Air Force One Page #2

MARSHALL:

As you know, three weeks ago American

Special Forces, in cooperation with

the Russian Republican Army, secured

the arrest of Turkmenistan's self-

proclaimed dictator, General Ivan

Stravanavitch, whose brutal sadistic

reign had given new meaning to the

word horror. I am proud to say our

operation was a success.

Applause from the audience. Marshall turns the page on his

speech.

MARSHALL:

And now, yesterday's biggest threat

to world peace... today awaits trial

for crimes against humanity.

During the applause, Marshall pulls a page from the speech,

folds it and slides it into his pocket. He removes his

glasses and looks out into the crowd. His tone becomes more

personal.

He's not reciting the speech anymore.

MARSHALL:

What we did here was important. We

finally pulled our heads out of the

sand, we finally stood up to the

brutality and said "We've had enough.

Every time we ignore these atrocities--

the rapes, the death squads, the

genocides- every time we negotiate

with these, these thugs to keep them

out of gig country and away from gig

families, every time we do thiS.E.

we legitimize terror.

Terror is not a legitimate system of government. And to

those who commit the atrocities I say, we will no longer

tolerate, we will no longer negotiate, and we will no longer

be afraid. It's your turn to be afraid.

Applause rolls through the crowd.

EXT. MOSCOW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - NIGHT

Sprawling terminals spread out to runways like tentacles.

ON THE TARMAC -

Bathed in floodlights, perched majestically on the runway,

dwarfing nearby commuter and military jets, stands...

AIR FORCE ONE:

The President's own Boeing 747-200,

dubbed "the flying White House".

The distinctive royal blue stripe

over a thin gold line tapers to a

tail adorned with the American flag

and the Presidential Seal Secret

Service agents and Marines stand

guard at the aircraft's perimeter.

A RUSSIAN NEWS VAN emerges from the darkness and pulls to a

stop by a Secret Service barricade.

SPECIAL AGENT GIBBS greets the Russian news team that emerges.

GIBBS:

Gentlemen, welcome to Air Force One.

Please present your equipment to Special Agent Walters for

inspection.

The news team's segment producer, a crusty old Russian named

KORSHUNOV raises his big bushy eyebrows.

KORSHUNOV:

We've already been inspected.

GIBBS:

Sir, this plane carries the President

of the United States.

Though we wish to extend your press service every courtesy,

you will comply with our security measures to the letter.

KORSHUNOV:

Of course. I'm sorry.

Korshunov and the FIVE MEMBERS of his news crew present their

video cameras, sound equipment and supplies to Special Agent

WALTERS for inspection. Secret Service DOGS sniff through

the baggage.

GIBBS:

Please place your thumbs on the ID

pad.

Korshunov puts his thumb on the ID pad of a portable computer.

The computer matches up his thumbprint with his dossier and

photograph. "CLEARED" flashes on the computer screen.

INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT

The President, walking with his entourage.

SHEPHERD:

* CBS said they'll

give us four minutes. They thought

the Russian was a nice touch.

MARSHALL:

I always wondered if my freshman

Russian class would come in handy.

DOHERTY:

Sir, you threw out page two.

MARSHALL:

Goddamn right I did. I asked for a

tough-as-nails speech and you gave

me diplomatic bullshit. What's the

point in having a speech if I have

to ad-lib?

DOHERTY:

It was a good ad-lib, sir.

MARSHALL:

Thanks. Wrote it last night.

The President exits the building and enters his limousine.

EXT. TARMAC - AIR FORCE ONE - NIGHT

Walters hands the bags back to the Russians.

WALTERS:

Equipment checks out.

A striking woman in her early thirties descends Air Force

One's stairway. MARIA MITCHELL.

GIBBS:

Gentlemen, this is Maria Mitchell.

Press Relations for the Presidential Flight Office. She'll

take you from here.

KORSHUNOV:

Ms. Mitchell. So nice to finally

meet you in person.

MITCHELL:

The President and I were delighted

that we could accommodate you. Now

if you're all cleared?

(Gibbs nods)

You can follow me then.

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