Act 3: Part 6

JILL

Bad timing and bad taste. We'll be

waiting for you back at the main

cabin.

Everyone leaves. All but one lone figure tied in chains

awaits Franklin to leave as well.

As Franklin says his last farewell to Bach and turns to

leave. The chained commander stands when Franklin approaches,

and trails behind him as Franklin leads him to his cell.

COMMANDER

My condolences.

Franklin glances back at the commander with an inquisitive

expression.

COMMANDER (CONT'D)

He seemed like a good man.

Franklin nods.

FRANKLIN

Are you?

COMMANDER

Certainly not.

FRANKLIN

I thought so...

Franklin opens the cell door, but instead of moving aside to

lead the prisoner in; he steps into the cell with the

commander and locks himself in with him.

FRANKLIN (CONT'D)

This conversation is long overdue.

It's been several years since

you've last spoken. The curses have

stopped. You're much more docile...

What's going on in that head of

yours?

COMMANDER

I mean... it's as you said. I'm not

a good man. I was wrong.

A beat passes.

FRANKLIN

You're bluffing.

87.

The commander shrugs and proceeds to make himself comfortable

in his cell.

FRANKLIN (CONT'D)

Okie dokie, well I'm off to have a

conversation with my make believe

angel, you let me know if anything

else pops up in that head of yours.

Franklin closes the cell door behind him and turns to leave.

COMMANDER

Wait.

Franklin stops and looks at the commander dead in the eye,

trying to read his genuine intentions.

COMMANDER (CONT'D)

You kept me alive because you said

you wanted to ask me a question.

What was it? What was the question?

Franklin stops to ponder for a moment and laughs when it

finally clicks.

FRANKLIN

Oh yeah... I did. But I didn't need

to ask you to answer it.

The commander raises a questioning brow.

COMMANDER

How?

FRANKLIN

Do you know why you are not a good

man?

COMMANDER

I am evil. I have done evil things.

I don't deserve to live.

FRANKLIN

I was there once. That was my

answer too. But I realized

something Commander. It took me

awhile but my new friends helped me

identify it... You're not evil.

You're just sick.

COMMANDER

No... I am evil.

88.

FRANKLIN

Do you want to atone for your sins?

COMMANDER

(chuckles)

Are you one of those Christians

now?

FRANKLIN

Not quite, but I do my part in

recognizing my wrong doings in the

world and try to make a difference.

A beat passes.

FRANKLIN (CONT'D)

Would you like to do that as well?

COMMANDER

What's the alternative?

FRANKLIN

Rotting away in here.

The commander nods.

COMMANDER

I deserve it.

FRANKLIN

These people don't. This village is

a result of all of war's

atrocities. They don't deserve a

prisoner. Another pair of helping

hands would be a great start.

COMMANDER

I can try.

FRANKLIN

That's all you can do.

CUT TO:

INT. MEDIC CABIN - DAY

Franklin walks into the meeting room where the rest of his

friends discuss their daily plans.

FRANKLIN

The commander is working with the

laundry crew. Tito is watching him.

(MORE)

89.

FRANKLIN (CONT'D)

His ankles are still tied. We'll

warm up to him.

The startling news shocks everyone but no one interjects.

FRANKLIN (CONT'D)

I'm off to go hunting. Good day

everyone.

Franklin leaves the room with a smug look on his face.

Everyone had been dreading what to do with the weary

prisoner.

This new path of redemption may not be everyone's favorite

option, but they all felt a bit of relief that something was

changing.

GUARDIAN ANGEL

Feeling good about it?

FRANKLIN

Feels like everything is starting

to work out.

A montage of Franklin hiking in the woods. Tracking down

deer. Hunting one down and bringing back one. All this time

he is conversating with the angel.

When he gets near the village he notices an excessive amount

of smoke. Fear strikes his heart and he quickens his pace.

Sounds of screams, gun fire, and explosions can be heard.

As Franklin arrives into the midst of the burning village, he

sees bodies everywhere. Mutilated by bullets and grenades.

Cabins burnt. The entire village left in ruins.

He falls to his knees in the midst of the burning village.

Dropping the deer down at his feet. He cries out for his

friends. No one answers.

The screams and gun shots have stopped. Only the sound of

burning remains. In the midst of the smoke a dying figure

crawls out towards Franklin.

Franklin quickly crawls toward it and grabs their hand. It is

Sumi. She is covered in burns and is barely breathing. Tear

streams outline her cheeks and her lips are caked in ash.

SUMI

Don't... don't die.

Franklin leans in close to hear her last words.

90.

SUMI (CONT'D)

I don't want to die.

Her head explodes in his arms. A bullet hole replaces her

once intact face. There in the distance, behind the smoke, is

the silhouette of a familiar figure.

The commander emerges from the smoke with a rifle in his hand

and a sinister smile on his face.

FRANKLIN

(voice dripping with rage)

Why?!

COMMANDER

(shrugs)

Because I'm evil.

Franklin begins to bawl. Falling into a fetal position and

sobbing uncontrollably. The angel looks down at Franklin.

FRANKLIN

How could you let this happen?

The angel disappears into the smoke.

FRANKLIN (CONT'D)

I don't want to live in a world

where they're all dead.

The commander tosses his rifle down on Franklin's feet.

COMMANDER

Then kill yourself.

A sudden commotion interrupts this moment. Helicopters,

tanks, countless soldiers flood into the scene. They are not

Nazi's. In fact, when they see the commanders uniform, they

don't hesitate to shoot him.

The commander falls to the ground beside Franklin. His

sinister smirk still on his lifeless face as Franklin stares

deeply into his eyes.

RANDOM SOLIDER

Sir sir, are you okay? The war is

over. You're safe now.