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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
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