Page 42 - WHAT GENERALS DO AT NIGHT FIRST EDITION

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, almost out of sight, the plane arcs and drops back,

then spirals and falls towards the base below at a

screaming pitch, almost as if it's going to crash right into

headquarters.

GEN. YEAGER'S TOMCAT - NIGHT

GEN. YEAGER: almost serene behind the controls,

inhaling the speed through his nostrils, like the scent of a

quarry.

THROUGH COCKPIT WINDOW: The city of

Philadelphia spread out to the north, lights all aglitter.

And below, directly below, is the Rockland Air Base rising

up almost hypnotically fast.

At the very last instant, Yeager pulls back, with a flicker

of regret.

GEN. SORKIN'S OFFICE - NIGHT

Sorkin is watching out the window, mesmerized, joined

by Lt. Wharton.

GEN SORKIN: (half a smile; impressed) -- watch you

don’t flame out there, Mister Yeager...

THEIR POV: In a monumental display of aviation daring,

the Tomcat shoots skyward with ground- shaking

thunder.

MARINE GENERAL: (V.O.) (on speakerphone) GENERAL

SORKIN! GENERAL SORKIN! WHAT'S GOING ON

THERE?!

Gen. Sorkin turns to the camera at his desk.

MAJ. GEN. SORKIN: It appears we have a

grandstanding pilot, General - I'm going to take care of it