Rattlers (1976) - full transcript

[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]

Mary, bring us a couple
of more beers.

Mom, can we go play
in the canyon?

We'll be back before dinner,
I promise.

No. It's almost
dinnertime now

and it's really too dark
for you guys

to go wandering off.

Oh, come on, Mom.
It's not very far.

Just over here in the rocks.

Well you'll have to ask
your father.

Okay.



Hey, wait a minute!

Here.
Take these to your father.

And no sips!

Well, thanks, boys.

Hey.

Dad, can me and Doug
go play up in the canyon

for a few minutes?

Doug says he knows where
there's a real live skeleton.

A real live skeleton, huh?

[LAUGHS]

Okay. But you make sure
you're back in time for dinner.

We will. Thanks, Dad!

Did you really see
a skeleton?

Uh-huh. And a real one too.



From a man.

Ah, you did not.

I was here with you,
remember?

I didn't see anything.

This was this morning
before you got up.

I got up early
to catch some lizards

and I climbed up this ledge,

and it was just laying
there.

What ledge?

Up there.

Ah, there's nothing up there
but rocks.

I don't see any skeleton.

You can't see it
from down here.

I told you.
It's on a ledge.

Okay. I'll bet you $5
there's nothing up there.

And if you're wrong,
you better pay off.

Don't worry, you'll see.

BOY:
Come on, hurry up!
It's getting dark fast

They'll be mad
if we're not back

in time for dinner.

Maybe we should wait
until tomorrow.

I don't like it out here
in the dark.

I figured you'd try
to back out of it.

Now, remember,
we made a bet.

Now, come on.

Okay, I'm coming.

BOY:
Did you see anything else here
besides a skeleton?

DOUG:
I didn't get a chance to see.

Why not?

DOUG:
Because I was scared.

BOY:
Aw, there's nothing up here.

You're just trying to keep me
from winning the bet.

Okay, then you go and look.

Uh-uh.
We're in this fifty-fifty.

BOY:
And besides, an old skeleton
can't hurt you anyway.

Now, come on.

Help!
Help!

Help!
Help!

[BOTH SCREAMING]

[BOTH CRYING AND SCREAMING]

[BOTH SCREAMING]

MAIN TITLE

[CHURCH BELL TOLLING]

Morning, Tom.
Oh, good morning, dean.

Good morning, Dr. Parkinson.
Hi, Sue. Oh, Sue.

I read your term paper
last night.

Very good.
Thank you.

[VOICE OVER THE PA]
Attention,
all Zoology 2 students.

Professor Carey's Wednesday
classes will meet in room 421.

Oh, hi, Tom.
Anything good today?

Morning, Howard.
I'm not sure.

Got a letter here from Mohave
County Sheriff's Department.

Oh, what did you do?

Murder somebody or forget
to pay a parking ticket?

[CHUCKLES]

Oh, hell. Another one
from the phone company.

thought I had paid
that thing.

[CHUCKLES]
I'll be damned.

Oh, bad news?
No, good.

Need an authority
on rattlesnakes

and they're willing
to pay me $200

to go out there and consult
with them tomorrow.

What would I do
with my classes?

Oh, to hell
with your classes.

Your teaching assistant.
That's what they're there for.

Besides, the university
doesn't pay $200

for teaching three classes.
That's for sure.

Hey, um, what's the latest word
on your federal grant?

Been approved, but funds
haven't come through.

We've only got 10 days
before the spring break.

I'll be glad
when you get a lab of your own

and take all those snakes
out of the bio lab.

I get the willies
walking through there at night.

What are you worried about,
Howard?

Rattlesnakes give you warning
before they strike.

I think I'll stick
to working with birds.

They don't strike at all.

I'll see you later.
All right.

[SCHOOL BELL RINGING]

BIOLOGY
LAB

HOWARD:
Good evening, Sam.

Your cart
always gives you away.

This is no cart.

This is my security blanket
on wheels.

You know something?

I don't like working
around Dr. Parkinson's snakes.

I don't blame you.

SAM:
Another late night?

I've gotta finish up some data
on an experiment.

Are you still working where the
pigeons go through the maze?

No. This one's
a little bit different.

Come on in. I'll show you.

Over here, we have some pigeons
living under normal conditions.

This group over here

has been subjected
to variations in light

and temperature.

One day it's hot and dark,

the next,
it's cold and light.

And this chaotic type
of environment creates stress.

So far, the results indicate

that the birds under stress
eat a lot more.

In human terms,
they get fat.

I could have told you that
10 years ago.

Oh?
Yeah, I'm married

to one of those fat pigeons.

Hopefully these studies
of pigeons will lead

to a cure for obesity
in humans.

I hope it's before I end up
with a 500-pound canary.

[HOWARD LAUGHS]

Has Dr. Parkinson
been in yet?

SAM:
Not yet.

Don't you ever go home?

[SAM]
Well, not when there's work
to be done.

HOWARD:
Maybe eight hours a day
behind a broom

and a gold watch
after 30 years isn't so bad.

At least I get to go home.

Of course I don't make
so much money as you.

Well, if you measure
by per hour,

I'm sure you make more
than I.

Don't let my wife
hear you say that.

Or she'll figure
I'm actually rich

and switch from French fries
to imported chocolate.

SAM:
See you tomorrow, professor.

Good night, Sam.

That wasn't so bad, was it,
huh?

Hey, you know
you're getting fat, huh?

Hmm.
Four more ounces, Mable.

Hey.

You're pleasingly pump, huh?

Howard, are you still here?

Howard, don't move.

One of my cobras is out of
its cage and he's behind you.

Now, I want you
to stand perfectly still.

TOM:
I'm gonna move in behind him,

try and distract
his attention.

TOM:
Just don't make
any sudden moves.

[PIGEON SQUAWKING]

TOM:
Howard,
keep those birds still.

HOWARD:
I'm having trouble
keeping myself still.

[PIGEON COOING]

TOM:
Freeze, Howard. Do as I say.

I said freeze.

Tom,
I think I'm gonna pass out.

You do and you'll be dead
in a matter of minutes, Howard.

HOWARD:
My knees are getting weak.

Concentrate on something else.
Concentrate on your pigeons.

Hurry.

Hold it, Howard.

HOWARD:
You got him?

TOM:
Almost.

[BIRDS CHIRPING
AND PIGEON COOING]

TOM:
Easy, baby.

TOM:
Easy.

TOM:
I got him.

Howard?

Howard.

You can move now, Howard.

Come on, Howard.

Howard, are you all right?

Yeah, I think so.

But I'd feel a lot better

if you'd get some locks
on those snake cages.

Or better yet, take them
with you to the desert

when you go.

By the way,
when are you going?

TOM [CHUCKLES]:
In the morning.

Come on,
I'll buy you a cup of coffee.

HOWARD [CHUCKLES]:
You'd better make that a drink.

A double.

SHERIFF

Then they told me
that you were the man to see

about rattlesnakes.

And since you were in L.A.,

thought you might be able
to help.

Well, I hope I can, sheriff.

Frankly, I was expecting to see
some dried up old desert rat

with snakebite scars
all over his body.

Harry, open up the vault,
will you?

Well,
I've been bitten twice.

And believe me, sheriff,
that's enough for me.

It doesn't hurt
to be overcautious

when dealing with any kind
of venomous snakes.

After seeing these two kids
we brought in, I sure agree.

There was an old man we found
in the desert last month

I wish
you could have seen.

All swollen with the same type
snakebites as these.

At least we thought
they were snakebites.

Maybe you can tell better
after you look.

Strictly closed coffin
stuff.

We've been holding off
releasing their bodies

to their families for burial
until you had a look at them.

Mind if we get some air?
Sure.

Thanks, Harry.

Sorry about the smell
in that place.

Yeah. It wasn't that so much
as seeing those kids

all disfigured like that.

I'll tell you something.

I've handled hundreds
of snakebite cases,

but nothing like this.

Then it definitely
was snakebite, huh?

What was it, a rattler?

Judging from the breadth
and depth of the punctures,

I'd say it was definitely
a rattlesnake,

but more likely
a number of them.

Isn't it kind of strange,

those kids being bitten
so many times?

And what about that old man?

Well, it's not at all uncommon
for a dozen

or a hundred rattlesnakes
to gather in one place.

But they usually only do it
during hibernation.

You have a map of where
the bodies were found?

Yeah, sure.

Now, let's see.

Yeah. We found the old man
right about in here,

and the kids around there.

You didn't find
anything unusual

around where the old man
was?

Coffee?
Thanks.

Yeah,
one thing did seem strange.

He had a horse hair rope
around his bedroll.

You know, I didn't think
a snake would cross that.

That's just
an old miner's tale, sheriff.

We've tried that stuff
in the lab

and it doesn't bother them
at all.

But what is unusual is the fact
that he was apparently attacked

in his sleep.

Which is highly unlike
the behavior of a rattlesnake

or any other reptile
for that matter.

Why is that?

Well, reptiles just aren't
naturally aggressive.

Even a rattlesnake won't attack
unless you get too close.

You know how far away
you can hear rattles.

I'm surprised the old man
didn't hear them.

I've never heard
of a rattlesnake

making an unprovoked attack
on a man before.

Well,
it sure looks that way.

TOM:
I'd like to take a look
at that canyon

where the kids were found.

Think we might be able
to get out there tonight?

I'm gonna be tied up in a
meeting in about half an hour,

but one of my deputies will
take you anywhere you wanna go.

TOM:
That would be great.
Maybe we'll find more clues.

I sure hope we get rid
of those snakes,

so we can have a little peace
around here.

You know, if it isn't the board
of supervisors on my back,

it's the newspapers hounding me
for a story.

TOM:
I know what you mean.

Well, I'll do my best.

Think it's the right road,
but hard to tell from the map.

I thought you guys
knew this area inside and out.

Not me. I've just been
on the force a year.

Grew up in Alabama.

What are you doing here
in the middle of nowhere?

I've never heard of a Mohave
County officer being shot

and the money's not bad.

So here I am.

I've got a good-looking wife,
two kids, the car's paid off,

and we just bought a boat.

Sounds like
you've got it made.

Yeah. Well,
it has its ups and downs.

Hey, here's the canyon
up here on the left.

You think you can get in there
with this car?

Yeah, most of the way.

Hey, what exactly
are you looking for?

Anything that looks
out of the ordinary.

Well, this whole thing
looks out of the ordinary.

Like some nightmare.

The old lady screaming
out of her mind

and the old man
just sitting there

staring off into space.

Anybody checked
that ledge up there?

No. But there weren't
any snakes here

that we could see.

I'm gonna have
a look up there.

Why don't you check
in all around here

and see what you can find?

[RATTLING]

[RATTLING]

[RATTLING]

Whoa, man!

[CHUCKLES]
It's only me.

Sorry.

You ready to go?
Yeah.

Find anything?
No, nothing. You?

I found this piece of cloth
up on that ledge.

Now, it looks like it's got
blood stain on it.

So if the blood type matches
those kids,

then they must have been
killed up there,

rolled down to where
the parents found them.

Yeah, but you didn't find
any snakes.

I figure they must have
run across a rattlesnake den.

You know what,
I always thought

that dens were underground,
you know, like snake pits.

Usually,
but like last summer,

there was this water skier
in Texas.

Lost it going into a turn.

By the time the boat
came around to pick him up,

he was laying face down,
dead.

Must have fallen into a nest
full of Delta water moccasins.

Because he had snakebites
all over his body.

Hundreds of them.

Sure know how to ruin
a guy's weekend.

Why's that? What are you doing
this weekend?

Water skiing.

Rick!

Rick!

Do you have to make
so much noise?

I'm sorry, Ma.
A new muffler.

Dad helped me put them on.

Well, they don't sound too new
to me.

Will you try to keep it down
a little?

Okay.

And wash up your hands.

Supper's almost ready.

Tell your father
to wash up too.

He's down
feeding the horses.

Well, run on down
and hurry him along

or you'll both be having
cold supper.

Okay.

Come on, Duke,
let's go get Dad.

Come on, Duke! Come on, boy!

Duke?

Duke, wake up, boy.

[RATTLING]

Dad, are you in there?

[RATTLING]

[RATTLING]

Dad, is that you?

[RICK SCREAMS]

[MAN ON THE TV]
That's it for today's
farm report.

[BREAKING]

And now back to more--

Rick. For the Lord's sake,
be careful.

Plenty enough we need
without you always breaking

what little we got.

Did you wash your hands?

Rick!

[SCREAMS]

[SCREAMS]

[CRYING]

[SCREAMS]

[CRYING]

[SCREAMING AND CRYING]

Please.

TOM:
Now, in order to compensate
for the lack of a cochlea,

the tongue picks up
acute auditory vibrations

and sends them
to the bottom of the mouth

to the Jacobson organ.

[PHONE RINGING]

This is--

Oh.

Here, we'll take a break

and get back to the
auditory system in a minute.

Herpetology, Tom Parkinson.

Yeah, Tom. Listen,
this is Sheriff Gates.

Oh, hi, sheriff.

GATES [OVER THE PHONE]:
Something's come up
out at Frank Samuel's place.

The barn's been burned,

the whole family's
been killed,

even the livestock.

Guess what?
It looks like the snakes again.

I've been talking to the board
about hiring you

to help us finish up this case
if you're interested.

Oh, I'm interested all right.
What would I have to do?

GATES:
We're gonna have to get
on top of this thing,

find out
where those snakes are

so we can get rid of them.

They're gonna want a written
report on what you come up with

and some photos
for documentation.

Well,
that seems like a lot to do.

I'm gonna be tied up
with classes until Friday.

I don't know
whether I can handle it.

I'm not very good
with a camera.

GATES:
Say we got somebody
to handle photography

and help you
with the paperwork?

When do you think
you could start?

Hmm.
Friday morning at the earliest.

TOM:
Classes are over Thursday,

and then we've got 10 days off
for spring break.

Good. Okay,
if there aren't any problems,

I'll look for you in my office
on Friday about, what, noon?

Yeah, that's fine with me.
Okay, thank you, sheriff.

Bye-bye.

TOM:
All right, let's get back
to that auditory system.

Hi, Rogers. How are you?

Hey, how it going?
All right.

Sheriff in?

He should be here
any minute now.

If you've got
an appointment,

he usually runs consistently
seven minutes late.

Yeah, I used to have a watch
like that.

Hey,
how was your water skiing?

Great skiing, man,
and no water moccasins.

I'm glad to hear it.

Hi. Is Sheriff Gates in?

I'm Ann Bradley,
photographer.

Not my photographer?

ANN:
All I know
is that it has something to do

with research documentation
in the desert.

Oh, well,
I see you two have met.

Tom, Ann, come to my office
and we'll go over everything.

Sheriff, mayor called twice.

Wants you to call him back
and Mrs. Carmichael--

Okay, okay.
I'll take care of it.

You can see what it's been like
around here.

Ann, I told you we had a job
for you in the desert.

Now, you'll be working
with Dr. Parkinson here.

Now, he's with
the University of California,

helping us to investigate
a series of accidents.

Now, he's gonna be
in complete charge

of this phase
of the investigation.

He'll fill you in
on all the details, okay?

Now, I hope you don't mind
roughing it.

Do I have a choice?

GATES:
Not really.

[CHUCKLES]
Won't be any motels
where you're going.

Besides,
we're very short on funds.

We can't afford
either one of you really.

But Dr. Parkinson has agreed
to work for a nominal fee

and they tell me that
he's the best in his field.

What is his field?

Herpetology.

What's that?

Reptiles.
I specialize in rattlesnakes.

How charming.

That's what this thing
is all about.

Now, Tom has all the details,
and he'll fill you in, okay?

Look, good sheriff,
can I talk to you for a minute?

Outside?

Look, Tom. If it's about--
It's important.

Okay,
I'll meet you in the hallway.

Be right back, Ann.

I can't take that girl
out there.

I've gotta have somebody that
can take care of themselves.

Look, Tom.
Look, I know you feel.

And I agree with you,

but this is the only way
I could swing it.

Look, you know
we're short on funds.

Every damn women's lib group
is on our backs

about job equality.

GATES:
And this girl has worked for us
before,

and she's really strictly
a pro.

Look, she spent two years
in Vietnam

as a press photographer.

And she'll be able
to handle herself okay.

Yeah, well,
I hope you're right.

Believe me.
She's a better photographer

than most of the men
we've used

and a hell of a lot prettier
if I might add.

Sheriff, this just came in.

Uh-oh. More trouble.

A glider pilot came down
near Silver Lake last night.

They have him at the hospital
here in town.

He, uh--
He says he was attacked.

Attacked?
By snakes.

ANN:
Then I realized that
if I stayed with the press,

I'd be doing the same thing
10 years from now.

Because all the promotions
and executive positions

are held by men.

TOM:
Come on now.
I can't believe they're all--

ANN:
Sure there are office jobs
for women

like typing
and taking shorthand.

Or do you wanna work
at a switchboard

eight hours a day
saying, "Hello Mr. Jones.

Just a moment, Mr. Jones."

TOM:
Excuse me. Could you tell me
where David Ellister's room is?

Certainly.

That's room 148.
Just down the hall, sir.

Thank you.

[VOICE OVER THE PA]
Dr. Couprah. Dr. Couprah.

Now, those women seem
very happy in their jobs.

Sure. How many men
can you find to change sheets

or empty bedpans?

Oh, come off it.

Tell me, doctor,

how many professors
in your department are women?

None. But that doesn't mean
there couldn't be.

See? You're just like
the rest of them.

The reason there aren't
any women in good jobs

is because the jobs
don't exist.

Well, I'm sorry.
I can't agree with that.

Of course you can't.

Because it's men like you
who make it that way.

And boy,
men make all the choices.

Oh, is that right?
Yes!

Well, let me tell you
something, young lady.

If I had my choice
in the matter,

you'd be sitting
on your liberated ass

in that
Sheriff's Department,

instead of out here with me
where you don't belong.

Look, I'm sorry. I...

I didn't mean
to blow up at you like that.

But what I meant
was you have your job

and you should be happy.

Oh, I'm happy.

[OVER THE PA]
Dr. Levinson...

Excuse me.
Are you David Ellister?

Sure am.

I'm Tom Parkinson.
Hi Tom.

Ann Bradley.
Hello.

Well, hello.

Are you two with the press
or something?

We're with
the Sheriff's Department.

We're investigating
snakebite cases.

And I understand
you were attacked by snakes?

You'd better believe it.

There must have been
50 of them.

Could you tell us
what happened

and Miss Bradley
will take notes?

That is if she doesn't mind.

Well, I'd been airborne
most of the afternoon.

About 6:30,
I radioed in for a tow

because I didn't have
enough lift

to make it
back to the field.

So I set her down,
opened the canopy, got out,

walked back by the tail.

And about that time, I heard
some kind of buzzing noises.

Like the-- Those mariachi.

You know, those things they use
in the Latin bands.

Then I saw the snakes
coming along the ground

right towards me.

There were dozens of them.

Well, I turned and ran
for the cockpit,

but there was one

coiled on the ground
in front of me,

and I had to jump over him
to get in.

And I felt a sharp pain
in my leg,

and I knew he got me.
But I dove into the cockpit

because by then, the rest
of them were right on my tail.

My leg felt heavy.

And as I pulled it in,
I could see

he was still
hanging on to me

with his fangs
buried in my calf.

I grabbed ahold of him,
but he hung on like a vice.

Then he let go,
he spun around

and tried to bite me
in the hand too.

He was thrashing his body
all over the cockpit.

I finally got him outside,
threw him as hard as I could.

He hit the ground
and I closed the canopy.

What did you do then?

Luckily the tow plane arrived
a few minutes later.

Brought me in.

Boy, my leg felt
like it was on fire.

You were really lucky.

You say
there were 50 snakes?

Oh. Well, maybe not 50.

Twenty or 30 anyway.
They were all over out there.

Tell me, did they move
in an S shape manner

or kind of like a corkscrew?

[LAUGHS]
Hell, I don't know.

What do you need that for?
Tell us whether we're dealing

with a diamondback
or a sidewinder.

Oh, yeah. Well, no.

They seemed to come pretty much
straight towards me.

It's hard to tell.
It was almost dark.

I couldn't even describe
the one on my leg,

except that it was
a rattlesnake and a mean one.

that's all right.
You've been a big help to us.

Appreciate it.

Oh, one last thing.

I wonder if you could
point out on this map

where the glider landed.

DAVID:
Sure.
Uh, it was right there.

Boy, I tell you one thing.

If I miss the field again
after dark,

I'm gonna stay in the cockpit
until a tow plane arrives.

TOM:
I know what you mean.

Well, thanks again.
Appreciate it.

DAVID:
Glad to help.

Say, if you'd like
to gliding sometime,

just let me know.

We'll do that. Thank you.

Good.

I recorded the conversation.
Want any pictures?

No, I don't think so.

Excuse me, sir.
I have a form for you to sign.

Well, we know where
to get ahold of him if you do.

Yeah. Providing
he doesn't kill himself

in that glider of his.

Yeah, or get attacked
by any more snakes.

Did you believe those things
he was saying?

I believe
he's telling the truth.

It's the logic
behind the attack

that bothers me.

I wanna check out that area
where the glider landed

if we can get there
before it gets dark.

[VOICE OVER THE PA]
EKG technician.

ANN: You know what?
TOM: What's that?

ANN:
I don't think
were gonna make it by dark.

TOM:
I think you're right.
Not too much farther, though.

TOM:
See those big rocks ahead?

ANN:
Yeah. Is that where the glider
came down?

TOM:
No. Thought we'd set up camp
here tonight,

check that first thing
in the morning.

ANN:
Well, it's not exactly
the Hilton,

but at least
there won't be any smog.

Or anything else
for that matter.

[WESTERN MUSIC
PLAYING OVER THE RADIO]

BIG VALLEY PLUMBING

Come on in.

Finally.

Do you know
I called your office

over four hours ago?

I'm sorry,
but my partner's been sick,

and I've been going all day.

What seems to be
the problem?

Well, there's absolutely
no hot water.

I can't even take a bath.

Sounds like the pilot
may have gone out.

Which way
is your water heater?

I think it's in there.
I don't know, really.

I'm not very mechanical.

[INDISTINCT CHATTERING
OVER THE TV]

My husband used to take care
of these sort of things

before we got divorced.

Oh, I'm sorry. I mean,
about the divorce and all.

No need to feel sorry
for me.

We never got along anyway.

Probably better-off
without him.

DAVID:
Hey, don't turn that off!

Just trying
to earn enough money

to get out of here
and move back to San Diego.

BROTHER:
Mom will be mad at you
if you don't turn it off.

DAVID:
I don't care. I wanna see it.

David,
I told you turn that TV off

and get ready for bed.

DAVID:
Just a few more minutes.

Excuse me a minute.

DAVID:
Mom!

WOMAN:
Do you got that fixed yet?

PLUMBER:
No. It looks like
your regulator valve.

Great.

How much is that gonna cost?

Oh, they're not too bad.
About 7.50, plus labor.

It'll probably be about $20
altogether.

I'll have to get
under the house to fix it,

so is there an access
someplace?

There's some sort of thing
out back

if that's what you mean.

It will take a while
to fix this thing,

so if you wanna get
some hot water,

you'd better heat some up
on the stove.

Okay.

[RATTLING]

[SCREAMS]

[RATTLING]

David! Is that you?

[SCREAMING]

[SCREAMING]

Good morning.

ANN:
Good morning.

Hey, you know, my things
are still wet from last night?

Well, don't worry. The sun will
dry it out in no time at all.

I believe it.

Have you been up long?
About an hour.

I wanna get this stuff set up
before it got too warm.

You take coffee?

Yes, thank you.

You know, it's really beautiful
out here.

You should have seen these
hills about two weeks ago.

They were just covered
with wildflowers

for as far as you could see.

Hey, I bet you're hungry.

How'd you like
some bacon and eggs?

That is
if you've brought any.

Oh, I brought everything
all right,

but I wasn't so sure
you could cook.

I'm not so hot myself.

Are you kidding?
I was the oldest of seven kids.

When my father died and
my mother had to go to work,

I learned to do
all the cooking.

Oh, I'm no Betty Crocker,
but my bacon and eggs are good.

Well, with that kind
of a childhood,

I'm sure you're better
than I am.

You know what I guess
really bothered me

was seeing my mother working
in a factory for minimum wage.

When I was little,
I remember holding her hands,

and they were so soft.

ANN:
But after a few years
of working with those machines,

they became calloused.

And it seemed
every night she came home,

she aged another year.

Well, I don't think you'll
ever have to worry about that.

I hope not.

Well, I don't wanna be
an old maid,

but I don't wanna give up
my career either.

Maybe you won't have to.

You really like freelancing,
don't you?

ANN [CHUCKLES]:
I love it.

Oh, you can starve
in between jobs, though.

Well, speaking of starving,
we better eat and check out

where that glider landed

or we're gonna lose our jobs
with the Sheriff's Department.

Okay.

TOM:
This looks like the place.

Why don't you check around
over in there?

Here's some tire tracks.

There are a lot
of footprints too.

I think this is the place
all right.

I was hoping to find
some snake tracks.

What do they look like?

Well,
they're little swirly lines,

kind of like a river bend.

I sure don't see any.

That's the trouble.

First good rain or windstorm
that comes along,

they get washed out.

What are you doing?

I'm just noticing.
Look here.

Mm-hm.

This is where we are.

And the kids were found
right about here.

And the old man
was over here.

Farm house is up
somewhere in here.

Mm-hm.
Now if you draw

a connecting line
between all these points,

look where it winds up.

Hmm. Fort Walton.
But what's that?

It's an old Army base

that they don't use much
any more.

I doubt
if we'll find anything out,

but maybe we ought
to check it out.

Somebody might have seen
something unusual.

Okay, but how about
a picture first, huh?

And a smile?

FORT WALTON
RESTRICTED AREA

Morning. We're working
with the Sheriff's Department.

I'd like to see the
commanding officer if possible.

Now,
that would be Colonel Stroud.

Could I see
your identification, please?

Yeah.

[SOLDIERS CHANTING]

Well, I'm sorry, but no one's
allowed on the base

without
a security clearance.

I could call his office
and let him know you're here.

I'd appreciate that.

Yeah.
There's a Dr. Parkinson

and a Miss Bradley
to see the colonel.

MP:
They're with
the Sheriff's Department.

Right. Okay.

You'll find Colonel Stroud's
office in building N up ahead.

Uh, you can park up there
in front.

Be sure not to go
beyond that fence.

A restricted area.

Okay. Thanks a lot.

[DOOR KNOCKS]

TOM:
Morning. Colonel Stroud?

ASSISTANT:
Right this way.

Aah.
You must be Dr. Parkinson.

Hi.
My assistant's name is Bradley.

How do you do?
Hello, colonel.

You're with the
Sheriff's Department?

Not exactly. We've been hired
by the Sheriff's Department

to investigate some cases
of snakebite death.

I see. Uh, you wanna know
about Billings?

About who?

Billings. Corporal Billings.

Uh, my men who died
of snakebite.

Isn't that why you're here?

Well, frankly, colonel,
the sheriff never told us

anybody had been killed
here.

We normally don't report
any deaths

to the civilian authorities

unless it involves a crime
or civilian personnel.

TOM:
Your medical officer
find more than one snakebite

on a man's body?

You didn't have to be a doctor
to see that.

He looked like a pincushion.

Well, didn't that seem
rather unusual to you?

A lot of things that go on
seem unusual to me.

And I'm sure
no commanding officer

likes losing any of his men.

But it does happen.

I lost one of my officers
two months ago.

Took his own life
with a shotgun.

Not very nice either,
but what can you do?

How long ago was this man
Billings killed?

Two weeks ago, the 22nd.

TOM:
I guess his body
has been shipped home?

COLONEL STROUD:
Of course.

if there's anything
you need to know,

I'm sure you can find it
in his 4211.

4211?

Form 4211,
certificate of death.

Not much
to represent a man's life,

but that's what we have.

You're sure he died
of snakebite?

Well, it sure as hell
wasn't the flu.

It was unusual
the number of bites he had.

Must have been
nearly a dozen.

You know exactly
where the body was found?

About half a mile
from the base.

Almost due east.

Well, the time of death
indicated here

was just after midnight.

What was he doing out there
at that hour?

Can I offer you a drink?

Pure alcohol.

Driest martinis in town.

[CHUCKLES]
No thanks.

Uh, the colonel probably
wouldn't want you to know this,

but Billings had a girl
in Barstone.

Apparently had been going
over the fence

several nights a week.

I still don't see
how he got past the patrols.

Or I'd go myself.

Patrols?

Security patrols.
They patrol the perimeter

to make sure no one
gets into the base at night.

Or out of it either.

Last year, they caught two kids
taking parts off a truck.

Someone even tried to steal
a helicopter.

That reminds me,
I was gonna ask Colonel Stroud

about borrowing
a helicopter.

What do you think my chances
will be?

Not very good, really,
but it depends on his mood.

Well, there's the phone.
See for yourself.

Just dial 236.

Colonel,
this is Tom Parkinson again.

Yeah.
I'm in their office now.

Did you find out anything?

Seems to fit
with the other cases.

They're all
multiple snakebites.

Well, I hope you can get rid
of those snakes.

You could be a big help to us
if you would, colonel.

I always try to help civilian
authorities when I can.

What can I do?

I need a helicopter and pilot
for about an hour

to check some spots.

It'd save us days
of climbing and driving.

It's not a general practice to
lend equipment to civilians,

but I think we can make
an exception in this case.

TOM:
Thank you. I appreciate that,
colonel.

Go down to the landing pad.

I'll have the duty pilot
sent out right away.

I'll get right down there.
And thank you very much again.

Bye-bye.

Well, it looks like
I caught him in a good mood.

How do I get down
to that landing pad?

Uh, just go out the door
and to the right.

You can't miss it.
Okay.

What about me?
I'm not going?

Well, why don't you stay here
with Captain Delaney?

That is if he doesn't mind.

Mind?

Listen, professor,

any time you wanna
leave me alone

with a sexy-looking young
thing like Miss Bradley here,

fine with me.

Well,
maybe she could photograph

the death certificate
and the area

where Billings was found.

If you don't mind
taking her out there.

Well, I'd be glad to,

but I can't desert
the infirmary.

That's okay.
If you'll give me directions,

I'll just take the jeep.

TOM:
You don't mind going alone?

No, I don't mind.
All right. See you later.

Thank you very much.

Okay, we'll need a map.

Now,
this is the base road here.

You follow it out
till you see a gully.

Follow the gully out
about half a mile.

That's a hell
of a sensation up here.

[LAUGHS]
You like that, huh?

TOM:
Yeah. I think if we head out
in this direction,

we'll pass over my campsite.

And there's a road
about 3 miles out.

PILOT:
That's 127.

Let's follow it out to the end.
There's a canyon out there.

TOM:
This thing really moves out.

Oh, we have faster ones.

[CHUCKLES]
Of course, you've got
the fastest pilot in the West.

TOM [CHUCKLES]:
I believe it.

Okay, we're up on that canyon.
You wanna land in it?

No, let's just circle around
slowly if you can.

PILOT:
You've got it.

TOM:
I don't think
there's anything here.

Why don't we just head on
due east, okay?

We'll check that out.

I don't know what it is
you're looking for.

Man, there's nothing on here
but sand and mesquite.

PILOT:
I've got
seven more months to do,

and then I never wanna see
any sand again.

Unless maybe at the beach.

TOM:
You're gonna give up
flying too?

Are you kidding?

I'm just giving up the uniforms
and the regulations.

PILOT:
Hell, man. I'm the best pilot
they've got here.

Like last month, they get
this big emergency rush job

to bury this container
out here.

They say,

"George, we want you to treat
this thing like it was an egg."

Man, I feathered those blades,
set that thing down so soft.

Didn't even know
it was moved.

[RATTLING]

Wait a minute.
Did you say something

about burying something
out here?

Yeah. But it was further west
of here.

Well,
what was it you buried?

[CHUCKLES]
You've got me.

Whatever it was, it's under
about a ton of concrete now.

What do you mean?

There was this old mine shaft
they put it in.

I lowered it down in,

and they covered it up
with cement.

Could you fly me over there?

Well, I can try,
but, uh, it won't do much good.

It's all covered over by now,
and we'd never find it.

I'm sure Colonel Stroud could
tell you where it is, though.

TOM:
Okay, well, I'll tell you
I wanna check a farm out

that's out by Hinkley,

and then we can head back in,
all right?

PILOT:
Right.

[RATTLING]

[ANN SCREAMS]

There's a snake in my jeep.

Let me take a look.

Well, if there was a snake
in there before, it's gone now.

Are you sure it's gone?
Positive.

But if you want a ride,

I'd be glad to take you
anywhere you want.

ANN:
No, that's okay.
Thanks anyway.

Probably
just my imagination.

I'd like to see
Colonel Stroud.

Well, I'm sorry, sir,
but he's busy right now.

That's all right. I'll wait.

He may be busy
for several hours.

He asked
not to be disturbed.

Could you call,
tell him it's important?

It'll just take a minute.

Well, I can try.

But he's not gonna
like this.

Sir, Dr. Parkinson is back
and insists on seeing you.

Says it's important.

All right, sergeant,
send him in.

All right, you can go in.

Now look here, Parkinson.

I've gone out of my way
to help you.

But when you come barging in,
insisting on seeing me,

I think you're overstepping
your bounds.

After all,
this is a government facility.

Sheriff's Department
has no jurisdiction here.

It has when you're endangering
the lives of civilians.

Now, what are you
talking about?

Check the records.

There's never been
one civilian fatality

or even an injury

due to any of our aircraft
or personnel.

I'm talking about
whatever it is you have buried

in that mine shaft.

Who told you about that?

Well, it doesn't matter who
told me or who's responsible.

The point is I wanna know
what's in that mine shaft

because it might have
something to do

with these snakebite cases.

Well,
I don't see any connection.

All we did
was bury an old container

in an uninhabited area.

I think people would be glad

to have that open mine shaft
filled in

before some kid
fell into it.

TOM:
Exactly what was in that
container?

I'm sorry,
that's classified information,

but I can guarantee
there's no danger to anyone.

If it wasn't
something dangerous,

then why bury it
in the first place?

And why all the concrete?

I don't have to answer
your questions, Parkinson.

And I see no evidence
of anything we've done here

that would cause you
to ask it.

Colonel,
people have been killed,

and I'm trying to find out
why.

Now, all I wanna know is where
that mine shaft is located

and what it is
that's buried there.

It's not as if I'm
some kind of spy or something.

Sergeant,
Dr. Parkinson is leaving.

Would you please escort him
to the gate?

All right, I'll go.

Don't think
you've heard the last of this.

We're not gonna be far away.
And believe me,

I'm gonna find out
what's going on around here.

TOM:
So when I mentioned
the mine shaft,

he clammed up right up

as if he was scared
or something.

We ought to do a little
probing around tomorrow

if we can get back
on that base.

Captain Delaney
might be able to help.

He seemed
pretty cooperative.

I think he's cooperative
because he likes you.

Ha, ha, do I detect a note
of jealousy?

Well,
aren't you going to ask

what we were doing
while you were gone?

I hope you were taking
some pictures

or the sheriff's not gonna be
too happy.

No, actually we were having
a torrid affair.

He swept me
right off my feet

and we made
wild, passionate love

right there between the
cotton swabs and the aspirin.

But we did it
in the name of science,

so I didn't think
you'd mind.

I don't mind,
as long as he's your type.

ANN:
He's actually not my type
at all.

Did you know that his specialty
was biomedicine?

Really?
Mm-hm.

Why would they put a biomed man
way out here?

Something strange
about that base too.

All that security,
and for what?

ANN:
Well, I did manage
to get some pictures

of those buildings
they kept us out of.

When we get back to camp,
I'll process the film.

Can you do that out here?
Sure.

I have a portable dark room
that works great in a tent.

There's only one drawback.
What's that?

You have to wait
until it gets dark.

You wanted to see me, sir.
Yes, Hawkins.

You were the duty
helicopter pilot this morning,

is that right?
Yes, sir.

STROUD:
And you took Dr. Parkinson up,
is that right?

Yes, sir.

Well, what I wanna know

is exactly where did
Dr. Parkinson wanna go?

PILOT:
Well, let's see.

First, he had me circle
this canyon at the end of 127.

Then we flew east for a while,
and he looked around.

Uh, then we sat down
on that farm

that burned over near Hinkley
and came back.

Do you know
what he was looking for?

No, sir. He didn't say,

and I figured
it was none of my business.

Well, what about
that old mine shaft?

Did he ask about that?
Yes, sir.

I told him
I didn't know where

and he should ask you
about it.

You know, Hawkins, divulging
classified information

to civilians
is a court marshal offense.

I didn't divulge anything,
sir.

I just took him out
and brought him back.

Well, from now on,
I think it would be a good idea

if you refrained from talking
to Dr. Parkinson at all.

And to forget that
there ever was a mine shaft.

Now, I realize that you
only have a few more months

of active duty,

and I'd hate to see you spend
that time at a lesser rank.

But it could happen.

I'm sorry, sir,
if I said anything wrong,

but I won't let it
happen again.

I promise.

Let's make sure of that,
eh, Hawkins?

PILOT:
Yes, sir.

That's all, Hawkins.
You can go.

PILOT:
Yes, sir.

[WOLF HOWLS]

Sorry.
Didn't mean to scare you.

I was just watching you
work.

Look, it's bad enough
being here in the dark

without having people
sneak up behind you.

Sorry, just wanted to see
these shots.

I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to yell at you.

I guess I'm just starting
to see snakes everywhere.

Yesterday, I was sure
there was one behind me.

Where was that?

When I was getting pictures
where that soldier was killed.

I got this feeling
like someone is staring at you,

only there wasn't anyone
there.

Well,
it was probably just a--

No, it was a snake.
I'm sure of it.

It was like something evil
watching me.

And then it was in the jeep.

[CHUCKLES]
Don't go getting all upset.

Maybe you did see a snake.
But you weren't hurt, were you?

No. I'm all right.

Look, I guess I'm acting silly,
but I just can't help it.

I don't think you're silly
at all.

Now, it's been a long day,
tomorrow may be even longer,

so I'm gonna zip you up in here
and you'll be perfectly safe.

Okay?
Okay.

See you in the morning.

[LAUGHING]

WOODLEY:
What did she say?

She said,
"If you're so smart,

what are you doing
in the Army?"

I wonder what the hell I'm
doing here myself sometimes.

Hell, I tell you,
it sure beats combat duty.

I'd like to get back to where
there's some decent women.

You wouldn't know
a decent woman

if one crawled up
and bit you.

At least I never saw you
with one.

Hey, you better take it easy
on this stuff.

After all, you are driving.

Don't worry.
We can always take a taxi home.

WOODLEY:
There's no one
out here but us.

Who's gonna tell?

Well, if we did catch somebody
stealing a cactus or something,

all they've gotta do

is tell the colonel
his patrol was juiced.

[CHUCKLES]
Yeah. Cactus juice.

[LAUGHS]

Well, we haven't caught
anybody yet, have we?

No.
Besides that,

if we did get caught,

we'd get off
the night patrol.

Yeah,
we might just get on--

[BLOWUP]

What the hell was that?
I don't know.

There's something
in the road.

It felt like a tire blew.

Damn.

We need to watch it.

Hey, Woodley. Hey,
come here and look at this.

Yeah, that's flat all right.
Yeah, yeah, look.

You see right here?
Look at this little marks.

We must have caught
a board with nails

or something in it.
Yeah, I didn't see any board.

You're gonna say I'm crazy,

but you know all that talk
about rattlesnakes around here,

that looks
just like a snakebite.

Come on, no snake
can bite through a tire.

Man, they can bite
through a boot.

Oh, quit worrying
and get the jack out.

Here.

PALMER:
Hey, you know,

maybe we ought to call in
for assistance.

Hell, no.
It's only a flat tire.

Come on,
jack the damn thing up.

I'll get the lugs.

Friday the 13th too.

[WOODLEY LAUGHS]

Boy,
you're really something else.

I used to think
you were bad

about all your damned
superstitions,

but snakes biting
through an eight-ply tire,

that really beats them all.

Wait, let's get this around.

WOODLEY:
Ah! Ah!

Hey. Hey, Woodey.

Hey, Woodey. Woodey? Ah--

Ah.

[GRUNTING]

Dr. Parkinson?
Hmm?

What? What is it?

Could you come to the base
right away?

Captain Delaney sent me
to get you.

What, is he crazy?
It's only 4:00.

There's been an accident.

Palmer and Woodley
on security patrol.

Like they've been killed
by snakes.

All right,
just give me a minute.

What is it? What's going on?

There's been another attack.
Two soldiers this time.

Maybe Stroud will listen now.
You'd better get your stuff.

We've gotta get out of here.

Okay.

DELANEY:
Aw, there you are.

I'm sorry to wake you both up
so early,

I thought you'd wanna take
a look at these men

before I have to wake
the colonel

and tell him
what happened.

Just what happened?
Do you know?

DELANEY:
Not for sure, but it looks
like they had a flat tire,

stopped to fix it

and were hit
before they could get away.

You're not gonna get in trouble
for letting us in here again?

Look, don't worry about me.

Let's just worry about finding
whatever killed these men.

Well, let's take a look at the
bodies and get some pictures.

Oh, my God, that poor man.

I don't imagine
he suffered much.

The amount of venom
in his blood,

he probably died
in a matter of seconds.

Why is he so swollen?

DELANEY:
It's hematoma.

Like the swelling
from a bruise.

Rattlesnake venom
does that.

It contains an enzyme

that destroys the tissues
and blood cells.

How horrible.

DELANEY:
There are better ways to go,
I suppose.

The other man, Woodley,
looks about the same.

Captain, you know
the approximate time of death?

DELANEY:
About 0200.

Now, it's 4:30 now. Think you
could have a man take us

where the bodies
were found?

Sure. Excuse me a minute.

Hines, I want you to take
Dr. Parkinson and Miss Bradley

to where you found
Palmer and Woodley.

TOM:
Hoping to get out there before
the tracks get covered up.

Usually covered up
by the wind,

but maybe this time
we'll be able to find the nest.

I hope so.
Let me know what happens.

I will.
And thanks for all your help.

Right.

HINES:
And I was supposed to relieve
Palmer at 0400,

but they never showed up,
so we went looking for them.

I wish
we hadn't found them now.

It wasn't too pretty.
Snakebite rarely is.

You think snakes did that?

I've seen people bit before,
and they didn't look like that.

Man, those guys were torn all
to hell.

We figure it was a number
of them, not just one.

I don't know.
You can look for yourselves.

Here's their jeep up ahead.

Pull up alongside
and we'll have a look.

My God, there must have been
20 or 30 snakes here.

Ann, get a picture of this.

I didn't think snakes traveled
in groups.

They don't usually.

Only time I've seen them
do it

is when they're trying
to defend a nest.

TOM:
Wait a minute.
Back up here a minute.

TOM:
Easy.

Recently fired.

It's probably
from Palmer's gun.

It was on the ground
near his body.

The whole clip
had been fired.

Do you want me
to keep going?

Yeah, let's see
where these tracks lead.

Let's hope they don't lead us
to where it led those men.

HINES:
That makes two of us.

Looks like those tracks
lead into that mine shaft.

Well, let's take a look.

TOM:
You coming with us?

No thanks. I think I'll stay
right here with the jeep.

TOM:
Let me borrow that flashlight,
will you?

HINES:
Sure.

I thought the mine you were
looking for had been filled in.

Well, we won't know
till we get inside.

They may use
those vertical air shafts.

You mean
we're going in there now?

Well, sure. Why not?

Well, I don't know.
I just thought, uh--

[CHUCKLES]
I was beginning to think

you were pretty competent.

ANN:
Tom?

TOM:
What?

ANN:
How much further
do we have to go?

TOM:
I don't know. It depends
on what we find up ahead.

TOM:
This way.

Wow, this place is weird.

ANN:
Where does it lead to?

Um, let's go down this way.

Okay. Just a minute.

Tom!

Tom, wait.

Tom, this isn't gonna cave in
on us, is it?

I doubt it, but some
of these timbers look old,

so don't get too near them.

Now, watch this.

Be careful.

TOM:
Well, it looks like it goes
down a couple hundred feet.

[CHUCKLES]
I wouldn't want you to fall
in there.

TOM:
Shh.

[RATTLING]

This way.

Come on.

[RATTLING]

[SCREAMS]

TOM:
Get out of here!

TOM:
Get out of here! Get out!

TOM:
Oh!

TOM:
Hurry up. Straight through.

TOM:
Come on.

ANN:
Can't.

ANN:
We're trapped!

TOM:
Don't start now. Come on.

We're almost there.

ANN:
I can't run any further.

TOM:
Keep running.

[ANN SCREAMING]

I never thought
we could make it.

I couldn't take
another step.

At least we found that den
we were looking for.

You know you're crazy?

Absolutely crazy.

Or maybe I'm the one
that's crazy.

You know I could be working
in an office for normal hours

and better pay.

But no.

I have to do everything
the hard way.

Well, I'll tell you what.

I've gotta go over
to the county reporter's office

to check out this mine.

Maybe we'll catch a show,
have a big steak.

How's that sound?

That's the least I can do
for you.

Las Vegas? Really?

Really.

Okay.

[RATTLING]

Tom.

Tom!

What?

Hi.

I hear something.
Huh?

I hear something.

It's probably just the wind.

No, no.
It's something else.

All right, I'll go look.

ANN:
What is it?

Snakes. And dozens of them
all outside the tent.

ANN:
Ah! Tom, look! Behind.

ANN:
Another one. Get it!

Oh.

TOM:
We've gotta get out of here
and make a run for the jeep.

Oh! Oh, I've been bitten!
Tom!

SOLDIER:
Randall, Galiano, spread out.

I'm gonna check inside.

[ANN SCREAMS]

[SOLDIERS
CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

[ANN SCREAMING]

[GUNSHOTS]

SOLDIER:
I think we've got them all.

You all right?
Get me that snakebite kit.

Patrol 1,
this is headquarters.

This is patrol 1.

I've never seen
so many snakes.

Colonel Stroud on the radio.
He wants to talk to you.

Hey, I'll be back
in just a minute.

You tell Stroud
when I get her to the hospital,

I'm coming over with a shovel
and find out

what's buried
in that goddamn mine of his!

All right, Ann.

[LAUGHS]
Doing your spring cleaning?

What do you want Delaney?

I just came to watch
the burning of Rome.

I don't have time
for your drunken antics today.

DELANEY:
Looks like you don't have
much time left at all.

But I told you, didn't I?

I mean, they're not gonna
slap your hand this time.

You violated
the Geneva convention.

My God, do you think the
Russians or the Chinese care

about the Geneva convention?

Hell, they've got
biological stockpiles

that make this place
look like a toy store.

But we've got CT3,
and they'll never get that.

Nobody will.

[LAUGHS]
Oh, you're precious CT3?

That was gonna win the war
without firing a shot.

[LAUGHS]
Well, look what it did
to those snakes.

Now, you know
that was an emergency

as well as I do, Delaney.

We had a leaking canister
and no time for safe disposal.

[LAUGHS]
And that's another joke.

Your safe disposal.

They dumped that stuff
into the ocean,

but what happens

when the containers
rust through?

[LAUGHS]

You saw what happened
to the snakes?

Can you imagine what it will do
to sharks and killer whales?

You worry a lot for a lush.

I only worry
when I'm doing something wrong.

[LAUGHS]

And for the first time
in four years I'm not worried.

I still have
Fletcher's records.

You don't think
I'm burning them.

DELANEY:
You don't scare me
with that anymore.

He died four years ago.

So you can't prove
I was even drunk.

It's just your word
against me.

You're a lush.
Everybody knows that.

Now open the door.

DELANEY:
I'm sorry, Colonel,

but I should have stopped you
four years ago.

I am ordering you
to open the door, Delaney.

I told you

you can't threaten me
anymore.

I've made my choice.

Sheriff,
what's going on around here?

Oh, come in, Tom. I want you
to meet General Hinch.

Tom Parkinson, the snake expert
I told you about.

How do you do?

Hello.
Where's Colonel Stroud?

It looks like he shot
and killed the medical officer

and took off.
Delaney?

Guard said he saw him
leaving a little while ago

with several gas canisters
in his jeep.

We're trying to locate him
now.

I've flown in myself
to suspend his command

until we complete
an investigation.

Well, he's probably headed
for that mine.

We were heading out there
ourselves.

You wanna join us?
Yeah.

We've gotta get those canisters
back.

Exactly what was
in those canisters, general?

From what Sheriff Gates
has told me, it looks like CT3.

What's that?

Colonel Stroud used to be
a major figure in the logistics

of biological warfare,
and CT3 was experimental.

Sort of his baby.

The project
was never completed,

and the colonel was transferred
to our storage depot here.

Yeah, well, what is CT3?

Well, it's a new form
of nerve gas

designed to be dropped
behind enemy lines

where breathing it
caused a manic behavior.

Within a few hours,

the enemy troops
would be fighting and killing

amongst their own ranks.

And then our forces
could move in easily

and take over
without firing a shot.

General Hinch believes
that's what the colonel

may have buried in the mine.

It certainly would explain
the behavior of the snakes.

I still don't see how
it could affect those snakes

when it's buried
underground.

Well, general,
a mine shaft houses

all sorts of desert life.

And in this case,
it just happened to be

a den of rattlesnakes.

Ah, here's my car.

Howie!

He must be inside the mine
up there.

Let's cover the area.

TOM:
I'll head this way.

TOM:
He's got a gun!

Colonel,
this is Sergeant Gates!

I want you to give it up!

Forget it, sheriff!

Give me that thing!

Stroud, this is General Hinch
from RCOM 35!

I'm ordering you
to come out of there!

You're no colonel,
you're no general from RCOM 36!

I know you!
You don't fool me!

You commies
and your cheap trick!

Deceit and disguise!

Damn it, he's got grenades!
Pull back.

EMERGENCY
ENTRANCE

How's that leg feeling?

It feels a lot better.
The pain's almost gone.

At least it feels a lot better
than my stomach.

Why is it they always try
to starve you in a hospital?

I did get to lie on a nice
comfortable bed, though.

I'd almost forgotten
what it was like.

And you're not gonna miss
that desert air

and that sleeping bag?
No.

Actually, I can't wait
to get back home

and breathe in a big lungful
of good old L.A. smog.

Listen to the sounds
of traffic and people.

TOM:
You know
you're a hopeless case?

ANN:
I know.

I guess the only thing
I will miss will be you.

I've gotten used
to your crazy ways.

Well, you know what they say
about crazy people?

Hang around them long enough,
you get crazy yourself.

[LAUGHS]
I believe it.

I'll tell you what.

I know this fantastic
Chinese restaurant in L.A.

where they serve
seven course dinners.

Don't care whether
you're crazy or not,

just so long
as you're hungry.

Does that sound good?
Sounds great.

Just so long
as there aren't any snakes.

Hey, I promise.

There won't be
any more problems.

The mine's gone,
the gas is gone.

So are the snakes.

I hope.

[RATTLING]