A muzak version of "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" plays under a
MONTAGE OF CRASH FOOTAGE.
An F-15 Strike Eagle plows through the flight crew before
slamming into the control tower.
The arresting wires snap the front wheel off a F/A-18E, in a
hail of sparks the jet skids into the ocean.
Cockpit camera footage provides a first person POV of a
misjudged landing, directly into the lip of a carrier.
MAVERICK slurs the song's opening verse.
MAVERICK (V.O.)
You never close your eyes anymore,
When I kiss your tenderness.
Like before in your fingers. And
your tips.
But baby, BABY, I know it --
From burning wreckage, DISSOLVE TO:
INT. KARAOKE BAR - NIGHT
... the horrible accident onstage. The years have not been
kind to Mav. Shabby and ragged, the only recognizable feature
would be his eyes... if they weren't streaming tears.
MAVERICK (CONT'D)
You've lost that love and feeling!
THAT LOVE AND FEELING! You've lost
that love and feeling...
He collapses onstage.
MAVERICK (CONT'D)
And now it's gone. GONE GONE GONE.
The crowd of FIGHTER JOCKS and GROUPIES look on with
bemusement. MONEY, a brash young hotshot, heckles.
MONEY
It's not lost, you never had it!
Maverick squints at the teleprompter.
MAVERICK
If you would only love me like you
used to... we had a love... don't
let it slip away.
The seal broken, the crowd turns nasty. A bottle explodes
behind Maverick. The DJ cuts the music.
Mav continues a cappella.
MAVERICK (CONT'D)
So bring it on back. Bring it on
back.
He struggles to his feet, toppling a table in the process.
Against his will, he is forced from the stage.
MAVERICK (CONT'D)
Bring back the love and feeling!
Because it's gone! Gone! Gone!
EXT. KARAOKE BAR - MOMENTS LATER
Maverick mounts his motorcycle - backwards. A group of PILOTS
bet on his chances.
GONZO
Fifty bucks says he won't get it
started.
Mav manages to spin himself around and start the engine.
GONZO (CONT'D)
Double or nothing, he doesn't make
it out of the parking lot.
Money comes out and grabs Maverick by the shoulder.
MONEY
Take a cab, old man.
Maverick takes a swing at him. Money may have a heart, but
he's also got a temper - and he punches Mav, knocking him off
his bike.
GONZO
I win.
Maverick loses consciousness as he hits the ground.
FADE TO BLACK.
To be continued...
