Jacob's Ladder Page #4

JACOB walks toward the towering shadows of a massive PUBLIC

HOUSING PROJECT. It is dark and the moonlight silhouettes

the huge monolithic structures. JACOB passes through a vast

COURTYARD dominated by the imposing shapes. Aside from his

moving body everything is still.

INT. HALLWAY - DAWN

JACOB steps off a graffiti-festooned ELEVATOR into a long

impersonal hallway. He uses three keys to unlock the door to

his APARTMENT.

INT. JACOB'S APT. - DAWN

JACOB enters the darkness without turning on the light. He

tries to navigate his way to the BATHROOM, illuminated by a

tiny nightlight in the distance. His effort is unsuccessful.

He bangs loudly into a table. A WOMAN"s voice calls out.

JEZZIE (V.O.)

Jake, is that you?

JACOB:

What the hell did you do, move all

the furniture?

JEZZIE (V.O.)

Why didn't you turn on the light?

JACOB:

I didn't want to wake you.

JEZZIE (V.O.)

(sleepy but pleasant)

Gee, thanks a lot.

JACOB:

Where is the lamp?

JEZZIE (V.O.)

Where are you?

JACOB:

If I knew I wouldn't have to ask.

What did you do? I was happy the way

it was.

JEZZIE (V.O.)

I moved the couch. That's all.

JACOB:

Where to?

JACOB crashes into it. A light suddenly goes on. JEZEBEL

"JEZZIE" PIPKIN, 33, is standing in the BEDROOM door tying a

man's terrycloth bathrobe around her waist. Although sleepy,

disheveled, and not looking her best, it is obvious that

JEZZIE is a beefy woman, juicy and sensual.

JEZZIE:

That help?

JACOB:

(nearly sprawled over

the couch)

Thanks.

He pushes himself up.

JEZZIE:

What do you think?

JACOB:

What do you mean?

JEZZIE:

The room!

JACOB:

Oh God, Jezzie, ask me tomorrow.

JEZZIE:

It is tomorrow. Four A.M. How come

you're so late?

JACOB:

Roberts didn't show up. What could I

say? Besides, it's double time.

JEZZIE:

(seeing the grease on

his uniform)

What happened to you?

JACOB:

(unbuttoning his shirt

as he walks to the

BATHROOM)

Don't ask.

JACOB steps into the BATHROOM and pulls at his clothes,

leaving them in a pile on the floor. He reaches for the

faucet and sends a stream of water pouding against the

porcelain tub. JEZZIE enjoys JACOB's nakedness. She reaches

out to his chest and squeezes one of his nipples. His body

tenses slightly. JEZZIE drops her robe. They enter the

shower together.

EXT. VIETNAM - NIGHT

A DENSE RAIN falls on a dark night filling puddles of water.

JACOB is crawling through the underbrush in the Vietnamese

JUNGLE. His shirt is bloodsoaked. He moves slowly, creeping

on his right forearm. His left arm is holding his intestines

from spilling onto the grass.

JACOB:

Help me. Someone.

Suddenly a flashlight beam can be seen in the distance. It

dances around the bamboo trees and draws closer to JACOB. It

is impossible to see who is carrying it. The light darts

near the ground where JACOB is lying and then bursts

directly into his eyes.

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