FADE IN

405 FREEWAY - LOS ANGELES - EARLY EVENING 1
Christmas tinsel on the light poles. We ARE LOOKING east past
Inglewood INTO the orange grid of L.A. at night when suddenly
we TILT UP TO CATCH the huge belly of a landing 747 -- the
noise is deafening.

INT. 747 - PASSENGERS - SAME
The usual moment just after landing when you let out that sigh
of relief that you've made it in one piece. As the plane TAXIS
to its gate, they stir, gather personal belongings.

ON JOHN MCCLANE
mid-thirties, good-looking, athletic and tired from his trip.
He sits by the window. His relief on landing is subtle, but
we NOTICE. Suddenly, he hears --

SALESMAN'S VOICE
You don't like flying, do you?
McClane turns, looks at the Babbit clone next to him. Caught,
he tenses, holds his armrests in exaggerated fear.

MCCLANE
No, no, where'd you get that idea?

SALESMAN
(smiling)
Ya wanna know the secret of successful
air travel? After you get where you're
going, ya take off your shoes and socks.
Then ya walk around on the rug barefoot
and make fists with your toes.

MCCLANE
Fists with your toes.