SCENE 1.  int. – c.m.a.c. Radio room - Morning

SFC. Holstein enters, Lt. Callaghan is sitting at his desk

Lt. Callaghan:

Good Morning Sergeant, it’s good to see you back. Did you have a nice holiday?

SFC. Holstein:

The time off was nice but it wasn’t long enough. As soon as I get back to the States I’m going to retire and lead a life of leisure.

Spec5 Dudley:

I thought you had already started Sergeant.

Rest of radio crew laughs

SFc. Holstein:

All right you’ve had your fun now get back to work.

Lt. callaghan:

He’s probably feeling a little frisky. We managed to get most of the antenna field cleaned up while you were gone. There are a couple left that need parts and they are on the way thanks to Major Dingby’s intervention.

SFC. Holstein:

Sergeant Cox would probably be a better source.

Lt. Callaghan:

I would have used him Sergeant if the Colonel hadn’t specifically told me to use Major Dingby. Besides it was a sight to behold to watch him toil for a few moments.

SFC. Holstein:

Well, I guess we’re all caught up then and I can relax.

Lt. Callaghan:

Except for one item, we need a mobile command post for a special task.

SFC Holstein:

And what would that mission be Sir?

Lt. callaghan:

I was hoping you could tell me Sergeant. Something about a VIP, that’s all I’ve been told.

SFC. Holstein:

I haven’t heard anything that wasn’t classified and I don’t think your clearance covers what I did hear.

Lt. Callaghan:

Well at least some one knows.

SFC. Holstein:

There is an old deuce and a half shelter in the far corner of the motor pool. Right now, it’s full of parts that could be moved to the CONEX’s as soon as they are cleaned out. There is also a deuce and a half that hasn’t been used for a while. We can marry the two and then clean up the shelter and install the necessary equipment. We’ll need a generator which we can probably borrow from Microwave since they are using Command power. It should be ready in about a week.

Lt. Callaghan: 

That sounds great to me Sergeant. Now I have to check on something at the Communications Center.

Lt. Callaghan leaves suspiciously fast, SFC. Holstein picks up the phone

SFC Holstein:

Let me speak to Chief Warrant Officer Biggs. (pause)

Chief, Lieutenant Callaghan is on his way over. I sense that something is up. Maybe he got wind and is investigating.

(pause)

Well, he’s in your care now, don’t let him screw up my investments.

SCENE 2. int. – Communications Center, Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Biggs Office – Mid morning

Lt. Callaghan enters

CWO. Biggs:

Good Morning Sir, I trust you had a good evening after Lieutenant Colonel Grimes Going away party. I felt a little put out not being invited.

Lt. callaghan:

Good evening?

CWO. Biggs:

The party at the villa.

Lt. Callaghan:

Oh, that party. How did you find out about that?

CWO. Biggs:

Rosenburg, Sir. He wanted to make sure you and the Captain were safe so he followed you. Nothing happens in this command unless I know about it. Well, was it a good party?

lT. cALLAGHAN:

As a matter of fact, it was. We all have our tasks in life and you chose to accompany Colonel Grimes and Major Dingby.

CWO. Biggs:

Please sit down, Sir. What is it that we can do for you? We don’t see you here very often.

Lt. Callaghan:

Look, I won’t beat around the bush. I received word that we have other than Top Secret materials in the Top Secret safe. We could be done in if the Inspector General found out.

CWO. Biggs:

That’s true Sir but before you get on your high horse you need to assure me that you won’t blow the whistle.

Lt. Callaghan:

Why should I make that promise?

CWO. Biggs:

Because the General as well as a lot of officers and enlisted men have something to do with it as well, that’s why.

Lt. callaghan:

I guess I don’t have much of an option then, do I?

CWO. Biggs:

Good then I’ll have to fill you in an all the details, especially since you don’t have the clearance to look in a Top Secret safe anyway.

There are essentially three categories of items in the safe. First, there is the General’s contingency money, about fifty thousand US dollars that the General uses at his discretion. He regularly makes withdrawals and deposits but he keeps the amount around fifty thousand. What he does with the money outside of ransoms and facilitating payments, I don’t know and I don’t ask.

LT. callaghan:

Doesn’t he have his own safe?

CWO. Biggs:

Not that he feels safe about.

CWO Biggs opens the safe door

Secondly, we have gems. Specialist Goldsmith makes regular trips to Bangkok conducting antenna propagation tests. Sergeant Holstein for one as well as several senior officers are in on the deal. The gemstones are either bought for officer’s use or Goldstein ships them back to the States in cassette recording containers. No metal, no drugs, no hassle, they just pass without a hitch. Do you want to see an example?

CWO Biggs pulls out a large display box

This is a full set of matched star sapphires containing enough to make a lady’s necklace, tiara, dinner ring and earrings. And here is the same for a man: cufflinks, stud, fob and dinner ring.

Lt. Callaghan:

How does he pay for all this?

CWO. Biggs:

He started on his first trip to Bangkok by shipping some high quality gems at cheap prices to his parents. They in turn put money into his Chase Manhattan account which he draws form in Bangkok.

Lt. Callaghan:

What’s all this about antenna propagation tests? We don’t have any equipment that would transmit even half that far?

CWO. Biggs:

The flight people don’t know that.

The third type is Top Secret material which you know you can’t see but that’s not all.

He closes the safe, gets up and opens a closet door in the back of the building

We have a small artillery arsenal just in case the shit hits the fan. Here she is, a portable field howitzer with two hundred rounds of high explosive, flachette and phosphorus in the shed behind us.

Lt. Callaghan:

I can just visualise General Gottard, sword in hand, leading a charge across the top of the howitzer against an invading force. (pause) Well, I guess it’s you who are taking the responsibility on this one. All I can say is be careful. One stray 122mm rocket and you could be dust.

Cwo Biggs:

That’s life Sir.

SCENE 3. ext. - Motor pool - afternoon:

Lt. Callaghan and Spec5 Dudley looking at the command shelter mounted on the back of a two and a half ton truck

Lt. Callaghan:

Looks pretty beat up.

SFC. Holstein:

That’s all we have Sir.

Lt. Callaghan:

Well, it’ll have to do. Better start cleaning it up. Get some aluminium tape and tape over those bullet holes. A little touch up with paint wouldn’t hurt. I hope they haven’t caused any problems with the internal wiring.

Get some power over to it and we’ll see what has to be fixed. I hope it doesn’t catch fire when it goes live.

We need to get this thing ready so we can start adding equipment. God knows when this visit is going to happen. I’m sure we won’t know until the last minute and I want to be prepared.

SFC. Holstein:

We’ll do the best we can Sir.

SCENE  4. int. Dennison’s cave - afternoon

Lt. callaghan enters

Lt. Callaghan:

Hello, where have you been hiding Sir?

Capt. Dennison:

Trying to stay out of trouble. From all I hear you haven’t mastered the art.

Lt. Callaghan:

Who, Me? You all wouldn’t have anything to talk about if it wasn’t for my exploits.

Capt. Dennison:

What are you exploiting today?

Lt. callaghan:

I’m off to the Embassy Annex to see Bill Fisher and get fitted with some new armament. Want to come along?

Capt. Dennison:

I would really like to but I have to attend a briefing given for General Minh on the state of the troops readiness for Tet. It’ll be here soon and he doesn’t want to find out from the US Command that he has holes in his operations.

Lt. Callaghan:

Don’t ever say that never asked. Hey, how about dinner at the International House someday? They have a great buffet and for only three dollars.

Capt. Dennison:

Sounds good to me. Just let me know the date. By the way, to return the favour I will be hoofing it to Go Dau Ha for a dinner with the locals. Do you want to join me?

Lt. Callaghan:

Where the hell is Go Dau Ha?

Capt. Dennison:

It’s up highway one, near the Cambodian border.

Lt. Callaghan:

Why would I want to go there for dinner?

Capt. Dennison:

Orders, old buddy, I’m driving and need a shotgun that I can trust and if you’re going to get your armament prettied up, I’d like it helping me along the trip. Besides, Major Dingby told me to tell you were going since you need the exposure.

Lt. Callaghan:

Exposure is one thing I keep trying to reduce Sir. However, under the circumstances I suppose I will tag along, even though I have more pressing tasks at hand.

Capt. Dennison:

It’ll be the day after tomorrow. We will be leaving early so don’t stay up too late. I’ll pick you up at 0600 hours and we’ll have some breakfast at the Meyerkord before we leave. Now, I’m off to the briefing. See you the day after tomorrow.

SCENE 5. int. – U.S. Embassy annex - afternoon

Lt. Callaghan enters, stops at reception

Lt. callaghan:

I’m here to see Bill Fisher

Receptionist:

Please sign in. Here is a temporary badge and I’ll call Bill. He will have to escort you. He’ll be out in a moment.

Fisher enters

Bill Fisher:

Callaghan, how the hell are you? Please come this way.

I spoke to your cousin again yesterday. He said to say hello.

Lt. callaghan:

How is Babe doing?

Bill Fisher:

He’s the same as usual, up to no good.

SCENE  6. int. – U.S. Embassy Annex, Bill Fisher’s Office - Afternoon

They enter Fisher’s office

Bill Fisher:

We’re in here. It’s my other office and well out of the way of the crap that goes on inside the Embassy. I usually try and hang out here as much as possible. Sit down and take a load off your feet.

Lt. Callaghan clumsily hangs his M14 on the back of a chair.

I can’t believe they issued you that museum piece.

Fisher Opens his drawer and pulls out a set of keys

First things first. Come on we’ll get you fixed up and then I have to get back to the Embassy. Want a ride?

Lt. Callaghan:

Sounds good to me. My driver seems to be terrified of the area close to here, the area across the rail bridge on the other side of Kinh Ben Nghi, that polluted tributary of the Saigon River.

Bill Fisher opens a vault door.

Bill Fisher:

It’s pretty rough over there. We know there are guys in there. They’ll probably still be there after we leave, if they haven’t died of a drug overdose or a bullet through the brain. Those that have decided to leave the military and stay in the city have become a real problem. Their numbers are estimated to be above a thousand and when they run out of money the lucky ones go back to their units. Those who stay turn to crime. An incident that has become common is a request for help and when the Vietnamese of American MP’s show up they steal their equipment and clothes at gunpoint.

Lt. Callaghan:

Look at all this stuff. How long have you been collecting?

Bill Fisher:

Yes, it is quite a collection. We set it up for Tet last year because we thought things would go sour. We wanted to be ready this time. It never hurts to have a little more weaponry than needed. Last year we almost ran out of ammunition on several occasions. Now I have an even bigger one in the Embassy and several others scattered around the city just in case we need them this year.

Now let’s see, what do we have here?

Throws Lt. Callaghan a large flat box and then three smaller boxes.

A bullet proof vest, nine millimetre automatic pistol, shoulder holster and ammo. That should replace that antique you carry.

Lt. Callaghan opens the packages like a kid at christmas. puts on the gear. parades around.

LT. Callaghan:

I’ll be the envy of the camp. I don’t know how to thank you enough.

Bill Fisher:

Any friend of Babe’s is a friend of ours. Wear it in good health. Just make sure you give it back before you leave so I can keep the records straight.

I can drop you off at the Meyerkord. Is that okay?

Lt Callaghan:

That’s great. I really appreciate your help.

Bill Fisher:

Think nothing of it.

SCENE  7. int. c.m.a.c. Signal Office – Late Afternoon

Lt. Callaghan enters

Maj. Dingby:

Ah, Lieutenant Callaghan, just the person I want to see. I hear that you have heard from Captain Dennison that you will accompany him to Go Dau Ha. It will be good experience for you.

However, before you go it important that you visit the G5, Psychological Operations for a few tips regarding how to act. I have made an appointment for you to see Colonel Lawrence in fifteen minutes. If you would please go upstairs, he is expecting you.

SCENE  8. int. c.m.a.c. G5 Psychological Operations - Afternoon

Lt. callaghan walks up the stairs of the headquarters building and into the G5 offices . Notices a sign over the G5’s office door ‘win the minds and hearts of the people’

G5 Clerk:

Lieutenant Callaghan please go right in the Colonel is expecting you.

Lt. Callaghan enters, notices a large mobile, made of frisbees hanging from the ceiling and slowly moving around the room.

Colonel Lawrence:

Lieutenant Callaghan, please come in and sit down. You have noticed my mobile. I fear it came from a good idea that was trashed by human nature. We bought five hundred thousand Frisbees. Each were fitted with a Chieu Hoi leaflet that exonerated the holder from internment as long as he gave up his weapon and promised to support us.

lt. Callaghan:

I assume from what you are telling me that the program did not meet its expectations.

Col. Lawrence:

How very succinct Lieutenant.

No, the program didn’t meet it’s expectations. The Frisbees were launched from helicopters in a focused way rather than the method of leaflet saturation bombing employed by planes. Those who were delivering the message obviously became bored and decided to target people in the field, knocking their hat off, thumping them in the back or butt. The effect was counterproductive and we now have approximately four hundred and fifty thousand Frisbees in storage.

Lt. Callaghan:

What does all this have to do with my meeting in Go Dau Ha?

Col. Lawrence:

Well Lieutenant, just to explain that everything we try to do doesn’t always work. We need other mechanisms to capture their minds and hearts. Think about it when you are there and if you come up with any ideas than let me know.

Lt. Callaghan:

I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you Sir.

On his way out Lt. Callaghan noticed that above the inside of the Colonel’s office door was the sign ‘Grab them by the balls and their minds and hearts will follow’.

SCENE  9. Int. Go Dau Ha Advisors Command, Meal Tent – early afternoon

Capt. Dennison and Lt. Callaghan enter.

Capt. Dennison:

You didn’t have to show off by wearing your bullet proof vest and shoulder holster. It makes me look stupid carrying this M14.

Lt. callaghan:

I offered to bring you along to see Fisher Sir, but you had more important things to do.

Capt. dennison:

You’ve said that more than once on this trip. You need to change your attitude Lieutenant.

Now come on, we need to mix with our friends who are helping to make this country safe from communism.

Lt. Callaghan followed Capt. Dennison while removing his bullet proof vest. Most attendees in civilian clothes. Capt. dennison starts introductions.

Major Lamson, may I introduce Lieutenant Callaghan.

Maj. Lamson:

I am very pleased to meet you Lieutenant.

Lt. callaghan:

Sir, I am pleased to meet you. It is of interest that you have a decidedly American accent. Were you ever in the United States?

Maj. Lamson:

Very astute Lieutenant. I was attending UCLA until you guys escalated this skirmish. My parents were killed in a car bomb. The money ran out so I had to return to my home country and to all of this to support my brothers and sisters. You may suspect that my life is not a happy one, except for being with my family.

Call to the meal. Lt. Callaghan sits next to Capt. dennison. Dennison whispers

Capt. Dennison:

What ever you do Lieutenant, don’t cause a problem. We are trying to win the minds and hearts of these people.

Lt. Callaghan:

I understand how we want to win their minds and hearts Sir. I visited with Colonel Lawrence yesterday and he enlightened me. I did however forget to ask him how I could get a couple of Frisbees.

bottles of Johnny walker red whiskey, water and containers of very large ice cubes that wouldn’t fit into the glasses are placed on the table. Capt. Dennison rises to make a toast while Lt. callaghan pours himself a large scotch.

Capt. Dennison:

Just don’t do anything rash.

The meal is served and Lt. Callaghan doesn’t recognise the meat, pokes at it

Lt. callaghan:

Is this one of those dishes that we say tastes like chicken when we haven’t a clue as to what it is?

Capt. Dennison:

I have it on the best authority that it is monkey.

takes a bite

Not bad for chicken.

Lt. Callaghan takes a big gulp of scotch.

Lt. Callaghan:

Whatever it is, it’s going to be killed by the scotch. I can deal with a hangover, not dysentery

Lt. Callaghan dropped his napkin and when he lifted the table cloth to retrieve it everyone else did the same. Then he realised that there was a weapon between most of the guests feet, He slowly raised his hands to the table and slowly drank his scotch, thankful that Dennison was driving.

Don’t look down Sir but most of the guys here have a pistol on the ground between their feet. Are they expecting something that we should know about.

Capt. Dennison:

That’s common practice just in case something happens. It’s bad taste to wear a shoulder arm to a meal.

Lt. callaghan slowly lowered his holster to the ground beneath his feet and they finish the meal. Capt. Dennison stands.

Gentlemen, we must be on our way. We must be back in Saigon before curfew.

they Shake hands all around and leave the tent.

SCENE 10. ext. Go Dau Ha advisors command, C.m.a.c. jeep – Late afternoon

Capt. Dennison:

You could have had less to drink Lieutenant, just in case you were needed.

Lt. Callaghan:

Yes Sir, then again I shouldn’t have asked what we were eating. The thought of munching on one of those poor little creatures was distressing.

They leave for home.

SCENE  11. ext. – c.m.a.c. duck bunker – late evening

Lt. callaghan looks through the fence, addresses one of the MPs

Lt. Callaghan:

Corporal, did you notice that one of General Minh’s ducks is dead. Then you had better inform General Minh’s cook. I am sure he would hate to see it wasted.

MP1:

They were okay a few moments ago Sir, We just counted them. There’s not much else to do when you’re guarding this place.

Lt. callaghan looks around

Lt. callaghan:

I wonder what happened. The monkey seems to be doing okay. He’s a cute little guy. He was riding the ducks the other day. I guess it keeps him from getting bored.

MP opens gate

MP1:

I’ll square it away Sir.

Lt. Callaghan:

Great, Thanks.

SCENE 12. int. – c.m.a.c. Signal Office - Morning

Lt. Callaghan enters

Maj. Dingby:

Good morning Lieutenant, how was your trip to Go Dau Ha? Did you enjoy your meal?

Lt. callaghan:

Yes Sir, the scotch was great but I have to say that I could have passed on the monkey.

Lt. Col. Venetti: (O.O.V)

Lieutenant, do you have anything to report?

walks around the office partition

Lt, callaghan:

Yes, Sir. Everything seems to be okay in the Duck Bunker. However there was an unexplained incident last evening. One of General Minh’s ducks died. The MPs said they would deliver the duck to General Minh’s cook.

Lt. Col. Venetti:

I hope for your sake that is an isolated incident.

Lt. callaghan:

I hope so too Sir.

Lt. Col. Venetti:

I overheard your comments about your meal at Go Dau Ha Advisory. One must remember that we are only a guest in this country and as such we should act like one. Consuming large amounts of scotch and complaining about the food is not the way a guest should act.

Lt. Callaghan:

Yes Sir. Sorry Sir, I’ll remember that in the future.

Lt. Col. Venetti:

On another matter Lieutenant, we will be having a visitor in a couple of days time. Do you have the Mobile Command Center ready for use?

Lt. Callaghan:

I will check it’s status Sir. We have it mounted but it needed cleaning up and the bullet holes may have caused some electrical damage so I left word to have the electrics checked.

Lt. Col. Venetti:

You had better get on it Lieutenant. The Secret Service will be here tomorrow and want somewhere to put their radios.

Lt. Callaghan:

Will the President be visiting Sir?

Lt. Col. Venetti:

You will know in due course. Now get on with it and let Major Dingby know if there is anything you need.

Lt. Callaghan:

Yes, Sir.

SCENE  13. Int. – c.m.a.c. radio room - morning

Lt. callaghan enters

Lt. Callaghan:

Good Morning Sergeant Holstein, how has your day been so far?

SFC. Holstein:

Uneventful Sir, however I am sure you are going to change all that.

Lt. Callaghan:

Have you heard about our visitor?

SFC. Holstein:

It’s supposed to be the President. The announcement was in this morning’s Stars and Stripes.

Lt. Callaghan:

That’s great! The colonel wouldn’t tell me because it is classified and it’s printed all over the Stars and Stripes for the world to see.

Well, the Secret Service is going to be here tomorrow so we better get cracking on the Mobile Communications center.

SFC. Holstein:

We accomplished a lot yesterday. Patched up the bullet holes and connected up the electricity. We won’t have a generator set until tomorrow. It’s being serviced over in Microwave. However, there seems to be a problem which could have been caused by bullets passing through the shell. There is a 115 volt differential between the shelter and ground. It makes for a pretty nasty shock when you touch the truck while standing on the ground; it knocked Dudley flat. We can’t seem to find the reason. We put a piece of plywood under the steps for insulation but if that gets wet then the problem returns.

Lt. callaghan:

Do the Command Net and Emergency Response Network radios work okay?

SFC. Holstein:

Once inside everything is okay. It’s just getting in and out that there is a problem.

Lt. callaghan:

Then make sure we have a couple of extra sheets of dry plywood on hand where ever we are going.

SFC. Holstein:

That would be Ton Son Nhut, Sir.

Lt. callaghan:

How do we know that?

SFC. Holstein:

That’s the only place to land outside of Bien Hoa and Cambodia, I would think that the latter is not an option.

Lt. Callaghan:

Well, let me know when you feel it’s ready and I’ll have a test run.

Spec5. Dudley enters, running. – exhausted

Spec5. Dudley:

Sir, there’s a problem with the van. A truck with a mounted shelter caught the power line and it broke at the splice. The live line burnt a long gash in the side of the shelter before the relay tripped.

Lt. callaghan and Spec5 dudley leave for the Motor pool.

SCENE 14. c.m.a.c. motor pool, Mobile Command Center – mid morning.

Lt. Callaghan and Spec5 Dudley arrive at mobile command center.

Lt. Callaghan:

Has the power line been isolated?

Spec5 Dudley:

Yes Sir.

Lt. Callaghan:

Did it hurt the other shelter?

Spec5 Dudley:

I don’t think so Sir. They just drove off like they didn’t know what had happened.

Lt. callaghan picks up one end of the cable and looks at it. about a foot from the end of the cable there is a knot in the cable. He finds the other end of the cable and sees the same thing.

Lt. Callaghan:

Specialist, what is this?

Spec5 Dudley:

That’s the way Private Bradley spliced the cable Sir.

Lt. Callaghan:

Didn’t anyone tell him how to do it properly?

Spec5 Dudley:

I was in the Radio Room when Sergeant Holstein told him what to do. He told him to tie a knot in both the ends of the cable and then splice the wires together. It sounded clear to me but Bradley must have misunderstood.

Lt. Callaghan:

Well, splice it properly this time and get the power back on so we can see if anything has been damaged. And get some aluminium tape and patch up that gash. We don’t need any more moisture in the van than necessary. Let me know if you have any problems. We have to be ready for tomorrow. Our guests will be arriving early.

SCENE  15. int. – c.m.a.c. Signal Office - morning

Lt. Callaghan enters lt. Col. Venetti’s office. Two men in civilian clothes are sitting on the couch. Lt. callaghan gives the duck bunker report.

Lt. Callaghan:

Sir, the ducks are okay today and the duck bunker is secure.

Lt. Col. Venetti:

Thank you Lieutenant. I want to introduce Phil Jones and Bill Hopkins. They are Secret Service and will need to check out the Mobile Command Center so they can install their communications equipment. Will you take them and show them around?

Lt. Callaghan:

Yes Sir. If you would follow me gentlemen.

SCENE  16. ext. Walk from Signal office to Mobile Command center in motor pool. Late morning

descending the stairs in the front entrance to C.M.A.C. Headquarters

Phil Jones:

Lieutenant, what’s all this about ducks?

They pass the duck bunker on the left

Lt. callaghan:

Here’s where it all happens. Originally a duck was brought from one of the bridges where it quote ‘fouled’ an enemy attack. The menagerie grew with General Minh’s farm animals and a monkey donated by Engineering. It’s all part of the General’s concern with the security of the SCIF bunker. The whole thing has gotten out of hand.

Phil Jones:

We see things like that happening all the time. It’s not just quirk of the military.

They walk past the parade field, Lt. callaghan pointing out the facilities along the way. They arrive at the motor pool.

Lt. callaghan:

Here she is. Isn’t she a beauty?

Phil Jones:

You are kidding me, aren’t you Lieutenant. It isn’t even air conditioned.

Lt. Callaghan:

It’s the best we have under the circumstances.

Phil Jones:

Well it will have to do as we don’t have much time. Let’s start setting up this equipment.

Lt. Callaghan:

I’ll be in the Radio Room if you need me. Specialist Dudley will help you with anything you need.

Phil Jones:

We’re moving out to Ton Son Nhut first thing tomorrow morning to get set up. We would appreciate your involvement in assuring everything arrives safely and on time. Here’s the map.

Lt. Callaghan:

No problem Sir, we’ll leave at eight. We should be there in plenty of time.

SCENE  17. ext. C.m.a.c. convoy from Camp Le van duyet ton son nhut - morning

Lt. callaghan:  (V.O.)

After we checked the incident boards the journey started, on time. The area had been clear of incidents and initially the traffic was light. Then, for some reason it started getting heavier and the street filled in front of us. From then on it was slow going and we had to stop and wait up to ten minutes at a stretch. About three quarters of the way to our destination we came to a fork where we were joined by two other roads. The truck stalled and that was it. The battery didn’t have enough juice to start the truck. The crowds were thickening by the minute, crushing lambrettas and motor bikes into the truck. Regular shouts of distain came from several areas and an explosion at Third Field Hospital not far away caused concern. I finally grabbed a fire axe handle from the cab and tapped the battery until the mixture yielded enough juice to get us started. The driver blasted the horn and the crowd cleared, enough to allow us to be on our way. A trip that should have taken a half hour took over two hours. I can tell you that I never felt so helpless in my life.

SCENE  18. ext. – Ton Son Nhut, communications Coordination point – late morning:

C.M.a.c. mobile command center moves into position.

Bill Hopkins:

What took you guys so long?

Lt. callaghan:

We got stuck in traffic and then the truck broke down. Not a good morning so far.

Bill Hopkins:

The Presidents flight is coming in earlier, a security cover tactic. We need to be on the air in an hour.

Lt. Callaghan:

Let’s go you guys. You heard the man. We’ve got an hour to get on line and humming.

(V.O.) You’ve got to hand it to the Radio Team: cables laid, generators up and running, antennas hoisted and locked down and the all important sheet of plywood in place before the juice is turned on.

The shelter acquired a hum of activity. No one noticed rank from the General to a Specialist, they just got on with what they needed to do.

The President’s plane landed and his double waved from the top of the passenger stairs and entered a limousine. That became a motorcade heading for the Vietnamese Presidential Palace. The real President disembarked from the other side of the plane and started to board a helicopter.

That’s when it happened. General Gottard called for his helicopter. It was only about one hundred feet from the Mobile Command Center. When asked where he was going. He responded that he was going to see the President, and vanished.

We looked in amazement as General Gottard’s helicopter headed towards the rising covey that included the President’s helicopter. He managed to join the covey for a few moments at which point the Secret Service threatened to blow him out of the air if he didn’t leave. He finally limped back to the Command Post. He was not a happy person.

It was at that time that the fluorescent lights started to flicker, indicating the generator was failing. Specialist Dudley left the shelter like a shot and switched them over in time to keep the radios up.

We settled in for a long wait but the President didn’t stay for very long and the motorcade and covey of helicopters returned for the all important waving to the crowd pictures. Then, as he came, he was gone and it was time to take it all down and return to C.M.A.C.

The crowds didn’t block us on the way home prompting us to think that the morning was contrived.

Later that day we watched the President’s visit on AFVN. Pictures can often be misleading but we did catch a glimpse of General Gottard’s attempt to become part of the President’s party.

As for me, I’m going to have a good time tonight, if only I had someone to share it with.

SCENE  19. ext. CMD Headquarters building, access road

Lt. Callaghan exits the access to the TOC and hears a truck SCREECH to a halt. Looks up and there is a new and complete Microwave rig.

SFC. Cox:

Lieutenant, I did it.

Lt. Callaghan couldn’t believe his eyes.

Lt. Callaghan:

Sergeant Cox, where the hell did you get that? And a new one to boot!

SFC. Cox:

Let’s say it’s on loan Sir.

Lt. Callaghan:

Well if it’s on loan Sergeant then you had better get it deployed to Gia Dinh. That will do two things. First it will make the General happy and second it will deter the person who loaned it to you from asking for it back.

SFC. Cox:

It will be deployed tonight Sir, that is if I can get orders for an antenna propagation trip to Bangkok.

Lt. Callaghan:

I am sure that can be arranged Sergeant.