IN LOVE AND WAR-THE JIM STOCKDALE STORY
By
Kendall Oliphant(2005)
EX. DECK OF U.S.S TICONDEROGA -- DAY
WIDE-
Fifteen single seat F-8 Crusader jets line the sides of the deck of the carrier.
TIGHT-
On the fuselage of one of the planes, an air to ground rocket hangs in its underbelly carriage
PAN-
Across the rocket and up over the fixed wing to a small insignia "Stockdale"
CUT TO:
INT. JIM STOCKDALE'S STATEROOM -- DAY
INSERT-
Headline "New York Times- Beatles single Hard Days Night Goes Number One-Yankees Out Slug Twins 6-4"
PAN-
Up to Jim writing in his journal,
JIM
My pilots and I know we are making history, yet sometimes I feel the people around us-particularly the intelligence officers, whose job it is to record our flights accurately are not conscious of the impact of what is going on
A knock at the door.
Jim closes the journal, walks over to the stateroom strong box, opens it and places the journal under some personal effects, closes the lid and locks it.
JIM
(towards the door)
Enter
A Young NAVAL OFFICER enters and solutes
YOUNG NAVAL OFFICER
The bridge requests your attendance at a mandatory meeting of all fighter squadron fifty one pilots, at o nine hundred, sir
JIM
(Surprised)
Tell the Admiral I will be right there, anything else?
YOUNG NAVAL OFFICER
No sir, nothing
JIM
Good then on your way
The YOUNG NAVAL OFFICER nods, salutes and exits.
CUT TO:
INT. BRIDGE OF THE U.S.S TICONDEROGA -- MORNING
An ADMIRAL stands surrounded by all twenty members of the SF 51. In the center JIM STOCKDALE stands attentively.
ADMIRAL
Good morning men, I am sorry to cut short your so deserved time off, but intelligence has brought to my attention something that requires your immediate knowledge. The USS Maddox is currently steaming full speed up the Gulf of Tonkin, off the coast of North Vietnam. The purpose of this mission is to reaffirm our navy's right to passage in international waters. The code name for this operation is Desoto Patrol.
PAN-
Across the content faces of the pilots. Resting on Jim. Jim's face echoes his men's content.
ADMIRAL
Good, if there are no questions, you are dismissed until twelve hundred. Good day.
Jim and the rest of the pilots nod and exit.
EXT. ABOVE THE U.S.S TICONDEROGA -- AFTERNOON
Jim takes the lead out in front of four Crusaders, flying wide formation loops around the aircraft carrier.
COCKPIT-JIM
Jim monitors the feed from the carrier as his men banter back and forth.
JIM
(to the pilot on his right wing)
Looking good Lieutenant Hastings
LIUTENANT HASTINGS
Thank you, woo wee! Sure is a 'beut up here today
COMMANDER ROBAIR MOHRHARDT
Sure is
LIEUTENANT-COMMANDER EV SOUTHWICK
Hey, Jim, looks like Mantle's a shoe in for another MVP
JIM
Looks that way Ev, excuse me
CLOSE-
Jim responds to a message from the carrier and switches his radio over to strike control.
JIM
Stockdale
STRIKE CONTROL
We have conformation from the USS Maddox of a sighting of enemy torpedo boats, take your patrol and rendezvous with the destroyer
JIM
Yes sir, I'm on my way
EXT. ABOVE THE U.S.S TICONDEROGA -- AFTERNOON
JIM
Maintain radio silence, we don't want the reds out on Hainan to know what we are up to
The four Crusaders spread out and climb on a north-westerly heading. In the distance through the haze we can barely make out Hainan Island.
Robair and Ev fan out to the left and up above Jim, leaving a couple of miles between each plane, in a defensive combat manoeuvrer. Hastings follows suite to the right.
EXT. ABOVE HAINAN -- AFTERNOON
Russian built Migs occasionally pierce the haze around the island
COCKPIT-JIM
Jim hears a tick-tick in his head set
JIM
(To himself)
Thank you Ev
TIGHT-
On the gauges as a hand eases of the throttle, the altimeter drops to thirty-two thousand feet.
STRIKE CONTROL
This is strike control, in a few minutes we will be out of communication range, so this is our last message before we switch you over to the control of the USS Maddox. I have conformation that indeed the Maddox has been threatened by surface vessels lying in wait off the island of Hon Me
JIM
Confirmed, over and out
Jim switches to the Maddox's frequency. Scratchy at first, Jim fights to bring in clear.
U.S.S MADDOX AIR CONTROLLER
(excited)
...under attack by three PT boats...torpedoes in the water...engaging the enemy with main battery...
CUT TO:
EXT. FIGHT PATTERN -- AFTERNOON
Jim leads his wing man towards the Maddox.There is now only Hundred feet between the planes, as they track north parallel to the North Vietnamese coastline apparent through the haze
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- AFTERNOON
JIM
(to Maddox air control)
Maddox, we have you in our sight
U.S.S MADDOX AIR CONTROLLER
Attack and destroy the PT boats
EXT. FIGHT PATTERN -- AFTERNOON
The planes begin to dive, down over the Maddox, heading south. The PT boats, situate five miles north, just turning northwest for home. The boats travel at a quick forth knot pace, long foamy wakes travel behind the boats.
Two of the boats travel out ahead, shoulder to shoulder and the third travels a mile behind making haste to catch up.
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- AFTERNOON
Jim realizes that they are a few minutes late and has to act quickly.
JIM
(To his men)
Lets not let them get away, Robair and Ev, attack the trailing boat, Hastings, spread out to the right and follow me so we can get them together
HASTINGS
I'm with you buddy
Jim presses down on the stick
EXT. FIGHT PATTERN -- AFTERNOON
Jim drops below a thousand feet and fires a single zuni rocket. We see the rocket track towards its target.
CUT TO:
EXT. DECK OF THE NORTH VIETNAMESE GUN BOAT -- MOMENTS LATER
The crew of the small boat fire at Jim with an anti-aircraft gun attacked to the stern.
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- AFTERNOON
Jim flies through the tracers. He pulls out left and watches as his rocket miss the target, splashing close to the port beam.
INT. HASTING'S COCKPIT -- AFTERNOON
Hasting's fights to keep his plane form crashing
HASTINGS
(excited)
I've been hit!
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- AFTERNOON
Jim listens to his friends plight
HASTINGS
...my port wing is shot up
INSERT-
A hand jams the throttle forward
Jim immediately picks up Hastings through his side window climbing left.
JIM
Cut back towards the Maddox
Jim joins up with Hastings to survey the damaged wing
JIM
There's no scorch marks, no fire, you only have a torn leading edge, drop your speed and see if you can gain control
HASTINGS
That's better
JIM
You'll be fine, you just got a little over excited, you over stressed the plane when you jerked the stick up to quick, you wait here with the Maddox, I'm going back to the war
CUT TO:
INT. SOUTHWICK'S COCKPIT -- AFTERNOON
SOUTHWICK
(to Jim)
We've hit our minimum fuel reserve, we are heading back to the Ticonderoga
JIM
Meet you guys there, I've still got ammo left
EXT. FIGHT PATTERN -- AFTERNOON
Two planes head back towards home as Jim moves in for one last strafing run. He fires his cannons and then a missile and then pulls up.
CUT TO:
EXT. NORTH VIETNAMESE GUN BOATS -- AFTERNOON
Jim's missile slams into the hull and explodes. Two soldiers jump into the water, the gunner continues to fire hopelessly as the ship begins to sink quickly.
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- AFTERNOON
Jim looks out of his cockpit towards Hastings and notices that his plane is flying at an impaired speed.
JIM
Hastings, you won't make it back to the Ticonderoga, I'll escort you to the air force base at DeNang, landing a plane on a carrier is tricky enough, never mind a crippled one. I'll see you later
HASTINGS
Sounds like a plan
The two airplanes turn
EXT. U.S.S TICONDEROGA-INTELLIGENCE -- LATER
Jim enters with haste looking for answers
JIM
(towards the Commanding Officer)
Sir, request permission to review the attack log
COMMANDING OFFICER
Permission granted, the Maddox intercepted radio transmissions from the North Vietnamese ship. The Ticonderoga has an intelligence communication van between its stacks; in it we have a crew of Vietnamese language trained crew. They overheard a plan to attack the Maddox. The boats executed said plan, luckily the torpedoes they fired missed. The only damage that occurred was a harmless shot from a small machine gun.
JIM
Thank you sir see you in the morning
INT. JIM STOCKDALE'S STATEROOM -- NIGHT
Jim lies in his bunk holding a picture of his wife Sybil and his four boys.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. STOCKDALE HOME -- NIGHT
Sybil sits on a large sofa holding her youngest son age one in her arms. Nearby Jimmy age twelve, a large strapping boy, a carbon copy of his father, sits. Sid age ten plays with his brother, Stanford age four, in front of the sofa on the floor. The happy family faithfully watches the evening news report.
NEWSCASTER
In todays update on the war in North Vietnam, reports from the White House state that, in the Gulf of Tonkin, the destroyer, USS Maddox had been fired upon, causing retaliation from fighters of the fifty first squadron, based on the aircraft carrier, USS Ticonderoga. There are no damage reports at this time.
SID
(turning to his mother)
That's dad's squadron
Sybil smiles nervously, Jimmy puts his hand, already bigger than his mothers, over hers in a sign of support.
JIMMY
I'm sure Dads fine
CUT TO:
INT. WAR ROOM- U.S.S TICONDEROGA -- MORNING
Pilots and ship personnel sit around the small dinning room eating there morning breakfast.
Jim rushes in and as routine, grabs the morning press clips, sifting through looking for Sunday's events.
INSERT-NEWSPAPER CLIPPING HEADLINE
"President Lyndon Johnson meets with Defence Department to discuss PT Boat attack"
CLOSE-
JIM reads to himself out loud
JIM
They met for five hours and decided to issue a warning, but agreed that no further actions will be taken. Both sides consider the attack merely the impulsive act of a trigger happy PT Boat Commander.
PILOT
(reacting to the look of disdain on Jim's face)
What do you make of President Johnson's back peddling
JIM
He's playing right into Goldwater's hands, Americans won't put up with this soft Defence approach
Jim grabs a tray and a cook ladles out some food.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. DESOTO PATROL -- DAY
WIDE-
Of general fling activity along the Desoto Patrol by the Americans from Jim's squadron.
CLOSER-
JIM and three of his fellow pilots circle the Maddox and a second destroyer the C. Turner Joy.
LATE AFTERNOON--
The planes make wider circles around the cruisers. The cloud cover becomes increasingly lower and the sea grows choppier.
EXT. DECK OF U.S.S TICONDEROGA -- LATER
Jim walks down the deck after parking his plane. The skies are extremely overcast with dark ominous clouds heading towards the carrier from the north, in the vicinity of the Desoto Patrol. Over Jim's shoulder to the northwest, lightening flashes light up the sky.
INT. PILOT'S MEAL ROOM -- NIGHT
Jim still dressed in his flight gear enters, other pilots and personal are already seated enjoying their meal. Casual conversation engulfs the room.
OFFICER
(turning to Jim)
...did you hear? The Maddox picked up the Vietnamese talking about their current position
JIM
We want them to see us, that's the purpose
CUT TO:
INT. PILOT BRIEFING ROOM --NIGHT
Jim joins the other fourteen pilots of the squadron, all decked out in their flight suits after dinner for their pre flight briefing.
SCHEDULING OFFICER
There is no fling scheduled for tonight, but I have been instructed to have two crusaders on stand by for combat air patrol, should a need to arise. The two planes are already parked in the catapults, fully fueled and armed. The following two pilots are to report to the deck immediately.
The scheduling officer hands the status board to Jim.
JIM
(reads and expresses concern to the Scheduling Officer)
Are you sure? Both of these are first time crusader pilots, why not let me take Hastings or Ev up?
SCHEDULING OFFICER
Not necessary, just routine
LATER-
Jim sits talking to a relief pilot casually. The air in the briefing room has grown uncomfortable. The storm has increased, the humidity is so great, the pilots are now gathered around the small air conditioner trying to gain some comfort.
The roar of an unexpected group of planes engines reviving up, catches Jim's attention.
JIM
Spads?
Listening to the engines crank up to high power
JIM (CONT'D)
They're launching them?
Jim's friend from the Combat Information Center sticks his head in the door. Jim notices.
JIM (CONT'D)
What's going on?
FRIEND
The destroyers suspected that they were about to be attacked.
JIM
Who ordered the attack?
FRIEND
Rear Admiral Moore ordered the Skyraiders to head out.
JIM
Why are the Crusaders in the catapults?
FRIEND
Two are to follow for support
Jim rushes out of the room
CUT TO:
INT. READY ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER
Jim runs into the ready room where the flight gear is stowed. He rips his flight helmet out of the bag, then grabs his torso harness and slithers into it.
A Crusader engine begins winding up. Jim continues to dress in haste.
JIM
Those guys are good, but I know how to sink those PT boats.
Jim straps on his helmet and ascends the ladder, leading to the flight deck.
EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- MOMENTS LATER
Jim crosses the blacked out flight deck just as the Crusader on the starboard catapult is being given its' per-flight checks.
Jim sprints into the crowd of personnel around the plane. Jim grabs his plane captain and yells into his ear.
JIM
Lower the steps and open the canopy
PLANE CAPTAIN
I can't do that sir
JIM
(defiantly)
I know what the plan is, I know those PT boats like the back of my hand, I know how to sink them, now lower the ladder.
PLANE CAPTAIN
Yes sir
The Plane Captain steps to the port catapult and lowers the Crusader's steps and the opens the canopy and steps down.
Jim climbs the steps and screams above the engine noise into the ear of the startled junior pilot.
JIM
Unstrap and get out. I'm getting in
Jim steps down to let the pilot out. The pilot obeys, unstraps and exits.
Jim jumps into the seat of the plane and straps on his parachute. In quick succession a dozen or more switches are set.
Jim gives the thumbs up signal. The Plane Captain signals back. The canopy is locked shut and the steps raised.
INT. LIEUTENANT MILLER'S PLANE -- CONTINUOUS
Lieutenant Miller looks over to the Catapult Officer and gives him the signal. The Lieutenant returns the thumbs up signal.
TIGHT-
Miller shoves his throttle all the way forward.
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- CONTINUOUS
Jim watches Lieutenant Miller's plane shoot down the track straight and normal from a dead stop to a hundred seventy miles an hour. As soon as he enters the black clouds all of his lights go out.
JIM
(dismayed)
Good lord! His electrical generators out
Several breathless seconds pass before the Lieutenant's lights come back on and he reappears through the clouds.
JIM
(into his radio)
What happened Miller?
LIEUTENANT MILLER
I don't know, everything went dead, I've switched to emergency back-up and heading back
LAUNCH COMMAND
(breaking in)
Lieutenant, jettison your fuel at two hundred feet and then set a course to re-land
LIEUTENANT MILLER
Yes sir
Jim growing impatient breaks in
JIM
Launch me immediately, forget the wing man
INT. BRIDGE OF THE U.S.S TICONDEROGA -- CONTINUOUS
Commanding Officer Captain Hutch Cooper sticks his head between two radio officers and talks into the microphone.
HUTCH
You got it Jim, you have permission to take off
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- CONTINUOUS
Jim inches his plane forward until it locks into the catapult. The power comes up to full, the lights come on. Jim gives it full throttle.
Jim's head is thrust back into the head rest. He gasps for breath, while his files of vision narrows like a focusing telescope. Darkness surrounds Jim as he lifts off the catapult bridle and off the carrier.
TIGHT-
On Jim's gauge cluster, altimeter reads five thousand feet.
PULL OUT-
As Jim hears an old friend's voice checking in with strike control. Jim listens with content.
MACDONALD
Strike control, this is squadron commander MacDonald, our eta for rendezvous with USS Maddox is fifteen minutes.
JIM
(into his radio, to his friend)
Don't push those a-y's to hard Wes
Jim pushes the stick forward and the plane rises through the ever darkening clouds.
JIM
(to Ticonderoga control)
Ticonderoga, I'm leveling off at twenty-five thousand feet. Switching over...
Jim's hand switches his radio over to the destroyer's frequency. The clock to the right reads twenty one hundred. Lightening flashes catch Jim's attention.
JIM
Another hundred miles, To bad Syb and the boys are missing these fireworks, whoo!
Jim's reverie is broken by the sound of Clem McCarthy from Maddox's air control.
MCCARTHY
We have multiple bogey's on the radar
JIM
Hold on Clem I'm on my way
Jim takes the plane into a fast descent.
JIM
I'm passing ten thousand feet and forty miles away, preparing cannons for fire.
MACDONALD
Maddox, I'm in radio contact do you read me?
TICONDEROGA CONTROL
Read you
JIM
Wes, I will stay below two thousand feet, please stay above that unless stated otherwise
MACDONALD
Will do
Jim throttles way back, keeping the nose down. The plane flies in and out of clouds and rain squalls, heading towards the water.
Jim levels off.
JIM
Clem, I'm picking up two wakes several miles ahead of you, flash your mast head lights for a check.
Pause as Jim watches the ships red mast lights flick on and off.
JIM
Confirmed
The surroundings go dark again
INT. CONTROL ROOM OF THE MADDOX -- CONTINUOUS
RADAR OPERATOR
Their closing in from the east, maybe five miles out.
CAPTAIN ON THE MADDOX
Open fire, do you read me Turner Joy?
INT. CONTROL ROOM OF THE TURNER JOY -- CONTINUOUS
CAPTAIN ON THE TURNER JOY
Open fire and launch flares to the port so we can see what we are shooting at.
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- MOMENTS LATER
Jim watches at the ill attempt as the projectiles burst in the clouds and the flares burn out as soon as they drop below the clouds.
JIM
What's going on?
INT. CONTROL ROOM OF THE MADDOX -- CONTINUOUS
RADIO OPERATOR MADDOX
They all disappeared
RADIO OPERATOR TURNER JOY
We've picked up a torpedo in the water!
A blip lights up the radar screen of the Maddox
RADIO OPERATOR MADDOX
I see it! Another one!
CAPTAIN ON THE MADDOX
Tack hard left!
INT. CONTROL ROOM OF THE TURNER JOY -- CONTINUOUS
A frenzy of activity engulfs both destroyers.
RADIO OPERATOR MADDOX
I don't see it!
RADIO OPERATOR TURNER JOY
I got it!
CAPTAIN ON THE TURNER JOY
Fire!
INT. CONTROL ROOM OF THE MADDOX -- CONTINUOUS
CAPTAIN ON THE MADDOX
Tack right! Turner Joy, there's one on your stern!
RADIO OPERATOR MADDOX
I don't hear anything on the sonar!
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- MOMENTS LATER
JIM
Clem, can you hear me? What's happening?
MACDONALD
This is unreal, the Turner Joy is firing on targets that the Maddox can't track and the Maddox is dodging torpedoes that the Turner Joy can't hear on it's sonar.
JIM
(frustrated)
I can't see anything on my horizon
INT. COCKPIT-WES MACDONALD -- MOMENTS LATER
MACDONALD
I hear you Jim, I've dropped a dozen flares, but I still can't see anything
EXT. ABOVE THE BATTLE -- CONTINUOUS
The other planes stay high, Jim's plane stays low, ready to pounce, staying right over the destroyers.
INT. GUNNER TOWER OF THE TURNER JOY -- CONTINUOUS
The ships gunner makes visual contact with his target.
GUNNER OF THE TURNER JOY
I see it! Firing!
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- CONTINUOUS
Jim follows the flashes and fires. The shots disappear into the darkness.
RADIO OPERATOR TURNER JOY
Batter up, one o one, we are taking a boat under fire abeam to port, two thousand yards.
JIM
Roger, I see your fire, I'll go in and hose the area down
RADIO OPERATOR MADDOX
Batter up, we think there is a boat closing in on us from astern
JIM
Roger, I will fire astern of you
EXT. ABOVE THE BATTLE -- CONTINUOUS
The battle rages on, flashes fill the night sky.
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- MOMENTS LATER
Jim begins to sweat profusely, and becomes annoyed
JIM
I've got to see him!
EXT. ABOVE THE BATTLE -- CONTINUOUS
Jim dives low right above the water and launches a zuni rocket. The flash of the rocket leaving the plane disappears into the darkness.
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- CONTINUOUS
Jim follows the path of the rocket.
JIM
There she goes!...Come on hit something!...nothing dam...
MACDONALD
Something wrong Jim? You're a little low, pull up
Jim realizes his mistake and corrects his course by pulling up on the stick.
JIM
All say, I can almost taste the salt water.
MCCARTHY
Anything?
JIM
Nothing, the destroyers's are talkin' about hits, but where are the sparks and gun flashes?
RADIO OPERATOR TURNER JOY
Cease fire!
JIM
Just in time, I'm out of fuel, I'll jettison my rocket and magazine to astern of you Turner Joy, heading back to the Ticonderoga.
CUT TO:
INT. READY ROOM -- NIGHT
Jim wheels into the ready room, coming face to face with a group of officers-all with sheepish grins on their faces. Their mood is informal and jovial, obviously, they had some big joke on Jim.
OFFICER #2
What in hell has been going on out there?
JIM
Beats me, the guy on the Maddox's radio was giving blow-by-blow accounts just like he did on Sunday, turn left, turn right, torpedoes to the right of us, torpedoes to the left of us. Boom!, boom!, boom!
OFFICER #2
Did you see ant boats?
JIM
Not a one. No boats, no bow-wakes, nothing but black sea and American fire power, but how could all that commotion have built up out there without something behind it?
OFFICER #2
Have a look at this. This is what Herrick, the Commander on the Maddox, has been putting out tonight.
TIGHT-
Jim is handed a few sheets of a rough communication log. Jim reads as the Officer points out the important parts.
OFFICER #2
That's all the messages from the Maddox since you left the Ticonderoga
WIDER-
JIM
The Commodore sounds like he was turning himself inside out.
OFFICER #2
Right, for the first hour it was all assertive
JIM
That's Clem, then...I remember...suddenly...there were reports of sonar not operating properly, radar not locking on targets, probable false targets and lack of visibility. That kind of doubt is not like Clem.
OFFICER #2
At the end of the report the Commodore expresses doubt that there had been any boats out there at all. He urges a complete evaluation of the mix-up before any further action is taken.
JIM
Good grief. Three hours of hell, all because some spooked operators were seeing and hearing ghosts on their equipment! Wait until the chain of command gets my report of no boats.
OFFICER #2
At least there's a Commodore up there in the gulf who agrees with you and has the guts to blow the whistle on a screw up and take the heat.
Jim exits in disgust
INT. JIM STOCKDALE'S STATEROOM -- DAY
A junior officer enters and awakes Jim
JUNIOR OFFICER
The captain sent me down sir
JIM
About what?
JUNIOR OFFICER
Washington just ordered us to the oil-storage facilities in the city of Vinh. The captain wants you to start getting ready to lead the big one sir. The oil tanks are Washington's priority target.
JIM
What's the idea of the strikes?
JUNIOR OFFICER
Reprisal, sir
JIM
Reprisal? For What?
JUNIOR OFFICER
For last night's attack on the destroyers, sir
Jim takes the news as if cold water had been poured on him. A few awkward seconds of silence pass. Jim gets out of his bunk and exits.
EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- MORNING FIVE A.M
A group of working parties go on about their business around the ammunition hoists in the darkness of the per-dawn.
PAN-
A long a row of thousand-pound bombs laid out on their racks. A worker adds fuses to the bombs.
WIDE-
Two workers wheel the first bomb ready in the row under one of the prop driven spads.
INT. AIR INTELLIGENCE OFFICE -- MORNING
Jim enters the Intelligence office, eager to get to the bottom of the invasion story. He spots Lee McAdams, Executive Officer of the Spad Squadron; and approaches.
JIM
What's the story? I hear planes tuning up?
LEE
They're launching several jets and a few props to go out and look for battle debris in the water up where you were last night. Planes of the Constellation spent most of the early morning trying to locate retreating boats, with no luck.
JIM
(muttering)
Don't hold your breath
LEE
Let me show you the plan
Jim and Lee walk over to a large map on a stand. Pictured is the city of Vinh. On it an area is marked off denoted as a fuel and oil storage compound. Arrows represent oil tanks.
LEE
This storage compound contains fourteen oil tanks.
JIM
How do you want to approach it?
LEE
Your planes are slow and vulnerable, the key is to surprise the enemy.
JIM
(pointing to the map)
We can use these hills to the south of the city to our advantage.
LEE
Right, you can have the Spads approach from behind them, just high enough to build up speed in a near vertical dive, release your bombs, pull out, wheel around and still have enough speed to get back over the hills.
JIM
If not we got a tail full of flak. What about the anti-aircraft emplacements.
LEE
The jets are going to carry out simultaneous attacks.
JIM
Fine, I will tell the ships operations officer to wait till the Spads are half an hour down the road before starting up the jets.
LEE
Agreed
JIM
And I want Wes MacDonald as my second in command of the raid.
LEE
Fine. His Skyhawks and your Crusaders will meet up with the Spads a few miles offshore.
EXT. FLIGHT DECK --NOON
Jim leads his pilots onto the flight deck. One of his pilots comes running up in a hurry to relay an important message.
PILOT #2
The President has announced on television that we would be attacking North Vietnamese targets.
The news stops Jim in his tracks.
JIM
What?...Pray hard for those Spads boys
Jim forcibly straps on his helmet and heads for his plane.
EXT. ABOVE THE U.S.S TICONDEROGA -- DAY
Forty minutes out from the carrier. The Skyhawks and Crusader jets fly in formation heading for their rendezvous with the Spads, through the cloud layers and intermittent rain.
JIM
(to his pilots)
Keep your eyes out for the Spads. If they get their without us, they will be blown apart.
MACDONALD
(cutting in)
How's it feel to be making history, Jim?
JIM
I feel like atlas, with the world on his shoulders.
Jim suddenly spots the tail of one of the Spads coming out of the clouds. Perfectly camouflaged to the exact colour of the clouds.
JIM
(jovial)
Hallelujah? You big beautiful prop driven babies!
MACDONALD
I see the hills, I'm heading down
JIM
Roger, I'll hold back until everyone's in position.
EXT. ABOVE AND INTO THE CITY OF VINH -- DAY
The three units start to take up battle position. The four Spads start climbing and angling. The Skyhawks swoop down over the lush green country side, heading west of the climbing Spads.
Jim sets his Crusader into a gentle climb just above the mountains, peering into the small city.
The Crusaders take up position high and out front. The city spreads out in the bright sunshine in front of them as they pass the harbour mouth.
INT. COCKPIT-WES MACDONALD -- CONTINUOUS
POV.
Wes takes up position behind Jim as the view of the city envelopes his wind screen.
MACDONALD
Panther lead, this is Champion lead, play ball, play ball.
JIM
Panther lead, roger Champion.
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- CONTINUOUS
JIM
...Play ball
Jim turns the plane on a big left-hand arc.
EXT. ABOVE AND INTO THE CITY OF VINH -- CONTINUOUS
The Crusaders enter from the north while the Spads and Skyhawks enter from the south.
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- CONTINUOUS
POV.
Jim spots the fourteen storage tanks
CLOSE-
Jim nods to his wing man and then starts his Crusader down.
EXT. OVER THE CITY OF VINH -- CONTINUOUS
The four spads drop straight down one after another in quick succession, preparing to fire.
Jim takes up position going north to south, head to head with the lead Spad pulling out from his northward dive.
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- CONTINUOUS
POV.
Through the sunlight Jim spots a cluster of guns encircling a tub like abutment in the center of the city.
CLOSE-
Jim squeezes the stick trigger. The lower right rocket pair fire. Jim follows with cannon fire and then pulls up.
EXT. CITY OF VINH -- MOMENTS LATER
TRACK-
A Zuni rocket tears into the abutment. Dust and red roof tiles fly everywhere. Flames explode through the four city block tank enclosure.
ABOVE-
A Spad releases a TNT bomb, heading for the center of another tank.
EXT. NINH OIL REFINERY -- MOMENTS LATER
North Vietnamese soldiers in the city scramble around inside the gun tub, another begins to return fire. Orange flashes come out of the gun muzzles.
A Spad TNT bomb makes a direct hit on the gun placement. Flames burst into the air up to five thousand feet. Red flames and black smoke billow up past ten thousand feet and more.
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- MOMENTS LATER
Jim fires his upper-left pair into the city and follows with a blast of cannon fire. He digs his wing right to view the damage. The last Spad connects on its target.
JIM
Home free! Let's go home boys
The radio becomes full of pilots cheers and whistles, as Jim turns his plane for home.
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- LATER
Jim checks in with the Ticonderoga out over the water away from the coast.
JIM
This is Double-O-Seven. Airplanes clear of Vinh. All bombs within the fence. All tanks hit and exploding. Attacking PT boats now out.
MACDONALD
(cutting in)
Not bad for a minute and a half worth of work
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. SQUADRON MEETING ROOM -- DAY
Caption reading "August 11, 1964"
Jim sits at his desk doing paperwork. Suddenly the ship's yodel blares a welcome.
VOICE
All hands, Vice Admiral on deck
A phone rings
JIM
(answering)
Captain Cooper? What can I do for you?
CAPTAIN COOPER
Jim, a couple of guys have just come aboard and they want to talk to you
JIM
Gladly, sure, I'll be up to your cabin in a minute
Jim hangs up the phone and throws on a clean shirt and exits.
INT. CAPTAIN COOPER'S CABIN -- LATER
Jim enters to a room in which two guys wearing sports shirts and slacks sit. One is the same age as Jim, the other five years younger. Jim extends his hand to the younger one first.
JIM
Jim Stockdale, nice to meet you both
FRIEDMAN
Alvin Friedman, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Internal Affairs
STEMPLER
Jack Stempler, Special Assistant to Secretary of Defence Robert McNamera
Jim has a look of hesitation and slight interpretation.
JIM
Gentlemen, nice to meet you, I understand you wish to ask me some questions. I would be happy to provide you with all the answers I can.
Jim steps into the cabin and closes the door.
INT. CAPTAIN COOPER'S CABIN -- CONTINUOUS
Jim stands across from Stempler and Friedman.
STEMPLER
We were sent here just to find out one thing. Were there any boats out there the other night or not?
Jim's experience tells him not to make any rash statement. He pauses making the men wait for an answer. We pan out as we hear Jim give his overview of the tone of the rest of that days conversation.
JIM
That said at all, I could have stood right there in the cabin and wrote the script of what was to come. Washington's second thoughts, the guilt, the changes of heart, the back out. And a generation of young Americans would get left holding the bag.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. ANNAPOLIS GUEST HOUSE -- DAY
Caption "Easter 1946- Annapolis"
Flashback to the first meeting between Jim and Sybil. Twenty one year old Sybil sits in one of three chairs arranged in a semicircle in the living room of the guest house she shares with her college friends, twenty-one year old Bebe and twenty-three year old Anne.
BEBE
Well Sybil, I've never seen you get nervous, what's wrong?
SYBIL
I'm worried I've never been on a blind date
ANNE
Relax, Jim is a good friend of my Joe. They're both Midshipman at the Naval Academy.
BEBE
So, are they as cute as your fiance...
The three midshipmen enter the living room. Jim clears his throat on Bebe's words. The three girls look over with innocent girlish looks, as the men make their way over to the girls we hear Sybil's first impressions over the introductions.
SYBIL
The guys looked stunning in their dark blue uniforms, gold buttons sparkling and white gloves gleaming. First Joe introduced me to Marvin, a nice tall blonde guy. Then he introduced we to a shorter, dark haired, blue eyed guy named Jim Stockdale. Something about him connected with me right away.
Sybil and Jim stair transfixed, Sybil beams radiantly, obviously taken by Jim's striking rugged features.
ANNE
Well, I can see that you too have hit it off, lets go for a walk.
JOE
See you back here later buddy
Joe pats his friend on the shoulder as he leads Anne, BeBe and Marvin out. Jim nods and then returns his gaze to Sybil.
SYBIL
So where are you from, Jim?
JIM
A small town in Illinois called Abingdon, near Galesburg and about two hundred miles southwest of Chicago.
SYBIL
Did you go to college in Illinois?
JIM
I went to Monmouth for one year and then the war broke out. I transferred to the Naval Academy. Where did you go to college?
SYBIL
I went to Mount Holyoak in Connecticut, that's where I met BeBe. We studied like crazy and graduated early.
JIM
Impressive, what do you do now?
SYBIL
I teach Medieval History and Modern Dance at Saint Catherine's school in Richmond. We come up here every summer.
JIM
I've met some other girls from Connecticut, some of the guys wives and girl friends, you are not like them...you are...
Jim pauses awkwardly, searching for an appropriate polite word to convey his feelings. Sybil eases the awkward moment and then changes the subject.
SYBIL
Some of those girls from New Haven can be a little much, I guess. It's all that city air. What does the three narrow gold stripes on your sleeve mean?
JIM
(pointing)
These mean I'm a midshipman officer and member of the brigade staff, one of only seven in charge of the entire student body.
The camera pans out as Sybil and Jim laugh as they exchange stories in the doorway of the house, looking out at the rich view of the Midwest sun getting closer to the horizon. The stunning view is punctuated by Sybil's recap of the events to come.
SYBIL
Jim's personality burst the confines of his five foot nine rugged, powerful body. I found it hard to concentrate as he told me about life growing up on the rural Midwest and life at the naval academy, all in an adorable Midwest accent.
MONTAGE OF SHOTS- Depicting the rapid progress of Jim and Sybil's relationship
EXT. NAVAL ACADEMY -- DAY
A large gathering of Navel graduates and love ones turn out on this warm June day.
PAN-
Across the family section, stopping at Sybil sitting next to Jim's parents, BeBe and Ann, watching proudly as Admiral Chester Nimitz makes his way through the commencement ceremony.
WIDE-
From the rear of the gathering towards the Admiral as he hands a diploma to a graduate who gives the appropriate solute before proceeding to accept his diploma with one hand and shaking hands with the other. A brief pause for a photo opportunity and then the graduate exits the stage.
CLOSE-
On the podium
ADMIRAL NIMITZ
Jim Stockdale
WIDEN OUT-
Jim rises to the polite claps of his parents and friends Marvin and Joe sitting nearby.
TIGHT ON-
A proud Sybil and Ann conversing as they do we see Anne's engagement ring, Sybil drops a bombshell that catches her friend off guard.
SYBIL
I think I've found the man I want to marry.
Anne's jaw drops open briefly before resuming clapping.
PAN-
Back to Jim standing with Admiral Nimitz posing for numerous pictures before the Admiral walks over to the microphone to make a further announcement about Jim. The crowd waits in anticipation.
ADMIRAL NIMITZ
I have a special award to give to you Jim, on behalf of myself and the united States Navy. I wish to give you this award for the highest achievement in academic study. Not only did you obtain the highest academic grades of this years class, but that of its three predecessors.
The crowd stands and greets Jim with a standing ovation.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. SYBIL'S PARENTS HOME -- DAY
Jim comes up to Connecticut to meet Sybil's parents. Jim sits in the living room of the modest home, laughing with her father. Sybil and her mom sit on a smaller sofa adjacent. Sybil's mother gives her daughter a nod and a look of approval.
SYBIL'S FATHER
So what are your immediate plans?
JIM
All new Ensigns are required to take a month of special training in Jacksonville before being placed on permanent duty.
SYBIL'S FATHER
Sybil, are you prepared to spend that much time alone/
SYBIL
I will be bust with teaching, so it won't be all that bad.
SYBIL'S MOTHER
I'm happy for both of you
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. NAVEL SHIP YARD -- DAY
Sybil stands at the foot of the walkway leading to a destroyer docked on this November day. Sailors stream off the ship to be greeted by their love ones. Sybil waits patiently for Jim.
Finally Jim makes his way to the top of the ramp. He catches a glance of Sybil and politely pushes his way through the crowd of sailors. Once he is clear he runs to Sybil and embraces her with such force that it takes her off her feet. They kiss while other sailors make their exit from the dock area.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. NAVY FOOTBALL GAME -- AFTERNOON
Jim in his Navy uniform and overcoat and Sybil dressed in a smart cloth coat and hat sit amongst other Navel soldiers and family enjoying the game.
During a break in the action Jim turns to Sybil with a serious look on his face.
JIM
Do you want to come with me to Annapolis tomorrow and look at miniatures?
SYBIL
(looks stunned for a moment and then breaks into a nervous laugh)
Do you mean what I think you mean?
JIM
(confidently)
Yes
Jim then removes his class ring and places it on Sybil's ring finger too complete the proposal.
SYBIL
(overcome with emotion)
I would be happy to become a Navy wife, your wife
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. TEACHERS LOUNGE -- AFTERNOON
Sybil sits in the lounge reading the Navy Wife Handbook, smiling happily at the portrayal of her future life.
SYBIL
(to herself)
I can't wait
Sybil's principle obviously impatient, enters the room.
PRINCIPLE
Sybil, didn't you hear me?
SYBIL
(embarrassed, tries to cover)
Sorry, I was...just studying something
PRINCIPLE
Well, if you please, I called for a staff meeting to start fifteen minutes ago.
SYBIL
(looking at the clock, becomes alarmed)
Oh, sorry, I will be right there
PRINCIPLE
This isn't like you, what ever is happening in your life, you can't let it effect your work.
Sybil gathers her books and exits with her principle, smiling sheepishly.
INT. WEDDING CHAPEL -- DAY
Caption "Connecticut Spring 1947"
Jim dressed in his white navy formal attire, leads Sybil, dressed in a simple white wedding gown and veil. She holds a large bouquet of roses as she is led down the isle of a packed wedding CHAPEL.
VARIOUS SHOTS-
Of the gathered as they look on proud during the ceremony.
TIGHT-
On the minister as he delivers the final pronouncement of marriage.
MINISTER
...and I announce you man and wife.
Sybil and Jim kiss to the enjoyment of their new united families and friends.
EXT. SYBIL AND JIM'S FIRST HOME -- DAY
Jim leads Sybil blindfolded up to the doorway of a tiny home in Key West Florida. Once in place Jim opens the door and swings it wide open, then removes the blindfold. Sybil opens her eyes and shows her jubilance as she spies the interior of her new home.
The camera swings around too show a completely furnished home.
JIM
I'm sorry it's only a rental but at least it's furnished.
SYBIL
I love it.
A tourist bus drives by and stops at the house next to that of Jim and Sybil's.
PAN-
Over to the bus as tourists stream off the large bus. Couples and families with kids of all shapes and sizes pour off the bus, clamouring for a look at the house. As the tourists pass into the house a sign is revealed reading,
"The Southernmost House in the United States"
EXT. PUBLIC POOL IN FLORIDA -- DAY
Sybil sits on the edge of the pool with other navy wives; laughing and conversing. She holds a copy of the 'Navy Wife'.
NAVY WIFE
So how do you like Key West?
SYBIL
I can do without the tourist's looking at me while I hang laundry, but I wouldn't have it any other way. With Jim taking sonar school down hear, he doesn't have to go to sea or be on duty aboard a ship for the next eight weeks.
NAVY WIFE #2
(slyly)
With all that free time are you going to try and make a baby?
SYBIL
I think we will wait until after he finishes his training.
The women continue to laugh and kid.
EXT. SEA WALL NEXT TO THE OCEAN -- EVENING
Jim and Sybil hold hands as they walk along the sea wall that holds back the tropical sea. Dressed in their pajamas, they take in the beauty of the location. The sun just peaks above the horizon, casting the sea in a ribbon of red. The water shimmers in the light.
Jim and Sybil stop and look out onto the water. Jim wraps his arms around his wife. The 'Southern Cross'; a grouping a stars frames the background.
EXT. HOSPITAL ROOM -- DAY
Sybil lies in a hospital bed holding her newly born infant Jimmy; surrounded by Jim in his uniform, decorated with Ensigns stripes. Sybil provides the insight of the couples hectic life so far.
SYBIL
By the time Jimmy was born in December of ninety fifty, we were living in Norfolk and Jim was in an anti-submarine squadron.
CUT TO:
INT. NT. NORFOLK HOME -- DAY
Jim and Sybil bring Jimmy home, Sybil sits with her son on the couch. Jim's face shows the frustration of the vagabond life style of a navy officer.
JIM
Home sweet home
(pause)
Again
SYBIL
You've finished all your training maybe now we can settle down.
JIM
I know all the moving has been tough, but it was worth it.
SYBIL
Now that your stationed in Norfolk as a signal officer, we won't have to travel.
JIM
(unhappily)
It's a great job and they need me here, but I think I know I would be of better use in Korea.
Sybil looks at Jim stunned, unsure of what she has just heard.
SYBIL
Why Korea?
JIM
You have to understand, Sybil, fighting is my profession. My country is at war, and I want to be part of it, that's what I'm trained to do.
Jim sits down next to Sybil who offers a comforting hug.
CUT TO:
INT. HOME IN MARYLAND -- DAY
Caption "1954, Patuxent River, Maryland"
Jim opens a letter, Sybil enters the living room holding new born Sydney, Jimmy now four stands at her side. Sybil sees the concern on his face and inquires.
SYBIL
What's wrong, is it work?
JIM
Yes, Hank's plane was shot down in Korea, he's dead.
SYBIL
Oh my god, Connie must be devastated.
JIM
I'll call some of the guys, we will organize a trip out to Arlington for the funeral.
SYBIL
Will the navy shut down operations for the day?
JIM
No, that would be the worst thing they could do. It would destroy morale and depress everybody. Death is part of the business.
Jim closes the letter and exits, leaving Sybil staring out of the window of the country house, towards a church cross in the distance.
CUT TO:
EXT. DECK OF A CARRIER -- DAY
Jim stands on the deck of a carrier in the western Pacific surrounded by other members of his fighter SQUADRON. Jim opens a letter from Sybil.
INSERT-
Letter "December 6, 1959"
SYBIL
How are you enjoying the western Pacific? I have some good news for you. Today I gave birth to another son. I called him Stanford like you suggested. I hope my studies for my masters degree at his namesake goes as smoothly. Love you, see you when you get back. Love Sybil.
Another pilot taps Jim on the shoulder and indicates with a hand motion, that it is time to depart the ship for duty. Jim reciprocates, first carefully folding the note and placing it in a zipped pocket in his uniform.
CUT TO:
EXT. HOME IN STANFORD, CONNECTICUT -- DAY
Montage of normal life in Jim and Sybils home in the hills of Connecticut. The home is situated on twenty-five acres of pasture land.
Down a long driveway, Jim sits in the passenger seat of the family sedan, patiently teaching eleven year old Jimmy how to release the clutch and back out of the driveway.
JIM
That's it, slowly, ease the clutch
Jimmy lets out a whoop as the car begins to move.
EXT. BEACH NEARBY IN STANFORD -- DAY
Sybil stands on the shore of a small nearby lake watching eight year old Sydney swing from a rope over the lake and then drop in. Sybil plays with two year old Stanford in the sand, while rocking a stroller with a new born Taylor in it.
SYBIL
Woo! Nice form Sydney
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. OFFICE IN THE HOME -- NIGHT
Jim sits in his private office home pouring through a stack of philosophy books. Sybil enters with two mugs of tea.
SYBIL
How's the studying going?
JIM
Good. I have another semester to go before I get my degree, then I think I'll ask for a transfer to San Diego.
SYBIL
Great, I know you've wanted to be part of that fighter SQUADRON since the beginning.
JIM
Squadron fifty-one is the best.
Sybil exits leaving Jim to his studies.
EXT. CORONADO, CALIFORNIA -- DAY
Caption "April 1964"
Sybil and her friend doyen sit on the front porch of Sybil and Jim's home. Doyen, another navy wife, is a couple years older than Sybil. Nearby, sybil's children now thirteen, ten, four and two join Doyen's four children similarly aged, playing.
DOYEN
Are you ready for your first Navy Wife's meeting?
SYBIL
I am not sure I'm comfortable with the idea of being referred to as a senior wife.
DOYEN
Get used to it, while Jim and Budd are on the Ticonderoga with the rest of the men, there are a lot of young wives that need help, just like you did once.
SYBIL
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being apart of all the organizations, it's just the part of accompanying the chaplain around when he has to give news about a husbands death.
DOYEN
It never gets easy.
INT. SYBIL'S HOME -- DAY
Montage of correspondence between Jim and Sybil, expressing his concerns over his assignment in Vietnam.
Sybil stands in doorway of the home looking out over the scenery of the Californian hills, narrating a series of letters.
SYBIL
June seven, nineteen sixty-four, Jim is excited. A secret message from Vice Admiral Moorer, Commander of the Seventh Fleet, requested for Jim and his eight F-Eight Crusaders be equipped with air to ground capabilities be sent to the USS Constellation off the coast of South Vietnam.
CUT TO:
EXT. U.S.S CONSTELLATION -- DAY
Jim steps onto the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Constellation and starts his per-flight planning.
SYBIL
The next day Jim wrote me form the Constellation and told me that the situation in Vietnam was at a turning point. Ten planes from another carrier had been shot down over Laos and they wanted Jim to escort photo planes over the jungle.
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- DAY
Jim flies over the Loa's jungle canopy, carefully scanning for traces of anti-aircraft fire.
SYBIL
Jim never sugar coated the facts, we agreed to be honest with each other. Jim spelt out with mathematical precision that his chances of being killed were only one in ten thousand. I thought those were pretty good odds.
INT. WAR ROOM-U.S.S CONSTELLATION -- EVENING
Jim joins the other personal of the Seventh Fleet hierarchy in the war room. A heated discussion ensues.
SYBIL
June, twelfth, the Seventh Fleet hierarchy was being bypassed now. The war effort has escalated and all important events were being ran from the white house.
Jim stands and prepares for the night targets. A senior officer from military command enters and talks to the group. Jim's face takes a look of disappointment.
SYBIL
Every night, targets were assigned for the next day, then, at about two am messages from Washington would come in cancelling the orders. Jim was becoming more and more frustrated.
On Sybil's last words Jim slams down his clip board hard onto the table.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM -- DAY
Sybil sits at the side of Jim's father who lies in a hospital bed hooked up to oxygen.
JIM'S DAD
(struggling to speak)
How's Jim doing in Vietnam?
SYBIL
Yesterday Jim's SQUADRON, attacked a PT boat base and blew up the oil tanks. Jim's fine, he even asked the first man back ashore to phone me to tell me he was okay.
JIM'S DAD
Don't feel guilty about Jim not being hear, he's doing his job.
(pause)
I'm so tired
Sybil nods as Jim's Dad closes his eyes.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. SHIP DOCK YARD -- DAY
Jim steps off the carrier and is greeted by a solemn Sybil.
JIM
I got your message, has the chaplain been to see you?
SYBIL
Yesterday at Doyen's, I left the kids with her, I haven't told them yet that their grandfather has passed. I wanted to wait for you.
JIM
How are you?
SYBIL
I feel so guilty about being happy your home.
JIM
Don't, come on let's go.
EXT. GRAVE SITE -- DAY
Jim sits with his mom in front of the open casket. Jim's mom holds a cane and looks visibly frail. Jim holds his mother's hand as they observe the navy guard fire their volleys in solute. A navy band plays 'Taps' nearby.
A Legionnaire folds an American flag and places it in Jim's mother's lap.
JIM'S MOTHER
It's time to go.
Jim's mother gets up with the help of her cane and exits with Jim and Sybil.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. PROMOTION CEREMONY -- CONTINUOUS
Caption "Nine Months Later"
Jim stands on the deck of his new post the USS Oriskany. The flight deck is a wash in a sea of brilliant blue morning sky.
San Diego is clearly visible on the opposite side of the harbour.
Sybil watches proudly as Jim receives his promotion from his Navy Commander; amongst the brightly coloured flags and a navy band.
NAVAL COMMANDER
I proudly promote Commander Jim Stockdale to Carrier Air Group Commander. Part of his new duties will be the daily oversee of the six squadrons currently stationed here off the Oriskany. Congratulations.
Jim steps to the podium amidst respectful clapping.
JIM
Thank you. Being promoted to CAG is the pinnacle of a navel officers flying career. I am honoured to be among the elite few to have ever received such an honour.
Jim exit's the podium to the accompaniment of the navel band.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREETS OF TOKYO- JULY -- DAY
Jim and Sybil walk down a crowded street in the heart of Tokyo. The masses of Tokyo residences, peer at the couple.
SYBIL
The vacation came at the right time, you look so tired Jim.
Jim stops in the middle of the street and places his arms around Sybil.
JIM
I miss you, I can feel the tension of the war, I know things are heating up.
SYBIL
Is that why the Commander came to speak at the last wives meeting?
JIM
What did he have to say?
SYBIL
He gave us the guidelines about how to conduct ourselves in case any of our husbands are shot down and taken prisoner. He said we were not to talk to any strangers on the phone or the media, and not to acknowledge to anyone but family that our husbands were prisoners. What's going on Jim? How serious is the war getting?
JIM
Don't worry, the Commander is only doing his job, it's only a precaution. I hear that only a few American's are being held right now and the North Vietnamese are treating them in accordance to international law.
Jim gazes blankly over Sybil's shoulder as if hoping his words have consoled Sybil's tears and perhaps his own.
INT.YOKOSUKA HARBOUR-JAPAN -- DAY
Jim and Sybil ride in a cab through the Japanese country side. Workers till their small immaculate gardens. Sybil is an awe of her surroundings.
SYBIL
I can't wait to tell Dad about this, he would love the view.
JIM
Are you going to be okay for the next nine months?
SYBIL
I'm a navel wife, it is part of life. I won't be alone, I have the kids and all the rest of the wives. I will be fine.
Jim leans toward Sybil and kisses her softly on the cheek.
The cab nears the dock, as it does, the immense size of the carrier begins to dwarf the view of the harbour. Small fishing vessels are small dots along side the floating city size ship.
EXT. YOKOSUKA HARBOUR-JAPAN -- CONTINUOUS
Jim helps Sybil from the cab. As they step towards the carrier, Sybil tries to bring the scale of the ship into proper proportion.
SYBIL
How many people are aboard?
JIM
Almost five thousand people work and live on that ship.
SYBIL
That's more than the population of your home town.
JIM
Come on up, I'll show you around. Watch your step.
Jim helps Sybil up the steep gang plank as they enter the ship.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. HOTEL LOBBY -- NIGHT
Jim and Sybil try to convey to a Japanese speaking hotel employee that they wish to dine.
JIM
Do...you know a good...place to...
Motioning with his hands.
JIM
...eat.
The employee motions to follow.
INT. DINING ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
The employee leads the couple to a large, airy room with a view of the hills. The young man nods and exits.
An old women enters and bows.
JIM
I wish to eat a traditional Japanese meal.
The women motions for them to sit on the bamboo mats laid out on the floor, surrounding a small table, only a foot off the floor. The two nod and take the offer.
The women steps to a charcoal burner and begins to prepare Sukiyaki. She places thin strips of beef and vegetables into a hot wok. As the steam surrounds her she turns to Jim and Sybil.
JAPANESE WOMEN
(in broken English)
Are you...American?
JIM
Yes
JAPANESE WOMEN
My husband was...soldier...in World War....he was killed by a bomb.
SYBIL
I'm sorry.
The Japanese women smiles politely and begins to dish out the food.
JAPANESE WOMEN
Here...you eat now...soldiers need to be strong.
The women nods and smiles, jim and Sybil graciously excepts the dish of food and returns the nod. The women exits.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. CARRIER -- DAY
Jim and Sybil prepare for a day of shopping. The two exit their room on the ship and begin to walk down the corridor.
As they walk they pass a heavily bolted boor marked restricted.
SYBIL
What's in there?
JIM
Intelligence
SYBIL
Can you go in?
JIM
If I want to. But I'd rather not know that stuff.
SYBIL
In case you are taken prisoner right?
Jim continues to walk with Sybil and does not answer.
EXT. SHOPS OF TOKYO -- DAY
Jim and Sybil laugh as they sift through a stack of boxer shorts. Sybil looks humorously at the lack of selection. The only shorts available are adorned with pock-dots. Jim shakes his head and places a couple of pairs into a basket for purchase.
Jim and Sybil pass a shop selling kimono's. Sybil looks at Jim, Jim reciprocates with a smile and the two enter the shop.
INT. KIMONO SHOP -- CONTINUOUS
Jim wearing his Kimono waits for Sybil to exit the change room. She exits does a twirl to the delight of Jim. Jim motions to the sales women to wrap two Kimono's up.
INT. HOTEL DINING ROOM -- NIGHT
Jim and Sybil join another American navel couple for dinner. A Japanese waitress enters carrying a large dish of chicken curry. Hawaiian music plays in the background.
Sybil looks around the room in awe.
SYBIL
I can't believe this, this is almost indecent, such luxury.
Jim and the couple nod in agreement.
A waiter enters and places a small note in front of Jim.
CLOSE-
The front of the letter reads "Confidential Jim Stockdale, U.S Navy"
SYBIL
Who's it from?
JIM
(solemnly)
It's from Jerry Denton's's wife, he's been shot down and captured in Vietnam.
SYBIL
Who is Jerry Denton's?
JIM
We were class mates at the Navel Academy.
The couple accompanying Jim and Sybil offer their silent condolences.
SYBIL
(leaning closer to Jim, whispering)
I just know God will bring you back to me.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. TOKYO AIRPORT -- DAY
Jim and Sybil stand at the counter of the customs office, filling out their customs list.
JIM
Do you have everything?
SYBIL
I think so, a radio for Jimmy, a walkie-talkie for Sid, a toy telephone for Stanford and a stuffed dog Taylor. That should be it.
JIM
I think your missing something?
SYBIL
(perplexed, begins to re-check her list)
What?
Jim removes a jewelry box from his coat pocket and opens it to reveal a strand of pale blue pearls in a baroque setting.
JIM
Merry Christmas
Sybil accepts the gift with a smile and the two hug and kiss passionately.
WIDE-
Sybil begins to cry.
SYBIL
I love you
An announcement comes over the Airport speakers, indicating that Jim's plane is ready for take-ff.
JIM
I love you too Sybil.
Jim picks up the presents.
JIM
I'll keep them with me and bring them home when the ship returns to San Diego for Christmas.
Sybil nods and smiles through her tears and begins to watch Jim walk towards the gate. Remembering something, Sybil calls out to Jim.
SYBIL
Wait!
Jim returns.
SYBIL
I wrote...you this.
Sybil places a love note in Jim's pocket. The two kiss and then Jim departs.
TRACKING SHOT-
Jim walks the length of the airport, never looking back, in strict regulation of their agreement with each other.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. ABOARD THE ORISKANY -- DAY
TIGHT-
Jim writes in his journal.
JIM
August tenth, nineteen sixty five, my mind has been scanning...
PULL BACK-
JIM
...the events and trends in the air war in North Vietnam since the attack on the Vinh oil storage a year ago. Washington is now calling all the shots. All targets are being selected by politicians on the naive idea that delicate, peace making signals could be transmitted by military action.
Jim is interrupted by the presence of Captain Brat Connally standing in the doorway.
CAPTAIN CONNALLY
Can I talk to you Jim?
JIM
I'm guessing it's about the missions Washington has had us doing.
CAPTAIN CONNALLY
I know you are not happy with the situation, but it is your duty as Air Commander to follow the rules.
JIM
Rules? The ones that put planes and mens lives at risk on meaningless targets?
CAPTAIN CONNALLY
As long as you maintain your current level of tactical effectiveness, I can't question your interference of the rules.
JIM
I agree with the rules, but those men are like family and I don't like the idea of burying family.
CAPTAIN CONNALLY
I agree, which leads me to a tough question, what do you wish for me to do if you go missing?
JIM
If you think I'm dead, even if there's no proof, declare me killed in action, for Sybil and the kid's sake, that way she can re-marry.
CAPTAIN CONNALLY
Agreed, we have a briefing in one hour.
Captain Connally exits. Jim removes the love note from his pocket and begins to read it.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
Montage of scenes showing the turn for the worse in the air war over North Vietnam.
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- MORNING
A small group of shanty roofs peak through the heavy canopy of jungle.
Jim presses the release button on a guided bomb. We TRACK as the bomb lands in the middle of the compound. Explosions followed by flames light up the dark jungle.
Muzzle flashes erupt from the jungle a few feet from the compound, up towards Jim.
Jim takes evasive action as several bullets rip through his starboard wing.
JIM
(to his men)
I'm hit, but I will be fine. Mission accomplished, lets head back to Yankee station.
PILOT #3
I hear you
Jim pulls back and left on the stick, turning his plane.
EXT. DECK OF THE ORISKANY -- DAY
Jim steps on to the deck and heads for his Skyhawk. A group of pilots stand in front of the plane, smiling.
PILOT #3
Captain Stockdale, the guys and I would like to show our appreciation for the job you are doing as SQUADRON leader.
JIM
Thank you, what's this all about?
The guys split sideways to reveal a new name decal painted on the side of the plane.
TIGHT-
Name Plate "007 James 'Bond' Stockdale"
WIDER-
JIM
(amused and appreciative)
Thanks guys, really, now are we ready, we have a dragon to slay.
PILOT #3
(proudly smiling)
Yes sir
CUT TO:
A fleury of activity ensues, as pilot run towards their planes and ground crews prepare for their take off.
EXT./INT. HIGH OVER THE DRAGONS JAW BRIDGE/ COCKPIT-JIM -- DAY
Jim briefs his men on the details of the mission.
JIM
I realize this may seem old, we keep hitting this bridge and the North Vietnamese just keep rebuilding it, but if we don't break this dragons jaw, the Vietnamese will still be able to bite.
A volley of small bombs hit the bridge, causing damage to the deck planks.
JIM
Ed, drop your two five-hundred pound bombs, I'll follow right behind with a thousand ,that should finish the job.
The bridge all ready in flames, is struck again by Jim's bomb, causing the center of the bridge to sag and then collapse.
The SQUADRON pulls up and begins to head towards the next target, leaving the bridge with a hole in the center, but the main supports still in tact.
JIM
Let's go we will get it another day, we own the sky, but they own the jungle.
A group of planes make another run on the jungle target. A bomb rips into the darkness, doing little damage. A volley of fire is returned.
A strife of bullets rip through a Skyhawk fuselage.
PILOT #3
Mayday! Mayday!, I've been hit!
JIM
Pull up! Pull up!
A huge fire ball erupts from the jungle as the plane crashes into the ground.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. CHAPLAINS OFFICE -- DAY
Jim stands in front of the senior chaplain scheduling a memorial service for the pilots lost that week.
JIM
Ed Davis, KIA married three weeks before we left San Diego. Mike O'Donnal, KIA, father of two, Jeff Rodgers, single, nineteen years old.
Jim chokes back his emotions on the last name.
CHAPLAIN
Thank you, I will make the necessary arrangement, funeral services will commence tomorrow at o eight hundred.
JIM
Thank you, now excuse me.
Jim exits.
INT. PILOT BRIEFING ROOM -- DAY
Jim approaches pilot Harry Jenkins.
JIM
I hear you took some bad flack yesterday.
JENKINS
Two shots ripped right through the cockpit. I was lucky too get the plane back aboard. I'm glad my one hundredth mission was a lucky one.
JIM
I am happy your back.
JENKINS
Oh, did you hear they rescued Lieutenant Burton from the sea, twelve miles off the coast of Vietnam.
JIM
Burton? Good thing they rescued him.
JENKINS
Why do you say that?
JIM
Burton has a peculiar restriction because he's done intelligence duty. He was not to be exposed to possible capture until after September, when the material he encountered is out of date.
JENKINS
Here we are busting our humps everyday, bringing back flak holes the size of grapefruits, and this guy gets the royal treatment.
JIM
I guess the US government thinks they can win the war using propaganda bombs.
Harry and Jim continue to exchange small talk Jim narrates the true meaning of his statement.
JIM
I wish I could have told Harry the truth, the fact that what ever Lieutenant Burton knew failed in comparison to the knowledge I had in my possession. If I were captured and if my captors were to read my name in newspaper accounts of the Tonkin Gulf episodes. The simple confession they might be able to extract...
INT. JIM STOCKDALE'S STATEROOM -- CONTINUOUS
Jim sits on his bunk writing in his diary continuing his thought.
JIM
...from me would be the biggest Communist propaganda scoop of the decade.
CLOSE-
On the diary page as Jim's hand writes the following,
"American Congress commits to a war in Vietnam on the basis of an event that did not happen"
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. SODA SHOP -- DAY
Fourteen year old Jimmy sits in a Michigan Avenue soda shop, listening solemnly to a report from President Johnson. The boys around him groan and react to the bad news.
PRESIDENT JOHNSON
The war effort in Vietnam needs to be stepped up to the next level, if we are able to keep our goals on track, that we established at the beginning of the war effort. Our goal is to provide the most safe conditions for the men already serving in North Vietnam. It is necessary to double the draft call and add fifty-thousand troops to the line in the south, if we are to achieve our agenda.
PULL BACK-
As Jimmy's friends boo and hiss, showing their disgust for the President's speech. Jimmy silently gets up from his stool and quietly exits.
CUT TO:
INT. JIM STOCKDALE'S STATEROOM -- MORNING
CLOSE-
On a sounding alarm clock reading 5:00am
WIDEN-
JIM leaps from his bunk and opens his drawer. On top of his socks and shirts are the gifts he bought for Christmas in Japan. JIM lifts the walkie-talkies and the box containing the pearls, underneath he removes the red-polka-dot boxers, smiling.
JIM
(to himself)
I need all the good luck I can get.
JIM takes out a watch, turns it over and looks at the inscription.
TIGHT-
On the inscription on the back, "JBS, 1942, Love Dad"
JIM grabs his flight suite and heads for the bathroom.
CUT TO:
EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- MORNING
In the dim light of dawn the crews are preparing the thirty-seven Skyhawk planes for launch. JIM walks confidently toward the gathered flight crew.
JIM
What's the weather report?
WEATHER SCOUT
You should have acceptable visibility for your raid at the Dragon's Jaw Bridge.
JIM
I assume you all know the plan.
The pilots nod, the announcement to "stand by to start engines" comes across the flight deck bull horn.
The flight deck takes on a look of a ballet stage. Dozens of sailor technicians duck down beside the catapults. Yellow shirted plane directors to signal the pilots to turn their planes toward the catapults.
INT. JIM'S COCKPIT -- DAY
JIM continues his briefing as his POV of the open water replaces the view from the carrier.
JIM
(into his radio)
We will cross the coast about sixty miles south of Vinh and gradually bend around to make a run into the bridge on a north east heading.
Just as the view of the beach comes into view directly below JIM the weather scout breaks in to damper the jubilant tone.
WEATHER SCOUT
Heavy rain at the bridge, ceiling and visibility zero.
TIGHT-
JIM face shows his displeasure.
JIM
This is double-o-seven. Break up and proceed to secondary targets. See you all back aboard ship.
JIM waves to his wing man and rolls his Skyhawk sharply left and starts down through the clouds.
As he descends through the clouds, JIM becomes relaxed and unstraps his oxygen mask.
JIM
Wynn, I'm heading up the coast to the railroad. I can make good use of my bombs there.
WYNN
Great idea, I'll follow you, there's never been a problem with flak up there.
JIM and WYNN turn their planes downward, setting up for a low altitude drop on a row of train cars. JIM turns to WYNN on his right and gives a casual thumbs up and then switches on his gun sight.
JIM plane drops down the middle of the box cars and fires a bomb that hits perfectly. The box car is turned to a pile of rubble.
JIM starts to pull up. The sound of 'boom boom' from a fifty seven millimetre anti-aircraft gun roars over the engine noise and wind. JIM turns his head to the right.
Fire Balls from a Vietnamese cannon, hidden in the jungle erupt towards JIM at point blank range.
JIM feels the impact.
JIM
Mayday! Mayday! I'm hit bad. My instrument panel reads all red! I'm on fire! Hydraulic systems are gone. My control system is going out! And I am heading into a zero g nose down pitch.
JIM puts his oxygen mask to his mouth and gives his last instructions to WYNN.
JIM
The g forces are incredible, I can't reach my injection curtain! I can see the gulf about three miles ahead. I don't know if I can make the safe zone, but I'll try.
The Skyhawk pitches over and heads for the ground.
JIM pulls the alternate seat firing handle located between his legs. The cockpit canopy flies off and JIM accelerates up the ejection track. JIM looks straight up to see his parachute open .
EXT. HIGH ABOVE THE VIETNAMESE JUNGLE -- CONTINUOUS
JIM goes into a tumble as the chute deploys. He begins to skim the tops of the towering jungle trees. He begins to drift over a highway.
Rifle fire from below cuts slits in the parachute. JIM looks up and tries to look calm as his parachute drifts through the trees, finally snagging on a scrub tree.
EXT. VIETNAMESE TOWN -- CONTINUOUS
JIM bobs up and down over the street. Instinctively JIM, with his right hand pops the two quick release latches on either side of his chest. The parachute straps snap up and away into the tree. JIM becomes aware of the sound of heavy combat boots thundering there way through the jungle.
A mob of Vietnamese townsfolk angrily run through the jungle towards JIM. Each carrying clubs.
The mob descends on JIM and begins to pummel their captive. The mostly teen try to show off for one another. Each trying to get in the hardest blow. JIM tries to ward off the blows, but they come fast and hard. A teen lands a shot to JIM's head that knocks him semi-unconscious.
Vietnamese police descend on the fallen JIM, blowing their whistles. They grab JIM and sit him upright. The police dressed in civilian clothes and pith helmets begin to wave off the crowd.
Three boys step out of the crowd and begin cutting JIM's uniform off, in quick angry slashes. As they get down to his polka-dot shorts, cries of laughter grow in the crowd. Unphased a teen quickly slashes at the shorts, leaving JIM lying naked in the middle of the street.
The crowd pulls down the parachute from the trees and begin to cart off there trophy. One of the police points down at JIM's boots and shouts angrily in broken English.
VIETNAMESE COP
Boot...boot..off!
JIM
(struggling)
Okay, give me a minute, my legs are broken. I have morphine in my bag, over their, let me get it.
JIM tries to reach for his flight bag lying nearby in the street. The Vietnamese cop smiles and steps on JIM's hand and reaches down and snatches up the bag. In Vietnamese he motions to a teen and throws him the bag.
Two more teens join the other teen to loot through the bag. They laugh as they pull out various gear. A teen with three watches on his arm motions at JIM's watch. The cop, still standing on JIM's arm, forcibly grabs JIM's engraved watch off his wrist with such force the band breaks. He hands it to the teen with the watches and smiles with excitement and then runs off.
JIM becomes aware of aircraft engine noises overhead as he is being hauled down the street naked by the mob. A man in civilian clothes comes running through the crowd. In clear and distinct English addresses JIM.
VIETNAMESE MAN
Are you James Bond Stockdale?
JIM
(yelling)
Yes!
The Vietnamese man nods knowingly and runs off to the north. JIM passes out.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. VIETNAMESE TOWN -- LATER
JIM comes too, as the sun begins to set, he is still lying naked in the town square.. He is now surrounded by Vietnamese army personnel in uniform. One tosses a dirty pair of blue shorts and a work shirt at JIM. JIM quickly puts them on.
Four soldiers take a hold of a limb each, much to JIM's discomfort, and begin drag JIM through the woods.
EXT. VIETNAMESE TOWN-WOODS -- CONTINUOUS
The soldiers drag JIM to the edge of the woods on the other side, to a highway. Thirty trucks are parked under the overhead of trees beside the road, all aimed south. Each is laden with Vietcong war material.
Men and women in and on top of the trucks help throw JIM up on a canvas cover atop a loaded truck. The trucks depart to a roar of hooting and hollering. The trucks have dim shielded headlights and the people on top keep watch for aircraft.
EXT. VIETNAMESE TOWN-HIGHWAY -- NIGHT
Now dark the moon fills the sky as the trucks come to a stop at a check point. JIM is hauled off the truck and handed over to a group of civilians.
One of them a hulking man, takes charge and motions the other men to take JIM to a hut on a nearby cliff, overlooking the sea.
INT. VIETNAMESE TOWN-CABIN -- NIGHT
JIM is hauled into the wooden cabin and thrown onto a wooden slab bed. Three of the men leave, the two other begin to argue. The argument is halted when a crazed man bursts through the cabin door carrying a milk stool.
The man slams the stool into JIM's stomach with force, twice. JIM musters the strength to grab the stool and throw it into the corner. The stool crashes into pieces.
Enraged the man pulls out a pistol and fires two shots at point blank range. One shot rips into a bed plank below JIM's torso, the other grazes his foreleg, causing a small wound.
The two Vietnamese men forcibly grabs the crazed man and throw him out of the cabin. One of the men exits and then returns with a white rag and begins to tend to JIM's wounds.
The crazy man re-enters this time motioning for the other two to carry JIM out, the two oblige.
CUT TO:
INT. VIETNAMESE HOSPITAL -- MORNING
The Vietnamese men drag JIM into a concrete building and lay him onto a cement slab bed.
A Vietnamese doctor in full surgical garb, including a white face mask, comes in carrying a black medical bag. He starts laying out his tools. JIM looks on terrified, as the surgeon lays out a surgical saw and all sorts of large scalpels.
JIM
(fractically trying to communicate)
No! No! Don't cut off my leg!
The doctor shrugs and places the saw back on the table. The doctor turns back and begins to examine JIM's shoulder and back. Turns back to retrieve a veterinary needle and proceeds to fill it with a clear fluid. The man shoves the needle into JIM's right elbow. At the count of three JIM passes out.
CUT TO:
INT. VIETNAMESE HOSPITAL -- NIGHT
His left arm and all o f his upper torso are placed in a plaster cast. One of the men exit. JIM works his way to a sitting position.
CLOSE-
On JIM's legs, which are also placed in full casts from his ankle to the mid thigh. JIM slumps back down in relief.
JIM
(to himself)
Thank you lord.
The doctor swings back into the room, still dressed in white, with him a Vietnamese man who speaks in broken English.
VIETNAMESE MAN #2
Those are travel casts...you can move your leg only a bit...we can go now.
EXT. OUTSIDE VIETNAMESE HOSPITAL -- NIGHT
A female Vietnamese and two male civilians help JIM into an open bed truck and one throws a quilt over him. The women climbs into the back of the truck and the men step onto the cab of the truck. The truck starts up.
EXT. VIETNAMESE COUNTRY SIDE -- NIGHT
JIM looks up as the truck passes over the Dragons Jaw Bridge. The truck crawls over the bridge due to the bombing damage. JIM slumps back down into the truck and drifts off to sleep.
CUT TO:
EXT. VIETNAMESE COUNTRY SIDE -- DAY
The truck pulls into a country barnyard with limestone ridges rising all around it. Three men pass the truck, conversing in Vietnamese. JIM struggles to listen to the muffled conversation. JIM clearly hears the words 'Hanoi'
JIM realizes the scope of the situation and begins to tear off his plaster casts, with his good right arm. JIM gets through his upper body cast, then gets to work on his heavy leg cast. He gets half torn apart and begins to paint for breath when his escorts come back up the road.
The Vietnamese men look on without the least bit of alarm. The women picks up the strewn plaster and throws it out of the truck. The men step into the cab of the truck and drive away.
CUT TO:
EXT. CITY OF HANOI -- MORNING
JIM awakens to realize he is on the outskirts of the city of Hanoi. It is straying to rain when the truck makes a sharp veer to the side and parks at the curb. JIM flat on his back, facing too the rear of the truck, looks up to see a beautiful French built public building in a heavily wooded park, to his left and a very long prison wall to his right.
The two men exit the truck and take JIM off the truck, one blindfolds him while the other handcuffs him hands behind his back.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. SYBIL'S HOME -- NIGHT
SYBIL spends another quiet night in Coronado. The stairs in the old house creak as SYBIL leads the youngest son Taylor, three up to bed. At the top of the stairs two rooms side by side frame the shot. SYBIL leads Taylor into a room where five year old Stanford and eleven year old SID ready for bed.
SYBIL
Did you finish your math problems?
SID
Yes mom
SYBIL
Great, good night
(too Taylor)
And don't let the bed bugs bite.
Taylor climbs into his bed and SID reaches over and shuts the table side light off.
INT. JIMMY'S ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
SYBIL enters JIMMY's room adjacent. JIMMY sits transfixed to a telescope set up in front of his window, pointed at the sky.
SYBIL
What star are you looking at tonight?
JIMMY
(turning around)
I'm looking at the moon, dad says the United States is going to put a manned rocket up there.
SYBIL
Your dad would know
JIMMY
You okay mom? You seem quit tonight, do you know something about dad?
SYBIL
(trying to reassure)
No, Jimmy, is just this house seems empty without your dad, anyway, happy star gazing. Don't stay up too late. Good night.
As SYBIL exits JIMMY returns to his telescope.
INT. SYBIL'S HOME -- CONTINUOUS
SYBIL enters the living room, as she does a KNOCK at the door alerts her.
Opening the door SYBIL is greeted by DOYEN and a CHAPLAIN who greets her with solemn looks.
SYBIL
Doyen? What brings you here, so late?
DOYEN's instinctively reaches out and hugs SYBIL in an effort to soften the terrible news she is about to deliver.
DOYEN
There's a message...
(forcing herself to get the words out)
Jim is missing
Silence,
SYBIL
(in shock)
That's impossible, Jim isn't missing. He's alive, he can't be missing, he's alive. He has to be somewhere in the world, missing? How can that be?
DOYEN
His plane was shot down and they think he got out, this is Lieutenant Parker. He will tell you the rest.
LIETENANT PARKER
(his ~voice shaky)
Jim's parachute was sighted, but we don't have any sign of a chute after Jim descended. That's all we know so far.
SYBIL
Is he dead?
JIMMY enters the room on SYBIL's last word.
JIMMY
Mom, is dad dead?
SYBIL turns to JIMMY and hesitates for an answer, sensing her loss for words, Lieutenant Parker tries to lessen the blow.
LIETENANT PARKER
You must be Jimmy, your a spitten image of your father. Hi, I'm Lieutenant Parker. I'm sorry we had to meet like this, as I was saying to your mother, we don't know yet the status of your dad. So for now he is listed missing in action.
SYBIL stands in shock as the news sinks in. She begins to shake, JIMMY walks over to console his mother.
JIMMY
Can I get you anything mom?
SYBIL
(embarrassed, tries to fight back her emotions)
That's okay Jimmy, go back to bed.
JIMMY nods and hesitantly EXITS. DOYEN replaces JIMMY in consoling SYBIL.
DOYEN
Come over and sit on the couch, I'll get you a glass of Sherry.
SYBIL sits on the couch, DOYEN, EXITS, LIEUTENANT PARKER stays at the door.
LIETENANT PARKER
(taking out a folder from a brief case)
I've written down all the information here, I'll leave it with you. Good Night Sybil.
LIEUTENANT PARKER drops the file next to SYBIL and EXITS> DOYEN Re-ENTERS with a glass of sherry.
DOYEN
Would you like me to stay the night?
SYBIL
No, I'll be okay, I've got the kids.
DOYEN
I know, Jimmy is growing into such a man, but if you need to talk don't hesitate to phone me.
SYBIL
I will, I promise.
DOYEN smiles, nods and EXITS, leaving SYBIL alone to contemplate her actions.
INT. SYBIL'S HOME -- MORNING
SYBIL sits in a large chair in the living room, deep circles ring her eyes, obvious signs that she had been up all night.
JIMMY leads the two older boys into the room.
JIMMY
I told them you got some news about Dad, nothing else.
SYBIL
Thanks, come sit here.
SID and STAN crawl up into the chair next to their mom. JIMMY hovers over the chair.
SYBIL
Jimmy, you know I have always been honest with you, your old enough for the truth. When you asked me whether your Dad was dead alive, I told you the honest truth, I don't know.
SID
Mom, Daddies okay, he's fighting the bad guys, right?
STAN
Come on Sid, we will miss the school bus.
The two children climb down from the chair and EXIT leaving SYBIL and JIMMY.
JIMMY
Don't worry about Stan, he's a smart kid, Taylor is too young, it's Sid I worry about.
SYBIL
I know, I pray the day never comes that I have to tell him that there father is...
SYBIL chokes on her last words. JIMMY intervenes.
JIMMY
I'll pray too. I've got to get to school.
JIMMY leans down and kisses SYBIL on the cheek and EXITS.
INT. SYBIL'S HOME-LAUNDRY ROOM -- DAY
SYBIL is helped with the laundry by STANFORD.
STANFORD
(touching SYBIL's arm and looking straight into her eyes)
Mom, I'm so sorry about Dad
A KNOCK at the door.
SYBIL
Wait here, I'll be right back.
INT. SYBIL'S HOME -- MOMENTS LATER
Answering the door, a reporter smartly dressed in a top coat and hat smiles.
REPORTER
Sorry, to bother you Mrs. Stockdale, but I have a couple of questions about your husband to ask you.
SYBIL
(mildly annoyed)
I'm sorry, I can't answer any questions right now. All I do know is that I have been reassured by the commander that the U.S Government believes the Communists are treating all United States Navy personnel captured, with dignity and respect and will continue to do so.
REPORTER
So you believe that your husband is still alive?
SYBIL
Yes, now excuse me.
The REPORTER reluctantly EXITS.SYBIL begins to shut the door, but the presence of the mailman stops her.
MAILMAN
I don't make it a habit to deliver mail up to the house, but I had to tell you in person, how sorry all of us at the post office are.
SYBIL
Thank you.
MAILMAN
Oh sorry, here's your mail.
SYBIL takes the mail and leafs through it, stopping at one and opening it.
INSERT-
On a letter addressed "JIM Stockdale, Coronado Mortgage Company. Balance due October 01, Final Notice."
WIDER-
SYBIL looks at the letter solemnly as the realization of the situation sinks in. She places the letter nest to the phone and EXITS back toward the laundry room.
INT. SYBIL'S HOME -- LATER
SYBIL sits in a chair next to the phone, holding the letter from the mortgage company, she dials a number.
SYBIL
(into the phone)
Yes, hello, this is Sybil Stockdale. I wish to talk to the commander.
(pause)
SYBIL
Yes, is this the Commander of Fiscal Affairs...right...thank you...I've called you three times now about receiving Jim's pay directly.
(pause)
SYBIL
I'm sorry, I realize your busy, but you keep telling me you are doing something about it, but this is September, I called you in the middle of July.
(pause)
SYBIL
Yes, and you told me you would send the paperwork, so that I could have Jim's pay check sent to me.
(pause)
SYBIL
I've waited long enough! I'll give you until Monday to find out about the pay or I'm going to call the Admiral in Washington, who I'll remind you is head of all Navy personnel!
(pause)
SYBIL
I thought so, I will look for the check tomorrow. Thank you for all the work that you have done.
SYBIL hangs up the phone and smiles in satisfaction.
INT. SYBIL'S HOME -- EVENING
SYBIL sits in her chair writing a letter.
INSERT-
SYBIL writes.
SYBIL
Dearest Jim, I hope you are being treated well, I look forward to the day we all can be united.
WIDER-
SYBIL
The boys ask about you everyday. They are growing like weeds, I've been told to keep my letters short, which will be tough. I just wanted to say, I will continue to cope and believe the way I believe you would want me to. Bye for now, love Sybil.
SYBIL folds up the letter and places it in an envelope and addresses it.
INSERT-
The envelope. "JIM Stockdale, US State Department c/o The
Red Cross"
MONTAGE-
Showing how SYBIL and the kids try to maintain as normal of a life as could be expected under the circumstances.
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME -- DAY
DOYEN and BUDD join SYBIL in the bleachers, cheering for JIMMY as he leads the local high school team to victory.
EXT. MOVIE THEATRE -- DAY
DOYEN, BUDD and SYBIL with the boys exit a movie theatre. Everyone has a look of enjoyment.
INT. RESTAURANT -- NIGHT
DOYEN and BUDD welcome SYBIL to their table for a night out.
INT. SYBIL'S HOME -- DAY
DOYEN carries a birthday cake over to SYBIL who is surrounded by the boys and BUDD. The gang sings and laugh as STANFORD enjoys his day.
INT. SYBIL'S HOME -- NIGHT
SYBIL surrounded by the boys places a small cake with a single candle on it and lights it.
INSERT-
Cake. "Happy Birthday JIM, Return Soon"
INT. SYBIL'S HOME-DECEMBER -- MORNING
JIMMY leads the boys and his mom to the Christmas tree, two large grey boxes sit under the tree.
JIMMY
These arrived yesterday, there from the navy, open them.
SYBIL bends down and opens the first and begins to remove the contents. A large picture of her and then several smaller ones of the boys. The kimono they bought in Tokyo, the Christmas gifts they bought for the boys, the radio, the toy telephone, the toy dog and the walkie-talkie. SYBIL hands the gifts to the boys.
JIMMY (CONT'D)
Open the other one.
SYBIL opens the second box and begins to smile as she lifts out a letter placed on top of the blue pearls.
JIMMY (CONT'D)
Let me help you put them on.
SYBIL puts on the necklace and JIMMY closes the clasp.
SYBIL
How did you know what was in the boxes.
JIMMY
(coyly)
I took a peek.
SYBIL smiles and wraps her arms around all the boys together.
SYBIL
Where ever you are Jim, I feel closer to you.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. SYBIL'S HOME-APRIL -- MORNING
SYBIL removes a pile of flyers and mail from the mail box at the top of the driveway. TAYLOR stands by her side. She leafs through the pile until one particular letter stops her dead.
INSERT-
Address on the letter "SYBIL Stockdale"
PAN UP-
To SYBIL's face. SYBIL looks intently at the hand writing for a few seconds and then becomes excited.
SYBIL
(to TAYLOR)
Come on honey, lets read a letter form Daddy.
The two exit quickly toward the house.
EXT. SYBIL'S HOME -- CONTINUOUS
SYBIL turns over the letter and reveals four stamps bearing the word 'Vietnam'
TIGHT-
To the round post mark indicating 'Hanoi'. SYBIL shifts to the envelope just beneath this one. This letter bears the same stamps and post marks, addressed to SYBIL, but in a different hand writing.
WIDE-
SYBIL slumps into a nearby chair and stairs at the second letter with fear. Her hands begin to shake as she unfolds the thin manilla paper and begins to read.
SYBIL
February third, nineteen sixty-six, my dearest Syb.
Puzzled SYBIL open the first letter and begins to read.
SYBIL
December twenty six, nineteen sixty five...
CUT TO:
INT. JIM'S CELL IN HANOI PRISON -- DAY
Two guards armed with rifles stand guard, a third guard hands JIM a piece of paper and a pen and motions for him to write. JIM calmly continues the letter SYBIL began to read.
JIM
...My dearest Syb and boys, yesterday on Christmas day, the authorities granted me permission to send you greetings. I have been given your letter of October third, describing your football outings with the Salsig's. It is a great comfort to me to know that Aunt Hazel has come to the aid of mother. A winter visit by mother accompanied by Hazel seems a good tonic for mother's loneliness. Please give her my enduring love. I am adequately housed and fed. I'm about one hundred and forty pounds. I have a bum knee and shoulder which were well treated in the hospital here. I'm told that I will soon be able to return to the hospital where the doctors will finish the job. So don't concern yourself with my physical well being. I'm being taken care of. I frequently dream, Sid and Taylor...
CUT TO:
INT. SYBIL'S HOME -- MORNING
On JIM's last line, SYBIL continues JIM's letter.
SYBIL
...have been featured of late. How wonderful it is that our children's ages cover such a time span. My writing time is nearly up, and I must hurry with the more down to earth ideas I've been savouring. I do hope you were able to have Christmas dinner with the Salsig's again. I've hoped that the old shipmates that I liked so well stopped by to see you. Incidentally, I wish you would repay Paul Engel a couple of stamp books that I borrowed. Just drop by- he lives right across from the Shugart. Boys don't count your old man out for very long. We Will be together soon...
PULL OUT:
To reveal that TAYLOR, STAN, SID, and JIMMY have now joined their mother, leaning over the letter as SYBIL gets to the parts of the letter that pertains to them.
SYBIL
...I pray by even this summer. Rosy-cheek Taylor, I know you're king of the sand box. Stan, I've thought of you a lot and visualized you marching off to school with your books and pencil box. Sid, I love you dearly, and wonder how the typical Mister regular boy spent the fall. Flag football, again perhaps. Jimmy, you've inherited the big load of temporary man of the family at an early age. You've met our every dream and I rest more easily knowing your mature and watchful eye is making sure your mother gets as much assistance as you boys can give her.
WIDER-
As JIMMY pats TAYLOR on the head and smiles.
SYBIL
Jimmy, I think you should read this part.
SYBIL hands JIMMY the letter, he begins to read.
JIMMY
...Jimmy, I'm particularly proud of your quality of character and I know you said to me as you rode away to school on your bike the morning I left, we will be praying for you. How much significance that remark has been since held for me! Also, glad to hear of your athletic achievements this fall.
JIMMY smiles and hands the letter back to his mom.
JIMMY
Here this parts for you mom.
CLOSE-
SYBIL continues the letter.
SYBIL
...Syb, I've just been given the word that I may expect to be given a letter a month. Happy day. It was also explained that my outgoing mail can go to only one address. By the same token, only one, yourself, should write to me in the monthly schedule. All my love Jim.
PILL OUT-
As the boys surround SYBIL.
JIMMY
Read the second letter
SYBIL
Oh I'm sure it's more of the same.
SYBIL smiles awkwardly as if something bothered her about the letters.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. SYBIL'S HOME -- DAY
SYBIL sits with two men from the Office of Naval Intelligence. She holds the two letters in her hand.
SYBIL
Thank you Mister Steele for coming, as I mentioned to you on the phone something bothered me about the letters Jim wrote me.
MR.STEELE
We read them, nothing sounds unusual, what do you mean?
SYBIL
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he's alive thank god, but a couple pf parts pf the letters didn't make sense.
MR.STEELE
Which parts?
SYBIL stands and holds out the letter for MR.STEELE to read along.
SYBIL
Here, the part about dropping by at Paul Engels across the street from the Shugarts. That is strange, the Shugarts live in Lemoore. California. Four hundred miles north of here.
MR.STEELE
What would make him say just drop by?
SYBIL
Look and here, in this letter he tells Jimmy to say hello to his old football buddies- Bobby-Tom, Badly and Red Dawg. I didn't tell Jimmy about this part because it would have sounded crazy.
MR.STEELE
Crazy? What's crazy about remembering your sons friends?
SYBIL
Badly Chapman and Red Dawg are fellow aviators, but they never played football. Bobby-Tom Jenkins played football with Jim at the Naval Academy, but the boys have never met him and I haven't seen him in years. He lives in Alabama somewhere.
MR.STEELE
I don't know what to say Mrs. Stockdale. The navy doesn't normally pry into the personal affairs of its officers or their family, but we are most interested on any information about Jim's circumstances.
SYBIL
I think Jim is trying to tell us something using some sort of code.
MR.STEELE
Code? Explain what do you mean?
SYBIL places the two letters side by side on a table in front of MR.STEELE and the other man.
SYBIL
Here, Jim reports his weight to be one hundred and forty pounds. That means he's lost about thirty pounds in three months-and in the next letter he said he'd lost even more. That's a lot of weight loss considering they are adequately housed and fed.
MR.STEELE
Maybe Jim feels he's lost more weight than he actually has.
SYBIL
(unswayed)
Here, he comments about man's inhumanity to man. He mentioned that to me when we where leaving the movie theatre in Japan after seeing in harms way. And here, dropping by Paul Engel to repay him for some stamp books.
MR.STEELE
Does Jim normally fret about repaying his debts?
SYBIL
No, not a couple of stamps and the reference to his buddies, Red Dawg, Bobby-Tom and Badly as his football buddies. This all worries me.
MR.STEELE
Is there any other part of the letter that seems strange?
SYBIL
The most significant part of the letters, the thing that made me feel the saddest, was the phrase, there was cold and darkness, even at noon.
MR.STEELE
Does this have any significance in your, or Jim's life?
SYBIL
I think Jim is referring to Arthur Koestler's book, darkness at Noon. It describes life in a Communist prison as complete hell.
MR.STEELE
Is there anything else in the second letter that seems to convey a message in code.
SYBIL
The banner he refers to was the American flag from on top of his dad's casket. And I don't know why he had printed the letter. Maybe because of his bad shoulder or being cold and stiff, but I thought it was more likely he'd been told to right it that way.
MR.STEELE
Thank you Mrs. Stockdale, we will be in touch.
MR.STEELE and the other man stand and prepare to exit MR.STEELE turns back to SYBIL.
MR.STEELE
Don't worry to much about the parts of Jim's letters that seem unusual.
SYBIL
Thank you, I'll walk you out.
SYBIL smiles, but her expression seems forced as if she got the impression they knew more about the strange passages than they let on. SYBIL and the two men EXIT.
INT. SYBIL'S HOME -- NIGHT
SYBIL sits in her chair next to the phone. She picks up the receiver and dials zero.
SYBIL
Yes, the San Diego Union, please
(pause)
Hello, I just wanted to know when the morning edition is delivered to Coronado
(pause)
I see they come over on the boat at two am, thank you.
INT. SYBIL'S HOME -- LATER
SYBIL checks in on the sleeping boys and notices JIMMY stirring.
SYBIL
(whispering)
Jimmy, Jimmy
JIMMY
(groggy)
Hmm.
SYBIL
(whispering)
I'll be right back, I'm going to get a paper.
SYBIL EXITS.
EXT. BOAT DOCKS -- NIGHT
SYBIL approaches a man loading news papers into his truck.
SYBIL
Excuse me, this may sound crazy, but I need to get a paper.
NEWSPAPER MAN
(shaking his head in disbelief)
Sure here.
SYBIL, pays the man for the paper and EXITS.
CUT TO:
INT. SYBIL'S HOME -- MOMENTS LATER
SYBIL rushes in and sits in her chair in the living room. She switches on a small light and begins to skim the paper, turning the pages quickly looking for a story about JIM.
INSERT-
Newspaper Byline "San Diego Union May 2"
PAN LEFT-
Picture of JIM. His head somewhat bowed. The picture itself is somewhat dark, his face is unshaven and he is clothed in a pajama top.
PAN RIGHT-
Back to the article, "Tokyo (AP)- Hanoi's Vietnamese News Agency has identified a San Diego who..."
WIDE-
To SYBIL's face as she becomes excited as she reads through the article.
SYBIL
(muffled)
...it says was captured after his navy plane was shot down over North Vietnam last September. He was identified as Commander James Bond Stockdale, forty-two. The agency identified four other American pilots Saturday...
CUT TO:
INT. PENTAGON OFFICE -- AFTERNOON
SYBIL enters the office of COMMANDER BOUROUGHS. He wears a dark business suite instead of a uniform. SYBIL takes out the letters from JIM and hands them to the Commander.
SYBIL
Thank you for seeing me, Commander.
COMMANDER BOUROUGHS
Now, you said on the phone you felt their was something odd about your husbands letters and he could be trying to send encoded messages.
SYBIL
Yes, and I think parts of the messages is meant for the US Navy.
COMMANDER BOUROUGHS
(reading the letters)
He mentions Paul Engel. Interesting, commander Harry Jenkins lived across the street from Paul.
SYBIL
Does that tell you something?
COMMANDER BOUROUGHS
(looking up)
Harry Jenkins was listed as missing, I think Jim is trying to tell the navy that Jenkins was alive in Hanoi.
SYBIL
Hw also mentions three men who he referred to as football mates, are they connected?
COMMANDER BOUROUGHS
I must stress Mrs. Stockdale what I have told you is to be kept in strict confidentiality. You must not talk to anyone about it.
SYBIL
I understand
COMMANDER BOUROUGHS
Now, Sybil, if it is true that Jim is trying to tell the Navy the truth of the situation, I would like your help to try to get a secret message to Jim.
SYBIL
Help in what way?
COMMANDER BOUROUGHS
I want you to send a picture with each letter you write from now on.
SYBIL
That sounds dangerous, what if he gets caught?
COMMANDER BOUROUGHS
I want to ensure you the Navy would never put any of its officers in danger, but there is the chance your husband could be harmed. That's why I would like you to go home and think about my offer. Carefully.
SYBIL
If I agree, how would this plan work?
COMMANDER BOUROUGHS
You would send Jim a special picture when the North Vietnamese would be most likely to give it to hum for Christmas, probably in early October.
SYBIL
I'll think about it, and get back to you in a couple of days.
COMMANDER BOUROUGHS
Thank you, oh one more question. Does your husband have a favourite song?
SYBIL
(perplexed)
Sure, he had several, one was Near You; another was Que Sera Sera: a third was. Sorry this may sound silly, but, Fry me a cookie in a can of lard.
COMMANDER BOUROUGHS
That doesn't sound silly at all, thank you, I'll send for a driver to take you back to the airport.
COMMANDER BOUROUGHS walks around the desk and escorts SYBIL out of the office.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. SYBIL'S CONNECTICUT HOME -- EVENING
SYBIL sits on the sea wall in front of he Connecticut cottage, watching the sunset. SYBIL's father ENTERS from behind and touches her shoulder.
SYBIL'S FATHER
I came out to let you know that we've been watching the news inside, they've been showing some pictures of prisoners marching through the streets of Hanoi.
SYBIL turns.
SYBIL
(excitedly)
Could you make out anyone you thought was Jim?
SYBIL'S FATHER
No, I couldn't see any of the faces clearly. It all went so fast. They said more, but I'm sure they won't go through with it.
SYBIL
What father? What did they say?
SYBIL'S FATHER
They said they're going to try the prisoners for war crimes.
SYBIL's FATHER gives SYBIL's arm a squeeze in support.
SYBIL'S FATHER
(in a strong Voice)
I'm sure they won't go through with it, Sybil.
SYBIL's FATHER settles beside SYBIL on the sea wall, they sit motionless watching the last of the sun sink below the horizon.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. PENTAGON OFFICE -- DAY
SYBIL walks onto a large office and is greeted by the inly friendly face she knows, COMMANDER BOROUGHS, seated at the large table are ADMIRAL MCDONALD, AMBASSADOR HARRIMAN and a PHOTOGRAPHIC SPECIALIST.
COMMANDER BOUROUGHS
This is Admiral McDonald, the chief of Naval Operations and this is Ambassador Harriman.
SYBIL
Nice to meet you, Commander Bouroughs. Firstly, I wanted to tell you that I have already began sending Jim a photograph with each of my letters, like we agreed.
COMMANDER BOUROUGHS
(his face lights up in a broad smile)
Terrific, now my Photographic Specialist here would like to know if there was anyway you could secretly signal Jim to soak a photograph in water.
PHOTOGRAPHIC SPECIALIST
He would then pull the photograph apart, and he'd be able to read an enclosed message.
SYBIL
What if we take a picture of a women and say it was his mother, have her dressed in a bathing suite standing in the ocean.
PHOTOGRAPHIC SPECIALIST
I'll get right on it.
The PHOTOGRAPHIC SPECIALIST stands, nods and EXITS.
SYBIL
Now, Admiral, I wish to have Jim listed as a prisoner of war and I want the Navy to launch its own anti-North Vietnamese propaganda campaign.
ADMIRAL MCDONALD
I will give your ideas the greatest of thought.
AMBASSADOR HARRIMAN
Mrs. Stockdale, Hanoi has been making it's threats about war-crimes trials, the State Department's efforts on behalf of our men, covered a wide range of activities. Now Mrs. Stockdale, I have a few questions to ask that may seem odd.
SYBIL
That's okay.
AMBASSADOR HARRIMAN
Mrs. Stockdale, how are they treating you at the Pentagon?
SYBIL
The navy's doing a fine job, Ambassador Harriman.
AMBASSADOR HARRIMAN
How do you think your husband is getting along, Mrs. Stockdale? I understand you've had mail from him. Can you tell very much about his circumstances from what he says?
SYBIL
Ambassador Harriman, have you ever seen a letter from a prisoner in Hanoi?
AMBASSADOR HARRIMAN
No.
SYBIL hands AMBASSADOR HARRIMAN JIM'S first letter. He receives it and begins to read. His eyes begin to widen.
SYBIL
I plan to send a newsletter to the other wives in my circumstances, telling them about the reassurances he had given me.
AMBASSADOR HARRIMAN
That's a fine idea.
SYBIL
I believe that I am making some progress helping Jim. So if you excuse me all, good day.
SYBIL stands and EXITS. Leaving the men sitting silently.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. SYBIL'S HOME -- DAY
SYBIL exits a taxi and walks up the driveway to her house. A yellow telegram is neatly tucked into the metal scroll work encasing the screen door. SYBIL pulls the telegram out, unfolds it and begins to read.
SYBIL
(skimming the telegram)
The Secretary of Defence has determined that the best interest of the personnel missing in action in Vietnam will be best served if those who we believe to be prisoners of North Vietnam be so listed. Accordingly, your husband... is now listed as captured instead of missing in action... We regret the continual refusal North Vietnam to comply with the provisions of the Geneva Convention and to furnish the names of the prisoners being held.
SYBIL's face shows a look of content as she ENTERS. Her home to the chorus of cheers from her children rushing out to meet her.
EXT. CORONADO POST OFFICE -- DAY
SYBIL clutches a letter addressed to JIM for a second before placing it on the counter in front of the teller. She is greeted by a fellow Navy Wife LORRAINE.
SYBIL
I would like to mail this, it's too my husband.
LORRAINE
Hello Sybil.
SYBIL turns and is greeted by LORRAINE SHUMAKER.
SYBIL
Well hello Lorraine, what brings you here.
LORRAINE
I received mail from Bob and I couldn't wait too write back, oh and how's Wallace?
SYBIL
I'm sorry who?
LORRAINE
(leaning in too whisper in Sybil's ear)
He's my contact with those people in Washington we never talk about.
LORRAINE winks and smiles and steps towards the counter leaving SYBIL with a rye smile on her face.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM -- AFTERNOON
JIM lies on what looks like a wooden library table in a small Vietnamese interrogation room. Aeronautical maps lay on the table next to him rolled up.
A FIRST GUARD ENTERS and removes them, before a second guard hereby referred to as EAGLE, ENTERS. This one is a greying man with a beard. He walks with the confidence of a seasoned OFFICER. As he enters he shows obvious disgust for JIM.
EAGLE
(in broken english)
Why do you refuse?
JIM
I have nothing to tell you Eagle.
EAGLE
Your cute names do not amuse the North Vietnamese Army, we are only interested in your Navy's in-flight refuelling areas.
JIM
Like I've been telling you for the last ten days, we don't have any special fueling areas. We just do it where ever it is convenient.
EAGLE
I must have a secret mark on the map. Co-operate and we will show you our gratitude.
JIM
Sorry, I don't know of any such secret re-fueling places.
EAGLE shows disgust and EXITS. JIM lies back down on the table.
LATER-
Another interrogator, from here on referred to as OWL ENTERS. He is the same rank as EAGLE. JIM sits up alert.
OWL
(annoyed)
I bring word from the General Staff Officer. You have made a very grave error. Things will not go well for you.
OWL EXITS. A YOUNG SOLDIER, low in rank ENTERS wheeling in a stretcher. JIM is blindfolded and instructed to lie on the stretcher. JIM does not resist, and makes the first move off the table onto the stretcher. The YOUNG SOLDIER forcibly grabs a hold of JIM's pants at the waist and finishes the task. JIM is then tied down at the wrists and feet before being EXITED out of the out of the room.
INT. PRISON CELL -- LATER
JIM's blindfold is removed, by a TALL GUARD, here on referred to as MICKEY MOUSE, appears from the darkness, bearing a large pair of crutches, he signals for silence, with a finger across his lips. He is followed by the YOUNG SOLDIER and a JEEP DRIVER.
INT. PRISON CORRIDOR -- MOMENTS LATER
The three guards escort JIM through a green door on the right of what turns out to be a tunnel. JIM walks clumsily, aided by crutches that a foot too long. JIM's gait shows that his knee is still badly damaged. He walks with somewhat a straightened leg, swinging it out to the side with each step.
INT. PRISON HOSPITAL -- CONTINUOUS
As they enter through the door, the scene returns to a depressing grey hallway littered with debris, including a batch of blood soaked bandages. The ceiling of the hospital is high with dirty white paint and four bolted cell doors on either side. All are padlocked, except the first door on the left. A barred window above each cell door is boarded up.
INT. PRISON CELL -- CONTINUOUS
Inside the cell are two crumbling cement slab bunks on either side of a very narrow aisle. Leg stocks are attacked at the foot of each slab, by the door. A small opening to an outside gutter sits between the bed heads. A mosquito net was rigged over the bunk to the left.
MICKEY MOUSE throws two pairs of khaki prison pajamas, a blanket, a bar of soap, a wash rag, a pair of sandals and a drinking cup, tied up in a bundle onto the cement slab to his right.
MICKEY MOUSE
Keep silent
The cell door is slammed and bolted, two pairs of footsteps retreat leaving JIM alone in the dim cell.
JIM turns back towards the door and begins to read the posted statement pasted on the door, in English.
INSERT-
The notice is illuminated by a dim bulb on the ceiling. "Criminals are obligated to give full and clear answers to all questions.
Criminals must demonstrate a polite attitude toward the officers
The criminal must maintain silence in the detention room.
Any disobedience or opposition, or any attempt to get out of the detention camp are all punishable.
Anyone who prevents violations..."
CLOSE-
JIM
(reading in a whisper)
...and who reveals the identity of those who attempt to act in violation of the foregoing provisions will be properly rewarded. However, if any criminal is aware of any violations and deliberately tries to cover it up, both he and the perpetrator will be punished.
JIM shakes his head, turns and pulls up the net and sits down on the slab. Lays the crutches across his prison gear and makes the sign of the cross.
JIM's eyes PAN around the small room. First down at the leg stocks at the foot of the cement slab, then up above to the feeding chute, then back over his shoulder at the small hole with a small open toilet bucket beside it.
JIM springs up from the slab, takes off his shorts and work shirt and puts on one pair of pajamas and drapes the other over the mosquito net to keep the light out. JIM lies back and transfixes his eyes on the ceiling.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. PRISON CELL -- MORNING
The sound of a clang of a metal pipe against a section of iron railroad track dangling from a tree echoes from outside JIM's cell. JIM awakes and follows the path of the rhythmic drumming emanating from loud speakers coming from the courtyard. Clapping in time from the music follows as the guards begin their morning calisthenics.
JIM's cell door flies open, the guard known as DIP, enters and yells in Vietnamese while pointing to the little white bucket, bar of soap and wash rag. JIM struggles to understand the instructions. Understanding it is wash time, JIM grabs his crutches and struggles to his feet.
As DIP turns towards the door, JIM glances over his left shoulder and catches a glimpse of an American looking face, peeking down at him through a crack three feet above the door.
INT. DISGUSTING CELL -- MOMENTS LATER
JIM is thrown by DIP into a cell, duplicate of the cell he had just left except the inclusion of a water spigot above the small hole. JIM walks over to the small hole and dumps his bucket and begins to wash his face. DIP slams the door behind him.
JIM's crutches skid on the wet floor, causing JIM to nearly fall. PAN down to reveal the floor is covered in urine. BACK to JIM's face, showing the disgust of his surroundings/
JIM
(disgusted)
Who would do this?
JIM strips down and traces with his hands his now perturbing rib cage, down his dirty body to his deformed knee, outlined with scars. JIM begins to shiver from the cold.
Whispering from the adjacent cell catches JIM's attention. JIM falls to the floor and puts his mouth towards the crack.
JIM
(whispering)
Hey are you American?
DAVE
(whispering back)
Ay, my name's Dave Wheat, what's your's.
JIM
Jim Stockdale, Navy Pilot.
DAVE
Me too, off the Independence, just get here?
JIM
Yes, you?
DAVE
Been here a week, listen, don't worry about the mess of cell eight, I guess there's no house keeping at this hotel. The guards come into our hall and use the floor every night, rather go to the more distant latrines.
JIM
What's the name of this hotel?
DAVE
Heart Break hotel. Are you able to get up above the door?
JIM
No, my knee is pretty broken up.
DAVE
I'll be your eyes for you, up here you can see all the hall activities, I can see DIP a couple of strides before he hits the green door.
JIM
Great, whistle if you see him.
INT. DAVE'S CELL -- NIGHT
DAVE whistles Pop goes the Weasel. DIP's heavy footsteps outside DAVE's cell, proceeds the sound of a heavy door opening. DIP yells in Vietnamese for DAVE to get up. DAVE obliges, only to be met by a slap from a heavy leather strap.
INT. DISGUSTING CELL -- CONTINUOUS
JIM sits in silence listening to the sounds of torture coming from DAVE's cell and then it stops.
INT. DISGUSTING CELL -- MORNING
JIM is awakened by the presence of DIP's footsteps and yelling form a cell across from JIM's.
INT. CELL SIX -- CONTINUOUS
DIP enters the cell, were a young prisoner, known as Lieutenant Rodney Knutson, sits, two more guards forcibly remove him and usher him out, while DIP berates him in Vietnamese.
INT. DAVE'S CELL -- MOMENTS LATER
DAVE listens for DIP and the guards to EXIT and whistles Mary Had a Little Lamb, a signal for all's clear, then crawls to the hole.
JIM
Who were they taking away?
DAVE
Lieutenant Rodney Knutson, he is a shipmate of mine.
CUT TO:
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM -- DAY
Two guards hold Rodney's arms behind him as he is forced down into a small wooden chair, DIP interrogates in english.
DIP
Who do you work for?
LIEUTENANT RODNEY KNUTSON
I'm Lieutenant Rodney Knutson, United States Navy, serial number three five nine one five six zero, born January thirty-one, nineteen forty six.
DIP
(annoyed)
Tell me where your ships are placed?
LIEUTENANT RODNEY KNUTSON
I repeat, I'm Lieutenant Rodney Knutson, United States Navy, serial number three five nine one five six zero, born January thirty-one, nineteen forty six, sir.
DIP
(extremely irate)
If you don't co-operate you will be executed, do you understand
RODNEY remains silent, DIP walks over to the door, opens it and signals for two guards in the hallway. The guards enters, the first is muscular with a receding hair line and expressionless eyes, hence known as PIGEYE. The other guard is tall, hence known as RABBIT. DIP leads the guards over to RODNEY and EXITS.
RABBIT
I have permission from a high authority to do what was necessary to make you talk.
PIGEYE slaps RODNEY about the head and shoulders, knocking him off the chair. The guard then removes a hemp rope from around his waist and ties it around RODNEY's upper arms, shutting off his blood circulation and bending him double. RODNEY cries out from the excruciating pain.
LIEUTENANT RODNEY KNUTSON
(in pain)
Okay, I'll tell you what you want to know
CUT TO:
INT. LIEUTENANT RODNEY KNUTSON'S CELL -- LATER
Two guards lead RODNEY back into his cell, with force they throw the battered soldier hard to the cell floor and slam the door shut.
INT. HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS
The guards walk past the three cells heading for the green door, conversing and laughing in Vietnamese.
INT. DAVE'S CELL -- CONTINUOUS
DAVE listens for the green door to shut and whistles Mary Had a Little Lamb.
DAVE
(whispering)
Hey Rodney you okay?
LIEUTENANT RODNEY KNUTSON
Yes, fine, sore, bastards tried a new rope trick, I gave them nothing.
INT. DISGUSTING CELL -- CONTINUOUS
JIM
Hey, my name is Jim, nice to meet you, who beat you?
LIEUTENANT RODNEY KNUTSON
The interrogator's name is Rabbit, tall with pointy ears, the torture expert's name is Pigeye, he shows no emotion.
JIM
I see, rest.
FADE OUT:
INT. DISGUSTING CELL --EVENING
JIM's cell door opens, PIGEYE slides a bowl of food towards JIM. JIM studies the older guard, around thirty five to forty. JIM's eyes travel the length of PIGEYE's muscular frame. PIGEYE EXITS and shuts the door.
CUT TO:
INT. DISGUSTING CELL --MORNING
JIM's cell door opens, PIGEYE motions for JIM to grab his wash bucket. JIM stands, picks up the bucket, soap and wash cloth and is led from the cell.
CUT TO:
INT. DISGUSTING CELL -- AFTERNOON
PIGEYE enters the cell and gives JIM the sleeves up signal. A cutting action of one hand across the wrist. JIM rolls up his sleeves. PIGEYE ushers him from the cell.
INT. TUNNEL -- CONTINUOUS
PIGEYE leads JIM through the green door and down the tunnel out into the courtyard.
EXT. COURTYARD -- CONTINUOUS
JIM is led in the rain across the courtyard and up a set of steps that leads to the interrogation room.
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
PIGEYE leads JIM into the room that he was first housed. The library table has been replaced by a small table draped in blue cloth. A lamp on the table is the only light. RABBIT sits behind the table, cast in shadows. JIM is led up to a low stool situated in front of the table by PIGEYE. JIM is instructed to bow, which he does. RABBIT waves for PIGEYE to EXIT.
RABBIT
(in English)
Have a seat.
JIM sits down on the stool.
RABBIT
How are you?
JIM
Fine.
RABBIT
Are your clothes adequate?
JIM
Yes
RABBIT
Is the food adequate?
JIM
Yes, fine, permission to speak.
RABBIT
Of course.
JIM
In accordance to the Geneva Convention of nineteen forty nine, pertaining to the treatment of prisoners of war. No prisoner is to remain in solitary confinement for any extended length of time. Cleanliness should meet basic standards of living and prompt medical care is to be offered to all prisoners.
RABBIT answers JIM's truculent bravado first with silence and then disgust.
RABBIT
You have no right to protest, you are a criminal.
RABBIT then produces a newspaper with the header 'The Stars and Stripes'
RABBIT
We know you well.
JIM
So that's where you got your information from.
RABBIT
Yes, we know all about you James Bond Stockdale and the murderous acts in the Tonkin Gulf on August twelfth last year. It is true that my country agreed to the terms of the Geneva Convention, but later we filed an exception for those captured in wars go aggression. You are nothing but a common criminal, guilty of bombing schools and churches. And of crimes against humanity. You have medical problems and you have political problems, and in this country we take care of medical problems only after political problems are resolved.
RABBIT stands hastily and screams out in Vietnamese. PIGEYE once again ENTERS.
RABBIT
(to Jim)
Get out of here, you have made a grave error. You have offended an Officer of great influence. I sit on the General Staff.
JIM is hastily pulled of the stool by PIGEYE and ushered out of the room.
CUT TO:
EXT. COURTYARD -- LATER
JIM is led back across the courtyard by PIGEYE. JIM walks solemnly. JIM sums up his grave situation.
JIM
I have just had my first taste of North Vietnamese politics. I am their mouse, they are the cat.
JIM is led into the tunnel, leading back towards his cell.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. HALLWAY -- LATER
JIM is led down the hallway past cell two by PIGEYE. JIM notices two guards, busy bringing in a new prisoner. PIGEYE stops, opens JIM's cell and shoves him in.
INT. DISGUSTING CELL -- CONTINUOUS
JIM's cell door is slammed shut. JIM waits until he hears PIGEYE's heavy boots fade in the distance and the sound of the green door slamming, then gives the accustomed whistle. But a new tapping signal is returned.
JIM
(whispering)
What happened to Dave?
ROBBINSON
Sent to the zoo, where they send all the prisoners who aren't a threat.
JIM
(whispering)
What's your story?
ROBBINSON
I did the ten days at Heartbreak in room twenty four. The one with the table. Then they sent me too the outlying camp. They caught me organizing a program of resistance and hauled me back here to the new guy village.
JIM
Did they show you the rope trick?
ROBBINSON
Yes, new and improved. First they put me in leg iron, then put me on short rations for a month and then closed in for the kill. I was blindfolded and walked through trees and ditches until I was disoriented.
JIM
My names Jim by the way
ROBBINSON
Robbinson, I know all about you from the guys in the zoo, do you know Ed Davis?
JIM
Yes, he was declared killed in action in August. Glad he's alive. Listen what was that tapping?, Morse Code?
ROBBINSON
No, better. It's a code that I learned from a guy in survival school years ago. It's easier than Morse Code. Five rows across, five rows down and you use c for k.
CUT TO:
INT. DISGUSTING CELL -- LATER
JIM proceeds to draw a crude diagram in the dirt covering his cell floor. A box, five spaces long by five down, starting from the left he places a letter of the alphabet in order in each box, excluding k.
JIM
Okay?
INT. ROBBINSON'S CELL -- CONTINUOUS
ROBBINSON
Unlike Morse Code, there's no dashes. The first signal refers to the number of the row, reading across, the second signal refers to the column, reading down.
ROBBINSON gives one tap, followed by one tap.
ROBBINSON
Thus the letter a, try it, call me up with the shave and a haircut beat. I'll let you know if I am ready to receive my first word by answering
(tick tick)
I'll spell out my message, then shave and a haircut and then
(tick tick)
Then you give me a shave and a haircut and then start your answer. Try it.
INT. DISGUSTING CELL -- CONTINUOUS
JIM taps out, (tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick) to the beat of shave and a haircut and then listens.
ROBBINSON replies, F-R-E-E-D-O-M (tic, tic-tic...tic-tic, tic-tic-tic-tic...tic-tic-tic-tic-tic, tic...tic-tic-tic-tic-tic, tic...tic-tic-tic-tic, tic...tic-tic-tic-tic, tic...tic-tic-tic-tic, tic-tic-tic...tic-tic, tic-tic-tic). Shave and a haircut (tick tick).
JIM smiles and returns the message, shave and a haircut (tick tick). H-O-M-E (tic-tic-tic, tic-tic...tic-tic-tic-tic, tic-tic-tic...tic-tic, tic-tic-tic...tic-tic-tic-tic-tic, tic). On his last tap, he solemnly speaks his message.
JIM
(softly)
We will all be home, soon.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. DISGUSTING CELL -- MORNING
JIM wakes to hear ROBBINSON's cell door open.
INT. HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS
TWO SHOT-
Of both JIM and ROBBINSON's cells. ROBBINSON is shoved back into his cell, PIGEYE opens JIM's cell. By his side stands RABBIT and CAT. CAT wears a brand new Sears and Roebuck suit and steps forth. RABBIT acts as interpreter. JIM is motioned to stand, which he does.
CUT TO:
INT. CAT'S ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER
JIM is lead into a carpeted room and sat on a stool in front of the table. CAT speaks in Vietnamese RABBIT interprets.
RABBIT
Welcome, have some Christmas tea with us.
A turkey gobbles from outside the window, catching JIM's attention.
RABBIT
(interpreting for Cat)
I thought this would make you feel at home.
CAT
(in broken English)
I will try to speak your language, Mister Staw-dale, you and I are the same age, we are both life long military officers, we both have sons the same age. But we are from different social systems. There is a wall between us which will always be there, but you and I must try to see through it. We must join together and bring this imperialist war to an end.
CAT begins to speak in Vietnamese again.
RABBIT
(interpreting)
You must help me make the other criminals realize that it is mon our mutual interest to stop the war. You must help me. You do not realize it now , but you will...
On RABBIT's last words, JIM's eyes widen and his mouth drops open.
JIM
You are asking me to entice my junior officers to betray their code of conduct, their country.
RABBIT
(interpreting)
Your code of conduct has allowed your government to bomb this great nation continually for over a year and then lie to the world.
JIM tries not to show his anxiety. CAT removes an envelope from his inner breast pocket of his jacket and slides it in front of JIM. JIM notices sybils handwriting.
INSERT-
Envelope, "JIM STOCKDALE"
CAT
Now go back to your room and think about what I've told you, Staw-dale. You are very old and you are not well. You must think of yourself. You must think of your family who wrote you that letter. You must help me end this war.
CAT motions to RABBIT and PIGEYE ENTERING, to escort JIM out of the room. JIM grabs the letter before being led out.
INT. DISGUSTING CELL -- LATER
JIM enters his cell and lets his crutches crash on the floor and sits down on the slab and begins to read. SYBIL narrates the letter.
SYBIL
October, dearest Jim. It is early morning here and the world is waiting for the sun to rise. The world seems very special in these moments before dawn. It seems to be pausing and waiting to hear the birds begin to sing. We have been having a Santa Ana wind here this week. It made it difficult for our team to play their best football, Friday night. Doyen, Budd, Sid and I went to see the game. Jimmy played particularly well, but in spite of this, our team lost by a few points. Yesterday afternoon Stan, Taylor, Sid and I went to the beach. We made lovely sand castles right at the edge of the water. A big wave knocked it down and washed it away, but we didn't get discouraged. I don't know if I mentioned in my last letter, but I talked to your mother again this week and Hazel is still with her. They both may come here for a visit this winter. We are all fine here Jim and send you...
JIM picks up the letter.
JIM
...all our love, Syb.
JIM's eyes begin to well with tears. A tear falls and lands on the page just above the word love.
RABBIT ENTER's JIM's cell carrying a pad of paper and pen.
RABBIT
Here, read the instructions, each letter must be properly addressed. You are allowed to write a short letter to one person and you are to copy and enclose the mailing instructions.
JIM receives the paper and pen and nods, RABBIT EXIT's
JIM sits writing. PAN down to the page as JIM begins to print neatly.
JIM
My dearest Syb and boys. Yesterday on Christmas day, the authorities granted me permission to send you greetings. Incidentally say hello to our old football mates Bobby Tom, Badly and Red Dawg. All my love Jim.
JIM replaces the letter and the instruction in the envelope as advised.
RABBIT ENTER's the cell and takes the note.
CUT TO:
INT. DISGUSTING CELL -- MORNING
JIM listens as ROBBINSON taps out a message.
"~CG" tic, tic-tic-tic (pause) tic-tic, tic-tic
JIM replies.
"Y" tic-tic-tic-tic (pause) tic-tic-tic-tic-tic
Then crouches under the door, a cigarette rolls past his cell. JIM slides his crutch out under the door to retrieve it.
BANG goes the green door. PIGEYE begins to yell. JIM's cell door is thrown open and PIGEYE and MICKEY MOUSE barb him and pull him to his feet.
PIGEYE
(angrily)
You are guilty! Not only of violating the camp regulation prohibiting communication, but of moral turpitude. In gratitude for the undeserved humane and lenient treatment Ho Chi Minh is providing you.
JIM
I apologize to you and the people of Vietnam, please except my dearest apologies.
PIGEYE
(irate)
Move him out.
MICKEY MOUSE ENTER's the cell and removes the net, bucket and blanket. PIGEYE escorts JIM from the cell, still on crutches.
INT. ANOTHER HALLWAY- CONTINUOUS
JIM's led down a dark hallway, with four cell doors on the left and a blank wall on the right. The third door is open.
JIM peers into the somewhat narrow but much longer cell. Concrete bunks offset head to toe rather than side to side.
INT. CONFINEMENT CELL -- CONTINUOUS
MICKEY MOUSE leads JIM into the cell.
MICKEY MOUSE
Get up on the bunk!
JIM hobbles over to the bunk in the back, below a high window and swings himself up on it.
MICKEY MOUSE removes JIM's crutches and raises the large locking bar of the leg irons. JIM's legs are placed in, the bar lowered and padlocked. JIM's arms are bound behind him. MICKEY MOUSE begins to berate JIM in Vietnamese.
INT. CONFINEMENT CELL -- NIGHT
JIM awakes in darkness to church bells ringing in the distance of Hanoi.
JIM
(to himself)
Midnight, Happy New Year, nineteen sixty-six. Happy New Year Syb, boys.
CUT TO:
INT. CONFINEMENT CELL --BEFORE DAWN
The cell door flies open two guards enter and approach a groggy JIM. The guards remove the ropes from his wrists in back and re-tie them in front. A blanket is thrown over him. JIM works the blanket over his shoulders.
CUT TO:
INT. CONFINEMENT CELL -- AFTERNOON
JIM's cell door is opened and a metal dish so slid on containing a handful of grains of rice. A guard ENTER's and removes the ropes around JIM's hands and places the plate of rice in front of him, then EXITS. JIM eats furiously.
CUT TO:
INT. CONFINEMENT CELL -- NIGHT
JIM begins to pound his fists on the cell wall, and then talks loudly.
JIM
Can anyone hear me? Are there any Americans?
Vietnamese giggles follow JIM's query, coming from next door to the left. JIM stops pounding and talking and sinks back onto the bed.
CUT TO:
INT. CONFINEMENT CELL -- DAY
PIGEYE enters and proceeds to remove the three foot long shackle bar and motions for JIM to stand and follow. JIM stands and is led out of the cell.
CUT TO:
INT. PASSAGEWAY -- CONTINUOUS
JIM is led down another passageway toward a court yard.
INT. OUTSIDE ROOM EIGHTEEN -- CONTINUOUS
JIM is led through twin green doors with white painted glass panels in the top half. JIM looks at the number on the door.
INSERT-
Number 18 painted in black on the door.
INT. ROOM EIGHTEEN -- CONTINUOUS
JIM is led through the door into the room. JIM looks around the room to see a big table and a little table, each covered with a blue cloth. From the ceiling, a giant hook hangs from a rafter.
RABBIT marches in and sits at the table. JIM bows as expected. PIGEYE nods toward the little stool in front of the table. JIM hobbles over and sits.
RABBIT
It has been decided that you must write to your government and explain the plight of the Vietnamese people and their willingness too fight four, eight, twelve years to defeat your imperialist aggressors. You must explain that the war is illegal and immoral and must be stopped.
JIM
Under the Geneva Convention of nineteen forty nine I am not obliged to follow such a demand.
RABBIT pushes a hand written document and a piece of paper in front of JIM.
RABBIT
This is what you must write. You are an old man, you must think of yourself. Go back and work on it.
JIM stands and is led out of the room by PIGEYE.
INT. CONFINEMENT CELL -- LATER
JIM is led back into his cell. This time a bowl of pumpkin soup and a half loaf of French bread sits on the unused bunk. PIGEYE places the writing material on the bunk beside the food and EXITS.
JIM, free of his restraints, sits on the bunk and stares at the food and the prepared statement.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. CONFINEMENT CELL -- DAY
JIM hears his cell door open in the darkness of the early morning. PIGEYE lets RABBIT in first. JIM holds his crutches in one hand and bows. PIGEYE grabs the sheets of paper and contemptuously glares at the blank pages.
RABBIT
You will learn.
RABBIT marches out with PIGEYE. JIM hobbles to the door and listens.
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM EIGHTEEN -- DAY
JIM is lead into Room eighteen by RABBIT and MICKEY MOUSE. MICKEY MOUSE lays out the paper and ink and pen on the small table.
PIGEYE stands behind JIM in the dark corner. With his right hand he holds a heavy iron bar, its end resting on the cement floor. The bar is longer than PIGEYE is tall and has two big ankle lugs at the bottom. In his left hand he has a coil of hemp rope.
RABBIT pauses so JIM can take in the effect of the surroundings.
RABBIT
You are insolent and stubborn, This is your last chance. Write the paper.
JIM shakes his head no. PIGEYE lets loose with the iron bar.
The bar crashes into JIM's shoulder. RABBIT and MICKEY MOUSE shout in glee. PIGEYE leaps toward JIM, sending the heel of his hand into JIM's jaw.
JIM is knocked off balance as PIGEYE tosses his crutches aside and tackles JIM to the ground. Preying over JIM, PIGEYE proceeds to hit JIM in the jaw with both hands making loud slapping noises.
Mickey mouse joins in grabbing JIM by the arms, pinning them behind his back. PIGEYE goes for the bar and connects JIM's legs to the shackles, in spread EAGLE fashion.
PIGEYE threads the hemp rope about JIM's upper arms in a complicated knot. He places his foot into JIM's back as he pulls his shoulders and arms together in jerks.
JIM cries out in pain as he is bent forward at the waist. PIGEYE places a barefoot on JIM's right shoulder and mounts his back sending JIM's head forward toward his knees.
PIGEYE pulls on the rope, cinching JIM's shoulders and arms even tighter, causing JIM to scream in pain. MICKEY MOUSE ENTERS shoving a rag into JIM's mouth.
PIGEYE's bare heel presses into JIM's bowed head, sending his head between his calves and legs.
Suddenly all action stops, PIGEYE removes the rag.
RABBIT (CONT'D)
Keep quiet! Do you submit? Are you ready to comply?
JIM
(suffocating)
Yes, I submit, I submit.
PIGEYE dismounts, and as JIM raises his head, the ropes are loosened. A look of relief comes over JIM's face as the blood starts to circulate throughout his arms.
JIM is thrown onto the stool in front of the ink, pen and paper. RABBIT motions for JIM to write. JIM's hand shakes as he begins to copy the note.
PIGEYE tosses JIM's sandals over to him and walks to the table and examines the writing. Satisfied he picks up JIM's crutches, puts them beside him and waves him to follow.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. CONFINEMENT CELL -- NIGHT
JIM sits on his bunk rubbing his arms in the darkness. He stairs at the concrete with a look of shame.
RABBIT ENTERS JIM's cell with another piece of paper, ink and pen.
RABBIT
The General Staff Officer said for you to write a letter to the Political Military Policy Division of your navy and it must be in proper form, double sized, left margin, paper creased in exactly thirds.
JIM
There is no way to make this sound like me. Senior military men follow certain procedures. If I violate them, my superiors would know there was foul play afoot.
RABBIT
What is your idea?
JIM
American naval commanders do not dare write directly to the Foreign Secretary of State. They must go through the military chain of command. You want me to send a political document that you had made me copy. Everybody in my government knows that I would send it to the Political Military Policy Division of the US Navy Department. Then they would forward my letter up the chain. The cross over to the Foreign Secretary of State occurs at the highest level. Also, your words are that of your national radio propaganda. I should have to use the US Navy style of speech.
RABBIT
(hesitant)
Write it your way, I'll pick it up in a few minutes.
RABBIT leaves and JIM takes the pen and starts to write furiously, smiling.
INT. CONFINEMENT CELL -- LATER
RABBIT enters the cell and grabs the letter. His face shows a sneer as he picks up the writing supplies and EXITS. JIM nervously begins to laugh.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. ROOM EIGHTEEN -- DAY
JIM is tied up and placed on the hook again. RABBIT is perched over him waving a stack of papers, yelling at him in Vietnamese. JIM does not respond, sending PIGEYE into a frenzy. Several kicks to JIM's mid-section punctuate their intent.
The beating stops as JIM once again concedes to their demands with a nod of his head. JIM winces as the ropes are untied. JIM is hauled up and forced down into the chair, in front of rabbits desk by PIGEYE.
RABBIT stands over JIM and hands him the per-written forms he is too copy. JIM's summarizes the situation.
JIM
The winter of nineteen sixty six was a bad one, I was alone in new guy village. I was to taste the ropes again, Rabbit methodically forced me to fill in the squares. His words for trying to get the information the Vietnamese asked for. I spent the winter filling in their biographical forms and confessions of misdeeds all my way. It was all part of the fear and guilt package that any extortioners know is the key to the breakdown of human will. I felt guilty at my failure to endure the ropes better. I feared that I would give up military secrets. Tonkin Gulf facts. It was clear the Vietnamese had me on a downhill run that would force me to the bottom.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. CONFINEMENT CELL -- MORNING
JIM sits in his cell in the early morning, song birds sing outside telling us that spring has arrived. JIM's skin is covered in dirt and his face masked by a thick matted bird. The sound of his cell door alerts JIM to his crutches, as RABBIT ENTERs JIM tightens his pajama strings and hobbles to his feet.
RABBIT
I am to take you to an important person tonight. Be ready.
RABBIT stairs at JIM for a moment and then grabs away his crutches, forcing JIM to catch himself against the slab.
RABBIT
You're walking well enough without those now.
RABBIT EXITS with the crutches.
INT. BACK OF JEEP -- DAY
RABBIT sits next to him giving direction to the driver while talking to JIM.
RABBIT
Be polite.
The Jeep stops, the driver steps around to the back to help RABBIT haul JIM out of the Jeep. On the ground RABBIT reaches up and removes JIM's blindfold and then reaches behind and removes the handcuffs.
INT. MEETING ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
JIM is led limping into a room to the sight of fifteen men sitting with their backs to him. All of them, except two wear Vietnamese military uniforms. The room is smoke filled and carpeted. All of the men are facing a man in civilian clothes sitting on a sofa against the opposite wall.
RABBIT shoves JIM towards a low stool in the centre of the room. JIM obliges sitting. RABBIT takes a seat in the corner and removes a note pad.
A man dressed neatly civilian suite gets up from his seat, situated between JIM and the man on the couch. The man on the couch. The man on the couch speaks to his interpreter. The interpreter turns to JIM and translates in clipped English.
INTERPRETER
We welcome you.
The INTERPRETER's introductions are halted by angry shouts coming from the military men seated behind him. The INTERPRETER turns and bows and apologises in Vietnamese. The men accept his apology nag grant him permission to continue. The INTERPRETER turns back to JIM.
INTERPRETER
The members of the High Council have asked you here so that you can be privy to the superior Voice of Vietnam.
JIM nods and settles in his chair and watches as the INTERPRETER begins to volley ideology with the fervour of a theatrically trained performer.
The INTERPRETER's hands illustrate his words as he speaks. The remaining men sit, sipping tea, listening intently.
INTERPRETER
Have you studied Plato?
JIM
A little.
INTERPRETER
You must agree with him when he says that the biggest dogma that plagues man is that wrong doing is inevitable.
JIM
Yes of course all man is destined to err, it is a flaw that is imbedded deep in mans fibre.
INTERPRETER
Than you agree that your President Johnson's wrong doings are a flaw of the American fiber.
JIM
I don't understand your question.
INTERPRETER
Your President intends to inflict great harm and injury on the people of Vietnam, all to appease the American lust for blood, don't you agree?
JIM
No, sir, I cannot agree, with you. My President does not wish to inflict any unnecessary harm.
INTERPRETER
Your Mr. Johnson seeks to bring the proud Vietnamese people down to the level of a common dog, not unlike Hitlers mantra for the Jews.
JIM
That's a ridiculous notion. Hitler believed in a delusional notion of a homogeneous world devoid of cultural diversity. The United states, under President Johnson thrives on the free sharing of cultural ideology from all walks of life. That you surely cannot deny.
The INTERPRETER nods and smugly smiles at JIM on that point, quietly conceding his point.
INTERPRETER
It has been a pleasure to exchange ideas an American intellectual of your standards.
RABBIT places his tea on the table, stands and walks over to JIM and motions for him to stand. JIM stands and is ushered out of the room leaving the INTERPRETER and the men conversing in Vietnamese.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE MEETING ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
RABBIT escorts JIM back towards the Jeep and takes the opportunity to gain his say on the nights event. Exclaiming the point of the Vietnamese.
RABBIT
Our country may not be able to defeat you on the battlefield, but war is not decided by weapons so much as by national will. Once the American people understand this war they will have no interest in pursuing it. We will win this war in the streets of New York.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. INTERVIEW ROOM -- DAY
JIM is led into a second interrogation room, back at the prison. This room has blobs of plaster fixed to the walls as insolation from screams of pain when tortures are being conducted. CAT, RABBIT, MICKEY MOUSE and PIGEYE greet JIM at the door. JIM bows and intense glares are passed as JIM is led in and sat on a stool.
CAT
Tomorrow you will go to a press conference. There will be foreign news man who will ask you about your views on the American Imperialist aggressors's bombing of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The whole world is watching America. Even Fullbright who supported the trumped up charges of the so called Vietnamese PT boat attacks nearly two years ago.
JIM's eyes begin to waiver around the room, he sits motionless.
CAT
You will tell the world.
JIM shakes his head.
JIM
I will not go to any press conference.
CAT points to PIGEYE.
CAT
You know this man can make you submit. You are old and crippled. You are a fool. You must think of yourself.
RABBIT slides a hand written paper across the table towards JIM.
RABBIT
You will sign this now and read it at the press conference tomorrow. If you misbehave you will be severely punished.
JIM loses his cool, succumbing to the pressures and bolts out of his chair. He takes his hand and swipes rabbits's paper off the table and begins to shout and wave his fists.
JIM
(angrily)
I am not going!
The men react with shock. CAT's face shows real panic, his eyes widen and his mouth drops open. RABBIT and MICKEY MOUSE begin to converse in Vietnamese and reach a state of shouting and head shaking. CAT sharply gestures for another guard standing nearby to escort JIM out. The GUARD obliges. CAT gets the last words in as JIM EXITS.
CAT
You are a lunatic!
CUT TO:
INT. CONFINEMENT CELL --DAY
JIM lies on his slab. Restless and in pain. JIM listens to the action in the courtyard. Raised Vietnamese voices and cell doors slamming make it hard for JIM to rest. JIM's cell door opens. A GUARD enters, JIM raises to his feet and bows. The guard signals for JIM to follow.
INT. 2ND INTERVIEW ROOM -- DAY
JIM ENTERS a lighted room and is met by a thin Vietnamese Army OFFICER who motions for him to sit on a low stool. JIM studies the OFFICER's frail features and mutters under his breath a cartoon name that he feels fits.
JIM
Chihuahua
CHIHUAHUA faces JIM and delivers his speech with a smile.
CHIHUAHUA
On the occasion of your religious holiday the Democratic Republic of Vietnam provides you with sweets. We also offer you a banana. These were brought here by Cuban visitors from that fraternal Socialist country in your native Western Hemisphere.
JIM takes the banana and stuffs it into his mouth. Than reaches for the drawer and takes out a pair of envelopes. As JIM extends his hand...
Bright lights flood the room behind him. A Vietnamese camera crew springs into action, the DIRECTOR instructs the camera man to begin rolling. The sound of a camera starts. CHIHUAHUA starts speaking into a microphone, facing the camera.
CHIHUAHUA
In accordance with the humane and lenient policy of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, on the occasion of Christmas my government presents you these letters from your wife.
CHIHUAHUA turns to JIM and presents him with the already opened envelopes.
CHIHUAHUA
Also, here are two photographs, one of your wife and children and one of your mother.
JIM grabs the photographs from CHIHUAHUA and fractically scans them.
INSERT-
Photograph of SYBIL and the four boys standing in front of the shore house.
WIDE-
JIM smiles as he flips to the second photograph. His expression changes to one of puzzlement.
INSERT-
A photograph of an elderly women standing in the ocean in a posed fashion.
CHIHUAHUA
What do you have to say about your Christmas letters and photographs?
JIM looks up from the pictures to notice CHIHUAHUA holding a microphone to his face.
JIM
That's not my mother.
CHIHUAHUA looks at the director with a puzzled look. The DIRECTOR gives the cut sign, a quick slashing motion with a finger across the throat. The lights go out and the camera stops running. Self-conscious chatter fills the back of the room. The DIRECTOR steps forward smiling, nods and makes the motion for the guard to remove JIM.
CUT TO:
INT. CONFINEMENT CELL -- NIGHT
JIM sits in his cell reading the letters and then takes the picture of the elderly women and examines it intently.
JIM
(to himself)
This doesn't make sense, mom sounds like she has lost her marbles. First she's preparing the country house for sale and move into town, then she's buying an airline ticket to California. Arriving unannounced in a taxi, saying she wanted to go swimming! Because she needs a good soak...
On his last words JIM jumps from his bunk in a fit of revelation.
JIM
...soak that's it! Sybil I love you!
JIM takes his drinking water jug and sticks the picture into the half full jug. JIM swishes the picture of the elderly women around and then pears into the jug. A look of disappointment comes over his face. JIM places the jug on the floor and begins to pace.
JIM walks over to the door to check for the presence of a guard and then walks back over to the jug to take another look. JIM takes the picture out of the water, which has begun to fray at the edge.
JIM notices the fray and pulls the back off. With amazement JIM notices specks on the paper. JIM holds the paper to the light.
INSERT-
The light reveals a paragraph of small print beginning to appear on the inside of the picture back as it dries.
WIDE-
The sound of doors slamming makes JIM hurry to read the hidden message in the dim light.
JIM
(hurried, softly)
The letter in the envelope with this picture is written on invisible carbon. All future letters bearing an odd date will be on invisible carbon. Use after you write a letter... put your letter on a hard surface, carbon on top and paper on top of that. Write message on top of paper with firm pressure, but not enough to make an indentation on the paper below. Best to write invisible message on lines perpendicular to lines of your letter home.
JIM hears footsteps coming closer and hurries to continue.
JIM
(hurried, softly)
Use stylus directly on invisible carbon if extra paper not available. A piece of invisible carbon can be used many times. Begin each carbon letter with darling and end with your adoring husband. Be careful, being caught could lead to espionage charges. Soak any picture with a rose in it. Hang on.
A gong sounds, the footsteps get closer, JIM tears up the scraps of the picture and mixes them in the bucket, then removes the decal like thing that had the message on it and puts it in his mouth and begins to chew.
The GUARD enters the room as JIM swallows.
GUARD
(shouting)
Wall!
JIM turns to the cell wall and extends his hands flat against the cement as high as his broken shoulder allows. JIM can hear things being shoved around, the bucket being moved, opened, lid slammed back. JIM has a look of relief on his face.
GUARD
Turn
JIM turns and lowers his arms.
GUARD
Bow!
JIM obliges and the GUARD EXITS. JIM slumps down and shows his relief with a large exhale.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. CONFINEMENT CELL -- DAY
JIM is aware of a commotion outside his door. Voices of a YOUNG OFFICER shouting. He opens JIM's cell door and ENTERS with a stack of paper and envelopes, JIM begins to smile and then bows.
YOUNG OFFICER
The American delegation Strike for Peace is leaving for the United states tonight. They want me to carry criminals mail back to their families. You will be permitted to write one page. Act quickly, I must pick up soon.
The YOUNG OFFICER EXITS. And the door is locked behind him.
JIM quickly gets the paper down on the bed slab and starts writing.
INSERT-
Paper as JIM writes,
JIM
Darling...
WIDE-
JIM signs his name,
JIM
Your adoring husband Jim.
JIM flips the page over and scurries to retrieve the stashed piece of blank paper from under the bed. JIM places the hidden carbon on top of the new letter, then the blank paper on top of that and presses hard, picks up the pen and begins to write.
JIM
Following men here in prison,
JIM writes names furiously as he hears a door in the distance.
JIM
Make it clear there is torture involved.
As the footsteps grow nearer, JIM tears up the top piece of paper into small pieces and starts to chew them. He quickly places the carbon back under his bunk.
CUT TO:
INT. CONFINEMENT CELL -- CONTINUOUS
The cell door opens, the YOUNG OFFICER enters as JIM sits on the bed addressing the envelope. The YOUNG OFFICER takes the letter, quickly scans it, sneers and EXITs.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. CONFINEMENT CELL -- NIGHT
Sounds of scuffling can be heard in the cell next to JIM, doors slam and furniture shuffling. JIM waits for the guards footsteps to disappear, then he begins to tap shave and a haircut in code on the wall.
(pause)
The faint tapping of tick-tick.
JIM begins to tap elated in code, N-U-M
(pause)
Tapping T-H-R-E-E.
JIM continues to tap his message and listen.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. CONFINEMENT CELL -- NIGHT
JIM sits on the slab writing a message, he places the top sheet over the carbon.
JIM
List of new prisoners since January two... the solar plexus of this war machine is the Hanoi propaganda radio station. That must be destroyed.
INSERT-
JIM draws a crude map showing three prison camps and a railroad track.
WIDEN-
JIM
We can hear the trains roll out of Hanoi, heading past the camp south every night just after dark.
JIM is still printing franticly when the door flies open. JIM freezes with panic. The GUARD bears down on him yelling.
YOUNG OFFICER
Wall!
PAN-
To the bed board. A stack of papers pilled up in order, on top the list with clearly printed in bold letters names of the prisoners.
PAN BACK-
To a smiling YOUNG OFFICER presses JIM's nose into the wall. JIM hears the room being ransacked, voices in Vietnamese talking excitedly. The YOUNG OFFICER slaps JIM on the shoulder and spins him around and shows another OFFICER how to frisk him. JIM peeks over his shoulder at the stack of papers untouched.
The YOUNG OFFICER finishes the frisk and commands the other GUARD to follow him out of the cell, leaving the YOUNG GUARD at the door. He waits as JIM finishes the letter and puts it in the envelope. The YOUNG OFFICER gives a haunting glare as he receives the letter and EXITS.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. OFFICE OF ADMIRAL SEMMES -- DAY
SYBIL, angry, storms into the office of ADMIRAL SEMMES, head of the Bureau of Naval Personnel, interrupting a meeting between him and ADMIRAL Moorer. She carries a file folder.
SYBIL
Admiral Moorer, before we start our meeting, I'd like your permission to read what I have to say today.
ADMIRAL MOORER
Of course.
SYBIL
(taking a deep breath)
As you know, my husband Captain James Stockdale, has been prisoner of war for two years. I am certain you and all the families of war prisoners have read the Jack Anderson article. I would like you to comment on the allegations of a Pentagon hush up. Do you feel that the report is basically true or false?
ADMIRAL MOORER
Mrs. Stockdale. Please let me assure you that every effort is being put forth by your government to secure the release of prisoners as well as bring the Vietnam conflict to an early, successful conclusion. Let me further assure you that your government has made strenuous attempts to assure humane treatment for American prisoners and to obtain more information for their families. I know of no basis what so ever for Mr. Anderson's accusation of neglect.
SYBIL
I understand, but I am dismayed at our government's letting the North Vietnamese fill our media with propaganda and never responding. The enemy has been allowed to flagrantly violate the Geneva Convention without recourse. Packages sent to our men at Christmas were refused. My husband Jim's loyalty and his risking of his life in supplying covert communication has been rewarded by sloppy bungling by the Bureau of Personal I would like an explanation, in writing of this incompetence. Up to now I'd had faith, that my government would do the right thing, but now my faith is wavering.
A hush comes over the room as SYBIL finishes reading her prepared address. ADMIRAL SEMMES clears his throat and stands.
ADMIRAL SEMMES
Mrs. Stockdale please have a seat, join us.
SYBIL takes up a seat across from the ADMIRAL's. ADMIRAL SEMMES, continues.
ADMIRAL SEMMES
Mrs. Stockdale, would you consider my offer to come work for me as a civilian. I will match your teaching salary and pay for all moving expenses for you and your family to come to Washington. Your job would involve telling other wives in your circumstances what the navy was doing to help them.
SYBIL
Admiral Semmes, I feel you are trying to buy me off, I am enraged that you still don't understand the depth of my disillusionment and dismay about the way your department is mishandling my husbands welfare.
ADMIRAL MOORER
(interjecting, trying quell the argument)
Sybil please, how are the other women in San Diego getting along?
SYBIL
(taking a deep breath and smiling)
I am sorry, but understand. I felt it was necessary for you to understand how dire the situation is.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. CONFINEMENT CELL -- MORNING
JIM lays in his bunk sleeping in an effort to keep warm. He has taken his pajama bottoms and tied the draw string snugly and then inserted his legs into the cuff end, essentially creating a makeshift sleeping bag. He also is wearing two shirts.
JIM's sleep is broken by a GUARD shouting the only English name he could pronounce.
GUARD #2
Don! Don!
Holding up five fingers.
GUARD #2
(in a thick accent)
Lole up!
GUARD #2 EXITS.
JIM throws his injured leg over the side of the bed and acknowledges the guards commands. He begins to methodically pack his goods, putting sybils letter. The papers and the carbons between layers of clothing, then into a blanket. The sound of his cell door opening, quickens his pace. He shoves a porcelain drinking cup under a middle layer.
The GUARD #2 ENTERS and places a tight blindfold around JIM's eyes. JIM feels for the blanket roll. The GUARD grabs his arm and forcibly leads JIM out of the cell.
CUT TO:
EXT. COURTYARD -- NIGHT
JIM is the sixth in a line of prisoners led into the back of a truck parked just inside the gate. Each is first removed of their bed role and then handcuffed and lifted by two guards into the truck, where a third seats them. The flap of the canvas top is tied down placing the prisoners in darkness. A GUARD taps on the back of the truck summons the driver to head out.
INT. TRUCK -- CONTINUOUS
JIM sits in the truck and starts to hear a familiar sound coming from across from him. A guttural half snort, half throat clearing. A glimmer of light coming from a hole in the tarp lights up JIM's lower part of his face, revealing a slight smirk.
JIM
(under his breath)
Harry Jenkins, you bastard.
JIM immediately clears his throat and scuffles his bad foot, camouflaging his vocalization. As he does, he feels a foot against his.
PAN DOWN-
HARRY and JIM's feet are toe to toe. JIM places his foot on top of HARRY's and presses down deliberately in code. Dum-dum-ad-dum-dum. A second passes, HARRY places his foot on JIM's dum-dum
PAN UP-
JIM smiles.
PAN OVER-
HARRY smiles.
The sound of gears grinding down signal the end of the trip. The truck comes to a halt. JIM gets in one last message, fond farewell.
EXT. HANOI PRISON -- MORNING
The flap of the canvas top is thrust open by two armed guards, four more stand behind them pointing their weapons. The day light glimmers off the impressive show of power. The GUARD on the truck motions for each prisoner one at a time off the truck. They are helped off by two guards on the ground. Each is handed their bed rolls and appointed a GUARD which leads them into a grey, decrepit building. JIM is last off the truck and handed his bed role. JIM clutching his bed role against his chest, is led through the door.
INT. OUTSIDE JIM'S CELL -- CONTINUOUS
A GUARD leads JIM up to a cell door, stops, opens the door, removes JIM's blindfold and shoves him into a brightly lit cell and then shuts the door behind him.
INT. SMALL CELL -- MORNING
Strains to take in his new surroundings against the bright light coming from the overhead lights. Brand new brick and mortar make up the cell block.
JIM takes in the sounds of his new surroundings. He hears loud distant tapping. JIM feverishly digs his drinking cup from his bed role and begins to tap on the outside wall of the cell, where are you.
JIM
(listening to the reply, repeats softly)
Round the bend
A tap from another location, from another prisoner.
JIM
First cell on the right, Jerry Denton.
Another location.
JIM
Right and back corner, George Coker.
From the first location.
JIM
Centre, backside Harry Jenkins
From Fourth location.
JIM
Front, Sam Johnson.
JIM taps feverishly.
JIM
Jim Stockdale, centre front.
JIM listens to the flood of information, dumbfounded.
JIM
(softly)
We are back in the Hanoi Hilton. But why go through the trouble of building solitary cells inside the courtyard?
JIM begins to laugh.
JIM
This is a farce, these walls are like a drum.
The sound of an angry Vietnamese GUARD booms from outside JIM's cell, from here on known as BUGEYE
BUGEYE
(in broken english)
No communication, or you will be killed!
The guards heavy boots diminish as he leaves the cell block. JIM taps the all clear signal which is met with a reply.
JIM
(laughing)
Bugeye, perfect name Sam.
JIM taps a reply and then signs out with the familiar, god bless. JIM lies against the wall and grins uncontrollably.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. SMALL CELL -- DAY
JIM listens to the network of messages conveying location. JIM begins to tap, map. JIM begins the process of making a mental image of the hole block.
JIM
(taps and then listens)
Jim, Thunderbird, command...Dave Hatcher, northeast Thunderbird... Las Vegas... Stardust... Desert Inn... The Mint... Golden Nugget... Riviera.
CUT TO:
INT. SMALL CELL -- LATER
JIM
(tapping then listening)
...Thunderbird six west... Stardust four guardroom... Riviera three baths.
CUT TO:
INT. SMALL CELL -- DAY
A GUARD enters JIM's cell and gives the sleeves up signal, JIM obliges and is ushered out of his cell.
INT. HALLWAY-HANOI -- CONTINUOUS
JIM is led down the hallway then right, up to a gate.
EXT. GATE-HANOI -- CONTINUOUS
JIM is led through the gate set in an eight foot wall through a courtyard over to a house like shed. JIM takes in his surroundings.
JIM
Stardust, right, Las Vegas.
INT. CAT'S QUIZ ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
JIM is led into a room, where sitting side by side behind a long quiz table are RABBIT and CAT.
JIM
We meet again.
CAT
(assertively)
Staw-dale, the illegal war brought upon my country continues. My job and yours is to make every effort to bring this aggressive war of Johnson and McNamara to an end. You will help me. You will help me whether you know it or not. I have instructed my people to provide you clothing, shelter and food and time to think. Think and get well Staw-Dale, but let me wary you, do not tamper with our work with the other criminals. Things can go very bad for you very quickly. Do you have any requests?
JIM
Yes. I've been alone for a year and a half. I want a cell mate.
CAT
We will study your request. It will depend on your attitude go.
JIM is led out by the GUARD.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. CAMP RADIO ROOM -- AFTERNOON
A YOUNG AMERICAN SOLDIER sits in a chair in front of a microphone. Behind him his INTERROGATOR sternly waves a copy of the 'New York Times'.
INTERROGATOR
We want all American criminals to hear the latest news from their homeland.
The INTERROGATOR places a hand on the man's shoulder as positive re-enforcement.
YOUNG AMERICAN SOLDIER
(in a weak Voice)
Questions have been raised concerning President Johnson's efforts to end the war...
The man stops and clears his throat. The INTERROGATOR prompts him to continue. He nods and with a grin continues this time with more vigour.
CUT TO:
INT. PRISONERS'S CELL -- CONTINUOUS
A PRISONER in his cell listens intently to the YOUNG AMERICAN SOLDIER address over the speaker mounted on the wall in the corner of his cell.
YOUNG AMERICAN SOLDIER
...as I said President Johnson in his attempts to communicate with...
Begins to speak in a comical Vietnamese accent.
YOUNG AMERICAN SOLDIER
...President Horse Shit-Minh.
Muffled laughter breaks out through out the cell block.
CUT TO:
INT. SMALL CELL -- CONTINUOUS
JIM pounds on the wall with his fist and expresses his frustration. He immediately begins to tap a message.
JIM
Todays announcement was the result of the endless frustration that we all felt. But, even in jest, bad mouthing an American by another American will not be tolerated. New rules needed to be quickly implemented. To talk on the camp radio requires a licence. The licence costs one week in leg irons. The licence is good for one week and then must be renewed.
CUT TO:
INT. CELL BLOCK -- MORNING
PAN-
Down the series of cells as several inmates stand staring at their loud speakers, nervously awaiting to see if anyone defies JIM's order.
CUT TO:
INT. SMALL CELL -- CONTINUOUS
JIM looking slightly unconcerned as the radio silence continues. The sound of the INTERROGATOR breaks the silence.
INTERROGATOR
Todays reading has been cancelled and won't return until further notice.
JIM taps out a message.
JIM
Unity.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. CAT'S QUIZ ROOM -- MORNING
JIM stands before CAT who holds out a letter.
CAT
(with a smile)
Staw-Dale you have a letter from your wife.
JIM takes the letter and unfolds it a picture slides into his hand.
INSERT-
Picture of SYBIL and the four boys standing in their living room. Date on envelope reads, December 19, 1966.
PAN UP-
JIM smiles at the sight of his family. He clutches the letter tightly.
CAT
One last thing. You have a new cell mate, take care of him Staw-Dale, he is a very young man.
JIM
(trying not to show any emotion)
Yes.
JIM is escorted out.
INT. SMALL CELL -- DAY
JIM is ushered back into his cell where he meets his new cell mate. A bright looking little man, some twenty years younger than JIM. JIM offers his hand in salute.
JIM
Jim Stockdale, US Navy Captain.
DANNY
Danny Glenn, Lieutenant Commander.
JIM and Dan sit facing each other on the bunks.
JIM
What do you do back in the US.
DANNY
I am an architect and construction engineer.
DANNY hears the flow of tapping messages and begins to tap out his name and rank. JIM looks on in amazement.
JIM
How did you learn that?
DANNY
Oh I've been practicing alone, the code and how you use it is all written on the bottom of the quiz table in the knobby room. I spent my first night in Hanoi tied up on that torture room floor. I looked up at the bottom of that table and some Yank had written all American prisoners learn this code.
JIM
I'm impressed, you're smart and young. Listen I need you to get out my messages. It seems that Las Vegas section is a permanent residence for senior prisoners, but only a holding point for younger men.
DANNY
I understand, I'll do what ever I can.
JIM
It won't be as simple as telling everyone to bey the code of conduct, that would be a cop out. I have to decide how the code should be applied in specific situations. I have to select certain of Cat's key programs that we might be able, by democratic effort, defeat.
DANNY
How are you going to write this law?
JIM
It won't be easy, the Vietnamese work each prisoner on a rotation system. If a prisoner was ordered to do something and refused, that is a minor offence, unless they refused to do something after having already done it before. That's when they break bones.
DANNY
How about an order not to bow?
JIM
That would be folly. An order not to bow would mean the beating of all of us into submission. That is if the offence was committed inside the camp/ but they couldn't afford to show their viciousness in public, so, don't bow in public is a good, practical law.
DANNY
And we could stay off the air, no broadcasts, no recordings.
JIM
That's two, we are all forced to make confessions, but it is important to avoid the word crime when doing so. Thus no crimes is three.
DANNY
What about a buddy system?
JIM
We must stick together, a loner is only helping themselves. If you refuse to communicate with other American's, the Vietnamese will leave you alone. Keeping your nose clean is betraying America. It must be apparent that what ever you give up in the interrogation room must be shared, take lumps together. If necessary everyone goes down together. Our highest value has to be placed on the support of the man next door. To ignore him is to betray him. The bottom line is to place prisoner unity over selfish intents.
DANNY
Unity over self, we need a way to quickly spread these laws.
JIM
Remember this acronym, back us, bow, air, crime, kiss, unity over self. Get this out to every younger man.
DANNY
I will sir. Your plan is flawless.
JIM
(solemnly)
No, it has a life span, and it is very short.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. RADIO ADDRESS ROOM-LAS VEGAS -- AFTERNOON
RABBIT is animated as he gives an afternoon speech to the prisoners outlining his latest programs.
RABBIT
I am disappointed in the uncooperative attitude of many of you guests of the Vietnamese government. Some of you Americans are cooperative and willing. Some are die hard's. However, most criminals are in between...
CUT TO:
INT. SMALL CELL -- CONTINUOUS
JIM listens to RABBIT's speech with a look of foreboding.
RABBIT
...the latter must devote themselves to proper behaviour. They must throw off the evil influence of those blackest criminals who incite others to oppose the camp authority.
JIM shakes his head and drops his head to the floor.
CUT TO:
INT. RADIO ADDRESS ROOM-LAS VEGAS -- CONTINUOUS
RABBIT sits forward to emphasise the outline of his plan. Speaking directly into the microphone.
RABBIT
...a place is being prepared for the blackest of criminals. It is a dark place to which they will be banished. All the rest of you must strive to be worthy of Vietnamese generosity and those who show true repentance in actions as well as words...
CUT TO:
INT. SMALL CELL -- CONTINUOUS
JIM looks up at the speaker with intensity and shock.
RABBIT
...will be permitted to go home even before the war is over.
JIM
(softly)
I over estimated you Rabbit, great plan. Turn the war into a game, get the Americans to compete for early release. Only those who come out winners in hate America speech contests on the radio, get to the finals. Banner waving American prisoners against the war. That will catch the American public's eye.
CUT TO:
INT. SMALL CELL -- LATER
JIM listens to a NEW SOLDIER talk about his plan, from under the door. JIM and DANNY listen to the words of encouragement. Meanwhile RABBIT's earlier speech is re-run over the loud speaker.
NEW SOLDIER
Don't worry, from what I hear through the grape vine, their isn't a single one of us who is stupid enough to fall for their game. Anyone wanting early release would have to buy his way out by graveling before the commies. I ain't no ass kisser and I don't bad mouth America.
JIM
(whispering)
Your a good soldier and I know I can count on you. Get the word out that no one is to take part in their early release program. We will all go home together.
NEW SOLDIER
You can count on me, I ain't no fink.
JIM gets up from the door, shaking his head and turns to DANNY
JIM
Once that gets all over the system and Cat gets hold of it, he's really going to be mad. He will scrap the early release plan for sure.
DANNY looks at JIM sceptically.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. SMALL CELL-- DAY
Caption "Spring 1967"
In the distance sounds of bombs falling and aircraft fire can be heard hitting all around Hanoi. JIM and DANNY look in the direction and smile. The sound pf the cell door breaks up their jovial mood. Two angry VIETNAMESE GUARDS ENTER and motion for DANNY to EXIT. DANNY stands, shakes his head before being ushered out. One GUARD EXITS with DANNY, the other watches until they leave, then gives JIM the roll up demand.
INT. CAT'S QUIZ ROOM -- AFTERNOON
CAT sits with dark rings under his eyes, across from JIM
CAT
It is time for you to help me. I am worried about you criminals. As you know the weather in Vietnam is unusually hot and because of your governments illegal bombing of the cities water station, there is a shortage of bathing water. It is to my understanding this has caused many skin problems amongst you prisoners. So in an act of kindness, ~I offer you Americans an opportunity to have lots of fresh air and plenty of bathing water.
JIM
What's the catch?
CAT
No catch, I can make this all possible, if you Americans would help clear up the debris from the cluttered bomb damaged debris.
JIM
No, Americans will not be used for the purpose of propaganda.
CAT
Well, I am sorry. I want you to remember that I gave a chance to do something good for your fellows.
JIM stands and EXITS without making eye contact with CAT in a show of defiance.
INT. SMALL CELL-- DAY
JIM sits with his new cell mate. Talking about the clean up program. LAMAR, is a tall, thin PILOT in his early twenties.
LAMAR
(shaking his head)
It's a trap.
JIM
I agree, for every prisoner there would be two cameramen snapping propaganda shots. There we would be in the world press. American prisoners and North Vietnamese patriots as Yank bombs rain on Hanoi.
LAMAR
What do we do?
JIM
Get out another general order. Do not work in town.
INT. SMALL CELL -- LATER
JIM takes up position on the floor talking to a YOUNG PRISONER under the door.
YOUNG PRISONER
Cat is pushing hard, interrogations everyday this week. They want us to volunteer for their work program, but we aren't budging and they know it.
JIM
Good stuff, remember, united resistance.
CUT TO:
INT. SMALL CELL -- EVENING
JIM and LAMAR sit in their cell, a GUARD opens the door and quietly gives the dress for quiz signal. JIM stands and turns to LAMAR, starring straight into his eyes, extending his hand, LAMAR reciprocates. The two are ushered out separately.
CUT TO:
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM- -- LATER
JIM is escorted into Riviera three by an armed GUARD. Upon entering JIM bows and is confronted by a hostile young english speaking Vietnamese man with a greasy complexion. Another junior OFFICER and several excited guards accompany, including an older, tough, tall thin GUARD with a scowl on his face, known as JAKE.
GREASY
Your biographical file is incomplete. Take these sheets of paper and write a description of your duties ever since you entered the service. Be specific about secret briefings and bombing missions.
JIM
(standing defiantly)
No!
GREASY
Stand facing the corner.
The ARMED GUARD leads JIM into a corner, GREASY and JAKE stand and are followed over to JIM by the rest of the guards, forming a circle.
JAKE removes a pair of handcuffs from a pouch on his belt.
JAKE
Throw the book at him.
JAKE spins JIM around and locks his wrists behind him and escorts him out.
INT. BATH STALL -- LATER
JIM is led into the open air stall by JAKE where legs irons and an iron bar are already laid out on the floor. JAKE signals for JIM to sit down on the concrete. JIM obliges. JAKE proceeds to clamp the leg irons over JIM's legs and then places the bar over top. JAKE scowls and EXITS.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. BATH STALL --NOON
JIM struggles against the noon day tropical heat beating down on him on this the first of three days tied up.
CUT TO:
INT. BATH STALL -- NIGHT
JIM lies in the darkness starring out at the only light befalling the cement stall, that from the full moon. Large mosquitoes swarm around JIM, praying on his exposed legs, face and arms. JIM's face is swollen from the beatings.
CUT TO:
INT. BATH STALL -- MORNING
JIM awakes from a restless slumber, his lips parched from lack of water. Desperate for relief from the sun, JIM begins to call out an emergency signal.
JIM
Bao Cao! Bao cao!
A GUARD comes in and slugs JIM in the face, five times with his fists.
GREASY ENTERS and halts the beating, JIM groans in pain and looks up at GREASY in defiance.
GREASY
My Guard can do anything he wants.
GREASY and the GUARD EXIT, laughing.
CUT TO:
INT. BATH STALL -- AFTERNOON
JAKE ENTERs the stall carrying a pair of regular police style ratchet cuffs. Removes the manacles, then puts JIM's elbows behind him again and proceeds to clamp the ratches way up by his elbows.
CUT TO:
INT. BATH STALL -- EVENING
A group of guards surround JIM and take turns kicking and punching him. JIM cries out in pain. JAKE steps between two guards and stuffs a rag into his mouth and proceeds to cinch up the ratches on JIM's handcuffs another notch. The guards and JAKE EXIT.
JIM rolls over on his side and starts to bang his head against the bathroom floor in frustration.
CUT TO:
INT. BATH STALL -- DAY
The door to the stall swings open to reveal the warrant OFFICER, named SPOT. JAKE enters right behind. SPOT looks on concerned and motions for JAKE to remove the rag and place a blindfold on JIM. JAKE nods and does so.
Two other guards ENTER and remove the leg irons and lift JIM to his feet, and usher JIM out of the stall. SPOT and JAKE follow.
INT. HALLWAY-LEADING FROM BATH STALL -- CONTINUOUS
JIM is led down a hallway blindfolded by the two guards. JIM's adrenaline begins to flow and he has the sense to try to get a communication out to the grape vine to his position.
JIM
Stockdale, heading for Heartbreak!
JIM stumbles along, he is led left and then nudged to step up. JIM is relieved to no longer be feeling the tropical heat. JIM's blindfold is removed.
INT. ROOM EIGHTEEN -- CONTINUOUS
JIM strains to take in his new location, he looks back to the door and spots the eighteen on the door, then looks back at the Vietnamese soldier known as MOLE.
MOLE looks sleepy as though awakened from his noon sleep.
MOLE
(motioning)
Sit, quietly and contemplate your crimes.
JIM
I am going to lose my arms if you don't loosen these cuffs, they are cutting off my blood flow.
MOLE reluctantly stands and walks around behind JIM. He motions for JAKE to remove the cuffs. JAKE ENTERS and takes several seconds to force the ratches to loosen.
As the cuffs are removed, JIM winces in relief as he feels the blood returns to his hands. JIM brings his arms around to his front and examines his blue and swollen arms.
MOLE
That will teach you to disobey the orders of the camp authority. Now complete the sheets as the officers asked.
MOLE and JAKE stand and EXIT. The sound of the heavy door shutting accompanied by the lock can be heard, leaving JIM alone starring down at the blank paper and pen.
JIM sits at the long table and with difficulty, grasps the pen with his swollen right hand and begins to write.
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM EIGHTEEN -- LATER
JIM finishes writing and neatly stacks the papers on the table and then lays down on the dirty red tile floor and breaths deeply.
FADE OUT:
INT. ROOM EIGHTEEN -- LATER
JIM is awakened by a GUARD who motions for him to come. JIM stands and is ushered out of the room.
CUT TO:
INT. RIVIERA THREE -- EVENING
JIM is led into his new cell, known as Riviera Three, a low ceiling, rickety wooden building with lots of peep holes leading to a view of the prison yard. On the bed, a pile of new clothing and a blanket sit neatly stacked. On top a stack of letters, in their opened envelopes sit. JIM ENTER's the cell and proceed to go through his belongings searching several times as if something is missing. We see JIM's bare feet.
JIM sit's on the bed. Effects of concussion bombs landing close by shake the rickety hut. Another lands so close that it causes the door to pop open and hang ajar from the bottom hinge. A frightened GUARD yells in Vietnamese as half hearted props the door back into position and then runs by.
Through the gap left between the half hung door and the jam, JIM watches two prisoners being led into the baths. The two are lined up, shackled and interrogated. A GUARD gives the bow motion, both refuse, this is met with a sharp blow to the stomach from the guards.
INT. BATH STALL -- CONTINUOUS
As we get a good look at the prisoners. The first, a young PILOT in similar condition as JIM, slender from the lack of proper diet but still coherent. The second, not doing well, he stagers from the blow, as he stands we see his ribs have begun to show through his skin.
INT. RIVIERA THREE -- CONTINUOUS
JIM looks on hopelessly as the men are berated and beaten continuously.
JIM
Riviera Three would be home for the next two weeks. Here I was able to observe other Americans in punishment status. I was shocked to see for the first time in prison two old buddies. Bob Shumaker, a young Crusader Pilot, charged with making half hearted bows. Bob was the second longest held prisoner in Hanoi, being shot down in sixty-five. He looked to be holding up pretty well. I can't say the same for my other old Friend, Nels Tanner, the best signalling Officer in the pacific fleet. I found out later, they starved him for a week until he gave up the names of the fellow pilots who gave up flying because of the unjust nature of the war. There were no such men, but Nels gave them a couple of ringers, Navy Lieutenant's Clark Kent and Ben Casey. The North Vietnamese gullibly blew up the revelation as a giant news story and many American newspapers exposed the farce as the biggest joke of the war.
The Vietnamese guards finish their interrogation and lead Nels and Bob off individually, first Bob, then Nels. JIM continues.
JIM
American leftists wrote the North Vietnamese, exposing Nels and he spent the rest of the war in leg irons.
FADE OUT:
INT. HEARTBREAK CELL -- EVENING
Caption "Summer 1967"
JIM sits listening to the chain of command up and down the hall until a particular message catches his attention. The prisoner next door whispers.
PRISONER
Hey, you Jim Stockdale.
JIM
(whispering)
Yes.
PRISONER
I got a message from Bill Lawrence at the end of the hall, Bill says he saw Sybil aboard the Carrier Constellation in San Diego, this Spring. Sybil looks great and all four boys are doing fine. Your name was on the last captain selection list, you made it a year ahead of anyone else in your academy class.
JIM
(smiling)
Tell Bill, thanks, talk to you later.
JIM sits back in his bed, smiling.
MONTAGE-
Showing the Vietnamese' increase in the use of torture to get the information from their American captures.
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM -- DAY
A YOUNG NAVEL OFFICER is bound in rope from two posts. Two GUARDS shout orders at him. The YOUNG NAVEL OFFICER new too the rules shouts out an erroneous response.
YOUNG NAVAL OFFICER #2
No sir, that is against my commanding officers orders.
An irate GUARD signals. CAT ENTERS, angrily and motions for the ropes to be tightened. The four ropes are pulled tighter simultaneously by four GUARDS, causing his legs and arms to be pulled in different directions. The YOUNG NAVY OFFICER cries out in pain.
YOUNG NAVAL OFFICER #2
Okay, I'll tell you want you want!
CUT TO:
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM -- EVENING
Another American is bound in leg irons and hand cuffs with a rag in his mouth. His screams are muffled as he is beaten until he succumbs. His body falls limp. CAT calls off the beating and his lifeless body is carried from the room by two of six guards. CAT smiles with sick pleasure.
CUT TO:
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM -- AFTERNOON
Nels Tanner is placed into a chair in the interrogation room. Thin and haggard from starvation and torture. A camera is thrust into his face. The Vietnamese Soldier operating the camera shouts out at him.
SOLDIER CAMERA OPERATOR
Tell us the meaning of Unity of Self!
NELS TANNER
(wearily)
We Americans will die together before we give in for the purpose of self interest.
SOLDIER CAMERA OPERATOR
Have you been given orders to disobey our orders?
NELS TANNER
United Resistance.
SOLDIER CAMERA OPERATOR
Is Jim Stockdale behind these laws?
NELS TANNER
(resistant forced to look into the camera)
Yes.
CUT TO:
INT. HEARTBREAK CELL -- NIGHT
JIM watches another PRISONER being taken for interrogation. As they pass, JIM begins to tap quietly on the wall with his cup. JIM listens for the reply and then turns to his cell mate SAM.
JIM
(whispering)
They've tortured Dan Glenn, Nels was forced to give a confession on tape and Norm Schmidt died last week.
The light to the cell block goes out, casting it into total darkness.
SAM
Something's going to happen tonight, they've cut the power purposely. Look even the emergency lights are out.
SAM motions towards the lights through the crack in the wall.
Muffled noises are heard from outside the cell door, then a GUARD opens the peep hole and shines a flashlight in and shouts derogatory comment in Vietnamese. SAM and JIM remain silent. The VOICE of RABBIT is heard and the door flung open.
JIM angry, takes the lead and walks out into the flashlight glare. He spots RABBIT and four other guards. RABBIT makes an enraged charge at JIM, yelling.
RABBIT
You and your communication!
RABBIT pushes JIM back into the cell. JIM counter charges and throws RABBIT right out into the hall. RABBIT regains his composure and signals for the door to be closed. Another GUARD does so.
JIM finds his bunk in the dark, moments later the prison lights come back on and rabbits VOICE booms over the loud speaker.
RABBIT
(irate)
A criminal has just made a provocation against an Officer of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Totally strict camp discipline is going into effect.
On his last words the sound of doors opening heard all over the cell block.
EXT. HALLWAY-HEARTBREAK--LATER
Dozens of armed guards quickly enter the hallway and begin throwing open the prison cell doors. One by one every PRISONER is forced from their cells.
INT. HEARTBREAK CELL -- CONTINUOUS
JIM's cell is forced open, two guards shout at SAM to EXIT. A second later JIM is moved out with his gear.
INT. MINT CELL BLOCK-SOLITARY CONFINEMENT -- LATER
A GUARD throws SAM to the floor of a small solitary confinement cell, a second GUARD ENTERS and helps the other shackle SAM into leg irons.
INT. MINT CELL BLOCK-HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS
A second PRISONER is thrown into cell three, as JIM is brought down the hallway and stopped in front of cell one. JIM strains to catch a glimpse of his friends. A GUARD opens JIM's cell door and forces him in.
INT. MINT CELL BLOCK-JIM'S CELL -- CONTINUOUS
The first GUARD EXITS, leaving the second GUARD alone with JIM. He motions that he will be right there, pauses for a moment before turning back to JIM and beginning to fain tightening his restraints.
SECOND GUARD
(whispering)
The Central Staff Officer has decreed that you are too meet with some of his friends. You must keep calm. Do not make a disturbance or you will be severely punished. You have made alto of trouble for the General Staff Officer. He is very, very angry. Criminals at camps miles away all know your rules. The General Staff Officer says that you have set back the Camp Authority two years.
The GUARD stand and EXITS, closing the door behind him. JIM sits motionless, dumb founded.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. FRENCH MANOR HOUSE -- DAY
JIM is led into a meeting held in the front room of a French manor house, the centre of a makeshift prison.
JIM's blindfold is removed to reveal a large table surrounded by a dozen Vietnamese officers and two burly Russian men in civilian clothes. JIM takes a seat without bowing.
CAT ENTERS and sits between the Russian men. CAT converses in English to JIM.
CAT
These men are Russian and they want to talk to you.
RUSSIAN MAN
What is your name?
JIM
Jim Stockdale.
RUSSIAN MAN
Are you American?
JIM
Yes.
RUSSIAN MAN
Let me get to the point. Don't you as an American see a certain similarity between the American Revolution and the revolution in Vietnam?
JIM
No, there is no comparison. In seventeen hundred and seventy six, we were English men who were merely trying to relax the ties between us and the motherland.
RUSSIAN MAN
(sneering)
I see, take him away.
Two guards ENTER and remove JIM from his seat.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. MINT CELL BLOCK-JIM'S CELL -- MORNING
JIM hears the shave and a haircut tap from SAM, puts his cup to the wall, as SAM taps out good morning, the war siren echoes through the block. Two guards burst into JIM's cell and force him out.
CUT TO:
INT. KNOBBY ROOM --MOMENTS LATER
A long table is against the wall opposite the door as JIM is ushered in. Behind it are a half dozen Vietnamese officers. The man in the centre is a portly man nicknamed MAO, he speaks in English. PIGEYE sits next to his left, next to him is his assistant. BIG UGH is a big young kid.
MAO
I have not been here long, but I have heard a lot about you, and it's all bad. You have incited the other criminals to oppose the Camp Authority.
PIGEYE stands and takes a rope from the table and walks over to JIM and proceeds to force JIM's head down. PIGEYE loops the rope under JIM's left leg and around his neck, then forces his head further down to his left knee. JIM's leg is bent backward so severely that it causes the already damaged cartilage to pop. JIM SCREAMS in pain to the delight of the room.
JIM
(screaming)
I submit! I'll tell you what you want!
PIGEYE
(letting up on the ropes)
Continue.
JIM
Yes, I had opposed the camp authority, and I had incited the other criminals to oppose the camp authority.
The half dozen men sitting around the table stand, smile and EXIT one by one, MAO and PIGEYE are the last to EXIT, leaving JIM sitting on the floor.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. KNOBBY ROOM -- MORNING
GREASY, PIGEYE and BIG UGH stand over a seated JIM, shouting and taking turns beating him. JIM succumbs and starts signing a pile of files. PIGEYE removes each file as they are signed. The shouting continues.
GREASY
How does your chain of command work? Who are the principles?
PIGEYE
How is communication handled?
JIM
Okay, I'll give you a list of all two hundred and twelve Americans in rank order who make up our organization. It is lineal responsibility list. It is like a snake you can't kill. The head will always grow back, take me out and Denton will take over, take Denton out and Jenkins will fill in.
PIGEYE looks up at GREASY with a look of content, nods, GREASY nods back and PIGEYE takes a fresh sheet of paper and places it in front of JIM and motions him to write.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. MINT CELL BLOCK-SOLITARY CONFINEMENT -- DAY
The GUARD EXITS.
CUT TO:
INT. MINT CELL BLOCK-SOLITARY CONFINEMENT -- NIGHT
Hight falls the sky over the prison. Everything is silent. JIM stairs at the cell floor, intently watching a beetle being consumed alive by ants. JIM continues to follow the carnage as the beetle tries in vein to get to it's feet and make its escape. The beetle crawls towards the door sill with the ants all over it.
PAN UP-
JIM
God, help me. Give me the strength of that beetle.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. MINT CELL BLOCK-SOLITARY CONFINEMENT -- NIGHT
Caption "October 25, 1966"
The sound of a key being inserted into his cell door brings JIM out of his uneasy sleep. A GUARD enters, summons JIM to stand from the floor and roll up his sleeves. JIM obliges slowly.
JIM
Hallelujah.
The GUARD helps JIM pick up his bed role and then leads him out of the cell.
CUT TO:
EXT. WOODED AREA -- NIGHT
JIM is helped off a truck by a GUARD at the entrance too a wooded area.
JIM listens to the sound of a dog barking in the distance and then crickets nearby, as he is led through the grass, onto a sidewalk into some light.
The GUARD stops JIM outside a rusty gate while he opens it. The two proceed through the gate and down a flight of steep steps.
INT. ALCATRAZ CELL -- NIGHT
This one has no bunk, just a raised slab of concrete floor. The GUARD motions JIM to hang his mosquito net under a straw mat lying on the slab. JIM nods as the GUARD slaps on leg irons and EXITS.
JIM sits on the mat and places the net next to him and begins to maniacally laugh as he remembers something RABBIT had said. He punctuates with his fingers.
JIM
So, Rabbit this is the dark place you were preparing for the blackest of criminals who opposed the Camp Authority. I shall call it, Alcatraz.
INT. PRIVY -- DAY
JIM ENTERS carrying his waste bucket and takes in the view of his Alcatraz buddies, ten in all. JIM stands smiling in the doorway and mentally does a head count as he scans around the room.
JIM
Howie Rutledge, Harry Jenkins, Sam Johnson, Bob Shumaker, Ron Storz, Nels Tanner, George Coker, George McKnight, Jerry Denton, Jim Mulligan.
(pause)
Twenty five guards to watch, harass and interrogate us.
(pause)
A favourable number.
JIM is prodded by one of two head guards, a man with a large sloped forehead. The other a short man. JIM carries his bucket over to an empty spot next to JERRY DENTON. JIM proceeds to 'scrub' out a message in his bucket with his brush in the same manor as he had tapping on the wall. JERRY DENTON replies.
JIM
Camp Commander Slopehead, Second in command Rat.
INT. ALCATRAZ MEETING ROOM - DAY
Caption "Four months later February 1968"
RABBIT stands over JIM quizzing him.
RABBIT
(sarcastically)
I'm sure your happy to see me, I was in the area and decided to stop by.
JIM
Nice to see you.
RABBIT
Tell me, does your Navy really have a political policy division?
JIM
Yes.
RABBIT
(nervously)
You know, the Camp Authority has set up a review board to screen all material sent to your country. In the past we have been badly damaged by criminal trickery.
JIM
Is that so?
RABBIT
Yes but the criminals have paid for the trickery, as you will if we find falsehoods. In any event the General Staff Officer wants you to reword parts of that paper. You will hear from us.
JIM sits already hashing out a plan to kill this plan.
INT. ALCATRAZ CELL -- NIGHT
JIM whispers a message to NELS TANNER in the next cell.
JIM
Do you feel the Clarke Kent, Ben Casey matter inoculated you against having to produce more propaganda?
NELS TANNER
Yes, I was never asked to write anything after the gooks' American left wing friends sent them those news paper clippings.
JIM taps out the 'later' sign and sits back against the wall relieved.
INT. PRIVY -- MORNING
JIM stands washing out his bucket eying two burned sticks lying on the ground. JIM feigns a pain in his leg and bends down and retrieves the burnt sticks. He straightens and places the sticks into his bucket, under his soap. Nearby JERRY DENTON silently slips a piece of paper towel up JIM's sleeve.
CUT TO:
INT. ALCATRAZ CELL -- LATER
JIM removes the soap from the bucket and proceeds to soften the flakes into a paste and then mixes the charcoal ashes from the sticks into the paste. With his fingers he forms the blackened soap into a crude crayon.
JIM takes the piece of paper towel from under the bunk and begins to write.
JIM
Dear Jerry, I am very worried about an old letter I wrote to the US Government addressed to a fake office in the Navy. It was much worse than the Tanner letter about Clarke Kent and Ben Casey. When the word gets back here about how I made fools of the Vietnamese people that bastard Rabbit will have my hide. I am very worried about the slander of the Vietnamese people. Jim.
INT. ALCATRAZ CELL -- DAY
JIM's cell door opens and a GUARD ENTERS with a group of new Vietnamese guards in training. The GUARD motions as he demonstrates in Vietnamese, how to preform a proper search. A YOUNG GUARD ushers JIM out of the cell as three others start searching the cell.
INT. BATH AREA -- MOMENTS LATER
A GUARD stands watch as JIM proceeds with his sponge bath. Excited shouts come from his cell catch both the GUARD and JIM's attention. Another GUARD comes in shouting.
GUARD #3
Don! Don! Come quick!
The GUARD ushers JIM, still nude out of the bath area following the second GUARD.
INT. ALCATRAZ CELL -- CONTINUOUS
JIM is led nude into the cell by the two guards. The head GUARD turns to JIM holding the note, surrounded by the group of excited new Guards.
JIM first looks shocked, the guilty and then frightened as he glances at the letter.
JIM
Please have mercy.
The HEAD GUARD motions slightly for one of the guards to bring JIM's clothing, the GUARD nods and EXITS.
INT. ALCATRAZ CELL -- MOMENTS LATER
A pile of clothes are thrown at JIM's feet as the HEAD GUARD motions for all the guards to EXIT, they oblige. The HEAD GUARD grasps the note and scowls at JIM as he EXITS, leaving JIM in the middle of the torn up room.
As the door slams shut, JIM smiles wildly and claps his hands.
JIM
This is even better than I planned!
INT. ALCATRAZ MEETING ROOM -- DAY
JIM is led into a room in which SLOPEHEAD sits at the head of a table, flanked by RAT and the HEAD GUARD.
SLOPEHEAD
(angrily)
The charges against you are very serious, calling a Vietnamese OFFICER a bad name and communicating.
JIM
I apologize for uttering an indignity to the Vietnamese people, but please, I have not been communicating. There was nothing in camp regulations about writing a note, only passing a note.
SLOPEHEAD sits silently for a moment and then swiftly motions for the room to be cleared. RAT and the HEAD GUARD oblige. SLOPEHEAD crumples the letter and throws it on the floor in a fit of anger.
INT. ALCATRAZ CELL -- LATER
JIM is brought back into his cell by RAT.
RAT
You have been found guilty as charged. You are to be confined in leg irons around the clock for a month.
JIM sits in the mat while RAT places the leg irons on. PAN up as JIM cracks a smile.
CUT TO:
INT. ALCATRAZ CELL -- DAY
Caption "Christmas 1968"
A letter is slid under the door, JIM quickly gathers the envelope and tears it open. Photographs tumble out, along with a hand written note. JIM smiles as he begins to read.
SYBIL
All the boys are okay. Jimmy is a college freshman now, he has contracted a non life threatening disease called Osgood- Schlatter, a temporary bone inflammation that has affected his legs. Stan is doing fine in the third grade and Taylor is in the first grade. I'm sorry Jim, but I have some bad news, I have sold your mothers house and put all her things in storage.
JIM folds the letter and begins to leaf through the photographs. A song begins to play over the loud speaker outside the cell. A haunting tune called 'Till' by American piano player Roger Williams. JIM begins to cry.
JIM's melancholy state is broken by the sound of his cell door being thrust open. A GUARD enters.
GUARD #3
Roll up!
The GUARD takes out a short piece of wire and bends it around JIM's wrists from behind and then places a blindfold on JIM. The GUARD leads JIM out.
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM EIGHTEEN-HALLWAY -- LATER
Still blindfolded JIM is marched up to a door. As the blindfold is removed we see the number eighteen on the door.
JIM
Back at Hoa Lo, room eighteen, your not messing around.
INT. ROOM EIGHTEEN -- CONTINUOUS
JIM is forced through the green doors and the doors shut behind him. JIM is confronted by RABBIT and PIGEYE. JIM bows, RABBIT stairs intently, brushing off JIM's gesture.
RABBIT
It is you who has caused me to be brought back here from my new office. I don't like it. We will get you this time. I don't want to talk about what happened at the camp you just left. I want to know only one thing.
(pause)
Will you be my slave or not?
JIM
(defiantly)
No!
PIGEYE lunges forward with a metal bar and connects a shot to JIM's jaw, knocking him out.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. SYBIL'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT
A hot humid summer night befalls the Connecticut home of SYBIL. We see her sleeping restlessly, as if troubled by a dream.
CUT TO:
EXT. DRAGONS JAW BRIDGE -- DAY
Dream sequence showing JIM half way across the narrow bridge leading from Hanoi prison to freedom. JIM stops, remembering something that he has forgotten and turns back. Gun fire erupts sending the bridge and JIM up in a cloud of smoke.
CUT TO:
INT. SYBIL'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT
SYBIL awakes covered in sweat, looking exhausted. She clasps her stomach in a fit of nausea. SYBIL throws her bed covering back and EXITS toward the bathroom.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. OFFICE OF BOB BOUROUGHS -- DAY
SYBIL sits in BOB BOUROUGH's office. A REPORTER from the Copley News Service, as seen on the plaque on his desk.
BOB BOUROUGHS
I agree with you Syb, I'm in favour of publishing your paper outlining the Prisoner's plight in Vietnam, but...
SYBIL
(cutting off Bob)
...But what?
BOB BOUROUGHS
...but I am worried about having your name in print, because of your covert communication with Jim.
SYBIL
It is important for me to take the leap on going public. To give other wives the courage to do so.
BOB BOUROUGHS
(hesitantly)
Okay Sybil I'll publish your story.
SYBIL
Thank you, I just want the world to have the truth.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. SYBIL'S HOME -- EVENING
Caption "November 1968- Election Day"
SYBIL and another wife sit watching the election coverage. The western states results begin to roll across the screen of the small television. SYBIL sits on the edge of her chair and turns to her FRIEND.
SYBIL
Richard Nixon has to win, the Democrats will only follow Johnson's wavering policy. We need to have a change of party leadership. Nixon will bomb the enemy into submission and end this war.
ELECTION REPORTER
...and as the polls in California begin to count their votes, it is becoming clear that the next President of the United States will be Richard Milhouse Nixon.
CUT TO:
INT. A MEETING HALL-SAN DIEGO -- DAY
Three representatives from the Department of Defence and a former POW from the Korean War meet with the League of Wives. SYBIL sits centre of the group of wives.
1ST REPRESENTATIVE
First of all, President elect Nixon sends his warm regards and expresses the deepest interest in the plight of the US POW's currently held in Vietnam. And assures that he is prepared to do what ever it takes to bring and end to the conflict and bring each and everyone of your husbands home safely. Now do you have any questions?
SYBIL
(standing in disgust)
Firstly, I am disgusted by the current governments performance. There must be a change to the keep quiet policy. I point out the fact that no one has any mail since October. Mister Nixon assured that things were going to get better. They seem to be getting worse.
The three representatives look on in stunned disbelief. They whisper too themselves amongst the growing cries of support of SYBIL's comments from the room full of wives.
1ST REPRESENTATIVE
Excuse us, someone will be in touch with you, have a nice day.
The three representatives, mildly embarrassed stand and one by one leave the room, followed by the Korean War vet.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. SYBIL'S HOME -- DAY
A television REPORTER from New York interviews a nervous SYBIL. SYBIL tries to forget about the camera.
NEW YORK REPORTER
So what do you think about the Secretary of Defences' public denouncement of the North Vietnamese treatment of prisoners.
SYBIL
It is nice to finally be able to read a letter from my husband again, it has taken two years and a change of government, but I think we are on the right track.
SYBIL stairs right into the camera on her last word.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. MR. GOTTLIEB'S OFFICE -- DAY
SYBIL enters Mr. GOTTLIEB's New York Today Show office.
GOTTLIEB
Mrs. Stockdale, sit.
(pause, as Sybil sits)
How was your publicity campaign coming along?
SYBIL
Great, my story and pictures have appeared in the New York Times. This morning I was over at Cbs. I just came over to find out about a possible future appearance on the Today Show?
GOTTLIEB
I would love to have you on, what else do you have planned?
SYBIL
I'm seriously considering going to Paris to see the North Vietnamese in person at their embassy.
GOTTLIEB
I've got to hand it to you, all I have to say is watch out Vietnam.
SYBIL smiles.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. BRANTFORD, CONNECTICUT -- DAY
SYBIL teary eyed, says goodbye too a nineteen year old SID. STAN and taylor stand behind him.
SYBIL
(to Sid)
Don't cry I'll talk by phone soon.
SYBIL kisses him quickly and steps into the car. She looks back to see him standing at the door trying to smile. SYBIL waves and STAN and taylor wave back.
CUT TO:
INT. PARIS MEETING ROOM -- AFTERNOON
SYBIL, joined by four other wives and a man from the league of families arrive at the meeting room in Paris. Four Vietnamese men greet them. The head man XUAN OANH, directs SYBIL to sit opposite him while the others sit on both sides of a long table.
SYBIL stands and makes her opening remarks.
SYBIL
My name is Sybil Stockdale, my husband Jim is a Prisoner the North Vietnamese government. I know he is injured, but I have no evidence his injuries have been properly treated. I also want proof that he was no longer in solitary confinement.
SYBIL removes a large stack of letters from an attache case and hands them to XUAN OANH.
SYBIL
These letters are from all one hundred and fifteen members of our organization. I am asking you to tell me the circumstance of each of these men, Mister Xuan.
XUAN OANH
(slowly to answer)
Your written inquiries will be answered.
SYBIL
I would like those answers before our Thanksgiving.
XUAN OANH
I will do my best, now Mrs. Stockdale, I have some questions for you.
SYBIL looks on nervously as XUAN OANH stands and pulls out a copy of the New York Times picture.
INSERT-
Picture of SYBIL.
Holding it he leers forward.
XUAN OANH
We know all about you, Mrs. Stockdale. We know you are the founder of this movement and, we think you should direct your questions to your own government.
SYBIL sits back in her chair and shows signs of relief.
SYBIL
Sir, I assure you I have spent much of the last five years visiting many American government offices.
XUAN OANH
Come, lets have some tea and the finest Vietnamese candies.
XUAN OANH stands and ushers the six Americans toward a smaller room, the Vietnamese men follow.
CUT TO:
EXT. STEPS OF THE WHITE HOUSE-OCTOBER -- DAY
SYBIL delivers a direct ultimatum to the North Vietnamese surrounded by a large throng of journalists.
SYBIL
During our September visit you promised that the families of the men missing and captured in North Vietnamese would receive replies to their inquiries about their loved ones from your government. We've know learned that this information will be available only from the new Mobilization Committee hear in Washington. To force the prisoners families to comply to such a political organization is an unnecessary exploitation of their helplessness in such an arrangement. I entreat you to hasten the release of the information which you have promised.
We TRACK in on SYBIL's stern face as she concludes her speech. The photographers flash bulbs go off and reporters fractically write their notes.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. JIM'S CELL IN HANOI PRISON -- DAY
JIM is sickly thin, around one hundred and thirty pounds. His face and body is covered in fresh bloody welts and bruises from the repeated beatings. MOLE ENTERS carrying two cups of tea. He is accompanied by a second GUARD whom MOLE instructs to remove JIM's leg irons. He obliges.
MOLE
Will you have some tea?
JIM
Yes.
JIM sits up and receives the cup from MOLE.
MOLE
Why do you choose to disobey us? Why do you do this to yourself?
MOLE punctuates his words by motioning to a deep gash on JIM's arm.
JIM
I am tired of being treated like an animal, being questioned, hounded, I am a Prisoner of war.
MOLE
You are a criminal, but this morning you will be moved. I hoped you have learned your lesson and cease to communicate. The Camp Authority is investigating the possibility of improving your living conditions. The Senior Officer is no longer in charge.
MOLE and the other OFFICER leave. JIM sits free of his chains, silently contemplating.
CUT TO:
INT. JIM'S CELL IN HANOI PRISON -- DAY
JIM's peep hole is opened, CAT shouts.
CAT
Hello, Staw-Dale, I am the Camp Commander here now. I am here to talk too you.
JIM sits up in shock, as the cell door opens. CAT ENTERS. JIM stands and bows and then sits again.
CAT
(sardonically)
I am glad you are well again.
CAT hands five letters to JIM.
INSERT-
Address on the top letter indicates that the letter is from SYBIL.
CAT
Staw-Dale you have been alone a long time. You are an old man. I am going to arrange for you too have a cell mate. He has been alone too. And Staw-Dale please take care of him.
CAT smirks and EXITS.
INT. JIM'S CELL IN HANOI PRISON -- LATER
JIM reads the first letter from SYBIL and looks at the picture. He sums up recent events in retrospect.
JIM
I couldn't know it then, but by her extraordinary achievements Sybil very probably saved my life in that September incident when the Vietnamese discovered me on the floor of room eighteen covered on my own blood. Because of her, my picture had been widely publicized in the world press, and for me to suddenly die in Hanoi, would have presented North Vietnam with a major public relations problem.
CUT TO:
INT. OUTSIDE THE OVAL OFFICE -- DAY
SYBIL waits for her and four other wives meeting with President Nixon. The door to the office opens, NIXON EMERGES.
SYBIL
Mr. President, I wish to go over those points you want to make for the press once more. I'm so excited just being here. It's taking me longer than usual to function today, sorry I'm late.
PRESIDENT NIXON
No problem, come into my office.
SYBIL nods to her friends and EXITS into the office with NIXON.
INT. OVAL OFFICE -- MORNING
SYBIL sits in a chair in front of a large desk, NIXON settles behind the desk.
PRESIDENT NIXON
What points are a concern to you?
SYBIL
I wish for you the time to clearly describe each husbands' circumstances and what their wives knew.
PRESIDENT NIXON
You and your friends will be granted all the time you require. I will be the first President since the war in Vietnam broke out to go on record in support of the Geneva Convention relative to the treatment of Prisoners of War.
SYBIL
For the first time in years, I will sleep soundly tonight, assured that the United States of America is in capable hands. Thank you.
SYBIL stands, shakes NIXON's hand, turns and EXITS.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. JIM AND JOHN DOE'S CELL -- AFTERNOON
JIM sits in his new cell with his new cell mate. JIM smiles, only to be greeted by a long silence by a man, bundled up, arms clasped around flexed knees.
JIM
I'm John Stockdale.
JOHN DOE
(irritated)
I know, I'm Lieutenant Colonel John Doe.
JIM
Excuse me would you keep a watch under the door for the Guard, I need to go to the wall and check the Thunderbird communication system.
JIM grabs is cup and starts over to the wall, but is halted by an angry JOHN DOE.
JOHN DOE
Listen you bastard! Don't you realize that half the Americans in these cells are working for the Vietnamese? I've been had by people like you in this place before. I don't want you in this cell and that tap code is useless.
JIM
(angrily)
No, it's the only way to avoid the Vietnamese from monitoring what is said.
JOHN DOE
Bull, people like you have brought nothing but grief onto me since my capture. The only way to keep the commies away is to live like a totally silent mouse.
JIM
This is what Cat wants, to force us to participate in the liberalizing of our prison regime. He has put me in here to lock me out of command. A master stroke.
JOHN DOE
The Vietnamese are omniscient and omnipotent. It is dangerous for you to communicate in my presence, because I can not offer worthy resistance to giving up secrets. If you communicate, I guarantee, I'll burn you in the end.
JIM
I realize you hate the North Vietnamese and want to destroy Communism, we all do, but hate is a debilitating emotion. You've got to keep your mind clear, free of hate, if you're to win in here. Think of ways to mouse trap your sobs, but don't hobble yourself emotionally by going around choked up in a rage all the time.
JOHN DOE puts his head down in to avoid eye contact with JIM.
CUT TO:
INT. CAT'S QUIZ ROOM -- DAY
CAT talks to JIM in a drawn way.
CAT
I brought you in to tell you that we have closed the other prison, your friends are back, all of them, including Jerry Denton.
JIM
Great.
CAT
How's doe doing?
JIM
He's okay.
CAT
Good.
CUT TO:
INT. JIM AND JOHN DOE'S CELL -- LATER
JIM gives the latest news to JOHN DOE.
JIM
I find it strange that Cat mentioned where Denton was.
JOHN DOE
(enraged)
It's obvious that Cat is trying to goad you into contacting Denton so the Vietnamese could close in on us.
JIM
Cat, even asked about you.
JOHN DOE
It's just a plot to get me into trouble.
JIM
(frustrated)
That's it, go ahead burn me.
JIM angrily picks up his cup and begins to tap out a code to DENTON. DENTON replies. JIM pauses with the seriousness of the news he hears.
JIM
(quietly)
A hunger strike.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. CAT'S QUIZ ROOM -- DAY
JIM ENTERS the quiz room limping, and sits on the stool in front of CAT. CAT shows the signs of a long war, thin and his hands have begin to shake.
CAT
(solemnly)
You Americans hunger strike has forced me to punish you. You will be removed from your friends and placed back into solitary confinement. Unless you make a public appearance with me, than all will be forgotten. I have an obligation to get someone to talk to an American professor who is visiting Hanoi. I assure you there will be no propaganda, all I want you to do is see him.
JIM
No, you know I won't do that.
CAT
(desperately pleading)
You know Staw-Dale, that I did sit with the General Staff. We have alto in common, we are the same age and we both know about the kind of pressure the military can place on their men.
JIM
No, sorry.
CAT motions for a GUARD to remove JIM. The GUARD ENTERS, grabs JIM by the elbow and brings him to his feet. CAT steps around the desk and stands on the other side of JIM to support his other arm. The three begin toward the door.
CAT
How long has it been Staw-Dale?
JIM
Nearly five years.
CAT
I am afraid it's going to be a few more.
JIM is led through the door. We see them EXIT through the door and the door close, leaving behind the empty interrogation room.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. SOLITARY CONFINEMENT -- MORNING
Scratch marks in the dirt floor of the cell mark the months and days of JIM's stay in solitary confinement. Six long ones, fourteen short ones.
PAN DOWN-
JIM lies on in the dirt, covered in sweat. The door bursts open, the intense light causes JIM's weak eyes to dilate. With one hand as a shield he presses against the ground and stands, the GUARD ENTERS and gives the sleeves up signal.
INT. ALCATRAZ CELL -- DAY
JIM weak from his six and a half month stay in solitary confinement slumps to the floor of his old cell, without a room mate. Desperate for news, JIM picks up his cup and begins to tap. Several seconds pass without any reply. JIM shows signs of despair; then he hears the familiar 'Shave and a haircut' reply.
JIM
(relieved)
Gracious god, Bob and Nels.
JIM taps back a brief 'who's left', a reply comes back that brings JIM to the point of tears.
JIM
(emotionally)
Rest in peace, Storz, goodbye Friend.
JIM buries his head into his hands sobbing.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. ALCATRAZ CELL -- MORNING
Caption 'November 21, 1970'
JIM wakes to a flurry of activity around the camp, the air is full of airplane activity and the sound of bombs falling. Outside the cell, the sounds of excited guards and hammering and sawing.
A radio announcement plays, in a loud sarcastic tone a CAMP OFFICIAL talks bravado.
CAMP OFFICIAL
And how dare Congressman Rivers say that America could land airplanes on the streets of Hanoi and pick up prisoners.
A loud course of yelps of joy goes up around the prison. JIM pumps his fists in joy.
JIM
(joyous)
Finally! We are free! We are going home!
JIM's and all other cell doors burst open, groups of North Vietnamese guards, burst in and blind fold and urgently remove each inmate.
CUT TO:
INT. LARGE PRISONER HOLDING CELL -- NIGHT
All the prisoners of Hoa Lo prison are gathered into one of several large cells. JIM is one of the last to be ushered in. As his blindfold is removed, he is overwhelmed by the festive mood in the cramped cell. The cell is so full there is no place to sit. Men hug and laugh, as JIM searches for familiar faces. JERRY DENTON rushes through the crowd and grabs JIM in a bear hug.
JERRY DENTON
Merry Christmas buddy!
JIM
(emotional)
Christ hallelujah!
JIM spots another FRIEND, GEORGE COKER, some twenty years younger than he and JERRY.
JIM
(excitedly)
George, how you keeping kid!
GEORGE COKER
Fine, sir.
JIM
Call me Jim. Well buddies, I guess we really stuck it to the Vietnamese, we made it.
JERRY DENTON
You got that right, for Jerry Storz' sake, I hope we have a President that has the guts to make good on his promises.
JIM
(addressing the whole cell)
Let's hear it for the men of camp unity.
THE MEN OF THE CELL REPLY WITH CHEERS.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. SYBIL'S OHIO HOME -- MORNING
SYBIL picks up the morning newspaper and stairs at the large headline.
INSERT-
Newspaper headline 'Two or three day bombing halt in Hanoi'
PULL BACK-
SYBIL's hands begin to shake as she reads on.
SYBIL
The bombing has been halted to allow the pow's in Hanoi secret, safe transport to Hong Kong.
SYBIL stops reading.
SYBIL
They are being released!
SYBIL throws the paper down on the chair and picks up the phone and rapidly dials.
SYBIL
(talking into the phone)
Hi, yes, I would like to speak to the commander, this is Sybil Stockdale.
(pause)
What do you mean he left for vacation? I talked to him a couple of days ago.
(pause)
Can I speak to the captain then?
(pause)
He's on vacation too?
(pause)
Fine, thank you, have a nice day.
SYBIL places the phone back on its cradle. Flabbergasted, she shakes her head.
SYBIL
They must be gone to pick up the pow's, I've got to talk to someone.
CUT TO:
INT. CAPTAIN ZEMBROWSKI'S OFFICE -- DAY
The captain greets SYBIL into his office
CAPTAIN ZEMBROWSKI
What brings you hear Sybil?
SYBIL
I hope you don't think I'm strange or have finally lost my mind, but something tells me Jim's ordeal is over and an announcement will be made soon, possibly on flag day.
CAPTAIN ZEMBROWSKI
I don't think you have lost your mind, what you have said makes sense. I received a message a couple of weeks ago asking about the USS Constellations capacity for hauling a large number of recuperation cases.
SYBIL
Does that mean the Constellation isn't going to Japan? It's actually headed for Hong Kong to bring back the pow's
CAPTAIN ZEMBROWSKI
Yes.
SYBIL
Excuse me, I'm starting to feel faint, can I have some water.
CAPTAIN ZEMBROWSKI
Have a seat, I'll get you some.
CAPTAIN ZEMBROWSKI EXITS, SYBIL sits and goes through a series of emotions from relief to elation and finally begins to sob.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. RED CROSS MEETING -- NIGHT
SYBIL is surrounded by other wives taking a Red Cross course. SYBIL proceeds to check another wives pulse. In the background a television plays at a low level. A news report comes on.
SYBIL
Shh, everybody, someone turn it up, it's President Nixon.
Another wife turns up the State of Address, all activity is halted and everyone's eyes are glued to the television.
PRESIDENT NIXON
(on the television)
Tonight, Saturday, January the twenty-seventh in this year nineteen hundred and seventy three, a cease fire agreement between the United States of America and the government of North Vietnamese has been signed.
Loud yelps of joy erupt through the room, the women laugh, hug, cry and kiss in celebration.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. CHIHUAHUA'S OFFICE -- DAY
CHIHUAHUA
(angrily)
The former General Staff Officer has asked me to warn you against saying anything bad about the camp authorities or the Vietnamese people when you get home. He reminds you that in the course of your stay here, he has had you write many documents that he can acquire.
JIM
(defiantly)
That sounds to me like some more of Major Bui's blackmail.
CHIHUAHUA
Major Bui no longer speaks for the Vietnamese government. Go back to your cell and pack up.
JIM leaves with a smile on his face.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. OUTSIDE HOA LO PRISON -- MORNING
The first group of prisoners is marched out of the prison, the first to EXIT include JIM and JERRY DENTON. On a rainy morning, JIM stops to take a look at the surroundings, he PANS around to the Ministry of Justice building and Hoa Lo Street. Over to the bomb damaged bridge that he crossed when he arrived.
Transport jets sit on a distant parking ramp. They have USAF markings on them and the class marking C-1415.
The formal line, although guarded but not harassed, begins to break up into informal groups of three or four.
A second group pf prisoners is released from the camp, a mix of American and South Vietnamese officers. A GUARD MOTIONS for JIM's group to head towards the planes.
EXT. EXIT GATE -- CONTINUOUS
JIM is next in line to EXIT through a check point gate set up in front of the row of planes. RABBIT holds a clipboard, checking off the names of the Americans as they board the plane.
RABBIT
James Bond Stockdale.
JIM looks at RABBIT, smiles faintly, RABBIT glances up with a knowing eye, before returning to his duty. JIM steps through the check point.
RABBIT
Wendell B. Rivers
EXT. ENTRANCE OF THE PLANE -- CONTINUOUS
JIM makes his way to the USAF Colonel, acting as the official greeter. The burly SERGEANT RIVERS, comes through the gate and hooks JIM by one arm, the COLONEL hooks JIM by the other arm and the three head up the ramp of the plane.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE -- DAY
JIM gives a speech to a handful of reporters plane side, behind him all of the men aboard the plane stand proud.
JIM
For the past seven or eight years I doubt that there was a Prisoner of war in Hanoi who did not occasionally hum that old refrain, California, here we come, well California, we have come. I'm proud to represent this group of warriors right behind me and to express to you, our thanks for your loyalty. The men who followed me down the ramp know what loyalty means, for the past several years. I mean loyalty to our military ethic, loyalty to our Commander in Chief, loyalty to each other and now we are home. As Sophocles wrote over twenty four hundred years ago, nothing is so sweet as to return from sea and listen to the raindrops on the roof tops of home. We are home America! America! God shed his grace on thee.
The crowd erupts in a courses of clapping.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. MIRAMAR AIRPORT-SAN DIEGO -- DAY
JIM steps off a smaller plane, a REPORTER steps forward and extends a microphone.
REPORTER
Captain Stockdale, are you aware that the United States has landed a man on the moon?
JIM
No, I was unaware of that, I am not surprised, but that wasn't the greatest news I had ever received from Vietnam, she is...
SYBIL and the boys make their way up the ramp. The REPORTER EXITS back into the plane.
SYBIL
(teary eyed)
Jim, I love you, you're so thin and... and your hair...I like the grey.
JIM struggles to raise his good arm to hug SYBIL, JIMMY ENTERS and takes his father under his arm.
JIM
God Jimmy how did you get so tall.
JIMMY
Welcome home father,
(turning to his brothers)
Sid, Stan, Taylor come up.
SID a strong sixteen year old ENTERS with eleven year old TAYLOR and a quiet thirteen year old STAN.
JIM
Sid, your mother has been writing constantly about all the football championships you have won, congratulations.
SID
Thank you, father.
JIM
I bet you don't even remember me Taylor, how could you?
TAYLOR
Mother has told me all about you, welcome home.
STAN
Welcome home father.
STAN corrals TAYLOR and SID joins JIMMY and SYBIL in a group hug around JIM.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. WHITE HOUSE LAWN -- DAY
PRESIDENT FORD awards JIM with the Congressional Medal of Honour in front of a packed gallery full of wives, soldiers and media.
PRESIDENT FORD
For conspicuous gallantry at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while senior Naval Officer in the Prisoner of war camps of North Vietnam. Recognized by his captors as the leader of the prisoners of war resistance to interrogation and their refusal to participate in propaganda and exploitation. Rear Admiral Stockdale was signaled out for interrogation and torture. Rear Admiral Stockdale resolved to make himself a symbol of resistance regardless if personal sacrifice. He deliberately inflicted a near mortal wound to his person in order to convince his captors of his willingness to give up his life rather than capitulate. By this heroic action he has earned the everlasting gratitude of his fellow prisoners and his country. Rear Admiral Stockdale's valiant leadership and extraordinary courage sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval service.
JIM steps onto the stage wearing the traditional blue Admirals dress uniform. PRESIDENT FORD pins on the medal as the crowd rises and claps in a standing ovation.
FADE OUT:
END
(ADMIRAL, JIM, OFFICER, SYBIL)
EPILOGUE
Accompanied by stills of SYBIL, JIM, the boys and various shots from the book 'In Love and War'.
In April 1976 Jim Stockdale was transferred to the Pentagon. In August 1977 he became a Vice Admiral and President of the Naval War College in New Port, Rhode Island. Two years later he retired from the Navy. At Jim's fair well ceremony, the Chief of Naval Operations presented Sybil with the US Navy Departments Distinguished Public Service Award. She is the only wife of an active duty Naval Officer ever to be so honoured.
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