Lesson 23

[Kenneth Johnson]

Kenneth Johnson – Act 4 Resolution

What I learned in this lesson is that my characters are far more eloquent on their own situations than I ever imagined. I need to spend more time listening to what they have to say.

Beginning: Michael and Lee are at a Korean Business Association banquet. Michael finds two seats and sits, Lee keeps walking and sits a few seats down.

Middle: The keynote speaker is General Ransom Sherman, in command of all U.S. forces in Korea. After his speech Michael meets General Sherman and tells him about his father. The General meets Lee. He tells him that he know about the 24th and he understands how biased the after action reports were. He knows how the 24th really fought. The General renders a salute, shakes Lee’s hand, and thanks him for his service. “We are proud of you, soldier.”

End: Lee tells how he made his way behind enemy line back to American forces. He tries to explain that he’s not ashamed of what people thought of the 24th. He is ashamed that he survived while all of his friends died.

INT. KOREAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION – AUDITORIUM – NIGHT

Michael and Lee walk into the room with the other veterans. Michael chooses a chair and sits down. Lee continues down a few more seats before sitting down. Michael looks down the table but Lee makes a point of looking the other way.

Waiters bring wine and a sumptuous meal. Naomi perches on the seat next to Michael.

NAOMI
So, your Dad seems pretty unhappy.

MICHAEL
He’s pissed. “Pissed off” is a little stronger than “unhappy”.

NAOMI
Well, I can tell you, Pastor Chun is non-too-happy.

MICHAEL
Yeah, he’s pissed off, too. You may not be able to tell, but we are deeply grateful for being included in this. No one has ever done anything like this for my dad.

NAOMI
But he will not give us his story.

MICHAEL
I’ve crossed a line with him. We’ve been going about this the wrong way.

Pastor Chun steps up to the podium on a low stage. The assembled group gives light applause after each of his statements.

PASTOR CHUN
I trust you all enjoyed the river cruise? Our business association has kindly provided this lovely banquet for us tonight. And as a special surprise that you service men will appreciate, they have invited as keynote speaker the general in charge of all U.S. forces in Korea, General David Sherman.

The entire audience applauded strongly.

General Sherman steps up to the podium and smile broadly, taking in the applause with good nature.

Michael looks around and sees the reaction of the crowd and how well regarded this general is. He has a thought.

INT. KOREAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION – AUDITORIUM – LATER

The General has a martini and toasts with small group of veteran in their late 80s. Michael his opportunity and approaches him.

MICHAEL
General Sherman, may I introduce myself?

GENERAL SHERMAN
Certainly.

They shake hands firmly.

MICHAEL
My name is Michael Jones. I’m here with my father, Lee Jones. He served with the 24th Infantry Regiment. It’s been a tough 70 years for him. I was wondering if you could talk to him.

GENERAL SHERMAN
The 24th, huh? What Company?

Michael is a little surprised by this question.

MICHAEL
Company K, sir.

GENERAL SHERMAN
He was there in ’51?

Cautiously, Michael wonders where he is going with this.

MICHAEL
Yes he was.

The General scans the room and spots Lee sitting with one of the female church volunteers who is telling him about the Korean food in front of him and how best to enjoy it.

The General crosses the room and Lee sees him coming. Lee stands up and stands straighter than he has the whole time. In fact it looks like he’s trying to stand at attention. Michael catches up.

MICHAEL
This is my father, Lee.

LEE
Lee Jones. 24th Infantry Regiment.

GENERAL SHERMAN
I know about the 24th. I know the after action reports were a load of crap. A Company doesn’t get wiped out by running away. A Company is wiped out standing their ground and holding the line against impossible odds… and fighting to the last man.

Lee is welling up.

LEE
I was the last man.

The General comes to attention and renders a salute. Lee manages to stand up even straighter and returns the salute. Then the General shakes Lee’s hand.

GENERAL SHERMAN
You did good, soldier. I hope you know that we are all grateful for your service and we are very proud of you. Thank you.

Michael waits for them to release the grip on their handshake, then fumbles his phone out of his pocket.

MICHAEL
Can I get a picture?

Lee is strangely calm and the General has actually welled up a bit, too. It’s a very good picture of the two of them.

EXT. KOREAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION – TERRACE – NIGHT

Michael and Lee step out into the night and lean on a rail overlooking the Han river with the city skyline twinkling on the other side.

LEE
I was behind enemy lines for almost two weeks before I made it back to our side.

FLASH BACK

EXT. KOREAN VILLAGE – NIGHT

The villagers feed Lee. They drape a blanket on his shoulders and put a hat on his head.

They give him a bundle of food and a walking stick before sending him on his way.

LEE
(V.O. Narration)
The villagers that we shared our chocolate with fed me and pointed me in the right direction to get back.

INT. JONES FAMILY HOME – KITCHEN – DAY

His father, mother, and sister look devastated as they read and re-read the telegram.

LEE
(V.O. Narration)
Back at home my family had received a telegram stating that I was missing in action, presumed dead.

INT. JONES FAMILY HOME – LIVING ROOM – DAY

Lee’s father is sitting an easy chair reading the paper when his wife, daughter and another son excitedly run in with a STARS & STRIPES MAGAZINE.

LEE
(V.O. Narration)
A week later they saw me in Stars and Stripes magazine in a photo of survivors of the Chinese offensive. That’s how they found out I was alive.

In the magazine is a black and white photo of Lee in the back of a truck with other very disheveled looking soldiers.