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                                                                                                                              THE TRIPWIRE
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                                                                                                                                            By
                                                                                                                             Jonathan Vankin


WGAW REG. # 1214707
CONTACT: Amy Schiffman
Echo Lake Entertainment
aschiffman@echolakeentertainment.com
 


For 50 years, 14,000 American troops
were stationed at the Demilitarized Zone
separating North and South Korea.

In the case of a North Korean invasion,
these soldiers would be no match for
the North's million-man army.
They were expected to do little other than die.

The intent was for their destruction
to immediately trigger a full-scale
U.S. military commitment.

Military strategists in the Pentagon
called these troops the "tripwire" for war.



               EXT. WILDERNESS - DAWN

               The pale orange sun rises between snow-capped mountain peaks.
               A deer drinks from a crystal clear pond.
               Swans alight amidst the brush.

               A butterfly sets down on the petals of a dewy wildflower,
               resting its wings.

               A badger sniffs its way along a stretch of grassy soil. A
               rusted tab of metal protrudes from the ground. 

               The badger shuffles around it, notices the tab. Sniffs it.
               Bumps at the tab with its nose. Nothing. The curious badger
               gives it one more bump. Click. And...

               BOOM! The land mine blows up. Poor little badger!

               A few feet from the late badger, a standard-issue American M1
               military helmet, crusted with the rust of decades. 

               Weeds and a dandelion grow through two neat bullet holes in
               the helmet.

               Welcome to the KOREAN DEMILITARIZED ZONE. The final hot spot
               in the Cold War. 1993.

               EXT. NORTH KOREAN MILITARY OUTPOST - DAWN 

               Artillery batteries. Tanks. Bunkers. Korean People's Army
               (KPA) soldiers in immaculate but oversized uniforms march,
               drill, repair vehicles and artillery. 

               Young, skinny and short, KPA soldiers are deathly serious.
               About everything. 

               A flurry of activity surrounds a windowless cement hut. Out
               of the bunker come two men in civilian dress, INTELLIGENCE
               OFFICERS. 

               Their attire, informal but neat. Each wears a pin with the
               image of "Great Leader" Kim Il-Sung.

               The intelligence men flank a HOODED FIGURE in a sweatshirt
               and a surgical mask. They lead the hooded figure to a cast
               iron door, opening on a closet-size cement structure.  

               The entrance to an passageway UNDERGROUND.

               They salute the hooded figure, who disappears down a ladder.
               Soldiers close the door, bolt and padlock it.

               EXT. KOREAN DEMILITARIZED ZONE - AFTERNOON

               The South Korean side. No swans, no deer. Just troops. Three
               young American soldiers: MAXIE ROSEN, WAYNE PARRISH and
               CHRISTIAN DAVIS.

               From a ridge, looking down into the North, they patrol the
               DMZ, a stretch of observation towers and razor wire.

               Maxie, 22, is a nice, Jewish boy from Menlo Park, CA. A short
               timer, just there for the G.I. bill. Figuring out what to do
               with the rest of his life.

               Wayne, a few years older, a SERGEANT. All-American, career
               Army, from Tulsa. What his country asks, that's what he does.

               Christian, Maxie's age, a bad-ass former Penn State football
               player. The Army trained him to kill. He likes that. He badly
               needs an excuse to kill someone. Anyone.

               POV through a TELESCOPIC RIFLE SITE: a KPA soldier, far in
               the distance.

               The rifle belongs to Christian, who aims it toward the North.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Your ass is mine, motherfucker.
                         Just. Like. That.

               His finger curls on the trigger.

                                   WAYNE
                         Lower your weapon, Private.

               No response.

                                   WAYNE (CONT'D)
                         Chris! Lower that goddam weapon,
                         now! They even spot you taking an
                         aggressive posture they're gonna
                         start shelling Seoul.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Chill out, Wayne.

               Wayne shoots him a look.

                                   CHRISTIAN (CONT'D)
                         "Sarge."

                                   MAXIE
                         Guys, I got about a month left
                         before my discharge.
                         I'm depending on the both of you to
                         get me there in one piece. So --
                         easy, okay?

                                   CHRISTIAN 
                             (lowering rifle)
                         You gotta admit, Maxie, it is
                         fucked-up what we're doing here.
                         High alert all the time but no
                         motherfucking action. Like, ever.

                                   MAXIE
                         Look, I requested posting in
                         Hawaii, but they sent me here. I'm
                         getting all the action I need.

               Christian likes Maxie, but just doesn't get him. Why join the
               army if you don't want to fight? 

               INT. CAVERNOUS TUNNEL -- SAME TIME

               A large tunnel, man-made. Chunky, coal-black walls, lined
               with light bulbs at regular intervals. 

               A rubber tube about a foot in diameter runs along the ground,
               housing electrical wire.

               Still, the tunnel is dark, dusty and desolate.

               The hooded figure walks briskly through the dark from North
               to South.

               EXT. WOODED AREA - LATER

               Amidst underbrush, a hidden hatch opens from the ground. The
               hooded figure emerges, casting aside the sweatshirt and mask.

               This mystery figure is a young Korean woman, KIM SEO-HEE. She
               goes by SEO (pronounced "So"). Beautiful, early 20s,
               stylishly dressed in Western fashion.

               After a few quick glances to make sure she hasn't been
               spotted, she disappears into the mist.

               EXT. KOREAN DEMILITARIZED ZONE - SAME TIME

               Maxie peers over his shoulder, distracted. He squints into
               the distance behind him. Back there, the wooded area where
               Seo just emerged. 

               His buddies focus on the DMZ, in front of them.

                                   MAXIE
                         You see that?

                                   WAYNE
                         The enemy's that way, fuckface.

               Maxie is still distracted, looking over his shoulder.

                                   MAXIE
                         I know I saw someone back there.

                                   WAYNE
                         You did. We ain't the only grunts
                         patrolling the DMZ. You get that,
                         Maxie? There are other soldiers on
                         this detail.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         How come it has to be a big-ass
                         war? How about we take out one of
                         theirs then we let 'em take out one
                         of ours? Even Steven. Everybody's
                         happy. 
                             (beat)
                         I'll go first.

               He raises the rifle again. Wayne pushes it down, hard.

                                   WAYNE
                         Fuck! You know the problem with the
                         military, Davis. It's full of
                         killers like you.

                                   MAXIE
                             (re: behind him)
                         I guess it was no one.

               EXT. SEOUL STREETS - DAY

               Running on adrenaline, Seo navigates her way around the
               bustling, overpopulated city.

               BRIEF MONTAGE. 

               A packed street in central Seoul. Seo battles a phobia of
               crowds.

               In a dimly lit subway station, Seo struggles to understand a
               map of the Seoul subways.

               Seo fumbles with an ATM. She has never used one before. When
               it dispenses cash, she can barely conceal her shock.

               Skyscrapers tower over Seo as she navigates the bustling
               city. Vertigo overwhelms her as she looks up.

               The whole time, she fears being watched or found out --
               though no one exhibits any suspicion. She blends in.

               EXT. RESIDENTIAL SEOUL NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY

               Seo arrives in a quiet area. The late 20th century hasn't
               arrived here. No skyscrapers, just small, flimsy houses. She
               stops a passing woman. 

               (When Seo speaks to other Koreans, the dialogue will be
               spoken in KOREAN WITH SUBTITLES.)

                                   SEO
                         Excuse me. Do you know what
                         neighborhood this is?

               The woman gives her a weird look. Seo pulls out a crumpled,
               aging slip of notepaper with a few Hangul script scribbles.

                                   SEO (CONT'D)
                         My name is Kim Seo-Hee. I am
                         searching for my grandmother. I was
                         told she lives around here, but I
                         do not know if she is still alive.
                             (awkward)
                         I have been studying in America. I
                         lost touch with my family.

               Another weird look from the woman.

                                   SEO (CONT'D)
                         Her name is Kim Nya-Kim. Do you
                         know her?

               The woman gives her the weirdest look yet, a look of
               repulsion. The woman scurries away.

               Exasperated, Seo wanders. She turns around and out of nowhere
               -- a man! In her face.

               This handsome but somehow sinister Korean man is SHIN. He's a
               few years older than Seo, handsome and athletic. He smiles.

               An older man off-screen speaks. This will be ROH.

                                   ROH (O.S.)
                         Comrade Kim, this is an unexpected
                         area in which to find you.

               Roh approaches. He is middle-aged, perfectly ordinary in
               every respect. Except that he is a lifelong North Korean spy
               and saboteur.

                                   SEO
                         Are you -- ?

                                   ROH
                         I am Roh. This is Comrade Shin.

                                   SHIN
                         Hello.

                                   ROH
                         The Dear Leader, Comrade Kim Jong
                         Il has blessed us with the task of
                         coordinating your mission here in
                         the traitorous South.

               Seo is not surprised. This is why she was sent to the South.
               But she is visibly nervous with her new handlers.

               EXT. KOREAN DEMILITARIZED ZONE - DAY

               Another nervous face. An America soldier, PRIVATE THOMAS
               JENKINS.

               He stands at the "Truce Village" of Panmunjon. North Korean
               soldiers glare back menacingly, just a few yards away. 

               The North Koreans must turn their heads to face him. They are
               required to stand guard facing each other.

               South Korean soldiers in aviator shades stand stock still,
               each in an identical tae kwon do stance, facing north.

               PRIVATE PHIL ASHER approaches Jenkins. Scared, too.

               Both of these guys are victims of volunteer army recruiting.
               Undereducated, none-too-bright, in over their heads. 

                                   ASHER
                         Move, Jenkins. The brass gets
                         pissed when we look at those guys.

               They walk away.

               The prevailing mood of the "Truce Village" area: high tension
               blended with weird nonchalance. Surreal.

               NEARBY

               A busload of tourists, all neatly dressed which is a
               requirement for visiting the DMZ.

               One MAN FROM NEBRASKA gets off the bus wearing shorts. The
               South Korean tour guide accosts him.

                                   TOUR GUIDE
                         No short pants! No short pants! The
                         North Koreans will take a picture
                         for propaganda.

                                   MAN FROM NEBRASKA
                         What're you talkin' about?

                                   TOUR GUIDE
                         Sloppily dressed Americans. Proof
                         of decadent Western ways. Back on
                         the bus!

                                   MAN FROM NEBRASKA
                         For the love of --

               ANOTHER NEARBY LOCATION 

               MAJOR PETE GONZALEZ hits a golf ball off a tee at a one-hole
               golf course.

               A wooden sign reads: 

               THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS GOLF COURSE -- AS FEATURED IN
               SPORTS ILLUSTRATED. 

               PAR 3, 192 YDS

               It also says: 

               DANGER! DO NOT RETRIEVE BALLS FROM THE ROUGH. 

               LIVE MINE FIELDS.

               The "course" is dirt except for the astroturf green. Gonzalez
               hits his ball on to the green, inches short of a hole-in-one.

                                   GONZALEZ
                         Damn.

               BACK TO JENKINS AND ASHER

               They stop at a small granite memorial stone, topped by a
               rusty bronze plaque.

                                   JENKINS
                         This is where it happened.

                                   ASHER
                         What happened?

                                    JENKINS
                         You know how they call our base
                         Camp Bonifas? 

                                   ASHER 
                         'Course.

                                   JENKINS 
                         It's 'cuz this Captain got killed
                         trying to chop down a tree.

                                   ASHER 
                         Huh?

                                   JENKINS
                         Yeah, man, check out this plaque.

               The two of them read. Jenkins paraphrases for his somewhat
               slower buddy's benefit.

                                   JENKINS (CONT'D)
                         A few of our guys were cutting down
                         a tree at Panmunjon, like,
                         practically right here where our
                         feet are standing! Next thing they
                         know, these North Koreans come at
                         them with axes. For no reason!
                         Killed two of our guys including
                         this captain. Captain Bonifas.

                                   ASHER
                         No shit. What'd we do about it?

                                   JENKINS
                         That's the point, man. We didn't do
                         nothing. No one fired a fuckin'
                         shot in return.
                             (beat)
                         No one cares if we live or die.

                                   ASHER
                         Fuck.

               The two scared soldiers peer across -- into North Korea.

                                   JENKINS
                         We gotta do this, man. It's our
                         only damn chance.

               EXT. CAMP BONIFAS - DAY

               Maxie, Wayne and Christian, with their platoon, ride a jeep
               into camp after patrol. 

                                   MAXIE
                         I coulda sworn I saw something back
                         there. Should we report it?

                                   WAYNE
                         Report what? 

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Maxie, when the gooks come across
                         the DMZ, they ain't coming one at a
                         time. They're sending whole
                         divisions across. We are fucked.

                                   WAYNE
                         Divisions? Shit. They got the KPA
                         620 Corps forward-deployed with
                         heavy artillery just across the
                         DMZ. They'll kick our asses with
                         170 millimeter shells before we
                         even see an enemy soldier.

                                   MAXIE
                         That's what I love about you guys.
                         Your irrepressible optimism.

               BARRACKS

               A group of guys around a small TV. Fuzzy reception even on
               Armed Forces Network. The news has the troops mesmerized.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         What's on the tube, fellas?

               No response. Rapt attention. Christian pulls up a chair.
               Wayne and Maxie stand.

                                   AFN NEWS BROADCAST
                         ...defied the United Nations by
                         launching the NoDong missile in the
                         direction of Japan's Honshu Island.
                         The modified scud, capable of
                         delivering a conventional, chemical
                         or nuclear payload, landed
                         harmlessly in the Sea of Japan. 

               Broadcast shows stock footage of a scud missile launch.

                                   WAYNE
                         Damn.

                                   MAXIE
                         Nuclear payload? It's not enough to
                         roll our outnumbered asses, they're
                         gonna start World War III now?

                                   CHRISTIAN
                             (chuckles like a moron)
                         NoDong? No dong?

                                   MAXIE
                         Shhh, Chris.

                                   AFN NEWS BROADCAST
                         The NoDong is thought to have a
                         range exceeding 1000 kilometers,
                         allowing it to strike Tokyo. United
                         States Forces in Korea have been
                         placed on alert, pending an
                         imminent U.S. response.

                                   WAYNE
                         Alert? When are we not on alert at
                         the DMZ?

                                   CHRISTIAN
                             (grabs crotch)
                         My dong's got a payload.

                                   MAXIE
                         Your grasp of the geopolitical
                         situation is impressive, Chris.

               A U.S. GENERAL on TV. Press briefing.

                                   TV GENERAL
                         The past 50 years have done nothing
                         to alter the aggressive intentions
                         of the North Koreans. At this time,
                         the outstanding troops of the
                         United States Forces Korea remain
                         our most effective deterrent. 

               War whoops and "hoo-ahs" from the fellas.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Grasp this. 

               He moves in front of the TV, reaches into his duffel.

                                   CHRISTIAN (CONT'D)
                         I got something for your dong.

               Triumphantly, he pulls out a VHS cassette in a colorful box. 

               Porn! That gets the guys really fired up.

                                   MAXIE
                         Let me see that.
                             (reads the box)
                         "Deep Inside Annie Sprinkle?"

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Vintage '70s porn, my friend. A
                         classic! Before they had all that
                         plastic surgery shit with the fake
                         tits and getting their ribs removed
                         and shit.

                                   MAXIE
                         And vaginal rejuvenation. Let's not
                         forget my favorite.

                                   WAYNE
                         You guys are not healthy
                         individuals. 

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         With this masterpiece, I'm gonna
                         get my jack on like I never got a
                         jack on before.

               Maxie rolls his eyes. But wait, on second thought...

                                   MAXIE
                         Hmm, not a bad idea, actually.

               Turn toward the door where stands LIEUTENANT ALEXANDRA KENT,
               accompanied by a couple of enlisted men holding coolers. 

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Hey, Lieutenant.

                                   ALEXANDRA
                         We got some extra rations here,
                         gentlemen. 
                             (checks out the scene)
                         But maybe you're busy?

               Wayne and Alexandra share a quick but meaningful glance.

                                   MAXIE
                         Nothing important, ma'am. Private
                         Davis was giving sit rep on his
                         upcoming masturbation activities.

                                   WAYNE
                         Shut the fuck up! That's a superior
                         officer you're talking to.
                             (to Lieutenant)
                         Let me apologize on behalf of my
                         guys, ma'am.
                             (to his buddies)
                         I can't stand the smell of you
                         shitbirds right now.

               Maxie and Christian look at each other. What's up with that?

               There's something very unspoken between Wayne and Alexandra.

               INT. SUPPLY DEPOT OFFICE - SHORTLY LATER

               Wayne and Lt. Alexandra Kent are passionately going at it in
               her office, uniforms frayed and falling off.

                                   WAYNE (CONT'D)
                             (panting)
                         They say the North Koreans are
                         building a nuke.

               Nothing but heavy breathing in return.

                                   WAYNE (CONT'D)
                         If we gotta die, I want it to be
                         with you, Alex!

                                   KENT
                         Shut up. 

                                   WAYNE
                         I love you!

                                   KENT
                         Sergeant, perform your duty. 
                          

               INT. SUBWAY SANDWICH SHOP - SOME TIME LATER

               A Subway in Seoul looks exactly like a Subway in any American
               city. Except everyone is Korean. 

               Shin munches a foot-long steak sub. Roh picks at a salad.

               Seo ignores a six-inch tuna sub.

                                   ROH
                             (leaning in, quietly)
                         It is a great honor to be selected
                         for a mission such as this, Comrade
                         Seo. The Great Leader, Comrade Kim
                         Il-Sung himself planned this
                         operation personally.

                                   SHIN
                             (mouth full)
                         Stay focused on that.

                                   ROH
                         What my young colleague means is,
                         you must not be distracted.

                                   SHIN
                         We know everything about you --
                             (beat)
                         -- and your parents.

               Hand under table, Seo clutches the notepaper tightly.

                                   ROH
                         The Dear Leader, Comrade Kim Jong
                         Il, knew your parents would serve
                         the people more effectively in the
                         North. Therefore, he relocated them
                         to Pyongyang.

                                   SHIN
                         Stop searching for your relatives.
                         There is nothing to be gained.

                                   ROH
                         Tactlessly put. But Agent Shin
                         knows what he's talking about.

               Seo immediately understands Shin. He's been through what
               she's been through -- and come out much more hardened.

               Under the table, she quietly tears up her note papers.

                                   ROH (CONT'D)
                         The Great Leader wishes to bless
                         his people with the gift of nuclear
                         power. In this way, he will bring a
                         new age of prosperity to all
                         Koreans. 
                             (chews his salad)
                         But the nations of the West wants
                         prosperity only for themselves.
                         They accuse us of aggression, but
                         this is only to justify their own
                         intentions to use nuclear weapons
                         against us. 
                             (sips Coke through straw)
                         Led by the United States, they
                         conspire against the Democratic
                         People's Republic, to keep our
                         people poor, sick and hungry. This
                         is why they have divided the Korean
                         people, North from South.

               Seo listens intently. 

                                   ROH (CONT'D)
                         American propaganda has brainwashed
                         the people of the South into
                         accepting United States troops. If
                         the Americans go home, the Great
                         Leader will be free to unify our
                         nation, fulfilling the dreams of
                         all Korean people. 

                                   SEO
                         Is that the Great Leader's plan,
                         Comrade? To persuade American
                         troops to go home?

                                   ROH
                         Very good! To accomplish this, we
                         must take steps to re-educate our
                         brothers in the traitorous South,
                         so that they reverse their support
                         of the American invaders.

                                   SEO
                         What is my role in this grand
                         operation?

                                   SHIN
                         We're about to tell you!

                                   ROH
                         Indeed. Here is what the Great
                         Leader asks that you do...

               INT. CAMP BONIFAS BARRACKS - NIGHT

               Troops chow on rations, clean their weapons, read comic books
               and bullshit each other.

               Jenkins and Asher play checkers. But they aren't focused on
               the game. They're cooking up a plan, stressed out.

               Empty beers lie around their checkerboard.

                                   JENKINS
                         Tonight, man. I can't take this
                         shit no more.

                                   ASHER
                         I don't want to talk about it here,
                         Jenkins.

                                   JENKINS
                         Those fuckin' North Koreans come
                         across that line, man, we're dead
                         meat. Dead fuckin' meat.

               Christian and Wayne appear over them.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Jenkins and Asher, my two favorite
                         chickenshits. Who's winning,
                         fellas? Or are black and red just
                         scaring the shit out of each other?

                                   WAYNE
                         Leave 'em alone, Chris. 

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         You know what I'm scared of, Sarge?
                         I'm scared that when some shit goes
                         down no one's gonna have my back
                         except one of these two fucking
                         cowards. That's the shit that keeps
                         me up at night.

                                   WAYNE
                         Enjoy your game, guys.
                             (leads Christian away)
                         Dude, I'm supposed to be motivating
                         guys like that. You're undercutting
                         my leadership qualities.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Right.

                                   JENKINS
                         It's guys like that who are gonna
                         get guys like you and me killed.

                                   ASHER
                         Gung ho motherfuckers.

               Wayne and Christian join Maxie who reads a book: Wealth
               Creation Secrets of The Ultra-Rich.

                                   WAYNE
                         Dudes like that never should've got
                         in the Army in the first place. In
                         my dad's day, they'd both be
                         Section Eight.

                                   MAXIE
                         Four-F.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         He just means they need their
                         tickets punched.

                                   MAXIE
                         Yeah, well, for me it's just a few
                         more weeks, then my Uncle Sam
                         starts sending checks for school.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Maxie's gonna be like, all Donald
                         Trump and shit.

                                   MAXIE
                         Man, I don't know what I want to
                         do. For now, I'm going to help my
                         parents with their business. They
                         lost their shirts in the Reagan
                         stock market crash. 

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Nice shirts? Rayon?

                                   MAXIE
                         That was six years ago. Six. And
                         they're still not on their feet.

                                   WAYNE
                         You got something against Ronald
                         Reagan, Maxie?

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Don't tell me you voted for that
                         draft dodging pussy-hound Clinton?

                                   MAXIE
                         You say pussy-hound like it's a bad
                         thing.

                                   WAYNE
                         I don't care for the man myself,
                         but he's the president. He's
                         visiting the DMZ in a couple weeks. 

               Maxie and Chris look at Wayne, then each other, incredulous.

                                   WAYNE (CONT'D)
                         Practice showing some respect.

               The other two crack up. But Wayne's serious.

               EXT. CAMP BONIFAS BARRACKS - NIGHT

               Pitch dark. Moonlight. A few footlights on the camp walkways.
               Still. Quiet. 

               Two figures slip out of the barracks.

               Cover of darkness conceals the two. Guards focus north, not
               on their own camp.

               The two figures are Jenkins and Asher. Like a prison break,
               they slip out of camp, around the fence. 

               Into the DMZ!

               EXT. KOREAN DEMILITARIZED ZONE - SOME TIME LATER

               Still dark. Jenkins and Asher have been treading carefully
               for about a couple of hours.

                                   JENKINS
                         There ain't supposed to be too many
                         land mines in this area. Relax.

               Ahead -- a group of shadowy figures.

                                   ASHER
                         That them?

                                   JENKINS
                         That who?

                                   ASHER
                         The North Koreans!

                                   JENKINS
                         Shit, man. This is it.

               The privates shake hands, pull each other into a man-hug. 

                                   JENKINS (CONT'D)
                         Let's do this!

               But Asher isn't so sure.

               Jenkins moves forward, hands high in the air. The KPA troops
               spot him. They level their weapons and approach with caution. 

               They shout at him in Korean.

                                   JENKINS (CONT'D)
                         It's okay! It's okay! I'm unarmed!

               North Korean soldiers surround him.

                                   JENKINS (CONT'D)
                         We want -- to defect!

               The KPA troops chatter softly among themselves, in disbelief.

               Asher is nowhere. Gone.

                                   JENKINS (CONT'D)
                             (realizes he's alone)
                         God damn it, Asher! Shit!

               The North Koreans look at each other, confused. They glare at
               Jenkins. With bad intentions.

                                   JENKINS (CONT'D)
                         I just want your government to send
                         me to China. I can get home from
                         there. Right? No big deal.

               The North Koreans don't understand a word.

               Jenkins' face drops. He's made a terrible mistake. The worst
               mistake he will ever make.

               The soldiers manhandle him. They drag him away.

               BACK AT CAMP BONIFAS

               Asher emerges from the DMZ, exhausted, distraught. Crying. He
               has barely the wits about him to sneak back in.

               EXT. KOREAN DEMILITARIZED ZONE - MORNING

               The spot where Seo emerged from the tunnel opening. 

               Leaves and brush are pushed aside. The opening gapes. 

               Capt. Gonzalez and MAJOR DAVID SARGOSA stare at the hole.
               Sargosa is a career Army officer in his mid or late 40s.
               Gonzalez carries his golf bag.

               At last, SPECIALIST AUSTIN NICHOLS, Military Police, wriggles
               up from the hole. He holds a flashlight -- and Seo's
               sweatshirt.

                                   NICHOLS
                         It's another tunnel, Sirs. It just
                         goes on and on. I walked about a
                         hundred meters but there was no end
                         in sight.

                                   SARGOSA
                         Thank you, Son. 

                                   GONZALEZ
                         You kept walking, you'd cross into
                         enemy territory. 
                             (to Sargosa)
                         That makes five of these
                         infiltration tunnels. That we know
                         about.

               Sargosa, non-responsive.

                                   NICHOLS
                         I found this right down here at the
                         end of the tunnel, Sir.

               Sargosa takes the sweatshirt, barely glances at it, as if it
               bores him. He hands it back to Nichols.

                                   GONZALEZ
                         So that confirms it. At least one
                         North Korean came through this
                         tunnel. And our guys didn't spot
                         him.

                                   SARGOSA
                         Don't you think it's more likely,
                         Pete, that this is how that little
                         shit Jenkins slipped out of camp
                         undetected last night?

                                   NICHOLS
                         Sir, my sergeant was on guard duty
                         and he reports two unidentified
                         figures entering the DMZ.

                                   SARGOSA
                             (re: the sweatshirt)
                         Put that back, Son.

                                   NICHOLS
                         Back, Major?

                                   SARGOSA
                         Then cover this area over so it
                         appears undisturbed.

               Nichols dutifully tosses the sweatshirt down the hole. Then
               some makeshift landscaping.

                                   GONZALEZ
                         One of ours for one of theirs.
                         Guess that's a fair trade.

                                   SARGOSA
                         Well, God damn it, Pete. If they
                         got stuck with Jenkins, I think we
                         got the better of the deal. 

                                   GONZALEZ
                         How do you want to handle the
                         investigation?

                                   SARGOSA
                         Low-key.

                                   GONZALEZ
                         I gotta admit, Dave, it is
                         embarrassing. The timing couldn't
                         be shittier. A nuclear crisis and
                         the president coming. But we got a
                         security breach here. The
                         infiltrator could be in this camp,
                         posing as one of the gophers.

                                   SARGOSA
                         Call them KATUSAs, Pete. "Korean
                         Augmentation to the United States
                         Army." You know better than that.

                                   GONZALEZ
                         Sorry, Major.

               Sargosa sighs, contemplating the predicament. His solution?

                                   SARGOSA
                         My position is that there is no
                         infiltrator. No one came through
                         any tunnel. This way or that way.

               Sargosa doesn't look at Gonzalez. Zero interest in anyone's
               reaction. His decision is made.

                                   SARGOSA (CONT'D)
                         One of our troops went missing in
                         an accident, that's all.

                                   GONZALEZ
                         Makes sense, I guess.

               Nichols covers the hole. No sign that the tunnel exists.

               INT. CAMP BONIFAS BARRACKS - MORNING

               Soldiers pull on boots and gear for a morning patrol.

               Asher is among them -- sloppy, stressed and spent.

                                   WAYNE
                             (to Christian and Maxie)
                         I'm going to do you two ladies a
                         favor and take you on my patrol
                         again today.

                                   MAXIE
                         Thank God! Another day of certainty
                         that my life will be spared! Thank
                         you, Sergeant Parrish. Thank you.

               Capt. Gonzalez walks into the barracks, with golf bag. 

                                   GONZALEZ
                         Gentlemen. I was on my way to shoot
                         18 holes this fine morning --

                                   MAXIE
                         You mean the same hole 18 times,
                         Sir.

                                   GONZALEZ
                         Technically accurate, Private
                         Rosen. But it's all in the varied
                         approach. One hole shot 18
                         different ways, a round of golf
                         makes. In any event, as I was on my
                         way to my tee time, I was informed
                         of an incident that took place here
                         late last night.

               The soldiers look around, confused.

                                   GONZALEZ (CONT'D)
                         Private Asher.

               Asher's pale face goes bleach-white.

                                   ASHER
                             (freaking out)
                         Yes, sir.

                                   GONZALEZ
                         Report to Major Sargosa for
                         debriefing.
                             (beat)
                         Gentlemen, the President of the
                         United States, your Commander-in
                         Chief and mine, will be visiting
                         our scenic camp in two short weeks.
                         He will personally tour this
                         facility and will accompany a
                         platoon for a single patrol of the
                         Demilitarized Zone. This visit is
                         of immense symbolism at this time
                         when political support for the
                         presence of our fine troops here is
                         more critical than ever. The
                         President will, naturally, be
                         accompanied by those dutiful
                         guardians of the First Amendment,
                         the press corps.
                             (beat)
                         An incident like this doesn't look
                         good anytime. Especially not now.

               Asher scurries past Gonzalez, who gives him a sour look.

                                   GONZALEZ (CONT'D)
                         If anything were to become public
                         that could erode that political
                         support, well, it would only clear
                         the path for a North Korean
                         invasion of this fine republic of
                         Korea.
                             (eyes the puzzled troops)
                         Let's keep this to ourselves.

               Gonzalez strolls out of there, leaving the soldiers confused.

                                   WAYNE
                         What incident? 

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Fuck if I know. What'd he want with
                         that little bitch Asher?

                                   MAXIE
                             (looking around)
                         Holy shit. Where's Jenkins?

               They're speechless. Whatever Jenkins did, it's bad.

               EXT. ITAEWON DISTRICT - DAY

               Seoul shopping district. Servicemen and tourists troll for
               knockoff clothing, exotic food and of course, prostitutes.

               Seo has made herself up well -- beautiful and sexy.

               She pretends to shop at hole-in-the-wall stores overstuffed
               with counterfeit Prada and Gucci. She eyes her surroundings.
               Her focus: American men. She is clinical. She's a predator.

               Seo zeroes in on a middle-aged man, a bored tourist whose 
               wife finally pulls him away. Seo's not interested.

               Her attention turns to a long-haired backpacker. Not
               interested in him, either.

               She spots prey: an athletic, dark-skinned American with a
               buzz-cut. JULIO. He rifles through stacks of baseball caps.

               Screwing up her courage, Seo approaches him, as nonchalant as
               she can. She, herself, flips through the caps.

               Julio glances at her. He's curious, all right. She smiles at
               him. She picks up a Florida Marlins cap and tries it on.

                                   JULIO
                         You speak English?

                                   SEO
                         Yes. I studied in the United
                         States.

               She does speak English well -- but weirdly. Her speech
               carries an incongruous southern twang.

                                   JULIO
                         Don't tell me -- you went to school
                         in the South somewhere.

                                   SEO
                         South Korea? No, in the United
                         States.

                                   JULIO
                         Right. South United States. Like
                         Alabama? Georgia?
                             (beat)
                         You got a southern accent. That's
                         pretty weird coming out of a Korean
                         girl's mouth.

               Another Korean girl appears. Julio's girlfriend. She is
               pissed. Unlike Seo, her English is halting.

                                   GIRLFRIEND
                         Julio. We go. Come on.

               Girlfriend spits Korean invective. They hustle away.

               Seo's attention turns to other American males. None meet her
               requirements.

               INT. CAMP BONIFAS BARRACKS - NIGHT

               The common area. Asher sits alone. Badly shaken up. A TV
               plays in the background, AFN News. Christian and several
               other guys watch. 

                                   AFN NEWS BROADCAST
                         ...White House is weighing General
                         Gary Luck's request for several
                         Patriot missile launchers. 

                                   WAYNE
                             (looming over Asher)
                         Jesus H. Motherfucking Christ,
                         Asher. What in the name of fuck did
                         you do?

                                   AFN NEWS BROADCAST
                         Republicans lashed out at what they
                         called the President's indecision,
                         saying failure to protect U.S.
                         Troops could lead to a repeat of
                         the recent tragedy in Mogadishu,
                         Somalia, where 18 U.S. Army Rangers
                         were killed...

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Fuckin' A! Send those Patriot
                         motherfuckers over here!

                                   ASHER
                         Leave me alone, Parrish.

                                   WAYNE
                         That's Sergeant Parrish, dickweed.
                         Why the sweet mother fuck are you
                         not in the brig?

               On the broadcast, a White House press spokeswoman.

                                   TV SPOKESWOMAN
                         The president is leaning toward
                         deployment, but is waiting to
                         resolve South Korea's concerns.
                         South Korea must drive the train...

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Who gives a shit about South Korean
                         concerns? This is our ass we're
                         talking about!

                                   WAYNE 
                         Answer, Shitbird. Why are you not
                         in the brig? 'Cause that's where
                         they put traitors.

                                   ASHER
                         You don't know what you're talking
                         about.

               Maxie watches from across the room. This scene is more
               interesting than the TV to the soldiers. Most are amused. 

               But Maxie doesn't like seeing the kid abused.

                                   MAXIE
                         Back off him, Sarge. If he's here,
                         he must not have done anything.

                                   WAYNE
                         He was with Jenkins when Jenkins
                         gone fucking native. We're losing
                         our shit here, the enemy's got
                         nukes and Jenkins is over there
                         drinking sake with them. Or
                         whatever it is they drink.

                                   MAXIE
                         He's probably dead.

               CHRISTIAN flattens Asher with a sucker punch to the jaw.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Nuclear payload, Motherfucker!

               Guys jump to their feet. This is real entertainment.

               Wayne, on the other hand, is shocked. Asher slowly rises
               halfway to his feet.

                                   WAYNE
                         That's enough.
                             (to Asher)
                         Put in for a transfer or some shit
                         'cuz we don't need --

               Christian knees Asher in the jaw.

                                   WAYNE (CONT'D)
                         Private Davis! You made your
                         fucking point!

               This is the most excitement anyone's had in a long time. 

               But not Maxie. He helps Wayne hold Christian back.

                                   MAXIE
                         Chill out, man!

               Christian enjoys this! He's been waiting for this!

               Asher picks himself up, blood gushing from his mouth. Pushed
               too far, snapping, he charges at Christina. 

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Asher, don't!

               Maxie grabs Asher to protect him.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Come on, faggot! Show me a little
                         something!

               Christian lands a tremendous sucker punch while Maxie
               restrains Asher. Horrified, Maxie lets go. 

               Asher is almost out on his feet, fighting on pure instinct.
               Christian pummels Asher to a bloody mess. No fight at all.

               Maxie stands over Asher, who twitches on the floor.

                                   MAXIE
                         Get a medic in here.

                                   WAYNE
                         God damn it, Davis! What the fuck
                         is the matter with you?

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Sarge, you said yourself. He's a
                         traitor.

               He suddenly stomps his boot down -- SMASHING ASHER'S SKULL!

               The twitching stops. No one says a word.

               Christian's high, murder adrenaline.

               Maxie and Wayne -- stunned.

               EXT. NORTH KOREAN MILITARY OUTPOST - DAY

               INTELLIGENCE OFFICER ONE, a KPA SOLDIER accompanying him,
               strides officiously through camp. Soldier holds something.

               INT. BUNKER - CONTINUOUS

               INTELLIGENCE OFFICER TWO, behind a desk, signing papers.
               Raises his head when his counterpart and the soldier enter. 

               Korean with SUBTITLES.

                                   INTELLIGENCE OFFICER ONE
                         Comrade, the Americans discovered
                         the tunnel egress.

                                   INTELLIGENCE OFFICER TWO
                             (contemplates for a beat)
                         And our patriotic asset?

                                   INTELLIGENCE OFFICER ONE 
                         Comrades Roh and Shin made contact.
                         The operation proceeds. However, we
                         recovered this.

               The soldier shows what he's holding. Seo's sweatshirt.

                                   INTELLIGENCE OFFICER ONE (CONT'D)
                         The Americans retrieved it, but
                         placed it back in the tunnel. 

                                   INTELLIGENCE OFFICER TWO
                             (disappointed)
                         I was concerened about her
                         inexperience.

                                   INTELLIGENCE OFFICER ONE
                         Perhaps we should have sent a
                         different operative.

                                   INTELLIGENCE OFFICER TWO
                         Who were we going to send? 
                             (points to soldier)
                         Him? The Americans are not
                         homosexuals.

               An awkward silence in the bunker.

                                   INTELLIGENCE OFFICER TWO (CONT'D)
                         In any event, while you were on
                         reconnaissance, we made a discovery
                         of our own.

               His counterpart is curious. Officer Two gestures toward an
               entrance behind him.

               A soldier opens the door. Another soldier leads the man in.
               About a foot taller than any of the North Koreans, the man is
               bloodied, bruised and downcast. 

               Jenkins!

               On Intelligence Officer One, his wide with astonishment.

               INT. CAMP BONIFAS C.O.'S HEADQUARTERS - DAY

               Christian, guarded by Nichols and another MP, sits in a
               sparse outer lobby, more impatient than worried.

               Behind the lobby desk, a TV. AFN News. On screen, SENATOR
               JOHN MCCAIN.

                                   TV MCCAIN
                         North Korea's nuclear program may
                         be the defining crisis of the post
                         cold-war world. It represents a
                         clear and present danger to our
                         closest Asian allies and to the
                         security of the United States
                         itself.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         So what're we gonna do about it?

                                   NICHOLS
                         Private, that's the least of your
                         worries.

               Christian smirks.

               INSIDE THE OFFICE

               Capt. Gonzalez and Major Sargosa contemplate how to handle
               the situation. They're pretty casual about the whole thing. 

               Gonzalez, with golf club, practices his swing in slow-motion.

               Sargosa shuffles through papers on his desk, bored.

                                   SARGOSA
                         I deplore these incidents. Soldiers
                         killing each other over petty
                         squabbles.

                                   GONZALEZ
                         It's a shame, Sir.

                                   SARGOSA
                         And the defector. What are these
                         boys thinking? Is it really that
                         bad up here?

                                   GONZALEZ
                         It can be stressful, Major.

                                   SARGOSA
                         Stressful? Hell, this is the only
                         war I've ever heard of where the
                         two sides aren't allowed to shoot
                         at each other.  

                                   GONZALEZ
                         For some of these guys, that's the
                         stressful part, Major. 

               Sargosa ponders that. Maybe Sargosa has a point.

                                   GONZALEZ (CONT'D)
                         You know, Sir, there's been 90
                         deaths of U.S. soldiers at the DMZ,
                         give or take a few.

                                   SARGOSA
                         Shit happens, Pete.

                                   GONZALEZ
                         But when shit happens here it
                         doesn't get written up in the New
                         York Times. These boys are bored
                         and ignored. So, sometimes they do
                         things they shouldn't.

                                   SARGOSA
                         We don't even do anywhere near the
                         patrols we used to do, Pete. We let
                         the South Koreans take over most of
                         it. Bored and ignored. That's the
                         way we like it.

                                   GONZALEZ
                         Except now we've got this nuclear
                         thing.

                                   SARGOSA
                         What's that got to do with us?

                                   GONZALEZ
                         Nothing, I suppose. But the
                         president is on his way, Sir.

                                   SARGOSA
                         Yes, that's true.

                                   GONZALEZ 
                         For at least a few days, Sir, we'll
                         be bored like always. But we won't
                         be ignored.

                                   SARGOSA 
                         That's why we'll keep this incident
                         as quiet as we can. This poor, dead
                         private: "Killed accidentally
                         during routine exercises."

                                   GONZALEZ
                         The death of the private, it's a
                         blessing in disguise. It eliminates
                         any trace of the first one's
                         embarrassing actions.

               Gonzalez swings his club. Sargosa nods. Everything is falling
               into place.

                                   SARGOSA
                         Let's hope. What's next on the
                         docket?

               Gonzalez goes to the door, opens it, nods and sits back down.

               An MP leads in the next order of business. 

                                   GONZALEZ
                             (flipping through notes)
                         Lieutenant Alexandra Kent. Supply
                         officer. Sexual relations -- with
                         an enlisted man.

               Alexandra keeps a stiff upper lip -- humiliated.

                                   SARGOSA
                         Now this is one we can keep on the
                         books. Who's the enlisted man?

                                   GONZALEZ
                         Who knows?

               Alexandra, stoic. She knows her career is over.

               INT. CAMP BONIFAS BARRACKS - DAY

               Maxie and Wayne change into neat civilian clothes. Polo
               shirts and khakis.

               Christian walks in. A free man.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Drop your cocks and grab your
                         socks, bitches! Look who's back in
                         the B's!

               His two friends are speechless.

                                   CHRISTIAN (CONT'D)
                         What? You ain't happy to see me?

                                   MAXIE
                         Let me put it to you as delicately
                         as I can, Davis. No.

                                   WAYNE
                         What the fuck?

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         I don't know, guys. They hold me in
                         the brig for a day, then they take
                         me to the major's office. I sit
                         there in the lobby but they never
                         call me in to see the major. Then
                         Gonzalez comes out and says they
                         determined that Asher got killed by
                         accident and I'm supposed to resume
                         regular duty.

                                   MAXIE
                         By accident? That's bullshit.

                                   WAYNE
                             (resigned to it)
                         They know what they're doing,
                         Maxie.

                                   MAXIE
                         They know they're covering shit up.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         I don't even get a "welcome home?"

                                   WAYNE
                         You're off my patrol, Davis. 

                                   MAXIE
                         Stay here and beat some more of our
                         own guys to death. Knock yourself
                         out. We're taking R&R.

                                   WAYNE
                         48 hours in Itaewon. Away from
                         psychos like you, Davis.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Guys, you're hurtin' my feelings!
                             (gets it)
                         You're not serious. You're pissed
                         at me? About Asher, that traitorous
                         faggot fuck?

               The two of them walk right past him.

                                   MAXIE
                         Later, asshole.

               EXT. SOUTH KOREAN FREEWAY - DAY

               Wayne drives a Jeep. Maxie rides shotgun. They roll through
               the Korean countryside, not speaking. 

               In the distance, the skyline of Seoul.

               JUMP AHEAD

               Same freeway but now just outside of Seoul. The longest
               traffic jam the world has ever seen. 

               Still no talking. Both recuperating from the ordeal they've
               just experienced.

               EXT. BUSY SEOUL STREET - DAY

               At last, a place to park!  

               On foot, they turn the corner, into Itaewon.

                                   MAXIE
                         Man, I don't know what's worse,
                         foot patrol at Tae Sung Dong, or
                         the drive into Seoul. I need R&R
                         from the R&R.

                                   WAYNE
                         That's what we're here for. Have
                         some fun. 

               Maxie, silent. Trying not to think about Davis.

                                   WAYNE (CONT'D)
                         He's crazy, you know. Davis, I
                         mean. A psycho. But if the shit
                         goes down, who do you want covering
                         your back. Him? Or someone like
                         yourself?

                                   MAXIE
                         We made it here without talking
                         about Davis. Don't start now.

                                   WAYNE
                         You're right. Let's go. Buy some
                         cheap knockoffs, have a few drinks
                         or a few dozen. Meet a few girls.
                         Few dozen of them, too.

                                   MAXIE 
                         You want to get a hooker? I hear
                         they've got good ones in Itaewon.

                                   WAYNE
                         Not my thing, man.

                                   MAXIE
                         Mine neither.

                                   WAYNE
                         Really?

                                   MAXIE
                         Yeah, really. I've never had a
                         prostitute.

                                   WAYNE
                         Why'd you suggest it, then? You
                         want to start?

                                   MAXIE
                         No.
                             (beat)
                         I mean, not unless you do.

                                   WAYNE
                         I don't.

                                   MAXIE
                         Me neither.

               In the heart of Itaewon now: a Third World-style street
               market, flanked by modern restaurants and office buildings. 

               Shoulder-to-shoulder people on the street. 

               Plenty of servicemen, many with pretty Korean girls on their
               arms. Maxie stares. Curious? Or envious?

               Some Western tourists and hordes of young Japanese women
               hauling enormous, jam-packed shopping bags.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Okay, then. Let's go shopping.

               INT. CLOTHING SHOP - MINUTES LATER

               An open stall, more than an actual shop. 

               Maxie flips through shirts on a rack. 

               Wayne, on the other side of the store, checks out T-shirts
               with slogans like "I'm With Stupid" and "I Hate NY."

               Maxie spots a phone booth on the street. He flips through his
               wallet for a Korean phone card (the phones take only cards). 

               Wayne picks out a T-shirt. The slogan: "I don't have a
               drinking problem. I drink, I get drunk, I fall down. No
               problem." 

                                   WAYNE
                             (cracking up)
                         Hey, Maxie! Check this --

               But Maxie is gone. 

               EXT. PHONE BOOTH - SAME TIME

               Maxie inserts the card, dials internationally. The phone
               displays 10 minutes, counting down. He waits a few moments as
               it rings on the other end.

                                   MAXIE
                         Hi, Mom. Yeah, I know it's after
                         midnight there. Sorry. 
                             (beat)
                         I'm on R&R. How're you guys doing?
                             (beat)
                         Other than being sleepy.

               INT. CLOTHING SHOP - SAME TIME

               Wayne has the "Alcoholic" shirt over his shoulder. He flips
               through more slogan shirts with some delight.

               In the BACKGROUND a Korean woman lurks, eyeing him. 

               Coming into FOCUS, it is Seo. She watches Wayne intently.

               He picks out a shirt: A lightening bolt. "Kill 'em All, Let
               God Sort 'em Out." He shakes his head sadly, puts it back.

               Seo moves in his direction. Wayne notices her checking him
               out. She makes him uncomfortable.

                                   WAYNE
                         Help you with something?

               Seo looks away, embarrassed. 

               EXT. PHONE BOOTH - SAME TIME

                                   MAXIE
                         No, I got another month, then
                         that's it. I come home and Uncle
                         Sam pays for college.
                             (beat)
                         Mom, don't say that. The Army's
                         been an -- experience. 
                             (beat)
                         If I can ease your financial burden
                         a little, what's wrong with that?
                         Anyway, it's not like I'm going to
                         see combat here. 
                             (beat)
                         I mean, I see some weird things,
                         but --

               A HAND raps loudly on the outside of the booth.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Hang on, Ma.

               A Korean POLICEMAN. His uniform, not a thread out of place.
               He means business. He barks a command at Maxie in Korean
               through the glass.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Hey, I don't speak Korean! What's
                         the problem?
                             (into phone)
                         No, Mom. It's fine. Just some cop.

               The cop barks the command at Maxie again.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Sorry, Ma, I gotta go. Call you
                         later.

               He hangs up and steps out. More stern commands from the cop,
               who is about a foot shorter than Maxie.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Dude, I don't know what you're
                         saying. 

                                   KOREAN POLICEMAN
                         Fone-cahd! Fone-cahd!

               Puzzled, Maxie takes the phone card from the slot in the
               phone.

                                   MAXIE
                         You want my phone card?

               The cop takes it, scrutinizes the card with an intensity
               bordering on the ridiculous.

                                   KOREAN POLICEMAN
                         Pahss-poht! 

                                   MAXIE
                         Passport? I'm a soldier. American
                         G.I.

                                   KOREAN POLICEMAN
                         Pahss-poht!

                                   MAXIE
                         I got a military I.D. United States
                         Army. 

                                   KOREAN POLICEMAN
                         Pahss-poht! Now!

               This is followed by a string of harsh commands in Korean.
               Maxie gets little flustered. He tries to stay cool.

                                   MAXIE 
                         What's the problem here, Officer?

               The policeman grabs Maxie by the wrist.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Hey! 

               Seo watches this whole scene. An idea! She makes her move.

               The Korean cop leads Maxie toward a small police station.
               Maxie is struggling not to flip out.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Listen, man. Sir. Officer. You
                         gotta let go of me here.

               More barked commands in Korean.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         I don't know what you think I did,
                         but I didn't do it.

               They arrive at the cramped police station. Smaller than the
               clothing stall. A narrow countertop divides front from back.

               The cop drags Maxie inside.

               INT. POLICE STATION - CONTINUOUS

               The cop moves behind the counter.

                                   KOREAN POLICEMAN
                         You stay. 

               More commands. Maxie has no idea what the cop says. The cop
               gestures to his own pockets and barks again.

                                   MAXIE
                             (understanding)
                         My pockets? Empty? 
                             (beat)
                         Why?
                             (beat)
                         All right. 

               He has a wallet and Korean cash. Keys. Another phone card. 

               The cop seizes the card and waves it accusingly. It's
               incriminating evidence, apparently. More Korean shouting.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Okay, let me call the base. I'll
                         get my CO on the phone. This is
                         fucking ridiculous. Where's the
                         phone?

               The cop's only response is to brandish the incriminating
               phone card and shout.

               Maxie is getting worried now.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Shit.

               A BEAT as Maxie tries to figure out his next move. He doesn't
               seem to have one. And then...

               The door to the police station BURSTS OPEN. 

               In the doorway, like a gunfighter at high noon, stands Seo.

               Maxie is simply baffled now. The cop is shocked, but stone
               faced. Seo announces something in Korean. 

               Seo and the policeman have a heated conversation. 

               Maxie observes this surreal scene until Seo turns to him and
               speaks perfect English in her odd southern accent. 

                                   SEO
                         He wants to know, where did you get
                         this phone card?

                                   MAXIE
                         I bought it at a machine. Where
                         else do you get them?

                                   SEO
                         He says there is a big problem with
                         counterfeit phone cards. 

                                   MAXIE
                         It's not my problem.

               Another Korean-language exhange.

                                   SEO
                             (to Maxie)
                         Okay, let's go.

               Now Maxie is really confused. They exit the station, back
               onto the...

               STREET

                                   SEO (CONT'D)
                         It's okay. I told him that you are
                         a guest of my family.

                                   MAXIE
                         Why? Why did you do that?

               Seo just shrugs.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                             (fascinated)
                         Where are you from?

                                   SEO
                         I am from Korea.

                                   MAXIE
                         You have the weirdest accent.
                             (beat)
                         I mean, it's very interesting. I've
                         just never heard, well --

                                   SEO
                         It is a southern accent?

                                   MAXIE
                         Yeah.

                                   SEO
                         That is what I'm told.

                                   MAXIE
                         Told? You don't know how you got
                         your accent?

                                   SEO
                         I went to school in the United
                         States.

                                   MAXIE
                         Right. 
                             (beat)
                         What school?

                                   SEO
                         Do you know the different schools
                         in the south?

                                    MAXIE
                         Not much. I'm from San Francisco.
                             (beat)
                         Menlo Park, actually.
                             (beat)
                         My name's Max -- Maxie, people call
                         me. 

               Seo says nothing.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         This is the part where you tell me
                         what your name is.

                                   SEO
                             (smiling)
                         My name is Kim.

                                   MAXIE
                         That's everyone's name in this
                         country. What's your name.

                                   SEO
                         Sorry. My name is Kim Seo-Hee.

                                   MAXIE
                         So -- your first name is Seo.

                                   SEO
                         Seo. That's right.

                                   MAXIE
                         Well then, Seo, do you want to have
                         lunch with me? And my sarge -- I
                         mean, my friend? I bet you know the
                         good places to eat around here.

                                   SEO 
                         Not really. I've been away a long
                         time.

                                   MAXIE
                         Okay. How about having lunch with
                         us anyway?

               INT. MCDONALD'S - DAY

               The inside of this McDonald's looks much like any McDonald's
               anywhere in the world. Seo sits on one side of the booth.
               Maxie and Wayne sit across from her. 

               The food is good ol' McDonald's fare. 

               Wayne, now wearing his "Alcoholic" shirt, is not happy that
               Maxie has brought Seo with him.

               She munches a Big Mac very awkwardly. As if she never had one
               before. The truth is, she hasn't.

                                   MAXIE
                             (to Seo)
                         We could have picked a Korean
                         restaurant.

                                   WAYNE
                         There ain't nothing wrong with
                         McDonald's. I like McDonald's.

                                   SEO
                         This is fine, Maxie. I enjoy
                         American food.

                                   MAXIE
                         I never thought of it that way, but
                         I guess that's what this is --
                         American food. 

                                   WAYNE
                         Nothing wrong with American food.

                                   SEO
                         Tell me about being in the United
                         States Army.

                                   MAXIE
                         There's not much to tell.

                                   WAYNE
                         Nothing to tell at all. Tell us why
                         you helped my friend here. What do
                         you care if an American gets
                         arrested?

                                   MAXIE
                         You never heard of a Good
                         Samaritan, Sarge?

                                   WAYNE
                         She was eyein' me in the store then
                         just by coincidence she just shows
                         up to get you out of a jam with the
                         cops. Why?

                                   MAXIE 
                             (to Seo, ignoring Wayne)
                         We're just here to do a job. 

                                   WAYNE
                         The U.S. Army's here to protect
                         your country from those sons of
                         bitches to the North. It's a job,
                         yeah. But it ain't only a job. We
                         need to kick the North Koreans' ass
                         for you, we'll kick it. And we
                         don't even ask for no thank yous.

               Seo takes a bite of her burger, uncomfortable.

                                   MAXIE
                             (after an awkward beat)
                         We've been giving more and more
                         responsibility to the army of South
                         Korea. Americans used to patrol the
                         whole DMZ. All 150 miles of it. Now
                         we've only got a few small parts. 

                                   WAYNE
                         Still treacherous as fuck, though.

                                   MAXIE
                         I only signed up to get money for
                         college. My parents used to have
                         money to send me then they lost it.
                         I'm trying to help them out. 

                                   SEO
                         It is good to help your parents.

                                   WAYNE
                         Yeah, Maxie's a good boy. Isn't
                         you, widdle Maxie-poo?

                                   MAXIE
                             (ignores that)
                         What about you? What's an American
                         educated girl like you doing
                         hanging out in Itaewon picking up
                         random GIs?

                                   SEO 
                         I was shopping.

                                   WAYNE
                         You got family around here? A job
                         or something?

                                   SEO
                         No.

                                   WAYNE
                         No what? No job? No family?

                                   MAXIE
                         Easy, Rambo. 

                                   WAYNE
                             (putting down his food)
                         I'm gonna go to a movie. You two
                         lovebirds have a good time.

                                   MAXIE
                         What's the problem?

                                   WAYNE
                             (getting up)
                         Nothing, man. Have a good time.
                         That's what we came here to do.

                                   MAXIE
                         You sure?

                                   WAYNE
                         Meet me back here at 1700 hours.

               Maxie gives him a look.

                                   WAYNE (CONT'D)
                         Five O-Fucking clock!

               Wayne leaves. Maxie looks at Seo and shrugs. 

                                   MAXIE
                         Like your shake?

               Across the restaurant, eating piles of McDonald's food but
               otherwise remaining inconspicuous -- Shin!

               EXT. ITAEWON DISTRICT - DAY

               A short time later. Maxie and Seo stroll the jam-packed
               street. 

                                   MAXIE
                         You haven't told me anything about
                         yourself yet. 

                                   SEO
                         I am Asian. We do not believe in
                         talking about ourselves to people
                         we have just met.

                                   MAXIE
                         I'm not buying it.

                                   SEO
                         Not buying it?

                                   MAXIE
                         Nope. Not buying the shy Asian
                         routine. Not after what you did in
                         that police station.

                                   SEO
                         You seemed nice.

                                   MAXIE
                         I am nice. So tell me about
                         yourself. I won't bite. Or shoot.

                                   SEO
                         The truth is, Maxie...

                                   MAXIE
                         Gimme the truth. I can handle the
                         truth.

                                   SEO
                         I have lost my family.

                                   MAXIE
                         Lost? What do you mean lost? 

                                   SEO
                         I can't find them.

                                   MAXIE
                         Maybe it's one of those cultural
                         things. But you're going to have to
                         explain that to me.

                                   SEO
                         I was away for a long time.

                                   MAXIE
                         You mean in school? In the States?

                                   SEO
                         I lost touch with my family.

                                   MAXIE
                         That's bizarre.

                                   SEO
                         I think my grandmother is here in
                         Seoul. But I don't know where.

                                   MAXIE 
                             (gets a bright idea)
                         Why don't I help you find her?

                                   SEO
                         I don't understand.

                                   MAXIE
                         Shit, how hard can it be? I got the
                         full resources of the U.S. Military
                         at my fingertips. I mean, I'm just
                         a specialist, but my friend's a
                         sergeant and he's tight with some
                         officers. I'll bet we could pull
                         some strings to find your bubby.

                                   SEO
                         Bubby?

                                   MAXIE
                         Bubby's what you call your
                         grandmother when you're Jewish.

                                   SEO
                         Oh.

                                   MAXIE
                         Never mind. Look, I'll talk to the
                         sarge. He'll be happy to help.

               EXT. MCDONALD'S - LATER

               Maxie meets Wayne outside the McDonald's as promised. Seo
               hangs back. 

                                   WAYNE
                         Her family? Have you gone
                         completely fuckin' bugnuts?

                                   MAXIE
                         What? I want to help her out. I
                         kinda owe her.

                                   WAYNE
                         Look, go out with this crazy
                         cracker-speaking Korean chick if
                         you want. I don't give a shit. Fuck
                         her dizzy. But don't get involved
                         with her family. 

               Maxie looks at Seo. She smiles, he smiles. A puppy dog.

                                   WAYNE (CONT'D)
                         Ain't the Army FUBAR enough for
                         you?

                                   MAXIE
                         I'm gonna go to Yongsan, poke
                         around some files a bit. See if
                         anyone turns anything up on this
                         grandmother.

                                   WAYNE
                         Yongsan? You're gonna take your R&R
                         on an Army base.

                                   MAXIE
                         Come with me. The officers love
                         you. They'll help if you're there.

                                   WAYNE
                         Sorry, Bud. That I won't do. You
                         got my blessing, though. I hope you
                         find happiness and all that shit.
                         At least get a little coochie
                         before this whole thing blows up in
                         your face.

                                   MAXIE
                             (smitten)
                         She wants to get her nails done. I
                         gave her a few bucks.

                                   WAYNE
                         You gave her a few bucks?
                             (beat)
                         I see where this relationship is
                         going.

               Wayne stalks off.

                                   MAXIE 
                         Where you going?

                                   WAYNE
                         Back to the DMZ. You know, where I
                         feel safe. 

               A Korean man steps out of a nearby restaurant: 

               Roh. TAILING WAYNE!

               Maxie doesn't notice. His attention has turned back to Seo.

                                   MAXIE
                         What next? The whole city is at our
                         feet.

                                   SEO
                             (smiling)
                         I know where we can make that true.

               EXT. SEOUL STREETS - LATER

               A quieter, residential area. Shin on a public pay phone. 

               He hangs up. Shin knows what he is supposed to do.

               Two teenage Korean girls in school uniforms stand about 50
               meters away, giggling to each other. 

               Shin eyes them like a predator. They sneak a glance toward
               him and giggle. 

               Shin breaks out in a broad, friendly smile. He approaches.

               EXT. SEOUL STREETS/ELSEWHERE - SAME TIME

               Wayne maneuvers the Army Jeep through streets clogged with
               traffic. Distracted. Pissed his buddy ditched him for a girl. 

               Roh, in a Hyundai, tails closely.

               Wayne pulls up at a light. He signals to take a left, looking
               for a route out of the traffic. 

               Roh squeezes in to Wayne's left, blocking his turn.

                                   WAYNE
                         What the fuck? Hey! 

               Roh ignores him. 

               Wayne can't quite make out Roh's face, obscured behind a
               lowered sun visor blocking the left window.

                                   WAYNE (CONT'D)
                         God damn Asian drivers.

               He abandons the left turn and goes straight instead.

                                   WAYNE (CONT'D)
                             (after driving a while)
                         Great. Now I'm fuckin' lost and
                         stuck in traffic.
                             (beat)
                         Fuck you, Maxie Rosen.

               EXT. MT. NAMSAN PARK - DAY

               In central Seoul, this lovely park sits on a low hill which
               is nonetheless the highest elevation in the city.

               Seo and Maxie hold hands. She leads him past a water fountain 
               where children play.

                                   MAXIE
                         I can't believe this is right in
                         the middle of this city.

                                   SEO
                         Keep going. We are not there yet.

                                   MAXIE
                         Not where yet?

                                   SEO
                             (pointing)
                         There!

               SEOUL TOWER, high on the hill. 

               The structure looks a lot like the Seattle Space Needle.

               Maxie is falling head over heels for this girl in a hurry.

               EXT. SEOUL STREETS - SAME TIME

               Shin is with the two teenage girls, shamelessly flirting. The
               AD-LIB dialog is all in Korean. 

               He appears to ask directions while they tease him.

               ROH'S CAR

               The older agent, very calm as if he's done this a thousand
               times, rides right up Wayne's tail. 

               WAYNE'S CAR

               Wayne is really annoyed now. He watches the car in his rear
               view more closely than the road.

                                   WAYNE 
                         Jesus Christ. Oughta get my fucking
                         sidearm --
                             (to rear-view)
                         Hey asshole! Get off my ass!

               THE SAME STREET WHERE SHIN FLIRTS WITH THE GIRLS

               Shin leads them off the curb, flirting with them. 

               The idea is that he is leading them into the street. Their
               attention is focused solely on Shin. He's ready to push them
               if he has to. But he may not have to.

               Wayne's car is bearing down on them. 

               The two girls take the bait. They step into the street.

               Roh suddenly accelerates and swerves as if to pass. Wayne
               swerves to avoid him.

               Wayne's Jeep slams into the two teenage girls!

               Roh speeds away. 

               His car vanishes from view. The crowd that quickly gathers
               doesn't even realize there was a second car. 

               Shin lingers on the edge of the scene. He makes sure that the
               tragedy is complete.

               Wayne, distraught, jumps out of the Jeep. 

               He kneels over one of the girls. She is gravely injured but
               alive. 

               The scene is quickly turning to chaos.

                                   WAYNE (CONT'D)
                         Somebody get help! Do you
                         understand? Get an ambulance!

               Wayne desperately performs CPR on the girl. 

               He looks to his left. Several yards away, a woman crouches
               over the body of the second girl. 

               The woman shrieks in Korean. The girl is dead.

               Frantic, Wayne scans the area for any possible help. 

               For a split second, his eye catches the eye of a man on the
               periphery of the scene. 

               Shin. 

               Wayne's attention sticks on this mystery man ever so briefly.
               The man (Shin) appears unconcerned. Cold.

               Wayne returns his attention to the injured girl. The crowd is
               starting to get ugly. Someone shouts in broken English.

                                   VOICE FROM CROWD
                         America go home! Go home!

               This hostility increases Wayne's panic. He is caught in a
               crisis that is way over his head. He looks around again,
               desperate. 

               He looks toward the mystery man (Shin). But the man is gone. 

               Even in the middle of this desperate scene, the sudden
               disappearance causes Wayne to pause. But not for long.

               The crowd closes in on Wayne and the bleeding girl.

                                   WAYNE
                         Is anyone here a doctor? Can
                         someone call for help? 
                             (beat)
                         Come on! Someone speaks English!

               An angry man punches Wayne in the shoulder. A few other men
               surround him.

                                   VOICE FROM CROWD
                         America out! You go home!

               Freaked out by the punch -- it didn't hurt him -- Wayne leaps
               up, reaches into his Jeep. 

               He pulls an Army-issue .45 from the glove compartment and
               points it at the crowd. A cornered animal.

                                   WAYNE
                         Get back! Stand the fuck back!

               The sight of the gun persuades the crowd to do as he says.
               But the resentment in the air hangs thick as Seoul smog.

               The SIRENS of police cars, getting closer. Wayne lowers his
               gun. Emotions are overcoming him. He's cracking.

                                   WAYNE (CONT'D)
                         I'm sorry! I'm so sorry.

               He places the gun on the seat of the Jeep.

                                   WAYNE (CONT'D)
                         It wasn't my fault. It was an
                         accident. I'm sorry.

               The crowd pulls away from him. 

               Several Korean men look at him with a kind of pitying
               contempt before they turn their attention back to the dead
               and dying girls.

               Wayne collapses into sobs. The sirens are on top of him now.

               EXT. SEOUL TOWER - EARLY EVENING

               The space-age tower against the reddish-purple Seoul sky. 

               INT. SEOUL TOWER - SAME TIME

               In an elevator, Maxie and Seo rise high above the city.

               They get out on the observation deck. The expanse of Seoul
               stretches in front of them. 

               As the sun sets, they can see the lights of the city start to
               twinkle on, welcoming the evening.

               They grip each other's hands more tightly.

                                   SEO
                         You see. The whole city beneath
                         your feet.

                                   MAXIE
                         "At our feet." 

               They press closer to each other. Against the sparkling
               expanse of the city, they move in for the inevitable kiss.

               EXT. POLICE HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT

               Korean police cruisers, sirens wailing, pull up to the
               building. 

               A Korean cop gets out with Wayne as his prisoner. But he is
               quickly intercepted by two American Military Police. The lead
               MP is SGT. COREY.

                                   SGT. COREY
                         Thanks. We'll take it from here.

               The Korean police are outraged. They shout in Korean at the
               MPs. The lead MP takes the lead Korean cop aside.

                                   SGT. COREY (CONT'D)
                         Look, this was an accident.

                                   KOREAN LEAD COP
                             (in English)
                         He is our prisoner. He committed
                         crime within the city limits of
                         Seoul.

                                   SGT. COREY
                         We don't know that a crime was
                         committed. 

               The cop who has Wayne steps over, shouts in Korean.

                                   SGT. COREY (CONT'D)
                         We can't let you take the man under
                         these circumstances. There's been
                         no determination that a crime was
                         committed.

                                   WAYNE
                         Sergeant?

                                   SGT. COREY
                         Quiet, soldier.

                                   WAYNE
                         I just want to see the girls.
                             (beat)
                         I just want to go to the hospital.
                         Or wherever they are.

               Sgt. Corey looks at Wayne, a broken man. 

                                   SGT. COREY
                             (to Korean cop)
                         The man's got a perfectly
                         legitimate request. Show some
                         compassion.

               EXT. MT. NAMSAN PARK - NIGHT

               Seo and Maxie are walking out of the park. They are very much
               infatuated with each other.

                                   MAXIE
                         I don't want to just take off.
                         Where are you living?

                                   SEO
                         We cannot go there, Maxie, no.

                                   MAXIE
                         All right, I understand. Cultural
                         thing and all. Shit, I couldn't
                         exactly take you back to the base. 
                             (gets an idea)
                         How 'bout a hotel?

               Seo is shocked.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         We don't have to do anything. It's
                         not like that, Seo. I just want --
                         I mean, we can just talk. Order
                         room service, watch TV. It's
                         totally cool.

                                   SEO
                         Okay, we'll see.

                                   MAXIE
                         Good answer.

               He sees a pay phone. A look of mild concern crosses his face.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Hang out for a minute. I'm going to
                         call the base. I want to make sure
                         Wayne got back okay.
                             (beat)
                         And if he can come back and get me
                         tomorrow.

               Maxie shuffles through his wallet, pulls out a phone card.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Keep an eye out for cops. These
                         things are illegal contraband!

               Maxie goes to the phone, makes his call. 

               Seo watches him, first with clear affection, then her
               expression changes to something else -- as if she remembers
               that she has another agenda for this relationship. 

               But she really likes him.

               At the phone, Maxie is now very concerned, upset. He hangs
               up, stunned.

                                   SEO 
                         What is the matter, Maxie?

                                   MAXIE
                         The hotel's gonna have to wait. 

               INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - NIGHT

               The hospital is dim and dingy, but otherwise appears as
               modern as any large, public hospital.

               The corridor is like the scene of the accident, chaotic.

               Maxie charges through the corridor, past the arguing police.
               Seo is with him, but hanging back several meters.

               Wayne sits on a bench in the corridor. He's spent, all cried
               out. Military Police officers sit on either side of him.

                                   MAXIE
                         Sarge! Wayne! Are you OK?

                                   WAYNE
                         No, Maxie. I ain't exactly OK. 

                                   MAXIE
                         What the fuck? They just jumped out
                         in front of you?

                                   WAYNE
                         One of them's in there. They're
                         trying to save her. 

               Maxie peeks into the adjacent operating room. Doctors are
               working on the injured girl, but without much enthusiasm. 

               She doesn't look good. 

               The GIRL'S MOTHER, also in the OR, argues with the CHIEF
               SURGEON, off to the side.

               The mother is in hysterics. The chief surgeon acts strangely
               non-comforting. He jaws right back at the grieving mom. 

               Maxie can't get his head around what he's seeing. It's too
               weird. He turns his attention back to Wayne.

                                   MAXIE
                         It's gonna be okay, Man. It was
                         nobody's fault.

               Wayne notices Seo standing behind Maxie, hanging back.

                                   WAYNE
                         I kinda think it was her fault.

               Maxie looks back at Seo, puzzled. What's Wayne talking about?
               Must be in shock. The guy gets a pass.

                                   MAXIE
                         I need her to translate so I can
                         figure out what's going on here. 

               Maxie looks for anyone to answer his questions. 

               The Chief Surgeon emerges from the OR and shouts something in
               Korean to no one in particular.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                             (to Seo)
                         What's that about?

               Seo is troubled by what she has just heard. But why?

                                   SEO
                         He says the girl cannot be saved.

                                   MAXIE
                         That can't be everything he said.

                                   SEO
                         He says the girl's mother is crazy.
                         She wants to use -- what do you
                         say? A magical person.

                                   MAXIE
                         Magical -- ? A witch?

                                   SEO
                         What is the word for what a witch
                         will do?

                                   MAXIE
                         Witchcraft? The mother wants to use
                         witchcraft to save her daughter?

                                   SEO
                         He says witchcraft but he means
                         something else. There is a word for
                         a person who talks to spirits.

                                   MAXIE
                         A medium?

                                   SEO
                         Hm? No. 

                                   MAXIE
                         A shaman?

                                   SEO
                         Yes. They will send for a shaman.

               The situation, Maxie believes, is hopeless.

               He looks down at Wayne who heard Seo's translation.
               "Hopeless" is barely adequate to describe Wayne now. 

               EXT. HOSPITAL - LATER

               A black car pulls up. Several medical personnel approach.
               Hospital officials, too. Someone important is in this car. 

               A hospital official opens the car door. 

               Out steps the guest of honor -- a quiet, feeble, very small
               old woman. 

               This is the SHAMAN. She seems to carry great sadness. 

               She totes a bundle of silk the size of a backpack.

               Her escorts -- who don't know quite what to make of her --
               lead her into the hospital. The Shaman shoos them away and
               takes a right turn, alone, into a ladies room. She clutches
               the silk bundle to her chest.

               INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER

               Everyone is tired and stressed. The injured girl's mother is,
               of course, the worst off. 

               Wayne is nearly catatonic from emotional trauma. Maxie sits
               next to him, comforting his inconsolable friend. An MP still
               guards Wayne.

               Seo stands against the wall on the opposite side of the
               corridor.

               COMMOTION at the end of the corridor. The entourage of
               hospital personnel that greeted the black car now marches
               through the sliding doors. 

               This honor guard parts to reveal that within, the shaman
               woman is now in full costume.

               Her shamanic regalia is highly colorful and all silk (this
               was the bundle). Similar to the garb of a Japanese Shinto
               priest: elaborate, ceremonial kimono and tall, triangular
               headpiece. 

               The tiny old lady has become an imposing figure.

               Maxie is almost in awe. For Wayne, this is more bullshit. 

               Seo, however, has a different reaction. She withdraws into
               herself, because she knows who this woman is. Seo resists the
               urge to say something to the shaman.

               The hospital personnel open the door to the OR. Maxie sneaks
               a look inside. The girl is still on the operating table.
               Skeptical doctors stand over the table, doing nothing. 

               The shaman enters. The girl, motionless. The girl's mother,
               right behind the shaman. 

               The mother at least something resembling hope. Finally.

               The shaman looks the girl over closely. The girl has no
               response, but she breathes slightly. 

               The shaman dances. And howls. 

               This ritual dance goes on forever. The doctors stand to the
               side. Maxie watches through the door, totally fascinated. 

               Seo, tentatively, steps beside him. She wants to see this
               woman, too. But she has different reasons. 

               The shaman-dance continues.

               TIME PASSES

               The dance continues. Every now and then, the shaman checks on
               the girl. Most of the spectators are weary, but the girl's
               mother is riveted with hope and Maxie remains mesmerized.

               The shaman checks on the girl. The dance is now concluded. 

               The shaman approaches the mother who hands her a wad of bills
               -- about 60,000 Korean won. 

               The shaman walks out, her work finished.

               She walks right past Maxie. And Seo, who says nothing.

               The doctors check on the girl. To their amazement, the girl
               has improved immensely. Her eyes are open and moving. 

               The doctors spring into frantic action. The girl's mother
               drops to her knees in exhaustion and relief.

               IN THE CORRIDOR

               Maxie and Seo watch the shaman walk out. No entourage
               accompanies her this time. Alone, she counts her money.

               Maxie looks into the operating room. 

                                   MAXIE
                             (can't believe it)
                         Seo! Holy shit! 

                                   SEO
                             (flatly)
                         Yes. The girl will recover.

                                   MAXIE
                         Oh my God, Seo. What just happened?

               Seo says nothing.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Who was that woman in the crazy
                         outfit? 

                                   SEO
                         Her name is Kim Nya-Kim

               Maxie is stunned. Seo knows the woman's name?

                                   SEO (CONT'D)
                         She is my grandmother.

               PULL BACK 

               The bustling hospital corridor. Seo, Maxie and the
               disconsolate Wayne (and his MP guards) are the only people
               not moving. For them, time stands still.

               EXT. NORTH KOREAN MILITARY OUTPOST - DAY

               A helicopter wobbles through the sky. It lands unsteadily. 

               A WORKER'S PARTY OFFICIAL jumps out. A small, thickly
               spectacled, very nervous man.

               The official scurries across the base, barely waiting for the
               soldiers who are supposed to escort him. He bursts into...

               THE BUNKER

               The Intelligence Officers confer, discussing reports on the
               desk in front of them. The Party Official is an annoyance.

                                   PARTY OFFICIAL
                         I have been sent by the Dear
                         Leader. He requires a status
                         update.

                                   INTELLIGENCE OFFICER ONE
                         We have wired several coded
                         communications.

                                   PARTY OFFICIAL
                         The Dear Leader does not have the
                         time to read your documents! Give
                         me the latest status update.

                                   INTELLIGENCE OFFICER TWO
                         This is highly irregular.

                                   PARTY OFFICIAL
                             (offended)
                         Do not question orders of the Dear
                         Leader.

               The Intelligence Officers share a look. They know when to
               pick their battles. Not this time.

                                   INTELLIGENCE OFFICER ONE
                         Phases one and two of the operation
                         have been completed. 

                                   PARTY OFFICIAL
                         That is all?

                                   INTELLIGENCE OFFICER TWO
                         No part of this operation is easy.

                                   PARTY OFFICIAL
                         Who is the American soldier that
                         has been selected?

                                   INTELLIGENCE OFFICER TWO
                         Does it matter? He is no one. Our
                         patriotic asset has appealed to his
                         decadent sexual urges. She now
                         controls him.

                                   PARTY OFFICIAL
                         He is unaware of the operation?

                                   INTELLIGENCE OFFICER ONE
                             (now he's offended)
                         Of course. When the operation is
                         completed, he will either be
                         executed for murder by the puppet
                         government of the South, or
                         imprisoned by his own compatriots.

                                   PARTY OFFICIAL
                         That's it? Nothing else?

                                   INTELLIGENCE OFFICER ONE
                         Please honor us by reporting our
                         progress to the Dear Leader.

                                   PARTY OFFICIAL
                             (shakes head, worried)
                         Yes. Thank you, Comrades.

               The Party Official scurries off as hastily as he came.

               He jumps into the helicopter. The chopper rises into the air,
               wobbling all the way into the distance.

               EXT. KOREAN DEMILITARIZED ZONE - DAY

               Foot patrol at the DMZ, but this one is anything but routine. 

               Several U.S. soldiers carry out their usual walk along the
               DMZ fence. They are trailed by a bustling throng of reporters
               and cameramen. 

               Secret Service agents hang around the periphery.

               At the center of this commotion is the President of the
               United States. Bill Clinton. He wears a military-issue
               windbreaker and a baseball cap with the "USFK" logo. 

               Major Sargosa acts as Clinton's official tour guide.

               One of the soldiers in the "patrol" is Christian Davis.

                                   SARGOSA
                         This area of the DMZ, Mr.
                         President, well, it's basically a
                         wildlife preserve. But you'll see
                         the ridge up ahead.

               JUMP AHEAD

               A few moments in time. Most of the entourage hangs back as
               President Clinton and a few soldiers position themselves
               behind a sandbag barrier. 

               The president peers through binoculars.

               BINOCULAR POV

               He sees the North Korean soldiers in the distance, similar to
               the view that Christian saw through his rifle scope. Clinton
               is impressed.

               Friendly and tactile, Clinton pats a soldier on the shoulder.
               The soldier, who has no visible reaction, is Christian.

                                   CLINTON
                         You guys have a lot of courage,
                         facing down the enemy every day the
                         way you do.

               The soldiers have nothing to say. It's just their job.

               JUMP AHEAD

               The party is now at the "Truce Village."

               North Korean soldiers stand guard across the invisible
               border. Clinton walks up to them, stopping a few meters away. 

               The soldiers stand behind him. The press corps, further back.

               The North Korean soldiers glare at Clinton. He stares back. 

               Clinton turns around, faces the soldiers and the press.

                                   CLINTON (CONT'D)
                         I have just stood closer to North
                         Korean territory than any U.S.
                         president in history.
                             (beat)
                         This must be the scariest place on
                         Earth.

               The soldiers, including Christian, watch the president walk
               away. None of them appear very impressed.

               INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY

               Maxie and Seo have sex. Just finishing, actually.

               The hotel room is nothing special. Simple, clean and small. 

                                   MAXIE
                         How much longer do we have to keep
                         getting a hotel? The U.S.
                         Government doesn't pay its soldiers
                         very well, you know.

                                   SEO
                         The people I stay with, they would
                         not like an American in their home.

                                   MAXIE
                         Yeah, I can understand why not.
                         It's not like we do anything for
                         them. Like, I don't know, protect
                         their country from a Communist
                         invasion or anything.

                                   SEO
                         Why do you hate North Korea so
                         much?

                                   MAXIE
                         Because I'm paid to. 
                             (beat)
                         Don't you? I thought everyone in
                         the South hated the North.

                                   SEO
                         No, many people in the South have
                         family in the North.

                                   MAXIE
                         Is that what's going on with you,
                         Seo? You got people up there? 

                                   SEO
                             (she's said too much)
                         No. I don't mean my family.

                                   MAXIE
                         I heard that North Korean agents
                         kidnap people from the South all
                         the time. Is that how you lost
                         touch with your family?

                                   SEO
                         No. It was not that. 

               But it was.

                                   SEO (CONT'D)
                         And what you hear is not true.

                                   MAXIE
                             (not buying it)
                         It's not? Really?
                             (beat)
                         You still won't tell me why you
                         won't visit your grandmother? First
                         you're desperate to find her, then
                         she shows up and you won't even
                         talk to her.

                                   SEO
                         I can't explain, Maxie. My English.

               Maxie gives up, smiles at her. 

                                   MAXIE
                         Okay, okay. I love you anyway.

               He switches on the old, hotel TV. Fuzzy reception. He flips
               through the Korean channels until he lands on AFN. 

               A hoary old sitcom. But what catches Maxie's attention is the
               scroll along the bottom of the screen.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Shit!
                             (beat)
                         It says that "due to large scale
                         protests around Yongsan Army
                         Garrison, U.S. Military personnel
                         should remain on base." Fuck.

                                   SEO
                         What is the matter?

                                   MAXIE
                         I'm not on base, am I? I'm in a
                         cheap hotel banging my girlfriend.

               Seo doesn't understand "banging."

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                             (suddenly gets it)
                         Wayne! That's what these protests
                         are about. The accident.

                                   SEO
                         Don't worry. In this country many
                         people blame America for anything.
                         They protest America for any
                         reason.

                                   MAXIE
                         I gotta get back to base on the
                         double.

               Leaps up, starts pulling on his uniform.

                                   SEO
                         Maybe it is not a good idea to wear
                         your uniform when you pass the
                         protesters.

                                   MAXIE
                         Good thinking.

               He reaches for a T-shirt and jeans.

               He kisses Seo on the mouth -- deeply. 

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Meet you here again in two days?

                                   SEO
                         Okay, Maxie.

                                   MAXIE
                         You gotta give me your number or
                         some other way to get in touch with
                         you. This is getting weird.

                                   SEO
                         Say hello to Sergeant Wayne for me.

                                   MAXIE
                         Sergeant Parrish. Wayne's his first
                         name, but so long as I'm in the
                         Army, I'm not supposed to call him
                         by it. That's only for another
                         couple weeks, though.
                             (beat)
                         Take care of yourself, Mystery
                         Girl.

               Seo watches wistfully as he rushes out the door. 

               Seo gets dressed. She flips channels on the TV. 

               A Korean news broadcast shows the protesters. They chant,
               scream and wave placards with anti-American slogans.

               And then -- a KNOCK on the door.

               Seo hesitates, she knows who's out there. 

               She open the door to greet Shin and Roh.

               EXT. SEOUL STREETS/YONGSAN GARRISON - DAY

               Yongsan Army Garrison, headquarters of U.S. Forces in Korea.

               630 acres of prime Central Seoul real estate. A city-within-a
               city. Apartment living, shopping, restaurants etc. More than
               25,000 U.S. soldiers and civilians and 3,000 Korean employees
               live and work in Yongsan Garrison. 

               A large, angry mob protests outside an entrance to the base. 

               American soldiers face the crowd, guarding the gates, tense.

                                   MAXIE (V.O.) 
                         They rotated me off the DMZ, Sarge. 

               INT. MILITARY PRISON VISITING ROOM - SAME TIME

               Maxie and Wayne, who is still very depressed, sit across from
               each other over a table. 

               A couple of MPs stand guard. Maxie buttons up his uniform
               (changing on the go). Wayne wears prison fatigues.

                                   MAXIE
                         I can stop in to see you every day,
                         until your court martial.

                                   WAYNE
                         I'm a fucking pariah, Maxie.
                         There's people protesting in the
                         streets 'cuz of me.

                                   MAXIE
                         People here protest anything
                         American.

                                   WAYNE
                         They let me go, this city's gonna
                         explode. The whole country's gonna
                         explode.
                             (the whole weight on him)
                         They gotta lock me up.

                                   MAXIE
                         I was talking to Seo. She said
                         these things just blow over.

                                   WAYNE
                         The Korean chick? She's your
                         girlfriend now?

               Maxie shrugs.

                                   WAYNE (CONT'D)
                         The day you met her... 

                                   MAXIE
                         That's called a coincidence, Sarge.

                                   WAYNE
                         Something's fucked-up about the
                         whole situation. That guy riding my
                         rear. Why? Then this other Korean
                         guy, just standing there, giving
                         me, like, the evil eye. 

                                   MAXIE
                         Goddam rubbernecker. That's what
                         it's like in California. One little
                         accident slows down traffic for
                         miles 'cause everyone has to stop
                         and get an eyeful.

                                   WAYNE
                         How's Chris?

                                   MAXIE
                         Fuck if I know.

                                   WAYNE
                         In the brig yet? Court martialed
                         yet?

                                   MAXIE
                         Sarge, this was an accident. 

                                   WAYNE 
                         They're gonna make me a martyr,
                         Maxie.

                                   MAXIE
                         They're not.

                                   WAYNE
                         They are, God damn it!

                                   MAXIE
                         Shit, Sarge. It's almost like you
                         want them to.

               Maxie stares with great concern at Wayne, who hangs his head.

               Something inside Maxie's friend has changed. 

               EXT. SEOUL STREETS/YONGSAN GARRISON - SAME TIME

               The protest rages. Behind the gates, armed soldiers watch,
               alert but restrained. 

               These protesters are mostly young people, "students." But
               also, a good number of housewives, businessmen, even elderly.

               A bespectacled, otherwise mild-mannered businessman-type
               moves close to the entrance. He shouts in halting English.

                                   BUSINESSMAN
                         You must leave our country. This is
                         our land, not your land.

               Another, more frenzied man runs up next to him, screaming in
               Korean at the soldiers.

               The soldiers tense as the crazy guy lunges forward. 

                                   BUSINESSMAN (CONT'D)
                         You are our slaves. You are our
                         dogs. You watchdogs. We kick you.

               PULL BACK on the whole scene. Controlled chaos.

               INT. HOTEL ROOM - SAME TIME

               The same long shot of the protest, this time on the fuzzy TV. 

               Seo, fully dressed, sits on the bed. Shin sits next to her,
               watching the protests on TV. Roh stands over her. (NOTE:
               KOREAN WITH SUBTITLES.)

                                   ROH
                         The Dear Leader is unhappy with the
                         progress of our operation. Do you
                         understand what that means?

                                   SEO
                         Yes.

                                   SHIN
                             (re: TV images)
                         Agent Roh and I have done our part.
                         Look at this. Breaking out all over
                         the South.

                                   ROH
                         Of course, you played your part in
                         helping us complete this phase of
                         the operation. But as for the next
                         phase...

                                   SHIN
                         Your relationship with the American
                         soldier. It has achieved nothing.

               Shin moves disturbingly, suggestively, closer to Seo.

                                   SHIN (CONT'D)
                         Except, for you.
                             (beat)
                         But what has it accomplished for
                         the glorious cause of the people?

               With Shin this close to her, Seo notices a large red scar, a
               burn, protruding from behind the collar of his shirt. 

               Shin notices that she notices.

                                   SHIN (CONT'D)
                         Do you want to see? This is what
                         South Koreans do to their brothers
                         in the North. This is the
                         comradeship they show when they
                         arrest us.

                                   ROH
                         Comrade Shin! Move away from
                         Comrade Kim.
                             (beat)
                         Comrade Kim, if you think those
                         burns are bad, you should see his
                         genitals.

               Roh finds his own comment quite amusing. Shin is humiliated. 

               Roh leans toward Seo, paternal.

                                   ROH (CONT'D)
                         They would not show any greater
                         mercy to a woman. That is the way
                         they are. Comrade Kim, the Great
                         Leader pleads with you, humbly, for
                         the glory of the people's
                         revolution.

                                   SEO
                         Yes. I know what I must do.

               EXT. DEOKSUGUNG PALACE - DAY

               Maxie, in fatigues, walks with Seo through central Seoul. The
               historic palace, now mostly a museum, is adjacent to City
               Hall at the busiest intersection in downtown Seoul.

               Sejongo Street, Seoul's main boulevard runs through downtown.
               As they walk, the street reveals both the modern and "old"
               Seoul in its architecture, shops and churches.

               Seo looks at all of this scenery with wonder. 

               Maxie doesn't understand that she is seeing this city,
               supposedly her "home," for the first time.

               Riot police are out in force, on every street corner and in
               front of every important building.

                                   SEO
                         This palace was where King GoJong
                         would sleep. 

                                   MAXIE
                         You have to come back with me. 

                                   SEO
                         He was the last king of Korea.

                                   MAXIE
                         To the States. 

                                   SEO
                         You can see how western buildings
                         were built next to the Korean. No
                         other country in Asia has mixed
                         with the West like Korea has.

                                   MAXIE 
                         There's nothing keeping you in
                         Seoul, Babe. Your family obviously
                         isn't too hot in keeping in touch.

                                   SEO
                         But between Korea and the West,
                         there is still so much tension. 

                                   MAXIE
                             (noting riot cops)
                         Yeah. What's going down today?
                         Expecting an invasion?

                                   SEO
                         Nuclear war.

                                   MAXIE
                         Excuse me?

                                   SEO
                         The students will demonstrate
                         tonight, to protest Americans. 

                                   MAXIE
                         What else is new?

                                   SEO
                         The Americans accuse us of building
                         nuclear weapons. To justify a
                         nuclear attack of their own.

                                   MAXIE
                         First of all, no one's nuking
                         anybody. Second of all, what do you
                         mean "us?" It's North Korea that's
                         the enemy.

                                   SEO
                         I mean, all Koreans are one people.

                                   MAXIE
                         Tell it to Kim Il-Sung. 
                             (beat)
                         All of this, it's why you should
                         come back with me.
                         You can feel the fucking tension in
                         the streets here. And if you think
                         it's tense in Seoul, I was
                         stationed at the DMZ for. You don't
                         feel that in Menlo Park,
                         California.
                             (beat)
                         I got two days left to wear this
                         uniform. Come on, Seo. Please. I
                         love you.

                                   SEO
                             (smiles at him)
                         The tension you feel, it is because
                         your friend Sergeant Wayne --

                                   MAXIE
                         Sergeant Parrish.

                                   SEO
                         His trial begins today.

                                   MAXIE
                         I'm aware of that. Very aware. It's
                         not a trial, it's a tribunal. And
                         it's a crock of shit. But I'm going
                         to leave all of this bullshit
                         behind. You can too. Come with me.

               Seo is genuinely thinking about it. She touches his face,
               affectionate. Her feelings for him run pretty deep, in spite
               of herself.

                                   SEO
                         I will consider it. 

                                   MAXIE
                         Meet here tomorrow?

                                   SEO
                         Go to your friend. He needs you. 

                                   MAXIE 
                             (re: the riot cops)
                         Look around. That's all the
                         considering you need to do.

               Seo watches him leave. What's running through her mind?

               EXT. SEOUL STREETS/YONGSAN GARRISON - LATER

               Demonstrations rage outside the base. The crowd, angrier than
               before. They hang an effigy of a  U.S. Soldier. Scattered
               bonfires burn at several places in the crowd.

               EXT. YONGSAN ARMY GARRISON - SAME TIME

               In the brig. Sergeant Corey and another MP are preparing to
               take Wayne from his lock-up. An officer, CAPTAIN TASH,
               oversees.

               Wayne, at this point, is an emotional blank.

               Maxie bursts in.

                                   MAXIE
                         Who's the officer in charge here?

                                   TASH
                         Easy, Soldier. You're not
                         authorized.

                                   MAXIE
                         Request permission to be placed on
                         prisoner escort detail, Sir.

                                   TASH
                         You don't look like an MP, son.

                                   SGT. COREY
                         It's his buddy, Sir.

                                   WAYNE
                         What're you doing, Maxie?

                                   MAXIE
                             (to Tash)
                         You're just taking him across the
                         yard, Sir. 

                                   TASH
                         What the hell. Tag along if that's
                         what gets your nuts off, Soldier.

                                   MAXIE
                             (to Wayne)
                         You gotta know you got support,
                         Sarge. 

                                   TASH
                         Touching. Let's move it out.

               EXT. YONGSAN ARMY GARRISON - MOMENTS LATER

               The detail loads into a Jeep for the drive across the base. 

               They pass within sight of demonstrators outside. Wayne looks
               over.  

               Of all the soldiers, only Wayne seems to understand what
               these demonstrations mean.

                                   MAXIE
                         Buck up, Sarge. I told you you're
                         going to get through this OK. And
                         you are.

                                   WAYNE
                         It don't matter what happens at the
                         court-martial. 

                                   MAXIE
                         Come on.

                                   WAYNE
                         Shit, I always figured if I loved
                         my country and did my job the big
                         picture would take care of itself.
                         Never thought about what it means
                         and all that shit.

                                   MAXIE
                         We're grunts, Sarge. It's not in
                         our contract to think about the big
                         picture.

               A MOLOTOV COCKTAIL flies over the fence. A couple of soldiers
               jump back, then douse the fire on the pavement.

               Something bigger -- and blazing -- flies at the soldiers.
               They scatter. The burning object hits ground and erupts. 

               AN AMERICAN FLAG! ON FIRE!

               Maxie and Wayne watch the flames rise.

               The Jeep rolls on. 

               INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY

               A few days later. 

               Maxie in civvies. He's haggard. His hair is unkempt and he
               hasn't shaved in a couple of days. He drinks "OB Lager" from
               a bottle as he talks on the phone.

                                   MAXIE
                         She will call, Mom. Yeah, I wish I
                         had a way of getting in touch with
                         her, but she wouldn't let me near
                         where she lives. It's like, a
                         cultural thing.
                             (beat)
                         A hundred bucks, Mom. That covers
                         the hotel for like, a week. 
                             (beat)
                         I just spent four years in the Army
                         so you wouldn't have to pay for my
                         college. You can spare a hundred
                         bucks.

               The red light on his phone flashes.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         I have to go, Mom. I'm getting a
                         call. Send the money order. In the
                         morning your time. Please.

               He hangs up. The phone rings instantly.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Seo?

                                   WAYNE (FILTERED)
                         Jesus, Maxie. It's Wayne.

                                   MAXIE
                         Sarge?

               The remainder of the conversation cuts between Maxie's hotel
               and Wayne on a pay phone at the base.

               Wayne looks sharp in his dress uniform, with a duffel bag at
               his side. His mood on the other hand is worse than when he
               was in jail.

                                   WAYNE
                         You heard, right?

                                   MAXIE
                             (excited)
                         I told you you'd get off! Awesome!

                                   WAYNE
                             (not excited)
                         It's bullshit. They don't give a
                         shit about those girls or me.
                         They're sending a message. The U.S.
                         Military don't back down to no one.

                                   MAXIE
                         Hey. Big picture, Sarge. Not our
                         job. Remember?

                                   WAYNE
                         You're not in the Army anymore,
                         Maxie. You can think about whatever
                         you damn well please.

                                   MAXIE
                         What now?

                                   WAYNE
                         Now? I go back to the DMZ. Business
                         as fucking usual.
                             (beat)
                         Go home, Maxie. Forget the Korean
                         chick. 

                                   MAXIE
                         I haven't heard from her in three
                         days. I'm kinda worried.

                                   WAYNE
                         Forget this whole place. 

               He hangs up without saying goodbye.

               Maxie looks at the phone, surprised.

               He throws on a military windbreaker over his scruffy civvies
               and heads out the door. 

               CUT BETWEEN MAXIE AND WAYNE

               FREEWAY

               A military vehicle transports Wayne out of Seoul. He's still
               in his dress uniform, still unhappy. 

               A soldier riding with him gives Wayne a congratulatory slap
               on the shoulder. 

               Wayne barely manages a smile.

               SEOUL STREETS

               Sejongo. 

               Maxie walks past an Anglican Church. Riot police are out
               again. He tries to retrace steps he took with Seo, hoping she
               will show up.

               CAMP BONIFAS  

               Wayne returns to the barracks. A bunch of guys greet him.

               Off to one side is Christian Davis. Wayne's eyes meet his.
               Christian nods to him. Wayne looks down. Too much bullshit.

               ITAEWON

               Maxie returns to the clothing stall where he first met Seo.
               She's not there, of course.

               A teenage Korean girl eyes him. She's with a friend. They
               giggle to themselves.

               CAMP BONIFAS

               Wayne enters the SUPPLY DEPOT. He's looking for Alexandra. 

               A FEMALE OFFICER oversees inspection of the warehouse. 

               Wayne thinks it's Alexandra. The officer turns around. She
               looks nothing like Alexandra. She smirks and turns away. 

               She knew who he was looking for -- and why. 

               Wayne stands there like an idiot, downcast. 

               ITAEWON

               Maxie pulls out a phone card and approaches that familiar
               phone booth. He looks around. A cop is not too far away, but
               this one ignores him. 

               He pockets the phone card and moves on.

               THE DMZ

               Wayne leads a patrol, just like old times. But not quite.
               Against his wishes, Christian is one of his men. 

               They are positioned behind sandbags. As before, Christian
               points his rifle toward the North. He pretends to shoot. This
               time, Wayne says nothing. 

                                   CHRISTIAN
                             (grinning)
                         We gotta kill these fuckers, Sarge.
                         If not now, then later.

               Wayne shoots Christian a look of contempt and walks away.

               SEOUL STREETS

               A demonstration. Maxie watches from a distance. A portly,
               happy Korean businessman approaches.

                                   PORTLY MAN
                         There is much trouble between Korea
                         and America these days. No?

               Maxie has no response.

               THE DMZ

               Wayne, alone, at the monument near Panmunjon, commemorating
               the death of Captain Bonifas. 

               He reads the text and stares out toward the North. 

               SEOUL TOWER

               Maxie stands by himself in the observation deck. The lights
               of Seoul twinkle beneath him. Seo is nowhere.

               INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY

               TIGHT on the TV screen. Another crappy sitcom plays through
               the fuzz. 

               Maxie's splayed in bed, beer in hand. Depressed. He flips
               channels with the remote.

               He barely pays attention as he flips past a few Korean
               broadcasts. 

               But wait! Something catches his eye. He flips back -- and
               there it is. A familiar face.

               Jenkins! The defector.

               The broadcast is in Korean. Maxie leans in, as if that will
               help him understand. 

               Some sort of TV drama. Military -- a war drama. But with the
               production values of a cheap soap opera.

               JENKINS IS AN ACTOR IN THIS SHOW!

               Maxie is floored. What the hell is he looking at?

               The scene on the TV switches to a news broadcast. A close-up
               of Jenkins is now an inset in the corner of the screen, over
               the anchorman's left shoulder. Unbelievable.

               INT. CAMP BONIFAS BARRACKS - SAME TIME

               A group of guys are gathered around the TV. 

               Christian Davis is in the group. Also Wayne. And a Korean
               soldier who translates for them.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Holy fuck! That's Jenkins! The
                         fucking defector.

               Wayne watches with his now ever-present sadness. He can't
               take his eyes off this broadcast.

                                   TRANSLATOR
                         They say that this man is now a TV
                         star. He is acting as the villain
                         on this drama. 
                             (beat)
                         They say the North Korean
                         propaganda has no shame.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         I guess crime does pay. Right
                         Sarge?

               Wayne will not talk to Christian. 

               He is transfixed by the broadcast -- and the face of Jenkins.

               EXT. SEJONGO BOULEVARD - NIGHT

               The huge street is closed to traffic. About 10,000 riot
               police, with Darth Vader helmets, body armor and shields are
               lined up in orderly rows.

               Facing the stoic police, about 3,000 frenzied protesters,
               mostly students. They shout slogans, wave anti-American
               placards. 

               A few hold placards with pictures of the two girls who were
               run down by Wayne.

               A flaming Molotov cocktail flies out of the crowd. It lands a
               few rows back in the formation of police. The police move
               aside, put out the flames. Otherwise, no response.

               INT. HOTEL ROOM - SAME TIME

               CLOSE on the T.V. A rerun of "The Six Million Dollar Man." 

               Along the bottom, a ticker warning: "U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL
               AND CITIZENS STRONGLY ADVISED TO REMAIN INDOORS. LARGE-SCALE
               PROTESTS EXPECTED. POTENTIAL FOR VIOLENCE..."

               PULL BACK

               Maxie's watching "with one eye." Reluctantly, he throws a few
               things into a khaki duffel bag. He's leaving. 

               His scruffy beard is almost full and he hasn't showered. He
               pauses to quaff an OB Lager.

               EXT. SEJONGO BOULEVARD - SAME TIME

               A group of protesters wielding sticks and other makeshift
               weapons rushes the front line of riot police.

               The police crouch. They raise their steel shields. Highly
               disciplined. Protestors beat against the shields.

               CLOSER

               On the police under assault. Through their wire face-masks,
               they are not as stoic as they appear. Stress takes a toll. 

               The second row of police moves forward, shields up,
               reinforcing the front line.

               CLOSER

               On their faces, through the masks. Determination and even
               fear. Except for one policeman. 

               He glances side to side. Everyone is his enemy. 

               IT IS SHIN!

               Onlookers rubberneck the protest from the periphery, safely
               back. A few western faces in the crowd. 

               In the darkened doorway of a small shop, a CIGARETTE GLOWS.

               The face behind the cigarette, watching with great interest,
               but ever cool -- ROH.

               As the violence of the protest ebbs briefly, Roh drops his
               cigarette, gingerly stamps it out.

               He looks up. Standing next to him is SEO. 

               She is extremely nervous. Nothing is said. Roh nods. 

               Seo gathers her courage and strides away, full of purpose.

               INT. HOTEL ROOM - SHORTLY LATER

               Maxie lies on the bed, his duffel now packed. The duffel
               rests next to him like a sleeping lover. The TV drones on.

               Maxie, depressed, talks on the phone.

                                   MAXIE
                         Tomorrow. Korean Air Flight 23. 
                             (beat)
                         I don't know, Mom. 11 hours or
                         something. Leaves at 1600 hours --
                         I mean four o'clock in the
                         afternoon. Gets in 11 in the
                         morning. 
                             (beat)
                         No. The morning of the same day.

               At the door, a KNOCK.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                             (wary)
                         Hang on, Mom.

               Maxie sets the receiver down, looks through the peephole on
               the door. He gets very excited. Opens up.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Where the hell have you been? I've
                         been looking all over this goddam
                         city! I got no way to reach you, no
                         address, no number --

               It is Seo, of course.

                                   SEO
                         Can I come in, Maxie?

                                   MAXIE
                             (softening up)
                         Yeah, definitely. Hell yeah.

               Seo steps in. An awkward BEAT. 

               Maxie finally leans forward and kisses her. Very tentative.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Are you happy to see me?

               He notices the phone. 

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Oh shit.
                             (picks it up)
                         Sorry Mom, gotta go.

               Maxie hangs up the phone, cutting his mother off.

                                   SEO
                         I am happy, Maxie. 

                                   MAXIE
                         So what happened? 

                                   SEO
                         I had things I needed to do.

                                   MAXIE
                         I thought you were gone. I booked
                         my flight tomorrow and everything.
                             (beat)
                         I still want you to come with me. I
                         can probably get another seat on
                         the plane tomorrow. It's just
                         another thousand bucks on my mom's
                         credit card.

               Seo just looks at him. Her mind is elsewhere.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Shit, I spent the last year staring
                         down a bunch of fucking communists
                         who want to kill me, just so I
                         could go to college on Uncle Sam's
                         dime instead of mom and dad's.
                         'Least they could do is let me use
                         the credit card for a while?

                                   SEO
                         Maxie, out in the street...

                                   MAXIE
                         Fuck the street. We got the
                         honeymoon suite!

               Maxie suddenly picks her up like a bride and drops her on the
               bed. She hits her head on the duffel bag.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Sorry.

               Seo smiles, laughs. She forgot, she actually enjoys this
               American guy. 

               Maxie sits next to her and strokes her head.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Oh, shit! You should have seen what
                         was on TV yesterday. I mean, I'm
                         not supposed to talk about it,
                         because it's classified, but I
                         guess there's no way to hide it
                         when it's on TV. This guy from my
                         unit a few weeks ago. He defected.
                         Can you believe that shit? He
                         fucking defected to North Korea.

                                   SEO
                         Kidnapped?

                                   MAXIE
                         No. Not kidnapped. He went all by
                         himself. He was a weirdo, I knew
                         the guy. Always freaked out about
                         the Army, freaked out the North
                         Koreans were going to invade and
                         we'd all die or something.
                             (back on topic)
                         The other day I see him on TV. 

                                   SEO
                         Yes?

                                   MAXIE
                         He's on a soap opera on North
                         Korean TV!

                                   SEO
                         Soap opera?

                                   MAXIE
                         Yeah, you know. The soaps?
                             (beat)
                         How can you live in an American
                         dorm room for three years and not
                         know what a soap opera is?

                                   SEO
                         Oh.

                                   MAXIE
                         Like a TV drama show that's on
                         every day?

                                   SEO
                         Oh.

                                   MAXIE
                         You're weird sometimes, you know
                         that?

               Seo says nothing.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         I kind of forget the point of my
                         story. Just that it's weird that
                         this guy betrays his country and
                         now he's a TV star. 
                             (beat)
                         Maybe those North Koreans aren't so
                         bad after all. It's the land of
                         opportunity up there, I guess. 

                                   SEO
                         There is great poverty in the
                         North.

                                   MAXIE
                         I know. You don't have to go
                         getting all serious on me. 

                                   SEO
                         The West will not trade with the
                         North. That is the cause of the
                         famine.

                                   MAXIE
                         Skip the politics, okay. I'm just
                         happy to see you.

               He leans down and kisses her again. She smiles.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         You gonna tell me what's wrong?

                                   SEO
                         Nothing is wrong, Maxie. I am happy
                         to see you, too.

                                   MAXIE
                         You disappear for, like, a week.
                         Then you just show up acting all
                         quiet. Something's up.

                                   SEO
                             (looks into his eyes)
                         Nothing is up, Maxie.

               She reaches her arms up around his neck, pulls him down
               toward her. They kiss again -- deeply this time. 

               The make-out session escalates into lovemaking.

               Seo hugs Maxie tightly. He is on top of her. Tears roll down
               her face. Maxie can't see them.

               The duffel bag rolls on to the floor.

               ON THE STREET

               The protest rages. Protesters attack the cops. 

               Roh observes, from a safe distance. He checks his watch,
               looks to the side -- he's expecting someone.

               IN THE POLICE FORMATION

               Discipline barely holds as the protesters apply pressure. 

               CLOSE ON SHIN

               He struggles to hold his own in the line. He peers through
               his mask in the direction of Roh. 

               The distant cigarette glows. 

               Whatever they are waiting for, it's not time yet.

               CLOSE ON ROH

               He checks his watch again, irritated now.

               INT. HOTEL ROOM - SAME TIME

               Maxie and Seo are at the end of their lovemaking session. At
               least, he is. 

               As soon as it's over, Seo wriggles out from under him and
               hurries to the bathroom.

                                   MAXIE
                             (stunned)
                         You're still going to tell me
                         nothing's wrong?

               IN THE BATHROOM

               Seo closes the door. She looks in the mirror and washes tears
               away with water.

               Seo collects herself, wraps a towel around her body, then
               goes back out. 

               HOTEL ROOM

               Maxie just glares at her, getting angry. 

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         What the fuck?

                                   SEO
                         Maxie, outside in the street...

                                   MAXIE
                         There's a big protest. I know.
                         AFN's been running warnings all
                         day. I've seen enough of that
                         bullshit, thank you very much. 

                                   SEO
                         I must be with my people.

                                   MAXIE
                         What?
                             (thinks he gets it)
                         Is that where you've been? Is that
                         who your friends are, some group of
                         student radicals or something?

                                   SEO
                         This is important to me. I must go
                         down there.

                                   MAXIE
                         What? You want me to come with you
                         to an anti-American protest?
                             (beat)
                         Honey, you get on the plane with me
                         tomorrow, you never have to worry
                         about any of this again.

               Seo looks at him, pleadingly. She can't say anything to him.
               She is too conflicted.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Look, I'm not some big flag-waver.
                         Shoot, even Wayne knew that we
                         screw things up wherever we go. And
                         he was as patriotic as they come. I
                         didn't even want to join the Army. 
                             (beat)
                         But your pals out in the street
                         don't know any of that. I'm not
                         looking to get my ass kicked.

                                   SEO
                             (getting dressed)
                         Maxie, I have to go.

                                   MAXIE
                         Shit! All right. I'll go with you.
                         I'm a soldier, I can handle myself,
                         right?
                             (beat)
                         Right?

                                   SEO
                         Thank you for coming with me,
                         Maxie.

                                   MAXIE
                         It's my pleasure, Miss Kim.

               Maxie pulls on jeans and a sweater. They are out the door.

               EXT. SEJONGO - SHORTLY LATER

               Seo leads Maxie along the periphery of the demonstration.

                                   MAXIE
                         You don't mind if I watch this one
                         from the bench, right?

               She leads him past Roh, smoking again in a darkened doorway.
               Maxie glances at Roh who gives him a chilling stare. 

               When Maxie and Seo are past, Roh lifts his cigarette in the
               air, the glowing tip pointed straight up.

               IN THE POLICE FORMATION

               Shin notices the signal. He's ready to complete his
               assignment.

               IN THE DEMONSTRATION

               Seo pushes her way through the crowd. Maxie hangs back.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Seo! This is dangerous.
                             (beat)
                         Shit!

               Maxie plunges into the crowd behind her.

               Seo in the lead. They elbow their way near the front. Maxie
               grows increasingly nervous as they get deeper in.

               The danger of the angry crowd is so real Maxie can feel it.

               TO THE SIDE OF THE CROWD

               An old shop. Two YOUNG MEN rip an old, wooden DOOR from its
               hinges. Carrying the door, they rush back ...

               IN THE DEMONSTRATION 

               The crowd backs off. One of the young men douses the door
               with some kind of fluid, the other throws a match on it. 

               The door IGNITES.

               The two young men lift the door again from either end. Madly,
               they rush forward. Demonstrators hustle out of their way.

               MAXIE AND SEO

               ...are near the front lines of the demonstration. The two
               young men with the flaming door run up right behind them. 

               Maxie dives for cover. The young men heave the door at the
               police line no more than a few feet in front of them. 

               Police scatter. Their discipline is on the verge of breaking.

               Maxie gets separated from Seo. He can see her in the throng
               of enraged, screaming protestors -- a few meters away, but it
               seems like a huge distance.

               From the police side, TEAR GAS CANNISTERS fly through the
               air. The cans land in the crowd of demonstrators. 

               A CLOUD OF TEAR GAS. Some demonstrators already have scarves
               tied tightly around their faces. 

               Everyone else fights to endure the gas. Some peel off from
               the crowd. They can't take it.

               Maxie picks himself off the ground just as the gas hits. He
               chokes. Fluid flows freely from his eyes. 

               The gas penetrates his sinuses. 

               Maxie recoils. The pain in his eyes and sinuses is
               incredible. Mucous runs from his nose in torrents.

               The police begin charging forward into the crowd, batons
               whirling. They SHOVE demonstrators to the ground with their
               shields. Some cops CLUB fallen students. 

               To Maxie, through his teary, agonizing haze, the scene is a
               terrifying blur.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Seo!

               ON SEO

               Covering her mouth and blinking wildly, Seo looks over and
               sees Maxie. He staggers around. She is paralyzed by the sight
               of him. What has she done?

               ON MAXIE

               A riot cop gets in Maxie's face. They're FACE TO FACE. 

               THE COP IS SHIN!

               Shin's face has no special significance to Maxie, who can
               barely see straight anyway. But Shin, gripped with a sense of
               purpose, pulls a GUN.

               Shin holds the gun to Maxie's forehead. Time stands still
               amidst the chaos. Shin pulls the gun away. BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!

               HE KILLS TWO COPS!

               Shin knocks Maxie flat with his shield. And in a quick motion
               of catlike stealth, SLIPS THE GUN INTO MAXIE'S BELT.

                                   SHIN
                             (leaps to his feet)
                         The American! The American shot
                         police! 

               Cops respond, they swarm Maxie.

               The chaos is now TOTAL CHAOS. More SHOTS ring out. 

               POLICE CLOSE IN ON MAXIE. Clubs swinging. 

               Where's Shin? Vanished, just like that.

               Several feet away, another group of police overpowers a gang
               of students. 

               In that gang -- Seo. The police swing clubs and shields.

               SEO GOES DOWN!

               Police and demonstrators TRAMPLE her. 

               She looks bad. Very bad.

               POLICE ARE ON TOP OF MAXIE

               A cop pulls the gun from Maxie's belt. In this madness,
               that's all the evidence anyone needs. 

                                   COP
                             (waving gun)
                         Here is the killer! The American!

               They BEAT HIM MERCILESSLY. 

               He tries to fight back, hopeless.

               On the ground, Maxie becomes submissive. 

               He's finished, resigned to death.  

               But, not so fast.

               A CLEARING OPENS AROUND HIM.

               Someone pulls the cops off, slams them to the ground.

               Maxie looks up. Who is this ass-kicking hero saving his neck? 

               CHRISTIAN DAVIS!

               A one-man army in civvies, Christian fights riot cops on one
               side, demonstrators on the other. 

               Somehow impervious to the tear gas, Christian is finally in
               his element. The warrior has his war.

               Chris grabs Maxie, pulls him out of there. Maxie spots Seo
               lying on the ground, motionless and bloody.

               Maxie stops, grabs her, drags her along. Finally they are...

               OUT OF THE CROWD

               The chaos is subsiding. The riot cops win, as always. The
               violence and tear gas have subdued the demonstrators. Chris,
               Maxie and the limp body of Seo find a safe spot.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                             (adrenaline rush)
                         Now that's what the fuck I'm
                         talking about!

                                   MAXIE
                         Thanks, man. I don't know what to
                         say. 
                             (beat)
                         Where did you come from?

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Dude, they rotated me downrange
                         right around when you got your
                         discharge. Who'd figure I'd finally
                         see action here, huh?

                                   MAXIE
                         Guess I'm glad the Army is too
                         fucked-up to stick your ass in the
                         brig.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                             (re: Seo)
                         Who's this?

                                   MAXIE
                             (hesitates)
                         My girlfriend.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Damn. Korean pussy you don't got to
                         pay for?

               Maxie shoots him a look. Christian is chastened.

                                   CHRISTIAN (CONT'D)
                         I gotta tell you, man. She don't
                         look too good.

               Maxie urgently examines her as best he can. He knows some
               medical procedures from basic training.

                                   CHRISTIAN (CONT'D)
                         Dead?

               Maxie just looks at her. He's choked up again, but this time
               it's not tear gas. It's emotion. And then...

               SEO DRAWS A BREATH!

               Maxie, excited, leans close.

                                   MAXIE
                         Seo? Can you hear me? 

               Her eyes open a little.

                                   SEO
                         I can hear you, Maxie.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Where's she from? Tuscaloosa?

                                   MAXIE
                         Tell me what hurts. We'll get you
                         to a hospital.

               Blood bubbles from Seo's mouth. Here eyes are glassy.

                                   SEO
                         I don't feel anything hurt.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         That's even worse.

                                   MAXIE
                             (to Chris)
                         You got to help me with this. We
                         have to take her to the base, get
                         her attention.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Base? She ain't family, she don't
                         work there. 

                                   MAXIE
                         I don't know where any other
                         hospitals are!

                                   SEO
                             (very weak)
                         No hospitals.

                                   MAXIE
                         Shut up, Seo.

                                   SEO
                             (using all her strength)
                         No, Maxie. No hospital. No doctor.

               Maxie ignores her.

                                   MAXIE
                         You remember how to transport
                         wounded personnel, right?

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Yeah, as fast as you can without
                         getting your ass shot off.

                                   MAXIE
                         Just help me, Chris.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Okay, man. Not a problem.

               They gingerly begin to lift her. But Seo protests, spitting
               blood as she tries to speak. She is angry and scared.

                                   SEO
                         Maxie! No! They will kill me.
                         Torture me. And you!

                                   MAXIE
                         What? Torture you? Who?

               They place her back down.

                                   SEO
                         South Korea police. The army.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         What the hell is she talking about?

                                   MAXIE
                         I don't know. Maybe she's
                         delirious.

                                   SEO
                         Maxie! I come from North Korea.

               Stunned silence all around.

                                   MAXIE
                         What?

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Yeah. What? What the fuck?

               Seo is lying on the pavement again, writhing. The emotional
               pain hurts worse than the physical.

                                   SEO
                         I come here to do a mission, Maxie.
                         I am sorry. I have hurt you.

                                   MAXIE
                         What mission? What about me?

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         This is some heavy shit, Maxie.

                                   MAXIE
                         Seo, you're concussed. You're
                         having hallucinations.

                                   SEO
                         No. If you take me to your base,
                         you will see. You will go to jail. 

                                   MAXIE
                         Seo, listen. You're not from North
                         Korea. You have family here. Your
                         grandmother, remember? The crazy
                         dancing lady?

                                   SEO
                         My mother, her daughter. Kidnapped.
                         My father, too. The North kidnaps
                         South Koreans to make children,
                         like me. They send us back as
                         agents because we are strong and
                         healthy. Most people in my country
                         are poor. They are starving and
                         ugly and very small. 

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         None of this makes any fucking
                         sense.

                                   MAXIE
                         They do kidnap people. I read that. 

                                   CHRISTIAN
                             (getting very angry)
                         So this bitch is a spy. And you're
                         fucking her?

                                   MAXIE
                         Listen, man. I love her. 

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Pussy-whipped motherfucker.

                                   MAXIE
                         Whatever. We've got to get her
                         help. Please.

               Christian thinks it over. 

               Against all of his instincts, he agrees.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         So, what do we do?

                                   SEO
                         Maxie, no. 

                                   MAXIE
                         I've got an idea. But you have to
                         help get us there -- so stay awake!
                             (to Christian)
                         You ready?

               INT. TAXI CAB - NIGHT

               Seo sits, limp, between Maxie and Chris in the back seat. She
               leans her head on Maxie's shoulder. They could pass for a
               couple after a rough night on the town.

               The DRIVER looks in the rear view at them. He buys it.

                                   SEO
                             (mumbling)
                         Maxie, you must go. You were part
                         of the plan, Maxie. They sent me to
                         use an American soldier.
                         Propaganda. So South Korea will
                         turn against American troops. 

                                   MAXIE
                             (sharp whisper)
                         Shut up!

                                   SEO
                         I have ruined your life. I am
                         sorry.

                                   MAXIE
                         Stay still, Seo. 
                             (not so sure)
                         I'm fine. I will be fine.

               But will he? The look that passes between Christian and Maxie
               says this situation is bad. 

               EXT. RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD - CONTINUOUS

               The car pulls up on a small, narrow street lined with modest,
               but nice little Korean pre-fab homes. 

               IN THE CAB, Maxie hands the driver some money.

                                   MAXIE
                         Just wait a minute, OK? Wait? You
                         understand?

               The driver nods, counting the money.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Chris, go knock on -- let's see --
                         that door, there.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Who am I looking for?

                                   MAXIE
                         Just knock on the door.

               Christian gets out of the cab. Walks to the designated door. 

               Knocks.

               Nothing. Knocks again.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Yo! Anyone home?

               A MAN walking home crosses to the other side of the narrow
               street, to avoid Christian. Faces poke out of nearby windows. 

               When they see Christian, they quickly go away.

               The door opens. A sad little old lady answers. 

               She is utterly unimpressed by the sight of a large, white
               American at her door.

               Christian is just plain puzzled. He turns to look back at the
               cab, quizzically.

               The old lady is KIM NYA-KIM.

                                   MAXIE
                         Your grandmother's going to help
                         you, Seo. Can you make it inside?

               They manage to get out of the cab. Seo can hardly stand.

               INT. KIM NYA-KIM'S HOME - SHORTLY LATER

               The house is simple, but nice. Spiritual, Korean household
               decorations adorn the place.

               Maxie and Christian sit on Western-style too-small chairs. 

               Seo lies prone and barely conscious on a "yo," a futon-like
               floor mattress. 

               She's slipping away.

               In a prominent position is a large photograph of a young
               woman. The woman looks very much like Seo -- but this is an
               old photo. At least 25 years old.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         That your girl in the picture?

                                   MAXIE
                         No, it can't be. Looks like her,
                         though.
                             (realizing)
                         It's her mother.

               Kim Nya-Kim appears in the room. She wears her full costume.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Yeah, like this makes sense.

                                   MAXIE
                         She's some kind of a shaman.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         A what?

                                   MAXIE
                         Kind of like a witch. Just watch.

               The two young men stand aside. Kim Nya-Kim chants softly,
               then more loudly. She dances around Seo. 

               This dance is carefully planned, every step. The intensity
               builds until the old woman is in a frenzy. 

               The intensity subsides, like the fade-out of a 45-rpm record.

               Without a word, Kim Nya-Kim exits the room.

               Maxie and Christian stare at Seo, not knowing what to expect.
               Maxie, having seen this "work" once before, has higher hopes.

               Nothing. 

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Dude, I don't know what to tell
                         you.

                                   MAXIE
                         Just wait.

               And then -- something! Seo comes around. Her breathing
               stabilizes. Her eyes focus. 

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         Seo!

               He rushes to her. 

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         What just happened?

               Seo, though exhausted, has the strength to smile at Maxie. As
               he leans over her, she gets better by the moment. 

               She reaches up and throws her battered arms around him.

                                   CHRISTIAN (CONT'D)
                         Wow, man. I gotta admit. That's
                         awesome.

               Seo and Maxie are hugging now, tightly. After a few BEATS of
               this happy scene, Maxie turns to Christian, hugging his girl. 

               There are tears on his face.

                                   MAXIE
                         This country, Chris. What the hell
                         are we doing here?

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Fucking shit up, I guess.

                                   MAXIE
                         We are in way over our heads.

               Kim Nya-Kim re-enters the room, dressed in her "civvies"
               again. She pauses to take in the scene. 

               And then, for the first time, breaks into a smile.

               Seo, much more healthy, pulls herself up and hugs her tiny
               grandmother. This is a joyful reunion if ever there was one.

               The two women speak softly through tears, in Korean. 

               Maxie and Christian watch them. There's something wrong. A
               sadness comes across Maxie's face.

                                   SEO
                         Maxie. I will come to America with
                         you. You know I have never been
                         there.

               The two men look at each other.

                                   SEO (CONT'D)
                         It is what my grandmother wants for
                         me. She knows what will happen to
                         me if I stay. The South Koreans
                         will torture me. The North Koreans
                         will find me and assassinate me.
                             (beat)
                         I need you Maxie. I love you.

                                   MAXIE
                         I love you, too, Seo.

               A KNOCK at the door. Christian answers it. It's Sergeant
               Corey, the MP, with two of his men.

                                   SGT. COREY
                         Took forever to find this fucking
                         place.

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         You found it, didn't you?

               Corey and his men enter.

                                   SGT. COREY
                             (re: Seo)
                         That her?

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         You see anyone else who fits the
                         description?

                                   SGT. COREY
                         Come to think of it, I don't.
                             (to Seo)
                         Let's go. You're being taken into
                         custody for suspicion of espionage
                         and sabotage.

               Seo, still in Maxie's arms, is horrified.

                                   SEO
                         Maxie! What is happening?

               Maxie says nothing, sickened by this whole scene.

                                   SEO (CONT'D)
                         Your friend. He betrayed us. Maxie!
                         He called them.

               As gently as he can, Maxie removes her arms from around him.
               Maxie stands up and just looks at her. 

               The distance between them might as well be miles.

                                   SEO (CONT'D)
                         Maxie?

                                   MAXIE
                         You gotta go with them, Seo. 
                             (beat)
                         I called them.

               The wind goes out of Seo, almost like she's been shot. Maybe
               this is worse. 

               Corey takes her by the arm. One of his men cuffs her with
               plastic ties.

                                   MAXIE (CONT'D)
                         It'll be OK. No one's going to
                         torture you. 
                             (beat)
                         My country doesn't do that.

                                   SEO
                         But -- I would come to America!

                                   MAXIE
                         Seo, I don't know what I'm doing
                         here and I don't know what I'm
                         going to do back there.

                                   SGT. COREY
                         You did the right thing, man. She
                         would've had you up shit's creek.
                         Now, damn, they'll probably give
                         you a medal.

                                   MAXIE
                         I'm not even in the army anymore.

               A lengthy BEAT. Finally...

                                   CHRISTIAN
                         Shit, I'm in the army! Can I get a
                         fuckin' medal?

                                   SEO
                         Maxie!

                                   MAXIE
                             (to Christian)
                         Let's go.

               Without meeting Seo's eyes -- as difficult as it is not to
               look at her, it would be even worse if he did -- Maxie walks
               past the MPs and out. Christian follows.

               Seo is crying rivers, deep sobs. The MPs take her away.

               Finally the tiny, Korean home is emoty. 

               Empty -- except for Kim Nya-kim. 

               The old woman stands by herself, silent. Everything is lost
               for her -- again. 

               That is her life. She accepts it. 

               But her sadness never goes away.

               EXT. CAMP BONIFAS BARRACKS - NIGHT

               Pitch dark. Moonlight. A few footlights on the camp walkways.
               Still. Quiet. 

               INT. CAMP BONIFAS BARRACKS - SAME TIME

               The commons area. Mostly dark. One SOLDIER IN UNDERWEAR,
               sleepless, watches the TV, keeping the volume low. AFN News.
               On screen, JIMMY CARTER. Then it flashes to KIM IL-SUNG.

                                   AFN NEWS BROADCAST
                         ...former president Carter returned
                         from Pyongyang, describing his
                         talks with the North Korean leader
                         as a success.

               The soldier in underwear hears something in the dark. He
               looks over his shoulder. Nothing.

                                   AFN NEWS BROADCAST (CONT'D)
                         Following an agreement by U.S. and
                         South Korean forces to cancel the
                         Operation Team Spirit joint
                         training exercise, the North has
                         agreed to allow IAEA inspectors
                         into its nuclear facilities. This
                         appears to put an end to the
                         crisis. For now.

               EXT. CAMP BONIFAS BARRACKS - NIGHT

               A lone figure slips out of the barracks. 

               Like Jenkins and Asher before him, this solitary soldier
               makes his way into the DMZ, eluding the watch of the guards,
               who in any case watch for the enemy, not for their own.

               EXT. KOREAN DEMILITARIZED ZONE - NIGHT

               Through the dark and shadows of the moon, the escaping
               soldier gingerly makes his way through the perilous DMZ.

               Finally, KPA troops appear in front of him. They stop him,
               grab him roughly. 

               He's captured. But the defector gives up willingly. 

               A North Korean shines a flashlight in the defector's face.

               Wayne Parrish.

               INT. CAVERNOUS TUNNEL - ANYTIME

               The "infiltration tunnel" where Seo came through. Dimly lit. 

               In the distance, two murky figures approach, hurrying. They
               are heading back toward the North.

               Shin and Roh -- making their getaway. They disappear into the
               distance of the darkened tunnel.

               EXT. NORTH KOREAN MILITARY OUTPOST - DAWN 

               THE DOOR THAT LEADS UNDERGROUND. 

               Soldiers watch as Intelligence Officers One and Two open it. 

               Shin and Roh emerge. They exchange comradely hugs with their
               two counterparts. 

               Two soldiers lead Shin and Roh toward the bunker. One soldier
               looks back. 

               Intelligence Officer One gives the soldier a nod.

               The two soldiers draw pistols. Each fires a single shot. Shin
               and Roh fall. Back of the head. A bullet each.

               Intelligence Officer Two now signals to a group of soldiers
               in the distance. 

               ON THE DOOR. 

               The two intelligence officers walk away, quick, but under
               control. Morning sun glints off the cast iron door. And
               then...

               THE DOOR EXPLODES! 

               Rubble and dirt fill the opening, sealing the tunnel forever.

               EXT. WILDERNESS - DAWN

               The morning sun bathes deer and swans in calm, pale light.

               A badger explores the underbrush. The badger comes upon a
               rusted metal tab. A land mine.

               The badger sniffs. Taps at it. Nothing. The badger pushes the
               tab with his nose. Click!

               The tab breaks off. Old. Obsolete. The rusty metal just lies
               there. The badger waits, sniffs, gets bored. 

               The furry little creature waddles away, into the idyllic
               landscape of the DMZ.

               INT. UNIVERSITY LECTURE HALL - DAY

               United States. Two years later. A large university in the
               California state system. A jammed lecture hall. 200-plus
               students. The class: Economics 101. 

               A PROFESSOR drones on about markets and efficiency,
               occasionally scratching something on the blackboard.

               In the midst of the massive class, lost in the crowd, one
               student takes assiduous notes. 

               MAXIE. His hair is longer. Flannel shirt and jeans. Full
               fledged civilian.

               Maxie pauses to take stock of his surroundings. He's older
               than any of these college freshmen.

               Probably half of them are Korean.

               Maxie returns to taking notes, scribbling down equations and
               facts and figures as the professor recites them.

               His looks up again, eyes falling on a beautiful young KOREAN
               WOMAN, two rows in front of him. When she turns to her left
               to check her friend's notes, he sees her face. 

               She looks a lot like Seo. At least, he thinks so.

               She catches him staring. He looks down. The Korean woman
               looks away. No interest in him at all.

               Maxie scribbles notes, glancing up at her one more time.

               EXT. UNIVERSITY CAMPUS - DAY

               Students file out into the California sunshine. Stark
               contrast to the dreariness of the DMZ. Maxie walks alone in
               the crowd. He doesn't fit in. 

               He catches a glimpse of her -- the beautiful Korean woman
               from class. She appears to be by herself, leaving class. 

               Maxie takes a breath, gathers all his courage. He walks
               toward her. He's going to talk to her. He will!

               As Maxie closes to within a few yards of the woman, a half
               dozen of her friends surround her. 

               He stops in his tracks. She never notices him. 

               The young woman and her friends laugh and talk, all in
               Korean. She walks away, surrounded by the Korean group, into
               the heart of the sunny campus. 

               Maxie can only watch her go. 

               Her world is not his.

               Hundreds of students file past Maxie, ignoring him. 

               He stands still, alone with his past and the tears that
               dampen his eyes.

                                                       FADE OUT.
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