Saving Private Ryan Page #6

INT. COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE - WAR DEPT. - DAY

Very busy. A dozen, somber military clerks work behind desks,

quickly and efficiently. No small talk.

A CLERK:

Older than the others, sad-eyed,

adds a sheet of paper to a large

pile in his out-box.

CLOSE SHOT:

An outgoing telegram. It reads:

"We regret to inform you...killed in

action...heroic service..." This is

the paperwork of death.

THE CLERK:

Pulls out a file. Reads. Finds

something troubling. Quickly shuffles

through some other papers. Finds

what he's looking for. Rises from

his desk and hurries out of the

office.

INT. LIEUTENANT'S OFFICE - WAR DEPT. - DAY

Seen through the glass wall. The clerk speaks to a YOUNG

LIEUTENANT who is visibly shaken by what he is being told.

He motions to the clerk to follow and he strides out of the

office with the clerk on his heels.

INT. CAPTAIN'S OFFICE - WAR DEPT. - DAY

Again, seen through a glass wall. The Young Lieutenant speaks

to a YOUNG CAPTAIN who, like the Lieutenant is clearly

bothered by what he's being told. The Captain takes the

papers from the Young Lieutenant and strides out.

INT. COLONEL'S OFFICE - WAR DEPT. - DAY

A busy office. Aides and secretaries scurry about. The

walls and tables are covered with maps of Normandy and complex

deployment charts. A ONE-ARMED COLONEL with a chest full of

ribbons pours himself another cup of coffee. He clearly

hasn't slept in a long time. The Young Captain, his staff

officer, walks in.

Young captain Colonel, I've got something you should know

about.

One-armed colonel Yes?

Young captain Two brothers died in Normandy. One at Omaha

Beach, the other at Utah. Last week in Guam a third brother

was killed in action. All three telegrams went out this

morning. Their mother in Iowa is getting all three telegrams

this afternoon.

The life drains from the Colonel. Others in the room hear

and freeze.

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