Free Dear John by Jamie Linden Page A

consciousness --
    -- it is ultimately a losing battle.
    155        INT. MILITARY HOSPITAL -- DAY
    John abruptly sits upright in bed. Weeks have passed -- obvious because his arm is now in a sling, his neck is wrapped in gauze, and his face is lined with impatience.
    He stands up, goes over to the wardrobe. Stares at his reflection in the mirror. Then he slowly pulls his arm out of the sling. It causes him immense pain, but he pushes through.
    He grabs his dress uniform out of the closet. Winces as he buttons his shirt. Tight. Tighter still. Winces as he pulls on his rather sparsely decorated jacket, ties his tie.
    By the time he puts on his beret, his forehead gleams with sweat. He wipes his face, stares at his reflection.
    At least now he looks like a soldier again.
    156        INT. MAKESHIFT OFFICE -- DAY
    John stands at attention in front of Captain Stone, who’s catching up on some paperwork.
    JOHN
    Requesting permission to return to duty, sir.
    Stone looks up at John. He’s trying hard to look whole and healthy, but he’s not fooling anybody.
    CAPTAIN STONE
    It’s been three weeks. I’m impressed, but I’m not stupid.
    He grins at John, proud of him.
    CAPTAIN
    Go home first, get some R&R. Give your Dad some company for awhile.
    JOHN
    My Dad doesn’t care much for company, sir.
    Stone regards him, still standing there rigidly.
    CAPTAIN STONE
    Your Dad called twice a day, every day, while you were in that hospital. Maybe he cares more than you think.
    John looks away, clearly surprised. He processes the information, lets it shake him out of his stubbornness.
    Stone watches him, then SIGHS, looks him honestly in the eye.
    CAPTAIN STONE
    Listen, John. I’m being transferred. Back stateside.
    (before John can object)
    It has nothing to do with what happened -- my command time’s just over. I’m going back to Fort Bragg.
    He stands up, walks over to John.
    CAPTAIN STONE
    Berry and Daniels have decided to get out, most of the others are coming down on assignment. Now you have less than four months until separation yourself. You’ve served your country well -- there’s no need to go the extra mile at this point.
    John pauses, considering him... considering what it would be like back in Charleston.
    And then he makes his mind up. He stands even straighter, his eyes focused on the wall behind Stone.
    JOHN
    No, sir. I’m reenlisting again, sir.
    Stone stares at him in disbelief.
    CAPTAIN STONE
    Let me get this straight, Staff Sargeant. All this time here you’ve been, just itching to get out--
    (off John’s reaction)
    -- c’mon, we both know it’s true.
    But now here you are, you finally have your chance, and now you’re telling me no thanks, cause you actually wanna go back out there for another three years?
    John doesn’t move, still rigid as a board.
    JOHN
    Better make it six, sir.
    CUT TO:
    157        THE MOON --
    Waning and small up in the night sky.
    158        EXT. LOCATION TBD -- DAY
    Underneath that sky, there’s a quick but dramatic action set piece (location and elements pending, but if possible it shouldn’t look Middle Eastern) where John leads his team in accomplishing whatever military objective needs to be accomplished (and can be affordably staged).
    Point being -- he’s a professional soldier now. And a good one. Then fade from the darkness of that to--
    THE SUN --
    Beating down from the sky. John looks up at it, shielding his eyes from the glare. Now he’s at --
    159        EXT. ARMY BASE -- DAY
    -- in full uniform again. But his once sparsely decorated jacket is now full of bars, medals, commendations, badges. John’s head is still shaved, but his wounds have long healed.
    SUMMER 2007
    An F-15 Eagle jet screams overhead, blocking out the sun for an instant and casting John in a brief shadow.
    160        INT. BARRACKS -- DAY
    John returns to his very modest room. Noodles is long gone, replaced by a new roommate, BERG -- very young, very