SCRIPT TITLE

Written by

Name of First Writer

Based on, If Any

Address
Phone Number
 OVER BLACK:

TITLE CARDS:

“In 2002 the United Nations, pressured by the Bush

Administration, set out to prove that Saddam Hussein was
developing and testing weapons of mass destruction against
his own people.”

“Though no such weapons were ever found, the U.S. - led

Coalition Forces invaded Iraq in the spring of 2003, quickly
deposing Hussein and seizing control of the country’s massive
natural resources.”

“We went in searching for the truth. What we uncovered in

the process was shocking.”

Spring, 2004

KUWAIT - EXT. CAMP DESPERADO. DAY

TITLE CARDS:

Camp Desperado, Kuwait.

MACK (V.O.)
In the field, the leading cause of
Marine injuries, fatalities and
NJPs is boredom.

EXT. KUWAIT - CAMP DESPERADO - NEW YORK - DAY

An enormous clean up operation is underway amidst the charred

mess that was once CAMP NEW YORK. The site is littered with
piles of burned fabric, melted bed frames and other objects.

MACK (V.O.)
If you don’t know, NJP stands for
Non - Judicial Punishment, which
doesn’t make any fucking sense
‘cause it’s one hundred damned
percent judicial.

LANCE CORPORAL and Reed stand atop the berm observe the
action below like middle managers running a factory. Mack
holds a clipboard with what looks like a list attached to it.
They are dwarfed by the vast nothingness of the looming
Kuwaiti desert in the distance.
 2.

MACK (V.O.)
This is Corporal Reed. We call him
Black Lalane cause - well, look at
him. Believe it or not, this beef
cake’s a - (turns to Reed) what do
you do again?

REED
Information Security Technician.

Below, Garcia gives him the finger as he weaves through the

mess like an obstacle course.

(V.O.)
There’s Garcia. I call him Fat
Ass. Fats for short. He’s slow as
shit but he’s a good guy.

Mack turns and speaks directly into the camera.

MACK
Then there’s me. McLean - Mack for
short. I’m a radio operator.

Mack starts down the berm and takes us along through the site
like a tour guide.

Every unit you go to - the

motherfuckers who are always
gettin’ into the most trouble is us
- Comm Platoon. They just call us
Crime Platoon now. Only Marines
get in more trouble than us are the
cooks. Them motherfuckers are
always on restriction.

Mack passes a small group of Comm Marines in the middle of

the clean up chain.

Put a bunch of dudes in an isolated

desert in the middle of bum fuck
nowhere, give ‘em weapons and ammo,
take away the women and throw in
120 degrees of nut sack roasting
heat - I mean, what do you expect?

Garcia sifts through partially melted weapons and parts for

Jasmin to inspect.

MACK (V.O.)
And that’s Corporal Jasmin. The
reason I’m here, today.
 3.

JASMIN
What took you so long? Check these
serial numbers off as I read ‘em.

Mack nods. Jasmin shoots him a look.

MACK
Copy that, Corporal.

MACK (V.O.)
Corporal Jasmin is an Armorer.
He’s in charge of weapons and ammo.
Radio operators don’t usually work
in the armory, but...

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

EXT. KUWAIT - CAMP DESPERADO - RADIO TENT - DAY

Garcia and Mack sit on the ground behind the row of tents
with several packages of MREs (Meal, Ready to Eat) open
between them, the contents dumped into their helmets.

MACK
Slagle told me Supply’s making a
run to Doha tomorrow.

GARCIA
“Motivated, dedicated, locked,
cocked ready to rock Supply Bubbas -
Hoorah?” Fuckin’ fag.

They share a chuckle. Mack grabs his canteen and pours some
water into an empty Gatorade bottle.

EXT. KUWAIT - CAMP DESPERADO - PORT-A-JOHNS - CONTINUOUS

Johnson, in PT gear, carries a bag and shooting stool to the

last port-a-john.

MACK (V.O.)
Can’t leave out that hard -
charging Devil Dog Lance Corporal
Matt Johnson, United States Marine
Corps, One Each.

INT. PORT-A-JOHN - CONTINUOUS

Johnson locks himself in, flips the lid down and sits. He
then unfolds the stool in front of him and meticulously lays
out the contents of the bag onto it.
 4.

A portable DVD player. A small tube of lotion. A pack of

baby wipes. This is clearly a well - planned routine he
looks forward to.

MACK (V.O.)
Expert rifle qualifying, motor
transport drivin’ stone cold
killin’ womanizer. What a fuckin’
stud.

He considers between several DVDs before popping one in.

MACK (V.O.)
At least that’s what he says. “I
mean, women can’t get enough of me.
Back in the states I had to fight
‘em off. Even in the desert, I had
a line of women lined up around the
block.”

His face lights up as an image appears on the tiny screen.

INSERT:

“CLIFF BANGER.”

He plugs in his headphones, presses play and goes to work.

RADIO TENT - CONTINUOUS

Mack stuffs two water - activated MRE heaters into the bottle
before sealing it tight.

GARCIA
I shoulda been Motor T. I’d be on
every convoy out there. I’d be
practically living on Doha.

MACK
Hell yeah. Only time you will ever
see my black ass volunteer for a
working party. Army hoes crawling
all over the place.

Mack shakes the bottle vigorously and tosses it to Garcia,

who fumbles it frantcally.

GARCIA
Motherfucker! Play too much.

Garcia quickly tosses the bottle into the tent.

 5.

PORT-A-JOHN - CONTINUOUS

Johnson is going to town vigorously. He’s about to finish

when suddenly -

POP!

RADIO TENT - CONTINUOUS

The surprisingly loud MRE “bomb” startles Marines inside the

tent, who start yelling expletives.

Several Marines spill out of the tent looking for the

culprits. Mack and Garcia hastily gather their gear and
hightail it, nearly crashing right into -

MASTER SERGEANT MARVIN “TOP” WALKER (50), black - a crusty

old Leatherneck born without any smile muscles on his
hardened, weather - worn face.

Walker doesn’t flinch a single muscle. The boys dive around

him instinctively, as if their lives depended on avoiding a
collision with him - which it does.

MACK (V.O.)
So we got into a little trouble.

END FLASHBACK.

KUWAIT - EXT. CAMP DESPERADO - HELO PAD - DAY

TITLE CARDS:

“In the Beginning...”

Three platoons, mostly men - some women, stand in a perfectly

- aligned formation. This is Headquarters Company.

LANCE CORPORAL RODNEY “ROD” JASMIN (20s), chiseled features,

prideful, stands alone, behind the first platoon. His
perfectly pressed uniform fits like a glove - even in the
desert.

We scan the dozens of faces and come to LANCE CORPORAL TIM

“MACK” MACLEAN (19) - skinny, green. His “Thousand Mile
Stare” momentarily breaks, stifling a chuckle at something
the Marine next to him mutters under his breath.

FIRST SERGEANT GUSTAVO NAVARREZ (40s), blue - collar, stands

to the left and abreast of the Company Commander, CAPTAIN SAM
WILLIAMS (30s), white - collar, holding a red folder
containing a “PROMOTION WARRANT.”
 6.

FIRST SERGEANT
MARINE TO BE PROMOTED... CEN-TER!

Maclean immediately pivots to his right.

FIRST SERGEANT (CONT’D)

MARCH!

He marches out in crisp and precise steps, pivoting sharply

around the platoon. When he reaches the senior Marines, he
abruptly halts, pivots and salutes with razor - like
intensity.

The Company Commander returns his salute, then both men “cut”
said salute. The First Sergeant reads the Promotion Warrant.

FIRST SERGEANT (CONT’D)

“To all who shall see these
presents, greeting:

Know Ye that, reposing special

trust and confidence in the
fidelity and abilities of Rodney S.
Jasmin, I do appoint this Marine a
Corporal in the United States
Marine Corps, to rank as such...”

LATER

Captain Williams looks on as Nevarrez pins the brand new

Corporal chevrons onto Jasmin’s collar, one of which slips
out of his grasp. Nevarrez flails and grabs at it to no
avail.

A subtle, anonymous gasp escapes the otherwise still

formation, punctuating the painfully audible clinking of
metal bouncing off concrete. Nevarrez bumbles around
awkwardly for several long moments, searching for the fallen
chevron.

WILLIAMS
To your right.

Nevarrez still has no clue.

WILLIAMS (CONT’D)
Your other right.

The exasperated Williams picks the chevron up and pins it

himself.

LATER
 7.

Bomgardner, Mack and Jasmin pose together as ANOTHER MARINE

snaps a picture with a disposable camera.

LATER

Jasmin is surrounded by several other Marines, mostly black

and Latino, congratulating him. Despite the differences in
rank, they clearly share a deeper, cultural bond.

Bomgardner, Captain Esposito and Top Walker huddle in deep

conversation.

ESPOSITO
I was thinking maybe we could use
another Five Ton. I wanna stop off
in Doha and pick a couple tents up.

WALKER
You know better than I do, Sir -
ain’t gon’ happen. Not enough
time, and our other drivers won’t
be back til tomorrow.

BOMGARDNER
Maybe we can reroute a couple
trucks and rendezvous in Doha.

ESPOSITO
Yeah, that might work. Let’s try
that, Top.

WALKER
I’ll see.

Walker glances at Jasmin, swarmed by well wishers, who

flashes him an enormous, “shit - eating grin.” Walker
remains expressionless, turning his attention to his present
company.

BOMGARDNER (O.S.)
You done partying, Devil Pup? We
got work to do.

WHACK!

BOMGARDNER smacks Jasmin on the back of the head. Though the

military bearing is apparent, their relationship is a bit
more informal than expected.

JASMIN
Dammit! You lucky I’m a God -
fearing Christian, Staff Sergeant.
 8.

BOMGARDNER
Christian, my ass. You may be a
Non - Commissioned Officer now, but
you’re still my bitch.

JASMIN
Always trying to keep the black man
down. I see how it is.

BOMGARDNER
Jokes aside you know I’m leaving in
a couple hours. You make sure the
Armory’s squared away. Don’t fuck
around and procrastinate on
inspecting them machine guns.

JASMIN
In the rear, with the gear again.
When you gon’ let me go in country?
I’m gon have to lie to my lil boy
or something. I can’t tell him his
daddy came all this way just to sit
around here and do nothin. I been
here five months and ain’t seen
Iraq yet.

BOMGARDNER
Bragging rights. If that’s all
you’re in it for, you definitely
got no business going up there.
You know Marines up there going
home in body bags, don’t you?

JASMIN
I’m the best shooter in the
battalion. Multiple expert rifle
and pistol awards. Range high
twice. It’s a waste of my God -
given talent.

BOMGARDNER
This ain’t the rifle range, Jasmin.
This is real life. Up there, the
targets shoot back - from every
side. Plus I left plenty of work
for you here anyway. Now, make
sure you get all my shit done.

JASMIN
All the optics are tagged and ready
to go. Anything else?
 9.

BOMGARDNER
Inventory all the parts for every
weapons system by the time I get
back. Write up orders for
everything we’re missing so I can
get ‘em from Doha.

Jasmin is clearly annoyed.

BOMGARDNER (CONT’D)
There’s more to being a good
armorer than just fixing weapons.
You better get your head out of
your ass. You’re an NCO now. That
means setting the example, or you
won’t last out here.

JASMIN
I got less than six months before I
get out. Nothing wrong with being
a lifer but I’m not sticking around
for any more of this bullshit.
It’s just not for me, Staff
Sergeant.

BOMGARDNER
It don’t make a difference whether
you do twenty years or one
enlistment. You need to learn to
take pride in being a Marine. You
don’t have to be a lifer to give
all you got. You get out of it
exactly what you put in.

JASMIN
Yeah.

BOMGARDNER
Bottom line - it’s my shop. You do
what I tell you to do. I’m the
only one keeping Top, Captain
Esposito and basically everyone
else off your ass. You don’t wanna
piss me off, son.

KUWAIT - INT. KUWAIT CITY - RUN DOWN SHACK - DAWN

INSERT: PICTURE - AN EGYPTIAN COUPLE AND THEIR FOUR CHILDREN:

A BOY, 6 MONTHS OLD, WRAPPED IN A SMALL BLUE BLANKET; THREE
GIRLS, 4, 7 AND 10 YEARS OLD, BEAMING.
 10.

RUN DOWN SHACK - CONTINUOUS

The room is small, with no electricity, crumbling walls with

one solitary window and almost no furniture. Blankets form
makeshift beds, leaving almost no room to walk between them.
Sitting up on one of them is RAMI - 40s, frail, Egyptian
MIGRANT WORKER, who carefully puts the picture in his pocket.

He unrolls his makeshift pillow - the small blue blanket from

the picture. He then folds his blanket and tucks the little
blue blanket into it gently.

The ground along the windowed wall is lined with small stacks
of varied personal items - clothes, sandals, etc. He neatly
places the blanket in a corner of the room - his only
designated private space.

EXT. KUWAIT - KUWAIT CITY - RUN DOWN SHACK - CONTINUOUS.

Rows of tin - roofed shacks crammed and piled on top of each

other. Most have sheets for doors.

Rami patiently waits as two men wash their face and feet at a
communal water spout.

EXT. KUWAIT - KUWAIT CITY - HIGHWAY - LATER.

The sun is starting to rise. Rami and other MIDDLE - EASTERN

MIGRANT WORKERS walk along the side of the highway. Ahead of
them a couple of miles away, we can see CAMP DESPERADO.

An SUV roars past them at very high speed.

INT. KUWAIT - CAMP DESPERADO - TBD - SAME

A pair of bodies entangled in the darkness, so close they

writhe and breathe in unison. We recognize the man as
Jasmin.

LANCE CORPORAL MELISSA DAVIS - (19), whispers.

DAVIS
Baby... You have to go.

JASMIN
A wise man has nowhere to go when
he has yet to come.

DAVIS
Real funny, Con-Fuse-us. Now get.
 11.

JASMIN
Oh, hell no. How bout get,
Corporal?

They kiss. She bites his lip.

JASMIN (CONT’D)
Okay, okay. I’m leaving. And
you’ll never see me again.

DAVIS
Liar.

As Jasmin gets dressed, something heavy looms in the air.

Davis sits up and gently kisses him.

DAVIS (CONT’D)
You have the sweetest soul of
anyone I’ve ever known. I’m so I
met you.

JASMIN
I know, right? I mean, look at me.

Davis shakes her head. He’s incorrigible, and she likes it.

DAVIS
Season Four. Tonight.

JASMIN
I feel like we’re moving too fast.

A BEAT.

JASMIN (CONT’D)
I mean, the entire season, in one
night?

DAVIS
Um, you’re the one who suggested it
in the first place.

JASMIN
Fuck it. I loves me some Carrie
Bradshaw.

She giggles. He stands, fully dressed and looks at her.

DAVIS
I’ll come scoop you up.

JASMIN
Uh, no.
 12.

DAVIS
Please?

JASMIN
I should have never taught you how
to drive stick.

She leans back, places her hand between her legs and spreads
them, never breaking eye contact.

DAVIS
I miss you already...

He lunges toward her. She stops him with her foot.

DAVIS (CONT’D)
Bye.

KUWAIT - EXT. CAMP DESPERADO - TBD - CONTINUOUS

Jasmin quietly steps out of the tent, careful not to be seen.

EXT. KUWAIT - CAMP DESPERADO - STREET - CONTINUOUS

Captain Esposito, in PT clothes and sneakers, trots along the

road. Jasmin’s silhouette catches his eye. His face quickly
registers and processes, as he continues his run.

KUWAIT. INT - CAMP DESPERADO - ARMORY - DAY

The spacious cage is draped with generous layers of camo

netting and neatly lined with weapon racks.

The Furniture:

A large work bench occupying the center of the room.

Jasmin’s desk - neat, barely used.

Bomgardner’s Desk - messy and cluttered with stacks upon

stacks of Equipment Repair Orders, various forms and
paperwork.

A large and heavy padlocked wooden cabinet, covered with

graffiti, a drawing of a demonic skull and the words, “2111 -
KEEPERS OF THE COLD STEEL.”

About a dozen machine guns of varying types are laid out on

the work bench. Jasmin inspects, function checks and
reassembles each one with speed and precision.
 13.

Garcia’s uniform blouse is stuffed with sweatshirts, making

him appear comically and disproportionately muscular. He
paces about, his voice and gestures filling the room as he
does a farcical impression of the First Sergeant.

GARCIA
‘Kay, lishen up gents. What we’re
gonna do right now is we’re gonna
do a head count, then we’re gona
have a formation.” “But First
Sergeant - we’re already IN
formation.”

Garcia pauses, contemplating awkwardly.

GARCIA (CONT’D)
“Good observation, Devil Dog.
We’re gonna have a formation to
recap what we talked about in the
last formation. And then we’re
gonna shtand around in the
schweltering heat waiting in said
formation cause we don’t have a
fuckin’ clue what the fuck we’re
doing, so we’re gonna do another
daggone head count for the twenty
fifth time this morning.”

Mack and Jasmin are practically rolling.

MACK
Yo - do Master Sergeant Walker.

Garcia grabs a bottle of weapons cleaning solvent and

pretends its a coffee cup.

GARCIA
If the Marine Corps wanted you to
have a wife, the Marine Corps would
have issued you one, Leatherneck.

MACK
Is that really coffee in your mug,
Top?

GARCIA
“It’s propane.”

JASMIN
When’s the last time you laughed or
smiled, Top?

A BEAT.
 14.

Garcia does a Tommy Lee Jones - like expression.

GARCIA
“I’m smiling right now.”

Jasmin and Mack can’t control their laughter. Garcia

remains steadfastly deadpan.

GARCIA (CONT’D)
“We’ll see who’s laughing during PT
tomorrow at zero two thirty in the
morning. Seventy five miles, with
a full pack, gas mask, carrying
water jugs in each hand with an
Iraqi strapped to your back while
wearing flip flops.”

MACK
But Top, that’s impossible. No one
can do that.

GARCIA
You’re a Marine. Nothing’s
impossible - Hoorah?

Garcia prances around the room like a feline on hind legs.

JASMIN
Wow - that’s Top to a tee.

MACK
Look at the posture! Look at the
posture! On point.

GARCIA
“I once fucked a polar bear’s wife
while I made him watch. I tried to
get a blow job from an alligator
once but she started crying cause
she was choking.”

JASMIN
What was it like serving with
Jesus, Top?

GARCIA
He was my bunk mate in boot camp.
He couldn’t keep up during PT so I
carried him and the cross on my
back.

The hysterical laughter is interrupted as they realize Walker

has quietly been standing at the entrance to the tent.
 15.

Garcia is the last to realize what’s going on. Dead silence

and fear fills the room as all three star at the ground.

WALKER
Why’d you stop? I’m having the
time of my life.

Without a word, the three get down and start doing push ups
in unison.

WALKER (CONT’D)
It’s all fun and games til it ain’t
fun no more. Now you gon’ play my
own little game. Y’all wanna play
my game?

GARCIA
No, Top.

WALKER
Really? Cause I got games for
days.

Walker prowls around the room, inspecting every detail in it

as they keep doing push ups.

WALKER (CONT’D)
There’s a time and place for
everything. You can do what you
want on your own time, but right
now you’re on my time.

The Marines are now really struggling. They grunt and sweat
profusely.

ALL
Yes, Top.

Walker stops directly in front of Jasmin and stares him down.

Jasmin searches Walker’s face for mercy but gets none at all.

WALKER
The beatings will continue until
morale improves.

Walker slowly drifts towards the entrance of the tent, where

he stops to toss a few last thoughts over his shoulder.

WALKER (CONT’D)
Find something to do or I’ll find
some things for you to do.
 16.

With that, he is gone. Jasmin and Mack stretch their sore

arms. Garcia is positively winded.

GARCIA
I’m going to chow.

KUWAIT - INT. CAMP DESPERADO - CHOW HALL - DAY

The very large tent is filled with rows of benches and

various branches of military personnel.

Reed plows through his meal - two cheeseburgers, fries and a

plate of lasagna. They don’t call him “BLACK LALANE” for
nothing.

Garcia stops eating his own plate and stares at Reed in

disdain and amazement.

GARCIA
This shit ain’t even fuckin fair,
son. This some bullshit.

REED
Don’t blame me for your fatness.
Maybe you should take your ass to
the gym sometimes.

Johnson, carrying a plate, drink and plastic bag filled with

DVDs and assorted items, knees Garcia roughly in the rib.

JOHNSON
Make a hole, bitch.

GARCIA
Kiss my ass, maricon.

Johnson takes a seat.

REED
The fuck is all that?

JOHNSON
Just some new toys.

REED
Look at you - balling. Spending
all that Housing Allowance and
Imminent Danger Pay.

JOHNSON
Man that ain’t shit. I should’ve
been a reservist.
(MORE)
 17.

JOHNSON (CONT'D)
You know all them cops and
firefighters we got are double
dipping. They get that city money
and the Marine Corps pay is tax
free!

GARCIA
I’m applying for Suffolk County PD
when I get out. They top out at
six figures after five years - and
that’s not even counting overtime.

Johnson admires his brand new Leatherman.

JOHNSON
Look at this here.

REED
Don’t you have one already?

GARCIA
(Imitating Johnson’s accent) Thang
of beauty right there! This thing
can carve wood, a turkey, tweeze my
nose hairs, trim my
dingleberries...”

JOHNSON
It’s rust - resistant so I can use
it to trim you momma’s cunt hairs,
too you lil bitch.

REED
Damn son! You gon let him talk
about yo momma like that?

GARCIA
I don’t mind. Last time I fucked
his mom, I had to use an industrial
strength weed wacker to trim that
burning bush.

REED
You gonna take that, Johnson? From
a Lance Corporal, too?
Disrespectful.

GARCIA
I remember the first time I banged
your moms, Reed - it felt like only
yesterday... Made her ass lay on
her back, spread her legs and ran
her over with your pops’ John Deer.
(MORE)
 18.

GARCIA (CONT'D)
Motherfucker jammed so bad I had to
replace the blades.

Reed slams his fist on the table, sending food, utensils and
drinks tumbling all over.

REED
Yo man - don’t be talkin bout my
moms. That shit ain’t funny. My
moms is dead, B.

A BEAT.

GARCIA
Bitch - stop lyin.

The three share a hearty laugh.

REED
I had you for a minute though.
Your ass was shook.

GARCIA
Yeah - okay. You might be built
like The Hulk, but you ain’t no
thug. You ain’t fooling nobody.

JOHNSON
Man - Reed ain’t gotta be no thug.
He got it made.

REED
What do you mean?

JOHNSON
I heard first term reenlistment
bonuses for Data Comm guys is crazy
- like fifty grand or some shit.
If I had a deal like that on the
table, ain’t no way I ain’t
reenlisting.

REED
The grass is always greener, man.
It ain’t all about the money.

GARCIA
Ha! You only saying that cause
you’re rich. You probably never
had to work a day in your life.
(To Johnson) You know his pops is
a big time lawyer?
 19.

JOHNSON
Is that a fact? What’s your momma
do?

GARCIA
Motherfuckin brain surgeon.

Reed shoots Garcia a look.

REED
Why are you all up in my business?

GARCIA
Man, ain’t shit to be ashamed of.
I wish I had rich parents.

REED
My parents do okay. More middle
class than rich. Anyway, your dad
is a business owner...

GARCIA
He owns a little ass bodega on
Gunhill Road. A brain surgeon he
is not.

JOHNSON
Man, look - a surgeon and a lawyer -
that spells bank to me. And
they’re in - where they live again?

REED
Atlanta.

JOHNSON
Damn. With the cost of living down
there, they gotta be doing more
than ‘alright.’

GARCIA
Probably living lavish. I bet that
house is a monster.

JOHNSON
You got a swimming pool?

REED
What’s that got to do with
anything?

GARCIA
Will the defendant just answer the
fuckin question, please?
 20.

REED
Yeah. So what?

GARCIA
I knew it!

JOHNSON
Goddamn Black Richie Rich over
here. The fuck you doing in my
beloved Corps, then?

REED
I wanted to play football.

JOHNSON
Why didn’t you say so? I mean,
what better place to be a football
star than the desert sands of Camp
Desperado, Kuwait? It all makes so
much sense now.

REED
My parents wanted me to go into
medicine or law. I was a walk on
running back in college. When they
found out, they gave me an
ultimatum - quit the team and focus
on my studies, or pay for college
myself.

I got a job, was ready to take out

student loans, but then I got cut.
I couldn’t go back to my parents,
hat in hand. I guess I needed to
find a way to be independent -
prove I didn’t need them.

GARCIA
You can’t be serious.

JOHNSON
If you ask me you ain’t got shit to
bitch about. You know how much
money Marines in your field make
out in the civilian world?

REED
They gave me that job. It wasn’t
my choice. I’m getting out and
trying out for the NFL. I been
training hard.
 21.

GARCIA
So you’re just gonna leave fifty
grand and a guaranteed salary on
the table?

JOHNSON
God damn. Look at that shit.

They follow his gaze to a group of soldiers eating a few

benches away. Among them, a FEMALE ARMY LIEUTENANT enjoys
her ice cream cone, oblivious to the effect of her actions.

Engrossed in conversation, she licks, sucks and nibbles the

confection lasciviously as the men gawk.

GARCIA
Wow... She is not fuckin around

REED
That’s just wrong. Straight
torture.

GARCIA JOHNSON
Oh... Oh God... Oh.. Ho - ly - balls...
Daaammnnn!

REED
I mean come on!

GARCIA
Man, if she wasn’t a Lieutenant I’d
walk over there right now and teach
her ass some military bearing.

JOHNSON
That shit ain’t right. Can’t be
sucking on an ice cream cone out
here in the desert like that.
Doesn’t she know everybody in
here’s watching her?

REED
She knows exactly what she’s doing.
Lil vixen.

GARCIA
Is it still fraternization if she’s
Army? She has a gift.

Johnson wolfs down what’s left of his meal with gusto, swigs
his drink in a few uninterrupted gulps, then rises abruptly.

JOHNSON
Fuck this shit. I’m out.
 22.

Johnson’s sudden exit is barely acknowledged by the entranced

Garcia and Reed.

KUWAIT. EXT - CAMP DESPERADO - “SOUTHSIDE” - DAY

A small group of MIGRANT WORKERS - all Middle - Eastern, walk

the “streets,” picking up trash. We recognize one of them -
Rami, from earlier.

Supervising them is PFC (PRIVATE FIRST CLASS) JORDAN STEVENS -

20, Caucasian, Louisiana native.

STEVENS
Step it out, assholes. I don’t
wanna be out here all Goddamned
day. Stupid Sand Niggers.

An old, dusty pickup slides to a halt next to Stevens. Davis

hops out. The Southern California native looks very out of
place in both the uniform and environment.

DAVIS
I’ve GOT to get one of these when I
get back. So much fun.

She tosses Stevens a can of Skoal Chewing Tobacco.

STEVENS
Motherfucker. I said Copenhagen
Long Cut.

DAVIS
That’s all they had left.

Davis opens a bag of sunflower seeds and tosses Stevens a

bottle of Gatorade.

STEVENS
Where’s my change?

DAVIS
I fly, you buy.

STEVENS
The fuck is this? Hey - Mohammed!
Get back here and pick this shit up
before I buttstock you to the
fucking head.

DAVIS
I believe the proper term is Hadji,
Devil.
 23.

STEVENS
Oh. I stand corrected. Mr. Hadji.

The CALL TO PRAYER sounds off in the distance, from the town.
Rami continues police calling while the others stop to pray.
Stevens and Davis are fascinated.

STEVENS (CONT’D)
Hmm.

DAVIS
Hey. What’s your name?
Rami musters up his words with great difficulty.

RAMI
My name. Rami.

DAVIS
So you do speak English, Rami?

RAMI
Yes. Little bit.

STEVENS
Lil’ bit, huh? Must be some kinda
fuckin’ rag head scholar.

Rami smiles, but clearly doesn’t understand.

STEVENS (CONT’D)
Well, Rami - tell your boys to
hurry up with that fucking police
call. I don’t wanna be out here
all day with my dick swingin in the
sunshine.

Stevens flashes a grin at Davis, who spits a seed at him.

STEVENS (CONT’D)
Ándale, Goddammit.

The others finish praying and get back to work. Stevens

spits some dip out.

DAVIS
God, that shit smells nasty.

STEVENS
Quit your bitching. Fuckin’
Hollywood Marines.

Stevens and Davis take in the massive landscape. Tents,

tactical vehicles and sand, as far as the eye can see.
 24.

DAVIS
I wonder why they call them Hadjis.

STEVENS
You know, I ain’t never stopped to
think about that.

A crackling, whistling sound approaches with alarming speed

from a distance, quickly growing louder. Though neither has
ever heard this sound before, it’s unmistakable.

Time seems to stop, then -

BOOM!

An extremely loud explosion in the distance shakes the

ground.

The SCUD ALARM goes off - the loudest, most shrill,

terrifying sound imaginable.

STEVENS (CONT’D)
Aw, shit!

Stevens rushes over to the TEXAS BARRIERS and immediately

DONS AND CLEARS HIS GAS MASK.

Davis starts toward the Texas Barriers, stops and turns back
to the Migrant Workers.

DAVIS
Today! Lets go!

STEVENS
Fuck ‘em, dude! Get your ass over
here!

CHOW HALL - CONTINUOUS

Assorted Military personnel, CIVILIAN CONTRACTORS and guest

workers spill out of the enormous tent, rushing into scud
bunkers.

Garcia and Reed, in full gear, helmets and gas masks, trot
over to a Texas Barrier and sit side by side. Garcia looks
at Reed.

GARCIA
Hey.

REED
What?
 25.

GARCIA
You ever seen turtles fuck?

REED
What?

Garcia head butts Reed, helmet to helmet.

REED (CONT’D)
Jackass!

Garcia chuckles. Reed gives in and joins him.

SOUTHSIDE - CONTINUOUS

Davis ushers the group to the Texas Barrier and motions for
them to sit down.

STEVENS
Don and clear, Davis.

Davis realizes she completely forgot about her gas mask. The
Workers freaking out, a couple hyperventilate.

DAVIS
It’s okay. You’re gonna be fine.

The sight and sound of Davis’ muffled yelling through her gas
mask is more unnerving than calming to the Workers.

Terrified, Rami stands, speaking Arabic.

RAMI
(In Arabic) We are all going to
die! My children...

STEVENS
Sit down, Hadji!

Increasingly agitated, Rami paces about.

KUWAIT - EXT. CAMP DESPERADO - “BROOKNAM” - CONTINUOUS

We’re caught in the middle of organized chaos as Marines and

SOLDIERS spill out of tents, toting weapons and gear, in gas
masks.
 26.

ARMORY - CONTINUOUS

Jasmin calmly dons and clears his gas mask as he briskly

walks out to the nearest Texas Barrier - eyes searching the
sky - and sits.

He reaches into his pocket pulls out a rosary, then strokes

it quietly as the chaos unfold around him.

SOUTHSIDE - CONTINUOUS

Rami is now yelling hysterically.

RAMI
(In Arabic) Who will provide for my
family if I die? I want to go
home! I want to go home!

Stevens stands, itching for action.

DAVIS
Calm down, Rami! You can trust me.
I won’t let anything happen to you.

Rami pleads with her in Arabic, reaching inside his shirt.

RAMI
Please let me go - They are all I
have...

Stevens takes aim at Rami.

STEVENS DAVIS
Sit the fuck down, now! Sit Rami - what are you doing?
DOWN! Sit down, I mean it!

RAMI
Please... Let me go...

STEVENS
Get your hands out - now! I swear
I’m gonna shoot this bastard!

Davis inches between them.

DAVIS
Rami - listen to me or you’re gonna
get hurt.
 27.

Suddenly, something catches Stevens’ eye. Somewhere in the

distance, black smoke billows into the bright, sunny sky.

STEVENS
Aw, shit.

Stevens and Davis stop, transfixed.

DAVIS
Looks like it’s coming from the
Kuwait City.

STEVENS
Where’d your boy go?

Davis snaps back to present time.

DAVIS
Huh?

STEVENS
Your fucking Hadji boyfriend’s
gone.

DAVIS
Oh, no...

STEVENS
We better find him or it’s our ass.

KUWAIT - EXT. CAMP DESPERADO - “BROOKNAM” - CONTINUOUS

Walker, in PT gear, holstered pistol and gas mask, shepherds

Marines into a scud bunker. Captain Williams is the last to
enter. Walker looks around, calmly surveying the area.

CAPTAIN WILLIAMS
Come on, Top! We got room.

Walker flashes a thumbs up but stays where he is.

BUNKER - CONTINUOUS

The shrill, terrifying sound of the scud alarm has stopped,

giving way to the unnerving sound of heavy breathing, which
fills the cramped space.

The air is thick with tension. Behind the dozen or so pairs

of translucent “eyes,” fear and pure adrenaline are
indistinguishable, heightened by a symphony of heavy
breathing.
 28.

An anonymous jokester breaks the awkward silence.

MARINE VOICE 1
So who’s got cards? Dice? (BEAT)
Nothin? Tough crowd.

IRAQ. EXT - A ROAD NEAR BASRA - DAY

A vast desert wasteland for miles around, except for the

black smoke of a burning oil field billowing in the distance.
The highway itself is a couple of feet higher and slopes down
into the dirt and sand that flanks it.

A medium - sized convoy of various MILITARY VEHICLES line the

dusty road. Two 5 - TON TRUCKS bookended by a pair of
HUMVEES, all armed to some degree.

About a DOZEN MARINES, scattered about in pairs and clumps,

smoking and shooting the shit.

Four Marines lay prone, behind tripod - mounted machine guns

anchoring the perimeter of the convoy, providing security
from all directions.

LEAD VEHICLE - CONTINUOUS

STAFF SERGEANT MIKE BOMGARDNER (30s), weathered, aged and

tan, sits in the drivers seat. He sings along to David
Bowie’s “Space Oddity,” emitting from small speaker connected
to a portable MP3 player.

BOMGARDNER
Take your protein pills and put
your helmet on...

CAPTAIN JOE ESPOSITO (28), WASPY, eyes glued to a map,

catches himself bobbing his head and smiles despite himself.

BOMGARDNER (CONT’D)
Check ignition, and may God’s love
be with you...

Esposito can’t resist joining in.

BOMGARDNER (CONT’D) ESPOSITO
This is Ground Control to This is Ground Control to
Major Tom... you’ve really Major Tom... You’ve really
made the grade. And the made the grade... Who’s
papers want to know... who’s shirts you wear...
shirts you wear...

Their duet seems in itself a microcosm, circumvented by the

oblivious Marines, machines and guns orbiting the Humvee.
 29.

A YOUNG LANCE CORPORAL knocks on Bomgardner’s window,

interrupting their moment. Bomgardner cracks the door open
slightly.

BOMGARDNER (CONT’D)
May we help you, Devil Nuts?

YOUNG LANCE CORPORAL

Sorry, Staff Sergeant... Sir. Uh -

BOMGARDNER
Loosen up, Warrior - I’m just
fuckin’ with ya. You can have the
wheel back. Don’t leave without
me, sir. I’m a go shake the snake.

OFF - ROAD - CONTINUOUS

Bomgardner emerges between two of the 5 - Tons, then

stretches.

BOMGARDNER
YYYAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!

Bomgardner farts loudly as he undoes his trousers to piss.

BOMGARDNER (CONT’D)
Shhhyy-it.

As he finishes, he sees a dog a few yards away. He whistles

to it.

BOMGARDNER (CONT’D)
Hey, lil’ buddy. Come on. Don’t
be scared.

As he takes a step towards the dog, a noise from the convoy

scares it away.

He steps on something and freezes, momentarily alarmed. He

slowly looks down to see what it is.

INSERT:

It’s an election trinket with a picture of Saddam Hussein.

LEAD VEHICLE - CONTINUOUS

Esposito checks his watch and steps out of the vehicle. He

addresses the Young Lance Corporal.
 30.

ESPOSITO
Hey, Devil Dog. Go ahead and get
me a solid head count. We’re
moving out.

YOUNG CORPORAL
Aye, sir.

ROAD - CONTINUOUS

A Marine sprawls on the hood of a Humvee, napping.

One of the Marines manning the machine guns yawns, then

sighs. Spotting a low - flying bird, he takes aim.

MACHINE GUN GUARD

Pew! One shot. One kill.

The Young Lance Corporal steps into the center of the road,
poised to make the Captain proud.

YOUNG LANCE CORPORAL (O.S.)

Form it up, Marines! I need to get
accountability.

OFF - ROAD - CONTINUOUS

Bomgardner studies the trinket.

MARINE VOICE 2 (O.S.)

Shut the fuck up. Boot.

Scattered laughter off - screen as they start counting off.

He turns back towards the road as he starts to pocket it, but

freezes. Something is amiss.

He looks at the spot where he picked the picture up - then at

the ground in front of him - and again at the trinket.

For the first time, we see glimmer of trepidation flicker

across his face.

LEAD VEHICLE - CONTINUOUS

Esposito watches the Young Lance Corporal struggle to

organize the defiant Marines and chuckles to himself.

Suddenly -

BOOM!
 31.

Esposito bolts out of the Humvee and bounds across the road,
through the vehicles.

He comes to a screeching halt at the edge of the road. What

he sees is pure horror.

ESPOSITO
Get Doc over here right now!

MARINE VOICE 3 (O.S.) MARINE VOICE 4 (O.S.)

Corpsman up! Doc! Where ya at, Doc?

KUWAIT. INT - HIGHWAY - PICK UP - LATER

The cabin is eerily silent as the dusty pick up glides over

the road. The smoke, now dwindling, gets closer.

STEVENS
We been looking for two damn hours.
We should just go back and report
his ass missing.

Davis’ eyes remain fixed on the road.

STEVENS (CONT’D)
This is insane.

KUWAIT. INT - RUN DOWN SHACK - CONTINUOUS

Rami stands among several other men, looking at the burned

shacks that was once their domicile. A sense of loss and
fear is heavy in the air. Rami is silent.

DAVIS (O.S.)
Rami..?

Rami turns and faces Davis. The surrounding men begin to

murmur and stare. Yards behind her near the road, Stevens
nervously fidgets.

DAVIS (CONT’D)
Been looking all over for you.

RAMI
How... do you find...?

DAVIS
I don’t know. I just followed my
intuition, I guess.

Rami looks back at the burned building.

 32.

DAVIS (CONT’D)
Is this where you live?

RAMI
Yes.

She walks over silently and stands next to him. They almost
appear to form a united front against the charred wreckage,
in defiance of it. They share an unspoken moment.

DAVIS
I’m sorry. At least you’re not
hurt. We can be thankful for that.

Rami reaches into his pocket and hands her the picture.

DAVIS (CONT’D)
They’re beautiful.

Davis points to the toddler.

DAVIS (CONT’D)
Ugh. How adorable is he? Look at
that big old grin!

Rami chokes on his words, fighting to speak.

RAMI
He... He is sick. I come to work
here. No money for doctor...

DAVIS
I... I don’t know what to say.

RAMI
I go home now.

DAVIS
Is there any work for you there?

RAMI
Very bad in Egypt. No job for the
people. No money.

DAVIS
How will you live?

RAMI
I want be with my boy...

DAVIS
What’s his name?
 33.

RAMI
Sami.

STEVENS
We gotta head back...

Davis motions for more time.

DAVIS
I think Little Sami’s just like his
father. Strong, with a good heart.
I have a feeling he’s going to be
okay.

Davis is conflicted, looking for a way in.

DAVIS (CONT’D)
I don’t know how to say this, Rami -
but I really need to ask you to do
something for me. I need you to
come back to Desperado.

RAMI
No. I go home to my boy.

DAVIS
I know you’re scared and angry and
I don’t blame you...

RAMI
In Egypt, I lose my job -
everything. I cannot buy food,
school, clothes for my family. But
I have faith to God. I come here
with nothing. Every soldier...
treat me like dog. I don’t need...
Only Him, my family. I don’t want
die here, like dog. I go back my
family... I find a way.

KUWAIT. EXT/INT - CAMP COMMANDO - LATER

The dusty pickup rolls through the front gate. Davis and
Stevens are silent. The elephant looms heavy in the cabin.

STEVENS
What the fuck are we gonna tell
Command?

Davis’ eyes remain fixed onto the road ahead of her.

 34.

STEVENS (CONT’D)
We chased his ass off base and came
back empty - handed.

DAVIS
What did you want me to do? Drag
him back at gunpoint? It is what
it is. He’s a free man. He can do
what he wants.

KUWAIT. INT - CAMP DESPERADO - BROOKNAM - LATER

The sun is starting to set. Clumps of Marines enjoying down

time: Tossing a football; Shooting the shit.

FOUR MARINES - each lays his legs across the other’s shoulder
blades to form a human square, with only their hands touching
the ground. These are SQUAD PUSH-UPS. More Marines encircle
them, cheering them on.

Several SENIOR MARINES AND OFFICERS sit off to the side, in

their own world of war stories.

Reed, Mack and Jasmin sit around a foot locker, locked in a

mortal game of dominos with Master Sergeant Walker - the only
senior Marine not in the aforementioned huddle.

Walker is cool as ice, while the irritated Jasmin and Mack

glare at Reed.

MACK
I heard that shit didn’t even hit
the base. Hit the ground right
outside the gate.

REED
That shit was loud as hell, though.

JASMIN
It was a couple stupid ass rebels
with an RPG launcher. Shot at us
from a pick up truck out on the
highway.

REED
I hope we caught the motherfuckers.
Come to my house with that shit...

JASMIN
Motherfucker you gon’ play or what?

REED
I’m thinking.
 35.

WALKER
Ain’t nothing to think about,
warrior. You can’t wait out this
ass whoopin.’ You’re just
prolonging the inevitable.

Reed finally plays with confidence, followed calmly by

Walker. An annoyed Jasmin passes.

JASMIN
Reed - where you learn to play
bones, man? Ain’t you supposed to
be a computer genius?

REED
What does you passing have to do
with me? Maybe you’re not the
domino connoisseur you claim to be.

KUWAIT. EXT - CAMP DESPERADO - ROAD - CONTINUOUS

Davis’ pickup pulls up 100 yards away. The lights shut and
the vehicle idles quietly.

JASMIN (O.S.)
Motherfucker I passed cause you
keep playin’ the wrong shit. I
should whoop your ass, you ol’
muscle head bitch.

BROOKNAM - CONTINUOUS

Jasmin notices the pick up and glances subtly at Mack, who is

oblivious and happy not to pass.

MACK
Gentlemen - I’m sorry... I tried to
keep it civil but you forced my
hand.

Mack slams his domino down emphatically.

MACK (CONT’D)
All this senseless black on black
crime. I’m killing y’all tonight.

JASMIN
Man, shut your ass up. You don’t
know what you’re doing. You just
matchin’ dots. You play when I let
you play.
 36.

REED
You just a sore loser ain’t you, J?
Top - good thing for you I respect
my elders. I don’t want you having
no heart attack holding all them
Aces in your hands.

WALKER
Your elders, huh? We’ll see bout
that tomorrow morning at company
PT. “Boots ‘n utes” style...

JASMIN
Oh, come on now. See what you did?

WALKER
...But right now I need you to bend
over and spread them cheeks.

REED
I ain’t scared! Bring it, Top.
You might hold the belt now but I’m
next in line. While you talkin’
that trash, hold that!

Reed slaps the domino down on the foot locker emphatically.

Mack finally spies the pick up out on the road.

Walker chuckles and looks directly at Reed as he calmly lays

his domino down. One by one, they realize they pass.

WALKER
What? You ain’t got nothin’ to say
now? Speak...

JASMIN
This the shit I’m talkin’ bout,
Reed. Stay talking shit but never
pay attention. Top, I know you got
the last blank -

WALKER
Don’t worry ‘bout what I got,
warrior. I’m still waitin’ to hear
y’all knock. Sound off!

Jasmin raps his knuckles on the footlocker, as if knocking on

a door.

MACK
Pass.
 37.

REED
I knock.

WALKER
You talk trash. I predict the
forecast. Cloudy, with a one
hundred percent chance of a beat
down...

Walker tosses his last domino onto the footlocker.

WALKER (CONT’D)
Domino.

MACK
Again!?

REED
I’m hittin’ the gym.

WALKER
They gon’ teach you how to play
bones in the gym? Well, you know
what they say - you can’t beat
‘em...

A BEAT.

They hang on to his last word, wait for him to finish.

Jasmin and Reed share a simultaneous realization. Mack is

still lost.

MACK
What, Top?

JASMIN
That’s it, dummy. You just can’t
beat him. Same time tomorrow, Top?

Mack quickly accosts Top as he gets up to leave.

MACK
Top, can I ask you something?

WALKER
What?

Jasmin quietly slips away and nonchalantly strolls towards

the pickup. Top eyes him, but doesn’t bat an eye. His poker
face is legendary.
 38.

MACK
I was thinking... can I go on the
next convoy up to Doha, or in
country?

WALKER
What, you think it’s some kind of
joy ride?

MACK
Naw, Top - I just wanna make some
sort of contribution -

WALKER
Corporal Jasmin ain’t got nothing
for you to do in the Armory? Cause
I can find you something...

MACK
You know what? I just remembered
we got a ton of work to get done
this week. Lots of stuff. Forget
I even mentioned it.

KUWAIT. INT - CAMP DESPERADO - PICKUP/ROAD - LATER

Jasmin shuts the door and immediately notices something is

off with Davis.

JASMIN
What’s wrong?

Davis just looks at him, eyes filled with emotion and lays
her head on his shoulder.

KUWAIT. EXT - CAMP DESPERADO - HELO PAD - DAY

A game of half court basketball is on full tilt between US

Armed Forces and International Military personnel. Jasmin is
in his element here. He drives to the basket, scoring with
ease.

JASMIN
With the left! Where you at, “Army
of One?” “Hooo-uuh.”

Jasmin clears the ball, makes a spectacular move and finishes

with a smooth dish to his BIG MAN, who fumbles it out of
bounds.
 39.

JASMIN (CONT’D)
Come on Big Man! You gotta grow
some hands.

BIG MAN
Bout time you finally passed the
ball. I fell asleep.

JASMIN
Oh, now it’s my fault you can’t
catch a pass?

Jasmin defends against an ARMY GUY, who dips his shoulder

into Jasmin’s chest hard. Jasmin stumbles back as the Army
Guy speeds past him for the score.

ARMY GUY
You better put some weight on
before you come out here, Lil’ Man.

JASMIN
You just gon’ watch him score?

BIG MAN
That’s your man.

ARMY GUY
Check the ball, Lil’ Man.

Jasmin gives him a look. It’s on.

The Army Guy tries to cross Jasmin over. Jasmin anticipates

it and tips the ball away, recovers it and whips it between
his legs behind him in one sequence for a needle - thread
pass to Big Man for a wide open lay up.

JASMIN
Heeeeeyyyy, Arrr-my! Where aaarre,
you goooo-ing?

ARMY GUY
You gon’ stop talking shit about
the Army -

JASMIN
Check the ball, scrub.

There is a tense moment, then play resumes.

Jasmin hits a jumper. And another. ARMY GUY 2 (20s), tries

to switch. Army Guy refuses.
 40.

Jasmin fakes the shot, getting Army Guy to leap - then blows
by him. As he dishes to Big Man, Army Guy 2 sets a hard
block, knocking him to the ground.

JASMIN (CONT’D)
The fuck is your problem, man?

WALKER (O.S.)
Corporal Jasmin.

Walker stands on the court, hands clasped behind him.

JASMIN
Yes, Top.

WALKER
I need you in Company Office.
Right now.

KUWAIT. EXT - CAMP DESPERADO - HEADQUARTERS - LATER

Jasmin sits, facing a tribunal of SENIOR MARINES:

LIEUTENANT COLONEL JOHN STERLING (50S) - BATTALION COMMANDING

OFFICER, SERGEANT MAJOR AARON JACKSON (50) - BATTALION
SERGEANT MAJOR, and Master Sergeant Walker.

The weight of the world has just been firmly placed on

Jasmin’s unsuspecting shoulders.

JASMIN
Is he gonna make it?

Colonel Sterling weighs the question.

COLONEL STERLING
For now Devil Dog, what’s most
important is the Armory. It’s a
significant responsibility, and I’m
entrusting it in your charge - at
least for the foreseeable future.

JASMIN
With all due respect, Sir... I just
wanna know if Staff Sergeant
Bomgarder’s gonna be okay. Why
won’t anyone tell me -

WALKER
Now is the time to seize this
opportunity to put your leadership
skills to work.
(MORE)
 41.

WALKER (CONT'D)
I’ll be there with you every step
of the way to guide you. Once
Captain Esposito gets back you’ll
report directly to us.

KUWAIT. INT - RUN DOWN SHACK - NIGHT

Rami lays on the ground in the open air, staring blankly at

the stars. He sits up and looks around at the other sleeping
Guest Workers, some sitting propped against buildings walls,
some laying on the ground, etc.

KUWAIT. EXT - KUWAIT CITY - RUN DOWN SHACKS - NIGHT

Rami speed walks briskly up the road with a bundle under his
armpit, deserting the broken down, decrepit Kuwaiti shacks.
Camp Commando looms in the distance beyond the city, growing
smaller and smaller behind him.

The faint yet still terrifying scud alarm abruptly pierces

the air, haunting him all the way from Desperado. Terrified,
he scrambles off the road, but the open night air provides no
cover from any possible missile attack.

Now in a full sprint, he stumbles and falls. Defeated, he

breaks down right where he falls, pounding the ground
helplessly.

With tears streaming down his tired cheeks, he looks to the

sky for the answer - to a question he doesn’t even know.

A bright light momentarily blinds him. He raises his hands

as if to surrender but instead is met with the roar of a
speeding vehicle, leaving him consumed by the cloud of dust
left in it’s wake.

KUWAIT. EXT - HIGHWAY - CONTINUOUS

A solitary SUV zooms down the dark, empty highway. It feels

as though no other living organisms, machines or signs of
civilization exist.

IRAQ. INT - DARK HIGHWAY - SUV - SAME

The cabin is shrouded in complete darkness. The reflection

of the SUV’s headlights as it engorges asphalt at an
incalculable pace appears to dance on Captain Esposito’s
pupils, himself incalculably engorged in deep thought.
 42.

The barely visible lights of Camp Commando begin to appear on

the horizon.

KUWAIT. EXT - CAMP DESPERADO - “BROOKNAM” - CONTINUOUS

A voice on the P.A. System sooths the jilted, tired base.

P.A. VOICE
Attention, Camp Desperado: All
clear, all clear.

People spill out of scud bunkers like zombies and head back
to their respective domiciles. Most of them are too
exhausted to even bother removing their war gear or gas masks
before collapsing on their racks.

KUWAIT. EXT - CAMP DESPERADO - “BROOKNAM” - CONTINUOUS

Master Sergeant Walker trots down the road in full war gear,
gas mask still on. The harsher the conditions, the more
harder he trains.

KUWAIT. INT - CAMP DESPERADO ARMORY - SAME

Jasmin sifts through inventory forms, overwhelmed and

exasperated, trying to make sense of the mess.

LATER

Jasmin sits alone at Bomgardner’s desk motionless, staring at

the mountain of paperwork before him. He looks around at the
dark, now lonely room.

He unlocks a weapon rack and plucks a rifle from it.

He slams the rifle butt down on the work bench and freezes,
lost in his thoughts.

Suddenly, he smacks the hand guards and they go flying off.

As they bounce onto the table, he is already disassembles the
rifle with blinding speed, until it’s completely broken down
into pieces.

Just as quickly as he took it apart, he puts it back

together, then takes aim at the large chest.

He closes his eyes, takes a slow, deep breath, opens his

eyes, all the while slowly pulling the trigger until -

CLICK.
 43.

He gently rests the rifle on the work bench, his

contemplative expression drifting towards the stack of papers
on Bomgardner’s desk, as if it’s calling out to him.

KUWAIT. INT - CAMP DESPERADO MOTOR TRANSPORT BAY - DUSK

The bay houses rows of various military vehicles, neatly

parked in perfect rows.

FIVE - TON

The sound of a woman’s giggling breaks the otherwise dead

silence.

They whisper:

MACK (O.S.)
Shhh!

SANTIAGO
Don’t shush me! It’s your fault!
(Giggles again)

Mack and the giggling culprit - PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JEANETTE

SANTIAGO (20), lay on top of a blanket, on the bed of the
truck. Mack besieges her with lustful kisses. She stops
him.

SANTIAGO (CONT’D)
I told you we’re just hanging out.
I’m not that kind of -

CLANG!

They freeze, fearing they’ve been caught in the act.

A BEAT.

The sounds of human voices grunting and whispering in the

dark lulls their curious ears from across the bay. Mack puts
a finger over Santiago’s lips.

MACK
Don’t move.

He crawls softly to the edge of the Humvee bed for a better

look at the source of the sounds.

Barely visible, a pair of human bodies struggle to pry open

the bed of a FIVE TON TRUCK.

CLANK!
 44.

After successfully prying it open, they appear to stash an

object underneath it before hastily shutting it again.

Mack ducks out of sight, to avoid being discovered. He takes

another peek. This time, a spark of recognition flashes
across his face.

KUWAIT. INT - CAMP DESPERADO - HQ TENT - DUSK

The Headquarters Company “Squad Bay,” where Marines berth, is

lined with a row of double racks on each side.

In the rear, a cluster of four double racks, arranged in an

alcove - like formation, forms “LE ROOM DE BOOM BOOM,” so
designated and claimed by the makeshift sign fastened to the
top center bunk.

This is exclusive territory - lavish real estate reserved for

Jasmin, Reed and Johnson - however, only one there is Reed,
sleeping soundly. There’s even a ratty coffee table and a
couple of beach chairs in the center.

An exhausted Jasmin drags himself in and flops onto his rack.

KUWAIT. INT - CAMP DESPERADO - HEADQUARTERS - DAY

INSERT: PICTURE - A BEAMING LITTLE BLACK BOY, 5 YEARS OLD.

Jasmin speaks into a SATELLITE PHONE, fidgeting non - stop

with a push pen. His eyes dart around the room.

JASMIN
What’s that? I’m still here,
buddy. This Saturday? Oh, wow -
already? I - me? No, buddy - I
can’t... But I promise I’ll be home
soon... And I’ll be there for every
single game. It’s okay - I’m sure
Mommy’s busy. Tell her I’ll talk
to her another -

Captain Esposito bursts in, stomping straight to his desk -

right next to the one Jasmin is using. He simply sits there
calculating, saying nothing.

JASMIN (CONT’D)
RJ? I gotta go, buddy. Talk soon.
I love you.

A BEAT.

JASMIN (CONT’D)
Morning, Sir.
 45.

Dead silence.

Jasmin’s bores a hole through Esposito, who just stares

blankly into space.

KUWAIT. INT - CAMP COMMANDO - PICK UP - DAY

Davis drives the road. She slows down as something catches

her eye. She abruptly makes a U-Turn and speeds off.

KUWAIT. EXT - CAMP COMMANDO POST EXCHANGE - LATER

The PX, as it is called, is really just a converted trailer,

lined with shelves filled with assorted items:

DVDs; Candy; Magazines; Military gear and clothing, etc.

Davis lays her items at the register: Assorted hygiene

products, a wallet, several cans of Pringles and a couple
teddy bears.

KUWAIT. EXT - CAMP COMMANDO “SOUTHSIDE” - LATER

Davis pulls up next to a group of Guest Workers along the

side of the road. She scans the group until she spots Rami
and waves him over.

DAVIS
Rami!

Rami nervously shuffles over and looks into the passenger

side window.

RAMI
Hello, Miss Melissa.

DAVIS
Wow - you remembered my name!

Davis chuckles slightly. She grabs the bag off the passenger
seat and offers it to him.

DAVIS (CONT’D)
This is for you.

Rami doesn’t quite know what to make of her or the gift.

DAVIS (CONT’D)
Go on... Open it.
 46.

He carefully sifts through the contents. He studies the

wallet.

DAVIS (CONT’D)
You can keep your pictures in
there. They don’t really have any
toys, but I hope your kids like the
teddy bears. The Pringles and
stuff are for you.

Clearly in uncharted territory, Rami doesn’t know what to do.

RAMI
I think they like. Thank you.

DAVIS
My pleasure. I like having you on
my details. Maybe we’ll team up
again sometime. (A BEAT) Your kids
are really lucky to have you. I
never had a dad.

Rami is at a loss for words.

DAVIS (CONT’D)
I’m glad you came back.

Watching her peel off, Rami grows smaller and smaller in her
rear view mirror until he disappears into her dust cloud.

KUWAIT. EXT - CAMP DESPERADO - HELO PAD - LATER

Another aggressive game of basketball plays out. Jasmin

stands on the side but isn’t really watching.

MACK (O.S.)

Corporal Jasmin. Hey!

Jasmin finally snaps out of it.

MACK (CONT’D)
I been lookin’ for you all morning.

Mack leans in and lowers his voice.

MACK (CONT’D)
I have to show you something.
 47.

KUWAIT. EXT - CAMP DESPERADO - ROAD - LATER

The two walk along the road. Mack is tense, constantly

looking around.

JASMIN
Did you see what it was?

MACK
That’s the thing - I had to wait
til they left to try and get a
closer look but I had to ditch the
Army chick first. By the time I
went back, it was too late. All
the drivers were already at work.

JASMIN
Maybe I should talk to Johnson -
see what he knows.

MACK
I don’t know, Dog. What if he’s
involved too?

JASMIN
Now you’re talking crazy. I know
that kid -

MACK
I know him too, but we’re talking
about some serious shit right now,
Dog. This is big.

JASMIN
Even so, it might not exactly be my
place to say anything - or yours
for that matter. The brass is
gonna wanna know what the fuck your
ass was doing in the Motor T Lot in
the first place.

MACK
I hadn’t thought of that. Fuck.
What should we do?

JASMIN
Nothing. Just mind your fucking
business and keep it moving.

MACK
But -
 48.

JASMIN
Look, man... You wanna be a hero?
What you want - a meritorious
promotion? A medal? You pull this
thread you go down with the ship.
This isn’t the kind of thing that
will make you popular around this
element.

MACK
I joined the Marine Corps cause I
couldn’t stay out of trouble back
home. I ran with a tough crew and
we would do reckless shit for no
reason. It was killing my mom. I
thought the Reserves was the
answer, but I had no idea what I
was getting into. There’s so much
more to this shit than I ever
imagined, and you taught me most of
it without even trying.

I watch how good you are with every

single weapons system - you know so
much about the Marine Corps and
life in general... I learned so
much just hanging out in the Armory
with you than anywhere else. I
don’t understand why you want out
so bad. I got a chance to make an
impact, to find some kind of...
purpose. For once in my life I
just wanna do what’s right.

JASMIN
Some of us ain’t meant to finish
the race. Sometimes your job is to
just pass the baton. Gimme a
little time to think. Meanwhile,
don’t talk to anyone.

Jasmin has a realization.

JASMIN (CONT’D)
Do you know which Five Ton it was?

Mack digs through his pockets.

MACK
Yeah. I wrote it down - shit.
Here comes Top.

Walker stares intently at Jasmin, almost right through him.

 49.

JASMIN
Something wrong, Top?

WALKER
I dunno. You tell me.

JASMIN
You lost me, Top.

WALKER
You’re a smart kid, Jasmin. But
Top is all seeing, all knowing.

A BEAT.

Mack looks on helplessly, caught in the crossfire.

Top turns his gaze to Mack.

WALKER (CONT’D)
Well..?

MACK
Uhh...

WALKER
Scram.

MACK
Yes, Top.

As Mack retreats, Jasmin becomes increasingly uncomfortable.

WALKER
Now’s your time to shine. You got
something you need to tell me?

JASMIN
If this is about the Repair Orders,
I spent all night going through -

WALKER
Lance Corporal Melissa Davis.

Top could have dropped those very same words over Nagasaki
for the same effect. Jasmin feels himself starting to get
light headed.

JASMIN
She’s... a friend of mine, Top.
From Intel Battalion.
 50.

WALKER
Oh, really? Is that why you’ve
been visiting her tent at all types
of ungodly hours of the night?

JASMIN
She’s... We’re in completely
different units, Top.

A BEAT.

JASMIN (CONT’D)
I don’t see what the problem is...
My personal life has no effect on
my performance at work...

A BEAT.

JASMIN (CONT’D)
My wife and I are separating, so -

WALKER
But you are still a married man,
are you not?

JASMIN
It’s not fair. It’s my life...

WALKER
How can I trust my Non -
Commissioned Officers to lead my
Marines when I can’t rely on them
to set a good example?

JASMIN
With all due respect, Top - No
matter what it says in the UCMJ,
this is my private life. It has
nothing to do with the Corps. You
know me. Have I ever let you down?

Walker studies him.

WALKER
Get a working party together.
You’re making a run to Doha first
thing in the morning.

JASMIN
Roger that, Top!
 51.

WALKER
This ain’t no field trip. You’re
driving up with the Captain, to
pick up ammo and gear, then take it
to 5th Marines up in Nasiriyah.
Take your paperwork with you and
pick up whatever parts and tools
you’re missing.

KUWAIT. INT - CAMP DESPERADO - TBD - NIGHT

Jasmin and Davis lie in Davis’ bed, watching Sex And the City
on a portable DVD player.

DAVIS
My God... what is she wearing?

She giggles.

DAVIS (CONT’D)
Oh, but those shoes though - look
baby!

She turns into him, kissing his lips with each different
color.

DAVIS (CONT’D)
Can you see me in those? In red...
or black... Or pink...

JASMIN
I really appreciate you coming to
get me but you can’t just show up
like that.

DAVIS
Did I do something wrong?

Jasmin doesn’t reply

DAVIS (CONT’D)
What?

DAVIS (CONT’D)
Rod... What’s wrong?

JASMIN
It’s not important. Never mind.

DAVIS
It’s important enough for you to
have an attitude though.
 52.

JASMIN
I’m married.

A BEAT.

JASMIN (CONT’D)
I mean separated. But still
technically married.

DAVIS
You’re joking... Right?

JASMIN
I’m sorry. I didn’t know how to
tell you.

DAVIS
You didn’t know how to tell me?
What do you mean you didn’t -

JASMIN
Lower your -

DAVIS
Don’t tell me to lower my Goddamned
voice, Rod. Are you for real?

JASMIN
Look, I really care about you -

DAVIS
You care about me so much you would
jeopardize my career?

JASMIN
I’m the higher ranking - they would
hammer me too -

DAVIS
Are you retarded? Or do you just
think I’m stupid? Under the UCMJ,
adultery is adultery no matter
what. You know that as well s I
do. We’d both be finished. Why
would you hide something like that
from me?

JASMIN
I love you...

DAVIS
What are you talking about? Why
would you say that now, of all
times Rod?
 53.

JASMIN
Because it’s the truth. Joy and I
been having problems for a while
now. To be honest, I thought I was
doing the right thing for my son,
but marrying her was the last thing
I should have done.

DAVIS
I don’t need to hear this right
now. You need to go.

JASMIN
Baby listen to me -

DAVIS
Don’t baby me.

JASMIN
How you just gon’ shut me out now?
If it wasn’t for you, I don’t know
how I could have gotten through
this deployment.

DAVIS
So that’s why you’re here, in my
bed every night? To get through
this deployment?

JASMIN
Baby you know that’s not what I
mean. Everything I’ve said - how I
feel about you, plans I’ve made
with you - it’s all real. I know I
fucked up, but I wanna be with you.

DAVIS
And how are you gonna do that? Are
you legally separated?

JASMIN
Not yet.

DAVIS
Oh my God!

JASMIN
I didn’t have time during the work
up. So much shit was going on - I
was working my ass off and coming
home every night to sleep on the
couch, for months.
 54.

DAVIS
Look, Rod - I wanna believe you,
but... I mean you’re asking me to
put myself in a really dangerous
position right now. (A BEAT) How
do I know you’re telling the truth?

JASMIN
All I can give is my word.

DAVIS
I could get an NJP... Lose my
rank... Go to the Brig...

JASMIN
Me too. And I have a son to
support. Fuck this shit. Why
should I have to answer to the
Marine corps for my own private
life? Why can’t they amend these
stupid fucking articles? We gotta
tip toe around just to do shit
civilians do every day.

DAVIS
But we’re not civilians, Rod.
We’re Marines. We don’t have a
choice. And I’m not ready to
gamble with my life over a stupid,
outdated UCMJ article. You can’t
ask me to do that.

JASMIN
You don’t think it’s
unconstitutional? You don’t think
there’s something wrong with the
fact that the Marine Corps can
still NJP you for having anal sex?
I mean, it’s your own body!

DAVIS
Well first of all, we’re not having
anal sex, and secondly - what’s got
nothing to do with anything? Don’t
change the subject - You know what?
You need to go.

JASMIN
Tell me - do you regret any time we
spent together? Would you take it
back?

DAVIS
Stop it.
 55.

JASMIN
Tell me.

DAVIS
As long as I can say I stopped this
as soon as I found out you were
still married, I’m safe. Good
night, Rod.

KUWAIT. EXT - CAMP DOHA - DAY

Johnson drives the Five Ton Truck while Captain Esposito

rides shotgun.

The base is heavily populated with all types of personnel.

There are noticeably much more women here than there are on
Desperado.

Reed, Mack and Garcia hang out of the back, gawking as if

they had gone to Mecca. Jasmin quietly sits, passively
watching the scenery.

GARCIA
Mierda - cono! So many hoes.

MACK
Man it ain’t like you gon’ do shit
with ‘em. No game.

GARCIA
Fuck outta here - ask your moms if
I got game. She know what’s up.

REED
Is that a motherfucking pool?

MACK
How the fuck are we still in
Kuwait? This shit is spectacular.

GARCIA
I’m smashin somethin today, yo.
Somebody daughter’s bout to get the
mean, green weenie.

KUWAIT. EXT - CAMP DOHA - TBD - LATER

The Five Ton pulls into the lot of a large building with bars
on every one of the few windows it has. The four jump out
and stretch.

Captain Esposito comes around from the front.

 56.

ESPOSITO
Let’s go.

JASMIN
Y’all wait here. I’m a go inside
and handle some shit. I’ll come
get you when we’re ready to load
the truck up. Should take us like
an hour.

MACK
Corporal J.

Mack pulls him aside as he starts walking away.

JASMIN
Make it quick...

Mack checks to make sure no one else is within earshot.

MACK
Remember what I told you earlier?

Mack hands him the folded paper. Jasmin looks at the paper,
then at Mack, who glances at the Five Ton they just rode in.

JASMIN
Seriously..? Why didn’t you tell
me this before we left?

MACK
I never got the chance to.

ESPOSITO (O.S.)
Corporal Jasmin!

JASMIN
Be right there, Sir! (Soto) Listen
- I need you to do something...

KUWAIT. INT - CAMP DOHA - ARMORY - LATER

This Armory is much bigger with more security, personnel and

inventory. Two rows of weapons cages varying in size are
split by a wide hallway leading to a large cage - the office.
The floor looks meticulously waxed, clean and shiny.

The entire place is impressively organized like an enormous,

well - oiled machine. It’s the FAO Schwartz of weapons.
Jasmin eyes the endless bins, cages and racks of toys
longingly.
 57.

KUWAIT. EXT - CAMP DOHA - TBD - LATER

Johnson, Reed and Garcia sit around the Five Ton, cleaning
their weapons while Mack function checks the RADIO.

REED
How long you been outta COMM
School, McLean?

MACK
About eight months.

REED
You know what you doin’ with that
thing?

MACK
I hope so, Corporal. I mean, I’m
pretty sure that’s why they sent me
up here.

GARCIA
The Marine Reserves’ finest. You
fuckin’ with the big dogs now.
This ain’t no weekend warrior shit.

JOHNSON
I’m bout to have your ass pushin’
if you don’t shut your fat ass up.

GARCIA
You just gonna take the boot’s side
like that, bro? That’s messed up.

REED
You scared to die, McLean?

JOHNSON
Dog - leave him alone. The kid
ain’t no grunt. I don’t want no
scared ass punk ridin’ up there
with me.

GARCIA
How’d you end up with us?

MACK
I requested to get attached to a
grunt unit. But hey. We don’t
always get what we want.

GARCIA
Okay. Little guy has some balls.
 58.

MACK
My dad was Army Special Forces. I
dunno. I joined the Reserves cause
I wasn’t sure what I wanted. I
guess the more I do this, the more
I wanna see how far I can go -
challenge myself.

GARCIA
Yeah. Right.

JOHNSON
Fuck this. I’m gon do a little
Recon.

GARCIA
Me too. Wait up.

REED
Make sure your asses are back here
by the time Jasmin and the Captain
get back.

JOHNSON
Shut the fuck up.

MACK
I’m gonna go find the PX, grab some
chips or something. Want anything?

REED
I’m good. Don’t take forever.

KUWAIT. EXT - CAMP DOHA - TBD - LATER

Johnson and Garcia, chatting up four FEMALE AIRMEN.

JOHNSON
...So I hip - tossed his ass to the
ground and butt - stocked him with
my rifle, right in the grill.
CRACK! Blood, everywhere...

One of the Female Airmen giggles, the other doesn’t quite buy
his story.

JOHNSON (CONT’D)
I tell you - Fallujah ain’t never
seen nothin like me. Next thing I
know rounds start whistlin’ around
my head -
 59.

FEMALE AIRMAN
Wait... I thought you said this
happened in Basrah.

JOHNSON
Is that what I said?

GARCIA
Basrah was after Fallujah,
remember? The time my pistol round
ricocheted through three different
Iraqi rebels?

JOHNSON
Yeah! You know what? You girls
should meet our boys. Wait til you
meet my boy Reed. Built like a
firefighter...

KUWAIT. EXT - CAMP DESPERADO - SOUTHSIDE - SAME

Davis sits atop the berm behind her tent, sketching away on a
small pad. She is joined by CORPORAL MARIA SALAZAR (22), who
brings along a handheld electronic game.

SALAZAR
Nice. Where you been?

DAVIS
Huh? I’m right here.

SALAZAR
Yeah, but your mind’s a thousand
miles away. What’s going on?

Davis puts down her pad and splits focus between watching the
landscape and Salazar, playing her fighting game.

DAVIS
Nothing. Just got a lot on my
mind, that’s all.

SALAZAR
Did you go take pictures with
Oliver North yesterday?

DAVIS
Nah. I didn’t really know who he
was before. I just remember
hearing his name on T.V. Everyone
says he’s a big deal. Did you get
to meet him?
 60.

SALAZAR
Could you really see me taking
pictures and glad handing with a
war criminal? No thanks. Dammit!

DAVIS
War criminal? I heard he’s a
former Marine colonel and now he’s
on TV and stuff.

SALAZAR
You should read more. What are you
doing up here all alone? You
homesick or something?

DAVIS
A little. But I’m sure we all are.
(Beat) You know what you wanna do
when you get out?

SALAZAR
Get out? Why would I do that? I
love this job. I’m sticking around
til they get sick of me... Uhhh!

DAVIS
I had no idea you were so into it.

SALAZAR
It’s my little brother’s. He
always beats me, but by the time I
get back I’ll mop the floor with
him.

DAVIS
I meant the Corps.

They share a chuckle.

SALAZAR
It’s no different out in the
civilian world to me. A woman’s
always gonna have to fight harder
for what she wants.

DAVIS
I know that. I just... There’s
just so much bullshit that comes
with it. I don’t know if it’s even
worth it.

SALAZAR
What do you want?
 61.

DAVIS
I dunno... What everyone else
wants, I guess.

SALAZAR
Who cares what everyone wants?
What do you want?

Davis contemplates for a moment.

DAVIS
A career, a family... You?

SALAZAR
I wanna be the first female
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.

DAVIS
Wow. You’re serious.

SALAZAR
Why’d you join?

DAVIS
Long story. Can I ask you for some
advice? Keep it strictly between
us, please.

SALAZAR
Of course. You have my word.

Davis struggles a bit to find the words.

DAVIS
A friend of mine from boot camp’s
been seeing this guy. He really
seems to care about her, but he’s
married. I mean, they’re separated
but still...

SALAZAR
What’s it go to do with you?

DAVIS
Well... We’re really close and she
asked for my advice. She really
likes him.

SALAZAR
Does she like him enough to risk
her career? You know the Marine
Corps doesn’t fuck around when it
comes to adultery.
 62.

DAVIS
I know. I just... I don’t think
it’s fair that the Corps gets to
decide what you do with your
personal life.

SALAZAR
Do you know this guy?

DAVIS
No...

SALAZAR
How do you know he’s not just
stringing her along? Guys do that
all the time.

DAVIS
She says he confessed to her out of
the blue. She didn’t catch him in
a lie or anything.

SALAZAR
There’s something you don’t hear
that a lot - a man confessing
without being caught first. Hmm.
I think you should just keep your
nose out of it. You don’t wanna be
the cause behind somebody else’s
bad decisions.

Salazar picks up Davis’ pad.

SALAZAR (CONT’D)
You should really do something with
that. You got some talent.

Davis doesn’t even hear her. She’s transfixed on something

in the distance. Salazar follows her gaze and notices smoke
rising from the north side of the camp.

SALAZAR (CONT’D)
Oh, wow.

KUWAIT. EXT - CAMP DESPERADO - BROOKNAM - SAME

Walker stands in front of the row of tents, arms folded,

watching the smoke billowing over the berm from the next camp
over. Two Marines stand on top of the berm, watching.

MARINE VOICE 3 (O.S.)

Hey! Get down from there, Marine!
 63.

The two Marines duck and stumble down the side of the berm as
the blaze suddenly lunges at them.

MARINE VOICE 3 (O.S.) (CONT’D)

Watch out!

MARINE VOICE 4 (O.S.)

Shit. There’s rifles and ammo
locked up in the tents.

The fire quickly rolls over the berm and engulfs the first in
the row of tents comprising the camp site within seconds.
All we can see through the flames are tent poles collapsing
onto rows of empty racks, with rifles and gear cable tied to
them.

POP! ZING! POP ZING!

MARINE VOICE 3
Look out! The ammo’s cooking off!

WHOOSH!

The fire spreads to the next tent, devouring it in seconds as

more rounds cook off.

Dozens of Marines duck and weave through the burning wreckage

in a concerted effort to put out the fire.

ROAD

Davis’ pick up comes to a screeching halt. She and Salazar

hop out. Salazar charges straight into the maelstrom while
Davis lags behind.

BROOKNAM

Walker is in the middle of the maylay, barking orders.

POP! ZING!

A round grazes his thigh, dropping him to his knee. As he

struggles to get up, two Marines rush over to help. He
shoves them away defiantly.

WALKER
I’m good. Just keep stacking them
sandbags. Go!

WHOOSH!

The fire consumes a third tent. It shows no signs of slowing

down, especially not in the 100 - plus degree heat.
 64.

Davis stumbles around in a daze. Her head begins to spin.

She clutches her stomach and throws up.

KUWAIT. EXT - CAMP DESPERADO - PORT-A-JOHN - LATER

Davis slips out, careful not to let the door slam. She looks
around, then hurries across the road into the Sick Call tent.

KUWAIT. INT - CAMP DESPERADO - SICK CALL - CONTINUOUS

The tent is well - lit and stocked with stretchers, crates

and cabinets filled with medicine and assorted medical tools.
DOC STANLEY, a tall, slender woman of (28), leans on a crate,
waiting.

Davis stands there frozen, with something in her hand.

Stanley approaches her expectantly.

DOC STANLEY
Well?

Davis averts her eyes.

DAVIS
I don’t know... I didn’t look.

Doc Stanley gently takes the object from her hands and
inspects it. We don’t need to look any closer to know it’s a
home pregnancy test. Doc Stanley’s expression tells Davis
all she needs to know.

Doc Stanley hugs Davis, who just stands there, tears

streaming down her face.

KUWAIT. INT - CAMP DOHA - ARMORY - CONTINUOUS

Jasmin looks around curiously as a MARINE PRIVATE FIRST CLASS

zips around, laying out cleaning gear and parts listed on his
order forms.

Captain Esposito emerges from the Armory Chief’s office.

ESPOSITO
Jasmin - we’re picking up a few
extra bodies for the Nasiriyah drop
off. You and your Marines are
providing security. Hard Top and
.50 Cal waiting on you.

JASMIN
Roger that, sir.
 65.

KUWAIT. EXT - CAMP DOHA - TBD - LATER

The four Marines and four Female Airmen are all socializing.
One of the females squeezes Reed’s flexed bicep.

REED
Yeah... I was a star running back
in college...

Jasmin comes through out of nowhere like a ball of fire.

JASMIN
We out.

JOHNSON
Nasiriyah, here we come! (To his
girl) Shit’s about to get real.

JASMIN
Swing around to the dock and load
up the Five Ton. Pull all your
gear out first. We’re taking that
over there -

Jasmin points to the first of two Hard Tops parked in front

of the building, 50 yards away and being mounted with a .50
Caliber Machine Gun by two MARINES.

REED
I’m on the Dukes!

GARCIA
You don’t even know what to do with
that thing. Computer nerd.

Jasmin walks towards the Hard Tops and spots Mack trotting
back from the PX.

REED (O.S.)
The machine gunner’s course in my
record book says I do, bitch.

JASMIN
You get it?

Mack hands him a disposable camera, which he quickly pockets.

MACK
How we gonna do this?

JASMIN
I’m not sure.
 66.

IRAQ. EXT - NASIRIYAH STREET - LATER.

A Hard Top rolls through the busy street, followed by the

Five Ton Truck, then two other Hard Tops, the last of which
is Jasmin’s team.

TITLE CARD:

Nasiriyah, Iraq.

IRAQ. EXT - NASIRIYAH STREET - HUMVEE ROOF - CONTINUOUS

Atop the Hard Top, Reed, in full war gear and helmet mans the
turret - mounted “MA DUKES” .50 CALIBER MACHINE GUN. He is
acutely alert.

INT. HUMVEE - CONTINUOUS

The four men are unusually quiet. It becomes apparent that

the only one who’s been here before is Johnson.

JOHNSON
It ain’t that crazy out here, but
still can’t be too careful. Just
keep your eyes and ears open and
we’ll be alright. Fifth Marines
got it locked for the most part.

The convoy slows down and a group of YOUNG IRAQI KIDS run
alongside. They bang their little hands against the side of
the vehicle, startling Mack.

MACK
Man... these kids look starving.

Jasmin rolls his window down slightly and tosses them a can
or Pringles.

IRAQ. EXT - NASIRIYAH TBD - LATER

Scores of INFANTRY MARINES form a human chain, off loading

the last of the ammo and supplies off Five Ton.

Johnson, Reed and Jasmin lean against the hood of the Hard
Top, watching the junior Marines work. Johnson impatiently
yells at them.

REED
Easy money. Be out in no time.
 67.

JOHNSON
Let’s go! Today! I’m trying to
get back to Doha and close the deal
with them Air Force chicks.

Reed gives him a look. Jasmin watches Captain Esposito,

having a tense private conversation with a GUNNERY SERGEANT
some 50 yards away. An agitated Esposito walks over towards
Jasmin, pulling him aside.

ESPOSITO
Corporal Jasmin.

JASMIN
Yes, sir..?

ESPOSITO
Take the Humvees down to the
refueling station bout ten miles
south of town and wait for me
there. Johnson’s been before, so
he knows how to get there.

Esposito walks away without waiting for an answer.

JASMIN
Aye, sir.

REED
What was that about?

Jasmin studies the Five Ton, the Gunnery Sergeant and

Esposito. Reed and Johnson study him.

JOHNSON
Semper Gumby.

IRAQ. INT - NASIRIYAH STREET - HUMVEE - LATER

Mack sits in the back, reading Vibe Magazine.

Next to him, Garcia, sits quietly in the back. Johnson

drives while Jasmin rides shotgun.

JASMIN
Look man - I’m not saying would.
All I’m saying is if I did, I
wouldn’t tell nobody.

JOHNSON
Aw come on, man. No deflecting!
Answer the question, dog.
 68.

JASMIN
Man, I don’t gotta do shit but stay
black and die. You forget who
wears the most chevrons in this
bitch, so you can just shut the
fuck up.

JOHNSON
How are you gonna pull rank on me
like we don’t go back since boot
camp, dog? Hey, Reed, you should
hear this shit! I bet you Mack’s
fucked a midget.

REED
What?

JOHNSON
Forget it, dog! Always late.

EXT - NASIRIYAH STREET - SAME

A MYSTERIOUS IRAQI MAN watches the convoy as it passes him.

He dials a number on his mobile phone as he quickly
disappears into the crowd.

ROD
Man, Mack from New York City. All
they got is fine women up there.
Models and shit. Ain’t that right,
Mack?

Mack breaks out in a soft cadence.

MACK
“I used to date a beauty queen...
Now I’m humpin’ my M16...”

REED
What?

JOHNSON
Listen to this motivated young Boot
Marine. Garcia - sing us some of
that Mariachi cadence, esse. They
got Marines in Mexico? They even
got a military at all?

GARCIA
You know I’m a Puerto Rican from
the Bronx, Corporal. I guess they
don’t teach geography in West
Virginia.
 69.

EXT - NASIRIYAH STREET - CONTINUOUS

Two IRAQI REBELS load an RPG (Rocket - Propelled Grenade)

from the back of a pickup truck.

Across the street, three other Rebels load their AK - 47

MACHINE GUNS.

INT - HUMVEE - SAME

JOHNSON
Motherfucker it’s the same shit
ain’t it? Same Spaniards fucked
the same Indians on different
islands. And you know I’m a
Buckeye. Retard.

GARCIA
Yeah, well I still got standards.

JOHNSON
That’s right. Eight to eighty -
blind, crippled or crazy. I’ve
seen you macking on the fat chicks
at the E-Club.

ROD
Man, look at this shit. How’s a
country with so much motherfucking
black gold got people living like
this?

JOHNSON
That’s why we’re, Hoorah?

REED
RPG!

EXT - NASIRIYAH STREET - SAME

A loud, crackling sound -

BOOM!

Suddenly, the lead vehicle explodes.

Johnson slams the brakes as bullets rain on the convoy.

Reed opens fire.

 70.

HUMVEE
JOHNSON ROD
Whoa! Motherfucker!

STREET

Dozens of IRAQI CIVILIANS scatter in a panic.

REED
CONTACT FRONT! CONTACT FRONT!

Mack keys the handset on the radio.

MACK
SRC, this is Whiskey 2/5 - we have
contact! I say again - Whiskey 2/5
to SRC - we’re under heavy enemy
fire - over!

Rounds whistle by, ripping through everything around them.

Garcia, (Reed’s A - GUNNER) pops open an ammo can.

ROD
Ho-ly balls. Go back! Go back!

Johnson throws it in reverse, swerves and narrowly avoids

hitting WOMAN carrying A BABY, with a LITTLE GIRL running
behind her.

Another RPG (Rocket - Propelled Grenade) hits the vehicle

behind them. The entire vehicle explodes.

Garcia watches the Little Girl fall to the ground as a round

rips through her little body. The Woman Screams, runs back
to get her daughter and is herself shot.

GARCIA
We’re boxed in! We gotta get the
fuck outta here!

ROD
No screaming eagle shit, Garcia!
Johnson -

MACK
Whiskey 2/5, SRC - we need air
support! We need -

CRACK! A round pierces the windshield and into Johnson’s

clavicle. Another round hits him in the shoulder as he
slumps. The Humvee slows.

Mack is momentarily paralyzed by what he’s seeing.

 71.

ROD
FUCK! Garcia - take the wheel.

MACK
Man down! SRC - we need an EVAC!
We have a man down! Over!

Rod pulls the emergency brake, pulls Johnson into the

passenger seat, then checks his pulse.

EXT - NASIRIYAH STREET - CONTINUOUS

Garcia fumbles with the door and falls out onto the ground,
dropping his rifle. Rounds hit the ground around him. He
rolls under the vehicle.

Mack jumps out and starts firing while Rod applies pressure
to Johnson’s wounds.

MACK
I got your back!

Mack makes eye contact with a small group of IRAQI REBELS

loading an RPG from the back of a pickup truck.

He takes aim and picks one off. Then another. And another.

He’s dazed at having made his first three kills until -

CRACK! A round hits the vehicle, inches from his face.

INT - HUMVEE - CONTINUOUS

ROD
Garcia, what the fuck?!

Rod rests his rifle between the open door and the Humvee and
starts returning fire with one hand, while still applying
pressure on Johnson’s wound with the other.

ROD (CONT’D)
Get some, ya rat bastards!

EXT - NASIRIYAH STREET - CONTINUOUS

Garcia scrambles to get up, grabs his rifle and jumps into
the driver’s seat. He tries to start it. Nothing.

EXT - HUMVEE ROOF - CONTINUOUS

Reed mows down insurgents shooting from a building ahead.

 72.

REED
Garcia! Ammo!

INT - HUMVEE - CONTINUOUS

Garcia can’t decide between starting the Humvee and getting

the ammo. Reed can’t wait.

REED
A - Gunner! Goddammit - stop
shooting at me - I’m not ready!

Reed ducks inside, grabs the linked ammo and loads the Ma
Dukes with lightening speed. He charges it and starts firing
again.

JASMIN
That’s the problem with kids these
days - they can’t just talk about
their differences. Mack - what’s
the ETA on that EVAC?

MACK
Stand by!

Mack reaches into the vehicle and grabs the radio again.

MACK (CONT’D)
SRC we need an ETA - how copy,
over?

Garcia tries to start the Humvee. It stalls.

EXT - HUMVEE ROOF - CONTINUOUS

The barrel on the Ma Dukes is glowing.

REED
Garcia! I gotta change the barrel!

Garcia is frantic, as the pressure on him builds.

JASMIN
Fuck it! We gotta hoof it or we
die here.

REED
We can’t leave the gun and ammo -

MACK
INCOMING!
 73.

An RPG round flies right over their heads and hits a

building. Bricks and stones fly everywhere.

REED
You gotta be shitting me!

MACK
SRC says sit tight!

GARCIA
Man, fuck this.

Garcia grabs a rifle, hurries out of the Humvee and starts

firing wildly.

Reed spots FOUR IRAQI INSURGENTS on a rooftop about 75 yards

away.

REED
Oh - that’s how you wanna do it?

EXT - BUILDING ROOFTOP - CONTINUOUS

The Iraqi Insurgents load another RPG.

EXT - HUMVEE ROOF - CONTINUOUS

Reed swivels the turret around. It gets stuck halfway.

EXT - BUILDING ROOF - CONTINUOUS

An IRAQI GUNNER aims the RPG LAUNCHER.

EXT - HUMVEE ROOF - CONTINUOUS

Reed yanks and yanks. Nothing. He tries the other

direction. It finally dislodges. He spins, takes aim -

The Dukes jams.

He charges it and tries again. Nothing.

REED
Come on...

Reed looks up and shocked to see -

 74.

EXT - BUILDING ROOF - CONTINUOUS

Rounds tear through bodies as The Iraqi Gunner falls. Two

more around him fall. The fourth ducks.

EXT - HUMVEE ROOF - CONTINUOUS

Reed looks down at Mack, picking them off. He’s impressed.

They share a moment.

REED
Dukes is down.

Reed ducks into the vehicle, grabs the .249 SAW MACHINE GUN
and hands it to Mack.

REED (CONT’D)
We gotta find cover.

Jasmin looks at the destroyed Humvees, then at Johnson.

JASMIN
Goddammit! Where’s our fucking Air
Support already?

EXT - BUILDING ROOF - CONTINUOUS

One of the two remaining Iraqi Rebels picks the RPG Launcher
up and attempt to reload it.

EXT - HUMVEE - CONTINUOUS

Reed spots an ABANDONED BUILDING 50 yards away.

REED
There!

Reed and Mack grab what gear and weapons they can and
hightail it towards the building. Garcia follows them. He
looks over his shoulder and sees Jasmin struggling to pull
Johnson out of the Humvee and stops.

He circles back to Jasmin and Johnson.

EXT - BUILDING ROOF - CONTINUOUS

The Iraqi Rebel puts the RPG Launcher on his shoulder.

 75.

EXT - HUMVEE - CONTINUOUS

Jasmin throws Johnson over his shoulder.

JASMIN
Grab the weapons and ammo.

They move fast, unaware of the impending danger. They barely

clear the Humvee when -

BOOM!

The RPG rips through the Hard Top. The blast is deafening.
Metal & debris fly everywhere.

All five are knocked hard to the ground.

A ringing sound. Heavy distortion.

IRAQ. EXT - NASIRIYAH STREET - DAY

Another vehicle screeches to a stop. Three more Rebels spill

out, assault rifles in hand. They carefully advance,
surveying the damage.

IRAQ. EXT - NASIRIYAH STREET - HUMVEE - DAY

Jasmin scrambles to get up, looking around frantically for

the others.

Reed and Mack lie a few yards away, off the road.

Garcia lies in the middle of the road, completely exposed to

Rebel fire.

JASMIN
Reed... Mack.. Garcia... Get
up... Get the fuck up!

Dazed, Reed and Mack slowly regain their wits. Jasmin checks
Johnson’s vital signs. He glances underneath the burning
Humvee and spots four sets of feet, racing towards them.

He reaches for the grenade - it’s gone. He pats himself down

frantically, to no avail.

NASIRIYAH STREET - CONTINUOUS

Garcia stirs, while -

 76.

FIFTY YARDS AWAY -

The rebels spot them and advance on them immediately.

IRAQI REBEL 1
(In Arabic) There! I see them!

HUMVEE - CONTINUOUS

Jasmin spots the grenade several feet away. He scurries

towards it.

Garcia struggles to get up, drawing the attention of the

Rebels, one of whom takes aim while on the run.

“TRRRRAAATTT! TRRRAAATT!”

Several rounds ricochet off the ground around Garcia.

NASIRIYAH STREET - CONTINUOUS

THIRTY YARDS AWAY -

The Rebels close in on them fast.

IRAQI REBEL 2
(IN Arabic) Quickly! Quickly!

HUMVEE - CONTINUOUS

Jasmin pulls the pin and calculates...

NASIRIYAH STREET - CONTINUOUS

TWENTY YARDS AWAY -

The rebels stop, steady their AKs and aim...

BOOM!

They’re blasted to pieces.

IRAQ. INT - NASIRIYAH - ABANDONED BLDG - LATER

The chaos outside has eerily subsided. They’re the only

survivors. Garcia silently watches the door, rifle in the
Alert Carry position.
 77.

Mack keys the handset. Nothing. He takes the radio out of

the pack and inspects it. It’s been pierced by several
bullet holes, rendering it useless.

MACK
Comm is down.

Garcia’s eyes peel off the door for the first time, and
fixate on the radio. Jasmin remains stone - faced as reality
slowly sets in.

GARCIA
We’re sitting ducks. If we don’t
get him out of here, he’s gonna
bleed out.

MACK
Shut the fuck up, Garcia.

JASMIN
He’s right. We gotta move, and we
gotta keep moving, til we...

They seem to anticipate as his words hang in the air. He

doesn’t have an answer.

MACK
Johnson. I know you can hear me,
you midget - fucking, redneck
motherfucker. We’re gonna get you
outta here. Then you can bang
everything in sight. Midgets,
hookers, your sister - whatever.

Reed emerges from the back.

REED
There’s a back door. It’s our only
way out.

GARCIA
Then what are we waiting for?

JASMIN
We don’t know who could be out
there by now. If there’s a sniper,
he’ll pick us off with ease.

GARCIA
What are we gonna do then? Sit
around and wait for them to come in
here and get us?
 78.

JASMIN
You know what, Garcia? If you
don’t shut your fucking mouth I’m a
shut it for you.

A BEAT.

MACK
It’s just that... I mean we’ve
never -

ROD
It’s strange how even the man with
the shortest temper can learn to
control his anger. He can just
think about it, rationalize, and
the anger just goes away. But fear
and love... Once you got them,
there’s no getting rid of ‘em.
Only thing you can do is hide them.
Life’s funny that way. Help me get
him up.

IRAQ. INT - NASIRIYAH - ABANDONED BLDG - LATER

Reed takes the lead while Mack and Jasmin carry Johnson
through the building, arriving at the BACK ROOM. Garcia
brings up the rear.

INT. IRAQ - NASIRIYAH - ABANDONED BLDG - BACK ROOM - SAME.

The room is sparse - dusty, broken furniture, broken glass.

Reed removes his helmet and flak jacket, then wraps them
around the leg of a broken chair. Mack catches on, and
instinctively moves to the door.

Mack pushes the door open slowly, while Reed carefully pokes
the helmet and flak through the door. Several moments pass.
Nothing. Then -

PING!

A round ricochets off the helmet, narrowly missing Mack.

REED
Fuck. We gotta get back out on
that main road. It’s the fastest
way out.

GARCIA
And the most vulnerable.
 79.

REED
What’s your plan? Let me hear it.

Garcia has nothing to say.

REED (CONT’D)
I fuckin thought so. Sergeant
Jasmin - if I can get out there, I
might be able to start the Humvee
again.

ROD
We don’t know how many of them are
out there. Probably even more of
them now.

REED
It’s the only option we’ve got.

Jasmin can’t deny his logic.

ROD
Let’s go.

IRAQ. INT - NASIRIYAH - ABANDONED BLDG - LATER

As Jasmin lays out a plan, something flies through the

curtained window and rolls on the ground. A GRENADE. Garcia
instinctively throws himself on top of it. The others are
astonished at what they’ve seen.

GARCIA
Go!

The others grab Johnson and rush into the next room.

Garcia braces for impact.

A moment passes. Then another. No blast. Stunned, he

recovers and does the sign of the cross.

GARCIA (CONT’D)
Holy shit.

He again does the sign of the cross, this time

apologetically. He picks up the grenade and flings it back
out of the same window. Commotion - yelling in Arabic. Then
-

BOOM!

The grenade was not a dud after all.

 80.

Reed rushes in and helps Garcia to his feet.

REED
Are you shitting me? Lucky
motherfucker, dude.

A rumbling sound erupts outside the building. The men

listen.

JASMIN
SuperCobra...

GARCIA
Bout fucking time!

MACK
How can you tell?

JASMIN
Spend enough time with the Grunts,
you’ll know.

EXT. NASIRIYAH STREET - CONTINUOUS

A BELL AH-1 SUPERCOBRA HELICOPTER flies overhead, while an

M1A1 ABRAMS TANK prowls through, demolishing the wreckage
left on the street.

Reed kicks open the building’s door, flagging the tank down.