SCENE 1.  ext. – Rex BOQ, Rooftop Bar - evening

Lt. Callaghan meets up with Capt. Dennison.

Capt. Dennison:

Well, the talk of the town has returned and I thought we had seen the last of you. We were taking bets on whether you would return. Have a drink.

Lt. callaghan:

I go away on R&R for two weeks and I’m the talk of the town?

Capt. Dennison:

I suppose you’ve heard about many times.

Lt. Callaghan:

Heard about what?

Capt. Dennison:

Then you didn’t hear about the incident at the Command briefing after you left.

Lt. Callaghan:

No, what happened?

Capt. Dennison:

When the 9^th Division’s presenter started his presentation he barely touched the stack of charts and they cascaded off the stand towards the mahogany table and the tea service. The wave of charts pushed the cups, saucers, silver tea and biscuits off the table while the General Staff tried to retreat. Sadly, there was no room to manoeuvre so they all got doused.

Lt. callaghan:

I wish I was there to see that.

Capt. Dennison:

Not when you hear what happened. During the dousing General Gottard screamed your name but I guess you had vanished by then. He was all over Lieutenant Colonel Grimes after that. I could have sworn he was going to send him up country.

Then, after the briefing, Grimes hot-footed it over to the Signal Office looking for you. He couldn’t find you and when Major Dingby arrived he informed the Colonel that you had gone on R&R. It took the Colonel a long time to calm down.

Lt. Callaghan:

Maybe I shouldn’t have come back.

Capt. Dennison:

You may be in luck. Colonel Grimes has been replaced by a Lieutenant Colonel Venetti. Grimes has been moved over to 7^th Finance.

Lt. Callaghan:

I am sure Dingby has brought him up to speed with his own version of my many transgressions.  

Capt. Dennison:

He may have tried but Venetti seems like a pretty good egg. You’ll probably have a decent chance with him. After all, how is he going to be able to bring someone up to speed with all your projects. Dingby won’t want the training task so they’ll put up with you until they have to let you go. Besides a lot of stuff will be finished by then.

Lt. Callaghan:

We’ll see when I report to him in the morning.

Capt. Dennison:

Enough of business, how was your R&R? How was Hawaii and your friend from the States?

Lt. callaghan:

No friend, I received a ‘separation’ letter from her the morning of the Command Briefing disaster. She met someone locally. I guess the strain of our long distance relationship became overwhelming.

Capt. Dennison:

You didn’t say anything the night before you left. Why all the secrecy?

lT. callaghan:

It had nothing to do with secrecy. I just needed time to sort things out. I almost didn’t go but decided that since I had already paid for the hotel I might as well go. Based on everything I hear, it’s good that I did.

Capt. Dennison:

Well what did you do? I’m sure you didn’t spend the whole week alone in your room.

Lt. Callaghan:

No. The first day I spent on the beach in the sun, as if I needed more of it. You could tell the guys from ‘Nam by their haircuts and tan markings. I pretty much kept to myself except for a Chinese guy who kept stopping by and introducing himself. The next day he showed up again but this time he had two beauties on his arms and after some introductions he left and they stayed. In fact, they stayed with me for the rest of the time although I did get in several rounds of golf so they could rest. It must have a good time if my American Express bill is any indication. I’m glad it’s sent to my address in the States so I won’t suffer the pain of seeing it for a while.

SCENE 2. Int. – c.m.a.c. signal Office - Morning

Lt. Callaghan enters and Maj. Dingby announces him.

Maj. Dingby:

Sir, Lieutenant Callaghan has arrived back from R&R and is ready to give his morning report.

Lt. Col. venetti:

Please show him in Major.

Maj. Dingby waves Lt. Callaghan into the office

Lt. Callaghan:

Sir, Lieutenant Callaghan reporting all is well with Duck Bunker security last night. However, I did notice several people this morning whistling at the turkeys. It seems that they have found a tone that gets the male turkeys excited and they start strutting their stuff. The females look at them as if they are crazy.

Lt. Col. Venetti:

It’s nice to meet you Lieutenant. Thank you for the report and observation. I think you will find that most species in the animal kingdom, including our own, act in much the same way.

I understand that you are a key man in this organisation and are also somewhat of a misfit. Do you have anything to say for yourself?

Lt. callaghan:

Sir, we have made significant accomplishments since I took over as Radio Officer and there are more to come.

Maj. Dingby: (O.O.V)

Nothing significant that I can remember.

Lt. Callaghan:

As I was saying before I was interrupted Sir, site communications antennas have been upgraded, ERN sites are inspected regularly, the General’s Mess has been completed and the antenna farm is being readied for an upgrade.

Maj. Dingby:  (O.O.V)

If the Lieutenant was around more then we would have even more accomplished.

Lt. Col. Venetti:

Major, would you mind keeping your comments to yourself.

Good response Lieutenant. Just try and keep your problems to a minimum. Now sit down, I have a few things I would like to go over with you.

Firstly, I took a look at your antenna farm with Specialist Dudley. While the farm is not in bad shape it does need some tidying up.

Lt. Callaghan:

You must be a first Sir. No one above the rank of Captain has attempted to climb that ladder. As I said, we’ve been planning that for a while and are waiting for parts. Hopefully, we can have that completed in the next several weeks.

Lt. Col. Venetti:

If you have any trouble getting parts then please inform Maj. Dingby and he will chase them up for you. Do get that accomplished in the next two weeks as we have a VIP arriving towards the end of the month and all communications must be at their optimum.

In that regard, do we have a mobile command shelter?

Lt. Callaghan:

No Sir but there is an old two and one half ton shelter in the motor pool that could be cleaned up and made into one.

Lt. Col. Venetti:

You had better get started on that right away.

It goes without saying that uptime is paramount. I don’t want any outages, is that clear?

Lt. Callaghan:

Yes Sir, understood.

Lt. Col. Venetti:

Now, the social obligations. You’ve been invited to attend a dinner in the General’s Mess this Thursday. No disasters please as I expect you to be on your best behaviour.

Also, I understand that you left for R&R before Lieutenant Colonel Grimes rotated. He hasn’t been given a proper send-off party so you should arrange that for a week this Friday night.

Lt. Callaghan:

Yes Sir.

Lt. Col. Venetti:

That will be all Lieutenant. It was nice meeting you. Your reputation, which I feel was somewhat embellished, preceded you.

SCENE 3. int. – c.m.a.c. radio room - morning

Lt. Callaghan enters.

SFC. Holstein:

Good morning Sir, I trust you had a good R&R. How has you day been so far?

Lt. Callaghan:

I’m sure that is an academic question Sergeant. I could tell you my side of it but it would probably be less interesting than the version you heard.

Lt. Callaghan looks at the paperwork on his desk

SFC. Holstein:

The ones you need to review and sign are in the signature folder Sir. The rest you can get to later when you have a chance.

Lt. Callaghan works through the paperwork. Completes it

Lt. Callaghan:

There, that’s done. Now, what about the antenna farm?

SFC. Holstein:

The antenna farm Sir?

Lt. callaghan:

We’ve talked about this before and there has always been some reason why we can’t start it. I am now under orders to start cleaning it up. Who can I have to give me a hand?

SFC. Holstein looks around the room and spies Spec5 Dudley sneaking around the corner.

SFC. Holstein:

Oh Specialist Dudley, before you go I’d like to talk with you about helping the Lieutenant clean-up the antenna farm. Would you mind joining us?

Spec5. Dudley:

Oh, yes Sergeant, I’d be more than happy to assist but my back has been bothering me.

SPEC5 Dudley rubbed his back and slid into a chair.

SFC. Holstein:

The smog ridden and humid air will do you good Dudley and some real work will probably cure your ills.

Lt. Callaghan:

Great, that’s settled. Why don’t you meet me up in the antenna farm in an hour and we can create a list of what we need.

SCENE  4. ext. – CMD Headquarters building, roof antenna farm – late Morning

Lt. callaghan and Spec5 dudley emerge through the access door to the roof.

Lt. Callaghan:

What do you think Dudley, how much of this will have to be replaced?

Spec5. dudley wanders through the farm looking at the antennas.

Spec5. Dudley:

Don’t know Sir until we get the mastheads down and pull them apart. It’s the corrosion in the threads that causes most of the trouble. They seem to be working okay now but cleaning the threads and replacing the broken ground planes could help when the signals are weak and we get poor reception.

Lt. Callaghan:

Where are we going to get all the antenna parts?

Spec5. dudley:

Don’t worry Sir, there’s plenty in the CONEXs. It’s just a matter of getting the stuff up here.

Lt. Callaghan:

Then we’ll rig a hoist.

Looks at the sun and then the CORRUGATED tin roof.

It’s pretty hot up here this time of day. Let’s go back down to the air conditioned Radio Room and work out a plan.

SCENE  5. int. – c.m.a.c. Radio Room – Mid day

Lt. Callaghan and Spec5. Dudley enter.

Lt. Callaghan:

Sergeant Holstein, just the man I want to see.

SFC. Holstein looks up from reading his book

Specialist Dudley and I need a little help getting a few things organised. Firstly, we need a hoist rigged on the roof so we can haul all the paraphernalia up and down. Second, we need antenna parts, guy lines, poles etc., to replace the broken parts. Third, I will need Specialist Dudley full time but on occasion. I will also need a couple of the Signal Section crew to help out.

SFC. Holstein plays his usual delaying tactic

SFC. Holstein:

It might help Sir if we waited a few weeks until the replacements come in.

Lt. Callaghan:

Sergeant, I have a time constraint and besides the rainy season will be starting soon and we don’t want to be on the roof when the downpours come.

SFC. Holstein:

Okay Sir, it will take a couple of days. Besides the CONEXs should be cleaned out anyway. I should have everything set up for you by the end of the week.

Lt. callaghan starts to leave, Phone rings

Sir, there is a call for you.

Lt. Callaghan:

This is Lieutenant Callaghan.

Bill, how are you?

A week this Friday, that would be great. See you then.

Then he realises that is the night of Lt. Col. Grimes going away party

Thanks Sergeant. I’m heading over to Captain Dennison’s cave. I’ll see you later.

SCENE 6. Int. – Dennison’s cave - afternoon

Lt. Callaghan enters

Capt. Dennison:

What’s wrong with you?

Lt. Callaghan:

Boy are you lucky you weren’t in the Signal Office this morning. Dingby was taking pot shots while I was getting acquainted with Colonel Venetti.  I did get some support from Venetti but he hit me with a real zinger – I have to arrange Colonel Grimes going away party for a week this Friday Night. That wouldn’t have been so bad but Fisher just called me and he is having a housewarming party at his new villa on the same night. I can’t miss that.

Capt. Dennison:

You mean ‘we’ don’t you?

Lt. Callaghan:

Oh, sorry Sir, I did mean ‘we’. The problem is how to get rid of Dingby, Grimes and Biggs without them knowing what is going on and break away early enough so we can get to the party. I suppose the other logistical challenge is the location of the restaurant.

Capt. Dennison:

Probably a brightly lit Chinese that closes early would be best. There is one, the Golden Dragon, down by the Rex BOQ. They could walk back to their BOQs when we split. The trouble is Dingby will want a ride back to the Brinks, even though it’s only a couple of blocks away.

Lt. Callaghan:

Okay so we offer to drop them both off and the worst case scenario is that they accept. If that’s the case we need to get to the restaurant by 1900 hours otherwise we will have little time to enjoy ourselves at the party.

Capt. Dennison started to pace

Capt. Dennison:

We’ll dump them by 2000 hours. I’ll arrange for the truck. You get reservations at the restaurant. As soon as I get transport I will let you know and you can tell Dingby. He will know that something’s up if I say anything to him.

SCENE 7. Int.  – c.m.a.c. General’s mess, Reception - evening

Lt. Callaghan and Capt. Dennison arrive at the same time

Lt. Callaghan:

I didn’t know you were coming Sir.

Capt. Dennison:

Oh, I’m just here for drinks, not dinner. I don’t want to get that involved. I think it’s a ‘Fatted Calf’ party.

Lt. Callaghan:

I wasn’t given much choice in the matter. What’s more, I have to be on my best behaviour.

Capt. Dennison:

Look out for the General. I’ve been told he’s on the war path.

Looks around

Not a bad setup. All the comforts of home and fresh smelling paint to boot!

Lt. Callaghan:

Yea, all that fresh smelling paint was put on by my troops. Harris and the General sucked them dry. I hope he appreciates what they have done and what hasn’t been accomplished because of it.

Looks across the room, Maj. Dingby approaches

Shit, here comes Dingby. I wonder what he is up to?

Good evening Sir. Certainly is a well appointed Mess. It must be a source of pride for the Signal Section.

Maj. Dingby:

Cut the crap Lieutenant. The General wants to see you. He has a request.

Capt. Dennison steps aside

Capt. Dennison:

I told you it was going to be a ‘Fatted Calf’ party.

Lt. Callaghan follows Maj. Dingby

Lt. callaghan:

Any chance of getting a drink Sir?

Maj. Dingby:

All right, if you must but make it snappy.

Waits and then introduces Lt. Callaghan to BG. Gottard

Sir, may I present Lieutenant Callaghan.

BG. Gottard:

I am aware of who he is and the impact he has had on this command Major.

Maj. Dingby:

The General wants to put a microwave radio site at Gia Dinh Lieutenant. You should be able to put something in place by the end of this week.

Lt. callaghan:

I’m sorry Sir, that cannot be done

BG. Gottard:

Listen Lieutenant, don’t tell me that I can’t do something.

Major, you make sure I get a rig at Gia Dinh. Do you understand?

Maj. Dingby:

Yes Sir.

Lt. Callaghan quickly ducks into the bathroom, washes his face and calms down. Re-enters the reception area and it is deserted. Notices the French doors are ajar hears noises and peeks in to the dining room. General and staff officers see him stop laughing and quickly come to attention, and so does Lt. callaghan thinking there is someone of significant rank behind him. The General and then the Staff start clapping and laughing

BG. Gottard:

Please come in Lieutenant and sit at the head of the table as our honoured guest.

The wine flows and the meal begins.

SCENE 8. Int. c.m.a.c. Radio room - Morning

Lt. callaghan enters

SFC. Holstein:

Good morning Sir, how was your diner with the General.

Lt. callaghan:

First off, the men did a great job. The place is really classy. One might question if it was too classy for a war zone. But then, who am I to ask questions.

Speaking of asking, General Gottard wants a microwave at Gia Dinh. I told him that couldn’t be done because we don’t have an extra rig. That didn’t seem to go down well and he still insisted. So, how do we get another rig?

SFC. Holstein:

I’ll get Sergeant Cox on it Sir, he’s ‘scrounger supreme’ around here. However, that’s a tall order so it may take a while if you include the generator and fuel trailers.

Lt. Callaghan:

Best get him started then. I can always say we are looking.

SFC Holstein leave and Lt. Combs, the Mess Officer, enters

Lt. Combs:

Is Lieutenant Callaghan in?

Lt. Callaghan:

I’m Lieutenant Callaghan. Can I help you?

Lt. Combs:

I’m the Mess Officer and I need to have you settle the bill for last night’s dinner.

Lt. callaghan:

Bill, what bill?

Lt. Combs:

It’s a favourite trick of the General. The supplemental meal charge is only thirty-five cents but that doesn’t cover the wine.  The total for two cases of Matues is forty-five dollars. The officer who commits the first faux pas pays for the wine. You were late to dinner so you get to pay.

Lt. callaghan:

I don’t have that kind of money. There must be something we can do to facilitate this matter. Is there anything in particular the General likes?

Lt. Combs thinks for a while

Lt. Combs:

Shrimps, he likes shrimp dishes.

Lt. Callaghan:

I’m sure we can come to some agreement. Can you give me a couple of days to work something out?

Lt. Combs:

Okay, but don’t take too long or I’ll be caught in a bind.

Lt. Combs leaves the Radio Room

Lt. callaghan:

Anyone seen the keys to the CONEXs?

Spec5. Dudley:

Sergeant Holstein doesn’t want anyone in the CONEXs Sir.

Lt. callaghan:

At this point I don’t care what Sergeant Holstein thinks. Where the hell are the keys?

Spec5 Dudley pointed to a small tin on the desk

SPec5. Dudley:

They’re right there Sir. Please don’t tell Sergeant Holstein I told you where they are.

Lt. callaghan:

Don’t worry Specialist, your secret is safe with me.

Lt. callaghan heads for the CONEXs

Spec5. Dudley:

I don’t know what the Lieutenant is up to but I hope he gets back before Sergeant Holstein.

Lt. Callaghan enters with two five gallon cans

What do you have Sir?

Lt. Callaghan:

One five-gallon can of dehydrated shrimp and one five-gallon can of dehydrated apples. Specialist Dudley, please arrange to have these delivered to Lieutenant Combs today. Tell him I will follow-up with him in a couple of days.

Spec5. Dudley:

Are you sure that this is okay with Sergeant Holstein Sir?

Lt. Callaghan:

Don’t you worry, just deliver the goods. I’ll work it with Sergeant Holstein when I see him.

SCENE 9. int. General’s Mess, kitchen - afternoon

Lt. Callaghan enters expecting a positive response.

Lt. Callaghan:

Well Lieutenant, are we even?

Lt. Combs looks up in anger

Lt. Combs:

Even? On the one hand, the General thought the shrimp were out of this world. On the other hand, the apples were a disaster.

LT. Callaghan:

What happened?

Lt. Combs:

I told the cook to prepare the dehydrated apples to make pies for the General’s dessert. The cook opened the five gallon tin and dumped the whole thing into a pot full of boiling water. Of course the apples absorbed the water and began expanding at an alarming rate, overflowing the pot. So the cook got a bigger pot which again was too small. He finally ended up using all the large soup urns in the kitchen and then had no more space or time to prepare the General’s dinner

Lt. Callaghan:

What did you do then?

Lt. Combs:

I told the General that it was you who caused the whole problem. He said he figured as much.

SCENE 10. ext. Duck Bunker – early morning

Lt. Callaghan checks for the animals, no chickens, approaches MPS.

Lt. Callaghan:

What the hell happened to the chickens?

MP1:

I don’t know Sir, they were gone when I came on duty. There was nothing in the log about it so we made a note. We can’t be responsible for everything that goes on in there. I don’t know why they put chickens in there in the first place. It’s meant to be a Top Secret compound.

Lt. Callaghan:

I can’t see how they would be a threat Corporal. However, General Minh will be up in arms if his food is being stolen from under our noses. I’ll put it in this morning’s report and we’ll see what happens. In the meantime, I’ll be over in the Radio Room catching up on my sleep if anyone is looking for me.

MP1:

Sir, the Stars and Stripes says that there will be another rocket attack in the city this morning. Any truth to that?

Lt. Callaghan:

Wouldn’t be able to tell you if I knew. That’s classified information. Then again the Stars and Stripes are usually more correct than the classified information we get. It’s only 0400 hours and there are still some hours until dawn so anything could happen. I’d check the tide tables for the time of high tide if you really want to know when something might happen.

SCENE 11. Int. – Tactical Operations Center (TOC) - Early Morning

Lt. Callaghan enters and reads the incident boards

Lt. Callaghan:

(V.O.) When I came here there were only enough incidents to fill one board now there are two and they are both filled. Police stations blown up, satchel charges thrown at military installations, they sound like what might happen in a terrorist environment. Blowing up neighbourhood transformers and other infrastructure sounds fishy. Then again, like most of the other infrastructure that has been destroyed we replace them with new roads, bridges, transformers, etc. I wonder of the real plan is to get us to provide better infrastructure so that when they ‘win’ this war, they’ll be on their feet.

hails a passing corporal

More incidents of rocket attacks, what seems to be cause Corporal?

Corporal:

The ramp up to Tet is causing quite a stir in the city, Sir. We’re having more than the usual explosions tonight. Problem is, most of these guys are blowing themselves up by accident so we don’t have anyone to question.

Looks at the operations charts

The 38^th RAG has been taken out of reserve and General Minh has put the 6^th ARVN on alert. Seems the rockets are coming from their area actuated by some kind device that depends on the tides. We’re suppose to have high tide at 0500 hours so everyone is on pins and needles.

Communications blares from loud speakers

Lt. Callaghan:

Why is the Command Net on the loud speakers?

Hears BG. Gottard’s voice

It’s Gottard!

Col. Pendergrass, TOC duty officer waves Lt. callaghan to approach him

Col. Pendergrass:

Lieutenant Callaghan, you know General Gottard has standing orders to be informed whenever there is a firefight in the area. Well, we called him at 0310 and he is out there with a hunter-killer team in the Red Zone on the other side of the river just looking for a fight. He’s crazy, flying at treetop level to draw fire and then if he gets any the team blast everything in site. Now he’s taking an aggressive stance in retaliation for the rocket attacks. What he expects to gain is beyond me. I think he has had quite a bit to drink as well.

BG. Gottard:  (O.O.V)

Colonel I can see mortar explosions at map coordinates alpha three, delta six. Why haven’t your counter mortar teams picked up their position so we can blast them?

Col. Pendergrass was HAGGARD by this time and had to compose himself before answering.

Col. Pendergrass:

This is Zulu sixty-five Sir, the sites are trying to respond as quickly as possible. I can only respond when they let me know what’s going on.

BG. Gottard:

I know who you are Colonel now I want you to get on the horn to your people and get me some answers, now.

Col. pendergrass:

This is Zulu sixty-five, yes Sir, right away Sir.

Under cover of the all the turmoil Lt. Callaghan slips into the Radio Room.

SCENE 12. int. – c.m.a.c. radio Room – early morning

Lt. Callaghan enters

Lt. Callaghan:

Hi gang, how’s everything going?

Spec5 Ketruce, effeminate voice, drops a radio on his finger, screams

Spec5. Ketruce:

Goodness!

walks around holding his finger, is angry

Oh, my goodness does this hurt

Speakers blare BG Gottard swearing on the command net

What’s all this swearing? Can’t these guys use proper radio procedure

Picks up microphone on Command net radio and transmits using Lt. Callaghan’s call sign

The is Alpha 219, please use proper radio procedure.

Lt. Callaghan, not paying attention hears his call sign over the speakers.

Lt. Callaghan:

That bastard used my call sign. I’m going to kill him.

He darts across the room and grabs the microphone from Ketruce

BG. Gottard:

Colonel, we’ve got a queer on the net! I want to know who the hell it is.

TOC and Radio room personnel start laughing, Col. Pendergrass uncontrollably, ACCIDENTALLY transmits laughter.

Pendergrass, are your people laughing at me?

Col. Pendergrass hands Lt. callaghan the microphone

Lt. callaghan:

This is Lieutenant Callaghan.

BG. Gottard:

We’ve got a queer on the net using your call letters. I want to know who the hell it is! I’m coming in and it better be there when I get there or someone is going to hang!

Lt. callaghan looks around Radio Room

Lt. Callaghan:

Where the hell is Ketruce?

Spec5 Ketruce enters from telephone room, holding his swollen finger

Spec5. Ketruce:

Sorry Sir, I was only trying to help.

Lt. callaghan:

Bullshit Ketruce, you were pissed off at banging your finger and you had to take it out on someone. Why you picked the General is beyond me. Anyway, there’s no time for apologies. Get out of here and don’t come back until Sergeant Holstein says it’s okay. Do you understand?

Spec5 Ketruce disappears. Lt. callaghan turns to the rest of the troops

Cover him or you’ll be sent up North, now get back to your stations.

Col. Pendergrass sticks his head into the Radio Room

Col. Pendergrass:

It’s you he’s after Lieutenant. I’ll help where I can but he’s focusing on you.

hear the general staff approaching, Lt. Callaghan addresses the troops

Lt. Callaghan:

All right everybody, you know how to play this. Any questions. (pause) No time for them now here they come.

BG. Gottard and staff enter radio room

BG. Gottard:

Okay Lieutenant, where’s that God Damn queer?

Air Colonel standing close behind Lt. callaghan whispers ito his ear

 Air colonel:

Ask the General to give you a kiss and you’ll tell him.

Lt. Callaghan falls on the floor in uncontrollable laughter. BG. Gottard starts screaming.

BG. Gottard:

I swear Callaghan I’m going to Court Marshal you. Do you hear me?

Suddenly a rocket slams into the compound and the alert is sounded, BG. Gottard starts to move into the TOC

Lieutenant, you mark my words. I’m going to have your ass shipped up North.

SCENE  13. int. – Golden Dragon Restaurant - evening

Lt. Col. Grimes Going away party. Lt. Callaghan retells the story about Spec5 Ketruce.

Lt. Callaghan:

After Gottard threatened me with being sent up North I got the hell out of there, back to the Meyerkord and out on an inspection tour that lasted four days.

Lt. Col. Grimes:

And what about Specialist Ketruce. Is he still there?

Lt. callaghan:

He’s all right. He was raised by his grandmother and may act effeminate but he has a bunch of girls in tow. I wish I had that following.

Lt. Callaghan stands for another toast even all but he and Dennison had enough. Maj. Dingby is asleep.

Here’s to Lieutenant Colonel Grimes. All the best in his new assignment and those to come. Its’ been great!

Lt. Col. Grimes rises for his speech

Lt. Col. Grimes:

I want to thank you for the tremendous support you have given me…

MPs suddenly rush in, shouting

Lt. Callaghan:

What’s the trouble Sergeant?

Lt. Callaghan and others are escorted to the door

MP Sergeant:

Intelligence has advised us that there will be an explosion in this restaurant tonight. Please keep moving Sir.

SCENE 14. Ext. Street in front of the Golden Palace - night

They wait for transportation

Lt. Col. Grimes:

What a hell of a way to end a great evening. Lieutenant Callaghan, isn’t there somewhere else we can go. International House, maybe?

Transportation arrives. They all get in

Lt. Callaghan:

Sorry Sir, it’s too late and I can only have one guest. Please give me a call when you are free and we can have a night out. By the way Sir, here’s your plaque. Sorry we couldn’t give it the proper honors.

TRANSPORTATION screeches to a halt in front of the REX BOQ

Lt. callaghan:

Ah Sir, here’s your BOQ. Would you like us to drop you off at your BOQ Major Dingby.

maj. Dingby wakes up

maj. Dingby:

No thank you. Maybe I’ll just join Colonel Grimes for an after dinner drink. Would you like to join us Biggs?

CWO. Biggs:

Oh, yes Sir.

All except Lt. callaghan and Capt. Dennison leave the truck. and it starts to leave. Lt. Callaghan Whispers to Capt. Dennison

Lt. Callaghan:

I think we made it

CPL. Rosenburg:

Where to Sirs?

Lt. Callaghan:

Drop us by the front gate of the Presidential Palace. We’ll walk home from there.

Screeches to a halt, guards are alerted

CPL. Rosenburg:

Here we are Sirs. Have a good night.

Lt. Callaghan:

You to Corporal.

SCENE 15. ext. Street in front of the Presidential Palace - evening

Lt. Callaghan and Capt. Dennison make their way down the street

Capt. Dennison:

Do you know where you are going?

Lt. callaghan:

Follow me. The villa is just off Cong LY, tucked away at the end of a cul-de-sac. Don’t worry, we’ll find it. By the way, did you arrange that bomb scare?

Capt. Dennison:

I may have thought of something like that, I might of even planned it but honestly do you think that I would ever do such a thing as that?

Lt. Callaghan:

Here it is. Not too shabby is it?

Presents IDs to the guard and they who calls ahead to the house.

SCENE 16. int. – BRAGs Villa - evening

They are met at the door by Bill Fisher

Bill Fisher:

Callaghan please come in. Who’s your friend?

Capt. Dennison introduces himself

Capt. Dennison:

Captain Jim Dennison, pleased to meet you Bill. I’ve heard a lot about you from Callaghan. You’ve got a hell of a place here.

Fisher waves them in

Bill Fisher:

Thanks, it’s tough but we manage. The bar is over there. You can make yourselves a drink. I am sure you will find everything you need. The Ambassador was kind enough to lend us his ration card so we took the opportunity to stock up on a few things.  Our female guests on the other hand come from several sources. I am sure you will enjoy their company.

Lt. Callaghan and Capt. Dennison wander over to the bar

Capt. Dennison:

Look at all these people in evening dress. I feel a little out of place in fatigues.

Lt. callaghan:

I really don’t think that makes any difference. Let’s mix before the pumpkin arrives and it’s too late.

George Miller sneaks up from behind

George Miller:

Callaghan, how the hell are you? Who is this?

Lt. callaghan:

This is Captain Jim Dennison. Great place you have here.

George Miller:

Come on, I’ll take you on a tour.

They start walking

A little history, it had previously been the safe haven for the Ambassador. It’s where he had been secreted during the exciting days of Tet ’68.The place was a mess. He arrived the morning after a party and there were hung over but fulfilled bodies spread all over the house. EOD were the real saviours, that’s how they ended up with their villa.

Wander into living room and Beach Boys music playing

There’s plenty to dance with. Why don’t you guys get into it.

Lt. Callaghan approached the nearest female

Lt. Callaghan:

I’m Jim, what’s your name.

Sue:

It’s Sue.

Lt. Callaghan:

Would you like to dance Sue?

Sue:

I’d Love to.

Lt. Callaghan could have melted