G. I. JOE: TWENTY QUESTIONS

Written by

Buzz Dixon

 

EXT. COMBAT RANGE - DAY

FLINT

Yo Joe!

ALPINE

Yo Joe!

SHIPWRECK

Eat hot salt tabs, ya scurvy landlubbers!

SHIPWRECK

Ah, ya got me!

ALPINE

Shipwreck, that is pathetic.

SHIPWRECK

Says you. I thought I deserved an Oscar.

ALPINE

Yeah, my uncle Oscar, the moocher.

SCARLETT (O.C.)

Cease fire! Everybody, cease firing! Civilians in the battle area!

ALPINE

Aw, nuts! Just when the fight was getting dirty.

HECTOR RAMIREZ [Neil Ross]

Are we ready, Tom?

TOM [Frank Welker]

We're rollin'!

RAMIREZ

Good. This is Hector Ramirez reporting for your TV news magazine Twenty Questions. And below us is the G. I. Joe Team, America's special anti-terrorist task force. But does America need them? Some people claim the Joes are a needless military extravagance at best, and a blatant rip-off of the American taxpayer at work. Cut! Okay, how was that?

ARNOLD [Michael Bell?]

Yes, yes, perfect! Perfect!

FLINT

Okay, what in the name of sanity are you people doin' here? This is a restricted area!

RAMIREZ

How do you answer the claim that Cobra is only an elaborate hoax to bilk the government of billions of dollars?

FLINT

What?

GUNG-HO

Careful, Flint. That's that TV news guy.

ALPINE

Yeah. He'll feed you lines and hang you with 'em.

FLINT

Uh, sorry, no comment at this time.

RAMIREZ

Then I demand to see your commanding officer.

EXT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - DAY

INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - DUKE'S OFFICE

FLINT

Duke's off base. He won't be back for a couple of hours. But you gentlemen can wait here in his office, and I'll get a guide to show you around the base.

INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - HALLWAY

ALPINE

Now what, semi-fearless leader?

FLINT

Find a guide and call for Duke.

INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - DUKE'S OFFICE

RAMIREZ

Well, if they're siphoning off millions, they sure aren't spending it on interior decorating.

ARNOLD

That, that's what they want you to think! My friends, the Committee On Basic Reductions of Armies, has conclusive proof that the entire G. I. Joe-Cobra conflict is faked! F-A-K-E-D! Faked!

TOM

Come off it! I've seen the news footage. It's real.

ARNOLD

Oh, well, Hector if you're gonna let the hired help influence the decisions....

TOM

Hired help?

RAMIREZ

Cool it, Tom. I make the decisions. Hmm, I wonder if there's an Emmy in this for me?

INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - REC ROOM

SHIPWRECK

Ah, gentlemen, observe the properties of the cue ball. So round, so firm. Wanna bet I can make it sit up and bark?

SPIRIT

What the universe wills the ball to do, it shall do. There are no games in chance in the....

SHIPWRECK

Good ol' Spirit. Mr. Frivolity.

FLINT

Shipwreck, I've got a job for you.

SHIPWRECK

Oh, sorry. Can't take it, Flint. I was killed in action during maneuvers.

FLINT

Look, stow it, Shipwreck. I have three civilians who need babysitting.

EXT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - AIRFIELD

SHIPWRECK

And here's where we keep our Sky Hawks, SkyStrikers, and Dragonflies.

RAMIREZ

What about Sky Hawk cost overruns?

SHIPWRECK

I don't know nothin' about it.

ARNOLD

He, he's just putting up obstacles!

SHIPWRECK

Obstacles, huh? You wanna see obstacles?

EXT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - OBSTACLE COURSE

SHIPWRECK

Over there, you got what you got your swingin' log obstacle...and your tire obstacle...and your brick wall obstacle.

ARNOLD

Oh, p-perfect training, if you plan to fight...to fight in a playground!

SHIPWRECK

I'll show you our playground, mate!

EXT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - LIGHT WEAPONS RANGE

SHIPWRECK

This is our light weapons range. We practice on pop-up cardboard targets.

ARNOLD

How appropriate, since your enemy is also a cardboard fabrication!

SHIPWRECK

That does it, you blasted bilge rats! I'll prove to you once and for all that Cobra's for real!

INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - THREAT UPDATE ROOM

SHIPWRECK

You! I told you to stay outside! No filmin' in here! Top secret!

ARNOLD

Uh, wouldn't it be better if all these computers were used to stop world hunger, instead of....

SHIPWRECK

What are you gonna do? Feed the world a short stack of floppy disks?

ARNOLD

Well it makes more sense than fighting senseless battles against non-existent - NON-EXISTENT ENEMIES!

SHIPWRECK

Senseless, huh? Non-existent, huh? The computer says our made-up snakes have got somethin' cookin' in the Rockies. Let's just take a trip and see, huh?

EXT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - AIRFIELD

SHIPWRECK

Just lay low 'til we get outta here. I'll show you some real Cobra activity.

RIP CORD

Hey, Shipwreck, what's up?

SHIPWRECK

Uh, just takin' her up for a test flight, guys.

ACE

Need a co-pilot?

SHIPWRECK

No, uh, no, no thanks, Ace.

ACE

Hey, I thought he was supposed to be showin' some civilians around.

SHIPWRECK

Next stop, the Rockies!

EXT. ROCKY MOUNTAINS - DAY

ZARTAN

Get ready. Another aircraft approaches.

INT. HIDDEN BASE - WEAPONS ROOM

RIPPER

Heading straight at us, mate.

BUZZER

Cor! I ain't destroyed nothin' in two or three days!

EXT. ROCKY MOUNTAINS - DAY

ARNOLD

What a waste of taxpayers' time and money! Joyriding over the Rockies!

SHIPWRECK

Joyride? If we spot Cobra, this is one ride you'll never forget!

ZARTAN

Fire.

INT. HIDDEN BASE - WEAPONS ROOM

BUZZER

Right, then.

EXT. ROCKY MOUNTAINS - DAY

SHIPWRECK

Uh-oh, SAM!

ARNOLD

My name is Arnold, not Sam!

SHIPWRECK

Not Sam! S-A-M! Surface-to-Air Missile! Now shut up and let me fly!

SHIPWRECK

Told you you'd never forget this ride! Now all we've gotta do is live through it!

EXT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - DAY

INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - HALLWAY

COVER GIRL

Shipwreck? Hey, Shipwreck! Where are you?

GUNG-HO

Flint wants you and your guests!

GUNG-HO

Ace, Rip Cord, either of you guys seen Shipwreck?

ACE

He took off.

GUNG-HO

Took off?

INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - THREAT ROOM

RIP CORD

Said he was goin' on a test flight. I thought it looked suspicious. So I checked around and found Shipwreck and those civilians had been here.

COVER GIRL

Bad news. If that computer's right, Shipwreck's heading toward the Rockies and certain death.

GUNG-HO

You mean Cobra?

COVER GIRL

I mean Duke, when he finds out.

EXT. ROCKY MOUNTAINS - DAY

ARNOLD

You're gonna kill us!

SHIPWRECK

Shut up! I know what I'm doin'!

SHIPWRECK

See, I told you I'd get us down safe.

EXT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - DAY

INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - REC ROOM

ALPINE

Yucko! How disgustin'! Probably gonna die from some disease.

SPIRIT

Have no fear for my health, Alpine.

ALPINE

I don't. I'm worried about Freedom.

COVER GIRL

Alpine! We need your help. Shipwreck may be in trouble somewhere in the Rockies.

ALPINE

Naturally. Where else would you expect to find a sailor in trouble?

EXT. ROCKY MOUNTAINS - DAY

SHIPWRECK

We'll find that Cobra missile launcher around here somewhere.

ARNOLD

Missile launcher? Missile launcher? A wild goose chase to keep us from the story!

SHIPWRECK

I'll launch you if you don't keep your fool trap shut! Wait, listen.

SHIPWRECK

Hey! Hey! Over here! Yo Joe!

COVER GIRL

Keep a sharp eye peeled for Shipwreck and Cobra.

INT. HIDDEN BASE - WEAPONS ROOM

RIPPER

Zartan, I'm pickin' up something' on the radar.

ZARTAN

A Joe search party. Alert Cobra Commander and ready the missiles!

EXT. ROCKY MOUNTAINS - DAY

SHIPWRECK

Come back, ya scurvy hounds! Ah, my own buddies leavin' me strandin' out here with....

SHIPWRECK

What the...Cobra!

INT. HIDDEN BASE - WEAPONS ROOM

ZARTAN

Lock in on targets.

RIPPER

Right-o!

EXT. ROCKY MOUNTAINS - DAY

RAMIREZ

Shipwreck, what's going on?

SHIPWRECK

Get back! It's a Cobra missile! If it launches, we'll all be killed!

INT. HIDDEN BASE - WEAPONS ROOM

ZARTAN

Fire.

BUZZER

With pleasure, Zartan.

EXT. ROCKY MOUNTAINS - DAY

INT. HIDDEN BASE - WEAPONS ROOM

BUZZER

Zartan, the fire control mechanism is out!

ZARTAN

Cobra Commander must stop them while we fix the launcher!

EXT. ROCKY MOUNTAINS - DAY

COBRA COMMANDER (COMM.)

Rattlers, attack!

WILD WEASEL

Cobra!

COVER GIRL

Rattlers!

ALPINE

I'll be okay! Save yourselves! Yo Joe!

SHIPWRECK

They'll be slaughtered unless I re-rig this launcher!

WILD WEASEL

Wild Weasel to Rattler squadron! Don't let them get behind you!

SHIPWRECK

Got it!

WILD WEASEL

What? Missiles, on our tails!

SHIPWRECK

You can just ignore 'em, Arnold! They's all imaginary! How do you like that?

ZARTAN

Very clever. Had you remembered to watch behind you, it might have been worth it.

GUNG-HO

That's Shipwreck's copter, all right.

COVER GIRL

But where's the sailor boy himself?

ALPINE

You know him. Late to his own funeral.

INT. HIDDEN BASE - ELEVATOR

ARNOLD

It's all a fake, a fake I tell you!

RAMIREZ

Yes, Shipwreck. You'd better come clean while you still can.

ZARTAN

Silence!

INT. HIDDEN BASE

ANNOUNCER (COMM.)

Zero-three-nine contingency in the lower aft receiving dock. All troops report for briefing.

SHIPWRECK

Sufferin' seaweed!

ANNOUNCER (COMM.)

Tonight's movie is "The Amusement Park of Terror." It's mayhem on the merry-go-round and revenge on the roller coaster as the bad guys try to beat the good guys on the Ferris wheel.

COBRA COMMANDER

Good, Zartan! You've captured the intruders!

RAMIREZ

Who's that bozo?

SHIPWRECK

That moron is Cobra Commander.

COBRA COMMANDER

Your scouting mission was a failure, Shipwreck. Even if you'd /words missing/, you'd never be able to stop our assault on the Rocky Mountain Chemical Weapons Arsenal..

SHIPWRECK

You're after that explosive gas, the stuff the Army buried around here!

COBRA COMMANDER

You may have qualms about using such weapons, but Cobra does not!

RAMIREZ

Oh, now, wait just a minute! Can the charade! This is all a fake! Tell 'em Arnold.

"ARNOLD" (in the Baroness's voice)

Fool! You are the stupidest male I ever met!

SHIPWRECK

I coulda told you that.

BARONESS

You vain, babbling, moronic peacock! My mission was to undermine Joe support and morale by feeding you mindless drivel for your news program, but that...that sailor ruined everything!

SHIPWRECK

Glad to oblige, Baroness.

ANNOUNCER (COMM.)

Preliminary shock troops, prepare to move out. Now!

COBRA COMMANDER

Zartan, lead the operation. I will stay to monitor Joe activity.

COBRA COMMANDER

Within hours, all the explosive gas will belong to Cobra!

SHIPWRECK

And you're just the type to use it.

EXT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - AIRFIELD

DUKE

I got here as fast as I could. This guy Hector Ramirez is the type of news man who loves doing a hatchet job on the military. Where is he?

FLINT

I don't know. I asked Shipwreck to take him around the base, and now he and Shipwreck are missing.

BREAKER

Duke, Flint! We intercepted a Cobra radio message. They're attackin' the Chemical Weapons Arsenal!

DUKE

We can't let them get that gas. Sound the alert! We'll worry about Ramirez later.

INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - HALLWAY

EXT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - AIRFIELD

INT. HIDDEN BASE - TUNNEL

COBRA COMMANDER

Thanks to our tunneling machines, we found this previously undiscovered cavern! A perfect base for our operation!

SHIPWRECK

I always said you couldn't tell your base from a hole in the ground!

COBRA COMMANDER

I will not allow such impertinence, especially from an enlisted man! Baroness, do the honors!

BARONESS

With pleasure.

COBRA COMMANDER

Pulverize them!

EXT. ROCKY MOUNTAINS - DAY

GUNG-HO

Every Cobra trooper in the world was hidden in that mountain!

SPIRIT

He wants us to see something.

EXT. ROCKY MOUNTAINS - CLEARING

WILD WEASEL

Help, anybody! Help!

COVER GIRL

All right, we'll save you...for a price.

WILD WEASEL

Anything! Anything!

COVER GIRL

Where's Shipwreck and the others?

WILD WEASEL

I...I don't know.

COVER GIRL

Then adios.

WILD WEASEL

Wait! They might be in the cavern. Save me and I'll tell you how to sneak in.

GUNG-HO

Now talk.

INT. HIDDEN BASE - TUNNEL

RAMIREZ

Wait! One last request! An interview!

COBRA COMMANDER

What did you say?

RAMIREZ

An interview! I want to interview you!

EXT. ROCKY MOUNTAINS - CHEMICAL WEAPONS ARSENAL

SOLDIER [Michael Bell]

Sound the alarm!

ZARTAN

Fools, take out the towers only! Hit a gas bunker and we'll all explode!

INT. GAS BUNKER

BUZZER

This is the non-lethal stuff. Laughing gas, tear gas, you know.

BUZZER

That there's the explosive gas.

ZARTAN

Radio Cobra Commander that we're bringing it all in. Waste not, want not.

EXT. HIDDEN BASE - EXHAUST VENT

ALPINE

Here it is, the exhaust vent that snake told us about.

COVER GIRL

Right under our noses.

INT. HIDDEN BASE

ZARTAN

Baroness, we captured the explosive gas. Why isn't Cobra Commander here to witness my triumph?

BARONESS

He's being interviewed for TV.

INT. HIDDEN BASE - CONTROL ROOM

COBRA COMMANDER

Then after leading a mutiny at my military academy....

INT. HIDDEN BASE

BUZZER

Listen up, you bloody dingos!

TORCH

Explosive gas to the left!

RIPPER

Laughing gas, tear gas, and the rest by the command module!

GUNG-HO

Can you make any more noise than that, Alpine?

ALPINE

Shut up, unless you wanna fly downstairs.

SPIRIT

Fly. Good idea. Freedom, find Shipwreck.

BARONESS

Look, an eagle has gotten into the cavern. Bye-bye, birdie.

SHIPWRECK

Freedom! You ain't cookin' my friend's goose!

ALPINE

They must've spotted us.

COVER GIRL

No sense being subtle now.

JOES

Yo Joe!

ZARTAN

G. I. Joe! We're under attack!

GUNG-HO

Why aren't they shootin' back?

ALPINE

Maybe 'cause we're sittin' on a truckload of explosive gas.

GUNG-HO

Hey, ain't that....

COVER GIRL

Shipwreck! He's gonna crush those gas cylinders!

COBRA [Bill Ratner]

Itching gas!

GUNG-HO

Explosions!

SPIRIT

There'll be a cave-in!

ALPINE

We'll all be crushed!

SHIPWRECK

Hate to laugh and run, but we've gotta get outta here!

COBRA COMMANDER

They're escaping! The cavern's exploding! What's so funny?

COBRA COMMANDER

No!

SHIPWRECK

We'd better get out before everything collapses!

ZARTAN

If we don't get out of here, we're finished!

BUZZER

Well, c'est la vie, mate!

ZARTAN

No, really! Come on! We must escape!

EXT. ROCKY MOUNTAINS - DAY

DUKE

Any sign of where Cobra went?

FLINT

No. The trail seems to disappear.

FLINT

Wait, look out there!

DUKE

This must be Cobra's doing!

SHIPWRECK

Uh-oh!

DUKE

Shipwreck! Would you mind telling me what the bloody blue blazes is goin' on?

RAMIREZ

It was great! It was wonderful! Emmy material! A Pulitzer prize! There's was laughing gas, and fighting, and guns, and explosions! I got it all on tape! I've got to get this to my network! Fantastic! What a scoop!

RAMIREZ (CONT.)

Love you! You Joes are great!

DUKE

I'd like an explanation for all this!

DUKE

On second thought, forget it.

 

 

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