When terror strikes, one man must risk everything to save the ones he loves.
Watch the original version of Die Hard
Prologue:
John McClane was a cop with a reputation for being a maverick. He was the kind of guy who refused to play by the rules, often getting himself into trouble as a result. But he was also a hero, with a talent for taking down bad guys when nobody else could. It was this combination of recklessness and bravery that led him to the Nakatomi Plaza on that fateful Christmas Eve.
He’d come to the Plaza to see his wife, Holly Gennero, who worked there as an executive for the Nakatomi Corporation. They’d been separated for some time, but McClane was determined to make things right between them. Little did he know that his plans for reconciliation would be hijacked by a group of ruthless terrorists who had their own agenda.
As McClane waited for his wife in the lobby, he noticed a few things that seemed out of place. A group of men dressed in suits, carrying large bags, and acting suspiciously, entered the building. He didn’t think much of it at first, but his instincts told him that something wasn’t right. Suddenly, the sound of gunfire erupted, and McClane realized that he was in the middle of a full-blown terrorist attack.
Chapter 1: The Reunion
John McClane looked around the spacious lobby of the Nakatomi Plaza, his eyes scanning the marble floors and the pristine walls. It was early evening, and most of the workers had already left for the day. Only a handful of people remained, including McClane, who was waiting for his wife, Holly.
McClane had always been a bit of a renegade. He’d joined the police force in New York City, hoping to make a difference, but he quickly realized that the bureaucracy and red tape made it almost impossible to do his job. He’d ended up moving to Los Angeles, hoping for a fresh start. But things hadn’t quite worked out the way he’d planned.
He and Holly had drifted apart over the years, thanks to their respective careers and the distance between them. But they still cared for each other, and McClane was determined to make things right. He’d surprised her by showing up at her office, hoping to talk to her and maybe even rekindle their relationship.
McClane was lost in thought when he saw a group of men enter the lobby. They were all dressed in suits, carrying large bags, and acting suspiciously. He watched as they got into the elevator and disappeared from sight.
For a moment, McClane did nothing. But his instincts told him that something wasn’t right. He got up from his seat and followed the men, taking a different elevator. When he arrived on Holly’s floor, he heard shouting and the sound of gunfire.
He burst into Holly’s office, a gun in his hand, and found her in the middle of a tense conversation with a group of men. McClane quickly realized that they were terrorists, armed to the teeth and ready to cause havoc.
“John!” Holly cried out in relief, throwing her arms around her husband.
“Are you okay?” McClane demanded, scanning the room for any sign of danger.
“I’m fine,” Holly said, her voice shaking. “But these men have taken over the building. They’re demanding access to the vault.”
McClane knew what this meant. The Nakatomi Corporation had millions of dollars’ worth of bearer bonds stashed away in the vault, and the terrorists were determined to steal them.
“What do they want?” McClane asked, keeping his voice low.
“They want the bonds,” Holly said. “But they also want to make a statement. They’re angry at the system, and they want to show the world that they’re not afraid to take on the big corporations.”
McClane knew that he had to act fast. He couldn’t rely on the police to save them; he had to take matters into his own hands. He looked around Holly’s office, searching for anything that could help them.
“How many of them are there?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” Holly said. “But there’s a lot of them. And they’re all armed.”
McClane grimaced. He was outnumbered, outgunned, and facing an enemy that was determined to kill him. But he was also a cop, and he knew that he had to do his duty.
“Okay,” he said, his voice firm. “We’re going to get out of here. But we have to be smart about it. Can you get us to a phone?”
Holly nodded, and together they began to make their escape plan. It was going to be a long night, but McClane was ready for it. He had no idea what was in store for him, but he knew that he had a job to do.
Chapter 2: The Enemy Within
McClane looked around him as the sound of gunfire echoed through the building. He had barely managed to find cover behind a nearby desk before the terrorists had stormed into the lobby. As he peered over the top of the desk, he could see them moving through the building, systematically taking out anyone who crossed their path.
He knew he had to act quickly if he was going to save his wife and the other hostages. He reached for his radio and tried to contact the LAPD.
“Dispatch, this is Officer McClane. I’m at Nakatomi Plaza and there’s been a terrorist attack. Send backup, now!”
But there was no response. McClane tried several more times, but he couldn’t get through. His heart sank as he realized that he was on his own.
He looked around the lobby, searching for any clues that might help him. His eyes fell on a nearby computer terminal. He hurried over and began typing furiously, trying to gather any information he could about the terrorists.
As he read through the files, he realized that this was no ordinary robbery. The terrorists were after millions of dollars in bearer bonds that were stored in the building’s vault.
McClane knew he had to act fast. He couldn’t let the terrorists take the money and kill the hostages. He grabbed a nearby fire extinguisher and made his way to the stairwell.
He climbed up to the next floor and peered cautiously around the corner. He saw a group of terrorists moving through the hallway, their guns at the ready. He ducked back around the corner and tried to think of a plan.
Suddenly, he heard a loud crash from down the hall. He peeked out again and saw that one of the terrorists had accidentally knocked over a vase. The others were laughing and joking around.
McClane saw his chance. He quickly pulled the pin on the fire extinguisher and tossed it down the hall. The terrorists were caught off guard as the extinguisher exploded in their faces, blinding them temporarily.
McClane sprang into action, his gun at the ready. He took out two of the terrorists before they could recover, but the third managed to get away.
McClane knew he had to keep moving. He climbed up to the next floor and found a room where he could observe the terrorists’ movements. He watched as they made their way to the vault, cutting through the door with a blowtorch.
McClane knew he had to stop them. He looked around the room and spotted a nearby computer terminal. He quickly logged in and began hacking into the building’s security system.
He managed to get access to the control room, where he began to mess with the terrorists’ heads. He turned off the lights, activated fire alarms, and even played Christmas music over the intercom.
In the chaos, McClane slipped down to the vault. He saw the terrorists inside, packing the bearer bonds into bags. He knew he had to act fast.
He crept up behind the terrorists and took them out one by one, using his fists and his gun. But just as he was about to take the final terrorist down, he was ambushed.
A group of terrorists had sneaked up behind him and knocked him out cold.
When he came to, he was tied up and held captive in a nearby room. The terrorists were gloating over their victory, but McClane refused to give up.
He struggled against his ropes, trying to come up with a plan. As he pulled one of his hands free, he noticed a nearby window. He knew it was a long shot, but he had to try.
He smashed through the window and began to rappel down the side of the building, using his belt as a makeshift rope. As he descended, he could hear the terrorists shouting in anger behind him.
Finally, he reached the ground and ran for cover as the terrorists opened fire. He knew he had to find a way to stop them once and for all.
McClane was determined to save the hostages and take down the terrorists, no matter what it took. But would he be able to outsmart Hans Gruber and his ruthless henchmen? Only time would tell.
Chapter 3: The Lone Ranger
John McClane took a deep breath, steeling himself for the task ahead. He knew that the odds were stacked against him, but he also knew that he had no choice. He was the only one who could save his wife and the other hostages.
McClane started to explore the building, moving cautiously and keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of the terrorists. He moved through the lobby, ducking behind pillars and furniture to avoid detection. He had a gun in his hand and a radio in his ear, listening to the static-filled voices of the LAPD officers trying to coordinate a response.
McClane knew he couldn’t wait for backup; there was no telling how long it would take for the police to arrive, and he needed to act fast. He had to locate the terrorists and figure out what they were after. He knew that they were cunning and dangerous, and that he was up against the clock.
He moved up the stairs, his heart pounding in his chest. He counted the floors as he climbed, his senses on high alert. He noticed that the higher he got, the more damage he saw; shattered glass, bullet holes, and bloodstains covered the walls and floors. McClane gritted his teeth and pressed on, determined to find his way to his wife.
As he reached the sixth floor, he heard a faint sound of movement. He slowed down, pressing his back against the wall, and listened carefully. He heard footsteps, accompanied by hushed voices. The terrorists were nearby.
McClane peeked around the corner and saw a group of men, dressed in black and carrying sophisticated weapons. He counted eight of them, all wearing ski masks and brandishing automatic rifles. They were speaking German, making it clear that they were not amateur criminals.
McClane took a deep breath and stepped forward, his gun pointed directly at the terrorists. He shouted at them to drop their weapons and surrender, but they simply laughed and opened fire. The sound was deafening, and McClane had to duck behind a wall to avoid getting hit.
He returned fire, taking down one of the terrorists with a well-placed shot. The others scattered, seeking cover behind desks and filing cabinets. McClane used the chaos to his advantage, moving quickly and quietly to avoid being spotted.
He made his way towards the hostages’ area, where he hoped to find his wife. He could hear the screams and cries of the people trapped inside, and he vowed to do everything in his power to get them out safely.
Suddenly, he heard a loud explosion, and the building shook as if hit by an earthquake. McClane stumbled and almost fell, but managed to keep his footing. He knew that the terrorists were escalating their tactics, and he had to move faster.
He spotted an open door and darted inside, his gun at the ready. To his surprise, he found himself in a room full of computer equipment and wires. He frowned, wondering why the terrorists would bother taking over a tech company.
As he walked through the room, he noticed a strange device attached to one of the computers. It looked like a detonator, and McClane realized with horror that the terrorists were planning to blow up the entire building.
McClane’s heart sank, and he knew that time was running out. He had to act fast, but he was outnumbered and outgunned. The terrorists were closing in on him, and he had nowhere to run. But he was John McClane, and he never gave up.
He took a deep breath, raised his gun, and prepared for the next fight. He knew that the terrorists were waiting for him, but he was ready for whatever came his way. He was the lone ranger, fighting against impossible odds, but he was determined to save his wife and the other hostages, no matter the cost.
Chapter 4: The Cat and Mouse Game
McClane knew that he had to be one step ahead of Gruber and his men if he was to have any chance of rescuing the hostages and taking down the terrorists. He hatched a plan to draw the terrorists away from the hostages by causing a diversion in another part of the building, but he knew that it would be risky. He would have to act fast and stay on his toes, because the terrorists were watching his every move.
McClane made his way to the elevator shaft, where he planned to climb up to a higher floor and create the diversion. He used his trusty gun to shoot the lock on the maintenance hatch and climbed onto the roof of the elevator car. He made his way up the shaft, dodging the cables and machinery as he went.
When he reached the desired floor, he pried open the hatch and climbed out onto a deserted hallway. He found a fire alarm and pulled it, triggering an evacuation of the entire building. The terrorists, predictably, diverted their attention to the commotion, giving McClane the opportunity he needed to make his way back to the hostages.
But as McClane was making his way back, he heard the sound of footsteps approaching. He ducked behind a corner and waited, gun at the ready. It was one of Gruber’s henchmen, and McClane dispatched him swiftly and silently.
McClane knew that his diversion would not have been enough to fool Gruber for long. He needed to find a way to stay ahead of the terrorist leader, who was always one step ahead of him. But as he searched for a way forward, he stumbled upon something unexpected: a computer room.
McClane quickly realized that this room could be his ticket to success. He sat down at one of the terminals and began to sift through the files, looking for anything that could give him an advantage. He found a schematic of the building and made note of the crucial locations which he would have to take advantage of later.
But as he was about to leave the room, he heard a sound behind him. He turned around to find one of Gruber’s men entering the room, gun in hand. McClane sprang from his chair and engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand combat with the terrorist, eventually managing to subdue him.
McClane knew he needed to move fast now, as he was sure that Gruber would have heard the commotion. He made his way through the building, carefully avoiding the terrorists and using his knowledge of the layout to evade them.
But as he was rounding a corner, he heard a voice behind him. It was Gruber, and he was holding McClane’s wife hostage. McClane knew he had to act fast if he was to save his wife and take down the terrorists.
He came face to face with Gruber, and the two engaged in a deadly battle, full of twists and turns. McClane even managed to trap Gruber in an elevator shaft, but the terrorist’s cunning and resourcefulness proved to be his match.
The two continued to fight, and McClane managed to disarm Gruber just in time. But as he was about to deliver the final blow, he was blindsided by one of Gruber’s men, and the two tumbled out of the window, crashing through the glass and plummeting to the ground below.
As McClane lay battered and broken, he saw the terrorist leader, trapped and helpless, plummeting to his own demise. McClane had won the day, but at what cost? As he struggled to his feet and made his way out of the building, he knew that the events of the past few hours had changed him forever, and that he could never go back to the way things were before.
Chapter 5: The Clock is Ticking
John McClane’s nerves were stretched to the limit as time ticked away, and the hostages’ lives hung in the balance. He had been battling the terrorists inside the Nakatomi Plaza for hours, and it seemed like every step he took was met with another hurdle. But he couldn’t give up, not when his wife was among the hostages.
As he moved through the dimly lit corridors of the building, McClane tried to stay focused, but his mind was racing. He had to keep moving, keep trying to outsmart the terrorists, but his body was starting to feel the strain. The adrenaline that had fueled him earlier was wearing off, and he was starting to feel the effects of being on the run for so long.
The sound of gunfire echoed through the building, and McClane tensed, instincts kicking in. He followed the noise, moving closer to the source, until he saw a group of terrorists holed up in a conference room, barricaded behind a table.
He approached cautiously, weapon at the ready, knowing that at any moment he could be met with a hail of bullets. He took a deep breath and burst through the door, firing his gun.
The terrorists fired back, and McClane dove behind a nearby couch for cover. Bullets whizzed past his head, and he knew he had to act fast. He pulled out a grenade and lobbed it over the table, the explosion scattering debris and forcing the terrorists to take cover.
As the smoke cleared, McClane emerged from behind the couch, firing his gun once more. He took out two of the terrorists before the others retreated down the hall.
McClane realized that he was running out of time. The terrorists were getting desperate, and he knew they would do whatever it took to get what they wanted. He had to find a way to stop them before it was too late.
He checked his watch and saw that he had only a few hours left. He had to hurry. He raced down the hallway, his heart beating faster with each step, and tried to think of a plan.
As he rounded a corner, he ran into one of the terrorists. They exchanged fire, and McClane managed to take him out, but not before he was grazed by a bullet. He winced in pain, but didn’t stop moving.
He had to find a way to get to the main office where Gruber and his team were holding the hostages. He needed to know what their next move was.
He moved quickly, his senses on high alert, and finally reached the office where Gruber was holding his wife and the others. He tried to force the door open, but it was locked.
McClane took a deep breath and readjusted his grip on his weapon. He knew he had only one chance. He lifted his gun and fired at the lock, the sound of the shot echoing through the hallway.
The door flew open, and McClane charged in. He saw Gruber and his team standing in front of the hostages, and he knew he had to act fast.
He engaged in a fierce firefight, his aim precise and deadly. He managed to take out a few of the terrorists before running out of ammo. McClane quickly reloaded as Gruber approached him.
McClane and Gruber engaged in a brutal hand-to-hand fight, both determined to come out on top. McClane was battered and bruised, but he refused to give up. He summoned all his strength and fought back with everything he had.
In the end, it was McClane who emerged victorious. He managed to knock Gruber off the edge of the building, sending him plummeting to his death. McClane breathed a sigh of relief, but his thoughts quickly turned to the hostages.
He hurried over to his wife’s side and held her close, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief wash over him. He had saved her, he had saved the other hostages, and he had stopped the terrorists from getting away with their plan.
As they made their way out of the building, McClane knew that he would never forget this day. He had been pushed to his limits, but in the end, he had emerged victorious. And he knew that he would always be ready to rise to the challenge when duty called.
Chapter 6: The Final Showdown
John McClane’s heart was pounding as he made his way through the upper floors of Nakatomi Plaza, his gun at the ready. He had been through hell and back in the past few hours, and now he was determined to take down Hans Gruber and his remaining henchmen once and for all.
As he approached the main atrium, he heard the sound of gunfire coming from below. He knew he was getting close. He took a deep breath and made his way down the stairs, taking care to stay out of sight.
As he reached the bottom floor, he saw Gruber standing in the center of the room, surrounded by his remaining henchmen. Gruber was holding a gun to Holly’s head, a sinister smile on his face.
“Well, well, well, Mr. McClane,” Gruber said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You finally decided to join the party.”
McClane raised his gun, his eyes locked on Gruber’s. “Let her go, Hans,” he said sternly. “It’s over.”
Gruber chuckled. “Is it really?” he said. “I still have the detonators, Mr. McClane. I still have the power.”
As he spoke, Gruber’s henchmen slowly closed in on McClane, their guns at the ready. McClane knew he was outnumbered, but he refused to back down.
He took a step forward, his gun trained on Gruber. “I’m warning you, Hans,” he said. “Let her go or I’ll-“
But before he could finish his sentence, Gruber suddenly pulled the trigger, shooting Holly in the shoulder. McClane gasped in horror as Holly slumped to the ground, blood pouring from her wound.
“You son of a bitch!” McClane shouted, his anger boiling over. He opened fire, his bullets ricocheting off the walls as he dodged the henchmen’s attacks.
The room exploded into chaos as McClane launched himself at Gruber, his gun blazing. Gruber fired back, the two men locked in a deadly dance as they circled each other, their guns blazing.
As the bullets flew, McClane’s mind raced. He knew he was in deep trouble, but he refused to give up. He had to find a way to take down Gruber, no matter what it took.
Suddenly, he saw an opportunity. Gruber had momentarily lowered his guard, and McClane seized the moment. He lunged forward, his gun raised, and fired a shot straight into Gruber’s chest.
Gruber’s eyes went wide with shock as he stumbled backwards, his grip on his gun loosening. McClane took advantage of the moment and fired again, this time hitting Gruber square in the forehead.
At the sound of the final gunshot, the room fell silent. McClane’s heart was pounding as he looked down at Gruber’s lifeless body. He had done it. He had taken down the mastermind behind the whole operation.
But his moment of triumph was short-lived. As he looked up, he saw that the remaining henchmen were advancing on him, their guns at the ready. McClane knew he had to act fast.
He grabbed Holly by the hand and ran towards the nearest exit, his gun blazing. The henchmen pursued him, firing wildly as they chased him down.
As they burst out of the building, McClane saw a police car waiting for them. He motioned for Holly to get in, and they sped off towards safety, leaving the henchmen far behind.
As they drove away, McClane let out a deep sigh of relief. It was finally over. He had saved his wife and taken down the terrorists. But as he looked over at Holly, his heart filled with a sense of newfound gratitude and appreciation.
He knew that he had come close to losing everything, and that he had been given a second chance. As they drove off into the night, McClane realized that he would always be ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, as long as he had Holly by his side.
Chapter 7: The Aftermath
John McClane stood outside of his wife’s office building, surrounded by the chaos and destruction left behind by the terrorist attack. His clothes were torn and bloodied, his body battered and bruised, but he was alive. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart and steady his shaking hands. He had survived the ordeal, but he knew that things would never be the same again.
He turned to face his wife, Holly, who was watching him with a mixture of relief and concern. They locked eyes and he saw the fear and worry etched on her face. He knew that she had been through a traumatic experience, just like the rest of the hostages. But they had made it out alive, and that was all that mattered.
“I’m sorry, Holly,” he said, his voice hoarse and choked with emotion. “I never meant for any of this to happen. I just wanted to see you again.”
Holly stepped closer to him and took his hand, her touch soft and reassuring. “It’s okay, John,” she said, her voice gentle. “We’ll get through this together.”
McClane felt a surge of gratitude and love wash over him, and he pulled her into a tight embrace. They held each other for a long moment, trying to forget the horrors of the past few hours and focus on the present.
But as they broke apart, McClane felt a twinge of something else – regret. Regret that he had put Holly and the other hostages in danger by coming to see her. Regret that he had been so reckless in his pursuit of the terrorists. Regret that he hadn’t been able to save everyone.
He looked around at the wreckage of the building, the shattered glass, the bullet holes, the bloodstains. He felt a sense of overwhelming responsibility, a weight on his shoulders that he couldn’t shake off.
“I have to go back in there,” he said, turning back towards the building.
Holly’s eyes widened, and she tried to stop him. “What are you talking about? You just got out of there alive!”
But McClane shook his head. “There are still people in there, Holly. People who need help. I can’t just leave them to die.”
Holly looked at him with a mix of admiration and worry. She knew that he was brave and determined, but she also knew that he was putting himself in danger. She didn’t want to lose him again.
“Okay,” she said finally, nodding her head. “I’ll come with you.”
McClane raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You don’t have to do that, Holly. It’s too dangerous.”
But Holly shook her head. “I’m not going to let you do this alone, John. We’re in this together.”
They made their way back into the building, moving cautiously through the debris and wreckage. The air was thick with smoke and dust, and McClane could hear the distant sounds of gunfire and explosions. He gritted his teeth, steeling himself for what lay ahead.
They reached the floor where the hostages were being held, and McClane signaled for Holly to stay behind. He crept forward, his gun at the ready, scanning the area for any signs of danger.
He heard a faint noise coming from one of the nearby rooms, and he moved towards it, his heart pounding. As he approached the door, he could hear the sound of someone groaning in pain.
He kicked the door open and burst into the room, his gun raised. Inside, he saw one of the hostages, a young woman lying on the ground, bleeding from a gunshot wound.
McClane rushed over to her, his hands shaking. He tried to stop the bleeding, but he could see that it was too late. The woman looked up at him, her eyes filled with fear and pain.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
McClane felt a lump rise in his throat. He had failed her. He had failed all of them.
He heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Holly approaching. She saw the blood on his hands and the pain in his eyes, and she knew.
She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight. “It’s okay, John,” she said, trying to comfort him. “You did everything you could.”
But McClane shook his head, his eyes burning with tears. “No, Holly. It’s not okay. I should have done more. I should have been faster, smarter. I should have saved them all.”
Holly held him tighter, trying to give him strength. “You did save some of them,” she said, her voice gentle. “You saved me.”
McClane looked into her eyes, seeing the love and gratitude shining there. He realized that she was right. He had saved the ones he loved, and that was something.
He took a deep breath, his heart heavy but also full. He knew that he had a long road ahead of him, full of pain and regret. But he also knew that he had done something good today. He had proved that he was a hero, that he was capable of great things.
He looked up at Holly, his eyes shining with determination. “I won’t stop doing this,” he said, his voice firm. “I won’t stop fighting for what’s right, for what’s good. I won’t stop until every last terrorist is brought to justice. That’s my promise to you.”
Holly smiled, a tear rolling down her cheek. “I believe you, John. I always have.”
They embraced again, holding onto each other tightly. McClane knew that they still had a long road ahead of them, full of danger and uncertainty. But he also knew that they would face it together, as partners and as lovers.
And with that, he picked up his gun and headed back into the fray. He was ready for whatever lay ahead, ready to face the future with courage and determination. He was John McClane, after all. A hero.
Some scenes from the movie Die Hard written by A.I.
Scene 1
FADE IN:
EXT. SKYSCRAPER – DAY
JOHN MCCLANE, a rugged NYPD cop, stands outside the Nakatomi Plaza, where he plans to reconcile with his estranged wife. Suddenly, a group of heavily armed terrorists storms into the building, shooting anyone in sight. McClane ducks for cover, determined to save his wife and the other hostages.
INT. LOBBY – DAY
McClane sneaks around the lobby, trying to avoid detection. He sees a group of hostages huddled in a corner, trembling with fear. Among them is his wife, HOLLY GENNARO, a smart and feisty executive.
McClane approaches Holly.
MCCLANE
Holly, it’s me. We have to get out of here.
HOLLY
John, what’s going on? Who are these people?
MCCLANE
I don’t know, but they’re dangerous. We have to move.
Suddenly, one of the terrorists spots McClane and opens fire. McClane shoves Holly out of harm’s way and returns fire, taking down the terrorist.
MCCLANE (CONT’D)
Go, Holly! Run to safety!
Holly hesitates for a moment, torn between her love for John and her fear for her life. But then she nods resolutely and runs towards the exit.
MCCLANE (CONT’D)
(to himself)
Okay, John. This is your chance to be a hero.
McClane reloads his gun and heads deeper into the building, determined to rescue the remaining hostages and take down the terrorists.
FADE OUT.
Scene 2
Genre: Action, Thriller
Characters:
– John McClane: NYPD cop
– Holly Gennaro: McClane’s estranged wife
– Hans Gruber: A cunning mastermind leading a group of terrorists
– Sergeant Al Powell: An LAPD officer
Setting: A high-rise office building in Los Angeles
Dialogue:
INT. LOBBY – DAY
John McClane nervously waits for his estranged wife, Holly Gennaro, to finish a meeting in her office. Suddenly, a group of heavily armed terrorists storm into the building, shooting anyone in sight. McClane ducks for cover behind a nearby couch.
TERRORIST 1
(to McClane)
“Stay where you are, cowboy.”
McClane reaches for his gun, but hesitates. He knows he’s outnumbered and outgunned.
MCCLANE
(to the terrorists)
“What do you want?”
TERRORIST 2
(smugly)
“That’s simple. We want bearer bonds. And we have a plan to get them.”
McClane realizes these are not just any ordinary criminals. He reaches for his radio.
MCCLANE
(to the radio)
“This is Detective John McClane of the NYPD. I need backup. We have a hostage situation at Nakatomi Plaza.”
But to his dismay, he’s told that the LAPD is on the scene and already dealing with the situation.
MCCLANE
(to himself)
“Figures.”
Suddenly, McClane’s radio goes silent.
MCCLANE
(to himself)
“What the hell?”
He realizes that the terrorists have jammed the radio signal. He’s on his own.
SERGEANT AL POWELL (O.S.)
(on McClane’s radio)
“Detective McClane? You still there?”
McClane picks up the radio.
MCCLANE
(to Powell)
“Yeah. I’m here.”
SERGEANT AL POWELL (O.S.)
(on McClane’s radio)
“I heard your call for backup. What’s going on there?”
McClane quickly relays the situation to Powell.
SERGEANT AL POWELL (O.S.)
(on McClane’s radio)
“Okay, I’ll see what I can do. But you need to stay low and stay out of sight. These guys mean business.”
McClane nods, determined to save his wife and the other hostages.
MCCLANE
(to himself)
“I’ll take care of it.”
Scene 3
Fade In:
INT. NAKATOMI PLAZA – DAY
John McClane is hiding behind a pillar, looking around suspiciously. He is a tough-looking NYPD cop in his late 30s, with an unshaven face and a sarcastic wit. His walkie-talkie crackles.
WALKIE-TALKIE (V.O.)
McClane, this is Al. What’s your status?
MCCLEAN
(irritated)
What do you think? I’m inside a building crawling with terrorists, and the LAPD is nowhere to be found.
Suddenly, a group of terrorists come running towards him, shooting their guns. McClane reacts quickly, firing his own gun and taking them down one by one. He then continues on his mission to save the hostages.
CUT TO:
INT. NAKATOMI PLAZA – STAIRWELL – DAY
McClane is sneaking up the stairwell, trying to stay quiet. He hears a noise and quickly hides behind a door. He peeks through the keyhole and sees two terrorists guarding a door.
MCCLEAN
(to himself)
Time to get creative.
He pulls out a cigarette lighter and his gun, then lights the edge of the door on fire. The terrorists panic, thinking the building is under attack, and run out of the room. McClane takes out his walkie-talkie.
MCCLEAN
(whispering)
Al, I’ve found the hostages. They’re in a room on the 30th floor.
WALKIE-TALKIE (V.O.)
Good job, McClane. But be careful.
McClane nods to himself and continues up the stairwell.
CUT TO:
INT. NAKATOMI PLAZA – 30TH FLOOR – DAY
McClane bursts into the room, guns blazing. He takes out several terrorists and finds Holly, his wife, tied up in a corner. He rushes over to her and starts untying her.
HOLLY
(excitedly)
John! Thank God you’re here.
MCCLEAN
(happy to see her)
Are you okay?
HOLLY
(nodding)
Yes, I’m fine. But what about the others?
MCCLEAN
(serious)
I’m working on it. But we need to get out of here first.
Suddenly, the door bursts open and Gruber, the terrorist leader, walks in with a group of armed men.
GRUBER
(smiling)
Well, well. Look who we have here.
MCCLEAN
(raising his gun)
It’s over, Gruber. Surrender now.
Gruber chuckles and signals to his men. They start firing at McClane, who dives for cover.
MCCLEAN
(to Holly)
Stay down!
The two engage in a brutal gunfight, bullets flying everywhere. McClane uses every trick in his book to take out the terrorists and keep Holly safe.
CUT TO:
INT. NAKATOMI PLAZA – 30TH FLOOR – CORRIDOR – DAY
McClane emerges, bloody and bruised, with Holly by his side. They run down the corridor, firing at any terrorists who get in their way. They reach the stairwell and start making their way down.
CUT TO:
INT. NAKATOMI PLAZA – LOBBY – DAY
McClane and Holly burst out of the stairwell, guns blazing. They see a group of police officers outside the building.
MCCLEAN
(panting)
Al! We made it.
The police officers rush over to them, congratulating them on a job well done. McClane looks down at Holly, smiling.
MCCLEAN
(to Holly)
We did it.
HOLLY
(smiling back)
We make a pretty good team.
Fade Out.
Scene 4
TITLE: DIE HARD: ONE MAN ARMY
FADE IN:
INT. NAKATOMI TOWER – 30TH FLOOR – LATE AFTERNOON
John McClane observes the terrorists as they search through the buildings files.
JOHN: (to himself) What the hell are they looking for?
McClane checks his ammo. He listens intently to the terrorists’ conversations.
TERRORIST 1: (to Terrorist 2) Did you check the files upstairs?
TERRORIST 2: (to Terrorist 1) Yeah, just like down here. Nothing.
McClane thinks for a moment, then comes up with an idea. He looks around, and spots a fire hose on the wall.
JOHN: (to himself) This might just work.
McClane grabs the fire hose and ties one end around his waist.
INT. NAKATOMI TOWER – 31ST FLOOR – A FEW MINUTES LATER
McClane shoots the window, shattering it. He jumps, sliding down the side of the building.
INT. NAKATOMI TOWER – 30TH FLOOR – A FEW MINUTES LATER
The terrorists turn around as they hear the shattering of glass. McClane crashes through the window, shattering it.
TERRORIST 1: (aiming his gun) Who’s that?
TERRORIST 2: (aiming his gun) Die!
McClane kills the terrorists, then creates a distraction by throwing a chair through the window.
INT. NAKATOMI TOWER – 31ST FLOOR – A FEW MINUTES LATER
McClane climbs back into the window. He rips the hose from the wall, and ties one end around a nearby desk.
JOHN: (panting) This is getting old.
McClane jumps onto the open elevator shaft just as the terrorists enter the room.
TERRORIST 3: (aiming his gun) He’s in there!
McClane shoots the terrorist, and the desk falls, blocking the door.
EXT. NAKATOMI TOWER – SIDE OF BUILDING – A FEW MINUTES LATER
McClane struggles to climb up the side of the building, using only his strength and the fire hose.
JOHN: (to himself) Come on, come on.
Just as he reaches the top, the hose snaps. McClane falls, but manages to grab onto a nearby balcony.
JOHN: (grunting) Jesus.
INT. NAKATOMI TOWER – 32ND FLOOR – A FEW MINUTES LATER
McClane enters a room filled with explosives. He begins to dismantle them, one by one.
JOHN: (to himself) Piece of cake.
Suddenly, Hans Gruber enters the room, holding McClane’s wife as a hostage.
HANS: (smiling) Good evening, Mr. McClane.
JOHN: (angry) You motherfucker.
HANS: (calmly) I’m afraid I must insist you put down your weapon.
McClane drops his weapon.
HANS: (to his henchmen) Take him away.
McClane is dragged away by the terrorists.
FADE OUT.
Scene 5
FADE IN:
INT. NAKATOMI BUILDING – 30TH FLOOR – BOARDROOM
John McClane, covered in sweat and dirt, leans against a window, breathing heavily. He checks his watch and sighs.
MCCLEANE
(to himself)
Come on, come on.
Suddenly, his radio crackles to life.
POWELL (V.O.)
McClane, it’s Powell. We’ve got a lock on the detonators. They’re on the roof.
MCCLEANE
(into radio)
Copy that. I’m on my way.
McClane sprints out of the boardroom and down the hallway. As he rounds a corner, he comes face-to-face with Karl, one of Gruber’s henchmen.
KARL
(grinning)
You’re a hard man to kill, McClane.
MCCLEANE
(smiling)
You should see the other guys.
They both draw their guns and start firing. The bullets ricochet off the walls as they dodge and weave. McClane quickly realizes he’s outmatched, and ducks into a nearby stairwell.
Karl follows him, gun at the ready. McClane hides behind a pillar and pops up, firing. Karl falls to the ground, wounded but not dead.
MCCLEANE
(whispering to himself)
Gotta keep moving.
He runs up the stairs, taking them two at a time. He bursts through a door and onto the rooftop, where Gruber and his remaining henchmen are waiting.
GRUBER
(smiling)
Welcome, Mr. McClane. I see you’ve been busy.
MCCLEANE
(raising his gun)
Let’s finish this.
A tense standoff ensues as the two sides face off. McClane knows he’s outnumbered and outgunned, but he refuses to back down.
GRUBER
(smirking)
You think you’re so clever, don’t you? But you’re just a fly in the ointment, Hans’ words, you know.
MCCLEANE
(frowning)
What the hell are you talking about?
Suddenly, a loud explosion rocks the building. McClane and Gruber are both thrown to the ground.
MCCLEANE
(grimacing)
What the hell was that?
GRUBER
(smiling)
Oh, just a little surprise I left for you.
As McClane struggles to his feet, he realizes that time is running out. He has to act fast if he wants to save his wife and the other hostages.
MCCLEANE
(panting)
You’re a dead man, Gruber.
Gruber laughs as McClane charges at him, guns blazing.
FADE OUT.
Scene 6
FADE IN:
INT. NAKATOMI PLAZA – 30TH FLOOR – NIGHT
John McClane, battered and bruised, stands face to face with Hans Gruber, the leader of the terrorists, in an epic final showdown.
MCCLANE
(steadying his aim)
You know what I’m looking at, right, Hanson?
GRUBER
(smiling)
A mirror?
McClane squeezes the trigger, but his gun clicks empty.
McCLANE
(dropping the empty gun)
No bullets. You think I’m fucking stupid, Hans?
Gruber pulls out his gun and aims it at McClane.
GRUBER
(as McClane backs away)
Only a little. I’m going to count to three.
McClane grabs his radio and presses the button.
MCCLANE
(into the radio)
Come out to the coast, we’ll get together, have a few laughs.
Gruber’s eyes widen as he recognizes the voice on the other end.
GRUBER
(to McClane)
We could have been friends, John.
McClane smiles.
MCCLANE
(smiling)
Yeah, yeah. Now get ready to die.
Gruber pulls the trigger, but McClane leaps out of the way just in time. The two men engage in a fierce fight, throwing punches and grappling. McClane finally gains the upper hand and throws Gruber out the window. Gruber falls to his death, his last words echoing in the night.
GRUBER
(falling)
I wanted this to be professional, efficient, adult, cooperative. Not a lot to ask. Alas, your Mr. Takagi did not see it that way… so he won’t be joining us for the rest of his life.
McClane collapses to the ground, exhausted but victorious. Behind him, the LAPD SWAT team bursts in to rescue the remaining hostages.
FADE OUT.
