"HUNTER"
Written by
Jim Thomas and John Thomas
With Revision #1 (Pink)
April 17, 1986
With Revision #2 (Blue)
April 28, 1986
With Revision #3 (Yellow)
May 6, 1986
With Revision #4 (Green)
May 20, 1986
With Revision #5 (Goldenrod)
January 27, 1987
April 7, 1986
With Revision #6 (Goldenrod)
January 30, 1987
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"HUNTER"
FADE IN
1 EXT. OUTER SPACE 1
The infinite blackness punctuated by a billion stars.
As we slowly DESCEND through the varied shades of blue
of the Earth's atmosphere, we HEAR the first strains of
a haunting, Central American FLUTE, joined by a swelling
background of JUNGLE SOUNDS. We descend further,
through a lush JUNGLE CANOPY, backlit by a setting sun.
DISSOLVE TO:
2 EXT. JUNGLE COASTLINE - DAY (MAGIC HOUR) 2
Through a collage of shimmering HEAT-WAVES, a dark,
OTHER-WORLDLY OBJECT drops INTO VIEW, backlit by the
fiery, ORANGE-RED sphere of a setting tropical SUN,
heading slowly towards us, floating, as if suspended by
the rising heat of the jungle.
Continuing to approach, the shimmering object resolves
into a MILITARY ASSAULT HELICOPTER, its rotors strobing
in the fading sunlight. Drawing closer, the SOUND of
powerful TURBINES, throbbing in the heavy air, becomes
dominant, overpowering.
Guided by COLORED SMOKE and LANDING LIGHTS, the chopper
looms hard INTO VIEW, pitching forward and settling to
the ground, kicking up a maelstrom of dust and vegetation
2-A INT. COMMAND POST - DAY (MAGIC HOUR) 2-A *
Where a MAN wearing a military UNIFORM watches through
the large open windows the helicopter as it continues
to approach. Before the skids have even touched down he
SEES the first of the MEN, dressed in CIVILIAN CLOTHES
but carrying full COMBAT GEAR, alight gracefully from
the chopper, double-timing in close order to one side,
the orders SHOUTED by one man lost in the ROAR of the
chopper.
The man turns away from the window, to a FIGURE, hidden *
in the shadows.
MAN *
He's here.
He turns back, lowering a BAMBOO SHADE, obscuring the *
window.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2
2-B EXT. HELICOPTER PAD - NIGHT 2-B *
On adjoining PADS, two other HELICOPTERS are VISIBLE; in
the b.g. can be SEEN several concrete and THATCHWORK
BUILDINGS, a secret command post disguised as a COASTAL
FISHING VILLAGE.
The post in a flurry of activity, AMERICAN ADVISORS
shouting directions to dozens of LATIN AMERICAN SOLDIERS
who stand by to assist the landing helicopter and to
load EQUIPMENT into the other choppers.
Inside the chopper, one man remains, stretched out against *
the bulkhead, as if asleep. He stirs, sits up, lighting *
up a CIGAR. With fatigue showing in his motion, he leans *
forward, descending to the ground. *
A JEEP pulls to stop, the man swinging casually into the *
front seat, tossing his GEAR into the rear. With a *
lurch the jeep heads out towards the command post. *
In the doorway TWO MEN solemnly watch as the jeep
approaches. Reaching the command post the man alights
from the jeep, heading towards the two men.
Into the pool of light cast by the fixture above the
door steps MAJOR ALAN SCHAEFER, the team leader, 38, an
intelligent and intense man. He informally salutes,
GENERAL H.L. PHILIPS, 55, hardened, close-cropped graying
hair, his nameplate and insignia identifying him as a
member of an elite commando unit in the U.S. Army. He
clasps Schaefer warmly on the shoulder.
PHILIPS
(with affection)
You're looking well, Dutch.
SCHAEFER
It's been a long time, General.
They walk up the stairs, entering the palapa, leaving
the other man on guard.
3 INT. PALAPA - DAY 3
Large, two room concrete floor, thatched walls and roof.
Behind a partially drawn curtain in the kitchen, a naked
lightbulb hung from the rafters illuminates a bank of
compact FIELD RADIO EQUIPMENT, MAPS and AERIAL
PHOTOGRAPHS. Otherwise the rooms are primitive and
stand out in stark contrast to this high-tech invasion.
Philips and Schaefer enter the room.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3
3 CONTINUED 3
PHILIPS
(growing serious)
We've got a real problem here,
something right up your alley.
They cross to the center of the room to a folding table,
covered with a large TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP of the Central
American highland jungle. Philips leans over the table,
circling a set of COORDINATES and a MARK on the open
map.
PHILIPS
Eighteen hours ago I was
informed that one of our
choppers, transporting three
presidential cabinet members
from this charming little
country, was shot down...
(point to
the circled
area)
...The pilots radioed from the
ground that they were all
alive. Their position was
fixed by the transponder
beacon onboard the chopper.
(points)
Here.
Schaefer studies the map. He looks up at Philips.
SCHAEFER
That's over the border,
General.
PHILIPS
(dead serious)
That's the problem. Apparently
they strayed off course.
(pause)
We're certain they've been
captured by the guerrillas.
Schaefer looks up, puffing lightly on the cigar.
SCHAEFER
(quietly)
What have you got in mind,
General.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4
3 CONTINUED: (2) 3
PHILIPS
We figure we've got less than
twenty-four hours to catch
up with them. After that,
there's not much hope. We
want a rescue operation
mounted tonight. That doesn't
give you much time.
Another puff on the cigar.
SCHAEFER
What else it new? When do
we leave?
Philips looks at his watch.
PHILIPS
You lift off in three hours.
(pause)
There's one other thing.
SCHAEFER
What's that, General?
PHILIPS
Someone else will be going
in with you.
Schaefer stubbs out his cigar in an ashtray.
SCHAEFER
You know we don't work with
outsiders, General.
VOICE
(o.s.)
Who said anything about
outsiders, Dutch?
Schaefer turns, SEEING the outline of a figure standing
in the doorway of the communications room, holding a
sheaf of PAPERS.
Wearing pressed fatigues, DILLON, mid-thirties, black,
walks into the room.
Although as rugged looking as the others, his bearing
and grooming indicate he's been away from the business
of soldiering for sometime. His quick intelligent eyes
reveal his current profession.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5
3 CONTINUED: (3) 3
DILLON
Last time we danced, it was
Lieutenant, Schaefer.
A grin breaks out across Schaefer's face.
SCHAEFER
Dillon, you son of a bitch.
The two men step forward and simultaneous swing from
the hip as it to land a punch...but their hands SLAP
together in a gesture of friendship, their forearms
bulging, testing each other's strength.
DILLON
(warmly)
How you been, Dutch?
They continue the contest, Schaefer has the edge, forcing
Dillon's arm slowly downward.
SCHAEFER
You've been pushing too many
Pencils, Dillon. Had enough?
DILLON
(grinning)
No way, old buddy.
SCHAEFER
You never did know when to
quit.
They look into each other's faces, each remembering
something from the past. A moment's hesitation and they
quit the contest. They laugh, Dillon slapping Schaefer
on the shoulder.
DILLON
That piece of work you guys
pulled off at the Berlin
embassy last week was really
something. Blew the entry
points on three floors and
neutralized the opposition
in eight seconds flat.
Beautiful.
SCHAEFER
Like the old days, Dillon.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6
3 CONTINUED: (4) 3
DILLON
Also heard that you passed
on that little job in Libya.
Schaefer looks at Dillon, quietly considering him.
SCHAEFER
Wasn't my style. We're a
rescue unit, not assassins.
(smiles)
This must be good. Big shot
from the CIA, leaves his desk
to come back to the bush.
What's so important?
DILLON
Those cabinet members are
very important to our scope
of operations in this part
of the world. They're about
to get squeezed. We can't
let that happen. I needed
someone who could get the job
done, quick and quiet...no
screw-ups. I needed the best.
The best. So, I pulled a few
strings at the State
Department...and here we are.
SCHAEFER
Go on.
Dillon goes to the map.
DILLON
The set-up is simple, Dutch.
One day job. We pick up their
trail at the chopper, run 'em
down, grab the hostages and
bounce back across the
border before anyone knows
we were there. You've done
it a hundred times. Nothing
out of the ordinary.
Schaefer considers this.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
7
3 CONTINUED: (5) 3
SCHAEFER
And nothing we can't handle
alone.
Philips breaks in.
PHILIPS
I'm afraid those are your
orders, Major. Once you
reach your objective, Dillon
will evaluate the situation
and take charge.
Schaefer looks from Philips to Dillon. He still doesn't
like it.
DILLON
Not to worry, Dutch. I
haven't lost my edge. They've
got a head start on us in
some real tough country,
otherwise, believe me, it's
a piece of cake.
PHILIPS
Gentlemen, we're losing time.
(to Schaefer)
You'd better get your men
ready.
(pause)
Good luck, Major.
4 EXT. TWO ASSAULT HELICOPTERS - NIGHT 4
Burst over the top of a ridge. Rising up in silhouette
they perform a radical left bank turn and descend
rapidly into an adjoining valley, racing over the
jungle at treetop level.
As the helicopters perform dizzying, high-speed
maneuvers through the winding canyon, the PILOT'S
VOICES can be HEARD, coordinating their operations.
PILOT ONE
(voice over)
Redbird Two, Two. Bearing
south, three, five, zero, one
o'ckock on the saddle ridge.
Over.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8
4 CONTINUED: 4
PILOT TWO
(voice over)
Roger, Blue Leader. Three,
five, zero, on your move.
Over.
The helicopters rise in perfect coordination over
another ridge and bank sharply into the next valley,
leveling out as they go.
5 INT. HELICOPTER - NIGHT 5
Illuminated by the eerie red glow of NIGHT LIGHTS, are
SEVEN MEN, dressed in jungle camouflage, soft hats and
camouflage face-makeup. They wear no identity badges
or insignias. The man are checking their WEAPONS,
making last minute adjustments to their GEAR.
The compartment reverberates with the NOISE of the
THUMPING ROTORS and the ROAR of air from the open
doors.
BLAIN, weapons and ordinance specialist, a frightening
bull of a man, a 240 pound killer, removes from his
shirtpocket a think PLUG OF TOBACCO. He looks across
at:
MAC, a huge bear of a man, black, holding am M-60
MACHINE GUN. Blain holds out the tobacco to Mac who
refuses with a gentle shake of the head, a knowing
smile, he knows what's coming.
Holding the plug between his teeth Blain yanks free
from his shoulder scabbard a wicked, ten inch COMBAT
KNIFE. Placing the razor sharp blade next to his lips
he slices through the plug as if it were butter. He
chews throughtfully.
Seated by the open doorway is RAMIREZ, a slight,
angular man, an East L.A. streetwise Chicano.
Adding a final piece of camouflage TAPE to his pack
HARNESS, he looks up and smiles, faking a throw and
the bulleting the tape to:
HAWKINS, the radioman and medic, Irish, street-tough,
reading a rolled-up magazine, as if he were a rush hour
commuter. He snags the tape with an instinctual snap
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/17/86 9
*
5 CONTINUED: 5
of the wrist, continuing to read for a moment before
looking up, grinning at Ramirez, his boyish, eager
face belying the rugged professional beneath. He
turns his gaze to the man next to him:
BILLY, the Kit Carson Scout, an American Indian, proud,
stoic, a man of quiet strength and simplicity,
carefully replacing the FIRING MECHANISM of his M-203,
working its action several times. He looks up with a
smile at Hawkins.
HAWKINS
(shouting)
Hey, Billy, how many marines
does it take to eat a squirrel?
Billy looks back, shaking his head, uncomprehending.
HAWKINS
Two. One to eat it and one
to watch for cars.
Hawkins laughs heartily at his joke.
6 EXT. JUNGLE - NIGHT 6
Clearing another ridge, the helicopters plunge into a
steep descent, turning quickly into a DEEP-WALLED
CANYON, the force of the turn accentuated by the
changing PITCH of the screaming turbines and the
biting of rotors into the air.
7 INT. HELICOPTER - NIGHT 7
The men, suspended in RESTRAINING HARNESSES from the
bulkheads, lean forward, nearly upside down in response
to the radical maneuver, handling the situation with
ease.
Blain holds out the tobacco to Ramirez, who swats at
the offending object as if it were alive.
RAMIREZ
(shouting)
Get that stinkin' thing out
of my face, Blain!
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/29/86 10
7 CONTINUED: 7
Grinning, Blain proffers the plug to each man, each one
refusing; they've done it a thousand times. It's an old
gag but they obviously care for the man in a big way.
BLAIN
...bunch of slack-jawed
faggots around here...
(holds up plug)
...this stuff will put hair
guaranteed...
(chewing)
...make you a God-damned
sexual ty-ran-toe-sore-ass...
just like me.
This brings a chorus of HOOTS and SHOUTS from the others.
The helicopter makes another radical turn.
Schaefer and Dillon, seated near the cockpit, communicate
through HEADSETS, also linked to the pilot. They
consult a TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP by RED PENLIGHTS.
DILLON
(pointing to
the map)
Our rendezvous points and
radio freqs. are indicated
and fixed. AWACS contact on
four hour intervals.
SCHAEFER
Who's our back-up on this?
DILLON
(grinning)
No such thing, old buddy.
It's a one way ticket.
Once we cross that border,
we're on our own.
SCHAEFER
This gets better by the
minute.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11
8 INT. COCKPIT - NIGHT 8
The PILOT and CO-PILOT are surrounded by an array of
dimly lit GAUGES and SWITCHES. Before the Co-Pilot is
a RADAR SCREEN and an INFRA-RED DISPLAY TERMINAL on
which the TWO HELICOPTERS appear as HEAT SOURCES.
PILOT NUMBER ONE
...roger Bird Two, Two.
Reconfirm insertion at Tango,
Charlie, Delta One, zero,
niner on the grid at zero,
two, two, mark four by zero.
Over.
PILOT NUMBER TWO
(voice over)
Two, Two, leader. Roger your
insert co-ord. Over.
PILOT NUMBER ONE
Leader to Bird Two Two. I
bear two minutes to Landing
Zone.
The Pilot throws a SWITCH on the panel before him
9 INT. HELICOPTER - NIGHT 9
A BLUE LIGHT appears on the forward bulkhead. Schaefer
is speaking over a RADIO TELEPHONE. The Co-Pilot turns
and hands him a clipboard. Schaefer reads, notes his
approval and hands it back.
10 EXT. HELICOPTER - NIGHT 10
Flares up into position over the jungle and hovers, as
the SUPPORT HELICOPTER holds in a protective position
above.
11 INT. HELICOPTER - NIGHT 11
Dillon seems comfortable with the men, showing Ramirez
a battered CIGARETTE LIGHTER from a famed commando
unit from the past.
But his ingratiating demeanor is not impressing Mac, who
regards Dillon with the cold suspicion reserved for an
outsider. Mac looks up at Blain, his eyes narrowing.
Blain's massive jaws roll as he masticates the chew.
He pauses, eyes moving downward, spotting his target.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
12
11 CONTINUED: 11
He hocks a thick, vile stream of TOBACCO JUICE directly
between Dillon's legs and onto the floor, a gelatinous
skein lacing across the toe of one boot. Dillon looks
up, his face goes cold and menacing.
DILLON
(icy)
Man, that's a real bad habit
you've got.
Dillon turns back to Ramirez, ignoring Mac and Blain,
who continues to stare at him. Mac looks across at
Blain, wide grins breaking across their huge faces.
Cradled in Blain's arms, as if it were a part of his
body, is a large, CANVAS-COVERED BUNDLE. Blain looks
down at his bundle, almost affectionately.
The PILOT's VOICE breaks in over Schaefer's headset.
PILOT NUMBER ONE
(voice over)
LZ comin' up in 30 seconds.
Stand by the rappel lines.
Looking up, Schaefer gives a hand signal to the nearest
man who nods and in return,passes the signal down the
line.
Ramirez and Blain pick up heavy, METAL CONICAL DEVICES,
attached to canvas bags filled with rope.
12 EXT. HELICOPTER - NIGHT 12
From the open doors the RAPPELLING LINES hurtle into
space, CRASHING through the double canopy of the trees
and to the jungle floor below.
13 INT. HELICOPTER - NIGHT 13 *
The blue light changes to GREEN. Schaefer nods.
RAPPELLING DEVICES SNAP into place. Gloved hands grab
onto rope. Combat boots move into position.
DILLON
(shouting to
Schaefer)
You don't know how much I
missed this, Dutch!!! Once
you get this in your blood,
you never get it out!!!
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
13
13 CONTINUED: 13
SCHAEFER
You never were all that
smart...let's go!!!
Schaefer signals. Men leap from the chopper.
14 EXT. JUNGLE - NIGHT 14
The man crash through the trees and are swallowed up by
the darkness below. The helicopters depart, THUMPING
their way into the night.
DISSOLVE TO:
15 EXT. MOUNTAIN RIDGE - DAY (DAWN) 15
A light shower passes through the trees. The sky
clears, REVEALING a lush and exotic foliage. Birds
are beginning to SING but otherwise, all is SILENT.
The dense growth seems impenetrable, but from a solid
wall of undergrowth, a HAND appears and signals in a
downward motion.
As if by magic, the assault team materializes, quietly,
cautiously. Schaefer makes another gesture and the team
moves forward in perfect harmony in POINT-LOCK step,
taking their cue from Ramirez, the pointman. Schaefer,
highly focused and alert to every sound and movement,
follows Ramirez, as if organically connected.
16 EXT. JUNGLE HILLSIDE - DAY 16
Descending the steep mountain slope, the team encounters
an even denser growth of jungle, at times moving by
instinct, as they are often visually separated. At one
point, Schaefer checks his COMPASS, flashing some hand
signals to Ramirez, indicating a new direction. Ramirez
nods and moves on, Schaefer signaling to the rest of the
men.
17 EXT. JUNGLE CLEARING - DAY 17
Blain, in a defensive position, sweeps the jungle slowly
with his MP-5. He steps back and turns, checking,
revealing in the b.g. the WRECKAGE OF A U.S. ARMY UH-1H
HELICOPTER, hanging upside down, twenty feet above the
ground, entangled in vines in the heavy capony, badly
damaged, rotors bent, its tail section blown away.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/21/86 14
*
17 CONTINUED: 17
A GRAPPLING HOOK is hurled from the ground, CLATTERING
into the cargo hold, hooking the edge of the airframe.
18 INT. HELICOPTER - DAY 18
Ramirez moves cautiously, searching for trip wires,
using his knife to check the edges of the seats and
door frames. Grimly he glances at the TWO BODIES
slumped over the controls and then exits, snapping
into and rappelling down the rope to the ground.
He joins Schaefer standing in the f.g. They look
up, watching as Dillon moves through the cockpit,
searching through pockets and compartments. Schaefer
turns his back to the helicopter.
RAMIREZ
The pilots have each got one
round in the head. And whoever
hit it stripped the shit out of it.
Schaefer studies the clearing, eyes always moving, wary.
He turns back, looking at the chopper.
SCHAEFER
Took 'em out with a heat seeker.
RAMIREZ
There's something else, Major...
SCHAEFER
Mmmnnn...?
RAMIREZ
I don't think that was any ordinary
army taxi...
Schaefer looks at him quizically.
RAMIREZ
...looks more like a surveillance
bird to me.
Dillon rappells down the line and approaches.
DILLON
Have you picked up their trail yet?
Schaefer taps Ramirez on the shoulder and he moves
away. Schaefer turns to Dillon:
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/21/86 15
*
SCHAEFER
Billy's on it.
(indicates chopper)
Heat seeker. Pretty sophisticated
for half-asses mountain boys.
DILLON
They're getting better equipped
every day.
Bill approaches from the b.g.
BILLY
Major, looks like there were ten,
maybe twelve guerrillas. Looks
like they took some prisoners
from the chopper.
(points)
Then a different set of track,
over there.
SCHAEFER
(puzzled)
What do you mean?
BILLY
Six others, U.S. issue jungle
boots. They came in from the
north, then followed the guerrillas.
Schaefer turns to Dillon.
SCHAEFER
Mean anything to you?
DILLON
Probably another rebel patrol.
They operate in here all the time.
Schaefer is obviously concerned about this. He
turns to Billy.
SCHAEFER
Get ahead, see what you can find.
(to Ramirez)
Slow and easy.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 1/27/86 16
18 CONTINUED: (2) 18
SCHAEFER (Contd.)
(to Dillon)
We don't want any accidents.
Billy takes up the trail, disappearing in to the jungle.
Ramirez signals, the team moves out.
19 EXT. JUNGLE - DAY 19
As Billy reconnoiters, Ramirez looks back and gives a *
sign...
Schaefer nods and rappels down cliff. *
As he joins Ramirez, there seem to be butterflies *
everywhere --
SCHAEFER *
What's he got?
RAMIREZ *
Same business, guerrillas
hauling two guys from the
chopper...followed by men
with American equipment...
Ramirez seems concerned by this. Schaefer signals him to *
move on. Before he follows, Schaefer looks around: there's*
something dodgy about this. He goes. *
Over his head is a butterfly on a limb: *
20 EXT. JUNGLE - OVERHEAD - DAY 20
As the assault team passes below, a BUTTERFLY lands on
what appears to be the BARK of a TREE. It fans its wings
and flies on.
The impression of the butterfly remains in PERFECT
RELIEF, as is imprinted on the bark. The image fades,
REVEALING for an instant a gridwork of TINY SCALES on
the bark.
The bark moves! Changing colors, like a chameleon,
REVEALING for an instant the form of something alive
as it flows into the leaves, once again becoming
indistinguishable from the surrounding foliage.
TWO EYES, faintly flowing yellow, appear in the
foliage. They blink, disappearing, and then become
VISIBLE again.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 1/27/87 16-A
21 EXT. ALTERED P.O.V. - DAY 21
SEEN THROUGH HEAT-SEEKING VISION, studying the team's
careful, silent movements at they pass by.
The SOUNDS of the FOREST are also ALTERED and ENHANCED
with an electric, STATICLIKE quality.
The Observer scans over the men...and then focuses
on Schaefer as he crouches down, signaling forward
and rear with a circular motion. He refers to an
OBJECT in his hand, studying it carefully.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
17
22 EXT. SCHAEFER - DAY 22
Using a MAP in lining out a course on his COMPASS. The
other team members appear, silently, clustering around
him. Using hand signals, Schaefer indicates a course
change.
23 EXT. OBSERVER'S P.O.V. - DAY 23
Watches closely as Schaefer continues with his hand
signals, instructing his team.
24 EXT. SCHAEFER - DAY 24
25 OUT 25
26 EXT. DENSE UNDERGROWTH - DAY 26
The hillside of a steep valley, dark and foreboding.
Billy passes by and halts, removing his KNIFE. With
his other hand he pulls down from overhead a THICK VINE,
severing it. A thin stream of WATER emerges which
he drinks.
Suddenly he stops, letting the water drip to the
ground. He quietly releases the vine and brings his
M-203 shotgun to bear, listening intently. Something
seems wrong. He brings his eyes upward and stares,
hard into the treeline of the opposing hillside.
As his eyes strain to penetrate the dense, intertwined
canopy, he is engulfed by the rising SOUNDS of the
JUNGLE, a cacophony of BUZZING and CLICKING,
amplified in the sweltering heat of the day. Unable
to locate a source to account for his anxiety, he
relaxes, moving on, resuming the track.
27 BILLY (MINUTES LATER) 27
examines the ground as he moves, growing confused
and puzzled by what he sees before him. He stops,
scrutinizing the jungle, probing the world around him
with his keen senses.
HEARING a faint RUSTLING SOUND he looks up, SEEING a
curtain of MOSS several feet away. He takes a cautious
step forward, extending his weapon. He reaches
forward with his free hand, touching the moss.
Behind the curtain a slight shifting of DARK FORMS
occurs. He pauses and then with a sudden movement,
sweeps the moss aside...
A BLACK EXPLOSION of FLUTTERING WINGS as carrion-eating
BIRDS rush past Billy's body.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
18
27 CONTINUED: 27
Billy's face seizes into a mask of horror, his
expression descending into a state of complete,
primitive shock, his eyes staring transfixed, inches
away from the leering death-grin of a HUMAN FACE,
upside down, completely stripped of skin.
Reeling, his body numbed by the sight before him,
he stumbles backwards and stops.
Vines threaded through their achilles tendons, the
BODIES OF THREE MEN, skinned and gutted, hang
suspended in the think, suffocating air, BUZZING
with insects.
Billy turns away, revulsed as Ramirez moves quietly
INTO VIEW, Schaefer directly behind him. Ramirez
stares at the bodies, now seen to be in the first
stages of deterioration, strips of flesh torn away
by the birds and other scavengers. In an almost
childlike manner, he crosses himself.
RAMIREZ
(hoarse whisper)
Holy Mother...
Schaefer moves into the clearing, kneeling beside
a bloody pile of CLOTHING and ENTRAILS. He examines
the clothing and then rises, holding a DOG TAG on
a broken chain. He reads the tag, his face growing
hardened and bitter as he stares down at the tag,
recognizing the name.
SCHAEFER
(to himself)
J.S. Davis, Captain, U.S. Army...
Schaefer's eyes move from the bloody dog tag to
the bodies.
SCHAEFER
(coldly)
Mac. Cut them down.
Mac moves forward, withdrawing his COMBAT KNIFE.
The blade flashes, cutting the vine as the first
body THUDS to the ground. He bends over, picking up
other DOG TAGS.
Schaefer turns to Dillon.
(CONTINUING)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/19/86 19
*
27 CONTINUED: (2) 27
SCHAEFER
I knew this man. Green Berets,
out of Fort Bragg. What the hell
were they doing in here? You got
any answers for this, Dillon?
DILLON
(stunned)
Jesus...this is inhuman.
(to Schaefer)
Uh...I wasn't told of any
operations in this area. They
shouldn't have been here.
SCHAEFER
(angry)
Well somebody sent them.
Schaefer walks off. Mac steps out of the clearing,
sheathing his knife with a violent gesture, passing
Ramirez.
RAMIREZ
(seething)
Must have run into the guerrillas
...Fucking animals.
Mac moves alongside Blain.
MAC
(spits)
Ain't no way for a soldier to
die.
(looks at Blain)
Time to let 'ol 'painless'
out of the bag.
Grimly, Blain RIPS apart the velcro closures of the
CANVAS BUNDLE slung across his shoulder, REVEALING
a truly awesome weapon, a SIX-BARRELED MINI-GUN adapted
for field combat.
28 EXT. BILLY - DAY 28
Kneels at the side of the original trail examining the
ground. He rises, holding a spent CARTRIDGE. Schaefer
approaches, kneeling beside him.
SCHAEFER
What happened here, Billy?
Billy looks at him, puzzled.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/20/86 20
*
28 CONTINUED: 28
BILLY
Strange, Major. There was a
firefight. Shooting in all
directions.
SCHAEFER
I can't believe Jim Hopper
walked into an ambush.
BILLY
I don't believe he did, Sir.
I couldn't find a single track.
Just doesn't make sense.
SCHAEFER
What about the rest of Hopper's
men?
Billy shakes his head.
BILLY
(uncomfortably)
No sign. They never left here
Major.
(pause)
It's like they just disappeared.
Schaefer ponders a moment. Then, to Billy:
SCHAEFER
Stick with the guerilla trail.
(to team)
Let's get it over with. We move.
Five meter spread. No sound.
Nothing.
CUT TO:
28-A EXT. BLAIN - DAY 28-A
Blain feeds the magazine of BELTED-SHELLS into the
weapon, cocking it. He looks up at Mac, his eyes
cold, his face taut with anger.
BLAIN
Payback time.
Blain hefts the Mini-gun to his hip as Mac draws back
slightly on the breech bolt of the M-60, letting it
snap.
They move on, Billy pausing to look at the jungle
before disappearing into the foliage.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/20/86 21
*
29 EXT. ALTERED P.O.V. - DAY 29
carefully watching this exchange from high in the
treetop canopy. The Observer watches as Schaefer
turns and leaves the clearing, cautiously moving
into the jungle.
30 EXT. JUNGLE HILLSIDE - DAY 30
Mac appears suddenly, materializing out of the
undergrowth, pausing cautiously, his senses alert,
intense, almost nervous. He moves on, his huge body
barely making a sound as he weaves through the heavy
undergrowth.
Dillon appears. As he moves on, he crosses over a
fallen TREE. Stepping down, his foot breaks through
a rotten portion, a CHUCK of the log breaking free
and rolling down the hill.
Dillon at once goes into a defensive position,
listening. The jungle is SILENT. He stands and
starts to move forward. Suddenly Mac appears
within inches of Dillon's face. Mac's face is
menacing, angry.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
22
30 CONTINUED: 30
MAC
(hissing; barely
audible)
You're ghostin' on me, mother
fokaaa!...I don't care who
you are back in the world...
You give away our position
again and I'll bleed you quiet
and leave your fuckin' ass
right here.
(hisses; spits)
Got it?
Dillon's eyes are wide and fixed, staring back in
cold hatred at Mac, controlling his rage...he knows
the rules.
Not waiting for a response, Mac turns and vanished
into the jungle. Seething with anger Dillon
focuses on a still moving LEAF and STEM, indicating
Mac's exit point. He moves on.
31 EXT. BLAIN - DAY 31
Crouches under heavy foliage, waiting. He is
joined by Mac. They glance briefly at each other,
scanning in opposite directions for movement and
sounds. They speak in whispers.
BLAIN
Say, Bull. What's goin' down?
We got movement?
MAC
No. Shithead with his
trenchcoat and dee-coda-da
ring was makin' enough noise
to get us all waxed. I don't
like that guy. Don't like
him at my back. I ain't
winding up like those
bastards back there.
Mac, sweating heavily, wipes the moisture from
his brow with his finger.
Blain pats the mini-gun affectionately.
BLAIN
I know what you mean, Bull,
but don't sweat it, me and
'ol 'painless' here are
watchin' the front door.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
23
31 CONTINUED: 31
MAC
As always, bro...
They do a gentle fist dap and smile warmly at
each other. Two men who have seen it all,
through a dozen no-win situations, and have lived
to tell about it.
Mac advances a few meters and signals slowly.
32 EXT. KNOLL 32
The assault team moving up the hill, barely
visible in the heavy foliage, the team moves
cautiously into defensive positions. Holding.
A moment later they continue up the hill,
crawling.
On their stomachs, Schaefer and Ramirez clear
the edge of the knoll, SEEING below a GUERRILLA
VILLAGE, a huge, spreading PALAPA covering
implacements dug into a hillside, descending
to a winding stream bed below. 30 MEN, dressed
in a mixture of jungle fatigues and civilian
clothes, armed with AK-47 ASSAULT RIFLES move
about the camp. A heavy MACHINE GUN emplacement
guards the entrance to the camp. TWO MEN sit
in the camouflaged emplacement.
33 SCHAEFER 33
sweeping the camp with BINOCULARS, SEES a
GUARD above the camp. One of the man picks up
a hand-held ROCKET LAUNCHER, placing it beside
a bandolier of ROCKETS and a RADIO SET and
CONSULS taken from the U.S. surveillance
helicopter as if preparing to take them away.
Schaefer puts down the glasses, looking at
Ramirez who nods in acknowledgment. A sudden
MUFFLED CRY brings Schaefer's attention to one
end of the camp, where a heavily thatched DOOR
covers and opening to the PALAPA. A GUARD
stands at the door.
The door flies open as a HOSTAGE, shirtless,
hands tied behind his back, staggers through
the door as if kicked from behind.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/29/86 24
33 CONTINUED 33
The man falls to the ground, feebly trying to regain
his footing. Although difficult to see from Schaefer's
vantage point, the man's battered face and welt-covered
back indicate he has been severely tortured.
Emerging from the palapa, a GUERRILLA LEADER,
moustached and wearing a SIDEARM, approaches the
beaten man, kicking him viciously in the stomach,
rolling him to his side.
Kneeling beside the man he withdraws an AUTOMATIC from
his holster and cocks the hammer. Grabbing the man by
the hair he jams the muzzle into the man's ear and with
a violent twist, pulls the trigger.
The guerrilla leader stands and strides quickly back
to the palapa, still holding the pistol, closing the
door behind him.
34 SCHAEFER 34
grim-faced at having witnesses the murder, lowers him
glasses, a look of cold determination on his face.
Quickly he and Ramirez ease down the escarpment,
joining the other team members.
Schaefer makes a circling motion with his thumb
and the team members gather in close, huddle formation.
SCHAEFER
(whispering; angry)
Just killed one of the *
prisoners. No time for *
invitations. We take them,
now.
35 EXT. BLAIN AND MAC - DAY 35
Crawl silently through the underbrush. With nearly
impreceptible movements, Blain slips out of the
cartridge pack, ditching the Mini-gun. He withdraws
his COMBAT KNIFE, placing it between his teeth.
They move through the underbrush in tandem, like
two bug cats, stalking. Mac freezes, the sweat
pouring from his face, holds up his hand as Blain
stops.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
25
35 CONTINUED: 35
Using a BLADE OF GRASS, Mac points out a metal TRIP
WIRE, following it to a hidden CLAYMORE MINE. Blain
grins making a switching GESTURE. Carefully Mac
detaches the LEAD WIRES. Directing the mine towards
the camp, he reattaches the wires, nodding at Blain.
36 EXT. JUNGLE - OVERHEAD - ALTERED P.O.V. - DAY 36
SEEN THROUGH HEAT-SEEKING VISION, FOCUSED ON Blain
and Mac, lying in the grass below, their bodies
outlined in LUMONOUS AUREOLES. The Observer SEES the
NETWORK of TRIP WIRES guarding the approaches to the
machine gun nests. The wires GLOW as if ELECTRIFIED,
standing out in hard-edged relief in contrast to
the jungle foliage. He moves higher into the forest
canopy.
37 EXT. BILLY - DAY 37
On Schaefer's signal rises up, pulling a SENTRY to
him, covering his mouth with his hand, jerking him
backwards and to the side, knocking him off balance
with a sweeping motion of his left leg, killing him
with his COMBAT KNIFE.
38 EXT. SCHAEFER - DAY 38 *
Belly crawls silently through the tall grass just
outside and above the main entrance to the camp. He
stops, studying the ancient, rusted skeleton of a
TRUCK parked on a level spot above the camp, its
engine quietly IDLING. The truck is jacked and
blocked up, one rear wheel attached to a belt-drive
leading to a PUMP, drawing water from a river nearby.
In the open cab of the truck a GUARD is on duty,
watching the high ground above the camp.
Schaefer moves out, heading for the guard.
39 EXT. MACHINE GUN EMPLACEMENT - DAY 39
While one Guerrilla attends to his equipment, the
OTHER attentively watches the approaches to the camp.
He is momentarily distracted by a BUZZING FLY, which
he annoyingly swats at with his hand.
He hears something to his side. Turning to investigate,
the huge, hamhock fist of Mack smashes into his throat.
Simultaneously, Blain rises up behind the other man,
grabs him by the hair, pulling him down, his COMBAT
KNIFE driving downward.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
26
40 EXT. TRUCK - DAY 40 *
A SATCHEL CHARGE is looped over the gearshift lever,
resting on the floorboard. Schaefer, lying low
across the seat of the truck, turns and looks, SEEING
the guard, lying in a heap in the foliage.
40-A EXT. RAMIREZ - DAY 40-A *
Moves into position to the side and above the camp.
He carefully checks the readiness of his SIX-SHOT
GRENADE LAUNCHER, also setting his MP-5 in front of
him, ready for action.
41 EXT. SCHAEFER 41 *
Crouched to the side of the truck, watches the camp,
SEEING below through the dense undergrowth, Ramirez,
barely visible, signaling.
Before him are two FRAGMENTATION GRENADES. He looks
at his watch, and then up the hill to:
41-A DILLON AND HAWKINS 41-A *
their weapons ready. Dillon picks up his binoculars,
focusing on the machine gun emplacement, seeing a MAN,
his face covered by a HAT. The head rises, REVEALING
the face of Blain, who looks above the camp and
slightly nods. Putting his glasses down, motions
to Hawkins.
DILLON
(to Hawkins)
Ready, kid?
Hawkins grins back. Together they slip through the
grass, downward towards the edge of the camp.
42- OUT 42-
43 43
44 EXT. SCHAEFER 44 *
Holds his huge, COMMANDO MACHETE on a diagonal,
pushing through the belt, slicing it cleanly. Turning
he crawls silently to the rear of the truck,
positioning himself behind the rear of the one ton
truck.
He squats, and with an enormous, concentrated effort,
deadlifts the rear of the truck, its rusted springs
and frame beginning to CREAK and GROAN slightly.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
27
44 CONTINUED: 44
With a herculean effort he lifts the truck free of
its blocks and then pushes forward. He rolls aside,
disappearing into the ground cover as the truck, its
tireless rims digging into the earth, lops down the
hill, slowly picking up speed.
45 EXT. GUERRILLA VILLAGE - DAY 45
A Guerrilla, alerted by the SOUND of the approaching
truck, looks up at the hillside, SEEING the vehicle
still moving down the hill at a moderate roll. He
CALLS OUT and several Guerrilla leaves their posts,
moving out to prepare to stop the truck.
The truck rolls into the clearing picking up speed,
heading towards the main palapa. The men rush
forward, surrounding the truck, trying to slow it
down, but the truck rolls, SMASHING through the front
wall of the palapa. The men gather around truck
and then look back up the hill.
46 EXT. ALTERED P.O.V. - DAY 46 *
Watching as Schaefer pulls the pin and launches the
GRENADE into the air, the Observer following its
arc as it spirals dead-center into the camp, bouncing
twice before rolling into the FUEL DUMP...which a
moment later, EXPLODES into an incredible FIREBALL.
The expanding FIREBALL released from the explosion
is to the Observer like an erupting sun, momentarily
blinding him.
47 EXT. GUERRILLA CAMP - DAY 47
The truck is BLOWN up into the air by the explosion...
a moment later the satchel charge DETONATES with an
ear-splitting EXPLOSION, tearing the truck apart.
48 EXT. SCHAEFER - DAY 48
Jumps to his feet, FIRING an M-203 round into the
camp.
49 EXT. KNOLL - DAY 49
Schaefer races down the hillside, joined by Dillon,
leaving Hawkins to cover them. Bullets burst around
their feet as they run low, firing short bursts to
his left and right.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
28
49 CONTINUED: 49
He FIRES the undermounted GRENADE LAUNCHER, sending a
round into a gun position in the trees. Still running
he breaks open the breach, slamming in another 40mm
ROUND from the cartridge pack at his waist.
Blain and Mac fire the heavy machine guns, laying down
a withering curtain of lead, shredding the camp,
taking out five Guerrillas at once.
50 EXT. GUERRILLA CAMP - DAY 50
A MAN almost completely ON FIRE is hit by an onslaught
of GUNFIRE, ripping him back into the jungle.
Ramirez cuts loose a barrage from the SIX-SHOOTER...
seconds later the MACHINE GUN IMPLACEMENT erupts in
a series of EXPLOSIONS, blowing two Guerrillas into
the air.
At the HILLSIDE HUT, two Guerrillas move into position
by the window, drawing down on Schaefer as he appears,
racing down the hill.
As they are about to open fire, Dillon appears,
YELLING OUT a warning.
DILLON
On your nine!!!
Schaefer dives, hitting the ground as Dillon OPENS
FIRE taking out the Guerrillas. Schaefer rolls to
his feet, spins, firing the 203 grenade launcher,
completely destroying the hut.
51 EXT. ALTERED P.O.V. - DAY 51
As the Observer regains its vision an eerie, surreal
experience of sight and sound unfolds:
BULLETS streak through the air, leaving blood-red
trails of HEAT, like laser blasts. As they impact
into the Guerillas, we HEAR the enhanced SLAPPING
of BULLETS, SEEING tiny blossoms of HEAT mushroom
out of their bodies.
We HEAR the horrific, deformed CRIES and SCREAMS
of the dying men.
Another searing, blinding EXPLOSION sends pieces of
SHRAPNEL ripping through the air, some of them
ROARING past the Observer's position, like tiny
meteors.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
29
52 EXT. GUERRILLA VILLAGE 52 *
at the entrance way to the main palapa, a Guerrilla
stands in the doorway, giving COVER FIRE to his comrades
as they fall back inside.
Jumping from the roof of the adjoining palapa, Billy
drops directly in front of the Guerrilla.
From the side, unseen by Billy, another Guerrilla *
thrusts out with a knife, Billy ducking backwards, the
tip of the knife SLASHING his face. With a lightning
move, Billy whips his arm up and around the Guerrilla,
locking his elbow, breaking the joint.
Still holding the man he FIRES, blowing the other
Guerrilla off his feet with the SHOTGUN portion of his
weapon. He looks at the Guerrilla out of the corner of
his eye. He suddenly strikes, breaking his neck,
dropping him in a heap.
Billy continues on, racing down the stairs, firing the
M-203.
Meanwhile, Blain is crouched next to a tree, providing *
cover. Behind Blain, at the edge of the camp, circling
around from below, TWO GUERRILLAS appear and FIRE a
grenade round which EXPLODES behind Blain, fragments
ripping into the tree next to which Blain is standing,
bark and dirt flying as shrapnel rips into his vest, one
piece tearing into his upper shoulder. The hits have
no effect on the huge man and with a savage GROWL, he
spins, opening fire, raking the two attackers with the
Mini-gun.
Nearby, Mac charges from the jungle on a dead run,
diving over a fallen tree as machine gun FIRE rakes the
ground around him.
Blain, spotting the sniper high in a tree, opens FIRE
with the MINI-GUN, shredding the tree, sending the
Guerrilla crashing down through the roof of the
palapa.
53 INT. PALAPA - DAY 53
The sniper CRASHES through the roof, landing on the
floor near Hawkins and Ramirez who do a quick double
take before opening fire on a group of fleeing
Guerrillas, taking out two, giving chase to the others.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
30
53 CONTINUED: 53
Schaefer and Dillon appear at the top of the staircase, *
Schaefer freezing as he SEES below a Guerrilla raising
an AK-47, preparing to fire. Schaefer tackles Dillon,
the two men hurling into the air, a moment later BULLETS
ripping into the CRATES behind where they were standing.
Dillon rises up, kicking over a crate, shooting the *
Guerrilla who is trying to bring the gun around to fire
at him.
Schaefer crouches, covering the upper entrances to the *
palapa, as Ramirez rushes past, joining Schaefer. From
the corner of his eye, Schaefer catches a movement.
With a whipping, backhanded throw, he lets fly his
COMMANDO MACHETE...
The machete impales the attacking Guerrilla, driving him *
backwards, pinning him to a post.
SCHAEFER
Stick around.
Schaefer and Ramirez run towards the lower levels, side
by side, firing as they go.
They reach a door, Schaefer taking out an ATTACKING
Guerrilla. Ramirez grabs the side of the door, shoots
a look to Schaefer and throws it open. With Schaefer
covering him, Ramirez takes a quick peak inside and
then rushes into the room.
53-A INT. ROOM - DAY 53-A
At one end is a STAIRWAY, leading to an escape door.
A Guerrilla, seen from the waist up, scrambles down
the stairs.
At the base of the stairs, a Guerrilla, holding an
AK-47 on his hip, turns and starts to fire.
Schaefer and Ramirez respond with full AUTO BURSTS
which rip into the Guerrilla, spinning him around,
knocking over a crude WOODEN TABLE, scattering a
BRIEFCASE with burning PAPERS, FOOD CANS, and LIQUOR
BOTTLES.
As he spins he FIRES the weapon, an arcing line of SLUGS
slamming into the tin roof, sending down a shower of
rust and dirt. He falls to the ground. Dead.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
31
53-A CONTINUED: 53-A
Ramirez charges through the DUST and thick SMOKE to
cover the fallen men; Schaefer following close behind,
jerking a new CLIP from his ammo belt.
Suddenly, another Guerrilla erupts from behind some
ammunition crates, drawing down on Ramirez with a
machine pistol.
SCHAEFER
(shouting)
Down!!!
As the Guerrilla fires, Schaefer smashes the butt of
his empty weapon into the Guerrilla's shoulder, knocking
the gun aside, the SLUGS thudding into the wall
harmlessly.
He hits the Guerrilla with a vicious glancing blow to
the head with the barrel of his weapon. The Guerrilla
is hurled backward, crashing into the wooden crates and
to the floor.
Ramirez, recovering quickly, descends the stairs with
catlike agility, disappearing.
Schaefer crouches and spins, jamming a new clip into the
rifle, scanning the palapa for any other movement. He
races to the main door of the room, shouting into the
palapa.
He SEES Blain charging down the steps. Catching his
attention he signals him on, out the back to cover
Ramirez.
SCHAEFER
(to Hawkins)
Hawk, Get Con. Op. on the
hook! Position and situation,
now!
As Blain runs down the stairs, Hawkins already has the
radio off his back, setting up the portable SATELLITE
DISH ANTENNA.
HAWKINS
You got it, Major!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/29/86 32
53-B EXT. PALAPA - WATER AREA - DAY 53-B
Ramirez, Blain and Billy race down the back stairs
of the palapa, FIRING Mini-gun, automatic and grenade
rounds at the escaping GUERRILLAS as they flee the area,
splashing, charging across the shallow river.
The guerrillas are history...in no uncertain terms.
53-C INT. PALAPA - DAY 53-C
For the first time, Schaefer studies the interior of
the cavernous palapa, SEEING the enormous stockpile
of WEAPONS, EQUIPMENT and SUPPLIES stacked along the
walls, obviously a major military stronghold hidden
deep within the mountains. Mac hustles up to Schaefer,
a look of urgency on his face.
SCHAEFER
Any sign of the hostages?
MAC
(nods)
We found 'em both, dead.
And the gear from the chopper.
If they're Central American,
I'm a fuckin' Chinaman. By *
the looks of 'em, I'd say our *
cabinet minister and his aide *
are CIA.
(pause)
Another thing, Major, we were
lucky...couple of those guys
we waxed are Russians,
military advisors by the look
of it. Something big was
about to happen here.
Schaefer looks at Mac a moment, a flush of anger
beginning to show.
SCHAEFER
Good work, Mac. Clear the
area, no traces. Get the men
ready to move.
Schaefer goes back into the room, looking down at the
unconscious guerrilla, racking a round into the
chamber, reloading his weapon.
He kneels, staring into the FACE of a WOMAN, ANNA,
dark, late twenties. Despite her blood and
dirt-smeared face, she is beautiful.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
33
53-C CONTINUED: 53-C
SCHAEFER
(closes eyes)
Shit...
He checks her pulse and then slowly he bends to pick
up her PISTOL, ejecting the clip. He stands, beginning
to shuffle through the PAPERS scattered about the room.
Staring at one he looks up, the pieces falling together.
54 EXT. JUNGLE - DAY 54
Ramirez, at a crouch, runs through the jungle,
following the obvious signs of the Guerrilla's
retreat. He emerges from the trees into an opening,
leading to a sheer rock cliff, towering fifty feet
above the ground. Scanning the wall, he SEES
movement and quickly takes cover, as automatic
FIRE rips up the ground before him.
54-A EXT. ROCK WALL - DAY 54-A
Near the center of which a narrow cut, two feet
wide, leads to the top of the cliff, giving access
to the adjoining ridge.
Two Guerrillas scramble up through the chimney,
assisted by a ROPE, which with withdraw as they
reach the top. Ramirez takes out one man, the
other taking cover, returning fire.
54-B EXT. BASE OF ROCK WALL - DAY 54-B *
Blain joins Ramirez, behind cover at the foot of
the cliff. As they take cover, Ramirez notices
the wound on Blain's shoulder.
RAMIREZ
You're hit. You're bleedin',
man.
Blain looks briefly at the wound.
BLAIN
(spits)
Ain't got time to bleed.
On a signal, they both clear cover and fire LONG
BURSTS from their weapons up the cliff.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
34
54-B CONTINUED: 54-B
The smoke is hardly cleared when they are answered
by withering FIRE. They duck down as a grenade
EXPLODES nearby. Ramirez quickly replaces the 40MM
rounds into the SIX-SHOOTER.
BLAIN
Son of a bitch's dug in like
a Alabama tick...
(spits)
...jack us around all day.
RAMIREZ
Hell, dude, we don't have all
day.
Ramirez immediately rolls into the line of fire,
BLASTING six RAPID-FIRE shots on a HIGH-ARC trajectory
towards the rocks. Blain reacts.
BLAIN
Shit, Pancho!!!
Blain dives against the protective cover of the
rock wall, covering his head. Ramirez casually
hops across, squatting next to Blain. They make
eye-contact.
RAMIREZ
What's your problem, dude?
Before Blain can answer, Ramirez puts his fingers
into his ears and grimaces just as...
The entire hillside EXPLODES, blowing the Guerrillas
into the air, a torrent of vegetation and earth
raining down the cliff, obscuring Blain and Ramirez.
55 INT. PALAPA ROOM - DAY 55
Schaefer is staring out the window, his weapon slack
in one arm, still holding the paper. Dillon enters,
obviously excited about what he has found. He sees
the papers on the floor. He reads through them
quickly, growing even more excited.
DILLON
This is beautiful! More than
we ever thought. We got the
bastards!
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/17/86 35
*
55 CONTINUED: 55
Schaefer turns, striding slowly to Dillon, handing him
the paper he is holding.
SCHAEFER
I think this is the one you want.
Dillon reads it.
DILLON
(reacting)
Two days...that's all we had.
In two days, three hundred of
these bastards would have been
equipped with all this. After
they crossed the border, it
would have taken a year to
stop them.
(looks up)
We've averted a major
guerrilla invasion, Dutch...
Schaefer moves in close to Dillon, face to face,
anger flaring in his eyes.
SCHAEFER
(slow; deliberate)
It was all bullshit. All of it.
From the start...you set us up,
got us in here to do your
dirty work.
DILLON
(angry)
That's right, I set you up.
You're a veteran at this, Dutch,
I had to.
SCHAEFER
Why us?
DILLON
Because I told you, you're the
best. I knew you could do it but
I couldn't get you in here without
a cover story.
SCHAEFER
What story did you give to Davis?
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/29/86 36
55 CONTINUED: (2) 55
DILLON
We've been lookin' for this
place for months. The chopper
must have gotten close when
they got shot down. Hopper *
was sent in to get my men.
He was just doing his job.
When he disappeared I had to
clean this up, I had to stop
there bastards. We were so
close, we couldn't quit. We
couldn't sleep through this
one. I needed you, Dutch,
can't you see that?
DILLON
To invade a foreign country,
illegally? You lied, Dillon.
Stacked the odds against us. Set
us up. You could have gotten
us all killed.
(pause; looking at him)
You used to be one of us,
Dillon, someone I could trust
with my life...
DILLON
We've been through a lot together
Dutch. When we were together, no *
one could stop us, the hottest *
Goddamned team the army ever saw. *
But things changed, I woke up.
We're fighting them in a dozen
Goddamned countries. It's a
fight we can't lose, Dutch. We're
all expendable assets, can't you
see that?
Schaefer takes the paper from Dillon's hands.
SCHAEFER
That's your problem, Dillon.
You always did put ambition
before the lives of your men.
(pause)
My men are not expendable. I
don't do this kind of work.
(crumples up
paper in fist)
This is your dirty little war,
not mine.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/17/86 37
*
55 CONTINUED: (3) 55
He stuffs the crumpled paper into Dillon's shirt
pocket.
Anna, regaining consciousness, GROANS, a heavy flow
of blood running down her face from her head wound.
Hawkins appears at the door.
HAWKINS
Major!
Schaefer turns away from Dillon and steps through
the doorway into the palapa as Anna moans again,
MUMBLING something in Spanish. Dillon kneels,
beside her.
DILLON
(quietly; in Spanish)
Are you all right?
55-A INT. PALAPA - DAY 55-A
Schaefer is talking to Hawkins who has the field
radio set on a crate just outside the door.
HAWKINS
(urgent)
Major, we stepped into some
real shit here. I got a hook-up
with aerial surveillance.
SCHAEFER
Movement?
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/29/86 38
55-A CONTINUED: 55-A
HAWKINS
(nods)
Guerrillas swarming like flies *
all over the place. Can't be more *
then one, maybe two miles away. *
Place is going down, Major.
SCHAEFER
How much time?
HAWKINS
Half an hour, maybe less. *
Schaefer touches him on the shoulder.
SCHAEFER
(urgently)
Tell Mac we move in five.
He starts to walk away.
DILLON
(o.s.)
She goes with us.
Schaefer turns. Dillon is at the doorway, supporting
the still groggy Anna.
DILLON
She's too valuable. She's
got to know their whole
network. The whole set up.
We take her with us. *
SCHAEFER
We take her and she'll give
away our position, every
chance she gets. No
prisoners, Dillon.
Dillon grabs the handset from Hawkin's radio, shoving it
at Schaefer.
DILLON
You're still under orders,
Dutch. You want to make the
call, or should I?
Schaefer looks at the handset. Then at Dillon, he knows
Dillon's won.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
39
55-A CONTINUED: (2) 55-A
He starts to walk away but stops, turning back, pointing
a finger at Dillon.
SCHAEFER
I'm getting my men out of this
damn jungle, Dillon. She's
your baggage. You fall behind,
you're on your own.
56 EXT. GUERRILLA VILLAGE - DAY 56
Schaefer and Billy are kneeling on the ground near the
trailhead, studying a MAP. In the b.g., the team, hidden,
covers the hillside approaches to the camp, nervous and
wary, weapons ready.
SCHAEFER
This place is too hot for a pick-up.
They won't touch us until we're over
the border. We can lift at LZ 49,
here.
(points to map)
Spotter plane says we're cut off.
(points to map)
Except for this valley.
Billy shakes his head, following the CONTOUR LINES of
the rugged terrain.
BILLY
Looks bad, Major. It's gonna be
a real bitch.
(points to map)
If we follow above the river and
then down, here, at this canyon,
we might find a way out.
Schaefer turns to Ramirez, kneeling close by.
SCHAEFER
(decisively)
Not much choice. Pancho, take
the lead. Double time it.
He turns and looks at Dillon, Anna as his side, her
forehead bandaged, her hands bound in front of her.
He turns back to the others.
SCHAEFER
Lock n' load, watch your ass.
Blain moves out, swinging the Mini-gun in front of him
as he goes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40
56-A EXT. OBSERVER'S P.O.V. - DAY 56-A
Watching as Dillon leads ANNA onward, SEEING her bound
hands. Dillon pushes her.
57 EXT. ANNA - DAY 57
Spins, hurling a string of insults to Dillon in
SPANISH.
ANNA
(in Spanish)
You touch me again, pig, and
I will cut off your balls!
DILLON
(in Spanish)
It's a long walk back, make it
easy on yourself.
She spits at him, turning forward with a twist of
her head.
Dillon picks up his back, shouldering it. As they
move on, Mac calls out to him.
MAC
(quietly)
Hey, Dillon, over here.
Dillon doesn't respond.
MAC
(louder)
Dillon, over here.
Dillon turns and approaches, warily, holding
the girl.
DILLON
Yeah, what is it, Sergeant?
MAc unsheathes his knife. He gives Dillon a cold
look and turns him by the shoulders. Crawling
across the PACK on Dillon's back is a huge SCORPION.
Mac skeweres the scorpion with the tip of his
blade, holding it before the wincing Dillon. Anna
smirks, nodding to the writhing, stinging insect.
ANNA
(in Spanish)
When my people catch you,
you'll wish you were him.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
41
57 CONTINUED: 57
Dillon looks at Mac.
DILLON
Thanks.
MAC
(coolly)
Anytime.
Mac flings the scorpion to the ground, crushing it
with his boot. He looks up at Dillon, walks away.
Dillon follows, pulling Anna behind him.
Billy, guarding the rear, glances furtively around
the clearing. He moves a step forward and stops,
freezing.
Slowly he turns back, his eyes riveted upon the
treeline above the camp. His eyes strain, his
senses registering a fear he cannot name or see.
Something is out there, in the trees, waiting,
watching.
Billy turns and walks into the jungle, pausing
one last time to look behind him before he too
disappears from sight.
The jungle GROWS SILENT.
58 EXT. OBSERVER'S ALTERED P.O.V. - DAY 58
LOOKING DOWN from his vantage point TO the treeline
below, terraces like stepping stones, FOCUSING ON
a TREE, fifty feet away.
The Observer utters a LOW TRILL and springs outward
into space, hurtling downward towards his landing
point, the canopy of the trees approaching in a
staccato rush of green.
The SOUNDS of the FOREST are again altered and
enhanced with an electric, STATIC-LIKE quality as
the Observer descends fluidly through the trees
and to the ground.
He enters the camp, surveying the terrible
destruction and carnage. He SEES the dead
Guerrillas, the dissipating heat from their bodies
leaving them pale and GHOST-LIKE, as if fading
light about to extinguish. He sees their weapons,
the cold hard steel of the barrels registering
ICE BLUE in his vision.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
42
58-A EXT. OBSERVER'S P.O.V. OF HIS HAND - DAY 58-A
As it appears, pulsing in a pale magenta heat, low
to the ground, holding his weapon. He lays down
the weapon, picking up the SCORPION, turning it
slowly in his fingers, examining it. It looks like
an exotic flower, its color fading from sight,
turning to BLACK.
A low SOUND is uttered, something vaguely familiar
about it: A NEARLY HUMAN VOICE, a distorted
imitation of Mac.
HUNTER
(o.s.; filtered)
Dillon, over here.
Again the phrase is uttered, improving, closer to
Mac's inflection and accent.
HUNTER
(o.s.)
Dillon, over here.
The Hunter lowers the pitch.
HUNTER
(o.s.)
Dillon, over here.
The last effort is a chilling simulation of Mac's
voice.
59 EXT. OBSERVER'S HAND - DAY 59
Drops the scorpion and picks up the weapon which
changes instantly back to the Observer's skin tones.
59-A EXT. OBSERVER'S P.O.V. - DAY 59-A
He turns and focuses on the area where the team
left camp.
He crouches and springs to the lower branches of a
tree, grasping them with his clawed, three-fingered
hands, pulling himself up and through the branches
with astounding speed and simian-like dexterity; his
spurred prehensile feet, grasping and thrusting him
to a vantage point, fifty feet above the ground.
As he moves on, the jungle grows suddenly QUIET, as
if aware, sensing that the HUNTER is now stalking, no
longer observing!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
43
60 EXT. JUNGLE VALLEY - DAY 60
The twilight world of a PREHISTORIC FOREST, filled
with gigantic plants and towering trees, overgrown
with vines and creepers.
The team, with Billy at point, walk alongside a
wandering STREAM BED, weirdly illuminated by SHAFTS
OF LIGHT, streaming through openings in the trees,
as if from spotlights, a hundred feet above.
It is midday, hot and humid, the air BUZZING with the
sounds of insects, the CRYING of birds and monkeys.
The men are moving fast and quiet, straining to see
into the dense jungle, aware of every sound, sweating,
quietly slapping at biting insects.
61 EXT. GIANT HARDWOOD TREE - DAY 61
Lies across their path. As the man climb over a
rotten section, Mac stops to assist Blain with his
Mini-gun.
MAC
I've seen some badass bush
before, but nothin' like
this, man.
(pause)
Little taste 'o home?
Blain nods and pauses to rest, looking around him
as Mac withdraws a small silver POCKET FLASK. He
takes a nip, passing the flask to Blain who also
takes a sip.
BLAIN
I hear you bro, this is some
shit. Makes Cambodia look
like Kansas. Lose your way
in here, man, you be in some
kinda hurt.
Blain hands back the flask, Mac replacing it inside
his vest. They do their hand dap, looking warily
behind them before they move on.
62 EXT. ANNA AND DILLON - JUNGLE - DAY 62
Have fallen behind, Dillon looking worriedly ahead
at the them out distancing them. Anna is keeping
her pace purposefully slow. She trips on a root
falling to the ground. She lies there, motionless.
He quickly reaches down to haul her to her feet.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/29/86 44
62 CONTINUED: 62
DILLON
(urgently)
Shit. Come on...
Like an uncoiled spring, Anna turns, flinging a
handful of DIRT into his face, momentarily blinding
him. She lunges for his rifle with her bound hands.
Suddenly the BARREL of an MP-5 is thrust into her face.
Looking up she SEES Ramirez, calmly holding the weapon
on her, the look in his eyes indicating he'd hove no
trouble shooting her.
RAMIREZ
(in Spanish)
Don't try it.
She looks back at Dillon, wiping the dirt from his eyes.
She moves on. Ramirez gives him a cold look as Dillon
hurries past.
RAMIREZ
(coolly)
You should put her on a leash,
Agent Man. If you can't handle
her, just say the word.
Dillon moves on, ignoring Ramirez, who turns, scanning
the jungle behind him before moving on. Dillon catches
up with Anna, turning her sharply by the chin.
DILLON
(cold; in Spanish)
Try that again. Please. *
She looks at him contemptuously, undaunted. She will
try it again. She breaks away from his grasp and
moves on, Dillon watching her go, he won't hesitate
next time.
63 EXT. HUNTER'S P.O.V. - DAY 63
As he travels, directly overhead, timing his movement
with those of the team. He moves lower, closer to
the slowly moving humans.
64 EXT. RIVER BED - DAY 64
The team moves cautiously through the winding stream
bed, now wearing their clothing in various stages of
disarray for comfort, sweat dripping from their bodies.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/17/86 45
64 CONTINUED: 64
Billy, in the lead, picks his way along the riverbank,
his concentration rapt, aboriginal. His face a
trancelike mask of expectation.
Blain, cradling the heavy Mini-gun as if it were a
toy, swings the weapon relentlessly across his field
of view. He pauses to adjust the hanging, belted
loop of cartridges trailing from the back pack
magazine. An INSECT lands on his face and is trapped
in the grease paint near his lips. He draws the
hapless bug into his mouth with his tongue and quietly
spits it out, his concentration unbroken.
Mac follows, holding the M-60 high across his chest.
Schaefer, bent, cautious, his feet moving aside the
dry leaves on the ground, heel to toe and on foot
edges. He glances around, checking the team's
position and progress.
Hawkins follows, his mouth open, breathing deeply,
exhausted, the radio a 60 pound demon.
Anna, struggling to climb a section of the stream
bank, slips on some loose dirt. Unable to assist
herself with her hands tied, she nearly falls.
Dillon prods her with his rifle, forcing her to
her feet. She scrambles up the bank, Dillon following.
65 EXT. RIVER BANK - DAY 65
As Billy enters a small clearing, bordered on one
side by the towering trees, carpeting the
mountainside. High above in the thick, impenetrable
treeline, brightly colored birds SQUAWK loudly,
chasing each other from branch to branch.
Suddenly Billy stops. Schaefer holds up his hand
and the team freezes in position. An eerie SILENCE,
like a slowly falling curtain, descends over the
jungle until even the BUZZING and CLICKING of insects
have CEASED.
66 EXT. TEAM MEMBERS - DAY 66
Sensing an ambush, move quietly into the foliage.
Dillon moves into the undergrowth, dragging Anna
with him. He slings his MP-5 over his shoulder,
withdrawing his KNIFE. Grasping Anna by her shirt
collar and pushing her to the ground he holds the
weapon near her throat. Dillon signals to Ramirez *
who approaches. Dillon hands Ramirez the knife.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/17/86 46
*
66 CONTINUED: 66
DILLON
Watch her.
Before Ramirez can respond, Dillon slips into the
undergrowth. Ramirez holds the knife on Anna,
cautiously scanning around him for movement.
Unseen by Ramirez, Anna's outstretched hands slowly
tighten around a stout ROOT-BURL, lying loose on the
ground.
67 EXT. BILLY - AT THE RIVER BED - DAY 67
He remains frozen and transfixed, staring into the
treeline. Something is moving, fluid, silently and
downward, into the forest. Billy remains rooted to
the spot, lost in concentration.
68 SCHAEFER 68
sensing something very wrong with Billy, moves alongside
Mac.
SCHAEFER
What's got Billy so spooked?
MAC
Can't say, Major...been
squirrely all mornin'...
fuckin' weird...sometimes
I think that nose of his is
too good...smells things that
ain't there.
Schaefer signals for Mac to cover him and then moves low
and quiet towards Billy. Dillon appears, looking to
Mac for an explanation. Mac ignores him, concentrating
on the jungle. Dillon looks forward at...
Billy, his eyes riveted to the capony above, as he
unconsciously reaches to his throat, grasping a LEATHER
POUCH, secured to his neck by a thong. He fingers the
MEDICINE BAG talisman.
69 EXT. HUNTER'S P.O.V. - DAY 69
As he slowly descends through the trees, moving
towards Billy, who's eyes search the treeline for
movement.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
47
70 BACK TO SCENE/SCHAEFER 70
approaches Billy, gripping his shoulders and in a
hoarse whisper, speaks his name.
SCHAEFER
What is it...?
Billy, rigid, does not respond. Schaefer forcefully
jerks his around to face him.
SCHAEFER
Billy...What the hell's wrong
with you?
BILLY
(low)
Something...in the trees...
71 EXT. HUNTER'S P.O.V. - DAY 71
Still closing in on Billy. Billy turns back, looking
high into the trees, puzzled and frightened. He's
lost sense of the Hunter's presence. He lowers his
vision, looking towards the Hunter, now on the ground,
30 yards across the clearing from Billy. The Hunter
pauses.
72 BACK TO SCENE/BILLY AND SCHAEFER 72
BILLY
(whispers)
Can you see anything...
(points)
...there?
Schaefer stares hard at the jungle.
SCHAEFER
It's...nothing...
73 EXT. HUNTER'S P.O.V. - DAY 73
Moves behind a broad fern, skirting around Billy
and Schaefer, heading away from the column.
74 BACK TO SCENE/BILLY AND SCHAEFER 74
Schaefer shakes his head, continuing to stare into
the jungle. He turns to Billy.
SCHAEFER
What do you think...?
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/17/86 48
*
74 CONTINUED: 74
Billy turns, a puzzled look in his eyes. He nods
in agreement.
BILLY
It's nothing...
75 EXT. ANNA AND RAMIREZ - DAY 75
Sensing the danger has passed, Ramirez releases his
grip on Anna. As they start to rise, Ramirez sheaths
his knife and unslings his MP-5. Anna still stares
hard into the jungle.
Suddenly, without even looking, Anna with the trained
reflexes of an experienced fighter swings the BURL with
all her might, catching Ramirez hard on the side of the
head, just above the eye, opening a wicked gash.
Spinning around she knees him brutally in the groin.
As Ramirez goes down, doubled over in pain, Anna turns,
scrambling up the embankment, running for the jungle.
Ramirez CRIES out.
76 EXT. SCHAEFER - DAY 76
HEARING Ramirez' cry, Schaefer signals to Hawkins to
move. Hawkins moves out, fast, heading towards the
sound...
77 EXT. HAWKINS - DAY 77
SEES Anna running away. He gives chase.
Anna, although bound, is light and fit and runs fast,
hurdling fallen logs and branches, charging through the
undergrowth. SHe has a good start.
Hawkins, hampered by the radio and weapon but in
tremendous shape, thunders after her, closing the
distance.
78 EXT. HUNTER'S P.O.V. - DAY 78
As he passes from behind a large tree, surrounded by
dense foliage, SEEING the fleeing Anna. He watches
her and then begins to move parallel with her, only
faster, the green of the jungle rushing by in a blur.
79 EXT. ANNA AND HAWKINS - DAY 79
Anna, bursting through a grove of ferns, drives on,
breathing hard with the exertion.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
49
79 CONTINUED: 79
Hawkins, ten yards behind, closing the distance,
taking advantage of any hesitation Anna makes,
struggling with the dense jungle.
Anna hits a small clearing, an alleyway through
the trees. She sprints hard across the clear
ground.
80 EXT. HUNTER'S P.O.V. - DAY 80
Moving through the jungle. As he steps clear of
the foliage he SEES Anna driving hard into the
alleyway, running directly towards him. Twenty
yards away, Hawkins, closes in.
81 BACK TO SCENE/HAWKINS 81
Only a few feet behind Anna, lunges forward, knocking
her to the ground. In a second he's on her, his
weapon ready. She struggles to her feet, fighting,
gasping for breath. Hawkins holds the MP-5 on her,
looking at her, almost pleading. He doesn't want
to shoot her, but he will if he has to.
HAWKINS
Please...
She looks at the weapon, to Hawkins and then,
hopefully, to the jungle. She stops, staring hard
down the alleyway. Something...suddenly she sees it!
ANNA
(in Spanish)
Look out, behind you!!!
Hawkins spins...
82 EXT. HAWKINS AND ANNA'S P.O.V. - DAY 82
SEEING the MOTTLED OUTLINE of the Hunter's body,
racing towards them, as if the entire wall of the
jungle were rushing in. The Hunter's WEAPON
flares to life.
83 EXT. HUNTER'S P.O.V. - ANNA AND HAWKINS - DAY 83
As he hurtles towards them, their faces frozen in
surprise.
84 BACK TO SCENE/ANNA AND HAWKINS 84
A splitting THUD as Hawkins is hurtled backwards into
the undergrowth, the Hunter's hand and WEAPON flashing
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/17/86 50
*
84 CONTINUED: 84
through the air. BLOOD splashes on Anna's face.
She SCREAMS as Hawkins' MP-5 FIRES a short BURST
into the air.
85 EXT. RIVER BED - DAY 85
HEARING the GUNFIRE, Schaefer WHISTLES low and sharp.
Ramirez, face bloody, swings into action, moving in a
coordinated defensive/offensive pattern into the
jungle.
86 HAWKINS/BACK TO SCENE 86
The Hunter's ARM and SPUR hook into Hawkins' leg, and
he is dragged into the jungle.
87 EXT. RAMIREZ - DAY 87
Ramirez runs forward ten paces, drops to a crouch,
scanning to each side. Immediately Schaefer runs
forward twenty paces. As he passes Ramirez, Ramirez
turns and scans the rear and flanks.
Dillon, Mac and Blain repeat the maneuver, leap-frogging
forward, canvassing the jungle, providing areas of
intersection cover.
88 EXT. RAMIREZ 88
Entering the alleyway where Hawkins was killed he SEES
Anna, cowering in the bushes, her blood splattered
face glazed with terror, his eyes vacant. He
approaches, angry, wary, but the girl is so stunned.
He SEES the trail of BLOOD and CRUSHED GRASSES leading
into the jungle. He gives a LOW WHISTLE and then moves
on, the rest of the team assuming defensive positions
around the clearing.
He follows the trail, finding first Hawkins'
blood-covered weapon, and then, a few yards later,
the radio. Ramirez cautiously parts the brush before
him. A look of puzzlement and then revulsion comes
of his face.
89 EXT. ALLEYWAY - DAY 89
Blain and Mac at either end, cautiously searching
the jungle; Billy covering their flanks.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
51
89 CONTINUED: 89
Schaefer and Dillon approach Anna. She seems unaware
of their presence, staring numbly ahead. Schaefer
checks her out, looking for wounds, he wipes some of
the blood from her face.
SCHAEFER
It's not her blood.
Ramirez emerges from the jungle carrying Hawkins'
MP-5 and radio. He approaches, dumping the equipment
on the ground.
RAMIREZ
Major, you'd better take a
look at this.
SCHAEFER
Hawkins?
RAMIREZ
(oddly)
I can't tell.
90 EXT. SCHAEFER AND RAMIREZ - DAY 90
Dillon in the b.g., as Ramirez parts the brush with
his weapon. Before them, covered with dirt and
leaves, are Hawkins' ENTRAILS. There is no body.
SCHAEFER
(shocked)
What in God's name...?
RAMIREZ
I think it's Hawkins.
SCHAEFER
Where the hell is his body?
RAMIREZ
There's no sign of it.
91 EXT. ALLEYWAY - DAY 91
The entire team is gathered, still holding defensive
positions. Anna, still stunned, is beginning to
come around. She looks up at Schaefer. He turns to
Ramirez.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/17/86 52
*
91 CONTINUED: 91
SCHAEFER
Ramirez, ask her what
happened.
Ramirez drops to one knee and talks softly to her in
SPANISH. She mutters incoherently in Spanish, still
dazed, shaking her head. Dillon listens closely to her
response. Ramirez turns to Schaefer. He seems
confused.
RAMIREZ
She says...the jungle came
alive, and took him...
DILLON
That isn't what she said...
she said...
(pondering; to
Ramirez)
...she doesn't make sense.
RAMIREZ
(growing angry)
Couple of sappers been
trailing us all the way from
the camp, Major. Billy heard
them. She set us up, ran
for it...They were waiting.
I should've wasted the bitch
when I had the chance.
Schaefer, looking at Hawkins' bloodstained equipment
lying at Anna's feet, looks up.
SCHAEFER
(quietly)
Why didn't they take the
radio and his weapon?
(pause)
Why didn't she escape?
Ramirez and Dillon look at the equipment and then
to the girl, still numb with shock.
DILLON
(grimly; remembering)
They did the same thing to
Davis...
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
53
91 CONTINUED: (2) 91
The two veteran commandos look at each other, finding
no explanation between them.
SCHAEFER
(urgent; to the others)
I want him found. Sweep
pattern and double back. Fifty
meters.
They move out. Schaefer moves into the jungle,
searching. He crouches at the base of a huge
MAHOGANY TREE, covered with vines, studying the
jungle. He moves away from the tree and into the
forest, looking for signs on the ground.
Where he was sitting, a DROP OF BLOOD falls. Another
drop falls, dripping from a leaf and above that, from
another leaf. Above that, high in the top of the
tree, SUSPENDED from vines from his ankles, is
HAWKINS' BODY, his chest a gaping wound.
He hands there as if he were an animal, field dressed.
92 EXT. BLAIN - DAY 92
Crouched in the undergrowth. There is a movement in
the brush before him. He wipes the sweat from his
eyes and clicks his safety on the Mini-gun to fire.
The SOUND is growing closer. Blain levels the weapon.
A smile crosses his face.
BLAIN
(whispers)
Come on in you fuckers...come on
in. 'ol 'painless' is waitin'...
The movement in the brush is GROWING LOUDER. Blain's
finger moves closer to the trigger.
Suddenly a small TAPIR bursts through the leaves,
startling Blain. He relaxes momentarily as he
watches the animal scurrying from sight. He
stands...
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
54
92 CONTINUED: 92
SOMETHING grazes his shoulder, a gout of BLOOD erupting.
He starts to turn, the Mini-gun held low, ready to
fire...
...from out of the jungle, 75 feet away, the Hunter's
WEAPON streaks toward him like a missile. He SCREAMS
as it enters his back, erupting from his chest in an
EXPLOSION of BLOOD.
93 EXT. MAC - DAY 93
Has heard Blain's cry. He moves fast through the brush.
He HEARS a RUSTLING in the bushes. A wet SUCKING SOUND.
Mac charges into the clearing. In the instant before
the Hunter disappears into the forest, Mac SEES a vision
so brief and fantastic that it seems like a
hallucination.
The Hunter's EYES flare momentarily from the green
before they vanish.
Mac sees his friend, lying on the ground, his chest
open, the powerful man, dead.
MAC
(shouting)
Contact, 30 Right!!!
He OPENS FIRE with his M-203, belted shells slamming
into the weapon from the magazine at his waist,
expending it in one LONG BURST.
94 EXT. THE OTHER TEAM MEMBERS - DAY 94
Flying through the jungle, weapons ready, eyes searching
for movement.
95 EXT. MAC - DAY 95
He throws down the weapon and with a cry of rage, lunges
forward, grabbing the Mini-gun. As he stands, the
CARTRIDGE BELT, attached to Blain, strings out between
them.
He opens FIRE and the foliage before him EXPLODES with
the fury of the terrible weapon. Mac sweeps the
Mini-gun from left to right, like a man possessed,
mowing down the jungle.
The other team members race INTO SIGHT and begin firing
with Mac.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISED - "HUNTER" - 4/29/86 55
95 CONTINUED: 95
Ramirez opens FIRE with the SIX-SHOOTER grenade
launcher...EXPLOSIONS rock the jungle.
96 EXT. HUNTER - DAY 96
Moving. A piece of SHRAPNEL cuts his shoulder. A
splash of ORANGE BLOOD spatters across the LEAVES
of a nearby tree, bullet holes ripping through the
surrounding foliage.
97 BACK TO SCENE/MAC 97
More FIRING. Mac, his weapon expended, continues
to thrust the Mini-gun forward, still squeezing the
trigger.
Suddenly, as quickly as it started, THE FIRING STOPS.
The men move catlike into the jungle, reloading,
searching, their nerves taut, stretched to the limit,
ready to fire again at any second.
Mac is frozen, eyes wide, unblinking, his breath
coming in rapid gasps as he stares into the jungle,
still squeezing the trigger of the weapon, its
breech locked open, GUNSMOKE wafting from the chamber
and barrel.
Schaefer moves in front of Mac, still staring into the
jungle. Dillon pushes Anna into the clearing, moving
towards the body. Anna looks at the body and then up
to Mac. Schaefer sees a terrifying moment of
recognition flash in her eyes as she continues to
stare at Mac. He turns to Mac.
MAC
(confused)
I...saw it.
At these words, Anna reacts in shock, drawing a *
slight breath. Schaefer turns, sees her staring at *
Mac. He turns back.
SCHAEFER
You saw what?
MAC
(still dazed)
I saw it.
Schaefer turns back to see Anna, staring fixidly at Mac, *
watching his lips. Schaefer turns quickly to Blain's *
body and kneels alongside Dillon.
98 SCHAEFER 98
is at Blain's side, shocked at the sight of the
mutilated body. He is joined by Dillon.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
56
98 CONTINUED: 98
SCHAEFER
(to himself)
Blain...
(puzzled)
...Just like the others...no
powder burns, no shrapnel.
DILLON
The wound all fused,
cauterized...what the hell
did this?
Schaefer stands, looking at the body. In the b.g.
Anna drifts away from the group.
SCHAEFER
(to Mac)
...Mac!
Mac stares ahead, dumbly, not hearing. He grabs Mac
by his shoulders, shaking him violently back to
awareness.
SCHAEFER
(demanding;
angry)
Mac! Mac! Look at me!
Mac turn to face Schaefer, a shocked expression on his
face.
SCHAEFER
(urgent)
Mac, who did this?
Mac is suddenly angry and frustrated, he has no
explanation.
MAC
I don't know. Goddamn it,
something...I saw something/.
Ramirez runs from the jungle, breathing hard, shaking
his head.
RAMIREZ
Nothing. The same thing.
Not a fucking trace. No
bodies, blood, anything.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
57
98 CONTINUED: (2) 98
Mac stands. Instinctively the team has now grouped
around Schaefer, their weapons pointing into the jungle,
ready, their nerves on total edge. Schaefer looks
upward at the darkening sky.
SCHAEFER
(quietly)
We're losing the light. Mac,
I want a defensive position
above this ridge, mined with
everything we're got.
Man is again the hardened professional.
MAC
Yessir.
Schaefer looks down at Blain's body. He turns to
Ramirez and Billy.
SCHAEFER
Put him in his poncho and
liner and carry him back.
We'll bury him in the morning.
MAC
I'll take him.
99 ANNA 99
as they leave approaches the brush, her attention
focused on something clinging to the leaves, well off
to the side of where Mac saw the Hunter. She draws
closer, reaching out, hesitant, as if drawn magnetically
to the leaves.
100 EXT. DETAIL - HUNTER'S BLOOD - DAY 100
Clinging to the leaves, thick, viscous, pale-orange,
almost like the sap of an exotic plant. Her fingers
hover above it, hesitantly, and then touch it.
101 ANNA 101
examines the blood, transfixed. Dillon appears at her
shoulder, startling her. He motions for her to return.
She turns, wiping the blood onto her pants leg.
102 EXT. ENCAMPMENT - DUSK 102
The team is dug into the foxholes in a dense grove of
trees, a solid wall to their backs. The men are barely
visible they blend in so well.
(CONTINUED)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
58
102 CONTINUED: 102
Nearby, Mac is stringing a TRIP WIRE, low to the ground,
covering it with leaves and grass. He moves into camp
and reports to Schaefer.
MAC
We've got most of the flares,
frags. and two claymores just
outside. Nothin's comin'
close to here without trippin'
on somethin'.
SCHAEFER
Thank you, Sergeant.
Mac starts to go but Schaefer places his hand on his
shoulder.
SCHAEFER
I'm sorry, Bull. It's never
easy. He was a good soldier.
MAC
(hardened)
The best friend I ever had.
Mac turns and walks through the camp, stopping beside
a DARK OBJECT on the ground. He kneels beside the
PONCHO pulling back the zipper REVEALING Blain's face,
looking peaceful in death, as if lying in state.
Mac removes something from his pocket, holding it in
his hand, studying it.
103 DETAIL OF OBJECT IN MAC'S HAND 103
The small WHISKEY FLASH, the chrome rubbed away in
places REVEALING the brass beneath and a MEDALLION
depicting the 101 1ST AIRBORNE DIVISION.
104 MAC 104
takes a tiny sip from the flask. He replaces the cap
and lifts the flap of Blain's shirt pocket, placing
the flask inside. He lingers on the face and then
closes the zipper.
MAC
(softly)
Good-bye, Bro.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
59
105 ANNA 105
is huddles into a foxhole, her hands still tied in front
of her. She looks down at her pants leg. The Hunter's
BLOODSTAIN glows with a faint luminosity. She places
her fingers near the stain.
106 INT. HUNTER'S SHIP - NIGHT 106
Hawkins' BODY impacts the floor with a THUMP.
107 EXT. ENCAMPMENT - DAY (DUSK) 107
A momentary HUSH falls over the symphony of night
sounds. Anna and Billy turn towards the trees with a
growing look of wariness. The others, setting up the
RADIO, show no response.
108 INT. HUNTER'S SHIP - DAY (DUSK) 108
The Hunter's foot steps on the upper leg of the corpse,
the PREHENSILE SPUR digging deep, pinioning the body
to the ground. The Hunter's HAND extends, his
FINGERS puncturing the skin at the base of the spine,
gripping the vertebrae.
With otherworldly strength the arm pulls, the entire
SPINAL COLUMN ripping free from the body, a sickly
SNAPPING and POPPING of cartilage separating from bone
and tissue.
109 EXT. ENCAMPMENT - DAY (DUSK) 109
Ramirez is tuning in the compact FIELD RADIO, equipped
with a CRYPTO-PHONE device. Dillon holds the handset.
DILLON
(to phone)
Blazer One, say again...
A CRACKLE of STATIC over the radio.
BLAZER ONE
(voice over)
Red Fox, I say again. Your
request for extraction denied.
Your area still compromised.
Proceed to Sector 3000 for
prisoner extraction, Priority
Alpha. Next contact at 1030
hours.
(CONTINUED)
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