Home   |   View Comments   |   Download Screenplay   |   Print it   |   Community
  Navigation
 
 
 
 
 
 
                     Escape From New York
                               
                         Screenplay by
                Nick Castle and John Carpenter
                               
                               
                               
                                               FADE IN:
   
   
   TITLE CARD: "1988"
   
   FADE IN SECOND CARD: "The Crime Rate in the United
   States Rises Four Hundred Percent"
   
                       VOICE
             In 1988, the crime rate in the
             United States rises four hundred
             percent.
   
   GRAPHIC: Line-graphic of New York, MANHATTAN ISLAND
   highlighted.
   
                       VOICE
             The once-great city of New York
             becomes the one maximum-security
             prison for the entire country.
   
   GRAPHIC: MANHATTAN ISLAND lights up. The word "Prison"
   is added.
   
                       VOICE
             A fifty-foot containment wall is
             erected along the New Jersey
             shoreline, across the Harlem river,
             and down along the Brooklyn
             shoreline. It completely surrounds
             Manhattan Island.
   
   GRAPHIC: The containment wall is added to the line
   graphic with the tag "Containment Wall".
   
                       VOICE
             All bridges and waterways are
             mined.
   
   GRAPHIC: Dots symbolizing the bridges and waterways
   blink on and off.
   
                       VOICE
             The United States Police Force,
             like an army, is encamped around
             the island.
   
   GRAPHIC: Arrows symbolizing the police force are added.
   
   TAG: Statue of Liberty Island Security Control.
   
                       VOICE
             There are no guards inside the
             prison: only prisoners and the
             worlds they have made.
   
   NEW GRAPHIC: Outline drawing of New York.
   
                       VOICE
             The rules are simple. Once you go
             in, you don't come out.
   
   GRAPHIC: Outline drawing of the Statue of Liberty and
   the shoreline are added.
   
   CARD: "1997"
   
   FADE IN SECOND CARD: "NOW"
   
                                               FADE OUT
   
   
   EXT. STATUE OF LIBERTY SECURITY CONTROL - NIGHT
   
   A Jeep pulls up outside the base. It comes to a stop
   and the driver pulls out a walkie-talkie.
   
                       DRIVER
             This is Gotham 4, North Bay,
             Station 17. I have an escape in
             progress. An object in mid-bay
             moving toward the wall.
   
   
   TILT UP - WALL
   
   EXTREME CLOSEUP - SIGN: "New York Maximum Security
   Penitentiary Manhattan Island"
   
   
   CONTINUED TILT UP - EXT. WALL - NIGHT
   
   Two guards watch for the escapees in question.
   
   
   EXT. MANHATTAN ISLAND - NIGHT
   
   A helicopter flies over the bay towards Manhattan
   Island.
   
   
   EXT. BOAT - NIGHT
   
   The two escapees paddle, trying to get across the bay.
   
   
   EXT. HELICOPTER - NIGHT
   
   The search light WHITES OUT THE SCREEN.
   
   
   EXT. BOAT - NIGHT
   
   The two escapees continue paddling. THEY'VE BEEN
   CAUGHT.
   
                       HELICOPTER PILOT
             You have 10 seconds. Turn around.
             Start back to the island.
   
   
   INT. HELICOPTER - NIGHT
   
   The pilot targets the boat on a computer screen in
   front of him.
   
   
   EXT. BOAT - NIGHT
   
   Two shots are fired directly in front of the escapees
   as a warning. They ignore them and continue paddling
   away from the island.
   
   
   INT. HELICOPTER - NIGHT
   
   EXTREME CLOSEUP - PILOT'S HAND
   
   The pilot FIRES AGAIN.
   
   
   EXT. BOAT - NIGHT
   
   The boat EXPLODES.
   
   
   EXT. HELICOPTER - NIGHT
   
   Following the helicopter as it returns to the base.
   
   
   EXT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   Rehme walks back to the main base, pulling out his
   walkie-talkie on the way.
   
                       REHME
             Gotham 4, confirm the kill.
   
                       HELICOPTER PILOT
             Circled the base. Over.
   
                       REHME
             Security, this is Rehme. We have
             confirmation from Gotham 4. We have
             a kill in midharbor. South of the
             battery. Two in the water dead.
   
                       SECURITY
             Two confirmed.
   
                       REHME
             Very well.
   
   
   EXT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   Rehme walks into a building labeled "LIBERTY ISLAND
   SECURITY CONTROL" and picks up a phone.
   
                       REHME
             Air traffic, this is Rehme...
   
   
   EXT. AIR TRAFFIC - NIGHT
   
   The helicopter lands. In the background, a BUS FULL OF
   PRISONERS comes up.
   
   
   EXT. BUS - NIGHT
   
   S.D. "SNAKE" PLISSKEN gets off the bus, looks around,
   and is escorted by three guards into the base. He looks
   like the essence of cool. His hair is long, wavy, and
   ratty, he lost his left eye somewhere along the line,
   and he's got a two-day beard thing going on. He's
   wearing a black spandex/kevlar type shirt with zippers
   across the shoulders, and a pair of camouflage pants
   with lots of pockets. His jacket is a brown leather
   jacket that has seen far better days, and he's wearing
   a pair of handcuffs that have, instead of the links
   we're used to, a straight metal bar between them. He's
   not resisting anything, but the police are not taking
   any chances.
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   Plissken and the guards follow a winding stairway down
   to the main floor.
   
                       VOICE
             Attention. You are now entering the
             debarkation area. No talking. No
             smoking. The next scheduled
             departure to the prison is in two
             hours. You now have the option to
             terminate and be cremated on the
             premises. If you elect this option,
             notify the duty sergeant in your
             processing area.
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   EXTREME CLOSEUP ON SIGN - "No talking. No smoking.
   Follow the ORANGE line."
   
   EXTREME CLOSEUP ON SNAKE - he is not impressed.
   
   STEADICAM VIEW OF THE HALL - SNAKE'S POV - Guards,
   guards, more guards. Who cares.
   
   As Snake rounds the corner:
   
                       O.S. GUARD
             Hold it.
   
   Snake stops, turns, directs an impertinent glance at
   the speaker. He's still not impressed by any of this.
   
                                               FADE OUT
                                               
                                               FADE IN:
   
   
   EXT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   Rehme waits as a limo pulls up. Out steps BOB HAUK.
   
                       REHME
             We've got a small jet in trouble,
             over restricted air space.
   
                       HAUK
             Where is it?
   
                       REHME
             Seven miles out and closing.
   
   The two of them walk AWAY.
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   Hauk and Rehme walk down the stairs. They turn TOWARD
   US and walk into the AIR TRAFFIC ROOM. Dozens of men
   sit in front of radar transmission screens, wearing
   headsets and working. Following Hauk and Rehme into the
   room.
   
   
   INT. AIR TRAFFIC ROOM - NIGHT
   
                       REHME
             We've been on the board for the
             last twenty minutes. We haven't
             been able to reach them. There was
             a transmission ten minutes ago. He
             identified as "David 14." Then all
             of a sudden he was cut off.
   
   Hauk and Rehme stand behind a CONTROLLER.
   
                       CONTROLLER
             David 14, acknowledge. David 14, we
             are sending Air Rescue. Squawk
             7700, contact on 121.5.
                   (to Hauk and Rehme)
             There's still no reply.
                   (to his headset)
             Bayonne. I have a mayday in
             restricted space.
   
                       O.S. CONTROLLER
             New York, I have it.
   
   Hauk pulls Rehme aside.
   
                       HAUK
             Who is it?
   
                       REHME
             I don't know.
   
                       HAUK
             You have the code?
   
                       REHME
             There's no David 14 on the
             computer.
   
                       HAUK
             Unlisted?
   
                       REHME
             Unregistered code. We telexed
             Washington. Still waiting for a
             reply.
   
                       CONTROLLER
             I think I've got him, sir.
   
   Hauk and Rehme walk back over to the controller. He
   patches a voice-over through.
   
                       REBEL VOICE
             It's too late, assholes. All your
             imperialist weapons and lies can't
             save him now. We're going down.
             We're going to crash.
   
                       CONTROLLER
             David 14, acknowledge!
   
                       CODEMAN
             The code's coming in, sir.
   
   Hauk and Rehme dash over to the codeman. He shows them
   a display. "Aircraft Identified. Code: David14. Decode:
   AIR FORCE ONE."
   
   "Air Force One" blinks as Hauk and Rehme look at each
   other in shock.
   
   
   EXT. PLANE - NIGHT
   
   The plane is flying over New York.
   
   
   INT. COCKPIT - NIGHT
   
   The REBEL has killed the pilot and copilot and is
   working on her own.
   
                       REBEL
             Tell this to the workers when they
             ask where your leader went ...
   
   She pulls out a slip of PAPER and proceeds to read.
   
                       REBEL
             We, the soldiers of the national
             liberation front of America, in the
             name of the workers and all the
             oppressed of this imperialist
             country have struck a fatal blow to
             the racist police stick!
   
   
   INT. PLANE - NIGHT
   
   A secret service AGENT taps on the door with his rifle
   as the rebel continues.
   
                       REBEL
             What better revolutionary example
             than to let the president perish in
             the inhuman dungeon of his own
             imperialist prison?
   
   The agent runs back down the plane to the President and
   his advisers.
   
                       AGENT
                   (to 2ND AGENT)
             Unlock the pod!
   
   2nd Agent immediately runs off.
   
   
   PAN LEFT TO PRESIDENT
   
                       AGENT
             She's bolted the door.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             Can't you shoot off the lock?
   
                       AGENT
             No, sir, she's pressurized the
             cabin.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             How about lifting the door off of
             the hinges?
   
                       AGENT
             No, sir.
   
   EXTREME CLOSEUP - the President's wrist as he handcuffs
   his briefcase to it.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             Get me to the pod.
   
   The President and all his advisors stand up and move to
   the back of the plane.
   
   
   INT. POD ROOM - NIGHT
   
   The pod opens. An expert attaches a locating device to
   the President's wrist.
   
                       EXPERT
             Sir, this is a locating device to
             trace you if you become separated
             from the pod. I'm activating it
             now.
   
   SCREENS on the pod begin to light up as the President
   gets into the pod. He pushes a few buttons.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             God save me and watch over you all.
   
   
   EXT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   A guard watches as Air Force One descends into New
   York.
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   Rehme and Hauk watch a computer simulation of the
   plane.
   
                       VOICE
             Computer simulation tracking Air
             Force One.
   
   
   EXT. NEW YORK - NIGHT
   
   The plane goes down.
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   EXTREME CLOSEUP - MONITORS
   
   As the plane smashes into a building, a red dot drops
   through the building. It's the pod.
   
                       O.S. MAN
             It's down!
   
                       HAUK
             It's the escape pod.
   
                       REHME
             40 degrees, 50 yards from impact.
   
                       HAUK
             I'm going in.
   
                       EXT. BASE - NIGHT
             Helicopters prepare for, and
             execute, launch, and fly into New
             York. A guard watches them.
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   Rehme watches monitors as Hauk talks.
   
                       HAUK
             I-W-Larry. Over the battery. We're
             moving down. Direct sight ahead.
   
   
   EXT. NEW YORK - NIGHT
   
   The helicopters land. A swarm of policemen run out, and
   Hauk hangs back. He follows with a second swarm. The
   first swarm assumes a defensive position near the pod.
   Hauk examines the pod. It's definitely empty, and the
   rest of the jet is surrounded in flames.
   
   An odd LAUGH from nowhere.
   
   WEIRDO walks out of the darkness. He nods his head to
   Hauk.
   
                       WEIRDO
             You touch me... he dies. If you're
             not in the air in thirty seconds...
             he dies. You come back in... he
             dies.
   
   Weirdo takes a package out of his shirt and unwraps it
   to reveal the President's middle finger, complete with
   ring.
   
                       WEIRDO
             Twenty seconds.
   
                       HAUK
             I'm ready to talk.
   
                       WEIRDO
             Nineteen. Eighteen.
   
                       HAUK
             What do you want?
   
                       WEIRDO
             Seventeen. Sixteen.
   
                       HAUK
             Let's go. Let's go!
   
   Weirdo grins in triumph as the police force swarms back
   to the helicopters and hauls ass out of New York.
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   Rehme stands behind a desk, talking on the phone. Hauk
   is in the foreground, looking pensive.
   
                       REHME
             Yes, he's right here, Mr. Vice
             President.
   
   Hauk picks up a phone.
   
                       HAUK
             This is Bob Hauk... We can't. If we
             move in with choppers, they'll kill
             him. We're lucky if he's not dead
             already... They don't want anything
             yet. By the time they figure out
             what they want, it'll be too late.
   
                       REHME
             Tell him we have to go with your
             plan now.
   
   Hauk waves him off.
   
                       HAUK
             We can't wait until tomorrow. If we
             have to move in and take the
             island, it's a last resort. It's
             8:45. I want permission to try a
             rescue. Thank you.
   
   
   INT. HAUK'S OFFICE - NIGHT
   
   Hauk calmly arms a .45 pistol. He looks up from his
   desk.
   
                       HAUK
             All right.
   
                       OVERPROTECTIVE SECURITY
                       GUARD
             He's dangerous, sir.
   
                       HAUK
                   (with quiet confidence)
             I know. I'll be OK.
   
   
   HAUK'S POV
   
   We see the silhouette of an unmistakable figure. It's
   Snake Plissken all right, live and in the flesh. The
   guards leave. Snake walks into Hauk's office and sits
   down in the chair across from Hauk. He raises his
   cuffed hands to Hauk as if to say "Take these off me,
   asshole," but he doesn't actually say anything. Hauk
   shakes his head.
   
                       HAUK
             I'm not a fool, Plissken.
   
                       SNAKE
                   (coooooool)
             Call me Snake.
   
   Hauk puts on his glasses and proceeds to read a file.
   
                       HAUK
             S.D. Plissken. American Lieutenant.
             Special Forces Unit, Black Flight.
             Two Purple Hearts, Leningrad and
             Siberia. Youngest man to be
             decorated by the President. You
             robbed the federal reserve
             depository. Life sentence, New York
             Maximum Security Penitentiary. I'm
             ready to kick your ass out of the
             world, War Hero.
   
   Snake could not care less. He reaches forward with his
   still-cuffed right hand, picks up a cigarette, picks up
   a match with his left hand, strikes the match and takes
   a drag from his cigarette. He lets out a calm breath
   and says:
   
                       SNAKE
             Who are you?
   
                       HAUK
             Hauk. Police Commissioner.
   
                       SNAKE
             Bob Hauk...
   
                       HAUK
             Special Forces Unit. Texas Thunder.
             We heard of you, too, Plissken.
   
                       SNAKE
             Why are we talking?
   
                       HAUK
             I have a deal for you. You'll
             receive full pardon for every
             criminal act committed in the
             United States.
   
   Hauk shows Snake the pardon. Snake's eye lights up.
   This is something he wants. He's interested now, and
   can't hide it.
   
                       HAUK
                   (pressing his
                   advantage)
             There was an accident about an hour
             ago. A small jet went down inside
             New York City. The President was on
             board.
   
                       SNAKE
                   (re-establishing
                   control over the
                   conversation)
             President of what?
   
                       HAUK
             That's not funny, Plissken.
                   (beat)
             You go in, find the President and
             bring him out in 24 hours, and
             you're a free man.
   
   We sense amusement from Snake. This is not the first
   time the government has asked him for a favor. But he's
   not a soldier or a "War Hero" anymore. He knows they
   need him more than he needs their pardon. He's holding
   the cards now, and he knows it.
   
                       SNAKE
             Twenty-four hours, huh?
   
                       HAUK
             I'm making you an offer.
   
                       SNAKE
             Bullshit.
   
                       HAUK
             Straight just like I said.
   
                       SNAKE
             I'll think about it.
   
                       HAUK
             No time. Give me an answer.
   
   Snake turns away. Hauk is pushing way too hard, and
   Snake is determined to be in the driver's seat.
   
                       SNAKE
             Get a new president.
   
                       HAUK
             We're still at war, Plissken. We
             need him alive.
   
                       SNAKE
             I don't give a fuck about your
             war... or your president.
   
                       HAUK
             Is that your answer?
   
                       SNAKE
             I'm thinking about it.
   
                       HAUK
             Think hard.
   
   Snake pauses to take a draw on his cigarette. Next
   question:
   
                       SNAKE
             Why me?
   
                       HAUK
             You flew the Gullfire over
             Leningrad. You know how to get in
             quiet. You're all I've got.
   
                       SNAKE
             I guess I go in one way or the
             other. Doesn't mean shit to me.
             Give me the paper.
   
                       HAUK
             When you come out.
   
                       SNAKE
             Before.
   
                       HAUK
             I told you I wasn't a fool,
             Plissken.
   
                       SNAKE
             Call me Snake.
   
   
   INT. WEAPONS ROOM - NIGHT
   
   Rehme talks as we PAN ACROSS a table full of weapons.
   We see two guns, a belt, grenades, several pouches full
   of various stuff, a flashlight, a Uzi, throwing stars,
   and more. Snake surveys them with a cool expression.
   
                       REHME
             Some of them have cars. They took
             old junkers that were left behind
             and converted them to steam. We
             think they may also have a gasoline
             source in there, and power.
             Greenhouses, rigged up generators.
             Some areas have streetlights. The
             crazies. Live in the subways.
             Complete control of the
             underground. They're night raiders.
   
   Snake's not into this. He'll figure it out when he gets
   there. He picks up a bracelet with an eagle on it.
   
                       HAUK
             Tracer. Sends a radio signal for
             fifteen minutes. You push it, we
             can track you on radar. Just like
             Leningrad. But they added
             something. A safety catch.
   
   Snake pushes the safety catch. Simple enough. And yes,
   there's the button. This is familiar. He smiles.
   
   
   INT. HALL - NIGHT
   
   Snake has his jacket slung over his shoulder now. He
   walks down the hall to the medical room with Hauk.
   Rehme has disappeared.
   
                       SNAKE
             Where am I landing?
   
                       HAUK
             Top of the world trade center. Only
             place you can land. They won't see
             it, and you can take off from a
             free fall. On the roof there's a
             service elevator. It's still
             operational. We use it to
             infiltrate the prison. There's a
             power box. It'll activate the
             elevator down to fifty. From there
             on down you walk.
   
   Snake shrugs on his jacket. He knows Hauk is just
   trying to assert his authority, and it's not working
   very well.
   
                       HAUK
             You can locate the President by his
             vital signs bracelet, on his wrist.
             It sends out a sig pulse. Use this.
   
   He hands Snake a homing device.
   
                       HAUK
             Homing device. Shows directions and
             distance.
   
   
   INT. MEDICAL ROOM - NIGHT
   
   Snake and Hauk walk into the room. They're met by a
   young medic.
   
                       HAUK
             Strong antitoxin. Stops bacteria
             and viral-proofs you for 24 hours.
   
   Snake braces himself against a table. The medic is
   holding an injection-type tech gizmo.
   
                       MEDIC
             Take off the jacket.
   
                       SNAKE
             I'll be OK.
   
                       HAUK
             Let's go, Plissken.
   
   Snake shrugs off his jacket, disoriented by the place.
   He's nervous. His hackles are up.
   
                       SNAKE
             I don't like needles.
   
   Hauk straps a timer gauge onto Snake's left hand. He
   activates it and the time blinks on. It's counting down
   as we speak.
   
                       HAUK
             Twenty-two hours, twenty-nine
             minutes, fifty-seven seconds...
   
                       SNAKE
             We talked about twenty-four.
   
                       HAUK
             In twenty-two hours the Hartford
             Summit meeting will be over. China
             and the Soviet Union will go back
             home. The president was on his way
             to the summit when his plane went
             down.
   
   Snake snorts.
   
                       HAUK
             He has a briefcase attached to his
             wrist. The tape recording inside
             has to reach Hartford in 22 hours.
                       
             SNAKE
             What's on it?
   
                       HAUK
             You know anything about nuclear
             fusion?
   
   Snake turns away. No. Nuclear fusion is not his area of
   expertise.
   
                       HAUK
             It's about the survival of the
             human race, Plissken. Something you
             don't give a shit about.
   
   Hauk steps aside. The medic swabs Snake's neck on both
   sides.
   
                       MEDIC
             I'm going to inject you. It'll
             sting for a second or two...
   
   He raises a couple of hypos and injects Snake with
   them. Snake jumps a little; clearly, this is not one of
   the world's most pleasant things.
   
                       HAUK
             That's it, Plissken.
   
   Snake gets off the table. The medic turns around.
   
                       MEDIC
             Tell him.
   
                       SNAKE
             Tell me what?
   
   Hauk thinks he's got him this time. Snake doesn't like
   that.
   
                       HAUK
             That idea you had about turning the
             Gullfire around 180 degrees and
             flying off to Canada.
   
   Hauk shakes his head. Snake puts his jacket down and
   turns to the medic.
   
                       SNAKE
             What did you do to me, asshole?
   
                       HAUK
             My idea, Plissken. Something we've
             been fooling around with. Two
             microscopic capsules lodged in your
             arteries. They're already starting
             to dissolve. In twenty-two hours,
             the cores will completely dissolve.
             Inside the cores are that heat-
             sensitive charge. Not a large
             explosive. About the size of a
             pinhead. Just big enough to -
                   (he gestures)
             - open up both your arteries. I'd
             say you'd be dead in ten or fifteen
             seconds
   
   Hauk stops talking because Snake has grabbed him by the
   throat.
   
                       SNAKE
             TAKE THEM OUT NOW.
   
                       MEDIC
             They're protected by the cores.
             Fifteen minutes before the last
             hour is up we can neutralize the
             charge with X-rays.
   
   Snake lets go of Hauk to look at his watch. 22:57:38.
   37. 36. This is his life he's watching tick away.
   
                       HAUK
             We'll burn out the charges IF you
             have the President.
   
                       SNAKE
             What if I'm a little late?
   
                       HAUK
             No more Hartford Summit. And no
             more Snake Plissken.
   
                       SNAKE
             When I get back I'm going to kill
             you.
   
                       HAUK
             The Gullfire's waiting.
   
   
   EXT. RUNWAY - NIGHT
   
   Snake pulls up in a Jeep. He walks up to the tiny plane
   called the Gullfire. Two guards stand by to make sure
   he just gets in the plane and does his job. He throws
   his cigarette out onto the runway and closes the
   overhead window.
   
   
   INT. GULLFIRE - NIGHT
   
   Snake turns on his monitors.
   
                       SNAKE
             I'm ready.
   
                       HAUK
             21 hours.
   
                       SNAKE
             Suppose he's dead, Hauk. If I come
             back without him, you'll burn these
             things out?
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   Hauk and Rehme exchange a glance; Hauk's been expecting
   this question to come up.
   
                       HAUK
             Get them both back, Plissken.
   
   
   INT. GULLFIRE - NIGHT
   
   Snake doesn't like the response, but figures he can't
   do anything about it.
   
                       HAUK
             Remember, once inside you're on
             your own.
   
                       SNAKE
             Oh, you mean I can't count on you?
   
                       HAUK
             No.
   
                       SNAKE
             Good.
   
   
   EXT. RUNWAY - NIGHT
   
   A larger plane hauls the Gullfire into the air; the
   Gullfire is essentially a big hang glider.
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   Hauk checks Snake's life clock, "Master Life Clock".
   "20:17:43... 42... 41..."
   
   
   INT. GULLFIRE - NIGHT
   
   Snake's watch reads "20:17:40... 39... 38... 37...
   36... 35..." He starts controlling the plane. He flips
   the tracer open and hits the button, testing it.
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   The master life clock shows the test confirmation.
   
                       COMPUTER
             Tracer test confirmed at 20 hours,
             17 minutes, 30 seconds.
   
   Hauk, Rehme and the Vice President nod with relief.
   
   
   EXT. NEW YORK - NIGHT
   
   Snake takes the plane in.
   
   
   INT. GULLFIRE - NIGHT
   
   Snake looks over his monitors. He sees New York coming
   up.
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   Hauk waits at his microphone.
   
                       HAUK
             Are you picking up the target blip?
   
   
   INT. GULLFIRE - NIGHT
   
                       SNAKE
             Right on course.
   
   
   EXT. NEW YORK - NIGHT
   
   The plane aims for the World Trade Center.
   
   
   INT. GULLFIRE - NIGHT
   
                       SNAKE
             It's been a while...
   
   The plane is aiming right at a building.
   
                       HAUK
             How's your altitude?
   
   Snake calmly angles the plane up.
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
                       HAUK
             Plissken? Plissken? Plissken, what
             are you doing?
   
   
   INT. GULLFIRE - NIGHT
   
                       SNAKE
             Playing with myself. I'm going in.
   
   Snake targets the World Trade Center. He checks his
   instruments.
   
   
   EXT. WORLD TRADE CENTER - NIGHT
   
   The plane comes down. It hits hard. Snake puts on the
   brakes, adds a grappling hook, and finally comes to a
   stop right at the edge.
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
                       HAUK
             Plissken? Plissken?
   
   
   EXT. WORLD TRADE CENTER - NIGHT
   
   Snake walks over to the elevator. He uses the power box
   to get the elevator started. He looks around, and the
   doors open. He gets in the elevator. The doors close.
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   Snake's voice comes through the radio.
   
                       SNAKE
             I'm inside the World Trade Center
             on the 50th floor. Just like
             Leningrad, Hauk.
   
                       HAUK
             Is the glider intact?
   
   
   INT. WORLD TRADE CENTER - NIGHT
   
   Snake stands with his walkie-talkie in the middle of
   the graffiti-covered building.
   
                       SNAKE
             Yeah, but taking off is for shit.
             I'll work it out.
   
                       HAUK
             You'll have to use the east
             stairwell. It'll take you a little
             while to get to ground level.
   
   Snake checks his life clock. "19:22:44. 43. 42".
   
                       HAUK
             Call me when you get outside.
   
   Snake puts his walkie-talkie away as someone runs past.
   He doesn't notice. He walks on.
   
                                               FADE OUT
                                               
                                               FADE IN:
   
   
   EXT. NEW YORK - NIGHT
   
   Snake walks along with his tracer. He goes through
   alleys and streets. He draws his gun as he walks by a
   group of people. He's armed and ready to fight.
   
   
   EXT. PLANE CRASH - NIGHT
   
   The plane is still burning. Smoke is coming from
   everywhere. The plane is severed in the middle. The
   crash is very impressive. Snake walks and notices a few
   people go by. He pulls out his walkie-talkie.
   
                       SNAKE
             I'm at the plane. Nobody else made
             it, Hauk.
   
   Something beeps. His tracer.
   
                       SNAKE
             Wait a minute.
   
   He looks at his tracer. A small red dot lights up in
   the southeast corner.
   
                       SNAKE
             I've got his pulse. Right up ahead,
             moving northwest.
   
   He puts away his walkie-talkie and checks his life
   clock. "18:50:18. 17. 16"
   
                                               DISSOLVE
                                               TO:
   
   
   IMAGES
   
   Snake holding the tracer. He gets closer and comes up
   to a building, formerly a theater. He walks in.
   
   
   INT. THEATER - NIGHT
   
   The pulse keeps getting stronger. Snake walks in. He
   holds his gun at the ready. There's a truly horrible
   musical going on.
   
   
   INT. STAGE - NIGHT
   
                       ACTORS
             This is hell! This is hate!
                   (etc.)
   
   Snake looks around. No sign of the president, but there
   is a CABBIE enjoying the show. Time to move on. He
   enters against his better judgment, but he's just
   passing through, so that's OK.
   
   
   INT. STAIRWELL - NIGHT
   
   Snake keeps moving, but there's a noise. He turns
   around, aiming his gun. Cabbie holds up his hands.
   
                       CABBIE
             Hey! You're Snake Plissken, ain't
             you?
   
                       SNAKE
             What do you want?
   
                       CABBIE
             Nothin'.
   
   Snake lowers his gun.
   
                       CABBIE
             I thought you were dead!
   
   Snake moves on.
   
                       CABBIE
             Hey! You don't want to walk around
             down there, Snake!
   
   
   INT. BASEMENT - NIGHT
   
   The signal from the tracer keeps getting closer and
   closer. Snake walks past a gang beating up and
   stripping a semi-conscious girl. He doesn't take much
   notice. He keeps going. He sees a BUM sitting by a
   fire.
   
                       BUM
             Hi, Chief. Nice night. Nice boots.
             Niiiiice boots. Hey.
   
   A guy tries to sneak up behind Snake. Snake knocks him
   out and points his gun at the bum.
   
                       BUM
             Easy now, chief. I'm walking. I'm
             walking.
   
   The bum walks away. Snake keeps going. A man beats up
   another man at a sink. The beatee is wearing the
   President's life tracer. Snake kicks the beater and
   knocks him out.
   
                       SNAKE
             Mr. President...
   
   The man wearing the life tracer looks up and smiles.
   He's a DRUNK.
   
                       DRUNK
             I'm the President? Sure, I'm the
             President. If I knew where I got
             this thing -
                   (indicates the tracer)
             I'd be the President.
   
                       SNAKE
             Where did you get it?
   
                       DRUNK
             I woke up, and there it was, just
             like a miracle...
   
   Snake slams the tracer against the sink.
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   The President's life signs all fail.
   
                       OFFICIAL
             Oh my god...
   
                       MEDIC
             It... It may be just an impact on
             the mechanism itself...
   
   
   INT. BASEMENT - NIGHT
   
   Snake pulls up his walkie-talkie.
   
                       SNAKE
             Hauk?!
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
                       HAUK
             I'm right here, Plissken.
   
                       SNAKE
             I don't know who you assholes are
             looking at, but it's NOT the
             President.
   
   
   INT. BASEMENT - NIGHT
   
   Snake holds the walkie-talkie up to the drunk.
   
                       DRUNK
                   (to the tune of Joy to
                   the World)
             Hail to the chief ... La la la la
             la la ...
   
                       SNAKE
             All right, get your machine ready.
             I'm coming out.
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
                       HAUK
             18 hours, Plissken.
   
   
   INT. BASEMENT - NIGHT
   
                       SNAKE
             Listen to me, Hauk. The President
             is DEAD, you got that? Somebody's
             had him for dinner!
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
                       HAUK
             Plissken, if you get back in that
             glider I'll shoot you down. You
             climb out, I'll burn you off the
             wall. You understand that,
             Plissken?
   
   
   INT. BASEMENT - NIGHT
   
   Snake stares at his walkie-talkie.
   
                       SNAKE
             A little human compassion...
   
   
   EXT. NEW YORK - NIGHT
   
   Snake walks on. He's in an area with streetlights. He
   keeps going.
   
   
   EXT. POD - NIGHT
   
   Snake stares at the pod. No clues. He looks around.
   Nothing. As he comes back up, he sets up a chair and
   sits down heavily. He touches his neck. It's like he
   can feel the cores dissolving.
   
   A crazy walks past, bangs on manhole covers. Snake
   doesn't know what he's doing, but he doesn't like it.
   Especially not when the manhole covers start to rise
   up. He runs off.
   
   
   EXT. CHOCK FULL OF NUTS - NIGHT
   
   Snake finds the restaurant, and runs inside. No one
   follows.
   
   
   INT. CHOCK FULL OF NUTS - NIGHT
   
   Snake backs into a corner. The floor is weak and starts
   to go out from under him once. He gets into the
   shadows. There's someone there.
   
                       GIRL IN CHOCK FULL O'
                       NUTS
             You a cop?
   
   Snake levels his gun at her.
   
                       SNAKE
             No...
   
                       GIRL IN CHOCK FULL O'
                       NUTS
             You've got a gun. You got a smoke?
   
   Snake tosses her his cigarettes. She lights one.
   
                       SNAKE
             Keep your hand over it.
   
                       GIRL IN CHOCK FULL O'
                       NUTS
             It's all right if we're quiet. They
             won't hear us.
                   (reacting to the
                   cigarette)
             Hey, this is a real one. You just
             get in?
   
                       SNAKE
             What's going on out there?
   
                       GIRL IN CHOCK FULL O'
                       NUTS
             Crazies. It's the end of the month.
             They're out of food.
   
                       SNAKE
             Do you live here?
   
                       GIRL IN CHOCK FULL O'
                       NUTS
             Skulls? You kidding? I'm with the
             Turks now. I just got caught in the
             street after dark and now I'm stuck
             here all night.
   
                       SNAKE
             A plane crashed seven hours ago.
             Did you see it?
   
                       GIRL IN CHOCK FULL O'
                       NUTS
             No.
   
                       SNAKE
             Shit.
   
                       GIRL IN CHOCK FULL O'
                       NUTS
             You're a cop.
   
                       SNAKE
             I'm an asshole.
   
                       GIRL IN CHOCK FULL O'
                       NUTS
             Hey, wait a minute. I know who you
             are. Yeah! But I heard you were
             dead.
   
                       SNAKE
             I am.
   
                       GIRL IN CHOCK FULL O'
                       NUTS
             Wow, Snake Plissken. All right!
             What you doing in here with a gun,
             Snake?
   
                       SNAKE
             Looking for somebody.
   
                       GIRL IN CHOCK FULL O'
                       NUTS
             Who?
   
                       SNAKE
             The President.
   
                       GIRL IN CHOCK FULL O'
                       NUTS
             Come on! He really here?
   
                       SNAKE
             Somewhere.
   
                       GIRL IN CHOCK FULL O'
                       NUTS
             When you find him, are you gonna
             take him out?
   
                       SNAKE
             Mm-hm.
   
                       GIRL IN CHOCK FULL O'
                       NUTS
             Take me out with you, Snake.
   
                       SNAKE
             Why?
   
                       GIRL IN CHOCK FULL O'
                       NUTS
             I can think of lots of reasons
             why...
   
   She makes a move to kiss him, but there's a noise. They
   split up, but she gets sucked through the floor. Snake
   tries to save her, but it's too late. He gets the hell
   out of there.
   
   
   INT. BUILDING - NIGHT / EXT. NEW YORK - NIGHT / EXT.
   ALLEYS - NIGHT
   
   Snake runs through the building, breaks a window, and
   climbs up a fire escape to get to a new floor. He
   breaks a window to get in, then pulls a cabinet in
   front of the window. He shoots through the cabinet,
   causing some crazy to scream. He busts down a door,
   shoots open part of a wall, busts through that, climbs
   out a window, and climbs down a telephone pole. He then
   climbs up a wall. On the way he drops his walkie-
   talkie. He runs down an alley, and as he does, Cabbie
   pulls up.
   
                       CABBIE
             Where you goin', buddy?
   
   Snake points his gun at Cabbie. He looks behind him,
   then gets in the cab.
   
   
   INT. CAB - NIGHT
   
   Snake notices a tape player which is playing the theme
   from "American Bandstand."
   
                       CABBIE
             Bad neighborhood, Snake! You don't
             want to be walking from the Bowery
             to 42nd street at night! I've been
             driving a cab here for 30 years and
             I'm telling you, you don't walk
             around here at night! Yes, sir!
             They'll kill you and strip you in
             ten seconds flat. Usually I'm not
             down around here myself, but I
             wanted to catch that show.
   
   Cabbie lights a rag stuffed down the neck of a bottle
   which is full of gasoline.
   
                       CABBIE
             This stuff is like gold around
             here, you know.
   
   
   EXT. CAB - NIGHT
   
   Cabbie throws the bottle into the alley, where it
   explodes.
   
   
   INT. CAB - NIGHT
   
                       CABBIE
             Hey, Snake, when'd you get in? I
             didn't even know they caught you.
                   (laughs)
             Ohhh, Snake Plissken in my cab.
             Wait'll I tell Eddie! Hey, hang on,
             Snake.
   
   
   EXT. CAB - NIGHT
   
   Cabbie makes a sharp turn.
   
   
   INT. CAB - NIGHT
   
                       CABBIE
             Hey, what were you doing back
             there, Snake?
   
                       SNAKE
             Looking for somebody.
   
                       CABBIE
             Well, why didn't you ask me? Hell,
             I know everybody in this town. Yes,
             sir. I've been driving this cab for
             thirty years, this very same cab.
   
   Snake points his gun at Cabbie.
   
                       SNAKE
             I'm GONNA ask you. Now where's the
             President?
   
                       CABBIE
             The Duke's got him! Everyone knows
             the Duke's got him! You don't have
             to put a gun to my head. I'll tell
             you!
   
                       SNAKE
             Who's the Duke?
   
                       CABBIE
             The DUKE! The Duke of New York! A-
             Number-1! The big man, that's who!
   
                       SNAKE
             I want to meet this Duke.
   
                       CABBIE
             You can't meet the Duke, are you
             crazy? Nobody wants to meet the
             Duke! You meet him once and then
             you're dead!
   
   Snake points the gun more insistently. Tough.
   
   
   EXT. BRAIN'S BUILDING - NIGHT
   
   Cabbie parks the cab and he and Snake walk up to
   Brain's building.
   
                       CABBIE
             I hate to leave her on the street.
             Usually I don't leave her alone at
             all. But you're a special case,
             Snake.
   
   He and Snake walk up to the door. Cabbie knocks on the
   door with his shoe.
   
                       CABBIE
             It's OK, Snake. It's a better
             neighborhood. You can relax.
   
   Relax? Snake checks his life clock. "17:40:46. 45. 44".
   Relax, my ass.
   
                       SNAKE
             Thanks.
   
                       CABBIE
             Boy, they got a great place here.
             Like a fortress!
   
                       SNAKE
             They?
   
   From the inside, someone answers.
   
                       MAGGIE
             Who is it?
             
                       CABBIE
             It's me!
   
                       MAGGIE
             Who's me?
   
                       CABBIE
             Cabbie!
   
                       MAGGIE
             What do you want?
   
                       CABBIE
             Somebody wants to see Brain, it's
             important -
   
                       MAGGIE
             No way, Cabbie -
   
                       CABBIE
             No, it's Snake! Snake Plissken!
   
   Maggie opens the door. She stands there and surveys the
   pair.
   
                       MAGGIE
             YOU'RE Plissken?
   
                       CABBIE
             He wants to see Brain.
   
                       MAGGIE
             Why?
   
                       SNAKE
             I want to meet the Duke.
   
   Snake and Maggie exchange a glance. She leads them in.
   
   
   INT. BRAIN'S - NIGHT
   
                       CABBIE
             Hey, what do you think of this
             place, Snake? It used to be a
             public library. Oh, that Brain,
             he's the greatest! Mr. Fabulous!
             Duke loves him.
   
                       SNAKE
                   (gesturing at Maggie)
             Who's that?
   
                       CABBIE
             That's Maggie. Brain's squeeze. The
             Duke gave him to Brain just to keep
             him happy... see what I mean?
   
   Snake can tell that Maggie's more than just Brain's
   squeeze; she's his bodyguard, too. She looks like she'd
   be willing to kill to protect Brain.
   
                       MAGGIE
             Heard you were dead.
   
   
   INT. BRAIN'S ROOM - NIGHT
   
                       CABBIE
             Brain? Brain! I brought somebody to
             see you!
   
   Snake looks at Brain. He knows this guy.
   
                       SNAKE
             Harold Helman.
   
   Brain puts down his book and stands up.
   
                       BRAIN
             Snake?
   
                       MAGGIE
             "Harold"?
   
                       SNAKE
             Where you been, Harold? It's been a
             long time.
   
                       MAGGIE
             You never told me you knew Snake
             Plissken, Brain.
   
                       CABBIE
             Isn't that great? Hey, Brain, I
             could use some gas if you can spare
             some...
   
   No one pays attention. Snake advances on Brain. Brain
   sits down.
   
                       SNAKE
             I'm glad you remember me. Yeah. A
             man should remember his past.
             Kansas City, four years ago. You
             ran out on me. You left me sitting
             there.
   
                       BRAIN
             You were late.
   
                       SNAKE
             We were buddies, Harold. You, me,
             and Fresno Bob. You know what they
             did to Bob?
   
   His face changes. He suddenly kicks Brain's chair into
   the wall and points his gun.
   
   Maggie draws a knife and starts advancing on Snake.
   
                       SNAKE
             You want to see him sprayed all
             over that map, baby?
                   (to Brain)
             Where's the President?!
   
                       BRAIN
             Swear to god, Snake, I don't know -
   
                       SNAKE
             Don't fuck with me!
   
                       BRAIN
             Why do you want to know?
   
                       SNAKE
             I want him.
   
                       BRAIN
             Working for the man now, huh?
   
                       SNAKE
             Then I'll just beat it out of your
             squeeze -
   
                       BRAIN
             Mm-hm. Maggie doesn't know EXACTLY
             where he is and unless you know
             EXACTLY PRECISELY where he is
             you'll never find him.
   
   Snake takes his gun away. He contemplates Brain.
   
                       SNAKE
             Listen, I'll take you out of here.
             Yeah. Jet glider just a couple of
             blocks down the street. And all you
             gotta do is get me to him.
   
   Everyone realizes the importance of this.
   
                       CABBIE
             No kidding? On the level? Will you
             take me, too?
   
                       BRAIN
             We've got to deal somewhere else.
   
                       SNAKE
             No glider.
   
                       MAGGIE
             We've got the President. And the
             Duke's taking everybody out of
             here.
   
                       SNAKE
             Never happen. See, I know something
             you and the Duke don't know. We've
             only got so long before Mr.
             President don't mean a whole lot.
   
                       BRAIN
             You're lying.
   
                       MAGGIE
             Maybe he's not...
   
                       BRAIN
             I know him! Look at his face, he's
             lying!
   
                       SNAKE
             Right, Harold. I'm lying. So I
             might as well have some fun and
             keep looking by myself.
   
   He cocks his gun and points it at Brain again.
   
                       MAGGIE
             Brain -
   
                       SNAKE
             Talk to him, baby -
   
                       MAGGIE
             Brain, he'll kill us both if you
             don't tell him -
   
                       CABBIE
                   (panicking)
             Brain, you've got to tell him!
   
                       MAGGIE
                   (panicking)
             Brain, you've got to tell him -
   
                       CABBIE
                   (panicked)
             Tell him, tell him, tell him -
   
                       BRAIN
             ALL RIGHT!!!
   
   Snake lowers the gun.
   
                       SNAKE
             You always were smart, Harold.
   
                       BRAIN
             Just one thing right now. Don't
             call me "Harold."
   
   
   EXT. BUILDING - NIGHT
   
   Snake, Maggie, Cabbie and Brain all walk out.
   
                       SNAKE
             So you work for this Duke, huh?
   
                       BRAIN
             Yeah. Make gas for him. Figure out
             things for him.
   
                       SNAKE
             Like what?
   
                       BRAIN
                   (showing off)
             Like how to get across the 69th
             street bridge - it's mined, but I
             know where they're planted.
   
                       MAGGIE
             We got a diagram from a guy that
             got all the way across... before
             they shot the poor bastard.
   
                       BRAIN
             We got a crew up there now clearing
             the way across the first barricade.
   
                       CABBIE
             What a sight, Snake! The whole camp
             rolling right across the bridge and
             the President right out front! Oh,
             that would have been so fine...
   
                       MAGGIE
                   (ironically)
             Yeah, it would have been...
   
                       CABBIE
             Yeah, but we're going with Snake
             now.
   
   The three of them cross into the street. Cabbie panics.
   
                       CABBIE
             That's the Duke! I know the sound
             of his engines. Don't cross the
             Duke - everybody knows that.
   
   We get one glimpse of the Duke's car. Then we realize
   that Cabbie is gone and his cab is racing away.
   
                       MAGGIE
             Cabbie, you slime!
   
   The Duke's car heads right for us.
   
                       MAGGIE
             No, Brain!
   
   The two of them run off. After a while, Snake follows.
   The three of them hide. The Duke's car is an old
   Chrysler with chandeliers suspended over the
   headlights. It's in a caravan of three, leading the
   way. A fourth car comes up later. The Duke is sitting
   in the passenger seat of a car with Weirdo in the back.
   The Duke gets out of the car, Weirdo at his side. The
   Duke is wearing a cowboy hat, sunglasses, a snazzy
   jacket, bluejeans, and boots. He looks TOUGH. He sends
   Weirdo to knock on the door.
   
                       MAGGIE
             He's looking for you, Brain.
   
                       SNAKE
             What does he want?
   
                       BRAIN
             He wants my diagram of the bridge.
             When he finds out I'm with you he's
             going to want my life! Shit,
             Plissken, I knew I shouldn't have
             listened to you -
   
                       SNAKE
             We've got to get to the President
             NOW, while he's busy.
   
                       BRAIN
             Forget it, he's on the other side
             of town and we got no wheels. The
             deal is off -
   
                       SNAKE
             Just calm down.
   
   
   EXT. CAR - NIGHT
   
   A lone man sits, looking bored. Snake subtly goes up to
   him, knocks him out, and gets him out of the car. He
   briefly considers shooting the guy on the hood of the
   car. Instead, the guy on the hood of the car walks
   around. Snake knocks him out a second alter and then
   drives to get Brain and Maggie. He knocks the other guy
   out of the car.
   
                       BRAIN
                   (panicked)
             I think they saw us! Turn left,
             turn left here!
   
   
   INT. CAR - NIGHT
   
                       MAGGIE
             Brain, this is Broadway.
             
                       BRAIN
             I know, I know, the Duke'll take
             Seventh Avenue, Broadway is five
             minutes -
   
                       MAGGIE
             No!!!
   
                       BRAIN
             Yes!!! Just keep driving!
   
                       SNAKE
             What's wrong with Broadway?
   
   
   EXT. BROADWAY - NIGHT
   
                       SNAKE
                   (to the car)
             Come on sweetheart...
   
   People start throwing bricks. Snake hands his gun to
   Brain, who passes it to Maggie, holding it like a dead
   rat (or like a macho guy would hold a purse). Snake
   drives as fast as he can, gunning off the bystander who
   gets on the car. A bystander grabs Brain.
   
                       BRAIN
             Maggie!
   
   Maggie protects him. She shoots the people grabbing at
   him. Snake angles the car through a pile of scrap metal
   and drives away. He glares at Brain. Everyone seems
   visibly shaken.
   
                       SNAKE
             Hold on.
   
   Snake backs the car through a bunch of piled cars. He
   takes off, the car a bit worse for wear but at least
   they got away from the crowd on Broadway.
   
   
   EXT. TRAINS - NIGHT
   
   Brain points to the cars as Snake watches.
   
                       BRAIN
             He'll be in the third car from the
             end, by the last campfire.
   
   Snake looks around. The Duke's caravan passes. There
   are more cars than there were before.
   
                       BRAIN
             It's all right. He's got to go in
             the front way. It'll take him five
             minutes. If you're not back to the
             car in four minutes you're on your
             own.
   
                       SNAKE
             When we get there, Harold, you just
             keep talking.
   
   They drive off. Snake gets to the trains. No one
   notices. Maggie and Brain get out of the car and Snake
   ducks into the train car.
   
                       BRAIN
             Hi, guys. Hi... how's it going?
             Cooled off a little, huh?
   
                       HEAD DUDE
             What do you want, Brain?
   
                       BRAIN
             Duke told us to wait inside. He's
             on his way here now.
   
                       HEAD DUDE
             He didn't say nothing to us about
             it.
   
                       BRAIN
             Well, you can't expect him to tell
             everybody in the joint, now can
             you? That's why he's the Duke.
   
   The camera angles back to show Snake walking on top of
   the railroad cars. He hasn't found the President yet.
   But he doesn't have time to wonder if Brain double-
   crossed him.
   
                       HEAD DUDE
             Why don't we wait outside here for
             him?
   
                       BRAIN
             Why don't we wait inside for him?
   
                       HEAD DUDE
             'Cause I got orders, that's why.
   
                       BRAIN
             What are your specific orders, by
             the way?
   
                       HEAD DUDE
             Specific orders, Brain, was for me
             not to let no one go inside.
   
                       BRAIN
             How's the President holding up, by
             the way? Any political discussion
             you've had with him?
   
   
   INT. PRESIDENT'S TRAIN CAR - NIGHT
   
   Two guards sit with the President, talking. The first
   guard is by the President. The second is looking out
   the window.
   
                       SECOND GUARD
             That Brain is a real pain in the
             ass. He's always sniffing around
             like a dog.
   
                       FIRST GUARD
             He comes up with the gas.
   
   The second guard looks out the window. Snake grabs him
   by the neck, and breaks it. The first guard doesn't
   notice, but the President does, and that tips off the
   guard.
   
                       FIRST GUARD
             What are you looking at?
   
   He turns and Snake throws a star at him. It lodges
   right in his brain, but not fast enough. Snake is hit
   in the leg with a crossbow arrow.
   
   Snake limps over to the President and starts uncuffing
   him. The president still has the briefcase. This is it,
   this is the big time. Snake keeps calm.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             Are you from the outside?
   
                       SNAKE
             Stop shaking.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             I can't! Who are you?
   
                       SNAKE
             Hauk sent me. We've got to move
             fast.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             Move fast? You're goddamned right
             I'll move fast.
   
                       SNAKE
             Quiet!
   
   Snake limps away, President in the lead.
   
   
   EXT. TRAIN - NIGHT
   
   Snake and the President keep moving. Suddenly, Snake
   gets jumped. Ten guys surround him and the President,
   and though Snake fights well, it's not well enough.
   Brain comes out with Maggie.
   
                       BRAIN
             They got him. Now watch him.
   
   The Duke steps out from the car, followed by Weirdo.
   
                       DUKE
             Friend of yours, Brain?
   
                       BRAIN
             He had a gun on me, Duke, there was
             nothing I could do.
   
                       DUKE
                   (not believing it for a
                   second)
             Uh-huh.
   
   Weirdo points accusingly as he and Duke walk away.
   
                       BRAIN
             Maggie...
   
   Duke walks up to Snake. Snake isn't giving in even
   though he's pretty sure he's beat.
   
                       DUKE
             Who are you?
   
   Snake doesn't answer. Duke grabs the arrow still lodged
   in his right leg and pulls on it. Snake writhes in
   agony.
   
                       DUKE
             I said who are you?
   
                       BRAIN
             Snake Plissken, Duke. The Man sent
             him in here. Something's going
             down... we need him.
   
   Duke recognizes the name. He is impressed. He lets go
   of the arrow. Snake hates him more than ever.
   
                       DUKE
             Snaaaaaake Plissken. I've heard of
             you.
   
   He raises a crowbar over his head and smacks Snake with
   it, knocking him out.
   
                       DUKE
             I heard you were dead.
   
   
   EXT. NEW YORK - NIGHT
   
   A helicopter flies over the city.
   
   
   INT. HELICOPTER - NIGHT
   
   The pilot looks at a grid-view of New York.
   
                       SURVEILLANCE 4
             This is surveillance 4 to security
             control. Nothing on the infrared
             body scan. Nothing in the
             searchlight. There aren't any fires
             on the street. Nobody moving down
             here.
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   Hauk, Rehme and the Vice President wait.
   
                       SURVEILLANCE 5
             Surveillance 5... security
             control... negative on infrared
             body scan... no movement in the
             searchlight... nothing strange
             going on down there.
   
   They look at the Master Life Clock. "12:27:39. 38".
   Where's Plissken?
   
   
   INT. ROOM - DAY
   
   Plissken lies unconscious on a bed, crossbow pointed at
   his head. Three guards are at the ready.
   
   
   INT. BASE - DAY
   
                       VICE PRESIDENT
             We've got to go in now.
   
                       HAUK
             We hold.
   
                       VICE PRESIDENT
             You're countermanding my orders,
             Hauk.
   
                       HAUK
             This is my prison, I'll give the
             orders.
   
                       VICE PRESIDENT
             I override all that!
   
                       HAUK
             Just try.
   
                       EXT. NEW YORK - DAY
             Unbelievable smog. Helicopters fly.
   
                       SURVEILLANCE 5
             ... still negative on the scan.
   
                       SURVEILLANCE 4
             This is Surveillance 4 to Security
             Control. Nothing on the infrared
             body scan. Negative on the sweep.
   
   
   EXT. WALL - DAY
   
   Hauk stands on the wall, listening.
   
                       SURVEILLANCE 10
             Surveillance 10. Still negative on
             the scan.
   
                       SURVEILLANCE 5
             Surveillance 5 still negative.
   
                       SURVEILLANCE 4
             This is Surveillance 4 to Security
             Control. Nothing on the infrared
             body scan. Negative...
   
   
   INT. ROOM - DAY
   
   Snake begins to come to. We hear gunshots and cheering.
   The guards go to announce Snake's consciousness.
   
   
   INT. HANGAR - DAY
   
   Brain and Maggie move to the center of the gunshots and
   cheering
   
   
   INT. TARGET PRACTICE - DAY
   
   The Duke sits firing with Plissken's gun at the
   President, whose briefcase is still chained to his arm.
   
   
   INT. ROOM - DAY
   
   Snake sits up. There are LOTS of crossbows aimed at
   him.
   
                       GUARD
             Don't move, Snake.
   
   Snake turns to face him. He stands up. We see for the
   first time exactly why he's called "Snake" Plissken.
   There's a snake tattooed on his stomach. The snake's
   tail disappears into his pants, but we have a good idea
   of where it leads and what it becomes. Ah ha.
   
   Snake's life clock is gone. He has no idea how much
   time he's got. Shit.
   
   
   INT. TARGET PRACTICE - DAY
   
                       DUKE
             I want that diagram, Brain.
   
                       BRAIN
             Oh. It's at my place, Duke. Duke,
             that Plissken said something about
             a time limit.
   
                       DUKE
             What time limit?
   
                       BRAIN
                   (gesturing at
                   President)
             On him.
   
                       DUKE
             That's a lot of crap.
                   (to the President)
             What did I teach you?
   
                       PRESIDENT
                   (weakly)
             You... You are... the Duke of
             New... New York... You're... A-
             Number-One.
   
                       DUKE
             I can't hear you.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             YOU ARE... THE DUKE OF NEW YORK...
             YOU'RE A-NUMBER-ONE!
   
                       DUKE
                   (to Brain)
             Get me the diagram.
   
                       BRAIN
             Duke... Don't kill Plissken. We
             need him.
   
   The Duke points the gun at Brain, but doesn't even give
   him a glance.
   
                       DUKE
             Get moving, Brain.
   
   Brain moves, and Weirdo laughs that odd laugh. The Duke
   fires at the President's briefcase. Papers and a tape
   fall out. Weirdo looks down and kicks the tape away. He
   picks it up and holds it to his ear, then puts it in
   his pocket. Guards come and unstrap the President. The
   Duke has decided to take Snake a bit more seriously
   than he had.
   
   Which is not saying much.
   
   
   EXT. NEW YORK - LATE AFTERNOON
   
   Helicopters fly above ground. A group stands with a
   car, gesturing wildly.
   
   
   INT. HELICOPTER - LATE AFTERNOON
   
                       PILOT
             People out below in the park. Can
             you see them?
   
   
   INT. BASE - LATE AFTERNOON
   
                       PILOT
             Surveillance 2 to Security Control.
             We're getting that readout, mostly
             in the infrared.
   
   Hauk and Rehme immediately check out the monitor. At
   least something's going on.
   
                       PILOT
             We have a visual sighting on it.
             It's a crowd of prisoners in
             Central Park. They're waving at us.
             Signaling us in the food drop area.
             They're waving us down.
   
   
   EXT. CENTRAL PARK - LATE AFTERNOON
   
   The prisoners wave the helicopters down. A group of
   guards lands and runs over to the station wagon. They
   get the briefcase which has been sawed off the
   President's handcuffs.
   
   
   INT. ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON
   
   Snake is awake and surrounded by guards. The cheers are
   louder.
   
   
   INT. BRAIN'S - LATE AFTERNOON
   
   Maggie walks across the room, loading a gun. It's one
   of Snake's.
   
                       BRAIN
             I still can't figure out whether
             that son of a bitch Plissken was
             telling the truth or not. God, I
             hate that guy.
   
   Brain stands in front of his maps.
   
                       MAGGIE
             He got in somehow.
   
                       BRAIN
             Yeah, yeah, but how? You gotta land
             the glider and take off.
                   (he gestures at the
                   map)
             You can't do it in Central Park,
             there's too many trees. Port
             Authority's too low to the ground.
             Unless it was some...
                   (he gets it... they
                   don't call him "Brain"
                   for nothing)
             Someplace high up. World Trade
             Center. That's it. There we go. The
             World Trade Center. And it's gonna
             be a hell of a lot easier for me to
             take off than it was for him to
             land.
   
   
   INT. BASE - LATE AFTERNOON
   
   Hauk reads the note left in the briefcase.
   
                       HAUK
             "Amnesty for all prisoners in New
             York City in exchange for
             President. 69th Street Bridge
             tomorrow, 12 Noon. No bullshit or
             he's dead."
   
                       VICE PRESIDENT
             Where's the tape?
   
                       HAUK
             Not here.
   
   He reaches inside and removes a pair of goggles.
   
                       REHME
             They're Plissken's.
   
   Yeah, they were on the table. He never did use them,
   though, and only half of them is necessary in his case
   anyway.
   
                       VICE PRESIDENT
             So much for your man, Hauk?
   
   Hauk hesitates. This is the last thing he wants.
   
                       HAUK
             Warm up the choppers. We're moving
             in.
   
   
   EXT. BASE - SUNSET
   
   Helicopters prepare for takeoff.
   
   
   INT. BASE - SUNSET
   
   Hauk sits at the microphone.
   
                       HAUK
             Plissken?
   
   The master life clock reads "1:56:38. 37. 36"
   
   
   INT. ROOM - SUNSET
   
   Snake slowly gets to his feet. He's still groggy, but
   it's time for him to move.
   
                       GUARD
             Come on, get up!
   
   Snake limps through a hallway and into a stadium.
   
   
   INT. STADIUM - SUNSET
   
   Boos greet Snake as he walks in. In the center of the
   room is a fighting ring. Snake climbs in, not without
   effort. A huge and extremely ugly man climbs into the
   ring, amid loud cheers. Snake notices that the huge
   ugly dude is wearing his life clock. In the balcony
   above is the Duke. The Duke stands up and raises his
   arms, and everyone gets silent.
   
                       DUKE
             They sent in their best man. And
             when we roll down the 69th street
             bridge tomorrow on our way to
             freedom, we're gonna have their
             best man leading the way. From the
             neck up.
   
   The crowd cheers.
   
                       DUKE
             On the hood of my car!
   
   More cheers.
   
                       DUKE
             Let's do it!
   
   Ugly and Snake take bats. They circle each other. Ugly
   strikes at Snake. Snake ricochets off the ring. He
   rolls around, fighting for his life.
   
   
   INT. BUILDING - SUNSET
   
   Brain and Maggie walk around. They knock on a door and
   Weirdo answers. He's wearing Cabbie's hat.
   
                       WEIRDO
             Hello.
   
                       BRAIN
             Where'd you get the hat?
   
                       WEIRDO
             Got it from Cabbie.
   
                       BRAIN
             Yeah?
   
                       WEIRDO
             Traded him.
   
                       BRAIN
             For what?
   
                       WEIRDO
             What are you so nervous about?
   
                       BRAIN
             I'm here to see the President.
   
                       WEIRDO
             Who says?
   
                       BRAIN
             The Duke.
   
                       WEIRDO
             No he doesn't.
   
                       BRAIN
             Well... I'll have to tell him you
             said that.
   
   Weirdo doesn't really believe it. If it's not true, so
   what?
   
   But if it IS true, the Duke will have him tortured to
   death.
   
                       WEIRDO
             Wait a minute. Why?
   
                       BRAIN
             He's got something hidden in his
             clothing. The Duke wants it.
   
                       WEIRDO
             What?
   
                       BRAIN
             I'll show you.
   
                       WEIRDO
             You'll tell me.
   
                       BRAIN
             Cyanide capsules. The Duke don't
             want a dead president.
   
   Brain pushes his way in.
   
   
   INT. ROOM - SUNSET
   
                       BRAIN
             Gentlemen. Mr. President.
   
   Weirdo lets the door slide closed. Brain starts
   checking the President's clothes. The President has
   been dressed in a wig and tied to a chair with an
   American Flag on it.
   
                       WEIRDO
             Cyanide?
   
                       BRAIN
             Yeah. He might try to take it
             tomorrow.
   
   Weirdo walks up to Brain.
   
                       WEIRDO
             That's bullshit. You're not
             supposed to be in here, Brain -
   
   Brain stabs Weirdo, who dies with a gasp. Maggie
   dispatches of the three guards. She smiles. Brain
   unties the President's hand. The President snatches off
   the wig in a rage.
   
   
   INT. TOURNAMENT - SUNSET
   
   Snake notices a guard wearing the eagle tracer. A trash
   can lid and a bat with spikes on it is handed to him.
   The next round begins.
   
   
   EXT. HOUSE - EVENING
   
   Brain, the President, and Maggie sneak out. A guy in a
   cowboy hat notices.
   
   
   INT. TOURNAMENT - EVENING
   
   Ugly and Snake keep fighting. Snake is not doing very
   well. But he's catching up. As Ugly tries to hit him,
   he nails Ugly in the groin, then in the back of the
   head. The crowd begins cheering "SNAKE! SNAKE!" The
   Duke can't believe it. Snake runs to the guard with the
   tracer and activates it.
   
   
   INT. BASE - EVENING
   
   The Master Life Clock begins blinking "Tracer Status:
   ACTIVATED"
   
                       COMPUTER
             Tracer activated at one hour,
             thirty-five minutes, twenty-seven
             seconds.
   
   Rehme jumps out of his seat.
   
                       REHME
             Hauk!!
   
   
   INT. TOURNAMENT - EVENING
   
   Snake limps around, getting his stuff back together. He
   looks at his life clock. "1:34:54. 53". He doesn't have
   much time.
   
   The guy in the cowboy hat runs up to the Duke and yells
   for attention. Duke immediately gets up and leaves, as
   do his hangers-on.
   
                       GUY IN COWBOY HAT
             LISTEN!!! LISTEN!!! LISTEN!!!
   
   The crowd shuts up.
   
                       GUY IN COWBOY HAT
             THE PRESIDENT'S GONE! BRAIN TOOK
             HIM!
   
   The crowd rushes out. Snake limps out of the ring and
   runs off as fast as he can.
   
   
   EXT. BASE - EVENING
   
   Rehme catches up to Hauk at the last second. Hauk has
   been stalling.
   
                       REHME
                   (shouting over noise)
             Hauk! Plissken's tracer!
   
   Hauk runs up to the head helicopter pilot.
   
                       HAUK
             Get on the radio! Keep them down!
             Nobody move!
   
   
   INT. BASE - EVENING
   
   Two monitors show Snake's tracer.
   
                       REHME
             He's approaching the World Trade
             Center.
   
                       HAUK
             I knew that son of a bitch was
             alive.
   
                       REHME
             He's inside.
   
   
   INT. WORLD TRADE CENTER - EVENING
   
   Snake limps around. He notices a cab. Fifty flights of
   stairs with his leg shot to hell. He hesitates only for
   a second, then starts up.
   
   
   INT. BASE - EVENING
   
   The Vice President, Hauk and Rehme all stand, staring
   at the monitors.
   
                       VICE PRESIDENT
             It's gone.
   
                       HAUK
             The signal only lasts for 15
             minutes. Download the choppers.
             We're in a standby situation.
   
   Rehme runs off.
   
                       VICE PRESIDENT
             Anybody could have pushed that
             button.
   
                       HAUK
             Only Plissken knew there was a
             safety catch. Now we'll give him a
             little more time, just to make
             sure.
   
   The master clock shows "59:44. 43".
   
   
   EXT. WORLD TRADE CENTER - NIGHT
   
   Snake gets out of the elevator. Maggie, Brain, and the
   President all take cover behind a chimney and try to
   get a gang to stop chopping down the glider. It doesn't
   work. The glider floats away.
   
                       BRAIN
             Goddamned redskins! They're
             savages, Mr. President!
   
   Snake runs to get them. They get in the elevator.
   
   
   INT. WORLD TRADE CENTER - NIGHT
   
   Snake has the President by the arm and is leading
   everyone out.
   
                       BRAIN
             Listen, Snake, I swear to god, I
             thought you were dead -
   
                       SNAKE
             Yeah, you and everybody else.
   
   He grabs Brain by the tie and aims the gun at his head.
   
                       SNAKE
             That's your car in the lobby? The
             keys! Quick! Quick! Diagram of the
             bridge! Hey, hey, hey -
   
   Snake takes all the above mentioned items.
   
                       BRAIN
             I'm the only one who knows how to
             read that, Snake -
   
                       SNAKE
             Stay out of my way, Harold.
   
                       BRAIN
             Besides, you can't read and drive
             at the same time. You need us!
   
   Snake is tired. He's pissed. He's got half an hour to
   live if that. He doesn't have time for Brain's shit,
   and he lets him know it.
   
                       SNAKE
             You shouldn't have double-crossed
             me again, Brain. Come on, let's go
             -
   
   He suddenly notices there's nothing on the end of the
   President's chain. He holds it in front of the
   President's face.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             They sawed it off...
   
                       SNAKE
             The tape?
   
                       PRESIDENT
             Gone... I don't know where...
   
                       BRAIN
             I do.
   
   Snake shoots him a look. Bullshit, his eyes say, but
   maybe Brain is telling the truth. Maybe.
   
                       BRAIN
             Swear to god, Snake, I know where
             it is. Just take us to the car and
             I'll take you right to it.
   
                       SNAKE
             Shit...
   
   He tosses the diagram of the bridge to Brain. They go
   down the stairs. Snake's in bad shape, but it's
   everyone else who's complaining.
   
                       MAGGIE
             Don't talk. Breathe.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             Come on, come on, we're wasting
             time!
   
   Snake gets into the car. It won't start.
   
                       BRAIN
             What's wrong?
   
                       SNAKE
             Dead, Harold.
   
                       BRAIN
             What?!
   
   Snake hands the keys to Brain.
   
                       SNAKE
             Here, take these.
   
   Snake looks under the hood. There's a man with a
   crossbow pointed straight at him. Shit. They've been
   caught. Again.
   
                       DUKE
             Car trouble?
   
   Snake looks over the hood. There's the Duke. With a
   dozen guards. Brain steps out.
   
                       BRAIN
             Hi, Duke.
   
                       DUKE
             This whole deal of yours is over,
             Snake. You and Brain just say good-
             bye to each other.
   
   The Duke turns away and loses aim of his gun for a
   moment. At that moment, Snake pulls a gun and fires at
   the steam vent. At the same time, Maggie slams the hood
   shut on the guard with the crossbow. Steam flies
   everywhere, enough for cover. The four of them run for
   it. The Duke runs after them.
   
   
   EXT. NEW YORK - NIGHT
   
   A cab pulls up. Its radio is playing "American
   Bandstand". Guess who's driving? You got it!
   
   The group of four runs up to the cab. Snake runs around
   and makes Cabbie scoot over. He wants to drive. Cabbie
   looks shocked.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             GO, GO!
   
   The Duke and his followers arrive too late.
   
   
   INT. CAB - NIGHT
   
                       BRAIN
                   (trying to explain the
                   map)
             ... and then there's three more...
   
   Snake waves him off. Cabbie's trying to make
   conversation.
   
                       MAGGIE
             They're behind us -
   
                       BRAIN
             They come in groups of threes!
   
   Snake pops the American Bandstand tape out of the tape
   player and puts it in his pocket.
   
                       SNAKE
             Where's the tape, Brain?
   
                       CABBIE
             What tape?
   
                       SNAKE
             Where is it?
   
                       BRAIN
             Tape...
   
                       PRESIDENT
             The tape from the briefcase!
   
                       CABBIE
             Oh, that tape!
   
   He pulls it out of his pocket.
   
                       CABBIE
             Here it is!
   
   Cabbie hands it to Snake. Brain laughs, trying to cover
   his ass.
   
                       BRAIN
             You traded away your hat for it!
   
                       CABBIE
             How'd you know?
   
                       BRAIN
             See, see!
   
   Snake pops it into the deck. It begins spewing out
   information. It's the right one. He slips it into his
   pocket.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             Here, give me that tape!
   
   HA! No way!
   
                       SNAKE
             Not just yet.
   
   Snake checks his life clock. "23:20. 19. 18. 17".
   Didn't that guy say 15 minutes before the last hour was
   up? But Hauk said they'd been playing with this, so the
   15 minutes was built in already. Still, 23 minutes.
   That's cutting it pretty fucking close.
   
   
   EXT. CAB - NIGHT
   
   Snake races as fast as the cab can go.
   
   
   INT. CAB - NIGHT
   
   Snake checks to make sure they're not being followed
   too closely. They're not. The Duke is behind, but he's
   FAR behind.
   
                       CABBIE
             Easy... easy!
   
                       BRAIN
             Go for it, Snake!
   
   
   EXT. 69TH STREET BRIDGE - NIGHT
   
   Snake jumps the car over the first obstacle. Cabbie
   looks like he's having a heart attack.
   
   Snake swerves on Brain's direction. So far so good. A
   mine goes off, but it's behind them.
   
   The Duke goes forward. He's going by the seat of his
   pants. But he knows the general direction of how Snake
   went. A mine goes off behind him, too.
   
   
   INT. CAB - NIGHT
   
   Brain reads the map. Cabbie continues to freak out.
   
                       CABBIE
             You've got to slow down a little,
             Snake...
   
                       BRAIN
             I think there are three mines
             ahead, Snake.
   
                       MAGGIE
             You think?!
   
   
   EXT. 69TH STREET BRIDGE - NIGHT
   
   The Duke continues in pursuit.
   
   
   INT. CAB - NIGHT
   
                       BRAIN
             Stay left, stay left, stay left,
             and then jog right when I tell you.
   
                       CABBIE
             You're pushing her too hard, Snake.
   
                       BRAIN
             OK, OK, NOW!
   
   
   EXT. 69TH STREET BRIDGE - NIGHT
   
   The cab explodes, being cut right in half. Everyone
   makes it except Cabbie. Cabbie had been driving that
   very same cab for thirty years. He died with it.
   
   The President, Snake, Maggie and Brain all keep going
   on foot.
   
                       BRAIN
             I said JOG RIGHT!... You asshole.
   
   Brain leads the way as they keep crossing the bridge.
   
                       BRAIN
             Stay to the right, stay to the
             right, now jog left. Hold it,
             left... left... LEFT, DAMMIT!
   
   The other three go right. Brain goes left and a mine
   explodes under him. Maggie walks up to the body in
   shock. Snake limps up to her.
   
                       MAGGIE
             Brain...
   
                       SNAKE
             Keep moving...
   
   The Duke's car is coming. Snake checks his life clock
   
                       SNAKE
             Maggie... he's dead. Come on.
   
   Maggie calmly holds out her hand. Snake smiles and
   hands her his gun. His grin grows. It's one of respect
   for what she's about to do. He runs off after the
   President.
   
   Maggie walks around to Brain, then steps in front of
   him. She points the gun at the Duke's car. The first
   three shots don't connect. The fourth nails the
   headlight, and then the Duke runs her over. He keeps
   going.
   
   
   INT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   Rehme runs up to Hauk and the Vice President.
   
                       REHME
             Station 19! They spotted two cars
             on the 69th street bridge.
   
                       HAUK
             Is it Plissken?
   
                       REHME
             Taxicab and a Cadillac. Taxi hit a
             mine. There's four people on foot.
   
                       VICE PRESIDENT
             Fourteen minutes...
   
                       HAUK
             Get a jeep with a winch over there
             fast.
   
   He pulls out a phone.
   
                       HAUK
             Strombaerden! Get over to Station
             19. They're coming across the
             bridge.
   
   
   EXT. 69TH STREET BRIDGE - NIGHT
   
   The President and Snake run on.
   
   
   EXT. WALL - NIGHT
   
   A jeep pulls up. Rehme's voice comes up over the
   loudspeaker. The guards on the jeep ready the winch.
   
                       REHME
             This is Rehme, Security Control. We
             are in a standby situation. Repeat.
             We are in a standby situation. All
             helicopters, down. Wall guard, do
             not fire on prisoners. Repeat, do
             not fire on prisoners. All
             vehicles, stand by. Repeat, stand
             by.
   
   
   EXT. 69TH STREET BRIDGE - NIGHT
   
   Snake and the President are close enough to the wall to
   hear all this.
   
   EXT. WALL - NIGHT
   
   The wall guards grab the rope and prepare to lower it
   for the President and Snake.
   
   
   EXT. 69TH STREET BRIDGE - NIGHT
   
   Snake pushes the President up to the wall. The winch
   comes down and Snake helps the President into it first.
   The President goes up and over. Snake's life clock
   reads "1:32". But he doesn't have time to watch seconds
   tick away because the Duke is right behind him firing
   at him. Snake ducks for cover. The wall guards die. The
   winch comes down again, and the Duke sees it. He starts
   toward it. Snake tackles him and beats him up, dazing
   him but not knocking him out. He grabs the winch.
   
   
   EXT. WALL - NIGHT
   
   A hand stops the winch from moving.
   
   
   EXT. 69TH STREET BRIDGE - NIGHT
   
   Snake comes to a stop. He panics and starts pulling on
   the winch line. The Duke comes to and stands up. But he
   can't get anywhere because the President has found a
   machine gun and is now firing away. He is very
   accurate. He nails the Duke right away but keeps
   firing.
   
                       PRESIDENT
                   (manic voice)
             Yeah, hey, Number One! You're the
             Duke! You're the Duke!
   
   The President calms down somewhat.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             You're... the Duke... You're A-
             Number-One.
   
   The President starts the winch again. Snake climbs up
   and gets over as fast as he can without injuring
   himself.
   
   
   EXT. WALL - NIGHT
   
   Hauk and the medic pull up with the machine. Hauk
   interrupts the medic.
   
                       HAUK
             The tape, Plissken.
   
   Snake reaches into his pocket, grabs the tape, and
   hands it to Hauk. He is furious. As soon as Hauk has
   the tape, he lets the medic come back. He holds up two
   medal pads to Snake's neck. They buzz, they buzz
   louder, and then he takes them away.
   
                       MEDIC
             That's it.
   
   Snake continues to pant and fume. He stares at them,
   then lifts his wrist to look at his life clock. 2
   seconds. One second.
   
   Beep.
   
   Nothing.
   
   Snake lowers his wrist.
   
   
   EXT. PRESIDENT'S PRESS CONFERENCE SITE - NIGHT
   
   A jeep pulls Rehme up. He jogs to the President, who is
   being shaved and prepared for broadcast.
   
                       REHME
             I radioed ahead, Mr. President.
             They know the situation. They're
             waiting for your broadcast.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             Yeah.
   
   Snake approaches. The President nods.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             Oh, it's all right.
   
   Snake walks up and looks the President straight in the
   eye.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             I, uh... I want to thank you.
             Anything you want... you just name
             it.
   
                       SNAKE
             Just a moment of your time.
   
                       AIDE
             Three minutes, sir.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             Yes?
   
                       SNAKE
             We did get you out. A lot of people
             died in the process. I just
             wondered how you felt about it.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             I want to thank them. This nation
             appreciates their sacrifice.
   
   The President is full of shit after all. Snake has
   reason for his cynicism. The President is uncomfortable
   with Snake's glare and it shows.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             Look, uh, I'm on the air in...
                   (questioning his aide)
             Two and a half minutes?
   
                       AIDE
             Yes, sir.
   
   Snake lights a cigarette and walks away. Rehme watches.
   
   
   EXT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   Snake walks away. Hauk stands nearby. Snake stops in
   his tracks.
   
                       HAUK
             You going to kill me now, Snake?
   
                       SNAKE
             I'm too tired. Maybe later.
   
                       HAUK
             I've got another deal for you. I
             want you to think it over while
             you're resting. I want to give you
             a job. We'd make one hell of a
             team, Snake.
   
                       SNAKE
                   (glaring)
             The name's Plissken.
   
   He limps away.
   
   
   EXT. PRESIDENT'S PRESS CONFERENCE SITE - NIGHT
   
   The President looks suitably freshened up. He's even
   smiling a little.
   
                       AIDE
             You're on camera, Mr. President.
   
                       PRESIDENT
             Good evening. Although I shall not
             be present at this historic summit
             meeting, I present this, in the
             hope that our great nations may
             learn to live in peace.
   
   He pops in the tape and presses the "PLAY" button...
   
   ... and out comes "American Bandstand".
   
   The President's face goes slack. His career's over.
   
   
   EXT. BASE - NIGHT
   
   Snake keeps limping. He pulls a tape out of his pocket,
   yanks the magnetic tape out, winds it around his hand,
   rips it to shreds, and throws the tape away.
   
                                               FADE OUT
   
   
   
   THE END