INT. SPD CONTROL ROOM - DAY
Doggie Cruger is just getting through addressing his cadets.
DOGGIE
... And I expect these orders to be carried out
immediately. Any questions?
(off no response)
I didn't think so. Dismissed.
The cadets all leave except for Bridge. He lags behind the others, looking at
papers on Cruger's desk and trying to make himself as inconspicuous as
possible as Cruger fills out some paperwork. He starts to CLEAR his THROAT to
make Cruger aware of his presence. Cruger looks up, Bridge SMILES, Cruger
goes back to work. After a beat, Cruger, not looking up, addresses Bridge.
DOGGIE
Is there something that you need, Cadet?
BRIDGE
No, sir.
DOGGIE
Then you're just hanging around the front of my
desk, because...?
(looks up)
You like me?
BRIDGE
No, sir. I mean, yes. I like you. But no that's
not why I'm still here. I said no sir after you
asked me if I liked you thinking you were
thinking that I was thinking that's why I was
here. But that's not what I was thinking... sir.
DOGGIE
Cadet, what do you need?
BRIDGE
I was wondering if I could talk to you.
DOGGIE
I may be wrong here, but didn't I just get
through asking all of the cadets if there was
any questions right before I dismissed them?
And wouldn't I be correct if I was to say I didn't
hear any questions.
BRIDGE
That would be correct.
DOGGIE
Glad we're on the same page here.
BRIDGE
But, sir. Sometimes a cadet could possibly
come up with a question between the time you
asked for a question and the time you
dismissed them.
DOGGIE
What's your question?
BRIDGE
Well, I don't have a question... I was just
thinking I could have had a question. If I had
one.
DOGGIE
Is it me or you that is confused?
BRIDGE
Must be you... sir. I don't have a question... But
I'd like to say something.
DOGGIE
Excellent idea. I would like you to say
something, too. But you've already taken up
enough of my time so make it quick.
BRIDGE
Quick.
(extreme rapid delivery)
Sir, when you gave us our next assignment we
all agreed it was a good idea then I
thought that wait a minute it wasn't a good
idea. If the Troobians...
DOGGIE
Why are you talking so fast?
BRIDGE
You asked me to make it quick.
DOGGIE
It was a figure of... Nevermind. Make it
intelligible.
BRIDGE
Yes, sir. Sir, when you gave us our next
assignment we all agreed that it was a good
idea. Then I thought, wait a minute it wasn't a
good idea. If the Troobians are sending small
patrols to attack the eastern sector, it may be a
decoy.
DOGGIE
What makes you think that?
BRIDGE
Sir, I've read all your books about them. You
wrote about the Clarion Battle... And if I may
paraphrase what you said... "TROOBIANS
ARE AN EXTREMELY CUNNING ENEMY.
THEY USE THEIR OPPONENTS STRENGTHS
TO THEIR ADVANTAGE. WE HAVE BEEN
FOOLED MANY TIMES INTO FIGHTING
BATTLES THAT THEY HAVE WANTED US
TO FIGHT, FOCUSING OUR REAL ATTENTION
AWAY FROM THEIR REAL OBJECTIVE."
DOGGIE
That is word for word what I wrote.
BRIDGE
It was a compelling book. Anyway, I was
thinking... The information about the eastern
front came to us. We didn't go find it. So I was
thinking, they want us to go there... Sir, I was
thinking. Isn't the Earth council meeting today
in the Western sector?