G. I. JOE: COBRA'S CANDIDATE

Written by

Gordon Kent

 

EXT. CITY - DAY

ROBERT HARPER [Michael Bell] (V.O.)

Elect me your mayor, and I, Robert Harper, will bring law and order back to our great city.

ROGUE

Try 'n catch me, Mr. Law and Order!

EXT. CITY - HOUSE

CITIZEN

Yeah?

RICK [Neil Ross?]

Who you votin' for tomorrow?

CITIZEN

What? Who are you? What business is it of yours?

RICK

I'm Rick. That's Pelar. We're takin' a poll, man. Who are you votin' for?

CITIZEN

Uh, Harper! I'm for Robert Harper!

RICK

Wrong!

PELAR VASQUEZ [B. J. Ward?]

You man is Whittier Greenway, if you know what's good for you! You understand?

EXT. CITY - PARK RALLY

HARPER

And that's why I appear here on this platform this afternoon.

HARPER

Mr. Greenway's supporters...don't like what I have to say.

ROGUE [Francois Chau?]

Who does?

HARPER SUPPORTER [B. J. Ward]

Quiet! We can't hear him speak!

ROGUE

That's 'cause he's talkin' with his mouth full!

CITY HIGHWAY - DAY

COL. SHARP (COMM.)

Street gangs are running wild. The police can't control the situation, so the President's asked me to send in a unit of Joes.

SCARLETT

We're a handful, not a unit, Colonel Sharp.

COL. SHARP (COMM.)

This isn't a full-scale assault, Scarlett.

LADY JAYE

I hope the enemy knows that.

COL. SHARP (COMM.)

The "enemy," Lady Jaye, is barely old enough to vote. All of you, keep your heads about you. Understood?

EXT. CITY - PARK RALLY

HARPER

Please! Listen to reason!

PELAR

We've listened enough, Mr. Law and Order!

ROGUE

Hey! Get off me!

EXT. CITY - ALLEY

SCARLETT

Aw, terrific. Now we get to play hide-and-go-seek.

SCARLETT

The bird has the word. Up we go!

EXT. CITY - ROOFS

PELAR

They're coming! Fast!

BUZZER

Looks like we don't get the day off after all. The blue jean brigade blew it, mates. We got us some Joes to wreck.

LADY JAYE

The Dreadnoks!

SCARLETT

Then Cobra's mixed up in....

TORCH

G'day, Joes!

BUZZER

Well, what're you waitin' for? Get down there 'n see if there's any pris'ners.

BUZZER

And now for you ladies. Goodbye to you, too!

SCARLETT

Grab on!

INT. BUILDING - APARTMENT

SCARLETT

Uh, we'll pay for the window, Mister. Honest.

EXT. CITY - STREET

LADY JAYE

Where could they go so quickly?

SCARLETT

Beats me, but we've got to start somewhere. Let's scout the scene back at the park.

EXT. CITY - PARK

HARPER

Someone, please help me!

HARPER

Thank you, thank you very much. And you as well.

LADY JAYE

Just doing our job, Mr. Harper. Come on. Let's all get out of here.

INT. SUBWAY TUNNEL

ZAP

So, how's it feel, Pelar, bein' a two-bit toady to Cobra? Just like the....

PELAR

It feels okay! We beat G. I. Joe, didn't we?

BUZZER

Like snorkelfish you did! We caught 'em.

RIPPER

Yes, love, if you'd done it right we wouldn't've had to show ourselves yet.

TORCH

You was paid to do a job and you bollixed it up good, you did. Two Joeys got away. We oughta get a refund from your pay packets, we should.

PELAR

We don't gotta take this!

RIPPER

Is that right now? You'll do what we say and like it. That's what you're paid for.

BUZZER

And the first thing you're gonna do, mates, is...GET THEM PRIS'NERS BACK!

TORCH

That'll be far enough. And if you mates keep runnin', your friend here'll sizzle like a French fry!

BUZZER

Right this way, folks. We've got a cozy little suite just waiting for you. Let's go, Yo Joey.

EXT. CITY - ENTERPRISE TOWER

HARPER

You two have been more than kind, but I'm late for a meeting with my advisors. So I hope you'll excuse my haste....

LADY JAYE

Of course. Why don't we just wait out here in case anyone followed us and wants to make trouble.

HARPER

Really, that won't be necessary.

LADY JAYE

I hope, you're right, Mr. Harper.

INT. ENTERPRISE TOWER - HEAD OFFICE

TOMAX AND XAMOT

(X) You look like something the cats (T) declined to drag in. (T and X) Congratulations.

HARPER

Thank you, Xamot. Tomax. Um, congratulations for...for what?

TOMAX AND XAMOT

(T) You will see (X) and hear (T) in a moment.

COBRA COMMANDER

Congratulaitons, Mr. Harper, or should I say, Mr. Mayor. You have a commanding lead in the polls.

TOMAX AND XAMOT

(X) You're a shoe-in (T) to be elected.

HARPER

Yes, and all these street gang attacks have brought the G. I. Joes to my side. They're protecting me.

COBRA COMMANDER

What? G. I. Joe on the side of Cobra? How delicious.

TOMAX AND XAMOT

(X) The world's greatest champions of law and order are behind (T) you, a law and order candidate. Who could ask for any- (X) thing more?

EXT. CITY - ENTERPRISE TOWER

LADY JAYE

Why are we doing this? You know I'm not crazy about heights.

SCARLETT

We need to know why Cobra's mixed up in this election. These cords are never long enough.

SCARLETT

And I've got a hunch some of the answers might be up there.

LADY JAYE

I'm not crazy about your hunches, either.

INT. ENTERPRISE TOWER - HEAD OFFICE

COBRA COMMANDER

With you on our side, Mr. Harper, we can attain our goals by simply making them laws.

SCARLETT

This is worse than any hunch I had. Sounds like Cobra's financing Harper's campaign.

LADY JAYE

Listen!

HARPER

But what about the street gangs?

COBRA COMMANDER

The street gangs are Cobra's pawns, Mr. Harper.

TOMAX AND XAMOT

(X) They think we really want (T) Whittier Greenway to win. It makes their hatred of you (X) more real. And their attacks on you (T) have swung the voters over to your side.

COBRA COMMANDER

Simply arrest them once you take office. You'll be keeping your campaign promise.

LADY JAYE

The only way we can stop this is to tell the gangs what's going on.

TOMAX AND XAMOT

(T) Uh, pardon us. (X) We have some important business we (T and X) must attend to.

EXT. CITY - ENTERPRISE TOWER

TOMAX

Goodbye, Ladies.

LADY JAYE

The first cord!

LADY JAYE

Not again.

TOMAX

Xamot! They hit Xamot!

SCARLETT

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

LADY JAYE

Now if we could just get one gang leader to listen to the truth....

SCARLETT

And make him believe it.

INT. SECRET TUNNEL

BUZZER

Hello, what's this? Reinforcements now that the battle's over?

STORM SHADOW

Not until you have read this message.

BUZZER

Aw, come on, mates. Cobra Commander knows I can't read.

STORM SHADOW

To ensure victory, the final rally will include some special fireworks developed by Firefly. The plan is going well. Take care not to fail. Zartan.

BUZZER

Rubbish! This here's the only insurance against failure. Tonight's the big night. So here. Take off and get some rest.

RICK

Hey, come on! Let's party!

RIPPER

We're gonna take off, too. You guys watch them Joes. Make sure they stay put.

TORCH

Not that they're goin' anywhere, mind you.

STORM SHADOW

Failure will be costly.

EXT. CITY - NIGHT

LADY JAYE

We need a meeting with the gang leader. It's imperative, life and death.

GANG MEMBER

Whose life and death? Not mine.

TITO VASQUEZ [Mary McDonald-Lewis?]

I know one of the gang leaders.

SCARLETT

Who are you?

LADY JAYE

Who cares who he is? Take us to him.

TITO

Her. And what do I get if I help you? I got my future to think of. I'm ten already.

LADY JAYE

Wanna see eleven, kid?

TITO

Hey, you're tough. Okay. Twenty bucks and I'll take you to Pelar Vasquez. But first I wanna know what you want with her.

LADY JAYE

Why, you little....

TITO

She's my sister. I gotta look out for her. Let me hold your weapons 'til after the meeting.

LADY JAYE

That's out of the question. We'll have to find her ourselves.

TITO

I guess you could try.

SCARLETT

Yeah, and we'll be searching 'til next Mother's Day. There's no choice, Lady Jaye.

TITO

Thanks. Right this way.

LADY JAYE

It better be.

INT. MOM'S CANDY & SODA FOUNTAIN

TITO

Right in here, ladies. Take good care of 'em, Mama. I'll be right out.

MRS. VASQUEZ

Have you come to arrest my Pelar?

SCARLETT

We're not police, Mrs. Vasquez.

MRS. VASQUEZ

She is really a good girl, deep down. Sometimes so deep you can't find it, though.

TITO (O.C.)

But Pelar, they paid money!

PELAR (O.C.)

Money you had no right to take!

PELAR

My brother Tito says you paid to talk to me. Talk fast!

LADY JAYE

Okay, sister, how's this? You and your gang have been had. Cobra's using you to help Harper get elected. And once Harper's in, you and your pals get the royal dump, right into jail. Is that fast enough?

PELAR

You lie!

MRS. VASQUEZ

How do you know? Just listen for once, Pelar.

PELAR

Cobra protects us, gives us money! You want to take it away, that's all. Why...why should I believe you?

ROGUE [Neil Ross?]

I think this little conversation's gone on long enough.

MRS. VASQUEZ

Oh...oh, no.

EXT. MOM'S CANDY & SODA FOUNTAIN

PELAR

Enough! I'll finish this.

SCARLETT

Too bad we have to keep pulling our punches with these punks.

LADY JAYE

Yeah, well don't forget, they're just kids.

LADY JAYE

Take us up! We've still got three Joes, a bird, and a wolf among the missing!

INT. SECRET TUNNEL

ZAP

You Cobras aren't ambitious enough. Why limit yourself to fixing elections? Why not the World Series, too?

CRIMSON GUARD

Silence! Got that?

EXT. CITY - NIGHT

WILD BILL

Did you see that? I'm a-headin' that-a-way, pardners.

INT. SECRET TUNNEL

CRIMSON GUARD

No, don't shoot!

QUICK KICK, LADY JAYE, AND SCARLETT

Yo Joe!

ZAP AND SPIRIT

Yo Joe!

CRIMSON GUARD

That's enough for me!

LADY JAYE

Let him go, Timber. Let 'em all go.

ZAP

My friend is a man of action, not words. So you better talk to me before he twists you into the world's first snake-flavored pretzel. I want the plan for Cobra's final assault.

ZAP

Talk!

CRIMSON GUARD

Political rally...at the pier...blow up the whole wharf.

EXT. RIVER - NIGHT

FIREFLY

I've planned for all possibilities. Would you like to see our G. I. Joe insurance?

ZARTAN

But of course.

FIREFLY

Each explosive will be planted at a different empty warehouse around the pier. And with this, I can blow it all at once or in any combination I choose.

ZARTAN

Interesting little device, Firefly.

FIREFLY

There's nothing little about it, swamp breath. You'll see. I'll plant the bombs myself. That way there'll be no foul-ups.

EXT. PIER - NIGHT

HARPER

My administration will clean up the streets. We will make it safe for you to walk at night once more.

PELAR

You haven't got a chance!

TITO

You're nothing!

PELAR

Tito! What are you doing here?

TITO

I wanted to help.

PELAR

You shouldn't have come! You must go home!

TITO

Look, I'm old enough to stay here, and I'm big enough to fight, too!

RICK

Big man! A little baby like you should be home with his mama.

PELAR

Stop laughing, you goons!

TITO

Who wants to be in your dumb gang, anyway?

PELAR

I hope you jokers are happy.

RICK

Ah, what's the difference. We got rid of him, didn't we? Anyway, check this out.

HARPER

This country will remain free only if law and order....

SCARLETT

Looks like Harper needs our help again.

WILD BILL

Yo Joe.

EXT. RIVER - NIGHT

ZARTAN

G. I. Joe! Right on schedule! Detonate the buildings.

INT. WAREHOUSE

TITO

I'll show 'em. I'll start my own gang. And I won't let them join.

EXT. PIER - NIGHT

TITO (O.C.)

Help, Pelar! Help!

PELAR

Tito? That's my brother!

RIPPER

Where you goin'?

PELAR

My brother, I gotta save him!

RIPPER

The only thing you've got to do is what you're bein' paid to do: scare people off!

EXT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

ZAP

Scarlett's goin' in after Pelar!

EXT. PIER - NIGHT

LADY JAYE

Pick on a lady your own size, Dread head!

BUZZER

Don't fret, mate. We can take her.

BUZZER

Can't we, mates...? Can't we?

ROGUE [Michael Bell?]

You tried to stop Pelar from saving her little brother.

RICK

We don't wanna be your flunkies anymore, man.

BUZZER

Uh, let's go, mates.

EXT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

LADY JAYE

Come on, Scarlett!

LADY JAYE

Thank heavens.

GANG

All right, Pelar! Way to go!, etc.

FIREMAN

Let's get this thing under control before it spreads!

PELAR

My brother!

EXT. PIER - NIGHT

ZARTAN

This cannot be!

FIREFLY

But it is. We'd better get outta here!

HARPER

Wait for me! Don't leave!

CITIZEN

Look! Cobra's rescuing Harper! Harper's a Cobra!

EXT. RIVER - NIGHT

HARPER

Thank you for waiting for me.

ZARTAN

Cobra does not reward failure, worm!

CUTTER

Welcome aboard, Mr. Harper. I'm not sure you can vote for yourself in jail. We'll have to ask a judge.

EXT. CITY - CAFE

INT. CAFE

REPORTER

So Harper's alleged association with Cobra fatally damaged his campaingn. And with ninety-eight percent of the vote in, it's Greenway over Harper by the greatest landslide in history.

PELAR

I wonder who cast the two votes?

MRS. VASQUEZ

His mother?

LADY JAYE

His wife?

INT. ENTERPRISE TOWER - HEAD OFFICE

TOMAX AND XAMOT

(T) I hate it when we (X) back a loser. (T and X) So do I.

 

 

More Joe Transcripts

Go to the Complete Guide to G. I. Joe.

Return to the MAIN PAGE.