Act III – Truth, Justice and the American Way
SCENE 067 – Exterior, AL QAEDA TRANING CAMP near PAKISTAN, dusk
Several squads of AL QAEDA SOLDIERS are assembled, listening to propaganda from AL-TARIQ, who stands on a sand dune. They are chanting jihad chants, shooting rifles into the sky and holding flaming torches. All dialogue is subtitled.
AL-TARIQ
Soon the day of reckoning will come for our enemies. We will avenge our humiliated brothers. Allah’s will shall be done!
The crowd of soldiers yells in approval.
AL-TARIQ
Soon, the Americans will pay for their lack of focus and we shall be victorious again!
AL-TARIQ produces a scarecrow dressed in American flags and stabs it in the stomach with a short sword. The crowd of soldiers goes crazy and starts chanting. AL-TARIQ throws the scarecrow into the crowd and the soldiers dance on top of it.
BIN DRAVEN appears atop the sand dune next to AL-TARIQ. The crowd of soldiers falls silent, in reverence to BIN DRAVEN. BIN DRAVEN very calmly raises his hand and addresses the soldiers with an icy-cool, calm demeanor.
BIN DRAVEN
Be ready. Be fierce. Be ready to die in the name of jihad.
BIN DRAVEN unceremoniously walks off the berm. The soldiers begin to howl and chant wildly once again.
SCENE 068 – Interior, CAP’S PRIVATE QUARTERS at U.S. MILITARY TRAINING CENTER, night
FURY sits on a chair in CAP’S quarters smoking a cigar. He is holding CAP’S small, framed picture of KIMBERLY. CAP starts to unlock the door and FURY puts the picture back on the nightstand. CAP seems startled by FURY’S unexpected presence.
CAP
What are you doing here, Nick?
FURY
Things are heating up, Steve. One of my squads in Afghanistan captured one of bin Draven’s top people and we’ve got him talking.
CAP
Is it go-time?
FURY
You ready?
CAP
Ready as I’ll ever be.
FURY
Good. Here’s the deal. So far, bin Draven’s man told us that they are going to hunker down in Al Qaeda’s underground stronghold. They call it the Alamut. It’s somewhere in the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan. He’s gonna help us locate it and simulate its schematics in an effort to plea for mercy from the courts.
CAP
We’re gonna hit it? This, Alamut?
FURY
Yeah, but it’s gotta be quick. They’re planning something big at this Alamut fortress. Sleeper cells from all around the world are gonna get some orders coming out of this meeting.
CAP
If we knock out all of the top people at this meeting, we knock out the threat?
FURY
That’s the plan. Problem is, these guys are hard to get to. Leaders are constantly emerging when the old leaders get caught or killed. They reorganize quick and they’re fierce as hell.
CAP
We’ll be just as fierce then.
FURY
Steve, these guys aren’t afraid to die. It’s a privilege to them – part of their jihad. We’re talking about people that took down the World Trade Center with nothing more than box cutters, knowledge of aviation and a well-detailed plan.
CAP
I’m ready to take ‘em on. Agent Valentine taught me well.
FURY
Good. We should be ready for a debrief by late tomorrow. My interrogation team is gonna work on bin Draven’s man all night and hopefully come up with something for us by morning. From there, S.H.I.E.L.D. will set up a tactical plan. We might be flying into enemy territory by early Sunday.
CAP
Who is going?
FURY
A small strike team. You, me and three of my new Howlers that call themselves The Black Hole. Outside of that, it’ll be a skeleton crew of pilots, engineers, medics and crewers. I’m leaving behind DUM DUM and the rest of the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to handle some domestic business.
CAP
How many are we gonna be up against?
FURY
Hard to say. I guess we’ll have a better idea once bin Draven’s man is done talkin’.
CAP
Keep me informed, Nick. I’ll be ready whenever you need me.
FURY
I know you will. Get your game face ready.
FURY leaves the room. CAP picks up his picture of KIMBERLY and decides it is time to put her in his past.
CAP
(Speaks softly to the picture) I’m sorry Kimmy, but it’s time to go. I’ll never forget all that you meant to me.
CAP stashes the picture away in the back of a dresser drawer. Cap sits quietly and reflects on his past, his surreal present and his inevitable future.
SCENE 069 – Exterior, HELICOPTER LANDING PAD at U.S. MILITARY TRAINING CENTER, day break
We start with a tight shot of a helicopter’s noisy propellers in action. CAP, FURY and GENERAL GRIVOUS walk together toward a sleek, military-style helicopter. They all have to shout because the helicopter is ready for take off.
FURY
We thought it’d be more convenient to go over the plan and the Op-Tech up at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.
CAP
Where is that, exactly?
FURY
It’s up in the sky. It’s a giant Sky-Destroyer that acts as our flying base of operations.
GENERAL GRIVOUS
Wait till we get there, it is absolutely incredible - untraceable by radar and has an invisible shield.
CAP
(Smirks) Whatever you say.
GENERAL GRIVOUS smiles smugly at CAP, as if he just fell off of the turnip truck.
The helicopter approaches the massive, airborne SKY-DESTROYER surrounded by a half dozen escort fighters, which is an awesome sight. This should be one of the few CGI shots in the entire movie.
SCENE 070 – Interior, S.H.I.E.L.D. SKY-DESTROYER COMMAND CENTER
CAP, FURY and GENERAL GRIVOUS enter the circular COMMAND CENTER. In the command center are VICTORIA VALENTINE, THE BLACK HOLE, the U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE and a few S.H.I.E.L.D. crewers.
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
Welcome everyone. As you know, we have the coordinates to Al Qaeda’s hidden fortress near the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Bin Draven’s man also gave us information on the rotation of the guards who will protect the entrance to the fortress during an Al Qaeda planning meeting that will commence sometime within the next two days. You will have a small window of opportunity; al Qaeda’s leadership rarely stays in one location for more than a day or two.
The U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE steps aside and a HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGE of the ALAMUT and its surrounding landscape appears over a circular projector in the center of the room. FURY takes over the briefing.
FURY
Before I get started, I want to introduce you all to Steve Rogers (gestures a hand at CAP). You all can call him Cap; he’s gonna be a big part of the strike team going into the Alamut.
Everyone in the room acknowledges CAP and he nods.
FURY
The Sky-Destroyer will drop off the strike team and a warthog vehicle on the other side of the mountain fortress. From there, we’ll make our way to an adjacent mesa to monitor activity near the entrance to the fortress. Once we ascertain that al Qaeda’s leadership has arrived, we can move forward. The warthog probably gets abandoned.
As FURY speaks, different areas of the HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGE light up to indicate specific strategic locations that he is discussing.
FURY
(Speaks to his three BLACK HOLE HOWLERS) Black Hole: you guys are gonna take out a look-out guard stationed on top of a berm about 200 yards away, plus two door guards. The look-out guard will be the responsibility of Pirate (Irish-American). Skull (African-American) and Bones (Arabic-American), you guys will take out the two door guards stationed in a mountainside enclave once you get a confirmation signal from Pirate. Once SKULL and BONES get the signal, you need to dress yourselves in the robes and headdresses of the door guards and obtain the pass codes to the main gate. At that point, you’ll act as our guards, taking out any remaining members of Al Qaeda that look to enter the fortress. That should give me and CAP roughly one hour to infiltrate and capture as many Al Qaeda big wigs as we can take alive. Bin Draven is wanted alive, but lethal force is acceptable on him, or any Al Qaeda operative, if necessary.
CAP
How many Al Qaeda operatives will be inside the Alamut?
FURY
There will be any number of guards littered throughout the sophisticated series of tunnels leading to the main destination at the bottom of the fortress. We’re guessing a dozen in each of the two tunnels. Plus another dozen of bin Draven’s lieutenants and personal entourage in the main chamber at the bottom of the tunnel system.
The HOLOGRAPHIC SCHEMATICS of the sloped tunnel system leading to the destination point pop up from the projector.
FURY
We must use stealth as much as possible. Bin Draven’s lieutenant indicated that the fortress could be rigged with ancient traps and alarms. If we go in loud and proud it could really screw things up for us.
GENERAL GRIVOUS
They’ll have no problem blowing the whole mountain to pieces with a suicide bombing if it prevents us from capturing bin Draven alive.
FURY
It won’t come to that if we do our job right. Agent Valentine?
VICTORIA takes over the briefing and explains that the strike team will stay in communication with wireless headsets built into their helmets. A visor on the helmet will allow the team to see a real-time tracking schematic of the fortress at all times and also provide a helmet-cam video feed back to the SKY-DESTROYER.
U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY
I can’t tell you how important this is to our national security and prosperity as a nation. (Pauses) I have to catch a ride back to Quantico, so I wish you all God’s speed and good luck.
The DEFENSE SECRETARY leaves the room; the team remains in the room to discuss details of the plan. The boisterous members of THE BLACK HOLE start to brag and bicker about who will emerge from the mission as “the man” and who will get to drive the WARTHOG.
CAP approaches FURY and expresses mild concern.
CAP
What if I’m not fast enough with the Op Tech? It’s all still new to me.
FURY
Don’t sweat it. Let your natural instincts kick in. Plus, you’re still pretty good with a shield, right?
CAP
(Wry) Right.
FURY excuses himself to discuss minor logistics with GENERAL GRIVOUS. CAP sees that VICTORIA is still in the COMMAND CENTER and approaches her.
CAP
Agent Valentine, may I have a word with you out in the hallway?
VICTORIA
Yes, of course.
SCENE 071 – Interior, S.H.I.E.L.D. SKY-DESTROYER HALLWAY
CAP
I want to thank you for all you’ve done.
VICTORIA
Steve, it was an honor. You’re going to do great on this mission.
CAP
Aside from the mission; you were the only one that encouraged me to discover what America is like in the here and now. I needed that.
VICTORIA
How did that go?
CAP
This country is the same as always - people may look and act differently, but the spirit is still the same. I’m still proud to defend this place.
VICTORIA
This country is lucky to have a soldier like you.
CAP
(Changes subject) The first time I left home to go and fight, I left everything behind. I risked it all and paid a big price.
VICTORIA
Now you’re about to risk it all again –
CAP
This time things are gonna be different. I’m no longer a wide-eyed kid. I’m coming back this time -
VICTORIA
Steve –
CAP
And I’m coming back for you. It’s my turn to ask you for a date – a real date.
VICTORIA
Steve, that’s not –
CAP
I don’t care what Fury thinks. Hopefully after all of this is over I won’t have to fight anymore – or follow anyone’s rules. I’ll just be Joe Civilian.
VICTORIA
I’ll be waiting … Joe.
SCENE 072 – Exterior, MOUNTAINS near AFGHAN/PAKISTAN BORDER, night
A convoy of AL QAEDA leaders and soldiers, including BIN DRAVEN and AL TARIQ, ride leisurely on horseback across the desert. AL TARIQ rides side by side with BIN DRAVEN and speaks to him with excitement. All foreign dialogue is subtitled.
AL TARIQ
I can feel it, my leader. Jihad is near.
BIN DRAVEN
Jihad decides when jihad is near, young Faysal.
AL TARIQ
Yes, my leader, but I can feel Allah’s will, guiding us to this meeting. We shall emerge with a new direction – a direction decided by Allah.
BIN DRAVEN
You must be careful, Faysal. Do not misread Allah’s messages.
AL TARIQ
Last time I felt this way was the day we destroyed the buildings in New York.
BIN DRAVEN
Perhaps this time it will be our sacred structure that will be destroyed.
AL TARIQ
My leader, that can not be. Why must you always rebuke me?
BIN DRAVEN
It is not a punishment. You must simply open your mind to all possibilities and not confine yourself to one, narrow and personal point of view. You can not allow your emotions to mislead you, Faysal. We can not afford that, especially if you are to lead our sacred cause some day.
BIN DRAVEN
Why do you honor me with such talk, my leader? I am not worthy.
BIN DRAVEN
Because, Faysal, we are only as strong as our next generation.
SCENE 073 – Interiors, INDIVIDUAL SLEEPING QUARTERS aboard S.H.I.E.L.D. SKY-DESTROYER, short MONTAGE
Accompanied by music, each member of the strike team is shown conducting his own pre-battle ritual.
CAP is seen adding a white star to the center of his new navy blue shield. FURY is seen smoking a cigar and knocking back a small glass of whisky. PIRATE is seen wrapping his hands with tape, like a boxer. SKULL is seen trying on his black combat suit and staring at himself in the mirror to make sure it looks just right. BONES is seen sitting cross-legged, meditating quietly.
GRIVOUS, although not part of the ingoing strike team, studies the schematic of the ALAMUT with concern, looking for a weakness. VICTORIA is seen working at a communication terminal, testing video and audio equipment.
PIRATE sharpens his lucky knife. SKULL polishes his black combat boots. BONES continues to meditate using yoga. FURY stares at the cover of a closed file folder stamped “classified.” CAP looks in a mirror and shaves his head down to a half-inch length.
SCENE 074 – Interior, THE MAIN CHAMBER at bottom of the ALAMUT
BIN DRAVEN’S personal entourage arrives first and discusses the agenda for the meeting. AL-TARIQ dispatches four GUARDS to take their posts and to act as an exterior greeting party to incoming groups of SLEEPER CELL LIAISONS and SOLDIERS. While AL-TARIQ is focused on security and logistics, BIN DRAVEN is aloof, always calculating and assessing things.
SCENE 075 – Exterior, MOUNTAINS near the ALAMUT
The S.H.I.E.L.D. SKY-DESTROYER arrives, cloaked in wavy invisibility, in the darkness of night. The giant aircraft silently touches down.
SCENE 076 – Interior, S.H.I.E.L.D. SKY-DESTROYER DROP HATCH
Inside the drop hatch, the strike team is bathed in a bloody glow. The lights are red, shedding an foreboding light on the team, all are seated in the WARTHOG. CAP and FURY are seated in the back, facing out. All of the warriors are silent. A second WARTHOG can be seen in the background. The hatch lowers and BONES allows the WARTHOG to roll silently down the ramp in a neutral gear.
SCENE 077 – Exterior, AFGHAN/PAKISTAN BORDER DESERT, night
Because the SKY-DESTROYER employs its invisible shield for the landing, the WARTHOG seems to materialize out of thin air; a wavy mirage in the moonlit night.
All of the warriors are dressed in identical, Kevlar combat suits and combat boots – with the exception being CAP’S navy blue combat suit with the two stars and flag patches.
After dropping off the WARTHOG, the S.H.I.E.L.D. SKY-DESTROYER very quietly pulls away back into the skies near the ALAMUT.
BONES turns the WARTHOG’S engine on and drives the armored vehicle out of frame.
SCENE 078 – Interior, S.H.I.E.L.D. SKY-DESTROYER COMMUNICATION CENTER
GRIVOUS is seated side by side with VICTORIA and two un-named S.H.I.E.L.D. engineers. GRIVOUS tests the communication with the strike team by asking them to “copy” a test message. All of the strike team members reply. VICTORIA observes five video monitors, each displaying the helmet-cam feed of each of the members of the strike team. GRIVOUS and VICTORIA tell the strike team that all systems are go.
SCENE 079 – Exterior, PAKISTAN BORDER DESERT MESA, night
From a mesa near the ALAMUT, PIRATE identifies his target with the aid of night vision binoculars. We briefly see a night vision binocular-eye-view POV. FURY reminds PIRATE that SKULL and BONES will await his signal. PIRATE leaves and heads out toward his target on foot.
FURY tells the remainder of the strike team that if the first phase of the operation does not go as planned, they may have to resort to a “smash and grab” Plan B.
SKULL uses his binoculars and reports that TWO DOOR GUARDS have taken their place near the mountainside enclave, guarding the entrance to the ALAMUT. BONES speculates that the anticipated shift-change must have just occurred. FURY comments that so far, the intel acquired from BIN DRAVEN’S captured lieutenant was accurate and valuable. CAP expresses some doubt, figuring the intel is too good to be true.
SCENE 080 – Interior, S.H.I.E.L.D. SKY-DESTROYER COMMUNICATION CENTER
Based on the video feed coming from PIRATE’S helmet, GRIVOUS tells VICTORIA that he must be nearing his target. VICTORIA doesn’t respond; she is zoned out and distracted. GRIVOUS harshly orders that she snap out of it. VICTORIA apologizes, still halfway between her deep thoughts and her conversation with GRIVOUS. GRIVOUS asks her what is wrong. VICTORIA says nothing is wrong, but she is holding back. GRIVOUS snaps at her, telling her to get her head in the game because all hell could break loose at any moment. VICTORIA growls at GRIVOUS, saying that she knows how dangerous the mission is. She blasts GRIVOUS, telling him that she only takes orders from COMMANDER FURY, not some White House General. GRIVOUS fumes, but does not rebut.
SCENE 081 – Exterior, SMALL LOOK-OUT BERM, near ALAMUT, night
PIRATE announces that he is approaching his target’s “six” and that he is going silent. PIRATE gets on his stomach and begins crawling slowly and silently toward an unsuspecting AL QAEDA GUARD atop the berm. The AL QAEDA LOOK-OUT GUARD turns around, but before he can shout, PIRATE pounces on him. PIRATE knocks the GUARD out, muzzles him and ties his hands behind his back in short order. PIRATE looks through his binoculars to locate the rest of the strike team. Through a binocular-eye-view POV, we suddenly see something completely fill PIRATE’S field of vision. It is a SECOND AL QAEDA GUARD and he smashes PIRATE in the stomach with the butt of his rifle; the blow lays PIRATE out flat on his back. Through PIRATE’S helmet-cam POV, we see the SECOND GUARD stand over PIRATE and shoot him several times. The SECOND GUARD raises his rife above his head and shouts in primal triumph.
SCENE 082 – Interior, S.H.I.E.L.D. SKY-DESTROYER COMMUNICATION CENTER
GRIVOUS shouts into his headset that PIRATE is down and that any hope of a stealth entrance to the ALAMUT has likely been blown.
SCENE 083 – Exterior, DESERT MESA near the ALAMUT, night
FURY yells “go, go, go!” The strike team jumps down from the edge of the mesa and runs toward the rocky enclave where the DOOR GUARDS stand on patrol. CAP leads with his shield drawn. FURY, SKULL and BONES flank him with their multi-function rifles drawn. The two DOOR GUARDS protecting the entrance have been on alert since the sound of gunfire heard near the LOOK-OUT BERM. Once they spot the strike team, they open fire. CAP activates the force field on his shield and easily deflects the bullets. One of the two DOOR GUARDS tries to flee into the ALAMUT to alert BIN DRAVEN and AL-TARIQ. CAP catches him in the back of the head with his deactivated shield. The rest of the strike team has spread out, giving the remaining DOOR GUARD a tough choice. As the strike team converges on the remaining DOOR GUARD, he pulls a grenade from a satchel. Before he can pull the pin, FURY fires a bullet into his knee. The remaining DOOR GUARD and the grenade fall to the ground harmlessly. SKULL and BONES cover CAP and FURY as they tie up the guards. FURY uses his knowledge of Arabic languages to attempt extraction of the pass codes from the DOOR GUARD he shot in the knee. The guard does not relent and FURY yells out that he and CAP will have to enter the hard way.
SCENE 084 – Semi-interior, ROCKY ENCLAVE ENTRANCE to the ALAMUT
FURY and CAP head into the side of the mountain through a large cave-like opening. They immediately come upon a massive solid-iron gate. FURY tries to overload the panel that opens the door with an electric charge. The gate does not open and CAP and FURY immediately set explosives near the four corners of the iron gate. They take cover behind CAP’S activated force field and a brilliant explosion jars the gate loose. The natural rock doorway has started to crumble in the wake of the explosion and the gate falls forward with a loud thud.
SCENE 085 – Interior, MAIN CHAMBER in bottom of ALAMUT
BIN DRAVEN stays calm as several of his soldiers panic at the sound of the main gate crashing down. AL-TARIQ’S first impulse is to send the soldiers up the tunnels to engage the enemy. BIN DRAVEN overrides that impulse and tells AL-TARIQ that the attackers will have to make their way through several GUARDS interspersed throughout the tunnel system. He points out that several archaic booby traps are set up to impede intruders that don’t know the intricate, safe path to the MAIN CHAMBER.
SCENE 086 – Exterior, ROCKY ENCLAVE entrance to ALAMUT, night
SKULL and BONES are jumped from above by the two LOOK-OUT GUARDS that ultimately killed PIRATE. The two LOOK-OUT GUARDS succeed in catching SKULL and BONES by surprise with the aerial assault. They wrestle in the sand and both SKULL and BONES suffer non-fatal knife wounds at the hands of the two LOOK-OUT guards. SKULL gets the upper hand on one of the LOOK-OUT GUARDS and slits his throat with his own knife. SKULL proceeds to scrape the other LOOK-OUT guard off from the top of BONES with a bone-jarring tackle. SKULL unremorsefully slits the other LOOK-OUT GUARD’S throat as well. For good measure he also ends the lives of the two hog-tied DOOR GUARDS in the same fashion.
BONES, still recovering from being nearly choked to death, communicates with GRIVOUS.
BONES
(Strained voice) General, we’ve re-secured the enclave leading to the entrance. We’re going silent for a few minutes.
GENERAL GRIVOUS – OFF CAMERA
(Audio only) Copy that. Get back online once you’ve assessed your situation.
BONES wheezes heavily and chastises SKULL.
BONES
(To Skull) You didn’t have to kill the ones CAP and FURY had tied up!
SKULL
I gave these Jihad Joes a warrior’s death.
BONES
With all the blood you spilled, now we can’t wear their robes -
SKULL
I wasn’t gonna wear those smelly-ass rags anyway. I prefer a straight fight to all this sneakin’ around.
BONES
You’re gonna get us killed if you don’t start using your head.
SKULL
I did it for Pirate and for every other soldier who has died in the desert fighting these freaks.
BONES
You don’t understand, man. For every one of their men killed at the hands of an American soldier, they’ll want ten-fold revenge on Americans. I’m talking citizens; women; children.
SKULL
Not if we get ‘em all first. There won’t be a chance for ten-fold revenge.
BONES
Just try to stick to the plan, alright?
SKULL
I’ll point these corpses in the direction of Mecca and make sure whoever finds them knows that we respected their customs, but I’ll be damned if anyone gets close to killin’ me again.
BONES
If we get overrun by a cavalry, do what you have to do to protect CAP and FURY’S backside inside that fortress. But if we get any more hand-to-hand action, we gotta use restraint.
SKULL
Restraint? Look at my shoulder, look at your thigh.
BONES
Fight through the pain and focus, man. We’re Howlers.
SKULL
I’ll be howlin’ to my grave if those two don’t come back with BIN DRAVEN’S head soon.
BONES
They’ll get him. We just gotta give ‘em time, brother. Help me wrap this leg.
SCENE 087 – Interior, SPACIOUS FORK AREA leading to TUNNELS of the ALAMUT
CAP and FURY have come to a LARGE FORK AREA where a series of TUNNELS start to the left and to the right.
CAP
It’s quiet as a tomb in here.
FURY
They know we’re coming, CAP.
CAP
Last time I stormed a stronghold I found a bunch of dead bodies.
FURY
We ain’t gonna be so lucky this time. You go right, I’ll go left.
CAP
Good luck.
Both CAP and FURY attach gas masks to their helmets and split up.
SCENE 088 – Interior, TUNNELS leading to the MAIN CHAMBER
A tremendous, intercut battle sequence starts, accentuated by intense music and fast edits. Throughout CAP and FURY’S journey through the tunnels, we catch quick close-ups of GRIVOUS and VICTORIA as they navigate CAP and FURY away from dead ends in the tunnel system. Small torches affixed to the walls, giving the tunnels low visibility, line the tunnels.
CAP spots several TUNNEL GUARDS on his way down the tricky maze of tunnels. He uses a combination of sleeping gas and shield throws to knock out all of the TUNNEL GUARDS he encounters. CAP carefully avoids several primitive traps on his way down. FURY takes a slightly different approach, hustling down through the system of tunnels. Along the way he uses his multi-function rifle to shoot the TUNNEL GUARDS with tranquilizer darts. FURY relies on instinct and hunches to avoid traps.
SCENE 089 – Exterior, ROCKY ENCLAVE entrance to ALAMUT, night
SKULL and BONES end their radio silence and report that they have spotted what looks like a convoy approaching the rocky enclave they are guarding. GRIVOUS demands that CAP and FURY hurry their asses to the main chamber and also orders SKULL and BONES to hold their positions.
SCENE 090 – Interior, ANTE CHAMBER leading to MAIN CHAMBER of ALAMUT
FURY
Cap, I’m here. Looks like a room that has a hall leading to the destination point.
CAP – OFF CAMERA
(Audio only) Gimme just a minute FURY, I think I’m almost there.
VICTORIA – OFF CAMERA
(Audio only) Steve, you should be a left and a right turn away from Commander Fury.
FURY puts his back to the wall of the ante-chamber and makes his way around the perimeter toward the hall leading to the MAIN CHAMBER. Suddenly, FURY falls; he has been stabbed in the back by a trick wall full of spikes that jut out from small holes. GRIVOUS asks FURY what has happened, but FURY does not answer. CAP hears the silence and proceeds with caution as he nears the ante chamber. AL-TARIQ emerges from the shadows of the hallway and gloats over a fallen FURY. AL-TARIQ’S dialogue is subtitled.
AL-TARIQ
You Americans, with all of your technology are no match for the ingenuity of the ALAMUT’S sacred designs.
FURY calmly pulls a cigar from his vest.
AL-TARIQ
That’s right American pig. Enjoy your death, I know I will.
AL-TARIQ pulls a sword from a sheath and waves it around.
FURY calmly lights his cigar.
CAP comes storming in from around the corner.
CAP
No!!!
AL-TARIQ is momentarily distracted by CAP’S wild entrance to the ANTE CHAMBER. As AL-TARIQ turns to spot CAP, FURY throws his lit cigar at AL-TARIQ’S face. The cigar violently explodes on contact with his face. AL-TARIQ’S body falls to the ground, presumably dead.
FURY
Cap, go on without me!
CAP
Nick –
FURY
Go in there and secure our target, soldier!
Suddenly, a dozen ELITE AL QAEDA SOLDIERS emerge from the hallway and charge at CAP and FURY. CAP activates his shield’s force field and protects himself and FURY from the rain of bullets. CAP looks back and down at FURY and FURY waves his rifle in an unspoken signal. CAP jumps up in the air, drawing the fire of the ELITE SOLDIERS into his force field. While CAP jumps toward the gun fire, FURY’S repeater catches several of the ELITE SOLDIER’S ankles, calves and knees. In the chaos of falling bodies, CAP bowls his way into the crowd of soldiers and knocks several of them out with his shield. CAP quickly knocks out the rest with sleeping gas.
CAP
Hang tight, Fury. I won’t lose you like I lost Bucky.
SCENE 091 – Interior, MAIN CHAMBER of ALAMUT, final confrontation
CAP enters the MAIN CHAMBER and spots BIN DRAVEN sitting quietly on a throne made of stone, between two flaming torches on stone pillars. BIN DRAVEN is alone.
CAP
(To BIN DRAVEN) Don’t make me destroy you.
BIN DRAVEN sets his machine gun down gently and spreads his arms to indicate that he is unarmed. At this point BIN DRAVEN communicates with CAP in very broken English.
BIN DRAVEN
I have no weapon.
CAP
Good. For your cooperation, I will make sure you live to see a trial with the United Nations.
BIN DRAVEN
I die before surrender, American.
CAP removes his combat helmet and sets his shield on the ground.
BIN DRAVEN
(Subtitled Arabic language) Ahh, the Ice Man cometh at last.
CAP
I am not here to kill you or the soldiers I’ve left behind in those tunnels.
BIN DRAVEN
Such honor, Captain.
CAP throws two pairs of restraints at BIN DRAVEN.
CAP
Apply these to your ankles and wrists, in that order.
BIN DRAVEN
America is not deserving of such noble warrior.
CAP
Put the restraints on before I use force.
BIN DRAVEN
They use you like pig, like rat in cage.
CAP
Watch your mouth.
BIN DRAVEN
They kill you woman. They almost kill you in war. You still follow orders. You are slave to corrupt government.
CAP
You don’t –
FURY interrupts CAP from behind.
FURY
It’s true, Cap.
CAP turns to regard with FURY in shock. FURY gingerly drags himself in, sans helmet, and plops himself against a wall.
FURY
I may not make it outta here, Cap. You deserve to know the truth.
BIN DRAVEN smiles a wicked, knowing smile.
BIN DRAVEN
Yes, Commander. Tell truth.
CAP
Fury, we can deal with this –
FURY
No Cap, listen. After you signed on for Operation Rebirth, United States agents kidnapped Kimberly and killed her.
CAP
That’s a lie!
FURY
There was no witness protection. They thought she knew too much.
CAP stares intently, standing perfectly still. The revelation does not register in his mind.
FURY
You weren’t captured by Germans, Cap. Those weren’t radical Nazis that shot Bucky. They were also our agents ordered to attack and kidnap you.
CAP
General Philips would never have allowed that!
FURY
He didn’t. The President went over his head. His administration thought it’d be more valuable to freeze you, experiment, and maybe unlock the secret to Reinstein’s super soldier serum.
CAP starts to lose it and becomes angrier with each new revelation. BIN DRAVEN laughs mockingly at CAP.
CAP
(To Fury) How is this man knows more than me?
BIN DRAVEN
I trained by American army. Trained to fight Russians for your government in Cold War.
CAP
(To Fury) We trained this monster?
FURY nods and winces in pain as he leaks blood from his back.
BIN DRAVEN
American officer tell me Ice Man story.
CAP
Why didn’t you tell me, Fury?!
FURY
I didn’t know, CAP.
CAP fumes in silence.
FURY
Philips was gonna tell you truth when they pulled the life support. His house was bugged. He fought to stay alive, to tell you the truth, but the nurses were in on the cover up.
CAP
And you let it continue, so I could help you with this mission!
FURY
(Wilting) I just got the unedited files on Operation Rebirth. I was gonna wait to tell you when we got back. My mistake.
CAP
What gave them right to kill Kimberly and take 60 years of my life?!
FURY
(Breathless) Their justification was your signature on the Operation Rebirth papers. There was a lot of fine print Cap. I know it’s not right, but your signature made it all legal.
CAP appears to be on the verge of a violent break down.
BIN DRAVEN
You see? You fight for pigs, no honor.
CAP explodes and charges at BIN DRAVEN, yelling wildly. BIN DRAVEN produces a sword from the side of his throne. He slashes hard at CAP and slices his exposed forearm. BIN DRAVEN coolly produces another sword and offers it, hilt first to CAP. CAP takes the sword. BIN DRAVEN takes off his camouflage vest and opts to challenge CAP bare-chested, wearing an open tunic. CAP glares at BIN DRAVEN, sets down the sword and takes off his tuck-in jacket. Underneath, CAP wears a tight nylon shirt seemingly made up of an American flag turned on its side, with the field of blue and 50 stars covering his heart. His shoulder and bicep muscles bulge through the long, white sleeves of the American flag shirt.
The two combatants stand, pointing their swords and regard each other silently, as if waiting for some proper, unspoken signal.
SCENE 092 – Exterior, ROCKY ENCLAVE entrance to ALAMUT, night
SKULL and BONES fight for their lives as they are attacked by two dozen SLEEPER CELL LIASONS and more AL QAEDA SOLDIERS. SKULL and BONES hold their own because of their superior weaponry and explosives. It is a war of attrition; the LIASONS and SOLDIERS know they have numbers on their side.
BONES
General, I don’t know how much longer we can hold them off.
GENERAL GRIVOUS – OFF CAMERA
(Audio only) Hang in there, from what we can tell, CAP and FURY are apprehending BIN DRAVEN as we speak. We have a visual of the main chamber.
SKULL
Apprehend? They need to get it over with quick. It’s either him or we go home in body bags, General!
GENERAL GRIVOUS – OFF CAMERA
(Audio only) We are not in audible communication with CAP or FURY. Repeat, we are not in communication. Hold your positions!
SCENE 093 – Interior, S.H.I.E.L.D. SKY-DESTROYER COMMUNICATION CENTER
GENERAL GRIVOUS cuts his outgoing volume and turns to VICTORIA.
GENERAL GRIVOUS
It’s getting ugly. Tell the medics to be at the ready and have the pilots get us back down on the ground.
VITORIA
On my way.
VICTORIA takes off her head set and runs out of room.
SCENE 094 – Interior, MAIN CHAMBER of ALAMUT
CAP and BIN DRAVEN are engaged in a vicious sword fight. By now, BIN DRAVEN has scored a gash in CAP’S side and CAP has landed a pair of small slices on BIN DRAVEN. The two are locked in mortal combat; neither combatant is able to gain the upper hand. BIN DRAVEN grows weary and starts to mix kicks and punches into the swordplay. It is an honorable fight; neither looks to involve a wounded FURY to his advantage.
BIN DRAVEN knows if he can defeat CAP, he will most likely succeed in warding off the American invaders. He starts to get desperate with his technique, taking more chances as the battle rages all over the spacious MAIN CHAMBER of the ALAMUT.
BIN DRAVEN
Careful Ice Man, Alamut has many trap.
CAP
Give it up. You’ve fought well, but you’ll never outlast me.
BIN DRAVEN
Only one survive.
CAP
So be it.
CAP throws his sword down.
FURY
(Weakly) Don’t give in Cap.
BIN DRAVEN charges him with his sword held over his head. As BIN DRAVEN prepares to take a fatal stroke at CAP, CAP drops down in the blink of an eye and performs a perfect foot sweep. BIN DRAVEN goes down hard. CAP pounces on his back and drives his face into the rough, rocky ground of the ALAMUT. He bends BIN DRAVEN’S arm back until he dislocates BIN DRAVEN’S shoulder. BIN DRAVEN screams in pain and lets go of his sword.
BIN DRAVEN
Finish fast. Make me immortal!
CAP lets go of BIN DRAVEN. BIN DRAVEN works his way to his knees and expects a decapitation. In that moment, pure adrenaline pumps through CAP’S veins. He holds BIN DRAVEN’S sword like a baseball player ready to swing.
SCENE 095 – Flashbacks, THE BETRAYAL OF CAPTAIN AMERICA
We see a grainy, black and white (B & W) montage of images flashing through CAP’S mind. The first image is of U.S. AGENTS kidnapping KIMBERLY into a black, government-issue car outside of the antique shop in San Francisco. The car drives away and we see a flash in the back seat accompanied by the sound of a gun shot and tires screeching into the black night. The next image is of a sickly STEVE hastily signing a waiver to join OPERATION: REBIRTH while PROFESSOR REINSTEIN and GENERAL PHILIPS look at each other uneasily in the lab. The next images are of BUCKY being shot and the heavy net falling on CAP encircled by U.S. AGENTS atop the landing strip of the CARRIER. After CAP is knocked out, one of the MASKED AGENTS takes off his ski mask and can be heard saying “Let’s get the bodies back to D.C. Move out, men.” The following image is CAP’S body being lowered into a CLEAR GLASS CHAMBER full of water in a government laboratory. An American doctor tells another to “start the freezing process.” The last image is of GENERAL PHILIPS on his death bed, trying to tell CAP the truth about OPERATION: REBIRTH as NURSES in another room pull the proverbial plug on his life support system.
SCENE 096 – Interior, MAIN CHAMBER of ALAMUT
We return to CAP, in the MAIN CHAMBER of the ALAMUT, as he starts his downward swing on BIN DRAVEN. CAP grunts loudly as he chops down hard. CAP slices BIN DRAVEN’S good shoulder, sparing his life. BIN DRAVEN goes down hard.
BIN DRAVEN
(Yelling in pain) Afraid to kill.
CAP
That’s enough from you.
CAP stomps BIN DRAVEN’S face and breaks his jaw, then secures his wrists and ankles with restraints. By now, SKULL and BONES have been overrun and killed by the SLEEPER CELL LIASIONS and AL QAEDA SOLDIERS. CAP grabs his jacket and shield, puts on his helmet, throws FURY over his shoulder and drags BIN DRAVEN by his bound ankles with a grapple rope.
CAP
General, the target has been apprehended and Fury is badly wounded. These are the only two people I’ll be able to get out of here.
GENERAL GRIVOUS – OFF CAMERA
(Audio only) We’re ready for extraction. Skull and Bones have been overrun! You have AL QAEDA soldiers storming through the main gate, do you copy?!
CAP
Copy, that, I’m entering the tunnels! What do you recommend?!
GENERAL GRIVOUS – OFF CAMERA
(Audio only) Either side you choose will lead to a firefight! Come out the same way you entered, use your visor schematic! I’m coming down; don’t know if I can get there in time!
CAP
Do your best, General! Either way, we got our man!
SCENE 097 – Interior, HALLWAY aboard SHIELD SKY-DESTROYER
GRIVOUS runs down the halls on his way to the hatch.
GENERAL GRIVOUS
(To Victoria, off camera) Agent Valentine, I’m heading to the hatch. Provide Cap with communication support.
SCENE 098 – Interior, TUNNELS of the ALAMUT
CAP drags BIN DRAVEN through the tunnels, while carrying NICK FURY and stepping over the bodies of many unconscious AL QAEDA TUNNEL GUARDS.
BIN DRAVEN starts to moan loudly, trying to call attention to himself, hoping that some of his men are still alive.
CAP sets FURY down and muzzles BIN DRAVEN with a grenade in the mouth. CAP sets out alone and tranquilizes a few AL QAEDA SOLDIERS with FURY’S multi-function rifle. He nears the exit to the TUNNEL and can see at least a dozen more SOLDIERS with their weapons drawn, waiting for him. He attaches the gas mask to his helmet and throws several sleeping gas grenades out into the fork area leading to the entrance to the tunnel system. He heads back to retrieve FURY and BIN DRAVEN.
SCENE 099 – Interior, DROP HATCH OF S.H.I.E.L.D. SKY-DESTROYER
GENERAL GRIVOUS storms into the drop hatch to realize that the extra WARTHOG is no longer there.
GENERAL GRIVOUS
(To CAP) Shit! Cap, the warthog is gone, I’ll have to come in foot, do you copy?!
CAP – OFF CAMERA
(Audio only) Copy that. I’m hoping most of the resistance has been eliminated and accounted for.
GENERAL GRIVOUS
I’m moving. Stay in contact.
SCENE 100 – Interior, ALAMUT TUNNEL entrance
CAP again comes to the exit of the tunnel and sees that several AL QAEDA soldiers remain waiting for him through the smoky haze of sleeping gas. They wear their own gas masks, as well as the masks of the slain BLACK HOLE HOWLERS. They spot CAP peeking out and immediately launch a barrage of grenades and gun fire into the tunnel opening. CAP activates the force field on his shield and deflects the attacks, but two situations threaten to bury him in the tunnel. The rocky tunnel entrance begins to crumble and crack under duress of grenade explosions. From behind him, CAP can hear AL QAEDA SOLDIERS making their way up the tunnel; SOLDIERS that entered from the other side of the fork and are now working their way up the side where CAP fights for his life.
VICTORIA – OFF CAMERA
(To CAP, audio only) Keep that shield handy, soldier, I’m though the front door in a ‘hog!
CAP
Secure my 12!
SCENE 101 - Interior, the ALAMUT’S LARGE FORK AREA leading to tunnels
The POV switches behind VICTORIA as she bursts into the FORK AREA driving the WARTHOG. She guns down the AL QAEDA SOLDIERS from behind with a machine gun in one hand, her other hand on the steering wheel. The WARTHOG’S headlights blaze through the smoky, dusty haze of combat.
VICTORIA
Come on out, STEVE, targets are down!
CAP hustles to drag FURY and BIN DRAVEN out before the opening to the rocky tunnel crumbles completely. He lays them on the ground and quickly turns to launch more sleeping gas grenades back into the tunnel. He blindly shoots several tranquilizer darts into the tunnel and pops off a few warning rounds of old fashioned bullets. VICTORIA pulls up and CAP dumps BIN DRAVEN and FURY into the back of the WARTHOG. The entrance to the tunnel he just escaped finishes crumbling, ending the threat of any remaining SOLDIERS emerging to attack. CAP jumps in and mans the mounted machine gun in the back of the WARTHOG.
SCENE 102 – Exterior, ROCKY ENCLAVE entrance to ALAMUT, verge of daybreak
VICTORIA drives the WARTHOG back through the main gate out into the ROCKY ENCLAVE and stops. CAP jumps out and recovers the bodies of SKULL and BONES. GENERAL GRIVOUS comes running into the enclave area and jumps into the WARTHOG. The WARTHOG rides victoriously toward the completely visible S.H.I.E.L.D. SKY-DESTROYER.
SCENE 103 – Interior, S.H.I.E.L.D. SKY-DESTROYER HATCH
The scene is chaotic, accentuated by a hand-held camera POV. The WARTHOG parks; VICTORIA immediately cuts the engine and hops out. BIN DRAVEN lays manacled in the cargo hold with the dead bodies of SKULL and BONES on top of him. FURY is in the backseat of the WARTHOG, bleeding badly.
VICTORIA uses an intercom and calls on S.H.I.E.L.D. medics to bring stretchers to the hatch. After she’s done, GENERAL GRIVOUS gets in VICTORIA’S face.
GENERAL GRIVOUS
Agent Valentine, you have no authority to –
CAP pounces on GRIVOUS and grabs him by the collar.
CAP
(To GRIVOUS) She saved us!
GENERAL GRIVOUS
She over-stepped –
CAP
She reacted while you fumbled your marbles, now go out and get our last man’s body!
GENERAL GRIVOUS looks angry and insulted by CAP giving him orders, but doesn’t argue back. The medics arrive; CAP and VICTORIA frantically load FURY’S body onto a stretcher. Two medics take FURY away while two others throw blankets over the corpses of SKULL and BONES and load them onto stretchers. CAP grabs BIN DRAVEN, the grenade still lodged in his broken jaw, and throws him over his shoulder.
CAP
(To VICTORIA) I’m taking him to the brig.
VICTORIA
I’ll go check on Commander Fury.
GENERAL GRIVOUS
(To CAP and VICTORIA) Hey!
CAP and VICTORIA look at GRIVOUS.
GENERAL GRIVOUS
Good work. I’ll be back with Pirate.
GRIVOUS starts the WARTHOG’S engine.
SCENE 104 – Interior, HOLDING CELL in S.H.I.E.L.D. SKY-DESTROYER BRIG
CAP dumps BIN DRAVEN down like a sack of potatoes and kneels down to take the grenade out of his mouth.
CAP
I’m sticking to my word. You’ll get your trial.
BIN DRAVEN, listless and silent, simply stares back and CAP and quietly moans in pain. CAP stands and leaves the cell, closing the sliding electronic door behind him.
SCENE 105 – Interior, S.H.I.E.L.D. SKY-DESTROYER MEDICAL BAY
VICTORIA approaches the medics working on FURY.
VICTORIA
What’s his condition?
S.H.I.E.L.D. MEDIC
He’s hanging on by a thread, but he’ll live.
VICTORIA
Do you have any infinity serum on hand?
S.H.I.E.L.D. MEDIC
Yes, but we have to work on this wound first.
In the background, two other S.H.I.E.L.D. MEDICS place American flags over the blanketed corpses of SKULL and BONES. CAP walks into the MEDICAL BAY and VICTORIA rushes over and hugs him tightly, backing him against a wall. CAP is physically exhausted; his adrenaline rush has dissipated completely. The devastating reality of FURY’S revelations inside the ALAMUT start to set in, but he tries to hide it from VICTORIA.
CAP
How’s FURY?
VICTORIA backs off the embrace.
VICTORIA
(Concerned) He’s gonna make it.
VICTORIA notices the sword-inflicted gash in CAP’S side.
VICTORIA
Steve, your side.
CAP
I’ll wait for the medics.
VICTORIA
I’ve got it, they’re busy.
VICTORIA grabs a bottle of tonic and a wrap. She lifts CAP’S dirty American flag shirt up to his chest and cleans his wound. She applies a disinfectant cream and wraps his side. CAP lifts his arms while she works, looking down at VICTORIA. She looks up at CAP and is overwhelmed with emotions.
She grabs CAP’S face and kisses him passionately. CAP kisses back, then backs off abruptly. VICTORIA backs off as well, feeling slightly embarrassed.
CAP
It’s not you. I have so much to deal with right now -
VICTORIA looks him up and down.
VICTORIA
You must be in so much pain.
CAP
You have no idea.
The camera switches to a wide POV where we can see the whole MEDICAL BAY, a technological marvel of the highest caliber. All four MEDICS work on FURY; CAP leaves the room and VICTORIA approaches the operating table. She bends down and FURY whispers something inaudible to her.
SCENE 106 – Exterior, AGHAN/PAKISTAN BORDER DESERT, daybreak
We see a wide panoramic of the desert and the fully visible SKY-DESTROYER parked on the sand. The extra WARTHOG drives back toward the hatch. GRIVOUS has retrieved the body of PIRATE and pulls up the lowered ramp.
SCENE 107 – Interior, ANTE CHAMBER of ALAMUT
AL-TARIQ slowly rises to his feet, seething, with revenge on his mind. His face is horribly mutilated, courtesy of the exploding cigar that FURY threw at him. The POV switches to a tight shot of his monstrously disfigured face, his hair has been singed off in clumps. He breathes heavily and freakishly, lusting for the blood of the Americans that stormed the ALAMUT.
SCENE 108 – Exterior, SKY ABOVE PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN BORDER, daybreak
The SHIELD SKY-DESTROYER flies silently through a dim sky at day break. The shot holds long enough to establish where we are.
SCENE 109 – Interior, CAP’S SLEEPING QUARTERS inside S.H.I.E.L.D. SKY-DESTROYER
CAP stumbles into his room and falls to his knees. He painfully finishes taking off his American flag shirt. He throws the shirt disgustedly at his bed. CAP rips the dog tags off his neck and lets them fall to the ground all in one motion. He slumps over and pounds his fists on the ground simultaneously. Black and white flashes of the images that disturbed him in the ALAMUT pop into his mind’s eye. He remains on his knees, slumped over, his forehead touches the ground.
(B & W flash) KIMBERLY is shot.
CAP pounds one fist on the floor.
(B & W flash) CAP signs the OPERATION: REBIRTH waiver.
CAP pounds another fist on the floor.
(B & W flash) CAP punches German Spy HEIDI KRUGER
CAP lifts his head and pounds his thighs.
(B & W flash) BUCKY is shot.
CAP locks his fingers behind his head and stares ahead blankly.
(B & W flash) CAP is knocked out by masked ASSAILANTS.
CAP slides his hands over his face.
(B & W flash) AGENT THRAUN tells CAP “Stay focused, son. Rise to the occasion.”
CAP rises to his feet.
We switch to a wide profile POV. CAP walks and stands two feet from a large American flag that hangs on the wall opposite of his bed. We switch to a tight, frontal shot of his face. He stares at the flag through sunken, disturbed eyes. He purses his lips together and starts to tremble, breathing heavily through his nostrils. We switch to a medium-wide POV from behind CAP. He clutches the top corners of the flag tightly with outstretched arms, resting his right cheek and chest against the fabric of the flag and the wall behind it. It appears as though CAP is on the verge of ripping the flag down off of the wall.
Fade to black.
DELETED SCENE A – Interior, HALLWAY outside CAP’S SLEEPING QUARTERS aboard S.H.I.E.L.D. SKY-DESTROYER
NOTE: Deleted scenes A & B may push the envelope of a PG-13 rating, possibly taking the movie out of range for family audiences. In these scenes we get to see what happens beyond the fade to black where CAP appears on the verge of tearing down the American flag off of the wall.
VICTORIA trots down the hall with a sense of urgency, tears splash down her striking cheeks. She tries to open CAP’S door. She pounds the door with her palms open.
VICTORIA
Steve, let me in! Please!
There is no response from CAP.
VICTORIA
Steve, it’s Victoria, I’m coming in.
VICTORIA takes a device from her pocket at attaches it to the heavy metal door. Within seconds, the device descrambles the code to the lock and she enters CAP’S dark, cold room, locking the door behind her.
DELETED SCENE B – Interior, CAP’S SLEEPING QUARTERS aboard S.H.I.E.L.D. SKY-DESTROYER
VICTORIA sees CAP laying in the fetal position on the floor, the American flag draped on him like a rumpled blanket. She drops to the floor and hugs CAP.
VICTORIA
(Sobbing slightly) Steve, why didn’t you say anything? Is it true?
CAP is silent, despondent.
VICTORIA
Steve, I saw the file in Commander Fury’s room. I can’t imagine the anger and confusion you must be feeling; I’m here for you.
CAP
(Whispers stoically) How can I trust anyone or anything ever again?
VICTORIA
You can trust me, you know that.
CAP
(Still whispering) I want to … believe you. I need you.
VICTORIA
I’m here.
VICTORIA takes the flag off of CAP and begins to kiss him softly on his bare back and shoulders. He doesn’t resist and she continues, softly kissing his neck and cheeks. He looks at her with wanting, hurt eyes; he looks like he wants to talk.
VICTORIA
(Quietly) Shhhh. I’ll take care of you.
She unzips her jump suit and undresses down to her panties. She takes off his dirty boots and pants. She begins to comfort CAP with her femininity and her body, kissing and caressing him. The tenderness becomes more and more passionate as CAP begins to kiss back, ignoring the deep wounds of betrayal. He gives into the need for VICTORIA’S nurturing. The two move to the bed. Fade to black.
SCENE 110 – Exterior, WHITE HOUSE, day
A black title screen says “18 months later.” We fade up from black and see a wide shot of the WHITE HOUSE; the shot holds long enough to establish where we are.
SCENE 111 – Interior, NONDESCRIPT ROOM in WHITE HOUSE, day
We see CAP walking with the CURRENT PREDIDENT of the U.S. and GENERAL GRIVOUS through a paned window inside the WHITE HOUSE. The three men are walking on the lush lawn in back of the WHITE HOUSE. CAP wears a navy blue, pin-striped suit with no tie and an American flag pin on his lapel. In the background we see the PRESIDENTIAL HELICOPTER. The men walk and talk but we cannot hear what they are saying from inside the WHITE HOUSE window.
SCENE 112 – Exterior, WHITE HOUSE, back lawn
CAP’S hair is grown again and he looks healthy, happy and fit. He walks between the CURRENT PRESIDENT and GRIVOUS. They are engaged in a casual conversation.
PRESIDENT 3
Are you sure, Mr. Rogers?
CAP
I’m sure, Mr. President. I’m happy leading a civilian life.
GENERAL GRIVOUS
There has to be some way to make it all up to you.
CAP
Like I said, I’m not going to hold you responsible for the actions of a 60-year-old administration.
PRESIDENT 3
I understand, but we owed you the truth as soon as you were revived. Had I known about Operation Rebirth, I would’ve insisted on it.
CAP
I’m not sure I can believe that, but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT 3
Can’t we make a public apology or have a special ceremony in your honor?
CAP
Are you sure you’d want to air it all out in public?
GENERAL GRIVOUS
Maybe he’s right, Mr. President. This soldier has done his duty ten-fold. Let’s leave him be.
CAP
I’m perfectly happy taking care of my family, paying taxes and voting, gentlemen.
PRESIDENT 3
I can appreciate that. Thank you again for all that you have done.
GENERAL GRIVOUS
You are unequivocally the finest warrior in the history of the U.S. armed forces. We’ll make sure our records indicate that, even if the history books don’t.
CAP
I’ve seen the history books and they’re not entirely accurate anyway.
GENERAL GRIVOUS
That may be, but two facts will never change: you helped take down Hitler and you helped bring Mohammed bin Draven to justice. Enjoy your retirement; you deserve it more than anyone.
PRESIDENT 3
And let us know if there’s ever anything we can do for you.
CAP
Thank you gentlemen. Enjoy your weekend.
The PRESIDENT and GRIVOUS salute CAP briskly and CAP salutes back earnestly.
SCENE 113 – Exterior, CAP’S COUNTRYSIDE ESTATE in VIRGINIA, late afternoon
We see a wide, panoramic shot of CAP’S estate; an old-fashioned two story home painted pastel yellow with white trim and white columns. It is a picture of perfection, with a wooden windmill near a large outbuilding, a white picket fence and a super-sized American flag waving proudly on a tall flagpole in the yard. Eagle-eyed viewers will notice a pie cooling in the kitchen window that faces the front yard.
CAP pulls up to the front of the estate in a big, new, American-made truck. A small American flag sticker is displayed in his back windshield. The bed of the shiny red truck holds some chopped wood. As CAP gets out of the truck, we switch to a medium-tight shot of VICTORIA. She peeks her head out of the kitchen window and smiles at CAP, then tucks her head back in.
We switch to a medium-wide shot of VICTORIA; she emerges from the front door holding a three-month old baby girl. VICTORIA is still stunning, wearing jeans and a form-fitting shirt, not showing any of the effects of pregnancy. She meets CAP in the front yard and kisses him on the cheek.
VICTORIA
How’d it go, honey?
CAP
It was the usual political PR stuff. I told ‘em I wasn’t interested.
VICTORIA
We missed you.
CAP
Missed you too. How’s my baby girl?
VICTORIA
A little fussy. Once I feed her, I’ll finish making dinner.
CAP
What’s on the menu?
VICTORIA
Your favorite.
CAP talks to and tickles the baby.
CAP
(To baby) Did you hear that big mama? We’re gonna have Mexican food tonight.
VICTORIA smiles at her husband and the cute baby.
VICTORIA
I’m heading back in, she’s hungry.
CAP
I’ll be inside in a sec. I want to unload some of the wood from the truck.
VICTORIA heads back into the pristine home with the baby in tow.
CAP’S cell phone rings as he heads back toward the truck. He stops at the gate of the white picket fence. He takes the phone out of his pocket and answers the call.
CAP
This is Steve.
FURY – OFF CAMERA
(Audio only) Steve! This is Nick Fury! We have a clear and present danger to our national security do you copy?!
We switch to a tight shot of CAP holding the phone to his ear. He is silent and stunned.
FURY
Steve, do you copy?!
Through a series of progressively wider jump edits, accompanied with an intense drum beat, the POV rises higher and higher. We are left with an aerial view of CAP, standing still, in his front yard with the phone up to his ear as the American flag waves gently atop the flag pole on the far right side of the screen.
Cut to end credits over black.
###
This story is dedicated to former NFL player and Army Ranger Pat Tillman, who died in combat on April 22, 2004. It was presumed he was fighting Al Qaeda or the Taliban as the number one saw-gunner on his unit at the time of his death. Corporal Tillman, 27, died in an ambush and firefight near the village of Sperah in southeast Afghanistan. Two other members of the 75th Ranger Regiment, to which he belonged, were wounded in the firefight. Tragically, Tillman was believed to have suffered his fatal gunshot wounds as the result of friendly fire. Regardless, his sacrifice - walking away from the comfortable life of NFL stardom to become a ranger alongside his brother Kevin – will be long remembered in the hearts and minds of the American public. Somewhere, the spirit of Steve Rogers stood saluting Tillman the day he was buried in a private ceremony.
