PICKUP MAN
FADE IN
EXT. MADISON RANCH - DAY
HANK MADISON loads four Appaloosas into a living quarters stock
trailer. Big black butts with snow-white spots. He unhooks their lead
ropes and they load up by themselves.
Behind him, a squeeze loader removes huge blocks of hay bales from a
flatbed semi and stacks them near the barn. As Hank shuts the trailer
gate, the DRIVER gets off the loader and approaches with the bill.
Okay, Hank.
DRIVER
Here’s the tab.
HANK
(looks at it)
I’m in the wrong racket.
DRIVER
Yeah. And I shoulda been a cowboy.
You oughta try some real work insteada
ridin’ them spotted horses round them
arenas.
HANK
Then how could I afford to buy your
overpriced hay?
DRIVER
Hank, how long you gonna keep pickin’ up?
HANK
Long as I gotta keep feedin’ horses.
Hank pays him cash and the driver sighs and leaves. Then he watches his
wife, SELAH, as she works a colt in the round pen at their Wyoming
ranch near Cody. Selah is Nez Perce, the tribe that developed the
spotted horse centuries before. The colt lopes easily around in a
circle.
HANK
Sure you won’t come with me?
SELAH
I like watching you on television.
Anyway, Mackay’s coming to pick up
this guy on Monday.
HANK
Pete could handle that.
money. Load the colt.
SELAH
Take Mackay’s
Maybe I’ll fly down after he’s gone.
Whoa!
The Appy colt slides to a stop.
performance.
Hank chuckles silently at the
HANK
I could use him in a couple of years.
SELAH
Nah, ah. He’s too good to get kicked
by one of your broncs!
HANK
My horses don’t get kicked, hardly ever.
SELAH
Or hooked by bulls?
HANK
Just the one time, then it never
happens again. Mackay’s just gonna
show him. Big waste.
Overhead, a single-engine plane flies low and lands on the long
driveway. It u-turns and taxis into the yard. Wild graphic on
fuselage:
Mike Madison – PRCA Saddle Bronc
Rookie of the Year
Sponsored by the US ARMY!
Two YOUNG COWBOYS get out and stretch.
MIKE, his son, grins and makes a sign.
Hank shakes his head slightly.
MIKE
We come in peace!
HANK
And peace on you!
MIKE
Hi, mom! Nice colt. This is Edgar
Dell. He’s going to Vegas with me.
Hi, Edgar!
SELAH
Nice Cow Palace!
EDGAR
Thanks, ma’am!
Hank nods at EDGAR and eyes Mike’s flamboyant purple shirt.
HANK
I see you found where they buried
Casey Tibbs.
MIKE
You ought to like this better than
my black one.
EDGAR
Did you know Casey Tibbs, Mr. Madison?
I’m Hank.
HANK
My dad traveled with him.
EDGAR
Wow! Where was your dad’s favorite
rodeo, ya reckon?
HANK
(thinks)
I believe he had the most fun at Madison
Square Garden. They don’t have that anymore…
MIKE
New York City!? That’d be a blast…
Hey, Dad – sponsor wants me to go to
boot camp on a PR deal, with the other
army people…
Selah glances at Mike and Hank from the round pen.
Hank sighs.
HANK
Doing what?
MIKE
You know, like basic training.
up recruiting.
Pump
HANK
Yeah? Well, I’d better hit the
road. See ya in Vegas. Try to get
your mother to come with you.
Hank goes to the round pen and kisses Selah then gets in his truck,
edges around the airplane and heads down the driveway. Mike winces at
Hank’s near miss of the wing.
AT THE HIGHWAY
A sign reads
Nez Perce Appaloosas
Selah and Hank Madison
Hank’s truck and trailer turn onto the highway and head for Las Vegas.
His radio: Shoulda Been A Cowboy!
CUT TO:
EXT.
PENTAGON – DAY
INT.
PENTAGON – DAY
Army OFFICERS and CIVILIANS discuss policy around a large table.
examine printouts of statistics.
They
CIVILIAN 1
These enlistment figures are
totally unacceptable…
CIVILIAN 2
So how the hell do we meet our
recruiting goals? We haven’t
been close for months.
CIVILIAN 1
The draft is unavoidable.
COLONEL
We need to pump up our PR. Make
it heroic to enlist. Somehow.
CIVILIAN 1
With sports people? Who’ve we got?
COLONEL
Our NASCAR team, our motorcycle team
and our rodeo team.
CIVILIAN 1
They’ll all go to Ft. Walton Walker?
COLONEL
Well, yes – according to their contracts –
CIVILIAN 2
We really need them to go to Iraq –
not Ft. Walker!
COLONEL
I’m afraid that’s not in their contracts.
CIVILIAN 2
It should be. The wheels are coming
off this goddamn thing!
CUT TO:
EXT.
LAS VEGAS – NIGHT
Hank’s truck and trailer cross the flashy Strip and head down Tropicana
to the Thomas & Mack Arena – famous for the National Finals Rodeo each
December, Vegas’ biggest event.
EXT.
ARENA – NIGHT
Hank unloads his horses and leads them to stalls designated for pickup
horses. He feeds and waters them.
INT.
LIVING QUARTERS – NIGHT
Hank holds his cell phone.
HANK
Yeah, I just got here and put the
horses to bed, which is where I’m
about to go.
SELAH (VO)
Me, too. I miss you. Mike and Edgar
are going tomorrow. What if he wins
the world?
Hard to believe.
plane.
HANK
Probably get a faster
SELAH (VO)
Does he have to go to boot camp?
HANK
I think it’s part of the sponsor deal
he’s got with the army.
Small silence.
SELAH (VO)
Life’s funny.
HANK
You mean, a Nez Perce kid ridin’ broncs
for the US Army? After they about killed
all your horses?
SELAH (VO)
Yeah.
HANK
Hmph. Life is funny. Well, I love you,
Honey, and I hope you come down with them
tomorrow.
SELAH (VO)
I told you, I love watching you on
television.
HANK
Got a TV right here. Besides, they don’t
show the pickup guys very much, with the
instant replays…
SELAH (VO)
It’s the best part of the rodeo!
too exciting.
It’s
HANK
Well, that’s what I keep telling ESPN.
Shawn Davis said you could sit in his
box, due to your great beauty.
EXT.
ARENA – NIGHT
Pull back from Hank’s trailer, which is parked among big stock trucks
unloading broncs and bulls from all over North America.
INT.
MADISON RANCH – NIGHT
Selah hangs up her phone and turns on the television. The news is live
from Baghdad. The reporter speaks with the twisted remains of a Humvee in
the background. Selah stares at the smoking residue of violence and
vengeance.
CUT TO:
INT.
ARENA – NIGHT
First night of the NFR, rodeo’s World Series. The National Anthem is
finishing. Hank puts his hat back on and rides near the chutes, checking
the BAREBACK RIDERS as they get ready.
TV ANNOUNCER (VO)
And there is Hank Madison, one of the
best pickup men in the business, for
many years. This year, however, we’ve
got an unusual situation! Hank’s son,
Mike Madison, last year’s Rookie of the
Year in the saddle bronc event, has a
real shot at the world championship in
that event. Wouldn’t that be something?
The father picking up his son…
We’ll be seeing the saddle broncs a
little later. Right now, here comes
our first bareback bronc rider! Now,
folks, this is truly the hardest on
the cowboy – worse than bull riding!
The gate opens and the bareback bronc jumps out and kicks so hard that the
cowboy’s head is snapped back on its rump and he is knocked unconscious on
the first jump. He falls but his hand is trapped in the rigging and he
flops around helplessly. Hank and the other PICKUP MAN race the nowgalloping horse as he tears around the arena, with the cowboy’s head about
to be hit by the fence. Hank’s speedy Appaloosa gets next to the bronc as
Hank slips his lariat over its head and snubs it to a halt. His partner
jerks the unconscious cowboy’s fingers out of the rigging and he drops to
the ground. They run the horse out of the arena as MEDICAL PERSONNEL rush
to aid the cowboy. He finally wakes up and limps out, holding his arm.
TV ANNOUNCER (VO) (cont’g)
Well, folks – I said Hank Madison
is one of the best. And that’s why
the cowboys vote for him to be here
at the National Finals, year after
year. No score for that cowboy, but
we’ve got nine more days of this, and
anything can happen, believe me.
QUICK CUTS
Hank picking up another BAREBACK RIDER.
A BULLDOGGER drops down on a running steer.
TEAM ROPERS stretch out a steer.
LATER
Hank rides back in the arena with his partner for the Saddle Bronc event.
On the chutes, Mike Madison and the saddle bronc RIDERS get their saddles
and buck reins on their broncs.
TV ANNOUNCER (VO) (cont’g)
Well, when you’ve got – what –
six former and the defending world
champions against you, a rookie
might be feeling a little insecure.
But I don’t think that applies to
Mike Madison. This kid’s got it all.
And he’s got his dad picking up for
him, too. Maybe we’ll see the War
Dance tonight, because Mike’s got a
good one – M-80 from Western Rodeo!
Mike is the first rider out. His horse rears out violently but Mike stays
on and starts spurring in perfect time. Hank watches from a discrete
distance and heads for Mike just as the whistle blows. Mike, in his black
US Army shirt, grabs Hank by the shoulders as Hank rides hard alongside
the galloping bronc. Hank takes his rope rein and Mike swings over onto
the back of Hank’s horse. They ride around double for a lap, with Mike
bouncing on his knees and nearly falling off, to the great amusement of
the knowledgeable crowd.
HANK
Not too shabby, for a rookie.
MIKE
You’re not bad, for a geezer.
Mike drops down to great applause for a high score. He does a small war
dance and gives out a piercing war whoop. This is what the crowd was
waiting for. They go wild and he laughs with the crowd.
CUT TO:
EXT.
FT. WALKER – DAY
A twin-engine private plane approaches overhead.
EXT.
IN THE SKY – DAY
We fly next to this sleek plane with the wilder new graphic:
Mike Madison
World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider
Sponsored by the US Army!
INT.
AIRPLANE - DAY
Overhead, from private plane, looking down.
Mike circles.
TOWER (VO)
Cowboy in the Beechcraft, you’re
cleared to land.
EXT.
FT. WALKER – DAY
Mike’s new airplane smoothly touches down and taxis to office.
Mike gets out and is greeted by OFFICERS and SOLDIERS.
CUT TO:
EXT.
COMBAT COURSE – DAY
Mike and other sponsored ATHLETES, wearing camo fatigues and carrying
rifles, slog through obstacles with new RECRUITS.
LATER
Recruits gone, an army COLONEL addresses the muddy guests.
COLONEL
Gentlemen, I’d like to thank you
for your being here. If you’ll
follow me for refreshments…
INT.
OFFICE – DAY
The athletes have snacks.
A RACING DRIVER grins at Mike.
RACING DRIVER
Mike, is it true you’re an Indian?
MIKE
Half-breed. Maybe more.
My old
man’s Comanche, but he won’t admit it.
RACING DRIVER
So, you’re a cowboy AND an Indian?
MIKE
And How.
(swallows bite)
This is great, Colonel. I’ve had a
blast. But if that’s it, there’s a
Yup.
rodeo in Denver where I’ve got to
be tonight… If you’ll point me to
the showers?
The colonel clears his throat.
COLONEL
Gentlemen, again, I want to thank
you for your willingness to get muddy
and wet for the army. I can assure you
that your presence here means a lot to
the recruits…
RACING DRIVER
(whispers)
Uh, oh! Here it comes!
COLONEL
I’d like to ask an even greater favor
of you, with absolutely no obligation.
I’m sure you’re all familiar with the USO –
Entertainers who visit the troops overseas…
MIKE
Where’s Bob Hope when you need him?
The other athletes begin to shift uncomfortably.
COLONEL
Yes. Of course, Wayne Newton has taken
over admirably for Bob Hope… And Wayne
certainly loves to be with the troops,
but you men represent something different
than the singers and entertainers do, to
the troops.
Mike looks at the others.
MIKE
Hell, Colonel. I’m just an entertainer
myself. I’d say we all are.
COLONEL
Well, all right. I can see that. But
a lot of the troops would like to BE
cowboys, or NASCAR drivers or, uh,
motorcycle racers…
MIKE
I think they’d rather see Jessica Alba,
close up. I would.
COLONEL
What I’m getting at, gentlemen, is that
we’d like it very much if you could help
us with a quick visit to the troops, not
with the USO…
RACING DRIVER
You’re not talking about Iraq, are you?
COLONEL
Yes, I am.
RACING DRIVER
Colonel, no disrespect. Aside from my own
family, I’ve got about forty other men and
their families depending on me to stay
healthy. Besides, my entire year is
scheduled.
COLONEL
But I believe your year doesn’t actually
begin until February, at Daytona?
RACING DRIVER
New chassis testing, tire testing – sorry,
Colonel. I can’t.
MOTORCYCLE RACER
That’s gotta be the most dangerous place
on earth. Your own soldiers are getting
killed every day!
COLONEL
But each of you risks your life for
your living, every day!
The sponsored celebrities stare at the colonel.
MIKE
What would we do there?
COLONEL
Visit three bases, under very heavy
guard all the way. One day, maybe two.
The celebrities shake their heads except Mike.
MIKE
Well, I guess I don’t have a bunch of
people depending on me, except Edgar,
my traveling partner. Only other country
I’ve been to is Canada, and I’d kinda
like to see the world.
Excellent!
They shake their heads.
COLONEL
How about the rest of you?
The colonel shakes Mike’s hand.
CUT TO:
INT.
DENVER ARENA – NIGHT
Hank saddles his pickup horses as Mike approaches.
MIKE
Hey, Dad.
Hey, champ.
HANK
How was boot camp?
MIKE
Too much like work. They want me to
visit the troops.
Here?
HANK
In Colorado?
MIKE
In Iraq.
Hank stands away from his horse to look at Mike.
HANK
God dammit, Mike!
MIKE
Hey, Dad – didn’t you spend a couple
of years in Vietnam? Don’t you think
I can handle a couple of days someplace?
HANK
I think you need to rethink this whole
army deal. You’re the World Champion –
you don’t need the army. And what the
hell’s the army doing sponsoring rodeo
and racing and all the rest? That’s tax
money.
MIKE
Yeah, we’ve been over that.
contract with ‘em.
But I have a
HANK
Your contract say anything about gettin’
your ass shot off in Iraq?
MIKE
No.
HANK
How the hell they talk you into it?
MIKE
It wasn’t too hard – I’ve never really
been anywhere.
HANK
You picked a hell of a senior trip.
Who’s going with you?
MIKE
Just me.
Hank looks at him and mounts up. Someone starts singing the National
Anthem, or “Bareback Riders Get Ready.”
HANK
And your mother thought boot camp
was a mistake. I’m late.
Hank trots to the arena, dutifully removing his hat as he enters.
CUT TO:
EXT.
MADISON RANCH – DAY
Mike’s new twin-engine Beech is parked near the house.
hauling his horses.
INT.
Hank rolls in,
MADISON RANCH – DAY
Hank enters living room and hugs Selah, who has been crying.
and hugs his dad.
Mike gets up
HANK
You talk him out of it?
Selah shakes her head.
MIKE
Dad, the army promised me a big heavy
guard detail wherever I go.
HANK
Uh, huh. Son, I spent three years in
the army. They make a lot of promises.
They promised me Germany, which I never saw.
SELAH
Mike, do you have your grandfather’s
medicine bag?
Mike fishes it out of his shirt, on a leather necklace.
SELAH (cont’g)
You don’t take that off until you’re home!
She hugs him again desperately.
CUT TO:
EXT.
MADISON RANCH – PRE-DAWN
Selah walks from the ranch house, through the woods, to a high spot. Here
she stands and holds up one hand and speaks quietly. As she prays she
releases a small amount of tobacco into the gentle breeze.
CUT TO:
EXT.
BAGHDAD STREET – DAY
An army convoy heads for the airport.
landing.
EXT.
Overhead, a C-130 comes in for a
BAGHDAD AIRPORT – DAY
Mike exits C-130 with two OFFICERS.
Humvees in front and rear.
They get in an armored limo with
QUICK CUTS
The little convoy makes its way to the Green Zone.
EXT.
GREEN ZONE – DAY
The convoy enters the heavily guarded Green Zone, the massive palace and
former HQ of Saddam Hussein. It is now the American HQ – the only
relatively safe place in Baghdad.
In front of the American palace, Mike is escorted inside.
INT.
PALACE – DAY
An army CAPTAIN shows Mike to his magnificent suite.
CAPTAIN
Okay, Mike – dinner’s at eight. I know
you must be a little jet-lagged now.
Have a nap – it really helps. I’ll come
by at 7:50.
The captain leaves. Mike wanders around the rooms, gazing at the ornate
decorations and plush furniture.
MIKE
Tough duty.
LATER
Mike and the captain make their way to the dining room.
introduced to the American PROCONSUL and army OFFICERS.
CAPTAIN
Your Excellency, may I present Mr.
Mike Madison?
The proconsul shakes hands with Mike.
PROCONSUL
You’re the rodeo cowboy, I believe?
Mike is
I must say, you certainly don’t look
like my idea of a cowboy.
He motions for all to be seated at the long table. Mike wears a well-cut
dark suit, with highly polished black cowboy boots.
MIKE
I know. Without my hat, people think
I’m a banker.
The proconsul is off-balance with Mike, who does indeed look like a
banker.
MIKE (cont’g)
Actually, I guess I could be a banker –
I have a degree in economics. But my dad’d
never forgive me!
PROCONSUL
But for your visits tomorrow, I trust
you’ll dress the part?
Mike looks at this arrogant fop through Nez Perce eyes.
MIKE
I’ll put on a good show, Your Excellency.
The first of many courses is presented to the diners by liveried Iraqi
waiters.
LATER
The captain walks with Mike to his suite.
Nice one.
CAPTAIN
His Majesty is a banker.
CUT TO:
EXT.
PALACE – DAY
Mike, wearing faded Wranglers, boots, rodeo shirt and his new World
Championship gold buckle and a silver belly Stetson, is helped into an
armored Humvee. With its two hundred pound doors and thick armor, it’s a
tight fit. Two SOLDIERS get in front and one SOLDIER squeezes next to him
in back. They all have rifles but can’t point them out the armored doors.
MIKE
What about the helicopter?
SOLDIER 1
No helicopter – we lost one this morning
where we’re goin’ – this is safer.
Mike looks at the soldier, slightly dazed.
INT.
HUMVEE – DAY
SOLDIER 1
Ya better put on the gear.
Mike removes his cowboy hat and gets into the helmet and vest.
speeds insanely up the road, tossing Mike around.
The convoy
MIKE
Pretty tight fit in here!
SOLDIER 2
Stinkin’ things – they got so much
armor they only hold three guys now,
with all this shit we wear.
MIKE
Where we going?
SOLDIER 1
Tikrit – Saddam’s hometown.
MIKE
Really?
SOLDIER 1
Really.
One of the two Humvees in front suddenly slows and pulls over.
soldiers with Mike all look as they pass by.
MIKE
What are they doing?
Who knows?
SOLDIER 2
Some kinda breakdown.
MIKE
Aren’t we going to stop?
Hell no!
SOLDIER 2
They’re on their own!
MIKE
But –
SOLDIER
Look, Mike – our job’s
not them. If we stop,
If WE break down, then
but just ‘cause you’re
1
to protect you –
we’ll get hit.
everybody stops,
with us.
MIKE
But those guys could get hit – right?
SOLDIER 2
No doubt. But they’re on the radio,
asking for cover. Hear?
The
HUMVEE RADIO (VO)
Sierra 6, Uniform 1 – come in?
SIERRA 6 (VO)
Uniform 1, go ahead.
UNIFORM 1 (VO)
Yeah, we’re broke down and need a tow
and some more guns.
SIERRA 6 (VO)
Roger – what’s you loc?
SOLDIER 1
See? They gotta get outa that vehicle
and take cover, now.
CUT TO:
EXT.
STREET – DAY
Three SOLDIERS pile out of their crippled Humvee and scramble for cover.
An RPG rocket hits the vehicle and it explodes!
INT.
HUMVEE – DAY
Mike and the soldiers flinch and look back at the explosion.
Holy shit!
MIKE
That was those guys!
SOLDIER 2
Let’s hope it was just the vehicle.
Mike tries to buckle on his helmet as they swerve around a bend at 65 mph.
SOLDIER 1
Thing is, Mike – we can’t shoot out
of these armored Humvees. Windows
don’t go down. Doors are 200 pounds.
MIKE
So we’re sitting ducks.
SOLDIER 2
You ever see a duck try to run?
us. Running ducks.
That’s
LATER
The convoy rolls into Tikrit and the small army base.
SOLDIER 1
Over there’s Saddam’s home.
Mike can’t see out the window very well.
They roll to a stop.
SOLDIER 2
Okay – we made it.
He opens his door and then Mike’s.
SOLDIER 1
You wanna wear your hat?
MIKE
Hell, no!
Mike keeps his helmet and armor on, thoroughly spooked. SOLDIERS from the
base, curious, approach Mike and someone spots his gold buckle.
Hey!
Yeah.
SOLDIER 4
Are you the cowboy?
MIKE
Mike Madison.
SOLDIER 4
Well, hey, Mike – let me show you around
our lovely home here in the desert.
The soldier leads Mike. His guards follow along as another convoy roars
into camp. Everyone stops to look. Men in black t-shirts and camo pants
get out with rifles and machine guns. Their leader approaches Mike.
CONTRACTOR 1
You Mike Madison?
MIKE
Yeah.
SOLDIER 1
Back off, buddy! He’s our responsibility!
Not any more.
him.
Yeah?
CONTRACTOR 1
We’re contracted to guard
SOLDIER 1
Where’s your orders?
Soldier 4 guides Mike to a sandbagged tent.
Weird.
visit?
SOLDIER 4
Who conned you into this bullshit
Behind them, Mike’s guards radio HQ.
SOLDIER 1
Yeah, Uniform 1 – we got some private
dudes here at November 12, they want to
take our guest.
UNIFORM 1 (VO)
Wait out.
SOLDIER 4
(whispers)
You know about these guys? Contractors?
Pricks drag down 300 grand a year for
whatever the hell they do. 300 grand!
Mike listens and eyes the muscular gunmen, who eye him back.
UNIFORM 1 (VO)
Sierra 1, continue your mission.
Orders stand.
Contractor 1 ignores the soldiers and approaches Mike.
CONTRACTOR 1
Big mistake if you stay with these
assholes. They’re not good enough.
It’s your choice.
MIKE
But they’re the army. I don’t
understand who you guys are.
CONTRACTOR 1
We’re your only hope, cowboy.
SOLDIER 1
Oh, bullshit! Mike, these are just
some high-priced private dudes. I
don’t know what the hell they really do.
CONTRACTOR 1
We live well and prosper.
MIKE
I’ll stick with them.
CONTRACTOR 1
Then you get Bonehead of the Year.
Mike nods, certain that this is already correct. Soldier 4 puts his arm
around Mike’s shoulders. He leads him toward another sandbagged building.
SOLDIER 4
Okay, Mike – you’ve probably heard
about the cradle of civilization.
That’s what we call this building
over here.
Soldiers 1 and 2 follow along. Mike looks back as the contractors get in
their armored personnel carriers, not Humvees. Machine guns on their
rigs.
SOLDIER 1
I admit they got the better gear…
I don’t get it.
MIKE
Who are those guys?
All the soldiers laugh at the famous movie line.
SOLDIER 2
That’s what we ask ourselves every day.
Not just those pricks – every thing
about this stinkin’ place. “Butch? Who
ARE those guys?”
SOLDIER 4
“Whoever they are, they’re GOOD.”
Bullshit.
No one!
SOLDIER 1
No one around here is good.
Except you guys.
MIKE
Right?
SOLDIER 1
We’re not good enough, like the man said.
But they’re no good at all.
They go into the building.
INT. CAMP – DAY
Fifteen SOLDIERS are inside.
Mike and his guards enter.
SOLDIER 4
Guys! Look who came all this way to see
us! This is the world champion cowboy
from the real world!
The soldiers stare and then gather around. They spot Mike’s buckle.
takes off his helmet, since the others do, too.
SOLDIER 5
Hey! No shit! I saw you win in Vegas
on TV! You’re the wild Indian cowboy.
The War Dance! Right on!
SOLDIER 6
What in the hell are you doing here?
SOLDIER 4
He’s just a small symbol of the high
esteem in which our country holds us.
MIKE
I’ll be honest, guys – I don’t KNOW
what the hell I’m doing here.
Mike
The soldiers chuckle.
SOLDIER 4
Neither do we!
SOLDIER 6
C’mon man – we’re bringing Democracy
to them I-racky heathens.
SOLDIER 5
Right after we shoot the shit out of ‘em.
LATER – EXT.
CAMP - DAY
Mike puts on his helmet and follows his guards to the vehicles and waves
at the remaining grunts. Soldier 4 walks with him.
SOLDIER 4
It’s been real and it’s been fun.
MIKE
But it ain’t been real fun. How much
longer are you going to be here?
SOLDIER 4
Aw, just another six months, if
they really let us go. But I’ve got
this feeling that I’m not going home,
except in a tin box.
MIKE
There’s a lot I don’t get.
SOLDIER 4
Welcome to the club. Nothing here is
what it appears. Nothing.
INT.
HUMVEE – Day
The little convoy gets back on the road.
Well?
MIKE
Where next?
SOLDIER 1
Mike, this is bullshit. I think we
oughta go back to the Green Zone. You
dig? Get your ass on a plane outa here.
Mike agrees but doesn’t speak.
SOLDIER 2
Yeah, like what the hell are you
proving? That America cares? You
could get wasted right along with us
and so what? You can see how dumb
this whole thing is.
Mike lets his breath out and nods.
SOLDIER 3
Dumb? I’ll give you dumb. They say
this war’s about oil. But the last time
I was home, gas was over three bucks a
gallon. What this war’s about is jacking
UP the price! You’re just here to make
us feel right about what we’re doin’.
Whatever!
Yeah.
SOLDIER 1
Whaddya say, Mike?
MIKE
I’m not doing any good.
SOLDIER 1
Uniform 2, hook a U – we’re
the barn.
(in radio)
Sierra 1, Uniform 3 –
goin’ to
SIERRA 1 (VO)
Uniform 3, go –
SOLDIER 1
Yeah, we’re baggin’ it. En route.
The lead Humvee swings wide and reverses direction toward Baghdad.
others do the same.
The
LATER
The convoy is halfway
lead vehicle FLIES up
IEDs explode from the
try to keep going but
back and passes a small building. Suddenly, the
in the air over a huge explosion from the road.
building and all vehicles are hit. They swerve and
all are crippled.
Doors open and soldiers pile out, guns firing at the building. Mike’s
Humvee rolls slowly into the crater in front of it and founders. The
doors open and everyone gets out. Then another IED goes off and everyone
is knocked down, killed or wounded. Mike drops, hit in the leg. MEN in
Arab headdress charge from the building, firing at the soldiers.
Two attackers grab Mike and drag him behind the building, covered by the
others, who shoot the American soldiers on the ground until they no longer
present threats.
CUT TO:
INT.
MADISON RANCH – NIGHT
Selah awakens in a fright – sits straight up.
HANK
Hank jumps.
What?
It’s Mike.
SELAH
Something’s happened.
Hank looks at the clock and finally gets up.
HANK
Want some coffee?
EXT.
MADISON RANCH – DAWN
Hank pushes a hay cart from pen to pen, throws hay to horses.
throws the kitchen door open.
Hank!
Hank!
Selah
SELAH
Come here!
Hank runs to the house.
INT.
RANCH KITCHEN – DAWN
The TV is on CNN.
Mike’s publicity photo is behind announcer.
CNN ANNOUNCER
To repeat, US armed forces command
in Baghdad confirms this morning that
American Mike Madison, the world
champion rodeo cowboy from Cody, Wyoming
was captured today by Iraqi insurgents
while on a goodwill visit to troops in
the city of Tikrit, home of former Iraqi
dictator Saddam Hussein. Mr. Madison,
accompanied by a squad of US Army
soldiers, was reportedly wounded in the
attack on his convoy. Seven soldiers
were reported killed along with four
wounded. No word yet on which insurgent
group has Mr. Madison.
Selah stares at the TV. Hank picks up the phone and goes to her,
squeezing her with his free arm. He kisses her and dials number.
HANK
Washington, DC. Defense Department
(redials)
This is Hank Madison in Cody, Wyoming.
Give me the secretary of defense. Well,
my son’s just been kidnapped in Iraq –
let me talk to him now! What’s your name?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY (VO)
This is David Hobbs, Mr. Madison. I
assure you that we are doing everything
possible to locate your son.
HANK
Do you know who has him?
CUT TO:
EXT.
BAGHDAD AIRPORT – NIGHT
The wounded soldiers from Mike’s group are airlifted to Germany, including
Soldier 1.
CUT TO:
INT.
MADISON RANCH – DAY
HANK
Billy, this is Hank. Yeah. Thanks. I
know. No, not yet. Listen – can you
replace me in Fort Worth? I’ve got to be
here with Selah until we hear something.
Thanks. I’ll let you know.
He dials another number.
HANK (cont’g)
Let me speak with the congressman. Hank
Madison in Cody – he knows me. Lew? Hank
Madison. Uh, huh. Yeah. No, no one’s
called yet. That’s why I’m calling you.
They’re saying he was hurt in the ambush.
How do they know that? Who told who that?
Well, that’s something you can do, Lew.
You can find out! Yeah, thanks.
The TV is muted but Selah sees Mike’s picture and she turns it up.
CNN ANNOUNCER
…cowboy from Cody, Wyoming, captured
earlier today, is now being threatened
with execution by his captors in Iraq.
Seen here on al-Jazeera, his captors
give a two-week deadline for all detainees
to be released from the infamous Abu Ghraib
prison in Baghdad…
Suddenly, Mike appears in an orange jump-suit, surrounded by hooded men
wielding long knives and an AK-74. One of the hoods grabs Mike by the
hair and draws the knife across his throat and Mike jerks away in surprise
and pain. Blood appears on his throat and he falls over to get away,
though his hands are tied behind him. The tape ends.
CNN ANNOUNCER (cont’g)
We apologize for the graphic nature
of that al-Jazeera videotape…
Selah puts her hand to her mouth and groans. Hank drops the phone and
rushes to her, hugging her to keep her from falling. She nods quickly
that she’s okay. Hank leads her to the living room and lays her on the
couch.
her.
He goes over to the bar and pours them both a double, takes it to
SELAH
You know I can’t drink this much.
HANK
That’s okay – I can. Have a little.
After a moment, she sips hers and shudders.
SELAH
What are we going to do?
HANK
Believe me, we’re going to do something.
SELAH
Hank, call Billy back.
We need the money.
Go to Ft. Worth.
HANK
I can’t leave you now.
SELAH
I’ll go with you.
Hank keeps looking at her.
CUT TO:
EXT.
FT. WORTH ARENA – DAY
Thousands of spectators enter rodeo arena.
INT.
ARENA – NIGHT
Hank picks up a bronc rider after the whistle.
TV ANNOUNCER (VO)
Rodeo fans and all Americans are still in
shock, as are we here in the booth, over
the terrible event in Iraq in which our new
World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider, Mike
Madison, was abducted last week and threatened
With murder. Our hats are off to Mike and his
parents, Hank and Selah Madison. Hank is
working here tonight as one of our Dodge Truck
pickup men, probably not knowing what else to do…
LATER
Hank ties his horse to his trailer and loosens the cinches.
approaches and pats his shoulder.
COWBOY
Thanks for that good pickup, Hank.
A COWBOY
Damn ground’s gettin’ too hard.
Hank nods silently.
How’s Selah?
COWBOY (cont’g)
She in the trailer?
HANK
Yeah – glued to the TV. She doesn’t want
to be seen just now. But I’ll tell her
you asked, Jimmy.
COWBOY
Well, I’m glad she’s traveling with you
again. We missed her.
HANK
Yeah – me, too.
CUT TO:
EXT.
MANNHEIM HOSPITAL – NIGHT
Soldier 1 lies in bed, tubes attached everywhere, legs in casts. He
struggles to write a note and then gives it to his nurse. She leans down
to hear him whisper:
SOLDIER 1
Col. Barlow in Chicago. Please get this
to Col. Booker Barlow in Chicago!
The nurse folds the note and writes on the back.
SOLDIER 1 (cont’g)
Please don’t show it to anyone else!
The nurse nods and leaves.
CUT TO:
INT.
TRAILER – DAY
Hank and Selah watch TV.
Hank holds cell phone.
HANK
Senator, I’m not getting any help from
either the army or defense department
regarding my son, Mike. What can you
do to help me?
SENATOR (VO)
Mr. Madison, I want to assure you that
I am in touch with the secretary of
defense regularly and I’ve been pushing
him to release any information they have
about Mike.
HANK
And?
SENATOR (VO)
He says that no group has claimed
responsibility yet. No one knows what
to do until someone does claim it.
HANK
Well, Senator, I guarantee you that
if the secretary or the president or
YOU had a son missing over there, you’d
be getting some real answers! Not this
damned runaround!
Selah just watches CNN.
INT.
ARENA – LATER
In the audience, watching Hank make a dramatic rescue of a bareback rider,
is a well-dressed black man in his early 60s. BOOKER BARLOW wears a camel
hair coat, pearl gray Stetson. He gets up and makes his way behind the
chutes.
BEHIND THE CHUTES
Hank rides up to his trailer and dismounts.
Barlow stands behind him.
BARLOW
Hello, Madison.
Hank turns slowly and squints at the speaker.
--Barlow?
HANK
Is that you?
BARLOW
It’s me.
They greet warmly.
Damn!
HANK
What’s it been—
BARLOW
Twenty-nine years. Looks like you
are staying active.
HANK
And you? Heard you stayed in and
made a good career. Did you retire?
BARLOW
Pretty much. Made chicken colonel
and got passed over by the senate,
so I went a different way…
Uh, huh.
my son.
HANK
Guess you heard about
BARLOW
That’s why I’m here, Hank.
Hank stares at him blankly.
INT. TRAILER – NIGHT
Barlow sits at the table and shows them the soldier’s note.
BARLOW (cont’g)
This was written by one of the soldiers
who was in Mike’s guard detail. It came
from his hospital in Mannheim, Germany.
(reads)
“Some private dudes tried to take the
cowboy away from us at Tikrit. Gave us
some shit and then split. Don’t know
the connection, but would like to know
who hired them.”
HANK
What’s he mean – private dudes?
BARLOW
Contractors.
SELAH
Construction workers?
BARLOW
Just the opposite.
HANK
They’re mercenaries, you mean?
Barlow nods.
SELAH
I don’t understand.
BARLOW
In addition to the US Army, Marine Corps
and Air Force, there’s a new – ah –
phenomenon: private contractors, very
highly paid, who perform special operations
that require intense training in military
practice and foreign language, among other
skills.
SELAH
But I thought that’s what the Green Berets
were for… Mike was thinking about joining
them last year.
BARLOW
These contractors usually come from that
background, and from other countries such
as England and Israel. As I say, they’re
a totally new idea for this country.
HANK
Well, you say they’re highly paid.
highly paid?
How
BARLOW
Most of them make a thousand dollars per day,
or more.
Hank and Selah stare at Barlow.
HANK
I guess I don’t understand what you are
saying.
Barlow nods in understanding.
BARLOW
I know. We probably wouldn’t have heard
about these guys if four of them hadn’t
been caught and murdered in Fallujah. And
that lead to the destruction of that city
right after.
SELAH
So, these contractors are what –
professional killers?
BARLOW
Yes, that’s what they are. They kill
America’s enemies but they are not in the
chain of command, which gives the military
deniability, if you know what that means.
Hank shakes his head in puzzlement.
HANK
Well, what’s that soldier mean about them
trying to take Mike?
BARLOW
Hank, that’s what I want to know. I’m here
to offer to go over there and find out, and
maybe find Mike. No charge.
Selah and Hank look at him hopefully.
Then Hank frowns.
HANK
Thank you, Booker. Thank you. You have
done something that no one else has done,
and that’s tell us something real. And
offer to do something, too.
(takes Selah’s hand)
But we don’t want you to go
was apparently guarded by a
of soldiers and they’re all
So, no, we can’t let you or
that. But what it means to
to Iraq. Mike
whole squad
dead or wounded.
ask you to do
us…
Selah nods through her tears.
SELAH
Do you know who pays these contractors?
BARLOW
Ultimately, they are paid by the US
government, of course. I’m not familiar
with the front companies, but I imagine
it’s the same as Air America, back in
our day…
HANK
Air America was CIA.
SELAH
So, this has been done before?
BARLOW
Air America was a cargo service, run
secretly by CIA, yes – but they weren’t
operational in this new sense of being
hired killers.
HANK
But who would have hired them to guard
Mike? I don’t get that part.
BARLOW
Yes. That seems to be the question.
Maybe the authorities in Baghdad wanted
a more professional team of bodyguards,
I don’t know yet.
(smiles kindly)
Well, folks, I’m going back to Chicago.
Here’s where you can reach me…
Hank and Barlow exit.
BEHIND THE CHUTES
They shake, then Hank mounts up and canters into the arena.
INT.
TRAILER – NIGHT
Selah gets online and searches private contractors in Iraq.
INT.
ARENA – NIGHT
Hank and his partner get ready to pick up saddle bronc riders.
RODEO ANNOUNCER (VO)
Folks, I’d like to ask you for your
attention. As you all know, our new
PRCA Saddle Bronc World Champion cowboy,
Mike Madison, has been kidnapped in Iraq.
Mike’s dad, Hank, is down in the arena
tonight, one of our Dodge Truck pickup
men. Hank’s one of the best in the
business, chosen by the cowboys to work
the Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas, year after
year. Hank’s working, and I’ve talked
with him about this, to try to keep his
mind off the nightmare he and his wife,
Selah, are experiencing. He doesn’t know
what else to do, and I guess we’re all in
same boat with him there, if it happened
to us. No applause, please – Hank just
wants everyone to understand. Thank you,
folks! Now, coming out of chute seven,
from Ogallala, Nebraska, Joey Miller on the
Bookworm, from the Billy Dillon string!
EXT.
FT. WORTH ARENA – DAY
Hank and Selah canter Hank’s four pickup horses around the practice arena,
exercising them. Each rides one, leads one.
SELAH
I found some of those private contractors
online last night.
Yeah?
HANK
They advertise?
SELAH
No, no advertising. Just stories about
them and what they do.
HANK
You get some names?
SELAH
They’re all back east.
INT.
TRAILER – DAY
Hank punches a number on his phone.
HANK
Yeah, is this the contracting company
I heard about? Tell me, are you
operating in Iraq? Uh, huh. Well, my
son, Mike Madison, was kidnapped over
there and I’m wondering if you can tell
me anything about it? Uh, huh. I see.
No, that’s not exactly what I had in
mind, but let me think about it. Okay.
(hangs up)
They offered to find him, for a price.
SELAH
How much?
HANK
A hundred grand down. Ten grand a day
‘til they find him.
SELAH
Well, maybe we can get the government
to pay for them to look. If they’re
so good at what they do, maybe they
can be contracted to find Mike.
LATER – on phone
HANK
Just wondering if you’ve heard anything
through the grapevine about him, or what
happened… Or who’s got him? Uh, huh.
Yeah. Well, of course, that’s a lot of
money for a cowboy to come up with. Yeah.
He calls another number.
HANK
Yeah, this is Hank Madison again. Let me
speak to the congressman. Lew, listen –
what do you know about private contractors
in Iraq? Well, I’d appreciate it if you’d
get up to speed on these people. Do you
have any idea what the US government is
paying them? Maybe you can hire them for
a search, since the army got Mike into this,
and can’t seem to find him… Yeah.
(to Selah)
Who’s next?
(dials)
Yeah, is this – Tactical Advantage? Well,
this is Hank Madison in Wyoming. Who’s in
charge there? Colby? Let me speak to him.
It’s about my son, Mike, who was kidnapped
in Iraq. Yeah.
(waits)
Hello, Mr. Colby? Uh, huh. You can’t?
National security? But I was thinking maybe
we could hire you, or maybe the government
could hire you to find him. Is that so? —
Hello?
SELAH
What?
HANK
He said we can’t afford them.
they? New York City…
Where are
CUT TO:
INT.
FT. WORTH ARENA – NIGHT
Hank and his partner rope a bucking bull reluctant to leave the arena,
drag him into the out alley. Hank rides over to the stock contractor,
BILLY DILLON, standing near the chutes.
Billy?
HANK
Who’s your travel agent?
Dillon nods and writes in his notebook, rips a page, hands it.
EXT. DFW AIRPORT – DAY
Hank and Selah’s truck goes in long-term parking.
INT.
DFW AIRPORT – DAY
Hank and Selah go through metal detectors.
up his hand at Hank.
Bells go off.
A TSA COP holds
TSA COP 1
Take off your hat. All metal in the tray.
Remove your shoes.
He and Selah comply. They take off their cowboy boots and belts.
make it through the detector. Then the cop looks at Selah.
They
TSA COP 1
Step over here, please, ma’am.
SELAH
What’s wrong?
TSA COP 1
This way, please.
Hank pulls on his boots and frowns as Selah, in sock feet, is taken away.
He gets their carry-on bags and Selah’s boots, puts his hat on and tries
to follow but is intercepted by another TSA COP.
HANK
Where are you taking my wife!?
TSA COP 2
Stand over there, sir.
INT.
TSA OFFICE – DAY
The TSA SUPERVISOR stares at Selah.
TSA SUPERVISOR
Let me have your passport.
SELAH
What?
TSA SUPERVISOR
What nationality are you?
Nationality?
SELAH
I’m an American!
TSA SUPERVISOR
What kind of name is “Selah?”
Palestinian? Sounds Muslim.
Moslem?
Moslem?
SELAH
Are you insane?
Is that
Do I LOOK
TSA COP 1
Actually, ma’am – you do.
SELAH
Have you ever seen an Indian?
TSA SUPERVISOR
--You’re a Hindu?
SELAH
AMERICAN Indian? Native AMERICAN?
A FEMALE TSA COP enters.
TSA SUPERVISOR
Ma’am, this agent is going to conduct
a full body search, because frankly, you
worry us.
SELAH
I worry you? When’s the last time a Nez
Perce woman hijacked a plane? I worry you?
Well, you people worry me!
The female TSA cop pulls her up and guides her to a booth, directs her
inside. She follows and closes the curtain.
FEMALE TSA
Please disrobe, ma’am.
Selah glares at her.
FEMALE TSA (cont’g)
Your choice, ma’am. Either be searched
or go home. No flying without a search.
Selah shakes her head and starts to take off her clothes. The cop watches
her impassively as Selah eventually is totally nude. The cop produces a
small flashlight.
FEMALE TSA (cont’g)
Turn around, bend over and spread
your cheeks, please.
Selah stares at her and slowly complies.
SELAH
This is the perfect job for you,
isn’t it.
LATER
Hank and Selah board plane for JFK.
HANK
What the hell happened back there?
SELAH
It’s gotten worse than we ever dreamed.
This isn’t our country.
Hank stares at her deadly anger.
INT.
AIRLINER – DAY
Hank listens as they buckle up.
Naked?
HANK
Are you serious?
SELAH
(nods)
I look like an Arab terrorist.
HANK
Honey, I’m so sorry. I tried to follow
you but I got stopped.
SELAH
There was nothing you could do.
submit or don’t fly.
Either
HANK
Hell, you shoulda told ‘em to go to hell
and stayed here!
SELAH
No, it’s okay. I want to be with you,
no matter what!
LATER
Hank dozes with his hat over his face.
Selah reads magazine.
LATER
Selah looks out window, pensive.
Hank still dozes.
CAPTAIN (VO)
Hello, folks – Captain Nelson here
again. Looks like the weather in New
York is clear and cold. Should be on
time and at the terminal in about
fifteen minutes. I’m going to turn on
the seatbelt sign now. Thanks for
flying with us today on Carefree Air.
The seatbelt sign blinks on.
up and clicks his belt.
Selah puts her hand on Hank’s arm.
He wakes
LATER
Hank unclips his belt.
HANK
I’m going to hit the head…
He gets up and into the aisle, headed for the toilet.
up and blocks him.
Sir!
A SKYMARSHAL jumps
SKYMARSHAL 1
Return to your seat!
Hank jerks to a stop.
HANK
I gotta go, pal.
Sir!
SKYMARSHAL 1
Return to your seat NOW!
HANK
For chrisake, kid – I’m serious.
The sky marshal pulls an automatic pistol and aims it at Hank.
SKYMARSHAL 1
On the floor! NOW! On the floor!
NOW! On the floor! NOW!
From behind Hank, a second SKYMARSHAL hits him and knocks him flat and
jumps on him, handcuffing his wrists behind his back.
SELAH
You stupid bastards!
The sky marshals grab Selah and jerk her out of her seat, handcuffing her
and pushing her to the floor on her stomach.
SKYMARSHALS
EVERYBODY!
EVERYBODY!
HANDS ON YOUR HEADS!
HANDS ON YOUR HEADS!
The PASSENGERS slowly comply with the frenzied commands and sit through
the landing with hands clasped on heads. One passenger, OLLIE WILSON,
manages to crank around and look at Hank. His eyes widen.
You there!
SKYMARSHAL 1
Turn around! Eyes front!
LATER
Hank and Selah are pulled up and hustled out first. Then the other
passengers start to exit. Ollie Wilson goes back for Hank’s hat and their
carry-on bags before he exits.
INT.
JFK TERMINAL – DAY
Hank and Selah are marched to the TSA office.
sight.
INT.
Ollie Wilson keeps them in
TSA OFFICE – DAY
With their hands cuffed behind them, Hank and Selah are put in chairs.
The sky marshals are hyped, full of adrenaline.
SKYMARSHAL 1
He disobeyed my direct order to remain
seated on final!
I had to pee.
HANK
I still do.
SKYMARSHAL 2
The woman yelled at us, causing a
distraction.
SELAH
I said you were stupid bastards.
The TSA AGENT IN CHARGE takes notes.
TSA AC
Well, this is a serious matter, folks.
You will be charged with endangering a
scheduled flight. You’re looking at
federal felony time.
HANK
Bullshit.
A knock at the door. Sky marshal 1 cracks the door and it is pushed open.
Ollie Wilson barges in.
Hey!
SKYMARSHAL 1
Get out of here!
Both sky marshals’ hands go for their pistols.
OLLIE
Hi! My name’s Ollie Wilson, with ESPN
Television, here in New York.
Ollie hands out a couple of cards, one to the AC.
surprised as they eye the cards.
ESPN?
The TSA cops are
TSA AC
What do you want?
OLLIE
Hi, Hank!
HANK
Ollie…
OLLIE
(to Selah)
We’ve never met, but you must be Selah.
I’m Ollie Wilson.
Selah just gapes at him.
OLLIE (cont’g)
Here’s your hat, Hank. Let me
introduce everyone. This man here is
Hank Madison, and his beautiful wife,
Selah. Hank’s been on my network quite
a bit over the years - he’s a rodeo cowboy.
But lately, even you gentlemen here in New
York must have heard of him, because his
and Selah’s son, Mike, has become the
latest American to be abducted by terrorists –
real live terrorists, mind you – in Iraq.
Does that ring some chimes in your heads,
gentlemen? I’m sorry – what are your names?
The TSA cops shift around uneasily.
OLLIE (cont’g)
I know that Hank and Selah will want to
know your names. Now, don’t you want to
rethink this whole thing? Why not take
off those handcuffs and let these
unfortunate victims of terrorism go about
their business?
The agent in charge nods reluctantly.
their handcuffs.
Sullenly, the sky marshals remove
SKYMARSHAL 1
We’re just doing our jobs.
Hank puts on his hat and looks at the three cops.
HANK
Your chickenshit jobs.
Ollie gets between them and the cops, herds them to the door.
OUTSIDE OFFICE
OLLIE
Just boys having fun.
HANK
I don’t know what to say, Ollie.
OLLIE
Let’s get out of here. Those men are
very unstable, as we saw…
SELAH
Are they on drugs? They went totally
berserk!
OLLIE
I was there! It’s the way they’re
trained – to dominate everyone. So,
what are you doing in the Wild East?
EXT.
JFK – DAY
Ollie hails a cab.
The CABBIE loads luggage. They get in.
INT. CAB – DAY
CABBIE
Where to, Boss?
OLLIE
Rockefeller Center, driver.
HANK
Ollie, you shouldn’t get involved
in this.
OLLIE
Their address is just down Fifth Avenue
from my office. We can walk after we
drop our bags there. I’m curious now,
and will do a bit of research first.
INT.
OLLIE’S OFFICE – DAY
Ollie, at his massive desk, consults his computer.
OLLIE (cont’g)
Tactical Advantage, subsidiary of
Quatro Holdings, Geneva. Sounds
about right. So, there’s been no
more word from the kidnappers? No
demands?
SELAH
The army must empty Abu Ghraib prison…
OLLIE
Hmmm. Any idea if they’re Sunni or
Shi’ite?
HANK
What’s the difference?
OLLIE
The Sunnis pray directly to God – no
middlemen. The Shi’ites have priests –
mullahs and ayatollahs – to them, that’s
a big difference.
HANK
I mean, what difference does that make
about Mike?
OLLIE
Well, they’re both pretty pissed at us,
but the Sunnis might be a little more
reasonable. Hard to say. Okay! Let’s
go see about getting a Tactical Advantage!
SELAH
Ollie, are you sure you want to?
OLLIE
Tut, tut, my Dear. There might be a good
story here.
HANK
But you’re a sports guy.
OLLIE
But I read the whole paper, Hank – not just
the sports section.
CUT TO:
EXT.
FIFTH AVE OFFICE – DAY
Hank, Selah and Ollie walk from Rockefeller Center to Tactical Advantage’s
office building. They look and enter.
INT.
TA BUILDING – DAY
They examine directory.
Suite 40A-G.
Into the elevator.
OLLIE
Hmm. Lots of space.
UPSTAIRS
INT.
TACTICAL ADVANTAGE OFFICE
RECEPTIONIST smiles at everyone.
Hank refers to his notes.
HANK
Is Mr. Colby in?
RECEPTIONIST
Who may I say is here?
HANK
Mr. Madison, from Wyoming.
on the phone.
We spoke
She calls on the office phone.
RECEPTIONIST
Mr. Colby, Mr. Madison is here to see
you. From Wyoming. Very well.
(to Hank)
Mr. Colby says that you don’t have an
appointment. I can make one for you,
for next week, if you’d like…
Hank starts to steam.
Ollie steps forward.
OLLIE
Please tell Mr. Colby that Ollie Wilson
of ESPN Television is here as well. It’s
very important.
He gives her his card.
She nods.
RECEPTIONIST
Please have a seat.
They move away but stay standing.
She makes a quiet call.
LATER
JOSEPH COLBY enters reception area.
Mr. Madison?
He doesn’t offer a hand.
COLBY
How can I help you?
HANK
This is my wife and Mr. Wilson.
Colby nods curtly.
COLBY
As I told you on the phone, Mr. Madison,
I’m not at liberty to discuss our work.
HANK
Well, was your company hired to protect
our son? One of the private companies was.
COLBY
I suggest that you direct your questions –
all of your questions – to the department of
defense.
OLLIE
Mr. Colby, Ollie Wilson with ESPN. Are
you saying that you are working for the
Pentagon?
COLBY
I’m afraid I cannot discuss the matter
further. I’m sorry.
He gestures toward the door.
HANK
You know, Colby, maybe we could hire
you to find Mike. Would that be possible?
Maybe our congressman could get the money
to pay you.
COLBY
Good day.
CUT TO:
INT.
OLLIE’S OFFICE – DAY
HANK
I really didn’t like that guy.
OLLIE
I’m drawing a blank. Do you want to call
the Pentagon?
SELAH
We tried that the first day.
HANK
Our congressman’s never heard of Tactical
Advantage, or the others.
OLLIE
That figures.
HANK
Colby knows something.
OLLIE
Obviously.
SELAH
Maybe he’s trying to get Mike back but
can’t talk about it?
OLLIE
Possibly. You said he mentioned National
Security on the phone to you?
Hank nods.
OLLIE (cont’g)
Well, that’s serious. And he knows you’re
serious, coming all this way.
HANK
Still – who the hell hired contractors
to guard Mike? That’s the big one.
OLLIE
Hmm. Agree. Say, do you have a hotel?
If not, I’d like you to be my guests!
CUT TO:
EXT.
BAGHDAD SAFE HOUSE – NIGHT
US armored vehicles rumble by this nondescript house.
INT.
SAFE HOUSE – NIGHT
Down into the basement. Floodlights aimed at Mike Madison in his orange
jumpsuit, bloody from his untended leg wound. He lies crumpled on the
concrete floor, loose steel cables attached to his wrists. The cables go
up to spools hung from the ceiling.
A video camera is set up and aimed at Mike.
behind the camera, which is turned on.
Men are in the shadows,
The cables suddenly start to wind into the spools. The unconscious and
barefoot Mike is quickly hauled upward as they shorten. He wakes up and
groans in pain as his arms are stretched out unnaturally. A man in Arab
headdress attaches wires to his big toes. He withdraws and another man
cranks on the power through the wires.
Mike almost screams but the shock is too great and he only jerks
spasmodically. Then it stops. Then it happens again. His bladder lets
go and his bloody jumpsuit darkens. He faints and eventually the cables
are wound down and he crumples again.
CUT TO:
INT.
MANHATTAN RESTAURANT – NIGHT
Despite their troubles, Hank and Selah manage to smile at Ollie’s kind
attention at this exclusive restaurant. He provides the best of
everything.
OLLIE
Any hurry getting home?
HANK
Yep. I need to keep working. This
trip wasn’t exactly in our budget.
and it’s been pretty much of a bust,
except for seeing you.
OLLIE
Mmm. I’m so glad we were on the same
flight!
SELAH
Just think if you weren’t on our plane!
We’d be in jail.
OLLIE
I’m afraid you’re right.
everything…
9-11 changed
HANK
Selah got stripped at DFW.
--Stripped?
OLLIE
You mean – STRIPPED?
Buck naked.
SELAH
Then searched from behind.
OLLIE
My God!
Why?
SELAH
Those TSA morons think the Nez Perce
are a branch of al-Qaeda. I could have
had a box-cutter in my butt.
Perversion!
OLLIE
There’s no other word!
Nearby DINERS glance at Ollie’s vehemence.
OLLIE (cont’g)
And then, to be assaulted on the plane –
we are descending into dictatorship!
He uses the napkin on his forehead, gets a grip and blinks with false
cheer.
OLLIE (cont’g)
One more for the road?
HANK
Long as I’m not driving.
Ollie signals the waiter.
CUT TO:
INT.
OLLIE’S TOWNHOUSE – NIGHT
In his elegant home on the Upper East Side, Ollie shows his guests to
their quarters.
OLLIE
When is your flight?
SELAH
One-thirty in the afternoon.
Oh, good.
OLLIE
We can sleep.
HANK
Ollie, you’re a great friend…
Everything you’ve done for us…
OLLIE
Hank… Selah – As we were saying before,
something very ugly has happened – is
happening – to our country. And what
we’re doing to other countries. Very
ugly and terrible. I’m terrified for you
and Mike. I’m sorry, but I’m just
terrified. I shouldn’t say that, and
increase your fear, but I am terrified!
Your experiences today, I will never get
over my shock and revulsion! Monsters
are running our country!
SELAH
You were so brave to rescue us! You
saved our lives, I know you did!
Selah hugs Ollie tightly.
OLLIE
You’ll never know how frightened I was
to go into that evil office! My God!
The nightmares I’ll have – forever. My
worst fears are now reality. Your poor
son! All the dead people! I’m so sorry-He chokes up and shakes his head.
Selah keeps hugging him.
Hank looks at him with tears in his eyes.
CUT TO:
INT.
JFK – DAY
Ollie accompanies Selah and Hank to the security area.
are nearby.
Muted televisions
HANK
I better hit the head before we leave
this time!
Hank goes off to find the men’s room.
an eyebrow goes up.
Ollie watches him thoughtfully and
OLLIE
Prostate?
SELAH
‘Fraid so.
Behind them, a woman groans. They turn to look. She’s watching one of
the TVs. On it, Mike’s body is suspended and jerking with electric shock.
Selah’s eyes narrow as she focuses on the scene. She is drawn to the TV
and then her eyes widen in terror. Then she passes out and drops to the
floor. Ollie, also watching screen, doesn’t notice until he hears her
fall.
LATER
Hank approaches, sees Ollie on the floor with Selah, and runs up to them.
He gets on his knees with them.
Ollie!
HANK
What happened?
Ollie looks up at the TV but the story has changed.
OLLIE
She saw Mike on television…
Hank watches him and looks at Selah, who’s still out. He strokes her face
and slaps it gently, trying to wake her. Selah’s eyes flicker open.
HANK
Selah! What did you see?
see, Ollie?
What did she
OLLIE
Mike was being tortured…
Tortured?
HANK
On television?
He looks at the screen but there’s nothing there about Mike.
help Selah up. They go toward the security check.
The two men
CUT TO:
EXT.
DFW AIRPORT – DAY
Hank and Selah get in their truck and leave.
EXT.
FT. WORTH ARENA – DAY
Hank loads his horses into the trailer.
the door. Billy Dillon helps Hank.
Selah goes in the front and shuts
BILLY
God dammit, Hank! I can’t even imagine
what you two are going through. I saw the
tape this morning. It was real bad, son –
I ain’t gonna kid ya.
HANK
I missed it, but Selah saw it.
BILLY
I’m sorry as hell, Hank.
HANK
Yeah, well – we’re going home and try
to think of something. I’ll call you.
Billy squeezes his shoulder and goes back to loading his stock.
in the truck and eases it out of the arena.
EXT.
Hank gets
INTERSTATE – NIGHT
Hank’s truck and trailer head north for Cody.
INT.
TRAILER – NIGHT
Selah sleeps in their bed while Hank drives straight through.
INT.
HANK’S TRUCK – DAY
Hank, with stubble on his jaw, keeps driving by himself.
CUT TO:
EXT.
MADISON RANCH – DAY
Hank’s rig pulls into ranch. He gets out and stretches, then goes to the
trailer and opens the door. He peeks in at Selah, who’s still asleep. He
shuts the door and goes to the house.
ON THE PORCH
Booker Barlow rocks back and forth on the swinging lounge, waiting
patiently. Hank sees him, snaps out of his thoughts.
HANK
Hi, Booker.
Barlow stands up and shakes hands.
INT.
They go inside.
MADISON RANCH – DAY
Hank pours coffee into three mugs.
liberally.
He adds Jack Daniel’s to all three,
HANK
There’s someone outside who needs this
even more than I do.
BARLOW
How is she taking it?
HANK
Better than I am, considering she
actually saw the damn tape and I haven’t.
It must have been bad, ‘cause she fainted
dead away.
Barlow nods.
BARLOW
Yes.
Hank takes Selah’s mug away.
LATER
Hank returns.
HANK
She says hi. She’ll be in when she’s
good and drunk, she says.
BARLOW
I’ve been gathering information on
contractors…
Yeah?
them.
HANK
We just came from seeing one of
In New York.
BARLOW
Which one?
HANK
Tactical Advantage. We’re thinking they
could help get Mike back, if we can get
our congressman to spring for their fee.
Government got him in this jam in the first
place…
BARLOW
They would certainly be the ones to ask…
HANK
Yeah – they’re hard core. And they work
directly for the army. Selah thought maybe
they were already working on it, on the QT.
BARLOW
Selah is correct.
Hank, road-weary, already feeling the booze, looks at Barlow.
HANK
She is?
BARLOW
Hank, recruiting is way up since Mike
was snatched. Did you know that?
(Hank shakes head)
No. But it is. Way up. A lot of boys
want to rescue him. You know – fantasy
stuff. The smart money in DC says that
if Mike gets killed on television, it’s
worth 52 to 54 percent support for the
war for another six months. That will
shut up the doves in Congress long enough
to get into the mid-term election. The
anti-war candidates will lose a couple
of points for fear of jeopardizing
the war – and a couple of points are
enough to die for, as they say. Or kill
for.
Hank appears to be holding his breath.
BARLOW (cont’g)
Really, Hank, other than Dolly Parton,
the administration couldn’t find a better
victim than Mike. He’s made to order.
The American cowboy. Wow.
Hank starts breathing and sips his coffee-flavored whiskey.
HANK
You were saying that Tactical
Advantage would be the ones to
get him back.
Barlow laughs sardonically.
Oh, yes!
BARLOW
They’re the ones!
Hank nods at his good idea, but he doesn’t get Barlow’s humor.
BARLOW (cont’g)
Because they’re the ones who have
him.
EXT.
MADISON RANCH – DAY
Hank goes to the trailer and opens the door.
INT.
TRAILER – DAY
Selah sips her whiskey, looking out window at the mountains.
with his drink.
Hank enters
SELAH
Anything new?
Yep.
INT.
HANK
Come on inside.
MADISON RANCH – NIGHT
Selah puts dinner on the table as the two men plan.
BARLOW
Tactical Advantage is a Defense
Department front company, just as the
CIA has what they call proprietaries –
SELAH
--Like Air America was?
BARLOW
Yes. So, if we take on Tactical
Advantage, we’re taking on the
Pentagon and that wouldn’t get us
too far.
HANK
Yeah.
BARLOW
But our government is actually run from
above, as I’m sure you’ve heard. The
ones with the gold make the rules - the
Golden Rule.
SELAH
You’re saying this isn’t a democracy?
BARLOW
I’m saying we have minority rule
masquerading as majority rule. The
ruling minority owns the gold.
HANK
So, who has the gold?
BARLOW
A few old families. The most well known
is headed by Mr. Bernard Shipman. You’ve
heard of him?
HANK
Hell, I’ve met him.
Barlow stares at Hank.
Selah reacts, a little tipsy.
SELAH
He has a big place in Jackson Hole.
He came to a rodeo here in Cody or
somewhere, and Hank put him up on
one of his pickup horses. He likes
to ride.
HANK
It was in Cheyenne. He invited us
to his ranch in Jackson. That was
after he met Selah, of course.
That’s right.
She points at her glass.
SELAH
Cheyenne – Jack’s fault.
Barlow stares at her and at Hank.
BARLOW
You mean, you could just drive in
to his place near here? Do you
know where it is?
Sure.
HANK
Few hours from here.
Why?
Barlow sighs and stands up. Then he remembers his manners and sits down,
but he’s excited. Hank looks at Selah.
BARLOW
I assumed he lived in New York.
HANK
I think he’s retired. Says he
lives at the ranch, now. Lot of
these super-rich guys are doing
that.
BARLOW
Uh, huh.
Barlow notices Selah’s wonderful dinner and starts to eat.
SELAH
Booker. You say those bastards actually
have Mike? How do you know?
BARLOW
The injured soldier in Mannheim… He
remembered something about that day.
got word to me again…
He
HANK
What?
BARLOW
The attackers thought he was dead, but
he saw a black t-shirt on one them, the
same as they’d all been wearing in Tikrit.
It was bugging him for days, but he didn’t
Want to deal with such a thing.
A black t-shirt?
HANK
That’s the proof?
BARLOW
Black t-shirt with a little yellow logo,
right here.
HANK
What kind of logo?
BARLOW
Something like this.
Barlow pulls out a creased paper from his sport coat.
and
Hank opens it up
CLOSE UP
Twin lightning bolts around the initials “TA,” in yellow on black.
Hank nods.
HANK
Okay, that’s good enough for me. Now,
why the big interest in Mr. Shipman?
BARLOW
Well, Mr. Shipman owns Tactical Advantage.
He also owns the other private contractor
firms in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are
government fronts, but he actually, legally
owns them. Along with a few major oil
companies and banks, as we all know.
Just like old man Doole actually owned
Air America. Shipman owns a lot of things
and a lot of people, such as your Mr. Colby,
ho’s probably never met Bernard Shipman.
Hank and Selah, slightly drunk, attempt to deal with this.
HANK
Okay. Okay. Now that we know this, what
are we going to do?
BARLOW
Well, we’re going to make us a trade.
We’re going to put our trading pants on.
They look at him blankly.
BARLOW (cont’g)
We’re going to trade Mr. Shipman
for Mike. That’d be a fair trade,
wouldn’t it?
Hank nods weakly.
HANK
That’s a real good plan, Booker.
There’s more to it?
BARLOW
(thinks)
We’ll pick him up.
CUT TO:
EXT.
JACKSON HOLE – DAY
INT.
TRUCK - DAY
Hank drives the truck and trailer. Selah and Barlow are with him. They
head south on the Yellowstone Hiway. As they pass a dirt crossroad, Hank
points up toward the rugged Teton Range.
HANK
That’s the way to the back entrance
to his place. Go up there about three
miles and that’s where we’ll be.
They keep driving into Jackson like tourists, along with hundreds of cars
and trucks, many pulling horse trailers.
They keep going and eventually come to the magnificent entrance to the
Shipman ranch. It is gated and guarded. They pass by.
BARLOW
You say you’ve been in there?
HANK
I used to cowboy for the previous
owner - Miller. Haven’t been there
since Shipman bought it.
BARLOW
You know the damnedest people.
HANK
We’re rich in friends.
A mile farther, Hank pulls over and parks.
EXT.
They get out.
JACKSON HOLE – DAY
Hank and Selah bring out three of his pickup horses.
cinches and gives the reins of one to Barlow.
BARLOW
Thank you.
HANK
We got us a pretty good ride
Hank checks their
ahead, Booker – you up for it?
BARLOW
I come from a long line of cowboys.
Hank and Selah smile.
Hank checks his saddlebags.
BARLOW (cont’g)
I’m serious! Don’t you know most
of the original cowboys after the
Civil War were Negroes? My forebears
were among them.
HANK
That’s good enough for me. ‘Bout
four hours, Honey.
Hank mounts up and so does Barlow. Hank takes the lead rope of the third
horse and they head for the high country. He turns around and waves at
Selah. She gets in the truck and
heads for Jackson.
LATER
Hank and Barlow encounter a barbed wire fence. Hank dismounts and goes to
his saddlebag, fishes out a fence tool. He hands his horses to Barlow and
cuts the four strands of wire. Then he pulls them out of the way and gets
back on.
BARLOW
You don’t think it’s electrified?
HANK
Now’s a hell of a time to ask.
BARLOW
I don’t mean hot, I mean an alarm.
HANK
Nah. Just a fence for cattle. He
runs five thousand head here, or
more. Let’s just hope we don’t run
into his cowboys.
They enter a large herd of beef cattle and ride off through it. Some of
the steers begin to examine the hole in the fence and naturally go through
it.
Hank looks back at the escape.
HANK
That should keep the hands busy!
LATER
They ride down a draw and up a hill and suddenly they see the main house.
They keep riding.
EXT.
SHIPMAN RANCH – DAY
Hank and Barlow ride right up to the main house. Several SUVs and a truck
are parked in front. They dismount and tie the horses to the hitching
rail. Hank goes to his saddlebags and brings out an old Colt Single
Action six-shooter and coils of soft rope. Then they go up the steps and
open the front door, and walk in. Barlow produces a pistol from his coat
pocket.
INT.
SHIPMAN MANSION – DAY
The BUTLER is startled as he heads to the door at the sound.
his revolver from the hip.
Hank levels
HANK
Take us to Mr. Shipman.
Without a word, the butler turns and leads them to the main living room.
They follow him into the fabulous room, with a dozen hunting trophies
scattered around, with a huge view of the Tetons. Four MEN sit talking in
large leather chairs. One of them sees the intruders and stiffens.
BARLOW
Please stay seated, gentlemen!
The men all jerk around. One of them jumps up and Barlow shoots him. He
falls, wounded and yelling. The others are glued to their seats. Hank
glances out the window to see if anyone heard the shot. Barlow picks up
the fired brass.
BARLOW
Which of you is Mr. Shipman?
Hank points to the oldest one. SHIPMAN looks at Hank as if at someone
he’s met. The yelling distracts him as Hank cuts four-foot lengths of the
soft rope and starts tying everyone up securely.
HANK
Come here, you.
The butler submits to having his hands tied to his feet in a way that
keeps him from getting up, as with the other three. Barlow ties Shipman’s
hands behind him but lets him stand.
SHIPMAN
What in the world do you think
you’re doing?
BARLOW
Soon enough, sir – all will be
revealed. And I do mean all.
Okay, whose Escalade is that?
SHIPMAN
It’s mine.
BARLOW
Of course.
They hustle Shipman out of the house.
EXT.
SHIPMAN RANCH – DAY
Barlow looks in the Escalade for the keys. He gets in and starts it,
hiding it around the back of a nearby barn. Then he runs back to help
Hank. Together, they hoist the old man up on his horse and then mount up.
Hank leads the one horse and they trot out of the yard. Shipman bounces
so badly that he nearly falls off, with his hands tied behind him. They
stop, Hank pulls his switchblade and cuts the rope, allowing Shipman to
hang on. He keeps the lead rope and they take off again, at a canter.
Shipman hangs on for dear life. Hank stows his revolver in his saddlebag.
LATER
They approach the meeting place at a walk. A rain squall threatens.
checks behind for followers. He pulls a black bandana out of his
saddlebag and pulls up next to Shipman and ties it around his eyes.
I know you.
Hank
SHIPMAN
Don’t I.
HANK
You’re going to know me better.
SHIPMAN
I can pay whatever you want.
I know you can.
HANK
I want my son.
They wait and soon Selah appears in the truck and trailer. She parks and
they pull Shipman off his horse and hustle him into the living quarters of
the trailer. Barlow gets in with Shipman. Hank padlocks the door, loads
the horses and then they’re away, back down the road. They just beat the
rain squall.
CUT TO:
INT.
TRAILER – DAY
As the rain begins to hammer the trailer, Barlow sits across from Shipman.
BARLOW
Mr. Shipman, I’m of two minds
about you. One of my minds needs
to trade you for a fine young fellah
who’s being tortured, and might be
dead already. If he survives, and
you tell me everything I need to
know, then that’s what will happen:
you’ll be traded.
(pauses)
My other mind wants to kill you, for
all the death and suffering that you,
sir, personally have caused to happen
due to your greed. If the young man
dies, as is intended to happen, then
I or the other man will kill you.
SHIPMAN
Well, I hope I am traded.
it you wish to know?
What is
BARLOW
Things you won’t wish to tell me.
SHIPMAN
Are you desperate men?
BARLOW
He is – I’m not.
SHIPMAN
Is there a figure in your mind
that would get me released now?
BARLOW
No. There is no such figure. You
are too intelligent to think there
could be such a figure.
SHIPMAN
That is very frightening to me.
BARLOW
I’m sure it’s a new experience.
But in the end, unless the young
man dies, it will be your vast
wealth that gets you traded, for I
doubt that anyone loves you.
SHIPMAN
If he dies, you will kill me.
Yes, sir.
BARLOW
That’s a fact.
SHIPMAN
What is his name?
BARLOW
Mike Madison. Some of your gangsters kidnapped him. They’re
torturing him now, and plan to cut
his head off in a few days.
My gangsters?
SHIPMAN
Which ones?
BARLOW
Tactical Advantage – recognize it?
SHIPMAN
I’m afraid not.
BARLOW
It doesn’t matter for now. So.
This trailer will be your home
for a couple of days. You shall
be making some statements on camera,
for the record. You’re going to
clear up some mysteries in the
people’s minds.
SHIPMAN
Am I?
BARLOW
Yes, sir. I’ve spent most of my
career persuading people to tell
things they didn’t want to tell me.
SHIPMAN
You don’t need to frighten me more
than you already have.
BARLOW
Those people up ahead of us are
frightened, Mr. Shipman. Their
son, if he’s still alive, is more
frightened than you can imagine.
Do you watch television?
SHIPMAN
No, I do not.
BARLOW
(shrugs)
The truth will make you free, if
your gangsters don’t kill the boy.
SHIPMAN
I ask again, what do you wish to
know? Please give me an idea.
BARLOW
The basics of life.
The basics?
SHIPMAN
What are those?
BARLOW
The things that have made you so
rich, and have made the people so
poor – and afraid.
Shipman looks away for the first time.
rodeo calendar, tacked to the wall.
Barlow gets up and looks at Hank’s
BARLOW (cont’g)
The door is locked, so there’s
no need for me to tie you up. If
you yell, I’ll gag you. Now, I’m
tired from our long horseback ride
and I’m going to lie down. I suggest
you prepare your confession. It
should be quite extensive.
(checks date)
Young Mike’s head will be cut off
in three days.
He goes into the bedroom.
SHIPMAN
Perhaps I can intervene!
BARLOW (OS)
Let us pray. First, prepare
your confession. There’s paper
on the table.
SHIPMAN
(hesitates)
Where do I begin?
OS, Barlow sighs ironically as he lies on the bed.
INT.
HANK’S TRUCK – NIGHT
Hank drives east, through the rain.
I’m wide awake.
Selah sips coffee.
SELAH
Want me to drive?
HANK
In a while. Rapid City’s about
fifteen hours.
SELAH
Do you think this will work?
HANK
Should. I’ll probably be busted,
but if we get Mike back…
SELAH
What do you think they’re doing?
HANK
Booker is working him.
SELAH
Is that what you did in Vietnam?
With Booker?
HANK
Me? No, I was just a soldier. So
was he. The spook stuff came later.
EXT.
WYOMING BACK ROAD – NIGHT
Hank’s truck and trailer roar through the rain.
CUT TO:
EXT.
FBI HQ DC – DAY
LS of the Hoover FBI Building.
CROWLEY (VO)
Sir, this is Inspector Crowley,
calling from Bernard Shipman’s
ranch…
FBI DIRECTOR (VO)
What happened there, Crowley?
CUT TO:
EXT.
SHIPMAN RANCH – DAY
The government’s AGENTS swarm around in the rain, looking for clues. They
enter and exit main house. The butler is distressed at the mess they
make. Three helicopters are parked on the huge lawn.
INSPECTOR CROWLEY speaks into his cell phone from the porch.
CROWLEY
Mr. Shipman was kidnapped at about
noon yesterday. Four people tied up,
one shot – not serious. Two male
adults, one white, one black, dressed
as cowboys. We’re not sure yet how
they took him out of here. Possibly
on horseback. It’s raining, so
tracking them is not possible.
FBI DIRECTOR (VO)
Who is on the scene?
CROWLEY
Besides us, sir, there’s CIA, DIA,
army and some private investigators.
FBI DIRECTOR (VO)
Press?
CROWLEY
They’re being held at the entrance.
FBI DIRECTOR (VO)
Crowley, who were the others?
CROWLEY
Well, sir, two are network CEOs
and the injured man is deputy CIA
director Remington. All insist
on anonymity.
FBI DIRECTOR (VO)
Where the hell was their security?
CROWLEY
It appears this was a highly, ah,
confidential meeting, sir. Shipman,
according to the butler, felt quite
safe here.
FBI DIRECTOR (VO)
I see. Well, top priority, Crowley.
Where can we expect ransom demands
to be received?
CROWLEY
We’re setting up here, sir.
CUT TO:
EXT.
RAPID CITY – DAY
Hank’s truck and trailer, Selah at the wheel, rolls through town.
advertise the weekend rodeo.
EXT.
Banners
RODEO GROUNDS – DAY
Selah drives the rig into the rodeo grounds among the big stock rigs and
competitors’ trailers. She parks.
Hank wakes up in the back seat and gets out. He and Selah unload the
horses and lead them into the nearby pens. Hank opens tack door and hauls
out two saddles and tack, placing them on the pen’s rail.
HANK
Okay. You can take off. Let
me know when Booker has what we
need. Time’s short!
They kiss and Selah gets in truck and pulls out.
Hank heads for the arena.
INT.
ARENA – DAY
Hank spots the stock contractor, RED GRANGER, who’s inspecting a chute
gate. He pats Red on the back, startling him.
Damn, boy!
RED
Sneakin’ up on me. You
sure you want to work?
HANK
I’m sure.
But – damn, boy!
uh – you know…
RED
They’re fixin’ to,
HANK
Yeah. Uh, Red – Selah had to haul some
colts and I need a place to lie down.
RED
Well, there’s the semi sleeper.
The new one. Pretty nice!
Hank nods and pats his arm, leaves.
Red shakes his head.
RED (cont’g)
(whispers)
Damn, boy.
CUT TO:
EXT.
OVERHEAD – DAY
We fly over Mt. Rushmore and catch up with Selah as she goes from Rapid
City to Custer. Then we fly over the Crazy Horse Monument as she pulls
into the parking area. We see her get out and go back to the trailer,
unlock it and go in.
CUT TO:
INT.
TRAILER – DAY
Selah enters and glances at Shipman, who looks to her for signs of
compassion. There is none. Selah finds the digital video machine and a
tripod. She quickly sets it up and aims it at Shipman, who studies her.
Barlow sits behind camera.
SHIPMAN
(light bulb)
Of course! The rodeo cowboy.
Madison. Yes, I remember now.
Not your son? Surely!
BARLOW
Can’t forget a pretty face?
Selah ignores him and leaves, locking the door from outside.
SHIPMAN
Such classic native beauty…
BARLOW
This material is interesting,
Bernard, but not basic enough.
SHIPMAN
Exactly what is meant by basic?
BARLOW
The basic things that you use to
control us – oil, war and money.
That’s what we’re going to discuss.
CUT TO:
EXT.
BAGHDAD SAFEHOUSE – NIGHT
In the basement, the floodlights are off. Mike slumps against a dank
concrete wall, a steel collar around his throat, chained to the wall. He
is barely recognizable, and his orange jumpsuit is filthy with dried blood
and muck.
Contractor 1 enters basement and stands over Mike. He kicks his bloody
leg. Mike’s mouth contorts in pain but he does not make a sound. He
awakens and stares up at his torturer.
CONTRACTOR 1
Shit! Do you stink! You stink
like you’re already dead! You’ll
be dead soon, however. Coupla
days, and I’m gonna cut off your
head. I’m gonna do it on primetime
live in the good ol’ USA. No video
tape this time, cowboy. Live! Then
I’m gonna keep your head in a pickle
jar, like Geronimo. Keep it in our
club. We’ll send your stinkin’ body
home for your redskin jerks to play
with, but we’ll keep your head.
Whaddya think about that?
Mike tries to ignore him and think about his grandfather, touches his
throat for the missing medicine bag.
Contractor 1 leaves Mike. We follow him upstairs where the other
contractors sit around the kitchen.
CONTRACTOR 1 (cont’g)
Okay, let’s do it…
They leave one guard behind and exit house.
EXT.
ROADBLOCK – DAWN
A line of Iraqi civilian vehicles inches through roadblock. A SOLDIER
points at a taxicab and marks him for a search. Up closer, the soldier is
a contractor. The CAB DRIVER pulls out of line. The contractor
approaches his door.
CONTRACTOR 3
Papers!
The cab driver produces his papers.
CONTRACTOR 3 (cont’g)
Get out and go inside and wait!
We’re gonna search your car!
The cab driver obeys and enters shack.
INT.
ROADBLOCK SHACK – DAY
It is later. The cab driver perspires as the sun gets higher. Finally,
Contractor 4 motions to him from the counter. He goes to the counter.
CONTRACTOR 4
Okay! You check out. But you
gotta go to the police station
to get your papers back, ‘cause
they gotta have a record of the
search. Get it? Police station?
Your papers will be at the police
station.
The driver nods slowly.
Yes.
sir.
DRIVER
Police station. Thank you,
CONTRACTOR 4
Go straight to the police station
now! Okay?
DRIVER
Yes, sir – now.
The cab driver makes his way to his car and gets in.
the roadblock and is waved through.
He pulls away from
We follow the cab driver as he makes his way through Baghdad traffic.
Eventually, he sees the station and steers into the small parking lot
among the Iraqi police cars. Several IRAQI COPS, speaking in a group,
turn to watch the cab pull up and park next to them.
INT.
ARMORED VEHICLE – DAY
From inside the APC, Contractor 1 watches the cab driver get out and speak
to the cops. Holding a remote control device, he pushes button. The cab
explodes and the men disappear.
CONTRACTOR 1
Damn! Suicide bombers are all
over the place.
CONTRACTOR 2
(chuckles)
That one definitely is.
CUT TO:
EXT.
CRAZY HORSE MONUMENT – DAY
Hank’s truck and trailer are in the parking lot.
INT.
CRAZY HORSE MUSEUM – DAY
Selah kills time, viewing the Indian art and other displays.
at the great unfinished mountain sculpture.
She gazes up
Selah finds the Nez Perce tribal section, with its details on the
Appaloosas, most of which were slaughtered by the US Cavalry in its
attempt to destroy Chief Joseph and his people. She shakes her head
sadly.
Then, curious, she looks for the Comanche section, finds it:
The Comanche – Masters of the Horse
She reads the material with interest.
CUT TO:
INT.
RAPID CITY ARENA – NIGHT
The rodeo is underway. Hank picks up in the bronc riding with his
partner. The stands are packed, since many are curious about the pickup
man whose son is about to be beheaded. They watch him in morbid
fascination, wondering how he could be doing that at this time. The
announcer is uneasy and doesn’t mention Hank’s situation. The cowboys are
uneasy and don’t understand his seemingly callous attitude.
The audience doesn’t concentrate on the rodeo, but on Hank. He seems
oblivious, as pickup men always seem when they’re working. They never
look at the crowd. Hank is no different.
CUT TO:
INT.
DENVER FBI REGIONAL HQ – DAY
Inspector Crowley is handed the Denver Post as he talks on phone.
OIL, BANK MAGNATE KIDNAPPED
CROWLEY
Hell. No, sir – sorry. The Post
just ran the Shipman story. I’d
hoped we’d get one more day before…
yes, sir – I have the NRO satellite
photos in front of me. The Shipman
ranch is quite clear and we may have
the suspects’ vehicle in place. We
have a silver Dodge one-ton crew cab
dually pulling a rather long trailer,
aluminum roof. Probably a horse
trailer. The fence was cut near the
vehicle, so this is likely the one.
Yes, it’s a common truck. Yes, sir –
it could be anywhere by now.
CUT TO:
EXT.
JACKSON STREET – DAY
Police cars follow various trucks hauling trailers.
CUT TO:
EXT.
CRAZY HORSE – DAY
Selah comes out of the living quarters and padlocks the door.
goes to the truck, gets in and pulls away.
INT.
She quickly
HANK’S TRUCK – DAY
Selah drives back through Rapid City and then south on I-90.
She holds her cell phone to her ear as she drives.
SELAH
You can go ahead and do it.
love you, Hank – no matter.
INT.
I
RODEO ARENA – NIGHT
The night before the deadline. Again, Hank is picking up and now the
grandstands are standing room only. The cowboys stare at Hank, not
knowing what to think of his strange behavior. It’s just another day at
work for him. The news media have shown up from the networks and big
papers. Everyone wants an interview with this stoic, cold individual who
has stayed out of sight all day until now.
This is the final performance for the Rapid City Rodeo and the grand entry
is underway. Hank and his pickup partner gallop in at the end of the
parade. The guest SINGER starts to sing the National Anthem. All the
cowboys face the huge flag and take off their hats. All except Hank
Madison. He deliberately turns his horse away from the flag and keeps his
hat on.
The crowd gasps audibly at this show of contempt. The cowboys look at
Hank in shock. He sits quietly, with his back to the flag. Finally, the
song is over and no one applauds. The stands are deathly quiet. The
announcer is at a loss for words. Then he starts to speak but must clear
his throat.
ANNOUNCER
Folks, ah – welcome to the finals
and short round of this great Rapid
City Rodeo. Hope you’re all having
a good time.
Silence.
Hank canters his horse around in a small circle to warm it up and then
sits still, waiting for the first bareback rider.
ANNOUNCER (cont’g)
Okay! Well, aim your eyes at chute
number six! Here comes Wallace Minty
on Busted Flush of the Red Granger Rodeo
string! Ride ‘em, cowboy!
The COWBOY makes a good ride but at the whistle is jerked forward and the
bronc hits his face with the back of its head, knocking him out. Hank
anticipates, knowing the horse, and is alongside as the rider falls over,
away from Hank. If he falls, his trapped fingers will twist him right
under the galloping horse. Hank leans over and almost sits on the bucker
as he grabs the unconscious rider’s free arm and pulls him back up and
into his lap. Then he hoists them both onto Hank’s running horse. It
seems impossible and no one can believe what he’s just seen!
The silent stands erupt in wild applause as flashbulbs capture every
second of the feat. Hank canters over to the medical personnel who come
rushing out. He eases the rider into their arms and then goes to help his
partner clear the bronc out of the arena, then returns and stops. Red
Granger, next to the out alley, looks up at him, puts his hand on Hank’s
padded red chap leg.
RED
Damn, boy – that was good. Like
a wild Comanche Indian!
Hank glances down at him, deadpan.
action.
Then he moves away for the next
RED (cont’g)
Blood will tell…
The excited audience remembers who it’s looking at and feels guilty for
its enthusiasm. The announcer doesn’t mention the sensational save. No
one quite knows what to think. That man’s son, the beloved World
Champion, is about to have his head cut off. What are we all doing at
this rodeo, enjoying ourselves?
CUT TO:
INT.
HANK’S TRUCK – NIGHT
Selah comes to Pine Ridge exit and steers to the right.
the reservation, going south.
She heads into
CUT TO:
INT.
RODEO ARENA – NIGHT
The last bull rider is bucked off and the rodeo is over. Hank runs the
bull out of the arena and keeps riding through the out alley behind the
chutes. He is met by a gang of television CAMERAMEN and REPORTERS, who
know exactly where he’ll be.
television lights.
Still mounted, he squints in the bright
REPORTER 1
Hank! What are you doing here
when your son is about to be killed?
HANK
I’m doing my job.
REPORTER 2
Doing your job? But your son!
Don’t you care?
HANK
Yep.
I care.
REPORTER 3
Well, why did you turn your back
on the flag tonight? What were
you saying? Do you blame the
government?
HANK
Yes, I blame the government.
REPORTER 1
Well, do you have anything to
say to the terrorists who are
going to kill Mike?
HANK
Yes, I do.
Hank steps down and ties his horse to the stock trailer.
CAMERAMAN 1
Over here, Hank!
He moves into the light again.
HANK
I have a message for the terrorists
who plan to kill my son. It’s a
message from Mr. Bernard Shipman.
Stunned silence.
HANK (cont’g)
Mr. Shipman says he’d like them
to release Mike tonight, or whatever time it is in Iraq right
now. Mr. Shipman says that he
wants to be traded for Mike. In fact,
he demands it. He also demands that
Mike be able to see and speak and do
everything he could do before he was
kidnapped. If Mike has his eyes
poked out, for example, Mr. Shipman
really wouldn’t like that, he says.
(pauses)
Did you get all that?
REPORTER 2
Hank? Are you saying – are you
saying that YOU know where Bernard
Shipman is?
No.
HANK
I just know what he wants.
REPORTER 1
How do you know, Hank? How do
you know! Did you kidnap Bernard
Shipman? Are you the COWBOY who
kidnapped Bernard Shipman?
CUT TO:
EXT.
BAGHDAD SAFE HOUSE – DAY
An armored personnel carrier roars out of the yard.
EXT.
GREEN ZONE – DAY
On the outskirts of the Green Zone, the APC stops in the shelter of other
vehicles and trees. When it starts up, the filthy form of Mike Madison
lies in the road, with his other clothes and boots and belt and hat and
his grandfather’s medicine bag strewn around him.
Eventually, an Iraqi CHILD notices the still form and inspects it.
runs to the Green Zone checkpoint, pointing back.
He
CUT TO:
EXT.
PINE RIDGE RESERVATION – NIGHT
Bernard Shipman walks up to a tribal store in the moonlight. The store is
closed. He goes to the door and knocks loudly. Next door, a light comes
on.
LAKOTA MAN (OS)
It’s closed!
SHIPMAN
I beg your pardon. May I use
a telephone?
INT.
LAKOTA HOUSE – NIGHT
Lancaster speaks into the telephone.
with puzzled expressions.
The LAKOTA MAN and his WIFE watch
SHIPMAN (cont’g)
This is Bernard Shipman speaking.
I’ve just been released. I’m not
harmed. Just a minute.
(to his hosts)
I’m sorry – where am I?
LAKOTA MAN
Wounded Knee?
Shipman clears his throat, considering this information.
SHIPMAN
I’m in Wounded Knee, South Dakota.
Here, this gentleman will give you
the actual location. Thank you.
The Lakota man takes the phone.
moonlight.
Shipman wanders out the door, into the
CUT TO:
INT.
RODEO ARENA – DAWN
Still surrounded by bleary-eyed reporters and cameramen, Hank is arrested
by Crowley. Red Granger watches in shock nearby.
RED
Your hosses’ll be fine, Hank!
CROWLEY
Where’s your rig? Where’s your
wife, Madison? You there!
He motions at Red Granger, who stays put.
RED
Yeah?
CROWLEY
What’s his truck and trailer look
like? Where is it? It is a
federal crime to lie to the FBI!
Red Granger spits and walks away.
Crowley puts Hank in car.
CUT TO:
EXT.
SHIPMAN RANCH – DAY
Three black SUVs drive up to the main house.
get out and go to front door.
INT.
Several MEN in dark suits
SHIPMAN LIVING ROOM – DAY
The butler enters the room where sits Bernard Shipman.
BUTLER
The Attorney General, sir.
SHIPMAN
Yes, Henry – show him in.
The butler withdraws and the ATTORNEY GENERAL enters with an ASSISTANT.
Shipman gestures to be seated.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
How are you feeling, sir?
SHIPMAN
Really, it was not as bad as it
might have been…
ATTORNEY GENERAL
But you could easily have died.
SHIPMAN
Ferdinand, I asked you here
because I do not want the spectacle
of a trial.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
I don’t understand.
SHIPMAN
I want all charges against Mr.
Madison dropped.
The attorney general stares at Shipman.
He shakes his head.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
I’m afraid, sir, that that is
not possible. There’s been too
much publicity —
SHIPMAN
Anything is possible, Ferdinand.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Sir, the nature of the, uh, exchange
is doubtless awkward for you. The
president himself, due to his close
friendship with you, was frankly
hammered about your relationship in
yesterday’s press conference. For
us to drop charges now – well, it
really is not politically possible.
I’m deeply sorry.
Shipman finally nods.
SHIPMAN
Thank you for coming all this way,
Ferdinand.
The attorney general blinks and eventually gets up and exits.
CUT TO:
EXT.
DENVER FEDERAL COURTHOUSE – DAY
Hank, in an orange jumpsuit and heavy shackles, is hustled from a van into
the federal detention center.
INT.
DETENTION CENTER
Hank goes into the belly of the beast and is booked and processed.
handled roughly by federal guards.
INT.
He is
CELLS
Hank is placed in a cell.
The bars clang shut.
CUT TO:
EXT.
MANNHEIM HOSPITAL – NIGHT
INT.
HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Soldier 1 lies in bed, still immobilized and hooked up.
with another patient on a gurney.
His nurse enters
NURSE
Hey, Soldier. Here’s a new
neighbor for you.
Soldier 1 twists stiffly and sees Mike as he’s transferred to the next
bed. Mike notices him and grins weakly.
SOLDIER 1
Small world.
HANK
(pained whisper)
That dude was wrong – you’re good
enough.
CUT TO:
EXT.
DENVER FEDERAL COURTHOUSE – DAY
INT. CELLS
Hank is rousted from his bunk by two guards.
GUARD
Okay, Madison – let’s go.
INT.
COURTROOM
Hank sits in the orange jumpsuit in handcuffs. His lawyer, JOE LONNIGAN,
addresses the JUDGE. US ATTORNEY TURLEY sits at his table.
LONNIGAN
Could we have the handcuffs off,
Your Honor?
The judge looks at the bailiff, who removes the cuffs.
JUDGE
All right. This is a bail hearing
in US v. Henry Madison. Mr. Turley?
Turley stands.
TURLEY
Thank you, Your Honor. Defendant
is a flight risk. We ask no bail.
JUDGE
Granted. Anything else? Preliminary hearing is set for –
Lonnigan stands.
LONNIGAN
Your Honor, my client claims his
Constitutional right to a speedy
trial. We do not waive time, which
begins today…
TURLEY
Your Honor! That’s preposterous!
My trial schedule is fully committed for eight months. Sixty
days from now? Impossible!
The judge glares at Lonnigan.
JUDGE
Mr. Lonnigan, this is highly
irregular. I suggest you counsel
your client to reconsider this
claim, which could be regarded by
this court as contemptuous!
LONNIGAN
Your Honor, in the interest of
Justice, and to help the government
dispense justice, and perhaps to
save everyone’s precious time,
including that of Mr. Madison, I
have a video that you and Mr. Turley
should see NOW?, before any further
procedure is set in concrete…
Both the judge and the prosecutor drop their jaws.
JUDGE
Very well.
LONNIGAN
May I suggest that Your Honor clear
the courtroom?
The judge and prosecutor are speechless as Lonnigan produces a video disc
and goes to the court’s video player. Finally, the judge raps his gavel.
Lonnigan holds up two more discs.
Bailiff!
JUDGE
Clear the courtroom.
LONNIGAN
Your Honor, here is a copy of what you
are about to see, and one for Mr. Turley…
Of course, there are other copies, as well…
The judge and prosecutor watch the monitor as the face of Bernard Shipman
appears. Behind him is a bed sheet that masks the wall of the trailer.
SHIPMAN
My name is Bernard Shipman. The
date is February 6th. I have been
asked to discuss the nature of the
basics of American life, and my role
in those basics, which have to do
with petroleum, war and money. I hope
to be traded for Mike Madison, who
is currently in the custody of men
who are in my employ. I do not know
their names, but they are part of a
private contracting firm operating in
Iraq and elsewhere which I apparently
own, the name of which is Tactical
Advantage, run through my Swiss holding
company, Quatro Holdings. I do know
that Quatro is my company. Tactical
Advantage’s offices are in Manhattan.
The judge closes his eyes.
to his head.
The prosecutor, still standing, holds a hand
SHIPMAN (cont’g)
As I say, I hope to be traded for
Mr. Madison, if my men haven’t already killed him. If they have
killed him, then I shall be killed,
I’m afraid. My men are posing as
Iraqi insurgents. They are highly
paid provocateurs.
The judge and the prosecutor glare at Hank, who ignores them.
SHIPMAN (cont’g)
This is no reflection on Mr. Hank
Madison, of course. It is only
natural that he do anything in his
power to save his son. I shall
try to prevent his prosecution,
assuming I am still alive and can
do so.
The judge and prosecutor both sigh resignedly.
SHIPMAN (cont’g)
Now, as to the Basics. I shall
start with petroleum…
CUT TO:
EXT.
WYOMING MOUNTAINS – DAY
Selah stands on top of a beautiful mountain, one arm outstretched, letting
tobacco drop in the breeze.
SELAH
It is Selah, your humble servant, here,
full of appreciation and gratefulness.
Hear my prayer. You have answered me:
My son is safe. I am filled with joy and
my heart is at peace. I ask for a healing
to go out to the hearts and minds of those
who stole him from our family, his friends
and this country. Bring peace of heart to
those who war upon the sacred land. Heal
them so that our son may return to us whole.
(pauses)
With all this joy my heart and soul are still
heavy and incomplete with my husband, Hank,
absent from my side. We walk side by side.
Accept this offer of tobacco in thankfulness.
I ask that we walk side by side this day and
days to come while on this journey.
CUT TO:
INT.
COURTROOM
SHIPMAN (cont’g)
The oil shortage is a myth, created
by the dishonest claim that it is a
fossil fuel. As the Russians have
proven, oil is a renewable resource,
constantly produced deep in the earth,
with no connection to ancient plant
and animal life. My public relations
firms have given the people the idea
that we are in
danger of running out
of oil, but this has only served to
allow us to keep prices high. That is
the only purpose of this, ah, lie that
we have foisted on the people due to
our, um - our greed. Yes, I am being
coerced to say this, and what follows,
but it is the truth in any case.
JUDGE
Mr. Lonnigan, how much more of this?
LONNIGAN
Lots more, Your Honor.
SHIPMAN
My role in the three Basics is the reason
I have been abducted and forced to reveal
what follows. It is true that my grandfather
and my father groomed me, as I have groomed
my children, to perpetuate this predatory
system against the people of America – and
the rest of the world. I come from a family
of predators, it is true. As one former
president has admitted, if the American people
knew the extent of our crimes against them,
they would hunt us down and lynch us all.
Hank looks straight ahead, apparently not listening.
head in his hands.
The judge puts his
SHIPMAN (cont’g)
Regarding War, and the present war
America is waging against the Moslem
people, well, it is all another lie.
Yes, I and my associates arranged
for lies to be told as pretexts to
invade Afghanistan and Iraq, and now
Iran and others to come. I suppose
the general lie is that America
deserves to occupy other countries
and steal their resources and to kill
anyone who objects to our aggression.
But the specific lie, the most horrible,
is the massacre that, um, we arranged
on September the 11th, 2001. The
World Trade Center was not attacked by
Arabs, it was attacked by me and my
associates. The attack was planned
many years ago as a repetition of the
attack against Pearl Harbor. We knew
that the American people would respond
against Arabs with anger with that
spectacular attack. And the three
buildings of the Trade Center were
professionally demolished by the firm
Precision Demolitions, Inc., which is
also owned by me —
The prosecutor drops his glasses on his table.
He sits.
TURLEY
Your Honor – Counselor, please stop.
Lonnigan stops the video.
JUDGE
(sighs)
Yes, Mr. Turley?
TURLEY
Your Honor… I must request a –
I ask that a gag order be issued.
LONNIGAN
I object, Your Honor!
JUDGE
Excuse me. Mr. Turley, I’m afraid
that is not possible now.
TURLEY
But Your Honor! This is dreadful
information! It will destroy the
government!
LONNIGAN
As I said, there’s lots more… He
hasn’t gotten to Money yet.
JUDGE
Gentlemen, I’m going to recuse myself
from this case. And I don’t know about
you, Mr. Turley, but I am announcing my
retirement today.
LONNIGAN
Before you go, Your Honor, I would like
Mr. Madison to be released on his own
recognizance, preliminary to a motion
that all charges be dropped.
The prosecutor opens his mouth and then closes it.
LONNIGAN (cont’g)
Your Honor, I understand your
decision. Mr. Turley, I predict
that no one in the federal government is safe now. Copies of this
confession have been well distributed and the story should break
at any time. It is too awful for
words. Mr. Shipman says later
that he will cooperate with the
proper authorities, but I fear
that there is no “proper authority”
in this country, according to his
confession. We could be facing
anarchy, gentlemen.
that, of course.
You realize
JUDGE
That’s enough, Mr. Lonnigan. Motion
granted. Mr. Madison? You are free
to go. Good luck to you.
The judge gets up and leaves quickly through the back door. Turley just
sits there. Lonnigan puts his papers away and retrieves the disc. Hank
gets up. Lonnigan looks at him.
LONNIGAN
BAILIFF!
The bailiff pokes his head into the courtroom.
judge.
He looks around for the
LONNIGAN (cont’g)
Get this man his clothes!
(to Turley)
You want this?
He holds the disc.
Turley shakes his head.
CUT TO:
EXT.
SHIPMAN RANCH – NIGHT
A black SUV parks in front of the main house.
INT.
Two MEN in suits get out.
SHIPMAN MANSION – NIGHT
A knock at the door.
dark suits.
The butler opens it.
Contractors 1 and 2 appear in
CONTRACTOR 1
Justice Department. Need to see
Mr. Shipman…
The butler steps aside but Contractor 2 shoots him with a silenced pistol.
The butler drops by the door, wounded.
Hey!
CONTRACTOR 1 (cont’g)
You’re wreckin’ this deal!
CONTRACTOR 2
Okay – I’ll clean it up.
CONTRACTOR 1
Well, yeah? This is a suicide,
remember? Now, where is the old
prick?
Shipman appears, hearing the commotion.
He sees the butler.
SHIPMAN
Henry! What’s wrong with Henry?
Who are you?
Contractor 1 slowly takes Shipman’s shirt and pulls him to the stairs.
CONTRACTOR 1
Let’s go, old timer. Where’s a
typewriter?
He pulls Shipman up the staircase.
UPSTAIRS
Contractor 1 pulls Shipman from room to room until he sees what he needs.
He pulls him into the office.
INT.
OFFICE – NIGHT
Contractor 1 forces Shipman to sit at his desk.
automatic and gets in front of Shipman.
He produces a small
CONTRACTOR 1 (cont’g)
Say “ah!”
Shipman looks up at him beseechingly but keeps his mouth shut. Contractor
1 grabs his ear lobe and twists viciously. Shipman opens his mouth in
pain. Contractor 1 forces the muzzle into his mouth and pulls the
trigger. He finds paper and inserts it into the typewriter.
DOWNSTAIRS
Contractors 1 and 2 pick up the butler and take him outside.
Contractor 2 returns and wipes the hardwood floor.
EXT.
SHIPMAN RANCH – NIGHT
The contractors load the butler into the SUV.
INT.
SUV – NIGHT
The butler is wedged between the two contractors.
CONTRACTOR 2
Think they’ll buy suicide?
CONTRACTOR 1
You know, it probably doesn’t matter.
We’re just sending a message: keep
your stinkin’ mouth shut! I’d a cut his
head off but that would definitely have
ruled out suicide.
He looks at the hapless butler and grins.
CONTRACTOR 1 (cont’g)
So you’re a real butler, huh? You can
be a stand-in for your old boss. I’m
Soon,
gonna cut your head off, butler.
be a first for me! You, too?
That’ll
The butler closes his eyes and prays.
CUT TO:
EXT.
MADISON RANCH – DAY
Hank’s truck and trailer are parked near the house.
INT.
RANCH - DAY
Hank and Selah embrace passionately. Hank has the phone in one hand, and
laughs into it. Booker Barlow relaxes with a beer.
HANK
Okay, Son – your mother’s just showing
me how much she missed me. Yeah, it’s all
over. I’m free. When are you coming home?
Selah keeps kissing him.
She grabs the phone.
SELAH
You want me to come get you? Oh, you
are, huh?
(to Hank)
He says he’s a big boy and can handle it.
HANK
Hell, yeah! He’s Rookie of the Year!
SELAH
(to Mike)
I know, that was last year. Who?
Oh, the soldier who – he’s in the
next bed? Really?
Booker Barlow drinks his beer.
SELAH (cont’g)
Well, what’s his name. We’ll send
him some champagne! What? Barlow?
You say his name is Barlow?
She and Hank look at Barlow, who smiles.
HANK
Why didn’t you tell us?
BARLOW
I’m sorry, Hank. Roy was in too
much danger as it was. I couldn’t
risk anyone knowing what he knew…
SELAH
Well, you tell Roy we love him and
can’t wait to have him here!
call tomorrow for an update!
you!
We’ll
I love
HANK
Tell him he can probably get out
of that army contract now!
SELAH
Bye!
Hank drinks his beer.
Barlow’s cell phone rings.
BARLOW
Barlow… Yes, Joe? When? How did
it - Okay, thanks. Yes.
(shuts phone)
That was Lonnigan. Shipman’s dead.
SELAH
What?
How!
BARLOW
They’re claiming suicide.
not so sure.
Lonnigan’s
HANK
(thinks)
I suppose I’m a suspect.
BARLOW
No. It happened at the ranch. Timeline’s
got you covered. No motive, either, since
Mike’s free.
HANK
What about his confession?
hit the streets yet.
It hasn’t
BARLOW
Shipman’s death won’t stop it. Nothing
will. Joe’s sent it far and wide.
Everything’s going to change.
(yawns)
Bedtime. I’m flying to Germany to see
Roy. If Mike’s still there, what would you
like me to –
SELAH
Give him a big sloppy kiss from his mom.
BARLOW
I’ll think of something.
HANK
Tell him to get out of that army contract.
CUT TO:
EXT.
SHIPMAN RANCH – NIGHT
Federal agents again swarm the main house and grounds. FBI Inspector
Crowley pokes around. An FBI AGENT brings him a note. Crowley examines it
briefly.
CROWLEY
What? Another suicide note? Where’d
you find this one?
AGENT
It must have slipped down behind his desk.
CROWLEY
“I’m so sorry.” Typewritten and unsigned,
like the other one. Different message, but
same thing. This is bullshit. What, he
thought we couldn’t find this one so he did
another one?
He walks around, thinking.
He looks at the agent.
CROWLEY (cont’g)
Hey! Where’s the butler? Anyone seen the
butler?
Inspector?
AGENT 2
Check this out.
Crowley and the other agent look at the entrance floor.
puts a drop of fluid on the floor and it bubbles.
The second agent
CROWLEY
What’s that, peroxide?
AGENT 2
Yes, sir. It’s been wiped, but
that’s blood.
CUT TO:
EXT.
GILLETTE RODEO – NIGHT
At the Gillette, Wyoming rodeo, Hank’s rig is parked behind
the chutes.
INT.
TRAILER – NIGHT
Hank watches the news.
A picture of Bernard Shipman.
ANNOUNCER
Riots continued today across the
nation as the last words of the
late financier, Bernard Shipman,
leaked out. Shipman claimed
responsibility for the 2001 attack
on the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon. He also claimed to be
a partner in what he described as
the Federal Reserve Corporation,
saying that the Fed is a private,
profit-making corporation that issues
essentially counterfeit currency.
The Federal Reserve banks in twelve
cities are burning at this time…
Law enforcement assets are stretched
thin across the nation, as angry
mobs are attacking lesser banks,
seemingly everywhere.
(pauses)
This just in. The FBI now says
that Bernard Shipman did not
commit suicide, as reported last
week. This was confirmed when the
body of his butler, Henry Jenkins,
was found outside of Jackson, the
famous Wyoming resort community,
also the home of Bernard Shipman.
Mr. Jenkins had been decapitated,
the FBI reported…
Hank dials his cell phone.
EXT.
No answer.
He exits the trailer.
RODEO GROUNDS – NIGHT
Hank goes to another trailer and knocks.
contractor, comes to the door.
MICKEY BRAMLETT, the stock
MICKEY
What’s up, man?
HANK
Mickey, something’s wrong. I’m
gonna hafta split for home!
MICKEY
Yeah, okay Hank. I’ll pick up
till ya get back. Take care!
Hey, Jesus! Have you seen the
news? The country’s burnin’ up!
Hank gathers up his horses from their pen and loads them.
calling the number. Then he calls another number.
Cody Police?
DISPATCHER (VO)
May I help you?
This Mary Jane?
Hank?
HANK
This is Hank.
DISPATCHER (V0)
Where are you?
He keeps
HANK
Gillette. I’m heading for the
ranch, but they don’t answer.
Could you call the sheriff and
have ‘em send a car out there?
DISPATCHER (VO)
Oh, Hank! We got our hands full
here! People are going crazy.
Two banks are on fire and all our
units are on patrol. Sheriff’s
the same.
HANK
Yeah, I understand. Thanks. I
should be home in four hours.
DISPATCHER (VO)
You can speed like hell, Hank.
The state cops have their hands
full! But be careful!
EXT.
WYOMING HIWAY – NIGHT
Hank’s rig roars through the night.
CUT TO:
EXT.
MADISON RANCH – NIGHT
The black SUV is parked in front.
CUT TO:
EXT.
RANCH ENTRANCE - NIGHT
Hank’s truck and trailer approach his turnoff. He passes the Appaloosa
sign and keeps going. We follow as he finally parks a half-mile up the
road. He shuts it off and gets out. It is
near dawn as he opens rear gate and unloads one horse, already
saddled. He mounts up and rides toward his ranch.
At the top of the hill, we look down on the dark ranch house.
SUV is parked in front. He reacts with fear.
Hank starts downhill, riding in the shadows of clumps of trees.
his old Colt .45 from the saddlebag.
The black
He takes
CUT TO:
INT.
MIKE’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Mike lies sleeping in his bed.
There is a noise.
MIKE
Huh?
He jerks.
His eyes open and he blinks, heart racing.
Bad dream?
CONTRACTOR 1 (OS)
I’m here to cut your head off,
cowboy. Indian. Whatever.
Mike sits straight up, looking around the room.
CONTRACTOR 1 (OS)
Got my pickle jar out in the car.
Yeah! Got my jar, out in the car!
Get up, punk!
EXT.
MADISON RANCH HOUSE – PRE-DAWN
Hank rides quietly up to the corner of his house and lurks there, in a
place with no windows, trying to decide, watching the SUV.
INT.
LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Contractor 2 drags Selah, in her nightgown, from bedroom.
front of Contractor 1.
Mike enters in
CONTRACTOR 2
Looky what I found.
CONTRACTOR 1
Well, well – a bonus. Jeez,
check it OUT!
His lust overcomes his caution. He approaches Selah and fondles her
breasts. Selah knocks his hand away. Mike edges near the doorway as
Contractor 1 slaps her face and feels her up some more. Contractor 2
holds a pistol to her head and rubs her butt. Behind them, Mike dives for
a Winchester by the door. The contractors finally notice him as he levers
in a cartridge.
EXT.
RANCH HOUSE – PRE-DAWN
Hank starts to dismount, uncertain - then, GUNSHOTS from inside.
Suddenly, the door opens and Contractors 1 and 2 force Selah, in her
nightgown, outside. She screams and fights. From inside, another gunshot
that misses. Contractor 2 shoots back with his pistol. More shots,
bullets hit the dirt and the SUV and Contractor 2 is hit in the leg. He
drops his pistol but keeps going. They drag Selah toward the SUV.
Hank peeks around the corner and aims but might hit Selah.
spurring his horse, aiming the Colt but not firing.
He gasses it,
The contractors hear the galloping horse and turn to see, but Hank hits
Contractor 2 with his horse and leans out over Selah and slams his gun
barrel down on the head of Contractor 1, felling him. Selah is knocked
down by his horse, too. Hank dismounts while the horse is still running.
He looks at Selah, who is stunned by the impact. He looks down and shoots
both contractors as they lie groaning on the ground.
Hank kneels down to revive Selah. Mike limps out of the house with his
rifle and makes his painful way to his parents. Selah comes to. She
looks up at Hank.
SELAH
Like a big bowling ball…
HANK
Sorry I hit ya, Honey!
to miss.
I tried
SELAH
(groggy)
Oh, think nothing of it.
MIKE
Dad, I believe your people call
that, “counting coup.”
Hank ignores the provocation.
HANK
Son, who taught you to shoot?
MIKE
You did.
HANK
Taught ya everything I know, and you
still don’t know nothin’.
Whaddya mean?
MIKE
I hit one of ‘em.
HANK
You couldn’t hit a bull in the butt
with a banjo. Your mother’s lucky
to be alive.
MIKE
Well, so am I!
HANK
Well, yeah – you’re the World Champion,
and that was luckier than hell!
FADE OUT