Code 51 (Screen Play)

UNFORGOTTEN
Written By:
M. Tomas Rosado
M. Tomas Rosado
12943 Bearpaw Pl.
Jacksonville, FL 32246
904-866-9747
Salty_marine@yahoo.com

2.
FADE IN
EXT. “MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT” - SAN DIEGO – DAY
SLOW MOTION
The United States and Marine Corps Flag WAVE GRACEFULLY in the
breeze in front of “Marine Corps Recruit Depot” MCRD
Headquarters, San Diego. A body can be seen silhouetted in the
second floor window looking out.
END SLOW MOTION
DISOLVE TO:
INT. AID DE CAMP’S OFFICE – “MCRD” SAN DIEGO – CONTINUOUS
SENIOR DRILL INSTRUCTOR GUNNERY SERGEANT JAMES “JIMMY” AVILA tall
strong looking man with a chiseled face and a sense of humor.
Standing in the Aid de Camp’s office at a modified position of
attention -- looking out the second story window.
As a Lance Corporal he was a hard charging Marine full of fire
and brimstone. A born leader. He lost a part of his innocents in
Lebanon after the explosion of October 1983. He managed to keep
his sanity and sense of humor.
Late 30s and handsome, he has a Marine high and tight. He has on
an IMMACULATE CHARLIE UNIFORM with the senior drill instructor’s
BLACK BELT and Hi Gloss Corfram shoes. His sleeves are pleated
and the back is bloused tapering from his 45 inch chest to his 28
inch waist.
The General’s door opens. The Aid de Camp, CAPTAIN CUNNINGHAM
walks out. Tall slender attractive, late 20’s Marine, wearing the
female CHARLIE dress uniform.
CAPT CUNNINGHAM
Gunnery Sergeant Avila.
AVILA
Yes Ma’am.
CAPT CUNNINGHAM
The General will see you as soon
as he gets off the phone with the
Commandant. Can I offer you a cup
of coffee?

3.
AVILA
Yes Ma’am, that would be great.
Heavy cream, heavy sugar.
Captain Cunningham walks out the office and returns a few minutes
later with a CUP that says, “MARINE PT, Pain is Weakness Leaving
the Body.”
CAPT CUNNINGHAM
Here you go Gunny. I’d offer you a
seat, but I don’t want you to cut
up the General’s couch with that sharp
looking uniform of yours.
AVILA
(takes cup and sips)
Thank you Ma’am. Good cup of Job,
but not as good as your jokes.
Captain Cunningham turns and walks out the office. Avila returns
to looking out the window. He’s contemplating how he has gotten
to this point in his life.
A drill instructor and platoon of recruits runs by calling
cadence.
DRILL INSTRUCTOR
C-130 rolling down the strip.
PLATOON
C-130 rolling down the strip.
DRILL INSTRUCTOR
Recon daddy gonna take a little trip.
PLATOON
Recon daddy gonna take a little trip.
DRILL INSTRUCTOR
Grease gun, K-Bar by my side.
PLATOON
Grease gun, K-Bar by my side.
DRILL INSTRUCTOR
These are the things we live by.

4.
PLATOON
These are the things we live by.
DRILL INSTRUCTOR
Stand up buckle up and shuffle to
the door.
PLATOON
Stand up buckle up and shuffle to
the door.
DRILL INSTRUCTOR
Jump right out and shout Marine Corps!
PLATOON
Jump right out and shout Marine Corps!
DISOLVE TO:
FLASH BACK
INT. KMTB - AVILA’S ROOM – NIGHT
SUBTITLE:
“KIRKUSH MILITARY TRAINING BASE” IRAQ
A tan room with a rickety steel bunk bed and wall locker. One
wall has a 2x4 poster of YODA holding a light saber. A large MAP
OF IRAQ showing the major routes hangs next to it.
ASSORTED WEAPONS lay against the walls. Four AT-4 ROCKET
LAUNCHERS and a .50 CALIBER MACHINE GUN lay against one wall,
AMMO CANS are stacked against another. GRENADES are in a homemade
bookshelf near the door. His M4 RIFLE is suspended by 550 cord
from the bottom of the top bunk; it’s pointing at the door.
Avila is Skyping with his wife MONICA and two sons, DAMEN, seven
and ALEX, five, in California.
AVILA
Damen didn’t I say stop teasing
ALEX? I need you to be the man of
the house while I’m not there.
So I’m depending on you to grow
up fast.
DAMEN
Ok daddy.

5.
AVILA
And Alex, I told ya ta stop being
mean to your brother, he has a big
job to do, so he needs your help. Ok?
ALEX
Ok daddy.
AVILA
Most importantly, I want both of
you to take care of mommy while
I’m away. Ok?
DAMEN and ALEX
Ok daddy. We will.
Monica moves in front of the camera. Early 30s and short, with
brown skin and big cheeks, exotic Bahama looking. She’s wearing
a form fitting Marine Corps T-shirt and tan short pants.
MONICA
Ok boys, let me get in there.
Avila, Damen, and Alex extend valedictions, I’ll see you later my
love, in “(Arabic).”
AVILA
A Shoe-Fuc Ba-di-yen, Ha-bebe.
DAMEN and ALEX
A Shoe-Fuc Ba-di-yen, Ha-bebe.
AVILA
I love you guys.
DAMEN and ALEX
We love you too daddy.
AVILA
Hey baby, how are you?
MONICA
Hi Jimmy, a little overwhelmed and
concerned, but for the most part
I’m well.
AVILA
What do you mean overwhelmed and

6.
concerned?
MONICA
I’m concerned about this mission
you’re on. Jimmy, I’ve been having
really bad dreams the past few nights.
Have you ever had dreams that wake you
up and wont let you go back to sleep?
AVILA
Yeah, after Lebanon.
MONICA
Well they’ve been that kind
Jimmy. I dreamed something bad
happened to you, really bad.
AVILA
I’ll be fine Monica. This isn’t
Fallujah and I’m not doing snatch
and grab missions. I’m here as an
adviser and an IA trainer that’s it.
Well, I’m also a force multiplier.
MONICA
A force multiplier? What’s that?
AVILA
That just means we drive around
town showing off our big guns.
You know, our .50 Cal, AT-4 rocket
launchers, stuff like that. That
lets the insurgents know we’re
prepared to blow stuff up so they
leave us alone.
MONICA
Blow stuff up? So you do go on
missions. I don’t like it, Jimmy.
Not this time. Can’t you quit the
Marine Corps and come home? My job
pays me more than enough for us to
live on while you look for something
you like doing.
AVILA
But I love being a Marine.

7.
MONICA
Jimmy, listen to me…
AVILA
(agitated)
Do you hear what you’re saying?
You want me to quit the Corps?
I have fourteen years in and
another year to fulfill on this
contract.
(PAUSE)
Plus, you just don’t quit the
Marine Corps with 15 years in.
We spoke about this before we
got married, and you said you
could handle it.
MONICA
I don’t know how much more of this
I can take; of you not being here.
It’s getting old Jimmy.
AVILA
Baby! After this contract we’ll
just have five more years.
MONICA
Five years is a long time. We’ve
been married five years and you’ve
been to Iraq three times.
AVILA
Yeah, but it’s like Gilligan’s Island,
they’re only eight month tours.
MONICA
I’m in no mood for jokes, Jimmy.
This is serious.
AVILA
Don’t you like the gold and jewelry
I bring home?
MONICA
I don’t care about that stuff. I’d
rather have you here with me and the
boys.

8.
AVILA
Five more years, Monica. I promise.
MONICA
I see talking about this is going
nowhere. Anyway, I’ve been offered
a promotion to the research and
development department at Northrop
Grumman. It’s a chance of a life
time and I can’t pass it up.
AVILA
That’s ok. I’m all for it. Where
are they located? Los Angles,
Irvine? I can transfer to the
range at Camp Pendleton and
drive down when I can.
MONICA
No Jimmy, It’s in Newport News.
AVILA
Newport News Virginia?
MONICA
Yes Virginia. The position opens
in two months, and I’m gonna take it.
O.S. There’s a knock at the door.
AVILA
Gees, what now?
(to the door)
HOLD ON!
(to his laptop)
Monica, can we talk about this
tomorrow? Someone’s at my door
and I have a mission early in
the morning.
MONICA
Yeah, as usual it’s all about you
and the needs of the Corps. What
about my needs Jimmy?
AVILA
It’s not like that Monica. And
I’ll take care of those when I

9.
get home. Anyway, kiss Damen
and Alex for me. Ok?
MONICA
Yeah I will, Good night Jimmy.
You be safe out there.
AVILA
Good night, Monica.
Avila – frustrated, he closes his laptop, puts his hands on his
head, and looks up at the ceiling.
AVILA
DAMMIT MAN!
Avila stands and walks towards the door.
DISSOLVE:
EXT. TIMBER WOLF HEADQUATERS – KMTB - IRAQ – EARLY MORNING
SUBTITLE:
0600 Hours, 7 June 2006
Avila, code name Assassin, is on top of a Humvee mounting a .50
CALIBER MACHINE GUN. A MARINE SERGEANT and MARINE CORPORAL are
on top of another Humvee mounting an MK-19 AUTOMATIC GRENADE
LAUNCHER.
Avila, EMOTIONALLY DISTRESSED, picks an ammo can up and slams it
into its mount, opens and removes the lid and throws it to the
ground. The Sergeant and Corporal look at Avila. Avila removes
the linked .50 Cal rounds from the ammo can, places the rounds in
the extractor and slams the cover shut.
SERGEANT
What’s wrong Assassin?
AVILA
Didn’t get much sleep last night.
IA Scout platoon got shot up in
Balad Ruz.
SERGEANT
Again?

10.
AVILA
Yeah. Insurgents killed five of the
eight, wounded two, and one’s MIA.
The wounded guys were so bad off I
had to call a MedEvac to fly them
to Bagdad.
SERGEANT
Man, it sucks to be them.
MARINE CORPORAL
The MIA guy probably lost his head
by now. Or he’s lying face down
in a canal somewhere. You know they
kept us here to train these guys
so they could become a better
fighting force, but they’re not
listing to us. And look what
happened, they got jacked the
fuck up, again.
AVILA
Yeah, all those training hours
gone to waste.
CORPORAL
And being out in the fucken heat all
day doesn’t help either. Not to
mention wasting all that ammo.
SERGEANT
Yeah, American tax dollars going
to waste. Well we did have fun
blowing shit up.
CORPORAL
Hell yeah we did. Hey Assassin, you
want me to be gunner on this mission
so you can get some sleep?
Avila rubs both palms of his hands across the sides of his head
from front to back.
AVILA
(smiling)
Hell no! I can’t fit inside these
things. I’m too cock diesel.
(MORE)

11.
AVILA (CONT’D)
Besides I like the wind and sand
blowing across my skin.
(PAUSE)
All right, let’s finish up so we
can go to the mission brief.
SERGEANT
We’re done here Assassin.
Avila jumps from the roof of the Humvee onto the hood and then to
the ground. The Sergeant and Corporal do the same and flow
Avila. Colonel Henderson is standing at the front door holding a
piece of paper.
COL HENDERSON
Stand down Assassin! The Sheriff’s
Office put us on stand-by. Looks
like we’re gonna have an easy
mission today.
Both Marines fist bump.
CORPORAL
Sweet!
SERGEANT
Outstanding!
AVILA
OH Hell! Last time I had a so
called easy mission my Humvee
engaged and EFP.
Both Marines look at each other in surprise.
SERGEANT
You survived an EFP Assassin.
AVILA
Yeah. The thing went off
prematurely and blew the front of
the Humvee all over the road.
SERGEANT
Dam! You’re pretty lucky Assassin.

12.
AVILA
Hell, that was nothing. You should’ve
been in Lebanon in ‘83 when that numb
nut asshole some-ma-bitch blew up the
24th
MAU barracks.
CORPORAL
You were there for that one too?
AVILA
Yeah, it took ‘em three days to
dig me out. You’re looking at a
Marine that has a God given talent
for dodging heat rounds.
CORPORAL
Don’t you mean death, Assassin?
AVILA
Death, destruction, disaster,
whatever you want to call it.
It’s all the same to me.
SERGEANT
Dam Assassin. I wanna be in your
vehicle.
Avila and the Marines get to the door.
AVILA
Hey sir, sounds like someone’s
goin after a high value target.
Are we in on it??
COL HENDERSON
No. Our mission is to be at this
grid coordinate by 1700 and stop
traffic. That’s all it says. Tell
the IA they’re not invited on this
one.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ROUTES TACO AND COWBOYS BA QUBAH - IRAQ – (LATE AFTERNOON)
SUBTITLE:
1645 HOURS - GRID NC 956 247

13.
TWO HUMVEES with .50 Cals are flanking the MK-19 Humvee. One .50
Cal Humvee is facing EAST the other is facing WEST. All members
of the Humvees, except the drivers and gunners, are in the road
stopping traffic. Very few vehicles are on the road. The ones
that are turn around and go back the way they came.
Two F-16S pass over head.
MARINE SERGEANT
(pointing at F-16s)
F-16s! Someone’s gonna have a
bad day.
AVILA
Sure enough!
EXT. ROUTES TACO AND COWBOYS BA QUBAH - IRAQ – (LATER)
Incoming communication from the “JOINT OPERATIONS CENTER,” BALAD
AIR BASE, “THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE.”
SHERIFF’S OFFICE
(on radio)
Timber Wolf 278.
CONVOY COMMANDER
(into his mic)
Timber Wolf 278, go head.
SHERIFF’S OFFICE
(on radio)
Timber Wolf 278, ENDEX.
CONVOY COMMANDER
(into his mic)
Timber Wolf 278, 10-4, over and
out.
The Convoy Commander presses a button on his radio.
CONVOY COMMANDER
(into his mic)
That’s it, missions over.
Let’s roll Marines.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT: ROUTE TACO TWO MILES EAST OF KANAN - IRAQ – (LATER)

14.
Timber Wolf 278 is heading back to KMTB. They maintain a 250
meter distance. Oncoming traffic pulls off the road so they can
pass. There’s an incoming communication from the Sheriff’s
Office.
SHERIFF’S OFFICE
(on the radio)
Sheriff’s Office to all units,
be advised Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
has been confirmed dead.
AVILA
(mutters to himself)
Yeah we got you, you mass murdering,
Mosque blowing up, Usama bin Laden
reject, al-Qaeda some-ma-bitch!
TIMBER WOLF 278 LEAD
(on the radio)
Timber Wolf Lead to Convoy Commander.
CONVOY COMMANDER
(into his mic)
Go ahead Timber Wolf Lead.
(on the radio)
Hey Sir, my gunner said he just
saw two bodies lying face down
in the dirt behind that dump
truck your coming up on.
You want us to stop?
CONVOY COMMANDER
(into his mic)
10-4. Stop where you can and don’t
let any cars through.
(on the radio)
10-4 Sir. Over and out.
CONVOY COMMANDER
(into his mic)
Timber Wolf Trail stop about 100
yards behind me and provide rear
security.

15.
COL HENDERSON
(into his mic)
Timber Wolf Trail 10-4 Sir.
CONVOY COMMANDER
(into his mic)
I’m gonna have my driver stop
behind the truck to see what
we have.
AVILA
(into his mic)
Sir can I suggest not getting
out until we know it’s safe.
CONVOY COMMANDER
(into his mic)
Well noted Assassin. I didn’t see
anyone in the cab when we pasted,
so I’ll get out after we check for
IEDs. Everyone keep your eyes open
and your heads on a swivel.
The CONVOY COMMANDER exits the Humvee. He walks over to the
bodies and stops. He sees blood and brain matter in the dirt.
He then walks to the front of the dump truck.
COL HENDERSON
(into his mic)
I SEE MOVEMENT! I SEE MOVEMENT
IN THE DUMP TRUCK CAB!
Two insurgents rise from under the dash.
INSURGENTS
(yelling)
Allah Akbar! Allah Akbar!
The DRIVER points his AK-47 out the window. He SHOOTS the Convoy
Commander striking him in the upper torso several times.
Avila stands up in the gunner’s turret. He turns around and sees
the Convoy Commander fall to the ground.
The driver then shoots at the MK-19 Gunner. The Gunner ducks into
the Humvee. AK-47 rounds STRIKE the turret shield and side
doors.

16.
AVILA
(into his mic)
OH SHIT, THE COMMANDER’S BEEN
HIT! THE COMMANDER’S BEEN HIT!
The dump truck ENGINE REVS and pulls onto the road. The
passengers in Timber Wolf Trail exit the Humvee; taking cover
behind the doors. They return fire. Avila cranks the turret
handle to turn the turret forward. He begins to fire into the
dump truck’s windshield.
A hail of .50 Cal ARMOR PIERCING and TRACER rounds strike both
insurgents sending blood and body pieces splattered against the
back of the cab.
Colonel Henderson moves away from the open door and into the path
of the approaching truck. Firing three round bursts, he runs out
of rounds quickly. He dumps his empty mag and looks down to get
another mag from his pouch.
SLOW MOTION
Avila pauses firing. He glances at Colonel Henderson who doesn’t
see the truck bearing down on him. Avila continues to fire,
concentrating his FIRE on the passenger side FRONT WHEEL. .50
caliber shell casings exit the ejection port and CASCADE onto the
Humvee roof like a waterfall. The truck wheel blows, veering it
towards Avila’s Humvee.
SERGEANT
(yelling waving arms)
ASSASSIN GET OUT OF THE HUMVEE!
GET OUT OF THERE!
Avila continues to fire into the truck’s engine. He runs out of
rounds just as the truck slams into his Humvee. The impact
throws Avila out of the gunner’s seat and onto the hood of the
Humvee. Truck and Humvee parts cover the road.
END SLOW MOTION
SERGEANT
(running towards Avila)
Assassin are you Ok? Assassin are
you alive? GUNNY! GUNNY!
Avila looks up at the Sergeant and goes unconscious.

17.
SERGEANT (CONT’D)
SHIT! I think Assassin’s dead.
DISSOLVE TO:
END FLASH BACK
INT. AID DE CAMP’S OFFICE - MCRD SAN DIEGO – DAY
The General’s door opens. GENERAL HENDERSON, a tall medium build
man with black hair, early 50s. Avila is deep in thought.
GEN HENDERSON
Gunny. Gunny?
Avila realizes where he is.
AVILA
Sorry, good morning Sir.
GEN HENDERSON
Come on in Gunny.
Avila walks into the general’s office. Various PICTURES of
military battles and WELL KNOWN Marines are mounted on the walls.
Behind the General’s desk is a picture of ARCHIBALD HENDERSON,
the 5th
and longest serving Commandant of the Marine Corps.
AVILA
“The Grand Old Man of the
Marine Corps.” Is that your
Grandfather Sir?
The General motions for Avila to sit.
GEN HENDERSON
Great uncle Gunny. How old do
you think I am? Have a seat.
AVILA
Sorry Sir. My bad.
GEN HENDERSON
I spoke to your monitor this morning
and he said due to cut backs and the
needs of the Corp, his hands were
tied.I told him that was bogus, so I
called The Commandant on your behalf.

18.
(PAUSE)
CMC said put in a hardship transfer
and he’ll try to pull some strings
on his end. Between the both of us,
we’ll try to get you an MOS change
or get you as close to Newport
News as possible.
AVILA
Thank you Sir. I appreciate your
help.
GEN HENDERSON
You saved my ass in Iraq, so I owe
you.
AVILA
You don’t owe me sir. I wanted to see
what would stop that truck faster, 250
rounds of 50 caliber or my Humvee.
Looks like my Humvee worked quicker.
Henderson and Avila laugh.
GEN HENDERSON
After everything that has happened to
you Gunny, it’s good to see you still
have your sense of humor. So why do
you need to go back East so quickly?
AVILA
My family needs me Sir. The boys
are starting to act out and I
think Monica is still feeling the
effects of my Walter Reed recovery.
GEN HENDERSON
Understandable Gunny. It takes a
special woman to be a Marine’s wife.
And she has to be an exceptional
woman to withstand the drill field.
How are Monica and the boys anyway?
AVILA
For the most part, they’re doing
well Sir. Monica loves her new

19.
position and the boys are doing
well in their new school.
GEN HENDERSON
Send them my love Gunny.
AVILA
Will do Sir.
GEN HENDERSON
By the way, when’s your EAS?
And am I doing your re-enlistment?
AVILA
March of next year Sir. But I’m not
sure I’m gonna re-enlist.
GEN HENDERSON
What? Gunny think about that. You
only have, what, five more years
before you can retire.
AVILA
I know Sir. But if I stay in the
Corp, I’m bound to lose my family.
GEN HENDERSON
Sorry to hear that. I guess you
have to do what’s best for you
and your family. You’re a good
man Gunny.
AVILA
Thank you Sir.
GEN HENDERSON
I’ll have my Aid contact you if
I receive any information about
your transfer or MOS change.
AVILA
Thank you for your time Sir.
Avila stands, shakes the General’s hand and walks out.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. AVILA’S CAR - MCRD SAN DIEGO – AFTERNOON

20.
Avila is in his souped-up ’78 Buick Regal; cell phone in hand. He
pushes a speed dial button, holds the phone up to his ear, and
waits for someone to answer.
INT. CAMILLE’S BEACH HOUSE – KITCHEN – SAME TIME
CAMILLE is in the kitchen reading the daily paper. Her cell phone
rings. She answers it and holds the phone up to her ear with one
hand. She has a cup of coffee in the other. We will meet her
much later.
INTERCUT - TELEPHONE CONVERSATION
CAMILLE
Hello?
AVILA
(talk singing)
Happy birthday to you, happy
birthday to you, happy birthday
to yooooou, happy birthday to you.
And many more.
CAMILLE
(delighted)
Thank you. I’ve been waiting for your
call. How have you been Jimmy?
AVILA
Outstanding as usual. How’ve you been?
CAMILLE
For the most part, I’m very well.
It’s so good to hear your voice. It’s
been a long time since we spoke. How
come you didn’t call last year?
AVILA
I was in Iraq.
CAMILLE
Yeah and, your special operations
capable, didn’t you have one of
those fancy Sat phones?
AVILA
I did, but I was on a special

21.
mission that week.
CAMILLE
Why in God’s name do they keep
sending you over there? That’s
your third time?
AVILA
They like the way I water
board insurgents.
CAMILLE
(gasps)
What?
AVILA
Just playing. The needs of the Corp.
Plus you know I had to go back one
more time before I retired.
CAMILLE
Yeah, you better be careful before
they send you to trash-ganistan.
By the way, you know I got married
last year right?
AVILA
Yeah, mom sent me the invitation,
congratulations. So how’s that
going for you this time?
CAMILLE
I’d rather not say right now,
but guess what we did? We adopted
a baby boy.
AVILA
(delighted)
Well, congratulations on the
adoption. I’m happy for you. What’s
his name?
CAMILLE
Noah.
AVILA
Cool, a good biblical name. And
what’s going on with the marriage?

22.
Am I gonna have to come over there
and torture the guy?
CAMILLE
Stand down Marine, I can handle this
one. Besides, you remember what happened
the last time I had man trouble?
AVILA
Yeah, you married the guy any way.
And after I drove all night from Camp
LeJeune too; that was my thanks.
CAMILLE
(sarcastic)
Thank you Jimmy. That visit
straightened him out for about
six months and then he went back
to his old crazy ass self.
AVILA
Hey, what are friends for. You
remember how big his eyes got when
he saw me standing in the kitchen
at three in the morning?
CAMILLE
Yeah, they were as big as pizza pies.
Camille and Avila laugh.
CAMILLE (CONT’D)
So why didn’t you come to my wedding?
AVILA
Uh. That’s classified, but I promises
to be there for your next one.
CAMILLE
I’ll hold you to that Jimmy.
So are you still married?
AVILA
Yeah but I don’t think for long.
Monica and I are having marital
problems right now.
CAMILLE

23.
Oh no, Jimmy.
AVILA
She changed up on me. While I was
in Iraq she got a big time promotion
and moved to Virginia. But get this,
while I was recovering in Walter Reed…
CAMILLE
(loudly)
What! Recovering in Walter Reed?
Is that what was so classified?
You were in the hospital and didn’t
call me? Why didn’t you call me
Jimmy? Why?
AVILA
You were getting married and I
didn’t want to upset you.
CAMILLE
Well you got me upset anyway.
The next time something like
that happens you better call
me. What happen this time.
AVILA
I got hit by a dump truck.
CAMILLE
Well at least that’s lighter than
a building. So what are you and
Monica gonna do?
AVILA
I’m gonna be a correction officer.
CAMILLE
What? I’m gonna punch you in your
throat Jimmy. What about the Marine
Corps? We have what, five years left.
AVILA
Nope, I’m getting out after my platoon
graduates next week.
CAMILLE
Jimmy, No. No. No.

24.
AVILA
It’s done, I start with North Carolina
Department of corrections next month.
CAMILLE
(angry)
JIMMY! Why didn’t you call me, I
would’ve talked you out of it.
We have too much invested in the
Corps for you to get out with
five years left.
(PAUSE)
Remember you got out after the
Lebanon incident? That I can
understand. A building fell
on you. But you went back in
after four years. And why, because
you said you missed being a Marine.
AVILA
I went back in because I had a hard
time adjusting to civilian life.
Civilians don’t understand what war
time vets go through on the battle
field. I lost my innocents over there.
My own mother couldn’t empathize with
what happened to me. I was a young
Lance Corporal buried under tons of
rubble for three days and I went
through hell…
CAMILLE
(compassionate)
“JIMMY!” Let it go. You know you’re a
Marine for life, so let’s finish this
thing.
AVILA
I know, I know. You seem to understand
me. Monica on the other hand doesn’t.
I’ve thought about it over and over and
I keep coming up with the same answer.
This is the best way to save my marriage
and be with the boys.
CAMILLE
Well you’ve been dodging heat rounds

25.
all your life, so I hope you’re right.
I’m gonna miss talking about all the
missions you go on and the silly
things your recruits do.
AVILA
Yeah, I’m gonna miss all that too.
CAMILLE
So you’re coming back East? Good!
Then I’ll expect to see you sooner
than later. I’m still at the beach.
So come by and meet Noah and my new
husband.
AVILA
Yeah, I’ll try. Do you know we’ve
known each other for 15 years,
9 months and 5 days, but who’s
counting? If you didn’t dump me in
college…
CAMILLE
(O.S. baby crying)
Yeah, yeah. You went off to be
a big bad Marine so what was
I suppose to do, wait for you?
I don’t think so. We’ve been over
that many times. Noah’s crying,
gotta go. Call me when you can.
AVILA
Will do.
Avila presses the end button and puts the phone back in the glove
compartment. He looks at his smoky sitting in the passenger’s
seat, inhales audibly, holds it, and exhales audibly.
He puts the key in the ignition and starts the engine. He takes a
CD out of the glove compartment, puts it in the player, pushes
the advance button until “THOUGHTS OF YOU” by “CHANGING FACES”
comes on.
AVILA (CONT’D)
Here’s to you kid.
DISSOLVE TO:

26.
EXT. PARADE DECK - MCRD SAN DIEGO – EARLY MORNING
Avila is “CALLING CADENCE” on the parade deck. Platoon 1050
executes the movements with precision. The General’s Aid de Camp
approaches. Avila sees her and calls the platoon to a halt; then
attention. He does a precision about face, and performs a crisp
hand salute. The Captain returns the salute, not as crisp.
AVILA
Morning Ma’am.
CAPT CUNNINGHAM
Senior Drill Instructor Gunnery
Sergeant Avila. How are you
this grand and glories morning?
AVILA
Outstanding Ma’am. What can I do
for you?
CAPT CUNNINGHAM
I love the way you call cadence,
Gunny. It’s like sweet music to
my ears.
AVILA
Thank you very much Ma’am.
CAPT CUNNINGHAM
Your going away party is 1800
hours to 2200 hours, per the
General. When do you start
the DOC academy?
AVILA
(smiling)
The beginning of next month Ma’am.
CAPT CUNNINGHAM
So what can those guys teach you
that you don’t already know?
AVILA
I guess how to deal with
incarcerated individuals?
CAPT CUNNINGHAM
Good luck Gunny. I’m gonna miss

27.
your motivating cadences around
here. See ya tonight.
AVILE
By the way Ma’am, is the General
gonna tell that story again? And
is there any way you can talk him
out of it?
CAPT CUNNINGHAM
(smiling)
You know he is. And “NO” he’s a
Brigadier-General and you saved
his life.
(PAUSE)
They were gonna medically discharge
you after Iraq, but he got you this
assignment instead. So suck it up
and drive on Gunny.
The Captain and Avila exchange salutes, the Captain turns and
walks away.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. DOWNTOWN RICHMOND, VA – NIGHT
GLORIA ROE, attractive, slim build Puerto Rican, late 30’s, with
long black curly hair and brown eyes. Dressed in ripped jeans,
sneakers, and a jean jacket she crosses Broad and 20th Street and
walks up to two thuggish looking men standing on the corner.
Sniffling, she wipes her nose with the back of her hand as she
approaches the two men.
THUG ONE
What-chu looking for little girl?
GLORIA
You got an eight ball?
THUG ONE
How much you want?
GLORIA
I only have 16.
THUG ONE
That’s not enough, but you so

28.
fine I’ll make an exception.
Gloria reaches into her jacket pocket and pulls out a handful of
one dollar bills and hands it to the thug.
THUG TWO
That’s good enough for me.
The thugs reach inside their jackets and pull out detective
badges.
THUG TWO
Richmond PD, turn around and
put your hands behind your back.
Your under arrest for intent to
purchase narcotics.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. CRIMINAL COURT - RICHMOND VA – DAY
Gloria is wearing an orange JUMPSUIT and has on HANDCUFFS. She is
sitting at the defendants table, looking sorrowful, waiting for
the JUDGE’S decision.
JUDGE
Mrs. Roe, please stand.
Gloria stands.
JUDGE (CONT”D)
This court believes that because
this is your first offence and you
have a degree in business management,
you can still be a productive member
of society.
(PAUSE)
So it is the decision of this court
that you be remanded to the “WOMEN’S
DETENTION CENTER” when the next
opening becomes available. Until
then you will be on house arrest.
(PAUSE)
If you do not finish the program
and I see you in my court again,
I will sentence you to 20 years
in Fluvanna Correctional Center
for Women. Do you understand me?

29.
ROE
Yes your Honor.
JUDGE
Case dismissed!
The judge bangs his gavel on his desk.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. WOMEN’S DETENTION CENTER - PARKING LOT – DAY
Avila drives into the detention center parking lot. He puts on a
pair of aviator shades and exits the car. He closes the door,
and puts on his BLUE Department of Corrections drill instructor
SMOKY. He’s in a custom tailored FORM FITTING VA DOC utility
uniform. He walks towards the main entrance.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. WOMEN’S DETENTION CENTER – FRONT DOOR ENTRANCE – CONTINUOUS
Lt. Hux is waiting at the front door for Avila. Avila walks up
the steps. Lt. Hux offers his hand and Avila shakes it.
LT. HUX
Corporal Avila, my name is
Lieutenant Hux. How are you?
AVILA
Outstanding. Nice to meet you Sir.
LT. HUX
Come on in. I’m the morning duty
officer and Lt. Ruffin is here
during the evenings. She just called
to say she’s on her way, but she’s
stuck in traffic.
(PAUSE)
Superintendent Savage is in a meeting
with a detainee, so have a seat and
relax till her secretary calls. I’ll
walk with you to her office.
The phone rings. Lt. Hux answers.
LT. HUX
Women’s Detention Center.

30.
Lt. Hux speaking.
VOICE
(over the phone)
The Superintendent will see Corporal
Avila now.
LT. HUX
Aye aye Ma’am, we’ll be right there.
Lt. Hux and Avila walk over to the Superintendent’s building.
Avila sees a MARINE CORPS bumper STICKER on a black Volvo 240.
AVILA
Is that the Superintendent’s car?
LT. HUX
Yep. She’ll be happy to see
you. All she’s been talking
about is having another Marine
over here. And you’re a former
drill instructor too; that’s
icing on the cake. I’m former
Navy.
AVILA
(smiling)
I won’t hold that against you
Sir. The Chief’s mess on the
Nassau was super fantastic.
INT. CARLA’S OFFICE - CONTINOUS
Lt. Hux and Avila walk into Carla’s office. The Superintendent’s
door opens, a detainee walks out crying. She walks past the men
with her head down. The Superintendent is standing at the door.
Mission oriented and an overall nice woman. She’s a short black
woman, early 50s, with a short afro. She has on an impressively
PRESSED VA DOC utility uniform and highly glossed spit shined
boots.
LT. HUX
Superintendent Savage this
is Drill Instructor Corporal
Avila.
Avila offers his hand and Superintendent Savage shakes it.

31.
AVILA
It’s a pleasure to meet you
Ma’am. Semper Fi.
SAVAGE
(smiling)
Semper Fi. It’s nice to meet you
Too. Come in Corporal Avila. That
will be all Lt. Hux.
Lieutenant Hux turns and walks out of the office.
Superintendent Savage motions to a chair.
SAVAGE
Have a seat.
Avila sits in the chair.
AVILA
Thank you Ma’am.
SAVAGE
So tell me a little about yourself.
AVILA
Well, I did fifteen years, five months,
and two days in the Marine Corps…
SAVAGE
What? You did fifteen years in the Corp
and got out?
AVILA
Yes Ma’am. My wife and I were having
marital problems; me being on the drill
field and deploying to Iraq a lot. So I
thought it would be best to just get out.
SAVAGE
That’s a noble gesture but didn’t she
know what she was getting into before
you two got married?
AVILA
I thought she did, but something
happened along the way. I couldn’t
transfer to Paris Island, or the East

32.
Coast, and an MOS change was out of
the question, so I got out. She got
an ideal job in Newport News and I
got a job with North Carolina DOC.
SAVAGE
Why North Carolina and not Virginia?
AVILA
Virginia had a hiring freeze on
state jobs, so that was the closest
and fastest thing I could get.
SAVAGE
I see.
AVILA
Things got worse, and one thing lead
to another. She met a man at work
who I guess gave her what she needed,
so we decided to end the marriage.
SAVAGE
Sorry to hear that Corporal Avila.
AVILA
It happens Ma’am.
SAVAGE
Do you have any children?
AVILA
Yes Ma’am. Two boys. That’s another
reason why I’m here. To be closer
to them.
SAVAGE
And the other reason if I may ask?
AVILA
I felt I was wasting my God given
talents watching inmates all day,
so I decided to find a boot camp
for bad boys. Two and a half years
later, here I am.
SAVAGE
Word on the street has it you took

33.
that detainees murder pretty bad.
AVILA
Yes Ma’am. It still bugs me some.
He had a lot of talent that I tried
to cultivate, but it didn’t work.
He played me, the system, and now
he’s just another statistic.
SAVAGE
Corporal Avila, I don’t know if anyone
has told you, but most of the people
we see can’t be helped.
(PAUSE)
There’s a 90 percent recidivism
rate. So if they do get into a program
like this one and graduate, they just
go right back into the same environment.
That causes them to do the same things
that put them here in the first place.
(PAUSE)
These are hard times Corporal Avila.
Federal and state governments wont
fund programs to teach people the
necessary job skills where they can
get a job that pays a decent wage so
they can get out of the situation
they’re in.
AVILA
So they keep coming back!
SAVAGE
Exactly. So don’t blame yourself for
his bad choice. Some people can’t be
saved. There’s one thing you need to
remember. Marine recruits want to be
in boot camp. These detainees don’t
want to be here.
AVILA
Yes Ma’am. I heard the same thing
from the inmates in North Carolina.
SAVAGE
I’ve spoken to my staff and told them
you’ll be in charge of drill. Do you
know any motivational cadences? I

34.
still get a hard on for Marine Corps
drill and cadence.
AVILA
(Enthusiastic)
Yes Ma’am. That’s what I do when I’m
home, create motivational cadences.
SAVAGE
Outstanding! One thing Corporal
Avila. You’re dealing with women
not Marines. The women who come
through here have been abused and
mistreated, mostly by men they
know.
(PAUSE)
Your tall and intimidating. When
you put that smoky on you’ll probably
scare 95 percent of them. I want you
to use that to your advantage.
AVILA
Yes Ma’am.
SAVAGE
Let me also warn you, you’re a
handsome young man. Some of
these women are gonna wanna be
in your face all day. If they
have a problem by all means help
‘em, but don’t let ‘em stop you
from doing your job.
(PAUSE)
Women get jealous quickly. If they
can’t have your attention freely,
they’ll act out to get it. And most
of all don’t ever go anywhere where
you’ll be alone with one of them.
Understand?
AVILA
Yes Ma’am.
SAVAGE
Your hours are 1400 till you
put them in bed. When you come in
tomorrow Lt. Ruffin will give you
the grand tour.

35.
AVILA
Aye aye Ma’am.
SAVAGE
I look forward to watching you work.
Superintendent Savage stands. Avila stands. They shake hands.
Avila walks out of the office and heads back to the main
building.
DISSOVE TO:
INT. WOMEN’S DETENTION CENTER – WATCH OFFICE - (MOMENTS LATER)
AVILA
Lt. Hux Sir? Has Lt. Ruffin
gotten here yet?
LT. HUX
No she hasn’t. You can either wait
for her or see her tomorrow when
you come in.
AVILA
She was supposed to give me the
grand tour, but I guess I can
wait till then.
LT. HUX
I’ll give you a tour. Come on.
Lt. Hux opens the quarter deck gate with an Adams key. As they
walk onto the quarter deck the women start maneuvering for
positions to look at Avila. The noise level increases from the
talking.
LT. HUX
Ladies…
Avila puts his hand on Lt. Hux’s shoulder.
AVILA
Can I say something?
LT. HUX
Sure. Have at it.

36.
When Avila gets mad or upset his South Bronx accent can be heard
more evidently.
AVILA
(screaming)
DAT DOES NOT REQUIRE TALKING!
AND DAIR’S NUTIN BUT TROUBLE
OVER HERE!
The squad bays becomes silent again.
LT. HUX
(sarcastic)
Nice. The women are gonna love
seeing you tomorrow.
DETAINEE ONE
(sarcastic)
He doesn’t have to talk so nasty
to us.
DETAINEE TWO
(sarcastic)
Yeah, he needs to take his ass
back to the boys boot camp.
Why’s he here anyway?
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. WOMEN’S DETENTION CENTER – AFTERNOON
Cpl Avila is talking to CORPORAL ARMSTRONG. He says goodbye and
WALKS up the stairs. Walking through the exterior door he sees
LIEUTENANT RUFFIN in the WATCH COMMANDERS OFFICE. LT RUFFIN,
charismatic, brown skin with shoulder length hair, late 40s, in
VA DOC utilities and highly shined black boots is waiting for
him.
AVILA
Good afternoon Lt. Ruffin, how are
you today?
LT. RUFFIN
I’m very well, thank you for asking
Cpl Avila. When you get yourself
together we need your drill instructor
extraordinaire used on a new detainee.

37.
AVILA
What? Someone’s having trouble
adjusting already? They just got
here yesterday. Who is it,
let me at her.
LT. RUFFIN
It’s Detainee Sampson.
AVILA
Sampson! Cpl Armstrong and I were
just talking about her.
LT. RUFFIN
She thinks she’s a real bad ass.
She’s been in and out of a number
of foster and youth homes for
failure to adapt. She’s been abused
by a number of men including her
own uncle.
(PAUSE)
From what I’ve read in her
evaluation, she has a self-esteem
problem and a problem with authority.
She also has a three year old
daughter who’s in a foster home.
So we have a lot of work to do
while she’s here.
AVILA
That’s if she makes it through
the program. But that’s why I’m
here, to fix people with authority
and attitude problems.
(PAUSE)
What’s your plan Ma’am, so I can go
exert my authority on her problem.
LT. RUFFIN
When you walk in the squad bay I know
she’s gonna do something wrong. That’s
when I want you to do what you do best.
You work on her authority problem and
I’ll work on her self-esteem problem.
AVILA
You ready?

38.
LT. RUFFIN
Yep. They’re standing on line waiting.
Sampson’s the first one on the right.
AVILA
10-4 Ma’am. I’m gonna say good
afternoon to Squad Bay “B” first.
Lt. Ruffin opens the quarter deck gate with the Adams key. Avila
walks onto the quarter deck. DETAINEE WILSON is standing at the
position of attention holding a broom. She waits for Avila to
come closer.
Short, attractive, early 20s, she has short blond hair and
stunning blue eyes. Her boots showed faultless perfection. Her
jumpsuit has very little wrinkles in it.
WILSON
Sir, good afternoon Sir.
Avila looks her up and down, says nothing, and passes her. He
steps just inside the gate threshold.
AVILA
(loudly)
Good afternoon squad bay “B” how
are you all today?
The women answer in unison.
SQUAD BAY “B” WOMEN
SIR, FINE SIR!
AVILA
Outstanding! There’s a lot of
motivation in here.
SIR YES SIR!
AVILA
Carry on!
SIR AYE AYE SIR!
The women continue doing what they were doing. Avila turns, and
walks out. He stops abreast to Wilson but does not look at her.

39.
AVILA
What’s happening mini me?
WILSON
Just great sir, now that you’re
here.
Avila looks down at her boots, raises his left eyebrow, looks her
in the eyes, and looks forward.
AVILA
Good. Maybe I can change that.
WILSON
Sir yes Sir.
AVILA
Impressive boots by the way.
Good job. Now, let’s go see
if I can catch someone doing
something wrong.
WILSON
(smiling)
You know you are sir. I’m glad
I have a front row seat.
AVILA
Cary on Wilson, Carry on.
Avila walks into squad bay “A” with his hands behind the small of
his back. All the detainees are standing in front of their racks.
Avila is talking very loud and looking down at the detainee’s
boots.
The women in Squad Bay “B” bend over and look towards Squad Bay
“A”.
INTERCUT:
SQUAD BAY “B”
ROE
(whispering)
Wilson, what did he say?
WILSON
He’s going to get his adrenaline
rush. What else.
ROE

40.
Poor girls. Harris, why does he
have to do that so soon? They just
got here last night.
HARRIS
Roe, he’s doing his job. Shock
treatment! Remember, that’s why
we’re here.
ROE
I can’t stand him. He’s been here a
month and he’s still a mean arrogant
jerk.
HARRIS
Roe, you don’t know that man.
ROE
(smiling)
Well I guess I’ll have to get to
know him then. Do you think he’s
married or has a girl friend?
HARRIS
I don’t see a ring on his finger.
ROE
Hey we should have a contest to
see who comes the closest.
HARRIS
Listen to us. We’re supposed to be
here for our self-improvement.
ROE
(sassy)
Well, I can do that between my
self-improvements Harris.
CUT TO:
INT. SQUAD BAY “A”
AVILA
Good afternoon Squad Bay “A”!
How are you all today?
The women answer in unison -- very unmotivated.
SQUAD BAY “A”

41.
Sir, fine sir.
AVIAL
(agitated)
What was dat? I couldn’t even hear
that. But dat’s ok cause I know that
some of you all know that the thunder
is coming. So let’s see if I can
change that lack of motivation for those
who have graced us with their presents.
SQUAD BAY “A” WOMEN
SIR YES SIR!
Avila walks down the center of squad bay “A” to where the new
detainees are. He passes Sampson and stops 3 feet past her. She
stares at him.
AVILA
Dat’s much better, but the damage
is done, I’m pissed off now. So
dis is the platoon that got
here yesterday!
SQUAD BAY “A”
SIR YES SIR!
AVILA
Welcome detainees. My name is Drill
Instructor Corporal Avila. For those
of you that make it through the
program, I’ll be the drill instructor
who teaches you more discipline than
you thought you could ever have.
(PAUSE)
When you leave here you’ll thank
me for helping you get in the best
shape you have ever been in. You’ll
be toned up and have a clean system.
(PAUSE)
Free from sweets, and cigarettes, and
drugs, and whatever else you poison
your bodies with.
(PAUSE)
I’ll also be the other drill
instructor who teaches you the
finer points of drill; another
form of discipline.

42.
(PAUSE)
Be advised, there’re only two
things you need to know about me.
So listen up and commit ‘em to
memory. I love my drill! So don’t
mess it up. And second, do what
you are supposed to do. That’s
all. Don’t mess up my drill and
do what you’re supposed to do.
I’m that easy. Understand?
SQUAD BAY “A” WOMEN
SIR YES SIR!
AVILA
With that being said, did my fine
intake drill instructors teach
these new detainees the do’s
and don’ts around here?
SQUAD BAY “A”
SIR YES SIR!
AVILA
And did anyone tell these new
detainees that I have eyes in
the back of my head?
SQUAD BAY “A”
SIR NO SIR!
Avila is furious. He does a PRECISION about face, turns his head
sharply, for effect, STAMPS his right foot on the floor, looks
down at Sampson, and moves within one foot from her face.
Pointing his right hand, fingers joined and extended two inches
away from her face, Sampson is STARTLED from Avila’s actions.
AVILA
(extreme rage)
WHY ARE YOU LOOKEN AT ME? DID I
SAY EYE BALLS? NO! DIN GET-CHA EYE
BALLS OFFA ME, SAMPSON! YEAH, I KNOW
YA NAME. I’VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT YOU.
GEES YOU’VE ONLY BEEN HERE A FEW HOURS
AND YA GOT ME PISSED OFF ALREADY.
UNDISCIPLINED ONE. AND YOU WANNA GET
YOUR DAUGHTER BACK?

43.
Sampson FURIOUS, still stares at Avila.
AVILA (CONT’D)
DIDN’T I SAY GET-CHA EYE BALLS OFFA
ME? WHAT? DID I SAY SUP-EM WRONG?
YEAH I KNOW ABOUT YOUR DAUGHTER AND
WHERE SHE IS. DO YOU WANT HER TO
GROW UP LIKE YOU? DEN FIX YOURSELF,
AND GET-CHA EYE BALLS OFFA ME.
(PAUSE)
WHAT? WHAT? OH YEAH, I CAN SENSE IT!
I CAN FEEL AN ATTITUDE WELLING UP
IN THERE. GO AHEAD DO IT! DO IT! OR
QUIT! CAUSE QUITING IS THE EASIEST
THING TO DO. CAUSE IF YOU PUT-CHA
HANDS ON ME, YOU’LL BE A GRANDMUTTER
BEFORE YOU GET OUT OF PRISON.
(PAUSE)
LOOKS LIKE YOU WANNA SAY SUP-EM,
BUT-CHA CAN’T CAUSE YOU’RE IN MY HOUSE
NOW. YOU’RE NOT BACK ON DA BLOCK
WHERE YA HAVE AN OPINION. YOU DON’T
EVEN HAVE YA OWN FIRST NAME, DETAINEE!
DA ONLY THING YA HAVE FROM THE BLOCK
ARE THOSE SNEAKERS ON YA FEET.
(PAUSE)
WHY ARE YOU STILL LOOKEN AT ME.
YOU CAN’T EVEN DO SOMETHING AS
SIMPLE AS LOOK STRAIGHT AHEAD.
Lt. Ruffin walks in, stops, and talks into Sampson’s left ear.
Avila steps back.
LT. RUFFIN
Just look straight ahead. Act like
he’s not there.
Sampson looks straight ahead.
AVILA
(talking loudly)
I heard ya had a problem with
my intake drill instructors last
night! WELL I’M NOT DEM! I also
hear you have a problem with
authority. Well I guess you’ll be
having a problem with “ME” cause

44.
I’m da authority around here.
I’m gonna be in yo face from sun
up to sun down until you either
fix yourself or “QUIT!”
LT. RUFFIN
You don’t have a problem with
authority. Don’t listen to him.
You’re not someone who gives up
easily.
AVILA
Why don’t you just quit now so
you can save me some time. That
time I spend waste-ten on you can
be the time I spend helping
others. So just quit now! “QUIT!”
Still looking straight ahead, Sampson starts to cry.
AVILA
What are you crying for? Why’s
yo face balled up like dat?
Did someone hit you? Did I hurt
your little feelings with the
daughter comment?
LT. RUFFIN
Don’t listen to him. Ignore him.
Find a happy place and go to it.
AVILA
GOOD! Suck it up and drive on!
What’s dis? Looks like you have
a little bit of discipline after
all. I like dat, there may be
help for you after all!
LT. RUFFIN
Go ahead and wipe your face.
Show him how strong you can be.
AVILA
Ma’am I’m done. She’s all yours.
I’m so pissed off I need to go
take some more of my meds.
Avila walks out of Squad bay “A” and disappears into the kitchen.

45.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. WOMEN’S DETENTION CENTER SQUAD BAY “B” – LATE AFTERNOON
Avila, 4Th,
5th,
and 6th
Platoons have gotten back from outside. The
detainees are standing on line. Avila is walking back and forth
down the center of the squad bay.
AVILA
I don’t know about you all,
but I had fun. Wasn’t that fun?
SQUAD BAY “B”
Sir no sir.
AVILA
No? NO! Well get used to it. We’ll
be doing a lot of that while you’re
at my lovely institution.
SQUAD BAY “B”
Sir yes sir.
AVILA
Say it like you mean it. Even if
you don’t really mean it. Cause
if you all walk around with balled
up faces, like Sampson, before,
during, or after drill, you’re
gonna upset me. And when I get
upset your life changes.
SQUAD BAY “B”
SIR YES SIR!
AVILA
Volume, I like that. Besides, you
should be thanking me. I’m helping
you maintain your youthful figures.
Before I got here what’d you do?
Sit around all day shining boots
and clean stuff, Right?
SQUAD BAY “B”
Sir yes Sir.
AVILA

46.
And how did your days feel?
Long, right?
SQUAD BAY “B”
Sir yes sir.
AVILA
Look at the platoons that were
ahead of you. Did you see how
PHAT they were?
SQUAD BAY “B”
Whaaaat? No he didn’t…
AVILA
Don’t what me. I said Phat,
spelled “P” “H” “A” “T”. Heavens
knows I don’t have the guts to say
fat; spelled “F” “A” “T”. I may
hurt someone’s feelings.
(PAUSE)
Anyway, if you eat my chow and sit
around all day somethings gonna
happen. Those calories will be
stored as “P” “H” “A” “T”. So I
have to be creative on how to help
you burn those calories, right?
WILSON
SIR YES SIR!
AVILA
Volume. Thank you mini-me.
Stop trying to suck up.
Avila looks at Detainee Roe. She is staring at the floor. Avila
CLAPS his hands LOUDLY - it startles Roe.
AVILA
(screaming)
Am I boring you?
Roe stands to her feet.
ROE
Sir no sir you are not boring
this detainee!

47.
AVILA
Well, wake up then!
Avila points to the quarter deck.
AVILA (CONT’D)
Get in my office!
Avila and Roe walk onto the quarter deck.
AVILA
(loudly to detainees)
Alright listen up! Take care of
your personal needs and get ready
for bed.
(PAUSE)
When you come up those stairs you
all better be decent and covered
up. I don’t wan-na see anything
hanging out or flapping when you
walk. Cause I don’t want my eyes
to explode. Got it?
SQUAD BAY “B”
Sir aye aye sir.
The detainees take care of their personal needs.
AVILA
How are you Roe?
ROE
Sir this detainee requests
permission to speak sir.
AVILA
Good. You may speak freely,
but maintain your military
bearing and discipline.
Understand?
ROE
Sir yes sir.
AVILA
How long have you been here?
ROE

48.
Two months sir.
AVILA
Two months? Are you ok? You
looked like you were in la-la
land or something.
ROE
I was day dreaming about
my son. I miss him a lot.
AVILA
Do you feel the program is
helping you any?
ROE
Sir yes sir.
AVILA
More incentive to fix yourself then.
ROE
Sir yes sir.
AVILA
Good! If I may ask, and you can
say no if you want, how did you let
yourself get here? You don’t fit
the status quo of detainee that
frequents a place like this.
ROE
(sadly)
It was because of my husband,
soon to be ex-husband.
AVILA
WHAT? Your husband?
ROE
Yes sir. I was a computer
analysist for a company in
Richmond so he came up with an
idea to start our own business.
He said he needed $18,000.00 to
open a store front downtown.
(PAUSE)
I didn’t think anything of it, so I

49.
gave him all the money in my savings
account and the next thing I know he
disappeared with the money. A few days
later he got caught in a drug sting
trying to buy a Kilo of coke.
AVILA
Where’s he now?
ROE
His mother bought the best lawyer
money could buy and being that this
was his first offence the judge
sentenced him to Indian Creek.
AVILA
Indian Creek? That’s not a prison,
that’s a country Club. I can tell
you he’s having a better time than
you are right now.
ROE
I’ll bet. We were married for five
years and I had no idea he had a
drug problem.
AVILA
It just goes to show that people
can hide some conniving stuff
about themselves.
ROE
Yeah, I see that now. I took it
really hard and turned to drugs
as a quick fix. I started to let
myself go, come to work late, and
not care about anything. So here
I am.
AVILA
Well I hope you’ve started to
care about yourself now. Cause
your son needs you.
ROE
Yes sir.
AVILA

50.
(sympathetic)
Thanks for sharing, Roe. I know it
must’ve been hard for you to open
up to a stranger. And I promise
I won’t use anything you tell me
against you, even if you piss me
off. That’s not what I’m about.
ROE
Thank you sir.
AVILA
So while you’re here get everything
you can from the program. If you have
a brain fart you’re gonna have a bad
day. If you need someone to talk to,
I’m here to listen and help if I can.
ROE
I’ll try to do my best. I guess my
problem trusting men will diminish
over time.
AVILA
(smiling)
Understandable. You can trust
me. I’m only part man. The other
part is Superman. No, no I’m badder
than superman. I can walk through
walls without busting through them.
ROE
Sir yes sir. We’ve all seen
how you can just appear out
of nowhere.
AVILA
Wilson’s leaving in a few weeks
so I’ll need another mini me.
Are you up for the challenge?
ROE
(smiling)
Sir yes Sir.
AVILA
Good! Get out of here and get ready
for bed.

51.
ROE
Sir aye aye sir. Thank you for
listening.
AVILA
You’re welcome. That’s part
of my job.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. WOMEN’S DETENTION CENTER – LATER
The lights are off and the detainees are in their racks. Detainee
Harris taps on Roe’s bunk.
HARRIS
Roe, you awake?
ROE
Yeah.
HARRIS
What did you and Avila talk about?
ROE
Nothing much. He just wanted to
know how I got here.
HARRIS
What, that’s it?
ROE
Yeah. You know what? He’s not such a
mean nasty jerk after all. He’s
different, he really cares about us.
I like that.
HARRIS
Roe, listen to you. You’re not starting
to like this guy are you?
ROE
I could.
HARRIS
Our kind and the poe-poe don’t cross lines.

52.
ROE
Why can’t I be the first?
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. WOMEN’S DETENTION CENTER – AFTERNOON
LT. RUFFIN
Corporal Avila, first, second,
and third platoons are in an
anger management class.
(PAUSE)
Fourth and fifth are on the
parade deck practicing drill.
I want you to go to the parade
deck and work with them.
AVILA
Yes Ma’am. Can I observe
the anger management class for
a few minutes?
LT. RUFFIN
Sure. Wake ‘em up if they need it.
AVILA
(big smile)
Aye aye Ma’am!
Avila walks down the stairs and looks into the classroom. A few
detainees are nodding off, a few are sloughing, and a few are
talking to other detainees. The counselor sees Avila through the
window. Avila storms into the room.
AVILA
(yelling)
GET UP! ON YOUR FEET!
The detainees stand.
AVILA (CONT’D)
(loudly)
How dare you disrespect my
counselor like dat! And I’m not
talkin about everyone. You know
who you are, SAMPSON! You all are
in this class to learn something.
(PAUSE)

53.
This program and these classes
were designed to help you improve
yourselves. Don’t waste my counselor’s
time and don’t waste this opportunity
to learn something. Get everything
you can get from this place or QUIT!
(PAUSE)
I would hope when you finish this
class you’ll be able to tell me that
you learned at least one thing that’ll
help you have better control over your
anger, especially you Sampson. SO LEARN
SOMETHING! SIT DOWN! I’ll be watching
you all.
(PAUSE)
Sorry for barging in like that, Ma’am.
INSTRUCTOR
That’s ok, Corporal Avila. They needed
to hear that.
AVILA
Carry on detainees, carry on!
DETAINEES
Sir aye aye sir!
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. WOMEN’S DETENTION CENTER - LATER
Avila is angry. He’s on the quarter deck IPTing two detainees.
They are at the position of attention breathing heavy and
sweating.
AVILA
So you all wanna fight up in
here? Fine! Dat tells me you
have too much energy. So we’re gonna
use that energy in a more productive
way. Get back down, do pushups.
(PAUSE)
On your feet! I don’t like when people
fight in my house!
(PAUSE)
Run in place. Hold your arms up.
Pick your knees up, higher, higher!

54.
Lt. Ruffin is in the watch Commander’s Office.
LT. RUFFIN (O. S.)
Corporal Avila!
AVILA
(to Lt. Ruffin)
Yes Ma’am.
LT. RUFFIN (O. S.)
Could you come here for a minute?
AVILA
(to Lt. Ruffin)
Didn’t do it, I was nowhere in the
area, I was out sick, Ma’am.
LT. RUFFIN (O. S.)
I want to show you something.
AVILA
(to Lt. Ruffin)
Yes Ma’am.
(to the detainees)
STOP! Saved by the Ruffin.
If I hear about you all fighting
again I’ll scuff you up worse
than this. Understand?
DETAINEES
SIR YES SIR!
AVILA
Now shake hands and apologize
to each other.
DETAINEES
I’m sorry.
AVILA
Stop! Dat’s where you just went
wrong. I said apologize to each
other. An apology and being sorry
are two different things. Sorry
means you’re pitifully bad. To me
you’re not pitiful. You’re somebody
who needs help! Got it?

55.
DETAINEES
SIR YES SIR.
AVILA
Get out of here.
The detainees apologize, do an about face and walk into squad bay
“B.” Avila walks into the watch office.
LT. RUFFIN
You received a letter from a former
detainee. When you finish reading
it let me have it so I can give it
to the Superintendent.
AVILA
Aye aye Ma’am.
Avila opens the envelope.
AVILA
(reads)
Corporal Avila, In the short time
I was there, I’ve had the pleasure
of coming to know you not only as
a teacher and a drill instructor
but most importantly as my friend.
You’ve helped me through quite a
few of my bad days and when I was
ready to quit, you wouldn’t let me.
(PAUSE)
You always made time to listen and
talk to me, made me feel like I was
somebody and realize I had what it
takes to make it in the world.
(PAUSE)
This was not easy, then again nobody
said life would be, but having someone
like you to talk to certainly made it
easier. You have helped me find what
it is that was buried for so long, the
part of me that gives me the “UMPH” to
go on and do what needs to be done.
(PAUSE)
I just wanted to take this time to tell
you “thank you” for everything you’ve
done for me and for just being there to

56.
talk to. Take care of yourself.
Your first shock treatment platoon.
Avila hands the letter to Lt. Ruffin.
AVILA
Here you go Ma’am. That brought
tears to my eyes.
LT. RUFFIN
It looks like the program helped
one woman.
AVILA
Yes Ma’am. One down and who
knows how many more to go.
LT. RUFFIN
That’s what this program’s all
about.
DISOLVE TO:
INT. WOMEN’S DETENTION CENTER – AFTERNOON
AVILA
Afternoon Lt. Ruffin. How
are you this grand and glorious
day?
LT. RUFFIN
Very well Corporal Avila. Your
dinner is in the refrigerator
downstairs.
AVILA
What is it today?
LT. RUFFIN
Spaghetti and meat balls. Go
eat while I get 5th
and 6th
platoon
on line and ready to go.
AVILA
Aye aye Ma’am.

57.
Avila walks into the kitchen and down the stairs. He takes his
plate of food out of the refrigerator, closes the door and sees
DETAINEE NEWMAN standing there.
AVILA
Newman, how are you and what are
you doing down here by yourself?
NEWMAN
I was putting supplies
in the supply room and using the
bathroom. I knew you were coming
for your dinner, so I waited.
Here, smell this.
Newman holds up two fingers. Avila smells them.
AVILA
Is that what I think it is?
NEWMAN
(smiling)
Sir yes Sir. Isn’t it fresh?
AVILA
(smiling)
You’re lucky I have a good sense
of humor. Go upstairs and get
ready for drill.
NEWMAN
Sir yes sir.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. WOMEN’S DETENTION CENTER - PARADE DECK – LATER
Avila and 5th
platoon are on the parade deck while 6th
platoon
watches. Avila has them sitting in formation.
AVILA
Alright, what I won-na do today
is teach you something that no
other platoon knows. It’s called
“Form for Chow.” It’s an easy eight
count movement, so it shouldn’t take
too long to learn. That way when you
go to chow tonight you can impress
the others. Ready?

58.
5TH
PLATOON
Sir yes sir.
Avila demonstrates FORM FOR CHOW with precision movements while
he talks.
CUT TO:
EXT. WOMEN’S DETENTION CENTER - PARADE DECK – LATER
The detainees are in formation. 5th platoon executes the movements
with minor errors.
AVILA
YES, OUTSTANDING! I almost felt
the wetness…
(PAUSE)
The detainees look at Avila.
5TH PLATOON
Gasp. Whaaaaaat?
AVILA
(smiling)
Let-me finish. Of tears on my
cheeks. You all did a great job.
Drink water, and take care of your
personal needs. That does not mean
take all day either!
5TH
PLATOON
Sir yes Sir.
ROE
Sir this detainee request
permission to speak sir.
AVILA
HUH?
ROE
This detainee request permission
to enter your space sir.
AVILA
No! Take care of your personal
needs. I want to perfect Form for

59.
Chow before we go in.
ROE
This detainee doesn’t have any
personal needs.
AVILA
Fine then. You may enter my space.
Roe moves closer to Avila.
ROE
Sir everyone in the platoon has
shared something about themselves
with you, so the detainees were
talking and we’d like to know if
you would share something about
yourself.
AVILA
NO!
ROE and 5TH
PLATOON
Sir why not sir? Yeah why not Sir?
6th
platoon is sitting on the bleachers taking a water break.
They hear Roe talking to Avila, they quietly move closer.
AVILA
You all are here because somewhere
along the line something went wrong.
I’m here because I’m on a mission.
(PAUSE)
When you leave here I want you to
teach your children to love themselves,
encourage them to be the best they can
be, and to respect themselves as well
as other people. Don’t you want your
children to have a better way of life?
5TH
PLATOON
Sir yes sir.
DETAINEE
(attitude)
What’s wrong with the way our
children are living now. My
children are with my mother!

60.
AVILA
(agitated)
Exactly! Their mothers aren’t there
to kiss them good night. You want
me to go on? Smart mouth!
(PAUSE)
Anyway, wouldn’t you want your
children to be leaders instead
of followers?
5TH
PLATOON
Sir yes sir.
AVILA
Well then, me telling you why I’m
here does nothing to help you’re
self-improvement. Wait one!
Avila pauses a few seconds to think.
AVILA (CONT’D)
As you were. After careful thought,
I’ve decided to tell you why I’m here.
I believe it may give you a
different view on life.
Avila looks at his watch.
AVILA (CONT’D)
It’s a long story and we don’t have
time for it today. But I’ll tell
you what. Tomorrow when I come in
we’ll come out side drill a little
and then I’ll tell you my story.
Check?
5TH PLATOON
SIR YES SIR!
Avila turns around. 6th
platoon is behind him.
AVILA
(smiling)
Why are you all trying to sneak
up on me like that? Don’t you
know I could have a flash back
from Iraq and kill all of yous?

61.
Besides, I could smell you behind
me, especially you Newman.
NEWMAN
(smiling)
Sir yes sir. Sir this detainee
requests permission to speak sir.
AVILA
HUH?
NEWMAN
Can 6th
platoon hear too?
AVILA
Sure why not. You all are leaving
in a few weeks so I think it’s
relevant.
DISSOLVE TO:
Avila is CALLING CADENCE. He marches 5th
and 6th
platoons through
the main gate and onto the quarter deck. 5th
platoon is in front
of 6th
platoon. He looks over at Lt. Ruffin.
AVILA
Mark time, March! Lt. Ruffin,
watch this Ma’am.
The detainees get their 40 inch intervals. Lt. Ruffin watches.
Superintendent Savage is walking up the stairs from the basement.
She stops to watch too. Detainees in the kitchen and in Squad Bay
“A” maneuver to get a better view of the incoming platoons.
AVILA (CONT’D)
Platoon halt! 6th platoon stand
by. Alright, the Superintendent’s
looking, so you better not mess
this up.
(PAUSE)
Form for Chow, March!
The detainees perform the movement flawlessly. Detainees from the
kitchen and squad bay “A” clap and cheer.
AVILA (CONT’D)

62.
Yes! Yes! Now that’s what I’m
talking about! OUTSTANDING
5TH
PLATOON! OUTSTANDING!
SUPERINTENDENT SAVAGE
Corporal Avila, did you teach
them that?
AVILA
Yes Ma’am.
SUPERINTENDENT SAVAGE
Outstanding Corporal Avila.
LT. RUFFIN
Nice Corporal Avila. Very nice.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. WOMEN’S DETENTION CENTER – EVENING
The detainees are in their squad bays polishing theirs boots.
ROE
Harris, watch this. I’m
gonna mess with Corporal
Avila’s mind.
HARRIS
Roe, what are you gonna do?
ROE
Just watch this.
HARRIS
You better be careful. He’s
a nice guy but he can still get
you thrown out of the program.
ROE
I betting he likes me.
Avila is standing at the quarter deck podium talking to Wilson.
Roe walks up to Squad Bay “B” gate and stops.
ROE
Sir, this detainee requests
permission to utilize the head

63.
and refill her canteen, sir.
AVILA
Go ahead.
As Roe walks past Avila and Wilson, she drops her canteen. She
bends over seductively to pick it up.
AVILA
(to Wilson)
That will be all Wilson, keep
up the good work.
(yells to Roe)
Roe! Come here!
Roe runs over to Avila
AVILA
A real lady wouldn’t dent over
like that.
ROE
Who says I’m a real lady.
AVILA
(smiling)
Carry on Roe, carry on.
Roe turns and walks towards the stairwell.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. WOMEN’S DETENTION CENTER - PARADE DECK – LATE AFTERNOON
Avila has detainees from 4TH
, 5th
, and 6th
platoons sitting in a
semi-circle in front of him.
AVILA
So you all want to know why I’m here.
4TH
, 5th
, and 6th
PLATOON
Sir yes Sir!
Avila paces back and forth as he talks.
AVILA
(sorrowful)
Basically I’m here because I cared

64.
about a person too much. I believe
I failed this young man and his family
because I didn’t do my job well enough.
(PAUSE)
For those of you who were be-bopping
back on the block a few months ago,
you may’ve seen it on the evening news.
(PAUSE)
There was a detainee who came through
the boys boot camp twice. The first
time he was there I noticed he had good
leadership abilities. He wasn’t in
my platoon, so I couldn’t offer any
contributions to his training.
Somewhere along the line someone
told him that because his crime
wasn’t that bad, the judge could
sentence him to time served.
(PAUSE)
Well, he thought he’d take his
chances and roll the dice, so he
quit after 10 day. He went before
the judge and the judge sent him back.
This time he wound up in my platoon,
so I took him under my wing. I
tried to help him realize what he was
capable of doing; kinda like what I’m
doing with you Wilson and you too Roe.
Unlike you two, it didn’t work. I
felt like Yoda training Luck Skywalker,
disappointed.
(PAUSE)
I went home for the weekend and while I
was gone he quit; after 13 days. He
went back in front of the judge and
just like they told him the judge let
him out with time served.
(PAUSE)
(coldly)
To celebrate his self-proclaimed
victory, he went out clubbing,
messed around with the wrong girl,
and got shot in the face by her
angry boyfriend and died.
4TH
, 5th
, and 6th
PLATOON
(Gasps)
Oh my God.

65.
AVILA
(sorrowful)
His very grateful and tearful mother
called the boot camp a few days later
to tell us what happened. She wanted
to thank us for our efforts with trying
to help her son.
(PAUSE)
That’s why it’s important to me that
you all learn something from this
program. Don’t try to play the system
like he did, cause it may not work out
too well for you in the end.
(PAUSE)
This is just the beginning. When you
leave here we aren’t gonna be there
to hold your hands and tell you how
to run your life. You have to have a
strong mind and a strong will to
resist the urge when the monkey calls
you. Some-ma you all know what I’m
talking about.
(PAUSE)
Use this opportunity to change
yourselves for the better. If not
for yourselves, then for your
children so they can have a better
future.
Avila’s eyes start to tear up.
AVILA
I have to go see the Superintendent.
Finish drilling, and take care of your
personal needs. I’ll be watching you
all, so no messing around. On your feet.
The detainees stand, Avila turns and walks off the parade deck.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. WOMEN’S DETENTION CENTER - QUARTER DECK – AFTERNOON
Avila and Roe are talking. Avila is standing behind a podium.
Roe is standing in front of him, flirting.
ROE

66.
(smiling)
Hey Sir, has anyone told you
that you have bedroom eyes?
AVILA
(smiling)
No, you’re the first.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. WOMEN’S DETENTION CENTER - BASEMENT – EVENING
Avila and 5th
platoon are in the basement. The detainees are
writing their names on their new clothing.
ROE
Sir, this detainee needs a new
marker Sir.
AVILA
What’d you do to the one you have?
ROE
Sir it died Sir.
AVILA
You killed my marker?
ROE
Sir no sir! It dried out!
Avila hands a marker to Roe.
AVILA
Here, take this one.
A loud POP can be heard!
ROE
Ouch! That hurt sir.
Did you feel that?
AVILA
(smiling)
That’s not sparks flying between
us Roe. That was static electricity
and you assaulted me.

67.
ROE
Sir no Sir.
AVILA
(smiling)
Sir yes Sir!
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. WOMEN’S DETENTION CENTER - PARADE DECK – AFTERNOON
Avila, Roe, and three other detainees are drilling. Avila is
showing them pivoting movements.
AVILA
Roe, you have to pivot and
step out of the pivot point or
else everyone behind you will
bunch up at the pivot point.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. WOMEN’S DETENTION CENTER - CHOW HALL – EVENING
Avila is looking at Roe get her tray of food. She has a lot more
food on her tray than normal. She brings it to the table and sits
down. Avila walks up behind her.
AVILA
You gonna eat all that?
Cause if you are that’s gonna
turn into “P”“H”“A”“T”. There
goes your girlish figure.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. WOMEN’S DETENTION CENTER - SQUAD BAY “B” – EVENING
Avila is looking at Roe fold her close on her rack.
AVILA
Is that Victory’s Secret?
ROE
Sir yes Sir? A girl needs to
feel sexy even in here Sir.
AVILA

68.
Carry on Roe, Carry on.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. WOMEN’S DETENTION CENTER - BASEMENT – AFTERNOON
Avila walks down the stairs to the basement. He sees Roe coming
out of the counselor’s office.
ROE
Good afternoon Sir. I just
finished speaking to the
counselor and she said I can
graduate with my platoon.
AVILA
Well congratulations Roe. You did
it. I’m happy for you.
ROE
She let me call my mother to give
her the news. So my mother’s gonna
book a room at the Virginia
Beach Holiday Inn.
(PAUSE)
So did you mean what you said; about
when I get out?
AVILA
What, about wanting to see you
after you leave here?
ROE
Yeah.
AVILA
Yeah, I’d like to see you when
you get out.
ROE
Ok sir, don’t play with my
emotions. I’ll expect to see
you there.
AVILA
You know I keep my word.
DISSOLVE TO:

69.
INT. AVILA’S APPARTMENT – FRANKLIN, VA – EARLY MORNING
Avila and Roe are in his apartment in Franklin. Avila’s cell
phone rings. He answers it and hold the phone up to his ear.
AVILA
Hello.
INT. WOMAN’S DETENTION CENTER – CARLA’S OFFICE - SAME TIME
INTERCUT – TELEPHONE CONVERSATION
CARLA
(over phone)
Corporal Avila, this is Carla,
How are you this morning?
AVILA
Outstanding. How are you Ma’am?
CARLA
Good, thank you for asking.
Superintendent Savage wants to
know if you can come in today to
see her.
AVILA
Yes Ma’am. I can come in now.
CARLA
I’ll tell her you’ll be here in
a little while.
AVILA
Yes Ma’am.
Avila presses the end button on the phone.
GLORIA
Who was that?
AVILA
The Superintendent’s receptionist.
She said the Superintendent wants
to see me today.
GLORIA

70.
About what?
AVILA
She didn’t say, but I have to
leave now.
GLORIA
Ok. Can you take me back to the
hotel? The gang should be up by
now and ready to eat.
AVILA
Sure, let’s go.
Avila grabs his car keys off the dining room table. They walk out
the door.
DISSOLVE TO:
Avila is in the receptionist’s office waiting for the
Superintendent. Carla walks out leaving the door open.
AVILA
Good morning again Carla.
CARLA
Good morning Corporal Avila, the
Superintendent will see you now.
Avila walks into the office.
SAVAGE
Corporal Avila, please sit down.
How are you today?
AVILA
Outstanding Ma’am. And yourself.
SAVAGE
I’m ok. I called you in today
because I received some disturbing
news from headquarters. They said
they received a phone call from
Gloria Roe’s mother-in-law saying
that one of our black male drill
instructors took her daughter-in-

71.
law away from her grandson yesterday.
Do you know anything about that?
AVILA
No Ma’am.
SAVAGE
Are you sure Corporal Avila?
AVILA
Yes Ma’am.
SAVAGE
I was skeptical myself, so I called
the hotel to see if any of the
names the woman left at headquarters
matched Roe’s family members. The
desk clerk said people matching those
names checked in yesterday. Do you
know anything about that Corporal Avila?
AVILA
No Ma’am.
SAVAGE
I asked the desk clerk if the room
they were in had any visitors and
he said yes, a tall black male. Do
you know anything about that corporal
Avila?
AVILA
No Ma’am.
SAVAGE
I took pictures of you, Corporals
Jones, and Martin over there to
see if they could identify the
person who visited Roe. The desk
clerk picked your picture
Corporal Avila.
Avila eyes start to water.
AVILA
It was me Ma’am.
SAVAGE
You know the Virginia Department

72.
of Corrections code states that
no employee of the department can
associate with anyone who has been
in the DOC system, right?
AVILA
Yes ma’am.
SAVAGE
What happen Corporal Avila?
Avila’s eyes fill with tears.
AVILA
I have a lonely life Ma’am.
When I’m not at work I’m in
my apartment sitting around
doing nothing.
(PAUSE)
I listen to music, make up
cadences, or try to figure out
ways to break down and build up
the detainees. That’s all I do,
day in and day out. I don’t even
get to see my boys that much anymore.
SAVAGE
So why don’t you go out and meet new
people.
AVILA
I do sometimes, but it’s hard to meet
a level headed woman these days. Most
are into drinking, partying, or thunder
cats. Others love spending money and
big fancy cars. I drive a ’78 Buick
Regal and a Hyundai. Women don’t want
to be caught dead in those.
SAVAGE
Corporal Avila, now that you’ve told
me this and before this thing gets
out of control, I had Carla type
up a letter of resignation.
AVILA
Yes Ma’am, I understand.

73.
SAVAGE
You were my super hero.
AVILA
Sorry for disappointing you Ma’am.
Love makes people do strange things
sometimes. I really loved this job.
SAVAGE
We loved having you. I’m gonna
miss your cadences and drill.
Sign here and here.
Avila signs the forms.
SAVAGE
I hope you have a good life James.
AVILA
Thank you Ma’am. Have a good day.
Avila stands, shakes the Superintendent’s hand, and walks out the
office.
SAVAGE
James, you can bring your uniforms
in tomorrow and leave them with
Carla.
AVILA
Will do Ma’am. Have a good day Carla.
Avila walks out of the building and gets into his car.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. HOLIDAY INN - VIRGINIA BEACH – LATER
Avila knocks on the room door. Gloria opens it. Avila is
sorrowful.
GLORIA
Hey baby! What’s wrong?
AVILA
I had to resign from the detention
center.
GLORIA

74.
What?
Avila walks into the room. Gloria’s MOTHER, MA and SISTER, ELSA
are putting close into a suit case. JOEY is sitting at the table
looking at T.V.
AVILA
Good morning Ma, Elsa, Joey.
GLORIA
Oh my God. Why.
AVILA
Headquarters called the
Superintendent this morning and
said your mother-in-law called
with a complaint. They said that
she said I took you away from Joey
last night.
GLORIA
That vixen bitch! Baby I’m so sorry.
She’s been a thorn in
my ass ever since I met her. She
didn’t think I was good enough for
her son because I’m Puerto Rican.
AVILA
So she’s a racist?
GLORIA
Yeah, she also thinks we’re still
married!
(looking at Elsa)
Why did you all let him speak to her?
ELSA
I didn’t know what he was gonna say.
GLORIA
He’s five Elsa. Joey, what
did you say to your grandmother
yesterday?
JOEY
I told her that the man from the
detention center took my mommy
away from me.

75.
GLORIA
Why Joey? I told you I was
coming back in the morning.
JOEY
I missed you mommy! I wanted
you here with me.
AVILA
(looking at Gloria)
I wish you would’ve warned me
she was gonna be trouble so I
could’ve decided weather or not to
get into a relationship like this.
GLORIA
Oh baby I’m so sorry. I’ll do
everything in my power so you
don’t lose anything. I can get
a good job really fast. Trust me,
you won’t lose anything.
AVILA
Ok. Now I have to figure out what
I’m gonna do for a job.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. MA’S HOUSE – DAY
Avila is vacuuming the carpet. The phone rings. Avila answers it.
AVILA
Vinny’s pizzeria!
INT. ITALIAN RESTURANT - SAME TIME
INTERCUT – TELEPHONE CONERSATION
GLORIA
Hey baby. Has Vixen bitch called there?
AVILA
No. Is she suppose to?
GLORIA
I don’t know. I’m just giving you

76.
heads up. She’s pissed because
she didn’t get to see Joey this
weekend.
AVILA
Yeah and? We took him to Great
Adventures so what’s her problem?
GLORIA
She called me at work and harassed
me for not letting her see him.
AVILA
(agitated)
What? That’s it! That’s all I’m
gonna take from them. I tried
to hold off and let you handle it,
but no more. I’ll handle it from
here on out.
GLORIA
Please don’t do anything rash.
You know she has a lot of money
and she’ll do anything to hurt you.
Plus she’ll stop giving us money for
Joey’s.
AVILA
(really agitated)
She’s already hurt me by forcing
me to resign from the detention
center. What more can she do?
Wait, she gives you money?
GLORIA
She said if we continue to stop
letting her see Joey, she’s gonna
hire a lawyer and press charges.
AVILA
Stopping her from seeing Joey
isn’t a criminal offense. Just
because she has a lot of money
doesn’t mean she rules this world.
I rule this world over here!
GLORIA
Yes baby you do! But calm down.

77.
AVILA
No! It stops today! CLICK.
Did you hear that?
GLORIA
What?
AVILA
I just turned myself back on?
I’ve been turned off for so long
I forgot what it feels like to be
in the on position. So she can
just stand the hell by!
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. MA’S HOUSE – EARLY MORNING
Avila is sitting on the couch watching TV in the living room. Ma
walks in from the hallway.
MA
It’s 1:30 Jimmy, this isn’t like
her. She should’ve called by now.
AVILA
She said she’d call when she’s
ready, but I’ll go over there
just in case.
Avila walks into the kitchen and grabs his keys off the table; he
walks to the door. The phone rings. Avila answers it and hold
the receiver up to his ear.
AVILA
Hello?
INT. MEDICAL COLLEGE OF VIRGINIA – ADMISSIONS – SAME TIME
PERSON
Hello my name is Ann Brown. I work
in the ER admissions department
at MCV. Are you Gloria Roe’s
fiancée, Mr. Avila?
AVILA

78.
Yes.
BROWN
Gloria was admitted in the ER about
an hour ago. Can you come and pick
her up?
AVILA
(surprised))
WHAT! She was supposed to be at
work! What happened?
BROWN
Calm down Mr. Avila. She’s ok now.
The paramedic that brought her in
said she was found in a yard on the
North end suffering from respiratory
distress.
AVILA
Respiratory distress?
BROWN
The medic said she overdosed on
heroin.
AVILA
Overdosed on Heroin? What the hell?
Where do I go to pick her up?
BROWN
You can come to the ER admissions
department. I’m processing her
out now.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ER ADMISSIONS - MCV HOSPITAL – EARLY MORNING
Avila walks into the ER waiting room, Gloria is sitting in a
chair. He walks over to her.
AVILA
Baby! Are you alright? What the
hell happened to you?
Gloria stands and walks towards Avila.

79.
GLORIA
Hey baby. I’m alright, let’s get
out of here. I don’t remember
what happened.
Gloria grabs his arm and pulls him towards the exit. Avila turns
and they walk towards the exit.
AVILA
WHAT? The medic said you took an
overdose of heroin.
GLORIA
Heroin? Is that what it was?
AVILA
Yeah, heroin! They found you face
down in someone’s yard on the North
end. What’s up with that?
GLORIA
(looking confused)
I remember leaving work with John.
He’s one of the kitchen workers. His
friend was waiting outside and he
offered to take me home. I thought
it would be ok, so I got in his car.
We took John home first and then went
to pick something up at his apartment.
(PAUSE)
When he got back in the car he said,
“this is a present from Duke” and
stuck me with a needle. I guess it
was a hot shot or something. The
next thing I remember, I was in the
back of an ambulance.
AVILA
(angry)
WHAT? Duke had something to do
with this? That Some-ma-bitch.
So you don’t know what this guy’s
name was? Do you remember where
his apartment is? What about where
John lives? Cause if you do I can
call some of my friends on the
department and we can go get him.

80.
GLORIA
(agitated)
I don’t know! Can you just drop
it Ok! Just take me home, please?
AVILA
So you don’t want to file a police
report or anything?
GLORIA
No!
AVILA
What, so this is just gonna stay a
mystery that doesn’t get resolved.
We’re supposed to be getting married
in a few weeks and you don’t wanna do
anything about this? This isn’t a
good way to start a marriage Gloria.
GLORIA
Just take me home please. I said
I don’t feel like talking about it.
DISSOLVE:
INT. MA’S HOUSE - EVENING
Avila is setting the table for dinner. The phone rings. Avila
looks at the caller ID, it says, out of area. He answers it and
holds the receiver up to his ear.
AVILA
Happy Harry’s health club!
RECORDED MESSAGE
(over phone)
You have a collect call from
Indian Creek Correctional Center,
please press one to except these
charges or press two to terminate
this call.
Avila presses one.
AVILA
Hello?

81.
INT. INDIAN CREEK CORRECTIONAL CENTER – SAME TIME
DUKE is standing at a prison phone hanging on the wall. He has
the receiver up to his ear. He has on tan coveralls and white
sneakers. Late 40s, husky Italian looking man.
DUKE
Who’s this?
AVILA
Jimmy. Who’s this?
DUKE
Where’s Joey?
AVILA
Yeah, it’s nice to meet you too.
He’s outside playing.
DUKE
So you don’t just steal other men’s
wives, you’re a funny guy too? Well,
why don’t you go get Joey funny guy.
AVILA
I don’t do things like that, but
if you call back at seven or eight,
he should be in the house by then.
DUKE
How do you know what time he’s
gonna be home?
AVILA
Cause I live here, ever since
your mother got me fired from my
job. Plus all children his age
should be in the house when it
gets dark.
DUKE
What do you know about children?
You don’t even know where your
boys are?
AVILA

82.
Listen up home boy, you and your
mother don’t run anything around
here. I’m getting tired of you two
harassing Gloria. And I for dam
sure ain’t gonna let you talk to me
however you want. I’m more of a
father to my children than you’ll
ever be to Joey. My two boys can
see me all summer. Joey only gets
ta see you for an hour a week.
DUKE
Listen here mother…
AVILA
No, you listen here, you and Gloria
aren’t married anymore. You lost
her. If you keep on acting like an
ass you’re gonna lose your son to
the poe-poe, dude.
DUKE
(yelling)
Listen here you punk nigger!
AVILA
(yelling)
What? Punk nigger? You little
convict, you’re the nigger. You
need to look the word up, ignorant
convict. You have plenty of time
on your hands.
(PAUSE)
You’re so smart your stupid. Dat’s
what’s wrong with some people, day
use words and they don’t know what
they mean. The word nigger means an
illiterate person, convict! Matter
of fact, I’m done talking to you,
so suck deeze nuts you convict
some-ma-bitch!
DUKE
You mother fu…
Avila hangs up.
DISSOLVE TO:

83.
EXT. MA’S HOUSE – DAY
Four red neck looking thugs are in a 1966 Lincoln Continental
sedan.
THUG ONE
Yo Dawg this is the block
bang a right. The house is
up here on the left.
THUG TWO (DRIVER)
Is there a contract on this dude?
THUG ONE
Na!
THUG THREE
Why’d you all ask me for help if
there’s no money in it?
THUG ONE
Duke told me to waste this nigger,
so that’s what we’re gonna do.
Besides it’s the principle of
the matter, he’s the poe-poe.
The driver slows down. A DEEP DRAINAGE DITCH crosses the road.
THUG TWO (DRIVER)
Dam that’s a deep ditch. That’ll
fuck a low rider up.
THUG ONE
Shut up, there he is!
Avila is cutting grass. He’s wearing olive green military
coveralls with a brass Marine Corps Eagle, Globe, and Anchor
emblem on the left pocket.
THUG THREE
We gonna bust some caps up in
him now?
THUG ONE
Na. We’re just doin a drive by
today. Duke says he’s a Marine
so we’re gonna need some high

84.
powered shit. I want Duke to
see this on the evening news.
THUG THREE
Yo, I’ve seen this dude somewhere
before.
THUG ONE
What? Where?
THUG THREE
That’s not important right now.
Shut up, he’s looking this way.
SLOW MOTION
The thugs and Avila make eye contact as they drive pass.
END SLOW MOTION
THUG ONE
Now I know what you look like
homey. I’ll have some hot balls
for you next week.
The car passes Avila. Thug one looks out the back window and
forms his hand into a gun, fires it, and blows the tip of his
finger as if he was blowing smoke from the barrel of a smoking
gun.
DISSOLVE:
EXT. MA’S HOUSE – DAY
SUBTITLE:
TWO DAYS LATER
Avila is working on his souped-up 1978 Buick Regal. A Harley
Davidson Fat Boy can be heard in the distance. It’s coming
closer. Avila looks up and sees the rider; a heavy set red neck
looking man, late 40’s, long beard, mustache, and pony tail.
He’s wearing terminator shades, a skid lid helmet, T-shirt,
studded leather vest, long pants, and biker boots. Tattoos cover
both arms. He stops across the street and gets off. He takes off
his helmet as he walks towards Avila. Avila grabs a screwdriver.
THUG THREE (CATFISH)

85.
Have we met somewhere before?
AVILA
That all depends. You look too
old to be one of my Marine recruits,
so are you a friend or foe? And
that’s a nice Screaming Eagle.
CATFISH
It’s a Fat Boy, Big Dog. And relax you
won’t need that screwdriver.
AVILA
Yeah I will. I have to remove this
screw. Unless you’re here to try and
kill me?
CATFISH
Na. That would be a waist of a
good man. I see you still have jokes.
AVILA
Yeah man. Big Dog? I haven’t heard
that name since Craven.
CATFISH
You don’t remember me do you? I’m
Catfish. You were a CO at Craven
when my wife got hit by a car and
you let me make a phone call to see
how she was doing?
AVILA
Yeah, I remember that. They let
you out?
CATFISH
Yeah, you can’t keep a good
man down.
AVILA
Good man? You’re standing in
front of me, so that’s questionable.
CATFISH
Hey! I’m not a convict.
I paid my dues.
AVILA

86.
Looks like you put on a little
weight since then. How’s your wife?
CATFISH
(pats his stomach)
Yeah, it’s her cooking. She has
a limp but she’s doing great.
How’s your wife and kids?
AVILA
We got divorced after I left Craven.
CATFISH
Sorry to hear that.
AVILA
It happens.
CATFISH
You look like you lost some weight.
And what’s up with your head?
Is that a Glock?
Avila rubs his head with his fingertips.
AVILA
Yeah, I’ve had a stressful life
these past few years. My hair
just fell out like that.
CATFISH
(shakes his head)
Big Dog, You were one of the best
CO’s I’ve met. You treated everyone
like a man, with respect and
dignity, no matter what they
did. I don’t know if any one told
you, but you’re crazy Marine ass
made life in Craven more bearable
for some of us.
AVILA
Thank you, I think. I’ve been where
you’ve been. Well, somewhat. I
chose to go a different route and
join the Marine Corps. Cause I know
that you know it’s the choices we

87.
make that define us and define how
we live.
(PAUSE)
Everybody makes bad choices when
they’re young. That’s life. You
live and learn. Hell, I’m old and
still making bad choices. You see my
head, this came from putting up with
two years of my current wife’s bull.
CATFISH
Is it a drug problem?
AVILA
Yeah. I knew something was wrong,
but I ignored the signs. She’d
disappear for one day here, two days
there. Then come home and thought
everything was ok.
(PAUSE)
She disappeared seventeen
times in one year.
Avila shakes his head.
AVILA (CONT’D)
She even disappeared when she was
four months pregnant with our son,
Danny. Well, I think he’s my son.
CATFISH
WHAT! If my wife did that stuff
to me, I’d be in Sussex or Greenville
prison headed for the electric chair.
AVILA
I’m trying to be long suffering hoping
things will get better in the long run,
but…
CATFISH
From my experience Big Dog, I don’t
think they will. So what are you
doing with your life now?
AVILA
Well, I left Craven for a job at a

88.
boot camp for bad boys here in
Virginia. I worked there for a while
and transferred to the women’s detention
center where I met Gloria. Her
ex-mother-in-law got me fired from there
so now I’m a deputy sheriff in Portsmouth.
CATFISH
So you’re still the poe-poe?
AVILA
Yeah man, you know it.
CATFISH
Yeah about Gloria, that’s why I’m
here. You know her husband Duke?
AVILA
Yeah and it’s ex-husband.
CATFISH
Last week I was hanging out at this
hole in the wall when Duke’s boys
approached me for help. They said
you were fucking his wife and
treating his son badly.
AVILA
Treating his son badly. I’m trying
to make him a better person.
And they got divorced when
she was in the detention center.
CATFISH
Well, he put out a contract on you.
AVILA
WHAT! A contract?
CATFISH
Yeah his boys said you and Duke
got into a word fight a few weeks
ago and you called him a convict?
AVILA
Na, I called him a convict
some-ma-bitch and told him
to suck deez nuts.

89.
CATFISH
Convict some-ma-bitch? And you’re the
poe-poe! Big Dog, you disrespected him.
No wonder he wants you dead.
AVAILA
His mother got me fired. I loved that job.
CATFISH
I bet. All those women around you
all day; and in your face too.
AVILA
Getting back to Joey, he’s a spoiled brat
because of his grandmother. Whenever he
wants something he calls her and she gets
it for him. She just bought him a top of
the line paint ball gun. He’s only seven
years old. He doesn’t need a top of the
line paint ball gun. The only thing he
needs is some good old fashioned
discipline and for someone to tell him no
sometimes.
CATFISH
Go easy on him Big Dog. Remember
he’s not a Marine recruit.
AVILA
That’s what my mother says.
But since I’ve been in his life,
he’s made a slight improvement.
He still has melts downs from
time to time, but it’s not as
bad as when we first met.
CATFISH
Cool. Out of respect I have to tell
you this Big Dog. Last week we
drove by and saw you in the yard…
AVILA
Last week? So that was you all
in the ’66 Lincoln?
CATFISH
Yeah.

90.
AVILA
Some-ma-bitch! So you gonna
come with me to tell the police?
CATFISH
Na Big Dog. I’m no snitch.
AVILA
Yeah, true dat. True dat. So
what do you have to do with
this contract?
CATFISH
Now I know it’s you, nothing.
What are you gonna do?
AVILA
I’m gonna get Marine on them.
Forget the police. They can clean
up after me. When do they plan on
coming?
CATFISH
Sometime next week. Hey Big Dog
I gotta go. Watch your ass, they
plan on bringing some high
powered shit.
Catfish turns and walks back to his motorcycle.
AVILA
(mumbles)
Cool. I’ll be ready. I’m bringing
the fire. I gotta go ta the house
ta get Bertha and call my boy for
some special rounds.
Catfish puts his helmet on. Avila yells over to Catfish.
AVILA (CONT’D)
Hey, thanks for the heads up.
Take care of yourself and kiss
the wife for me.
CATFISH
(loudly)
Will do. And you may wanna think

91.
about this Big Dog, maybe being
with this girl is more than it’s
worth. I know you have a son and
all, but dam Big Dog look at
yourself.
AVILA
Maybe Catfish, maybe. Hey Catfish,
you gonna forget where I live?
CATFISH
What?
AVILA
I said are you gonna forget
where I live?
CATFISH
And I said what!
AVILA
Cool!
Avila pounds his chest with a closed fist and puts up the PEACE
SIGN, Catfish does the same. Catfish starts his motorcycle and
drives off.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. MA’S HOUSE – EVENING
SUBTITLE:
ONE WEEK LATER
It’s a sultry evening. Avila is wheeling two garbage cans through
parked cars in the driveway. A 1966 Lincoln CONTINENTAL sedan
with three males inside waits down the block. The driver sees
Avila and starts the engine. Avila sets the cans in the street.
The driver presses the accelerator to the floor. The car burns
rubber leaving a trail of smoke in the air and rubber on the
road.
SLOW MOTION
Avila turns his head and sees the car speeding towards him. He
squints his eyes, then opens them widely in unexpected
overwhelming fear. He looks to the right and dives for cover over

92.
the hood of his souped-up 1978 Buick Regal. He hears BULLETS
hitting his car, breaking windows, and a tire blowing out.
NORMAL SPEED
He sees the car on his right side and leaps back across the hood.
The car SQUEALS to a halt. The thugs on the passenger side have
SILVER PLATED .45 caliber 1911s. They’re shooting GANGSTER
STYLE; sideways. Bullets strike the hood and windshield of
Avila’s car.
THUG TWO
(screams)
TAKE THAT YOU WIFE STEALING MOTHER
FUCKER! DUKE SENDS HIS REGARDS!
The car backs up. Avila pulls out his .40 caliber Glock, peeks
over the hood to see where the car is.
AVILA
No, you take this some-ma-bitch!
Avila aims over the hood and returns fire with multiple two round
controlled bursts.
THUG THREE
(screams)
SHIT! HE’S GOT A GUN! GET THE
HELL OUT OF HERE MOTHER FUCKER!
DRIVE BITCH! DRIVE!!
The first two rounds penetrate the front door; hitting thug two
in the thigh and side. Thug two leans forward screaming.
THUG TWO
(grimacing face)
SHIT I’M HIT! MOTHER FUCKER SHOT ME!
The next round hits thug two in the head splattering skull and
brain matter across the windshield, dash, and driver. Avila
fires till his magazine is empty. Rounds impact “B” post and
rear door. The car speeds off leaving black tire marks on the
road and white smoke in the air.
AVILA
(mumbling)
You just shot up the wrong
Marine’s car!

93.
Avila stands and runs into the street chasing the car. He does a
quick MAGAZINE CHANGE and continues to fire, rapidly.
THUG THREE
(screaming at driver)
SHIT! LOOK WHAT HE DID TO BUTCH!
GIVE ME ANOTHER CLIP! I’M OUT!
The driver throws two clips in the back seat. Thug three fumbles
for a mag. Pushes mag release - clip falls out - inserts new clip
and prepares to lean out passenger window to fire at Avila.
Rounds penetrate and break rear window sending broken glass onto
thug three. The driver cowers behind the front seat.
Unknowing to the driver, a deep DRAINAGE DITCH crosses the road.
The car hits the ditch and goes airborne. It comes back down
striking the gas tank on the road. The tank ruptures sending
sparks and flames in all directions across the road. A trail of
sparks and flames follows the car down the block.
THUG THREE
(screaming at driver)
WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU GET US
INTO MOTHER…
DRIVER
(screaming)
SHUT THE FUCK UP AND SHOOT
THAT BITCH!
Thug three cowers behind the back seat. Shooting wildly out the
back window he hits Avila. Avila stumbles and falls to the
ground.
AVILA
(grimacing)
Oh hell. I’m hit. They shot me.
Avila feels a wet warm sensation running down his leg. He looks
and sees a hole with blood squirting from it. He puts his figure
in the hole and screams in pain.
The car is going too fast to maneuver the T-intersection. It
jumps over the curve, hits a tree, the back flips up into the air
and comes to rest on the leaking FLAMING GAS TANK. The tank
explodes engulfing the car in a bright orange and red ball of
fire.

94.
Avila looks down the block and sees the fire ball.
AVILA (CONT’D)
(grimacing)
Take that you Some-ma-bitches.
I’ll send Duke my own regards.
People step out their front doors to see what the shooting was
about.
AVILA(CONT’D)
Somebody call the fire
department, cause it’ll take
the police all day to get here.
GLORIA comes out the house and runs to the curve. She sees Avila
lying in the road.
(SLOW MOTION)
She screams at the top of her voice.
GLORIA
Noooooooo!
(NORMAL SPEED)
She runs down the block toward Avila.
GLORIA
(screaming)
Baby? Baby?
Gloria gets to Avila and kneels down beside him.
GLORIA (CONT’D)
Oh my God baby are you ok?
You’re bleeding.
AVILA
(grimacing)
They got me baby. The heat
round got me again.
GLORIA
(screaming)
Someone call nine one one!

95.
AVILA
Did I get them? Are they
coming back for more?
GLORIA
I don’t think so. Looks like they’re
toasted Marine Corps style. Well done.
Avila points at his gun.
AVILA
Baby, I’m not gonna make it,
so this is what I need ya ta do.
Take Bertha and make sure she
stays safe. The police are gonna
want it for their investigation.
GLORIA
What are you talking about?
AVILA
Listen to me! I’ve lost a lata
blood in a short period of time
so I’m fixin pass out real soon.
When I pull my finger out I need
you to push here with the palm of
your hand as hard as you can till
the medics get here. Ok?
GLORIA
I can’t.
AVILA
Yes you can! If you don’t it’s
gonna be a bloody mess out here.
GLORIA
Jimmy! You’re making jokes at a
time like this?
AVILA
Yeah. One more thing. Promise
me you’ll call Camille and tell
her what happened.
GLORIA
Are you sure?

96.
AVILA
Yeah, she needs to know just in
case I don’t make it.
GLORIA
(reluctantly)
You better make it, but I’ll call her.
AVILA
(grimacing screaming)
Ready? Here we go.
Avila pulls his finger out of the wound. Blood SQUIRTS up at
Gloria hitting her in the face. Gloria puts her palm over the
hole. She has a look of grimace on her face. Avila passes out.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. AVILA’S HOSPITAL ROOM - MCV HOSPITAL – DAY
Avila groans, opens his eyes slowly. He looks around the room.
He sees Gloria sitting in a chair by the window. Gloria stands
and walks to the bed.
GLORIA
Baby? Baby? Can you hear me?
AVILA
Hey baby. Wow I’m alive.
GLORIA
Yes you are. You know it’ll take
a lot more than Duke’s thugs to
take you out. Guess what? You
made the evening news.
AVILA
Cool. How long have I been out?
GLORIA
Two days. The doctor says you
lost a lot of blood.
AVILA
Two days? Where’s Bertha?
GLORIA

97.
The lead investigating officer at
the scene, Detective Hopkins, is
holding it for you down town. He
said give’em a call when you’re
ready to pick it up. I have his
card in my purse. I also told
him you were a deputy sheriff
so you should have no problem
getting it.
AVILA
Thank you. Were you able ta
call Camille?
GLORIA
Yes.
AVILA
Was she mad?
GLORIA
I don’t think so or she took
it pretty well.
AVILA
Cool. Side stepped that heat round.
Interesting, I thought she’d be on
the first thing smoking outa Florida.
A NURSE walks in.
NURSE
Good you’re awake.
GLORIA
He just came to.
NURSE
Good afternoon Mr. Avila.
How are you feeling?
Avila looks under the sheet.
AVILA
Outstanding. Everything seems
to be in order.
NURSE

98.
The doctor says you’re lucky to
be alive. You got shot with a
large caliber round in the femoral
arteria. One or two more millimeters
to the right and you would have
bled out.
AVILA
Cool. Cause if it were one or
two more millimeters to the left
my happiness would have been blown
off. Oorah for tightie whities.
GLORIA
Excuse him nurse. He has a sick
sense of humor. Marine you know.
NURSE
So I see. Mr. Avila, you have a
visitor outside. Shall I send
her in?
AVILA
Her? Oh shoot! Who is it?
NURSE
Mrs. Harris.
AVILA
(agitated)
Shoot! Son of a. How’d
she get here so fast?
GLORIA
First thing smoking out of
Florida.
AVILA
Tell her I died. Shoot.
Na, send her in please.
Avila closes his eyes and crosses his fingers.
AVIAL (CONT’D)
Please don’t be mad.
Please don’t be mad.
The nurse walks out of the room and goes to the waiting area.

99.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. MCV 3RD FLOOR WAITING AREA – CONTINUOUS
The nurse sees CAMILLE and motions for her to come over.
Extremely sharp, confident and attractively thin, with a pecan
tan, early 40s, she has a shoulder length contemporary layered
hair style. She’s wearing a short sleeve black form fitting
blouse, black form fitting capris, and above the calf boots.
NURSE
Mrs. Harris, he said to tell you
he died, but you can go in now.
CAMILLE
Oh he did did he. He’s scared I’m
gonna hurt him. Thank you nurse.
How is he?
NURSE
Lucky to be alive. He’s in
room three eighteen.
Camille takes a deep breath and holds back her tears. She walks
to Avila’s room and stops just outside the door. She leans
against the wall to get her composure.
She straightens up and walks into the room.
CAMILLE
(smiling)
Hey, how are you guys?
GLORIA
(smiling)
Hey, I’m doing great. It’s good
to see you again Camille.
Gloria walks over to Camille, they hug. Camille walks to Avila’s
bedside leans over him, squeezes his arm tightly, and kisses his
forehead deeply.
GLORIA (CONT’D)
He on the other hand got shot in
the femoral artery. But he’s a
big bad Marine so he should be ok.

100.
Avila looks into Camille’s eyes.
AVILA
I’m doing great now. And I’d like
to stay that way please.
CAMILLE
Non sense. I love you guys.
GLORIA
Do you want me to leave so you
two can talk?
AVILA
(said sarcastically)
No! Don’t leave me alone with
her. She may have a knife.
CAMILLE
Could you please? I’ll take good
care of him. I didn’t bring my
knife this time, I brought my Billy
club.
GLORIA
I’m gonna call Mama and check on
Joey and Danny.
Gloria walks out of the room.
AVILA
(uncomfortable smile)
Hey we were just talking about you.
You didn’t waste any time getting here.
CAMILLE
(agitated)
I ought to punch you in your
throat Jimmy. Look at you. Why are
you in here now? First it was a
building, then a dump truck,
and now this?
AVILA
Hey at least my luck is getting better.
CAMILLE
Jimmy!

Code 51 (Screen Play)

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