Reporter Thornburg is pleading with his producer, Sam, for a remote unit to cover the shooting at Nakatomi Plaza. There’s another truck in the area, and Sam tells Thornburg to call the truck and “tell them to swing by or something.”

“I am not sitting on this assignment!” shouts Thornburg, “It’s my story!”

“I don’t want to hear about it!” says Sam, headed to the news studio.

“Alright, Sam – look,” says Thornburg, grabbing Sam by the arm, “I’ll tell you what – – if you don’t want to give me a truck,  I’ll go and I’ll steal a truck!”

“Oh, give us a break, Thornburg,” says anchorman Harvey Johnson.

“Eat it, Harvey!” replies Thornburg. Behind Harvey, a floor director is counting down the seconds to the start of the news.

“Harvey,” says the director, “we’re on the air!”  Harvey stares at the camera. Finally he scoops up some papers on his news desk and smiles.

“Good evening,” says Harvey, “This is Harvey Johnson.” The camera shifts to his co-host.

“And I’m Gail Wallens,” says Gail. “And this is Night Line News at Ten. Our top stories on this Christmas Eve…” Harvey glares at Thornburg.

Thornburg looks at the producer.  “Take Truck Number Five,” says Sam, “Get out of here.” Thornburg nods and leaves.

Back on the 30th Floor of Nakatomi Tower, Karl and his sidekicks exit the elevator, headed to see Hans in Holly’s office.

“He wasn’t lying about Marco,” says Karl, “He’s down on the street. And the other man was Heinrich.”

Hans tries to process all this new information.

“And his bag is missing,” says Karl.

“But he had the detonators…” says Hans.  Hans thinks for a moment, then dials numbers on his walkie-talkie.

IN THIS MINUTE:

Hans Gruber: Alan Rickman

Thornburg: William Allerton

Sam: Mark Goldstein

Harvey Johnson: David Ursin

Gail Wallens: Mary Ellen Trainor

Karl: Alexander Godunov

John McClane is talking to a very puzzled Hans Gruber on the walkie-talkie. McClane scoops up ammunition into a backpack as he smokes a cigarette.

“Mister Mystery Guest,” says Gruber into his walkie-talkie, “are you still there?” McClane slings the backpack onto his shoulders and looks through the conference room partition.

“Yeah, I’m still here — unless you want to open the front door for me,” replies McClane. He slides the partition open and walks into the next room.

“Ah, no, I’m afraid not,” says Gruber, ” but you have me at a loss. You know my name, but who are you? Just another American who saw too many movies as a child? Another orphan of a bankrupt culture who thinks he’s John Wayne? Rambo? Marshal Dillon?”

McClane checks the floor exits and the elevator bank. “I was always kinda partial to Roy Rogers, actually,” says John. “I really liked them sequined shirts.”

Gruber smirks. “Do you really think you have a chance against us, Mister Cowboy?” says Hans.

The elevator on McClane’s floor pings, as John leaves through the stairwell entrance.

“Yipee-kai-yay, mother f—-er,” he says into the walkie-talkie. Hans puts the walkie-talkie down.

Meanwhile, reporter Richard Thornburgh is talking to his producer. “I can get the jump on everybody if I can get a remote!”

“Sam,” says anchorman Harvey on the microphone to the studio, “I don’t have the new pages. Where’s the Gladden re-”

“Harvey,” says producer Sam, “keep your pants on, will ya?”  Sam brushes past Thornburgh.

“Sam, look, I’m begging you,” says Thornburgh, following Sam out to the studio.

“Simon’s already doing a remote,” says Sam, “with that Salinas thing, but I’m -”

John McClane: Bruce Willis

Hans Gruber: Alan Rickman

Thornburgh: William Allerton

Sam: Mark Goldstein

Harvey: David Ursin

John McClane is talking to a very surprised Hans Gruber on the walkie-talkie.

“I didn’t get that message,” says McClane. “Maybe you should have put it on the bulletin board. I figure, since I’ve waxed Tony and Marco, and his friend here, I figured you, and Karl, and Franco might be a little lonely, so I wanted to give you a call.” McClane pauses to pat down Heinrich’s body.

Karl says to Hans, “How does he know so much about us!” but Hans shushes him.

“This is very kind of you,” says Hans into his walkie-talkie. “I see you are our mysterious party crasher. You are most troublesome — for a security guard. ”

“EEHHNK!” says John. “Sorry, Hans, wrong guess. Would you like to go for Double Jeopardy, where the scores can really change?” McClane continues to rifle through Heinrich’s body, finding a pack of European-style cigarettes. “Hmm, these are very bad for you,” says John to the dead Heinrich.

“Who are you, then?” says an annoyed Hans.

“Just a fly in the ointmen, Hans,” says John, lighting up a cigarette. “A monkey in the wrench, a pain in the ass.” McClane finds several explosive detonators in a satchel, followed by a brick of C4 explosive. “Whoa,” says McClane.

“Check on all the others, DON’T use the radio. See if he’s lying about Marco and find out if anyone else is missing.

McClane looks around the conference room.

John McClane: Bruce Willis

Hans Gruber: Alan Rickman

Heinrich: Gary Roberts

Karl: Alexander Gudenov

Television reporter Richard Thornburg is trying to arrange a dinner date on the phone at his TV studio. “Wolfgang and I are very close,”  says Thornburg. “I interviewed him, for God’s sake!”

Meanwhile, over the police scanner in the TV engineering booth, the LAPD dispatcher is talking to Al.

“Reports of shots fired at Nakatomi,” says the dispatcher, “Two thousand block of Avenue of the Stars. Repeat: officer needs assistance at -”

“I’m in Nakatomi Plaza!” responds Al, “They’re turning my car into Swiss cheese! I need backup assistance now! Now, Goddamn it, now!” Thornburg sits up in his chair and looks at the scanner. He puts his phone down.

Back at Nakatomi Plaza, a dozen police cruisers, sirens blaring,  block all the roadways leading to the tower.

On the thirtieth floor, Ellis grins at Holly. “Never thought I’d love to hear that sound!” says Ellis

In Holly’s office, Hans talks to his confederates. “All of you relax – – this is a matter of inconvenient timing, that’s all,” says Hans. “Police action was inevitable, and as it happens, necessary. So, let them fumble about outside, and stay calm. This is simply the beginning.”

Hans’s walkie-talkie squawks.  He picks it up.

“I thought I all of you I want radio silence,” he growls into the walkie-talkie. “Until further no-”

“Oh I’m very sorry, Hans!” replies McClane.

John McClane: Bruce Willis

Al Powell: Reginald VelJohnson

Richard Thornburg: William Atherton

Harry Ellis: Hart Bochner

Holly Gennaro: Bonnie Bedelia

Hans Gruber: Alan Rickman

Marco is shooting randomly through the table, and taunting McClane.

Al is talking to the police dispatcher on the radio after leaving Nakatomi Plaza.  He climbs into his patrol car, singing “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…”

Suddenly the bloody corpse of Marco crashes through his windshield.

“Goddamnit Jesus H. Christ!” yells Al, throwing his cruiser into reverse. The tires skid on the wet paver bricks.  Machine gun blasts spew from an upper floor. Al reverses wildly through the circular drive.

“Welcome to the party, pal!” yells McClane through the broken window.  More gunfire rips through the top of the cruiser, knocking off the rolling lights. Al backs over sever sapling trees.

In the limousine parked in the garage, Argyle has the music cranked up while he chats on the car phone, oblivious to the mayhem in the front of the building. Al’s cruiser pops over a hill and crashes through some planters, onto a lawn edged by rose bushes.

“There’s automatic rifle fire at Nakatomi!” yells Al into his microphone. “I need backup assistance now! Now, goddamnit, now!” He backs into a steel fence that breaks, dropping the car about ten feet over a retaining wall.

Al, his head covered with blood, pulls himself out of the wreckage of his police cruiser.

Meanwhile, television reporter Richard Thornburg is trying to arrange a dinner date on the phone at his TV studio. “Monica,” he says, “I can get us a table! Wolfgang and I are very close.”

John McClane: Bruce Willis

Al Powell: Reginald VelJohnson

Richard Thornburg: William Atherton

Marco: Lorenzo Caccialanza

Marco is shooting randomly through the table, and taunting McClane.

“Ha!” says Marco, “You are dog! No more table! Where are you going, ‘pal?’ Next time you have a chance to kill someone, don’t hesitate!” Marco reloads his gun.

At that moment, McClane fires seventeen shots through the table into Marco. “Thanks for the advice!” says McClane.

In the lobby, Al waves at Eddie as Al leaves through the front door. “Sorry to waste your time,” says Al.

“No problem at all,” replies Eddie, walking Al to the door.

“Merry Christmas,” says Al.

“Merry Christmas to you,” says Eddie.

Back on the 34th floor, John hurries to the window of the conference room.

“Oh, the weather outside is frightful,” sings Al, “dum de dum, delightful…”

At the window, John watches Al getting back into his squad car. “Oh for the love of…” says John, turning around to look for some way to communicate with the police officer.

Al uses his jacket microphone. “Eight Lincoln Thirty to Dispatch,” he says.

“Eight-El-Thirty, go ahead,” replies the dispatcher.

“Yeah, that’s a wild goose chase over here at Nakatomi Plaza,” says Al. “Everything here is okay. Over.” Al goes back to singing, “but nobody has no –”

John McClane: Bruce Willis

Al Powell: Reginald VelJohnson

Eddie: Dennis Hayden

Marco: Lorenzo Caccialanza

John picks up a chair and smashes a window. It’s overheard by James on the roof, who reports the noise on his radio to Heinrich and Marco. Heinrich tells Marco to go to the 34th Floor.

Meanwhile in the lobby, Al is glancing around the room while Eddie watches television.

“You don’t mind if I take a look around, do you?” asks Al.

Eddie waves his hand without turning around. “Naw, help yourself,” he replies. After Al walks toward the elevators, Eddie turns around to see where he’s gone.

Up on the 34th Floor, McClane is smashing the window with a chair. He spots Marco through the conference room window. “Freeze, M-f–er! Drop it!” yells McClane, aiming his pistol.

Marco raises one free hand in response, but doesn’t drop his weapon. “Don’t shoot!” he yells.

McClane continues to yell at Marco to put the gun down. Suddenly behind Marco, Heinrich appears with a weapon drawn. He fires at McClane but McClane dodges out of the way. McClane hides under the long conference table. Marco jumps atop the table and begins walking along its surface.

In the Elevator lobby, Al continues his perusal of the first floor. Around the corner at the second elevator bank, someone is holding an automatic weapon. Al pauses, then says, “Aw, the hell with this!” and walks back to the lobby.

Meanshile, Marco is shooting randomly through the table, and taunting McClane.

John McClane: Bruce Willis

Hans: Alan Rickman

Al Powell: Reginald VelJohnson

Eddie: Dennis Hayden

Karl: Alexander Godunov

Fritz: Hans Buhringer

Heinrich: Gary Roberts

James: Wilhelm von Homburg

Marco: Lorenzo Caccialanza

Hand on his club, Al approaches the entrance to Nakatomi Tower.

Eddie hurries to the locked entrance with a card key.

“Evenin’ Officer,” says Eddie, “what can I do for you?” He smiles at Al.

On the 33rd Floor, Karl, Fritz, and Franco race through the unfinished offices. They meet up with Marco, who tells them that there’s only one police officer. They all laugh.

In the lobby, Al is talking to Eddie.

“We had that false alarm, you know,” says Eddie. “If you ask me, that goddamn computer sent you on another wild goose chase.” Eddie walks back to the guard station. “They’ve been chasing bugs in this system ever since they installed it.” The television is showing a game between Notre Dame and USC on Christmas Eve.

“Aw s—!” yells Eddie, looking at the TV. “Come on – I got fifty bucks bet on those a——s.”

Al glances around the lobby.

McClane leans against the window, looking down at the empty police car, “Come on,” he says, “where’s the f—ing cavalry?”

John picks up a chair and smashes a window. It’s overheard by one of the gang on the roof, who reports the noise on his radio.

IN THIS MINUTE:

John McClane: Bruce Willis

Hans: Alan Rickman

Al Powell: Reginald VelJohnson

Eddie: Dennis Hayden

Karl: Alexander Godunov

Fritz: Hans Buhringer

Franco: Bruno Doyon

McClane, holding his pistol out ready to fire, advances toward the Nakatomi art gallery.

He enters the conference room where Takagi was killed, the chair still overturned on the floor.

McClane glances out the window and sees the police car arrive.

“Well, it’s about time,” says John.

Al drives slowly around the circular entrance. “No signs of disturbance, Dispatch,” says Al into his microphone.

“Eight-El-Thirty, roger – possible crank call,” replies Dispatch. “Check the area again and confirm.”

John looks on from the window, puzzled. “Who’s driving this car, Stevie Wonder?” he says.

“I do see a guard inside,” says Al. “I’m going to go in for a closer look.”

“Eight-El-Thirty, roger. Use caution,” replies the dispatcher.

One of the gang members watches Al from a low floor, while holding a rifle aimed at the police car.

“Eddie?” says Hans into his walkie talkie.

“I had a feeling you’d be calling,” replies Eddie.

McClane continues to watch from the window.

Al opens the door of police car 110. Hand on his club, Al approaches the entrance.

IN THIS MINUTE:

John McClane: Bruce Willis

Hans: Alan Rickman

Al Powell: Reginald VelJohnson

Eddie: Dennis Hayden

Karl moves closer to the vent, pointing his gun where McClane is hiding. Karl begins testing the ventilation segments by pushing on the bottom of the sheet metal.

McClane quietly cocks his pistol and tries to aim at Karl through the vent.

Karl’s tests are getting closer to McClane. He reaches the louver directly under McClane.

Suddenly he’s interrupted by Fritz, who is waving his walkie-talkie. “Karl!” he says, “Come! Der Politzei! Karl – – der Politzei!”

Karl takes a final look at the vent louver, and then follows Fritz.

McClane uncocks his pistol, and sighs with relief.

Meanwhile, Sgt. Al Powell arrives at the Nakatomi Plaza circular drive. One of the gang watches from the roof of the building.

Inside the 31st floor, McClane lowers himself from the ventilation channel and puts his feet on the computer desk below him.

Another member of the gang watches Al arrive in his police car.

McClane, holding his pistol out ready to fire, advances toward the Nakatomi art gallery.

IN THIS MINUTE:

John McClane: Bruce Willis

Karl: Alexander Godunov

Fritz: Hans Buhringer

Franco: Bruno Doyon