JUDGE
Next witness
Pvt. Bryan Johnston
JOHNSTON
Danny and I were new recruits
Stationed to Fort Benning.
Everyone knew Danny
He stuck out
The only Chinese guy
In our platoon
They called him Chen Chen,
And Jackie Chan
Said he was from China,
Danny, he just laughed.
DANNY
Yeah, I’m from China.
China. Town. New York!
DANNY
“Dear mom and dad
Though I’m suffering here,
I am also
Happy as hell”
SOLDIERS
Rodriguez! Martin! Douglas!
Johnston!
Winters! Chen! Gonzalez!
Dumar! Bolin!
JOHNSTON
Danny wasn’t big
But he was tough!
We all gave him crap,
But couldn’t shake him.
DANNY
“We all call each other
By our last names
My feet got blisters
But I’m loving army life
MOTHER CHEN
Danny sent letters.
I can’t read English
So his friend
Translated them for me.
DANNY
“The drill sergeants
Say fuck like every sentence”
JOSEPHINE
“The drill sergeants
Use very bad language”
DANNY
“Everyone likes country music,
Weird as hell”
JOSEPHINE
“Their taste in music
Is not like New York City”
DANNY
“The .50 cal rifle
It’s damn awesome,
Real call of duty shit”
JOSEPHINE
He’s having a good time!