The Internet Movie Script Database (IMSDb)


The web's largest
movie script resource!

Search IMSDb

Alphabetical
# A B C D E F G H
I J K L M N O P Q
R S T U V W X Y Z

Genre
Action Adventure Animation
Comedy Crime Drama
Family Fantasy Film-Noir
Horror Musical Mystery
Romance Sci-Fi Short
Thriller War Western

Sponsor

TV Transcripts
Futurama
Seinfeld
South Park
Stargate SG-1
Lost
The 4400

International
French scripts

Latest Comments



ALL SCRIPTS







                                 BEASTS OF NO NATION




                                      Written by
   
                                 Cary Joji Fukunaga
                         

                         
                               Based on the novel by

                                  Uzodinma Iweala

                         
                         
                         
                         
                                                             May 8th, 2014
                                                           SHOOTING SCRIPT
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         FORWARD NOTE:
                         
          The dialogue in this screenplay is faithful in form to the novel,
          originally written in a lighter form of Nigerian Pidgin English
          known as Krio.
                         
          Krio (and its various dialects) is used as a lingua franca
          throughout West Africa, from The Gambia to Cameroon, and is spoken
          by millions.

          FRONT CREDITS OVER BLACK:
                         
          The KRIO-accented VOICE of AGU (10).
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    It is starting like this...
                         
                         
          EXT. VILLAGE FOOTBALL PITCH - DAY
                         
          Angle on: the plastic exterior of a screen-less television.
                         
          Through it we see children running in circles on a football
          pitch.
                         
          Angle on the boy balancing it on his head, AGU (10), a warm
          smile and clever eyes. Next to him, DIKE, his littler best
          friend.
                         
                                             AGU
                    Which ones having talent?
                         
                                             DIKE
                    That one...not that one.
                         
                         
          EXT. VILLAGE MARKET - DAY
                         
          Agu passes a line of YOUNG MEN lying on wheel barrows while
          carrying the TV. Dike and their YOUNG RECRUITS, the kids they
          were scouting on the football pitch, follow suit.
                         
                         
          EXT. ECOMOD CHECK POINT - DAY (FORMERLY SC. 14)
                         
          Agu and Dike drop the TV down on a stool in front of the
          VILLAGE CONSTABLE, charming it up.
                         
                                              VILLAGE CONSTABLE
                    Agu, what am I supposed to be doing
                    with this?
                         
                                             AGU
                    Watching TV, Massah.
                         
                                             VILLAGER CONSTABLE
                    It is not having a screen.
                         
                                             AGU
                    It is imagination TV.
                         
          Agu has the YOUNG RECRUITS perform, framed in the empty space
          of the demolished television. The Constable is unimpressed.
                                                                      2.
                         
                         
                                             VILLAGE CONSTABLE
                    It is garbage. Go, get out of here.
                         
          Agu disappointed but not discouraged, looks at the PEACE
          OBSERVERS with optimism.
                         
                         
          EXT. ECOMOD TROOP TRANSPORT - DAY (FORMERLY SC. 15)
                         
          Agu stands in front of white helmeted NIGERIAN troops. The
          2ND LIEUTENANT humors him.
                         
                                             2ND LIEUTENANT
                    It doesn't have any channels.
                         
          Agu turns the knob swiftly.
                         
                                             AGU
                    It is having 12, and one more, that
                    is the imagination channel.
                         
          He addresses his YOUNG RECRUITS to PERFORM again. The 2nd
          Lieutenant is amused.
                         
                                             2ND LIEUTENANT
                    And how much for this treasure?
                         
                                             AGU
                    3000. And you are giving us some of
                    your foods.
                         
          2nd Lieutenant motions to his CORPORAL to get something out
          of the carrier. The corporal comes back with several PLASTIC
          CONTAINERS OF RICE AND SAUCE.
                         
                                             2ND LIEUTENANT
                    Take these.
                         
          Agu reviews the food. 2nd Lieutenant pulls out a pack of gum
          from his side pocket to sweeten the deal. Agu snatches up the
          takings, giving some cash to Dike and his recruits.
                         
                         
          EXT. NATIONAL HIGHWAY - DAY
                         
          Agu walks home with Dike, arguing playfully, when a cheap
          puttering Chinese motorcycle pulls up with BIG BROTHER (15)
          and a FRIEND.
                         
                                             BIG BROTHER
                    What are you two girls plotting?
                         
          Agu looks up.
                                                                      3.
                         
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Big Brother.
                         
                                             BIG BROTHER
                    Come, I have job for you.
                         
                         
          EXT. NATIONAL HIGHWAY - TREE - DAY (FORMERLY SC. 7)
                         
          Agu hangs from a tree. Dike hangs from another branch as they
          each take turns sawing a larger branch.
                         
          Big Brother directs them from below.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Big Brother. He is always having
                    ideas.
                         
          They cut the large tree limb and let it crash across the
          street just as a BUSH TAXI comes. They charge it a "tax".
                         
          As Agu counts the change, an OLD WITCH WOMAN arrives from the
          bush. From everyone's reaction to her we can see she is the
          crazy of the village. All the BOYS watch her warily. The OLD
          WOMAN focuses in on Agu in particular.
                         
                                              OLD WOMAN
                    Enh!   You are not greeting me?
                         
          The old woman holds out a handful of groundnuts, dirty and
          greasy in her palms.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Witch woman. Nobody is talking to
                    her because every person is fearing
                    her.
                         
          The Old Woman talks while rearranging her ground nuts in her
          palm.
                         
                                              OLD WOMAN
                    These young person not behaving
                    well anymore, just acting like
                    animal. But it is okay.
                                       (TO AGU)
                    Trouble go follow you.
                         
                                             AGU
                    No trouble go follow me. I am a
                    good boy.
                         
          A Bush Taxi zooms PAST, barely missing the old woman.
                                                                   4.
                         
                         
                                             BIG BROTHER
                    Trouble go touch you old woman if
                    you stay standing in the middle of
                    the road.
                         
                                             OLD WOMAN
                    I am knowing you, boy. I am knowing
                    your family. And trouble go follow
                    all of you. Thieves! Throw an old
                    woman like me from her land! Devil
                    go bless your family!
                         
          Another bush taxi zooms by as she goes on her way RANTING to
          herself.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    I have a good family.
                         
                         
          INT. AGU'S CLOSED PRIMARY SCHOOL (FLASHBACK) - DAY
                         
          Agu's FATHER (30's) teaches a primary school class about
          African fauna. Agu can barely stay awake as he looks out the
          window. Father snaps his fingers in his face, asking "Where
          do the lions live, Agu?" Agu responds, "In the zoo."
                         
                              AGU   (V.O.)
                    My Father was   a teacher. But since
                    war is making   it so we have no more
                    school, he is   keeping busy.
                         
                         
          EXT. NATIONAL HIGHWAY - IDP CAMP - DAY
                         
          FATHER, who is Agu's father, directs the building of a
          makeshift INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSON (IDP) camp along with
          the PARAMOUNT CHIEF.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    He and the Paramount Chief cut some
                    of our land so that all of the
                    refugees can be having a place to
                    be staying. Mother is saying he is
                    always doing good things.
                         
                         
          INT. AGU'S HOME - NIGHT
                         
          Agu lays on his MOTHER's (30's) back as he reads out loud
          from a nature magazine. Father observes them while smoking
          his pipe. Agu looks up at his father happily, comfortable and
          safe.
                                                                   5.
                         
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Mother. Before she was having
                    children she was also being a
                    teacher, but she is saying raising
                    childrens is too too much work.
                         
                         
          EXT. KITCHEN HUT - DAY
                         
          Agu sits behind his MOTHER preparing dinner while humming a
          SONG. She QUIZZES Agu on the ingredients of the meal she is
          making.
                         
          He enjoys watching her work, his BABY BROTHER swaddled on her
          back as she SINGS.
                         
          LITTLE SISTER sits next to him, mimicking him.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    My mother is always working hard
                    for us and so I am thanking her by
                    working hard too.
                         
                         
          EXT. NATIONAL HIGHWAY - DUSK (FORMERLY SC. 16)
                         
          On the road home, Agu, comfortably sitting between his Big
          Brother and a friend, notices 16 REFUGEES walking TOWARDS the
          village, their meager items placed on their head.
                         
          For Agu, they are impossibly fascinating.
                         
                         
          EXT. AGU'S HOUSE - DAY
                         
          Big Brother takes a bath in an outdoor shower surrounded in
          thatch. He is covered in suds when he feels Agu peeing a warm
          spray on him. He clears his face in the pee and immediately
          tears after Agu.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Big Brother, he is more concerned
                    with his muscles, and his skin.
                    Sometimes I add to his products.
                         
                         
          INT. AGU AND BIG BROTHERS ROOM - DAY
                         
          Big Brother has captured Agu and is rolling him up in a thick
          carpet that makes it impossible for him to use his arms to
          escape. He looks like a tampon with a head as Big Brother
          props him up against the wall.
                                                                     6.
                         
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Big Brother is also concerned with
                    sleeping.
                         
          Big Brother is talking about sleeping with a girl in the
          village as he dances to music from a tape deck.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    I am not liking his music, and I am
                    not like his dancing, and if he is
                    playing it loud loud I do not know
                    how this girl will be sleeping.
                         
          Fuming, Agu looks like he is about to cry as he yells at his
          brother to be let go.
                         
                         
          INT. VILLAGE CHURCH - PREVIOUS SUNDAY
                         
          Agu sits uncomfortably on one of the church benches amongst
          hundreds of people listening to a PASTOR with his SUPPORT
          STAFF with MUSICIANS behind them.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    I am going to church every Sunday
                    with my family.
                         
          He looks up, distracted, at the spinning CEILING FANS. Mother
          pinches his leg, motioning for him to pay attention.
                         
          Big Brother is making eyes with a TEENAGE GIRL from across
          the aisle. She returns his affection coyly.
                         
          Agu looks at Father who pretends like he is dozing to
          entertain Agu.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Father is saying that Pastor is
                    thinking he can be talking so much
                    because he is having his Reverend
                    Doctorate -- that is making him
                    doctor of "talking."
                         
          On another pew, Dike sits with a well dressed family. They
          raise their chins in salutation as everyone stands to sing.
                         
                         
          EXT. VILLAGE CHURCH - DAY
                         
          The PARISHIONERS spill out of the church clapping and singing
          in a parade of music and dance. The church brass and
          percussion band BLASTING A CELEBRATORY TUNE.
                                                                    7.
                         
                         
                               AGU   (V.O.)
                    God is liking    music more than just
                    talking so if    we are singing and
                    dancing, then    He is listening to us
                    well well.
                         
                         
          INT. AGU AND BIG BROTHERS ROOM - FROM BEFORE
                         
          FATHER snatches the Tape Player from the shelf, hitting the
          machine to make it stop.
                         
                                             FATHER
                    What is wrong with you? You know
                    you cannot waste batteries on such
                    nonsense!
                         
          Agu and Big Brother can't help laughing as Father slaps the
          laugh out of Big Brother from the back of his head.
                         
                                              FATHER (CONT'D)
                                       (TO AGU)
                    And you? What are you doing?
                        (to Big Brother)
                    Unroll him.
                         
          Big Brother snaps the carpet, spinning Agu.
                         
                                             FATHER (CONT'D)
                    Agu. What are these?!
                         
          Father holds up several the plastic containers of food.
                         
                                              FATHER (CONT'D)
                    Well?
                         
                                              AGU
                    I...
                         
                                              FATHER
                    I?   I. I. I. what?
                         
                                             AGU
                    I got them from the Nigerians.
                         
                                             FATHER
                    We do not need handouts. We are not
                    beggars on the street. We are not
                    refugees. I work for this family
                    and I provide for this family.
                         
                                             AGU
                    But I earned-
                                                                   8.
                         
                         
                                             FATHER
                    You will return them.
                         
                                             AGU
                    Yes, Father.
                         
          Father looks at Agu a beat longer to ensure Agu understands,
          then he tenders a forced smile to release the tension.
                         
                                              FATHER
                    Good dancing.
                                       (TO AGU)
                    Go on, help Mother.
                         
                         
          EXT. KITCHEN HUT - DAY
                         
          Agu's Sister sweeps the grounds between the kitchen hut and
          the main house with a small wad of reeds fashioned into a
          broom. Agu grates a long reedy root into a bowl.
                         
          Inside the house, Agu spies FATHER resting on a chair while
          listening to the RADIO, a BBC-like AFRICAN CORRESPONDENT
          reporting...
                         
                              BBC CORRESPONDENT (O.S.)
                    It would seem things are changing
                    quickly within the interim
                    government. As of this morning, the
                    NRC junta moved to abolish all
                    political parties, further
                    consolidating their control of the
                    government in the wake of the
                    recent military coup...
                         
          Agu's GRANDFATHER sits on a bench. His eyes are open, staring
          into the courtyard, but he does not appear to be awake, flies
          buzzing around his milky eyes.
                         
          Agu walks in front of him, bending closer to look at him,
          makes funny poses, does "the robot." Grandfather does not
          react.
                         
                              BBC CORRESPONDENT (O.S.) (CONT'D)
                    Lieutenant General Sangania,
                    commander-in-chief of the armed
                    forces responsible for the junta,
                    stated in a recent press conference
                    that it was his intention to rid
                    the southern regions of the PLF...
                                                                     9.
                         
                         
          Agu leans in closer to his Grandfather, seeing that his
          father is not paying attention, he uses the long reed and
          tickles Grandfather's nostrils. His nose twitches but he does
          not stop Agu. Agu laughs to himself.
                         
                              BBC CORRESPONDENT (O.S.) (CONT'D)
                    He also condemned the Native
                    Defence Force militias, who he said
                    presented a threat to the very
                    fabric of national security...
                         
          Seeing Agu, FATHER turns off the radio.
                         
          Agu, realizing he is caught, turns towards Father but holds
          the straw behind his back.
                         
          Expecting to be yelled at, Agu's father says...
                         
                                             FATHER
                    It's okay Agu, do not be worrying.
                    We are in a safe place, we are in
                                   THE-
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    "-Buffer zone". That is why so many
                    refugee are coming here small
                    small. Many people are suffering
                    but we are not, here we are safe.
                         
          Agu walks back to the kitchen. In the background, we hear the
          BBC Correspondent back ON again.
                         
                         
          EXT. LOCAL WATER PUMP - DUSK
                         
          Agu and Big Brother fill up water for the evening's cooking
          and dishes. Big Brother's arms work hard to pump the water.
          He looks at Agu, contemplating.
                         
                                             BIG BROTHER
                    When I was your age, if I was doing
                    the same things you are doing,
                    Father would beat me. You are lucky
                    this war is happening.
                         
                                             AGU
                    I am not lucky. It is just because
                    everyone is liking me.
                         
          Just then some MEN passing by yell out, "Hello Agu!" Big
          Brother is ignored. Agu notices the teenage girl Big Brother
          likes passing by, so does he, pumping harder.
                         
          As she disappears down the bend, he motions to his arms.
                                                                  10.
                         
                         
                                             BIG BROTHER
                    When she is seeing these, her knees
                    must be wobbling with hunger.
                         
          Agu snorts with laughter now.
                         
                         
          EXT. NATIONAL HIGHWAY - SAME
                         
          As if the dialogue continues, Agu and Big Brother carry water
          on their heads.
                         
                                             BIG BROTHER
                    And you will see, I will be like
                    this with all the girls in town.
                         
          He kisses the air on each side of him several times, as if he
          were surrounded by women that wanted a peck on the lips from
          him.
                         
                         
          INT. AGU'S HOME - NIGHT
                         
          Agu, his Big Brother, his Father, his Mother, and his baby
          sister sit on the floor of the house around a large dinner
          plate of rice with cassava.
                         
          Agu feeds his Grandfather, who chews slowly, but again seems
          unaffected by his surroundings. When he can, Agu stuffs his
          face with food to catch up to everyone else.
                         
                                             BIG BROTHER
                    We are seeing that witch woman on
                    the road today. She is saying we
                    are thieves. Why is she saying
                    that?
                         
                                             FATHER
                    She is not right in her head. God
                    has taken away her ration. The land
                    we are letting the refugees use has
                    been in our family since before
                    your Grandfather, we gave her a
                    place in the camp but she refused.
                         
          Agu watches his father eat, slowly, tasting and appreciating
          every bite, smiling at Mother. Agu realizes his own way of
          eating is much more voracious and hasty. He mimics his father
          the next bite.
                         
                                             AGU
                    So she's crazy?
                         
          Agu burps involuntarily.
                                                                  11.
                         
                         
          Father looks up from his meal. Mother sighs as Big Brother
          joins with a burp, too.
                         
          Agu laughs, as Father joins in with his own long and
          bellowing BURRRRRP. Agu is in tears laughing.
                         
          They quiet down again, but suddenly Sister FARTS. They all
          are hysterical on the floor.
                         
          Eventually the laughter subsides and Father notices something
          beyond Agu.
                         
                                              FATHER
                    Enh?   What is that?
                         
          Agu looks over his shoulder.
                         
                                              AGU
                    Enh?
                         
          Father gets up and walks across the room.
                         
                                             FATHER
                    What is this?
                         
          Big Brother notices, too, and his eyes lead us to...
                         
          INSERT: on a TV WITHOUT its case. The tube and the knobs are
          dangling by its side. It is the TV that Agu sold.
                         
          Father lunges after Agu. FREEZE FRAME again.
                         
                         
          EXT. AGU'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                         
          Agu sleeps on the front porch, afraid to go inside.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    I am a good boy. But sometimes I am
                    sleeping outside so I am not having
                    to go inside and be getting a
                    beating.
                         
          The lights go out on the porch. Agu looks out over the town
          as all lights go out.
                         
          Mother lights candles and lamps and steps out over him to see
          what is going on in town.
                         
          Father walks over with his radio, shaking it for a better
          signal. She looks to him for an answer as a RADIO BROADCAST
          plays the voice of the LIEUTENANT GENERAL addressing the PLF
          and requesting they lay down their weapons in return for
          amnesty within 24 hours.
                                                                    12.
                         
                         
                                             FATHER
                    Why so fearful? Doesn't the light
                    go out all the time? It will come
                    back.
                         
          Mother holds onto Father. Agu watches them from the doorway.
          She turns towards him, adjusting her display of fear.
                         
                                             MOTHER
                    Go on Agu, go to bed.
                         
                                             AGU
                    No beating?
                         
          Father brings Mother in close, Agu waits for an answer.
                         
                         
          INT. AGU AND BIG BROTHER'S ROOM - MORNING
                         
                                              FATHER
                    Get up! Get up, now!    We are going
                    to church!
                         
          Father shakes Agu awake. Agu, still groggy, hides his face
          from the light.
                         
                                             BIG BROTHER
                    But it is not Sunday.
                         
          Agu sees his Father's stress. So does Big Brother.
                         
                         
          EXT. NATIONAL HIGHWAY - DAY
                         
          Agu and his family watch as a long convoy of NRC Junta Army
          trucks enter their town.
                         
                              PASTOR (O.S.)
                    It is saying in the Bible that God
                    is only helping those who are
                    helping themselves.
                         
                         
          INT. VILLAGE CHURCH - DAY
                         
          Agu and family are pressed against the wall, everyone drips
          with sweat.
                         
          Agu, between the towering adults, looks up at the fans but
          they are not turning.
                                                                  13.
                         
                         
                                             PASTOR
                    Isn't God protecting the Israelites
                    when they are having to leave their
                    own home?
                         
          Big Brother sees Agu struggling below and picks him up and
          puts him on his shoulders so he can see. Agu whispers to his
          brother...
                         
                                             AGU
                    Where is Dike?
                         
          Agu scans the room for Dike and his family, but cannot see
          them. The Pastor speaks from a podium while an ECOMOD
          CAPTAIN, LOCAL IMAM, PARAMOUNT CHIEF holding his golden
          talisman, a LINGUIST, ASSISTANT PASTOR, VILLAGE ELDERS, ONE
          FEMALE REPRESENTATIVE sit behind him.
                         
          Agu smiles to himself, the Pastor looks desperate to him.
                         
                                             PASTOR
                    We cannot allow ourselves to face
                    voluntary self-destruction. May God
                    bless us all!
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Reverend Doctorate.
                         
          Agu looks down at his Father to share his observation, but
          his father has a look that Agu has never seen before: fear.
          The entire room is gripped with it as they murmur their
          concerns and beliefs to their neighbors.
                         
                                             MAN #4
                    What about our homes, property we
                    leave behind? Our crops? Who will
                    protect them?
                         
          The crowd goes silent as the PARAMOUNT CHIEF leans forward.
                         
                                               PARAMOUNT CHIEF
                    Linguist.
                         
          The Linguist joins him at his side, leaning over to listen.
          The crowd leans in, knowing that the Linguist will only
          filter.
                         
                               PARAMOUNT CHIEF (CONT'D)
                    I am listening to the Pastor and to
                    the Imam, and the representative
                    for the women, and what they have
                    to say is wise, but not all of it.
                    It is right that we must be helping
                    ourselves.
                                              (MORE)
                                                                  14.
                         
                              PARAMOUNT CHIEF (CONT'D)
                    The NRC Junta telling us to be
                    running away is not acceptable. Our
                    forefathers have lived on this land
                    for centuries. It is our duty to
                    preserve it for our children.
                         
          The crowd adjusts and shifts nervously.
                         
                              PARAMOUNT CHIEF (CONT'D)
                    Now that the NRC has broken its
                    promise and entered the buffer
                    zone, we should be accepting ECOMOD
                    help and be sending women and the
                    small small children to safer
                    areas. But we who call ourselves
                    men must stay.
                         
          Some of the crowd reacts in favor of the Chief while many
          more MOAN in fear, drowning out the Linguist's call...
                         
                                              LINGUIST
                        (shouting over the crowd)
                    The Section Chiefs and their
                    deputies should be assembling after
                    this to discuss protection of this
                    village. We all must do our part.
                         
          FAMILIES ERUPT in protest. The crowd DIVIDES and breaks into
          arguments again.
                         
                                     MAN #2                          MAN #3
          How can the world be doing      We must all be leaving, that
          nothing if we have rebels so    is the only way.
          so close?!
                         
                                     MAN #1                          MAN #4
          Rebels over here, Army over     What about the refugees? Our
          there, it is so so bad. We      people must be helped first.
          will be squashed in the
          middle!
                         
                                             LINGUIST
                    The refugees are our problem, they
                    are our guests.
                         
          Insults are slung from across one side of the room to
          another, but the Chief is done and parts the crowd on his way
          out.
                         
                                             AGU
                    Father, I am not seeing Dike.
                         
          Mother looks at Father. Pleadingly.
                                                                  15.
                         
                         
                                             FATHER
                    It is my responsibility...
                         
                                             AGU
                    Father, where is Dike?
                         
                                              FATHER
                                       (SHORT)
                    Dike and his family are gone!     They
                    fled.
                         
          Agu and Big Brother watch Father push his way through the
          crowd towards the Paramount Chief and Elders, disappearing
          with other Section Chiefs.
                         
                         
          INT. AGU'S HOME - NIGHT
                         
          Agu and Big Brother listen through a wall as his mother and
          father argue. They play with flashlights over a game of
          draughts.
                         
                                             FATHER
                    He cannot be moved, he is an old
                    man. And I won't force-
                         
                                             MOTHER
                    Sometimes I am thinking that you
                    are having no sense at all.
                         
                                             FATHER
                    What is so irrational about staying
                    with your sister in the Capital, I
                    will be coming to meet you once I
                    am knowing everything is safe here.
                    I cannot just be abandoning my
                    responsibilities.
                         
                                             MOTHER
                    But then you are abandoning us.
                         
          Father throws his arms up in frustration.
                         
                                             FATHER
                    Just remove that thought from you
                    head. What are we just supposed to
                    be doing, then? Enh? Just running
                    into the bush and living like rats?
                         
                                             MOTHER
                    No, you are not understanding
                    anything.
                                             (MORE)
                                                                  16.
                         
                                             MOTHER (CONT'D)
                    Do you want me to be a refugee in
                    my own country, with three children
                    in my arms and no husband? We are
                    one family, we must be staying as
                    one family.
                         
                                              FATHER
                    I am not asking you. I am telling
                    you woman.
                         
          Father knows he deeply wounded Mother, but he also knows she
          will not argue further, even at the cost of their intimacy.
                         
                         
          EXT. VILLAGE MARKET - DAY
                         
          ECOMOD TROOPS stand next to a JEEP, TWO TROOP CARRIERS, AND
          SEVERAL CIVILIAN LORIES in the market. A CONVOY of TRUCKS
          filled with stuff and people piled on top muscles out of
          town, leaving them in a black cloud of exhaust.
                         
          The market is packed with men trying to pack their women and
          children into bush taxis, trucks, dump trunks and flat beds --
          any vehicle that will help them evacuate.
                         
          Father pulls his family towards one of the last cars to be
          loaded. The DRIVER, a flat and sweaty face with froth in the
          corners of his mouth, cuts him off-
                         
                                             DRIVER
                    Come back tomorrow.
                         
                                             FATHER
                    I am the Section Chief and this is
                    my family, there must be space.
                         
                                               DRIVER
                    No space.
                         
                                             FATHER
                    Just one woman and these small
                    small children.
                         
          The driver looks at Agu's mother, little brother strapped to
          her back, and sister, and then down at Agu.
                         
                                             DRIVER
                    And the little boy?
                         
                                              AGU
                                       (INSULTED)
                    I am not a "little" boy.
                         
          The driver, amused, reveals black teeth.
                                                                  17.
                         
                         
                                               FATHER
                    Him, too.
                         
          The Driver scratches his head doing basic spatial math: there
          are at least NINE people piled into the front and back seats
          of the station wagon. The trunk is filled with luggage as
          well as a pile on the roof towering at least ten-feet high.
                         
                                             DRIVER
                    And where are you thinking this
                    woman and child will be fitting.
                         
                                             FATHER
                    I am thinking this women and
                    children are more valuable than all
                    this luggage you have piled in
                    back.
                         
          He points to the front.
                         
                                             FATHER (CONT'D)
                    They can be sitting with you in the
                    front.
                         
          The driver laughs off the suggestion.
                         
                                             DRIVER
                    70,000. No boy.
                         
                                             FATHER
                    With the boy-
                         
          -The driver raises his finger to shush him...
                         
                                             MOTHER
                    We will find another way.
                         
                                                FATHER
                                         (TO MOTHER)
                    No!
                                       (TO DRIVER)
                    With the boy.
                         
                                             DRIVER
                    No bargaining. Or are you wanting
                    your woman to be walking through
                    the bush to the capital?
                         
          Mother looks prideful.
                         
                                             MOTHER
                    I would rather be walking then
                    leaving my child.
                                             (MORE)
                                                                     18.
                         
                                              MOTHER (CONT'D)
                                       (TO FATHER)
                    I am not leaving him.
                         
                                              FATHER
                                       (TO DRIVER)
                    Please. How much to fit the boy?
                         
                                             DRIVER
                    No boy.
                         
          TWO FAMILIES, seeing an opportunity, start OFFERING MONEY to
          the driver to take the Mother's space. Without recourse,
          Father starts pushing her towards the car.
                         
                                             MOTHER
                    No. No we cannot!
                         
          Father is picking up Little Sister to place her inside.
                         
                                             MOTHER (CONT'D)
                    No, I cannot!
                         
                                              FATHER
                        (whispering, consoling)
                    Do not scare them. You are strong.
                    You will be okay. Take care of them
                    and I will take care of our boys.
                    Now get in, there is no choice.
                         
          Father pays the Driver as Mother kneels down to Agu, unable
          to speak, on the verge of breaking down...
                         
                                             MOTHER
                    Remember to be praying praying to
                    God all the time and not to be
                    worrying, we will be seeing each
                    other soon.
                         
          She hugs and kisses him, grabs his hands, before turning
          away.
                         
          She slides into the front seat, the gearshift situated
          between her legs, Sister and Little Brother on her lap. Three
          more people between her and the passenger door. All are hot,
          uncomfortable, and scared.
                         
                                             AGU
                    Mother!
                         
          She cannot bear to be looking at Agu, Big Brother or Father,
          instead, she looks a the faces around her, and then forward.
                                                                    19.
                         
                         
          Father holds Agu by both shoulders in front of him. Agu
          begins to cry. He cannot see Mother. He tries to move but
          Father holds him back.
                         
                                             FATHER
                    You are with the men now, Agu. Be
                    strong, wave goodbye.
                         
          Big Brother is holding back tears as well, struggling just as
          hard to be strong.
                         
          The engine rumbles to a start spewing black smoke onto Agu
          and what's left of his family.
                         
          As the car pulls away, Agu cannot help himself, he breaks
          away and runs after the car, crying after his mother.
                         
                                             AGU
                    Mama!
                         
          Agu's brother grabs his hand and holds him back.
                         
                                             BIG BROTHER
                    Let's go home.
                         
          Father looks at them tenderly. The square, filled with the
          sounds of straining engines and crying families.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    And this is how it is starting.
                         
                         
          EXT./INT. AGU'S HOME - NIGHT
                         
          The last light of day.
                         
          Agu, Big Brother, his Father and Grandfather sit around a
          meager plate of rice and sauce.
                         
          They eat quietly. Agu doesn't like the taste of his father's
          cooking.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    If I am closing my eye, I am seeing
                    the rainy season and how in my
                    village, they are saying it is
                    always bringing change too fast.
                    You can be finding that the whole
                    world is washing away beneath your
                    feets.
                         
          Father feeds Grandfather, the activity helping keep his
          thoughts in order.
                                                                     20.
                         
                         
          Outside, THUNDER rolls, or   something that sounds like it.
          Father is acutely aware of   it, as if it could be artillery.
          Agu doesn't seem to notice   as the camera moves away from the
          family and out towards the   wet countryside.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    You can be walking on road and
                    finding that you are swimming in
                    river. You can be starting day all
                    dry and warm and then be finishing
                    with your clothes like another skin
                    on your body. Nothing is ever for
                    sure and everything is always
                    changing.
                         
                                                                           FADE OUT:
                         
                         
          FADE IN SOUND:
                         
          The SOUNDS OF BATTLE replace thunder. More coarse, piercing
          booms than thunder. Panting breath. Pattering feet.
                         
                         
          EXT. VILLAGE STREETS - DAY
                         
          Agu runs with his Father, Big Brother, and Grandfather down
          the middle of town.
                         
          Just behind them a contingent of 20 PLF REBELS descend on
          foot. Bullets zip by.
                         
          Agu and his family find a SMALL GROUP of civilians waiting on
          the ground, pinned down by gunfire. Some of the MEN from the
          Church with clubs and machetes.
                         
          Father nods to them, points in one direction. They shake
          their heads. He points in the other direction. They shake
          their heads no again.
                         
          They ALL slip between the stairs of the same building,
          assessing their situation. Rebels spread out on the hill
          overlooking the town.
                         
          There is no where to go. Father looks at his children,
          knowing it was a mistake not to get them out of town.
          Beckoned by a village man, the family runs across the road,
          Grandfather on Big Brother's back, into a building where
          other villagers are hiding.
                                                                  21.
                         
                         
          INT. VILLAGE BUILDING NEAR MARKET - DAY
                         
          Water leaks from the ceiling onto the group of TEN MEN and
          BOYS, their rudimentary weapons pointed towards the ceiling,
          squeezed looking and sometimes avoiding each other's gaze --
          exposing their fear and expectation.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    I am not feeling my legs. It is
                    like they are belonging to other
                                   PERSON-
                         
          Outside, the SOUNDS of battle come from all directions. It is
          an invisible looming threat heralded by a cacophony of high
          pitched projectiles, ground shaking explosions, and CRIES of
          the wounded.
                         
          BANG. Father looks out a small slit. He sees an NRC SOLDIER
          FALL from a sniper hit. The soldiers move for cover,
          seemingly held at bay by the nearby shooter.
                         
          He looks back at all the faces in the room with him. Fearful.
          Another shot rings out, it is near. He looks up and realizes
          the SNIPER is in their building.
                         
                                              AGU
                        (to his Father)
                    Will they be killing us?
                         
          A MAN slaps his face, but he cannot see who it was.
                         
                                              MAN
                                       (HUSHED)
                    Shut up!
                         
                                              MAN #2
                                       (WHISPERING)
                    If they are finding us...
                         
          Agu turns towards his father.
                         
                                              MAN #3
                                       (WHISPERING)
                    They will drive our body into the
                    bush, just leaving us for animal to
                    be eating.
                         
                                              MAN
                        (through his teeth)
                    Shut up, I say. They will be
                    finding us only if you keep
                    talking.
                                              (MORE)
                                                                     22.
                         
                                             MAN (CONT'D)
                    And if they are rebel they will be
                    cutting off our hand and holding
                    them to be shaking each other, is
                    that what you are wanting?
                         
          A STRING of BULLETS hits the concrete outside. Another
          EXPLOSION rocks the room. Agu's eyes fill with dread.
                         
                         
                      MAN #2                         MAN (CONT'D)
          And if they are Army they       Shut up!    Shut up!
          will just be shooting us.                                         
                         
                                              FATHER
                        (whispering to Agu)
                    Do not be listening to them, Agu.
                    No matter what happens, this is how
                    God tests us, we must be strong.
                         
          A SHRIEK startles them. Outside, SOLDIERS scream ORDERS to
          each other. They are VERY near.
                         
                                              MAN #2
                        (through his teeth)
                    I am rather to be outside than to
                    just be dying like animal inside!
                         
          Men murmur in agreement. Father sees a GOVERNMENT ARMY TANK
          turn the corner.
                         
                                             FATHER
                    We stay here, outside we die.
                         
                                             FATHER (CONT'D)
                    If we are running now, none of us
                    will be having a chance.
                         
          Nobody says anything. Then... BANG. Another shot. Father
          looks and sees ONE MORE downed Government Soldier.
                         
          BOOM. B-BOOM. The tank fires into their building. Rocking the
          structure and raining down water and chunks of cement. All of
          their ears are ringing.
                         
                                             MAN #2
                    We must go!
                         
                                             FATHER
                    You are killing us all!
                         
          Agu is shaking.
                                                                   23.
                         
                         
                                             MAN #3
                    If you are running fast, then the
                    soldier won't be seeing you.
                         
          Agu looks between his Father and Big Brother. His eyes
          tearing, his stomach churning with fear and nausea.
                         
                                             MAN
                    Shut up, quiet, they will be
                    hearing us!
                         
                                                FATHER
                    Stay down!
                         
          They break the door open. Light, air, and sounds pour into
          the room. Everyone SIGHS.
                         
          BULLETS obliterate the three men by the door. GOVERNMENT
          SOLDIERS appear in the doorway, everyone throws their hands
          up in surrender.
                         
                         
          EXT. VILLAGE SQUARE - MINUTES LATER
                         
          Agu, Big Brother, Father, Grandfather and several of the men
          sit on the ground with their hands on their heads. THREE
          GOVERNMENT ARMY SOLDIERS hold them at gun point, prodding
          them, shoving their heads, toying with them and tying them
          up.
                         
          Agu notices that some of the NRC SOLDIERS ARE CHILDREN just a
          couple years older than himself.
                         
          A GOVERNMENT ARMY SERGEANT interrogates them.
                         
                                             SERGEANT
                    Which faction are you fighting for?
                         
                                             FATHER
                    We are not fighters. We are from
                    this town. We were protecting the
                    stores.
                         
                                             SERGEANT
                    You are Native Defense Forces?
                         
                                             FATHER
                    No. I am a Section Chief. We were
                    tasked to stop looters.
                         
                                              SERGEANT
                        (to his Corporal)
                    Bring the woman.
                                              (MORE)
                                                                     24.
                         
                                              SERGEANT (CONT'D)
                                       (TO FATHER)
                    You are calling us looters?
                         
          GOVERNMENT ARMY Soldiers exit buildings and connecting
          streets carrying looted goods. They dump them into their
          trucks.
                         
          The Corporal returns with the OLD WOMAN from his jeep.
                         
                                             SERGEANT (CONT'D)
                    Do you know these men?
                         
          The old woman looks at Father, then at Agu and his brother.
          She shakes her head.
                         
                                             OLD WOMAN
                    I do not know them.
                         
          The MEN all YELL in protest. Agu looks angrily at the
          wretched woman.
                         
                                             FATHER
                    This woman, everyone knows she is
                    crazy. Just talk to her, Massah,
                    you will see she is not right in
                    the head.
                         
                                              OLD WOMAN
                    They are not from here, they must
                    be rebels.
                         
          The men protest. The Sergeant nods gravely.
                         
                                              SERGEANT
                    We, the armed forces of the
                    National Reformation Council, find
                    you to be spies and sentence you to
                    immediate and summary execution.
                        (to the soldiers around
                                        THEM)
                    Waste them.
                         
                                              FATHER
                        (looking at his boys)
                    Run!
                         
          The men rise, those who haven't been tied yet put their hands
          up and back away as the Government Army Soldiers shoot them
          to the ground, point blank.
                         
          Agu and Big Brother run.
                         
          Agu dodges around a corner as a bullet hits the wall beside
          him.
                                                                    25.
                         
                         
          Safely around the corner, he stops and looks over for Big
          Brother who was just a second ago behind him. Agu looks down,
          Big Brother is lying face down in a pool of blood. Agu
          reaches for his Big Brother as his body is pelted by bullets.
                         
          Reloading, they see Agu frozen in place. They aim to fire
          just as Agu regains his senses and runs.
                         
                         
          EXT. BUSH - CONTINUOUS
                         
          Agu slams through the bush, branches scraping past him. His
          flip-flops slapping the red mud. Flinging it all over him.
                         
          The sounds of WAR gone.
                         
                         
          EXT. BUSH - DUSK
                         
          Agu wanders on his own. Lost, confused, angry, his emotions
          overwhelming him.
                         
          He cries drunkenly, walking deeper into the wilds.
                         
                         
          EXT. FOREST TREE - NIGHT
                         
          Agu tries to sleep on a branch of a tree, he still cries a
          mournful sob.
                         
                         
          EXT. FOREST - LATER
                         
          Agu again wanders the intermittent bush and woods.
                         
          He finds one rotten fruit hanging from a tree. Devours it.
                         
                         
          EXT. FOREST CREEK - LATER
                         
          A small babbling creek. Agu drinks water. The sounds of
          animals in the forest suffocating.
                         
                         
          EXT. FOREST VILLAGE - DUSK
                         
          Agu finds a hunting lodge of some kind. It has not been
          inhabited for some time.
                         
          He digs through what's left. Finds some grains of rice in the
          bottom of a basket.
                                                                  26.
                         
                         
          EXT. FOREST VILLAGE - NIGHT
                         
          Agu has the grains of rice in an old pot with water. But he
          cannot start a fire. He throws the pot in frustration, then
          immediately regrets it, running over to it to see if any of
          the rice is left.
                         
          He cries again, more out of fatigue and hunger than sadness,
          there is nothing else he knows to eat.
                         
          He tries eating grass.
                         
                         
          EXT. BUSH - MORNING
                         
          Agu, stomach in pain, vomits.
                         
                         
          EXT. BUSH - DAY
                         
          Tired, hungry, thirsty, Agu walks aimlessly.
                         
          He sees a BOY, just a bit older than him, lithe and dark as
          coal, in tribal dress, a thin stemmed flower head dress on
          his crown.
                         
          Agu, stops, unsure if he is real.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    A forest spirit.
                         
          The boy runs away. Agu follows.
                         
                         
          EXT. CREST OF HILL - DAY
                         
          Agu crests the hill and into the valley below. He looks back,
          the boy is gone. He runs deeper down a path leading into the
          forest.
                         
                         
          EXT. BUSH PATH - FOREST - CONTINUOUS
                         
          Suddenly the forest animals go unusually quiet.
                         
          Agu stops. Looks around. The forest is dark and unwelcome. It
          looms over him, seeming to grow taller in his mind.
                         
          He bends down into the tall grass, watching the forest seem
          to move. Frightened, Agu lowers himself further, listening,
          watching.
                                                                     27.
                         
                         
          SILENCE. The forest seems to move from inside. He freezes,
          the hair tingling on the back of his neck, his mouth still
          wrenched from crying.
                         
          FOOTSTEPS. GRASS RUSTLES. FOOTSTEPS LOUDER. Then, MACHINE GUN
          FIRE zips over his head. The thick grass cut and pecked by
          bullets.
                         
          MEN rush and pounce past him but he cannot see them, he can
          only hear their desperation and equipment clanking.
                         
          Agu sees TWO PLF Rebels cresting the ridge line. POP POP,
          they drop.
                         
          He turns to see where the shot came from just in time to see
          a SMALL BOY -- machete in hand, a shortened rifle strapped to
          his back -- in mid-air jumping at him.
                         
          WHAM. The boy's foot lands with a thud on Agu's raised arm.
                         
          Agu SCREAMS, sure he has been killed, tries crawling away. He
          turns and looks. The BOY whacks him with the broad side of
          the machete.
                         
          Agu SCREAMS and CRIES harder, curling like a beaten dog.
                         
          The boy hits him again and Agu relents. He sees a vision that
          makes him sure he is dead.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    This is what death is feeling like.
                         
          Out of the forest, a surreal spectacle: 50 NATIVE DEFENSE
          FORCE (NDF) SOLDIERS --- not GOVERNMENT or PLF REBEL ---
          emerge from the edge of the forest.
                         
          They look like they are wearing the costumes of some tribal
          warrior ceremony. Their heads and bodies in elaborate grass
          wraps and crowns, amulets hang from their bodies.
                         
          ONE is stark NAKED except for lengths of belt-fed bullet
          chain wrapped around his body and leading into his GPMG.
                         
          They are ALL young, in their twenties, some boys in their
          teens and even younger.
                         
          Agu, hypnotized by their colorful, yet vigilant and potent
          presence, is in awe, until another BOOT pins him to the
          ground.
                         
          HANDS roughly turn him over. His shirt is yanked over his
          head and used to tie his arms behind his back. He is shoved
          again, YELLED at, TAUNTED, until...
                                                                  28.
                         
                         
                                               VOICE
                    Make way!
                         
          SOMEONE is approaching from behind them, the NDF Soldiers
          finish tying Agu's arms, then step back in respect and watch
          a MAN pass, followed by an ENTOURAGE OF 10 more NDF Soldiers:
          his AIDE, CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER, BODY GUARDS, and CONTROLLER
          GUARD (a MAN who holds what equates to a Roman Eagle Staff
          adorned in tribal motifs) as well as a contingent of his
          SMALL BOY UNIT (SBU).
                         
          This MAN moves slowly, like someone who can afford to take
          his time. His clothing tribal with a distinctive chief-like
          flare to it. There is no question, he is the boss, he is
          their COMMANDANT.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT
                    Why is this thing here on the
                    ground?
                        (no one responds)
                    Who is catching this thing?
                         
          The BOY who attacked Agu salutes Commandant. The Commandant
          addresses him...
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Strika. Is it you who is finding
                    this thing?
                         
          Strika nods his head proudly. Agu avoids looking at Strika as
          he passes him again.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Enh! Strika? Untie him.
                        (to the other NDF Soldiers)
                    So all of you grown men here, and
                    it is Strika who is finding a
                    prisoner?
                         
          He kneels down next to Agu as more men emerge from the bush,
          carrying clothing and loot.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                        (addressing Strika but
                                        STUDYING AGU)
                    Where are you finding him?
                         
          Strika points to the ground.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Here? Is that right... where is Two-
                    I-C? Two-I-C!
                                                                  29.
                         
                         
          Commandant looks at FAST KILL and BONE, two of his
          BODYGUARDS. They yell as the human telephone courses deeper
          into the bush.
                         
                               FAST KILL AND BONE
                    Two-I-C!
                         
          Through the rustling grass, a THIN MAN emerges with a small
          SQUAD of MEN. His skin sweaty and yellow like tanned leather.
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    Commandant, sah!
                         
          The Commandant motions for him to approach.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    What are we to be doing with this
                    thing?
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    This thing? It is just a boy.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT
                    A boy.
                         
          Two-I-C is about to explain when Commandant raises his finger
          to quiet him. Now addressing him in front of the soldiers.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    A boy is nothing? A boy is
                    harmless?
                         
          Commandant looks at the NDF Small Boy Unit Soldiers near him.
          They scream in unison...
                         
                                             NDF SBU
                    Harmless no, sah!
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Does a boy not have eyes to see?
                         
                                             NDF SBU
                    Two eyes, sah!
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    A boy has hands to strangle!
                         
          NDF SBU Soldiers laugh.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    And fingers to pull a trigger.
                    BUAH!
                         
          Commandant simulates firing a gun towards the bush.
                                                                  30.
                         
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    A boy is not harmless.
                         
          He looks at the men.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    A boy is very dangerous.
                                       (TO STRIKA)
                    Strika, are you trying to be eating
                    this boy?
                         
          Strika shakes his head no, smiling devilishly.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    I am looking at you. You are not
                    seeming like soldier to me. Show me
                    your fingers.
                         
          Agu raises his open hands.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Your hands are like babies hands.
                    What were you doing here? Why are
                    you just laying by the ground like
                    one dead rat?
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    Sah? We need to be move-
                         
                                              COMMANDANT
                    I said wait.
                                       (TO AGU)
                    You are from Alpha Town?
                         
          Agu nods, shyly.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    You should be telling me.
                         
          Two-I-C swears under his breath while looking nervously at
          black smoke rising above the trees in the distance.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Just tell me and I will be helping
                    you.
                         
                                             AGU
                    My father is telling me to run.
                    Run far far so the Army Soldier is
                    not catching me and killing me. And
                    then, and then I am just hiding in
                    the bush and running running...
                                                                    31.
                         
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    And where is this your father?
                         
          Agu cannot form the words, but the thought of it again angers
          and saddens him. Commandant scratches his chin.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Alpha Town? The army is killing
                    your father?
                         
          Agu nods, still looking at the Commandant's pistol. The
          Commandant leans down towards him.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    We have just come from Alpha Town.
                    It is burned to the ground.
                         
          Agu shakes his head, he feels waves of emotion swelling
          inside of his chest.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Are you hungry?
                         
          Agu nods yes. He bites his lips, trying to hold back tears.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Thirsty?
                         
          Agu nods yes, again. Commandant motions to Strika, who
          immediately runs off.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    If you are wanting drink, you will
                    drink, but that is having to wait
                    until you are telling me your name.
                    Are you hearing me?
                         
          Agu nods, tears streaming involuntarily.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Everybody is calling me Commandant.
                    What is everybody always calling
                    you?
                         
                                              AGU
                                       (ALMOST INAUDIBLY)
                    Agu.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Say it like you are proud of it.
                         
                                              AGU
                    Agu.
                                                                     32.
                         
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Agu, enh? Well, that is what I
                    will be calling you then.
                         
          Strika returns with a bag of water. He gives it to
          Commandant, he tosses it to Agu. Agu tears the corner of the
          water bag with his teeth and drains the water from the bag.
                         
          Two-I-C scoffs. Agu looks back and forth between the two of
          them, he does not know what to say.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Leave this one with me. I will take
                    this one under my charge, turn him
                    into a warrior. Is that what you
                    want? Do you want to be fighting
                    the Army that is killing your
                    father?
                         
          Agu nods. Two-I-C has had enough...
                         
                                                TWO-I-C
                    Formation!
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    You should be saying yes.
                         
                                                AGU
                    Yes.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Say yes, sah.
                         
                                                AGU
                    Yes, sah.
                         
          The Commandant squints in approval, turns away and walks
          towards the front of his men. He nods to Two-I-C.
                         
                                                COMMANDANT
                    Move on!
                         
          The other NDF Soldiers follow suit.
                         
          C/O RAMBO, a dark and muscular COMPANY COMMANDER with sharp
          eyes and a red bandana (like the real Rambo), pushes Agu into
          line and places several heavy bands of ammunition over his
          shoulders.
                         
          Next in line are a DOZEN CIVILIANS who carry generators,
          jerry cans, palm oil, water, rice bags and other looted goods
          for the NDF soldiers.
                                                                    33.
                         
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Mother, glory be to God in the
                    Highest. I am still living... but I
                    am soldier now.
                         
                         
          EXT. JUNGLE PATH - DAY
                         
          Commandant's NDF Soldiers march through the jungle. Agu
          struggles under the weight of his load but keeps pace.
                         
          Everyone is deathly quiet, the sounds of the jungle, the
          birds, the insects, buzz over the creaking of trees under the
          heat.
                         
                         
          EXT. JUNGLE WATERFALL - DAY
                         
          The NDF, in a long single file line, snake their way past
          several waterfalls.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF JUNGLE PATH - DAY
                         
          Nature is alive everywhere around them. They seem to move
          like they are invisible to all the animals in the jungle.
                         
          Agu concentrates on moving his feet through the wet
          underbrush, wary of the animals that could bite him. A great
          shadow sweeps over them.
                         
          Agu looks up to see the blades of a helicopter, so large it
          seems to move in slow motion. He stares at it in hypnotic
          wonder.
                         
          When he looks down, he sees that all the NDF Soldiers have
          dived for cover. Rambo pulls Agu down into the underbrush. He
          is calm, but he whispers to Agu...
                         
                                             RAMBO
                    Botu botu botu.
                         
          He points to the helicopter in the sky, then slides his
          finger over his neck.
                         
          Agu looks up at it again, his face gaunt with hunger.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Botu botu botu.
                                                                     34.
                         
                         
          EXT. JUNGLE HILL - DAY
                         
          At the front of the line, Commandant raises his hand and
          everyone stops.
                         
          An NDF SCOUT steps out from behind a tree. They salute each
          other.
                         
          Rambo taps Agu's shoulder.
                         
                                             RAMBO
                    Water.
                         
          Agu dumps the ammunition and grabs a plastic jug of water to
          distribute to the soldiers.
                         
          At the head of the line Commandant picks up a thick baton-
          like stick from between the tall ribboned roots of a giant
          buttress tree. He swings the baton into a ribbon and it BOOMS
          like a bass drum, the entire trunk turned into a resonator.
                         
          ANGLE WIDE above the canopy of the jungle as the tree, which
          looms over the other trees, reverberates.
                         
          The sound startles Agu in the midst of pouring a cup of water
          for a soldier, GRIOT. The naked warrior, TRIPOD, stomps past
          him. He looks like a giant next to Agu.
                         
          Commandant and everyone wait. BOOM BOOM - a distant retorting
          response.
                         
          Commandant signals his men to move forward. Agu runs back to
          pick up the bands of ammunition as the troops now move ahead
          past Commandant up the valley walls.
                         
                         
          EXT. EDGE OF NDF CAMP, FIRE POST - DAY
                         
          NDF soldiers file past an entrenched bunker that looks out
          over the valley. An NDF PICKET fires in the air, announcing
          and celebrating their return.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF JUNGLE CAMP - DAY
                         
          Commandant, Agu and the rest of the company exit the denser
          woods, revealing an extensive camp housing 400 NDF
          combatants. It is constructed from a mixture of older thatch
          huts and lean-tos, haphazardly dispersed in a covered section
          of the jungle with a parade ground at its center.
                         
          An open grass field lies just beyond where soldiers play
          football.
                                                                     35.
                         
                         
          The NDF Soldiers greet their COMRADES who also fire into the
          air in celebration, as well as handing over loot and goods
          carried by the CIVILIANS to the CHIEF SUPPLY OFFICER.
                         
          The rest of the soldiers disperse into their places in camp.
          Some continue conversing with friends as they remove all
          their heavy equipment, some slouch into corners to relax and
          rest, others light joints and take other sundry drugs.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF JUNGLE CAMP - SAME
                         
          Commandant hands Agu over to Two-I-C for deployment. Two-I-C,
          busy with the CIVILIAN PORTERS, ignores Agu until he is done.
                         
                                              TWO-I-C
                        (to the Civilians)
                    ...to protect life and property. If
                    you are wanting to stay, then stay,
                    but you must be initiated.
                         
          All agree to stay. Two-I-C looks down at Agu.
                         
                                               COMMANDANT
                    Two-I-C.
                         
                                               TWO-I-C
                    Yes, suh.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    This baby boy is your
                    responsibility now. Train him.
                         
          Commandant salutes and walks away with his detail.
                         
                                              TWO-I-C
                    Yes, sah.
                        (yelling to another)
                    C/O Hope!
                         
          Hope runs up to Two-I-C and salutes him.
                         
                                               HOPE
                    Yes, suh.
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    This baby boy is your
                    responsibility now. Train him.
                         
          Two-I-C points to Agu and walks away. Hope appraises Agu
          dispassionately.
                                                                  36.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF JUNGLE CAMP - DUSK
                         
          A COOK, holding a dog and smoking a cigarette, dispenses rice
          and sauce from the back of a hut to Hope and his NDF Small
          Boy Unit Soldiers. Others exchange cartons of cigarettes for
          other extras, peppers and juicier cassava chunks and more
          rice.
                         
          TEN NDF SBU Soldiers, including the boys Strika, Hope, Griot
          (17), PREACHER (16), JUSTICE (13) and CHICKEN LEGS (15)
          collect their ration and sit around a fire to eat. Agu is
          ignored. He has no bowl.
                         
          Agu, hungry, watches them with hawkish and ravenous eyes.
          They use their fingers, licking every last drop of food.
          Preacher sings a song as he finishes his bowl of food and
          lets it drop.
                         
          Agu dives for it. He runs to where the cook was dispersing
          food but there is none left. The DOG, the Cook's pet, licks
          the rest.
                         
          Despondent, he uses his hands to gather what little is left
          in his own bowl, then drops to the level of the dog and
          competes for scraps.
                         
          An NDF Soldier, Chicken Legs, chastises Agu...
                         
                                             CHICKEN LEGS
                    Enh? What are you doing?
                         
                                             AGU
                    I carried ammunition and water all
                    day.
                         
                                             CHICKEN LEGS
                    You think you are a soldier now?
                         
          He is kicked back away from the pot by the COOK holding his
          dog.
                         
                                             NDF COOK
                    Stealing from a dog?
                         
                                             AGU
                    Which one of you is the dog?
                         
          The soldiers chuckle as Agu retreats. Commandant, wearing A
          HOODED CAP, calls Strika to him while holding out extra food,
          Agu watches him go enviously.
                                                                   37.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF GRASSY FIELD - DAY
                         
          Agu and 75 other NDF Soldiers are spread out, advancing
          slowly in a crouched position. The CIVILIANS (who were
          porters) and Agu use wooden weapons, the rest real rifles.
                         
                              C/O RAMBO
                    In the battlefield, do not expect
                    to be thinking normally. The only
                    thing mattering is the mission of
                    the NDF. Fight and kill anyone who
                    destroys the peace.
                         
          SCARECROW effigies are lined up on pikes for target practice.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Mother, I am not knowing if I will
                    ever be seeing you again. But Two-I-
                    C is saying small small we are
                    winning this war, and then, God
                    willing, I can be finding you.
                         
          Commandant observes the new recruits as he relaxes with his
          head in his improvised refrigerator/air conditioning unit.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    They are calling him...
                         
          Preacher leans in towards Agu.
                         
                                              PREACHER
                    The man who is driving the enemy to
                    madness...
                         
          Rambo repositions them. Griot adjusts Agu's stance, in
          reference to Commandant...
                         
                                             GRIOT
                    He is treating death like lover.
                         
          Agu sees COMMANDANT, surrounded by subordinates in a tent,
          talking in relaxed fashion in the heat.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF JUNGLE CAMP - DAY
                         
          Agu listens as Hope and the other SBU soldiers clean their
          rifles.
                         
                                             HOPE
                    He is eating people.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    I am not eating people, Hope-
                                                                  38.
                         
                         
          Hope, caught off guard, as Commandant passes with TWO of his
          BODYGUARDS.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    You can eat a man and take their
                    power, it is true, but I taste
                    their fear in the meats. I can take
                    their juju just by looking at them
                    in the eyes, so why must I eat
                    their fear?
                         
          He makes a chomping with his jaw towards Hope, which makes
          him jump.
                         
          Commandant laughs. As he leaves he pats Strika on the head.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF PARADE GROUNDS - DAY
                         
          Agu listens to Commandant amongst the full battalion of NDF
          soldiers.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Native Defense Forces!
                         
                                             NDF SOLDIERS
                    Strong, proud, and intelligent!
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    How does the Commandant look?!
                         
                                              NDF SOLDIERS
                    Alright!
                         
          Commandant enjoys these moments with his men.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF JUNGLE CAMP ROCK - DAY
                         
          Agu and SEVEN NEW NDF SOLDIERS sit in a tight circle as Two-I-
          C rattles off a complex breakdown of the war's politics.
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    ...weakened by the PLF's outside
                    pressure. The National Reformation
                    Council took advantage of this
                    instability and militarily seized
                    power to restore UPC dominance. We
                    NDF refuse to recognize this
                    illegitimate government.
                                                                     39.
                         
                         
          EXT. PRIESTS JUNGLE CAMP - DAY
                         
          Agu, THREE ADOLESCENTS, and NINE CIVILIANS stand in a small
          opening in the jungle, a thatched fence, some 20 meters in
          diameter, fends off the jungle. Effigies and human skulls
          adorn the entrance.
                         
          In front of them are smoky fires boiling medicinal pots and
          drying herbs on a thatch platform placed several feet over
          the fires.
                         
          A chanting CHIEF PRIEST leans in close to Agu's face. THREE
          INITIATORS inscribe messages from the Koran with black ink on
          wooden tablets.
                         
                              COMMANDANT (O.S.)
                    The rains are coming, Gentlemen.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF PARADE GROUNDS (INTERCUT) - DAY
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    You are knowing what that is
                    meaning. Mosquitoes, sickness,
                    muddy squalor. Suffering if we are
                    caught with our "soldiers" hanging
                    out.
                         
          The men laugh at the "penis" allusion, but they know the
          rains mean change.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF JUNGLE CAMP ROCK (INTERCUT) - DAY
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    ...the Junta will tell the
                    international community that we NDF
                    are the reason this war continues.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF PARADE GROUNDS (INTERCUT)
                         
                                              COMMANDANT
                    You, Hope, and you, Rambo, you are
                    not from the same tribe as him.
                        (he points towards Hope)
                    But you are brothers before your
                    enemy.
                         
          Hope, Rambo and the troops hum in agreement.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    What drove us to this larger family
                    of strangers? Fear?
                                                                  40.
                         
                         
                                               HOPE
                    No, sah.
                         
                                               COMMANDANT
                    War?
                         
                                               RAMBO
                    Yes, Sah!
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF JUNGLE CAMP ROCK (INTERCUT) - DAY
                         
          Agu is perplexed by Two-I-C's explanations, the politics are
          beyond his understandings of the world.
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    The PLF could join the NRC, it
                    would legitimize their cause, make
                    us the sole enemy, and give them
                    freedom to roam formerly Government
                    controlled areas of the nation in
                    policing actions. If this were...
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF PARADE GROUNDS (INTERCUT) - DAY
                         
          Agu is swept away with Commandant, the spectacle, the
          reactions from the other soldiers he enjoys.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    We have defended ourselves against
                    criminal rapings and killings of
                    our own people, first by the PLF,
                    and now by the NRC government.
                         
          The men grow dark with this thought. Commandant seizes this
          sadness.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    But this has awakened a sleeping
                    beast, Gentlemen. It has put the
                    weapons of this war in the hands of
                    you, the young, and therefore, the
                    powerful.
                         
          He points to Agu, who raises his head.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    All of you, who were never listened
                    to before, who have seen your loved
                    ones gunned down, you have
                    something that speaks for you now.
                                                                  41.
                         
                         
          The men raise their rifles, growling a low pitched battle
          chant.
                         
                         
          EXT. PRIESTS JUNGLE CAMP (INTERCUT) - DAY
                         
          Agu and the initiates sit on the raised platforms engulfed in
          smoke.
                         
                              TWO-I-C (O.S.)
                    The new regime needs to control the
                    trade in resources for the
                    international community to waste
                    time recognizing them.
                         
          One of the INITIATORS lays a variety of leaves on the fire
          below them as the SCRIBES wash the wooden tablets into a
          large enamel bowl.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF JUNGLE CAMP ROCK (INTERCUT) - DAY
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    You see, the colonists have never
                    left Africa. Our very own
                    politicians will steal our
                    resources and give them away for
                    pennies in exchange for private
                    payoffs...but...
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF PARADE GROUNDS (INTERCUT) - DAY
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    They are licking their wounds. They
                    are feeling our sting. We, along
                    with our other brothers fighting
                    further south under Dada Goodblood,
                    we command and control what the NRC
                    needs.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF JUNGLE CAMP ROCK (INTERCUT)
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    The Grass People in the South East
                    control the lumber and gold, the
                    Clay and Charcoal people in the
                    South West, diamonds and rare
                    metals, and the Coastal people,
                    petroleum and fisheries. This is
                    the reason the NRC are trying so
                    hard to be calling themselves a
                    "reformation council."
                                                                    42.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF PARADE GROUNDS (INTERCUT)
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Reformation of what? Money. Old
                    men and money.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF JUNGLE CAMP ROCK (INTERCUT)
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    They have spit on the constitution.
                    They have spit on your rights. They
                    have tried to spit on your future.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF PARADE GROUNDS (INTERCUT)
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    War has spoiled their minds,
                    Gentlemen. So they could have
                    "their turn to eat.
                         
                         
          EXT. PRIESTS JUNGLE CAMP (INTERCUT) - DAY
                         
          Agu and the initiates are laid down in the open shallow
          graves.
                         
          The INITIATORS take the gray water from the enamel bowl and
          place the liquid into small bottles.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF PARADE GROUNDS (INTERCUT)
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    War is a disease. It sickens and
                    infects.
                         
          He leans down in front of a particularly fierce looking
          soldier.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    You want to be a "big man", or a
                    "small boy"?
                         
          The men laugh nervously.
                         
                         
          EXT. PRIESTS JUNGLE CAMP (INTERCUT) - NIGHT
                         
          Agu lays in the grave in a haze of smoke and fire.
                                                                  43.
                         
                         
                              TWO-I-C (O.S.)
                    That is why we must not forget that
                    we are the protectors of the
                    people!
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF JUNGLE CAMP ROCK (INTERCUT)
                         
                                              TWO-I-C
                    The richness of our nation is for
                    the young.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF PARADE GROUNDS (INTERCUT)
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    When there is an infection in your
                    foot. A deadly deathly sickness in
                    your limb that's going to kill you
                    slow slow, what do you do?
                         
          The men do not know. One in the back yells out "you go to the
          doctor!" Generating a chuckle amongst other men.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    So maybe they should be calling us
                    the doctor army and not the hunter
                    army? We have to be cutting off
                    that leg to save the body. That is
                    how you prevent the NRC/PLF
                    infection from spreading.
                         
                         
          EXT. PRIESTS JUNGLE CAMP (INTERCUT) - DAY
                         
          GOAT and CHICKEN sacrifices are made and stones are buried by
          the INITIATORS.
                         
          The Chief Priest pulls Agu out of the grave.
                         
                                              CHIEF PRIEST
                                       (IN MENDE)
                    You must die before you are reborn.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF JUNGLE CAMP ROCK (INTERCUT)
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    Tomorrow we mobilize for major
                    action, uniting all of our brother
                    warriors under Supreme Commander
                    Dada Goodblood, and with God's
                    blessing, end this plague, end this
                    war, end our oppression!
                                                                     44.
                         
                         
          EXT. PRIESTS JUNGLE CAMP (INTERCUT) - DAY
                         
          Agu is forced to run a gauntlet through a line of NDF MEN
          with sticks, branches, and clubs. He is hit hard and without
          mercy, landing on the other end with his arms battered.
                         
          ONE of the initiates falls from a blow to the head and Agu
          watches in horror as he is quickly dispatched.
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF PARADE GROUNDS (INTERCUT)
                         
          The men, aroused and growing in fury, grow louder as his
          speech culminates.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT
                    Young men! Gentlemen! We will not
                    wait to inherit it, we will not
                    wait for them to just give it to
                    us, we will take it, we will seize
                    it from their rotting and decaying
                    old hands.
                         
                         
          EXT. PRIESTS JUNGLE CAMP (INTERCUT) - DAY
                         
          Agu looks at the charred remains of the MAN who they
          dispatched on the smoking platform.
                         
                               COMMANDANT (O.S.)
                    Victory!
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF PARADE GROUNDS (INTERCUT) - DAY
                         
          Agu and the NDF Soldiers yell even louder, some FIRING into
          the air in celebration.
                         
                               AGU AND TROOPS
                    Victory!
                         
          Agu raises his fist in the air, swept by the energy and fire
          of Commandant's speech.
                         
                         
          EXT. PRIESTS JUNGLE CAMP (INTERCUT) - DAY
                         
          The CHIEF PRIEST gathers the charred pieces into a bowl and
          creates a paste from it. He performs a last ceremony with the
          cleansed initiates, slicing Agu's triceps, calves, back of
          his neck. He rubs the charcoal paste and medicinal herbs into
          the cuts. Then places amulets (bracelets, necklaces with the
          small bottles of ink, et al) on those cuts.
                                                                  45.
                         
                         
          The initiates are lined up. Commandant steps forward with his
          BODY GUARDS, they pump their SHOTGUNS and fire into the
          initiates. They flinch but the bullets do not touch them.
                         
          The Chief Priest blesses them one last time. In each of their
          mouths he places a ball of mashed rice (like mochi).
                         
          Agu, voraciously eating, hears the Chief Priest.
                         
                                             CHIEF PRIEST
                    Eat the enemy if you bring him
                    down. Become braver, his heart
                    becomes your medicine.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    The spirits have blessed you and
                    cleansed you. To the enemy, you are
                    invincible. But there are rules you
                    must follow to keep the spirits
                    happy, to remain pure.
                         
                                             CHIEF PRIEST
                    No sex with women. No touching
                    women. No talking to women. Stay
                    pure. No looting. No touching dead
                    bodies. No...
                         
                         
          EXT. NDF JUNGLE CAMP - DAY
                         
          Agu gathers supplies from the structures of the camp,
          Commandant stands over him.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Agu, you are a soldier now. The
                    only way is forward. Do not be
                    leaving any nice thing for the NRC
                    or the PLF to be using if they are
                    coming to this place.
                         
          Griot and Preacher poor kerosene as well over other buildings
          as we PAN and see the entire battalion is lighting up their
          camp.
                         
                                             CHICKEN LEGS
                    Advancing in the rainy season?
                         
                                             GRIOT
                    Everyone will be on zero-zero-one
                    now.
                         
          Hope shakes his head and grumbles to himself.
                                                                  46.
                         
                         
                                             AGU
                    What is zero-zero-one?
                         
                                             PREACHER
                    It is meaning you, me, we all be
                    hungry.
                         
                                             GRIOT
                    It means no breakfast, no lunch,
                    only dinner. If you are wanting to
                    eat when it is not dinner, then you
                    are having to keep your dinner from
                    before to be eating the next day.
                         
                                             HOPE
                    Or if we raiding or finding farm,
                    then we can be eating what we find.
                    Cow, chicken, baby... woman.
                         
          The FIRE roars to the sky, as their structures and shelters
          catch fire, the SOLDIERS start to file out of their camp.
                         
          COOK hands one baseball sized ball of garri to each soldier,
          including Agu, who smells it then quickly stows it in his
          rice bag backpack.
                         
                         
          EXT. JUNGLE PATH - LATER
                         
          NDF Soldiers disinter weapons and ammunitions caches wrapped
          in plastic, stored from many weeks previous.
                         
                              COMMANDANT (O.S.)
                    You are knowing this tree?
                         
          Agu sticks with Preacher, following him where ever he goes.
                         
                              AGU (O.S.)
                    It is Iroko. These other trees I am
                    not knowing, but I am calling them
                    children of the forest because they
                    are smaller than the rest.
                         
          The NDF decorate themselves with grass and leaves.
                         
                              COMMANDANT (O.S.)
                    When this tree is small, it is
                    looking so so like a cassava plant,
                    except that it has thorns.
                                                                    47.
                         
                         
          EXT. JUNGLE CREEK - DAY
                         
          Commandant and Agu stand under a tall tree, Commandant seems
          genuinely overwhelmed and inspired by the scale of nature.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    It is even having a root like a
                    cassava, but if you eat it, it will
                    kill you with its poison.
                         
          Agu hadn't learned that before.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    That is why you must be knowing how
                    to use your thorns. You kill before
                    you are killed.
                         
          Agu nods, watching the wind sway the tops of the trees.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    You will see the enemy is having
                    small boy soldiers, too, who can
                    kill before they can even speak.
                         
          Agu turns back to the Commandant.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    I have seen them do things that are
                    even making the Devil fall to his
                    knee to beg for mercy.
                         
          Agu nods, thinking he understands the analogy.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Have you killed a man before?
                         
          Agu shakes his head.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    You will. Today.
                         
                                                AGU
                    Yes, sah.
                         
          Agu salutes. Realization delayed. Commandant nods, pleased.
                         
                              AIDE (O.C.)
                    Commandant.
                         
          Commandant goes to his Aide holding out a radio. Behind, his
          entourage has laid a map on the ground to study.
                                                                    48.
                         
                         
                                              COMMANDANT
                                       (TO AGU)
                    You will destroy anything that
                    threatens us. As I would anything
                    that threatens you, understand?
                         
          Agu nods anxiously, his pride boosted. Commandant picks up
          his VHF Radio.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                        (to his radio)
                    Two-I-C, report.
                         
          Then, queasily, he sees Hope and Chicken Legs watching him.
                         
                                             HOPE
                    Don't worry, killing is easy.
                         
                                             CHICKEN LEGS
                    Besides, you already eating a man.
                         
                                             AGU
                    What do you mean?
                         
                                             CHICKEN LEGS
                    What do you think was that ball of
                    garri, the one you are eating in
                    initiation?
                         
          Agu, disgusted, notices Strika. His rifle dangling in his
          arms. He watches Agu blankly, Agu looks away.
                         
          Feeling Strika's eyes still on him, Agu looks back, and
          Strika is right next to him.
                         
          He holds up a fruit foraged from the jungle. He breaks off a
          piece, an offering, and shares it with a grateful but nervous
          Agu.
                         
          Chicken Legs pantomimes eating and touching a satiated belly.
                         
                         
          EXT. EDGE OF JUNGLE, NATIONAL HIGHWAY - DAY
                         
          The NDF Soldiers tear through the jungle towards its lighted
          edge. They hop scotch positions, some kneeling and covering
          while others move forward and spread out with speed.
                         
          The choreography dazzles Agu, turning around to watch,
          Preacher grabs his collar and reorients him to follow.
                         
          Commandant motioning with his hand, VHF RADIO in the other,
          down the command chain, C/O's, and Platoon Commanders each
          silently communicating hand orders.
                                                                  49.
                         
                         
          Agu runs with his Small Boy Unit past Commandant's position.
                         
                              HOPE (V.O.)
                    In an ambush you don't make a
                    sound. You get injured, you don't
                    make a sound. You see a snake, you
                    don't make a sound. You get bitten
                    by a snake, you don't make a sound.
                    You shut up! You take it!
                         
          The SBU spill out onto the road with limited commotion. Agu
          looks back to where they just came from, seeing nothing but
          green and a stretch of road 300 meters.
                         
                         
          EXT. AMBUSH LEFT FLANK - DAY
                         
          Agu watches the boys of his unit sniff a brown crystal powder
          (brown-brown) while waiting in a ditch of foliage on the
          other side of the road from the main ambush force.
                         
          Strika chews on a long root, Agu whispers to him...
                         
                                             AGU
                    They are calling you Strika?
                         
          Strika nods, putting his finger up to his lips to communicate
          "silence".
                         
                                              AGU (CONT'D)
                                       (WHISPERING)
                    Are you liking war?
                         
          Yes, with a nod.
                         
                                             AGU (CONT'D)
                    Are you liking killing?
                         
          Indifferent, with a shake.
                         
                                             AGU (CONT'D)
                    Is it easying to be doing?
                         
          Yes.
                         
                                             AGU (CONT'D)
                    Are you fearing death?
                         
          No, with a shake.
                         
                                              AGU (CONT'D)
                                       (WHISPERING LOWER)
                    Are you having parent?
                                                                     50.
                         
                         
          No.
                         
                                              AGU (CONT'D)
                    I am still having mother.
                    Somewhere.
                         
          Strika continues to chew on the root.
                         
                                             AGU (CONT'D)
                    What is that you are chewing on?
                         
          Strika rubs his belly as if to say it will make it feel
          better. He shares it with Agu, who puts it in his mouth.
                         
                                             AGU (CONT'D)
                    Are you liking Commandant?
                         
          Yes.
                         
                                             AGU (CONT'D)
                    Are you stupid?
                         
          Strika looks at Agu like he could punch him. He snatches his
          root back.
                         
                                             AGU (CONT'D)
                    Why are you not talking, then?
                         
          Griot hands the two boys a plastic container.
                         
                                              GRIOT
                                       (WHISPERING)
                    Morale booster.
                         
          Agu smells it. Nauseating. Chicken Legs stifles a laugh.
                         
                                              HOPE
                                       (WHISPERING)
                    It is good juju, making you
                    stronger and braver.
                         
          Agu sniffs, then as it drips down his throat, tries to spit
          out the rest.
                         
                                              AGU
                                       (WHISPERING)
                    It is tasting like licking rock.
                        (smacking his tongue)
                    And eating pencil.
                         
          Hope listens to his VHF Radio, turns to the rest...
                         
                                             HOPE
                    Shhh. They are coming.
                                                                     51.
                         
                         
          Agu notices all of the BOYS are lowering themselves even
          further into the bushes.
                         
          Preacher posted behind a giant, red-dust-covered leaf, hisses
          at Agu, covered in ammunition belts, to scoot down with him.
                         
          Agu notices the sudden stillness of everything, the only
          movement a swarm of mosquitoes descending upon them, he tries
          to beat them away. Then he feels breathing on his neck and
          turns slowly to see it is Strika.
                         
          Strika motions, signaling him to focus down the road. The air
          wafts in translucent tendrils over the pavement. Then he sees
          it, rounding a bend, the dust cloud of a CONVOY of TRUCKS and
          LIGHT ARMORED VEHICLES rolling in their direction.
                         
                               AGU (V.O.)
                    I am almost laughing and almost
                    dying, even though I am not feeling
                    like laughing. Inside my stomach
                    and heart it is feeling like fire
                    from a pepper. I am only thinking
                    about what is going to be
                    happening.
                         
          Three trucks becomes FOUR TRUCKS, then FIVE. Large Caliber
          machine guns are mounted on some of them, as well as
          GOVERNMENT TROOPS who look out into the green margins of the
          road with distrust.
                         
          The ground shakes as they roll over Agu's position. The
          wheels nearly as tall as Agu would be standing next to them.
                         
          Everyone waits in anticipation, biting lips and focused as
          the last truck passes Agu.
                         
          ANGLE FROM POV OF FIRST GOVERNMENT TRUCK
                         
          A SQUAD of SBU-NDF SOLDIERS scurry across the road like a
          fleeing deer. Only one stays behind, CHICKEN LEGS, stopping,
          turning, revealing, an RPG.
                         
          The PLF DRIVER, realizing, slams on the breaks. Grinds the
          transmission into a lower gear, then neutral, fighting to get
          it into reverse when. ZWOOOF -- the RPG slams into his cabin.
                         
          BOOM. The first truck's engine compartment shatters in a hail
          storm of shrapnel, fire and smoke into the cabin.
                         
          Hope signals aggressively. The SBU rushes onto the road
          dragging SPIKE STRIPS, RPGs and GPMGs. They ensure no
          retreat.
                                                                  52.
                         
                         
          For a second, nothing happens. Agu closes his ears, expecting
          more gun fire, then.
                         
          The GOVERNMENT TROOPS hold their rifles into the air.
                         
          ONE MAN in the convoy yells out...
                         
                                             ARMY CORPORAL
                    Please do not shoot us!
                         
          Agu grips his machete harder. Sweat beads all over his face.
          He looks around petrified, confused, excited.
                         
                              COMMANDANT (O.S.)
                    On the floor!
                         
          Agu sees SEVENTY NDF SOLDIERS emerge from the jungle,
          ANNOUNCING their presence with an echoing BARK. An impressive
          show of scale of force.
                         
                                             PREACHER
                    Agu, where is the fucking
                    ammunition?
                         
          Agu remembers he forgot the extra ammunition. He scrambles
          back down into the ditch as...
                         
          KPWAP! Agu flinches and ducks. Someone in the bush sprays the
          truck, bullets ricochet off of the metal door of the middle
          truck, a windshield is shattered. Then all the NDF soldiers
          open fire. It is a quick and effective slaughter.
                         
          Agu holds his ears. It all happened so quickly he didn't see
          the full carnage, but when he gets up, the trucks are chewed
          up and the men inside are dead.
                         
                              COMMANDANT (O.S.)
                    Disarm and disrobe them!
                         
          Rambo repeats the CALL, moves forward with another SBU squad.
                         
          Some of the Government Soldiers are crying, as Rambo's men
          kick away the weapons and yank off their clothes.
                         
          Commandant, his ENTOURAGE, and CONTROLLER, emerge from the
          bush with guns aimed and ready. He is proud of the catch.
                         
          Upon seeing him, NDF SQUADS move up the road to secure the
          front and down the road to secure their tail.
                         
          The SBU moves to join the CENTER. Agu walks past a few trucks
          and stripped soldiers with necks strained towards death.
                                                                   53.
                         
                         
          Hope grabs Griot and Preacher, jumps into the back of a truck
          and looks around, throwing useless items over the side.
                         
          Commandant and his entourage look for a healthy man and are
          disappointed by all the dead men. Finally, they find one, the
          CORPORAL, alive.
                         
          Commandant's Body Guards drag him to Agu.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Agu, come here, enh. Come here
                    right now. Come here. These are the
                    dogs who killed your father.
                         
          Agu looks disdainfully at the man quivering on the ground
          beneath Commandant, blabbering incomprehensibly, shaking his
          head at Agu. Agu's nerves fire off.
                         
          Out of the corner of his eye, ONE GOVERNMENT SOLDIER runs for
          the bush. He is nearly naked, his body glistens with his
          comrades' blood.
                         
          No one seems to mind. Then, MUZZLE FLASHES out of the bushes
          at the end of the road. KWAP, KWAP-KWAP. Flesh explodes from
          the man's thigh and scatters to the ground. He falls without
          screaming.
                         
          Our attention returns to the man held in front of Agu.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Agu, you will kill this man.
                         
          The Corporal moans dreadfully, pissing himself as he cries.
          The pool of urine from him and from Commandant is all around
          his flip-flops, mixing with blood.
                         
                                             ARMY CORPORAL
                    Please, Sah. I am an engineering
                    student from the university in the
                    capital. I am supposed to be fixing
                    bridges, not be a soldier.
                         
          Tears and snot run down his face.
                         
                              ARMY CORPORAL (CONT'D)
                    Please don't be killing me. Just be
                    making me your prisoner. Please, I
                    can be helping you.
                         
                                             HOPE
                    Sah!
                                                                  54.
                         
                         
          Hope jumps into the SECOND truck with a fist full of maps.
          Griot follows him holding a box and offering it to
          Commandant.
                         
                                               COMMANDANT
                    Open it.
                         
          Commandant and his entourage step back a little bit, just in
          case it's booby-trapped.
                         
                                             GRIOT
                    What is it?
                         
          Griot holds up a surveying scope. He offers it to Commandant
          who turns it around when his Aide interrupts and hands
          Commandant his rifle.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    No, no, this won't do.
                         
                                               AIDE
                    A pistol?
                         
                              CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER (CSO)
                    That is too easy.
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    Why not the cutlass?
                         
                                             CSO
                    Does he have the strength?
                         
          They look at Agu, who looks back, lost. They discuss amongst
          themselves, then point at his machete.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Rambo, seize him, hold his ass to
                    the ground.
                         
          Commandant unzips his pants and urinates on him.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Agu. See this thirsty goat. These
                    are the tyrants who murdered your
                    father.
                        (back to the Corporal)
                    Now look at him.
                         
          Agu grips his machete harder.
                         
          POP. POP-POP The NDF Soldiers shoot NRC survivors.
                                                                   55.
                         
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Remember what they have taken from
                    you. Remember your suffering and
                    turn it into hate for them.
                         
          NDF Soldiers, having finished off the survivors, collect
          supplies and check the function of the engines of the
          vehicles. They start to transfer supplies onto the lighter
          vehicles.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                        (in Agu's ear)
                    God and the spirit of your Father
                    is wanting you to kill him.
                         
          Commandant grabs Agu's hand, the one holding the machete and
          squeezes his own hand around Agu's.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Like this. Just bring this hand up
                    and knock him well well.
                         
          He takes Agu's hand and raises it high. Agu stares into the
          petrified man's eyes. He looks at his feet, urine and blood
          splattered on them.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Use all of your force, imagine the
                    blade sinking deep into him like
                    chopping a coconut.
                         
          Agu's face grimaces, as he gathers all his strength, he slams
          fiercely into the corporal's head. The blade splits the skin
          on the man's forehead and gashes his skull.
                         
          The man screams an unbearable, screeching, grating sound.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Yes! That is how you are dealing
                    with the NRC. Do it again! And
                    again and again until he shuts up.
                         
          The NDF Soldiers hold the Corporal up, goading Agu on.
                         
          Agu brings the machete up, swings it hard. KWOMP!
                         
          The man's screams as sound grows dim.
                         
          Agu chops again. The THUD vibrates up his arm, droplets of
          blood suspend in the air and sparkle.
                         
          Anger, memories of his father and his brother, gunned down in
          the street fueling anger he didn't know he could muster
          starts swinging harder.
                                                                     56.
                         
                         
          Strika walks over with his rifle and helps Agu. Together,
          they stomp and cut with increasing furry and vigor until the
          man's face becomes unrecognizable.
                         
          Agu, suddenly feeling sick, rushes to the grass to vomit.
                         
          Commandant pulls him up.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Watch his blood, Agu. That is
                    justice. That is what God wanted.
                         
          Agu looks up at Commandant, then at Strika. Common
          understanding, mutual blame, between them.
                         
          Agu wipes the blood from his face, the NDF Soldiers
          celebrate, firing into the air, SING and dance around the
          dead government soldiers. It is a great victory.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Mother, I have kill a man.
                         
          A mosquito drowns in blood. No one notices this but Agu.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    It is the bad sin and I am feeling
                    like I am dying inside, like each
                    breath can be my last and my heart
                    will stop its beating. But I am
                    knowing, too, it is the right thing
                    to be doing.
                         
                         
          EXT. NATIONAL HIGHWAY - DUSK
                         
          NDF SOLDIERS SING A RHYTHMIC SONG while organizing the looted
          clothing and weapons. SEVERAL are already dressed in the new
          clothes taken from the Government Soldiers.
                         
          Agu and Strika dig through one of the vehicles looking for
          any contraband. Agu finds CIGARETTES under a seat and shows
          them to Strika.
                         
          TWO CIVILIAN TRUCKS arrive from down the road loaded with
          SQUADS of Commandant's NDF forward strike troops.
                         
          Mechanics fix the engines of the lighter convoy vehicles.
          Supplies are finished loading. Platoons and Companies re-
          organize.
                         
          Machine guns and anti-aircraft guns are mounted on the
          trucks, turning them into improvised attack trucks: a.k.a.,
          TECHNICALS.
                                                                     57.
                         
                         
          Two-I-C hands Commandant one of the Government Soldier's
          nicer FN-FAL RIFLES.
                         
          Commandant checks the chamber, looks down the barrel from the
          breech, replaces the loaded clip into it, turns towards Agu
          and gives it to him. Two-I-C is surprised.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Always keep it with you.
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    If you are losing it, then I will
                    be losing you.
                         
          Commandant winks at him to affirm their pact. Strika
          approaches with some captured Army accoutrements in hand.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT
                    You are my Special Guards now.
                                       (TO STRIKA)
                    Both of you.
                         
          Strika stands at attention and salutes affirmation, as does
          Agu, mimicking Strika.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                        (to his CSO)
                    CSO. Take note and act accordingly.
                         
                                             CSO
                    Suh.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Agu and Strika are now my Special
                    Guards.
                         
          CSO, not knowing what that actually means, just agrees.
                         
                                             CSO
                    Yes, suh. Special Guards.
                         
          Agu sits down with his rifle, looking at it proudly.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Always be keeping it. If you are
                    losing it, then they will be losing
                    you.
                         
          Strika tosses Agu a pair of green army pants and an
          ammunition vest.
                         
          Agu holds them up. Far too large but he tries them on anyway,
          using a piece of hemp as a belt. He looks up to thank Strika
          but he is already chasing after Commandant.
                                                                     58.
                         
                         
          EXT. SAVANNAH - MORNING
                         
          The NDF Convoy cuts through the rolling countryside, past
          burnt frames of vehicles. Agu rides with Strika in the back
          of Commandant's truck.
                         
                         
          EXT. SAVANNAH - MORNING
                         
          NDF SBU Soldiers spread out in the bush, scavenge for food.
          Agu and Strika play, a rare glimpse of childish fun for them.
                         
          Hope and Griot chop through the plants when suddenly a BUSH
          RAT dashes out of its hiding spot. Excited, they swing their
          rifles around and OPEN FIRE, killing it and nearly killing
          each other.
                         
          Agu and the other SBU run to see what they shot when the horn
          of the CONTROLLER sounds off, like the WHISTLE of a tea
          kettle, heralding the distant thumping of a HELICOPTER.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Gentlemen! Cover! Cover!
                         
          Agu looks at Strika.
                         
                                                TWO-I-C
                    Cover!
                         
                                             AGU
                    Botu, botu, botu.
                         
          Vehicles are quickly covered with natural camouflage and
          netting.
                         
          ANGLE WIDE: the NDF BATTALION kneels, disappearing into the
          bush.
                         
          Agu, in the taller grass with Strika, Justice, Chicken Legs,
          Hope, Griot, and Preacher, watches the sky through the blades
          apprehensively.
                         
          The sound, its proximity unclear, suddenly nears. It circles,
          its THUMPING dangerously near. Agu can see the rocket
          launchers on its miniature wings.
                         
          Agu and Strika lay on the ground, staring into the face of
          the dead rat.
                         
          It seems like at any second they could all be destroyed, then
          just as suddenly, the sound of the helicopter fades and is
          gone.
                         
          Safe, they breath in relief.
                                                                  59.
                         
                         
          EXT. SAVANNAH TRAIN DEPOT, CAMP FIRE - NIGHT
                         
          The Small Boys Unit laugh quietly. Commandant sits with them
          at the fire.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    ...ooh, and they are having so many
                    foods to be eating...
                         
          Agu salivates, he is as hungry as those listening...
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    ...chicken, and cow, and goat, and
                    vegetable, and fruit, any kind of
                    fish you are wanting because the
                    fishermen are always bringing
                    everything from the sea. There is
                    nothing they are not having in this
                    place...
                         
          The fire twinkles in all the NDF Soldier's eyes.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    The best thing this town, this town
                    of abundant resources, is all the
                    womens.
                         
          The men smile to themselves.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Ah, woman in this place are just
                    too beautiful. If you just see
                    women here, before you are even
                    knowing it, your soldier is
                    standing at full `tenshun. They are
                    having breasts so soft and so round
                    that their clothes are rejoicing to
                    be holding them. And they are
                    having bottoms with specs so nice
                    that anytime they are sitting down,
                    the ground is also rejoicing. They
                    are knowing well well how to make a
                    man feel good with their kissing
                    and loving, kai! The last time I am
                    in this place, enh, my soldier is
                    hurting too much for me to even be
                    easing myself.
                         
          More laughter.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    You all will see, because that is
                    where we are going, gentlemen. You
                    will see it all with your own eyes.
                                                                  60.
                         
                         
          The men's eyes glaze over deliriously staring into the fire.
          Then a SOUND causes them all to turn, weapons up in defense.
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    Commandant, sir!
                         
          12 CIVILIAN REFUGEES stare in bewilderment at their
          encampment, followed by two NDF PICKETS who salute
          Commandant.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Who is this?
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    Refugees, sir. They say the PLF and
                    the NRC took their village three
                    days ago. They killed most, but let
                    these ones go.
                         
          Commandant stews on the intel. The SBU watch him, waiting for
          him to make a decision -- will it be battle?
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Well, let us be giving their
                    village back, huh?
                         
                         
          EXT. EMPTY LOT, BURNT VILLAGE - DAY
                         
          ANGLE WIDE over a burnt out village. Civilian trucks and cars
          smolder. A BATTLE is raging. From across town we see that the
          PLF defend a hill that the NDF are advancing on.
                         
          Commandant watches the progress through his SURVEYOR SCOPE.
          The NDF are held at bay by an RPG attack. They respond with
          fierce fire. Moving in open against bullets.
                         
          Commandant's main entourage all kneel behind him in the lot.
          THREE squads in defensive positions beyond them. Agu and the
          rest of the SBU stand near an unfinished wall. The sound of
          the occasional passing bullet shocks no one.
                         
                                              HOPE
                        (whispering to Agu)
                    See what the PLF does to you?
                         
          Hope points to a line of DEAD CIVILIANS. Their hands chopped
          off on a rock next to them. A WOMAN and a CHILD lay on the
          street, as if they laid down where they stood to take a nap
          and never got up. The woman's head unnaturally propped up
          against the wall staring permanently at her twisted feet.
                         
          A BULLET zips past and ricochets off the wall next to Agu.
                                                                  61.
                         
                         
          Agu looks around. He notices the smashed bullet at his feet.
          Just as he bends over to pick it up, where his head would
          have been, a bullet smashes into the wall. No one seems
          interested.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT
                        (into his radio)
                    Two-I-C?
                         
                               TWO-I-C (O.S.)
                    Roger.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT
                    Report.
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    We are facing heavy fire, suh.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Can you take the bridge?
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    I don't know, suh.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT
                    Explain.
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    It's very difficult, suh. Our     men
                    are fighting bravely but-
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    But nothing. Take the bridge, that
                    is your task.
                         
          Commandant motions for the MORTAR MAN to set up a mortar to
          help the HILL ADVANCE.
                         
                         
          EXT. ROAD TO BRIDGE, BURNT VILLAGE - SAME
                         
          Two-I-C and his forward operation team are hunkered down
          behind a building facing a PLF stronghold -- TWO MACHINE GUN
          nests with sand bags in front of the heavily defended bridge
          which looks like a former check point.
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    We need support, suh. The men's
                    spirts are low, suh.
                         
          Behind Two-I-C there is general chaos. The men are not
          advancing and many are retreating. JUSTICE is yelling at the
          men around him to help him carry an injured RAMBO to safety,
          but no one will help him.
                                                                  62.
                         
                         
          He is driven to tears in the chaos, spinning in circles
          trying to get a grown-up to help him as Rambo bleeds out on
          the street.
                         
                               COMMANDANT (O.S.)
                    Sustain.
                         
                         
          EXT. BURNT VILLAGE, CENTRAL INTERSECTION - DAY
                         
          Commandant lets his radio hang around his neck, watching the
          HILL BATTLE progress again.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Agu, Strika, come here. Look at
                    this.
                         
          Agu and Strika obey. Commandant holds the scope up for them.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    This is a very special device, you
                    can be seeing the enemy with it,
                    even when they are hiding.
                         
          Agu, through the scope, sees the FORWARD STRIKE NDF SOLDIERS
          unload and disperse.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    You see?
                         
          He motions for the mortar to fire. Agu looks through it while
          the first blasts force the PLF to scurry. Strika, impatient
          for his try, paces.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    It's magic.
                        (to the men)
                    I need volunteers! Who has heart?
                    Who wants to fight with me? Who
                    isn't afraid of bullets!?
                         
          The men ROAR BACK in affirmation. Commandant moves amongst
          the men, placing his hand on their chest, feeling their
          hearts.
                         
          When it's Strika's turn to look, Commandant interrupts his
          try by asking him if he has heart for battle. Conflicted
          between wanting to try out the scope and the call for battle,
          he affirms he is ready to fight while the "toy" is put away
          by the Aide.
                                                                    63.
                         
                         
          Commandant selects men and boys to go with him, those who
          aren't selected are pushed aside and kneel down in shame and
          disappointment. Amongst the selected are Agu, Strika, Hope,
          Chicken Legs, and Griot.
                         
          An AA technical rushes back around the market towards the
          intersection under a hailstorm of bullets and clouds of
          smoke, PREACHER is in the back firing back with RANDY and a
          couple other SBU's.
                         
          The Technical screeches into position at the top of the
          intersection leading to the bridge.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Chicken Legs, go!
                         
          Chicken Legs runs to the intersection with Griot in support,
          to fire an RPG down on the bridge.
                         
          The SELECTED TEAM, about 20 MEN and SBUs, advance towards the
          bridge.
                         
                         
          EXT. ROAD TO BRIDGE, BURNT VILLAGE - MOMENTS LATER
                         
          Commandant CHANTS a war chant, "no retreat, no surrender, men
          dropping, men moving". The men respond to the CHANT, all of
          them, a battle cry that rouses. They keep huffing into the
          chant as Commandant addresses them...
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    These bullets?
                         
          The WHISTLE of bullets increases and, where most rational men
          would duck, has no affect on Commandant.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    They are nothing. No one can touch
                    us!
                         
          The Commandant pulls a chanting Agu up near him and uses him
          as an example.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Are you afraid?
                         
          Agu shakes his head, even if inside he is afraid.
                         
          Commandant, along with Tripod and the Controller.
                         
                                               COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Moove it!    Gentlemen! Moooooove
                    it!
                                                                    64.
                         
                         
          The NDF SOLDIERS YELL again. A NERVE TINGLING BATTLE CRY.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    No retreat! No surrender! Men
                    dropping! Men moving!
                         
          The bullets whistle by angrily. Then, a tidal wave of wind
          and fire is laid down on them, tearing up a building's wall
          and wooden kiosks around them. The men do not flinch, they
          believe they cannot be hit, although some MEN do go down, the
          majority continues the advance.
                         
          Agu is astonished, but because everyone else keeps moving, so
          does he. To his left, Commandant smiles at him, loving the
          adrenaline of battle. TRIPOD prancing in front of them.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Agu, let me be see your aim, hit
                    that man.
                         
          Agu aims at a PLF running across the road. Pulls the trigger.
          Nothing.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Agu, it is on safety, what was Two-
                    I-C teaching you?
                         
                                             AGU
                    To always be leaving it off.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Off. How will you be firing quickly
                    if it is in safety? Enh? Listen.
                         
          Commandant takes the rifle, looks for a clean shot at PLF
          fighters. KWAP-KWAP. A man goes down. He looks back at Agu.
                         
                                                COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Like that.
                         
          Agu, safety off, fires. It nearly knocks him off balance. He
          looks at Strika and Commandant for approval, but their
          attention is on the PLF, who seem to be moving in from all
          directions now.
                         
          Agu, Strika, Griot, Hope, Chicken Legs and Preacher all
          yelling at the tops of their lungs as they go forward towards
          the Rebel positions, increasing in speed, bravado,
          fearlessness and ferocity.
                         
          As the PLF Rebels near the bridge, a hidden NDF company
          ambushes them, on their heels, they rush back to the
          intersection.
                                                                    65.
                         
                         
          ANGLE FROM the PLF REBELS. See the TWO Companies Commandant
          sent around the sides spilling out onto the road on either
          side of town. They too storm the PLF position recklessly.
                         
          The PLF, seeing they are surrounded, drop their weapons and
          run for the edge of town.
                         
          The NDF advance turns into a sprint. The bravado works, as
          they drop more retreating rebels.
                         
          Bodies, weapons, and ammunitions scatter the ground.
                         
          Agu looks for Commandant and Strika, his nervous system on
          fire.
                         
                         
          EXT. EDGE OF BURNT VILLAGE - DAY
                         
          Agu and the SBU patrol the edge of the town and jungle,
          picking up dropped supplies and loot from dead rebels.
                         
          Commandant stands over the bodies of SEVEN DEAD NDF SOLDIERS,
          amongst them, RAMBO. Commandant looks like he feels great
          remorse. Preacher, bandaged but alive, says a prayer.
                         
          ONE LIVE REBEL in underwear, arms tied behind his back, is
          being prodded by Chicken Legs and begging for his life.
          Chicken Legs shoots him in the hip. He falls, twitching.
          Chicken Legs enjoys his catch and takes his time finishing
          him off.
                         
          Agu notices that some of the RPG's are made of WOOD, as if
          they were theatrical props, he kicks one. Solid and dense.
                         
          BOOM. Chicken Legs shoots the PLF prisoner again. He turns
          over, his life slowly draining from him.
                         
          Agu sees ANOTHER BODY laying face down and quickly starts
          searching his pockets. He takes the bandoliers, smells the
          water bottle, looks in his pack, brown-brown in a foil
          envelope, batteries, and a small ball of cloth tied up with
          string.
                         
          He unravels it. Inside he finds GOLD NUGGETS. He looks at
          them curiously, unsure what they are, puts one in his mouth,
          bites it.
                         
          BOOM. Preacher finishes off the naked prisoner. His brains
          splattered on the pavement. No one seems to take note, by now
          a common practice.
                                                                     66.
                         
                         
          EXT./INT. COMMANDANT'S BURNT VILLAGE HQ - NIGHT
                         
          Agu calls Strika and shows him the gold. Strika looks at it
          warily, as if Agu shouldn't have it.
                         
                                             AGU
                    What?
                         
          Strika shakes his head and motions to follow him. Agu sighs
          as he obliges.
                         
          They salute and pass Commandant's body guard and enter an
          abandoned post office. Strika leaves Agu behind at the
          doorway of Commandant's room, motioning for him to go in.
                         
                         
          INT. COMMANDANT'S HQ - SAME
                         
          Agu listens as Commandant speaks via radio to SUPREME
          COMMANDER Dada Goodblood on the other end. It's a close
          conversation. Strategy. Something mentioned about an
          intersection of highways. Cut offs to the Capital. And
          Commandant being promoted, soon, to General.
                         
          His silhouette paces around in the lantern light. Maps are
          laid out on the floor. He kneels down, studying them.
                         
          Agu coughs, to call attention to himself.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT
                        (still studying the maps)
                    Sit.
                         
          He points to his cot across the room. Agu enters, careful not
          to step on any of the maps spread out on the ground.
                         
          Agu places the WAD WITH THE GOLD NUGGETS on Commandant's
          table, then obediently waits next to the cot, watching
          Commandant studying the map.
                         
          Commandant stops, notices the wad, curious, opens it, drops
          its contents in his hands. He looks up at Agu, impressed.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    You fought bravely today, Agu.
                         
                                             AGU
                    Thank you, sah.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    You see what happens when the men
                    listen to me?
                                                                  67.
                         
                         
                                                 AGU
                      Yes, sah.
                         
          Commandant lays out a line of brown-brown. He snorts it and
          beckons Agu to do the same. Agu, having seen others do this,
          knows how, but has never experienced it. He sniffs eagerly.
          The Brown-brown going straight to his head.
                         
                                               COMMANDANT
                      You are wanting to know how to be
                      leading?
                         
                                               AGU
                      No, sah. I am happying to be
                      following you, sah.
                         
          His nose tingles.
                         
                                               COMMANDANT
                      That is good, Agu, because there is
                      no learning to be leading. Some men
                      is born to leading, other is born
                      to following, and other is only
                      waiting to be dying.
                         
                                               AGU
                      I am following you, sah.
                         
                                               COMMANDANT
                      No, Agu. You are different. You are
                      reminding me of me when I was a
                      little boy, and this means you are
                      borning to be leader. But even the
                      best leader Agu, must first be
                      learning to be good follower.
                      Sometimes I even have to be
                      following the Supreme Commander, if
                      when I am not agreeing.
                         
                                               AGU
                      Yes, sah. I am a good follower,
                      sah.
                         
          Commandant points at the map. Lines of two highways intersect
          near the bottom center. He points at it.
                         
                                               COMMANDANT
                      You are seeing this place. Supreme
                      Commander is saying this is
                      important. So it is important for
                      me then.
                         
          Agu nods.
                                                                  68.
                         
                         
                                              COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    If we get this place, then we can
                    go to Taro. Is that where your
                    mother is?
                         
                                             AGU
                    I am thinking she is in the
                    Capital, sah.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    After Goodblood greets us, we all
                    will be going to the Capital, that
                    is a certainty.
                         
          Agu nods. It is hard for him to think of her without feeling
          emotions, and he doesn't want to show Commandant these
          childish emotions.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    I am wanting to be helping you more
                    than the others, Agu.
                         
          Preacher SINGS somewhere in the encampment.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    But do not be telling anyone I am
                    helping you like this, this will be
                    our secret. Can you be keeping this
                    secret, Agu?
                         
                                              AGU
                                       (PLEASED)
                    Yes, sah.
                         
          And with Commandant's attention, he is able to forget, for
          this instance, his mother again.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Then be saying it.
                         
                                             AGU
                    I can be keeping this secret, sah.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    In this family where I am being
                    father, we cannot have the other
                    children getting jealous, Agu!
                         
          He rubs Agu's head, roughly.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Kneel down in front of me. You do
                    me this thing.
                                                                    69.
                         
                         
          Agu, respectfully, kneels down in front of Commandant as he
          blows out the lantern light. It is near darkness except for
          the campfires outside.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    I am not punishing you, Agu. I am
                    helping you, to care for you.
                         
          He touches Agu on his shoulder, then his hands drift down
          Agu's arm to his hand.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    This is what commanding officer is
                    supposed to be doing to his best
                    boy soldier. Play with him, cherish
                    him, protect him, enh?
                         
          He brings Agu's hand down towards his own genitals. Agu is
          too afraid to move. Commandant moves Agu's head towards his
          crotch.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Touch my soldier, Agu, with your
                    mouth. This is a command. You took
                    an oath to obey, and now obey.
                         
          Agu's moves to do as he is told. We TILT AWAY AND UP to
          Commandant, leaning back and mentally departing.
                         
                         
          EXT. EDGE OF BURNT VILLAGE - NIGHT
                         
          Agu's face appears out of the darkness, illuminated by the
          lantern lights. His face shows excruciating pain. Everyone is
          already asleep, so he tries to walk quietly, but it is too
          painful. He whimpers.
                         
          Strika has been waiting for him. Agu collapses into Strika,
          crying. Strika holds him. They lay amongst all the other NDF
          Soldiers, who are already sleeping.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Strika. He is my only friend,
                    Mother. His eye are too red, his
                    teeth are too brown, his head is
                    too too big, but he is my friend
                    even if he is looking too ugly.
                         
          Strika throws his arm around Agu, protecting him.
                                                                  70.
                         
                         
          EXT. NATIONAL HIGHWAY JUNCTION - DAY
                         
          The convoy has stopped in the middle of the country side.
          Everybody is prepping themselves for battle.
                         
          The NDF Soldiers smoke their joints laced with powder, others
          sniff brown-brown, while loading up ammunition and prepping
          for combat.
                         
                              COMMANDANT (O.S.)
                    No one in the land we are going is
                    your friend. They are the farmers
                    who feed your enemy.
                         
          Hope sees Agu hobbling in pain. Looks at him, assessing if he
          is fit for battle or not. He takes a knife and cuts a slice
          along Agu's temple. Agu winces in even more pain as Hope
          smears brown-brown into its bloody abyss.
                         
                              COMMANDANT (O.S.) (CONT'D)
                    The farmers' wives whose breasts
                    feed babies who will grow to join
                    the enemy ranks, whose wombs breed
                    more of them.
                         
          Commandant turns towards him, smiles. Agu, contrary to what
          he would think, feels special under Commandant's gaze.
                         
                         
          EXT. NATIONAL HIGHWAY JUNTION - LATER
                         
          The men are kneeled around Commandant. Agu cannot make eye
          contact with him.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    This is the nature of the place we
                    are going. The homeland of the
                    collaborators and traitors. Our
                    people's blood has flowed for year.
                    Now must their blood flow, too. Let
                    us pray to the spirits and God.
                         
          The men circle around Commandant, chanting a prayer.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    God, be guiding us in everything we
                    are about to be doing. Give us the
                    strength to fulfill your justice.
                         
          The men start DANCING around Commandant and SINGING a gruff,
          guttural war chant.
                         
          As they are moving out, a CONVOY OF WHITE "UN" VEHICLES speed
          by down the Highway.
                                                                     71.
                         
                         
          Agu looks curiously at one of the PASSENGERS, a WHITE WOMAN.
          Time slows down so he can see her face staring back from
          behind the glass windows of the hermetically sealed air-
          conditioned van.
                         
          The WOMAN locks eyes with him, but instead of sympathy Agu
          sees fear in her face. This immediately angers him even if he
          doesn't know why he is feeling angry.
                         
          At the same time, a photographer in the back seat snaps
          photographs of him and the other NDF soldiers.
                         
          The NDF soldiers yell at the convoy and point their rifles
          into the air, taunting. As it passes, it speeds up, leaving
          them in a cloud of red dust.
                         
                         
          EXT. VALLEY ABOVE RURAL VILLAGE - DAY
                         
          It is denser jungle here. Agu, affected by the drugs, is
          adjusting to the high as NDF soldiers spread out and prepare
          for their attack.
                         
                         
          EXT. RIVER NEXT TO RURAL VILLAGE - DAY
                         
          They cross a swift moving stream some thirty feet wide. Agu
          sees his fellow NDF Soldiers as MEN DRESSED IN TRADITIONAL
          MONSTER COSTUMES OF A VARIETY OF WEST AFRICAN TRIBES, AS IF
          THEY WERE EFFIGIES OF FOREST DEMONS AND WILD ANIMALS.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    My gun is making mark on my hand. I
                    am servant to be doing whatever it
                    says.
                         
          The sky's blue seems to subtly desaturate, the greens glow
          reddish-pink like bloody plasma.
                         
                         
          EXT. BACK OF RURAL VILLAGE - DAY
                         
          Agu seems to float as we TRACK BACK with him towards the
          village.
                         
          40 NDF Soldiers with Commandant and Preacher clear the jungle
          and silently spread through farming plots at the back of the
          village.
                         
          VILLAGERS RUN. Agu hears the SCREAMS... his eyes alight.
                         
          The NDF Soldiers OPEN FIRE, charging as they fan out further.
                                                                     72.
                         
                         
          EXT. RURAL VILLAGE - DAY
                         
          Agu passes the village mosque in drunken reverence. BRASS
          CHORDS echo out from the void of normal sound over the
          village.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    God, help me to be doing the thing
                    I am supposed to be doing.
                         
          From the trembling GROUND, laughter, sneers, and voices coil
          around him...
                         
                                             VOICES WHISPER
                    Devil be blessing you. Devil bless
                    what you do.
                         
          Agu's neck is lax, from the drugs, he turns a corner and sees
          an odd site. A painting of a white SANTA CLAUS.
                         
          NDF Soldiers behind Agu drop grenades into houses. Women
          SCREAM, then are silenced by the EXPLOSIONS
                         
          Preacher pushes past him, organizes Griot, Agu, and THREE
          other NDF Soldiers...
                         
                                             PREACHER
                    This way...
                         
          Agu breaks his stare at Santa to follow Preacher
                         
                         
          EXT. RURAL VILLAGE STREET - DAY
                         
          We lead Agu and Strika as they fire at targets around them,
          running faster, and faster and faster...
                         
                         
          EXT. TOWN ROAD (MOVING) - DAY
                         
          Agu rides atop an AA Technical heading down the main street
          of a populated town with cars engulfed in black smoke and a
          radio tower in the distance, also smoking.
                         
          The Technical stops taking fire as Agu points towards the
          radio tower, YELLING.
                         
          He ducks under a fallen light pole and is suddenly engulfed
          in pouring water. He looks around and is in the middle of...
                                                                  73.
                         
                         
          EXT. SALT FLATS - DAY
                         
          Agu kneels down looking for ammunition, drugs, he finds a
          foil filled with cocaine.
                         
          A shallow river where Government Soldiers are SHOT DOWN in
          retreat behind Agu. The husk of a helicopter half submerged
          on the river's edge.
                         
          Agu looks up at the sun...
                         
                         
          INT. STAIRWELL - NIGHT
                         
          The sun becomes the dirty glass light shade of a ceiling
          light. TWO LIZARDS face off inside of it. Agu's head tilts
          up, powder around his nose, he looks around, unsure how he
          got there.
                         
          Strika beckons him to follow into
                         
                         
          EXT. JAH KINGDOM-LIKE DEN - NIGHT
                         
          Lit only by candle light, Agu's boy unit and other soldiers
          do more drugs, a dead PLF Soldier is propped up between Hope
          and Griot, they place a joint in its mouth.
                         
          Agu walks through another room where money and loot is being
          counted, the MEN look at the drugged out Agu, only briefly.
                         
          Agu notices THREE BOYS crying.
                         
                                             AGU
                    What is wrong with them?
                         
                         
          EXT. FORTIFIED HOUSE STREET - DAY
                         
          Agu sits over the corpse of an NRC Soldier. He looks around,
          as if surprised that it is daylight.
                         
          Hope is speaking to him, but when words come out of Hope's
          mouth, they sound like a garbled language.
                         
          Agu looks up at him blankly as he takes a hit from the joint.
                         
          Now he is surrounded by SEVERAL of his BOY UNIT soldiers who
          stare and laugh at Agu sitting on the dead soldier.
                         
          He looks at the group of YOUNG BOY SOLDIERS crying.
                                                                  74.
                         
                         
                                             AGU
                    What is wrong with them? Why are
                    they crying?
                         
                                             PREACHER
                    Commandant won't let them go with
                    him into battle.
                         
                                             AGU
                    Where is this battle?
                         
          He looks at Strika who shrugs his shoulders. Agu calls the
          crying BOYS over to him and leads them down the street..
                         
                         
          EXT. FORTIFIED HOME - DAY
                         
          Agu walks down the street with the CRYING BOYS just as his
          SBU blows up the gates of a fortified house.
                         
          BOOM. The gates go down in a shower of explosives. Agu and
          the rest storm in.
                         
                         
          INT. FORTIFIED HOME
                         
          Agu and Strika run upstairs, scavenging, breaking,
          scattering, tipping...
                         
          There are pictures on the wall. Family, smiling faces, long
          mildewed.
                         
          Hope is knocking down a door. KPWAM! KPWAM!
                         
          Agu and Strika join in, kicking, kicking, kicking. They break
          through.
                         
                         
          INT. FORTIFIED HOME - BROKEN ROOM
                         
          Agu looks down and sees the sky as the rest of the Boy Unit
          enters the house.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    God, there is nothing to be keeping
                    you from watching what we are
                    doing.
                         
          The VOICES laugh, the world shakes.
                         
          They flip open an armoire. A quiet settles over the room as
          Hope and Griot take a moment to look at what they have found.
                                                                     75.
                         
                         
          A WOMAN, late-twenties, and her 10 year-old DAUGHTER hide
          with their backs to the men.
                         
          The woman looks like it could be an emaciated version of
          Agu's Mother, she even has THE SAME DRESS AS HIS MOTHER.
                         
          Agu looks at them, his eyes, so high, seem to float on his
          shoulders.
                         
                                             AGU
                    Mother?
                         
          Hope looks at Agu, amused. Agu moves to hug her.
                         
                                             AGU (CONT'D)
                    I am not recognizing you.
                         
          The women turn in fear just as Agu reaches to hug her. It is
          not Mother. The girl is also emaciated, her knees like
          jutting knobs.
                         
          Agu hugs the women anyway. They scream, shrinking away from
          Agu.
                         
                                             AGU (CONT'D)
                    I am not bad boy. I am not...
                         
          Agu tries to hug them, but they SCREAM again. He realizes
          they are not his Mother and Sister, their fear angers him. He
          grabs them, pulling at their clothes.
                         
          Hope and Griot grab the WOMEN by their legs and drag them
          away as desperate, stark shrieks fill the room.
                         
                                             AGU (CONT'D)
                    You are not my mother! And you, you
                    are not my sister!
                         
          They continue screaming.
                         
                                             AGU (CONT'D)
                    Enough!
                         
          The woman clasps her hands together, tears all over her face.
                         
                                             WOMAN
                    God, please take my daughter safely
                    to heaven. Please Lord I am begging
                    to You.
                         
          Justice pulls down his shorts and shows himself to the woman
                         
                                             WOMAN (CONT'D)
                    Devil bless you! Devil born you!
                                                                    76.
                         
                         
          Griot holds her down. Strika holds her down, and so does Agu
          as Hope unzips his pants.
                         
                                             AGU
                    Devil is not blessing me. Shut up!
                    Shut up! Shut up!
                         
          Agu pulls the girl away from her mother, she grasps onto her
          mother's hand, suspending herself in the air. And now we stay
          on the LITTLE GIRL'S FACE.
                         
          She is SCREAMING, but still holds on to her mother, her nails
          digging into her mother's wrist.
                         
          On Strika, he bites the little girl's wrist, breaking her
          grasp.
                         
          Agu falls back with the girl, then drags her light body away
          from her mother.
                         
                                             AGU (CONT'D)
                    You are not my sister.
                         
          Strika starts jumping on the LITTLE GIRL. Her breath punched
          out of her, the GIRL'S screaming stops as all hope is drained
          from her, her eyes go blank.
                         
          Griot gets his soldier ready to rape the mother.
                         
                                             AGU (CONT'D)
                    You are not my mother.
                         
          Agu walks to her, and at point blank, raises his rifle and
          dispatches the Mother with a bullet to her head.
                         
          WHIP PAN to Hope who was still raping her. He stops and looks
          at Agu like he has lost his mind, PANNING BACK to Agu whose
          attention has already been drawn outside, to the next room
          where the walls have been destroyed, providing an OPEN PLAN
          VIEW of the rest of the village...
                         
          ACTS OF VIOLENCE ARE BEING COMMITTED ACROSS THE WIDE VIEW in
          front of us.
                         
                         
          INT./EXT. FORTIFIED HOME TOWN SQUARE - DUSK
                         
          Agu is no longer high, Strika is no longer high. They sit,
          grinding their teeth in withdrawal, dried blood caked on
          their faces.
                         
          Commandant is stuffing a grenade into the local chief's
          mouth.
                                                                  77.
                         
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    See, now it is your time to eat.
                         
          Agu, Strika, and Commandant's body guards exit the room
          followed by Preacher, who runs out just as BOOM - the room
          spews out debris.
                         
          Outside. Surviving CIVILIANS have been rounded up and sit in
          the middle of the street. A scene now unremarkable and
          familiar to Agu. The NDF Soldiers have taken and loaded
          everything they possibly can into their trucks. WOMEN cry in
          a drained, fatigued moan. They slap their faces and claw at
          their own arms.
                         
          Commandant is happy. He stretches his back.
                         
                                             CSO
                    This is for you, sah.
                         
          Commandant reads a note from the CSO.
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    From the Supreme Commander?   What
                    does it say?
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    He is summoning us.
                         
          Commandant smiles at his men.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Load up!
                         
                                             CSO
                    Where do I instruct the drivers to
                    take us?
                         
                                              COMMANDANT
                    To Taro -- The Town of Abundant
                    Resources.
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    Did he state the reason?
                         
                                              COMMANDANT
                    No.
                         
          The CSO and the rest of Commandant's entourage voice
          approval.
                         
                                             PREACHER
                    Pardon me, sah.
                                                                     78.
                         
                         
          Somehow, Chicken Legs has died, they drag the body to
          Commandant.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    What is happening to this one?
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    A piece of his own RPG is hitting
                    his temple.
                         
          Commandant closes the soldier's eyes with his fingers
          tenderly.
                         
          Agu and Strika watch the odd moment of sentimentality, but in
          both of their eyes, there is none.
                         
                                             PREACHER
                    What do we do with them?
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Leave one living. Tell him to run
                    north, to the next village, and to
                    the next village after that, tell
                    him to tell everyone that soon we
                    come. This is just the beginning.
                         
          Two-I-C digests the orders. Preacher salutes, turns and walks
          towards the CIVILIANS.
                         
                         
          EXT. LOWER COUNTRYSIDE - DUSK
                         
          The NDF Convoy snakes through the wilderness in the last glow
          of skylight.
                         
                         
          INT/EXT. COMMANDANT'S PICK-UP TRUCK (MOVING) - NIGHT
                         
          Agu watches the passing pavement under the warm beams of
          headlights, grass and shrubs falling off into darkness.
                         
                         
          INT/EXT. COMMANDANT'S PICK-UP TRUCK (MOVING) - DAY
                         
          The convoy crests a hill and descends down a rusting grand
          boulevard. A burned out caravan of Bush Taxis rusts on the
          side of the road.
                         
          We pan as it passes a colonial era sign on the highway
          "WELCOME TO TARO, THE TOWN OF ABUNDANT RESOURCES".
                         
          ANGLE through the windshield at the passing town sign.
                                                                  79.
                         
                         
          Agu looks up at Commandant. Commandant notices him looking at
          him, he smiles.
                         
                                                COMMANDANT
                    Home, Agu.
                         
                         
          EXT. T.A.R. - NDF CHECK POINT - DAY
                         
          They approach an improvised check point guarded by SOLDIERS
          who look much like our NDF Soldiers from a distance. Rusted
          and shot up cars line the road side, as if pitched gun
          battles had taken place here long before.
                         
          The convoy stops a 100 hundred meters before it as THREE
          HEAVILY ARMED MEN approach them from the sides of the road,
          ready to fire.
                         
          They wear the same amulets and pieces of equipment as the NDF
          but their clothes are covered in a CHARCOAL rub and OIL
          dipped materials: the CHARCOAL FACTION of the NDF.
                         
                               CHARCOAL NDF SOLDIER
                    Halt!   Enemy or friend?!
                         
                                                PREACHER
                    Friend!
                         
                              CHARCOAL NDF SOLDIER
                    Drop your arms to be recognized!
                         
                                             PREACHER
                    We are NDF. (code exchanged)
                         
                              CHARCOAL NDF SOLDIER
                    Who is your Commander?
                         
                                                COMMANDANT
                    I am.
                         
          Commandant steps out of his vehicle, walking to the front,
          immediately protected by his entourage.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    What kind of welcome is this, enh,
                    for a hero battalion?
                         
                              CHARCOAL NDF SOLDIER
                    I am not having instructions to be
                    receiving you. I will radio HQ.
                    Hold ground.
                                                                    80.
                         
                         
          The Charcoal NDF Soldier steps to the side with his VHF
          RADIO. He speaks inaudibly into it, looking back at the
          convoy, then receives instructions.
                         
          He sends another CHARCOAL NDF -- PRINCE, who JUMPS ONTO THE
          SIDE of Preacher's truck, waiving for the convoy to follow.
                         
                              CHARCOAL NDF SOLDIER (CONT'D)
                    I have instructions to take you to
                    HQ immediately. The Supreme
                    Commander, he is awaiting you.
                         
          They pull through the convoy. About 30 CHARCOAL NDF SOLDIERS
          watch them go by curiously.
                         
          Commandant, suspicious but willing to let this pass, waves
          his battalion off to the side of the road.
                         
                         
          INT./EXT. T.A.R. MAIN BOULEVARD - DAY
                         
          WIDE ANGLE OVER TARO. Commandant's truck moves into town.
                         
          The buildings are the dilapidated remains of European
          Colonialism. POLITICAL SLOGANS from varying regimes are
          painted and pasted to sides of buildings. He notices ECOMOD
          stationed on a corner.
                         
          The truck moves as if it were invisible to the population,
          who all but ignore their presence while trading the LOOTED
          MERCHANDISE in abundance.
                         
                                             AGU
                    These people do not run.
                         
          Commandant watches the Charcoal NDF Soldier, wary.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Maybe they are not seeing us
                    because they are spirits. This is
                    death's hometown.
                         
                         
          EXT. T.A.R. - SUPREME COMMAND HEADQUARTERS - DAY
                         
          Supreme Command Headquarters occupies a neglected art deco
          train station along the town's port.
                         
          Commandant's CONVOY enters the complex through another
          checkpoint more heavily armed. Beyond it ARMED SECURITY
          PERSONNEL that look like our NDF FIGHTERS but with different
          styles are scattered about the pathway leading to the
          interior of the complex which is filled with former
          combatants.
                                                                  81.
                         
                         
          Confusion seems to reign as Agu strains to take in all these
          new sites.
                         
                         
          INT. SUPREME COMMANDER HQ - WAITING ROOM - DAY
                         
          The Charcoal NDF Soldier hands off Commandant to a DEPUTY CSO
          for Supreme Commander Goodblood.
                         
                                             DEPUTY
                    Commandant. Welcome.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Thank you Deputy.
                         
          Commandant seems to have little respect for this man, who
          leads them deeper into the complex, past a flurry of
          activity, aides with papers, armed guards, and other
          functionaries.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    I have been asked to leave my men
                    on the edge of town.
                         
                                             DEPUTY
                    We apologize for the inconvenience.
                    We do not want to alarm the
                    population by the arrival of such a
                    large force.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    When can they enter? I have-
                         
                                             DEPUTY
                    I do not know Goodblood's plan for
                    you. I assure you, you will know A-
                    S-A-P.
                         
          He motions for them to sit in an austere waiting room. A
          SINGLE ARMED GUARD in fatigues sleeps in the room. Deputy
          clears his throat.
                         
                                             DEPUTY (CONT'D)
                    You will wait here.
                         
          Commandant looks around the room, unimpressed.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    You will bring something to drink
                    for us. Water.
                         
                                                DEPUTY
                    Certainly.
                                                                  82.
                         
                         
          They sit. Collapsing with their field clothes into squeaky
          and odd civilian spaces. Their weapons dangle on their sides.
          Two of the BODY GUARDS light a joint. Agu tugs on their
          shirts.
                         
          He notices the distant look on Commandant's face.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    I am looking at him, and I am
                    seeing he is not happy to be
                    waiting.
                         
          Agu gets a hit of the joint. He too collapses against the
          floor, watching the clock, an analog mid-century clock with
          hands that slowly rotate around its face.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    And I am seeing these people
                    entering with more than they are
                    having when they are leaving and I
                    am wondering why they are leaving
                    their things behind and if I should
                    be telling them.
                         
          We see CHINESE BUSINESS MEN enter the office, and then leave,
          and then Commandant readying himself as if it were their
          turn, but then the Deputy apologizes, and leads in a group of
          LEBANESE BUSINESS MEN who enter with brief cases and then
          exit without.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    And with every person that is
                    coming, and every person that is
                    going, I am seeing anger on
                    Commandant's face grow.
                         
          And as the clock moves faster, Commandant slams the arms of
          his chair, BAM, waking the room, and the sleeping ARMED
          GUARD.
                         
          Just then the Deputy enters.
                         
                                             DEPUTY
                    Supreme Commander is so very upset
                    to keep you waiting. Please, follow
                    me.
                         
          The men stand, stretching the stiff muscles. And go through
          the doors into another, slightly more pleasant, waiting room.
                         
                                             DEPUTY (CONT'D)
                    Please sit, I will be with you
                    shortly.
                                                                     83.
                         
                         
                                                COMMANDANT
                       What is this? This is just another
                       room. Where is our water?
                         
          Agu raises his rifle at the Armed Guard.
                         
                                                AGU
                       Give us water! Give us water, now!
                         
          Commandant's Bodyguard's smile, as does Strika, the Armed
          Guard runs down the hall to oblige.
                         
                         
          INT. SUPREME COMMANDER HQ - ANOTHER WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
                         
          They sip water from plastic bags. An air conditioner hums.
          Commandant sits deep in thought.
                         
                         
          INT. SUPREME COMMANDER HQ - ANOTHER WAITING ROOM - LATER
                         
          They are all sleeping.
                         
                                                DEPUTY
                       Commandant.
                         
          They stir.
                         
                                                DEPUTY (CONT'D)
                       The Supreme Commander felt ill and
                       has gone home for the evening.
                         
          The Deputy can see this will not satisfy Commandant, who
          looks like he could squeeze the life out of this functionary.
                         
                                                DEPUTY (CONT'D)
                       But he invites you to his home
                       first appointment in the morning.
                         
                                                COMMANDANT
                       Where are you putting us to be
                       sleeping?
                         
                                                DEPUTY
                       I hope this room, with the air
                       conditioning, will be sufficient.
                       Thank you, Gentlemen.
                         
                         
          INT. SUPREME COMMANDER'S HQ - HALLWAY - DAY
                         
          They walk down a pleasant hallway, as if they were on a
          museum tour, Strika and Agu are dazzled by the cleanliness of
          it all.
                                                                  84.
                         
                         
                                             DEPUTY
                    Commandant, I trust you rested
                    well. I would like you to know we
                    also offered rations and water to
                    the rest of your Battalion this
                    morning.
                         
          Commandant walks past him.
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    Thank you, Deputy.
                         
                         
          INT. SUPREME COMMANDER'S OFFICE - DAY
                         
          They spill out into a foyer flanked by a dining room and an
          office with chairs arranged for long, circuitous
          conversations.
                         
          Commandant takes a seat, the rest of the entourage hold back
          uncomfortably, along the edge of the room.
                         
          The Deputy enters a door on the opposite side of the room
          where UHF radio chatter links Goodblood to his commanders and
          fighters across the country. There, an elder statesman like
          intellectual appears in the doorway, DADA GOODBLOOD, followed
          by the deputy.
                         
          EVERYONE stands and salutes. Agu strains to finally see the
          man they have all spoken about. He wears a fine combination
          of clothes, and looks smart, even in his morning slippers,
          newspaper in hand, Deputy holds his coffee. He sits on the
          smaller chair, near to Commandant.
                         
                                             GOODBLOOD
                    At ease Gentlemen. At ease...
                         
          Goodblood smiles warmly as he sits.
                         
                                             GOODBLOOD (CONT'D)
                    Commandant.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Supreme Commander, sah.
                         
                                             GOODBLOOD
                    I must apologize for yesterday, so
                    much busy-ness these days, it's
                    worn me down.
                         
          Commandant doesn't hide his frustration.
                                                                  85.
                         
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    I'm sorry you were feeling weak,
                    sah.
                         
                                             GOODBLOOD
                    I see your family has grown.
                         
          He looks at the entourage watching them, in particular the
          boys.
                         
                                             GOODBLOOD (CONT'D)
                    They will want to eat while we
                    talk. Unless you are hungry, too?
                         
          Goodblood looks at Deputy, who quickly realizes he must usher
          the men to the adjoining room that offers Commandant and
          Goodblood more privacy.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    I am hungry. Two-I-C, bring me a
                    plate.
                         
          Two-I-C starts to move-
                         
                                             GOODBLOOD
                    Two-I-C, you stay. Deputy?
                         
          The Deputy nods dutifully.
                         
          In the dining room a table of European style food is quickly
          sacked by the men. Strika and Agu stuff croissants into their
          pockets and sit on the floor, rolling slices of meat and
          stuffing them in their mouths.
                         
          Agu keeps one eye on the meeting, where the Commandant and
          Goodblood share weighted stares. Goodblood reading
          Commandant's emotional weariness, Commandant reading
          Goodblood's ill intentions. Two-I-C is paralyzed between
          them.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    What is this, Chief? Why are you
                    making me wait?
                         
                                             GOODBLOOD
                    It is your duty.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Something has changed, what is it?
                         
          He sniffs out Goodblood.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    We are not taking the Capital?
                                                                  86.
                         
                         
                                             GOODBLOOD
                    Protecting our people remains the
                    priority. As you know, the world is
                    becoming aware of this war, now. No
                    one will escape judgment when it is
                    over.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Chief, to protect our people, we
                    have the force and the momentum,
                    why stop, why wait?
                         
                                             GOODBLOOD
                    It used to be survival of the
                    strongest, the strong dominating by
                    brute force, but now it is survival
                    of the wittiest and the decisions
                    we make have far deeper
                    consequences.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Then what is your plan for my
                    battalion? Are you not making me
                    General?
                         
                                             GOODBLOOD
                    I am not. I am giving your
                    battalion to Two-I-C, Commandant.
                    That is why I brought you here.
                         
          Two-I-C is overtly surprised, Commandant is able to contain
          his, only just.
                         
                                             GOODBLOOD (CONT'D)
                    And you, I will promote to Deputy
                    Secretary of Defense. Effective
                    immediately. I hope you will accept
                    and act accordingly.
                         
                                    TWO-I-C                         COMMANDANT          
          Thank you, suh!                  May we speak alone, chief?    
                         
          Two-I-C salutes, excitedly.
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    I promise to perform my duties to
                    the fullest pot-
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Two-I-C get out.
                         
          Two-I-C drops his salute and smile. He doesn't know whether
          to stay or go. Goodblood releases him.
                                                                  87.
                         
                         
                                             GOODBLOOD
                    I want the ceremony of change over
                    tomorrow, so that Two-I-C... I mean
                    newly, Commandant in absence, may
                    take the battalion back out for
                    security details. As you know, and
                    much thanks to you, we have the NRC
                    on their heels. With support from
                    the UN and ECOMOD, the battle now
                    is for public image. Two-I-C and
                    other commanders like him will
                    provide that for us until the junta
                    crumbles.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    You are taking my battalion?
                         
                                             GOODBLOOD
                    Commandant, your battalion is my
                    battalion. One of hundreds across
                    the nation. I will remind you that
                    you are a soldier, you are subject
                    to orders, you listen and obey
                    orders.
                         
          Agu has never seen anyone speak to Commandant in this way.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    And for my services, Chief? I
                    built this battalion. I am their
                    father.
                         
                                             GOODBLOOD
                    That honor remains yours.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    And payment? What share of the
                    resources will I have, for this
                    honor?
                         
                                             GOODBLOOD
                    If you are wanting to be a man of
                    industry and resources, then find a
                    job with a mining company. I am
                    offering you something else
                    entirely, an education.
                         
          Commandant steams, reading the room. SEVERAL of Goodblood's
          SECURITY PERSONNEL quietly enter the edges of the room.
                         
                                             GOODBLOOD (CONT'D)
                    Do not forget, your most important
                    duty is obedience. Your first duty
                    is obedience...
                                             (MORE)
                                                                  88.
                         
                                             GOODBLOOD (CONT'D)
                    your second duty, obedience. Your
                    third, obedience. Everything is
                    obedience. Without obedience you
                    have nothing. Have you forgotten
                    yourself?
                         
          Commandant adjusts his tone.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    I have not Chief. I am not a
                    politician, I am a soldier.
                         
          He looks at his men, motioning for them to get ready to go.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    I will have one last night with
                    them.
                         
          Goodblood stands. The men stand and salute.
                         
                                               TRIPOD
                    Move on!
                         
          Goodblood watches Commandant leave with calculation.
                         
                         
          EXT. SUPREME COMMANDER WELLINGTON HQ - YARD - DAY
                         
          Commandant simmers.
                         
                                               TRIPOD
                    Sah?!
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Assemble the C/Os, take the troops
                    and bivouac outside of town. I am
                    taking Two-I-C with some of the
                    boys to celebrate.
                         
                                               TRIPOD
                    Yes, suh!
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    Where are we going?
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    You will see. You will like it.
                         
          Agu and Strika watch, anxiously wanting to join this
          adventure.
                                                                  89.
                         
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    If you and Strika are my bodyguard,
                    then if I am going, you are also
                    going, you are hearing me?
                         
          Agu and Strika salute excitedly.
                         
          KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
                         
                         
          EXT. WHOREHOUSE, DOOR - NIGHT
                         
          Commandant and his men stand outside a sealed door.
                         
          A dwarf like Old Woman SLIDES the window open.
                         
                         
          INT. WHOREHOUSE - NIGHT
                         
          A small room. A fluorescent light casting a blue glow over
          everything. The men's faces shine with sweat. All of the
          windows and doorways have heavy black material blocking any
          light from escaping.
                         
          The men fill up the room. Agu looks up, he cannot believe
          what he sees.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Imagination TV.
                         
          On the screen is a bootleg Jimmy Cliff film.
                         
          A HEAVY WOMAN, THE MADAME, approaches them, her eyes shine
          with bright blue contacts, her body is curvaceous and she
          walks with a limp.
                         
                                             MADAME
                    Enh, so you come?
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Ma. Bring something that will
                    satisfy my soldiers and my soldier!
                         
          The men laugh nervously, all still reeling. Commandant's ease
          in conflict with what he just received from Goodblood.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Bring beer! Bring soda! Bring it
                    all!
                         
          The men laugh forcefully, glancing down the empty hall
          eagerly. Agu notices a GIRL, young and pretty, sleeping on a
          bench at the exit to the room. The Madame shouts at her...
                                                                    90.
                         
                         
                                             MADAME
                    Get up you, can't you see we are
                    having guest?
                         
          The young girl gets up slowly and goes to a cooler. She bends
          over, all of the men lean to get a better view.
                         
                                             YOUNG GIRL
                    The beer is warm.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    How is it warm?
                         
                                               YOUNG GIRL
                    No ice.
                         
                                               COMMANDANT
                    No ice!?
                         
                                               YOUNG GIRL
                    No light.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Bring the drink. We will be
                    drinking it even if it is warm.
                         
          She sighs and fills a bucket with warm beer bottles.
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    Commandant. Permission to be
                    dismissed. I want to be going to be
                    checking on my men-
                         
          Commandant turns from smiling to deathly serious.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT
                    Negative. You'll be staying here
                    so we can celebrate you. In fact,
                    Mama, why don't you bring a special
                    one for my Two-I-C, who will soon
                    be the Co-mman-dan-tttt.
                                       (TO OTHERS)
                    Who's your Commandant?
                         
                                               TRIPOD
                    You, sir!
                         
          The Commandant's smile returns. He turns to the Madame.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    But you have one special for Two-I-
                    C?
                         
          The Madame laughs.
                                                                     91.
                         
                         
                                             MADAME
                    No problem. No problem.
                         
          The Commandant becomes serious again, his eyes seem to
          communicate something coded. The Madame's tone changes.
                         
                                             MADAME (CONT'D)
                    No problem.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Hey Mama, this one's fresh papaya.
                         
          The men laugh harder. She is annoyed, but not unaccustomed.
          Agu can tell now she is even younger than he thought she was,
          barely 14.
                         
                                             MADAME
                    If it is woman you are wanting,
                    leave this one. I am having plenty
                    womens in the back if you are
                    having plenty moneys to be giving
                    me, for a special girl.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Don't you be worrying about money,
                    ma. Bring me a good girl, you know
                    my specifications.
                         
                                             AGU
                    Auntie! Auntie, bring us some
                    chips!
                         
          The Madame turns towards him, sighing through her teeth.
                         
                                             MADAME
                    This small thing borned yesterday
                    trying to order things around, enh!
                         
          She goes and grabs a basket of crisps and places it in front
          of Agu as FOUR WOMEN appear in the doorway.
                         
                                             MADAME (CONT'D)
                    We are having enough for you men,
                    but there is no more girls for the
                    little boys.
                         
          Agu looks up, angrily.
                         
          Commandant picks up a hesitant Two-I-C and pushes him out
          first, the rest of the men waste no time disappearing into
          the hall.
                                                                  92.
                         
                         
          Within seconds, the room is empty, leaving Agu behind with
          the girl. Strika, high and tired, lays on the floor to take a
          nap.
                         
                         
          INT. WHOREHOUSE, SMALL ROOM - LATER
                         
          Agu sits with his head resting in his arms at the table. An
          empty beer bottle laying in front of him. He watches the
          Jimmy Cliff movie.
                         
          Sweat beads on his nose as he eats a chip. The young woman
          collects the bottles on the table.
                         
          He studies her face, the pulsing of her blood in her neck,
          the sweat on her brow and nose. He watches her butt move, her
          breasts shake as she cleans the table off.
                         
          Slowly, he reaches out his hand to touch her, she turns and
          looks at him as if she would bite his arm off.
                         
          Frustrated and bored, he leaves the room.
                         
                         
          EXT. WHOREHOUSE COURTYARD - NIGHT
                         
          Agu walks over to the shuttered windows of the "sex stalls"
          and watches various couples copulating. He reaches into his
          pants and touches himself when he hears a loud SHOT.
                         
          The doors to a room around the horseshoe shaped building
          swing open, as Two-I-C, half dressed and naked bursts out,
          sliding down against the wall leaving a trail of blood.
                         
                         
          INT. WHOREHOUSE - HALLWAY/SMALL ROOM - CONTINUOUS
                         
          The men drag Two-I-C down the hallway and back into the room
          with the TV, laying him out on the table. He bleeds from a
          hole in his head, his face looks like all the pain in the
          world is coming through him.
                         
          Commandant enters last, only wearing a sheet.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    What is happening? Huh? What
                    happened?
                         
                                              TWO-I-C
                        (under his breath)
                    You did this.
                                                                  93.
                         
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    What happened to my man? Wh- What
                    happened here?
                         
          They all look at the GIRL Two-I-C had been with, she looks to
          the Madame for succor. Two-I-C shakes on the table, his body
          going into shock.
                         
                                             GIRL
                    I was just playing with his gun,
                    and it just went off. I don't know
                    what happened. I don't know- I'm
                    sorry.
                         
                                              TWO-I-C
                                       (TO COMMANDANT)
                    You did this. You did this.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT
                                       (TO TWO-I-C)
                    Relax, relax, relax!
                                       (TO PROSTITUTE)
                    You did this! You did this!
                         
          The Commandant points, accusingly at the girl.
                         
          Agu grips his rifle, waiting for Commandant to give the
          order.
                       GIRL                    COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
             (crying)                     You thought you were shooting
          I didn't mean to.               me!
                       GIRL                    COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
          No, no, no!                     You thought it was me?
                         
          The girl cries.
                       GIRL                     COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
          I didn't mean to. I'm so         Are you trying to kill me,
          sorry.                           and to kill my men? Huh!
                         
          The girl points her finger at the Madame.
                         
                                             GIRL
                    She told me...
                         
                                             MADAME
                    She told you? It was an accident!
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Go!
                         
          On the Commandant's command, Agu and Strika turn on the girl
          and Madame and shoot them to down.
                                                                   94.
                         
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Let's go! Let's go! Enh! Pick him
                    up! I want you to take all their
                    women! All of them!
                         
                         
          INT. UNFINISHED BUILDING, 2ND FLOOR - NIGHT
                         
          Agu sits next to Two-I-C, who is wrapped in a blanket,
          shivering, his skin shines with a greenish pallor.
                         
          Agu squeezes a wet cloth over his forehead, dripping brown
          water.
                         
                               AGU (V.O.)
                    His spirit is fighting to be let
                    free from his body.
                        (whispering to Two-I-C)
                    It is hurting because you are
                    thinking about it. If you are
                    stopping to think about it, there
                    is nothing to be feeling. The
                    thinking is the hurting.
                         
          Outside and around the buildings, the rest of the NDF
          Battalion rests and waits for orders.
                         
                         
          INT. UNFINISHED BUILDING, 2ND FLOOR - DAY
                         
          Two-I-C wheezes. Agu sits at one of the desks separating a
          bullet from its shell, empties the gun powder onto a piece of
          gum foil. Agu lights the powder in a POOF. He scrapes the
          white-grey residue into a line and sniffs it.
                         
                         
          INT. UNFINISHED BUILDING, 2ND FLOOR - DUSK
                         
          The moon is full and shines into the room. Finally, Two-I-C
          stops moaning. Agu turns and looks.
                         
          Approaching Two-I-C, thinking he is dead. Two-I-C's eyes are
          open and he's trying to whisper something. Agu cannot hear
          it. He leans in closer. Two-I-C's breaths a death rattle.
                         
                                             TWO-I-C
                    You are just a boy.
                         
          Agu looks at his hand, clammy and yellow, fingers gripping
          his blanket.
                         
                                             TWO-I-C (CONT'D)
                    Do you know you are just a boy?
                                                                  95.
                         
                         
          Two-I-C begins to tremble, panic. Agu reaches for his hand,
          holds it.
                         
                                             TWO-I-C (CONT'D)
                    Was this all for nothing?
                         
          He looks at Two-I-C, unsure why he is feeling sad for this
          man at this moment.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    It is like God is turning his gaze
                    on Two-I-C.
                         
          Two-I-C exhales, the trembling ceases. He is dead. Agu, drawn
          by the fading light, walks to the balcony overlooking the
          town.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Agu? Is that you.
                         
          Agu can barely perceive Commandant sitting in the railing,
          his skin reflecting the faint embers of a joint cupped in his
          hands. Agu does not respond.
                         
                                              COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                                       (SOFTLY)
                    Agu. Come. Sit down with me.
                         
          Agu leans into the railing. Commandant rubs the back of his
          neck.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    It is dangerous times now, Agu.
                    Can't be trusting nobody. That is
                    why it is always good to be
                    sleeping with one eye open. And
                    that is why I have you and Strika.
                         
          Tripod enters with RADIO OPERATOR.
                         
                                             TRIPOD
                    Goodblood is asking for you.
                         
          Commandant waves him away. Tripod, aware things have changed,
          waits an explanation.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Sometimes Agu, sometimes I am
                    feeling sorry for you.
                         
          Agu cannot tell if he heard him say it or if he dreamed he
          said it.
                                                                  96.
                         
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Sometimes I am.
                         
                                             AGU
                    Two-I-C is dead.
                         
                         
          EXT. UNFINISHED BUILDING - NIGHT
                         
          Preacher SINGS over Two-I-C's body. They strip him of his
          "Two-I-C" jacket, his belt, boots, and anything else of use.
          He is left with only his dirty socks and underwear.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    It is taking Two-I-C all day to be
                    dying, and then he is dying when
                    the moon is full and the night is
                    shining like silver.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    You are my new Two-I-C.
                         
          Commandant places the jacket on Tripod, who proudly puts it
          on over his bare chest.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    The the only way not to be fighting
                    anymore is to be dying.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    This was not God's work. This was
                    man's. The Supreme Commander was
                    our friend. Now he is our enemy.
                    But we are not fearing change...
                    for we are strong!
                         
                                             MEN
                    Strong and proud!
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    That is why we should be taking our
                    own territory and filling our own
                    pockets. Move out.
                         
          The NDF Soldiers take stock in what they have, burn their
          vehicles and move out.
                         
                         
          EXT. JUNGLE CAMP - NIGHT
                         
          Fog swirls along the canopy of the jungle. Commandant's tent
          has been reduced to a small lean to, separate from where
          everyone else sleeps under the trees.
                                                                     97.
                         
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Mother. If this war is ever ending
                    I am thinking, I cannot be going
                    back to doing child thing.
                         
          Everyone sleeps. Suddenly they are attacked from unseen
          forces. Bullets pound the ground around them, burying men in
          dirt and tearing others up with shrapnel.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    We are just wild animals now with
                    no place to be going.
                         
          Agu and Strika hold each other while bullet shells pour on
          them. The battle is over as quickly as it began.
                         
          Commandant is frazzled. He picks up his hat, dusting it off,
          while yelling for the men to fall back.
                         
          Preacher moves up and down the line, checking the men.
                         
                                             PREACHER
                    Tripod, Hope!
                         
          Agu looks down the line. They are both bleeding. Hope is
          dead. Tripod still breathes, but his body is leaking blood
          from many wounds. He screams while staring wildly at everyone
          looking down at him, breathing.
                         
          His eyes roll into the back of his head.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Bullet is just eating everything,
                    leaf, tree, ground, person --
                    eating them -- just making person
                    to bleed everywhere... so much
                    blood.
                         
          They pick through the useful gear and begin to move out.
                         
          Preacher whispers a prayer to himself as Commandant pulls
          Tripod's Two-I-C jacket off and places it on Preacher,
          unceremoniously as the men move out.
                         
                         
          EXT. JUNGLE - DUSK
                         
          Agu collapses with Strika at their next bivouac. The men say
          nothing, they are all too exhausted.
                         
          GUN FIRE ECHOES in the distance. Everyone is silent looking
          at Commandant for guidance, waiting.
                         
          Commandant signals, move down the line..."move out."
                                                                  98.
                         
                         
          Agu puts his pack on and starts to leave when he sees Strika
          is immovable, lizard licking his chapped lips.
                         
                                              AGU
                                       (WHISPERING)
                    Strika? Strika! We are having to go
                    or they will be leaving us.
                         
          Strika shakes his head.
                         
                                               AGU (CONT'D)
                    Let's go.
                         
          Agu watches as the others disappear into the bush without
          them. He turns back to Strika.
                         
                                             AGU (CONT'D)
                    Strika! We have to be going. Stand
                    up and let's go!
                         
          Strika shakes his head, sadly.
                         
                                             AGU (CONT'D)
                    What is wrong with you?
                         
          Agu goes to Strika.
                         
                                             AGU (CONT'D)
                    What is wrong?
                         
          Strika looks at Agu, wheezing. He shows Agu a small shrapnel
          wound in his side.
                         
          Worried but with no other choice, Agu picks Strika up and
          throws him onto his back.
                         
                         
          EXT. JUNGLE - DAWN
                         
          Agu notices a cricket on a leaf. He snatches it quickly,
          bites half of it, then gives the other half to Strika, who
          lets it sit in his mouth with out swallowing.
                         
                               AGU (V.O.)
                    I am wanting to say to Strika, I am
                    tired too.
                         
          GUN FIRE ECHOES again in the distance. Quietly, they move out
          again.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    I am tired, and so the words are
                    not coming out of my mouth.
                                                                  99.
                         
                         
          Agu picks up Strika to carry him.
                         
                               AGU (V.O.)
                     I will be an old man before this
                     war is over...
                         
          A SONG.
                         
          Agu hears it and sits up quickly. It's the song his mother
          used to sing to him in the kitchen hut.
                         
                                              AGU
                     Enh... Strika, a song. Music. Like
                     my mother sings...
                         
          He looks around, trying to find its ephemeral source. But it
          goes silent. He tries to see if Strika is listening, his head
          resting on Agu's shoulder.
                         
                                               AGU (CONT'D)
                     Strika?
                         
          He shakes Strika. But Strika doesn't respond.
                         
                                               AGU (CONT'D)
                     Strika?
                         
          Realizing he is dead, Agu lays him down and cries.
                         
                         
          EXT. JUNGLE - LATER
                         
          Agu covers Strika with leaves.
                         
          Commandant looks at him, pitifully. Then leads the men on.
                         
                                                                         FADE OUT:
                         
                         
          SOUND OF SINGLE STREAM OF URINE TRICKLING INTO WATER
                         
                         FADE IN:
                         
                         
          EXT. MUDDY RED TRENCH - MORNING
                         
          Agu stands alone in knee deep water peeing into the same. He
          notices a floating corpse next to where he is peeing, its
          BOOTS looking in decent condition.
                         
          He stops peeing and pries the boots off, falling back into
          the water.
                                                                 100.
                         
                         
          When he gets up he notices the GIRL from the whorehouse, now
          fully pregnant trying to climb out of the trench to escape.
                         
          His first instinct is to grab his rifle and aim. She sees
          this, they lock eyes, but she tests him, stepping higher. He
          lowers his aim.
                         
          She thanks him with her eyes, but doesn't make it more than
          15 feet before SWOOFFF, a bullet from a SNIPER far off on the
          other side of a BURNED FIELD drops her - the MEN the trench
          Agu is hiding in was built to hide from.
                         
          Agu, only briefly saddened by the quick end to the girl, goes
          back to prying off the dead man's boot.
                         
                         
          EXT. MUDDY RED TRENCH - DAY
                         
          The rain mists on Agu, newish boots hanging on his shoulders
          from their laces. The MOTHER'S SONG sings again from some
          place off in the mist.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Mother, your song is making my body
                    to move and I am not having to
                    think anymore, not about Strika,
                    not about this war, not about any
                    of the thing that are jumping into
                    my head.
                         
          He sits in a fox hole overlooking the burnt field. PREACHER
          tries to take a pop shot at someone on the other side of the
          field.
                         
                                             PREACHER
                    Ammo. Find me some fucking bullets
                    to be shooting, Agu.
                         
                                             AGU
                    He is dead.
                         
                                             PREACHER
                    Who is dead?
                         
                                             AGU
                    Him.
                         
          Agu points to the man he pried the boots from. Bored, he goes
          to find ammo, digging through abandoned rifles and dead
          bodies.
                                                                 101.
                         
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    I want to be going to that person
                    who is singing and taking all of
                    the sound so I can be keeping it in
                    my pocket, to be having it for
                    myself.
                         
          The trench is filled with more water. Agu walks through it
          towards the inner part of the NDF defenses, the water up to
          his belly so he rests his rifle on his head.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    I am wanting to lie down on the
                    warm ground with my eye closed and
                    the smell of mud in my nose, just
                    like Strika.
                         
          Agu looks at his reflection in the water staring back at him.
          He moves, it moves. He walks, it follows. Around him, the men
          have created smaller mini-indentations to protect themselves
          from the rain of shrapnel.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    I am wanting to feel how the ground
                    is wet all around my body so that
                    if I am sweating, I am feeling like
                    it is the ground sweating through
                    me.
                         
          NDF Soldiers are like ghosts in the heavy mist. He cannot see
          more than a couple feet in front of him at a time.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    And I am wanting to stay in this
                    same place forever, never moving
                    for anything, just waiting waiting
                    until dust is piling on me and
                    grasses is covering me and insect
                    is making their home in the space
                    between my teeths.
                         
          He rounds an intersection in the trench with a wooden defense
          protecting it from exposure, leading deeper into the woods.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    One onina tree will be growing from
                    my body, so wide that its trunk is
                    separating night and day and so
                    tall that its top leaf is tickling
                    the moon until the man living there
                    is smiling.
                                                                   102.
                         
                         
          EXT. COMMMANDANT'S GOLD MINE - DAY
                         
          Agu enters the gold mining area of their encampment. He sits
          to put on his new boots while looking at the lackluster
          industry.
                         
          Commandant sits on a throne of earth, a purple rappa covering
          him from the rain like a tribal king. He stares at the sky, a
          joint hanging gingerly in his dirty fingers, ash floating on
          the water all around him.
                         
                                             AGU
                    Commandant, suh. We are out of
                    bullets.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Kai! This fog, Agu. It is our
                    friend.
                         
          Agu nods, dutifully. Commandant relights the joint.
                         
          He motions for Agu to come over to him. Agu does, slowly,
          trudging through the shallower water. Commandant puts his arm
          on him, gently caressing his back.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    It was not supposed to be the way
                    it has come to be, Agu.
                         
                                             AGU
                    They are dead.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Who are dead?
                         
          Agu doesn't seem to know how to answer the question.
                         
                                               COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                                   EVERYONE-
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Everyone betrays you, eventually.
                    But, I will always look out for
                    you, Agu. I will look out for you
                    because you are my son.
                         
          Out of the mist, Agu hears voices, restless voices.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    And a son always protects his
                    father.
                         
          Agu pulls away from Commandant and trudges towards the
          entrance to let Preacher through.
                                                                 103.
                         
                         
                              PREACHER (O.S.)
                    Out of my way.
                         
          Preacher emerges from the whiteness.
                         
                                             PREACHER (CONT'D)
                    I am needing to be speaking with
                    you Commandant.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    What is all this noise?
                         
          Commandant shouts from his thrown.
                         
                                             PREACHER
                    We are leaving, sah.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    Who and who is leaving?
                         
          Preacher pushes Agu aside, knocking him against the wall of
          the trench.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Who is leaving?
                         
          Preacher blinks.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Two-I-C, go back to your post.
                         
                                             PREACHER
                    No, Sah. We are going.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    You are the only one stupid
                    standing in front of me.
                         
                                             PREACHER
                    I am going, sah! I have no
                    bullets, I cannot be shooting our
                    enemy with no bullets. There is no
                    gold, no money, nothing to be
                    buying more bullets. So I am going.
                         
                              ANOTHER NDF SOLDIER
                    I am going too.
                         
          More voices call out from beyond the mist that they are
          leaving, farther and farther into the trenches, until the
          smallest voices are still yelling "me too!"
                         
          Commandant's eyes grow dark. Preacher subtly slides his hand
          down his rifle, still hanging on his shoulder.
                                                                   104.
                         
                         
          Electricity courses through Agu's temples, fear and confusion
          cloud his face. More men move to support Preacher, and Agu
          sees this, knowing his bullets couldn't stop them all.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT
                    I see. I see you are a big man now,
                    Two-I-C. And where will you be
                    going? You will surrender to the
                    other NDF? No. They will eat you.
                    And to the ECOMOD? That would be
                    wiser, but, then what? Jail? War
                    crimes? If they let you go, you
                    think you will ever have it as good
                    as you have it right now in this
                    mud? You think that you will be
                    able to just do what you want in
                    "peace"?
                         
          He paces along the trench, leaning into his men, centimeters
          away from their noses.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    You all will go back to your towns,
                    but they will fear you. Your
                    families will not associate with
                    you. You will be nobodies, with
                    your poor, uneducated minds. And
                    you will sit all day, and you will
                    watch the sun rise and set, waiting
                    with thousands of others for some
                    big man to come along and say "I
                    have some job for you."
                         
          He looks around, gauging the comprehension of his men.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Orphans. You are all orphans like
                    me. You think I will let you waste
                    what little time you have left on
                    this earth drinking black tea and
                    playing draughts with your gun
                    powder tea.
                         
          Commandant turns, looks at Agu, gripping his rifle.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    Agu?
                         
          He walks straight towards Agu.
                         
                                             COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                    What are you thinking?
                                                                 105.
                         
                         
          He grabs the rifle, kneels down, holding it against his heart
          and closing his eyes.
                         
                                               COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                      You want to kill me?
                         
          Agu can't. Commandant is disappointed.
                         
                                               COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                      You want to surrender?
                         
          Agu nods.
                         
                                               COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                      Then surrender.
                         
          He turns to the rest of the men.
                         
                                               COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                      When you are poor and hungry with
                      nothing to do with your nothing
                      days, you will remember these days
                      as your best. And know, one day I
                      will call on you again. And you
                      will come. Because you will
                      remember this, and you will come
                      running. Nobody has it better than
                      us.
                         
          Preacher climbs out of the trench. The others move to follow.
          Commandant turns to Agu, his rifle still raised.
                         
                                               COMMANDANT (CONT'D)
                      Go!
                         
                         
          EXT. UN CHECKPOINT, ROAD - DAY
                         
          Agu, in a column with the rest of the NDF Soldiers walks with
          their arms and weapons raised flat in the air. The sun shines
          hot over their heads.
                         
                                AGU (V.O.)
                      Sun, why are you even thinking to
                      shine on this world. I am wanting
                      to catch you in my hand, to be
                      squeezing until the color is
                      dripping out from you forever. That
                      way everywhere it is always dark
                      and nobody is ever having to see
                      any of the terrible thing that is
                      happening in this world.
                                                                  106.
                         
                         
          In the distance, waiting UN forces guide them through the
          defensive position.
                         
          As they pass a line of former ECOMOD TROOPS now re-organized
          as UN forces, Agu notices the 2nd Lieutenant from his home
          village, Alpha Town, the man he sold his imagination TV to,
          but the man does not recognize Agu.
                         
          As Agu stares at him, the 2nd Lieutenant is forced to make
          eye contact with him, but can't make out why this young
          fighter is staring at him.
                         
                                                       FADE TO WHITE:
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    In heaven, it is always morning.
                         
                                                                           FADE IN:
                         
                         
          INT. ROOM - DAY
                         
          A ceiling fan spins around in circles. Agu stares at it while
          laying in a clean bed of white sheets.
                         
          He is healthy. His skin fresh, his face filled in. His eyes
          clear.
                         
          Outside, children scream -- with joy.
                         
          Agu sits up. Child-like drawings of war flutter on a desk
          under the ventilation of the fan. He steps out of bed and
          stares out the window.
                         
          Permanent wooden blinds split his view horizontally, but he
          can see through them, at DOZENS of children running into the
          turquoise waters of the ocean.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    I am not knowing how long I am
                    staying here, but I am staying here
                    for a long time -- some week, some
                    month -- I am not knowing. All I am
                    knowing is how it is feeling here.
                         
                         
          EXT. BEACH - DAY
                         
          Agu stares at the other children at play.
                         
          He notices a miniature crab running sideways in the sand,
          making a tiny trail.
                         
          He looks back at the kids playing by the ocean.
                                                                   107.
                         
                         
          INT. CAFETERIA - DAY
                         
          A young WOMAN, AMY (20s) watches Agu. He doesn't join the
          other children, he stays separate.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Sometimes I am eating even if I am
                    not hungrying too much because I am
                    fearing that the food is finishing
                    for the next day.
                         
                         
          INT. AGU'S ROOM - DAY
                         
          Agu dresses in new clothes, stares into a mirror at himself.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    I am liking the clothes is clean
                    and dry and it is not having any
                    hole from bullet or blood from the
                    last person who is wearing it.
                         
                         
          EXT. SHELTER COURTYARD - DAY
                         
          The children scream as FATHER FRIDAY, (50s) enters the
          compound in a Land Rover. They swarm him.
                         
                         
          INT. SCHOOL ROOM - DAY
                         
          Father Friday sits in front of Agu.
                         
                                             FATHER FRIDAY
                    Turn to God. Confession and
                    Forgiveness and Resurrection, these
                    are the things you need to know to
                    bring the life back to your life...
                         
          He continues while Agu listens.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    I am not knowing all what he is
                    meaning. The only thing that is
                    making sense to me is memory that I
                    am having of another boy -- Strika -
                    - sleeping next to me, so close
                    because we are the only people
                    protecting each other from all of
                    the thing trying to kill us.
                         
                                                         FLASH CUT TO:
                                                                 108.
                         
                         
          EXT. JUNGLE CAMP - NIGHT
                         
          Agu and Strika holding on to each other.
                         
                         
          INT. SCHOOL ROOM - DAY
                         
          Agu sits defensively in front of the Father.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    The only thing I am knowing is the
                    sound of people coughing and
                    screaming, and the smell of going
                    to toilet and dead body. And the
                    feeling of the brown brown and
                    djamba in my blood.
                         
                         
          INT. ROOM - NIGHT (FORMERLY SC. 150)
                         
          The same dorm room, several weeks earlier.
                         
          Agu sweats in bed, his body aching as the drugs and poisons
          leave his system. He shakes in bed.
                         
                         
          INT. SHELTER KITCHEN - DAY
                         
          The kids, including Agu, raid the kitchen threatening the
          COOKS, they lock them inside the kitchen and take over the
          school.
                         
                         
          INT. SHELTER COURTYARD - DAY (FORMERLY SC. 159)
                         
          The CHILDREN -- months earlier when they first got to the
          shelter, are angry, confused, drugs still coursing through
          their nervous systems -- burn items of furniture, beds, table
          legs, and throw them into the courtyard as the WORKERS try to
          calm them down.
                         
          Agu, though we cannot hear it, throws his fist in the air
          chanting.
                         
                         
          EXT. SHELTER FRONT DRIVE - DAY
                         
          Father Friday calms the children down, his hands outstretched
          waiting for them to give him the keys.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Confession and Forgiveness and
                    resurrection.
                                                                 109.
                         
                         
          INT. SHELTER KITCHEN - DAY
                         
          Father Friday unlocks the doors. The children, including Agu,
          apologize to the staff.
                         
                              FATHER FRIDAY (V.O.)
                    Above all, my boy. Have faith in
                    God and trust in him because he is
                    the one helping you to understand
                    what these words mean. Do you have
                    a Bible?
                         
                         
          EXT. BEACH - NIGHT
                         
          Agu sits with several of the SBU boys. Preacher, and who ever
          else is still alive.
                         
                                             PREACHER
                    They are not even paying us an
                    allowance. How are we supposed to
                    be living on this?
                         
                                             AGU
                    Don't go Preacher.
                         
                         
          INT. SCHOOL ROOM
                         
          Father Friday pulls out a book.
                         
                                             AGU
                    Yes, I am having Bible, but I am
                    using to be holding my drawing down
                    on my desk so the fan is not
                    throwing them everywhere.
                         
                         
          EXT. BEACH - NIGHT
                         
          Agu and Preacher hug.
                         
                                             PREACHER
                    They are saying they are needing
                    soldier, fighting is what I am
                    knowing and that is what I should
                    be doing. You are sure you do not
                    want to fight?
                         
          Agu nods. Preach and TWO other NDF ADOLESCENTS jump the fence
          and sneak off.
                                                                 110.
                         
                         
          INT. COUNSELING ROOM - DAY
                         
          Amy sits in front of Agu. She is quiet, making an effort to
          show she cares what he is saying.
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    Amy. She is always looking at me
                    like looking at me is going to be
                    helping me.
                         
                                             AMY
                    Go on, try, try to talk about it...
                         
                              AGU (V.O.)
                    She thinks that my not speaking is
                    because I can't be explaining
                    myself like baby... but I am not
                    like baby, I am like old man and
                    she is like small girl because I am
                    fighting in war and she is not even
                    knowing what war is.
                         
                                             AMY
                    Tell me what you are feeling, or,
                    try to tell me what you are
                    thinking.
                         
                                             AGU
                    I am thinking about my future.
                         
                                             AMY
                    Good, yes, good. And how do you see
                    your future?
                         
          He shrugs. A fan buzzes overhead. He looks at it, subtly
          THUMPING like a helicopter.
                         
                                             AGU
                    Botu botu botu.
                         
                                             AMY
                    Do you want to talk about some of
                    your experiences?
                         
          Agu shakes his head.
                         
                                             AMY (CONT'D)
                    Okay. But it might make you feel
                    better.
                         
          Agu stares at her for a long moment. So unbroken that Amy has
          to look away.
                                                                   111.
                         
                         
                                             AGU
                    I am seeing more terrible thing
                    than ten thousand men and I am
                    doing more terrible thing than
                    twenty thousand men.
                         
          Amy looks at him sadly.
                         
                                             AGU (CONT'D)
                    So, if I am saying these thing that
                    I do, then it will be making me to
                    sadding too much and you too
                    sadding to much in this life. I am
                    wanting to be happy in this life
                    because of everything I am seeing.
                    I am just wanting to be happy.
                         
          Amy's eyes water.
                         
                                              AGU (CONT'D)
                    If I am telling this to you it will
                    be making you to think that I am
                    some sort of beast or devil.
                                       (BEAT)
                    I am all of this thing. I am all of
                    this thing, but I am also having
                    mother and father and brother and
                    sister once, and they were loving
                    me.
                         
                         
          EXT. BEACH - DUSK
                         
          Dozens of children run into the water, screaming, writhing,
          passing around a ball in large circles.
                         
          From a distance, Agu watches them play, a part of him
          yearning to join them, a part of him feeling like that
          version of himself is long gone.
                         
          But, surprising even to him, he cannot help but step forward,
          at first walking, then running out towards the water,
          splashing into the frothy waves to join them.
                         
          We last glimpse him as he dives underwater.
                         
                                                        CUT TO BLACK:
                          


Beasts of No Nation



Writers :   Cary Joji Fukunaga
Genres :   Drama  War


User Comments







Index    |    Submit    |    Link to IMSDb    |    Disclaimer    |    Privacy policy    |    Contact