Apocalypse Now

WILLARD

Chef.

CHEF

Yes, sir –

WILLARD

Why they call you that?

CHEF

Call me what, sir?

WILLARD

Chef – is that 'cause you like mangoes an' stuff?

CHEF

No, sir – I'm a real chef, sir – I'm a sauciere –

WILLARD

A sauciere –

CHEF

That's right, sir – I come from New Orleans – I was raised to be a sauciere... a great sauciere. We specialize in sauces; my whole family. It's what we do. I was supposed to go to Paris and study at the Escoffier School; I was saving the money. They called me for my physical so I figured the Navy had better food.

WILLARD

What are you doing out here?

CHEF

Cook school – that did it.

WILLARD

How?

CHEF

They lined us all up in front of a hundred yards of prime rib – magnificent meat, beautifully marbled... Then they started throwing it in these big cauldrons, all of it – boiling. I looked in, an' it was turning gray. I couldn't stand it. I went into radio school.

They move into a slight clearing.

WILLARD

(whispering)

Quiet –

Chef crouches close – redies his M-16. Willard gestures that he heard something; he points.

MEDIUM SHOT – DIFFERENT ANGLE

PAN SLOWLY over jungle – END REVEALING Willard and Chef.

WILLARD

(silent)

There...

He points – motions Chef to move away – they cover the spot. A few yards from them they hear something move. It is obviously no small jungle creature. They walk toward a patch of black elephant grass; their guns at the ready. They look at each other. Willard is cold, methodical, doing something he knows well. There is a noise again – some of the growth rustles.  He and Chef move a distance apart, and join in stalking the probable V.C. Willard directs the Chef with hand gestures, and bird and cricket sounds. They move stealthily, closing the apex of their triangle on the hunted. The two men drop low into the elephant grass, and remain motionless. Then Willard makes the cricket noise, and they move closer. Willard's left hand edges out along the M-16's far end, so that he only has to point the finger of that hand and he will hit what he wants. He makes another command and they rush the trapped enemy.

MEDIUM SHOT – THE ELEPHANT GRASS – WILLARD AND CHEF

Suddenly there is a RUSHING SOUND – The grass folds down quickly toward them – willard plants his feet and from the hip lets go FULL AUTOMATIC. The Chef retreats FIRING short BURSTS into the grass – the grass folds almost to Willard – then a huge tiger leaps out at them; snarling magnificently. They FIRE wildly, emptying their clips.

CHEF

It's a motherfucking tiger – goddamn...

He turns and bolts through the jungle, as scared as a man can be.

CHEF

(continuing; screaming)

Goddamn – Jesus Christ tiger – motherfucking tiger – ohhhhhhhhh –

Willard jams another clip in his gun and backs out of the clearing, covering the bushes and runs, scared out of his head as well.

FULL SHOT – THE BOAT – THE CREW

They all are armed – Lance has the twin 50's pointed into the jungle. Chef comes screaming out of the brush, throws his rifle into the boat and dives headfirst after it.

CHEF

(hysterical)

Ohhhh – tiger! Oh goddamn! It's a tiger! Jesus Christ! Goddamn, a tiger! Ohhhhhhhh.

The Chief tries to grab him; takes his gun away, but is unable to take a hold of the Chef, as he slithers around the boat, trying to find safety. Willard follows from the jungle – The Chef is moaning and stares off into the night.

LANCE

What's this tiger shit?

WILLARD

No shit... I think I shot the hell out of him.

LANCE

You think?

WILLARD

I wasn't looking.. I was running.

CLEAN

Was a big tiger – no shit?

WILLARD

Who stopped to measure him – let's get the hell out of here.

CHEF

A motherfucking tiger – I could've been killed.

The ENGINE ROARS to life – the P.B.R. pulls away with great speed.

CHIEF

You forgot the mangoes, didn't you?

CHEF

Mangoes? There as a fucking tiger in the woods – I could've been eaten alive. I'm never going into that jungle again. I gotta remember never get out of the boat; never get outta the boat.

They move off; swallowed by the darkness. The JUNGLE NOISES remain, as OUR VIEW BEGINS a MOVE INTO the jungle.

WILLARD (V.O.)

He was right, the Chef – never go into the jungle, unless you're ready to go all the way.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. THE BOAT IN MARINA DEL RAY – NIGHT

Willard, thinking, his BACK TO US. Suddenly, he turns around, and we SEE his face.

WILLARD (V.O.)

What was in the jungle? What was there, waiting for me?

He lights the cigarette; the light of his match illuminating his face momentarily. There is something different about him; a maturity, a cool inner peace.

WILLARD (V.O.)

(continuing)

... Kurtz was in there. Or was he; was it Kurtz? He was just a name to me now; I couldn't remember a face, a voice – he just didn't add up to me. all his liberal bullshit about the end of savagery – and the role of our culture, our way of life...

Willard looks toward the group of people on the boat – there is still some MUSIC. They talk and drink and laugh.

WILLARD (V.O.)

(continuing)

Our way of life – I really started to look forward to meeting Kurtz again.

DISSOLVE TO:

WATERWAY – MOVING FORWARD – DAY

We HEAR:

RADIO

Must remember that we owe our thanks for these to the wonderful services of the U.S.O. – here's another oldie – this one dedicated...

VIEW ON CHEF

By himself on the P.B.R.; he has wiped mud under his eyes to kill the glare; it is incredibly hot. He is barechested, wearing a hat made of a banana palm.

RADIO

... to the fire team at An Khe from their groovy C.O. Fred the Head –

VIEW ON THE GROUP

RADIO

The Rolling Stones and "Satisfaction..."

CHEF

Outa sight.

The SONG BLARES ON – they all dig it.

PAN TO Willard, sitting alone in the rear, reading from his file on Kurtz. We REVEAL Lance in the b.g., water-skiing behind the P.B.R., slaloming back and forth on his single ski to the MUSIC – jumping the wake occasionally.

NEW VIEW – ON THE P.B.R.

Lance water-skiing to "Satisfaction."

VIEW ON CLEAN

Alert, at the rear of the boat – his M-16 ready, just in case.

VIEW ON WILLARD

Willard opens a letter from the packet.

We can SEE it is a private correspondence – feminine writing on the envelope.

WILLARD (V.O.)

The dossier of a Detachment contained letters from the families and wives of Kurtz' men There were letters from Kurtz' wife as well.

CLOSE SHOT – ON THE LETTER

It is addressed to Colonel Walter Kurtz – in the corner is the return address of Mrs. Colonel Walter Kurtz – Willard's hand fushes through the packet and comes up with a picture of a very attractive, thirty-five year old American Beauty... She is classically American.

CLOSE SHOT – ON WILLARD

Looking at the picture – puts it back, then opens the letter, straightens it.

WILLARD (V.O.)

Dearest Walt – I have to confess something. I know how you feel about this, but I had to ask Bob to find out what he could – I just couldn't stand it anymore, not knowing where you are, whether you're alive or dead. I'm sorry Walt, I'm sorry I said that. Bob didn't tell me anything – he said he couldn't – I can't stand it anymore, Walt – I just can't stand it.

Willard looks out at the jungle.

Deep impenetrable jungle – dark and primeval forests pass by. The Rolling Stones CHANT on in the background.

WILLARD (V.O.)

(continuing)

I have to take the kids to school every morning now – carpools just never work out.

Jeff came home with a black eye on Tuesday but said he won anyway. He wouldn't tell me what the fight was about. Jeff keeps asking where you are – he has maps of Vietnam in his room now. He misses you very much. I can't take this much longer, Walt. I love you and I just can't stand it.

CLOSE ON WILLARD

He folds the letter up, files through some others quickly and gets to a peculiar envelope stamped Top Secret with a stenciled date on it. It is also noted that this was the last correspondence to leave Nu Mung Ba. It is addressed to Kurtz' wife. He opens the letter – it is written in a scrawled savage hand to no one in particular. It reads:

"Sell the house

Sell the car

Sell the kids

Find someone else

Forget it

I'm never coming back

Forget it –"

He folds up the letter.

CLOSE SHOT – WILLARD

He looks out at the ominous jungled mountains.

DISSOLVE TO:

FULL SHOT – P.B.R. – RIVER OUTPOST – RAIN

The P.B.R. pulls in towards an American outpost that is being used as a forward medical evacuation center. Various helicopters pads are SEEN, but only one helicopter – the H-34 painted with Playboy rabbits that brought the girls to Hau Fat. Several soldiers in raincoats come out the dock as the P.B.R. pulls up.

MEDIUM SHOT – WILLARD, SOLDIERS

Willard looks into some empty tents – looks around the dreary muddy camp. Two soldiers pass.

WILLARD

Soldier – where's your C.O.?

SOLDIER

Stepped on a booby trap, sir – got blown all to hell –

WILLARD

Well , who's in command here?

SOLDIER

I don't know – don't have any idea – I'm just the night man –

He turns and walks off babbling incoherently –
 

WILLARD

What about you, soldier?

The soldier he was talking to turns around smiling idiotically and making animal noises. He stumbles off after his friend.

MEDIUM SHOT – DIFFERENT ANGLE – WILLARD

He looks around disgustedly
 

VOICE (O.S.)

(whispering)

Captain –

Willard turns around looking for where the voice came from.

VOICE (O.S.)

(continuing)

Over here, Captain –

He turns to see the Hollywood Agent under the flap of a large tent so that he won't get wet. He wears the same clothes as before, but is much dirtier. He motions Willard into the tent.

INT. TENT – MEDIUM SHOT – WILLARD, AGENT

They duck inside – it is dark and damp.

On cots around a stove sit the three playmates and the pilot. The nearest one, CATHY, a blonde, picks leeches out of her feet. The other two, TERRI and LYNDA, play cards with the helicopter pilot. Willard looks over the situation.

AGENT

You came in on that boat, didn't you?

WILLARD

Yeah –

AGENT

Where are you headed?

WILLARD

What's it matter? Get to the point.

AGENT

Look – you know the girls – That's Terri – she was playmate of –

WILLARD

Yeah, I caught your show at Hau Fat.

They all look over.

AGENT

Oh – I see – Well, girls, this is Captain – eh –

WILLARD

Captain Willard – go ahead.

AGENT

Look – we got in a little trouble – they rudely took our helicopter for MedEvac work on this – uh Operation Brute Force – They just brought it back this morning.

WILLARD

Yeah.

AGENT

Well I mean like they also took our fuel – We've been here two days.

WILLARD

Dreadful.

AGENT

Look – the girls could get killed – we're not supposed to be this close combat, I mean real combat.

WILLARD

Well –

AGENT

We could use some fuel – just a half drum – just enough to get us out a here.

WILLARD

We need all our fuel.

He turns and starts to leave.

AGENT

But, Captain, think what these girls have done for the boys – think of how they've risked –

Willard is almost out of the tent.

TERRI

Captain –

He turns around.

TERRI

(continuing)

It's really rough here – Captain – we're just not built for it –

The Pilot laughs.

PILOT

That's rich –

TERRI

Do us a favor – I'd do one for you – if I could –

Willard just stares at her – even though she's in jeans and field jacket she is something to see – The Agent takes Willard aside – Terri goes back to the others.

AGENT

Look – you know who that is, Captain – you know what she's saying – you'll never see stuff that good outside of a magazine for the rest of your life.

WILLARD

I'm not that fond of blondes – maybe I like brunettes –

AGENT

Take your pick – they all like you – I can tell –

WILLARD

I like all of them –

AGENT

Good – like I said, take your pick.

WILLARD

I said I like all of them.

AGENT

Now just a second – I'm doing you a favor, buddy – what're you trying to pull?

Willard turns to leave again.

WILLARD

We need all our fuel anyway.

AGENT

Wait – wait – don't get up tight – what I meant was we'd need a whole drum for that –

WILLARD

Sit down – we'll talk about it.

Willard sits down on a metal chair – motions the Agent to do likewise.

AGENT

What's there to talk about – this whole thing disgusts me.

WILLARD

My men –

AGENT

What!

WILLARD

That's what there is to talk about – my man – I take a good care of my men –

The girls are trying to pretend they're not listening – the helicopter Pilot is cackling to himself.

AGENT

You're out of your skull –

WILLARD

We have a lot of pride in our unit –

AGENT

How far do you think you can push – what kind of people do you think –

WILLARD

Esprit de corps –

AGENT

No – absolutely not –

WILLARD

One for all – all for one –

AGENT

You can keep your fucking fuel –

Willard gets up.

WILLARD

You make some of your closest friends in the army – war has a way of bringing men together.

AGENT

Get out –

WILLARD

Men of all races – nationalities –

He gets up and starts out.

AGENT

Two drums –

Willard turns around slowly.

AGENT

(continuing)

Two whole drums –

WILLARD

We can use some fifty caliber and a 16 too –

AGENT

I don't know what you're talking about – Get fucked –

WILLARD

I will – I assure you that – You got a fifty on that H-34 – leave the ammo in boxes – I'll get my men to bring the first drum with 'em –

He turns to go under the tent flap.

WILLARD

(continuing)

Have the girls freshen up a bit – comb their hair – put on something – you know what I mean –

He leaves.

FULL SHOT – P.B.R. – CREW

They are all working on patching the boat and cleaning it up in general. Mr. Clean sits in foreground, cleaning an M-16.

CLEAN

You keep this thing in this condition an' it's gonna jam, Lance – mark my words.

LANCE

Why don't you go pet the water buffaloes – get off my back.

Behind them on the beach stand several water buffaloes eating mud or whatever they do. They are painted jungle brown and green camouflage with grey bottoms – on their sides the words have been stenciled in black:

"1 Each –

Buffalo, Water B-1A

U.S. Army No. 15239"

Willard walks through them down to the boat.

CHIEF

Careful,  Captain, they've been known to charge.

WILLARD

All right I got a little surprise for you –

They all look up.

WILLARD

(continuing)

I've arranged with those people we saw at Hau Fat to give us some 50 caliber in trade for a couple a drums of fuel –

CHEF

No shit.

WILLARD

Chef – since you're such a fan of Miss December's I think you should be detailed with Lance and Clean to take the first drum up there.

CHEF

I don't believe you –

CHIEF

What're you trying to say, Captain –

WILLARD

You'll see soon enough – get going, sailor –

CHIEF

No shit – hot damn –

INT. TENT – MEDIUM SHOT – LYNDA, CHEF

He has followed her into the tent awe-struck – she casually starts unbuttoning her fatigue jacket and taking off her pants. he just stands there, his arms at his sides.