F Frageti
[Frageti, Jones, and Collins are marching through the woods at the head of Recon Platoon. They forget to watch the ground as they go, and all three walk into the same rope strung low across the ground; in the Vietnam War the Vietcong were known to use this as a trigger for a booby-trap consisting of one or more grenades, whose pins are pulled out when someone walks into the rope.]
What the hell was that?
H Highway
You're dead, Marine! You just stepped on four booby traps and blew your legs off! We'll have to send out a search party for your testicles! Now where the hell's your backup?
H Highway
[Behind them, Profile raises a hand nervously as Highway turns and stares at him.]
What the **** good are you doing back there? Without any cover fire I get my ass blown off! [Turns back to the three Marines who tripped over the rope] While you guys are sitting there pumpin' the neighbor's dog we get every swingin' dick in this platoon killed!
Hey, chill out, man; that's what we're here for.
We're here for that! We've ambushed Major Powers three times and always right here; we know what we're doing.
H Highway
Well, Shit-For-Brains, who says we're gonna ambush Major Powers right here?
Hey, you didn't hear Lieutenant Ring? Major Powers wants us to die in a loud, grotesque, military manner.
H Highway
I don't give a **** about Major Powers. My job is to keep you men alive. Let's move on.
Major Powers [Soon after, Major Powers and his platoon are on the march in the open.]
We should be coming to the ambush site over the next hill.
SM Sergeant Major Choozoo
Sure does help knowin' where and when you're gonna be hit, sir.
H Highway
[Unknown to these Marines, Recon Platoon is watching with weapons trained on them.]
Easy. Give 'em a few more yards, then we'll nail the coffin shut. [they let First Platoon walk farther into the ambush] Okay now.
Major Powers Fill out the proper request forms and send it through the chain of command.
H Highway
[In disbelief]
Request forms?
Major Powers [Colonel Meyers, commander of the 8th Marine Regiment, arrives.]
Ten-hut!
CM Colonel Meyers
At ease, men.
Major Powers Major Malcom Powers, sir. Annapolis, Class of '71.
CM Colonel Meyers
How are your men doing, Major?
Major Powers My men are ready to fight to the death to protect our country, sir.
CM Colonel Meyers
[A beat as Colonel Meyers, a combat veteran, looks at him]
Let's hope that won't be necessary. [Notices Highway] Have we ever served together?
H Highway
I don't know, sir. Sergeant Major Choozoo and I were in 2nd Battalion, 7th in '68.
CM Colonel Meyers
I had a rifle company in 1st Battalion, 7th.
H Highway
[Smiles]
Well, we sure as hell chewed some of the same dirt, sir.
CM Colonel Meyers
That's for sure. What's your assessment of this alert?
H Highway
It's a cluster****.
CM Colonel Meyers
Say again?
H Highway
Marines are fighting men. They shouldn't be sitting around on their sorry asses filling out request forms for equipment they should already have.
CM Colonel Meyers
Interesting observation, Gunny. Carry on, Major.
CM Colonel Meyers
Are you new to the Infantry, Major?
Major Powers Yes, sir. Come over from Supply.
CM Colonel Meyers
Were you good at that?
Major Powers Yes, sir!
CM Colonel Meyers
Well then stick to it, cause you're a walking cluster**** as an infantry officer! This is a Marine amphibious unit, Major! My men are hard chargers! Lieutenant Ring and Gunnery Sergeant Highway took a bunch of young fire pissers, exercised some personal initiative, and KICKED ASS! [to Lieutenant Ring] Good work, Lieutenant!
1L 1st Lieutenant Ring
Thank you, sir!
CM Colonel Meyers
Lieutenant, see that some of those students are escorted back to Cherry Point.
1L 1st Lieutenant Ring
Aye, aye, sir. [and runs off]
CM Colonel Meyers
[to Major Powers]
Well, you're dismissed! [Powers and Webster leave in disgrace; Meyers notices Choozoo and Highway standing nearby] What the hell are you two staring at? Get outta my LZ.
HC Highway, Choozoo
[Grinning and heading out]
Semper Fi, sir.
CM Colonel Meyers
Ooh-rah...
