Top Gun Page #5

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VIPER:

...Someone once asked me if

training men for air combat made

the world less safe--flying loaded

guns... an accidental confrontation

and so forth...

Maverick feels the stare of the other man and glances in his

direction. Their eyes meet. Ice smiles coldly.

ANGLE - VIPER

VIPER (Con't)

My answer is:
the dangerous thing

is being unprepared. You want

trouble, that's what you get when

things don't work out, when you

can't do what you say you can. When

you don't know what you can do. And

when your opponents aren't sure

either. We are not policy. We don't

make policy. Elected officials

...civilians, do that. We are the

instrument of policy. The tip of

the spear. So we had best be sharp.

Maverick has turned to look at Ice. Ice glances back in his

direction. Maverick looks at the back of the room where guys in

blue flight suits stand. They are the instructors. They look

relaxed, poised, mean. Goose is looking up front...Where Viper

has stopped. Goose nudges Maverick.

GOOSE:

(whispers)

What are you doing?

MAVERICK:

Nothing...That's McGown...that's

Singer, isn't it?

GOOSE:

Turn around, pay attention. What

are you doing?

MAVERICK:

(musing to himself)

...Just wondering...(turns back)

...who is the best.

He's shocked to find Viper staring right at him, with a killer

grin on his face. He's feels caught like a naughty schoolboy.

VIPER:

Really... (smiles)

Ya know. We'd like to know who's

best too. That's why we've got that

plaque on the wall... with the Top

Top Gun crew from each class. You

think maybe your name's gonna be on

it?

Maverick knows he's in trouble, considers the social

alternatives, then tells him the truth.

MAVERICK:

Yes sir.

A couple of ooo's and aahh's from the guys. The instructors

stare the challenge at him. He slides lower in his seat.

VIPER:

Considering the company you're in,

that's a pretty arrogant attitude.

MAVERICK:

(somewhat chastised)

Yes sir.

VIPER:

I like that in a fighter pilot.

(couple of laughs from the guys)

It's okay to be confident. You have

to think you're King Kong to want

to try to land on carriers. Just

keep in mind the other component of

success...teamwork.

Viper gathers his notes, the lecture is over.

MAVERICK:

Yes sir.

Viper turns back for one more thought.

VIPER:

Gentlemen, this is about combat.

Remember, there are no points for

second place. Dismissed.

Viper walks out. Maverick finds Goose looking at him,

quizzically. Others mill around the plaque. A big, friendly bear

of a RIO speaks.

WOLFMAN:

A plaque?

HOLLYWOOD:

It's not the plaque. The winner can

get assigned here as instructor. He

gets to fight every day.

They move closer to examine the names on the plaque.

44. EXT. "O" CLUB - NIGHT.

Fast cars in the driveway, fast music blares into the

night. It's Wednesday; Animal Night. Maverick, Goose

Hollywood and Wolfman walk to the entrance.

45. INT. WOXOF BAR

Loud music, low ceiling, plaques of the squadrons line the

walls. A dancer gyrates on stage, largely ignored by pilots

talking with their hands. Every pretty girl in San Diego

seems to be here. It's a noisy, rowdy place--a "steam

releaser" for people under pressure. Nevertheless, there is

a control to it all, there are none of the usual bar types,

just pilots and Naval Officers.

The Ghost Riders enter. The place is on fire: a mob of

dancers, flashing lights, blaring HARD ROCK MUSIC. Beer

flows. Pilots talk flying and hustle girls.

NEARBY - AN A7 pilot stands by the bar. He knows Goose and

speaks loudly for his benefit..

A7 PILOT

You know the Fighter Pilots motto?

It's better to be dead than to look

bad.

They grin broadly. Goose replies as they brush past.

GOOSE:

I don't know, Frank, anybody gets

off on bombing the sh*t out of dirt

has got to be queer.

Goose exchanges friendly punches with the attack pilots.

Maverick's introductions and friendly barbs are drowned by the

music. Maverick is a bit reserved. He doesn't move among the

crowd as naturally as Goose does. Hollywood and Wolfman drift

away, searching for quarry. Goose orders beer. He nods toward a

TALL YOUNG MAN across the room.

GOOSE:

Keller, Black Lion Squadron. I knew

him at Pensacola. He's damn good.

MAVERICK:

Is there anybody in the Navy you

don't know?

GOOSE:

Gotta keep track of the

competition.

Goose suddenly reaches out and grabs a guy moving past.

GOOSE:

Slider -- they let you into Top

Gun? If you're among the best in

the Navy, I tremble for the

security of this country.

SLIDER:

Why Goose, whose butt did you kiss

to get here?

GOOSE:

The list is long, but

distinguished.

SLIDER:

So's my Johnson.

GOOSE:

This is Maverick.

Smiles good-naturedly, shakes hands with Mav.

SLIDER:

So I've heard.

GOOSE:

Who's your pilot?

SLIDER:

Tom Kazansky.

GOOSE:

(very impressed)

No sh*t. The Iceman....

SLIDER:

Mister to you.

GOOSE:

You think you can stay up with us.

SLIDER:

I think, yeah, we'll show you a

thing or two.

GOOSE:

This is Evan Mitchell, he steers

the thing.

SLIDER:

So I heard. Steers it pretty close.

Sorry to hear about Cougar. He was

a good man.

MAVERICK:

Still is..

SLIDER:

Yeah. That's what I meant.

Suddenly, behind them, a flame shoots up. Someone ducks his head

and swallows it. The pilot sets an empty glass on the bar.

SLIDER:

What was that?

GOOSE:

Flaming Hooker. Sort of an

institution around here. Or maybe

this is the institution, I forget

which. It's the house drink. It'll

warm the cockles of your heart ...

and other things depending on where

you spill it.

He motions to the barmaid and she moves over, sets them up.

GOOSE holds a demitasse glass. The barmaid pours Drambuie. They

look at Goose apprehensively. Goose looks at nearby flyers in

Camo fatigues.

GOOSE:

You can't show fear in front of

Marines...They're like Doberman's

they'll go for your throat, it's

instinctive.

He takes out match and lights it. Maverick holds his arm.

MAVERICK:

You ever done this before?

GOOSE:

What, been drunk? Sure! Plenty!

He downs it all in one gulp, slaps the glass on the bar, still

aflame. He stands there, blinking.

SLIDER:

How was it?

GOOSE:

Could use a dash more jet fuel.

The others are duly impressed. Maverick's gaze falls on Ice

watching from the end of the bar - Slider takes one, Maverick

takes one too, downs it in a gulp. Sundown, taking up the

challenge, motions for one. The barmaid pours it.

GOOSE:

Careful, don't make an ash of

yourself...

He tries to drink the flaming concoction. He tries to go for a

sip, but it's too close to his face, he tries to tilt the flame

away, but that doesn't work. Finally he goes for the gulp. He

burns his lip and misses. He sets his hair on fire. It goes up

in a WHOOOSH!!

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