"Old Wine New Bottle" Sunbow Season 3 episode

[Mr. Angry Beef]

"Old Wine, New Bottle"
by Mike Tanner

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

EXT. GI JOE HEADQUARTERS - EVENING

THE SUN IS JUST STARTING TO GO DOWN ON THE BASE. A TRIO OF CONQUEST JETS ARE APPROACHING FOR LANDING.

INT. GI JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMPUTER CENTER - EVENING

DIAL-TONE AND MAINFRAME SIT IN FRONT OF THE MASSIVE COMPUTER BANKS.

DIAL-TONE

Well, Mainframe, everything's in check.

MAINFRAME

Routine as usual. Ever since Cobra lost that battle in the Himalayas it's been smooth sailing around here.

DIAL-TONE

We have one team out in the field. Hopefully they are getting a little excitement.

MAINFRAME

Beachhead's team can handle anything. Even if they do get some action, it probably wouldn't last very long.

EXT. JUNGLE RIVER - DAY

BEACHHEAD, LEATHERNECK AND WETSUIT DUCK BEHIND AN OVERTURNED BOAT AT THE SHORELINE. LAZER BLASTS FLY PAST THEM. THEY RETURN FIRE.

LEATHERNECK

We've been pinned down for hours Beachhead.

BEACHHEAD

You think I can't tell time Leatherneck?

ACROSS THE RIVER ARE DOZENS OF RIVER PIRATES WITH HIGH TECH WEAPONS.

BEACHHEAD

We don't move until Recondo and Footloose return. No sense pulling back if all we are doing is pulling back into an ambush.

WETSUIT

Yeah ya jarhead.

LEATHERNECK

Why don't you make yourself useful squidboy and swim across the river and take the fight to them?

WETSUIT

I would if we hadn't of lost all our gear when our boat got hit. Someone was supposed to be on guard.

LEATHERNECK

I was watching-

BEACHHEAD

If you two old ladies don't stop bickering I'll toss both of you into the river. This country's president asked the Joe team to come here and investigate these pirates and their new weapons. We're getting a pretty clear look at what they can do.

A GRENADE LANDS IN FRONT OF THEIR BOAT.

LEATHERNECK

Down!

THE GRENADE STARTS LETTING OFF SMOKE.

RECONDO AND FOOTLOOSE CRAWL OUT OF THE JUNGLE AND UP TO THE THREE OTHER JOES.

FOOTLOSE

Hey dudes, it's like a rock concert out here with all the lazers and smoke.

BEACHHEAD

Can it Footloose. Is the path clear?

RECONDO

Clear, Beachhead. We even found a hut we can use for cover.

BEACHHEAD

Let's move it Joes!

THE JOES RETREAT INTO THE JUNGLE UNDER THE COVER OF SMOKE.

INT. GI JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMPUTER CENTER - NIGHT

DIAL-TONE AND MAINFRAME SIT AS BEFORE. MAINFRAME YAWNS AND THEN STANDS.

MAINFRAME

Well I'm off duty Dial-tone. It's all yours.

DIAL-TONE

You have a good night. Big plans?

MAINFRAME

Oh yeah, I've got a date with Scarlet and Covergirl.

DIAL-TONE

Make sure your health insurance is paid up.

A RED LIGHT BEGINS TO FLASH ON THE CONSOLE.

DIAL-TONE

Uh-oh.

MAINFRAME

What is it?

DIAL-TONE

Beachhead's team is offically overdue for check in.

MAINFRAME

That's not like Beachhead.

DIAL-TONE

I know. We better tell Flint.

EXT. JUNGLE HUT - DAY

THE FIVE JOES WALK UP TO THE HUT.

BEACHHEAD

You check it for traps?

RECONDO

No tripwires, no tiger traps. I won't vouch for anything else.

FOOTLOSE

It's a port and it's storming.

RECONDO

I'm going to circle back and lay some claymores on the path. If those pirates come calling we'll hear the bells.

RECONDO GOES BACK INTO THE JUNGLE.

BEACHHEAD

Let's get this hut turned into a fort pronto Joes.

INT. GI JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMPUTER CENTER - NIGHT

FLINT, DRINKING A CUP OF COFFEE AND OBVIOUSLY JUST WOKEN UP, WALKS INTO THE ROOM. DIAL-TONE AND MAINFRAME ARE WAITING.

FLINT

What's the situation Dial-Tone.

DIAL-TONE

Beachhead hasn't checked in.

FLINT

That's not like Beachhead.

MAINFRAME

That's what I said.

FLINT

We have their last known coordinates. Falcon has a team stationed in Japan. We'll call them in and hope they are not too late.

EXT. JUNGLE - DAY

RECONDO PLANTS A CLAYMORE ALONG THE PATH.

RECONDO

That's the last one.

IN THE DISTANCE HE CAN HEAR THE PIRATES APPROACHING.

RECONDO

That's my cue.

A SHADOW FALLS OVER HIS BACK. HE TURNS AROUND.

RECONDO

What the-

A BLACK BOOK KICKS HIM THE FACE AND KNOCKS HIM UNCONSCIOUS.

END OF

ACT

SCENE

EXT. AIRCRAFT CARRIER DECK - DAY

A TOMAHAWK CHOPPER SITS ON THE DECK. FALCON AND LIFT-TICKET ARE TALKING BY THE COCKPIT.

LIFT-TICKET

I can get you there soon enough. Where's your team?

FALCON

They're coming.

FIVE JOES BEGIN TO WALK TOWARD THE CHOPPER. THERE ARE TWO SEASONED VETERANS; SPIRIT AND GUNG-HO. THEY ARE JOINED BY NEWER JOES; HIT AND RUN, TUNNEL RAT, AND REPEATER.

LIFT-TICKET

Five? I thought your team was six?

FALCON

It is. One of them hopped in a rowboat. He said he had his own way of getting there.

LIFT-TICKET

And you let him do it?

FALCON

A good leader knows when not to question his men.

LIFT-TICKET

What's your excuse?

FALCON

Watch it chopper chump.

(to his team)

Get on board. We've got Joes whose butts might need saving.

THE JOES GET ON THE CHOPPER AND IT TAKES OFF.

EXT. JUNGLE HUT - DAY

THE HUT NOW LOOKS LARGELY DEFENSIBLE. BRACHES COVER PARTS OF IT MAKING IT LOOK BIGGER THAN IT IS. TWO MAKESHIFT PILLBOXES GUARD THE FRONT. WETSUIT IS IN ONE AND LEATHERNECK IS IN THE OTHER.

WETSUIT

Flat head.

LEATHERNECK

Wet brain.

INT. HUT - DAY

FOOTLOSE GUARDS A BACK DOOR ON THE HUT. BEACHHEAD GOES THROUGH THEIR BACK PACKS.

BEACHHEAD

We're low on ammo. Low on grenades.

FOOTLOSE

Bummer.

BEACHHEAD

Yeah. Bummer. Where's Recondo? He should have been back by now. I'd hate to think-

FOOTLOSE

Don't think it then. Stay positive man.

EXT. JUNGLE HUT - SAME

AN EXPLOSION IS HEARD FROM THE JUNGLE.

LEATHERNECK

You hear that?

WETSUIT

About a second before you did.

LEATHERNECK

Then why aren't you firing?

WETSUIT

Ladies first.

A LAZER BLAST BARELY MISSES WETSUIT. THE TWO JOES BEGIN FIRING. BEACHHEAD APPEARS IN THE DOOR AND STARTS FIRING.

BEACHHEAD

Footloose, cover our backs.

THE RIVER PIRATES START POURING OUT OF THE JUNGLE.

BEACHHEAD

They must have captured Recondo.

THE PIRATES SURROUND THE HUT.

INT. JUNGLE HUT - SAME

FOOTLOOSE IS FIRING OUT OF THE BACK DOOR.

FOOTLOSE

You know what I wish guys? That like, a Tomahawk with a platoon of reinforcements just appeared on the horizon.

EXT. JUNGLE HUT - SAME

LEATHERNECK

Footloose, why don't you- Look!

THE TOMAHAWK APPEARS ON THE HORIZON. IT CIRCLES AROUND THE HUT AND DRIVES THE PIRATES BACK INTO THE JUNGLE. THE CHOPPER LANDS.

FOOTLOSE

I wish I had a million dollars.

FALCON

Will you settle for some dogface soldiers?

FOOTLOSE

That's cool too.

BEACHHEAD

Thanks for the save Lieutenant.

FALCON

Don't mention it. Flint called us out when you got overdue on the check in. Now I see why. So those pirates working for Cobra or what?

BEACHHEAD

They are working for someone. They are too well armed to just be your usual band of cutthroats. Worst of all we think they got Recondo.

FALCON

All right let's split up. Spirit you see if you can get Recondo's trail. Take Tunnel Rat, Hit and Run, and Leatherneck. Everyone else back on the chopper. We'll get an aerial view.

BEACHHEAD

Hold up a minute-

FALCON

Beachhead, the mission is mine now. Stand down.

BEACHHEAD

Yes sir.

FALCON

Spirit take a radio. Stay in contact.

SPIRIT TAKES HIS TEAM INTO THE JUNGLE.

THE REST OF THE JOES GET BACK ON BOARD. BEACHHEAD AND FOOTLOOSE ARE THE LAST ONES.

BEACHHEAD

A few months ago I was barking orders at him now look at him.

FOOTLOSE

Just goes to show what a good teacher you are Beachhead.

BEACHHEAD

Your positivity is getting on my last nerve.

EXT. JUNGLE - DAY

SPIRIT LEADS THE THREE OTHER JOES TO THE SPOT WHERE RECONDO WAS ATTACKED.

SPIRIT

He planted the last claymore here. This is where the trail ends.

LEATHERNECK

This is where the pirates got him?

SPIRIT

Not pirates.

TUNNEL RAT

No pirates? Then who grabbed him?

SPIRIT

The pirates wear sandles and cheap sneakers. The tracks around here are boots.

TUNNEL RAT

All right, let's go after anyone with boots.

HIT AND RUN FINDS RECONDO'S HAT A FEW STEPS OFF THE PATH.

HIT AND RUN

I've never met the man. Is this his hat?

LEATHERNECK

Darn right it's his hat. You new jokers have no respect for the originals.

HIT AND RUN

Sorry.

SPIRIT

The trail goes off this way.

SPIRIT WALKS INTO THE JUNGLE.

EXT. JUNGLE - LATER

THE JOES ON THE GROUND MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE JUNGLE.

SPIRIT

The foot trail is coming to an end.

LEATHERNECK

So we lost them?

SPIRIT

I said the foot trail.

SPIRIT PULLS ASIDE SOME BRANCHES TO REVEAL A CLEARING. SEVERAL SETS OF TANK TREAD MARKS MOVE AWAY FROM THEM AND INTO THE JUNGLE, CLEARING A WIDE PATH.

TUNNEL RAT

You gotta be kidding me.

ABOVE, THE JOES IN THE TOMAHAWK SEE THE TRAIL AS WELL. IT APPEARS TO GO FAR INTO THE DISTANCE.

SPIRIT

Falcon-

FALCON

I see it Spirit. I see it. That's not a normal tread design. And I don't recognize it as Cobra. Who are we up against?

END OF

ACT

INT. GI JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMPUTER CENTER - NIGHT

DIAL-TONE AND MAINFRAME, EXHAUSTED, DRINKING COFFEE, STILL WATCH THE COMPUTER MONITORS. FLINT SITS NEARBY. GENERAL HAWK WALKS IN. THE THREE JOES STAND AT ATTENTION.

HAWK

At ease men. Any news?

FLINT

Recondo was captured by- Well, by whoever are supporting the pirates.

HAWK

Cobra?

FLINT

The trail that Falcon and Beachhead's teams are following don't match any known Cobra vehicles.

HAWK

Could be something we haven't seen. Let's keep this a recon and rescue mission for now. First priority is getting Recondo back. If the snake is back I want to know but not at the cost of one of my men.

HAWK BEGINS TO LEAVE.

HAWK

Dial-Tone, Mainframe, get some sleep.

MAINFRAME

All due respect General, I wouldn't mind staying on until we find out what happened to Recondo.

DIAL-TONE

Same here sir.

HAWK

I understand. You're good men.

EXT. JUNGLE - AFTERNOON

ALL THE JOES EXCEPT FOR LIFT-TICKET ARE MARCHING THROUGH THE JUNGLE FOLLOWING THE TANK TRAILS. SPIRIT AND HIT AND RUN ARE A WAYS AHEAD OF THE REST OF THEM. LEATHERNECK AND REPEATER TAKE UP THE REAR.

LEATHERNECK

(to Repeater)

Good to have another seasoned soldier on the team, not one of these kids that are still wet behind the ears.

REPEATER

Yep.

GUNG-HO

Don't take it personally. Repeater isn't none for being a chatter box. Isn't that right?

REPEATER

Yep.

TUNNEL RAT

So Lift-ticket just gets to sit back and relax with our air support?

BEACHHEAD

Why don't we just tell the whole jungle we are following them Tunnel Rat?

TUNNEL RAT

I'm just saying.

FALCON

Spirit is signaling.

TUNNEL RAT

What's he signaling?

FALCON

"Get down."

THE JOES HIT THE GROUND. TWO A.G.P.S (ANTIGRAVITY PODS) FLY OVERHEAD AND FIRE, JUST MISSING THE JOES.

LEATHERNECK

What the sam hill was that!

WETSUIT

I think you'll get another look Leatherneck. Here they come again!

THE A.G.P.S CIRCLE AROUND AGAIN AND MISS THE JOES AGAIN.

LEATHERNECK

Atleast they are lousy shots.

FALCON

Repeater, covering fire.

REPEATER UNLOADS HIS HEAVY MACHINE GUN AT THE A.G.P.S AS THEY PASS AGAIN. ONE IS DAMAGED AND STARTS LOSE CONTROL. IT PASSES TOO CLOSE TO THE GROUND AND BREAKS OFF PART OF ITS WING. THE POD GOES SPINNING INTO THE AIR AND OUT OF SIGHT. THE OTHER POD FLIES AWAY.

FALCON GOES OVER TO PART OF THE WING. HE LOOKS AT IT.

FALCON

Mystery solved soldiers.

BEACHHEAD GOES OVER TO LOOK AT IT.

BEACHHEAD

I'll be a monkey's uncle.

WETSUIT

Cobra?

BEACHHEAD

Not Cobra. Destro.

BEACHHEAD HOLDS UP THE WING REVEALING THE INSIGNIA FOR DESTRO'S IRON GRENADIERS.

FALCON

There went our element of surprise. Double time Joes.

HIT AND RUN

That's what I do best.

THE JOES BEGIN TO RUN DOWN THE TRAIL. HIT AND RUN LEADING THE WAY.

END OF

ACT

INT. DESTRO'S HEADQUARTERS - DAY

DESTRO IN HIS GOLD HELMET AND BLACK BATTLE ARMOR STANDS IN FRONT OF A CAGE WITH RECONDO INSIDE. TWO IRON GRENADIERS ARE AT HIS SIDE.

DESTRO

I would have preferred to have a bit more time to prepare. Rarely are you Joes ever considerate.

RECONDO

Yeah, real sorry about that.

DESTRO

Would you believe it was not my intention to engage the Joe team at this time?

RECONDO

Sure. As long as you believe we are distant cousins.

DESTRO

(laughs)

I suppose I should expect to repel a rescue mission soon.

RECONDO

Don't count on it. The team has a command directive that makes my rescue purely secondary.

DESTRO

I know the Joes better than that.

EXT. DESTRO'S HEADQUARTERS - GATE - AFTERNOON

A LONE IRON GRENADIER GUARDS GATE. HE STANDS BY A BUTTON MARKED 'ALARM'. HE HEARS A BRANCH SNAP.

IRON GRENADIER

Who goes there?

ANOTHER BRANCH SNAPS.

IRON GRENADIER

I heard you. In the name of Destro and the Iron Grenadiers, show yourself.

HE TAKES A FEW STEPS INTO THE JUNGLE. BEHIND HIM A HAND REACHES OUT AND PRESSES THE ALARM BUTTON. THE IRON GRENADIER TURNS AROUND AND SEES OUTBACK, ONE OF THE NEW JOES, LEANING AGAINST THE GATE. HE LEISURELY RAISES HIS ARMS.

OUTBACK

You got me.

INT. DESTRO'S HEADQUARTERS - AFTERNOON

IRON GRENADIER

My lord Destro, we've captured an intruder.

DESTRO

So it begins. Bring the prisoner in.

A TRIO OF IRON GRENADIERS BRING OUTBACK IN.

DESTRO

Who is this?

IRON GRENADIER

He won't say.

DESTRO

(to Recondo)

Who is this?

RECONDO

Beats me.

OUTBACK

I'm just some guy. I got lost. The Taj Mahal around here?

DESTRO

Has he been searched for weapons?

IRON GRENADIER

Yes sir.

DESTRO

Put him in the cage. I have other issues to attend to.

DESTRO AND HIS MEN LEAVE.

OUTBACK

Convenient for him to leave us alone.

RECONDO

I don't think he expected to have prisoners. So who are you?

OUTBACK

Name's Outback. Survival specialist.

RECONDO

Recondo. Jungle warfare.

OUTBACK

Nice to meet you.

THEY SHAKE HANDS.

RECONDO

Now what.

OUTBACK

Hopefully Lt. Falcon will be here with the calvary. If I got my timing down.

RECONDO

We just wait?

OUTBACK

Sure. Wanna play twenty questions?

EXT. DESTRO'S HEADQUARTERS - GATE - DAY

THE JOES HIDE OUTSIDE THE SAME GATE AS SEEN EARLIER.

BEACHHEAD

Destro's got his own army now.

GUNG-HO

Yeah, he's all grown up.

FALCON

Or is he too big for his britches. We need a diversion.

BEACHHEAD

You want to go in now? Why not wait until darkness?

FALCON

You want to give Destro more time with Recondo?

SPIRIT APPROACHES CARRYING A NOTE.

SPIRIT

And Outback.

BEACHHEAD

Who?

FALCON

Another member of my team.

SPIRIT

He left a note for me to find. He says he was going to allow himself to get captured. The rest, he says, is up to us.

BEACHHEAD

Sweet of him.

FALCON

Chances are they know we are here. My team is going to circle around to the back of the base. Beachhead, on my signal light up this gate then fade into the jungle. Try to draw them out. Call in Lift-ticket for extraction if things get too hairy. Take Hit and Run and Gung-Ho with you.

BEACHHEAD

Got it.

FALCON, TUNNEL RAT, REPEATER AND SPIRIT MOVE OFF.

BEACHHEAD

Another retreat.

FOOTLOSE

Look at it this way, if you retreat long enough, you end up pushing forward.

INT. DESTRO'S HEADQUARTERS - MEETING ROOM - AFTERNOON

DESTRO ENTERS A LARGE MEETING ROOM. IT HAS A LARGE ROUND TABLE. SEVERAL RIVER PIRATES SIT AT THE TABLE.

DESTRO

I trust you like your new toys gentlemen.

PIRATE CAPTAIN

The flying machines are the most fun but one of my men already damaged his.

DESTRO

A pity. The Anti Gravity Pods can be tricky for unskilled pilots. Perhaps you can order more when they become available. They are on back order.

PIRATE CAPTAIN

It was damaged fighting more of those Americans.

DESTRO

Ah, and where did this skirmish take place?

PIRATE CAPTAIN

About five kilometers down that path your new tanks made.

DESTRO

(to one of his men)

Iron Grenadier! Put the base on full alert. The Joes are closer than I expected.

IRON GRENADIER

Yes my lord.

AN EXPLOSION IS HEARD IN THE DISTANCE.

DESTRO

Much, much closer.

END OF

ACT

SCENE

INT. DESTRO'S HEADQUARTERS - AFTERNOON

RECONDO AND OUTBACK ARE LOUNGING IN THE CAGE.

RECONDO

Is it a K-ration?

OUTBACK

Nope. That's twelve. Eight more to go.

RECONDO

This is hard.

OUTBACK

We can play Rock, Paper, Scissors.

THE EXPLOSION IS HEARD.

OUTBACK

That's our cue.

OUTBACK TAKES A LOCKPICK OUT OF HIS MOUTH. HE BEGINS TO WORK ON THE CAGE LOCK.

RECONDO

Pretty risky. What if Destro had a more high-tech holding cell?

OUTBACK

Eh. I'd manage.

THE LOCK POPS OPEN AND THE TWO JOES ESCAPE. THEY RUN UP TO A COMMUNICATIONS CONSOLE.

OUTBACK

Any chance you have a secondary as a comm-expert?

RECONDO

Can't say that I do. You?

OUTBACK

I don't even like the telephone.

RECONDO

I'm a quick learner.

RECONDO SITS DOWN AND STARTS PUNCHING BUTTONS. THE SCREEN IN FRONT OF HIM FLICKERS TO LIFE. A FOOTBALL GAME IS ON. STATIC. A COOKING SHOW. STATIC. A SOAP OPERA.

OUTBACK

I think this might be a t.v.

RECONDO

Maybe-

THE SCREEN SHOWS AN AERIAL VIEW OF THE GATE. THE FENCE IS TWISTED AND BLOWN APART. RED AND BLUE LAZERS FLY BACK IN FORTH.

RECONDO

That's something.

THE DOOR TO THE ROOM OPENS AND TWO IRON GRENADIERS ENTER.

IRON GRENADIER

Hey!

OUTBACK

Shows over!

RECONDO GRABS THE CHAIR AND TOSSES IT AT THE IRON GRENADIERS KNOCKING THEM DOWN. THE TWO JOES QUICKLY KNOCK THEM OUT AND TAKE THEIR GUNS.

EXT. DESTRO'S HEADQUARTERS - AFTERNOON

IRON GRENADIERS MARSHAL AROUND DESTRO.

DESTRO

Fight you fools! Show them what happens when technology and iron will join forces! Show them what it means to be an Iron Grenadier!

HIS MEN CHEER.

EXT. DESTRO'S HEADQUARTERS - GATE - AFTERNOON

BEACHHEAD'S TEAM PULLS BACK FROM THE ADVANCING IRON GRENADIERS.

BEACHHEAD

(into his radio)

Lift-Ticket, you best get ready. We're going to need pick up pronto.

LIFT-TICKET

Hot L.Z. Beachhead?

BEACHHEAD

So hot it would set a lake on fire.

LEATHERNECK IS FIRING AND IS OBLIVIOUS TO THE IRON GRENADIER SNEAKING UP BEHIND.

LEATHERNECK

Eat hot lead you jack-booted sissies!

BEACHHEAD

Leatherneck, on your six!

LEATHERNECK

Huh?

LEATHERNECK STARTS TO TURN JUST AS THE BUTT OF THE IRON GRENADIER'S RIFLE IS COMING DOWN ON HIM. HIT AND RUN SHOOTS THE GUN OUT OF THE IRON GRENADIER'S HAND. HE'S STUNNED AND THEN KNOCKED OUT BY LEATHERNECK'S PUNCH.

LEATHERNECK

(to Hit and Run)

Uh, nice shot.

HIT AND RUN

Nice punch.

EXT. DESTRO'S HEADQUARTERS - AFTERNOON

IRON GRENADIER

Sir, the Joes are retreating!

DESTRO

Retreating? Hah! I doubt that. Double the guards on the Joe prisoners.

ANOTHER IRON GRENADIER APPROACHES.

IRON GRENADIER #2

Sir, the Joes have escaped!

DESTRO

Deploy the D.E.M.O.N.s.

IRON GRENADIER #2

Yes sir.

TWO GIANT HANGERS FOLD OPEN REVEALING SEVERAL D.E.M.O.N TANKS.

DESTRO

To my Despoiler!

INT. DESTRO'S HEADQUARTERS - AFTERNOON

FALCON, TUNNEL RAT AND SPIRIT ENTER THE ROOM AND FIND THE EMPTY CAGE.

TUNNEL RAT

The nerve! Didn't even have the common decency to wait to be rescued.

SPIRIT EXAMINES THE LOCK.

SPIRIT

Outback picked the lock.

HE LOOKS OVER AT THE COMM STATION.

SPIRIT

They then tried to use this machine.

HE THEN LOOKS AT THE CHAIR THAT WAS THROWN AT THE DOOR.

SPIRIT

They were interuppted.

TUNNEL RAT

Then what oh 'wise one'?

SPIRIT POINTS TOWARD A DOOR AT THE OPPOSITE END.

SPIRIT

They went that way.

FALCON

So do we.

EXT. DESTRO'S HEADQUARTERS - AFTERNOON

DESTRO, FLYING HIS DESPOILER, RISES HIGH ABOVE THE COMPOUND. HIS TANKS ROLL FORWARD INTO THE JUNGLE. EXCEPT FOR ONE. IT JUST SITS THERE.

DESTRO

DEMON 13, why are you not advancing?

INT. D.E.M.O.N TANK - AFTERNOON

RECONDO AND OUTBACK HIDE INSIDE THE TANK.

RECONDO

You going to answer the man?

OUTBACK

You're the quick learner.

RECONDO

Me and my big mouth

RECONDO PRESSES A BUTTON ON THE TANKS CONSOLE.

RECONDO

(disguising his voice)

This is Demon 13. We are staying behind to guard the compound.

DESTRO

Excellent, foresight. Demons 11 and 15 stay behind as well.

IRON GRENADIER

Yes, my lord.

IRON GRENADIER #2

By your command.

EXT. DESTRO'S HEADQUARTERS - AFTERNOON

DESTRO FLIES FORWARD AFTER THE JOES.

DESTRO

Iron Grenadiers forward!

INT. DESTRO'S HEADQUARTERS - MEETING ROOM - AFTERNOON

FALCON, SPIRIT AND TUNNEL RAT ENTER THE MEETING ROOM. IT APPEARS EMPTY.

TUNNEL RAT

Well, they ain't in here.

FROM UNDER THE TABLE THE RIVER PIRATES POP UP.

PIRATE CAPTAIN

But we are!

TUNNEL RAT

Oh brother.

THE THREE JOES BACK OUT OF THE ROOM.

INT. DESTRO'S HEADQUARTERS - CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS

FALCON CLOSES THE DOOR. HE SHOOTS THE LOCK.

FALCON

Discretion is the better part of valor.

TUNNEL RAT

How long do you think that will hold them?

FALCON

Long enough Tunnel Rat. Let's go.

THE JOES MOVE OFF.

INT. DESTRO'S HEADQUARTERS - MEETING ROOM - AFTERNOON

THE RIVER PIRATES STARE AT THE BLAST MARKED DOOR. THE PIRATES LOOK TO THE CAPTAIN.

PIRATE CAPTAIN

What? What to you want me to do?

INT. GI JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMPUTER CENTER - NIGHT

MAINFRAME AND DIAL-TONE ARE PACING IN FRONT OF THE MONITOR. FLINT SITS AT THE STATION NEXT TO BREAKER. SEVERAL MORE JOES (LIFELINE, DUSTY, ROCK AND ROLL, SCARLET AND ROADBLOCK), ALL TIRED BUT CONCERNED COME IN.

FLINT

Seriously, you two go to bed. Breaker and I have it covered.

MAINFRAME

Not until we get word.

LIFT-TICKET

This is Lift-Ticket calling GI Joe headquarters.

FLINT

This is Flint. What's the situation?

LIFT-TICKET

I'm on my way to extract Beachhead's team. Still no word on Falcon and his men or how the actual rescue went. It's hot, Flint. Looks like Destro's the one behind it.

FLINT

Destro?

LIFT-TICKET

He's going solo this time.

FLINT

Not much to say, but keep us posted.

EXT. JUNGLE - AFTERNOON

THE TOMAHAWK FLIES CLOSER TO THE BATTLE. LIFT-TICKET SEES BEACHHEAD FLAGGING HIM DOWN. HE BRINGS THE CHOPPER DOWN TO THE GROUND. BEACHHEAD CLIMBS ABOARD. THE REST OF THE JOES COME OUT OF THE JUNGLE AND CLIMB ABOARD.

BEACHHEAD

Let's take 'er up.

DESTRO SEES THE CHOPPER TAKING OFF.

DESTRO

You will not get away Joes!

HE FIRES BOTH MISSLES OF THE DESPOILER.

LIFT-TICKET

Hold on!

LIFT-TICKET MANUEVERS THE TOMAHAWK AND BOTH MISSLES BARELY MISS THEM.

LIFT-TICKET

My turn!

HE FIRES ONE OF THE CHOPPER'S MISSLES. DESTRO EVADES IT.

BEACHHEAD

Forget chrome dome! Take out those tanks!

FOUR D.E.M.O.N TANKS ERUPT FROM THE JUNGLE.

LIFT-TICKET

Like shooting fish in a barrel!

FOOTLOSE

Man, that's so cliche.

THE TOMAHAWK FLIES OVER THE TANKS FIRING MISSLES AND DODGING ONES FIRED AT IT. THE TANKS EXPLODE.

FOOTLOSE

But effective.

EXT. DESTRO'S HEADQUARTERS - AFTERNOON

FALCON, SPIRIT AND TUNNEL RAT BURST OUT OF THE MAIN BUILDING. THEY ARE MET BY TWO D.E.M.O.N TANKS.

SPIRIT

So Tunnel Rat, got anything clever to say?

TUNNEL RAT

Nothing springs to mind.

IRON GRENADIER #2

(from inside the tank)

Throw up your arms and surrender.

A THIRD TANK PULLS UP BEHIND THE OTHER TWO. IT FIRES SOME OF ITS MISSLES AT ONE.

IRON GRENADIER #2

What the!

IT FIRES TWO MORE AT THE OTHER TANK.

TUNNEL RAT

That's guy is one lousy shot.

THE CANOPY ON THE REMAINING TANK OPENS REVEALING OUTBACK AND RECONDO.

FALCON

Recondo! Outback!

RECONDO

Who's rescuing who?

THE JOES HEAR THE APPROACHING TOMAHAWK.

FALCON

I think that's our ride.

TUNNEL RAT

I get a window seat.

FALCON

Looks like Lift-ticket isn't alone.

THE TOMAHAWK APPROACHES WITH DESTRO IN PURSUIT.

OUTBACK GETS BACK IN THE TANK AND PREPARES TO FIRE.

DESTRO SEES THIS.

DESTRO

Curse you Joes! Curse you!

DESTRO FLIES OFF. THE TOMAHAWK LANDS AND THE REMAINING FIVE JOES CLIMB ABOARD.

TUNNEL RAT

Tight squeeze on here or what?

FALCON

Lift-ticket, open a channel to Joe headquarters.

LIFT-TICKET

You got it Falcon.

INT. GI JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMPUTER CENTER - MORNING

NOW MOST OF THE JOE TEAM IS ASSEMBLED, WAITING ANXIOUSLY.

FALCON

Lt. Falcon calling Joe headquarters.

HAWK

Go ahead Falcon.

FALCON

Mission accomplished. Everyone's coming home.

THE JOES ALL CHEER.

HAWK

Good work Joes. Good work.

EXT. JUNGLE - AFTERNOON

THE TOMAHAWK FLIES INTO THE HORIZON.

TUNNEL RAT

Destro got away. The river pirates still have some of his equipment. Is this really a victory?

FALCON

One piece at a time Tunnel Rat.

TUNNEL RAT

Sounds like a cop out.

BEACHHEAD

Put a sock in it Tunnel Rat or I'll do it for you.

TUNNEL RAT

I'm just saying- Hey what are you doing with that-

(MUFFLED)

FALCON

Thanks Beachhead.

BEACHHEAD

My pleasure Lieutenant.

THE TOMAHAWK DISAPPEARS INTO THE SUN.

FADE OUT:

END OF SHOW

[Mr. Angry Beef]

PSA

FADE IN:

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY

A ROOMFUL OF STUDENTS ARE TAKING A TEST. ONE BOY, TIMMY STARES OUT THE WINDOW BORED. SNAKE EYES APPEARS AT THE WINDOW.

TIMMY

Whoa.

SNAKE EYES POINTS TO SOMETHING INSIDE THE CLASSROOM. TIMMY LOOKS AND SEES THAT THE BOY IN FRONT OF HIM'S SHOELACES ARE UNTIED.

TIMMY

I should tell him?

SNAKE EYES SHAKES HIS HEAD 'NO'. HE THEN HOLDS UP ANOTHER PAIR OF SHOES WITH THE LACES TIED TO TOGETHER.

TIMMY

You want me to tie his shoelaces together?

SNAKE EYES SHAKES HIS HEAD 'YES'.

TIMMY

Uhhh, I don't know.

SNAKE EYES TAKES OUT HIS SWORD AND POINTS IT AT TIMMY.

TIMMY

Okay.

TIMMY STARTS TO GET UP FROM HIS DESK. HE SEES ANOTHER SNAKE EYES APPEAR BEHIND THE FIRST ONE. THE FIRST SNAKE EYES SEES TIMMY STARING AND STARTS TO TURN. THE SECOND SNAKE EYES PUNCHES HIM AND TEARS THE MASK OFF. IT WAS ZARTAN.

ZARTAN

Ha! Stupid Joe!

SNAKE EYES KNOCKS ZARTAN OUT WITH A CHOP. SNAKE EYES LOOKS AT TIMMY AND SHAKES HIS HEAD 'NO'. TIMMY SITS BACK IN HIS DESK.

DUKE APPEARS IN THE WINDOW.

DUKE

Don't give into peer pressure.

TIMMY

Okay. Now I know.

DUKE

And knowing is half the battle.

FADE OUT:

[Angry Beef]

... Lots of views and no comments?


Feedback would be appreciated.

[gun metal]

Nicely done!

You had Beachead, Tunnel Rat and Footlooses characters down to a tee. I liked the interaction between Leatherneck and Wet-suit too. It all had that Sunbow feel.

The only criticisms I can think of is that just about every Sunbow episode had Cobra cooking up some huge over the top science fiction like project. The general story was very similiar to the comic book format. A simple mission w/ an articulate account of the battle. IMO the Sunbow 'toons were the oppposite of that.

But I loved the dialog and it really carried the characters.