Passenger 57 Page #5

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STUART RAMSAY rises from a table to greet them. He's in his thirties, handsome, immaculately groomed and styled. Stuart Ramsay's only real interest in life is his own survival in the corporate jungle. In this respect he is ruthless. He can also be quite charming.

RAMSAY:

Welcome to the jungle.

SLY:

Stuart, meet John Cutter.

They shake hands.

RAMSAY:

(friendly)

John -- I'm a big fan.

Cutter smiles. He knows a shark when he sees one.

CUT TO:

18D SAME SCENE - SOME MINUTES LATER 18D

Cutter, Sly and Ramsay are deep in discussion.

CUTTER:

These are facts. Over the last year, there's been a forty percent increase in terrorist actions against Trans Pacific. Most of these incidents occurred in-flight. Most of them could have been prevented.

RAMSAY:

How?

CUTTER:

By doing what the Israelis do... having trained security specialists 'ride shotgun' on all international and coast-to-coast flights.

RAMSAY:

I hope you aren't suggesting we put armed guards on our planes. Our passengers would never stand for it.

CUTTER:

I'm not talking about armed guards. I'm talking about trained counter-terrorists -- disguised as passengers. Their identities would be known only to the flight crew. You want to stop terrorism?

CUTTER (CONT'D)

Then you gotta send a message. Let the terrorists know you're not afraid to fight back.

RAMSAY:

(amused)

Maybe we could use it as an advertising gimmick. 'Fly Trans Pacific -- We'll Get You There Alive.'

(a friendly smile)

John... air travel is supposed to be a pleasant and relaxing experience. We don't want the public to think their lives are in danger every time they get on a plane.

CUTTER:

But their lives are in danger.

Cutter knows this only too well. Ramsay considers for a moment.

RAMSAY:

(turns to Sly)

He doesn't pull his punches, does he? What do you think?

SLY:

I'm with John. I've worked up some numbers and it's not as expensive as you might think. Not in the long run.

RAMSAY:

Well, you guys are the experts... but it seems kind of extreme to me.

CUTTER:

Terrorism is a growth industry, Mister Ramsay. It should be your number one priority.

RAMSAY:

I can understand why you feel that way.

CUTTER:

You can?

RAMSAY:

You've been a victim of terrorism yourself.

Caught slightly off-guard. Cutter turns to Sly.

SLY:

I told him about Lisa.

RAMSAY:

I'm very sorry for your loss. I know it's got to be painful.

Cutter nods, remains stoic.

CUTTER:

It's been two years. I'm not over it -- I never will be -- but I can talk about it now. Yeah. I'm a victim of terrorism. Pan International Flight 107. The ironic part is, I wasn't on a job. I was on my honeymoon. We were halfway to Buenos Aires when a bomb went off in the cargo hold. One second we're making jokes about the lousy food. The next...

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