THE TRAITOR, PART II

INT. TWENTY QUESTIONS PROGRAM - STUDIO
ANNOUNCER
Now, the show that dares to ask...Twenty Questions.
HECTOR RAMIREZ [Neil Ross]
Good evening. Tonight's big story: Is one of America's elite G. I. Joe team a traitor?
FLASHBACKS FROM PREVIOUS EPISODE
RAMIREZ (V.O.)
Our story began with a battle between Joe and Cobra forces in Texas City, in which the Joes' new secret armor treatment was revealed for the first time.
RAMIREZ (V.O.)
Enter Specialist-Four Ronald W. "Dusty" Rudat, seemingly an exemplary G. I. Joe trooper. Idealistic, sincere, trustworthy. What made this young man betray his country and lead his friends into an ambush--an ambush that left G. I. Joe leader Conrad "Duke" Hauser in a deep coma?
RAMIREZ (V.O.)
His mother's mounting medical bills may account for Rudat selling out his country.
EXT. RUDAT RESIDENCE
JOURNALIST #1
What does Rudat's mother think of this?
JOURNALIST #2
Is her condition terminal?
MRS. VASQUEZ
Vamoose, you filthy...!
FLASHBACKS FROM PREVIOUS EPISODE
RAMIREZ (V.O.)
But the big question remains: what has Rudat told Cobra, and when will they use it against the Joes and all Americans? This is Hector Ramirez reporting for Twenty Questions.
EXT. COBRA TEMPLE - SUNRISE
COBRA COMMANDER
Welcome to Cobra Temple, Specialist Rudat.
DUSTY
It's just Dusty, plain old Dusty.
COBRA COMMANDER
There could be a place for us in Cobra, if you have something to offer us...such as the Joes' secret armor treatment?
DUSTY
Ah, I guess I got nowhere else to go. Okay, count me in.
COBRA COMMANDER
Excellent, excellent. Let's chat.
EXT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - SUNRISE
INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMMAND CENTER
LADY JAYE
One code changed, six thousand four hundred and thirty-seven to go.
SHIPWRECK
All 'cause o' that stinkin' traitor, Dusty! I oughta break his neck!
LADY JAYE
Shipwreck, his mother is sick. Don't judge somebody until you've....
SHIPWRECK
If you say "walk a mile in his moccasins," I swear I'll gag!
LADY JAYE
Well, personally, I'd hate to be in Dusty's boots right now.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE -
COBRA COMMANDER
We're applying your armor treatment formula. Since you gave us the secret, you can command the work detail, Dusty.
LT. CLAYMORE
Commander, no! This is my unit! If he wants it, let him face me in the arena.
COBRA COMMANDER
Why, a splendid idea! Let's see just how ruthless you can be.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - ARENA OF DEATH
COBRA COMMANDER
Welcome, Dusty, to my Arena of Death. We use this chamber to settle minor personal disputes. Lieutenant Claymore has selected rocket nunchakus for this combat, a cute little toy one of our weapons engineers thought up. The rules are simple, gentlemen. Stay alive. Oh, and just to make it more interesting....
COBRA COMMANDER
I'm flooding the arena with man-eating pirhana.
DUSTY
Get off!
COBRA COMMANDER
Your G. I. Joe recruit seems to be outclassed.
TOMAX AND XAMOT
(T) The show's not over (X) till the fat lady sings.
DUSTY
Hungry little devils, aren't they?
DUSTY
Where's my weapon? Oh, great!
LT. CLAYMORE
Help! They're eating me alive!
COBRA COMMANDER
Why did you save him? Do I detect a vestige of mercy?
DUSTY
We can always use extra help on KP.
COBRA COMMANDER
I think I like you, Dusty. You're my type of trooper, the type who can lead our attack against Leary Chemicals.
EXT. RIVERSIDE - LEARY CHEMICALS
SHIPWRECK
Aw, this is crazy! We're strung all over the map, tryin' to protect fifty different targets!
FLINT
Save it, Shipwreck. We don't need your complaints.
SHIPWRECK
Oh, I don't mean nothin' buy it. Ask Duke. He'll... I guess you can't ask Duke.
FLINT
No, I can't. He's still in a coma because of that traitor. And Cobra could put half the country in a similar state if we let 'em get the chemicals they need for that mind control gas.
DUSTY
That's it. Nice and easy. Don't be a hero.
DUSTY
Standard Joe operatin' procedure would be to hide near a potential target, maybe in those trees. We're nearing the chemical plant. Stand by for action.
DUSTY
Cut the cables!
FLINT
Water Moccasins!
SHIPWRECK
The scurvy swine, they blocked us in!
CHEMICAL WORKER
Hey, what's goin' on!
DUSTY
Snap to. Get the stuff in the red drums!
FLINT
Come on, come on! More power!
SHIPWRECK
Move, you floatin' junkheap, move!
COBRA #1 [Chris Latta]
Sir, we have prisoners. You want 'em eliminated?
DUSTY
Nah, save your ammunition for the Joes.
COBRA #2
Sir, the Joes! They've broken free!
DUSTY
Okay, that's it! Get aboard!
DUSTY
Move it!
FLINT
You know the drill! Flank 'em and cut 'em off!
SHIPWRECK
Gotcha!
SHIPWRECK
Of all the low-down, slimy, crustacean....
SHIPWRECK (COMM.)
Flint, watch out! They know our attack formation! They set booby traps for us!
FLINT
Don't let them get away! Fire your rockets!
SHIPWRECK (COMM.)
Did you get 'em, Flint?
FLINT
No! Obviously they're protected by the armor treatment formula Dusty gave 'em!
FLINT
There may be no stopping them now.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - LAB
COBRA COMMANDER
Ready...aim...fire!
COBRA COMMANDER
Cease fire!
DUSTY
Stings a little. Need more chest paddin', but no serious damage.
COBRA COMMANDER
The armor treatment makes even our uniforms impenetrable! Nothing will stop us now! Nothing!
TOMAX AND XAMOT
(X) You don't seem to be (T) cheering, Lieutenant Claymore.
EXT. OWLSLEY CHEMICALS - NIGHT
FLINT (O.C.)
Owlsley Chemical. They manufacture the last ingredient Cobra needs for their mind control gas.
INT. COBRA HELICARRIER
COBRA COMMANDER
We are approaching our target. Man the CLAWs! Prepare to attack!
DUSTY
What about me? I can anticipate the Joes' next....
COBRA COMMANDER
You will stay here. I will lead the assault.
DUSTY
Don't you trust me anymore?
COBRA COMMANDER
As Stalin said, "Trust no one, not even yourself."
EXT. OWLSLEY CHEMICALS - NIGHT
FLINT
Not a sound. Nothing moving, except that cloud. Hmm. And there's not even a breeze. It's Cobra! Guns up! Cover that cloud!
COBRA COMMANDER
Cobra!
COBRAS
Cobra!
COBRA COMMANDER
Attack!
SHIPWRECK
What the...we hit 'em, but they keep comin'!
COBRA COMMANDER
Victory is ours!
LADY JAYE
Flint, the armor treatment has to have some weakness, doesn't it?
FLINT
Somthing. Duke or Doc said something, but I can't remember what. Intense heat...fire! Blowtorch!
BLOWTORCH
Can do, Flint!
FLINT
Launch incendiaries!
COBRA COMMANDER
What are you doing? Advance! Advance!
COBRA COMMANDER
Retreat! Retreat!
JOES
Yo Joe!
INT. COBRA HELICARRIER
DUSTY
Looks like Cobra got its fangs burnt.
TOMAX AND XAMOT
(T) Careful, Rudat. That kind of talk (X) might be misconstrued (T and X) as traitorous.
EXT. OWLSLEY CHEMICALS - NIGHT
SHIPWRECK
It's Dusty! Get him! You won't get away, you barnacle-suckin' traitor!
SHIPWRECK
Hold still, you snake scum!
FLINT
Kick it, Lady Jaye! They're movin'!
COBRA COMMANDER
Dusty, we have the chemical!
DUSTY
And in a second, I'll have the Joes! Demolitions unit, on my signal...now!
SHIPWRECK
What the...
FLINT
Look out!
SHIPWRECK
What the bloody blue blazes is this?
DUSTY
It's called a trap, Shipwreck.
FLINT
Nice try, Dusty, but we can climb out!
DUSTY
That's right, you could...if you had someplace safe to climb to.
SHIPWRECK
You think we'll give up, you miserable, low-down....
FLINT
Enough. This time they've got us.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - OFFICE
COBRA COMMANDER
We have the armor treatment, the mind control gas, and we've dealt our enemies a crushing blow! Cobra has prospered since you joined us, Dusty.
DUSTY
It's a pleasure servin' under your command, sir.
COBRA COMMANDER
I'm glad, Dusty. There will be a high position for you in the new Cobra order.
TOMAX AND XAMOT
(X) May we suggest, Commander (T) that you test the mind control gas (T and X) on the Joes.
COBRA COMMANDER
Yes. My gas will make them a zombie strike force, marching mindlessly to their deaths for Cobra.
DUSTY
No!
COBRA COMMANDER
Something wrong, Dusty?
DUSTY
No, nothin'.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - HALLWAY
LT. CLAYMORE
Claymore to Crimson Guard Commaneers. I think this is what you've been waiting for. Rudat's entering the gas laboratory.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - GAS LABORATORY
TOMAX AND XAMOT
Hold it right there, Rudat!
TOMAX AND XAMOT
(T) Oh...my...(X) head!
DUSTY
But I didn't hit you.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - DINING ROOM
COBRA COMMANDER
What is the meaning of this?
TOMAX AND XAMOT
(X) We found your golden boy (T) tampering with the mind control gas.
COBRA COMMANDER
Fool! I ordered him to prepare the gas!
TOMAX AND XAMOT
(T) Without (X) supervision?
COBRA COMMANDER
He's a convicted traitor. He has nowhere to go. Why should he work against Cobra? A final test will prove your loyalty once and for all. You will personally gas the Joes.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - ARENA OF DEATH
COBRA COMMANDER
Warriors of Cobra, from this day forward, the world belongs to us!
COBRAS
Cobra! Cobra! Cobra!
COBRA COMMANDER
And now, the last act, the final curtain...send in the clowns!
COBRA COMMANDER
Say farewell to your free will, Joes. As of now, your minds belong to Cobra! Seal the arena.
COBRA COMMANDER
Close off the temple vents.
COBRA COMMANDER
Open the arena vents!
COBRA COMMANDER
And now, Dusty, the gas!
COBRA COMMANDER
You, you traitor!
COBRA COMMANDER
You were a triple agent all along!
DUSTY
You guessed it, chrome dome!
DUSTY
There's weapons in the ready room!
TOMAX AND XAMOT
(X) It's not over. (T) Not quite. (X) Have a nice (T) death, Dusty.
LADY JAYE
Sorry to interrupt, but he's one of us.
DUSTY
You bet! Let's go!
JOES
Yo Joe!
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - HALLWAYS
SHIPWRECK
Strike one! Strike two! Strike three! You're out!
COBRA COMMANDER
Stop them! Destroy them!
FLINT
I think he means it!
SHIPWRECK
Where's Cobra Commander?
FLINT
Heading this way!
DUSTY
Follow me! I know how we can get outta here!
FLINT
Wait. I don't know.
DUSTY
Aw, Flint, you gotta trust me! Look, can you afford not to?
LADY JAYE
He's got a point, Flint.
COBRA COMMANDER
Slay them all, especially Rudat!
DUSTY
Hurry!
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - GAS LABORATORY
SHIPWRECK
This door oughta hold 'em!
FLINT
Would you mind tellin' me what we're doin', Dusty?
DUSTY
All part of Duke's plan.
LADY JAYE
Duke's what?
DUSTY
These chemicals can make mind control gas, or they can make a formula that neutralizes our armor treatment.
DUSTY
Everybody, stand back!
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - HALLWAYS
COBRA COMMANDER
What's this?
DUSTY
Duke knew the armor treatment was unstable. It reacts with certain chemicals and corrodes whatever it's protectin'.
LADY JAYE
Gotcha!
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - HANGAR
COBRA COMMANDER
Stop! Don't leave without me!
TOMAX AND XAMOT
(X) Call our office! (T) We'll do lunch! Ciao!
COBRA COMMANDER
No, wait! I command it!
SHIPWRECK
There he is!
FLINT
Nowhere to run, Cobra Commander.
COBRA COMMANDER
Claymore! It's good to know who your friends are!
EXT. G. I. JOE HOSPITAL - DAY
DUKE (V.O.)
I hereby reinstate Specialist Dusty Rudat to full rank and privileges in the G. I. Joe force. Welcome back, Dusty.
INT. G. I. JOE HOSPITAL - DUKE'S ROOM
GLADYS RUDAT
Now that my Dusty's a Joe again, will somebody explain what happened?
DUKE
Easy enough, Mrs. Rudat.
FLASHBACKS
DUKE (V.O.)
Chemists told us our new armor treatment was unstable. Sooner or later, Cobra would've figured that out. When Cobra agents approached Dusty, he came to me. We cooked up the whole traitor routine, 'cause we wanted Cobra to get the armor treatment. But a Cobra bomb put me in a coma, and I was the only one who knew Dusty's defection was never for real.
INT. G. I. JOE HOSPITAL - DUKE'S ROOM
MRS. RUDAT
You poor, poor boy.
DUSTY
Oh, Mom.