Lesson 21

[Kenneth Johnson]

Kenneth Johnson – Act 4 First Scenes

I learned that my characters are becoming more foamier with each other and their interactions are making more sense.

Beginning: In the hotel room, Lee wakes up shouting and in a cold sweat. Michael rolls out of bed to calm him.

Middle: At breakfast, their host gives a welcoming speech laying out their itinerary. Again, Lee tries to avoid mingling with the white vets in uniform, but one asks about his unit, Lee tells him and the guy looks him over before just walking away. Michael is shocked.

End: Lee tells how during the war his Company made a successful river crossing against strong resistance. But another of the 24th’s Companies tried to make a crossing farther down the river. The water was deeper, the current was stronger, and the enemy was dug-in and reinforced. That crossing failed, and that’s what got reported.

INT. LOTTE WORLD HOTEL – LEE & MICHAEL’S SUITE – NIGHT

There are two queen-size beds with Michael in one and Lee in the other. The CLOCK reads 2:30am. Michael is bundled in the covers, turned away from from Lee with his eyes wide with concern.

Lee is speaking in his sleep. Rising and falling in volume from a whisper to angry shout.

LEE
There’s nobody covering our flank… On the left, 10 o’clock… Look out… Keep firing…. Keep firing… They got Willy… Medic! Medic… They’re still coming… They’re still coming!

With this Michael rolls over. He speaks with a calm but insistent voice, like he’s seen this before.

MICHAEL
Dad, are you OK? You are really starting to freak me out. That was pretty loud this time. I mean what will the neighbors say?

LEE
Oh boy, go back to sleep.

Lee is covered in sweat. He gets up and goes into the bathroom and comes back with towel. He wipes his face, back and chest before getting back in bed, moving over to the side of the bed that isn’t wet with sweat.

MICHAEL
My plan was not to be awake in the first place, Dad. What was that all about?

LEE
Just a bad dream, Mikey.

Lee snuggles down in his blankets.

MICHAEL
I’ve been around for quite a few of your “bad dreams.” This one was pretty focused. Where were you?

Lee has his eyes screwed shut and is trying not to listen. Then he relents.

LEE
Right here. Well, not far from here.

MICHAEL
Have you had this dream before?

LEE
Not like this. I can’t think now. Let me sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.

MICHAEL
It is morning.

LEE
Go to sleep, boy.

INT. LOTTE WORLD HOTEL – BUFFET HALL – DAY

The buffet is decked out with popular breakfast dishes from around the world. Lee is happy to be able to enjoy a hearty American style breakfast.

Pastor Chun steps to the front of the flanked by some of the Korean church volunteers.

PASTOR CHUN
I promise only one thing. This will be the fastest sermon you have ever experienced. Lord bless this meal and all who are gathered to enjoy it. Amen.

There is murmuring and stirring among the veterans.

Pastor Chun smiles.

PASTOR CHUN
That was not the sermon. That was grace.

Some minor chuckles from the group.

PASTOR CHUN
What I want to share with you are a few thoughts about gratitude. Rich or poor, we can appreciate what we have. Here in Korea we have seen poverty and famine. Today we celebrate our economic strength and resilience on the world stage. And who do we have to thank for that? You. The brave soldiers who protected us. Saved us. Allowed us, through the grace of God, to build this great nation that you see here today. From our hearts we say, thank you.

Pastor Chun and the other church volunteers all bow deeply in unison.

The veterans applaud.

Everyone stands and begin to head downstair. Lee sees some of the veterans who are wearing their 1950s uniforms and he tries to steer away from them. But Lee turns right into the face of a smiling uniformed vet, who sticks out his hand with a smile.

TOM
Well hello there soldier. Tom Gunderson

LEE
Lee Jones.

TOM
What outfit were you with, Lee?

Lee grits his teeth a bit.

LEE
The 24th Infantry Regiment.

TOM
Oh, well, uh… that was a long time ago wasn’t it. Better catch up with my group. Nice meeting you.

Tom moves away as quickly as his 89 year old legs will take him.

Michael frowns a bit. Not sure what he just saw.

MICHAEL
That was curious.

Lee looks a little wistful.

LEE
I suppose the river thing was a good example.

FLASH BACK

EXT. KOREAN COUNTRYSIDE – RIVERBANK – DAY

There is heavy gunfire going in both directions across the river. Mortar shells explode in the water and on both shores. Around 200 Black soldiers are fighting their way across to the far shore.

LEE
(V.O. Narration)
Our Company, Company K, was ordered to make a river crossing and cut off a key enemy supply line. We did a passable job. Those North Koreans put a pretty good fight, but we thumped ‘em good. Those big wigs up at Battalion were happy with us.

Farther down the river is another Company from the 24th Infantry Regiment. Unfortunately, the fire coming from the far bank is much heavier. The black soldiers are getting cut to ribbons but they press on. They find the water is deeper and they’re trying to use rubber rafts and folding boats, but these are getting with accurate mortar fire.

LEE
(V.O. Narration)
The problem was, there was another Company that was supposed to cross the river a ways downstream from us. The water was deeper, the current was stronger, and the enemy was dug-in and reinforced. They got pounded like there was no tomorrow. And for too many, there wasn’t. That crossing failed. They forgot all about us and our success. The failure, that’s what got reported back in the states.

A heavy barrage of mortars begin to fall in the water and on the near bank, driving the soldiers back.

LEE
(V.O. Narration)
They even had a little rhyme. It wasn’t very good. “When the mortars start thuddin’ the old deuce four starts buggin’”.

END FLASH BACK

Lee looks at Michael with tired eyes.

LEE
That rhyme was the start of plenty of fights.

Lee heads downstairs toward the coaches.