Last Flag Flying_2017

LAST FLAG FLYING
    by
    Richard Linklater
    &
    Darryl Ponicsan
    Based on the novel by Darryl Ponicsan October 30, 2016 Detour Filmproduction

EXT. SAL'S BAR & GRILL - NIGHT
    A seedy neighborhood. LARRY "DOC" SHEPHERD, wearing a heavy windbreaker, stands idly on the street. An AWOL bag is on the sidewalk at his feet. A garment bag is slung over his shoulder. He studies the little working-man's bar across the street as the title "DECEMBER 13, 2003" comes up.

INT. SAL'S BAR & GRILL - NIGHT
    Small and dark. A pool table, a few booths, not much decor. SAL NEALON leans on his elbows on his side of the bar, doing a crossword. He's in his late 50s and wears a cropped mustache, going gray, like the sides of his short-cropped hair. He wears a black T-shirt, revealing a USMC tattoo on his arm. He smokes a cigar, chewing its end more than it needs. An edgy dude - you wouldn't want to fuck with him. At the other end of the bar, COPS is on a TV that hangs suspended from the ceiling. On the show, a nervous couple try to explain to a sarcastic cop what they are doing in the projects if not buying drugs. Sal's only customer, O'TOOLE, an old functioning alcoholic, is watching. At some point Doc enters, pausing near the door. O'Toole gives him a cursory glance. Doc hangs his garment bag on a hook on the stanchion and takes a stool. He puts his AWOL bag on another stool and settles down with a little uncertainty.
    SAL
    I ask you, you ever see these cops catch a killer or a rapist on this show? Ever see them put the cuffs on some crooked CEO fuck?
    Wanders over to Doc.
    SAL
    What can I get you?
    DOC
    Beer.
    SAL
    What kind?
    DOC
    Doesn't matter.
    SAL
    Bottle or draft?
    DOC
    Draft.
    Sal walks back over and starts filling up a glass while he continues his conversation with O'Toole.
    SAL
    Nah, they're always just drug users and johns... just people hurtin', trying to find a little pleasure in life.
    O'TOOLE
    What have you got against cops?
    SAL
    Nuttin'. What I got something against is good ol' stupidity.
    Sal wanders back to Doc and serves him the beer. Doc looks into a manila envelope and withdraws a five dollar bill and lays it on the bar.
    SAL
    You comin' or goin'?
    DOC
    Passing through, kind of.
    (about money)
    Keep it.
    Sal takes Doc's money, puts it in the register, and goes back to his crossword.
    DOC
    Good beer.
    SAL
    Yeah, it's from Pennsylvania.
    DOC
    How long have you had this place?
    SAL
    Too long.
    DOC
    It's real homey.
    SAL
    You think so? Where the hell do you live?
    Doc doesn't get Sal's wit.
    DOC
    New Hampshire. Portsmouth.
    Sal is back on his puzzle.
    DOC
    Home of the Navy prison.
    SAL
    I know the place.
    DOC
    It's an okay town.
    (drinks)
    So you're Sal.
    SAL
    That I am.
    DOC
    So Sal, how do you suppose I knew that?
    SAL
    Name's on the sign outside.
    Doc smiles, looks around, turns to O'Toole.
    DOC
    Not exactly a hot spot, huh?
    O'TOOLE
    Not anymore.
    DOC
    I like it, though. It's homey.
    SAL
    Yeah, you said that. That's why I was worried about where you lived.
    DOC
    You don't remember me, do you?
    SAL
    I don't remember half the women I fucked, and that's just the ones I didn't have to pay. How am I supposed to remember you?
    DOC
    Well, I remember you.
    Sal looks at him more closely, squints. The cigar droops.
    SAL
    Can't be.
    DOC
    Could be.
    SAL
    No way.
    DOC
    Way.
    SAL
    Sweet Jesus... Doc?
    DOC
    (bemused)
    Doc... Nobody's called me that in a long, long time.
    SAL
    Fuck me. You made it, Doc.
    DOC
    Yeah.
    SAL
    O'Toole, look at this. Old buddy from 'Nam. I saved his life once.
    O'TOOLE
    Then you must be some kind of fuckin' hero.
    DOC
    He never saved my life.
    O'TOOLE
    Didn't think so.
    SAL
    And now he's come to kick my ass.
    O'TOOLE
    Long overdue and well deserved. I'll hold his coat for him.
    DOC
    No, I'm not here for that.
    SAL
    You gotta excuse me, Doc. I'm shit for names.
    DOC
    Shepherd. Larry Shepherd.
    SAL
    Right. Shepherd. Nineteen year-old kid. Navy corpsman.
    DOC
    Once.
    SAL
    Yeah, well, we were all something once. Now we're something else.
    DOC
    So you do remember me?
    SAL
    'Course I do, you saved my fuckin' life.
    O'TOOLE
    I thought it was the other way around.
    DOC
    You heard, I got busted down to E- One?
    SAL
    Most unfair. The green weenie - they broke it off in you. What can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?
    DOC
    How's Mueller?
    SAL
    Ol' Mueller the Mauler. Maybe he's alive. How should I know? Have another beer. On the house. Fuck, I'll have one with you.
    DOC
    You're not in touch with him?
    SAL
    Saw him medevacked out, and that's all she wrote.
    DOC
    Mueller got hit?
    SAL
    Oh, yeah, you weren't there by then... it was not pretty.
    Sal now comes over closer to Doc.
    SAL
    I still think I rate credit for a save.
    DOC
    Who? What?
    SAL
    You, you fuck. I saved your life.
    DOC
    I don't remember anything like that.
    SAL
    Captain said, Doc is coming unhinged. He's gonna blow. Take him for two days to Pleiku. Show him around Disneyland.
    DOC
    I do remember Disneyland.
    SAL
    Hell yeah you do.
    DOC
    But all I remember is gettin' laid and drunk.
    SAL
    Well, yeah... that's why it was there.
    DOC
    Mueller was with us.
    SAL
    I did that too. I said, Cap'n, Doc's too fucked up for one person to handle. Take Mueller, he said.
    DOC
    (sarcastic)
    Oh, yeah, and things were much better after that.
    SAL
    C'mon, Doc, we had a good time, didn't we? We had some fun.
    DOC
    Sure we did. Not sayin' we didn't.
    SAL
    We did, the three of us.
    DOC
    Yeah. I laugh sometimes when I think about it.
    SAL
    Really? Do you?
    DOC
    Yeah, kind of.
    SAL
    Why not? You got to laugh at every- fuckin-thing. I laugh at my prostate gland, little son of a bitch, laugh every time the doctor gives me a fingerwave, two times a year.
    DOC
    It's good you know how to do that. Wish I could do that.
    SAL
    So what was it, three years?
    DOC
    Ended up about two, with good behavior.
    SAL
    That's not so bad.
    DOC
    It was pretty bad, but it was a long time ago.
    BCD?
    DOC
    Yeah, but at some point instead of calling it a Bad Conduct Discharge, I started calling it a better career decision.
    SAL
    Fuckin-A. You're alive and upright. So you got out, and then what? You stayed there?
    DOC
    Didn't really have anywhere else to go.
    SAL
    Fuck all. Listen here, how did you find my lonesome ass?
    DOC
    Easy. On the internet. You can find anybody on the internet these days.
    SAL
    That's fucked.
    Doc kind of laughs as O'Toole gives them fresh beers.
    SAL
    So whaddaya do in Portsmouth, for a living?
    DOC
    Stocking clerk, at the Navy Exchange.
    SAL
    You're shitting me.
    DOC
    (old joke between them)
    I wouldn't shit you, you're my favorite turd.
    3 LATER - O'Toole is asleep on the pool table. Doc is crawling into a booth. Sal is also finding a spot to lay down.
    DOC
    (stretching out)
    Don't you go someplace when you close?
    SAL
    Like where?
    DOC
    I don't know, home?
    SAL
    It'll be there tomorrow.

INT. MEN'S ROOM - MORNING
    A dreadful little space full of generational stains and graffiti. Sal washes his face, pulls out some paper towels and dries. He looks at his reflection in the mirror. This is the face he has earned. This is the place he has landed.

INT. SAL'S BAR & GRILL - MORNING
    Doc and O'Toole are still asleep. Sal draws a beer, starts eating a cold piece of pizza.
    SAL
    Reveille, reveille, drop your cocks and grab your socks. Reveille!
    Sal has to stir Doc. Finally he wakes up and looks at Sal.
    SAL
    You want a beer? This is the last of the pizza.
    Doc shakes his head.
    SAL
    I'm still a little fucked up from last night. I'm getting too old for this shit, frankly.
    DOC
    (sitting up)
    What's the deal with the grill part of Sal's Bar & Grill?
    SAL
    Gone to rust is the deal.
    DOC
    Too bad.
    SAL
    Used to put out a righteous burger. Serious meat with a nice slice of raw onion and nothin' else, except for mustard and ketchup, of course. No lettuce or pickles or any of that crap. But people lost their taste for honest hamburgers, so I let the grill go. Why? You hungry?
    DOC
    Just curious.
    SAL
    There's Mexicans here now, so we can get some chorizo con huevos. Hell, we qualify for menudo. You got the balls for that?
    DOC
    No, thanks. There's something I'd like to show you, though, if you're up for it.
    SAL
    I'm always up for it. Shoot.
    DOC
    You got a car?
    SAL
    I'm a fuckin businessman, of course I got a car.
    (stirs O'Toole)
    Yo, O'Toole, open up for me today, okay?
    O'Toole nods his head, then goes back to sleep.

INT. SAL'S TAURUS - MORNING - MOVING
    Not much of a car. A 20-year-old Taurus Wagon. Sal drives through a light drizzle, on a rural road.
    SAL
    I just fuckin' love it, you know? It's like priceless.
    DOC
    What is?
    SAL
    The Navy. They put the cock to you, then they let you work at the Navy fuckin' Exchange.
    DOC
    I got five people under me.
    SAL
    You're a fuckin' inspiration.
    DOC
    You know what amazes me about you?
    SAL
    Could be anything. I'm a pretty amazing guy.
    DOC
    You turn over your bar to a customer, you get in your car, and you drive me to hell and gone, and you don't even know where we're going.
    SAL
    I didn't think it would take so fuckin' long.
    Doc refers to a folded up MapQuest sheet of paper.

EXT. RURAL CHURCH - MORNING
    A humble building that might have been a barn once. It lacks a steeple and stained glass, but it makes up for it with the spirit we will encounter inside. We see the Taurus Wagon in the parking lot.
    SAL (O.S.)
    You gotta be kiddin' me.

INT. SAL'S TAURUS - MORNING
    Sal looks at the place, doubtfully.
    DOC
    C'mon, you're gonna love this. I promise.
    SAL
    I don't know, Doc, you seen one, you seen them all.
    Doc grins as they start to get out of the car.

INT. CHURCH - MORNING
    A small black congregation, listening intently to a sermon. Sal and Doc enter, drawing some notice, but then space is made for them. A middle-aged preacher is at the pulpit with the aid of a cane. It is MUELLER.
    MUELLER
    ...Now remember, Jesus and Judas, they were friends...
    As the sermon continues, Sal leans toward Doc, whispers:
    SAL
    Oh. My. Fucking. God. Is that who I think it is?
    DOC
    I told you you'd like this.
    Sal is wildly amused. He turns and looks around at the others, wanting to share his excitement.
    MUELLER
    But, oh, how a good man can be laid low by a false friend, how havoc can follow the lying smile...
    CONGREGATION
    Amen!
    SAL
    Amen, brother!
    (whispers to Doc)
    The dude was a world-class drinker, gambler and cocksman.
    DOC
    Shhhh.
    SAL
    And likely a speed freak. How the hell did you find this place?
    DOC
    The internet.
    MUELLER
    Oh, yes, in the spirit of friendship, have a drink... have a toke... have a snort... the devil has a friendly face and a winning way. But behind that smile, as behind the kiss of Judas...
    SAL
    (whispers)
    I think he's makin' this shit up just for us.
    Reverend Mueller eventually finishes his sermon, looking closely at his two visitors... a long judgemental look. An echoing of Amens rolls wall to wall.
    SAL
    (shouting out)
    Oh, Amen, brother! Amen!
    MUELLER
    Thank you, brothers and sisters, and praise the Lord for our fellowship here today.
    SAL
    Praise the Lord!
    MUELLER
    I see we have some visitors among us today. Welcome to our Sunday services. Would you like to stand and introduce yourselves?
    Sal needs no second invitation. He springs to his feet, snaps off a salute and sounds off:
    SAL
    Salvatore Nealon, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, retired.
    Heads in the congregation turn. Whispers become a buzz that fill the church. The Reverend totters a bit at the pulpit, holding on. RUTH, Mueller's concerned wife, studies how her husband is responding. Doc tugs at Sal's sleeve, but Sal pulls him to his feet.
    SAL
    And guess who this lad is.

INT. PARSONAGE - AFTERNOON
    Mueller, Ruth and their two guests sit at a table laden with a ham and heaping bowls of vegetables and greens. Mueller sits rigidly, his eyes on Sal and Doc, wary.
    SAL
    Man, oh, man, southern ham, thank you, ma'am. Listen here, Ruth, I hope this old man appreciates you.
    RUTH
    Oh, I think he does.
    SAL
    'Cause if ever he don't, just pack a bag and come live with Sal.
    RUTH
    You don't have a wife?
    SAL
    No, ma'am, neither chick nor child. I do have a lady friend, but she don't cook worth a damn. She has other talents, if you know what I mean.
    Embarrassed, she turns to Doc.
    RUTH
    And you, Mr. Shepherd? Are you single or married?
    DOC
    I married a wonderful woman, Mrs. Mueller.
    SAL
    Bet she don't cook like this.
    RUTH
    I get it, Mr. Nealon, you haven't been eating well.
    SAL
    Am now.
    DOC
    The light of my life, my Mary. A heart as big as... anything. A real pretty girl, with a great big smile...
    SAL
    Nice...
    DOC
    She had a little... slowness... because of a thing when she was born.
    SAL
    What's that mean, she's retarded?
    DOC
    No, she could do anything anybody else could, she was just kind of... delayed. A great mom, a great wife.
    RUTH
    What does she do?
    DOC
    Oh, no... I'm sorry. I lost her last January. Breast cancer.
    RUTH
    I'm so sorry.
    Sal stops with fork in mid path.
    SAL
    Sorry, Doc. You know me, I didn't mean nothin'.
    MUELLER
    We pay for the things we say, Salvatore.
    SAL
    Well, then you can add it to my tab.
    DOC
    That's all right. You didn't know.
    MUELLER
    Your tab is long overdue, I suspect.
    RUTH
    Do you have any children, Doc?
    DOC
    (hesitates)
    Just one, a son. Larry Junior.
    RUTH
    Richard and I have a boy and a girl, and we have four grandchildren.
    SAL
    Richard?
    MUELLER
    (quickly)
    Honey, don't you have some coffee and pie for our visitors, before we send them on their way?
    RUTH
    (rising)
    I have a peach cobbler for dessert.
    SAL
    Oh, man, peach cobbler... this is livin'!
    Ruth goes to the kitchen, looks over her shoulder at her unusual guests.
    MUELLER
    (to Doc)
    I'm glad to see you prevailing over your hardships.
    DOC
    Doin' my best.
    MUELLER
    You, at least, seem to have turned out to be a decent man.
    DOC
    Try to be.
    MUELLER
    I regret any role I played in all that foolishness that happened back in Vietnam.
    Sal shakes his head, as if trying to defog his brain.
    SAL
    What the hell did you do with Mueller the Mauler, preacher? He in the witness protection program or something? Where're you keepin' him?
    MUELLER
    I grew up, Sal, and I found a purpose along the way.
    DOC
    You don't have to feel sorry.
    MUELLER
    I always figured you for a lifer, Sal. Is that the way it worked out?
    SAL
    I re-upped, sure. I was expectin' all the dominoes to start fallin', like they said they would. I was all ready to kill commies in San Diego, but they never showed up - they just all kind of disappeared.
    SAL
    Can you believe people are now going to Vietnam on fuckin' vacations? They get their pictures taken where fifty-two thousand young Americans took their last dump. Fuck me.
    MUELLER
    So you mustered out on principle.
    SAL
    I mustered out with a plate in my fuckin' head and one-hundred percent disability. That was the good news.
    MUELLER
    How did that happen?
    SAL
    Fuck if I remember. Somebody hit me on the head with something. I believe drink was involved.
    He laughs. The other two can't manage it. LATER - They sit in the living room having cobbler and coffee. Doc hasn't touched his, Sal digs into his, while practically flirting with Ruth.
    SAL
    ...I was on the shy side of insubordination most of the time, but I could get away with it because of my dashing good looks and my boyish charm.
    Mueller snorts.
    MUELLER
    I guess we're all just lucky to be alive, praise God.
    SAL
    I tell myself that.
    Doc sits with his arms on his knees, head down, sinking down into himself. One by one they notice him. Sensing their attention, he raises his head.
    SAL
    (nodding to the untouched cobbler)
    You gonna eat that?
    MUELLER
    You okay, Doc?
    (a beat)
    What's wrong?
    Doc shakes his head.
    RUTH
    It's best to talk, whatever it is that's bothering you.
    DOC
    My son... because of my son, I came here, found you guys... Maybe I shouldn't have...
    RUTH
    Your son?
    DOC
    Larry Junior. A year ago he joined the corps.
    SAL
    Ooh-Rah.
    DOC
    But two days ago they came and told me he had been killed.
    SAL
    Aw, shit, Doc. Why didn't you say anything earlier?
    DOC
    He died in Baghdad. His convoy got ambushed, and they said he had unloaded his weapon on them and died with his bayonet in his hand.
    (beat)
    He's coming home tonight. They're gonna bury him at Arlington. Full honors. A hero.
    (beat)
    Can you guys come with me?
    LATER - Sal smokes a cigar out on the porch. He listens to what is being said inside, Mueller all over Doc with sympathy and God.
    MUELLER
    ... and I can promise you this: someday you will meet your wife and your son again, in a better place, and all of this will seem like a momentary separation.
    That does it. Sal tosses his cigar and goes inside.
    SAL
    Oh come on... what better place did they go to? Las Vegas? Miami Beach?
    MUELLER
    Doc knows the place I speak of.
    SAL
    Well, then show him. Doc's got a map. Maybe he can find it on the internet.
    MUELLER
    Only when you see it will you know it, and in your case, Sergeant, it's odds-on you'll never get to see it.
    SAL
    Then I guess I won't miss it.
    MUELLER
    Oh, you will miss it dearly, every moment of eternity. Do you know how long eternity is?
    SAL
    It ain't going to matter, but of all the billions of people floatin' around in your heaven, how come none of them ever got the word back to the rest of us?
    MUELLER
    One of them did.
    SAL
    Oh, that guy... weak on exact details, if you ask me.
    MUELLER
    I'm not asking you.
    SAL
    (to Doc)
    Listen here, Doc, I'm sorry for your loss, but I ain't gonna blow a bunch of smoke up your ass. The worst thing that can happen to anybody has landed on you, and now you got to deal with it.
    MUELLER
    You were a hazard when you were young, and now you're just an old fool.
    SAL
    I got your fool dangling, fool.
    MUELLER
    Fuck you.
    SAL
    There he is! That's the Mueller I know!
    DOC
    Please, c'mon, I didn't mean to cause trouble.
    SAL
    I'll help bury your boy. I might not be able to get you into heaven, but dammit, I can get you to Arlington.
    Ruth opens the door from the kitchen, pauses, listens.
    DOC
    Mueller?
    MUELLER
    (uncomfortable)
    I'd certainly like to help, but...
    SAL
    Don't worry - he'll stay here and pray for you... very valuable.
    RUTH
    Richard, could I see you for a moment?
    Mueller slowly gets up.
    DOC
    Please.
    MUELLER
    I don't get around so well, as you can see.
    DOC
    It's just in the car.
    As Mueller leaves the room, Sal is all smiles.
    SAL
    Oh, he's comin' with. That's affirmative.
    DOC
    But he said...
    SAL
    Don't matter what he said. I guarantee his old lady's gonna shame him. Right now she's in there saying, "You got to go with..."

INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
    RUTH
    ... with that poor man, Richard. He needs you.
    MUELLER
    He'll have qualified people there to counsel him.
    RUTH
    Yes, but who will protect him from that... Sal person?
    MUELLER
    (chuckles)
    Well, I do know that a lot of shit can go sideways when Sal is around.
    RUTH
    What in the world has happened to your vocabulary?
    MUELLER
    Sorry, dear.
    RUTH
    You can't refuse friends in a time of need.
    MUELLER
    Friends? I haven't seen these guys in decades.
    RUTH
    You can't refuse anyone. You're a preacher.
    MUELLER
    They were a bad time in my life, honey.
    RUTH
    The man lost his son, Richard.
    They look at each other for a beat, the way long-married people can do.
    RUTH
    I'll pack you an overnight bag.

INT. SAL'S TAURUS - NIGHT - MOVING
    Sal leans forward over the wheel. Doc is next to him, and Mueller is in the back. Sal looks over to Doc.
    SAL
    That seat goes back a little.
    Doc starts to make the adjustment.
    SAL
    I've had this car 17 years. She's been good to me. Technically it's a Taurus, but I call it, a cli- taurus...
    Doc smiles, and Sal looks at Mueller in the rearview mirror, giving him nothing.
    SAL
    You have to wear that collar everywhere you go?
    (no answer)
    Take it off, why don't you, and relax, Richard.
    MUELLER
    I am relaxed.
    SAL
    Never knew that was your name. You ever go by Richie? Dick?
    SAL
    (a beat)
    You like Dick?
    Mueller refuses to take the bait.
    SAL
    Never heard of any brothers named Richard. Didn't think they named them that.
    MUELLER
    Richard Pryor. Dick Gregory. Little Richard...
    SAL
    Now he likes dick.
    Even Doc laughs. The car suddenly fills with light. A semi is tailgating them.
    SAL
    The fuck..?
    MUELLER
    Change lanes. Get over.
    Sal gets pissed.
    SAL
    All right fuck face, you want to play, I'll play.
    The speedometer moves to 70, 80...
    MUELLER
    Pull off the road! Get to the side!
    SAL
    Hold tight. I'm gonna jackknife this fucker!
    MUELLER
    You'll kill us all, you son of a bitch!
    Sal slows down and pulls over a bit, lowers the window, and flips the semi the bird as the truck passes them. Mueller slaps the back of Sal's head.
    MUELLER
    What the hell was all that?
    Sal's loving this.
    SAL
    Seems like you're gonna hafta either tighten up your mouth or loosen up your collar.
    Mueller tries to calm himself down. He's too steamed. He takes off the collar.

EXT. ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY - NIGHT
    The car is parked in front of the cemetery on a drizzling Sunday night.
    SAL (O.S.)
    Where're we supposed to go, Doc?

INT. SAL'S TAURUS - NIGHT
    Doc shuffles through a pile of internet maps and papers.
    DOC
    Dover Air Force Base.
    SAL
    That's in fuckin Delaware.
    DOC
    Right. Dover, Delaware.
    SAL
    So why're we here?
    DOC
    I don't know.
    SAL
    You said Arlington.
    DOC
    That's what they said.
    SAL
    But now you're saying Dover.
    DOC
    Yeah, I guess first... Dover. They got to fly in somewhere, so they fly to Dover.
    Sal looks behind at Mueller, who looks away.
    SAL
    All right, Doc. Dover it is. I'm guessing you got a map.
    DOC
    Looks like an hour and a half. You want me to drive?

EXT. INTERSTATE - NIGHT
    The Taurus Wagon rolls down the highway.
    SAL (O.S.)
    Mueller, my man, my mauling brother, can I axe you a personal question?

INT. SAL'S TAURUS - NIGHT - MOVING
    Doc drives. Sal is in the passenger seat while Mueller has the back.
    MUELLER
    I suspect you're going to anyway, and since I'm stuck here in the backseat you might as well...
    SAL
    On a Saturday night, are you still up to giving your wife a good fuck?
    DOC
    C'mon Sal, that's... that's...
    SAL
    What? I'm curious is all.
    Mueller gives him an icy look.
    MUELLER
    I don't discuss my sex life. It's called respect for your wife, but you wouldn't know anything about that.
    SAL
    Hold on, I respect your wife. Of course I do. I only wanted to know if you can still cut the mustard. Just makin' conversation on how the years have treated you.
    Not taking the bait, Mueller just stares off into the night.
    SAL
    Now, Doc here, you don't even have to ask. He don't need no Viagra to fly the flag, do you, Doc?
    DOC
    I haven't had sex in two years.
    SAL
    Holy shit - why the hell not?
    DOC
    My wife was sick.
    MUELLER
    (to Sal)
    Weren't you even listening?
    SAL
    Yeah, but life goes on.
    (beat)
    Don't it?
    MUELLER
    Apparently.
    SAL
    Remember your first time?
    DOC
    I told Mary all about that. I confessed to everything. I wanted no secrets from her.
    SAL
    Now that's just plain stupid. Never do that.
    MUELLER
    It was never about you getting laid, Doc. It was about Sal getting you laid.
    SAL
    Duh.
    MUELLER
    He had to show you a good time, and he only knew his way. Ignorant soul.
    SAL
    As I recall, you was there too, partaking, how shall we say, fully.
    MUELLER
    Yes, and I didn't know any more than you did what a good time was, back in those days.
    SAL
    Those days? It hasn't changed much. A little whorin', a little drinkin', a little fightin', all things in moderation.
    MUELLER
    Sounds like the recipe for a wasted life.
    SAL
    At least it's bullshit-free.
    MUELLER
    You positive about that?
    They fall silent, crossing the Severn River Bridge into Delaware.

EXT. DOVER AIR FORCE BASE - NIGHT
    GATEHOUSE - the Taurus Wagon is parked off to the side as our three wait while the AIR PATROL GUARD finishes a phone call.

INT. SAL'S TAURUS - NIGHT
    DOC
    Wonder if anything is wrong?
    SAL
    He's a guard at a gate - he don't know nothing.
    DOC
    Wonder if there'll be an honor guard and all that?
    SAL
    There'll be something - it'll be respectful. It's just not public - there's a blackout on all that stuff this time around.
    MUELLER
    Yeah, no pictures of coffins, no reminders to the public.
    DOC
    People should know. Don't they owe it to the guys who've sacrificed?
    MUELLER
    People are so ready to believe in anything once it's called a war.
    SAL
    Yep.
    MUELLER
    Call it war, you got their support. War on drugs, war on crime... it's all fake. War itself is fake.
    Eventually the GUARD comes to the car, and makes the gesture of rolling down the window.
    GUARD
    Gentlemen, the body is in transit. The plane's not due 'til 0800 tomorrow. Come back then and you'll be able to wait in the hangar.
    DOC
    Okay. Thank you.
    SAL
    In transit. Somebody's always in transit, even...

EXT. KING'S COURT MOTOR LODGE - NIGHT
    A cheerless refuge from the rain.

INT. KING'S COURT MOTOR LODGE FRONT DESK - NIGHT
    The guys are in mid check-in.
    MUELLER
    I thought I'd have my own room.
    SAL
    Don't get cranky on us old man.
    Doc takes cash out of his envelope.
    SAL
    Whoa... what's with the wad?
    DOC
    They took up a collection at the Exchange, when they heard.
    SAL
    See? You got lots of friends.
    DOC
    They felt bad. They wanted to do something.
    A HYPED-UP EMPLOYEE enters the front area and changes the channel on the TV that rumbles in the background.
    HYPED-UP EMPLOYEE
    You guys aren't watching this?
    DOC
    What?
    HYPED-UP EMPLOYEE
    They got him!
    SAL
    Who?
    HYPED-UP EMPLOYEE
    That sumbitch Saddam! They got him in a spider hole!
    He finds a news station that is showing some footage of the captured Saddam Hussein, submitting to an inspection of body, etc.

INT. KING'S COURT MOTOR LODGE ROOM - NIGHT
    Two queen beds, a TV going with the Hussein footage, and an empty pizza box at the foot of the bed. Doc already looks asleep, while Mueller lays on his bed, almost asleep.
    SAL
    How's the rack, Padre?
    MUELLER
    It's fine.
    Here they are, but where are they? Nothing to do, nowhere to go. Sal just finishes the last piece of pizza and stares at more Saddam Hussein footage.

EXT. KING'S COURT MOTOR LODGE PARKING LOT - MORNING
    They make their way to the car and throw their bags into the trunk.
    DOC
    I was wondering...you never went home, so how did you get to pack a bag?
    SAL
    I always keep one in the trunk. Sometimes a lady friend wants me to stay over. I hate to say no.
    MUELLER
    Is there one particular lady friend or are there more?
    SAL
    One at the moment, but I'm always holding auditions.
    (slams down the trunk)
    Let's do this.

INT. HANGAR - MORNING
    Cold and hollow and cheerless. A folding table has been set up with coffee and doughnuts. Only Sal partakes. Across the hangar is a MOTHER, weeping. Her eyes are red from crying. She holds a hanky against her face. Her HUSBAND is a large man, a working man, and he is angry.
    MOTHER
    (through tears)
    I want him to look nice...
    FATHER
    Irene, that ain't gonna be the boy that walked out of our house, that waved good-bye.
    Another circle of four - mother, father, second wife, second husband - huddle together. One more circle of three waits - a mother, father and daughter. The hangar door slides open. An Army major and a Marine Lt. Colonel come in. Behind them are four coffins, each on a wagon, each covered with a flag and each with an enlisted man escort. They space out the coffins. The escorts stand at attention. Our three move toward the Marine. The COLONEL steps forward. He is ramrod straight, around 40, used to being feared. He addresses Sal in a lower voice suitable to the occasion.
    COLONEL
    Mister Shepherd?
    Sal nods to Doc, who stands dumbly, his eyes on the flag- covered box that contains his son. The Colonel extends his hand. Doc shakes it.
    COLONEL
    Mr. Shepherd, I'm Colonel Willits. The President of the United States has asked me to express his deep regret that your son was killed in action.
    Sal can't help himself and rolls his eyes.
    DOC
    Thank you.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    He died a hero in the service of his country. He was an inspiration to his fellow Marines.
    WASHINGTON, the escort, stands at stony attention. He is a young black man, also a lance corporal. Something is wrong with his ear lobe. It is covered with tiny bumps and looks like it is rotting away. He is 20 and though taught to kill he gives off a sense of basic goodness.
    DOC
    Can I see him?
    COLONEL WILLITS
    Sir, that would be ill-advised. Trust me on this. You do not want to see him like that.
    DOC
    I don't know... I think I have to.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    Sir, Lance Corporal Shepherd was hit in the back of head. I can assure you he felt no pain... but the exit wound in such a case is devastating... to the face.
    DOC
    They were behind him? They shot him from behind?
    MUELLER
    Take the Colonel's advice, Doc. Best to remember him as he was.
    Doc thinks about it, looks to Sal.
    SAL
    I'd have to see him, but that's me. The thing is, you don't have to listen to no colonels no more. Those days are gone.
    The Colonel seems to recoil, his jaw tightens. Washington sees it and twitches.
    DOC
    I'm gonna see my son.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    What you see you will not be able to un-see.
    DOC
    I understand... but I have to.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    As you wish. Lance Corporal Washington, escort these two gentlemen to the coffee mess.
    Washington leads them away. At the table, they turn and watch Doc. Washington holds his attention stance.
    SAL
    Listen up, why don't you stand at ease, you're givin' me a stiff neck.
    WASHINGTON
    (relaxing)
    Man, never heard anyone talk to the Colonel like that.
    SAL
    Colonels don't scare me, kid. Never have, never will.
    WASHINGTON
    You a Marine?
    Sal slides up his sleeve and reveals his tattoo.
    WASHINGTON
    I thought so.
    SAL
    I got more time in the chow line than you got in the corps.
    WASHINGTON
    (to Mueller)
    You too?
    MUELLER
    Semper Fi, do or die. How do you think I got this cane?
    SAL
    Hey kid. The fuck's wrong your ear?
    WASHINGTON
    Baghdad boil.
    SAL
    Say what?
    WASHINGTON
    Baghdad boil. Everybody's got one. You get bit by a teeny sand fly. They say it'll go away. In a year or two.
    SAL
    That's one ugly ear.
    MUELLER
    This is a big mistake.
    They look at Doc, who braces himself, then buckles at the knees when the coffin lid is lifted. Sal takes a step toward him, but Mueller gently stops him with the crook of his cane.
    MUELLER
    Nothing you can do now. Or do you just want to out-tough a colonel?
    SAL
    I don't want nothin'. I'm just along for the ride.
    MUELLER
    Yeah right.
    WASHINGTON
    So you were in 'Nam with Larry's dad?
    MUELLER
    We were.
    WASHINGTON
    You know what happened back then?
    SAL
    Naw, we were just pullin' triggers, killin' gooks.
    WASHINGTON
    His dad wound up doing brig time behind it.
    MUELLER
    That's all in the past.
    SAL
    What do you know about that?
    WASHINGTON
    Sounded like he fucked up some dudes... or some dudes fucked him up.
    (nobody says anything)
    You them dudes?
    MUELLER
    What exactly did he tell you?
    WASHINGTON
    Only some bad shit went down. I was Larry's best friend. No one else knew anything about it.
    SAL
    You were with him in the ambush?
    WASHINGTON
    Ambush?
    SAL
    Yeah, an ambush and a fire fight, they said.
    WASHINGTON
    Okay.
    SAL
    Okay?
    WASHINGTON
    If that's what they're saying it was, then that's what it was.
    SAL
    You were there. What the hell happened?
    Washington hesitates.
    SAL
    Spit it out, kid. It's just us, Marine to Marine.
    WASHINGTON
    (nervous)
    It was fucked.
    WASHINGTON
    Me and Shepherd and three other dudes were all day humping school supplies. Tablets, pencils, some new books. It was our last run, pissed-off mode, sand down our throats and up our asses. One guy said he wished he was in the fuckin' Navy. We started dissin' swabbies, calling them chickens of the sea, shit like that. Then Shep says, my old man was a swabby, a medical corpsman, wound up with the Marines in 'Nam. I asked him how long he put in, and Shepherd says about five years, but a couple of them in the brig. Anyway, we was always stoppin' at this little store we called Abdul's Haji Mart for Haji Cokes. It was my turn to make the run but Shep said he'd do it. So he gets out and we're bullshitting. Then this raghead comes up behind him, shouts out Ala Akbar or whatever, you know, God is great, and then he puts a cap in Shep's head.
    This sinks in.
    SAL
    What happened next?
    WASHINGTON
    Shit man, we went off. Lit 'em all up - that raghead, Abdul, and damn near the whole fuckin' hood.
    Sal and Mueller just take this in.
    WASHINGTON
    We carried Larry back to the Hummer and went home. Fuck a whole bunch of school supplies.
    SAL
    He's supposed to get a Bronze Star behind this.
    WASHINGTON
    Oh, he'll get the Star. The more Stars the better, right?
    They look over at Doc as the Colonel lowers the coffin lid. Doc still braces himself against it.
    MUELLER
    We can't tell him about this.
    SAL
    We can't?
    MUELLER
    Let him have his Bronze Star, his burial at Arlington with honors. Let him have his hero. Lord knows he's had little enough in his life.
    SAL
    You mean, let him have the lie?
    MUELLER
    Yes. What's more important?
    SAL
    I don't know, but it's never the lie.
    Sal walks toward the coffin, toward Doc and the Colonel. Mueller trails behind, slowed by his cane. Washington takes Mueller's arm and they move a little faster that way. As they get closer, they can overhear the Colonel.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    I'm sorry sir, but there is always a sound reason for my recommendations.
    Doc is trembling, unable to speak. Sal puts a hand on his shoulder. Doc goes into his arms. Sal holds him awkwardly. These men are not used to hugs. He pats his back.
    DOC
    Sal... he don't have a face anymore.
    All Sal can offer is the universal spine stiffener, God's blessing and curse combined:
    SAL
    Gotta be a man.
    Doc nods into his shoulder and stands back, running a handkerchief over his face. Sal takes a moment to stare down the Colonel.
    SAL
    How'd this boy wind up dead, mister?
    MUELLER
    Sal...
    COLONEL WILLITS
    I beg your pardon?
    SAL
    Simple question. How'd it happen?
    COLONEL WILLITS
    The Lance Corporal acquitted himself with dignity and honor, and he died a hero.
    SAL
    Yeah, well, they're all heroes, ain't they?
    COLONEL WILLITS
    That they are, sir.
    SAL
    All heroes, for sure. But how did it happen that he was shot in the back of his head, like a fuckin' dog?
    Doc looks at the uneasy Colonel through teary eyes.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    He was a brave Marine, a credit to the corps, and he served his country well.
    SAL
    So did we all - all of us here. And we still have to when we get the chance.
    DOC
    What's going on, Sal?
    SAL
    I don't know. That's why I'm askin'.
    MUELLER
    Shouldn't we be making arrangements for the funeral. Isn't that why we're here?
    SAL
    Were you there, when it happened?
    COLONEL WILLITS
    No, I wasn't.
    SAL
    Where were you?
    COLONEL WILLITS
    With all due respect, that's none of your business.
    SAL
    With all due respect, Doc here ought to get to talk to somebody who was. You weren't.
    (to Washington)
    Were you?
    Washington hesitates, glances at the Colonel staring at him, but then reluctantly answers.
    WASHINGTON
    I was there, sir.
    The Colonel doesn't like how this is going at all, but it's too late.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    Very well. Lance Corporal Washington, tell him what happened.
    Washington takes a deep breath. LATER - Sal is at the coffee table. Mueller approaches from the hangar door. Doc is leaning back against the coffin, considering what to do. The Colonel and Washington stand on either side of him.
    MUELLER
    Where are we with this?
    SAL
    Where we was, pretty much. He'd like his son's face back.
    MUELLER
    I called my wife. I'm going home. I'll take the bus.
    SAL
    You quittin'?
    MUELLER
    Quitting what?
    SAL
    We'll know in a minute or two.
    Sal sees the Colonel once again approaching Doc so he wanders over to him.
    SAL
    Yo, Doc.
    Doc looks up.
    SAL
    What's it gonna be here?
    Doc stands up straight, looks the Colonel in the eye.
    DOC
    I can't bury him in Arlington. Not now.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    He qualifies and he deserves that honor.
    Doc digs out his wallet, rifles through it, and produces a photo of his son. He holds it out, in front of the Colonel's face.
    DOC
    Here, this is what his face looked like. He was a good-looking boy.
    (shows the photo to the others)
    See? The high school girls were all over him. He was a good-looking boy. I'm taking Larry home.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    I assure you that is a bad decision and you will come to regret it.
    Doc tries to push the cart. Sal hands his cup to Mueller and joins him. They push together.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    Hold on. The Marines will transport the body, at no cost to you, anywhere you choose.
    They keep on pushing.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    Gentlemen. I cannot release the Lance Corporal's body, except to a licensed mortician...
    Mueller steps up.
    MUELLER
    Or to a clergyman, isn't that the case?
    The Colonel hesitates, as Mueller hands him Sal's cup and begins to put on his clerical collar.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    Correct.
    MUELLER
    So I guess that would be me.
    Using his cane, Mueller walks behind Doc and Sal as they push the coffin. Washington stands next to the Colonel, impressed.

EXT. HANGAR PARKING LOT - MORNING
    Sal and Doc push the cart, Mueller trailing behind. They come to a stop, not before dinging the car.
    DOC
    Sorry about that.
    SAL
    Forget about it.
    They stand silently, awkwardly for a moment. What now?
    MUELLER
    Now how you gonna get him home? Strap that coffin to the roof of Sal's car?
    SAL
    We could do that. We'd need help liftin' it up. Maybe we...
    MUELLER
    Don't be ridiculous.
    SAL
    Why not? Tell me a better way to be. You wish you could be ridiculous, but it's too late now.
    MUELLER
    Doc, let the government take care of the transport - that's the kinda thing they're good at.
    DOC
    I don't like the government right now.
    MUELLER
    You don't have to.
    DOC
    I don't trust it any more.
    SAL
    Hell, we could rent a truck.
    DOC
    Yeah, let's do that. We'll stay here, and you can take the car and go find a truck. Pay for it out of this.
    Doc gives him an envelope full of cash.
    SAL
    Consider it done. One truck, comin' up.
    MUELLER
    (to Doc)
    I'll be going with Sal. He can drop me at the bus station. I think I'll be going back home now.
    For a moment no one says anything.
    DOC
    I understand, Mueller. I'm sorry for dragging you up here.
    MUELLER
    I thought I could be of some help. I thought we were going to a funeral.
    SAL
    We ARE going to a funeral, it just looks like it's going to take a little longer to get there.
    Doc doesn't want to make this any harder than it is.
    DOC
    It's okay, Mueller. I'm just glad I got to see you again.
    MUELLER
    I'm sorry, lad.
    A handshake and a hug, awkwardly trapping his cane against him.
    MUELLER
    Glad I got to see you too. God bless you, Doc.

INT. SAL'S TAURUS - DAY - MOVING
    Sal drives, Mueller next to him. They maintain a silence, then -
    MUELLER
    We should stop and ask somebody where the bus station is.
    SAL
    It's a small town, we'll run into it. Give you a few more minutes to enjoy my company.
    MUELLER
    Always a pleasure.
    SAL
    Before you bail on us.
    Mueller stares straight ahead.
    SAL
    So, what's on your agenda? Read the bible all the way home, leftover ham for supper, say a little prayer...
    MUELLER
    Oh, I'll say a little prayer long before that. The bigger question is, what's on your agenda?
    SAL
    I feel I owe him one. Nothin' more, nothin' less.
    MUELLER
    Even though he says you don't owe him a thing?
    SAL
    All the more reason.
    MUELLER
    What would have happened, way back then, if we hadn't... you know?
    SAL
    Doc wouldn't have ended up doing two years in the brig, that's for sure. And we wouldn't have had to see what we did.
    MUELLER
    What was that?
    SAL
    You don't remember?
    MUELLER
    I remember a lot of shit... what are you talking about?
    SAL
    A certain platoon buddy, shot, writhing around on the ground dying, with nothing to help him cause we'd taken all the morphine for ourselves.
    MUELLER
    He was going to die, anyway. He had no chance. Minutes.
    SAL
    Maybe.
    MUELLER
    There was nothing we could do at that point.
    SAL
    Yeah, and we did nothin'. Sometimes you ought to do a little more.
    Sal sees a Ryder agency and pulls to the curb.

INT. U-HAUL RENTAL AGENCY - DAY
    A nervous older WOMAN, smoking a cigarette, is behind the counter, dealing with Sal and Mueller.
    WOMAN
    I have a van that would work for you, but you might be happier with a truck that's got a hydraulic tail lift.
    SAL
    Ohhh, a hydraulic lift. I like it.
    WOMAN
    What will you be hauling?
    SAL
    (hesitates)
    Your truck with the lift'll handle it.
    WOMAN
    Will you be dropping it off back here or at another location?
    It catches Sal short. He hadn't thought about that.
    WOMAN
    Don'tcha know?
    SAL
    Guess I'm gonna return it here.
    WOMAN
    And when will that be?
    Again, Sal has to think about it. The agent's suspicions start to grow. She grows more nervous. Terrorists?
    WOMAN
    You don't know how long you'll need it?
    SAL
    Better give me a week.
    MUELLER
    Oh my, a week, he says.
    Now she looks uneasily at Mueller as she taps her keyboard.
    SAL
    Now Mueller, it's outta your hands now.
    At "Mueller," the agent's head jerks slightly, not sure what she heard.
    SAL
    ... Just have a seat and take a load off. I'll handle this.
    Mueller makes his way to a chair and sits. The woman is fretting inwardly.
    WOMAN
    I need to see your driver's license.
    SAL
    Yes, ma'am.
    He empties one pocket of change and keys and a cigar cutter. The woman looks at that with apprehension. Out of the other pocket: cash, cards and hard candy. He finds the license.
    WOMAN
    Norfolk, Virginia?
    SAL
    Gotta live somewhere.
    WOMAN
    What brings you up here?
    SAL
    With all due respect, that's none of your business.
    Now she's really worried.
    WOMAN
    Just trying to be friendly.
    SAL
    Really? Okay. Well, I'm here because of a death in the family.
    WOMAN
    I'm sorry.
    SAL
    (smiling)
    That's all right. It wasn't my family.
    WOMAN
    Will you be the only driver?
    Again, he has to think about it.
    SAL
    I'll have some help.
    WOMAN
    Then I'll need to see the other driver's license. Is it that gentleman there?
    SAL
    His holiness? His holiness can't hardly walk, let alone handle a big rig with a hydraulic lift.
    WOMAN
    Whoever, I'll need their license.
    SAL
    I'll drive it myself.
    WOMAN
    So you are the only driver?
    SAL
    Yes, ma'am. I be the wheelman.
    Paranoia deepens.
    WOMAN
    Insurance on the vehicle?
    SAL
    What about it?
    WOMAN
    Would you like to get some?
    SAL
    Not necessary.
    WOMAN
    How will you be paying?
    SAL
    Cash.
    He pulls out Doc's brown envelope.
    MUELLER
    And get directions.
    SAL
    Oh, yeah, where's the bus station?
    She can't wait to call the police.

EXT. STREET/INT. U-HAUL TRUCK - DAY - MOVING
    Sal and Mueller are driving along in the rented truck.
    SAL
    Sixteen or sixty, put a dude behind the wheel of a big rig, got to feel like hot shit.
    MUELLER
    It's a rented U-Haul with an automatic transmission.
    SAL
    Bigger than anything you ever handled.
    MUELLER
    Look Sal, Doc's boy is dead. Try not to forget that.
    SAL
    I haven't forgotten that. But we're still alive, right? With time tickin' fast away. If a minute comes up that's not too terrible, I'm gonna try to enjoy it. You used to be up for some fun.
    MUELLER
    Still am.
    SAL
    Really?!
    MUELLER
    As long it's right in God's eyes.
    SAL
    'God's eyes?' God don't have no eyes.
    MUELLER
    Oh, He's got eyes. And ears too. He hears every insult you send His way. There will be a reckoning, Sergeant.
    SAL
    A reckoning?
    MUELLER
    I assure you of that.
    SAL
    Then great - then I reckon I'll take that opportunity to stand at attention and say to God, "Hey, where were You when they were rapin' children or with the genocide and all that? Where were You when they flew airplanes into buildings, killin' thousands of folks just goin' to work, and the murderers shouting Your name, or You by some other name. Same difference. Where were You when Doc's kid was buyin' Cokes and some raghead blew his face off?" You see, I ain't gonna explain myself to God, I'm gonna make Him explain Himself to me!
    MUELLER
    I'm going to pray for your soul.
    SAL
    And I'm bettin' at the end of it, if the fucker even exists he'll say "Get your ass in here, you're my kind of dude."
    (beat)
    At least that's what I'm hopin'. If He's a tight-ass God, I'm fucked.
    MUELLER
    It might be time for a lube job on that plate you got in your head.
    SAL
    Don't fuck with my plate, it's pickin' up WOR in New York.
    Mueller just stares at him. Sal notices the radio.
    SAL
    Looky here.
    He turns it on. Rap music. An Eminem song (something from "The Eminem Show").
    MUELLER
    Turn that shit off.
    SAL
    (he doesn't)
    You've heard this stuff, right?
    SAL
    Now, I've been known to get in a face or two, but even I find some of this stuff offensive. And damn hard to dance to...
    MUELLER
    For once you and I agree on something.
    SAL
    Don't it make you a little ashamed to be an African American?
    MUELLER
    No, not really.
    SAL
    Well, it ought to, dignified old gentleman like you, who'd be the first to agree just how far this stuff is from Motown.
    MUELLER
    Why should I feel ashamed? This dude is white.
    SAL
    The fuck ...!?
    MUELLER
    That's affirmative. White as rice.
    SAL
    That's comin' out of a white mouth?
    MUELLER
    Yep - a white sewer mouth.
    SAL
    Then, by God, fuck me. I ought to feel ashamed myself. Only I never did much identify with the white race.
    MUELLER
    Oh really? Now I'm curious. What race do you identify with?
    SAL
    Green. The corps - that was the only culture ever made any sense to me.
    (beat)
    You ever miss it?
    MUELLER
    Not for a minute.
    SAL
    I don't believe you.

INT. BUS STATION - DAY
    Sal carries Mueller's bag and waits while Mueller hobbles back with his ticket in hand.
    SAL
    No problem?
    MUELLER
    Not unless being stuck on a bus for the next seven hours is a problem.
    SAL
    Busses are real nice now. Recliners, a shitter in the back. Maybe you'll meet some poor redneck and save his soul. How many points you get for that? Is it a point system?
    MUELLER
    I'm just hoping I can sleep. I didn't sleep too well last night.
    SAL
    Me either. Remember when we could sleep in a hole in the ground, with bullets zinging just overhead?
    MUELLER
    You can't go back, Sal.
    SAL
    Who'd want to?
    MUELLER
    We can't redo the choices we made back then. All we can do is learn from them and try to do better in the future.
    SAL
    Yeah, I know that.
    MUELLER
    But you're still gonna do it, aren't you?
    MUELLER
    You're gonna take Doc and his dead son to Portsmouth and try to make it fun.
    SAL
    You ought to come with.
    MUELLER
    Can't do that.
    SAL
    All right. Well, I'd better get started.
    He extends his hand and they share an affectionate shake.
    SAL
    I still can't believe it, you of all people, a preacher.
    MUELLER
    Goddam right.
    SAL
    Think we'll ever bump into each other again? We're not that far away.
    MUELLER
    Never know. He moves in mysterious ways.

EXT. HANGAR - DAY
    The back of the parked truck is open and Doc pushes the coffin up to it as Sal joins him.
    DOC
    This is a lot of truck.
    SAL
    Never go small, kid. Check this out.
    He pulls a small lever and raises the lift up to the level of the coffin. Together they half-slide, half-lift it off the wagon and onto the lift. Sal leans back against the lift and lights a cigar.
    SAL
    I was wondering, though. What would your kid have wanted?
    Doc thinks about it for a beat.
    DOC
    To drink beer with his friends. Chase girls. He was twenty-one, he wasn't thinking about dying.
    SAL
    You can make this a lot easier on yourself.
    DOC
    I don't want to make it easier on myself.
    SAL
    (chuckles)
    Yeah. Guys like you and me, we take all the shit 'til it's disaster, and then we're cool, the worst has happened, like we always knew it would.
    DOC
    They sent him to a God-forsaken desert because... who knows why? It wasn't to protect America. It's like that jungle they sent us to. It wasn't a threat to us. And then they sent him back to me in this, with more lies... a hero, honors, Arlington. I ain't going to bury no Marine. I gotta bury a son.

EXT. HANGAR - DAY
    Washington stands outside the hangar, watching the U-Haul truck pull away, wistfully. Then he walks away.

INT. U-HAUL TRUCK - DAY - MOVING
    Sal drives toward the gate.
    SAL
    Some rig, huh?
    Doc doesn't answer but is looking out the window. Something's wrong. A DAFB Police Car pulls in front of them, slows, bringing them almost to a stop. Another Police Car blocks them from behind, trapping them. They come to a stop.
    BULLHORN VOICE (O.S.)
    Get out of the truck. Walk away, hands above your head.

INT. BUS STATION - DAY
    Mueller sits in the waiting area, quietly reading his bible. A man in a cheap RAINCOAT is talking to the ticket agent, looking over at Mueller. Another man in a black ANORAK takes a seat next to him.
    ANORAK
    Taking a bus today?
    MUELLER
    Yes, to Richmond. And you?
    ANORAK
    Richmond, huh. That home for you?
    MUELLER
    No, but it's getting close. Why?
    Cheap Raincoat has walked over and is standing in front of Mueller.
    RAINCOAT
    You're the one they call the Mullah?
    MUELLER
    The what?
    RAINCOAT
    Mullah.
    MUELLER
    I'm waiting for a bus to Richmond, reading the scriptures.
    ANORAK
    What, the Bible? Checking out the competition?
    MUELLER
    Who are you two? What do you want from me?
    ANORAK
    That depends.
    RAINCOAT
    We're from Homeland Security.
    MUELLER
    What?!

INT. KING'S COURT MOTOR LODGE ROOM - NIGHT
    Sal crushes an empty Bud can and tosses it the length of the room, missing the basket. As he grabs for a fresh one, Doc retrieves the empty and deposits it on top of the others in the plastic-lined wastebasket of the very same room they occupied the night before. Sal pops another can.
    SAL
    It used to mean something. There used to be an esprit de corps, a unity, a well-earned pride, some goddamn common sense. I don't know what it means anymore.
    DOC
    Fuck 'em. Fuck 'em all.
    SAL
    Fuck 'em all! I spent the best years of my life defendin' this country.
    DOC
    I think your best years are still ahead of you, Sal.
    SAL
    Fuck you.
    DOC
    It's true. It can be true.
    SAL
    Will you sit the fuck down? Look at me - all my future is behind me. I got a scrambled brain held together with a steel plate. And they look at me and what do they see? A fuckin' terrorist!
    DOC
    An apology would have been nice.
    SAL
    Oh they're sorry. Sorry they didn't smoke our asses.
    A KNOCK on the door. They look at each other, like, what now? Sal eventually shrugs his shoulders and Doc cautiously opens the door. Mueller steps in and drops his bag. He stares down Sal. Sal gets off the bed he's been sitting on, Mueller's bed. He smooths it, and steps aside. Mueller lies down in his overcoat.
    SAL
    You forget your toothbrush?
    Mueller says nothing. He needs a moment. Then -
    MUELLER
    I called my wife from the police station. The damn police station. Only after they decided I was not a Muslim radical. And not a mullah, but an old preacher named Mueller.
    Sal thinks this is hilarious.
    SAL
    Mullah the Mauler! Its all over - this country's fucked.
    DOC
    Was Ruth upset?
    MUELLER
    Oh yeah, she wanted me to come right home. But I told her that when times demand it, even old men should become threats.
    SAL
    (interrupting)
    Fuckin' A right it is! It's like during the pinko scare....
    MUELLER
    (icily)
    I believe I was talking.
    Sal raises his hands - sorry and continue.
    MUELLER
    I told my wife I was not coming home until we were done. Where's your boy?
    DOC
    They've got him again.
    MUELLER
    Tomorrow we get him back and take him home.

INT. KING'S COURT MOTOR LODGE DESK - MORNING
    Our three come into the lobby and are met by the Lt. Colonel and Washington.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    Good morning, gentlemen.
    SAL
    What's the deal, colonel whatever your name is - where's Larry?
    COLONEL WILLITS
    Willits. Colonel Willits. I've been briefed on last night's snafu. Totally ridiculous, the rental agent apparently went off the deep end, but there it is and what's done is done.
    He addresses Doc.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    I hope, given further time for reflection, that you can see that Arlington is a resting place that should not be refused in anger. There lie heroes. The details of the Lance Corporal's death are what they are, but make no mistake: his death was heroic. He was in a foreign and hostile land doing the decent thing. He deserves to lie beneath the sacred soil of Arlington. He would want that. I urge you to choose that for him.
    DOC
    Thank you. I'm gonna take my son home and bury him in New Hampshire. Not in his uniform. I'm going to bury him in his graduation suit.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    As you wish. Your government will fly the coffin, at no expense to you, to Portsmouth and a funeral director of your choice.
    DOC
    No, we're taking him with us now.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    With all due respect, you're cutting off your nose to spite your face.
    SAL
    Take a look at these faces. Think any of them care about your fuckin' opinions? With all due respect.
    DOC
    We can go by train.
    They all kind of look at each other for a moment and arrive at a consensual "why not?"
    COLONEL WILLITS
    Okay, I'll make the arrangements.
    (punches out a number on his cell phone)
    Lance Corporal Washington here will be going with you.
    (in phone)
    Colonel Willits here. You are going to make a few things happen, ASAP.
    SAL
    Hold on, Colonel, we don't need no babysitter.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    (in phone)
    Stand by.
    (to Sal)
    I wasn't implying you did. Washington's on TDY, escort duty. You don't want him, he goes right back to Baghdad.
    DOC
    Guys?
    MUELLER
    We could use the help.
    SAL
    Does he pull per diem?
    COLONEL WILLITS
    Of course.
    Sal grins at Washington.
    SAL
    Then fall in, Washington!
    (to Colonel)
    But he takes his orders from us.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    He takes his orders from ME. But, he will accommodate you in any reasonable way you ask, because I just ordered him to. Is that clear?
    SAL
    Well, you're a fuckin' force of nature, ain't you? It would have been fun to run into you in the field in my younger days.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    You think so?
    SAL
    One of us woulda got fragged.

INT. HANGAR - MORNING
    Everybody is back at the hangar where the casket has been taken. They see six more flag-draped coffins being wheeled into the hangar. Their casket is loaded onto one carryall while the civilians pull away in another. Sal turns back to see Washington, in the distance, standing at attention with the Colonel in his face.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    I don't give a fuck what they say. The Lance Corporal is ours. He's a Marine until he goes into the ground, and he remains a Marine for the period he is under the ground, plus one hundred years. I will not have three over-the-hill veterans pissing on my corps. Is that understood?
    WASHINGTON
    Yes, sir!
    COLONEL WILLITS
    You're a Marine, and your mission is to see your brother home. You're in charge, and when IN charge, TAKE charge. Understood?
    WASHINGTON
    Yes, sir!
    COLONEL WILLITS
    There's going to be a mortuary affairs detail at every step of the trip. You will protect the dignity of that dead Marine, and see that he is buried with honors. In his uniform. Not in some pussy civilian graduation suit! Understood?
    WASHINGTON
    Yes, sir!
    COLONEL WILLITS
    And don't let that Sal asshole outflank you. He's old but he's dangerous. Don't let that happen - kill him first.
    WASHINGTON
    Sir?
    COLONEL WILLITS
    That is not an order.
    WASHINGTON
    Yes, sir.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    And just because that crippled preacher reminds you of your father, don't trust him.
    WASHINGTON
    I never knew my father, sir.
    COLONEL WILLITS
    Lance Corporal, do you have a personal problem?
    WASHINGTON
    No, sir!
    COLONEL WILLITS
    Then get on it.
    WASHINGTON
    Yes, sir!
    He jumps into the other carryall and it takes off.

EXT./INT. RAILROAD STATION - DAY
    Alongside the train at the Wilmington, Delaware station, the "mortuary detail" of six service members, including Washington, carry the box containing the coffin. They eventually load the container onto a cargo car. Washington stands next to it in the car and salutes, as do the other five, before walking away. Doc stands back a little as Sal chats with the attendant, JOHN REDMAN, who also saluted.
    REDMAN
    I was there the first time. Gulf War, they called it then.
    SAL
    You got back.
    REDMAN
    Yeah, and I'm not pissin' blood and my babies are all okay. Filthy little war. But righteous.
    SAL
    Oh yeah...
    REDMAN
    Can't let the big ones swallow up the little ones.
    Redman turns to Doc and shakes his hand.
    REDMAN
    John Redman. Don't worry - I'll look after your boy.

INT. TRAIN - DAY - MOVING
    Sal and Doc sit next to each other, facing Mueller, who's reading his bible. Sal watches him read.
    SAL
    When did you become so old?
    MUELLER
    I think it happened over the past thirty years. Same as you.
    SAL
    I categorically deny it.
    MUELLER
    You can deny it all you want to, but that ain't gonna stop the clock or turn it back.
    SAL
    What do you make of that grunt, Washington?
    MUELLER
    What about him?
    SAL
    I don't know, he don't say much, him and his Baghdad boil... that's some gnarly shit.
    MUELLER
    What do you want to know about him?
    SAL
    I don't want to know nothin' about him.
    MUELLER
    Sounds to me like he is an individual heavy on your mind.
    SAL
    Nothin' heavy about it. Just wonderin'.
    MUELLER
    Go back and talk to him, if he's such a mystery to you.
    SAL
    Everything's a mystery to me... except you.
    MUELLER
    Please.
    SAL
    I think I'll go back and talk to him.
    MUELLER
    I'm sure he'll enjoy that.
    DOC
    Tell him he can come sit up here with us.
    SAL
    I'll do an invite.

INT. MEN'S ROOM - DAY - MOVING
    Alone in the restroom, Sal takes a toke on a joint, waving away the smoke.

INT. CARGO CAR - DAY - MOVING
    Sal enters, slowly walking over to Washington, sitting next to the coffin.
    SAL
    You're welcome.
    WASHINGTON
    For what?
    SAL
    Are you on a train in Baghdad? No, you're not.
    Washington just kind of nods as Sal finds a seat on some boxes.
    SAL
    TDY. Sometimes it's fun, sometimes it's a bitch.
    WASHINGTON
    I don't mind. He was my best friend.
    SAL
    You didn't hang with the brothers?
    Washington looks up at him.
    WASHINGTON
    There's no rule. I just liked the dude. He had my back and I had his. He was honest, said what he thought. Simple, in a good way. He never had an attitude.
    SAL
    Sounds a lot like his father.
    WASHINGTON
    What about the honest part?
    SAL
    Doc is not a dishonest man.
    WASHINGTON
    What about that brig time?
    SAL
    That could have been any of us. He got fucked. I know things you don't.
    WASHINGTON
    Yes, sir.
    SAL
    Doc was a lot younger than us, a kid, and technically he was in the Navy. He wanted to be our friend and we took advantage of it. We'd done him a favor and now he was doing one for us. But then it all went to shit and someone had to take the fall. C'mon up with us for a while. Redman here will look after your friend.
    REDMAN
    No problem.
    WASHINGTON
    That's all right.
    SAL
    No, you have to get out of here for a while.
    WASHINGTON
    Why?
    SAL
    Come talk to Larry's father, say something nice.
    WASHINGTON
    I don't know what I can say.
    SAL
    You'll come up with something.

EXT./INT. PHILADELPHIA STATION - AFTERNOON
    The train pulls into the station.
    CONDUCTOR (V.O.)
    Philadelphia... Arriving Philadelphia.

INT. TRAIN CAR - AFTERNOON
    Washington sits with the others, a bit uncomfortable. They look out the window at the people on the platform, waiting for the train, carrying shopping bags. Finally -
    SAL
    Look at them.
    DOC
    Who?
    SAL
    Them. All the shit they bought. They don't have a clue.
    MUELLER
    Ordinary people, out for a day of shopping.
    SAL
    Fuckin' sheep is what they are.
    WASHINGTON
    I wouldn't mind being one of them.
    SAL
    Well, yeah, it's better than being shot at.
    WASHINGTON
    Rather be fighting them over there than in our own backyard.
    SAL
    Sound familiar?
    MUELLER
    Oh yeah...
    SAL
    (to Washington)
    See, we fought the commies in 'Nam so we wouldn't have to fight them on the beaches of Malibu.
    WASHINGTON
    Guess it worked.
    (a beat)
    Marine's gotta be willing to die on order.
    SAL
    Yep - that's always been the mission, and it's a bunch of crap.
    MUELLER
    There needs to be a reason. This time we were told there was an imminent danger. Arsenals of horrible weapons... a possible mushroom cloud.
    SAL
    Lies. It's always the same ol' shit: stay the course, if we pull out now, our heroes will have died in vain...
    MUELLER
    But I want to believe in our leaders, I want to believe in our country. We're a good country.
    SAL
    Yes we are, but when you catch your government lying to you, everything changes.
    Passengers hurry on board. The doors shut and the train pulls away.
    SAL
    So, how's the living over there?
    WASHINGTON
    It's all right. They got a shopping mall out near the airport. There's a new Burger King and Pizza Hut. We're livin' pretty good for a combat zone, but they sure hate us.
    SAL
    We gotta be the only occupying force in histroy that expects people to like us.
    WASHINGTON
    When you go out, you never know what's gonna happen. But coming from Oakland, I'm used to people dying all of a sudden.
    DOC
    Really?
    WASHINGTON
    In high school, one of my best friends was killed by a stray bullet. My father was robbed on the street, and they put one in him. But I didn't even know who he was 'til he turned up dead.
    SAL
    Jesus, kid...
    WASHINGTON
    I'm only sayin'...
    SAL
    So you joined the Marines to get away from all that in Oakland?
    WASHINGTON
    No, sir. I wanted to strengthen my character. It was that way with Larry too. We wanted to test ourselves, to forge ourselves into the men we wanted to become.
    SAL
    That's what we used to think. Every generation has their war. Men make wars, and wars make men... Never gonna end.
    MUELLER
    Maybe we need to try something else.
    DOC
    When Larry was little, he played with toy soldiers. He dug trenches for them. He put them through basic training.
    WASHINGTON
    Mr. Shepherd, Larry was where he wanted to be. He hated it. We all hate it. But it's where we were sent, and we'll do what we have to do. We signed up for it.
    DOC
    He must have been embarrassed, me sitting out the last part of our war in the brig...
    WASHINGTON
    No, sir, Larry wasn't embarrassed - he loved you. You know what made him different from most of us in the unit?
    DOC
    What?
    WASHINGTON
    He had a happy childhood.
    DOC
    He said that?
    WASHINGTON
    Yes, sir. He had a mother and father who loved him... and each other. Nice house to live in. Good food to eat. School... football... nice friends... on and on.
    (beat)
    Mr. Shepherd, it was my turn to get the Cokes. That was my bullet, not Larry's. I should have been the one...
    Mueller puts his hand on Washington's knee, letting him know it's okay and not to think like that.
    DOC
    A gray car pulled up to the house... a Marine Lieutenant and a Navy chaplain. Shiny brass belt buckles. I kept looking at those shiny buckles. "The President has asked me to express his deep regret..." Killed in action. In action - nothing about shot in the back of the head buying Cokes for the guys. Nothing about killed trying to get the Baghdad school system up and running.
    (looks out the window, looks back)
    The school system in New Hampshire is in rough shape.
    (beat)
    Why wasn't Larry back in New Hampshire delivering stuff to our own schools?
    Nobody can say anything.
    DOC
    Is that a stupid question?

INT. CAFE CAR - NIGHT - MOVING
    With two glasses of beer, Sal wanders from the bar over to the table where Doc and Mueller sit. Mueller has a cup of coffee, and Doc a beer. As soon as Sal sits he downs a glass in one gulp.
    MUELLER
    Thirsty?
    SAL
    Huh?
    MUELLER
    That went down awfully fast.
    SAL
    Well I'm drinking for two, now that you've got all old and boring.
    He starts to drink the other glass.
    MUELLER
    Might be you're an alcoholic. I am. I recognized that and owned up to it. That's the first step.
    SAL
    At least we're not drug addicts.
    MUELLER
    Not anymore, praise Jesus.
    SAL
    We never were.
    MUELLER
    We took the shit, didn't we?
    SAL
    We needed the shit.
    MUELLER
    If we needed it the corps would have issued it to us.
    SAL
    In a way they did.
    DOC
    That shit was meant for pain. All drugs are.
    SAL
    So what's wrong with takin 'em then?
    MUELLER
    Morphine? It's kind of addictive.
    SAL
    So's pain.
    DOC
    We weren't the ones who were in pain, though.
    SAL
    The fuck we weren't.
    MUELLER
    That's a different kind of pain.
    SAL
    Pain is pain.
    SAL
    Back from the war less than a day, his best buddy in a coffin, and all he's talking about is a Burger King and Pizza Hut at the shopping mall.
    DOC
    He just doesn't want to talk about it. We never did.
    MUELLER
    You asked him.
    (new thought)
    Next stop I need to call Ruth.
    SAL
    You need one of those mobile phones. You could be talking to her right now. Ten year-old kids have 'em. They've practically quit making pay phones.

EXT. TRAIN - NIGHT
    As the train speeds to New York, we hear all the guys in mid- conversation. This time, however, it is revved up and boisterous.
    MUELLER (O.S.)
    ... So we ended up at Disneyland to resuscitate Doc, who was metaphorically drowning...

INT. CARGO CAR - NIGHT - MOVING
    The guys sit on improvised seats in the baggage car, bull- shitting.
    SAL
    I got your metaphoricals - dangling! Stick to the story!
    WASHINGTON
    Wait a minute. They got a Disneyland in Vietnam?
    Everybody laughs.
    MUELLER
    That's what they called all the bars and houses of ill-repute that sprung up near the base.
    SAL
    And it was the company fucking commander's doing! He's the one who told us to take a couple of days off and get Doc's ass over to Disneyland before he had a total meltdown.
    DOC
    I was having some problems...
    SAL
    He sure as shit was, and the biggest one was that it was time for him to get his cherry busted. How old were you, Washington, first time?
    WASHINGTON
    Thirteen.
    SAL
    I rest my fucking case! My point exactly. Doc was eighteen.
    DOC
    I was nineteen.
    SAL
    One year worse. It was time.
    DOC
    No, it wasn't. The right time was when I met Mary, and we committed to each other.
    MUELLER
    I think thirteen is way too early, too, by the way.
    SAL
    Don't wreck my story. Believe me kid, he was ready. We killed some time in the bars then found the perfect little whorehouse.
    WASHINGTON
    That's so uncool.
    SAL
    What?
    WASHINGTON
    Paying for sex. Whores and pimps... it's disgusting.
    SAL
    Jesus, what the hell has happened to your basic GI?
    WASHINGTON
    I just think some things shouldn't to be bought and sold.
    DOC
    Actually, it wasn't all that bad.
    The others laugh. Mueller leans a little toward Washington.
    MUELLER
    Jesus had not yet entered my life. I yielded to bad impulses.
    SAL
    Yielded to 'em? You smoked 'em, drank 'em, and fucked every impulse! Old Mueller the Mauler here would get the five dollars/ five minute special - he was like a jackrabbit.
    Sal makes a quick humping motion. Mueller fights a smile.
    MUELLER
    Everything seems funny years later, but I don't care what anybody says, it was a dereliction of duty, pure and simple.
    SAL
    I got your dir'liction swinging, you old coot!
    WASHINGTON
    The whores I know, I don't want to be around.
    DOC
    But this was like going to a friend's house... and then you end up having sex with the friend. And then you pay them.
    They laugh again. In spite of everything, they are having a good time... a good moment at least.
    SAL
    Next day, I gotta admit, I was sick of hearing about that little Asian whore. Oh, Doc was quite proud of himself. Said he had a hard-on so big he couldn't bend his fingers or blink his eyes.
    Another round of big laughs.
    SAL
    Fuck me... God, I really miss that, having a boner you can hang a towel on. My johnson used to stand up and watch me shave, now it watches me pull up my socks.
    They all crack up.
    MUELLER
    Don't encourage him.

INT. PENN STATION - NIGHT
    The train is grinding to a stop in Penn Station.

EXT. 8TH AVENUE - NIGHT
    Our three walk downtown, away from the station. Sal takes a deep breath.
    SAL
    New York, New fucking York.
    MUELLER
    Let's not wander too far.
    SAL
    Just far enough to find the first Blarney Stone.
    Which is right across the street. Sal turns and goes inside. The others have no choice but to follow.

INT. BLARNEY STONE - NIGHT
    They sit at the bar. Sal has escalated to a shot and a beer. Mueller has a ginger ale; Doc, a beer.
    MUELLER
    How much time do we have?
    SAL
    Enjoy, old man. It's the Big Apple. We got the time.
    MUELLER
    I have to call my wife.
    SAL
    See? Again, you need a fuckin' wireless telephone. You could sit right here and dial her up and you wouldn't have to get off the stool and hobble the full length of this place and have to stand on your feet next to the shitter just to say, "I miss you, dear, I hope you still love me, even though I used to fuck whores."
    Though on his way, Mueller swings his cane around toward Sal's head, just missing as Sal ducks.
    SAL
    I'm still too quick for you, floatin' like a butterfly.
    Mueller continues on as Sal waves to the bartender.
    SAL
    One more, please, before Grandpa Moses gets back.
    The bartender pours another shot. Doc takes some money out of his brown envelope.
    SAL
    Drink up. Here's to duty and honor.
    Sal knocks back the shot.
    DOC
    I guess it woulda been an honor, the whole Arlington thing.
    SAL
    Sometimes the real honor is turning down the honor.
    DOC
    Wouldn't you be honored?
    SAL
    Don't matter to me. Drop me anywhere. You know what I put down when I have to write who to notify in case of emergency?
    DOC
    Your lady friend?
    SAL
    County coroner.
    LATER - Mueller has rejoined the group.
    SAL
    Request permission to have another, sir?
    MUELLER
    Ain't nobody gonna tell you you can't have a drink. Someday you're gonna have to tell yourself.
    Sal signals the bartender to pour another.
    SAL
    Barkeep, I'm gonna have just one more drink... and then I'm gonna have another.
    MUELLER
    You have a drinking problem.
    SAL
    No problem, really. I think I got it down.
    (offers toast)
    Born in pain, live in fear, die alone.
    He chugs it.
    MUELLER
    Could you be any more Irish right now?
    SAL
    Nope, though my mom was half Italian. I got the best of both - I'm an Irish drinker and an Italian lover.
    Doc has been watching the TV above the bar. It's the same footage of Saddam getting his physical exam, along with other shots, like the picture of his two sons displayed after they were killed.
    DOC
    I lost one, he lost two.
    SAL
    I guess he thought it was worth it.
    DOC
    It wasn't worth it. Not to me.
    Now George Bush Jr. is on the TV, giving an interview.
    DOC
    Would it be worth his twin daughters? He's got twins, right?
    SAL
    Who? The cheerleader?
    Sal gets up and goes over to the bartender.
    DOC
    Who?
    MUELLER
    He was a cheerleader in college.
    DOC
    Would it be worth their lives? Even one of 'em?
    MUELLER
    Good luck gettin' that answered.

EXT. BLARNEY STONE - NIGHT
    The three of them come out, Sal and Doc none too steady. They go in one direction, stop to get their bearings, then go in another direction. Sal spots a phone shop across the street and attempts to cross in the middle. Mueller hooks him with his cane and pulls him back.

INT. PHONE SHOP - NIGHT
    An overwhelming display of hi-tech. A CLERK is helping them.
    SAL
    How many minutes do I get again?
    CLERK
    On this plan, five hundred.
    SAL
    Every month?
    CLERK
    Will that be enough?
    SAL
    Enough? How can anybody talk for more than five hundred minutes a month on a fuckin' telephone?
    MUELLER
    We're gonna miss our train, sure as God made little green apples.
    With a flourish, Sal slaps his MasterCard on the counter.
    SAL
    This goes through, you got a sale young lady, and I go hi-tech.
    LATER - as Sal signs the papers...
    CLERK
    You can call other people who use this same plan and it won't count against your minutes.
    SAL
    Get out. Now, that's a helluva deal.
    MUELLER
    What do you care? Who do you know on this plan?
    SAL
    You two fuckers! Get you some phones, right now.
    MUELLER
    Don't need one, don't want one.
    DOC
    I wouldn't mind having one, to tell you the truth. I've often thought about it.
    SAL
    Done! Barkeep, a couple phones for my partners here.
    DOC
    So he and I can talk anytime, even though he's in Norfolk and I'm in New Hampshire and it don't cost us nothing, right?
    CLERK
    That's the deal.
    DOC
    C'mon, Mueller. With three-way calling and all we can talk to each other at the same time.
    MUELLER
    Well, we're doing that right now, aren't we?
    DOC
    C'mon, Mueller.
    MUELLER
    What if I don't like it? Now I've got a contract for two years?
    SAL
    What if you fall down? A real possibility with your gimpy knee. And you're in a ditch, and you can't get up, and nobody can see you, and it starts to rain, and the ditch fills up with water? Looks like you're gonna drown. Farewell, old Reverend Mueller.
    SAL
    Ah, but with your wireless phone you can call for help.
    CLERK
    And 9-1-1 calls do not count against your minutes.
    Mueller looks like he is weakening.
    SAL
    Sold!

EXT. 35TH STREET - NIGHT
    Sal hurries on ahead of the other two, dialing a number on his new phone. He ducks into an enclave off the street and is momentarily out of sight. Mueller's phone rings and he fumbles to answer.
    MUELLER
    Hello?
    SAL
    (disguised voice)
    Is this Reverend Mueller?
    MUELLER
    What?
    SAL
    This is God. It don't count against your minutes to talk with me.
    They've now caught up with Sal, who emerges with a big smile on his face.
    MUELLER
    Don't be burning my minutes with foolishness.
    He hangs up.
    DOC
    Call Redman back on the train.
    They once again fall into pace together as Sal dials.
    SAL
    (in phone)
    Hey, Redman, guess who this is! Right!
    (holds phone against chest)
    SAL
    He knew it was me. Listen up, John, I'm calling you on my new wireless...
    (to Doc)
    What's my phone number?
    DOC
    It's in the display.
    SAL
    What display? There's no number.
    DOC
    It comes on when you turn on the phone.
    Sal turns it off and on. He takes a pen out of his pocket and writes the number on his palm.
    SAL
    John? Shit, I lost him.
    DOC
    Well, you hung up on him.
    SAL
    Shit.
    MUELLER
    You don't even know how to use that thing.
    He dials again.
    SAL
    John Redman, sorry about that.
    (beat)
    What? Oh.
    DOC
    What's he saying?
    SAL
    They're on their way to Boston.
    DOC
    The train's left without us?
    MUELLER
    Well, that's just outstanding. I warned your ass.
    SAL
    We'll catch the next one. Redman says they'll wait for us.

INT. PENN STATION - NIGHT
    The three of them seem to be wandering in different directions, getting information. Finally they come together.
    SAL
    Good news. We can catch the express, right to Boston.
    MUELLER
    When?
    SAL
    Seven a.m.
    DOC
    Oh, jeez...
    Mueller gives Sal a withering look.

INT. BAR - NIGHT
    They're having dinner at the bar. Sal has his phone on the bar. Mueller has put Doc between them. The bartender switches the TV to a basketball game.
    SAL
    Oh look, a show on black history. Is it that month already?
    MUELLER
    Very funny.
    Back on the game, a player steals the ball, breaks away and goes airborne. He stuffs it.
    SAL
    Let me point out something to you. The butt-ugliest shot in basketball is the slam dunk. What does it mean, anyway? What does it say about the dude who stuffs it?
    DOC
    That he's pretty darn tall.
    SAL
    Dudes were tall before. They didn't go around hammerin' the ball through the hoop every time down the court. Ugly fuckin' shot and now they're stuck with it. Hangin' on the hoop, all that shit. Now, you take the fade-away jump shot; a man is covered, fenced away from the basket, he goes up, drops back, arcs that puppy over the defense. Beautiful. Elegant. Earl-the-Pearl skillful.
    DOC
    Free throws are what win or lose the game.
    SAL
    Well, but they interrupt the fucking action. They're boring and there are too many of them. You're not supposed to be bangin' into each other. Fouls should be shameful, but, fuck, there ain't no shame anywhere anymore.
    MUELLER
    Look who's talking. Have you ever been ashamed about anything? Ever in your life?
    SAL
    Only once.
    They fall silent, then resume their meal.
    SAL
    Boston was where he was from.
    He expects someone to say something but no one does.
    SAL
    I'm checking to see if he's got any family still there.
    DOC
    Why?
    MUELLER
    Because he's drunk.
    SAL
    What does that have to do with it?
    MUELLER
    This happen every time you drink?
    SAL
    Pretty much.
    MUELLER
    Then don't drink.
    SAL
    It's what I got instead of God.
    MUELLER
    Okay, I get it. I found God, Doc did his time, and you got drunk.
    SAL
    And maybe he got the best of the deal.
    MUELLER
    He was gonna die anyway, Sal.
    SAL
    But he didn't have to suffer. Not that much anyway.
    DOC
    Jimmy Hightower! We can't even say his name. We all feel guilty about how he suffered as he was dying, but did it ever occur to you that maybe nobody would have been shot at all, and everyone would still be alive if we'd all been doing our jobs instead of fuckin' around?

EXT. PENN STATION - NIGHT
    They make their way back to Penn Station.
    MUELLER
    Now we only got, what, three more hours to wait.
    SAL
    On the town - two old jarheads and a chicken of the sea.
    DOC
    Only we ain't dancing.
    SAL
    Fuck, we're hardly hobbling.
    Even Mueller has to smile. Suddenly we hear the odd electronic tones of Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head. Sal jumps, spins around. The music is coming from his chest.
    SAL
    The fuck...!?
    MUELLER
    It's your fancy new phone.
    SAL
    It does that?
    DOC
    Answer it, Sal. It must be John Redman.
    Sal digs the phone out of his pocket.
    SAL
    (answering)
    Hello?
    FEMALE PHONE VOICE (O.S.)
    (with Indian accent)
    Mr. Nealon...?
    SAL
    Yeah.
    FEMALE PHONE VOICE (O.S.)
    My name is Sharon. How are you this evening, Mr. Nealon?
    SAL
    Not all that great, frankly.
    FEMALE PHONE VOICE (O.S.)
    I'm sorry to hear that. I wanted to let you know that my manager will be in your area in the next few days and would love to show you how to make a twelve to twenty percent return by investing in international market funds.
    SAL
    Wait a minute... I don't even know my own fuckin' number, how the hell did you get it?
    FEMALE PHONE VOICE (O.S.)
    Have I called at an inconvenient time?
    SAL
    What do you think, bitch?
    He makes like he is going to throw the phone across the street, then smiles and tucks it away.

INT. PENN STATION - EARLY MORNING
    As the place comes to life, our three pull their aching bones off the benches and try to wake up.

INT. TRAIN #2 - MORNING - MOVING
    On the way to Boston, the three of them are half-asleep. Doc stares out of the window.
    DOC
    What were their names?
    SAL
    Who?
    DOC
    His sons. Saddam's. The ones they shot up and put on display like it was the old Wild West.
    SAL
    Fuck, Doc, it's too early in the day.
    DOC
    I was just thinking.
    SAL
    I don't know. Weird-ass A-rab names. Hugo and Queasy, like that.
    MUELLER
    They were named Uday and Qusay. Fairly simple names.
    SAL
    Sure, if you're used to Leteesha and Kuamme.
    MUELLER
    You're a racist as well as an alcoholic.
    SAL
    You forgot sexist. Fair to everybody. What did you name your kids?
    MUELLER
    Otis and Sally.
    SAL
    Now that's nice. A kid should always be able to spell his own name. Named her after me, didn't you? Sally.
    MUELLER
    Say what?
    SAL
    After old Sal. I ever have a kid I'll name him after you, Dick. First he'll be little Dick, then he'll grow up to be big Dick.
    DOC
    What if it was a girl?
    MUELLER
    Look at him, Doc. Even if he had any left swimming in him, what woman of childbearing age is gonna spread her legs for him?
    SAL
    Your Sally, if you'll make the introductions.
    Sal once again jumps out of range of Mueller's cane.
    MUELLER
    I swear I'm gonna brain you, I don't care if there's already a plate in your head. I'll put another one 'em there.
    SAL
    Seriously though, padre, can I ask you a personal question?
    MUELLER
    No.
    SAL
    How come you married a black woman?
    MUELLER
    What?!
    SAL
    Don't you tell me you never had a white woman. It was the 70s.
    MUELLER
    As I recall, white dudes finally admitted having an eye for black women.
    SAL
    Oh, yeah, I'm gaga for the sisters myself. And they dig me too. Well, a couple of 'em did... for a time... then I'd say somethin' stupid.
    MUELLER
    No, you? Say something stupid to a black person?
    SAL
    'Course I had a couple bouts of yellow fever too... and always did have a sweet tooth for the Latin babes. I got nothin' against white women, mind you. They're okay, some of 'em. But we were talkin' about you marrying a black woman.
    MUELLER
    First of all, who I married is none of your business.
    SAL
    That's why I'm being so polite about it.
    MUELLER
    I'll tell you why. God told me to.
    SAL
    Whoa. To marry a black girl?
    MUELLER
    No, to marry Ruth.
    SAL
    He told you that?
    MUELLER
    He did.
    SAL
    Like He told the Reverend Pat Robertson who was gonna win the election?
    MUELLER
    Pat Robertson is a complete phony.
    SAL
    How come God never talks to me?
    MUELLER
    Because you can't listen. And he doesn't talk to Pat Robertson either.
    SAL
    But He does talk to you?
    MUELLER
    I didn't say that. I said He told me to marry Ruth and be a decent man and to preach the word.
    SAL
    So he does speak to you.
    MUELLER
    He didn't talk to me in words. He touched my heart.
    DOC
    Maybe it was Ruth who touched your heart.
    MUELLER
    Oh, it was. It was God through Ruth. I was down and out, and I didn't care about nothing. A recovering alcoholic with shot up legs. Then one day I found Jesus...
    SAL
    Where was that, bump into him on the street?
    MUELLER
    In my heart, the only place you can find Him. I went down there like it was a scary cave, which in a way it was, a dark, unexplored place.
    MUELLER
    Went down afraid and alone, came back up fearless and with Jesus at my side. Next Sunday I took myself to church...
    SAL
    Hallelujah! And there was Ruth.
    MUELLER
    Right there, and everything came together for me.
    DOC
    That's a beautiful story.
    SAL
    Sorry the fuck I asked.
    (beat)
    If God wants to keep holdin' out on me, I get it. But would it kill Him to pat me on the shoulder or shake my hand like a man? And if he'd also like to deliver a nice black girl with a great ass, so much the better.

EXT. BOSTON STATION - DAY
    Walking just outside the Boston train station, Sal is in front of the other two, talking on his cell phone.
    DOC
    What's he up to?
    MUELLER
    Look at him wheeling and dealing... Mr. Cellular Phone.
    Sal hears them talking about him and turns toward them, still on the phone.
    SAL
    (to Doc and Mueller)
    We've got an errand to run.
    DOC
    We got enough time?
    SAL
    Sure.
    MUELLER
    (simultaneous)
    No.
    SAL
    I'm on with Redman. He and Washington just got to New Hampshire. We'll see 'em there.
    (to Redman)
    We'll see you there.
    He closes his phone.

A60 INT. DOVER, NH STATION - DAY A60
    Redman closes his phone and walks back over to the baggage car, where Washington and 5 other service members are starting to carry the box containing the coffin. Redman salutes as they walk away. We follow the mortuary affairs detail through the baggage/storage area of the train station and down an elevator to the loading dock where a hearse, and the funeral director LELAND await.

INT. TAXI - DAY - MOVING
    The taxi is driven by a turbaned driver.
    MUELLER
    She's been living with it all these years. What good's it gonna do her?
    SAL
    We're long overdue, the way I figure. She ought to know the truth and we ought to be men enough to say it.
    MUELLER
    How'd you find her?
    SAL
    I got O'Toole to call his granddaughter and have her look it up for us on the world wide web.
    DOC
    What can we possibly say to her?
    SAL
    The truth. If it'd a been me, I'd want the other guys to go see my family.
    MUELLER
    Where is your family?
    SAL
    They're all dead. I think I have a cousin left, in Scranton.
    The cab pulls up to a small house. They look at the place but say nothing.

EXT. HIGHTOWER HOUSE - DAY
    At the door: Mueller knocks with his cane. They wait. He knocks again.
    DOC
    Maybe nobody lives here anymore, maybe.
    The door opens, revealing a woman in her 80s. She is wary.
    MRS. HIGHTOWER
    Yes?
    None of them seems able to speak.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
    Some time later, they're all sitting around in the living room. Mrs. Hightower directs them through a series of framed pictures and Christmas card photos that they pass around.
    MRS. HIGHTOWER
    This was the last picture we ever got from Jimmy. And this is Jimmy's little girl all grown up.
    DOC
    So, how old was she when he died?
    MRS. HIGHTOWER
    Four months old. Her mom eventually remarried and they moved to San Diego. Here's my great-grandkids.
    MUELLER
    Look at that. He'd be a grandfather.
    MRS. HIGHTOWER
    I've never met them in person, but they call every now and then. So you three were with my Jimmy?
    The old woman stares at him blankly.
    SAL
    Yes ma'am. We'd already fought us a long year, and most of us were still breathing. But that extension... that four more months they added on... some of us couldn't handle it, and, I think we didn't all...
    MRS. HIGHTOWER
    What was it all for?
    SAL
    They said they knew, and we believed them. But now... we just came here to tell you what happened.
    MRS. HIGHTOWER
    Are you some of the men he saved?
    Sal is just frozen. Doc and Mueller look at him wondering how he's going to respond.
    MRS. HIGHTOWER
    Thry told me he saved three or four of his buddies, before...
    SAL
    Yes ma'am. We are.
    MUELLER
    He was a great guy, Jimmy.
    DOC
    Yeah, we've never forgotten him.
    MUELLER
    That's why we're here, ma'am. We owe him.
    SAL
    We just wanted to come by and pay our respects.
    MUELLER
    Let you know he's still in our hearts.
    MRS. HIGHTOWER
    That is so sweet of you boys. I can't thank you enough.

EXT. HIGHTOWER HOUSE - DAY
    The door opens as they exit. Sal gets the last hug in.
    SAL
    Take care of yourself.
    MRS. HIGHTOWER
    This makes my week. Please come back anytime.
    DOC
    Thank you, ma'am.
    MUELLER
    Bless you, Mrs. Hightower.
    MRS. HIGHTOWER
    You boys be careful out there.
    SAL
    We will.

INT. TRAIN #3 - LATE AFTERNOON - MOVING
    They sit in silence, not saying much. Even Sal stares out the window at the sunset.

EXT. DOVER, NH STATION - NIGHT
    Washington waits for them, next to a hearse and Leland.

INT. FUNERAL HOME LIMO - NIGHT - MOVING
    Washington sits next to Leland. In the back seat are Sal, Doc and Mueller. Outside the window are shells of abandoned plants and factories, lying idle. Sal just stares out the window.
    SAL
    Looks like things used to get made here.
    LELAND
    Used to.
    SAL
    Even morticians better watch out - they might be outsourcing undertakin' next.
    LELAND
    Never happen - American funeral directors are the best in the world.
    Sal mutters a monologue... not that anyone is much listening at this point.
    SAL
    So were the American factories. We could make anything, quality stuff. That's how we won two world wars. Don't be surprised if somebody figures out that it's cheaper to ship a body to Mexico and back than to do it up here. They'll ship it to China or India once they figure out it'll save 'em a buck. Don't matter how good you are.
    (new mumbly thought)
    Just a matter of time till they start outsourcing soldiering. Hell, get a bunch of starving young people from all over the world, put 'em in a uniform and tell 'em to try to stay alive. When their tour is over we ship 'em back to where they came from... no VA hospitals, or pensions. You lost an arm? You got PTSD? Tough shit, we're flushing you down...

EXT. DOC'S HOUSE - NIGHT
    The limo pulls into the driveway. As the others get out, Sal quickly goes to the nearest bush in the yard to pee.
    MUELLER
    If you had any more manners, you'd be a dog.
    Sal continues peeing, emphasizing his relief.
    SAL
    Now I'm seeing God.

INT. DOC'S HOUSE - NIGHT
    In the small, dark den, embers glow in the fireplace. Washington lies awake on the sofa.

INT. DOC'S ROOM - NIGHT
    Mueller lies awake. He can't help but notice the pictures of Doc and his wife, Larry Jr, etc. Actually, it feels like Mary still lives there. It seems Doc's barely touched anything since last January.

INT. LARRY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
    Sal is laying on a trundle bed, pulled out from under Larry's bed, where Doc rests. The room is lit by moonlight. Now an as-he-left-it shrine to Larry, they're surrounded by the various photos of family and friends, sports mementoes, music posters, etc.
    SAL
    You gonna want to stay on here, alone?
    DOC
    I don't know - haven't thought much about it.
    SAL
    Portsmouth? The brig right there. You might want to try another place. A fresh start.
    DOC
    But Larry would be here. Mary, too.
    SAL
    You could always come visit. You got close friends here?
    DOC
    Not too many. Not too close.
    His voice trails, he's falling asleep. Sal jabs him in the ribs.
    DOC
    What?
    SAL
    Move to Norfolk. You could work in my bar.
    DOC
    I never worked in a bar before.
    SAL
    Trust me - it ain't that hard.
    DOC
    Your place don't seem all that busy.
    SAL
    That's my fault. I let it go. It needs new blood. We could get the grill part going again. I need a partner.
    DOC
    A partner?
    SAL
    Yeah. The bar'd be half yours, and when I bite it, it'll be all yours.
    DOC
    Sal... you don't owe me nothing.
    SAL
    This ain't paying off no debt. I really do need a partner, and I got nobody to leave the place to. You could stay with me for a while, but then you'd have to find your own place, 'cause I like to pursue the ladies and, frankly, you'd cramp my style.
    SAL
    You thinkin' about it?
    DOC
    I am. I'm picturing it. It's kinda funny.
    SAL
    Might be time for another BCD in your life.
    Doc smiles.
    DOC
    Better career decision...
    SAL
    Yeah, and if nothin' else, it might be fun. What's wrong with that?

INT. DOC'S HOUSE - MORNING
    Sal, Mueller and Washington are in the kitchen having coffee. Sal punches some numbers in his cell phone, waits for an answer.
    MUELLER
    You purely love that thing, don't you?
    SAL
    I can't get that fucker O'Toole to answer. The place could be burned down for all I know.
    He puts the phone away. Doc comes in with a suit on a hangar.
    DOC
    Larry's graduation suit.
    WASHINGTON
    Looks a little small.
    DOC
    You think?
    WASHINGTON
    Yes, sir. Larry bulked up. That's gonna be way too tight on him.
    DOC
    I guess I could go down to Penny's and buy him something new.
    WASHINGTON
    We still got his dress blues.
    MUELLER
    Remember how we used to call the dress blues the tuxedo? By law you could go to any formal function wearing that uniform.
    SAL
    Not that we ever got invited to one... or would have gone if we did.
    MUELLER
    Still, it was good to know you were always dressed for any occasion.
    SAL
    No one ever forgets the first time you put it on and looked at yourself in the mirror - I'm in the U.S. Marine Corps, and I look pretty fuckin' good.
    MUELLER
    I do remember that feeling.
    WASHINGTON
    Yes, sir. I'm glad to know you never forget it.
    MUELLER
    Larry must have looked sharp.
    DOC
    He did. He was proud as a peacock in that uniform.
    WASHINGTON
    I know that for a fact.
    SAL
    Pride is the thing.
    (to Mueller)
    It's no sin.
    MUELLER
    No, of course not. Not that kind.
    DOC
    I could bury him in his dress uniform, even if.
    SAL
    Yeah. It means you did something. You served. Fuck what the politicians did, you served. You didn't weasel out of it. You didn't think it was somebody else's job. You took it on, man, and you looked sharp doing it.
    DOC
    I'm gonna. I'm gonna bury him in his uniform.
    MUELLER
    Good.
    WASHINGTON
    Never regret it, sir.
    SAL
    Fuckin' A.

EXT. FUNERAL HOME - MORNING
    Establishing shot.

INT. FUNERAL HOME - MORNING
    Doc is in the background, talking to Leland about various details. Washington, forever on duty, stands next to the coffin. In the foyer, Sal and Mueller sit on opposing benches, waiting for Doc. Sal is studying Mueller, looking at him over his folded arms.
    MUELLER
    Why're you looking at me like that?
    SAL
    I'm sizin' you up. I'm gonna buy you a new suit of clothes.
    MUELLER
    Say what?
    SAL
    I'm gonna dress you up for the occasion.
    MUELLER
    Why, may I ask?
    SAL
    Because I love you.
    MUELLER
    I don't need a new suit of clothes. It's you needs some grooming.
    SAL
    Neither of us is properly dressed. But we will be, you watch.
    MUELLER
    The things that come into your head. And out of your mouth.
    SAL
    The loving you thing rattled you, didn't it, old man?
    MUELLER
    It's very disturbing.

INT. LARRY'S ROOM - DAY
    In close-ups: The ritual of a Marine putting on his uniform. Then we see it is Sal... and Mueller... putting on uniforms complete with the proper insignias.
    SAL
    Did I deliver or did I deliver?
    MUELLER
    The dude gave you these for nothing?
    SAL
    On loan. Tailor-mades. Once I told him why, no charge.
    Now they each don the hats, positioning them just right. Looking good. Doc comes inside and is stopped cold. He looks at them, speechless. A flood of memories engulfs them all.

EXT. GRAVESIDE - DAY
    Mueller's cane leans against an empty folding chair. Doc sits at the next chair. Friends and classmates of Larry have gathered behind him. Next to the graveside is the headstone of Doc's wife. Mueller stands at the head of the grave. Sal at the foot, in their dress uniforms. On the other side, Washington stands at attention as the minister backs away. They salute. Ceremonially, Sal and Mueller fold the flag into twelve tight triangular folds. Mueller takes Washington's arm and Sal carries the flag over to Doc. Sal then holds out the flag to Doc, whose eyes are red, his lower lip is quivering.
    SAL
    Doc, I don't know how grateful the nation is... or how much the President might regret your loss and all that... but here it is, your country's flag.
    MUELLER
    Put it somewhere and let it remind you of what your son must have felt in his heart.
    Doc nods.

INT. DOC'S HOUSE - DAY
    The post-funeral meal. A buffet is set up. The crowd of mostly young people mills about and speaks in soft tones. Sal, still in uniform, has a young pretty YOUNG WOMAN cornered.
    SAL
    Well... technically speaking I'm no longer on active duty... but if I was, well, look at me. Could you resist all this?
    GIRL
    It'd be hard.

INT. LAUNDRY ROOM - DAY
    Washington pulls down a pair of skivvies drying on a line in the shower. He folds them and puts them into his AWOL bag. The corner of an envelope is visible in a zippered pocket of the bag. He takes it out. Guilt-stricken. He sits on the toilet, looking at the sealed envelope.

EXT. BACK PORCH - DAY
    Doc and Washington. Doc holds the envelope.
    WASHINGTON
    Everybody wrote one, sir. I gave mine to Larry, he gave his to me.
    DOC
    What does it say?
    WASHINGTON
    I don't know, sir.
    DOC
    What did yours say?
    WASHINGTON
    (beat)
    I forget.
    They look at each other. Washington finally lowers his head.

INT. HOUSE - DAY
    Mueller approaches Sal and the girl.
    MUELLER
    You have to come with me.
    SAL
    I'm in the middle of something, padre.
    GIRL
    Bye, Sarge, nice talking to you.
    She goes. He watches her longingly as she blends into the group. He sighs.
    SAL
    Remember how it used to be?

EXT. BACK PORCH - DAY
    Doc is sitting on his back porch. Mueller sits across from him while Sal is still standing.
    SAL
    You gotta open it, Doc.
    MUELLER
    He wanted you to have it, so...
    Doc looks from one to the other. He opens the envelope, unfolds the letter. As Doc reads silently, we soon see a series of images and we hear his son Larry's voice. On a shelf in the living room we pan through a series of photos on display: Larry Junior as a kid, and in his graduation suit. Mary, a smiling Larry and Larry Junior, a happy family portrait. The folded flag from the funeral.
    LARRY{V.O.)
    Dear Dad. If you are reading this, then you've been notified. I was always prepared to sacrifice my life for my country. You have to be ready to die defending what you love. I need you to understand that I am honored to die in this way. Don't feel bad that my life was so short. It was a good life. I know you never wanted me to join the Marines, but you supported me even so. I had the greatest father and I love you. Now I am with mom. We will both watch over you. Dad, I want you to bury me in my uniform, next to Mom. Your loving son, Larry.
    Sal is now sitting next to Mueller. Doc looks up at them, saying nothing. FADE OUT.:

Summary: In 2003, Larry "Doc" Shepherd visits the bar of Sal Nealon, a Marine veteran whom he served with in Vietnam. Sal joins Doc on an impromptu drive where Doc reveals that he has also tracked down another friend from Vietnam, now-Reverend Richard Mueller. Sal and Doc are invited to dinner with the Muellers, where Doc reveals he is recently widowed and just lost his only son in Iraq. He admits he tracked down Sal and Mueller in the hope that they would accompany him to collect the body of his son Larry Jr. and take him to his scheduled burial. Sal agrees, though Mueller is hesitant, claiming that Sal and Doc represent a dark period in his life. His wife urges him to do it, and he reluctantly agrees to accompany them. Along the way, Sal and Mueller clash over their differing philosophies and their mutual guilt over their past; both Sal and Mueller (nicknamed the Mauler) indulged in alcohol, drugs and prostitutes while on deployment, and on one occasion used up the entire supply of then-19-year-old Doc's painkillers, which led to a needlessly painful death for one of their fellow Marines and a bad conduct discharge for Doc. Sal, who has no social filter from a head injury from the war, continually gets under Mueller's skin for having found religion, whilst Mueller expresses frustration at Sal's lack of maturity. At Dover Air Force Base, Doc requests to view the maimed body of his son, against the advice of Mueller and LtCol Willits. During the viewing, LCpl Charlie Washington, Larry Jr.'s close friend, reveals to Sal and Mueller that Larry Jr. had been killed while shopping at an Iraqi market, contrary to the official story of dying while fighting heroically; Sal reveals the truth to a disillusioned Doc, who refuses the Arlington National Cemetery burial and insists on giving Larry Jr. a civilian burial. Willits orders Washington to accompany the body and coerce Doc into changing his mind about having his son buried in civilian clothing. Sal, Mueller and Doc begin a long road trip back home, waylaid by the Department of Homeland Security (alerted by their cash rental, vague destination and Mueller's praying) and a missed train in New York City. Over the course of the journey, the clashing becomes more good natured and Doc begins to boost in the company of his friends. Sal asks Doc to move to his town to run the bar with him, and the three purchase their first cell phones to stay in contact. Their trip takes them to Boston where Sal insists that they meet the mother of Jimmy Hightower, the fellow Marine who died painfully without morphine. When they arrive, they realise that Mrs. Hightower was given the same story about her son's heroism that Doc was given about Larry Jr.; Sal decides not to deny her the story and the trio pretend to have been the men that Hightower saved when he was killed in action. The group return to Portsmouth for Larry Jr.'s funeral, and where Washington persuades Doc that Larry's civilian suit will be too small and he should be buried in his dress blues. At the burial, Sal and Mueller wear their uniforms, and participate in the flag-folding ceremony. Back at Doc's house, Washington gives Doc a letter from Larry Jr., claiming not to have read it. Doc reads his wishes: to be buried beside his mother wearing his uniform. Doc smiles as Washington thanks him for being a great father.