A Few Good Men Page #45

JESSEP:

(continuing)

Son, we live in a world that has

walls. And those walls have to be

guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna

do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I

have a greater responsibility than

you can possibly fathom. You weep

for Santiago and you curse the

marines. You have that luxury. You

have the luxury of not knowing what

I know:
That Santiago's death, while

tragic, probably saved lives. And my

existence, while grotesque and

incomprehensible to you, saves lives.

(beat)

You don't want the truth. Because

deep down, in places you don't talk

about at parties, you want me on

that wall. You need me there.

(boasting)

We use words like honor, code,

loyalty... we use these words as the

backbone to a life spent defending

something. You use 'em as a punchline.

(beat)

I have neither the time nor the

inclination to explain myself to a

man who rises and sleeps under the

blanket of the very freedom I provide,

then questions the manner in which I

provide it. I'd prefer you just said

thank you and went on your way.

Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a

weapon and stand a post. Either way,

I don't give a damn what you think

you're entitled to.

KAFFEE:

(quietly)

Did you order the code red?

JESSEP:

(beat)

I did the job you sent me to do.

KAFFEE:

Did you order the code red?

JESSEP:

(pause)

You're goddamn right I did.

Silence. From everyone. RANDOLPH, ROSS, the M.P.'s, they're

all frozen. JO and SAM are likewise. JESSEP seems strangely,

quietly relieved. KAFFEE simply takes control of the room

now.

KAFFEE:

Please the court, I suggest the jury

be dismissed so that we can move to

an immediate Article 39a Session.

The witness has rights.

Silence.

RANDOLPH looks to ROSS.

RANDOLPH:

Lt. Ross?

ROSS is frozen. He doesn't know what to do.

KAFFEE:

(as a friend)

Jack.

ROSS looks at KAFFEE, then JESSEP, then nods his head "yes"

to RANDOLPH.

RANDOLPH:

The Sergeant at Arms will take the

jury to an ante-room where you'll

wait until further instruction.

The SERGEANT AT ARMS begins leading the JURORS out of the

room.

JESSEP:

What the hell's going on?

No one will say anything until the jurors are out of the

room.

JESSEP:

(continuing; to captain)

Captain, what the hell's going on? I

did my job. I'd do it again. Now I'm

getting on a plane and going back to

my base.

RANDOLPH:

M.P.'s, guard the prisoner.

The M.P.'s are tentative. They've never heard a marine colonel

referred to as "the prisoner" before. They sure as hell have

never been asked to guard one.

ROSS:

Guard the prisoner.

JESSEP:

What the hell --

ROSS:

Colonel Jessep, you have the right

to remain silent. Any statement you

do make can be used against you in a

trial by court-martial or other

judicial or administrative proceeding.

You have the right...

ROSS continues reading JESSEP his rights, over --

JESSEP:

I'm being charged with a crime? I'm --

that's what this is --

(to Ross)

Marine!

(Ross keeps going)

Marine!!

(Ross is doing his

job.)

I'm being charged with a crime? I'm --

that's what's happening? This -- I'm --

this is funny, you know that, this

is --

And JESSEP lunges at KAFFEE, and KAFFEE would be dead but

for the three M.P.'s who've leapt in to restrain JESSEP.

SAM and JO have come to their feet and stand behind KAFFEE.

JESSEP:

(continuing; to Kaffee)

I'm gonna tear your eyes right outta

your head and piss in your dead skull.

You f***ed with the wrong marine.

ROSS is done reading JESSEP his rights.

ROSS:

Colonel Jessep, do you understand

those rights as I have just read

then to you?

JESSEP:

I saved lives. That boy was -- there

was a weak link. I saved lives, you

hear me?

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