PICKUP MAN

FADE IN

EXT. MADISON RANCH - DAY

HANK MADISON loads four Appaloosas into a living quarters stock trailer. Big black butts with snow-white spots. He unhooks their lead ropes and they load up by themselves.

Behind him, a squeeze loader removes huge blocks of hay bales from a flatbed semi and stacks them near the barn. As Hank shuts the trailer gate, the DRIVER gets off the loader and approaches with the bill.

DRIVEROkay, Hank. Here’s the tab.

HANK(looks at it)

I’m in the wrong racket.

DRIVERYeah. And I shoulda been a cowboy. You oughta try some real work insteada ridin’ them spotted horses round them arenas.

HANKThen how could I afford to buy your overpriced hay?

DRIVERHank, how long you gonna keep pickin’ up?

HANKLong as I gotta keep feedin’ horses.

Hank pays him cash and the driver sighs and leaves. Then he watches his wife, SELAH, as she works a colt in the round pen at their Wyoming ranch near Cody. Selah is Nez Perce, the tribe that developed the spotted horse centuries before. The colt lopes easily around in a circle.

HANKSure you won’t come with me?

SELAHI like watching you on television. Anyway, Mackay’s coming to pick up this guy on Monday.

HANKPete could handle that. Take Mackay’s money. Load the colt.

SELAHMaybe I’ll fly down after he’s gone.

Whoa!

The Appy colt slides to a stop. Hank chuckles silently at the performance.

HANKI could use him in a couple of years.

SELAHNah, ah. He’s too good to get kicked by one of your broncs!

HANKMy horses don’t get kicked, hardly ever.

SELAHOr hooked by bulls?

HANKJust the one time, then it never happens again. Mackay’s just gonna show him. Big waste.

Overhead, a single-engine plane flies low and lands on the long driveway. It u-turns and taxis into the yard. Wild graphic on fuselage:

Mike Madison – PRCA Saddle Bronc Rookie of the Year

Sponsored by the US ARMY!

Two YOUNG COWBOYS get out and stretch. Hank shakes his head slightly. MIKE, his son, grins and makes a sign.

MIKEWe come in peace!

HANKAnd peace on you!

MIKEHi, mom! Nice colt. This is Edgar Dell. He’s going to Vegas with me.

SELAHHi, Edgar! Nice Cow Palace!

EDGARThanks, ma’am!

Hank nods at EDGAR and eyes Mike’s flamboyant purple shirt.

HANKI see you found where they buried Casey Tibbs.

MIKE

You ought to like this better than my black one.

EDGARDid you know Casey Tibbs, Mr. Madison?

HANKI’m Hank. My dad traveled with him.

EDGARWow! Where was your dad’s favorite rodeo, ya reckon?

HANK(thinks)

I believe he had the most fun at Madison Square Garden. They don’t have that anymore…

MIKENew York City!? That’d be a blast…Hey, Dad – sponsor wants me to go toboot camp on a PR deal, with the other army people…

Selah glances at Mike and Hank from the round pen. Hank sighs.

HANKDoing what?

MIKEYou know, like basic training. Pump up recruiting.

HANKYeah? Well, I’d better hit the road. See ya in Vegas. Try to get your mother to come with you.

Hank goes to the round pen and kisses Selah then gets in his truck, edges around the airplane and heads down the driveway. Mike winces at Hank’s near miss of the wing.

AT THE HIGHWAY

A sign reads

Nez Perce AppaloosasSelah and Hank Madison

Hank’s truck and trailer turn onto the highway and head for Las Vegas. His radio: Shoulda Been A Cowboy!

CUT TO:

EXT. PENTAGON – DAY

INT. PENTAGON – DAY

Army OFFICERS and CIVILIANS discuss policy around a large table. They examine printouts of statistics.

CIVILIAN 1These enlistment figures are totally unacceptable…

CIVILIAN 2So how the hell do we meet our recruiting goals? We haven’t been close for months.

CIVILIAN 1The draft is unavoidable.

COLONELWe need to pump up our PR. Make it heroic to enlist. Somehow.

CIVILIAN 1With sports people? Who’ve we got?

COLONELOur NASCAR team, our motorcycle team and our rodeo team.

CIVILIAN 1They’ll all go to Ft. Walton Walker?

COLONELWell, yes – according to their contracts –

CIVILIAN 2We really need them to go to Iraq – not Ft. Walker!

COLONELI’m afraid that’s not in their contracts.

CIVILIAN 2It should be. The wheels are coming off this goddamn thing!

CUT TO:

EXT. LAS VEGAS – NIGHT

Hank’s truck and trailer cross the flashy Strip and head down Tropicana to the Thomas & Mack Arena – famous for the National Finals Rodeo each December, Vegas’ biggest event.

EXT. ARENA – NIGHT

Hank unloads his horses and leads them to stalls designated for pickup horses. He feeds and waters them.

INT. LIVING QUARTERS – NIGHT

Hank holds his cell phone.

HANKYeah, I just got here and put the horses to bed, which is where I’m about to go.

SELAH (VO)Me, too. I miss you. Mike and Edgar are going tomorrow. What if he wins the world?

HANKHard to believe. Probably get a faster plane.

SELAH (VO)Does he have to go to boot camp?

HANKI think it’s part of the sponsor deal he’s got with the army.

Small silence.

SELAH (VO)Life’s funny.

HANKYou mean, a Nez Perce kid ridin’ broncs for the US Army? After they about killed all your horses?

SELAH (VO)Yeah.

HANKHmph. Life is funny. Well, I love you, Honey, and I hope you come down with them tomorrow.

SELAH (VO)I told you, I love watching you on television.

HANKGot a TV right here. Besides, they don’t show the pickup guys very much, with the instant replays…

SELAH (VO)It’s the best part of the rodeo! It’s too exciting.

HANKWell, that’s what I keep telling ESPN. Shawn Davis said you could sit in his box, due to your great beauty.

EXT. ARENA – NIGHT

Pull back from Hank’s trailer, which is parked among big stock trucks unloading broncs and bulls from all over North America.

INT. MADISON RANCH – NIGHT

Selah hangs up her phone and turns on the television. The news is live from Baghdad. The reporter speaks with the twisted remains of a Humvee in the background. Selah stares at the smoking residue of violence and vengeance.

CUT TO:

INT. ARENA – NIGHT

First night of the NFR, rodeo’s World Series. The National Anthem is finishing. Hank puts his hat back on and rides near the chutes, checking the BAREBACK RIDERS as they get ready.

TV ANNOUNCER (VO)And there is Hank Madison, one of the best pickup men in the business, for many years. This year, however, we’ve got an unusual situation! Hank’s son, Mike Madison, last year’s Rookie of the Year in the saddle bronc event, has a real shot at the world championship in that event. Wouldn’t that be something?The father picking up his son…We’ll be seeing the saddle broncs alittle later. Right now, here comesour first bareback bronc rider! Now,folks, this is truly the hardest onthe cowboy – worse than bull riding!

The gate opens and the bareback bronc jumps out and kicks so hard that the cowboy’s head is snapped back on its rump and he is knocked unconscious on the first jump. He falls but his hand is trapped in the rigging and he flops around helplessly. Hank and the other PICKUP MAN race the now-galloping horse as he tears around the arena, with the cowboy’s head about to be hit by the fence. Hank’s speedy Appaloosa gets next to the bronc as Hank slips his lariat over its head and snubs it to a halt. His partner jerks the unconscious cowboy’s fingers out of the rigging and he drops to the ground. They run the horse out of the arena as MEDICAL PERSONNEL rush to aid the cowboy. He finally wakes up and limps out, holding his arm.

TV ANNOUNCER (VO) (cont’g)Well, folks – I said Hank Madisonis one of the best. And that’s whythe cowboys vote for him to be hereat the National Finals, year after

year. No score for that cowboy, butwe’ve got nine more days of this, andanything can happen, believe me.

QUICK CUTS

Hank picking up another BAREBACK RIDER.

A BULLDOGGER drops down on a running steer.

TEAM ROPERS stretch out a steer.

LATER

Hank rides back in the arena with his partner for the Saddle Bronc event. On the chutes, Mike Madison and the saddle bronc RIDERS get their saddles and buck reins on their broncs.

TV ANNOUNCER (VO) (cont’g)Well, when you’ve got – what –six former and the defending worldchampions against you, a rookie might be feeling a little insecure.But I don’t think that applies toMike Madison. This kid’s got it all. And he’s got his dad picking up forhim, too. Maybe we’ll see the WarDance tonight, because Mike’s got agood one – M-80 from Western Rodeo!

Mike is the first rider out. His horse rears out violently but Mike stays on and starts spurring in perfect time. Hank watches from a discrete distance and heads for Mike just as the whistle blows. Mike, in his black US Army shirt, grabs Hank by the shoulders as Hank rides hard alongside the galloping bronc. Hank takes his rope rein and Mike swings over onto the back of Hank’s horse. They ride around double for a lap, with Mike bouncing on his knees and nearly falling off, to the great amusement of the knowledgeable crowd.

HANKNot too shabby, for a rookie.

MIKEYou’re not bad, for a geezer.

Mike drops down to great applause for a high score. He does a small war dance and gives out a piercing war whoop. This is what the crowd was waiting for. They go wild and he laughs with the crowd.

CUT TO:

EXT. FT. WALKER – DAY

A twin-engine private plane approaches overhead.

EXT. IN THE SKY – DAY

We fly next to this sleek plane with the wilder new graphic:

Mike MadisonWorld Champion Saddle Bronc Rider

Sponsored by the US Army!

INT. AIRPLANE - DAY

Overhead, from private plane, looking down. Mike circles.

TOWER (VO)Cowboy in the Beechcraft, you’recleared to land.

EXT. FT. WALKER – DAY

Mike’s new airplane smoothly touches down and taxis to office.

Mike gets out and is greeted by OFFICERS and SOLDIERS.

CUT TO:

EXT. COMBAT COURSE – DAY

Mike and other sponsored ATHLETES, wearing camo fatigues and carrying rifles, slog through obstacles with new RECRUITS.

LATER

Recruits gone, an army COLONEL addresses the muddy guests.

COLONELGentlemen, I’d like to thank youfor your being here. If you’llfollow me for refreshments…

INT. OFFICE – DAY

The athletes have snacks. A RACING DRIVER grins at Mike.

RACING DRIVERMike, is it true you’re an Indian?

MIKEHalf-breed. Maybe more. My old man’s Comanche, but he won’t admit it.

RACING DRIVERSo, you’re a cowboy AND an Indian?

MIKEYup. And How.

(swallows bite)This is great, Colonel. I’ve had a blast. But if that’s it, there’s a rodeo in Denver where I’ve got to

be tonight… If you’ll point me to the showers?

The colonel clears his throat.

COLONELGentlemen, again, I want to thankyou for your willingness to get muddy and wet for the army. I can assure you that your presence here means a lot to the recruits…

RACING DRIVER(whispers)

Uh, oh! Here it comes!

COLONELI’d like to ask an even greater favor of you, with absolutely no obligation. I’m sure you’re all familiar with the USO – Entertainers who visit the troops overseas…

MIKEWhere’s Bob Hope when you need him?

The other athletes begin to shift uncomfortably.

COLONELYes. Of course, Wayne Newton has taken over admirably for Bob Hope… And Wayne certainly loves to be with the troops, but you men represent something different than the singers and entertainers do, to the troops.

Mike looks at the others.

MIKEHell, Colonel. I’m just an entertainer myself. I’d say we all are.

COLONELWell, all right. I can see that. But a lot of the troops would like to BE cowboys, or NASCAR drivers or, uh, motorcycle racers…

MIKEI think they’d rather see Jessica Alba, close up. I would.

COLONELWhat I’m getting at, gentlemen, is that we’d like it very much if you could help us with a quick visit to the troops, not with the USO…

RACING DRIVERYou’re not talking about Iraq, are you?

COLONELYes, I am.

RACING DRIVERColonel, no disrespect. Aside from my own family, I’ve got about forty other men and their families depending on me to stay healthy. Besides, my entire year is scheduled.

COLONELBut I believe your year doesn’t actually begin until February, at Daytona?

RACING DRIVERNew chassis testing, tire testing – sorry, Colonel. I can’t.

MOTORCYCLE RACERThat’s gotta be the most dangerous place on earth. Your own soldiers are getting killed every day!

COLONELBut each of you risks your life foryour living, every day!

The sponsored celebrities stare at the colonel.

MIKEWhat would we do there?

COLONELVisit three bases, under very heavy guard all the way. One day, maybe two.

The celebrities shake their heads except Mike.

MIKEWell, I guess I don’t have a bunch of people depending on me, except Edgar, my traveling partner. Only other country I’ve been to is Canada, and I’d kinda like to see the world.

COLONELExcellent! How about the rest of you?

They shake their heads. The colonel shakes Mike’s hand.

CUT TO:

INT. DENVER ARENA – NIGHT

Hank saddles his pickup horses as Mike approaches.

MIKEHey, Dad.

HANKHey, champ. How was boot camp?

MIKEToo much like work. They want me to visit the troops.

HANKHere? In Colorado?

MIKEIn Iraq.

Hank stands away from his horse to look at Mike.

HANKGod dammit, Mike!

MIKEHey, Dad – didn’t you spend a couple of years in Vietnam? Don’t you think I can handle a couple of days someplace?

HANKI think you need to rethink this whole army deal. You’re the World Champion – you don’t need the army. And what the hell’s the army doing sponsoring rodeo and racing and all the rest? That’s tax money.

MIKEYeah, we’ve been over that. But I have a contract with ‘em.

HANKYour contract say anything about gettin’ your ass shot off in Iraq?

MIKENo.

HANKHow the hell they talk you into it?

MIKEIt wasn’t too hard – I’ve never really been anywhere.

HANKYou picked a hell of a senior trip.Who’s going with you?

MIKEJust me.

Hank looks at him and mounts up. Someone starts singing the National Anthem, or “Bareback Riders Get Ready.”

HANKAnd your mother thought boot campwas a mistake. I’m late.

Hank trots to the arena, dutifully removing his hat as he enters.

CUT TO:EXT. MADISON RANCH – DAY

Mike’s new twin-engine Beech is parked near the house. Hank rolls in, hauling his horses.

INT. MADISON RANCH – DAY

Hank enters living room and hugs Selah, who has been crying. Mike gets up and hugs his dad.

HANKYou talk him out of it?

Selah shakes her head.

MIKEDad, the army promised me a big heavy guard detail wherever I go.

HANKUh, huh. Son, I spent three years in the army. They make a lot of promises. They promised me Germany, which I never saw.

SELAHMike, do you have your grandfather’smedicine bag?

Mike fishes it out of his shirt, on a leather necklace.

SELAH (cont’g)

You don’t take that off until you’re home!

She hugs him again desperately.

CUT TO:

EXT. MADISON RANCH – PRE-DAWN

Selah walks from the ranch house, through the woods, to a high spot. Here she stands and holds up one hand and speaks quietly. As she prays she releases a small amount of tobacco into the gentle breeze.

CUT TO:

EXT. BAGHDAD STREET – DAY

An army convoy heads for the airport. Overhead, a C-130 comes in for a landing.

EXT. BAGHDAD AIRPORT – DAY

Mike exits C-130 with two OFFICERS. They get in an armored limo with Humvees in front and rear.

QUICK CUTS

The little convoy makes its way to the Green Zone.

EXT. GREEN ZONE – DAY

The convoy enters the heavily guarded Green Zone, the massive palace and former HQ of Saddam Hussein. It is now the American HQ – the only relatively safe place in Baghdad.

In front of the American palace, Mike is escorted inside.

INT. PALACE – DAY

An army CAPTAIN shows Mike to his magnificent suite.

CAPTAINOkay, Mike – dinner’s at eight. I know you must be a little jet-lagged now. Have a nap – it really helps. I’ll come by at 7:50.

The captain leaves. Mike wanders around the rooms, gazing at the ornate decorations and plush furniture.

MIKETough duty.

LATER

Mike and the captain make their way to the dining room. Mike is introduced to the American PROCONSUL and army OFFICERS.

CAPTAINYour Excellency, may I present Mr. Mike Madison?

The proconsul shakes hands with Mike.

PROCONSULYou’re the rodeo cowboy, I believe?I must say, you certainly don’t look like my idea of a cowboy.

He motions for all to be seated at the long table. Mike wears a well-cut dark suit, with highly polished black cowboy boots.

MIKEI know. Without my hat, people think I’m a banker.

The proconsul is off-balance with Mike, who does indeed look like a banker.

MIKE (cont’g)

Actually, I guess I could be a banker – I have a degree in economics. But my dad’d never forgive me!

PROCONSULBut for your visits tomorrow, I trust you’ll dress the part?

Mike looks at this arrogant fop through Nez Perce eyes.

MIKEI’ll put on a good show, Your Excellency.

The first of many courses is presented to the diners by liveried Iraqi waiters.

LATER

The captain walks with Mike to his suite.

CAPTAINNice one. His Majesty is a banker.

CUT TO:

EXT. PALACE – DAY

Mike, wearing faded Wranglers, boots, rodeo shirt and his new World Championship gold buckle and a silver belly Stetson, is helped into an armored Humvee. With its two hundred pound doors and thick armor, it’s a tight fit. Two SOLDIERS get in front and one SOLDIER squeezes next to him in back. They all have rifles but can’t point them out the armored doors.

MIKEWhat about the helicopter?

SOLDIER 1No helicopter – we lost one this morning where we’re goin’ – this is safer.

Mike looks at the soldier, slightly dazed.

INT. HUMVEE – DAY

SOLDIER 1Ya better put on the gear.

Mike removes his cowboy hat and gets into the helmet and vest. The convoy speeds insanely up the road, tossing Mike around.

MIKEPretty tight fit in here!

SOLDIER 2Stinkin’ things – they got so mucharmor they only hold three guys now,with all this shit we wear.

MIKEWhere we going?

SOLDIER 1Tikrit – Saddam’s hometown.

MIKEReally?

SOLDIER 1Really.

One of the two Humvees in front suddenly slows and pulls over. The soldiers with Mike all look as they pass by.

MIKEWhat are they doing?

SOLDIER 2Who knows? Some kinda breakdown.

MIKEAren’t we going to stop?

SOLDIER 2Hell no! They’re on their own!

MIKEBut –

SOLDIER 1Look, Mike – our job’s to protect you – not them. If we stop, we’ll get hit. If WE break down, then everybody stops, but just ‘cause you’re with us.

MIKEBut those guys could get hit – right?

SOLDIER 2No doubt. But they’re on the radio,asking for cover. Hear?

HUMVEE RADIO (VO)Sierra 6, Uniform 1 – come in?

SIERRA 6 (VO)Uniform 1, go ahead.

UNIFORM 1 (VO)Yeah, we’re broke down and need a tow and some more guns.

SIERRA 6 (VO)Roger – what’s you loc?

SOLDIER 1See? They gotta get outa that vehicle and take cover, now.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET – DAY

Three SOLDIERS pile out of their crippled Humvee and scramble for cover. An RPG rocket hits the vehicle and it explodes!

INT. HUMVEE – DAY

Mike and the soldiers flinch and look back at the explosion.

MIKEHoly shit! That was those guys!

SOLDIER 2Let’s hope it was just the vehicle.

Mike tries to buckle on his helmet as they swerve around a bend at 65 mph.

SOLDIER 1Thing is, Mike – we can’t shoot outof these armored Humvees. Windowsdon’t go down. Doors are 200 pounds.

MIKESo we’re sitting ducks.

SOLDIER 2You ever see a duck try to run? That’s us. Running ducks.

LATER

The convoy rolls into Tikrit and the small army base.

SOLDIER 1Over there’s Saddam’s home.

Mike can’t see out the window very well. They roll to a stop.

SOLDIER 2Okay – we made it.

He opens his door and then Mike’s.

SOLDIER 1You wanna wear your hat?

MIKEHell, no!

Mike keeps his helmet and armor on, thoroughly spooked. SOLDIERS from the base, curious, approach Mike and someone spots his gold buckle.

SOLDIER 4Hey! Are you the cowboy?

MIKEYeah. Mike Madison.

SOLDIER 4Well, hey, Mike – let me show you around our lovely home here in the desert.

The soldier leads Mike. His guards follow along as another convoy roars into camp. Everyone stops to look. Men in black t-shirts and camo pants get out with rifles and machine guns. Their leader approaches Mike.

CONTRACTOR 1You Mike Madison?

MIKEYeah.

SOLDIER 1Back off, buddy! He’s our responsibility!

CONTRACTOR 1Not any more. We’re contracted to guard him.

SOLDIER 1Yeah? Where’s your orders?

Soldier 4 guides Mike to a sandbagged tent.

SOLDIER 4Weird. Who conned you into this bullshit visit?

Behind them, Mike’s guards radio HQ.

SOLDIER 1Yeah, Uniform 1 – we got some private dudes here at November 12, they want to take our guest.

UNIFORM 1 (VO)Wait out.

SOLDIER 4(whispers)

You know about these guys? Contractors? Pricks drag down 300 grand a year for whatever the hell they do. 300 grand!

Mike listens and eyes the muscular gunmen, who eye him back.

UNIFORM 1 (VO)Sierra 1, continue your mission.Orders stand.

Contractor 1 ignores the soldiers and approaches Mike.

CONTRACTOR 1Big mistake if you stay with theseassholes. They’re not good enough.It’s your choice.

MIKEBut they’re the army. I don’t understand who you guys are.

CONTRACTOR 1We’re your only hope, cowboy.

SOLDIER 1Oh, bullshit! Mike, these are justsome high-priced private dudes. Idon’t know what the hell they really do.

CONTRACTOR 1We live well and prosper.

MIKEI’ll stick with them.

CONTRACTOR 1Then you get Bonehead of the Year.

Mike nods, certain that this is already correct. Soldier 4 puts his arm around Mike’s shoulders. He leads him toward another sandbagged building.

SOLDIER 4Okay, Mike – you’ve probably heardabout the cradle of civilization. That’s what we call this buildingover here.

Soldiers 1 and 2 follow along. Mike looks back as the contractors get in their armored personnel carriers, not Humvees. Machine guns on their rigs.

SOLDIER 1I admit they got the better gear…

MIKEI don’t get it. Who are those guys?

All the soldiers laugh at the famous movie line.

SOLDIER 2That’s what we ask ourselves every day. Not just those pricks – every thing about this stinkin’ place. “Butch? Who ARE those guys?”

SOLDIER 4“Whoever they are, they’re GOOD.”

SOLDIER 1Bullshit. No one around here is good. No one!

MIKEExcept you guys. Right?

SOLDIER 1We’re not good enough, like the man said. But they’re no good at all.

They go into the building.

INT. CAMP – DAY

Fifteen SOLDIERS are inside. Mike and his guards enter.

SOLDIER 4Guys! Look who came all this way to see us! This is the world champion cowboy from the real world!

The soldiers stare and then gather around. They spot Mike’s buckle. Mike takes off his helmet, since the others do, too.

SOLDIER 5Hey! No shit! I saw you win in Vegas on TV! You’re the wild Indian cowboy. The War Dance! Right on!

SOLDIER 6What in the hell are you doing here?

SOLDIER 4He’s just a small symbol of the highesteem in which our country holds us.

MIKEI’ll be honest, guys – I don’t KNOWwhat the hell I’m doing here.

The soldiers chuckle.

SOLDIER 4Neither do we!

SOLDIER 6C’mon man – we’re bringing Democracyto them I-racky heathens.

SOLDIER 5Right after we shoot the shit out of ‘em.

LATER – EXT. CAMP - DAY

Mike puts on his helmet and follows his guards to the vehicles and waves at the remaining grunts. Soldier 4 walks with him.

SOLDIER 4It’s been real and it’s been fun.

MIKEBut it ain’t been real fun. How muchlonger are you going to be here?

SOLDIER 4Aw, just another six months, if they really let us go. But I’ve gotthis feeling that I’m not going home,except in a tin box.

MIKEThere’s a lot I don’t get.

SOLDIER 4Welcome to the club. Nothing here is what it appears. Nothing.

INT. HUMVEE – Day

The little convoy gets back on the road.

MIKEWell? Where next?

SOLDIER 1Mike, this is bullshit. I think weoughta go back to the Green Zone. Youdig? Get your ass on a plane outa here.

Mike agrees but doesn’t speak.

SOLDIER 2Yeah, like what the hell are youproving? That America cares? Youcould get wasted right along with usand so what? You can see how dumbthis whole thing is.

Mike lets his breath out and nods.

SOLDIER 3

Dumb? I’ll give you dumb. They say this war’s about oil. But the last time I was home, gas was over three bucks a gallon. What this war’s about is jacking UP the price! You’re just here to make us feel right about what we’re doin’.

SOLDIER 1Whatever! Whaddya say, Mike?

MIKEYeah. I’m not doing any good.

SOLDIER 1Uniform 2, hook a U – we’re goin’ to the barn.

(in radio)Sierra 1, Uniform 3 –

SIERRA 1 (VO)Uniform 3, go –

SOLDIER 1Yeah, we’re baggin’ it. En route.

The lead Humvee swings wide and reverses direction toward Baghdad. The others do the same.

LATER

The convoy is halfway back and passes a small building. Suddenly, the lead vehicle FLIES up in the air over a huge explosion from the road. IEDs explode from the building and all vehicles are hit. They swerve and try to keep going but all are crippled.

Doors open and soldiers pile out, guns firing at the building. Mike’s Humvee rolls slowly into the crater in front of it and founders. The doors open and everyone gets out. Then another IED goes off and everyone is knocked down, killed or wounded. Mike drops, hit in the leg. MEN in Arab headdress charge from the building, firing at the soldiers.

Two attackers grab Mike and drag him behind the building, covered by the others, who shoot the American soldiers on the ground until they no longer present threats.

CUT TO:

INT. MADISON RANCH – NIGHT

Selah awakens in a fright – sits straight up. Hank jumps.

HANKWhat?

SELAHIt’s Mike. Something’s happened.

Hank looks at the clock and finally gets up.

HANKWant some coffee?

EXT. MADISON RANCH – DAWN

Hank pushes a hay cart from pen to pen, throws hay to horses. Selah throws the kitchen door open.

SELAHHank! Hank! Come here!

Hank runs to the house.

INT. RANCH KITCHEN – DAWN

The TV is on CNN. Mike’s publicity photo is behind announcer.

CNN ANNOUNCERTo repeat, US armed forces commandin Baghdad confirms this morning thatAmerican Mike Madison, the world champion rodeo cowboy from Cody, Wyomingwas captured today by Iraqi insurgentswhile on a goodwill visit to troops inthe city of Tikrit, home of former Iraqidictator Saddam Hussein. Mr. Madison,accompanied by a squad of US Army soldiers, was reportedly wounded in theattack on his convoy. Seven soldierswere reported killed along with fourwounded. No word yet on which insurgentgroup has Mr. Madison.

Selah stares at the TV. Hank picks up the phone and goes to her, squeezing her with his free arm. He kisses her and dials number.

HANKWashington, DC. Defense Department

(redials)This is Hank Madison in Cody, Wyoming.Give me the secretary of defense. Well,my son’s just been kidnapped in Iraq –let me talk to him now! What’s your name?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY (VO)This is David Hobbs, Mr. Madison. Iassure you that we are doing everythingpossible to locate your son.

HANKDo you know who has him?

CUT TO:

EXT. BAGHDAD AIRPORT – NIGHT

The wounded soldiers from Mike’s group are airlifted to Germany, including Soldier 1.

CUT TO:

INT. MADISON RANCH – DAY

HANKBilly, this is Hank. Yeah. Thanks. I know. No, not yet. Listen – can you replace me in Fort Worth? I’ve got to be here with Selah until we hear something. Thanks. I’ll let you know.

He dials another number.

HANK (cont’g)Let me speak with the congressman. Hank Madison in Cody – he knows me. Lew? Hank Madison. Uh, huh. Yeah. No, no one’s called yet. That’s why I’m calling you. They’re saying he was hurt in the ambush. How do they know that? Who told who that? Well, that’s something you can do, Lew.You can find out! Yeah, thanks.

The TV is muted but Selah sees Mike’s picture and she turns it up.

CNN ANNOUNCER…cowboy from Cody, Wyoming, capturedearlier today, is now being threatenedwith execution by his captors in Iraq.Seen here on al-Jazeera, his captorsgive a two-week deadline for all detainees to be released from the infamous Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad…

Suddenly, Mike appears in an orange jump-suit, surrounded by hooded men wielding long knives and an AK-74. One of the hoods grabs Mike by the hair and draws the knife across his throat and Mike jerks away in surprise and pain. Blood appears on his throat and he falls over to get away, though his hands are tied behind him. The tape ends.

CNN ANNOUNCER (cont’g)We apologize for the graphic natureof that al-Jazeera videotape…

Selah puts her hand to her mouth and groans. Hank drops the phone and rushes to her, hugging her to keep her from falling. She nods quickly that she’s okay. Hank leads her to the living room and lays her on the couch. He goes over to the bar and pours them both a double, takes it to her.

SELAHYou know I can’t drink this much.

HANK

That’s okay – I can. Have a little.

After a moment, she sips hers and shudders.

SELAHWhat are we going to do?

HANKBelieve me, we’re going to do something.

SELAHHank, call Billy back. Go to Ft. Worth. We need the money.

HANKI can’t leave you now.

SELAHI’ll go with you.

Hank keeps looking at her.

CUT TO:

EXT. FT. WORTH ARENA – DAY

Thousands of spectators enter rodeo arena.

INT. ARENA – NIGHT

Hank picks up a bronc rider after the whistle.

TV ANNOUNCER (VO)Rodeo fans and all Americans are still in shock, as are we here in the booth, over the terrible event in Iraq in which our new World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider, Mike Madison, was abducted last week and threatened With murder. Our hats are off to Mike and his parents, Hank and Selah Madison. Hank is working here tonight as one of our Dodge Truck pickup men, probably not knowing what else to do…

LATER

Hank ties his horse to his trailer and loosens the cinches. A COWBOY approaches and pats his shoulder.

COWBOYThanks for that good pickup, Hank.Damn ground’s gettin’ too hard.

Hank nods silently.

COWBOY (cont’g)How’s Selah? She in the trailer?

HANKYeah – glued to the TV. She doesn’t want to be seen just now. But I’ll tell her you asked, Jimmy.

COWBOYWell, I’m glad she’s traveling with you again. We missed her.

HANKYeah – me, too.

CUT TO:

EXT. MANNHEIM HOSPITAL – NIGHT

Soldier 1 lies in bed, tubes attached everywhere, legs in casts. He struggles to write a note and then gives it to his nurse. She leans down to hear him whisper:

SOLDIER 1Col. Barlow in Chicago. Please get this to Col. Booker Barlow in Chicago!

The nurse folds the note and writes on the back.

SOLDIER 1 (cont’g)Please don’t show it to anyone else!

The nurse nods and leaves.

CUT TO:

INT. TRAILER – DAY

Hank and Selah watch TV. Hank holds cell phone.

HANKSenator, I’m not getting any help from either the army or defense department regarding my son, Mike. What can you do to help me?

SENATOR (VO)Mr. Madison, I want to assure you that I am in touch with the secretary of defense regularly and I’ve been pushing him to release any information they have about Mike.

HANKAnd?

SENATOR (VO)He says that no group has claimedresponsibility yet. No one knows whatto do until someone does claim it.

HANKWell, Senator, I guarantee you that if the secretary or the president orYOU had a son missing over there, you’dbe getting some real answers! Not thisdamned runaround!

Selah just watches CNN.

INT. ARENA – LATER

In the audience, watching Hank make a dramatic rescue of a bareback rider, is a well-dressed black man in his early 60s. BOOKER BARLOW wears a camel hair coat, pearl gray Stetson. He gets up and makes his way behind the chutes.

BEHIND THE CHUTES

Hank rides up to his trailer and dismounts. Barlow stands behind him.

BARLOWHello, Madison.

Hank turns slowly and squints at the speaker.

HANK--Barlow? Is that you?

BARLOWIt’s me.

They greet warmly.

HANKDamn! What’s it been—

BARLOWTwenty-nine years. Looks like youare staying active.

HANKAnd you? Heard you stayed in andmade a good career. Did you retire?

BARLOWPretty much. Made chicken coloneland got passed over by the senate, so I went a different way…

HANKUh, huh. Guess you heard about my son.

BARLOWThat’s why I’m here, Hank.

Hank stares at him blankly.

INT. TRAILER – NIGHT

Barlow sits at the table and shows them the soldier’s note.

BARLOW (cont’g)This was written by one of the soldiers who was in Mike’s guard detail. It came from his hospital in Mannheim, Germany.

(reads)“Some private dudes tried to take the cowboy away from us at Tikrit. Gave us some shit and then split. Don’t know the connection, but would like to know who hired them.”

HANKWhat’s he mean – private dudes?

BARLOWContractors.

SELAHConstruction workers?

BARLOWJust the opposite.

HANKThey’re mercenaries, you mean?

Barlow nods.

SELAHI don’t understand.

BARLOWIn addition to the US Army, Marine Corps and Air Force, there’s a new – ah – phenomenon: private contractors, very highly paid, who perform special operations that require intense training in military practice and foreign language, among other skills.

SELAHBut I thought that’s what the Green Berets were for… Mike was thinking about joining them last year.

BARLOWThese contractors usually come from that background, and from other countries such as England and Israel. As I say, they’re a totally new idea for this country.

HANKWell, you say they’re highly paid. How highly paid?

BARLOWMost of them make a thousand dollars per day, or more.

Hank and Selah stare at Barlow.

HANKI guess I don’t understand what you are saying.

Barlow nods in understanding.

BARLOWI know. We probably wouldn’t have heard about these guys if four of them hadn’t been caught and murdered in Fallujah. And that lead to the destruction of that city right after.

SELAHSo, these contractors are what – professional killers?

BARLOWYes, that’s what they are. They kill America’s enemies but they are not in the chain of command, which gives the military deniability, if you know what that means.

Hank shakes his head in puzzlement.

HANKWell, what’s that soldier mean about them trying to take Mike?

BARLOWHank, that’s what I want to know. I’m here to offer to go over there and find out, and maybe find Mike. No charge.

Selah and Hank look at him hopefully. Then Hank frowns.

HANKThank you, Booker. Thank you. You have done something that no one else has done, and that’s tell us something real. And offer to do something, too.

(takes Selah’s hand)But we don’t want you to go to Iraq. Mike was apparently guarded by a whole squad of soldiers and they’re all dead or wounded. So, no, we can’t let you or ask you to do that. But what it means to us…

Selah nods through her tears.

SELAHDo you know who pays these contractors?

BARLOWUltimately, they are paid by the USgovernment, of course. I’m not familiarwith the front companies, but I imagineit’s the same as Air America, back inour day…

HANKAir America was CIA.

SELAHSo, this has been done before?

BARLOWAir America was a cargo service, runsecretly by CIA, yes – but they weren’toperational in this new sense of beinghired killers.

HANKBut who would have hired them to guardMike? I don’t get that part.

BARLOWYes. That seems to be the question. Maybe the authorities in Baghdad wanteda more professional team of bodyguards,I don’t know yet.

(smiles kindly)Well, folks, I’m going back to Chicago.Here’s where you can reach me…

Hank and Barlow exit.

BEHIND THE CHUTES

They shake, then Hank mounts up and canters into the arena.

INT. TRAILER – NIGHT

Selah gets online and searches private contractors in Iraq.

INT. ARENA – NIGHT

Hank and his partner get ready to pick up saddle bronc riders.

RODEO ANNOUNCER (VO)Folks, I’d like to ask you for yourattention. As you all know, our newPRCA Saddle Bronc World Champion cowboy,Mike Madison, has been kidnapped in Iraq.

Mike’s dad, Hank, is down in the arenatonight, one of our Dodge Truck pickup men. Hank’s one of the best in the business, chosen by the cowboys to workthe Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas, year afteryear. Hank’s working, and I’ve talkedwith him about this, to try to keep his mind off the nightmare he and his wife,Selah, are experiencing. He doesn’t knowwhat else to do, and I guess we’re all insame boat with him there, if it happenedto us. No applause, please – Hank justwants everyone to understand. Thank you, folks! Now, coming out of chute seven, from Ogallala, Nebraska, Joey Miller on the Bookworm, from the Billy Dillon string!

EXT. FT. WORTH ARENA – DAY

Hank and Selah canter Hank’s four pickup horses around the practice arena, exercising them. Each rides one, leads one.

SELAHI found some of those private contractors online last night.

HANKYeah? They advertise?

SELAHNo, no advertising. Just stories about them and what they do.

HANKYou get some names?

SELAHThey’re all back east.

INT. TRAILER – DAY

Hank punches a number on his phone.

HANKYeah, is this the contracting companyI heard about? Tell me, are you operating in Iraq? Uh, huh. Well, myson, Mike Madison, was kidnapped overthere and I’m wondering if you can tellme anything about it? Uh, huh. I see.No, that’s not exactly what I had in mind, but let me think about it. Okay.

(hangs up)They offered to find him, for a price.

SELAHHow much?

HANKA hundred grand down. Ten grand a day‘til they find him.

SELAHWell, maybe we can get the governmentto pay for them to look. If they’reso good at what they do, maybe theycan be contracted to find Mike.

LATER – on phone

HANKJust wondering if you’ve heard anythingthrough the grapevine about him, or whathappened… Or who’s got him? Uh, huh.Yeah. Well, of course, that’s a lot ofmoney for a cowboy to come up with. Yeah.

He calls another number.

HANKYeah, this is Hank Madison again. Let me speak to the congressman. Lew, listen – what do you know about private contractors in Iraq? Well, I’d appreciate it if you’d get up to speed on these people. Do you have any idea what the US government is paying them? Maybe you can hire them for a search, since the army got Mike into this, and can’t seem to find him… Yeah.

(to Selah)Who’s next?

(dials)Yeah, is this – Tactical Advantage? Well, this is Hank Madison in Wyoming. Who’s in charge there? Colby? Let me speak to him. It’s about my son, Mike, who was kidnapped in Iraq. Yeah.

(waits)Hello, Mr. Colby? Uh, huh. You can’t? National security? But I was thinking maybe we could hire you, or maybe the government could hire you to find him. Is that so? — Hello?

SELAHWhat?

HANKHe said we can’t afford them. Where are they? New York City…

CUT TO:

INT. FT. WORTH ARENA – NIGHT

Hank and his partner rope a bucking bull reluctant to leave the arena, drag him into the out alley. Hank rides over to the stock contractor, BILLY DILLON, standing near the chutes.

HANKBilly? Who’s your travel agent?

Dillon nods and writes in his notebook, rips a page, hands it.

EXT. DFW AIRPORT – DAY

Hank and Selah’s truck goes in long-term parking.

INT. DFW AIRPORT – DAY

Hank and Selah go through metal detectors. Bells go off. A TSA COP holds up his hand at Hank.

TSA COP 1Take off your hat. All metal in the tray. Remove your shoes.

He and Selah comply. They take off their cowboy boots and belts. They make it through the detector. Then the cop looks at Selah.

TSA COP 1Step over here, please, ma’am.

SELAHWhat’s wrong?

TSA COP 1This way, please.

Hank pulls on his boots and frowns as Selah, in sock feet, is taken away. He gets their carry-on bags and Selah’s boots, puts his hat on and tries to follow but is intercepted by another TSA COP.

HANKWhere are you taking my wife!?

TSA COP 2Stand over there, sir.

INT. TSA OFFICE – DAY

The TSA SUPERVISOR stares at Selah.

TSA SUPERVISORLet me have your passport.

SELAH

What?

TSA SUPERVISORWhat nationality are you?

SELAHNationality? I’m an American!

TSA SUPERVISORWhat kind of name is “Selah?” Is that Palestinian? Sounds Muslim.

SELAHMoslem? Are you insane? Do I LOOKMoslem?

TSA COP 1Actually, ma’am – you do.

SELAHHave you ever seen an Indian?

TSA SUPERVISOR--You’re a Hindu?

SELAHAMERICAN Indian? Native AMERICAN?

A FEMALE TSA COP enters.

TSA SUPERVISORMa’am, this agent is going to conducta full body search, because frankly, you worry us.

SELAHI worry you? When’s the last time a Nez Perce woman hijacked a plane? I worry you? Well, you people worry me!

The female TSA cop pulls her up and guides her to a booth, directs her inside. She follows and closes the curtain.

FEMALE TSA Please disrobe, ma’am.

Selah glares at her.

FEMALE TSA (cont’g)Your choice, ma’am. Either be searched or go home. No flying without a search.

Selah shakes her head and starts to take off her clothes. The cop watches her impassively as Selah eventually is totally nude. The cop produces a small flashlight.

FEMALE TSA (cont’g)Turn around, bend over and spreadyour cheeks, please.

Selah stares at her and slowly complies.

SELAHThis is the perfect job for you,isn’t it.

LATER

Hank and Selah board plane for JFK.

HANKWhat the hell happened back there?

SELAHIt’s gotten worse than we ever dreamed. This isn’t our country.

Hank stares at her deadly anger.

INT. AIRLINER – DAY

Hank listens as they buckle up.

HANKNaked? Are you serious?

SELAH(nods)

I look like an Arab terrorist.

HANKHoney, I’m so sorry. I tried to follow you but I got stopped.

SELAHThere was nothing you could do. Either submit or don’t fly.

HANKHell, you shoulda told ‘em to go to hell and stayed here!

SELAHNo, it’s okay. I want to be with you, no matter what!

LATER

Hank dozes with his hat over his face. Selah reads magazine.

LATER

Selah looks out window, pensive. Hank still dozes.

CAPTAIN (VO)Hello, folks – Captain Nelson hereagain. Looks like the weather in NewYork is clear and cold. Should be on

time and at the terminal in about fifteen minutes. I’m going to turn on the seatbelt sign now. Thanks for flying with us today on Carefree Air.

The seatbelt sign blinks on. Selah puts her hand on Hank’s arm. He wakes up and clicks his belt.

LATER

Hank unclips his belt.

HANKI’m going to hit the head…

He gets up and into the aisle, headed for the toilet. A SKYMARSHAL jumps up and blocks him.

SKYMARSHAL 1Sir! Return to your seat!

Hank jerks to a stop.

HANKI gotta go, pal.

SKYMARSHAL 1Sir! Return to your seat NOW!

HANKFor chrisake, kid – I’m serious.

The sky marshal pulls an automatic pistol and aims it at Hank.

SKYMARSHAL 1On the floor! NOW! On the floor!NOW! On the floor! NOW!

From behind Hank, a second SKYMARSHAL hits him and knocks him flat and jumps on him, handcuffing his wrists behind his back.

SELAHYou stupid bastards!

The sky marshals grab Selah and jerk her out of her seat, handcuffing her and pushing her to the floor on her stomach.

SKYMARSHALSEVERYBODY! HANDS ON YOUR HEADS!EVERYBODY! HANDS ON YOUR HEADS!

The PASSENGERS slowly comply with the frenzied commands and sit through the landing with hands clasped on heads. One passenger, OLLIE WILSON, manages to crank around and look at Hank. His eyes widen.

SKYMARSHAL 1You there! Turn around! Eyes front!

LATER

Hank and Selah are pulled up and hustled out first. Then the other passengers start to exit. Ollie Wilson goes back for Hank’s hat and their carry-on bags before he exits.

INT. JFK TERMINAL – DAY

Hank and Selah are marched to the TSA office. Ollie Wilson keeps them in sight.

INT. TSA OFFICE – DAY

With their hands cuffed behind them, Hank and Selah are put in chairs. The sky marshals are hyped, full of adrenaline.

SKYMARSHAL 1He disobeyed my direct order to remain seated on final!

HANKI had to pee. I still do.

SKYMARSHAL 2The woman yelled at us, causing adistraction.

SELAHI said you were stupid bastards.

The TSA AGENT IN CHARGE takes notes.

TSA ACWell, this is a serious matter, folks. You will be charged with endangering a scheduled flight. You’re looking at federal felony time.

HANKBullshit.

A knock at the door. Sky marshal 1 cracks the door and it is pushed open. Ollie Wilson barges in.

SKYMARSHAL 1Hey! Get out of here!

Both sky marshals’ hands go for their pistols.

OLLIEHi! My name’s Ollie Wilson, with ESPN Television, here in New York.

Ollie hands out a couple of cards, one to the AC. The TSA cops are surprised as they eye the cards.

TSA ACESPN? What do you want?

OLLIEHi, Hank!

HANKOllie…

OLLIE(to Selah)

We’ve never met, but you must be Selah. I’m Ollie Wilson.

Selah just gapes at him.

OLLIE (cont’g)Here’s your hat, Hank. Let me introduce everyone. This man here is Hank Madison, and his beautiful wife, Selah. Hank’s been on my network quite a bit over the years - he’s a rodeo cowboy. But lately, even you gentlemen here in New York must have heard of him, because hisand Selah’s son, Mike, has become the latest American to be abducted by terrorists – real live terrorists, mind you – in Iraq. Does that ring some chimes in your heads, gentlemen? I’m sorry – what are your names?

The TSA cops shift around uneasily.

OLLIE (cont’g)I know that Hank and Selah will want to know your names. Now, don’t you want to rethink this whole thing? Why not take off those handcuffs and let these unfortunate victims of terrorism go about their business?

The agent in charge nods reluctantly. Sullenly, the sky marshals remove their handcuffs.

SKYMARSHAL 1We’re just doing our jobs.

Hank puts on his hat and looks at the three cops.

HANKYour chickenshit jobs.

Ollie gets between them and the cops, herds them to the door.

OUTSIDE OFFICE

OLLIEJust boys having fun.

HANKI don’t know what to say, Ollie.

OLLIELet’s get out of here. Those men are very unstable, as we saw…

SELAHAre they on drugs? They went totallyberserk!

OLLIEI was there! It’s the way they’retrained – to dominate everyone. So,what are you doing in the Wild East?

EXT. JFK – DAY

Ollie hails a cab. The CABBIE loads luggage. They get in.

INT. CAB – DAY

CABBIEWhere to, Boss?

OLLIERockefeller Center, driver.

HANKOllie, you shouldn’t get involvedin this.

OLLIETheir address is just down Fifth Avenue from my office. We can walk after we drop our bags there. I’m curious now, and will do a bit of research first.

INT. OLLIE’S OFFICE – DAY

Ollie, at his massive desk, consults his computer.

OLLIE (cont’g)Tactical Advantage, subsidiary ofQuatro Holdings, Geneva. Soundsabout right. So, there’s been nomore word from the kidnappers? Nodemands?

SELAHThe army must empty Abu Ghraib prison…

OLLIEHmmm. Any idea if they’re Sunni or Shi’ite?

HANKWhat’s the difference?

OLLIEThe Sunnis pray directly to God – no middlemen. The Shi’ites have priests – mullahs and ayatollahs – to them, that’s a big difference.

HANKI mean, what difference does that make about Mike?

OLLIEWell, they’re both pretty pissed at us, but the Sunnis might be a little more reasonable. Hard to say. Okay! Let’s go see about getting a Tactical Advantage!

SELAHOllie, are you sure you want to?

OLLIETut, tut, my Dear. There might be a good story here.

HANKBut you’re a sports guy.

OLLIEBut I read the whole paper, Hank – not just the sports section.

CUT TO:

EXT. FIFTH AVE OFFICE – DAY

Hank, Selah and Ollie walk from Rockefeller Center to Tactical Advantage’s office building. They look and enter.

INT. TA BUILDING – DAY

They examine directory.

OLLIESuite 40A-G. Hmm. Lots of space.

Into the elevator.

UPSTAIRS

INT. TACTICAL ADVANTAGE OFFICE

RECEPTIONIST smiles at everyone. Hank refers to his notes.

HANKIs Mr. Colby in?

RECEPTIONISTWho may I say is here?

HANKMr. Madison, from Wyoming. We spoke on the phone.

She calls on the office phone.

RECEPTIONISTMr. Colby, Mr. Madison is here to see you. From Wyoming. Very well.

(to Hank)Mr. Colby says that you don’t have an appointment. I can make one for you, for next week, if you’d like…

Hank starts to steam. Ollie steps forward.

OLLIEPlease tell Mr. Colby that Ollie Wilson of ESPN Television is here as well. It’s very important.

He gives her his card. She nods.

RECEPTIONISTPlease have a seat.

They move away but stay standing. She makes a quiet call.

LATER

JOSEPH COLBY enters reception area. He doesn’t offer a hand.

COLBYMr. Madison? How can I help you?

HANKThis is my wife and Mr. Wilson.

Colby nods curtly.

COLBYAs I told you on the phone, Mr. Madison, I’m not at liberty to discuss our work.

HANKWell, was your company hired to protect our son? One of the private companies was.

COLBYI suggest that you direct your questions – all of your questions – to the department of defense.

OLLIEMr. Colby, Ollie Wilson with ESPN. Are you saying that you are working for the Pentagon?

COLBYI’m afraid I cannot discuss the matter further. I’m sorry.

He gestures toward the door.

HANKYou know, Colby, maybe we could hire you to find Mike. Would that be possible? Maybe our congressman could get the money to pay you.

COLBYGood day.

CUT TO:

INT. OLLIE’S OFFICE – DAY

HANKI really didn’t like that guy.

OLLIEI’m drawing a blank. Do you want to call the Pentagon?

SELAHWe tried that the first day.

HANKOur congressman’s never heard of Tactical Advantage, or the others.

OLLIEThat figures.

HANKColby knows something.

OLLIEObviously.

SELAHMaybe he’s trying to get Mike back but can’t talk about it?

OLLIEPossibly. You said he mentioned National Security on the phone to you?

Hank nods.

OLLIE (cont’g)Well, that’s serious. And he knows you’re serious, coming all this way.

HANKStill – who the hell hired contractors to guard Mike? That’s the big one.

OLLIEHmm. Agree. Say, do you have a hotel? If not, I’d like you to be my guests!

CUT TO:

EXT. BAGHDAD SAFE HOUSE – NIGHT

US armored vehicles rumble by this nondescript house.

INT. SAFE HOUSE – NIGHT

Down into the basement. Floodlights aimed at Mike Madison in his orange jumpsuit, bloody from his untended leg wound. He lies crumpled on the concrete floor, loose steel cables attached to his wrists. The cables go up to spools hung from the ceiling.

A video camera is set up and aimed at Mike. Men are in the shadows, behind the camera, which is turned on.

The cables suddenly start to wind into the spools. The unconscious and barefoot Mike is quickly hauled upward as they shorten. He wakes up and groans in pain as his arms are stretched out unnaturally. A man in Arab headdress attaches wires to his big toes. He withdraws and another man cranks on the power through the wires.

Mike almost screams but the shock is too great and he only jerks spasmodically. Then it stops. Then it happens again. His bladder lets go and his bloody jumpsuit darkens. He faints and eventually the cables are wound down and he crumples again.

CUT TO:

INT. MANHATTAN RESTAURANT – NIGHT

Despite their troubles, Hank and Selah manage to smile at Ollie’s kind attention at this exclusive restaurant. He provides the best of everything.

OLLIEAny hurry getting home?

HANKYep. I need to keep working. Thistrip wasn’t exactly in our budget. and it’s been pretty much of a bust,except for seeing you.

OLLIE

Mmm. I’m so glad we were on the same flight!

SELAHJust think if you weren’t on our plane! We’d be in jail.

OLLIEI’m afraid you’re right. 9-11 changed everything…

HANKSelah got stripped at DFW.

OLLIE--Stripped? You mean – STRIPPED?

SELAHBuck naked. Then searched from behind.

OLLIEMy God! Why?

SELAHThose TSA morons think the Nez Perce are a branch of al-Qaeda. I could have had a box-cutter in my butt.

OLLIEPerversion! There’s no other word!

Nearby DINERS glance at Ollie’s vehemence.

OLLIE (cont’g)And then, to be assaulted on the plane – we are descending into dictatorship!

He uses the napkin on his forehead, gets a grip and blinks with false cheer.

OLLIE (cont’g)One more for the road?

HANKLong as I’m not driving.

Ollie signals the waiter.

CUT TO:

INT. OLLIE’S TOWNHOUSE – NIGHT

In his elegant home on the Upper East Side, Ollie shows his guests to their quarters.

OLLIEWhen is your flight?

SELAHOne-thirty in the afternoon.

OLLIEOh, good. We can sleep.

HANKOllie, you’re a great friend… Everything you’ve done for us…

OLLIEHank… Selah – As we were saying before, something very ugly has happened – is happening – to our country. And what we’re doing to other countries. Very ugly and terrible. I’m terrified for youand Mike. I’m sorry, but I’m just terrified. I shouldn’t say that, and increase your fear, but I am terrified! Your experiences today, I will never get over my shock and revulsion! Monsters are running our country!

SELAHYou were so brave to rescue us! Yousaved our lives, I know you did!

Selah hugs Ollie tightly.

OLLIEYou’ll never know how frightened I was to go into that evil office! My God! The nightmares I’ll have – forever. My worst fears are now reality. Your poor son! All the dead people! I’m so sorry--

He chokes up and shakes his head. Selah keeps hugging him.

Hank looks at him with tears in his eyes.

CUT TO:

INT. JFK – DAY

Ollie accompanies Selah and Hank to the security area. Muted televisions are nearby.

HANKI better hit the head before we leave this time!

Hank goes off to find the men’s room. Ollie watches him thoughtfully and an eyebrow goes up.

OLLIEProstate?

SELAH‘Fraid so.

Behind them, a woman groans. They turn to look. She’s watching one of the TVs. On it, Mike’s body is suspended and jerking with electric shock. Selah’s eyes narrow as she focuses on the scene. She is drawn to the TV and then her eyes widen in terror. Then she passes out and drops to the floor. Ollie, also watching screen, doesn’t notice until he hears her fall.

LATER

Hank approaches, sees Ollie on the floor with Selah, and runs up to them. He gets on his knees with them.

HANKOllie! What happened?

Ollie looks up at the TV but the story has changed.

OLLIEShe saw Mike on television…

Hank watches him and looks at Selah, who’s still out. He strokes her face and slaps it gently, trying to wake her. Selah’s eyes flicker open.

HANKSelah! What did you see? What did she see, Ollie?

OLLIEMike was being tortured…

HANKTortured? On television?

He looks at the screen but there’s nothing there about Mike. The two men help Selah up. They go toward the security check.

CUT TO:

EXT. DFW AIRPORT – DAY

Hank and Selah get in their truck and leave.

EXT. FT. WORTH ARENA – DAY

Hank loads his horses into the trailer. Selah goes in the front and shuts the door. Billy Dillon helps Hank.

BILLYGod dammit, Hank! I can’t even imagine what you two are going through. I saw the tape this morning. It was real bad, son –I ain’t gonna kid ya.

HANKI missed it, but Selah saw it.

BILLYI’m sorry as hell, Hank.

HANKYeah, well – we’re going home and try to think of something. I’ll call you.

Billy squeezes his shoulder and goes back to loading his stock. Hank gets in the truck and eases it out of the arena.

EXT. INTERSTATE – NIGHT

Hank’s truck and trailer head north for Cody.

INT. TRAILER – NIGHT

Selah sleeps in their bed while Hank drives straight through.

INT. HANK’S TRUCK – DAY

Hank, with stubble on his jaw, keeps driving by himself.

CUT TO:

EXT. MADISON RANCH – DAY

Hank’s rig pulls into ranch. He gets out and stretches, then goes to the trailer and opens the door. He peeks in at Selah, who’s still asleep. He shuts the door and goes to the house.

ON THE PORCH

Booker Barlow rocks back and forth on the swinging lounge, waiting patiently. Hank sees him, snaps out of his thoughts.

HANKHi, Booker.

Barlow stands up and shakes hands. They go inside.

INT. MADISON RANCH – DAY

Hank pours coffee into three mugs. He adds Jack Daniel’s to all three, liberally.

HANKThere’s someone outside who needs this even more than I do.

BARLOWHow is she taking it?

HANKBetter than I am, considering she

actually saw the damn tape and I haven’t. It must have been bad, ‘cause she fainted dead away.

Barlow nods.

BARLOWYes.

Hank takes Selah’s mug away.

LATER

Hank returns.

HANKShe says hi. She’ll be in when she’s good and drunk, she says.

BARLOWI’ve been gathering information on contractors…

HANKYeah? We just came from seeing one of them. In New York.

BARLOWWhich one?

HANKTactical Advantage. We’re thinking they could help get Mike back, if we can get our congressman to spring for their fee. Government got him in this jam in the first place…

BARLOWThey would certainly be the ones to ask…

HANKYeah – they’re hard core. And they work directly for the army. Selah thought maybe they were already working on it, on the QT.

BARLOWSelah is correct.

Hank, road-weary, already feeling the booze, looks at Barlow.

HANKShe is?

BARLOWHank, recruiting is way up since Mike was snatched. Did you know that?

(Hank shakes head)

No. But it is. Way up. A lot of boys want to rescue him. You know – fantasy stuff. The smart money in DC says that if Mike gets killed on television, it’s worth 52 to 54 percent support for the war for another six months. That will shut up the doves in Congress long enough to get into the mid-term election. The anti-war candidates will lose a couple of points for fear of jeopardizing the war – and a couple of points are enough to die for, as they say. Or kill for.

Hank appears to be holding his breath.

BARLOW (cont’g)Really, Hank, other than Dolly Parton, the administration couldn’t find a better victim than Mike. He’s made to order.The American cowboy. Wow.

Hank starts breathing and sips his coffee-flavored whiskey.

HANKYou were saying that TacticalAdvantage would be the ones to get him back.

Barlow laughs sardonically.

BARLOWOh, yes! They’re the ones!

Hank nods at his good idea, but he doesn’t get Barlow’s humor.

BARLOW (cont’g)Because they’re the ones who havehim.

EXT. MADISON RANCH – DAY

Hank goes to the trailer and opens the door.

INT. TRAILER – DAY

Selah sips her whiskey, looking out window at the mountains. Hank enters with his drink.

SELAHAnything new?

HANKYep. Come on inside.

INT. MADISON RANCH – NIGHT

Selah puts dinner on the table as the two men plan.

BARLOWTactical Advantage is a DefenseDepartment front company, just as the CIA has what they call proprietaries –

SELAH--Like Air America was?

BARLOWYes. So, if we take on TacticalAdvantage, we’re taking on thePentagon and that wouldn’t get ustoo far.

HANKYeah.

BARLOWBut our government is actually run from above, as I’m sure you’ve heard. The ones with the gold make the rules - the Golden Rule.

SELAHYou’re saying this isn’t a democracy?

BARLOWI’m saying we have minority rulemasquerading as majority rule. The ruling minority owns the gold.

HANKSo, who has the gold?

BARLOWA few old families. The most well known is headed by Mr. Bernard Shipman. You’ve heard of him?

HANKHell, I’ve met him.

Barlow stares at Hank. Selah reacts, a little tipsy.

SELAHHe has a big place in Jackson Hole.He came to a rodeo here in Cody or somewhere, and Hank put him up on one of his pickup horses. He likes to ride.

HANKIt was in Cheyenne. He invited usto his ranch in Jackson. That wasafter he met Selah, of course.

SELAHThat’s right. Cheyenne – Jack’s fault.

She points at her glass. Barlow stares at her and at Hank.

BARLOWYou mean, you could just drive into his place near here? Do you know where it is?

HANKSure. Few hours from here. Why?

Barlow sighs and stands up. Then he remembers his manners and sits down, but he’s excited. Hank looks at Selah.

BARLOWI assumed he lived in New York.

HANKI think he’s retired. Says helives at the ranch, now. Lot ofthese super-rich guys are doing that.

BARLOWUh, huh.

Barlow notices Selah’s wonderful dinner and starts to eat.

SELAHBooker. You say those bastards actually have Mike? How do you know?

BARLOWThe injured soldier in Mannheim… He remembered something about that day. He got word to me again…

HANKWhat?

BARLOWThe attackers thought he was dead, but he saw a black t-shirt on one them, the same as they’d all been wearing in Tikrit. It was bugging him for days, but he didn’t Want to deal with such a thing.

HANKA black t-shirt? That’s the proof?

BARLOWBlack t-shirt with a little yellow logo, right here.

HANKWhat kind of logo?

BARLOWSomething like this.

Barlow pulls out a creased paper from his sport coat. Hank opens it up and

CLOSE UP

Twin lightning bolts around the initials “TA,” in yellow on black.

Hank nods.

HANKOkay, that’s good enough for me. Now, why the big interest in Mr. Shipman?

BARLOWWell, Mr. Shipman owns Tactical Advantage. He also owns the other private contractor firms in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are government fronts, but he actually, legally owns them. Along with a few major oil companies and banks, as we all know. Just like old man Doole actually owned Air America. Shipman owns a lot of things and a lot of people, such as your Mr. Colby, ho’s probably never met Bernard Shipman.

Hank and Selah, slightly drunk, attempt to deal with this.

HANKOkay. Okay. Now that we know this, what are we going to do?

BARLOWWell, we’re going to make us a trade. We’re going to put our trading pants on.

They look at him blankly.

BARLOW (cont’g)We’re going to trade Mr. Shipmanfor Mike. That’d be a fair trade,wouldn’t it?

Hank nods weakly.

HANKThat’s a real good plan, Booker.There’s more to it?

BARLOW(thinks)

We’ll pick him up.

CUT TO:

EXT. JACKSON HOLE – DAY

INT. TRUCK - DAY

Hank drives the truck and trailer. Selah and Barlow are with him. They head south on the Yellowstone Hiway. As they pass a dirt crossroad, Hank points up toward the rugged Teton Range.

HANKThat’s the way to the back entrance to his place. Go up there about three miles and that’s where we’ll be.

They keep driving into Jackson like tourists, along with hundreds of cars and trucks, many pulling horse trailers.

They keep going and eventually come to the magnificent entrance to the Shipman ranch. It is gated and guarded. They pass by.

BARLOWYou say you’ve been in there?

HANKI used to cowboy for the previousowner - Miller. Haven’t been there since Shipman bought it.

BARLOWYou know the damnedest people.

HANKWe’re rich in friends.

A mile farther, Hank pulls over and parks. They get out.

EXT. JACKSON HOLE – DAY

Hank and Selah bring out three of his pickup horses. Hank checks their cinches and gives the reins of one to Barlow.

BARLOWThank you.

HANKWe got us a pretty good rideahead, Booker – you up for it?

BARLOWI come from a long line of cowboys.

Hank and Selah smile. Hank checks his saddlebags.

BARLOW (cont’g)I’m serious! Don’t you know mostof the original cowboys after the

Civil War were Negroes? My forebearswere among them.

HANKThat’s good enough for me. ‘Boutfour hours, Honey.

Hank mounts up and so does Barlow. Hank takes the lead rope of the third horse and they head for the high country. He turns around and waves at Selah. She gets in the truck andheads for Jackson.

LATER

Hank and Barlow encounter a barbed wire fence. Hank dismounts and goes to his saddlebag, fishes out a fence tool. He hands his horses to Barlow and cuts the four strands of wire. Then he pulls them out of the way and gets back on.

BARLOWYou don’t think it’s electrified?

HANKNow’s a hell of a time to ask.

BARLOWI don’t mean hot, I mean an alarm.

HANKNah. Just a fence for cattle. Heruns five thousand head here, or more. Let’s just hope we don’t run into his cowboys.

They enter a large herd of beef cattle and ride off through it. Some of the steers begin to examine the hole in the fence and naturally go through it.

Hank looks back at the escape.

HANKThat should keep the hands busy!

LATER

They ride down a draw and up a hill and suddenly they see the main house. They keep riding.

EXT. SHIPMAN RANCH – DAY

Hank and Barlow ride right up to the main house. Several SUVs and a truck are parked in front. They dismount and tie the horses to the hitching rail. Hank goes to his saddlebags and brings out an old Colt Single Action six-shooter and coils of soft rope. Then they go up the steps and open the front door, and walk in. Barlow produces a pistol from his coat pocket.

INT. SHIPMAN MANSION – DAY

The BUTLER is startled as he heads to the door at the sound. Hank levels his revolver from the hip.

HANKTake us to Mr. Shipman.

Without a word, the butler turns and leads them to the main living room. They follow him into the fabulous room, with a dozen hunting trophies scattered around, with a huge view of the Tetons. Four MEN sit talking in large leather chairs. One of them sees the intruders and stiffens.

BARLOWPlease stay seated, gentlemen!

The men all jerk around. One of them jumps up and Barlow shoots him. He falls, wounded and yelling. The others are glued to their seats. Hank glances out the window to see if anyone heard the shot. Barlow picks up the fired brass.

BARLOWWhich of you is Mr. Shipman?

Hank points to the oldest one. SHIPMAN looks at Hank as if at someone he’s met. The yelling distracts him as Hank cuts four-foot lengths of the soft rope and starts tying everyone up securely.

HANKCome here, you.

The butler submits to having his hands tied to his feet in a way that keeps him from getting up, as with the other three. Barlow ties Shipman’s hands behind him but lets him stand.

SHIPMANWhat in the world do you thinkyou’re doing?

BARLOWSoon enough, sir – all will berevealed. And I do mean all.Okay, whose Escalade is that?

SHIPMANIt’s mine.

BARLOWOf course.

They hustle Shipman out of the house.

EXT. SHIPMAN RANCH – DAY

Barlow looks in the Escalade for the keys. He gets in and starts it, hiding it around the back of a nearby barn. Then he runs back to help Hank. Together, they hoist the old man up on his horse and then mount up. Hank leads the one horse and they trot out of the yard. Shipman bounces so

badly that he nearly falls off, with his hands tied behind him. They stop, Hank pulls his switchblade and cuts the rope, allowing Shipman to hang on. He keeps the lead rope and they take off again, at a canter. Shipman hangs on for dear life. Hank stows his revolver in his saddlebag.

LATER

They approach the meeting place at a walk. A rain squall threatens. Hank checks behind for followers. He pulls a black bandana out of his saddlebag and pulls up next to Shipman and ties it around his eyes.

SHIPMANI know you. Don’t I.

HANKYou’re going to know me better.

SHIPMANI can pay whatever you want.

HANKI know you can. I want my son.

They wait and soon Selah appears in the truck and trailer. She parks and they pull Shipman off his horse and hustle him into the living quarters of the trailer. Barlow gets in with Shipman. Hank padlocks the door, loads the horses and then they’re away, back down the road. They just beat the rain squall.

CUT TO:

INT. TRAILER – DAY

As the rain begins to hammer the trailer, Barlow sits across from Shipman.

BARLOWMr. Shipman, I’m of two mindsabout you. One of my minds needsto trade you for a fine young fellahwho’s being tortured, and might bedead already. If he survives, andyou tell me everything I need to know, then that’s what will happen:you’ll be traded.

(pauses)My other mind wants to kill you, forall the death and suffering that you,sir, personally have caused to happendue to your greed. If the young mandies, as is intended to happen, thenI or the other man will kill you.

SHIPMANWell, I hope I am traded. What isit you wish to know?

BARLOW

Things you won’t wish to tell me.

SHIPMANAre you desperate men?

BARLOWHe is – I’m not.

SHIPMANIs there a figure in your mindthat would get me released now?

BARLOWNo. There is no such figure. Youare too intelligent to think therecould be such a figure.

SHIPMANThat is very frightening to me.

BARLOWI’m sure it’s a new experience. But in the end, unless the youngman dies, it will be your vastwealth that gets you traded, for Idoubt that anyone loves you.

SHIPMANIf he dies, you will kill me.

BARLOWYes, sir. That’s a fact.

SHIPMANWhat is his name?

BARLOWMike Madison. Some of your gang-sters kidnapped him. They’retorturing him now, and plan to cuthis head off in a few days.

SHIPMANMy gangsters? Which ones?

BARLOWTactical Advantage – recognize it?

SHIPMANI’m afraid not.

BARLOWIt doesn’t matter for now. So.This trailer will be your homefor a couple of days. You shall be making some statements on camera,for the record. You’re going to

clear up some mysteries in thepeople’s minds.

SHIPMANAm I?

BARLOWYes, sir. I’ve spent most of mycareer persuading people to tellthings they didn’t want to tell me.

SHIPMANYou don’t need to frighten me morethan you already have.

BARLOWThose people up ahead of us arefrightened, Mr. Shipman. Theirson, if he’s still alive, is more frightened than you can imagine.Do you watch television?

SHIPMANNo, I do not.

BARLOW(shrugs)

The truth will make you free, ifyour gangsters don’t kill the boy.

SHIPMANI ask again, what do you wish to know? Please give me an idea.

BARLOWThe basics of life.

SHIPMANThe basics? What are those?

BARLOWThe things that have made you sorich, and have made the people sopoor – and afraid.

Shipman looks away for the first time. Barlow gets up and looks at Hank’s rodeo calendar, tacked to the wall.

BARLOW (cont’g)The door is locked, so there’sno need for me to tie you up. Ifyou yell, I’ll gag you. Now, I’mtired from our long horseback rideand I’m going to lie down. I suggestyou prepare your confession. It should be quite extensive.

(checks date)

Young Mike’s head will be cut offin three days.

He goes into the bedroom.

SHIPMANPerhaps I can intervene!

BARLOW (OS)Let us pray. First, prepareyour confession. There’s paperon the table.

SHIPMAN(hesitates)

Where do I begin?

OS, Barlow sighs ironically as he lies on the bed.

INT. HANK’S TRUCK – NIGHT

Hank drives east, through the rain. Selah sips coffee.

SELAHI’m wide awake. Want me to drive?

HANKIn a while. Rapid City’s aboutfifteen hours.

SELAHDo you think this will work?

HANKShould. I’ll probably be busted,but if we get Mike back…

SELAHWhat do you think they’re doing?

HANKBooker is working him.

SELAHIs that what you did in Vietnam?With Booker?

HANKMe? No, I was just a soldier. Sowas he. The spook stuff came later.

EXT. WYOMING BACK ROAD – NIGHT

Hank’s truck and trailer roar through the rain.

CUT TO:

EXT. FBI HQ DC – DAY

LS of the Hoover FBI Building.

CROWLEY (VO)Sir, this is Inspector Crowley,calling from Bernard Shipman’s ranch…

FBI DIRECTOR (VO)What happened there, Crowley?

CUT TO:

EXT. SHIPMAN RANCH – DAY

The government’s AGENTS swarm around in the rain, looking for clues. They enter and exit main house. The butler is distressed at the mess they make. Three helicopters are parked on the huge lawn.

INSPECTOR CROWLEY speaks into his cell phone from the porch.

CROWLEYMr. Shipman was kidnapped at about noon yesterday. Four people tied up, one shot – not serious. Two male adults, one white, one black, dressed as cowboys. We’re not sure yet how they took him out of here. Possibly on horseback. It’s raining, so tracking them is not possible.

FBI DIRECTOR (VO)Who is on the scene?

CROWLEYBesides us, sir, there’s CIA, DIA,army and some private investigators.

FBI DIRECTOR (VO)Press?

CROWLEYThey’re being held at the entrance.

FBI DIRECTOR (VO)Crowley, who were the others?

CROWLEYWell, sir, two are network CEOsand the injured man is deputy CIAdirector Remington. All insiston anonymity.

FBI DIRECTOR (VO)Where the hell was their security?

CROWLEYIt appears this was a highly, ah,confidential meeting, sir. Shipman,according to the butler, felt quitesafe here.

FBI DIRECTOR (VO)I see. Well, top priority, Crowley.Where can we expect ransom demandsto be received?

CROWLEYWe’re setting up here, sir.

CUT TO:

EXT. RAPID CITY – DAY

Hank’s truck and trailer, Selah at the wheel, rolls through town. Banners advertise the weekend rodeo.

EXT. RODEO GROUNDS – DAY

Selah drives the rig into the rodeo grounds among the big stock rigs and competitors’ trailers. She parks.

Hank wakes up in the back seat and gets out. He and Selah unload the horses and lead them into the nearby pens. Hank opens tack door and hauls out two saddles and tack, placing them on the pen’s rail.

HANKOkay. You can take off. Letme know when Booker has what weneed. Time’s short!

They kiss and Selah gets in truck and pulls out.

Hank heads for the arena.

INT. ARENA – DAY

Hank spots the stock contractor, RED GRANGER, who’s inspecting a chute gate. He pats Red on the back, startling him.

REDDamn, boy! Sneakin’ up on me. You sure you want to work?

HANKI’m sure.

REDBut – damn, boy! They’re fixin’ to, uh – you know…

HANKYeah. Uh, Red – Selah had to haul some colts and I need a place to lie down.

REDWell, there’s the semi sleeper.The new one. Pretty nice!

Hank nods and pats his arm, leaves. Red shakes his head.

RED (cont’g)(whispers)

Damn, boy.

CUT TO:

EXT. OVERHEAD – DAY

We fly over Mt. Rushmore and catch up with Selah as she goes from Rapid City to Custer. Then we fly over the Crazy Horse Monument as she pulls into the parking area. We see her get out and go back to the trailer, unlock it and go in.

CUT TO:

INT. TRAILER – DAY

Selah enters and glances at Shipman, who looks to her for signs of compassion. There is none. Selah finds the digital video machine and a tripod. She quickly sets it up and aims it at Shipman, who studies her. Barlow sits behind camera.

SHIPMAN(light bulb)

Of course! The rodeo cowboy.Madison. Yes, I remember now.Not your son? Surely!

BARLOWCan’t forget a pretty face?

Selah ignores him and leaves, locking the door from outside.

SHIPMANSuch classic native beauty…

BARLOWThis material is interesting,Bernard, but not basic enough.

SHIPMANExactly what is meant by basic?

BARLOWThe basic things that you use tocontrol us – oil, war and money.That’s what we’re going to discuss.

CUT TO:

EXT. BAGHDAD SAFEHOUSE – NIGHT

In the basement, the floodlights are off. Mike slumps against a dank concrete wall, a steel collar around his throat, chained to the wall. He is barely recognizable, and his orange jumpsuit is filthy with dried blood and muck.

Contractor 1 enters basement and stands over Mike. He kicks his bloody leg. Mike’s mouth contorts in pain but he does not make a sound. He awakens and stares up at his torturer.

CONTRACTOR 1Shit! Do you stink! You stinklike you’re already dead! You’llbe dead soon, however. Coupladays, and I’m gonna cut off yourhead. I’m gonna do it on primetimelive in the good ol’ USA. No videotape this time, cowboy. Live! ThenI’m gonna keep your head in a pickle jar, like Geronimo. Keep it in our club. We’ll send your stinkin’ body home for your redskin jerks to play with, but we’ll keep your head. Whaddya think about that?

Mike tries to ignore him and think about his grandfather, touches his throat for the missing medicine bag.

Contractor 1 leaves Mike. We follow him upstairs where the other contractors sit around the kitchen.

CONTRACTOR 1 (cont’g)Okay, let’s do it…

They leave one guard behind and exit house.

EXT. ROADBLOCK – DAWN

A line of Iraqi civilian vehicles inches through roadblock. A SOLDIER points at a taxicab and marks him for a search. Up closer, the soldier is a contractor. The CAB DRIVER pulls out of line. The contractor approaches his door.

CONTRACTOR 3Papers!

The cab driver produces his papers.

CONTRACTOR 3 (cont’g)Get out and go inside and wait!We’re gonna search your car!

The cab driver obeys and enters shack.

INT. ROADBLOCK SHACK – DAY

It is later. The cab driver perspires as the sun gets higher. Finally, Contractor 4 motions to him from the counter. He goes to the counter.

CONTRACTOR 4Okay! You check out. But yougotta go to the police stationto get your papers back, ‘causethey gotta have a record of thesearch. Get it? Police station?Your papers will be at the policestation.

The driver nods slowly.

DRIVERYes. Police station. Thank you,sir.

CONTRACTOR 4Go straight to the police stationnow! Okay?

DRIVERYes, sir – now.

The cab driver makes his way to his car and gets in. He pulls away from the roadblock and is waved through.

We follow the cab driver as he makes his way through Baghdad traffic. Eventually, he sees the station and steers into the small parking lot among the Iraqi police cars. Several IRAQI COPS, speaking in a group, turn to watch the cab pull up and park next to them.

INT. ARMORED VEHICLE – DAY

From inside the APC, Contractor 1 watches the cab driver get out and speak to the cops. Holding a remote control device, he pushes button. The cab explodes and the men disappear.

CONTRACTOR 1Damn! Suicide bombers are allover the place.

CONTRACTOR 2(chuckles)

That one definitely is.

CUT TO:

EXT. CRAZY HORSE MONUMENT – DAY

Hank’s truck and trailer are in the parking lot.

INT. CRAZY HORSE MUSEUM – DAY

Selah kills time, viewing the Indian art and other displays. She gazes up at the great unfinished mountain sculpture.

Selah finds the Nez Perce tribal section, with its details on the Appaloosas, most of which were slaughtered by the US Cavalry in its attempt to destroy Chief Joseph and his people. She shakes her head sadly.

Then, curious, she looks for the Comanche section, finds it:

The Comanche – Masters of the Horse

She reads the material with interest.

CUT TO:

INT. RAPID CITY ARENA – NIGHT

The rodeo is underway. Hank picks up in the bronc riding with his partner. The stands are packed, since many are curious about the pickup man whose son is about to be beheaded. They watch him in morbid fascination, wondering how he could be doing that at this time. The announcer is uneasy and doesn’t mention Hank’s situation. The cowboys are uneasy and don’t understand his seemingly callous attitude.

The audience doesn’t concentrate on the rodeo, but on Hank. He seems oblivious, as pickup men always seem when they’re working. They never look at the crowd. Hank is no different.

CUT TO:

INT. DENVER FBI REGIONAL HQ – DAY

Inspector Crowley is handed the Denver Post as he talks on phone.

OIL, BANK MAGNATE KIDNAPPED

CROWLEYHell. No, sir – sorry. The Postjust ran the Shipman story. I’dhoped we’d get one more day before…yes, sir – I have the NRO satellite photos in front of me. The Shipman ranch is quite clear and we may have the suspects’ vehicle in place. Wehave a silver Dodge one-ton crew cab dually pulling a rather long trailer, aluminum roof. Probably a horsetrailer. The fence was cut near thevehicle, so this is likely the one.Yes, it’s a common truck. Yes, sir –it could be anywhere by now.

CUT TO:

EXT. JACKSON STREET – DAY

Police cars follow various trucks hauling trailers.

CUT TO:

EXT. CRAZY HORSE – DAY

Selah comes out of the living quarters and padlocks the door. She quickly goes to the truck, gets in and pulls away.

INT. HANK’S TRUCK – DAY

Selah drives back through Rapid City and then south on I-90.

She holds her cell phone to her ear as she drives.

SELAHYou can go ahead and do it. I love you, Hank – no matter.

INT. RODEO ARENA – NIGHT

The night before the deadline. Again, Hank is picking up and now the grandstands are standing room only. The cowboys stare at Hank, not knowing what to think of his strange behavior. It’s just another day at work for him. The news media have shown up from the networks and big papers. Everyone wants an interview with this stoic, cold individual who has stayed out of sight all day until now.

This is the final performance for the Rapid City Rodeo and the grand entry is underway. Hank and his pickup partner gallop in at the end of the parade. The guest SINGER starts to sing the National Anthem. All the cowboys face the huge flag and take off their hats. All except Hank Madison. He deliberately turns his horse away from the flag and keeps his hat on.

The crowd gasps audibly at this show of contempt. The cowboys look at Hank in shock. He sits quietly, with his back to the flag. Finally, the song is over and no one applauds. The stands are deathly quiet. The announcer is at a loss for words. Then he starts to speak but must clear his throat.

ANNOUNCERFolks, ah – welcome to the finalsand short round of this great RapidCity Rodeo. Hope you’re all havinga good time.

Silence.

Hank canters his horse around in a small circle to warm it up and then sits still, waiting for the first bareback rider.

ANNOUNCER (cont’g)Okay! Well, aim your eyes at chutenumber six! Here comes Wallace Mintyon Busted Flush of the Red Granger Rodeostring! Ride ‘em, cowboy!

The COWBOY makes a good ride but at the whistle is jerked forward and the bronc hits his face with the back of its head, knocking him out. Hank anticipates, knowing the horse, and is alongside as the rider falls over,

away from Hank. If he falls, his trapped fingers will twist him right under the galloping horse. Hank leans over and almost sits on the bucker as he grabs the unconscious rider’s free arm and pulls him back up and into his lap. Then he hoists them both onto Hank’s running horse. It seems impossible and no one can believe what he’s just seen!

The silent stands erupt in wild applause as flashbulbs capture every second of the feat. Hank canters over to the medical personnel who come rushing out. He eases the rider into their arms and then goes to help his partner clear the bronc out of the arena, then returns and stops. Red Granger, next to the out alley, looks up at him, puts his hand on Hank’s padded red chap leg.

REDDamn, boy – that was good. Like a wild Comanche Indian!

Hank glances down at him, deadpan. Then he moves away for the next action.

RED (cont’g)Blood will tell…

The excited audience remembers who it’s looking at and feels guilty for its enthusiasm. The announcer doesn’t mention the sensational save. No one quite knows what to think. That man’s son, the beloved World Champion, is about to have his head cut off. What are we all doing at this rodeo, enjoying ourselves?

CUT TO:

INT. HANK’S TRUCK – NIGHT

Selah comes to Pine Ridge exit and steers to the right. She heads into the reservation, going south.

CUT TO:

INT. RODEO ARENA – NIGHT

The last bull rider is bucked off and the rodeo is over. Hank runs the bull out of the arena and keeps riding through the out alley behind the chutes. He is met by a gang of television CAMERAMEN and REPORTERS, who know exactly where he’ll be. Still mounted, he squints in the bright television lights.

REPORTER 1Hank! What are you doing herewhen your son is about to be killed?

HANKI’m doing my job.

REPORTER 2Doing your job? But your son!Don’t you care?

HANK

Yep. I care.

REPORTER 3Well, why did you turn your backon the flag tonight? What wereyou saying? Do you blame thegovernment?

HANKYes, I blame the government.

REPORTER 1Well, do you have anything to say to the terrorists who are going to kill Mike?

HANKYes, I do.

Hank steps down and ties his horse to the stock trailer.

CAMERAMAN 1Over here, Hank!

He moves into the light again.

HANKI have a message for the terroristswho plan to kill my son. It’s amessage from Mr. Bernard Shipman.

Stunned silence.

HANK (cont’g)Mr. Shipman says he’d like themto release Mike tonight, or what-ever time it is in Iraq right now. Mr. Shipman says that hewants to be traded for Mike. In fact, he demands it. He also demands that Mike be able to see and speak and do everything he could do before he waskidnapped. If Mike has his eyespoked out, for example, Mr. Shipman really wouldn’t like that, he says.

(pauses)Did you get all that?

REPORTER 2Hank? Are you saying – are yousaying that YOU know where BernardShipman is?

HANKNo. I just know what he wants.

REPORTER 1

How do you know, Hank? How do you know! Did you kidnap BernardShipman? Are you the COWBOY whokidnapped Bernard Shipman?

CUT TO:

EXT. BAGHDAD SAFE HOUSE – DAY

An armored personnel carrier roars out of the yard.

EXT. GREEN ZONE – DAY

On the outskirts of the Green Zone, the APC stops in the shelter of other vehicles and trees. When it starts up, the filthy form of Mike Madison lies in the road, with his other clothes and boots and belt and hat and his grandfather’s medicine bag strewn around him.

Eventually, an Iraqi CHILD notices the still form and inspects it. He runs to the Green Zone checkpoint, pointing back.

CUT TO:

EXT. PINE RIDGE RESERVATION – NIGHT

Bernard Shipman walks up to a tribal store in the moonlight. The store is closed. He goes to the door and knocks loudly. Next door, a light comes on.

LAKOTA MAN (OS)It’s closed!

SHIPMANI beg your pardon. May I usea telephone?

INT. LAKOTA HOUSE – NIGHT

Lancaster speaks into the telephone. The LAKOTA MAN and his WIFE watch with puzzled expressions.

SHIPMAN (cont’g)This is Bernard Shipman speaking.I’ve just been released. I’m notharmed. Just a minute.

(to his hosts)I’m sorry – where am I?

LAKOTA MANWounded Knee?

Shipman clears his throat, considering this information.

SHIPMANI’m in Wounded Knee, South Dakota.Here, this gentleman will give you the actual location. Thank you.

The Lakota man takes the phone. Shipman wanders out the door, into the moonlight.

CUT TO:

INT. RODEO ARENA – DAWN

Still surrounded by bleary-eyed reporters and cameramen, Hank is arrested by Crowley. Red Granger watches in shock nearby.

REDYour hosses’ll be fine, Hank!

CROWLEYWhere’s your rig? Where’s yourwife, Madison? You there!

He motions at Red Granger, who stays put.

REDYeah?

CROWLEYWhat’s his truck and trailer looklike? Where is it? It is a federal crime to lie to the FBI!

Red Granger spits and walks away. Crowley puts Hank in car.

CUT TO:

EXT. SHIPMAN RANCH – DAY

Three black SUVs drive up to the main house. Several MEN in dark suits get out and go to front door.

INT. SHIPMAN LIVING ROOM – DAY

The butler enters the room where sits Bernard Shipman.

BUTLERThe Attorney General, sir.

SHIPMANYes, Henry – show him in.

The butler withdraws and the ATTORNEY GENERAL enters with an ASSISTANT. Shipman gestures to be seated.

ATTORNEY GENERALHow are you feeling, sir?

SHIPMANReally, it was not as bad as itmight have been…

ATTORNEY GENERALBut you could easily have died.

SHIPMANFerdinand, I asked you herebecause I do not want the spectacleof a trial.

ATTORNEY GENERALI don’t understand.

SHIPMANI want all charges against Mr.Madison dropped.

The attorney general stares at Shipman. He shakes his head.

ATTORNEY GENERALI’m afraid, sir, that that isnot possible. There’s been toomuch publicity —

SHIPMANAnything is possible, Ferdinand.

ATTORNEY GENERALSir, the nature of the, uh, exchangeis doubtless awkward for you. The president himself, due to his closefriendship with you, was franklyhammered about your relationship inyesterday’s press conference. Forus to drop charges now – well, itreally is not politically possible. I’m deeply sorry.

Shipman finally nods.

SHIPMANThank you for coming all this way,Ferdinand.

The attorney general blinks and eventually gets up and exits.

CUT TO:

EXT. DENVER FEDERAL COURTHOUSE – DAY

Hank, in an orange jumpsuit and heavy shackles, is hustled from a van into the federal detention center.

INT. DETENTION CENTER

Hank goes into the belly of the beast and is booked and processed. He is handled roughly by federal guards.

INT. CELLS

Hank is placed in a cell. The bars clang shut.

CUT TO:

EXT. MANNHEIM HOSPITAL – NIGHT

INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT

Soldier 1 lies in bed, still immobilized and hooked up. His nurse enters with another patient on a gurney.

NURSEHey, Soldier. Here’s a newneighbor for you.

Soldier 1 twists stiffly and sees Mike as he’s transferred to the next bed. Mike notices him and grins weakly.

SOLDIER 1Small world.

HANK(pained whisper)

That dude was wrong – you’re good enough.

CUT TO:

EXT. DENVER FEDERAL COURTHOUSE – DAY

INT. CELLS

Hank is rousted from his bunk by two guards.

GUARDOkay, Madison – let’s go.

INT. COURTROOM

Hank sits in the orange jumpsuit in handcuffs. His lawyer, JOE LONNIGAN, addresses the JUDGE. US ATTORNEY TURLEY sits at his table.

LONNIGANCould we have the handcuffs off,Your Honor?

The judge looks at the bailiff, who removes the cuffs.

JUDGEAll right. This is a bail hearing in US v. Henry Madison. Mr. Turley?

Turley stands.

TURLEY

Thank you, Your Honor. Defendantis a flight risk. We ask no bail.

JUDGEGranted. Anything else? Prelim-inary hearing is set for –

Lonnigan stands.

LONNIGANYour Honor, my client claims hisConstitutional right to a speedy trial. We do not waive time, whichbegins today…

TURLEYYour Honor! That’s preposterous!My trial schedule is fully com-mitted for eight months. Sixtydays from now? Impossible!

The judge glares at Lonnigan.

JUDGEMr. Lonnigan, this is highly irregular. I suggest you counselyour client to reconsider thisclaim, which could be regarded bythis court as contemptuous!

LONNIGANYour Honor, in the interest ofJustice, and to help the governmentdispense justice, and perhaps tosave everyone’s precious time, including that of Mr. Madison, I have a video that you and Mr. Turley should see NOW?, before any further procedure is set in concrete…

Both the judge and the prosecutor drop their jaws.

JUDGEVery well.

LONNIGANMay I suggest that Your Honor clear the courtroom?

The judge and prosecutor are speechless as Lonnigan produces a video disc and goes to the court’s video player. Finally, the judge raps his gavel. Lonnigan holds up two more discs.

JUDGEBailiff! Clear the courtroom.

LONNIGAN

Your Honor, here is a copy of what you are about to see, and one for Mr. Turley… Of course, there are other copies, as well…

The judge and prosecutor watch the monitor as the face of Bernard Shipman appears. Behind him is a bed sheet that masks the wall of the trailer.

SHIPMANMy name is Bernard Shipman. The date is February 6th. I have beenasked to discuss the nature of the basics of American life, and my rolein those basics, which have to do with petroleum, war and money. I hopeto be traded for Mike Madison, whois currently in the custody of menwho are in my employ. I do not knowtheir names, but they are part of aprivate contracting firm operating inIraq and elsewhere which I apparently own, the name of which is TacticalAdvantage, run through my Swiss holdingcompany, Quatro Holdings. I do knowthat Quatro is my company. TacticalAdvantage’s offices are in Manhattan.

The judge closes his eyes. The prosecutor, still standing, holds a hand to his head.

SHIPMAN (cont’g)As I say, I hope to be traded forMr. Madison, if my men haven’t al-ready killed him. If they have killed him, then I shall be killed,I’m afraid. My men are posing asIraqi insurgents. They are highlypaid provocateurs.

The judge and the prosecutor glare at Hank, who ignores them.

SHIPMAN (cont’g)This is no reflection on Mr. Hank Madison, of course. It is only natural that he do anything in hispower to save his son. I shalltry to prevent his prosecution,assuming I am still alive and cando so.

The judge and prosecutor both sigh resignedly.

SHIPMAN (cont’g)Now, as to the Basics. I shallstart with petroleum…

CUT TO:

EXT. WYOMING MOUNTAINS – DAY

Selah stands on top of a beautiful mountain, one arm outstretched, letting tobacco drop in the breeze.

SELAHIt is Selah, your humble servant, here, full of appreciation and gratefulness. Hear my prayer. You have answered me: My son is safe. I am filled with joy andmy heart is at peace. I ask for a healing to go out to the hearts and minds of those who stole him from our family, his friends and this country. Bring peace of heart to those who war upon the sacred land. Heal them so that our son may return to us whole.

(pauses)With all this joy my heart and soul are still heavy and incomplete with my husband, Hank, absent from my side. We walk side by side. Accept this offer of tobacco in thankfulness.I ask that we walk side by side this day and days to come while on this journey.

CUT TO:

INT. COURTROOM

SHIPMAN (cont’g)The oil shortage is a myth, createdby the dishonest claim that it is afossil fuel. As the Russians haveproven, oil is a renewable resource,constantly produced deep in the earth,with no connection to ancient plantand animal life. My public relations firms have given the people the idea that we are in danger of running out of oil, but this has only served to allow us to keep prices high. That is the only purpose of this, ah, lie that we have foisted on the people due to our, um - our greed. Yes, I am being coerced to say this, and what follows,but it is the truth in any case.

JUDGEMr. Lonnigan, how much more of this?

LONNIGANLots more, Your Honor.

SHIPMANMy role in the three Basics is the reason I have been abducted and forced to reveal what follows. It is true that my grandfather and my father groomed me, as I have groomed

my children, to perpetuate this predatory system against the people of America – and the rest of the world. I come from a familyof predators, it is true. As one former president has admitted, if the American people knew the extent of our crimes against them, they would hunt us down and lynch us all.

Hank looks straight ahead, apparently not listening. The judge puts his head in his hands.

SHIPMAN (cont’g)Regarding War, and the present warAmerica is waging against the Moslempeople, well, it is all another lie.Yes, I and my associates arranged for lies to be told as pretexts toinvade Afghanistan and Iraq, and nowIran and others to come. I supposethe general lie is that America deserves to occupy other countriesand steal their resources and to killanyone who objects to our aggression.But the specific lie, the most horrible,is the massacre that, um, we arrangedon September the 11th, 2001. TheWorld Trade Center was not attacked byArabs, it was attacked by me and myassociates. The attack was plannedmany years ago as a repetition of theattack against Pearl Harbor. We knewthat the American people would respondagainst Arabs with anger with thatspectacular attack. And the three buildings of the Trade Center were professionally demolished by the firmPrecision Demolitions, Inc., which isalso owned by me —

The prosecutor drops his glasses on his table. He sits.

TURLEYYour Honor – Counselor, please stop.

Lonnigan stops the video.

JUDGE(sighs)

Yes, Mr. Turley?

TURLEYYour Honor… I must request a –I ask that a gag order be issued.

LONNIGANI object, Your Honor!

JUDGEExcuse me. Mr. Turley, I’m afraid that is not possible now.

TURLEYBut Your Honor! This is dreadfulinformation! It will destroy thegovernment!

LONNIGANAs I said, there’s lots more… Hehasn’t gotten to Money yet.

JUDGEGentlemen, I’m going to recuse myself from this case. And I don’t know about you, Mr. Turley, but I am announcing my retirement today.

LONNIGANBefore you go, Your Honor, I would like Mr. Madison to be released on his own recognizance, preliminary to a motion that all charges be dropped.

The prosecutor opens his mouth and then closes it.

LONNIGAN (cont’g)Your Honor, I understand yourdecision. Mr. Turley, I predictthat no one in the federal govern-ment is safe now. Copies of thisconfession have been well distri-buted and the story should breakat any time. It is too awful forwords. Mr. Shipman says laterthat he will cooperate with theproper authorities, but I fearthat there is no “proper authority”in this country, according to hisconfession. We could be facinganarchy, gentlemen. You realizethat, of course.

JUDGEThat’s enough, Mr. Lonnigan. Motiongranted. Mr. Madison? You are freeto go. Good luck to you.

The judge gets up and leaves quickly through the back door. Turley just sits there. Lonnigan puts his papers away and retrieves the disc. Hank gets up. Lonnigan looks at him.

LONNIGANBAILIFF!

The bailiff pokes his head into the courtroom. He looks around for the judge.

LONNIGAN (cont’g)Get this man his clothes!

(to Turley)You want this?

He holds the disc. Turley shakes his head.

CUT TO:

EXT. SHIPMAN RANCH – NIGHT

A black SUV parks in front of the main house. Two MEN in suits get out.

INT. SHIPMAN MANSION – NIGHT

A knock at the door. The butler opens it. Contractors 1 and 2 appear in dark suits.

CONTRACTOR 1Justice Department. Need to seeMr. Shipman…

The butler steps aside but Contractor 2 shoots him with a silenced pistol. The butler drops by the door, wounded.

CONTRACTOR 1 (cont’g)Hey! You’re wreckin’ this deal!

CONTRACTOR 2Okay – I’ll clean it up.

CONTRACTOR 1Well, yeah? This is a suicide,remember? Now, where is the oldprick?

Shipman appears, hearing the commotion. He sees the butler.

SHIPMANHenry! What’s wrong with Henry?Who are you?

Contractor 1 slowly takes Shipman’s shirt and pulls him to the stairs.

CONTRACTOR 1Let’s go, old timer. Where’s atypewriter?

He pulls Shipman up the staircase.

UPSTAIRS

Contractor 1 pulls Shipman from room to room until he sees what he needs. He pulls him into the office.

INT. OFFICE – NIGHT

Contractor 1 forces Shipman to sit at his desk. He produces a small automatic and gets in front of Shipman.

CONTRACTOR 1 (cont’g)Say “ah!”

Shipman looks up at him beseechingly but keeps his mouth shut. Contractor 1 grabs his ear lobe and twists viciously. Shipman opens his mouth in pain. Contractor 1 forces the muzzle into his mouth and pulls the trigger. He finds paper and inserts it into the typewriter.

DOWNSTAIRS

Contractors 1 and 2 pick up the butler and take him outside. Soon, Contractor 2 returns and wipes the hardwood floor.

EXT. SHIPMAN RANCH – NIGHT

The contractors load the butler into the SUV.

INT. SUV – NIGHT

The butler is wedged between the two contractors.

CONTRACTOR 2Think they’ll buy suicide?

CONTRACTOR 1You know, it probably doesn’t matter. We’re just sending a message: keep your stinkin’ mouth shut! I’d a cut his head off but that would definitely haveruled out suicide.

He looks at the hapless butler and grins.

CONTRACTOR 1 (cont’g)So you’re a real butler, huh? You can be a stand-in for your old boss. I’m gonna cut your head off, butler. That’ll be a first for me! You, too?

The butler closes his eyes and prays.

CUT TO:

EXT. MADISON RANCH – DAY

Hank’s truck and trailer are parked near the house.

INT. RANCH - DAY

Hank and Selah embrace passionately. Hank has the phone in one hand, and laughs into it. Booker Barlow relaxes with a beer.

HANKOkay, Son – your mother’s just showing me how much she missed me. Yeah, it’s all over. I’m free. When are you coming home?

Selah keeps kissing him. She grabs the phone.

SELAHYou want me to come get you? Oh, you are, huh? (to Hank)He says he’s a big boy and can handle it.

HANKHell, yeah! He’s Rookie of the Year!

SELAH(to Mike)

I know, that was last year. Who?Oh, the soldier who – he’s in thenext bed? Really?

Booker Barlow drinks his beer.

SELAH (cont’g)Well, what’s his name. We’ll sendhim some champagne! What? Barlow?You say his name is Barlow?

She and Hank look at Barlow, who smiles.

HANKWhy didn’t you tell us?

BARLOWI’m sorry, Hank. Roy was in toomuch danger as it was. I couldn’trisk anyone knowing what he knew…

SELAHWell, you tell Roy we love him andcan’t wait to have him here! We’llcall tomorrow for an update! I loveyou!

HANKTell him he can probably get outof that army contract now!

SELAHBye!

Hank drinks his beer. Barlow’s cell phone rings.

BARLOWBarlow… Yes, Joe? When? How did

it - Okay, thanks. Yes.(shuts phone)

That was Lonnigan. Shipman’s dead.

SELAHWhat? How!

BARLOWThey’re claiming suicide. Lonnigan’snot so sure.

HANK(thinks)

I suppose I’m a suspect.

BARLOWNo. It happened at the ranch. Timeline’s got you covered. No motive, either, since Mike’s free.

HANKWhat about his confession? It hasn’t hit the streets yet.

BARLOWShipman’s death won’t stop it. Nothing will. Joe’s sent it far and wide. Everything’s going to change.

(yawns)Bedtime. I’m flying to Germany to see Roy. If Mike’s still there, what would you like me to –

SELAHGive him a big sloppy kiss from his mom.

BARLOWI’ll think of something.

HANKTell him to get out of that army contract.

CUT TO:

EXT. SHIPMAN RANCH – NIGHT

Federal agents again swarm the main house and grounds. FBI Inspector Crowley pokes around. An FBI AGENT brings him a note. Crowley examines it briefly.

CROWLEYWhat? Another suicide note? Where’d you find this one?

AGENTIt must have slipped down behind his desk.

CROWLEY“I’m so sorry.” Typewritten and unsigned, like the other one. Different message, but same thing. This is bullshit. What, hethought we couldn’t find this one so he did another one?

He walks around, thinking. He looks at the agent.

CROWLEY (cont’g)Hey! Where’s the butler? Anyone seen the butler?

AGENT 2Inspector? Check this out.

Crowley and the other agent look at the entrance floor. The second agent puts a drop of fluid on the floor and it bubbles.

CROWLEYWhat’s that, peroxide?

AGENT 2Yes, sir. It’s been wiped, butthat’s blood.

CUT TO:

EXT. GILLETTE RODEO – NIGHT

At the Gillette, Wyoming rodeo, Hank’s rig is parked behindthe chutes.

INT. TRAILER – NIGHT

Hank watches the news. A picture of Bernard Shipman.

ANNOUNCERRiots continued today across thenation as the last words of thelate financier, Bernard Shipman,leaked out. Shipman claimedresponsibility for the 2001 attackon the World Trade Center and thePentagon. He also claimed to bea partner in what he described asthe Federal Reserve Corporation,saying that the Fed is a private,profit-making corporation that issuesessentially counterfeit currency.The Federal Reserve banks in twelvecities are burning at this time…Law enforcement assets are stretchedthin across the nation, as angrymobs are attacking lesser banks,seemingly everywhere.

(pauses)

This just in. The FBI now saysthat Bernard Shipman did notcommit suicide, as reported lastweek. This was confirmed when thebody of his butler, Henry Jenkins,was found outside of Jackson, thefamous Wyoming resort community, also the home of Bernard Shipman. Mr. Jenkins had been decapitated, the FBI reported…

Hank dials his cell phone. No answer. He exits the trailer.

EXT. RODEO GROUNDS – NIGHT

Hank goes to another trailer and knocks. MICKEY BRAMLETT, the stock contractor, comes to the door.

MICKEYWhat’s up, man?

HANKMickey, something’s wrong. I’mgonna hafta split for home!

MICKEYYeah, okay Hank. I’ll pick uptill ya get back. Take care!Hey, Jesus! Have you seen thenews? The country’s burnin’ up!

Hank gathers up his horses from their pen and loads them. He keeps calling the number. Then he calls another number.

DISPATCHER (VO)Cody Police? May I help you?

HANKThis Mary Jane? This is Hank.

DISPATCHER (V0)Hank? Where are you?

HANKGillette. I’m heading for theranch, but they don’t answer. Could you call the sheriff andhave ‘em send a car out there?

DISPATCHER (VO)Oh, Hank! We got our hands fullhere! People are going crazy. Two banks are on fire and all ourunits are on patrol. Sheriff’s the same.

HANK

Yeah, I understand. Thanks. Ishould be home in four hours.

DISPATCHER (VO)You can speed like hell, Hank.The state cops have their handsfull! But be careful!

EXT. WYOMING HIWAY – NIGHT

Hank’s rig roars through the night.

CUT TO:

EXT. MADISON RANCH – NIGHT

The black SUV is parked in front.

CUT TO:

EXT. RANCH ENTRANCE - NIGHT

Hank’s truck and trailer approach his turnoff. He passes the Appaloosa sign and keeps going. We follow as he finally parks a half-mile up the road. He shuts it off and gets out. It isnear dawn as he opens rear gate and unloads one horse, alreadysaddled. He mounts up and rides toward his ranch.

At the top of the hill, we look down on the dark ranch house. The black SUV is parked in front. He reacts with fear.

Hank starts downhill, riding in the shadows of clumps of trees. He takes his old Colt .45 from the saddlebag.

CUT TO:

INT. MIKE’S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Mike lies sleeping in his bed. There is a noise. He jerks.

MIKEHuh?

His eyes open and he blinks, heart racing. Bad dream?

CONTRACTOR 1 (OS)I’m here to cut your head off,cowboy. Indian. Whatever.

Mike sits straight up, looking around the room.

CONTRACTOR 1 (OS)Got my pickle jar out in the car.Yeah! Got my jar, out in the car!Get up, punk!

EXT. MADISON RANCH HOUSE – PRE-DAWN

Hank rides quietly up to the corner of his house and lurks there, in a place with no windows, trying to decide, watching the SUV.

INT. LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Contractor 2 drags Selah, in her nightgown, from bedroom. Mike enters in front of Contractor 1.

CONTRACTOR 2Looky what I found.

CONTRACTOR 1Well, well – a bonus. Jeez, check it OUT!

His lust overcomes his caution. He approaches Selah and fondles her breasts. Selah knocks his hand away. Mike edges near the doorway as Contractor 1 slaps her face and feels her up some more. Contractor 2 holds a pistol to her head and rubs her butt. Behind them, Mike dives for a Winchester by the door. The contractors finally notice him as he levers in a cartridge.

EXT. RANCH HOUSE – PRE-DAWN

Hank starts to dismount, uncertain - then, GUNSHOTS from inside.

Suddenly, the door opens and Contractors 1 and 2 force Selah, in her nightgown, outside. She screams and fights. From inside, another gunshot that misses. Contractor 2 shoots back with his pistol. More shots, bullets hit the dirt and the SUV and Contractor 2 is hit in the leg. He drops his pistol but keeps going. They drag Selah toward the SUV.

Hank peeks around the corner and aims but might hit Selah. He gasses it, spurring his horse, aiming the Colt but not firing.

The contractors hear the galloping horse and turn to see, but Hank hits Contractor 2 with his horse and leans out over Selah and slams his gun barrel down on the head of Contractor 1, felling him. Selah is knocked down by his horse, too. Hank dismounts while the horse is still running. He looks at Selah, who is stunned by the impact. He looks down and shoots both contractors as they lie groaning on the ground.

Hank kneels down to revive Selah. Mike limps out of the house with his rifle and makes his painful way to his parents. Selah comes to. She looks up at Hank.

SELAHLike a big bowling ball…

HANKSorry I hit ya, Honey! I tried to miss.

SELAH(groggy)

Oh, think nothing of it.

MIKEDad, I believe your people callthat, “counting coup.”

Hank ignores the provocation.

HANKSon, who taught you to shoot?

MIKEYou did.

HANKTaught ya everything I know, and you still don’t know nothin’.

MIKEWhaddya mean? I hit one of ‘em.

HANKYou couldn’t hit a bull in the butt with a banjo. Your mother’s luckyto be alive.

MIKEWell, so am I!

HANKWell, yeah – you’re the World Champion, and that was luckier than hell!

FADE OUT