Never So Few Page #8

Doctor?

It's advised that Reynolds be

sent to the American hospital...

...in Delhi for further observation.

Gentlemen, shall we take

first things first?

How about that?

Those warrants were ordered

destroyed.

Well, you see, sir, Captain Reynolds

has several more of those...

...safely hidden away.

I am sure they could be recovered...

...but what bothers me is, why were

they issued in the first place?

Are you questioning, sir, the judgment

of the Chongqing government?

I'm questioning the use

of these warrants.

You see, sir, if there's nothing

wrong with them...

...why do you want them destroyed?

These warrants were issued to troops

of independent Chinese generals...

- ... whose integrity cannot be questioned.

- Warlords.

For the purpose of prosecuting

enemies of the Chinese Republic.

Americans were, as you say,

prosecuted.

We of the Chongqing government

have no proof of that.

You have the sworn deposition

of an American officer.

Whose qualifications have already

been confuted by his own superiors...

...and whose rebelliousness

I personally find unbearable.

I must insist on Reynolds' apology.

And I, sir, must insist that these

warrants were misused by a warlord...

...who took it upon himself

to kill Americans.

And it's his conduct that should be

examined, not Reynolds'.

The high command of the American and

Chinese should be made aware of that.

So there will be no apology.

Certainly not by Captain Reynolds.

You see, this boy has influence

in Washington.

Influence? Who?

Me.

Colonel Reed, I think you

fiddle-fouled this whole detail.

You and Alofson both.

It seems to me that Captain Reynolds

is saner than either of you.

Is that what you would

have us report?

I'll do the reporting, to your government,

and to the Chongqing government.

Do you wish to speak further

with me on this?

In the words of an old hymn:

"You go to hell. "

Sir.

Gentlemen.

As for you, I could pulverize you

on a hundred raps...

...and make them, each of them, stick.

Disobedience of orders.

Yes, sir.

Conduct of a nature to bring discredit

upon the military.

Yes, sir.

Use of provoking words and gestures

to an officer, disrespect towards same.

Yes, sir.

Conduct against the prejudice

of good order and discipline.

Colonel, you got any more

of that foot wash?

Yes, sir.

Conduct unbecoming an officer

and a what-do-you-call-it.

Yes, sir.

Now, may I say that I owe you

a debt of gratitude.

Perhaps you're not aware of the fact

that I got my Medal of Honor...

- ... for disobeying orders.

- No, sir.

I'd forgotten how fine it feels

to do what you think is right...

...regardless of the consequences.

I think there's one more thing

you should know.

"The Chongqing government sincerely

deplores the actions of renegade bandits.

Possession and misuse of warrants

issued by the Republic of China...

...are being investigated

by proper authority.

Our wish Captain Reynolds be

exonerated of all charges immediately.

Signed, Chiang Kai-shek. "

Well, I guess the generalissimo

needed a little time to think things out...

...like the rest of us mortals.

I'll have an airplane

take you back to your Kachins.

I guess congratulations are in order,

all around.

Yes, sir.

I want our house painted white,

with blue curtains.

I want brass candlesticks

and a clock on the mantel.

And I want a little rocking chair

for the baby's room.

Already it starts.

We have to hold our head up

in the neighborhood, don't we?

Anything you say, cara mia.

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