The Deer Hunter Page #10

EXT. CLEARING IN THE JUNGLE - HEAVY RAIN - DAY

As the PRISONERS emerge from the "tiger cage" the GUARDS

smash them with their rifle butts, screaming orders. In the

melee SAL is separated from NICK and MERLE, both of whom are

knocked to the ground by furious blows. When they get to

their feet they see that SAL is wandering off alone in the

direction of the "pits". One of the GUARDS spots SAL and

clubs him down.

SAL gets up and begins wandering off again. The GUARD clubs

him down again, turns to the GUARD IN CHARGE and begins

complaining. The GUARD IN CHARGE dispatches a SECOND GUARD to

help the FIRST and the TWO GUARDS open the bamboo grating on

one of the "pits".

MERLE turns to NICK, who is standing beside him.

MERLE:

It's up to you, Nick. Now it's up

to you.

EXT. CLEARING IN THE JUNGLE - THE "PITS" - DAY

SAL has absolutely no comprehension of what is about to

happen to him. His eyes are dreamy, far away, as if he had

mentally transported himself to some distant place. There are

great gashes in his head from the blows he has received and

as he stands waiting in the pouring rain he looks exactly

like a very small child who has experienced some terrible

confusion.

Suddenly the GUARD standing beside SAL wrenches him around.

We see the pit now, CLOSE UP. There are four bloated CORPSES

floating in the muck.

We SAL'S FACE, CLOSE UP. He gives a CRY and tries to turn

away.

We see the GUARDS pick SAL up, SCREAMING. We see the SPLASH

as SAL hits the water and then we see him surface between the

bloated CORPSES, STILL SCREAMING, paddling desperately and

trying to find something solid to hod him up.

EXT. CLEARING IN THE JUNGLE - WAITING PRISONERS - DAY

NICK stands motionless, stunned, listening to SAL'S SCREAMS.

MERLE has his attention focused on the GUARD IN CHARGE and

when he glances in their direction MERLE slugs NICK in the

stomach and begins beating him furiously to the ground. NICK

struggles to his feet. MERLE attacks him again and now, as

the GUARD IN CHARGE comes over to see what's going on, MERLE

begins hopping up and down, pointing at NICK, pointing at the

revolver in the GUARD'S hand and screaming.

MERLE:

Him and me!!! Him and me!!!

The GUARDS look at each other, interested.

MERLE (CONT'D)

Him and me, goddamn it! Him and me!

INT. THATCHED HUT - HEAVY RAIN - DAY

MERLE and NICK sit facing one another across the rose

patterned kitchen table. The GUARDS are all grinning and even

the SOUTH VIETNAMESE are watching with grim fascination. NICK

has the revolver. He is trembling visibly. Already MERLE has

managed to draw the GUARDS in closer and as NICK spins the

cylinder and c*cks the hammer MERLE jumps up and begins

pounding on the table.

MERLE:

This is it, motherfuckers! Now he's

going to do it! Watch! You watch!

NICK almost loses what little control is left and his hand

begins shaking violently.

MERLE (CONT'D)

Look at him! See! This is it and he

knows it!

Side bets begin changing hands.

MERLE (CONT'D)

Last chance to lose your money

there, guys. Goodbye money! Hurry,

hurry. Here he goes!

NICK puts the revolver against his temple and pulls the

trigger. There is a dull CLICK.

NICK puts the revolver back on the table. His hand is shaking

so badly it falls with a clunk. MERLE grabs it, spins it,

sticks it to his temple and CLICKS OUT, talking all the time:

MERLE (CONT'D)

This is stupid! You understand

stupid? On and on! At this rate

we'll still be here tomorrow!

(throws the revolver on

the table)

Wait a minute. I know! Hey, I got

it. More! Put in more! You

understand more? More! More

bullets!

(he mimes with his

fingers)

Three bullets! You understand

three? That way BLAM! BOOM!

MERLE hops up and down, laughing maniacally.

MERLE (CONT'D)

KA-POWIE!!! BA-ROOM!!!... 'Cause I

want that bastard! Him I want boom!

Him or me!!!

The GUARD IN CHARGE looks at his COMPANIONS. They all begin

shouting for him to go ahead. The GUARD IN CHARGE purses his

lips, as if imitating a general coming to a decision, and

then nods his assent. The GUARDS all howl. MERLE joins right

in.

MERLE (CONT'D)

He's terrific! Great f***ing guy!

The GUARD IN CHARGE takes the revolver, opens the cylinder

and begins sticking in two more cartridges.

MERLE (CONT'D)

KA-POW!!! BA-ROOMIE!!!

MERLE hops up and down again, then screams at NICK, jabbing

his finger at him, as if in fury.

MERLE (CONT'D)

Both of us may have to pull on

this, so get your sh*t in f***in'

shape!!!

(to the GUARDS)

Him or me!!! Now we got it, him or

me!!!

(he rubs his hands and

sits back down)

Place your bets, motherfuckers! Now

we're going! Now we got a game!

The GUARD IN CHARGE places the revolver on the table, spins

it.

MERLE (CONT'D)

Watch! Now watch! He's going to get

it. And then KA-POW! BA-ROOMIE!!!

The muzzle stops pointing at MERLE. MERLE scowls, looks over

at the GUARD IN CHARGE. The GUARD IN CHARGE has lifted the

barrel of his AK 47 and is watching him with caution. The

OTHER GUARDS, who are totally caught up in the game, are

yelling and shouting.

MERLE:

You guys think I'm in trouble,

right?

MERLE picks up the revolver, spins the cylinder, c*cks it...

MERLE (CONT'D)

No way! Never!!!

(he begins to chant)

MERLE IS MIGHTY! -- HA!

MERLE IS STRONG! -- HA!

MERLE IS MAGIC! -- HA!

MERLE LIVES LONG!

Lemme hear it. Come on,

motherfuckers, lemme hear it!

MERLE starts it again. The GUARDS who are bett ing on him

JOIN IN:

MERLE (CONT'D)

(with GUARDS)

MERLE IS MIGHTY! -- HA!

MERLE IS STRONG! -- HA!

MERLE IS MAGIC! -- HA!

MERLE LIVES LONG!

MERLE takes a glance at the GUARD IN CHARGE again. The GUARD

IN CHARGE is still eyeing him with caution.

MERLE places the revolver to his temple... and CLICKS into an

empty chamber.

MERLE (CONT'D)

See! Nothing to it.

He pushes the gun across to NICK. Then he stabs his finger at

him, screaming again, as if in a fit of rage.

MERLE (CONT'D)

You got an empty chamber and it's

in your mind! Just put that empty

chamber in the gun!

NICK looks down at the revolver and picks it up. He stares at

MERLE for a moment. Then he spins the cylinder, c*cks the

hammer, Puts it to his head... and CLICKS into an empty

chamber.

The GUARDS let out expressions of disbelief. Those betting on

NICK begin taunting those betting on MERLE.

MERLE sits motionless, as if stunned, as if utterly defeated,

his brow furrowed in a mighty frown.

NICK pushes the revolver across the table. His face is

twitching but he gives the gesture a certain flair, as if

throwing back a challenge.

MERLE stares at the revolver -- stares at it with an

expression of utter gloom. Then he reaches out, takes the

revolver in his hand and pulls it toward him, as if he no

longer possessed the strength to pick it up.

MERLE (CONT'D)

(gloom)

Who's for Merle?

(he thumps his fist on the

table)

Is anyone for Merle???

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