Air Force One (1997) Screenplay

OPEN

AirForceOne

AndrewMarlow

FADEIN:

INT.C-130HERCULESTURBO-PROP-NIGHT

Eighteencombat-readyspecialforces,wearingassaultblack, jumppacksandcombatgear,staredownthedeep endofa greasyrampintothenightsky. Villagelightsflicker19,000 feetbelow.

TheSTRIKEFORCELEADERsignalstohisteam.

Withoutamoment'shesitation,theydiveintothedarkness andplummettowardearth.

3

EXT.MANSION-NIGHT

AmilitaryGUARD,oldSoviet-styleuniform,roundsthecorner ofthelargeestatetotingan AK-47.

Ared laserdotappearsbrieflyonhisforeheadand,aftera beat,thereddot seemstobleed. TheGuardcollapsesdead. TwootherGUARDSaredispatchedwithsingle,silencedshots.

AStrikeTeammemberat ajunctionboxawaitsa signal.

Throughinfra-redbinocularsthestrikeForceLeaderwatches hisassaulttroopsastheytakepositions.

STRIKEFORCELEADER

(intoheadset/in Russian)

GO!

Ontheestate- asthe powergoesout. Theteamon the mansion'sfrontporchpopsthedoorandpoursin.

4

INT.MANSION-NIGHT

FOLLOWING-theFIVETEAMMEMBERSasthey rushastairwayin phalanxformation.Theynearlyknockoveranoldlady,who inturnletsout abloodcurdlingscream.

UPSTAIRSCORRIDOR-

Theteamkicksopena door. Rushesintotheroom.

5

INT.BEDROOM-

Assaultweaponspointedatthebed.The soldiersyankback bedsheetstorevealIVANSTRAVANAVITCH,amiddle-agedman andhishalf-naked18-year-oldconcubine.

SOLDIER

(inRussian) Getup, now! Up!

ThesoldierspullStravanavitchtohisfeetandhaulhimout oftheroom.

FOLLOWING-As theypushdownthe hallway.

MANSIONSECURITYGUARDSrallywithhaphazardgunfire.

Outcomethestrikeforce'sflash-banggrenades.Exploding everywhere,disorientingStravanavitch'smen.

6

EXT.FIELD-NIGHT

Signalflaresburnasa helicopterdescendsontheposition. TheStrikeTeamevacuatesacrossthefieldandforcesa strugglingStravanavitchintothelow-hoveringcopter.

Thecommandosswiftlyboardthecraftasahandfulof Stravanavitch'sguardsbreakintotheclearing.Theyopen fire.

Andthemountedmachinegunsonthe helicopterreturn.

Oneofthe StrikeTeammemberstakesabullettothe neck. He's'pulledbyhiscomradesintothechopperasit lifts intothesky,its gunsspittinglead...

STRIKEFORCELEADER(V.0.)

Archangel,thisisRestitution.

Archangel,thisisRestitution.Thepackageiswrapped. Over.

VOICE(V.0.RADIO) Roger,Restitution.Wearestanding byfor delivery.

FADETO BLACK

TheSOUNDSof adinnerbanquet. Forksclankingagainstplatesand thedin ofa hundredconversations, brokenby...

TheDING,DING,DINGof aSPOONtappingagainstawineglass.

SUPERTITLE: "MOSCOW-THREEWEEKSLATER

FADEIN:

7

INT.BANQUETROOM-NIGHT

Hundredsofmenandwomenin formaleveningwearsitatround banquettables.AHUSH fallsovertheguestsasthe DINGING continues.Allattentionturnstothefronttable.

Arotund,silverhaired-maninhislatesixtiesrisesand sidlespastU.S.andRussianflagsupto thepodium microphone.HeisSTOLIPETROV,PresidentofRussia.

PETROV

(inRussian)

Thankyoufor joiningusthisevening.

Petrov'sharshRussianissuesthroughtheroom.Butoverit weheara youngwoman'svoicetranslating.

TRANSLATOR(V.0.)

Tonightwearehonoredto havewith usa manof remarkablecourage,who, despitestronginternational criticism...

ATTHEFRONTTABLE-

Atranslator'swordsringintheearpieceofa handsomeman

touchofgrayat histemplesattesttothreeverydifficult yearsinoffice.

Thismanis JAMESMARSHALL,andheisthe PRESIDENTofthe UNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA.He busilymakeslastminutechanges tohisspeech.

TRANSLATOR

(V.0.earpiece)

Haschosento joinourfightagainst tyrannyinforginganew world community.Ladiesandgentlemen,I giveyouthe PresidentoftheUnited StatesofAmerica...

Mr.President.

ThunderousapplauseasMarshallrisesandapproachesthe podium.

Attheback oftheroom,DOHERTY,a seniorpolicyadviser whisperstothePresident'sChiefofStaffEDSHEPHERD...

DOHERTY

Maybeweshouldconsiderrunninghim forre-electioninsteadoftheU.S.

TheapplausediesasMarshallbeginstospeak.

MARSHALL

(inRussianwith subtitles)

Goodeveningandthankyou. FirstI wouldaskyou tojoinme ina moment ofsilenceforthe victimsofthe

Turkmenistanmassacres.

Theroomremainssilentafew beats.Mostguestsrespectfully bowtheirheads.

Marshallbeginsagain,butthistimeinEnglish.The young womantranslatessimultaneouslyfortheRussianaudience.

MARSHALL

Asyou know,threeweeksagoAmerican SpecialForces,incooperationwith theRussianRepublicanArmy,secured thearrestof Turkmenistan'sself- proclaimeddictator,GeneralIvan Stravanavitch,whosebrutalsadistic reignhadgivennew meaningtothe wordhorror. Iam proudtosay our operationwasasuccess.

speech.

MARSHALL

Andnow,yesterday'sbiggestthreat toworldpeace...todayawaitstrial forcrimesagainsthumanity.

Duringtheapplause,Marshallpullsapagefromthespeech, foldsitandslidesit intohispocket. Heremoveshis glassesandlooksoutintothecrowd. Histone becomesmore personal.

He'snotrecitingthespeechanymore.

MARSHALL

Whatwe didherewasimportant.We finallypulledourheadsoutof the sand,wefinallystoodup tothe brutalityandsaid"We'vehadenough. Everytimewe ignoretheseatrocities-- therapes,thedeathsquads,the genocides-everytimewenegotiate withthese,thesethugstokeep them outof gigcountryandawayfromgig families,everytimewedothiS.E. welegitimizeterror.

Terrorisnota legitimatesystemofgovernment.Andto thosewhocommittheatrocitiesIsay,we willnolonger tolerate,wewillnolongernegotiate,andwewillno longer beafraid. It'syourturnto beafraid.

Applauserollsthroughthecrowd.

8

EXT.MOSCOWINTERNATIONALAIRPORT-NIGHT

Sprawlingterminalsspreadouttorunwaysliketentacles.

ONTHETARMAC-

Bathedinfloodlights,perchedmajesticallyontherunway, dwarfingnearbycommuterandmilitaryjets,stands...

AIRFORCEONE

ThePresident'sownBoeing747-200, dubbed"theflyingWhiteHouse". Thedistinctiveroyalbluestripe overa thingoldlinetapersto a tailadornedwiththeAmericanflag andthe PresidentialSealSecret ServiceagentsandMarinesstand guardatthe aircraft'sperimeter.

ARUSSIANNEWSVANemergesfromthe darknessandpullstoa stopbya SecretServicebarricade.

SPECIALAGENTGIBBSgreetstheRussiannewsteamthatemerges.

GIBBS

Gentlemen,welcometoAirForceOne.

PleasepresentyourequipmenttoSpecialAgentWaltersfor inspection.

Thenewsteam'ssegmentproducer,acrustyoldRussiannamed KORSHUNOVraiseshisbigbushyeyebrows.

KORSHUNOV

We'vealreadybeeninspected.

GIBBS

Sir,thisplanecarriesthePresident ofthe UnitedStates.

Thoughwewishto extendyourpressserviceeverycourtesy, youwillcomplywithoursecuritymeasurestotheletter.

KORSHUNOV

Ofcourse. I'msorry.

KorshunovandtheFIVEMEMBERSofhisnewscrew presenttheir videocameras,soundequipmentandsuppliestoSpecialAgent

thebaggage.

GIBBS

Pleaseplaceyourthumbsonthe ID pad.

KorshunovputshisthumbontheID padof aportablecomputer.

Thecomputermatchesuphisthumbprintwithhisdossierand photograph."CLEARED"flashesonthecomputerscreen.

9

INT.HALLWAY-NIGHT

ThePresident,walkingwithhisentourage.

SHEPHERD

* CBS saidthey'll giveus fourminutes.Theythought theRussianwasa nicetouch.

MARSHALL

I alwayswonderedifmyfreshman Russianclasswouldcomeinhandy.

DOHERTY

Sir,youthrewout pagetwo.

MARSHALL

GoddamnrightIdid. I askedfora tough-as-nailsspeechandyougave mediplomaticbullshit.What'sthe pointinhavinga speechifI have toad-lib?

DOHERTY

Itwas agood ad-lib,sir.

MARSHALL

Thanks.Wroteit lastnight.

ThePresidentexitsthebuildingandentershislimousine.

10

EXT.TARMAC-AIR FORCEONE- NIGHT

Waltershandsthebagsbacktothe Russians.

WALTERS

Equipmentchecksout.

Astrikingwomaninher earlythirtiesdescendsAirForce One'sstairway.MARIAMITCHELL.

GIBBS

Gentlemen,thisisMariaMitchell.

PressRelationsforthePresidentialFlightOffice.She'll takeyoufromhere.

KORSHUNOV

Ms. Mitchell.So nicetofinally meetyouin person.

MITCHELL

ThePresidentandI weredelighted thatwe couldaccommodateyou.Now ifyou'reall cleared?

(Gibbsnods)

Youcan followmethen.

Theyascendintothebellyof AirForceOne.

MITCHELL

* I'll begiving youa brieftour,thenduringthe flight,twomembersofyourcrew willbe allowedoutofthepress areaat atimefor filming.You willhaveexactlytenminuteswith thePresidentandtwentywiththe crew...

11

EXT.STREETSOFMOSCOW,PRESIDENT'SMOTORCADE-NIGHT

Windingitswaydownnarrowcobblestonestreetsontoamajor thoroughfare.

12

INT.PRESIDENTIALLIMOUSINE-NIGHT

Thelimousineispackedwithadvisers,aides,militarystaff, includingLT.COL.PERKINS,thekeeperoftheNUCLEARFOOTBALL handcuffedtohiswrist.In theb.g.on thelimo'stelevision set,theLARRYKINGSHOWindulgesinits normalbanter.

Marshallwearilyrubshistemplesashestiflesayawn.

SHEPHERD

Youwannaknockof f?

MARSHALL

No,no. I'm fine. Whatdidthe Speakersay?

SHEPHERD

Heand theNRAdon'tlike thewording.

DOHERTY

Apparentlytakinguzisawayfrom sixthgradersisn'taspopularaswe thoughtit'dbe. Representative Taylorisworkingona compromise.

MARSHALL

Puttogetherascoresheet. I'll makesomecalls.

SHEPHERD

Withalldue respect,sir,maybeyou shouldgivethemthisone. Your numbersarestillprettylowandyou calledina lotof chipstonail Stravanavitch.

MARSHALL

I mightstillhaveafew chipsleft.

SHEPHERD

* We couldalways putyou ina duckblindwitha twelve gauge. Thesecondamendmenttypes'll lovethat.

MARSHALL

Thisis acrimebill,Shep. Killing a coupleduckswon'tgetitthrough committee.Besides,Shep,Itold you... Idon'tshootbabiesandI don'tkissguns.

SHEPHERD

Otherwayaround,sir.

MARSHALL

(realizingwhathe said)

Right...ChristI'mtired.Do mea favorandkeepme awayfromthe press.

Marshall'swatchalarmbeepsandheautomaticallyreaches intohisbreastpocket,pullsouta medicinevialanddowns twopillswitha coffeechaser.

OntheT.V.

LARRYKING(T.V.)

...and yourreactiontothe President'striptoMoscow.Goodor bad?

Shepherdturnsupthevolume.

SHEPHERD

Thisis thepartI wantedyouto see.

REP.DANFORTH(T.V.)

Criminal.Oneof ourboysdied in Marshall'slittlepublicitystunt andfor what?So wecouldclaim victoryoveranothercountry's problemsinsteadofourown? And nowhe'sgot thenerveto prance aroundMoscowgloating,whilethat poorboy'sfamilyisleft tobury him. IfI wereMarshall,I'dbe ashamedofmyself.

LARRYKING

Thereyouhaveit. Harshwordsfor thePresidentfromMichaelDanforth, theSpeakerofthe House.

Marshallmutesthetelevision.Aquietmoment.

SHEPHERD

* My opinion. Wecan'tlet himgetaway withthat kindof language.

Marshallconsiders.Thendecides.

MARSHALL

It'sbait. Don'ttakeit.

SHEPHERD

Sir,theSpeakerof theHouseattacked thisadministrationonnational television.Youcan'taffordto leavethathanging.

MARSHALL

(ignoringShepherd)

Didwe tapetheDukegame?

AIDE

It'swaitingonthe plane.The ending waspretty...

MARSHALL

(interrupting)

Pleasedon'ttellme. Justfor once, * let mebe surprised.

13

INT.AIRFORCEONE,CORRIDOR,TRAVELING-NIGHT

MariaMitchellescortstheRussiansdowntheplane'slength. Astheypassthe galley,Mariamotionsupaset ofstairs.

MITCHELL

Upon theupperdeckis thecockpit andthe MissionCommunicationCenter. TheMCC,as wecall it,canplace clearandsecurephonecallsto anywhereonearth. We'relinkedto a networkofmilitaryandcivilian

couldrunthe countryorruna war fromthereif wehadto.

KORSHUNOV

Thisis aremarkableaircraft.

MITCHELL

Youdon'tknowthe halfofit. Did youknowthis entireplaneisshielded fromradiation?We couldflythrough a mushroomcloudcompletelyunharmed ifnecessary.

KORSHUNOV

A dubiousdistinction,no?

MITCHELL

I guessitdependsonyour perspective.

Theywalkbyseveralconferencerooms,runningdownthe starboardsideoftheplane.

KORSHUNOV

Andall theseroomshere?

MITCHELL

Conferencerooms,thoughsomehave otherfunctions.Theone upfront doublesasan emergencymedical center.

Pasttheconferencerooms,theywalkbya smallsideroom whereSECRETARIESworkoncomputers,generatingdocuments.

MITCHELL

Asyou cansee,backhere'smore likea regularplane.Securityand SecretServicetakethiscabin. You'llbein therearwiththe press pool.

TheREARPRESSCABIN,justaheadof thereargalleyandbank ofbathrooms.A handfulofdisgruntledreportersfeignsleep.

MITCHELL

Here'sapresskit. I'll letyou guysgetcomfortableandoncewe're airborneI'llbeableto schedule theinterviews.

KORSHUNOV

Thankyou.

Mitchellexitsforward.Oneofthe reportersstirsandlooks upat thenewsteam. Hegroans. Spaceisa premiumback here.

REPORTER

Youfellaswinsome sortoffly-with- POTUScontest?

KORSHUNOV

Potus? WhatisPotus?

REPORTER

P.O.T.U.S.PresidentOfTheUnited States.

KORSHUNOV

Ah,no. We wonnothing. Weare ITAR-TASSnewsservice.

REPORTER

Right. Listen,thishere...Thisis myrow. You'llhaveto sitover there.

Korshunovtradeslookswithhisnewsteam.

14

EXT.MOSCOWINTERNATIONALAIRPORT-NIGHT

ThePresident'smotorcadepullsupinfrontofAirForce One.

15

INT.AIRFORCEONE- NIGHT

ThePresidentandhisentourageascendfromthelowerdeck platformontothemaindeck. COL.DANIELAXELROD,AirForce One'spilot,snapsoffasaluteas hepasses.

Welcomeaboard,Mr.President.

MARSHALL

(returnssalute)

HeyDanny. How'sitlook tonight?

Glassy,sir. Caretotakethe wheel?

MARSHALL

Youkeepoffering,oneof thesedays I'lltakeyou upon it.

(tono onein particular)

RoseandAliceback yet?

AIDE

No,Mr. President.Theballetran late. TheirETAis seventeenminutes.

Marshallnodsashepullsoff hisbowtie andentershis stateroom.Shepherdfollowstwostepsbehind.

SHEPHERD

Mr.President?

MarshallhaltsShepherdwithagesture.

MARSHALL

Thirtyseconds.

Shepherdnodsandwaitsbythedoor. Lt. Col.Perkinstakes aseatoutsidethePresidentsstateroomandopensthelatest TomClancythriller,usingthenuclearfootballasalap desk.

16

INT.PRESIDENT'SSTATEROOM-NIGHT

Marshallcollapsesonthecouch,rubshiseyes,thencloses them.A momentofpeacein a breakneckday.

Theknockatthe doorjarshim.

MARSHALL

Yes.

Shepherdenters.

SHEPHERD

CanI atleastissuea pressrelease objectingtotheSpeaker'schoiceof wording?

PresidentMarshallpicksuponeofthemanyphonesin his office.

MARSHALL

I saidit'snotworththe fight.

(intophone)

Steward,please.

SHEPHERD

We'lljustsayit wasin badtaste.

* MARSHALL

Forgetit,Shep. Thekidgavehis lifeforhis countryand the

Speaker'sabastardforturninghimintoasoundbite. I'll taketheheat. Understood?

SHEPHERD

Yougiveme ulcers.

MARSHALL

That'smyjob.

ASTEWARDenterstheroom.

STEWARD

Mr.President?

MARSHALL

HeyMike. Couldyouget mea Heineken?

SHEPHERD

No,wait. Gethim oneof theRussian beers.

Thestewardnodsanddisappearsfromtheroom.

SHEPHERD

We'vegotthoseRussiannewsguyson boardandit'lllookgood inthe papers.

Marshallpicksupastackof policyreports.Thumbsthrough them.

MARSHALL

C'monShep. I'vebeeneatingborscht anddrinkingvodkafordays. Isn't thatenough?

(offpaper)

Newhomestartsare down.

swig.He swallowshard.Piss-water.Marshallcrossesto hissinkandpoursthe beerout. Hehandsthe bottletothe steward.

MARSHALL

FillthiswithHeineken.

Thestewardnods...

STEWARD

Yes,Mr.President.

ANDSLINKSAWAYWITHTHEBOTTLE.MARSHALLCATCHESHIMSELF--

MARSHALL

I don'tbelievethis.I'mplaying politicswithabottleof beer.A goddamnbottleofbeer. I'vebeen inofficetoo long.

SHEPHERD

Lookon thebrightside...ifthe pollsdon'tchange,youwon'thave thatproblem,sir.

Marshallpicksupthephoneagain.

MARSHALL

Yeah. PuttheDuke gameonin my room.

17

INT.AFO'SMISSIONCOMMUNICATIONCENTER-NIGHT

THREEAirForceSPECIALISTSmantheelaboratecommunication systemoccupyingmuchoftheupperdeck. Top-of-the-line computers,communicationsystems,videodecks,andsatellite receivers.

AIRFORCESPECIALIST

Yes,Mr.President.

Heslidesina videotapeandchannelsthefeedtothe * president'sstateroom.

18

INT.PRESIDENT'SSTATEROOM-NIGHT

Amonitorcomestolife withabasketballgame.

MARSHALL

(toShepherd)

DefenseandStateDepartmentinthe conferenceroominonehour. I want toreviewthe Iraqsituation.

SHEPHERD

Yes,sir.

ShepherdexitsasMarshallsettlesintohisleatherchair anddivesintowork. Hepunchesa buttononthespeakerphone.

MARSHALL

Getme theHousingSecretary...

19

EXT.AIRFORCEONE- NIGHT

TheMarineGuardssnaptoattentiononceagainasthe First Lady'smotorcadearrives.

ROSEMARSHALL,aself-assuredwomanwithanaristocratic gleam,alightsfromherlimo.She takesafew steps,then turns,tappingherfootimpatiently.

ROSE

C'monAlice,we're20minuteslate.

Yourfather'sgonnahaveafit.

ALICE,thePresident's13-year-olddaughter,stragglesout ofthecar, rollinghereyes.

ALICE

It'snotlike hehasn'tmadeus wait a fewtimes.

ROSE

Well,youaren'tthePresident,dear.

ALICE

Yeah,noduh.

20

INT.MAINDECK,AIRFORCEONE -NIGHT

AstheFirstLady'sentourageenters.

ROSE

Whydon'tyou gosayhi?

Again,Alicerollshereyes.

ROSE

Whatis wrongwithyoutonight? Comehere.

RosepullsAliceaside.

ROSE

Youdon'twantto sayhi toyour father?

ALICE

I'msurehe's busy.

ROSE

Don'tyouevenwant toask?

Alicetoesherfootintothe carpetasshereleasesan exasperatedsigh.Sheis,in thismoment,thepatronsaint

PresidentialSuite.

ALICE

IfI go overtheretosay hito daddy President,Mike'sgoingtotellme he'sin ameetingandcan'tbe disturbed.Thenwhenthe planestarts totaxi,he'llcome outandsay "Hey, areyou guysback? Didyouenjoy theballet?" Buthe'llbeon his wayto anothermeetingandwon't waitforan answer.Then you'llget pissedathim andhe'llgetpissed atyou. It's likeyouguysrehearse orsomething.

Withtheweightofthe entireworldonhershoulders,Alice

Collapsesintooneofthemanyleatherchairs. Itseemsto swallowher.JORY,a stewardpasses.

ALICE

HeyJoey,how `boutacocoa,double whipcream.

ROSE

Alice...

ALICE

Mom,justthisonce,give ita rest.

ROSE

You'rejet-lagged.We'lltalkabout thisback...

ALICE

Backat TheFishbowl?

Aliceeyestheswirlof Aideswhoarepretendingtowork nearby.

Butit'sobviousthatthey'reeavesdropping.Alicesmiles andwavesatthem dramatically.

ROSE

We'lltalkat home.

(beat)

Youknow,mostgirlsaren'tas lucky asyou. For mostgirlsseeingthe Bolshoiballetwouldbetheexperience ofa lifetime.

ALICE

I know,Mom.

(seesthehurt inher mom'seyesand softens)

Itwas great...really.

Rosenods,smilingahalf-smile.Aftera thoughtfulbeat, Alicegetsupand crossestothePresidentialsuite.She exchangeswordswiththeAidestandingoutsidethedoorand comesback,coveringherdisappointment.

ALICE

He'sin ameeting. Hecan'tbe disturbed.

ROSE

I'msorry,honey.

ALICE

No,it'sokay. Afterall,he isthe President,right?

Joeythestewardhandsherhercocoawith awinkand asmile.

Hereyeslightup atthemoundof whipcreamon top.

ALICE

WhenI writemymemoirsI thinkI'll devoteanentirechaptertothe cocoa aboardAirForceOne.

ROSE

Yourfathernevermeanstobe so...

ALICE

I know...

(beat)

ButlotsatimesI feellikeit'sme versustheworld. Somekidat school teasesmeand thesamedaya plague breaksoutin Bangladesh.Imeanit

doesn'ttakeageniusto figurewhich ismore important.

ROSE

Somekidswereteasingyou?

ALICE

That'snotreallythepoint.

Aquietpause,then...

ROSE

You'rerightandI'lltellyou a secret.I knowexactlyhowyou feel.

ALICE

Bigsecret. Yousaidthe samething toNewsweek.

Theplanejoltsforwardasit beginstotaxi.

ALICE

We'retaxiing.Ready. And...five... four...three..two...one...Cue Daddy.

Alicepoints.Andas ifon cue,Marshallexitsfromhis officeandcheckshiswatch.

ALICE

Oooooh,I'mgood.

MARSHALL

Hey,youguys backalready?

Alicenods.

MARSHALL

Howwas...

(thinks,thenremembers)

...theballet?

ALICE

(theatrically)

Itwas theexperienceofalifetime.

MARSHALL

How`bouta hugfor theoldman.

Alicerisesandhugsherfather. A WhiteHousePHOTOGRAPHER snapsoffa fewshotsforthe papers.Alicemakesa faceat them.A secondlater,Shepherdcomesupthecorridor, breakingupthepair.

SHEPHERD

Mr.President...they'rereadyfor youin theconferenceroom.

MARSHALL

Okay. Hey,pumpkin,you'lltellme allaboutit later,right?

ALICE

Sure.

AsMarshallmovestowardtheconferenceroom,hebendsand givesRoseaquickpeck onthecheek. It allreeksof formality.

ROSE

MayI speaktoyou fora moment?

MARSHALL

Can'titwait?

ROSE

No,Mr. President.Itcan't.

21

INT. PRESIDENT'SOFFICE.

Roseshutsthedoorbehindthem. Asshe startstospeak, Marshallpullsherintoalongpassionatekiss.Rose pulls away.

ROSE

Don't. Iknowspin controlwhenI feelit.

MARSHALL

Rose,I don'thavetimeforthis.

I'vegottagostopa war.

ROSE

Forgodsakes,Jim,slowdownand stopactinglikethelittledutch boy. Notevenyou canplugall the world'sleaks.Don'tyou thinkit's a signyou'repushingtoohardwhen yourdaughterseesmoreofyou on MTVnewsthan inperson.

MARSHALL

She'sa biggirl. Sheunderstands.

ROSE

Howdo youknowshe understands? Youhaven'tspentmorethanfive minuteswithher,orme, inweeks.

MARSHALL

Andwhenhave Ihad fiveminutes? WhenI wakeupin themorningand I'malreadythreehoursbehind

Schedule.Whatdo youwantme to do,Rose,tellthe G7to fuckoff becauseI'ma familyman?

(BEAT) I'msorry.Thatwasn'tfair.

ROSE

No.It wasn't.

Hetakesherin hisarms.

MARSHALL

Youknowwhat?

ROSE

What?

MARSHALL

I missyou.AndI missher.

ROSE

Butthat'sthepoint,Jim.We're righthere.

MARSHALL

I wishitwerethat easy...

Longbeat.Hesmilesat her,it'sthesamesweetsmilethat wonherheart,thesame smilethatgothimelected.She softens.

MARSHALL

I'llmakeit upto you,I promise.

ROSE

I shouldtrustthatpromise?Because youknowthe votersarestillwaiting forthatmiddleclasstax cut.

MARSHALL

Thispromiseisn'tsubjectto Congressionalapproval.

Shesmiles.Thetensionbreaks.

ROSE

Howdid yourspeechgo?

MARSHALL

Well,theyaren'tburningmein effigy.That'salwaysagoodsign.

Theykissagain,thistimeforreal.But...a knockonthe door.

SHEPHERD(0.5.)

Mr.President.

Shepherdopensthedoor.

MARSHALL

Lookon thebrightside,hon.Shep herethinksI'llbe aone termer.

ROSE

ShallI asktheChiefof Staffto scheduleyourdaughterin?

SHEPHERD

Sheis scheduled.Herschoolplay's Tuesdaynight.

Roserollshereyes.

MARSHALL

TheFirstLadywas makingajoke, Shep.I'llmakesometime,Rose.I promise.

Marshallheadsforhismeeting.

22

EXT.COCKPIT-NIGHT

Col.Axelrodandhisco-pilotLT.COL.ARTHURINGRAHAMSare atthewheel.

RUSSIANAIRTRAFFIC(V.0)

(THICKACCENT) UnitedStatesAirForceOne,thisis tower.It'sanhonorto clearyou forimmediatetake-offonrunway three.

Roger,Tower.Andthankyoufor the hospitality.

AxeirodeasesupthethrottleandthefourGE-F103Turbofan enginesspringtolife.

23

EXT.RUNWAY-NIGHT

Apictureperfecttake-offasAirForceOneslidesthrough themoonlightandskatesupwardonasheetof air.

24

EXT.AIRFORCEONE,FLYING- ANHOURLATER

Airborneinthemidnightsky.

25

INT.AIRFORCEONE,GALLEY- NIGHT

Aircraftenginesdrone.

CLOSEON- Acoffeepot pouringpipingjoeintoamug

ona traywitha half-dozenothermugsandpassedtoaSTEW. Hecarriesthetraydownthe corridorpastpassengercabins.

andaidesareasleep.CNNplaysOn T.V.sets,entertaining thefewnightowlsand newsjunkies.

CNNREPORTER(T.V.)

Inan unusuallyaggressivespeech, thePresidentcharacterizedthe Stravanavitchregimeasthugswhose brutalitywillnolongerbetolerated. Meanwhile,inTurkmenistan, Stravanavitch'sousterhassentthe

thousandsofrefugeescontinueto huddleinU.N.safe havens,asrival Stravanavitchloyalistsfightamong

forthe timebeing,theethnic cleansinghasbeenstopped.

Towardthefrontofthe plane,thestewardentersthe conferenceroom.

26

INT.CONFERENCEROOM-NIGHT

Asthestewardclosesthedoorbehindhim,all background noisedisappears.Weareina soundshieldedroom.Eventhe engines'dronecannotbeheard.

Thelightsinthe roomaredimas MAJORCALDWELL,amilitary advisor,projectssatellitephotosofIraqimilitarybases ontoascreen.

Thestewardservescoffeeasunobtrusivelyashecanwhile themeetingcontinues.

MAJORCALDWELL

OurKH-ll'stookthisone at0100 hours.Whatyousee hereisthe mobilizationoftwomechanized brigades.

MARSHALL

They'vegottabejoking.

DOHERTY

TheIraqiambassadorisclaiming it'sjustan exercise.

MARSHALL

Nimitzbackin.

MAJORCALDWELL

Thenorthernborder'sgottenabit

withourTomcatsandour boysare justitchingtoengage.

MARSHALL

Tellourboys tocooltheirjets.I don'tneed`emcreatingpolicyfor me.

Wefollowthestewardashe slipsoutof theconferenceroom andbackintothe...

27

INT.CORRIDOR-NIGHT

withafew coffeesleftonhistray.One ofthemis scooped upby Gibbsashe passes,hisnoseisburiedin afax.

28

INT.SECRETSERVICECABIN-NIGHT

Gibbsleansinthecabin.

GIBBS

HeyWalters,youandJohnsoncome herea second.Reykjavikjustsent theadvanceteamreport.

SpecialAgentsWaltersandJOHNSONriseandfollowGibbs intoanadjoiningoffice.

29

INT.OFFICE-CONTINUOUS

Gibbsclosesthedoorbehindthetwoagents.As Waltersand Johnsontaketheirseats,GibbsWITHDRAWSHISWEAPONand...

SHOOTSeachoftheagentsin THEBACKOF THEHEAD.

oftheagent'sweaponsandslipsthemintohis waistband.He waitsafew beats,takesalongsip ofcoffee,thenexits theoffice.

30

INT.SECRETSERVICECABIN-NIGHT

Ashe passesthroughthecabinhetakesa silentinventory. Fiveotheragentsworking,sleeping,onthephone.

31

INT.PRESSCABIN-NIGHT

GibbsnodstoKorshunov.Korshunovnodsoneofhismen. NEVSKYremovesoneofhisvideotapes,popsthefrontcover exposingthetape.Acrossthefaceofthe tapeisa thin stripofa rubberysubstance.Nevskypullsthestripupand out,makingakindof fuse.Hereachesfora packof matches...courtesymatches,sportingtheSealofthe

President.

Nevskynodsandlightsthefuse.

INA RAPIDSUCCESSION-

GIBBStosseshistwoextraweaponstoKorshunov'smen,pivots thecornerandbeginsfiringathis colleagues.TheSECRET SERVICEAGENTStrytogetat theirweapons,butGibbshas caughtthemcompletelyoff-guard.

Severalsilencedcentralnervoussystemshots(headandneck) andthefiveagentsslumpback,theirred bloodcascading downthecreasesofthe fineCorinthianleatherchairs.

Nevskytossesthecassetteupthecorridor...smokepours outofit. Smokescreen.

BAZYLEVandZEDECKcatchthegunsGibbstossedandholdthem onthereporters.

BAZYLEV

UP!GET UPNOW!

Bazylevgrabsthestunnedreporters,yankingthemintothe aisle.

BAZYLEV

Walkin frontofus.Go! Go!Go!

Humanshields.Ahalfdozenofthem.

Behindtheterrorists,oneofthebathroomdoorsswingsopen. ASECRETSERVICEAGENTemerges.Seeswhat'shappening.Reaches forhisgun.ZEDECKfellshim withawell placedunsilenced GUNSHOT.SCREAMSensue...

32

INT.FORWARDCABIN-NIGHT

SHOTS.

Hespringsupand movestowardthegunshots,hisweapondrawn.

SECRETSERVICEAGENT

SHOTSFIRED!SECUREBOYSCOUT!

(screamingoutand intohis lapelmike)

SHOTSFIRED!SHOTSFIRED!

33

INT.SECRETSERVICECABIN-NIGHT

BazylevandZedecklaydowna suppressingfireoutsidethe door.

GIBBS

Comeon!Quickly.

Korshunov,NevskyandVLADfollowGibbsintotheSecret Serviceoffice.Gibbsopensalockerandpullsouta stash ofMP5automaticassaultriflesandbullet-proofvests.

Korshunovraiseshisbushyeyebrowsindelight.

GIBBS

TheSecretServicebelievesinbeing preparedforanyeventuality.

34

INT.CORRIDOR-NIGHT

TheSecretServiceagentfightshiswaythroughthesmoketo awallpanel.Punchesa redbuttonedintercom.

35

INT.AIRFORCEONE'SFLIGHTDECK- NIGHT

Ared lightonthesecuritypanellightsup...

SECRETSERVICEAGENT(V.0.)

Wehave acodered, Irepeat,code red.Shotsfiredonboard.

Cot.AXELRODCabin/FlightDeck:CodeRedAcknowledged... Shit.

(intoheadset microphone) WarsawtowerthisisAir ForceOne. DeclaringEmergency.

Axelrodtoggleshisheadsettosecureline.

RansteinAirBase,thisisAir Force OneHeavy.We haveacode red.Shots firedonboard,requestpriority redirect.Pleaseacknowledge.

36

INT.RAMSTEINAIRBASE,AIRTRAFFICCONTHOLTOWER-NIGHT

SUPER-"RAMSTEINAIRBASE,GERMANY"

Hunchedoveracontrolterminal,theAIRTRAFFICCONTROLLER tracksAirForceOne'sradarimage.

RAMSTEINA.B.CONTROLLER

Fuckme.GO WAKETHEGENERAL.NOW!

TheWATCHOFFICERspringsintoaction,pickingupaphone.

RAMSTEINA.B.CONTROLLER

AirForceOne Heavy,acknowledged. Youare onourscope.Pleasestate fuelremainingandsoulsonboard.

COL.AXELROD(RADIO)

Sixtysevensoulsonboard,we're

militaryescortwithemergencymedical standingby.

RAMSTEINA.B.CONTROLLER

AirForceOne Heavy,acknowledged. Weare scramblingourfighters.

Thecontrollerhitsaredbuttonon hisconsole.Sirensflare upandklaxonswailacrossthebase.

themoonhe seesahalf-dozenmenrushingtowardF-15Eagles.

RAMSTEINA.B.CONTROLLLR

CallBerlinTower.Nota planelands ortakesoff withintwohundredmiles! Understood?

Theoncesleepymidnightcontrolroomcranksintofullcrisis mode.

37

INT.AIRFORCEONE,MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONSCENTER-NIGHT

Pandemonium.GUNFIREpopsintheb.g.AirForceSpecialists trytoget thewordout.

AIRFORCESPECIALIST

A.F. SPECIALIST#2

GeneralGreely?Nosir,Interrupther.Thisis this isAirForceOne. WeAirForceOne withan havea codered.Shotsemergencycall. havebeenfired.

38

INT.CONFERENCEROOM-NIGHT

TheconferenceroomdoorburstsopenandTWOSECRETSERVICE AGENTS,weaponsdrawn,entertheroomandruntoMarshall.

Theoncequietroomfloodswithlight.Thesoundsof a gunfightandablanketofsmokesweepsintothe cabin.

MARSHALL

What'sgoingon?

SECRETSERVICEAGENT

We'reunderattack.

MARSHALL

Where'smyfamily?

SECRETSERVICEAGENT

We'rehandlingit,sir.

TheagentsliftMarshalltohisfeet,and practicallycarry himfromtheroom,leavingtheotherhigh rankingofficials toscrambleforthemselvesinacacophonyofshouts.

MARSHALL

Thelaunchcodes!Who'sprotecting thefootball?

FORWARDCORRIDOR-

Perkins,carryingthenuclearfootball,ducksandweaveshis waydownthecorridorintothefray.He takesa bulletto theshoulder,whichfellshim.

NEARTHEFORWARDGALLEY-

Aliceisnearlytrampledbyagentsrespondingtothegunfire.

Oneagentgrabsherand shovesherintoa bathroom.

SECRETSERVICEAGENT

Don'topenthedoor!

GUNFIREpopsallaroundher.

39

INT.CORRIDOR,REARCABINS-NIGHT

Smoke,automaticweaponsfire.Secretserviceagentsbattling theterrorists.Aides,diplomats,crewandpersonnelcaught inthecrossfire.

ZEDECK

Down!Everybodydown.

Asprayof weaponsfireoverheadandeveryonehitsthefloor.

ZEDECK

STAYDOWN,PLACEYOURHANDSBEHIND YOURHEADAND YOUWILLNOTBE SHOT!

40

INT.AIRFORCEONE,FLIGHTDECK- NIGHT

RAMSTEINA.B.CONTROLLER(RADIO)

AirForceOneHeavy,youare clearedforprioritydivert, allrunwaysareclear.

WarsawTowerhasclearedlocal airspace.

Changingcourseheadingto276point

feet.

Shotscanbeheardoutside.

Ingrahams,makesurethatdoor's locked.

Yessir.

Ingrahamslocksthecockpitdoor.

41

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

AirForceOnebanksintoa curveanddescendsthroughbroken clouds.

42

INT.PRESIDENTIALSTATEROOM-NIGHT

Thesoundsofgunfirehavereachedthethenose oftheplane.

Rosepeersoutto seewhat'sthematter.AnarmedSecret Serviceagentrunstowardher.

SECRETSERVICEAGENT

Getback!Get back!

Asprayof bulletsmowshimdown.Hecollapsesinthe door frame.Terrified,Rosetriestoclosethedoor,butthedead agentisin theway.

43

INT.CORRIDOR-NIGHT

behindaforwardbulkhead.

SECRETSERVICEAGENT

(intomike)

Wehave BoyScout,travelingforward.

VOICE(OVERMIKE) Negative...negative...they'reup heretoo.

SECRETSERVICEAGENT

Roger.We'regoingtothe chute.

Marshalllooksupthehallwaytowardhisstateroom.

MARSHALL

(callingout)

ROSE!ALICE!

DOWNTHECORRIDOR-

Gibbsfires.

HITS-One ofthe SecretServiceagentsintheshoulder.

Bloodblossomsthroughhisclothesbuthewincesitoff.

SECRETSERVICEAGENT

Comeon,sir.

TheSecretServiceagentswhiskthePresidenttothefront stairwell.Theypullupafloorpanel,revealingstairs descendingtowardthebaggagedeck.

44

INT.BATHROOM-

Alice,huddledatopthecommode.

MARSHALL(O.S.)

Alice!

ALICE

Daddy...

Aliceopensthedoorandrushes...

INTOTHECORRIDOR...

TrippingandfallingoverJoey,thesteward.Hisdeadeyes swimina poolof bloodthatwashisface.Alicescreams, scramblingtoherfeet.

MID-PLANECORRIDOR-

Perkinsmanagestopushhimselftohisfeetand stumbles downthehallintothe computerroom.TerroristSERGEspots thenuclearfootballdanglingfromhiswrist.Hepursues.

45

INT.COMPUTERROOM-NIGHT

HystericalSECRETARIESfeverishlydumpclassifieddocuments intoashredder,whilePerkinsstrugglestoopentheblack leatherbriefcasehandcuffedtohiswrist.

BulletstearupthedoorknoblockaridSERGEkicksin the door.

SERGE

Down!Everyonedown!

TheFawnHallshitthe floorasgunfirespraysoverhead.But

onSerge,butthe bulletssmackharmlesslyagainsttheSWAT vest.

Sergereturnsfire,rippingupPerkinswhocollapsesover theshredder,andwithhislastbit ofstrength,hedumps outthebriefcase.

PaperscontainingNUCLEWARSTRATEGIESandMISSILELAUNCH

aslightsmilebeforehekeelsover dead,hisdutyfulfilled.

Theshreddedremainsofthenuclearfootballrainoverhis headliketickertapeatahero'sparade.

46

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

Thepalemooncatchesshinystreaksofmetalthatdescend throughthebrokenclouds.TheSquadronofF-15Eaglesdrops intoformationaroundAirForceOne.

47

INT.FLIGHTDECK-NIGHT

GunshotsrightOutsidethecockpitdoor.

COT.CARLTON(RADIO)

AirForceOne,this isSquadron

escort.Allairspacehasbeencleared.

Thisis AirForceOneHeavy.I'm

Ransteineightminutes.We'vegota warhere,sir.

48

INT.COCKPITF-LBEAGLE-NIGHT

Encasedinahelmet,mask,andvisor,Carltonwatchesthe

flashesofgunfireinthedarkwindowsof theplane.

COt.CARLTONCopy.DeltaForcehasbeenmobilized.

COT.AXELROD(V.0.)

Rogerthat.

49

INT.LOWERDECKOFAIR FORCEONE- NIGHT

Beneaththemaincabin,theSecretServiceagentsrunthe Presidentthroughtheforwardbaggagecompartmentandthe lowergalley:alargeroomwithcompartments,storagefreezers andfoodpreperationtables.

Onthefar sideofthe galley,theagentsflingopena hatchwayandenter...

ANARROWGANGWAY-runningbetweenthelowergalleyandthe rearbaggagehold,flankedoneithersidebythelanding gearbays.

Theyduckunderwingsupportsuntiltheycometoa mesh grating.

TheuninjuredagentliftsthegratingrevealinganESCAPE POD.

SECRETSERVICEAGENT

Getin!

Marshallfreezes.

SECRETSERVICEAGENT

Getin, sir.

AsecondlatergunfireripsUpthe agent'sface.Thenew volleysendsMarshallunderthecoverofawing strut.The

incomingvolleyforamoment.

MARSHALL

Whataboutmy family?

SECRETSERVICEAGENT# I haveafamily,too,sir.Now get inthe fuckingpod.

Thefiringbeginsagain.Marshallstruggleswiththedecision.

SECRETSERVICEAGENT# Mr.President...MR.PRESIDENT!You haveto dothis!Thepod, onthree. Ready?

Theagentshovesina freshclip...

SECRETSERVICEAGENT

One.

MARSHALL

But...

SECRETSERVICEAGENT

(cuttinghimoff)

Two...THREE.GO!

downthegangwayactingasa shieldforthepresident, shootingblindly.Marshallwatchesashe'shitrepeatedly, butitgiveshim thetimehe needstodivefor thepod.

REVERSEANGLE-VLADANDNEVSKY

behindthebulkhead.Whentheagentdrops,NevskyandViad rushdownthegangway.Theyarriveatthe closedpodjustas itbeginstoslideon itsrails.Theylet loosedozensof roundsfromtheirMP55,butthebulletsjustplinkoff.

tosafety.

50

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

Smallbaydoorsopenin thebellyofAir ForceOne,anda humansizedcannisterdropsfromthebottom,itsparachute Openinginstantly.

51

INT.FLIGHTDECK-NIGHT

AlightflashesOnthe panel.

(intomike) Ramstein/AirForceOne:Emergency podhas beendeployed.Irepeat, emergencypodhasbeendeployed.

RANSTEINA.B.CONTROLLER

Thisis Ramstein.Acknowledged.We arepickingupthe homingbeaconand deployingsearchandrescue.

fivethousandfeet,beginningfinal approach.

52

INT.BAGGAGEDECKGANGWAY-NIGHT

ALICE(O.S.)

Daddy?Dad?

Hervoicecomescloser,filledwithchokingfearandpanic. SheroundsthecornerandNevskycatchesherhairwitha vice-tightgripshovinghisMP5intothesmallofher back.

NEVSKY

Yourfatherhasleftyou behind.

53

INT.PRESIDENTIALSTATEROOM-NIGHT

Korshunovkicksopenthedoor.

ROSE

NO!

GunfirefromROSE,whoholdsthedeadsecretserviceagent's weapon.Sheemptiestheclipatthe doorway.Click,click. Nomorebullets.Korshunovstepsintotheroom,brandishing hisautomatic,smiling.Rosebacksagainstthewallandraises herhands.

54

EXT.WHITEHOUSELAWN- DAY

saluteandescortKATHERINECHANDLERfromthechopper'

theVICEPRESIDENToftheUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA.

55

INT.AIRFORCEONE,MISSIONCOMNUNICATIONSCENTER-NIGHT

ZedeckstepsoverthethreedeadCommunicationsSpecialists, onhisway tothe cockpitdoor.Triesthedoor.It'slocked.

Hepoundsonit.

ZEDECK

Open!Now!

56

INT.FLIGHTDECK-NIGHT

Throughthecockpitwindow,theglowinglandinglightsof RamsteinBasearevisibleinthedistance,cuttingawedge throughtheGermantownsandfields.

Zedeck'spoundingcontinues.

Ramatein,wearefifteenmilesaway onfinalapproach.I'mcomingin fastandwill needeveryinchof runway.

RAMSTEINA.B.CONTROLLER(V.0.)

Copy,AirForceOne.Windis twelveknotsfromtheeast. Tacticalandemergencyareinposition.

57

EXT.RANSTEINAIRFIELD-NIGHT

Rescuevehiclesirensgyreinthedarkness.Ateamof black-

atoprescuevehicles,barracks,andthecontroltower.

High-poweredrifleswithinfra-redscopes.

58

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONSCENTER-NIGHT

ZedeckaimshisMP5at theflightdoor.Firesoffa dozen

surface.

59

INT.FLIGHTDECK-NIGHT

Dullthudsofbulletimpacts.

Let'sgetthiscrateon theground.

They'resomerealgoodmenwaitingtohelpus.

60

EXT.AIRFORCEONE- NIGHT

Theplanesproutslandinggearasitdescendsoverthecity.

Cominginfastandlow.

61

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONSCENTER-NIGHT

GibbsshovesZedeckaside.Producesathumb-sizedamountof C-4.

62

INT.FLIGHTDECK-NIGHT

Finalapproach...thelandingstripnotfaratall.

Almostthere.

Heraiseshisflaps.Airspeedand altitudedrop.

63

EXT.RAPISTEINAIRFIELD-NIGHT

SpottersfindAirForceOne'snavigationlightsvisiblein thesky,descendingfromthedistantdarkness.Followedby theclusterofF-lSs.

64

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONSCENTER-NIGHT

GibbsrollsouttheC-4 likeakid makingasnakein pottery class.Hepressesitalongthedoor seal.

65

INT.FLIGHTDECK-NIGHT

Altitudedecreasing.300feet...200hundredfeet...

Therunwaycomingupto meetthem.

66

EXT.RAMSTEINAIRFIELD-NIGHT

ForceOne'stireshover50feetabovethe ground...40feet... 30...

67

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONSCENTER-NIGHT

Gibbsraiseshispistol.AimsattheC-4. Fires.BAM!

68

INT.COCKPIT-NIGHT

ABLINDINGFLASH.Thedoorblowsin.

69

EXT.RANSTEINAIRFIELD-NIGHT

Thewheelstouchdown.

70

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONSCENTER-NIGHT

GibbsandZedeckstormthecockpit.

RNT.FLIGHTDECK-NIGHT

Axeirodgropesattheplane'scontrols,tryingtoretainthe

littlemessierwithIngrahams.Butbothpilotandco-pilot slumpovertheircontrols.

71

EXT.RANSTEINAIRFIELD-NIGHT

ThetaxiingBoeing747suddenlyveerstotherightcutting acrossrunways.Emergencyvehiclesgivechase.

againwithajolt.

72

INT.CORRIDOR-AIRFORCEONE -NIGHT

bouncedaround,slammingagainstwalls,spillingoverchairs.

AMASTERSERGEANTseizestheopportunityandgrabsfor Bazylev'sgun,butBazylevshootshimalmostpointblank.

BAZYLEV

Keepmoving!

73

INT.FLIGHTDECK-NIGHT

Chaos.GibbstriestopullAxelrodoffthecontrols.

GIBBS

Throttleup.Throttleup!

Zedekslamsthethrottleallthewa up.Spotlightsandsirens swirloutsidethecockpitwindow.

74

EXT.RMMSTEINFIELD-NIGHT

TheFlyingWhiteHousecareenstowardthebarracks,then

power.

75

INT.RAMSTEINCONTROLTOWER-NIGHT

Thecontrollerstaresdownattheout-of-controlplane.

RAMSTEINA.B.CONTROLLER

AwFuck.We'relosingit!

76

INT.FLIGHTDECK-NIGHT

GibbspullsAxeirod'sbodyoutofthepilot'sseat.Looks outthecockpitwindowandsees...

A C-141STARLIFTER

inhis path.Amonstrousplane,every bitas bigas AirForceOne.Gibbs easesbackon thewheelandthe 747 sluggishlyresponds,itsnosecreeping upward.

GIBBS

Comeon.

Adjuststheflaps...

77

EXT.RAMSTEINAIRFIELD-NIGHT

AirForceOneclosesin ontheStarlifter.She'sstruggling off

gravity.

78

INT.FLIGHTDECK-NIGHT

Gibbssensesthathe'stooclose.Hepullsway backonthe stick,risksstallingherout...butthebirdresponds.

79

EXT.RAMSTEINFIELD-NIGHT

AirForceOnebarelyclearstheStarlifter,theedgeofher wingjustmissingthetopof theC-141'stail.

Thesharpshooters,theemergencycrews,thecommandosfrom DeltaForce...Nothingtheycando butwatchherriseout. ofsight.

80

INT.FLIGHTDECK-LATER

GibbsandZedeck.Gibbschecksoveralltheinstruments.

GIBBS

Okay,30,000feet.Givememy heading.

ZEDECK

Bearing110pointeighttwo.

Gibbsbankstheplaneintoa curve,thenactivatestheauto- pilot.

GIBBS

Callme ifsomethingchanges.

ZEDECK

That'sit?

GIBBS

Tofly a747 youneedto knowthree things.Howtotake off, howto land,andhow toengagetheautopilot.

81

INT.AIRFORCEONE- NIGHT

SERIESOFSHOTS--

Theterrorists,fromeverycorneroftheplane,leadthe stunnedsurvivors,handsonheads,tothecentralconference room.

AsKorshunovwalksRoseupthecorridor,hemeetsup with Gibbs,descendingfromtheupperdeck.

KORSHUNOV

Therestof thesecretservice?

GIBBS

Dead.

KORSHUNOV

Howmanyotherskilled?

GIBBS

Nine.

KORSHUNOV

Anyof us?

Gibbstoucheshisbulletproofvest.

GIBBS

Nodamages.

ROSE

Where'smydaughter?

GIBBS

She'salive,ma'am,forthetime being.

Roseallowsherselfahalf-sobofrelief.

ROSE

Andmy husband?

GIBBS

Thesecretservicedidtheirjob, ma'am.ThePresidentissafelyoff theplane.

(toKorshunov)

Butthatstillleavesus plentyto bargainwith.

Eyesfilledwithhatred...RoseSLAPSGibbsface.

ROSE

Mr.Gibbs.You,of allpeople...

Gibbsdoesn'treact.

GIBBS

Followme,ma'am.

82

INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-DAY

High-techmapsandcommunicationssystemslinethewalls,

andsecuretelephonesbyeveryseat.Sidetables.Tele-type machinesspittingoutclassifiedinformation.

VICEPRESIDENTCHANDLERanalyzestheprojectedcourseofAir ForceOneonthe tacticalvid-map.

V.P.CHANDLER

Weshouldhavethe Presidentsecure withinminutes.Doweknowwho these terroristsareorwherethey'regoing?

GENERALNORTHWOOD,headoftheJointChiefsofStaff...

GENERALNORTHWOOD

GeneralGreelysaysitlookslike theMiddleEast.

V.P.CHANDLER

Doesyourofficehaveanythingto add,Mr.Dean?

NationalSecurityAdvisorWALTERDEANleansforward.

DEAN

Thegarnersbelievethat,giventhe scenario,there'san86%chancethat

we'llbedealingwitha hostagesituationandnotan assassinationattempt.Notmuchelseuntilthere'smoredata.

V.P.CHANDLER

Ifwe'redealingwithan airborne hostagesituationwhat'sour procedure?

TheUnder-SecretaryofDefense,THOMASLEE,punchesupa scenarioonthelap-top.

LEE

Ouronlypolicyassumestheplaneis onthe ground.Ourhandsare completelytiedwhilethey'reinthe air.

V.P.CHANDLER

Okay,Gentlemen,we'lltakenoaction untilweconfirmthatthe president isoff theplane...Lee,gohuddle withtheD.O.D.I wantan options paperonthis in20 minutes.

LEE

Twentyminutes?

V.P.CHANDLER

Youheardme.

(pointstoan aide)

You.Congressandcabinetheads.

Theaidenodsand picksupa telephone.

AIRFORCECOLONEL

MadameVice-President?

Chandlerturnstowardthedoor.TheColonelenterstheroom, holdingablackbriefcaseidenticaltoPerkins'.

V.P.CHANDLER

Yes?

AIRFORCECOLONEL

previouslaunchcodeshavebeen cancelled.You'recarryingtheball now.

V.P.CHANDLER

Thankyou,Colonel.Haveaseat.

83

EXT.GERMANFARMLAND-NIGHT

AHUEY,flankedbya pairof APACHES,skimsthesurfaceof wheatfieldsatmaximumvelocity.

84

INT.HUEYCOCKPIT-NIGHT

Thepilotcheckshisinstruments.He'shoninginona signal.

85

EXT.GERMANFARKD-NIGHT

TheswirlingspotlightsoftheApachesfinallyilluminate theSealof thePresidentatoptheEMERGENCYDEPLOYMENTPOD.

TheHueydropsin fora landingandahalfdozenArmy Rangers infullcombatgeardeployto thepod.Theyopenit.

But.........

IT'SEMPTY.

86

INT.BAGGAGEDECKGANGWAY-NIGHT

Bruisedandbattered,somebloodsmearedacrosshistuxedo shirt...PRESIDENTJAMESMARSHALLlowershimselffromoneof theoverheadwingstruts.

Heemergesintothebowelsof AirForceone.

Hestandsquietlyamoment,listening...forfootsteps,for gunfire.Allquietexceptforthewhineofthe jetengines.

Hetak9sa momenttothink.Considershissituation.His eyesfindthedeadagentwho riskedhislifeso hecould makeitto thepod.He trotsdownthegangwaytowardthe lowergalley.

87

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

AirForceOnehoversatopbillowypeaks.ThesmallerF-15s clusteraroundherina looseformation.

FIGHTERPILOT#1(0.5.RADIO)

Sir,isn'ttheresomethingwecandobesidesescort?

COL.CARLTON(O.S.RADIO)

Likewhat,son...shootourownplanedown?

FIGHTERPILOT#1 Nosir. Ijustwish...

Roger.Weall wish...Nowshutthe fuckup andescort.

88

INT.LOWERGALLEY-NIGHT

Marshalllooksaroundforaweapon...half-fullcoffeepot,

stove,walk-infreezer,platesandsilverware.Marshallpicks upa butcherknife.

89

INT.CORRIDOR,AIRFORCEONE-NIGHT

NevskyandBazylevguardtheconferenceroomdoorasKorshunov andVladenter.NevskyhandsKorshunovacopyofthe plane's manifest.

NEVSKY

Everyweaponandeverypersonis accountedfor.

Korshunovnodsandenterstheroom.

90

INT.CONFERENCEROOM-NIGHT

Korshunovsurveysthehostages.Viadcoversthematgunpoint.

RoseholdsAlice,comfortingher.shepherd,Doherty,Aides, Advisors,Crew...Fiftyofthemhuddlelikesardines.

Theplane'sdoctoradministerstothewounded.

Korshunovstaresdownhiscaptives.

KORSHUNOV

Fearwillkeepyou alive.Anyone whois notafraidisboundto do somethingfoolish,andboundtodie.

ROSE

Whatdo youwantwithus?

KORSHUNOV

Cooperation.Ifyoutrytoescape, youwillbe metwithautomaticgunfire anda barricadeofyourcomrade's bodieswillpreventyoufromexiting. Goodday.

Korshunovexits,withViadbackingoutbehindhim.Leaving thehostagesalone.Thesoundofthedoor locking.

Amournfulbeat.Everyonelooksateachotherandthe dead andwoundedvictimsofthisheinousact...

Hushedconversationbreaksoutallovertheroom.

DOHERTY

Thiscan'tbe happening.Youjust don'tpullthisshitwith theUnited States.Youjustdon't.

MAJORCALDWELL

Keepyourheads.

Caldwellpaces,looksaroundtheroom.

SHEPHERD

Mrs.Marshall,areyouokay?

ROSE

We'realive.

SHEPHERD

That'sallthatmatters.Thankgod thePresidentgotoff theplane.

ROSE

Yes...thankGod.

(tocaldwell)

Youthere...Caidwell,right?What's onyour mind?caldwelltakesa beat, thencrossestoRoseand Shepherd.

MAJORCALDWELL

(hushed)

I don'twanttoget anybodyhere excited,butifwe cangetout of thisroom,I cangetus tosafety.

SHEPHERD

We'rethirtyfivethousandfeetup.

MAJORCALDWELL

Yes,sir,that'sa problem,butif wecan somehowgettoa lower altitude,therearloadingrampon thebaggagedeckis equippedwith

parachutesincaseofan engine failure.Nowwecan eitherwaitfor a politicalresolution,ortryto resolvethisthingourselves.

DOHERTY

You'regoddamnrightwecanresolve thisourselves.We'llnegotiate.

SHEPHERD

Youknowthe President'spolicy.

DOHERTY

ThePresidentisn'there.

ROSE

Rightnowwe arean enormousliability tothe UnitedStates.Wecan'tjust sitand donothing.

91

INT.CORRIDOR-NIGHT

Theterroristsmovetowardthenoseoftheplaneleaving Nevskytoguardtheconferenceroom.

92

INT.BAGGAGEHOLD-NIGHT

climbstothemaincabin.As hereachesthetop stairs,he

thestairwell.

Hecan'tseethem,but hecan hearthem.

Theterroristspasswithinafewfeetas theyascendtothe MissionCommunicationsCenterontheupperdeck.

Marshallwaitsafewbeats,listenstothesilence.Thenre- mountsthestairsandalmostrunsintotheback of...

VIAD

Standingguard,facingtheopposite direction.

MarshallFREEZES...lookspastViaddownthecorridorwhere Nevskyguardsthemainconferenceroomfloor.

UnawareofMarshall,Viadreachesintohispocketandpulls outa cigarette.Lightsit.Onthefirstpuffhefeelsa presencebehindhim.

VLADslowlyturnsaround...

Nothingthere.

Hesmilesathis jitterynerves,turnsbackround.

REVERSEANGLE-

OverVlad'sshoulder...

MARSHALL,flattenedbehindtheedgeofthegalleydivider. HecreepsawayfromVladtowardthe PresidentialSuite... steppinggingerlyoverdeadsecretserviceagents.

93

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONSCENTER-

* Korshunovpullsahandkercheffromhisbreastpocket andwipesthebloodfroma telephoneheadset.

KORSHUNOV

Proceed.

Gibbsworksthecommunicationsboard,dialinginaseriesof numbers.Telephoneringing...

94

INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-DAY

Amap ofAirForceOne'sflighttrajectoryisdisplayedon therearscreen.MoscowtoBerlinandbacktowardthe Black Sea.

TheassembledbrasslistensasKorshunov'svoiceslithers offthespeakerphone.

KORSHUNOV(SPEAKER)

...theChiefofStaff,theFirst Lady,andthe FirstDaughter.Our

ourleaderis returnedtoTurkuenistan soil,AirForceOne andit'soccupants willbe allowedsafepassageto

westartkillinghostages.

Thephoneclicksoff.A silentbeatintheroom.

V.P.CHANDLER

Findthatvoicefor me,I wantto knowwhowe'redealingwith.Andget PresidentPetrovonthephone.

GENERALCHARLESGREELY,headofthe87thMechanizedAirWing, theunitresponsibleforAirForceOne,enterstheroom.

GENERALGREELY

MadameVice-President,wejustgot wordfromRamstein...Thenodwas UntiLChandlerstands.

V.P.CHANDLER

Empty?

GENERALGREELY

ThePresident...hemuststillbe onboard.

V.P.CHANDLER

Playbackthatcall.

TECHNICALOFFICER

Yes,sir.

TheTechOfficerindexesbackonhiscomputer.

KORSHUNOV(V.0.TAPE)

Theplaneis underourcommand,and thosewedid notkillwe holdas hostages,includingtheChiefof Staff,theFirstLady,andthe First Daughter.

V.P.CHANDLER

butnot thePresident.Notthe President.

Asilentbeat.

GENERALNORTHWOOD

He'sdeadthen.Theymust havekilled him.

DEAN

Wedon'tknow that.

GENERALNORTHWOOD

Holdingthepresidenthostageisnot somethingthatslipsyourmindwhen you'remakingdemands.

V.P.CHANDLER

Andif he'sdead?Doyou reallythink they'drisktellingus?

DEAN

Thereisa possibilitywe're overlooking.

Alleyesturnto Dean.

DEAN

WhenI ranSpecopsin`Nam,I ordered thedestructionofaV.C. munitions dump.Duringinsertion,theplane wasshotdown andtheentireteam waskilled,orso wethought.Two dayslaterthedump

BLEWANDA WEEKAFTERTHAT,THIS19-

year-oldkid,thepilot...hewalksoutofthe junglein

mission...alone.

GENERALNORTHWOOD

Walter,ifyouhave apoint,make it.

DEAN

Thatkid'snamewas JimMarshall.

Mostofthe President'sservicerecordmakesfordullreading becausemostofwhathe didiarLZULirn. Historyremembers himforwhathe didaflarhe gotbackto thestates--the protests,therallies--Buthewas asoldieronce,a damn fineone.

V.P.CHANDLER

Sowhat areyousaying?

DEAN

Maybehe'saliveon thatplaneand thosebastardsdon'tevenknowit.

V.P.CHANDLER

Mr.Dean,may Iremindyouthat the Presidentisnot19 anymore.

95

INT.PRESIDENT'SSTATEROOM-NIGHT

Marshallcautiouslyenterstheroom.Readyforaction.

Theroomis empty,butit'sbeentrashedbythe firefight.

Thesoundofvoices...comingfromtheDukegamewhichstill plays.Marshallhustlesovertooneofthesecurephones.

It'sdead.Hetriesthe regularphone.Dead.Hangsitupin disgust.

MARSHALL

Goddamnit.

Hestepson someglass.It'sabrokenframeholdinga PHOTOGRAPHofAliceandRose.Hepicksup thephotoandlays iton atable.

Hethinksfora beat...glancesaroundtheroom,searching...

Thenhecrossestothe closet,opensitandbeginsrifling throughhiswardrobe.

96

INT.MAINCONFERENCEROOM.

bundlesofwiringrunthroughtheten-inchspacebetweenthe

ceilingandtheshieldingplates.

MAJORCALDWELL

Thisis adeadend.

carpet...

97

INT.CORRIDOR.

Marshallopensthestateroomdoorandslowlyslidesintothe corridor.

Vladstillfacestheoppositedirection.

Marshallcreepsdownthehallway,when...

Beep...Beep...Beep...

Marshall'swatchalarmgoesoff.

seea figureslipintotheseniorstaffcabin.

Vlad,unsureofwhathe saw.,cautiouslyheadstowardthe staffcabin.Ashenears,he bendsovera deadSecretService agentandpullsupthe lifelesswristrevealingabeening watch.Itwasn'tMarshall'safterall.Nomatter.Vlad continuestothestaffCabin.

98

INT.STAFFCABIN-NIGHT

Marshallfranticallysearchesforsomethinghecanuseasa weapon.Intheroom:somevideomonitors,leatherchairsand

thewalls.

Marshallthrowsthecabinetdoorsopen,revealing...

AfullystockedMEDICALCENTER...fold-downoperating

table...high-intensitylights.Equippedtodealwithany medicalemergencythepresidentmightencounter.

Buttoolate.Vladkicksthe dooropen.

VLAD

Geton thefloor,now!

Marshallyanksdowntheoperatingtable,anditsmashesinto Vlad,knockinghimdown.Marshalllungeswithhisknife,but VladOPENSFIRE.AHALF DOZENROUNDSpumpintoMarshall's belly.He'sthrownbackagainstthewall,thenslumpstothe floor.

victim.Hecupshishandunderthe man'schinandliftshis

head.Recognizeshim.

VIAD

(wonderment)

ThePresident.

ButMarshall'seyesflashopen.

MARSHALL

That'sright,asshole.

Hesprings,shovingthebutcherknifeundertheflackjacket andintoVlad'sspleen.Vladfreezes,unsureofwhatjust happened.

Marshallisonhisfeet.Neverlettinggo ofthetwisting knife,hegrabsVladby thebackof theheadandslamshis

mirrorshattersandstreamsofblooderuptcntheterrorist's face.Theblooddripsdownintothe whiteporcelainsink, swirlingintothedrain.

VladelbowsMarshallintheneck,stunninghimmomentarily.

Hewipesthebloodfrom hisface,spinsandhitsMarshall

thewall,andVladfollows,shovingtheMP5intoMarshall's throat.Marshallgrabsthegunnearthetrigger...

* VLAD

Don'tmoveorI'llblow yourheadoff.

MARSHALL

I don'tthinkso.

Marshallpressesthesafteybuttononthegunwithhis forefinger,thenkneesVladintheballs.Viadpullsthe triggerrepeatedlyashegoesdown,butnothinghappens.

Insteadhecomesupswinginghisgunbutt againstMarshall's face.Likeabat hittingabaseball,itknocksMarshallinto themedicalcloset.Thegungoesflying,skittering

UNDERNEATHACABINET.

Marshallpullshimselfuptheshelvestryingtokeephis legsfrombuckling.VladgrabssomeI.V.tubingandwrapsit aroundMarshall'sneck.Marshallstrugglesforbreath,clawing atthetube.

HESPOTSA DEFIBRILLATOR,REACHESANDSWITCHESITON.LOW-

pitchedhumandbeeping.

Marshallpullshisheadforward,strainingagainsttheplastic tubing.ThenslamsbackintoVlad'shead.Viadreleaseshis

gripjustfora moment...

Thebeepingbecomesasteadywhine.

...buta momentisall Marshallneedsashegrabsthedef ib'sCARDIACPADDLES,turns,andSLAMSthemoneitherside ofVlad'shead.

Vladconvulsesfromtheshockfora fullfiveseconds...his eyeballsroll,hishairstandsonend. thenhe collapsesto thefloor.

MARSHALL

Clear.

shirt.Beneathithewearsa bulletproofKevlarvest.He liftsthevestanda half-dozenangryweltshaveblossomed acrosshisskin.Thestuffmaybe bulletproof,buteachof Vlad'sshotsstinglikeamotherfucker.

99

EXT.CORRIDOR.

hispost.

NEVSKY

Viad?

* INT.STAFFCABIN.

Marshallopensthemedicalcabinets,riflingthroughthem.

Pullsouthypodermics,adrenalin,rubbingalcohol...arming

himself.

NEVSKY(O.S.)

Vlad?Vlad?

100

EXT.CORRIDOR.

Nevskyworkshiswayup thecorridor,peekinginrooms.

Ashe entersthe...

101

INT.STAFFCABIN.

he'sblindedbythehighintensitysurgicallights.

MarshallcracksatankofanesthesiaacrossNevsky'sheu Nevskygoesdown.

MarshallripsNevsky'sMP5offofhim.Holdsit toNevsky's throat.

MARSHALL

Whereareth*y?fly tamily,the crew....wherearethey?

Nevskysaysnothing.

Theconferenceroom,right?Right?

Marshalljerkshimtohisfeet.

MARSHALL

o'11unloclithedoorfor meor I'll killyou.

102

INT.CORRIDOR-

Marshallwalksflevskytowardthemjvonteronveroom3As theypassthestairsto theupperdeck,Nevskybreaksaway.

NEVSKY

KORSKUNOV!

Marshallfires.Killinghim.

SHIT1

INT.CORRIDOR.

Notimefor remorse.MarshalltriestheMainconferenceRoom door.Locked.Heknowstheotherswillbe comingsohe

onthestairs.

Justasthe terroristsdescend,Marshallsqueezesoffafew rounds.Theterroristsedgebackupthesteps,returning fire.

Marshallcheckshisclip,notmanybulletsleft.Hefires offa fewmoreshotsto buysometimethenducksroundthe cornerandpullsoutthebottleof rubbingalcoholandsome gauze.

Theterroristsseizethemomentofquiet,descendingthe stairstotakeposition.

Marshalllightsthegauzefuseofhisnew madeMolatov

intoaBALL OFFLAME.CatchingBazylevonfire.Heyells,

downfromoverhead.

KORSHUNOV

Goafterhim.

SergehopsBazylev'sburningbodyandheadsdownthecorridor,

extinguisherfromthegalleyandattendstoBazylev.

103

INT.CORRIDOR,TOWARDTHEREAROFAIRFORCEONE.

afew rounds,thenretreatstothenextdivider.Working towardtherearofthe plane.

Sergepickshiswaythroughtherearcabins,advancing cautiously.

104

INT.REARGALLEY/BATHROOMS.

Marshall'soutofplane.Nowheretohideinthe galley.

Marshalleyesthebathrooms,doorsflapping.

FOLLOWINGSERGE...

ashe reachesthereargalleyandbathrooms.Marshallis nowheretobeseen.But thebathroomdoorsareallclosed.

SERGE

I knowyou'reinthere.Comeon out.

(a fewbeats)

Okay.Haveit yourway.

Timefora deadlyversionoftheshellgame.sergefires

riddleddooropen.Thestallisempty.

Sergemovestothenext one.Sameprocedure.It'sempty.

Movestothelast bathroom,confidenthe'sgothim.Hewails withhisMP5,turningthehatchintoswisscheese.Waitsa beat,then...

Kicksitin.It's emptytoo.

Sergelooksaround.Wherethehellisthisguy?

KORSHUNOV(O.S.)

(callingdown)

Serge?

Sergereluctantlyreturnstohisgroup.

105

INT.LOWERGALLEY,BAGGAGELEVEL-

Marshalltumblesoutofthecrampedgalleydumbwaiter,

downtothe ground.

Hetakesa momenttopullhimselftogether,toclearhis head.HeheftstheMP5, refamiliarizinghimselfwiththe weightandtextureofa gun.Hecheckstheclip.Only a handfullofroundsleft.Heslapsitback inandswitches

fromautomaticfiretosingle-shotthenpantomimesfiring.

MARSHALL

TheNRA'lllovethis.

Lookingdownthebarrelofthegun, henoticesbinsloaded withluggage.

106

INT.OFFICE-NIGWR

StoliPetrovonthephone,behindhislargeoak desk.

PETROV

I understandyourdilemma,Vice

canconfirmthatyourPresidentis indeedahostage,I cannotrelease Stravanavitch.IfMarshallisdead, nogood willcomeofmeetingthis demand.Webothknowhe wouldagree.

V.P.CHANDLER(V.0.PHONE)

ButtheFirstLady...

PETROV

*..is nota FirstLadyifher husband'sbeenkilled.Thenshe'sa civilian.AndIcan'treleasehim fora civilian.Doyouseemy point?

107

INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-DAY

Eachmemberofthecrisisteamis eitheronthe phoneor

whichLeeslipsintofiles.

LeeinterruptsChandleronthephone.

LEE

optionspaper,wavesoffLee,and readsitas shetalks.

V.P.CHANDLER

Yes.You'vemadeyourselfquiteclear.

PETROV(V.0.)

ButI willdeployforcestoa staging areanearthe Turkmenistanborder. Whenyouhave moreinformation,we candecidehowto proceed.

V.P.CHANDLER

Bythen I'llbePresident.

Chandlerhangsupthephone.

V.P.CHANDLER

(off optionspaper)

I don'tlikeanyof these.from,did youbriefGeneralNorthwood?

Northwoodpopsoutofhishuddle.

GENERALNORTHWOOD

I'MINCLINEDTOTRYTHISPART -

Anticipatetheirlandingsiteandgetstriketeamsinplace.

V.P.CHANDLER

Canwe dothat?

GENERALNORTHWOOD

We'vegotfourhoursbeforethey makeit intoTurkienistanairspace.

I'vegota satellitepassingoverheadintwentyminutes.We cannarrowdownthelandingsitechoicesbasedonrunway lengthandanyunusualactivity.Withluckwe'llonlyhave tocapturethreeorfoursites.

V.P.CHANDLER

Buttheystartexecutinghostagesin

FORTYFIVEMINUTES.-

GENERALNORTHWOOD

I hatetobe pragmatic,butthey'll

takethemsometime tokilltheir wayup toseniorstaff.

V.P.CHANDLER

Okay.Also,I wantyouto putour basesinTurkeyon alert,andhave theKittyHawkpreparea retaliatory airstrike.

* DEAN

MadameVice-President...

V.P.CHANDLER

I'venotdiscountedyourtheoryHr.

Dean...

DEAN

No...I gotthenew numbersfromour gamers.Theybelievethatthere's onlyan eightpercentchancethat

thePresidentisstillalive.

V.P.CHANDLER

Eightpercentisbetterthanzero.

Ohshit...whatisthat?

Chandlerreferstoamonitorinthe rearofthe room.

CNN,theomnipresentplayerontheworldpoliticalstage, broadcastsvideofromRamsteinAirBase.

GENERALGREELY

That'strouble.

CNNREPORTER(V.0.T.V.)

*..thePresidentialAircraftwasenroutefromMoscowwhen itbeganitsmaydayhail.But ina startlingturnofevents, theseeminglyoutofcontrolplaneaborteditslandingand tookoffagain.Wehaven'tbeenableto confirmitsstatus orwhetherornot thefirstfamilywasonboardatthe time.

V.P.CHANDLER

WouldsomeonegetthePressSecretary!

AIDE

He'sbeenholdingonline four.

108

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

AirForceOne,litup bymoonlight.

109

INT.CORRIDOR.

Thefireis extinguished.ZedecksquatsoverNevsky'sbody.

GibbsandSergemaintainadefensiveposition,gunsready.

shakeshishead"no".Korshunovnodsandfurrowshisbrow.

KORSHUNOV

Whodid this?

GIBBS

wasaccountedfor.

KORSHUNOV

A secretserviceagent.Itmustbe.

Woundedbutalive.Serge,Bazylev...

Findhim.

SergeandBazylevlockandload,headoff inseparate

directions.

KORSHUNOV

Theconferenceroomisno longer secure.We'lltaketheFirstLady andthe girluptop wherewecan keepa closereyeonthem.

110

INT.MAINCONFERENCEROOM-

Thehostageshavetornupa sectionofcarpeting.Caidwell

together.Pointless.

MAJORCALDWELL

We'renotgettingoutthatway.

ThedoorswingsopenandGibbsand Korshunoventer.They spotstherippedupcarpeting.

KORSHUNOV

Admirable,butyou'rewastingyour time.

(beat)

Mrs.Marshall,wouldyouandyour daughterpleasecomehere.

Theydon'tmove.Korshunovraiseshisgun,pointsita Shepherd'shead.

KORSHUNOV

Now,or hedies,please.

ROSE

Comeon,Alice.

ALICE

I'mscared.

Dohertystepsforward.Shepherdtriestopullhimback,to no

* avail.

DOHERTY

You'vegotthebetterpartof the WhiteHouselockedinthisroom,you know.Ifyou wanttonegotiate,we're theonesto doit with.

everyone.

KORSHUNOV

Mrs.Marshall.Alice.Ifyouplease.

Roseturnstothe otherhostages.

ROSE

It'sokay.Do whatyou'retold.It's okay.We'llbeokay.

ShelockseyeswithCaldwell.HKeepworking.NHenods.

111

INT.REARBAGGAGEHOLD-

andsuitcasesaroundhim,belongingslitteredalloverthe

recoverswhathe'sbeenlookingfor...

ACELLULARPHONE...

Heflipsit open,startstodial...butfreezes.

MARSHALL

Goddamnit.

Hecan'trememberthenumber.Hedials...

CLOSE.ONPHONE-555-1212...Information.

Thephonerings...

112

INT.FORWARDBAGGAGEHOLD.

Bazylev,movinglikeacommando,slowlyandmethodically workshiswayintothe lowergalley.

113

INT.REARBAGGAGEHOLD-

Marshall.Finally,thephonepicksup.

VOICE(O.S.PHONE) Information.HowcanIassistyou?

MARSHALL

WashingtonD.C.?

VOICE Yes,sir.Can Ihelpyou?

MARSHALL

Yes,thenumberfor theWhiteHouse.

114

INT.PILOT'SRESTAREA-NIGHT

Therestareaconsistsofa coupleofbunksbehindthe

cockpitarea,stillsoiledblackfromtheearlierC-4

Alice.

ALICE

I don'tdrinkcoffee.

KORSHUNOV

Youmustbe tired.It'llwakeyou up.

ALICE

No,thankyou.The gunfiredidthat.

GibbswrapsRose'shandsbehindherbackwithducttape.

ROSE

Leavemydaughteralone.

KORSHUNOV

Oryou willdowhat,Mrs. Marshall?

(beat,hechuckles)

ButI admireyourcourage.Your husband,ontheotherhand...

ROSE

Whatdo youknowof myhusband?

KORSHUNOV

I knowheleftyou behind.

ROSE

Myhusbandis averycourageousman.

KORSHUNOV

Yourhusbandisa coward.Hesends soldiershalf-wayaroundtheworld tosteala manfrom hishomein the middleofthe night.

Alicesitsup,attentive.

ALICE

You'reoneof Stravanavitch'smen.

KORSHUNOV

So,you studyworldevents,little one.That'sgoodfora girlyour age.

ALICE

Yeah,I studyworldevents.Five thousandTurkienistanMuslimswere slaughteredinStravanvitch's cleansings...alongwith15American schoolkids.YouknowhQw Istudied that.I wenttotheirfuneralswith mydad. Imet theirparents.

KORSHUNOV

Smartforyourage, eh?Topof your

class?Tellme,do youknowwhatthe word"propaganda"means?

ALICE

Yeah.Doyou knowwhattheword "asshole"means.

ROSE

Alice!

Rosedoesn'tknowwhethertobepissedat Aliceorproudof her.Korshunovsmiles,nodshisheadandliftshisgun.

KORSHUNOV

Yes,I haveheardthatword.

Heaimshis gunatAlice.

KORSHUNOV

Yes,I aman asshole.

Alongbeat,the Korshunovloversthegun.

KORSHUNOV

Yourfatherisa reasonableman.

Oncehehearsour simpledemand,I'msurehewillacquiesce. Foryoursake.

Korshunovsmiles.GibbsgrabsAlice'shandsandpullsthem behindherback.Beginswrappingthemwiththetape.

115

INT.MAINCABING,REARGALLEY.

Sergesearchesthroughthegalleycabinets,spotsthegalley dumbwaiter.Nowheknowswherehisquarrywent.

Heangrilygrabsaservicecartand shovesitintothe dumbwaiter,disablingit.

116

INT.GANGWAY-

Bazylevhearsthebeepsofa phonedialing.Hemovestoward theaftportalof thegangway.

117

INT.REARBAGGAGEHOLD-

Marshallwaitsasthephonerings...

118

INT.WHITEHOUSE,SWITCHBOARDROOM-DAY

Achipperwomaninher mid-20spicksupthecall.

SWITCHBOARD

directyourcall.

MT.REARBAGGAGEHOLD-

MARSHALL

(hushedurgency)

Okaylisten,listencarefully.This isan emergencycallfromAirForce One.Who'sthere?Isthe Vice- Presidentthere?

119

INT.WHITEHOUSE,SWITCHBOARDROOM-DAY

SWITCHBOARD

whocan Isay iscalling?

MARSHALL(0.S.PHONE)

Thisis thePresident.

SWITCHBOARD

Yeah,right.

MARSHALL

Don'tcutme off.Thisis an emergency.

SWITCHBOARD

Sir,thePresidentdoesnotcall

youare geta life,beforeIhave thiscalltraced.

MARSHALL

Youdon'tunderstand.Thisisan emergency.Letmetalkto anyone.

havesomefunwiththis nutcase.

SWITCHBOARD

Okay...ifyou'rethePresident, when'syourwife'sbirthday?

MARSHALL

Looklady,I don'thavetimefor games.Justputthe....

SWITCHBOARD

Thankyoufor callingthewhite House...

120

INT.REARBAGGAGEHOLD-

MARSHALL

No.no. no.Wait.Wait.

BazylevappearsbehindMarshall.Raiseshisgun.

MARSHALL

I shouldknowthis.

121

INT.WHITEHOUSESWITCHBOARDROOM-

MARSHALL(V.0.)

It'sJune.

Gunfireinthebackground.

SWITCHBOARD

Sir?Areyou there?Sir?Sir?

HerfacesaysN. TheSwitchboardoperatorpullsoutacall sheetandfindsa number.

122

INT.REARBAGGAGEHOLD-

Onthephone,lyingopenon a heapofclothing.

BazylevpointsthemachinegunatMarshall'shead.

BAZYLEV

Handsawayfromyourweapon.

Marshalldoesn'tmove,hisnp5hangingathiswaist...his handinchesfromit.

BAZYLEV

Comenow.You don'twanttodie.

Marshall...withnooptions...slowlymoveshishandsaway fromthegun.

BAZYLEV

Onyour knees...

PHONE(O.S.)

Hello.Isanyonethere?

complies.

BAZYUV

What'sthatinyour shirt?Openit.

MarshallpullshisshirtasiderevealinghisKevlarvest.

BAZYLEV

Takeit off.Now.

123

INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-DAY

Chandleronthephone.Anaidewaves,tryingto gether attention.

V.P.CHANDLER

Myintentionisnot toescalatethe

situation,butit'sacontigency thatmustbe considered.Hangon... (toAide) What?

AIDE

Theswitchboardsaysthatsomeone calledinclaimingtobe the President,thensheheardgunfire.

Caller'sgone,buttheline'sstillactive.

DEAN

Couldbesome crankwatchingCNN.

AIDE

Nosir. Traceconfirmsthecallis Comingfroma WhiteHousestaff cellularaccount.

V.P.CHANDLER

Putit throughdownhere.

(intophone)

Hangon,Toni.

Thecallcomesin onspeakerphone,distortedmuffledvoices andthewhineof anaircraftinthe background.

V.P.CHANDLER

What'sgoingonin thebackground?

Canwehear what'sgoingon?

Deanpicksupa phone.

DEAN

Max,getme Willis.

124

INT.NATIONALSECURITYAGENCY,LISTENINGPOST-DAY

WILLIS,agrosslyoverweightmaninhislateforties surroundedbyamonolithofhigh-tech,startsworkinghis console.

WILLIS

Tracking...Interceptingcall...Got it.Ten seconds,Mr.Dean.

AudiowaveformsappearoverWillis'console.Heimplements digitalfilteringroutines,cleaningupthesounds.

125

INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-DAY

Thegrouplistensintently.Thecallmodulates,distorts, dissolves...thenclarifies.

BAZYLEV(V.0.)

Hands...handsbehindyourhead,Mr.

President.

V.P.CHANDLER

It'shim.He isalive.

BAZYLEV

I'mgoingto takeyourweaponnow, andthenI'm goingtotakeyou Upstairstojointheothers.

Understand?

DEAN

Christ,theyhavehim.

BAZYLEV

Andif youmakeany suddenmoves,I willnothesitatetoshoot.

GENERALNORTHWOOD

Maybetheydon'thavehim yet.

Northwoodstaresupatthetacticalboard.AirForceOne... surroundedbytheF-l5s.

GENERALNORTHWOOD

Andmaybewe aren'tsohelpless.

GeneralNorthwoodpicksupasecurephoneanddials.

GENERALNORTPNOOD

GeneralGreely,AirForceOnehas automaticcountermeasures,right?

GENERALGREELY

Everythingweownisin thatplane.

GENERALNORTINOOD

Soa singlemissilelaunchedfroma distanceshouldbeamere distraction.

GENERALGREELY

Theoretically.

GENERALNORTHWOOD

(intophone)

RamuteinTowerControl,please.

GENERALGREELY

(gettingit)

Butthe effectcouldbejarring.

GENERALNORTHWOOD

Exactly.Ramstein?General Northwood...Patchmethroughto

President...withyourpermission?

V.P.CHANDLER

Doit.

126

INT.AFTSTORAGECOMPARTMENT-

Marshallonhisknees,handsbehindhishead.Bazylev,his automaticpressedagainstMarshall'sforehead,disarms Marshallbeforesteppingaway.HeslingsMarshall'sMP5over hisownneck.StudiesMarshallabeat.

BAZYLEV

Soyou'rethe President.Somehow,I thoughtyou'dbesmaller.

kickshiminthe gut.Marshalldoublesover,wheezing.

BAZYLEV

Notso powerfulnow,eh?Noaidesto adviseyou,nosecretserviceto protectyou,noarmiesto command.

BazylevgrabsMarshall'shairandtugshisheadback.He holdsMarshallwithhiseyes.

BAZYLEV

You'llsufferforwhatyou'vedone.

MARSHALL

* So willyou.

BazylevslamsMarshall'sfaceagainsthisknee.Marshall slumpsforward.

BAZYLEV

Up.Get upnow!

him.

BAZYLEV

Youwillwalk ahead...slowly.Do youunderstand?

(noresponse)

Doyou understand!

MARSHALL

Doyou knowwhat'sgoingtohappen toyou becauseofthis?Doyou know whattheworldwill do?

BAZYLEV

Nothing.Theworldwilldonothing.

Thatiswhatthey'vealwaysdone.

127

INT.MAINCABIN,FORWARDGALLEY-

Sergesealsofftheseconddumbwaiter.

128

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

TheSquadronofF-15EagleshoveraroundAirForceOne.

COL.CARLTON(V.0.)

Youwantme towhat?

GENERALNORTPNOOD(V.0.)

Youheardthe order.Anddonot,I repeat,donottake yourbestshot.

Roger,sir.Okayboys,clearthe deck.I havebeenorderedtoengage AirForceOne.

129

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

TheotherairplanesflareoutgivingdistancetotheJumbo Jet.Canton'splanedropsback.

computerison.

130

INT.CARLTON'SCOCKPIT-NIGHT

OnTARGETINGCOMPUTER-Graphics:AsitacquiresAirForce One.

Targetisacquired.Ihavegood tone CLOSEON:The flightstick.Carlton's

hesitates.

They'regonnacourtmartialmefor this.

131

INT.AIRFORCEONE,GANGWAY-

Handsbehindhishead,MarshallwalksinfrontofBazylev, anMP5pressedagainsthisneck.

132

INT.F-15EAGLECOCKPIT-NIGHT

Carltonpullsthetrigger.

133

EXT.F-15EAGLE- NIGHT

tailignitesinflame.

134

INT.AIRFORCEONECOCKPIT- NIGHT

hellbreakslooseasan entirewallofinstrumentationlights up.Warningbells.Flashinglights.

ZEDECK

Whatis this?

TheTACTICALCOUNTERMEASUREsCOMPUTER-Springstolife.

High-techreadouts,riskanalyses,schematics,and assessments.Radartrackstheincoming,identifiesit.

OnScreen: "Autopilotdisengaged"

Theplanebanksintoa dive,throwingZedeckbackagainst hischair.

ZEDECK

Gibbs!Gibbs!Getinhere.

Onscreen: "Activatingcountermeasures"

135

EXT.SICY- NIGHT

Withnooneatthe controls,AirForceOnegoesintoa sharp slopingdive.

136

INT.GANGWAY,AIRFORCEONE-

Bazylev,thrownoffbalance,triestokeephisguntrained onMarshall.

BAZYLEV

Don'tmove!

137

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

Themissilefollowsawidearctowardthe bankingplane.

138

INT.AFO,COCKPIT-

Gibbsslidesintothepilot'sseat,attemptstoregain control.

GIBBS

Whatthehell'sgoingon?

ZEDECK

TheAmericansfiredatus.

TheTacticalCountermeasuresComputer:

"ElectronicJamminghasfailedTargetacquired"

Outthecockpitwindow,thebrightlyburningtailofthe missileclosingonthem.

GIBBS

Whywouldtheyfire onus?

TheTacticalCountermeasuresComputer:

"MissileClosing:

MetallicChaffBurstStandingby:"

Thecomputercountsdownfromeight...seven...

139

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

Themissilescreamstowardthejumbojet,asloweasy target.

140

INT.COCKPIT-NIGHT

ZEDECK

Dosomething.

Five...Four...

GIBBS

I'mnot acombatpilot.

Three...two....

ZEDECK

Shit!

141

EXT.AIRFORCEONE- NIGHT

smallmetallicnarticlesspraysoutofthebottomofthe aircraft.

142

INT.COCKPIT-

Onthefacesof theterrorists,asthemissilecomesright atthem.

Thenthemissileveersdownward.

TheTacticalCountermeasuresComputer:

"MissileNeutralized"

143

EXT.SKY- MIGHT

Themissiledivesintotheswarmof descendingchaffand DETONATES,lightinguptheeveningsky.Redflamesreflect

againstthesilver-greyclouds.

144

INT.AIRFORCEONE,VARIOUSSHOTS- NIGHT

Theshockwavehitsthe aircraft.

Lightsflickerandtheplanerockssidetoside.

HOSTAGESarebouncedaroundtheconferenceroom.

145

INT.GANGWAY-

MarshallandBazylevareslammedagainsttheceilingand thenthefloor.

Marshallseizesthemoment.GrabsBazylev'sgun.Thetwo

ofrichochetinggunfiresparksacrossthebulkhead.

rifle,buttheplanepullsintoa climb,sendingBazylev tumblingdownthegangwayintotherearbaggagehold.

Marshallmanagestopullhimselfupthegratingandintothe galley.He'sfree,forthemoment.

146

INT.AFO,COCKPIT.

Gibbssteadiestheplaneastheshockwavefrom theexplosion * subsides.

GIBBS

We'reokay.

KorshunovexaminestheTacticalCountermeasuresComputer.

KORSHUNOV

Remarkableaircraft.Remarkable.

GIBBS

whydid theydothat?

KORSHUNOV

Psychology.They'retryingtounnerve us.

GIBBS

Wellit worked.

KorshunovsmilesandputshishandonGibbsshoulder.

KORSHUNOV

Relax,myfriend.Apparentlythey cannotharmus.Evenif theywanted to. rNT.FRONTGALLEY.

MarshallStrugglestoassemblethehypodermicandthe containerofadrenalin.

147

INT.REARBAGGAGEHOLD.

Bazylevpullstohisfeet,headsbackdownthe gangway.

148

INT.FRONTGALLEY.

MarshallgreetsBazylevwithasprayofhotcoffeefromthe Simmeringpotasheenters.Bazylevcoversup,butthespray searshimprettybad.Heyellsin pain,turning.

Marshallsprings,imbeddingthehypodermicneedleinto Bazylev'sneck.Afulldoseofadrenalin.Bazylevpullsthe emptyneedlefromhisneck.Marshallstepsback,waitingfor areaction.

Apregnantpauseastheyboth waittosee whathappens.

ThenBazylevsmilesandslowlyturnstowardMarshall.

MarshallbacksawayasBazylevlevelshisgun.

Hefiresonce,hittingMarshallinthearm.Marshallwinces offthepain.

BAZYLEV

(disgust)

Theleaderof thefreeworld.

HebacksMarshallagainstawallandholdshim inhis sights.

Buthedoesn'tshoot.Hisbreathingbecomesfasterandfaster astheadrenalintakeshold.Building...building...He screamsandclutchesathisthroat.

Hiseyesspinbackand thenhisheartexplodes.

Bazyleviscaughtfrozen,suspendedinamomentofdisbelief.

Deathreflex.Hefiresoffseveralroundsfromthegunas he collapses.

Marshallwaitsabeat,half-expectingBazylevtorise.He slowlyapproachesthebodyandretrievestheKP5.

149

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

TheF-lSspullbackintoformationaroundtheJumboJet.

150

INT.REARBAGGAGEHOLD-

Marshallretrievesthephone,thenwedgeshimselfbehinda wastestoragetank,outofview.

151

INT.PILOT'SRESTAREA-

RoseandAliceOn thebunk.Alice'seyesareWatering.

KorshunovexaminestOPographicmapsintheadjacentM1C.c. andspeaksintoa phoneinRussian.

ALICE

Mom?

ROSE

Yesdear?

ALICE

I'msorryI wasso meantoyou earlier.

Rosesmilessadly.

ROSE

I know,sweetie.Iknow.

(beat)

You'rebeingverybrave.

Alicenods.She'strying.

152

INT.MAINCABIN.

Sergefinisheshissweepoftheupperlevel.

SERGE

(toZedeck)

He'snotup here.I'mgoingdown below.

INTERCUT:

153

INT.REARBAGGAGEHOLD/INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM

Marshallripshissleeveoff,swabsthebloodoffhis arm.

Bazylev'sbullettookoutagoodchunkof fleshwhenitgrazed him.

MARSHALL

Didtheysay anythingaboutmyfamily?

V.P.CHANDLER

They'restillalive,buttheloyalists planto startkillinghostagesin fortyminutes.

MARSHALL

Thentellme there'sarescue operationunderway.

MarshallopensatravelbottleofVodkaandpoursit over thewound.Hewincesfromthe pain.

V.pCHANDLER 69.

Ithinkwe'reokay,sir.flow thatweknowYou'realivewe canforcePetrovtoreleaseStravanavitch.

MARSpariDon'ttellmeyouplanto giveinto thesefuckers.

GENERALNORmwOODWeplantodowhateverittakesto keepyou alive,sir.

V.P.CHANDLER

andif thatmeansnegotiating...

MARSHALL

Youknowmy policy.Wedon'tnegotiate withterrorists.Ifwestartnow, allof Americabecomesatarget.

V.P.CHANDLER

Butthisis different,sir.You're thePresident.

* MARSHALL

AndwhathappenswhenStravanavitchisfreedanddiscovers he'sgotthePresident?Youthinkfora secondthatthat crazybastardisjustgonnaturnme over?He'llaskforthe goddamnmoonbeforehe'sdone.

V.P.CHANDLER

Please,Mr.President.You'regoing toget yourselfkilled.Isthatyour solution?

MARSHALL

FreeingStravanavitchisgonnaget tensof thousandskilled.Ican't livewiththat.

(somewhatresigned)

I'mnot royalty.I'manelected officialandtheintegrityofthe officeofthe Presidentisinfinitely moreimportantthanthemanwho holds thatoffice.

(beat)

Wedon'tnegotitate.Notaslongas I'mPresident.Isthatunderstood?

Alongsilence,then...

YESSIR. CHANDLER

MARSHALL

flow,istherea rescueoperation underwayor not?

Leeshakeshisheadat Chandler,signalling"don'ttell."

LEE

He'snoton a secureline.

MARSHAljWhoeversaidthat,shutup.Walter,areyouthere?

DEAN

I'mhere,Mr. President.

MARSHALL

Where'sthecavalry?

DEAN

Wecan'tdo anythinguntilthatplane lands.Andwhenit doesland,sir, it'sgoingto bein hostile* territory.Tobeperfectlyhonest, wedon'tknow whatthehellto do.

It'sgoingtotakea miracletofigurethisone out.

Alongbeat.We holdon Marshall'sdeterminedface.

MARSHALL

I'llseewhat Ican do.

154

INT.GALLEY.

SergecomesacrossBazylev.Checksforanysignoflife.

Stonecolddead.Helooksaroundandgripshis guna little tighterashebacksout oftheroom.

155

INT.MAINCABIN.

Sergeclosesthestairaccesspaneltothebaggagedeck.

SealingMarshalloff.

156

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONSCENTER-NIGHT

Sergecomestrottingupthestairsandcollectsnewclips.

SERGE

Bazylevisdead.

Korshunovswallowshard...

ANDTHE

SERGE

gofinishhim.

KORSHUNOV

No.He hastheadvantagedownthere.

Bringmea hostage.Awoman.

157

INT.FORWARDBAGGAGEHOLD.

Marshallseesthatthestairwayhatchhasbeensealed.

158

INT.LOWERGALLEY-NIGHT

beginstodescendthensnagsonthe servicecart.Itsmotor grindtoa halt.MarshallslumpsdQwn.Hishopesdashed.

Nothingtodonow butwait.

159

INT.MAINCONFERENCEROOM.

Sergelooksoverthecrowdof hostageslikeabouncerata hipdanceclub.Hiseyesfall onMariaMitchell.

SERGE

You.Comewithme.

160

INT.LOWERGALLEY.

Marshall,seatedonthefloor.Thecabinetnexttohimis stackedwithpacksofcomplimentarycigarettes,allwiththe sealofthe President.

MARSHALL

Whatthehell...

Heopensup apackand putsthecigaretteinhismouth.He snagsoneofthe Presidentiallighters,triestolightit severaltimesbutitonlysparks.XCshakesit. It'soutof tial.Hetossesitasideand reachesforabook ofmatches, butheFREEZESin mid-reach.Athoughtoccurstohim.

MARSHALL

(murmuring)

Outof fuel.

161

INT.FORWARDBAGAGEHOLD-NIGHT

Marshall,lackingascrewdriver,leversopenthehatchto theAvionicscompartmentwiththebarrelofhisgun.

RUT.AVIONICSCOMPARTMENT-NIGHT

Marshallseesthestacksofpanels,piping,Wiring, electronics.

MARSHALL

Comeon,whereare you...

Hesearchesupanddown.

162

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONSCENTER-NIGHT

SergeleadsMariaMitchellupthestairway.Korshunovnods.

KORSHUNOV

Ms.Mitchell.Helloagain.

Mariaisscared,shesaysnothing.Shelooksoverto the FirstLadyandAlice.

ROSE

Maria.

Korshunovswitchesontheairplane'sP.A.

KORSHUNOV

* Pleasetellme yourname.

MITCHELL

(frightened)

Maria...MariaMitchell.

KORSHUNOV

Andwhatis ityou do,Ms.Mitchell.

MariaMitchell'svoiceechosoverthroughoutAirForceOne.

163

INT.AVIONICSCOMPARTMENT.

Marshallhaltshissearchtolisten.

MITCHELL(V.0.)

I'mresponsibleforPressRelations forthe FlightOffice.

KORSHUNOV(V.0.)

Howare yourfellowhostagesfeeling, Ms.Mitchell?

MITCHELL

Scared.We'rescared.

164

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONSCENTER-NIGHT

RosecradlesAlice,bothofthemlookingaway,asKorshunov raiseshisgun,pointingitatMitchell.

KORSHUNOV

Andwhy areyouscared?

MITCHEL*L Because...becauseIdon'twantto die.

165

INT.MAINCONFERENCEROOM.

Thehostages,listening.

KORSHUNOV

Andwhatam I doingatthisvery moment.

166

INT.AVIONICSCOMPARTMENT-NIGHT

Marshalllistens,helplesstodoanything.

MITCHELL

You'repointingagunat me.

167

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONSCENTER-

KORSHUNOV

Verygood.Thankyou,Ms. Mitchell.

Didyouhearher? ShesaidI'mpointinga gunather.

168

INT.AVIONICSCOMPARTMENT-

KORSHUNOV

Now,to thesecretserviceagentin thebaggagedeck.I'mgivingyouten secondstosurrender,orthiswomen willdie.

Marshall'seyeswiden.

KORSHUNOV

One...

Ohshit.Marshalltriestodecidewhatto do.

KORSHUNOV

Two...

Heclimbsoutof theavionicscompartmentandhurriestothe frontbaggagecompartment.

KORSHUNOV

Three...

169

INT.MAINCABIN.

ZedeckandSergewaitbythe stairwayhatch.

KORSHUNOV

Four...

170

INT.MAINCONFERENCEROOM.

Hostageswait,expectantly.

KORSHUNOV

Five...

171

INT.FRONTBAGGAGEHOLD.

Marshallfrozennearthebottomofthesteps.Togo upwould beto betrayeverythinghebelievesin,andloseanychance tosavethe others.Butifhe stays...

KORSHUNOV

Six...

172

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONSCENTER.

TearsstreamdownMariaMitchell'sface.She'stryingso hardtobe braveinfrontof RoseandAlice.

KORSHUNOV

Seven...

173

INT.FRONTBAGGAGEHOLD.

ForMarshall,thisisthehardestdecisionofhislife.His faceamask ofanguishashe wrestleswithhisconscience.

KORSHUNOV

Eight...

Hestartstowardthestairs.

174

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONSCENTER.

Korshunovlookingdownthebarrelofthegun.

KORSHUNOV

Nine...

175

INT.FRONTBAGGAGEHOLD.

Ittakeseverybitof trainingandwilltostop Marshall fromgoingupthosestairs.Heknowswhat'sgoingto happen. Hecloseshiseyestightas ifthat willstopitfrom happening.

KORSHUNOV

Ten...

Alongsilentbeat.Then...BAAAAM!

MARSHALL

NO!

Marshallsinkstotohisknees.

MARSHALL

Aw,Jesus.

176

INT.MAINCONFERENCEROOM.

fillstheroom.

177

INT.FRONTBAGGAGEHOLD.

Marshall,silhouettedinthehalflight,craddleshishead headinhis hands.Theshaftoflightdisappearsasthemain cabinhatchcloses,sealinghimoffonceagain.

KORSFL3NOV(V.0.)

I'llgiveyou afew minutestothink aboutthatoneand thenwe'lltry

somebodyimportant.

MARSHALL

(tohimself)

Shewas important.

178

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONSCENTER.

zedeckandSergedragthedeadwomanout ofthe compartment.

Alicesobsquietly.

ROSE

Doyou havetobe sobrutal?

KORSHUNOV

Yes

ROSE

Why?Do youenjoyit?

KORSHUNOV

I neitherenjoynordislike.Ido whatis necessary.

ROSE

Howcan you?Imean they'repeople.

KORSHUNOV

Buttheyare notny people.Youlook atme asif I ama monster,butanswer methis --whenyourplanesbombed theoil fieldsofIraq,didYou cry forthosedarkskinnedmenwhose namesyoudo notknowand who'sfaces Youwillneversee? DidYoucry for

peopletoo,yes...buttheywerenot yourpeople.

ROSE

Thatwaswar.

KORSHUNOV

Sois this.

(beat)

Comenow,you'reupsettingthelittle one.

ALICE

Thewomanyou shot.Shewasmy friend.

KORSHUNOV

That'sthewayof theworld,little one.Didn'ttheyteachyouthat in school?

179

INT.FORWARDBAGGAGEHOLD.

Marshallcrossesbacktotheavionicscompartment,talking onthephone.

VOICE (throughstatic) ChiefMechanic,87thAir.HowcanI helpyou?

MARSHALL

Youcan talkmethroughanemergency fueldump.

180

INT.MAINCONFERENCEROOM.

MAJORCALDWELL

Ledoff toslaughteroneata time.

NexttimeI saywerush `em.Theycan'tshootusall.

SHEPHERD

Theycanshootenoughof us.

MAJORCALDWELL

Ifwe don'tact,they'llkillUSall eventuallyWho'swithme?

Severalofthehostagesraisetheirhands.

181

INT.AFO'SMAINTENANCEHANGER/ANDREWSAIRFORCEBASE-DAY

TheChiefMechanichasAirForceOneschematicsopeninfront ofhim.He andhisstaffare huddledaroundthem.

CHIEFMECHANIC

Doyou seethemaintenancepanel?

MARSHALL

Gotit.

CHIEFMECHANIC

Popit open.Thereshouldbea red switch,toggleitup.

MARSHALL

Okay,it'son.We'vegot some indicatorlightshere.

CHIEFMECHANIC

Okay,you'reaerated.Todumpthe fuelyouhave toclosethecircuit forthe pump.There'snoswitchin Avionicssoyou'llhavetocrossthe wires.Thereshouldbefivewires, justto yourleft.Doyou seethem?

182

INT.AVIONICSCOMPARTMENT-NIGHT

Marshallfindsthewires:red,white,blue,greenandyellow.

MARSHALL

Got`en.

Staticblanketstheconversation.

CHIEFMECHANIC

Okay,hangon.Let medoublecheck

here,becauseifyougetthe wrongones,you'llcuttheengine feedsandstalltheplane.

MARSHALL

I'llwait.

Thestaticworsens.

CHIEFMECHANIC

First...cut...greenwire.

Marshall,Usingakitchenknife,slicesthegreenwire.Heavy static.Thephonebeeps...lOsingbatteries.

MARSHALL

It'scut.

CHIEFMECHANIC

crossit... Thestaticoverwhelms thevoice,thencutsout.

MARSHALR'

Hello?Hello?Goddamnit.

Staticcomesroaringbackandgarbledvoices...

MARSHAljHello?AreYOUthere?

Dead.Marshalltriestoactivateitagain.

MARSHAIJiHello?Hello?

Nothing.Hetossesthedeadphoneaside.

Marshallstares.Crossthegreenwireswiththe...what?

Red,white,blue...ortheyellow.Hischoiceisobvious.He cutstheyellowwireandcrossesit withthegreen,leaving thered,whiteandblue standing.

smile.

MARSHALL

Anemergencylandinginfriendly territory...there'syourgoddamn miracle.

183

EXT.AIRFORCEONE- NIGHT

Beneaththeplaneatrickleofgasolineappearsandgrows intoastrongsteadystream.

184

INT.FLIGHTDECK-NIGHT

Ared warninglightflashesontheplane'spanel.

GIBBS

Goddamnitit.We'relosingfuel.

Korshunovcrossestotheflightdeck.

KORSHUNOV

How?

GIBBS

Avionicscompartment!It'stheonly

therefastUnless,ofcourse,you'd ratherbea martyrthana savior.

KORSHUNOV

(toZedeck)

Go!TakeSerge..andwatchyour backs.

Zedecknodsanddashesoutof thecabin.

185

INT.MAINCABIN.

Zedeckpullsopenthehatchcovertothe forwardfrontstairs. Descendsintothedimlylitunderneath.

SergedescendsrightbehindZedeck.

186

INT.FORWARDBAGGAGECOMPARTMENT-NIGHT

Zedeck,Spookedbythedarkshadows,senseshe'sbeing watched.

ZEDECK

He'sdownhere.I canfeelit.

SERGE

Shutup anddoyour job.

ZedeckhastenstowardtheAvionicscompartment,gunatthe ready.Sergesweepstheareabehind.

Theyheara metallicclankechoandreverberatearoundhim.

Theybothcheckleft...right...behindthem...

Nothing.

It'screepybeingawalkingtarget.

Frombehindawaterstoragetank,Marshallwatchesdownthe barrelofhisMp5.With alltheequipmentintheway, it's almostimpossibletolineupaclearshot.

Andthey'rebothwellarmed.Helookstowardthestairway instead.

defensivepositionoutsidethedoor.

ZEDECK(O.S.)

Thevalveis shut.Thisguysure knewwhathe wasdoing.

Sergehearsanoiseand openstire.

ZEDECK

Yousee him?

SERGE

Erringonthe sideofcaution.

187

INT.AVIONICSCOMPARTMENT-

Zedeckopensapanelandrips outsomewiring.

ZEDECK

I'mgoingto deactivatetheby-pass pump.It'lltakea minute.

188

INT.FLIGHTDECK.

Gibbschecksthefuelgauges.Theystopfalling.

GIBBS

We'vestoppeddumping...butwe've onlygotabouttwentyminutesof fuelleft.

KORSHUNOV

We'renotgoingto makeit.

GIBBS

Notevenclose.Hell,we can'teven makeSyriaor Iraq.

KORSHUNOV

Wherearewe now?

GIBBS

OvertheBlackSea. Ican probably getus toTurkeyor Georgia.

KORSHUNOV

No!If welandthis planeanywhere else,wewill endupanotherEntebe.

(beat)

TheAmericansbuiltasuperplane thatfliesthroughmushroomcloud, evadesmissilesand...

(holdingupMaria Mitchell'spresskit)

House.

189

INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-

TacticalMap:AirForceOneovertheBlackSea headingsouth westtowardTurkmenistan.

AnAideholdsup aphone.

AIDE

It'shimagain.

190

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONCENTER-

Korshunovonthephone.

KORSHUNOV

Gentlemen,forgivemefordiverting youfromyour littlewargames,but I'vejustaddedanotherdemandtomy veryshortlist.I assureyouit's quitereasonable.

191

INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-

KORSHUNOV(V.0.PHONE)

Weneed fuel,gentlemen.Andweneed

itrightnow.

LeewhisperstotheVicePresident.

LEE

Finally,wecanbargain.

V.P.CHANDLER

I'msurewe canstrikesomesortof arrangement.Landtheplaneandwe'll tradeyouhostagesforfuel.

KORSHUNOV

No.The planelandswhenIsay, or itwill crash.Thehostagesare releasedwhenIsay,or theywill die.

192

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONSCENTER.

KORSHUNOV

Tellme whatIwant tohearor I willexecuteamemberof thesenior staff,andwillcontinuekillingone hostageeveryminuteuntilwecrash oruntila refuelingplanearrives.

Murmuringandhusheddiscussionfloatsovertheairwaves.

Alongsilence.KorshunovlookstowardAlice.

KORSHUNOV

ShallI beginbyexecutingthe President'sdaughter?She'sright here.

ROSE

No.

KORSHUNOV

Saysomethingdear.

ALICE

Fuckoff,you stupidasshole.

KORSHUNOV

Itwouldbe a pitytosquandersuch a strongpersonality.

Anotherseveralbeatsofhushedmurmuring.

KORSHUNOV

Well?Whatdo yousay?

V.P.CHANDLER(V.0.PHONE)

Fuel'sonitsway.

193

INT.MAINCABIN.

SergeandZedecklowerthehatchto thebaggagecompartment andsealit.They headupthe stairstotheM.C.C.

194

INT.M.C.C.-NIGHT

Korshunovpaces,weighinghispistolinhishand.

KORSHUNOV

should'vegonelikeclockwork.

ZEDECK

Wehave thehostages,we'regetting morefuel.

KORSHUNOV

He'salreadykilledthreeofus,and wehaven'tevenseenhim. He'salso shownthathe canhurtus.I needto think.

(looksatSerge)

Whatthehell areyoudoingup here?

Getbackto theconferenceroom.

Sergetakeshispositionbytheconferenceroom.

Acrossfromhim,againstthecabindivider,Marshallpeers downthesightof hisgun.

Sergefreezes.

MARSHALL

Don'tmakethesame mistakeyour frienddidearlier...Showmeyour hands.

theclipto hisMP5.

MARSHALL

Openthedoor.

195

INT.CONFERENCEROOM-NIGHT

Caldwell,Shepherdandafewotheraideshearthekey turn inthelock.They quicklytakepositionaroundthedoor.As MarshallmarchesSergein,they'rebothtackledandsmothered bythegroup.Theywrestthe gunsawayandshut thedoor quicklybehindthem.

Marshallstrugglesagainsthispeople.

MARSHALL

It'sme goddamnit.Letmego.

Surprisedtoheartheirboss'voice,theaidesandadvisors releaseMarshall.

SHEPHERD

Mr.President,howthehelldid you geton board?

MARSHALL

I neverleft.Where'smywifeand daughter?

MAJORCALDWELL

Theytook`em out.They'reprobably onthe upperdeck.

SHEPHERD

Mr.President,MajorCaldwellhere hasa planto getthesehostagesof f theplane.

MARSHALL

I dumpedmostofthefuel.They'll landsoonand Deltawilltakeits shot.

SERGE

A refuelingplaneisalreadyonit's wayso wewon'tbe landinguntilwe

ofactionis toreleaseme.I will bemerciful.

MAJORCALDWELL 84.

Sir,maybewecan usethis.Turnit toouradvantage.

MARSHALL

Mr.Caidwell,theground'safew milesaway.Howdo youproposegetting usfrom heretothere?

MAJORCALDWELL

Gravity.

196

INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-

Satellitepicturesofvariouslandingstripsprojectedon wall-sizedmonitors.

DEAN

Ofthe threedozenairportsin Turkmenistan,onlyfivehave

thosefive,onlythesethreehave shownanyactivity.

GeneralNorthvoodpointswithalaserpointer.

GENERALNORTPNOOD

Butthisone here,seethis.It'sa satellitedishanditwasn'tthere

uplink,whichsuggestsextensive communicatinsability.I'dsaythis wasthe one.

V.P.CHANDLER

Areyou confidentyoucantakethe facility?

GENERALNORTIWOOD

It'snighttherefora fewmore hours. That'sareal plus.ButI won'tlie. Asfar asspecialopsgo, thisone's a bear,butI thinkwesqueezeit out.

V.P.CHANDLER

Let'sgetit going.

AIDE

ThePressSecretary'sabouttogo on.

197

INT.MAINCONFERENCEROOM-NIGHT

MAJORCALDWELL

Ifwe canget toa loweraltitude, wecan useparachutes,butatthis altitude,we'llpassoutfromOxygen deprivation.

MARSHALL

We'vealreadyplayedourcards,Major. There'snoturningback.

MAJORCALDWELL

Wecan'tjump fromhereorat this speed.Butif wecouldgeta message out- telltherefuelingplane...

MARSHALL

They'vecutcommunication,andI spenta goodbitof timelookingfor

outof batteries.

AnearbySECRETARYinherlate20's pipesup.

SECRETARY

Thefax machines.

MARSHALL

Excuseme?

SECRETARY

Thefax machines.

MARSHALL

(dismissive)

Nogood.I saidtheydisabledthe communicationssystem.

SECRETARY

No.I thoughtaboutthis,Mr.

differentsystemsofencryption.It'dbeeasytooverlook thedatasystems.

Whatdotheyhave tolose?

MARSHALL

(toCaldwell)

Get`em ready.

(tosecretary)

You...comewithme.

MAJORCALDWELL

Eighteenthousandfeet,sir.Andtwo hundredknots...otherwiseit's suicide.

MARSHALL

Gotit.

198

INT.CORRIDOR.

Caidwell,holdingSerge'sgun,takespositionbythefront

theconferenceroom,andmovetothestairway.

Marshallandthesecretaryrushtheoppositedirectiontoward theequipmentroom.

199

INT.WHITEHOUSEPRESSROOM- DAY

Amidshoutingquestions,thePRESSSECRETARYalightstothe podium.

PRESSSECRETARY

Please.Quietplease...Firstlet me...Please...Ihavea prepared statement...TheWhiteHouseconfirms thatthePresident'saircraft,Air ForceOne,hasbeen hijackedandis currentlycontrolledbyforeign

nationals.

Murmurs,shouts,andmorequestions.

REPORTERS

Isthe Presidentonboard?/Whatabout theFirstFamily?/Whataretheir demands?

PRESSSECRETARY

Please...please...Forsecurity reasonsIcan notcommentonany specificsexcepttosaythatthe Vice-Presidentisdoingeverything withinherpowerto resolvethe situation.

PULLBACK

T.V.monitoronbroadcastingCNN. We'reinthe...

200

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONSCENTER-NIGHT

Korshunovturnstowardthemonitor.Furrowshisbrow.

KORSHUNOV

Andyou arealmostoutof time.

WhereisthePresident?

201

INT.EQUIPMENTROOM.

MarshallandtheSecretarystepoverPerkins'bodyonthe waytothe faxmachine.

SECRETARY

Heresir.

Marshallgrabsapieceofpaperand apen.Scribblesanote.

SECRETARY

Wherearewe sendingit?

MARSHALL

WhiteHouseSituationroom.

Hesignsthepaperand handsittoher.Sheslidesit into themachine,checksthelistednumbersanddials.

MARSHALL

Someoneshouldgiveyoua raise.

SECRETARY

Actually,sir,youcouldbethat someone.

Theywait...willitwork?A fewbeats,a fewbeatsmore.

Themachinepullsthepaperinand beginsscanning.

MARSHALL

It'syours.

202

INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM.

Marshall'snotespitsoutofoneof thefaxmachines.Butin thebevyof activity,willitbenoticed?

203

INT.UNDERDECK,REARLOWERGALLEY-NIGHT

Caldwellspinsopentherearemergencypressuredoorand leadsthehostagesinto...

204

INT.TAILCONEPARACHUTELAUNCHPLATFORM-

Acargoholdextendingupthe taperededgeoftheaircraft's

overheadstoragebins.Helpingeachother.

205

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONSSYSTEM.

KorshunovlistenstoZedeckyellintothephoneinRussian.

ZEDECK

StillnomovementonStravanavitch.

KorshunoveyesAliceandRose.

ROSE

Norwilltherebe. Myhusbanddoes notnegotiatewithterrorists.

KORSHUNOV

Youwillbe thefirstto payfor thatmistake.

206

INT.EMERGENCYPARACHUTELAUNCHRAMP.

addressesonegroup,mostlywomenandseniorstaff,whobelt intothelargerchutes.

MAJORCALDWELL

Thesechutesaredesignedfora safe slowdescent.They'lldeployoffthe lineautomaticallyasyoustepfrom theplane.

(turnstoanother group,mostlyyounger men)

Youguys'llhaveto pullyourown ripcords.Waituntilyou'reclear fromtheplane,but notanylonger.

(hecheckspacksand straps)

OnceI checkyou,gostandbehind theyellowline.You'regood.You're good.You'regood.

Twoneatlinesreadyto jump.Onelineon thedeployment wire,andtheotherset forfreefall.

Marshallandthesecretaryarrive.

MAJORCALDWELL

Mr.president?pwtsHALLThefax wentthrough.Wecanonly wait.

MAJORCAWWELL

Yourchute.

MARSHALL

I'llnotgoingwithoutmy family.

MAJORCALDWELL

Yes,sir.

CaidwellcrossestopreptheLaunchRampcontrols.

207

INT.COCKPIT.

Thegasgaugesreadverycloseto empty.KorshunovStands behindGibbs,whileZedeckkeepsaneyeonthe FirstLady.

GIBBS

Where'sthatgoddamnplane?tNT. EMERGENCYPARACHUTELAUNCHRAMP.

Everybodywaits.Caidwellwatchestheindicator.30,000feet.

208

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

AKC-135,theUSAFflyinggas station,descendsinfrontof AirForceOne.

KC-135PILOT

AirForceOne,this isAF-135-RA.We havebeeninstructedtorefuelyour plane.

TNT.AIRFORCEONEFLIGHTDECK- NIGHT

GIBBS

Aboutgoddamntime.

KC-135PILOT

PleasechangecoursetoZeroSeven Fouranddrop toeighteenthousand feet.Over.

GIBBS

AirForceOne,acknowledged.tNT.

EMERGENCYPARACHUTELAUNCHRAMP.

Thealtimeterbeginstofall.Awaveof reliefwashesover thegroup.

209

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

TheKC-135extendsitsflyinggaspump.

KC-135PILOT

AirForceOne,pleasereducespeed to250 knots.

GIBBS(V.0.RADIO)

Roger.

TNT.AFOFLIGHTDECK.

Okay1now KC-135PILOT(V.0.Radio)ventyourfueling system.

It'stheyellowleveronthe uppercontrolpanel.Andnext tothatthere'sa toggleSwitchtoopenyourintake.Gotit?

GIBBS

RogerKC-135PILOT(V.0.Radio)

AirForceOne,do youseethe fuelingarm?

ThroughthecockpitWindow,thelongmetallicappendage danglesaheadoftheplane.

GIBBS

That'saffirmative.

KC-135PILOT

Gaget it.

210

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

AsAirForceOne edgesitsnoseup tothe appendage.The appendagefindsit'sgroveandslidesrightin.

TNT.TAILCONEPARACHUTELAUNCHPLATFOIW-

MAJORCALOWELL

That'sit,eighteenthousandfeet.

We'reready.

MARSHALL

Whataboutthem?

AIRFORCECREWMEMBERS,MajorCaldwellandShepherd.

MAJORCALDWELL

Sir,we staywiththePresident.

MARSHALL

Thatisn'tnecessary.

Noneofthemchangeshismind.

MARSHALL

Thankyou.

Asilentbeat.A fewforcedsmilesinthisvery tenseroom.

MAJORCALDWELL

Relaxeverybody.Iusedtodo this fora living9Caidwellpullsaswitch onthe wall.

MAJORCALDWELL

Depressurizingcompartment.This`11 takea moment.

ThePresidentcrossestooneofhis aides.

MARSHALL

Hey,by theway...whowonthe Duke game?

AIDE

Findoutfor yourself,sir.I'll haveit waitingattheWhiteHouse.

Marshallsmiles.

211

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

TheKC-135fliesaboveAirForceOne,connectedbya gasoline umbilicalcord.

212

INT.EMERGENCYRAMPPLATFORM.

pullsalever.

MAJORCALDWELL

Herewe go.

Amechanicalhimandclankgiveswayto a rushofwindas thetailsectionofAir ForceOnehingesopenonhydraulic struts,extendinglikeaplankbehindtheplane.Wecansee theskywithits angryclouds.

Rushingbyattwo hundredknots.

213

INT.FLIGHTDECK.

ALOUDBUZZ

KORSHUNOV

What'sthat?

Displayshowstheemergencyparachuterampactivating.

214

INT.MAINCABIN.

thedoors.

215

INT.CONFERENCEROOM-

Empty.

216

INT.FRONTHOLD/LOWERGALLEY-

Tracking:ZedeckSprintingtotherearoftheplane.

217

EXT.AIRFORCEONE-

ThetailconesectionofAir ForceOnehingesopenand parachutesbegintoblossumfromtherearoftheplane.

218

INT.F-15EAGLE-

FromseveralmilesbackCarltonwatchesthechutesemerge.

Heretheycome.

219

INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM.

Radiotrafficechosthroughtheroom.

COL.CMLTON(V.0.)

Wegot...okay...sofar tenchutes deployingoffthe line.Dropping signalflaresforsearchandrescue.

220

INT.ITEARBAGGAGEHOLD-

doorhatch.Locked.

Zedecklooksaround.Crossestothelowerreargalley.

Hekicksopenthe panelonthestove.Ripsout thepropane tank.Herunsbackand wedgesthetankintothe doorlock.

Hebacksoff50 feet,turnsandopensfireon thetank.

Thetankexplodes,blowingthedoorout.

EMERGENCYPARACHUTELAUNCHPLATFORM

Thepressuredoorblowsopenandan explosionofpressurized airblaststhroughtheplatform.

deploying.

MarshallandSergeareknockeddowntheramp,tumblingtoward oblivion.JustasMarshall'sabouttoslideoffthecorner oftheramp hegrabsitshydraulicstrut.

Plummetingdeath.

Hisgripis allthatseparateshisdanglingbodyfromalong SergetumblesbyMarshall,limbsflailing,andwithascream Wovenfromathousandnightma5,heloseshisgripand slides offtherampinto thejetblacksky,fallingendlessly.

ShepherdandCaldwellmanagetohangtosafetywebbingas the

windwhipsaroundthem.Thetwootherair forcecrewmembers Withoutchutesalsomanagetohangon.

Astheplanedepressurizes,itBUCKSlikeawildbronco.

Marshalllooksdownintothesky.Belowhisdanglinglegs, parachutesblossoij.He'sstraining...hecan'tholdon forever.

221

INT.COCKPIT-

Gibbsfightsthewheel.

Oxygenmasksspringoutfromanoverheadcompartmentasair issuckedoutof thecockpit...

Theplaneshuddersandjumpsbadly....

KC-135PILOT(V.0.RADIO)

AirForceOne,backoff.I repeat,backoff.

Gibbswrestleswiththeyoke,tono avail.

GIBBS

She'sbucking.Ican'tholdher!

KC-135PILOT(V.0.RADIO)

Whatareyoudoing?Backoff! Backoff!

222

EXT.SKY-

AirForceOnejerksupward,snappingoffthefuelingarmof theKC-135.

KC-135PILOT

LOOKOUT!

Thebrokenedgeofthe fuelingarmscrapesalongthetopof AirForceOne...metalagainstmetal...tearingagashin theplane...Sparksfly.

ONEOFTHE SPARKS

ignitestheriverofgasolinebeingpumpedfromtherefueling craft'sbelly.

223

INT.AIRFORCEONE,COCKPIT-

GibbsSeesthefuelingarmcatchfire.It doesn'ttakea rocketscientisttofigurewhat'scoming.Theflamescreep uptowardthegas tanks.

GIBBS

HolyShitiGibbspushesthestick downandAir ForceOnebeginsto diveto safety.

224

EXT.SKY-

AirForceOnedescends.

WhippingfiretrailstheKC-135.

Slowlyrollsitwayintothe plane'smaintank.

Aburningfuse.

BARRROOOOOOOM!AFIRECLOUDERUPTSACROSSTHESKY.

Skylikedaylight.

Fromthisincrediblefirecloud,theburnedoutskeletonof anairplaneemerges,fallingtowardearth.

TheF-15escortzoomtowardtheunexpectedfireball.

Everybodybreak.Now!Now!Now!

Carlton'splanesgointoemergencyclimb,standingontheir afterburnerstoescapetheinferno.

225

INT.EMERGENCYPARACHUTELAUNCHRAMP-

Marshallhangsontothestrutfor dearlifeas the pressurizedairswooshesbyhim,takingwithiteverything thatisn'tnaileddownincludingsomeofthespareparachutes.

Firerainsdownfromtheheavens,thesky likeonegiant napalmnightmare.

Theshockwavehitsthe plane,slammingitviolently.

AlmostyankingthehyraulicarmfromMarshall'sgrasp.

Themilitaryaideswithoutparachuteslosetheirfootingand tumbleofftheplatform.SCREAMINGastheyfallintofire.

226

EXT.SKY-

TheburningKC-135shell,anapocalypticFlyingDutchmanin avengefulKamikazeediveatAirForceOne.

It'sgonnabeclose.

Theflamingshellpassesonlyafew hundredyardstothe rearofthe 747.

227

EXT.PARACHUTELAUNCHRAMP-

Marshall'sgotagreatview.Flamesdanceinhiseyes ashe watchestherefuelingplanedescend.

Thebrightnesssubsides,andtheskygrowsdarkagain.

Thewaveof pressurizedairsubsidesleavingZedeck,Marshall,

towardMarshall.

ZEDECK

Don'tmove.

MAJORCALDWELL

Letme savehim.

Marshallbarelyhangson.

ZEDECK

Thatman,he isthe president,no?

SHEPHERD

Yes.Yeshe is.

ZedeckmotionstoCaidwellwithhisgun."Gogethim."

Caldwellcrawlsdowntherampandextendshishandto Marshall.

THEPRESSUREDOORSLAMMINGSHUT-

zedeckleadsMarshall,shepherdandCaldwellaway.

IPRR.AFO'SFLIGHTDECK-

Gibbssteadiestheplane.

KORSHUNOV

Fuel?

Gibbscheckstheguages.

GIBBS

Morethanenoughto getushome.

228

EXT.WHITEHOUSE-EVENING

Thesunbeginsto setalongthePotomacinlong streaksof redandpink.The WhiteHouselightsflickeronuminating thelongstaunchcolumns,thepillarsofdemocracy.

RNT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-EVENING

Tired.Strungout.Bickeringwithinthesmallworkgroups.

ChandlercrossestoGeneralNorthwood,whohasjusthungup thephone.

V.P.CHANDLER

Theystillhavethe President,it's pasttheirdeadlineandtheyhaven't called.Whatdoyou thinkitmeans?

GENERALNORTHWOOD

Likeanygood pokerplayer,they're checkingovertheirhandseeingwhich cardstoplay andwhichtodiscard.

229

INT.AFO,MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONCENTER-NIGHT

ZedeckleadsthethreehostageintotheM.C.C.

bothofthem.Marshallsmilesathiswife,as shefights backhertears.

ALICE

(toKorshunov)

Hedidn'tleaveus.

KORSHUNOV

Youare aresilientman,Mr.

President.

ZedeckgrabsCaldwell'shandsandtapesthembehindhisback withducttape.RoseandAlicealreadyhavetheirhandstaped.

KORSHUNQV

Youmustforgivethetape,but we werestartingtofeeloutnumbered...

Gibbs!

230

INT.FLIGHTDECK-

Gibbsputstheplaneon automaticpilot.Risestojointhe group.

231

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONSCENTER-

theComOfficer'schair.Hishandsarenowwrappedtoo.

Gibbsenterslookingdown.

MARSHALL

this?

GIBBS

Yes,Mr.President.

MARSHALL

Why?

GIBBS

Becauseitis myduty.

MARSHALL

You'redutytowhat?The countryyou serveddoesn'texistanymore.

GIBBS

Myloyaltywasneverto mycountry.

Iservemy commandingofficers.

KORSHUNOV

Youdon'tthinkthe leadersofthe KGBwouldallowperistroikatoruin yearsofinfiltration?No,whenthe SovietUnioncollapsed,wetookour sleeperswithus.

Korshunovholdsupatelephone.

KORSHUNOV

Nowsincewe'vehad verylittleluck gettingWashingtonorMoscowto cooperate,Iwonderedifyouwould beso kind.

MARSHALL

Overmy deadbody.

KORSHUNOV

No.But sinceIonlyhave afew of yourstaffleftto kill,perhapsI willstartwithyourfamilyinstead...

Gibbs.

GibbsgrabsAliceandshovesherintoa chair.Shefights himoff,andhe smacksheracrossthefaceand shoveshis gunintoherneck.

MarshallandRosestruggleagainsttheirbonds.

KORSHUNOV

Theworldis sucha dangerousplace andwe can'talwaysprotectour children.

ROSE

Please.Youcankillme butleavemy daughteralone.

KorshunovrunshisfingerdownAlice'scheek.

MARSHALL

Sheisn'ta partof this.Thisis betweenyouandme.

KORSHUNOV

Callup Petrovandorder Stravanavitch'Srelease.

MarshalllookstoAlice,thenRose,thenbacktoAlice.

MARSHALL

Thisadministrationdoesnotnegotiate withterrorists.

KORSHUNOV

Pity.Mr.Gibbs.

Gibbswithdrawshispistol.PlacesitagainstAlice'stemple.

KORSHUNOV

PerhapsaPresidentdoesnot negotiate,butdoesafather?

(beat)

trustofa familyagainstyouroath ofoffice.

TearsoffearsarestreamingdownAlice'sface.Shelooks intoherfather'seyes.

ALICE

Daddy...

MARSHALL

Alice...I...

KORSHUNOV

Andoncethe triggerispulled,she isgone forever.Then,Iwonder,how doyou live,knowingyoucould've savedher?

Marshallstruggleswithhisduty.Hishonor.

KORSHUNOV

Andcouldyou everforgetthelook onher faceasshe ceasestoexist... Lateat night,whenyouthinkabout her,willStravanavitchreallymatter anymore?

Marshalltriestolookaway,butZedeckforceshimto watch.

ALICE

Daddy.Daddy,please...

ROSE

Jim...forgodsake!

KORSHUNOV

Lookinsideyourheart.Noone will thinkyouweak.Five...

Alice'sface,tryingtobebrave.

KORSHUNOV

Four...

ROSE

Jim...

KORSHUNOV

Three...

Roselooksaway.

KORSHUNOV

Two..

Alicelooksatherfatherfor theverylasttime.Thenshuts hereyestight.

KORSHUNOV

One...

Gibbsbeginstosqueezethetrigger.

MARSHALL

NO!

Korshunovsmiles.

MARSHALL

Stop.

KORSHUNOV

You'lldoit?

MARSHALL

Yes,I'lldo it.

(broken)

Justleavemy familyalone.

KORSHUNOV

Good.Good.

GibbswithdrawsthegunfromAlice'stemple.Aliceopensher eyesandgaspsforbreath.

KORSHUNOV

Bringhimthe phone...

Youaretrueto yournature,Mr.

President.

MARSHALL

Someday,you'llregretmynature.

KORSHUNOV

Youdon'tlikeseeingpeopleget hurt.Nowin morality,thatisa virtue.Inpolitics,however,that isweakness.

(beat)

Youwerea hostagetoeveryoneelse * long beforeyou werea hostageto

232

INT.BEDROOM-NIGHT

AsleeplessPetrovpacesbackandforth,smokingacigarette.

ThephoneRINGS.Helooksup expectantlyashisaideanswers.

AIDE

Sir,thePresidentofthe United Stateswishestospeakwithyou.

andthenwalksoverto thephone.

PETROV

Mr.President.

233

INT.PRISONCELL-NIGHT

Aguardwalksdownthe coldsteelhallway.Herattlesthe barofa darkenedcage,hepullsouta setof keysandunlocks thedoor.

GUARD

Stravanavitch.

Stravanavitchawakes,andleansforwardintothelight.He andtheguardtradelooks.Aftera beat,theguardturnsand retreatsdownthethehallway.

Stravanavitchrisesfromhisbunkandapproachesthecell door.Heleansagainstitand itswingsopen.

234

INT.M.C.C.-NIGHT

RosestaresatMarshall.Herlookishard toread.Distant... cold,perhaps.

ROSE

Canmy husbandsitnexttome?

Korshunovconsidersthepair.Handstapedbehindtheirback.

They'reharmless.Korshunovnods.

Marshallrisesandjoinsheronthe pilot'srestbunk.

ROSE

I don'tknowwhyyoustayed.

MARSHALL

Please...don'tstartwithme.

Rosemovesclosertohim,and speaksina lowvoice.

ROSE

There'ssomethingIneedtotell you...andGodknowsif I'llever getanotherchance.

Frombehind,weseeher pushhistapedhandsaway.

Helooksat herquizically.

ROSE

Nomatterwhathappens,youhave beenandalwayswillbe myhero.

Hefeelsthewall behindhim.Adulledge ofmetaltwisted slightlyfromtheearliercockpitdoorexplosion.

Heunderstands.

MARSHALL

Andyou havealwaysbeenmyguardian angel.

Shesmilesbackathim.

ROSE

I willneverregretmylifewith you.

BehindMarshall'sback,hebeginstocutawayatthe duct tape.

235

INT.MOSCOWCENTRALPRISON,HALLWAY-NIGHT

PRISONERSseehimandbeginbangingontheirbarsin rhythm.

Ashe paradesdownthecorridor,thebanginggrowsuntilit becomesdeafening.Stravanavitchsmilesacockysmile.

Onebyone, guarddoorsswingopeninfrontof him.Infact, afew oftheHACKSsaluteStravanavitchashepasses.

236

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONCENTER-AIRFORCEONE

ThecommunicationboardbeepsandZedeckpicksuptheline.

HeexchangessomewordswiththecallerinRussian,then hangsupthephone.

SERGE

It'sconfirmed.Stravanavitchison hisway out.Ourmenare waiting outside.

KorshunovsmilesandputshishandonZedeck'sshoulder.

ROSE

Yougot whatyouwanted.Yougoing toreleaseus now?

KORSHUNOV

You'reveryvaluable.Andournation needssomany things.

Marshallleanshisheadagainstthewall.Justashe expected.

MARSHALL

CouldI...CouldI havesomewater?

Korshunovnods,motionsZedecktotakecareofit.Zedeck reluctantydescendstothemaincabin.

KORSHUNOV

Thetasteof defeatisbitter,no?

MARSHALL

OnethingI'velearnedas

President...alldefeatsaretemporaryandallvictoriesare temporary.Today'5conquerersaretomorrow'svanquished.

KORSHUNOV

e Very poetic.

Zedeckarriveswithaglassofwater.

MARSHALL

Andthere'sonethingI'velearned frombeinga sportsfan.

Zedeckbringsthecupofwaterto Marshall'slips.Marshall tipshisheadbackto receiveit.

KORSHUNOV

Andthatis?

WaterspillsoverMarshall'sface.Heshakesitoff.

MARSHALL

Itain'tover,til it'sover.

Withblindingspeed,Marshallleapstohisfeetandswings hisarmaroundZedeck'sthroat.HesnapsZedeck'sneckwith quietefficency.

GibbsfiresatMarshall,butMarshall,usingZedeckasa shield,grabsholdoftheterrorist'sMP5andletsloose... mowingdowntheformerSecretServiceagent.

Therestof Gibb'sshotspeltagainstthecockpitcontrols sendingshowersofsparksflying.

Korshunovwhipsouthisgunandlinesup acleanshot at Marshall'shead.

MAJORCALDWELL

Mr.President.

KorshunovfiresatMarshall,but...

MajorCaidwelldivesinfrontofthebulletspraytakingthe roundsinhischest.

MarshallturnshisaimtoKorshunov...butKorshunovgrabs Aliceandpresseshispistoltoher head.

Stand-off.

KORSHUNOV

Don'tbehasty.

MarshallholdsKorshunovinhissights.Slowlyadvancing.

KORSHUNOV

Youloveyour daughter,Mr.

President.AndIlovemycountry.

It'safair trade.

hisgun.Korshunovdisappearsdownthestaircase.

MARSHALL

Shepherd.

SHEPHERD

Sir...

Shepherdstands.MarshallunwrapsShepherd'shands.

MARSHALL

CallPetrov...

(toRose)

I'llbe back.

ROSE

Bothof you.

soonasShepherdgetsherhandsloose,Roserushesto Caidwell'said.Shepherdcrossestothecommunicationspanel andpicksupa headset.Beginsdialingnumbers

237

INT.BEDROOM-NIGHT

Inhisnightdress,StoliPetrovnursesavodkaonice.His

PHONERINGS.

PETROV

Petrov.

Petrov'seyeswiden.

238

EXT.MOSCOWPRISONEXERCISEYARD-NIGHT

Awallof barspartand Stravanavitchwalksthrough.Into themainexerciseyard.

Themaingateseparateshimfrom...

Agroupof menwaitin thestreetbya limousine.

Themaingateopensslowly.

Whenthemensees Stravanavitchtheycometoattentionand

hismarchtowardhislimousine...

ASIRENWAILS.LIGHTSFLOODTHEINSIDEANDOUTSIDEOF THE PRISON.

Thefrontgatebeginstoclose.WorrycrossesStravanavitch's face.Hismenrushtowardhim,take positionbythegate.

Stravanavitchbreaksintoaruntowardhislimousine.

GUARD

Halt!Halt!

fromtheyard...thelimousinefiftyyardsaheadofhim... closingfast...

Onthelimo...theback dooropenandwaiting.

Ashotringsout fromtheguardtower,followedbyanother, andanother.Likepopcornstartingtopop.Stravanavitch's menreturnfire.Aminorwar breaksout.Loyalguardsbattling Stravanavitchsympathizers.

Stravanavitchcaughtinthemiddle,hitbyonebullet,then another,thenanother.Hemakesittotheopenreardoorof thelimousine,butcollapsesdead.

Everyonestopsfiring.Stravanavitch'smenrushtohisside..

239

INT.BEDROOM-NIGHT

Petrovslipsunderthecoversasan aideknocksonhisdoor.

PETROV

Whatis it?

AIDE

It'saboutStravanvaitch.

PETROV

Whatabouthim?

AIDE

He'sdead,sir.Shotwhiletryingto escape.

Abeat.

PETROV

Sobe it.The worldwillsleepeasier.

Petrovturnsouthisbedsidelight.

240

INT.AIRFORCEONE,MAINCABIN- NIGHT

totheunderdeck.

241

INT.COCKPIT-NIGHT

bulletholesinthepanel.

Directionalcompass...thecourseheadingdriftsofftothe south.

242

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

ThesquadronofF-15stillsurroundAirForceOne,which slowlybankstooneside.

243

INT.F-15COCKPIT-NIGHT

They'vechangedtheirbearing. (intoheadset) AirForceOne.Air ForceOne.

Over...AirForceOnepleaserespond...

FIGHTERPILOT#1 Sir,thisnew bearing.We'reheaded forIraq,sir.

244

INT.PILOT'SRESTAREA.

Unawareofthecoursedrift,ShepherdandRoseliftCaldwell ontoabunk.

ROSE

Easy,Major.Easy.

MAJORCALDWELL

ThePresident?

ROSE

Yousavedhis life.

Caidwellsmiles,settlespeacefullybackinthecot.Hedies.

Rosereachesupandshutshis eyes.

245

INT.LOWERGALLEY-NIGHT

cautiously.

Ashotringsout andrichochetsoffapieceof pipingright overMarshall'shead.

UndauntedMarshalladvances.

MARSHALL

It'sover,Korshunov.Youwon.Now lether go.

Helistens,footstepsaheadofhim.

ONKorshunov-holdingAlicebyher hair,practicallydragging heroverthemid-sectionwingcross-braces.

AsMarshallappearsinthegangwayhefiresoff anothershot, hittingacoolingvent.Steamfillsthe'gangwayarea,bathed inredauxiliarylighting.

Korshunovretreatstowardtherearoftheplane.

MARSHALL(O.S.)

There'snowheretogo.

246

INT.CONTROLTOWER-NIGHT

SUPER-"HUSSEINAIRBASE,NORTHERNIRAQ"

invasionforceheadingforitsborders.

247

EXT.AIRFIELD- NIGHT

IraqipilotsrushtotheirMiGs.

248

INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-

Alleyeson thetacticaldisplay...AirForceOne'scourse hasarcedsouthandthe planeisheadingstraightforIraq.

GENERALNORTHWOOD

Theyaren'tansweringtheirhails.

DEAN

Thisdoesn'tmakesense.

V.P.CHANDLER

Howcloseare they?

GENERALNORTHiqOODFifteenmiles,sotwominutes.

LEE

TheIraqiAmbassadorwon'ttakeour calls.We'retryingtogetthrough totheirCentralCommand.

DEAN

Totell themwhat?Thegreatinfidel himselfisflyingoverhead,Goget him?Thisis aman theyburnin effigy daily.

V.P.CHANDLER

Ifchallenged,ourfightersareto statethattheyare ona rescue mission.

GENERALNORTHWOOD

Iraqi'swon'tbuyit.Eitherthey're alreadyinon thisorthey'llthink we'respying.

V.P.CHANDLER

Iffiredupon,tell ourfighters thattheyare orderedtoengage.

249

INT.REARBAGGAGEHOLD-NIGHT

Marshallchecksbehindtheracksofstoredgoodsandluggage.

P.O.V.LOOKINGDOWNAGUNSIGHTASMARSHALLWALKSINTOTHE

open.

Afingeron thetrigger.

ALICE

Dad,lookout.

KorshunovfiresandMarshalldivesoutoftheway.He cones upin defensivecrouchreadytoshoot,butallhecan seeis Alice.

MARSHALL

Howyou doing,sweetie?

ALICE

Beenbetter,Dad...You?

cautiouslyfollows.

250

INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-EVENING

Onthetacticaldisplayasa secondgroupoffightersappear. readytochallengetheF-l5's.

251

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

AirForceOneand theclusterofF-15'szoomby.

AirForceone...pleaserespond.Air ForceOne,youare enteringhostile airspace.AirForceone...

AllCarltonreceivesisstatic.

252

INT.AFO'SCOCKPIT.

Nobodyatthewheel.Theautomaticpilotisstillengaged.

253

INT.F-15EAGLECOCKPIT.

Con.CARLTONOkay,guys,timetoearnyourpaychecks.Stay inprotectiveformation,anddonotengage,Irepeat,donot engage...unlessyouarefiredupon.Allwingsacknowledge.

FIGHTERPILOT#1 Haloone,acknowledged.

FIGHTERPILOT#2 Halotwo,acknowledged.

Therestof thepilotschimein.

254

INT.AIRFORCEONE,LOWERAFT GALLEY-NIGHT

Marshallswingsintothecubicle...empty.

Hecrossestothe cargobay/parachutelaunchramphatchway.

Looksthroughtheporthole.

Korshunovstrapsononeofthefew remainingparachutes.He tossestherestofthe sparesoutontotheplatform.

forcinghimbehindthedoorforcover.

KorshunovpullsAliceinfrontofhimand yanksdownthe rampactivationlever.

KORSHUNOV

Staywhereyouare.

Theramplowers,andAlicegetsher firstlookatthe drop.

Marshallwatchestheremainingparachutesslideofftheramp andintothestormysky.

KORSHUNOV

Theregoesyourride.

MARSHALL

Letmy daughtergoorI'lltake you out!

KORSHUNOV

Ifyou putdownthe gun,Ipromise notto dropheron thewaydown.

Korshunovbackstowardtheedgeoftheramp,pullinga strugglingandfightingAlice.

MARSHALL

Lether gonow!Or Iwill killyou.

Korshunovisafootawayfrom theedgeof theramp...two stepsback,heandAlicewill taketheplunge.

hispistoltoAlice'sear.

KORSHUNOV

Noyou won't.You'llcompromise... likealways.

MARSHALL

Holdon,Alice.

Marshallfires,hisbulletrippingapartagooddealof Korshunov'sfaceandsnappinghisbodyback.

Korshunovtumblesofftheplatform,buthislimbsarecaught. inAlice's.She'sknockedtoherbellyandhis deadweight dragsheroffthe edgeofthe platform.

ALICE

NO!

Marshalldivesdowntheslopingplatform,reachingoutfor her...

Alicetriestogripthe platformwithherhands,butshe can'tholdon.Herhand slipoffthemetalliclip.

Butasshe falls,she'scaughtbythewrist.Strongarms pullherup.Her father'sarms.Hecarriesherbacktothe safetyoftheplane.She'ssobsuncontrollably.

ALICE

OhNY god...ohmy god...ohmy god...

MARSHALL

It'sokay,honey.I gotyou.I got you.You'reokay.

ShepherdandRoseappear.MarshalllockseyeswithRose... smiles.Shepherdcrossestotheparachutebins.

MARSHALL

Gone.They'reallgone.

Theplaneshakeswiththethunderofa supersonicboom.

255

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

AhalfdozenMiGs racebythe clusterofAmericanaircraft atbreakneckspeeds.

256

INT.IRAQICONTROLTOWER-NIGHT

GENERALCERALLOSeyestheradar.

IRAQISOLDIER

TheAmericanssaytheyareescorting a damagedplane.Ourpilotsconfirm theyaresurroundinga747.

CERALLOS

Didwe warnthemoff?

IRAQISOLDIER

andthe 747wouldnotanswerour hails.

Cerallostakesamoment,lookingatthescreen.

CERALLOS

It'ssomekindof trick...a preliminaryairstrikeinresponseto ourtroopmovement.

IRAQISOLDIER

Theyarein ourairspace.Wewould bewithinour rights.

CERALLOS

Theworldwouldnot lookonus kindly ifwe shotdowna civilianairliner.

TheSoldierlistenstochatterconingoverhisheadset.

IRAQISOLDIER

Thepilotsaysit isdoes nothave themarkingsofa commercialjet.

CERALLOS

Warnthenagain.If theydon't respond...shootthemdown.Wewill notbe intimidated.

257

EXT.AIRFORCEONE- NIGHT

258

INT.MISSIONCOMMUNICATIONCENTER-NIGHT

Anothersonicboom.

MARSHALL

Whatis thatsound?

Marshallmakeshiswaytothe cockpit.

Throughthecockpitwindow,aMiGacceleratesoutofthe darknesscomingstraightatus.Atthelastsecondit pulls upslightly,ridingoverthetopof the747.

Itssonicboomrocksthejumbojet.

MARSHALL

Mygod. Ithinkthatwas aMiG.

SHEPHERD

A MiG?Wherethehellare we?

Marshallrushesbacktooneofthe rearupperdeckwindows.

Helooksoutat theF-l5s.

MARSHALL

They'reflyingaprotectionformation.

(beat)

CallD.C.Findout what'sgoingon.

259

INT.COCKPIT,F-15EAGLE-NIGHT

MISPILOT(V.0.)

Thisis yourlastwarning.Youare

immediately.

I saidbackoffand holdyourfire.

Weareon a rescuemission.Donotengage.Irepeat,donot engage.

260

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

AMiG loopsintopositionbehindCarlton.

261

INT.MIGCOCKPIT-NIGHT

sights.Goodtone.

Thepilotpullsthetrigger.

262

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

ThemissiledetachesfromtheMiGandslidestowardCarlton.

Carltonbreaksformation,leadingthemissileastray.His planetucksintoatightlittleroll.The missilemisses overCarlton'srollingwings.

HaloTeam,thisis groupleader.

HaloTeamisclearedto engage.Irepeat,youareclearedto engage.

Carltonpullshisplaneintoamonsterclimb.

Thisis therealthingboys.Let's flyand fry.

263

INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-NIGHT

Aringingphoneisansweredbyan aide.A fewbeats.

AIDE

It'stheChiefof Staffcalling... fromAirForceOne. They'veretaken controloftheaircraft.

GENERALNORTHWOOD

Thentellhim togetthe fuckoutof Iraq.

264

INT.COCKPIT-NIGHT

Marshallsettlesintothepilot'schair.Shepherdcomesin.

SHEPHERD

Iraq,sir.We'reoverIraq.

MARSHALL

Iraq?Shep,you'refired.

Marshalllooksattheplane'sbearing.Theinstrumentsare shottohell.

MARSHALL

Shit.

SHEPHERD

Howlong'sit beensinceyouflew, sir?

MARSHALL

Twenty-fiveyears.

265

EXT.SKY-

AnF-15followsa MiGintoa barrelroll.

266

INT.MIGCOCKPIT-NIGHT

TheMIGpilottargetsAirForceOne.He cutshisspeedas he linesuphisshot.Gets alock.

MIGPILOT

(arabic/subtitle)

I haveradarlockonthe 747.

267

INT.COCKPIT-AIRFORCEONE -NIGHT

Ontacticalcomputer- "RADARLOCK"

"Dis-EngagingAuto-pilot"

Theplanebanksleftintoa dive.Marshallgrabstheyoke.

268

INT.MIGCOCKPIT-

Fingeronthetrigger.

MIGPILOT

It'sevading.CanI taketheshot?

MIGLEADER(V.0.)

Taketheshot.

269

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

LookingforwardfromunderneathanF-15,theMiGheadstoward AirForceOne.TheF-15 firesasidewinder.

OntheMIG...as itfiresits missile.TheF-15'ssidewinder blowstheMIGup, takingthemissilewithit.

AirForceOneis clear...forthetimebeing.

270

INT.AIRFORCEONE,COCKPIT- NIGHT

MARSHALLSTRUGGLESTOREGAINCONTROLOFTHE747.HEOVER-

compensatesandtheplanerocksside-to-side.

ROSE

Whatareyou doing?

MARSHALL

Flyingtheplane.

ROSE

Youhaven'tevendrivena carsince youtookoffice.

Marshallchecksoutthetacticaldisplay.

MARSHALL

I'msureit's likeridingabicycle... downhillwithnobrakesandsomebody shootingatyou.

Marshallfindsthethrottle,pushesitupalltheway.He feelstheplaneout,gentlynudgesitintoa turn.

271

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

TwoMiGsflareoutof anengagementwiththeF-15'sandbreak towardAirForceOne.

Wegot twoon theloose.Someoneget onthem.

FIGHTERPILOT#2 HaloTwo...I can'tgettherein time.

Bullshit.Doit.

ThetwoMiGslock ontoAirForceOne.Eachfiresa missile atthePresident'splane,beforebreakinginopposite directions.

272

INT.AFOCOCKPIT-NIGHT

Ared buzz.It'sallMarshallcandoto keeptheplaneflying straight.

MARSHALL

Wegot twocomingatus!

TacticalCountermeasuresComputer...asittracksthe incomings...

"HeatSeekers"

"LaunchingFlares"

273

EXT.AIRFORCEONE- NIGHT

BrightlyburningflareslaunchfromeithersideofAirForce One'swingsanddescendtowardearth.

Themissilesfollowtheheatofthe flares,plummeting harmlesslytoearth.

274

INT.AIRFORCEONECOCKPIT- NIGHT

Theshockwavesfroma nearbyMiGexplosionshakestheplane.

Intheaftermath,Marshalltakesamomentandpullsonthe pilot'sheadset.

MARSHALL

U.S.Pilots,thisisAir ForceOne.

CopyAirForceOne. Welcometothe party.

FIGHTERPILOT#1(V.0.)

I'monit.

275

INT.AFOCOCKPIT-NIGHT'

MARSILALL

Canyou...canyou dropinfrontof me?I'llfollowyou out.

Hangtough,I'mon myway.

276

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

Onthetwo MiG'sheadingforAirForceOne.

AnF-15dropsin behindthem.TheMiGsscissorandbreakin OPPositedirections.TheF-l5canonlyfollowoneofthem.

FIGHTERPILOT11

I'mtighton one,theother'sloose.

Ineedhelp downhere.

TheotherMiGcomesup onthe 747andopensfirewith his CANNONS.Theshellsripupthesurfaceof theaircraft's wing.TheMiGswoopspastAir ForceOneandjerksintoa * vertical.

Onthedamagedwing- Fuelstartsleakingoutandthe outer jetenginecatchesfire.

277

INT.COCKPIT,AIRFORCEONE- NIGHT

Redwarninglightflashesonthecontrolpanel.

MARSHALL

We'rehit.We'vegotan engineon fire.

COT.CAALTON(V.0.)

Shutit down.Shutitdown.

Marshallreachesoverandtogglestheshutoffswitch.

278

EXT.AIRFORCEONE- NIGHT

Theenginewhirstoa haltandthe rushingwindblowsout thefire.Butnow she'sonlygotthreeengines.

279

INT.AIRFORCEONE- NIGHT

Throughthecockpitwindow,anF-15settlesinfrontofAir ForceOne...Flamespouringoutofitstail.Underanyother condition,itwouldbepretty.Alice,RoseandShepherdwatch Marshallfly.

MARSHALL

Thisis PresidentMarshall.Iknow youguysare busy,butwe needsome helphere.

280

INT.CARLTON'SF-15COCKPIT-NIGHT

Cantoninpursuitofa Mis.

Mr.President,it'sanhonor.Now withyourpermissioncanweleadyou thefuckout ofhere.

MARSHALL

Youreadmy mind.

Putyourpiloton.

MARSHALL

He'sbusybeingdead.

Carltonbreaksleft,linesupaMiG andfires.Henailsthe Iraqiaircraft.

Who'sflyingthefuckingplane?

MARSHALL

I'mdoingwhatI can.

Canyou,can youchangeyourheading toZero FourOnepointsix?

MARSHALL

Negative.We'velostnavagition.I don'tknowwherethatis.

BuzzersoundsinCarlton'scockpit.He'sbeenlockedon.

Ohshit.Hang on.Somebodyhelpme out.I gotoneup myass.

281

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

Carltonputshisplaneintoa triplecanopyrollthenslams onhisairbreaks.TheMiSshootsby himandCarltonlets loosewithhisCANNONS.TheMiGpullsup anddisengages.

Twoand threeareheadingtowardthe Boeing.

Okay.We'regonnaarca fatone to theright.Gotit?

MARSHALL

Gotit.

Staycool.

Canton'splaneedgesaroundtotheright...andMarshall follows.The747leansatan angleandcontinuestheturn untiltheF-15is deadahead.Anotherplaneexplodesahead ofhimat threeo'clock.

MARSHALL

Howwe doing,Colonel?

Westillgot threeMiGsrunningaround andsix moreonthe way.

Can'tyouflyany faster?

IRA'.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-NIGHT

Alleyesaregluedto thetacticalscreen,showingthe dogfight.Theylistentotheradiotraffic.

MARSHALL

We'reatfull throttle.

FIGHTERPILOT#1(V.0.)

AirForceOne,MiGsfourand fiveareon yourtail.

MARSHALL

Wellget`em offme,goddamnit.

282

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

TwoMiGstargetingthebigbird.

FIGHTERPILOT#1 I can'tgeta lock.Breakright.

Breakright.

283

INT.AFOCOCKPIT-NIGHT

Marshallstruggleswithhisstickturningtheaircraftto theright.

284

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

Ofcourseitspointless.TheBoeingisa fuckingsloth comparedtothesefighters.

285

INT.AIRFORCEONECOCKPIT- NIGHT

Thefamiliarbuzz.Tacticalcomputer."RADARLOCK"

screen,thecomputerdisplaysDefensiveMode/OffensiveMode.

DefensiveModeishighlighted.

ALICE

Daddy,look.Itsays...

Alicereachesoutandtouchesthescreen.

MARSHALL

Notnow,pumpkin.

Alice'stouchactivatesoffensivemode.

286

EXT.AIRFORCEONE- NIGHT

Alongthebellyofthe aircraft,twohatchespivotopen, revealingaseriesofmissiles.

SKY- ASTHEF-15 JOCKEYSWITHTHE`NOMIGS

FIGHTERPILOT#1 I can'tgetgoodtone.

Taketheshot.

TheF-15fires,butthe Sidewinderscreamspasttheturning HiGs.

287

INT.AIRFORCEONE,COCKPIT- NIGHT

Tacticalcomputer...Overgraphdisplay.

"OffensiveCounterMeasuresActivatedw"LaunchingMissiles"

ERR.AIRFORCEONE-

MiGsreleaseflares,buttheSparrowsdon'tflinch.

TwinFIREBALLSeruptintheskyas theMicsevaporate.

Butfromthefireball,aMISSILEemergescomingrightatAir ForceOne.

Closingfast.

FIGHTERPILOT#2 Boss,theygotone off.

288

INT.AIRFORCEONE- NIGHT

Ontheconsole...sparksfly.

Tacticalcomputerflashes..."SYSTEMFAILURE"

"MissileLocked"

MARSHMjWhatdidyoutouch?Whatdidyou touch!?

ALICE

Nothing!

Marshallchecksdisplay.

MARSHALL

Ohshit.It's gotus.

289

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

ThemissilehasAirForceOne deadtorights,crawlingright upitstail pipe.

Justbeforeitsabouttohit theplane...

FIGHTERPILOT11

YAAAAAAAAH!

AnF-15swoopsup frombelow.LikeaSecretServiceagent duringanassassinationattempt...

TheF-15takesthebulletin itsmid-section.BOOM!

Theblastslamsbitsof thefighterplaneagainstAirForce One.Rockingitbadly.Chunksoftheplanerip awaymetal sheetingonthe747'swingsandtailsection.

290

INT.F-15COCKPIT-NIGHT

Wegot sixmorebogeys,closingfast fromthesouth.

291

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

AsquadronofNavyF-14sdropsinto thetheatre.Thecavalry.

NAVYSQUADRONLEADER(V.0.)

YouAirForceboysget thatplaneoutof here.We'lltake careofthoseMiGs.

Rogerthat.Kickass,Navy.

NAVYSQUADRONLEADER(V.0.)

That'saffirmative.

292

INT.COCKPIT-NIGHT

theyoke.

MARSHALL

Uh,we gota problemhere.

Juststayon mywing,sir.I'll take youall thewayin.

MARSHALL

No.We'relosingfueland myrudder's notresponding.

Lemmetakea look.

293

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

Cantonpullsupanddropsbackover theplane.Helooksdown attheBoeing'swing.

Aw,man.You'retornup prettybad outhere,sir.Do youhaveany elevatercontrol.

MARSHALL

Sluggish...Ithinkit'sjammedtoo.

294

INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-NIGHT

Uh,Tower,we gota problemuphere.

Sir,Igot somebadnews.Air ForceOne...there'snoway theycanbringit down.Plane'sdamaged,it'sunlandable.

295

INT.AIRFORCEONE,COCKPIT- NIGHT

Marshalllooksoutthesidecockpitwindow,seesCarlton'sF- 15flysteadywithhis.

I'msorry,sir.

CarltonsalutesMarshall.Marshallreturnsit.

MARSHALL

Thanksforyourhelp,Colonel.

296

INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-NIGHT

GeneralNorthwoodcollapsesintohischair.

GENERALNORTHWOOD

They'vegotnochutes.Theycan't controltheplane,theirenginesare failingandthey'relosingfuel.

DEAN

I preferedtheterrorists.

GENERALNORTHWOOD

That'sgame,set,andmatch.There's nothingtodo,exceptcallthe Chief Justice.

V.P.CHANDLER

TheChiefJustice?Whatonearth for?

GENERALNORTHWOOD

Toswearyou inas President.

Deadsilenceintheroom.

GeneralGreelyamblesovertothetacticalmapandjuststares atit.He loosenshistieand scratcheshishead.

GENERALGREELY

Where'syourstriketeam,General?

GENERALNORTHWOOD

Ontheirway backtoTurkey.Why?

GENERALGREELY

I justhadthecraziestidea.

297

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

KC-lOTransportplane.

acknowledged.Weareenroute.

TheKC-lObanksintoa turn.

298

INT.COCKPIT,AIRFORCEONE- MIGHT

Alice,RoseandShepherdstandbehindthepilot'sseat.

MARSHALL

(intoheader)

Isit ouronlyoption?- Thendoit.

Marshalllookstotheothers.

MARSHALL

We'renowoverthe BlackSea,so evenif theycouldgetus chutes we'ddrownor dieofhypothermia

beforetheycouldgettous. We'vegotoneotheroption though...

299

EXT.WHITEHOUSE-NIGHT

Standardnewsshot.CNNREPORTERfacingthecamera.

REPORTER

incredible,yetunconfirmedreports, ofWhiteHousestaffmembers parachutingfromtheplanewhilethe Presidenthimselfbattledthese

terrorists.

300

INT.LIVINGROOM-NIGHT

AfamilygathersaroundtheirT.V.setto hearthereport.

REPORTER(TELEVISION)

Yetnow,in a bizarretwistofevents, CNNhas learnedthatAirForceOne hasbeenseverlycrippledandis virtuallyunlandableandoursources reportthattheFirstFamilyis trappedonboard.A daringmid-air rescueoperationissaidtobe underway.

301

INT.COCKPIT,AIRFORCEONE- NIGHT

MARSHALL

Howlong'sit been?

SHEPHERD

hereanymoment.

MARSHALL

Theybetter.Fuel'salmostgone.

Upahead,navagationlights.

ALICE

Theretheyare!

MARSHALL

Okay,I'mslowingusdown.

302

INT.MAINCABIN- NIGHT

directionsforemergencydoorrelease.

303

EXT.AIRFORCEONE- NIGHT

Theemergencydooropensandtheemergencyraft/slidedeploys. Itinflatesbeforebeingrippedfromtheaircraft,gently waftingthroughstormyclouds.

304

INT.MAINCABIN- NIGHT

Airrushespasttheairplaneattwo hundredmilesanhour.

SHEPHERD

IT'SOPEN!

305

INT.COCKPIT-

MARSHALL

DOYOU SEETEEM?

306

INT.CABIN-NIGHT

ROSE(O.S.)

CANYOU SEETHEM?

greyingclouds.Thehorizon,though,lightensasdawn approaches.

Shepherdspotsnavigationallightsdescendingfromabove.

SHEPHERD

HERETHEYCOME!

307

EXT.KC-LOTRANSPORT-NIGHT

It'ssidecargodooris wideopen.ArmyRangersbeginwinching outthree-inchwidecable.

308

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

TheKC-lOpraticallyontopofAir ForceOne.Separatedby fortyfeet.Superflying.

Thecableslapsagainstthesideof AirForceOneand drags alongit'sedge.Asit slidespasttheopendoorway,Shepherd grabsitandhaulsit intotheplaneuntilhe hasits end. Hehooksthecableto a metalclaspatthetop ofthe door frame.

SHEPHERD

WE'REHOOKED!

309

INT.AIRFORCEONECOCKPIT-

MARSHALL

We'rehooked.Hoveintoposition.

KC-LOPILOT(RADIO)

RomeoTangoZulu,acknowledged.We areassumingposition.

Ared lightflashesonthecontrolpanel.Enginenumbertwo grindstoa halt.Thepressureguagesdroptozero.

MARSHALL

Getgoing.We don'thavemuchtime left.

RosebendsdownandkissesMarshallonthecheek.

ROSE

I loveyou.I justwantedyouto knowthat.

Marshallholdsherwithhiseye.

MARSHALL

I loveyoutoo.

(beat)

We'regoingtomake it.

Alicethrowsherarmsaroundherfather.

ALICE

Myschoolplay'sTuesdaynight.

Promisemeyou'llbethere.

MARSHALL

I promise.

Guagesshowfuelislow ontheremainingturbofans.

310

EXT.SKY-

planesareconnectedbyahundredyardsofcable.

FIVEARMYRANGERSinsnatchharnessesslidedownthecable bridgeontoAirForceOnefrAsthey hittheopendoorway, theyunclipandsailintothe maincabin.

ARMYRANGER#1 Let'sgetyou folksoutofhere.

311

INT.DEPARTMENTSTORE-EVENING

regionandagraphicof AirForceOne.

KC-LOPILOT(V.0.)

Tower,AirForceOnehas beenboarded.

TOWER(V.0.)

RomeoTangoZulu,copyOnethe television,graphicsoftheFirst FamilyagainstthePresidentialSeal.

REPORTER

You'relisteningtoanintercepted audiofeedof radiocommunications betweenAirForceOneand ArmySpecial Forces,flyingside-by-side, attemptingtogetthefirstfamily offthe damagedaircraft.

312

INT.MAINCABIN-

ThreeArmyRangersharnessthemselves`tothesurvivors.One toAlice,oneto Roseandone toShepherd.Theothertwo

headforthecockpit.

AliceandherRangerareready.

ARMYRANGER

We'reset.

ALICE

Mon...

ROSE

Youcan doit,baby.

ARMYRANGER

Holdon tight.Thefirststep'sa bitch.

Alicetakesadeepbreath,closeshereyes...

Thesoldierclipsonthecable,and shovesoffthelipof thedoorway,SAILINGDOWNTHEWIRE.

Theyplummet,Alicescreaming.Thelinegoestaut.

Thepairslidethehundredyardsto theKC-lO.Rangersgrab themandbringthemintothe transport.

313

INT.DEPARTMENTSTORE-EVENING

Shopperslistentotelevisionsets,galvanized.

KC-lOPILOTThefirstdaughterison-board.

314

INT.COCKPIT,AIRFORCEONE- NIGHT

Withasmile.

MARSHALL

Acknowledged.

TwoArmyRangersapproachthecockpit.

ARMYRANGER#1 Mr.President!

ArmyRanger#2slidesintotheco-pilot'sseat.

ARMYRANGER#2 I'lltakeit, sir.Yougetgoing.

315

INT.MAINCABIN- NIGHT

Roseclipsonto aRanger'sharness.

ROSE

Ready!

Theycliponthe wire,movetothe lip,andrappeloffthe sideofthe plane.

316

INT.AFOUPPERDECK- NIGHT

AsthefirstRangerleadsMarshallthroughtheM.C.C.

WHENASHOT RINGSOUT...

Thesoldierattheflightyokeslumpsoverdead.

MarshallandthefirstRangerswingaroundtosee...

AbloodybutsmilingGibbs,lyingonthe deck,clutchingan

MP5.

TheRangerdrawshisweapon...

ButGibbsswingshisriflearound.Pullsthetrigger.BAM.

BAM.BAM.HittingtheRanger.

TheRangerreturnsfire,shootingroundafterroundatGibbs beforepitchingover,dead.

Gibbsdrawsabeadon thePresident,smiles...buthedoesn't haveanystrengthlefttopullthe trigger.Heexpires.

Andtheplanebeginsto dive.Marshallrunsforthecockpit.

317

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

RoseandherRangerare pulledaboardthetransport.

318

INT.MAINCABIN-

ShepherdandhisRangerclipontothewire,but theKC-lOis nowhigherthanAirForceOne.

319

INT.AFOCOCKPIT-

WithMarshallbackattheyoke.

KC-LOPILOT

AirForceOne,you'relosingaltitude.

MARSHALL

I can'tholdit!

HANGON. KC-LOPILOT(V.0.)

320

EXT.SN- NIGHT

TheKC-lOtransportdipslowerandlower,tryingtomaintain itspositionunderthedescendingplane.

KC-LOPILOT

Tower,RomeoTangoZulu.TheFirst Ladyis onboard.AirForceOne, status?

MARSHALL

We'velosttwoof yourmen.There's noone tofly theplane.

KC-L0PILOT(V.0.)

Wecan sendanotheroneover.

MARSHALL

Notime.I onlyhaveone engineleft.

321

INT.MAINCABIN- NIGHT

ARMYRANGER

Comeon!

SHEPHERD

WhataboutthePresident?

ARMYRANGER

He'son hisway.

WiththeKC-lObackin thePosition,ShepherdandhisRanger shoveoffthedyingplanetowardsafety.

TNT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-NIGHT

KC-L0PILOT

TheChiefof Staffisonboard.We areat sixthousandfeetdescending rapidly.

Everyone'sbitingtheirnails.

TNT.AIRFORCEONECOCKPIT- NIGHT

MARSHALL

I can'tstabilizeit.

KC-LOPILOT

Sir,we'regoingto poundpavement inless thanthreeminutes.

Marshallholdstheyokeinonehand andunclipsthesnatch harnessfromthedeadrangerinthe co-pilot'sseat.

Thelastredlighton theenginecontrolpanelstartsto flash.

MARSHALL

I'MLOSINGNUMBERFOUR!

Marshall,stillfightingtheyoke,stands.Hetakesadeep

breatn,dropsthewheelandrunslikea motherfuckerforthe stairs.

322

EXT.SICY, AIRFORCEONE.

Dropsintoabankingtwist.

Thecablelinerunstaut.

TheKC-lOtriestocompensate.

Marshalldivesdownthestairsfrom theupperdeck,comesup sprinting forthe door.

TNT.AIRFORCEONE,COCKPIT-

Enginefourfails.

323

INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-

KC-1OPILOT(V.0.)

She'soutof control.Ican'tpace her.

324

INT.MAINCABIN-

Thetautstrainingcablesnapsonecornerofthemetalclasp.

Theclaspstartstobend.

INSLOWMOTION-

MARSHALLsprintingtotheopendoor.

Theclasptwisting.Thecablehookreadytoslipof f it.

Marshallclipson,anddivesoutof thedoor.Heslidesforty feetdown,when....

Theclaspgives.Thecablelinesnapsawayfrom theplane... oneendconnectedtotheKC-l0,the otherconnectedto...

Nothing.

Marshallslidesdownthecable,grippingatit,tryingto breakhisfall.

AirForceOneplummetstowardthewater.

Marshallsliding,rightbehindit,runningoutofcable.

Attheend ofhis rope,literally.Marshall'sharnesssnags ontheend clasp.Hehangson fordearlife.

MomentslaterAirForceOneimpacts.

AhugeEXPLOSION,waterandflamesblowsskyhighintothe night.

325

INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-

KC-LOPILOT

Tower.AirForceOneis down...

326

INT.SPORTSBAR- EVENING

Deadsilenceasallthe patronsstareupatthe T.V.

KC-1OPILOT

I repeat,AirForceOneisdown.

TOWER

RomeoTangoZulu.Doyou havethe President?

Noresponse...

327

INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-NIGHT

TOWER

RomeoTangoZulu,pleaserespond.Do youhavethe President?Over.

Stillnoresponse...

328

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

ThemassivefireballandglowingremainsofthePresidential aircraftalmostreachesuptowherethePresidentstruggles toholdon tothe endofthe cable.

329

INT.KC-LOTRANSPORT

ARMYRANGER

Winchitup! Winchitup!

330

EXT.SKY- NIGHT

Marshallslippingofftheline,unabletogeta solidhold.

Hishandsslickwithblood.

Thebellyofthe KC-lOgetscloserandcloser.

MARSHALL

Comeon.Ten mareseconds.

Hecloseshiseyes.His fingersbegintogive.

331

INT.LIVINGROOM-NIGHT

AlloverAmerica,families,gatheredaroundtheirtelevisions, wait.

TOWER

RomeoTangoZulu,doyou havethe President?Over.

KC-LOPILOT

Standby.

332

INT.DEPARTMENTSTORE-NIGHT

TOWER

RomeoTangoZulu1thisis Tower.

Pleasereport.over.

333

INT.WHITEHOUSESITUATIONROOM-NIGHT

Alongbeat ofsilence,then...

TOWER

RomeoTangoZulu,doyou copy?Do youhavethe President?

Anotherlongbeat.

KC-LOPILOT

Wecopy.Standby...

(beat)

Tower?

TOWER

Tower,here.

KC-LOPILOT

Thisis RomeoTangoZuluchanging callsigns.

(beat)

Tower,alertairtraffic,RomeoTango Zuluis nowAirForceOne.

(beat)

Thisis AirForceOne...ThePresident issafe onboard.

TOWER

Copy,AirForceOne.

Cheersfloodthesituationroom.

CheersfloodtheDepartmentStore.

Cheersfloodthepressroom,thelivingroom,thesports bars,churches,schools,constructionsites,hospitals... allacrossAmerica.

334

INT.KC-1OHOLD- DAWN

MarshallhuddlestightwithRoseandAliceasa MEDICattends totheirwounds.

ARMYRANGER

Mr.President?

Marshallturnstoseethissoldier,afresh-faced,19-year- oldkid,salutinghisCommander-in-chief.

ARMYRANGER

Welcomeaboard,sir.

Marshallreturnsthesalute.

335

EXT.SKY- DAWN

TheKC-1Osoarsintotheemergingsunrise,flyinginthe centeroftheremainingF-l5formation.

FADETOBLACK