackin nods, and gestures instructions. Horman will lay on
the floor with the shotgun aimed up. Breen will take one
side of the door and Rackin the other. Nods.
INT. DRUG ROOM -- DAY
Vargas looks around nervously. Guard #4 keeps his gun ready.
THE DOOR SPLINTERS OPEN and Guard #4 fires... but there's no
one standing in the doorway. A moment of confusion.
By the time Guard #4 looks down, it's too late. Horman BLASTS
him right off his feet.
Rackin and Breen swing into the room, guns ready.
RACKIN
Hands! Everybody! Hands!
(CONTINUED)
6.
BREEN
Get 'em up!
Everyone raises their hands. DRUG DEALER #3 keeps his hands
chest level... under his lapel is a gun in a shoulder rig.
Rackin yells down to Delmar.
RACKIN
Clear.
DELMAR (O.S.)
Copy that.
Rackin gestures for the Woman to come out from her hiding
place, then looks over the bags of heroin.
VARGAS
Look, there's been a mistake...
RACKIN
There has?
VARGAS
Yes. I'm an American citizen. I
know you're just doing your job, but
I don't belong here.
RACKIN
Buying heroin?
VARGAS
See, I asked at a bar where I could
find some whores, and they must have
misunderstood me...
RACKIN
Why don't you put your hands against
the wall. You know the position.
BREEN
Hands against the wall!
Everyone assumes the position. Vargas still pleads with
Rackin. Trying not to get busted.
VARGAS
We're on the same side. I'm a lawyer.
I have ID.... in my wallet.
RACKIN
Check his wallet.
That's when Drug Dealer #3 goes for his gun!
(CONTINUED)
7.
But finds an empty holster. Rackin laughs, holds up the
missing gun as if it's part of a magic trick.
RACKIN
Looking for this? Don't you know I'm
magic?
Rackin does a few impressive gun tricks, then turns his hand
and the gun is GONE... disappeared. Great close up magic.
RACKIN
I'm the magic man.
Horman pulls Vargas' wallet, opens it. Money, credit cards,
and a California Drivers License.
HORMAN
He's American. Ray Vargas. From San
Diego. Visa, American Express...
VARGAS
See? This is a mistake. You D.E.A.
guys are doing a great job with the
war on drugs, but...
BREEN
We're not with the D.E.A.
VARGAS
F.B.I.? D.E.A.? We're all Americans.
You can let me go...
Rackin smiles at Vargas, then nods to Breen.
Breen opens fire, St. Valentine's Day Massacre style. All
four men and the woman are shot to pieces.
Horman pulls the money from Vargas' wallet, pockets it.
RACKIN
(laughs)
He thought we were with the FBI.
The others laugh as they gather up the briefcase full of
money and the bags of black tar heroin, and vacate the room.
INT. TIAJUNA BUILDING -- DAY
At the bottom of the stairs, Rackin nods at Delmar.
DELMAR
What'd we get?
(CONTINUED)
8.
RACKIN
Few hundred thousand and a lot of
heroin. Not that Mexican brown shit,
either... Black tar. Mucho salable.
The four men leave the building.
EXT. TIAJUNA BUILDING -- DAY
The Ten Year Old Boy hides in a doorway as the four men walk
past. While watching them, he notices a tattoo on Delmar's
arm. The U.S. Marine Corps Symbol.
EXT. CAMP RICHARDS, SAN DIEGO -- DAY
The U.S. Marine Corps symbol on the gate of Camp Richards.
A beautiful spring day. Marine Corps Band marching music in
the background.
A title is supered with the camp name and location.
EXT. PARADE GROUNDS -- DAY
A line of MARINES marches past GENERAL ANTHONY NEWHOUSE.
Newhouse is a rugged, war hardened, leader. More John Wayne
than Jack Webb, he weighs exactly what he weighed when he
joined the Marines twenty five years ago.
Next to General Newhouse is his aide, Lt. PETER VEILLERS.
Veillers has spent too much time behind a desk filling out
paper work. He looks too soft for combat.
Each Marine salutes Newhouse as he passes.
Gunnery Sergeant Martin L. RACKIN salutes as he passes,
followed by Sgt. Breen, Corporal Horman, and Sgt. Delmar.
When Delmar salutes, we see the tattoo on his arm again.
The cold blooded killers who knocked off Vargas and the Drug
Dealers are United States Marines!
EXT. SAUDI ARABIA -- NIGHT
War. A Marine Recon Team trapped behind enemy lines, as
bullets spray around them. Explosions illuminate the carnage.
Twisted metal. Four dead Marines.
Gunnery Sergeant RONALD L. MURPHY yells into a radio.
(CONTINUED)
9.
MURPHY
Base. This is Force Recon Five. We
are under heavy fire, I repeat, heavy
fire. Request immediate extraction.
Another explosion shows Sgt. TED NEWHOUSE, early 20s and
scared to death. His name printed on his camouflage. A
bloody rag has stopped the bleeding from the bullet wound in
his leg. Gripping Murphy's free hand.
TED
Get me out of here, Murphy...
MURPHY
Base. This is Force Recon Five, do
you copy?
BASE (V.O.)
Copy, Recon Five. Give me your Team
Leader...
MURPHY
Team Leader is dead. Primary Radio
is dead. Second Radio and Tail-end
Charlie are dead. This is the Point
Man, Ron Murphy... Requesting immediate
extraction. Code word is Switchblades.
BASE (V.O.)
Give me the Assistant Team Leader.
MURPHY
Assistant Team Leader is wounded. We
need air extraction NOW.
BASE (V.O.)
Unable to extract from your co-ords.
MURPHY
I have a wounded man....
BASE (V.O.)
Chopper is waiting at extraction point
alpha...
A huge explosion sends debris over Murphy and Ted. When
Murphy tries the radio again, he only gets static.
MURPHY
Base? Base?
Murphy lowers the mike, turns to Ted.
(CONTINUED)
10.
MURPHY
I can't carry you. You'll have to
wait here.
TED
Come on, Murph... Don't leave.
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.
TED
Murphy! Murphy!
INT. JAIL CELL -- DAY
Murphy comes out of the nightmare... hears his name echoing.
VOICE (O.S.)
Murphy?
On a chain around his neck: Three dog tags. Two in perfect
condition with his name. The third, brown with corrosion
(blood?), with the name EDWARD NEWHOUSE.
EXT. FORT LEJUENE, NORTH CAROLINA -- DAY
The Marine Corps main base.
A title is supered with camp name and location.
INT. STOCKADE HALLWAY -- DAY
General JOHN LATIMER is the top man in the Marine Corps.
Rugged and powerful, he earned his respect the old fashioned
way: He was a war hero.
Latimer lets the JAILER lead him down the unfamiliar hallway
to a dark cell.
LATIMER
Murphy in there?
The Jailer nods, unlock the door... Waits for instructions.
(CONTINUED)
11.
LATIMER
You can go.
The Jailer salutes, leaves. Latimer enters the cell.
INT. JAIL CELL -- DAY
Murphy looks up at Latimer, but doesn't salute.
MURPHY
What do you want?
LATIMER
You're Gunnery Sergeant Ronald L.
Murphy?
MURPHY
That's right. Here to personally
kick me out, General? I'm honored.
I don't even think Riddick Bowe got
this kind of service.
LATIMER
You used to be the best Recon man
there was...
MURPHY
Used to be.
LATIMER
They say you punched an officer.
MURPHY
I was drunk.
Being drunk isn't an excuse, it's another offense.
LATIMER
This is what? Your fifth? Sixth
offense?
MURPHY
What's your point?
LATIMER
Ever since Desert Storm you've been
on the fast track to Court Martial.
One fight after another.
MURPHY
I swear: That was the last.
(CONTINUED)
12.
LATIMER
You're right. Your hearing is
scheduled for tomorrow. You'll
probably do ten years in federal lock
up before you're dishonorably
discharged.
Murphy looks down at his unpolished shoes.
MURPHY
You're here to see me off.
LATIMER
I'm here to offer you a deal.
Murphy looks up.
LATIMER
Two weeks ago, an American lawyer
named Raymond Vargas and seven Mexican
citizens were murdered in Tiajuna.
Shot more than a dozen times.
Execution style.
MURPHY
So?
LATIMER
The killers left behind bullets and
brass. Because one of the victims
was an American, the Tiajuna Police
worked overtime on the case, came up
with some surprising results.
MURPHY
Suicide?
LATIMER
The weapons were U.S. Marine Corps
issue. 5.56mm SAW machine guns.
MURPHY
Stolen?
LATIMER
Maybe. A ten year old who witnessed
the murders said the killers were
soldiers. One of them had a Marine
Corps tattoo on his arm.
MURPHY
Shit.
(CONTINUED)
13.
LATIMER
After last year's hazing scandals, we
want to nip this one in the bud.
Camp Richards is just across the border
from Tiajuna. We're afraid that
someone may be selling, stealing, or
trading Marine issue ordnance to drug
dealers.
MURPHY
What does this have to do with me?
LATIMER
Recon is your specialty. Sneaking
behind enemy lines and returning with
troop and target information.
MURPHY
That was in Storm... Years ago.
LATIMER
We want you to go undercover at Camp
Richards. Find out how these weapons
are getting off the base. The names
of any personal involved.
MURPHY
Newhouse still runs that base.
LATIMER
Correct. General Newhouse is in charge
of Camp Richards.
MURPHY
Can't do it.
LATIMER
You can't run from the man forever,
Murphy.
MURPHY
I killed his son.
Murphy's intensity is frightening... But Latimer responds
only with a nod. He locks eyes with Murphy.
LATIMER
There is no room in this Marine Corps
for criminals and hooligans, Sgt.
Murphy. No room for men like you.
(beat)
But if you do your job right... find
those responsible for these weapons
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
14.
LATIMER (CONT'D)
ending up in the wrong hands... You
will have transformed yourself from
one of them, to one of us.
MURPHY
Yes, sir.
EXT. CAMP RICHARDS, SAN DIEGO -- DAY
A Marine Corps jeep rolls up to the checkpoint. The DRIVER
shows his paperwork to the OFFICER at the gate.
The Officer looks over the paperwork, hands it back to the
Driver, looks at Murphy in the passenger seat.
OFFICER
What have we here?
MURPHY
Corporal Ronald L. Murphy. Transfer
from Fort Lejuene, sir.
Murphy, cleaned up but minus some uniform stripes, hands the
Officer his paperwork.
The Officer looks it over, nods.
OFFICER
Says here you used to be a Gunny.
Got busted down a few grades.
MURPHY
Yes, sir.
The Officer turns to the Driver.
OFFICER
Show CORPORAL Murphy to his quarters.
(to Murphy)
Then the General wants to see you.
MURPHY
Yes, sir.
Murphy salutes, unhappy, and the jeep drives onto the base.
The Officer at the Gate watches it drive away.
INT. VEILLER'S OFFICE -- DAY
Lt. VEILLERS sits guard in the anteroom to General Newhouse's
office. The ultimate weaselly male secretary.
(CONTINUED)
15.
MURPHY
Corporal Murphy to see General
Newhouse.
Veillers inspects Murphy like a slab of meat. An undercurrent
of homosexuality from Veillers.
VEILLERS
Murphy? Hmmmm.
Veillers looks through the files on his desk, taking enough
time to show Murphy who is in charge.
VEILLERS
Yes. I believe the General is
expecting you.
(to intercom)
Corporal Murphy's here.
Veillers buzzes Murphy in to General Newhouse's office.
INT. NEWHOUSE'S OFFICE -- DAY
Murphy salutes. Newhouse has Murphy's file open on his desk,
and every word he speaks is barbed.
MURPHY
Corporal Ronald L. Murphy, sir.
NEWHOUSE
Corporal. Welcome to Camp Richards.
We hope you'll do better here than
you did at Camp Lejuene.
MURPHY
Yes, sir.
NEWHOUSE
You know, Murphy, I was against your
transfer here. But General Latimer
explained his reasoning in detail.
Murphy wonders how much Newhouse was told of his mission.
NEWHOUSE
What do you think of his decision?
MURPHY
I'm just here to follow orders, sir.
(CONTINUED)
16.
NEWHOUSE
Excellent. You seem to have had some
difficulties with that in the past.
(leafs through file)
A discipline problem. They thought I
might be able to straighten you out.
Murphy realizes Newhouse knows nothing of his mission.
MURPHY
Yes, sir.
NEWHOUSE
Unlike General Latimer, I don't believe
in second chances. I can't forgive
past mistakes.
(leafs through file)
And you've made a lot of them.
Newhouse keeps the file open to the Recon incident where his
son was killed.
NEWHOUSE
Make even the smallest mistake here,
and it will be my pleasure to Court
Martial you and cart you off to a
military prison for the rest of your
shitty little life.
(beat)
Do you understand me, Murphy?
MURPHY
Yes, sir.
NEWHOUSE
You're dismissed.
Murphy salutes and leaves. Breaking the rules to investigate
the missing guns may land him in jail for ever.
EXT. PARADE GROUNDS -- DAY
Rackin, Breen, Delmar, and Horman watch as Murphy leaves the
General's Office Building.
RACKIN
Kind of old for a Corporal.
BREEN
The Gate Officer said Newhouse put
him on the top of the shit list.
(CONTINUED)
17.
RACKIN
Interesting.
The watch Murphy cross the base to the barracks buildings.
RACKIN
Corporal Horman. Find out everything
you can about our new man.
HORMAN
Yes, sir.
Horman heads to the General's Office, the others watch Murphy
enter his barracks.
INT. BARRACKS -- DAY
No one talks to Murphy as he opens his duffel bag and unpacks.
He has his bunk, his locker... his part of the world.
No friends, no real home.
The other MARINES keep their distance. No one talks to him,
welcomes him, or acknowledges him.
Murphy's first day on the base, he's already a pariah.
When no one is looking, he takes a pack containing a mini
camera, lock pick equipment, burglar tools and hides it under
his matress.
INT. SUPPLY BUILDING -- DAY
Murphy waits at the counter for Sgt. TOM FULLER, the supply
sergeant for the base.
While Murphy waits, he notes the location of the computer
and ledgers, where information on the stolen guns might be
found. One of the ledgers is on the counter.
Fuller finishes and does his best Gomer Pile imitation.
FULLER
Supplies, Supplies. What can I get
for you, Corporal?
MURPHY
Bedding supplies.
Fuller goes to grab the basic bedding kit: Blanket, sheets,
pillow, etc. Murphy tries to sneak a peek into the ledger.
Looking for guns and ammo. Almost gets caught.
(CONTINUED)
18.
FULLER
Where you from?
MURPHY
Camp Lejuene. How often do they do
inventory around here?
FULLER
Why? Looking for a five finger
discount? Wonder how long before
you'll be caught?
MURPHY
Wondering if I order a new pair of
boots how long it'll take you to get
them.
FULLER
Seven working days.
MURPHY
So you order, what? Once a week?
FULLER
Yeah. Lotta questions for a transfer.
MURPHY
Just trying to learn my way around.
FULLER
What size?
MURPHY
What?
FULLER
Boots. You need new boots, right?
We may have them in stock...
MURPHY
Eleven and a half.
Fuller shakes his head. Murphy grabs the sheets, starts out.
FULLER
Just a minute.
When Murphy turns, Fuller is examining the ledger.
MURPHY
What?
(CONTINUED)
19.
FULLER
Your name. Rank. Military ID number
or Social Security number.
For Fuller's report? Murphy hesitates.
FULLER
For the bed kit.
MURPHY
Right.
Murphy sets everything down, fills the information out in
the ledger, and signs for the bed kit.
INT. MAT ROOM -- DAY
The MARINES get ready for hand to hand combat practice.
Murphy stands alone.
Across the room, Horman whispers to Rackin, who eats an apple.
RACKIN
Good work.
Rackin and the team wander over to where Murphy loosens up.
RACKIN
Kind of old for a Corporal.
MURPHY
I used to be a Gunny.
RACKIN
What'd they bust you down for?
MURPHY
Fighting.
RACKIN
You good at fighting?
MURPHY
I'm good at everything.
RACKIN
(laughs)
Think you could take on Sgt. Breen,
here?
Murphy looks over Breen. They're about the same size, should
be an even fight.
(CONTINUED)
20.
MURPHY
Sure.
RACKIN
Ten bucks for every minute you stay
off the mat.
MURPHY
Make it twenty.
RACKIN
Twenty....
GENERAL NEWHOUSE claps for attention.
NEWHOUSE
Your rifle may be your best friend,
but you are not useless without it.
Hand to hand combat skills are your
last line of defense, your only chance
at survival in the field if a mission
blows up in your face.
Murphy looks down, trying to forget his past.
NEWHOUSE
You know the moves, let's see what
you can do in a practice session.
Remember, in the field, you'll be
fighting for your life.
(beat)
Pair up on the mats, I'll blow the
whistle to start.
Breen and Murphy pair up.
But right before General Newhouse blows the whistle, the
massive DELMAR taps Breen on the shoulder.
DELMAR
Mind if I cut in?
Breen steps aside, and Murphy gets a less than a second to
size up his new opponent before the whistle blows.
Rackin takes a bit of his apple, watching from the sidelines.
Delmar gets the first strike, almost knocking Murphy off his
feet. But waking him up.
Murphy goes into action, using judo, akido, and street
fighting skills to evade Delmar's next hits and get in a few
of his own.
(CONTINUED)
21.
DELMAR
You're not bad.
MURPHY
The bigger they are...
DELMAR
The harder they hit.
Delmar SLAMS Murphy with a solid punch, sending him to the
floor. But Murphy hits the mats and twists, kicking Delmar's
legs out from under him. Delmar falls HARD.
Murphy rolls over on him, pinning him to the mat.
MURPHY
You hit hard, but you don't hit smart.
Rackin watches the fight closely from the side lines.
Delmar headbutts Murphy and flips him off.
The two fight on the ground, until Murphy flips back onto
his feet and kicks at Delmar.
Delmar is taking a beating. It's obvious that Murphy is the
better fighter. But Delmar has the weight.
DELMAR
You want to play?
When Murphy chops at Delmar, the brute plucks his hand from
the air and THROWS Murphy over his shoulder to the mat.
Then pounces on him.
Murphy rolls away, but Delmar grabs him and pulls him back.
DELMAR
I play for keeps...
Murphy can't get away. Delmar puts his elbow to Murphy's
throat and applies pressure.... strangling him.
It has become a fight to the death! Murphy scrambles, trying
to get the brute's elbow off his throat. He's turning blue.
Then the whistle blows, and Delmar lets up.
Murphy gasps for breath while Delmar pops to his feet. Then
Delmar reaches down and helps Murphy up.
DELMAR
You're pretty good.
(CONTINUED)
22.
Rackin gets Delmar's attention, gestures to bring Murphy.
RACKIN
Handled yourself pretty well.
MURPHY
You said something about some money.
Rackin tosses his apple core, wipes his hand, offers it.
RACKIN
Marty Rackin. That's Breen, Horman.
You've already met Delmar.
MURPHY
Who pays me?
RACKIN
You don't take shit from anyone. I
like that.
(beat)
I'll get you a weekend pass on Friday.
MURPHY
And my twenty five bucks?
RACKIN
The man's obsessed with money.
Rackin twists his hand and a twenty dollar bill magically
appears in it. He hands it to Murphy.
MURPHY
Hell of a trick.
RACKIN
I've got a million of them.
Rackin and his team leave Murphy in the Mat room.
EXT. CAMP RICHARDS, SAN DIEGO -- NIGHT
Quiet on the base. A few MARINES patrol the darkness.
INT. BARRACKS -- NIGHT
A room full of sleeping Marines. It's long past lights out.
Murphy seems to be asleep like the others. His eyes open.
He carefully sneaks out of bed and pulls on his pants.
While grabbing his boots, he makes a noise.
(CONTINUED)
23.
The MARINE sleeping on the next bunk rolls over. Waking up?
Murphy stays still for a moment, then continues dressing.
He pulls the pack of burglar equipment from under his bed,
and sneaks past the sleeping Marines to the door.
EXT. PARADE GROUNDS -- NIGHT
Murphy stays close to the walls as he sneaks across the base
to the Supply Building.
When he rounds the corner of a building, he almost runs into
a two man PATROL making their rounds.
Not enough time to retreat, Murphy ducks into a dark doorway.
The Patrol continues towards him.
PATROL #1
Check the doors.
Patrolman #2 shines his flashlight on the door across from
Murphy. He palms the knob. Locked.
Murphy sees the flashlight turning his way and hits the dirt.
Laying on the ground near the door.
Patrolman #2's flashlight his the empty doorway. Murphy
has to hold his breath as Patrolman #2 stands only inches
away and checks the door knob.
PATROL #1
All locked?
Patrolman #2 nods. The Patrol rounds the corner.
Murphy gets out of the dirt and continues sneaking across
the base to the Supply Building.
EXT. SUPPLY BUILDING -- NIGHT
Murphy uses the lock picks from his kit to get in.
INT. SUPPLY BUILDING -- NIGHT
Murphy pushes the door closed and sneaks behind the counter.
A pencil flash from the kit helps him find his way to the
computer in the back of the office.
(CONTINUED)
24.
Murphy turns off the flash and boots the computer.
The room is suddenly bathed in blue light from the monitor.
Murphy ducks. Will the light attract the Patrolmen?
Time passes. It's safe. Murphy begins typing commands into
the computer. Gets a menu of inventories. Most recent...
MURPHY
(sotto)
A week ago.
Calls up the inventory.
The screen shows BLANKETS, how many before, how many issued,
how many at inventory, how many Lost, Damaged, Destroyed.
He scrolls down the list, finding the list of weapons...
A light flashes through the window from outside! A Patrol.
Murphy hides behind the counter.
EXT. SUPPLY BUILDING -- NIGHT
The two man Patrol shines their flashlight into the doorway.
PATROL #1
Check the door.
Patrolman #2 starts towards the door.
INT. SUPPLY BUILDING -- NIGHT
Through the window, Murphy can see Patrolman #2 coming...
He has left the door unlocked!
Murphy scrambles to the door, flicking the lock just as...
EXT. SUPPLY BUILDING -- NIGHT
Patrolman #2 tries the door. Locked. He moves on.
INT. SUPPLY BUILDING -- NIGHT
When they've gone, Murphy sneaks back to the computer.
M249 SAW Machineguns..... The number at the beginning and
end of the inventory are the same. None are lost or damaged.
(CONTINUED)
25.
Unaccounted for: 0
Murphy checks ALL of the guns.... All are accounted for.
LIVE AMMO shows many rounds issued for training exercises.
Fuller has signed for most of them personally.
EXT. SUPPLY BUILDING -- NIGHT
Murphy sneaks out of the building, picks the door locked.
When he starts sneaking back to the barracks, he hears a
noise. Talking. A flashlight. The Patrol has returned!
Murphy hides in the shadows on the far side of the building.
PATROL #1
I can't believe Fuller left the damned
computer on...
Patrolman #1 flashes his light inside the Supply Building.
The computer is off, the Supply Building completely dark.
PATROL #1
I must be losing my mind. Come on.
The Patrol leaves the area.
Murphy comes out of the shadows, then notices a small supply
shack with dozens of locks and chains protecting it.
His pen light illuminates the 'address': BUILDING 48-H.
Murphy shuts off his flash and sneaks back to the barracks.
INT. BARRACKS -- NIGHT
Murphy puts his burglar kit back under the matress, takes
off his boots and pants, and climbs into bed.
EXT. CAMP RICHARDS, SAN DIEGO -- MORNING
Reveille sounds. Marines go through their morning routines.
INT. BASE PHONE BOOTH -- DAY
Murphy makes sure no one is looking, dials a number.
(CONTINUED)
26.
MURPHY
General Latimer, this isn't a secure
phone. I'm going to make it fast.
There was an inventory last week. No
weapons missing, but they may have
cooked the books.
(beat)
Yes, sir.
Murphy hangs up and falls in for breakfast.
From across the Parade Grounds Sgt. Breen watches Murphy.
Wondering what the phone call was about.
EXT. WOODS NEAR CAMP -- DAY
Murphy, Rackin and the rest of the Marines on base are dressed
in full camouflage, helmets, packs, and rifles.
NEWHOUSE
Today we'll be running the "Quigley"
Course. This is a hard-ass course.
Has nothing to do with that dopey Tom
Sellack movie. This course is for
real Marines.
Breen continues to study Murphy.
NEWHOUSE
You will start in this muddy ditch.
You will crawl down the ditch, your
point man checking ahead of him for
poisonous snakes.
HORMAN
Poisonous snakes?
NEWHOUSE
That's right, Corporal Horman.
(beat)
At the end of the ditch you will run
five miles through the woods, climb a
forty percent grade, then slide down
the other side.
Murphy has been through all of this before... and worse in
Desert Storm. He and Rackin seem relaxed.
NEWHOUSE
Then you will crawl along a length of
razor wire while Lieutenant Veillers
fires a 50 caliber machinegun over
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
27.
NEWHOUSE (CONT'D)
your heads. Because today is Friday,
we will be firing blanks.
Horman looks slightly relieved.
NEWHOUSE
When you hear the pistol, start moving.
Newhouse raises his gun and fires.
Murphy, Rackin, and the Marines hit the dirt, crawling through
the muddy ditch, holding their guns up out of the water.
NEWHOUSE
Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!
EXT. WOODS NEAR CAMP -- DAY
The muddy Marines run through the woods, rifles ready for
action. They climb the grade, and slide down the other side.
Horman gets in trouble, and Breen has to help him out.
Murphy and Rackin run with ease. Next to each other. Almost
like a team. Both men are naturals.
EXT. MACHINE GUN RANGE -- DAY
At the razor wire, a dozen Marines hit the dirt and crawl
along the path as Sgt. Fuller fires a machinegun overhead.
NEWHOUSE
Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!
Rackin lets Murphy crawl ahead alone. Murphy crawls along
the wire, keeping his head down. The machinegun firing...
Send dirt spraying all around Murphy.
They are using live rounds.
MURPHY
Shit!
Bullets flying right overhead, like that night in Iraq.
FLASH CUT: Murphy in Iraq. Bullets and explosions. Hanging
on to Ted's hand.
Murphy snaps out of it and uses all of his combat training
to stay low and avoid the machinegun fire. He crawls to
safety, moves to his feet, and spits dirt from his mouth.
(CONTINUED)
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.