James Bond Tomorrow Never Dies.. Bruce Feirstein
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EXT. DESOLATE MOUNTAIN RANGE - HIGH ANGLE - DAWN
Super: THE KHYBER PASS, AFGHANISTAN
We’re looking down at what used to be called "The End of the Known
World." A landscape that is both beautiful, and forbidding.
In the center of this vista, there is a deep ravine.
Pushing in on the ravine, there appears to be a giant icicle hanging
over a cliff:
AN ICE FALL. A 600 foot waterfall whose face is frozen solid.
Pushing in still closer, there is a tiny black dot inching its way up
the ice. A human figure. This is:
JAMES BOND, BRITISH SECRET SERVICE AGENT, 007.
Bond is sweating and straining, four hundred feet in the air. He has
an ice-pick tethered to each hand, ice-cleats on his boots. A black
backpack. As he climbs, spider-like, pulling himself up, he goes to
JAM A CLEAT into the ice, but -
CRACK! A 50 foot stiletto of ice breaks off, CRASHING onto the rocks
below. Regaining his foothold, Bond looks down: Certain death. He
looks up: So very, very, far to go. Bond shakes his head:
BOND
There has to be an easier way to earn
a living.
Still, Bond climbs. Huffing, sweating, he goes up, and up, until -
ANOTHER ANGLE -
He’s 25 feet from the top. He drives a first ice pick in. Gets a
toehold. But when he slams the second pick in -
THE ICE WALL SHATTERS, FALLING AWAY IN FRONT OF HIM. IN THE SHOCK -
BOND LOSES HIS GRIP ON THE FIRST ICE PICK -
And 007 is now dangling, 575 feet in the air, staring at a torrent of
water - hanging only by the leather thread around his wrist, attached
to the first ice-pick, still embedded in the wall.
Bond pauses. Thinks. And coolly begins to swing himself back and
forth, in widening arcs, like a clock’s pendulum.
At the high point of his swing, Bond reaches back to smash his other
pick into the ice - BUT MISSES. He looks up at:
THE FIRST ICE PICK, STILL EMBEDDED IN THE WALL -
Beginning to work its way out. The tether, fraying.
RETURN ON BOND -
Cautiously, 007 begins to swing a second time. Once. Twice. And on
the third arc, he swings the ice-pick viciously - but MISSES AGAIN.
ANGLE ON THE FIRST ICE PICK, STILL EMBEDDED IN THE WALL -
Now jutting downward, barely holding. The tether is almost totally
frayed through.
RETURN ON BOND -
One last chance. Bond swings. Once. Twice. He reaches back, hurls
himself at the wall, lunging - AND SMASHES THE SECOND PICK INTO THE
ICE... Just as the tether finally snaps on the first one. Still,
he’s all but home: He reaches over, grabs the first pick (barely
holding in the ice,) jabs it in, and continues upward.
EXT. THE TOP OF THE WATER FALL -
Exhausted, Bond reaches up, over the edge. He drives a pick down -
through the ice, into the hard, flat, ground beneath the waterbed.
As he pulls himself up, (his full weight on the first ice-pick,) he
smashes a second pick through the ice, into the waterbed, and -
THE ENTIRE ICE FALL GIVES WAY -
Breaking off with a groan, tumbling onto the rocks below.
IN THE WATERBED -
A torrent of water crashes over 007. Fighting the oncoming deluge,
he crawls - on his belly - through the water - 25 feet inland.
NEW ANGLE - (TOP OF THE WATER FALL, INLAND)
Bond stands, walks out of the riverbed. He looks back at the cliff:
BOND’S POV - THE WATER FALL -
On either side of the water, there are two small RADAR DISHES, angled
down, scanning every inch of the area, save for the waterfall itself.
In other words: This was the only way in.
RETURN ON BOND -
007 shrugs. From his backpack, he takes out TWO CIGAR-SIZED BLACK
CANISTERS, and an ELONGATED BLACK BOX. He presses a button on the
side of the box, and - fwap, fwap, fwap - SNOW SKIS unfold.
He presses buttons on the canisters: TELESCOPIC SKI POLES. Bond
slaps on the skis, and takes off, through the snow.
EXT. SNOW-COVERED FOREST - BOND SKIS THROUGH THE PINES -
EXT. MOUNTAIN CLIFF -
Bond hurtles over the side, going airborne, landing 100 feet below,
amidst boulders. In perfect Olympic form, he skis out, and down.
EXT. MOUNTAINSIDE -
Bond slaloms down, in and out of trees, to avoid detection. At the
bottom, where the snow thins, he comes to:
A ROCK OUTCROPPING.
Hiding behind the rock, Bond takes off his skis, knapsack. He
unpacks (and unfolds) a HIGH TECH AUTOMATIC RIFLE. Puts on a
HEADSET. He creeps up on the rock, and looks out on:
A SECRET MILITARY BASE/AIR STRIP (BOND’S POV)
50 feet down, 200 yards away: 50 MEN are unloading CARGO from a dozen
MILITARY TRANSPORT TRUCKS; there are TWO NORTH KOREAN MiG-29s on the
ground (one partially obscured by a truck,) plus FLATBEDS carrying
HELICOPTERS and SCUD MISSILES.
Near a QUONSET HUT, a TRUCK-MOUNTED RADAR DISH scans the area, with
INFRARED GATLING GUNS mounted on either side.
BOND - AT THE ROCK OUTCROPPING -
Props his rife on the boulder, and peers through the GUN SIGHT.
THROUGH THE TELESCOPIC SIGHT -
He sees a closer (but still wide) telescopic view of men bargaining
over weapons, and forklifts loading/unloading crates of munitions.
THE SAME SCENE ON A VIDEO WALL - MI-6 SITUATION ROOM, LONDON.
BOND’S VOICE
(over a speaker)
Seven, in position.
TANNER’S VOICE
Roger, Seven.
Watching this display is M, TANNER, and a handful of MILITARY BRASS,
including a RUSSIAN GENERAL, BUKHARIN, and BRITISH ADMIRAL ROEBUCK,
an aging sea-lion with no love for M, or MI-6.
M deals with the humorless Admiral by, well, humoring him:
M
... What were you saying, Admiral?
Something about this ’not being a job
for a wine-sniffing, skirt-chasing
playboy spy?’
ADMIRAL ROEBUCK
- I’ll be sure to acknowledge 007’s
’assistance’ in my report to the
Prime Minister. But this is, still,
a naval operation.
M
What do they say in Russia, General
Bukharin?
(asks questions in
flawless Russian)
The general chuckles. Translates:
GENERAL BUKHARIN
’In a joint operation, someone’s nose
always gets put out of joint.’
M turns to Admiral Roebuck:
M
I’m interested in success, Admiral.
Not who gets credit.
(turning to:)
Mr. Tanner: What have we got?
Tanner points to the video wall with a RED LASER PEN.
TANNER
(ironically)
A regular terrorist swap meet. Death
at discount: Two Chinese Long March
Scuds, a pair of Soviet A-17 attack
helicopters -
BUKHARIN
(interrupting)
Stolen -
TANNER
And the crates look like American M-16
assault rifles, Chilean antipersonnel
mines, six French Exocet missiles, and
75 - no maybe a hundred - kilograms of
Czech made C-4 Semtech explosive.
(beat)
Something for everyone. Fun for the
whole family.
M
(freezing him with a glance)
What about ID’s?
TANNER
(pushes a button on a console)
One to seven: Deal the face cards.
THE ROCK OUTCROPPING -
Bond adjusts a knob on the scope.
MI-6 SITUATION ROOM -
On the video-screen, the picture zooms to a CLOSE UP of one of the
arms traders. Tanner presses a button, and - almost instantly - the
man’s bio and vitals appear on another video screen.
TANNER
Gustav Meinholtz. Neo-Nazi, former
East German STASI agent. Ties to the
Beider-Meinhoff gang.
(pressing a button)
Aces high, seven. Bid to the east.
Bond shifts his aim, east. (Intercut as necessary) He zeroes in on
another face, and the man’s stats appear in London.
TANNER
Vilko Barkoviac. Bosnian war
criminal; thought to be operating
freelance out of Teheran.
(pressing a button)
Full house, seven. Bid to the North.
Bond complies. Another face, another set of stats:
TANNER
Sitoshi Isagura. Japanese religious
fanatic. Wanted for the Tokyo subway -
ADMIRAL ROEBUCK
(impatiently, cutting him off:)
I’ve seen enough. Let’s finish this.
(ordering M:)
Tell your man to drop back. We’re
initiating plan B -
M
But -
ADMIRAL ROEBUCK
- Thank you, M. But this is more
than your man can handle.
(to Bukharin)
Are we in agreement?
BUKHARIN
(hesitant, at first)
- Yes. Yes.
M
Admiral -
Moving swiftly, the Admiral has picked up a RED PHONE:
ADMIRAL ROEBUCK
Command to Nelson: Authorization to
fire.
EXT. A BRITISH WARSHIP - STEAMING IN THE GULF OF OMAN -
INT. WEAPONS CONTROL ROOM - BRITISH WARSHIP -
CAPTAIN
Weapons authorized. Prepare to fire.
On my count: Five. Four. Three. Two -
EXT. DECK OF THE WARSHIP -
A launcher rotates, and - BOOM - a Cruise missile blasts off.
INT. WARSHIP WEAPONS CONTROL ROOM -
FIRING OFFICER
Cruise missile away -
MI-6 SITUATION ROOM -
FIRING OFFICER’S VOICE (Cont’d)
Time to target: Four minutes.
ADMIRAL ROEBUCK
I appreciate your assistance, M. But
this is now a military operation.
M
(urgently, to Tanner)
Bring up the tracking satellite. And
get 007 out of there.
Tanner hits a button - and a third video screen appears, displaying a
satellite view of the area, detailing the Cruise’s path and progress.
TANNER
One to seven: Exit target area.
Repeat -
BOND’S VOICE
Seven to one. Negative. Wait.
THE ROCK OUTCROPPING -
Bond has taken his eye from the scope. He’s peering at:
THE MIG-29’S - ("MiG-1," AND "MiG-2") -
A FORKLIFT appears from behind the TRUCK blocking the view of "MiG-l"
A TALL BALD MAN is riding the empty fork, with his back to us.
BOND -
Puts his eye back on the scope, shifts the rifle -
MI-6/VIDEO WALL -
Bond’s scope view settles on THE BALD MAN. The forklift reaches the
back of the truck. HE STEPS OFF as the fork begins rising to unload
something. And as the man turns, FACING US to scan the area:
TANNER
Oh, no.
M
Who is it?
TANNER
(calling up his stats)
Kim Dae Yung. North Korean Nuclear
specialist.
M
Meaning there may be nuclear material
down there?
Tanner nods. A look passes from M, to Bukharin, to Roebuck.
THE CRUISE MISSILE -
Hugging the surface, crossing from water to land.
MI-6 SITUATION ROOM -
VOICE FROM WARSHIP
Time to target: Three minutes.
(sfx: Beep!)
Target acquired. Weapon armed.
Tension. Adrenaline. QUIET PANIC. On the SCREEN, the FORK LIFT has
pulled a RED BOX from the truck, a SHORT ROUND MAN appearing with it.
M
Who is that?!? What’s in the box??
TANNER
(punching buttons)
I don’t know. He’s not in the database -
M
(to Bukharin)
What’s in the box, General?
(he shrugs)
What’s in the box???
BUKHARIN
(sheepishly)
... We usually... Transport...
Weapons grade uranium.
Shock sweeps the room. M turns on Tanner:
M
Will it go off?
TANNER
Maybe. Maybe not.
M
Abort the cruise.
ADMIRAL ROEBUCK
It’s too late -
M
GET BOND OUT OF THERE.
TANNER
One to seven - one to seven -
BOND - SQUINTING THROUGH THE RIFLE AT THE OUTCROPPING -
BOND
Negative, one. NOT YET.
THE TRUCK/MiG-l, ON THE GROUND/THROUGH THE SCOPE -
THE BALD MAN slaps the back of the truck obscuring MiG-1. THE TRUCK
PULLS AWAY, revealing MiG-l’s WING. Hanging from the weapons pod: A
NUCLEAR BOMB.
BOND - AT THE ROCK OUTCROPPING -
Mutters a curse.
MI-6 SITUATION ROOM -
TANNER
Soviet SB-9 nuclear torpedo. Yield,
one kiloton.
M
Will the cruise set it off?
TANNER
Yes.
ADMIRAL ROEBUCK
(to Bukharin)
Jesus. Can’t you people keep
anything locked up?
GENERAL BUKHARIN
We didn’t know it was missing.
M
Get me the Prime Minister. Alert
NATO, the CIA, the Pentagon.
(presses a button:)
Seven: This is a direct order. I
want you out of there. Do you copy?
THE ROCK OUTCROPPING -
Bond’s headset lies on top of the rock, along with the telescopic
sight - still broadcasting.
Find Bond, crouching BEHIND the rock. Automatic rifle in one hand,
GRENADE in the other. He pulls the pin, hurls it 40 feet away.
Pauses. Waits, counting down time. Then -
BOND SPRINGS. SHOOTS at one of the CRATES. IT BLOWS UP, just as -
THE GRENADE EXPLODES.
There’s PANIC ON THE GROUND. Men running everywhere as THE RADAR/
GATLING GUN spins, and SENDS A HAIL OF FIRE at Bond’s diversion.
And with this, BOND is off, SPRINTING INTO THE CHAOS.
THE SAME SCENE - VIDEO SCREEN - MI-6 SITUATION ROOM.
Stoned silence. Disbelief. Tanner whispers:
TANNER
God help him.
THE CRUISE MISSILE - FLYING THROUGH A MOUNTAIN RAVINE -
God help the rest of us.
THE SECRET AIR BASE -
As various factions shoot at each other (Who’s the traitor?) Bond
streaks toward the action. Without breaking stride, he swings his
gun to the right: TWO BURSTS. THREE MEN DIE. Still running, he
swings to the left: ANOTHER BURST. TWO MORE DOWN.
Ahead, Bond sees the FLIGHT CREWS DASHING for the MiG’s. He makes a
beeline for MiG-1.
ANGLE ON THE BALD MAN -
Slamming the gate on the RED BOX in a cargo truck. Rushing to the
passenger door. Climbing in. The SHORT ROUND MAN floors the
accelerator, driving them away.
THE CRUISE MISSILE - STARTING ITS DESCENT DOWN A MOUNTAIN
MI-6 SITUATION ROOM - M, WATCHING HELPLESSLY -
VOICE FROM WARSHIP
Time to target: Thirty seconds.
WIDE ON MiG-1 -
The pilot climbs the ladder to the cockpit. Running at full tilt,
BOND LEAPS, pulls the man down. They fall to the tarmac, FIGHTING.
Bond SHOVES A KNIFE in the man’s ribs, killing him.
Kneeling, Bond takes the pilot’s helmet off. He looks up: A MAN is
coming at him with a GUN. In one unbroken move, Bond YANKS THE KNIFE
from the pilot’s body and THROWS IT - thwack - into the man’s heart.
ANGLE ON MIG-2’S PILOT - WATCHING THIS FROM HIS COCKPIT.
RETURN ON BOND - CLIMBING INTO THE COCKPIT -
Where the COPILOT (having climbed in from the other side,) sees it’s
not the right guy. As he fumbles for a weapon, BOND BASHES HIM WITH
THE HELMET. The copilot collapses into his seat, unconscious.
Bond settles into his seat, fires the engines, closes the double
canopy, and begins taxiing out.
THE CRUISE MISSILE - CROSSING OVER THE PERIMETER OF THE AIR BASE
MI-6 SITUATION ROOM - ROEBUCK, TANNER, M, WATCHING, UNABLE TO BREATHE -
HIGH ANGLE - THE RUNWAY -
The CRUISE SKIMS IN DIRECTLY OVER BOND’S PLANE, speeding to takeoff.
(INT. BOND’S MiG) BOND SHOVES THE THROTTLES TO THE FIREBALL AND -
THE VIDEO-WALL - MI-6 SITUATION ROOM -
KA-BOOM!!!! The scene on the screen erupts in a GIANT EXPLOSION -
then turns to video-snow. Is Bond alive? No one in London knows.
HIGH ANGLE - THE AIR BASE -
The FIREBALL grows and grows, a raging hell. And just when it seems
no one could possibly survive: BOND’S MiG ROCKETS OUT OF THE FLAMES!!
INT. BOND’S MiG -
Bond thinks he’s safe. Sound. Until -
MiG-2 FLIES OUT OF THE FIREBALL -
Cannons blazing at 007. A hail of metal and tracers.
INT./EXT. BOND’S MIG -
Bond goes into evasive maneuvers - jinks right, jinks left - when,
suddenly, THE COPILOT REVIVES, and starts trying to STRANGLE Bond
with a METAL LANYARD. Struggling, Bond HEARS a THIN HIGH-PITCHED
TONE -
INT./EXT. MIG-2
The pilot has locked onto Bond’s MiG. Boom! TWO HEAT-SEEKING
MISSILES roar away.
INT./EXT. BOND’S MIG -
Fighting the garrote, Bond KICKS THE THROTTLES forward and PULLS BACK
ON THE YOKE. The MiG goes into a spine crushing climb as -
THE TWO HEAT SEEKING MISSILES FOLLOW HIM, LOOPING UPWARD.
INT. MIG-2 -
Bond’s MiG has disappeared from the pilot’s view: Not in front. Not
on the left. Not on the right. Where did he go? The pilot looks up:
BOND’S MIG APPEARS, FLYING INVERTED, COCKPIT DOWN, 10 FEET ABOVE MIG-2.
THE PILOT OF MIG-2 IS STUNNED.
INT./EXT. BOND’S MIG -
Fighting against the garrote, Bond strains to reach a RED BUTTON on
the panel: COPILOT EJECTOR SEAT.
Bond finally taps it, and - THE BACK HALF OF THE CANOPY BLOWS OFF!
The COPILOT BLASTS OUT OF THE PLANE, DOWNWARD, directly into MIG-2’s
cockpit. Bond peels off.
For a second, MiG-2 hangs in the air. Until... BOOM!!! The TWO HEAT
SEEKING MISSILES BLAST IT TO SMITHEREENS.
Back in MiG-1, Bond fiddles with the radio.
MI-6 - SITUATION ROOM -
BOND’S VOICE
Seven to base. I have a full
house. Your bid.
The situation room erupts in cheers.
RETURN ON BOND IN THE MIG -
BOND
By the way: Thank the General for all
his "assistance." Over and out.
EXT. BOND’S MIG -
Goes to AFTERBURNERS. And from the fiery glow of the engine, we
DISSOLVE TO:
THE 007 GUN BARREL. MAIN CREDITS.
After credits, fade in on:
EXT. OXFORD COLLEGE - DAY
All ivy and bricks... And a certain Aston-Martin DB-5, parked.
INT. BOOK LINED OFFICE -
Afterglow: Empty champagne bottle. Rumpled sheets on a sleeper sofa.
Bond is in bed with a smart, IRONIC, (and, yes, stunning,) 30-ish
Chinese woman, JENNY WU. (NOTE: The Chinese here is Mandarin, spelled
phonetically.)
BOND
(running a finger across her lips)
... And what do you call these?
JENNY WU
Ja-shwa tsway. These are lips.
BOND
Indeed they are.
(kisses them, lightly)
Deadly little things.
She laughs. His hand goes beneath the sheets.
BOND
And what do you call these? The Gang
of Two?
JENNY WU
(smacking his hand, laughing:)
Stop it!
BOND
I was just getting to the interesting part!
JENNY WU
We’ve already done the interesting
part. Do you forget?
BOND
Remind me.
He moves to roll on top of her, but she pushes him off, teasing:
JENNY WU
Sakwa!
BOND
Is that Mandarin, or Cantonese?
JENNY WU
Mandarin. You jerk.
(tousling his hair)
I’m late. I have to get dressed.
She hops off the bed, leaving frame. Bond settles back on the
headboard, ready to enjoy the view... When his CELL PHONE RINGS.
BOND
(lightly)
Hello -
(catching himself)
Hello.
INT. M’S ANTEROOM - MI-6.
MONEYPENNY, at her desk.
MONEYPENNY
Hello, James. I hope I’m
interrupting something important.
INT. OFFICE - (INTERCUT AS NECESSARY)
(Jenny has a leg on the bed, pulling on a full Victoria’s Secret
outfit: Nylons, garter/suspenders, bustier, etc.)
BOND
Not at all, Moneypenny. I was just
brushing up on a little Chinese.
(In the background, Jenny insists "I am not little.")
MONEYPENNY
I’m sure she is, James. But I’m
afraid you’ll have to ’kiss off’ the
rest of your lessons this afternoon.
BOND
(mock chagrin)
Moneypenny... Here I was, finally
getting a feel for a new tongue -
MONEYPENNY
Four o’clock. M will meet you in the
conference room.
Bond watches with amusement as Jenny Wu slips a Graduation-type gown
over the lingerie. No dress.
BOND
4:30. It may take me a little longer
to wrap things up here.
MONEYPENNY
Four o’clock. Don’t be late.
BOND
(hanging up:)
Tsi tien, Chien-penny.
ON MONEYPENNY:
MONEYPENNY
Ah, James. You always were a cunning
linguist... Au revoir, mon cher.
Moneypenny hangs up, looks up, and blanches: M is standing there.
MONEYPENNY
Don’t ask.
M
Don’t tell.
(walking away)
I don’t want to know.
INT. HALLWAY - OUTSIDE JENNY’S OFFICE - OXFORD -
Bond and Jenny Wu emerge from the office. (She’s still in the gown.)
They pass a flock of young students:
STUDENT
Good afternoon, Professor Wu.
JENNY WU
Good afternoon.
(then to Bond)
Are you sure you can’t stay for the
lecture?
BOND
I can’t. But I did enjoy the dress
rehearsal.
She gives him a wry glance, opens a door to a lecture hall.
JENNY WU
Tsi tien, Mr. Bond.
BOND
Tsi tien, Professor Wu.
She exits; Bond walks off, passing underneath a WALL MOUNTED TV SET.
ON THE TV SET - The HNN Globe Logo - The Harmsway News Network -
spins into view, followed by:
HNN ANCHOR
You’re watching HNN, the Harmsway 24
hour news network. Coming up:
(mortise shot of:)
Valentin Zukofsky’s stunning victory in
the Ukrainian Presidential elections...
(mortise shot of:)
Live coverage of the latest HNN
communications satellite launch from
Xichang (shi-chung) China... And -
(mortise shot of:)
A special report on the situation in
Hong Kong, since the Chinese take-
over from Great Britain.
EXT. MI-6 LONDON - DAY
The DB-5 drives past the guard.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
Debriefing: Bond, M, and several others listen as NATO COLONEL
DOMINIQUE EVERHART, (early 30’s, Belgian,) refers to video clips from
the Khyber Pass sequence:
COL. DOMINIQUE EVERHART
To sum up: After analyzing the tire
inflation of the fork-lift in the MI-6
video tape, NATO believes the "red
box contains approximately eighty
kilograms of U235 weapons grade
uranium - an incredibly hard,
incredibly heavy, incredibly lethal
substance.
M
And that’s enough enriched uranium to
produce how many nuclear devices?
COL. DQMINIQUE EVERHART
Depending on the builder’s sophistication
- one crude bomb that could devastate
London, Paris, New York, Berlin - or all
four if they have the latest technology.
There’s a pregnant pause in the room.
M
And the participants?
COL. DOMINIQUE EVERHART
(pointing at the screen)
Kim Dae Yung. Moscow-trained North
Korean nuclear weapons specialist;
apparently fell out of favor with the
current North Korean regime after a
botched attempt to steal fissionable
material from a British light-water
reactor in South Africa - an accident
that left him entirely hairless...
Another face appears on the screen:
COL. DOMINIQUE EVERHART (cont’d)
And Rendera Sikrahm, also known as
Richard Stamper. Freelance mercenary,
Laos and Cambodia. His father was
from Nepal - a Ghurka warrior - con-
scripted by the British government to
fight in China during World War II -
after which the family settled in
Hong Kong, where the young Stamper
was undoubtedly treated like a second
class citizen by both the Hong Kong
Chinese, and local British.
(beat, aside:)
We’ve all read about the signs at the
British swimming pools in Hong Kong
that said "No Ghurka’s allowed."
BOND
Nothing like a little imperialism to
promote loyalty among the faithful.
COL. DOMINIQUE EVERHART
(stifles a smile, then:)
In conclusion: Both these men have a
vendetta against the world. They are
nuclear armed, and dangerous. And
having failed to get the UZ35 through
the old opium route - the Khyber Pass
- it’s NATO’s belief that their next
attempt will be through Bulgaria -
where the NATO Nuclear Strike Force
will be there to stop them.
M
Thank you Colonel Everhart.
(stands, turns to:)
007, I’d like to see you in my office.
Why don’t you and the Colonel exchange
numbers if you need more information?
BOND
Yes, M.
M exits. Bond approaches Dominique. She smiles, warmly. There’s a
mutual attraction - but there’s something else going on, unspoken.
BOND
Interesting presentation.
DOMINIQUE
Interesting video tape.
BOND
They point, I shoot.
DOMINIQUE
(feels her pockets)
Do you have a pen? I just got promoted
and don’t have my new cards yet.
BOND
Of course.
Bond hands her a PEN. She regards it cautiously.
DOMINIQUE
... Does this do anything?
BOND
Depends what number you write.
She gives him a wry look; starts to write. He notes her WEDDING BAND.
BOND
Married?
DOMINIQUE
Happily.
BOND
... Kids?
DOMINIQUE
Three. You? Married?
BOND
No.
DOMINIQUE
(smiles)
I didn’t think so.
For an instant, something crosses Bond’s face: Bittersweetness? Re-
morse? Either way, she’s scored a subtle victory.
DOMINIQUE
Here. I gave you my assistant’s
phone number. If it’s urgent, she
knows where to reach me.
BOND
Thanks.
(beat, holding her gaze)
Take care -
DOMINIQUE
You too.
With a Sphinx-like smile, she watches Bond leave.
INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE OF CONFERENCE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Where Bond encounters MONEYPENNY, also walking to M’s office.
BOND
Moneypenny! We’ve got to stop meeting
like this. They may be on to us.
MONEYPENNY
Hello, James. Enjoy your meeting?
BOND
In the darkest moments, it’s what I
live for. Especially since I’ve
heard how much you like to watch...
On the hidden camera.
Moneypenny cuts Bond a look - and, in the background, sees Dominique
leave the conference room, and walk down the hall, away from them.
MONEYPENNY
By the way, James: Ordinarily I would
never ask, but... Weren’t you and
that Colonel once stranded on a raft
for two weeks in the Sargasso Sea?
BOND
Moneypenny! How indiscreet! Have
you ever known me to kiss and tell?
They’ve come to a security door. She punches in a code -
MONEYPENNY
Actually, I’ve never known you to do
either... But -
BOND
- We all want what we can’t have?
MONEYPENNY
Not all of us, 007.
The door opens. They go into:
INT. M’S ANTEROOM (MONEYPENNY’S AREA) - CONTINUOUS
BOND
What - no lust for adventure?
MONEYPENNY
No, 007. It’s just that I’ve learned
from personal experience - that when
we get what we want -
(beat)
Somehow the reality is never as...
Satisfying as the fantasy.
Bond scowls. Moneypenny smiles wryly, points to the inner door:
MONEYPENNY
Don’t keep M waiting.
INT. M’S OFFICE - DAY
M is behind her desk; MINISTER PETER JOHNSTONE sits across - a high-
handed Teflon-coated politician, with the survival instincts of
plutonium. They’ve been arguing.
M
Come in, 007. You know the Minister?
BOND
Of course.
(nods to)
Minister Johnstone.
MINISTER JOHNSTONE
007.
Bond sits in an armchair. M presses a button, and a video/bio of
ELIOT HARMSWAY appears on the wall behind her. Mid-50’s, regal.
M
Tell me, 007, what do you know about
Elliot Harmsway?
BOND
(quipping)
Only what I read in the newspapers.
MINISTER JOHNSTONE
(disdainfully)
His newspapers?
BOND
(glancing sideways)
Occasionally, yes.
(directly to M)
British media mogul. Born in Hong Kong;
controls newspapers, TV, radio, cable,
satellites; books, magazines, movies,
computer software. Theme parks.
M
(holding up a copy of:)
- Along with Tomorrow - the first
world-wide newspaper. Circulation 27
million. Daily. -
BOND
’Able to topple governments with a single
story’ - as he says in his press.
JOHNSTONE
(hurrumph)
Exactly.
Bond looks at Johnstone quizzically. Then a very tight-lipped M. He
senses he’s about to enter a minefield:
BOND
... What’s Harmsway done?
M
It seems, 007, we’ve received a tip
MINISTER JOHNSTONE
A rumor - from an anonymous source -
M
- that Sir Elliot may be involved
with Stamper and Yung, and the
missing Uranium.
MINISTER JOHNSTONE
Hearsay. Idle chatter from a source
you can’t identify - who insists on
talking only to 007. Nothing but
loose talk and innuendo.
M
That may be the case at present,
Minister Johnstone... But our own
sources suspect that Mr. Harmsway
used his considerable Russian media
- holdings to elect Valentin Zukofsky
President of the Ukraine - in trade
for the uranium.
(M has punched a button, and Valentin’s video bio has appeared.)
MINISTER JOHNSTONE
More scurrilous, unsubstantiated gossip.
BOND
Perhaps. But it does explain how an
ex-KGB agent turned illegal-arms
dealer is suddenly portrayed as a
long-time friend of the people.
(beat)
If you believe what you read in the papers.
MINISTER JOHNSTONE
(annoyed)
Need I remind the two of you that
Elliot Harmsway - Sir Elliot Harmsway
- is directly descended from the Earl
of Aberdeen? That his Scottish
ancestors practically invented Hong
Kong - and out of sheer gratitude,
Queen Victoria herself named the port
"Aberdeen Harbor" in their honor?
M
(long pause, then:)
... No more than I need remind you,
Minister, that merely being a member
of the lucky sperm club - does not
preclude one from a life of criminal
activity.
Johnstone is reeling. M continues, to Bond, with aplomb:
M
The reason I invited the Minister
here, 007, was to reassure him that
this investigation will be handled
with the utmost discretion.
BOND
Of course.
M
Which is also why I’ve withheld this
information from NATO and our allies.
BOND
(nods, then, recalling)
... Didn’t we once investigate Harmsway?
M
Yes. 1988. He was furious at the
British plan to return Hong Kong, and
supposedly started his own negotiations
with the Chinese Government. The inquiry
went nowhere - but it did earn MI-6 a
rather powerful enemy -
MINISTER JOHNSTONE
Not to mention the chaos it caused at
Whitehall when his newspapers began
screaming for the recall of the
sitting government.
M
(a beat, then:)
I’m sending you to Venice, 007.
You’re to check out the source,
determine whether Elliot Harmsway is
involved with the enriched uranium,
and, if so, stop him.
BOND
How will I meet the informant?
She hands Bond a CARNIVAL MASK:
M
You’re to wear this mask at the Venice
Carnival, and wait to be contacted.
BOND
I understand.
MINISTER JOHNSTONE
(standing, to leave)
There is one last thing, 007: Elliot
Harmsway is vital to the economic
interests of this nation. He’s also
a major contributor to the party. I
expect him to be given every consideration.
BOND
Political considerations?
MINISTER JOHNSTONE
To the best of my recollection, Mr.
Bond, I suggested no such thing.
(beat, at the door)
In fact, I was never here.
And he exits. M, frowning, hits a button on her intercom:
M
Would you send in the new man from
equipment branch?
MONEYPENNY (O.S.)
Right away.
BOND
.... I hate to ask, but... Did you
ever think you’d miss Communism?
M
We serve the interests of the British
people, 007. No matter who we may be
foolish enough to elect.
Bond is silent, chastised. M looks away, then looks back:
M
But if Elliot Harmsway is involved
with that uranium, I want him
prosecuted to the ends of the earth.
BOND
Hopefully, it won’t get that far.
M looks up: MALCOLM SAUNDERS, Q’s successor, limps in, looking like a
mummy - plaster casts on his left leg, left arm; neck-brace, crutch.
M
Come in, Saunders.
SAUNDERS
M. 007.
BOND
Okay, Saunders. What is it this
time? Rocket in the leg? Machine
pistol in the arm?
SAUNDERS
Q’s retirement party. I’d just put
the knife into the cake, and -
BOND
Come on. I know better than that -
Bond thwacks the crutch against the leg. Saunders GRIMACES IN PAIN.
BOND
It must do something.
SAUNDERS
Well... If you insist.
Saunders flexes his broken arm; ARMORED SPIKES pop out of the it.
BOND
The die is cast.
Saunders exchanges a beleaguered glance with M. He takes off the cast
and neck-brace, and places a BRIEFCASE on M’s desk.
SAUNDERS
Now pay attention, 007. We haven’t much
time to demonstrate your new Q toys.
BOND
How is old Q?
SAUNDERS
Gone fishing.
BOND
Fishing?
SAUNDERS
Big game fishing.
(beat)
Sonar torpedoes. Retirement gift
from his friends at the CIA.
Saunders has opened the briefcase. Bond tries to look inside, but
Saunders repositions it. Saunders continues:
SAUNDERS
In the meantime, perhaps this will
spark your interest.
(takes out a disposable lighter)
Cigarette lighter. Thumb here, press here -