The Hunters Page #2

I, um...

I'm sorry, honey, I...

I got with a bunch of guys. | You know how it is.

- I ran into Major, uh... What's his name? | - Saville.

Oh, yeah. That's right. Saville.

He's a big man.

He and Imil - old buddies.

Killers.

Well, what do you know?

Saville.

- You mean the major with all the confetti? | - Yeah. That's the Cleaver. Come on.

- Hello, Cleaver. | - Colonel Imil.

- It's still Dutch. | - Thanks, Dutch.

Monkey Moncavage. Maybe you've heard | of him. He's got a large reputation - 11 MiGs.

It's a well-known name. | Glad to know you, Colonel.

- Pleasure, Major. | - Hey, knock it off. Knock it off.

- All right, knock it. | - This is Cleaver Saville.

We were flying together when all a pilot had | for breakfast was a cigarette and a hangover.

He's a big hunter. He's the iceman.

Get to know him, he's worth the trouble. | But don't fly with him unless you want action.

Come to the office.

You're going to like it here, Major. | It's only 24 miles to the shower.

Well, this is my home away from home.

We've seen worse.

Judas, this junk is heavy.

- Do you really need that? | - It's a little flash.

Makes me look younger.

I gotta keep up with these jetjockeys.

Before God, there's a lot of good men | going down in this stinkin' war.

- Did anybody tell you it's a stinkin' war? | - Nobody but everybody.

No guts.

It's a war you can't feel. There's nothing | simple about it like the last one.

Except dying - that's always simple.

Sometimes I forget what this one's all about.

- More? | - No, no, not for me, thanks.

They tell you how crummy | these Chinese MiG pilots are?

Oh, yeah. We got statistics. | They lose thirteen to our one.

Sure. 13 to one.

But what they don't tell you is that | when one of 'em is good, he's too good.

Casey Jones, for instance. | You've heard of him, haven't you?

- You're kiddin'? | - I'm not kiddin'.

A Chinese pilot named Casey Jones.

He has a plane with the numbers 7-11 | on the fuselage.

Don't ask me why. | Maybe he's a crapshooter. Look.

The MiGs are based in Red China, | across the Yalu river.

We've got orders never to cross the Yalu, but | they're free to play fast and loose on our side.

- Still? | - Still.

They come off of their airfield swung out | in a line. Bandit trains, they call 'em.

Now, if GCl reports a bandit train taking off | from Antung with Casey Jones at the throttle,

one of our air groups | can count on losing two pilots that day.

I lost seven good men to that China boy.

Seven good men | and a couple of aces thrown in.

Old Case hasn't been around lately, | but he'll be back. We can count on it.

So never underestimate the MiG pilot.

You're liable to run into a live one.

Well, you make it sound interesting.

I thought it would be. Would you care | to wring out an 86 in the morning?

If you think it's necessary.

Not for me, but I guess you haven't | been up in a couple of weeks.

Don't walk lightly with me.

If you want to see what I can do with an 86, | I'll be glad to show you.

No offence. Routine.

Sure.

- Glad to have you with us, Cleaver. | - Dutch...

Good night.

- Major Saville? | - I'm Saville.

I'm supposed to fly with you this morning.

- I know. | - My name's Corona, like the cigar.

- Glad to know you, Lieutenant. | - Yes, sir.

- Our call is "Cobra", right? | - Right.

You'll fly that one over there, sir, 140.

Well, shall we get on with it?

- You had much time in an F-86? | - Enough, I think.

You're gonna need it all. I'm talkin' out of turn, | but there'll be a surprise for you up there.

Oh? What's that?

Colonel Moncavage took off five minutes ago.

He'll bounce you for simulated combat.

- Dutch's orders? | - Who else? He gets his kicks with surprises.

Thanks for tellin' me.

I'm a friend to man.

K-13, this is Cobra. | Ready to roll with two.

All right. You're clear for takeoff, Cobra.

Glasses, man.

- You think this will be a good show? | - That's what I'm gonna find out.

It would've been great ten years ago.

Ten years is a long way back. Where are they?

Right up there.

Bogey at five o'clock, Cobra.

Moncavage is getting in position.

Moving to six o'clock. | Watch yourself.

I'll break left and take him off.

He did it! He pulled a high-speed scissors | and got on his tail.

Get outta there, Saville. Get outta there!

You're too close.

Saville, do you read me?

All right. Break off.

Break off!

Major Saville, this is Colonel Moncavage. | Now, break off.

Sorry, Colonel, | I didn't know it was you. Moving out.

The iceman cometh.

Aren't you a little old | to play tag with small boys?

- Maybe I'm a case of arrested development. | - Yeah.

If you polish the apple I might give you a | squadron after you've finished indoctrination.

All I need's four planes.

All right, then flight command.

How long do you think indoctrination | will take for me? I'm pretty smart.

It's a usual three weeks, | but we give a bonus for old age.

Maybe just two weeks for you.

How many hours | did you say you had in an 86?

- I said enough. | - Yeah, I've always said, "enough's enough".

When you pick your flight would you mind | having me around? If you can stand me.

- I'm sort of obnoxious. | - That's all right, I got a strong stomach.

Dad, you sure made a monkey | out of Colonel Monkey.

- Will you cash this, please? | - Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

- Hello, Major Saville. | - Hello, Mrs Abb...

Thank you.

There. Now we'll start again.

- Hello, Major. | - How are you, Mrs Abbott?

- Chris. | - Chris.

Four dolls. You must have | quite a brood of girls back home.

No, I have a brother who has quite a brood.

- Next, please. | - That's you.

Oh.

Air express, please.

You're back in Kyoto awfully soon. | Hasn't it been only about ten days?

Several of us came in last night. | We're picking up planes to fly back.

I see. How's Carl?

- He's all right, I suppose. | - Three dollars and 35 cents, please.

- Three dollars and, uh... | - 35 cents. 1173 sen.

- Carl's fine. There's nothing to worry about. | - Thank you. It was nice seeing you again.

- Goodbye. | - Goodbye.

- Chris. | - Yes?

Look, uh...

I'm more or less at loose ends. | I'd like to have lunch with you.

That's kind of you, | but I don't believe I can.

- There are some other things I have to do. | - What?

Well...

You're quite right. | I haven't anything to do at all.

Do you know where we can go? | Something interesting?

The only place I've eaten is my hotel. | I can't recommend that.

There is a place I like very much, | but it's some distance.

- Well, I have the time if you have. | - We'd need a car.

- Rent one right there. | - I'd better warn you, it will be pre-1941.

That's all right - so am I.

Carl's in Kyoto, isn't he?

Well, since I've already stuck my foot | in my mouth, yes, he came in with me.

Don't feel badly. | I would have known it sooner or later.

I gather this is routine behaviour | for the lieutenant?

You like being stepped on?

I'm trying to understand it.

Wouldn't it be easier | just to go back to the States?

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