IRENE

EXT. FIREBASE RITA — MECHANIZED INFANTRY — DAY

Twenty armored personnel carriers (APCs) rev engines, lead assault troops out of the perimeter.

The APCs send up clouds of red clay dirt.

Dust and emission trail along behind the APCs.

SGT. (Preacher Man) LEAPHART, 29, black, stubby beard, rides atop an APC with Butterfly Weed, Nas and Li’l Bro, the weird-ass brother from Chi-town, Chicago.

Preacher man’s Charlie Co. rumbles over a bridge behind Alpha and Bravo companies.

MINE SWEEPERS COMBAT ENGINEER ONE, 22, white, and COMBAT ENGINEER TWO, 19, Hispanic, ride the lead jungle-green assault vehicle.

A few APCs display signs etched in white on the sides. “Don’t Fence Me In”
“Iron Horse”
“Bad Mutha” and “Devil Incarnate.”
The men spring into an old boisterous song.

TROOPS (sing along)

Irene, Irene, she’s one of the best,
and every night I give her the test: the moon was high, the lights were dim, and there she stood so slick and slim.

I rolled her over on her side, and on her back I also tried.I wound her up as quick as I could, And when I got in her I knew she was good.

Irene, Irene, she’s the best you can have
She’s an APC in the Fifth Armored Cav. Hooray!