Sky Pirates by Gary

SKY PIRATES
by
Gary Dragan Milin
CONTACT:
gdmilin@yahoo.com
1.
FADE IN:
EXT. FRENCH EQUATORIAL AFRICA - CONGO RIVER - NIGHT
SUPER: May 7th 1940
EXT. SANGHA VILLAGE - NIGHT
A collection of traditional thatched-roof huts. A full moon

reflects off the Congo River. All is peaceful and serene.
A wooden shack with a corrugated steel roof stands apart from

the other dwellings.
INT. WOODEN SHACK - NIGHT
The crackly voice of a BRITISH RADIO ANNOUNCER can be heard.
BRITISH RADIO ANNOUNCER

...continuing Allied evacuation of
Norwegian ports. While massive
troop movements along the German
border...
A Union Jack hangs from the wall. Next to it: an engraving of

the Knights Templar excavating the Temple Solomon; a map of
the Mediterranean; a map of Africa; a navigation chart of the
Congo River; pages of scribbled notes; a rubbing of a dense
cuneiform text...
And finally, an ancient map of the North Atlantic showing an

island, where there should be none... ATLANTIS.
BRITISH RADIO ANNOUNCER

...suggest an invasion of the
Netherlands may be imminent.
British Expeditionary Forces,
meanwhile --
CLICK. The radio shuts off. SARA ASHFORD (17) stands next to
it with a pouty look on her pretty face.
SARA
War, war, war, that’s all they talk
about anymore.
DR. ASHFORD (late 40s) sits hunched over his desk, hard at
work, with an unlit pipe clenched in his teeth.
DR. ASHFORD
Just leave it on low.
2.
Sara sighs, exasperated, and turns the radio back on.
SARA
Couldn’t we just take a few days
off and go to Kinshasa? You
promised we’d spend a whole week in
town if I helped you with the
translations, and I did!
Dr. Ashford carefully plots out a series of lines on a map.

He’s completely engrossed in his work. He doesn’t look up.
DR. ASHFORD
Yes, you did a marvelous job, Sara,
thank you.
Sara steps up to her father.
SARA
Then let’s go. You’ve been working
nonstop, you need some rest.
DR. ASHFORD
I need no such thing!
Stumped. Sara scrunches up her face in thought, planning her

next line of attack. She’s got it. She leans in to her
father’s ear with a mischievous grin.
SARA
Fresh baked bread... custard
tarts... chocolate cake... ice
cream.
No effect. Dr. Ashford continues working, unperturbed. Sara

frowns. But then thinks of something. And leans in again.
SARA
Pipe tobacco.
Dr. Ashford bows his head and exhales sharply. That hit home.
He turns to his daughter.
DR. ASHFORD
Sara, I know these long months of
isolation are no easy thing to
endure. But we have to make
sacrifices, there’s a war on.
SARA
Yes, yes, the war, how could I
forget?!
Sara stomps off to the window and crosses her arms.

3.
SARA
I just don’t see the point of
working so hard when no one even
cares.
DR. ASHFORD
They will care. That last report I
sent -- with all our findings --
they’ll have to take action, now.
Dr. Ashford stands up. But Sara keeps her back turned.
DR. ASHFORD
In fact, I wager that within the
week, we’ll be called in to the
British embassy in Kinshasa.
Sara turns around with a hopeful look on her face.
SARA
Oh father, do you really think so?
DR. ASHFORD
I do indeed. So start thinking
about what kind of new dress you’d
like.
SARA
(overjoyed)
A new dress?!
DR. ASHFORD
In the latest Paris fashion. You’ve
earned it.
Sara rushes forward and wraps her arms around her father.
SARA
Oh, daddy!
Dr. Ashford hugs his daughter in a protective embrace as he

glances down at the map on his desk. It shows a region of
jungle encircled in red with an X placed right in the middle.
DR. ASHFORD
Child, I have a feeling we’ll have
great cause to celebrate in the
very near future.
EXT. RIVER'S EDGE - NIGHT
A SANGHA TRIBESMAN sits by the water, cradling his rifle.

4.
The faint sound of RIPPLING WATER. A dark shadow moves across

the moon-lit river.
The Tribesman rises to his feet and peers out into the
darkness. He's not quite sure what to make of it.
Suddenly, a BURST OF MACHINE GUN FIRE rips into the

Tribesman, and in the next instant, all hell breaks loose:
NAZI LIEUTENANT
Schnell! Schnell! Schnell!
JACK BOOTS jump ashore from an army skiff as FLARES are sent
SCREAMING into the night sky.
SANGHA TRIBESMEN race out of their huts only to be cut down

by SUBMACHINE GUNS and incinerated with FLAMETHROWERS.
Illuminated by the flicker of falling flares, the jungle

itself seems to come alive, locked in a desperate battle
between the darkness and the light.
INT. WOODEN SHACK - NIGHT
The sounds of GUNFIRE can be heard. Dr. Ashford glances out

the window, then quickly ducks away.
DR. ASHFORD
Germans!
He dumps out an old cigar box, grabs a Webley revolver, and

breaks it open. But the cylinder is empty.
SARA
Father, what’s going on?
Dr. Ashford ransacks the drawers of his desk.
DR. ASHFORD
Bullets! Where’re the damn bullets?
The sounds of GUNFIRE and SCREAMS grow louder.
SARA
You’re not gonna fight them, are
you?!
Outside the window, the hellish discharge of a FLAMETHROWER

catches Dr. Ashford’s eye.
DR. ASHFORD
No.
5.
He pockets the revolver and grabs Sara by the arm.
DR. ASHFORD
Quick! You have to hide.
He pulls her across the room, flings open a trap door in the
floor and shoves Sara inside.
DR. ASHFORD
And don’t make a sound.
He tries to shut the door, but Sara stops him.
SARA
No, father, we both have to hide.
DR. ASHFORD
If we both hide they’ll find us!
SARA
No --
He SLAMS the door shut and moves a large trunk overtop.
CRAWLSPACE
Lying flat on her back, the floorboards only inches from her
face, Sara desperately bangs on the trap door.
SARA (O.S.)
Father!
WOODEN SHACK
DR. ASHFORD
Quiet!
Dr. Ashford scrambles to tear down the papers from the wall,
grabs the map off his desk and stuffs them all into a metal
wastebasket. Then collects his notebooks, rips them in half
and tosses them in as well.
The GUNFIRE grows louder.
Breathing hard, Dr. Ashford sets his pipe down on an end

table. Picks up a box of matches. Turns back to the
wastebasket. And makes to strike a match.
BANG! The unlit match falls from his hand.

6.
CRAWLSPACE
Sara gasps as her father collapses onto the floor above her.
WOODEN SHACK
Standing in the doorway, wearing a black SS uniform and

holding a smoking Walther P38, is KOMMANDANT RHEINGOLD (50).
KOMMANDANT RHEINGOLD
Dr. Ashford, I presume?
Two NAZI SOLDIERS rush in, pick Dr. Ashford up off the floor
and dump him into a chair.
Perhaps you’ve heard of me as well?
Kommandant Rheingold?
Dr. Ashford just sneers as he clutches his bleeding shoulder.
My people tried to contact you
before hostilities broke out, but
to no avail, I’m afraid. It seems I
have your attention now, though.
A NAZI LIEUTENANT leads DR. WEIDER (50s) into the shack,

followed by a trio of GERMAN ARCHEOLOGISTS, who eagerly begin
sorting through the contents of the wastebasket.
Oh, and my personal physician will
tend to your shoulder.
Dr. Weider steps forward, but Dr. Ashford shrugs him off.
DR. ASHFORD
I'd rather bleed.
Yes, I have heard much about your
stubbornness. Perhaps your daughter
will be more reasonable?
The Soldiers fling open a wardrobe and the trunk, only to

find them both empty.
DR. ASHFORD
This jungle is no place for a girl.
I sent her down river to Kinshasa
three days ago.
7.
(a beat, considers)
We shall see.
(in German, subtitled)
Have your men search the area.
NAZI LIEUTENANT
Jawohl, Herr Kommandant.
The Lieutenant promptly departs and the two Soldiers take up

position next to the door, their MP40 submachine guns pointed
right at Dr. Ashford. Rheingold paces about the shack.
Either way, Dr. Ashford, I strongly
suggest you cooperate this time.
Otherwise, I will have no choice
but to --
CREAK. Rheingold stops in his tracks. He's standing on the

edge of the trap door.
CRAWLSPACE
Sara looks up at Rheingold through the gaps in the

floorboards.
WOODEN SHACK
CREAK. CREAK. Rheingold presses against the floor with his

boot. He kneels down for a closer look.
PROFESSOR PFEFFERLING
Mein Gott...
PROFESSOR PFEFFERLING (the lead archeologist) raises a

crumpled sheet of paper in his trembling hand.
It’s here.
Rheingold rushes over and takes the paper from Pfefferling.

It's a rubbing of a densely-packed cuneiform code.
It’s all here. Everything. Even the
code key!
Rheingold hands the paper back to Pfefferling, then swaggers

across the room with a triumphant grin on his face.
8.
It seems we now possess all the
pieces to the puzzle.
He holsters his sidearm and sits down in a chair opposite Dr.

Ashford. He takes note of the pipe resting on the end table.
We just need a little time to put
them together.
Rheingold removes a smoking kit from his inner pocket and

proceeds to pack his pipe.
Time, however, is a very precious
commodity these days. Which is why
I am prepared to make you a very
generous offer.
Rheingold lights his pipe. Then leans forward and offers the
pouch of tobacco to Dr. Ashford.
Join my team, Dr. Ashford. Come
work for the people who actually
believe in your theories, and value
your achievements.
Dr. Ashford makes no move to take the tobacco.
Your own government has spurned
you. But in Germany you will be
treated as a prince.
Rheingold waits a moment longer. Then drops the pouch onto

the end table and leans back in his seat.
If not for yourself, then do it for
your daughter. As you said, this
jungle is no place for a girl. So
think how much happier -- and safer
-- she will be, living among the
comforts of Berlin.
Rheingold leans forward for emphasis.
You have my word as a gentleman
that no harm will come to her. So
long as you cooperate with us.
9.
DR. ASHFORD
Go to hell.
Rheingold leans back again. His patience is wearing thin.
Dr. Ashford, let me make this
perfectly clear. You will
eventually tell us where your
daughter is hiding. Whether of your
own free will, or as a result of
Dr. Weider’s many, many talents.
Dr. Weider unfurls his medical satchel to reveal an

assortment of exotic torture implements.
But you will tell us. Of that, you
can be certain. So why not just
cooperate? Things will be so much
easier.
(leans forward, pointedly)
For the both of you.
Dr. Ashford looks long and hard at the torture implements.

Then glances over at the Soldiers blocking the door. Their
MP40s are leveled right at him.
CRAWLSPACE
Sara doesn’t dare breath, her eyes wide and staring.
WOODEN SHACK
A long tense beat.
Finally, Dr. Ashford reaches out. Takes the pouch of tobacco.

And gives it a sniff.
DR. ASHFORD
Dutch?
Rheingold smiles triumphantly as Dr. Ashford packs his pipe.
The finest. And very hard to come
by. But soon, we will have all we
want. And so will you.
Dr. Ashford lights his pipe and takes a long, satisfying

pull. He closes his eyes to savor it. Then exhales.
10.
DR. ASHFORD
Damn, that’s good.
Rheingold beams as Dr. Ashford takes another pull.
DR. ASHFORD
I’m almost tempted to finish the
bowl.
Rheingold’s face drops.
What --
In a flash, Dr. Ashford whips the empty revolver out of his

pocket and takes aim at Rheingold.
The Soldiers immediately OPEN FIRE!
CRAWLSPACE
Sara covers her mouth to keep from screaming, her eyes filled
with horror, as SUBMACHINE GUN FIRE echoes overhead.
Followed by the THUD of her father’s body hitting the floor.
EXT. NEWSREEL MONTAGE OF THE WAR - DAY
Wagner’s RIDE OF THE VALKYRIES plays over newsreel footage of

the Nazis rampaging across Europe.
EXT. FORT DIX PARADE GROUNDS - DAY
A NEW YORK TIMES with a headline that proclaims: “GERMANS

BOMB CENTRAL LONDON!” The date is August 24, 1940.
A small foot tramples the newspaper. PULL BACK TO REVEAL:
A YOUNG GIRL, cotton candy in hand, walks alongside her

PARENTS. A traveling circus has set up on the parade grounds.
There’s concession stands, CLOWNS selling balloons, a midway.
No scene could contrast more to the horrors of war in Europe.
Next to the “WELCOME TO FORT DIX” archway, a giant banner has

been erected. It reads:
Baron Bob's Flying Circus presents...
Major Danger's World Famous Death-Defying Sky Slalom!

11.
High above the crowds, two biplanes execute various aerobatic

maneuvers: wifferdills, chandelles, lazy-eights...
A podium stands next to a crowded grandstand. Perched atop

the podium is BARON BOB (50s), the flamboyant ringmaster.
BARON BOB (OVER THE PA)

And now, ladies and gentlemen, it
is my great privilege to present,
the one, the only, the fearless...
Major Jack Danger!
A souped up crop duster ROARS over the grandstand.

The best aerobatic stunt pilot ever
to grace the skies. Performing the
most dangerous aerial maneuver ever
attempted. The Three Ring Sky
Slalom!
Set up in front of the grandstand are three large bamboo

gates festooned with colorful flags. From each gate, a BRASS
RING hangs from a length of colorful silk ribbon.

And here he comes, carefully lining
up for the first gate.
Jack’s biplane flies under the first gate and snags the ring
with a 'hook' mounted on his midwing. The crowd applauds.

And a perfect capture, ladies and
gentlemen!
The silk ribbon flutters over JACK's head as he executes a

sharp turn and heads back towards the row of bamboo gates.

As you can see, the next gate is a
lot narrower, so he'll have to come
in on his side. No easy feat...
Jack's biplane dips onto its side as it enters the second

gate and captures another ring.

And another perfect capture!
The crowd applauds more enthusiastically.

12.

Ladies and gentlemen, in all my
years working with this fine flyer
I've never seen him miss a single
ring.
Jack lines up on the third and final gate. The crossbeam is

dangerously close to the ground. Very little room for error.

This man is truly one of the
greatest pilots of all --
TINK! The hook glances off the ring. No capture.
A shocked murmur sweeps through the grandstand as Jack's

biplane slowly circles the field.

Ladies and gentlemen... I... I
don't know what to say. He's never
missed before. I can only hope he
doesn't take it too hard.
The biplane suddenly swoops down towards Baron Bob.

Now Jack don't do anything crazy!
Bob hits the floor as the biplane buzzes his podium. The
crowd reacts with shock. Is this part of the act?
Jack's biplane suddenly flips belly up and veers skyward. Bob

jumps to his feet and strains to look up at the sky.

For the love of god Jack, not an
outside loop!
Jack's upside-down biplane continues to arc skyward.

Your engine can't take it! You hear
me Jack, it's suicide!
Jack's almost at apogee, his engine STRAINING, but he's

slowing down. He's clearly not gonna make it.

Jack!!!
Inside the cockpit, Jack pulls the pin on a SMOKE GRENADE

just as his biplane stalls out.
13.
The crowd reacts with horror as they see the biplane tumbling
out of the sky trailing a plume of smoke.

Oh my god, ladies and gentlemen,
his engine's burned out! He's lost
all power! He'll have to bail!
Everyone rises to their feet as Jack continues to tumble

uncontrollably. He's not bailing.

Come on Jack, bail out! BAIL OUT!
Baron Bob ducks for cover. But then, at the last possible
moment, Jack pulls up, swoops through the third gate, and --
CLANK! Captures the ring!
An instant of stunned silence...
Followed by a TREMENDOUS ROAR OF DELIGHT.
Jack lands his biplane. Taxis up to the grandstand. And jumps

down to the ground. JACK is all of 19 years old.

Ladies and gentlemen, please give
it up for the one, the only, the
fearless, Major Jack Danger!
The Spectators APPLAUD. Jack pulls off his flight cap as he

jogs over to the safety barrier to collect his tribute.
JACK
(collecting)
Thanks. Thank you. Thank you very
much. Much obliged. Thanks...
Jack reaches the end of the barrier, only to have a cigarette

butt tossed into his cap. He looks up to see a trio of
uniformed BRITISH SAILORS.
BRITISH SAILOR
Bloody Yanks. It's all just a game
to you, innit?
The Sailor gives Jack a shove.
JACK
Hey, keep your bonnet on Popeye, I
ain’t looking for a fight.
Jack smiles disarmingly and feels the Sailor’s collar.

14.
JACK
Say, that’s a nice blouse, your mom
let you borrow that?
All three Sailors promptly jump Jack.
SARA
(rushing over)
Seamen! Stand down! You here me?!
The Sailors stop short of kicking Jack's ass.
SARA
Where the bloody hell do you think
you are?!
Sara takes Jack by the arm and quickly leads him away. Her
girlish ways have now been replaced by a grim determination.
And her emotions encased behind a thick shell of armor.
SARA
Major, I really must apologize for
their behavior. We’ve had a very
difficult crossing from England and
they’re just letting off steam. I
hope you won’t feel it’s necessary
to file an official report.
JACK
Nah, it takes more than that to
ruffle my feathers.
SARA
Yes, I'm sure.
(offers hand)
Sara Ashford.
Jack shifts his money-filled cap to take her hand.
JACK
The one and only Jack Danger, at
your service.
Sara allows the hand shake to linger for a moment. But then
feels self-conscious and quickly turns to leave.
SARA
Well, I better get --
Jack leaps forward to block her way.

15.
JACK
No wait! If you came all the way
from England, then you have to let
me show you the sights.
SARA
I’m afraid there’s no time, I have
to report back to Lakehurst within
the hour.
Jack motions at a nearby lemonade stand.
JACK
Well, can I at least buy you a
lemonade?
Sara hesitates for an instant.
SARA
All right. That would be nice.
Jack signals the LEMONADE ATTENDANT.
JACK
Gimme two.
Jack picks out the correct change from his flight cap and
tosses the cigarette butt away.
SARA
As I’m sure you’re aware, air power
is playing a highly decisive role
in the war, so we were all very
curious to see what kind of airmen
you Americans have. And I must say--
Oh, thank you.
Sara accepts her lemonade and they continue walking.
SARA
I must say, I don't believe I've
ever seen flying of that caliber
before. Do your armed forces have
many pilots like you?
JACK
Not the one.
SARA
Yes but still, they must have some
with advanced flying skills?
JACK
Yeah sure, I guess.
16.
SARA
How many would you say?
JACK
Geeze, how would I know?
SARA
Well you are a Major, surely --
Jack can't help but laugh.
JACK
I'm no Major, that's just part of
the act. Major Danger, get it?
She doesn’t. Not yet.
SARA
But you are with the Armed Forces?
JACK
Hell no! They just let us use their
field. It brings in the recruits
for them and the greenbacks for us.
It's a win-win situation.
Sara takes note of the Recruitment Kiosk near the entrance.
SARA
You mean, you're... you’re just
with the circus?
JACK
Hey, sure beats dusting crops.
SARA
But there’s a war on.
JACK
Not here there ain’t.
SARA
Fascism is spreading across the
face of Europe, and growing
stronger with every victory, if we
don’t stop it, it will consume the
whole world. Mr. Danger, there has
never been a more urgent cause. And
with your extraordinary flying
skills, you could make a real
difference.
17.
JACK
Hey, I ain't enlisting if that's
what you mean. There’s nothing in
this world worth risking your neck
for.
Sara comes to an abrupt stop.
SARA
Except a hatful of quarters?
Jack glances down at his flight cap.
JACK
Except money.
Sara's finally figured Jack out. And she wants nothing more
to do with him.
SARA
My apologies, I appear to have
mistaken you for someone else.
She hands her lemonade back to Jack and turns to leave.
SARA
Goodbye, barnstormer.
Jack just stands there for a moment. Then rushes after her --
JACK
No, wait!
-- only to be grabbed from behind.
RECRUITER
Hey, Jack, that was a hell of a
show you put on, some of the best
flying I've ever seen, and I've
been traveling the airshow circuit
since '35.
JACK
Sorry pal, not interested.
Jack pulls his arm free and makes a beeline for Sara. But the
RECRUITER follows closely after him, holding up a photo of a
Grumman F4F fighter plane.
RECRUITER
Not interested? In a twelve hundred
horsepower double-row radial piston
engine? Or a top speed of over 300
miles per hour?
(MORE)
18.
RECRUITER (cont'd)
Why I bet you couldn't top 100 in
that crop duster of yours. But in
one of the Navy’s new F4F Wildcats,
why you'd be king of the skies.
Jack turns and shoves the Recruiter away.
JACK
Look, how many times I gotta tell
you recruiters, you're barking up
the wrong tree!
Jack turns back towards Sara, only to see that she’s joined a
large group of BRITISH SAILORS. The three from earlier notice
Jack and glare at him menacingly.
RECRUITER
Yep, dames sure do go for a man in
uniform.
The Recruiter pulls a recruitment form out of his breast

pocket, but Jack can't take his eyes off Sara.
JACK
Say, she’s staying at Lakehurst.
You hear anything about her?
RECRUITER
That British girl? Hell, everyone
in the whole damn Navy’s been
wondering about her.
JACK
What do you mean?
RECRUITER
Well, the Brits have their hands
full fighting off Nazi U-boats, so
why would they send one of their
best destroyers just to deliver
some dame across the Atlantic?
Don't make no sense.
The Recruiter holds up the form.
RECRUITER
Now, how about I help you fill out
this here recruitment form?
JACK
Yeah, that'll be the day.
Jack turns and retreats from the scene.

19.
EXT. LAKEHURST NAVAL AIR STATION - DAY
Next to the airstrip stands a massive AIRSHIP HANGAR. Offices

and service areas run along its entire length.
INT. AIRSHIP HANGAR - CORRIDOR - DAY
An AIDE leads NAVY COMMANDER MCCORD (late 40s) down the

corridor and stops at a door.
AIDE
Right through there, sir. Captain
Wittmore is waiting.
McCord takes a deep breath. Reaches for the doorknob.

Hesitates. Then removes a hip flask from his pocket. And
takes a swig.
The Aide waits patiently while McCord drains every last drop
from his flask. Then finally opens the door.
INT. BRIEFING ROOM - DAY
Sara, NAVY CAPTAIN WITTMORE (50s), and MARINE MAJOR JOHNSON

(40s) occupy one side of a conference table. While NAVY CHIEF
O’DELL (30s, glasses, very by-the-book) occupies the other.
An MP stands at attention behind Wittmore, with a briefcase
handcuffed to his wrist.
McCord saunters in and gives a sloppy salute.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Commander McCord reportin for duty.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
Just take a seat, Commander.
McCord smiles when he sees O’Dell. He smacks him on the back

as he sits down next to him.
COMMANDER MCCORD
O’Dell! Been a long time, Chief.
CHIEF O’DELL
(under his breath)
Not long enough.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
Now Commander, what exactly have
you been told about this mission?
20.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Well Captain, they just told me
it’ll be dangerous as hell, but if
I volunteered, I’d get my wings
back. So here I am!
Sitting directly across from McCord, Sara sniffs the air.

Then leans forward with an incredulous look on her face.
SARA
Excuse me Commander, but... have
you been drinking?
McCord reacts with surprise, then turns to Wittmore.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Hey Captain, there’s a little girl
in here.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
Yes, Miss Ashford will be
accompanying you on your mission.
McCord erupts into laughter and SMACKS the table.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Goddamnit, I’m still too sober for
this!
McCord whips out a second flask and takes a swig. O’Dell just
shakes his head disapprovingly.
SARA
Captain, is this really the best
airship pilot you could find?
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
He’s the only one with combat
experience against Zeppelins.
McCord chokes and lowers his flask. That sobered him up like
a slap to the face. He leans forward with a haunted look.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Zeppelins?
Wittmore signals with his hand. The MP steps forward, places

the briefcase on the table and pops it open. McCord and
O’Dell both lean forward for a better look.
Inside is a golden tablet 6 inches wide and 12 inches long.

The entire surface is covered in a dense cuneiform script.
21.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
This cuneiform tablet was
discovered six years ago near the
Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland. The
inscription along the top refers to
a temple, made entirely of gold,
that lies hidden away somewhere in
the African interior. The rest is a
series of directions on how to find
it.
Wittmore slides a grainy aerial recon photo across the table.

McCord picks it up. It shows a giant Zeppelin moored next to
a long camouflaged hangar.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
Earlier this year, the Nazis
obtained a translation of this
tablet and they’re currently
outfitting one of their old bomber
Zeppelins for a mission to acquire
the temple. And according to our
latest intelligence, they'll be
ready to launch within the next 48
hours.
McCord hands the photo to O’Dell.
COMMANDER MCCORD
That’s an M-class Super-Zeppelin.
Must be a lotta gold in that
temple.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
Enough to buy thousands upon
thousands of tanks and planes and
bombs. And we’d much rather see
those resources go to our allies.
O’Dell puts down the photo.
CHIEF O’DELL
Captain, how’re we supposed to
bring back such a large amount of
gold? All we have are blimps.
Major Johnson leans forward.
MAJOR JOHNSON
A blimp is all we'll need. Our plan
is to commandeer the Zeppelin while
it’s being loaded with gold.
(MORE)
22.
MAJOR JOHNSON (cont'd)
I’ve assembled a team of specially
trained Marines just for that
purpose. The Nazis will never be
expecting such a bold move.
CHIEF O’DELL
(stunned)
Yes, well, neither was I...
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
Thank you, Major. Now, I know this
type of small-scale assault is
extremely risky, but the United
States cannot officially get
involved in this European conflict.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Not get involved?! Captain, if we
attack a Nazi Zeppelin and steal
her gold, we'll be committing an
act of war.
Wittmore rises to his feet and steps up to the window blind.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
No Commander. Not an act of war.
But and act...
He snaps the blind open to reveal a giant SKULL & CROSSBONES.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
...of piracy.
INT. HANGAR - DAY
The skull & crossbones appears on the side of a 350 foot-long

BLIMP. All US Navy markings have been removed.
Wittmore leads the entire party into the hangar.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
Gentlemen, may I present the USS
Francis Drake. She’s an
experimental blimp the Nazis won’t
recognize. Plus we painted over all
US markings and even removed the
serial numbers from every piece of
equipment on board.
The blimp's control car is 100 feet long, with twin engines
mounted on outriggers.
23.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
Now, she may be a lot smaller than
a Zeppelin, but she's filled with
non-flammable helium gas, so she’s
less vulnerable to incoming fire.
And, as you can see, she packs
quite a punch as well.
Wittmore motions at the M2 machine guns sticking out of the

front, sides and rear of the control car.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
But considering how much terrain
you'll have to cover, your most
important asset will be that hook-
on scout plane over there.
Parked next to the Drake is a two-seater biplane with pirate

markings and a skyhook mounted on its midwing.
SARA
A biplane? Captain, surely the Navy
can spare one of its more modern
fighters for a mission as important
as this?
LIEUTENANT WINTERS (25 and dashingly handsome) steps up from

behind.
LIEUTENANT WINTERS
Actually, Ms. Ashford, all our mono-
wing fighters stall out at low
speeds. Only a biplane can fly slow
enough to dock with an airship.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
This is Lieutenant Winters, your
recon pilot. He’s the Navy’s top
aviator.
Winters leans forward to kiss Sara’s hand.
LIEUTENANT WINTERS
At your service.
He straightens up, but doesn’t let go of Sara’s hand.
LIEUTENANT WINTERS
Now, how about I put your mind at
ease with a little demonstration of
just what a biplane can do?
SARA
All right. Show me.
24.
EXT. BIPLANE - DAY
Winters performs a flawless outside loop over the airfield.
Everyone stands staring up at Winters.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
Never seen flying like that before,
have you?
Sara just smiles politely as Winters pulls some fancy moves.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
Took him less than two weeks to
master the skyhook maneuver.
A K-CLASS BLIMP appears overhead with a “skyhook trapeze”

hanging from its control car.
Winters swoops behind the training blimp. Lines up on the

trapeze. Holds steady as he approaches. But then... CLINK!
His skyhook glances off the trapeze bar.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
It usually takes a few passes to
catch it just right.
A windsock on the airfield flutters to life as Winters comes

around for another pass.
He lines up on the trapeze. Holds steady as he approaches...
But at the last moment, an updraft catches him and the

skyhook’s guide rail goes over the trapeze, and the trapeze
hits the propeller!
The biplane SHUDDERS and goes into a twisting nosedive.
Winters bails out.
But there’s something wrong with his parachute!
The onlookers gasp in horror as Winters spirals towards the

ground with a half-open chute. And finally hits the ground.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
No...
Wittmore rushes forward. They all do.

25.
A group of MEDICS reach Winters first. He’s still alive. And

clutching his leg in pain.
Wittmore arrives as Winters is being loaded onto a stretcher.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
Anything broken?
MEDIC
Both legs. He’s not going anywhere.
The rest of the team look on, breathlessly, as Winters is

carried off the field.
Wittmore bows in head in defeat. But Sara’s not giving up.
SARA
Captain, we still have two days to
train another pilot.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
That's not enough time.
SARA
Then we’ll make do without!
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
The hell you will! You’d be sitting
ducks up there, and you know it!
I’m sorry Ms. Ashford, but this
mission is canceled.
Wittmore turns to leave. They all do. But Sara hesitates. Her
mind racing. Trying to find a solution...
SARA
No, wait! I know a pilot who can
perform the skyhook maneuver
without training.
This gets everyone's attention. They turn back around.
SARA
He's over at Fort Dix right now.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
An Army pilot?
Sara winces. She can’t believe she’s about to say this.
SARA
No... a circus pilot.
26.
EXT. FORT DIX PARADE GROUNDS - DAY
CLANK! Jack captures the third ring!
An instant of stunned silence...
Followed by a TREMENDOUS ROAR OF DELIGHT.
Jack lands his biplane. Taxis up to the grandstand. And jumps

down to the ground.

Ladies and gentlemen, please give
it up for the one, the only, the
fearless, Major Jack Danger!
The Spectators APPLAUD. Jack pulls off his flight cap as he

jogs over to the safety barrier to collect his tribute.
But then stops dead in his tracks when he sees Sara standing
off to the side, holding up a single shiny quarter.
Jack saunters on over with a big, confident grin.
JACK
Reconsidered that sightseeing
offer, have you?
Sara smiles seductively and drops her quarter into his cap.
SARA
Actually Mr. Danger, I was thinking
more along the lines... of dinner?
INT. OFFICER'S MESS - EVENING
Jack shovels food into his mouth from an overloaded mess

tray. He doesn’t look very happy. Sara forces a smile.
SARA
I hope you’re enjoying your meal?
Wittmore, Johnson and McCord sit next to Sara. They all stare
across the table at Jack. But Jack continues to ignore them.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
Mr. Danger, the reason Ms. Ashford
brought you here is because we need
a pilot who can perform the skyhook
maneuver.
Jack continues to eat without comment.

27.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
It's for an extremely important
mission. You'll be doing your
country a great service if you take
part.
JACK
Yeah? And what's in it for me?
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
Like I said, you'll be doing your
country --
JACK
I don’t give a damn about no
country! So there better be
something else you have to offer.
The men at the table exchange worried looks as Jack continues

eating. Finally, Sara leans forward.
SARA
What about gold? Will you do it for
gold?
Jack stops eating.
JACK
How much gold?
SARA
As much as you like. If you help us
find it.
JACK
So you're going on a treasure hunt,
is that it? All right, count me in.
But I want 10 percent.
COMMANDER MCCORD
To hell with this! I won't have a
goddamn mercenary on the team. It
wouldn't be fair to the enlisted
men.
JACK
You want fair, you let those
enlisted boys fly your plane! But
if I'm gonna be the one risking my
neck on the flying trapeze, then I
want a piece of the action.
McCord fumes, while Jack glares back across the table in

defiance. Wittmore thinks long and hard. Then finally...
28.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
All right. If you can perform the
skyhook manoeuvre, then you’ve got
yourself a deal.
A PIRATE BIPLANE roars overhead as Jack pushes the envelope

with a series of sharp banks and rolls. He's back in his
element and loving it.
On the ground below, Sara and the rest of the team watch with
increasing anxiety as the windsock begins to flutter.
Undaunted, Jack veers in towards the training blimp.
Suddenly, an updraft catches him, but he quickly compensates

and -- CLANK -- captures the trapeze with his skyhook.
Sara exhales with relief and turns to Wittmore.
SARA
I told you he could do it.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
Let's see how he handles a launch.
The blimp turns back towards the airfield, with the biplane
still hanging from its trapeze.
Jack throttles up and reaches for the release lever, but then
hesitates as a mischievous look comes over him. He can't help
himself. He suddenly cuts back on the throttle and yanks the
release lever!
Sara watches in horror as the biplane drops from the blimp

and tumbles out of control.
SARA
Oh my god...
Everyone hits the ground! But at the last moment, Jack pulls
up and ROARS over their heads. Then HOLLERS with delight as
he executes a Victory Roll.
McCord rises to his feet with a look of grave apprehension.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Looks like we have our new flyboy.
29.
EXT. AIRSHIP HANGAR - NIGHT
A wheeled mooring mast pulls the Drake out of the hangar. The
pirate biplane hangs secured below the control car.
INT. AIRSHIP HANGAR - NIGHT
Captain Wittmore leads the team out of the office area and
into the hangar, where Major Johnson stands waiting.
Johnson is wearing a black uniform with red trim and

prominent skull and crossbones insignia.
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
Major Johnson, are your Marines
ready?
MAJOR JOHNSON
Just about, Captain.
TEN MARINES change out of their olive drab fatigues and into
their new pirate uniforms. The ones already in uniform clean
their Browning Automatic Rifles (BARs) and Thompson
submachine guns (Tommy Guns).
An AIDE hands a pirate uniform to McCord and O’Dell.
MAJOR JOHNSON
And you’ll have to leave behind
your dog tags, ID cards, ration
tickets, or anything else that
could be traced back to the US
Government.
O’Dell turns to McCord as he empties his pockets.
O’DELL
Isn’t your hip flask Navy issue?
COMMANDER MCCORD
Bite your tongue.
The Aide offers a pirate uniform to Jack.
JACK
No thanks, I ain’t playing dress
up.
Sara takes note of PETTY OFFICER ADDIE MILLS, a black man

standing off to the side. She turns to Johnson.
30.
SARA
Only one black Marine? Major, I was
really hoping we’d have more,
considering where we're going.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Actually, Ms. Ashford, we don't
have black combat troops. Petty
Officer Mills here is our cook.
SARA
Oh. I see.
EXT. LAKEHURST NAVAL AIR STATION - NIGHT
Banks of floodlights illuminate the Drake as she stands

poised for takeoff. A somber gathering of MILITARY OFFICERS
has assembled to see her off. Wittmore is in the forefront.
The team members use a mobile stairway to board the blimp.

All but Jack and Sara wear pirate uniforms. The Marines carry
their BARs and Tommy Guns slung over their shoulders.
Jack glances back at the crowd of Military Officers, then

turns to Sara.
JACK
How come no one’s smiling or
waving? They look like they’re at a
funeral, or something.
Sara just continues to climb the stairs without comment.
A NAVAL ADMIRAL (60) stands next to Wittmore.
NAVAL ADMIRAL
It ain’t right. Using a civilian
pilot for such a high risk mission.
(turns to Wittmore)
Does he even know what this is all
about?
CAPTAIN WITTMORE
No, sir. He thinks he’s going on a
treasure hunt.
High atop the mooring mast, a CREWMAN pulls the release lever
and the Drake’s nose spike lifts free.
The Drake’s engines ROAR to life as it rises up above the

floodlights. And is finally swallowed up by darkness.
31.
EXT. ATLANTIC OCEAN - MORNING
The Drake soars high above the water.
INT. USS FRANCIS DRAKE - GALLEY - DAY
A Jolly Roger flag (with crossed cutlasses) hangs above the

mess table next to a small galley. Six Marines crowd around
the mess table playing poker, while Addie Mills washes dishes
in a tiny sink.
Jack stumbles in, looking like he just crawled out of bed.
ADDIE MILLS
Good morning, sir.
JACK
Oh, I ain’t no sir.
(offers hand)
Name’s Jack.
Mills hesitates, then wipes his hand and shakes.
ADDIE MILLS
Petty Officer Addie Mills.
JACK
Pleased to meet you, Addie. So,
what’s for breakfast?
ADDIE MILLS
Actually, breakfast was two hours
ago. You want me to fix you up
something quick?
JACK
Nah, just gimme a coffee.
Jack spots Sara sitting in the forward gunnery station,

reading a notebook.
JACK
Actually, make it two.
FORWARD GUNNERY STATION
Each side of this small compartment has a gunport with an M2

machine gun on a swing-out mount.
Sara sits under one of the M2s with her notebook resting on
her knees. She doesn’t look up when Jack approaches.
32.
JACK
Morning.
Sara just turns the page in her notebook. She’s completely

engrossed in her read.
JACK
I, ah, brought you a coffee.
SARA
(without looking up)
No thank you.
Jack waits for a moment, but Sara just continues reading.

Finally, he sits down opposite her.
JACK
So, ah... I hear the blimp's named
after some Englishman.
SARA
(absently)
Yes, Sir Francis Drake.
JACK
And what’d he do?
SARA
Saved England from the Spanish
Armada in 1588.
JACK
Oh yeah? Was he a general, or
something?
Sara finally glances up at Jack.
SARA
No. He was a pirate.
Then she resumes reading.
JACK
A pirate?
Sara sighs and closes her notebook.
SARA
Queen Elizabeth the First knew that
Spain was building a huge invasion
fleet against her, but she lacked
the political support to openly
declare war.
(MORE)
33.
SARA (cont'd)
So she secretly sent Drake to
attack the Spanish and steal their
gold, all while flying a pirate
flag. Which is exactly what your
government is doing against the
Nazis on this mission.
(stands up)
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a
lot of work to do.
JACK
Hey, sure, no problem.
Jack grins and sips his coffee as he watches Sara walk off.
JACK
(to himself)
You can run, but you can't hide.
COCKPIT
Radio and nav stations are set directly behind the pilot and
copilot’s seats. McCord mans the flight controls, while
O'Dell traces a RED LINE on a navigation chart showing their
progress across the Atlantic. An 'X' marks a spot near the
mouth of the Congo.
NAVIGATION CHART MONTAGE:
The red line inches towards Africa. SUPERIMPOSED OVERTOP: the

Drake soars majestically across the Atlantic.
INT. USS FRANCIS DRAKE - COCKPIT - DAY
The RED LINE has now almost reached the 'X'.
JACK
(popping in)
Are we there yet?
CHIEF O'DELL
Just about.
JACK
Yeah, that's what you said last
time.
Jack ducks back out. McCord shakes his head.
COMMANDER MCCORD
He comes in here again, I swear
I'll shoot him.
34.
GALLEY
Addie is hard at work preparing dinner. Jack walks in,

mumbling to himself.
JACK
I'm goin’ stir crazy in here.
He steps up to the Marines playing poker.
JACK
So, who's gonna spot me?
But the Marines just ignore him.
JACK
Yeah, well who needs your penny
ante poker, anyway? I'm gonna be
filthy rich in a couple days.
Jack turns away. And stops in the bulkhead doorway. There’s

no sign of Sara in the rest of the control car.
JACK
Wonder where’s she hidin' now?
SLEEPING QUARTERS
Jack checks the head compartment. Empty.
He walks past the twin rows of bunks. But they’re all

occupied by Marines.
DOCKING BAY
A round compartment extending below the control car. Jack

traverses a short catwalk above it and enters the
CARGO BAY
Stacks of ammo crates, boxes of food, and drums of fuel line

both sides of the bay.
At the end of the cargo bay are two sets of sliding doors.
Next to them lies a small drop car. Mounted overhead is a
winch mechanism along with a large spool of cable.
Jack walks through the bay. Sara is nowhere to be seen. He

stops in front of a hatchway at the far end and smiles.
35.
REAR GUNNERY STATION
Jack swings open the hatch and pops his head in.
JACK
Aha!
But the gunnery station is empty. Jack frowns in confusion.

Then suddenly gets an idea and SNAPS his fingers.
CARGO BAY
Jack runs back through the cargo bay.
DOCKING BAY
Jack climbs down into the docking bay. And opens the bottom
hatch to reveal the biplane hanging below the control car.
But Sara’s not there either. Jack frowns even harder.
He climbs out of the docking bay and steps onto the catwalk
when something catches his eye back in the
CARGO BAY
Jack walks back in and inspects a stack of ammo crates. Some

of the crates have been moved to form a series of steps
leading to the top of the stack. Jack begins to climb.
There’s two feet of clearance between the top of the crates

and the ceiling. Sarah lies on her side, reading her
notebook. She looks up to see Jack smiling at her.
JACK
You know, I can't help but feel
you've been avoiding me.
SLEEPING QUARTERS/GALLEY
Sara hurries through the sleeping quarters and into the

galley, with Jack following at her heels.
JACK
Aw come on, I’m dying of boredom!
Why can't you take a break and have
some fun, for a change?
Sara stops abruptly and pushes Jack away to arm's length.

36.
SARA
I am not here to have fun, and
neither are you. So try to show
some semblance of responsibility
and professionalism. I'm sure the
rest of the team would appreciate
it. I know I would.
Sara stomps off into the cockpit and shuts the door behind
her. Jack turns to see Mills preparing dinner in the galley.
He witnessed the whole thing.
JACK
Women, huh?
Mills just continues working. But Jack gets an idea.
JACK
Hey Addie, what's for dinner?
ADDIE MILLS
Veal loaf and mashed potatoes.
Jack leans in conspiratorially.
JACK
Say, you think you could whip me up
something a little fancier tonight?
You know, for two?
EXT. OPEN ATLANTIC - SUNSET
The sun sets as the Drake continues towards her destination.
INT. USS FRANCIS DRAKE - COCKPIT - NIGHT
Sara sits at the nav station, writing in her notebook. Over

in the copilot’s seat, O’Dell checks his watch.
CHIEF O'DELL
We should be in range.
McCord reaches into his mission folder and removes a break-

open sheath marked: TOP SECRET.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Miss Ashford, I’m gonna have to ask
you to leave the cockpit.
SARA
Yes, of course, Commander.
37.
As soon as Sara exits, McCord cracks open the sheath.
GALLEY
The Marines wolf down the veal loaf and potatoes. Sara walks
in and makes to help herself, but Jack intervenes.
JACK
You know, way I figure it, you
still owe me a proper dinner date.
That meal we had back at the naval
base don’t hardly count.
SARA
Perhaps when we get back.
JACK
Or, perhaps I prepared a special
dinner tonight, just for the two of
us.
Sara gives Jack a dubious look. He flashes a disarming smile.
JACK
Think of it as my way of
apologizing for my childish and
irresponsible behavior.
SARA
Well then, this should be quite the
meal, I imagine.
JACK
Oh, it really is.
Jack motions towards the rear of the control car.
JACK
Now, right this way.
Jack flashes Mills the thumbs up behind Sara's back as they

walk off. Mills just shakes his head.
ADDIE MILLS
Civilians.
SLEEPING QUARTERS/DOCKING BAY/CARGO BAY
Jack leads Sara aft through the control car.

38.
SARA
But afterwards, you must promise
not to disturb me for the entire
rest of the evening. I still have
to practice my translations.
Sara takes note of the cargo bay.
SARA
We're not gonna eat in here, are
we?
Jack stops in front the rear gunnery station hatchway.
JACK
No, in there. Now close your eyes.
SARA
I will do no such thing, Mr.
Danger.
JACK
Fine, keep ‘em open.
Jack swing open the hatchway and shows Sara into the
JACK
But please, call me Jack.
A large Plexiglas dome offers a magnificent view of the

sparkling moon-lit ocean far below. Resting under the M2, a
stack of ammo crates forms a table, with two more crates as
chairs.
Three mess tins are laid out on the table along with cutlery
and a coke bottle vase with a folded paper flower. A pair of
candles set on the table cast a warm romantic glow.
Sara can’t help but smile.
SARA
How quaint.
COCKPIT
A slip of paper with a radio frequency printed on it rests

next to the broken TOP SECRET sheath.
39.
CHIEF O'DELL
(to radio)
X-Ray Alpha this is Golden Hind, do
you copy? Over.
Only STATIC for a reply.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Increase gain.
O'Dell increases power to the radio.
CHIEF O'DELL
X-Ray Alpha this is Golden Hind, do
you copy? Over.
Another BLAST OF STATIC. Followed by...
BRITISH VOICE
We copy Golden Hind, this is X-Ray
Alpha. What is your heading?
Two of the mess tins have been opened. Sara savors her food.
JACK
Enjoying your meal?
SARA
Yes, it’s surprisingly good. Veal
loaf cordon bleu, I take it?
JACK
Ah... yeah.
SARA
Compliments of Petty Officer Mills?
JACK
Yeah, I couldn't boil an egg.
SARA
And for a while there, I thought
you were a man of many talents.
JACK
No, just the one.
SARA
Well, at least you’re finally using
your talent for a good cause.
40.
JACK
Yeah, gettin’ rich.
Sara smiles and shakes her head.
SARA
Is that really all you care about?
Or is that just part of your act?
JACK
Oh, you ain’t getting the act now,
this is the real deal.
SARA
Fine. Then tell me your real name?
JACK
(showman-like)
The one and only Jack Danger.
SARA
Is that what your parents call you?
Jack hesitates. The wind knocked out of his sails.
JACK
So how come you get to ask all the
questions? Shouldn’t we be taking
turns?
SARA
You can have your turn once I’ve
figured you out.
JACK
That might take a while.
SARA
I doubt it. Why did you join the
circus?
JACK
Cause I got tired of dusting crops.
SARA
You had other options.
JACK
Yeah, but the hours were lousy and
I didn’t like the uniform.
Sara leans forward for emphasis

41.
SARA
With the fate of the free world
hanging in the balance, how can
someone with your incredible
talents still feel absolutely no
sense of duty or patriotism?
JACK
Just lucky, I guess. So, you
figured me out yet?
SARA
(coldly)
Indeed I have.
JACK
Good, now it’s my turn.
COCKPIT
A SIGNAL LIGHT flickers on the water far below. McCord checks

it out with the binoculars.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Thar she blows.
O’Dell toggles the intercom.
CHIEF O’DELL
Major, we’re beginning our descent.
Jack thinks long and hard. Then smiles.
JACK
Okay, I got a good one.
He leans forward.
JACK
When was the last time you were
kissed?
SARA
Why that's none of your business!
Jack smirks and resumes eating.
JACK
I knew you’d chicken out.
42.
SARA
Right before I left for Africa.
JACK
And how long ago was that?
Sara hesitates for a long moment.
SARA
About two years.
Jack scoffs.
JACK
Two years?! You mean you haven't
been --
SARA
Thank you for dinner, now if you'll
excuse me.
Sara jumps up and heads for the hatchway.
JACK
No wait, I’m sorry, don’t go!
(thinks fast)
You can't leave without having
desert.
Sara stops just short of the hatchway. And turns around.
SARA
There's desert?
JACK
Yeah!
Jack picks up the last remaining mess tin.
JACK
(under his breath)
I sure hope so.
He opens up the mess tin. But it’s just full of...
JACK
Bread.
SARA
It seems you have nothing more to
offer, Mr. Danger.
She turns back to the hatchway and grabs the lever.

43.
JACK
It's Danby. Jack Danby.
Sara doesn’t turn around. But she doesn’t leave, either. Jack
hesitates. Stares down at the floor. This isn’t easy for him.
JACK
My father used to own a small
flight school outside of Wichita.
But then one day these Army men
came by and offered him a job
training fighter pilots over at the
airbase. So that went on for pretty
near a year. Until one day, he
comes home much later than usual,
and starts talking about duty and
patriotism and such, and how he was
leaving to go train pilots over in
Spain. So I started dusting crops
to pay the bills and counting the
days until my father came back home
again. But then one day, those same
Army men came by and started
talking about duty and patriotism
and how an American flight
instructor had been shot down by a
German fighter in a Spanish civil
war. And they hoped I would
understand. But I couldn't
understand at all. So I just packed
up my bags and flew away. And I've
been flying ever since.
Sara turns around and Jack finally looks up.
JACK
And now you know why I joined the
circus. So whaddya think about
that?
Sara just stands there for a moment. Then steps forward.
SARA
I think I'd like another kiss now.
Jack slowly rises to his feet. Moves in close. And kisses

Sara gently on the lips.
COCKPIT
A surfaced BRITISH RIVER CLASS SUBMARINE lies illuminated in

the Drake’s floodlights.
44.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Drop mooring line.
O’Dell flicks a toggle.
CHIEF O’DELL
Mooring line, away.
EXT. CONTROL CAR - NIGHT
Mounted under the cockpit, a winch lowers a mooring hook.
EXT. BRITISH SUBMARINE - NIGHT
The cargo hatch is open and SAILORS work to hoist fuel drums
up onto the deck.
Atop the conning tower, the FIRST OFFICER grabs the lowered
mooring line and attaches the hook to the retracted mast.
The telescopic mast rises up to its full height.
McCord peers out the side window to follow the procedure.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Retrieve line.
O’Dell flicks another toggle.
CHIEF O’DELL
Retrieving.
The Drake is winched down until the front of the control car
makes contact with the top of the submarine’s mast.
The SUBMARINE CAPTAIN watches from the conning tower.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Cut engines.
O’Dell turns off the engines. McCord leans out the side
window. The Submarine Captain is only 10 feet below him.
45.
COMMANDER MCCORD
How’s it lookin’, Captain?
BRITISH CAPTAIN
We just picked up a sonar echo, I
suggest we part company as quickly
as possible!
COMMANDER MCCORD
I heartily agree!
McCord sits back down in his seat and pulls the hip flask
from his pocket. O’Dell shoots him a look.
COMMANDER MCCORD
It’s times like these that drive a
man to drink.
He takes a big swig.
Jack and Sara are making out like crazy now. They’re all over
each other. But then Sara suddenly pushes Jack away.
SARA
No! This is a mistake.
Sara flings open the hatchway and runs off.
JACK
Hey, wait --
Jack jumps after her, but BONKS his head on a crossbeam.
JACK
Aagh! Dammit!
CARGO BAY
Both sets of side doors are wide open and the Marines hurry
to unload drums of fuel from the drop car. The way forward is
completely blocked. Johnson sees Sara approaching.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Ms. Ashford, you’ll have to stay
back here till we’re done.
Sara frowns. Bad timing. She glances back to see Jack emerge
from the rear gunnery station. He rushes over.
46.
JACK
What the hell's going on?
SARA
We’re refueling.
JACK
I meant with us!
Sara pushes Jack away from the Marines and lowers her voice.
SARA
There is no 'us' Jack. What
happened was a mistake.
The drop car lowers to the deck of the sub and the Sailors
immediately begin loading up more drums of fuel.
INT. CARGO BAY - NIGHT
The Marines work quickly to redistribute the crates and stow

the fuel. Sara stands waiting for them to clear the way.
But Jack isn’t giving up. He approaches her again.
JACK
What happened, happened, because we
both wanted it to happen, so how
can that be a mistake?
Sara spins around, suddenly confrontational.
SARA
Don't you get it? This is war,
Jack. It doesn't matter what I
want, or you want, it's the mission
that's important.
The Marines lift another batch of fuel drums off the drop
car, then send it back down for another load.
Sara steps up to the open door opposite the drop car winch
and looks down at the submarine. But Jack still keeps at it.
JACK
So let me get this straight. You
want me, but you have to resist
until after the mission, for the
good of the war?
47.
SARA
Oh, you pig-headed! Self-centered!
Jack suddenly notices a RAPIDLY APPROACHING LINE OF BUBBLES

in the water.
JACK
Hold on!
He makes to grab Sara, but she pushes him away.
SARA
Get your hands off --
The torpedo SLAMS into the stern of the sub and EXPLODES.
The Submarine Captain and First Officer are thrown from the
conning tower as a mountain of water leaps into the air and
hits the Drake.
The blimp lurches sideways, sending crates and fuel drums

tumbling. Sarah is thrown out the open doorway. Jack tries to
grab her. But misses.
JACK
Sara! No!
She SPLASHES into the water next to the stricken submarine.
JACK
Hold on! Here I come!
Jack jumps in after her. And SPLASHES into the water.
EXT. OPEN ATLANTIC - NIGHT
A NAZI U-BOAT breaks surface 300 yards away. CREWMEN

immediately pour out to man the 88 mm DECK GUN.
Jack breaks surfaces. Gasps for air. And looks around. The
water is filled with splashing British Sailors.
JACK
Sara!
48.
MUZZLE FLASH in the distance. A shell WHISTLES overhead.
And PUNCHES THROUGH the Drake’s envelope.
The needle on the pressure gauge FLICKERS.
CHIEF O'DELL
We've been punctured!
CARGO HOLD
One of the Marines (SGT. HICKS) releases the M2, swings it

into position, cranks the charging handle -- and OPENS FIRE!
EXT. SURFACED NAZI U-BOAT - NIGHT
Bullets splash into the water like rain. Only a few PING off
the U-Boat's metal skin. Useless. The deck gun FIRES!
INT. USS FRANCIS DRAKE - CARGO BAY - NIGHT
Sgt. Hicks BLAZES AWAY. Two Marines FIRE their BARs.
A shell EXPLODES through the hull, killing the two Marines.
Jack spots Sara clinging to the side of the submarine.
JACK
Sara!
He swims over. Her forehead is bruised. She looks dazed.
JACK
You all right?
Before she can answer, the front end of the submarine tilts
upwards as it begins to sink. Jack quickly pulls her away.
JACK
Come on, it’s gonna sink!
49.
Several Marines now FIRE their BARs at the U-Boat. Sgt. Hicks
is still manning the M2.
A shell EXPLODES through a stack of food crates, sending

splinters of wood and cans of food flying.
One of the Marines goes down. The rest KEEP FIRING.
Jack helps Sara swim away. Behind them, the bow of the
submarine rises even higher as the stern sinks.
British Sailors burst out of every hatchway and jump into the
water. The conning tower is about to go under.
The Drake shifts abruptly, still moored to the sinking sub.
CHIEF O’DELL
She’s gonna drag us down!
COMMANDER MCCORD
Go to full power!
EXT. USS FRANCIS DRAKE - NIGHT
Still moored to the sub, the Drake angles upwards -- its

engines straining -- until its tail splashes into the water.
The ammo crates and barrels tumble to the rear of the

compartment as the Drake’s nose rises. The Marines leap up to
grab handholds in the ceiling to avoid the tumbling crates.
Jack pulls Sara along as they continue to swim away.
JACK
Don’t worry, we’re gonna make it.
Overhead, ammo crates spill out of the Drake and SPLASH into
the water all around Jack and Sara.
50.
JACK
Aw, come on!
The Gunnery Crew move their sights off the Drake and onto the
raised bow of the British submarine.
Sailors continue to abandon ship. But the Captain and his

First Officer struggle to climb back onto the conning tower.
SUBMARINE CAPTAIN
We’ll have to use the manual
release.
A MUZZLE FLASH in the distance.
An 88 mm shell comes WHISTLING IN and GLANCES off the bow.
FIRST OFFICER
Sir, they're going for our
torpedoes.
SUBMARINE CAPTAIN
Damn the torpedoes! Help me up.
The First Officer helps the Captain up onto the mooring mast.
NEARBY IN THE WATER
Jack pulls Sara along. He heads for a cable that hangs from
the bottom of the Drake and goes straight into the water.
JACK
Have to reach that cable!
MOORING MAST
The Submarine Captain reaches the manual release.
A MUZZLE FLASH in the distance.
Another shell comes WHISTLING IN and GLANCES off the bow.
The Captain pulls down on the release lever.
The coupler SNAPS open. And the mooring line shoots free.
51.
EXT. USS FRANCIS DRAKE - NIGHT
The Drake surges skyward!
CHIEF O'DELL
We're free!
EXT. IN THE WATER - NIGHT
Still holding Sara, Jack reaches for the cable, but it moves
away as the Drake rises up.
JACK
What?!
Jack surges forward, swimming at fast as he can with one

hand. But the cable remains just a foot beyond his grasp.
JACK
No!
Suddenly, the drop car breaks surface.
Jack manages to grab the top of the frame and pulls himself
and Sara forward, just as the bottom of the drop car lifts
them up out of the water.
GUNSIGHT POV: The bow of the British submarine is dead center

in the crosshairs.
A LIEUTENANT stands next to the deck gun, looking through a

pair of binoculars.
LIEUTENANT
Feuern!
The deck gun FIRES.
Back on the sinking conning tower, the Captain looks up at

the departing Drake and gives her a crisp salute.
SUBMARINE CAPTAIN
Give ‘em hell Francis.
52.
The shell comes WHISTLING IN and hits the bow dead-on.
EXT. HANGING BELOW THE DRAKE - NIGHT
Jack and Sara lie sprawled in the drop car as it rises above
the stricken British submarine.
Suddenly, a MASSIVE EXPLOSION rips through the sub.
Jack hugs Sara protectively as they barely escape the fiery

blast that rises up towards them.
EXT. CONGO RIVER - DAWN
The sun breaks over the mighty Congo River. The Drake sails
high overhead.
EXT. USS FRANCIS DRAKE - DAWN
Helium pours out of an 88 mm hole in the envelope.
O'Dell squeezes a tube of adhesive onto a circular patch.

Presses the patch over the hole. Then holds it tight.
O’Dell sits on a bosun’s chair suspended from the top of the

blimp’s envelope.
INT. COCKPIT - DAY
McCord sits at the nav station working out some calculations

on a pad of paper. Johnson hovers impatiently over him. While
O’Dell man’s the controls.
McCord finally looks up from his work and exhales sharply.
MAJOR JOHNSON
How’s it look, Commander?
McCord unpockets his hip flask and twists open the cap.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Well, there’s good news, and
there’s bad news.
McCord makes to take a drink, but Johnson stops him.
MAJOR JOHNSON
What’s the bad news?
53.
COMMANDER MCCORD
We lost a lot of Helium. I estimate
80,000 cubic feet worth. That’s
about twelve hundred pounds of
lift.
MAJOR JOHNSON
(gravely concerned)
Twelve hundred pounds? What’s the
good news?
COMMANDER MCCORD
We also lost most of our ammo, half
our fuel, and three of your men,
Major, so it all balances out.
Cheers.
McCord frowns as he guzzles from his hip flask.
GALLEY/MESS
A group of Marines are playing poker again. Jack rushes past.
SLEEPING QUARTERS
Marines snore away on the bunks. Jack keeps going.
CARGO BAY
Jack finds Mills mopping up the floor next to the sliding

doors. Shell holes and shrapnel damage cover the walls and
one of the doors has been blasted right off.
JACK
I don't believe it. They're going
on like nothing happened back
there.
Mills wrings out his mop. The water runs red.
ADDIE MILLS
It's war, Jack. That’s how you
gotta be. Even if you’re scared.
JACK
Hey, I don’t get scared. Not ever.
Mills continues to mop the floor.
ADDIE MILLS
Yeah, sure.
54.
JACK
No, I'm serious. It happens to most
stunt pilots.
Jack grabs a handhold and leans way out of the open doorway.
JACK
You just lose that feeling in the
pit of your stomach. Just wears out
after a while. And good thing too.
Jack moves back inside.
JACK
Cause feelings just get in the way.
Sara walks in. Her head is bandaged. She has an overly formal
air about her as she steps up to Jack.
SARA
Mr. Danger, I'd like to thank you
for saving my life last night. That
was very brave of you.
JACK
Yeah, I know.
SARA
(lowers her voice)
But it still doesn't change the way
I feel about... what we were
discussing. I just wanted to make
that absolutely clear.
JACK
Oh, it's clear, alright.
SARA
Well, good, then.
Satisfied, Sara turns and walks away.
JACK
(to Mills)
She is so sweet on me, she just
won't admit it to herself.
EXT. DESTROYED SANGHA VILLAGE - DAY
The village from the opening. It’s been completely destroyed.

The only dwelling that remains standing is the wooden shack.
High overhead, the Drake glides past.

55.
SARA (V.O.)
The Chieftain of the village told
me and my father the story of how
he once got lost in the jungle. And
after wandering for many weeks, he
came upon the valley of the Palom
Toq, a long lost tribe whose name
means 'The Friends of the Gods'.
The Chieftain spent a full year
living with them and learning their
language, and before he left to
find his way back home, the Palom
Toq took him to see some ancient
ruins which they called The City of
the Gods. After hearing this story,
my father became convinced that
this was where the golden temple
was hidden and asked the Chieftain
to show us the way to this remote
valley. But the Nazis found us
before we could get underway.
INT. REAR GUNNERY STATION - NIGHT
Sara and Johnson look down at the ruins of the village.
MAJOR JOHNSON
I don't understand. Why did you
need the Chieftain's help if you
had the map tablet?
SARA
The final direction on the tablet
is impossible to follow from the
ground. You have to be traveling by
air.
MAJOR JOHNSON
I see.
Sara turns towards Johnson with a piercing look.
SARA
Do you really, Major?
GALLEY/MESS
Jack pulls his flight cap on. Mills offers him a sandwich on
a plate and he takes it.
JACK
Thanks Addie.
56.
Jack takes a huge bite as he steps up to the mess table. Sara

has a rubbing of the map tablet spread out before her, along
with a map of the Congo. An area of jungle has been circled
in red similar to the map from the opening.
SARA
Must you eat that now?
JACK
I can’t fly on an empty stomach.
SARA
Just try and pay attention. That
village we flew over, that was
located near this bottleneck on the
Congo River.
(indicates on map)
In the tablet it’s referred to as
the Narrow Passage. That’s the
second last landmark. Your job is
to find the last one.
JACK
Is that where the gold is?
SARA
No. But that’s where we’ll find a
map of the temple’s location. And
the final landmark can be anywhere
in this area here.
Sara indicates the area on the map encircled in red. Jack

leans over for a better look and his sandwich drips on the
map. Sara shoots him a look and he shrugs apologetically.
JACK
Sorry.
Sara carefully wipes the condiment off with her handkerchief.
JACK
So what’s this landmark look like?
SARA
It doesn’t say.
JACK
Then how the hell’m I supposed to
find it?
SARA
In the tablet, it’s referred to as
the Womb of the Earth. So I assume
you’ll know it when you see it.
57.
COCKPIT
Jack’s biplane flies off ahead of the Drake. Along with

McCord and O’Dell, Sara and Johnson are also present.
SARA
I should’ve gone with him.
MAJOR JOHNSON
No, it’s too dangerous. That
Zeppelin might be a lot closer than
we think.
EXT. BIPLANE - DAY
Jack scans the ground below as he flies a search pattern. But

the jungle appears as a uniform green carpet without any
landmarks whatsoever.
SARA (OVER RADIO)

Jack, do you see anything?
Jack wears headphones and a throat mike.
JACK
No, nothing, just solid jungle.
Maybe I’m flying too high?
Sara talks into the radio receiver.
SARA
No, the final landmark should be
clearly visible from a high
altitude. Just keep looking.
Johnson inspects the map with the area circled in red.
MAJOR JOHNSON
How’s our fuel situation,
Commander?
COMMANDER MCCORD
We can go another 300 miles, or so,
and still make it back to Kinshasa.
SARA
And if we don’t turn back? How far
can we go then?
McCord grins as he opens his hip flask.

58.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Well in that case, Ms. Ashford, we
can go straight to hell.
McCord takes a swig from his flask.
JACK (OVER RADIO)

Mission accomplished! The Womb of
the Earth has been located.
Sara snaps up the radio receiver.
SARA
Are you absolutely sure?
INT. WOMB OF THE EARTH - DAY
Looking up through the opening of a giant sinkhole cave.

Jack’s biplane can be seen flying overhead.
JACK (V.O.)
Trust me, I found it. I’m coming
in.
EXT. WOMB OF THE EARTH - DAY
The sinkhole opening is 100 feet across and surrounded by an

impenetrable tangle of jungle. The Drake hovers directly
overhead, secured in place by an anchorline to the trees.
The drop car slowly emerges from the sinkhole and rises up
towards the Drake with 4 Marines on board.
INT. USS FRANCIS DRAKE - CARGO BAY - DAY
The drop car dangles outside the doorway. Johnson, Hicks and
two other Marines climb back on board the Drake. They all
carry Tommy Guns and coils of rope.
Sara immediately rushes over to Johnson. Jack is also there.
SARA
Well? Did you find any petroglyphs?
MAJOR JOHNSON
The cave’s full of ‘em.
SARA
Then we’ve found it. We found the
Womb of the Earth!
59.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Yeah. And so did the Nazis.
Johnson holds up an empty back of GERMAN CIGARETTES.
EXT. WOMB OF THE EARTH - DAY
The drop car descends from the Drake into the sinkhole. Sara,
Jack, Johnson, and Hicks are on board.
INT. WOMB OF THE EARTH - DAY
The drop car descends along a shaft of light. The walls of

the enormous cavern are shrouded in darkness.
The drop car touches down on the floor of the cavern. There’s
a pool of light about 100 feet wide. Beyond that, only
darkness. Everyone disembarks from the drop car.
Sara glances over at Jack, then proceeds to leaf through her

notebook while she talks. Jack idly picks up a rock.
SARA
Now Jack, as our reconnaissance
pilot, you’ll have to pay very
close attention to any maps or
images that we...
Sara looks up to see Jack poised to throw the rock.
SARA
You’re throwing rocks?! In a cave
full of delicate petroglyphs
thousands of years old?!
JACK
Well, if you put it that way.
Jack drops the rock from his hand.
Johnson lights a flare. It burns with a brilliant white light
MAJOR JOHNSON
Ms. Ashford, this is the first one
right here.
Sara steps up to where Johnson is standing. There’s a 10 foot-

tall map engraved into the cave wall. It shows an unfamiliar
coastline with an offshore island.
SARA
It's a map of Western Europe.
60.
MAJOR JOHNSON
That coastline doesn't look
familiar.
SARA
During the last Ice Age sea levels
were much lower because of all the
glaciers. You see, this valley is
now the Mediterranean, and that
island is now at the bottom of the
Atlantic.
Holding the flare above his head, Johnson steps up to another

rock engraving. This one is a larger version of the island,
with a block of cuneiform wedges underneath.
MAJOR JOHNSON
That island seems to be important.
What does it say?
Sara runs her fingers along the cuneiform wedges, then

glances down into her notebook.
SARA
It says... Atlantis.
The flare dies out. A moment of darkness.
JACK (O.S.)
Atlantis?!
Johnson lights another flare.
JACK
You mean we're after the golden
temple of Atlantis?!
SARA
That's right.
JACK
What're you nuts?! Atlantis is just
a myth, everybody knows that!
SARA
Do these rock carvings look like a
myth to you?
JACK
Somebody coulda made those as a
joke.
61.
SARA
A joke?! They’re over 10,000 years
old! My father spent his entire
life trying to --
MAJOR JOHNSON
Enough! Let's just finish up before
we run out of flares, alright?
Sara gives Jack one final harsh look, then rejoins Johnson.
SARA
Very well, Major.
JACK
And there better not be any
pictures of leprechauns or unicorns
around here, either, or you can
count me out of this crazy mission.
Johnson indicates the next carving in the series.
MAJOR JOHNSON
What does this one say?
This carving shows a dike being built along the Atlantean

coast. There’s an entire block of cuneiform text below it.
SARA
It says, when the warm winds began
to blow, the waters began to rise.
So a dike was built to protect the
island.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Keep going.
Sara moves to the next carving, which depicts a huge dam

holding back the sea. There’s more cuneiform writing.
SARA
And as the waters continued to
rise, the dike continued to grow,
until it reached higher than the
highest land.
The next carving shows the sea pouring in through a breach in

the dam.
62.
SARA
And then a great earthquake hit.
And over the course of 40 days and
40 nights, the sea reclaimed the
entire island along with all the
people that lived upon it.
Again the flare flickers out. And another flare is lit.
Sara now stands before a large carving showing a woman of

great importance inside a palace. She is surrounded by
scribes who are busy imprinting cuneiform tablets.
SARA
But before the end came, the High
Priestess had her scribes create a
record of divine knowledge. And
from this record, were made three
copies, and these copies placed
aboard three ships, which ventured
forth to build three golden
temples.
Sara steps up to the next carving. It shows a map of the

Atlantic. Three arrows depart from the island of Atlantis.
SARA
The first ship, named the Eastwind,
traveled to Europe. The second
ship, named the Westwind, traveled
to the Americas. And the third
ship, named the Southwind, traveled
to Africa.
The flare dies out. And another is lit. Sara stands before a
map showing the sinkhole, with a river leading north to a
long valley, at the end of which lies a square marker.
SARA
This is it. This is the final map.
That square represents the lost
temple. And this is the valley of
the Palom Toq. All we have to do is
follow this river to --
JACK (O.S.)
Ho-ly christ!
Johnson and Sara spin around. Jack can’t believe his eyes. He
points up at the cave wall above the rock carvings.
JACK
Look!
63.
Johnson backs up and lights a second flare for a better look.
MAJOR JOHNSON
What the hell is that?
Engraved across the top of the cave wall is the unmistakable

image of an enormous and exotic-looking AIRSHIP.
SARA
I believe it's the Southwind.
EXT. USS FRANCIS DRAKE - DAY
The Drake follows a small river canyon as it snakes through a

dense and impenetrable jungle.
INT. COCKPIT - DAY
McCord stares at a sketch of the Southwind in Sara's

notebook. He's not quite sure what to make of it all.
EXT. WATERFALL - DAY
The river tumbles into a fog-shrouded valley below. The Drake

glides overhead.
INT. COCKPIT - DAY
McCord, O’Dell, Johnson and Sara are all present.
SARA
This is it, Commander, the valley
of the Palom Tog.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Full stop.
O'Dell cuts the engines.
COMMANDER MCCORD
We're gonna have a hell of a time
finding that Zeppelin in all this
fog.
SARA
Maybe the Palom Toq know where it
is?
MAJOR JOHNSON
Can you speak their language?
64.
SARA
The Chieftain taught me.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Alright, let’s find a place to set
down, I'll ready a landing party.
SARA
No Major, you can’t send down the
Marines. The Palom Toq are
extremely wary of strangers.
Especially white ones carrying
guns.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Well there's no way you're going
down there alone, Ms. Ashford. And
I don’t see any other alternative.
EXT. VALLEY OF THE PALOM TOQ - DAY
The Drake’s anchor lies buried in a sandbar by the river.

Tethered to the anchor, the Drake hovers silently overhead.
EXT. JUNGLE - DAY
Sara and Mills walk through a tunnel of vegetation. Mills

carries a radio on his back and a machete in his hand.
SARA
This path should lead right to the
village.
(sniffs the air)
Smoke. We must be getting close.
EXT. SMALL CLEARING - DAY
Three small thatched huts decorated with elephant bones. The

doorways are only four feet high. Sara and Mills emerge from
the jungle and cautiously approach.
SARA
Doesn't look like anyone's home.
ADDIE MILLS
Aren't those huts a little small?
SARA
Not for the Palom Toq, they're
Pygmies.
65.
ADDIE MILLS
Pygmies?
Sara moves in for a closer look.
SARA
Small in size, but the fiercest
hunters in the jungle.
ADDIE MILLS
(looking around)
Fierce, huh?
SARA
Oh yes. They'll take down a bull
elephant with nothing more than a
spear. They're very proud of their
hunting prowess. That’s why they
build their huts from the bones of
their prey. It’s considered a great
status symbol in their culture.
ADDIE MILLS
So where are they, then?
SARA
Probably over in the main village.
(sniffs the air)
This way.
EXT. PALOM TOQ VILLAGE - DAY
Sara and Mills emerge onto a clearing to find the smoking

ruins of a Pygmy village. Not a living soul is in sight.
SARA
Call in the others.
EXT. PALOM TOQ VILLAGE - LATER
Mills stands looking at the destroyed village while armed

Marines enforce a perimeter along the treeline.
Sara and Johnson follow Hicks to a large central hut made

entirely of elephant tusks. Hicks motions inside.
SGT. HICKS
She's in there.
66.
INT. IVORY HUT - DAY
Sara and Johnson enter to find a blind OLD WOMAN sitting on

the floor. Sara kneels down and says a few words in a strange
language. The Old Woman responds in kind.
SARA
She's the village elder. She says
this place is now cursed so all the
survivors have left to go find a
new clearing in which to live.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Ask her about the Zeppelin.
SARA
There's no word for Zeppelin.
The Old Woman resumes talking. Sara translates.
SARA
She says at first she heard a sound
like a swarm of bees. What is it?
What is it? She asked her nephew.
He told her a great beast, fat and
gray like an elephant, and as big
as a cloud, had come down from the
sky. And from its belly emerged
white-skinned demons, who called
down thunder from the heavens to
destroy the people and filled the
air with bitter smoke.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Ask her how many demons there were.
Sara asks. But the Old Woman makes no reply.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Ten? Twenty? How many?
Sara asks. Still no reply.
SARA
It's no use Major, she's --
The Old Woman suddenly resumes talking again.
SARA
She says she begged them not to go,
but they wouldn't listen.
MAJOR JOHNSON
The Nazis?
67.
The Old Woman keeps talking.
SARA
She says they lost their wives and
children and would no longer listen
to reason, or obey her authority.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Who?
Sara asks. The Old Woman hesitates. Then replies.
SARA
Her nephew and a group of hunters.
They took their spears and set off
down river after the Zeppelin.
EXT. RIVER - DAY
Flying low and slow, the Drake follows the river deeper into
the fog shrounded valley.
INT. GALLEY - DAY
Mills washes dishes. Johnson walks in.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Mills, we're putting together a
scouting party. Ms. Ashford thinks
you should come along.
Mills eyes light up. He throws down his dishrag.
ADDIE MILLS
Yes sir, Major.
The Drake drops anchor in a small clearing next to the river.
INT. CARGO BAY - DAY
Johnson, Mills, Hicks and Baker prepare for the scouting

expedition. Hicks loads a magazine with red-tipped bullets.
ADDIE MILLS
Say Sergeant, why are those bullets
painted red?
68.
SGT. HICKS
They're incendiary rounds. Just in
case we run into that Zeppelin.
Hicks slides the magazine into a Browning Automatic Rifle.
ADDIE MILLS
So, what do I get?
MAJOR JOHNSON
Let him carry the BAR.
SGT. HICKS
Here you go, Mills.
Hicks hands Mills the BAR and takes a Tommy gun for himself.
ADDIE MILLS
(proudly)
Thank you sir, I won't let you
down.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Good, just remember, soon as we
spot that Zeppelin, you pass that
off to Sgt. Hicks. And see if you
can't carry some extra water and
ammo as well.
ADDIE MILLS
(deflated)
Yes, sir.
INT. COCKPIT - DAY
Sara watches as Johnson, Mills, Hicks and Baker walk off into
the jungle.
SARA
This is ridiculous, I should be out
there with them.
COMMANDER MCCORD
It's too dangerous.
SARA
But they don't have a clue what
they're looking for.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Right now all they're looking for
is Nazis, so just relax. We'll get
to your temple soon enough.
69.
EXT. DOCKING BAY HUB - DAY
Jack is busy refueling the biplane. Sara peeks in through the

open hatchway.
SARA
I hear you're going on a recon
flight, and I'd like to come along.
Jack barely glances up. Continues refueling.
SARA
Look, I know how you must feel. But
I couldn't tell anyone about
Atlantis before we left, or they
never would’ve agreed to this
mission.
JACK
Yeah, well can't say I blame 'em.
Jack reaches up into the docking bay for another gas can, but
Sara grabs his hand.
SARA
Jack, even if you don't believe in
Atlantis, you have to believe me,
the temple itself is real.
JACK
And made of gold?
SARA
Made of pure and solid gold. And we
will find it. I swear.
The Drake lifts up into the sky.
INT. COCKPIT - DAY
The Drake rises up above a cloud bank.
CHIEF O'DELL
We're up to speed.
McCord cues the radio receiver.
COMMANDER MCCORD
You're clear for launch Mr. Danger.
70.
A moment later, Jack’s biplane flies off ahead of the Drake.
COMMANDER MCCORD
And stay sharp out there, that
Zeppelin's probably carrying a
scout plane. Maybe even two.
EXT. BIPLANE - DAY
The Drake recedes into the distance. Jack taps on the

fuselage and Sara sits up in the rear compartment.
SARA
Thank you!
EXT. JUNGLE - DAY
The scouting party makes their way through the dense jungle,
guns at the ready. Suddenly, Hicks freezes in front of a
dense wall of foliage.
MAJOR JOHNSON
(hushed whisper)
What is it?
SGT. HICKS
Nazis.
The Marines crawl into the thicket. On the other side, A

DOZEN NAZIS can be seen searching through a large clearing
littered with ANCIENT STONE RUINS.
MAJOR JOHNSON
This must be the City of the Gods.
SGT. BAKER
Major, look.
Johnson turns to see FOUR NAZIS approaching from behind.
MAJOR JOHNSON
They're headed right for us.
EXT. BIPLANE - DAY
Sara intently scans the ground below.
JACK
So, I take it this temple's gonna
be pretty big, huh?
71.
SARA
(not listening)
The valley.
JACK
What?
SARA
We're leaving the valley.
JACK
Oh.
(adjusts course)
I mean, why else would the Germans
be sending a bomber Zeppelin? Those
things are huge. Why I bet they
could easily carry 10 tons... maybe
even 20?
SARA
(absently)
Sounds about right.
This really puts a smile on Jack's face.
JACK
So with my ten percent share, I
could be bringing home as much
as... two tons of gold.
(turns to face Sara)
You know, I'm gonna be a goddamn
millionaire! Whaddya have to say
about that?
SARA
(looks up)
LOOK OUT!!!
A GIANT ZEPPELIN suddenly materializes out of the clouds.
INT. ZEPPELIN BRIDGE - DAY
Jack's biplane banks sharply, narrowly missing the bridge.

Rheingold and the BRIDGE CREW all duck for cover.
EXT. BIPLANE - DAY
Jack glances back at the 800-foot-long Zeppelin he just

missed. There's FOUR BIPLANES hanging below it!
JACK
Let's get the hell outta here!
72.
INT. ZEPPELIN SERVICE BAY - DAY
ALARMS BLARE as FOUR NAZI PILOTS race through the service

bay. One of the Pilots climbs down a ladderway, drops into
his biplane, starts his engine and pulls the release lever.
EXT. JUNGLE THICKET - DAY
The Nazis close in on the hidden Marines from both sides.
MAJOR JOHNSON
We make a run for it. In three.
The Marines quietly cock their weapons.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Two.
The Nazis only seconds away.
MAJOR JOHNSON
One --
Suddenly, the jungle comes alive as a group of spear-weilding

PYGMIES attack the four-man Nazi patrol.
One Nazis crumples with spear in his chest, while the other
three saturate the jungle with SUBMACHINE GUN FIRE,
slaughtering the fearless Pygmies.
Mills immediately cocks his BAR and charges out of the

thicket, FIRING. His FLAMING RED BULLETS rip into the Nazis
with terrifying effect.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Let's go!
The Marines jump up and OPEN FIRE on the Nazis rushing in

from the City of the Gods. Taken by surprise, the Nazis
scatter and retreat in a panic. It's a total rout.
Clutching his still-smoking BAR, Mills looks down with

satisfaction at the dead Nazis before him. He's wiped out the
entire patrol.
The four surviving Pygmies slowly approach Mills in total

awe. Even Johnson is duly impressed.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Nice work, Mills.
ADDIE MILLS
Thank you, sir.
73.
Just then, a biplane flies overhead. Hicks smiles.
SGT. HICKS
It's ours.
An instant later, four more fly past in hot pursuit.
EXT. BIPLANE - DAY
Sara looks down at the ground behind them.
SARA
Wait, circle back, I think I saw
ruins!
JACK
To hell with the ruins! Are there
any --
MACHINE GUN FIRE WHISTLES PAST. Jack veers out of the way.
SARA
Biplanes!
JACK
How many?!
Sara holds on for dear life. Looks over her shoulder.
SARA
Four!
JACK
Four?!!!
SARA
Can you lose them?!
More BULLETS WHISTLES past.
JACK
Hold on!
Jack goes into a sharp dive.
McCord is on the radio.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Secure the area, we'll land soon as
our scout plane returns.
(MORE)
74.
COMMANDER MCCORD (cont'd)
(to O'Dell)
Looks like they found the City of
the Gods. Any sign of Mr. Danger?
O’Dell looks through a pair of binoculars.
CHIEF O'DELL
No, but the sky's starting to
clear.
Another call comes in over the radio.
JACK (O.S.)
We're under attack!
EXT. BIPLANE - DAY
Jack swoops into a gorge with the Nazis still on his tail.
JACK
(to radio)
Four of 'em! We're in a gorge,
heading...
(glances at compass)
South.
SARA
Look out!
Jack looks up: a dead end. He veers up and right. Two

biplanes follow. The other two go left.
SARA (OVER RADIO)

They split up!
McCord winces, recognizing Sara's voice.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Oh, christ...
EXT. BIPLANE - DAY
Jack pulls up and rolls over. He's going for an outside loop!
The two Nazi biplanes fall behind, unable to keep up.
Almost at apogee, with engine STRAINING, Jack looks like he's

actually gonna make it. But then, suddenly, his engine stalls
out and he tumbles from the sky.
75.
SARA
Stop clowning around!
JACK
I ain't clowning!
The second pair of Nazis swoop in and OPEN FIRE on the

tumbling biplane, but Jack manages to RESTART his engine. He
pulls up, but too late to clear the trees!
Jack swoops down UNDER THE JUNGLE CANOPY. One of the Nazi
Pilots follows him in.
Sara SCREAMS as Jack slaloms through the trees, clipping

branches with his wings, then flipping sideways to pass
between two trees. The Nazi Pilot can't match his moves and
EXPLODES against a tree!
Jack veers back up into the open skies.
JACK
Did I lose him?
SARA
(immediately)
Yes!
JACK
You didn’t even look!
SARA
I don’t have to look!!!
The Drake is still surrounded by clouds.
COMMANDER MCCORD
(to radio)
Jack? Jack, can you hear me?!
JACK (OVER RADIO)

Yeah, I’m still here. I think we
lost ‘em.
McCord breathes a sigh of relief.
COMMANDER MCCORD
What's your location?
JACK (OVER RADIO)

We’re in a cloud bank heading
south.
76.
SARA (OVER RADIO)

Look out!
MACHINE GUN FIRE echoes over the radio for a long, tense
beat. Then a bullet SMASHES THROUGH the Drake's windscreen!
COMMANDER MCCORD
What the --
Suddenly, Jack's biplane shoots out of the clouds and just

misses the Drake. A split second later, three Nazi biplanes
appear and scatter in all directions.
McCord hits the ALARM and grabs the intercom mike.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Battle stations! Battle stations!
RAPIDFIRE SERIES OF SHOTS:
The Marines run to man the M2 machine guns in the forward,

side and rear gunnery stations. They pull back on the
charging handles and take aim.
EXT. SKY - DAY
The Nazi biplanes split up, circle around, and STRAFE the
Drake from three different directions.
Bullets punch through the hull and shatter windows. One of

the Marines goes down. The rest bravely hold their ground and
RETURN FIRE.
EXT. BIPLANE - DAY
Jack circles around through a cloud.
SARA
Quick, circle back!
JACK
I am circling back! You just can’t
see a thing in this cloud.
SARA
Wait, I hear shooting.
Suddenly, they emerge right into the thick of battle.
Jack skims the top of the Drake and OPENS FIRE on one of the
attacking biplanes.
77.
The biplane goes into an evasive dive and is immediately

RAKED WITH BULLETS from the Drake's guns. It tumbles out of
control, trailing black smoke across the sky. Only two left.
SARA
There’s one on your tail!
The Nazi OPENS FIRE! Jack pulls several evasive manoeuvres,

then banks sharply towards the Drake.
A burst of GUNFIRE rips into Jack’s wing as he swoops under

the Drake’s control car. But the Nazi is now a sitting duck.
The Marines OPEN FIRE! And the Nazi biplane EXPLODES INTO
FLAMES and tumbles out of the sky.
SARA
They got him!
(looks around)
But I can't see the last one
anywhere.
JACK
I see him.
The last Nazi biplane is headed right for them. A deadly game
of chicken. They both OPEN FIRE.
Bullets rip into Jack's fuselage. But the Nazi’s engine is

hit and CATCHES FIRE!
Jack circles round for another pass, only to see the Nazi
pilot parachuting out of his burning plane.
JACK
Damn, I’m good!
Suddenly, Jack's engine begins to SPUTTER.
SARA
What's wrong?
JACK
(checks gauge)
You were distracting me while I was
refueling, that's what's wrong!
SARA
We're out of fuel?!
JACK
Relax, we still got fumes.
78.
Jack circles back towards the Drake. His engine starts to

MISFIRE.
SARA
We're not gonna make it!
JACK
We'll make it.
The engine suddenly SPUTTERS and dies out. The biplane

immediately begins to drop.
SARA
Quick! where’s the extra parachute!
JACK
There isn’t one. Hold on!
Jack suddenly goes into a steep dive. Sara SCREAMS.
Jack pulls up abruptly, glides under the Drake and -- SLAM!
The trapeze arm swings forward from the force of the capture.
Jack turns to flash Sara a cocky grin.
JACK
Told you we’d make it.
EXT. CITY OF THE GODS - DAY
The Drake hovers overhead, all beat up and full of holes.
McCord inspects Sara's sketch of the Nazi Zeppelin. It

doesn't match up with the one in his files. Sara, Jack,
Johnson, and O’Dell are also present.
SARA
Commander, I don't see what
difference this makes.
McCord holds up his file picture.
COMMANDER MCCORD
This is what we were expecting. An
old bomber Zeppelin. It can carry
about 30 men.
(holds up sketch)
But this, this can only be the
Hindenburg's sister ship, the LZ-
130.
(MORE)
79.
COMMANDER MCCORD (cont'd)
It's the biggest most modern
airship ever built and can carry
over 200 heavily armed troops and
up to a 100 tons of cargo.
JACK
(delighted)
A 100 tons...
COMMANDER MCCORD
So the difference, Ms. Ashford, is
that attacking one is reckless,
while attacking the other is just
plain suicide. And I'll be damn if
I'll risk any more lives over some
mythological temple.
Sara makes to protest, but Johnson beats her to it.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Commander, now I don't believe in
Atlantis any more than you do, but
Hitler does. He's completely
obsessed with the occult. That's
the real reason he's after this
temple. He believes it contains
some sort of ancient power that'll
make his armies invincible. And if
Hitler ever gets his hands on it,
then you can bet he won't stop at
Europe, he'll try for the whole
world.
McCord looks back down at the sketch of the LZ-130.
COMMANDER MCCORD
I just hope you realize what you're
getting us into, Major.
EXT. RIVER - DAY
A parachute dangles from a tree, overhanging the river. In

the background lies the smoking ruins of a Nazi biplane.
Overhead, the LZ-130 departs from the scene.
EXT./INT. LZ-130 ZEPPELIN - DAY
Exterior to interior TRACKING SHOT of the LZ-130 Zeppelin.

80.
Passing underneath it's giant tail fins, the four empty

biplane trapezes can be seen. Guarding the approach is a huge
gun bay, bristling with machine guns.
Moving through the interior, numerous gun emplacements can be

seen, along with several berths filled with elite WAFFEN SS
TROOPS, over a hundred in total.
END TRACK on Kommandant Rheingold as he is met by a saluting

SS CORPORAL. They all speak in German with subtitles.
Report.
SS CORPORAL
Sir, we lost nine men and seven
were wounded.
Rheingold turns to inspect the surviving Nazi Troops. They

look haunted.
Who did this?
SS CORPORAL
We're not sure. They wore black
uniforms with no markings except
for skulls and bones.
Skulls and bones?
Rheingold steps up to the soaking wet Nazi Pilot.
Lieutenant, where did that scout
plane come from?
NAZI PILOT
An enemy airship, just south of
here, sir.
A British ship?
NAZI PILOT
No, sir.
American?
NAZI PILOT
No, sir.
81.
Then what was it?
NAZI PILOT
(reluctantly)
It was... a pirate ship.
Pirates?
A group of Marines in their 'pirate' uniforms take up

position among the ancient ruins. Sara and Jack walk past.
SARA
This is definitely the City of the
Gods.
JACK
Then where's the temple?
SARA
It can't be too far away.
Jack looks around at the well-preserved stone buildings.
JACK
You know, I just don't get it. How
could people build something like
this so many thousands of years
ago? And that airship engraving we
saw in the cave? It just doesn't
make any sense.
SARA
Most people tend to think of human
history as a steady forward
progression. But in reality it's
been a whole lot of waiting around
followed by sudden leaps forward.
And at times, huge leaps back.
Like the Middle Ages, for example.
They were far less civilized than
the Greco-Roman Period. So who's to
say there wasn't an even more
advanced civilization that predated
them?
Jack and Sara come to a stop. Mills is sitting on an ancient

set of stairs, surrounded by the four Pygmy hunters who have
traded in their spears for Nazi submachine guns.
82.
ADDIE MILLS
Hey Jack, Ms. Ashford, I'd like you
to meet my new friends.
JACK
So Addie, you starting up your own
army now, or what?
ADDIE MILLS
No, I'm actually trying to figure
out a way to disarm ‘em, but
without much luck I'm afraid.
The Pygmies imitate Mills' every move.
SARA
Well, have you tried this?
Sara takes Mills' BAR and drops it onto the ground. The
Pygmies immediately drop their weapons as well.
ADDIE MILLS
Oh no, you see, I earned that, I
ain't giving it up now.
Mills quickly retrieves his weapon. The Pygmies do likewise.
ADDIE MILLS
Can't you just talk to them?
SARA
I'll try. But I imagine they feel
the same way you do.
Sara addresses the hunters. One of them steps forward to

respond. He motions towards Mills as he speaks.
SARA
His name is Mouko, and he says that
you are a mighty warrior with the
strength and courage of many...
Sara spots Johnson approaching with some Marines and quickly

asks Mouko another question. Mouko replies, pointing off in
another direction.
ADDIE MILLS
What's he saying now?
MAJOR JOHNSON
(walking past)
Mills, have your men secure the
perimeter, we're leaving to find
the temple.
83.
ADDIE MILLS
Yes sir, Major.
JACK
The temple?
Sara turns and runs off after Johnson.
JACK
Hey, wait for me!
Jack runs off after Sara, leaving Mills with 'his men'.
ADDIE MILLS
(proudly)
My men...
One of the Pygmies holds his gun the wrong way. Mills shows
him the right way to do it.
ADDIE MILLS
No, no, like this. And careful you
don't put your finger on that.
Johnson glances over his shoulder to see Sara and Jack

approaching.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Forget it, it's too dangerous out
there.
SARA
But Major --
MAJOR JOHNSON
There's nothing you can say to
change my mind, Ms. Ashford.
Sara stops walking and allows the Marines to continue on for

several more steps.
SARA
I know where the temple is.
The Marines come to an abrupt stop. Johnson begrudgingly

turns around.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Alright. You can come.
SARA
Thank you Major.
Sara turns and walks off in the opposite direction.

84.
SARA
Now, follow me.
EXT. DENSE JUNGLE - DAY
The search party slowly trudge their way through a dense

tangle of jungle, just outside the City of the Gods.
SARA
The Palom Toq said the temple was
in a small clearing just past these
trees.
Moments later, they emerge onto the clearing.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Is that it?
SARA
Yes, I believe so.
Jack can't believe his eyes. In the middle of the clearing is

the ancient ruin of a temple... MADE ENTIRELY OF STONE.
JACK
That’s it? That's the temple?
SARA
According to the Palom Toq, this is
the temple that the gods built to
preserve their divine knowledge.
JACK
So where's the temple they built to
preserve all their gold, then?
Didn't you ask them about that?!
Johnson walks around the temple. The others follow.
SARA
The gold's here. It has to be. We
just have to find the clue.
Johnson stops before the crumbling remains of two stone

pillars engraved with Atlantean cuneiform. He puts on his
reading glasses and runs his hands across the script with
great reverence.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Jachin and Boaz. The twin pillars
of Atlantis.
85.
JACK
What the hell’s he talking about?
SARA
The Knights Templar. According to
their legends, sacred knowledge
from the lost civilization of
Atlantis was engraved upon a twin
set of pillars named Jachin and
Boaz.
JACK
I thought he didn't believe in
Atlantis?
SARA
(suspiciously)
Yes, so did I.
Johnson intently studies the engravings on the two pillars.
MAJOR JOHNSON
It repeats, over and over again,
this one section of code. The exact
same on both pillars. That must be
the clue. What does it say?
Sara barely glances at the markings.
SARA
Nothing.
MAJOR JOHNSON
(suspiciously)
Nothing?
SARA
It's only a half code. Look at the
spacing, it skips every other
character. That's why the Nazis
weren't able to decipher it.
Because they don't have this.
Sara removes the golden map tablet from her satchel.
MAJOR JOHNSON
But they have a copy.
SARA
Not of the sides.
Sara shows Johnson the side of the map tablet which contains
a spaced out cuneiform code.
86.
SARA
This is the other half of the code.
Sara takes out her pencil and notebook and gets to work.
SARA
Alone, both are meaningless, but
intersperse them together and the
final clue is revealed.
Sara combines the two cuneiform codes into one.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Well?
JACK
Yeah, well?
SARA
It says...
(reading slowly)
The pillar... of strength...
protects... the incorruptible
heart... of...
JACK
Of gold?
SARA
Of wisdom. The pillar of strength
protects the incorruptible heart of
wisdom.
JACK
So, where's the gold then?
SGT. HICKS
Major!
Hicks motions towards a nearby ridge.
SGT. HICKS
A half-track passed through here.
MAJOR JOHNSON
(incredulously)
A half-track?
A LOUD RETORT, a burst of smoke, and a cannon shell comes

WHISTLING in from the ridge. It EXPLODES next to the temple.
87.
EXT. HALF-TRACK - DAY
The half-track COMMANDER peers through his binoculars while

THE CREW quickly reload the cannon.
HALF-TRACK COMMANDER
Feuern!
And FIRE they do.
EXT. STONE TEMPLE CLEARING - DAY
The second shell flies right over Jack's head and SHATTERS
one of the pillars. Bits of rock rain down everywhere.
The Crew take aim at the Marines. An easy shot. But there’s
no order to fire. They look up at their Commander who just
stands there, looking through his binoculars, mouth agape.
HALF-TRACK COMMANDER
Mein gott...
Jack turns to run, but stops dead in his tracks. Exposed

within the shattered pillar is a BLOCK OF GOLD!
JACK
Gold... I found the gold!
Suddenly, GUNSHOTS ring out. A SQUAD OF NAZIS moves along the

ridge. The Marines RETURN FIRE.
Jack grabs a rock and uses it to chip away at the temple,

sending bits of stone flying in all directions.
MAJOR JOHNSON
What the hell're you doing?
JACK
This temple's got a heart of gold,
just like that pillar!
GUNFIRE WHISTLES PAST, but Jack doesn’t take cover.
MAJOR JOHNSON
(to Sara)
Tell him!
88.
JACK
Tell me what?
More GUNSHOTS ring out.
SGT. HICKS
Major, we're being flanked!
JACK
Tell me what?!
Sara points at the stone ruin.
SARA
That isn't the temple, the gold
cube inside the pillar is.
The gold cube is about the size of a bread box.
JACK
You mean that's it?
SARA
Yes.
JACK
That's all of it?
SARA
Yes!
JACK
You mean --
MAJOR JOHNSON
Let's move it!
Johnson grabs Jack and pulls him away as the Marines lay down
a withering barrage of COVER FIRE.
EXT. CITY OF THE GODS - SUNSET
The Drake is at anchor. Three Marines stand guard on the

ground. Jack sits on one of the ruins, cradling his head in
his hands.
INT. COCKPIT - DUSK
Johnson shows McCord and O'Dell a hand-drawn map of the area.

89.
MAJOR JOHNSON
My men are in position here, the
Nazis here, and the temple's right
in between. Our only chance is to
send someone around this ridge to
take out the half-track from close
range.
CHIEF O'DELL
Take it out with what?
MAJOR JOHNSON
Thermite grenades. They’ll melt
right through the breach and
permanently disable the cannon.
Then you can bring up the Drake and
push the Nazis back with your 50s.
CHIEF O'DELL
Major, we’re down to our last 500
rounds.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Then we’ll have to make every
bullet count. Any questions?
COMMANDER MCCORD
Yeah I got a question for you,
Major. Why is a small block of gold
worth so many goddamn lives?
Johnson hesitates for a moment.
MAJOR JOHNSON
I'm afraid that's classified.
INT. CARGO BAY - DUSK
Johnson walks in. Opens a crate. And pulls out a couple of

thermite grenades. Sara steps up behind him.
SARA
You're with Army Intelligence,
aren't you?
Johnson makes to leave, but Sara blocks his way.
SARA
Tell me Major, exactly how much do
you know about the temple?
MAJOR JOHNSON
Enough.
90.
SARA
Then you must know it's not meant
for us. Not yet.
But Johnson just steps around her. Climbs onto the drop car.
And lowers himself to the ground.
Sara watches him go. Then steps up to the crate he had just
opened. The label reads: THERMITE GRENADES.
EXT. CITY OF THE GODS - DUSK
Sara descends from the Drake in the drop car. She jumps off
as soon as she touches down, and quickly makes her way across
the clearing. She carries a thermite grenade in her hand.
JACK
Going somewhere?
Sara looks up to see Jack perched on a stone ruin.
SARA
Actually, yes I --
Jack jumps down to the ground.
JACK
'Cause we gotta talk.
SARA
Now's probably not the best time.
JACK
Then I'll get right to point. I
wanna know what's really going on
here, and I won't have any more of
your lies.
SARA
Jack, I never lied to you. You just
assumed things I never said.
JACK
Oh, come on! You deliberately led
me to believe we were looking for a
full-sized temple. And then you
even pretended to have feelings for
me, just so I'd risk my life to
help you find it.
SARA
That is not true!
91.
JACK
Then why did you kiss me like that
when we were having dinner?
SARA
Because I made a mistake.
JACK
Oh, it was no mistake, you knew
exactly what you were doing, and I
fell for it hook line and sinker!
Jack stomps off. Sara hesitates. Then runs after him.
SARA
Jack, I made a mistake because I
let my feelings show. And I can't
allow that to happen.
Sara runs in front of Jack and brings him to a stop.
SARA
Not until I've completed my
mission.
Sara hesitates for a second. Then gives Jack a quick kiss on

the lips. And whispers in his ear.
SARA
But when it’s over, then I'll tell
you everything. I swear.
And with this, Sara turns and runs off, leaving Jack standing
there, completely shell-shocked.
In the distance, a flare shoots up into the night sky and

EXPLODES into brilliant white light.
EXT. LARGE RUIN - NIGHT
The four Pygmies sit around a small campfire as Mills

demonstrates how to load and dry fire an MP40 submachine gun.
He hands it back to Mouko when he's done.
ADDIE MILLS
Here, now you try.
Suddenly, Jack rushes over all in a frenzy.
JACK
Addie, have you seen Sara?
92.
ADDIE MILLS
(pointing)
Yeah, she went off that way. Why,
is something wrong?
JACK
Hell yeah!
Mills snaps up his gun. The Pygmies immediately do likewise.
ADDIE MILLS
What? Nazis?
JACK
No, I...
(lowers voice)
I think I'm in love with her.
Jack promptly runs off in the direction indicated. Mouko

gives Mills a quizzical look, but Mills just shrugs.
ADDIE MILLS
Civilians.
EXT. EMBANKMENT NEXT TO STONE TEMPLE CLEARING - NIGHT
Several Marines crouch behind an embankment. A flare shoots

up from the Nazi side of the clearing, bathing the area in a
shimmering white light. Johnson crawls over to the Marines.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Any movement?
SGT. BAKER
Nothing yet, sir.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Stay sharp. They may try to sneak
forward between the flares.
Johnson moves back to a staging area. Hicks is loading up on

ammo and thermite grenades.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Looks like the half-track still
hasn't moved. You ready to --
SGT. ADAMS (O.S.)

Halt! Hands in the air!
JACK (O.S.)
Hey watch where you point that
thing!
93.
Johnson bows his head in exasperation.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Oh, for christ's sake.
He turns to see Jack emerge from the trees.
MAJOR JOHNSON
What the hell are you doing here?
JACK
I'm looking for Sara.
MAJOR JOHNSON
She's back at the airship.
JACK
No she ain’t, she came up through
here.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Why the hell would she...
A sudden realization. Johnson grabs a thermite grenade.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Was she carrying one of these?
JACK
Actually, yeah.
EXT. STONE TEMPLE CLEARING - NIGHT
A flare flickers and dies out. Sara jumps up from the ground
and bolts the last remaining yards to the stone temple, then
hits the ground as another flare goes up.
Sara holds the thermite grenade in her hand. The pillar with
the golden temple is only a few feet away. The flare
flickers. And then darkness returns.
Sara leaps forward, places the thermite grenade on top the

golden temple, and makes to pull the pin, when --
SOMEONE GRABS HER HAND!
EXT. EMBANKMENT ALONG STONE TEMPLE CLEARING - NIGHT
Another flare goes up. Baker points to Sara struggling with

her NAZI ASSAILANT.
94.
SGT. BAKER
There.
JACK
(jumping up)
Sara!
Hicks tackles Jack to the ground a split-second before a

cannon shell EXPLODES near their position.
SGT. HICKS
Stay down.
Hicks moves up next to Johnson. Jack joins them, crawling on

his belly. No more flares are going up.
JACK
Do you see her?
SGT. HICKS
Shh.
A lot of movement can be heard across the clearing.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Don't like the sound of that.
A tense beat. Jack grows increasingly distraught.
JACK
So what happened to all the flares?
A FLARE finally shoots up into the sky, bursts into light,

and reveals... A HUNDRED NAZIS MOVING ACROSS THE CLEARING!
In the distance, multiple flares shoot up into the sky,

accompanied by the rattle of GUNFIRE.
COMMANDER MCCORD
I think we better prep for take
off.
CHIEF O'DELL
(rushing off)
Yes, I think you're right.
EXT. STONE TEMPLE CLEARING - NIGHT
The Nazis surge across the clearing, FIRING. The Marines fall
back. Two don't make it.
95.
EXT. LARGE RUIN - NIGHT
The sounds of GUNFIRE are getting louder.
ADDIE MILLS
They're coming this way.
A moment of indecision, then Mills takes charge. He grabs his

BAR and motions to his men.
ADDIE MILLS
Follow me!
And the Pygmy hunters do just that.
EXT. JUNGLE - NIGHT
A chaos of falling flares, flying lead and cannon shells

SPLINTERING through trees.
The Marines jump down into a small creek bed for cover. Only
six remain. And Adams is shot through the leg.
MAJOR JOHNSON
They're gonna follow us right back
to the Drake.
SGT. HICKS
Not if we leave a rear-guard.
MAJOR JOHNSON
I can't ask anyone to stay behind,
Sergeant.
SGT. HICKS
Who says you gotta ask, Major?
A flare shoots up ahead of the advancing Nazis.
SGT. ADAMS
I'll stay too.
SGT. HICKS
You're wounded.
SGT. ADAMS
I can't run. I’ll never make it.
The sounds of the approaching Nazis grows louder and louder.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Alright, let's go.
96.
JACK
Hey, what about Sara? We can't just
leave her back there?!
Suddenly, the advancing Nazis OPEN FIRE. Johnson grabs Jack

and shoves him towards the safety of the jungle.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Move it!
The Nazis charge after the retreating Marines, but Hicks and
Adams pop up out of the creek bed and OPEN FIRE.
Several Nazis go down, but more arrive to take their place.

Hicks and Adams hold their ground and BLAST AWAY at anything
that moves. But the Nazis just keep coming and coming.
Finally, a FLAMETHROWER arrives and lets loose with a stream

of liquid fire that splashes across the creek bed.
Hicks and Adams move upstream to escape the flames, but then
a SECOND FLAMETHROWER arrives and hems them in with a WALL OF
FLAME. They're done for!
SGT. HICKS
We can't go back.
SGT. ADAMS
I know.
They both grab grenades off their belts and pull the pins.
SGT. HICKS
Let’s do it.
TWO GRENADES fly through the air and land amidst the Nazis.
The Flamethrowers try to scramble for cover. Not a chance.
The grenades EXPLODE and set off a MASSIVE FIREBALL.
Hicks and Adams burst out of the creek bed like bats out of
hell and BLAST their way through the stunned Nazi troops.
EXT. CITY OF THE GODS - NIGHT
Jack and the Marines reach the clearing and make a run for
the Drake. The sounds of DISTANT GUNFIRE crescendo.
Inside the Drake, O’Dell lowers the drop car.

97.
EXT. JUNGLE - NIGHT
Nazis scatter in all directions as Adams races ahead, FIRING.

Hicks pauses to reload. He’s breathing hard.
SGT. HICKS
Can't run my ass.
Adams bursts through a line of trees and runs right into a

HAIL OF BULLETS.
A DOZEN NAZIS were lying in wait. They stand up, pleased with
their work. But then Hicks jumps out and OPENS FIRE. Several
go down. But the rest give chase.
Flares shoot up into the sky all around as Hicks races

through the jungle FIRING back at his pursuers.
CLICK. Out of bullets. He throws down his Tommy gun, bursts

through a thicket -- and comes to an abrupt halt.
A TEN-FOOT CLIFF. Trapped! He spins around. The Nazis are

upon him. No time to even draw his pistol, when --
A MASSIVE BARRAGE OF SUBMACHINE GUN FIRE.
But Hicks remains standing. The Nazis, however, do not.
Someone throws down a vine from the top of the cliff. Hicks
looks up. It's Mills and the Pygmies.
ADDIE MILLS
Come on, let's get back to the
clearing!
Hicks begins to climb.
The drop car reaches the top and Johnson is the first one
out. He motions at the others.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Go! Go! Man the guns!
The three Marines rush off, while Johnson swings down the M2
mounted next to the drop car winch.
98.
INT. COCKPIT - NIGHT
The clearing is lit up by falling flares. The Nazis burst

through the treeline.
CHIEF O’DELL
Here they come!
COMMANDER MCCORD
Full power!
O’Dell guns the throttle as the Nazis OPEN FIRE. Several

bullets SMASH THROUGH the windshield.
INT. USS FRANCIS DRAKE - NIGHT
RAPIDFIRE SERIES OF SHOTS of the Marines FIRING on the Nazis

from the forward, side and rear gunnery bays.
A devastating barrage of MACHINE GUN FIRE rips into the

Nazis.
INT. USS FRANCIS DRAKE - NIGHT
RAPIDFIRE SERIES OF SHOTS as one-by-one the Marines run out

of ammo and the machine guns go silent.
SGT. BAKER
I’m out.
MARINE #1
Me too.
MARINE #2
I’m dry.
One final blast of MACHINE GUN FIRE sends the Nazis into
retreat.
Hiding on the other side of the clearing, Mills, Hicks and

the Pygmies watch as the Drake flies off at top speed.
ADDIE MILLS
There goes our ride.
99.
EXT. VALLEY OF THE PALOM TOQ - DAWN
The sun rises over the jungle. A new day.
The enormous Zeppelin hovers over the clearing, while the

Nazi troopers secure the area below.
A large pile of bodies is forming as dead Nazis are brought

in from the surrounding jungle. The Marines certainly gave
better than they got.
SHATTERED STONE PILLAR
The golden cube remains nestled within the stone pillar, but
it's lid has now been pried open. Housed within are a series
of gold tablets covered in dense cuneiform script.
Half the tablets have already been removed. Professor

Pfefferling and his ASSISTANTS carefully remove the rest.
An Assistant carries one of the thin golden tablets over to a

long table, manned by CLERKS.
ASSISTANT
Position five, layer 98.
The following happens with clockwork precision:
CLERK #1 sets the wheels on a numbering machine and then

stamps an adhesive label with '05-098'.
CLERK #2 runs the tablet through something like a credit card

machine, making a carbon impression of the cuneiform.
Clerk #1 stamps the carbon impression and a ledger book.
CLERK #3 sticks the label on the back of the tablet and

places it inside of a box.
CLERK #4 takes the carbon impression to a group of

ARCHEOLOGISTS for detailed inspection.
And the entire process repeats...

100.
RIDGE OVERLOOKING CLEARING
BINOCULAR POV: A radio, lying on the table next to the

Clerks, surrounded by Soldiers. The view moves across the
clearing to the half-track, which also has a radio antennae.
Hicks lowers the binoculars and passes them to Mills.
SGT. HICKS
There's two radios. One by the
temple, the other on the half-
track.
BINOCULAR POV: the half-track and surrounding area.
ADDIE MILLS
I say we go for the half-track.
SGT. HICKS
We'll never make it.
ADDIE MILLS
Maybe I won't...
BINOCULAR POV: a DEAD NAZI OFFICER lying in the bushes.
ADDIE MILLS
But you just might.
INT. ZEPPELIN - RHEINGOLD'S OFFICE - DAY
A large room with windows on one side. All the maps and
charts stolen from Sara's father cover the walls.
Rheingold sits at his desk, inspecting a golden tablet

labeled: 01-001. There's a knock at the door.
Herein.
The door opens and Sara is walked in by an ARMED GUARD.
Ah, Ms. Ashford, please, won't you
join me?
Rheingold indicates a pot of coffee, but Sara just stands

there, unresponsive and defiant.
No?
101.
Rheingold takes a leisurely sip of his coffee and waits for

Sara to notice the golden tablet on his desk.
Professor Pfefferling estimates
there to be some 2,000 of these.
Sara continues to stare at the tablet. It's much thinner and

somewhat smaller than her map tablet.
He believes the cuneiform is more
of a binary code than an actual
alphabet. Much like the punch cards
we feed into computing machines.
That's what the temple appears to
be, a collection of golden
punchcards. The perfect time
capsule. It won't ever rust, or
weather, or decompose. The
information it carries can be
preserved almost indefinitely.
Rheingold opens up his desk drawer and reaches inside.
Unless of course, enough heat is
applied.
He places the thermite grenade upon his desk.
Thermite, I take it?
Sara remains silent. Rheingold shakes his head as he stands

up and walks over to the wall covered in maps and charts.
The preserved records of a long
lost civilization far more advanced
than our own. Undoubtedly the
greatest archeological discovery in
human history. And yet, you wish to
destroy it?
(turns to Sara)
I can only wonder if your father
would have approved?
Rheingold savors the moment. Then turns to the Guard.
Take her away.
102.
EXT. RIDGE OVERLOOKING CLEARING - DAY
The dead Nazi Officer, stripped to his underwear, is covered

in palm fronds by the three Pygmy hunters. Mills, meanwhile,
coils some rope around Mouko’s wrist to make it look like his
hands are bound together.
Hicks, dressed as the Nazi Officer, cocks the action on a

Walter P38 pistol and grabs Mouko's rope.
ADDIE MILLS
So how's your German?
SGT. HICKS
Looks like we're about to find out.
INT. HALF-TRACK - DAY
The cannon is aimed at the treeline. The Gunnery Crew stand

by ready to fire. Suddenly, Hicks emerges from the jungle,
leading his 'prisoner' before him at gunpoint.
The Nazi Soldiers all turn to look as Hicks and Mouko walk
past. They look really suspicious, but none of the soldiers
dare to challenge a superior officer. Suddenly --
NAZI MAJOR (O.S.)

Halt!
Hicks stops just short of the half-track. And reluctantly

turns around.
NAZI MAJOR
Lieutenant, where are you going
with this beast?
Hicks opens his mouth to respond, but the Major keeps cutting
him off, increasingly suspicious.
NAZI MAJOR
What's your name? Who's your
commanding officer? I don't
recognize --
PAF! Hicks shoots the Nazi Major and releases Mouko.

103.
SGT. HICKS
(heavy American accent)
Stoppen sie ihm!
Mouko jumps onto the half-track and hits the floor. Hicks
OPENS FIRE, pretending to shoot the escapee, but instead
shooting the Gunnery Crew.
Mouko grabs a submachine gun off a dead Crewman and OPENS

FIRE on the Nazis rushing to help, while Hicks jumps into the
driver's cabin, starts the engine, and lurches forward.
The Nazis OPEN FIRE! The half-track veers wildly as it's

PEPPERED WITH BULLETS. In the back, Mouko grabs hold of a
lever to keep from falling down: the cannon FIRES!
The shell lands next to the temple and EXPLODES. The Clerks
and Archeologists dive for cover.
Rheingold rushes to the window in time to see the half-track

plow into the jungle.
Hicks slows down to allow Mills and the other Pygmies to jump
on board.
ADDIE MILLS
Go! Go!
Hicks guns the engine.
INT. ZEPPELIN - BRIDGE - DAY
Rheingold rushes in and snaps up the radio from the RADIOMAN.
Bring the tablets up immediately!
We'll circle the area until you've
recaptured the half-track.
A NAZI LIEUTENANT is on the radio.
NAZI LIEUTENANT
Jawohl, Herr Kommandant!
104.
All around him, Clerks and Archeologists scramble to pack up

the golden tablets
The half-track races through the jungle at top speed. Mills

checks the radio. There's a bullet hole in it.
ADDIE MILLS
The radio's shot!
Hicks slams the steering wheel in frustration.
SGT. HICKS
Dammit! You think they're following
us?
Mills looks behind them. They left a clear set of tracks in

the soft jungle floor.
ADDIE MILLS
Definitely!
Mouko says something and points towards a nearby creek.
ADDIE MILLS
Yeah, good thinking.
The Assistants load the gold onto the Zeppelin’s large drop
car. The Archeologists also hop on, carrying their file
folders, followed by the Clerks carrying stacks of paperwork.
INT. ZEPPELIN WINCH BAY - DAY
Crewmen cut the mooring lines as the winch STRAINS to raise

the drop car. The Zeppelin promptly begins to rise.
The Drake hangs low over the valley.
INT. CARGO BAY - DAY
Jack is still in shock. He sits on a crate at the front end

of the cargo bay. Johnson and Baker are present.
105.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Jack, I know you’ve been through a
lot, but I need you to fly that
plane again. You think you can do
that?
JACK
Yeah, I can do it.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Good. Now, here’s the plan. You’re
gonna chase down that Zeppelin with
Sgt. Baker riding shotgun.
Baker loads a magazine with red-tipped bullets.
MAJOR JOHNSON
And when you get close enough,
Baker’s gonna empty an entire clip
of incendiaries right into the --
JACK
(jumping to his feet)
Are you nuts?! We can’t blow up the
Zeppelin with Sara on board! We
hafta rescue her!
MAJOR JOHNSON
We can’t rescue her! It’s
impossible. Now get ready, you
leave in five minutes.
Baker jams the magazine into his BAR and leans it on a crate.
MAJOR JOHNSON
And rest assured Mr. Danger, nobody
wants to see that Zeppelin burn
more than Sara right now.
Johnson and Baker head off towards the cockpit.
Jack collapses back onto the crate and cradles his head in
despair. He can’t believe what’s being asked of him.
But then he sees it. The stenciling on the ammo crate he’s
sitting on. He stares at it as an idea begins to form.
And slowly, ever so slowly, a smile begins to spread across

his face. Until finally, he voices the words out loud...
JACK
Smoke grenades.
106.
EXT. ZEPPELIN - DAY
The Zeppelin cruises high over the jungle.
INT. RHEINGOLD'S OFFICE - DAY
The boxes of gold tablets are lined up on the floor. The

folders with the carbon copies are stacked on the desk.
Pfefferling shows Rheingold a bound folder in which he has

collected about a hundred of the carbon copies.
I'm certain this is the key
sequence, layers 33 to 45. Look.
Pfefferling flips through the folder to show that numerous

strings of cuneiform have been underlined in red.
A GUARD brings Sara in and sits her down before the desk.
Rheingold slides the open folder over towards her.
Read.
But Sara just sits there. The Guard presses his pistol to the
back of her head.
Please.
Sara leans forward and begins to read the cuneiform.
SARA
Knowledge... of how... to split...
element... 92... weight... 235.
(looks up, horrified)
That's uranium.
Traveling at top speed over the jungle.
INT. COCKPIT - DAY
Johnson, Baker, McCord and O’Dell are present.
COMMANDER MCCORD
How many incendiaries do we have
left?
107.
MAJOR JOHNSON
One clip. Twenty rounds.
COMMANDER MCCORD
That’s it? It usually takes twice
as many to ignite the gas. Unless
you attack from really close range.
MAJOR JOHNSON
That’s the plan. Jack’s gonna fly
Baker out in the biplane and...
Jack’s biplane suddenly flies off ahead of the Drake. Johnson

and Baker look on in shock.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Well Major, there appears to be a
slight change of plan.
EXT. CREEK - DAY
The half-track travels through the middle of the creek.
Hicks turns towards Mills in the back of the half-track.
SGT. HICKS
We're almost out of fuel!
Mills spots a thicket of vegetation next to the shore.
ADDIE MILLS
Okay, turn in there, on your right.
SGT. HICKS
Yeah, I see it.
The half-track veers out of the creek and plows right into
the center of the thicket.
INT. USS FRANCIS DRAKE - MESS/GALLEY - DAY
McCord sits at the mess table with a notepad and pencil.

Johnson places a short belt of 50 cal ammo on the table.
MAJOR JOHNSON
42 rounds. Plus our pistol ammo.
That’s all we got.
108.
COMMANDER MCCORD
What about those incendiaries?
MAJOR JOHNSON
Jack took ‘em all.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Any thermite?
MAJOR JOHNSON
No. But we have smoke.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Smoke grenades won’t do it. And
neither will this.
McCord pushes the ammo belt away.
MAJOR JOHNSON
You destroyed a Zeppelin during the
Great War with regular bullets. I
read the report.
COMMANDER MCCORD
I had four planes in my wing. We
must’ve fired over a 1000 rounds
each into an old P-Class. And only
one of us lived to watch it burn.
McCord unscrews his hip flask.
COMMANDER MCCORD
There’s no way we can destroy a
Hindenburg-Class with just 42
bullets. No way in hell.
McCord makes to take a drink, but Johnson stops him.
MAJOR JOHNSON
The fate of the free world is
hanging in the balance, Commander.
So I don’t give a good goddamn how
risky it’ll be, but you’re gonna
come up with a plan of attack. And
we’re gonna carry it out. Now get
to work.
Johnson slides the notepad over to McCord, then walks off

towards the cockpit. McCord frowns. Then picks up the 42-
round belt of ammo. And shakes his head.
COMMANDER MCCORD
(to himself)
It’s impossible.
109.
He drops the belt and takes a swig from his flask. But then
slowly lowers it again. Something’s caught his eye.
McCord rises to his feet. His eyes are wide. His jaw hangs
open. The gears in his head are spinning.
He steps up to the forward bulkhead and runs his hand along

the Jolly Roger flag that hangs there.
COMMANDER MCCORD
My god, that’s it...
A big grin slowly spreads across his face as his fingers

trace the outline of the flag’s crossed sabers.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Swords.
Sara sits defiantly before the open folder.
Come now Ms. Ashford, we both know
my men can decode this text within
days. Besides, in the end, we all
want the same thing. World peace.
For that will be the true legacy of
this new “atomic bomb”. Not
greater wars, but an end to war.
Just so long as only one race
possesses its secret. And who else
but the Master Race is fit to rule
the world?
(edges folder closer)
So why resist?
Suddenly, an ALARM begins to BLARE.
INT. ZEPPELIN - DAY
SERIES OF SHOTS of Crewmen rushing to man their guns.
INT. BRIDGE - DAY
ALARMS CONTINUE TO BLARE as Rheingold barges in.
(in German subtitled)
What's going on?
110.
ZEPPELIN CAPTAIN
Enemy biplane, dead ahead.
Rheingold grabs the binoculars from the Captain. He sees it.
ZEPPELIN CAPTAIN
It will no doubt circle around and
attack from behind where we have
the fewest guns.
Jack's biplane continues to approach head on.
ZEPPELIN CAPTAIN
That would be the most logical plan
of attack.
Jack doesn't deviate from his course.
ZEPPELIN CAPTAIN
From behind.
Jack OPENS FIRE. The Captain snaps up the intercom as a

couple bullets punch through the windshield.
ZEPPELIN CAPTAIN
Forward batteries, fire!
FORWARD GUNNERY STATION
Two Crewmen OPEN FIRE with their MG15s.
BRIDGE
Jack's biplane begins to spew smoke and tumbles from the sky.
It disappears from view beneath the Zeppelin.
Stupid fool. Now, if you'll excuse
me, Captain, I must attend to my
guest.
Rheingold hands the binoculars back and walks out.

111.
EXT. BIPLANE - DAY
Just before crashing into the jungle, Jack tosses out the
smoke grenade and pulls up out of his dive. Then he flips
upside-down and goes into an OUTSIDE LOOP!
The Captain cues the intercom.
ZEPPELIN CAPTAIN
Tail gunners, report.
INT. ZEPPELIN - TAIL GUNNERY STATION - DAY
Looking down from the gunnery station, smoke can be seen

rising up from the jungle canopy.
TAIL GUNNER
He's down. I see smoke.
EXT. ZEPPELIN - DAY
Jack completes his outside loop and captures the trapeze

mounted forward of the rear-looking gunnery station.
Due to the ROAR of the Zeppelin's engines, the Tail Gunner

remains oblivious to this incredible feat of aerobatics.
INT. ZEPPELIN - HANGAR BAY - DAY
A trap door opens and Jack climbs out, carrying the BAR. He
creeps to the doorway and peeks out into the corridor.
Empty. He ducks back inside. There’s a look of fear in his

eyes. He puts his hand to the pit of his stomach and winces.
JACK
Oh christ, not now.
He tries to gathers his courage.
JACK
Not afraid, not afraid, not afraid.
Jack takes a deep breath. His courage is finally restored. He

braces himself. Then rushes out into the --
112.
CORRIDOR
-- and right into a NAZI OFFICER!
The startled Nazi reaches for his Walter P38, but Jack --
equally startled -- SMASHES him in the face with his rifle
butt. Then runs off as the Nazi crumples to the floor.
RHEINGOLD'S OFFICE
Sara remains under armed guard. Rheingold walks in.
It appears that the time for
niceties has past, Ms. Ashford.
(Dr. Weider enters)
I would like you to meet my
personal physician, Dr. Weider.
Weider sets his torture bag down on the table.
DOKTOR WEIDER
Guten Tag Fraulein.
CARGO BAY
Jack enters and quickly rushes through to a door on the far

side. He cracks it open and peeks through to the next room.
It's a gunnery bay with three MG15 gun stations, manned by

THREE CREWMEN.
Jack closes the door. Puts his hand to his stomach. And
winces again. Now what?
RHEINGOLD'S OFFICE
Dr. Weider unpacks his bag, carefully laying out the torture
implements on the table for Sara to see.
What a shame, Ms. Ashford, that you
are as stubborn and unreasonable as
your father.
(a beat, considers)
Or do you perhaps expect your
American friends to come save you?
This gets a reaction out of Sara. Rheingold smiles as he

pours himself a drink from his liquor cabinet.
113.
Yes, of course, the Americans.
They've watched too many movies and
now they all think they're Errol
Flynn. Pirates, indeed! Well, let
me tell you something about the
Americans, Ms. Ashford. They are
like children. They fail to
understand the true nature of this
world. Freedom, liberty, all men
created equal? This is a fantasy
they live in. And in the end, it
will be their undoing.
SARA
Or yours.
Rheingold forces a thin-lipped smile.
We shall soon see who will be
undone, Ms. Ashford.
Dr. Weider CLEARS HIS THROAT. Sara looks over. His torture
bag is now fully unpacked. He smiles with childish delight.
DOKTOR WEIDER
Now, where to begin?
CORRIDOR
A PAIR OF CREWMEN help the Nazi Officer to his feet. His nose
is bleeding and he looks seriously pissed. He snaps up the
receiver on the nearest intercom terminal.
NAZI OFFICER
All hands, search the ship!
RHEINGOLD'S OFFICE
NAZI OFFICER (OVER PA)

We have an intruder aboard!
Rheingold stops smiling.
What? That's impossible!
114.
ZEPPELIN INFRASTRUCTURE
Giant gasbags lie nestled inside a crisscrossed framework of

duralumin trusses.
ALARMS BLARE as ARMED CREWMEN race up and down a network of

catwalks and ladders, searching for the intruder.
CARGO BAY
Jack goes back the way he came and opens the door.
CREWMAN
There he is!
The Crewmen OPEN FIRE. Jack turns to flee, but the Crewmen
from the gunnery bay burst in and start SHOOTING as well.
Jack dives for cover behind some crates.
Zero visibility as the Drake flies through the clouds. O’Dell

wipes the sweat from his brow. He looks jittery and scared.
McCord mans the controls with a look of determination.
CHIEF O’DELL
If this plan actually works,
they’ll probably make you a
Captain.
COMMANDER MCCORD
Hell, if this works, they should
make me a goddamn admiral.
The intercom squawks to life.
MAJOR JOHNSON (OVER PA)

Commander, Zeppelin dead ahead,
range 500 yards and closing.
COMMANDER MCCORD
(to intercom receiver)
Copy that, Major. And good luck.
O’Dell rises from his seat. He looks terrified.
CHIEF O’DELL
I better get ready.
As O’Dell turns to leave, McCord holds up his hip flask.

115.
O’Dell hesitates for a moment. Then takes a big swig.
INT. ZEPPELIN - CARGO BAY - DAY
BULLETS rip into the crates from both directions, sending

splinters flying. Jack is quickly running out of cover.
He fumbles to cock the action on his BAR. Raises the muzzle

over the crate and FIRES OFF A BURST!
AN INCENDIARY ROUND punches through the cargo bay bulkhead

and flies through the --
GUNNERY BAY
Punches through a second bulkhead and burst into --
RHEINGOLD’S OFFICE
Ricochets off the ceiling, bounces off another bulkhead and

lands at Rheingold's feet, still burning with white-hot
phosphorous. Rheingold’s eyes go wide.
Cease fire! CEASE FIRE!
EXT. TOP OF ZEPPELIN - GUNNERY PLATFORM - DAY
An open platform with a pair of MG15 gunmounts. Two Crewmen

scan the skies. A thick cloudbank forms a ceiling overhead.
Unseen behind them, the Drake’s drop car slowly approach with
the four Marines on board.
As it gets closer, the Drake suddenly appears out of the

cloudbank. The Crewmen see it and react with surprise. Then
swing their guns around and OPEN FIRE.
INT. USS FRANCIS DRAKE - FORWARD GUNNERY STATION - DAY
Bullets pepper the Drake, but O’Dell holds his ground and
OPENS FIRE -- unloading all 42 rounds into the platform!
EXT. ZEPPELIN - GUNNERY PLATFORM - DAY
The two Crewmen are completely blown away!

116.
The drop car swings overtop and the Marines jump down onto
the platform. They carry no weapons. Johnson signals the
Drake and it veers off into the clouds once more.
INT. ZEPPELIN - GUNNERY BAY - DAY
Jack makes his way towards Rheingold's office, with the BAR
pointed up at the ceiling and his finger on the trigger. The
Nazis aim their weapons right at him, but don’t fire.
JACK
Now, don't anybody try anything
funny.
Rheingold stands in the doorway and motions for his men to

lower their weapons. Which they promptly do.
No, no, just don't shoot.
Sara looks into the gunnery bay from behind Rheingold.
SARA
Jack?
Hydrogen HISSES from dozens of 50 caliber holes in the giant

gasbags. Overhead, the underside of the gunnery platform is
equally riddled with bullet holes.
The Marines climb down the trusswork towards a catwalk.

Suddenly, FOUR NAZIS rush out onto the catwalk.
The Nazis smile as they raise their MP40s. The Marines are
sitting ducks. But just then, a SERVICEMAN notices the
leaking gasbag and frantically waves to the soldiers. His
voice is squeaky and high-pitched from the hydrogen.
SERVICEMAN #1
Nicht feuern! Nicht feuern!
Now it's the Marines' turn to smile. They all draw their
MACHETES and leap down onto the catwalk below.
RHEINGOLD'S OFFICE
Jack walks in, still pointing the BAR at the ceiling. He's
now completely surrounded by Nazis. He tries to put on a
brave face, but his eyes betray just how scared he really is.
117.
JACK
Okay, now the girl comes with me,
and nobody better follow us, or I
swear, I'll kill us all!
Yes, yes of course, you're free to
go, my men won't stop you.
The Guard releases Sara. She runs towards Jack, but stops
short when she passes the boxes filled with gold tablets.
JACK
Sara, come on.
But Sara's not moving.
JACK
Sara?
Sara turns to Jack with a determined look in her eyes.
SARA
We can't leave without the gold.
JACK
What?!
The Marines slash at the Nazis, sending them tumbling from

the catwalk. But EIGHT MORE rush in, carrying bayonets,
machetes, wrenches and metal pipes.
An old-fashioned sword fight ensues!
RHEINGOLD'S OFFICE
Jack keeps his BAR aimed at the ceiling.
JACK
You trying to teach me a lesson, is
that it? Well I get it, okay? Some
things are more important than
gold. Lesson learned! Now can we
please get the hell outta here?
Sara is torn, but she simply can't leave.
SARA
No.
118.
The Marines continue to swashbuckle their way through the

Zeppelin's interior, despite being heavily outnumbered.
Finally, they reach a hatchway.
MAJOR JOHNSON
(high-pitched voice)
Into the hatchway!
Johnson holds off the Nazis while his men climb down into the
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT
Then Johnson leaps through. Jams the hatch shut with his
machete. And draws his pistol.
MAJOR JOHNSON
(regular deep voice)
Now, follow me.
RHEINGOLD'S OFFICE
Jack’s frustration is growing.
JACK
Alright, you want me to say it?!
I'll say it!
He keeps his BAR aimed at the ceiling as he approaches Sara.
JACK
Sara... I love you, okay? So to
hell with the gold, we got each
other now.
Rheingold draws his pistol, in disgust.
Enough of this! You have until the
count of five to leave. Without the
gold. Or I will do the shooting.
Rheingold raises his left hand and extends his forefinger.
One!
119.
SARA
Jack, we can't leave without the
gold, the fate of the free world is
at stake!
JACK
What the hell're you talkin' about?
A second finger goes up.
Two!
SARA
It's kind of hard to explain right
now. You'll just have to trust me.
MAIN CORRIDOR
The Marines burst in with pistols drawn, and quickly GUN DOWN
a trio of NAZIS who oppose them.
RHEINGOLD'S OFFICE
Three!
JACK
Alright, I trust you, okay? But
there's no way we'll make it outta
here with all that gold.
Sara turns to make eye contact with Rheingold.
SARA
Yes, I know.
Four!
SARA
(turns to Jack)
So pull the trigger.
Both Jack and Rheingold are completely taken aback.
JACK
What?
120.
CORRIDOR
The Marines race headlong down the corridor, GUNNING DOWN

anyone who gets in their way.
RHEINGOLD'S OFFICE
Rheingold's raised hand trembles ever so slightly. He's

clearly no longer counting fingers.
SARA
If you truly do love me Jack Danby,
then please trust me, this Zeppelin
must be destroyed.
Nobody dares so much as breathe. Jack is paralyzed with

indecision, his finger still on the trigger.
JACK
But...
Suddenly, the Marines burst in and the Nazis all raise their
weapons. Now it's an armed standoff!
JACK
Oh, thank goodness.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Tell your men to drop their
weapons.
I don't think so Major.
Johnson takes aim at Rheingold.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Do it, or I'll shoot.
Rheingold aims his pistol at Sara.
Then so will I.
JACK
(raises his BAR)
Hey, you shoot her and we're all
dead!
SARA
Do it, Jack!
121.
MAJOR JOHNSON
No, wait!
Rheingold smiles, once more in control.
It appears we are at an impasse.
The Drake follows behind the Zeppelin.
COMMANDER MCCORD
They're lowering their flaps. Looks
like they're gonna land to take on
more troops.
O’Dell looks through the binoculars.
BINOCULAR POV: The City of the Gods is filled with Nazis.
CHIEF O’DELL
The Major better hurry it up.
The standoff continues with the Nazis on one side, the

Marines on the other, and Jack and Sara in the middle.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Alright, here's the deal. You keep
the gold tablets, and we take the
paper copies.
Agreed.
SARA
What?!
MAJOR JOHNSON
(to Sgt. Baker)
Get the papers.
Baker makes to grab the file folders off the table, but Sara
grabs a torture scalpel and wards him off.
SARA
No, Major you don't understand!
We're not ready for this. None of
us are!
122.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Out of the way, Ms. Ashford!
But Sara holds her ground, scalpel in hand.
SARA
We've all abused every technology
we possess. Just think what'll
happen if --
Dr. Weider suddenly grabs Sara from behind.
The half-track is perfectly concealed within the thicket.

Unfortunately, the surrounding area is crawling with Nazis.
Mills looks up. In the distance, the Zeppelin can be seen

descending towards the City of the Gods.
ADDIE MILLS
Hey.
SGT. HICKS
What is it?
ADDIE MILLS
The Zeppelin. Looks like it's
coming in for a landing.
Mills looks through the cannon’s gunsight.
ADDIE MILLS
And it's almost in range. How much
fuel we have left?
SGT. HICKS
Just fumes. Not enough to get away.
Sara and Dr. Weider are still locked in struggle. No one

dares intervene without disrupting the standoff.
JACK
Sara!
Dr. Weider slams Sara against the desk, scattering the papers
and knocking the scalpel from her hand.
But Sara grabs something off the desk and SMASHES it across
Dr. Weider's temple and he collapses to the floor.
123.
Sara looks down at her hand. She's holding the THERMITE

GRENADE. Rheingold and Johnson both take aim at her.
JOHNSON & RHEINGOLD

Drop it!
In that instant, a cannon shell EXPLODES into the compartment

and SHATTERS the liquor cabinet. Everyone hits the floor.
The half-track bursts out of its hiding spot and into the
City of the Gods. The Nazis OPEN FIRE.
Sara pulls the pin and drops the thermite grenade onto the
nearest box of gold tablets.
No!
The grenade FLARES UP, melts through the gold, and IGNITES
the liquor pooled on the floor!
Dr. Weider jumps up off the floor, consumed in flames, and

HOWLING IN PAIN. He makes to grab Sara, but Jack OPENS FIRE,
sending him CRASHING through a window.
CLICK. Jack runs out of incendiary bullets.
JACK
Uh-oh.
And suddenly, everyone dives for cover and starts SHOOTING.

One of the Marines goes down, and several Nazis.
A HAIL OF BULLETS strikes the half-track. Mills FIRES BACK

with an MP40, while the Pygmies throw stick grenades.
ADDIE MILLS
No, you gotta pull the pins!
Hicks drives like a madman through the ruins, scattering

Nazis before him. It looks like they're actually gonna
escape, when suddenly... the engine SPUTTERS and dies out.
SGT. HICKS
That's it, we're outta fumes.
124.
The flames are spreading. Rheingold grabs the folder off his
desk and runs out with the last of his men.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Quick, get the papers!
The Marines start picking up the papers off the floor.
SARA
Forget those, get Rheingold's
folder!
Johnson hesitates, unsure whether to trust her.
SARA
He's getting away!
MAJOR JOHNSON
Come on!
Johnson and the two Marines rush off in pursuit. Sara turns
around to see Jack reaching into a box of gold.
SARA
What the hell are you doing?
Jack grabs a handful of gold tablets.
JACK
Getting some of this gold, what's
it look like?
SARA
No, you have to leave it all
behind!
Sara knocks the gold from his hands, and pulls him away.
JACK
Will you make up your mind?!
MESS HALL
The Nazis make a stand so that Rheingold can get away.
A HEATED FIREFIGHT ensues with The Marines.
BRIDGE
Rheingold stuffs the folder into his coat as he rushes in.

125.
Abandon ship immediately!
The Bridge Crew scrambles for the parachute rack.
RHEINGOLD'S OFFICE
The flames are now licking the ceiling. Just beyond are seven
million cubic feet of highly flammable hydrogen gas.
MOVING UP THROUGH THE CEILING into the Zeppelin’s

infrastructure, a small black patch can be seen forming on
the floor. Followed by a thin wisp of smoke...
REAR CORRIDOR
Jack and Sara race back towards the biplane, but they run
into a group of Crewmen.
JACK
Quick, this way!
They duck into the galley and race through to another

corridor, with the Crewmen FIRING after them.
MESS HALL
The firefight continues. Only two Nazis left standing.
Suddenly, FOUR NAZIS burst in from the corridor behind the

Marines and OPEN FIRE!
One of the Marines goes down. They’re caught in a crossfire!
Baker spins around and FIRES, forcing the reinforcements to

take cover, while Johnson charges forward, FIRING!
The two Nazis crumple as Johnson races past and charges

headlong into the
BRIDGE
Johnson suddenly stops in his tracks. The parachute rack is

empty and the escape hatch is wide open. Only Rheingold
remains, with a parachute on his back and one in his hand. In
his other hand he holds his gun. Pointed right at Johnson.
126.
It doesn't have to end like this,
Major. Our countries are not at
war. It's still not too late to
join forces.
MAJOR JOHNSON
I'd rather take the bullet.
Rheingold FIRES and Johnson crumples to the floor.
Stupid fool.
He tosses the spare parachute out the escape hatch.
A tiny flicker of flame jumps up from the smoking floor.
EXT. ZEPPELIN - DAY
A FIREBALL EXPLODES from the center of the Zeppelin.
The Zeppelin shudders. Rheingold turns to jump out the escape

hatch, but Johnson (only wounded) leaps up to grab him.
REAR CORRIDOR
The Crewmen racing after Jack and Sara are consumed in an

ONRUSH OF FLAMES. Jack pulls Sara through a hatchway.
JACK
This way!
EXT. ZEPPELIN - DAY
One after another, spreading out from the middle, the giant
bags of hydrogen gas are consumed by the flames.
BRIDGE
Johnson pulls the folder from Rheingold’s coat, but Rheingold

grabs hold. They struggle for a moment.
Suddenly, the folder rips in half and the two men fly apart.
127.
Rheingold stumbles backwards and falls out the escape hatch

with a SCREAM. Johnson rushes over and looks down. He sees
Rheingold's parachute pop open, and frowns.
SGT. BAKER
(rushing in)
Major, we need to evac, now!
Just then, directly below them, appears the Drake!
HANGAR BAY
Jack and Sara race into the hangar bay and shut the door,
just as the corridor behind them fills with flames.
JACK
Down there, quick!
Sara scampers down the ladder to the waiting biplane. Jack

follows as flames begin to shoot down from the ceiling.
EXT. ZEPPELIN - BRIDGE - DAY
Johnson and Baker jump onto the back of the Drake and grab
hold of the ropes securing the bosun’s seat.
As the Drake pulls away, the entire front section of the

Zeppelin BURSTS INTO FLAMES.
EXT. BIPLANE HANGING FROM ZEPPELIN - DAY
Jack climbs into the pilot's seat --
JACK
Hold on!
-- and pulls the release lever without starting the engine!
The biplane drops like a stone as the entire rear section of

the Zeppelin EXPLODES INTO FLAMES!
Plummeting to the ground, Jack starts the engine, throttles

forward, and pulls up out of his dive.
JACK
YE-HAAA!
128.
Inside the half-track, Mills, Hicks and the Pygmies BLAST

AWAY at the Nazis closing in on them from all sides.
CLICK... CLICK... CLICK... One after another, they run out of

ammo. The Nazis sense the advantage and charge the half-
track. They're done for!
SGT. HICKS
You know Mills, you would've made
one hell of a Marine.
ADDIE MILLS
Thank you, Sergeant, that means a
lot to me.
But Mouko's not giving up. He raises his last grenade, and
without pulling the pin, throws it at the charging Nazis.
ADDIE MILLS
No, Mouko, the pin...
And then something incredible happens. The Nazis all stop in

their tracks, turn around and run like hell. Mouko hollers
with delight.
ADDIE MILLS
They're running away?
But then they notice a red glow and look up to see THE
FLAMING ZEPPELIN COMING DOWN RIGHT ON TOP OF THEM!
SGT. HICKS
Run!
Everyone jumps out of the half-track and runs for their

lives. They barely escape as the flaming wreckage CRASHES
onto the retreating Nazis behind them.
EXT. VALLEY OF THE PALOM TOQ - MORNING
The sun rises over the valley of the Palom Toq.
EXT. CITY OF THE GODS - MORNING
Next to the City of the Gods lies the burnt remains of the
Nazi Zeppelin. It's duralumin trusses look very much like the
skeleton of some gigantic beast.
129.
In a clearing next to the wreckage, the Pygmy villagers have

assembled to build their new homes. Instead of elephant bones
they use the Zeppelin's duralumin trusses.
Nearby is a row of freshly dug graves. Some are adorned with

rifles, the others with spears. Hicks, Baker and Mills pay
their respects, along with the Pygmy hunters.
Hovering overhead, McCord and O'Dell look down from the

Drake. The mighty airship is all beat up, but for the first
time, is proudly flying the Stars and Stripes.
Sara stands next to the blind Old Woman, describing the scene
before them. When Mouko arrives to take over, Sara walks off.
MAJOR JOHNSON
Ms. Ashford?
Sara turns around.
MAJOR JOHNSON
I know how you feel, but I could
really use your help translating
this.
Sara looks down to see the ripped half of Rheingold's folder

in Johnson's hand. She takes it from him without hesitation.
SARA
Yes, of course, Major. You can
count on my full cooperation.
Especially considering who has the
other half.
MAJOR JOHNSON
I had a feeling we'd see eye to eye
on this one. Much obliged.
With this, Johnson turns and walks off to rejoin his men.
Something catches Sara's attention. She turns towards the

wreckage of the Zeppelin. And rolls her eyes.
EXT. WRECKAGE OF THE ZEPPELIN - DAY
Jack roots through the ashes and finds a small piece of gold
about the size of a quarter. He smiles, triumphant.
Sara CLEARS HER THROAT. Jack spins around.
JACK
Oh, hey Sara, I was just...
130.
SARA
You were just what?
JACK
Well, I was gonna save this as a
surprise, but...
Jack shows Sara the small piece of gold he found.
JACK
I thought it would be a nice touch
if I dug up a piece of melted gold
from the wreckage and used it to
make you a ring.
SARA
A ring? For me?
JACK
Yeah, you know, as a symbol of my
undying love and affection.
SARA
I see. And what about all those
then?
Sara indicates a big pile of gold pieces on the ground.
JACK
Oh, those. Well, you see, I was
gonna surprise you with the ring
when I took you up for a spin in my
new airplane.
Sara can't help but smile.
SARA
You know, I think I'd rather we
spend a little more time on the
ground, for a change.
Jack tosses the piece of gold onto the pile and takes Sara
into his arms for a long and romantic kiss...
The End.

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SKY PIRATES

Gary Dragan Milin

EXT. FRENCH EQUATORIAL AFRICA - CONGO RIVER - NIGHT

SUPER: May 7th 1940

EXT. SANGHA VILLAGE - NIGHT

A collection of traditional thatched-roof huts. A full moon

A wooden shack with a corrugated steel roof stands apart from

INT. WOODEN SHACK - NIGHT

The crackly voice of a BRITISH RADIO ANNOUNCER can be heard.

BRITISH RADIO ANNOUNCER

A Union Jack hangs from the wall. Next to it: an engraving of

And finally, an ancient map of the North Atlantic showing an

BRITISH RADIO ANNOUNCER

Sara sighs, exasperated, and turns the radio back on.

Dr. Ashford carefully plots out a series of lines on a map.

Sara steps up to her father.

Stumped. Sara scrunches up her face in thought, planning her

No effect. Dr. Ashford continues working, unperturbed. Sara

Sara stomps off to the window and crosses her arms.

Sara turns around with a hopeful look on her face.

Dr. Ashford hugs his daughter in a protective embrace as he

EXT. RIVER'S EDGE - NIGHT

A SANGHA TRIBESMAN sits by the water, cradling his rifle.

The faint sound of RIPPLING WATER. A dark shadow moves across

Suddenly, a BURST OF MACHINE GUN FIRE rips into the

SANGHA TRIBESMEN race out of their huts only to be cut down

Illuminated by the flicker of falling flares, the jungle

INT. WOODEN SHACK - NIGHT

The sounds of GUNFIRE can be heard. Dr. Ashford glances out

He dumps out an old cigar box, grabs a Webley revolver, and

Dr. Ashford ransacks the drawers of his desk.

The sounds of GUNFIRE and SCREAMS grow louder.

Outside the window, the hellish discharge of a FLAMETHROWER

He pockets the revolver and grabs Sara by the arm.

He tries to shut the door, but Sara stops him.

He SLAMS the door shut and moves a large trunk overtop.

The GUNFIRE grows louder.

Breathing hard, Dr. Ashford sets his pipe down on an end

BANG! The unlit match falls from his hand.

Standing in the doorway, wearing a black SS uniform and

Dr. Ashford just sneers as he clutches his bleeding shoulder.

A NAZI LIEUTENANT leads DR. WEIDER (50s) into the shack,

The Soldiers fling open a wardrobe and the trunk, only to

The Lieutenant promptly departs and the two Soldiers take up

CREAK. Rheingold stops in his tracks. He's standing on the

Sara looks up at Rheingold through the gaps in the

CREAK. CREAK. Rheingold presses against the floor with his

PROFESSOR PFEFFERLING (the lead archeologist) raises a

Rheingold rushes over and takes the paper from Pfefferling.

Rheingold hands the paper back to Pfefferling, then swaggers

He holsters his sidearm and sits down in a chair opposite Dr.

Rheingold removes a smoking kit from his inner pocket and

Dr. Ashford makes no move to take the tobacco.

Rheingold waits a moment longer. Then drops the pouch onto

Rheingold leans forward for emphasis.

Rheingold leans back again. His patience is wearing thin.

Dr. Weider unfurls his medical satchel to reveal an

Dr. Ashford looks long and hard at the torture implements.

Sara doesn’t dare breath, her eyes wide and staring.

A long tense beat.

Finally, Dr. Ashford reaches out. Takes the pouch of tobacco.

Rheingold smiles triumphantly as Dr. Ashford packs his pipe.

Dr. Ashford lights his pipe and takes a long, satisfying

Rheingold beams as Dr. Ashford takes another pull.