The Rock

EXT. NEW INDUSTRIES BUILDING – DAY

Goodspeed exits and kneels, reaching for HIS OTHER PANTLEG. Pulls out his GREEN FLARES. He cracks the flares and fires them up.

EXT. SAN FRANCISCO BAY BRIDGE – DAY

The F-16s fly under the span of bridge, just 50 feet off the water, shooting up a PLUME OF WATER.

EXT. ALCATRAZ – NEW INDUSTRIES BUILDING – DAY

Goodspeed, in SLOW MOTION, waves the flares.

INT. LEAD F-16 – COCKPIT – DAY

The LEAD F-16 Pilot speaks on this air-to-air mike.

LEAD F-16 PILOT

Arm up.

INT. PIER 39 – FBI COMMAND CENTER – DAY

Carla watches the approach of the F-16s on Alcatraz in horror. Every second is excruciating.

FBI TECHNICIAN

Ten seconds to the drop zone. And now counting eight, seven, six...

EXT. WORLD WAR II BUNKER (SPOTTING POSITION #1) – DAY

A hilltop on the Marine side of the Golden Gate Bridge. Two spotters watch the action through SPOTTING SCOPES. SPOTTER 1 watches the F-16s. SPOTTER 2, watching ALCATRAZ, nearly jumps out of his skin.

FBI TECHNICIAN

Green smoke! It's... Goodspeed!!

A RADIO OPERATOR fires a message to command.

INT. PIER 39 – FBI COMMAND CENTER – DAY

SANCHEZ

Abort. Abort immediately.

EXT. ALCATRAZ – SHORELINE – DAY

On come the F-16s, ROARING over Alcatraz. They're almost on top of Goodspeed now. It's too late. It's all over.

INT. LEAD F-16 – COCKPIT – DAY

F-16 FLIGHT CONTROLLER (V.O.)

(cockpit radio)

ABORT, RED THUNDER, ABORT!

LEAD F-16 PILOT

Abort. Abort.

The Lead F-16 Pilot safeties the bomb release lever.

INT. REAR F-16 – COCKPIT – DAY

The REAR F-16 PILOT is wrestling with his release lever. It's stuck. He can't "safety" it.

REAR F-16 PILOT

Sir, something's wrong. I can't disengage...!

LEAD F-16 PILOT

Then peel off...

EXT. SKIES OVER ALCATRAZ – DAY

The four F-16s veer away from the island. But for the REAR JET, the order came too late...

EXT. REAR F-16 – WING UNDERCARRIAGE – DAY

The Rear F-16 releases its Willy Peter canisters. They plummet to the island.

EXT. ALCATRAZ – NEAR NEW INDUSTRIES BUILDING – DAY

The WILLY PETER CANISTERS land, detonating on impact in a MONSTROUS INFERNAL EXPLOSION.

The awesome concussion knocks Goodspeed off the New Industries Building pier into the bay.

EXT. UNDERWATER – DAY

Goodspeed, concussed in the water, tries to keep consciousness. He can't. He sinks.

ANOTHER FORM appears above him. It's Mason, swimming for Goodspeed. Mason gets under his arms and pulls him up.

EXT. ALCATRAZ – SHORELINE – DAY

Mason drags Goodspeed ashore.

INT. PIER 39 – COMMAND WAREHOUSE – DAY

Sanchez, Director Womack and the FBI Technicians stare out the window at Alcatraz, enshrouded in PLUMES OF SMOKE.

Total silence. Only Carla, weeping quietly in the corner. Sanchez puts his arm around her. Ushers her away. Suddenly a VOICE CRACKLES:

GOODSPEED (V.O.)

Pier 39 come in. Pier 39...

(freezes)

My god he's alive.

Director Womack grabs the mike.

FBI DIRECTOR WOMACK
Goodspeed, this is Director Womack. Are the hostages alive?

GOODSPEED (V.O.)

Every one of 'em sir.

FBI DIRECTOR WOMACK

What about Mason?

INT. ALCATRAZ – CIVIL WAR RUINS – DAY

Goodspeed stares at Mason, letting the question dangle.

FBI DIRECTOR WOMACK

Goodspeed. Is Mason alive?

A pause. The question still dangling there. Then:

GOODSPEED

(deep breath)

Just come and get me, sir. I'm tired.

SANCHEZ

Name your vacation spot, Goodspeed. The Bureau'll pay for it.

Goodspeed hangs up. The two men regard each other.

GOODSPEED

Mason, uhm, John, I have something to tell you. You know that pardon contract you signed?

MASON

Womack ripped it up, right?

GOODSPEED

You knew? All this time?

MASON

I'm not a fool, Billy.

GOODSPEED

All I know is that whatever you did, you don't deserve to go back.

MASON

Goodspeed. You know the etymology of your name?

GOODSPEED

God's speed.

MASON

Yes. To wish someone a prosperous jouey.

Mason smiles. Goodspeed smiles back. There is an immediate tacit understanding.

MASON

And if you turn around I'll tell you a secret.