My Screenplay "Salvation" Act I

EXT: England, training field. Daytime

Lieutenant John Morgan and Sergeant Tony Creshaw are observing the troops training. They are standing on top of hill, looking down at the obstacle course. From there they can see all three squads in Lt. Morgan’s platoon. 

MORGAN

They have come along way since Camp Toccoa.

CRESHAW

Indeed they have. I think they are ready for anything the Jerries can throw at them. However, I am concerned about 2nd Squad. Sgt. Baker is too indecisive. 

MORGAN

(nodding in agreement)

That has been one of my concerns as well. I am thinking about promoting Corporal Johnson to sergeant and giving him 2nd Squad. 

CRESHAW

I think he will do well, the men will be able to adapt well to him, after all, they are Airborne. What will happen to Sgt. Baker?

MORGAN

Major Scott is looking for someone to replace Sgt. Moen as company supply sergeant. He fell and hit his head, Doc thinks he has a concussion, and he can’t jump in that condition. 

CRESHAW

(nodding)

I think Sgt. Baker will do well as supply sergeant.

MORGAN

(looks at his watch)

Oh wow, it’s already time for dinner. After dinner, come by my office, I want to talk to you about something.

CRESHAW

(salutes as Morgan leaves)

Yes sir.

INT: Morgan’s office. Evening

Morgan is sitting at his desk doing some paper work. His office is small, and the only furniture is his desk and two plain wooden chairs. Creshaw knocks on the door.

MORGAN

(looks up)

Enter!

Creshaw enters the office and stands at attention.

CRESHAW

Sgt. Anthony Creshaw reporting as ordered, sir. 

MORGAN

Tony, how many times have I told you, there is no need to be so formal when we are not in front of the men. Please, sit down.

Creshaw sits down in one of the chairs in front of Morgan’s desk. 

MORGAN

I am just filling out the paper work to transfer Sgt. Baker and promote Cpl. Johnson. 

CRESHAW

I believe that is a wise move. But why do I have the feeling that that is not the only reason you asked me here.

MORGAN 

(leans back in his chair)

You are always very preceptive. Yes, there is another matter I wish to speak to you about. The family that I am assigned to live with is what they call “born-again Christians.” I remember you calling yourself that when we talked about religion back at Camp Toccoa. Anyway, they recently asked me what I believe, I told them that I was an atheist. They shared some religious stuff with me. But, they just seem to have so much peace, how can that be after all the suffering they have seen?

CRESHAW 

(Thinks for a second)

Well, as I told you back in the States, it’s God. II Corinthians 1 tells us that God is a God of comfort and compassion to those who believe in Him and make Him Lord of their lives. 

MORGAN

But isn’t all that religion stuff man made. How can we know there is a God?

CRESHAW

L.T., look at the world around us. How can that just happen without someone making it? Take the chair you are sitting on, someone had to make it. The same is true with the world around us.

MORGAN

Yes, but I can go to the factory and see the maker make it. I can’t see God, and I can’t see Him make the world.

There is a knock on the door, and upon permission to enter, Cpl. Hall, Major Scott’s runner, enters.

HALL

Sir, Major Scott needs the company for an emergency meeting at H.Q. It’s time.

MORGAN

Thank you Corporal. Tell Major Scott  we will be there A.S.A.P.

Cpl. Hall snaps to attention and leaves. Morgan and Creshaw stand up to leave. 

MORGAN

Well, see you on the plane. 

CRESHAW

Yes sir. I would like to continue our talk later.

MORGAN

Well, that may take place in France.

FADE IN

INT: In the plane over France. Late night/early morning

The sound of the engines kill any conversations that may happen. Some men look nervous, others sleep, others just sit in silence. Anti-aircraft fire opens up. Other planes start to go down in flames. The pilot does his best to keep the plane steady under all the flak. The plane start to shake and move all over. Red light comes on, Sgt. Rance, the jump master, stands up.

RANCE

(signals with his hands and yells)

Stand up! Hook on! Count off!

The men count off. The green light comes on.

RANCE

(signals with his hands and yells)

Go, go, go!

The men jump out. Anti-aircraft fire can be seen for miles around. The white tracer rounds stand you in sharp contrast to the night sky. The fire from crashing transport planes also stick out. Parachutes are opening all around. The trees and fields below that, at first, look so small, now are getting bigger. 

FADE OUT