SPOILS OF WAR
by
John Ridley
WRITER'S FIRST DRAFT
JULY 26th, 1995
OVER BLACK WE SEE OPENING CREDITS
FADE TO:
VIDEO IMAGE
President Bush in the Oval Office delivering an address to
the American people.
PRESIDENT BUSH
...This act of naked aggression must be
checked. The United States, along with
coalition forces from the Middle East,
have drawn a line in the sand. There is
only one way for this situation to be
satisfactorily resolved. The belligerent
forces from the Republic of Iraq must be
removed from Kuwait, be it by choice, or
by force...
FADE TO:
BLACK
FADE TO:
EXT. DESERT - DAY
From a distance we see a Humvee sitting alone in the middle
of a huge, empty desert. Just the Humvee, nothing else for
miles. We hear the sound of a man making machine gun-like
noises.
JAEGER (V.O.)
At-at-at-at-at. At-at-at-at-at.
DISSOLVE TO:
CU - HUMVEE
There are three soldiers at the Humvee. Second Lieutenant
JOHN EPPS, who sweeps the horizon with a
pair of binoculars. PFC WES HAMMOND, who is behind the wheel
looking very bored, and PFC MARK JAEGER, who is at the
Humvee's thirty caliber machine gun, making the noises and
shooting at phantom troops. When Jaeger talks it's with all
the swagger of a B-movie hero.
JAEGER
At-at-at-at-at. At-at-at-at-at.
EPPS
What are you doing?
JAEGER
What does it look like I'm doing? I'm
killing Iraqis. At-at-at-at-at. At-at-
at-at--
WES
Could you stop, please. You're giving me
a headache.
JAEGER
A headache?
WES
Yeah, a headache. My head hurts. You're
making me uncomfortable.
JAEGER
I'm making you uncomfortable. Baking
away in a desert in the middle of nowhere
facing three-hundred-thousand screaming
Iraqis with nerve gas scud missiles, that
doesn't bother you. But me making a
little noise is driving you out of your
skull.
WES
Yes. Yes. That's exactly it. Yes.
JAEGER
Okay.
Jaeger goes right back to playing soldier.
JAEGER(CONT)
At-at-at-at-at.
EPPS
Knock it off!
JAEGER
Don't get pissed at me, just 'cause I
want to be ready when this war starts.
EPPS
Ready for what? What are you supposed to
be doing?
JAEGER
I told you, I'm shooting Iraqis.
EPPS
No you're not.
Epps points in the opposite direction that Jaeger was
'firing.'
EPPS(CONT)
The Iraqis are that way. Those are our
troops you're shooting at.
With his binoculars Epps looks in the direction Jaeger was
shooting.
EPPS(CONT)
You know what? I think you got
Schwarzkopf. You did! You got the
General right in the ass. Now that's
good shooting.
JAEGER
Blow me.
EPPS
Another month in this desert and I might
just.
WES
Think we're going to do it? Think we're
going to war?
EPPS
Not up to us. Up to the Iraqis. All
they have to do is get out of Kuwait.
JAEGER
We ought to kick their asses anyway.
Even if they do get out of Kuwait we
ought to kick their asses.
WES
I don't think we'll go to war. We
shouldn't even be here. This isn't our
fight, it's a regional conflict. It
should be decided regionally.
JAEGER
People are suffering.
WES
People were suffering in Afganistan, and
we didn't do anything.
EPPS
That's 'cause the Afganis weren't smart
enough to be sitting on top of oil.
People suffering is one thing, but when
the Yuppies aren't going to have enough
gas for their BMWs it's time to break out
the tanks. Come on. Pack up. We've got
a whole lot of nothing to patrol.
As they pack up and get ready to roll on Jaeger says almost
to himself:
JAEGER
We ought to kick their asses. Either way
we ought to.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET BAZAAR - EVENING
The bazaar is loud and colorful, a cacophony of Arabic fills
the air. The bazaar is filled with vendors actively selling
their wares to each passerby, literally shoving them in the
faces of prospective customers.
Epps, Wes and Jaeger walk along side by side looking almost
like the Three Musketeers, except that Wes is droning on.
WES
...And it's very important when you sit
down never to point the soles of your
shoes at anyone. It's considered
offensive.
EPPS
You know so much about the Middle East,
you know where we can get something to
eat.
JAEGER
When do you ever point the soles of your
feet at people?
WES
I'm saying don't do it accidently.
JAEGER
Oh yeah. Accidently.
Jaeger lifts his leg and purposefully points the bottom of
his foot at a vendor.
JAEGER(CONT)
I'm sorry. My foot accidently jumped up
in the air where you could see the bottom
of it. I hate it when that happens.
(Wes slaps Jaeger's leg down.)
WES
Come on. You're going to get us in
trouble.
JAEGER
It was an accident. You saw it was an
accident.
WES
I'm just trying to help you guys out. It
doesn't hurt to know something about
Saudi Arabia.
EPPS
Like learning Arabic? You're gonna learn
Arabic you might as well learn were we
can get something to eat around here.
WES
I didn't learn Arabic because we were
getting shipped here. You don't learn it
in a couple of weeks. I studied it in
high school.
JAEGER
Spanish wasn't hard enough?
WES
I thought it would be good to know.
JAGER
Yeah, if you ever need to buy a rug.
WES
Hey, Jaeger. Why don't you try this:
Ashra Ka mahari dahra sahib.
JAEGER
What does that mean?
WES
Don't shoot me, I'm friendly. You can
use that when you surrender.
JAEGER
How do you say "Come here, baby. I'm
horny." I can use that now.
WES
Don't even try it. You offend a woman
out here you're in serious trouble.
EPPS
Don't worry about Jaeger. He uses his
personality as a form of birth control.
JAEGER
Blow me. Have I said that to you guys
recently? Blow me.
As Epps and Wes walk on Jaeger notices something on a
VENDOR'S table. It is a small, square box - slightly larger
than a man's palm - fashioned of wood and metal. It is not
particularly ornate, but eye catching in its own way. The
instant Jaeger picks it up and begins to look it over the
Vendor is giving him the hard sell in Arabic. Jaeger holds
the box up to the vendor.
JAEGER(CONT)
What is this?
All he gets is more Arabic. Jaeger calls over to Wes.
JAEGER(CONT)
Hey, Wes. Wes!
Wes comes back over to Jaeger.
JAEGER(CONT)
What is this?
WES
Now you need me.
JAEGER
What is it? You know so much about
Arabland tell me what it is.
Wes looks over the box carefully.
WES
Well, based on my knowledge of the
region, its culture and her people I
would have to say it's a box.
EPPS
Can you eat it? If you can't eat it I
really don't care what it is.
JAEGER
Ask him what it is.
Wes says something to the vendor in Arabic. The Vendor
answers back.
WES
He says it's a box.
JAEGER
Yeah, you're funny.
WES
It's a puzzle box. If you can figure out
how to open it there's supposed to be a
treasure inside.
JAEGER
(Excited)
For real? A treasure?
EPPS
Oh, man, you're not going to fall for
that.
JAEGER
There might be something in there.
EPPS
Yeah, the deed to the Brooklyn bridge.
JAEGER
There might be.
WES
And you're the guy who's going to open
it.
JAEGER
I could.
EPPS
You could turn on a light if someone put
your hand on the switch.
Decisively, without even haggling about price, Jaeger whips
out some money and pays the vendor for the box.
EPPS(CONT)
Well, that showed me. Now, can we eat?
The three men walk on, Jaeger starting to work on the puzzle box.
CUT TO:
INT. BARRACKS - NIGHT
It's filled with young soldiers messing around, playing
cards, listening to music, whatever. Jaeger lays on a bunk
holding the puzzle box, probing it with his fingers, trying
to find a way to make it open.
Wes crosses over.
WES
You get it yet?
JAEGER
Naw, nothing.
WES
You will. You'll get it.
JAEGER
I'll show Epps. He'll be sorry when I
get this thing open.
WES
You really think there's a treasure
inside?
JAEGER
I don't care if there's a lump of coal in
here. I just want to be able to rub
Epps' face in it when I crack this thing.
Wes watches Jaeger work the box for a beat.
WES
Jaeger?
JAEGER
What?
WES
You know the fifteenth is the deadline
for the Iraqis to get out of Kuwait.
JAEGER
Yeah. So?
WES
That's in two days.
JAEGER
Like I said; so?
WES
They're cancelling all leaves, all
passes. No more drills. We stand at
full ready starting--
JAEGER
What's your point, Wes? You have a
point?
WES
We're going to war, aren't we. If
they're doing all that it must mean we're
going to war.
JAEGER
It doesn't mean anything.
WES
Why would they do all that if we weren't?
Jaeger, frustrated, finally looks up from his box.
JAEGER
Okay, so we're going to war. We're
supposed to go to war. We're soldiers,
that's what we do. The guns, the tanks,
the planes; you're just now getting the
hint we're in the war business?
Jaeger goes back to his box. Wes stands over him for a beat
longer, then:
WES
Jaeger?
JAEGER
(For sure aggravated)
What!?
WES
You ever think about dying?
JAEGER
Come on, man. I almost had this thing open.
WES
You ever think about it? You ever worry?
JAEGER
The only thing I worry about is how much
Iraqi ass I'm going to be able to kick
before this whole thing is over. The
only people who I've got anything to worry
about are the poor, dumb camel jockeys
who don't know enough to get out of the
way when I come rolling at them; an M-16
in each hand, and a grenade between my
teeth. Now if you'll excuse me, soldier,
I'd like to get back to my box. I've got
a treasure to find.
Wes lingers over Jaeger for a few more beats, then walks off as we:
FADE TO:
BLACK
FADE TO:
VIDEO IMAGE
President Bush in the Oval office addressing the Nation.
BUSH
Just two hours ago, Allied air forces
began an attack on military targets in
Iraq and Kuwait. These attacks continue
as I speak...Our objectives are clear.
Saddam Hussein's forces will leave
Kuwait. The legitimate government of
Kuwait will be restored to its rightful
place, and Kuwait will once again be
free.
FADE TO:
BLACK
FADE TO:
EXT. DESERT - DAY
From a distance we see a Humvee sitting alone in the middle
of a huge, empty desert. Just the Humvee, nothing else for
miles. We hear the sound of a man making machine gun-like
noises.
JAEGER(V.O.)
At-at-at-at-at. At-at-at-at-at.
DISSOLVE TO:
CU - HUMVEE
It's like the opening scene all over again. Jaeger is at the
machine gun, Epps sweeps the horizon with his binoculars, and
Wes is behind the wheel. Only difference is that Wes watches
CNN footage of the air war on a Watchman.
JAEGER
At-at-at-at-at.
WES
(Re: His TV)
This is so weird. It's happening, but
it's not. It's like a TV show, and we're
part of it.
JAEGER
At-at-at-at-at.
EPPS
Will you knock it off! Damn, man.
You're going to annoy the Iraqis into
submission.
Jaeger gets down from the machine gun, pulls out his puzzle
box and starts to work on it again.
JAEGER
This is stupid. It's going on a month
now. How long are they going to let the
Air Force piss on those bastards? They
can bomb them all they want, Saddam ain't
going anywhere without a ground assault.
What the hell is the army waiting for?
EPPS
Why you in such a hurry to get to
shooting?
JAEGER
I've got to have something to tell people
when I get home besides I protected a
stretch of dirt that nobody wanted for
nothing in the first place.
WES
The longer the air force hits the Iraqis,
the safer it'II be for us when we have to
engage.
JAEGER
You know what, Wes? If you get a note
from your mommy they might excuse you
from the war.
EPPS
You all want to lay off? God. I hope
the Iraqis shoot me; put me out of my
misery.
JAEGER
OH MY GOD!
Startled, Epps and Wes each pull their guns and spin in
Jaeger's direction expecting to have to fire at something.
EPPS
What!? What!?
JAEGER
I did it! I got the box open.
Jaeger has indeed opened the box. We can see something
inside of it.
EPPS
You almost got yourself shot, that's
what you did.
Wes excitedly goes over to Jaeger.
WES
What's inside?
Jaeger pulls out a small tube sealed with wax.
JAEGER
It's...it's...I don't know what it is.
WES
It's a container. Break the seal.
Jaeger hesitates a beat, which heightens a bit of suspense.
All three men can't help but be drawn closer to the container.
EPPS
Go on, man.
Jaeger pokes his finger through the wax and pulls it off the
tube. He sticks his finger back into the container and draws
out a rolled up piece of paper.
WES
Paper.
EPPS
It's a fortune box.
Jaeger unrolls it.
WES
What's it say?
EPPS
Help, I'm being held prisoner in a puzzle
box factory.
We see the paper. Lines are drawn on it, large, crude
figures. It's hard to make out exactly what it all is
supposed to represent.
JAEGER
It's a drawing, or something. Some kind
of art.
Epps takes the paper from Jaeger and gives it a once over.
EPPS
Looks like something a kid would do.
Wes takes the paper and looks it over.
WES
It's a map, I think that's what it is.
EPPS
There you go, Jaeger. Just find the
buried treasure, and you're a
millionaire.
Jaeger takes back the paper. All excited like a kid on
Christmas:
JAEGER
You think?
EPPS
Yeah, that's exactly what I think. You
and the five thousand other suckers who
bought those boxes. Let's get out of
here. We got sand to protect.
Epps and Wes load up and get ready to move out. Jaeger just
keeps staring at the map, eyes lit like candles.
CUT TO:
INT. INTELLIGENCE ROOM - LATER
The room is filled with maps, recon photos, HUMINT reports.
They're posted on the walls with various levels of troop
strength - allied and Iraqi - indicated. More data is
constantly flowing in, analyzed and processed.
Jaeger enters, spots WOODS - a young soldier on intel detail
- and crosses over to him.
JAEGER
Woods.
WOODS
Hey, Jaeger. What's up.
JAEGER
I'm looking for a favor. I need a map of
Iraqi.
WOODS
A map? All I got is maps. I'm gonna
have Delayed Map Syndrome when I finally
get out of here. What kind of map you
need? Topographical, geographical,
thermal?
JAGER
I don't know. A map map.
WOODS
A map map.
Woods pulls out a map and hands it to Jaeger.
WOODS(CONT)
That shouldn't be too hard to read. Iraq
is the pink thing.
JAEGER
I could use some recon photos too.
Woods gives Jaeger a sideways glance.
WOODS
Planning on going to war all by your lonesome?
JAEGER
Just...want to be ready when we do.
WOODS
Ready for what? Sight-seeing?
JAEGER
The photos.
Woods starts to dig for photos.
JAEGER(CONT)
Some good ones.
WOODS
They're all good ones. Satellites we've
got can snap a shot of the boil on
Saddam's ass.
JAEGER
Saddam's got a boil on his ass?
Woods looks up at Jaeger with an expression that says:
"What?"
JAEGER(CONT)
I don't know.
Woods goes back to looking, pulls some photos and hands them
to Jaeger.
JAEGER(CONT)
Thanks, man. Appreciate it.
Staring at the pictures like they held the secrets of the
ages Jaeger starts to exit. Woods mumbles after him:
WOODS
Yeah. You figure out how to win the war
be sure to let us know.
CUT TO:
INT. BARRACKS - LATER
Maps and photos cover Jaeger's bunk the way autumn leaves
cover the ground. He swings between studying the maps, and
reading from a book titled A History Of The Ottoman Empire.
Jaeger puts the book down, then slides the drawing from the
puzzle box up next to one of the recon photos. He looks at
the mosaic he's put together, looks at it like it was having
a dialogue with him. Dig it: It is talking. A voice only
Jaeger can hear. Right now it's just a little whisper, but
the voice is getting louder.
A crossing SOLDIER, carrying a football, calls to Jaeger.
SOLDIER
Come on, Jaeger. We're playing ball.
Jaeger fairly jumps as he comes out of his trance.
JAEGER
No that's okay. I'm gonna...I'm doing some...
The soldier crosses off. Jaeger goes back to staring at his
maps, and photos and drawings and books. "What were you
saying?"
As it all keeps talking to him we:
FADE TO:
BLACK
FADE TO:
VIDEO IMAGE
Once again President Bush delivers an address.
BUSH
This evening, as I report to you, the
military operation known as Desert Storm
enters its final phase. The coalition
forces that face the tyranny of Saddam
Hussein have launched an all out ground
offensive...as this last, and most
critical part of the campaign begins I
ask for your prayers that God may bless
each and every one of the coalition
forces at our side in the Gulf, and that
He may continue to bless our nation, the
United States of America.
FADE TO:
BLACK
FADE TO:
EXT. DESSERT - DAY
From a distance we see a Humvee sitting alone in the middle
of a huge, empty desert. Just the Humvee, nothing else for
miles. We hear the sound of a man making machine gun-like
noises.
JAEGER(V.O.)
At-at-at-at-at. At-at-at-at-at.
DISSOLVE TO:
CU - HUMVEE
It's our three boys again, just like we've seen them before:
Jaeger at the machine gun, Epps working his binoculars, and
Wes at the wheel watching his Watchman.
Jaeger jumps down from the machine gun pissed as all hell.
JAEGER
They finally start the ground war, and
where are we? Same place we've been
since we got here. Securing freedom for
the dirt.
EPPS
Everybody's got a job to do. Figure it
this way: At least you get to go home
alive.
JAEGER
I'd like to go home alive with a couple
of Iraqi scalps hanging from my belt.
WES
Hey, look at this!
Jaeger and Epps come around to Wes' Watchman. We see CNN
footage of some Iraqi soldiers - looking very tired, hungry
and scared - surrendering to a CNN news crew.
WES{CONT)
They're surrendering to a news crew. You
believe that?
Jaeger tosses his hands in the air in defeat.
JAEGER
That's it. It's over. Eighteen hours
into the war and it's over.
WES
Those soldiers have got loafers on. What
kind of army gives their soldiers loafers?
EPPS
A casual one.
WES
Damn, this is sweet. We are going to be
home in no time.
EPPS
Better grab up some sand to take home to
your family.
Jaeger bites at his lip. He wants to say something, but
isn't quite sure how, if he should, if... Fuck that, Jaeger.
Just say it.
JAEGER
We...we could go home with something
else.
WES
What?
JAEGER
With...with millions. Millions of
dollars.
EPPS
What are you talking about?
Jaeger pulls out the drawing from the puzzle box.
EPPS(CONT)
Don't even. You're not going to show me
that tired map.
JAEGER
Wait. Wait.
Jaeger starts to tear at his pockets like he's trying to get
at a bee. He pulls out his other maps, recon photos... The
guy's a walking atlas.
Epps looks on in shock at the spectacle.
EPPS
I think you've got some issues to deal
with. Really, when we get out of here
I'm pretty sure it's shrink time for you.
JAEGER
Just listen to me! I've been doing some
reading. In the Sixteenth century this
region was invaded by the Turks. It
became part of the Ottoman empire. When
the Turks rolled in they raped, they
pillaged, the usual stuff. Anybody who
had anything wanted to hide it from these
bastards. They buried their treasures,
drew maps, and hid the maps in puzzle
boxes. I read about this, man. I read
about it.
EPPS
(Sarcastic)
Wellllll, if you read it it must be true.
Was it in the Star, or the Enquirer?
JAEGER
Christ! Wes, tell him. You know this
stuff.
WES
The Turks invaded, yeah. I guess people
would have hidden what they had. But
that doesn't mean what was in that box
is--
Jager holds up the puzzle box drawing to one of the maps.
JAEGER
Looks at this! Look at it! The drawing
is a map of this area right here. You
can see it. The geography, the
landmarks. It's the same area.
Epps grabs the map from Jaeger.
EPPS
And you know what that area is? It's
Iraq. IRAQ! We're doing a little thing
with them right now; Desert Storm. Maybe
you've read about it.
JAEGER
What we're doing is kicking ass. For
God's sake they got Iraqis surrendering
to news crews. The war is over. We've
just got to keep shooting people 'cause
the army spent all this money, and we've
got to put on a show for the taxpayers.
WES
You're not saying what I think you're
saying. I can't believe you're even
thinking it.
JAEGER
It's right here. This region; an-Nagaf.
I got recon photos. There're no troops
there, no fighting--
WES
You don't know where the Iraqis have
moved to. And our forces haven't even
engaged the Republican Guard yet, we
don't know--
JAEGER
It's about a hundred miles from where we
are now. How long do you think it would
take us to--
WES
It's not a hundred miles. It's a hundred
miles through three different kinds of
terrain: Pure desert, mountains, a
river. If the map is even real.
JAEGER
It's real. I'm telling you, it's real.
WES
So you just want to cross into hostile
territory in the middle of a war on a
wild goose chase? It's crazy. Tell him
it's crazy, Epps.
Epps thinks. He doesn't say nuthin', just thinks. It's the
thinking that makes Wes nervous.
WES(CONT)
Epps, tell him.
Epps gets a little more thinking in. Wes sees which way this
is going.
WES
You're out of your minds, you know that?
Both of you. You don't even know if
there's anything out there. What the
hell are you thinking?
EPPS
I'm thinking about when this war is over.
Why you figure I'm here? 'Cause I got
tired of being president of GM? If a
brother doesn't play ball, or deal drugs
there aren't too many big money prospects
around, and I'm not particularly
interested in spending the rest of my
life fighting the oil companies' wars.
So I say if maybe there's something out
there, what the hell, that's what I say.
Wes can't believe what he's hearing. He pulls out the last
card he has to play.
WES
It's desertion.
Jaeger sweeps a hand across the great nothingness.
JAEGER
Deserting what? What the hell are we
deserting?
Both Jaeger and Epps close on Wes for the hard sell.
EPPS
It's war. People get lost all the time
in war, cut off--
JAEGER
We disappear for awhile. We disappear,
we came back; nobody knows nothing.
EPPS
But we all got to be in for this. We all
go, or we do nothing.
WES
Epps, you're smarter than this. Jaeger I
understand, but you're smarter.
JAEGER
You know it's real. You know it's real,
and you know it's there. You know it.
WES
You're insane if you think you'll find
anything, and sure insane if you think
you can get us there and back alive.
EPPS
If you say that, then I say you don't
know Second Lieutenant Epps very well, do
you?
Wes buries his head in his hands. He squeezes at it hard
like he'd rather make his brains ooze out his ears than say
what he's going to say.
WES
God! I don't believe I'm doing this. I
don't.
JAEGER
Yes!
EPPS
It's going to be cool, Wes. It's all all
right.
JAEGER
We go, we get rich, we go home. It's
that easy.
Jaeger and Epps start to pack up. To no one in particular,
and not too convincingly Wes mutters.
WES
Yeah. That easy.
CUT TO:
EXT. DESERT - LATER
To strains of Hendrix's Wait Until Tomorrow the Humvee cuts
across the desert kicking up plumes of loose sand. It looks
more a dune buggy out for a joy ride than a military vehicle.
CUT TO:
I/E. HUMVEE - SIMULTANEOUS
Epps drives, Jaeger rides shotgun, relaxed, feet up on the
dash. Wes is in back with a "what the fuck did I get myself
into look on his face." The Hendrix comes from a Walkman
hooked up to a pair of small speakers. Basically these guys
are just kicking it. War? What war? Our boys are just on a
beer run. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all.
EPPS
Now this is war.
JAEGER
Roger that.
WES
We're going to get court martialed, you
know that.
JAEGER
Hell, we'll just buy our way out.
Epps picks up a map and gives it a read. To Jaeger he says:
EPPS
Hand me the navicom.
Jaeger hands Epps a piece of electronic hardware no bigger
than a video box. It's a navigational computer which can
pinpoint its location, by satellite, within meters.
Basically the ultimate compass. Epps compares the navicom's
readout with the map.
EPPS(CONT)
Hold on boys and girls...hold on...
Epps watches the navicom...watches it...
EPPS(CONT)
Yeah! Welcome to beautiful Iraq. Land
of enchantment and riches.
WES
Oh, God.
JAEGER
You're such a pussy, you know that?
How'd you get in the army?
EPPS
Cool it, Jaeger. Hey, Wes? Wes?
WES
What?
EPPS
I know you think this is crazy, but a
couple of hours from now you're going to
be one rich dude trying to buy up every
other puzzle box out there.
WES
I'd settle for being alive. Really.
Alive would be fine.
JAEGER
Epps, is that a sand dune.
WES
Oh, no.
EPPS
Why, yes, Jaeger. I believe it is.
WES
No, please, not again.
Epps punches the accelerator and the Humvee jumps forward
like a horse out of the gate.
CUT TO:
EXT. HUMVEE - SIMULTANEOUS
The Humvee hits the dune and takes to the air. As it arcs up
and over the desert we hear.
WES(VO)
Nooooooooo!
As gravity takes hold and brings the Hummer back to earth we:
FADE TO:
EXT. HUMVEE - LATER
Epps is still taking it for a joy ride. Wes is still getting
sick.
WES(VO)
Came on, I'm serious. Knock it off.
FADE TO:
EXT. DESERT - LATER
The Hummer hits yet another dune and takes flight.
WES(VO)
This isn't funny, all right? I mean it.
CUT TO:
I/E. HUMVEE - SIMULTANEOUS
The occupants jostle as the Hummer touches down. Epps and
Jaeger laugh and high five. Wes is content just to go on
looking sick.
JAEGER
Hey, Wes, what kind of treasure you
figure these people buried?
WES
If! If there's a treasure.
JAEGER
Yeah. If. Whatever. What kind you
figure it is?
WES
I don't know. It would be small, easy to
transport and hide. Gold or jewels.
Probably gold.
JAEGER
Yeah! Gold! How much?
WES
How the hell should I know how much?
EPPS
But that's the great thing about Gold. A
little goes a long way.
JAEGER
You know what I'm doing with my part of
the gold?
WES
If there's gold. If!
JAEGER
You know what I'm doing with my half?
Epps turns to Jaeger. There's just the slightest, slightest
hint of edge brushed across his tone.
EPPS
Third. What you're going to do with your
third.
JAEGER
Yeah. I meant... You know what I'm going
to do with it? I'm going to buy a Sixty-
three 'Vette Stingray. All tricked out
and cherry. I'm going to be so sweet.
EPPS
A car? You're going to buy a car?
WES
This is too much. You don't even have
the money and you're wasting it.
JAEGER
A car is not just a car where I come
from. I had this friend, had this wicked
candy apple red Sixty-four and a half
Mustang--
EPPS
You're getting gold, and you're going to
blow it on wheels?
JAEGER
What are you going to do with your third?
EPPS
Invest it.
JAEGER
Oh, that's fun.
EPPS
It's not about being fun. It's about
being smart. You take that money, you
take care of it, let it grow, and you
don't ever have to do anything again.
Ever. That's freedom. That's what I'm
talking about.
JAEGER
And I'm talking about enjoying myself.
EPPS
You know, you sound just like a boy who's
never--
WES
What's that?
Jaeger and Epps look out the front windshield. A plume of
sand rises up from the desert several hundred meters before
them. So engrossed in their discussion previously they
hadn't even noticed until Wes pointed it out.
Epps reaches over and kills the tape player. A loud quiet
comes with it. All three men just stare at the plume as it
drifts closer. Finally:
EPPS
Take the binoculars.
JAEGER
Wh-what do you think--
EPPS
TAKE THE GODDAMN BINOCULARS!
Jaeger scrambles up the binoculars, and stares off into the
distance. Epps and Wes wait...they wait...
JAEGER
Iraqis.
WES
Oh, God!
JAEGER
Two vehicles. They're not supposed to be
here.
WES
Oh, Jesus!
JAEGER
They're not...I had the pictures.
They're not supposed to be here!
EPPS
Shut up! Both of you shut the hell up!
JAEGER
We've got to do something. We've got to
turn around.
EPPS
We can see them, they can see us. We
run, they chase.
WES
What are we going to do?
Epps thinks. Thinking's not good enough for Wes.
WES(CONT)
What are we going to do!?
EPPS
We're going to keep driving.
JAEGER
They'll shoot us!
EPPS
We run they'll shoot us anyway. If we
keep driving they might think we
friendlies; Iraqis. Or even if they know
we're Americans they might get scared,
think we're part of a detachment and keep
on going.
JAEGER
They're not going to--
EPPS
It's the only way. We drive!
Epps is right. Jaeger and Wes know it. They shut up and
ride. Dig that tension: Wes sweating, Epps giving the wheel
a white knuckle grip. Jaeger reaches down and readies his M-
16. When he chambers it, it sounds like thunder cracking.
The plume draws closer and closer until it's not just a
plume, but two dots. Then it's two jeep-like vehicles. Next
we can even make out the passengers.
That doesn't do much to relax our boys.
Us, the Iraqis, we're almost on top of each other now. The
vehicles are going to pass within feet. Epps throws in one
more thing:
EPPS
Wave at them. Don't look, just wave.
All three throw up some weak, forced waves. THE VEHICLES
PASS. Look at that: The Iraqis are waving back. And that's
all they're doing, just waving.
Our boys break out into cheers.
JAEGER
Yeah! Yeah!
WES
I think I'm going to throw up. I am.
I'm going to toss.
JAEGER
You see that? Right by us. They went
right by. You had them Epps; you called
it.
EPPS
Figure they don't want to mess with us
anymore than we want to mess with them.
JAEGER
Look at you, not even breaking a sweat.
You're cool, boy. You're cool.
They all have a good laugh, but Wes brings that to a crashing
halt. Looking back at the Iraqis, in a voice dead with fear:
WES
They stopped.
EPPS
Wha...
WES
Oh, Jesus, they've stopped.
Epps and Jaeger look behind them.
WES(CONT)
They stopped, and they've turned around.
The two Iraqi vehicles have stopped, they've turned, and now
they're racing towards our boys. Epps momentarily freezes.
Jaeger helps him right out of it.
JAEGER
Go, go, go!
Epps punches it, and the Hummer takes off. The Iraqis are
right behind them.
The vehicles all do same hard driving: They twist and turn
like wild snakes over the loose sand; hit dunes, take
flight... It's the open desert, and our boys have nowhere to
hide.
Inside the Hummer it's a rough, rough ride. Our boys are
thrown violently about the cabin. For Epps controlling the
Hummer is about as easy as riding a wild horse.
The Iraqis turn things up a notch and start sending gunfire
our way. Bullets kick up around the Hummer like angry,
little bees with a hell of a sting. Epps yells at Jaeger.
EPPS
Shoot them!
Now it's Jaeger who's freezes. Epps returns the favor.
EPPS(CONT)
Shoot 'em!
Jaeger climbs back to the Humvee's machine gun, works the
action and starts firing. Unlike before when he was playing,
the real thing is much wilder. The Humvee bounces around
like a cork in the ocean. Taking aim is nearly impossible.
The best Jaeger can do is squeeze off rounds in the Iraqis'
general direction.
All Wes can do is cover his head, and stay down like a scared
little girl.
JAEGER
Steady it out!
EPPS
I steady it out, they blow us out of the
sand!
It's like a dog fight in the dirt. The vehicles weave,
cut... One of the Iraqis starts to cut across Jaeger's firing
line. Jaeger swings the machine gun around hard and lets
loose. A hail of bullets rips into the Iraqi vehicle just
above wheel level. It kicks the vehicle up and back,
whipping and twisting it horribly in the air time after time,
then smashing it back into the ground.
Jaeger is beside himself.
JAEGER
I got him! You see that, I nailed him!
As if in answer the remaining Iraqi vehicle's gunner tears
off a salvo that eats up the space right around Jaeger. He's
not hit, but it kicks him back down into the Humvee screaming
with fear.
EPPS
Damn it!
The boys are running out of options, and Epps knows it.
EPPS(CONT)
Wes, take the wheel.
No good. Wes is too scared to move. Epps reaches back and
literally pulls him up and over into the front.
EPPS(CONT)
Take it!
With little finesse Wes takes the wheel as Epps slides over.
Epps takes up an M-16 with a grenade launcher. He loads it
up, and readies the weapon. Crawling to the back he takes
aim.
EPPS(CONT)
Keep it steady.
Wes does his best to give a level ride, but the Iraqi bullets
coming at them don't help much.
Epps zeroes in on the target. He takes aim and starts to
squeeze back on the trigger. He almost has a shot off when
Wes hits a dune rocking the Hummer violently. Epps loses the
target.
EPPS(CONT)
Damn it! I said keep it steady.
Epps tries to take aim again. Careful aim. One shot is all
he gets. The bullets keep coming, but he's in no hurry.
Waiting...waiting... The Iraqis are only getting closer.
WES
Shoot...shoot!
Waiting...
Closer...
WES
SHOOT!
EPPS FIRES! The grenade rips from the launcher, riding a
trail of white smoke, and slams into the Iraqis. You know
the story: Huge explosion, car parts flying a hundred feet
into the air, bodies whipping through space, stuff Bob Dole
would hate. But maybe he would like it. They were just
Iraqis.
Wes brings the Hummer to a halt. A spastic, scared, relieved
laugh escapes him. Jaeger, checking himself for wounds, and
Epps, M-16 still in hand, get out. Epps makes his way to the
wreckage, sweeping it with his rifle ready to blast any
survivors. Yeah, like somebody's walking away from that
bang.
Wes finally makes his way over to the others who stand and
stare at the burning hulk of whatever it was.
WES
I thought we were dead.
JAEGER
Yeah, well, we're not.
WES
We got to get out of here.
Nobody says anything. This really scares Wes.
WES(CONT)
We have to go back.
JAEGER
We're not going anywhere. Not 'til we
get what we came for.
WES
(Incredulous)
We just about got killed. You know what
happened? We just about got killed, and
you want to go on?
EPPS
Jaeger, go check out the Hummer for
damage.
Jaeger starts to cross back to the Hummer. Wes gives him
something to take with him.
WES
You're crazy, you know that? You're
insane!
Jaeger goes leaving Epps and Wes all by their lonesome. Wes
turns to Epps.
WES(CONT)
You know that, right? You know he's
sick?
With a flip of his head Epps indicates the dead Iraqis.
EPPS
They shouldn't have been here.
WES
We shouldn't have been here, Epps. There
is a war going on!
EPPS
This is miles from the battle lines.
They were probably deserters.
WES
Deserters would have run, they wouldn't
have engaged.
EPPS
They shouldn't have been out this way,
that's all I'm saying.
Wes starts to get it. It really doesn't matter what he has
to say.
WES
We're not going back, are we?
Epps has got nothing to say to the truth. He turns and
starts to walk to the Hummer.
WES(CONT)
You bastard! You're trying to get us
killed.
Like a whip Epps snaps around. He grabs up Wes and pulls him
close.
EPPS
I'm trying to get us paid. I'm trying to
get us all paid! As long as there's a
chance something is out there we go on.
There's not going to be anymore trouble.
If there is, we go back, but there won't
be.
Almost as an afterthought Epps realizes he's got Wes, and
lets him go. Gently he puts it:
EPPS(CONT)
You'll feel different after we find the
treasure. Money has away of making
people feel different.
Nobody's got anytbing to say to that, so they say nothing.
Epps heads back to the Hummer. A beat later Wes follows.
Jaeger is already behind the wheel. Epps rides shotgun this
time. Once again Wes is in back. To Jaeger, Epps ask:
EPPS
She okay?
JAEGER
Yeah. Yeah, she's fine.
EPPS
Let's go.
Jaeger fires it up, and pulls out. As they head off we:
FADE TO:
BLACK
FADE TO:
I/E. HUMVEE - LATER
The sun beats down violently as the Hummer rolls along.
Epps, Jaeger and Wes all ride along in an angry silence.
Jaeger starts to smile. He chuckles to himself. Epps,
looking for anything to break the tension smiles a bit
himself.
EPPS
What?
JAEGER
I'm just thinking, you know, if the rest
of the boys knew what we're doing. I
mean if they knew what we were coming
back with.
EPPS
You can't tell anybody about this.
JAEGER
I know. I know. But I'm saying, if they
knew. We're going to be millionaires,
man. Millionaires!
Epps joins in cackling like a Hyena.
EPPS
It'd make their heads explode.
JAEGER
Millionaires, man.
He turns back to Wes.
JAEGER(CONT}
You know we're going to be rich. Admit
it. You know. Come on, admit it.
In spite of himself Wes gives a little smile.
JAEGER(CONT)
Ahh, there it is. There it is. You know
it.
Singing to Levert:
EPPS
Money, money, money, money...MONEY.
Jaeger joins in.
EPPS/JAEGER
Money, money, money, money...MONEY.
Epps starts to slow down.
WES
What are you doing.
EPPS
Low on gas. Got to refill.
A nervous look punches it way onto Jaeger's face. Epps
stops. He and Wes jump out of the Hummer and go around back
to the reserve tanks.
Jaeger stays in the vehicle looking all tense. After a beat
Epps screams for him.
EPPS(O.C.)
Jaeger...JAEGER!
Time to face the music. Jaeger hauls himself out of the
Hummer and goes around to Epps who's got a look on his face
like he's just had a spoonful of steaming shit. He points
angrily at one of the reserve tanks.
EPPS
Look at it. LOOK AT IT! Shot to hell.
It's been leaking gas since the fire
fight. I told you to check for damage.
JAEGER
...I know.
EPPS
And you missed this? How are you going
to miss something like this?
JAEGER
I didn't miss it. I figured if you knew
one of the reserves got hit you'd want to
turn back.
WES
So, you just let us drive on knowing we
were losing fuel? Knowing we were going
to run low in the middle of nowhere?
JAEGER
...I figured...I figured you'd turn back.
Wes gets a slow boil on.
WES
...You stupid son of a bitch.
Wes lunges for Jaeger, but doesn't have the speed or the
skills. Jaeger counters, and sinks a fist into Wes' jaw.
Wes goes down, but he manages to take Jaeger to the sand with
him. They start to scrape, but it's obvious Jaeger has got
the upper hand.
Epps reaches down and yanks Jaeger off of Wes.
EPPS
Get off him.
Jaeger comes up to his feet. Wes wipes some blood from his
lips. He looks down at his bloodied hand, then sneers at
Jaeger.
EPPS(CONT)
You two fighting's not going to get us
anything.
WES
Him getting us stranded out here doesn't
do much good either.
JAEGER
We're not stranded. We've got enough gas
in the other reserve to get us back.
WES
Then lets go back while we still can.
JAEGER
As soon as we hit the mountain we would
have had to go on foot anyway. We're not
that far. We can make it.
EPPS
What do we do with the Humvee?
JAEGER
We leave it.
WES
What if someone takes it?
Jaeger throws his arms wide to the empty desert.
JAEGER
Who? Who's going to take it. We mark
the location with the navicom, we can
come right back to this spot.
Wes has had enough.
WES
You two don't even know how crazy you
are. You want to go on your sick, little
treasure hunt then go ahead, but mark me
absent.
JAEGER
You have to go with us, Wes.
WES
Really? What is that, an order, private?
JAEGER
You have to go with us. You can't walk
back...
Jaeger dangles the keys to the Humvee from a finger.
JAEGER{CONT)
And you sure as hell aren't going to
drive.
Wes burns a hole through Jaeger's head with his eyes. Epps
steps to him.
EPPS
Load what you can; water, tools, weapons.
Anything you think we might need.
Wes burns on a bit more, then turns and heads for the Hummer.
Jaeger watches him go, then smiles to himself.
JAEGER
Who's he kidding? He wants it as bad as
we do. We're going to be fat, Epps. As
soon as we get back to Saudivillie you
and me are going to--
Epps gets up in Jaeger's face. The menace he projects is
very real.
EPPS
We're going to keep going 'cause I want
some of whatever's out there. But you
ever pull something like trying to get my
ass stranded out here again, and I'll
kill you myself. You got that?
Jaeger just stands there, his fear swelling.
EPPS(CONT)
SAY IT!
JAEGER
I got that...sir.
Epps storms over towards the Hummer leaving Jaeger to be all
scared with himself.
CUT TO:
EXT. DESERT - LATER
A long line of footprints works their way through the sand up
to Epps, Jaeger, and Wes. Epps and Wes trek side by side.
Jaeger is behind them, having trouble keeping up. Between
pants he gasps:
JAEGER
Hey...hey! Slow up. You don't have to
go so fast.
EPPS
Faster we get there, faster we get back.
JAEGER
Yeah. I know. I'm with you.
Jaeger struggles on just a bit more, then:
JAEGER(CONT)
I'm gonna...I'm just gonna stop for a
little water.
EPPS
Don't drink up all of yours, 'cause you
aren't getting any of ours.
JAEGER
I'm just going to have a little sip,
that's all. Just a sip.
Jaeger lets himself drop down into the sand. He looks up.
Epps and Wes are still walking.
JAGER{CONT)
Wait for me!
EPPS
You can catch up.
JAEGER
Yeah...I'm right behind you.
Wes looks back at Jaeger sitting on the ground sucking on his
water.
WES
Thanks for straightening out Jaeger.
Epps shrugs, like hitting Jaeger wasn't much of anything.
EPPS
Maybe we are crazy for doing this. But
if we do it, we do it right. I just
needed to explain that in a way I
wouldn't have to do it again.
WES
Not much chance of that. Jaeger's an
idiot.
EPPS
He's not so--
WES
He's an idiot, and he's not nearly as
hard as he thinks.
EPPS
How tough you have to be to make the
army? All you've got to do is shoot a
gun, and stop a bullet.
Again Epps looks behind him as Jaeger struggles to his feet
and stumbles after his two comrades.
WES
Look at him. We ought to just leave him
behind.
Epps gives a little laugh like he's just heard a mildly
amusing punchline.
WES(CONT)
Like he said: People get lost in wars
all the time. And out here? Out here
there are eight million ways to die.
All this talk starts to creep out Epps a little.
EPPS
Okay, so he was riding you. Get over it.
Wes smiles a little smile.
WES
I'm just talking.
They walk on.
Jaeger works to catch up, muttering to himself as he goes.
JAEGER
Can't even slow up for me. Wasn't for me
they wouldn't even be here. I'm the one
that found the map. Should have just
come by myself. Should've. Shouldn't
even cut them in. Shouldn't.
As Jaeger steps down be hears an audible clicking sound come
from under his boot. He goes dead still. Panic races up and
down his spine. In almost a whisper be says:
JAEGER
Epps...
Again, louder:
JAEGER(CONT)
Epps!
Like he couldn't be more annoyed Epps turns around.
EPPS
What!?
JAEGER
Mine.
Epps isn't sure of what he's heard.
EPPS
What?
JAEGER
Mine. Land mine!
Epps doesn't say anything, he just keeps on staring. Scared,
angry they don't get it:
JAEGER(CONT)
I stepped on a land mine!
Epps and Wes look at each other, then back to Jaeger. Like
he's got no time to mess around:
EPPS
You didn't step on any mine.
JAEGER
I heard it click.
EPPS
If you stepped on a mine you'd be dead by
now. Nobody uses delayed-fuse mines
anymore.
JAEGER
I heard it.
WES
Maybe it's just a can, or something.
Jaeger loses it.
JAEGER
JESUS CHRIST, I'M STANDING ON A MINE.
SHUT UP, AND GET OVER HERE!
Just plain sick of all this, Epps and Wes trudge back over to Jaeger.
EPPS
Paranoid, that's your problem. You're
just paranoid. Why'd the paranoid one
have to find the map?
Epps pulls a knife from his belt. He sinks to the ground and
probes the sand under Jaeger's foot. Nothing...nothing...
WE HEAR THE SOUND OF METAL AGAINST METAL. Epps goes white.
For a second he doesn't move. Tension falls like a steel
curtain. Slow, careful, Epps withdraws the blade and stands.
Jaeger reads the expression on Epps' face.
JAEGER
Oh, God! Oh God!
EPPS
Just be cool.
JAEGER
It's a mine, isn't it?
EPPS
Just relax.
JAEGER
How'm I gonna relax standing on a mine!?
EPPS
We're going to get off, all right. We'll
get you off of there. Just...be cool.
Epps goes to Wes. The two start to move away from Jaeger.
JAEGER
Where you going?
EPPS
Me and Wes are just going to talk.
JAEGER
Why you got to move away to talk!?
EPPS
We're going to be right over here.
JAEGER
You're moving away because it's going to
blow up, isn't it!? It's going to blow
up!
EPPS
I said be cool, all right? Now be cool!
Epps and Wes move over and huddle.
WES
What kind of mine?
EPPS
I don't know, and I wasn't about to mess
with it.
WES
Should have blown already. Delayed fuse,
that's Vietnam stuff.
EPPS
Maybe that's all the Iraqis could afford,
okay? Maybe they got it on discount.
Maybe the fuse is messed up. Or maybe
it's going to go off in two seconds, and
we won't have to worry about getting
Jaeger down off there, all we'll have to
worry about is finding the pieces.
Behind them, pathetically, Jaeger cries:
JAEGER
Epps...
WES
Doesn't matter. We're not going to be
able to get him off it anyway.
EPPS
There's a way.
JAEGER
Epps...
WES
Can't do it. Can't do it, and keep him
alive.
Epps' eyes narrow. He doesn't want to hear this kind of
talk.
EPPS
I said nobody dies. Nobody dies.
JAEGER
Epps, my leg is falling asleep.
Epps thinks, and thinks hard.
EPPS
(To Wes)
We've got rope?
WES
For climbing.
EPPS
Break it out.
Epps crosses back over to Jaeger.
JAEGER
My leg is falling asleep.
EPPS
It's not falling asleep. You've only
been standing there for three minutes.
JAEGER
I'm the one who can feel my leg, and it's
falling asleep.
EPPS
It falls asleep and you die, so wake it
the hell up.
Wes crosses over with climbing rope. Very, very gently Epps
wraps the middle of the rope around Jaeger's waist leaving
several feet dangling off each end.
JAEGER
How's this going to work?
EPPS
Me and Wes each going take an end of the
rope, run our asses of, and yank you off
the mine.
JAEGER
That's going to do it, right? I'm going
to be okay.
Not too convincingly:
EPPS
You're going to be fine.
JAEGER
You're not going to let me die, are you!?
Don't let me die!
Ignoring the question:
EPPS
When we start running suck up your
breath. You're going to get the wind
knocked out of you.
JAEGER
Don't let me die, Epps. I don't want to
die.
Epps and Wes pick up separate ends of the rope, and take up
positions behind Jaeger. Epps waits a beat, afraid of what
might happen, but there is no choice. He digs in ready to
take off running. Wes whispers to him:
WES
What if it's a Valloro 69? Just going to
bounce right up out of the ground,
explode in the air, kill him and us.
EPPS
You just go when I say go.
WES
Should have at least gotten the map off
of him. Blows up with him then we did
all this for nothing.
Ignoring him:
EPPS
Ready?
WES
Yeah.
Epps takes a couple of deep breaths, holds one:
EPPS
GO!
Wes and Epps are off the the races, churning up sand as they
race away from Jaeger. They scream like banshees as if to
draw strength.
Jaeger does a little chant:
JAEGER
Oh, God. Oh, God!
The rope goes taught. Jaeger's body jerks violently backward
as he gets the air punched out of him. As his feet leave the
ground the mine detonates.
CUT TO:
POV - JAEGER
A fireball blossoms, and eats up the air towards the camera
as THE CAMERA ITSELF RUSHES AWAY from the belching fire and
smoke.
CUT TO:
JAEGER
His feet just clear the outer edge of the fireball, but still
get licked and burned by flames before he slams to the ground
several feet from the explosion.
Epps runs to Jaeger. Wes takes a casual stroll back over.
JAEGER
I'm all right. Oh, Jesus, I'm all right.
All casual like, Wes says:
WES
The map okay?
CUT TO:
EXT. DESERT - LATER
We see a set of three very odd tracks across the ground. It
looks like something has been dragged through the sand. THE
CAMERA FOLLOWS THE TRACKS TO EPPS, WES AND JAEGER who crawl
on their bellies. They thrust knifes into the sand before
them searching for mines. We get the feeling they've been at
this for awhile.
WES
How long we going to keep this up.
JAEGER
Until we're out of the mine field is how
long.
WES
Haven't found a mine for half a mile, or more.
JAEGER
That don't mean nothing. Iraqis could
have just spread them out like that; make
us think we're in the clear.
WES
You want to crawl, crawl.
Wes stands and starts to walk. Epps waits a beat and follows
suit. Only Jaeger stays down.
JAEGER
You're going to blow yourselves up.
EPPS
Wes is right. If there were any more
mines we would have found them. Hell,
that one you stepped on was probably old
anyway; left over from the war with Iran.
JAEGER
You don't know that. It could be a trick.
EPPS
If we step on a mine we'll know it was.
Let me see the maps.
Jaeger stays down, afraid to get up.
EPPS(CONT)
Get up and give me the maps.
After a beat Jaeger stands and hands over the map from the
puzzle box and a recon photo. Epps compares the two, then
takes out the navicom.
EPPS(CONT)
We're on course. Northeast, twenty-eight
degrees. When we hit the base of the
mountain we'll find a pass. I can see it
on the recon photo. Shouldn't be too
hard to traverse. That'll take us to the
top and...
Epps points at a black dot on the puzzle box map with a
smaller white dot in the middle.
EPPS
This. Whatever it is.
JAEGER
It's the treasure, that's what it is.
WES
It better be.
Epps starts to pack away the map. Real plain Jaeger says:
JAEGER
The map.
Epps stops, like he almost not sure what Jaeger is talking
about. Jaeger extends a hand.
JAEGER(CONT)
The map.
Epps gets it. He hands the map back to Jaeger who tucks it
away. Our boys walk on.
EPPS
You're not losing trust, are you?
JAEGER
Just figure it's my map, I ought to hang
on to it.
WES
If all we wanted was the map out of you
we could have taken it while you were
standing on that mine pissing on
yourself.
JAEGER
Probably would've too if Epps wasn't
around to stop you.
EPPS
I didn't have to stop anything, 'cause
nobody was going to do nothing. We're in
this together, understand?
JAEGER
Yeah, I understand. Wes doesn't want to
come along in the first place, but he
gets a third of the find. That's a sweet
deal.
WES
I'm getting tired of you riding me,
Jaeger.
JAEGER
Anytime you want to do something about it
just let--
Epps stops dead in his tracks.
EPPS
Quiet!
They all go quiet. Epps cocks an ear to the air and listens.
They all listen. Wind, but that's about it.
JAEGER
I don't hear any--
EPPS
Shut up and listen!
Again they listen. Again they hear wind. Then, there it is;
the sound Epps is looking for: A pop, like a big balloon
being burst just over the next rise.
WES
Gunfire.
Quick like that Jaeger grabs his M-16 down off his shoulder
and is about to ready it when Epps slaps down the muzzle.
EPPS
Don't!
JAEGER
It's a fire fight.
EPPS
Single shots doesn't mean a fire fight.
That's not a battle going on.
WES
What is it?
Epps thinks. Yeah, what the hell is it?
CUT TO:
EXT. DESERT - RISE
Epps, Jaeger, and Wes edge carefully up to the lip of the
rise on their bellies. They're barely visible against the
sand. Epps takes out a pair of binoculars and zeros in on
the ground below.
CUT TO:
POV - EPPS
THROUGH BINOCULAR LENSES we see a SHI'ITE CAMP: A tent city
really. There are several uniformed IRAQI SOLDIERS who are
roughing up the Shi'ite men.
CUT TO:
EPPS, WES, JAEGER
JAEGER
What is it?
Epps hands the binoculars over to Jaeger. Who looks down at
the scene on the ground.
EPPS
Iraqis. A bunch of them.
JAEGER
What are they doing here?
Jaeger hands the binoculars to Wes.
EPPS
Well, it's Iraq. I'm not sure, but I'm
guessing that has something to do with
them being here.
JAEGER
What are they doing in the middle of
nowhere?
WES
Maybe they're looking for gold.
CUT TO:
POV - WES
AGAIN WE SEE THROUGH THE BINOCULAR LENSES. One of the Iraqi
soldiers is pushing around a Shi'ite, having a good laugh
about it, then casual as rain pulls out a gun and gives him a
bullet, gift wrapped, straight to the brain.
CUT TO:
EPPS, WES, JAEGER
JAEGER
Jesus! What the hell did he do that for?
They're Iraqis. Why are Iraqis killing
Iraqis?
WES
Those people down there are Shi'ites.
You've got Shi'ites in the south of Iraq
and Khurds in the North. Neither of
them've got much love for Saddam.
Probably figured once the war started
there might be an uprising, so he sent
his soldiers out to slap them around some.
EPPS
They're doing more than slapping.
JAEGER
The Shi'ites are on our side? I didn't
know that.
WES
Is there anything you do know?
JAEGER
I know you're a pussy. I know that.
EPPS
All right. Let's get out of here.
WES
The soldiers are going to kill those
people!
JAEGER
So?
WES
We have to do something.
EPPS
There's nothing we can do.
WES
We can fight. That's what we're here
for: To fight the Iraqis. To help the
Shi'ites, and the Khurds.
JAGER
I didn't sign up to help any Shi'ites.
All we were supposed to do is get the
Iraqis out of Kuwait, and if we aren't
doing that then all bets are off.
EPPS
We carrying any ordinance?
WES
Some extra grenades. A Claymore.
Epps thinks, then shakes his head.
EPPS
Not enough. We're out numbered and out
gunned. They'd cut us to shreds.
JAEGER
So good bye, Shi'ites. Thanks for
playing. We have some lovely parting
gifts for you as you go.
WES
We're American soldiers. We don't
abandon people.
JAEGER
Funny you should say that while we're out
looking for gold.
WES
You're the one wanted to kill Iraqis so
bad.
JAEGER
I've got a new agenda now, it's get rich.
The only way the Iraqis figure into that
is not at all.
EPPS
(To Wes)
I don't want to see people killed any
more than you. But we try to help out we
die, and all we do is die.
WES
We can't just go off and--
EPPS
There's nothing we can do. We shouldn't
even be here in the first place.
There's a big, loud quiet as our boys just hang there. From
down below comes another balloon burst; another gun shot.
Epps lowers his head. He wants to fight, but it's like he
said: There's nothing they can do. Epps slides back away
from the rise, then Jaeger, and finally Wes disappears back
the way they came.
CUT TO:
EXT. DESERT/MOUNTAINS - LATER
It's the kind of red rock and mesas one would expect to find
in a desert; not too steep or rough, but it looks as though
they will definitely takes more than a little physical
exertion to navigate.
Epps, Wes, and Jaeger approach a path at the mesa's base.
Jaeger takes out his maps and looks them over.
JAEGER
This is it. We're right on target.
Epps takes a long gander up towards the top of the mesa.
EPPS
All we've got to do is make it to the
top.
WES
And find the treasure, and get it, and
get back to the Humvee, and get the hell
out of Iraqi without getting our heads
blown off, but that's about it.
EPPS
We're not going to find anything standing
here. Let's get to climbing.
They ready their packs and weapons, then start up the mesa.
FADE TO:
Our boys trekking along the pass. They push onward and
upward.
FADE TO:
The pass has narrowed, and become more treacherous: The
rocks are loose and the footing unsure. The going has slowed
considerably as each man must be extremely careful of their
steps.
FADE TO:
Our boys stop. The pass has seemingly came to an end. For a
short ways the face of the mesa is almost sheer. The three
soldiers take it in.
EPPS
Not much of a pass.
WES
Probably was a couple of hundred years
ago when whoever drew the map came
through here. Worn down to nothing now.
EPPS
Picks up again just on the other side.
They all take a good look at what little there is to cross
on, and how far down it is to the hard, jagged rocks below.
JAEGER
Think we can make it?
WES
We make it, or we go back empty handed.
EPPS
Looks like we make it.
Epps and Wes edge their way towards what's left of the pass.
Jaeger just stands there staring down. Way down.
FADE TO:
Epps, Wes and Jaeger inch along the pass hugging the face of
the mesa. Small rocks churn beneath their feet and tumble to
the ground below. No man says a word, they're too busy
trying to keep alive, and the air is filled with the sounds
of labored breathing.
Each step so very careful: Testing the pass for purchase,
making sure the footing is solid. They inch one foot
forward, then slide over the next. Their hands probe the
cliff face, fingers crawling like spider legs, looking for
something, anything, to take hold of.
Sweat drips into Epps eye. He blinks hard and fast trying to
clear his vision. Right now he can't really afford
distractions.
Slowly, carefully, inch by inch the little death dance goes
on.
Jaeger steps. He steps wrong. The pass gives way under his
foot and begins to slide down. Instinctively Wes rockets out
an arm grabbing Jaeger by the uniform. At first Jaeger
smiles, glad for the save. But then he realizes something:
Wes is literally holding his life in his hands. All Wes has
to do is loosen his grip, and...
The color drains from Jaeger's face. Wes stares back blank
as a bowl of water.
Eternity goes on for a second.
Finally Wes yanks Jaeger back up against the mesa's face,
then slides on. Jaeger just hangs where he is for a beat
clutching the rocks for dear life.
FADE TO:
Epps makes it to the far side of the broken pass. He holds
out a hand to Wes and reels him in. Together they both help
bring in Jaeger. Wes looks back over the path they've just
crossed.
WES
The US Army: Always an adventure.
EPPS
Let me see the map.
Jaeger hands the map to Epps who gives it a going over. THEY
WALK AS THEY TALK.
EPPS(CONT)
Should be easy going from here. Stay on
the pass straight to the dot.
WES
What do you figure it to be?
EPPS
Got to be some kind of landmark;
something distinctive.
JAEGER
X marks the spot.
EPPS
Something like that.
JAEGER
But the white dot in the middle; that's
got to mean something.
EPPS
I hope it means something, otherwise...
WES
Otherwise whatever we're looking for
could be anywhere.
EPPS
Basically. But the map has been pretty
precise so far. I don't think it'll be
too hard to--
Our boys step past a grouping of rocks. They stop dead.
Sitting before them, in what looks like a small camp, is FIVE
IRAQI SOLDIERS. Time clicks by real slow for an instant.
It's a delayed reaction, like the beat it takes after you
pick up a hot pan before you realize that, yeah, it is
burning the flesh from your hand.
EPPS(CONT)
Take cover!
Our three soldiers turn and bolt back the way they came.
They run like wild rabbits for a bit, jumping over a rock
formation and hitting the deck using the rocks as cover.
Like well-trained warriors they peel their weapons from their
shoulders, lock and load, and stand ready. They wait a bit,
taking several deep breaths like divers about to go under.
Finally Epps gives the order.
EPPS(CONT)
Let's hit 'em!
Simultaneously they spring up from behind the rocks and bear
down on the Iraqis with their M-16s ready to blow them to
kingdom come.
One problem: No Iraqis.
For a beat our three don't move. They hold position, breath
coming hard like sprinters at the end of a race. They're
eyes flint back and forth scanning for something...anything.
There's nothing.
EPPS(CONT)
Cover me.
M-16 still at the ready, Epps raises up taking a tactical
stance. He inches forward, sweeping his weapon back and
forth before him for any potential target. There is none.
The Iraqis have vanished. Epps lowers the M-16, but does not
shoulder it.
EPPS(CONT)
Clear.
Wes and Jaeger come up from their cover and cross to Epps.
They keep their weapons ready. Eerily they all look around
as if trying to spot ghosts.
WES
Where'd they go?
EPPS
I don't know. There's a lot of space up
here. They could be just about--
WES
Weird they didn't chase us.
JAEGER
Maybe they're as scared of us as we are
of them.
WES
Just seems weird they didn't chase us.
EPPS
What's weird is how they disappeared.
Doesn't make sense. Doesn't...
There is a sound; a steady swooshing that starts faint and
grows closer like a rolling thunder. Our three start looking
around, turning where they stand, trying to find the source
of the sound as it rises to a near deafening pitch. There's
nothing. They see nothing. Still the sound races closer and
closer. Epps, Jaeger and Wes raise up their weapons in
preparation to defend themselves against this unseen beast.
From below the edge of the mesa a HELICOPTER GUNSHIP -
probably a MIL MI-24 HIND-D ARMED ASSAULT HELICOPTER if you
want to be technical - raises up very dramatically into
sight. It hangs in the air ominously before our soldiers.
On board are the vanished Iraqis wearing nasty grins. The
PILOT brings the gunship about and levels her massive machine
cannons at our boys.
EPPS(CONT)
Scatter!
Wes and Jaeger don't have to be told twice. They bolt from
their spots, and not an instant too soon. The GUNNER lets
fly a barrage of shells that literally tear up the ground
where our boys were just standing. We see what the chopter's
weapons will do to rock. We can imagine what they would do
to flesh.
Epps, Jaeger and Wes take cover behind some rocks. The
gunship swings around, picks up speed and bears down on them.
More shells fired. They punch into and through the rocks our
boys use for cover. Again the three scatter, and just in
time as the shells rip their way through the rock.
Our three go sliding down an embankment, crouching low.
Their heads whip around looking for the gunship.
JAEGER
Where is it? Where'd it go?
EPPS
Stay low.
JAEGER
Where the hell is it!?
EPPS
Just stay down.
In answer to Jaeger's question the gunship comes swooping up
behind them like a bird of prey. Our three have all of about
a second to get running before the Iraqis send more shells
their way. They kick up chunks of rock as they ping, ping,
ping around Epps, Wes and Jaeger who make a wild, evasive
run.
Dig it: Up ahead is a narrow passage through rock face.
They race for it, hurl themselves into it as the gunship
sends a special delivery of white-hot metal their way.
Once inside the passage they have a bit of breathing space.
It's too narrow for the gunship to get a good shot through.
Our three press themselves up against the rock walls and suck
air.
Beyond the opening to the passage the gunship swings back and
forth like a junkyard dog patrolling its kingdom.
Jaeger's worked up a real scare.
JAEGER
What are we going to do? What the hell
are we going to do?
EPPS
We're not going to do anything.
JAEGER
(Panicked)
They're going to kill us!
EPPS
They can't shoot us in here.
WES
And they can't fly around out there
forever.
EPPS
So we wait.
JAEGER
If they land--
EPPS
If they land, we can take them. If they
don't land, then we've got nothing to
worry about.
Wes watches the gunship as it seemingly settles in the air.
It floats very steady as if... Wes' eyes key in on
something: The gunship's missile pods rotating slightly,
coming in line... Wes' eyes go wide like someone just jammed
an electric cattle prod in his ass.
WES
Missile!
EPPS
Move!
Epps, Wes and Jaeger sprint for the opening at the far end of
the passage as a missile rockets from the gunship's pod.
With a wild whine it rides the wind like a deadly arrow
straight into the passage. Slamming into the ground it
sprouts a terrific fireball that rides on a massive
explosion. It races through the passage, lifts our boys from
the ground and tosses them out into the open like they were
nothing more than discarded ragdolls.
Jaeger takes cover and cowers. He puts his panic into
overdrive.
Wes pulls his rifle. Grunting like an animal he sprays
bullets at the chopter, but it's like throwing snowballs at
an elephant. The gunship turns on Wes and fires in his
direction. It doesn't hit him, but it sends him running.
Epps has had enough of this shit. He scrambles to load a
grenade in his launcher as the gunship comes about. It races
for him, cannons at the ready. This one is going to be
close. Epps locks and loads just as the chopter swings down
on him. Epps fires, but the gunship simply jukes up and away
from the grenade the way someone might step over a bug. The
grenade impacts the rock face behind the chopter exploding
harmlessly. The chopter returns the favor by reining down a
hail of shells that kicks Epps back FLIPPING HIM UP AND OVER
the edge of the plateau. His M-16 goes flying, smashing into
the ground far below. Epps manages to grab hold of the
plateau lip with one hand. It swings him around, slamming
him hard against the cliff face. He hangs there, suspended by
his weakening grip, far above the ground.
JAEGER
Epps!
Jaeger and Wes run to him, grabbing him by his arm. They
pull and pull hard until Epps can get some kind of purchase,
and crawl his way back up to the plateau.
At the same time the gunship lowers itself so that it hovers
above and beyond our three. It rotates so that the bay doors
are facing Epps, Wes and Jaeger. Three Iraqis are inside,
weapons trained on our targets. One of them yells something.
Wes translates.
WES
They want us to surrender.
The three share a nervous look. Epps fairly growls:
EPPS
Yeah, I'll surrender.
Jaeger and Wes watch as, shielded by their bodies, Epps palms
a grenade from his belt. Wes and Jaeger don't quite smile,
but they know now they at least have a chance. As Epps
stands the other two turn to face the Iraqis. They all fold
their hands behind their necks which, for Epps, hides the
grenade from view. Slowly they walk towards the gunship.
One of the Iraqis starts to yell something. He lifts his
weapon and aims it at our boys. With his thumb Epps yanks
the pin from the grenade and lets fly. It's a perfect toss,
landing in the chopter's bay. The Iraqis see the grenade
land, they scramble for it. One of them grabs it up and is
about to throw it back out of the gunship.
Too late.
The grenade explodes in the Iraqi's hand killing him
instantly. It also touches off a fire ball that severely
damages the gunship. It rocks, lists, spins wildly out of
control.
EPPS(CONT)
Get down!
Our three hug the ground as the chopter's rotors go whipping
through the air like throwing knifes landing perilously among
them. Worse still the gunship, now a lame bird, drops from
the sky towards Epps, Jaeger and Wes. All they can do is
cover their heads, as if that would do any good against two
tons of crashing steel. The chopter rushes down...down, but
it just misses them. It slams into the ground skipping over
the edge of the plateau, to the rocks below.
Our three pick themselves up. They walk to the edge of the
plateau and look down on the crash.
Jaeger, scared painted all over his face, sinks to his knees
and looks as if he's about to go into shock.
JAEGER
Oh, God...
Wes looks down at Jaeger with a bit of a disdainful sneer.
WES
Yeah. Just keeps getting better and
better, doesn't it?
They stare for awhile, then one by one move off. Us? We:
FADE TO:
BLACK
FADE TO:
EXT. DESERT/MESA - LATER
Epps, Wes and Jaeger trek to a large crevice that runs
straight down into the ground. Jaeger takes out his maps and
photos. Epps consults the navicom.
WES
What do you think?
JAEGER
Lines up with the map and the photos.
EPPS
We're right where we should be.
Epps tucks the navicom away on his belt and takes a look
around. Not much to see.
EPPS(CONT)
I sure don't see much place else around
here to hide anything.
Wes pulls a lantern/flashlight from his pack. Going to his
belly he shines it down into the crevice.
WES
Can't see anything.
He tosses a rock into it. We can hear it hit the ground below.
WES(CONT)
It's got a bottom.
JAEGER
Guess we know what the next stop is.
EPPS
All right. Let's break out some utility
shovels, lanterns, and a claymore in case
we have to do any blasting. Me and
Jaeger'll climb down, and see what we can
see.
WES
What am I supposed to do?
EPPS
Got to have someone here in case we need
help making it back up. Doesn't hurt to
have a look out either.
JAEGER
Think there might be more Iraqis?
EPPS
Right now I wouldn't be surprised if
Eartha Kitt showed up singing Send In The
Clowns.
CUT TO:
WE SEE A FEW QUICK SHOTS of Wes securing a line down into the
crevice, Epps and Jaeger clipping on rapeling harnesses, the
two men lowering themselves down into the great unknown.
CUT TO:
INT. CREVICES - CONTINUOUS
The lantern punches a hole through the darkness as Epps uses
it like a machete to blaze a trial. He sinks down...down
until finally they touch bottom. He unclips himself from the
rope and Jaeger starts down.
The space isn't that big, like a small cave really. It's
tight enough that the lantern pretty well lights up the whole
of it. But it's big enough that one wouldn't have any idea
where to start digging.
Jaeger makes it to the bottom. Wes yells down.
WES
You down?
JAEGER
Yeah, we're down.
WES
What do you see?
EPPS
Nothing.
More to himself:
EPPS(CONT)
A whole lot of nothing.
JAEGER
So where do we start?
Epps takes a look around, then shrugs.
EPPS
Wherever you want.
Epps breaks out his utility shovel from his pack. Jaeger
follows suit. He looks around, picks a spot and starts
digging.
FADE TO:
WES - LATER
He sits up top, weapon in hand, standing guard.
FADE TO:
EPPS AND JAEGER - LATER
They dig furiously at sperate ends of the cave. They dig
with a determination to find something.
FADE TO:
WES - LATER
Still up top, he's given up on standing guard. Now he
stretches out on the ground sunning himself.
FADE TO:
EPPS AND JAEGER
Their shirts are off, and they're caked with sweat and dirt.
They look like they've been digging for quite some time.
They certainly don't have the same enthusiasm they displayed
previously. Now they just seem to dig by rote.
FADE TO:
WES - LATER
The sun has begun to sink noticeably. Wes leans over the
crevice.
WES
Hey...Hey! Sun's going down. Epps!
Jaeger! It's getting dark up here.
CUT TO:
EPPS AND JAEGER - SIMULTANEOUS
It's obvious these guys have been digging for hours and come
up with nothing. Epps keeps digging, but just barely.
Jaeger doesn't even bother anymore. He just sits on the
ground sulking.
WES(O.C.)
Epps!
EPPS
I heard!
CUT TO:
WES
He rolls over and scoffs.
WES
There's nothing down there.
CUT TO:
EPPS AND JAEGER
Epps notices Jaeger just sitting there.
EPPS
What are you doing?
JAEGER
What does it look like I'm doing?
EPPS
It looks like you're not doing anything.
JAEGER
I'm not. And I'm not doing anything,
because there's nothing down here.
EPPS
Get up and dig.
JAEGER
We've been digging. We've been digging
for hours. If there was anything here to
find we would have found it.
EPPS
Get up off your ass and dig!
Sounding defeated as all hell, and very whiney:
JAEGER
What's the point? There's nothing here.
The map's a fake. Christ, even I see
that now. We're just wasting our time.
We might as well give up and--
Epps spins. Like a bolt of lightning he's on Jaeger,
grabbing him up and pulling him close.
EPPS
You listen to me. The whole reason we're
here is because of you and that map of
yours. I didn't do all this for nothing,
and I'm not leaving with nothing. If you
think for a second I'm giving up just
'cause you're too tired to turn over some
dirt, then you don't know John Epps too
well, do you? So you dig, and you keep
on digging 'til I say you don't have to
dig anymore.
Epps pushes Jaeger back and he goes down to the ground hard.
A fire burns inside him. A fire that burns out of control.
Before he even knows what he's doing Jaeger springs to his
feet, shovel in hand, bringing it down in a long arc for
Epps' head.
Epps bears him coming. He deftly side steps the blow, grabs
hold of Jaeger and forces him down. They roll around
violently like wild dogs trading blows and trying to work the
other into a choke hold.
CUT TO:
WES
He can hear the sounds of the struggle and yells down.
WES
What are you doing...? What the hell are
you doing down there?
CUT TO:
EPPS AND JAEGER
They fight on; down and dirty. Locked together they roll
around the ground, each trying to get the upper hand. They
smash into the lantern, sending the cave into near darkness.
At the same time Epps works himself on top of Jaeger. He
lands a couple of solid punches, takes a rock from the ground
and lifts it high ready to send it crashing into Jaeger's
skull. All Jaeger can do is steel himself for the deathblow.
Something catches Epps' eye: A glint of light flashes across
his faces. He stares at it; at an opening, a bare seem
really, in the side of the cave wall where light seeps
through. The rock slips from his hand. Forgetting all about
Jaeger Epps goes to the opening. Jaeger himself, as if what
just happened hadn't really happened, comes up along side
Epps.
JAEGER
Must be a compartment.
EPPS
I feel air. Probably opens up outside
somewhere. That's where the light comes
from. Couldn't see it with the lanternon.
Jaeger says what they both must have guessed by now.
JAEGER
The white dot; light in the dark.
That's all Epps needs to hear. He starts clawing at the
opening with his bare hands. That gets him nothing.
Grabbing up a shovel he starts to whack at it. Jaeger gets
the lantern working again, then picks up his shovel and joins
in. They keep hitting and hitting, picking up a rhythm like
a southern chain gang.
JAEGER (CONT)
Maybe we should blast it loose with the
claymore.
EPPS
It's giving.
The rock gives way enough for Epps to pry it free. There's
just enough space for a man to reach his arm through. For a
beat Epps and Jaeger just stare at the opening almost afraid
of what mayor may not be in there.
With some trepidation Epps begins to move his hand towards
the opening. Slowly it extends closer...closer... Just as
it moves beyond the opening. vThere is a wild, screeching
hiss as some small, hairy thing leaps for Epps.
Both Epps and Jaeger recoil, Jaeger going nuts with fear.
JAEGER
Jesus Christ!
Jaeger grabs up his M-16 and takes aim at...whatever it is.
EPPS
No, don't shoot!
Too late. Jaeger squeezes off a few rounds. A couple of
bullets hit the thing, but the rest ricochet wildly about the
cave and around Epps and Jaeger. All the two men can do is
duck and cover - squeezing themselves into tight, fetal balls
- as the bullets scream back and forth like little chunks of
random death.
Eventually the bullets lose speed and die off. Jaeger and
Epps raise up off the ground. They walk to the dead thing
that jumped from the opening.
EPPS
It's just a mongoose.
JAEGER
Is it dead?
EPPS
Yeah, Bwana, you got it.
CUT TO:
WES
Yelling down
WES
What the hell are you doing!?
CUT TO:
EPPS AND JAEGER
JAEGER
I think we found something.
They go back to the opening. Epps shines a light inside to
make sure there are no more surprises, then reaches an arm
in. Jaeger looks on with great anticipation, licking his
lips like a hungry jackal, as Epps twists his arm in the
opening. Searching...searching...
Epps' face freezes. He goes perfectly still for a beat, then
slowly draws his hand from the opening. It clutches a wooden
box. It is similar to Jaeger's puzzle box, but slightly
bigger. The instant Epps sets the box on the ground Jaeger
smashes his shovel into it shattering the ancient wood. From
the splinters pours a river of gold coins. Jaeger and Epps
are too stunned to do anything but look at it.
CUT TO:
WES
He leans over the crevice.
WES
What is it? What'd you find?
CUT TO:
EPPS AND JAEGER
Incredulous himself:
EPPS
Gold. It's gold.
Jaeger yells it at the top of his lungs:
JAEGER
IT'S GOLD!
CUT TO:
WES
His lips flutter a bit before they land on the word
WES
Gold...
CUT TO:
EPPS AND JAEGER
They scoop up handfuls of the coins and let them run through
their fingers.
JAEGER
It's not like I figured. It's cold. And
it's heavier than I imagined.
EPPS
I wouldn't know. I never imagined this.
Not in my whole life did I ever imagine
this.
JAEGER
You don't have to imagine it. Not
anymore. Now all you've got to think up
is what it's going to buy you.
Epps grabs up one coin and stands.
EPPS
Wes!
With all his strength Epps gives the coin an underhanded toss
straight up.
CUT TO:
WES
Wes catches the coin. He turns it over in his fingers. He
smiles, and there's nothing pleasant about it.
CUT TO:
JAEGER AND EPPS
Epps yells up.
EPPS
Wes, thrown down a pack.
A beat later an empty pack comes falling down. Epps picks it
up and takes it over to Jaeger. The two of them start
loading the coins into it.
EPPS(CONT)
I don't think the line will take the
weight of a man and the coins.
(Yelling up.)
Wes!? We'll send the gold up, then me
and Jaeger'll climb back.
WES(O.C.)
Ready when you are.
Epps is just about to attach the pack of gold to the line
when Jaeger grabs his arm.
JAEGER
Wait.
EPPS
What?
Jaeger isn't sure how to say what he's thinking.
EPPS(CONT)
What?
JAEGER
We send the gold up what's to stop him
from taking off and leaving us down here?
EPPS
He's not going to leave us.
JAEGER
What's to stop him if he wanted to? All
he has to do is cut the line...
Good point. What is to stop him?
WES
You ready?
EPPS
(To Jaeger)
All right. I'll go up, then you send up
the gold and--
JAEGER
Why do I have to stay down here?
EPPS
Jesus, Jaeger.
JAEGER
I don't see how that plan's any better.
EPPS
Someone's got to send the gold up. It
can't get on the line by itself.
JAGER
Why's it got to be me?
A tense moment passes.
WES
What are you doing? You ready?
Another moment, then:
EPPS
All right. You go up, I'll send up the
gold, then follow.
JAEGER
Yeah. Yeah, that'll work.
Jaeger goes over to the line and hooks himself on. He's just
about ready to climb up when Epps stops him. Serious as a
heart attack he says:
EPPS
If you're even thinking about leaving me
down here, you better think again.
Jaeger stares at Epps for a beat, then laughs himself a
little laugh. He yells up:
JAEGER
Wes, I'm coming up.
Jaeger starts to climb as Wes helps out by pulling on the
rope.
Epps watches him for a bit, then looks at the pack of gold
and the rest of the equipment. Suddenly he scurries about
gathering up all the things they've brought down.
Jaeger continues his climb, disappearing up into the crevice.
A few beats later the rope comes snaking back down from,
above. Epps brings over the pack of gold and attaches it to
the rope. Yelling up:
EPPS
Okay!
The rope goes taught, slowly drawing the pack up, up into the
crevice finally to be swallowed from view.
Epps waits for the rope to come back down. He waits. He
waits a beat more. No rope.
EPPS(CONT)
Wes? Jaeger?
He tries to keep the apprehension from his voice, but it
creeps in anyway. He tries it again.
EPPS(CONT)
Jaeger?
Still more nothing. What's that sound? It's Epps' breath
getting heavier and faster.
EPPS(CONT)
Jaeger!?
Nothing. Then something. The rope snakes its way back down.
Epps can't help but let go of a little laugh, like a guy
who's just been given a scare by his own shadow. Taking up
his own pack Epps hooks up, then starts the climb to the top.
CUT TO:
JAEGER AND WES
They work the rope, helping Epps up. He gets to the lip of
the crevice, and pulls himself over. He's breathing hard,
and lets his pack slide to the ground. Trying not to sound
too rattled.
EPPS
What the hell took so long.
JAEGER
Just had to get the pack unhooked from
the line. It didn't seem that long.
EPPS
Not when you're up here with the gold, I
guess not.
Throwing Epps' own words back at him:
WES
Not losing trust, are you?
Epps lets this go.
EPPS
It'll be too dark to make our way back
now. Let's bed down for the night and
head out at first light.
WES
What about the gold?
EPPS
What about it?
WES
Maybe we should split it up now.
EPPS
We started this together, and we're
staying together, so there's no point in
splitting things up now.
WES
What if we get separated? Way I see it
if something happens I want to be
carrying my share.
JAEGER
Wes might be right about that.
EPPS
It stays as it is. We're halfway home
now. Let's not blow it by people getting
ideas.
WES
You're the one with all the ideas.
EPPS
You've had your say, Wes. Now leave it.
WES
Maybe you've got ideas of your own for
the gold. Maybe you've already got
things worked out.
EPPS
Maybe I do.
WES
Maybe I don't need your ideas. Maybe I
can do better on my own.
Epps sees trouble coming, and deals with it the only way he
knows how. Casually he turns from Wes as if he's about to
let things go. Suddenly he spins back around throwing a
punch to Wes' jaw that sends him to the ground.
Wes puts a hand to his mouth. It comes back stained red.
Wes goes on the boil.
WES(CONT)
You got no reason to do that!
EPPS
I told you: When I straighten someone
out they stay straightened. This is how
it works: Nobody touches the gold.
Except when we're on the move and
someone's carrying it, nobody so much as
opens the pack to get an eyeful of it.
Agreed?
Jaeger wastes no time jumping in.
JAEGER
Yeah. Sure. That sounds like a plan to
me.
Wes, still on the ground, fumes.
WES
You got no reason to hit me. I'm getting
tired of you and Jaeger pushing me around.
EPPS
Then get up and do something about it.
Wes thinks about it, but that's all he does. He's not ready
to cross that line yet.
EPPS(CONT)
Then just lay there and bleed.
Epps takes up his pack and moves off to bed down. Jaeger
does the same. Wes just lays on the ground...and bleeds.
FADE TO:
BLACK
FADE TO:
EXT. MESA - EARLY MORNING
The first light of day barely begins to fight its way through
the dark. Our boys sleep in a circle around the pack filled
with gold. Surprisingly they seem to sleep pretty well, but
then the last twenty-four hours has taken a lot out of them.
There is a slight sound: Rocks crunching underneath a foot.
Someone stirs, someone moves. It's hard to tell who it is in
this bad light. They creep towards the pack, inching their
way closer and closer. They reach out a hand, just about to
grab the pack.
Wes, who obviously wasn't asleep at all, lunges for the
person, and takes them down hard. There's the ugly crunch of
body against stone as they hit the ground. M-16 in hand Wes
straddles the intruder pressing the muzzle of the rifle
against his head.
WES
Stay down. Stay the hell down, or I will
rip your stinking head off!
Underneath him, an IRAQI SOLDIER - who already looks very
badly injured; bloody, cut, slightly burned - babbles back in
high pitched and frightened Arabic.
This is enough to wake Jaeger and Epps.
JAGER
What the hell?
WES
I caught him! I caught him trying to
steal the gold.
EPPS
Get off him.
WES
(Slightly crazed)
He snuck in here thinking we were asleep,
only I wasn't sleeping. Would have slit
our throats if I hadn't stopped him.
EPPS
Get off him!
Epps reaches down and physically pulls Wes from the soldier
who still rattles on.
EPPS(CONT)
What happened?
WES
I told you. He tried to steal our gold.
He tried to kill us.
JAEGER
With what? He doesn't have a weapon.
WES
He's a soldier. He doesn't need a
weapon. He's got rocks. He's got bare
hands.
The soldier goes on babbling. Wes has had just about enough
of that. He gives the soldier a kick to the ribs.
WES(CONT)
Shut up!
Epps gives Wes a hard push.
EPPS
Stop it!
WES
I told you; don't push me around.
Even now, frightened but more calmly, the soldier goes on.
EPPS
Tell me what he's saying.
Wes listens, but with disdain. He translates:
WES
Says he's one of the soldiers that was in
the helicopter.
JAEGER
He lived through that?
The soldier goes on, and so does Wes.
WES
Says they were deserters, they were
afraid to fight, don't believe in Saddam
anyway. They flew the gunship up here to
hide out. When they saw us they figured
we were going to kill them, so they shot
first.
EPPS
Why'd he come in our camp.
Wes asks him the question in Arabic and gets an answer. It's
enough to give Wes a bit of a laugh.
WES
Says he wanted food. Liar. He wanted
the gold.
EPPS
How's he going to want the gold? He
couldn't even know we had it.
WES
He...he could have been watching us.