diff --git "a/scripts/Cliffhanger.txt" "b/scripts/Cliffhanger.txt" new file mode 100644--- /dev/null +++ "b/scripts/Cliffhanger.txt" @@ -0,0 +1,6428 @@ + + + + + + + + + + + + + CLIFFHANGER + + screenplay by + + Michael France + Terry Hayes + Sylvester Stallone + + + + + + + + + + Shooting draft 3/30/92 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + [NOTE: THE HARD COPY OF THIS SCRIPT CONTAINED SCENE + NUMBERS. THESE HAVE BEEN OMITTED FOR THIS SOFT COPY.] + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + EXT. MOUNTAIN RANGE - HELICOPTER POV - DAY + + We are flying, soaring, wheeling, diving through a range of + magnificent mountains. They are the Colorado Rockies and, + right now, in early spring, it's one of the finest sights on + earth: The lush greenery of the valleys gives way to cliffs of + sheer rock and towering peaks crowned by snow. + + As the CREDITS ROLL, we wheel past a mountain wall and realize + this is the POV from + + + A HELICOPTER + + as it soars up to circle the tallest mountain: The Tower. It + rises thousands of feet from the ground below, so high that its + summit is wreathed in clouds. + + GABE + (V.O.) + Do you see them yet? + + JESSIE + (V.O.) + Patience my love, patience. + + GABE + (V.O.) + That's a virtue isn't it? + + JESSIE + (V.O) + Wait, I think I have them + sighted. What's the word, Frank? + + + INSIDE HELICOPTER - FRANK AND JESSIE + + Spotter FRANK NEWELL (50's) scans the mountain wall. JESSIE + DEIGHAN (30's) expertly pilots the helicopter. Both wear + jackets identifying themselves as members of the Rocky Mountain + Park rescue team. + + FRANK + The word is, we got 'em over + there. + + + BINOCULAR POV - A LEDGE + + that's part of a lower but equally formidable peak separated + from The Tower by a chasm two hundred feet wide. HAL TUCKER + (30's) and his girlfriend, SARAH COLLINS (20's), are decked out + in warm weather climbing gear. Hal's aplomb suggests he's a + veteran climber. Sarah's worried look confirms she isn't. + Hal's knee is wrapped in several elastic bandages. He also + carries a slow burning flare in one hand. + + JESSIE + (into mic) + Gabe? Gabe, where are you? + + GABE + (V.O.) + Just hangin' out. + + + WIDE SHOT + + the chopper drops lower and from it's perspective, we now see + GABE WALKER, (30's), climber extraordinaire, literally clinging + against the underside of a fifty foot rock ledge. It is a + death-defying manouevre that goes completely against the laws + of gravity. + + JESSIE + (transmits) + Oh, my God! I can't recognize + the face, but the butt does look + vaguely familiar. + (whistles) + + GABE + (laughs) + Don't say that. You'll embarrass + Frank. + + FRANK + It'll take a heap more than that, + rock jock. + + HAL fires a flare. + + Gabe finally reaches the edge of the ledge and, grabbing the + edge, swings out into space where he hangs by one arm as he + digs his free hand into a chalk bag that hangs from his waist. + + JESSIE + Hal's signalling he's OK. + + FRANK + They're about two hundred yards + from the top of the tower, right + where that ledge comes out, Gabe. + + + INSIDE HELICOPTER + + Frank lowers his glasses, Jessie struggles with the wind. + + JESSIE + (quietly to Frank) + He knows it well. + + GABE + (swinging up) + The ledge, I know it well, or + should I say we know it well. + + JESSIE + You can stop right there. + + GABE + We spent a night there one + night... + + JESSIE + Enough. + + GABE + Yeah, we were caught in a storm. + I went up there an innocent + climber... + + JESSIE + Oh, please. + + + CUT TO - GABE + + he pauses and points out at Jessie hovering above. + + GABE + And when I came down, my morals + were corrupted forever. + + JESSIE + (to Frank) + Don't believe it... + (into mic) + You know the trouble with you is + you have no brain filter. + Everything you think just pours + right out. + + Gabe arrives at an overhang, turns around and prepares to kick + over what is apparently a dangerous move. + + Gabe pulls himself up on the ledge. Winded he slumps down next + to the couple. + + GABE + Room service...Hi, Sarah. + + SARAH + (quietly) + Hi, Gabe. + + HAL + Glad you could drop in. + + GABE + Hey, anything for a friend. + How's the knee? + + HAL + I think it's out. No big deal. + It's that old football injury. + + GABE + (to Sarah) + Funny, he told me he twisted it + gettin' out of a hot tub. + + HAL + I love you, too. + + GABE + (into radio) + Rescue One -- have located helpless + climber, please prepare idiot + line for transport, over. + + HAL + (laughs) + Wait 'til you get into trouble, + just wait. + + + EXT CHOPPER + + The helicopter dips down towards the ledge. No way can it land + here. Frank lowers a rescue wire to Gabe who swings + precariously out from the ledge to grab it. The wire is just + out of reach. + + Gabe sees that Sarah is growing increasingly nervous at the + prospect of having to make an emergency transport. The + chopper's rotor wash requires all present to speak in a loud + voice. + + GABE + (eyes Hal, then Sarah) + How're ya feeling? + + SARAH + Fine, I guess... + + GABE + (making grab at the + cable) + Sarah, we could take off and + leave this guy behind... + + Sarah smiles as if she's considering it. Hal grabs the radio. + + HAL + Rescue One -- please be advised + Ranger Walker is making advances + toward my girlfriend that are + liable to get his ass kicked + right into space, over. + + JESSIE + (O.S.) + Copy. Hal, tell Gabe he only + makes advances to me or else + he'll be walking down four + thousand feet, and sleeping + outside. + + GABE + She's tough. + + SARAH + Is it really four thousand? + + Gabe secures the line to a heavy piton. + + GABE + It's up there, but I guarantee + you can handle it. + + + THE HELICOPTER + + Frank gets out to secure the wire. Now a lifeline spans the + chasm. + + + ON THE LEDGE + + Gabe finishes anchoring the line in the rock. Hal clips his + harness onto the rescue line. + + HAL + Remember, whatever he says about + me, don't believe it, honey. + I know you're nervous, but we've + done this a hundred times. Okay? + + SARAH + Okay. + + He kisses her. + + GABE + Remember, keep your arms and legs + within the vehicle at all times-- + + HAL + (mouthing the words) + Hey, fuck you. + + With that, Hal pulls himself hand-over-hand across the sloping + line. + + HAL'S POV--THE DROP + + is vertigo defined. 4,000 feet straight down. However, + + HAL + + lets go of the overhead line and clasps his hands to his face + in mock horror. He quickly whizzes the last thirty feet of + line. Frank grabs him. + + THE LEDGE + + Gabe steals a glance at Sarah, realizes how frightened she is. + + GABE + Sarah, tonight why don't you and + Hal come over for dinner? + + SARAH + (looking down) + Okay--I don't know about this. + + He attaches her harness to the line. + + JESSIE + The winds are picking up. + + GABE + On my way. Alright Sarah, are + you ready for the best ride in + the park? + + Gabe starts to push her out on the line, but at the last moment + her nerve fails her. She grabs his arm, dropping her head to + look down. Gabe takes hold of her chin, stopping her, making + her face him. + + SARAH + (scared but tough) + Please, can I think about this + for a minute...Okay, I'm sorry, + it's fine. What do you want me + to do? + + GABE + Just keep lookin' at me and only + think about the distance across. + Count it as you go: One, + two...by eight you'll be there. + + SARAH + Can I count as fast as I like? + + GABE + Sure you can. + + SARAH + (gives him a timid kiss + on the cheek) + I'm sorry for all the trouble... + Thank you. + + Gabe pushes her out. As he does, he nods across the abyss to + Hal who nods back, confident but concerned. He can't forget + that everything that matters to him is suspended by a thread + over a 4,000 foot drop. + + GABE'S POV - SARAH + + inching away in the harness, looking more confident now. + + GABE + There you go. + + SARAH'S POV - GABE + + SARAH + One... + + signalling "OK...you're doing fine..." + + SARAH + Two... + + GABE + That's it, you look like a + professional. + + SARAH + Three... + + SARAH - ANOTHER ANGLE + + thirty feet out, going fine. Hal watches, his tension easing, + but... + + SARAH + Four...five... + + GABE + Nice and easy... + + SARAH + Six... + + INSERT - HARNESS CLIP + + holding the strap under Sarah's left leg breaks! + + SARAH + Oh, God! + + HAL + Sarah! + + SARAH + I'm going to fall! Oh, God, help + me! + + GABE'S POV - SARAH + + The harness completely unravels all at once, its strands shoot + through the clips. What was a seat has become a trap door in + half a second. As the harness shoots out from under her, Sarah + falls but grabs the harness strand. + + SARAH + Help me! Please! Oh, God, help + me! Hal!! + + HAL + Hold on! Sarah, hold on! Get + her, Gabe! Throw her a line! + + Hal's very worst fears are being realized as Sarah, too scared + to breathe, dangles on the remaining strand of what used to be + the harness. She sways from the wind and the jerk of her own + weight. Her grip loosens. + + INSERT - THE TOP CLIP + + that is supporting all of Sarah's weight is being seriously + tested. A single knot in the harness has caught there, but it + clearly won't last long. + + JESSIE + + stares down in horror. + + JESSIE + Gabe, get her! + + GABE + + moves back from the ledge. + + GABE + (in control) + I'm coming out! + + HAL + No, stay off the line! You'll + break her loose! + + GABE + (screams) + The clip's not gonna hold! + + JESSIE + (into Gabe's handset) + Go after her. + + HAL + (kneeling on the edge) + Hold on, baby, he'll get you. + + SARAH + (almost faintly) + I'm slipping--please, please... + + Gabe gently pulls himself up on the line, crosses his ankles on + it, and clips himself on with a three foot safety line. He + starts smoothly, quickly pulling himself out. Hal can barely + watch. + + HAL + (anguished) + Don't lose her! Don't lose her! + + Sarah is in trouble. The bobbing of the line from Gabe's weight + and the winds are making her lose her grip even more. Gabe + pulls himself along the line faster, trying not to shake the + line. He looks across at Hal who has dug in to brace the line. + It's not meant for this much weight. + + Sarah starts to look down into the abyss. + + GABE + No! Keep looking at me...Sarah! + Don't look down...look at me. + Keep your eyes on me...you can do + it. You're stronger than you + think...hold it, Sarah. + + Her eyes slide up to him. + + WIDER ANGLE + + He is only ten feet away. + + JESSIE + (into Gabe's handset) + Gabe, hurry--you can do it! A + little more and you've got her. + + INSERT-THE CLIP + + The knot has worked itself halfway through. It doesn't make + any difference how tight she holds on to the harness, the + harness itself is letting go! + + GABE + (into mic) + She's losing it! + + HAL + Sarah, hold on, he'll have you in + a second. Jesus Christ, grab + her! + + ON GABE + + who knows it and pulls himself the rest of the way, faster, + almost bridging the gap -- + + ON SARAH + + staring desperately at Gabe, holding on -- + + SARAH + (shrieking) + Please -- oh, no -- please! + + GABE + I'm here! Sarah, I'm here! I'm + here--I've got you! + + INSERT - THE TOP CLIP + + that's keeping Sarah alive surrenders the knot--it passes + through, and + + SARAH + + falls -- + + GABE + + deliberately lets go of the main line and launches himself at + Sarah -- + + THEIR HANDS + + catch--Gabe's got a tenuous grip on Sarah's upper arm-- + + ANGLE ON BOTH + + Gabe's three foot safety line pulls taut, testing the limits of + the line above as it yanks him and Sarah back. They start + swinging like a pendulum over the abyss--with each swing + Sarah's hand slips further down Gabe's arm. He frantically + tries to tighten his grip on Sarah's arm, but his grip and hers + are slipping. Gabe reaches up with his free arm to grab the + main line and stabilize them, but their swinging keeps it out + of reach. + + GABE + Use your other hand! Grab it! + + SARAH + Help me! I don't want to die! + + GABE + You're not gonna die. Grab me + with your other hand! + + HAL + Sarah! Grab him, grab him! + + Sarah is too scared to comply, her other arm flailing as if + that might stop the swinging with the next arc. + + Their grip slides to wrist level and keeps slipping. Gabe's + hand digs into Sarah's climbing glove and holds! + + JESSIE + Gabe hold her! Hold her! + + Gabe's face is a mask of strained concentration as he tries to + grab the main line and maintain his grip on Sarah. + + He finally snags the main line, but he can't stabilize them + with the next swing. + + GABE + (exhausted) + Do it! Reach up! Sarah, reach + up! + + For what seems like an eternity, Sarah's eyes lock onto Gabe's + with an expression of unabashed terror as her hand slides out + of her glove! She falls--her eyes still locked on Gabe who can + only look down, swaying helplessly on the wire as Sarah SCREAMS + + ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE + + Frank and Jessie look down in horror, but neither look as + anguished as Hal. Her screams are heard in Jessie's headset. + + HAL + No!! + + LONG SHOT - SARAH + + falling--falling--falling--looking very small against the vast + mountain range-- + + SARAH'S POV - FALLING + + from this height takes the longest nineteen seconds you can + imagine-- + + GABE + + twists from his safety line, clutching Sarah's glove--he wants + to, but can't shut his eyes--he locks eyes with + + HAL + + whose horror and grief are even greater than Gabe's. + + GABE'S POV - THE CHASM + + Sarah is gone. The "Safety" harness spirals down after her + like a carefree bird. Her scream, echoes off the cliffs and + through the canyons -- fainter, fainter -- until it's almost a + memory -- carrying across to: + + + STREET DAY - 8 MONTHS LATER + + A five gallon bucket of blackish water explodes against the + pavement. On the street are signs that read "Do Not Cross - + Danger." + + + TEN STORIES UP + + Gabe is ten stories up on a suspended platform with a window + washer scraper poised in his hand. He looks down in despair. + He appears distraught, lifeless -- the fire has gone out of his + eyes. The WINDOW WASHER glances over the edge, then back at + Gabe. + + WASHER + Man, you better keep your mind on + your business--you'll kill + somebody. + + GABE + Yeah. + + WASHER + Two things you don't do in this + line of work is daydream and + stand back to admire your work. + Got that? + + GABE + Take me up. + + + EXT. DENVER MINT - HIGH ANGLE - DAY - FEW DAYS LATER + + The Southwest regional center for printing and distributing + currency. + + + INT. TREASURY COMPOUND - A MECHANICAL BILL COUNTER + + is at work, banding and stacking currency. A HAND reaches to + pick up a band. + + THE BILLS + + are something a banker could work a lifetime without seeing, + but are real nonetheless -- $1000 bills, banded here in + hundreds. The band is put back in the growing stack by + + RICHARD TRAVERS + + mid-forties, a tough, imposing Treasury agent. He regards the + fortune piling up in front of him with only cold, professional + interest. The currency is being placed into a trio of metal + briefcases--thirty thousand $1000 bills. Travers shuts the + cases in turn, and locks each with an electronic key card, + triggering a FLASHING RED LIGHT on the locks. A uniformed + PILOT arrives. + + PILOT + We'll be fueled and ready in ten + minutes, Mr. Travers. + + TRAVERS + Very good. + + WALTER WRIGHT, an authoritative man of fifty and head + comptroller of currency approaches followed by MATHESON, a + groomed agent in his late twenties. + + WRIGHT + Rich... + + TRAVERS + Good morning, Walt. + + WRIGHT + I'd like to have a word with you. + This is Agent Matheson, FBI. + + TRAVERS + (shakes Matheson's + hand) + Richard Travers. + + WRIGHT + Matheson has been transferred + from the Denver office to Frisco. + As a professional courtesy + between offices, I was asked if + he could hitch a ride. + + TRAVERS + We've got a full crew, but we can + squeeze one more, right. + + WRIGHT + Appreciate it. + + TRAVERS + You're the boss. Let's head out + to the tarmac. Matheson, have + you been totally briefed? + + MATHESON + I don't know about totally. + + TRAVERS + (laughs) + Who the hell ever is. This is + the most protected shipment we've + got-- and the most useless. + These bills aren't even in + circulation; the one thousand + dollar bills we're transporting + are only used for international + banking exchange. + + MATHESON + Do you always transport through + the air? + + WRIGHT + Mostly. Armored cars can be + hijacked. Trains can be + derailed. But nobody can get to + us in flight. + + TRAVERS + I haven't lost a bill in eighteen + years, don't jinx me, Walt. + + WRIGHT + I think Treasury personnel are + the most superstitious people in + the federal government. + + TRAVERS + We should be. Everybody wants + what we have. + + The men laugh and turn the corner. + + + EXT. COLORADO TOWN - EARLY MORNING + + The weather is becoming moody as wind bends the tops of the + trees and blows debris down the street. We see a well-worn + vehicle moving past a filling station. + + Two young rock jocks are driving by in their impossibly mudcaked + jeep. Loud music blasts from their stereo. The two + young men are BRETT and EVAN. They wear bright colored jackets + and have their hats backwards over their long hair. Wraparound + shades adorn Brett's face. Brett notices Gabe's Bronco + crossing the intersection. He wildly honks the horn and does + a radical U-turn. + + BRETT + Gabe! Hey, man! Gabe! It's + Gabe! + + EVAN + How yo doin', Gabe! + + Gabe wheels a bit closer. They drive side by side. + + GABE + Hey, Brett. Hey, Evan. + + EVAN + Where ya been, man? + + GABE + Working in Denver. + + BRETT + Work! Don't say that word, man. + + EVAN + Man, I hate work even when + somebody else does it! + + BRETT + Hey, Gabe, we're flyin' off the + Tower today. C'mon with us. + + EVAN + C'mon, man--it's perfect weather + for a monster, full-fledged + gutrush! + + GABE + No, you guys are too good. + + BRETT + You heard it here, folks! + + EVAN + I heard! Hey, later, Gabe. + + The two boys spin off and Gabe slowly moves on in the opposite + direction. + + + EXT. JESSIE'S CABIN - MORNING + + It is a rustic, modest home built mostly of local lumber and + stone. In the corral we see Jessie forking hay over the fence + to her three horses. + + The wind is picking up as Gabe steps into view. Thoroughly + engrossed in her work, she fails to notice Gabe's arrival. She + turns and is momentarily taken aback by the sight of Gabe. She + collects herself. + + They lock expressions for an uncomfortable moment, then Jessie + throws one last wedge of hay. + + JESSIE + (low) + Hello, Gabriel. + + GABE + (softly) + When you call me Gabriel, I know + I've got trouble. + + JESSIE + Where've you been? + + GABE + Working...I'm trying to figure + out where to start. + + JESSIE + Maybe I can help. Let's see... + if one night I got up and packed + up all my things and drove away + without leaving so much as a + note, and stayed away for months, + I think what I'd want to do is + come up with a well thought-out + reason. + + GABE + After the funeral I just had to + leave. + + JESSIE + Had to leave? Believe me, we all + wanted to leave...but you know + what? We stayed. + + GABE + A lot of things fell apart up + there. + + JESSIE + I know... + + GABE + I don't think you do. + + JESSIE + Why can't you believe that you + did everything you could? + + GABE + Did I? I don't know. Maybe I + shouldn't have gone out on that + line. Maybe I panicked. + + JESSIE + I was there, you were the only + one who didn't panic. So do + everyone a favor, don't hog all + the guilt. You held on as long + as you could. Yes, everything + did go wrong, starting with Hal. + I mean, what was he doing up on + the Tower with a girl who could + barely climb? + + GABE + I can't blame anything on Hal. + It was me. I play it back in my + mind everyday. + + JESSIE + Then turn it off, Gabe, because + it doesn't get any better. + + GABE + I don't expect you to understand. + + JESSIE + I don't understand? + + GABE + You couldn't. + + JESSIE + (mounting anger) + You're saying, I don't + understand? I'm the only one who + does understand. I'm the one you + lived with for two years, I'm the + one you made promises to, I'm the + one who spent too many nights + looking up at these rocks and + wondering if you were ever going + to make it down in once piece or + ever at all. Believe me, there's + been times I didn't know what I + wanted to do more, love you or + hate you. But the one thing in + our relationship that I did know + and still do know is that I + understand you. + + GABE + Why are you yelling? + + JESSIE + Excuse me? + + GABE + Why are you yelling? + + JESSIE + (confused) + Did I miss something? + + GABE + Y'know, yelling at this altitude + can lead to hyperventilation and + fainting-- + + JESSIE + I'm not going to faint, but if I + want to faint, I'll faint, okay? + + GABE + Okay, but if you do I'll have to + perform resuscitation-- + + JESSIE + Resuscitation? + + GABE + --mouth-to-mouth, which could + maybe... + + JESSIE + Which could maybe what? + + GABE + Maybe lead to a flare up... + + JESSIE + A flare up... + + GABE + Flare up of old emotions... + + JESSIE + Listen to you... + (melting) + The old "mouth-to-mouth" + resuscitation routine, huh? + + GABE + From one professional to another, + of course. + + JESSIE + Course maybe you don't have to + wait until I faint. + + GABE + (charmingly) + No, I think I will, it's safer. + I have patience. + + Jessie moves forward. A light rain has begun to fall. + + JESSIE + Gabe, did you come back to stay? + (pause) + You didn't. + + GABE + I can't. Not here. + (beat) + If you want, I'd like you to come + with me...somewhere else. + + JESSIE + Where? + + GABE + It doesn't matter, anywhere but + here. + + JESSIE + You come back after being gone + almost a year, and you expect me + to just leave... + (beat) + This was our home, now it's my + home. I can't leave. You can + stay with me, and believe me, I + want you to, but to just take off + for the wrong reasons, I can't do + it. And you shouldn't either. + + GABE + Like I said, I can't turn it off. + + JESSIE + (softly) + And I can't leave. + + GABE + If it's alright, I'm gonna pick + up the rest of my gear. + + JESSIE + You know where everything is... + (looks at her watch) + I'm late for my shift. + + GABE + Jess--you look good. + + Jessie nods a thank you and despondently moves away. Gabe + heads inside as Jessie drives away. + + + EXT. CLOUDS - MORNING + + A spectacular sight: Great rolling thunderclouds backlit by + the early morning sun. + + The sound of an engine--then a plane appears through the cloud: + The Treasury Jet. + + The DC-9 cruises over mountainous, remote terrain. + + + INT. JET - CLOSE ON TRAVERS + + who looks tense--we MOVE AROUND the cabin and find two more + relaxed TREASURY AGENTS dozing on the opposite side of the + plane. The interior of the plane is rather spartan and cold. + Matheson is edgy. An AGENT offers condescending reassurance. + + AGENT + Travers says you're being + transferred. + + MATHESON + Yeah, moving up in the world. + + Matheson turns back to his window. + + Another jet's shadow moves sleekly past the window, momentarily + blocking out the sun. + + MATHESON reacts to this and shifts his look upward to-- + + + WINDOW POV - THE PLANE + + is flying a parallel course to the Treasury jet, and is just + one hundred yards away. + + + INSIDE THE PLANE + + Matheson stands. Travers has noticed the plane by now too, and + gets out of his seat as the other agents react. + + MATHESON + That plane is tracking us. + + AGENT + Travers? + + TRAVERS + (to other agents) + Stay put. Don't anybody jump to + conclusions. + + Travers moves into + + + THE COCKPIT + + where the pilot seems nervous but, oddly, not frightened. + + PILOT + He's coming in too slow. + + TRAVERS + (cool) + No, we're going too fast, and + we're too high up. Give me 180 + knots and drop to fifteen + thousand feet. + + + THE CABIN + + Matheson is out of his seat. + + MATHESON + (to agent) + Christ! We're losing altitude + and slowing down! If you have + automatic weapons, get them! + + Travers steps out. + + TRAVERS + What are you doing? I have + jurisdiction on this jet! + + Matheson goes to his briefcase and flips it open. It contains + a full auto uzi. He pulls it from its clasps. + + TRAVERS + What the hell are you doing-- + + MATHESON + Now I have jurisdiction! + (to agents) + I said get your weapons. + + TRAVERS + These are highly trained agents + overreacting without just cause. + + Travers puts his hands out and walks forward, slowly, backing + Matheson into the cabin. Not in surrender, but as if he's + calming a nutcase. The other agents see this and don't know + which way to jump. + + TRAVERS + Calm down...give the gun to me. + You're out of control, son. + + MATHESON + (to other agents) + What the hell are you waiting + for, goddammit! Don't you see + what he's doing! He's hijacking + the shipment! + + The other two agents get behind Matheson and rapidly disarm + him. Travers pulls out his gun and FIRES it three times, one + for each agent's chest. The agents are cut down, realizing too + late what's happened. Two shots knock Matheson over a seat. + + The co-pilot begins to step out when he is shot by the pilot + with a silencer. + + Travers puts on a radio headset as he goes to a window. + + TRAVERS + (to mouthpiece) + Move into position! + + + EXT. TREASURY JET/QUALEN'S JET STAR - FLYING + + Qualen's jet star is now flying a hundred and fifty feet + directly behind and slightly below the Treasury jet. The door + of Qualen's jet is open. + + + INT. TREASURY JET - REAR SECTION + + Travers has slipped into a protective windsuit. He clips + himself to a safety wire, flips on an oxygen mask and almost + simultaneously pulls the lever that releases the bolts on the + tail cone, leaving a 6' by 3' hole. + + A huge vacuum is created by the hole and loose debris such as + papers and bits of clothing are sucked out of the jet. + + Travers pulls aside a tarp revealing a winch. + + + INT. QUALEN'S JET STAR - FRONT SECTION - DAY + + Qualen steps into view. His presence is threatening. He is + wearing a headset radio, goggles, oxygen mask and a cold + weather jumpsuit. (The entire gang on board the jet are + dressed in this fashion.) He is wired to a safety line in the + jet. + + Qualen is as deadly as advertised. 230 MPH winds are tearing + at him through the open door, but he is unfazed and + unfrightened. Next to him are Ryan and Kynette. + + + TRAVERS + + at the open tail cone. + + TRAVERS + (into radio) + More...more...keep proceeding... + + + THE TWO PLANES + + Travers' jet lowers the cable with a lead weighted grappling + hook into the Jet Star. It looks like an Air Force midair + refueling--difficult and dangerous. After about a hundred and + fifty feet of line is lowered + + + QUALEN + + clips it to a ring at the top of the opening. + + QUALEN + (into radio) + Locked on. Move into transfer + position. + + + INSIDE QUALEN'S PLANE + + The pilot, KRISTEL, is a woman. Her skill, like her hard + beauty, can be measured in a glance. She's a lot calmer than + her counterpart in the Treasury plane. Beside her is a co- + pilot. + + KRISTEL + (to co-pilot) + Check. Moving into transfer + position. + + + ON THE TWO PLANES + + Qualen's jet lowers itself, until it's 150 feet below the + Treasury jet. + + + TREASURY JET CABIN + + Travers, unclipped from his safety line, cautiously goes to the + cockpit and picks up his portable monitor. The pilot, nervous, + struggles with the controls. + + PILOT + (shouting) + We're right on the edge of the + storm! This isn't going to work! + + TRAVERS + (loud) + Don't lose your nerve! All + they'll find is a plane that went + down in a storm... + + Travers checks the monitor which electrically comes alive. + + TRAVERS + (gestures to bodies) + ...and enough pulverized bone for + six men heroically killed in the + line of duty. + + + INSIDE QUALEN'S JET + + We can now see five other passengers. All are fit and armed: + HELDON and DELMAR and RAY are seated, while KYNETTE and RYAN, + ready to help with the transfer, are on the opposite side of + the door from a very impatient Qualen. + + QUALEN + (into radio) + Travers! Hurry it up. + + TRAVERS + (into radio) + On my way. The cases are hooked + up and ready. + + + IN TREASURY COCKPIT + + Travers steps back into the cockpit and flips a toggle switch + over an LED. + + THE LED + + starts counting down from 2:00 -- 1:59 -- 1:58... + + Even in the last minute, the storm's gotten worse. The plane + is flying right into the blackest center of it. The pilot + looks more panicked than ever. + + TRAVERS + That charge is going to blow in + two minutes. Stick to the plan + and you're rich. + + + BACK IN THE CABIN + + Travers heads back into the cabin and hooks his harness to the + cable between the planes. + + TRAVERS + (into headset) + Dip the plane. I'm coming over. + + + THE JETS - LONG SHOT + + Qualen's jet dips down so there's a sharp incline. The cable + is slightly bowed from the wind's force. Travers starts the + slide down, his body almost blown parallel to the ground. In + seconds he is across and into + + + QUALEN'S JET + + where he's pulled in and unclipped by Qualen. + + QUALEN + (shouting over the + wind) + Why didn't you send the money + over? + + TRAVERS + (shouting too) + Somehow I didn't think you'd wait + for me if I'd sent it first. + + Qualen smiles in reply. No. Maybe he wouldn't + + + QUALEN'S COCKPIT + + Kristel is struggling to keep the jet on course. + + KRISTEL + (yells) + I can't hold this course much + longer! + + Qualen at the door. + + QUALEN + (to Travers) + What's the delay? + + TRAVERS + (into headset) + Let's move your ass in there!! + + + INT. THE TREASURY PLANE COCKPIT + + The pilot locks the controls and stepping over the bodies, + rushes back to the rear of the jet. + + MATHESON's eyes open -- he's not dead yet. + + + IN THE CABIN + + The pilot has just placed his harness on and is about to push + the cases out when behind him, Matheson shakily crawls forward + and riddles the pilot with auto fire. As the pilot falls + forward, he hits the lever that releases the cases. + + THE PILOT + + drops out of the plane, flailing. If he is screaming, we can't + hear it over the HOWLING of the storm. + + + IN QUALEN'S JET + + Qualen and Travers are watching the whole plan unravel. + + TRAVERS + (shouting to cockpit) + What the hell! Get underneath + the jet! The cases will slide + over! + + + THE JETS - LONG SHOT + + Qualen's jet sharply dips down and the cases start to slide + over, but at the same time... + + + INSIDE THE TREASURY JET + + Matheson, dying, crawls to the opening and FIRES a full clip + from his automatic at Qualen's jet, and + + + THE LED + + counts down -- 0:02 -- 0:01 -- 0:00 -- and + + + THE TREASURY JET - THE BOMB EXPLODES + + As the charge DETONATES, it sends a fireball blast back from + the cockpit all the way through the fuselage and out the rear. + + + THE JETS - LONG SHOT + + The Treasury jet plummets, leveling the angle between the + planes. The cases dangle precariously on the wire. + + + INSIDE QUALEN'S JET + + TRAVERS + (shouting) + Lower! Get underneath it! + Lower! + + + INSIDE QUALEN'S COCKPIT - KRISTEL + + isn't quite panicked--yet. + + KRISTEL + It's dragging us down! + Disconnect the cable! + + Heldon and Ryan try to do just that, but the cable is taut. + There's no way to loose the clip on the door. + + QUALEN + Get rid of the plastique! + + Heldon rushes to the rear of the plane to grab a bag as... + + + BOTH JETS + + dive down faster at an ever steeper angle, over the edge of the + Colorado Mountain Range. + + + INSIDE QUALEN'S JET STAR + + Ryan and Kynette struggle to release the cable. + + RYAN + It's too tight! + + Qualen pulls out a pistol and fires several shots into the + cable, snapping it. + + + BOTH JETS - LONG SHOT + + The Treasury jet drops as Qualen's jet, trailing the cable and + the money, sharply shoots upward. + + + THE TREASURY JET + + explodes in mid-air. + + + INT. QUALEN'S PLANE - THE COCKPIT - KRISTEL + + The jet is in serious trouble. + + KRISTEL + We're not leveling out! + + + CABIN - QUALEN , DELMAR AND TRAVERS + + QUALEN + (into headset) + What's the matter? + + KRISTEL + (O.S.) + I don't know! + + QUALEN + C'mon, pull! + + The men struggle to reel in the cable, because, + + + CLOSE ON THE CABLE + + The money cases are still, barely, holding on, the cuffs caught + on the broken clip at the end. + + + QUALEN, DELMAR AND TRAVERS + + aren't even bothering with the electric winch, they're dragging + it in hand over hand, but + + + IN THE CABIN + + The cases, torn by the wind, work their way loose one at a time + and drop -- one -- two -- three -- into the snowy mountains + below! + + + CLOSE ON THE CABLE + + Ryan clamps the door shut as Qualen angrily lashes at Travers. + + QUALEN + Foolproof plan?! You dumb + bastard! Kristel, what's the + report?! + + He moves off. + + + THE COCKPIT - KRISTEL + + tries to bring the plane up, but can't. The pressure gauge + needles are dropping fast. + + KRISTEL + The hydraulics are not + functioning! He shot up the + hydraulics! I can't retain + altitude! We're going down-- + + QUALEN + Crash positions! + + Everyone rapidly takes to a seat and starts to buckle up. + + QUALEN + (to Travers) + Don't buckle up. You may not + want to survive this. + + + EXT. THE PLANE + + breaks through the clouds, revealing the mountainous landscape + and a hard snowfall. + + It is going down--it heads for a tree-lined plateau above the + snow line--the plane hits the ground level-- + + + IN QUALEN'S COCKPIT + + KRISTEL + (to co-pilot) + There's an opening! + + + THE PLATEAU - LONG SHOT + + The problem is, the ground itself isn't level. It tilts down + towards another edge five hundred yards distant. If the plane + keeps skidding, it'll go over the edge. + + The plane sleds down at an angle, skipping over rocks, through + trees, tearing off a wing-- + + + INSIDE THE CABIN + + The men are jolted around. Windows IMPLODE. + + + THE PLANE + + rips downhill through a wooded area like a runaway train. + + The second wing is sheared off by trees. + + + COCKPIT POV - THE OPPOSITE EDGE + + A fallen tree stump is coming up fast, it rips through the + windscreen, narrowly missing Kristel and ripping the co-pilot's + head completely off. + + + THE PLANE + + continues to slide, three quarters of the fuselage intact. It + finally comes to rest. + + WIDER VIEW - THE PLANE + + or what's left of it has stopped several feet short of the + edge. + + + EXT. SPUR - DAY + + Brett and Evan are preparing to jump. Evan is wearing a + walkman blasting music. A heavy snow is falling. + + BRETT + (speaking loudly, over + the wind) + Did you catch that thunder? + + EVAN + (pulls off his + headphones) + No way, death-breath, that was + too intense for thunder. C'mon + let's rock an' roll. + + The two boys leap. + + We pull back to reveal they are plunging, arms flailing down a + huge chasm. The rock wall behind them speeds past, Karwhoosh! + Their back-packs burst open, parachutes stream out. Hollering + with delight, they're riding the updrafts like a rollercoaster. + + + EXT. CRASH SITE - DAY + + The plane lies still. All is quiet except for the howling + wind. A section of the rear passenger compartment is exposed + in the snowstorm. + + + INSIDE THE WRECKAGE + + The cockpit is nearly severed from the rest of the fuselage, + the sides broken open. + + CLOSER - TRAVERS + + lies face down in the debris. He struggles to free himself + from what appears to be the body of Ray. He pushes it off. + + Breathing heavily, Travers is about to rise when a gun is + placed against his neck. + + WIDER - QUALEN + + in front of Travers, holding the gun. Qualen is bruised and + gashed on the forehead. He's about to blow Travers' head off. + + QUALEN + You thought about everything + except what's happening now. + + HELDON + Kill the fucker, his fucking plan + almost killed us! + + TRAVERS + Kill me? Christ we're partners + in this! + + QUALEN + Were. Give me the tracking + monitor! + + TRAVERS + Why? What are you going to do?! + + QUALEN + The monitor! I never ask twice. + + Travers pulls off the monitor that was slung around his neck. + + TRAVERS + Take it. There's only about + fifty thousand code variations. + That's right, fifty thousand. + + Delmar moves up to Qualen. + + DELMAR + I'll break your fucking neck! + + TRAVERS + Go ahead, break my fucking neck. + But you're going to need the + money to buy your way out of the + country, because we sure as hell + can't stay in the States anymore. + (to Qualen) + You know it and I know it. + + KYNETTE + I say, fuck the money. Getting + off this mountain is all I want + to know about. The money's gone. + Kill the rat bastard and let's + move. + + QUALEN + No, we haven't come this far to + lose everything--and Travers is + right, we'll need the cash. + + HELDON + How're we gonna get off this + mountain even if we find it? + + QUALEN + (moves off) + No problem--Kristel... + + + INT. RANGER STATION + + Rain is pounding against the windows. Hal is watching a + football game on a small portable television. He is whittling + away at a piece of wood with a shiny folding knife used by most + climbers. FRANK is standing behind a large 3' by 4' piece of + glass upon which he is painting a bizarre abstract creation. + Frank is approximately sixty years old, but still possesses the + wiry, but partly stiff body of a former rodeo rider who's taken + a hundred falls too many. + + Jessie enters looking rather despondent. She goes to the + coffee pot. + + FRANK + Oh yes, that's it right here. I + believe 'ol Frank nailed it with + that stroke. Hal c'mere. + + Still whittling, Hal drifts over, and observes the painting. + + HAL + Hey, Jessie, you're just in time + for another masterpiece. + + FRANK + So, what do you see? + + HAL + Surprise me. + + FRANK + What usually eats a banana? + + HAL + (at a loss) + A monkey? + + FRANK + So...what are you, blind, son? + This is a banana eating a monkey, + nature in reverse. + + HAL + Y'know, Jessie, doesn't Frank + look like a normal guy--but he's + not, + (laughs) + are you Frank? + + Suddenly, the scanner radio barks to life. + + KRISTEL + (O.S., panicky) + Somebody help...please...is there + somebody there...we need help... + + Hal runs to the radio and keys the mic. + + HAL + Rocky Mountain Rescue, come in! + + + INT. COCKPIT + + Kristel is sitting on the floor of the cockpit. She's ripped + the guts out of the plane's radios and avionics to jury-rig a + system of wires, transistors and dials. Qualen and Travers + watch. Qualen can't suppress a grin as he observes Kristel's + "distraught performance." + + KRISTEL + Please help, we're stranded. We + were hiking and lost our + bearings...we didn't expect this + weather to come in so fast. + + + INT. RANGER STATION + + Hal starts to jot down the information. Jessie stands behind + him. + + HAL + (into radio) + Acknowledge. How many are there? + + KRISTEL + (O.S., panicked) + Seven people. I don't know our + position, the only visual bearing + is a cylinder rock formation. + Over. + + JESSIE + Got to be Comb Bluff. + + HAL + (keys mic) + Acknowledge. Winds are too + strong to get a chopper up there, + Are you near any natural shelter? + Over. + + KRISTEL + (O.S., panicked) + No, nothing and Billy is going + into shock we need + insulin...please hurry, please... + + Dead silence. + + HAL + Mayday! Come in, Mayday! Damn, + lost contact. + + + INT. COCKPIT + + Kristel disconnects a couple of wires from the battery. + Travers watches as Qualen leans down and kisses her. + + QUALEN + We need insulin-- + (to Travers) + Would you have thought of that? + + Travers tenses. + + + INT RANGER STATION + + Hal folds up his knife and jams it into a non-detectable sheath + on the side of his boot, then starts pulling out his climbing + gear. + + HAL + (to Jessie) + You and Frank get the tents, + thermal clothing, and medical + supplies together. + + JESSIE + Who's going with you? + + HAL + You're looking at him. + + JESSIE + Where's the rest of the team? + + HAL + Bob and Rick are in Denver. I + gotta get up there as fast as + possible. Frank, get me a load + of flares. + + Jessie turns and exits. + + + EXT. JESSIE'S CABIN - DAY + + Jessie's truck roars into the shot. It is pouring rain. Gabe + is just putting his belongings in the rear of the Bronco. He + flips up the tailgate. + + JESSIE + Thank God you didn't leave. We + just got a Mayday. Seven + climbers stranded off Comb Bluff. + The weather's pouring in fast and + Hal's gone up alone. + + GABE + Hal knows what he's doing. + + Gabe heads back inside and Jessie follows. + + + INT. CABIN + + Gabe gathers the last of his belongings. + + JESSIE + If he gets up there and the + weather gets as bad as it can, + they'll never make it down. He + needs someone who has emergency + medical training and knows every + handhold on these peaks. + + GABE + He doesn't want my help. + + JESSIE + That's not the issue here, those + people are. He can't do it + alone. + + GABE + He can handle it. + + JESSIE + What if he can't? + + GABE + I haven't climbed in months--you + lose the feel. + + JESSIE + You mean the nerve. + + Gabe is wounded by the remark. + + JESSIE + I know you don't want to be + responsible for anybody's life + anymore, but walk away and you + are responsible. Please Gabe, he + went up the west ridge. If you + go up the south face, you can + catch him, no problem-- + + GABE + Can't do it. + + He carries the last box out the door. + + + EXT. CABIN + + Gabe gets into the Bronco. + + JESSIE + Can't do it? I don't believe + this. Don't you feel anything? + + GABE + I only came back for you. + + Gabe stares at her for a moment, then turns and drives away. + + JESSIE + Go on! Leave. Go wherever you + want. But you're going to + be stuck on that ledge for the + rest of your life. + + + CUT TO: GABE DRIVING + + It is pouring rain as Gabe guides his bronco down the winding + mountain road. The bronco pulls over. + + + INT. BRONCO - DAY + + Gabe stares straight ahead at the rain that beats down on the + windshield. The wipers going back and forth become like a + monotonous heartbeat. Indecision fills his yes. He puts his + head down on the steering wheel and WE CUT. + + + INT. WRIGHT'S OFFICE - DAY + + Wright's pacing around, trying to figure out what in his office + he should break first. Davis shows up at the door. + + WRIGHT + (furious) + Okay, what's the report? Where + the hell is that plane? + + DAVIS + (walking to a map) + There's no radio contact at all + sir, and we're not receiving the + tracer signal from the cockpit's + flight recorder. + + He points to a huge part of Colorado. Hundreds of square + miles. + + DAVIS + We have to assume it went down in + the storm. That storm front is + still building. Even if we could + get a search plane up now, it'd + be impossible to see anything on + the ground. + + WRIGHT + What about the roads? + + DAVIS + Most of this area doesn't even + have roads. + + A secretary enters. + + SECRETARY + Mr. Wright, there's two FBI + agents that demand to see you. + + TWO MATURE AGENTS enter in a highly agitated state. + + AGENT #1 + Mr. Wright, I'm Agent Hayes and + this is Agent Michaels. We're + here about the jet disappearance. + + WRIGHT + Look, if you're just concerned + about your agent who was along + for the ride-- + + AGENT HAYES + Matheson wasn't along for the + ride, he was working + surveillance. + + WRIGHT + Surveillance? For what? + + AGENT HAYES + The Bureau had been receiving + sketchy reports about Treasury + flight patterns being monitored + from Denver to San Francisco. It + was thought best not to alert + anyone in your department in case + there was the possibility of it + being an inside job. + + WRIGHT + That's impossible. You suggest + a hijacking? Impossible. Not + only did I have my best men on + that flight, each one of those + cases are monitored, and the + money is in unexchangeable + denominations. It would be + useless for anyone to steal. + + AGENTS MICHAELS + (presents a folder) + Not for this man. + + WRIGHT + Who the hell is this? + + AGENT MICHAELS + Eric Qualen. He's the one we've + been tracking without much + success. He's a former member of + military intelligence who found + it more profitable going to the + other side. Industrial + espionage, diamond hijacking from + South Africa, theft and disposal + of millions in negotiable bearer + bonds, you name it. He's got the + international connections to move + this currency, and one hundred + million offers one hell of a + temptation to this psychotic. + + WRIGHT + Jesus Christ, this can't be + happening. + + AGENT HAYES + I know. Unfortunately it is, and + what we need is a complete + profile on all the men aboard + that jet, backgrounds both + business and personal. + + WRIGHT + (to Davis) + Arrange it. + + + EXT. SOUTH WALL - DAY + + The sheer wall that is leaning actually outward is a terrifying + sight. We see a mere spec moving cautiously upward--it is + Gabe. + + + CUT TO - C.U. GABE + + straining to maintain his balance in the driving wind and snow. + + GABE + (echoes Jessie's words) + And if you go up the south wall, + you can catch him, no problem, + yeah. + + Gabe has a moment of indecision, almost a look of mounting fear + in his eyes. + + Gabe starts to ascend and pauses to look straight up the rock + face, then straight down. As the wind tears at his face, his + eyes reflect in momentary panic. + + + FLASH BACK: + + Black and white grainy dreamlike effect as Sarah falls. She + strobes down the canyon floor, her eyes and amplified voice + shrieking in fear. + + + BACK TO SCENE: + + Shaken, Gabe starts to descend, then pauses and looks up the + sheer face... + + He pulls out his bolt gun and fires into the wall. Hooking up, + he proceeds upward. + + GABE + Keep going, keep going... + + + EXT. MOUNTAIN WALL - DAY - HIGH ANGLE ON HAL + + Who's now a good way up the wall, at least a thousand feet off + the ground. Wind and snow make the climbing hard. This part + of the wall is sheer, slightly overhung and slick. His only + foothold is about a half-inch of ledge. A larger ledge is + above him, tantalizingly just out of reach. + + He gropes up, stretching, trying to get that extra half-inch + reach...he gets it. + + + THE TOP OF THE LEDGE + + Suddenly a hand seizes Hal's. Surprised, Hal starts to slip + back. Gabe pulls him the rest of the way up. Panting from + this last effort, he leans against the wall next to Gabe. + + HAL + What the hell are you doing + here?! + + GABE + I was with Jessie, she filled me + in. + + HAL + Now let me fill you in. You can + get your ass back down an' go + back to that hole you been hiding + in-- + + GABE + When we get this group down, I'm + gone. + + HAL + You're gone now! I don't climb + with people I can't trust. Why'd + you come up, to prove something? + + GABE + I'm here for the same reason you + are, so let's do it. + + HAL + Can't pass up another chance to + play hero, can you. + + GABE + Look, I know-- + + HAL + You don't know anything. You did + it your way and she died. + + GABE + I did what I thought was right. + + HAL + Well you were wrong! It was your + weight on the line that did it-- + + GABE + There wasn't time for anything + else. + + HAL + We'll never know, will we? + + GABE + Look, it was a bad time for + everybody. + + HAL + (explodes) + What the hell do you know about + bad time. You didn't love her, + you didn't have to explain to her + family. + + GABE + And you weren't looking into her + eyes when she fell. Now drop it! + + Hal suddenly catches Gabe off-guard by the front of the jacket. + Gabe is precariously balanced on the edge, his life totally in + Hal's hands. + + HAL + No, buddy, it was you who dropped + it! + + GABE + If you want, do it. I don't + care. + + Gabe and Hal lock stares for a long moment. Hal pulls him back + in. + + HAL + (a threat) + When it's over, you and me... + + Hal gives him a withering stare and moves away. + + + EXT. COMB BLUFF - BINOCULAR POV - DAY + + Gabe and Hal are now visible two thirds of the way up. + + + EXT. PRECIPICE EDGE - DAY + + From the top of the bluff, someone is looking down through + binoculars. Gabe and Hal are a few hundred yards below. Ryan + lowers the binoculars and keys a headset radio. The wind is + blowing snow on his face. + + RYAN + They're here + + + INSIDE THE PLANE + + Qualen is wearing another headset. He disentangles himself + from Kristel. + + QUALEN + (to others) + The guests are here. + + + THE MOUNTAIN'S EDGE + + Hal follows Gabe up. From here, the rest of the range looms + large. The storm raging above makes this a spectacular sight. + Gabe sees the trees torn from the ground by the plane crash. + + RYAN + About time... + + Gabe and Hal turn around only to find themselves staring at + Ryan's ominous expression and poised weapon. + + RYAN + ...Walk. + + INT. FUSELAGE + + Hal and Gabe are hustled inside the plane. Driving snow blows + through the wreckage. Kynette quickly confiscates Gabe's bolt + gun and ice axe. + + QUALEN + Where's the helicopter? + + HAL + What the hell's going on? + + Qualen motions to Delmar who viciously backhands Hal. + + QUALEN + That was the first and last + question-- now only answers. + Where's the chopper? + + GABE + It can't fly in this weather. + + QUALEN + (to Travers) + This is where your background in + police work comes in handy--ask + the questions, Travers. + + TRAVERS + Don't use my name! + + QUALEN + (hard) + Ask the questions. + + TRAVERS + You're both with the mountain + rescue team? + + HAL + Yeah... + + TRAVERS + Anyone else following? + + Hal shakes his head "no." + + TRAVERS + What's your names? + + HAL + (Hal looks at Gabe, who + nods) + Tucker and Walker. + + TRAVERS + Tucker and Walker, we've lost + three bags. + + QUALEN + You know how the airlines are. + + GABE + Bags? + + QUALEN + Suits, underwear, 100 million + dollars...the usual stuff. + Travers was smart enough to bring + along a tracking device. Step + into my office. + + Gabe and Hal stand there defiantly. + + Delmar grabs Hal and heaves him forward. + + DELMAR + (to Gabe) + You too. + + + INT. COCKPIT - DAY + + Tight on a map spread out on the plane's wrecked instrument + panel. + + We see Travers keying a set-up of numbers into his portable + monitor. The monitor lights up with a pattern of frequency + beacons. + + QUALEN + Where's the third one, Travers? + + TRAVERS + (to Gabe) + There, what's that place? + + Gabe looks at the monitor, then the map, and he glances at Hal. + + GABE + Looks like the Tower. It's a bad + climb. + + QUALEN + A bad climb, no, just another + challenge. What's life without + 'em, right, Agent Travers. + + TRAVERS + Get off my back, Qualen! + + QUALEN + (smoothly) + I haven't even got on it yet. + (to Gabe) + Let's go, time to fetch. + + + EXT. MOUNTAIN WALL - WIDE SHOT - DAY - HAL AND GABE + + have led the gang further up the wall, using pitons and + carabiner clips to create a guide rope. It's still just a + matter of climbing relatively easy ascending ledges. The + howling wind continues to blow snow all around them. + + QUALEN + (yells from behind) + The faster you find the bags, the + bigger you boys' finder's fee + will be. + + HAL + (to Gabe) + Right, all the bullets we can + eat. + + + THE WALL + + The climbers have reached an easier section of the wall. The + ledge is now two feet wide. Travers takes out the tracer + monitor; it shows the first case is just above them. + + Travers and Gabe look up through the driving snow. + + Qualen has Hal's walkie-talkie in his hand. He monitors + Jessie's message. + + JESSIE + (V.O.) + Hal, come in, please. + + Qualen turns off the radio. + + QUALEN + Sounds cute. + + A CREST + + juts out of the wall a hundred plus feet above their position. + As the rest of the wall above is completely sheer, the case + must have landed on top of a ledge. But this isn't easily + accessible. WE MOVE DOWN from the crest to see there are only + the smallest of handholds and those are slick with ice, making + climbing almost impossible. Tons of snow and ice are suspended + precariously on top of the mountain. + + ON THE LEDGE + + Delmar holds his gun on Gabe, as Hal helps Gabe put on his + crampons. + + HAL + Watch yourself under that + overhang. + (Gabe eyes him) + It could go anytime. + + Gabe eyes the ledge and gets his meaning. + + QUALEN + Go on, fetch. + + GABE + I need my bolt gun and an ice + axe. + + TRAVERS + Don't give him anything. + + QUALEN + We agree on something. And for + insurance, take his coat. + + HAL + He'll freeze. + + QUALEN + Ryan, get a rope, I want the man + on a leash, too. + + Gabe looks up, this is going to be tough, even for him. + HAL + Forget me. If you can, get away. + + GABE + Would you? + + Hal looks at him for a beat, emotionally torn. + + Gabe moves away. + + HIGH ANGLE - GABE + + moves up the wall with some ease at first. There are small + handholds, and decent footholds, but twenty feet up, there's + nothing. To keep going, Gabe has to wedge his fingers into + small cracks, supporting his weight only by several fingerholds + at any given moment. + + ON THE LEDGE - TRAVERS AND QUALEN WITH RYAN + + who holds the rope fastened to Gabe's ankle. + + GABE ON THE WALL - CLOSE + + He's moving up a sheer face. He has hit a section that barely + has any edges for him to insert his fingers. He pauses and + removes his necklace. + + CUT TO - QUALEN AND HAL + + QUALEN + What's he doing? + + HAL + The best he can since you gave + him nothing. + + CUT TO - GABE + + He takes the charm, which is really a miniature ice axe, and + inserts it into a crack. Then wrapping the necklace around his + gloved hand, he pulls himself up with one hand to a secure + handhold. + + Gabe keeps this hold with one hand and slides the other up, + hammering into a crack wedged with ice. Some of the ice chips + whistle past and down. Finally, Gabe gropes one hand over the + edge and pulls himself onto + + THE CREST. + + Exhausted, Gabe slumps prone across the top. He sees a case + wedged in a crack. + + He goes to it. + + It's battered from the fall, but still holding together. Gabe + manages to force open the trashed locks, he looks inside the + case, and fingers a band of $1000's. + + GABE + Jesus. + + + ON THE LEDGE - TRAVERS AND QUALEN + + look up. They can see Gabe has made it, but they can't see him + or the case. + + TRAVERS + I don't trust him. + + QUALEN + Kill him when he gets down. + + Hal overhears the last statement and bolts forward screaming up + toward Gabe. + + HAL + Don't come down, they're gonna + kill you! Don't come down! + + Delmar rams Hal with his forearm against the back of Hal's + neck, levelling him. + + TRAVERS + (shouting) + Pull the rope! Pull it! + + ON THE CREST - GABE + + Gabe is painfully being jerked onto his side and pulled to the + edge by the frayed rope that is still fastened around his + ankle. + + ON THE LEDGE Travers and Qualen + + TRAVERS + Pull, goddamn it!! + + Gabe frantically claws at the ground as he desperately tries to + sever the rope. Nearly at the edge, he manages to brace one + foot against a rock as he wildly slashes at the rope with his + crampon. + + The rope being pulled by Ryan and Kynette suddenly snaps down + on the men. + + ON THE CREST + + With the case, Gabe scrambles up the wall, towards the girder + of ice, From Travers' and Qualen's point of view, Gabe can + hardly be seen. Since the mountain bulges out as it goes up, + Gabe's got a slight edge of cover. + + TRAVERS + (shouts to Heldon) + Shoot! What the hell are you + waiting for? + + Heldon runs along the lower edge, FIRING up at + + GABE + + who has to flatten against the upper ledge. Bullets howl past + twenty per second, SPARKING against the lip of the rock. The + bullets chisel away at the ice above him. Gabe looks ominously + at the frozen overhang. + + QUALEN + (holds a gun to Hal's + head) + Bring down the money or your + friend's dead! + + TRAVERS + We can't and he knows it. + + Frustrated, Qualen shoves Hal aside. + + QUALEN + Get him!! + + HELDON + + Sees Gabe's cover is gone. Heldon's ledge is getting wider. + Heldon moves out to the ledge and continues to fire into the + ice. + + THE ICE AND SNOW + + emits a roar as it gives away, dropping an avalanche of White + Death. + + GABE + + drops the case and hugs the wall. + + THE AVALANCHE - WIDE VIEW ON THE MOUNTAIN + + Only now can we see how much snow and ice has been penned up on + the mountain top--tons of frozen fury sweeps down the + mountainside. It SHATTERS the case against the wall easily + sweeping a SCREAMING Heldon off the ledge. + + TRAVERS, QUALEN AND HAL + + are safe at their vantage, but stunned at the sight of the + avalanche. Heldon's machine gun FIRES uselessly as he's + swallowed in an explosion of white and a flurry of green as the + bills scatter amid the snow. + + TRAVERS + + stares at thirty plus million dollars worth of snow settling + far below. + + Qualen grabs Hal by the throat. + + QUALEN + Your friend just had the most + expensive funeral in history. + Now it's all you... + + JESSIE + (V.O. ) + Come in, Rescue Unit, over. + Rescue Unit, what's going on Hal? + + Qualen presses his gun to Hal's temple. + + QUALEN + Talk. No tricks, no codes, no + messages. You haven't found us. + It was a fake call. + + HAL + (keys it) + Jessie, I reached the top of the + Tower. So far, no sign of + anyone. Looks like a phoney + call. Over. + + + INT. RANGER STATION + + Jessie looks at Frank. It is still pouring down rain. + + JESSIE + You gotta be kidding me! Do you + want me to fly up after you? + Over. + + HAL + (O.S.) + Negative. The winds are too + high. I'm going to ride out the + storm here. I'll take shelter in + the Douglas Exhibition Shaft. + Over and out. + + CUT TO: + + TRAVERS + (pulls away the radio) + Have her come up. + + HAL + The down drafts would wipe her + out. It's the only chopper. If + it goes, you got no ride out. + + QUALEN + Let's go to the next case. + + Delmar shoves Hal forward and the group moves out. + + + THE UPPER CREST + + where Gabe was. Nothing is stirring. Then there is movement + ten feet from where Gabe was hugging the wall. + + It's a crevice in the mountain, about two feet wide. A climber + would call this a "chimney", and it's packed with ice and snow. + It's also packed with + + GABE. + + His hand appears through the snow and he digs himself out, + gasping and coughing. Coated with snow, he leans against the + wall. Alive. + + + RANGER STATION - DAY + + Jessie looks out as the rain splatters against the window. The + station's windspeed gauge is flying around so fast it looks + like it might take off. + + JESSIE + (to Frank) + He said the Tower, but he's on + Comb Bluff? Frank, fly me to the + west valley, the winds are never + too bad there and it's only a + half hour climb to the Douglas + Shaft. + + FRANK + I don't know. + + JESSIE + If I don't meet up with them, you + can come and pick me up by + nightfall. + + FRANK + Hal will have my head for this. + + Jessie starts for the door. + + JESSIE + And it's such a handsome head. + Please Frank, and I swear I'll + buy one of your paintings. + + FRANK + (follows) + I admit, I can be bought. + + + EXT. MOUNTAIN - WOODED AREA + + Travers, Qualen, Hal and gang are crossing a small river in the + whipping snow. + + Hal checks the monitor. The next blip is above, almost + straight up. Hal motions to the wooded area ahead. + + HAL + On top of the peak. + + TRAVERS + (suspicious) + It looks like a winding route. + + QUALEN + Mr. Travers is not the athletic + type, he needs something more + direct. + + HAL + The only faster way up is the + East Face and it's smooth as + glass. Maybe a dozen guys in the + world could do it in good + weather, only a psycho would try + it in a storm. + + + CLOSE SHOT - GABE'S FACE + + is torn with pain. He's making the toughest climb of his life, + besides nearly being frozen to death in the snow storm. + + WE PULL BACK and REVEAL a WALL that is as wide as it is high, + five thousand feet by five thousand feet, narrowing to a domed + peak at the summit. Worse, it's checkered with ice. Visible + on the massive wall is a small dot, moving two-thirds of the + way up. + + Gabe holds himself steady with one hand, gets a foothold, and + lunges in a 'dyno' movement to another set of handholds and + swiftly continues on his way up. + + + EXT. CHOPPER - DAY + + We see the chopper being buffeted by winds as it hovers over a + flat area in the west valley. Jessie is being lowered by a + winch. She reaches the ground and disconnects the harness, + waving she's okay. + + + CUT TO - FRANK IN CHOPPER + + FRANK + Jessie, Jessie, copy? + + INTERCUT: + + JESSIE + I copy. + + FRANK + Jessie, girl this is insane. + Weather stat called in wind gusts + up to 50 knots for tonight. + + JESSIE + If you can't make it back, I'll + hold up at the Douglas Shaft. + Stop worryin'. You sound like a + mother hen. + + FRANK + Rooster! Forget the hen stuff. + Be safe, honey. Over. + + Frank banks the chopper out of there. + + + EXT. EAST FACE WIDE SHOT - DAY + + The sheer wall of the East Face rises, seemingly forever into + the sky above. + + Gabe is clearly exhausted and freezing. The wind and snow + threaten to throw him off the wall, but he forces himself on. + He is climbing up a huge, frozen waterfall. + + GABE + (teeth chattering) + A steam bath... + (pulls himself up) + A steam bath, a bottle of Remy + Martin...keep going... + + He climbs higher into a "chandelier" of hanging icicles. It's + an incredible formation, part of a + + FROZEN GLACIER OVERHANG + + a sheer overhang of ice, curling over the top of the East Face + waterfall. + + Gabe climbs past the icicles up a sheet of pure ice. + + GABE + A steam bath with a bottle of + Remy Martin, and a fire--now + what? + + He slows to a stop, and the ice overhang curves out, away. + Gabe sticks his gloved hand into a stream of water. He reaches + out and grabs a huge icicle with his wet fist. The glove + freezes there instantly. + + GABE + A steak soaked in Remy cooking + over a steam bath on fire! + + Gabe wets the other glove, hauls himself up and goes for a + second handhold. The next glove freezes on another icicle. + Suddenly his feet slip off the wall and Gabe is left dangling + with a glove frozen into place. He tries to pull away to grab + a higher handhold but his hand slips out of the glove. + + Gabe clings one-handed to the overhang, his face showing real + terror. His body swings wildly, held only by one gloved hand, + frozen overhead. His legs kick out to find some support, + smashing into HUGE ICICLES. They break off and fall away. His + naked hand stretches for the glove but can't reach it. + Gabe swings his spiked boot up to try for a "heel hold". His + foot smashes into the snowy ice atop the serac and holds! + Stabilized, he snatches the frozen glove from the icicle and + hauls himself up, over the lip, in the world's toughest sit-up! + + + GABE'S POV THROUGH THE DRIVING SNOW + + A small shack with a sign commemorating the "Douglas Mine Shaft + 1933". + + + INT. DOUGLAS SHAFT - DAY + + Just a "point of interest" for tourists who have hiked up this + far, housing a mini-museum. + + A pair of thundering kicks at the door and the lock shatters. + The light of day knifes into the otherwise dark, windowless + room comprised of old planks of knotted pine. + + THE GORDON DOUGLAS DISPLAY + + has black and white photos of the square-jawed 1930's climber + with his expedition. More important is what's beneath it. + Douglas' original climbing equipment: a coil of rope, some + pitons, a hat, a cloth backpack, small binoculars, a parka, and + other odds and ends. + + Trembling badly, Gabe grabs a pick axe off the wall and + prepares to smash the glass. He hears movement in the shaft + area, an opening not more than ten feet away. Dust floats in + the strip of light that is emitted from the door. Gabe's eyes + tighten like an enraged animal. + + SHAFT + + From inside the shaft's entrance, Gabe's figure stealthily + approaches, the ice axe raised high, ready for the kill. He + moves into the darkness. Something tries to bolt away and he + lunges at it, furiously slamming the person against the wall. + A radio falls from the person and lets out a static death groan + as it shatters to the bottom of the shaft. Gabe's axe is + poised for the fatal blow. + + JESSIE + No!! + + Gabe pulls her forward into what little light there is and + stares into her terrified countenance. + + JESSIE + Gabe!? + + GABE + (crazed) + What are you doing here!? + + JESSIE + (hyperventilating) + Looking for Hal. Oh my God, I + heard someone kick the door + open...you came back. + + GABE + How'd you get up here? + + JESSIE + Frank dropped me in the west + valley and I hiked. You look + frozen. What's happening?! + + GABE + You got to go back now! + + JESSIE + Where's Hal, what's going on? + + Gabe heads to the display case. + + GABE + The distress call was a fake. It + was a downed plane full of + thieves. + + He shatters the three display cases and starts to remove the + old clothing, flares, gloves etc. + + GABE + Before it crashed, they dumped + three cases filled with millions. + They're using Hal for a bird dog. + Once they find the money, Hal's + dead. So get on your radio, + contact Frank, have him pick you + up, then contact the state + police, the park police and + anything else wearing a badge and + tell them to get up here! Do it + Jessie. + + JESSIE + I can't. The radio's at the + bottom of the shaft. But + Frank'll be looking for me soon. + When he gets here I'll contact + everybody from the chopper. + + GABE + That's no good. It'll be dark + soon, there's no other shelter + for ten miles. If they show, + they'll take you too. Why'd you + have to come up here?! + + JESSIE + For the same reason you did, to + help. + + GABE + Yeah, let's go. + + They exit. + + + EXT. CHOPPER PAD. DAY + + Frank is standing beside the helicopter trying to raise Jessie + on the radio. Wind and rain whip against the chopper. + + FRANK + Jessie! Jessie! Come in. I + can't take off. + + There is no response. + + + EXT. THE TRAIL - SUNSET + + Hal is leading Qualen, Travers and the others upward. This is + a comparatively difficult route. The wind makes it even harder + but fortunately the snow has stopped. The sun goes down beyond + a facing, taller mountain. + + QUALEN + (eyes Travers) + Man against nature, right + Travers. + + TRAVERS + What about it? + + QUALEN + Down there you buy a life, up + here you earn it or die. How's + your health? + + Travers takes out the tracer and pushes to the head of the + group. + + TRAVERS + It's close, just up there. + + + EXT. ELSEWHERE ON THE SUMMIT - NIGHT - GABE AND JESSIE + + spot a crater of snow and rush to it. + + GABE + There it is. C'mon. + + Even though the case is covered by snow, the tracer's blinking + red light is visible. Gabe and Jessie dig it out. + + GABE + Let's be creative. + + JESSIE + Excuse me? + + + NEARBY ON THE SUMMIT - TRAVERS + + glances at the tracer monitor, which shows the case is nearby. + + TRAVERS + This way. + + QUALEN + Then go fetch. + + Qualen shines a light. All of them push through the trees. + + TRAVERS + + is excited now. He can't even wait for Qualen's flashlight, he + races through the trees, dividing his attention between his + surroundings and + + THE MONITOR + + which shows he's practically on top of the case. Finally + + TRAVERS + + can see the blinking of the red tracer light ahead through the + branches. + + TRAVERS + (calling behind) + Over here! + + Travers shoves his way through the branches, and heads for the + light, but something's wrong. Qualen comes up behind Travers + and shines the light on: + + A SNOWMAN + + hastily constructed, stands with a five-pebble smile, as well + as Douglas' cap. The tracer, still blinking, is its nose. The + case is propped up against it. Travers runs to the case and + opens it: empty...written on a $1000 bill is "Wanna trade?" + + TRAVERS + (incredulous) + He's alive! + + QUALEN + (to the others) + He can't be far away. Find him. + Go! + + Qualen, Kynette, Delmar and Kristel fan out, each with a + flashlight and a gun. Ryan straps on the nightfinder goggles. + + + RANGER STATION - NIGHT + + Frank works the microphone. + + JESSIE + Jessie, come in Jessie! Damn, + somebody pick up. + + + ELSEWHERE ON THE SUMMIT - GABE AND JESSIE + + watch the chaos from an elevated vantage point. They can see + the flashlight beams, all headed in the wrong direction. + + GABE + They've got to find shelter soon, + and so do we. How are you + holding up? + + JESSIE + You know me, I'm a night person. + + Gabe doesn't see: + + + RYAN - "NIGHTFINDER" POV + + with these goggles, light is amplified a thousandfold. Even + starlight is enough for Ryan to run easily through the thick + woods, and he's going in the right direction. + + GABE AND JESSIE + + begin climbing down to level ground so they can circle close to + where Travers is holding Hal. + + "NIGHTFINDER" POV - RYAN + + looks up, and sees Gabe and Jessie climbing down the small + rock, fifty yards distant. Ryan smiles, looking macabre under + the goggles, and opens fire. + + GABE AND JESSIE + + react as the bullets impact inches over their heads. They jump + the last ten feet and are running even as they hit the ground. + More bullets hit where Gabe and Jessie were a split second ago. + + Ryan chases them, easily manoeuvering through the trees. + + + ELSEWHERE ON THE SUMMIT + + Kristel, Qualen, Delmar and Kynette, having heard the gunshots, + turn and run toward them. Travers smiles at Hal's fearful + reaction. + + + RYAN + + is closing the gap, Gabe and Jessie's bright forms just ahead. + They burst out of the trees and find all that's beneath them is + + GABE AND JESSIE'S POV + + A sudden, sloping plunge down a field of ice. No escape here. + Anything that goes down this slide is going all the way to the + ground far below. + + A fresh burst of bullets forces them to dive behind a boulder, + the sole source of cover. + + GABE + This way. + + RYAN + + emerges from the woods. He can see there is nowhere for them + to have gone except behind the boulder. He walks toward it as + if he had all the time in the world. + + GABE + Give me a flare! + + Jessie fumbles in her backpack and pulls out a flare. + + GABE + Take off and meet me at Eagle + Cave. + + JESSIE + What about you? + + GABE + Don't worry about me, just go. + + Gabe ignites the flare and heaves it over the boulder at Ryan. + + RYAN - "NIGHTFINDER" POV - THE FLARE + + arcs over the boulder to fully ignite, turning everything into + an agonizing flash of white. + + RYAN + + SCREAMS, blinded as he tries to rip the goggles off. + + GABE + Go! + + Jessie takes off. + + Gabe bolts out from behind the boulder and rushes him. Ryan + shoots blind, fanning out in a semi-circle as he gets the + goggles off. + + Gabe charges straight for Ryan, just getting to him before the + machine gun's field of fire can intersect his path. He tackles + him. + + The machine gun CLATTERS away, landing on the edge of the ice, + just out of reach. Ryan recovers from the blinding flash, + pulls an ice axe out of a pack sheath and swings it at Gabe. + Gabe rolls away and gets to the machine gun, grabbing it--but + Ryan dives for Gabe, slamming into him--the force of it knocks + the machine gun loose--it skips down the ice slope. The + momentum of Ryan's hit also carries both Gabe and Ryan over the + edge, onto-- + + + THE ICE SLOPE + + Gabe and Ryan both start sliding down, Gabe face first on his + stomach, Ryan on Gabe's back. Both are in immediate agony, + because + + GABE'S POV - THE ICE FIELD + + The edge and a 5,000 foot drop are a hundred yards away. + + GABE AND RYAN SLIDING + + Gabe flails as the ice gashes him from underneath. He manages + to flip over on top of Ryan and ride him down like a bobsled. + + Gabe frantically reaches behind to get the ice axe, trailing + from a wrist strap, but Ryan's arm is thrashing away, + threatening to toss off the axe. + + + ON SUMMIT + + Hal, Qualen, Travers, Kristel, Delmar and Kynette arrive at the + lip. Qualen snatches up the nightfinder goggles and sees... + + + QUALEN'S "NIGHTFINDER" POV + + Gabe and Ryan accelerating, have almost reached the edge. Gabe + grabs the ice axe, ripping it off Ryan's wrist just as they + reach the precipice edge. Gabe swings it toward the ice with + everything he's got. The axe's scythe-like blade catches on + the ice, right at the lip of the precipice. Gabe is wrenched + to a painful halt, suspended over the drop, as Ryan shoots over + the edge. Gabe unhooks the axe and climbs down to a narrow + ledge and disappears into the darkness. + + + HAL, QUALEN, KRISTEL, KYNETTE, DELMAR AND TRAVERS + + Qualen shines his flashlight below, illuminating the long, + frozen streak of blood on the ice. + + KYNETTE + That's it, man! Fuck the money + and fuck you if you wanna keep + looking for it. I wasn't born to + die on no motherfucking mountain! + + KRISTEL + We have to keep going! + + QUALEN + (to Kynette) + She's more a man than you are. + (to Hal) + Find us some shelter. + (back to Kynette) + You can come with us or you can + go and freeze to death. + + Delmar shoves Hal forward and they disappear into the darkness. + Kynette follows. + + + EXT. TENT - NIGHT + + The winds howl against the green nylon portable tent. + + + INT. TENT - NIGHT + + Brett and Evan sit inside eating candy bars. + + EVAN + "It's a perfect day for a monster + jump." Hey man, can you like do + me a favor? + + BRETT + What? + + EVAN + Next time you're like watching + MTV, y' know, like flip it to the + weather channel for a split + second and check it out. I mean, + hey, we could be home watching + some righteous pornos. + + BRETT + That woulda been cool. + + EVAN + Exactly, cheesehead, exactly. + + + INT. DOUGLAS SHAFT EXHIBIT + + Qualen, Travers, Kynette, Delmar and Kristel follow Hal into + the cabin. Their flashlights streak through the gloom. + + QUALEN + We'll stay here until sunrise. + (to Hal) + You, start a fire. + + Travers stands at the shattered glass display cases. + + TRAVERS + (to Hal) + He was here. What was in there? + + No response. + + Delmar gives Hal a nudge in the kidneys. + + DELMAR + Answer the man. + + HAL + Nothing, just tourist souvenirs. + + QUALEN + Souvenirs? No, wrong answer. + Looks like your friend plans on + hanging around, that possible? + + HAL + No, he's gone. + + QUALEN + No, he's close, and he's using + our money to keep you alive. + Nobody's worth that much on the + open market. + (to Kristel) + Except you, the loyal one. + (to Hal) + Didn't I tell you to warm the + place up? + + + INT. THE CAVE - CLOSE ON GABE AND JESSIE + + We can see from the flickering shadows that a small fire is now + burning in the cave. We pull back to see + + THE FIRE + + which is built out of bundles of $1000 bills. It's safe to say + that something like $500,000 is going up in smoke. Gabe takes + a fresh bundle of notes and tosses them on the flames. + + GABE + Man, it costs a fortune to heat + this place. + + JESSIE + I'm glad you find humor in this. + (gestures at the money) + Do you know what people would do + for that? + + GABE + I can't believe you just said + that. + + JESSIE + Neither can I. What do you think + they're doing now? + + GABE + Making things real rough for Hal. + + Jessie looks at the necklace around Gabe's neck. + + JESSIE + You still wear the cable necklace + I gave you. + + GABE + (nods) + Call me sentimental. + + JESSIE + Remember the first time we came + up here? + + GABE + Of course I do. + + JESSIE + It was great. + + GABE + You attacked me. + + JESSIE + Can you think of something more + romantic than attacked? + + GABE + Only kidding...actually I + attacked you. + + JESSIE + No, actually it was more like + mutual attacking. + + They laugh wearily. + + JESSIE + Why can't things stay the way + they are...everything has to + change. What we had was perfect. + + GABE + I don't know. Here, lay down and + get some rest. We're going to + need it. + + Gabe lays back and Jessie slides up next to him. + + JESSIE + Gabe...your arm? + + GABE + Yeah? + + JESSIE + If you're not using your arm, can + I borrow it? + + GABE + (smiles) + Sure, just give it back when + you're done. + + Jessie curls into his arms as the fire's dying flames dance + delicately across their open and thoughtful expressions. + + + EXT. WIDE MOUNTAIN VIEW - DAWN + + The first rays of sun poke through the mountains. The storm + seems to be letting up. + + + INT. RANGER STATION - DAWN + + Frank is slumped over the radio. He obviously hasn't slept. + His attention is fixed out the window, on the windspeed gauge: + the winds are slowing. + + FRANK + Gabe, Hal, Jessie...do you read! + Again, do you read. Come in! + What the hell's going on up + there? + + + EXT. WOODED AREA - DAY + + Travers turns down the volume button. + + QUALEN + Jessie? Looks like your friend + found company. + + TRAVERS + We're down to a few hours before + the whole world shows up here. + (to Hal) + Where's the next one? + + HAL + It's up there, on the Tower. + + QUALEN + How far? + + Travers grabs his hair. + + TRAVERS + He asked you, how far?! I think + you've been taking the scenic + route. How far from here? + + HAL + Half a day. + + + HAL'S POV - ON BRETT AND EVAN + + ahead in the trees and rocks. + + BRETT + Hey, Hal...it's Hal. Hey, man, + you jammed up here, too? + + QUALEN + Walk over. + + HAL + For Christ's sake, they're kids. + + QUALEN + We're not animals, but don't + force us to be. Walk over. + + Hal stiffly moves forward. + + EVAN + Check it out. Was that storm a + severe bummer or what? We were + in tent city last night. + + HAL + (dryly) + Yeah. + + BRETT + We're gonna take one more jump + and split. Hal, you babysitting + lost hikers? What's up? + + Evan and Brett start to move toward the group. + + HAL + Run! + + BRETT + What? + + HAL + Run, goddamn it! + + DELMAR pulls out his gun and Brett and Evan, shocked, take off + running. + + Brett gets ten yards before Delmar mows him down with his + machine gun, riddling the kid with at least thirty rounds at + close range. + + HAL + You son of a bitch! You said you + wouldn't kill him! + + QUALEN + Sue me. + + Hal goes to attack Qualen with a flailing fist. + + Kristel clubs him with a pistol. An enraged Delmar kicks him + savagely in the mid-section. + + Evan runs with Kynette and Travers in pursuit. + + + BELOW ON THE WALLSIDE + + Gabe and Jessie, moving along the rock wall, react to the sound + of the gun-fire, then move on. The wall is relatively sheer, + but there are shelves cut in that make progress easier. + + + IN THE WOODS - EVAN + + runs like his ass is on fire with Kynette and Travers still in + pursuit. + + He tries to pull on his parachute and run at the same time. + It's not easy, but he succeeds in closing the first of the + three buckles. He continues running and weaving through the + trees. He sees the edge just ahead, and puts on an extra burst + of speed. + + THE SPUR + + is a rock formation that juts off like a diving board. Evan + runs like hell down it. + + TRAVERS AND KYNETTE + + emerge from out of the trees. They see Evan launching himself + off the edge. + + + GABE AND JESSIE + + are several hundred feet below. + + GABE + Don't pull it. + + + ON THE SPUR EDGE - TRAVERS + + Tries to grab the rifle from Kynette. + + TRAVERS + Shoot him. + + Kynette tries to hit the falling target but misses. + + + EVAN + + is falling, nearly two thousand feet. + + + GABE - WATCHING + + GABE + A little more. Now! + + + EVAN + + pulls the D-ring. The parachute billows open, inflating. + + + KYNETTE + + sights down the rifle. + + TRAVERS + Hit him! You're letting him get + away! + + In a startling smooth movement, Travers rips the gun from + Kynette's grip and fires almost simultaneously. + + + CLOSE ON THE PARACHUTE + + Bullet holes pierce the canopy. + + EVAN + + Exhilaration turns to panic as a bullet lodges in Evan's upper + back. + + + GABE AND JESSIE ON THE LEDGE + + are powerless to do anything but watch. + + JESSIE + Oh, God. + + + EVAN + + struggles to maintain consciousness and control. + + + JESSIE + + turns away. She can't watch any more. + + + EVAN + + lands hard and collapses. + + + KYNETTE AND TRAVERS + + Don't see Gabe or Jessie. + + Hal is led over to the Spur with the other gang members behind + him. + + QUALEN + Good, Travers. It might catch + on, like shooting skeet. + + TRAVERS + You dumb bastard, you waited too + long. If he made it back, this + place would have been covered + with police in a few hours. The + way we're moving, it's going to + be anyway. + + HAL + Murdering, motherfucker... + + QUALEN + Kill a few people, they call you + a murderer. When you kill + millions, you're called a + conqueror. Go figure. Move on + Tucker, time is short. + + + ON THE LEDGE BELOW - CLOSE ON GABE + + who is still shaking with fury. + + He watches Hal and the gang being led away. + + GABE + Can you keep going? + + Jessie nods "yes" and they move out. + + + EXT. MOUNTAIN - ARIEL SHOT - DAY + + Hal leads the gang through a buttress, a large, boulder + formation that lies between the mountain they've just come + from, and the nearest mountain to it, the Tower. + + Hal and the rest of the expedition are totally exposed as they + climb in single file up to the top. The incline is angled so + that the climb amounts to an uphill run on all fours. + + CLOSER ON HAL AND GANG + + Hal leads the gang forward and keeps casting anxious glances + back at them, and beyond them. + + QUALEN + Forget it. Your friend's smart, + not invisible. + + Qualen is right. There's absolutely no way Gabe can come up + behind them without being seen. + + + LOWER DOWN ON BLUFF + + where the bluff meets a tree-lined plain. Gabe and Jessie in + hiding, watch Hal and the others go up. They know they can't + follow them without being seen. + + GABE + He's taking them the long way + around. + + Moving closer to the bluff's base, Gabe and Jessie shove + through a screen of brush to the beginning of + + THE CRACK. + + A crevice runs the entire length and breadth of the bluff. + Gabe pulls out his ancient binoculars and scans the crack. + + GABE'S POV - THE CRACK + + Picture a mine shaft designed by a madman. The crack moves + upward, then erratically to the side, then straight up again. + The width of the crack is uneven, ranging from six inches to + six feet. And that's just how it looks on the outside. + + Gabe turns the binoculars to the inside of the crack. It looks + as if the crack goes all the way through the bluff. On this + route, Gabe can tunnel the mountain instead of going up the + side. + + GABE + We have to get through to the + other side. You up for it? + + JESSIE + I've gone this far, and right now + I think I'm in better shape than + you. + + GABE + A simple yes or no would have + done. + + JESSIE + Want me to lead? + + GABE + Cute. + + + EXT. TOP OF THE BLUFF - DAY + + A vista. From this point you can see everything else in the + mountain range. The only thing that's taller is the Tower. + + Between the two mountains lies a drop of a mere four thousand + feet. + + QUALEN + You said there was a way across. + + HAL + There is. + + TRAVERS + Then where the fuck is! + + HAL + There. You blind? + + Travers tenses, then turns to where the sides of the two + mountains converge. At one point, they're only about fifteen + feet apart. It's here that a rope and timber bridge spans the + drop. + + TRAVERS + This is insane. The hell with + the money. You radio in for that + chopper, understand! + + QUALEN + Hey, you dealt us this hand, + we're playing it all the way. + Move. + + + INT. THE CRACK - CLOSE ON GABE'S FACE + + Gabe is holding a flashlight while sweating and straining in + the dark. The light reveals there's about two inches of + clearance between his chest and the rock, and about the same + between his back and the rock. + + GABE + Nice view, huh? + + JESSIE + Breathtaking. + + There is no light inside, not even above, because the crack + doesn't go straight, it zig-zags up. Gabe and Jessie are well + within the mountain rock. Nothing could be closer to being + buried alive. + + Gabe and Jessie snake through a spot where the crack goes + straight up. Gabe aims Jessie's flashlight upwards. + + GABE'S POV + + scores of bats hang on the wall, surrounding them, up and down, + left and right. + + JESSIE'S FACE + + is somewhere between nausea and the realization that she's made + a big mistake. + + JESSIE + I really didn't need to see that. + + Gabe cuts the light and slithers up through the dark. + + + EXT. RESCUE HELICOPTER - DAY + + Frank is flying low and fast, over treetops and snow, nothing + but empty wilderness. A BUZZER goes off. Frank looks at an + infra-red screen mounted on the dash. The indicator reads + there is a body below. + + Frank sends the copter into a tight roll, bringing it over a + clearing. + + + EXT. WOODS + + The copter is down, rotors still turning as Frank runs into a + wooded area. Wolves are circling Evan's barely conscious body. + Frank pulls out his pistol and fires several shots. The wolves + flee. + + FRANK + Go on -- get lost! Go on!! + + TIGHT ON FRANK + + as he looks at Evan who is barely hanging on to his life. He + rolls the young man over and sees the bullet wound. + + Evan moans. + + FRANK + (nearly breathless) + Hell, you've been shot. Hang on + boy, hang on... + + He starts to lift the boy's body. + + + INT. BLUFF CRACK - DAY + + Gabe and Jessie have a quick climbing rhythm now. + + The passage starts to thin out. They grope up. The passage + narrows to the point that they can't get through it. + + GABE + What was God thinking when he + built this place? + + JESSIE + If we don't get out of here soon + we can ask him in person. + + Gabe looks up to see if the crack has gotten wider. It hasn't. + + GABE + Keep going this way. + + The light aims up, no opening larger than a mail slot. Still + moving to the side, he gets the opening he wants, but not where + he wants it. + + GABE + Oh, you beautiful rock...this + way. + + The crack suddenly, drastically widens as he moves to the side. + Since he's been bracing his back against the wall, Gabe falls + out of control, twisting around, face down. + + JESSIE + Gabe?! + + Gabe bounces down the walls for several yards and catches + himself by bracing his arms and legs against the crack. As he + brakes himself, his flashlight shoots off into space. One more + foot and he would have gone soaring to his death. + + JESSIE + Gabe! Are you alright? + + GABE + (upside down) + No, not really. Throw down a + rope. + + + EXT. WOODS - DAY + + The copter with Evan's covered body attached to a cradle on the + skid. Frank takes off, banking towards the ranger station. + + + EXT. BRIDGE + + The bridge, narrow and dilapidated, is only wide enough for one + person at a time. Hal is half way across, swaying above the + massive drop, the wind whistling through the chasm. + + HAL'S POV + + Kristel waits on the other side of the bridge, a gun trained on + him. + + QUALEN + (turns to Kynette) + The other one's following. Drop + back to the higher vantage point + and maybe you can drop in behind + and we'll have him flanked. If + you get to him, I know you'll + want to kill him, but get the + money first. Go. + + + INT. BUTTRESS CRACK + + Gabe is face down, arms and legs pressing against the five-foot + gap of the tunnel walls. Carefully, he takes one hand off the + wall, gets out his lighter with the other, and ignites it for + a look. + + GABE' S POV - UPWARD + + Just as the crack has widened below him, it's widened above + him. More important, it slants at an easy enough angle to + allow him to walk up. A rope is tied around his shoulder. + + He braces himself with one leg and one arm until he has his + hands on the curved edge where the crack snakes into a sideways + passage. + + JESSIE + Can you see light? + + GABE + Up ahead. + + OVERHEAD ANGLE - THE CRACK + + Gabe takes a deep breath, readies himself, and shoves himself + away from the wall with his arms, pushes himself into a squat + against the opposite wall, hanging for a second with no support + at all, then springs from that wall into the diagonal passage. + Gabe lands hard but flat on the passage and starts backsliding, + but he digs in with his boots and hands and starts heading up. + + JESSIE + Gabe are you alright? + + GABE + For the record, whenever you hear + me sliding out of control, I'm + never alright. When I secure the + line, come on up. + + + CUT TO - TREASURY CHOPPER - DAY + + Wright, Davis, and a local FAA Agent are airborn across the + Rockies. Wright takes off his headset and turns to Davis. + + WRIGHT + An FAA satellite has located a + downed aircraft. + (to pilot) + Head one hundred and ten miles + south, southwest of the park + entrance. + + + EXT. BUTTRESS TOP + + Kynette lies flat, staring down. + + KYNETTE'S POV - ON THE BUTTRESS SIDE: + + No one is in sight. He hears a noise behind him and spins + around. The opening to the crack is right there on the top of + the mountain. + + + INT./EXT. MOUNTAIN CRACK + + Gabe climbs out of the crack, securing the rope, and leans down + to call to Jessie. + + GABE + Come on up. + + Jessie, tired, starts her ascent. + + + EXT. CRACK - DAY + + Gabe is looking around the horizon, setting down his ice axe. + He stares back into the crack's gloom. + + Kynette looms over him, his gun aimed down. Gabe looks up, + totally caught cold. + + KYNETTE + (aims barrel) + Look here, the mountain man. + You're Walker, right? + + GABE + Good memory. You must be great + with numbers. + + KYNETTE + Your mouth's writing a check your + ass can't cash, but if ya wanna + buy some life, bring me the + money. + + GABE + I burned it. + + KYNETTE + (hard) + What the fuck you mean you burned + it? + + GABE + Never could save a thing. + + KYNETTE + Now you get burned. + + JESSIE + (O.S.) + Gabe? + + Gabe takes the split second that Kynette pauses when he hears + Jessie's voice and dives head first into the crack. Kynette's + bullets rip up the ground where Gabe was just standing. + + + IN THE CRACK - JESSIE'S POV + + GABE + Rappel! Rappel! + + Gabe is sliding head first down the rope until he manages to + right himself. + + CUT TO - JESSIE + + She is rappeling as fast as she can. + + Gabe reaches the end of the rope thirty feet down, as the + vertical passage again becomes diagonal. Jessie is waiting as + Kynette reaches the edge of the crack and FIRES down at Gabe + and Jessie. Bullets RICOCHET all over. + + Gabe throws himself over Jessie, shielding her. + + GABE + Still glad I came back?! + + + EXT. CRACK - DAY + + Kynette looks down the crack as his radio comes to life. + + QUALEN + (V.O.) + Kynette, what's happening? + + KYNETTE + The bastard got lucky. + + QUALEN + (V.O.) + Make him unlucky! + (into microphone) + Kristel, get me the C-4. + + + EXT. BRIDGE - TOWER SIDE + + Kristel standing with Travers, Delmar and Hal. + + HAL + C-4? + + DELMAR + More bang for the buck. + + + INT. CRACK + + Kynette slides down the rope and enters the blackness of the + crack. His weapon poised for action, he stalks his prey. + Suddenly Gabe lunges out of the dark and attacks Kynette from + the rear. The machine gun goes flying. Kynette rolls to his + feet and smashes Gabe with a shattering punch. + + Jessie can only look helplessly on as Kynette slashes at Gabe + with a knife. The crack is getting wider. Kynette powers into + Gabe with another bone shattering punch. Gabe flies back + several feet managing to straddle the crack walls. Overhead + are jagged stalagtites that hang like an entrance to the jaws + of hell. + + Kynette moves in for the kill. He swings down with the knife, + the blade hissing in the gloom. Jessie pulls off her belt that + comes equipped with a rather large buckle. Kynette has Gabe + cornered and draws back the knife for the kill. + + KYNETTE + Who's the man now?! + + As he thrusts forward, Jessie's belt buckle bashes with + shocking force against the side of Kynette's face. Gabe uses + this split second of great fortune to lunge at Kynette and + seizes his knife hand. Gabe drives home a half-dozen painful + punches that force the knife loose from Kynette's hand. In one + powerful moment Gabe drops down, wraps his arms firmly around + Kynette and swings upwards driving a stalagtite deep into + Kynette's upper back. Gabe slumps in exhaustion. He picks up + Kynette's machine gun and checks the clip -- empty. He pulls + his bolt gun off Kynette's back. + + GABE + Let's move. + + + EXT. CRACK - DAY + + Up above, Qualen FIRES a burst straight down into the crack. + Kristel arrives with the C-4. + + QUALEN + Start to rig it. + + + INT. CRACK + + Gabe and Jessie move laterally through the crack, flattening + themselves against the walls as the bullets ricochet past. The + echoing sound of a radio is heard. + + FRANK + (V.O.) + Jessie, Hal, come in...please + report. Over. + + JESSIE + Where's the radio? + + Gabe moves off in search of the radio. + + FRANK + (V.O.) + Hal, Jessie...please if you hear + this, please report in. Over. + + + EXT. CRACK - DAY + + Qualen and Kristel are still at the edge of the crack. Kristel + has placed detonators on the side of the C-4 explosives. + + KRISTEL + Ready. + + She hands them to Qualen who bends down to place them just + inside the crack. + + QUALEN + Perfect. You'll make somebody a + great wife. + + + INT. CRACK - DAY + + Gabe is near Kynette's body. He jams his hand in a crack on + the rock floor. + + FRANK + (V.O.) + Hal, Jessie...report in + ...please! + + GABE + C'mon, stretch! + + He strains to reach his hand down to the unreachable radio. + + GABE + One inch more! + + + EXT. RESCUE STATION - CHOPPER PAD + + As Frank transmits from the landed chopper, an ambulance pulls + away. A police car stands by. + + Gabe still strains to reach the radio. + + FRANK + Jessie, I don't know if you can + read this, but all hell is + heating up. We found Evan. He's + been shot, but he's alive. He's + going to the hospital right now. + Do you read? Over. + + + INT. CRACK + + FRANK + (V.O.) + Do you copy? Over. + + GABE + Damn! + + Jessie stands behind. + + JESSIE + No luck? + + GABE + Next time, date only basketball + players. + + KRISTEL + (V.O.) + Help me. Please help us. + + FRANK + (V.O.) + I copy you. Where are you? + Over. + + JESSIE + Oh, no! + + KRISTEL + (V.O.) + I'm near a rock formation + opposite a crack in the wall. + + GABE + She's a lyin' bitch!! + + JESSIE + Get it! + + Gabe shoves his hand so deeply into the crevice to reach the + radio, his arm appears to be on the verge of ripping out of its + socket. + + GABE + I can't! + + FRANK + (V.O.) + I think I know where you are. + Hang on. + + GABE + I can't get it!! + (He pulls his arm out) + + JESSIE + They'll kill him! He has no + idea! + + GABE + We gotta get out and fire a + flare. It's the only chance! + + They take off. + + Just past their feet we see a subtle movement from Kynette. + + + EXT. BRIDGE - TOWER SIDE - DAY + + Qualen and Kristel scramble across the rope and timber bridge + to where Hal, Travers and Delmar are waiting. + + QUALEN + They're still alive... + + Travers uses Hal's axe to take a couple of heavy swings at the + bolts which tie the bridge to the rock. Qualen grabs his arms + before he can take a third swing. + + QUALEN + (looking at watch) + ...for another four minutes. + + + TOP OF CRACK + + Push in on a HOLE punched in the snow along the crack's top + near the edge. Shoved inside is a packet of plastique--the + detonator LED races down -- 3:01 -- 3:00 -- 2:59 -- + + + EXT. TOWER FACE - DAY + + Qualen gestures toward the mountain with the radio. + + TRAVERS + Is it set? + + QUALEN + Primed to go off right over his + head, officer. + + Hal explodes! He throws himself at Qualen, grabbing for the + radio. + + HAL + There's a bomb right over you-- + three minutes... + + + INT. CRACK - DAY + + Gabe and Jessie turn towards the unreachable radio. + + Hal is being pounded on by Delmar who rips the radio from his + hand. + + HAL + (V.O.) + Get out of there! Get-- + + + CUT TO: TOWER FACE + + DELMAR + Let me do the job. + + QUALEN + Soon. + + + + INT. CRACK + + Gabe leads Jessie horizontally through the crack, fast and + furious. + + JESSIE + (pointing) + We might be able to go that way. + + GABE + Forget it. If that charge goes + off before we can reach it, this + whole damn crevice will slam shut + on us. This way. + + They scramble along a single ledge as the crack narrows. + + + TOWER FACE + + Everyone is staring at the wall. Qualen looks at his watch: + the second hand sweeps around. + + TRAVERS + Why the hell are we wasting time + here?! + + QUALEN + Insurance against him finding + that last case ahead of us. + + He looks at Hal who has murder in his eyes. + + QUALEN + He wants to kill me. Pick a + number and wait your turn. + + + GABE AND JESSIE ON THE WALL + + Gabe takes the bolt gun from his belt and fires in a shaft of + metal and rigs a carabiner. + + + CUT TO + + Timer reading: 2:42 + + + GABE AND JESSIE + + Gabe rapidly scans the rock below. All smooth. He sees a lip + ninety feet below, leading into the wall: a cave. Gabe turns + back to Jessie and flips the rope off his shoulder. + + GABE + Pull it apart! + + JESSIE + What? + + GABE + Start pulling it apart! We're + climbing down on it. + + JESSIE + This rope is sixty years old! + + GABE + These old ropes can hold 900 + lbs., each strand 300. I'm 190, + you're about 135 -- it just may + hold. + + JESSIE + Never + + GABE + Never, what?! + + JESSIE + I've never weighed 135 lbs.! + + GABE + Helluva time for vanity! + + + HELICOPTER - MOVING OVER MOUNTAINS + + Frank is in the air, heading out toward the range. + + + TOWER FACE + + Qualen smiles. + + QUALEN + Here comes our limo. + + Delmar grabs Hal. They all scramble out of sight. + + + INSERT - THE BOMB + + The timer has about two minutes left -- 1:59 -- 1:58 -- + + + GABE AND JESSIE - AT CRACK'S EDGE + + They are furiously unravelling the rope. + + GABE + Almost have it. + + + EXT. HELICOPTER - FLYING OVER THE MOUNTAINS + + Frank is practically at the buttress and the facing Tower. + + KRISTEL + (V.O.) + I can hear you. Hurry. + + FRANK + (into radio) + I see your flare. I have visual + bearin'. I'm comin' in. Over. + + + GABE AND JESSIE - AT THE CRACK'S EDGE + + Gabe and Jessie have unravelled the rope fiber. It's three + different strands wound together. Gabe sees the chopper and + shoots off a flare. The chopper flies overhead and past. + + JESSIE + (frantically) + Frank! No, Frank! Frank! + + GABE + (hands Jessie rope) + Jess, c'mon... + + Gabe ties the rope to the carabiner. + + He takes the line and lets it drop. Ninety feet of what looks + like twine. + + GABE + C'mon, it's the only chance. + + Jessie's clearly not convinced, but there's no choice. She + starts to rappel down, Gabe close behind. + + + INSERT - THE BOMB + + is ready to blow -- 0:42 -- 0:41 -- + + + INT. CRACK + + Bloody and dying, Kynette musters all his strength and rises. + + + JESSIE AND GABE - RAPPELLING DOWN + + have to swing over to the side about fifteen feet to get to the + cave. It means a pendulum type swing that puts even more + pressure on the rope. The fibers begin to fray and snap. They + swing down lower, twenty feet to the cave, four thousand to the + ground. Fibers snap at an alarming rate. + + + INSERT - THE BOMB + + - 0:34 -- 0:33 -- + + + KYNETTE + + Emerges from the crack, knife in hand. + + + JESSIE AND GABE - RAPPELLING + + They reach the end of the rope, six feet above the cave and + fifteen feet away laterally. + + GABE + (shouting) + Swing and drop! + + They start the swing. As they get over the cave's lip, Kynette + grabs the rope and cuts it. Jessie and Gabe, still clinging to + the rope, fall onto the cave's narrow lip. Gabe lands, but + Jessie tumbles over the edge! She loses her grip and drops. + + JESSIE + Gabe! + + GABE + Hold on! Hold on! Reach up! + + Jessie reaches up with the other hand. + + JESSIE + I can't...I can't. + + Gabe's hand flashes out. He's got a tenuous grip on her + forearm. Jessie swings like a pendulum over the abyss. With + each swing her hand slips further down Gabe's arm, their grip + slides to wrist level. Gabe's hand digs into Jessie's glove + and holds. + + JESSIE + Oh, God...please, oh God! + + + FLASHBACK - GABE'S POV + + Sarah's hand slides out of her glove. He hears the exact same + dialogue. She falls...her eyes still locked on... + + + BACK TO: GABE + + GABE + Reach up! Do it! + + JESSIE + Don't let me fall! + + GABE + Do it, goddammit! + + His left hand finds a grip on a ledge. Pulling with all her + strength, Jessie starts to reach up with her free hand. He + inches up to her shoulder, bicep, forearm and finally grabs her + wrist. + + Gabe pulls her to safety. + + + THE BOMB -- 0:04 -- 0:03 -- + + + GABE AND JESSIE + + throw themselves across the cave's narrow lip. + + + ABOVE ON THE WALL + + the bomb detonates, raining debris and triggering a massive + rock slide. + + + KYNETTE + + turns. A storm of rock sweeps him to his death. + + + JESSIE AND GABE + + as the rockslide tumbles past. Safe, for now. + + JESSIE + Thanks for holding on. + + GABE + (standing) + We were going together before I + ever let go of you. + + JESSIE + I'm holding you to that. + (pause) + Gabe, what about Frank? + + GABE + I don't know. I don't know. + + + THE HELICOPTER - OVER THE TOWER + + Frank sees Kristel in a clearing, face down in the snow, and + banks down. + + + EXT. CLEARING + + Frank, running, carrying a first aid kit, pauses at the sound + of the explosion. + + FRANK + What the hell? + + He resumes running. He arrives at Kristel. He turns her over + and breaks a capsule over her nose. + + KRISTEL + Welcome. + + FRANK + What's happening here?! Where's + the rest of the group? + + Delmar steps out from his hiding spot. + + DELMAR + Here. + + FRANK + What're you doing? I came here + to help you all. + + DELMAR + You did. + + Delmar fires. The fusillade blasts into Frank. Delmar keeps + firing. Frank staggers to the ground. Silence. + + + CUT TO: TOWER FACE + + Hal has viewed this with Qualen's pistol to his head. + + HAL + He never hurt anybody. + + QUALEN + I'm touched. Kristel, check the + chopper, let's go. + + Hal rises and they move off. + + + EXT. MOUNTAIN - GABE AND JESSIE + + They are moving swiftly down a steep rock path. + + GABE + Crockett River is where the last + of the money fell. + + JESSIE + If we go along the northern + ridge, we can get there first. + + GABE + There's no "we". There's a me. + All I have to do is make it along + the north wall to Bitker Ladder. + What you're doing is going back + down to the station to get help. + And don't put on that mad face. + + JESSIE + Forget it. You're in no shape to + climb alone. + I stayed with you this far, and + you didn't drop me, so I owe you. + C'mon, let's go. Hurry up, time + is money. + + GABE + "Time is money" -- please. + + + EXT. THE TOWER - INCLUDE RESCUE COPTER + + Travers comes over, with Hal and Delmar in tow. Kristel + follows. + + TRAVERS + We'll use the copter to locate + the third case and get out of + here. + + KRISTEL + There's not enough fuel to search + around. Just enough to get us + down. + + QUALEN + Travers, you're not running + things. + + HAL + (to Travers) + When he finds the money, you're + as dead as me. + + Travers glares at Qualen. + + QUALEN + Give me the monitor. Now! + + Travers, strangely nonchalant, hands it to Qualen. + + Qualen looks to the screen, which reveals the locale of case + three. + + CLOSE - THE MONITOR + + suddenly goes completely blank. + + QUALEN + What's the code, Travers? + + TRAVERS + I told you, 50,000 possible + keycode combinations, in fifteen + second intervals. + + QUALEN + (roars) + Give me the fucking code! + + Travers pulls a pistol from behind his back. + + QUALEN + Look what you found. What was + your idea? To use the chopper to + find the money? Good idea, but + without a pilot, nobody gets off + this mountain. + + Qualen grabs Kristel and pulls her in front of him as a shield. + + KRISTEL + What're you doing? + + QUALEN + (to Kristel) + You know what I think love is + Kristel? The mistake that one + woman thinks she is different + from all the others. + + TWO SHOTS ring out. + + Blood blossoms across Kristel's chest. Shock and sadness on + her face. + + Qualen lets go of her. + + Dead, she slumps to the ground. + + Revealing Qualen's smoking pistol. + + QUALEN + Now, I'm the only one who can fly + us out of here. Partners again? + (low simmer) + Take your toy and get our money. + + Travers, Delmar and especially Hal are shocked by Kristel's + murder. + + QUALEN + (to Delmar) + Radio when you find it. I'm + waiting here. + + + EXT. BRIDGE + + Gabe and Jessie work their way up a steep slope, up to the rope + and timber bridge that spans the chasm. Gabe is several paces + ahead when he steps onto the bridge. A snapping sound from the + bolts freezes him. + + GABE + Get back! + + Jessie has just stepped onto the bridge. She jumps back. + The last bolt forced to take all the strain breaks free. + The bridge collapses, swinging down, spilling wooden slats and + debris into the chasm. The rope and timber completely unravel. + Gabe jumps off the disintegrating bridge onto the + + ROCK SPUR. + + Jessie grabs him, steadying him. + + GABE + Doesn't anything last?! + + Jessie turns, looking around, as if somewhere she'll see a + solution. + + JESSIE + My heart can't take much more of + this. Look, if we climb down + from here, it'll take two hours + to get back to the station. + + GABE + That's exactly what I want you to + do. + + JESSIE + What about you? + + He turns around, pointing across the chasm. + + GABE + What do you think? Maybe I could + reach the ledge without falling. + No, forget it. + + JESSIE + Oh, good. For a minute I thought + you'd lost your mind. + + GABE + + points to a series of tiny outcroppings just below where the + bridge was anchored. + + GABE + But maybe with a good start I can + hit those hand-holds. + + JESSIE + Hand-holds?! I can barely see + them. + + GABE + We don't have time to argue about + it! + + JESSIE + Are you crazy? Has the altitude + shrunk your brain, Gabe? + + GABE + (overriding) + Take the rope. + + JESSIE + I won't do it. No way. + + GABE + (overriding) + Take the rope. + + JESSIE + Enough's enough. How could + anybody in their right mind... + then again, you never were in + your right mind. + + GABE + Wrap it around that rock twice. + + JESSIE + I'm going to wrap it around your + throat! + + GABE + An' if I miss, dig in and try + your best to slow the fall. + + JESSIE + Forget it! I refuse! + + GABE + Fine, it shouldn't bother your + conscience. + + JESSIE + Don't lay any guilt on me. + Suicide's a personal thing, best + done alone. + + She turns and goes. Gabe doesn't look after her. He backs up, + all of his senses are focused on the gap and the hand-holds + beyond it. Push in on his face...a moment of meditation as he + centers himself. + + JESSIE + Please, Gabe, this is insane. + (to herself) + Please don't do this. I can't + watch this. I can't. + + She starts to quickly wrap the rope twice around a thin + outcropped rock. + + JESSIE + Y' know, you're not brave, you + just have no common sense. None! + + Then he's off! A few powerful strides and he leaps! + + ACROSS THE GAP + + Nothing but air for four thousand feet. His whole body would + like a spring, the wind rushing past. His arms firing out, + reaching + + THE ROCK + + racing to meet us. His hands stretching...stretching...his + fingers touching! Sliding down the rock, gripping the hand- + holds. Gabe, like a fly on the wall, hangs by nothing more + than his fingernails. + + JESSIE is determined not to turn and look. Suddenly, a scream! + + JESSIE + Gabe! + + She slowly turns and sees Gabe standing on the opposite ledge. + + GABE + Just kidding. + + JESSIE + Gabe? Wait 'til I get over + there. Tie the rope so I can + come across. + + GABE + Can't do it. Now go back and get + help! + + He lets the rope fall and runs off. + + JESSIE + Gabe, you bastard! Be careful! + + + EXT. COMB BLUFF - JET STAR CRASH SITE - DAY + + What's left of the Jet Star has been located. Several dozen + Treasury and FAA agents sift through the wreckage, taking + photos and putting pieces into bags for analysis. Many bags. + Many small bags. We move to one bag in particular. Above an + FBI chopper hovers. + + CLOSE ON BODY BAG + + as the zipper is pulled down. Before we can see anything, we + mercifully reverse POV. + + WRIGHT AND DAVIS + + are near a helicopter, with STUART, the overbearing FAA + forensics expert. + + A SEARCH PILOT zips the bag back up. + + STUART + We found I.D. on the dead pilot. + He was known to be in the company + of Qualen. We have to assume + this was his jet. + + WRIGHT + Unless you find additional + wreckage, we have to assume the + treasury jet was successfully + hijacked. + + STUART + You assume right. + + WRIGHT + Son of a bitch. Travers had to + have masterminded the whole + goddamn thing. So much for + having total faith in somebody. + Never again. Never. There's + still a chance they didn't pull + it off. + How do you explain the sudden + drop from the radar screen? I + want every able man up here until + this whole range has been turned + upside down! + + DAVIS + I'm on it. + + + EXT. MOUNTAIN WALL - GABE MOVING ON A LEDGE + + that's extremely narrow. It's got irregular breaks, causing it + to go up or down several feet, and Gabe is jogging it, leaping + across the ledge's gaps, leaning toward the wall and away from + the four thousand foot drop. + + He makes the last jump to a section of ledge near the bottom of + + + THE "BITKER" LADDER + + A prominent sign reads "Property of the Bitker Mining Company." + + The ladder consists of metal rungs woven into loose steel cable + bolted into the rock, running two hundred feet to the top, + something left here by a past expedition, now a tourist's toy. + The bottom rung is three feet above Gabe's outstretched arms. + + GABE + (coiling for jump) + Bitker you cheap bastard. + Couldn't you afford three more + feet?! + + Gabe leaps up, grabbing the bottom rung instead of a half mile + of air, and he shoots up the ladder as we PULL BACK. + + WIDER ANGLE ON MOUNTAIN WALL + + A closer look at terrain seen earlier. + + As we track Gabe up the ladder, we can see a lake on top of the + mountain. Constant motion keeps it from totally freezing, but + it is still coated with a solid sheet of ice. + + + ELSEWHERE ON MOUNTAIN SLOPE - HAL + + leads the others down the grade, we can see from their relative + position to the lake that Gabe has a lead on them. A very + slight one. + + + TOP OF LADDER - GABE + + pulls himself over and starts running into a + + ROCKY AREA + + where he spots the third case. It took a tough landing on a + rock. It's shattered into halves, and the bands of bank notes + are scattered around in the snow. + + Gabe rushes down behind a rock and starts gathering the cash. + Soaked by the snow, they've nearly frozen into ice bricks. + Something catches his eye. Several feet away he sees rabbit + tracks leading into a very prominent rabbit hole. + + + EXT. FURTHER UP ON SLOPE - HAL + + and the other two crest a rise. Unaccustomed to the altitude + and the exercise, Travers and Delmar are fading. They stop, + catching their breath. + + TRAVERS + + checks the monitor. Anxiety washes across his face. The + relative position shows they're... + + TRAVERS + Almost there. Alright, I've got + it locked in. + + DELMAR + (motions to Hal) + Then you're done with him. + + Delmar walks over to check the monitor. + + TRAVERS + (nods) + Yes, and do it quietly. Your + insane boss just made enough + noise for anyone within ten miles + to hear us. + + Travers studies the monitor and moves away. + + HAL AND DELMAR + + DELMAR + (pointing at Hal) + Ready to die quiet-like, asshole. + + HAL + Hey, let's get something + straight. + If I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, + but you're always gonna be the + asshole, so just shoot, alright. + + DELMAR + Who's shooting? + + Delmar rears back and slams his head against Hal's forehead, + driving him to the ground. Delmar then kicks him in the ribs. + + DELMAR + How we feelin' so far? Upset + stomach, aye? + + Hal recoils from another kick and tries to rise. + + DELMAR + Like soccer? Great sport! I was + a bloody good striker. Here's an + outside right. + (kicks) + + Hal recoils in pain as Delmar breaks the bone in his lower leg. + Hal howls in agony, but tries to rise. + + DELMAR + Did I hear somethin' break? + Outside left! + + HAL + Fuck you. + + DELMAR + Cursin'. That's a penalty kick + for unsportsmanlike conduct, + mate. + + He kicks Hal again, sending him back several feet, crashing + heavily on his side. Hal tries to remove a folding climbing + knife that fits in a sheath sewn into the side of his boot. + + DELMAR + A lovely chip shot to the winger! + (kicks) + + Hal has been kicked near the edge of a cliff. He weakly + reaches for his boot knife. Again this is not noticed by + Delmar, who's having a wonderfully sadistic time. + + DELMAR + Winger back to striker! + + Delmar kicks Hal, who is barely hanging on to consciousness. + + DELMAR + He dribbles past one defender. + (kicks) + Two defenders. + (kicks) + Three defenders! + + Hal lies crumpled on his side, curled in a ball of pain. + + DELMAR + Striker lines up to the goal... + focuses on the ball... + + Hal has barely managed to remove the knife and secretly opens + it. Its serrated edge glistens like a chrome serpent in his + hand. + + Delmar backs up to take perfect aim at the back of Hal's head. + + DELMAR + The crowd is on its feet, the + League Cup Championship for this + season comes down to this last + kick. The striker sees an + opening, draws back his foot and + fires! + + As Delmar's leg explodes forward, Hal spins and drives the + knife into Delmar's approaching shin bone. Delmar buckles in + pain, allowing Hal to reach up and snatch a pistol from the + goon's waistband. + + Hal fires from a prone position and catches Delmar in the mid- + section, which blows the large man upright, soaring onto his + back. + + HAL + The season's over, asshole. + + Hal struggles to his feet and removes Delmar's automatic weapon + and limps away in excruciating pain. + + + CUT TO - TRAVERS + + Travers turns, reacting to the shot and the distant sounds of + Delmar screaming. He thinks the painful cries are emanating + from Hal. + + TRAVERS + I said quietly...shit. + + Travers is looking down at the monitor. His eyes fix on the + screen, following the blip that's just ahead of him. He + freezes...the blip starts to move. + + TRAVERS + What the hell? + + Travers is now running, following the monitor's lead. + + TRAVERS + It can't be. + (furious) + It can't be! + + THE MONITOR + + The blip changes directions, likewise, Travers. + + + CUT TO: + + Hal has just finished tying a tourniquet around his upper leg. + He hobbles off. + + + TRAVERS + + is slogging up the hill after the blip, which now turns back + toward him. Travers aims his gun and waits. + + HILL TOP + + A large winter rabbit sticks his head over the hillside. + Travers sees the rabbit with the tracer fastened around its + neck and nearly goes apoplectic. He fires at the rabbit. + Bullets rip up the ledge as the animal runs away. Travers + reaches for his radio. + + TRAVERS + (into radio) + Come in--come in! + + + EXT. TOWER FACE + + Qualen in the chopper. + + QUALEN + You got what we need? + + TRAVERS + No, that son-of-a-bitch Walker is + alive. + + QUALEN + No names, this is an open line! + + TRAVERS + I don't give a shit, Qualen! I + had to be insane to ever tie up + with a low-life, piece of shit + like you. They beat us. A + couple of fuckin' hick mountain + boys beat the man no law agency + ever could. + + QUALEN + Get off the radio! + + + CUT TO - TREASURY CHOPPER - DAY + + Wright is monitoring the conversation between Qualen and + Travers through the headset. + + WRIGHT + Jesus Christ, that's Travers. + They're alive!! + (to pilot) + Get a bead on that frequency. + + + CUT TO - QUALEN AT THE CHOPPER - DAY + + QUALEN + Stop transmitting you stupid + bastard! + + + CUT TO - TRAVERS + + TRAVERS + Why? I always wanted my own + radio show! What was I thinking, + I must have been crazy to think + I could get away with it. It's + hard to believe I sold out after + twenty years and this is the + payback--to rot on a mountain + with a fucking dirtbag like you. + + + CUT TO - QUALEN + + QUALEN + You are losing your mind, + Travers! + + + CUT TO - TRAVERS + + TRAVERS + I lost it when I met you! Gotta + go, I'm doing my last official + man hunt. + + He turns, looking for some sign of Gabe. Then he sees it: + footprints in the snow. He takes off. + + + CUT TO - TREASURY CHOPPER - DAY + + WRIGHT + (to pilot) + You got a frequency bearing yet? + + PILOT + Not exactly, but close. + + The chopper banks wildly to the right and soars away. + + + CUT TO - GABE'S FEET + + sink into the snow. + + WIDER + + As Gabe makes his way to a thickly wooded area. He has the + money swung over his shoulder wrapped in a garment. Suddenly + BULLETS blast behind. + + TRAVERS + + slides down onto the level that Gabe is running. Finding his + footing, he fires again and bullets blast the bare tree + branches just above Gabe's head. He quickly bursts to his + feet, running for all he's worth. + + A round from a second burst of gun fire rips into Gabe's + shoulder. He tumbles out onto... + + + A SLOPE + + that leads down to the frozen lake. Gabe slips on the loose + rock and slides out of control, still holding the money bag. + + + TIMBER BRIDGE + + that spans out onto the river, rising at least 20 feet above + the ice. He slams into the base of it with a THUD. + + + EXT. MOUNTAIN TRAIL - DAY + + Jessie is running down the trail for all she's worth. She + hears the sound of a chopper approaching. Her expression + brightens as she now runs toward the sound. What lies before + her is a cliff edge that drops into an expansive valley. + + JESSIE + Frank, you're beautiful! + + She runs to the edge, just as the chopper rises into view like + a whirling dragon from hell. The blood drains from her face as + she locks eyes with the man at the controls--Qualen. He has an + automatic weapon trained on her. + + + EXT. TIMBER BRIDGE - DAY + + Travers runs onto the entrance of the bridge. Gabe is gone, + but his footprints indicate he's gone out onto the bridge. + + Travers cautiously follows the tracks to the end of the bridge + where they stop, giving the impression that Gabe jumped onto + the ice below. + + He peers over the edge. The ice stretches across the river + like glass, but no snow--thus no footprints. + + FROM UNDER THE BRIDGE + + We see Travers' head glance under. Finding nothing, he + retreats. + + CAMERA PANS and + + picks up Gabe about twenty feet back, wedged in an "X" + configuration against the underside of the bridge. + + The weight from Travers knocks bits of snow and ice onto Gabe. + He strains to hold himself in place. + + ON THE BRIDGE + + Travers steps back twenty feet, stops just above Gabe. He + notices that snow is scraped off the side, obviously where Gabe + crawled under. + + TRAVERS + Didn't you ever play hide and + seek when you were a kid, Walker? + Rule #1, cover your tracks. + + He aims his gun at the wooden planks below him. + + GABE + + knows it's coming. He releases his foot holds and swings, + holding on by just one hand. A stream of bullets rip past him + and lodge into the ice fifteen feet below. + + TRAVERS + Make it easy on yourself. You + stole the money, now I've got to + take you in. Come out so I can + read you your rights. + + TRAVERS + + can't tell if he hit him. He steps over to the edge, peers + down and, just as he does... + + GABE + + reaches for a hold with his other arm, swings his legs up and + does a kick maneuver, scissors his legs around Travers and + tries to pull him over the edge. Travers strains with all his + might, clinging to a cross rail for dear life. + + The thrust from Gabe's weight pulls Travers loose from his + hold, causing them both to... + + + EXT. ON THE ICE + + crash down onto the ice. A spider web of cracks jolt from the + point of impact. Gabe scrambles to his feet, sees Travers' gun + about ten feet away. + + As he lunges for it, Travers tackles him. The two of them + crash against the ice again. This time it gives way, dropping + them both into the FREEZING WATER. + + + EXT. UNDER WATER + + Dark, eerie silence. Rays of light come through from the clear + ice making it nearly impossible to identify the hole. + + Gabe and Travers struggle, clawing up toward the surface, + kicking...desperate. Gabe reaches for the opening, but Travers + pulls him down. + + + EXT. ON THE ICE + + Travers' head comes up, reaches for solid ice. Gabe yanks + himself up on Travers' back, GASPING for air. Travers elbows + him in the face. + + He loses his grip and slides back under the ice. + + + EXT. UNDER WATER + + Gabe reaches up with his arms, but the current pulls him away. + + + EXT. ON THE ICE + + Travers drags himself onto solid ice. Breathless, he lies face + down, looking... + + + EXT. UNDER WATER/THROUGH THE ICE + + Gabe has his mouth pressed against a tiny air pocket, GASPING. + He's holding on with only two fingers, just as if it were a + vertical climb, but he's not going to last much longer. We can + see the distorted shape of Travers staring back at him. + + + EXT. ON THE ICE + + Travers retrieves his weapon. + + + EXT. UNDER WATER + + Gabe loses his grip and is swept away by the slow moving + current. + + Travers steps above, preparing to blast him away with his + weapon. Gabe sees this just before he passes beneath a cloudy + patch of ice that causes Travers to momentarily lose sight of + him. + + Gabe still drifting, frantically claws at his bolt gun. + + + EXT. ON THE ICE + + Travers moves over the cloudy patch of ice, awaiting the second + Gabe will reappear. + + Gabe's head starts to pass into view. Gabe also can now see + Travers' outline. + + Travers LEVELS his weapon and takes AIM. + + Gabe FIRES the bolt gun. There is a solid THUD as the ice + underneath Travers bulges upward. + + Gabe's head emerges through the cracked ice as the bolt BURIES + itself into Travers' chest. + + GASPING for breath, Gabe can only manage to pull his head out + of the deathly water as Travers staggers several feet away. + + Gabe helplessly watches as Travers WEAVES forward. As life + ebbs from his body, Travers struggles to raise the automatic + weapon and aims it at Gabe's head. The weapon wavers then at + the final moment of truth. It descends as Travers can no + longer maintain consciousness. His weapon hangs at his side. + He spasmodically pulls the trigger. Bullets rip into the ice + at his feet and Travers disappears from view as if falling + through a trap door. + + + EXT. UNDER THE WATER + + Travers takes in water as the current pulls at him. He pushes + his face up for an air pocket, but there isn't one. + + + EXT. ON THE ICE + + Gabe, totally exhausted and only half out of the water stares + down. + + + ANGLE THROUGH THE ICE + + Travers is looking up at him, his gruesome, distorted face + gasping for its last breath. His eyes pleading for mercy as he + drifts into eternity. + + + EXT. ICE + + Gabe, exhausted, slips back into the water and is just about + totally submerged. A hand shoots into the freezing water and + yanks him back to the surface. + + HAL + + pulls Gabe to the surface. + + Gabe tries to focus on Hal. + + GABE + (coughing) + Am I dead, or are you alive? + + Hal hauls him out of the ice hold. + + HAL + Both. You gotta get outta these + clothes, fast. + + Hal opens his boot knife and with startling swiftness, + literally slices the near-frozen garments off his friend's + torso. + + HAL + Thanks for staying around when + you didn't have to. + + GABE + My pleasure. + + Hal places his jacket over Gabe's exposed upper body and pulls + off the outer shell of his foul weather gear and starts to + frantically rub his back and legs. + + HAL + Don't get the wrong idea, you're + not my type. + + + EXT. HELICOPTER - OVER MOUNTAINS + + The machine veers between towering out-croppings. + + INT. CHOPPER - DAY + + Qualen is at the controls. Jessie's hands are handcuffed to a + bar fastened to the chopper's roof. Qualen keys the headset + radio. + + QUALEN + Travers - come in. + + + EXT. SHORELINE + + Gabe is sitting, wearing the garments given to him by Hal. + + GABE + (still thawing) + How's your leg? + I'll live. Where'd you leave + Jessie? + + GABE + Near Freedom Falls. She went for + help. + + HAL + Hey, about everything that + happened with Sarah. I know you + did what you could-- + + QUALEN + (V.O.) + Travers--come in. + + Hal reaches over and grabs the radio. + + HAL + (keys the radio) + Too late, you missed him. He + decided to swim to Arizona-- + underwater. Any messages? + + Beat. + + QUALEN + (V.O.) + Tucker? + + GABE + (into mic) + Qualen, glad you stuck around. + There should be a few hundred + cops looking to meet you. + + Another beat. + + INTERCUT - GABE & HAL (SHORELINE) AND QUALEN (IN THE CHOPPER) + + QUALEN + Tucker, you know where the money + is-- I want it. + + HAL + (tired) + Qualen, go fuck yourself. The + game's over--you lost. + + QUALEN + (now he's had enough) + No, the goddamn game's not over! + It's never over when you're + playing against a team that + doesn't care if they win or lose-- + how do you negotiate with someone + like that?! + + HAL + What are you talking about? + + JESSIE + (V.O.) + Gabe! Hal! They killed Frank! + + TIGHT ON - Gabe reacting. He grabs the radio. + + GABE + Jessie! Are you alright? + + QUALEN + I want the money--meet me at the + highest point from where you are. + Don't do it and we're going to + see if your angel here can fly. + Copy? + + GABE + Copy. Jessie, go to the top of + Bitker ladder. + + QUALEN + (V.O.) + Love's a killer, isn't it? + + The radio goes dead. Hal is staring at Gabe. + + HAL + What are we going to do? + + GABE + Give him the money. + + Gabe takes Delmar's radio from Hal. + + HAL + I'm going with you. + + GABE + Not on that leg. + + HAL + Take the gun. + + GABE + You keep it. Get up there if you + can, and if you get a chance, do + me a favor and kill him. + + He starts off towards the bridge. + + + EXT. HELICOPTER + + The chopper, with Qualen in it, blasts over the lake, + searching. + + + INT. HELICOPTER + + Qualen scans the mountain side. He sees nothing. + + QUALEN + (into the headset) + Where are you, Walker? + + GABE + (V.O.) + You're getting warmer! + + + HELICOPTER'S POV + + along the rock wall, up the side of the precipice and there + is... + + GABE + + standing on the end of a narrow spur that juts out from the + mountain like a diving board, holding the backpack over the + edge. + + GABE + I've got your luggage! Give me + Jessie! + + The helicopter flies in low, circles him, nearly blowing Gabe + over the edge with its whirlwind. Gabe dangles the money. If + Qualen shoots him, the money falls, too. + + + INT. HELICOPTER + + Qualen hovers the chopper in front of him. He puts the gun up + against Jessie's head so that Gabe can see it. + + QUALEN + Throw it up or I'll kill her. + + GABE + (V.O.) + You do, and the spring thaw is + going to be worth a lot of cash! + + QUALEN + The money! + + GABE + WHEN SHE'S SAFE! + + + EXT. SPUR + + The chopper hovers a safe distance away from the ledge. Gabe + still stands on the overhang, the pack still held out over the + edge. + + + INT. HELICOPTER + + Qualen unlocks Jessie's cuffs. + + + EXT. SPUR + + Hovering fifteen feet above Gabe, Jessie lowers herself down on + the grappling cable. + + GABE + Run! + + She doesn't. + + JESSIE + What about you?! + + GABE + RUN, DAMMIT!! + + She runs for the protection of the rocks. + + Gabe and Qualen stare at each other. + + Qualen levels his gun at Gabe through the open passenger door. + + QUALEN + Let me have it!! + + Gabe hurls back the money like he was throwing an Olympic + hammer above the chopper and into the blade. The sack + disintegrates into a million pieces. + + GABE + Don't you want to count it? + + Qualen glares at Gabe and aims his weapon. Gabe ducks beneath + the chopper and hooks the cable to the top rung of Bitker + Ladder. + + THE HELICOPTER + + spins around, Gabe instantly flattens to avoid the tail + swinging past him and dashes away from the cliff's edge. + + Qualen wildly spins the chopper around looking for Gabe. The + cable from the chopper reels out as the machine maneuvers. + + CLOSE ON JESSIE + + eyes widening with fear. + + JESSIE + Run! Oh, my God! + + Gabe, realizing he does not stand a chance in the open, + reverses field and runs for all he's worth toward the cliff's + edge. + + THE HELICOPTER + + with its skids skipping just over the ground, gains on Gabe. + + GABE + + as he runs toward the mountain's edge. It's just a few feet + ahead, but the chopper is almost on him. As it drops lower on + the verge of overtaking him, he dives off the edge, FALLING. + Gabe falls the first twenty feet of the long drop, then grabs + a rung of the cable ladder. + + THE HELICOPTER + + flies low over the precipice, flying over the valley below. + + Gabe tries to frantically climb up the ladder when the cable + connected to the chopper pulls taut, popping the bolts that + hold the ladder in place, rung by rung. + + Qualen is disoriented by the sudden jolt. The engine strains + as the ladder weighs the machine down. Gabe hangs on for dear + life as the bolts holding the ladder continue to rip out. One + bolt explodes from the wall and crashes into the exposed upper + engine of the copter. Still going, the chopper strains' against + the ladder. Thirty feet of it tethers the chopper to the wall. + Gabe is dangling from the center of it. + + On the ladder, Gabe has one arm hooked around a rung, as the + chopper thrashes the ladder up and down. + + HAL appears at the top in time to witness this. He sees a + frantic Jessie and hobbles to her. + + INSIDE THE CHOPPER + + Qualen is totally enraged. + + INSERT - THE ENGINE + + as sparks fly, it slowly grinds to a halt. + + THE HELICOPTER + + still strains against the cable ladder, but the rotor blades + slow. + + GABE ON LADDER + + stares at the stalling rotor. If it were possible for him to + grip the ladder tighter, he'd do it now. + + JESSIE AND HAL + + JESSIE + Oh, my God! + + HAL + Climb, Gabe, climb! + + ON THE HELICOPTER + + As the rotor WHOPS to a dead halt, the chopper arcs down and + slams against the mountain wall sideways. The winch cable is + still caught in the ladder, and it holds. + + Gabe is shaken off by the massive impact. He falls, landing on + the helicopter's side near the smoking propeller. As Gabe + scrambles up for a solid hold, + + INSERT - THE WINCH CABLE + + One of the two rungs holding the chopper bursts. + + THE HELICOPTER + + slips, now hanging from just a single rung. Gabe is sliding + off the machine but manages to angle his body and prop himself + against the blade. + + CHOPPER ROOF + + Qualen crawls out the side, and as his head clears the doorway, + he sees Gabe and fires his machine gun. Gabe ducks behind the + base of the propeller as bullets rip into the side. The gun is + empty and Qualen throws it aside and crawls out to challenge + Gabe. + + GABE + Come on--one last challenge! + + They latch into a death struggle against the center of the rear + flank of the chopper. Qualen tries to gouge Gabe's eyes out, + but Gabe manages to break free and pounds him repeatedly + against the head. + + CUT TO: + + Hal tries to aim his weapon, but there is no clear shot. + + + CUT TO - THE TREASURY CHOPPER + + Wright and Davis swing into view. Wright looks through + binoculars. + + WRIGHT + It's Qualen! Get me down there. + + + CUT TO - THE LADDER + + The bolt supporting the ladder, which in turn supports the + chopper, is being worked loose by the ensuing battle. With + each of the men's movement the bolts slip further out. + + + CUT TO - TREASURY CHOPPER + + The chopper drops lower and directly above Gabe and Qualen. + The chopper's backwash makes the men appear as if they are + battling in a hurricane. + + + INT./EXT. CHOPPER + + Qualen manages to force Gabe's neck against the chopper's + blades. Gabe manages to drop low and drive home several killer + punches that now have Qualen on the verge of unconsciousness. + Gabe feels a sudden snap, sharp movement of the fuselage. He + realizes he has only seconds to live. Pulling himself away + from Qualen, he prepares to jump. + + Qualen, with his last remaining strength, grabs his legs, + tackling him. + + QUALEN + We go together, Walker! + + Gabe tries to crawl towards the ladder. The bolt is + milliseconds from snapping. + + Jessie frantically yelling down. + + JESSIE + Gabe! Jump!! + + Qualen tightens his grip on Gabe's legs. + + QUALEN + (hissingly) + You lost! + + Gabe breaks a foot loose and kicks Qualen square in the head. + + GABE + You fell. + + Qualen slides back and tumbles into the door opening, landing + awkwardly against the dashboard. + + + EXT. CHOPPER + + At the precise moment the chopper finally breaks loose. + + Gabe leaps, catching the final rung on the ladder. + + + THE FALL - LONG SHOT + + Qualen's screams trail behind the helicopter as we follow the + entire 4000 foot drop. + + + INT. CHOPPER + + We see Qualen is flattened against the windscreen looking + straight down as the ground furiously rushes forward. + + + EXT. CHOPPER + + Gabe watches as the chopper falls nose first like an atomic + bomb, finally exploding into a massive fireball on the valley + floor. + + + INT. TREASURY CHOPPER + + Wright turns to the pilot. + + WRIGHT + Now that's justice. Let's get + down there. + + + EXT. SPUR + + Gabe turns and looks back at the wall. He struggles with his + remaining strength to pull himself up on one rung. + + Gabe leans back, gripping the ladder, too tired to move. + + Just the thought of one more climb drains him. + + GABE + (mumbling) + Forget it. No way. I've had it. + + Before Gabe can take this any farther, a loop tied to the end + of a rope falls next to him. Gabe looks up. The same old + Douglas rope that he left with Jessie. + + ON THE EDGE - HAL + + has thrown the line down, Jessie is by his side. + + HAL + Remember, keep your arms and legs + in the vehicle at all times-- + + Gabe puts the loop around himself and tightens it by rote. + Even this action aches. + + Hal and Jessie draw Gabe up. Gabe pulls some of his weight by + using hand and foot holds, but when he reaches + + THE PRECIPICE EDGE + + Hal and Jessie are both winded from the effort of hauling Gabe + onto the top. Gabe unties himself and collapses into Jessie's + lap. + + HAL + (winded, coiling rope) + Jesus -- you think you could have + put a little less effort into + that climb? I thought you were + in shape. + + Jessie embraces Gabe. They share the kiss of their lives. + + GABE + The "old mouth to mouth" + resuscitation routine. + + JESSIE + There's a lot more where that + came from. You're not leaving + again? + + GABE + And miss all of this peace and + quiet? Never, right Hal? + + HAL + Right. + + JESSIE + Then it's a deal. + + They kiss as the camera pulls away to reveal the magnificent + mountain range. + + + + + +