EXT. THIRTY MILES SOUTH OF BAMADU - AN HOUR LATER

The Weirdings have resumed their trek south. They are obviously refreshed and in much better spirits than the night before.

Johnny fumbles with the map and compass as they walk. Elizabeth and Susie walk hand in hand.

JACK
    Are you sure you know what you're doing, Johnny?

JOHNNY
    Dad, I did the best out of the whole patrol.

SUSIE
    If we see penguins then we'll know he messed up.

Elizabeth and Jack chuckle, Johnny shoots Susie a dirty look.

ELIZABETH
    Jack?

JACK
    Yes, Sweets?

ELIZABETH
    Somehow I don't think we're going to make it back to the States before our vacation is over. You don't think they'll fire us, do you?

JACK
    That would be the icing wouldn't it... I wonder if this entire affair would qualify us under the family leave bill?

ELIZABETH
    Some how I don't think that's what they had in mind.

Susie stops her mother's forward motion and turns to look over her shoulder. Elizabeth stops and follows her child's gaze. Jack and Johnny turn to see the approaching cloud of dust.

JACK
    The last time I saw a cloud of dust like that it was bad news.

SUSIE
    Maybe the Colonel changed his mind.

JOHNNY
    I doubt it.

JACK
    Shall we just be nice again?

ELIZABETH
    Don't you be snotty, Jack Weirding. I had no idea they were going to be mercenaries.

JOHNNY
    What if these guys are that Colonel Jarre's men?

Jack and Elizabeth mull this over for a second. Jack gathers his children around him and kneels down to their level.

JACK
    Let's all play stupid, but watch me all right? We've all proven we can take care of ourselves, so let's not be scared.

Susie holds up her Barbie doll and makes a squeaky voice.

SUSIE
    I'm not scared, Jack.

JACK
    Good.

JOHNNY
    Me neither.

JACK
    Good.

ELIZABETH
    Well damn it I am! I don't want my children fighting men with machine guns.

Jack stands back up and looks at his wife with a sigh.

JACK
    Remember the plane Liz? One guy tried to ra-

Jack looks at susie.

JACK
    hurt you. Then Miles throws him out of the plane and Miles says these are the bad guys!

Elizabeth mulls this over for a second.

ELIZABETH
    Try to make them feel comfortable first so they lower their guard children. Then strike like lightening!

JOHNNY
    All right!

JACK
    I'll give the signal.

ELIZABETH
    Do you really think you should, Dear? You do have a tendency to jump the gun.

Jack looks at his children than at his wife in shock.

JACK
(lowers voice)
    What's that supposed to mean?

ELIZABETH
    I mean in the ring, Dear. When we're fighting four on four.

JACK
(flustered)
    Oh.... O.K..... That's O.K. I still wanna give the signal, though... I promise not to jump the gun... But you guys gotta pay attention.

SUSIE
    We will, Dad.

Johnny reaches into his pocket and wraps his hand around his baton.

EXT. THE WEIRDINGS POSITION - TEN MINUTES LATER

The technical with the four Somali gunmen, from earlier, drives up in a cloud of dust. The four gunmen hop out of the vehicle at a run before it has even stopped.

They scream at the Weirdings in Somali and motion Jack away from his family and over to the rock. One of the guards jabs Jack in the stomach.

JACK
    Ouch! O.K. O.K.

ELIZABETH
    Oh my God, Jack, they're going to shoot you!

JACK
    Stay cool, sweetheart, stay focused.

    Do any of you speak English?!

The Somali who is pushing Jack to the rock screams at him in Somali and Jack pretends like he is trying to understand and talk back to him.

JACK
    Good you don't speak a word. Remember Kids. Disarm them first. Try to keep their guns pointed away from us at all times.

The Somali slams Jack in the midsection with the butt of his gun and Jack doubles over. Elizabeth pretends to start crying.

ELIZABETH
    Jack are you all right?

JACK
    Yes... This son of a bitch is going to pay severely for that.

ELIZABETH
    Remember, Kids, try to look defenseless so their hands aren't on their guns.

JOHNNY
    Mom! I know that.

Jack stands up slowly as the Somali screams at him. Elizabeth seductively starts to unbutton her blouse.

ELIZABETH
    Oh, Jack, this is so trite, but it seems to be working.

Johnny watches his opponent watching his mother.

Susie puts her thumb in her mouth and walks up to her soldier. She offers her hand to be held. The soldier looks at her as though she is from Mars and then lowers his weapon and takes her hand.

JACK
    Now!!!!

Jack jumps up to sweep his opponents gun up. He drives a palm heel into his opponent nose with a backfist, then a chop to the throat, an elbow strike to the solar plexus, a backfist to the groin, and then to the face.

He grabs the rifle with his free hand and sweeps his mostly unconscious opponent to the ground. He flips the rifle around and places it on his shoulder in a firing position in one fluid move.

Jack watches as his family finishes off their respective opponents.

Susie takes her opponent's left hand with her right. She uses his arm a balance beam to throw two searing round kicks into his groin. He doubles over and Susie jumps in the air and comes down to slam him in the base of the skull with her left elbow. He is done.

She sticks her thumb back in her mouth and watches the rest of her family.

Elizabeth's opponent has reached out to rip off her shirt. Elizabeth grabs his outstretched hand, switches it around into a wrist lock and comes down on the back of his elbow with her elbow.

There is a noticeable crack as his arm breaks. She uses the same elbow to slam him in the temple and her opponent kisses the ground.

Johnny's opponent sweeps his rifle up to take aim on Elizabeth.

Johnny kicks the weapon so it is pointing harmlessly up in the air. Johnny yanks his hand out of his pocket and snaps the steel baton out. Johnny tears the man up with the baton.

The Weirdings look at each other and their unconscious antagonists in silence. Jack lowers his rifle in relief.

ELIZABETH
    Well, I think that went rather well.

JACK
    All right.... Gather up their weapons and throw them in the jeep. Let's get out of here.

JOHNNY
    All right! We got wheels, Man! Can I drive Dad!?

JACK
    No!

EXT. THE PLAINS OF SOMALIA - LATE MORNING

The Weirdings cut across dusty Somalian plains against a late morning sun. Their vehicle passes out of sight.

Three new technicals appear from no where in pursuit.

The Weirdings are singing "I've been working on the railroad".

INT. THE WEIRDING'S TECHNICAL - SAME

The Weirdings sing away like they are on any other family outing. Susie sits between Jack and Elizabeth in the front seat. Johnny is in the back seat with an A-47 nearby. Susie holds her Barbie in her lap.

Jack finally notices the traffic behind him in the rearview mirror.

JACK
    Oh, Shit!

ELIZABETH
    Jack! Watch your language.

SUSIE
    Daddy said the S word! Daddy said the S word!

Johnny looks over his shoulder and sees what his father is looking at.

JOHNNY
    Double shit!

ELIZABETH
    Johnny Weirding, just because your father-

Elizabeth looks back at Johnny and follows his gaze and her jaw goes wide. Johnny snaps around to address his father.

JOHNNY
    Can I shoot at 'em Dad! Can I, huh!

ELIZABETH
    Absolutely not, Johnny Weirding! You get your head down!

One of the Somali gunmen in the lead Technical leans out of the vehicle and fire several rounds from his rifle at the Weirdings.

All of them miss except for one that flies through the rear window, over Susie's shoulder and takes off Barbie's head. The Weirdings all look at Barbie in shock as tears fill Susie's eyes.

JACK, ELIZABETH, JOHNNY
    Barbie!!!!!!!!!

Elizabeth points at the AK-47 sitting next to Johnny and snarls like an enraged she wolf.

ELIZABETH
    Give me that!

Johnny smiles, picks up the weapon, throws the bolt home, lets off the safety and hands the gun to Mom.

As the Weirdings technical settles down from a couple of bumps Elizabeth lets off five rounds at the closest technical.

The windshield explodes and the vehicle swerves madly to the left almost taking out one of the other technicals.

JOHNNY
    Yes! Yes! Yes!

JACK
    Good job, Dear. Keep the pressure on!

INT. SOMALI TECHNICAL

The Somalis in the technical that was almost run off the road are screaming at each other and the Weirdings in Somali.

One of them has pulled out a radio and is jabbering away into the handset.

INT. THE WEIRDINGS TECHNICAL

The outside rearview mirror on Jack's side explodes in a burst of glass. Susie screams.

Elizabeth takes aim again and lets a fusillade into the windshield of one of the pursuing vehicles. This technical cuts hard to the right causing it to roll over and throw its occupants over the dusty plain.

The last vehicle drops way back. They stop shooting at the Weirdings. The Weirdings are approaching a hilly, rockier area.

JOHNNY
    That made 'em think.

ELIZABETH
    Thank God; they stopped shooting.

SUSIE
(through tears)
    They killed Barbie.

ELIZABETH
    We'll get you a new Barbie when we get home, Dear.

SUSIE
    She won't be the same.

ELIZABETH
    I know, Dear.

As the Weirdings round an outcropping of rock another technical comes into view.

JACK
    DUCK!!!!!!

The Weirdings all go down as the gunner on the top of the truck slices through the windows of their vehicle with a thirty caliber machine gun. The Weirdings zoom by the stationery vehicle, and it picks up pursuit.

Jack sits back up and sees there were three more technicals behind this one.

JACK
    We've got more company!

ELIZABETH
    You know this is turning into one hell of a vacation. This is really pissing me off!!!

SUSIE
    Mommy, I have to go to the bathroom.

Elizabeth climbs into the back with her son.

ELIZABETH
    Well, I'm sorry sweetheart, but you're just going to have to wait.

There are now five vehicles chasing after the Weirdings. They are fanned out and a number of gunmen fire after them.

Elizabeth takes aim and lets loose a burst that knocks the gunman on the thirty caliber off of the roof.

JOHNNY
    Wow! Great shot, Mom!.

ELIZABETH
    Thanks, Dear.

Elizabeth returns fire and takes out two more technicals by demolishing their windshields. Jack rounds another outcropping of rock and all of a sudden they are flying and bouncing down into a rocky ravine.

The entire family screams as they are bounced around like rag dolls.

EXT. BOTTOM OF THE RAVINE, THE WEIRDINGS TECHNICAL - SAME

The Weirdings' technical has come to a rest at the bottom of a ravine. The vehicle is fairly intact, but all the tires are flat and steam is pouring out from under the open hood.

INT. THE WEIRDINGS TECHNICAL - SAME

JACK
    Out! Everyone out! Johnny, grab the rest of the guns.

Jack jumps out of the technical. Elizabeth and Johnny grab the other two rifles, a couple of pistols and packs of ammunition. Susie jumps out of the technical and hides behind her father.

EXT. THE TOP OF THE RAVINE - SAME

The remaining technicals stop at the top of the ravine and disgorge fifteen Somali soldiers. They make their way down the ravine from rock to rock shooting at the Weirdings.

EXT. THE WEIRDINGS POSITION - SAME

The Weirdings find cover behind some rocks a few feet away from their disabled vehicle. Jack and Elizabeth load up their weapons with ammunition.

The rocks about the Weirdings explode as the Somalis settle in and take better aim. The Weirdings can't return fire for fear of being hit.

Elizabeth and Susie are shrieking in terror now. Things look absolutely hopeless.

ELIZABETH
    Jack!!!!!!!

EXT. TOP OF THE RAVINE - SAME

The five Somali technicals are crashed from behind by five of Col. Aidid's technicals. The enemy technicals go crashing among their own men pinning some of them against the rocks. One of the vehicles explodes in a spectacular fireball.

The Col.'s men leap into the fray and make short work of the Weirdings attackers. They leave no prisoners. The Col., Miles, Captain Bahdi, and fourteen of the Col.'s men pick their way down to the Weirdings' position.

EXT. THE WEIRDINGS POSITION - SAME

The Colonel rounds the corner of the demolished technical and is embraced by a truly grateful, tearful, Elizabeth.

The Colonel is more than a little sheepish. Susie hugs the Colonel's leg. Jack grabs Miles hand and starts pumping it like he was a long lost friend.

ELIZABETH
(through tears)
    Oh Col., I don't know how to thank you.

COL. AIDID
    Thank me, Lady? It is I who must thank you! You have laid waste to half my enemies army. We found you by the trail of broken soldiers you have left behind.

CAPTAIN BAHADI
    Never have I met such a family of warriors.

Elizabeth disengages from the Col. and hugs a chagrined Bahadi.

MILES
    Bloody hell, Jack. You should be fightin' for us. Me own men don't do as good.

JACK
    I'm just a programmer, Miles.

COL. AIDID
    We are convinced you work for the CIA.

ELIZABETH
    That's it, our cover is blown.

The Col. looks at her in shock.

ELIZABETH
    Did you say CIA or CPA?

They all start to laugh. One of the Col.'s men screams in Somalia and the rocks start exploding about them. Two of the Col.'s men go down and everyone scatters for cover.

EXT THE TOP OF THE RAVINE - SAME

Col. Jarre and about fifty of his men are atop the ravine shooting at the Weirdings position.

EXT. THE WEIRDINGS POSITION - SAME

The Colonel, his men and the Weirdings return fire.

COL. AIDID
    It is Jarre!

MILES
    He's got us pinned down good, Col.

Johnny is positioned next to the Colonel. He now has a gun. He takes careful aim and hits one of Jarre's men from about one hundred and fifty yards. The Colonel. looks at him in disbelief.

COL. AIDID
    Good shot, young Weirding!

JOHNNY
    Thanks. Colonel

A mortar whines and falls twenty yards short of our hero's position. There is a subsequent cloud of dust and rain of rock. Susie screams.

MILES
    Bloody hell Col. we're in it now!!!!

Several more mortar rounds rain down and Jarre's men start to come down into the ravine. Three more of the Col.'s men are wounded. Again the situation looks hopeless.

From out of nowhere a squad of Marine Apache assault helicopters come screaming over the top of the ravine.

They fire a fusillade of rockets into Jarre's position. The far end of the ravine explodes in a cacophony of fire, rock, and dust.

The Apaches sit over the Weirdings position and spray the far end of the ravine with their miniguns. In seconds most of Jarre's men are cut to ribbons. Jarre has disappeared with what is left of his men.

Several troop carrying helicopters have landed on the lip of the ravine to disgorge their occupants. The Marines secure the area.

The Weirdings watch in amazement as this entire operation in concluded. The Colonel looks at them with a smile.

COL. AIDID
    I finally convinced your fellow Americans you were in Somalia.

Elizabeth grabs him again.

COL. AIDID
    Lady, please. People will talk. My wives will become upset.

ELIZABETH
    Wives?

The Marine commanding officer MAJOR HATCH picks his way down to the Weirdings position with several of his men. The Somalis and the Marines eye each other suspiciously.

The Major makes his way to Jack and offers his hand.

MAJOR HATCH
    Jack Weirding?

JACK
    That's me.

MAJOR HATCH
    I'm Major Hatch of the eleven hundred Air Mobile unit.

The Major turns to Col. Aidid.

MAJOR HATCH
    And you must be Col. Aidid?

COL. AIDID
    At your disposal, Sir.

MAJOR HATCH
    It looks like we got here just in time.

ELIZABETH
    We were in big trouble until the Colonel showed up.

MAJOR HATCH
    We've been gettin all kinds of conflicting reports about your whereabouts. Finally your guide back in Kenya got through to us and told us you had been kidnapped.

JACK
    That's right. We managed to escape and the Colonel here helped us out. We were trying to make it to Kisamayu when they ambushed us.

MAJOR HATCH
    Really? My reports say the Col. here was looking for ransom.

JACK
    Must be a miscommunication. I told the Colonel there would probably be some kind of reward for our return.

MAJOR HATCH
    Oh! Well, we'll definitely see to that.

The Colonel and Miles give Jack a grateful look.

MAJOR HATCH
    We have the area secure now. We'll fly you back to Mogidishu and from there you can hitch a ride with one of the relief flights back to the States.

JACK
    Thank you, Major.

MAJOR HATCH
    Hell of a safari, huh?

Jack returns his smile. The Major makes his way back up the ravine to his helicopter. Jack grabs the Col.'s hand.

JACK
    There is only one gift I can give you, Col. that truly expresses my gratitude.

COL. AIDID
    You owe me nothing after the way I have treated you. My father pointed this out to me.

JACK
    Nevertheless, you saved us and put yourself in jeopardy. You saved my wife and my children. For this I can never repay you... Welcome to the family.

The Col. is obviously taken aback by the implications of this statement.

JACK
    Family hug!!!!!!

A broad smile fills his face as the Weirdings surround him and embrace him.

INT. ELIZABETH'S OFFICE - TWO WEEKS LATER

Elizabeth sits at her desk, working on some papers. She is dressed in a neatly pressed dark blue suit. Her office is jammed with floral bouquets.

A brand new, unopened Barbie, gift box sits on her desk. There is a knock at her door and she looks up.

Celeste is standing there with a small bouquet of carnations. She is wearing an apprehensive look as though she does not want to disturb Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH
    Just what I need more flowers.

CELESTE
    How are you doing?

ELIZABETH
    Fine. Things are finally getting back to normal.

Celeste places the flowers on her desk and sits down on the corner of the desk.

CELESTE
    How's the rest of the fam? Everyone's all right?

ELIZABETH
    Oh yeah. Other than a little bit of jet lag we're all intact. I just wish the damn newspapers would leave us alone.

CELESTE
    Hey, you're national heroes now. Get used to it.

ELIZABETH
    It'll wear off. It's our fifteen minutes right now.

CELESTE
    I still can't believe it. The papers are making it sound like you defeated all of Africa single handedly.

ELIZABETH
    We're just happy to be alive.

CELESTE
    So I bet you can't wait until next years vacation.

ELIZABETH
    Actually, that's true.

CELESTE
    Oh!? Where are you going?

ELIZABETH
    Somalia.

CELESTE
    You have got to be kidding!

Elizabeth smiles again and turns to look out her office window that faces southeast. She stares out of it for a second.

ELIZABETH
    We have a very special village we are going to visit. We are going to do some relief work there with our extended family...

Celeste looks at Elizabeth with a confused expression. Elizabeth still wears her knowing smile. Roll the credits.

The End
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