“Dwayne Robinson, LAPD – I’m in charge here,” explains Robinson.

Big Johnson takes a drag on his cigarette and looks up at the building. “Not anymore,” corrects Big Johnson.

On the 35th Floor, Hans inspects the detonator wires attached to the helicopter pad, using a flashlight. As he climbs higher into the HVAC equipment, he puts down his pistol and flashlight on a ledge. Creeping along the ledge, he finds that the job is unfinished. He shakes his head and jumps down from the HVAC equipment.

As he lands, he finds himself facing a pair of dirty bare feet. It’s John McClane.

McClane points a gun at his head.

IN THIS MINUTE:

Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber

Paul Gleason as Deputy Chief Dwayne T. Robinson

Bruce Willis as John McClane

Robert Davi as Big Johnson

Grand L. Bush as Little Johnson

Dr. Haseldorf is explaining the hostage situation to anchorwoman Gail.

“The hostages should be going through the early stages of the Helsinki Syndrome,” says Dr. Haseldorf.

“As in, Helsinki Sweden,” interjects Anchorman Harvey Johnson.

“Finland,” corrects Dr. Haseldorf. “Basically, it’s when the hostages and the terrorists go through a sort of psychological transference, and a projection of dependency. A strange sort of trust and bond develops…”

The body of Ellis is dragged out of Holly’s office, as sobs and sighs from the hostages fill the air.

“We’ve had situations where the hostages have embraced their captors after their release, and even corresponded with them in prison.”

Dwayne T. Robinson is on the phone, detailing the terrorist demands.

“No, no, honey,” says Robinson, “Asian Dawn. Dawn. D-A-W-N.”

“Sir?” a tactical officer interrupts.

“Yeah?” replies Robinson.

“The FBI is here,” says the officer.

“The FBI is here, now?” asks Robinson.

“Yes, sir, right over there,” says the officer.

“Hold this,” says Robinson, handing the officer his mobile phone. Robinson buttons his suit jacket.

“Want a breath mint?” asks Al, sarcastically.  Dwayne walks over to the two FBI officers.

“Hey!” says Robinson, “How are you doing, man?”

“I’m Agent Johnson,” says Agent Little Johnson, “This is Special Agent Johnson.” He points to the other agent.

“Oh,” says Robinson, turning to the other agent. “How are you doing?” Robinson holds out his hand.

“No relation,” explains Little Johnson. Big Johnson leaves Robinson’s handshake in midair.

“I’m uh,” begins Robinson, “I’m -”

IN THIS MINUTE:

Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber

Paul Gleason as Deputy Chief Dwayne T. Robinson

Reginald VelJohnson as Sgt. Al Powell

Alexander Godunov as Karl

Bruce Willis as John McClane

Robert Davi as Big Johnson

Grand L. Bush as Little Johnson

George Christie as Dr. Haseldorf

Mary Ellen Trainor as Gail Wallens

Hans wants to be notified when Theo gets to the last lock in the safe.

“Karl,” says Hans, “Hunt that little s—t down and get those detonators.”

“Fritz is checking the explosives,” says Karl.

“I’ll check the explosives – you just get the detonators.”

John McClane picks up his walkie talkie. “Hey pal,” he says, “you out there?”

“I’m here, John,” says Al, “I’m here. ”

“You gotta believe me,” says McClane, “There was nothing I could do.”

“Well, it’s gonna be both our asses if you’re wrong,” says Al.

“I hear you,” says John. He takes a drag off his cigarette. “Did you catch that bulls— Hans was running? Doesn’t make sense, man.”

“Hey, don’t ask me, man,” replies Al, “I’m just a desk jockey who was on his way home when you rang.”

“The way you drove that car, I figured you for the street, Al,” says McClane.

“In my youth,” says Al, “In my youth…”

On TV, the news anchor is introducing a writer. “…and author of ‘Hostage Terrorist, Terrorist Hostage: A Study in Duality.’ Doctor Haseldorf, what can we expect in the next few hours?”

“Well, Gail,” replies Dr. Haseldorf, “By this time–”

IN THIS MINUTE:

Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber

Reginald VelJohnson as Sgt. Al Powell

Alexander Godunov as Karl

Bruce Willis as John McClane

George Christie as Dr. Haseldorf

Mary Ellen Trainor as Gail Wallens

Hans is listing terrorists he wants freed by the police.

“– nine members of the Asian Dawn,” he continues.

McClane listens in on his walkie talkie. “What the f—?” he says.

In Holly’s office Karl looks askance at Hans. “Asian Dawn?” he mouths.

“I read about them in Time Magazine,” explains Hans. He turns back to the walkie talkie.

“When these revolutionary brothers and sisters are free,” Hans continues, “the hostages in this building will be taken to the roof, and they will accompany us in helicopters to the Los Angeles International Airport, where they will be given further instructions. You have two hours to comply.”

“Wait a minute,” says Dwayne Robinson, “Mister Gruber, this is crazy! I-I don’t have the authority – I can’t authorize — two hours is not enough-”

The radio squelches.

“H– hello?” says Dwayne. “Hello?” There is no response. Dwayne puts the microphone down. “Danny,” says Robinson, “did you get all that? Let’s go, we’ve gotta make some calls!”

Al watches Robinson run off.

In Holly’s office Karl is talking to Hans.

“Do you think they’ll even try to do it?” asks Karl.

“Who cares?” replies Hans. He taps on his walkie talkie. “Theo, are we on schedule?”

Theo is still working on the safe. “One more to go, then it’s up to you,” he says, “And you’d better be right, because it looks like this last one’s going to take a miracle.”

“It’s Christmas, Theo!” replies Hans. “It’s the time of miracles – – so, be of good cheer, and call me when you–”

IN THIS MINUTE:

Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber

Reginald VelJohnson as Sgt. Al Powell

Alexander Godunov as Karl

Bruce Willis as John McClane

Paul Gleason as Dwayne T. Robinson

“Why don’t you wake up and smell what you’re shoveling?” Al asks Dwayne T. Robinson.

“You listen to me, Sargeant,” says Robinson, “Any time you want to go home, you consider yourself dismissed.”

“No, sir!” replies Al, “You couldn’t drag me away!”

“Attention, police,” says Hans on the walkie talkie. Robinson points to another officer, who turns on a tape recorder. “Attention police,” repeats Hans.

“This is Sargeant Al Powell, of the-” begins Al, but Robinson grabs the microphone.

“Give me that,” says Robinson. ” This is, uh, this is Deputy Chief Dwayne Robinson. Who is this?”

“This is Hans Gruber,” says Hans. “I assume you realize the futility of direct action against me. We have no wish for further loss of life.”

“Well, uh, what is it that you do wish for, Mister Gruber?” asks Robinson.

“I have comrades in arms, languishing around the world in prison,” replies Hans. “The American State Department enjoys rattling its saber for its own ends – – now, it can rattle it for me. The following people are to be released from their captors: in Northern Ireland, the seven members of the New Provo Front;  in Canada, the five leaders of Liberté du Québec…”

Robinson looks quizzically at his microphone. McClane smokes a cigarette and listens to the list.

“In Sri Lanka, the nine-” continues Gruber.

IN THIS MINUTE:

Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber

Reginald VelJohnson as Sgt. Al Powell

Bruce Willis as John McClane

Paul Gleason as Dwayne T. Robinson

Hans opens Holly’s office door and holds up his walkie talkie so that McClane can hear the screaming over the radio.

McClane listens to the screams.

“Do you hear that?” says Hans into the walkie talkie. “Talk to me! Where are my detonators? Where are they – – or should I shoot another one? Sooner or later I might get to someone you do care about!”

McClane closes his eyes, then picks up the walkie talkie. “Go f— yourself, Hans,” he says.

Back at the command post, Dwayne T. Robinson is talking to Al.

“Did you hear that?” asks Robinson, “he just let the guy die, man! He just gave him up! Give me that headset.” Dwayne takes the headset from the other officer. “That’s like pulling the trigger yourself.”

“Christ,” replies Al, “Man, can’t you see what’s happening?  Can’t you read between the lines?”

“Am I on the right channel?” says Robinson to the other officer.

“Yes, sir,” says the officer.

“He did everything he could to save him!” says Al. Robinson shakes his head. “If he gave himself up they could both be dead now!”

“No way, man, no way,” replies Robinson, “They’d be talking to us. Listen: you tell this ‘partner’ of yours, Powell, to stay the hell out of this from now on, do you hear me? Because if he doesn’t, I’m gonna nail him, boy, I’m really gonna nail his ass now, believe me.”

“The man is hurtin’,” replies Al. “He is alone, tired, and he hasn’t seen diddley squat from anybody down here! Now, you’re gonna stand there and tell me that he’s going to give a damn about what you’re gonna do to him if he makes it out of there alive? Why don’t you wake up?”

IN THIS MINUTE:

Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber

Reginald VelJohnson as Sgt. Al Powell

Bruce Willis as John McClane

Paul Gleason as Dwayne T. Robinson

Ellis is yelling at McClane about returning the detonators.

“I’m putting my life on the line for you, pal!” says Ellis. He wiggles his eyebrows at Hans and smiles.

“Ellis,” says McClane, “listen to me very carefully…”

“John–” interrupts Harry.

“Shut up, Ellis! Just shut your mouth!” says John. “Put Hans back on the line!” Harry turns the speaker toward Gruber.

“Hans,” says McClane, “this s—head does not know what kind of man you are, but I do. Listen to me –”

“Good,” says Hans, “then you’ll give us what we want and save your friend’s life. You’re not part of this equation. It’s time you realized that.”

“Hey, what am I, a method actor?” asks Harry. “Hans,  babe, put away the gun! This is radio, not television. ”

“Hans!” shouts McClane, “This a–hole is not my friend! I just met him tonight! I don’t know him! Jesus Christ, Ellis! These people are going to kill you! Tell ’em you don’t know me! ”

Ellis laughs. “John, how can you say that, after all of these years?” he replies.  McClane doesn’t reply.

“John,” says Ellis. “John?” Still no answer. Ellis shrugs and laughs. Hans smiles at Harry.  Harry toasts him with the Coke, and starts to drink.

There’s a gunshot on the radio.

The Nakatomi employees in the assembly room screen. Holly is shocked.

Hans opens Holly’s office door and holds up his walkie talkie so that McClane can hear the screaming over the radio.

IN THIS MINUTE:

Hart Bochner as Harry Ellis

Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber

Bruno Doyon as Franco

Alexander Godunov as Karl

Reginald VelJohnson as Sgt. Al Powell

Tracy Reiner as Mary

William Atherton as Richard Thornburg

Ellis continues to bloviate, oblivious to the stakes he’s raised between McClane and Gruber.

“No one gets out of here until these guys can talk to the L.A. police,” says Harry, “and that just ain’t gonna happen until you stop messing up the works, Capice?  ”

McClane is shocked. He chooses his words carefully. “Ellis,” he says, “what have you told them?”

“I told them we were old friends,” says Ellis, “and you were my guest at the party!”

“Ellis,” says John, “you shouldn’t be doing this.”

“Tell me about it,” says Harry. He’s handed a glass with ice and a Coke by Franco.  Ellis nods at Franco, then looks over at Hans, who smiles and nods at him to continue. Franco pours the Coke.

“Alright, John, listen,” says Harry, “They want you to tell them where the detonators are. They know people are listening. They want the detonators, or they’re gonna kill me.” Ellis gives Hans a knowing smile, and a thumbs-up.  “John, didn’t you hear me?” says Ellis.

“Yeah, I hear you,” says John.

Ellis is getting annoyed. “Hey, John,” he says, “I think you could get with the program a little! The police are here now – – it’s their problem. Now tell these guys where the detonators are so no one else gets hurt! You know, I’m – -”

IN THIS MINUTE:

Hart Bochner as Harry Ellis

Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber

Bruno Doyon as Franco

Alexander Godunov as Karl

Reginald VelJohnson as Sgt. Al Powell

Tracy Reiner as Mary

William Atherton as Richard Thornburg

John and Al’s conversation is interrupted by Hans.

“Touching, Cowboy,” says Hans, “Touching. Or should I call you — Mister McClane? Mister Officer John McClane of the New York Police Department?”

Listening in from the news van, Thornburg turns to his assistant, Mary, and says, “Get on the phone to Harry in New York. C’mon, babe! Move!”

“Got it!” replies Mary, leaving.

“Better get ahold of somebody in Dispatch,” says Al to another police officer.

“Sister Teresa called me Mister McClane in the third grade,” replies John to Hans on the walkie-talkie, “my friends call me John. And you’re neither, s—head.”

“I have someone who wants to talk to you,” says Hans. “A very special friend who was with you at the party tonight.” John closes his eyes.

Hans holds the walkie-talkie out to Ellis. “Hey,” says Ellis, “John-Boy!”

McClane pauses. “Ellis?” says John.

“Yeah,” says Ellis. “Now listen, John. They’ve given me some minutes to try and talk some sense into you. I know you think you’re doing your job and I can appreciate that, but  you’re just dragging this thing out. Now look–”

IN THIS MINUTE:

Hart Bochner as Harry Ellis

Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber

Bruno Doyon as Franco

Alexander Godunov as Karl

Reginald VelJohnson as Sgt. Al Powell

Tracy Reiner as Mary

William Atherton as Richard Thornburg

John and Al’s conversation is interrupted by Hans.

“Touching, Cowboy,” says Hans, “Touching. Or should I call you — Mister McClane? Mister Officer John McClane of the New York Police Department?”

Listening in from the news van, Thornburg turns to his assistant, Mary, and says, “Get on the phone to Harry in New York. C’mon, babe! Move!”

“Got it!” replies Mary, leaving.

“Better get ahold of somebody in Dispatch,” says Al to another police officer.

“Sister Teresa called me Mister McClane in the third grade,” replies John to Hans on the walkie-talkie, “my friends call me John. And you’re neither, s—head.”

“I have someone who wants to talk to you,” says Hans. “A very special friend who was with you at the party tonight.” John closes his eyes.

Hans holds the walkie-talkie out to Ellis. “Hey,” says Ellis, “John-Boy!”

McClane pauses. “Ellis?” says John.

“Yeah,” says Ellis. “Now listen, John. They’ve given me some minutes to try and talk some sense into you. I know you think you’re doing your job and I can appreciate that, but  you’re just dragging this thing out. Now look–”

IN THIS MINUTE:

Hart Bochner as Harry Ellis

Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber

Bruno Doyon as Franco

Alexander Godunov as Karl

Reginald VelJohnson as Sgt. Al Powell

Tracy Reiner as Mary

William Atherton as Richard Thornburg