Carry On

Title: “Carry On”

Genre: Dark Comedy

Logline: “Carry On” takes place at the Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware where hilarity ensues amongst the U.S. Marine liaison and the officer directly appointed under him. The commanding officer of this portion of the base, black Marine Major Douglass Finney, displays a straight-laced demeanor and does everything according to his own code. The gravity of the base used for processing the fallen warriors gives the show a bleak humor appeal. The sensibilities of both humor and solemnity combine and form a distinct contrast that makes for compelling and hilarious viewing.

Pilot Episode: “Four Stars”

Inspection day comes to the base. Marine Four star General Justine McAdams visits Major Finney and Captain Suchin Zhang to see if they have their brain housing groups planted firmly on their heads.

She’s no-nonsense and has zero tolerance for the commanding officer. In the first episode, she berates the major for not having enough peppermints available in the candy dish for families.

“A candy dish? Are you goddamn kidding me?” Finney recounts to Suchin. She is full of laughs as she is three years sober but finds herself at the bar every night sipping sparkling water with bitters. She heads the administrative arm of the Marine liaison outfit. With Finney, they have a close association as they graduated from Officer Candidate School (OCS) together. She reminds him that Staff Sergeant Lonnie Barthelomew has been looking at her as a love interest. Finney asks if he knows that noncommissioned officers and officers can’t fraternize according to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

“He knows,” she says. “He just wants to keep things interesting.”

FADE IN. BOOTS HIT THE GROUND SOFTLY

EXT. DOVER AIR FORCE BASE -NIGHT

Warriors extract a metal, flag-draped box from the bowels of a C-130 aircraft. Among them standing at attention saluting is United States Marine Corps Base Liaison Commanding Officer MAJOR DOUGLASS FINNEY. Once the casket is loaded in a hearse, The service members slowly withdraw their salutes and carry on after that.

INT. FINNEY’S OFFICE- NIGHT

FINNEY walks with a steady gait in his return to his office. He returns salutes to some airmen. His onyx colored skin is striking against his green Service Alpha uniform even in the night. His gold oak leaf rank insignia shine under the light. He opens the door to find CAPTAIN SUCHIN ZHANG.

SUCHIN looks at FINNEY sort of sideways

SUCHIN [slyly]

You get off on this, don’t you?

FINNEY [incredulously]

Jesus! No.

SUCHIN

Yeah, you do. You love it. The pageantry. The seriousness of it all. You’re ready for a new pair of skivvies.

FINNEY

Look, it’s all business. Everything I do is—

SUCHIN

— 'All business.' I’ve taken notice Mr. Wall Street in camouflage. What do you think of Miss Four Stars coming through tomorrow?

FINNEY

I’ve got nothing to worry about. You?

SUCHIN

My shop is so tight it could be in a banana show and slice ‘em sideways.

FINNEY [He laughs]

Goddamn, you’re crazy!

SUCHIN

Anyway, tomorrow is going to be special for me. I’m going to see what I’m going to look like with the stars on my shoulders. I’ll get there one day.

STAFF SERGEANT LONNIE BARTHELOMEW interrupts.

STAFF SERGEANT BARTHOLOMEW

Good evening, Ma’am. Good evening, sir. It’s good to see you, ma’am.

SUCHIN

What is it, Lonnie?

BARTHOLOMEW

I just wanted to give you these FitReps ahead of tomorrow. He waves and exits from the office.

FINNEY

Lonnie?

SUCHIN

It’s strictly Aristotilian. We’re not breaking the UCMJ if that’s what you’re thinking.

FINNEY

That’s your business. You know I would have to discipline you.

SUCHIN [sardonically]

Sir, yes, sir! Sir, I’m aware of that, sir!

FINNEY

Alright, alright.

SUCHIN [switching gears]

Hey, let me buy you a beer.

FINNEY

You, getting drinks?

SUCHIN

For you dunderhead.

FINNEY

You don’t want to lose your chip.

What's it been, four years?

SUCHIN

Three and I’m tired of counting. So, c’mon with me. I’ll get you hungover tomorrow so that you can deal with the general.

FINNEY

I’m not about to go through hell with the top Marine officer who will be on base in O-Nine hundred hours from now. I’ll get a good buzz and keep it pushing.

FINNEY and SUCHIN go off base to the Super Bar that offers Japanese rice lager and the best sushi in Delaware.

SUCHIN [she sips a sparkling water with bitters]

What do you think is the best part about being a Marine?

FINNEY [surprised]

Wow! We’re going there. It has to be the ability to know I’m protecting my own freedom and my closest values.

SUCHIN

What? no thoughts on selfless, sacrificial, unselfish duty?

FINNEY [he looks at her askance]

I’ll be goddamned if I say any of that tripe.

SUCHIN

I’m definitely in it for the uniforms. Do you know how sexy I look in my Blues? Jesus I’m hot!

They share a laugh and she pays for the bill.

INT. JUST OUTSIDE FINNEY’S OFFICE-DAY

JUSTINE looks at a candy dish.

Why isn’t there a proper distribution of spearmint, peppermint, and chocolate mint?

FINNEY

Forgive me, ma’am.

JUSTINE

Don’t ask for forgiveness. Correct it.

FINNEY and SUCHIN exchange glances.

The inspection concludes and the two officers share a liquid lunch at the Super bar.

FINNEY

A goddamn candy dish and we get a failing grade.

SUCHIN

I think it was more than just the candy. Try your jacked up records system.

FINNEY

I have my own way of doing things. If the general can’t accept that, then it’s on her.

SUCHIN [she bursts out laughing over her sparkling water]

Okay, Major Pain in the Ass.

FINNEY

You know me all too well.

FADE OUT