JAG (1995–2005): Season 5, Episode 23 - Real Deal SEAL - full transcript

Carol, hi.

I'd like to introduce you.

And you are?

Curtis Rivers, ma'am.

I don't see you on the list.

Are you a campaign
contributor or a district captain?

Only a lieutenant, ma'am.

Say, that's the Medal
of Honor, isn't it?

Yes, sir.

Maggie, the lieutenant
doesn't need an invitation.

Thank you, Officer.



No, thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen...

Ladies and gentlemen,

I'd like to introduce
you to our gracious host,

a man of many talents,

Navy SEAL,
visionary businessman,

and the next United
States Senator

from our great
state of California...

"Wild Bill" Layton.

Hoo-rah!

Thank you.

Thank you very much all of you.

But no more "Wild Bill"

or I wouldn't even
get my wife's vote.



Thank you all for coming.

Thank you, Angela,

and thank you for
shelling out 500 bucks

for some pretty bad champagne.

As you all know, I'm
running for the Senate,

and I'm running on the platform

of integrity in government
and values in the home.

And I promise you, I
will fight for those values

just as I fought for this
great country of ours.

To me, politics is a calling.

It's a chance for me to
finally give something back.

How about starting with
those phony medals?

If you ever hit a beach,

it was from falling
out of a chaise lounge.

So let's drink to him.

Bill Layton...

Coward, liar...

impostor.

And just who the hell are you?

Lieutenant Curtis Rivers,

United States Navy
SEAL Team Six.

You dishonor my
comrades by wearing this.

Why, you son of a...

Oh.

Hoo-rah!

Trespassing,
assault and battery,

conduct unbecoming,

and he's a Medal
of Honor winner.

Well, no one's ever
questioned Lieutenant Rivers'

willingness to fight, sir.

Just his discipline
and judgment.

Well, I've never seen
a service record like it.

Disobeys an order, but
rescues a hostage in Lebanon,

and is awarded the medal.

Receives the Bronze Star

for heroism in Panama,

but goes U.A. at Little
Creek and now this.

Apparently, Lieutenant
Rivers works with a group

of retired Navy SEALs
who expose impostors, sir.

It's easy to see why.
Men who couldn't

swim across a bathtub
are claiming to have

infiltrated the
beaches at Mina Saud.

A lot of men, sir.
Seems there are more

fraudulent SEALs
than there are real ones.

And I share Lieutenant
Rivers' outrage 100%,

but I can't have officers
punching out every blowhard

who says he parachuted
behind enemy lines.

Commander, you have a
history with the lieutenant.

That's one way to put it, sir.

Fistfight would be another.

Still, he... he trusts you.

Talk sense to him.

If he makes amends,
he'll face nothing worse

than a letter of reprimand
and some anger counseling.

Sir, the man Lieutenant
Rivers hit... is he an impostor?

Well, Bill Layton
was never a SEAL,

but apparently he
did serve in Vietnam

and received the Navy Cross.

So it looks like
Lieutenant Rivers

picked on a bona fide hero.

Enter.

Sorry to interrupt, Admiral,

but you're due at
Orsati's in 20 minutes, sir.

Oh, right. Thank you, Tiner.

Not brown bagging it today, sir?

You have a problem
with that, Commander?

It's an opportunity
of a lifetime, Admiral.

Charlie, how are you there?

Just fine, Senator.

Well, I'm flattered, Senator,

and a bit surprised.

There must be a hundred
lawyers in Virginia alone

at least as well qualified.

Oh, yeah, but damn few

with distinguished
military records.

You know, if it were up to me,

all lawyers would have
to serve their country

before being considered
for a federal judgeship.

Well, sir, I doubt that
would be constitutional.

Well, it would be

if we could put some
more of our men

on the Supreme Court.

Tell me, Admiral...

may I submit your
name to the president

to be a United
States district judge?

Well, sir, I've spent my
entire adult life in the Navy.

I've never really
considered anything else.

It's a lifetime appointment.

The prestige of filling
a constitutional office

created by our
Founding Fathers, and...

and the chance

to rule over the great
cases of our land.

Senator, you must be a
hell of a country lawyer.

Let me think about it.

Well, you think about it
for the rest of the week,

but after that, I'm going
to have to start listening

to the lobbyists and
appoint some political hack.

Tell me, A.J.,

what is this case
about a Navy SEAL

who slugged Bill Layton?

I mean, that's a
no-win situation.

Oh, it's under control, Senator.

Good, good.

Glad to hear that.

Layton can go to hell.

Would you rather
be court-martialed?

Than apologize to that impostor?

I'd rather be shot.

Come on, ladies!

Pick it up! Pick it up!

Do you love it?!

Hoo-rah!

Do you love it?!

Hoo-rah!

Come on now!

You could do time in
Leavenworth, Rivers.

I've been in worse places.

Look, you punched the wrong guy.

Bill Layton served
honorably and was decorated.

He was never a SEAL and
he never earned this trident.

You haven't earned the right
to be judge, jury and vigilante.

Come on, Commander.

This is not about a guy in a bar

who claims to have played
linebacker for Penn State.

Some of these
people are dangerous.

Look...

He was never a SEAL,

but he's got a gun.

He's a hired killer.

So report him to the police.

Let them put him on trial.

There's a legal
system, remember?

Yeah, I remember.

It's the one that wants
me court-martialed.

Come on, ladies, pick it up!

Pick it up!

MacKENZIE: I can't
imagine JAG without you.

I'd miss you, sir.

We'd all miss you, Admiral.

Well, I sure the hell
would miss all of you,

and the Navy, but, um,

I don't think I can
pass up the opportunity

to sit on a federal bench.

A chance to strike the balance
between the power of government

and an individual.

Then you've decided
to go forward, sir?

I told Senator Barrington
to start background checks,

but I reserved the
right to reverse myself.

Have a seat.

Well, if I may say so, sir,

I think you'd make an
excellent federal judge.

Would I?

Well, yes, sir.

You know the law, you're fair,

you're honest.

But?

Sir, nobody questions that
you'd be good for this job,

but would this job
be good for you?

Go on.

You're a Navy SEAL.

You're a man of action.

Judges... they
sit on their sixes,

and most lawyers come
from deep-carpet law firms,

and you...

From a deep-carpet jungle?

Yes, Tiner?

Commander Rabb on one, sir.

Commander.

Admiral, I've talked
with Lieutenant Rivers.

Uh-huh.

Sir, it doesn't look good.

Well, at least the two of
you didn't get in a slugfest.

Stay close to your quarters.
You're getting company.

Aye, sir.

Colonel, how do you feel about
prosecuting Lieutenant Rivers?

If it's your order, it doesn't
matter how I feel, sir,

but it's hardly just.

"This is a court of
law not of justice."

Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Wasn't he also in the military
before becoming a judge?

Captain of the Harvard
regiment during the Civil War.

Took a bullet through
the neck at Antietam.

He was over 60

when Teddy Roosevelt
appointed him

to the Supreme Court.

Sir, if Mr. Layton determined

that no wrong had
been done to him...

Well, it would be up
to Lieutenant Rivers'

commanding officer

to initiate proceedings,

but as a Medal
of Honor recipient,

he might get some slack.

You think you could
buy me 24 hours

to reason with Mr. Layton, sir?

Campaign headquarters.

Two men with distinguished
military records...

It would be a shame

if this couldn't be worked out.

Oh, hell, I mean, even
a Medal of Honor winner

can make a mistake.

What do you think, Angela?

We've gotten bad press, Bill.

We can't just walk away from it.

The polls show a 12%
bump on your unfavorables.

The best scenario
according the focus groups

is to convict Rivers.

72% say

that would clear your name.

This is a political decision?

Isn't everything?

Okay, here's an offer.

Bill won't prosecute
Rivers in state court

if the Navy court-martials him.

If Lieutenant
Rivers is convicted,

I could call a press conference
and publicly forgive him.

A magnanimous gesture
from one warrior to another?

Mm-hmm.

The voters will eat it up.

Unfortunately, the Navy won't.

Lieutenant Rivers'
career would be ruined.

In which case, Bill holds
a second press conference

deploring the Navy's
lack of compassion.

Compassion is in this year.

Really? I thought
it was cynicism.

If you press the case,

a good defense lawyer
will turn the spotlight on you.

I have nothing to hide, Colonel.

Hoo-rah!

Hustle up, hustle up!

Let's go, go, go!

Get those boats up here!

Commander.

Don't tell me...

Charges and specifications
have been drawn up.

Colonel MacKenzie
will prosecute.

If you're looking
for defense counsel,

I'm available.

I'll defend myself.

That's not wise, Lieutenant.

If you want to assist me
with the legal mumbo jumbo,

I wouldn't kick
you out of court.

Sit second chair to you?

Couldn't lose, Commander.

I have a fool as a client

and a washed-up
pilot as co-counsel.

I'm not worried about this.

My bigger concern
is this gun for hire.

Rivers...

Look, we did some
research, Commander.

The guy's name is Earl Ticktin.

He washed out of the
Navy after basic training.

Now he's got three
confirmed kills.

That makes him a problem
for the police, not for you.

Correct. Not for me, Commander.

For you.

I just hired him to kill you.

A hit man?

You hired a hit man to kill me?

All right, Rivers,
the joke is over.

Un-hire him.

You're not scared,
are you, Commander?

I never met a pilot with
the guts for close combat.

How close you want to get?

Ooh... very good,
but save it for Ticktin.

You're going to need it.

You're going to
make appetizing bait,

and we'll be waiting for him.

I'm not playing this
game with you, Rivers.

This is a police matter.

Look, Commander,
you report this,

I'll get stripped of
my rank, my pension

and probably wind up in prison.

You think I care?

You can't help yourself.

This is how it's coming down.

I contacted Ticktin by e-mail

through an anonymous
server in Europe.

You're dead; I'll send $10,000
cash to a mail drop in Mexico.

$10,000 on credit?

Should I be offended?

It's a bargain rate.

I think he has a thing
about Navy officers.

Hey, Rivers.

Vic, Pops has got you
right where he wants you.

You're crazy, Lieutenant.

I got him this time.

50 bucks on Pops.

You're on.

How did you do that?

Brain power.

That our boy?

Yeah, Commander Rabb...

Pops Munchak... Vic Velasco.

They're the real deal.

They'll cover your six.

This is your team?

That's us.

Buy you a drink?

No, thank you.

Take it easy, Commander.

A phony SEAL
ever set foot in here,

we'd spear his
skull with a cue stick

and use his eyeballs
for cocktail olives.

You got to forgive Velasco.

He's got a steel
plate in his head.

It's not a plate, it's
screws... Four metal screws.

And they're all loose.

Well, at least I got an
excuse. Excuse for what?

Forgetfulness, Grandpa.
Relax, Commander.

I trust Pop and
Vic with my life.

Well, I'd trust them
with your life, too.

So, what do you say, Commander?

Going to help us?

I don't have much choice, do I?

I never believed in the draft.

So, if you want out...

Your call, Commander.

I'll cancel the hit
if you want me to,

but I think you ought to
look at something first.

The young guy... got in an
argument with Ticktin in a bar.

Ticktin came back with a gun

and blew him away
in a parking lot.

Other two...

Contract killings, both
with homemade bombs.

One for insurance
money and the other...

for revenge over a
business deal gone bad.

Now, two women
lost their husbands.

Five children
lost their fathers.

Why haven't you gone
to the FBI with this?

FBI has it.

They were following
a lead in Mexico

that turned out
to be a dead end,

and in the last murder,
there was a possible sighting

in the mountains
near Ocotillo Wells.

That trail went cold, also.

MacKENZIE: Let me tell you
what this case is not about.

It's not about William Layton's
military record, and it's not

about Lieutenant Rivers'
medals, honors or motives.

Why not?

'Cause then she'd lose.

This case is about
the undisputed fact

that Lieutenant Curtis Rivers

entered a private fund-raiser
and assaulted William Layton

in violation of Article 128.

This breach of discipline

cannot be tolerated
in the military

or any society where respect
for the law is paramount.

Thank you.

Your Honor, Lieutenant
Rivers would like

to deliver his own
opening statement.

Very well.

Proceed, Lieutenant.

I'm a Navy SEAL...

a direct descendant of
the Scout and Raider units

that invaded North
Africa in 1942.

I'm a child of the
underwater demolition teams

that stormed the
beaches of Normandy.

I humbly follow those
who clear the way

for landings on Pacific Islands

whose names are synonymous
with words like courage...

honor...

country...

and death.

My predecessors
spilled their blood

in the snow of Korea and
the rice paddies of Vietnam.

No Navy SEAL has
ever surrendered

or left behind a dead
or wounded comrade.

Now, this bravery
and selflessness,

it represents an ideal

as embodied by this
uniform and insignia,

and to me, this uniform's
not just made of... cloth

the insignia not just
made of metal... oh, no.

They represent
the flesh and blood

of all those who came before.

They represent...
MacKENZIE: Objection.

Your Honor, this
is a court-martial,

not a history lesson.

Counsel... and that seems
to include the defendant...

Please approach.

Lieutenant Rivers,

do you think Commander Rabb

could perform the
duties of a Navy SEAL?

Maybe on weekends, ma'am.

Then what makes you think

you could do the
job of a trial lawyer?

Because I know the truth.

The truth?

Obviously, Lieutenant, you
haven't been to law school.

Opening statements
should summarize

the evidence you
intend to submit.

The issue here is an alleged
assault consummated by battery,

not the history of
the Navy SEALs,

no matter how illustrious.

The objection is sustained.

Yeah, this one always
seems to come up, sir.

"Have you ever failed
to pay social security

for a maid or a housekeeper?"

Maid?

I wash my own clothes;
clean my own quarters.

Yes, sir.

You know, sir, I'm not sure

that I should be asking
you these questions.

Judiciary committee
will, Lieutenant.

So fire away.

Aye, aye, sir.

"Have you ever
smoked marijuana?"

No.

What, are they going to
ask for a urine sample?

Uh... probably not
during the hearing, sir.

Finally, they want to know

if there's anything
in your background

that may reflect on your fitness
to sit on the federal bench.

I've killed men under
the rules of war...

something I got to
live with every day.

It's made me appreciate
the value of human life...

and the laws that guide it.

That's an excellent line, sir.

Not a line, Lieutenant.

Colonel MacKenzie.

It's me.

Mic.

Do you miss me, love?

You know I do, Mic.

So, when are we going
to see each other again?

Tonight, in my dreams.

I'm in San Diego.

I'm trying a court-martial.

You're joking.

Oh, beauty, it's only a hop,
skip and jump from Sydney.

I'll tell you what.

I'll meet you halfway, in Hawaii

or Bikini Atoll
in the Marshalls.

Set off our own
nuclear explosions.

Right... I'll just
walk out on the trial,

let Harm get a dismissal.

Ah... Harm's with you, is he?

Harm's against me.

You're with me.

Remember, I love you, Sarah.

Me, too, Mic.

Maybe we should
go over your defense

while I'm still alive.

I already plotted it
out, Commander.

Oh, you want to
tell me about it now

or after you're convicted?

Isn't it a crime to
wear a military insignia

that you haven't earned?

It's a misdemeanor,
under 17 U.S. code 702.

Well, I went to
Layton's reception

to make a citizen's arrest.

That's not going to work.

You didn't try to arrest him.

You repossessed
his trident by force

and then punched him.

Look, I hit him after he
took a swing at me first.

That's self-defense.

So, you feel you were in
danger of imminent bodily harm?

From that windbag?

Yeah, that's what I thought.

Oh, ooh, Tango at 1:00!

Clear.

Sorry.

I must've lost a step.

It's all right.

We'll get him next time.

Next time...

This guy loads his own shells.

Cases are 7.62 millimeter.

No manufacturer's
stamp, soft dent primers.

Uses hollow points, too.

Which would have made
sausage out of anybody they hit.

Man takes pride in his work.

Commander, that possible sighting
of Ticktin up in the mountains?

What about it?

It was a guy on a bike... A
white and blue motorcycle.

What are we waiting for?

We had a report that
someone on a motorcycle

was exploding homemade
bombs and shooting transformers

off power poles.

I didn't think much of it.

Then the FBI comes up here,

tells us a contract killer

just blew someone
away in his driveway.

The guy's business partner
confesses to hiring him.

Supposedly, the money
drop was near here,

in the Vallecito Mountains.

You check it out? Sure.

But there's a lot
of territory to cover.

We came up empty.

Could we take a
look at your files?

It's an open investigation
so I'm not supposed to,

but what the hell?

We do pretty good on
drunk and disorderlies,

but we don't get too many
homicide investigations.

Maybe you two have some ideas

especially since this
guy is an ex-SEAL.

He wasn't a SEAL.

"Last possible sighting:
Mexicali, Mexico."

Some gringo was setting
off explosives in the hills.

We asked the Mexican
authorities to look around.

If you ask me, I
think the next time

we hear from this guy is when
there's another body to bag.

You have no idea why
someone tried to kill you?

Just a random jog-by
shooting, I guess.

Harm, no pilot's bravado.

What's going on?

Maybe Rivers was the target.

He's the guy who goes
around hitting people.

What aren't you telling me?

My trial strategy?

No, I already know that.

The law's against you.

The facts are against you.

You're going to try to smear
the prosecution witness.

I hope you're not involved

in one of Curtis
Rivers' crazy schemes.

You know me better
than that, Mac. Come on.

I just did my duty to
the best of my ability

without ever asking for
a thank you or a medal.

As for Lieutenant
Rivers, well, you know,

he's a comrade in arms.

I feel only compassion for him.

Compassion is big this year.

Huh, well, let's hope
the members think so.

That'll... that'll be all for
now, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Good morning,
Colonel. Good morning.

Any last-minute advice?

We'll keep it simple.

I'll ask if you invited

Lieutenant Rivers to your party,

and then have you describe
how he assaulted you.

Oh, hell, Colonel, it
was just a shoving match

between a couple of guys
who've seen a lot worse.

I'll describe it, but I'm
not going to whine about it.

That's the right note, Bill...

Proud but humble.

Ms. Ritter, I hope
you don't plan

on using hand signals or
semaphores during the testimony.

Whose side are you on, anyway?

Nobody's side.

I represent the United
States of America.

MacKENZIE: Your Honor,
before the members come in,

we have a motion in limine.

Let's hear it.

The government asks that
the defense be precluded

from inquiring into
Mr. Layton's military record

as it's irrelevant
to the charges.

Your Honor, Lieutenant
Rivers acted out of sense of duty

by confronting a man he
believed claimed military honors

he hadn't earned.

The issues are whether

Lieutenant Rivers trespassed
and committed an assault.

It's irrelevant if
Mr. Layton claimed

to be General Schwarzkopf
or the Queen of England.

Motion granted.

It was a fund-raiser for my
campaign for the U.S. Senate.

Lieutenant Rivers
crashed the party

insulted me, and
then assaulted me.

Please tell us what happened.

He grabbed my by the lapel,

and tore off my trident pin.

My lawyer told me
that that's an assault

and I was justified
in defending myself.

Move to strike, Your Honor.

Granted.

The members shall
rely on the court's

recitation of the
law, not Mr. Layton's

nor his lawyer's.

What happened after

Lieutenant Rivers
tore off your trident?

Oh, we danced back
and forth a little bit.

I'm afraid I'm not as
graceful as I used to be.

Did the defendant strike you?

Oh, yes, ma'am, he sure did.

And what injuries, if
any, did you suffer?

Nothing that would
earn a Purple Heart,

but just a little
strained neck, that's all.

Thank you. Nothing further.

Who's doing the honors?

I am, Your Honor.

Seldom has justice had
so many eager advocates.

Your Honor, there are different
kinds of beaches to storm.

This one's Commander Rabb's.

Wise choice, Lieutenant.

Who threw the first
punch, Mr. Layton?

I did, in self-defense.

Did Lieutenant Rivers
make any move to strike you

before you swung at him?

Look, in front of my wife,
my friends and my supporters,

he called me an
impostor and a coward.

He said my life was a lie.

So you took a swing at him?

I did what any man
would have done.

But don't get me
wrong, Commander.

I respect Lieutenant Rivers.

Hell, I'd liked to have
had six just like him

in my platoon when
we went in-country,

but he was way out of line here.

So you served in
Vietnam, Mr. Layton.

Objection. Your Honor prohibited

this line of inquiry on
the motion in limine.

Mr. Layton opened
the door, ma'am,

when he volunteered information
about serving in-country.

It goes to credibility.

The door is indeed open,

and the horse has
departed the barn.

Objection overruled.

Did you serve in
Vietnam, Mr. Layton?

Yes, I did,

and I'm as proud of my record
as Lieutenant Rivers is of his.

I just didn't go around

tooting my own horn about it.

Too many men, a lot braver
than me, died over there

without anyone pinning
a cross on their chest.

Were you a Navy SEAL?

I didn't go through training
at Coronado or Little Creek.

I earned my trident in
the field, Commander,

when we rescued
three Navy pilots

from a North
Vietnamese POW camp.

Mr. Layton, only one American
was ever rescued from captivity

during the entire Vietnam War.

He was Army Special Forces.

Officially, that's correct.

You see, Commander,
the Pentagon didn't crow

about our mission for fear
that Ho Chi Minh would retaliate

against other POWs.

So who can corroborate
this story, Mr. Layton?

No one.

The rest of Foxtrot Platoon
disappeared in Cambodia,

never heard from again.

You're the sole survivor?

Actually, I was on a solo recon
down near Nha Trang at the time.

I never made the mission.

I felt guilty about
that ever since.

So there's not a single person
in any branch of the military

or office of the government
who can corroborate this story?

Surely, Commander, you are aware

of the nature of black ops?

Even if my CO sere still around,

he would deny ever knowing me.

In other words, Mr. Layton,
you can't prove any of this.

I'm not on trial
here, Commander.

I haven't tried to
prove anything.

And you've
succeeded, Mr. Layton.

Objection. Counsel is arguing
with the witness and commenting

on the evidence.

Commander, please refrain

from editorial comments.

I'm sorry, Your Honor.

And we've heard enough

about Mr. Layton's
military prowess.

Do you have any further
questions, Commander?

Not as this time, ma'am.

Then the witness may step down.

Noting the hour, we'll
recess for the day.

I have sentencing
hearings tomorrow morning,

so we'll reconvene at 1330.

Everything's right on track
on your nomination, A.J.

But it's just like
your SEAL training:

when they start using live ammo,

keep your butt down.

Always good advice, Henry.

Oh, I am looking

forward to your confirmation.

You know, it's going
to be refreshing

to have a federal judge who
doesn't get all weak-kneed

every time a warrantless search

or a pretrial
detention comes up.

Actually, I'm a firm believer

in the Fourth and
Eighth Amendment, sir.

Well, yes.

Yes, we all believe
in the Bill of Rights.

By the way, A.J.,
how's that trial coming

of Bill Layton
out in California?

Lieutenant Rivers is
the one that's on trial.

That's not the way
I've been hearing it.

Did I ever mention that Bill
Layton is a friend of mine,

and a very bright
light in my party?

From the sound of it,
your man is giving him

a very, very tough time
in cross-examination.

Well, if he didn't,

he'd be derelict
in his duty, sir.

There are different
kinds of duties, Admiral.

A federal judge
should recognize that.

We've got a fresh load
of documents in the office.

We'll wade through them
until it's time for court.

I have enough to keep me
busy back in my quarters.

Look, Commander, this afternoon,

why don't you let me
take a shot at Layton?

You already had
your shot at Layton.

I'll see you in
court. Don't be late.

Rabb.

Commander,

it's Carson up
in Ocotillo Wells.

We think we found
Ticktin's cabin.

FBI forensics will
be up here tomorrow.

You want to have
an advance look at it?

I got to be in court at 1330.

You got time if you
hit the road right now.

I'm on my way.

Here's a guy who
served with Layton

in public affairs.

You give me the
info, I'll call him.

I'm getting copies of all orders

awarding Navy
Crosses during Vietnam.

Why don't you just check

and see if Layton's
Cross is really classified?

Incoming.

It's Ticktin.

"Still on the job, just
wanted you to know."

He's still out there.

Let's see.

"Good.

When can I expect results?"

Sorry, traffic was insane.

I hope I'm not too late.

No, Commander,
you're right on time.

You just caught me, Commander.

A neighbor spotted
Ticktin at the cabin.

FBI is on the way up there.

So is the Highway
Patrol SWAT team.

I'm heading up to maintain
surveillance till they get there.

You want to come along?

Yeah, if you can
give me 30 seconds

and let me use your phone.

It's right there.

What do you mean
unavoidably detained?

Are you in some kind of trouble?

Just cover for me, Mac.

Stipulate with Rivers to recess,
apologize to Judge Helfman.

I'll see you tomorrow at 0900.

The judge won't be happy.

If this goes well,
she'll understand.

If what goes well?

I got to go.

Need a weapon, Commander?

I got one in the car.

Good. You may need it.

Next time, Colonel,

please tell Commander
Rabb to show up

to make his own motion.

Yes, ma'am.

But if you have no objection,

we'll continue in recess

till 0900 tomorrow.

Your Honor, I object.

You object to your
own lawyer's motion?

Well, he didn't consult with me,

and, um, I'm ready
to continue on

with the cross-examination
of Mr. Layton.

Your Honor, I'm sure Lieutenant
Rivers will be enthusiastic,

but the prosecution suggests

that we do not continue until
he's adequately represented.

Your Honor, I can do this

if you just give
me the opportunity.

The lieutenant has the
right to represent himself.

Proceed.

Mr. Layton,
yesterday you testified

that you took a swing at me.

Is that correct?

I defended myself after
you tore off my trident pin.

Then you hit me.

Your Honor, could
you ask the witness

to stop making speeches?

You asked him to
repeat testimony

that's unfavorable to your case,

and you got what you asked for.

Okay.

You also testified yesterday
that you were a Navy SEAL.

For the black ops, yes.

But you can't produce
one shred of evidence

that supports your claim
that you were even in combat.

How about my Navy Cross?

Could I have a moment,
please, Your Honor?

A moment it is.

Cabin has a view of the road.

We'll hike in from here.

You're going to need this radio.

How long till the FBI gets here?

Not long.

Let's head in.

Mr. Layton, let's talk
about your Navy Cross.

Why don't you tell
us how you earned it?

Riverine operations
on the Mekong Delta.

Would you tell us about it?

Well, um... under heavy fire,

I was able to capture a
North Vietnamese major

on an ambush and
abduction mission.

I was down on the
Rach Moui Creek.

Later, under my interrogation,

he revealed the whereabouts
of secret stockpiles of weapons.

But weren't you

in the public affairs
office in Saigon

during your tour
of duty in-country?

Until I transferred
to a combat unit.

So, why don't you tell us

what your duties were
in the public affairs office

before you became the Rambo

of Rach Moui Creek?

Mostly I wrote
newspaper releases

for hometown papers.

Detailing the exploits of others
who where awarded decorations.

Sometimes.

And day after day,

week after week,

citations would go
across your desk

describing true
stories of heroism.

Isn't that true?

Yes.

Must have been
pretty tough for you.

You know, being deluged
with the gallantry of others

while you just pecked
away at your typewriter.

It was all right.

I got my turn.

Is this one of the press
releases you wrote?

Objection. Irrelevant.

Lieutenant...

I'm giving you some latitude,

but tie this up and move on.

Yes, ma'am.

Overruled... for now.

Well, it looks like it
could be one of mine.

Why don't you read it
for the members, please.

It's just a report about some
Petty Officer Miguel Mora

from Key Biscayne, Florida,
who won the Navy Cross.

Read on.

"For extraordinary
heroism and valor

"at the risk of his own life,

"Petty Officer Mora,
while under heavy fire...

"captured an NVA major
on Rach Moui Creek

"and obtained information

regarding stockpiles
of enemy weapons."

So, that creek must have just
been crawling with NVA majors

just waiting to be
abducted and interrogated?

'Cause one month later,

just one month
after you reported

Petty Officer Mora's medal,

an identical
citation awarded you

the exact same medal
for the exact same conduct.

Isn't that true?

Those things happen.

Who was your commanding officer?

Name one other
man on that mission.

It was black ops;
I took an oath.

You took an oath when
you walked in here.

Who were the other
members of your squad?

What did they look like?

Where were they from?

That was a long time ago.

A long time ago?

I will never forget
the men I serve with.

Not their faces or not
their hometown stories.

They're my brothers.

You forget your brothers
there, Mr. Layton?

You're not a Navy SEAL.

You weren't a hero, either,

were you, Mr. Layton?

You were and
you are just a liar...

a fraud...

and an impostor.

There's the cabin.

There's his bike.

I'll cover the front of the
cabin from down below.

You swing around right
and get a view of the rear.

Got it.

Let's move.

Want to keep going, Commander?

I got you covered.

I hope you're a good shot.

The best.

Load my own
shells... Hollow point.

Insert the primers myself.

7.62 millimeter?

Yup.

Soft dent primers

for an easier trigger pull
and a steadier sight picture.

You just keep going, Commander.

Commander... can you read me?

What? You think you
and Rivers can trap me

'cause you got a
bunch of medals?

'Cause you're officers?

Medals won't do
you any good now.

Fire in the hole, flyboy.

Not even close, Ticktin.

It's different when someone's
shooting at you, isn't it?

Drop the weapon, Ticktin.

Drop it!

Well, you were right
about one thing, Ticktin.

Medals don't make the man.

The defendant shall rise.

You may publish your findings.

Ah...

Commander Rabb,
thank you for gracing us

with your presence.

Perhaps you could stand
alongside your client.

Yes, ma'am.

You may continue.

"Lieutenant Rivers, on the
specifications of trespassing

"and conduct
unbecoming an officer,

"this court-martial
finds you not guilty.

"On the specification of
assault consummated by battery,

"this court-martial
finds you guilty

"and sentences you to
forfeiture of one day's pay."

This court-martial is closed.

Thank you.

Congratulations, Lieutenant.

This morning,

when Bill Layton withdrew
from the senate race,

some of my colleagues suggested
that I cut you adrift, Admiral,

but I said, no, I
know that in time

you will learn to
be a team player.

And what team would
that be, Senator?

Oh, Admiral, all I'm saying is
that when you are a sworn judge,

it would be helpful

if you would remember
who got you that appointment.

In my copy of the constitution,

I seem to recall something
about the separation of powers.

Oh, Admiral,
sometimes it is necessary

to distinguish between the
platitudes of civic lessons

and cold, hard realities.

And if I disagree?

Well, then, you'd be
making a big mistake, A.J.

No, sir.

The mistake was yours.

Hmm. Hmm.

Welcome back,
Colonel, Commander.

Thank you, sir.

I heard the news, Admiral.

Congratulations, sir.

I'll miss you.

Why? Are you leaving us again?