Starship Troopers Page #4

Johnny stomps out, the transporter goes ZAPPP !

MOTHER:

Why did you go and do that ? He was all

ready to go Zegema Beach !

FATHER:

Teenagers !

27INTUNI HIGH GYMNASIUM - NIGHT - EVERYONE

at the "Farewell Dance" is dressed up. Rasczak and other TEACHERS

chaperon. A spotlight finds the BAND LEADER.

BAND LEADER:

Alright, everybody, this is the last dance, so

let's turn down the lights and make it a

slow one.

The lights go down. Dizzy, dressed pretty, brightens when she sees Johnny

standing alone near the dance floor.

DIZZY:

Hey, Rico, wanna dance ?

JOHNNY:

Actually, Diz, I promised Carmen...

DIZZY:

Too bad for her if she's not around.

Dizzy pulls him onto the floor, holds him close.

DIZZY:

You know, it's sad... Most of us probably

won't see each other again after tonight.

There is an invitation here. Johnny doesn't take it.

JOHNNY:

You still gonna play for Brazil ?

DIZZY:

Looks like, unless Tokyo lets me start.

JOHNNY:

Well, anyone who gets you is lucky.

DIZZY:

How come we never got together ?

Dizzy looks at Johnny meaningfully. He's distracted. Carmen crosses

the room, stunning in her formal.

JOHNNY:

Can't we just be friends, Diz ?

DIZZY:

Sure.

JOHNNY:

Uh, look, Diz...

DIZZY:

Guess you gotta go.

JOHNNY:

You're the best.

Johnny heads for Carmen. Dizzy watches jealously as Carmen takes

his hand. She looks around for someone to dance with.

Carl, a nerd in a tux, waves shyly.

28INTGYMNASIUM - DANCE FLOOR - NIGHT - CARMEN AND JOHNNY

dance. Johnny wants to kiss her, Carmen playfully avoids.

JOHNNY:

Isn't it great to be in love ?

CARMEN:

How do I know if this is love ?

JOHNNY:

It wouldn't be so romantic if we weren't...

CARL:

Outa the way you two !

Carl and Dizzy dance by, Dizzy smiling bravely because Carl is a terrible dancer.

Johnny goes in for the kiss again.

CARMEN:

Romance is just a vestigial biological

response to procreation...

JOHNNY:

Aw, you're in love with me...

You just dont know it yet.

Johnny's confidence makes her smile. Johnny moves in to kiss her,

but the music ends. Everyone applauds. The lights come up and

people head for the doors. Johnny sees Rasczak.

JOHNNY:

Wait, I want to talk to Mr. Rasczak.

CARMEN:

I'll meet you outside.

Johnny heads over to Rasczak.

JOHNNY:

Mister Rasczak ?

RASCZAK:

What is it, Rico ?

JOHNNY:

I just wanted to say thanks 'cause History

and Moral Philosophy was the best class

I had this year.

RASCZAK:

(smiling)

Well, it's not really my job to please.

Hope you learned something.

JOHNNY:

I wanna join up, Mr. Rasczak. I think I

have what it take to be a citizen.

RASCZAK:

Good for you. Go find out.

JOHNNY:

Well, my parents are against it, and I

know it's my choice, but I was

wondering...

What would you do if you were me ?

RASCZAK:

Figuring things out for yourself is the

only freedom anyone really has.

Use that freedom.

Make your own choice, Rico.

29EXTUNI HIGH GYMNASIUM - NIGHT - JOHNNY

walks out and finds Carmen talking with Zander. He wears the blue

uniform of a Fleet pilot trainee. Carmen examines his FLEET PIN,

a pair of silver wings.

CARMEN:

Johnny, this is Zander.

ZANDER:

Yeah, we know each other from the game.

No hard feeling, eh, chum ?

JOHNNY:

None at all... We won.

CARMEN:

Good luck at the academy.

Zander takes back the wings and pins the to his tunic.

ZANDER:

Always.

30EXTPROMENADE - NIGHT - JOHNNY AND CARMEN

walk together along the river holding hands.

CARMEN:

He just got accepted to the Fleet Academy.

Isn't that great ?

JOHNNY:

Yeah, sure, I guess.

CARMEN:

No, I mean if he can get in, maybe I have a

chance.

JOHNNY:

What are you talking about ? We both know

you're gonna be a pilot.

CARMEN:

Zander is going for pilot, too.

JOHNNY:

You two have so much in common.

Carmen pulls Johnny to a stop, looks him in the eye.

CARMEN:

Johnny Rico, you're jealous !

JOHNNY:

I can't help it.

CARMEN:

He's nothing like you.

JOHNNY:

I don't even know if you're my girl.

Carmen smiles, leans in close to Johnny.

CARMEN:

Are you the boy for me ?

JOHNNY:

I'm gonna do it, Carmen. I'm gonna sign

up for Federal Service.

They kiss, tentatively, but the passion grows and they break apart,

breathless.

CARMEN:

Oh, Johnny...

31EXTPUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - NIGHT - JOHNNY AND CARMEN

making out as they wait their turn. There are a few other people around

including a POLICEMAN.

CARMEN:

Everyone's looking... we shouldn't...

JOHNNY:

Who cares ?

CARMEN:

You're right. Let's never stop...

POLICEMAN:

Hey, you, there's a place for that !

Without stopping, Johnny pulls Carmen into the flux.ZAPPP !

32INTFEDERAL HOUSING - NIGHT - JOHNNY AND CARMEN

kissing at her front door. Johnny moves his hand tenatively to Carmen 's breast.

She takes his hand, smiling, puts it under her shirt.

JOHNNY:

I love you, Carmen.

CARMEN:

Shhh...

She puts her mouth on his and they melt together. The door flies open,

and CARMEN'S DAD stands there.

CARMEN'S DAD

Carmen, it's late. Get inside.

CARMEN:

Sorry, Dad. See you, Johnny.

Carmen ducks inside. Her father looks Johnny over. He carries a terrible

battle scar oon his face.

CARMEN'S DAD

I don't want you around Carmen anymore. Get me ?

JOHNNY:

Maybe Carmen's gonna make her own decisions from

now on, Mr. Ibanez.

Carmen's Dad reddens. He'd like to punch Johnny out.

CARMEN'S DAD

Carmen's gonna be a citizen. She don't need you

and your rich family. The Federation'll give her

everything she needs.

CARMEN (O.S.)

Dad, leave him alone...

Carmen's Dad slams the door in Johnny's face.

33EXTFEDERAL BUILDING - DAY - JOHNNY AND CARMEN

meet Carl in front of the induction center where a staedy flow of prospective

citizens file through the main doors.

34INTLOBBY - DAY - THE RECRUITING SERGEANT

is missing one arm. He smiles broadly at the three teenagers.

RECRUITING SERGEANT

Fresh meat for the grinder, eh ?

CARL:

That's us. Where do we sign ?

He turns in his chair to grab the forms. Johnny and his friends see that he is also

missing both legs. The Recruiting Sergeant catches them looking,

smiles even wider.

RECRUITING SERGEANT

Here and here and here.

As he signs, Johnny looks at the campaign ribbons on the Recruiting Sergeant's

chest. We hear MUSIC: "The Mobile Infantery Anthem" plays softly in honor

of distant battles.

RECRUITING SERGEANT

Welcome to the adventure of Federal Service.

Follow the blue line.

35INTPROCESSING HALL - DAY - JOHNNY, CARMEN AND CARL

are routed into different lines, joining other hopeful civilians.

A COLONEL makes a speech over the loudspeaker.

COLONEL:

There is no guarantee of service. We don't need

all of you. It costs a great deal to train human beings

for useful tasks. Many jobs are hazardous to your

health. If you are chosen and do not wish to serve

you may resign at anytime simply by completing

form 1240/A. Thank you for exercising you

constitutonal rights.

36INTCHANGING ROOM -- DAY -- JOHNNY

and others in the line strip down. The guy in front of Johnny is

DON, 18, athletic and cheerful.

DON:

They took my sister, they'll take anybody.

37INTTESTING FACILITY -- DAY -- JOHNNY

Rate this script:4.0 / 2 votes