Passenger 57 Page #9

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Sly, Ramsay and Cale are watching from nearby.

CALE:

Given that, it seems unlikely Wolfgang would intentionally crash the plane.

SLY:

Highly.

RAMSAY:

Can you say the same for your friend. Cutter?

There's a big commotion as an entourage of FBI agents enter the room. They look like clones of each other � tall, cropped hair, conservative dark suits. Their leader, JAMES WEBB approaches Sly. Webb is in his fifties, tough as they come -- completely devoid of humor.

WEBB:

Sly.

SLY:

Hello, Jim. Addison Cale and Stuart Ramsay... James Webb of the F.B.I.

WEBB:

Gentlemen.

RAMSAY:

I'm glad you're here. I'd like to have a word with you about transporting dangerous criminals on commercial aircraft --

WEBB:

Some other time.

(to Sly)

I understand John Cutter's on board 694.

(CONTINUED)

SLY:

That's right.

WEBB:

Do you think he can be trusted to keep a cool head?

SLY:

Oh, absolutely.

The Technician monitoring the A.F.C. interrupts with an announcement.

TECHNICIAN:

Confirmed. 694 has made an emergency landing at Lake Lucille, Louisiana.

The staff greets this news with joy and relief. But Sly, Webb, Ramsay and Cale are not ready to celebrate. They find a map of Louisiana and locate Lake Lucille.

SLY:

Talk about the boondocks.

CUT TO:

112 OMITTED 112

113 EXT. LAKE LUCILLE AIRFIELD - APPROACH ROAD - NIGHT 113

Headlights FILL the SCREEN as three police cruisers speed TOWARD CAMERA, SIRENS WHOOPING and bubble-tops flashing. As the third cruiser CLEARS CAMERA, we WHIP-PAN WITH it. The cruisers are hauling ass to the airfield. SLOWLY CRANE UP.

In the distance, we see the tiny terminal and control tower. But beyond that --a truly staggering sight. Dwarfing everything around it like Gulliver in Lilliput, is the awesome amd immense 747, squatting on the tarmac. It gleams in the moonlight like some great silver monster.

114 INT. 747 - MAIN CABIN 114

The Indian throws Marti into a seat near Rita and Sly. He points a warning finger at her. "Stay." Marti glares at him.

115 EXT. RUNWAY PERIMETER 115

The three police cruisers pull up alongside the Tower, aiming their headlights at the 747. Police officers scramble out with assault weapons, taking cover beside their vehicles.

116 INT. CONTROL TOWER 116

Frank and Nora Alien stare in amazement at the huge airliner.

FRANK:

(into his headset)

694, that was one hell of a landing. Welcome to Lake Lucille.

WOLFGANG (V.O.)

So much for Southern hospitality. Now get a fuel truck out here in two minutes or I start tossing out bodies.

Frank and Nora react to Wolfgang's chilling threat. Just then, the door to the tower flies open and POLICE CHIEF BIGGS swaggers in, followed by two officers. Biggs is in his fifties, muscle gone to fat, a cracker cop who'd never admit he's out of his depth in a situation like this.

NORA:

Chief Biggs...

Biggs goes to the window and peers out at the 747. He puts his hands on his hips, cowboy-style.

BIGGS:

I got orders from the F.B.I, to take charge 'til they get here.

(jabbing a finger at the 747)

Now get me those sonsabitches on the horn.

117 INT. 747 - FLIGHT DECK 117

Wolfgang considers his options. Priest peers out the cockpit window at the police bordering the runway perimeter.

PRIEST:

What're we going to do?

WOLFGANG:

Now that we're on the ground, we're going to turn our disadvantage into an advantage.

PRIEST:

What about 'Geronimo?'

WOLFGANG:

It was a beautiful plan but hardly useful in our present condition.

The RADIO SQUAWKS,

This is Lucille

BIGGS (V.O.)

Chief Biggs of the Lake Police Department.

Wolfgang looks at Priest and smiles.

WOLFGANG:

Good. If Andy of Mayberry is calling the shots, it means the F.B.I, hasn't arrived yet.

(into his headset)

Talk to me. Chief.

BIGGS (V.O.)

You want fuel? I'll swap you for it. You give me the passengers and I'll give you the fuel. How's that sound?

Wolfgang becomes folksy and amiable, subtly mocking Biggs,

WOLFGANG:

(into his headset)

Looks like you got me over a barrel, good buddy. I'll give you half the passengers now and the other half when the fuel's delivered. That fair enough?

INT. CONTROL TOWER

Biggs is puffed up, confident he'll come out of this a big hero.

BIGGS:

You let us know when you're ready.

118 CONTINUED:
118

Biggs releases the mike and strokes his several chins.

BIGGS:

Once we get those passengers off, we'll shoot out his goddamn tires.

There's a COMMOTION OUTSIDE. Everybody turns as the burly Security COP is shoved in through the open door, followed by Cutter.

CUTTER:

Somebody lose this?

BIGGS:

What the...

COP:

(to Biggs)

He took my gun!

CUTTER:

I was afraid he might hurt himself with it.

Cutter tosses the gun to Biggs who catches it and reacts with outrage.

BIGGS:

Who the hell are you?

CUTTER:

John Cutter. I was a passenger on that plane until one of the terrorists showed me the door. Are you in charge here?

BIGGS:

You're damn right I'm in charge here. What's the idea of roughing up my officer?

CUTTER:

I'm a security specialist working for Trans Pacific.

Cutter hands Biggs his wallet and I.D. Biggs looks it over.

BIGGS:

California?

CUTTER:

It's a state out west. Look, we're wasting time. I have intelligence relating to the terrorists. You want it or not?

BIGGS:

It don't say nothing here about you working for Trans Pacific. For all I know you could be one of them terrorists trying to pull a fast one.

CUTTER:

And for all I know you could be a cop -- but I doubt it.

BIGGS:

Understand something. Even if you're who you say you are, you don't come in here and start throwing your weight around. This is my airfield, my rescue --

CUTTER:

(indicating 747)

And their funeral. You want that on your head?

Nora approaches Biggs with a telephone. 'Chief

NORA:

Trans Pacific.

BIGGS:

(into the phone)

Biggs.

INTERCUTTING WITH:

118A INT. TRANS PACIFIC BOARDROOM NIGHT 118A

Sly, Webb, Ramsay and Cale are grouped around a speaker.

WEBB:

Chief, this is James Webb of the F.B.I. I'm in Orlando with the executive officers of Trans Pacific. Can you tell us what's happening?

BIGGS:

The plane's on the ground and we're negotiating for the passengers' release. We're gonna swap 'em fuel for passengers.

RAMSAY:

Has anyone been hurt?

BIGGS:

Not unless you count one of my officers who got his nose bloodied by a fella who says he works for you -- John Cutter.

SLY:

(amazed)

Cutter's there? How'd he get off the plane?

BIGGS:

He says he was pushed.

SLY:

(anxious)

Is he all right? Put him on.

BIGGS:

(to Cutter)

Pick up that line over there.

Cutter picks up another phone.

CUTTER:

(into the phone)

This is Cutter.

SLY:

Sounds like you've been busy.

CUTTER:

Well, I had a hell of a time getting the plane on the ground.

SLY:

How'd you do it?

CUTTER:

I dumped the fuel.

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