Apocalypse Now Redux Page #27

EXT. DO LUNG BRIDGE - THE PBR - RIVER - NIGHT

The boat edges in toward a wrecked bridge in the distance.

Along the banks are sandbagged fortifications with the

U.S. soldiers. There is a bright fire burning uncontrolled

in the distance-in fact there are several-flame and sparks

from welding on the bridge momentarily light up the night.

There is sporadic gunfire at O.S. snipers, and flares arc

through the sky above the bridge.

WILLARD (V.O.)

Do Lung bridge was the last army

outpost on the Nung River. Beyond

it there was only Kurtz.

ANGLE FORWARD - LANCE AND CHEF

CHEF:

Hey, Lance, what do you think?

LANCE:

It's beautiful.

CHEF:

What's the matter with you? You're

acting kind of weird?

LANCE:

You know that last tab of acid I

was saving?

CHEF:

Yeah.

LANCE:

I dropped it.

CHEF:

You dropped acid? Far out.

ANOTHER ANGLE:

The Chief powers the boat forward, as Willard and Clean

watch in awe.

Everywhere are wrecked boats, parts of jeeps sticking out

of the water-a smashed helicopter on the banks. The bridge

is in a state of siege. Mortars and rockets arc through

the night indiscriminately and rip through the nearby

jungle. Light automatic WEAPON FIRE is HEAD occasionally.

The entire scene is lit by Parachute flares.

As the PBR edges forward, SOLDIERS run up through the water,

trying to get aboard. One soldier is carrying some luggage

and an M16. He splashes into the water, in a mad dash for

freedom.

SOLDIER:

Take me home! Goddamn you!

CHIEF:

Get away from this boat.

SOLDIER #2

You'll get what you deserve!

He and the others are left behind as the PBR continues

forward. Willard sees a young LIEUTENANT kneeling on a

platform that juts out into the water. He is holding a

small strobe light, trying to signal the PBR down. He is

holding a large mail bag and a pouch in the other hand.

Willard motions toward the shore. The Chief turns the

boat towards the Lieutenant.

CARLSON:

Is there a Captain Willard on board?

Captain Willard?

WILLARD:

Yeah! Who's that?

As the boat crosses to a stop, Lance swings the spotlight

onto the Lieutenant.

CARLSON:

Lieutenant Carlson, sir.

(to Lance)

Get that light off me!

Lance swings the light off him, as Willard squats down on

the bow of the boat.

CARLSON:

I was sent here from Nah Trang

with these three days ago, sir.

Expected you here a little sooner.

He hands Willard a plastic bag with maximum security

markings. Willard takes it-also a mail pouch.

CARLSON:

This is mail for the boat. You

don't know how happy this makes

me, sir.

WILLARD:

Why?

CARLSON:

Now I can get out of here, if I

can find a way.

He turns and splashes off into the darkness. Then stops

and looks back.

CARLSON:

You're in the a**hole of the world,

Captain!

He salutes, then turns and moves away. Willard hops off

the side of the boat into the mud, moving up toward the

shore.

CHIEF:

Captain, where you going?

WILLARD:

To see if I can find some fuel and

get some information. Pick me up

on the other side of the bridge.

CHIEF:

(to his men)

Somebody go with him.

(to Chef)

Chef.

Chef doesn't move, not wanting to go. No one budges, then

Lance volunteers.

LANCE:

I'll go. I want to go.

He picks up the puppy and an M16, then jumps over the side

onto the shore.

EXT. SHORE - NIGHT

As Willard and Lance walk across an open area, they are

lit by the battle in the background. Lance looks up and

around the embankment and along a barbed wire on the edge

of the road. SHELLS SCREAM overhead. Lance just stands

looking down on the phantasmagoric strings of lights, the

smoke, the fires.

Willard jumps down into a trench. We SEE a SOLDIER

crouched, holding his buddy, who is crying uncontrollably.

WILLARD:

Where can I find the C.O.?

SOLDIER:

You can right to it, son of a b*tch!

WILLARD:

Lance! Get down here!

Lance is still reacting to the pyrotechnics around him.

He turns and jumps down into the trench.

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