Chris Kyle's Internal Struggles and Missions as a Sniper, Lecture notes of Dance

Download Chris Kyle's Internal Struggles and Missions as a Sniper and more Lecture notes Dance in PDF only on Docsity!

"AMERICAN SNIPER"

Written By Jason Hall Based on the book by Chris Kyle with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice

All gave some. Some gave all.

CHRIS KYLE

(keys mike) I got a military-aged male, on a cell phone, watching the convoy. Over. COMMANDING OFFICER (OS) If you think he’s reporting troop movement you have a green-light. Your call. Over. GOAT (OC) He could be calling his old lady. MAN ON CELL studies the convoy, his hair tossed by wind. CROSS-HAIR push left of target, compensating for windage. SFX: Chris takes a deep inhale, holds it, then expels. His finger is taking up trigger-slack when the man dips his shoulder slightly. Chris holds off as-- MAN ON CELL hangs up and steps away. CHRIS KYLE (keys mike) He stepped off. Chris sucks air_. Close._ The ambient world floods back in. Barked orders, diesel engines and-- A WOMAN AND KID exit the same structure. They’re headed up the sidewalk but cut sharply into the street. CHRIS KYLE (keys mike) Hold up. I got a woman and a kid, 200 yards out, moving toward the convoy. (ECU)-- The woman cradles something beneath her robes. CHRIS KYLE Her arms aren’t swinging. She’s carrying something. CROSS-HAIRS ON WOMAN as she pulls a cylindrical object from her robes. His vision obscured but-- CHRIS KYLE She just pulled a grenade. An RKG Russian grenade. I think she gave it to the kid. COMMANDING OFFICER (OS) --you say a woman and kid?

SFX: his heart-beat, THUMP-THUMP THUMP-THUMP THUMP-THUMP. CHRIS KYLE You got eyes on this? Can you confirm? COMMANDING OFFICER (OS) Negative. You know the ROEs. Your call. GOAT (OC) They fry you if you’re wrong. Send your ass to Leavenworth. THE KID moves toward the convoy with the grenade. CHRIS KYLE (OC) Fuck-- MOTHER motions the Kid to hurry along (ECU) -- her robes flutter, trash blows in the street, the dust off her son’s footsteps; all blowing the same direction. THE KID sprints toward the Marines. IN THE STREET YOUNG MARINES. Wading into war. Boots scuffing dirt. CLOSE ON CHRIS His exhale hisses from tobacco-stained teeth. Breathe it down. He struggles to get calm, fighting for control. SFX: THUMP-THUMP THUMP-THUMP THUMP-- CROSS-HAIRS left of the running target, leading him, compensating for a dozen different considerations as-- He pauses upon exhale. The world goes quiet. Landscape pulses with color and focus. He stokes the trigger and-- THE BULLET Leaps from the barrel. Cracks like a whip. The .300 round hurls forward, glinting as it enters the flesh of-- A WHITE-TAIL BUCK It staggers, draws and topples to the ground. We are-- 4 EXT. HILLS, WEST TEXAS - PRE-DAWN 4 A field shrouded in fog. CHRIS KYLE(8) jumps from a deer blind, innocent and excited, running toward the buck.

PASTOR

We don’t see with his eyes so we don’t know the glory of his plan. Our lives unfold before us like puzzling reflections in a mirror. But on the day we rise, we will see with clarity and understand the mystery of his ways-- JEFF(6), his reedy little brother, watches Chris slip the Bible in his pocket. Jeff laughs and gets smacked by-- DEBBIE, their mother. She wears big oval glasses and runs a wayward-boys home with that same steady hand. 7 OMITTED 7 8 INT. CHRIS’ BEDROOM 8 Dust motes drift across a dresser, settling on a Pop- Warner football, that BLUE BIBLE, and METALLIC TOY SOLDIERS guarding the bullet casing from his first buck. WAYNE KYLE (VO) There are three types of people in this world. Sheep, wolves and sheepdogs. PUSH THROUGH the modest ranch house into-- 9 INT. DINING ROOM 9 WAYNE lectures his boys over venison. WAYNE KYLE Some people prefer to believe that evil doesn’t exist in the world, and if it ever darkened their doorstep they wouldn’t know how to protect themselves... those are the sheep. Jeff bites back tears. Chris looks troubled. 10 EXT. SCHOOLYARD 10 FROM THE BACK, we watch a BIG BULLY pummel a KID ON THE GROUND. His meaty fists coming down repeatedly as-- WAYNE KYLE (VO) Then you got predators who use violence to prey on the weak. They’re the wolves.

KID ON THE GROUND is JEFF, his nose bloody. PUSH TOWARD the fight-- (ECU) blood flecks fly from the Bully’s fist. WAYNE KYLE (VO) Then there are those blessed with the gift of aggression and an overpowering need to protect the flock. A FIST CONNECTS with BIG BULLY’s temple. He goes down. Chris stands over the bully, beating the tar out of him. WAYNE KYLE (VO) These men are the rare breed that live to confront the wolf-- 11 EXT. FIELD 11 CHRIS stands with his arms extended. Wind blows dirt off his palms and it plumes out across the land. WAYNE KYLE (VO) They are the sheepdog. 12 INT. DINING ROOM 12 WAYNE removes his belt and lays it on the table. CHRIS looks at it, worried. WAYNE KYLE Now we’re not raising any sheep in this family and I will whoop your ass if you turn into a wolf-- DEBBY Wayne-- WAYNE But we take care of our own. And if someone picks a fight with you or bullies your brother, you have my permission to finish it. CHRIS The guy was picking on Jeff. WAYNE KYLE That true? JEFF (eye swollen) Yes sir... Yes, he was...

CHRIS

(grabs belt buckle) You’re supposed to get laid with it. I’m gonna wear it in and see if it puts Sarah in the mood. JEFF A strong wind’d put Sarah in the mood. CHRIS Is that what they say? JEFF You know what they called her in high school-- CHRIS Don’t say it. JEFF Sarah suck-a-- Chris swings his bag of ice, smacks Jeff in the face. JEFF Shit man-- He swerves off the road. The truck almost coming apart before he ramps back up, coming to a dusty halt outside-- 16 EXT. BUNKHOUSE 16 Spanish moss hangs over a shackle-board residence. Chris tumbles out the truck, clips on the belt buckle and-- 17 INT. BUNKHOUSE 17 CHRIS swaggers into the narrow bunkhouse. A sheet hangs in back, separating sleeping area from living area. CHRIS Who wants to hump a rodeo star? Movement back there. A MAN ASS suddenly protrudes from the curtain as a BURLY COWBOY-TYPE climbs into jeans. CHRIS What the fuck-- SARAH steps out, his high school sweetheart all grown up.

SARAH

You said you wasn’t coming home until tomorrow. CHRIS (wounded) Why would you do this? Cowboy leaves his shirt open flaunting a big hairy chest. SARAH Just let him out. He didn’t know... CHRIS (shamed, steps aside) You didn’t know? Cowboy doesn’t answer. Chris SLAMS HIS HEAD into the refrigerator and ramps him out the front door. SARAH What the fuck is wrong with you! What’d you expect? You drag me out here then run off with your damn brother every weekend! CHRIS Get out. She jumps at the chance-- ripping clothes out of closets. SARAH You think you’re a cowboy cause you rodeo? You’re no cowboy. You’re just a lousy ranch-hand and a shitty fuckin lay! The door slams behind her. Chris stares at the dent in the fridge, wounded. He opens it and pulls out a beer. 18 LATER 18 TV plays across Chris’ drunken face. He lays on the sofa, a beer on his chest. JEFF is sprawled in a chair. JEFF Some people ain’t worth fighting for. CHRIS But she was right... JEFF (closing his eyes) A job is a job. At least we’re outside.

NAVY RECRUITER

(taking brochure back) This isn’t for the faint of heart. Most men wash-out. They quit-- CHRIS (cutting him off) I’m not most men , sir. I don’t quit. 20 OMITTED 20 21 OMITTED 21 22 EXT. NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE CENTER / “THE GRINDER” - DAY 22 CHRIS and 50 OTHER CANDIDATES lay on their backs doing flutter-kicks on a patch of blacktop surrounded by beige buildings. INSTRUCTORS wield hoses. INSTRUCTOR ROLLE (sprays Chris in the face) You a quitter, boy? CHRIS KYLE No, sir! INSTRUCTOR ROLLE Bullshit, you are fleet-meat. Don’t turn away. Look up and take it. You’re old as fuck. Did you join the Navy cause you had such a good time on Noah’s Arc? How old are you? CHRIS 30, sir. INSTRUCTOR ROLLE 30! You fart dust and could’ve fathered half these boys. You think cause you had a pop-gun back in Texas you’re cut out to be a SEAL? CHRIS No, sir. INSTRUCTOR ROLLE No, you’re not cut out to be one? Chris is twisted in agony and clearly dislikes the water.

INSTRUCTOR ROLLE

What kind of asshole joins the Navy but hates the water. CHRIS I love water, hooyah. INSTRUCTOR ROLLE My ass you do. A CANDIDATE chokes a giggle. Rolle wheels around on-- RYAN JOB(24), a goofy, overweight Oregon kid who looks like he should be taking orders at a drive-thru window. INSTRUCTOR ROLLE Is that you giggling you fat fuck? Look at you. You’re so fat they had to baptize you at Sea World. Your momma fat too? RYAN No sir, she’s not. INSTRUCTOR ROLLE Don’t lie to me! I bet we could use her panties as a parachute. What the fuck are you doing here fatboy? Do your feet get wet when you shower? When’s the last time you saw your pecker? You’re not a Seal, you’re a fuckin Walrus. A big giggling Walrus. “Biggles” that’s your new name-- “BIGGLES” is choking, coughing, struggling. ROLLE points to A BRASS BELL mounted on the back of a truck. INSTRUCTOR ROLLE --and that’s your ticket home. Just drag your jelly-roll ass up and ring it and you’ll be headed home to momma Shamu. BIGGLES is beaten, legs giving out, ready to quit when-- CHRIS (OC) (draws Rolle off Biggles) Two hundred. INSTRUCTOR ROLLE (whirls around, hosing) Did I ask you to count? CHRIS No, sir.

INSTRUCTOR “TONY”

You really from Connecticut, Dauber? I never met a hick from Hartford. “DAUBER” is 6’4” and 240 with a flop of yellow hair like the character from Coach. A sleepy Connecticut cowboy. DAUBER Country is countrywide, sir. INSTRUCTOR “TONY” I don’t think he likes black dudes, “D”. “D” is African American, from Indiana, stoic and stacked. He has a rhythmic grumble and a meat-eater’s glare. “D” That’s alright, sir. I’m not black. INSTRUCTOR “TONY” No? “D” No, I’m new black. We run slow, jump low, swim good and shop at Gap. We make white folk proud then hose their ladies. “BIGGLES” still giggles, but he’s looking fit as they chip away everything that isn’t a Navy Seal. INSTRUCTOR “TONY” You hungry Biggles? I’d bet you’d eat the ass out of a low-flying duck. BIGGLES Hooyah. I’d toss that critter shitter on a baguette and get my eat on. “SQUIRREL” is a San Clemente surfer kid, just tall enough to ride roller-coaster, with a jutty jaw. INSTRUCTOR “TONY” (screams in his face) Squirrel! Where’d you hide your nuts? SQUIRREL Nuts crawled up inside. The little shits are gone for good. “CHRIS” sits up front, covered in mud. His eyes burn steely blue, full of resolve. He’s found himself here. INSTRUCTOR “TONY” How about you old man? How you feeling?

CHRIS KYLE

Dangerous, sir. Feeling dangerous. The boys send up a spirited “HOOYAH” and-- TONY looks them over with some small measure of approval. 26 EXT. BEACH - SUNSET 26 The INSTRUCTOR CADRE watches 32 CANDIDATES SWARM each other, howling and dog-piling at the end of hell-week. 27 OMITTED 27 28 OMITTED 28 29 INT. MULONEY’S BAR - NIGHT 29 A crowd watches the boys toss darts at a bulls-eye drawn on DAUBER’S naked back. At the bar, BIGGLES and CHRIS-- CHRIS I’m gonna try and get into sniper school. BIGGLES Can you shoot? CHRIS I can hunt. And what’s cooler than being a sniper? BIGGLES Blowing shit up. Blowing shit up is way cooler. A brunette steps to the bar. A sharp object with heavy eye-shadow and tight leather pants. This girl owns her sexuality but she’s often been used for it. This is “ TAYA”. She is trying to ignore the advances of A SHORT NAVY GUY but he’s relentless. Chris watches as (ECU) -- Taya’s fingertips whiten, gripping her glass. Chris edges closer, she looks up, defensive-- but he just stands there, letting his protective presence be felt. DAPPER NAVY GUY (OC) Come on, just let me buy you a drink.

CHRIS

I polish dolphins. They have to be polished in captivity or their skin disintegrates. TAYA Do I look stupid to you? CHRIS To be honest, you look a little sad. She’s taken aback by his observation. CHRIS So am I tall enough to buy you a drink? TAYA Not until you tell me what you do. CHRIS How about this: one shot, one answer. Chris passes her a shot. She throws it back, fierce. TAYA You’re obviously military. What branch? CHRIS I’m just finishing BUD/S. TAYA Are you kidding me? You’re a SEAL? CHRIS That was two questions... TAYA (two angry shots) I know all about you guys. My sister was engaged to a SEAL. CHRIS What’s that mean you know all about us? TAYA You’re a bunch of arrogant, self-centered pricks who think you can lie and do whatever the fuck you want. (pushes him a shot) I’d never date a SEAL.

CHRIS

(confused) How can you say we’re self-centered? I’d lay down my life for my country. TAYA Why? CHRIS Cause it’s the greatest country on earth and I believe it’s worth protecting. (climbs off stool) I’m sorry this guy hurt your sister but that’s not me. Nice talking to you. TAYA Where are you going? CHRIS You said you’d never date a SEAL, so I’m going home. TAYA I said I’d never marry one. It’s a lie and they both know it. CHRIS Well in that case... what’s your name? TAYA Taya. CHRIS Nice to meet you, Taya. I’m Chris Kyle. TAYA (liquor softening her) Pretty egotistical of you to think you can protect us all, isn’t it Chris? CHRIS Our instructors say our biggest enemies are ego, liquor, and women. TAYA Sounds like you’re under attack. She levels a look and downs another shot--