Video: A barful of people drink beers, socialize.
MATT enters the bar and crosses through to his AIRMAN buddy, James who sits alone at a table drinking.
AIRMAN
Glad to see you could make it. Thought you were going to bail
on me. Everyone else has.
MATT
Not to worry, man. I'm here.
The bartender comes over and stands in front of the two men.
BARTENDER
What can I get you?
MATT
Coke for me, lots of ice.
The Bartender steps away from the table.
AIRMAN
Coke? Since when did you quit drinking beer? I'm buying.
MATT
Since for now. I mean tonight. Look, I, I heard about what happened, and one of us needs to be sober.
AIRMAN
Well, it won't be me!
(beat)
So what did you hear?
MATT
I heard that you trashed your house and broke some windows after your fight with Lauri.
AIRMAN
Yeah. But they're not going to be able to do anything to me after tonight. Not where I'm going.
MATT
Did you get some deployment orders I don't know about?
AIRMAN
Not exactly.
MATT
Then what exactly?
AIRMAN
Nothing. It's not something you'd understand.
MATT
Try me.
AIRMAN
I've decided get out for good. I'm no good to anyone anymore.
MATT
Get out of the service?
AIRMAN
Yeah, and then some. Maybe out of everything.
Matt looks at him, concerned.
The bartender sets up his tall coke.
BARTENDER (to Airman)
You want another?
AIRMAN
Sure, might as well keep them coming. I may need a little courage later.
MATT
Hey, it's too noisy to here. What say we go to that booth in the back? It'll be quieter.
The AIRMAN agrees and they move to a quiet corner booth.
MATT (leaning close and taking a serious tone)
The way you're talking scares me. You look like hell and if I didn't know better I'd say you've been losing weight. Worst of all, you sound hopeless as hell.
AIRMAN
Wouldn't you be? Are you blind? Can't you see there's no way out of this?
MATT
I'm worried about you, man. Are you thinking about suicide?
The Airman gives a long pause, nods slowly. His shoulders drop.
AIRMAN
I think about it all the time.
MATT
That's what I thought. That's why I asked you to meet me. Now, let's get this worked out.
AIRMAN
Worked out? Like what?
MATT
I want you to see a professional. I'll go with you, and you know I'll be by your side. You've been there for me, so now I'm going to be there for you. You call it, the mental health clinic or the chaplain?
AIRMAN
Let me think about it, OK? How about tomorrow?
MATT
I have thought about it. And we're going right now.
AIRMAN
Right now?
MATT
Right now! I'm driving so let's go. On the way, you can decide on who you want to see but we're going now. OK?
AIRMAN
(pause)
OK, OK.
They climb out of the booth and leave together.
GRAPHIC: "You are the Wingman"
