Hope and Glory Page #4

GRACE:

They'd gone.

MOLLY:

Saw Clive coming.

They all have a good laugh at CLIVE'S expense and he takes

it well enough. BILL drifts over to his lead soldiers

spread out in a corner of the room. They are an eclectic

mix of cowboys, Indians, the Medieval Knights, as well as

modern militia and a few farm animals.

CLIVE:

We all had to write a last letter

home.

GRACE:

And it was the last. Hasn't

written a letter since. Not even

a birthday card.

BILL sets a mounted knight against a clutch of modern

infantry.

MAC:

It's not like when you're in it.

Just young boys spilling their

guts in the mud.

DAWN:

What were they like, the Germans,

when you were a prisoner of war?

BILL looks up with interest. The others fall silent.

MAC:

Most of them were very decent to

me.

MOLLY:

I wish you wouldn't go saying

that. You'll get into trouble.

DAWN:

You can speak German, can't you?

MAC:

A bit.

DAWN:

Say something. I want to know

what it sounds like.

MOLLY:

Certainly not!

MAC:

In den ganzen Welt die meisten

Leute sind dumm.

MOLLY:

Not so loud!

INT. ROHAN HOUSE - DINING ROOM - DAY

Later. The two men are in post-prandial sleep in the

armchairs on either side of the fire. Sounds of washing up

and women's voices come from the kitchen. BILL walks up

very close and examines the two warriors from the Great

War, or the First Wold War, as it was now coming to be

known. Their mouths are open, slack. His father's false

teeth click up and down as he breathes. MAC shifts his

backside in his sleep to let a fart up from the side of the

leatherette armchair. BILL looks at CLIVE's mottled skin,

the stubble, the sagging epidermis around the eyes. He goes

to the mantelpiece and takes down a silver-framed picture

of his father as a baby-faced second lieutenant wearing

that same Sam Browne. BILL holds the picture next to his

father's snoring face. Once again, a new bulletin begins on

the ever-playing wireless.

BILL:

Dad, the News. It's the News.

CLIVE stirs.

CLIVE:

Go off and play, son.

BILL shakes him.

BILL:

But Dad, It's the News.

CLIVE:

Thanks, son. I can hear it. I'm

not sleeping, just closing my

eyes.

BILL is confused. He still feels it is his duty to wake

him.

BILL:

(shouting)

The Germans! They've landed!

GRACE and MOLLY appear at the door, alarmed. The men sleep

on.

BILL:

Only joking.

INT. ROHAN HOUSE - CHILDREN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

BILL and SUE are in two beds, side by side. Between them is

a crystal set and they are sharing the earphones listening

to Itma or Much Binding in the Marsh. Their door is half

open and a gust of shots and cries rises from below. BILL

gets up and goes to the door.

INT. ROHAN HOUSE - HALLYWAY AND LANDING - NIGHT

BILL and SUE venture out on to the landing and peer through

the banisters to the hallway and front door below.

INT. ROHAN HOUSE - HALLWAY - NIGHT

MAC and MOLLY are leaving, as CLIVE and GRACE help them on

with their coats. They have had a few more drinks, and are

making sentimental farewells.

MOLLY:

Bloody gin. Always makes me cry.

MAC:

Got some wires crossed. Only

weeps when she's happy.

GRACE:

You're making me start now.

MAC embarrasses her.

MAC:

Now, now Grace.

He turns to CLIVE and takes him by the shoulders. They are

both quiet drunk.

MAC:

Root it out Clive... the thought

of it, before it takes hold.

CLIVE:

Weeds will grow, Mac.

MAC:

Consider Grace, the kids. I love

them like my own. And you.

CLIVE:

Kiss me Hardy.

As he mentions the children Molly wails anew.

MOLLY:

Why couldn't I have the kids? Is

he sitting up there... saying...

"Grace, yes; Molly, no?"

GRACE holds her tight.

GRACE:

Better off, Molly. What's to

become of the poor mites!

SUE'S face creases and tears well up. BILL puts a

protective arm about her.

MAC:

You're a mug, Clive. We did our

bit in the Last Lot.

CLIVE:

If King and Country call, Mac,

you go as soon as I will.

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