ROOT BEER 203 - A Fighter Pilot's Story (Part 1)

ROOT BEER 203 - A FIGHTER PILOT'S STORY

Based on a True Story

(Note: UHF RADIO COMMS - ALL CAPS)

FADE IN

EXT. COAST OF NORTH VIETNAM - DAWN

The FIRST RAYS OF SUNLIGHT begin to peek over the horizon. The words "THE GULF OF TONKIN" appear, then disappear from the screen. ANGLE ON SHORE-LINE. With a steady rhythm, the rising tide CRASHES onto the shore, the SOUND of the surf, RISING and FALLING, in time with the waves.

Along the edge of the water, we see numerous DEAD FISH and BIRDS, in various states of decay. A SMALL SHARK, in its final DEATH THROES, gasps for breath. HOLD for a beat, then

CUT TO:

SHOT OF DUNES BEHIND BEACH AND RICE PADDIES BEYOND

Just over the dunes and stretching for several miles is a patchwork of rice paddies. The FAINT STRAINS of TRADITIONAL VIETNAMESE MUSIC can be HEARD playing in the background. Farmers are already in the paddies, beginning their daily routine. A few water buffalo lazily graze nearby. The words "JULY 24, 1968, NEAR VINH, NORTH VIETNAM" appear, then disappear from the screen.

What appears to be a SMALL HILL can be seen on the far side of the paddies. MOVING RAPIDLY toward the "hill," we see that it is actually a NORTH VIETNAMESE 37 MM ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY unit, underneath camouflage netting. Beyond the AAA unit, we see what it is defending - a RAILROAD YARD and SUPPLY DEPOT. Around the periphery of the yard/depot, there are several other similarly camouflaged AAA units and a handful of SA-2 SAM MISSILE SITES. All around the area can be seen large holes, obviously BOMB CRATERS, in the ground surrounding the site.

10 miles further west, VEHICLES and MEN approach a LARGE FERRY across a wide river. On either side of the river, there are more AAA units.

CUT TO:

SHOT OF OLD VIETNAMESE FARMER IN RICE PADDY

HEARING a faint SOUND, an OLD MAN, rises from his stoop. With a war-weary expression on his face, he turns and looks out towards the Gulf.

CUT TO:

OLD MAN'S POV

A SMALL SPECK in the distance appears to come toward us. The speck rapidly grows and soon we see, and HEAR, a LARGE GROUP OF JET AIRCRAFT heading towards the coast at high speed.

CUT TO:

EXT. SKY OVER TONKIN GULF

8 A-7 "CORSAIR" II attack aircraft, 4 F-4J "PHANTOM" fighter-bombers, and an EKA-3B SKYWARRIOR electronic jamming aircraft, fly towards the coastline, at 300 knots at an altitude of 12,000 feet.

CUT TO:

INT. F-4 PHANTOM ROOT BEER 203

In the front seat of the PHANTOM sits the pilot - a stocky man with THICK, BROADLY MUSCLED SHOULDERS underneath his flight suit, G-suit, and torso harness: CDR ORVILLE G. "TEX" ELLIOTT, USN. In the back sits a smaller man, Tex's Radar Intercept Officer (RIO), LT(JG) ANDY D.

As their F-4 crosses the beach, ANDY looks down.

ANDY
(on the aircraft interphone)
Whoa! Check out the surf down there, Boss.
What an awesome break. (beat) Ever go
surfing, XO? It's quite a rush.

TEX
(sarcastically)
Yeah, right. You know me. I'm a regular
DUKE KAHANAMOKU.
(changing the subject)
We're almost there, Andy. Heads up, now.

Tex keys his UHF radio mike.

TEX (CONT'D)
ALL RIGHT, BOYS, WE'RE IN INDIAN
COUNTRY. HEADS ON A SWIVEL.

CUT TO:

INT. F-4 PHANTOM ROOT BEER 210

LT FRED L.
SO FAR SO GOOD, XO. WE'RE NOT
SHOWING ANYTHING ON OUR "RAW"
GEAR. YOU GOT ANYTHING?

CUT TO:

INT. F-4 PHANTOM ROOT BEER 203

TEX
Well, Andy? You got anything?

ANDY
(checking his Radar Warning Receiver)
Not yet. Nothing on my "Gadget."

TEX
THAT'S A NEGATIVE, FRED, BUT STAY
TIGHT. THEY WERE LOADED FOR BEAR
LAST TIME.

As the strike group crosses the beach, at a predetermined point, Tex calls:

TEX (CONT'D)
OKAY, GENTS, HERE WE GO. ON THE
COUNT OF THREE...1...2...3...

After the short count, Tex puts the PHANTOM'S two J-79 engines into AFTERBURNER, pulls back the stick, and begins a slow roll to the north. In the background, we HEAR The Fendermen's MULE SKINNER BLUES.

TEX (CONT'D)
STAY WITH ME, WINGIE.

FRED
(in Tex's headset)
I'M RIGHT BEHIND YOU, BOSS.

CUT TO:

EXT. SKY SHOT OF F-4'S MAKING SLOW ROLL

Fred L. and the other two F-4s follow Tex's lead. A few seconds behind are the four A-7s, with their payload of death - 10 500lb. MK-82 bombs each. The PHANTOMS also carry a couple of MK-82s, plus four SIDEWINDER heat-seeking missiles, in case any MiGs show up, and two "ROCKEYE" Cluster Bombs, to encourage the enemy gunners to keep their heads down.

CUT TO:

EXT. NORTH VIETNAMESE 37MM AAA GUN

Upon hearing the PHANTOMS' engines go into afterburner, the NORTH VIETNAMESE GUNNERS pour out of their shelters and begin to uncover their gun. Their OFFICER SCREAMS at them in Vietnamese as they turn on the gun's "FIRE CAN" radar and begin to track the inbound American aircraft.

CUT TO:

INT. ROOT BEER 203

ANDY
Okay, XO, they know we're coming. I'm
getting some hits, now.

TEX
DON, STAND BY FOR WEAPONS RELEASE.

CUT TO:

INT. A-7 CORSAIR II MARAUDER 311

CDR DON T., USN
LIGHT 'EM UP, TEX. WE'VE GOT A SPECIAL
DELIVERY FOR UNCLE HO THIS MORNING.

CUT TO:

INT. ROOT BEER 203

ANDY
Boss, for some reason, nobody's home at the
ferry this morning. Those FIRE CAN hits are
coming from the railroad yard.

TEX
Is that so? In that case, let's not waste our ordinance
here.
(to third F-4)
OUTLAW, YOU AND 2-1-1 COVER THE
FERRY STRIKE. FRED AND I ARE GOING
BACK TO THE DEPOT.

CUT TO:

INT. ROOT BEER 215

OUTLAW
ROGER THAT.

CUT TO:

ANGLE ABOVE two PHANTOMS as they roll towards the ferry.

CUT TO:

INT. ROOT BEER 203

TEX
ALL RIGHT, DON, YOU'RE CLEARED IN
ON THE FERRY. LOOKS LIKE THE BOYS
THERE ARE SLEEPING IT OFF. FRED AND
I ARE GONNA PAY A LITTLE VISIT TO
THE DEPOT.

CUT TO:

INT. MARAUDER 311

DON
ROGER THAT, SEE YOU IN A FEW. LET'S
GO, MARAUDERS.

The A-7s follow their escort to the ferry. Tex leads his wingman back to the railroad yard 10 miles to the east.

CUT TO:

INT. ROOT BEER 203

TEX
THERE IT IS, FRED. I'M STARTING MY RUN.

FRED
(in Tex's headseat)
JUST A WALK IN THE PARK, BOSS. I'M
RIGHT BEHIND YOU.

TEX
Andy, you got this guy?

ANDY
Affirmative. The whole yard is lit up,
Boss...take your pick.

CUT TO:

EXT. NORTH VIETNAMESE 37MM AAA GUN

The North Vietnamese gun crew sees the PHANTOMS begin their run and tracks them with its radar. Their officer SHOUTS commands in VIETNAMESE.

CUT TO:

INT. ROOT BEER 203

Tex arms his "MASTER" switch and selects "BOMBS." INSERT VIEW through Tex's reticle. We see his "PIPPER" move across the ground. When it covers the nearest AAA site, PULL BACK as Tex pulls the trigger on his Control Stick and begins to egress from the target.

CUT TO:

INT. ROOT BEER 210

FRED
BULLS-EYE! NICE SHOT, XO, RIGHT IN
THE KISSER. THEY'RE ALL SCRAMBLING
FOR COVER.

CUT TO:

INT. ROOT BEER 203

Turning towards the sea, Tex adds power and begins to climb. Suddenly, he feels and HEARS a LOUD BANG, and the aircraft begins to shudder.

TEX
Damn! We've been hit, Andy.

ANDY
XO, the coast is 20 miles, bearing 090.

Tex continues to climb and turn his stricken aircraft back toward the Gulf.

TEX
MAYDAY, MAYDAY! ROOT BEER 203 IS HIT.
WE'RE BUGGING OUT... FRED?

FRED
(in Tex's headset)
RIGHT HERE.

TEX
CAN YOU SEE ANYTHING?

CUT TO:

EXT. SKY ROOT BEER 210 AND 203

Fred maneuvers his aircraft alongside Root Beer 203 to check it for damage.

CUT TO:

FRED's POV

FRED
BOSS, YOU'RE TAIL'S ON FIRE.

CUT TO:

INT. ROOT BEER 203 COCKPIT INSTRUMENT PANEL TEX'S POV

As Fred finishes reporting the fire, a fire indication flashes on Tex's instrument panel.

TEX
CONCUR, I JUST GOT A FIRE LIGHT.
I'M GOING TO TRY TO MAKE IT TO THE
GULF.
(to the SAR coordinator off-shore)
RED CROWN, RED CROWN, THIS IS ROOT
BEER 203. AM DECLARING AN EMERGENCY,
CURRENTLY 15 MILES WEST OF THE COAST
NEAR VINH, PROCEEDING DUE EAST.
REQUESTING ASSISTANCE.

SAR COORDINATOR
(in TEX'S headset)
ROGER, ROOT BEER 203. WE'RE LAUNCHING
THE SAR AS WE SPEAK.

CUT TO:

EXT. U.S. DESTROYER STEAMING OFF THE COAST

A U.S. NAVY DESTROYER sails off the coast. A LARGE HELICOPTER sits on its rear flight deck, its rotors turning. HOLD ON SHOT, as the helicopter, a UH-3 Combat SAR "SEA KING," takes off and heads toward the Vietnamese coastline.

CUT TO:

INT. ROOT BEER 203

Tex continues to climb and close the distance to the coastline as, one-by-one, his dying aircraft begins to lose its systems.

Another WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES.

TEX
FRED, WE'RE BEGINNING TO LOSE HER.
I JUST LOST PC-1.

FRED
(in Tex's headset)
HANG IN THERE, BOSS, YOU'RE GONNA MAKE
IT!

TEX
(to himself)
Now, what was it that McDonnell guy said? Oh
yeah, "...if you neutralize the controls with a
complete hydraulic failure, you can prevent the
stabilator from going "full-down."

Tex holds the Stick in the center position as he gets a THIRD WARNING LIGHT.

TEX (CONT'D)
There goes PC-2. We're riding a rocket now,
Andy. How much further?

ANDY
Just a few more miles, we're almost there.
Looking out around the PHANTOM'S nose,
Tex can start to make out the coastline.

By now, the section of A-7s along with the other two F-4s have caught up with Root Beer 203 and 210.

CUT TO:

SHOT OF OTHER AIRCRAFT JOINING ON ROOT BEER 203 AND 210

CUT TO:

INT. MARAUDER 311

DON
LU-U-U-U-CY, I'M HOME!

TEX
(in Don's headset)
GLAD TO SEE YOU GUYS.

DON
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP?

CUT TO:

INT. ROOT BEER 203

TEX
SURE WOULD APPRECIATE YOU BOYS
CLEARING OUT A LANDING AREA FOR US.

DON
(in Tex's headset)
CONSIDER IT DONE. LET'S GO, FELLAS!

Don and his A-7s hurry for the coast and make a sweep for ENEMY PATROL BOATS, while Outlaw and the other PHANTOM keep an eye out for MiGs. As they arrive over the Gulf, we see two NORTH VIETNAMESE COASTAL PATROL boats moving at high speed. A couple of well placed bursts from the A-7's 20mm cannon dispatch them with ease.

DON (CONT'D)
(in Tex's headset)
ALL RIGHT, TEX. THE RED CARPET IS
WAITING.

Root Beer 203 finally makes it to the safety of the coastline.

CUT TO:

INT. ROOT BEER 203

Preparing for their ejection, Tex tries to slow down by pulling the throttles back on the engines. They won't budge.

TEX
Andy, the throttles are stuck. You need to get
out now. Prepare to eject.

Andy gets ready to eject.

ANDY
All right, Boss. I'm ready when you are. Let's
do it!

TEX
See you back on the ship.

Tex pulls the COMMAND EJECT handle. With a loud BANG, the rear canopy is expelled and Andy is shot out of the cockpit like a round from a cannon.

CUT TO:

INT. ROOT BEER 210

FRED
HE'S GOT A GOOD CHUTE, BOSS.
OUTLAW, YOU GUYS WATCH ANDY'S BACK.
I'M STAYING WITH THE XO.

OUTLAW
(in Fred's headset)
YOU GOT IT.

CUT TO:

INT. ROOT BEER 203

TEX
LOOKS LIKE IT'S MY TURN, FRED. SEE
YOU BACK ON THE SHIP.

FRED
(in Tex's headset)
GOOD LUCK, XO. SEE YA IN A FEW.

Tex removes his knee-board and gets ready to eject.

TEX
ALL RIGHT. I'M GETTING OUT.

He pulls the face curtain and....nothing happens.

TEX (CONT'D)
What the heck?

The seat didn't fire. The front canopy, which should have departed the aircraft, is still attached. He tries the alternate ejection handle between his legs....and again....nothing happens.

TEX (CONT'D)
This can't be happening.

The ejection seat will not fire. Tex is trapped in his burning aircraft as it hurtles out to sea.

TEX (CONT'D)
Don't give up, dammit! You can do this!

Tex tries the face curtain and the handle between his legs again. But with both, the results are the same. The canopy stays attached and the seat will not fire. In a last attempt to save himself, Tex pushes against the canopy with all his strength. It still won't budge.

TEX (CONT'D)
(resigned to his fate)
I guess I'd better let someone know what
happened...like all the others.

Tex begins to key the mike to let Fred know why he didn't get out. In the background, we start to hear the refrain from BOBBY GOLDSBORO'S hit "Honey" - a popular song that year that he and his wife, BONNIE, liked. "...and Honey, I miss you, and I'm being good, and I'd love to be with you, if only I could..."

CUT TO:

EXT. - NAVAL AIR STATION RAMP - DAY

Tex says goodbye to his WIFE, and his FOUR YOUNG CHILDREN, as he heads off to war. In the background, the ramp is crowded with F-4s, flight crew and other families saying goodbye.

CUT TO:

INT. ROOT BEER 203

TEX
I'm sorry, Honey. I love you. Take care
of the kids.

He starts to laugh at the irony of his predicament.

TEX (CONT'D)
At least I won't have to swim...

The SONG begins to FADE AWAY as the scene ends.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. RURAL EAST TEXAS SUMMER 1938 - DAY

- to be continued.