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INT. — OFFICER'S CLUB, AIR BASE, VIETNAM — LATE THAT NIGHT

JACK sits at a corner table, cluttered with beer bottles.

DERRICK is at the bar. He is young and enthusiastically "green." He stares at JACK. JACK ignores him.

DERRICK climbs off his barstool and walks over to JACK.

DERRICK

Name's Derrick

JACK
(Eyeing him.)

You're new.

DERRICK

Yep, shipped in three days ago from—

JACK
(Brusque.)

I know when you shipped in. I know who you are.

DERRICK

Good. Good. Hope my reputation precedes me. Yours does. I've heard quite a lot about you. You three are— were…Sorry. Listen. Sorry about your friend.

JACK

Yeah.

DERRICK

It's tough. It's gotta be tough. I mean, I know what you're going through. When I was a kid I had to face tragedy—

JACK

Look, you're not gonna tell me about when your dog died, are you?

DERRICK

No, I—