D.B. Cooper

Dan Cooper

Written by

Arthur L Burton III

Based on DB Cooper Story

1 (914) 830-2833

ARTHURLBURTON@OUTLOOK.COM

FADE IN:

INT. FBI OFFICE - NIGHT

RALPH, 40s, Caucasian male, medium build, Lead FBI Agent. He

sits in his office in Portland, reviewing case files. He

leans back in his swivel chair and stares at a case file on

his desk.

His job was stressful, so he often hummed at his desk to help

him think. Among all the Agents in the office, Ralph was very

detailed. His comrades gathered around his desk as he spoke

about the cases, and they all discussed the situations

regarding the cases.

Ralph got up from his desk and left the office.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DINER - NIGHT

Ralph sat at a booth in the rear of the restaurant and

ordered a coffee.

The WAITRESS walked over to him with a cup of hot coffee.

Ralph picks up the menu and looks at the Diner's four choices

for dinner.

The waitress stood at the table as Ralph ordered the meatloaf

with a side order of extra mashed potatoes.

Ralph reached into his pocket to remove his wallet, and the

Waitress stepped backward. His shoulder holster was exposed,

so he pulled out his badge and showed it to the Waitress.

WAITRESS:

Thank Goodness, I thought we were

being robbed.

RALPH:

Sorry, I always forget to take out

my wallet, so people don't see my

gun.

WAITRESS:

I'll be right back with your

dinner, sir.

RALPH:

Please, call me Ralph.

2.

The Waitress smiles and leaves to get Ralph's dinner.

Ralph opens the newspaper and spreads it out on the table.

Later...

Ralph folds the newspaper and places it on the chair next to

him.

The waitress brings two plates and sits them at the table

before him.

WAITRESS:

The chef sent an extra helping of

Meatloaf, and it's on the house.

RALPH:

Thank you.

WAITRESS:

Let me know if you need something

else.

RALPH:

Could I get a large coke?

WAITRESS:

Sure, I'll be right back with it.

Ralph finishes eating, picks up the folded newspaper, and

leaves the restaurant.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. OUTSIDE THE DINER - NIGHT

Ralph stands outside and lights a cigarette. He leans against

the wall next to the restaurant and watched the people as

they walked by. He examined each person that passed from head

to toe.

Later...

He walks over to a black sedan, opens the door, and gets

inside. The car sits there for a few minutes, the engine

starts, and the car drives away.

DISSOLVE TO:

3.

EXT. PORTLAND AIRPORT - DAY

The weather outside is 48 degrees and cloudy as Northwest

Orient Airlines Flight 305, a Boeing 727 aircraft operated by

Northwest Orient Airlines, is being fueled, and passengers'

suitcases are loaded into the plane's cargo bay.

Flight 305 is now fueled and being pulled to the runway to be

positioned for passengers to come onboard.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. NORTHWEST ORIENT AIRLINES TERMINAL - DAY

Dan walks into the airport and takes a seat in the terminal.

He sits there for hours and fumbles with the black briefcase

on his lap. He wears a dark suit, a white shirt, and a clipon

tie with a small pearl tie-clip.

After one hour, at approximately 2:31 PM, Dan rises and goes

to the counter and purchases a plane ticket.

The TICKET AGENT, 20s, female, smiles as Dan approaches the

counter.

DAN:

Good afternoon. Can I have one

ticket to Seattle?

TICKET AGENT:

Sure sir. Do you have a preference

for where you sit?

DAN:

I want to sit in seat 18C if it's

available.

TICKET AGENT:

Sure, that's the aisle seat, and

it's available.

DAN:

Thank you. How long is the flight?

TICKET AGENT:

It takes about 36 minutes.

DAN:

That's perfect.

TICKET AGENT:

Would you like to check your bag?

4.

DAN:

(impatient)

No, I need this to stay with me.

TICKET AGENT:

Sure, sir, it's no problem. I'll

put you on the roster for one

carry-on bag.

The Ticket Agent hands Dan his airline ticket, and she calls

the next person in line. Dan disappears to the loading area

of Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305. Dan looks out the

window and admires the Boeing 727 as it pulls onto the

runway.

At 2:
40 PM, FLORENCE SCHAFFNER, 23, slim, attractive, and

very vibrant, Flight Attendant walks into the waiting area

and lines up all the passengers. She quickly examines

everyone's ticket and then leads them onto the Boeing 727,

Flight 305.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FLIGHT 305 - DAY

Dan sits in the aisle seat, and the flight attendant's jump

seat is next to his.

Everyone is seated, and the boarding door is closed.

Captain Scott announces that the plane is getting ready to

take off and for everyone to remain seated.

At 2:
58 PM, Dan hands Florence a note. She takes it and drops

it into her bag.

At 2:
59 PM, Florence passes by Dan again, and he leans into

the aisle and touches her hand. She leans closer toward Dan.

DAN:

You better read that note.

Dan taps his briefcase case.

DAN (CONT'D)

I have a bomb.

Florence looks at the note, reads it, and her eyes open in

horror. The message read: I HAVE A BOMB IN MY BRIEFCASE. I

WILL USE IT IF NECESSARY. I WANT YOU TO SIT NEXT TO ME. YOU

ARE BEING HIJACKED. I WANT 200 THOUSAND DOLLARS IN TWENTY

DOLLARS BILLS BROUGHT TO ME ON THE AIRPLANE.

5.

ALSO, PLEASE LIMIT RADIO TRANSMISSIONS SO WE DON'T SET OFF

THE BOMB ACCIDENTALLY.

Florence sits in the seat next to Dan. She keeps looking at

the briefcase case on his lap. He remains silent for a few

minutes and then looks at her.

FLORENCE:

Can I see it?

DAN:

See what?

FLORENCE:

Can I see the bomb?

DAN:

Of course.

Dan smiles, cracks open the briefcase case slightly, and

shows her the wires. He looks at her and then slams it shut.

FLORENCE:

What do you want?

DAN:

For now, sit here.

FLORENCE:

Okay.

TINA MUCKLOW, 21, Caucasian female flight attendant, sits

near the cockpit. She notices that Florence is sitting down

next to a passenger, and she walks over, and Florence hands

her the note that Dan gave her.

Florence stands and starts walking away, and Tina sits next

to Dan and lights his cigarette.

Dan stands and lightly touches her wrist.

Florence turns.

FLORENCE (CONT'D)

Yes.

DAN:

I would also like a drink. Bourbon

and water.

FLORENCE:

What should I do first?

6.

DAN:

Talk to the Captain and then bring

my drink.

FLORENCE:

Okay.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. COCKPIT - DAY

CAPTAIN SCOTT, late 20s, Caucasian male, sits in the cockpit

of flight 305.

CO-pilot William also sits in the cockpit.

Florence walks into the cockpit and shows Captain Scott the

ransom note.

FLORENCE:

(Shaky voice)

A man is sitting in seat 18C

holding a briefcase. Inside the

briefcase, he has a bomb.

CAPTAIN SCOTT:

How do you know it's a bomb?

FLORENCE:

I asked to see it.

CAPTAIN SCOTT:

Then what happened?

FLORENCE:

He opened the briefcase and showed

me.

CAPTAIN SCOTT:

Can you describe it?

FLORENCE:

Yes. When he opened the briefcase,

I saw four-cylinder cartridges

connected to several blue and red

wires.

CAPTAIN SCOTT:

I think Tina should go and sit with

the hijacker. Florence, you stay

here in the cockpit and record

everything from this point on.

7.

FLORENCE:

Yes sir.

Tina sits next to Dan. She watches as he clutches his

briefcase.

TINA:

Are you upset with the airline? Do

you have a grudge?

DAN:

I don't have anything against this

airline... But I do have a grudge.

Dan turns to her, smiling, and looks out the window.

DAN (CONT'D)

(calmly)

I have some additional demands.

TINA:

Okay.

DAN:

I want the money first, then I will

release the 37 passengers once I

have the money, then I want four

parachutes and four crew meals,

then I want the plane re-fueled,

and I’m going to need several maps.

Dan hands Tina a second note.

TINA:

Is that all?

DAN:

I want some crew members to remain

on the plane.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. COCKPIT - DAY

Captain Scott talks to ground control and lets them know the

plane has been hijacked for ransom.

CAPTAIN SCOTT:

The highjacker demands that he have

two hundred thousand dollars in

twenty-dollar bills by the time we

land.

8.

GROUND CONTROL:

We are insured to two hundred and

fifty thousand dollars. We will

have the money when you land.

CAPTAIN SCOTT:

Thank you.

Captain Scott announces that the landing in Seattle will be

delayed.

CAPTAIN SCOTT (CONT'D)

Dear passengers, this is your

Captain speaking. Unfortunately, we

will be delayed in landing at

Seattle Tacoma International

Airport. We apologize for this

inconvenience.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FLIGHT 305 SEATTLE TACOMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - DAY

The Boeing 727 circles the airport, and all the passengers

are still seated inside.

2 Hours later, the plane lands...

The passengers are told to remain seated.

Tina lowers the stairs, leaves the plane, and locks the door

behind her.

Co-pilot Williams announces for everyone to stay seated.

CO-PILOT WILLIAM

Please stay in your seats until you

are directed by the flight

attendants to leave the plane.

Passenger 1 leans over and taps passenger 2.

PASSENGER 1

Do you know how much longer we will

be on this airplane?

PASSENGER 2

It was supposed to be a 37-minute

flight.

Passenger 1 lights a cigarette and hands the pack to

Passenger 2, who takes one.

9.

Tina returns to the plane and hands Dan a backpack with two

hundred thousand dollars. She sets the cash onto the seat

next to Dan.

TINA:

Can we release the passengers?

Dan checks the bag and then releases the passengers.

Florence leads the passengers from the plane.

About a mile from the terminal, a school bus arrives and

shuttles them to the airport.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. AIRPORT TERMINAL - NIGHT

Newscasters are awaiting the passengers as they exit the

plane.

NEWSCASTER 1 rushes to a passenger as he leaves the plane and

sticks the microphone in the man's face.

PASSENGER 1, male, stops and stares at NEWSCASTER 1.

NEWSCASTER 1

How do you feel after being on the

hijacked plane?

PASSENGER 1

Hijacked?

NEWSCASTER 1

Yes, were you not aware that the

plane was being hijacked?

PASSENGER 1

I had no idea, but it makes sense

now. The flight should have been 37

minutes, but we circled the airport

for hours.

PASSENGER 2

I noticed that there was something

off. I was sitting next to a man

with dark sunglasses, and the

Stewardess stayed with him for

almost the entire flight.

NEWSCASTER 1

Did the man look dangerous?

10.

PASSENGER 2

Not in the least. He was an

average-looking middle-aged man.

Passenger 3 stands next to Passenger 2.

PASSENGER 3

You mean the man with the

sunglasses?

PASSENGER 2

Yes.

PASSENGER 3

He's still on the plane.

NEWSCASTER 1

Did he say anything to anyone

during the flight?

PASSENGER 3

Not to me.

PASSENGER 2

He only spoke with the two flight

attendants.

PASSENGER 1

He smoked a lot of cigarettes.

Every time I looked, the flight

attendant used her lighter to light

another one for him.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FLIGHT 305 - NIGHT

Dan gets a little impatient now that all the passengers are

off the plane.

DAN:

What about refueling the plane?

TINA:

I spoke with the captain, and

there's enough fuel to make the

trip to Mexico.

DAN:

(impatiently)

Where are the four parachutes and

the four crew meals I asked for?

11.

TINA:

I'll bring the parachutes onboard

in a few minutes. They have been

left outside the plane.

DAN:

Thank you.

Shortly...

TINA:

Here are the four parachutes you

requested.

Shortly after their conversation, the plane was in the air.

Dan looks out the window as the plane takes off. Tina sits

close to Dan and listens as he talks.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. COCKPIT - AFTERNOON

Scott Williams looks at Florence.

CAPTAIN SCOTT:

How is his mood?

FLORENCE:

Who?

SCOTT:

The hijacker.

FLORENCE:

You know it's weird. The man is so

calm. He is very relaxed and

friendly, but he sits with a bomb

on his lap.

CAPTAIN SCOTT:

Are you sure it was a bomb?

FLORENCE:

It looked very real to me.

CAPTAIN SCOTT:

Okay. I need to radio the tower.

Scott reaches for the radio in the cockpit.

Florence writes down the time that he calls dispatch.

12.

FLORENCE:

You want me to write down what you

say too?

Scott nods his head while he squeezes the mic button on the

radio.

CAPTAIN SCOTT:

In five minutes, Tina will be

returning to the cockpit so we can

relay the information to the

skyjacker. Will the money waiting

when we land in Seattle?

GROUND CONTROL (V.O.)

The money will be held in the

terminal. Who will come and collect

it?

CAPTAIN SCOTT:

We will need to ask the Skyjacker.

GROUND CONTROL (V.O.)

Okay... Keep us informed.

CAPTAIN SCOTT:

I will.

GROUND CONTROL:

What is your take on the skyjacker?

Is he dangerous?

CAPTAIN SCOTT:

He has a bomb... I would say, yes,

he is dangerous. I think we will be

fine if we do exactly what he says.

GROUND CONTROL:

Okay.

Tina comes back into the cockpit.

TINA:

He wants to know if the money has

been confirmed.

CAPTAIN SCOTT:

It's confirmed.

TINA:

Okay, let me get back to him.

CAPTAIN SCOTT:

Are you okay?

13.

TINA:

I am. He's looking out the window

and telling me about the sites. He

is very familiar with his flight

plan.

CAPTAIN SCOTT:

Do you think he works for the

airlines?

TINA:

Could be. What do you think,

Florence?

FLORENCE:

The way he talked, I thought he did

too.

CAPTAIN SCOTT:

We need to write this down, too,

Florence. Make sure we can tell the

FBI when they question us.

FLORENCE:

Question us?

CAPTAIN SCOTT:

They will want to know everything

that happened while we were on this

flight.

FLORENCE:

Okay, I'll keep detailed notes.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FBI AGENT RALPH'S HOME - AFTERNOON

Ralph is at home relaxing on his living room couch.

PHONE RINGS...

Joice, Ralph's wife, runs into the living room and hands him

the phone.

JOICE:

It's an emergency, dear!

Ralph answers the phone, listens, and then hangs up.

DISSOLVE TO:

14.

INT. FBI OFFICE - AFTERNOON

A voice comes over the PA...

PA (V.O.)

Attention all agents there is a

skyjacking happening.

At that moment, the boss comes into the office and looks at

FUHRIMAN, 20s, Caucasian Male, FBI Agent.

FBI AGENT 1

I need you to drive me to the

airport right now!

FUHRIMAN:

Yes sir.

Fuhriman grabs his documents off his desk and crams them into

his briefcase.

CUT TO:

INT. IN ROUTE TO AIRPORT - DAY

On their drive to the airport, they were escorted by two

motorcycle cops and two marked police cars.

The Senior FBI agent was on the phone speaking with airport

security and the tower.

Fuhriman drives with the flashing blue siren lights on and

follows the motorcycle cops quickly through the afternoon

traffic.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FLIGHT 305 - NIGHT

The weather turns to cloudy skies, and it becomes dark

outside. There is no movement inside the plane as all the

passengers are now off.

Dan counts the money in the bag and moves it to the next seat

on his left. He motions for Tina to take a seat.

Tina sits back down.

DAN:

How long have you worked for the

airline?

15.

TINA:

About a year.

DAN:

Do you like it?

TINA:

The money is good.

DAN:

But you always need to do something

you love.

TINA:

I agree.

DAN:

I don't mean to scare you.

TINA:

I'm not afraid.

DAN:

That's good because I don't want to

hurt anyone. I need to take care of

my grudge.

TINA:

I thought it wasn't with the

airline.

DAN:

It's not. Like I said before, I do

have a grudge.

TINA:

You have your money... What are you

planning to do now?

DAN:

I plan on going on with my life.

TINA:

That's a good plan.

DAN:

Thank you. Can you light my

cigarette?

TINA:

Of course.

Tina removes her lighter, and she lights his cigarette.

16.

Dan is careful not to use his left hand because his finger is

on a trigger that will detonate the bomb.

Tina stares at his hand.

Dan inhales deeply on the cigarette.

DAN:

Stay calm. This will be over soon.

TINA:

(shaky voice)

Okay.

DAN:

Are we en route to Mexico?

TINA:

We don't have enough fuel to make

it to Mexico, but we can go to

Phoenix or Reno.

DAN:

Reno.

An hour passes, and Dan smokes another cigarette. It is now

pitch black outside, and the weather has taken a turn for the

worst. It is cold and wet, and there are strong winds.

The plane drops from 10,000 feet to 5,000 feet.

DAN (CONT'D)

Why does the plane feel like we're

flying lower?

TINA:

I can check.

DAN:

Please do.

Tina walks up the aisle to the cockpit and leaves the door

open.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. COCKPIT - NIGHT

Scott flies the plane while his co-pilot William is observing

the flight instruments. The cockpit is fully illuminated with

dim lights. The plane moves upward and downward due to high

winds and turbulence.

17.

Tina catches her balance due to the motion of the plane.

TINA:

He's demanding we fly to Mexico.

And he wants to know how low we are

flying.

SCOTT:

Tell him we aren't lying and don't

have enough fuel to make it to

Mexico. Reno is safe. If we try to

go to Mexico, we will run out of

fuel and crash. We are at 5000 feet

because of the weather outside.

CUT TO:

Tina walks back to Dan.

TINA:

(shaky voice)

They said if we tried to make it to

Mexico, we would run out of fuel

and crash.

DAN:

Let's go to Reno, then.

Tina walks back to the cockpit.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. COCKPIT - NIGHT

Tina sits in the pilot jump seat located directly behind the

captain.

SCOTT:

How are you doing, Tina?

TINA:

I'm holding up. How about you?

SCOTT:

As well as can be expected. I am

getting a little bit tired.

TINA:

I'd better head back.

WILLIAM:

Whatever you do, don't upset him.

18.

SCOTT:

Well..uh..he's got the money. I

don't know why he'd be upset.

TINA:

I agree, but not sure what his next

move could be.

WILLIAM:

Think about it. If he wanted to

blow us out of the sky, he could've

when we first took off. So that's

good news.

The plane runs into turbulence that causes the plane to

vibrate uncontrollably for a few seconds. The aircraft enters

into smooth air as it emerges from a cloud patch.

WILLIAM (CONT'D)

Better check on our passenger.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FLIGHT 305 - NIGHT

The plane's turbulence causes the interior of the aircraft to

shake horribly.

Dan wipes the spilled drink splatter off his suit jacket. and

quickly asks Tina for another one.

Tina lights his eighth cigarette, and the seat's ashtray is

almost full.

DAN:

(impatient)

Did you find out what altitude

we're at?

TINA:

(shaky voice)

I did. Where at around 5000 feet.

DAN:

(calm)

Thank you.

TINA:

You're welcome.

Dan stands and removes the parachute from one of the canvas

bags. He then stuffs the money into it.

19.

He then ties it tight to his waist using the string. He puts

on his raincoat, removes his tie, and drops it on the ground.

Tina stands up next to the exit door with Dan.

DAN:

I'm going to need your help.

Tina looks at him nervously.

Dan stares silently at Tina for a few seconds.

DAN (CONT'D)

Never mind, I can do it myself. Go

to the cockpit.

Tina hurries to the cockpit.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. COCKPIT - NIGHT

Co-pilot William turns quickly as the cockpit door opens.

Tina walks in, and Scott and William smile.

SCOTT:

Thank God it's you.

WILLIAM:

Yes, I was scared when I heard the

door open.

SCOTT:

What is our passenger doing?

TINA:

He's getting ready to jump.

SCOTT:

Jump from where?

TINA:

The plane.

SCOTT:

He'll never get the door open or

the stairs down.

DISSOLVE TO:

20.

INT. REAR OF PLANE - NIGHT

Dan struggles with the lever on the door. He picks up the

phone hanging on the wall near the door.

There's a lot of noise because of the wind.

DAN:

I can't get the stairs down.

WILLIAM (V.O.)

I can't hear you.

DAN:

(yells)

I can't get the stairs down!

WILLIAM (V.O.)

Hold on.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. COCKPIT - NIGHT

William grabs the throttle and slows the plane down. The rear

aft door warning light appears on the screen.

WILLIAM:

(shouts)

They should come down now.

SCOTT:

Get ready and brace yourself.

Tina sits down in a jump seat behind the pilots.

The plane rocks back and forth in an upward and downward

motion.

WILLIAM:

Hold her steady. A little bumpy. We

won't crash. Just fly the damn

plane.

They feel a big bump.

Tina opens the cockpit door, and the plane is empty.

TINA:

He's gone.

SCOTT:

Did he jump?

21.

TINA:

Looks that way.

WILLIAM:

Where are we heading... We're

almost out of fuel.

Scott makes the call.

SCOTT:

Mayday... Mayday... This is

Northwest Orient Airlines flight

305.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL

This ATC15443...

SCOTT:

Skyjacker is gone... I repeat,

skyjacker is gone... We are

requesting permission to land at

the nearest airport.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL

We are sending over new

coordinates. You are authorized to

land.

SCOTT:

We are bearing 00789 en route. We

are low on fuel and will be coming

in fast.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL

Copy that... Emergency teams will

be waiting. Has the threat been

eliminated?

SCOTT:

He jumped out wearing a parachute.

No other information is available.

WILLIAM:

Runway 35R in the site.

SCOTT:

40-degree flaps. Keep it steady.

DISSOLVE TO:

22.

EXT. AIRPORT - NIGHT

The back wheels touch down first and then follow the front

wheel. The plane lands on runway 35R and comes to a

SCREECHING stop.

Emergency teams quickly approach the plane.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FBI - NIGHT

Fuhriman sits in Northwest Orient Airlines Terminal. He

watches as people walk through the terminal without knowing

there was a highjacking just a few hours ago. He waited for

the airport executives to arrive. When they did, he sat and

waited for their news interview. Scott, William, Florence,

and Tina sat at a long table.

Several Newscasters gathered around the table as the camera

crew set up the lighting.

Fuhriman took notes of everything that was occurring at the

time. The Flight 305 staff kept looking at Fuhriman. Agent

Tier sits with Fuhriman.

TIER:

Do they look nervous to you?

FUHRIMAN:

They look exhausted.

TIER:

Probably a bit of both.

FUHRIMAN:

We'll have to question them.

TIER:

Maybe we should do that tomorrow.

FUHRIMAN:

We'll see. I know it's early, but

do we have boots on the ground?

TIER:

Not yet, and because of the

weather, it probably won't happen

until tomorrow.

23.

FUHRIMAN:

I hear Frank is getting in a

chopper and going to try and scan

the terrain.

TIER:

Good luck with that cause the

weather is still terrible, and it's

dark.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. HELICOPTER - NIGHT

The wind is blowing profusely, and it's freezing.

Frank and Jim sit in a helicopter and fly over the terrain

near the Columbia river. The chopper is hard to control,

veering left and right and up and down.

JIM:

(yells)

We better turn this chopper around

before it's too late.

FRANK:

I agree; we need to turn back.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FBI OFFICE - DAY

Agent Fuhriman stands behind his desk with a cup of steamed

coffee. He spills a little on the edge of a file before

setting it down.

He calls AGENT 1 and AGENT 2 into his office.

FUHRIMAN:

Gentlemen, we have our work cut out

for us. As you well know, we'll be

working on one of if not the

craziest heists ever pulled off.

AGENT 1

I get it. If we solve this one,

we'll get a promotion.

AGENT 2

No. We'll make you look good.

24.

FUHRIMAN:

Never thought of it that way, but I

guess you're right.

AGENT 1

Does that mean we'll be up both day

and night?

FUHRIMAN:

You got a problem with that?

The office is busy. Agents are working on different cases.

FUHRIMAN (CONT'D)

Remember, you swore to hunt down

criminals and bring them to

justice.

AGENT 2

Is any other agency like the State

Police department?

FUHRIMAN:

We will work on the D.B. COOPER

case called NorJak, with the State

police and possibly DOJ.

AGENT 1

This case should be opened and

closed because he's dead.

FUHRIMAN:

Says who? Not this department.

Agent 1 and 2 turn their chairs backward and sits with their

legs spread apart, tuning out everything around them.

Agent 2 has a pencil behind his ear, and Agent 1 removes a

handkerchief to blow his nose a few times before putting it

away in his back pocket as he raises himself.

FUHRIMAN (CONT'D)

Catching a cold?

AGENT 1

It's because of the weather.

FUHRIMAN:

I'm ordering you to refrain from

calling out from work at any time

during the investigation.

AGENT 2

This could take years.

25.

FUHRIMAN:

Welcome to the FBI...Besides, my

wife understands my call to duty.

AGENT 1

Mine doesn't.

AGENT 2

I'm engaged for the third time.

FUHRIMAN:

What're you doing? Trying to break

a record?

AGENT 1

I get it. Relationship not lasting

long enough to tie her down, or

tying you up? Which one is it?

They both LAUGH...

Other officers peep inside Furhiman's office as they continue

to walk back and forth from one side to the other in a fastpaced

motion as files fall to the floor, gently bump into a

few messy desks aligned next to other, also a sign that the

office needs a paint job, especially the walls, and columns.

FUHRIMAN:

I didn't invite you in to talk

about your personal life. Leave

that outside the door. D.B. Cooper

is WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE.

AGENT 1

Is there any reward for his

capture?

FUHRIMAN:

Not for us. We're doing our job.

Let's try to find him and the

$200,000 before anyone else does.

AGENT 2

What happens if we don't find

either?

FUHRIMAN:

I refuse to look like a fool. Too

educated, (2) head of this

investigation, (3) Nowhere near

retirement. We don't quit. That's

for losers, anyway.

26.

AGENT 2

Where do we start, and when?

FUHRIMAN:

With all these files, and now.

The agents look in the direction he is pointing. He points to

a ledge near the window with files stacked against each other

in rows, boxes, and file cabinets.

FUHRIMAN (CONT'D)

None of these files are to leave

this office. If they do, you'll

find yourself behind bars. We're

held to a higher standard.

AGENT 1

Oh, that's right. Even higher than

the average criminal.

FUHRIMAN:

Yep. It's because we're the law in

the eyes of the public and

government officials.

AGENT 2

Corruption isn't part of my DNA.

FUHRIMAN:

Glad you brought that up. We have

no leads, clues, or even DNA.

AGENT 1

That'll make the investigation even

more difficult.

FUHRIMAN:

Those skills will set you apart

from others, and that's how you

move up.

AGENT 2

Don't say it...

AGENT 1

Say what?

AGENT 2

You're here to collect a paycheck.

AGENT 1

Better than that. Make a living or

get a life.

27.

FUHRIMAN:

In this business, sometimes it's a

life for life than an eye for an

eye.

AGENT 1

I hope this isn't an insult, but

you're not much older than us.

FUHRIMAN:

I know what you're thinking. I'm

too young to give you orders or

oversee an entire department, yet I

get mad respect.

AGENT 2

I took the words right out of my

mouth and could still keep a wife.

FUHRIMAN:

It could take forty years.

AGENT 1

Are you serious?

FUHRIMAN:

Same as the air we breathe.

AGENT 2

We can fix that, you know.

The agents LAUGH.

The agents begin to ramble and scramble through pages of

documents, files, and microfilms in the hope of finding

clues, which leads to the unsolved mystery of a man that

vanishes into thin air.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FBI OFFICE - AFTERNOON

Fuhriman places a new and separate phone on his desk. He

opened a file folder with a list of over 800 names.

Agent 1 walks into the office, takes off his suit jacket, and

hangs it on the back of the chair. He then removes his hat

and hangs it on a hook behind the door.

AGENT 1

I've set up the interview with the

Captain of Flight 305.

28.

FUHRIMAN:

What time?

AGENT 1

4:
00 PM. If he's on time.

FUHRIMAN:

What do you mean?

AGENT 1

He originally said he wasn't going

to show.

FUHRIMAN:

Oh.

AGENT 1

Yeah, then I told him I could get a

subpoena. He decided that he would

come without it.

Fuhriman laughed.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. INTERVIEW ROOM 1 - AFTERNOON

Scott sits inside the interview room as Fuhriman watches him

through the mirror in another room.

Agent 2 walks into the room.

Agent 1 already sits at the table.

AGENT 1

What is your job at the airline?

SCOTT:

I'm the first officer.

AGENT 1

Does that mean you are the Captain?

SCOTT:

It does.

AGENT 1

Tell me what happened on flight

305.

SCOTT:

The skyjacking?

29.

AGENT 1

Yes.

SCOTT:

I don't know too much about it.

AGENT 1

Weren't you the Captain of the

plane?

SCOTT:

I was.

AGENT 1

So how come you only know a little?

SCOTT:

I had to fly the plane. I never saw

the skyjacker.

AGENT 1

I find that odd that you weren't

curious.

SCOTT:

I was very curious, but I didn't

want to make him nervous... He had

a bomb.

AGENT 1

That will be all.

Scott gets up to leave.

Agent one stands to open the door.

AGENT 1 (CONT'D)

One more thing. What kind of

clothes was the jumper wearing?

SCOTT:

I don't know.

AGENT 1

Oh, that's right... You did say you

never saw him. Thanks for your

time.

Scott leaves.

Fuhriman steps into the room.

30.

FUHRIMAN:

We can remove the pilot as a

suspect.

AGENT 1

I agree.

FUHRIMAN:

Who's next?

AGENT 1

The co-pilot.

FUHRIMAN:

When's he due to arrive?

AGENT 1

Any minute now.

FUHRIMAN:

Okay, I'll take this one.

Agent 1 leaves the interview room.

Co-pilot William steps into the interview room and looks

around.

WILLIAM:

Are you with the FBI?

FUHRIMAN:

I am. Please have a seat.

WILLIAM:

Thank you.

FUHRIMAN:

I want to ask you a few questions

about the Skyjacker.

WILLIAM:

Sure.

William takes a seat.

FUHRIMAN:

Did you see our skyjacker?

WILLIAM:

I didn't. I stayed in the cockpit.

FUHRIMAN:

Did the pilot ever leave the

cockpit?

31.

WILLIAM:

He didn't. We both stayed and flew

the plane.

FUHRIMAN:

How about the stewardess?

WILLIAM:

There were two of them. They were

the only ones to have contact with

the skyjacker.

FUHRIMAN:

Did they tell you about him?

WILLIAM:

They did. They said a man in a

business suit had a bomb. He wanted

200,000 thousand dollars.

FUHRIMAN:

What did you do?

WILLIAM:

I announced for all passengers to

stay in their seats.

FUHRIMAN:

Why?

WILLIAM:

I didn't want them walking around

the plane and maybe interacting

with the skyjacker.

FUHRIMAN:

Did you know the skyjacker?

WILLIAM:

No... I didn't even know his name

until after he jumped.

FUHRIMAN:

Who saw him jump?

WILLIAM:

No one. We were all in the cockpit.

FUHRIMAN:

Thank you, that's all the questions

I have for you today.

WILLIAM:

Thank you, I hope you catch em.

32.

INT. FBI OFFICE - NIGHT

Fuhriman sits with two nighttime Agents.

Baker and Fred sit at adjoining desks facing Fuhriman.

Fuhriman sips his coffee and frowns.

FUHRIMAN:

This is too cold.

BAKER:

You want another cup?

FUHRIMAN:

I better not.

BAKER:

I want to discuss something with

you.

FUHRIMAN:

What's that?

BAKER:

So I am looking at one witness

here.

FUHRIMAN:

Who's that?

BAKER:

Robert Dalton.

Fred quickly thumbs through his documentation.

FRED:

Yes, I agree this was very

interesting.

FUHRIMAN:

Break it down for me.

BAKER:

Let's look at Ted. He's a great

candidate because of his skydiving

skills. I don't like him for this,

though.

FUHRIMAN:

Let's cut to the chase. Who do you

like for this?

33.

BAKER:

Barbara Dalton.

FUHRIMAN:

Why? She seems like some nut job

trying to get attention.

BAKER:

I don't think so.

FUHRIMAN:

Why?

BAKER:

Her account of the reason why she

hijacked the plane was a motive.

FUHRIMAN:

What motive is that?

Fuhriman starts fumbling through his files.

BAKER:

She wanted to be a pilot but was

never accepted. On the plane, he

said he didn't have a grudge

against the airline... He had a

grudge against the system.

FUHRIMAN:

Ummm. That makes a lot of sense.

BAKER:

Let's call her in tomorrow and chat

with her.

FUHRIMAN:

Okay... Let's call it a night.

The agents all got up. Put on their black suit jackets and

their hats, then left.

Fuhriman drove a mile to a hotel. He didn't feel like taking

the long drive home.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

Fuhriman was stretched out onto the bed, watching the news

and drinking a beer. After a few hours of watching TV, he

falls asleep.

34.

A bottle comes flying into his window, and glass shatters

onto the bed. He quickly rolls off the bed and onto the

floor.

Fuhriman looks at the leather chair across the room and sees

his gun in its shoulder holster. He pauses, then runs to the

chair and grabs his gun. He peeks out the window, and the

parking lot is empty. The only car parked is his.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. HOTEL - NIGHT

He rushes outside and heads downstairs to the office with the

gun in his hand.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. HOTEL OFFICE - NIGHT

The HOTEL CLERK, Caucasian male, is on the phone. He sees

Fuhriman with the gun, drops the phone, and places his hands

in the air.

FUHRIMAN:

(yells)

Put your hands down... I'm an FBI

Agent! Call the police!

The Hotel clerk picks up the phone and dials 911.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

Police officers fill the room. You can see the lights

flashing from inside.

FUHRIMAN:

Why do you guys leave your siren

lights on when you arrive on a

scene?

POLICE OFFICER 1

(curt)

Protocol.

Police Officer 1 ignores Fuhriman and starts writing in his

notepad.

Fuhriman calls it into his local FBI bureau.

35.

Sirens are heard in the background, and within seconds FBI

agents dressed in black suits and white shirts walk in. The

police officers are asked to leave, and the FBI continues the

investigation.

Police officer 1 continues to stand and write. Fuhriman walks

over and takes the pad from the officer's hand.

FUHRIMAN:

You're dismissed.

Two FBI Agents escort Police Officer 1 out of the Hotel room.

Fuhriman stands around in the room with the other agents

smoking cigarettes.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FBI OFFICE - DAY

BARBARA DALTON, 30, Caucasian Transwoman, walks into the FBI

interview room and takes a seat without speaking.

Fuhriman enters the interview room and then starts talking.

FUHRIMAN:

Ms. Dalton. How are you?

BARABRA:

I am great. I suppose you want to

ask me if I skyjacked a plane.

FUHRIMAN:

That's very forward.

BARABRA:

I try to be forward. I'm a man who

had surgery to become a woman in

1969. Forward is the only way I

know how to be.

FUHRIMAN:

Then this interview should be easy.

What is your experience with

explosives?

BARABRA:

I'm an expert.

FUHRIMAN:

Excuse me?

36.

BARABRA:

I am an expert with explosives.

FUHRIMAN:

You're a pilot, too, correct?

BARABRA:

(smiles)

Right again.

FUHRIMAN:

Are you Dan Cooper?

Silence fills the interview room.

Barbara shifts in her seat left and right.

Fuhriman leans on the table and looks Barbara in the eye.

FUHRIMAN (CONT'D)

Are you... Dan... Cooper.

BARBARA:

My name is not Dan Cooper. My name

is Robert Dalton.

FUHRIMAN:

Is there anything you'd like to

share with us?

BARBARA:

Not at this time.

FUHRIMAN:

Thank you for your time, Ms.

Dalton.

Barbara rises, and then she leaves.

Fuhriman and two Agents stand in the interview room.

BAKER:

What do you think?

FUHRIMAN:

I think Barbara is an excellent

suspect.

BAKER:

So, what do we do?

37.

FUHRIMAN:

Don't spook her. She's a good

suspect but not our only one. Let's

continue with our quick interviews.

BAKER:

McCoys next.

FUHRIMAN:

How long? He should be here in

fifteen minutes. Well, let's smoke.

Fifteen minutes have passed, and McCoy doesn't show.

Baker checks his name off the list.

BAKER:

I guess he's got something to hide.

Fred walks into the interview room.

FRED:

He called and said that he was

going to be a little late.

BAKER:

Okay.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FBI INTERVIEW ROOM 1 - EVENING

AGENT LAWRENCE, 20s, tall slim, wearing a black suit, sits

across the table from McCoy. Agent Lawrence calls Fuhriman

from the interview room.

LAWRENCE:

I'm about to speak to Mr. McCoy

MCCOY:

You mean Barbara Dalton.

LAWRENCE:

Correction... Barbara Dalton.

He nods and then hangs up the phone.

MCCOY:

Is he coming?

LAWRENCE:

He's not coming, so it'll be just

you and me.

38.

MCCOY:

That's okay with me. What do you

need from me?

LAWRENCE:

Where were you on November 24,

1971?

MCCOY:

Getting ready for Thanksgiving.

LAWRENCE:

Were you home?

MCCOY:

No, I went out gambling at Atlantic

City.

LAWRENCE:

Can anyone verify that?

MCCOY:

Well, no, I drove there alone, and

I didn't meet anyone there. It was

empty because it was the day before

the holiday.

LAWRENCE:

Not too good for you, sir.

MCCOY:

It's fine for me... Because I'm

innocent of whatever I feel accused

of.

LAWRENCE:

I haven't accused you of anything

yet.

MCCOY:

Well, of your insinuations, then.

Look, what is this all about?

LAWRENCE:

Did you skyjack flight 305?

MCCOY:

Huh?

LAWRENCE:

Did you skyjack an airplane?

39.

MCCOY:

No sir. And how would I have gotten

off the plane if I had skyjacked

it?

LAWRENCE:

With a parachute.

MCCOY:

From where?

LAWRENCE:

About 10,000 feet in the air above

Reno?

MCCOY:

You crazy man!

LAWRENCE:

Why?

MCCOY:

That's impossible to do.

LAWRENCE:

I guess you haven't seen the news.

MCCOY:

I haven't.

LAWRENCE:

Follow me.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FBI INTERVIEW ROOM 2 - NIGHT

McCoy follows Agent Lawrence out of the interview room and

into a small office with a TV.

Lawrence turns on the TV and uses the remote, and clicks

play.

The news starts, and pictures of DB Cooper are all over the

screen. He watched in silence, and then when it was over, he

stayed seated.

MCCOY:

So, are you going to arrest me?

LAWRENCE:

I'm thinking about it.

40.

MCCOY:

Well, it wasn't me.

LAWRENCE:

Okay... But you look a lot like

that guy on the plane.

MCCOY:

Yeah, but if it was me, I had all

that money. Trust me. I'd be living

somewhere far away.

LAWRENCE:

Okay, listen to me closely...

McCoy leans in with his ear facing Lawrence.

LAWRENCE (CONT'D)

I'm letting you go for now. If I

get any evidence, circumstantial or

whatever... I'm coming for you.

MCCOY:

(smiles)

So I can go?

Lawrence steps back and points at the door.

LAWRENCE:

Be my guest.

McCoy gets up, tosses a chiclet into his mouth, and chews it.

He slowly walks out.

Lawrence follows him out the door.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. ROY AND BETH'S HOUSE - NIGHT

ROY, 6'0, late 50s, chubby, Caucasian male, and his wife

BETH, 40s, 5'2, Caucasian female, sit on their small brown

couch laughing. They are watching an old Zenith floor-model

TV, and the doorbell rings.

Beth gets up and answers the door.

NANCY, 40s, Caucasian female, and LARRY, 40s, caucasian male,

walk inside carrying a bottle of Seagrams gin.

Larry heads over to the loveseat directly across from Roy,

plops in the chair, and places the gin on the coffee table.

41.

Nancy and Beth head into the kitchen and reappear, carrying

two drinking glasses each. They place them on the table and

sit next to their husbands.

Roy points to the empty black leather lazy boy chair.

ROY:

Anyone hear from Barbara today?

LARRY:

I saw her at the store today, and

she said she was coming tonight.

ROY:

Okay, let's give her a few minutes

before we start drinking.

LARRY:

That's cool. Nancy, I left the

burgers in the car.

NANCY:

Stay there; I'll get them.

Nancy opens the door, and Barbara is ready to ring the bell.

BARBARA:

Hey.

NANCY:

Hey, go ahead. I need to get the

burgers out of the car.

Barbara walks into the house with another bottle of gin and

ginger ale.

Nancy returns, hands everyone two giant hamburgers, and then

sits next to Larry.

LARRY:

How did you all meet Barbara?

BETH:

We met Barbara at the airfield.

Every day she's out there flying

her airplane, except in the bad

weather. One day it was raining,

and we weren't able to fly. We all

just sat around talking and

realized we all had a lot in

common.

LARRY:

Like what?

42.

BETH:

We both love to fly. We both tried

to get our pilot's license and were

refused it.

LARRY:

Did you fail the exam?

BETH:

No, we were biased because we are

women.

BARBARA:

Well, I have a confession.

Larry, Roy, Beth, and Nancy sit and listen.

BETH:

What is it?

BARBARA:

I was born a man.

BETH:

(laughs)

Come on, stop.

BARBARA:

Seriously my real name used to be

Robert Dalton.

BETH:

Wow.

BARBARA:

I have another secret too.

BETH:

Tell us.

BARBARA:

I am Dan Cooper.

BETH:

Dan Cooper?

LARRY:

You mean DB Cooper?

BARBARA:

Yes. But that's a media mistake. I

never signed the flight log as DB

Cooper. I bought my ticket under an

alias... Dan Cooper.

43.

LARRY:

(nervous)

Shouldn't you keep this information

to yourself?

BARBARA:

Well, I'm hoping that I am with

friends. The kind that knows that

they better keep a secret.

LARRY:

Let's forget about all this and

have a drink.

BARBARA:

Yes, let's drink.

They all began drinking. Larry and Nancy left after an hour.

Barbara opens a new bottle and fills the glasses on the

table.

ROY:

Yes, let's toast to Dan Cooper.

BARBARA:

Yes, we can do that.

BETH:

Where's all the money?

BARBARA:

I buried it.

BETH:

Let's dig it up.

BARBARA:

Sure, if you need some of it, we

can.

ROY:

We're just kidding... We have

enough money with the business.

BARBARA:

How can I prove to you who I am?

ROY:

Tell us the whole story about the

jump from the plane.

44.

BARBARA:

Okay, listen closely.

CUT TO:

EXT. FLIGHT 305 - FLASHBACK

A man sits in seat 18C. His name is Dan Cooper. He sits

wearing dark sunglasses and a black business suit with a

clip-on dark-colored tie.

Dan sits sipping on bourbon with a splash of seltzer water,

leaning over to a Stewardess. The Stewardess reads a note and

then looks back up at him. He opens the attache case and

shows the bomb to the stewardess.

A MAN sits in the aisle across from them and glances at them

every once in a while.

The Stewardess hands the note to TINA, Stewardess, and she

takes it into the cockpit.

The plane flies, and Dan holds a small trigger in his left

hand. He has a cigarette in his mouth, and the stewardess

lights it.

The plane lands Dan sits in the seat by himself. Tina walks

toward him carrying a knapsack and places it on the seat next

to him.

Tina unzips the bag.

Dan looks and sees the money, and nods.

TINA:

(whispers)

Can we let the passengers go now?

DAN:

(low)

Yes, but I want the Pilot, the copilot,

and you to remain on the

plane.

TINA:

Sure.

DAN:

Have the other stewardess lead the

passengers off the plane.

TINA:

Okay.

45.

Tina walks over and whispers to Florence.

Florence immediately goes into action. She grabs the mic.

FLORENCE:

Everyone, please exit the plane in

an orderly fashion.

The plane empties.

Tina raises the stairs of the plane. She walks over and has a

seat next to Dan.

TINA:

(yells)

We're all secure!

The plane vibrates and then starts moving slowly.

Tina buckles her seat and leans over, and buckles Dan's too.

The plane drives the runway, and Dan looks out of the window

as the plane takes off. They fly into the air for several

hours, and now all you can see out the window is darkness.

Dan takes out another cigarette and leans over to Tina.

Tina takes out her lighter and lights his cigarette. She

watches as his left hand never lets go of the bomb's

detonator.

Dan finishes smoking his cigarette, and then he stands. He

stuffs the money into the parachute bag and ties it around

his waist. He then takes four crew meals and ties them into

the parachute bag with the money.

He takes another parachute and secures it to his back. He

takes his clip-on tie and tosses it onto the floor.

DAN:

I need your help.

TINA:

(nervously)

Sure.

Dan looks at the fear in her eyes.

DAN:

Never mind. I think it's safer if

you go into the cockpit.

Tina hurries into the cockpit.

46.

Dan tightens the straps of his parachute, walks to the door,

and presses down on the handle. The door alarm starts

BEEPING... He then tries the second lever, but nothing

happens.

Dan reaches for the phone on the wall and puts it to his ear.

DAN (CONT'D)

I can't open the door.

SCOTT:

Hold on, let me slow down.

Scott pulls down on the throttle, and the plane slows down.

DAN:

The door is opening.

Dan hangs up the phone.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FLIGHT 305 COCKPIT - NIGHT

The pilot, the copilot, and Tina look through the windshield.

The storm is wicked, the wind is blowing at over 100 miles an

hour, and the windshield is freezing.

SCOTT:

Is he still out there?

TINA:

He jumped.

INT. OUTSIDE - NIGHT

Dan is flying through the air at a rapid pace. He's thrown

around wickedly but keeps his hands tightly to the ripcord

handles. As he hears the ground, he pulls the parachute and

floats into a large set of trees, scratching his legs and

arms. He rapidly hits the ground and rolls over. The raincoat

that he wears keeps most of his clothes dry. He quickly rubs

his body to make sure that he's okay. He gets up and starts

limping through the woods until he reaches the Columbia River

and a small cabin.

DISSOLVE TO:

47.

INT. SMALL CABIN - NIGHT

When he gets into the cabin, he removes his clothes and

lights a small fire. He goes under the bed and pulls out a

small suitcase. He opens it and removes a wig and several

pieces of women's clothes. He draws some of the money and

wraps it in a paper bag.

Dan sits in front of the fireplace until he is warm. Then he

puts the money into the small suitcase and leaves the cabin.

On his way out of the place, he tosses in several pints of

gasoline, and the house begins to burn.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. INTESTATE - NIGHT

Dan moves quickly through the woods, now disguised as

Barbara. Barbara makes her way to the interstate, where she

has a car parked a few miles away. She walks alongside the

interstate and makes it to the car.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. BARBARA'S CAR - NIGHT

Barbara wipes off the water from her face, tosses the small

suitcase in the back, reaches into the ashtray, digs in the

back, and pulls out a set of keys. She puts the key into the

ignition and starts the car. She drives away.

CUT TO:

INT. ROY AND BETHS HOUSE - BACK TO PRESENT

Beth looks at Barbara and smiles.

Roy sits, nodding his head yes.

Barbara leans onto the coffee table, removes a pair of

sunglasses, and puts them on. She looks forward at Roy.

Roy stands up excitedly.

ROY:

Look, Beth!

BETH:

You look just like DB Cooper.

48.

BARBARA:

That's because I am. Don't tell

anyone what I've told you.

BETH:

(confused)

That you're a man?

BARBARA:

Well, that too, but don't tell

anyone that I am Dan Cooper.

BETH:

Oh, we won't say a word.

ROY:

You have our word.

Barbara drank her gin in the glass, walked to the door, and

left.

BETH:

I hope she doesn't come back and

kill us at night, realizing she

just told us her darkest secret.

ROY:

I agree. Lock the door and all of

the windows.

Roy and Beth spent hours after Barbara left going through the

house and locking the windows, doors, and the basement

entrance. They planted booby traps around the house.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. AIRPORT - DAY

Morning came, and the sun shone brightly in the sky, and they

went to the airport, as usual, to open up.

Barbara's plane was gone.

They painted new lines on the airstrip the whole day, but

Barbara's plane never returned.

Roy locked the airport gate.

Roy and Beth got into their car and drove away from the

airport.

DISSOLVE TO:

49.

A YEAR LATER...

INT. GENERAL STORE - DAY

DARCY, the owner of the town's general store, hung a large

sign outside... COME AND DRINK IN CELEBRATION OF DB COOPER =

THE MAN THAT STUCK IT TO THE AIRLINES...

Darcy moved all the merchandise off the counter tables and

turned the tables into makeshift bars. Crowds came from

around the globe to celebrate at the General store.

MAN 1 stands at the door holding a drink in the air.

MAN 2 walks over and clicks his glass.

MAN 1

(yells)

You think he'll show?

MAN 2

Who?

MAN 1

Cooper.

MAN 2

I doubt it. He's probably still

hiding from the police.

MAN 1

They should let him go if they

catch him. What he did was

incredible.

MAN 2

Incredible? You mean impossible.

Some people say he died and never

made it.

MAN 1

Then where's the body? Where's the

money?

Lawrence from the FBI walks into the General store and looks

around at everyone celebrating DB Cooper day. He smiles and

walks to the table, and gets a drink. He buttons his suit

jacket to hide his gun and begins mingling.

Roy and Beth come into the General store and get two drinks.

They see Lawrence standing by himself, so they start talking.

50.

ROY:

Howdy.

LAWRENCE:

Hello.

Lawrence shakes hands with Roy.

ROY:

My name is Roy, and this is my

wife, Beth.

Beth shakes hands with Lawrence.

LAWRENCE:

This is some celebration. Does DB

Cooper ever come?

ROY:

This is the first time they are

doing this. It's going to be an

annual thing.

LAWRENCE:

That sounds like something.

ROY:

It is.

LAWRENCE:

Do you know who Dan Cooper is?

ROY:

(laughs)

We know the truth about Dan Cooper,

even if we told it... No one would

believe it.

BETH:

(smiles)

That's right.

Beth holds her drink in the air laughing loudly.

Roy guzzles his drink down and walks back to the liquor

table.

Lawrence follows him to the table and gets another drink for

the three of them. They spend some time talking about the

store owner and then.

LAWRENCE:

So tell me about Dan Cooper.

51.

BETH:

It's been about a year since we saw

her.

LAWRENCE:

Her?

BETH:

Yes, her.

LAWRENCE:

Dan Cooper's a man.

ROY:

He used to be a man.

LAWRENCE:

Ummm...

ROYSOME TIME:

I know you don't believe us.

LAWRENCE:

I do... You're talking about

Barbara Dalton.

ROY:

(curious)

How do you know that?

LAWRENCE:

Let's say I met her.

ROY:

Oh, you met her too.

LAWRENCE:

Yes.

ROY:

We met her at my airstrip office.

LAWRENCE:

She has a plane?

ROY:

Yes, and she's an outstanding

pilot.

BETH:

Yes, we used to watch her fly for

hours.

52.

LAWRENCE:

Did she move away?

BETH:

We don't know. As we said, we

haven't seen her in almost a year.

LAWRENCE:

That's too bad. Do you know where

she used to live?

BETH:

I think Roy knows.

ROY:

(curious)

I do, but who's asking?

LAWRENCE:

Just a fan like you all.

ROY:

(smiles)

Okay, okay... I can show you where

she used to live. But tomorrow...

Today we drinking.

LAWRENCE:

Okay.

Roy turns up his drink, walks back to the table, and grabs

more drinks.

There's a crowd inside the General store now, and people are

walking back and forth communicating.

Lawrence walks around and starts speaking with all the other

people.

After some time, Roy walked over to Lawrence and handed him

his phone number and address.

ROY:

Give me a call tomorrow, and I'll

take you to Barbara Dalton's place.

LAWRENCE:

I'm about to leave too. I'll call

you 10 tomorrow morning.

ROY:

That'll be perfect. We aren't

opening the airport tomorrow

because I drank too much today.

53.

LAWRENCE:

Okay, is it far from here?

ROY:

It's not. I can drive past it on

the way home and show you.

LAWRENCE:

Okay, that's fine with me.

ROY:

I won't stop, but I'll honk the

horn as we pass it. You can slow

down and pull right up in the

driveway.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. OUTSIDE THE GENERAL STORE - EVENING

Roy and Beth climb into their pickup truck.

Lawrence gets into his black sedan, drives up behind the

pickup, and honks his horn.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DRIVING DOWN ROUTE 15 - EVENING

Lawrence follows Roy and Beth's pickup; they exit off the

road and drive down a small dirt road. There's a large house

to the right of the road.

Roy BEEPS...

Lawrence puts his hand out of the window and waves to Roy as

he returns off the road.

Roy waves back and keeps driving down the lonely road.

It's starting the get dark as Lawrence parks in front of the

large house. He drives around to the back of the house

slowly. All the shades are closed, so he cannot see inside.

He moves to the side of the garage and stops.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. OUTSIDE GARAGE - NIGHT

Lawrence gets out and looks in the window of the garage, and

he sees a nice sedan inside.

54.

He walks to the backdoor of the house, and he knocks hard. He

waits, and no one answers, so he leaves.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

In the room, there are only four pieces of furniture. An end

table with a phone and a black book on top, a bed, a chair,

and a dresser. He lay back on the bed, and he reached on the

end table for his black book.

Lawrence writes down all he had done today and the people he

spoke with. He picks up the phone.

LAWRENCE:

I need another agent here with me.

RALPH (V.O.)

I'll come. I can be there in 8

hours.

LAWRENCE:

That would be perfect, boss.

RALPH (V.O.)

I'll let Joice know, and I'll get

on the next plane to you.

LAWRENCE:

Okay, see you tomorrow.

Lawrence places his book on the end table and turns out the

light.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. HOTEL ROOM - MORNING

Ralph sits on the chair in Lawrence's room. Lawrence is

putting on his suit jacket.

RALPH:

So you been by her place?

LAWRENCE:

I have. No one was there, but her

cars were.

RALPH:

You did mention to me that she had

a plane.

55.

LAWRENCE:

Yes.

RALPH:

So, she may have flown somewhere

and then seen that the FBI was

homing in on a suspect.

LAWRENCE:

So, you think she got spooked?

RALPH:

I'm not sure. I think that Barbara

Dalton is weird, and she may just

have gone away and will come back.

LAWRENCE:

But she's been gone a year.

RALPH:

Who says?

LAWRENCE:

Roy and Beth said.

RALPH:

No, you told me that they said they

haven't seen her in a year.

LAWRENCE:

That's true. So, should we go back

to her place and look for clues?

RALPH:

Here's the deal! We don't have a

warrant and will need to break and

enter. If we find anything in her

home, we can't use it.

LAWRENCE:

At least we'll know.

RALPH:

I agree... You in, or out?

LAWRENCE:

I'm in. Let's do this.

RALPH:

Okay.

Ralph stands and buttons his suit jacket.

DISSOLVE TO:

56.

INT. SMALL AIRCRAFT - DAY

Barbara Dalton sits in the cockpit of a small single-engine

aircraft. She presses a few buttons and then starts her

descent.

She heads for a small runway and brings the plane down until

it is on it. She brakes the aircraft and then gets out. She

drives her small plane into the hangar she rents and then

locks it.

Roy and Beth walk into the hangar smiling and hugging

Barbara.

BETH:

Why would you leave for so long and

not tell us?

BARBARA:

I left you guys a note on your

door.

BETH:

We didn't get it.

BARBARA:

So many times, I wondered if I

should call.

BETH:

You should of. We've missed our

friend.

BARBARA:

I'm sorry. I'm back now.

ROY:

Yeah, and I think the FBI is here

looking for you.

BETH:

What do you mean, Roy?

ROY:

Don't tell me you believed that guy

at the general store is a fan.

BETH:

I did.

ROY:

Nah, he looked like an FBI Agent to

me. We thought you were gone, so we

drove him by your house.

57.

BARBARA:

I'm not worried; they don't have

anything to hold me on.

ROY:

Maybe they know your DB Cooper.

BARBARA:

I may tell them that myself. I'm

tired of living with this secret...

It haunts me.

ROY:

I understand, but make sure that

they can't persecute you. If they

can, you recant your story and say

you were under psychological

stress.

BARBARA:

Very good, Mr. Roy. I think I am

going to take your advice.

ROY:

You should. It's good, and it's

free.

They all laugh loudly.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. BARBARA DALTON'S HOUSE - DAY

Lawrence and Ralph walk around the exterior of the house,

observing everything.

Lawrence stops and stares at the garage doors because they

are open wide.

He then looks at the back door, and he notices the window

next to it where the shades are now open.

LAWRENCE:

Someone's inside.

RALPH:

How do you know?

LAWRENCE:

Yesterday the shades were closed.

58.

RALPH:

Okay, let's knock on the door. This

way it doesn't look like we're

snooping.

Lawrence and Ralph walk up a short number of stairs. Lawrence

raises his hand to knock on the door, and Barbara opens it

with a small revolver in her left hand.

Lawrence raises his hands in the air.

LAWRENCE:

FBI.

BARBARA:

ID?

Ralph shows his ID.

Barbara lowers the gun.

BARBARA (CONT'D)

Come inside.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. BARBARA'S HOUSE - DAY

Barbara offers Lawrence and Ralph a seat at the kitchen

table.

They sit.

Ralph quickly scans the kitchen.

Barbara puts her gun back in the cabinet near the door. She

removes a tea kettle from the stove and places it in the

center of the kitchen table. She goes into the cabinet and

puts three cups on the table.

BARBARA:

All I have is tea. I hope that's

okay.

LAWRENCE:

Thank you, tea is fine.

RALPH:

Yes, tea is fine.

LAWRENCE:

We have a few questions for you.

59.

RALPH:

And please don't take this the

wrong way... Are you Robert Dalton?

Barbara pauses for a moment and then smiles.

BARBARA:

I used to be but haven't been since

1969. After my sex change surgery,

I changed my name to Barbara

Dalton.

RALPH:

Thank you. Do you know anything

about skyjacking?

BARBARA:

I was brought to the FBI and

interviewed by a man named

Fuhriman.

RALPH:

Yes, I do remember someone telling

me that. He only asked you a few

questions, and we have some more.

BARBARA:

Sure, ask away.

RALPH:

Are you the infamous DB Cooper?

Barbara takes a long pause.

Lawrence and Ralph look at each other and then back to

Barbara.

BARBARA:

I don't know how to answer your

question.

RALPH:

Why not?

BARBARA:

Because it will incriminate me.

RALPH:

For now... Unofficially, are you DB

Cooper?

BARBARA:

I am.

60.

LAWRENCE:

Wait... Did you skyjack the plane?

BARBARA:

My unofficial answer is yes.

LAWRENCE:

Can you tell us how you did it?

BARBARA:

Are you asking me how I survived

the jump?

RALPH:

Yes.

Barbara leans back on her chair and starts telling her story.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. FLIGHT 305 - FLASHBACK

DB jumps from the plane and is tossed around by the wind. He

holds the ripcord and descends at a fast rate.

He's counting in his head until he gets to 504, and then he

pulls the ripcord.

There's wind and rain all whipping, and hail is all around

him.

He flies right into a bunch of trees in the forest, rapidly

hits the ground, and rolls over.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. BARBARA'S HOUSE - BACK TO PRESENT

Lawrence, Ralph, and Barbara sit at the kitchen table.

Ralph sips his tea.

BARBARA:

I hit that ground at about twenty

miles an hour and still have the

scars on my thighs to prove it. I

missed my landing by over 5 miles.

I was walking through the woods,

about to give up, and finally made

it to the cabin.

61.

RALPH:

Cabin? We didn't find a cabin along

the trail.

BARBARA:

That's because I wasn't walking on

the trail. I stayed in the woods

because it offered more shelter

from the bad weather.

RALPH:

Wow, we were really off in our

investigation.

BARBARA:

About a half mile, but that makes a

difference, I guess.

RALPH:

It does. Had we seen the cabin we

may have been able not to spend 40

hours in the woods and turn up

nothing.

Lawrence starts writing in his little black book.

BARBARA:

What are you writing?

LAWRENCE:

I'm just taking notes.

BARBARA:

I thought this was an unofficial

conversation.

LAWRENCE:

You're right.

Lawrence places his book on the table.

RALPH:

Can you show me the bomb?

BARBARA:

I dismantled it long ago.

LAWRENCE:

Do you have any pictures of it?

BARBARA:

Sorry, but no.

62.

RALPH:

Okay, I want to thank you for your

time.

Ralph and Lawrence stand and shake hands with Barbara and

then leave.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FBI CAR - DAY

Lawrence reviews the notes he wrote down. He turns in his

seat and looks at Ralph.

LAWRENCE:

Did you believe that story?

RALPH:

I did. I think we should have

arrested Barbara.

LAWRENCE:

I think so too, but all she has to

do is recant her story.

RALPH:

Not true. If we can find this cabin

with her DNA, we can arrest her.

LAWRENCE:

That's pushing it.

RALPH:

It's what I got... You got

something else?

LAWRENCE:

Nope. I guess we're driving to the

woods now.

RALPH:

We are. You got a map in this car?

LAWRENCE:

I don't, but there's a raggedy gas

station a mile up.

RALPH:

That'll work. Maybe we can ask the

gas station attendant about the

cabin.

63.

LAWRENCE:

He's probably been living here his

whole life and would possibly know.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. RUN DOWN GAS STATION - DAY

Lawrence and Ralph drive into a run-down gas station and stop

at the gas pump. The pumps were so old you could see rust on

them.

A MAN 4 wearing some overalls steps outside and walks to the

window. He speaks with a southern accent.

MAN 4

You need some gas?

LAWRENCE:

No sir.

MAN 4

Then what you want?

LAWRENCE:

A map or directions.

MAN 4

Which one do you want?

LAWRENCE:

Can you tell me if there's an old

cabin nearby the Columbia River?

MAN 4

It used to be.

LAWRENCE:

Can you direct us? And what do you

mean by used to be?

Lawrence hands Man 4 a fifty-dollar bill.

Man 4 grabs it and looks at it, and smiles ear to ear.

MAN 4

Drive straight until you get to the

fork in the road, and then turn

right and park. Walk through the

woods for about half a mile, and

you'll see it.

64.

LAWRENCE:

Thanks.

Ralph drives up the road following Man 4's instructions.

They park and open the car doors.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. WOODS - DAY

Lawrence stands looking down at the ground.

Ralph looks up in the air.

The woods are thick with high grass and tree branches that

have broken off the very large trees.

The two walk deeper into the woods.

RALPH:

(clears his throat)

I flew right over this area here.

LAWRENCE:

You sure?

RALPH:

Yes, the chopper got caught in a

whirlwind, and the red flag flew

off the control bar. It flew and

got caught up in a tree.

Ralph points up in the air and a red flag is wrapped around a

branch.

LAWRENCE:

Wow... Now that's something.

RALPH:

Yeah, because of the weather, we

tried to stay in the shallow part.

LAWRENCE:

What happened?

RALPH:

After we got caught in the

whirlwind, we were forced to turn

around.

LAWRENCE:

Look over there.

65.

RALPH:

Where?

Lawrence points to a space between two trees.

LAWRENCE:

You see it?

RALPH:

It looks like it used to be

something there.

LAWRENCE:

The closer we get, the more I can

see someone burned it to the

ground.

RALPH:

Right, but the point is that

Barbara is right.

LAWRENCE:

Can we arrest her?

RALPH:

I doubt it.

LAWRENCE:

Why?

RALPH:

Because she's made sure she's

destroyed any trace of a DNA

sample, we could have gotten to

prove she was in there.

LAWRENCE:

Smart.

RALPH:

Yeah, it pisses me off too.

LAWRENCE:

What should we do now?

RALPH:

See if we can get an official

confession from her.

LAWRENCE:

That would be great, but I doubt

it.

66.

RALPH:

Let's go home and interview a few

more people. Keep Barbara Dalton

and Mr. McCoy as our two prime

suspects.

CUT TO:

INT. SEATTLE PUB - NIGHT

Barbara sits at the bar drinking bourbon and soda. Roy and

Beth entered the bar with a JERRY, 30s Caucasian male. They

all sit with Barbara.

ROY:

This is our new friend Jerry.

BARBARA:

(smiles)

It's a pleasure to meet you.

JERRY:

(smiles)

Likewise.

BARBARA:

Are you from around here?

JERRY:

I'm just visiting my sister for the

holidays, and I met Roy and Beth.

BARBARA:

That's nice.

JERRY:

Yes, it is. What's everyone

drinking? My treat.

BARBARA:

Bourbon for me.

ROY:

Same for us.

JERRY:

Bartender 4 rounds of bourbon and

keep them coming.

The BARTENDER, 20s, Caucasian female, walks over.

Jerry pulls out his card and hands it to the Bartender.

67.

They drink, and a MAN 5 walks over to their table and tosses

a glass on top of the table, and it shatters.

Jerry stands...

JERRY (CONT'D)

What is your problem?

BARBARA:

He has a problem with me.

JERRY:

With you?

BARBARA:

Yes... Look, man I told you before

that I want nothing to do with you.

MAN 5

You need me. I'm the only one that

understands you.

BARBARA:

Then let me be... We can talk

another time. Allow me to be with

my friends and enjoy this evening.

Man 5 walks away with his head down.

ROY:

Wow, he's still trying to get you

back out with him?

BARBARA:

He is, but he is too violent when

he doesn't get his way.

BETH:

We should call the Sheriff on him.

JERRY:

I agree.

BARBARA:

No, he will be fine for tonight.

JERRY:

You sure?

BARBARA:

I'm positive... Trust me.

DISSOLVE TO:

68.

INT. FBI OFFICE WASHINGTON - NIGHT

Inside the office sits Ralph, Lawrence, and several other

agents in a conference room.

Ralph stands and points at a whiteboard with several names on

it. He stops when he gets to Robert Dalton. He uses a green

marker and writes, Barbara Dalton.

AGENT 4

Who is Barbara Dalton? Is that

Robert's sister?

RALPH:

No, Barbara is Robert. In 1969

Robert underwent a sex change

operation overseas and came back as

Barbara Dalton.

AGENT 4

Legally?

RALPH:

Of course... She has had her name

changed legally.

AGENT 4

Okay, so what about her?

RALPH:

We believe she is Db Cooper, and

she has admitted unofficially that

she is.

AGENT 5

So let's go and arrest her?

RALPH:

With what proof?

AGENT 5

You said she admitted who she was

to you.

RALPH:

All she has to do is recant.

AGENT 5

We have to try at least.

RALPH:

Let's call in the warrant and pick

her up.

69.

AGENT 4

I'll get right on that, sir.

AGENT 4 leaves the room.

Ralph continues to talk as the other agents listen...

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. BARBARA DALTON'S HOUSE - DAY

FBI cars surround Barbara's home. There are Agents at the

front and the back doors banging on it. Two agents are in the

garage checking out her cars.

Ralph and Lawrence walk around the house, looking into the

windows.

LAWRENCE:

Looks like she's not home. Should

we come back or take the door?

RALPH:

Since we have the warrant to

arrest, we should probably come

back another time.

The Agents get into their cars and start to leave.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. JERRY'S CAR - DAY

Jerry and Barbara pull up and park.

Barbara rolls down the window.

JERRY:

What's going on?

BARBARA:

I think I'm about to be arrested by

the FBI.

JERRY:

Not good.

BARBARA:

Don't worry. I'll be out by

morning.

70.

JERRY:

What's it all about?

BARBARA:

DB Cooper.

Jerry looks curiously at Barbara.

Barbara gets out of the car.

CUT TO:

EXT. BARBARA DALTON'S HOUSE - DAY

Barbara gets out of the car with her hands held high.

Ralph and Lawrence walk over quickly to her.

Lawrence turns her around and handcuffs her hands behind her

back.

LAWRENCE:

You're under arrest.

BARBARA:

You bastards. You said that our

conversation was unofficial.

RALPH:

It was... This next conversation

is.

BARBARA:

What are the charges?

RALPH:

Guilty knowledge.

BARBARA:

I guess you guys make it up as you

go along.

RALPH:

Sometimes. Let's go.

Ralph puts Barbara in the back seat.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FBI CAR - DAY

Lawrence drives the sedan through heavy traffic.

71.

Ralph sits in the back of the car with Barbara.

Barbara looks out the window with a blank expression.

BARBARA:

Are we going to 3rd street?

RALPH:

Yes... Same place.

BARBARA:

Ok.

RALPH:

Why?

BARBARA:

Just wondering how long the ride

back from here to my house is going

to be.

RALPH:

Oh, you're pretty confident you are

going to be released.

BARBARA:

(smiles)

That I am.

RALPH:

What makes you so sure?

BARBARA:

Because DB Cooper is dead, and the

world knows it.

RALPH:

Oh.

BARBARA:

Yes, and when the trial begins, you

two will look like idiots.

LAWRENCE:

(laughs)

You're insane.

BARBARA:

Look, I was a man but I was a woman

at the time of the jump. I have my

own money and always have. Why

would I need to hijack a plane for

200,000 dollars?

72.

LAWRENCE:

You should be telling us why?

BARBARA:

(sarcastically)

Me? I have no idea what you're

talking about.

LAWRENCE:

Look, we know you're DB Cooper...

You admitted it. We've been to the

cabin.

BARBARA:

And.

LAWRENCE:

We saw how you burned it down.

BARBARA:

Are you sure you were at the right

cabin?

LAWRENCE:

Wait... Are there more cabins in

the woods?

Barbara laughs and continues looking out of the car window.

RALPH:

So you're not going to tell us?

Barbara remains silent.

They drive the rest of the way in silence.

When they arrive at the FBI headquarters in Seattle, there

are several reporters standing outside the entrance.

LAWRENCE:

We're going to have to move

quickly.

BARBARA:

Isn't there a backdoor to this

place?

LAWRENCE:

Not that we can access.

BARBARA:

Great... Now all of the business is

on the street.

73.

LAWRENCE:

Just move quickly into the building

and don't stop and talk.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. FBI OFFICE SEATTLE WASHINGTON - DAY

Reporters are blocking the doorway.

FBI security officers come outside and move them back.

Lawrence pushes Barbara past the reporters and into the lobby

of the FBI building on 3rd street. The lobby is filled with

FBI personnel watching as Barbara is brought into the office.

They walk to the elevator bank and press the up button.

DISSOLVE TO:

FBI OFFICE SEATTLE WASHINGTON INTERVIEW ROOM 6 - DAY

The interview room is dim and cold.

Barbara is taken inside, her handcuffs removed, and sat at a

long table.

The only furniture in the room is the table, 8 chairs, and a

video camera on a tripod at the other end of the table.

Barbara is leaning back on her chair, looking up at the

ceiling.

Fuhriman walks into the interview room and sits across the

table from Barbara. He opens a manila folder, removes a

picture, and slides it across the table to Barbara.

Barbara looks down at the picture and shrugs, and slides it

back.

FUHRIMAN:

Is that you?

BARBARA:

Yes, that's a picture of me...

Well, it's a picture of Robert

Dalton.

FUHRIMAN:

You are Robert Dalton.

74.

BARBARA:

I am Barbara Dalton... Robert no

longer exists. He was a woman

trapped in a man's body.

FUHRIMAN:

Technically he's still you.

BARBARA:

There is nothing technical about

it... I am Barbara Dalton, and you

will address me as such, or our

time here will get very uneasy.

FUHRIMAN:

Okay, let's move past that.

Fuhriman slides another picture across the table to Barbara.

Barbara studies the picture for several minutes and then

slides it back.

BARBARA:

That's Dan Cooper.

FUHRIMAN:

Interesting.

BARBARA:

What is?

FUHRIMAN:

You addressed the man as Dan Cooper

rather than DB Cooper.

BARBARA:

I don't know why you find that

interesting.

FUHRIMAN:

Because the entire world is calling

him DB Cooper, and the one person

we believe is him is referring to

his correct name.

BARBARA:

I don't get it but continue.

FUHRIMAN:

So a media mistake caused everyone

to believe that Dan Cooper's name

is DB Cooper when in fact, its not.

I want to ask you... Are you Dan

Cooper?

75.

BARBARA:

I am not.

FUHRIMAN:

But you admitted to two Agents that

you were.

BARBARA:

I recant that statement.

FUHRIMAN:

What part?

BARBARA:

Everything.

Barbara stands...

FUHRIMAN:

Where are you going?

BARBARA:

I'm leaving.

FUHRIMAN:

I need you to sit back down. This

interview is not over.

BARBARA:

I believe it is.

FUHRIMAN:

The interview is over when I say

it's over.

BARBARA:

Lawyer.

FUHRIMAN:

Excuse me?

BARBARA:

I want a lawyer.

Barbara leans forward and rests her arms and head on the

table.

FUHRIMAN:

How did you know about the cabin?

BARBARA:

Lawyer.

76.

Fuhriman stands and leaves the interview room.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. INTERVIEW ROOM 6 ADJOINING ROOM - DAY

Fuhriman walks into the adjoining room and stares at Barbara

through the one-way glass.

Ralph and Lawrence are sitting in an adjacent room to

interview room 6.

RALPH:

Cut her loose.

FUHRIMAN:

What?

RALPH:

We don't have anything solid. To

hold her now will destroy any

future charges.

FUHRIMAN:

I know you're right, but... She

feels right for this.

RALPH:

I agree, but what can we do?

LAWRENCE:

I'll go in and cut her loose.

RALPH:

Okay.

Lawrence leaves the room.

FUHRIMAN:

I find that broad too cocky.

RALPH:

She has done some research on the

law, I guess.

FUHRIMAN:

True.

RALPH:

Well, she looks good, but we have a

list of 800 suspects that we need

to eliminate before we can come

back to Mrs. Dalton.

77.

FUHRIMAN:

I understand.

RALPH:

I'm going up in the chopper to fly

around the jump zone one more time.

FUHRIMAN:

What are you looking for?

RALPH:

A parachute, a body... anything

that can make sense in this case.

Ralph stands to watch Lawrence escort Barbara out of the

interview room.

DISSOLVE TO:

YEARS LATER...

INT. FBI OFFICE WASHINGTON DC - DAY

NOMAD, 50s, African American Male, smoking a cigar, sits in a

large office next to the Director of the FBI's office. Nomad

looks out of the 10th-floor window into the mass of cars

sitting in the gridlock of the overpopulated city.

He picks up the phone on his desk and presses a clear button.

GINGER (V.O.)

(pleasant)

Yes, Assistant Director Nomad.

NOMAD:

Please come into my office for a

moment.

GINGER (V.O.)

I'll be right in.

GINGER, 30s, African American female dressed in a woman's

blue business suit, walks into Nomad's office. She takes a

seat across from Nomad's desk.

NOMAD:

Are you familiar with the DB Cooper

case?

GINGER:

Very.

78.

NOMAD:

Tell me, why do we have a whole

Seattle, Washington team working on

this case longer than you have been

alive?

GINGER:

I don't know, sir. I've looked over

their expenditures, costing the

department over three hundred

thousand dollars a year.

NOMAD:

Whoa... We need to shut it down

before the director gets wind of

it. I want you to handle this

personally.

GINGER:

Okay, I'll call Miriam and have her

cover my desk.

NOMAD:

Thank you, Agent.

GINGER:

You're welcome, sir.

NOMAD:

I have another question before you

go.

GINGER:

Sure, what is it?

NOMAD:

Why do you choose to work as my

assistant?

GINGER:

The pay is good, and I'm home by

five every day.

NOMAD:

I know, but you were such a great

agent, and then you requested to be

taken out of the field.

GINGER:

Administration is a better fit for

me, sir.

79.

NOMAD:

Okay, but if you ever want back in,

let me know.

GINGER:

Okay, but trust me... I'm over the

double O7 stuff.

Nomad laughs and salutes Ginger.

Ginger salutes back and then leaves the office.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DULLES AIRPORT - NIGHT

Ginger sits in the airport waiting area. She reads through

some files with the FBI seal on them. She hears an

announcement on the loud speaker and packs the case files

into her large pocketbook.

ANNOUNCER:

Flight 162 to Seattle is now

boarding at gate 12.

Ginger walks quickly to gate 12 and stands in line.

The STEWARDESS, 20s, Caucasian, walks over to Ginger.

STEWARDESS:

Business class?

GINGER:

Yes.

Ginger hands her the ticket.

The Stewardess smiles and walks her and two other people onto

the plane before everyone else.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. AIRPLANE - NIGHT

Ginger takes her seat in the business class section.

The plane loads quickly, and the doors are closed as they

prepare to take off. After several minutes the plane is in

the air.

Ginger raises her hand and orders a gin and tonic.

80.

The stewardess brings her the drink.

Ginger opens the case file and reads it until the plane

lands.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. AIRPORT TAXI WAITING AREA - NIGHT

There are lines of taxis waiting at the airport. There's no

one in the line, so Ginger opens the door carrying her

overnight bag and large pocketbook.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. TAXICAB - NIGHT

The taxi drives onto the interstate and then moves to a small

hotel in the business district called the Waterfront.

Ginger hands the driver her debit card, and he charges the

fare to it.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE WATERFRONT HOTEL - NIGHT

Ginger's hotel room is very elaborate. The room is a small

one-bedroom apartment. It has a living room, bedroom, and

den. The view of the city is beautiful from her window, and

she can see the FBI headquarters building.

Ginger picks up the phone and orders dinner and a large

bottle of wine. After dinner, she decides to take a walk

outside.

EXT. THE WATERFRONT HOTEL OUTERBANK - NIGHT

Ginger sits on a wall enjoying a cigarette.

Lawrence is walking along the hotel strip and stops when he

sees Ginger.

Ginger catches Lawrence's eyes looking at her.

Lawrence walks over and pulls out a cigarette from his pack.

LAWRENCE:

Can I get a beautiful light?

81.

GINGER:

(smiles)

Now you know you have a match, Mr.

Handsome.

LAWRENCE:

I do, but I thought we were a

match, so I asked for one.

GINGER:

(giggles)

I like you already. You want to go

and get some drinks.

LAWRENCE:

I most definitely do.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE WATERFRONT HOTEL -DAY

Lawrence rolls over in the large bed, and he places his hand

on Ginger's naked thigh. He glances at the clock and yawns.

Ginger rolls over under Lawrence's arm. She looks at the

clock and gets up. It's bright in the room, and she watches

Lawrence getting dressed. She notices his gun and holster.

LAWRENCE:

I'm not running out on you. I hope

we can see each other.

GINGER:

Of course, we can. I had a great

time with you. I live in DC, but

I'll be here for two to three

months for work.

LAWRENCE:

That's good. I was thinking about

transferring to DC.

GINGER:

That's good because we can see

where this leads. I don't randomly

meet men and sleep with them on the

first date.

LAWRENCE:

I never thought that.

82.

GINGER:

(smiles)

Good.

Lawrence leaves.

Ginger runs into the shower and gets ready to head to the

Seattle office.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FBI OFFICE SEATTLE WASHINGTON - DAY

It's 8 am and Ginger sits in the office of Fuhriman. He was

not there yet, so she showed her credentials and made herself

home at his desk.

It's 9 am and Ralph walks into the office.

Ginger stands and greets him.

RALPH:

Hi Deputy Inspector. You probably

don't remember me.

GINGER:

How's Joice Ralph?

RALPH:

(smiles)

She's good. I was just joking.

GINGER:

What are you doing down here?

RALPH:

This is my region.

GINGER:

Wow, are you still teaching us

recruits?

RALPH:

New... Shoot one more promotion for

you, and you'll be the director.

GINGER:

I'm in administration now. It got

to be too much for me out in the

field.

83.

RALPH:

Me too. I was brought in on this

case, but I'm mostly admin too.

GINGER:

Nothing wrong with that. It just

ensures that we make it to

retirement.

RALPH:

I agree... I'm curious about

something.

GINGER:

Sure.

RALPH:

What brings you here?

GINGER:

I've got to shut down the Norjak

case.

RALPH:

It is about time, I guess.

GINGER:

It's time we take this one as an

unsolved.

RALPH:

I'm on my retirement journey now.

I've been here for years, stuck

working on this case.

GINGER:

I feel for you, but you've done

well for yourself regarding your

work grade.

RALPH:

That is true. I'll be retired once

this case is closed.

GINGER:

I wish you all the best. It will

take us about three months to shut

this down and get all the records

sent to the archives.

RALPH:

Are you the official closer?

84.

GINGER:

Of course not... I'm behind the

scenes, and then one of the media

Agents will get on the news and

take credit for our work.

RALPH:

A few of our suspects are already

dead. The ones we thought were

guilty we had zero evidence.

Fuhriman walks into the office and sees Ralph and Ginger

talking. He stops and looks at her and immediately recognizes

her.

FUHRIMAN:

This can't be good if you're here.

GINGER:

(laughs)

Am I the evil one or something?

FUHRIMAN:

(smiles)

Now you know exactly what I'm

saying.

The three of them laugh.

GINGER:

Unfortunately, I'm shutting down

the Norjak case.

FUHRIMAN:

Shoot, I'm glad. I'm ready to

retire and have worked on this case

every day of my career. It's a

shame, though, because I wanted to

crack this case.

RALPH:

Me too.

Lawrence walks into the office and stares at Ginger, and she

stares back.

FUHRIMAN:

And here's the young agent on the

case.

RALPH:

Yes, he's been great for us. Now

that we're leaving, you're going to

be the senior agent.

85.

GINGER:

Hi Larry.

LAWRENCE:

Hi Ginger.

RALPH:

Do you two know each other?

LAWRENCE:

Yes, we do.

FUHRIMAN:

I dare ask how.

LAWRENCE:

It's a bit personal.

GINGER:

(smiles)

Yes, it's a bit personal.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE WATERFRONT HOTEL - NIGHT

Lawrence and Ginger sit on the edge of the bed, eating

dinner. He opens a bottle of juice and passes it to her. She

drinks it, hands it back to him, and he puts it on the table.

LAWRENCE:

How do we close this case?

GINGER:

First, we need to make sure we have

all the interviews on the computer.

Then we burn the data onto storage

drives, and then afterward do an

online data backup. Its a lot of

sitting around and making phone

calls.

LAWRENCE:

Okay, I'm up to it.

GINGER:

If not I can request you go on

another assignment.

LAWRENCE:

No I want to stay where you are.

86.

GINGER:

Are you coming to work in DC?

LAWRENCE:

I am and I will be administration

so its a 9 to 5 mostly unless

something out of the ordinary comes

up.

GINGER:

I know it, I'm living that dream

now myself.

LAWRENCE:

How is it?

GINGER:

It's good. I'm home every night.

LAWRENCE:

I was worried I may regret it.

GINGER:

You won't... and besides you won't

be alone, you'll be with me.

LAWRENCE:

That is the best part. I don't know

how I got so lucky to meet you.

GINGER:

I feel the same way.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. SEATTLE AIRPORT - DAY

Ginger walks through the airport terminal and asks the TA

officer to take her to the control tower. On their way to the

control tower, she was intercepted by OSCAR HINES, 40s,

Caucasian male, airport head TA officer.

Hines stops them at the entrance to the tower.

HINES:

How can we help you, Agent?

GINGER:

I need to get to the Airport's

control tower. Then I need all of

the data you have concerning

Norjak.

87.

HINES:

Norjak? What are you talking about?

GINGER:

If you stop delaying me, I can get

to the right people to get me the

information I need.

HINES:

Look, I'm the law here, so you

listen to me... You better have a

warrant.

GINGER:

I do, but since it's not for you,

I'll hand it to someone in the

tower.

GINGER GINGER:

Since you think it's your call,

I'll give you 30 seconds to move

out my way or call my agents and

have them arrest you.

TA Hines moves over and lets Ginger pass.

INT. TOWER CONTROL SERVRE ROOM- DAY

XAVIER, African American male, 40s, Airport IT, transfers the

data onto external drives and erases their information from

their servers.

Ginger sits inside the tower in the server room with the

tech.

Xavier removes the large external drive from being attached

to the server and places it into an archive box.

XAVIER:

It's all done.

GINGER:

Everything is erased from your

servers?

XAVIER:

Yes.

GINGER:

And the backup servers?

88.

XAVIER:

Yes, I took them offline and

deleted their cache and databases.

GINGER:

Thank you.

Xavier leaves the tower leaving Ginger in the server room by

herself.

Ginger makes a phone call.

GINGER (CONT'D)

We're ready.

RALPH (V.O.)

I'm sending the escorts now. They

should be to you in five minutes.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SEATTLE AIRPORT - DAY

A large white truck with no tags and no license plates is

escorted by black unmarked cars with siren light bars to the

front of the airport's entrance. FBI officers are all dressed

in black riot gear with AR-15 assault rifles.

They rolled a large box into the terminal.

The TA police tried to stop them, and they continued walking

with their federal shields hanging around their neck.

Hines walked out into the airport lobby and waved for his men

to let them pass.

HINES:

(yells)

Let them pass!

The TA officers just stood by and watched as the Agents

walked past the metal detectors ringing. The Agents didn't

stop walking, and they made eye contact with everyone as they

passed through the metal detectors.

Passengers in the airport moved quickly out of their way as

the Agents passed them. The agents headed straight to the

server room.

DISSOLVE TO:

89.

INT. TOWER CONTROL SERVER ROOM - DAY

The Agents are all inside the server room packing the

external drives.

Ginger hands AGENT 6 a form to sign.

Agent 6 looks at the form, counts the external drives, signs

it, and hands it back to Ginger.

Ginger takes the form, and then they leave.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SEATTLE AIRPORT - DAY

Ginger stands outside her vehicle on the phone.

Hines walks up to her and reaches his hand out to shake hers.

Ginger declines and disconnects her phone call.

GINGER:

What do you need, Mr. Hines?

HINES:

I am sorry for the way I

disrespected you.

GINGER:

I'm used to it. I'm a woman, and

I'm black... It comes with the

territory.

HINES:

Well, for what it's worth. I

apologize.

GINGER:

Thank you, I do appreciate it.

Ginger reaches out her hand and is now willing to shake.

They shake hands.

Ginger gets into her car and drives away.

Ginger calls from her car phone.

GINGER (CONT'D)

It's all erased... The hard

evidence has been secured and is

being transferred to the archive.

90.

Ginger hands up.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FBI OFFICE SEATTLE WASHINGTON - DAY

Ginger sits around and watches Ralph packing.

Fuhriman walks into the office and sits with her.

GINGER:

Don't you need to pack?

FUHRIMAN:

I still have another five weeks

before I'm able to retire.

GINGER:

Okay, so I and you will be here

together until that time.

FUHRIMAN:

Yes. I think Lawrence is staying

with us.

GINGER:

I heard he is, and then he's off to

DC.

FUHRIMAN:

Here he comes now.

Lawrence walks into the office smiling and holding two cups

of coffee.

LAWRENCE:

Here you go.

Lawrence hands Ginger a cup of coffee.

GINGER:

(smiles)

Thank you.

FUHRIMAN:

If I were a thinking man, I would

suspect you two are sweet on each

other.

GINGER:

I hope you are not a thinking man.

91.

FUHRIMAN:

I am, but what I'm not is a

tattling man.

GINGER:

(smiles)

We thank you for that.

LAWRENCE:

(smiles)

I concur.

GINGER:

What are you going to do when you

retire?

RALPH:

The good thing about retirement is

that I don't have to do anything.

GINGER:

No way you'll make it. If you don't

have something to do, you will

drive yourself crazy.

RALPH:

That's true... So I've got a golf

membership, which should hold me

for the next 20 years.

GINGER:

Well, that's a plan for the summer,

but what happens when it's cold

outside?

LAWRENCE:

Or raining.

RALPH:

I'll chill at home with my wife.

GINGER:

A little Netflix and chill.

RALPH:

(laughs)

Heck yeah!! I'm not too old for

that.

GINGER:

I'm sure you're not.

92.

Ralph packs the rest of the things and then hugs everyone. On

his way out the door, he stops and looks at his old office

again for several minutes. A lone tear runs down his face as

he closes the door and leaves the office for the last time.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SEATTLE AIRPORT - DAY

AGENT MEDINA stands in front of several hundred reporters.

They are all holding their microphones in his face. He takes

one step back and looks over to his left. He motions for

Ginger to come and stand next to him at the podium.

MEDINA:

Attention everyone... We have some

important information to share.

Today we regret to inform everyone

that we are closing the DB Cooper

case.

MEDINA MEDINA:

He was the man who skyjacked an

airplane and demanded a ransom.

Somewhere between here and Reno, he

jumped out of the moving plane with

a parachute strapped to his back.

NEWSMAN 1

Isn't it true that no one could

have survived a jump from that high

in such lousy weather?

MEDINA:

Ginger, if you would.

Ginger steps up to the podium and the microphone.

GINGER:

Most of us believed the same thing.

Unfortunately, as we started

investigating this case, we found

many others who did it and

survived. We also found several

suspects that fit the bill.

MEDINA:

So the FBI knows the identity of DB

Cooper?

GINGER:

We do not. If we did, this case

would not be closing.

(MORE)

93.

GINGER (CONT'D)

Several agents have spent their

whole careers tracking down a

ghost. Every turn, in this case,

has been a mystery. People have

accused their husbands, uncles, and

friends of being Dan Cooper or the

one you call DB Cooper.

NEWSCASTER 2

So the FBI is giving up.

GINGER:

The FBI never gives up. If we

thought we had more evidence, we

would continue, but most suspects

and witnesses are too old to give

us a believable account. As time

passes, stories change, and actual

events get mixed with fiction; it's

just how it is.

NEWSCASTER 2

So what happens now?

GINGER:

Now we close the case. We encourage

anyone with information concerning

this case please call us. But until

we get any credible information,

this case is officially closed.

NEWSCASTER 1

One more question, agent?

GINGER:

Yes, please go ahead.

NEWSCASTER 1

What do you believe?

GINGER:

Meaning?

NEWSCASTER 1

I mean, what do you believe? Do you

think Db Cooper died during the

jump?

GINGER:

I did at first.

NEWSCASTER 1

What about now?

94.

GINGER:

I think Dan Cooper jumped,

survived, then made it, and stayed

in Seattle. We have one person who

had a sex change with a grudge, and

we have another man who hijacked

the airline twice and both times

escaped by jumping out of the

plane. There is so much proof that

a man can jump and survive, but we

don't have the proof to pin it on

one person.

NEWSCASTER 1

That's too bad.

GINGER:

It is, but we have so many other

cases that need to be resolved that

we must move forward. This is a

great mystery here. I'll turn it

back over to my colleague Mr.

Medina.

Ginger walks off the stage as Median continues to speak.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. FBI OFFICE WASHINGTON DC - NIGHT

Ginger sits outside the FBI building in DC and watches people

walking by. She gets up, sips on her coffee, reaches into her

pocketbook and looks at her phone. The screen has no calls.

She puts the phone back in her pocketbook and walks into the

FBI building.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FBI OFFICE WASHINGTON DC - NIGHT

Ginger sits in her office chair. Her new office has a

beautiful view of Washington DC, an enormous mahogany desk, a

large computer screen, and a black leather chair. The carpet

is a light tan that matches the credenza against the wall.

She has a large television hanging on her wall, showing CNN.

The office is empty. The office is dark.

Ginger leans back on her chair and closes her eyes. The night

passes, and morning comes before she wakes. She stands and

looks at her computer.

95.

She opens her emails and sees 20 emails regarding DB Cooper.

She opens them one by one, which takes up all her mornings.

Nomad walks into Ginger's office, and he smiles.

NOMAD:

Welcome back!

GINGER:

And thank you for this office.

NOMAD:

Are you kidding me?

GINGER:

I'm serious.

NOMAD:

We both know you should have my

job. The only reason I still have

it is my family's involvement in

politics.

NOMAD NOMAD:

Soon though, you are going to be

the boss.

GINGER:

I doubt it. I'm enjoying my new

position, though.

NOMAD:

9 to 5 still, but I saw you

sleeping in this office when I came

in. I assume you were here all

night.

GINGER:

You caught me.

NOMAD:

What about your personal life?

GINGER:

Ah... I thought I had one, but he's

so far from me.

NOMAD:

Well, then, you need to change

that.

GINGER:

What do you mean?

96.

NOMAD:

You're running your team. You call

the shots. If you want to work

remotely, then do it.

GINGER:

(smiles)

I don't know. I'll think about it.

NOMAD:

Yes, please do that. The one thing

I've learned about working here is

that I still need to maintain a

personal life.

GINGER:

I agree.

Ginger looks down at her phone, and still, she has no calls.

NOMAD:

Well, go home and get changed, and

when you return, I bet everything

will have changed.

GINGER:

How can you be so sure?

NOMAD:

Trust me. I'm good with things like

that.

GINGER:

Okay, I'll be back in a few hours.

NOMAD:

Take your time. We can take it from

here.

Ginger stands and grabs her pocketbook and phone. She walks

to the elevator.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. GINGER'S HOME - DAY

Ginger's home is a cute small house with two bedrooms in the

suburbs of DC. She finishes her shower and walks into her

bedroom. She picks up her phone off the bed and stares at

Larry's number. She then tosses her phone onto the bed, gets

dressed, and leaves home.

DISSOLVE TO:

97.

INT. GINGER'S CAR - DAY

Ginger is driving in her car, so she's stuck in gridlock

traffic.

PHONE RINGS...

GINGER:

Hello?

FUHRIMAN:

I'm in DC. Can you pick me up?

GINGER:

(excited)

What are you doing here?

FUHRIMAN:

I've got to attend a special event

at headquarters.

GINGER:

I thought you retired?

FUHRIMAN:

I did this is something really

special.

GINGER:

Okay, where are you?

FUHRIMAN:

At the bus station.

GINGER:

I'll be there in ten minutes. Meet

me out front.

FUHRIMAN:

Okay, see you soon.

Ginger pulls up in front of the bus station and blows the

horn. She sees Fuhriman wearing a suit and tie but has no

luggage. She raises her hand out of the window while tapping

the horn.

Fuhriman gets into the car.

Ginger hugs him.

GINGER:

You're looking good.

98.

FUHRIMAN:

Retirement agrees with me.

GINGER:

Well, that's what I love to hear.

FUHRIMAN:

How far are we from the office?

GINGER:

I think it will be about 15

minutes; there's a little traffic

out here, so it may be a little

longer.

FUHRIMAN:

That's fine.

Fuhriman checks his watch.

Ginger looks at him.

GINGER:

What time is the event?

FUHRIMAN:

I've got time.

GINGER:

I'll try and make it quick. The

elevators are slow are hell,

though.

Ginger parks in front of the FBI headquarters building. She

pulls out her FBI parking plaque from her glove compartment.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FBI OFFICE WASHINGTON DC - DAY

Ginger walks in and checks Fuhriman in with her.

Fuhriman pushes the up button.

He and ginger get into the elevator.

INT. FBI OFFICE WASHINGTON DC - DAY

Ginger is in her office typing an email.

Fuhriman and Nomad walk in.

99.

NOMAD:

Can you come with us, please?

GINGER:

Right now!

NOMAD:

Yes... It's rather urgent.

GINGER:

Okay, let me log off.

Ginger follows them as they rush into the kitchen.

INT. FBI OFFICE WASHINGTON DC KITCHEN - DAY

Lawrence stands in the center of ten agents and is on his

knee.

Ginger gasps when she sees him on his knee.

Lawrence opens a small blue velvet box. Inside there is a

giant diamond ring.

LAWRENCE:

Ginger, will you marry me?

Ginger has tears flowing from her eyes.

GINGER:

(smiles)

Yes, of course, I will.

Lawrence puts the ring on Ginger's finger. He stands, and

they hug and kiss.

Nomad and Fuhriman all clap and cheer.

GINGER (CONT'D)

Fuhriman... did you come here for

this? I was dying wondering why I

hadn't heard from Larry. All you

guys were in on it?

FUHRIMAN:

I'm so sorry, and to make it even

worse. I deliberately went to the

bus station to delay you. We needed

more time to get ready.

GINGER:

I love you guys.

100.

They all hug together.

FUHRIMAN:

Even though we closed the DB Cooper

case... It did something unique...

It brought us all together.

FADE TO BLACK.

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