Lesson 24

[Kenneth Johnson]

Kenneth Johnson – Fill In Missing Scenes

What I learned with this assignment is that I have quite a few missing scenes to add. This is a good script right now at 20% quality. After 3 or 4 more drafts this could be something special.

EXT. KOREAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION – TERRACE – NIGHT

Lee and Michael look out over the water in silence for a moment.

LEE
Not long after I got back with our side, they disbanded the 24th. Retired the flag and everything. We were folded into the rest of the Army.. with all the other Americans. That’s when we realized just how bad we had it. We had new uniforms and weapons, hot meals and clean beds like we had never seen since we got in country. It was good, but it really just made the bitterness that much more bitter.

Lee is done talking. He has said all that needs to be said.

MICHAEL
So what’s the other part.

LEE
What?

MICHAEL
There’s more to this.

LEE
I always knew you were a little slow. I guess that’s why you became a writer. I’ve told you my story. There’s nothing else to tell. Now it’s up to you what you’re gonna’ do with it.

Michael considers this for a moment.

MICHAEL
I’m not talking about the story, Dad. I’m talking about you. You survived all of this and you never seemed happy about it.

LEE
Happy? What have I got to be happy about? I survived when none of my friends did. I had a front row seat to watch each of the best friends that I ever had get his face blown off… get shot through neck… get a bayonet in the gut… and get blown to pieces right next to me.

FLASH BACK

EXT. KOREAN VALLEY – MORNING

Young Lee slowly, carefully pulls the shattered remains his buddy on top of himself.

A Chinese soldier walks over to where Lee is lying. He cocks his rifle and then prods the corpse with his bayonet.

Only Lee’s eye is visible as he watches the feet of the soldier.

Seeing no reaction from his prodding, the enemy soldier starts to go, but spots a watch on the wrist of the corpse, bends down to take the watch right in front of Lee’s eye. He then moves on to check another casualty for signs of life.

END FLASH BACK

LEE
I survived when I had no right to.

Lee sobs uncontrollably.

Michael is shocked. He puts an arm around his dad, and says nothing.

MONTAGE

INT. LOTTE WORLD HOTEL – BALLROOM STAGE – DAY

All of the church volunteers gather on stage at the head of the room with all of the veterans and their families seated in the audience. The volunteers all kneel and bow their heads to the floor in unison.

MICHAEL
(V.O. Narration)
Our warm and generous Korean hosts made it clear just how much they appreciated the service of those Korean War veterans. Including Dad.

Pastor Chun steps behind Lee and plants a kiss on the top of his head. Lee can only grin, amused. One of the dreadlocked photographers gets a picture.

EXT. MICHAEL’S HOUSE – BACKYARD – DAY

Michael, Cheryl, and their three daughters enjoy a barbecue with family and friends. Lee is the guest of honor.

MICHAEL
(V.O. Narration)
When we got home everyone wanted to hear about the trip. So, we threw a party and everyone was duly impressed. Dad got a kick out of it.

They all pose around Lee for a picture.

INT. MOVIE STUDIO – DAY

Weldon shakes hands with Michael as Kyle and Tucker nod approvingly.
MICHAEL
(V.O. Narration)
I delivered the script. Paid off the mortgage and every other bill we had.

His agent, Jerry looks the most pleased of all.

INT. LEE’s HOUSE – NIGHT

Lee sleeps peacefully.

MICHAEL
(V.O. Narration)
And Dad finally got a good night’s sleep.