C.M.A.C. - Saga of a Saigon Warrior
Episode 2 – Demise of the Nhan Vi
Written by
James J. Finnegan
Based on the novel
C.M.A.C., A Vietnam Era Trilogy
by the same author
© 2007 James Finnegan - All rights reserved
SCENE 1. ext. – Rex boq, rooftop restaurant – mid day
Capt. Dennison and Lt. Callaghan are discussing his release from jail.
Capt. Dennison:
I’m glad the General and the Commanding Officer of the MP Battalion finally came to an agreement otherwise you would still be incarcerated.
Lt. Callaghan:
I don’t like jail and I don’t ever want to be put in that situation again. The nerve of hauling me in because I was ‘harassing’ his troops.
Capt. Dennison:
Well you’re out, that’s the main thing. I wonder if it will it show up in your record anyway?
Lt. Callaghan:
I don’t really care. I only have three hundred forty some days to go and I am focused on that date. By the way, how come you didn’t bring me back to the Signal Office?
Capt. Dennison:
Colonel Grimes went to the 199th and Major Dingby has some personal errands to run so there was no need. I can take you back if you want.
Lt. Callaghan:
After being in jail there’s nothing like being free. I think I’ll just sit here and soak up the sun and suds for a while. It reminds me of Signal School at Fort Gordon. They had closed down the main schools and there were just a handful of us going through. We really didn’t have much to do so we ended up causing more problems than you can imagine. I can remember that we were told that a certain frequency was off limits. One of the core group finally tried it as all the other frequencies we were assigned were crap. What we didn’t know was it overrode the Post TV audio frequency. That probably would be too bad but the General’s wife was having tea party for the officers children and they were watching Art Linkletter’s ‘kids say the darndest things’ when the off color comments we were making hit their gentile ears. There was hell to pay when we finally arrived back from our exercise.
Capt. Dennison:
Did you know your predecessor Captain Chase? He was at Fort Gordon Signal School about the same time as you. He was kind of like you. Sounds like something in which he would have been involved. Do you know why he disappeared?
Lt. Callaghan:
Not for misuse of a frequency, I hope.
Capt. Dennison:
Captain Chase created the Radio Section out of the ashes of Tet. His departure from the command was rather abrupt. It happened the day after he commandeered the General’s helicopter for the purpose of engaging in intimate amorous activities with a young lady above the city. He wanted to show her the roundabouts from the air. The General didn’t think the novelty of the approach justified his actions, especially since the lady in question was on the General’s staff. So, he had him assigned up country. Chase was lucky as the interim unit he was assigned to deployed back to the States within days. Did you know that he was the one that initiated the CONEX swaps with the Fifth Special Forces, although they didn’t know it.
Lt. callaghan:
So that’s where the CONEX’s keep coming from. I’ll have to go through all of them one of these days.
Capt. Dennison:
Speaking of work, I have to get back. Do you want me to drop you off or will you take the Orange bus?
Lt. Callaghan:
Drop me off please. I’ve just been in jail and have an aversion to being caged up.
SCENE 2. int. – Nhan vi boq reception – late afternoon
Lt. Callaghan enters and is greeted by sfc. mitchell, boq manager
SFC Mitchell:
Good evening Sir, I have some good news for you. Your roommate has finally arrived. He moved in today but will not be back for a couple of hours. Did I mention he was a Lieutenant in the Korean Army? Should not make a difference in any case. We are both fighting on the same side.
Lt. Callaghan:
That does not make any difference to me. Did you manage to get the air conditioner fixed?
SFC. Mitchell:
Oh that is right, I knew that there was something I needed to do. It slipped my mind again Sir. I will get right on it tomorrow.
Lt. Callaghan:
You just take your time Sergeant. Who knows I might get a room downtown and then you might not have to fix it at all. In the mean time, I am sure you are under budget and will get a pat on the back from your superiors.
SFC. Mitchell:
Thank you Sir, I needed that.
Lt. Callaghan heads towards the elevator.
SFC. Mitchell:
Sir, did I mention that the elevator is broken again?
Lt. callaghan looks at the elevator and then the stairs.
Lt. Callaghan:
No, Sergeant you did not, it must have slipped your mind. Have you ever had to climb eight stories on a regular basis? It gets a little old after a while. I suppose I should thank you for keeping me in shape.
SFC. Mitchell:
No need to thank me Sir, we like ti think it is all part of the service.
Lt. Callaghan starts climbing the stairs.
SCENE 3. int. - Nhan Vi, Lt. callaghan’s room - Night
Lt. Callaghan puts his rifle in the CLOSET Notices a funny odor and opens the window. Turns on the radio, SEARCHES for AFVN and Falls on the bed. The odor starts to bother him and he starts searching. Finds the source – a Kimchi pot, opens it and quickly closes it.
Lt. callaghan:
What the hell is that?
Grabs the pot and puts it outside the door in the hallway. Returns to the bed. Several hours later he is awaken when Lt. Kim arrives.
Lt. Kim:
Lieutenant Callaghan, I am Lieutenant Kim. Please, my English is very poor. I hope you can teach me.
Lt. Callaghan:
I’m pleased to meet you Lieutenant. I would be glad to help you with your English.
Lt. Kim:
I must go then. What do you drink?
Lt. callaghan:
Johnny Walker Black will do.
Lt. Kim:
I will be back soon and we can start.
Lt. KIm leaves the room.
Lt. CaLLAGHAN: (V.O.)
I hope I have not bitten off more than I can chew.
An hour later Lt. Kim returns with his kimchi pot and an imperial quart of Johnny walker black scotch whisky. Puts the Kimchi pot back where it was.
Lt. kim
Lieutenant Callaghan this is my Kimchi pot. It must stay inside the room.
Lt. Kim put a small table in the middle of the room and placed the bottle of whisky on the top. Goes into the bathroom and brings back two paper cups and sits down. Fills the cups with whisky. Lt. Kim raises his cup and motions to Lt. Callaghan to raise his. Lt. Kim drinks the entire cup and Lt. Callaghan follows suit. Lt. Kim REFILLS the cups.
Now you teach me English, please.
Lt. Callaghan:
Where would you like to start?
Lt. Kim pulls out his wallet and extracts several photos.
Lt. Kim:
We start with my family.
Lt. Callaghan: (V.O.)
Lieutenant Kim went through his extensive family and Lieutenant Callaghan helped him with his pronunciation. As the hours passed however, Callaghan was getting drunk and started slurring his words. One can only imagine what Lieutenant Kim’s English sounded like if he articulated what was coming out of Lieutenant Callaghan’s mouth. Eventually the teaching session had to end.
Lt. Callaghan:
Lieutenant Kim, I have to go to bed. I cannot stay awake any longer. I have had too much to drink.
Lt. Kim fills Lt. callaghan’s cup again. Lt. Callaghan begs forgiveness, stands and falls on his bed.
SCENE 4. EXT. Street in Front of Nhan Vi - Morning
Maj. Dingby is waiting for Lt. Callaghan in a jeep. Cpl. Rosenburg is driving. Lt. callaghan rushes out of the front door of the Nhan Vi, salutes and jumps in the back of the jeep. Slammed into the seat by Cpl. Rosenburg’s takeoff.
Maj. Dingby:
Well Lieutenant, I see you are keeping banker’s hours. We must not let ourselves slip into an undisciplined or self-indulgent state of life. There is a war going on you know and we are here to help win it. Therefore, I expect you to be early tomorrow morning so we do not have to wait. I get very unpleasant if I do not get to the office in time for my morning coffee and croissant.
Lt. Callaghan tries not to get sick from the effects of the scotch and Cpl. ROSENBURG’S driving.
Lt. Callaghan:
Yes Sir, I will keep in mind that there is a war going on. One would not want to become undisciplined and certainly not self-indulgent.
SCENE 5. Int. c.m.a.c. Signal Office:
Maj. Dingby sits down at his desk, is handed his coffee and CROISSANT by the clerk and indulges himself.
Lt. Col. Grimes:
Is that you major? Where is Lt. Callaghan?
Maj. Dingby PERTURBED by the colonel interrupting his breakfast walks to Lt. Col. GRIMES office.
Maj. Dingby:
Good morning Sir. I’m sorry I did not know you would be in this early. Lieutenant Callaghan joined us on the way in this morning. He looks a little worse for wear. You might have a word with him. I think he is in the Radio Room. Would you mind if I called in a few moments, I am just in the middle of my breakfast?
Lt. Col. Grimes:
Yes, I would mind Major, there is a war going on you know and operations should take precedence over pleasure.
Maj. Dingby:
Yes Sir, I understand. That is just what I was telling Lieutenant Callaghan this morning on the way in. We all need to buckle down. That is the problem with….
Lt, Col. Grimes:
Major, cut the crap and call the Radio Room. I want to see Lieutenant Callaghan immediately.
Maj. Dingby:
Yes Sir, right away Sir.
Maj. Dingby leaves Lt. Col. Grimes office, slowly takes a bite of his CROISSANT and a sip of his coffee and then makes the call.
SCENE 6. – c.m.a.c. radio room - morning
Lt. Callaghan has his head in his hands. phone rings, Sfc Holstein answers.
sfc. holstein:
It’s Major Dingby Sir, he says Lieutenant Colonel Grimes wants to see you in his office now.
Lt. Callaghan:
What have I done now? Have you heard anything through the grapevine sergeant?
sfc. holstein:
It could be any number if things Sir. They have renegotiated the Duck Bunker inspections with the Commanding Officer of the MP Battalion. I suppose you will be picking up that duty again. There are more chickens in the Duck Bunker compound however; I suppose that is of little consequence at this point. The C.M.A.C. monkey keeps getting out. Other than that, I have heard nothing. Please let me know if anything is up.
Lt. Callaghan:
I will sergeant. Thanks for the input. Wish me luck. I can use all the luck I can get at this point.
Lt. Callaghan leaves the Radio room.
SCENE 7. int. - C.M.A.C. Signal Office - Morning
Lt. callaghan enters, Maj. Dingby finishes his breakfast and throws down his napkin.
Maj. Dingby:
Well it is about time Lieutenant. The colonel does not have all day you know.
Lt. Col. Grimes:
Will you just bring Lieutenant Callaghan in here so I can tell him about his additional assignment?
Maj. Dingby ushers Lt. Callaghan into Lt. Col. Grimes office
It seems that we have successfully negotiated your return to Duck Bunker inspection duty. The CO of the 716th MP Battalion will not be pressing charges and you authorised to inspect the Duck Bunker MPs on a regular basis without fear of incarceration.
Lt. Callaghan:
I feel so good about that Sir. When do I start?
Lt. Col. Grimes:
Major Dingby will fill you in regarding all the details but to answer your question you start tomorrow night.
Lt. Callaghan:
Good Sir, that partially solves a problem.
Maj. Dingby:
A problem Lieutenant? Do we have a problem? Maybe I can help.
Lt. Callaghan:
I do not think you could help Sir, it is personal.
Lt. Col. Grimes:
Gentlemen, can we get back to the subject at hand? Duck Bunker inspection duty is only part of the reason I called you in. It seems we are experiencing higher than normal attacks on the installations for which we are responsible. There are not enough officers in the operations command to cover bridge inspection duty so you and Captain Dennison have been added to the roster.
Lt. Callaghan:
At that rate Sir, I won’t get any sleep at all.
Lt. Col. Grimes:
Calm down Lieutenant, the inspections are only slated for once a week and you and Captain Dennison will be trading off so the maximum you will have to pull duty is once every two weeks. Again, Major Dingby will fill you in on all the details.
Maj. Dingby:
That should be some relief to you Lieutenant. Now let us talk about your personal problem.
Lt. Col. Grimes:
Major would you conduct your psychoanalysis somewhere else. I have work to do.
Maj. Dingby ushers Lt. Callaghan out of the office. Phone rings. Clerk answers it.
Clerk:
Lieutenant Callaghan, it’s for you.
Lt. CALLAGHAN:
This is Lieutenant Callaghan.
SFC. Holstein: (O.O.V)
Sir, I thought I would call you in case you are in Major Dingby’s clutches and cannot get away.
Lt. Callaghan:
Thank you Sergeant, I will be there right away.
Looks at Maj. Dingby
Sir, I have to return to the Radio Room to sort out some details. Can we review this matter later?
Lt. Callaghan starts walking towards the door and DOES NOT wait for a reply.
Thank you Sir.
Disappears before Maj. Dingby can answer.
SCENE 8. Int. – Nhan vi BOQ, reception - Evening
Lt. Callaghan enters and is greeted by SFC Mitchell.
SFC. Mitchell:
Good afternoon Sir, how was your day?
Lt. Callaghan:
Not bad sergeant, I am looking forward to a nice cool evening with my new or repaired air conditioner.
SFC. Mitchell:
Sir, there was a slight hiccup and I did not get to your air conditioner today. I will look into it tomorrow.
Lt. Callaghan:
I did not expect that you had sergeant. However, not having to walk up the stairs tonight will be a real blessing.
SFC Mitchell moves to block Lt. Callaghan’s path.
It seems there is another problem Sir, they did not get the elevator fixed today either.
Lt. Callaghan:
Why don’t you just weld it shut and then we will not have any false expectations.
SFC. Mitchell:
Now Sir that is being a little harsh.
Disappointed, Lt. callaghan moves towards the stairs, looks back at SFC. Mitchell
Lt. Callaghan:
If I were a betting man, I would think that you are holding off on all this work because you figure the Nhan Vi will be bombed someday and you will be able to use emergency funds instead of your budget to get all this fixed.
SFC. Mitchell IGNORED his COMMENTS and Lt. Callaghan continued to climb the stairs
Lt. Callaghan:
Someday I am going to blow this joint and get a decent place to live.
SCENE 9. int. – Nhan Vi boq, Lt. callaghan’s room
Lt. callaghan enters an empty room, opens the window to let the odor out, turns on the radio and flops on the bed falling asleep. some time later Lt. Kim enters the room and wakes him.
Lt. Kim:
It is time for our lesson Lieutenant Callaghan.
Lt. Callaghan:
What? Oh, hello Lt. Kim.
By the time Lt. Callaghan had awakened Lt. Kim had already set up the drinking table and waved to Lt. callaghan to join him.
Lt. Kim:
Please Lieutenant, we only have tonight. I have been given orders to fly back to Korea tomorrow. It is a happy day for me. Join me in my celebration.
Lt. Callaghan:
That’s great news Lt. Kim. Yes, I will join you in your celebration. Does your family know?
Lt. Kim:
I have not told them. I want it to be a surprise.
They touch paper cups and drink the warm scotch.
Now for my lesson. I want to greet my family in English. Please teach me.
Lt. Callaghan: (V.O.)
That night continued much like the previous. I crashed out in bed and when morning came Lt. Kim was gone, he left his hand grenade in the middle of the floor. I got up late as usual and did the 3S shuffle in a matter of minutes, grabbing the hand grenade as I left, defusing it as I ran down the stairs.
SCENE 10. Int. Nhan Vi reception - Morning
Lt. Callaghan stumbles down the last steps into reception.
SFC. Mitchell:
Good morning Lieutenant, late as usual I see. Did you have a good night?
Lt. Callaghan passes SFC Mitchell and places the hand grenade parts on the reception desk.
Lt. Callaghan:
No, Sergeant, I had a rotten night with no air conditioner. My knee is starting to bug me with all this stair climbing because your elevator has not been fixed and your maid left this junk lying around the room.
SFC. Mitchell looks at the hand grenade in horror.
SFC. Mitchell:
Sir, you cannot leave this here. What am I going to do with it? It will not look good on my report.
Lt. Callaghan:
Call the Explosive Ordinance Disposal; they will know what to do with it.
SFC. Mitchell:
Then it will be in the papers! It will not look good for me.
SFC Mitchell chases Lt. Callaghan out of the Nhan Vi shouting and waving the grenade.
SCENE 11. int. – c.m.a.c. SignaL Office - morning
Lt. Col. Grimes ENTERS; Maj. Dingby is already at his desk.
Lt. Col. Grimes:
Have you briefed Lieutenant Callaghan regarding Bridge Inspection duty?
Maj. Dingby:
I couldn’t Sir; he had to leave just after your meeting.
Lt. Col. Grimes:
Maybe that is for the better. Get him up here right away. I need to talk with him. (pause) By the way, anything else happening?
Maj. Dingby:
It seems that Lieutenant Callaghan was chased out of the Nhan Vi BOQ this morning by the hand grenade wielding BOQ Sergeant.
Lt. Col. Grimes:
Any explanation? It is another Callaghan Calamity?
Maj. DINGBY:
You’ll probably have to ask him Sir. Lieutenant Callaghan seems to have a ‘special gift’ when it comes to trouble. These things could reflect badly on the Signal Section.
Lt. Col. Grimes:
He may cause a lot of trouble Major but he gets things done, just look at his record. Get him up here so I can talk to him.
Lt. Callaghan enters the Signal Office
Maj. Dingby:
You just saved me a call. Colonel Grimes would like to see you in his office.
Lt. Callaghan enters Lt. Col. GRIMES OFFICE
Lt. CALLAGHAN:
You wanted to see me Sir?
Lt. Col. Grimes:
First off, what’s all this about a hand grenade? Do you have a private armory in your room?
Lt. Callaghan:
The hand grenade was left by my roommate Sir. He returned to Korea this morning and I didn’t want it rolling around in my room. I could be it’s victim so I unscrewed the fuse and dropped it off with the BOQ Sergeant. He seemed to take exception to receiving it and chased me out of the BOQ.
Lt. Col. Grimes:
I don’t know why all these things happen to you. It seems to be one thing after another. Anyway, forget about that, I have more input regarding Bridge Inspection. It seems after all the hassle regarding the Duck Bunker menagerie the Engineering Colonel has convinced the General that the addition of geese on the main bridges would be a deterrent to attacks. Engineering has bought ten sets of geese and cages and the Deputy Engineer is writing up the procedure for their care. They want them lean and mean. They will be deployed during the time you will be inspecting bridges so you need to watch out for them. Oh and another thing, be careful if you start climbing on the bridges. Engineering has started a program of covering many of the bridge ladders and struts with grease. You could end up in the river. Any questions?
Lt. Callaghan:
Yes Sir. How do I go about moving to a BOQ that has working air conditioners and elevators? The Nhan Vi is getting to be a real pain.
Maj. Dingby: (O.O.V)
Lieutenant, I can help you with that. I have been trying to move into the Rex for months.
Lt. Col. Grimes:
Any other questions?
Lt. Callaghan:
No Sir.
Lt. Col. Grimes:
Now get out of here and make sure you see Major Dingby and get all the bridge inspection details.
Lt. callaghan wanders over to Major Dingby
Maj. Dingby:
First off, Lieutenant you need to go to Central Housing on Ham Nghe to request a transfer.
phone rings, Major Dingby picks it up.
This is Major Dingby. (pause) It’s Sergeant Holstein for you Lieutenant.
Maj. Dingby hands Lt. Callaghan the phone
Lt. Callaghan:
Yes sergeant. Right, sergeant. I’ll be there right away.
Hands the phone back to Major Dingby
I must return to the Radio Room immediately Sir. There may be an outage.
Quickly leaves the signal office. Major dingby watching without comment.
SCENE 12. Int. C.M.A.C. Radio Room - Afternoon:
Lt. callaghan enters.
Lt. Callaghan:
What’s the problem sergeant?
SFC. Holstein:
No real problem Sir. We thought you might be in Major Dingby’s clutches so I thought I would call.
Lt. Callaghan:
You’re getting pretty good at that. As it happens I was in Dingby’s clutches so your timing was perfect.
SFC. Holstein:
There is one thing Sir. The new switchboard operator has arrived. He’ll be most welcome as the troops are a little frazzled trying to take up the slack. I’ll put him on nights as that has the most slack time. Should keep him out of mischief and give the others a welcome break.
Lt. Callaghan:
Well, I’m out of here. I don’t want to be caught by Dingby again today. I am going to drop by Microwave, then Third Field Hospital to conduct an ERN inspection and finally to Central Housing to try to get better digs. My jeep doesn’t have a radio so no one will be able to reach me. See you tomorrow unless something happens.
SFC. Holstein:
Be observant when you’re out Sir. The Tactical Operations Center has doubled the size of its incident board with all the sapper action going on. It’s not safe to be out there.
Lt. Callaghan:
Thanks for the info sergeant. I’ll try and be careful. Then again, Corporal Rosenburg is driving so anything could happen.
Lt. Callaghan leaves the Radio Room
SCENE 13. int. – nhan vi boq, lt. Callaghan’s room – after midnight
knocking at the door, Lt. callaghan is startled awake.
Lt. Callaghan:
Who is it?
Cpl. Rosenburg: (O.O.V)
It’s Corporal Rosenburg Sir. The Chief of Staff wants you to report to him immediately.
Lt. Callaghan opens the door and lets Cpl. Rosenburg in.
Lt. callaghan:
Come in Corporal, the worlds not going to end while I get dressed. What’s going on?
Cpl. Rosenburg:
I don’t really know all the details Sir but it has something to do with the new switchboard operator and the General. The General is really pissed off. By the way, what is a ‘Blue Arrow’?
Lt. Callaghan:
It’s a classified code word. Who mentioned that?
CPl. Rosenburg:
I just overheard it in all the commotion Sir.
Lt. Callaghan:
Well let’s make tracks. No use delaying the inevitable.
Lt. Callaghan and cpl. rosenburg exit Lt. Callaghan’s room
SCENE 14. int. – c.m.a.c. radio Room – After Midnight
Lt. Callaghan enters
Lt. Callaghan:
What seems to be the problem Sergeant Holstein?
SFC. Holstein:
I put the new switchboard operator on tonight and about an hour ago the General made a ‘Blue Arrow’ call. The operator didn’t know what a ‘Blue Arrow’ was and insisted that the General give him a number. This happened three or four times before the Chief of Staff got involved. They tried calling Lieutenant Colonel Grimes but he wasn’t answering. Then they called Major Dingby and he wasn’t answering. In the meantime, one of the radio operators called me and then they called you. I talked to the operator and he is okay. I suppose that I should have had one of the other operators stay with him. Sorry Sir.
Lt. Callaghan:
Is the Chief of staff in his office?
SFC. Holstein:
Yes, he is Sir. Oh, by the way the General has already left because of another call.
Lt. Callaghan:
I had better go see the Chief of Staff and face the music.
SCENE 15. int. – c.m.a.c. General’s office – after midnight
Lt. callaghan enters the office and salutes
Col. Sharp:
What the hell happened Lieutenant? Aren’t your people properly trained?
Lt. Callaghan:
Sir, there is no excuse for the situation. It was the first night for a new operator and we blew it. I’m sorry Sir.
Col. sharp:
Not as sorry as you could have been. The General was notified of enemy action just after his attempted ‘Blue Arrow’ call. He has standing orders in the TOC to be notified when action occurs. If he were here you would probably be packing your bags and be on your way up country. Sergeant Holstein explained the whole situation to me. However, if I were you I would avoid the General for the next couple of days. He usually forgets after that. Now get out of here.
Lt. Callaghan salutes and exits the General’s office.
SCENE 16. int. – c.m.a.c. radio room – after midnight
Lt. Callaghan enters.
SFC Holstein:
Well I see you’re still alive and not packing yet. The meeting must have gone okay.
Lt. Callaghan:
I’m on very thin ice sergeant. It seems to be one Callaghan Calamity after another.
SFC Holstein:
Well Sir there’s more. I spoke to the new operator while you were seeing Colonel Sharpe and he tells me he is dyslectic.
Lt. Callahan:
How did he manage to get a job as a switchboard operator?
SFC Holstein:
He was part of McNamara’s 100000; you know where they dropped the entry-level requirements to press more kids into the service in Viet Nam. He said it was easy and he didn’t want to be a rifleman.
Lt. Callaghan:
What do we do now?
SFC Holstein:
He said he was a mechanic before he joined up. I guess we’ll have to put him in the motor pool. Problem is, we can’t replace him so we are back where we started.
Lt. Callaghan:
Well we’ll have to figure out something. I’ll have to think about it. I’m heading back to get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.
SCENE 17. int. – Nhan Vi BOq, Lt. callaghan’s room - morning
Alarm sounds for the third time and Lt. callaghan finally manages to get up.
Lt. callaghan:
Not another day already! When will I ever get a good nights sleep?
Looks at the clock
Late again.
Cleans up quickly and rushes out the door.
SCENE 18. int. – nhan vi boq, stairwell - morning
Lt callaghan tries the elevator but it is out of order yet again. starts running down the stairs. Suddenly, while on the third floor landing, an explosion throws him to the floor. He lies there dazed and after a few MOMENTS, the dust and smoke cloud clears and Lt. callaghan stands up and starts to descend the stairs very carefully. When he gets to the second FLOOR, he finds there are no more stairs. He finally decides to climb down the iron cage of the old French elevator to reception. There is no one in reception other than SFC Mitchell.
Lt. Callaghan:
Well Sergeant I guess it finally happened. Anyone hurt?
SFC Mitchell:
No one inside Sir, There are a few casualties in the crowd that was passing by. Looks like things will be tough for a while.
Lt. Callaghan:
I suppose you mean that there will be no working air conditioners or elevator? So what’s new? Maybe that big hole will help keep the place cooler. See you later.
Lt, Callaghan leaves through A CLOUD of smoke and dust.
SCENE 19. int. c.m.a.c. Signal Office - Morning
Lt. Callaghan enters, maj. Dingby looks up from his desk
Maj. Dingby:
Can’t you afford a clean uniform Lieutenant? And look at your hands, go wash them right now.
Lt. Col. Grimes:
Major, before Lieutenant Callaghan get cleaned up I want to see him.
Maj. Dingby escorts Lt. Callaghan into Lt. Col. Grimes office.
Are you hurt Lieutenant?
Lt. Callaghan:
No Sir, just a little shaken.
maj. Dingby:
Did something happen this morning Sir?
Lt. Col. Grimes:
While you were reading the paper and having breakfast this morning Major the Nhan Vi was attacked with a satchel charge. It made a big hole in the front of the building.
Lt. Callaghan:
And it blew out the first floor stairs Sir. I was coming down the stairs when it happened and I had to climb down the elevator cage to get out.
Lt. Col. Grimes:
G2 want to debrief you. I don’t know how much you can help them however; they need all the help they can get.
SCENE 20. int. C.M.A.C. G2 - morning
Maj. Dingby marches Lt. Callaghan into the G2 office
Maj. Dingby:
Major Atkinson, this is Lieutenant Callaghan. He was in the Nhan Vi BOQ this morning during the bombing. I thought he might be of some help.
Maj. Atkinson:
Pull up a chair Lieutenant and tell me as much as you can about the explosion.
Lt. Callaghan:
Well Sir I was on my way down the stairs at the Nhan Vi BOQ. It was about 0715 hours. I was going at a pretty good clip when at the third floor landing, the charge went off and I was thrown to the floor. I got up, assessed the situation, climbed down the elevator cage, met Sergeant Mitchell who was stunned but seemed okay, walked through the rubble to get to a waiting jeep and then we drove here.
Maj. Atkinson:
Did anything else happen. Think for a moment, there may be a clue. Were there any casualties?
Lt. Callaghan:
A few civilians happened to be passing the BOQ at that time. The duty sergeant and the maids were all in the back of the building at the time. The MP dropped in his kiosk and was showered with small bits of debris. Everyone seemed to have escaped death.
Maj. Atkinson:
Did you hear anything before the explosion?
Lt. Callaghan:
No Sir, just the explosion.
Maj. Atkinson:
And how do you feel about the explosion?
Lt. Callaghan:
Neither here nor there Sir.
Maj. Atkinson puts his hand on Lt. Callaghan’s knee
Maj. Atkinson:
How did you really feel about the explosion Lieutenant?
Lt. Callaghan:
Sir, is this intelligence analysis or psychoanalysis?
Maj. Atkinson:
Oh, sorry Lieutenant, I started slipping back into my old job. It happens sometimes.
Lt. Callaghan:
Sometimes, Sir? That’s nice. Well I must get back to the Radio Room. I have work to do.
Maj. Atkinson started to drift away with the fairies
Maj. Atkinson:
Oh, yes Lieutenant you can go.
As he passes the Signal Office Lt. Callaghan is stopped by Maj. Dingby
Maj. Dingby:
Lieutenant, we need to discuss bridge inspection duty.
Lt. callaghan:
Sir, I would like to clean up first.
Maj. Dingby:
Well if you must but return as soon as you are finished.
Lt. callaghan: (V.O.)
Fat Chance.
SCENE 21. Int. C.m.a.c. radio room – Mid Day
Lt. Callaghan enters, refreshed from his toilet. Phone rings.
SFC. Holstein:
It’s for you Sir, a Lieutenant Steele. I’ve never heard the name.
Lt. Callaghan:
I have Sergeant, what a great surprise. (pause) This is Lieutenant Callaghan.
Lt. Steele: (O.O.V)
Callaghan you old son of a bitch, I finally found out where you’ve been hiding. I’m the radio Officer at the 716th MP Battalion. We have to hook up some time. Have you heard from any ‘Toon Twelbe founding members?
Lt, Callaghan:
I ran into Jefferies, Snade, Brent and Friedhoff while I was in limbo at the 90th Replacement Company in Bien Hoa. They all ended up going up north. Other than that, you’re the first name I have heard from the past. By the way, we’re supposed to have an Emergency Response Network radio over at your headquarters. I could make it an official visit.
Lt. Steele:
Don’t waste your time. That radio has been missing for a while. Best wait until it returns. I’ll give you a call in a couple of days and we can have a drink and raise hell.
Lt. callaghan:
Sounds good to me. See ya.
SCENE 22. Int. – nhan Vi boq, reception - night
Lt. Callaghan enters. Temporary walls and staircase erected
SFC. Mitchell:
Good to see you Sir. I wonder if we could have a little chat about that hand grenade?
Lt. Callaghan:
As soon as my air conditioner and the elevator are fixed.
SFC. Mitchell:
Oh Sir, they won’t be fixed for some time.
Lt. Callaghan:
We’ll talk about it then. Now if you don’t mind, I need some sleep.
Lt. Callaghan makes way to the staircase
Lt. Callaghan: (V.O.)
I really have to blow this joint.