Fair Winds and Following Seas. . .Inside -- HarmyBoard Reviews

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Date Posted: 01:51:00 06/12/05 Sun
Author: TQ
Subject: Fair Winds and Following Seas. . .Inside
In reply to: ~~ 's message, "season ten, series finale: Fair Winds and Following Seas, April 29, 2005" on 15:23:11 04/28/05 Thu

This is a much delayed posting (because of a finger dislocation and break during JFF East which has impacted my typing abilities) regarding the changes to the script for Fair winds and Following Seas. Please forgive typing errors, as I am still having problems.

Warning: it is very long.

Because I had the opportunity to see various drafts of the script, I thought some might be interested in the timing of the changes, the nature of the changes, and of course the other endings.

For those of you tempted to try to figure out who knew what when, here are the dates of changes to the script as I am aware of them:

Shooting script: 3/7/05
Blue Revisions: 3/8/05
Pink Revisions: 3/8/05
Yellow Rev.: 3/10/05
Green Rev.: 3/17/05
Goldenrod Rev: 3/18/05
Buff Rev.: 3/18/05
Salmon Rev: 3/21/05

Each time a revision is made, the change pages are given a different color - so everyone is on "the same page"! However, it would appear that the last revisions were on 3/21/05. (However, I do not know that for a fact.)

Here are some comments, etc. about parts of the script. In some cases, I have tried to trace through some of the changes in various versions:

(1) The first scene in the conference room is the same as what we saw.

(2) With regard to the scene of Harm and Mac in Mac's office, here are some changes we did not see:

[After Mac talks about the distance between SD and London, she says:]
Ten and a half hours flying time. I suspect there'll be days when even that isn't far enough. (Catches herself) Sorry. That wasn't nice.

Harm: When's that stopped you before?

Mac: Don't start, Captain.

Harm looks at Mac for a long minute.

Then Harm says: There's a lot to figure out. (With meaning) And I'm not talking about staffing decisions.

Harm and Mac hold each other's look.

Mac: We have three days.

She gives him a look, loaded with nine years of emotional frustration. Off Harm. So little time, so many feelings.

(3) In the scene between Mac and Vukovic in her office, here is some of the script which I though was illuminating:

Vic: Because Colonel Farrow was in the same command as you were.

Mac studies him, willing to give him enough rope to hang himself. Vic surprises her by turning to look directly at her.

Vic: And yet you've built a stellar career for yourself. Proof that youthful indiscretion isn't fatal. (Working her) Which is the very reason I know you'll reconsider my request to accompany you to San Diego.

This takes Mac by surprise. The Lt. heads for the door, having made his point. He smiles.

Vic: Colonel.

Mac can't help herself. She returns a slight smile.

(4) In the scene between Cresswell and Coates, Coates says to Cresswell at the end: Let's just say this sir. Those two have a failure to communicate. All the distance in the world won't change that.

(5) The conversation between Bud and Harriet was very different in the shooting script.

Harriet: No!

Lt. Sims and Roberts walk through the parking lot. Harriet damn near has a coronary.

Bud: I already said that I'd go.

Harriet gives him a savage look.

Harriet: Then go. The other five of us will stay in Virginia. In our own house...our own neighborhood...living our livrd.

Bud: Look, honey, I realize I should have spoken to you first...

Harriet: Bud, you ask for my opinion before you head out for the corner grocery store. This is a whole lot bigger than that...

Bud: (lame) You always wanted to go to London.

Harriet: That was four babies ago. When i had a life.

Harriet studies Roberts' truly confused expression. She relents.

Harriet: I'm surprised that Colonel Mackenzie didn't ask you too.

Bud: She did.

Harriet: And you turned her down?

Bud: I said I had already accepted another billet.

Harriet thinks things over for a minute.

Harriet: How are they taking it?

Bud: How are who taking what?

Harriet: The Commander and the Colonel. They're going to be half a world apart. That's a big change.

Bud: I don't have a clue. (Thinks) Maybe they're both ready for a change. And those promotions are a big deal.

They get into Harriet's Volvo.

Harriet: Do you ever think about what would have happened if we hadn't met? Or if you'd gone off to some other duty station before we had the chance to find out what we meant to each other?

Bud: Scary thought.

Harriet: I mean, what were the chances? I was on a ship at sea. You just happened to come aboard for a few days.

Bud: Maybe it was meant to be. (Back on track) Now, about London...

Bud reacts to Harriet's hostile look.

Bud: Or not.

In the Yellow revision, this portion of the script came out, and it was revised pretty much as we saw it. However, as the script was patched together, this deleted conversation has some bearing upon later parts of the script.

(6) In the Shooting Script, in the first shot in Harm's apartment, the direction contains the following: "A lonely bike rider, caught in his own "Groundhog Day", pedals by as he does every night.
I concluded that in the north of union station shot, we were supposed to see this bike rider on several occasions, during the lead up to flashbacks - i.e. Groundhog day. I thought the idea was that Harm and mac were locked into repeating their past relationship. However, the groundhog thing probably would have been too obscure for most of the viewers.

I thought the direction was interesting for the flashbacks:

Int. Harm's Apartment - night:
Harm lays out his clothes on the bed. Music plays. He sits on the edge of the bed and stares into space.

Begin flashback.

A key moment in Harm's relationship with Mac.

We see Mac from Harm's point of view.

End flashback.

Int. Mac's apartment - night

Mac lays out clothes on the bed. The same music plays. She goes to the window and looks out into the night.

Begin flashback.

We see Harm from mac's point of view. Two minds with but a single thought.

Fade to black.

This did not seem to change scriptwise. It was interesting that the flashbacks were not identified.

(7) In the original Shooting Script, the scene between Bud and Mikey was slightly different:

....Bud: Do me a favor. Fall out of love.

Mike: That'll be right after you fall out of love with Harriet. [I've deleted a couple of lines.]

Bud: I don't want to know about it. I can't know about it. Please leave.

Mike: Am I still invited to dinner tonight?

Bud: yes. Come alone.

Mike exits before Bud can change Mike's mind.

These parts got deleted by the yellow revision.

(8) There were changes in the scene between Harriet and Mac:

In the initial script, Mac said:
You said "no". Harriet responded: someone had to. Mac gives Harriet a long look. By the Yellow revision, Mac says: You said "no"? Harriet: Bud made the decision. Mac: But you helped? Harriet: Like most men, sooner or later he comes to his senses. Mac: not all of them do. Mac gives Harriet a long look.

(9) In the scene between Mikey and Harm, there were changes during the script revisions, as well as in what we saw:

.... Mike: Have you ever been in love?

Harm looks at Mike like maybe he (Mike) has lost his mind.

Harm: Precisely what are you talking about?

Mike: There's no other word for it, Sir. "Love".

Harm: I've heard of it.

Mike (losing his nerve): Maybe this wasn't a good idea, Commander.

Harm: Maybe not. You want relationship advice, maybe you should talk to your brother.

Mike: I tried that Sir. Bud doesn't want to talk to me about it.

Harm: Why not?

Mike: It concerns General Cresswell's daughter.

Harm just stares at him.

Harm: have you lost your mind?

Mike: Pretty much Sir. It's not like I can't sleep, or something like that .. well, actually, it is, kinda. The sleeping part.

Harm: Midshipman Roberts, I have a lot to do.

Mike: Please, Sir. You're sort of my last hope, ... you know, since my brother won't help me.

Harm (relenting): Tell me what's on your mind.

Mike takes a deep breath.

Mike: didn't you ever want to be with somebody no matter what?

Harm: No. Not "no matter what."

Mike: Or get crazy because the girl you liked is off limits.

Harm: Now that is something I can relate to.
Harm folds up his papers.
Harm: Does the General's daughter know how you feel about her?

Mike: I haven't told her.

Harm (sardonic): I understand that helps. (Trying to be helpful.)
Do you know what she thinks of you?

Mike: I think Cammie likes me. At least a little.

Harm: Then here's my advice. Talk to her. Tell her how you feel. Show her what you have to offer.

Mike: But what if she doesn't feel the same way? What if she laughs?

Harm: First you feel like a fool for a while, then you get over it.

Mike lets this sink in.

Mike: That you for the advice, Sir.

As Mike gets up to leave the table.

Mike: If she does feel the same way, what do I do about the General?

Harm: Hide. Because he'll probably end your career. Or have you put in the brig. Or kill you.

Mike walks out, more worried than he has ever been.
Harm considers his own situation.

By the Yellow version, many of the lines above were gone. What we saw was still a bit changed from the yellow version. However, what was originally written was interesting in terms of Harm, as well as deleted humor.

(10) Picking up from where Harm considers his own situation:

Begin flashback.

A key moment in Harm's relationship with Mac.

We see Mac from Harm's point of view.

End flashback.

Int. Mac's Office - day

Mac sits at her desk.

Begin flashback

The same flashback as Harm.

We see Harm from Mac's point of view. Great minds think alike.

Fade to black.

[You can see that the writers did not identify the flashbacks in the script, unlike in Lifeline.]

(11) Here's a scene that we did not see in this way, which came after the scene between Vukovic and the mother:

Harm (voice over) incredulous: You had your wife call?

Int. Jag Ops - Day

Bud has entered. He tries to sneak into his office, but Harm is waiting for him.

Bud: I didn't know how to tell you, Sir. (Off Harm's look) I'm a people pleaser. I just don't know how to say "no".

Harm: I can take rejection. (A bit steamed) What'd you think I was going to do? Be angry?

Bud: It wasn't you I was afraid of, Commander. (Confessing). I really wanted to work with you. And the idea of London wasn't half bad either.

Harm: Then what were you afraid of?

Bud: That I'd say "yes" again, let myself get talked into ... It's kind of like those homely girls in high school who can't say no... (censors himself) Never mind. (Sincere) I'm sorry it didn't work out, Sir.

Harm: There will be other times.

Bud: I appreciate your being so understanding, Sir. Speaking of which...thank you for talking to Mike. It made a big difference.

Harm: I found the conversation enlightening, Bud. Felt like I was back in high school.

Harm swings into his office, leaving Bud.

In the Yellow version, the direction is ext. Jag Ops - day. Harm returns toward the entrance carrying a stack of folders. Roberts rushes up to help.

Bud: Can I give you a hand with those, Sir.
Harm hands him a stack.
Harm: Divvying up my caseload.
They walk side by side for a moment.
Bud: I have given serious thought to our discussion of yesterday.

Harm: Good. Did you talk with Harriet?

Bud: Mostly she listened. (A beat) While I talked myself out of it.

Harm: Sorry to hear that.

Bud: So was I, when I heard the words coming out of my mouth.

Bud stops.

Bud: I really wanted to work with you. And the idea of London wasn't half bad either. But right now our life is here.

Harm: There will be other times.

Bud: I appreciate your being so understanding, Sir. Speaking of which...thank you for talking to Mike. It made a big difference.

Harm: I found the conversation enlightening, Bud. Felt like I was back in high school.

Harm swings into his office, leaving Roberts.

(12) With regard to the scene in Mac's apartment, the original shooting script has:

Harm (voice over) I need your advice.

Mac has opened the door to find Harm standing outside.

Mac: Good, because I need yours.

Harm enters, gets right down to it.

Harm: What are doing about the lease on your apartment?

There's a flash of disappointment in Mac's eyes.

Mac: That's what you want to talk about? Real Estate?

Harm: Yes

[discussion about Varese and Mattie, the same as what we saw]

Mac: Have you talked to Mattie.

Harm: That was my first call. I told her I'd stay if...

Mac: (Interrupting) ...and she told you to go.

Harm: Yes. Once she's done with rehab, she'll come to London for a visit. (with a smile.) Oxford has a great summer program for American high school seniors.

Mac smiles. You're a good dad.

Harm smiles back at her.

Mac: Who's getting your cases?

Harm: I'll give Roberts his choice.

Mac: So he finally told you he wasn't going.

Harm: Harriet gave me a call. [In the Yellow version, Harm says "Yup. Once Harriet makes up his mind, that's it."] (Back to business) I thought I'd stick Turner with the dogs.

Mac: You're all heart.

[part of the scene about Vukovic the same]

Mac: Were you ready for all this?

Harm: Were you?

Mac: I've been dreading it for a long time.

Harm: And?

Mac: You know, now that it's here it doesn't seem so bad. Right now I'm taking it one day at a time.

[In the Yellow version, the following lines are gone:]

Harm sees a photo of Webb in a trash can. He picks it up.

Harm: Throwing out your past?

Mac: Yes. (Takes the photo) A new broom sweeps clean.

Off Harm.

(13) After the scene when Vukovic shuts his cell phone, there is a scene between Bud and Harm that we never saw.

Interior Harm's apt - night

Harm is busy packing up his life. He holds up the photo of him with his father when he was a kid. This is his talisman.
Angle on the photo. Father and son.
Harm (off side): You're gonna like London.

Back to scene. As Harms puts the photo down in plain view.

Harm: Mom told me you'd always wanted to take me there. Now we have the chance.

There's a knock on the door. Harm opens it to find Bud.

Bud: Hope I'm not interrupting, Sir.

Harm: Come on in.

Bud: I thought I heard you talking to someone.

Harm changes the subject.

Harm: What can I do for you, Bud?

Bud: First, I want to apologize.

Harm: For what?

Bud: For Mike.

Harm: No problem.

Bud: I don't want that to be the last thing you remember about the Roberts clan.

Harm (with a smile): Don't worry Bud. I can come up with a lot worse.

Bud smiles, then sits down, something bugging him.

Harm: That's not the reason you came.

Bud: That's it, a little.

Harm: Then what? You change your mind about London?

Bud: I never changed my mind. (Off his look) Harriet changed it for me.

[Note: In the yellow version, Bud just says: No.]

Harm: Then what?

Bud: Just . . . visiting.

[Note: in the shooting script, Harm gives him a long look. That direction is gone in the yellow version.]
Harm: I still have some packing to do.

Bud: I can help.

Harm: Thanks, but no.

Bud wanders around the room. He just can't say what's on his mind.

Bud: Well, I guess that's it.

Harm: Then, I'll see you tonight at the party. [This is my emphasis, because I think it helps to understand the context of the last scene we saw.]

As Bud starts to leave.

Bud: Commander...Captain...

Harm: Harm.

Bud: Harm. Are you doing the right thing, Sir?

Harm (considers) No. But I'm going to do it anyway.

Bud (as he leaves): See you tonight, Commander.

Bud exits. Harm begins to pack. Music plays.

[As you can see, in the original shooting script, we were supposed to be moving towards a party in the evening.]

(14) As the music plays, begin flashback.

A key moment in Harm's relationship with Mac.

We see Mac from Harm's point of view.

End flashback.

Interior Mac's Apt. - night

Mac lays out clothes on the bed. The same music plays. She goes to the window and looks out into the night.

Begin flashback.

The same flashback as Harm

We see Harm from Mac's point of view.

Fade to Black.

(15) Here is part of what you were waiting for!

In the original shooting script, the scene in Harm's apt. Is as follows:

Exterior Harm's apt - night (stock)

That same damn kid on the bike rides by. We hear a knock and then a door opening.

Harm: voice over Hey.

Harm stands at the open door. Mac is in the hallway.

Mac: Hey yourself.

She steps past him, close, but not making eye contact. She notices Harm's suitcase on the bed.

Mac: There's something so final about a packed suitcase.

Harm: Is yours packed?

Mac: Standing by the front door. All except a dress for the going-away tonight. I'm wearing red. [My emphasis - again a reference to a going away party for Harm that evening. In the Blue version, she says she is wearing green.]

Harm: My favorite color.

Mac: Didn't know you had one.

Harm: It's my favorite on you.

Mac (teasing): Didn't know you kept track.

Mac's impressed that he'd ever noticed.

Mac: Let's talk about you and me.

Harm thinks about it for a long beat.

Harm: Neither one of us....

[then follows dialogue we saw until:]

Harm: Mind if I ask you a personal question?

Mac: Why waste a drive across town? Do your worst.

Harm: With some of the men in your life ...who shall remain nameless... what attracted you?

Mac: They wanted me and let me know it.

Harms thinks this over for a minute.

Harm: I wanted you. Surely you knew.

Mac: No woman wants to have to be a mind-reader, Harm. She needs to be desired...without qualification. And told about it on a daily basis. (Sweetly) And with you there were always complications. Another woman...work..the search for your father.

Harm: That's all in the past.

Mac sees the picture of Harm's father.

Mac: Is it? If so...

Harm has no answer.

[NOTE: As of the buff version on 3/18/05 the following dialogue was gone:]

Mac: Maybe love is like standing on the three meter board. You close your eyes and jump and hope you hit the water clean.
[In the blue version, she says a 10 meter board. By the way, when some of us were at the Naval Academy, we saw the pool where each midshipman has to jump from the 10 meter board into the water as a condition to graduating: it is the distance from the deck of a destroyer to the water.]

Harm: Well, that would cut down on the thinking part.

Mac: And fears and second-guessing and all the other impediments. (A leading question) We can never quite get there, Harm.

Harm thinks it over.

Harm (one last try): We have twelve hours. I realize it's not a lot of time...

Mac: Harm, we've had nine years...We even had a five year plan--

Harm: That's past due...

Mac: That was allowed to expire. (resigned) So maybe fate has taken a hand.

Harm: I don't believe in fate, Mac. Commissions can be resigned...
assignments can be modified.

Mac: Are you saying you're ready to resign your commission?

Harm: I didn't say that.

Mac: You expect me to resign mine?

Harm: No. (He really means yes) Not really.

Mac: So we're right back where we started from. (Off his silence.)
I never thought it would end this way.

She looks up at him.

Mac: Or this soon.

Harm: Nine years is soon?

Mac: The blink of an eye.

Mac goes to the door. Harm follows. She stands there, not knowing whether to stay or go.

Mac: We'll always be friends.

Harm: Best friends.

Mac: And tell each other everything.

Harm: Maybe not quite everything.

Mac looks at him for a long minute.

Mac: The thing that bothers me is that we're never going to know how things might have worked out.

Off Harm, imagining the possibilities.

This was the original shooting script. As noted above, by the buff version on 3/18/05 this dialogue was gone.

According to the script which I saw, the dialogue (from when Harm says we've got 12 hours, Mac says we had nine years! and Harm says he needed a deadline) was there by the buff version on 3/18/05 , which contained the direction for a passionate kiss.

The portion of the dialogue we saw that begins with Harm's statement about the 500 pound gorilla, was contained in the green version dated 3/17/05. After Harm says, "it can put us together...forever.", the direction states off Mac's quizzical expression, we go to..." There is no direction for any other passionate kissing or anything else in Harm's apt.

(16) It is at this point that the scenes deleted from the shooting script, etc. result in confusion as to the sequence in the last scene at McMurphy's. Here is what we did not see:

The next scenes in the shooting script (written 3/7/05) after the dialogue between Harm and Mac as to best friends and not knowing how things might have worked out, is Harm's going away party that night at a hotel with the most ridiculous name:

Exterior Adidas Cranston Huckleberry Hotel, Washington, D.C.
A beautiful hotel in DC. Bud and Harriet valet park. They see Harm, resplendent in his dress uniform, wearing captain insignia.
It is at 0217 Zulu. Note the time!

[Note: These next three scenes are omitted in the green version dated March 17, 2005.]

Bud/Harriet: Good evening, Captain.

Harm: Evening. (Looks at Harriet) Anyone tell you how beautiful you look?

Harriet: (looks at Bud) You'd be the first person who didn't expect something in return.

Bud blushes a little.

Harriet: This is all so sad. (Off Harm's look.) After tonight, we're never going to be together like this again.

Harm: Maybe that's reason to celebrate.

Bud: Well, the last few years have been the best time of my life.

Harriet: Mine, too. It's hard knowing that it's all coming to an end. (A beat) I'm sure Colonel Mackenzie feels that way. (Off Harm)

Exterior of the Adidas Huckleberry Hotel in the patio at night, Mac sits alone, feeling not the least bit festive but looking ravishing in a red dress. Coates approaches.

Coates: Goods evening, Ma'am. You want a little company?

Mac: Sure. Sit down.

Coates: Sorry to break in on your thoughts.

Mac: Not thoughts, Jen. Just a vague ... disappointment.

[This is where they had the discussion about Coates going to San Diego.]

Coates is flattered.

Coates: I was hoping Vic...Lt. Vukovic would make it back in time for the party. I'll bet he looks good in his dress whites.

Mac shoots Coates a look.

Coates: Are you taking Lt. Vukovic to San Diego with you?

Mac: You make it sound like he's my pet Chihuahua.

Coates: As part of your legal staff?

Mac: He asked. I said "no".

Coates: That surprises me, Colonel. (Off Mac's look) You've never run away from a challenge. Hey, maybe you can even make him a better lawyer.

Mac looks at Coates for a long minute.

Mac: Correct on both counts.

Coates: Despite the big man on campus act, I don't think the Lt's had it easy, Ma'am.

Mac: Who here has?

Coates: That's just the thing. I'd never gotten a break until I met you and the Commander. Maybe all Lt. Vukovic needs is someone to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Off Mac, wondering.

Now we go to the interior of the Hotel in the men's rest room.
Turner washes up as the General enters.

Turner: Good evening, Sir. Nice Party.

General washes his hands.

General: Is that why everyone is leaving early?

Turner: People are having a hard time saying goodbye, General.

General (not buying it): I've had fifteen different duty assignments in thirty years.

Turner: Maybe these people have just been together too long.

General: You're one of "these people", Commander.

Turner: Not really. (As he leaves) Good evening, Sir.

[NOTE: the above three scenes were deleted in the green version dated 8/17/05.]

(17) Now we come to several scenes in and out of McMurphy's Bar. It is 0410 Zulu.

The interior of McMurphy's bar at night:
Harm walks into the Bar. He takes a seat. The pretty girl bartender comes up to see what he wants. {these are some of the spoilers because they had sides.)

Bartender: I don't know what your scene is, but that's one trick outfit. You ever think about wearing a kilt?

Harm: Not recently.

Bar: I bet you've got the legs. (With a smile) What can I do for you?

Harm: Bud Light.

Bar: You can have whatever you want.
Bartender serves up the beer. Harm muses.

Mac (off to the side): Didn't expect to find you here.

Harm turns, surprised to see her.

Harm: I could say the same for you.

Mac pulls herself onto the bar stool next to him.

Mac: This is the last place I got drunk.

Harm: You weren't thinking...?

Mac: Are you crazy?

Bartender gives Mac the once over.

Bar: what can I do for you?

Mac: Soda with a twist, please.

Bar: It figures a guy like him would be with a girl like you.

Mac: We're not really ... with... it's just for the moment.

Bar (re Harm): So what is with that outfit?

Mac: Every now and then he likes to get wild and crazy.

Bar: Lucky you.

Mac: yea. Lucky me.

Harm and Mac clink glasses.

Mac: To having nothing left to say. [This is like Mac's toast.]

Harm: Right

Although Mac clearly has something on her mind.

Mac: Although, I've got one last request ...

Just then they hear a familiar voice.

Bud: Commander. Colonel.

The direction says: "Yikes. The moment is spoiled. Bud and Harriet step up to the bar.

Bud: This is amazing...

Harriet: ...that we'd all end up here.

Harm: It's kind of like "Groundhog day."

Bud: Exactly. Remember sitting at this bar and singing �Baby It's Cold Outside."

Harriet: And remember Brumby's going away party?
(Harriet looks at Mac)

Harriet: Sorry.

Mac: That's okay. It was a sweet night. I still can't listen to "Waltzing Matilda" without crying.

Harriet: We've all had a lot of good times here. I wish it never had to end.

Mac looks somberly at harm. She wishes the same thing.

We go to the exterior of McMurphy's Bar at night. Turner comes up to the door. He looks inside, sees the others, and decides not to go in. As he starts away, he bumps into Coates.

Coates: Not going in, Sir?

Turner: Guess I wanted to drink alone.

Coates: Please come in, Commander. Let's end tonight in style. Besides, the General's going to be here any moment.

Turner: The General doesn't drink.

Coates: No problems. I made sure he'd show up. (Off Turner's reticence) I'd hate to have to walk into a bar unaccompanied, Sir.

Turner relents, smiles. He offers her his arm.

Back we go into McMurphy's Bar - night.
Mac looks up to see Turner and Coates come in the door.

Mac: Looks like the gang's all here.

Coates and Turner step up to the bar.

Harm: What'll you have. I'm buying.

Coates: Bloody Mary.

Turner: Martini.

Bar: (to Harm): If you need another friend, I know where you can find one. (With a grin!) I don't mind a crowd.

She walks away.

Mac (to Harm; sardonic): It's nice to see you making new friends.

Harm: Will you cut it out?

Mac: I hear the girls in London are cute.

Harm: I hear the boys in San Diego are even cuter.

Mac (laughs): Okay. Truce.

Then General Cresswell enters, finding his loyal troops. He comes over to Coates.

General: I got your message. I thought you said you had a flat tire and no spare.

Coates: I lied, Sir. (Off his look) I knew you wouldn't come otherwise, General, and...As much as it might surprise you, it wouldn't be the same without you here.

General takes a moment to digest the compliment. He scans the faces of the others. All seem in agreement, the General has finally passed social muster with the group.

Harm: Drinks are on me, Sir.

Cresswell scans the bar, spots mac's nonalcoholic bevvy and says to the Bartender: I'll have what she's having.

General settles in, feeling at ease with them for perhaps the first time ever.

Bar (to the General): Another trick outfit.

Mac: Ignore her.

Cresswell: Who does she think we are.

Mac: You don't want to know.

Harm: Sorry I left the party early General. But...
[my emphasis]

General: It was more like a wake than a celebration, Captain. I know, I was there.

He turns to Coates: You know, I spent 20 minutes looking for my Triple A card.

He turns to Mac: You're welcome to her, Colonel. May you both find greener pastures on the Left Coast.

Mac: Hear, hear.

Mac raises her glass and the others follow suit.

There is a time cut, but still in McMurphy's Bar.
Hilarity ensues. Mac leans over to Harm.

Mac: We need to talk.

Harm: We've been talking all night.

Mac: let's take this outside.

The direction says: Mac stands, not minding that harm is taking in the full view as she pulls a wrap around herself. Mac starts for the door and Harm can be seen appreciating her form as she walks away.

Harm and Mac exit the bar.

Mac: What time's your flight?

Harm: Zero eight hundred.

Mac: That's eight hours from now.

Harm: What's your point?

Mac: That gives you two hours to finish packing...one hour to get to Andrews.

She gives him a look. He plays along with it.

Harm: What do I do with the other five?

She holds out a set of keys.

Mac: The big one's to the downstairs door. The small one's to my apartment. Sometimes it sticks a little so you'll want to give it an extra hard push. (Seductively.) I won't be hard to find. I'll be the girl in the red silk camisole.

Harm: You look good in silk.

Mac: I look better out of it.

Mac tosses him the keys.

Mac: It's time we found out what the past nine years were all about.

She turns to go. Harm is nearly speechless.

Mac: See you, Harm.

Harm (hesitates, then): See you, Mac.

Freeze...End of Show.

Well, this is what you would have seen as of March 7, 2005.

In the blue script written on March 8, 2005, after Mac says to Harm
"Let's taken this outside" and they exist, here is the next ending:

Mac and Harm come out into the cool of the night.

Harm: So what's so important that it can't wait?

Mac: I have a proposition for you.

Harm: I have one for you.

Mac: Who goes first?

Harm: The lady, always. (With a smile.) Except this once. (With a bigger smile.) I have something for you.

He reaches into a pocket of his dress uniform and takes out something wrapped in tissue paper.

Harm: This is for you.

Mac opens the tissue.

We see what's inside. A diamond ring.

Back on scene on Mac.

Mac: What's this?

Harm: A diamond ring.

Mac: I know. But what does it mean?

Harm: Try it on.

Mac slips it on her finger.

Harm: It comes with a lifetime guarantee. Perhaps you've heard of it. Love. Honor. Obey. (With a grin) At least some of the time.

Mac: You're asking me to marry you eight hours before you get on a transport to London?

Harm: Better than that. There's a justice of the peace in Ellicot City who's standing by to marry us.

Mac looks at him like he's crazy.

Mac: when did you decide all this?

Harm: I've had the ring for six months.
I've had the love for nine years.
(Softly)
At a time like this it's customary for the woman to say
Something. "Yes" will suffice.

Mac looks at him for a long beat.

Harm: Remember the part about jumping off the ten meter board.

Mac: Yes. Yes to both questions.

He takes her in his arms and kisses her. She kisses him back.

Mac: This is going to take some getting used to.

Harm: We have a lifetime.

Freeze....End of Show.

AAAAAH! The love was there for 9 years!!

So when was the part of the script that we saw written?

Well, there is a buff version dated March 18, 2005 that has Harm's comment to the Bartender about "I got engaged this afternoon. At least I think I did." And also Mac's comments after she comes in. By the way, in the buff version dated 3/18/05, there is no direction as to kissing, those wonderful looks, his standing up.

The dialogue with Bud and Harriet coming in starting when Bud says Well, this is quite a night", etc. was added in the buff version on March 18, 2005.

In the salmon version dated 3/21/05, there is a revised scene between Coates and Turner in the vestibule of McMurphy's when Turner enters, he hesitates, surveying the scene and Coates comes up behind him. Coates asks if he's going in. Turner asks "any idea what this is about, Coates?" Coates, with a knowing smile, says, Possibly. Please come in, Commander. The General's going to be here any moment." Turner responds "Really?" Coates responds I made sure he'd show up. Then the salmon version carries forward the part of walking into a bar unaccompanied and Turner smiles and offers her his arm.
[A nicer resolution.]

It is in the green version (3/17/05) that Coates says to Cresswell that �Captain Rabb ordered me to get you here, Sir. Any way I could...etc."

Cresswell's ordering of a martini and the discussion of Coates going to San Diego [i.e. what we saw] was an addition in the green version.

The remainder of the scene (Harm's announcement, and just to Bud's saying the bride calling the toss )Was all in the buff version dated March 18, 2005. However, Mac calling the toss of tails, and Bud's comment about wanting to do it at the SuperBowl were in the Green version dated March 17, 2005.

What is interesting, is the direction shown in the Green Version. (See the next post!!)

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responses -- all, 01:53:19 06/12/05 Sun